bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fostering AI literacy in pre-service physics teachers: inputs from training and co-variables
Authors: Abdulayeva Aigerim , Zhanatbekova Nazym , Andasbayev Yerlan , Boribekova Farzana 
Published: February 2025

BackgroundWhile the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education is widely recognized, the rapid evolution of these technologies necessitates a corresponding evolution in teacher education. This research sought to investigate the impact of a targeted training program on pre-service physics teachers’ AI literacy levels and their subsequent attitudes and intentions toward AI adoption in their future teaching.MethodsA pre-post-test control group quasi-experimental study was implemented among physics teacher education students. A 5 weeks long out-of-curriculum intervention was designed and implemented that combined theoretical grounding with practical, problem-based learning activities, with a focus on the use of various AI tools.ResultsThere was a significant upswing in AI literacy performance post-intervention, showcasing that the training was effective in facilitating participants’ understanding and application of AI in educational contexts. Additionally, perceived usefulness of AI was found to be a partial mediator in the link between literacy scores and behavioral intention to embed generative solutions into potential teaching.ConclusionThe study concludes that incorporating comprehensive AI literacy programs into teacher education curricula is essential for fostering a technologically adept and pedagogically innovatively minded teaching workforce. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of AI literacy training on teacher practice and student learning outcomes.
Effects of light exposure during IVF: transcriptomic analysis of murine embryos and embryo-derived EVs
Authors: Nagy Bence , Bognár Zoltán , Csabai Timea Judit , Fekete Nóra , Buzás Edit Irén , Kovács Árpád Ferenc , Szekeres-Barthó Júlia , Pállinger Éva 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionLight exposure of embryos during assisted reproduction affects embryo quality and implantation capacity in a wavelength dependent manner. We investigated the molecular mechanism of these light-induced changes through the comparative analysis of gene expression and regulatory miRNA profile of murine embryos cultured in dark environment and those exposed to white- or red filtered light. miRNA sequencing was used to assess the role of embryo-derived extracellular vesicles in the endometrium-embryo dialogue.MethodsIn vitro cultured mouse embryos at 3.5 days post coitum (dpc) were exposed to white or red filtered light. After 24 hours mRNA and miRNA content of the embryos as well as the miRNA content of embryo-derived extracellular vesicles were isolated and RNA-sequencing was performed. Differential expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis were used for evaluating the transcriptome results.ResultsLight exposure caused transcriptomic changes in the embryos. White light upregulated apoptotic pathways, while red filtered light gave rise to the activation of regeneration pathways, including DNA repair mechanisms. Embryo-derived extracellular vesicles enclosed wavelength dependently unique miRNA cargos the target genes of which play a role in embryo implantation.DiscussionWhite light upregulates apoptotic pathways, at both the transcriptome and regulatory miRNAs levels. Red filtration partially counterbalances these negative effects by shifting the cellular processes towards regeneration, including DNA repair mechanisms. Extracellular vesicles of light exposed embryos play a role in blastocyst-decidua communication through the horizontal transfer of regulatory miRNAs. Our data prove that light exposure during in vitro fertilization modifies cell function that might affect the outcome of implantation.
Aclacinomycin enhances the killing effect of allogeneic NK cells on acute myeloid leukemia cells by inducing immunogenic cell death
Authors: Ye Yongbin , Liu Ning , Zeng Yunxin , Guo Ziwen , Wang Xiaobo , Xu Xiaojun 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionNatural killer (NK) cells, which exert spontaneous cytotoxicity against infectious diseases and cancer, also play an important role in leukemia therapy. Despite the success of NK-based therapy in the treatment of myeloid leukemia, the potential use of NK alloreactivity in these hematologic malignancies remains elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether allogeneic NK cells combined with aclacinomycin (ACM) could enhance anti-leukemic functionality against an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line and to clarify the underlying mechanism. MethodsKG-1α and HL-60 AML cell lines were subjected to different treatments. The effects of different drug combinations on cytotoxicity, cell viability, and apoptotic status were examined. ResultsThe results showed that the combination of ACM (40 nmol/l) and allogeneic NK cells (ratio 20:1) was significantly cytotoxic to AML cells and increased the apoptosis of AML cells, especially after 72 h of treatment. Subsequent analyses revealed that the expression of immunogenic cell death (ICD)-related molecules calreticulin, adenosine triphosphate, and high mobility group box 1, as well as NK cell effector production—perforin and granzyme B—was markedly increased in the combination treatment group. These findings suggest that ACM enhances the anti-leukemic activity of allogeneic NK cells through the ICD pathway. DiscussionThese results demonstrated that allogeneic NK cells had enhanced functional responses when stimulated with ACM in vitro, exhibiting superior effector cytokine production and cytotoxicity compared to the control, which contained conventional NK cells. In conclusion, the present study suggested that the combination of ACM and allogeneic NK cells is a promising therapeutic strategy against AML.
