bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Bayesian network analysis of psychosocial risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation
Authors: Delgadillo Jaime , Budimir Sanja , Barkham Michael , Humer Elke , Pieh Christoph , Probst Thomas
Published: March 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate and model the interactions between a range of risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation using general population data collected during the critical phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Bayesian network analyses were applied to cross-sectional data collected 1 month after the COVID-19 lockdown measures were implemented in Austria and the United Kingdom. In nationally representative samples (n = 1,005 Austria; n = 1,006 UK), sociodemographic features and a multi-domain battery of health, wellbeing and quality of life (QOL) measures were completed. Predictive accuracy was examined using the area under the curve (AUC) within-sample (country) and out-of-sample.

Results

The AUC of the Bayesian network models were ≥ 0.84 within-sample and ≥0.79 out-of-sample, explaining close to 50% of variability in suicidal ideation. In total, 15 interrelated risk and protective factors were identified. Seven of these factors were replicated in both countries: depressive symptoms, loneliness, anxiety symptoms, self-efficacy, resilience, QOL physical health, and QOL living environment.

Conclusions

Bayesian network models had high predictive accuracy. Several psychosocial risk and protective factors have complex interrelationships that influence suicidal ideation. It is possible to predict suicidal risk with high accuracy using this information.
Music-based interventions in rehabilitation of children and adolescents with chronic diseases: Sharing an experience from a Brazilian public hospital
Authors: Sampaio Anna-Dulce Sales Carneiro
Published: March 2023

Music-based interventions (MBI) in therapeutic routine have been observed as an effective tool for adjuvant therapy for patients with chronic diseases and for those with various types of disabilities. Music can serve as a pedagogical and therapeutic strategy for development of psychomotor skills in children and adolescents with long-lasting illnesses, and also as a secular way of promoting comfort and spiritual health for patients and families during difficult times; it can also be used to alleviate suffering during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures throughout the long recovery and/or rehabilitation processes. In this article, a musician and art therapist describes some simple MBI used daily in a tertiary children's hospital in Sao Paulo, where patients with chronic diseases and from lower socioeconomic background represent most of outpatients and inpatients. Some MBI developed or adapted by the author are described in detail, some of them using only the voice and others utilizing simple musical instruments, usually percussion ones, by the patients themselves. There are also reports describing MBI in special situations, such as long-lasting isolation of immunosuppressed patients (for bone marrow transplantation, for example), regular day-hospital visits for hemodialysis and religious songs for families of end-of-life or critically ill patients. In conclusion, MBI can be beneficial for improving patient experience in hospital settings, particularly for those with long-lasting or repeated stays, and can be performed in a simple and playful way, with contribution of other health professionals with some background in music, since music therapy specialists are still scarce in many countries.
Development of functional yogurt by using freeze-drying on soybean and mung bean peel powders
Authors: Saleem Muhammad , Tahir Aleena , Ahmed Munir , Khan Ahmal , Burak Leonid Cheslavovich , Hussain Shahid , Song Li
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Plant-based yogurt has earned much interest in current times due to the rising demand for milk substitutes, which is tied to ethical and health needs.

Methods

Freeze-drying impact on soybean peel powder (SPP) and mung bean peel powder (MPP) and their use in creating functional yogurt at various concentrations was checked. In functional yogurt, total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and chemical profile are checked.

Results

The maximum concentration of TPC was 4.65±0.05 (mg GAE/g), TFC was 1.74±0.05 (CE mg/g) and 82.99 ± 0.02 % antioxidant activity was calculated in sample T6, having the highest concentration of SPP, which was substantially more significant than the treatment samples containing MPP. Sensory attributes of the yogurt samples were analyzed, which indicated a decrease when SPP and MPP values increased when introduced at 3 or 6 % of an optimum level. There was no notable loss of the sensory profile compared to the control group. The results were found to be significant at p < 0.05. The freeze-dried SPP had the complete chemical composition compared to MPP except for ash and fiber content.

Discussion

The physicochemical profile of the treatments of functional yogurt had a linear proportional connection in the percentage of both powders in the meantime. When both the dry level of powders increased, the protein and fat levels decreased. In the food industry, the freeze-dried soybean peel and the peel of mung bean can be utilized in functional yogurt as a source of bioactive components.
Analysis of risk factors for the increased incidence of gallstone caused by hepatectomy: A retrospective case–control study
Authors: Zhou Jiangmin , Chen Lin , Zhang Zhiwei , Wu Biao
Published: March 2023

Background

An increased risk of gallstones has been observed in patients undergoing hepatectomy. This study attempted to analyze the risk factors for gallstones after hepatectomy.

Methods

From January 2013 to December 2016, clinical data of 1,452 eligible patients who underwent hepatectomy were consecutively reviewed. According to the imaging, including gallbladder ultrasound, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, all patients were divided into the gallstone group and the nongallstone group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to select indicators associated with gallstone formation among patients after hepatectomy.

