Acquisition Of Properties Research Articles

Analysis of Stress Corrosion Cracking Growth Rate in the Heat-Affected Zone of 316L Based on the Heterogeneity of the Mechanical Properties

The heterogeneity of the microstructure and mechanical properties of safe-end dissimilar metal welded joints (DMWJs) presents a challenge to the quantitative prediction of the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) growth rate directly from laboratory data. This study investigates the effect of the heterogeneity of the mechanical properties of the 316L-welded heat-affected zone (HAZ) in safe-end DWMJs on the SCC tip stress-strain field and the SCC growth rate. First, based on the analysis of microstructures in localized regions within the 316L-welded HAZ and the acquisition of material mechanical properties through microhardness testing, a user-defined material subroutine was developed to characterize the heterogeneous material properties within the 316L-welded HAZ. Then, using this finite element model with an inhomogeneous distribution of the mechanical properties of the material, the crack tip strain rates (CTSRs) at different locations within the 316L-welded HAZ were obtained. In conjunction with the FRI model, the SCC growth rates at various locations within the HAZ were determined. The results show that the closer to the 52Mw/316L fusion boundary within the 316L-welded HAZ, the greater the yield strength of the material and the higher the CTSR and predicted SCC growth rates at the characteristic distance.

Effect of genistein supplementation on microenvironment regulation of breast tumors in obese mice

Obesity is an important risk factor for breast cancer in women before and after menopause. Adipocytes, key mediators in the tumor microenvironment, play a pivotal role in the relationship between obesity with cancer. However, the potential of dietary components in modulating this relationship remains underexplored. Genistein, a soy-derived isoflavone, has shown promise in reducing breast cancer risk, attenuating obesity-associated inflammation, and improving insulin resistance. However, there are no reports examining whether genistein has the ability to reduce the effects of obesity on breast tumor development. In this study, we constructed a mammary tumor model in ovariectomized obese mice and examined the effects of genistein on body condition and tumor growth. Moreover, the effects of genistein on the tumor microenvironment were examined via experimental observation of peritumoral adipocytes and macrophages. In addition, we further investigated the effect of genistein on adipocyte and breast cancer cell crosstalk via coculture experiments. Our findings indicate that dietary genistein significantly alleviates obesity, systemic inflammation, and metabolic disorders induced by a high-fat diet in ovariectomized mice. Notably, it also inhibits tumor growth in vivo. The impact of genistein extends to the tumor microenvironment, where it reduces the production of cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs) and the recruitment of M2d-subtype macrophages. In vitro, genistein mitigates the transition of adipocytes into CAAs and inhibits the expression of inflammatory factors by activating PPAR-γ pathway and degrading nuclear NF-κB. Furthermore, it impedes the acquisition of invasive properties and epithelial‒mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells under CAA-induced inflammation, disrupting the Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway. Intriguingly, the PPAR-γ inhibitor T0070907 counteracted the effects of genistein in the coculture system, underscoring the specificity of its action. Our study revealed that genistein can mitigate the adverse effects of obesity on breast cancer by modulating the tumor microenvironment. These findings provide new insights into how genistein intake and a soy-based diet can reduce breast cancer risk.

СУТНІСНА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА РОЗВИТКУ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА

The article is devoted to the study of the essential characteristics of the development of socio-economic systems in general and the enterprise, in particular. Attention is focused on the dependence of the perception of development and economic conditions in the country's economic system. A philosophical approach to the "development" category is presented. Because of the research of the views of domestic scientists, emphasis is placed on the main such feature as objective changes in the qualitative characteristics of the system. At the same time, three main directions of changes are highlighted - quantitative, structural and qualitative - which are clearly correlated. Other approaches to the concept of "development of the enterprise" are considered, which accordingly focus on: its acquisition of new opportunities and properties, qualities and characteristic features; quantitative changes in the system due to the process of transition to a new, higher quality state. The results of the study of various approaches of domestic scientists and their generalization made it possible to single out four differentiated groups of views on the economic context of the concept of "enterprise development", which are structured in the form of a table. A separate aspect of the consideration of this article is the main laws of the development of the economic system, on which the concept of enterprise development is based. These are the laws of unity of analysis and synthesis, development, stability, synergy, awareness, composition and proportionality. Based on the analysis of synonymous concepts, such as "organizational development" and "organizational development of the enterprise" and others, three main aspects of development are emphasized: scientific and technical, market and organizational. The importance of managing the development of the enterprise as a cyclical process of managing qualitative and quantitative changes in the organization with appropriate information support aimed at increasing the efficiency of the enterprise in the long term is emphasized. It was concluded that development is an integral process of the existence of any socio-economic systems and requires constant control and management by management.

