bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methods of pre-prosthetic preparation of cellular progress as a prerequisite for effective orthopedic treatment
Authors:   Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, Stupnitsky I-O.R. , Rozhko M. ,   Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, Stupnitsky R. ,   Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
Published: October 2023

Relevance of research. The task of modern preprosthetic and reconstructive surgery is the formation of a functional biological platform for support or retention mechanisms, which will serve as a support for subsequent orthopedic rehabilitation and will not cause further loss of bone or soft tissues. The purpose of the study: to study the effectiveness of orthopedic treatment of patients with defects of the cellular sprout, depending on the used method of pre-prosthetic preparation and the choice of bone-plastic material. Materials and methods. Morphological, X-ray and clinical research methods were used for the research. Results and discussion. When using a dental autograft, revascularization occurred more intensively. New blood vessels were formed faster and in greater numbers, around which foci of bone formation formed. Also, when using this material, the formation of new bone tissue in the area of implantation is accelerated. In the examined bone fragments in the area of the tooth socket filled with crushed dentin, morphological signs of well-defined bone tissue regeneration were revealed. The set of conducted studies showed that it is possible to evaluate the dynamics of reparative osteogenesis processes when using different bone substitutes. Conclusions. Summarizing the numerous results of clinical and morphological studies, it should be noted that unambiguous objective advantages of the dental autograft for the restoration of bone-tissue defects of the alveolar buds of the jaws have been revealed. Key words: osteoplastic material, bone defect, technique.
Finite element method for the study of stresses in the implant and the surrounding bone in improving the quality of treatment of complete adentia
Authors:   Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan, Panahov N.A. , Makhmudov V.S. ,   Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan, Mammadov F.Y. ,   Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan
Published: October 2023

Summary. This article presents the results of biomechanical analysis with the creation of a model in a finite element complex. The dependence of the results of orthopedic treatment or removable dentures on the position of 4 implants in the jaw, the angle of their installation and the length of the cantilever protrusion of the beam nozzle was revealed. The used methods of computer modeling based on finite element software systems make it possible to create models for preliminary planning of dental implantation and subsequent removable prosthetics, with the help of which it is possible to develop recommendations for the use of a particular model. The finite element method can identify structural types that are not effective enough for practical use, which is possible after determining the zone or areas, for example, the lower jaw with dental implants with a high concentration of stresses or a high level of stress. The parameters of tensile stresses in the cortical bone tissue surrounding the implants under certain loads under the conditions of mathematical modeling by the finite element method by groups have both similarities and differences. With a chewing load of 100 N, sharp fluctuations in cortical bone stress depended on the direction of the load and the location of the implants. Statistical analysis of the data obtained shows that removable dentures on the lower edentulous jaw, installed on 4 implants, give positive results when using the implant positioning system and some dimensional parameters presented in models 3, 4, 5. Key words: implant, removable prosthesis, beam system, stresses in the cortical bone, finite element method.
Clinical analysis of the state of the temporomandibular joints in adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors:   National Medical University named after A.A. Bogomoltsa, Kyiv, Ukraine, Ethnis L. , Zhegulovich Z. ,   National Medical University named after A.A. Bogomoltsa, Kyiv, Ukraine, Symonenko R. ,   National Medical University named after A.A. Bogomoltsa, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sayapina L. ,   National Medical University named after A.A. Bogomoltsa, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: October 2023

Relevance. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (J IA) is a systemic connective tissue disease with predominant localization of the process in the musculoskeletal system. According to the results of the study [3], temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ) was detected in 4.7±3.2 % of patients with JIA. Therefore, in our opinion, the problem of musculo-articular disorders and diseases of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) against the background of this pathology is quite relevant. The aim of this study was to conduct a clinical analysis of the state of the temporomandibular joints in adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis against the background of dentoalveolar anomalies and deformities. Materials and research methods. A retrospective analysis of extracts from the medical history of 26 adults (17 women (65.4 %)) and 9 men (34.6 %) who had juvenile idiopathic arthritis and had long-term joint and extra-articular consequences and have long-term articular and extra-articular complications in adulthood was carried out. A clinical analysis of the state of the temporomandibular joints, occlusion and manifestations of pain in these individuals and in 25 individuals of the control group was carried out. Results of the study and their discussion. Bilateral dysfunctional, inflammatory and degenerative joint lesions were identified in 14 (53.8%) individuals of the observation group, bilateral asymmetrical lesions (a combination of dysfunctional, inflammatory and degenerative processes) in 9 people (34.6%). In 3 (11.6%) individuals, signs of dysfunction and diseases of the TMJ were not identified. Pain in the observation group was defined as extremely mild to moderate, with only 5 people (19.2%) reporting very severe pain. The presence of dentoalveolar anomalies and deformities was determined in 53.8% of patients with JIA and 44% of persons in the control group. Conclusions. The obtained results confirm the polyetiological nature of dysfunctional conditions and diseases of the temporomandibular joint and indicate directions for the development of therapeutic and preventive measures for patients with JIA. Key words: juvenile idiopathic arthritis, temporomandibular disorders, pain, dentoalveolar anomalies.
The study of the relationship between the state of the skeletal system according to the data DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) and local density of the jaws in patients with adentia when planning dental implantation
Authors:   Azerbaijan State Institute improvement of doctors named after A. Aliyeva, Baku, Azerbaijan, Aghazada R.H. , Mirzayev G.M. ,   Azerbaijan State Institute improvement of doctors named after A. Aliyeva, Baku, Azerbaijan, Aghazada А.R. ,   Azerbaijan State Institute improvement of doctors named after A. Aliyeva, Baku, Azerbaijan
Published: October 2023

