bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seeing the Future: A Review of Ocular Therapy
Authors: Whalen Maiya , Akula Monica , McNamee Shannon M. , DeAngelis Margaret M. , Haider Neena B.
Published: February 2024

Ocular diseases present a unique challenge and opportunity for therapeutic development. The eye has distinct advantages as a therapy target given its accessibility, compartmentalization, immune privilege, and size. Various methodologies for therapeutic delivery in ocular diseases are under investigation that impact long-term efficacy, toxicity, invasiveness, and delivery range. While gene, cell, and antibody therapy and nanoparticle delivery directly treat regions that have been damaged by disease, they can be limited in the duration of the therapeutic delivery and have a focal effect. In contrast, contact lenses and ocular implants can more effectively achieve sustained and widespread delivery of therapies; however, they can increase dilution of therapeutics, which may result in reduced effectiveness. Current therapies either offer a sustained release or a broad therapeutic effect, and future directions should aim toward achieving both. This review discusses current ocular therapy delivery systems and their applications, mechanisms for delivering therapeutic products to ocular tissues, advantages and challenges associated with each delivery system, current approved therapies, and clinical trials. Future directions for the improvement in existing ocular therapies include combination therapies, such as combined cell and gene therapies, as well as AI-driven devices, such as cortical implants that directly transmit visual information to the cortex.
Bone-Regeneration Therapy Using Biodegradable Scaffolds: Calcium Phosphate Bioceramics and Biodegradable Polymers
Authors: Aoki Kaoru , Ideta Hirokazu , Komatsu Yukiko , Tanaka Atsushi , Kito Munehisa , Okamoto Masanori , Takahashi Jun , Suzuki Shuichiro , Saito Naoto
Published: February 2024

Calcium phosphate-based synthetic bone is broadly used for the clinical treatment of bone defects caused by trauma and bone tumors. Synthetic bone is easy to use; however, its effects depend on the size and location of the bone defect. Many alternative treatment options are available, such as joint arthroplasty, autologous bone grafting, and allogeneic bone grafting. Although various biodegradable polymers are also being developed as synthetic bone material in scaffolds for regenerative medicine, the clinical application of commercial synthetic bone products with comparable performance to that of calcium phosphate bioceramics have yet to be realized. This review discusses the status quo of bone-regeneration therapy using artificial bone composed of calcium phosphate bioceramics such as β-tricalcium phosphate (βTCP), carbonate apatite, and hydroxyapatite (HA), in addition to the recent use of calcium phosphate bioceramics, biodegradable polymers, and their composites. New research has introduced potential materials such as octacalcium phosphate (OCP), biologically derived polymers, and synthetic biodegradable polymers. The performance of artificial bone is intricately related to conditions such as the intrinsic material, degradability, composite materials, manufacturing method, structure, and signaling molecules such as growth factors and cells. The development of new scaffold materials may offer more efficient bone regeneration.
Polyphenols: Role in Modulating Immune Function and Obesity
Authors: Mamun Md Abdullah Al , Rakib Ahmed , Mandal Mousumi , Kumar Santosh , Singla Bhupesh , Singh Udai P.
Published: February 2024

Polyphenols, long-used components of medicinal plants, have drawn great interest in recent years as potential therapeutic agents because of their safety, efficacy, and wide range of biological effects. Approximately 75% of the world’s population still use plant-based medicinal compounds, indicating the ongoing significance of phytochemicals for human health. This study emphasizes the growing body of research investigating the anti-adipogenic and anti-obesity functions of polyphenols. The functions of polyphenols, including phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, and phenolic acids, are distinct due to changes in chemical diversity and structural characteristics. This review methodically investigates the mechanisms by which naturally occurring polyphenols mediate obesity and metabolic function in immunomodulation. To this end, hormonal control of hunger has the potential to inhibit pro-obesity enzymes such as pancreatic lipase, the promotion of energy expenditure, and the modulation of adipocytokine production. Specifically, polyphenols affect insulin, a hormone that is essential for regulating blood sugar, and they also play a role, in part, in a complex web of factors that affect the progression of obesity. This review also explores the immunomodulatory properties of polyphenols, providing insight into their ability to improve immune function and the effects of polyphenols on gut health, improving the number of commensal bacteria, cytokine production suppression, and immune cell mediation, including natural killer cells and macrophages. Taken together, continuous studies are required to understand the prudent and precise mechanisms underlying polyphenols’ therapeutic potential in obesity and immunomodulation. In the interim, this review emphasizes a holistic approach to health and promotes the consumption of a wide range of foods and drinks high in polyphenols. This review lays the groundwork for future developments, indicating that the components of polyphenols and their derivatives may provide the answer to urgent worldwide health issues. This compilation of the body of knowledge paves the way for future discoveries in the global treatment of pressing health concerns in obesity and metabolic diseases.
The Impacts of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration of the Spine, Alcohol Consumption, Smoking Tobacco Products, and Glycemic Disorders on the Expression Profiles of Neurotrophins-3 and -4
Authors: Staszkiewicz Rafał , Gładysz Dorian , Sobański Dawid , Bolechała Filip , Golec Edward , Dammermann Werner , Grabarek Beniamin Oskar
Published: February 2024

