bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NSVDNet: Normalized Spatial-Variant Diffusion Network for Robust Image-Guided Depth Completion
Authors: Zeng Jin , Zhu Qingpeng
Published: June 2024

Depth images captured by low-cost three-dimensional (3D) cameras are subject to low spatial density, requiring depth completion to improve 3D imaging quality. Image-guided depth completion aims at predicting dense depth images from extremely sparse depth measurements captured by depth sensors with the guidance of aligned Red–Green–Blue (RGB) images. Recent approaches have achieved a remarkable improvement, but the performance will degrade severely due to the corruption in input sparse depth. To enhance robustness to input corruption, we propose a novel depth completion scheme based on a normalized spatial-variant diffusion network incorporating measurement uncertainty, which introduces the following contributions. First, we design a normalized spatial-variant diffusion (NSVD) scheme to apply spatially varying filters iteratively on the sparse depth conditioned on its certainty measure for excluding depth corruption in the diffusion. In addition, we integrate the NSVD module into the network design to enable end-to-end training of filter kernels and depth reliability, which further improves the structural detail preservation via the guidance of RGB semantic features. Furthermore, we apply the NSVD module hierarchically at multiple scales, which ensures global smoothness while preserving visually salient details. The experimental results validate the advantages of the proposed network over existing approaches with enhanced performance and noise robustness for depth completion in real-use scenarios.
Mobile Robot Navigation Based on Noisy N-Step Dueling Double Deep Q-Network and Prioritized Experience Replay
Authors: Hu Wenjie , Zhou Ye , Ho Hann Woei
Published: June 2024

Effective real-time autonomous navigation for mobile robots in static and dynamic environments has become a challenging and active research topic. Although the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm offers a solution, it often heavily relies on complex global and local maps, resulting in significant computational demands, slower convergence rates, and prolonged training times. In response to these challenges, this paper presents a novel algorithm called PER-n2D3QN, which integrates prioritized experience replay, a noisy network with factorized Gaussian noise, n-step learning, and a dueling structure into a double deep Q-network. This combination enhances the efficiency of experience replay, facilitates exploration, and provides more accurate Q-value estimates, thereby significantly improving the performance of autonomous navigation for mobile robots. To further bolster the stability and robustness, meaningful improvements, such as target “soft” updates and the gradient clipping mechanism, are employed. Additionally, a novel and powerful target-oriented reshaping reward function is designed to expedite learning. The proposed model is validated through extensive experiments using the robot operating system (ROS) and Gazebo simulation environment. Furthermore, to more specifically reflect the complexity of the simulation environment, this paper presents a quantitative analysis of the simulation environment. The experimental results demonstrate that PER-n2D3QN exhibits heightened accuracy, accelerated convergence rates, and enhanced robustness in both static and dynamic scenarios.
Analysis of the Heat Concentration Phenomenon on the Turbine (TBN) Building of a Coal-Fired Power Plant and Suggestions for Improvement
Authors: Cho Mok-Lyang , Lee Seon-Bong
Published: June 2024

Coal-fired power plants generate power by rotating turbines (TBNs). According to the high-temperature work exposure standard (KOSHA CODE 02), the turbine (TBN) building, where essential power-generation components, turbines (TBNs), are installed, contains various types of high-temperature equipment, creating a hazardous working environment for onsite employees. In addition, malfunctions from lubricant leaks occur at the moving parts of such power-generation equipment in the building, due to the high-temperature environment. In this study, we analyzed the heat concentration phenomenon in the turbine (TBN) building using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software and made recommendations for its improvement. We examined options for installing automatic ventilation windows and additional heat exhaust fans on turbine (TBN) floors. We discovered that installing an automatic ventilation window and a heat exhaust fan on the deaerator floor can reduce the average temperature by 1.2 °C and 6.6 °C, respectively. In addition, the mezzanine floor, where the core heat-generating equipment is installed, is significantly affected by radiant heat. To mitigate the heat concentration phenomenon, we recommend installing additional radiant heat shields.
Experimental Study of Oil–Water Flow Downstream of a Restriction in a Horizontal Pipe
Authors: Zhou Denghong , Karatayev Kanat , Fan Yilin , Straiton Benjamin , Marashdeh Qussai
Published: June 2024

This work presents an experimental study on oil–water flow downstream of a restriction. The flow pattern, volumetric phase distribution, and their impacts on pressure drop are discussed. We employed two techniques to visualize the oil–water flow patterns, a high-speed camera and an Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography (ECVT) system. The ECVT system is a non-intrusive device that measures the volumetric phase distribution at the pipe cross-section with time, which plays a critical role in determining the continuous phase in the oil–water flow, and therefore the oil–water flow pattern. In this study, we delved into the oil–water flow pattern and volumetric phase distribution for different valve openings, flow rates, and water cuts, and how they impact the pressure drop. The experimental results have demonstrated a strong relationship between the oil–water flow pattern and the pressure gradient, while the oil–water flow pattern is significantly influenced by the flowing conditions and the valve openings. The impacts of water cuts on the oil–water flow pattern are more obvious for smaller valve openings. For large valve openings, the oil and water phases tend to be more separated. This results in a moderate variation in the pressure gradient as a function of water cuts. However, it becomes more complex as the valve opening decreases. The pressure gradient generally increases with decreasing valve openings until the flow pattern becomes an oil-in-water dispersed flow. The impact of the valve on the pressure gradient is more pronounced in water-dominated flow when the water cut is above the inversion point, while it seems to be most obvious for medium water cut conditions.
The Potential of Using Bisr Date Powder as a Novel Ingredient in Biscuits Made of Wheat Flour Only or Mixed with Barley
Authors: Elkatry Haiam O. , Almubarak Sukainah E. H. , Mohamed Heba I. , Ramadan Khaled M. A. , Ahmed Abdelrahman R.
Published: June 2024

