bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twelve Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training Alters Adipose Tissue Gene Expression but Not Oxylipin Levels in People with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Csader Susanne , Ismaiah Marsena Jasiel , Kuningas Tiina , Heinäniemi Merja , Suhonen Janne , Männistö Ville , Pentikäinen Heikki , Savonen Kai , Tauriainen Milla-Maria , Galano Jean-Marie , Lee Jetty Chung-Yung , Rintamäki Reeta , Karisola Piia , El-Nezami Hani , Schwab Ursula
Published: May 2023

Lifestyle modifications, including increased physical activity and exercise, are recommended for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Inflamed adipose tissue (AT) contributes to the progression and development of NAFLD and oxylipins such as hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETE), hydroxydocosahexanenoic acids (HDHA), prostaglandins (PEG2), and isoprostanoids (IsoP), which all may play a role in AT homeostasis and inflammation. To investigate the role of exercise without weight loss on AT and plasma oxylipin concentrations in NAFLD subjects, we conducted a 12-week randomized controlled exercise intervention. Plasma samples from 39 subjects and abdominal subcutaneous AT biopsy samples from 19 subjects were collected both at the beginning and the end of the exercise intervention. In the AT of women, a significant reduction of gene expression of hemoglobin subunits (HBB, HBA1, HBA2) was observed within the intervention group during the 12-week intervention. Their expression levels were negatively associated with VO2max and maxW. In addition, pathways involved in adipocyte morphology alterations significantly increased, whereas pathways in fat metabolism, branched-chain amino acids degradation, and oxidative phosphorylation were suppressed in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, in the intervention group, the ribosome pathway was activated, but lysosome, oxidative phosphorylation, and pathways of AT modification were suppressed (p < 0.05). Most of the oxylipins (HETE, HDHA, PEG2, and IsoP) in plasma did not change during the intervention compared to the control group. 15-F2t-IsoP significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (p = 0.014). However, this oxylipin could not be detected in all samples. Exercise intervention without weight loss may influence the AT morphology and fat metabolism at the gene expression level in female NAFLD subjects.
STAY-GREEN Accelerates Chlorophyll Degradation in Magnolia sinostellata under the Condition of Light Deficiency
Authors: Ren Mingjie , Ma Jingjing , Lu Danying , Wu Chao , Zhu Senyu , Chen Xiaojun , Wu Yufeng , Shen Yamei
Published: May 2023

Species of the Magnoliaceae family are valued for their ornamental qualities and are widely used in landscaping worldwide. However, many of these species are endangered in their natural environments, often due to being overshadowed by overstory canopies. The molecular mechanisms of Magnolia’s sensitivity to shade have remained hitherto obscure. Our study sheds light on this conundrum by identifying critical genes involved in governing the plant’s response to a light deficiency (LD) environment. In response to LD stress, Magnolia sinostellata leaves were endowed with a drastic dwindling in chlorophyll content, which was concomitant to the downregulation of the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway and upregulation in the chlorophyll degradation pathway. The STAY-GREEN (MsSGR) gene was one of the most up-regulated genes, which was specifically localized in chloroplasts, and its overexpression in Arabidopsis and tobacco accelerated chlorophyll degradation. Sequence analysis of the MsSGR promoter revealed that it contains multiple phytohormone-responsive and light-responsive cis-acting elements and was activated by LD stress. A yeast two-hybrid analysis resulted in the identification of 24 proteins that putatively interact with MsSGR, among which eight were chloroplast-localized proteins that were significantly responsive to LD. Our findings demonstrate that light deficiency increases the expression of MsSGR, which in turn regulates chlorophyll degradation and interacts with multiple proteins to form a molecular cascade. Overall, our work has uncovered the mechanism by which MsSGR mediates chlorophyll degradation under LD stress conditions, providing insight into the molecular interactions network of MsSGR and contributing to a theoretical framework for understanding the endangerment of wild Magnoliaceae species.
Multifunctional Zn(II) Coordination Polymer as Highly Selective Fluorescent Sensor and Adsorbent for Dyes
Authors: Muddassir Mohd. , Alarifi Abdullah , Abduh Naaser A. Y. , Saeed Waseem Sharaf , Karami Abdulnasser Mahmoud , Afzal Mohd.
Published: May 2023

A new Zn(II)-based coordination polymer (1) comprising the Schiff base ligand obtained by the condensation of 5-aminosalicylic acid and salicylaldehyde has been synthesized. This newly synthesized compound has been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods, and finally, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique in this study. The X-ray analysis reveals a distorted tetrahedral environment around the central Zn(II) center. This compound has been used as a sensitive and selective fluorescent sensor for acetone and Ag+ cations. The photoluminescence measurements indicate that in the presence of acetone, the emission intensity of 1 displays quenching at room temperature. However, other organic solvents caused meagre changes in the emission intensity of 1. Additionally, the fluorescence intensity of 1 has been examined in the presence of different ketones viz. cyclohexanone, 4-heptanone, and 5-nonanone, to assess the interaction between the C=O group of the ketones and the molecular framework of 1. Moreover, 1 displays a selective recognition of Ag+ in the aqueous medium by an enhancement in its fluorescence intensity, representing its high sensitivity for the detection of Ag+ ions in a water sample. Additionally, 1 displays the selective adsorption of cationic dyes (methylene blue and rhodamine B). Hence, 1 showcases its potential as an excellent luminescent probe to detect acetone, other ketones, and Ag+ with an exceptional selectivity, and displaying a selective adsorption of cationic dye molecules.
Advancements in Anti-Aging Treatment Development
Authors: Picca Anna , Marzetti Emanuele
Published: May 2023