In the etiology of discogenic pain, attention is paid to the role of neurotrophic factors, which include classic neurotrophins (NTs). This study aimed to assess changes in the concentrations of NT-3 and NT-4 in the intervertebral discs (IVDs) of the lumbosacral (L/S) spine depending on the advancement of degenerative changes, pain severity, habits, and comorbidities. The study group included 113 patients who underwent microdiscectomy due to degenerative IVD disease of the L/S spine. The severity of degenerative IVD changes was assessed using the five-point Pfirrmann scale, and the pain intensity was assessed according to the visual analog scale (VAS). In turn, the control group included 81 participants from whom IVDs of the L/S section of the spine were collected post-mortem during forensic autopsy or organ donation. At the mRNA level, we noted NT-3 overexpression in the test samples compared with the controls (fold change (FC) = 9.12 ± 0.56; p < 0.05), while NT-4 transcriptional activity was decreased in the test samples compared with the controls (FC = 0.33 ± 0.07; p < 0.05). However, at the protein level, the concentrations of NT-3 (134 ± 5.78 pg/mL vs. 6.78 ± 1.17 pg/mL; p < 0.05) and NT-4 (316.77 ± 8.19 pg/mL vs. 76.92 ± 4.82 pg/mL; p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the test samples compared with the control samples. Nevertheless, the concentration of both proteins did not statistically significantly change depending on the advancement of degenerative changes and the pain intensity (p > 0.05). In addition, higher levels of NT-3 and NT-4 were noted in IVD samples from patients who consumed alcohol, smoked tobacco, were overweight/obese, or had comorbid diabetes compared with patients without these risk factors (p < 0.05). Our analysis confirmed that differences in the degenerative process of IVD, energy metabolism, and lifestyle are related to changes in the concentration profiles of NT-3 and NT-4.
Longitudinal 8-Epi-Prostaglandin F2-Alpha and Angiogenic Profile Mediator Evaluation during Pregnancy in Women with Suspected or Confirmed Pre-eclampsia
Authors: Dijmărescu Anda Lorena , Tănase Florentina , Novac Marius Bogdan , Siminel Mirela Anişoara , Rotaru Ionela , Caragea Daniel Cosmin , Manolea Maria Magdalena , Văduva Constantin-Cristian , Boldeanu Mihail Virgil , Boldeanu Lidia
Published: February 2024

Background: In this exploratory study, we aimed to evaluate the dynamics of angiogenic [soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble Endoglin (sEng), and sFlt-1/PlGF, PlGF/sFlt-1, and sEng/PlGF ratios] and oxidative stress [8-epi-prostaglandin F2 alpha (8-epi-PGF2α) and 8-epi-PGF2α/PlGF ratio] mediator levels in women with suspected or confirmed pre-eclampsia (PE) at least two times during pregnancy. We also wanted to identify the possible correlations between 8-epi-PGF2α and angiogenic mediator levels at the time of inclusion of pregnant women. Methods: We included 40 pregnant women with suspected or confirmed PE, with a mean age of 29 years (range between 18 and 41 years) and gestational age between 18 and 28 weeks at inclusion in this study. The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method to measure the levels of serum angiogenic and oxidative stress mediators was used. Results: The evaluation of baseline sFlt-1/PlGF ratios using a cut-off of 38 suggested that 25 pregnant women had a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of >38 (sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of >38 group) and 15 had a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of ≤38 (sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of ≤38 group). The increases in sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of >38 group were caused by both an increase in sFlt-1 (2.04-fold) and a decrease in PlGF levels (2.55-fold). The 8-epi-PGF2α median levels were higher in the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of >38 group (1.62-fold). During follow-up after pregnancy, we observed that the mean values of sFlt-1 and sEng and the median values of 8-epi-PGF2α and sFlt-1/PlGF, sEng/PlGF, and 8-epi-PGF2α/PlGF ratios increased directly proportional to gestational age for each measurement time until delivery in both groups. For five women who had a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≤38 at inclusion, sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was observed to increase to >38 later in pregnancy. We observed that, in the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio >38 group, baseline 8-epi-PGF2α levels better correlated with angiogenic mediator levels. Conclusions: Our study shows that 33.33% of pregnant women evaluated for suspected or confirmed PE with a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of ≤38 displayed a rise in sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in subsequent weeks. In addition, together with angiogenic mediators, 8-epi-PGF2 α can be utilized as an independent predictor factor to help clinicians identify or predict which pregnant women will develop PE.
Distinct Effects of Brain Activation Using tDCS and Observational Practice: Implications for Motor Rehabilitation
Authors: McLeod Julianne , Chavan Anuj , Lee Harvey , Sattari Sahar , Kurry Simrut , Wake Miku , Janmohamed Zia , Hodges Nicola Jane , Virji-Babul Naznin
Published: February 2024

