bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of a VR Intervention to Decrease Anxiety in Children with Tumors Undergoing CVC Dressing
Authors: Russo Luisa , Tozzi Alberto Eugenio , Mastronuzzi Angela , Croci Ileana , Gesualdo Francesco , Campagna Ilaria , Miller Kiersten P. , Ciaralli Italo , Amicucci Matteo , Secco Domitilla Elena , Dell’Anna Vito Andrea , Ripà Adele , Piccinelli Elisa
Published: September 2022

Virtual reality (VR) represents a promising digital intervention for managing distress and anxiety in children with tumors undergoing painful medical procedures. In an experimental cross-over study, we administered a VR intervention consisting of relaxing games during central venous catheter (CVC) dressing. The VR sessions were compared with no-VR during CVC medication. We used the distress thermometer and RCMAS-2 scale to assess distress and anxiety levels. We also explored the satisfaction level in patients and families. We enrolled 22 children. The distress levels after medication were lower in the VR group than in those without VR (VR: median 2; IQR 0–2; no-VR: median 4; IQR: 3–5). No variation in anxiety levels was detected by VR intervention. Satisfaction for using VR was very high in children and their families although a total of 12% of children were disappointed by the effect of VR. Most healthcare workers felt that VR would be useful in routine clinical practice. A VR intervention is highly acceptable, may be efficacious in decreasing distress in children with cancer undergoing painful procedures, but it is less likely that it has a measurable impact on anxiety. Evidence from larger studies is needed to assess VR translation into the clinical workflow.
Initial Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Perspective on Health Risk Communications in the Restaurant Industry
Authors: Wang Xi , Tang Liang , Zhang Linan , Zheng Jie
Published: September 2022

Restaurant online review websites have made changes to adapt to customers’ shifting needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Based on information behavior theory and social penetration theory, the present study investigated the changes in customers’ emotions and how the volume of online reviews as an indication of sales is impacted by the instructional (i.e., with quantitative variables) and emotional (i.e., with qualitative variables) information on review websites. By comparing the same month (January–April) during 2017–2020, positive sentiment experienced a plunge, while negative sentiment showed an upsurge in April 2020. The volume of reviews was impacted by five quantitative variables (i.e., confirmed COVID-19 case number, food delivery option, takeout option, delivery fee, and delivery time) and seven qualitative variables (i.e., anticipation, fear, trust, anger, disgust, joy, and sadness). This study provides new insight into understanding information content on review websites during the crisis (e.g., pandemic) from the perspective of health risk communication.
Evaluating the Effect of San Francisco’s Paid Parental Leave Ordinance on Birth Outcomes
Authors: Karasek Deborah , Raifman Sarah , Dow William H. , Hamad Rita , Goodman Julia M.
Published: September 2022

Since 2017, San Francisco’s Paid Parental Leave Ordinance (PPLO) has allowed parents who work for private-sector employers to take 6 weeks of fully paid postnatal parental leave. Previous studies have linked paid parental leave with health improvements for birthing people and babies, although evidence for birth outcomes is limited. We hypothesized that the PPLO may have improved birth outcomes via reduced stress during pregnancy due to anticipation of increased financial security and postnatal leave. We used linked California birth certificate and hospital discharge records from January 2013 to December 2018 (n = 1,420,781). We used quasi-experimental difference-in-difference (DD) models to compare outcomes among SF births before and after PPLO to outcomes among births in control counties. Births from January 2017 through December 2018 among working San Francisco (SF) people were considered “exposed” to PPLO; births during this time among working people outside of SF, as well as all births before 2017, served as controls. We conducted subgroup analyses by race/ethnicity, education and Medicaid coverage at delivery. Overall analyses adjusting for covariates and indicators for time and seasonality indicated no association between PPLO and birth outcomes. Our results indicate that PPLO may not have affected the birth outcomes we examined among marginalized groups who, due to structural racism, are at heightened risk of poor outcomes. We speculate that this result is due to the PPLO’s design and focus on postnatal leave. Future work should examine the policy’s effects on other outcomes.
Administrative Data in Cardiovascular Research—A Comparison of Polish National Health Fund and CRAFT Registry Data
Authors: Maciejewski Cezary , Ozierański Krzysztof , Basza Mikołaj , Lodziński Piotr , Śliwczyński Andrzej , Kraj Leszek , Krajsman Maciej Janusz , Prado Paulino Jefte , Tymińska Agata , Opolski Grzegorz , Cacko Andrzej , Grabowski Marcin , Balsam Paweł
Published: September 2022