Aging is a complex and multifactorial process resulting, at least partly, from the generation and accrual of damage in the setting of reduced resilience [...]
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Squalene in Copper Sulfate-Induced Inflammation in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Zhang Peng , Liu Naicheng , Xue Mingyang , Zhang Mengjie , Xiao Zidong , Xu Chen , Fan Yuding , Liu Wei , Qiu Junqiang , Zhang Qinghua , Zhou Yong
Published: May 2023

Long-term or excessive oxidative stress can cause serious damage to fish. Squalene can be added to feed as an antioxidant to improve the body constitution of fish. In this study, the antioxidant activity was detected by 2,2-diphenyl-1-acrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and fluorescent probe (dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate). Transgenic Tg (lyz: DsRed2) zebrafish were used to evaluate the effect of squalene on CuSO4-induced inflammatory response. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the expression of immune-related genes. The DPPH assay demonstrated that the highest free radical scavenging exerted by squalene was 32%. The fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) decreased significantly after 0.7% or 1% squalene treatment, and squalene could exert an antioxidative effect in vivo. The number of migratory neutrophils in vivo was significantly reduced after treatment with different doses of squalene. Moreover, compared with CuSO4 treatment alone, treatment with 1% squalene upregulated the expression of sod by 2.5-foldand gpx4b by 1.3-fold to protect zebrafish larvae against CuSO4-induced oxidative damage. Moreover, treatment with 1% squalene significantly downregulated the expression of tnfa and cox2. This study showed that squalene has potential as an aquafeed additive to provide both anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.
A Novel Porous Butyryl Chitin–Animal Derived Hydroxyapatite Composite Scaffold for Cranial Bone Defect Repair
Authors: Zhang Wei , Jiang Zhiwen , Chi Jinhua , Sun Huanchao , Li Hongjian , Liu Wanshun , Han Baoqin
Published: May 2023

Bone defects, a common orthopedic problem in clinical practice, are a serious threat to human health. As alternative materials to autologous bone grafts, synthetic cell-free functionalized scaffolds have been the focus of recent research in designing scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Butyryl chitin (BC) is a derivative of chitin (CT) with improved solubility. It has good biocompatibility, but few studies have investigated its use in bone repair. In this study, BC was successfully synthesized with a degree of substitution of 2.1. BC films were prepared using the cast film method and showed strong tensile strength (47.8 ± 4.54 N) and hydrophobicity (86.4 ± 2.46°), which was favorable for mineral deposition. An in vitro cytological assay confirmed the excellent cell attachment and cytocompatibility of the BC film; meanwhile, in vivo degradation indicated the good biocompatibility of BC. Hydroxyapatite (HA), extracted from bovine cancellous bone, had good cytocompatibility and osteogenic induction activity for the mouse osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1. With the aim of combining the advantages of BC and HA, a BC–HA composite scaffold, with a good pore structure and mechanical strength, was prepared by physical mixing. Administered into skull defects of rats, the scaffolds showed perfect bone-binding performance and effective structural support, and significantly promoted the regeneration of new bone. These results prove that the BC–HA porous scaffold is a successful bone tissue engineering scaffold and has strong potential to be further developed as a substitute for bone transplantation.
A Case–Control Study by ddPCR of ALU 260/111 and LINE-1 266/97 Copy Number Ratio in Circulating Cell-Free DNA in Plasma Revealed LINE-1 266/97 as a Potential Biomarker for Early Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Bortul Marina , Giudici Fabiola , Tierno Domenico , Generali Daniele , Scomersi Serena , Grassi Gabriele , Bottin Cristina , Cappelletti Maria Rosa , Zanconati Fabrizio , Scaggiante Bruna
Published: May 2023

Background: In Western countries, breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women. Early detection has a positive impact on survival, quality of life, and public health costs. Mammography screening programs have increased early detection rates, but new approaches to more personalized surveillance could further improve diagnosis. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in blood could provide a potential tool for early diagnosis by analyzing cfDNA quantity, circulating tumor DNA mutations, or cfDNA integrity (cfDI). Methods: Plasma was obtained from the blood of 106 breast cancer patients (cases) and 103 healthy women (controls). Digital droplet PCR was used for the determination of ALU 260/111 bp and LINE-1 266/97 bp copy number ratio and cfDI. cfDNA abundance was calculated using copies of the EEF1A2 gene. The accuracy of biomarker discrimination was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for age as a potential confounder. Results: Cases had significantly lower ALU 260/111 or LINE-1 266/97 copy number ratios (median; ALU 260/111 = 0.08, LINE-1 266/97 = 0.20), compared with control (median; ALU 260/111 = 0.10, LINE-1 266/97 = 0.28) (p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that copy number ratio discriminated cases from controls (area under the curve, AUC = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.62–0.76 for ALU and 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73–0.86 for LINE-1). ROC from cfDI confirmed the better diagnostic performance of LINE-1 compared with ALU. Conclusions: Analysis of LINE-1 266/97 copy number ratio or cfDI by ddPCR appears to be a useful noninvasive test that could aid in early BC detection. Further studies in a large cohort are needed to validate the biomarker.
Genome-Wide Identification and Evolution Analysis of the CYP76 Subfamily in Rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Zhou Mingao , Jiang Yifei , Liu Xuhui , Kong Weilong , Zhang Chenhao , Yang Jian , Ke Simin , Li Yangsheng
Published: May 2023