Complex motor skills can be acquired while observing a model without physical practice. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) also facilitates motor learning. However, the effectiveness of observational practice for bimanual coordination skills is debated. We compared the behavioural and brain causal connectivity patterns following three interventions: primary motor cortex stimulation (M1-tDCS), action-observation (AO) and a combined group (AO+M1-tDCS) when acquiring a bimanual, two-ball juggling skill. Thirty healthy young adults with no juggling experience were randomly assigned to either video observation of a skilled juggler, anodal M1-tDCS or video observation combined with M1-tDCS. Thirty trials of juggling were performed and scored after the intervention. Resting-state EEG data were collected before and after the intervention. Information flow rate was applied to EEG source data to measure causal connectivity. The two observation groups were more accurate than the tDCS alone group. In the AO condition, there was strong information exchange from (L) parietal to (R) parietal regions, strong bidirectional information exchange between (R) parietal and (R) occipital regions and an extensive network of activity that was (L) lateralized. The M1-tDCS condition was characterized by bilateral long-range connections with the strongest information exchange from the (R) occipital region to the (R) temporal and (L) occipital regions. AO+M1-tDCS induced strong bidirectional information exchange in occipital and temporal regions in both hemispheres. Uniquely, it was the only condition that was characterized by information exchange between the (R) frontal and central regions. This study provides new results about the distinct network dynamics of stimulating the brain for skill acquisition, providing insights for motor rehabilitation.
Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration Associated with Breast Cancer: A Case Report and a Narrative Review
Authors: Norrito Rosario Luca , Puleo Maria Grazia , Pintus Chiara , Basso Maria Grazia , Rizzo Giuliana , Di Chiara Tiziana , Di Raimondo Domenico , Parrinello Gaspare , Tuttolomondo Antonino
Published: February 2024

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) are an uncommon complication of cancer, affecting nearby 1/10,000 subjects with a tumour. PNSs can involve all the central and peripheral nervous systems, the muscular system, and the neuromuscular junction, causing extremely variable symptomatology. The diagnosis of the paraneoplastic disease usually precedes the clinical manifestations of cancer, making an immediate recognition of the pathology crucial to obtain a better prognosis. PNSs are autoimmune diseases caused by the expression of common antigens by the tumour and the nervous system. Specific antibodies can help clinicians diagnose them, but unfortunately, they are not always detectable. Immunosuppressive therapy and the treatment of cancer are the cornerstones of therapy for PNSs. This paper reports a case of PNSs associated with breast tumours and focuses on the most common paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. We report a case of a young female with a clinical syndrome of the occurrence of rigidity in the right lower limb with postural instability with walking supported and diplopia, with a final diagnosis of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration and seronegative rigid human syndrome associated with infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast.
Smart Cities as Hubs: A Use Case in Public School Buildings
Authors: Nikolaou Ioannis , Anthopoulos Leonidas
Published: February 2024

Contextual data are receiving increasing attention in Smart Cities as they enable the development and delivery of smart services for their citizens. The homogenization of contextual data flows has become an important topic for standardization bodies as they attempt to enable data flow control and vendor-independent solutions. Buildings are a critical component of cities, due to their role in several dimensions of Smart Cities (including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals); these may include the monitoring of their operation, maintenance, energy consumption, ability to respond in emergencies, and people flows, all of which affect the sustainability of a Smart City’s ecosystem. In this respect, Building Information Management Systems and Building Infrastructure Management Systems can benefit from this standardization. This paper presents how a novel solution named Smart-City-as-Hub can homogenize building contextual data and enable smart services’ development and delivery based on these data. The analysis of the data from several IoT deployments in public school buildings is the method used to highlight the segmentation and fragmentation of the IoT landscape and to present the benefits that the Smart-City-as-Hub provides in this context. The ways in which the Smart-City-as-Hub concept can mitigate these challenges and enable Smart City stakeholders to concentrate their efforts on developing value-added services is presented in the discussion section. By providing real-life data of the IoT devices deployed in Smart City projects, this study aims to further advance research pursuing the homogenization and standardization of Smart City flows.
Potential Therapeutic Improvements in Prostate Cancer Treatment Using Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy with LETd Optimization and Disease-Specific RBE Models
Authors: Vieceli Michael , Park Jiyeon , Hsi Wen Chien , Saki Mo , Mendenhall Nancy P. , Johnson Perry , Artz Mark
Published: February 2024

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of improving prostate cancer patient outcomes with PBS proton LETd optimization. Methods: SFO, IPT-SIB, and LET-optimized plans were created for 12 patients, and generalized-tissue and disease-specific LET-dependent RBE models were applied. The mean LETd in several structures was determined and used to calculate mean RBEs. LETd- and dose–volume histograms (LVHs/DVHs) are shown. TODRs were defined based on clinical dose goals and compared between plans. The impact of robust perturbations on LETd, TODRs, and DVH spread was evaluated. Results: LETd optimization achieved statistically significant increased target volume LETd of ~4 keV/µm compared to SFO and IPT-SIB LETd of ~2 keV/µm while mitigating OAR LETd increases. A disease-specific RBE model predicted target volume RBEs > 1.5 for LET-optimized plans, up to 18% higher than for SFO plans. LET-optimized target LVHs/DVHs showed a large increase not present in OARs. All RBE models showed a statistically significant increase in TODRs from SFO to IPT-SIB to LET-optimized plans. RBE = 1.1 does not accurately represent TODRs when using LETd optimization. Robust evaluations demonstrated a trade-off between increased mean target LETd and decreased DVH spread. Conclusion: The demonstration of improved TODRs provided via LETd optimization shows potential for improved patient outcomes.
Innate Lymphoid Cells and Their Role in the Immune Response to Infections
Authors: Fol Marek , Karpik Wojciech , Zablotni Agnieszka , Kulesza Jakub , Kulesza Ewelina , Godkowicz Magdalena , Druszczynska Magdalena
Published: February 2024

