bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Functional Phenolics Dietary Supplementation on Athletes’ Performance and Recovery: A Review
Authors: Gonçalves Ana C. , Gaspar Dário , Flores-Félix José David , Falcão Amílcar , Alves Gilberto , Silva Luís R.
Published: April 2022

In recent years, many efforts have been made to identify micronutrients or nutritional strategies capable of preventing, or at least, attenuating, exercise-induced muscle damage and oxidative stress, and improving athlete performance. The reason is that most exercises induce various changes in mitochondria and cellular cytosol that lead to the generation of reactive species and free radicals whose accumulation can be harmful to human health. Among them, supplementation with phenolic compounds seems to be a promising approach since their chemical structure, composed of catechol, pyrogallol, and methoxy groups, gives them remarkable health-promoting properties, such as the ability to suppress inflammatory processes, counteract oxidative damage, boost the immune system, and thus, reduce muscle soreness and accelerate recovery. Phenolic compounds have also already been shown to be effective in improving temporal performance and reducing psychological stress and fatigue. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the current knowledge on the effects of dietary phenolics on physical performance and recovery in athletes and sports practitioners. Overall, the reports show that phenolics exert important benefits on exercise-induced muscle damage as well as play a biological/physiological role in improving physical performance.
DNA Double-Strand Breaks as Pathogenic Lesions in Neurological Disorders
Authors: Provasek Vincent E. , Mitra Joy , Malojirao Vikas H. , Hegde Muralidhar L.
Published: April 2022

The damage and repair of DNA is a continuous process required to maintain genomic integrity. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most lethal type of DNA damage and require timely repair by dedicated machinery. DSB repair is uniquely important to nondividing, post-mitotic cells of the central nervous system (CNS). These long-lived cells must rely on the intact genome for a lifetime while maintaining high metabolic activity. When these mechanisms fail, the loss of certain neuronal populations upset delicate neural networks required for higher cognition and disrupt vital motor functions. Mammalian cells engage with several different strategies to recognize and repair chromosomal DSBs based on the cellular context and cell cycle phase, including homologous recombination (HR)/homology-directed repair (HDR), microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ), and the classic non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). In addition to these repair pathways, a growing body of evidence has emphasized the importance of DNA damage response (DDR) signaling, and the involvement of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) family proteins in the repair of neuronal DSBs, many of which are linked to age-associated neurological disorders. In this review, we describe contemporary research characterizing the mechanistic roles of these non-canonical proteins in neuronal DSB repair, as well as their contributions to the etiopathogenesis of selected common neurological diseases.
Regulatory T Cells with Additional COX-2 Expression Are Independent Negative Prognosticators for Vulvar Cancer Patients
Authors: Ansorge Nadine , Dannecker Christian , Jeschke Udo , Schmoeckel Elisa , Heidegger Helene Hildegard , Vattai Aurelia , Burgmann Maximiliane , Czogalla Bastian , Mahner Sven , Fuerst Sophie
Published: April 2022

Vulvar cancer incidence numbers have been steadily rising over the past decades. In particular, the number of young patients with vulvar cancer has recently increased. Therefore, the need to identify new prognostic factors and, in addition, therapeutic options for vulvar carcinoma is more apparent. The aim of this study was to analyze the influx of COX-2 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and monocytes and their influence on prognosis. Using subtyping by immunofluorescence, the majority of COX-2 expressing immune cells were identified as FOXP3-positive regulatory T cells. In addition, peri- and intra-tumoral macrophages in the same tumor tissue were detected simultaneously as M2-polarized macrophages. COX-2 positive immune cells were independent negative prognostic markers in long-term overall survival of patients with vulvar cancer. These results show an influence of immune cell infiltration for vulvar carcinoma patients. Immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression may, therefore, become interesting targets for further research on new vulvar cancer treatment strategies.
Deciphering the Molecular Mechanisms of Chilling Tolerance in Lsi1-Overexpressing Rice
Authors: Li Zhong , Umar Khan Muhammad , Yan Xue , Mu Dan , Xie Yuebin , Waqas Muhammad , Wu Xin , Letuma Puleng , Fang Changxun , Lin Wenxiong
Published: April 2022

Improving tolerance to low-temperature stress during the rice seedling stage is of great significance in agricultural science. In this study, using the low silicon gene 1 (Lsi1)-overexpressing (Dular-OE) and wild-type rice (Dular-WT), we showed that Lsi1 overexpression enhances chilling tolerance in Dular-OE. The overexpression of the Lsi1 increases silicon absorption, but it was not the main reason for chilling tolerance in Dular-OE. Instead, our data suggest that the overexpression of a Lsi1-encoding NIP and its interaction with key proteins lead to chilling tolerance in Dular-OE. Additionally, we show that the high-mobility group protein (HMG1) binds to the promoter of Lsi1, positively regulating its expression. Moreover, Nod26-like major intrinsic protein (NIP)’s interaction with α and β subunits of ATP synthase and the 14-3-3f protein was validated by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), bimolecular fluorescent complementary (BiFC), and GST-pulldown assays. Western blotting revealed that the overexpression of NIP positively regulates the ATP-synthase subunits that subsequently upregulate calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinases (CIPK) negatively regulating 14-3-3f. Overall, these NIP-mediated changes trigger corresponding pathways in an orderly manner, enhancing chilling tolerance in Dular-OE.
Spiro-Oxindole Skeleton Compounds Are Efficient Inhibitors for Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1: An Attractive Target for Tumor Immunotherapy
Authors: Yan Daojing , Xu Jiakun , Wang Xiang , Zhang Jiaxing , Zhao Gang , Lin Yingwu , Tan Xiangshi
Published: April 2022

