bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological Insights on the Invasive Fig Pest Aclees taiwanensis Kȏno, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Tani Camilla , Conti Barbara , Bedini Stefano
Published: February 2023

The fig weevil Aclees taiwanensis Kȏno, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an invasive fig tree pest recently introduced in southern Europe. Reported for the first time in France in 1997 as A. cribratus, and then in Italy in 2005 as A. sp. cf. foveatus, A. taiwanensis is currently threatening fig nurseries, orchards, and wild plants. To date, no control methods have proven to be effective against A. taiwanensis. Although some attempts have been made to describe the insect’s biology and behavior, such information is limited to that obtained from adult samples collected in the field. In particular, because of their xylophagous behavior, scarce information is available on the larval stages of the species. The aim of this study, therefore, was to fill these information gaps on the insect biology and behavior by setting up a laboratory protocol suitable for the rearing of A. taiwanensis. Using the developed rearing protocol, we assessed the main fitness parameters of the species including oviposition rate, egg hatchability, embryonic, larval and pupal duration and development, immature survival, pupation behavior, pupal weight, emergence, sex ratio and adult morphological parameters. The proposed rearing procedure allowed us to obtain new information on the main features of the insect’s biology that may be useful for setting up strategies for its control.
Gelsolin as a Potential Clinical Biomarker in Psoriasis Vulgaris
Authors: Lee Sul Hee , Park Young-Lip , Bae Youin
Published: February 2023

Although discovering novel biomarkers for psoriasis is challenging, it may play an essential role in diagnosis, severity assessment, and prediction of treatment outcome and prognosis. The study was aimed to determine potential serum biomarkers of psoriasis via proteomic data analysis and clinical validity assessment. Thirty-one subjects manifested psoriasis and 19 subjects were healthy volunteers who were enrolled in the study. Protein expression was performed via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) using psoriasis patients’ sera before and after treatment and sera of patients without psoriasis. Image analysis was then performed. Nano-scale liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) experiments subsequently identified points showing differential expression in 2-DE image analysis. To measure levels of candidate proteins to validate results obtained from 2-DE, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was then conducted. Gelsolin was identified as a potential protein through LC-MS/MS analysis and database search. Serum gelsolin levels were lower in the groups of psoriasis patients before treatment than in the control group and the group of psoriasis patients after treatment. Additionally, in subgroup analysis, serum gelsolin level was correlated with various clinical severity scores. In conclusion, low serum gelsolin levels are associated with the severity of psoriasis, proposing the potential role of gelsolin as a biomarker for severity assessment and evaluation of treatment response of psoriasis.
Expression of pH-Sensitive GPCRs in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Colorectal Cancer—First Results
Authors: von Breitenbuch Philipp , Kurz Bernadett , Wallner Susanne , Zeman Florian , Brochhausen Christoph , Schlitt Hans-Jürgen , Schreml Stephan
Published: February 2023

Solid tumors have an altered metabolism with a so-called inside-out pH gradient (decreased pHe < increased pHi). This also signals back to tumor cells via proton-sensitive ion channels or G protein-coupled receptors (pH-GPCRs) to alter migration and proliferation. Nothing, however, is known about the expression of pH-GPCRs in the rare form of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples of a series of 10 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal (including appendix) origin were used for immunohistochemistry to study the expression of GPR4, GPR65, GPR68, GPR132, and GPR151. GPR4 was just expressed weakly in 30% of samples and expression was significantly reduced as compared to GPR56, GPR132, and GPR151. Furthermore, GPR68 was only expressed in 60% of tumors and showed significantly reduced expression as compared to GPR65 and GPR151. This is the first study on pH-GPCRs in peritoneal carcinomatosis, which shows lower expression of GPR4 and GPR68 as compared to other pH-GPCRs in this type of cancer. It may give rise to future therapies targeting either the TME or these GPCRs directly.
Prediction of Postoperative Pulmonary Edema Risk Using Machine Learning
Authors: Kim Jong , Kim Youngmi , Yoo Kookhyun , Kim Minguan , Kang Seong , Kwon Young-Suk , Lee Jae
Published: February 2023

Postoperative pulmonary edema (PPE) is a well-known postoperative complication. We hypothesized that a machine learning model could predict PPE risk using pre- and intraoperative data, thereby improving postoperative management. This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of patients aged > 18 years who underwent surgery between January 2011 and November 2021 at five South Korean hospitals. Data from four hospitals (n = 221,908) were used as the training dataset, whereas data from the remaining hospital (n = 34,991) were used as the test dataset. The machine learning algorithms used were extreme gradient boosting, light-gradient boosting machine, multilayer perceptron, logistic regression, and balanced random forest (BRF). The prediction abilities of the machine learning models were assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, feature importance, and average precisions of precision-recall curve, precision, recall, f1 score, and accuracy. PPE occurred in 3584 (1.6%) and 1896 (5.4%) patients in the training and test sets, respectively. The BRF model exhibited the best performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.91, 95% confidence interval: 0.84–0.98). However, its precision and f1 score metrics were not good. The five major features included arterial line monitoring, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, urine output, age, and Foley catheter status. Machine learning models (e.g., BRF) could predict PPE risk and improve clinical decision-making, thereby enhancing postoperative management.
Clinical Outcome of Ultrasound-Detected Perforated Necrotizing Enterocolitis without Radiographic Pneumoperitoneum in Very Preterm Infants
Authors: Kim Myoung Kyoung , Jeon Tae Yeon , Kim Kyunga , Kim Yu Jin , Yoo So-Young , Kim Ji Hye , Chang Yun Sil , Lee Sanghoon , Seo Jeong-Meen , Moon Sung-Hoon
Published: February 2023

