bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative Stress, Ageing and Methods of Seed Invigoration: An Overview and Perspectives
Authors: Adetunji Ademola Emmanuel , Adetunji Tomi Lois , Varghese Boby , Sershen  , Pammenter Norman W.
Published: November 2021

The maintenance of seed quality during the long-term conservation of plant genetic resources is crucial for averting the projected food crises that are linked to the changing climate and rising world population. However, ageing-induced loss of seed vigour and viability during storage remains an inevitable process that compromises productivity in several orthodox-seeded crop species. Seed ageing under prolonged storage, which can occur even under optimal conditions, induces several modifications capable of causing loss of intrinsic physiological quality traits, including germination capacity and vigour, and stand establishment. The problems posed by seed ageing have motivated the development of various techniques for mitigating their detrimental effects. These invigoration techniques generally fall within one of two categories: (1) priming or pre-hydrating seeds in a solution for improved post-harvest performance, or (2) post-storage reinvigoration which often involves soaking seeds recovered from storage in a solution. Seed priming methods are generally divided into classical (hydropriming, osmopriming, redox priming, biostimulant priming, etc.) and advanced (nanopriming, magnetopriming and priming using other physical agents) techniques. With the increasing popularity of seed invigoration techniques to achieve the much-desired enhanced productivity and resilience in the face of a changing climate, there is an urgent need to explore these techniques effectively (in addition to other important practices such as plant breeding, fertilizer application, and the control of pests and diseases). This review aims to provide an overview of ageing in orthodox seeds and invigoration techniques that can enhance desirable agronomic and physiological characters.
Classification of Non-Infected and Infected with Basal Stem Rot Disease Using Thermal Images and Imbalanced Data Approach
Authors: Hashim Izrahayu Che , Shariff Abdul Rashid Mohamed , Bejo Siti Khairunniza , Muharam Farrah Melissa , Ahmad Khairulmazmi
Published: November 2021

Basal stem rot (BSR) disease occurs due to the most aggressive and threatening fungal attack of the oil palm plant known as Ganoderma boninense (G. boninense). BSR is a disease that has a significant impact on oil palm crops in Malaysia and Indonesia. Currently, the only sustainable strategy available is to extend the life of oil palm trees, as there is no effective treatment for BSR disease. This study used thermal imagery to identify the thermal features to classify non-infected and BSR-infected trees. The aims of this study were to (1) identify the potential temperature features and (2) examine the performance of machine learning (ML) classifiers (naïve Bayes (NB), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and random forest (RF) to classify oil palm trees that are non-infected and BSR-infected. The sample size consisted of 55 uninfected trees and 37 infected trees. We used the imbalance data approaches such as random undersampling (RUS), random oversampling (ROS) and synthetic minority oversampling (SMOTE) in these classifications due to the different sample sizes. The study found that the Tmax feature is the most beneficial temperature characteristic for classifying non-infected or infected BSR trees. Meanwhile, the ROS approach improves the curve region (AUC) and PRC results compared to a single approach. The result showed that the temperature feature Tmax and combination feature TmaxTmin had a higher correct classification for the G. boninense non-infected and infected oil palm trees for the ROS-RF and had a robust success rate, classifying correctly 87.10% for non-infected and 100% for infected by G. boninense. In terms of model performance using the most significant variables, Tmax, the ROS-RF model had an excellent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve region (AUC) of 0.921, and the precision–recall curve (PRC) region gave a value of 0.902. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ROS-RF, using the Tmax, can be used to predict BSR disease with relatively high accuracy.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Distribution in the Healthy Macula and Its Association with Various Demographic Factors Examined in Pseudophakic Eyes
Authors: Obana Akira , Gohto Yuko , Asaoka Ryo , Gellermann Werner , Bernstein Paul S.
Published: November 2021

The macular pigment consisting of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) protects photoreceptors via its antioxidative and barrier activities. This study aimed to determine L and Z distribution in the healthy macula and their association with various demographic factors. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was measured using fundus autofluorescence spectroscopy in 352 pseudophakic eyes with no fundus diseases. Pseudophakia was chosen to avoid the influence of cataract in the measurement of fundus autofluorescence. The mean patient age was 72.3 ± 8.6 years. MPOD was analyzed separately in three zones, i.e., A: a central area within a radius of 0.5°, mainly containing Z; B: a ring area with radii from 0.5° to 1.3°, containing Z and L; C: a ring area with radii from 1.3° to 9°, containing L. Multivariate analyses were performed with MPOD as the dependent variable and sex, supplement intake, smoking habits, glaucoma, diabetes, age, body mass index (BMI), skin carotenoid levels, retinal thickness, retinal volume, axial length as the independent variables. The mean total MPOD volume within 9° eccentricity was 20,121 ± 6293. Age was positively associated with MPOD in all zones. Supplement and BMI were positively and negatively associated with MPOD in zones B and C. Smoking was negatively associated with MPOD in zone A. This study revealed the standard MP values of aged Japanese, which resulted to be higher than the previously reported values in other races. Age was found to have a positive association with MP values. L in the outer foveola was affected by BMI and supplements, but Z in the foveola was not. The amount of Z in the Müller cell cone may not be changed easily by factors such as hunger and satiety in the context of preservation of homeostasis in the human body, but tobacco had a negative effect on Z.
The Role of NRF2 in Mycobacterial Infection
Authors: Matsuyama Masashi , Nonaka Mizu , Nakajima Masayuki , Morishima Yuko , Ishii Yukio , Hizawa Nobuyuki
Published: November 2021