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is an attractive heme enzyme for its significant function in cancer immunotherapy. Potent IDO1 inhibitors have been discovered for decades, whereas no clinical drugs are used for cancer treatment up to now. With the goal of developing medically valuable IDO inhibitors, we performed a systematic study of SAR405838 analogs with a spiro-oxindole skeleton in this study. Based on the expression and purification of human IDO1, the inhibitory activity of spiro-oxindole skeleton compounds to IDO1 was evaluated by IC50 and Ki values. The results demonstrated that inhibitor 3 exhibited the highest IDO1 inhibitory activity with IC50 at 7.9 μM among all inhibitors, which is ~six-fold of the positive control (4−PI). Moreover, inhibitor 3 was found to have the most effective inhibition of IDO1 in MCF-7 cancer cells without toxic effects. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the hydrophobic interaction stabilized the binding of inhibitor 3 to the IDO1 active site and made an explanation for the uncompetitive mode of inhibitors. Therefore, this study provides valuable insights into the screen of more potent IDO1 inhibitors for cancer immunotherapy.
A2B5 Expression in Central Nervous System and Gliomas
Authors: Figarella-Branger Dominique , Colin Carole , Baeza-Kallee Nathalie , Tchoghandjian Aurélie
Published: April 2022

A2B5 IgM recognizes c-series gangliosides with three sialic acids. The aim of this review was to focus on A2B5 expression in the central nervous system and gliomas. In brain development, A2B5+ cells are recorded in areas containing multipotent neural stem cells (NSC). In adults, A2B5+ cells persist in neurogenic areas and in white matter where it identifies oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) but also cells with NSC properties. Although the expression of A2B5 has been widely studied in culture, where it characterizes bipotential glial progenitor cells, its expression in vivo is less characterized mainly because of technical issues. A new interest was given to the NSCs and OPCs since the discovery of cancer stem cells (CSC) in gliomas. Among other cell surface molecules, A2B5 has been identified as an accurate marker to identify glioma CSCs. We and others have shown that all types of gliomas express A2B5, and that only A2B5+ cells, and not A2B5- cells, can generate a tumor after orthotopic implantation in immunocompromised animals. Moreover, A2B5 epitope expression is positively correlated with stemness and tumor growth. This review highlights that A2B5 is an attractive target to tackle glioma CSCs, and a better characterization of its expression in the developing and adult CNS will benefit to a better understanding of gliomagenesis.
Epigenetic Inheritance: Intergenerational Effects of Pesticides and Other Endocrine Disruptors on Cancer Development
Authors: Nicolella Heloiza Diniz , de Assis Sonia
Published: April 2022

Parental environmental experiences affect disease susceptibility in the progeny through epigenetic inheritance. Pesticides are substances or mixtures of chemicals—some of which are persistent environmental pollutants—that are used to control pests. This review explores the evidence linking parental exposure to pesticides and endocrine disruptors to intergenerational and transgenerational susceptibility of cancer in population studies and animal models. We also discuss the impact of pesticides and other endocrine disruptors on the germline epigenome as well as the emerging evidence for how epigenetic information is transmitted between generations. Finally, we discuss the importance of this mode of inheritance in the context of cancer prevention and the challenges ahead.
The Development of Two High-Yield and High-Quality Functional Rice Cultivars Using Marker-Assisted Selection and Conventional Breeding Methods
Authors: Wu Yong-Pei , Chang Yu-Chi , Kuo Hsin-I , Lin Bing-Nan , Wang Shu-Mei , Tseng Yu-Chien
Published: April 2022

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important crop worldwide. Functional rice has exhibited health benefits. The aim of this study was to use marker-assisted selection (MAS) to introgress two genes, GE (giant embryo) and OsALDH7 (aldehyde dehydrogenase, golden-like endosperm) into colored rice and obtain high yield functional rice. CNY103108 and CNY103107 are two rice lines with golden-like endosperms and giant embryos. They were used as the donor parents. CNY922401, an elite purple waxy rice line, and TNGSW26, an indica red waxy rice cultivar were used as the recurrent parents. Foreground selection of the progenies was completed using functional markers for GE and OsALDH7, and background selection was completed using molecular markers to recover the background of the recurrent parents. MAS results showed a purple functional rice population (PFR) (CNY922401/CNY103108), with the recovery rate of the recurrent parental genome as 91.3%, and a red functional rice population (RFR) (TNGSW26/CNY103107) with the recovery as 89.8%. After five-season yield trials and several antioxidant activities analyses, PFR32 and RFR13 lines, which have similar yields and antioxidant activities, were selected as the recurrent parents with a golden-like endosperm and a giant embryo. For a biofortification purpose, they can become valuable products and be adapted to the current agricultural community.
Insulin-like Growth Factor I Couples Metabolism with Circadian Activity through Hypothalamic Orexin Neurons
Authors: Pignatelli Jaime , de Sevilla M. Estrella Fernandez , Sperber Jacob , Horrillo Daniel , Medina-Gomez Gema , Aleman Ignacio Torres
Published: April 2022

