bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Approaches in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers—A Focus on Hedgehog Pathway in Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Authors: Chmiel Paulina , Kłosińska Martyna , Forma Alicja , Pelc Zuzanna , Gęca Katarzyna , Skórzewska Magdalena
Published: October 2022

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common neoplasms in the population. A good prognosis and mainly non-aggressive development have made it underdiagnosed and excluded from the statistics. Due to the availability of efficient surgical therapy, BCC is sometimes overlooked in the search for novel therapies. Most clinicians are unaware of its complicated pathogenesis or the availability of effective targeted therapy based on Hedgehog inhibitors (HHI) used in advanced or metastatic cases. Nevertheless, the concomitance and esthetic burden of this neoplasm are severe. As with other cancers, its pathogenesis is multifactorial and complicated with a network of dependencies. Although the tumour microenvironment (TME), genetic aberrations, and risk factors seem crucial in all skin cancers, in BCC they all have become accessible as therapeutic or prevention targets. The results of this review indicate that a central role in the development of BCC is played by the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway. Two signalling molecules have been identified as the main culprits, namely Patched homologue 1 (PTCH1) and, less often, Smoothened homologue (SMO). Considering effective immunotherapy for other neoplastic growths being introduced, implementing immunotherapy in advanced BCC is pivotal and beneficial. Up to now, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two inhibitors of SMO for the treatment of advanced BCC. Sonidegib and vismodegib are registered based on their efficacy in clinical trials. However, despite this success, limitations might occur during the therapy, as some patients show resistance to these molecules. This review aims to summarize novel options of targeted therapies in BCC and debate the mechanisms and clinical implications of tumor resistance.
Clinical Implications of COVID-19 Presence in CSF: Systematic Review of Case Reports
Authors: Elmakaty Ibrahim , Ferih Khaled , Karen Omar , Ouda Amr , Elsabagh Ahmed , Amarah Ahmed , Malki Mohammed Imad
Published: October 2022

This systematic review focused on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients that had detected SARS-CoV-2 virus in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Medrxiv, and Biorxiv databases from inception to 19 December 2021. Case reports or case series involving patients with proved SARS-CoV-2 presence in CSF by polymerize chain reaction were included. Our search strategy produced 23 articles documenting a total of 23 patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 in the CSF. Fever (55%) was the most common symptom, followed by headaches (41%), cough (32%), and vomiting/nausea (32%). The majority of the cases included was encephalitis (57%), 8 of which were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The second most prevalent presentation was meningitis. The cerebral spinal fluid analysis found disparities in protein levels and normal glucose levels in most cases. This study demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 can enter the nervous system via various routes and cause CNS infection symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to infect the CNS even when no respiratory symptoms are present and nasopharyngeal swabs are negative. As a result, SARS-CoV-2 should be considered as a possible cause of CNS infection and tested for in the CSF.
Anticoagulants: A Short History, Their Mechanism of Action, Pharmacology, and Indications
Authors: Heestermans Marco , Poenou Géraldine , Hamzeh-Cognasse Hind , Cognasse Fabrice , Bertoletti Laurent
Published: October 2022

Anticoagulant drugs antagonize coagulation and are used to prevent or cure (recurrent) venous thromboembolism (VTE). Drugs to prevent clotting have been used for more than a century, and, nowadays, physicians possess a broad panel of multiple anticoagulants to meet the individual needs of a patient. Within this review, we aimed to revise the history of the different anticoagulants that are currently prescribed in the clinic. In addition, we compared their pharmacological properties, medical indications, and the difficulties in implementing new anticoagulants in vulnerable patient populations. Since the introduction of unfractionated heparin in the 1930s, major advances in the mechanistic understanding and the medical use of anticoagulants have allowed for significant improvements to treat VTE patients. However, a new generation of anticoagulants is currently being tested in clinical trials, with the goal of further optimizing medical care.
Mapping Proteome and Lipidome Changes in Early-Onset Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Using Hepatic 3D Spheroids
Authors: Frandsen Helle Sedighi , Vej-Nielsen Joel Mario , Smith Lauren Elizabeth , Sun Lang , Mikkelsen Karoline Lindgaard , Thulesen Annemette Præstegaard , Hagensen Christina Erika , Yang Fuquan , Rogowska-Wrzesinska Adelina
Published: October 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects one-fourth of the world’s population. Central to the disease progression is lipid accumulation in the liver, followed by inflammation, fibrosis and cirrhosis. The underlying mechanism behind the early stages of the disease is poorly understood. We have exposed human hepatic HepG2/C3A cells-based spheroids to 65 μM oleic acid and 45 μM palmitic acid and employed proteomics and lipidomics analysis to investigate their effect on hepatocytes. The treatment successfully induced in vivo hallmarks of NAFLD, as evidenced by intracellular lipid accumulation and increased ATP levels. Quantitative lipidome analysis revealed an increase in ceramides, LPC and saturated triglycerides and a decrease in the ratio of PC/PE, similar to the changes observed in patients’ liver biopsies. The proteomics analysis combined with qPCR showed increased epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) signalling. Activation of EMT was further validated by transcriptomics in TGF-β treated spheroids, where an increase in mesenchymal cell markers (N-cadherin and collagen expression) was found. Our study demonstrates that this model system thus closely echoes several of the clinical features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and can be used to investigate the underlying molecular changes occurring in the condition.
Novel Epigenetic Modulation Chitosan-Based Scaffold as a Promising Bone Regenerative Material
Authors: Sukpaita Teerawat , Chirachanchai Suwabun , Chanamuangkon Theerapat , Nampuksa Katanchalee , Monmaturapoj Naruporn , Sumrejkanchanakij Piyamas , Pimkhaokham Atiphan , Ampornaramveth Ruchanee Salingcarnboriboon
Published: October 2022