Over the past decade, a group of lymphocyte-like cells called innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) has gained considerable attention due to their crucial role in regulating immunity and tissue homeostasis. ILCs, lacking antigen-specific receptors, are a group of functionally differentiated effector cells that act as tissue-resident sentinels against infections. Numerous studies have elucidated the characteristics of ILC subgroups, but the mechanisms controlling protective or pathological responses to pathogens still need to be better understood. This review summarizes the functions of ILCs in the immunology of infections caused by different intracellular and extracellular pathogens and discusses their possible therapeutic potential.
Wound Repair of the Cell Membrane: Lessons from Dictyostelium Cells
Authors: Yumura Shigehiko
Published: February 2024

The cell membrane is frequently subjected to damage, either through physical or chemical means. The swift restoration of the cell membrane’s integrity is crucial to prevent the leakage of intracellular materials and the uncontrolled influx of extracellular ions. Consequently, wound repair plays a vital role in cell survival, akin to the importance of DNA repair. The mechanisms involved in wound repair encompass a series of events, including ion influx, membrane patch formation, endocytosis, exocytosis, recruitment of the actin cytoskeleton, and the elimination of damaged membrane sections. Despite the absence of a universally accepted general model, diverse molecular models have been proposed for wound repair in different organisms. Traditional wound methods not only damage the cell membrane but also impact intracellular structures, including the underlying cortical actin networks, microtubules, and organelles. In contrast, the more recent improved laserporation selectively targets the cell membrane. Studies on Dictyostelium cells utilizing this method have introduced a novel perspective on the wound repair mechanism. This review commences by detailing methods for inducing wounds and subsequently reviews recent developments in the field.
A Proteomic Investigation to Discover Candidate Proteins Involved in Novel Mechanisms of 5-Fluorouracil Resistance in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ortega Duran Mario , Shaheed Sadr ul , Sutton Christopher W. , Shnyder Steven D.
Published: February 2024

One of the main obstacles to therapeutic success in colorectal cancer (CRC) is the development of acquired resistance to treatment with drugs such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Whilst some resistance mechanisms are well known, it is clear from the stasis in therapy success rate that much is still unknown. Here, a proteomics approach is taken towards identification of candidate proteins using 5-FU-resistant sublines of human CRC cell lines generated in house. Using a multiplexed stable isotope labelling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) strategy, 5-FU-resistant and equivalently passaged sensitive cell lines were compared to parent cell lines by growing in Heavy medium with 2D liquid chromatography and Orbitrap Fusion™ Tribrid™ Mass Spectrometry analysis. Among 3003 commonly quantified proteins, six (CD44, APP, NAGLU, CORO7, AGR2, PLSCR1) were found up-regulated, and six (VPS45, RBMS2, RIOK1, RAP1GDS1, POLR3D, CD55) down-regulated. A total of 11 of the 12 proteins have a known association with drug resistance mechanisms or role in CRC oncogenesis. Validation through immunodetection techniques confirmed high expression of CD44 and CD63, two known drug resistance mediators with elevated proteomics expression results. The information revealed by the sensitivity of this method warrants it as an important tool for elaborating the complexity of acquired drug resistance in CRC.
Achieving Better Energy Efficiency in Volume Analysis and Direct Volume Rendering Descriptor Computation
Authors: Hauenstein Jacob D. , Newman Timothy S.
Published: February 2024

Approaches aimed at achieving improved energy efficiency for determination of descriptors—used in volumetric data analysis and one common mode of scientific visualisation—in one x86-class setting are described and evaluated. These approaches are evaluated against standard approaches for the computational setting. In all, six approaches for improved efficiency are considered. Four of them are computation-based. The other two are memory-based. The descriptors are classic gradient and curvature descriptors. In addition to their use in volume analyses, they are used in the classic ray-casting-based direct volume rendering (DVR), which is a particular application area of interest here. An ideal combination of the described approaches applied to gradient descriptor determination allowed them to to be computed with only 80% of the energy of a standard approach in the computational setting; energy efficiency was improved by a factor of 1.2. For curvature descriptor determination, the ideal combination of described approaches achieved a factor-of-two improvement in energy efficiency.
The Role of Adjuvant Chemotherapy before Osimertinib in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutant Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Communicating It to Patients
Authors: Maione Paolo , Salvi Rosario , Gridelli Cesare
Published: February 2024