The CYP76 subfamily, a member of the CYP superfamily, plays crucial roles in the biosynthesis of phytohormones in plants, involving biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, hormone signaling, and response to environmental stresses. Here, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the CYP76 subfamily in seven AA genome species: Oryza sativa ssp. japonica, Oryza sativa ssp. indica, Oryza rufipogon, Oryza glaberrima, Oryza meridionalis, Oryza barthii, and Oryza glumaepatula. These were identified and classified into three groups, and it was found that Group 1 contained the largest number of members. Analysis of cis-acting elements revealed a large number of elements related to jasmonic acid and light response. The gene duplication analysis revealed that the CYP76 subfamily expanded mainly in SD/WGD and tandem forms and underwent strong purifying selection during evolution. Expression pattern analysis of OsCYP76s in various developmental stages revealed that the majority of OsCYP76s exhibit relatively restricted expression patterns in leaves and roots. We further analyzed the expression of CYP76s in O. sativa, japonica, and O. sativa, indica under cold, flooding, drought, and salt abiotic stresses by qRT-PCR. We found that OsCYP76-11 showed a huge increase in relative expression after drought and salt stresses. After flooding stress, OsiCYP76-4 showed a greater increase in expression compared to other genes. CYP76 in japonica and indica showed different response patterns to the same abiotic stresses, revealing functional divergence in the gene family during evolution; these may be the key genes responsible for the differences in tolerance to indica japonica. Our results provide valuable insights into the functional diversity and evolutionary history of the CYP76 subfamily and pave the way for the development of new strategies for improving stress tolerance and agronomic traits in rice.
Bacillus velezensis RC116 Inhibits the Pathogens of Bacterial Wilt and Fusarium Wilt in Tomato with Multiple Biocontrol Traits
Authors: Dong Honghong , Gao Ruixiang , Dong Yijie , Yao Qing , Zhu Honghui
Published: May 2023

Soil-borne plant diseases seriously threaten the tomato industry worldwide. Currently, eco-friendly biocontrol strategies have been increasingly considered as effective approaches to control the incidence of disease. In this study, we identified bacteria that could be used as biocontrol agents to mitigate the growth and spread of the pathogens causing economically significant diseases of tomato plants, such as tomato bacterial wilt and tomato Fusarium wilt. Specifically, we isolated a strain of Bacillus velezensis (RC116) from tomato rhizosphere soil in Guangdong Province, China, with high biocontrol potential and confirmed its identity using both morphological and molecular approaches. RC116 not only produced protease, amylase, lipase, and siderophores but also secreted indoleacetic acid, and dissolved organophosphorus in vivo. Moreover, 12 Bacillus biocontrol maker genes associated with antibiotics biosynthesis could be amplified in the RC116 genome. Extracellular secreted proteins of RC116 also exhibited strong lytic activity against Ralstonia solanacearum and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici. Pot experiments showed that the biocontrol efficacy of RC116 against tomato bacteria wilt was 81%, and consequently, RC116 significantly promoted the growth of tomato plantlets. Based on these multiple biocontrol traits, RC116 is expected to be developed into a broad-spectrum biocontrol agent. Although several previous studies have examined the utility of B. velezensis for the control of fungal diseases, few studies to date have evaluated the utility of B. velezensis for the control of bacterial diseases. Our study fills this research gap. Collectively, our findings provide new insights that will aid the control of soil-borne diseases, as well as future studies of B. velezensis strains.
Neuroprotection of Andrographolide against Neurotoxin MPP+-Induced Apoptosis in SH-SY5Y Cells via Activating Mitophagy, Autophagy, and Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Prasertsuksri Prachayaporn , Kraokaew Pichnaree , Pranweerapaiboon Kanta , Sobhon Prasert , Chaithirayanon Kulathida
Published: May 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with dopaminergic neuron loss and alpha-synuclein aggregation caused by ROS overproduction, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy impairment. Recently, andrographolide (Andro) has been extensively studied for various pharmacological properties, such as anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherosclerosis. However, its potential neuroprotective effects on neurotoxin MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells, a cellular PD model, remain uninvestigated. In this study, we hypothesized that Andro has neuroprotective effects against MPP+-induced apoptosis, which may be mediated through the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria by mitophagy and ROS by antioxidant activities. Herein, Andro pretreatment could attenuate MPP+-induced neuronal cell death that was reflected by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) depolarization, alpha-synuclein, and pro-apoptotic proteins expressions. Concomitantly, Andro attenuated MPP+-induced oxidative stress through mitophagy, as indicated by increasing colocalization of MitoTracker Red with LC3, upregulations of the PINK1–Parkin pathway, and autophagy-related proteins. On the contrary, Andro-activated autophagy was compromised when pretreated with 3-MA. Furthermore, Andro activated the Nrf2/KEAP1 pathway, leading to increasing genes encoding antioxidant enzymes and activities. This study elucidated that Andro exhibited significant neuroprotective effects against MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cell death in vitro by enhancing mitophagy and clearance of alpha-synuclein through autophagy, as well as increasing antioxidant capacity. Our results provide evidence that Andro could be considered a potential supplement for PD prevention.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Photoluminescent Properties of Red-Emitting CaAl4O7:Cr3+ Nanocrystalline Phosphor
Authors: Vasylechko Leonid , Stadnik Vitalii , Hreb Vasyl , Zhydachevskyy Yaroslav , Luchechko Andriy , Mykhaylyk Vitaliy , Kraus Hans , Suchocki Andrzej
Published: May 2023

