bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-world evidence on tagraxofusp for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm – collected cases from a single center and case reports
Authors: Faustmann Philipp , Schroeder Jan C. , Mix Lucas , Harland Lennart , Riedel Andreas , Vogel Wichard , Lengerke Claudia , Wirths Stefan
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasia (BPDCN) is a rare, aggressive hematologic malignancy. Until recently, the only curative treatment consisted of intensive chemotherapy, followed by hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in eligible adult cases. Tagraxofusp, a CD123-targeted protein-drug conjugate and the first approved targeted treatment for BPDCN, might enhance outcomes especially in patients not eligible for intensive therapies.

Methods

Here, we report real-world outcomes of five male patients with a median age of 79 years who received tagraxofusp as first-line treatment for BPDCN.

Results

Tagraxofusp was found to be well-tolerated in this elderly cohort, with only one patient requiring discontinuation. Three patients responded to the treatment (two patients achieved a CR and one patient achieved a partial response), of which two subsequently underwent allogeneic (allo) HCT. One patient is alive and well after ≥ 4 years after alloHCT, and one patient shows sustained CR after now 13 cycles of tagraxofusp. The other three patients died of progressive disease 4-11 months after initiation of treatment.

Discussion

In line with results from 13 published cases outside clinical trials in the literature, sustained responses were associated with CR after tagraxofusp treatment and subsequent alloHCT. Our results provide real-world evidence for safety and efficacy of tagraxofusp as first-line treatment for BPDCN.
A data-driven approach to improve wellness and reduce recurrence in cancer survivors
Authors: Hariharan Ramkumar , Hood Leroy , Price Nathan D.
Published: April 2024

For many cancer survivors, toxic side effects of treatment, lingering effects of the aftermath of disease and cancer recurrence adversely affect quality of life (QoL) and reduce healthspan. Data−driven approaches for quantifying and improving wellness in healthy individuals hold great promise for improving the lives of cancer survivors. The data-driven strategy will also guide personalized nutrition and exercise recommendations that may help prevent cancer recurrence and secondary malignancies in survivors.
The Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire: validation of a Brazilian-Portuguese version in hypertensive adults
Authors: Soares Simony M. , Diniz Mirela Q. de Almeida , Davino Dilcy Morgana B. M. C. , Albieri Fernanda B. , Santos Adriano S. , Jesus Elisdete M. S. , Lyra-Junior Divaldo P. , Neves Sabrina J. , Oliveira-Filho Alfredo D.
Published: April 2024

Background:

Self-reported adherence scales are widely used in research and practice because they are low in cost and easy to apply. A free version in Brazilian-Portuguese of the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ) can be a useful alternative for determining the adherent behavior of hypertensive patients.

Purpose:

To translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the SMAQ therapeutic adherence scale for patients with arterial hypertension.

Patients and methods:

A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted in five outpatient units in Maceió-AL and Aracaju-SE between January and July 2019. A total of 117 patients aged over 18 years using antihypertensive drugs were recruited. The cross-cultural adaptation followed international methodological recommendations. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) was tested as a reliability parameter. Criterion and construct validity were verified by concurrent validation, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and validation by known groups.

Results:

The participants had a mean age of 56.6 years (SD = 10.7 years); most were female (72.6%). The mean number of antihypertensives prescribed per patient was 1.87 (SD = 0.87). There were 79.5% (n = 86) of patients considered non-adherent. Internal consistency was satisfactory (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.63). A satisfactory correlation coefficient was verified with the Morisky–Green–Levine test as an external criterion (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). The scale’s sensitivity measured through known group validity was 75.3%, specificity 29.5%, positive predictive value 63.9%, and negative predictive value 41.9%. We identified two factors of the instrument’s construct from EFA: specific medication-taking behaviors and barriers to adherence. The initial KMO measure of sampling adequacy was 0.691, and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant (χ2 = 118.342, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The Brazilian-Portuguese version of the SMAQ scale proved valid and reliable for determining adherence to the pharmacotherapy in hypertensive patients. It showed more ability to detect non-adherent patients but with low specificity, possibly influenced by high social desirability.
Terawatt-class femtosecond long-wave infrared laser
Authors: Pogorelsky Igor. V. , Polyanskiy Mikhail N. , Babzien Marcus , Simmonds Andrew , Palmer Mark A.
Published: April 2024

We utilized a nonlinear post-compression technique to generate 675-fs, 9.2-μm CO2 laser pulses with a peak power of 1.6 TW. This achievement represents the highest peak power ever attained in the femtosecond pulse format within the long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectral range. The successful implementation of this post-compression technique opens avenues for the development of few-cycle, multi-terawatt 9–10 μm lasers, crucial for applications currently relying on near-infrared solid-state lasers, and which stand to benefit from the scaling of laser wavelengths into the long-wave infrared region.
BT-CNN: a balanced binary tree architecture for classification of brain tumour using MRI imaging
Authors: Chauhan Sohamkumar , Cheruku Ramalingaswamy , Reddy Edla Damodar , Kampa Lavanya , Nayak Soumya Ranjan , Giri Jayant , Mallik Saurav , Aluvala Srinivas , Boddu Vijayasree , Qin Hong
Published: April 2024