(1) Background: Administrative data allows for time- and cost-efficient acquisition of large volumes of individual patient data invaluable for evaluation of the prevalence of diseases and clinical outcomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of data collected from the Polish National Health Fund (NHF), from a researcher’s perspective, in regard to a cohort of atrial fibrillation patients. (2) Methods: NHF data regarding atrial fibrillation and common cardiovascular comorbidities was compared with the data collected manually from the individual patients’ health records (IHR) collected in the retrospective CRAFT registry (NCT02987062). (3) Results: Data from the NHF underestimated the proportion of patients with AF (NHF = 83% vs. IHR = 100%) while overestimating the proportion of patients with other cardiovascular comorbidities in the cohort. Significantly higher CHA2DS2VASc (Median, [Q1–Q3]) (NHF: 1, [0–2]; vs. IHR: 1, [0–1]; p < 0.001) and HAS-BLED (Median, [Q1–Q3]) (NHF: 4, [2–6] vs. IHR: 3, [2–5]; p < 0.001) scores were calculated according to NHF in comparison to IHR data, respectively. (4) Conclusions: Clinical researchers should be aware that significant differences between IHR and billing data in cardiovascular research can be observed which should be acknowledged while drawing conclusions from administrative data-based cohorts. Natural Language Processing of IHR could further increase administrative data quality in the future.
Is the R&D Expenditure of Listed Companies Green? Evidence from China’s A-Share Market
Authors: Li Boyu , Li Lishan , Pi Tianlei
Published: September 2022

Whether the company’s R&D expenditure has the green attribute is the focus of current environmental economics research. This paper empirically tests the relationship between R&D expenditure and CO2 emission intensity by taking Chinese A-share listed companies, from 2016 to 2020, as samples. The research found that the R&D expenditure of the company has a significant green effect of reducing its carbon dioxide emission intensity. Further research shows that the institutional investors play a mediating role in the relationship between R&D expenditure and CO2 emission intensity. And the “governance effect” of institutional investors is affected by “short-termism”, which leads to the “myopic” of enterprises’ management and urges them to invest in the short term, thus being detrimental to the company’s environmental performance. In addition, the green attribute of R&D expenditure only exists in the company which has a high concentration of institutional investors, indicating that the institutional investors possess the ability to identify the green value of R&D investment. Extended discussion shows that the investment of R&D personnel plays a moderating role in the first half path of the above mediating mechanism, which weakens the negative relationship between institutional investors and R&D investment. This paper provides empirical evidence for the government to improve environmental performance at the enterprise level. The results of this study show that, in order to reduce the CO2 emission intensity of enterprises, the government should improve incentives for enterprise R&D, make rational use of the information identification ability of institutional investors, advocate long-term investment philosophy, and strengthen the training of R&D team leaders and technicians.
Spatiotemporal Differences and Spatial Spillovers of China’s Green Manufacturing under Environmental Regulation
Authors: Tao Jie , Cao Weidong , Fang Yebing , Liu Yujie , Wang Xueyan , Wei Haipeng
Published: September 2022

Faced with the real demand of manufacturing industry to achieve the goal of green and high-quality development, exploring spatiotemporal heterogeneity and the spatial spillover effect of green manufacturing efficiency under environmental regulation can help reveal the path and mechanism of green development in the manufacturing industry. By using the SBM-DEM model to measure green manufacturing efficiency at the urban scale in China, exploratory spatial analysis is used to characterize the spatiotemporal differentiation of urban green manufacturing efficiency from 2003 to 2018. With the help of the spatial Durbin model, the impact of environmental regulation on green manufacturing efficiency and the spatial spillover effect are demonstrated. The results show that: (1) The green manufacturing efficiency of cities has developed in a gradual and balanced manner in time series, and the degree of equalization is stronger in the eastern coast than in the western inland; (2) Urban green manufacturing efficiency patterns are misaligned with economic scale patterns, indicating that green manufacturing is not traditionally dominated by economic factor inputs; (3) The practice of Chinese cities has proved that environmental regulation can significantly inhibit the development of green manufacturing efficiency in local cities. The crowding-out effect and optimization effect of environmental regulation on other external factors indirectly affect green development. By comparing different spatial weight matrices, it is shown that the economic relationship between cities can offset the inhibition of environmental regulation; (4) Although environmental regulation under spatial interaction would have significantly contributed to the green manufacturing efficiency of neighboring cities, this contribution effect is insignificant and weak due to the economic interactions between cities. Empirical research provides a theoretical foundation for the development of green manufacturing from the standpoint of environmental regulation, allowing green development research in manufacturing to move further.
Analysis of Car-Following Behaviors under Different Conditions on the Entrance Section of Cross-River and Cross-Sea Tunnels: A Case Study of Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel
Authors: Zhang Ting , Chen Feng , Huang Yadi , Song Mingtao , Hu Xiao
Published: September 2022

Compared to highway road tunnels, the entrance section of cross-river and cross-sea tunnels feature long and steep slopes. Along with a complicated traffic environment and harmful weather conditions, traffic congestion and rear-end crashes occur frequently during car-following in cross-river and cross-sea tunnels. It is necessary to examine the impact of traffic flow and weather conditions on car-following behavior at the entrance section of cross-river and cross-sea tunnels. To this end, this paper first extracted the vehicle speed data based surveillance video at the entrance of the Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel. Moreover, the actual average speed under different traffic flow conditions was obtained through the clustering algorithm, which was used as the basis for setting the experimental parameters. Then, in the driving simulation experiment, three traffic flow conditions (free flow, congested flow, and jam flow) were set up in three weather conditions (sunny, rainy, and snowy), and a risk situation was set up in each condition. Distance headway, time headway, acceleration, lateral offset, and driver’s emergency response time were collected. Moreover, seven slopes of 2% to 5% were set, and the relationship of slope on longitudinal speed and lateral offset was analyzed. ANOVA and post-hoc analyses were applied. The result indicates that traffic flow conditions have a significant effect on the car-following behavior, while weather conditions mainly influence the time headway. Moreover, drivers tend to adopt more cautious driving behavior as the distance between the vehicle and the tunnel entrance decreases. The results also show that the slope of the cross-river and cross-sea tunnel entrance section has a major influence on vehicle speed.
The Design and Implementation of Geospatial Information Verification Middle Platform for Natural Resources Government Affairs
Authors: Meng Fanrong , Zhou Junjie , Kong Dengkui , Yao Min , Wu Kongyi , Liu Xuchun , Wang Xuefei , Guo Yike
Published: September 2022

