bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectral Multiplexing of Fluorescent Endoscopy for Simultaneous Imaging with Multiple Fluorophores and Multiple Fields of View
Authors: Paulson Bjorn , Darian Saeed Bohlooli , Kim Youngkyu , Oh Jeongmin , Ghasemi Marjan , Lee Kwanhee , Kim Jun Ki
Published: December 2022

Complex clinical procedures and small-animal research procedures can benefit from dual-site imaging provided by multiple endoscopic devices. Here, an endoscopic system is proposed which enables multiple fluorescence microendoscopes to be spectrally multiplexed on a single microscope base, enabling light sources and optical relays to be shared between endoscopes. The presented system is characterized for resolution using USAF-1951 resolution test charts and for modulation transfer function using the slanted edge method. Imaging is demonstrated both directly and with microendoscopes attached. Imaging of phantoms was demonstrated by targeting USAF charts and fiber tissues dyed for FITC and Texas Red fluorescence. Afterwards, simultaneous liver and kidney imaging was demonstrated in mice expressing mitochondrial Dendra2 and injected with Texas Red-dextran. The results indicate that the system achieves high channel isolation and submicron and subcellular resolution, with resolution limited by the endoscopic probe and by physiological movement during endoscopic imaging. Multi-channel microendoscopy provides a potentially low-cost means of simultaneous multiple endoscopic imaging during biological experiments, resulting in reduced animal harm and potentially increasing insight into temporal connections between connected biological systems.
Searching for a Relationship between Early Breastfeeding and Cognitive Development of Attention and Working Memory Capacity
Authors: Pedale Tiziana , Mastroberardino Serena , Del Gatto Claudia , Capurso Michele , Bellagamba Francesca , Addessi Elsa , Macrì Simone , Santangelo Valerio
Published: December 2022

Previous research consistently reported that subjects that were exclusively breastfed (eBF) vs. not-exclusively breastfed (neBF) during infancy (0–6 months) showed increased scores of general intelligence measures (e.g., the intelligence quotient). However, the existent literature largely neglected whether breastfeeding also affects specific cognitive processes, such as attention and working memory (WM) capacity. We tested whether eBF vs. neBF subjects showed performance differences in relation to these two core cognitive functions. The Attention Network Test (ANT), to measure alerting, orienting, and conflict, and the Change Colour Task (CCT), to measure visuospatial WM capacity, were administered to 144 participants divided according to age (6-, 10-, and 18-year-old participants) and breastfeeding (eBF or neBF during 0–6 months of life). Importantly, the sub-groups were homogenous in terms of maternal education, a factor potentially affecting the relation between breastfeeding and cognition. While we found increased performance as a function of participants’ age in both tasks, we failed to observe effects related to breastfeeding, as evidenced by Bayesian analyses. These findings highlight for the first time that the pattern of nutrition provided during early infancy does not appear to affect the development of attention and WM capacity, at least starting from the age considered in the present study.
Identification and Calibration of Advanced Hysteresis Models for Recycled Rubber–Fiber-Reinforced Bearings
Authors: Flora Amedeo , Calabrese Andrea , Cardone Donatello
Published: December 2022