An overproducing date fruit with limited industrial utilization leads to significant waste and losses, especially in the early stage of date maturity known as bisr. This study aimed to investigate the potential use of bisr date powder (BDP) at different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%) as a natural sweetener instead of sugar and barley flour as a source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals instead of wheat flour (50%) in biscuit production over storage periods of 7, 14, and 21 days. The analysis revealed that the bisr Al-Khalas powder sample had a moisture content of 11.84%, ash content of 2.30%, and crude fiber content of 10.20%. Additionally, it had a low protein (2.50%) and fat (0.77%) content, with total carbohydrates at 82.59%. The gradual substitution of bisr Al-Khalas in biscuit production resulted in an increased moisture, ash, fat, protein, crude fiber, and iron content, as well as a decrease in total carbohydrate percentage. A chemical analysis of bisr Al-Khalas powder demonstrated high levels of antioxidants, with 248.49 mg gallic acid/g of phenolic compounds, 31.03 mg quercetin/g of flavonoids, and an antioxidant activity ranging from 42.30%, as shown by the DPPH test. The peroxide content was 0.009 mg equivalent/kg. Biscuit samples with different proportions of bisr Al-Khalas showed an improved resistance to oxidation compared to samples without bisr Al-Khalas, with increased resistance as the percentage of replacement increased during storage. Physical properties such as the diameter, height, and spread percentage, as well as organoleptic properties like color, flavor, aroma, and taste, were significantly enhanced with higher levels of bisr Al-Khalas in the mixture. Biscuit samples fortified with 100% pure bisr Al-Khalas powder were found to be less acceptable, while samples with a 25% substitution did not negatively impact sensory properties. In addition, acrylamide and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) were not detected in bisr powder and biscuit samples prepared at different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%). In conclusion, the study suggests that bisr Al-Khalas powder, an underutilized waste product, has the potential to add value to commercial biscuit production due to its high nutritional value and extended storage period resulting from its potent antioxidant activity.
The Impact of Chlorella vulgaris Fortification on the Nutritional Composition and Quality Characteristics of Beef Burgers
Authors: Abdel-Moatamed Basma R. , El-Fakhrany Alla-Eldeen M. A. , Elneairy Nady A. A. , Shaban Mohamed Mahmoud , Roby Mohamed H. H.
Published: June 2024

Chlorella vulgaris (C.V) is known for its high protein and nutrient contents and has been touted as a potential functional ingredient in food products. For this study, beef burgers were formulated with varying levels of Chlorella vulgaris fortification (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% by weight). The nutritional composition, including proximate analysis and mineral content, was determined for each treatment group. The quality characteristics evaluated included thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN), pH, and total acidity. The study included extracting the active substances from Chlorella vulgaris using three solvents, 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol, and water, to evaluate the effect on the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The results showed that the water extract had the highest total phenolic content (183.5 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram) and the highest flavonoid content (54 mg quercetin per gram). The aqueous extract had the highest content of total antioxidants, followed by the 95% ethanol and 50% ethanol extracts. Meanwhile, the 50% ethanol extract showed the best antimicrobial activity, while the aqueous extract had less of an effect on Gram-positive bacteria and no effect on E. coli. For the burger treatments, at the end of the storage period, it was observed that the microbial load of the treatments decreased compared to the control, and there was a high stability in the total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN) values for the treatments compared to the control, reaching a value of 22.4 at month 5, which is well above the acceptable limit, indicating spoilage. The pH values were higher for all of the treatments, with a lower total acidity for all of the treatments compared to the control. In conclusion, utilizing Chlorella vulgaris algae as a natural preservative to extend the freshness of burgers is a sustainable and innovative approach to food preservation. By harnessing the power of this green superfood, we not only enhance the shelf life of our food products but also contribute to a healthier and more environmentally friendly food industry.
Strategies and Challenges of Microbiota Regulation in Baijiu Brewing
Authors: Zhang Pengpeng , Liu Yanbo , Li Haideng , Hui Ming , Pan Chunmei
Published: June 2024