Patients with radically resected stage II and III NSCLC are exposed to a high risk of disease recurrence. Thus, adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy is routinely offered to this patient population, although it results in an absolute increase in 5-year survival rate of only 4%. This modest improvement in survival rate makes it challenging to communicate to our patients about the decision to be treated with adjuvant chemotherapy or not. Nowadays, the decision to administer adjuvant chemotherapy or not in resected NSCLC is almost never completely shared with patients because its role is very difficult to explain. The risk–benefit ratio becomes clearly unfavourable in elderly and unfit patients. Recently, the phase III ADAURA trial demonstrated a clinically significant disease-free survival and overall survival benefit with adjuvant osimertinib (with or without adjuvant chemotherapy) versus a placebo in EGFR-mutated stage IB-IIIA resected NSCLC. In this patient population, the decision to administer chemotherapy or not is much more challenging given the great benefit offered by osimertinib alone. Thus, it is time now to improve our communication tools to explain the role of adjuvant chemotherapy to our patients, especially in the EGFR-mutated population, in order to undertake real shared decision making in a clinical context in which the opportunity to administer toxic chemotherapy is debatable and subjective.
Involvement of Palliative Care in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Patients and Associations with Survival and End-of-Life Outcomes
Authors: Baird Andrew , Nasser Abdullah , Tanuseputro Peter , Webber Colleen , Wheatley-Price Paul , Munro Camille
Published: February 2024

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive, and incurable cancer with a poor prognosis and high symptom burden. For these patients, little is known about the impact of palliative care consultation on outcomes such as mortality, hospital admissions, or emergency department visits. The aim of this study is to determine if referral to supportive and palliative care in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma is associated with survival and decreased hospital admissions and emergency department visits. This is a retrospective chart review. Study participants include all malignant pleural mesothelioma patients seen at The Ottawa Hospital—an acute care tertiary center—between January 2002 and March 2019. In total, 223 patients were included in the study. The mean age at diagnosis was 72.4 years and 82.5% were male. Of the patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2010, only 11 (9.6%) were referred to palliative care. By comparison, of those diagnosed between 2011 and 2019, 49 (45.4%) were referred to palliative care. Median time from diagnosis to referral was 4.1 months. There was no significant difference in the median survival of patients referred for palliative care compared to those who did not receive palliative care (p = 0.46). We found no association between receiving palliative care and the mean number of hospital admissions (1.04 vs. 0.91) from diagnosis to death, and an increase in mean number of emergency department visits in the palliative care group (2.30 vs. 1.18). Although there was increased utilization of palliative care services, more than half of the MPM patients did not receive palliative care despite their limited survival. There was an increase in emergency department visits in the palliative care group; this may represent an increase in the symptom burden (i.e., indication bias) in those referred to palliative care.
Detection of Avian Haemosporidian Parasites in Wild Birds in Slovakia
Authors: Minichová Lenka , Slobodník Vladimír , Slobodník Roman , Olekšák Milan , Hamšíková Zuzana , Škultéty Ľudovít , Špitalská Eva
Published: February 2024

Haemosporidians are a group of vector-borne parasites belonging to the order Haemosporida. These parasites infect avian hosts and require blood-sucking insects (Diptera) for transmission. The occurrence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites are shaped primarily by the specificity of the parasite and the susceptibility of the host/vector. In this study, the presence and distribution of haemosporidians in blood samples from birds in urbanized and natural habitats were estimated using microscopic and molecular approaches. Birds in urbanized habitats were infected with four different species of Plasmodium, P. relictum, P. vaughani, P. matutinum, and P. circumflexum, and one species of Haemoproteus, H. parabelopolskyi, and Leucocytozoon sp. The species H. attenuatus, H. concavocentralis, H. minutus, H. pallidus, H. noctuae, and H. tartakovskyi were additionally identified in birds in natural habitats. Typically, juvenile birds are essential markers of parasite species transmitted in the study area. The juveniles in the urbanized habitats carried P. relictum, P. vaughani, P. circumflexum, H. parabelopolskyi, and Leucocytozoon species. The most abundant parasite was H. parabelopolskyi, which was found in both habitat types. The prevalence of Haemoproteus/Plasmodium species determined by nested PCR in birds in natural habitats (43.80%; 53/121) was significantly greater than that in birds in urbanized habitats (21.94%; 43/196) (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the infection rate of Leucocytozoon sp. between the habitat types (p > 0.05; 10/121 vs. 19/196).
Identification, Antimicrobial and Plant Growth Promoting Activities of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Cynomorium songaricum Rupr., a Traditional Medicinal Plant in Mongolia
Authors: Jigjiddorj Enkh-Amgalan , Maidarjav Amarbayasgalan , Byambasuren Bumtsend , Nyamgerel Daritsogzol
Published: February 2024