Several studies have investigated the feasibility of reducing the implementation cost of base isolation. In this optic, recycled rubber–fiber-reinforced bearings (RR–FRBs) represent a suitable solution for structures in developing countries. Such devices can be produced using simple manufacturing procedures at a limited cost with respect to conventional isolators. Full-scale tests on RR–FRBs featured energy dissipation values similar to those associated with high-damping natural rubber bearings (HDRBs). Equivalent viscous damping, ranging from 10 to 15%, resulted from testing of RR–FRBs, with poor degradation after cyclic loading. On the other hand, a sensible softening response, associated with the axial–shear interaction, which is much more significant compared to that exhibited by HDRBs, was observed. As a result, the numerical description of the cyclic behavior of the RR–FRBs appears to be more challenging than that of HDRBs. In past studies, simple bilinear hysteresis models were adopted to describe the cyclic behavior of low-cost rubber bearings, thus completely neglecting the P-delta effects which significantly influence the dynamic behavior of such bearings. In this paper, advanced hysteresis numerical models, able to capture the nonlinear response of RR–FRBs, were examined and properly calibrated using a powerful optimization technique, the differential evolution algorithm. Preliminary results of the numerical analyses, performed in OpenSees, were described and compared with those of experimental tests on low-cost rubber bearings. The findings of this study represent the first step of a characterization procedure aimed to provide an accurate representation of the dynamic behavior of these particular bearings. Obviously, additional studies are needed to compare results of response history analyses with those of experimental tests for real structures on RR–FRBs. In this optic, the present paper, along with further studies, could provide a new impulse for the application of low-cost rubber-based devices in current practice.
Seismic Performance of Built-In Continuous-Column Steel Moment Frame with Low-Damage CPSFC at Column Bases
Authors: Li Chengyu , Bai Runing , He Bo , Zhu Aizhu
Published: December 2022

Integrating the concepts of frictional energy dissipation and low-damage mechanism, this paper proposes a built-in continuous-column (BCC) steel moment frame structure with low-damage cover plate slip-friction connections (CPSFCs) at the column bases. The slip-friction connections can convert the buckling energy dissipation of the column into frictional energy dissipation, and the continuous column can improve the lateral deformation mode of the structure under seismic action. The strength and stiffness deterioration characteristics of the material were considered in the simulation of the seismic performance of the structure, and the simplified numerical models of CPSFCs and continuous columns were established in OpenSees. Comparative analyses were carried on a seven-story steel frame, steel moment frame (SMF) with CPSFCs at the column bases (CPSFC–SMF), and a built-in continuous column steel frame (BCCF) with CPSFC at the column bases (CPSFC–BCCF). The results showed that CPSFC slightly reduced the bearing capacity of the steel moment frame but minished the structural stiffness degradation and increased the ductility of the structure. The setting of CPSFC changed the plasticity hinge sequence of the structure, resulting in a homogeneous deformation between stories. The CPSFC–BCCF had the best damage pattern and the most uniform inter-story energy dissipation.
Repositioning Health Microinsurance Products for the Informal Sector Groups
Authors: Mbugua Levi Ng’ang’a , Magambo John Odhiambo
Published: December 2022

In the least developed countries, the informal sector faces great challenges in accessing healthcare services since most people are not mainstreamed. This has prompted the formation of groups as a way of empowerment. The objective of this study was to examine the factors contributing to health microinsurance uptake among the informal sector groups so as to enable companies to reposition in this market. Quantitative data was collected from 1600 informal sector groups, and Principal Component Analysis was used to extract the main factors. Structural Equation Modeling was applied to adjust for individual response styles, assess unobservable latent variables, provide numerical estimates for each of the parameters in the model and indicate the strength of the relationships. This study found that informal sector culture was highly rated in repositioning health microinsurance products, followed by the use of mobile phone technology, then the mode of communication, social capital and finally, perception. With the inclusion of mobile phone technology, payment options were insignificant. These findings implied that, for health microinsurance companies to reposition in the informal sector market, trust, product value, packaging design, group support and assets need to be prioritized.
Deciphering Tumour Microenvironment of Liver Cancer through Deconvolution of Bulk RNA-Seq Data with Single-Cell Atlas
Authors: Zhang Shaoshi , Bacon Wendi , Peppelenbosch Maikel P. , van Kemenade Folkert , Stubbs Andrew Peter
Published: December 2022