The incidence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection is increasing worldwide, and its clinical outcomes with current chemotherapies are unsatisfactory. The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is still high in Africa, and the existence of drug-resistant tuberculosis is also an important issue for treatment. To discover and develop new efficacious anti-mycobacterial treatments, it is important to understand the host-defense mechanisms against mycobacterial infection. Nuclear erythroid 2 p45-related factor-2 (NRF2) is known to be a major regulator of various antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven cytoprotective gene expressions, and its protective role has been demonstrated in infections. However, there are not many papers or reviews regarding the role of NRF2 in mycobacterial infectious disease. Therefore, this review focuses on the role of NRF2 in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium infection.
Reintroduction of DJ-1 in Müller Cells Inhibits Retinal Degeneration in the DJ-1 Deficient Retina
Authors: Gharbi Naouel , Røise Dagne , Førre Jorunn-Elise , Edson Amanda J. , Hushagen Helena A. , Tronci Valentina , Frøyset Ann-Kristin , Fladmark Kari E.
Published: November 2021

The eye is continuously under oxidative stress due to high metabolic activity and reactive oxygen species generated by daily light exposure. The redox-sensitive protein DJ-1 has proven to be essential in order to protect retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from oxidative-stress-induced degeneration. Here, we analyzed the specific role of Müller cell DJ-1 in the adult zebrafish retina by re-establishing Müller-cell-specific DJ-1 expression in a DJ-1 knockout retina. Loss of DJ-1 resulted in an age-dependent retinal degeneration, including loss of cells in the ganglion cell layer, retinal thinning, photoreceptor disorganization and RPE cell dysfunction. The degenerative phenotype induced by the absence of DJ-1 was inhibited by solely expressing DJ-1 in Müller cells. The protective effect was dependent upon the cysteine-106 residue of DJ-1, which has been shown to be an oxidative sensor of DJ-1. In a label-free proteomics analysis of isolated retinas, we identified proteins differentially expressed after DJ-1 knockout, but with restored levels after Müller cell DJ-1 re-insertion. Our data show that Müller cell DJ-1 has a major role in protecting the retina from age-dependent oxidative stress.
Low-Threshold, High-Power On-Chip Tunable III-V/Si Lasers with Integrated Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers
Authors: Ramírez Joan Manel , Fanneau de la Horie Pierre , Provost Jean-Guy , Malhouitre Stéphane , Néel Delphine , Jany Christophe , Besancon Claire , Vaissière Nicolas , Decobert Jean , Hassan Karim , Bitauld David
Published: November 2021

Heterogeneously integrated III-V/Si lasers and semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are key devices for integrated photonics applications requiring miniaturized on-chip light sources, such as in optical communications, sensing, or spectroscopy. In this work, we present a widely tunable laser co-integrated with a semiconductor optical amplifier in a heterogeneous platform that combines AlGaInAs multiple quantum wells (MQWs) and InP-based materials with silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers containing photonic integrated circuits. The co-integrated device is compact, has a total device footprint of 0.5 mm2, a lasing current threshold of 10 mA, a selectable wavelength tuning range of 50 nm centered at λ = 1549 nm, a fiber-coupled output power of 10 mW, and a laser linewidth of ν = 259 KHz. The SOA provides an on-chip gain of 18 dB/mm. The total power consumption of the co-integrated devices remains below 0.5 W even for the most power demanding lasing wavelengths. Apart from the above-mentioned applications, the co-integration of compact widely tunable III-V/Si lasers with on-chip SOAs provides a step forward towards the development of highly efficient, portable, and low power systems for wavelength division multiplexed passive optical networks (WDM-PONs).
Porous Electrodeposited Cu as a Potential Electrode for Electrochemical Reduction Reactions of CO2
Authors: Darayen Jidsucha , Chailapakul Orawon , Praserthdam Piyasan , Panpranot Joongjai , Tungasmita Duangamol N. , Boonyongmaneerat Yuttanant
Published: November 2021

In the present study, a systematic investigation is performed to assess the relationship between electroplating parameters, pore morphology and internal surface area of copper deposits which are promising to serve as electrodes for electrochemical reduction reactions of carbon dioxide (CO2). A set of porous copper deposits are fabricated with the dynamic hydrogen bubble template method. The microstructural and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis demonstrate that current density, deposition time, and bath composition control pore size, strut size, and hence surface area which could be as high as 20 m2/g. Selected sets of porous copper electrodes are then employed in the electrochemical reduction reaction test to determine their conversion performance in comparison to a monolithic copper surface. From the gas chromatography (GC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, porous copper is shown to provide higher rates of production of some important chemicals, as compared to copper foil electrodes. Porous copper with fern-like morphology serves as a promising electrode that yields relatively high amounts of acetaldehyde, acetate and ethanol. The study thus presents the opportunities to enhance the electrochemical reduction reaction of CO2 through microstructural engineering of the copper surface, which benefits both CO2 reduction and generation of chemical products of high value.
High Reliability Evaluation and Lifetime Prediction of 50 GHz Athermal AWG Module
Authors: Yun Kwang-Su , Yu Chong-Hee , Lim Kwon-Seob , Kim Young-Sic , Jeon Insu
Published: November 2021