Results

In the total sample of included patients, there were 341 patients with gallstones and 1,147 patients without gallstones. The incidence of gallstones was 23.5% (341/1,452). The incidence of gallstones in the primary liver cancer group was higher than that in the benign liver tumor group (25.7% vs. 18.9%, P = 0.004). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that female gender, high body mass index, tumor located in S5, and severe postoperative complication were factors related to gallstones in patients with benign liver tumors after hepatectomy. In addition, Child–Pugh B, low albumin, liver cirrhosis, and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) after recurrence were factors related to gallstones in patients with primary liver cancer after hepatectomy.

Conclusions

Hepatectomy increased the risk of gallstones in benign or malignant liver tumors, especially when the tumor was located in S5. TACE further increased the risk of gallstones in patients with postoperative recurrence.
Young Adults’ Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities’ Public Health: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Yip Yuk Chiu , Yip Ka Huen , Tsui Wai King
Published: March 2023

Objectives: Several physical, psychological, and social health consequences are caused by smartphone users’ addiction to games. A location-based game (LBG), Pokémon GO, recently garnered significant attention from young people. This study aims to explore their experiences with this game and motivations for playing, investigating their perspectives on the game’s implications for themselves and the public health of their communities.

Methods: Ten qualitative focus group interviews were conducted. Young adults, aged 18–25 years (n = 60), were recruited in Hong Kong. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach.

Results: Five themes emerged: 1) missing out or self-regulation, 2) childhood memories of Pokémon, 3) extending virtual-reality exploration, 4) spending more time outdoors walking and exercising, and 5) getting together with others and social interaction.

Conclusions: This study showcases the motivational factors of young adults and their cohorts in societies worldwide. LBGs may impact players’ physical and social activity levels, and behavior. Nonetheless, certain negatives were identified (i.e., addiction and behavior resulting from a loss of self-control). These negatives deserve health practitioners’ attention and future studies should explore possible public health interventions
Multiple Approaches to the Trophic Role of Mesopelagic Fish around the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Bernal Ainhoa , Tuset Víctor Manuel , Olivar María Pilar
Published: March 2023

Myctophids, commonly vertical migrators, and partial and non-migrant stomiiforms constitute most of the mesopelagic biomass, and transport organic matter throughout the food web from the surface to the ocean’s depths. Both the diet and trophic structure of twenty-nine species of mesopelagic fish collected around the Iberian Peninsula were studied through the analysis of stomach contents, quantifying food items with a high taxonomic resolution. The investigation covered oligotrophic to productive habitats, with sampling stations distributed in five discrete zones of the western Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. The geographic environmental conditions, migratory behavior, and species-specific body sizes allowed for the identification of some major feeding patterns for these fish communities. The trophic niche of migrant myctophids showed a high overlap, with copepods as the primary prey category. The diet composition of generalist myctophids (e.g., Ceratoscopelus maderensis and Hygophum benoiti) reflected the distinct zooplanktonic communities between zones. Large stomiiforms (Chauliodus spp., Sigmops elongatus) preferred feeding on micronekton, while the smallest stomiiforms (e.g., Argyropelecus spp., Cyclothone spp., Vinciguerria spp.) preyed on copepods and ostracods. Given the relevance of the mesopelagic fish communities for commercially exploited species and, therefore, for maintaining the sustainability of the fisheries’ activity in the zones analyzed, the information provided in the present study is essential for a better understanding of the biology and ecology of these species.
Immunological and Oxidative Biomarkers in Bovine Serum from Healthy, Clinical, and Sub-Clinical Mastitis Caused by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Authors: Sadat Asmaa , Farag Alshimaa M. M. , Elhanafi Driss , Awad Amal , Elmahallawy Ehab Kotb , Alsowayeh Noorah , El-khadragy Manal F. , Elshopakey Gehad E.
Published: March 2023

The study aimed to investigate the mastitis’ emerging causative agents and their antimicrobial sensitivity, in addition to the hematological, biochemical indicators, oxidative biomarkers, acute phase protein (APP), and inflammatory cytokine changes in dairy farms in Gamasa, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. One hundred Holstein Friesian dairy cattle with clinical and subclinical mastitis were investigated and were allocated into three groups based on a thorough clinical examination. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were found responsible for the clinical and subclinical mastitis in dairy farms, respectively. Multiple drug resistance (MDR) was detected in 100%, and 94.74% of E. coli and S. aureus isolates, respectively. Significantly low RBCs count, Hb, and PCV values were detected in mastitic cows compared with both subclinical mastitic and control groups; moreover, WBCs, lymphocytes, and neutrophil counts were significantly diminished in mastitic cows compared to the controls. Significantly higher levels of AST, LDH, total protein, and globulin were noticed in both mastitic and subclinical mastitic cows. The haptoglobin, fibrinogen, amyloid A, ceruloplasmin, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were statistically increased in mastitic cows compared to the controls. Higher MDA levels and reduction of TAC and catalase were identified in all the mastitic cases compared to the controls. Overall, the findings suggested potential public health hazards due to antimicrobial resistance emergence. Meanwhile, the APP and cytokines, along with antioxidant markers can be used as early indicators of mastitis.
Eating Quality of Pork from Entire Male Pigs after Dietary Supplementation with Hydrolysable Tannins
Authors: Bahelka Ivan , Stupka Roman , Čítek Jaroslav , Šprysl Michal , Bučko Ondřej , Fľak Pavel
Published: March 2023