Bone tissue engineering is a complicated field requiring concerted participation of cells, scaffolds, and osteoactive molecules to replace damaged bone. This study synthesized a chitosan-based (CS) scaffold incorporated with trichostatin A (TSA), an epigenetic modifier molecule, to achieve promising bone regeneration potential. The scaffolds with various biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) proportions: 0%, 10%, 20%, and 40% were fabricated. The addition of BCP improved the scaffolds’ mechanical properties and delayed the degradation rate, whereas 20% BCP scaffold matched the appropriate scaffold requirements. The proper concentration of TSA was also validated. Our developed scaffold released TSA and sustained them for up to three days. The scaffold with 800 nM of TSA showed excellent biocompatibility and induced robust osteoblast-related gene expression in the primary human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). To evaluate in vivo bone regeneration potential, the scaffolds were implanted in the mice calvarial defect model. The excellent bone regeneration ability was further demonstrated in the micro-CT and histology sections compared to both negative control and commercial bone graft product. New bone formed in the CS/BCP/TSA group revealed a trabeculae-liked characteristic of the mature bone as early as six weeks. The CS/BCP/TSA scaffold is an up-and-coming candidate for the bone tissue engineering scaffold.
The Perceptions of Sexual Harassment among Adolescents of Four European Countries
Authors: Sakellari Evanthia , Berglund Mari , Santala Elina , Bacatum Claudia Mariana Juliao , Sousa Jose Edmundo Xavier Furtado , Aarnio Heli , Kubiliutė Laura , Prapas Christos , Lagiou Areti
Published: October 2022

Sexual harassment is a crucial public health issue among adolescents. In order to develop school health promotion programs, there is a need to involve adolescents themselves paying particular attention to their perceptions, beliefs, attitudes and practices. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the adolescents’ perceptions about sexual harassment as well as the ways it could be prevented. Four focus groups were conducted during an online “camp” in autumn 2021, facilitated by members of SHEHAP project research team. Participants were secondary school students from Finland, Greece, Lithuania and Portugal. The qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Concerning how participants perceive sexual harassment, the themes that emerged were: physically expressed sexual harassment; verbally expressed sexual harassment; virtually expressed sexual harassment; violation of self-determination. Virtual environment; school environment; public environment; familiar environment, were identified as the places where sexual harassment may occur. Finally, in regard to the participants’ views on the prevention of sexual harassment, the following themes emerged: youth education; adult education aiming teachers and parents; professional, peer and family support; official consequences; health education methods. The findings of the current study can be used for the development of school-based programs aiming to prevent sexual harassment among adolescents.
Vaccination Coverage during Childhood and Adolescence among Undergraduate Health Science Students in Greece
Authors: Andrie Elisabeth K. , Sakellari Evanthia , Barbouni Anastasia , Tsitsika Artemis K. , Lagiou Areti
Published: October 2022

High rates of vaccination coverage in childhood represent one of the most important cost-effective tools of primary prevention and have substantially reduced the incidence of and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases globally. Vaccination coverage of young people has not been well estimated in Greece. Anonymous self-completed questionnaires and the participants’ Child Health Booklet were used to estimate complete vaccination coverage of mandatory vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases of undergraduate students at the University of West Attica during the academic year 2020–2021. Student’s t-tests were used to estimate mean values. Overall, 79% (95% CI: 78–81%) of study participants were fully vaccinated. This coverage was lower in males especially for vaccines that should be done during childhood (p = 0.045). High vaccination percentage (>90%) was observed for the meningococcus group A, C, W135, Y, measles-mumps-rubella, hepatitis B and meningitis C vaccine. Nevertheless, suboptimal coverage was assessed for the booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, for the human papillomavirus vaccine among girls, for the tuberculosis, for the meningococcus group B, for the pneumococcal, and for the seasonal influenza vaccines. In conclusion, the promotion of routine vaccination programs for young adults needs to be strengthened. An identification system for under-vaccinated students, an efficient reminder system and university campus vaccine program practices should be established, particularly among males.
Pharmacophore-Model-Based Virtual-Screening Approaches Identified Novel Natural Molecular Candidates for Treating Human Neuroblastoma
Authors: Opo F A Dain Md , Alkarim Saleh , Alrefaei Ghadeer I. , Molla Mohammad Habibur Rahman , Alsubhi Nouf H. , Alzahrani Faisal , Ahammad Foysal
Published: October 2022