A 96-channel (50 GHz-spacing) athermal AWG has been developed. It has a wide operating range due to reduced temperature dependence than conventional AWG. The temperature dependence of the center wavelength of the developed module satisfied the ±0.05 nm range in all channels in the temperature range of −40 °C to 85 °C, and the insertion loss variation was also less than ±0.5 dB. As a result of validating its reliability through tests based on Telcordia-GR-1209 and GR-1221, the temperature dependence of the center wavelength satisfied the ±0.022 nm range, and the insertion loss variation was also less than ±0.2 dB. Accelerated life testing showed an expected service life of over 36.7 years, ensuring long-term safety of communication quality in harsh indoor and outdoor environments.
A Novel Distal Interlocking Screw Guidance System Using a Laser Pointer and a Mechanical Fine-Adjustment Device
Authors: Xu Binxiang , An Liming , Ko Seong Young
Published: November 2021

In minimally invasive bone fracture reduction surgery, broken femur bones are firmly fixed to a metallic intramedullary nail (IMN) after they are properly aligned. One of the greatest challenges of this process is that surgeons cannot directly see holes on the IMN, which increases the difficulty of the procedure and results in the requirement of taking a large number of X-ray images to find the location and direction of holes. We propose a novel distal interlocking screw guidance system that consists of a parallel guidance system using a laser pointer (PGSLP) and a mechanical fine-adjustment device (FAD). The PGSLP is used to make the planes of the C-arm and FAD parallel. The FAD is used to concentrically align the IMN hole with the guiding hole. The performance of the proposed device was evaluated by a series of experiments. The tilted angle error between the C-arm and FAD was measured to be 1.24 ± 0.715°. The translational error between the IMN hole and guiding hole was measured to be 0.378 ± 0.120 mm. Since the proposed guiding system is simple, cost-effective, and accurate, we expect it will soon be used in real operations.
SAEP: A Surrounding-Aware Individual Emotion Prediction Model Combined with T-LSTM and Memory Attention Mechanism
Authors: Wang Yakun , Du Yajun , Hu Jinrong , Li Xianyong , Chen Xiaoliang
Published: November 2021

The future emotion prediction of users on social media has been attracting increasing attention from academics. Previous studies on predicting future emotion have focused on the characteristics of individuals’ emotion changes; however, the role of the individual’s neighbors has not yet been thoroughly researched. To fill this gap, a surrounding-aware individual emotion prediction model (SAEP) based on a deep encoder–decoder architecture is proposed to predict individuals’ future emotions. In particular, two memory-based attention networks are constructed: The time-evolving attention network and the surrounding attention network to extract the features of the emotional changes of users and neighbors, respectively. Then, these features are incorporated into the emotion prediction task. In addition, a novel variant LSTM is introduced as the encoder of the proposed model, which can effectively extract complex patterns of users’ emotional changes from irregular time series. Extensive experimental results show that the proposed approach outperforms five alternative methods. The SAEP approach has improved by approximately 4.21–14.84% micro F1 on a dataset built from Twitter and 7.30–13.41% on a dataset built from Microblog. Further analyses validate the effectiveness of the proposed time-evolving context and surrounding context, as well as the factors that may affect the prediction results.
Exploring Serum NMR-Based Metabolomic Fingerprint of Colorectal Cancer Patients: Effects of Surgery and Possible Associations with Cancer Relapse
Authors: Vignoli Alessia , Mori Elena , Di Donato Samantha , Malorni Luca , Biagioni Chiara , Benelli Matteo , Calamai Vanessa , Cantafio Stefano , Parnofiello Annamaria , Baraghini Maddalena , Garzi Alessia , Monte Francesca Del , Romagnoli Dario , Migliaccio Ilenia , Luchinat Claudio , Tenori Leonardo , Biganzoli Laura
Published: November 2021

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed and third most deadly cancer worldwide. Surgery is the main treatment option for early disease; however, a relevant proportion of CRC patients relapse. Here, variations among preoperative and postoperative serum metabolomic fingerprint of CRC patients were studied, and possible associations between metabolic variations and cancer relapse were explored. Methods: A total of 41 patients with stage I-III CRC, planned for radical resection, were enrolled. Serum samples, collected preoperatively (t0) and 4–6 weeks after surgery before the start of any treatment (t1), were analyzed via NMR spectroscopy. NMR data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate statistical approaches. Results: Serum metabolomic fingerprints show differential clustering between t0 and t1 (82–85% accuracy). Pyruvate, HDL-related parameters, acetone, and 3-hydroxybutyrate appear to be the major players in this discrimination. Eight out of the 41 CRC patients enrolled developed cancer relapse. Postoperative, relapsed patients show an increase of pyruvate and HDL-related parameters, and a decrease of Apo-A1 Apo-B100 ratio and VLDL-related parameters. Conclusions: Surgery significantly alters the metabolomic fingerprint of CRC patients. Some metabolic changes seem to be associated with the development of cancer relapse. These data, if validated in a larger cohort, open new possibilities for risk stratification in patients with early-stage CRC.
A Discrete-Time Compartmental Epidemiological Model for COVID-19 with a Case Study for Portugal
Authors: Vaz Sandra , Torres Delfim F. M.
Published: November 2021