Boar taint is an unpleasant odour and flavour released during heat treatment of pork from uncastrated male pigs. The two main compounds responsible for boar taint are androstenone and skatole. Androstenone is a steroid hormone formed in the testis during sexual maturity. Skatole is a product of microbial degradation of the amino acid tryptophan in the hindgut of pigs. Both of these compounds are lipophilic, which means that they can be deposited in adipose tissue. Several studies have reported heritability estimates for their deposition from medium (skatole) to high magnitudes (androstenone). In addition to efforts to influence boar taint through genetic selection, much attention has also been paid to reducing its incidence using various feeding strategies. From this point of view, research has focused especially on the reduction in skatole content by supplementation of feed additives into the nutrition of entire male pigs. Promising results have been achieved using hydrolysable tannins in the diet. To date, most studies have investigated the effects of tannins on the production and accumulation of skatole in adipose tissue, intestinal microbiota, growth rate, carcasses and pork quality. Thus, the objective of this study was, in addition to determining the effects of tannins on androstenone and skatole accumulation, to assess the effects of tannins on the sensory traits of meat from entire males. The experiment was performed on 80 young boars—progeny of several hybrid sire lines. Animals were randomly assigned to one control and four experimental groups (each numbering 16). The control group (T0) received a standard diet without any tannin supplementation. Experimental groups were supplemented with 1% (T1), 2% (T2), 3% (T3) or 4% (T4) SCWE (sweet chestnut wood extract) rich in hydrolysable tannins (Farmatan). Pigs received this supplement for 40 days prior to slaughter. Subsequently, the pigs were slaughtered, and sensory analysis was applied to evaluate the odour, flavour, tenderness and juiciness of the pork. The results showed a significant effect of tannins on skatole accumulation in adipose tissue (p = 0.052–0.055). The odour and flavour of the pork were not affected by tannins. However, juiciness and tenderness were reduced by higher tannin supplementation (T3–T4) compared to the controls (p < 0.05), but these results were sex-dependent (in favour of men compared to women). Generally, women rated tenderness and juiciness worse than men regardless of the type of diet.
Responses of Urban Bird Assemblages to Land-Sparing and Land-Sharing Development Styles in Two Argentinian Cities
Authors: Cristaldi Maximiliano A. , Godoy Ianina N. , Leveau Lucas M.
Published: March 2023

Urbanization negatively affects biodiversity worldwide. Consequently, alternative urban development styles are required for an eco-friendlier urbanization process. Thus, two development styles have been suggested: land-sharing (buildings mixed with dispersed green space) and land-sparing (buildings interspersed with large green patches). We assessed differences in species diversity and composition of bird assemblages between both development styles in two Argentinian cities: Santa Fe and Buenos Aires. We surveyed birds in land-sharing and land-sparing areas during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. As a control, we also surveyed birds in areas dominated by impervious surfaces. At a local scale, we also measured the environmental noise and pedestrian traffic. At a landscape scale, we measured the percent vegetation cover surrounding development styles and their distance to the main river. In Buenos Aires, species richness was higher in land-sparing than in land-sharing. However, the Shannon diversity and Simpson diversity were higher in land-sharing. In Santa Fe, both urban development styles supported similar species richness and diversity. Species composition varied between land-sharing and land-sparing in both cities during the breeding season. The pedestrian traffic was negatively associated with species diversity. Therefore, both development styles and strategies to reduce pedestrian traffic should be taken into account to enhance different components of species diversity and composition within the urban matrix.
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns Associated with Extreme Precipitation Events in Eastern Siberia and Mongolia
Authors: Antokhina Olga , Antokhin Pavel , Gochakov Alexander , Zbirannik Anna , Gazimov Timur
Published: March 2023