Background. Timely an accurate diagnostics before the implant placement allows to get a correct anatomical rehabilitation and a satisfactory functional result. The success of dental implants in patients with osteoporosis depends primarily on the quality of the jaw bones. Aims. To study the relationship between the state of the skeletal system according to double energy X-ray absorptiometry and local density of the jaws in patients with adentia when planning dental implantation. Materials and methods. By using a densitometric method 690 patients aged between 18 to 84 years were examined prior the dental implantation. The 547 of 690 patients were women (79.3%) and 143 men (20.7%). Measurements of bone mineral density were carried out on a bone densitometer "QDR-4500A" ("Hologic"), which allows to evaluate the following parameters: elasticity, density and stiffness of the bone tissue. The study of the local density of the jaw bones was carried out by the method of cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT). Local bone density measurements were recorded in Hounsfield units (HU). Results. There is a directly proportional relationship between the results of densitometry of the axial skeleton and the density of the bone tissue of the jaws – the lower the mineral density of the bone tissue of the axial skeleton, the lower the absorption coefficient of the jaw – the Hounsfield index. As an effective sign, indicators of the state of the bone of the alveolar ridge of the lower jaw were used. The correlation between the mineral density of the skeletal system from the alveolar process of the jaws was r=0.88, which indicates a high level of feedback of these indicators. Conclusions. Diagnosis of the normal bone density, osteopenia, osteoporosis by using bone densitometry allows to determine the indications for implantation with great accuracy. There is a directly proportional relationship between the results of densitometry of the axial skeleton and the local density of the bone tissue of the jaws. Keywords: osteoporosis, densitometry (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), dental implantation, cone beam computed tomography
Comparative analysis of the effectiveness of modern irrigants activation techniques in the protocol of chemomechanical root canal system treatment (literature review)
Authors:   Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod, Ukraine, Potapchuk A. , Almashi V. ,   Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod, Ukraine, Rak Y. ,   Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod, Ukraine, Melnyk Y. ,   Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod, Ukraine, Buleza V. ,   Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod, Ukraine, Horzov A. ,   Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod, Ukraine
Published: October 2023

Resume. Development of apical periodontitis is the most common complication of unsuccessful endodontic treatment. Cleaning the root canal system is a crucial stage and the main factor for a successful endodontic protocol. Inability to remove debris from inaccessible branches of the root canal system, especially from the apical region, leads to and increases the risk of secondary infection. Selection of the optimal method for activating irrigants remains a current issue. According to the results of several studies, none of the individual irrigation activation techniques allows achieving ideal cleanliness in the root canal, but the use of laser, sonic, multisonic, and ultrasonic activation significantly improves the quality of cleaning and provides a prolonged antimicrobial effect by enhancing the diffusion of intracanal antiseptics, their hydrolytic and antibacterial effectiveness, which will eventually ensure maximum adhesion of filling materials. This, in turn, indicates the absence of a unified protocol that would provide stable irrigation efficiency and long-term results in endodontic treatment. The use of a protocol with combined activation of irrigants remains an open question among clinicians and scientists. Key words: endodontics, root canal, irrigation, activation, Sodium hypochlorite, smear layer, debris, ultrasonic, sonic activation, laser, Gentlewave, SAF (Self-Adjusting File), XP-Endo Finisher.
Occlusion and temporomandibular disorders
Authors:   Lviv National Medical University named after Danyla Halytskoho, Lviv, Ukraine, Semchyshyn Ya.
Published: October 2023

Summary. Clinicians and researchers have considered occlusion as one of the main direct and/or indirect etiological factor that cause temporomandibular disorders (TMD) for many years. The relationship between occlusion and TMD (temporomandibular disorders) has been based on the observation of an anatomical relationship between tooth position and jaw function for a long time, as well as on the higher prevalence of TMD in people with malocclusion compared to the general population. A significant number of studies have examined factors associated with occlusion and malocclusion as a potential mechanism for the development of signs or symptoms of TMD. At the same time, there are other concepts for the development of TMJ pathology. Aim of the research: to analyze modern views on the etiological factors of temporomandibular disorders according to the latest sources of scientific and medical information. Recent scientific trends have shifted the focus of TMD etiology from biomedical to a more complex multi-factor biopsychosocial model that includes biological, psychological, and social factors. Therefore, a proper understanding of the relationship between «occlusion» and SNA seems extremely important, since a paradigm shift requires a more comprehensive interpretation of the concepts of occlusion and maxillary relationships. The role of malocclusion in the etiology of temporomandibular disorders should be considered limited, unless a causal relationship is proven. Instead, clinicians should pay serious attention to patients «occlusal awareness» and concerns during general and dental consultations, as some patient groups may develop iatrogenic maladaptive behavior. Key words: temporomandibular joint, temporomandibular disorders, occlusion, malocclusion, splint therapy, prosthetic and orthodontic treatment.
Clinical effectiveness of treatment of distal bite in children using modern orthodontic applainces
Authors:   National University of Health Care of Ukraine named after P.L. Shupyka, Kyiv, Ukraine, Mykhailovska L.
Published: October 2023