Deep learning is a very important technique in clinical diagnosis and therapy in the present world. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is a recent development in deep learning that is used in computer vision. Our medical investigation focuses on the identification of brain tumour. To improve the brain tumour classification performance a Balanced binary Tree CNN (BT-CNN) which is framed in a binary tree-like structure is proposed. It has a two distinct modules-the convolution and the depthwise separable convolution group. The usage of convolution group achieves lower time and higher memory, while the opposite is true for the depthwise separable convolution group. This balanced binarty tree inspired CNN balances both the groups to achieve maximum performance in terms of time and space. The proposed model along with state-of-the-art models like CNN-KNN and models proposed by Musallam et al., Saikat et al., and Amin et al. are experimented on public datasets. Before we feed the data into model the images are pre-processed using CLAHE, denoising, cropping, and scaling. The pre-processed dataset is partitioned into training and testing datasets as per 5 fold cross validation. The proposed model is trained and compared its perforarmance with state-of-the-art models like CNN-KNN and models proposed by Musallam et al., Saikat et al., and Amin et al. The proposed model reported average training accuracy of 99.61% compared to other models. The proposed model achieved 96.06% test accuracy where as other models achieved 68.86%, 85.8%, 86.88%, and 90.41% respectively. Further, the proposed model obtained lowest standard deviation on training and test accuracies across all folds, making it invariable to dataset.
The association between uncertainty intolerance, perceived environmental uncertainty, and ego depletion in early adulthood: the mediating role of negative coping styles
Authors: Li Xiao , Song Jingjing
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Uncertainty intolerance and perceived environmental uncertainty can influence an individual’s emotions and behavioral responses. Previous research showed that high uncertainty intolerance and high perceived environmental uncertainty were both negatively associated with an individual’s life satisfaction. We explored the interaction effects of uncertainty intolerance and perceived environmental uncertainty on ego depletion of early adulthood and its mechanisms.

Methods

Investigating 292 college students using an uncertainty intolerance scale, a perceived environmental uncertainty scale, a negative coping style questionnaire, and an ego depletion scale. The correlations among all variables were calculated using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient, and then we used the PROCESS macro (model 8) in SPSS to test the conditional process model in the relationship between uncertainty intolerance and ego depletion.

Results

The results showed that the interaction terms of uncertainty intolerance and perceived environmental uncertainty were significantly associated with negative coping styles. Only in the high perceived environmental uncertainty situations, uncertainty intolerance was positively associated with negative coping styles, and negative coping styles were positively associated with ego depletion.

Discussion

In general, compared with perceived environmental uncertainty, participants’ cognition towards environmental uncertainty was much more associated with individual’s coping styles and psychological state, individuals with high uncertainty intolerance would face great stress and experience more emotional problems. Our results suggest that it is important for individuals’ mental health to gain a sense of control in an uncertain environment and improve the tolerance of uncertainty. Future research needs to pay attention to the intervention strategy of decreasing uncertainty intolerance.
Understanding HIV/AIDS dynamics: insights from CD4+T cells, antiretroviral treatment, and country-specific analysis
Authors: Aldila Dipo , Dhanendra Ranandha P. , Khoshnaw Sarbaz H. A. , Wijayanti Puspita Juni , Kamalia Putri Zahra , Shahzad Muhammad
Published: April 2024