Liver cancers give rise to a heavy burden on healthcare worldwide. Understanding the tumour microenvironment (TME) underpins the development of precision therapy. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology has generated high-quality cell atlases of the TME, but its wider application faces enormous costs for various clinical circumstances. Fortunately, a variety of deconvolution algorithms can instead repurpose bulk RNA-seq data, alleviating the need for generating scRNA-seq datasets. In this study, we reviewed major public omics databases for relevance in this study and utilised eight RNA-seqs and one microarray dataset from clinical studies. To decipher the TME of liver cancer, we estimated the fractions of liver cell components by deconvoluting the samples with Cibersortx using three reference scRNA-seq atlases. We also confirmed that Cibersortx can accurately deconvolute cell types/subtypes of interest. Compared with non-tumorous liver, liver cancers showed multiple decreased cell types forming normal liver microarchitecture, as well as elevated cell types involved in fibrogenesis, abnormal angiogenesis, and disturbed immune responses. Survival analysis shows that the fractions of five cell types/subtypes significantly correlated with patient outcomes, indicating potential therapeutic targets. Therefore, deconvolution of bulk RNA-seq data with scRNA-seq atlas references can be a useful tool to help understand the TME.
PGC-1α Regulates Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion by Modulating Leucyl-tRNA Synthetase 1 Expression in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Cho Jun Gi , Park Su-Jeong , Han Sang-Heum , Park Joo-In
Published: December 2022

Although mounting evidence has demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) can promote tumorigenesis, its role in cancer remains controversial. To find potential target molecules of PGC-1α, GeneFishingTM DEG (differentially expressed genes) screening was performed using stable HEK293 cell lines expressing PGC-1α (PGC-1α-HEK293). As results, leucyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (LARS1) was upregulated. Western blot analysis showed that LARS1 was increased in PGC-1α overexpressed SW480 cells but decreased in PGC-1α shRNA knockdown SW620 cells. Several studies have suggested that LARS1 can be a potential target of anticancer agents. However, the molecular network of PGC-1α and LARS1 in human colorectal cancer cells remains unclear. LARS1 overexpression enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas LARS1 knockdown reduced them. We also observed that expression levels of cyclin D1, c-Myc, and vimentin were regulated by LARS1 expression. We aimed to investigate whether effects of PGC-1α on cell proliferation and invasion were mediated by LARS1. Our results showed that PGC-1α might modulate cell proliferation and invasion by regulating LARS1 expression. These results suggest that LARS1 inhibitors might be used as anticancer agents in PGC-1α-overexpressing colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed in the future to clarify the detailed molecular mechanism by which PGC-1α regulates LARS1 expression.
Cerebellar High-Grade Glioma: A Translationally Oriented Review of the Literature
Authors: Raghu Ashley L. B. , Chen Jason A. , Valdes Pablo A. , Essayed Walid Ibn , Claus Elizabeth , Arnaout Omar , Smith Timothy R. , Chiocca E. Antonio , Peruzzi Pier Paolo , Bernstock Joshua D.
Published: December 2022

World Health Organization (WHO) grade 4 gliomas of the cerebellum are rare entities whose understanding trails that of their supratentorial counterparts. Like supratentorial high-grade gliomas (sHGG), cerebellar high-grade gliomas (cHGG) preferentially affect males and prognosis is bleak; however, they are more common in a younger population. While current therapy for cerebellar and supratentorial HGG is the same, recent molecular analyses have identified features and subclasses of cerebellar tumors that may merit individualized targeting. One recent series of cHGG included the subclasses of (1) high-grade astrocytoma with piloid features (HGAP, ~31% of tumors); (2) H3K27M diffuse midline glioma (~8%); and (3) isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wildtype glioblastoma (~43%). The latter had an unusually low-frequency of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and high-frequency of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) amplification, reflecting a different composition of methylation classes compared to supratentorial IDH-wildtype tumors. These new classifications have begun to reveal insights into the pathogenesis of HGG in the cerebellum and lead toward individualized treatment targeted toward the appropriate subclass of cHGG. Emerging therapeutic strategies include targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway and PDGFRA, oncolytic virotherapy, and immunotherapy. HGGs of the cerebellum exhibit biological differences compared to sHGG, and improved understanding of their molecular subclasses has the potential to advance treatment.
The SAFFO Study: Sex-Related Prognostic Role and Cut-Off Definition of Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR) in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Lisanti Camilla , Basile Debora , Garattini Silvio Ken , Parnofiello Annamaria , Corvaja Carla , Cortiula Francesco , Bertoli Elisa , Ongaro Elena , Foltran Luisa , Casagrande Mariaelena , Di Nardo Paola , Cardellino Giovanni Gerardo , Fasola Gianpiero , Buonadonna Angela , Pella Nicoletta , Aprile Giuseppe , Puglisi Fabio
Published: December 2022