Atomic force microscopy reveals morphological and mechanical properties of schistosoma mansoni tegument

Schistosoma mansoni, an intravascular parasitic worm and the causative agent of schistosomiasis, relies on its tegument (outer layer) for survival and host interaction. This study explored the morphology and mechanical properties of S. mansoni tegument using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Notably, we employed the PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (PF-QNM) mode in air, enabling simultaneous acquisition of 3D topography and mechanical property contrasts (adhesion, elastic modulus). Additionally, nanoindentation (AFM contact mode) was performed on female worm tegument for elastic modulus measurement. Both techniques revealed an elastic modulus range of fractions or units of GPa for the tegument. Interestingly, mechanical property maps, particularly adhesion contrast, displayed a recurring pattern of light and dark bands. We also measured the depth of annular furrows on the female tegument, finding an average of 128 ± 10 nm. These findings establish AFM, particularly PF-QNM, as a valuable tool to characterize S. mansoni tegument properties, offering insights for future investigations into parasite biology and its response to immunological or pharmacological challenges.

Effects of Post-Processing Parameters on 3D-Printed Dental Appliances: A Review.

In recent years, additive manufacturing (AM) has been recognized as a transformative force in the dental industry, with the ability to address escalating demand, expedite production timelines, and reduce labor-intensive processes. Despite the proliferation of three-dimensional printing technologies in dentistry, the absence of well-established post-processing protocols has posed formidable challenges. This comprehensive review paper underscores the critical importance of precision in post-processing techniques for ensuring the acquisition of vital properties, encompassing mechanical strength, biocompatibility, dimensional accuracy, durability, stability, and aesthetic refinement in 3D-printed dental devices. Given that digital light processing (DLP) is the predominant 3D printing technology in dentistry, the main post-processing techniques and effects discussed in this review primarily apply to DLP printing. The four sequential stages of post-processing support removal, washing, secondary polymerization, and surface treatments are systematically navigated, with each phase requiring meticulous evaluation and parameter determination to attain optimal outcomes. From the careful selection of support removal tools to the consideration of solvent choice, washing methodology, and post-curing parameters, this review provides a comprehensive guide for practitioners and researchers. Additionally, the customization of post-processing approaches to suit the distinct characteristics of different resin materials is highlighted. A comprehensive understanding of post-processing techniques is offered, setting the stage for informed decision-making and guiding future research endeavors in the realm of dental additive manufacturing.

Novel Bioplastic Based on PVA Functionalized with Anthocyanins: Synthesis, Biochemical Properties and Food Applications.