In this article, we present a mathematical model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), taking into account the number of CD4+T cells and antiretroviral treatment. This model is developed based on the susceptible, infected, treated, AIDS (SITA) framework, wherein the infected and treated compartments are divided based on the number of CD4+T cells. Additionally, we consider the possibility of treatment failure, which can exacerbate the condition of the treated individual. Initially, we analyze a simplified HIV/AIDS model without differentiation between the infected and treated classes. Our findings reveal that the global stability of the HIV/AIDS-free equilibrium point is contingent upon the basic reproduction number being less than one. Furthermore, a bifurcation analysis demonstrates that our simplified model consistently exhibits a transcritical bifurcation at a reproduction number equal to one. In the complete model, we elucidate how the control reproduction number determines the stability of the HIV/AIDS-free equilibrium point. To align our model with the empirical data, we estimate its parameters using prevalence data from the top four countries affected by HIV/AIDS, namely, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, and South Africa. We employ numerical simulations and conduct elasticity and sensitivity analyses to examine how our model parameters influence the control reproduction number and the dynamics of each model compartment. Our findings reveal that each country displays distinct sensitivities to the model parameters, implying the need for tailored strategies depending on the target country. Autonomous simulations highlight the potential of case detection and condom use in reducing HIV/AIDS prevalence. Furthermore, we identify that the quality of condoms plays a crucial role: with higher quality condoms, a smaller proportion of infected individuals need to use them for the potential eradication of HIV/AIDS from the population. In our optimal control simulations, we assess population behavior when control interventions are treated as time-dependent variables. Our analysis demonstrates that a combination of condom use and case detection, as time-dependent variables, can significantly curtail the spread of HIV while maintaining an optimal cost of intervention. Moreover, our cost-effectiveness analysis indicates that the condom use intervention alone emerges as the most cost-effective strategy, followed by a combination of case detection and condom use, and finally, case detection as a standalone strategy.
The associations between maternal and fetal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and asymmetric fetal growth restriction: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Hong Subeen , Kang Byung Soo , Kim Oyoung , Won Sangeun , Kim Hyeon Soo , Wie Jeong Ha , Shin Jae Eun , Choi Sae Kyung , Jo Yun Sung , Kim Yeon Hee , Yang Mihi , Kang Huiwon , Lee Dong-Wook , Park In Yang , Park Joong Shin , Ko Hyun Sun
Published: April 2024

Recent evidence has revealed associations between endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and placental insufficiency due to altered placental growth, syncytialization, and trophoblast invasion. However, no epidemiologic study has reported associations between exposure to EDCs and asymmetric fetal growth restriction (FGR) caused by placenta insufficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between EDC exposure and asymmetric FGR. This was a prospective cohort study including women admitted for delivery to the Maternal Fetal Center at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital between October 2021 and October 2022. Maternal urine and cord blood samples were collected, and the levels of bisphenol-A (BPA), monoethyl phthalates, and perfluorooctanoic acid in each specimen were analyzed. We investigated linear and non-linear associations between the levels of EDCs and fetal growth parameters, including the head circumference (HC)/abdominal circumference (AC) ratio as an asymmetric parameter. The levels of EDCs were compared between fetuses with and without asymmetric FGR. Of the EDCs, only the fetal levels of BPA showed a linear association with the HC/AC ratio after adjusting for confounding variables (β = 0.003, p < 0.05). When comparing the normal growth and asymmetric FGR groups, the asymmetric FGR group showed significantly higher maternal and fetal BPA levels compared to the normal growth group (maternal urine BPA, 3.99 μg/g creatinine vs. 1.71 μg/g creatinine [p < 0.05]; cord blood BPA, 1.96 μg/L vs. −0.86 μg/L [p < 0.05]). In conclusion, fetal exposure levels of BPA show linear associations with asymmetric fetal growth patterns. High maternal and fetal exposure to BPA might be associated with asymmetric FGR.
Weighted Bayesian Belief Network for diabetics: a predictive model
Authors: Kharya Shweta , Soni Sunita , Pati Abhilash , Panigrahi Amrutanshu , Giri Jayant , Qin Hong , Mallik Saurav , Nayak Debasish Swapnesh Kumar , Swarnkar Tripti
Published: April 2024

Diabetes is an enduring metabolic condition identified by heightened blood sugar levels stemming from insufficient production of insulin or ineffective utilization of insulin within the body. India is commonly labeled as the “diabetes capital of the world” owing to the widespread prevalence of this condition. To the best of the authors' last knowledge updated on September 2021, approximately 77 million adults in India were reported to be affected by diabetes, reported by the International Diabetes Federation. Owing to the concealed early symptoms, numerous diabetic patients go undiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment. While Computational Intelligence approaches have been utilized to improve the prediction rate, a significant portion of these methods lacks interpretability, primarily due to their inherent black box nature. Rule extraction is frequently utilized to elucidate the opaque nature inherent in machine learning algorithms. Moreover, to resolve the black box nature, a method for extracting strong rules based on Weighted Bayesian Association Rule Mining is used so that the extracted rules to diagnose any disease such as diabetes can be very transparent and easily analyzed by the clinical experts, enhancing the interpretability. The WBBN model is constructed utilizing the UCI machine learning repository, demonstrating a performance accuracy of 95.8%.
Hygienic practices and factors of complementary food preparation among mothers of children aged 6–24 months in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zeleke Agerie Mengistie , Tassew Worku Chekol , Ayale Ferede Yeshiwas , Andargie Tadele Maru
Published: April 2024

Background: A child’s transition to complementary food (CF) feeding is important, and it should be ensured that CF is prepared, stored, and fed in a hygienic manner using clean hands, dishes, and utensils to prevent infections. However, there are no comprehensive review statistics available at the national level. Hence, the aim of this study is to determine the hygienic practices of complementary food preparation and its factors among Ethiopian women with children between the ages of 6 and 24 months.

Methods: On the nationwide prevalence of hygienic practices during the preparation of complementary foods and their determinants among mothers of children aged 6–24 months in Ethiopia, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. We searched in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, African Journal Online (AJOL), Google Scholar, and the websites to identify studies that were published until March 2023. We performed this review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A random-effects meta-analysis was done using StatsDirect statistical software and Open Meta Analyst to estimate the prevalence of hygienic practices, and the results were reported in a forest plot. Simple charts and tables were used to summarize the evidence on complementary food preparation and determinates.

Results: Nine studies involving 4,403 mothers were included in this Ethiopian study. The overall prevalence of good hygienic practices during complementary food preparation among mothers who have children aged 6–24 months was 46.53% (95% CI: 28.13–64.94) (p < 0.0001). Having a separate kitchen (AOR = 6.78; 95% CI: 1.04–44.20), having a three-bowl washing facility in their houses (AOR = 10.61; 95% CI: 7.31–15.41), mothers’ access to media (AOR = 4.81; 95% CI: 1.23–18.82), and urban residence (AOR = 4.78; 95% CI: 2.73–8.38) were the predictors of good hygienic practice during complementary food preparation.

Conclusion: Regarding the prevalence of hygienic procedures among the mothers of children aged 6–24 months nationwide when preparing complementary foods, there is a significant lack of hygienic behavior among Ethiopian mothers. Hence, the Ethiopian ministries of health focus on designing complementary food guidelines for the prenatal healthcare system. Furthermore, health extension workers are also better advised to maintain food hygiene during prenatal care visits, which is recommended to improve good hygienic practices during complementary food preparation in Ethiopia.
Balance and deep connections: the impact of physical activity on body and sexual self-esteem, psychological distress, and marital satisfaction among adults
Authors: Snani Haifa , Snani Hela , Tannoubi Amayra , Chortane Oussama Gaied , Azaiez Fairouz
Published: April 2024

To date, no research has examined the relationship between sexual self-esteem, body self-esteem, psychological distress, marital satisfaction, and engagement in physical activities. Through a study involving 443 adults the aim of this research was to analyze the connections between engaging in physical activities, body self-esteem, sexual self-esteem, marital satisfaction, and psychological distress among adults. The results obtained through Partial Least Squares (PLS) modeling with SmartPLS reveal significant interconnections among these variables. The correlation between body self-esteem and psychological distress, the positive relationship between sexual satisfaction and positive sexual self-esteem, as well as the beneficial influence of engaging in physical activities on marital satisfaction, are key highlights of this study. The robustness of the measures, confirmed by high coefficients, strengthens the credibility of the results. Despite these advancements, the cross-sectional nature of the study emphasizes the need for longitudinal research to gain a deeper understanding of psychological and relational dynamics over time. In conclusion, this study offers significant contributions to promoting balanced marital relationships, highlighting the importance of considering body and sexual self-esteem, psychological distress, and physical activity within the context of human relationships.
Sling-bridge technique: new technique in extracorporeal septorhinoplasty
Authors: Omer Goran Latif
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Extensive septal deviations requiring advanced correction beyond conventional methods. Extracorporeal rhinoplasty technique, involving complete septum removal, reshaping, and reinsertion. While this technique possesses unacceptable risks, the current study aims to introduce a new approach, the sling-bridge technique to enhance and simplify extracorporeal septorhinoplasty, with more tip control and better integrity within the keystone area.

Methods

This prospective analytical study included 50 patients with crooked nasal septum who underwent extracorporeal septorhinoplasty between 2021 and 2023 with the new technique. Patients underwent a full clinical examination, consultation and facial analysis to examine the nose shape and identify any abnormalities and asymmetries in the face.

Results

In the study involving 50 patients, 41 (82%) were males, and with no history of prior rhinoplasty, primarily seeking aesthetic improvements in 44(88%) of participants. Facial asymmetry was observed in 35(70%) of the patients, with 42(84%) individuals exhibiting reduced nasal projection index, nasolabial angle, or nasofrontal angle. The novel technique achieved a straight nose outcome in 45(90%) of patients out of 50, while 5(10%) patients experienced mild deviation linked to extensive preoperative facial asymmetry.