Objectives: To investigate the clinical outcomes of ultrasound (US)-detected perforated necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) without radiographic pneumoperitoneum in very preterm infants. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, very preterm infants who underwent a laparotomy for perforated NEC during their neonatal intensive care unit stay were classified into two groups according to the absence or presence of pneumoperitoneum on radiographs (the case versus the control groups). The primary outcome was death before discharge, and the secondary outcomes included major morbidities and body weight at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Results: Of the 57 infants with perforated NEC, 12 (21%) had no pneumoperitoneum on the radiographs and were diagnosed with perforated NEC on the US. In the multivariable analyses, the primary outcome of death before discharge was significantly lower in infants with perforated NEC without radiographic pneumoperitoneum than in those with perforated NEC and radiographic pneumoperitoneum (8% [1/12] vs. 44% [20/45]; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.00–0.61; p = 0.025). The secondary outcomes (short bowel syndrome, total parenteral nutrition dependence for 3 months or more, the length of their hospital stay, a bowel stricture requiring surgery, sepsis after the laparotomy, acute kidney injury after the laparotomy, and body weight at 36 weeks PMA) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions: Very preterm infants with US-detected perforated NEC without radiographic pneumoperitoneum had a lower risk of death before discharge than those with perforated NEC and radiographic pneumoperitoneum. Bowel USs may have a potential role in surgical decision-making in infants with advanced NEC.
A Novel System for the Detection of Spontaneous Abortion-Causing Aneuploidy and Its Erroneous Chromosome Origins through the Combination of Low-Pass Copy Number Variation Sequencing and NGS-Based STR Tests
Authors: Lei Caixia , Liao Kai , Zhao Yuwei , Long Zhoukai , Zhu Saijuan , Wu Junping , Xiao Min , Zhou Jing , Zhang Shuo , Li Lianbin , Zhu Yijian , Lu Daru , Yang Jingmin , Sun Xiaoxi
Published: February 2023

During the period of 2018–2020, we first combined reported low-pass whole genome sequencing and NGS-based STR tests for miscarriage samples analysis. Compared with G-banding karyotyping, the system increased the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities in miscarriage samples to 56.4% in 500 unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions. In this study, a total of 386 STR loci were developed on twenty-two autosomes and two sex chromosomes (X and Y chromosomes), which can help to distinguish triploidy, uniparental diploidy and maternal cell contamination and can trace the parental origin of erroneous chromosomes. It is not possible to accomplish this with existing methods of detection in miscarriage samples. Among the tested aneuploid errors, the most frequently detected error was trisomy (33.4% in total and 59.9% in the error chromosome group). In the trisomy samples, 94.7% extra chromosomes were of maternal origin and 5.31% were of paternal origin. This novel system improves the genetic analysis method of miscarriage samples and provides more reference information for clinical pregnancy guidance.
Peptides Derived from a Plant Protease Inhibitor of the Coagulation Contact System Decrease Arterial Thrombus Formation in a Murine Model, without Impairing Hemostatic Parameters
Authors: De Souza Daniel Alexandre , Salu Bruno Ramos , Nogueira Ruben Siedlarczyk , de Carvalho Neto José Carlos Sá , Maffei Francisco Humberto de Abreu , Oliva Maria Luiza Vilela
Published: February 2023

Several plant protein inhibitors with anticoagulant properties have been studied and characterized, including the Delonix regia trypsin inhibitor (DrTI). This protein inhibits serine proteases (trypsin) and enzymes directly involved in coagulation, such as plasma kallikrein, factor XIIa, and factor XIa. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two new synthetic peptides derived from the primary sequence of DrTI in coagulation and thrombosis models to understand the mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of thrombus formation as well as in the development of new antithrombotic therapies. Both peptides acted on in vitro hemostasis-related parameters, showing promising results, prolonging the Partially Activated Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and inhibited platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and arachidonic acid. In murine models, for arterial thrombosis induced by photochemical injury, and platelet-endothelial interactions monitored by intravital microscopy, both peptides at doses of 0.5 mg/kg significantly extended the time of artery occlusion and modified the platelet adhesion and aggregation pattern with no changes in bleeding time, demonstrating the high biotechnological potential of both molecules.
Management of Hyperthyroidism during Pregnancy: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Petca Aida , Dimcea Daiana Anne-Marie , Dumitrașcu Mihai Cristian , Șandru Florica , Mehedințu Claudia , Petca Răzvan-Cosmin
Published: February 2023