Endophytic fungi colonize the inner tissues and provide direct and indirect benefits to plants. Although Mongolia is rich in medicinal plants, due to climatic and anthropogenic reasons, the resources are being depleted, and many species are under threat of gradual extinction, while the endophytic fungi of Mongolian plants are largely unknown. In this study, a total of 24 culturable endophytic fungal strains were isolated from Cynomorium songaricum (Rupr.), a medicinal and vulnerable plant species of Mongolia. Based on the morphological characteristics and the sequences of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the isolates were identified into six genera: Fusarium (8), Clonostachys (7), Penicillium (6), Alternaria (1), Aspergillus (1), and Madurella (1). The antimicrobial activity was assessed by the agar-diffusion method, revealing that 15 strains were able to inhibit the growth of at least one of the test organisms. Among them, 1 strain showed inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli, 12 against Bacillus subtilis, 13 against Staphylococcus aureus, and 8 against Aspergillus niger, respectively. The ability to solubilize complex phosphorus and zinc minerals was observed in 3 and 21 strains, respectively, and the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was detected in nine strains in the presence of tryptophan. Our study provides the first insight into the cultivable endophytic fungal composition of C. songaricum, parasitizing the roots of Nitraria sibirica growing in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. The resulting fungi, which have antimicrobial and plant growth-promoting properties, were preserved in the national culture collection and can be used to further exploit their biotechnological potential, as well as for the propagation of endangered and vulnerable medicinal plants.
Urine Flow Cytometry and Dipstick Analysis in Diagnosing Bacteriuria and Urinary Tract Infections among Adults in the Emergency Department—A Diagnostic Accuracy Trial
Authors: Hertz Mathias Amdi , Johansen Isik Somuncu , Rosenvinge Flemming S. , Brasen Claus Lohman , Andersen Eline Sandvig , Østergaard Claus , Skovsted Thor Aage , Petersen Eva Rabing Brix , Nielsen Stig Lønberg , Mogensen Christian Backer , Skjøt-Arkil Helene
Published: February 2024

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a leading infectious cause of emergency department admission. Early UTI diagnosis is challenging, and a faster, preferably point-of-care urine analysis is necessary. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of urine flow cytometry (UFC) and urine dipstick analysis (UDA) in identifying bacteriuria and UTIs. This study included adults suspected of an infection admitted to three Danish emergency departments. UFC and UDA were the index tests, and urine culture and an expert panel diagnosis were the reference tests. We used logistic regression and receiver operator characteristics curves to find each test’s optimal model and cut-off. We enrolled 966 patients and performed urine cultures on 786. Urine culture was positive in 337, and 200 patients were diagnosed with a UTI. The UFC model ruled out bacteriuria in 10.9% with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.6% and ruled out UTI in 38.6% with an NPV of 97.0%. UDA ruled out bacteriuria in 52.1% with an NPV of 79.2% and UTI in 52.8% with an NPV of 93.9%. Neither UFC nor UDA performed well in ruling out bacteriuria in our population. In contrast, both tests ruled out UTI safely and in clinically relevant numbers.
Frontiers in Three-Dimensional Surface Imaging Systems for 3D Face Acquisition in Craniofacial Research and Practice: An Updated Literature Review
Authors: Singh Pradeep , Bornstein Michael M. , Hsung Richard Tai-Chiu , Ajmera Deepal Haresh , Leung Yiu Yan , Gu Min
Published: February 2024

Digitalizing all aspects of dental care is a contemporary approach to ensuring the best possible clinical outcomes. Ongoing advancements in 3D face acquisition have been driven by continuous research on craniofacial structures and treatment effects. An array of 3D surface-imaging systems are currently available for generating photorealistic 3D facial images. However, choosing a purpose-specific system is challenging for clinicians due to variations in accuracy, reliability, resolution, and portability. Therefore, this review aims to provide clinicians and researchers with an overview of currently used or potential 3D surface imaging technologies and systems for 3D face acquisition in craniofacial research and daily practice. Through a comprehensive literature search, 71 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the qualitative analysis, investigating the hardware, software, and operational aspects of these systems. The review offers updated information on 3D surface imaging technologies and systems to guide clinicians in selecting an optimal 3D face acquisition system. While some of these systems have already been implemented in clinical settings, others hold promise. Furthermore, driven by technological advances, novel devices will become cost-effective and portable, and will also enable accurate quantitative assessments, rapid treatment simulations, and improved outcomes.
Reaching the Diagnosis of Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Different Clinical Scenarios: A Real-World Application of Updated Diagnostic Criteria
Authors: Angelousi Anna , Ziogas Dimitrios C. , Siampanopoulou Vasiliki , Mytareli Chrysoula , Anastasopoulou Amalia , Lyrarakis George , Gogas Helen
Published: February 2024

Background: Checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-associated diabetes mellitus (CPI-DM) is a rare immune-related adverse event (irAE) that presents with variable clinical manifestations. Data about its pathogenesis have not yet been adequately studied. Methods: Applying the recently updated diagnostic criteria from the American Diabetes Association, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all CPI-treated patients referred to our endocrinological unit for managing their endocrine irAEs and analyzed the incidence of CPI-DM, its clinical characteristics, and its management. Results: Among the 326 CPI-treated patients with endocrine irAEs, 4 patients met the updated criteria for the diagnosis of CPI-DM, representing 1.22% of all endocrine irAEs in our cohort. These four patients presented with distinct clinical scenarios regarding the irAE onset, the underlying malignancy, the administered CPI regimen, and the type of circulating autoantibodies. Conclusion: The variable presentation of CPI-DM and the non-standard sensitivity of the presence of the type 1 DM traditional autoantibodies highlight the need for distinct guidelines and increased awareness of its diagnosis and management.
The Training of Flamenco Dance Teachers of the Escuela Sevillana (Sevillian School): From Practical Experience to the Practice of Teaching
Authors: Cortés-Vázquez Macarena , Llorent-Bedmar Vicente
Published: February 2024