Over the last ten years, researchers' efforts have aimed to replace the classic linear economy model with the circular economy model, favoring green chemical and industrial processes. From this point of view, biologically active molecules, coming from plants, flowers and biomass, are gaining considerable value. In this study, firstly we focus on the development of a green protocol to obtain the purification of anthocyanins from the flower of Callistemon citrinus, based on simulation and on response surface optimization methodology. After that, we utilize them to manufacture and add new properties to bioplastics belonging to class 3, based on modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with increasing amounts from 0.10 to 1.00%. The new polymers are analyzed to monitor morphological changes, optical properties, mechanical properties and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of the new materials show the characteristic bands of the PVA alone and a modification of the band at around 1138 cm-1 and 1083 cm-1, showing an influence of the anthocyanins' addition on the sequence with crystalline and amorphous structures of the starting materials, as also shown by the results of the mechanical tests. These last showed an increase in thickening (from 29.92 μm to approx. 37 μm) and hydrophobicity with the concomitant increase in the added anthocyanins (change in wettability with water from 14° to 31°), decreasing the poor water/moisture resistance of PVA that decreases its strength and limits its application in food packaging, which makes the new materials ideal candidates for biodegradable packaging to extend the shelf-life of food. The functionalization also determines an increase in the opacity, from 2.46 to 3.42 T%/mm, the acquisition of antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals and, in the ferric reducing power assay, the antimicrobial (bactericidal) activity against different Staphylococcus aureus strains at the maximum tested concentration (1.00% of anthocyanins). On the whole, functionalization with anthocyanins results in the acquisition of new properties, making it suitable for food packaging purposes, as highlighted by a food fresh-keeping test.

S100A9 and HMGB1 orchestrate MDSC-mediated immunosuppression in melanoma through TLR4 signaling

BackgroundImmunotherapies for malignant melanoma are challenged by the resistance developed in a significant proportion of patients. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), with their ability to inhibit antitumor T-cell responses, are a...

Construction frontier molecular orbital prediction model with transfer learning for organic materials

The frontier molecular orbitals of organic semiconductor materials play a crucial role in the performance of photoelectric devices, including organic photovoltaics (OPVs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and organic photodetectors (OPDs). In this work, a model for predicting frontier molecular orbital of organic materials, including HOMO and LUMO levels, is established with the extreme gradient boosting algorithm and Klekota-Roth fingerprints. The correlation coefficients of HOMO or LUMO energy levels in the testing set are 0.75 and 0.84 in the transfer model from 11,626 DFT data in Harvard Energy database to 1198 experimental data in literature. The difference between the ML predicted value and the experimental value is smaller than the difference between ML prediction and DFT calculation, always less than 10%. Moreover, based on correlation and SHAP interpretability analysis, 13 key structural fragments influencing energy levels are selected to further verify the effective regulation of the frontier molecular orbital by the key structural fragments in practical applications. Considering the completely opposite regulatory functions of key structural fragments on HOMO and LUMO energy levels, four new Y6 derivatives, Y-PCP, Y-P6F, Y-PCF, and Y-P4FC, are designed to flexibly modify the HOMO and LUMO energy levels. The prediction trends of ML align closely with the computational trends from DFT. It is worth noting that the accuracy of LUMO energy level prediction by the prediction model makes up for the instability of DFT calculation on LUMO energy level. This work offers a cost-effective method to accelerate the acquisition of electronic properties of organic materials.

Rewarding properties of L-Dopa in experimental parkinsonism are mediated by sensitized dopamine D1 receptors in the dorsal striatum.

Treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) is based on the use of dopaminergic drugs, such as L-Dopa and dopamine receptor agonists. These substances counteract motor symptoms, but their administration is accompanied by motor and non-motor complications. Among these latter conditions a neurobehavioral disorder similar to drug abuse, known as dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS), is attracting increasing interest because of its profound negative impact on the patients' quality of life. Here we replicate DDS in a PD mouse model based on a bilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the dorsal striatum. Administration of L-Dopa induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference in 6-OHDA lesion, but not in control mice, indicative of the acquisition of addictive-like properties following nigrostriatal dopamine depletion. These behavioral effects were accompanied by abnormal dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) signaling in the medium spiny neurons of the dorsal striatum, leading to hyperactivation of multiple signaling cascades and increased expression of ΔFosB, a stable transcription factor involved in addictive behavior. Systemic administration of the D1R antagonist, SCH23390, abolished these effects and the development of place preference, thereby counteracting the psychostimulant-like effect of L-Dopa. The rewarding properties of L-Dopa were also prevented by chemogenetic inactivation of D1R-expressing neurons in the dorsal striatum. Our results indicate the association between abnormal D1R-mediated transmission and DDS in PD and identify potential approaches for the treatment of this disorder.