Resume. The prevalence of bite pathology, which occupies one of the leading places among the dental morbidity of children and adolescents, is an urgent problem not only oforthodontics, but also of dentistry as a whole. Sagittal anomalies of the bite, in particular the distal one, cause significant damage not only to the child's health, but also to his social adaptation in society: they worsen the appearance, disrupt speech and the process of chewing food, are a risk factor for the development of caries, periodontal and temporomandibular joint diseases. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed treatment scheme for children aged 5 to 8 years with a distal bite and impaired circular muscle function. Conclusions. The effectiveness of the developed treatment regimen for distal bite and oral circular muscle dysfunction in children aged 5 to 8 years based on data from dynamometry and electromyography of maxillofacial muscles has been proven. Key words: circular muscle, distal bite, children, variable bite, orthodontic treatment.
Implementation of the Jigsaw Model to Improve Critical-Thinking Skills
Authors: Fitriana Laila , Tiyanto  , Wiraya Ario , Hendriyanto Agus , Sahara Sani , Muhaimin Lukman Hakim , Putri Diah Purwaning
Published: September 2023

Critical thinking skills require an active learning process that involves deciding whether to agree or disagree with the information, making judgments to ensure correctness, and correcting inaccurate information to generate new ideas. This study employed Classroom Action Research (CAR) with the main objective of identifying learning models that can increase student involvement in learning mathematics and improve students’ critical thinking skills. This study aims to improve students’ critical thinking skills using the Jigsaw cooperative learning model. The teacher conducting the study used the applied learning model, while the researcher acted as an observer. This activity involved twenty-five tenth grade and was conducted at Madrasah Aliyah Al Muayyad Surakarta. The results showed that by implementing the Jigsaw cooperative learning model, there was an increase in the process of learning mathematics in both cycles. The results showed the jigsaw learning model could improve students’ critical thinking skills with an average increase of 43% in critical thinking skills before the study.
The Effectiveness of the MIAP Learning Environment in Promoting Critical Thinking Among Students Enrolled in the Bachelor of Education Program in Computing: Applying the Watson and Glaser Concepts
Authors: Thanachawengsakul Nattaphol , Khantongchai Lekruthai , Thanyavinichakul Akhaphan
Published: September 2023

The objectives of this research are to develop a MIAP learning environment, devise tools to measure critical thinking ability, and assess the results, including whether there were any gender differences. The purposive sample comprised 12 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education Program in Computing. The data were analyzed in percentages, and an Independent Samples t-test was conducted to identify gender differences in critical thinking abilities. The MIAP learning environment was divided into four stages and the measurement tools were included in the criteria used for evaluation. The results revealed that the overall critical thinking ability was high, with no significant difference between males and females
Geopolímeros e sua potencial aplicação na imobilização de metais pesados: Uma década de revisão
Authors: Gomes Gabriel da Silva , Vale Silvio Bispo do , Picanço Marcelo de Souza
Published: September 2023

A redução da pegada de carbono dos materiais de construção civil pode ser explorada por meio da reciclagem de subprodutos da mineração em diferentes aplicações, o que preservará os recursos naturais e diminuirá os problemas ambientais. A revisão bibliometrica tem como objetivo resumir os principais estudos sobre geopolímeros, utilizando a geopolimerização como forma de imobilização/solidificação e adsorção de metais pesados contidos nesses resíduos. Na intenção de viabilidade técnica, foi feito a revisão bibliométrica da literatura publicada entre 2011 e 2020 para analisar criticamente a química estrutural, síntese e aplicações ambientais de geopolímeros e discutir exaustivamente os resultados experimentais. O objetivo também é avaliar criticamente os diferentes modelos de isotérmica e cinética para ilustrar os mecanismos para as estratégias eficazes de gestão de resíduos de diferentes ligantes de geopolímero por processo de aprisionamento de metal termodinâmico espontâneo, endotérmico e entropia conduzido. Ressaltando que o processo de imobilização/solidificação e adsorção de metais pesados, são processos completamente diferente. É apresentado 86 estudos de precursores utilizados para a produção de cimento geopolimérico, como o metacaulim, escoria de alto forno, cinzas volantes e resíduo da mineração, incluindo caulim, alumínio, ferro e manganês. O refinamento desses artigos ocorreu através da plataforma Scopus, VOSviewer e Mendeley. Para chegar nos assuntos que precisam de mais investigações, então, foi determinado que o assunto sobre “imobilização” precisa de mais atenção. Os estudos existentes revelaram as excelentes propriedades mecânicas e durabilidade dos concretos, argamassas e pastas geopoliméricas e previram sua ampla perspectiva de aplicação no campo da retenção de metais pesados.
Prior stress by marine heatwaves and micro-habitat fragmentation drive the colonisation of epifaunal assemblages in marine forests
Authors: Bernal-Ibáñez A , Cacabelos E , Quintano E , Gestoso I
Published: October 2023