Recently, a continuous-time compartmental mathematical model for the spread of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was presented with Portugal as case study, from 2 March to 4 May 2020, and the local stability of the Disease Free Equilibrium (DFE) was analysed. Here, we propose an analogous discrete-time model and, using a suitable Lyapunov function, we prove the global stability of the DFE point. Using COVID-19 real data, we show, through numerical simulations, the consistence of the obtained theoretical results.
On Multivalent Analytic Functions Considered by a Multi-Arbitrary Differential Operator in a Complex Domain
Authors: Alarifi Najla M. , Ibrahim Rabha W.
Published: November 2021

(1) Background: There is an increasing amount of information in complex domains, which necessitates the development of various kinds of operators, such as differential, integral, and linear convolution operators. Few investigations of the fractional differential and integral operators of a complex variable have been undertaken. (2) Methods: In this effort, we aim to present a generalization of a class of analytic functions based on a complex fractional differential operator. This class is defined by utilizing the subordination and superordination theory. (3) Results: We illustrate different fractional inequalities of starlike and convex formulas. Moreover, we discuss the main conditions to obtain sandwich inequalities involving the fractional operator. (4) Conclusion: We indicate that the suggested class is a generalization of recent works and can be applied to discuss the upper and lower bounds of a special case of fractional differential equations.
A Combination of Glutaminase Inhibitor 968 and PD-L1 Blockade Boosts the Immune Response against Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Wang Jing-Jing , Siu Michelle Kwan-Yee , Jiang Yu-Xin , Leung Thomas Ho-Yin , Chan David Wai , Wang Huo-Gang , Ngan Hextan Yuen-Sheung , Chan Karen Kar-Loen
Published: November 2021

Programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1) blockade has been used therapeutically in the treatment of ovarian cancer, and potential combination treatment approaches are under investigation to improve the treatment response rate. The increased dependence on glutamine is widely observed in various type of tumors, including ovarian cancer. Kidney-type glutaminase (GLS), as one of the isotypes of glutaminase, is found to promote tumorigenesis. Here, we have demonstrated that the combined treatment with GLS inhibitor 968 and PD-L1 blockade enhances the immune response against ovarian cancer. Survival analysis using the Kaplan–Meier plotter dataset from ovarian cancer patients revealed that the expression level of GLS predicts poor survival and correlates with the immunosuppressive microenvironment of ovarian cancer. 968 inhibits the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells and enhances granzyme B secretion by CD8+ T cells as detected by XTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Furthermore, 968 enhances the apoptosis-inducing ability of CD8+ T cells toward cancer cells and improves the treatment effect of anti-PD-L1 in treating ovarian cancer as assessed by Annexin V apoptosis assay. In vivo studies demonstrated the prolonged overall survival upon combined treatment of 968 with anti-PD-L1 accompanied by increased granzyme B secretion by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells isolated from ovarian tumor xenografts. Additionally, 968 increases the infiltration of CD3+ T cells into tumors, possibly through enhancing the secretion of CXCL10 and CXCL11 by tumor cells. In conclusion, our findings provide a novel insight into ovarian cancer cells influence the immune system in the tumor microenvironment and highlight the potential clinical implication of combination of immune checkpoints with GLS inhibitor 968 in treating ovarian cancer.
Pustular Psoriasis: From Pathophysiology to Treatment
Authors: Genovese Giovanni , Moltrasio Chiara , Cassano Nicoletta , Maronese Carlo Alberto , Vena Gino Antonio , Marzano Angelo Valerio
Published: November 2021

Pustular psoriasis (PP) is a clinicopathological entity encompassing different variants, i.e., acute generalized PP (GPP), PP of pregnancy (impetigo herpetiformis), annular (and circinate) PP, infantile/juvenile PP, palmoplantar PP/palmoplantar pustulosis, and acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH), which have in common an eruption of superficial sterile pustules on an erythematous base. Unlike psoriasis vulgaris, in which a key role is played by the adaptive immune system and interleukin (IL)-17/IL-23 axis, PP seems to be characterized by an intense inflammatory response resulting from innate immunity hyperactivation, with prominent involvement of the IL-36 axis. Some nosological aspects of PP are still controversial and debated. Moreover, owing to the rarity and heterogeneity of PP forms, data on prognosis and therapeutic management are limited. Recent progresses in the identification of genetic mutations and immunological mechanisms have promoted a better understanding of PP pathogenesis and might have important consequences on diagnostic refinement and treatment. In this narrative review, current findings in the pathogenesis, classification, clinical features, and therapeutic management of PP are briefly discussed.
Is the Macrophage Phenotype Determinant for Fibrosis Development?
Authors: Lis-López Lluis , Bauset Cristina , Seco-Cervera Marta , Cosín-Roger Jesús
Published: November 2021