The mortality of cancer patients with neuroblastoma is increasing due to the limited availability of specific treatment options. Few drug candidates for combating neuroblastoma have been developed, and identifying novel therapeutic candidates against the disease is an urgent issue. It has been found that muc-N protein is amplified in one-third of human neuroblastomas and expressed as an attractive drug target against the disease. The myc-N protein interferes with the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family proteins. Pharmacologically inhibition of the protein potently depletes MYCN in neuroblastoma cells. BET inhibitors target MYCN transcription and show therapeutic efficacy against neuroblastoma. Therefore, the study aimed to identify potential inhibitors against the BET family protein, specifically Brd4 (brodamine-containing protein 4), to hinder the activity of neuroblastoma cells. To identify effective molecular candidates against the disease, a structure-based pharmacophore model was created for the binding site of the Brd4 protein. The pharmacophore model generated from the protein Brd4 was validated to screen potential natural active compounds. The compounds identified through the pharmacophore-model-based virtual-screening process were further screened through molecular docking, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), toxicity, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approach. The pharmacophore-model-based screening process initially identified 136 compounds, further evaluated based on molecular docking, ADME analysis, and toxicity approaches, identifying four compounds with good binding affinity and lower side effects. The stability of the selected compounds was also confirmed by dynamic simulation and molecular mechanics with generalized Born and surface area solvation (MM-GBSA) methods. Finally, the study identified four natural lead compounds, ZINC2509501, ZINC2566088, ZINC1615112, and ZINC4104882, that will potentially inhibit the activity of the desired protein and help to fight against neuroblastoma and related diseases. However, further evaluations through in vitro and in vivo assays are suggested to identify their efficacy against the desired protein and disease.
Variation Patterns of the ENSO’s Effects on Dust Activity in North Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and Central Asia of the Dust Belt
Authors: Yin Zhi-Yong , Maytubby Anne , Liu Xiaodong
Published: October 2022

El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events produce anomalous oceanographic and atmospheric conditions in regions far from the equatorial central-eastern Pacific, which modulate the atmospheric and surface processes that influence the dust emission, transport, and deposition in many places on Earth. In this study, we examined the MERRA-2 dust column mass density data in five subregions of the “dust belt”: eastern and western Arabian Peninsula, western and eastern Central Asia, and North Africa-Sahara during 1980–2021. We discovered that, while there is a common dust season from April to July, the specific dust seasons in these subregions are different with the peaks of dust activity occurring at different times of the year. In the meantime, the modulating effects of ENSO also peak at different times within the respective dust seasons. For example, ENSO has a persistent effect on dust activity during April-August in the eastern Arabian Peninsula, while its influence in eastern Central Asia lasts from February to November. For different well-recognized factors of dust activities, such as precipitation/humidity, wind, vegetation, and soil moisture, their responses to ENSO are also different in these subregions. For precipitation, humidity, and soil moisture, their responses to ENSO are mostly positive in winter and spring/early summer months during El Niño years, while mean daily maximum wind responded positively in spring, but it did so negatively in summer. During the three months when the ENSO’s effects were strongest, these factors could explain 25.1–58.6% of the variance in the dust column mass density in combination with the ENSO’s modulation effects. However, the highest model-explained variance was obtained for the North Africa–Sahara subregion where the intensity of dust activity was not statistically correlated with ENSO.
Micro-Structural Design of CoFe2O4/SWCNTs Composites for Enhanced Electromagnetic Properties
Authors: Hou Zaoxia , Liu Chenyang , Gong Jialuo , Wu Junjie , Sun Shuchen , Zhang Mu , Sun Xudong
Published: October 2022

In order to prepare microwave-absorbing materials with low density and high wave absorption performance, CoFe2O4/SWCNTs composites with well-designed necklace-like structures were successfully prepared in this paper by a simple solvothermal method. CoFe2O4/SWCNTs composites with different cobalt salt contents were synthesized by adjusting the experimental parameters. The results of the relative complex permeability and relative permittivity of the samples, which were investigated by vector network analysis in the frequency range of 2 to 18 GHz, are collected to support the study of the microwave absorption characteristics of the samples. Different microsphere densities and different cobalt salt contents have obvious differences in the electromagnetic absorption properties of the composites. When the additions of FeCl3·6H2O, Co(Ac)2·4H2O, and NH4Ac were 0.432, 0.200, and 0.400 g, respectively, the best reflection loss reached −42.07 dB, and the effective absorption frequency (RL < −10 dB) ranges from 3.2 to 18 GHz. Therefore, this is a preparation strategy of CoFe2O4/SWCNTs composites with necklace structure, which has the advantages of simple process, environmental friendliness, low cost, and high stability. The unique necklace-like structure design makes the carbon nanotubes partially exposed, which is more beneficial to achieve good impedance matching and giving the CoFe2O4/SWCNTs composite excellent electromagnetic loss capability.
Special Issue: Functionalized and Smart Asphalt Mixtures via the Modification/Application of Nano/Micromaterials
Authors: Segundo Iran Rocha , Freitas Elisabete , Carneiro Joaquim O.
Published: October 2022