Geospatial Information Verification Mid-End Platform for Natural Resource Administration is designed in response to issues such as repeated development, low scalability, and inconsistent verification rules in existing approval and supervision application systems. We first discussed the architecture of the middle platform and micro-services and also examined the business requirements. Secondly, we presented the architecture of the spatial information verification platform. Finally, the application method in the construction land approval business is introduced. Practical applications proved that the spatial information verification platform is highly scalable and maintainable, with reusable business components and data services for a variety of government affairs application systems.
Using Flickr Data to Understand Image of Urban Public Spaces with a Deep Learning Model: A Case Study of the Haihe River in Tianjin
Authors: Yang Chenghao , Liu Tongtong , Zhang Shengtian
Published: September 2022

Understanding public perceptions of images of urban public spaces can guide efforts to improve urban vitality and spatial diversity. The rise of social media data and breakthroughs in deep learning frameworks for computer vision provide new opportunities for studying public perceptions in public spaces. While social media research methods already exist for extracting geo-information on public preferences and emotion analysis findings from geodata, this paper aims at deep learning analysis by building a VGG-16 image classification method that enhanced the research content of images without geo-information. In this study, 1940 Flickr images of the Haihe River in Tianjin were identified in multiple scenes with deep learning. The regularized VGG-16 architecture showed high accuracies of 81.75% for the TOP-1 and 96.75% for the TOP-5 and Grad-CAM visualization modules for the interpretation of classification results. The result of the present work indicate that images of the Haihe River are dominated by skyscrapers, bridges, promenades, and urban canals. After using kernel density to visualize the spatial distribution of Flickr images with geodata, it was found that there are three vitality areas in Haihe River. However, the kernel density result also shows that judging spatial visualization based solely on geodata is incomplete. The spatial distribution can be used as an assistant function in the case of the under-representation of geodata. Collectively, the field of how to apply computer vision to urban design research was explored and extended in this trial study.
The Effects of Aging on the Intramuscular Connective Tissue
Authors: Fede Caterina , Fan Chenglei , Pirri Carmelo , Petrelli Lucia , Biz Carlo , Porzionato Andrea , Macchi Veronica , De Caro Raffaele , Stecco Carla
Published: September 2022

The intramuscular connective tissue plays a critical role in maintaining the structural integrity of the muscle and in providing mechanical support. The current study investigates age-related changes that may contribute to passive stiffness and functional impairment of skeletal muscles. Variations in the extracellular matrix in human quadriceps femoris muscles in 10 young men, 12 elderly males and 16 elderly females, and in the hindlimb muscles of 6 week old, 8 month old and 2 year old C57BL/6J male mice, were evaluated. Picrosirius red, Alcian blue and Weigert Van Gieson stainings were performed to evaluate collagen, glycosamynoglycans and elastic fibers. Immunohistochemistry analyses were carried out to assess collagen I, collagen III and hyaluronan. The percentage area of collagen was significantly higher with aging (p < 0.01 in humans, p < 0.001 in mice), mainly due to an increase in collagen I, with no differences in collagen III (p > 0.05). The percentage area of elastic fibers in the perimysium was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in elderly men, together with a significant decrease in hyaluronan content both in humans and in mice. No significant differences were detected according to gender. The accumulation of collagen I and the lower levels of hyaluronan and elastic fibers with aging could cause a stiffening of the muscles and a reduction of their adaptability.
MDM2-Based Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs): An Innovative Drug Strategy for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Vicente André T. S. , Salvador Jorge A. R.
Published: September 2022

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are molecules that selectively degrade a protein of interest (POI). The incorporation of ligands that recruit mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) into PROTACs, forming the so-called MDM2-based PROTACs, has shown promise in cancer treatment due to its dual mechanism of action: a PROTAC that recruits MDM2 prevents its binding to p53, resulting not only in the degradation of POI but also in the increase of intracellular levels of the p53 suppressor, with the activation of a whole set of biological processes, such as cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. In addition, these PROTACs, in certain cases, allow for the degradation of the target, with nanomolar potency, in a rapid and sustained manner over time, with less susceptibility to the development of resistance and tolerance, without causing changes in protein expression, and with selectivity to the target, including the respective isoforms or mutations, and to the cell type, overcoming some limitations associated with the use of inhibitors for the same therapeutic target. Therefore, the aim of this review is to analyze and discuss the characteristics of MDM2-based PROTACs developed for the degradation of oncogenic proteins and to understand what potential they have as future anticancer drugs.
Altered Surface Expression of Insulin-Degrading Enzyme on Monocytes and Lymphocytes from COVID-19 Patients Both at Diagnosis and after Hospital Discharge
Authors: González-Casimiro Carlos M. , Arribas-Rodríguez Elisa , Fiz-López Aida , Casas Javier , Gutiérrez Sara , Tellería Pablo , Novoa Cristina , Rojo-Rello Silvia , Tamayo Eduardo , Orduña Antonio , Dueñas Carlos , Bernardo David , Perdomo German
Published: September 2022