Calcium dialuminate, CaAl4O7, nanopowders with a grossite-type structure, doped with chromium ions, were synthesized via the combined sol–gel solution combustion method. The evolution of phase composition, crystal structure, and microstructural parameters of the nanocrystalline materials depending on the temperature of the thermal treatment was investigated via X-ray powder diffraction and applying the Rietveld refinement technique. The photoluminescent properties of CaAl4O7 nanophosphors activated with Cr3+ ions were studied over the temperature range of 4.5–325 K. The samples show deep red and near-infrared luminescence due to the 2E → 4A2 and 4T2 → 4A2 energy level transitions of Cr3+ ions under excitation in the two broad emission bands in the visible spectral region. The R lines emission reveals a strong temperature dependence. The feasibility of the material for non-contact luminescence sensing is investigated, and good sensitivity is obtained based on the (R2/R1) luminescence intensity ratio and the lifetime of the emission.
Machine Learning Modeling of Aedes albopictus Habitat Suitability in the 21st Century
Authors: Georgiades Pantelis , Proestos Yiannis , Lelieveld Jos , Erguler Kamil
Published: May 2023

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is an important vector of arboviruses that cause diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and zika. The vector is highly invasive and adapted to survive in temperate northern territories outside its native tropical and sub-tropical range. Climate and socio-economic change are expected to facilitate its range expansion and exacerbate the global vector-borne disease burden. To project shifts in the global habitat suitability of the vector, we developed an ensemble machine learning model, incorporating a combination of a Random Forest and XGBoost binary classifiers, trained with a global collection of vector surveillance data and an extensive set of climate and environmental constraints. We demonstrate the reliable performance and wide applicability of the ensemble model in comparison to the known global presence of the vector, and project that suitable habitats will expand globally, most significantly in the northern hemisphere, putting at least an additional billion people at risk of vector-borne diseases by the middle of the 21st century. We project several highly populated areas of the world will be suitable for Ae. albopictus populations, such as the northern parts of the USA, Europe, and India by the end of the century, which highlights the need for coordinated preventive surveillance efforts of potential entry points by local authorities and stakeholders.
Development of a 3D Printed New Metering Mechanism for a Multi-Crop Seed Broadcasting System Using an Autonomous Small-Scale Vehicle
Authors: Minn Arkar , Abeyrathna R. M. Rasika D. , Nakaguchi Victor Massaki , Ahamed Tofael
Published: May 2023

Developing countries in Asia widely use manual seed broadcasting methods due to a lack of appropriate seeding machinery. The agricultural sector is currently facing labor shortages and high labor costs, especially seasonal labor shortages for broadcasting and transplanting operations. However, the primary constraint in adopting existing broadcasting seeders for small-scale farmers in developing countries is the high initial purchase costs. Therefore, developing locally commercial accessible technology for small-scale farmers is an urgent requirement. In this regard, attempt was taken to develop a new low-cost 3D printed seeder that can be used for multi-crop seed broadcasting operations when integrated with an autonomous terrain vehicle. A new seed metering mechanism was proposed for seed broadcasting that can be controlled electronically from the autonomous terrain vehicle. Positional sensors based on the real time kinematics—global navigation satellite system (RTK-GNSS) were used to record positional information. The best observation was noted at a vehicle operational speed of 0.351 ms−1 and had a coefficient of variation (CV) referring to the distribution uniformity of seeds of 19% for green peas, 22% for cowpeas, and 25% for chickpeas. The developed seeder could spread multi-crop seeds and adjust the seed rates electronically at the different ranges of rotational speeds. Therefore, the use of 3D printed fabricated prototype seed broadcasting units with small-scale autonomous vehicles can be implemented to help in labor supplements and perform the broadcasting of different seeds.
Optimization Study of CO2 Gas Absorption with NaOH Absorbent Continuous System in Raschig Ring Packing Column Using Box–Behnken Design
Authors: Jakfar  , Husin Husni , Zaki Muhammad , Mairiza Lia , Zulrika Mirna , Nasution Fahrizal , Ahmadi
Published: May 2023

