bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytokine Imbalance as a Biomarker of Intervertebral Disk Degeneration
Authors: Shnayder Natalia A. , Ashhotov Azamat V. , Trefilova Vera V. , Nurgaliev Zaitun A. , Novitsky Maxim A. , Vaiman Elena E. , Petrova Marina M. , Nasyrova Regina F.
Published: January 2023

The intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD) and its associated conditions are an important problem in modern medicine. The onset of IDD may be in childhood and adolescence in patients with a genetic predisposition. IDD progresses with age, leading to spondylosis, spondylarthrosis, intervertebral disk herniation, and spinal stenosis. The purpose of this review is an attempt to summarize the data characterizing the patterns of production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in IDD and to appreciate the prognostic value of cytokine imbalance as its biomarker. This narrative review demonstrates that the problem of evaluating the contribution of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines to the maintenance or alteration of cytokine balance may be a new key to unlocking the mystery of IDD development and new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of IDD in the setting of acute and chronic inflammation. The presented data support the hypothesis that cytokine imbalance is one of the most important biomarkers of IDD.
Cellulose Acetate Phthalate-Based pH-Responsive Cyclosporine A-Loaded Contact Lens for the Treatment of Dry Eye
Authors: Kim Jonghwa , Mondal Himangsu , Jin Rujun , Yoon Hyeon Jeong , Kim Ho-Joong , Jee Jun-Pil , Yoon Kyung Chul
Published: January 2023

Cyclosporine A (CsA) as an eye drop is an effective treatment for dry eye. However, it has potential side effects and a short ocular residence time. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a cellulose acetate phthalate-based pH-responsive contact lens (CL) loaded with CsA (CsA-CL). The CsA was continuously released from the CsA-CL at physiological conditions (37 °C, pH 7.4) without an initial burst. CsA was well-contained in the selected storage condition (4 °C, pH 5.4) for as long as 90 days. In safety assays, cytotoxicity, ocular irritation, visible light transmittance, and oxygen permeability were in a normal range. CsA concentrations in the conjunctiva, cornea, and lens increased over time until 12 h. When comparing the therapeutic efficacy between the normal control, experimental dry eye (EDE), and treatment groups (CsA eye drop, naïve CL, and CsA-CL groups), the tear volume, TBUT, corneal fluorescein staining at 7 and 14 days, conjunctival goblet cell density, and corneal apoptotic cell counts at 14 days improved in all treatment groups compared to EDE, with a significantly better result in the CsA-CL group compared with other groups (all p < 0.05). The CsA-CL could be an effective, stable, and safe option for inflammatory dry eye.
Immunopathologic Role of Fungi in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Shin Seung-Heon , Ye Mi-Kyung , Lee Dong-Won , Geum Sang-Yen
Published: January 2023

Airborne fungi are ubiquitous in the environment and are commonly associated with airway inflammatory diseases. The innate immune defense system eliminates most inhaled fungi. However, some influence the development of chronic rhinosinusitis. Fungal CRS is thought of as not a common disease, and its incidence increases over time. Fungi are present in CRS patients and in healthy sinonasal mucosa. Although the immunological mechanisms have not been entirely explained, CRS patients may exhibit different immune responses than healthy people against airborne fungi. Fungi can induce Th1 and Th2 immune responses. In CRS, Th2-related immune responses against fungi are associated with pattern recognition receptors in nasal epithelial cells, the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from nasal epithelial cells, and interaction with innate type 2 cells, lymphocytes, and inflammatory cells. Fungi also interact with neutrophils and eosinophils and induce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and eosinophil extracellular traps (EETs). NETs and EETs are associated with antifungal properties and aggravation of chronic inflammation in CRS by releasing intracellular granule proteins. Fungal and bacterial biofilms are commonly found in CRS and may support chronic and recalcitrant CRS infection. The fungal–bacterial interaction in the sinonasal mucosa could affect the survival and virulence of fungi and bacteria and host immune responses. The interaction between the mycobiome and microbiome may also influence the host immune response, impacting local inflammation and chronicity. Although the exact immunopathologic role of fungi in the pathogenesis of CRS is not completely understood, they contribute to the development of sinonasal inflammatory responses in CRS.
Egln1Tie2Cre Mice Exhibit Similar Therapeutic Responses to Sildenafil, Ambrisentan, and Treprostinil as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Patients, Supporting Egln1Tie2Cre Mice as a Useful PAH Model
Authors: Peng Yi , Dai Jingbo , Zhao You-Yang
Published: January 2023