Conclusion

The surgery yielded highly satisfactory results in most patients, with straight nose outcomes being almost 10 times more likely than mild nose deviation outcomes, and no frank deviations. Throughout the follow-up period, none of the patients had complications, especially those that are common in other techniques attributed with extracorporeal septorhinoplasty, such as dorsal irregularities, septal perforation/deviation or abscesses.
Diagnostics in Late Periprosthetic Infections—Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Sax Florian Hubert , Hoyka Marius , Blersch Benedikt Paul , Fink Bernd
Published: April 2024

The rising number of arthroplasties is combined with a rising number of periprosthetic joint infections, which leads to life-concerning consequences for the patients, including extended antibiotic treatment, further surgery and increased mortality. The heterogeneity of the symptoms and inflammatory response of the patients due to, e.g., age and comorbidities and the absence of a single diagnostic test with 100% accuracy make it very challenging to choose the right parameters to confirm or deny a periprosthetic joint infection and to establish a standardized definition. In recent years, additional diagnostic possibilities have emerged primarily through the increasing availability of new diagnostic methods, such as genetic techniques. The aim of the review is to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge about the various tests, including the latest developments. The combination of different tests increases the accuracy of the diagnosis. Each physician or clinical department must select the tests from the available methods that can be best implemented for them in organizational and technical terms. Serological parameters and the cultivation of the samples from aspiration or biopsy should be combined with additional synovial tests to create an accurate figure for the failure of the prosthesis, while imaging procedures are used to obtain additional information for the planned therapeutic procedure.
Deciphering Microbiome, Transcriptome, and Metabolic Interactions in the Presence of Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus against Salmonella Typhimurium in a Murine Model
Authors: Junaid Muhammad , Lu Hongyu , Din Ahmad Ud , Yu Bin , Liu Yu , Li Yixiang , Liu Kefei , Yan Jianhua , Qi Zhongquan
Published: April 2024

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), a foodborne pathogen that poses significant public health risks to humans and animals, presents a formidable challenge due to its antibiotic resistance. This study explores the potential of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus 1.3251) probiotics as an alternative strategy to combat antibiotic resistance associated with S. Typhimurium infection. In this investigation, twenty-four BALB/c mice were assigned to four groups: a non-infected, non-treated group (CNG); an infected, non-treated group (CPG); a group fed with L. acidophilus but not infected (LAG); and a group fed with L. acidophilus and challenged with Salmonella (LAST). The results revealed a reduction in Salmonella levels in the feces of mice, along with restored weight and improved overall health in the LAST compared to the CPG. The feeding of L. acidophilus was found to downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA induced by Salmonella while upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, it influenced the expression of mRNA transcript, encoding tight junction protein, oxidative stress-induced enzymes, and apoptosis-related mRNA expression. Furthermore, the LEfSe analysis demonstrated a significant shift in the abundance of critical commensal genera in the LAST, essential for maintaining gut homeostasis, metabolic reactions, anti-inflammatory responses, and butyrate production. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 2173 upregulated and 506 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the LAST vs. the CPG. Functional analysis of these DEGs highlighted their involvement in immunity, metabolism, and cellular development. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated their role in tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), chemokine, Forkhead box O (FOXO), and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) signaling pathway. Moreover, the fecal metabolomic analysis identified 929 differential metabolites, with enrichment observed in valine, leucine, isoleucine, taurine, glycine, and other metabolites. These findings suggest that supplementation with L. acidophilus promotes the growth of beneficial commensal genera while mitigating Salmonella-induced intestinal disruption by modulating immunity, gut homeostasis, gut barrier integrity, and metabolism.
Study of the Dynamics and Strength of the Detachable Module for Long Cargoes under Asymmetric Loading Diagrams
Authors: Gerlici Juraj , Lovska Alyona , Pavliuchenkov Mykhailo
Published: April 2024

This article highlights the structural features of the detachable module for the transportation of long cargoes. The choice of profiles for the detachable module was based on the resistance moments of its components. The detachable module was considered a rod structure on four supports. To determine the longitudinal loads acting on the detachable module, mathematical modeling of its longitudinal dynamics was carried out, provided they were placed on a flat car during a shunting impact. The accelerations obtained were used for the calculations of the detachable module. This article presents the results of the strength calculation of the detachable module under asymmetric loading diagrams, i.e., the action of longitudinal and lateral forces on the detachable module structure. The results of the calculations show that the maximum stresses in the structure of the detachable module when it receives longitudinal loads are 7.7% lower than the permissible ones, and when it receives lateral loads, they are 5.8% lower. Thus, the strength of the detachable module is maintained under the loading diagrams considered. This study also included a modal analysis of the detachable module structure. The first natural frequency of oscillations is found to be 20 Hz. Thus, the safety of the detachable module movement in terms of frequency analysis is ensured. This research will help to create recommendations for the design of modern modular vehicles and improve the efficiency of the transport industry.
Kamchatka Berry (Lonicera caerulea L.) Pomace Bioferment as an Innovative Cosmetic Raw Material
Authors: Majchrzak Weronika , Śmigielski Krzysztof , Motyl Ilona , Oracz Joanna , Skura Karina , Motyl Sara
Published: April 2024

