Search Results (9)

The human genome is widely transcribed, with part of these transcribed regions producing stably expressed protein-coding or non-coding RNAs. Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) are significantly differentially expressed in various cell lines and tissues. However, the influence of their transcription events remains unclear. In this study, we constructed a human genomic interaction network and found frequent interactions between lincRNA genes and protein-coding genes that are highly related to the occupancy of RNA polymerase II on the lincRNA gene. Interestingly, in the human genome interaction networks, the degree of lincRNA genes was significantly higher than that of protein-coding genes. The promoter regions of the protein-coding genes interacting with the lincRNA genes are enriched with R-loop structures, indicating that lincRNA may influence the target genes through R-loop structures. These promoters were enriched in more transcription factor binding sites. Furthermore, the whole network and sub-network could be utilized to explore potential biomarkers of leukemia. We found that zinc finger protein 668 (ZNF668), eosinophil granule ontogeny transcript (EGOT), and glutamate metabotropic receptor 7 (GRM7) could serve as novel biomarkers for acute myeloid leukemia (LMAL). Pasireotide acetate (CAS No. 396091-76-2) represents a potential drug for LMAL patients. These results suggested that potential biomarkers and corresponding drugs for cancer could be identified based on lincRNA–promoter network/sub-network topological parameters. Full article

Background: High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) contributes to oropharyngeal cancers through mechanisms involving the deregulation of host cell functions by oncoproteins E6 and E7. Changes in the epigenome, particularly involving long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are crucial for understanding HPV-related carcinogenesis. Methods: This study aimed to analyze the expression levels of lncRNAs in HPV-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to determine their biological and clinical significance, addressing the current gap in clinically validated biomarkers for early screening and therapeutic interventions. Results: The study highlights the significant overexpression of the EGOT gene in HPV-positive HNSCC samples, suggesting its potential as a marker to distinguish between HPV-negative and HPV-positive cases. Furthermore, high EGOT expression correlates with better overall survival (OS) and indicates possible resistance to therapy, making it a valuable prognostic factor. Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential of incorporating EGOT expression analysis in clinical practice for improved patient stratification and treatment outcomes in HNSCC. Full article

The voluntary behaviors of individuals that negatively impact the organization and its members should be addressed. According to the threatened egotism model, it is possible to curb such behaviors by effectively managing negative emotions. One such management strategy is anger management. Recently, some organizations have been implementing anger management programs, but their effect on behavior has not been verified. This study focused on organizational dysfunctional behavior and interpersonal withdrawal and attempted to examine the effects of anger management on these behaviors using a pre–post-test design. An anger management program and questionnaires before and after were administered to 92 workers (28 men and 64 women). The questionnaire included the Sociability Scale, which measures disengagement from interpersonal relationships, and the Organizational Dysfunctional Behavior Scale. A comparison of scale scores before and after the program revealed a significant decrease in the “Criticism of Others” on the Organizational Dysfunctional Behavior Scale. Furthermore, a similar analysis by sex and age revealed a significant decrease in “Criticism of Others” among women and workers under 46 years of age. These results indicate that anger management is not effective for reducing interpersonal withdrawal but may instead be effective for reducing criticism of others among women and young workers. Full article

The natural fertilization of Vanilla planifolia has long been a matter of speculation. Stingless (tribe Meliponini) and orchid bees (tribe Euglossini) are often cited as effective pollinators, but direct evidence is notoriously lacking. As with other food-deceptive orchids, the natural fruit-set in V. planifolia is low and does not occur spontaneously outside its native range in Middle America. Fruiting has, therefore, necessitated human intervention through artificial pollination. How Vanilla first came to be artificially pollinated is a controversial issue spurring egotism and nationalism. There are numerous texts offering differing versions of the historical events that led to the discovery of the artificial fertilization of V. planifolia and its propagation as a crop. Historical records show Vanilla was simultaneously being pollinated in several parts of the world. I argue that the suspected independent simultaneous discoveries made in Liège, Paris, Padua, the Dutch colony of Java (Indonesia), and the French insular colonies Réunion (Bourbon), Guadeloupe, and Martinique are not unconnected. I conclude that they can be traced back to a single discoverer whose feat was spread around the globe by a tight network of corresponding naturalists. This view contrasts with previous authors. Finally, current concerns regarding Vanilla pollination and production are addressed, highlighting the need for immediate actions to conserve the genetic diversity of the crop’s wild relatives to attenuate the effect of extreme climates in a changing world. A plea is made to shift the focus to Middle America, stimulating and supporting local research and conservation efforts and the allocation of funds from this billion-dollar industry. Full article