Although the COVID-19 disease has developed into a worldwide pandemic, its pathophysiology remains to be fully understood. Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), a zinc-metalloprotease with a high affinity for insulin, has been found in the interactomes of multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins. However, the relevance of IDE in the innate and adaptative immune responses elicited by circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells is unknown. Here, we show that IDE is highly expressed on the surface of circulating monocytes, T-cells (both CD4+ and CD4−), and, to a lower extent, in B-cells from healthy controls. Notably, IDE’s surface expression was upregulated on monocytes from COVID-19 patients at diagnosis, and it was increased in more severe patients. However, IDE’s surface expression was downregulated (relative to healthy controls) 3 months after hospital discharge in all the studied immune subsets, with this effect being more pronounced in males than in females, and thus it was sex-dependent. Additionally, IDE levels in monocytes, CD4+ T-cells, and CD4− T-cells were inversely correlated with circulating insulin levels in COVID-19 patients (both at diagnosis and after hospital discharge). Of note, high glucose and insulin levels downregulated IDE surface expression by ~30% in the monocytes isolated from healthy donors, without affecting its expression in CD4+ T-cells and CD4− T-cells. In conclusion, our studies reveal the sex- and metabolism-dependent regulation of IDE in monocytes, suggesting that its regulation might be important for the recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection, as well as for glucometabolic control, in COVID-19 patients.
The Role of Extracellular Matrix in Human Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Pintér Panka , Alpár Alán
Published: September 2022

The dense neuropil of the central nervous system leaves only limited space for extracellular substances free. The advent of immunohistochemistry, soon followed by advanced diagnostic tools, enabled us to explore the biochemical heterogeneity and compartmentalization of the brain extracellular matrix in exploratory and clinical research alike. The composition of the extracellular matrix is critical to shape neuronal function; changes in its assembly trigger or reflect brain/spinal cord malfunction. In this study, we focus on extracellular matrix changes in neurodegenerative disorders. We summarize its phenotypic appearance and biochemical characteristics, as well as the major enzymes which regulate and remodel matrix establishment in disease. The specifically built basement membrane of the central nervous system, perineuronal nets and perisynaptic axonal coats can protect neurons from toxic agents, and biochemical analysis revealed how the individual glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan components interact with these molecules. Depending on the site, type and progress of the disease, select matrix components can either proactively trigger the formation of disease-specific harmful products, or reactively accumulate, likely to reduce tissue breakdown and neuronal loss. We review the diagnostic use and the increasing importance of medical screening of extracellular matrix components, especially enzymes, which informs us about disease status and, better yet, allows us to forecast illness.
Neurotoxic Effect of Doxorubicin Treatment on Cardiac Sympathetic Neurons
Authors: Moro Nicola , Dokshokova Lolita , Perumal Vanaja Induja , Prando Valentina , Cnudde Sophie Julie A , Di Bona Anna , Bariani Riccardo , Schirone Leonardo , Bauce Barbara , Angelini Annalisa , Sciarretta Sebastiano , Ghigo Alessandra , Mongillo Marco , Zaglia Tania
Published: September 2022

Doxorubicin (DOXO) remains amongst the most commonly used anti-cancer agents for the treatment of solid tumors, lymphomas, and leukemias. However, its clinical use is hampered by cardiotoxicity, characterized by heart failure and arrhythmias, which may require chemotherapy interruption, with devastating consequences on patient survival and quality of life. Although the adverse cardiac effects of DOXO are consolidated, the underlying mechanisms are still incompletely understood. It was previously shown that DOXO leads to proteotoxic cardiomyocyte (CM) death and myocardial fibrosis, both mechanisms leading to mechanical and electrical dysfunction. While several works focused on CMs as the culprits of DOXO-induced arrhythmias and heart failure, recent studies suggest that DOXO may also affect cardiac sympathetic neurons (cSNs), which would thus represent additional cells targeted in DOXO-cardiotoxicity. Confocal immunofluorescence and morphometric analyses revealed alterations in SN innervation density and topology in hearts from DOXO-treated mice, which was consistent with the reduced cardiotropic effect of adrenergic neurons in vivo. Ex vivo analyses suggested that DOXO-induced denervation may be linked to reduced neurotrophic input, which we have shown to rely on nerve growth factor, released from innervated CMs. Notably, similar alterations were observed in explanted hearts from DOXO-treated patients. Our data demonstrate that chemotherapy cardiotoxicity includes alterations in cardiac innervation, unveiling a previously unrecognized effect of DOXO on cardiac autonomic regulation, which is involved in both cardiac physiology and pathology, including heart failure and arrhythmias.
Molecular Characterization and SNP-Based Molecular Marker Development of Two Novel High Molecular Weight Glutenin Genes from Triticum spelta L.
Authors: Cao Yuemei , Zhang Junwei , Wang Ruomei , Sun Haocheng , Yan Yueming
Published: September 2022