The socioeconomic impacts caused by floods in the south of Eastern Siberia (SES), and the expected increase in precipitation extremes over northern Eurasia, have revealed the need to search for atmospheric circulation patterns that cause extreme precipitation events (EPE) in SES, as well as their changes. We investigate the circulation patterns causing extreme precipitation in SES and Mongolia, by examining the instability and moisture transport associated with potential vorticity (PV) dynamics during two time periods: 1982–1998 and 1999–2019. The EPE were characterized by an increase in instability within the precipitation area, which was compensated by stability around the area, with the East Asian summer monsoon transport being enhanced. PV in the subtropical regions and mid-latitudes has shown the amplification of positive and negative PV anomalies to the southeast and northwest of Lake Baikal, respectively. The PV contours for EPE have shapes of cyclonic wave breaking and cutoff low. EPE accompanied by wave breaking are characterized by strong redistribution areas, with extremely high and low stability and moisture. This can lead to the coexistence of floods and droughts, and in part was the driver of the earlier revealed “seesaw” precipitation mode over Mongolia and SES. We suggest a shift of extreme precipitation to the northwest has occurred, which was probably caused by the wave propagation change.
Synoptic and Mesoscale Analysis of a Severe Weather Event in Southern Brazil at the End of June 2020
Authors: Fortunato de Faria Leandro Fortunato de , Reboita Michelle Simões , Mattos Enrique Vieira , Carvalho Vanessa Silveira Barreto , Martins Ribeiro Joao Gabriel Martins , Capucin Bruno César , Drumond Anita , Paes dos Santos Ana Paula Paes dos
Published: March 2023

At the end of June 2020, an explosive extratropical cyclone was responsible for an environment in which a squall line developed and caused life and economic losses in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. The aims of this case study are the following: (a) to describe the drivers of the cyclogenesis; (b) to investigate through numerical simulations the contribution of sea–air interaction to the development of the cyclone as an explosive system; and (c) to present the physical properties of the clouds associated with the squall line. The cyclogenesis started at 1200 UTC on 30 June 2020 on the border of southern Brazil and Uruguay, having a trough at middle-upper levels as a forcing, which is a common driver of cyclogenesis in the studied region. In addition, the cyclone’s lifecycle followed Bjerknes and Solberg’s conceptual model of cyclone development. A special feature of this cyclone was its fast deepening, reaching the explosive status 12 h after its genesis. A comparison between numerical experiments with sensible and latent turbulent heat fluxes switched on and off showed that the sea–air interaction (turbulent heat fluxes) contributed to the cyclone’s deepening leading it to the explosive status. The cold front, which is a component of the cyclone, favored the development of a pre-frontal squall line, responsible for the rough weather conditions in Santa Catarina state. While satellite images do not clearly show the squall line located ahead of the cold front in the cyclone wave due to their coarse resolution, radar reflectivity data represent the propagation of the squall line over southern Brazil. On 30 June 2020, the clouds in the squall line had more than 10 km of vertical extension and a reflectivity higher than 40 dBZ in some parts of the storm; this is an indicator of hail and, consequently, is a required condition for storm electrification. In fact, electrical activity was registered on this day.
Characteristics of Surface Ozone and Nitrogen Oxides over a Typical City in the Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Qiu Shanshan , Du Rongguang , Tang Guangtian , Zang Kunpeng , Lin Yi , Chen Yuanyuan , Qing Xuemei , Li Jiaxin , Xiong Haoyu , Jiang Kai , Hong Haixiang , Fang Shuangxi
Published: March 2023

The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) is the most developed region in China. Influenced by intensive and complex anthropogenic activities, atmospheric pollution in this region is highly variable, and reports are sparse. In this study, a seven-year history of the atmospheric O3 and NOx mixing ratios over a typical city, Hangzhou, was presented to enrich the studies on air pollution in the YRD region. Our results revealed that the diurnal variation in NOx corresponded to traffic rush hours, while O3 was mainly impacted by photochemical reactions in the daytime. The weekend effect was significant for NOx, but inapparent for O3. Two O3 peaks in May and September were caused by seasonal atmospheric stability and climatic conditions. The lower NOx and higher O3 levels observed suggested direct effects from traffic restrictions and large-scale industrial shutdowns during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 compared with those in the periods before and after lockdown. The model simulation results showed that O3 mixing ratios were not only related to regional anthropogenic emissions but were impacted by air mass transportation from surrounding provinces and the China shelf seas. The NOx mixing ratios showed a decreasing trend, while the O3 mixing ratios showed the opposite trend from 2015 to 2021, which is indicative of the implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Acton Plan issued by the Chinese government in 2013.
Novel Physics-Informed Artificial Neural Network Architectures for System and Input Identification of Structural Dynamics PDEs
Authors: Moradi Sarvin , Duran Burak , Eftekhar Azam Saeed , Mofid Massood
Published: March 2023

Herein, two novel Physics Informed Neural Network (PINN) architectures are proposed for output-only system identification and input estimation of dynamic systems. Using merely sparse output-only measurements, the proposed PINNs architectures furnish a novel approach to input, state, and parameter estimation of linear and nonlinear systems with multiple degrees of freedom. These architectures are comprised of parallel and sequential PINNs that act upon a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) obtained from spatial discretization of the partial differential equation (PDE). The performance of this framework for dynamic system identification and input estimation was ascertained by extensive numerical experiments on linear and nonlinear systems. The advantage of the proposed approach, when compared with system identification, lies in its computational efficiency. When compared with traditional Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), this approach requires substantially smaller training data and does not suffer from generalizability issues. In this regard, the states, inputs, and parameters of dynamic state-space equations of motion were estimated using simulated experiments with “noisy” data. The proposed framework for PINN showed excellent great generalizability for various types of applications. Furthermore, it was found that the proposed architectures significantly outperformed ANNs in generalizability and estimation accuracy.
Study on the Rheological Properties of Formic Acid Lignin Modified Asphalt
Authors: Cai Meng , Peng Chao , Cheng Cheng
Published: March 2023