Compulsory acquisition of property for urban densification in South Africa: an answer to the chronic housing backlog?

ABSTRACT The cities are rapidly sprawling in South Africa, despite the city authorities’ attempts at containing the sprawl. This has signalled the need for strong urban densification policy which – if properly designed and implemented – promises to yield several benefits such as smart, inclusive, equitable and sustainable cities. Densification policy can also facilitate access to adequate housing which remains a challenge in South Africa where millions of people are inadequately housed, if not homeless. Using a qualitative investigation and literature review to analyse the relevant policies and case law, this article investigates whether a legally sound argument can be developed for compulsory acquisition of property to be deployed as a mechanism to facilitate enhanced access to housing for the poor and marginalised. Put differently, the article asks whether compulsory acquisition could be an ideal method of facilitating densification to ramp up housing provision across the country. The findings suggest that urban densification policy is a necessary intervention in that regard. Compulsory acquisition of property is advanced as an optimal method to achieve this endeavour.

A high-order focus interaction model and oral ulcer dataset for oral ulcer segmentation

Computer-aided diagnosis has been slow to develop in the field of oral ulcers. One of the major reasons for this is the lack of publicly available datasets. However, oral ulcers have cancerous lesions and their mortality rate is high. The ability to recognize oral ulcers at an early stage in a timely and effective manner is a very critical issue. In recent years, although there exists a small group of researchers working on these, the datasets are private. Therefore to address this challenge, in this paper a multi-tasking oral ulcer dataset (Autooral) containing two major tasks of lesion segmentation and classification is proposed and made publicly available. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first team to make publicly available an oral ulcer dataset with multi-tasking. In addition, we propose a novel modeling framework, HF-UNet, for segmenting oral ulcer lesion regions. Specifically, the proposed high-order focus interaction module (HFblock) performs acquisition of global properties and focus for acquisition of local properties through high-order attention. The proposed lesion localization module (LL-M) employs a novel hybrid sobel filter, which improves the recognition of ulcer edges. Experimental results on the proposed Autooral dataset show that our proposed HF-UNet segmentation of oral ulcers achieves a DSC value of about 0.80 and the inference memory occupies only 2029 MB. The proposed method guarantees a low running load while maintaining a high-performance segmentation capability. The proposed Autooral dataset and code are available from https://github.com/wurenkai/HF-UNet-and-Autooral-dataset.

Live-Cell Invasive Phenotyping Uncovers ALK2 as a Therapeutic Target in LKB1-Mutant Lung Cancer.

The acquisition of invasive properties is a prerequisite for tumor progression and metastasis. Molecular subtypes of KRAS-driven lung cancer exhibit distinct modes of invasion that contribute to unique growth properties and therapeutic susceptibilities. Despite this, pre-clinical strategies designed to exploit growth within the context of invasion are lacking. To address this, we designed an experimental system to screen for targetable signaling pathways linked to active early 3D invasion phenotypes in different molecular subtypes of KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Combined live-cell imaging of human bronchial epithelial cells in a 3D invasion matrix and transcriptomic profiling identified mutant LKB1-specific upregulation of BMP6. LKB1 loss increased BMP6 signaling, which induced the canonical iron regulatory hormone hepcidin. Intact LKB1 was necessary to maintain BMP6 signaling homeostasis and restrict ALK2/BMP6-fueled growth. Pre-clinical studies in a Kras/Lkb1-mutant syngeneic mouse model and in a xenograft model showed potent growth suppression by inhibiting the ALK2/BMP6 signaling axis with single agent inhibitors that are currently in clinical trials. Lastly, BMP6 expression was elevated in LKB1-mutant early-stage lung cancer patient tumors. These results are consistent with a model where LKB1 acts as a 'brake' to iron regulated growth and suggest that ALK2 inhibition can be used for patients with LKB1-mutant tumors.