Spelt wheat (Triticum spelta L., 2n=6x=42, AABBDD) is a valuable source of new gene resources for wheat genetic improvement. In the present study, two novel high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) 1Ax2.1* at Glu-A1 and 1By19* at Glu-B1 from German spelt wheat were identified. The encoding genes of both subunits were amplified and cloned by allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR), and the complete sequences of open reading frames (ORF) were obtained. 1Ax2.1* with 2478 bp and 1By19* with 2163 bp encoded 824 and 720 amino acid residues, respectively. Molecular characterization showed that both subunits had a longer repetitive region, and high percentage of α-helices at the N- and C-termini, which are beneficial for forming superior gluten macropolymers. Protein modelling by AlphaFold2 revealed similar three-diamensional (3D) structure features of 1Ax2.1* with two x-type superior quality subunits (1Ax1 and 1Ax2*) and 1By19* with four y-type superior quality subunits (1By16, 1By9, 1By8 and 1By18). Four cysteine residues in the three x-type subunits (1Ax2.1*, 1Ax1 and 1Ax2*) and the cysteine in intermediate repeat region of y-type subunits were not expected to participate in intramolecular disulfide bond formation, but these cysteines might form intermolecular disulfide bonds with other glutenins and gliadins to enhance gluten macropolymer formation. The SNP-based molecular markers for 1Ax2.1* and 1By19* genes were developed, which were verified in different F2 populations and recombination inbred lines (RILs) derived from crossing between spelt wheat and bread wheat cultivars. This study provides data on new glutenin genes and molecular markers for wheat quality improvement.
AMBRA1 p.Gln30Arg Mutation, Identified in a Cowden Syndrome Family, Exhibits Hyperproliferative Potential in hTERT-RPE1 Cells
Authors: Revathidevi Sundaramoorthy , Hosomichi Kazuyoshi , Natsume Toyoaki , Nakaoka Hirofumi , Fujito Naoko T. , Akatsuka Hisako , Sato Takehito , Munirajan Arasambattu Kannan , Inoue Ituro
Published: September 2022

Cowden syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder associated with multiple hamartomatous and neoplastic lesions in various organs. Most CS patients have been found to have germline mutations in the PTEN tumor suppressor. In the present study, we investigated the causative gene of CS in a family of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) -negative CS patients. Whole exome sequencing analysis revealed AMBRA1 (Autophagy and Beclin 1 Regulator 1) as a novel candidate gene harboring two germline variants: p.Gln30Arg (Q30R) and p.Arg1195Ser (R1195S). AMBRA1 is a key regulator of the autophagy signaling network and a tumor suppressor. To functionally validate the role of AMBRA1 in the clinical manifestations of CS, we generated AMBRA1 depletion and Q30R mutation in hTERT-RPE1 (humanTelomerase Reverse Transcriptase-immortalized Retinal Pigmented Epithelial cells) using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. We observed that both AMBRA1-depleted and mutant cells showed accumulation in the S phase, leading to hyperproliferation, which is a characteristic of hamartomatous lesions. Specifically, the AMBRA1 Q30R mutation disturbed the G1/S transition of cells, leading to continuous mitotic entry of mutant cells, irrespective of the extracellular condition. From our analysis of primary ciliogenesis in these cells, we speculated that the mitotic entry of AMBRA1 Q30R mutants could be due to non-functional primary cilia that lead to impaired processing of extracellular sensory signals. Additionally, we observed a situs inversus phenotype in ambra1-depleted zebrafish, a developmental abnormality resulting from dysregulated primary ciliogenesis. Taken together, we established that the AMBRA1 Q30R mutation that we observed in CS patients might play an important role in inducing the hyperproliferative potential of cells through regulating primary ciliogenesis.
The Entomopathogenic Fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana for Management of the Melon Fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae: Pathogenicity, Horizontal Transmission, and Compatability with Cuelure
Authors: Onsongo Susan K. , Mohamed Samira A. , Akutse Komivi S. , Gichimu Bernard M. , Dubois Thomas
Published: September 2022