Background: Emerging data suggest that gender-related immune system composition affects both immune response and efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer patients (pts). This study aimed to investigate the sex-related prognostic role of MLR in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) pts. Methods: We analyzed a retrospective consecutive cohort of 490 mCRC patients treated from 2009 to 2018 at the Oncology Departments of Aviano and Pordenone (training set) and Udine (validation set), Italy. The prognostic impact of MLR on overall survival (OS) was evaluated with uni- and multivariable Cox regression models. The best cut-off value to predict survival was defined through ROC analyses. Results: Overall, we identified 288 males (59%) and 202 females (41%); 161 patients (33%) had a right-sided, 202 (42%) a left-sided primary, and 122 (25%) a rectal tumor. Interestingly, gender was associated with MLR (p = 0.004) and sidedness (p = 0.006). The obtained cut-off value for MLR in females and males was 0.27 and 0.49, respectively. According to univariate analysis of the training set, MLR (HR 9.07, p ≤ 0.001), MLR > 0.27 in females (HR 1.95, p = 0.003), and MLR > 0.49 in males (HR 2.65, p = 0.010) were associated with poorer OS, which was also confirmed in the validation set. In multivariate analysis, MLR > 0.27 in females (HR 2.77, p = 0.002), MLR > 0.49 in males (HR 5.39, p ≤ 0.001), BRAF mutation (HR 3.38, p ≤ 0.001), and peritoneal metastases (HR 2.50, p = 0.003) were still independently associated with worse OS. Conclusions: Males and females have a different immune response. Our study showed that high MLR, both in males and females, is an unfavorable Independent prognostic factor. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these data.
Targeted Therapy for Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: Advances and Management
Authors: Yuan Jiaqian , Guo Yong
Published: December 2022

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare and highly fatal cancer with the worst prognosis of all thyroid carcinoma (TC) histological subtypes and no standard treatment. In recent years, the explosion of investigations on ATC-targeted agents has provided a new treatment strategy for this malignant condition, and a review of these studies is warranted. We conducted a comprehensive literature search for ATC-targeted drug studies and compiled a summary of their efficacy and adverse effects (AEs) to provide new insights. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of dabrafenib in combination with trametinib for the treatment of ATC, but vemurafenib and NTRK inhibitors showed limited clinical responses. We found that the previously valued therapeutic effect of lenvatinib may be unsatisfactory; combining tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors (TKIs) with other agents results in a higher rate of clinical benefit. In addition, specific medications, including RET inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, CDK4/6 inhibitors, and Combretastatin A4-phosphate (CA4P), offer tremendous therapeutic potential. The AEs reported for all agents are relatively numerous but largely manageable clinically. More clinical trials are expected to further confirm the effectiveness and safety of these targeted drugs for ATC.
Palmitoyl Carnitine-Anchored Nanoliposomes for Neovasculature-Specific Delivery of Gemcitabine Elaidate to Treat Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Patel Akanksha , Saraswat Aishwarya , Patel Harsh , Chen Zhe-Sheng , Patel Ketan
Published: December 2022

Being the fourth most fatal malignancy worldwide, pancreatic cancer is on track to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States by 2030. Gemcitabine is a first-line chemotherapeutic agent for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Gemcitabine Elaidate (Gem Elaidate) is a lipophilic derivative which allows hENT1-independent intracellular delivery of gemcitabine and better pharmacokinetics and entrapment in a nanocarrier. Cancer cells and neovasculature are negatively charged compared to healthy cells. Palmitoyl-DL-carnitine chloride (PC) is a Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor which also provides a cationic surface charge to nanoliposomes for targeting tumor neovasculature and augmented anticancer potency. The objectives of our study are: (a) to develop and characterize a PKC inhibitor-anchored Gem Elaidate-loaded PEGylated nanoliposome (PGPLs) and (b) to investigate the anticancer activity of Gem Elaidate and PGPLs in 2D and 3D models of pancreatic cancer. The optimized PGPLs resulted in a particle size of 80 ± 2.31 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.15 ± 0.05 and a ζ-potential of +31.6 ± 3.54 mV, with a 93.25% encapsulation efficiency of Gem Elaidate in PGPLs. Our results demonstrate higher cellular uptake, inhibition in migration, as well as angiogenesis potential and significant apoptosis induced by PGPLs in 3D multicellular tumor spheroids of pancreatic cancer cells. Hence, PGPLs could be an effective and novel nanoformulation for the neovasculature-specific delivery of Gemcitabine Elaidate to treat PDAC.
Catalytic Production of Functional Monomers from Lysine and Their Application in High-Valued Polymers
Authors: Liu Kangyu , Shao Bingzhang , Zheng Bo , Zong Baoning
Published: December 2022

Lysine is a key raw material in the chemical industry owing to its sustainability, mature fermentation process and unique chemical structure, besides being an important nutritional supplement. Multiple commodities can be produced from lysine, which thus inspired various catalytic strategies for the production of these lysine-based chemicals and their downstream applications in functional polymer production. In this review, we present a fundamental and comprehensive study on the catalytic production process of several important lysine-based chemicals and their application in highly valued polymers. Specifically, we first focus on the synthesis process and some of the current industrial production methods of lysine-based chemicals, including ε-caprolactam, α-amino-ε-caprolactam and its derivatives, cadaverine, lysinol and pipecolic acid. Second, the applications and prospects of these lysine-based monomers in functional polymers are discussed such as derived poly (lysine), nylon-56, nylon-6 and its derivatives, which are all of growing interest in pharmaceuticals, human health, textile processes, fire control and electronic manufacturing. We finally conclude with the prospects of the development of both the design and synthesis of new lysine derivatives and the expansion of the as-synthesized lysine-based monomers in potential fields.
Bismuth Vanadate (BiVO4) Nanostructures: Eco-Friendly Synthesis and Their Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Q. Alijani Hajar , Iravani Siavash , Varma Rajender S.
Published: December 2022

Green nanotechnology plays an important role in designing environmentally-benign and sustainable synthesis techniques to provide safer products for human health and environments. In this context, the synthesis of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nanoparticles (NPs) based on green chemistry principles with the advantages of eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity has been explored by researchers. Despite the advantages of these synthesis techniques, crucial aspects regarding their repeatability and large-scale production still need to be comprehensively explored. BiVO4 NPs have shown excellent potential in the pharmaceutical industry, cancer therapy, and photocatalysis. BiVO4 particles with monoclinic scheelite structures have been widely investigated for their environmental applications owing to their fascinating optical and electrical properties as well as their high stability and unique crystal structure properties. These NPs with good photostability and resistance to photocorrosion can be considered as promising nanophotocatalysts for degradation of pollutants including organic dyes and pharmaceutical wastes. However, additional explorations should be moved toward the optimization of reaction/synthesis conditions and associated photocatalytic mechanisms. Herein, recent developments regarding the environmentally-benign fabrication of BiVO4 NPs and their photocatalytic degradation of pollutants are deliberated, with a focus on challenges and future directions.
Regulation of Mitochondrial Hydrogen Peroxide Availability by Protein S-glutathionylation
Authors: Mailloux Ryan J. , Grayson Cathryn , Koufos Olivia
Published: December 2022