Differential transcript and soluble factor patterns in macrophage/enterocyte-like monolayer co-cultures based on apical or basolateral LPS exposure
Authors: Mazzei Aurora , Cucchiara Martina , Mortara Lorenzo , Bossi Elena , Schiavone Roberta , Verri Tiziano , Bruno Antonino , Barca Amilcare 
Published: February 2025

BackgroundThe monolayer of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) plays a crucial role in controlling intestinal homeostasis, also by its interaction with the immune system, via paracrine cytokine production, thus driving innate responses by tissue-resident immune cells. Here, using a co-culture model, we investigated the interactions between differentiated Caco-2 cells in monolayer and macrophages, by mimicking the cross-talk between enterocytes and immune cells during gastrointestinal (GI) tract inflammation.MethodsCaco-2 mature monolayers grown on Transwell membranes were challenged with apical or basolateral LPS. After stimulations, the enterocyte-like monolayers were transferred in co-culture with THP-1 derived macrophages. The functional impact of treatments was evaluated in terms of monolayer’s permeability, expression of mRNAs related to inflammation and immune responses and analysis of immune soluble factors present in the co-culture media.ResultsLPS effectively affected monolayer’s permeability and induced a pro-inflammatory transcriptional program in Caco-2 monolayers. Remarkably, THP-1 derived macrophages differentially responded based on the diverse directional source of LPS, previously administered to the Caco-2 monolayers. Basolateral sensing of LPS, by Caco-2 monolayers, induced specific increase of several pro-inflammatory factors such as NF-kB1, IL-6 and IL-8, at transcript level, in macrophages, while apical sensing triggering targeted increase of IL-1β expression. Significantly, the analysis of immune factors secreted in the co-culture media suggested that paracrine interactions between enterocyte-like monolayers and macrophages are differently driven based on the basolateral vs. apical inflammation, previously triggered by LPS against the epithelial monolayer, and thus involving different immune gene networks.ConclusionsTaken together, our results suggest a framework of interactions between IECs and macrophages, depending upon the “polarized” inflammatory dysregulation.
Development of a colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic strip for rapid detection of Areca palm velarivirus 1
Authors: Lu Jie , He Weifan , Liu Yuxing , Li Shiqi , Huang Xi , Wang Hongxing , Cao Xianmei 
Published: February 2025

BackgroundAreca palm velarivirus 1 (APV1), the causal agent of betel palm yellow leaf disease (YLD), has caused significant yield losses and decreased product quality of betel nuts, posing a serious economic threat to local farmers. There is an urgent need for a convenient and reliable method for the rapid detection and surveillance of APV1.MethodsThe Capsid protein (CP) of APV1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified as antigen to immunize BALB/c mice. Two specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), APV1CP-1 and APV1CP-10, were generated through the hybridoma technique. APV1CP-1 was conjugated with colloidal gold served as detection reagent, while APV1CP-10 was coated onto a porous nitrocellulose membrane to act as the detection line. Goat anti-mouse IgG was used as the control line. These components were then assembled into a colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip (CGICS) for effective detection of APV1.ResultsThe MAbs APV1CP-1 and APV1CP-10 were successfully obtained with titers exceeding 1:102,400. Colloidal gold particles used in the assay had an approximate diameter of 30–40 nm, and exhibited a surface plasmon resonance peak around 530 nm. The CGICS allowed for the detection of APV1 by applying infected sap to the test strip, with results visible within 5–10 min. The test showed no cross-reactivity with other viruses tested, and the visual detection limit for APV1 was established at a 100-fold dilutions of APV1-infected leaf samples.ConclusionThe monoclonal antibody-based colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip developed in this study demonstrates significant convenience, rapidity, and reliability for APV1 detection. These advancements are anticipated to facilitate rapid diagnosis and surveillance of APV1 in field settings.