Increasing CO2 gas emissions results in climate change by increasing air temperature and worsening environmental problems. It is necessary to control CO2 gas in the air to overcome this. This research aims to optimize the absorption of CO2 gas in the air with 0.1 M NaOH absorbent in the column of the Raschig ring stuffing material using the response surface methodology (RSM). This research was conducted using a continuous system of three independent variables by varying the contact time (10–80 min), the flow rate of NaOH absorbent (2–5 L/min), and the flow rate of CO2 gas (1–5 L/min). The response variables in this study were the absorption rate (L/min) and mass transfer coefficient, while the air flow rate was constant at 20 L/min. Air and CO2 gas mix before absorption occurs and flow into the Raschig ring packing column so that contact occurs with the NaOH absorbent. Mass transfer of CO2 gas occurs into the NaOH absorbent, resulting in absorption. The results showed that the effect of contact time (min), the flow rate of NaOH absorbent (L/min), and CO2 gas flow rate individually and the interaction on CO2 absorption rate and mass transfer coefficient were very significant at a p-value of 0.05. Chemical absorption of CO2 also occurred due to the reaction between CO2 and OH- to form CO32− and HCO3−, so the pH decreased, and the reaction was a function of pH. Optimization using Design Expert 13 RSM Box–Behnken Design (BBD) yielded optimal conditions at an absorption time of 80 min, NaOH absorbent flow rate of 5 L/min, CO2 gas flow rate of 5 L/min, absorption rate of CO2 gas of 3.97 L/min, and CO2 gas mass transfer coefficient of 1.443 mol/min m2 atm, with the desirability of 0.999 (≈100%).
Developmental Aspects of Cardiac Adaptation to Increased Workload
Authors: Ostadal Bohuslav , Kolar Frantisek , Ostadalova Ivana , Sedmera David , Olejnickova Veronika , Hlavackova Marketa , Alanova Petra
Published: May 2023

The heart is capable of extensive adaptive growth in response to the demands of the body. When the heart is confronted with an increased workload over a prolonged period, it tends to cope with the situation by increasing its muscle mass. The adaptive growth response of the cardiac muscle changes significantly during phylogenetic and ontogenetic development. Cold-blooded animals maintain the ability for cardiomyocyte proliferation even in adults. On the other hand, the extent of proliferation during ontogenetic development in warm-blooded species shows significant temporal limitations: whereas fetal and neonatal cardiac myocytes express proliferative potential (hyperplasia), after birth proliferation declines and the heart grows almost exclusively by hypertrophy. It is, therefore, understandable that the regulation of the cardiac growth response to the increased workload also differs significantly during development. The pressure overload (aortic constriction) induced in animals before the switch from hyperplastic to hypertrophic growth leads to a specific type of left ventricular hypertrophy which, in contrast with the same stimulus applied in adulthood, is characterized by hyperplasia of cardiomyocytes, capillary angiogenesis and biogenesis of collagenous structures, proportional to the growth of myocytes. These studies suggest that timing may be of crucial importance in neonatal cardiac interventions in humans: early definitive repairs of selected congenital heart disease may be more beneficial for the long-term results of surgical treatment.
Minimal-Access Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Closure
Authors: Hardman Gillian , Zacharias Joseph
Published: May 2023

Progress towards the development and adoption of minimally invasive techniques in cardiac surgery has been slower than that seen in other surgical specialties. Congenital heart disease (CHD) patients represent an important population within cardiac disease, of which atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common diagnoses. Management of ASD encompasses a range of minimal-access and minimally invasive approaches, including transcatheter device closure, mini-sternotomy, thoracotomy, video-assisted, endoscopic, and robotic approaches. In this article, we will discuss the pathophysiology of ASD, along with diagnosis, management, and indications for intervention. We will review the current evidence supporting minimally invasive and minimal-access surgical ASD closure in the adult and paediatric patient, highlighting peri-operative considerations and areas for further research.
Use of Prognostication Instruments in Prognostication Procedures of Postanoxic Coma Patients over Time: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Daun Charlotte , Ebert Anne , Sandikci Vesile , Britsch Simone , Szabo Kristina , Alonso Angelika
Published: May 2023