Fibrosis is a pathophysiological process of wound repair that leads to the deposit of connective tissue in the extracellular matrix. This complication is mainly associated with different pathologies affecting several organs such as lung, liver, heart, kidney, and intestine. In this fibrotic process, macrophages play an important role since they can modulate fibrosis due to their high plasticity, being able to adopt different phenotypes depending on the microenvironment in which they are found. In this review, we will try to discuss whether the macrophage phenotype exerts a pivotal role in the fibrosis development in the most important fibrotic scenarios.
Core Elements Underlying Supply Chain Management in the Construction Industry: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Studer Walter , De Brito Mello Luiz
Published: November 2021

The relevance of supply chain management (SCM) is being increasingly recognized in the construction industry. However, its implementation has been limited and is still challenging for researchers and practitioners. An adequate and systematic understanding of context-specific core concepts and practices are considered fundamental to foster its implementation. This paper aims to provide a holistic look into the existing research on elements underlying SCM in the construction industry. It adopts a systematic literature review method to examine almost two decades of publications and uses a comprehensive SCM framework to synthesize the findings. The results revealed a set of 19 core elements clustered in five subject areas (i.e., ‘strategic management’, ‘logistics’, ‘relationships’, ‘best practices’ and ‘organizational behavior’) that have a prominent role in construction SCM. Every core element was analyzed in detail and the results were discussed in the context of other evidence. This study produced the first comprehensive picture of the current state of knowledge, providing relevant contributions to enhance the understanding and implementation of SCM within the construction industry.
The Influence of Learning Styles on Perception and Preference of Learning Spaces in the University Campus
Authors: Wang Shiqi , Han Chenping
Published: November 2021

Good academic performance will occur when learning spaces match or support individual preference and needs. This effect depends on environmental characteristics and individual attributes. Learning styles (LSs) have been used as a tool to capture the behavioral and psychological characteristics of learners in the process of learning activities, which provide instructions to address their learning needs. However, few have focused on the perceptual characteristics of learning space from the view of distinct learning styles. The research aims to identify which kinds of learning spaces in university campus have been preferred by students with different learning styles respectively and the spatial characteristics which have significant influence on the distinct evaluation results; the research consists of 178 college students’ LSs measurement conducted by the Index of Learning Styles questionnaire and their subjective assessment to five typical learning spaces obtained by 5-point Likert-type scale. Then, the key spatial influencing factors were identified by the focus group interviews; the results firstly ranked the learning spaces according to their satisfaction evaluation and restorative potential. The self-study rooms are rated highest, followed by professional classroom, traditional classroom, and multimedia classroom. Then, two dimensions of learning styles were proved as having considerable effects on perception. Specifically, there are significant differences between visual and verbal learners’ evaluations of multimedia classrooms and traditional classrooms, and between global and sequential learners’ evaluations of multimedia classrooms, informal learning spaces, and learning buildings. The other two dimensions including perceiving and remembering have no obvious impacts on learners’ perception of any learning spaces. At last, the important influence factors of perceptions of five typical learning spaces were identified, respectively, and their different effects on various groups were discussed. For example, the serious atmosphere in traditional classrooms was regarded as a motivation for sensing learners but a stress for intuitive learners. The studies emphasize the perceptual difference on learning space in terms of students’ unique learning styles and key points for each kind of learning space with regard to satisfaction of personalized needs. However, before it can be used by designers as tools, more research is needed.
The Impact of Enzalutamide on the Prostate Cancer Patient Experience: A Summary Review of Health-Related Quality of Life across Pivotal Clinical Trials
Authors: Tombal Bertrand , Stenzl Arnulf , Cella David , Loriot Yohann , Armstrong Andrew J. , Fizazi Karim , Beer Tomasz , Sternberg Cora N. , Hussain Maha , Ivanescu Cristina , Ganguli Arijit , Ramaswamy Krishnan , Saad Fred
Published: November 2021

This review examines the impact of treatment with enzalutamide on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in prostate cancer patients across the disease continuum based on pivotal clinical trials. We assessed the effect of enzalutamide on pain, symptom burden and overall HRQoL from randomized controlled trials. Patient experience was evaluated in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) (pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy). Patients across the disease continuum reported a generally positive status at baseline, with relatively low levels of pain and impairment due to cancer-related symptoms and high HRQoL. For patients with earlier-state prostate cancer, pain and symptom-related burden were low at study entry and remained so, regardless of whether patients received enzalutamide or control treatment. Patients with more advanced disease reported mitigation in pain and symptom burden while receiving treatment with enzalutamide. Enzalutamide was observed to slow deterioration of overall HRQoL most for patients with nmCRPC or mCRPC (statistical significance for between-group difference in median time to deterioration: mHSPC (confirmed) p = 0.2998; nmCRPC (confirmed) p = 0.0044; mCRPC (unconfirmed) p < 0.0001). Across the prostate cancer continuum, enzalutamide is well-tolerated and delays the negative impact that disease progression has on quality of life.
High Levels of Expression of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein in Lymph Node Metastases in Breast Cancer Are Associated with Reduced Survival
Authors: Papadakos Konstantinos S. , Hagerling Catharina , Rydén Lisa , Larsson Anna-Maria , Blom Anna M.
Published: November 2021