Asphalt pavements are designed to resist weathering and road traffic while guaranteeing safe and comfortable driving conditions at low cost and with minimal environmental impact [...]
Physico-Chemical Origins of Electrical Characteristics and Instabilities in Solution-Processed ZnSnO Thin-Film Transistors
Authors: Wang Ziyuan , Jeon Sang-Hwa , Hwang Yu-Jin , Lee Sin-Hyung , Jang Jaewon , Kang In , Kim Do-Kyung , Bae Jin-Hyuk
Published: October 2022

We investigate the physico-chemical origins that determine the transistor characteristics and stabilities in sol-gel processed zinc tin oxide (ZTO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). ZTO solutions with Sn/(Sn+Zn) molar ratios from 0.3 to 0.6 were synthesized to demonstrate the underlying mechanism of the electrical characteristics and bias-induced instabilities. As the Sn/(Sn+Zn) ratio of ZTO is increased, the threshold voltage of the ZTO TFTs negatively shifts owing to the gradual increase in the ratio of oxygen vacancies. The ZTO TFTs with an Sn/(Sn+Zn) ratio of 0.4 exhibit highest saturation mobility of 1.56 cm2/Vs lowest subthreshold swing and hysteresis of 0.44 V/dec and 0.29 V, respectively, due to the desirable atomic states of ZTO thin film. Furthermore, these also exhibit outstanding positive bias stability due to the low trap density at the semiconductor-dielectric interface. On the other hand, the negative bias stress-induced instability gradually increases as the proportion of tin increases because the negative bias stress instability originates from the ionization of oxygen vacancies. These results will contribute to the optimization of the composition ratio in rare-metal-free oxide semiconductors for next-generation low-cost electronics.
Aluminum Electrodeposition on the Surface of Boron Carbide Ceramics by Use EMIC–AlCl3 Ions Liquid
Authors: Gou Roujia , Park Jae-Hyeok , Yamashita Seiji , Hagio Takeshi , Ichino Ryoichi , Kita Hideki
Published: October 2022

Coating technology is decisively important for metallization of ceramic materials and ceramic metal sealing technology. Previous studies have shown that the network-like structure after penetration of molten aluminum can significantly improve the strength of joint components. However, the direct aluminum coating method is limited by the shape of the substrate. To obtain a dense aluminum film on the surface of B4C, in this study, aluminum was deposited by pulse electroplating in EMIC–AlCl3 ionic liquid. The deposited metals were observed and analyzed by SEM–EDS and XRD. A Vickers hardness tester was adopted as an auxiliary equipment to clarify the film quality. The results show that frequency and duty cycle have significant effects on crystal orientation. The content of oxides in the contact gap reduces the bonding strength of the deposited metal, which provides experimental basis for metal electrodeposition on B4C.
Advancements in Electrospark Deposition (ESD) Technique: A Short Review
Authors: Barile Claudia , Casavola Caterina , Pappalettera Giovanni , Renna Gilda
Published: October 2022

The need to use components with improved surface characteristics in relation to severe operating conditions, together with the aim of cost reduction associated with the replacement of damaged components, has led to an increasing use of coatings and repairing processes. The most common deposition processes are generally characterized by high equipment costs and, sometimes, by long deposition time. Furthermore, some repair technologies, especially those characterized by high heat input, are not suitable for alloys used in aerospace applications due to the degradation of their mechanical characteristics. In the last decades, a novel eco-friendly method capable of overcoming the limits set out above emerged: the electrospark deposition (ESD) technology. Thanks to its efficiency, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and low heat input, this technology has proved to be suitable both for improving surface properties, such as thermo and wear resistance, higher hardness and corrosion resistance, and for the repair of high-value components. The aim of this review is to describe in detail some aspects of the ESD technique to understand the ESD processing preparation of alloys normally considered difficult to weld by traditional processes and to give some important clues to the readers to contribute to the defect-free repair of damaged areas and coatings deposition.
Low-Melting Phosphate Glass Coatings for Structural Parts Composed of Depleted Uranium
Authors: Lobaz Volodymyr , Konefał Magdalena , Kotov Nikolay , Lukešová Miroslava , Hromádková Jiřina , Šlouf Miroslav , Pánek Jiří , Hrubý Martin , Chmela Tomáš , Krupička Pavel
Published: October 2022

The applications of depleted uranium in mechanical engineering are limited by its high susceptibility to corrosion. Among various methods of corrosion protection, painting is usually considered a fast and cost-efficient method; however, organic polymer paints are sensitive to ionizing radiation, which is a limiting factor, e.g., for the fabrication of shielding containers or structural parts. The solution presented in this work is the creation of a glassy inorganic layer on top of the depleted uranium surface. Zinc lead phosphate low-melting glass was investigated for this purpose. Glass frit was obtained as an amorphous solid, as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The frit was easily ground in liquid media down to sizes suitable for spraying onto the surface of depleted uranium. When the glass powder is sprayed onto the surface of a substrate and fired at 440 °C, a partially crystallized continuous film with a complex morphology is formed, which significantly inhibits corrosion. The coating material shows resistance against high doses of γ-irradiation.
A New High-Current Electrochemical Capacitor Using MnO2-Coated Vapor-Grown Carbon Fibers
Authors: Liu Yu , Xu Yu , Chang Yingna , Sun Yuzhen , Zhao Zhiyuan , Song Kefan , Wang Jindi , Yu Feng , Xing Rong
Published: October 2022