Background: Many survivors of cardiovascular arrest remain in a postanoxic coma. The neurologist’s task is to provide the most accurate assessment of the patient’s neurologic prognosis through a multimodal approach of clinical and technical tests. The aim of this study is to analyze differences and developments in the concept of neurological prognosis assessment and in-hospital outcome of patients over a five year-period. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 227 patients with postanoxic coma treated in the medical intensive care unit of the University Hospital, Mannheim from January 2016 to May 2021. We retrospectively analyzed patient characteristics, post-cardiac arrest care, and the use of clinical and technical tests for neurological prognosis assessment and patient outcome. Results: Over the observation period, 215 patients received a completed neurological prognosis assessment. Regarding the multimodal prognostic assessment, patients with poor prognosis (54%) received significantly fewer diagnostic modalities than patients with very likely poor (20.5%), indeterminate (24.2%), or good prognosis (1.4%; p = 0.001). The update of the DGN guidelines in 2017 had no effect on the number of performed prognostic parameters per patient. The finding of bilaterally absent pupillary light reflexes or severe anoxic injury on CT contributed most to a poor prognosis category (OR 8.38, 95%CI 4.01–7.51 and 12.93, 95%CI 5.55–30.13, respectively), whereas a malignant EEG pattern and NSE > 90 µg/L at 72 h resulted in the lowest OR (5.11, 95%CI 2.32–11.25, and 5.89, 95%CI 3.14–11.06, respectively) for a poor prognosis category. Assessment of baseline NSE significantly increased over the years (OR 1.76, 95%CI 1.4–2.22, p < 0.001), and assessment of follow-up NSE at 72 h trended to increase (OR 1.19, 95%CI 0.99–1.43, p = 0.06). In-hospital mortality was high (82.8%), remained unchanged over the observation period, and corresponded to the number of patients in whom life-sustaining measures were discontinued. Conclusions: Among comatose survivors of cardiac arrest, the prognosis remains poor. Prognostication of a poor outcome led nearly exclusively to withdrawal of care. Prognostic modalities varied considerably with regard to their contribution to a poor prognosis category. Increasing enforcement of a standardized prognosis assessment and standardized evaluation of diagnostic modalities are needed to avoid false–positive prognostication of poor outcomes.
Sarcopenia Is a Prognostic Factor in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
Authors: Ono Shingo , Furuhashi Hiroto , Kisaki Shunsuke , Horiuchi Hideka , Matsui Hiroaki , Dobashi Akira , Ojiri Hiroya , Sumiyama Kazuki
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a widely used long-term enteral nutrition method, but little is known about the associated prognostic factors in patients with PEG. Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by a loss of skeletal muscle mass, increases the risk of developing various gastrointestinal disorders. Yet, the relationship between sarcopenia and the prognosis after PEG remains unclear. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent PEG consecutively from March 2008 to April 2020. We analyzed preoperative sarcopenia and the prognosis of patients after PEG. We defined sarcopenia as a skeletal muscle index at the level of the third lumbar vertebra of ≤29.6 cm2/m2 for women and ≤36.2 cm2/m2 for men. Cross-sectional computed tomography images of skeletal muscle at the level of the third lumbar vertebra were evaluated using DICOM image analysis software (OsiriX). The primary outcome was the difference in overall survival after PEG based on the status of sarcopenia. We also performed a covariate balancing propensity score matching analysis. (3) Results: Of 127 patients (99 men, 28 women), 71 (56%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia, and 64 patients died during the observation period. The median follow-up period did not differ between patients with and without sarcopenia (p = 0.5). The median survival time after PEG was 273 days in patients with sarcopenia and 1133 days in those without (p < 0.001). Cox proportional hazard model analyses identified three factors that were significantly associated with overall survival: sarcopenia (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6–5.4, p < 0.001), serum albumin level (adjusted HR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.21–0.55, p < 0.001) and male sex (adjusted HR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1–3.7, p = 0.03). Propensity score-matched analysis (n = 37 vs. 37) showed that the survival rate was lower in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group (at 90 days: 77% (95% CI, 59–88) vs. 92% (76–97), at 180 days: 56% (38–71) vs. 92% (76–97), and at one year: 35% (19–51) vs. 81% (63–91), p = 0.0014). (4) Conclusions: Sarcopenia was associated with poor prognosis in patients having undergone PEG.
Pathobiology of Type 2 Inflammation in Asthma and Nasal Polyposis
Authors: Pelaia Corrado , Pelaia Giulia , Maglio Angelantonio , Tinello Caterina , Gallelli Luca , Lombardo Nicola , Terracciano Rosa , Vatrella Alessandro
Published: May 2023

Asthma and nasal polyposis often coexist and are frequently intertwined by tight pathogenic links, mainly consisting of the cellular and molecular pathways underpinning type 2 airway inflammation. The latter is characterized by a structural and functional impairment of the epithelial barrier, associated with the eosinophilic infiltration of both the lower and upper airways, which can be driven by either allergic or non-allergic mechanisms. Type 2 inflammatory changes are predominantly due to the biological actions exerted by interleukins 4 (IL-4), 13 (IL-13), and 5 (IL-5), produced by T helper 2 (Th2) lymphocytes and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). In addition to the above cytokines, other proinflammatory mediators involved in the pathobiology of asthma and nasal polyposis include prostaglandin D2 and cysteinyl leukotrienes. Within this context of ‘united airway diseases’, nasal polyposis encompasses several nosological entities such as chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). Because of the common pathogenic origins of asthma and nasal polyposis, it is not surprising that the more severe forms of both these disorders can be successfully treated by the same biologic drugs, targeting many molecular components (IgE, IL-5 and its receptor, IL-4/IL-13 receptors) of the type 2 inflammatory trait.
Nephroprotective Properties of Antidiabetic Drugs
Authors: Gerdes Christian , Müller Nicolle , Wolf Gunter , Busch Martin
Published: May 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially from cardiovascular (CV) causes, and especially in people with diabetes mellitus (DM). Already the presence of DM increases CV risk and potentiates the risk of CKD. Therefore, besides glycemic control, prevention and treatment of CKD to slow its progression are of clinical importance. A significant nephroprotective effect of novel antidiabetic drugs, namely sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-I) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA), has been shown on top of their glucose-lowering effects and was confirmed in cardiovascular outcome trials. GLP1-RA mainly reduced the risk of macroalbuminuria, whereas SGLT2-I were also associated with a lower risk of declining glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over time. The nephroprotective effects of SGLT2-I are also evident in people without DM. According to current guidelines, SGLT2-I and/or GLP1-RA are recommended for people with DM who have chronic kidney disease and/or increased cardiovascular risk. However, other antidiabetic drugs offer nephroprotective properties, which will also be discussed in this review.
Factors Associated with the Efficiency of Home Non-Invasive Ventilation in Patients with Obesity-Hypoventilation Syndrome in Martinique
Authors: Agossou Moustapha , Barzu Ramona , Awanou Bérénice , Bellegarde-Joachim Joelle , Arnal Jean-Michel , Dramé Moustapha
Published: May 2023

Obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a respiratory complication of obesity characterized by chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure. It is often associated with several comorbidities and is treated by positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. This study aimed to identify factors associated with persistent hypercapnia in patients receiving home non-invasive ventilation (NIV). We performed a retrospective study including patients with documented OHS. In total, 143 patients were included (79.7% women, age 67 ± 15.5 years, body mass index 41.6 ± 8.3 kg/m2). After 4.6 ± 4.0 years of follow-up, 72 patients (50.3%) remained hypercapnic. In bivariable analysis, clinical data showed no difference in follow-up duration, number of comorbidities, comorbidities, or circumstance of discovery. Patients with persistent hypercapnia on NIV were generally older, with lower BMI and more comorbidities. (5.5 ± 1.8 versus 4.4 ± 2.1, p = 0.001), female sex (87.5% versus 71.8%), was treated by NIV (100% versus 90.1%, p < 0.01), had lower FVC (56.7 ± 17.2 versus 63.6 ± 18% of theoretical value, p = 0.04), lower TLC (69.1 ± 15.3 versus 74.5 ± 14.6% of theoretical value, p = 0.07), lower RV (88.4 ± 27.1 versus 102.5 ± 29.4% of theoretical value, p = 0.02), higher pCO2 at diagnosis (59.7 ± 11.7 versus 54.6 ± 10.1 mmHg, p = 0.01) and lower pH (7.38 ± 0.03 versus 7.40 ± 0.04, p = 0.007), higher pressure support (12.6 ± 2.6 versus 11.5 ± 2.4 cmH2O, p = 0.04) and lower EPAP (8.2 ± 1.9 versus 9 ± 2.0 cmH2O, p = 0.06). There was no difference in non-intentional leaks and daily use between patients between both groups. By multivariable analysis, sex, BMI, pCO2 at diagnosis, and TLC were independent risk factors for persistent hypercapnia on home NIV. In individuals with OHS, persistent hypercapnia on home NIV therapy is frequent. Sex, BMI, pCO2 at diagnosis, and TLC were all associated with an increased risk of persistent hypercapnia in persons treated with home NIV.
Effects of Gamma Irradiation on Optical Properties of Poly(ethylene oxide) Thin Films Doped with Potassium Iodide
Authors: Qwasmeh Ahmed Ali Husein , Abu Saleh Batool A. , Al-Tweissi Mohammed , Tarawneh Mou’ad A. , Elimat Ziad M. , Alzubi Ruba I. , Juwhari Hassan K.
Published: May 2023

In this study, the effect of gamma irradiation on the optical properties of thin films of polymer electrolytes was investigated. The thin films were composed of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) doped with different concentrations of potassium iodide (KI) salt. The optical absorption spectrum of each film was measured using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer over a range of 300 to 800 nm. The PEO thin-film samples were subjected to gamma irradiation at two different doses of 100 and 200 Gy generated by a Co-60 source. It was found that the optical properties of the thin films were significantly influenced by the KI dopant concentration and gamma irradiation. Increasing both the KI concentration and the gamma irradiation dose resulted in a reduction in the energy gap and an increase in the absorption coefficient, extinction coefficient, refractive index, and dielectric constant of the PEO electrolyte. These findings have potential applications in the optimization of polymers for use in optical devices and energy storage systems.
Modification of a Constitutive Model for Gassy Clay
Authors: An Tao , Wang Dong , Yang Xiurong
Published: May 2023

Gassy clays containing large, discrete gas bubbles are widely spread in deposits in shallow waters. The existence of gas bubbles may impair the original soil structure, resulting in the instability of offshore foundations and the occurrence of submarine landslides. Although gassy clay was found to exhibit different undrained shear behaviors with variations of the initial pore water pressures and initial gas volume fractions, more experimental studies and theoretical interpretations of the relationship between the effective confining pressure and undrained responses are required. A series of undrained triaxial compression tests is conducted to compare the responses of reconstituted gassy and saturated specimens at an effective confining pressure of 200, 400, or 600 kPa. An existing elastoplastic constitutive model based on the critical state is improved by updating its stress-dilatancy function and yield surface. The dilatancy equation proposed has the potential to quantify the effect of gas bubbles on the dilatancy of the soil matrix. The yield surfaces are reproduced reasonably well by optimizing the expressions of shape parameters under a variety of effective confining pressures. The model developed can describe the stress-dilatancy and stress-strain responses of both the gassy and saturated specimens.
Biosynthetic Potential of Hypogymnia Holobionts: Insights into Secondary Metabolite Pathways
Authors: Ahmad Nadim , Ritz Manfred , Calchera Anjuli , Otte Jürgen , Schmitt Imke , Brueck Thomas , Mehlmer Norbert
Published: May 2023