Disease phenotypic and outcome of very-early onset inflammatory bowel disease in Asian children: an understudied population
Authors: Lee Way-Seah , Chew Kee-Seang , Huang James-Guoxian , Tanpowpong Pornthep , Mercado Karen S. C. , Reodica Almida , Logarajah Veena , Hathagoda K. L. W. , Rajindrajith Shaman , Wong Yoko Kin-Yoke , Treepongkaruna Suporn , Aw Marion Margaret 
Published: February 2025

BackgroundThere is a paucity of knowledge on disease phenotype and outcome of very early-onset (VEO) inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD) from recently developed and developing countries, including from Southeast Asia. We studied disease phenotype, clinical characteristics, management and outcome of VEO-IBD in South and Southeast Asian children.Materials and methodsWe extracted data from a multicentre Asian pediatric (onset &lt;18 years) IBD registry. VEO- and later-onset pediatric (LO-p) IBD were defined as onset of disease &lt;6 years and ≥6 years, respectively. We excluded monogenic IBD.ResultsOf 440 children with IBD cases; 112 (25.5%) were VEO-IBD; Crohn's disease (CD) 36 (32.1%); ulcerative colitis (UC) 68 (60.7%), and IBD-unspecified 7 (7.1%). UC was more common in VEO-IBD while CD more common in LO-pIBD (CD = 68.9% vs. UC = 25.9%; p &lt; 0.001). Disease location/extent of disease and disease severity were similar in both age groups for both CD and UC. For CD, inflammatory disease behavior was equally common in both age group (77.8% in VEO-IBD vs. 76.6% of LO-pIBD), majority had isolated colonic disease (27.8% VEO-IBD vs. 36.3% LO-pIBD), while stricturing and penetrating diseases were not observed in VEO-CD, but noted in 4.9% and 8.4% of LO-pCD, respectively. Among UC cases, pancolitis was observed in 60.3% of VEO-IBD vs. 65.9% of LO-pIBD. Most UC never had severe disease regardless of age group. Five years after diagnosis, VEO-IBD were more likely to have corticosteroids, immunomodulators or biologics than LO-pIBD. Despite this, inactive/mild disease activity was the predominant outcome at 5 year follow up for both VEO-CD (98.2%) and VEO- UC (96.1%). Bowel surgery rate was 2.4% and 1.7% for VEO- and LO-IBD at 5 years, respectively.ConclusionsDespite differences in disease phenotype at diagnosis, disease behaviour, location/extent and disease severity were similar between VEO- and LO-IBD, with a comparable overall clinical remission rates between both age groups at 5 years after diagnosis.
β-lapachone suppresses carcinogenesis of cervical cancer via interaction with AKT1
Authors: Du Pan , Li Yue , Han Anna , Wang Mengying , Liu Jiajing , Piao Yingshi , Chen Liyan 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionCervical cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors affecting women worldwide, and affected patients often face a poor prognosis due to its high drug resistance and recurrence rates. β-lapachone, a quinone compound originally extracted from natural plants, is an antitumor agent that specifically targets NQO1.MethodsCC cells were treated with varying concentrations of β-lapachone to examine its effects on glucose metabolism, proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and EMT in vitro. The targets and action pathways of β-lapachone were identified using network pharmacology and molecular docking, with KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Its effects and toxicity were verified in vivo using a nude mouse xenograft model.Resultsβ-lapachone significantly inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of cervical cancer cells by regulating glucose metabolism, reducing tumor angiogenesis, and suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cells with high NQO1 expression. Furthermore, we identified the inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway as the key mechanism underlying these effects. AKT1 was identified as a potential target of β-lapachone in modulating glucose metabolism and EMT in cervical cancer cells.ConclusionThese findings suggest that β-lapachone inhibits the malignant progression of cervical cancer by targeting AKT1 to regulate glucose metabolism in NQO1-overexpressing cells, providing a theoretical basis for developing novel therapeutic strategies for cervical cancer.