The traditional Chinese Baijiu brewing process utilizes natural inoculation and open fermentation. The microbial composition and abundance in the microecology of Baijiu brewing often exhibit unstable characteristics, which directly results in fluctuations in Baijiu quality. The microbiota plays a crucial role in determining the quality of Baijiu. Analyzing the driving effect of technology and raw materials on microorganisms. Elucidating the source of core microorganisms and interactions between microorganisms, and finally utilizing single or multiple microorganisms to regulate and intensify the Baijiu fermentation process is an important way to achieve high efficiency and stability in the production of Baijiu. This paper provides a systematic review of the composition and sources of microbiota at different brewing stages. It also analyzes the relationship between raw materials, brewing processes, and brewing microbiota, as well as the steps involved in the implementation of brewing microbiota regulation strategies. In addition, this paper considers the feasibility of using Baijiu flavor as a guide for Baijiu brewing regulation by synthesizing the microbiota, and the challenges involved. This paper is a guide for flavor regulation and quality assurance of Baijiu and also suggests new research directions for regulatory strategies for other fermented foods.
Correction: Mantovani et al. Late Cenozoic Evolution and Present Tectonic Setting of the Aegean–Hellenic Arc. Geosciences 2022, 12, 104
Authors: Mantovani Enzo , Babbucci Daniele , Tamburelli Caterina , Viti Marcello
Published: June 2024

In the original publication [...]
Factors Associated with the Health-Related Self-Care Capacity of Overweight and Obese People
Authors: Tenorio-Guerrero Liz K. , Puente-Alejos Romara , Chavez Sosa Janett V. , Newball-Noriega Edda E. , Huancahuire-Vega Salomon
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between beliefs about obese people and health-related self-care among overweight and obese people, considering sociodemographic aspects. This study adopted a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 207 participants selected through a simple random sampling method. The “Beliefs About Obese Persons Scale” (BAOP) and the “Self-Care Agency Rating Scale-Revised” (ASA-R) questionnaires were applied to data collection. The results showed that 82.6% believed that obesity is a condition the individual cannot control, and 74.4% expressed inadequate self-care regarding their health. A multivariate analysis found that belonging to the adult age group increases the probability of presenting adequate health-related self-care by 4.7 times (95% CI = 1.892–11.790) compared to older adults. The belief that obesity is an uncontrollable condition increases the probability of inadequate self-care by 6.3 times (95% CI = 2.360–16.924), in contrast to the perception that it is a controllable condition. Moreover, overweight people are 0.139 times (95% CI = 0.044–0.443) less likely to have adequate self-care compared to people with obesity. In conclusion, being an adult and having the belief that obesity is a condition that can be controlled is associated with adequate health-related self-care, while being overweight is associated with inadequate health care.
Toloese Generates Nitric Oxide through Natural Radiation of Far Infrared Rays, Reducing Serum Glucose, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides
Authors: Yeo Min-Ho , Lee Young-Hyeon , Ryu Mi-Jin , Choi Yong-Hak , Kim Hye-Sook , Chang Kyung-Soo
Published: June 2024

Toloese, a bed composition, is formulated with a combination of minerals of various wavelengths by utilizing a specific ratio and particle size. A maturation mixing technique is used without additional compression processes, resulting in the natural formation of numerous fine pores in the bed structure. At 40 °C, far infrared radiation in the range of 5–20 μm is emitted with a 0.916 radiant ratio, and the measured emitted radiant energy is 3.69 × 102 W/m2·μm. This study aimed to investigate the influence of far infrared radiation emitted from a Toloese bed on endogenous nitric oxide production. Clinical trials were conducted with 20 healthy adults aged 20 years. Blood samples were collected before and after Toloese bed usage for 1 h daily for 3 weeks. Nitric oxide levels in the saliva and blood of men and women significant increased after they used the Toloese bed for 1 h. Additionally, sweating sharply increased in the upper and lower body regions after Toloese bed usage. No hematological changes or adverse effects were observed, but blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides decreased after Toloese bed usage compared with those before Toloese bed usage. These findings demonstrated that far infrared radiation emitted by the Toloese bed induced endogenous nitric oxide production and contributed to significant reductions in blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Implementation of Nurse Prescriptions throughout the Public Health System in Catalonia (2021–2022)
Authors: Bayot i Escardívol Rosa , Mateo-Viladomat Enric , Galbany-Estragués Paola , Vilar-Pont Mariona , Calderó i Solé Miquel Angel , Mora-López Gerard , Flores-Montoya Raquel , Vicente-Belis Montse , Escoda-Geli Núria , Molina-Nadal Andrea , Canet-Vélez Olga , Jodar-Solà Glòria
Published: June 2024

Background: Nurses in Catalonia have always prescribed health advice, health products, and medication in line with the professional competency of the discipline. Legislation about nurse prescriptions and the implementation of nurse prescribing varies widely among different countries. This article reports data regarding nurse prescribing in Catalonia in 2021 and 2022. Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed data from all care-providing units in Catalonia’s integrated public health system. Results: The number of nurse prescriptions increased from 139,435 in 2021 to 573,822 in 2022, and the number of nurses issuing prescriptions increased from 3604 in 2021 to 5563 in 2022. The proportion of prescriptions for different products was similar in the two years analyzed. Prescriptions for medication increased by 7.5% in 2022. Conclusions: Nurse prescribing is a recent advance in Catalonia. Despite some difficulties in rollout, the data indicate that this practice is becoming consolidated, as in other European countries.
Investigating the Impact of Various Growing Media on the Expansion of Green Wall Plant Coverage with Image Analysis
Authors: Dede Omer Hulusi , Ozer Hasan
Published: June 2024