In pregnancy, several physiological changes affect maternal circulating thyroid hormone levels. The most common causes of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy are Graves’ disease and hCG-mediated hyperthyroidism. Therefore, evaluating and managing thyroid dysfunction in women during pregnancy should ensure favorable maternal and fetal outcomes. Currently, there is no consensus regarding an optimal method to treat hyperthyroidism in pregnancy. The term “hyperthyroidism in pregnancy” was searched in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant articles published between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2021. All of the resulting abstracts that met the inclusion period were evaluated. Antithyroid drugs are the main therapeutic form administered in pregnant women. Treatment initiation aims to achieve a subclinical hyperthyroidism state, and a multidisciplinary approach can facilitate this process. Other treatment options, such as radioactive iodine therapy, are contraindicated during pregnancy, and thyroidectomy should be limited to severe non-responsive thyroid dysfunction pregnant patients. In light of this events, even in the absence of guidelines certifying screening, it is recommended that all pregnant and childbearing women should be screened for thyroid conditions.
Impact of Enterococci vs. Staphylococci Induced Infective Endocarditis after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Gasior Tomasz , Woitek Felix J. , Schroth Antonia , Abdel-Wahab Mohamed , Crusius Lisa , Haussig Stephan , Kiefer Philipp , Scislo Piotr , Huczek Zenon , Dabrowski Maciej , Witkowski Adam , Olasinska-Wisniewska Anna , Grygier Marek , Protasiewicz Marcin , Hudziak Damian , Kappert Utz , Holzhey David , Wojakowski Wojtek , Linke Axel , Mangner Norman
Published: February 2023

Background: The two most common organisms found in infective endocarditis following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI-IE) are enterococci (EC-IE) and staphylococci (SC-IE). We aimed to compare clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with EC-IE and SC-IE. Methods: TAVI-IE patients from 2007 to 2021 were included in this analysis. The 1-year mortality was the primary outcome measure of this retrospective multi-center analysis. Results: Out of 163 patients, 53 (32.5%) EC-IE and 69 (42.3%) SC-IE patients were included. Subjects were comparable with regard to age, sex, and clinically relevant baseline comorbidities. Symptoms at admission were not significantly different between groups, except for a lower risk for presenting with septic shock in EC-IE than SC-IE. Treatment was performed in 78% by antibiotics alone and in 22% of patients by surgery and antibiotics, with no significant differences between groups. The rate of any complication, in particular heart failure, renal failure, and septic shock during treatment for IE, was lower in EC-IE compared with SC-IE (p < 0.05). In-hospital (EC-IE: 36% vs. SC-IE: 56%, p = 0.035) and 1-year mortality (EC-IE: 51% vs. SC-IE: 70%, p = 0.009) were significantly lower in EC-IE compared with SC-IE. Conclusions: EC-IE, compared with SC-IE, was associated with a lower morbidity and mortality. However, absolute numbers are high, a finding that should trigger further research in appropriate perioperative antibiotic management and improvement of early IE diagnosis in the case of clinical suspicion.
Different Species of Marine Sponges Diverge in Osteogenic Potential When Therapeutically Applied as Natural Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration in Rats
Authors: Santos Cíntia P. G. , Prado João P. S. , Fernandes Kelly R. , Kido Hueliton W. , Dorileo Bianca P. , Parisi Julia R. , Silva Jonas A. , Cruz Matheus A. , Custódio Márcio R. , Rennó Ana C. M. , Granito Renata N.
Published: February 2023

A highly porous structure, and an inorganic (biosilica) and collagen-like organic content (spongin) makes marine sponges potential candidates to be used as natural scaffolds in bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to characterize (through SEM, FTIR, EDS, XRD, pH, mass degradation and porosity tests) scaffolds produced from two species of marine sponges, Dragmacidon reticulatum (DR) and Amphimedon viridis (AV), and to evaluate the osteogenic potential of these scaffolds by using a bone defect model in rats. First, it was shown that the same chemical composition and porosity (84 ± 5% for DR and 90 ± 2% for AV) occurs among scaffolds from the two species. Higher material degradation was observed in the scaffolds of the DR group, with a greater loss of organic matter after incubation. Later, scaffolds from both species were surgically introduced in rat tibial defects, and histopathological analysis after 15 days showed the presence of neo-formed bone and osteoid tissue within the bone defect in DR, always around the silica spicules. In turn, AV exhibited a fibrous capsule around the lesion (19.9 ± 17.1%), no formation of bone tissue and only a small amount of osteoid tissue. The results showed that scaffolds manufactured from Dragmacidon reticulatum presented a more suitable structure for stimulation of osteoid tissue formation when compared to Amphimedon viridis marine sponge species.
A Numerical Study on the Effects of Ship-Generated Waves on a Moored Ship in Restricted Waterways Considering Initial Acceleration Process
Authors: Zheng Ziqiang , Zou Lu , Zou Zaojian
Published: February 2023