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and inevitably fatal disease characterized by the progressive increase of pulmonary vascular resistance and obliterative pulmonary vascular remodeling, which lead to right-sided heart failure and premature death. Many of the genetically modified mouse models do not develop severe PH and occlusive vascular remodeling. Egln1Tie2Cre mice with Tie2Cre-mediated deletion of Egln1, which encodes hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2), is the only mouse model with severe PAH, progressive occlusive pulmonary vascular remodeling, and right-sided heart failure leading to 50–80% mortality from the age of 3–6 months, indicating that the Egln1Tie2Cre mice model is a long-sought-after murine PAH model. However, it is unknown if Egln1Tie2Cre mice respond to FDA-approved PAH drugs in a way similar to PAH patients. Here, we tested the therapeutic effects of the three vasodilators: sildenafil (targeting nitric oxide signaling), ambrisentan (endothelin receptor antagonist), and treprostinil (prostacyclin analog) on Egln1Tie2Cre mice. All of them attenuated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in Egln1Tie2Cre mice consistent with their role as vasodilators. However, these drugs have no beneficial effects on pulmonary arterial function. Cardiac output was also markedly improved in Egln1Tie2Cre mice by any of the drug treatments. They only partially improved RV function and reduced RV hypertrophy and pulmonary vascular remodeling as well as improving short-term survival in a drug-dependent manner. These data demonstrate that Egln1Tie2Cre mice exhibit similar responses to these drugs as PAH patients seen in clinical trials. Thus, our study provides further evidence that the Egln1Tie2Cre mouse model of severe PAH is an ideal model of PAH and is potentially useful for enabling identification of drug targets and preclinical testing of novel PAH drug candidates.
The Role of the Gut Microbiome and Trimethylamine Oxide in Atherosclerosis and Age-Related Disease
Authors: El Hage Racha , Al-Arawe Nada , Hinterseher Irene
Published: January 2023

The gut microbiome plays a major role in human health, and gut microbial imbalance or dysbiosis is associated with disease development. Modulation in the gut microbiome can be used to treat or prevent different diseases. Gut dysbiosis increases with aging, and it has been associated with the impairment of gut barrier function leading to the leakage of harmful metabolites such as trimethylamine (TMA). TMA is a gut metabolite resulting from dietary amines that originate from animal-based foods. TMA enters the portal circulation and is oxidized by the hepatic enzyme into trimethylamine oxide (TMAO). Increased TMAO levels have been reported in elderly people. High TMAO levels are linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD), endothelial senescence, and vascular aging. Emerging evidence showed the beneficial role of probiotics and prebiotics in the management of several atherogenic risk factors through the remodeling of the gut microbiota, thus leading to a reduction in TMAO levels and atherosclerotic lesions. Despite the promising outcomes in different studies, the definite mechanisms of gut dysbiosis and microbiota-derived TMAO involved in atherosclerosis remain not fully understood. More studies are still required to focus on the molecular mechanisms and precise treatments targeting gut microbiota and leading to atheroprotective effects.
SbNAC9 Improves Drought Tolerance by Enhancing Scavenging Ability of Reactive Oxygen Species and Activating Stress-Responsive Genes of Sorghum
Authors: Jin Xueying , Zheng Yuchen , Wang Jingyi , Chen Wei , Yang Zhen , Chen Yaxin , Yang Yonghua , Lu Guihua , Sun Bo
Published: January 2023

Drought stress severely threatens the yield of cereal crops. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism of drought stress response of plants is crucial for developing drought-tolerant cultivars. NAC transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in abiotic stress of plants, but the functions of NAC TFs in sorghum are largely unknown. Here, we characterized a sorghum NAC gene, SbNAC9, and found that SbNAC9 can be highly induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated dehydration treatments. We therefore investigated the function of SbNAC9 in drought stress response. Sorghum seedlings overexpressing SbNAC9 showed enhanced drought-stress tolerance with higher chlorophyll content and photochemical efficiency of PSII, stronger root systems, and higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capability than wild-type. In contrast, sorghum seedlings with silenced SbNAC9 by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) showed weakened drought stress tolerance. Furthermore, SbNAC9 can directly activate a putative peroxidase gene SbC5YQ75 and a putative ABA biosynthesis gene SbNCED3. Silencing SbC5YQ75 and SbNCED3 led to compromised drought tolerance and reduced ABA content of sorghum seedlings, respectively. Therefore, our findings revealed the important role of SbNAC9 in response to drought stress in sorghum and may shed light on genetic improvement of other crop species under drought-stress conditions.
Perfecting the Life Clock: The Journey from PTO to TTFL
Authors: Li Weitian , Wang Zixu , Cao Jing , Dong Yulan , Chen Yaoxing
Published: January 2023

The ubiquity of biological rhythms in life implies that it results from selection in the evolutionary process. The origin of the biological clock has two possible hypotheses: the selective pressure hypothesis of the oxidative stress cycle and the light evasion hypothesis. Moreover, the biological clock gives life higher adaptability. Two biological clock mechanisms have been discovered: the negative feedback loop of transcription–translation (TTFL) and the post-translational oscillation mechanism (PTO). The TTFL mechanism is the most classic and relatively conservative circadian clock oscillation mechanism, commonly found in eukaryotes. We have introduced the TTFL mechanism of the classical model organisms. However, the biological clock of prokaryotes is based on the PTO mechanism. The Peroxiredoxin (PRX or PRDX) protein-based PTO mechanism circadian clock widely existing in eukaryotic and prokaryotic life is considered a more conservative oscillation mechanism. The coexistence of the PTO and TTFL mechanisms in eukaryotes prompted us to explain the relationship between the two. Finally, we speculated that there might be a driving force for the evolution of the biological clock. The biological clock may have an evolutionary trend from the PTO mechanism to the TTFL mechanism, resulting from the evolution of organisms adapting to the environment.
Role of FXR in Renal Physiology and Kidney Diseases
Authors: Guo Yanlin , Xie Guixiang , Zhang Xiaoyan
Published: January 2023