In the laboratory, the pathogenicity of thirteen isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and two isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against the melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) were assessed by exposing adults to 0.3 g of dry conidia (~3 × 109 conidia) of each isolate for 5 min and monitoring mortality for up to 5 days. Compatibility with a male pheromone, cuelure, (4-(p-acetoxyphenyl)-2-butanone), was determined by testing conidial germination and germ tube growth of the most promising isolate, M. anisopliae ICIPE 69, in the presence of cuelure at different temperatures. For horizontal transmission, the flies were separated by sex, separately exposed to M. anisopliae ICIPE 69, and subsequently mixed with non-exposed flies from the other sex. The most pathogenic isolates were M. anisopliae ICIPE 69, 18, and 30, causing mortalities of 94, 87, and 81%, with 5 days post-exposure, respectively. Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69 caused the highest pupal mortality of 74%, with 15 days post-exposure. Horizontal transmission of M. anisopliae ICIPE 69 among male and female Z. cucurbitae was confirmed by 59 and 67% mortality after exposure to infected donor males and females, respectively. Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69 affected the oviposition, but not hatchability, of infected Z. cucurbitae females. Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69 is, therefore, a potential isolate for biopesticide development for Z. cucurbitae management in cucurbit production systems.
PD-L1-Positive High-Grade Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Respond Better to Standard Neoadjuvant Treatment—A Retrospective Study of PD-L1 Expression in Relation to Different Clinicopathological Parameters
Authors: Stanowska Olga , Kuczkiewicz-Siemion Olga , Dębowska Małgorzata , Olszewski Wojciech P. , Jagiełło-Gruszfeld Agnieszka , Tysarowski Andrzej , Prochorec-Sobieszek Monika
Published: September 2022

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is typically a high-grade breast cancer with poorest clinical outcome despite available treatment modalities with chemo-, immuno- and radiotherapy. The status of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is a prognostic factor closely related to programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressed on T lymphocytes modulating antitumor immunity. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are showing promising results in a subset of breast cancer patients in both neo- and adjuvant settings. Pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant treatment was found to be associated with better prognosis. We analyzed the prognostic and predictive significance of PD-L1 (SP142 assay) immunohistochemical expression on TNBC patients’ samples as illustrated by pCR with regard to its relation to treatment regimen, stage, BRCA mutational status and outcome. Furthermore, we analyzed a few other clinicopathological parameters such as age, TILs and proliferation index. The study highlighted a positive role of PD-L1 evaluation for personalized pCR probability assessment. Although considerable research was made on comparison of PD-L1 level in TNBC with different patient parameters, to our best knowledge, the relation of PD-L1 status to pCR while taking treatment regimen and stage into consideration was so far not investigated.
The Predictive Role of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Monocytes-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR) and Gammaglobulins for the Development of Cutaneous Vasculitis Lesions in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Mihai Ancuta , Caruntu Ana , Opris-Belinski Daniela , Jurcut Ciprian , Dima Alina , Caruntu Constantin , Ionescu Ruxandra
Published: September 2022

Background: In primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (pSS), cutaneous vasculitis lesions (CVL) are extraglandular manifestations with an important clinical and prognostic impact and their early detection might contribute to the improvement of disease control and even patients’ survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive potential of hematological elements in the development of CVL in pSS patients. Methods: In this single center, retrospective study, a total of 245 participants were included (124 pSS patients and 121 healthy controls). Complete blood count, inflammatory and immunological parameters were determined at the initial visit. pSS patients underwent a periodical follow-up program, when disease progression and response to therapy was monitored, including the emergence of CVL. Results: In pSS, leucocytes, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, erythrocyte and platelet counts are significantly decreased compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001), whereas cellular ratios: NLR, PLR, MLR, and immunological and inflammatory parameters are significantly increased (p < 0.001). A total of 34 patients with pSS (27.41%) developed CVL during the follow-up period. The occurrence of CVL was positively correlated with neutrophil and platelet counts (p < 0.001), while for lymphocytes the correlation was negative (p < 0.001). Cellular ratios: NLR, PLR and MLR, and gammaglobulins also revealed significant positive correlations with the emergence of CVL in pSS (p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis confirmed the independent predictive character for CVL emergence in pSS for NLR (CI95% 0.053–0.2, p < 0.002), PLR (CI95% 0.001–0.003, p < 0.003), MLR (CI95% 0.086–0.935, p < 0.019), and gammaglobulins (CI95% 0.423–0.688, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Standard hematological parameters, widely used in the assessment of pSS patients, such as NLR, PLR, MLR and gammaglobulins could become valid elements that might be used for the early detection of patients at risk for the development of CVL.
Dissecting Migraine: The Future of Anatomical, Functional, and Liquid Biomarkers
Authors: De Luca Ciro , Baldacci Filippo
Published: September 2022

Migraine is a common yet enigmatic disease that, despite its high prevalence and familial presentation, lacks exhaustive genetic or environmental causative factors [...]
Lymphocyte Count and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Are Associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease: A Single-Center Longitudinal Study
Authors: Contaldi Elena , Magistrelli Luca , Cosentino Marco , Marino Franca , Comi Cristoforo
Published: September 2022