Kamchatka berries (Lonicera caerulea L.) are known for their high content of phenolic compounds or vitamins, which is reflected in their antibacterial, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. They are used in the production of jams, juices, wines and as natural dye. A bioferment was prepared from the pomace of the Kamchatka berry varieties Aurora and Indigo Gem and the strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, which was used to prepare a cosmetic preparation with a concentration of 5% in accordance with the guidelines of the COSMOS certification body. We conducted physico-chemical and organoleptic analyses and bioactive profile characterisation (UHPLC-DAD and UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The results showed that the presence of caffeic acid (4.47 ± 0.07 mg/100 g) was detected after fermentation of Kamchatka berry pomace. In addition, vitamin C content increased by 141% after fermentation. The results of stability tests showed that in the process of physico-chemical analysis of the cosmetic preparation with bioferment of Kamchatka berry pomace, the pH should oscillate in the range of 4.38–4.76 ± 0.01. Stability tests showed that the cosmetic should be protected from high temperatures and UV radiation and proved that the product is stable under changing conditions, resulting in lower transport and storage costs.
Seismic Retrofit of Concrete Buildings Damaged by Corrosion: A Case Study in Southern Italy
Authors: Granata Michele Fabio
Published: April 2024

A case study of a building in southern Italy, subjected to high degradation by corrosion and waiting to be assessed for retrofit interventions, is presented. The owner required modifications to the building configuration, including a new layout of the floors and retrofitting for a high level of seismic load. A double strategy of an assessment and retrofit was carried out: dynamic linear and static non-linear analyses were performed, and the results were compared. Afterwards, a global strategy of mass and stiffness redistribution was implemented together with different retrofit interventions on the foundations, columns, and beams of the framed structure, such as reinforced concrete and steel jacketing, the application of FRP plates and fabrics, new steel elements, and steel–concrete composite floors. The results of the intervention are discussed and the implications of corrosion on the structures are explored. From the results obtained, it is possible to see how the use of different techniques for strengthening and passive seismic protection strategy can allow engineers to obtain the result of structural adaptation to earthquakes with low-cost interventions. The widespread adoption of steel jackets, coupled with the construction of floors using a steel–concrete composite structure, grants a good confinement of the beam–column r.c. joints, together with the overall strengthening of the existing structure. The adoption of CFRP wrapping at the lower edge of the beams implies a limited increase in thickness and the limited interventions of partial demolition from the existing structural members. A critical review of the steel jacketing aspects in terms of bending and shear strengthening is reported by considering this technique in the form of a steel exoskeleton containing the damaged concrete structure, by confining concrete elements, and by increasing the performance for both gravitational and seismic loads.
Construction of the Chinese Route of Industrial Heritage Based on Spatial and Temporal Distribution Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jiahao , Zhuo Lingchen , Sun Hao , Wang Yuanling , Wei Hanbin , Xu Subin , Aoki Nobuo
Published: April 2024

In the context of cultural routes, in order to achieve overall protection of industrial heritage, the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) was established to organize and promote the entire European industrial heritage. The conservation and utilization of Chinese industrial heritage are currently dominated by individual cases, which limits their potential to contribute to regional sustainable development. There is an urgent need of a conservation system at the regional or national level, to ensure that Chinese industrial heritage conservation effectively contributes to regional sustainable development. This study considers the industrial heritage of China built between 1840 and 1978 to establish the Chinese Industrial Heritage GIS Database (CIHGD). The analysis shows that the distribution of China’s industrial heritage is mainly concentrated in the eastern and southern coastal areas, and the industrial heritage has formed three key regions, 14 key cities, and important railway and water systems located in eastern China. The CRIH facilitates the holistic conservation of China’s industrial heritage and provides basic data for future research on China’s industrial heritage. The objective of this study is to promote the establishment of an information-based management system for industrial heritage in China, and to explore the value evaluation, protection system, and regional tourism of industrial heritage from a national perspective in China.
Thermostable CaCO3-Immobilized Bacillus subtilis Lipase for Sustainable Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil
Authors: Alshehri Wafa A. , Alghamdi Nouf H. , Khalel Ashjan F. , Almalki Meshal H. , Hadrich Bilel , Sayari Adel
Published: April 2024