In order to develop a reliable numerical method to investigate the effects of ship-generated waves on a moored ship in restricted waterways, this paper takes the MASHCON2022 benchmark model test case as the study object and simulates the whole process of a ship passing a moored ship by using the unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) method coupled with the dynamic overset mesh technique. The initial acceleration process of the passing ship before approaching the moored ship is considered in the numerical simulations to reproduce the benchmark model tests more realistically. The numerical simulations with four acceleration modes are conducted. The comparisons among the numerical results and the test data verify that the prediction accuracy considering the acceleration process is obviously higher than that without the acceleration process, especially for the solitary wave system, and the results based on the linear acceleration agree with the test data best. The flow field results indicate that the impacts of the solitary wave system and the primary wave system on the moored ship are different: the solitary wave system induces significant positive pressures on the hull, while the primary wave system leads to remarkable negative pressures; both result in pronounced attitude variations of the moored ship, but the hydrodynamic forces and moments affected by the primary wave system are more pronounced.
RETRACTED: Bidirectional Neural Network Model for Glaucoma Progression Prediction
Authors: Hosni Mahmoud Hanan , Alabdulkreem Eatedal
Published: February 2023

Deep learning models are usually utilized to learn from spatial data, only a few studies are proposed to predict glaucoma time progression utilizing deep learning models. In this article, we present a bidirectional recurrent deep learning model (Bi-RM) to detect prospective progressive visual field diagnoses. A dataset of 5413 different eyes from 3321 samples is utilized as the learning phase dataset and 1272 eyes are used for testing. Five consecutive diagnoses are recorded from the dataset as input and the sixth progressive visual field diagnosis is matched with the prediction of the Bi-RM. The precision metrics of the Bi-RM are validated in association with the linear regression algorithm (LR) and term memory (TM) technique. The total prediction error of the Bi-RM is significantly less than those of LR and TM. In the class prediction, Bi-RM depicts the least prediction error in all three methods in most of the testing cases. In addition, Bi-RM is not impacted by the reliability keys and the glaucoma degree.
Antidiabetic Treatment before Hospitalization and Admission Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, and SARS-CoV-2 Viral Infection
Authors: Reștea Patricia-Andrada , Mureșan Mariana , Voicu Adrian , Jurca Tunde , Pallag Annamaria , Marian Eleonora , Vicaș Laura Grațiela , Jeican Ionuț I. , Crivii Carmen-Bianca
Published: February 2023

Background: SARS-CoV-2 viral infection is a current and important topic for patients with comorbidities of type 2 diabetes and obesity, associated with increased risk of mortality and morbidity. This study aims to analyze, compare and describe admission parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and SARS-CoV-2 infection based on whether they received insulin therapy before hospital admission. Methods: Our study enrolled patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, 81 patients without insulin treatment before hospital admission, and 81 patients with insulin at “Gavril Curteanu” Municipal Clinical Hospital of Oradea, Romania, between August 2020 and March 2022. RT-PCR/rapid antigen tests were used for detecting SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. Results: The severe form of COVID-19 was found in 66% of all patients (65% in the group without insulin and 67% in the group with insulin). Oxygen saturation at the time of hospital admission was greater or equal to 90% in 62% of all patients. The most associated comorbidities we founded in this study were: hypertension in 75% of all patients (grade two hypertension 63% in the group without insulin and 64% in the group with insulin), ischemic heart disease in 35% of patients (25% in the group without insulin and 44% in the group with insulin, n = 0.008), heart failure in 9.3% of all patients (8.6% in the group without insulin and 10% in the group with insulin). CRP and procalcitonin are increased in both groups at hospital admission, with a slightly higher trend in the group with insulin therapy before hospital admission. We found that 56% of patients in the group with insulin treatment were with uncontrolled diabetes on admission. Only 10% of patients required a change in antidiabetic treatment with insulin therapy at discharge. In our study, 89% of all patients did not require short-term home oxygen therapy at discharge. Conclusions: Antidiabetic therapy taken before hospital admission did not protect patients against cytokine storm in COVID-19, but is very important in the pathophysiological stage of comorbidities. Paraclinical parameters at hospitalization showed differences in correlation with oral antidiabetic treatment like metformin or insulin therapy. Changing the antidiabetic treatment for a small percentage of patients in the group who had not been receiving insulin therapy before discharge was necessary. It is necessary for future studies to see all changes involved in antidiabetic treatment in patients with diabetes type 2 and obesity after SARS-CoV2 viral infection and its long-term evolution.
A Mixed Methods Approach as a Channel to Interpret Outcomes Research and Lived Experience Enquiry of Upper Extremity Elective Surgery for Tetraplegia
Authors: Sinnott Jerram K. Anne , Dunn Jennifer , Smaill Richard , Middleton James
Published: February 2023

Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) causing tetraplegia is extremely disabling. In such circumstances, restoration of upper extremity (UE) function is considered the highest priority. The advent of early nerve transfer (NT) procedures, in addition to more traditional tendon transfers (TT), warranted in-depth consideration given the time-limited nature of NT procedures. Potential surgery candidates may not yet have come to terms with the permanence of their disability. A mixed methods convergent design was utilized for concurrent analysis of the Aotearoa/New Zealand upper limb registry data from the clinical assessments of all individuals considering UE surgery, regardless of their final decision. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) taxonomy guided data interpretation during the three-phased study series. It was the integration of the findings using the Stewart Model of care drawn from palliative health that enabled the interpretation of higher order messages. It is clear the clinical assessment and selection processes in use require reconsideration given the complexities individuals face following onset of SCI. We draw attention to the higher order cognitive demands placed on individuals, the requirement for SCI peer involvement in decision making and the need for acknowledgment of interdependence as a relational construct when living with tetraplegia.
Fertility Predictors in Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Authors: Huniadi Anca , Bimbo-Szuhai Erika , Botea Mihai , Zaha Ioana , Beiusanu Corina , Pallag Annamaria , Stefan Liana , Bodog Alin , Șandor Mircea , Grierosu Carmen
Published: February 2023

(1) Background: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is considered a first-line procedure for infertile or hypo-fertile couples among assisted reproductive techniques. In our retrospective study, we identified variables associated with a successful IUI and the probability of obtaining a pregnancy. This is useful to identify couples with a good chance of obtaining a pregnancy through an IUI procedure (2) Methods: The study was conducted at a university-level fertility clinic in Oradea, Romania. Patients eligible to participate in the study were infertile couples who underwent IUI treatment in the interval between January 2015 and October 2020. (3) Results: In our study, we found that duration of infertility, couple age, endometrium thickness, sperm concentration, and motility are important factors in determining the outcome of IUI. Several demographics were measured for each couple including maternal and paternal age, the type and duration of infertility, the number of procedures, the type of ovarian stimulation, number of follicles, endometrial thickness, the type and day of ovulation induction, associated pathology, tubal patency, and pre/post washes sperm count and progressive sperm motility. (4) Conclusions: Fertility prediction studies are necessary, and an individualized prognostic score should be applied for each couple for tailoring their expectations and better counseling.
Spatial Correlation between Urban Planning Patterns and Vulnerability to Flooding Risk: A Case Study in Murcia (Spain)
Authors: García-Ayllón Salvador , Franco Angela
Published: February 2023

Cities in the Spanish Mediterranean regions have undergone an extensive process of urban growth in recent decades. This urban transformation has often failed to consider the variable of flooding in its planning. Such a situation, combined with the current meteorological changes derived from climate change phenomena that increasingly cause less frequent but more extreme rainfall events in this part of the planet, has caused a sharp increase in the vulnerability of many urban areas against flooding. This research aims to analyze, from a spatiotemporal approach, in the case study of Murcia, a Mediterranean city in southeastern Spain, the existing spatial statistical correlation between urban planning patterns of growth of the city and the increase in risk due to its current vulnerability to flooding. Using GIS-based multivariate indicators and geostatistical analysis, the behavior patterns of said correlation will be numerically evaluated, and possible future trends and scenarios for this problem will be raised.
A Lake Extraction Method Combining the Object-Oriented Method with Boundary Recognition
Authors: Liu Bingxue , Wang Wei , Li Wenping
Published: February 2023

The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor is the pilot area of the Belt and Road, where glaciers and lakes are widely distributed. Recent years, global warming has accelerated the expansion of glacier lakes, which increased the risk of natural disasters such as glacier lake outburst. It is important to monitor the glacier lakes in this region. In this paper, we propose a method combining the object-oriented image analysis with boundary recognition (OOBR) to extract lakes in several study areas of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This method recognized the lake boundary with the symmetrical characteristic according to the principle of seed growth of watershed algorithm, which can correct the boundary extracted by the object-oriented method. The overall accuracy of the proposed method is up to 98.5% with Landsat series images. The experiments also show that the overall accuracy of our method is always higher than that of the object-oriented method with different segmentation scales mentioned in this paper. The proposed method improved the overall accuracy on the basis of the results obtained by the object-oriented method, and the results with the proposed method are more robust to the seeds than that with the boundary correction method of the watershed algorithm. Therefore, the proposed method can obtain a high extraction accuracy while reducing the complexity of the object-oriented extraction.
The Impact of Land Cover Change on Surface Water Temperature of Small Lakes in Eastern Ontario from 1985 to 2020
Authors: Senyshen Matthew D. , Chen Dongmei
Published: February 2023