Lymphocyte count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may represent useful biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but their role in PD-related mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to confirm whether these immunological measures can discriminate PD patients from healthy controls (HC) and establish their feasibility as prognostic biomarkers of MCI in PD. Immunological data at baseline were analyzed in 58 drug-naïve PD patients and 58 HC matched 1:1 for age, sex, and cardiovascular comorbidities. We selected a subgroup of 51 patients from this initial cohort who underwent longitudinal neuropsychological assessments through the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R) test. We considered the last examination available to analyze the relationship between ACE-R test scores and immunological measures. We found that lymphocyte count was lower and NLR higher in PD than HC (p = 0.006, p = 0.044), with AUC = 0.649 and 0.608, respectively. Secondly, in PD-MCI there were significantly higher levels of circulating lymphocytes (p = 0.002) and lower NLR (p = 0.020) than PD with normal cognitive status (PD-NC). Correlations between lymphocyte count and ACE-R total score and memory subitem (r = −0.382, p = 0.006; r = −0.362, p = 0.01), as well as between NLR and ACE-R total score and memory subitem (r = 0.325, p = 0.02; r = 0.374, p = 0.007), were also found. ROC curve analysis showed that lymphocyte count and NLR displayed acceptable discrimination power of PD-MCI with AUC = 0.759 and 0.691, respectively. In conclusion, we suggest that an altered peripheral immune phenotype could foster cognitive decline development in PD, thus opening the possibility of immune-targeting strategies to tackle this disabling non-motor feature.
Practical Use of Quartz Crystal Microbalance Monitoring in Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Authors: Naranda Jakob , Bračič Matej , Vogrin Matjaž , Maver Uroš , Trojner Teodor
Published: September 2022

Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is a real-time, nanogram-accurate technique for analyzing various processes on biomaterial surfaces. QCM has proven to be an excellent tool in tissue engineering as it can monitor key parameters in developing cellular scaffolds. This review focuses on the use of QCM in the tissue engineering of cartilage. It begins with a brief discussion of biomaterials and the current state of the art in scaffold development for cartilage tissue engineering, followed by a summary of the potential uses of QCM in cartilage tissue engineering. This includes monitoring interactions with extracellular matrix components, adsorption of proteins onto biomaterials, and biomaterial–cell interactions. In the last part of the review, the material selection problem in tissue engineering is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of surface nanotopography, the role of nanofilms, and utilization of QCM as a “screening” tool to improve the material selection process. A step-by-step process for scaffold design is proposed, as well as the fabrication of thin nanofilms in a layer-by-layer manner using QCM. Finally, future trends of QCM application as a “screening” method for 3D printing of cellular scaffolds are envisioned.
Cavitation–Silt Erosion Behavior and Failure Mechanism of an HVOF-Sprayed WC-Cr3C2-Ni Coating for Offshore Hydraulic Machinery
Authors: Lin Jinran , Hong Sheng , Zheng Yuan , Sun Wei , Zhang Zhengwei , Kang Min , Fu Xiuqing
Published: September 2022

WC-Cr3C2-Ni coatings are a vital class of hard ceramic/cermet coatings with potential applications as wear-resistant materials. However, their erosion wear behavior in 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride medium (SCM) remains largely unexplored. The present study investigated the cavitation–silt erosion (CSE) behavior in 3.5 wt.% SCM of WC-Cr3C2-Ni coatings sprayed with high-velocity oxygen–fuel (HVOF) under different flow velocities (FVs) and sand concentrations (SCs). Comparing the WC-Cr3C2-Ni coating with the 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel, the first possessed superior CSE resistance in 3.5 wt.% SCM in a full range of FV and SC. Meanwhile, the coating appeared more influenced by FV and less influenced by SC, which was indicated by the fact that the amplification of VLR value (377.1%) when the FV ranged from 23.4 to 41.9 m·s−1 was larger than that (129.8%) when the SC increased from 10 kg·m−3 to 35 kg·m−3. With increasing FV and SC, the CSE process of the WC-Cr3C2-Ni coating in 3.5 wt.% SCM mainly included the discontinuous corrosion product films, erosion pits, fracturing of hard-phase grains, and micro-cutting of soft binder matrix, as well as crater formation and coating spalling.
Semantic Modeling of Ship Behavior in Cognitive Space
Authors: Song Rongxin , Wen Yuanqiao , Tao Wei , Zhang Qi , Papadimitriou Eleonora , van Gelder Pieter
Published: September 2022