Through the integration of high-resolution hydrodynamic modeling and comprehensive field measurements, this study elucidates the intricate three-dimensional hydrographic characteristics of the eastern Gulf of Thailand (eGOT). In addition to the prevalent tidal currents dictating alternating flow along the northwestern and southeastern axes, our investigation reveals pronounced seasonal variations in mean currents, water temperature, and salinity within the eGOT, closely linked to the dynamics of the Asian–Australian monsoon system. During the southwest monsoon, mean currents exhibit a southeasterly trend, contrasting with a northwesterly pattern during the northeast monsoon. Lowest water temperatures occur during the latter, while the highest levels are observed during the 1st monsoon transition (April–March). Notably, salinity levels reach their lowest levels during the southwest monsoon and the 2nd monsoon transition (October), coinciding with the seasonal stratification of the water column and the emergence of a distinct stable along-the-shore northwesterly current with the average speed of 15 cm/s, defined here as the “Chanthaburi Coastal Current (CCC)”. Model experiments attribute the formation of the CCC to decreased salinity induced by direct rainfall, highlighting the significance of rainfall as a key factor influencing coastal water dynamics in tropical regions or areas experiencing high precipitation. Full article

Nowadays, green consumerism is a global trend in the era of the 21st century, prompting businesses to become more environmentally conscious and to build a robust green product range to meet the demands of new customers. This tendency has been aided by social media, which has influenced customers’ buying intentions to be more ecologically responsible. The current study investigates the effects of web-based media on motivation, i.e., egotism and altruism and, subsequently, its effect on the intention of green buying. This paper also attempts to assess the impact of subjective norms on the intention of green buying and, subsequently, its effect on green purchase behavior by incorporating the construct EWOM. Administering the structured questionnaire, 362 young Indian customers’ responses were collected. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach was applied to test the suggested conceptual model based on empirical research. The findings point to the significance of social media in terms of altruistic motivation, egoistic motivation, and subjective norms, s well as the job of these components as predecessors of green purchasing intention and, subsequently, purchase behavior. The findings also demonstrate the impact of EWOM in influencing buying decisions. The findings of this paper demonstrates that social media, as a well spring of information, contribute pivotal ingredients in the establishment of consumer motivation. These consumer motivations with subjective norms play an essential role in positive green purchase intention. Green buying intention and EWOM had a favorable influence on buying behavior, according to the findings. The findings are important for marketers who would like to improve their social media communication tactics in order to raise customer motivation and buying intention, as well as buying behavior, for green products. Full article

In biosensing applications, the exploitation of organic transistors gated via a liquid electrolyte has increased in the last years thanks to their enormous advantages in terms of sensitivity, low cost and power consumption. However, a practical aspect limiting the use of these devices in real applications is the contamination of the organic material, which represents an obstacle for the realization of a portable sensing platform based on electrolyte-gated organic transistors (EGOTs). In this work, a novel contamination-free microfluidic platform allowing differential measurements is presented and validated through finite element modeling simulations. The proposed design allows the exposure of the sensing electrode without contaminating the EGOT device during the whole sensing tests protocol. Furthermore, the platform is exploited to perform the detection of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a validation test for the introduced differential protocol, demonstrating the capability to detect BSA at 1 pM concentration. The lack of contamination and the differential measurements provided in this work can be the first steps towards the realization of a reliable EGOT-based portable sensing instrument. Full article

Cyberbullying is currently considered as a widespread problem among children and adolescents; in particular, the risks of cyberbullying have recently been examined. The empirical analyses of the present work are based on data from a German longitudinal study. The self-reports of adolescents from Dortmund and Nuremberg on both cyberbullying and individual and contextual characteristics were taken into account. The two-wave panel encompasses N = 871 adolescents (44.5% male); the average age was M = 15.1 years (SD = 0.83) at t1. Data on cyberbullying refer to sending insults or threats to others via the Internet, spreading rumours or talking badly about others via the Internet, and sending private e-mails, photos or similar from others in order to embarrass or ridicule the persons concerned. Other characteristics relate to single aspects of psychopathy (egocentric egotism, low self-control, empathy deficits), acceptance of violence, and delinquent peers. The path analytical findings illustrate the predictive relationships between both individual and contextual risks and cyberbullying in adolescence. The empirical results are discussed, among others, from the perspective of developmental and life-course criminology. Full article

There is an ongoing debate regarding the potential of secondhand exposure of non-users to various chemicals from use of e-vapor products (EVPs). Room air levels of 34 chemicals (nicotine, propylene glycol (PG), glycerol, 15 carbonyl chemicals, 12 volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), and four selected trace elements) were measured where EVPs and cigarettes were used by n = 37 healthy adult tobacco users in an exposure chamber. The products used were MarkTen^® 2.5% Classic (Group I), a Prototype GreenSmoke^® 2.4% (Group II), Ego-T^® Tank with subjects’ own e-liquids (Group III) and subjects’ own conventional cigarettes (Group IV). Products were used under controlled conditions and 4-h ad libitum use. Background (without subjects) and baseline levels (with subjects) were measured. Cumulative 4-h. levels of nicotine, PG and glycerol measured were several-fold below the time-weighted average limits used in workplace exposure evaluation. Most the other chemicals (>75%) were at or below the limit of quantification during EVP use. Significant levels of chemicals (17 out of 34) were observed in Group IV. Overall, our results indicate that under the study conditions with the products tested, cumulative room air levels of the selected chemicals measured over 4-h were relatively small and were several-fold below the current occupational regulatory and consensus limits. Full article