Lignin is a major waste product of biofuel and paper industries that can be used as a modifier to improve the relevant properties of asphalt. To investigate the effect of lignin and formic acid lignin wood incorporations into asphalt and the effect on asphalt binder that was unaged and aged for 85 min, 5 h, and 10 h, a series of tests were conducted, including high- and low-temperature rheological tests by a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests, and finally by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The test results show that the additions of lignin and formic acid lignin could improve the high-temperature performance and fatigue capacity of asphalt. In addition, at the glass-transition temperature, it was observed that the additions of lignin and formic acid lignin into asphalt can effectively improve cracking at low temperatures; however, the quantity of lignin and formic acid lignin should be controlled. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy tests showed that the purity of lignin treated with formic acid decreased, and degradation and formylation of the same formic acid-treated lignin occurred, indicating that the lignin underwent chemical changes following acid treatment. The analysis of the results by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showed that, with aging, the average molecular weight (Mw) of lignin-modified asphalt decreased. The reason was that lignin and formic acid lignin were cracked during aging, which reduced their molecular weights.
Clinical Prediction Models for Recurrence in Patients with Resectable Grade 1 and 2 Sporadic Non-Functional Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chen Jeffrey W. , Heidsma Charlotte M. , Engelsman Anton F. , Kabaktepe Ertunç , van Dieren Susan , Falconi Massimo , Besselink Marc G. , Nieveen van Dijkum Els J. M.
Published: March 2023

Recurrence after resection in patients with non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-pNET) has a considerable impact on overall survival. Accurate risk stratification will tailor optimal follow-up strategies. This systematic review assessed available prediction models, including their quality. This systematic review followed PRISMA and CHARMS guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to December 2022 for studies that developed, updated, or validated prediction models for recurrence in resectable grade 1 or 2 NF-pNET. Studies were critically appraised. After screening 1883 studies, 14 studies with 3583 patients were included: 13 original prediction models and 1 prediction model validation. Four models were developed for preoperative and nine for postoperative use. Six models were presented as scoring systems, five as nomograms, and two as staging systems. The c statistic ranged from 0.67 to 0.94. The most frequently included predictors were tumor grade, tumor size, and lymph node positivity. Critical appraisal deemed all development studies as having a high risk of bias and the validation study as having a low risk of bias. This systematic review identified 13 prediction models for recurrence in resectable NF-pNET with external validations for 3 of them. External validation of prediction models improves their reliability and stimulates use in daily practice.
The Transcription Factor Twist1 Has a Significant Role in Mycosis Fungoides (MF) Cell Biology: An RNA Sequencing Study of 40 MF Cases
Authors: Häyrinen Marjaana , Kiiskilä Jenni , Ranki Annamari , Väkevä Liisa , Barton Henry , Kuusisto Milla , Porvari Katja , Kuitunen Hanne , Haapasaari Kirsi-Maria , Teppo Hanna-Riikka , Kuittinen Outi
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this RNA sequencing study was to investigate the biological mechanism underlying how the transcription factors (TFs) Twist1 and Zeb1 influence the prognosis of mycosis fungoides (MF). We used laser-captured microdissection to dissect malignant T-cells obtained from 40 skin biopsies from 40 MF patients with stage I–IV disease. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to determinate the protein expression levels of Twist1 and Zeb1. Based on RNA sequencing, principal component analysis (PCA), differential expression (DE) analysis, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA), and hub gene analysis were performed between the high and low Twist1 IHC expression cases. The DNA from 28 samples was used to analyze the TWIST1 promoter methylation level. In the PCA, Twist1 IHC expression seemed to classify cases into different groups. The DE analysis yielded 321 significant genes. In the IPA, 228 significant upstream regulators and 177 significant master regulators/causal networks were identified. In the hub gene analysis, 28 hub genes were found. The methylation level of TWIST1 promoter regions did not correlate with Twist1 protein expression. Zeb1 protein expression did not show any major correlation with global RNA expression in the PCA. Many of the observed genes and pathways associated with high Twist1 expression are known to be involved in immunoregulation, lymphocyte differentiation, and aggressive tumor biology. In conclusion, Twist1 might be an important regulator in the disease progression of MF.
Characterization of BRCA Deficiency in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Barbero Giovanna , Zuntini Roberta , Magini Pamela , Desiderio Laura , Bonaguro Michela , Perrone Anna Myriam , Rubino Daniela , Grippa Mina , De Leo Antonio , Ceccarelli Claudio , Godino Lea , Miccoli Sara , Ferrari Simona , Santini Donatella , De Iaco Pierandrea , Zamagni Claudio , Innella Giovanni , Turchetti Daniela
Published: March 2023