Lichens are symbiotic associations consisting of a photobiont (algae or cyanobacteria) and a mycobiont (fungus). They are known to produce a variety of unique secondary metabolites. To access this biosynthetic potential for biotechnological applications, deeper insights into the biosynthetic pathways and corresponding gene clusters are necessary. Here we provide a comprehensive view of the biosynthetic gene clusters of all organisms comprising a lichen thallus: fungi, green algae, and bacteria. We present two high-quality PacBio metagenomes, in which we identified a total of 460 biosynthetic gene clusters. Lichen mycobionts yielded 73–114 clusters, other lichen associated ascomycetes 8–40, green algae of the genus Trebouxia 14–19, and lichen-associated bacteria 101–105 clusters. The mycobionts contained mainly T1PKSs, followed by NRPSs, and terpenes; Trebouxia reads harbored mainly clusters linked to terpenes, followed by NRPSs and T3PKSs. Other lichen-associated ascomycetes and bacteria contained a mix of diverse biosynthetic gene clusters. In this study, we identified for the first time the biosynthetic gene clusters of entire lichen holobionts. The yet untapped biosynthetic potential of two species of the genus Hypogymnia is made accessible for further research.
GINA Implementation Improves Asthma Symptoms Control and Lung Function: A Five-Year Real-World Follow-Up Study
Authors: Tho Nguyen Van , Quan Vu Tran Thien , Dung Do Van , Phu Nguyen Hoang , Dinh-Xuan Anh Tuan , Lan Le Thi Tuyet
Published: May 2023

Symptoms control remains challenging for most patients with asthma. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of asthma symptoms control and lung function over 5 years of GINA (Global INitiative for Asthma) implementation. We included all patients with asthma who had been managed following GINA recommendations at the Asthma and COPD Outpatient Care Unit (ACOCU) of the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from October 2006 to October 2016. Of 1388 patients with asthma managed following GINA recommendations, the proportion of patients with well-controlled asthma significantly improved from 2.6% at baseline to 66.8% at month 3, 64.8% at year 1, 59.6% at year 2, 58.6% at year 3, 57.7% at year 4, and 59.5% at year 5 (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). The proportion of patients with persistent airflow limitation significantly decreased from 26.7% at baseline to 12.6% at year 1 (p < 0.0001), 14.4% at year 2 (p < 0.0001), 15.9% at year 3 (p = 0.0006), 12.7% at year 4 (p = 0.0047), and 12.2% at year 5 (p = 0.0011). In patients with asthma managed according to GINA recommendations, asthma symptoms control and lung function improved after 3 months and the improvement was sustained over 5 years.
Modeling Risk for CVaR-Based Decisions in Risk Aggregation
Authors: Zinchenko Yuriy , Asimit Alexandru V.
Published: May 2023

Measuring the risk aggregation is an important exercise for any risk bearing carrier. It is not restricted to evaluation of the known portfolio risk position only, and could include complying with regulatory requirements, diversification, etc. The main difficulty of risk aggregation is creating an underlying robust probabilistic model. It is an irrefutable fact that the uncertainty in the individual risks is much lower in its complexity, as compared to modeling the dependence amongst the risks. As a result, it is often reasonable to assume that individual risks are modeled in a robust fashion, while the exact dependence remains unknown, yet some of its traits may be made available due to empirical evidence or “good practice”. Our main contribution is to propose a numerical procedure that enables the identification of the worst possible dependence scenario, when the risk preferences are modeled by the conditional value-at-risk in the presence of dependence uncertainty. For portfolios with two risks, it is known that CVaR ordering coincides with the lower-orthant stochastic ordering of the underlying bivariate distributions. As a by-product of our analysis, we show that no such extensions are possible to higher dimensions.
Are Floods Becoming a More Expensive Hazard? A Damages Review of the Southeastern Spanish Coast (1996–2016)
Authors: López-Martínez Francisco
Published: May 2023

Over the last few decades, an increasing economic and social flooding damages trend has been recorded worldwide. Although this situation was initially associated with climate change, recently different institutions and scientific papers have related this trend to two main reasons: (i) a human population increase and (ii) the number of assets located in floodable areas. In this regard, this paper analyses evolutions in flood damages and their causes in a Mediterranean area, the provinces of Alicante and Murcia, between 1996 and 2016. The duration of this period, from a flood risk management policy point of view, is very important because it encompasses one of the most important legislative periods at a national and European level. As a main result, this paper establishes a temporal and spatial pattern related to increases in flood damages and their main influence on coastal areas, respectively, due to certain economic, spatial and temporal factors. As a conclusion, these trends demonstrate the inefficiency of flood risk management policies, especially those connected with spatial planning.
Assessment of the Impacts of Urbanization on Landslide Susceptibility in Hakha City, a Mountainous Region of Western Myanmar
Authors: Thein Kyaw , Nagai Masahiko , Nakamura Tai , Phienwej Noppadol , Pal Indrajit
Published: May 2023

In July 2015, more than 100 landslides caused by Cyclone Komen resulted in damage to approximately 1000 buildings in the mountainous region of Hakha City, Myanmar. This study aimed to identify potential landslide susceptibility for newly developed resettlement areas in Hakha City before and after urbanization. The study evaluated landslide susceptibility through statistical modeling and compared the level of susceptibility before and after urbanization in the region. The information value model was used to predict landslide susceptibility before and after urbanization, using 10 parameter maps as independent variables and 1 landslide inventory map as the dependent variable. Four landslide types were identified in the study area: shallow earth slide, deep slide, earth slump, and debris flow. Susceptibility analyses were conducted separately for each type to better recognize the different aspects of landslide susceptibility in planned urban areas. By comparing the results of the susceptibility index before and after urbanization, suitable urban areas with lower landslide susceptibility could be identified. The results showed that high-potential landslide susceptibility increased by 10%, 16%, and 5% after urbanization compared with before urbanization in three Town Plans, respectively. Therefore, Town Plan 3 is selected as the most suitable location for the resettlement area in terms of low risk of landslides.