Macroalgae species of the genus Cystoseira s.l. (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) and genera Cystoseira, Ericaria, and Gongolaria are habitat-forming species from temperate areas characterised by their high productivity and associated biodiversity. These key species are declining worldwide due to multiple anthropogenic and biotic pressures, such as habitat loss or climate change-related effects. These impacts are leading to local/regional extinctions of marine forests and increasing their fragmentation and isolation. Discrete extreme temperature events in the ocean, known as marine heatwaves (MHWs), are emerging as threats to marine systems in many areas of the planet due to climate change. We analysed 74 yr of daily sea surface temperature data on the occurrence of MHWs in the Cantabrian Sea (northern Iberian Peninsula), finding a clear increase in their frequency, duration and intensity in the last 20 yr. We also performed a 10 d mesocosm experiment to assess how MHWs affect fragmented and non-fragmented patches of Ericaria selaginoides. After this experiment, the experimental patches were deployed in a tidal rock pool for 10 d to detect effects on composition and structure of associated epifaunal assemblages. Mesocosm experiment results showed how the biomass, productivity and oxygen consumption of E. selaginoides significantly decreased as MHW intensity increased. Field deployment revealed that abundance, composition and structure of the epifaunal assemblages were significantly affected by the interaction of prior stress by MHWs and patch fragmentation. Overall, our results showed how a canopy-forming macroalga is affected by extreme temperature events and, consequently, having effects on the colonisation of epifauna according to the level of microhabitat fragmentation with potential implications for the conservation of these endangered systems.
Towards precision medicine for dementia: a biopsychosocial approach
Authors:   , Twait Emma Lindsay
Published: October 2023

Dementia is a progressive brain disorder marked by a decline in cognitive functions and overall quality of life. Its prevalence is expected to triple by 2050, posing a significant public health challenge. This research aimed to investigate the intricate relationship between two primary drivers of dementia: amyloid-beta accumulation and vascular pathology, particularly during the early stages before a formal diagnosis. The second objective was to explore potential connections between these biomarkers for dementia and psychosocial markers. Finally, the third objective sought to integrate both biological and psychosocial aspects into a comprehensive biopsychosocial framework. This was achieved through clustering techniques and the development of a machine learning model for prediction.

The study involved an extensive examination of multiple biomarkers and psychosocial factors and their interplay before the onset of dementia. Key findings included the potential utility of certain plasma biomarkers in monitoring neurodegeneration and vascular pathology. Additionally, the study revealed that adverse life events, particularly in early life, had enduring negative effects on hippocampal volume, a brain region crucial for memory and learning. Conversely, strong social support exhibited a protective influence on hippocampal volume, particularly in regions sensitive to stress.

Ultimately, employing a multimodal approach—considering both internal factors (biomarkers) and external factors (psychosocial aspects)—proved most effective for clustering and predicting dementia outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensively evaluating both physiological and psychosocial factors in understanding the causes, prevention, and treatment of dementia in future research.
RECENZIA/REVIEW MOLNÁR, P. – SUDZINA, M. – ČOLLÁK, J.: OCHRANA ĽUDSKÝCH HODNÔT V PROCESNOM PRÁVE.
Authors:   Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Tomaš Lukáš
Published: October 2023

MOLNÁR, P. – SUDZINA, M. – ČOLLÁK, J.: OCHRANA ĽUDSKÝCH HODNÔT V PROCESNOM PRÁVE. (vydanie prvé) Košice: Typopress, 2023, ISBN: 978-80-8129-145-6, s. 197
The Echoes of a Dispute Over the Inimitability of the Qur’an in Ms Riccardiano 217 (Florence)
Authors: Fani Sara
Published: October 2023

The paper focuses on a short text copied in the thirteenth-century manuscript Ricc. 217, preserved in Biblioteca Riccardiana (Florence), known by the title Fragmentum disputationis de Alcorani eloquentia inter Muslimum et Christianum. It is a brief Christian polemical argumentation over the eloquence of the Qur’anic language and the Islamic dogma of the inimitability of the Qur’an ( iʿjāz) in which the Dominican missionary Ramon Martì is named. Some historical, linguistic, codicological, and philological aspects will be taken into account to contribute to the discussion related to the possible genesis of this text, and the authorship of the Vocabulista in Arabico, the famous Arabic – Latin/Mozarabic lexicon preserved in the same codex. The short text of the Fragmentum is examined with a particular focus on its Qur’anic quotations, which are put in relation with other echoes of the similar disputes between Christians and Muslims and reported in different sources.
Simplify and Doctrinalise, Historify and Personalise: How Two Less-Known Works of Anti-Islamic Polemic fromc. 1370–1440 Adapted their Sources
Authors: Langeloh Jacob
Published: October 2023

Throughout the long history of Christian-Muslim engagement, finding reliable information on Islamic faith has always been a challenge for European Christians, and existing sources were often re-used. This contribution focuses on two little studied works who both use parts of Jacobus de Voragine's Legenda Aurea and Riccoldo da Monte di Croce's Contra legem Saracenorum in order to formulate their own views. The two texts, Peter de Pennis's Tractatus contra Alchoranum and the anonymous Epitome bellorum sacrorum, re-use their pretexts extensively, but they also display very specific strategies in selecting, adapting, and arranging the borrowed passages. Studying these derivate works can therefore help to reconstruct the late medieval image of Muhammad and the Qur’an in Europe and to understand what role such knowledge played in a broader context.
Case Report: Omadacycline in the treatment of macrolide-unresponsive Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in an adolescent patient
Authors: Xu Limin , Fang Changquan
Published: September 2023

Omadacycline is a novel tetracycline antibiotic that exhibits good in vitro antibacterial activity against atypical pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It is approved for the treatment of adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. However, the safety and efficacy of omadacycline in pediatric patients under 18 years of age have not yet been established. In the present paper, we report a case of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia in which initial empirical anti-infective therapy had failed. The patient received empirical anti-infective therapy with azithromycin and other antimicrobial agents upon admission but showed a poor clinical response and developed secondary tinnitus and liver dysfunction. After the confirmation of M. pneumoniae infection through metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, an antibiotic switch to omadacycline was made. Thereafter, the patient’s condition improved, and no adverse reactions were observed. These findings demonstrate that mNGS enables the identification of infection-causing pathogens in patients with unresponsive pneumonia. Omadacycline can be considered as an alternative option for anti-infective therapy in pediatric M. pneumoniae pneumonia, especially when the presence of bacterial resistance, adverse drug reactions, or organ failure are taken into consideration.
Segmenting computed tomograms for cardiac ablation using machine learning leveraged by domain knowledge encoding
Authors: Feng Ruibin , Deb Brototo , Ganesan Prasanth , Tjong Fleur V. Y. , Rogers Albert J. , Ruipérez-Campillo Samuel , Somani Sulaiman , Clopton Paul , Baykaner Tina , Rodrigo Miguel , Zou James , Haddad Francois , Zahari Matei , Narayan Sanjiv M.
Published: October 2023

Background

Segmentation of computed tomography (CT) is important for many clinical procedures including personalized cardiac ablation for the management of cardiac arrhythmias. While segmentation can be automated by machine learning (ML), it is limited by the need for large, labeled training data that may be difficult to obtain. We set out to combine ML of cardiac CT with domain knowledge, which reduces the need for large training datasets by encoding cardiac geometry, which we then tested in independent datasets and in a prospective study of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods

We mathematically represented atrial anatomy with simple geometric shapes and derived a model to parse cardiac structures in a small set of N = 6 digital hearts. The model, termed “virtual dissection,” was used to train ML to segment cardiac CT in N = 20 patients, then tested in independent datasets and in a prospective study.

Results

In independent test cohorts (N = 160) from 2 Institutions with different CT scanners, atrial structures were accurately segmented with Dice scores of 96.7% in internal (IQR: 95.3%–97.7%) and 93.5% in external (IQR: 91.9%–94.7%) test data, with good agreement with experts (r = 0.99; p < 0.0001). In a prospective study of 42 patients at ablation, this approach reduced segmentation time by 85% (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 15.0 ± 6.9 min, p < 0.0001), yet provided similar Dice scores to experts (93.9% (IQR: 93.0%–94.6%) vs. 94.4% (IQR: 92.8%–95.7%), p = NS).

Conclusions

Encoding cardiac geometry using mathematical models greatly accelerated training of ML to segment CT, reducing the need for large training sets while retaining accuracy in independent test data. Combining ML with domain knowledge may have broad applications.
Psychophysical therapy and underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms for the rehabilitation of long COVID-19
Authors: Meng Qing-Tai , Song Wu-Qi , Churilov Leonid P. , Zhang Feng-Min , Wang Yu-Feng
Published: September 2023

