bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence in Neurosurgery: A State-of-the-Art Review from Past to Future
Authors: Tangsrivimol Jonathan A. , Schonfeld Ethan , Zhang Michael , Veeravagu Anand , Smith Timothy R. , Härtl Roger , Lawton Michael T. , El-Sherbini Adham H. , Prevedello Daniel M. , Glicksberg Benjamin S. , Krittanawong Chayakrit
Published: July 2023

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in discussions surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), along with a corresponding increase in its practical applications in various facets of everyday life, including the medical industry. Notably, even in the highly specialized realm of neurosurgery, AI has been utilized for differential diagnosis, pre-operative evaluation, and improving surgical precision. Many of these applications have begun to mitigate risks of intraoperative and postoperative complications and post-operative care. This article aims to present an overview of the principal published papers on the significant themes of tumor, spine, epilepsy, and vascular issues, wherein AI has been applied to assess its potential applications within neurosurgery. The method involved identifying high-cited seminal papers using PubMed and Google Scholar, conducting a comprehensive review of various study types, and summarizing machine learning applications to enhance understanding among clinicians for future utilization. Recent studies demonstrate that machine learning (ML) holds significant potential in neuro-oncological care, spine surgery, epilepsy management, and other neurosurgical applications. ML techniques have proven effective in tumor identification, surgical outcomes prediction, seizure outcome prediction, aneurysm prediction, and more, highlighting its broad impact and potential in improving patient management and outcomes in neurosurgery. This review will encompass the current state of research, as well as predictions for the future of AI within neurosurgery.
Second-Line Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Era of Predictive Biomarkers
Authors: Parosanu Andreea Ioana , Baston Catalin , Stanciu Ioana Miruna , Parlog Cristina Florina , Nitipir Cornelia
Published: July 2023

Background: Over the past few years, significant advancements have been achieved in the front-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinomas (mRCCs). However, most patients will eventually encounter disease progression during this front-line treatment and require further therapeutic options. While treatment choices for mRCCs patients are determined by established risk classification models, knowledge of prognostic factors in subsequent line therapy is essential in patient care. Methods: In this retrospective, single-center study, patients diagnosed with mRCCs who experienced progression after first-line therapy were enrolled. Fifteen factors were analyzed for their prognostic impact on survival using the Kaplan–Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Poor International Metastatic RCCs Database Consortium (IMDC) and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) risk scores, NLR value > 3, clinical benefit < 3 months from a therapeutic line, and the presence of sarcomatoid differentiation were found to be poor independent prognostic factors for shortened overall survival. Conclusions: This study provided new insights into the identification of potential prognostic parameters for late-line treatment in mRCCs. The results indicated that good IMDC and MSKCC prognostic scores are effective in second-line therapy. Moreover, patients with NLR < 3, no sarcomatoid differentiation, and clinical benefit > 3 months experienced significantly longer overall survival.
Predictive Value of [99mTc]-MAA-Based Dosimetry in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Treated with [90Y]-TARE: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Doppler Michael , Reincke Marlene , Bettinger Dominik , Vogt Katharina , Weiss Jakob , Schultheiss Michael , Uller Wibke , Verloh Niklas , Goetz Christian
Published: July 2023

Transarterial radioembolization is a well-established method for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The tolerability and incidence of hepatic decompensation are related to the doses delivered to the tumor and healthy liver. This retrospective study was performed at our center to evaluate whether tumor- and healthy-liver-absorbed dose levels in TARE are predictive of tumor response according to the mRECIST 1.1 criteria and overall survival. One hundred and six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with [90Y]-loaded resin microspheres and completed the follow-up. The dose delivered to each compartment was calculated using a compartmental model. The model was based on [99mTc]-labelled albumin aggregate images obtained before the start of therapy. Tumor response was assessed after three months of treatment. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess survival. The mean age of our population was 66 ± 13 years with a majority being BCLC B tumors. Forty-two patients presented with portal vein thrombosis. The response rate was 57% in the overall population and 59% in patients with thrombosis. Target-to-background (TBR) values measured on initial [99mTc]MAA-SPECT-imaging and tumor model dosimetric values were associated with tumor response (p < 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively). A dosimetric threshold of 136.5 Gy was predictive of tumor response with a sensitivity of 84.2% and specificity of 89.4%. Overall survival was 24.1 months [IQR 13.1–36.4] for patients who responded to treatment compared to 10.4 months [IQR 6.3–15.9] for the remaining patients (p = 0.022). In this cohort, the initial [99mTc]MAA imaging is predictive of response and survival. The dosimetry prior to the application of TARE can be used for treatment planning and our results also suggest that the therapy is well-tolerated. In particular, hepatic decompensation can be predicted even in the presence of PVT.
Partially Observable Mean Field Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning Based on Graph Attention Network for UAV Swarms
Authors: Yang Min , Liu Guanjun , Zhou Ziyuan , Wang Jiacun
Published: July 2023

Multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (Multi-UAV) systems have recently demonstrated significant advantages in some real-world scenarios, but the limited communication range of UAVs poses great challenges to multi-UAV collaborative decision-making. By constructing the multi-UAV cooperation problem as a multi-agent system (MAS), the cooperative decision-making among UAVs can be realized by using multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). Following this paradigm, this work focuses on developing partially observable MARL models that capture important information from local observations in order to select effective actions. Previous related studies employ either probability distributions or weighted mean field to update the average actions of neighborhood agents. However, they do not fully consider the feature information of surrounding neighbors, resulting in a local optimum often. In this paper, we propose a novel partially multi-agent reinforcement learning algorithm to remedy this flaw, which is based on graph attention network and partially observable mean field and is named as the GPMF algorithm for short. GPMF uses a graph attention module and a mean field module to describe how an agent is influenced by the actions of other agents at each time step. The graph attention module consists of a graph attention encoder and a differentiable attention mechanism, outputting a dynamic graph to represent the effectiveness of neighborhood agents against central agents. The mean field module approximates the effect of a neighborhood agent on a central agent as the average effect of effective neighborhood agents. Aiming at the typical task scenario of large-scale multi-UAV cooperative roundup, the proposed algorithm is evaluated based on the MAgent framework. Experimental results show that GPMF outperforms baselines including state-of-the-art partially observable mean field reinforcement learning algorithms, providing technical support for large-scale multi-UAV coordination and confrontation tasks in communication-constrained environments.
Drone-Assisted Fingerprint Localization Based on Kernel Global Locally Preserving Projection
Authors: Pan Mengxing , Li Yunfei , Tan Weiqiang , Gao Wengen
Published: July 2023

To improve the limited number of fixed access points (APs) and the inability to dynamically adjust them in fingerprint localization, this paper attempted to use drones to replace these APs. Drones have higher flexibility and accuracy, can hover in different locations, and can adapt to different scenarios and user needs, thereby improving localization accuracy. When performing fingerprint localization, it is often necessary to consider various factors such as environmental complexity, large-scale raw data collection, and signal strength variation. These factors can lead to high-dimensional and complex nonlinear relationships in location fingerprints, thereby greatly affecting localization accuracy. In order to overcome these problems, this paper proposes a kernel global locally preserving projection (KGLPP) algorithm. The algorithm can reduce the dimensionality of location fingerprint data while preserving its most-important structural information, and it combines global and local information to avoid the problem of reduced information and poor dimensionality reduction effects, which may arise from considering only one. In the process of location estimation, an improved weighted k-nearest neighbor (IWKNN) algorithm is adopted to more accurately estimate the target’s position. Unlike the traditional KNN or WKNN algorithms, the IWKNN algorithm can choose the optimal number of nearest neighbors autonomously, perform location estimation and weight calculation based on the actual situation, and thus, obtain more-accurate location estimation results. The experimental results showed that the algorithm outperformed other algorithms in terms of both the average error and localization accuracy.
Frequency Analysis of Vibrations in Terms of Human Exposure While Driving Military Armoured Personnel Carriers and Logistic Transportation Vehicles
Authors: Voicu Daniela , Stoica Ramona Monica , Vilău Radu , Marinescu Marin , Digulescu Angela , Despina-Stoian Cristina , Popescu Florin
Published: July 2023

Military heavy vehicle drivers experience low-frequency vibrations that are associated with fatigue, drowsiness, and other adverse health effects. The existing research papers focus on performing different types of analysis, but few use advance signal processing tools based on recurrence plot representation; therefore, the main goal of this paper is to assess the whole-body vibration (WBV) and hand-arm vibration (HAV) exposure of a driver, comparing armoured personnel carriers and cargo destined vehicles. For this purpose, the power of a signal distributed over its frequency was analysed using power spectral density (PSD) and diagonal line quantification (DLQ) analysis. According to the results, in the case of the cargo vehicle, the driver experienced vibration dose values of frequency weighted acceleration above the limits during all three experimental tests, with a maximum value of 26.802 m/s2, whereas the results in the case of the armoured personnel carrier are below the 5 m/s2 limit imposed by the ISO 5349-2 standard. From the developed tests it was observed that, to protect the driver against the fatigue induced by the vibrations of the vehicle body, it is necessary to provide an elastic and also damping linkage between the vehicle and the driver’s seat. This is the only way to ensure the needed protection and it is, by far, the least expensive.
Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with Ultrathin Emitting Nanolayers
Authors: Zhou Yubu , Gao Huayu , Wang Jing , Yeung Fion Sze Yan , Lin Shenghuang , Li Xianbo , Liao Shaolin , Luo Dongxiang , Kwok Hoi Sing , Liu Baiquan
Published: July 2023