Farnesoid X receptor, also known as the bile acid receptor, belongs to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of ligand-regulated transcription factors, which performs its functions by regulating the transcription of target genes. FXR is highly expressed in the liver, small intestine, kidney and adrenal gland, maintaining homeostasis of bile acid, glucose and lipids by regulating a diverse array of target genes. It also participates in several pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation, immune responses and fibrosis. The kidney is a key organ that manages water and solute homeostasis for the whole body, and kidney injury or dysfunction is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In the kidney, FXR plays an important role in renal water reabsorption and is thought to perform protective functions in acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease, especially diabetic kidney disease. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological function of FXR in the kidney.
Primary Liver Cancers: Connecting the Dots of Cellular Studies and Epidemiology with Metabolomics
Authors: Berkemeyer Shoma
Published: January 2023

Liver cancers are rising worldwide. Between molecular and epidemiological studies, a research gap has emerged which might be amenable to the technique of metabolomics. This review investigates the current understanding of liver cancer’s trends, etiology and its correlates with existing literature for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and hepatoblastoma (HB). Among additional factors, the literature reports dysfunction in the tricarboxylic acid metabolism, primarily for HB and HCC, and point mutations and signaling for CCA. All cases require further investigation of upstream and downstream events. All liver cancers reported dysfunction in the WNT/β-catenin and P13K/AKT/mTOR pathways as well as changes in FGFR. Metabolites of IHD1, IDH2, miRNA, purine, Q10, lipids, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, acylcarnitine, 2-HG and propionyl-CoA emerged as crucial and there was an attempt to elucidate the WNT/β-catenin and P13K/AKT/mTOR pathways metabolomically.
LA-ESN: A Novel Method for Time Series Classification
Authors: Sheng Hui , Liu Min , Hu Jiyong , Li Ping , Peng Yali , Yi Yugen
Published: January 2023

Time-series data is an appealing study topic in data mining and has a broad range of applications. Many approaches have been employed to handle time series classification (TSC) challenges with promising results, among which deep neural network methods have become mainstream. Echo State Networks (ESN) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) are commonly utilized as deep neural network methods in TSC research. However, ESN and CNN can only extract local dependencies relations of time series, resulting in long-term temporal data dependence needing to be more challenging to capture. As a result, an encoder and decoder architecture named LA-ESN is proposed for TSC tasks. In LA-ESN, the encoder is composed of ESN, which is utilized to obtain the time series matrix representation. Meanwhile, the decoder consists of a one-dimensional CNN (1D CNN), a Long Short-Term Memory network (LSTM) and an Attention Mechanism (AM), which can extract local information and global dependencies from the representation. Finally, many comparative experimental studies were conducted on 128 univariate datasets from different domains, and three evaluation metrics including classification accuracy, mean error and mean rank were exploited to evaluate the performance. In comparison to other approaches, LA-ESN produced good results.
Functional Niche Partitioning Occurs over Body Size but Not Nutrient Reserves nor Melanism in a Polar Carabid Beetle along an Altitudinal Gradient
Authors: Espel Diane , Coux Camille , Pertierra Luis R. , Eymar-Dauphin Pauline , Lembrechts Jonas J. , Renault David
Published: January 2023

Phenotypic plasticity can favor the emergence of different morphotypes specialized in specific ranges of environmental conditions. The existence of intraspecific partitioning confers resilience at the species scale and can ultimately determine species survival in a context of global changes. Amblystogenium pacificum is a carabid beetle endemic to the sub-Antarctic Crozet Islands, and it has two distinctive morphotypes based on body coloration. For this study, A. pacificum specimens of functional niches were sampled along an altitudinal gradient (as a proxy for temperature), and some morphological and biochemical traits were measured. We used an FAMD multivariate analysis and linear mixed-effects models to test whether these traits were related to morphotype, altitude, and sexual dimorphism. We then calculated and compared the functional niches at different altitudes and tested for niche partitioning through a hypervolume approach. We found a positive hump-shaped correlation between altitude and body size as well as higher protein and sugar reserves in females than in males. Our functional hypervolume results suggest that the main driver of niche partitioning along the altitudinal gradient is body size rather than morphotype or sex, even though darker morphotypes tended to be more functionally constrained at higher altitudes and females showed limited trait variations at the highest altitude.
Overcoming Immune Deficiency with Allogrooming
Authors: Bulmer Mark S. , Franco Bruno A. , Biswas Aditi , Greenbaum Samantha F.
Published: January 2023