Of Dowries and Daughters: a Law and Literature Approach to the Achsah Story in Joshua and Judges

Abstract Previous scholarship on Josh 15:16–19 and Judg 1:12–15 has drawn on ancient Near Eastern and Jewish laws pertaining to dowries as an aid for interpreting Achsah’s acquisition of property from her father. This article further elucidates the Achsah narrative by bringing it into conversation with legal documents pertaining to dowries from Mesopotamia that highlight their strategic use for purposes such as economic and social advancement. Drawing on insights from law and literature scholarship that highlight how narrative may offer a perspective on law, this article interrogates the ways that Achsah operates within the framework of legal norms pertaining to daughters, while also challenging them.

Fibrinogen post-translational modifications are biochemical determinants of fibrin clot properties and interactions.

The structure of fibrinogen and resulting fibrin formed during the coagulation process have important biological functions in human physiology and pathology. Fibrinogen post-translational modifications (PTMs) increase the complexity of the protein structure and many studies have emphasized thepotential associations of post-translationally altered fibrinogen with the formation of a fibrin clot with a prothrombotic phenotype. However, the mechanisms by which PTMs exert their action on fibrinogen, and their causal association with disease pathogenesis are relatively unexplored. Moreover, the significance of fibrinogen PTMs in health has yet to be appreciated. In this review, the impact of fibrinogen PTMs on fibrinogen functionality is discussed from a biochemical perspective, emphasizing the potential mechanisms by which PTMs mediate the acquisition of altered fibrinogen properties. A brief discussion on dysfibrinogenemias of genetic origin, attributed to single point variations of the fibrinogen molecule is also provided, highlighting the influence that amino acid properties have on fibrinogen structure, properties, and molecular interactions that arise during thrombus formation.

Ad Hoc Adaptations to Climate Change in Coastal Communities

Climate change disproportionately impacts coastal residents in the United States. Existing studies document institutional efforts to adapt to sea level rise through projects like seawalls, beach nourishment, and property acquisitions to protect communities from rising seas. Such studies capture institutional adaptations, but do not include ad hoc adaptations by homeowners impacted by climate change. How are homeowners adapting to climate hazards? This paper analyzes ethnographic and interview data from 100 households in two coastal counties in North Carolina, a state with one of the most climate vulnerable shorelines in the country. This analysis of homeowner response considers ad hoc adaptations along the North Carolina coast. Results show that homeowners recognize climate hazards and regularly adapt on their own within the context of institutionally maintained flood protection infrastructure and transportation access to the places where they live. Residents are aware of and attempt to access support for home adaptations when programs or funds are available to them after disasters and do so with varying levels of success, though the more pervasive adaptations to chronic stress are not supported by government programs or insurance mechanisms. Ad hoc adaptations may provide short-term protection from climate hazards but have questionable long-term efficacy as sea levels rise and storm strength and frequency increases. Leaving communities and households to adapt on their own as chronic climate hazards outpace institutional response exacerbates existing inequalities by relying on residents with different levels of resources and agency to adapt.

Credibility and the Social Function of Property: A Saga of Mega-Dams, Eviction, and Privatization, as Told by Displaced Communities in Malaysia

Globally, the forced displacement of socially vulnerable communities causes significant contestation, irrespective of whether that occurs for mega-projects or smaller infrastructural, agricultural, urban renewal, or property developments. Despite multilateral guidelines for “socially inclusive” development, it is difficult to avoid the marginalization of evicted, local communities. Grounded on the credibility thesis, this article provides a new, theoretical basis for understanding the “social function of property” and how this may be used as a criterion to assess whether development-induced and resettlement projects should be given the go-ahead. Methodologically, this article employs the FAT (Formal, Actual, and Targeted) Institutional Framework to unpack the social function of property. To this end, it analyzes the acquisition and privatization of the common property of Indigenous Peoples to construct the Malaysian Bakun Hydroelectric Project, purportedly Asia’s second-largest dam. The FAT analysis ascertains the following three conditions on which basis projects should be halted: (1) the property of the evicted communities fulfills a critical role in providing social welfare; (2) the said function is disregarded by the expropriating agency; (3) the power divides between the expropriator and expropriated prevent meaningful participation by the latter. This study demonstrates that the social function of property can be effectively measured and validates the FAT Framework as a viable tool to analyze development-induced projects (and policies), with particular reference to expropriation, privatization, and formalization.