Uncoupling of metabolism and circadian activity is associated with an increased risk of a wide spectrum of pathologies. Recently, insulin and the closely related insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were shown to entrain feeding patterns with circadian rhythms. Both hormones act centrally to modulate peripheral glucose metabolism; however, whereas central targets of insulin actions are intensely scrutinized, those mediating the actions of IGF-I remain less defined. We recently showed that IGF-I targets orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus, and now we evaluated whether IGF-I modulates orexin neurons to align circadian rhythms with metabolism. Mice with disrupted IGF-IR activity in orexin neurons (Firoc mice) showed sexually dimorphic alterations in daily glucose rhythms and feeding activity patterns which preceded the appearance of metabolic disturbances. Thus, Firoc males developed hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance, while females developed obesity. Since IGF-I directly modulates orexin levels and hepatic expression of KLF genes involved in circadian and metabolic entrainment in an orexin-dependent manner, it seems that IGF-I entrains metabolism and circadian rhythms by modulating the activity of orexin neurons.
Humanised Mice and Immunodeficient Mice (NSG) Are Equally Sensitive for Prediction of Stem Cell Malignancy in the Teratoma Assay
Authors: Bialecka Monika , Montilla-Rojo Joaquin , Roelen Bernard A. J. , Gillis Ad J. , Looijenga Leendert H. J. , Salvatori Daniela. C. F.
Published: April 2022

The use of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in regenerative medicine has great potential. However, it is important to exclude that these cells can undergo malignant transformation, which could lead to the development of malignant tumours. This property of hPSCs is currently being tested using the teratoma assay, through which cells are injected into immunodeficient mice. Transplantation of stem cells in immunocompromised recipient animals certainly has a much higher incidence of tumour formation. On the other hand, the results obtained in immunodeficient mice could indicate a risk of tumour formation that is practically not present in the human immunocompetent recipient. The presence of a humanised immune system might be more representative of the human situation; therefore, we investigated if the demonstrated malignant features of chosen and well-characterised stem cell lines could be retrieved and if new features could arise in a humanised mouse model. Hu-CD34NSGTM (HIS) mice were compared side by side with immunocompromised mice (NSG) after injection of a set of benign (LU07) and malignant (LU07+dox and 2102Ep) cell lines. Analysis of the tumour development, histological composition, pathology evaluation, and malignancy-associated miRNA expression levels, both in tumour and plasma samples, revealed no differences among mouse groups. This indicates that the HIS mouse model is comparable to, but not more sensitive than, the NSG immunodeficient model for studying the malignancy of stem cells. Since in vivo teratoma assay is cumbersome, in vitro methods for the detection of malignancy are urgently needed.
Potassium Channels in the Transition from Fetal to the Neonatal Pulmonary Circulation
Authors: Nagaraj Chandran , Li Yingji , Tang Bi , Bordag Natalie , Guntur Divya , Enyedi Péter , Olschewski Horst , Olschewski Andrea
Published: April 2022

The transition from the fetal to the neonatal circulation includes dilatation of the pulmonary arteries (PA) and closure of the Ductus Arteriosus Botalli (DAB). The resting membrane potential and various potassium channel activities in smooth muscle cells (SMC) from fetal and neonatal PA and DAB obtained from the same species has not been systematically analyzed. The key issue addressed in this paper is how the resting membrane potential and the whole-cell potassium current (IK) change when PASMC or DABSMC are transitioned from hypoxia, reflecting the fetal state, to normoxia, reflecting the post-partal state. Patch-clamp measurements were employed to characterize whole-cell K+ channel activity in fetal and post-partal (newborn) PASMC and DABSMC. The main finding of this paper is that the SMC from both tissues use a similar set of K+ channels (voltage-dependent (Kv), calcium-sensitive (KCa), TASK-1 and probably also TASK-2 channels); however, their activity level depends on the cell type and the oxygen level. Furthermore, we provide the first evidence for pH-sensitive non-inactivating K+ current in newborn DABSMC and PASMC, suggesting physiologically relevant TASK-1 and TASK-2 channel activity, the latter particularly in the Ductus Arteriosus Botalli.
Impact of Fluid Dynamics on the Viability and Differentiation Capacity of 3D-Cultured Jaw Periosteal Cells
Authors: Cen Wanjing , Wang Suya , Umrath Felix , Reinert Siegmar , Alexander Dorothea
Published: April 2022

Perfused bioreactor systems are considered to be a promising approach for the 3D culturing of stem cells by improving the quality of the tissue-engineered grafts in terms of better cell proliferation and deeper penetration of used scaffold materials. Our study aims to establish an optimal perfusion culture system for jaw periosteal cell (JPC)-seeded scaffolds. For this purpose, we used beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffolds as a three-dimensional structure for cell growth and osteogenic differentiation. Experimental set-ups of tangential and sigmoidal fluid configurations with medium flow rates of 100 and 200 µL/min were applied within the perfusion system. Cell metabolic activities of 3D-cultured JPCs under dynamic conditions with flow rates of 100 and 200 µL/min were increased in the tendency after 1, and 3 days of culture, and were significantly increased after 5 days. Significantly higher cell densities were detected under the four perfused conditions compared to the static condition at day 5. However, cell metabolic and proliferation activity under dynamic conditions showed flow rate independency in our study. In this study, dynamic conditions increased the expression of osteogenic markers (ALPL, COL1A1, RUNX2, and OCN) compared to static conditions and the tangential configuration showed a stronger osteogenic effect than the sigmoidal flow configuration.
Acute Hypoxia Alters Extracellular Vesicle Signatures and the Brain Citrullinome of Naked Mole-Rats (Heterocephalus glaber)
Authors: D’Alessio Stefania , Cheng Hang , Eaton Liam , Kraev Igor , Pamenter Matthew E. , Lange Sigrun
Published: April 2022

Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be indicative biomarkers of physiological and pathological status and adaptive responses, including to diseases and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and related to hypoxia. While these markers have been studied in hypoxia-intolerant mammals, in vivo investigations in hypoxia-tolerant species are lacking. Naked mole-rats (NMR) are among the most hypoxia-tolerant mammals and are thus a good model organism for understanding natural and beneficial adaptations to hypoxia. Thus, we aimed to reveal CNS related roles for PADs in hypoxia tolerance and identify whether circulating EV signatures may reveal a fingerprint for adaptive whole-body hypoxia responses in this species. We found that following in vivo acute hypoxia, NMR: (1) plasma-EVs were remodelled, (2) whole proteome EV cargo contained more protein hits (including citrullinated proteins) and a higher number of associated KEGG pathways relating to the total proteome of plasma-EVs Also, (3) brains had a trend for elevation in PAD1, PAD3 and PAD6 protein expression, while PAD2 and PAD4 were reduced, while (4) the brain citrullinome had a considerable increase in deiminated protein hits with hypoxia (1222 vs. 852 hits in normoxia). Our findings indicate that circulating EV signatures are modified and proteomic content is reduced in hypoxic conditions in naked mole-rats, including the circulating EV citrullinome, while the brain citrullinome is elevated and modulated in response to hypoxia. This was further reflected in elevation of some PADs in the brain tissue following acute hypoxia treatment. These findings indicate a possible selective role for PAD-isozymes in hypoxia response and tolerance.
Garvicins AG1 and AG2: Two Novel Class IId Bacteriocins of Lactococcus garvieae Lg-Granada
Authors: Maldonado-Barragán Antonio , Alegría-Carrasco Estíbaliz , Blanco María del Mar , Vela Ana Isabel , Fernández-Garayzábal José Francisco , Rodríguez Juan Miguel , Gibello Alicia
Published: April 2022

Lactococcus garvieae causes infectious diseases in animals and is considered an emerging zoonotic pathogen involved in human clinical conditions. In silico analysis of plasmid pLG50 of L. garvieae Lg-Granada, an isolate from a patient with endocarditis, revealed the presence of two gene clusters (orf46–47 and orf48–49), each one encoding a novel putative bacteriocin, i.e., garvicin AG1 (GarAG1; orf46) and garvicin AG2 (GarAG2; orf48), and their corresponding immunity proteins (orf47 and orf49). The chemically synthesised bacteriocins GarAG1 and GarAG2 presented inhibitory activity against pathogenic L. garvieae strains, with AG2 also being active against Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria ivanovii and Enterococcus faecalis. Genetic organisation, amino acid sequences and antimicrobial activities of GarAG1 and GarAG2 indicate that they belong to linear non-pediocin-like one-peptide class IId bacteriocins. Gram-positive bacteria that were sensitive to GarAG2 were also able to ferment mannose, suggesting that this bacteriocin could use the mannose phosphotransferase transport system (Man-PTS) involved in mannose uptake as a receptor in sensitive strains. Intriguingly, GarAG1 and GarAG2 were highly active against their own host, L. garvieae Lg-Granada, which could be envisaged as a new strategy to combat pathogens via their own weapons.
Acacetin Protects against Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating Lipid Accumulation and Inflammation in Mice
Authors: Liou Chian-Jiun , Wu Shu-Ju , Shen Szu-Chuan , Chen Li-Chen , Chen Ya-Ling , Huang Wen-Chung
Published: April 2022

We previously demonstrated that acacetin reduces adipogenesis in adipocytes, and decreases lipid accumulation in visceral adipocyte tissue. Here we investigated whether acacetin regulated the mechanisms of lipogenesis and inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and then administered acacetin by intraperitoneal injection. Acacetin reduced body weight and liver weight in obese mice. Acacetin-treated obese mice exhibited decreased lipid accumulation, increased glycogen accumulation, and improved hepatocyte steatosis. Acacetin regulated triglycerides and total cholesterol in the liver and serum. Acacetin decreased low-density lipoprotein and leptin concentrations, but increased high-density lipoprotein and adiponectin levels in obese mice. Acacetin effectively weakened the gene expressions of transcription factors related to lipogenesis, and promoted the expressions of genes related to lipolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation in liver. Acacetin also reduced expressions of inflammation-related cytokines in the serum and liver. Oleic acid induced lipid accumulation in murine FL83B hepatocytes, and the effects of acacetin treatment indicated that acacetin may regulate lipid metabolism through the AMPK pathway. Acacetin may protect against hepatic steatosis by modulating inflammation and AMPK expression.
Higher Immersive Profiles Improve Learning Outcomes in Augmented Reality Learning Environments
Authors: Uriarte-Portillo Aldo , Ibáñez María-Blanca , Zataraín-Cabada Ramón , Barrón-Estrada María-Lucía
Published: April 2022

Augmented reality (AR)-based learning environments are argued to foster cognitive and emotional involvement. Immersion has been identified as one of the driving forces that promote learning in technology-based learning environments. This study evaluated the learning effectiveness and immersion appeal of an AR-marker-based learning activity targeted at practicing basic chemistry concepts. Data were collected from a cohort of 124 middle school students in Mexico and analyzed using pretest–posttest comparisons and cluster analysis. The results suggest that students with higher immersive learning profiles achieve better learning outcomes compared with those with lower immersive profiles.
Lean ICU Layout Re-Design: A Simulation-Based Approach
Authors: Romano Elpidio , Falegnami Andrea , Cagliano Anna Corinna , Rafele Carlo
Published: April 2022

Healthcare facilities require flexible layouts that can adapt quickly in the face of various disruptions. COVID-19 confirmed this need for both healthcare and manufacturing systems. Starting with the transfer of decision support systems from manufacturing, this paper generalizes layout re-design activities for complex systems by presenting a simulation framework. Through a real case study concerning the proliferation of nosocomial cross-infection in an intensive care unit (ICU), the model developed in systems dynamics, based on a zero order immediate logic, allows reproducing the evolution of the different agencies (e.g., physicians, nurses, ancillary workers, patients), as well as of the cyber-technical side of the ICU, in its general but also local aspects. The entire global workflow is theoretically founded on lean principles, with the goal of balancing the need for minimal patient throughput time and maximum efficiency by optimizing the resources used during the process. The proposed framework might be transferred to other wards with minimal adjustments; hence, it has the potential to represent the initial step for a modular depiction of an entire healthcare facility.
Aspects of E-Scooter Sharing in the Smart City
Authors: Popova Yelena , Zagulova Diana
Published: April 2022

The contemporary urban environment faces such challenges as overloaded traffic, heavy pollution, and social problems, etc. The concept of the “smart city” allows solving some of these issues. One of the opportunities provided by the smart city is the development of micro-mobility and sharing services; contributing to the optimization of transport flows and decreasing carbon footprints. This study investigates the factors affecting the development of e-scooter sharing services and the attitudes of young urban residents towards using these services. The research applied a PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equation modeling) analysis performed in SmartPLS3.7 software. The data were collected via focus groups and surveying a population aged 18–35. The authors partially based the research on the UTAUT model (the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology), taking such constructs as “intention to use”, “anxiety”, “attitude toward use”, “effort expectancy”, and “social influence”; they also introduced the new unique variables “internal uncertainty”, “e-scooter design”, “experience”, “perceived safety”, “infrastructure quality”, and “motivation to physical activity”. The main finding of the study was determining that the latent variables attitude towards sharing, anxiety, internal uncertainty, JTBD (jobs to be done), and new way of thinking have a direct or indirect effect on the intention to ride e-scooters in the future and/or to use sharing services. The obtained results permit making recommendations to businesses, municipal authorities, and other stakeholders on developing e-scooter sharing services as a contribution to the advancement of the smart city.
Framework for Smart Cost Optimization of Material Logistics in Construction Road Projects
Authors: Alanazi Abdulkareem , Al-Gahtani Khalid , Alsugair Abdullah
Published: April 2022

Despite advancing Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, road projects often rely on inaccurate supplier data, making it difficult to determine the cost, quantity, quality, and transportation duration of the needed materials. The wrong choice of material suppliers can lead the supply chain to suffer losses, directly affecting the project’s performance. In this regard, many studies have devised material logistics optimization models for road projects. However, the majority based their decisions on inaccurate or outdated data. This paper studies this gap by introducing a framework that utilizes IoT technologies and smart construction to feed optimization models with accurate and dynamically updated material data. This IoT-powered framework considers only quantitative criteria as input data to the integrated linear programming optimization model, precisely selected suppliers, and optimally calculated costs using MS Excel Solver. The results reveal that the framework is sensitive to any dynamic data updates and can achieve up to 40% material cost savings in real runtime. The paper demonstrates the proposed outline framework with a case study of planning an alternative road between Riyadh and Madinah cities in Saudi Arabia.
Morphology of Nasonov and Tergal Glands in Apis mellifera Rebels
Authors: Strachecka Aneta , Chobotow Jacek , Kuszewska Karolina , Olszewski Krzysztof , Skowronek Patrycja , Bryś Maciej , Paleolog Jerzy , Woyciechowski Michał
Published: April 2022

Social insect societies are characterized by a high level of organization. This is made possible through a remarkably complex array of pheromonal signals produced by all members of the colony. The queen’s pheromones signal the presence of a fertile female and induce daughter workers to remain sterile. However, the lack of the queen mandibular pheromone leads to the emergence of rebels, i.e., workers with increased reproductive potential. We suggested that the rebels would have developed tergal glands and reduced Nasonov glands, much like the queen but contrary to normal workers. Our guess turned out to be correct and may suggest that the rebels are more queen-like than previously thought. The tergal gland cells found in the rebels were numerous but they did not adhere as closely to one another as they did in queens. In the rebels, the number of Nasonov gland cells was very limited (from 38 to 53) and there were fat body trophocytes between the glandular cells. The diameters of the Nasonov gland cell nuclei were smaller in the rebels than in the normal workers. These results are important for understanding the formation of the different castes of Apis mellifera females, as well as the division of labor in social insect societies.
Two New Fossil Sawflies of Pamphiliidae (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) from the Mesozoic of Northeastern China
Authors: Zhuang Jialiang , Shih Chungkun , Wang Mei , Ren Dong
Published: April 2022

Two new species of Pamphiliidae, Scabolyda latusa sp. nov. and Scabolyda tenuis sp. nov. are described and illustrated from the late Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation and the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of northeastern China, respectively. A new specimen of Scabolyda orientalis Wang, Rasnitsyn, Shih and Ren, 2014 with distinct male genitalia is documented for the first time. Based on the specimens with new and distinct structures of legs, antennae, and genitalia, the morphological characters of Scabolyda are supplemented: antenna with ca. 13–14 flagellomeres; fore leg with tibia without pre-apical spur; hind leg nearly 0.6 times as long as the body, hind tarsal claw without setae and its inner tooth not developed. In addition, the tarsal claw characteristics found in the new species may suggest Scabolyda has a closer relationship with Cephalciinae, rather than with Pamphiliinae.
Monitoring Trends in Distribution and Seasonality of Medically Important Ticks in North America Using Online Crowdsourced Records from iNaturalist
Authors: Cull Benjamin
Published: April 2022

Recent increases in the incidence and geographic range of tick-borne diseases in North America are linked to the range expansion of medically important tick species, including Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, and Amblyomma maculatum. Passive tick surveillance programs have been highly successful in collecting information on tick distribution, seasonality, host-biting activity, and pathogen infection prevalence. These have demonstrated the power of citizen or community science participation to collect country-wide, epidemiologically relevant data in a resource-efficient manner. This study examined tick observations from the online image-based biological recording platform iNaturalist to evaluate its use as an effective tool for monitoring the distributions of A. americanum, A. maculatum, I. scapularis, and Dermacentor in the United States and Canada. The distribution and seasonality of iNaturalist tick observations were found to accurately represent those of the studied species. County-level iNaturalist tick occurrence data showed good agreement with other data sources in documented areas of I. scapularis and A. americanum establishment, and highlighted numerous previously unreported counties with iNaturalist observations of these species. This study supports the use of iNaturalist data as a highly cost-effective passive tick surveillance method that can complement existing surveillance strategies to update tick distributions and identify new areas of tick establishment.
On the Performance of Federated Learning Algorithms for IoT
Authors: Tahir Mehreen , Ali Muhammad Intizar
Published: April 2022

Federated Learning (FL) is a state-of-the-art technique used to build machine learning (ML) models based on distributed data sets. It enables In-Edge AI, preserves data locality, protects user data, and allows ownership. These characteristics of FL make it a suitable choice for IoT networks due to its intrinsic distributed infrastructure. However, FL presents a few unique challenges; the most noteworthy is training over largely heterogeneous data samples on IoT devices. The heterogeneity of devices and models in the complex IoT networks greatly influences the FL training process and makes traditional FL unsuitable to be directly deployed, while many recent research works claim to mitigate the negative impact of heterogeneity in FL networks, unfortunately, the effectiveness of these proposed solutions has never been studied and quantified. In this study, we thoroughly analyze the impact of heterogeneity in FL and present an overview of the practical problems exerted by the system and statistical heterogeneity. We have extensively investigated state-of-the-art algorithms focusing on their practical use over IoT networks. We have also conducted a comparative analysis of the top available federated algorithms over a heterogeneous dynamic IoT network. Our analysis shows that the existing solutions fail to effectively mitigate the problem, thus highlighting the significance of incorporating both system and statistical heterogeneity in FL system design.
Special Issue “The State of the Art in Endodontics”
Authors: Iandolo Alfredo , Amato Alessandra , Abdellatif Dina , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Amato Massimo
Published: April 2022

Currently, the term “modern endodontics” is used more often due to contemporary applied science and original materials that have been developed in recent years [...]
Stimulation Duration in Patients with Early Oocyte Maturation Triggering Criteria Does Not Impact IVF-ICSI Outcomes
Authors: Stout Sophie , Dabi Yohann , Dupont Charlotte , Selleret Lise , Touboul Cyril , Chabbert-Buffet Nathalie , Daraï Emile , Mathieu d’Argent Emmanuelle , Kolanska Kamila
Published: April 2022

Results from studies reporting the optimal stimulation duration of IVF-ICSI cycles are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to determine whether, in the presence of early ovulation-triggering criteria, prolonged ovarian stimulation modified the chances of a live birth. This cross-sectional study included 312 women presenting triggering criteria beginning from D8 of ovarian stimulation. Among the 312 women included in the study, 135 were triggered for ovulation before D9 (D ≤ nine group) and 177 after D9 (D > nine group). The issues of fresh +/− frozen embryo transfers were taken into consideration. Cumulative clinical pregnancy and live-birth rates after fresh +/− frozen embryo transfers were similar in both groups (37% versus 46.9%, p = 0.10 and 19.3% versus 28.2%, p = 0.09, respectively). No patient characteristics were found to be predictive of a live birth depending on the day of ovulation trigger. Postponing of ovulation trigger did not impact pregnancy or live-birth rates in early responders. A patient’s clinical characteristics should not influence the decision process of ovulation trigger day in early responders. Further prospective studies should be conducted to support these findings.
No Gender Differences in Pain Perception and Medication after Lumbar Spine Sequestrectomy—A Reanalysis of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Raak Christa K. , Ostermann Thomas , Schönenberg-Tu Anna-Li , Fricke Oliver , Martin David D. , Robens Sibylle , Scharbrodt Wolfram
Published: April 2022

Background: Gender issues have received increasing attention in clinical research of the past years, and biological sex has been introduced as a moderating variable in experimental pain perception. However, in clinical studies of acute pain and gender, there are conflicting results. In particular, there are limited data on the impact of gender differences after spinal sequestrectomy. The aim of this work is to examine gender differences in postoperative pain and pain medication consumption in an inpatient clinical setting. Methods: Data of a completed double-blind RCT was subdivided by gender and reanalyzed by means of an analysis of variance in repeated measures. Outcomes included pain severity measured on a VAS, affective (SES-A) and sensory pain perception (SES-S) and morphine equivalent doses (MED) of analgesics after spinal sequestrectomy. Results: In total, 42 female (47.73%) and 46 male (52.27%) patients were analyzed. No differences in pain severity (VAS: Gender × Time F = 0.35; (df = 2, 86); p = 0.708), affective and sensory pain perception (SES-A: Gender × Time F = 0.08; (df = 2, 86); p = 0.919; SES-S: Gender × Time F = 0.06; (df = 2, 86); p = 0.939) or post-operative opioid use between men and women (MEDs: Gender × Time F = 1.44; (df = 2, 86); p = 0.227) could be observed. Conclusions: This reanalysis of an RCT with respect to gender differences is to our knowledge the first attempt to investigate the role of gender in pain perception and medication after lumbar spine sequestrectomy. In contrast to other studies, we were not able to show significant differences between male and female patients in all pain-related outcomes. Apart from well-established pain management, psychological reasons such as gender-specific response biases or the observer effect might explain our results. Trial registration: The study was registered as a regulatory phase IV study at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), an open-access online register for clinical trials conducted in Germany (Reg-No: DRKS00007913).
Increased Risk of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among Children with Ptosis: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Hsia Ning-Yi , Wen Li-Yen , Chou Ching-Ying , Lin Cheng-Li , Wan Lei , Lin Hui-Ju
Published: April 2022

Background: This study aimed to investigate the risk of refractive errors (astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia) and amblyopia in children with ptosis and association between age at diagnosis of ptosis and subsequent risks of vision problems. Methods: Retrospective claims data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) were analyzed. We identified 1799 children aged 0–18 years who were newly diagnosed with ptosis between 2000 and 2012 and 7187 individuals without the disease. Both cohorts were followed up until 2013 to estimate the incidence of refractive errors and amblyopia. Results: Children with ptosis had 5.93-fold, 3.46-fold, 7.60-fold, and 13.45-fold increases in the risk of developing astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia, and amblyopia, respectively, compared with the control cohort (astigmatism: adjusted hazard ratio, aHR = 5.93, 95% confidence interval, CI = 5.16–6.82; myopia: aHR = 3.46, 95% CI = 3.13–3.83; hyperopia: aHR = 7.60, 95% CI = 5.99–9.63; amblyopia: aHR = 13.45, 95% CI = 10.60–17.05). Children diagnosed with ptosis at an age older than 3 years old had a higher risk of myopia than patients diagnosed with ptosis before age 3. There was no significant difference of the risk of astigmatism, amblyopia, and hyperopia between age groups. Conclusions: Children with ptosis may exhibit a higher risk of astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia, and amblyopia than children without ptosis. The risk of myopia is higher in children with ptosis diagnosed at >3 years than those diagnosed at ≤3 years.
High-Volume Center Experience with Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy over Two Decades
Authors: Duralska Milena , Dzwonkowski Jacek , Sierdziński Janusz , Nazarewski Sławomir
Published: April 2022

Background: Study aims to demonstrate single-institution two decades experience with lateral transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomies. Methods: Retrospective study involved 991 operations grouped into 4 cohorts. Data was collected on the patients’ age, sex, side and size of the lesion, histopathological type, hormonal activity, conversion to open adrenalectomy, operating time, length of hospital stay, perioperative complications. Results: The operations were right-sided (n = 550), left-sided (n = 422), bilateral (n = 19). Mean tumor size was 41.9 mm. Histopathological examination revealed 442 adenomas, 191 nodular hyperplasias, 218 pheochromocytomas, 33 malignancies and 126 other lesions. 541 patients had hormonally active tumors. Mean operating time for unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy was 141 min. Mean length of hospital stay was 5.27 days. Intraoperative complications rate was 2.3%. Conversion rate was 1.5%. 54 of patients had 70 postoperative complications. Reoperation rate was 1%. Mortality rate was 0.1%. Statistically significant differences were found in all factors, apart from age, sex, side and size of the lesion, reoperations rate (p > 0.05). Conversions rate, complications rates, length of hospital stay were highest in the first group (p < 0.05). Operating time shortened in the first decade. Conclusions: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe procedure with negligible mortality. Conversions rate, perioperative complications rate, and length of hospital stay, significantly decreased over time.
Increased Complement-Associated Inflammation in Cytomegalovirus-Positive Hypertensive Anterior Uveitis Patients Based on the Aqueous Humor Proteomics Analysis
Authors: Choi Jin A , Ju Hyun-hee , Lee Jiyoung , Kim Ju-Eun , Paik Soon-Young , Skiba Nikolai P. , Rao Ponugoti Vasantha
Published: April 2022

Herpetic anterior uveitis-associated ocular inflammation is commonly manifested with ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Relative to other viruses, cytomegalovirus (CMV) positive hypertensive anterior uveitis is associated with high recurrences of uveitis, as well as with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) and a subsequent higher requirement for future glaucoma surgery. To gain novel insights into the pathogenesis of ocular hypertension in these patients, we investigated the proteome changes of the aqueous humor (AH) derived from the CMV hypertensive anterior uveitis (CMV-HAU; n = 10) patients and non-glaucoma (cataract; n = 10) patients using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Among a total of 562 proteins identified, fifty and fifteen proteins were significantly elevated and decreased, respectively, in the AH of CMV-HAU patients compared to the control subjects by ≥2 fold. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and network analyses of elevated proteins revealed that the enrichment of protein was involved in the complement activation, the humoral immune response mediated by the circulating immunoglobulins, proteolysis, and platelet degranulation. In the AH of CMV-HAU, GDF (growth/differentiation factor)-15, the inflammatory marker belonging to the TGF-β superfamily proteins, was significantly increased, while vasorin, an anti-TGF-β protein, levels were decreased. The trabecular meshwork cells infected with CMV exhibited a significantly increased expression of inflammatory markers. Collectively, these data indicate increased complement factor associated inflammation and humoral immunity in CMV-HAU associated ocular hypertension.
Co-Sleeping as a Protector against Malocclusion in the Primary Dentition: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Carrillo-Díaz María , Ruiz-Guillén Ana , Moya María , Romero-Maroto Martín , González-Olmo María José
Published: April 2022

Mothers practice co-sleeping and breastfeeding simultaneously, for convenience and to strengthen bonding. Due to the scarcity of studies analyzing the impact of co-sleeping on primary dentition, this study aimed to analyze the possible effects of co-sleeping on children’s occlusion. In this cross-sectional study, mothers of 221 children aged 2–5 years who had been breastfed for less than 6 months completed a questionnaire about non-nutritive sucking habits. The WHO (World Health Organization) and IOTN-AC indices (the Aesthetic Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need) were used to assess malocclusion. The type of sagittal (dental and skeletal), transverse and vertical malocclusion was recorded. The non-co-sleeping group showed significantly higher pacifier use (p < 0.05), digital sucking (p < 0.05) and atypical swallowing (p < 0.05) habits. The non-co-sleeping group showed significantly higher mean scores on the IOTN-AC (p < 0.05) and WHO (p < 0.01), a significantly higher presence of canine class II (p < 0.05), anterior open bite (p < 0.05), posterior crossbite (p < 0.05), overbite (p < 0.05), skeletal class II (p < 0.01) and protrusion (p < 0.05). In conclusion, children who practice co-sleeping appear to have a lower frequency and duration of non-nutritive sucking habits. Co-sleeping may contribute to a lower development of malocclusions in children who are weaned early (before six months of age).
Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics Based on the Rome III and IV Criteria of Japanese Patients with Functional Dyspepsia
Authors: Aono Sota , Tomita Toshihiko , Tozawa Katsuyuki , Morishita Daisuke , Nakai Keisuke , Okugawa Takuya , Fukushima Masashi , Oshima Tadayuki , Fukui Hirokazu , Miwa Hiroto
Published: April 2022

The subtypes of functional dyspepsia (FD) differ depending on whether the Rome III criteria or the Rome IV criteria are used. We investigated the ability to diagnose FD patients using the Rome III and IV criteria. The subtypes of FD were evaluated using the Rome questionnaire. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Score, health-related quality of life (HR-QOL; SF-8), and psychological scores (HADS, STAI) were evaluated. The questionnaire was collected from a total of 205 patients, and 54.1% were FD patients. The ratio of FD patients under the Rome III criteria was 19% for epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), 38% for postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), and 43% for an overlap of EPS and PDS, but under the Rome IV criteria overlap decreased to 17% and PDS increased to 64%. Patients whose subtype changed from overlap under the Rome III criteria to PDS under the Rome IV criteria were compared with PDS patients whose subtype did not change between the Rome III and IV criteria. The comparison showed that the former had significantly lower early satiation rates and significantly higher acid reflux and abdominal pain scores, demonstrating that EPS symptoms due to acid reflux after meals were clearly present. As a result of changing from the Rome III criteria to the Rome IV criteria, the number of overlap patients decreased, and the number of PDS patients increased.