Ship behavior is the semantic expression of corresponding trajectory in spatial-temporal space. The intelligent identification of ship behavior is critical for safety supervision in the waterborne transport. In particular, the complicated behavior reflects the long-term intentions of a ship, but it is challenging to recognize it automatically for computers without a proper understanding. For this purpose, this study provides a method to model the behavior for computers from the perspective of knowledge modeling that is explainable. Based on our previous work, a semantic model for ship behavior representation is given considering the multi-scale features of ship behavior in cognitive space. Firstly, the multi-scale features of ship behavior are analyzed in spatial-temporal dimension and semantic dimension individually. Then, a method for multi-scale behaviors modeling from the perspective of semantics is determined, which divides the behavior scale into four sub-scales in cognitive space, considering spatial and temporal dimensions: action, activity, process, and event. Furthermore, an ontology model is introduced to construct the multi-scale semantic model for ship behavior, where behaviors with different semantic scales are expressed using the functions of ontology from a microscopic perspective to a macroscopic perspective consecutively. To validate the model, a case study is conducted in which ship behavior with different scales occurred in port water areas. Typical behaviors, which include leveraging the axioms expression and semantic web rule language (SWRL) of the ontology, are then deduced using a reasoner, such as Pellet. The results show that the model is reasonable and feasible to represent multi-scale ship behavior in various scenarios and provides the potential to construct a smart supervision network for maritime authorities.
Minimally Traumatic Cochlear Implant Surgery: Expert Opinion in 2010 and 2020
Authors: Topsakal Vedat , Agrawal Sumit , Atlas Marcus , Baumgartner Wolf-Dieter , Brown Kevin , Bruce Iain A. , Dazert Stefan , Hagen Rudolf , Lassaletta Luis , Mlynski Robert , Raine Christopher H. , Rajan Gunesh P. , Schmutzhard Joachim , Sprinzl Georg Mathias , Staecker Hinrich , Usami Shin-ichi , Van Rompaey Vincent , Zernotti Mario , Heyning Paul van de
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to discover expert opinion on the surgical techniques and materials most likely to achieve maximum postoperative residual hearing preservation in cochlear implant (CI) surgery and to determine how these opinions have changed since 2010. A previously published questionnaire used in a study published in 2010 was adapted and expanded. The questionnaire was distributed to an international group of experienced CI surgeons. Present results were compared, via descriptive statistics, to those from the 2010 survey. Eighteen surgeons completed the questionnaire. Respondents clearly favored the following: round window insertion, slow array insertion, and the peri- and postoperative use of systematic antibiotics. Insertion depth was regarded as important, and electrode arrays less likely to induce trauma were preferred. The usefulness of dedicated soft-surgery training was also recognized. A lack of agreement was found on whether the middle ear cavity should be flushed with a non-aminoglycoside antibiotic solution or whether a sheath or insertion tube should be used to avoid contaminating the array with blood or bone dust. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates how beliefs about CI soft surgery have changed since 2010 and shows areas of current consensus and disagreement.
Is It Time to Redefine Fetal Decelerations in Cardiotocography?
Authors: Xodo Serena , Londero Ambrogio P.
Published: September 2022

Historically, fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations were classified into “early”, “late”, and “variable” based on their relationship with uterine contractions. So far, three different putative etiologies were taken for granted. Recently, this belief, passed down through generations of birth attendants, has been questioned by physiologists. This narrative review aimed to assess the evidence on pathophysiology behind intrapartum FHR decelerations. This narrative review is based on information sourced from online peer-reviewed articles databases and recommendations from the major scientific societies in the field of obstetrics. Searches were performed in MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus and selection criteria included studies in animals and humans, where the physiology behind FHR decelerations was explored. The greater affinity for oxygen of fetal hemoglobin than the maternal, the unicity of fetal circulation, and the high anaerobic reserve of the myocardium, ensure adequate oxygenation to the fetus, under basal conditions. During acute hypoxic stress the efficiency of these mechanisms are increased because of the peripheral chemoreflex. This reflex, activated at each uterine contraction, is characterized by the simultaneous activation of two neural arms: the parasympathetic arm, which reduces the myocardial consumption of oxygen by decreasing the FHR and the sympathetic component, which promotes an intense peripheric vasoconstriction, thus centralizing the fetal blood volume. This review summarizes the evidence supporting the hypoxic origin of FHR decelerations, therefore archiving the historical belief that FHR decelerations have different etiologies, according to their shape and relationship with uterine contractions. The present review suggests that it is time to welcome the new scientific evidence and to update the CTG classification systems.
What Lies behind Paraneoplastic Hypercalcemia Secondary to Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Neoplasms? A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Giannetta Elisa , Sesti Franz , Modica Roberta , Grossrubatscher Erika Maria , Ragni Alberto , Zanata Isabella , Colao Annamaria , Faggiano Antongiulio
Published: September 2022

Background: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) originate from neuroendocrine cells ubiquitously spread throughout the body. Hypercalcemia associated with cancer is the most common life-threatening metabolic disorder in patients with advanced stage cancer. Paraneoplastic hypercalcemia is more commonly associated with hematological malignancies, renal and breast carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas, but it has also been described in patients with well-differentiated NEN, where it often remains undiagnosed. Among its causes, systemic secretion of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and ectopic production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) may be considered paraneoplastic causes of hypercalcemia. In order to clarify the diagnostic work up of paraneoplastic hypercalcemia in patients with NEN, we perform a systematic review, which is lacking in the literature. Methods: We performed a data search using MEDLINE and SCOPUS including papers from 1961 to 2021. We selected articles on paraneoplastic hypercalcemia associated with well-differentiated NEN. Results: The search led to the selection of 78 publications for a total of 114 patients. Pooled data showed that the most frequent primary tumor site associated with paraneoplastic hypercalcemia was pancreatic NEN, followed by Pheochromocytoma. In most cases, paraneoplastic hypercalcemia was caused by PTHrP production and secretion. In more than two thirds of cases, paraneoplastic hypercalcemia was present at the time of NEN diagnosis and, in metachronous cases, was related to local recurrence, distant metastasis development, or tumor progression. In most patients, a combination of therapeutic approaches was employed, and reduction of the tumor burden was essential to control the paraneoplastic syndrome. Discussion: The onset of hypercalcemia associated with cancer in patients with well-differentiated NEN represents a major clinical challenge. The complex clinical and therapeutical management of paraneoplastic hypercalcemia implies the need for a multidisciplinary approach, aimed at controlling the clinical syndrome and tumor growth.