With the global epidemic and prevention of the COVID-19, long COVID-19 sequelae and its comprehensive prevention have attracted widespread attention. Long COVID-19 sequelae refer to that three months after acute COVID-19, the test of SARS-CoV-2 is negative, but some symptoms still exist, such as cough, prolonged dyspnea and fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations and insomnia. Its pathological mechanism is related to direct viral damage, immunopathological response, endocrine and metabolism disorders. Although there are more effective methods for treating COVID-19, the treatment options available for patients with long COVID-19 remain quite limited. Psychophysical therapies, such as exercise, oxygen therapy, photobiomodulation, and meditation, have been attempted as treatment modalities for long COVID-19, which have the potential to promote recovery through immune regulation, antioxidant effects, and neuroendocrine regulation. Neuroendocrine regulation plays a significant role in repairing damage after viral infection, regulating immune homeostasis, and improving metabolic activity in patients with long COVID-19. This review uses oxytocin as an example to examine the neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in the psychophysical therapies of long COVID-19 syndrome and proposes a psychophysical strategy for the treatment of long COVID-19.
Unveiling the nongenomic actions of thyroid hormones in adult mammalian brain: The legacy of Mary B. Dratman
Authors: Chakrabarti Nilkanta , Sarkar Pradip K. , Ray Arun K. , Martin Joseph V.
Published: September 2023

A comprehensive review was conducted to compile the contributions of Mary B. Dratman and studies by other researchers in the field of nongenomic actions of thyroid hormones in adult mammalian brain. Dratman and her collaborators authored roughly half of the papers in this area. It has been almost fifty years since Dratman introduced the novel concept of thyroid hormones as neurotransmitters for the first time. The characterization of unique brain-region specific accumulation of thyroid hormones within the nerve terminals in adult mammals was a remarkable contribution by Dratman. It suggested a neurotransmitter- or neuromodulator-like role of thyroid hormone and/or its derivative, 3-iodothyronamine within adrenergic systems in adult mammalian brain. Several studies by other researchers using synaptosomes as a model system, have contributed to the concept of direct nongenomic actions of thyroid hormones at synaptic regions by establishing that thyroid hormones or their derivatives can bind to synaptosomal membranes, alter membrane functions including enzymatic activities and ion transport, elicit Ca2+/NO-dependent signaling pathways and induce substrate-protein phosphorylation. Such findings can help to explain the physiological and pathophysiological roles of thyroid hormone in psychobehavioral control in adult mammalian brain. However, the exact mode of nongenomic actions of thyroid hormones at nerve terminals in adult mammalian brain awaits further study.
Electrical power output prediction of combined cycle power plants using a recurrent neural network optimized by waterwheel plant algorithm
Authors: Saeed Mohammed A. , El-Kenawy El-Sayed M. , Ibrahim Abdelhameed , Abdelhamid Abdelaziz A. , Eid Marwa M. , Karim Faten Khalid , Khafaga Doaa Sami , Abualigah Laith
Published: September 2023

It is difficult to analyze and anticipate the power output of Combined Cycle Power Plants (CCPPs) when considering operational thermal variables such as ambient pressure, vacuum, relative humidity, and temperature. Our data visualization study shows strong non-linearity in the experimental data. We observe that CCPP energy production increases linearly with temperature but not pressure. We offer the Waterwheel Plant Algorithm (WWPA), a unique metaheuristic optimization method, to fine-tune Recurrent Neural Network hyperparameters to improve prediction accuracy. A robust mathematical model for energy production prediction is built and validated using anticipated and experimental data residuals. The residuals’ uniformity above and below the regression line suggests acceptable prediction errors. Our mathematical model has an R-squared value of 0.935 and 0.999 during training and testing, demonstrating its outstanding predictive accuracy. This research provides an accurate way to forecast CCPP energy output, which could improve operational efficiency and resource utilization in these power plants.
Digging for gold: evaluating the authenticity of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) via deep learning optimization
Authors: Elaraby Ahmed , Ali Hussein , Zhou Bin , Fonseca Jorge M.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Saffron is one of the most coveted and one of the most tainted products in the global food market. A major challenge for the saffron industry is the difficulty to distinguish between adulterated and authentic dried saffron along the supply chain. Current approaches to analyzing the intrinsic chemical compounds (crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal) are complex, costly, and time-consuming. Computer vision improvements enabled by deep learning have emerged as a potential alternative that can serve as a practical tool to distinguish the pureness of saffron.

Methods

In this study, a deep learning approach for classifying the authenticity of saffron is proposed. The focus was on detecting major distinctions that help sort out fake samples from real ones using a manually collected dataset that contains an image of the two classes (saffron and non-saffron). A deep convolutional neural model MobileNetV2 and Adaptive Momentum Estimation (Adam) optimizer were trained for this purpose.

Results

The observed metrics of the deep learning model were: 99% accuracy, 99% recall, 97% precision, and 98% F-score, which demonstrated a very high efficiency.

Discussion

A discussion is provided regarding key factors identified for obtaining positive results. This novel approach is an efficient alternative to distinguish authentic from adulterated saffron products, which may be of benefit to the saffron industry from producers to consumers and could serve to develop models for other spices.
Specific IgG glycosylation differences precede relapse in PR3-ANCA associated vasculitis patients with and without ANCA rise
Authors: Wojcik Iwona , Wuhrer Manfred , Heeringa Peter , Stegeman Coen A. , Rutgers Abraham , Falck David
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) contains a conserved N-glycan in the fragment crystallizable (Fc), modulating its structure and effector functions. In anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) alterations of IgG Fc-glycosylation have been observed to correlate with the disease course. Here, we examined longitudinal changes in N-linked Fc glycans of IgG in an AAV patient cohort and their relationship with disease flares.