A bioactive composite scaffold enhances osteochondral repair by using thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel and endothelial lineage cell-derived chondrogenic cell

Articular cartilage regeneration is a major challenge in orthopedic medicine. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are a promising cell source for regenerative medicine applications. However, their roles and functions in cartilage regeneration are not well understood. Additionally, thermosensitive chitosan hydrogels have been widely used in tissue engineering, but further development of these hydrogels incorporating vascular lineage cells for cartilage repair is insufficient. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the ability of EPCs to undergo endothelial–mesenchymal stem cell transdifferentiation and chondrogenic differentiation and investigate the ability of chondrogenic EPC-seeded thermosensitive chitosan-graft-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (CEPC-CSPN) scaffolds to improve healing in a rabbit osteochondral defect (OCD) model. EPCs were isolated and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1); these EPCs are subsequently termed transdifferentiated EPCs (tEPCs). The stem cell-like properties and chondrogenic potential of tEPCs were evaluated by a series of in vitro assays. Furthermore, the effect of CEPC-CSPN scaffolds on OCD repair was evaluated. Our in vitro results confirmed that treatment of EPC with TGF-β1 induced EndMT and the acquisition of stem cell-like properties, producing tEPCs. Upon inducing chondrogenic differentiation of tEPCs (CEPCs), the cells exhibited significantly enhanced chondrogenesis and chondrocyte surface markers after 25 days. The TGF-β1-induced differentiation of EPCs is mediated by both the TGF-β/Smad and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) pathways. The CEPC-CSPN scaffold reconstructed well-integrated translucent cartilage and repaired subchondral bone in vivo, exhibiting regenerative capacity. Collectively, our results suggest that the CEPC-CSPN scaffold induces OCD repair, representing a promising approach to articular cartilage regeneration.

On some issues of evaluation of information reflected in income certificates by state (municipal) employees in Russia

The subject of the study is theoretical and practical problems that arise in the activities of personnel departments during supervisory inspections carried out by employees of the prosecutor's office when evaluating information provided on income, expenses and property obligations. The norms of federal legislation establish this obligation and define the categories of persons to whom it applies. When conducting inspections of the provided income certificates, as well as in cases provided for by law and expenses, specialists of personnel departments, as well as prosecutors, in accordance with their existing powers, study the data in order to identify violations of anti-corruption legislation. The result may be the establishment of violations related to the failure to provide false or incomplete information, which leads to the need to establish the form of guilt and intent and resolve the issue of bringing the perpetrators to justice. The main method is the universal (dialectical) method of cognition of social phenomena and processes, which allows them to be considered in constant development and interrelation. General scientific methods such as system and structural-functional analysis are used. The specifics of the research subject determined the choice and use of special legal methods of cognition, such as formal legal and comparative legal methods. As a result of the conducted research, the author concludes that it is necessary to develop and apply clear methods and criteria for evaluating the actions of a state (municipal) employee to provide information on income and expenses. It is also concluded that it is necessary to apply the basic principles of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation on good faith, reasonableness and legality to understanding the actions of a state (municipal) employee in situations of acquisition or alienation of property by him, his spouse or other related persons, as well as when assessing the situation as an intentionally committed act that directly contradicts the requirements of anti-corruption legislation. The author has developed some recommendations that can be applied in practice, including during the implementation of procedures for controlling the expenses of a state (municipal) employee.