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a regulator of the extracellular matrix and is expressed primarily in the cartilage. Recently, COMP expression was also documented in breast cancer patients both in sera and tumor biopsies, in both of which it could serve as an independent prognostic marker. This study aimed to assess COMP as a potential biomarker in the group of metastatic breast cancer patients. Levels of COMP were measured by ELISA in serum samples of 141 metastatic breast cancer patients. Biopsies from primary tumors, synchronous lymph node metastases, and distant metastases were stained for COMP expression. The levels of serum COMP were higher in patients with ER- and HER2-positive tumors when compared to triple-negative tumors and correlated with the presence of bone and lung metastases, circulating tumor cell count, and clusters. Most of the primary tumors expressing COMP (70%) retained the expression also in the lymph node metastases, which correlated with visceral metastases and reduced survival. In conclusion, COMP appears as a valuable biomarker in metastatic breast cancer patients indicating a more severe stage of the disease. Serum COMP levels were associated with specific types of metastases in patients with metastatic breast cancer emphasizing that further studies are warranted to elucidate its potential role as a monitoring marker.
Integrated Clinical Genotype-Phenotype Characteristics of Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm
Authors: Yin C. Cameron , Pemmaraju Naveen , You M. James , Li Shaoying , Xu Jie , Wang Wei , Tang Zhenya , Alswailmi Omar , Bhalla Kapil N. , Qazilbash Muzaffar H. , Konopleva Marina , Khoury Joseph D.
Published: November 2021

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare, aggressive neoplasm derived from plasmacytoid dendritic cells. While advances in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease have been made, integrated systematic analyses of the spectrum of immunophenotypic and molecular alterations in real-world clinical cases remain limited. We performed mutation profiling of 50 BPDCN cases and assessed our findings in the context of disease immunophenotype, cytogenetics, and clinical characteristics. Patients included 42 men and 8 women, with a median age of 68 years (range, 14–84) at diagnosis. Forty-two (84%) patients had at least one mutation, and 23 (46%) patients had ≥3 mutations. The most common mutations involved TET2 and ASXL1, detected in 28 (56%) and 23 (46%) patients, respectively. Co-existing TET2 and ASXL1 mutations were present in 17 (34%) patients. Other recurrent mutations included ZRSR2 (16%), ETV6 (13%), DNMT3A (10%), NRAS (10%), IKZF1 (9%), SRSF2 (9%), IDH2 (8%), JAK2 (6%), KRAS (4%), NOTCH1 (4%), and TP53 (4%). We also identified mutations that have not been reported previously, including ETNK1, HNRNPK, HRAS, KDM6A, RAD21, SF3A1, and SH2B3. All patients received chemotherapy, and 20 patients additionally received stem cell transplantation. With a median follow-up of 10.5 months (range, 1–71), 21 patients achieved complete remission, 4 had persistent disease, and 24 died. Patients younger than 65 years had longer overall survival compared to those who were ≥65 years (p = 0.0022). Patients who had ≥3 mutations or mutations in the DNA methylation pathway genes had shorter overall survival (p = 0.0119 and p = 0.0126, respectively). Stem cell transplantation significantly prolonged overall survival regardless of mutation status. In conclusion, the majority of patients with BPDCN have somatic mutations involving epigenetic regulators and RNA splicing factors, in addition to ETV6 and IKZF1, which are also frequently mutated. Older age, multiple mutations, and mutations in the DNA methylation pathway are poor prognostic factors.
A Novel Heterogeneous Superoxide Support-Coated Catalyst for Production of Biodiesel from Roasted and Unroasted Sinapis arvensis Seed Oil
Authors: Hanif Maryam , Bhatti Haq Nawaz , Hanif Muhammad Asif , Rashid Umer , Hanif Asma , Moser Bryan R. , Alsalme Ali
Published: November 2021

Disadvantages of biodiesel include consumption of edible oils for fuel production, generation of wastewater and inability to recycle catalysts during homogenously catalyzed transesterification. The aim of the current study was to utilize low-cost, inedible oil extracted from Sinapis arvensis seeds to produce biodiesel using a novel nano-composite superoxide heterogeneous catalyst. Sodium superoxide (NaO2) was synthesized by reaction of sodium nitrate with hydrogen peroxide via spray pyrolysis, followed by coating onto a composite support material prepared from silicon dioxide, potassium ferricyanide and granite. The roasted (110 °C, 20 min) and unroasted S. arvensis seeds were subjected to high vacuum fractional distillation to afford fractions (F1, F2 and F3) that correlated to molecular weight. For example, F1 was enriched in palmitic acid (76–79%), F2 was enriched in oleic acid (69%) and F3 was enriched in erucic acid (61%). These fractions, as well as pure unroasted and roasted S. arvensis seed oils, were then transesterified using NaO2/SiO2/PFC/Granite to give biodiesel a maximum yield of 98.4% and 99.2%, respectively. In contrast, yields using immobilized lipase catalyst were considerably lower (78–85%). Fuel properties such as acid value, cetane number, density, iodine value, pour point, and saponification value were within the ranges specified in the American biodiesel standard, ASTM D6751, where applicable. These results indicated that the nano-composite catalyst was excellent for production of biodiesel from unroasted and roasted S. arvensis seed oil and its fractions.
Association of Hepatic Steatosis Index with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Diagnosed by Non-Enhanced CT in a Screening Population
Authors: Chung Jieun , Park Hee-Sun , Kim Young-Jun , Yu Mi-Hye , Park Sungeun , Jung Sung-Il
Published: November 2021