Land Cover Change (LCC) has been shown to significantly impact the magnitude and trend of Land Surface Temperature (LST). However, the influence of LCC near waterbodies outside of an urban environment remain less understood. Waterbodies serve as local climate moderators where nearby LCC has the potential to decrease their cooling ability. Altered water surface temperatures can lead to altered species migration and distribution in aquatic species depending on a given species thermal boundary. In this study, using remotely sensed land cover and surface temperature data, we investigate the role that LCC around small lakes (500 m) plays on the surface water temperature change of nine small lakes in the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority’s watershed, located in Eastern Ontario, from 1985 to 2020. The Continuous Change Detection Classification (CCDC) algorithm was used alongside the Statistical Mono-Window (SMW) algorithm to calculate LCC and LST, respectively. Results indicated a strong positive relationship (R2 = 0.81) between overall LCC and lake surface water temperature (LSWT) trends, where LSWT trends in all inland small lakes investigated were found to be positive. The land cover class sparse vegetation had a strong positive correlation with water temperature, whereas dense vegetation displayed a strong negative correlation. This 35-year study contributes to the broader understanding of the impact that LCC has on the surface water temperature trends of inland lakes.
Soil Water Erosion Modeling in Tunisia Using RUSLE and GIS Integrated Approaches and Geospatial Data
Authors: Serbaji Mohamed Moncef , Bouaziz Moncef , Weslati Okba
Published: February 2023

Soil erosion is an important environmental problem that can have various negative consequences, such as land degradation, which affects sustainable development and agricultural production, especially in developing countries like Tunisia. Moreover, soil erosion is a major problem around the world because of its effects on soil fertility by nutriment loss and siltation in water bodies. Apart from this, soil erosion by water is the most serious type of land loss in several regions both locally and globally. This study evaluated regional soil erosion risk through the derivation of appropriate factors, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), which was applied to establish a soil erosion risk map of the whole Tunisian territory and to identify the vulnerable areas of the country. The RUSLE model considers all the factors playing a major role in erosion processes, namely the erodibility of soils, topography, land use, rainfall erosivity, and anti-erosion farming practices. The equation is, thus, implemented under the Geographic Information System (GIS) “Arc GIS Desktop”. The results indicated that Tunisia has a serious risk of soil water erosion, showing that 6.43% of the total area of the country is affected by a very high soil loss rate, estimated at more than 30 t/ha/year, and 4.20% is affected by high mean annual soil losses, ranging from 20 to 30 t/ha/year. The most eroded areas were identified in the southwestern, central, and western parts of the country. The spatial erosion map can be used as a decision support document to guide decision-makers towards better land management and provide the opportunity to develop management strategies for soil erosion prevention and control on the global scale of Tunisia.
Formal Genre-Specific Knowledge as a Resource-Dispersing Feature of Task Complexity
Authors: Johnson Mark D.
Published: February 2023

Recent second language (L2) writing research informed by task-based theories of second language acquisition has enthusiastically adopted task complexity frameworks to describe the specific cognitive demands of a given writing task and the effect of those cognitive demands on written L2 production. However, missing from many studies on the effects of task complexity on L2 written production is a discussion of genre as a potential source of task complexity. This paper examines the potential of genre as a resource-dispersing form of task complexity that is unique to writing. The article summarizes the predictions of task-based theories of second language acquisition particularly the predictions of the Cognition Hypothesis and its intersection with Kellogg’s widely-cited model of working memory in writing. It then argues that formal genre-specific knowledge constitutes a resource-dispersing form of task complexity that is distinct from general L2 proficiency and general writing proficiency.
Identifying Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in Blood Samples Using Peripheral Smear Autoanalyzers
Authors: Fedorov Kateryna , Barouqa Mohammad , Yin David , Kushnir Margarita , Billett Henny H. , Reyes Gil Morayma
Published: February 2023

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) are large neutrophil-derived structures composed of decondensed chromatin, cytosolic, and granule proteins. NETs play an important role in fighting infection, inflammation, thrombosis, and tumor progression processes, yet their fast and reliable identification has been challenging. Smudge cells (SCs) are a subcategory of white cells identified by CellaVision®, a hematology autoanalyzer routinely used in clinical practice that uses digital imaging to generate “manual” differentials of peripheral blood smears. We hypothesize that a proportion of cells identified in the SC category by CellaVision® Hematology Autoanalyzers are actually NETs. We demonstrate that NET-like SCs are not present in normal blood samples, nor are they an artifact of smear preparation. NET-like SCs stain positive for neutrophil markers such as myeloperoxidase, leukocyte alkaline phosphatase, and neutrophil elastase. On flow cytometry, cells from samples with high percent NET-like SCs that are positive for surface DNA are also positive for CD45, myeloperoxidase and markers of neutrophil activation and CD66b. Samples with NET-like SCs have a strong side fluorescent (SFL) signal on the white count and nucleated red cells (WNR) scattergram, representing cells with high nucleic acid content. When compared to patients with low percent SCs, those with a high percentage of SCs have a significantly higher incidence of documented bacterial and viral infections. The current methodology of NET identification is time-consuming, complicated, and cumbersome. In this study, we present data supporting identification of NETs by CellaVision®, allowing for easy, fast, cost-effective, and high throughput identification of NETs that is available in real time and may serve as a positive marker for a bacterial or viral infections.
Carbon Fixation in the Chemolithoautotrophic Bacterium Aquifex aeolicus Involves Two Low-Potential Ferredoxins as Partners of the PFOR and OGOR Enzymes
Authors: Prioretti Laura , D'Ermo Giulia , Infossi Pascale , Kpebe Arlette , Lebrun Régine , Bauzan Marielle , Lojou Elisabeth , Guigliarelli Bruno , Giudici-Orticoni Marie-Thérèse , Guiral Marianne
Published: February 2023

Aquifex aeolicus is a microaerophilic hydrogen- and sulfur -oxidizing bacterium that assimilates CO2 via the reverse tricarboxylic acid cycle (rTCA). Key enzymes of this pathway are pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR) and 2-oxoglutarate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (OGOR), which are responsible, respectively, for the reductive carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to pyruvate and of succinyl-CoA to 2-oxoglutarate, two energetically unfavorable reactions that require a strong reduction potential. We have confirmed, by biochemistry and proteomics, that A. aeolicus possesses a pentameric version of these enzyme complexes ((αβγδε)2) and that they are highly abundant in the cell. In addition, we have purified and characterized, from the soluble fraction of A. aeolicus, two low redox potential and oxygen-stable [4Fe-4S] ferredoxins (Fd6 and Fd7, E0 = −440 and −460 mV, respectively) and shown that they can physically interact and exchange electrons with both PFOR and OGOR, suggesting that they could be the physiological electron donors of the system in vivo. Shotgun proteomics indicated that all the enzymes assumed to be involved in the rTCA cycle are produced in the A. aeolicus cells. A number of additional enzymes, previously suggested to be part of a putative partial Wood-Ljungdahl pathway used for the synthesis of serine and glycine from CO2 were identified by mass spectrometry, but their abundance in the cell seems to be much lower than that of the rTCA cycle. Their possible involvement in carbon assimilation is discussed.
Serum Cytokines as Biomarkers in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Sleep Apnea: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Yakovlev Alexey , Teplyakov Alexander , Grakova Elena , Shilov Sergey , Yakovleva Natalia , Kopeva Kristina , Shirinsky Valery , Shirinsky Ivan
Published: February 2023

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) frequently co-occur and this comorbidity represents a separate phenotype of HFpEF. While many research attempts are focused on biomarkers of HFpEF, currently, there is a lack of validated biomarkers of HFpEF and OSA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate prognostic significance of several serum cytokines in patients with HFpEF and OSA. The patients with HFpEF and OSA were recruited from the Sleep Apnea Center of Novosibirsk, Russian Federation and followed up for 12 months. The main analyzed outcomes were five-point major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the 6-min walk test (6MWT). The analyzed cytokines were circulating IL-6, IL-10, and VEGF measured at baseline. We recruited 77 male patients with HFpEF and OSA, the data of 71 patients were available for analyses. Patients who developed MACE had four-fold elevated concentrations of serum IL-10. There was no association between baseline cytokine levels and longitudinal changes in 6MWT. Circulating IL-10 levels are positively associated with MACE in men with HFpEF and OSA and thus may be a potential prognostic biomarker in this subgroup of patients. These results should be confirmed in larger studies encompassing both males and females.
Automatic Differentiation for Inverse Problems in X-ray Imaging and Microscopy
Authors: Guzzi Francesco , Gianoncelli Alessandra , Billè Fulvio , Carrato Sergio , Kourousias George
Published: February 2023

Computational techniques allow breaking the limits of traditional imaging methods, such as time restrictions, resolution, and optics flaws. While simple computational methods can be enough for highly controlled microscope setups or just for previews, an increased level of complexity is instead required for advanced setups, acquisition modalities or where uncertainty is high; the need for complex computational methods clashes with rapid design and execution. In all these cases, Automatic Differentiation, one of the subtopics of Artificial Intelligence, may offer a functional solution, but only if a GPU implementation is available. In this paper, we show how a framework built to solve just one optimisation problem can be employed for many different X-ray imaging inverse problems.
Safety and Feasibility of Analgosedation for Electrochemotherapy of Liver Lesions
Authors: Iezzi Roberto , Posa Alessandro , Caputo Cosimo Tommaso , De Leoni Davide , Sbaraglia Fabio , Rossi Marco , Tortora Giampaolo , Tagliaferri Luca , Valentini Vincenzo , Colosimo Cesare
Published: February 2023

Interventional Oncology treatments grant low-risk mini-invasive alternatives to surgery for cancer patients. Percutaneous ablative therapies represent a cornerstone for treatment of liver cancer patients. Among these, a newly emerging one is represented by electrochemotherapy. Improvements in analgesia and sedation can nowadays offer optimal support for ablative procedures, serving as a valid alternative to general anesthesia. The intention of this retrospective monocentric study is to report our preliminary experience on feasibility and safety of electrochemotherapy for treatment of complex liver tumors unfit for thermal ablation, using analgosedation instead of general anesthesia. Five patients were enrolled in the study, undergoing electrochemotherapy under analgosedation. Mean procedural time and hospitalization time were recorded. Immediate post-procedural cone-beam CT showed complete coverage of the lesion without complications. One-month CT examination showed an overall response rate of 100% (four complete responses, one partial response). Electrochemotherapy under analgosedation seems to be a safe, feasible, and effective option for liver cancer patients not amenable to other ablative techniques.
Quantitative Complexity Theory (QCT) in Integrative Analysis of Cardiovascular Hemodynamic Response to Posture Change
Authors: Krzesiński Paweł , Marczyk Jacek , Wolszczak Bartosz , Gielerak Grzegorz Gerard , Accardi Francesco
Published: February 2023