Composites of MnO2 nanosheet arrays vertically grown on the surface of vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) are fabricated by a low-temperature redox reaction between KMnO4 and the VGCFs. An assembled AC/0.5 M K2SO4/MnO2@VGCF electrochemical capacitor exhibits a higher specific capacitance, as well as a better rate capability, at a fast-current density compared to the capacitor built on hydrothermally prepared, standalone MnO2. Electrochemical tests revealed that VGCFs act as a conducting matrix, which effectively improves the conductivity of MnO2 nanosheets during cycling.
Topologically Closed Packed Phase and Its Interaction with Dislocation Movement in Ni–Based Superalloy during High–Temperature Creep
Authors: Guo Wenqi , Zhao Haigen , Ru Yi , Pei Yanling , Wang Junwu , Liu Qiaomu , Li Xuehang , Wang Haibo , Zhang Shuangqi , Gong Shengkai , Li Shusuo
Published: October 2022

In superalloys, topologically close–packed (TCP) phases, which contain refractory elements, usually significantly influence the mechanical properties. The current work investigates the structure and composition of the TCP phase in an Al–Mo–rich Ni–based single crystal superalloy. It is shown that after 40 h of thermal exposure, a large number of strip–like TCP phases are formed, which are enriched in Mo and Re. The structure of the TCP phase is identified as the tetragonal σ phase with the lattice parameter a being 0.93 nm and c being 0.50 nm. During the creep process, the single crystal tilts obviously and leads to orientation variation from <1 1 0> direction. Two groups of dislocations are observed in the deformed sample. One group contains straight dislocation lines and another group contains dislocation networks. The interaction between TCP phase and dislocation in the single crystal superalloy is studied to reveal the effect of the TCP phase on the deformation behavior. During creep, the σ phase hinders the dislocation movement, which may contribute to the propagation of the cracks and the final fracture.
Origin of Blue-Water Jadeite Jades from Myanmar and Guatemala: Differentiation by Non-Destructive Spectroscopic Techniques
Authors: Zhang Yu , Shi Guanghai
Published: October 2022

Identifying the origin of jadeite jades has become increasingly important from both mineral resource and metamorphic geology perspectives. In this study, we differentiate Myanmar gem-quality blue-water jadeite jades from their Guatemala counterparts via integrating various non-destructive spectrographic techniques, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. Our results show that the Myanmar blue-water jadeite jades are structurally homogenous with very few impurities, while their Guatemala counterparts commonly have a yellowish margin with scattered white albite and disseminated greenish inclusions of omphacite and (minor) aegirine-augite. Geochemically, the UV absorption spectral data indicate that the Guatemala samples have higher total Fe and Fe2+ contents, but lower Fe3+ content than the Myanmar samples. The Guatemala samples also have higher omphacite content (lower molar Na/(Na+Ca) ratio, as reflected by the lower IR absorption peak wavenumber) and higher heterogeneity (as reflected by the ~680 cm−1 Raman peak shift difference) than that from Myanmar. Major differences are also discovered in the blue series (Myanmar: 0–0.7 cm−1; Guatemala: 1.7–3.2 cm−1) and blue-green series (Myanmar: 6.9 cm−1; Guatemala 13.7 cm−1) of the Raman peak shift difference, which altogether can provide a novel, nondestructive method for distinguishing blue-water jadeite jades from different origins.
Computerized Detection of Calcium Oxalate Crystal Progression
Authors: Hosni Mahmoud Hanan A.
Published: October 2022

Calcium oxalate crystals in plants can cause health issues such as kidney stones if ingested in large amounts. Calcium oxalate crystallizations affect approximately 4% of plants. Some of these crystallizations are more common, and human and animal ingestion can be avoided if the degree of severity is detected at an early stage. Therefore, in this paper, we present a computerized method for detecting calcium oxalate crystallizations at an early stage, when chances for avoiding it are higher. In our research, electron micrograph processing techniques are used to extract features and measure the degree of crystallization progression in cases of crystalized plants and normal plants. A new fast search algorithm—ODS: One Direction Search—is proposed to detect calcium oxalate crystal progression. The calcium oxalate crystal progression is detected on the basis of electron micrographs of calcium oxalate crystals by means of a temporal test. We employed deep learning for feature extraction. The deep learning technique uses transfer learning, which allows the proposed detection model to be trained on only a small amount of data regarding calcium oxalate crystals for the determination of the presence of calcium oxalate crystals and the severity of the cases. The experimental results, using electron micrographs of 6900 clusters, demonstrated a success rate of 97.5% when detecting cases of calcium oxalate crystals. The simulation results of the new temporal algorithm show an enhancement of the speed by 70% compared to well-known temporal algorithms, and increased accuracy when computing PRSN against other algorithms.
Predictors of Functional Recovery among Musculoskeletal Oncology Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Endoprosthetic Reconstruction
Authors: Gazendam Aaron M. , Schneider Patricia , Heels-Ansdell Diane , Bhandari Mohit , Busse Jason W. , Ghert Michelle
Published: October 2022