Green walls are seen as an important architectural element in the design of sustainable cities, helping to make cities ecologically rich, green, and healthy places to live. The use of green walls, which have seen a wide range of applications worldwide, is supported mainly because of their potential in combating climate change, and international standards are being developed for the design, implementation, and monitoring of green wall projects. In this study, the effects of different growing media used in green wall systems on plant area and the increase in green wall performance were evaluated using an indirect monitoring technique. Peat, hazelnut husks, rice hulls and perlite were mixed in different proportions to produce the growing media, and their physical and chemical properties were determined. Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and boxwood (Buxus sempervirens L.) were used for planting the green wall. To measure the growth of the green wall and the planting area, images were taken and examined after planting and at the end of the growing period. According to the findings of this study, we found that growing media with a high water holding capacity and high organic matter content were more successful in terms of increasing plant area and green wall performance. However, factors such as pH and phosphorus were found to have negative effects on plant growth. In addition, it was determined that the physical and chemical properties of the growing media used in green wall systems are important for the plant area in green wall systems and that a balanced optimization of these properties increases the efficiency of green walls. The results obtained in this study show that the use of indirect monitoring techniques is a fast and effective method for monitoring the development of green wall systems. The appropriate use of this technique could be an effective tool for the standardization of installation and could contribute efficiently to the maintenance of green wall systems.
Integration of Spatial and Co-Existence Relationships to Improve Administrative Region Target Detection in Map Images
Authors: Du Kaixuan , Ren Fu , Wang Yong , Che Xianghong , Liu Jiping , Hou Jiaxin , You Zewei
Published: June 2024

Administrative regions are fundamental geographic elements on maps, thus making their detection in map images crucial to enhancing intelligent map interpretation. However, existing methods in this field primarily depend on the texture features within the images and do not account for the influence of spatial and co-existence relationships among different targets. In this study, taking the administrative regions of the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, Tibet, and Henan as test targets, we employed the spatial and co-existence relationships of pairs of targets to improve target detection performance. Firstly, these four regions were detected using a simple Single-Target Cascading detection model based on RetinaNet. Subsequently, the detection results were adjusted with the spatial and co-existence relationships of each pair of targets. The adjusted outcomes demonstrate a significant increase in target detection accuracy, as well as precision (from 0.62 to 0.96) and F1 score (from 0.76 to 0.88), for the Chinese Mainland target. This study contributes to the advancement of intelligent map interpretation.
Tailored Viral-like Particles as Drivers of Medical Breakthroughs
Authors: Travassos Rafael , Martins Sofia A. , Fernandes Ana , Correia João D. G. , Melo Rita
Published: June 2024

Despite the recognized potential of nanoparticles, only a few formulations have progressed to clinical trials, and an even smaller number have been approved by the regulatory authorities and marketed. Virus-like particles (VLPs) have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional nanoparticles due to their safety, biocompatibility, immunogenicity, structural stability, scalability, and versatility. Furthermore, VLPs can be surface-functionalized with small molecules to improve circulation half-life and target specificity. Through the functionalization and coating of VLPs, it is possible to optimize the response properties to a given stimulus, such as heat, pH, an alternating magnetic field, or even enzymes. Surface functionalization can also modulate other properties, such as biocompatibility, stability, and specificity, deeming VLPs as potential vaccine candidates or delivery systems. This review aims to address the different types of surface functionalization of VLPs, highlighting the more recent cutting-edge technologies that have been explored for the design of tailored VLPs, their importance, and their consequent applicability in the medical field.
Revealing the Mechanism of NLRP3 Inflammatory Pathway Activation through K+ Efflux Induced by PLO via Signal Point Mutations
Authors: Shan Qiang , Ma Wenbo , Li Bolin , Li Qian , Wang Xue , Li Yanan , Wang Jiufeng , Zhu Yaohong , Liu Ning
Published: June 2024

Trueperella pyogenes is an important opportunistic pathogenic bacterium widely distributed in the environment. Pyolysin (PLO) is a primary virulence factor of T. pyogenes and capable of lysing many different cells. PLO is a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) family of which the primary structure only presents a low level of homology with other members from 31% to 45%. By deeply studying PLO, we can understand the overall pathogenic mechanism of CDC family proteins. This study established a mouse muscle tissue model infected with recombinant PLO (rPLO) and its single-point mutations, rPLO N139K and rPLO F240A, and explored its mechanism of causing inflammatory damage. The inflammatory injury abilities of rPLO N139K and rPLO F240A are significantly reduced compared to rPLO. This study elaborated on the inflammatory mechanism of PLO by examining its unit point mutations in detail. Our data also provide a theoretical basis and practical significance for future research on toxins and bacteria.
LHFPL2 Serves as a Potential Biomarker for M2 Polarization of Macrophages in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Gong Xiaocheng , Liu Yunfei , Zhang Qian , Liang Keying , Wei Jinfen , Du Hongli
Published: June 2024