BRCA testing is recommended in all Ovarian Cancer (OC) patients, but the optimal approach is debated. The landscape of BRCA alterations was explored in 30 consecutive OC patients: 6 (20.0%) carried germline pathogenic variants, 1 (3.3%) a somatic mutation of BRCA2, 2 (6.7%) unclassified germline variants in BRCA1, and 5 (16.7%) hypermethylation of the BRCA1 promoter. Overall, 12 patients (40.0%) showed BRCA deficit (BD), due to inactivation of both alleles of either BRCA1 or BRCA2, while 18 (60.0%) had undetected/unclear BRCA deficit (BU). Regarding sequence changes, analysis performed on Formalin-Fixed-Paraffin-Embedded tissue through a validated diagnostic protocol showed 100% accuracy, compared with 96.3% for Snap-Frozen tissue and 77.8% for the pre-diagnostic Formalin-Fixed-Paraffin-Embedded protocol. BD tumors, compared to BU, showed a significantly higher rate of small genomic rearrangements. After a median follow-up of 60.3 months, the mean PFS was 54.9 ± 27.2 months in BD patients and 34.6 ± 26.7 months in BU patients (p = 0.055). The analysis of other cancer genes in BU patients identified a carrier of a pathogenic germline variant in RAD51C. Thus, BRCA sequencing alone may miss tumors potentially responsive to specific treatments (due to BRCA1 promoter methylation or mutations in other genes) while unvalidated FFPE approaches may yield false-positive results.
Insight into the Crosstalk between Photodynamic Therapy and Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer
Authors: Jin Hongzhong , Liao Shichong , Yao Feng , Li Juanjuan , Xu Zhiliang , Zhao Kailiang , Xu Ximing , Sun Shengrong
Published: March 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is the world’s second most frequent malignancy and the leading cause of mortality among women. All in situ or invasive breast cancer derives from terminal tubulobular units; when the tumor is present only in the ducts or lobules in situ, it is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)/lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). The biggest risk factors are age, mutations in breast cancer genes 1 or 2 (BRCA1 or BRCA2), and dense breast tissue. Current treatments are associated with various side effects, recurrence, and poor quality of life. The critical role of the immune system in breast cancer progression/regression should always be considered. Several immunotherapy techniques for BC have been studied, including tumor-targeted antibodies (bispecific antibodies), adoptive T cell therapy, vaccinations, and immune checkpoint inhibition with anti-PD-1 antibodies. In the last decade, significant breakthroughs have been made in breast cancer immunotherapy. This advancement was principally prompted by cancer cells’ escape of immune regulation and the tumor’s subsequent resistance to traditional therapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown potential as a cancer treatment. It is less intrusive, more focused, and less damaging to normal cells and tissues. It entails the employment of a photosensitizer (PS) and a specific wavelength of light to create reactive oxygen species. Recently, an increasing number of studies have shown that PDT combined with immunotherapy improves the effect of tumor drugs and reduces tumor immune escape, improving the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Therefore, we objectively evaluate strategies for their limitations and benefits, which are critical to improving outcomes for breast cancer patients. In conclusion, we offer many avenues for further study on tailored immunotherapy, such as oxygen-enhanced PDT and nanoparticles.
Benefits and Challenges of Inhibiting EZH2 in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: Al Khatib MHD Ouis , Pinton Giulia , Moro Laura , Porta Chiara
Published: March 2023

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive thoracic cancer that is mainly associated with prior exposure to asbestos fibers. Despite being a rare cancer, its global rate is increasing and the prognosis remains extremely poor. Over the last two decades, despite the constant research of new therapeutic options, the combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and pemetrexed has remained the only first-line therapy for MPM. The recent approval of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based immunotherapy has opened new promising avenues of research. However, MPM is still a fatal cancer with no effective treatments. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyl transferase that exerts pro-oncogenic and immunomodulatory activities in a variety of tumors. Accordingly, a growing number of studies indicate that EZH2 is also an oncogenic driver in MPM, but its effects on tumor microenvironments are still largely unexplored. This review describes the state-of-the-art of EZH2 in MPM biology and discusses its potential use both as a diagnostic and therapeutic target. We highlight current gaps of knowledge, the filling of which will likely favor the entry of EZH2 inhibitors within the treatment options for MPM patients.
MVI-TR: A Transformer-Based Deep Learning Model with Contrast-Enhanced CT for Preoperative Prediction of Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Cao Linping , Wang Qing , Hong Jiawei , Han Yuzhe , Zhang Weichen , Zhong Xun , Che Yongqian , Ma Yaqi , Du Keyi , Wu Dongyan , Pang Tianxiao , Wu Jian , Liang Kewei
Published: March 2023