Allogrooming appears to be essential in many social animals for protection from routine exposure to parasites. In social insects, it appears to be critical for the removal of pathogenic propagules from the cuticle before they can start an infectious cycle. For subterranean termites, this includes fungal spores commonly encountered in the soil, such as Metarhizium conidia, that can quickly germinate and penetrate the cuticle. We investigated whether there is a difference in reliance on social and innate immunity in two closely related subterranean termites for protection from fatal infections by two locally encountered Metarhizium species. Our results indicate that relatively weak innate immunity in one termite species is compensated by more sustained allogrooming. This includes enhanced allogrooming in response to concentrations of conidia that reflect more routine contamination of the cuticle as well as to heavy cuticular contamination that elicits a networked emergency response.
Moderate-High Disease Activity in Patients with Recent-Onset Psoriatic Arthritis—Multivariable Prediction Model Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Queiro Rubén , Seoane-Mato Daniel , Laiz Ana , Galindez Agirregoikoa Eva , Montilla Carlos , Park Hye S. , Tasende Jose A. Pinto , Baute Juan J. Bethencourt , Joven Ibáñez Beatriz , Toniolo Elide , Ramírez Julio , Montero Nuria , Pruenza García-Hinojosa Cristina , Serrano García Ana ,   on behalf of the Proyecto REAPSER Study
Published: January 2023

The aim was to identify patient- and disease-related characteristics predicting moderate-to-high disease activity in recent-onset psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We performed a multicenter observational prospective study (2-year follow-up, regular annual visits) in patients aged ≥18 years who fulfilled the CASPAR criteria and had less than 2 years since the onset of symptoms. The moderate-to-high activity of PsA was defined as DAPSA > 14. We trained a logistic regression model and random forest–type and XGBoost machine learning algorithms to analyze the association between the outcome measure and the variables selected in the bivariate analysis. The sample comprised 158 patients. At the first follow-up visit, 20.8% of the patients who attended the clinic had a moderate-to-severe disease. This percentage rose to 21.2% on the second visit. The variables predicting moderate-high activity were the PsAID score, tender joint count, level of physical activity, and sex. The mean values of the measures of validity of the machine learning algorithms were all high, especially sensitivity (98%; 95% CI: 86.89–100.00). PsAID was the most important variable in the prediction algorithms, reinforcing the convenience of its inclusion in daily clinical practice. Strategies that focus on the needs of women with PsA should be considered.
Treatment of Thoracolumbar Pyogenic Spondylitis with Minimally Invasive Posterior Fixation without Anterior Lesion Debridement or Bone Grafting: A Multicenter Case Study
Authors: Gamada Hisanori , Funayama Toru , Yamaji Akihiro , Okuwaki Shun , Asada Tomoyuki , Izawa Shigeo , Kumagai Hiroshi , Fujii Kengo , Amano Kuniaki , Shiina Itsuo , Tatsumura Masaki , Uesugi Masafumi , Nakagawa Tsukasa , Yamazaki Masashi , Koda Masao
Published: January 2023

The usefulness of minimally invasive posterior fixation without debridement and autogenous bone grafting remains unknown. This multicenter case series aimed to determine the clinical outcomes and limitations of this method for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis. Patients with thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis treated with minimally invasive posterior fixation alone were retrospectively evaluated at nine affiliated hospitals since April 2016. The study included 31 patients (23 men and 8 women; mean age, 73.3 years). The clinical course of the patients and requirement of additional anterior surgery constituted the study outcomes. The postoperative numerical rating scale score for lower back pain was significantly smaller than the preoperative score (5.8 vs. 3.6, p = 0.0055). The preoperative local kyphosis angle was 6.7°, which was corrected to 0.1° after surgery and 3.7° at the final follow-up visit. Owing to failed infection control, three patients (9.6%) required additional anterior debridement and autogenous bone grafting. Thus, in this multicenter case series, a large proportion of patients with thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis could be treated with minimally invasive posterior fixation alone, thereby indicating it as a treatment option for pyogenic spondylitis.
The Impact of Levetiracetam and Valproate on Platelet Functions—A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study
Authors: Olaizola Itziar , Brodde Martin F. , Kehrel Beate E. , Evers Stefan
Published: January 2023

It is known that valproate inhibits platelet functions; however, the exact mechanisms are not clearly identified. We studied 12 healthy adult volunteers (1 female, 11 male; age range 31.7 ± 7.8 years) before and after valproate 500 mg and compared the results to levetiracetam 1000 mg as a control substance and placebo. The study had a crossover and double-blind design. A blood sample was taken before and 90 min after medication intake, because the times to maximum serum concentration (Tmax) are 1.5 h for levetiracetam and 1 to 3 h for valproate. We analysed changes in platelet, erythrocyte, and leukocyte cell count and in platelet functions (CD62 expression (P selectin), thrombin binding, and fibrinogen binding). We found no significant differences in all cell counts before and after different study drugs. After valproate intake, but not after placebo or levetiracetam intake, the fibrinogen binding significantly decreased and the CD62 expression significantly increased resulting in decreased platelet aggregation. Our data suggest that the platelet dysfunctions reported for valproate result from decreased fibrinogen binding and from increased CD62 expression. This phenomenon might be one reason for the increased bleeding risk under valproate and cannot be observed for levetiracetam.
Improving Management of Portal Hypertension: The Potential Benefit of Non-Etiological Therapies in Cirrhosis
Authors: Bitto Niccolò , Ghigliazza Gabriele , Lavorato Stanislao , Caputo Camilla , La Mura Vincenzo
Published: January 2023