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are promising for displays and lighting technologies because of their excellent advantages, such as high efficiency, high luminance, low power consumption, light weight, and flexibility. In recent years, ultrathin emitting nanolayers (UENs) have been used to develop OLEDs without the doping technique, which can simplify device structure, reduce material loss, achieve good exciton utilization, and realize comparable performance to doped devices such as the external quantum efficiency of 28.16%, current efficiency of 63.84 cd/A, and power efficiency of 76.70 Lm/W for white OLEDs. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the recent progress in the field of UEN-based OLEDs. Firstly, the host–guest-doped OLEDs and doping-free UEN-based OLEDs are compared. Then, various effective approaches for designing UEN-based OLEDs are presented, including both monochromatic and white devices. In particular, the properties of materials, the design of device structures, and the main working mechanisms of UEN-based OLEDs are highlighted. Finally, an outlook on the future development of UEN-based OLEDs is provided.
Effects of UV Light Treatment on Functional Group and Its Adsorption Capacity of Biochar
Authors: Qin Lizhen , Shin Donghoon
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of UV treatment on the surface functionality and adsorption capacity of biochar, with the goal of enhancing its effectiveness as an adsorbent for toluene. The surface and near-surface functionality and structure of biochar were studied to evaluate the impact of UV treatment by utilizing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. Biochar was generated by pyrolyzing wood chips at 900 °C without any oxidant injection in order to increase their carbon content. To boost biochar’s adsorption capability, UV irradiation on the biochar is utilized before and during the penetration process. Toluene was selected as the target absorbing material. The equilibrium adsorption capacity and rate were simulated using the Wheeler equation. It was found that the adsorption capacity of biochar increased significantly after pretreatment with ultraviolet light irradiation with a wavelength of 254 nm and an intensity of 280 μW/cm2 and reached a saturated state after 15 h. SEM and XPS showed that the UV-biochar modification technology not only improved the pore structure of biochar, but also increased the content of -O-containing functional groups on the surface of biochar and improved the adsorption capacity of biochar. The experimental results for sample M50_Uu demonstrated significant improvement in adsorption performance. The adsorption saturation time increased by 80%, and the equilibrium adsorption capacity rose from 12.80 mg/g to 54.60 mg/g. The main reason for the adsorption capacity increase by UV treatment is functional group formation, of which rate linearly increases with pretreatment energy until 11 W·hr/gbiochar, after which the increase rate is slow.
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Ice Storage Process and Material Properties of Ice Storage Coils
Authors: Xu Xiaoyu , Chang Chun , Guo Xinxin , Zhao Mingzhi
Published: July 2023

The coiled ice-storage-based air conditioning system plays a significant role in enhancing grid peak regulation and improving cooling economy. This paper presents theoretical and experimental studies conducted on the ice storage process of coiled ice storage air conditioning technology. The cooling of water is divided into two stages:10.0 °C to 4.0 °C and 4.0 °C to below 0.0 °C. Initially, the ice storage process forms an ice layer with a thickness of 2.50 mm on the lower surface of the coil, but eventually, the ice layer on the upper surface becomes 3.85 mm thicker than the lower surface as a result of the natural convection of water and density reversal at 4.0 °C. Furthermore, the impact of three coils with different thermal conductivity on the ice storage process was evaluated. It was observed that the thermal conductivity of R-HDPE (reinforced high-density polyethylene) was only 2.6 W/(m·K) higher than HDPE (high-density polyethylene), yet it reduced the freezing time by 34.85%, while the thermal conductivity of steel was 37.4 W/(m·K) higher than R-HDPE, but only decreased the freezing time by 9.40%. The results demonstrated that the rate of ice accumulation increased with thermal conductivity. However, when the coil material’s thermal conductivity surpassed that of ice, the further increase of thermal conductivity gradually weakened its impact on the ice storage rate.
Determination and Application of Archie Model Parameters in Hydrate Formation under Different Temperature Gradients
Authors: Wang Yingmei , Liu Jie , Jiao Wenze , Teng Yadong , Zhan Jing , Zhang Peng
Published: July 2023

To investigate the impact of geothermal gradient on the distribution and reserves of hydrate in permafrost regions, it is crucial to utilize the Archie formula to compute hydrate saturation and adjust parameters to enhance the model’s precision under varying temperature gradient conditions. This study formed methane hydrate under four temperature gradients of 0.02 °C/cm, 0.07 °C/cm, 0.11 °C/cm and 0.18 °C/cm, and two sand particle ratios. The values of porosity index (m) and saturation index (n) were fitted according to different conditions. The water saturation and hydrate saturation were then calculated and contrasted with experimental results. Findings indicate that the influence of temperature gradient on the values of m and n is intricate, with n decreasing gradually and m fluctuating with an increase in temperature gradient. The discrepancies between the optimized Archie model and the actual calculated hydrate saturation values ranged from 0.8% to 2.5%, with average errors of less than 3%, proving its applicability. Finally, the optimized Archie model was used to investigate the hydrate saturation and its distribution in different layers, which confirmed the significant effect of temperature gradient on the assessment of hydrate storage and distribution by Archie’s equation.
Preliminary Experimental Quantification of Helium Leakages from Flanged Connections at HCPB TBS Operative Conditions
Authors: Venturini Alessandro , Papa Francesca , Utili Marco
Published: July 2023