Due to the increasing demand for green processes in renewable energy production, the extracellular Bacillus subtilis B-1-4 lipase was used as a biocatalyst for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil. Response surface methodology was employed for the optimization of enzyme production. Lipase activity was modeled with a quadratic function of four factors that primarily influence the culture medium. Thanks to this model, an optimal lipase activity of 1.7 ± 0.082 U/mL was achieved with the best culture medium composition: 16 g/L of tryptone, 15 g/L of yeast extract, 15 g/L of NaCl, and a 0.15 initial optical density at 600 nm (OD600 nm). The maximal lipase activity was measured at 45 °C and pH 8, using para-nitrophenyl palmitate as a substrate. The enzyme maintained above 94% and 99% of its initial activity at temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 °C and at pH 8, respectively. Moreover, it exhibited a higher residual activity than other Bacillus lipases in the presence of organic solvents. Residual activities of 86.7% and 90.2% were measured in the presence of isopropanol and ethanol, respectively. The lipase was immobilized by adsorption onto CaCO3 powder. FT-IR and SEM were used to characterize the surface-modified support. After immobilization, a lipase activity of 7.1 U/mg of CaCO3 was obtained. Under the optimized conditions, the highest biodiesel yield of 71% was obtained through the transesterification of waste cooking oil using the CaCO3-immobilized Bacillus subtilis lipase. This research reveals a method for the utilization of waste cooking oil for biodiesel production using an efficient immobilized thermostable lipase, providing environmental and economic security.
Using Calibrated Rainfall Forecasts and Observed Rainfall to Produce Probabilistic Meteorological Drought Forecasts
Authors: Chua Zhi-Weng , Kuleshov Yuriy , Bhardwaj Jessica
Published: April 2024

Most existing drought forecast systems rely only on observed or forecast rainfall, losing valuable context gained from considering both. The lack of a direct link between observed and forecast rainfall reduces the physical consistency of a system, motivating the development of a methodology that can directly link the two. The methodology developed in this study allows the comparison of the calibrated ensemble forecasts of rainfall totals from a dynamical climate model to observed rainfall deficiencies from a gridded rainfall analysis. The methodology is used to create a probabilistic product that forecasts the chance of entering meteorological drought, with lead times of one month (monthly forecast) and three months (seasonal forecast). Existing deficiency areas are included to facilitate analysis of how these areas are forecast to change. The performance of the developed methodology was verified using Percent Correct (PC), Brier Score (BS), and Relative Operating Characteristic (ROC) statistics. Analysis of the forecast plots was also completed visually. Forecast performance for areas with existing deficiencies as well as for non-deficiency areas was promising (PC rates of >79% and >97%, respectively). Although PC rates for observed deficiencies were low across most months, the mean forecast probability for these areas was 36%, indicating the system had value and outperformed climatology. A calibrated, coupled product like the one scoped in this study has not been explored and we note that it could be an invaluable tool for quantifying meteorological drought onset and persistence in Australia.
Carbohydrate Antigen 125 (CA 125): A Novel Biomarker in Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Marinescu Mihai Cristian , Oprea Violeta Diana , Munteanu Sorina Nicoleta , Nechita Aurel , Tutunaru Dana , Nechita Luiza Camelia , Romila Aurelia
Published: April 2024

Background: Heart failure is a global major healthcare problem with millions of hospitalizations annually and with a very high mortality. There is an increased interest in finding new and reliable biomarkers for the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic guidance of patients hospitalized for acute heart failure; Our review aims to summarize in an easy-to-follow flow recent relevant research evaluating the possible use and the clinical value of measuring CA 125 serum levels in acute HF. Methods: A thorough search in the main international databases identified a relevant pool of 170 articles, providing recently published data for this narrative review that used PRISMA guidelines. Results: There are data to sustain the role of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125), a worldwide used marker of ovarian cancer, in patients with heart failure. Several studies have shown links between CA 125 levels and congestion seen in acute heart failure, high mortality and readmission rates at 6 months follow-up after discharge from acute heart failure and also a role of CA 125 in the guidance of heart failure therapy. There are also clinical trials that showed that several particularities of CA 125 make it even better than N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP)—a classical and more utilized marker of heart failure) in several scenarios of acute heart failure. Conclusions: Although the mechanism behind the upregulation of serum CA 125 in patients with congestive HF has not been confirmed nor fully understood.
Association between White Matter T2 Hyper-Intense Signals in Fetal Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Neurodevelopment of Fetuses with Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Barkai Galia , Katorza Eldad , Lassman Simon , Levinberg Itachi , Hoffmann Chen , Bar-Yosef Omer
Published: April 2024

An association between subtle changes in T2 white matter hyper-intense signals (WMHSs) detected in fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (fbMRI) and congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been established. The research aim of this study is to compare children with congenital CMV infection with neurodevelopment outcome and hearing deficit with and without WMHSs in a historic prospective case study cohort of 58 fbMRIs. Of these, in 37 cases, fbMRI was normal (normal group) and WMHSs were detected in 21 cases (WMHS group). The median infection week of the WMHS group was earlier than the normal fbMRI group (8 and 17 weeks of gestation, respectively). The proportion of infants treated with valganciclovir in the WMHS group was distinctly higher. Hearing impairment was not significantly different between the groups. VABS scores in all four domains were within normal range in both groups. The median score of the motor skills corrected for week of infection was better in the WMHS group. A multivariate analysis using the week of infection interaction variable of WMHS and valganciclovir treatment showed better motor score outcomes in the valganciclovir treatment group despite an earlier week of infection. WMHSs were not associated with neurodevelopmental outcome and hearing deficit. In our cohort, valganciclovir treatment may have a protective effect on fetuses with WMHSs by improving neurodevelopmental outcome.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: A Pictorial Review on Differential Diagnosis and Not-So-Common Cases of Interventional Radiology Management
Authors: Viganò Sara , Smedile Antonella , Cazzella Caterina , Marra Paolo , Bonaffini Pietro Andrea , Sironi Sandro
Published: April 2024