Flamenco is a traditional way of expressing values and knowledge from one generation to the next as part of informal education and is now a consolidated artistic genre in Andalusia. A legal framework was created to protect and promote flamenco as a unique element of Andalusian culture, and to incorporate flamenco studies into the official school curriculum. There is nothing written on what constitutes flamenco content or how it should be taught. We conducted a small phenomenological ethnographic study of women who teach a specific style of flamenco dance which is important in the field of teaching, namely the Escuela Sevillana, and we aimed to understand how they constructed the pedagogical content knowledge that enabled them to teach it in the public and private spaces where it is taught. The study design was qualitative and interpretive. The study population comprised all women teaching this style of flamenco dance. Data collection was through in-depth interviews, with a bibliographical review of relevant material for context. The results focus on interpreting and understanding the reality studied, and describing in detail how these dance teachers constructed the pedagogical content knowledge in order to teach it effectively. We draw the conclusions that there are various stages of teaching professionalisation, and experience-based learning is important for consolidation as a teacher.
A Multiobjective Array Beamforming Method for Arrays of Flexible Shape
Authors: Meng Chenfeng , Zhang Yongwei , Temiz Murat , El-Makadema Ahmed
Published: February 2024

High-performance beamforming incorporating multiple objectives for large-scale antenna arrays becomes increasingly important to improve the capacity and efficiency of wireless communication systems. The speed of synthesizing a desired beam pattern is critical in wireless communications systems to adapt to highly dynamic wireless channels. A modified particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for synthesizing array beam patterns is proposed in this study. The initial positions of particles in PSO are designated following a Taylor distribution instead of being given uniformly distributed random values as in the classical PSO algorithm. The fitness functions are defined to include multiple objectives represented by producing multiple main lobes with customized deep and broadened nulls. Several scenarios have been established to examine the feasibility of the proposed algorithm. Moreover, the performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with those of the ones based on the classical PSO. A significant performance improvement for obtaining beamforming coefficients has been achieved. The robustness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated further by applying it to a finite array on a curved surface for beamforming.
Enhancing Security for IoT-Based Smart Renewable Energy Remote Monitoring Systems
Authors: Rekeraho Alexandre , Cotfas Daniel Tudor , Cotfas Petru Adrian , Tuyishime Emmanuel , Balan Titus Constantin , Acheampong Rebecca
Published: February 2024

Renewable energy is an essential solution for addressing climate change, providing sustainable options that are vital for a more environmentally friendly future. Integrating information technology (IT) into renewable energy systems has driven remarkable progress, enhanced efficiency, and enabled remote monitoring. Nevertheless, integrating IT into these systems dramatically increases their vulnerability to cyber threats and potential attacks. This study thoroughly investigates the enhancement of security measures in an IoT-based solar energy remote monitoring system. The research integrates advanced technologies, including Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), myRIO board, and NI’s SystemLink Cloud platform, to enhance data security in smart solar energy monitoring systems. Emphasizing AES encryption ensures secure information exchange between the myRIO board and the computer. NI’s SystemLink Cloud offers a user-friendly interface for real-time monitoring of critical solar system parameters, supported by robust security measures such as HTTPS encryption and access control. This study sets higher data protection standards in smart energy systems by promoting advanced encryption and secure cloud infrastructures. The approach involves seamlessly integrating renewable energy sources with IT innovations while prioritizing proactive measures to strengthen solar energy system security.
A Comprehensive and Privacy-Aware Approach for Remote Qualified Electronic Signatures
Authors: Aciobăniței Iulian , Arseni Ștefan-Ciprian , Bureacă Emil , Togan Mihai
Published: February 2024

The current shift towards digital transactions emphasizes the need for robust Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) frameworks that safeguard integrity and privacy. Having the potential to become the leading type of adopted QES, the main challenge that Remote QESs present to end users is choosing between transmitting the entire document or only its digest to the Trust Service Provider (TSP). The first option compromises the document’s confidentiality, while the second one requires the development of signature applications compliant with advanced signature formats, a task that often needs additional time and resources. In this paper, we introduce a comprehensive strategy for remote QESs, designed for seamless integration with current client applications, while simultaneously maintaining user privacy. The main topics approached in this paper are the following: a comprehensive architecture for privacy-aware remote QES systems, relevant standards and legislation, integration scenarios for clients, and remote QES standard protocols to assure communication between client and TSP environments. Furthermore, we also explore the integration of our proposed solution with an enhanced long-term preservation service that uses Ethereum smart contracts and methodologies to implement signature applications with advanced electronic signatures via open-source libraries while ensuring document privacy. The main result of this work is a flexible on-premise module that provides the ability to sign, validate, and preserve documents, with a minimal integration effort.
Design of a Generic Dynamically Reconfigurable Convolutional Neural Network Accelerator with Optimal Balance
Authors: Tong Haoran , Han Ke , Han Si , Luo Yingqi
Published: February 2024