The HCPB TBS (Helium-Cooled Pebble Bed Test Blanket System) is one of the two European TBSs that will be installed and tested in the ITER reactor. The use of flanged connections in the Helium Coolant System and the Tritium Extraction System of the HCPB TBS would make the remote maintenance operations easier and faster. Therefore, investigating the helium leakage from flanges becomes a fundamental step toward the control of the tritium activity in the Port Cell, as the helium flow will contain a variable but not negligible amount of tritium. The first set of experiments on helium leakages from flanged connections is described in this paper. The experiments were performed in a HeFUS3 facility, an eight-shaped helium loop designed to work at HCPB-TBS-relevant conditions. The facility can provide a helium mass flow rate in the range of 0.27–1.4 kg/s and can reach a pressure as high as 80 bar and a temperature up to 530 °C. Two types of gaskets were tested in this campaign: a spiral-wound gasket and an oval ring joint. The gasket/flange assemblies are described in detail in this paper, together with the test section that hosts them and the performed commissioning tests. The tests were carried out at 500 °C and 80 bar. In these conditions, the leak rate from the flange with the oval ring joint resulted in being, on average, 1.42·10−6 mbar∙L/s, while the leak rate from the flange with the spiral-wound gasket resulted in being, on average, 3.73·10−3 mbar∙L/s.
Differences in Root Endophytic Bacterial Communities of Chinese Cork Oak (Quercus variabilis) Seedlings in Different Growth Years
Authors: Sha Weilai , Hong Die , Che Yuying , Xue Yafei , Kong Yong , Yi Xianfeng , Zhou Jing , Yu Guohong , Liu Baoxuan
Published: July 2023

In forests, seedling renewal is influenced by many environmental factors, including climate change, seed size, wildfires, and ecological factors. It is unclear how different growth years of seedlings affect Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis) root endophyte communities. In this study, we took a holistic approach, using Illumina sequencing, to study the composition and function of bacterial communities associated with root microorganisms in four Q. variabilis seedlings after 1, 2, and 3 years of growth. The bacterial alpha diversity indexes were highest in the second year and lowest in the third year, and age was the decisive factor for the differences found in the root endophytic bacterial communities. Total phosphorus had the greatest effect on bacterial communities. The abundance of beneficial bacteria Streptomyces (8.69%) and Novosphingobium (4.22%) was highest in the second-year samples, and their abundance decreased by 7.96% and 3.61% in the third year, respectively. Higher levels of plant disease inhibition and metabolism (23.80%) were in the roots of second-year Q. variabilis seedlings. The metabolic abundance of carbohydrate was 3.66% lower in the first year and 3.95% lower in the third year compared to the second year. Our results suggest that the structure and function of bacterial communities changed with increasing growth years.
An Improved Marine Predators Algorithm-Tuned Fractional-Order PID Controller for Automatic Voltage Regulator System
Authors: Mohd Tumari Mohd Zaidi , Ahmad Mohd Ashraf , Suid Mohd Helmi , Hao Mok Ren
Published: July 2023

One of the most popular controllers for the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) in maintaining the voltage level of a synchronous generator is the fractional-order proportional–integral-derivative (FOPID) controller. Unfortunately, tuning the FOPID controller is challenging since there are five gains compared to the three gains of a conventional proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller. Therefore, this research work presents a variant of the marine predators algorithm (MPA) for tuning the FOPID controller of the AVR system. Here, two modifications are applied to the existing MPA: the hybridization between MPA and the safe experimentation dynamics algorithm (SEDA) in the updating mechanism to solve the local optima issue, and the introduction of a tunable step size adaptive coefficient (CF) to improve the searching capability. The effectiveness of the proposed method in tuning the FOPID controller of the AVR system was assessed in terms of the convergence curve of the objective function, the statistical analysis of the objective function, Wilcoxon’s rank test, the step response analysis, stability analyses, and robustness analyses where the AVR system was subjected to noise, disturbance, and parameter uncertainties. We have shown that our proposed controller has improved the AVR system’s transient response and also produced about two times better results for objective function compared with other recent metaheuristic optimization-tuned FOPID controllers.
Photodynamic Therapy with Aminolevulinic Acid Enhances the Cellular Activity of Cells Cultured on Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix Membranes Used in Periodontology
Authors: Petrini Morena , D’Amico Emira , Pierfelice Tania Vanessa , Aceto Gitana Maria , Karaban Maryia , Felice Pietro , Piattelli Adriano , Barone Antonio , Iezzi Giovanna
Published: July 2023