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) poses a multifaceted challenge in women’s health, necessitating an integrated approach that addresses its diverse etiologies and clinical presentations. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics PALM-COEIN classification system provides a systematic approach to the diagnosis of AUB in non-pregnant women, based on clinical and imaging-based categorization of causes into structural (Polyps, Adenomyosis, Leiomyomas and Malignancy; PALM), and non-structural causes (Coagulopathies, Ovulatory disorders, primary Endometrial disorders, Iatrogenic and Not otherwise classified; COEIN). On the other hand, placental disorders, uterine rupture, ectopic pregnancy and retained products of conceptions are the main causes of uterine bleeding during pregnancy and in the peripartum period. Ultrasound is usually the first-line imaging technique for the differential diagnosis of causes of AUB. Computed Tomography may be useful if ultrasound findings are unclear, especially in emergency settings. Magnetic resonance imaging, when indicated, is an excellent second-line diagnostic tool for a better non-invasive characterization of the underlying cause of AUB. This pictorial review aims to illustrate the main causes of AUB from the point of view of diagnostic imaging and to show not-so-common cases that can be treated by means of interventional radiology.
Development and Validation of Two-Step Prediction Models for Postoperative Bedridden Status in Geriatric Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures
Authors: Dissaneewate Kantapon , Dissaneewate Pornpanit , Orapiriyakul Wich , Kritsaneephaiboon Apipop , Chewakidakarn Chulin
Published: April 2024

Patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures are at an elevated risk of becoming bedridden compared with those with intraarticular hip fractures. Accurate risk assessments can help clinicians select postoperative rehabilitation strategies to mitigate the risk of bedridden status. This study aimed to develop a two-step prediction model to predict bedridden status at 3 months postoperatively: one model (first step) for prediction at the time of admission to help dictate postoperative rehabilitation plans; and another (second step) for prediction at the time before discharge to determine appropriate discharge destinations and home rehabilitation programs. Three-hundred and eighty-four patients were retrospectively reviewed and divided into a development group (n = 291) and external validation group (n = 93). We developed a two-step prediction model to predict the three-month bedridden status of patients with intertrochanteric fractures from the development group. The first (preoperative) model incorporated four simple predictors: age, dementia, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA), and pre-fracture ambulatory status. The second (predischarge) model used an additional predictor, ambulation status before discharge. Model performances were evaluated using the external validation group. The preoperative model performances were area under ROC curve (AUC) = 0.72 (95%CI 0.61–0.83) and calibration slope = 1.22 (0.40–2.23). The predischarge model performances were AUC = 0.83 (0.74–0.92) and calibration slope = 0.89 (0.51–1.35). A decision curve analysis (DCA) showed a positive net benefit across a threshold probability between 10% and 35%, with a higher positive net benefit for the predischarge model. Our prediction models demonstrated good discrimination, calibration, and net benefit gains. Using readily available predictors for prognostic prediction can assist clinicians in planning individualized postoperative rehabilitation programs, home-based rehabilitation programs, and determining appropriate discharge destinations, especially in environments with limited resources.
Enhancing Spatial Ability among Undergraduate First-Year Engineering and Architecture Students
Authors: Porat Ronen , Ceobanu Ciprian
Published: April 2024

Spatial ability (SA) refers to the ability to generate, retain and manipulate abstract visual images in one’s head. Research of this ability conducted during the last few decades had shown that SA is an essential ability to the development of mathematical skills in children. Later studies addressed adult SA development and accordingly found that SA was a predictor of success in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields of academic studies. Recently, focus has also been directed to another related field which is architecture. This group has not been extensively researched in relation to its spatial thinking abilities. The current research examines the efficiency of a new training program aimed at improving engineering and architecture student’s SA abilities. This program was based on previous intervention programs but was innovative in its combination of both traditional and computer-based teaching methods and combining frontal learning, hands on model building and augmented reality (AR) tools, all in a short program of 20 h. We asked whether the training program will be effective in improving student’s SA ability and whether this improvement will remain across different factors such as gender, faculty and math level. The results showed a significant improvement in SA abilities among the students who took the training program, compared with the control group. These results were true for both engineering and architecture students. Moreover, the results showed the training program to be efficient regardless of gender or prior math level.