Synergistic effects of 6-shogaol and hyperthermia on ACHN renal cancer cells: modulation of ROS and heat shock pro-teins in cancer therapy
Authors: Ahn Chae Ryeong , Baek Seung Ho 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionRenal cancer is known for its aggressive progression and resistance to standard treatments, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic strategies. This study explores the potential of combining 6-shogaol (6-SHO), a bioactive compound derived from ginger (Zingiber officinale), with hyperthermia to enhance anticancer efficacy in ACHN renal cancer cells.MethodsACHN cells were treated with 6-SHO and exposed to hyperthermic conditions. We evaluated the combined effects on apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and cell proliferation, as well as the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in mediating these responses.ResultsThe combination of 6-SHO and hyperthermia significantly increased apoptosis, induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, and reduced cell proliferation more effectively than either treatment alone. ROS played a critical role in these effects, with modulation of HSPs and heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) further disrupting cancer cell survival mechanisms.DiscussionThese findings highlight the synergistic potential of 6-SHO and hyperthermia as a novel therapeutic approach in renal cancer treatment, supporting the need for further research and clinical evaluation.
Pharmacological targets and therapeutic mechanisms of Arabic gum in treating diabetic wounds: insights from network pharmacology and experimental validation
Authors: Chai Langjie , Chen Danyang , Ye Lili , Peng Pan , Wang Haijie , Al Saleh Nouf , Al-Kenani Nader S. , Guo Jia , Li Qianqian , Guo Liang 
Published: February 2025

Background and objectivesOn account of the long-term inflammatory microenvironment, diabetic wounds are challenging to heal in which advanced glycation end products are considered important factors hindering the healing of diabetic wounds. Gum Arabic has demonstrated significant potential in the treatment of various diseases owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Nonetheless, there is still insufficient research on the role of Arabic gum in facilitating diabetic wounds healing and its mechanisms. This study aims to investigate the pharmacological targets and therapeutic mechanisms of Arabic Gum on diabetic wound healing by adopting network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation.MethodsKey active components of Arabic Gum and disease targets were identified through network pharmacology and bioinformatics. GO/KEGG enrichment was performed to identify critical pathways. Cytoscape and AutoDock were used for targets prediction and molecular docking validation. In vitro, Transwell assay and tube formation assay were performed to evaluate the effect of Arabic Gum on human fibroblasts migration and human umbilical vein endothelial cells angiogenesis. Western blotting analyzed Pro-caspase-1, ASC, NLRP3 and NF-κB pathway-related proteins. In vivo, a full-thickness diabetic wound model was established. Histological changes were assessed via H&amp;E and Masson’s staining, oxidative stress levels through DHE staining, inflammation levels with IL-1β, CD68 and CD206 staining, angiogenesis and cell proliferation levels were assessed by CD31 and Ki67 staining. The levels of pathway-related proteins were analyzed by NLRP3 and Phospho-NF-κB P65 staining.ResultsNetwork pharmacology analysis identified key targets, encompassing HSP90AA1, STAT3, and PRKCB, involved in the AGEs-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling axis. Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding affinity between AG components and these targets. In vitro, AG lessened AGEs-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via modulation of the NF-κB pathway and reinforced cell migration and angiogenesis. In vivo, AG-treated diabetic wounds exhibited accelerated healing, with augmented collagen deposition, lowered oxidative stress and inflammation, and strengthened cell migration and angiogenesis. AG promotes diabetic wound healing by modulating the AGEs-NF-κB-NLRP3 axis, exerting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, pro-angiogenic, and cell-proliferative effects.ConclusionThis study provides new insights into diabetic wound repair and suggests that AG is a promising therapeutic agent for improving diabetic wound healing.