Background and Objectives: Functional outcomes are important for oncology patients undergoing lower extremity reconstruction. The objective of the current study was to describe patient reported function after surgery and identify predictors of postoperative function in musculoskeletal oncology patients undergoing lower extremity endoprosthetic reconstruction. Methods: We performed a cohort study with functional outcome data from the recently completed Prophylactic Antibiotic Regimens in Tumor Surgery (PARITY) trial. We utilized the 100-point Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS), which was administered pre-operatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. Higher scores indicate better physical functioning, and the minimally important difference is 11 points. We calculated mean functional scores at each timepoint after surgery and developed a logistic regression model to explore predictors of failure to achieve excellent post-operative function (TESS ≥ 80) at 1 year after surgery. Results: The 555 patients included in our cohort showed important functional improvement from pre-surgery to 1 year post-surgery (mean difference 14.9 points, 95%CI 12.2 to 17.6; p < 0.001) and 64% achieved excellent post-operative function. Our adjusted regression model found that poor (TESS 0–39) pre-operative function (odds ratio [OR] 3.3, 95%CI 1.6 to 6.6); absolute risk [AR] 24%, 95%CI 8% to 41.2%), older age (OR per 10-year increase from age 12, 1.32, 95%CI 1.17, 1.49; AR 4.5%, 95%CI 2.4% to 6.6%), and patients undergoing reconstruction for soft-tissue sarcomas (OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.03 to 5.01; AR 15.3%, 95%CI 0.4% to 34.4%), were associated with higher odds of failing to achieve an excellent functional outcome at 1-year follow-up. Patients undergoing reconstruction for giant cell tumors were more likely to achieve an excellent functional outcome post-operatively (OR 0.40, 95%CI 0.17 to 0.95; AR −9.9%, 95%CI −14.4% to −0.7%). Conclusions: The majority of patients with tumors of the lower extremity undergoing endoprosthetic reconstruction achieved excellent function at 1 year after surgery. Older age, poor pre-operative function, and endoprosthetic reconstruction for soft tissue sarcomas were associated with worse outcomes; reconstruction for giant cell tumors was associated with better post-operative function. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV.
Chara zhengzhouensis (Characeae, Charophyta), a New Freshwater Algal Species Described from North China
Authors: Song Qingyuan , Liu Xudong , Nan Fangru , Liu Qi , Lv Junping , Feng Jia , Li Ruiyuan , Xie Shulian
Published: October 2022

A new species of freshwater alga, Chara zhengzhouensis, is described and illustrated based on material collected in a lake at Zhengzhou, in Henan Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis of sequence data from the 18s rDNA, rbcL, and atpB indicated the separation between C. zhengzhouensis and other species of the genus Chara. Additionally, from a morphological point of view, C. zhengzhouensis differs from another closely related species, C. connivens, in its diplostichous cortex and corticate or ecorticate in based segments of branchlets. Therefore, the results based on both morphological observation and molecular evidence facilitated the proposal of this new species—C. zhengzhouensis. It represents another species in the charophyte diversity in China and the description of this new species provides more molecular data for phylogenetic analysis of the genus Chara.
OTU Delimitation with Earthworm DNA Barcodes: A Comparison of Methods
Authors: Goulpeau Arnaud , Penel Benoit , Maggia Marie-Eugénie , Marchán Daniel Fernández , Steinke Dirk , Hedde Mickaël , Decaëns Thibaud
Published: October 2022

Although DNA barcodes-based operational taxonomic units (OTUs) are increasingly used in earthworm research, the relative efficiency of the different methods available to delimit them has not yet been tested on a comprehensive dataset. For this study, we used three datasets containing 651, 2304 and 4773 COI barcodes of earthworms from French Guiana, respectively, to compare five of these methods: two phylogenetic methods—namely Poisson Tree Processes (PTP) and General Mixed Yule Coalescence (GMYC)—and three distance matrix methods—namely Refined Single Linkage (RESL, used for assigning Barcode Index Numbers in the Barcode of Life Data systems), Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), and Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP). We found that phylogenetic approaches are less suitable for delineating OTUs from DNA barcodes in earthworms, especially for large sets of sequences. The computation times are unreasonable, they often fail to converge, and they also show a strong tendency to oversplit species. Among distance-based methods, RESL also has a clear tendency to oversplitting, while ABGD and ASAP are less prone to mismatches and have short computation times. ASAP requires less a priori knowledge for model parameterisation than AGBD, provides efficient graphical outputs, and has a much lower tendency to generate mismatches.
Microbial Communities of Ferromanganese Sedimentary Layers and Nodules of Lake Baikal (Bolshoy Ushkany Island)
Authors: Zemskaya Tamara , Konstantinova Natalia , Shubenkova Olga , Pogodaeva Tatyana , Ivanov Vyacheslav , Bukin Sergei , Khabuev Andrey , Khlystov Oleg , Vilkin Grigory , Lomakina Anna
Published: October 2022

Ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) sedimentary layers and nodules occur at different depths within sediments at deep basins and ridges of Lake Baikal. We studied Fe-Mn nodules and host sediments recovered at the slope of Bolshoy Ushkany Island. Layer-by-layer 230Th/U dating analysis determined the initial age of the Fe-Mn nodule formation scattered in the sediments as 96 ± 5–131 ± 8 Ka. The distribution profiles of the main ions in the pore waters of the studied sediment are similar to those observed in the deep-sea areas of Lake Baikal, while the chemical composition of Fe-Mn nodules indicates their diagenetic formation with hydrothermal influence. Among the bacteria in microbial communities of sediments, members of organoheterotrophic Gammaproteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteriota, Acidobacteriota, among them Archaea—chemolithoautotrophic ammonia-oxidizing archaea Nitrososphaeria, dominated. About 13% of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences in Fe-Mn layers belonged to Methylomirabilota representatives which use nitrite ions as electron acceptors for the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). Nitrospirota comprised up to 9% of the layers of Bolshoy Ushkany Island. In bacterial communities of Fe-Mn nodule, a large percentage of sequences were attributed to Alphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes, as well as a variety of OTUs with a small number of sequences characteristic of hydrothermal ecosystems. The contribution of representatives of Methylomirabilota and Nitrospirota in communities of Fe-Mn nodule was minor. Our data support the hypothesis that chemolithoautotrophs associated with ammonium-oxidizing archaea and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria can potentially play an important role as primary producers of Fe-Mn substrates in freshwater Lake Baikal.
Preliminary Sizing of Electric-Propulsion Powertrains for Concept Aircraft Designs
Authors: Hu Josin , Booker Julian
Published: October 2022

The drive towards a greener and more sustainable future is encouraging the aviation industry to move towards increasing electrification of its fleet. The development of electric propulsion technologies also requires new approaches to assess their viability in novel configurations. A methodology is proposed which consists of four sub-procedures; powertrain modelling, performance analysis, aerodynamic modelling, and sizing. This approach initially considers powertrain modelling using AIAA symbol representations, and a review of the available literature establishes state-of-the-art component values of efficiency, specific power, specific energy, and specific fuel consumption. The sizing procedure includes a mission and aerodynamic analysis to determine the energy and power requirements, and it relies on a mass regression model based on full-electric, hybrid, VTOL and fixed-wing aircraft found in the literature. The methodology has been applied to five case studies which are representative of a wide range of missions and configurations. Their predicted masses from the sizing procedure have been validated against their actual masses. The predicted total mass shows generally good agreement with the actual values, and in addition, accurate values for active mass have been predicted. A sensitivity analysis of the sizing procedure suggests that future work may include a more accurate analysis of aerodynamics and mission if the methodology were to be applied for selecting aircraft concepts.
Rare Case of Intravascular Myopericytoma—Imaging Characteristics and Review of the Literature
Authors: Manole Simona , Pintican Roxana , Manole Viorel , Rusneac Cosmin , Schiau Calin , Bene Ioana , Solomon Carolina , Dudea Sorin
Published: October 2022

Myopericytoma is a rare vessel wall tumor, a subtype of hemangiopericytoma that usually develops subcutaneously. Intravascular myopericytoma is a rarer subtype, with only few cases reported in the literature and even fewer with imaging modalities included. We report the case of a 36-year-old man who was referred to our institution with a painless, palpable mass in the right arm and was evaluated with MRI, grey-scale and Doppler-mode ultrasound. Tumor histopathology and imaging characteristics are presented together with the role that each imaging modality played in the management of the patient.
Cervical Cell/Clumps Detection in Cytology Images Using Transfer Learning
Authors: Xu Chuanyun , Li Mengwei , Li Gang , Zhang Yang , Sun Chengjie , Bai Nanlan
Published: October 2022

Cervical cancer is one of the most common and deadliest cancers among women and poses a serious health risk. Automated screening and diagnosis of cervical cancer will help improve the accuracy of cervical cell screening. In recent years, there have been many studies conducted using deep learning methods for automatic cervical cancer screening and diagnosis. Deep-learning-based Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models require large amounts of data for training, but large cervical cell datasets with annotations are difficult to obtain. Some studies have used transfer learning approaches to handle this problem. However, such studies used the same transfer learning method that is the backbone network initialization by the ImageNet pre-trained model in two different types of tasks, the detection and classification of cervical cell/clumps. Considering the differences between detection and classification tasks, this study proposes the use of COCO pre-trained models when using deep learning methods for cervical cell/clumps detection tasks to better handle limited data set problem at training time. To further improve the model detection performance, based on transfer learning, we conducted multi-scale training according to the actual situation of the dataset. Considering the effect of bounding box loss on the precision of cervical cell/clumps detection, we analyzed the effects of different bounding box losses on the detection performance of the model and demonstrated that using a loss function consistent with the type of pre-trained model can help improve the model performance. We analyzed the effect of mean and std of different datasets on the performance of the model. It was demonstrated that the detection performance was optimal when using the mean and std of the cervical cell dataset used in the current study. Ultimately, based on backbone Resnet50, the mean Average Precision (mAP) of the network model is 61.6% and Average Recall (AR) is 87.7%. Compared to the current values of 48.8% and 64.0% in the used dataset, the model detection performance is significantly improved by 12.8% and 23.7%, respectively.
Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Discrimination on MRI by Comparison of Hierarchical and Simple Layered Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Ji Li , Mao Rongzhi , Wu Jian , Ge Cheng , Xiao Feng , Xu Xiaojun , Xie Liangxu , Gu Xiaofeng
Published: October 2022