Portal hypertension is the consequence of cirrhosis and results from increased sinusoidal vascular resistance and hepatic blood inflow. Etiological therapies represent the first intervention to prevent a significant increase in portal pressure due to chronic liver damage. However, other superimposed pathophysiological drivers may worsen liver disease, including inflammation, bacterial translocation, endothelial dysfunction, and hyperactivation of hemostasis. These mechanisms can be targeted by a specific class of drugs already used in clinical practice. Albumin, rifaximin, statins, aspirin, and anticoagulants have been tested in cirrhosis and were a topic of discussion in the last Baveno consensus as non-etiological therapies. Based on the pathogenesis of portal hypertension in cirrhosis, our review summarizes the main mechanisms targeted by these drugs as well as the clinical evidence that considers them a valid complementary option to manage patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
Impact of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Other Gastrointestinal Disorders—A Retrospective Analysis in a Tertiary Single Center and Review of the Literature
Authors: Wanzl Julia , Gröhl Katharina , Kafel Agnieszka , Nagl Sandra , Muzalyova Anna , Gölder Stefan Karl , Ebigbo Alanna , Messmann Helmut , Schnoy Elisabeth
Published: January 2023

Background: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is often found in patients with gut dysbiosis such as irritable bowel syndrome. Recently, the association of SIBO and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been described in some cases. While clinical symptoms might be similar in IBD and SIBO, treatment is quite different for both diseases. Therefore, the differentiation between SIBO or a flare in IBD patients is key to optimizing treatment for these patients. Methods: We retrospectively investigated our patients with IBD receiving a glucose breath test for SIBO and correlated the results with the clinical symptoms (clinical remission or active disease). Results: 128 patients with the diagnosis “colitis” were analyzed in our cohort. Fifty-three (41.4%) patients had Crohn’s disease and 22 (17.2%) patients were suffering from ulcerative colitis. Seventy-four (57.8%) were female and 54 (42.2%) were male patients. A total of 18 (14.1%) patients had a positive testing for SIBO. Eleven (61.1%) cases were associated with CD patients and two (11.1%) with UC. IBD patients in clinical remission had a positive SIBO in six (19.4%) cases, while IBD patients with active disease were positive in nine (15.3%) cases. The proportion of positive SIBO in active IBD patients was higher; however, it did not reach significance. Older age was a risk factor for SIBO in patients with CD (p < 0.003). Conclusions: In our study, we could show that an increased amount of SIBO was found in IBD patients and was especially more frequent in patients with CD than in those with UC. In UC patients, SIBO rates were not different to patients with other gastrointestinal diseases investigated (e.g., infectious colitis, collagenous colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome). In active IBD, positive SIBO was detected more often numerically compared to quiescent disease; however, due to the low number of patients included, it was not significant. However, older age was a significant risk factor for SIBO in patients with CD. SIBO is of clinical relevance in the vulnerable patient cohort with IBD, and its real prevalence and impact needs to be investigated in further and larger clinical trials.
Machine Learning in Dentistry: A Scoping Review
Authors: Arsiwala-Scheppach Lubaina T. , Chaurasia Akhilanand , Müller Anne , Krois Joachim , Schwendicke Falk
Published: January 2023

Machine learning (ML) is being increasingly employed in dental research and application. We aimed to systematically compile studies using ML in dentistry and assess their methodological quality, including the risk of bias and reporting standards. We evaluated studies employing ML in dentistry published from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2021 on MEDLINE, IEEE Xplore, and arXiv. We assessed publication trends and the distribution of ML tasks (classification, object detection, semantic segmentation, instance segmentation, and generation) in different clinical fields. We appraised the risk of bias and adherence to reporting standards, using the QUADAS-2 and TRIPOD checklists, respectively. Out of 183 identified studies, 168 were included, focusing on various ML tasks and employing a broad range of ML models, input data, data sources, strategies to generate reference tests, and performance metrics. Classification tasks were most common. Forty-two different metrics were used to evaluate model performances, with accuracy, sensitivity, precision, and intersection-over-union being the most common. We observed considerable risk of bias and moderate adherence to reporting standards which hampers replication of results. A minimum (core) set of outcome and outcome metrics is necessary to facilitate comparisons across studies.
A Comparison of Teeth Measurements on Plaster and Digital Models
Authors: Kardach Hubert , Szponar-Żurowska Anna , Biedziak Barbara
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: Modern imaging methods and constantly developing technologies extend the range of diagnostic tools in medicine and in orthodontics. Thanks to them, scientists and doctors can use devices designed to diagnose 3D structures of the human body. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of digital orthodontic models as a diagnostic tool in the work of an orthodontist through a comparative analysis of the value of orthodontic measurements made on traditional plaster models and virtual models. (2) Methods: A total of 80 sets of models were made, including 40 sets of plaster models and 40 sets of digital models. A total of 48 diagnostic parameters were developed. They concerned dental parameters. (3) Results: Comparative analysis of crown height values on plaster and digital models showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in 26 out of 48 dental parameters. (4) Conclusions: The differences between the measurements made with the software on the digital models and the measurements made with the traditional method of measurement using the digital caliper on the plaster models were small and clinically acceptable.
Design Optimization of Hot Isostatic Pressing Capsules
Authors: Sobhani Samaneh , Albert Marc , Gandy David , Tabei Ali , Fan Zhaoyan
Published: January 2023