AB045. E2F6 promotes temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma by enrichment in CARD6 and POSTN promoter region.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary malignant brain tumor. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the most used first-line chemotherapeutic agent for GBM after surgery, but acquired resistance to TMZ frequently leads to treatment failure and is a major challenge in the clinical treatment of GBM. Increasing evidence suggests that E2F transcription factor 6 (E2F6) is associated with a variety of tumor malignant biological behaviors and drug resistance, but its biological function and underlying molecular mechanisms in GBM are unknown. The study investigated the levels of E2F6 in both TMZ-sensitive and TMZ-resistant GBM cells and tissues using Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. In vitro experiments were conducted to explore the impact of E2F6 on TMZ resistance and glioma stem cell stemness. These experiments included Western blotting, colony formation assay, flow cytometry assay, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to investigate the mechanism behind the high expression of E2F6 in TMZ-resistant cells and its correlation with caspase recruitment domain 6 (CARD6) and disulfide-linked cell adhesion protein (POSTN). The study employed bioinformatic analyses, messenger RNA (mRNA) sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing assay, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blotting. To examine the function of E2F6, an intracranial xenograft tumor mouse model was used for in vivo experiments. It was found that CARD6 and POSTN were significantly associated with TMZ resistance and survival of GBM patients. E2F6 was up-regulated in TMZ-resistant cells and tissues. Knockdown of E2F6 down-regulated the expression of CARD6, promoted TMZ-induced apoptosis, and enhanced chemo-sensitivity, whereas its overexpression significantly increased TMZ resistance in vitro and in vivo. In addition, E2F6 can promote TMZ resistance through stem-like properties acquisition. We identified a signaling pathway related to E2F6 and POSTN, which maintains the self-renewal of GBM stem cells (GSCs). E2F6 concentrates in the promoter region of POSTN, thereby regulating the expression of GSCs-related genes cluster of differentiation 133 (CD133), Nestin, and sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), which may be involved in tumor metabolism and drug resistance processes. Down-regulation of E2F6 down-regulated the expression of POSTN and inhibited tumor growth in nude mice. These results suggest that the E2F6-CARD6/POSTN signaling axis regulates the malignant biological behaviors of GBM and TMZ resistance. These findings are expected to provide promising therapeutic targets for CARD6 overcoming GBM TMZ resistance.

Decoding the puzzle: exploring the factors influencing homeownership in Togo

Purpose This study aims to analyze the factors influencing households housing tenure choices in Togo. Design/methodology/approach The authors applied a rigorous econometric approach, using Harmonized Household Living Conditions Survey (EHCVM) data from 2018 and 2021 to construct a longitudinal panel, and Unified Basic Welfare Indicators Questionnaire (QUIBB) data from 2006, 2011 and 2015 to construct a pseudo-panel. Findings The study reveals that a household’s life-cycle variables like age of the household head, marital status, household size and place of residence, have a significant influence on homeownership. In addition, households in the highest wealth quartiles and used heads of household are more likely to own their home. Research limitations/implications Housing policies focused on improving the financial sustainability of low-income households and reducing the transaction costs associated with property acquisition are essential to promoting homeownership. Practical implications As part of the implementation of the Government Roadmap 2020–2025, the government has committed to providing 20,000 affordable social housing units, aiming to significantly boost the supply of decent housing. However, the findings of this study highlight the need for targeted subsidy programs for low-income households, particularly for female-headed households and those living in urban areas. These subsidies could cover part of the cost of purchasing homes. For middle-income households, it is crucial to develop suitable financing mechanisms, such as low-interest mortgages and loan guarantees. Given demographic pressures and the high cost of public housing programs, promoting self-build remains essential. This support should be accompanied by the provision of low-cost building materials and technical training in innovative, sustainable construction methods. Additionally, improved access to employment and land regularization are essential prerequisites for the success of these initiatives. Originality/value Research on the determinants of tenure choice is relatively limited in sub-Saharan Africa due to the unavailability of housing survey data. This paper proposes a case study of Togo, whose housing market characteristics correspond to most sub-Saharan African countries. Furthermore, this study applied two methodological approaches commonly used in dynamic analyses, thereby enhancing the robustness of the findings.