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the kidney, presenting significant challenges for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Macrophages play crucial roles in RCC, promoting tumor progression and warranting further investigation. Previous studies have identified LHFPL2 as a transmembrane protein associated with reproduction, but its relationship with tumors or macrophages has not been discussed. This study utilized transcriptomic sequencing data from 609 KIRC patients in the TCGA database and single-cell sequencing data from 34,326 renal carcinoma cells for subsequent analysis. We comprehensively evaluated the expression of LHFPL2 and its relationship with clinical features, tumor prognosis, immune infiltration, and mutations. Additionally, we further assessed the correlation between LHFPL2 and macrophage M2 polarization using single-cell data and explored its potential as a cancer therapeutic target through molecular docking. The results demonstrated that LHFPL2 is upregulated in RCC and associated with poor survival rates. In clinical staging, the proportion of malignant and high-metastasis patients was higher in the high-LHFPL2 group than in the low-LHFPL2 group. Furthermore, we found that LHFPL2 influences RCC immune infiltration, with its expression positively correlated with various immune checkpoint and M2-related gene expressions, positively associated with M2 macrophage infiltration, and negatively correlated with activated NK cells. Moreover, LHFPL2 showed specific expression in macrophages, with the high-expression subgroup exhibiting higher M2 polarization, hypoxia, immune evasion, and angiogenesis scores, promoting tumor progression. Finally, we predicted several potential drugs targeting LHFPL2, such as conivaptan and nilotinib. Our analysis elaborately delineates the immune characteristics of LHFPL2 in the tumor microenvironment and its positive correlation with macrophage M2 polarization, providing new insights into tumor immunotherapy. We also propose potential FDA-approved drugs targeting this gene, which should be tested for their binding effects with LHFPL2 in future studies.
Myogenic microRNAs as Therapeutic Targets for Skeletal Muscle Mass Wasting in Breast Cancer Models
Authors: Artigas-Arias Macarena , Curi Rui , Marzuca-Nassr Gabriel Nasri
Published: June 2024

Breast cancer is the type of cancer with the highest prevalence in women worldwide. Skeletal muscle atrophy is an important prognostic factor in women diagnosed with breast cancer. This atrophy stems from disrupted skeletal muscle homeostasis, triggered by diminished anabolic signalling and heightened inflammatory conditions, culminating in an upregulation of skeletal muscle proteolysis gene expression. The importance of delving into research on modulators of skeletal muscle atrophy, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), which play a crucial role in regulating cellular signalling pathways involved in skeletal muscle protein synthesis and degradation, has been recognised. This holds true for conditions of homeostasis as well as pathologies like cancer. However, the determination of specific miRNAs that modulate skeletal muscle atrophy in breast cancer conditions has not yet been explored. In this narrative review, we aim to identify miRNAs that could directly or indirectly influence skeletal muscle atrophy in breast cancer models to gain an updated perspective on potential therapeutic targets that could be modulated through resistance exercise training, aiming to mitigate the loss of skeletal muscle mass in breast cancer patients.
Effects of Sapindus mukorossi Seed Oil on Bone Healing Efficiency: An Animal Study
Authors: Kuo Po-Jan , Lin Yu-Hsiang , Huang Yu-Xuan , Lee Sheng-Yang , Huang Haw-Ming
Published: June 2024

Natural products have attracted great interest in the development of tissue engineering. Recent studies have demonstrated that unsaturated fatty acids found in natural plant seed oil may exhibit positive osteogenic effects; however, few in vivo studies have focused on the use of plant seed oil for bone regeneration. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of seed oil found in Sapindus mukorossi (S. mukorossi) on the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and bone growth in artificial bone defects in vivo. In this study, Wharton-jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) were co-cultured with S. mukorossi seed oil. Cellular osteogenic capacity was assessed using Alizarin Red S staining. Real-time PCR was carried out to evaluate ALP and OCN gene expression. The potential of S. mukorossi seed oil to enhance bone growth was assessed using an animal model. Four 6 mm circular defects were prepared at the parietal bone of New Zealand white rabbits. The defects were filled with hydrogel and hydrogel-S. mukorossi seed oil, respectively. Quantitative analysis of micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and histological images was conducted to compare differences in osteogenesis between oil-treated and untreated samples. Although our results showed no significant differences in viability between WJMSCs treated with and without S. mukorossi seed oil, under osteogenic conditions, S. mukorossi seed oil facilitated an increase in mineralized nodule secretion and upregulated the expression of ALP and OCN genes in the cells (p < 0.05). In the animal study, both micro-CT and histological evaluations revealed that new bone formation in artificial bone defects treated with S. mukorossi seed oil were nearly doubled compared to control defects (p < 0.05) after 4 weeks of healing. Based on these findings, it is reasonable to suggest that S. mukorossi seed oil holds promise as a potential candidate for enhancing bone healing efficiency in bone tissue engineering.
The Potential Role of CA-125 as a Biomarker for Short-Term Mortality Risk in Patients with Acute Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Oblitas Crhistian-Mario , Galeano-Valle Francisco , Lago-Rodríguez Marta-Olimpia , López-Rubio Marina , Baltasar-Corral Jesús , García-Gámiz Mercedes , Zamora-Trillo Angielys , Alvarez-Sala Walther Luis-Antonio , Demelo-Rodríguez Pablo
Published: June 2024

Background: Antigen carbohydrate 125 (CA-125) is a complex glycoprotein extensively studied as a prognostic biomarker in heart failure, yet its potential role in the short-term prognosis of an acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains unexplored. Methods: In this observational, prospective, single-center study, consecutive patients aged 18 and older with a confirmed acute symptomatic PE and no history of prior anticoagulant therapy were enrolled. Primary and secondary objectives aimed to assess the prognostic capacity of CA-125 at PE diagnosis for 30-day mortality and major bleeding, respectively. Results: A total of 164 patients were included (mean age 69.8 years, SD 17), with 56.1% being male. Within 30 days, 17 patients (10.4%) died and 9 patients (5.5%) suffered major bleeding. ROC curve analysis for 30-day mortality yielded an area under the curve of 0.69 (95% CI 0.53–0.85) with an optimal CA-125 cut-off point of 20 U/mL and a negative predictive value of 96%. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between CA-125 levels exceeding 20 U/mL and 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio 4.95; 95% CI 1.61–15.2) after adjusting for age, cancer, NT-proBNP > 600 ng/mL, and the simplified pulmonary embolism severity index score. Survival analysis for 30-day mortality exhibited a hazard ratio of 5.47 (95% CI 1.78–16.8). No association between CA-125 levels and 30-day major bleeding was found. Conclusions: CA-125 emerges as a promising surrogate biomarker for short-term mortality prediction in an acute symptomatic PE. Future investigations should explore the integration of CA-125 into PE mortality prediction scores to enhance the prognostic accuracy in this patient population.
Discontinuation of Palliative Brain Radiotherapy in Patients with Brain Metastases: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Windisch Paul , Lütscher Jamie , Förster Robert , Zwahlen Daniel R. , Schröder Christina
Published: June 2024

Background: Discontinuation of radiotherapy is rarely discussed in the scientific literature. The goal of this study was, therefore, to estimate the frequency of and reasons for treatment discontinuations in patients receiving radiotherapy for brain metastases from solid tumors and to identify factors predicting said discontinuations. Methods: All patients treated for brain metastases from solid tumors between 2010 and 2020 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. In addition to collecting relevant patient characteristics, the Recursive Partitioning Analysis (RPA) and disease-specific Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA) groups for each patient were calculated to assess the performance of these scores in predicting treatment discontinuations. Results: Out of 468 patients who underwent cranial radiotherapy, 35 treatments (7.5%) were discontinued. The most frequent reason was clinical deterioration, which was documented in 26 (74.3%) of discontinued treatments. Patients whose radiotherapy was discontinued had, on average, more leptomeningeal disease (20.0% vs. 12.6%), worse ECOG performance status (mean ECOG performance status 1.86 vs. 1.39), and more uncontrolled extracranial metastases (85.3% vs. 70.8%). The frequencies of treatment discontinuation increased with worse prognosis and differed significantly across RPA groups (p = 0.037) but not across GPA groups (p = 0.612). Conclusions: Treatment discontinuation occurred in 7.5% of cases, mostly due to clinical deterioration. Poor performance status, as well as more advanced disease and, in turn, poor prognosis, were associated with higher discontinuation rates.
Reliability of the AI-Assisted Assessment of the Proximity of the Root Apices to Mandibular Canal
Authors: Kazimierczak Wojciech , Kazimierczak Natalia , Kędziora Kamila , Szcześniak Marta , Serafin Zbigniew
Published: June 2024

Background: This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of an AI-assisted tool in assessing the proximity of the mandibular canal (MC) to the root apices (RAs) of mandibular teeth using computed tomography (CT). Methods: This study involved 57 patients aged 18–30 whose CT scans were analyzed by both AI and human experts. The primary aim was to measure the closest distance between the MC and RAs and to assess the AI tool’s diagnostic performance. The results indicated significant variability in RA-MC distances, with third molars showing the smallest mean distances and first molars the greatest. Diagnostic accuracy metrics for the AI tool were assessed at three thresholds (0 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1 mm). Results: The AI demonstrated high specificity but generally low diagnostic accuracy, with the highest metrics at the 0.5 mm threshold with 40.91% sensitivity and 97.06% specificity. Conclusions: This study underscores the limited potential of tested AI programs in reducing iatrogenic damage to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) during dental procedures. Significant differences in RA-MC distances between evaluated teeth were found.
In Patients with Cardiogenic Shock, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Is Associated with Very High All-Cause Inpatient Mortality Rate
Authors: Movahed Mohammad Reza , Soltani Moghadam Arman , Hashemzadeh Mehrtash
Published: June 2024

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock excluding Impella and IABP use. Method: The large Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was utilized to study any association between the use of ECMO in adults over the age of 18 and mortality and complications with a diagnosis of cardiogenic shocks. Results: ICD-10 codes for ECMO and cardiogenic shock for the available years 2016–2020 were utilized. A total of 796,585 (age 66.5 ± 14.4) patients had a diagnosis of cardiogenic shock excluding Impella. Of these patients, 13,160 (age 53.7 ± 15.4) were treated with ECMO without IABP use. Total inpatient mortality without any device was 32.7%. It was 47.9% with ECMO. In a multivariate analysis adjusting for 47 variables such as age, gender, race, lactic acidosis, three-vessel intervention, left main myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, systolic heart failure, acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, chronic renal disease, etc., ECMO utilization remained highly associated with mortality (OR: 1.78, CI: 1.6–1.9, p < 0.001). Evaluating teaching hospitals only revealed similar findings. Major complications were also high in the ECMO cohort. Conclusions: In patients with cardiogenic shock, the use of ECMO was associated with the high in-hospital mortality regardless of comorbid condition, high-risk futures, or type of hospital.
Is Feto-Maternal Transfusion after Cesarean Delivery Different in Singleton and Twin Pregnancy?
Authors: Stachurska-Skrodzka Anna , Mielecki Damian , Fijałkowska Anna , Żebrowska Kinga , Kasperczak Monika , Kosińska-Kaczyńska Katarzyna
Published: June 2024

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate if feto-maternal transfusion was related to the size of the fetal-maternal interface, and, therefore, was larger in twin pregnancy in comparison with singleton pregnancy. Methods: Blood samples from women with singleton (n = 11), and monochorionic (n = 11) and dichorionic (n = 13) twin gestations were tested. Flow cytometry tests with hemoglobin F, glycophorin A, and hemoglobin F and carbonic anhydrase simultaneous staining were used to detect fetal red blood cells and maternal F cells. Results: In all cases, the volume of feto-maternal transfusion was estimated to be low. The highest rate of fetal red blood cells in the maternal circulation was observed in the blood of women with dichorionic twin gestations both before and after delivery. An increase in fetal red blood cells was observed after cesarean section in singletons and twins. The median rate of maternal F cells was 2.23% in singleton, 2.1% in monochorionic and 3.95% in dichorionic pregnancy. Conclusions: Feto-maternal transfusion during pregnancy may be related to the multiplicity and chorionicity of pregnancy.
Correlations between the Frankfort Plane and the Presence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Posterior Cervical Musculature: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Sánchez-Guilabert Darío , Martínez-Carrasco Ángel
Published: June 2024

Neck pain is a pathology with a high impact in terms of physical disability in modern society. The position of the head is related to neck pain. The Frankfort plane determines the position of the skull in space. The profile photograph of the subjects was used to determine the Frankfort plane and to study its degree of inclination. Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal pain. Trigger points are hyperirritable spots located in a palpable taut band of skeletal muscle that is painful on compression or stretch and causes a local twitch in response to snapping or palpation of the band. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the Frankfort plane and the presence of myofascial trigger points causing cervical myofascial pain. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive observational study. All subjects underwent a photographic study to determine the degree of Frankfort plane inclination, and the posterior cervical musculature was palpated to find myofascial trigger points that were measured with a pressure algometer in three cervical locations on the right and left sides. Results: Our study included 47 subjects who had suffered at least one episode of cervical pain in their lifetimes. The mean age was 22.3 ± 2.9 years. Statistically significant results were found in the first right location and sports practice (p = 0.007), in the second right location and gender (p = 0.0097), in the second right location and sports practice (p = 0.0486), in the third right location and gender (p = 0.0098), and in the first, second, and third left locations and gender (p = 0.0083; p = 0.024; p = 0.0016, respectively). In the correlation between the Frankfort plane and the presence of myofascial trigger points, all locations were positive, with the first right location being statistically significant (p = 0.048). Conclusions: A positive relationship was found between the Frankfort plane and the presence of myofascial trigger points. The greater the angle of the Frankfort plane, the less the myofascial pain.
The Migration Pattern of a Short-Tapered Femoral Stem Correlates with the Occurrence of Cortical Hypertrophies: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study Using Ein Bild Röntgen Analyse–Femoral Component Analysis
Authors: Freitag Tobias , Fuchs Michael , Friedrich David , Bieger Ralf , Reichel Heiko , Oltmanns Moritz
Published: June 2024

Background: Shorter hip stems have shown promising mid-term results but lack long-term data. High rates of distal cortical hypertrophy (CH) have been described, suggesting a more diaphyseal load transmission. This study aimed to determine patient-specific and surgery-related factors influencing CH and their impact on 10-year outcomes. Methods: It included 100 consecutive total hip arthroplasties (THAs) using the Fitmore stem (Zimmer, Warsaw, Indiana), with clinical and radiographic follow-ups at 1, 2, 5, and at least 10 years post-surgery. Results: No revisions were performed due to aseptic loosening after a mean of 11.6 years (range: 10–13.5 years). CH was observed in 26% of hips, primarily in Gruen zones 3 and 5. There was no significant difference in the Harris Hip Score between patients with and without CH. Larger stem sizes and greater axial subsidence significantly correlated with CH occurrence (OD 1.80, (1.13–1.92), p = 0.004; OD 1.47, (1.04–2.08), p = 0.028). The Fitmore stem demonstrated excellent survival rates and favorable outcomes over 10 years. Conclusions: Despite a lower CH rate compared to other studies, significant correlations with stem size and subsidence were identified. This study underscores the importance of patient selection and achieving high primary stability to maintain the metaphyseal anchoring concept.
Comparison between the Efficacy of Sacral Erector Spina Plane Block and Pudendal Block on Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort: A Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Olgun Keleş Bilge , Tekir Yılmaz Elvan , Altınbaş Ali
Published: June 2024

Objective: Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) due to indwelling urinary catheterization in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is difficult to tolerate and needs to be treated. This randomized prospective study aimed to compare the efficacy of sacral erector spinae plane block (SESPB) and pudendal nerve block (PNB) in reducing the incidence and score of CRBD. Methods: This study was conducted between November and December 2023. ASA I-III, fifty-four TURP patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 received SESPB (n = 27) and Group 2 received PNB (n = 27) under ultrasound guidance at the end of surgery. The incidence of CRBD, CRBD score, numerical rating scale (NRS) score, use of rescue analgesics, block performance time, first call for analgesics, patient satisfaction, and side effects were recorded for 24 h. Results: The incidence of CRBD was lowest at 33.3% and highest at 48.1% in Group 1 and lowest at 25.9% and highest at 48.1% in Group 2, with no significant difference between the groups at all measurement times. CRBD scores and NRS scores were low and similar between the two groups. Block performance times were 9 ± 1.7 min in SESPB and 20 ± 2.5 min in PNB, and there was a significant difference between the mean times (p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction was adequate and similar in both groups. Conclusions: SESPB demonstrated a similar decreasing effect to PNB on the incidence and scores of CRBD in the first 24 h following TURP operations. The duration of SESPB administration was shorter than PNB.
Are Age and Trauma Mechanism Associated with Volume Change in the Fractures of the Bony Orbit?
Authors: Starck Ella , Lusila Niilo , Suojanen Juho , Kormi Eeva
Published: June 2024

Blowout fractures are common midfacial fractures in which one or several of the bones of orbital vault break. This is usually caused by a direct trauma to the eye with a blunt object such as a fist. Fracturing of the fragile orbital bones can lead to changes in the orbital volume, which may cause enophthalmos, diplopia, and impaired facial aesthetics. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between volume change of the bony orbit and age, gender, or trauma mechanism. Methods: A retrospective study of patients with unilateral blowout or blow-in fractures treated and examined in Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland was conducted. Altogether, 127 patients met the inclusion criteria. Their computed tomographs (CT) were measured with an orbit-specific automated segmentation-based volume measurement tool, and the relative orbital volume change between fractured and intact orbital vault was calculated. Thereafter, a statistical analysis was performed. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: We found that relative increase in orbital volume and age have a statistically significant association (p = 0.022). Trauma mechanism and gender showed no significant role. Conclusions: Patient’s age is associated with increased volume change in fractures of the bony orbit.
Overlapping Pattern of the Four Individual Components of Dyslipidemia in Adults: Analysis of Nationally Representative Data
Authors: Zheng Wenxiao , Zhang Jiayue , Jiang Ying , Wang Shuting , Yang Zuyao
Published: June 2024

Background/Objectives: Dyslipidemia is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, among available drug treatments, only those targeted at lowering LDL-C and consequently TC have demonstrated efficacy in preventing CVD. This is to say that the benefit for those with isolated high TG or low HDL-C is limited. The objective of this study is to examine the overlapping pattern of the four dyslipidemia components in US adult populations, which is important for quantifying the proportion of those who are less likely to benefit from lipid-lowering drugs and for a more precise use of the drug. Methods: A total of 7822 participants aged over 20 with abnormalities in any of the four lipid parameters, excluding those on lipid-lowering medications, were included from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles spanning 1999–2000 through 2017–2018. The proportions of different combinations of them were calculated and presented using area-proportional Euler plots. Results: High TC, high LDL-C, high TG, and low HDL-C were seen in 32.8% (95% CI: 31.3%–34.2%), 28.1% (95% CI: 26.6%–29.6%), 26.7% (95% CI: 25.4%–28.0%), and 65.9% (95% CI: 64.0%–67.7%) of the people with dyslipidemia, respectively. The proportions of dyslipidemia cases attributable to “high LDL-C or high TC” (irrespective of HDL-C and TG levels), “normal LDL-C, normal TC, but high TG” (irrespective of HDL-C level), and “normal LDL-C, normal TC, normal TG, but low HDL-C” (i.e., isolated low HDL-C) accounted for 37.5% (95% CI: 35.9%–39.1%), 18.3% (95% CI: 17.2%–19.4%), and 44.2% (95% CI: 42.5%–46.0%), respectively. Conclusions: Some two-thirds of those with dyslipidemia had low HDL-C or high TG but normal LDL-C and normal TC. As these people are less likely to benefit from currently available drug treatments in terms of CVD prevention, it is important to identify other effective strategies or interventions targeted at them in order to achieve more precise and cost-effective management of dyslipidemia.