Power metallurgy hot isostatic pressing (PM-HIP) is a manufacturing technique capable of producing net shape or near-net shape components with complicated geometries from materials that are difficult to melt and cast, mechanically deform or weld. However, the process and soundness of the outcome are extremely sensitive to the geometric design of the capsule (also known as the die or can) that is used in the process. The capsule design for each new component involves several trial–error iterations to achieve the desired geometry and shape of the component. For each iteration, costly HIP experiments need to be conducted and new capsules need be manufactured with small modifications. In this study, a robust finite element analysis (FEA) model of the HIP process is developed, then wrapped in a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) optimization framework to obtain the optimal pre-HIP capsule design, which yields the desired post-HIP component geometry in one HIP run. The FEA-based optimization algorithm is validated by HIP experiments, showing excellent agreement between the experiment and the model.
Can a 16th Century Shipwreck Be Considered a Mercury Source in the 21st Century?—A Case Study in the Azores Archipelago (Portugal)
Authors: Vieira Hugo C. , Bordalo Maria D. , Osten Jaime Rendón-von , Soares Amadeu M. V. M. , Abreu Sizenando N. , Morgado Fernando
Published: January 2023

During the Spanish colonial era, ships frequently transported mercury across the Atlantic to the New World to be used in gold mining. As many of those eventually sank, shipwrecks may represent a local source of mercury contamination in the marine environment. In this context, evaluating mercury contamination in coastal sediments and mercury magnification in marine food webs is crucial for understanding mercury dynamics and estimating exposure to marine life in locations where shipwrecks occurred. This study investigated mercury concentration present in coastal sediments and biota from three distinct groups: macroalgae (Asparagopsis armata and Ulva lactuca), gastropods (Littorina striata and Patella candei gomesii) and crustaceans (Palaemon elegans and Pachygrapsus marmoratus) collected in the Azores Archipelago, Portugal (one site near a 16th-century shipwreck and others in locations further away). Mercury analyses indicated that the sediments and species from the shipwreck area had significantly higher mercury levels than the other areas. Fine sediments showed values above those established in sediment quality guidelines; however, considering the mercury concentration of the total sediment fraction, adverse biological effects are not expected to occur. Moreover, increased mercury concentration from primary producers to consumers reinforced the biomagnification potential of this metal.
Identification and Validation of Hub Genes in the Stenosis of Arteriovenous Fistula
Authors: Li Yu , Chen Yue , Cui Wenhao , Wang Jukun , Chen Xin , Zhang Chao , Zhu Linzhong , Bian Chunjing , Luo Tao
Published: January 2023

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the most widely used hemodialysis vascular access in China. However, stenosis of the AVF limits its use. The mechanism of AVF stenosis is currently unknown. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to explore the mechanisms of AVF stenosis. In this study, we identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset (GSE39488) between venous segments of AVF and normal veins. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify hub genes of AVF stenosis. Finally, six hub genes (FOS, NR4A2, EGR2, CXCR4, ATF3, and SERPINE1) were found. Combined with the results of the PPI network analysis and literature search, FOS and NR4A2 were selected as the target genes for further investigation. We validated the bioinformatic results via reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot analyses on human and rat samples. The expression levels of the mRNA and protein of FOS and NR4A2 were upregulated in both human and rat samples. In summary, we found that FOS may play an important role in AVF stenosis, which could be a potential therapeutic target of AVF stenosis.
Association between Regional Body Muscle Mass and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Observational Study Using Data from the REACTION Study
Authors: Du Jing , Ma Shizhan , Fang Li , Zhao Meng , Yuan Zhongshang , Cheng Yiping , Zhao Jiajun , Fan Xiude , Guo Qingling , Wu Zhongming
Published: January 2023