The noninvasive diagnosis of hepatic steatosis is of increasing concern. This study investigated the association of hepatic steatosis determined by non-enhanced CT criteria with clinical parameters in a screening population. Asymptomatic patients who underwent abdominal CT at our healthcare center were retrospectively analyzed (n = 339). Two radiologists measured the attenuation values of the liver parenchyma and spleen using non-enhanced CT images. CT criteria for hepatic steatosis were (a) absolute liver attenuation value <48 Hounsfield units (HU), (b) liver-to-spleen attenuation ratio <0.8, and (c) attenuation difference between the liver and spleen <−10. Body mass index (BMI) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI) were calculated, and laboratory findings were recorded. The association of hepatic steatosis with clinical parameters was assessed using univariate and logistic regression analyses. The presence of hepatic steatosis was significantly associated with the levels of serum fasting glucose and triglycerides, the alanine aminotransferase to aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) ratio, BMI, and HSI values using any of the CT criteria. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the serum fasting glucose level and HSI were significantly associated with hepatic steatosis using criterion (a), while the ALT/AST ratio and HSI were associated with hepatic steatosis using criteria (b) and (c). The presence of hepatic steatosis on non-enhanced CT should be considered to indicate possible clinical profile abnormalities regarding metabolic syndrome.
The Applications of 3D Imaging and Indocyanine Green Dye Fluorescence in Laparoscopic Liver Surgery
Authors: Berardi Giammauro , Colasanti Marco , Meniconi Roberto Luca , Ferretti Stefano , Guglielmo Nicola , Mariano Germano , Burocchi Mirco , Campanelli Alessandra , Scotti Andrea , Pecoraro Alessandra , Angrisani Marco , Ferrari Paolo , Minervini Andrea , Gasparoli Camilla , Wakabayashi Go , Ettorre Giuseppe Maria
Published: November 2021

Laparoscopic liver resections have gained widespread popularity among hepatobiliary surgeons and is nowadays performed for both standard and more complex hepatectomies. Given the increased technical challenges, preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance is pivotal in laparoscopic surgery to safely carry out complex and oncologically safe hepatectomies. Modern tools can help both preoperatively and intraoperatively and allow surgeons to perform more precise hepatectomies. Preoperative 3D reconstructions and printing as well as augmented reality can increase the knowledge of the specific anatomy of the case and therefore plan the surgery accordingly and tailor the procedure on the patient. Furthermore, the indocyanine green retention dye is an increasingly used tool that can nowadays improve the precision during laparoscopic hepatectomies, especially when considering anatomical resection. The use of preoperative modern imaging and intraoperative indocyanine green dye are key to successfully perform complex hepatectomies such as laparoscopic parenchymal sparing liver resections. In this narrative review, we discuss the aspects of preoperative and intraoperative tools that are nowadays increasingly used in experienced hepatobiliary centers.
INSM1, a Novel Biomarker for Detection of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Cytopathologists’ View
Authors: Maleki Zahra , Nadella Akash , Nadella Mohnish , Patel Gopi , Patel Shivni , Kholová Ivana
Published: November 2021

Background: Insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) has been considered as a novel immunostain for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and is hypothesized to be more reliable than first-generation NET biomarkers, such as CGA (chromogranin A), SYP (synaptophysin) and CD56 (neural cell adhesion molecule). In this review, we summarize existing literature on INSM1′s reliability as an immunostain for detection of various NETs, its results in comparison to first-generation NET biomarkers, and its expression in both non-NETs and benign tissues/cells on cytology specimens (cell blocks/smears).
Advances in Lymphoma Molecular Diagnostics
Authors: Kos Igor Age , Thurner Lorenz , Bittenbring Joerg Thomas , Christofyllakis Konstantinos , Kaddu-Mulindwa Dominic
Published: November 2021

Lymphomas encompass a diverse group of malignant lymphoid neoplasms. Over recent years much scientific effort has been undertaken to identify and understand molecular changes in lymphomas, resulting in a wide range of genetic alterations that have been reported across all types of lymphomas. As many of these changes are now incorporated into the World Health Organization’s defined criteria for the diagnostic evaluation of patients with lymphoid neoplasms, their accurate identification is crucial. Even if many alterations are not routinely evaluated in daily clinical practice, they may still have implications in risk stratification, treatment, prognosis or disease monitoring. Moreover, some alterations can be used for targeted treatment. Therefore, these advances in lymphoma molecular diagnostics in some cases have led to changes in treatment algorithms. Here, we give an overview of and discuss advances in molecular techniques in current clinical practice, as well as highlight some of them in a clinical context.
Racial Differences in Functional and Sleep Outcomes with Positive Airway Pressure Treatment
Authors: Imayama Ikuyo , Balserak Bilgay Izci , Gupta Ahana , Munoz Tomas , Srimoragot Manassawee , Keenan Brendan T. , Kuna Samuel T. , Prasad Bharati
Published: November 2021