Methods

Using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, we analysed IgG Fc-glycosylation in 410 longitudinal samples from 96 individuals with AAV.

Results

Analysis of the cross-sectional differences as well as longitudinal changes demonstrated that IgGs of relapsing PR3-ANCA patients have higher ΔFc-bisection at diagnosis (P = 0.004) and exhibit a decrease in Fc-sialylation prior to the relapse (P = 0.0004), discriminating them from non-relapsing patients. Most importantly, PR3-ANCA patients who experienced an ANCA rise and relapsed shortly thereafter, exhibit lower IgG Fc-fucosylation levels compared to non-relapsing patients already 9 months before relapse (P = 0.02).

Discussion

Our data indicate that IgG Fc-bisection correlates with long-term treatment outcome, while lower IgG Fc-fucosylation and sialylation associate with impending relapse. Overall, our study replicated the previously published reduction in total IgG Fc-sialylation at the time of relapse, but showed additionally that its onset precedes relapse. Furthermore, our findings on IgG fucosylation and bisection are entirely new. All these IgG Fc-glycosylation features may have the potential to predict a relapse either independently or in combination with known risk factors, such as a rise in ANCA titre.
From trash to treasure: the role of bacterial extracellular vesicles in gut health and disease
Authors: Sun Desen , Chen Pan , Xi Yang , Sheng Jinghao
Published: September 2023

Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) have emerged as critical factors involved in gut health regulation, transcending their traditional roles as byproducts of bacterial metabolism. These vesicles function as cargo carriers and contribute to various aspects of intestinal homeostasis, including microbial balance, antimicrobial peptide secretion, physical barrier integrity, and immune system activation. Therefore, any imbalance in BEV production can cause several gut-related issues including intestinal infection, inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic dysregulation, and even cancer. BEVs derived from beneficial or commensal bacteria can act as potent immune regulators and have been implicated in maintaining gut health. They also show promise for future clinical applications in vaccine development and tumor immunotherapy. This review examines the multifaceted role of BEVs in gut health and disease, and also delves into future research directions and potential applications.
Comparison of surgical outcomes between iStent inject W implantation and microhook ab interno trabeculotomy in combination with phacoemulsification in primary open-angle glaucoma patients
Authors: Onoe Hiromitsu , Hirooka Kazuyuki , Namiguchi Koji , Mizoue Shiro , Hosokawa Hiroko , Mochizuki Hideki , Okada Naoki , Tokumo Kana , Okumichi Hideaki , Kiuchi Yoshiaki
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To examine primary open-angle glaucoma patients after undergoing combined cataract surgery with microhook ab interno trabeculotomy (μLOT-Phaco) or iStent inject W implantation (iStent-Phaco), and then evaluate the surgical outcomes after a minimum of 6 months of follow-up.

Methods

Between October 2020 and July 2022, 39 μLOT-Phaco eyes and 55 iStent-Phaco eyes that underwent surgery were evaluated in this retrospective, multicenter comparative case series. Data that included preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, and occurrence of complications were collected from medical records and then examined. Surgical failure was defined as patients exhibiting a < 20% reduction in the preoperative IOP or an IOP > 18 mmHg on two consecutive follow-up visits, or when patients were required to undergo reoperation. Success rates were determined based on a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Results

At 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, there was a significant postoperative reduction in the IOP (p < 0.001) and in the medications scores (p < 0.001) for both of the groups. In the μLOT-Phaco and iStent-Phaco groups, the probabilities of success at 6 and 12 months were 55.3 and 45.5%, and 48.4 and 45.5% (p = 0.38; log-rank test), respectively. In the iStent-Phaco group, there was a significant decrease in the hyphema.

Conclusion

Comparable surgical outcomes occurred for both the μLOT and iStent inject W procedures.
Development of a primary cell model derived from porcine dorsal soft palate for foot-and-mouth disease virus research and diagnosis
Authors: Sarry Morgan , Bernelin-Cottet Cindy , Michaud Caroline , Relmy Anthony , Romey Aurore , Salomez Anne-Laure , Renson Patricia , Contrant Maud , Berthaud Maxime , Huet Hélène , Jouvion Grégory , Hägglund Sara , Valarcher Jean-François , Bakkali Kassimi Labib , Blaise-Boisseau Sandra
Published: September 2023

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals that has a significant socio-economic impact. One concern associated with this disease is the ability of its etiological agent, the FMD virus (FMDV), to persist in its hosts through underlying mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. While persistence has been described in cattle and small ruminants, it is unlikely to occur in pigs. One of the factors limiting the progress in understanding FMDV persistence and, in particular, differential persistence is the lack of suitable in vitro models. A primary bovine cell model derived from the dorsal soft palate, which is the primary site of replication and persistence of FMDV in cattle, has been developed, and it seemed relevant to develop a similar porcine model. Cells from two sites of FMDV replication in pigs, namely, the dorsal soft palate and the oropharyngeal tonsils, were isolated and cultured. The epithelial character of the cells from the dorsal soft palate was then assessed by immunofluorescence. The FMDV-sensitivity of these cells was assessed after monolayer infection with FMDV O/FRA/1/2001 Clone 2.2. These cells were also grown in multilayers at the air-liquid interface to mimic a stratified epithelium susceptible to FMDV infection. Consistent with what has been shown in vivo in pigs, our study showed no evidence of persistence of FMDV in either the monolayer or multilayer model, with no infectious virus detected 28 days after infection. The development of such a model opens up new possibilities for the study and diagnosis of FMDV in porcine cells.
The effectiveness of artificial microbial community selection: a conceptual framework and a meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Shi-Rui , Zhang Yuan-Ye , Zhang Quan-Guo
Published: September 2023

The potential for artificial selection at the community level to improve ecosystem functions has received much attention in applied microbiology. However, we do not yet understand what conditions in general allow for successful artificial community selection. Here we propose six hypotheses about factors that determine the effectiveness of artificial microbial community selection, based on previous studies in this field and those on multilevel selection. In particular, we emphasize selection strategies that increase the variance among communities. We then report a meta-analysis of published artificial microbial community selection experiments. The reported responses to community selection were highly variable among experiments; and the overall effect size was not significantly different from zero. The effectiveness of artificial community selection was greater when there was no migration among communities, and when the number of replicated communities subjected to selection was larger. The meta-analysis also suggests that the success of artificial community selection may be contingent on multiple necessary conditions. We argue that artificial community selection can be a promising approach, and suggest some strategies for improving the performance of artificial community selection programs.
Long-term mitigation of drought changes the functional potential and life-strategies of the forest soil microbiome involved in organic matter decomposition
Authors: Hartmann Martin , Herzog Claude , Brunner Ivano , Stierli Beat , Meyer Folker , Buchmann Nina , Frey Beat
Published: September 2023

Climate change can alter the flow of nutrients and energy through terrestrial ecosystems. Using an inverse climate change field experiment in the central European Alps, we explored how long-term irrigation of a naturally drought-stressed pine forest altered the metabolic potential of the soil microbiome and its ability to decompose lignocellulolytic compounds as a critical ecosystem function. Drought mitigation by a decade of irrigation stimulated profound changes in the functional capacity encoded in the soil microbiome, revealing alterations in carbon and nitrogen metabolism as well as regulatory processes protecting microorganisms from starvation and desiccation. Despite the structural and functional shifts from oligotrophic to copiotrophic microbial lifestyles under irrigation and the observation that different microbial taxa were involved in the degradation of cellulose and lignin as determined by a time-series stable-isotope probing incubation experiment with 13C-labeled substrates, degradation rates of these compounds were not affected by different water availabilities. These findings provide new insights into the impact of precipitation changes on the soil microbiome and associated ecosystem functioning in a drought-prone pine forest and will help to improve our understanding of alterations in biogeochemical cycling under a changing climate.
Potential for the anaerobic oxidation of benzene and naphthalene in thermophilic microorganisms from the Guaymas Basin
Authors: Zehnle Hanna , Otersen Carolin , Benito Merino David , Wegener Gunter
Published: September 2023

Unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons (UAHs) are recalcitrant molecules abundant in crude oil, which is accumulated in subsurface reservoirs and occasionally enters the marine environment through natural seepage or human-caused spillage. The challenging anaerobic degradation of UAHs by microorganisms, in particular under thermophilic conditions, is poorly understood. Here, we established benzene- and naphthalene-degrading cultures under sulfate-reducing conditions at 50°C and 70°C from Guaymas Basin sediments. We investigated the microorganisms in the enrichment cultures and their potential for UAH oxidation through short-read metagenome sequencing and analysis. Dependent on the combination of UAH and temperature, different microorganisms became enriched. A Thermoplasmatota archaeon was abundant in the benzene-degrading culture at 50°C, but catabolic pathways remained elusive, because the archaeon lacked most known genes for benzene degradation. Two novel species of Desulfatiglandales bacteria were strongly enriched in the benzene-degrading culture at 70°C and in the naphthalene-degrading culture at 50°C. Both bacteria encode almost complete pathways for UAH degradation and for downstream degradation. They likely activate benzene via methylation, and naphthalene via direct carboxylation, respectively. The two species constitute the first thermophilic UAH degraders of the Desulfatiglandales. In the naphthalene-degrading culture incubated at 70°C, a Dehalococcoidia bacterium became enriched, which encoded a partial pathway for UAH degradation. Comparison of enriched bacteria with related genomes from environmental samples indicated that pathways for benzene degradation are widely distributed, while thermophily and capacity for naphthalene activation are rare. Our study highlights the capacities of uncultured thermophilic microbes for UAH degradation in petroleum reservoirs and in contaminated environments.