The explanation of physiological mechanisms involved in adaptation of the cardiovascular system to intrinsic and environmental demands is crucial for both basic science and clinical research. Computational algorithms integrating multivariable data that comprehensively depict complex mechanisms of cardiovascular reactivity are currently being intensively researched. Quantitative Complexity Theory (QCT) provides quantitative and holistic information on the state of multi-functional dynamic systems. The present paper aimed to describe the application of QCT in an integrative analysis of the cardiovascular hemodynamic response to posture change. Three subjects that underwent head-up tilt testing under beat-by-beat hemodynamic monitoring (impedance cardiography) were discussed in relation to the complexity trends calculated using QCT software. Complexity has been shown to be a sensitive marker of a cardiovascular hemodynamic response to orthostatic stress and vasodilator administration, and its increase has preceded changes in standard cardiovascular parameters. Complexity profiling has provided a detailed assessment of individual hemodynamic patterns of syncope. Different stimuli and complexity settings produce results of different clinical usability.
Unexpected Diversity of Xenoscelinae in Priabonian European Amber: The Third Xenosceline Species from Rovno Amber
Authors: Lyubarsky Georgy Yu. , Perkovsky Evgeny E. , Vasilenko Dmitry V.
Published: February 2023

Xenophagus simutniki sp. n. is described from a late Eocene Rovno amber specimen. The new species is similar to the fossil Xenophagus popovi Lyubarsky et Perkovsky, 2017 from the late Eocene Baltic amber (W Russia), differing in the medially notched anterior margin of the pronotum. The Rovno xenosceline fauna is the richest among both extant and extinct faunas. This fauna includes the extinct genera Xenophagus Lyubarsky & Perkovsky, 2017 and Xenohimatium Lyubarsky & Perkovsky, 2012, which are closest to the extant Mediterranean Xenoscelis Wollaston 1864 and the representative of the extant boreal genus Zavaljus Reitter, 1880. A key to extinct species of the subfamily Xenoscelinae is presented. The possible reasons of xenoscelines abundance in European amber forests are discussed.
A Generalized Bearing Dynamic with Adaptive Variation of Equation Numbers and Sliding Behavior Investigation
Authors: Ma Shuaijun , Yin Yanjing , Chen Fei , Fang Bin , Yan Ke , Hong Jun
Published: February 2023

The complex sliding behavior inside ball bearings seriously affects the mechanical system’s performance. Current dynamic models for predicting this behavior suffer from poor generality and convergence. To address this issue, different interactions between the ball and raceway are proposed in this paper to simulate the dynamic behavior by analyzing the bearing assemblies’ motion features under typical operating conditions. The number of variables and equations to be solved is determined adaptively according to the bearing load characteristics, thus improving the efficiency and convergence of the model solution. The good agreement between simulation results and experimental test results validates the reliability of the model. The sliding behavior at the ball/raceway interface under different conditions is further investigated. The results show that the heavy external loads can avoid severe sliding at the interface but shorten the bearing’s fatigue. When the bearing is subjected to combined load conditions, the increased radial force inhibits bearing sliding while increasing the non-uniformity of the sliding velocity distribution.
4,4-Difluoro-3-(3-phenylisoxazol-5-yl)-8-trifluoromethyl-5-(naphthalen-2-yl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene
Authors: Sagitova Elena F. , Petrova Olga V. , Tomilin Denis N. , Ushakov Igor A. , Sobenina Lyubov N. , Trofimov Boris A.
Published: February 2023

The title compound, 4,4-difluoro-3-(3-phenylisoxazol-5-yl)-8-trifluoromethyl-5-(2-naphthalen-2-yl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (1), was synthesized for the first time in a 62% yield by the P2O5-promoted condensation of 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[5-(naphthalen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]-ethan-1-ol (2) with 3-phenyl-5-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)isoxazole (3) followed by the oxidation of dipyrromethane 4 and the complexation of dipyrromethene thus formed with BF3. The product fluoresces in a long wave region (651–662 nm) with a high quantum yield (0.49–0.61).
Synthesis of a Novel 9-O Berberine Derivative and Evaluation of Its Hypoglycemic Effect
Authors: Gladkova Elizaveta D. , Valutsa Nicolae , Borisov Sergey A. , Khvostov Mikhail V. , Luzina Olga A. , Tolstikova Tatiana G. , Salakhutdinov Nariman F.
Published: February 2023

Berberine is a phytogenic isoquinoline alkaloid which demonstrates several pharmacological effects, including a hypoglycemic effect. Its medical use is limited by its very low bioavailability. Synthesizing new berberine derivatives might help in overcoming this problem. In this work, we report on the synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel berberine 9-O-derivative. At an oral dose of 25 mg/kg, the compound demonstrated hypoglycemic activity in an oral glucose tolerance test performed using C57BL/6 mice.