In many scenarios, edge devices perform computations for applications such as target detection and tracking, multimodal sensor fusion, low-light image enhancement, and image segmentation. There is an increasing trend of deploying and running multiple different network models on one hardware platform, but there is a lack of generic acceleration architectures that support standard convolution (CONV), depthwise separable CONV, and deconvolution (DeCONV) layers in such complex scenarios. In response, this paper proposes a more versatile dynamically reconfigurable CNN accelerator with a highly unified computing scheme. The proposed design, which is compatible with standard CNNs, lightweight CNNs, and CNNs with DeCONV layers, further improves the resource utilization and reduces the gap of efficiency when deploying different models. Thus, the hardware balance during the alternating execution of multiple models is enhanced. Compared to a state-of-the-art CNN accelerator, Xilinx DPU B4096, our optimized architecture achieves resource utilization improvements of 1.08× for VGG16 and 1.77× for MobileNetV1 in inference tasks on the Xilinx ZCU102 platform. The resource utilization and efficiency degradation between these two models are reduced to 59.6% and 63.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed architecture can properly run DeCONV layers and demonstrates good performance.
An Analysis of Asymmetrical and Open-Phase Modes in a Symmetrical Two-Channel Induction Machine with Consideration of Spatial Harmonics
Authors: Kutsyk Andriy , Korkosz Mariusz , Bogusz Piotr , Semeniuk Mykola , Lozynskyy Andriy
Published: February 2024

This paper focuses on analyzing asymmetric and open-phase fault modes in symmetrical two-channel six-phase induction machines while considering the spatial harmonics of the electromagnetic field in the air gap. Under sinusoidal power supply, the magnetomotive force exhibits high-order spatial harmonics, which arise due to the winding design. The interaction between these spatial harmonics and the first-time harmonic of the power supply results in the presence of high-order harmonics in the current and electromagnetic torque. The harmonic content of the currents and torque under asymmetric and open-phase operation mode while taking into account spatial harmonics is analyzed. It is shown that in asymmetrical modes, in addition to the 5th, 7th, 11th, and 13th higher harmonics found in symmetrical modes, harmonics in multiples of the 3rd are introduced into the stator winding currents. As for the composition of the electromagnetic torque in asymmetrical modes, all even harmonics are present, in addition to the 6th and 12th harmonics that are characteristic of symmetrical modes. A mathematical model of the six-phase induction machine has been developed using the average voltages within the integration step method. Its adequacy was verified by comparing the simulation results with the experimental results obtained from the developed prototype.
Effect of Nickel Nanocatalyst Loading on Supercritical Water Gasification of Coconut Shell
Authors: Marcelino Marcela , Leeke Gary , Jiang Guozhan , Onwudili Jude , Alves Carine , de Sousa Ana , de Santana Delano , Torres Felipe , de Melo Silvio , Torres Ednildo
Published: February 2024

Impregnation of metal catalysts into biomass before thermochemical conversion may provide benefits of increased selective reactivity to obtain desirable products. In this work, coconut shells impregnated with increasing loadings of nickel were successfully prepared using a room-temperature impregnation method using a nickel salt solution at 1 and 2 molar (M) concentrations. The physicochemical characterization of the 2 M impregnated sample revealed the presence of 5.6 wt% of nickel with a particle size of 13.5 nm. The nickel-impregnated samples’ supercritical water gasification (SCWG) was conducted with biomass loading ranging from 20 wt% to 30 wt%, at temperatures between 400 °C and 500 °C, and residence times from 20 to 60 min. Higher nickel loading, higher temperatures and longer reaction times promoted the production of H2 and CO2 up to 15 and 79 mol%. Higher nickel loading also led to an increased Hydrogen Gasification Efficiency value of up to 133%. The analysis of hydrochars suggested that increasing nickel loading enhanced the reduction in nickel ions to the Ni0 nanoparticles, leading to higher H2. Additionally, the chemical composition of the liquid product showed the significant ability of nickel to promote lignin decomposition into phenol, facilitating the phenol hydrogenation reaction and subsequent gas production.
Study of a Novel Hybrid Refrigeration System, with Natural Refrigerants and Ultra-Low Carbon Emissions, for Air Conditioning
Authors: He Yijian , Zheng Yufu , Zhao Jianguang , Chen Qifei , Zhang Lunyuan
Published: February 2024

Due to its environmental benefits, CO2 shows great potential in refrigeration systems. However, a basic CO2 transcritical (BCT) refrigeration system used for airconditioning in buildings might generate massive indirect carbon emissions for its low COP. In this study, a novel CO2 transcritical/two-stage absorption (CTTA) hybrid refrigeration system is broadly investigated, and both energy efficiency and life cycle climate performance (LCCP) are specifically engaged. The theoretical model shows that optimal parameters for the generator inlet temperature (TG2), intermediate temperature (Tm), and discharge pressure (Pc), exist to achieve maximum COPtol. Using the LCCP method, the carbon emissions of the CTTA system are compared to six typical refrigeration systems by using refrigerants, including R134a, R1234yf and R1234ze(E) etc. The LCCP value of the CTTA system is 3768 kg CO2e/kW, which is 53.6% less than the BCT system and equivalent to the R134a system. Moreover, its LCCP value could be 3.4% less than the R1234ze(E) system if the COP of the CO2 subsystem is further improved. In summary, the CTTA system achieves ultra-low carbon emissions, which provides a potential alternative to air conditioning systems in buildings that can be considered alongside R1234yf and R1234ze(E) systems.