Background and aims: Regional muscle distribution is associated with abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, the relationship between muscle distribution and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear. This study was to determine the relationship between regional muscle distribution and the risk and severity of NAFLD. Methods: This cross-sectional study ultimately included 3161 participants. NAFLD diagnosed by ultrasonography was classified into three groups (non, mild, and moderate/severe). We estimated the regional body muscle mass (lower limbs, upper limbs, extremities, and trunk) through multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The relative muscle mass was defined as the muscle mass adjusted for the body mass index (BMI). Results: NAFLD participants accounted for 29.9% (945) of the study’s population. Individuals with a higher lower limb, extremity, and trunk muscle mass had a lower risk of NAFLD (p < 0.001). Patients with moderate/severe NAFLD had a lower muscle mass of the lower limbs and trunk than patients with mild NAFLD (p < 0.001), while the muscle mass of the upper limbs and extremities did not differ significantly between the two groups. Moreover, similar results were found for both sexes and among different age groups. Conclusions: A higher muscle mass of the lower limbs, extremities, and trunk was negatively associated with the risk of NAFLD. A lower muscle mass of the limbs and trunk was inversely associated with the severity of NAFLD. This study provides a new theoretical basis for the development of individualized exercise prescriptions for the prevention of NAFLD in non-NAFLD patients.
Ecosystems as an Innovative Tool for the Development of the Financial Sector in the Digital Economy
Authors: Shinkevich Alexey , Kudryavtseva Svetlana , Samarina Vera
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this article is to analyze the trends in the development of the financial sector, as well as the digital technologies used in this area, to identify the fundamental drivers for improving the ecosystem of the financial sector of the economy. Achieving sustainable business growth is one of the urgent tasks of management, both at the level of individual enterprises and organizations and the national economic system as a whole. This issue is of the highest relevance in the context of the high dynamism of the external environment and the growing level of uncertainty. When writing the article, the following research methods were used: trend analysis, visual graphical analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation-regression analysis, and cross-tabulation. Based on the results of the analysis, it can be concluded that the following indicators have the greatest impact on the ecosystem of the financial sector: the share of financial organizations that had special software for managing the procurement of services; the share of financial organizations that had special software for managing the sales of services. With regards to the Russian financial sector, there is a weakness in the development of the ecosystem, which is partly due to the insufficient use of complex digital solutions in managing financial flows, for example, the use of ERP systems (enterprise resource planning), CRM systems (customer relationship management), and SCM systems (supply chain management). We believe that the conclusions and results presented in this article can be used as methodological tools for developing strategies for improving the ecosystem of the financial sector in the context of the transition to a digital economy.
Durum Wheat–Potato Crop Rotation, Soil Tillage, and Fertilization Source Affect Soil CO2 Emission and C Storage in the Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Mancinelli Roberto , Marinari Sara , Atait Mariam , Petroselli Verdiana , Chilosi Gabriele , Jasarevic Merima , Catalani Alessia , Abideen Zainul , Mirzaei Morad , Allam Mohamed , Radicetti Emanuele
Published: January 2023

At present, the role of agricultural practices on the dynamic of GHGs is being investigated worldwide. In this study, the effects of soil tillage practices (conventional vs. conservation techniques) and fertilization sources (inorganic vs. organic) on soil CO2 emissions in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)–potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) rotation in the Mediterranean area were evaluated. This study aimed to understand the changes in the soil carbon content and the soil CO2 emissions under different soil tillage practices (moldboard plow (P), subsoiler (R), and spading machine (S)) and fertilization sources (mineral (M) and organic (O) with municipal organic waste). Soil CO2 flux, soil water content, and soil temperature data were collected for both crops using a portable closed-chamber infrared gas dynamics system. Significant relationships were detected between soil CO2 emissions and soil temperate and soil water content. However, these relationships were found only for durum wheat crops. Our findings indicate that including sustainable agricultural practices in wheat–potato rotation system could act as an appropriate alternative option to increase soil organic carbon, mitigate CO2 emissions, and reduce the dependence on chemical inputs and energy.
Impact of Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment of Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Messex Justin K. , Liou Geou-Yarh
Published: January 2023

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in senior American men. Currently, the five-year survival rate after the initial diagnosis of prostate cancer is close to 100%. However, it is also the second leading cause of cancer death in senior men due to the dissemination of prostate cancer cells outside of the prostate causing growth in other organs, known as metastatic prostate cancer. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in the development, progression and metastasis of prostate cancer. One of the major components of the TME contains various types of immune cells, often recruited by cancer cells to the cancer formation areas. The interactions among prostate cancer cells and the infiltrating immune cells affect the outcome of prostate cancer. Here, we summarize the mechanisms various infiltrating immune cells use to regulate prostate cancer metastasis and possibly lead to the development of treatment strategies. Furthermore, the information here may also give rise to preventative strategies that focus on targeting the TME of prostate cancer patients.
Process Parameter Selection for Production of Stainless Steel 316L Using Efficient Multi-Objective Bayesian Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Chepiga Timur , Zhilyaev Petr , Ryabov Alexander , Simonov Alexey P. , Dubinin Oleg N. , Firsov Denis G. , Kuzminova Yulia O. , Evlashin Stanislav A.
Published: January 2023

Additive manufacturing is a modern technique to produce parts with a complex geometry. However, the choice of the printing parameters is a time-consuming and costly process. In this study, the parameter optimization for the laser powder bed fusion process was investigated. Using state-of-the art multi-objective Bayesian optimization, the set of the most-promising process parameters (laser power, scanning speed, hatch distance, etc.), which would yield parts with the desired hardness and porosity, was established. The Gaussian process surrogate model was built on 57 empirical data points, and through efficient sampling in the design space, we were able to obtain three points in the Pareto front in just over six iterations. The produced parts had a hardness ranging from 224–235 HV and a porosity in the range of 0.2–0.37%. The trained model recommended using the following parameters for high-quality parts: 58 W, 257 mm/s, 45 µm, with a scan rotation angle of 131 degrees. The proposed methodology greatly reduces the number of experiments, thus saving time and resources. The candidate process parameters prescribed by the model were experimentally validated and tested.
A Study on the Heating and Deicing Performance of Microwave-Absorbing Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Deng Yuyuan , Wang Xuancang , Chen Lv , Liu Mingyan , Gao Maohong , Zhao Jing
Published: January 2023