This study aims to test a photodynamic protocol based on a gel containing aminolevulinic acid followed by red-LED (ALAD-PDT) irradiation on human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) and osteoblasts (hOBs) cultured on a porcine acellular dermal matrix membrane (PADMM). In the previous literature, ALAD-PDT showed solid antibacterial activity and proliferative induction on HGFs cultured on plates and HOBs cultured on a cortical lamina. PADMMs are used in dentistry and periodontology to treat gingival recessions and to increase the tissue thickness in the case of a thin biotype without the risks or postoperative discomfort associated with connective tissue grafts. However, one of the possible complications in this type of surgery is represented by bacterial invasion and membrane exposition during the healing period. We hypothesized that the addition of ALAD-PDT to PADMMs could enhance more rapid healing and decrease the risks connected with bacterial invasion. In periodontal surgery, PADMMs are inserted after a full-thickness flap elevation between the bone and the flap. Consequently, all procedures were performed in parallel on hOBs and hGFs obtained by dental patients. The group control (CTRL) was represented by the unexposed cells cultured on the membranes, group LED (PDT) were the cells subjected to 7 min of red LED irradiation, and ALAD-PDT were the cells subjected to 45 min of ALAD incubation and then to 7 min of red LED irradiation. After treatments, all groups were analyzed for MTT assay and subjected to histological examination at 3 and 7 days and to the SEM observations at 3, 7, and 14 days. Different bone mineralization assays were performed to quantify the effects of ALAD-PDT on hOBs: ALP activity, ALP gene expression, osteocalcin, and alizarin red. The effects of ALAD-PDT on hGFs were evaluated by quantifying collagen 1, fibronectin, and MMP-8. Results showed that ALAD-PDT promoted cellular induction, forming a dense cellular network on hOBs and hGFs, and the assays performed showed statistically significantly higher values for ALAD-PDT with respect to LED alone and CTRLs. In conclusion, ALAD-PDT could represent a promising aid for enhancing the healing of gingival tissues after PADMM applications.
Functional Characteristics of Diverse PAX6 Mutations Associated with Isolated Foveal Hypoplasia
Authors: Matsushita Itsuka , Izumi Hiroto , Ueno Shinji , Hayashi Takaaki , Fujinami Kaoru , Tsunoda Kazushige , Iwata Takeshi , Kiuchi Yoshiaki , Kondo Hiroyuki
Published: July 2023

The human fovea is a specialized pit structure in the central retina. Foveal hypoplasia is a condition where the foveal pit does not fully develop, and it is associated with poor vision. Autosomal dominant isolated foveal hypoplasia (FVH1) is a rare condition of foveal hypoplasia (FH) that lacks any other ocular manifestations. FVH1 is associated with hypomorphic mutations in the PAX6 gene that encodes a sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factor for morphogenesis and evolution of the eye. We report our findings in 17 patients with PAX6 mutations associated with FVH1 or FH with aniridia and corneal opacities. Patients with three mutations, p.V78E, p.V83F and p.R128H, in the C-terminal subdomain of the paired domain (CTS) consistently have severe FH. Luciferase assays for a single reporter containing a representative PAX6 binding site indicated that the transcriptional activities of these mutations were significantly reduced, comparable to that of the truncation mutation of p.G65Rfs*5. Patients with p.P20S in the N-terminal subdomain of the paired domain, and a patient with p.N365K in the proline-serine-threonine-rich domain (PSTD) had mild FH. A patient with p.Q255L in the homeodomain had severe FH. The P20S and Q255L mutants did not affect the transcriptional activity. Mutant N365K has a retained DNA-binding activity but a reduced transcriptional activity, due to a low PSTD transactivation. These findings demonstrated that mutations associated with FVH1 underlie a functional divergence between DNA-binding ability and transcriptional activity. We conclude that a wide range of mutations in the PAX6 gene is not limited to the CST region and are responsible for FVH1.
An Optimization Method for Equalizing the Spatial Accessibility of Medical Services in Guangzhou
Authors: Yu Mingkai , Fu Yingchun , Liu Wenkai
Published: July 2023

Spatial equality of medical services refers to equal access to medical services in all regions. Currently, research on medical facility planning focuses mainly on efficiency, and less on methods for achieving medical facility access equality. In this study, we propose a medical service equality optimization method considering facility grade and Gaode actual travel time data. First, we use the maximum coverage location problem (MCLP) model to locate new medical facilities. Then, we incorporate a service capacity weight matrix reflecting medical facility grade into the quadratic programming (QP) model, with the objective of optimizing the bed configuration of each facility to maximize the spatial equality of medical accessibility. By measuring and optimizing medical accessibility in Guangzhou under different travel time thresholds, we analyzed the optimization results of central, peripheral, and edge areas. The results show that (1) the model significantly improves the spatial equality of medical accessibility. After optimization, fewer locations have very low (or low) and very high (or high) accessibility, while more locations have moderate accessibility. When the travel time threshold is 22 min, the number of locations with medium accessibility level increases by about 18.86%. (2) The higher the travel time threshold, the greater is the overall optimization effect. (3) Different regions have different optimization effects and a larger travel time threshold can improve the optimization effect of the peripheral areas more significantly. It is recommended that new medical facilities be built in the peripheral and edge areas, along with improvements to the transport system.
Baseline Gut Microbiome Signatures Correlate with Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines
Authors: Daddi Lauren , Dorsett Yair , Geng Tingting , Bokoliya Suresh , Yuan Hanshu , Wang Penghua , Xu Wanli , Zhou Yanjiao
Published: July 2023

The powerful immune responses elicited by the mRNA vaccines targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein contribute to their high efficacy. Yet, their efficacy can vary greatly between individuals. For vaccines not based on mRNA, cumulative evidence suggests that differences in the composition of the gut microbiome, which impact vaccine immunogenicity, are some of the factors that contribute to variations in efficacy. However, it is unclear if the microbiome impacts the novel mode of immunogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. We conducted a prospective longitudinal cohort study of individuals receiving SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines where we measured levels of anti-Spike IgG and characterized microbiome composition, at pre-vaccination (baseline), and one week following the first and second immunizations. While we found that microbial diversity at all timepoints correlated with final IgG levels, only at baseline did microbial composition and predicted function correlate with vaccine immunogenicity. Specifically, the phylum Desulfobacterota and genus Bilophila, producers of immunostimulatory LPS, positively correlated with IgG, while Bacteroides was negatively correlated. KEGG predicted pathways relating to SCFA metabolism and sulfur metabolism, as well as structural components such as flagellin and capsular polysaccharides, also positively correlated with IgG levels. Consistent with these findings, depleting the microbiome with antibiotics reduced the immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 vaccine in mice. These findings suggest that gut microbiome composition impacts the immunogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines.
Antibiotic Resistance, Susceptibility Testing and Stewardship in Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Ng Ho-Yu , Leung Wai K. , Cheung Ka-Shing
Published: July 2023

Despite the declining trend of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) prevalence around the globe, ongoing efforts are still needed to optimize current and future regimens in view of the increasing antibiotic resistance. The resistance of H. pylori to different antibiotics is caused by different molecular mechanisms, and advancements in sequencing technology have come a far way in broadening our understanding and in facilitating the testing of antibiotic susceptibility to H. pylori. In this literature review, we give an overview of the molecular mechanisms behind resistance, as well as discuss and compare different antibiotic susceptibility tests based on the latest research. We also discuss the principles of antibiotic stewardship and compare the performance of empirical therapies based on up-to-date resistance patterns and susceptibility-guided therapies in providing effective H. pylori treatment. Studies and clinical guidelines should ensure that the treatment being tested or recommended can reliably achieve a pre-agreed acceptable level of eradication rate and take into account the variations in antibiotic resistance across populations. Local, regional and international organizations must work together to establish routine antibiotic susceptibility surveillance programs and enforce antibiotic stewardship in the treatment of H. pylori, so that it can be managed in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Psychological Stress-Induced Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata: Autoimmune and Apoptotic Pathways
Authors: Ahn Dongkyun , Kim Hyungjun , Lee Bombi , Hahm Dae-Hyun
Published: July 2023

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune dermatological disease with multifactorial etiology and is characterized by reversible hair loss in patches. AA may be closely related to emotional stress and influenced by psychological factors as part of its pathophysiology; however, its etiology remains predominantly unknown. This review aimed to elucidate the association between AA occurrence and the neuropeptide substance P (SP) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which are secreted during emotional stress, and have been understood to initiate and advance the etiopathogenesis of AA. Therefore, this review aimed to explain how SP and CRH initiate and contribute to the etiopathogenesis of AA. To assess the etiopathogenesis of AA, we conducted a literature search on PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov. Overall, several authors described interactions between the hair follicles (HFs) and the stress-associated signaling substances, including SP and CRH, in the etiology of AA; this was attributed to the understanding in that AA can occur without the loss of HFs, similar to that observed in hereditary hair loss with age. Most studies demonstrated that the collapse of “immune privilege” plays a crucial role in the development and exacerbation of the AA; nonetheless, a few studies indicated that substances unrelated to autoimmunity may also cause apoptosis in keratocytes, leading to the development of AA. We investigated both the autoimmune and apoptotic pathways within the etiology of AA and assessed the potential interactions between the key substances of both pathways to evaluate potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of AA. Clinical trials of marketed/unreviewed intervention drugs for AA were also reviewed to determine their corresponding target pathways.
Stress-Induced Changes in the Endogenous Opioid System Cause Dysfunction of Pain and Emotion Regulation
Authors: Nakamoto Kazuo , Tokuyama Shogo
Published: July 2023

Early life stress, such as child abuse and neglect, and psychosocial stress in adulthood are risk factors for psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. Furthermore, exposure to these stresses affects the sensitivity to pain stimuli and is associated with the development of chronic pain. However, the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of stress-induced depression, anxiety, and pain control remain unclear. Endogenous opioid signaling is reportedly associated with analgesia, reward, addiction, and the regulation of stress responses and anxiety. Stress alters the expression of various opioid receptors in the central nervous system and sensitivity to opioid receptor agonists and antagonists. μ-opioid receptor-deficient mice exhibit attachment disorders and autism-like behavioral expression patterns, while those with δ-opioid receptor deficiency exhibit anxiety-like behavior. In contrast, deficiency and antagonists of the κ-opioid receptor suppress the stress response. These findings strongly suggest that the expression and dysfunction of the endogenous opioid signaling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of stress-induced psychiatric disorders and chronic pain. In this review, we summarize the latest basic and clinical research studies on the effects of endogenous opioid signaling on early-life stress, psychosocial stress-induced psychiatric disorders, and chronic pain.
A Transcriptome-Wide Analysis of Psoriasis: Identifying the Potential Causal Genes and Drug Candidates
Authors: Jeong Yeonbin , Song Jaeseung , Lee Yubin , Choi Eunyoung , Won Youngtae , Kim Byunghyuk , Jang Wonhee
Published: July 2023

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by cutaneous eruptions and pruritus. Because the genetic backgrounds of psoriasis are only partially revealed, an integrative and rigorous study is necessary. We conducted a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) with the new Genotype-Tissue Expression version 8 reference panels, including some tissue and multi-tissue panels that were not used previously. We performed tissue-specific heritability analyses on genome-wide association study data to prioritize the tissue panels for TWAS analysis. TWAS and colocalization (COLOC) analyses were performed with eight tissues from the single-tissue panels and the multi-tissue panels of context-specific genetics (CONTENT) to increase tissue specificity and statistical power. From TWAS, we identified the significant associations of 101 genes in the single-tissue panels and 64 genes in the multi-tissue panels, of which 26 genes were replicated in the COLOC. Functional annotation and network analyses identified that the genes were associated with psoriasis and/or immune responses. We also suggested drug candidates that interact with jointly significant genes through a conditional and joint analysis. Together, our findings may contribute to revealing the underlying genetic mechanisms and provide new insights into treatments for psoriasis.
Validation of a Simplified Numerical Model for Predicting Solid–Liquid Phase Change with Natural Convection in Ansys CFX
Authors: Rosa Nuno , Soares Nelson , Costa José , Lopes António Gameiro
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a numerical model for simulating melting and solidification driven by natural convection, and validates it against a previous experiment. The experiment involved filling a rectangular aluminum enclosure with RT28HC Phase Change Material (PCM) to 95% of its capacity. To investigate the thermal behavior of the PCM during phase change, the enclosure underwent independent heating and cooling procedures. The simulation was conducted using ANSYS CFX®, and the additional heat source (AHS) method was implemented in conjunction with the Boussinesq approximation to account for the latent heat during melting and solidification driven by natural convection. This allowed the calculation of temperature fields, the melted fraction, and fluid dynamics during phase change. The momentum equations were modified to include a source term that accounted for a gradual decrease in fluid velocity as the PCM transitions from solid to liquid. To account for density variation, an artificial specific heat curve was implemented based on the assumption that the product of density and specific heat remains constant during phase change. The proposed numerical model achieved good agreement with the experimental data, with an average root mean square error of 2.6% and 3.7% for temperature profiles during charging and discharging simulations, respectively. This model can be easily implemented in ANSYS CFX® and accurately predicts charging and discharging kinetics, as well as stored/released energy, without any numerical convergence issues.
The Outcome of Conversion to Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery in Laparoscopic Liver Resection
Authors: Nakada Shinichiro , Otsuka Yuichiro , Ishii Jun , Maeda Tetsuya , Kimura Kazutaka , Matsumoto Yu , Ito Yuko , Shimada Hideaki , Funahashi Kimihiko , Ohtsuka Masayuki , Kaneko Hironori
Published: July 2023

Background: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) is known as a useful option. However, the outcome and predictor of conversion to HALS in laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) are unclear. Methods: Data from consecutive patients who planned pure LLR between 2011 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed and compared pure LLR, HALS, and converted open liver resection (OLR). Results: Among the 169 LLRs, conversion to HALS was performed in 19 (11.2%) and conversion to OLR in 16 (9.5%). The most frequent reasons for conversion to HALS were failure to progress (11 cases). Subsequently, bleeding (3 cases), severe adhesion (2 cases), and oncological factors (2 cases) were the reasons. In the multivariable analysis, the tumor located in segments 7 or 8 (p = 0.002) was evaluated as a predictor of conversion to HALS. Pure LLR and HALS were associated with less blood loss than conversion to OLR (p = 0.005 and p = 0.014, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in operation time, hospital stay, or severe complications. Conclusions: The predictor of conversion to HALS was a tumor located in segments 7 or 8. The outcome of conversion to HALS was not inferior to pure LLR in terms of bleeding, operation time, hospital stay, or severe complication.
Immobilisation of Cellobiose Dehydrogenase and Laccase on Chitosan Particles as a Multi-Enzymatic System for the Synthesis of Lactobionic Acid
Authors: Sulej Justyna , Piątek-Gołda Wiktoria , Grąz Marcin , Szałapata Katarzyna , Waśko Piotr , Janik-Zabrotowicz Ewa , Osińska-Jaroszuk Monika
Published: July 2023

Lactobionic acid (LBA) is a bioactive compound that has become increasingly popular in medicine in recent years due to its unique properties. This chemical can be formed via the enzymatic oxidation of lactose using fungal oxidoreductive enzymes. This study aimed to intensify the synthesis of LBA using immobilised enzymes (cellobiose dehydrogenase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PchCDH) and laccase from Cerrena unicolor (CuLAC)) on chitosan microspheres. We used three different crosslinking agents: genipin, glutaraldehyde, and polyethyleneimine to activate the chitosan. The FTIR and CellDrop techniques were used to characterise the activated microspheres. Quantitative (HPLC) and qualitative (TLC) methods were used to determine the obtained LBA. The results show that the type of activator used influences the efficiency of the binding of the enzyme to the matrix. Furthermore, the amount of LBA formed depends on the type of system used. The use of a system in which one of the enzymes is immobilised on a PEI-activated carrier (PchCDH) and the other is free (CuLAC) proved to be the most optimal, as it yielded almost 100% conversion of lactose to lactobionic acid. Summarising the data obtained the following: lactobionic acid immobilised on chitosan microspheres has great potential for medical applications.
Research on Performance Deterioration of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube–Lithium Slag Concrete under the Coupling Effect of Sulfate Attack and Dry–Wet Cycles
Authors: Zhang Yifei , Qin Yongjun , Guo Zheyi , Li Dongjin
Published: July 2023

Sulfate attack is one of the main factors affecting the durability of concrete structures. In recent years, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have attracted the attention of scholars for their excellent mechanical properties and durability performance. In this paper, the influence of sulfate attack and dry–wet cycles on the performance of multi-walled carbon nanotube–lithium slag concrete (MWCNT-LSC) with varied MWCNT content (0 wt.%, 0.05 wt.%, 0.10 wt.%, and 0.15 wt.%) and varied water–cement ratios (0.35, 0.40, and 0.45) were investigated. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) tests were conducted to analyze the microstructure and pore structure of the concrete. The results showed that concrete incorporated with MWCNTs could effectively mitigate sulfate attack. The resistance to sulfate attack of concrete was negatively related to the water–cement ratio when the dry–wet cycle was fixed. The MWCNT-LSC showed the best compressive strength at the water–cement ratio of 0.35 and 0.10 wt.% MWCNTs. The SEM test results showed that the MWCNTs filled the pores and cracks within the specimen and formed bridges between the cracks, enhancing the resistance to sulfate attack. The CT test results also showed that the addition of MWCNTs could reduce the porosity of concrete, refine the pore size and inhibit the generation and development of cracks, thus optimizing the internal structure of concrete and improving its resistance to sulfate attack.
Case Studies in Molecular Network-Guided Marine Biodiscovery
Authors: Khushi Shamsunnahar , Salim Angela A. , Capon Robert J.
Published: July 2023

In reviewing a selection of recent case studies from our laboratory, we revealed some lessons learned and benefits accrued from the application of mass spectrometry (MS/MS) molecular networking in the field of marine sponge natural products. Molecular networking proved pivotal to our discovery of many new natural products and even new classes of natural product, some of which were opaque to alternate dereplication and prioritization strategies. Case studies included the discovery of: (i) trachycladindoles, an exceptionally rare class of bioactive indole alkaloid previously only known from a single southern Australia sample of Trachycladus laevispirulifer; (ii) dysidealactams, an unprecedented class of sesquiterpene glycinyl-lactam and glycinyl-imide from a Dysidea sp., a sponge genera often discounted as having been exhaustively studied; (iii) cacolides, an unprecedented family of sesterterpene α-methyl-γ-hydroxybutenolides from a Cacospongia sp., all too easily mischaracterized and deprioritized during dereplication as a well-known class of sponge sesterterpene tetronic acids; and (iv) thorectandrins, a new class of indole alkaloid which revealed unexpected insights into the chemical and biological properties of the aplysinopsins, one of the earliest and more extensively reported class of sponge natural products.
Coinfections and Superinfections Associated with COVID-19 in Colombia: A Narrative Review
Authors: Dueñas Diana , Daza Jorge , Liscano Yamil
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on healthcare systems around the world, including in Latin America. In Colombia, there have been over 23,000 confirmed cases and 100 deaths since 2022, with the highest number of cases occurring in females and the highest number of deaths in males. The elderly and those with comorbidities, such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory diseases, have been particularly affected. Coinfections with other microorganisms, including dengue virus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have also been a significant factor in increasing morbidity and mortality rates in COVID-19 patients. It is important for surveillance systems to be improved and protocols to be established for the early detection and management of coinfections in COVID-19. In addition to traditional treatments, alternatives such as zinc supplementation and nanomedicine may have potential in the fight against COVID-19. It is also crucial to consider the social, labor, educational, psychological, and emotional costs of the pandemic and to address issues such as poverty and limited access to potable water in order to better prepare for future pandemics.