Comparisons of urinary bladder responses to common antimuscarinics reveals unique effects of darifenacin
Authors: Veer Vineesha , Chess-Williams Russ , Moro Christian 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionAntimuscarinics are the first-line pharmaceutical treatment for overactive bladder (OAB). However, some literature suggests that responses to these antimuscarinics can influence a variety of non-muscarinic receptors. This study aimed to identify any non-muscarinic influences on contraction from commonly prescribed clinical antimuscarinics using porcine detrusor or urothelium with lamina propria (U&amp;LP) tissues.MethodsPorcine bladders were dissected into strips of juvenile or adult detrusor or U&amp;LP. Carbachol concentration-response curves were performed on paired tissues in the absence or presence of commonly prescribed antimuscarinics: darifenacin, fesoterodine, oxybutynin, solifenacin, trospium, and tolterodine. Estimated affinities for each antimuscarinic were calculated, and maximum contraction values from control and intervention curves were compared. Experiments in the presence of darifenacin (100 nM) were completed with serotonin (100 µM), prostaglandin E2 (10 µM), histamine (100 µM), αβ-methylene-ATP (10 µM), angiotensin II (100 nM), neurokinin A (300 nM), and carbachol (10 µM).ResultsDarifenacin significantly reduced maximum contraction responses to carbachol in adult detrusor preparations by 46%, αβ-methylene-ATP by 50%, prostaglandin E2 by 73%, histamine by 64%, and serotonin by 53%. Darifenacin reduced the maximum contraction in adult U&amp;LP preparations to carbachol by 49% and to αβ-methylene-ATP by 35%.DiscussionDarifenacin presents as an antimuscarinic medication that influences non-muscarinic pathways in urinary bladder tissue, indicating its potential to assist OAB patients with non-muscarinic pathophysiology.
Rapid and accurate detection of peanut pod appearance quality based on lightweight and improved YOLOv5_SSE model
Authors: Liu Zhixia , Zhong Xilin , Wang Chunyu , Wu Guozhen , He Fengyu , Wang Jing , Yang Dexu 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionWith the escalating demands for agricultural product quality in modern agriculture, peanuts, as a crucial economic crop, have their pod appearance quality directly influencing market value and consumer acceptance. Traditionally, the visual inspection of peanut pod appearance quality relies heavily on manual labor, which is not only labor-intensive and inefficient but also susceptible to subjective judgments from inspectors, thereby compromising the consistency and accuracy of inspection outcomes. Consequently, the development of a rapid, accurate, and automated inspection system holds significant importance for enhancing production efficiency and quality control in the peanut industry.MethodsThis study introduces the optimization and iteration of the YOLOv5s model, aiming to swiftly and precisely identify high-quality peanuts, peanuts with mechanical damage, moldy peanuts, and germinated peanuts. The CSPDarkNet53 network of the YOLOv5s model was substituted with the ShuffleNetv2 backbone network to reduce the model’s weight. Various attention mechanisms were explored for integration and substitution with the backbone network to enhance model performance. Furthermore, the substitution of various loss functions was investigated, with the Focal-EIoU loss function employed as the regression loss term for predicting bounding boxes, thereby improving inference accuracy.ResultsCompared to the YOLOv5s network model, SSE-YOLOv5s boasts a mere 6.7% of the original model’s parameters, 7.8% of the computation, and an FPS rate 115. 1% higher. Its weight size is a mere 7.6% of the original model’s, while the detection accuracy and mean average precision (mAP) reach 98.3% and 99.3%, respectively, representing improvements of 1.6 and 0.7 percentage points over the original YOLOv5s model.DiscussionThe results underscore the superiority of the SSE-YOLOv5s model, which achieves a maximum mAP of 99.3% with a minimal model size of 1. 1MB and a peak FPS of 192.3. This optimized network model excels in rapidly, efficiently, and accurately detecting the appearance quality of mixed multi-target peanut pods, making it suitable for deployment on embedded devices. This study provides an essential reference for multi-target appearance quality inspection of peanut pods.