In this study, we considered preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion (MVI) status with deep learning (DL) models for patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (tumor size ≤ 5 cm). Two types of DL models based only on venous phase (VP) of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) were constructed and validated. From our hospital (First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, P.R. China), 559 patients, who had histopathological confirmed MVI status, participated in this study. All preoperative CECT were collected, and the patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts at a ratio of 4:1. We proposed a novel transformer-based end-to-end DL model, named MVI-TR, which is a supervised learning method. MVI-TR can capture features automatically from radiomics and perform MVI preoperative assessments. In addition, a popular self-supervised learning method, the contrastive learning model, and the widely used residual networks (ResNets family) were constructed for fair comparisons. With an accuracy of 99.1%, a precision of 99.3%, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.98, a recalling rate of 98.8%, and an F1-score of 99.1% in the training cohort, MVI-TR achieved superior outcomes. Additionally, the validation cohort’s MVI status prediction had the best accuracy (97.2%), precision (97.3%), AUC (0.935), recalling rate (93.1%), and F1-score (95.2%). MVI-TR outperformed other models for predicting MVI status, and showed great preoperative predictive value for early-stage HCC patients.
The NAMPT Inhibitor FK866 in Combination with Cisplatin Reduces Cholangiocarcinoma Cells Growth
Authors: Pant Kishor , Richard Seth , Peixoto Estanislao , Yin Jun , Seelig Davis M. , Carotenuto Pietro , Salati Massimiliano , Franco Brunella , Roberts Lewis R. , Gradilone Sergio A.
Published: March 2023

It is well established that Cholangiocarcioma (CCA) drug resistance plays a crucial role in the spread and survival of cancer cells. The major enzyme in the nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-mediated pathways, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), is essential for cancer cell survival and metastasis. Previous research has shown that the targeted NAMPT inhibitor FK866 reduces cancer cell viability and triggers cancer cell death; however, whether FK866 affects CCA cell survival has not been addressed before. We show herein that NAMPT is expressed in CCA cells, and FK866 suppresses the capacity of CCA cells to grow in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, by preventing NAMPT activity, FK866 significantly reduced the amount of NAD+ and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) in HuCCT1, KMCH, and EGI cells. The present study’s findings further show that FK866 causes changes in mitochondrial metabolism in CCA cells. Additionally, FK866 enhances the anticancer effects of cisplatin in vitro. Taken together, the results of the current study suggest that the NAMPT/NAD+ pathway may be a possible therapeutic target for CCA, and FK866 may be a useful medication targeting CCA in combination with cisplatin.
Therapeutic Strategies and Oncological Outcome of Peritoneal Metastases from Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis
Authors: Siragusa Leandro , Di Carlo Sara , Fassari Alessia , Sensi Bruno , Riccetti Camilla , Izzo Luciano , Cavallaro Giuseppe , Fiori Enrico , Sapienza Paolo , Mallia Letizia , Pernazza Graziano , Sibio Simone
Published: March 2023

The peritoneum is an unusual site of metastases from lung cancer, and optimal management at the moment remains unclear and mostly based on palliative strategies. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate demographic characteristics, management and overall survival of patients with peritoneal metastases from lung cancer (PCLC). A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and pooled analysis was performed searching all English studies published until December 2022. PROSPERO, CRD42022349362. Inclusion criteria were original articles including patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from lung cancer, specifying at least one outcome of interest. Exclusion criteria were being unable to retrieve patient data from articles, and the same patient series included in different studies. Among 1746 studies imported for screening, twenty-one were included (2783 patients). Mean overall survival was between 0.5 and 5 months after peritoneal carcinomatosis diagnosis and 9 and 21 months from lung cancer diagnosis. In total, 27% of patients underwent first-line or palliative chemotherapy and 7% of them surgery. Management differs significantly among published studies. The literature on PCLC is scarce. Its incidence is low but appears to be substantially rising and is likely to be an underestimation. Prognosis is very poor and therapeutic strategies have been limited and used in a minority of patients. Subcategories of PCLC patients may have an improved prognosis and may benefit from an aggressive oncological approach, including cytoreductive surgery. Further investigation would be needed in this regard.
Current Perspectives in Liver Transplantation for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Giovinazzo Francesco , Pascale Marco Maria , Cardella Francesca , Picarelli Matteo , Molica Serena , Zotta Francesca , Martullo Annamaria , Clarke George , Frongillo Francesco , Grieco Antonio , Agnes Salvatore
Published: March 2023