Road icing in winter brings challenges to traffic safety, and microwave heating and deicing technology is an effective method with the advantages of high efficiency and environmental protection. Magnetite has been widely used as a microwave-absorbing material in pavement. In this paper, magnetite powder formed by crushing natural magnetite and high-purity Fe3O4 powder after purification were mixed to replace mineral powder, and the magnetite aggregate was used to replace the limestone aggregate with the same particle size to enhance the asphalt mixtures’ microwave absorption capacity. The effect of microwave heating time and microwave power on the heating of the asphalt mixtures was studied, and the heating performance of different thicknesses of the asphalt mixtures under microwave radiation was evaluated. The heating performance of the mixtures under different initial temperatures and ice layer thicknesses was also assessed. The results showed that the addition of the magnetite powder–Fe3O4 powder and the magnetite aggregate significantly enhanced the heating performance of the asphalt mixtures by microwave heating. The replacement of the magnetite powder–Fe3O4 powder, the microwave heating time, and the microwave power had positive effects on the heating efficiency of the asphalt mixtures. Moreover, the thinner asphalt mixtures had a better heating performance. The heating and deicing performance of the mixtures decreased with a decline in initial temperature. As the ice thickness increased, the deicing time of the specimen surface to reach 0 °C also increased.
Polyborosilazanes with Controllable B/N Ratio for Si–B–C–N Ceramics
Authors: Dang Yanpei , Li Tianhao , Zhao Yangzhong , Duan Liantai , Zhang Jianning , Chen Ke , He Liu , Huang Qing , Zhao Chuanzhuang , Song Yujie
Published: January 2023

Polyborosilazanes with controllable B/N ratio were synthesized using high-boron-content m-carborane, dichloromethylsilane, and hexamethydisilazane. After high-temperature pyrolysis, Si–B–C–N quaternary ceramics with SiC and B4C as the main phases were obtained. The B/N ratio in the precursors corresponded to the change in the feeding ratio of carborane and dichloromethylsilane. The effects of boron content and B/N ratio on the ceramic precursors and microphase structure in Si–B–C–N quaternary ceramics were explored in detail through a series of analytical characterization methods. A high boron content results in a significant increase in the ceramic yield (up to 71 wt%) of polyborosilazanes, and at the same time, the B/N molar ratio was regulated from 28.4:1 to 1.62:1. The appearance of the B4C structure in the Si–B–C–N quaternary ceramics through the regulation of the B/N ratio, has rarely been reported.
Microstructure and Properties of Ti-Zr-Mo Alloys Fabricated by Laser Directed Energy Deposition
Authors: Zhang Jingtao , Wang Cunshan , Shareef Nisha
Published: January 2023

The binary Ti-Zr congruent alloys have been a potential candidate for laser-directed energy deposition owing to an excellent combination of high structural stability and good formability. To solve its insufficient strength, a new series of Ti-Zr-Mo alloys with different Mo contents were designed based on a cluster model and then made by laser-directed energy deposition on a high-purity titanium substrate. The effect of Mo content on the microstructure and properties of the L-DEDed alloys was investigated. The consequences exhibit that the microstructure of all designed alloys is featured with near-equiaxed β grains without obvious texture. However, increasing Mo content induces a gradual refinement of the grain and a steady decrease in the lattice constant, which effectively improves the hardness, strength, wear and corrosion resistance of the designed alloys, but slightly weakens ductility and formability. From the viewpoint of both properties and forming quality, the Ti60.94Zr36.72Mo2.34 (at.%) alloy owns a proper match in mechanical, tribological, chemical, and forming properties, which is widely used in aeroengine components.
Fixed-Bed Column Adsorption Studies: Comparison of Alginate-Based Adsorbents for La(III) Ions Recovery
Authors: Fila Dominika , Kołodyńska Dorota
Published: January 2023

The paper investigated the adsorption of the packed-bed column with the alginate-based adsorbents (ALG-based adsorbents) such as alginate-biochar, alginate-clinoptilolite, alginate-lignin, and alginate-cellulose for La(III) ions’ removal. Fixed-bed adsorption studies with various alginate-based adsorbents were carried out and compared to the La(III) ions adsorption. The columns were filled with ALG-based adsorbent beads of approximately 1.1 ± 0.005 mm spherical shapes. The effects of the inlet concentrations on the breakthrough curves were studied in terms of the adsorption performance of the ALG-based adsorbents. The experimental data were correlated with the Adams-Bohart, Yoon-Nelson, Thomas, and Wolborska models to determine the best operational parameters. Based on the comparison of R2 values, the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models were found to be more suitable than the Adams–Bohart and Wolborska models. In the desorption study, the ALG-based adsorbents packed columns showed the maximum desorption of La(III) just after passing 100 cm3 of 1 mol/dm3 HCl. Overall, the results show that ALG-based adsorbents could be used for continuous recovery of La(III) ions from aqueous solutions and were not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly.