bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management Barriers to Inter-Organizational Collaboration in Preoperative Treatment of Patients with Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Hussein Mohsen , Erjavec Karmen , Velikonja Nevenka Kregar
Published: May 2023

Inter-organizational collaboration among healthcare institutions is widely recognized to improve healthcare services. Because there is a research gap in examining the management barriers to inter-organizational collaboration in countries with less efficient healthcare systems and the reasons for non-implementation of innovations, the aim of this study was to identify key management barriers to inter-organizational collaboration in the preoperative treatment of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis in Slovenia using a mixed-methods approach with key stakeholders. A cross-sectional study was conducted using multiple methods. An online survey (n = 135) and a multilevel qualitative approach were used, interviewing patients (n = 21), healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders (n = 42). The overall assessment of barriers affecting the integrated approach at the macro, meso, and micro levels revealed that macro-level factors were statistically significantly perceived as the major barriers, while micro-level factors were the minor barriers. There was no significant difference between public and private sector respondents in the barriers at the three levels. However, there were significant differences in the perceptions of different professional groups at the micro and meso levels, but not at the macro level. The analysis of the in-depth interviews confirmed the importance of macro-level barriers. A culture of noncooperation combined with “managerial indecision” prevails in the Slovenian healthcare system due to weak management support for inter-organizational collaboration, with managers and other key stakeholders failing to make urgent decisions due to a lack of autonomy. Interviewees commonly noted that one of the major barriers to inter-organizational collaboration was a lack of resources and staff, particularly of primary care physicians and nurses. In the preoperative treatment of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis, the culture of non-collaboration and executive indecision are the major macro-level barriers to inter-organizational collaboration in Slovenia.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Pharmacy and Non-Pharmacy Interns in Saudi Arabia Regarding Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study
Authors: Albalawi Laila , Alhawiti Abeer S. , Alnasser Dania , Alhumaidi Jawaher , Alrashidi Tahani , Alnawmasi Awatif M. , Ali Mostafa A. S. , Alqifari Saleh , Alshareef Hanan
Published: May 2023

This cross-sectional descriptive study aims to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, and nursing interns in Saudi Arabia regarding antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. Interns received a soft copy of a structured and validated self-administered questionnaire using an online survey platform. A total of 266 interns responded to the questionnaire. On average, the participants achieved good scores in the knowledge and practice domains, followed by the attitude domain. The average knowledge percentage was 76.1% (SD 17.1) compared to 84.6% (SD 20.5) for practices and 61.5% (SD 23.2) for attitudes. The results suggest that pharmacy interns had insignificantly better overall scores compared to non-pharmacy interns for knowledge, attitudes, and practices. This study shows that the scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, and nursing interns regarding antibiotic use and resistance were high overall. However, interns’ belief in their responsibility in preventing antibiotic resistance is lacking.
Effect of Devised Simultaneous Physical Function Improvement Training and Posture Learning Exercises on Posture
Authors: Takahira Naonobu , Kudo Sho , Ofusa Mako , Sakai Kenta , Tsuda Kouji , Tozaki Kiyoshi , Takahashi Yoshiki , Kaneda Hiroaki
Published: May 2023

Poor posture in young adults and middle-aged people is associated with neck and back pain which are among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Training posture maintenance muscles and learning about ideal posture are important for improving poor posture. However, the effect of using both approaches simultaneously has not been verified, and it is unclear how long the effects persist after the intervention. Forty female university students were randomly and evenly assigned to four groups: physical function improvement training, posture learning, combination, and control groups. Four weeks of intervention training was conducted. Postural alignment parameters were obtained, including trunk anteroposterior inclination, pelvic anteroposterior inclination, and vertebral kyphosis angle. Physical function improvement training for improving crossed syndrome included two types of exercises: “wall-side squatting” and “wall-side stretching”. The posture learning intervention consisted of two types of interventions: “standing upright with their back against the wall” and “rolled towel”. A multiple comparison test was performed after analysis of covariance to evaluate the effect of each group’s postural change intervention on postural alignment. Only the combination group showed an effective improvement in all posture alignments. However, it was found that a week after the 4-week intervention, the subjects’ postures returned to their original state.
Requests for Compensation in Cases Involving Patients’ Falls in Healthcare Settings: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Mele Federica , Leonardelli Mirko , Duma Stefano , Angeletti Carlo , Cazzato Gerardo , Lupo Carmelo , Gorini Ettore , Pomara Cristoforo , Dell’Erba Alessandro , Marrone Maricla
Published: May 2023

Falls are the most frequent adverse events recorded in healthcare facilities. By employing a multifaceted strategy to ensure prevention interventions that are specific to the patient type and environmental risk management, risk factor evaluation may help to reduce falls in the hospital setting. Patient falls are one of the main causes of lawsuits against hospitals, which has led to the development of validated instruments that are beneficial in treating the patient after the incident and effective in minimizing the frequency of falls. The aim of our study is to evaluate compensation claims asserting healthcare culpability in situations where a patient fell in a hospital setting. The collected data relate to judgments issued in Italy until December 2022 regarding 30 episodes of falls that occurred between 2003 and 2018. Our research revealed that approximately 50% of Italian healthcare organizations lose the case in court when a patient falls in a hospital setting and dies or is injured. In half of these cases, the failure of the medical staff to use protective equipment against falls is what led to the court’s acceptance of the compensation claim. In order to improve the quality of healthcare services, fall prevention techniques must continue to be implemented.
How Does the Method Used to Measure the VE/VCO2 Slope Affect Its Value? A Cross-Sectional and Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chaumont Martin , Forton Kevin , Gillet Alexis , Tcheutchoua Nzokou Daryl , Lamotte Michel
Published: May 2023

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was limited to peak oxygen consumption analysis (VO2peak), and now the ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope is recognized as having independent prognostic value. Unlike VO2peak, the VE/VCO2 slope does not require maximal effort, making it more feasible. There is no consensus on how to measure the VE/VCO2 slope; therefore, we assessed whether different methods affect its value. This is a retrospective study assessing sociodemographic data, left ventricular ejection fraction, CPET parameters, and indications of patients referred for CPET. The VE/VCO2 slope was measured to the first ventilatory threshold (VT1-slope), secondary threshold (VT2-slope), and included all test data (full-slope). Of the 697 CPETs analyzed, 308 reached VT2. All VE/VCO2 slopes increased with age, regardless of test indications. In patients not reaching VT2, the VT1-slope was 32 vs. 36 (p < 0.001) for the full-slope; in those surpassing VT2, the VT1-slope was 29 vs. 33 (p < 0.001) for the VT2-slope and 37 (all p < 0.001) for the full-slope. The mean difference between the submaximal and full-slopes was ±4 units, sufficient to reclassify patients from low to high risk for heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. We conclude that the method used for determining the VE/VCO2 slope greatly influences the result, the significant variations limiting its prognostic value. The calculation method must be standardized to improve its prognostic value.
Postoperative Complications following Open Reduction and Rigid Internal Fixation of Mandibular Condylar Fracture Using the High Perimandibular Approach
Authors: Tatsumi Hiroto , Matsuda Yuhei , Toda Erina , Okui Tatsuo , Okuma Satoe , Kanno Takahiro
Published: May 2023

The high perimandibular approach is a feasible surgical technique for treating mandibular condylar fractures with open reduction and internal fixation, followed by fewer complications. Temporary trismus is the only postoperative complication that may occur. This study evaluated postoperative complications following open reduction and rigid internal fixation (OR-IF) of mandibular condylar fractures using the high perimandibular approach. Twenty consecutive patients undergoing OR-IF were included in this study. They included 11 male and 9 female patients, of an average age of 58.5 years, all of whom responded to a follow-up call at least 12 months after the surgery. All patients were evaluated for range of mouth opening, postoperative complications, and radiological findings. A statistical analysis of the relationship between range of mouth opening and related clinical parameters at 6 months postoperative evaluation was conducted. The fracture of the condylar neck was associated with a limited range of mouth opening and longer operation time. However, longer operation time was not associated with a limited range of mouth opening. The high perimandibular approach with OR-IF in mandibular condylar fractures is a feasible and safe technique; however, prolonged surgery and mandibular condylar neck fractures could affect the postoperative range of mouth opening.
Effect of Alginate-Based Edible Coating Containing Thyme Essential Oil on Quality and Microbial Safety of Fresh-Cut Potatoes
Authors: Gaowa Saren , Feng Ke , Li Yuanzheng , Long Ya , Hu Wenzhong
Published: May 2023

Fresh-cut potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are a favorite product on account of their freshness, convenience, and health benefits. However, cutting causes potatoes to lose their protective tissue and suffer mechanical damage, which greatly increases the quality deterioration and safety risk of potatoes. The background microorganism and foodborne pathogens on fresh-cut potatoes might rapidly grow during transportation, processing, and marketing, and cause high health risks for consumers. In this study, the quality and safety of fresh-cut potatoes coated with an alginate-based edible coating containing thyme essential oil (AEC-TEO) was evaluated during a storage period of 16 days at 4 °C. Samples were coated with AEC-TEO at different concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.35, and 0.65%, v/v). The quality characteristics of fresh-cut potatoes including color, weight loss, firmness, and sensory attributes were evaluated over 4 days. The viability of the background microorganism of fresh-cut potatoes and artificially inoculated bacteria involving Listeria monocytogenes (LM) was measured every 4 days. The research showed that treatment with AEC-TEO at a 0.05% concentration was the most beneficial for maintaining quality and inhibiting the microorganism of fresh-cut potatoes. The increase in L and firmness was 10.55 and 8.24 N, respectively, and the decrease in browning was 4.19 compared to that in the control. Sensory attributes represent an assessment between “indifferent” and “like a little”. The reductions in total plate counts, total coliform counts, yeast and mold counts, and Lactobacillus counts were 2.41 log cfu/g, 1.37 log cfu/g, 1.21 log cfu/g, and 2 log cfu/g, and Listeria monocytogenes decreased by 3.63 log cfu/g on fresh-cut potatoes after 16 days. Therefore, AEC-TEO effectively improved the quality of fresh-cut potatoes and, to a certain extent, prolonged their shelf life. This represents a potential application prospect for the preservation of fresh-cut potatoes.
Effect of Temperature and Storage Time on Some Biochemical Compounds from the Kernel of Some Walnut Cultivars Grown in Romania
Authors: Vijan Loredana Elena , Giura Simona , Mazilu Ivona Cristina , Botu Mihai
Published: May 2023

Walnut kernels are appreciated not only for their mineral content, vitamins, proteins, and valuable lipids, but also for the presence of polyphenolic compounds and biogenic amines. The temperature and storage time effects on some biochemical compounds from kernels collected from eight walnut genotypes grown at the Fruit Growing Research and Extension Station (SCDP) Valcea, Romania, were studied. In general, the phenolic and carotenoid compounds followed opposite trends during short-term storage and in some cases in medium-term storage. In both cases, there was a reduction in concentration during long-term storage, which was more pronounced for carotenoids. The most efficient method for preserving the walnut kernel’s phenolic content was freezing. Keeping the walnut kernel at room temperature assured the smallest carotenoid content decrease. Depending on the walnut cultivar, the preservation of the walnut kernel can be extended to five months by storage at −20 to −18 °C without loss of phenolic compounds, while a period shorter than five months (but certainly longer than three months) could be recommended for storage at 3–4 °C. Keeping it at room temperature can be an option for a short period (about three months). None of the preservation methods was adequate if the losses recorded for carotenoids were taken into account.
Evaluation of Aging Methods on the Surface Characteristics of Hydrochar and Germination Indices for Kale Seeds
Authors: Qin Dengge , He Quan , Mousavi Seyed Mohammad Nasir , Abbey Lord
Published: May 2023

Hydrochar derived from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has been recognized as a potential absorbent and horticultural substrate. However, its practical application has been limited due to its low adsorption capacity and negative effects on plant growth. To address these issues, three pre-treatment methods (water washing, microbial aging, and freezing-thawing aging) were employed to further improve the physical structure and chemical properties of hydrochar. A seed germination test with kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala D.C) was conducted to evaluate the phytotoxicity of modified hydrochars. The results showed that microbial aging considerably enhanced the physicochemical properties of the hydrochar. Specifically, under microbial aging, the bulk density of microbial-aged hydrochar (MHC) decreased by 8.1%, the porosity increased by 24.8%, and the water-holding capacity increased by 36.54% compared to fresh hydrochar (FHC). Moreover, the surfaces of MHC and freezing-thawing aged hydrochar (FTHC) were observed with rough and cracked surfaces and macro pore structures. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that the functional group’s intensities of the four hydrochar materials varied, and that MHC and FTHC had more oxygen-containing groups than the others. Additionally, the surface areas of MHC and FTHC increased by 318.64% and 238.98% compared to FHC, respectively. The seed germination test indicated the strong inhibitory effect of FHC, while MHC significantly (p < 0.05) improved the seed germination rate and root development. These findings suggest that among the different pre-treatment methods, microbial aging demonstrated the greatest potential for practical application in improving the physicochemical properties of hydrochar and promoting seed germination. This study opens up new avenues for further research on improving hydrochar and suggests that future studies should focus on optimizing the aging process.
Clinical Considerations for Implanted Neurological Devices in Patients Undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Case Report and Review of Manufacturer Guidelines
Authors: Schiavo Simone , Brenna Connor T. A. , Bhatia Anuj , Middleton William J. , Katznelson Rita
Published: May 2023

Patients with implanted medical devices are increasingly referred for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and the safety of exposing some of these devices to hyperbaric environments has not previously been explored. There is a paucity of evidence surrounding the management of implanted neurological devices such as neurostimulators and intrathecal drug delivery (IDD) pumps in the context of HBOT. However, these devices can be expected to harbor unique risks; for example, vacant space in the reservoir of an implanted IDD pump may change in pressure and volume during the compression and decompression phases of HBOT, resulting in a damaged or dysfunctional device. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman with cerebral palsy referred for HBOT to manage a necrotizing soft tissue infection cultured from a dehiscent abdominal wound at the previous implantation site of an intrathecal baclofen pump. An HBOT protocol was ultimately chosen in partnership with the patient and her family, but treatment was not performed due to a paucity of evidence that the implanted IDD pump could safely withstand hyperbaric exposure. In this review, we have synthesized manufacturer recommendations regarding the management of implanted neurological devices before, during, and after HBOT to inform future decision-making in this setting. Among these recommendations, we highlight that neurostimulators should be switched off for the duration of HBOT and implanted pumps should be refilled prior to each treatment session to minimize empty reservoir space.
Anxiety in Brief: Assessment of the Five-Item Trait Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in South Africa
Authors: Pretorius Tyrone B. , Padmanabhanunni Anita
Published: May 2023

The current study examined the psychometric properties of a short form of the trait scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Participants consisted of a convenience sample of students (n = 322) who completed the five-item version of the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, the nine-item version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. We used classical test theory and item response theory (Rasch and Mokken analyses) to examine the psychometric properties of a previously proposed five-item version of this scale. These approaches confirmed that the five-item measure of anxiety had satisfactory reliability and validity, and also confirmed that the five items comprised a unidimensional scale.
Psychosocial Processes in Healthcare Workers: How Individuals’ Perceptions of Interpersonal Communication Is Related to Patient Safety Threats and Higher-Quality Care
Authors: Dietl Johanna Elisa , Derksen Christina , Keller Franziska Maria , Schmiedhofer Martina , Lippke Sonia
Published: May 2023

Interpersonal communication, as a central form of social resource derived from social relations, is crucial for individuals coping with threats in the workplace, especially for hospitals that provide high-quality care and patient safety. Using social system mentalization as a theoretical background, we applied psychosocial processes and a psychodynamic system approach to get insights on how healthcare workers interact with team members and patients. The goal was to test the following hypotheses: H1: Better communication is associated with fewer patient safety threats (H1a) and higher-quality care (H1b). H2: The associations between communication and patient safety threats (H2a) and higher-quality care (H2b) are mediated by psychological safety. In this two-studies design, we conducted a cross-sectional hospital survey (N = 129) and a survey of obstetric team members (N = 138) in Germany. Simple mediation analyses were run. Results revealed that communication is associated with safety performance. Further, the mediating effect of psychological safety between communication and safety performance was demonstrated. These findings contribute to an understanding of social relation representations, as individuals’ communication interrelates with safety performance mediated by psychological safety to complement healthcare and public health strategies. With a better understanding of communication and psychological safety, tools, routines, and concrete trainings can be designed.
Measuring Interprofessional Collaboration’s Impact on Healthcare Services Using the Quadruple Aim Framework: A Protocol Paper
Authors: Foo Yang Yann , Xin Xiaohui , Rao Jai , Tan Nigel C. K. , Cheng Qianhui , Lum Elaine , Ong Hwee Kuan , Lim Sok Mui , Freeman Kirsty J. , Tan Kevin
Published: May 2023

Despite decades of research on the impact of interprofessional collaboration (IPC), we still lack definitive proof that team-based care can lead to a tangible effect on healthcare outcomes. Without return on investment (ROI) evidence, healthcare leaders cannot justifiably throw their weight behind IPC, and the institutional push for healthcare manpower reforms crucial for facilitating IPC will remain variable and fragmentary. The lack of proof for the ROI of IPC is likely due to a lack of a unifying conceptual framework and the over-reliance on the single-method study design. To address the gaps, this paper describes a protocol which uses as a framework the Quadruple Aim which examines the ROI of IPC using four dimensions: patient outcomes, patient experience, provider well-being, and cost of care. A multimethod approach is proposed whereby patient outcomes are measured using quantitative methods, and patient experience and provider well-being are assessed using qualitative methods. Healthcare costs will be calculated using the time-driven activity-based costing methodology. The study is set in a Singapore-based national and regional center that takes care of patients with neurological issues.
The Effect of Non-Solvent Nature on the Rheological Properties of Cellulose Solution in Diluted Ionic Liquid and Performance of Nanofiltration Membranes
Authors: Ilyin Sergey O. , Kostyuk Anna V. , Anokhina Tatyana S. , Melekhina Viktoria Y. , Bakhtin Danila S. , Antonov Sergey V. , Volkov Alexey V.
Published: May 2023

The weak point of ionic liquids is their high viscosity, limiting the maximum polymer concentration in the forming solutions. A low-viscous co-solvent can reduce viscosity, but cellulose has none. This study demonstrates that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), being non-solvent for cellulose, can act as a nominal co-solvent to improve its processing into a nanofiltration membrane by phase inversion. A study of the rheology of cellulose solutions in diluted ionic liquids ([EMIM]Ac, [EMIM]Cl, and [BMIM]Ac) containing up to 75% DMSO showed the possibility of decreasing the viscosity by up to 50 times while keeping the same cellulose concentration. Surprisingly, typical cellulose non-solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol) behave similarly, reducing the viscosity at low doses but causing structuring of the cellulose solution and its phase separation at high concentrations. According to laser interferometry, the nature of these non-solvents affects the mass transfer direction relative to the forming membrane and the substance interdiffusion rate, which increases by four-fold when passing from isopropanol to methanol or water. Examination of the nanofiltration characteristics of the obtained membranes showed that the dilution of ionic liquid enhances the rejection without changing the permeability, while the transition to alcohols increases the permeability while maintaining the rejection.
Selective Oxidation of Halophenols Catalyzed by an Artificial Miniaturized Peroxidase
Authors: D’Alonzo Daniele , De Fenza Maria , Pavone Vincenzo , Lombardi Angela , Nastri Flavia
Published: May 2023

The development of artificial enzymes for application in sustainable technologies, such as the transformation of environmental pollutants or biomass, is one of the most challenging goals in metalloenzyme design. In this work, we describe the oxidation of mono-, di-, tri- and penta-halogenated phenols catalyzed by the artificial metalloenzyme Fe-MC6*a. It promoted the dehalogenation of 4-fluorophenol into the corresponding 1,4-benzoquinone, while under the same experimental conditions, 4-chloro, 4-bromo and 4-iodophenol were selectively converted into higher molecular weight compounds. Analysis of the 4-chlorophenol oxidation products clarified that oligomers based on C-O bonds were exclusively formed in this case. All results show that Fe-MC6*a holds intriguing enzymatic properties, as it catalyzes halophenol oxidation with substrate-dependent chemoselectivity.
Appraising the Role of Astrocytes as Suppliers of Neuronal Glutathione Precursors
Authors: Pérez-Sala Dolores , Pajares María A.
Published: May 2023

The metabolism and intercellular transfer of glutathione or its precursors may play an important role in cellular defense against oxidative stress, a common hallmark of neurodegeneration. In the 1990s, several studies in the Neurobiology field led to the widely accepted notion that astrocytes produce large amounts of glutathione that serve to feed neurons with precursors for glutathione synthesis. This assumption has important implications for health and disease since a reduction in this supply from astrocytes could compromise the capacity of neurons to cope with oxidative stress. However, at first glance, this shuttling would imply a large energy expenditure to get to the same point in a nearby cell. Thus, are there additional underlying reasons for this expensive mechanism? Are neurons unable to import and/or synthesize the three non-essential amino acids that are the glutathione building blocks? The rather oxidizing extracellular environment favors the presence of cysteine (Cys) as cystine (Cis), less favorable for neuronal import. Therefore, it has also been proposed that astrocytic GSH efflux could induce a change in the redox status of the extracellular space nearby the neurons, locally lowering the Cis/Cys ratio. This astrocytic glutathione release would also increase their demand for precursors, stimulating Cis uptake, which these cells can import, further impacting the local decline of the Cis/Cys ratio, in turn, contributing to a more reduced extracellular environment and subsequently favoring neuronal Cys import. Here, we revisit the experimental evidence that led to the accepted hypothesis of astrocytes acting as suppliers of neuronal glutathione precursors, considering recent data from the Human Protein Atlas. In addition, we highlight some potential drawbacks of this hypothesis, mainly supported by heterogeneous cellular models. Finally, we outline additional and more cost-efficient possibilities by which astrocytes could support neuronal glutathione levels, including its shuttling in extracellular vesicles.
TLRs: Innate Immune Sentries against SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Mantovani Stefania , Oliviero Barbara , Varchetta Stefania , Renieri Alessandra , Mondelli Mario U.
Published: May 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been responsible for a devastating pandemic since March 2020. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), crucial components in the initiation of innate immune responses to different pathogens, trigger the downstream production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interferons, and other mediators. It has been demonstrated that they contribute to the dysregulated immune response observed in patients with severe COVID-19. TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR7 have been associated with COVID-19 severity. Here, we review the role of TLRs in the etiology and pathogenesis of COVID-19, including TLR7 and TLR3 rare variants, the L412F polymorphism in TLR3 that negatively regulates anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses, the TLR3-related cellular senescence, the interaction of TLR2 and TLR4 with SARS-CoV-2 proteins and implication of TLR2 in NET formation by SARS-CoV-2. The activation of TLRs contributes to viral clearance and disease resolution. However, TLRs may represent a double-edged sword which may elicit dysregulated immune signaling, leading to the production of proinflammatory mediators, resulting in severe disease. TLR-dependent excessive inflammation and TLR-dependent antiviral response may tip the balance towards the former or the latter, altering the equilibrium that drives the severity of disease.
Differential Response of Mycosis Fungoides Cells to Vorinostat
Authors: Bordeaux Zachary A. , Reddy Sriya V. , Lee Kevin , Lu Weiying , Choi Justin , Miller Meghan , Roberts Callie , Pollizzi Anthony , Kwatra Shawn G. , Kwatra Madan M.
Published: May 2023

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and is characterized by epidermotrophism of malignant CD4+ T-lymphocytes. When MF advances to a recurrent stage, patients require treatment with systemic therapies such as vorinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor. While vorinostat has been shown to exhibit anti-tumor activity in MF, its exact molecular mechanism has yet to be fully discerned. In the present study, we examined the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of vorinostat treatment in two MF cell lines, Myla 2059 and HH. We find that vorinostat downregulates CTLA-4, CXCR4, and CCR7 in both cell lines, but its effect on several key pathways differs between the two MF cell lines. For example, vorinostat upregulates CCL5, CCR5, and CXCL10 expression in Myla cells but downregulates CCL5 and CXCL10 expression in HH cells. Furthermore, vorinostat upregulates IFN-γ and IL-23 signaling and downregulates IL-6, IL-7, and IL-15 signaling in Myla cells but does not affect these pathways in HH cells. Although Myla and HH represent established MF cell lines, their distinct tumor origin from separate patients demonstrates that inherent phenotypic variations within the disease persist, underscoring the importance of using a variety of MF cells in the preclinical development of MF therapeutics.
Immunohistochemical Pattern of Histone H2A Variant Expression in an Experimental Model of Ischemia–Reperfusion-Induced Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Nesovic Ostojic Jelena , Zivotic Maja , Kovacevic Sanjin , Ivanov Milan , Brkic Predrag , Mihailovic-Stanojevic Nevena , Karanovic Danijela , Vajic Una Jovana , Miloradovic Zoran , Jovovic Djurdjica , Radojevic Skodric Sanja
Published: May 2023

Ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is a frequent cause of AKI, resulting in vasoconstriction, cellular dysfunction, inflammation and the induction of oxidative stress. DNA damage, including physical DNA strand breaks, is also a potential consequence of renal IRI. The histone H2A variants, primary H2AX and H2AZ participate in DNA damage response pathways to promote genome stability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical pattern of histone H2A variants’ (H2AX, γH2AX(S139), H2AXY142ph and H2AZ) expression in an experimental model of ischemia–reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Comparing the immunohistochemical nuclear expression of γH2AX(S139) and H2AXY142ph in AKI, we observed that there is an inverse ratio of these two histone H2AX variants. If we follow different regions from the subcapsular structures to the medulla, there is an increasing extent gradient in the nuclear expression of H2AXY142ph, accompanied by a decreasing nuclear expression of γH2AX. In addition, we observed that different structures dominated when γH2AX and H2AXY142ph expression levels were compared. γH2AX was expressed only in the proximal tubule, with the exception of when they were dilated. In the medulla, H2AXY142ph is predominantly expressed in the loop of Henle and the collecting ducts. Our results show moderate sporadic nuclear H2AZ expression mainly in the cells of the distal tubules and the collecting ducts that were surrounded by dilated tubules with PAS (periodic acid–Schiff stain)-positive casts. These findings may indicate the degree of DNA damage, followed by postischemic AKI, with potential clinical and prognostic implications regarding this condition.
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Zeta 1 as a Potential Target in Cancer Therapy and Diagnosis
Authors: Papadimitriou Evangelia , Kanellopoulou Vasiliki K.
Published: May 2023

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor zeta 1 (PTPRZ1) is a type V transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase that is highly expressed during embryonic development, while its expression during adulthood is limited. PTPRZ1 is highly detected in the central nervous system, affecting oligodendrocytes’ survival and maturation. In gliomas, PTPRZ1 expression is significantly upregulated and is being studied as a potential cancer driver and as a target for therapy. PTPRZ1 expression is also increased in other cancer types, but there are no data on the potential functional significance of this finding. On the other hand, low PTPRZ1 expression seems to be related to a worse prognosis in some cancer types, suggesting that in some cases, it may act as a tumor-suppressor gene. These discrepancies may be due to our limited understanding of PTPRZ1 signaling and tumor microenvironments. In this review, we present evidence on the role of PTPRZ1 in angiogenesis and cancer and discuss the phenomenal differences among the different types of cancer, depending on the regulation of its tyrosine phosphatase activity or ligand binding. Clarifying the involved signaling pathways will lead to its efficient exploitation as a novel therapeutic target or as a biomarker, and the development of proper therapeutic approaches.
Helicobacter pylori and Epstein–Barr Virus Co-Infection in Gastric Disease: What Is the Correlation with p53 Mutation, Genes Methylation and Microsatellite Instability in a Cohort of Sicilian Population?
Authors: Giammanco Anna , Anzalone Rita , Serra Nicola , Graceffa Giuseppa , Vieni Salvatore , Scibetta Nunzia , Rea Teresa , Capra Giuseppina , Fasciana Teresa
Published: May 2023

Genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and infectious agents interact in the development of gastric diseases. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection has recently been shown to be correlated with these diseases. A cross-sectional study was performed on 100 hospitalized Italian patients with and without gastric diseases. The patients were stratified into four groups. Significant methylation status differences among CDH1, DAPK, COX2, hMLH1 and CDKN2A were observed for coinfected (Hp-EBV group) patients; particularly, a significant presence of COX2 (p = 0.0179) was observed. For microsatellite instability, minor stability was described in the Hp-HBV group (69.23%, p = 0.0456). Finally, for p53 mutation in the EBV group, exon 6 was, significantly, most frequent in comparison to others (p = 0.0124), and in the Hp-EBV group exon 8 was, significantly, most frequent in comparison to others (p < 0.0001). A significant positive relationship was found between patients with infection (Hp, EBV or both) and p53 mutation (rho = 0.383, p = 0.0001), methylation status (rho = 0.432, p < 0.0001) and microsatellite instability (rho = 0.285, p = 0.004). Finally, we observed among infection and methylation status, microsatellite instability, and p53 mutation a significant positive relationship only between infection and methylation status (OR = 3.78, p = 0.0075) and infection and p53 mutation (OR = 6.21, p = 0.0082). According to our analysis, gastric disease in the Sicilian population has different pathways depending on the presence of various factors, including infectious agents such as Hp and EBV and genetic factors of the subject.
In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Antibacterial Coatings on Titanium Alloy Implants for Veterinary Application
Authors: Ziąbka Magdalena , Matysiak Katarzyna , Cholewa-Kowalska Katarzyna , Kyzioł Agnieszka , Królicka Aleksandra , Sapierzyński Rafał , Januchta-Kurmin Monika , Bissenik Igor
Published: May 2023

The aim of this work was the evaluation of biological properties of hybrid coatings modified with Ag, Cu, and Zn nanoparticles (NPs) applied on TPLO medical implants by the sol-gel process. The implant coatings enriched with various concentrations of metallic NPs were investigated in the in vitro bactericidal efficacy tests against Gram+ and Gram- bacteria and pathogenic yeast. Next, the designed materials were tested on human osteosarcoma cell lines. The cells adhesion, proliferation, viability, and differentiation were investigated. The cell growth wasevaluated using SEM, and the metallic ion release was measured. The results revealed that the NPs concentration in the hybrid layers decreased with the incubation time. In the last stage, the implants were tested in vivo on six canine patients. Three months after the operation, the radiological evaluation of the performed anastomosis was carried out as well as the histopathological evaluation of tissue regeneration. The strongest bactericidal efficacy was observed for the layers containing AgNPs. Along with an increased concentration of metallic additives, a growing toxic effect was clearly observed. The most pronounced toxic effect was especially evident with the AgNPs concentration exceeding 1 mol %. In all the operated patients, no deviations were found during the follow-up examinations in the postoperative period. The low dose of AgNPs in the hybrid layer facilitated the tissue healing process. It was proven that silver nanoparticles may accelerate the bone healing process. The correct tissue reparation was observed.
Benzoquinoline Derivatives: An Attractive Approach to Newly Small Molecules with Anticancer Activity
Authors: Oniciuc Liliana , Amăriucăi-Mantu Dorina , Diaconu Dumitrela , Mangalagiu Violeta , Danac Ramona , Antoci Vasilichia , Mangalagiu Ionel I.
Published: May 2023

This study presents the synthesis, structural characterization, and in vitro evaluation of anticancer activity of some newly benzo[f]quinoline derivatives. The synthesis is facile and efficient, involving two steps: quaternization of nitrogen heterocycle followed by a [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition reaction. The synthesized compounds were characterized by FTIR, NMR, and X-ray diffraction on monocrystal in the case of compounds 6c and 7c. An in vitro single-dose anticancer assay of eighteen benzo[f]quinoline compounds, quaternary salts, and cycloadducts, was performed. The results showed that the most active compounds were quaternary salts 3d and 3f with aromatic R substituents. Quaternary salt 3d revealed non-selective activity against all types of cancer cells, while salt 3f exhibited a highly selective activity against leukemia cells. Compound 3d also presented remarkable cytotoxic efficiency against four distinct types of cancer cells—namely, non-small cell lung cancer HOP–92, melanoma LOX IMVI, melanoma SK–MEL–5, and breast cancer MDA–MB–468. Compound 3f was selected for five-dose screening. The study also includes SAR correlations.
Small-Cell Lung Cancer—An Update on Targeted and Immunotherapies
Authors: McNamee Nicholas , da Silva Ines Pires , Nagrial Adnan , Gao Bo
Published: May 2023

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with distinct biological and clinical features. The clinical course of SCLC is generally characterised by initial sensitivity to DNA-damaging therapies, followed by early relapse and broad cross resistance to second line agents. Whilst there has been an enormous expansion of effective targeted and immune-based therapeutic options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the last decade, little improvement has been achieved in SCLC treatment and survival due, at least in part, to underappreciated inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Here we review the current treatment paradigm of SCLC including recent advances made in utilizing immunotherapy and the challenges of identifying a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy response. We examine emerging new targeted therapies, combination immunotherapy and future directions of SCLC treatment research.
Murine Placental Erythroid Cells Are Mainly Represented by CD45+ Immunosuppressive Erythroid Cells and Secrete CXCL1, CCL2, CCL3 and CCL4 Chemokines
Authors: Nazarov Kirill , Perik-Zavodskii Roman , Perik-Zavodskaia Olga , Alrhmoun Saleh , Volynets Marina , Shevchenko Julia , Sennikov Sergey
Published: May 2023

Erythroid cells are emerging players in immunological regulation that have recently been shown to play a crucial role in fetomaternal tolerance in mice. In this work, we set ourselves the goal of discovering additional information about the molecular mechanisms of this process. We used flow cytometry to study placental erythroid cells’ composition and BioPlex for the secretome profiling of 23 cytokines at E12.5 and E19.5 in both allogeneic and syngeneic pregnancies. We found that (1) placental erythroid cells are mainly represented by CD45+ erythroid cells; (2) the secretomes of CD71+ placental erythroid cells differ from the ones in syngeneic pregnancy; (3) CCL2, CCL3, CCL4 and CXCL1 chemokines were secreted on each day of embryonic development and in both types of pregnancy studied. We believe that these chemokines lure placental immune cells towards erythroid cells so that erythroid cells can induce anergy in those immune cells via cell-bound ligands such as PD-L1, enzymes such as ARG1, and secreted factors such as TGFβ-1.
Towards Fault Tolerance of Reservoir Computing in Time Series Prediction
Authors: Sun Xiaochuan , Gao Jiahui , Wang Yu
Published: May 2023

During the deployment of practical applications, reservoir computing (RC) is highly susceptible to radiation effects, temperature changes, and other factors. Normal reservoirs are difficult to vouch for. To solve this problem, this paper proposed a random adaptive fault tolerance mechanism for an echo state network, i.e., RAFT-ESN, to handle the crash or Byzantine faults of reservoir neurons. In our consideration, the faulty neurons were automatically detected and located based on the abnormalities of reservoir state output. The synapses connected to them were adaptively disconnected and withdrawn from the current computational task. On the widely used time series with different sources and features, the experimental results show that our proposal can achieve an effective performance recovery in the case of reservoir neuron faults, including prediction accuracy and short-term memory capacity (MC). Additionally, its utility was validated by statistical distributions.
A Hybrid Univariate Traffic Congestion Prediction Model for IoT-Enabled Smart City
Authors: Chahal Ayushi , Gulia Preeti , Gill Nasib Singh , Priyadarshini Ishaani
Published: May 2023

IoT devices collect time-series traffic data, which is stochastic and complex in nature. Traffic flow prediction is a thorny task using this kind of data. A smart traffic congestion prediction system is a need of sustainable and economical smart cities. An intelligent traffic congestion prediction model using Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) is presented in this study. The novelty of this model is that the proposed model is hybridized using a Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN). Instead of traditionally presuming the relationship of forecasted results of the SARIMA and Bi-LSTM model as a linear relationship, this model uses BPNN to discover the unknown function to establish a relation between the forecasted values. This model uses SARIMA to handle linear components and Bi-LSTM to handle non-linear components of the Big IoT time-series dataset. The “CityPulse EU FP7 project” is a freely available dataset used in this study. This hybrid univariate model is compared with the single ARIMA, single LSTM, and existing traffic prediction models using MAE, MSE, RMSE, and MAPE as evaluation indicators. This model provides the lowest values of MAE, MSE, RMSE, and MAPE as 0.499, 0.337, 0.58, and 0.03, respectively. The proposed model can help to predict the vehicle count on the road, which in turn, can enhance the quality of life for citizens living in smart cities.
Delay Indices for Train Punctuality
Authors: Denti Enrico , Burroni Luca
Published: May 2023

Indicators of expected quality of service in public contracts are often based on some kind of “punctuality”, usually defined in terms of the percentage of trains arriving at the final destination (and/or at intermediate significant stops) within a given delay. Passengers, however, tend to use the word “punctuality” with a more general meaning, mostly as a synonym for expected delay at their own destination, and especially in case of commuters are much less tolerant of even smaller delays than train operators would normally allow. In particular, measuring the delay only at the final destination is perceived as largely inadequate, leading to underestimation of the actual percentage of late trains, and in turn undermining passengers’ trust in official performance statistics. In this paper, we take the passengers’ perspective, introducing a family of delay indices called D-indices aimed at capturing the overall performance of a train “as a whole”, taking into account both the delays at the sampling points and the mutual location and order of such sampling points. In this paper, all indicators have the physical dimension of time in order to be easily replaceable to other delay measures. We first present typical approaches and definitions of punctuality in the literature, then introduce D-indices while exploring their features, pros and cons, and relevant properties. We validate and discuss our approach by comparing this model with existing approaches both theoretically and by comparison with selected datasets consisting of about one hundred trains transcribed over the last three years.
Novel Copper(II) Complexes with N4,S-Diallylisothiosemicarbazones as Potential Antibacterial/Anticancer Drugs
Authors: Graur Vasilii , Usataia Irina , Graur Ianina , Garbuz Olga , Bourosh Paulina , Kravtsov Victor , Lozan-Tirsu Carolina , Balan Greta , Fala Valeriu , Gulea Aurelian
Published: May 2023

The six new copper(II) coordination compounds [Cu(HL1)Cl2] (1), [Cu(HL1)Br2] (2), [Cu(H2O)(L1)(CH3COO)]·1.75H2O (3), [Cu(HL2)Cl2] (4), [Cu(HL2)Br2] (5), [Cu(H2O)(L2)(CH3COO)] (6) were synthesized with 2-formyl- and 2-acetylpyridine N4,S-diallylisothiosemicarbazones (HL1 and HL2). The new isothiosemicarbazones were characterized by NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography ([H2L2]I). All copper(II) coordination compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and molar conductivity of their 1mM methanol solutions. Furthermore, the crystal structure of complex 3 was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The studied complexes manifest antibacterial and antifungal activities, that in many cases are close to the activity of medical drugs used in this area, and in some cases even exceed them. The complexes 4 and 5 showed the highest indexes of selectivity (280 and 154) and high antiproliferative activity against BxPC-3 cell lines that surpass the activity of Doxorubicin. The complexes 1–3 also manifest antioxidant activities against cation radicals ABTS•+ that are close to that of trolox, the antioxidant agent used in medicine.