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) encompasses all malignant neoplasms arising from the epithelial cells of the biliary tree. About 40% of CCAs are perihilar, involving the bile ducts distal to the second-order biliary branches and proximal to the cystic duct implant. About two-thirds of pCCAs are considered unresectable at the time of diagnosis or exploration. When resective surgery is deemed unfeasible, liver transplantation (LT) could be an effective alternative. The overall survival rates after LT at 1 and 3 years are 91% and 81%, respectively. The overall five-year survival rate after transplantation is 73% (79% for patients with underlying PSC and 63% for de novo pCCA). Multicenter case series reported a 5-year disease-free survival rate of ~65%. However, different protocols, including neoadjuvant therapy, have been proposed. The scarcity of organ availability represents a crucial limiting factor in recommending LT preferentially in treating pCCA. Living donor transplantations and marginal cadaveric allografts have proven to be exciting options to overcome organ shortage. Management of jaundice and cholangitis is still challenging for these patients and could impact LT listing. Whether to adopt surgical resection or LT as standard-of-care in pCCA is still a matter of debate, and more prospective studies are needed.
Do Deep Mitochondrial DNA Divergences within Intertidal Gastropods Reveal Phylogeographic Signals from Earlier Glacial Cycles?
Authors: Colgan Donald James
Published: March 2023

Climatic cycles have frequently been hypothesised to influence the phylogeography of temperate marine organisms through such factors as hydrological changes and landbridge formation at glacial maxima. However, it is rarely considered whether observed phylogeographic patterns are predominantly influenced by the most recent cycle or those that preceded it. Whether high genetic divergences within intertidal taxa provide an opportunity to investigate such questions is studied here. Three southeastern Australian gastropod taxa that exhibit such divergence were studied, namely, Ascorhis tasmanica, Phallomedusa solida and the regions’ two species of the genus Nerita. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses revealed bootstrap-supported clades within Nerita atramentosa, N. melanotragus and P. solida each of which may have been influenced by climatically induced isolation in previous glacial cycles. These clades are all now very widely distributed within the ranges of their respective species. The loss of variants resulting in the divergence of the haplotypes in the clades may be stochastic but was more likely due to selection, at least for P. solida. Ascorhis tasmanica was revealed to have a comparatively large number of sporadically distributed divergent groups; however, their evolution may have been more influenced by factors other than climate cycles.
Investigating the Diversity of Wolbachia across the Spiny Ants (Polyrhachis)
Authors: Webb Jenna L. , Graber Leland C. , Ramalho Manuela O. , Moreau Corrie S.
Published: March 2023

Among insects, Wolbachia is an exceedingly common bacterial endosymbiont with a range of consequences of infection. Despite the frequency of Wolbachia infection, very little is known about this bacteria’s diversity and role within hosts, especially within ant hosts. In this study, we analyze the occurrence and diversity of Wolbachia across the spiny ants (Polyrhachis), a large and geographically diverse genus. Polyrhachis samples from throughout the host genus’ phylogenetic and biogeographical range were first screened for single infections of Wolbachia using the wsp gene and Sanger sequencing. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme was then used on these singly infected samples to identify the Wolbachia strains. A Wolbachia phylogeny was inferred from the Polyrhachis samples analyzed in this study as well as other Formicidae MLST profiles from the MLST online database. We hypothesized that three key host factors were impacting Wolbachia diversity within the Polyrhachis genus: biogeography, phylogeny, and species level. The results suggest that the phylogeny and biogeography of Polyrhachis hosts have no impact on Wolbachia diversity; however, species level may have some limited influence. Additionally, Wolbachia strains appear to group according to being either Old World or New World strains. Among the taxa able to form complete MLST allelic profiles, all twenty are seemingly new strains.
Assessment of Blood Microcirculation Changes after COVID-19 Using Wearable Laser Doppler Flowmetry
Authors: Zharkikh Elena V. , Loktionova Yulia I. , Fedorovich Andrey A. , Gorshkov Alexander Y. , Dunaev Andrey V.
Published: March 2023

The present work is focused on the study of changes in microcirculation parameters in patients who have undergone COVID-19 by means of wearable laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) devices. The microcirculatory system is known to play a key role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, and its disorders manifest themselves long after the patient has recovered. In the present work, microcirculatory changes were studied in dynamics on one patient for 10 days before his disease and 26 days after his recovery, and data from the group of patients undergoing rehabilitation after COVID-19 were compared with the data from a control group. A system consisting of several wearable laser Doppler flowmetry analysers was used for the studies. The patients were found to have reduced cutaneous perfusion and changes in the amplitude–frequency pattern of the LDF signal. The obtained data confirm that microcirculatory bed dysfunction is present in patients for a long period after the recovery from COVID-19.
Path Planning for Autonomous Drones: Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Gugan Gopi , Haque Anwar
Published: March 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones, have gained a lot of popularity over the last decade. The use of autonomous drones appears to be a viable and low-cost solution to problems in many applications. Path planning capabilities are essential for autonomous control systems. An autonomous drone must be able to rapidly compute feasible and energy-efficient paths to avoid collisions. In this study, we review two key aspects of path planning: environmental representation and path generation techniques. Common path planning techniques are analyzed, and their key limitations are highlighted. Finally, we review thirty-five highly cited publications to identify current trends in drone path planning research. We then use these results to identify factors that need to be addressed in future studies in order to develop a practical path planner for autonomous drones.