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common head and neck cancers. Early diagnosis plays a critical role in the treatment of NPC. To aid diagnosis, deep learning methods can provide interpretable clues for identifying NPC from magnetic resonance images (MRI). To identify the optimal models, we compared the discrimination performance of hierarchical and simple layered convolutional neural networks (CNN). Retrospectively, we collected the MRI images of patients and manually built the tailored NPC image dataset. We examined the performance of the representative CNN models including shallow CNN, ResNet50, ResNet101, and EfficientNet-B7. By fine-tuning, shallow CNN, ResNet50, ResNet101, and EfficientNet-B7 achieved the precision of 72.2%, 94.4%, 92.6%, and 88.4%, displaying the superiority of deep hierarchical neural networks. Among the examined models, ResNet50 with pre-trained weights demonstrated the best classification performance over other types of CNN with accuracy, precision, and an F1-score of 0.93, 0.94, and 0.93, respectively. The fine-tuned ResNet50 achieved the highest prediction performance and can be used as a potential tool for aiding the diagnosis of NPC tumors.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Patients with Early Gastric Cancer in the Remnant Stomach
Authors: Murakami Mai , Hikichi Takuto , Nakamura Jun , Hashimoto Minami , Kato Tsunetaka , Kobashi Ryoichiro , Yanagita Takumi , Suzuki Rei , Sugimoto Mitsuru , Sato Yuki , Irie Hiroki , Takasumi Mika , Takagi Tadayuki , Hashimoto Yuko , Kobayakawa Masao , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: October 2022

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with early gastric cancers (EGCs) in the remnant stomach is technically difficult, owing to the limited space and fibrosis under the suture lines and anastomoses. Conversely, ESD for patients with EGCs in the remnant stomach is less invasive and provides better quality of life than completion total gastrectomy. To clarify the effectiveness and safety of ESD, we reviewed the medical records of patients with EGCs in the remnant stomach who underwent ESD between July 2006 and October 2020 at our institution. All identified patients were included in the analysis. Of 25 patients with 27 lesions, the en bloc and R0 resection rates were 88.9% and 85.2%, respectively. Neither perforation nor postoperative bleeding was observed. During a median follow-up period of 48 (range, 5–162) months, the 5-year overall survival rate was 71.0%, whereas the 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 100%. No obvious differences in the outcomes of procedures with suture line involvement and without suture line or anastomosis involvement were noted. In conclusion, ESD was effective and safe in patients with EGCs in the remnant stomach despite the suture line involvement.
Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury in Polytrauma Patients and Predictive Performance of TIMP2 × IGFBP7 Biomarkers for Early Identification of Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Golino Gianlorenzo , Greco Massimiliano , Rigobello Alessandro , Danzi Vinicio , De Cal Massimo , Malchiorna Nicola , Zannella Monica , Navalesi Paolo , Costa-Pinto Rahul , Ronco Claudio , De Rosa Silvia
Published: October 2022

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common cause of organ failure in trauma patients who survive their initial injuries. It is independently associated with increased morbidity and mortality and prolongs the length of hospital stays. The objectives of this study were to describe the incidence of early AKI and influence of risk factors in polytrauma patients and evaluate the predictive potential of TIMP2 × IGFBP7 biomarkers in this patient cohort. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of severely injured adult patients who were consecutively admitted to a multidisciplinary ICU from May 2017 to May 2019. Detailed patient data was retrieved from ICU medical records. Fluid balance, urinary output, and sCr values up to 72 h were collected. Urine samples for measuring TIMP2 × IGFBP7 concentrations were obtained and analyzed from ICU admission to 72 h. Results: Among the 153 patients eligible for analysis, 45 were included in the AKI, and 108 in the no AKI cohorts. The incidence of AKI within 72 h, based on KDIGO criteria, was 28.8%. There were no differences in ISS, type and mechanism of injury, heart rate, and systolic BP at admission between groups. Patients with early AKI were older (68 vs. 49 years, p < 0.001), obese (BMI 26.2 vs. 24.7, p < 0.048), and more likely to have previous cardiac disease (27% vs. 5.6%, p < 0.001). TIMP2 × IGFBP7 values on ICU admission were associated with subsequent AKI in patients without evidence of AKI at the time of ICU admission. They were also higher in the AKI cohort and significantly correlated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) and episodes of hypotension. Multivariable analysis confirmed age, previous cardiac disease, and NephroCheck as the variables mostly associated with AKI, with AUC 0.792. Conclusions: TIMP2 × IGFBP7 may help identify trauma patients with tubular damage that may evolve into a clinically manifested syndrome. Prospective studies of TIMP2 × IGFBP7, as a trigger for early AKI bundle care, are warranted.