It is unclear if the response to positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment is different between African American (AA) and European Americans (EA). We examined whether race modifies the effects of PAP on sleep and daytime function. We assessed Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, Psychomotor Vigilance Task and actigraphy in 185 participants with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea before and 3–4 months after PAP treatment. The participants were middle-aged (mean, 55.1 years), 83.8% men and 60.5% AA. Linear regression models were used to examine the effect of race on outcomes. The AA had smaller reductions in ESS (mean change (95% confidence interval, CI) AA, −2.30 [−3.35, −1.25] vs. EA, −4.16 [−5.48, −2.84] and frequency of awakenings (AA, −0.73 [−4.92, 3.47] vs. EA, −9.35 [−15.20, −3.51]). A race × PAP usage interaction term was added to the model to examine if the change in outcomes per 1 h increase in PAP usage differed by race. AA exhibited greater improvement in wake after sleep onset (β (95% CI) AA, −8.89 [−16.40, −1.37] vs. EA, 2.49 [−4.15, 9.12]) and frequency of awakening (β (95% CI) AA, −2.59 [−4.44, −0.75] vs. EA, 1.71 [−1.08, 4.50]). The results indicate the importance of race in evaluating outcomes following PAP treatment.
Pleural Involvement in IgG4-Related Disease: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Mei Federico , Mancini Massimiliano , Maurizi Giulio , Vecchione Andrea , Zuccatosta Lina , Rendina Erino Angelo , Gasparini Stefano
Published: November 2021

Diagnostic work-up of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) pleural involvement is a complex task, as there is a broad spectrum of differential diagnoses to consider. We report the case of a patient presenting with relapsing pleural effusion, discussing the main challenges for achievement of a definite diagnosis. A 63-year-old man was admitted for pleural effusion prevalent on the ride side, initially labeled as idiopathic non-specific pleuritis, based on tissue evaluation after a medical thoracoscopy. He was started on steroids with initial improvement, but a later CT scan showed a relapse of pleural effusion associated with diffuse pleural thickening; a subsequent surgical pleural biopsy revealed features suggestive for IgG4-RD, with a marked increase of IgG4 positive plasma cells. High IgG4 serum levels were also found. The present case underlines the importance of increasing awareness of this potential condition among physicians in order to properly guide the diagnostic work-up, as it is likely that IgG4-RD accounts for a proportion of patients with pleural effusions, labeled as idiopathic. In particular, in patients with unexplained pleural effusion, IgG4-RD should be included among differential diagnoses when lymphoplasmacytic infiltration is observed, and a multidisciplinary interaction between clinicians and pathologists appears crucial for an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate management.
Correcting Errors in Color Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Fault Tolerance Technique
Authors: Mohamed Heba G. , Alrowais Fadwa , ElKamchouchi Dalia H.
Published: November 2021

Security standards have been raised through modern multimedia communications technology, which allows for enormous progress in security. Modern multimedia communication technologies are concerned with fault tolerance technique and information security. As a primary method, there is widespread use of image encryption to protect image information security. Over the past few years, image encryption has paid more attention to combining DNA technologies in order to increase security. The objective here is to provide a new method for correcting color image encryption errors due to the uncertainty of DNA computing by using the fractional order hyperchaotic Lorenz system. To increase randomness, the proposed cryptosystem is applied to the three plain image channels: Red, Green, and Blue. Several methods were compared including the following: entropy, correlation, key sensitivity, key space, data loss attacks, speed computation, Number of Pixel changing rate (NPCR), and Unified Average Change Intensity randomness (UACI) tests. Consequently, the proposed scheme is very secure against a variety of cryptographic attacks.
Deep Learning Spatial-Spectral Classification of Remote Sensing Images by Applying Morphology-Based Differential Extinction Profile (DEP)
Authors: Kakhani Nafiseh , Mokhtarzade Mehdi , Valadan Zoej Mohammad Javad
Published: November 2021

Since the technology of remote sensing has been improved recently, the spatial resolution of satellite images is getting finer. This enables us to precisely analyze the small complex objects in a scene through remote sensing images. Thus, the need to develop new, efficient algorithms like spatial-spectral classification methods is growing. One of the most successful approaches is based on extinction profile (EP), which can extract contextual information from remote sensing data. Moreover, deep learning classifiers have drawn attention in the remote sensing community in the past few years. Recent progress has shown the effectiveness of deep learning at solving different problems, particularly segmentation tasks. This paper proposes a novel approach based on a new concept, which is differential extinction profile (DEP). DEP makes it possible to have an input feature vector with both spectral and spatial information. The input vector is then fed into a proposed straightforward deep-learning-based classifier to produce a thematic map. The approach is carried out on two different urban datasets from Pleiades and World-View 2 satellites. In order to prove the capabilities of the suggested approach, we compare the final results to the results of other classification strategies with different input vectors and various types of common classifiers, such as support vector machine (SVM) and random forests (RF). It can be concluded that the proposed approach is significantly improved in terms of three kinds of criteria, which are overall accuracy, Kappa coefficient, and total disagreement.