Background: It has been four decades since protein S-glutathionylation was proposed to serve as a regulator of cell metabolism. Since then, this redox-sensitive covalent modification has been identified as a cell-wide signaling platform required for embryonic development and regulation of many physiological functions. Scope of the Review: Mitochondria use hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a second messenger, but its availability must be controlled to prevent oxidative distress and promote changes in cell behavior in response to stimuli. Experimental data favor the function of protein S-glutathionylation as a feedback loop for the inhibition of mitochondrial H2O2 production. Major conclusions: The glutathione pool redox state is linked to the availability of H2O2, making glutathionylation an ideal mechanism for preventing oxidative distress whilst playing a part in desensitizing mitochondrial redox signals. General Significance: The biological significance of glutathionylation is rooted in redox status communication. The present review critically evaluates the experimental evidence supporting its role in negating mitochondrial H2O2 production for cell signaling and prevention of electrophilic stress.
Hormone-Dependent Cancers: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutical Implications
Authors: Emons Günter
Published: December 2022

Hormone-dependent cancers of the breast and prostate are the most common cancers in women and men, respectively [...]
Exosomal miRNA Profiling in Vitreous Humor in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Kot Agnieszka , Kaczmarek Radoslaw
Published: December 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs which mediate some of the pathological mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in the vitreal exosomes of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients and non-diabetic controls. Exosomes were extracted from the vitreous samples of 10 PDR patients and 10 controls. The expression of 372 miRNAs was determined using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) panel. We have demonstrated a significant dysregulation in 26 miRNAs. The most remarkable findings include a profound attenuation of the miR-125 family, as well as enhanced miR-21-5p expression in the diabetic samples. We also showed the downregulation of miR-204-5p and the upregulation of let-7g in PDR compared to the controls. This study identified miR-125 and miR-21 as potential targets for further functional analysis regarding their putative role in the pathogenesis of PDR.
The SMARCD Family of SWI/SNF Accessory Proteins Is Involved in the Transcriptional Regulation of Androgen Receptor-Driven Genes and Plays a Role in Various Essential Processes of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Ertl Iris E. , Brettner Robert , Kronabitter Hannah , Mohr Thomas , Derdak Sophia , Jeitler Markus , Bilban Martin , Garstka Nathalie , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: December 2022

Previous studies have demonstrated an involvement of chromatin-remodelling SWI/SNF complexes in the development of prostate cancer, suggesting both tumor suppressor and oncogenic activities. SMARCD1/BAF60A, SMARCD2/BAF60B, and SMARCD3/BAF60C are mutually exclusive accessory subunits that confer functional specificity and are components of all known SWI/SNF subtypes. To assess the role of SWI/SNF in prostate tumorigenesis, we studied the functions and functional relations of the SMARCD family members. Performing RNA-seq in LnCAP cells grown in the presence or absence of dihydrotestosterone, we found that the SMARCD proteins are involved in the regulation of numerous hormone-dependent AR-driven genes. Moreover, we demonstrated that all SMARCD proteins can regulate AR-downstream targets in androgen-depleted cells, suggesting an involvement in the progression to castration-resistance. However, our approach also revealed a regulatory role for SMARCD proteins through antagonization of AR-signalling. We further demonstrated that the SMARCD proteins are involved in several important cellular processes such as the maintenance of cellular morphology and cytokinesis. Taken together, our findings suggest that the SMARCD proteins play an important, yet paradoxical, role in prostate carcinogenesis. Our approach also unmasked the complex interplay of paralogue SWI/SNF proteins that must be considered for the development of safe and efficient therapies targeting SWI/SNF.
Simple, Accurate and Multianalyte Determination of Thirteen Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Polypills by HPLC-DAD
Authors: Żuromska-Witek Barbara , Stolarczyk Mariusz , Szlósarczyk Marek , Kielar Szymon , Hubicka Urszula
Published: December 2022

A new universal HPLC-DAD method has been developed for the separation and simultaneous determination of thirteen active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs): ramipril, lisinopril, enalapril; atenolol, metoprolol; losartan, candesartan; rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin; amlodipine; hydrochlorothiazide, acetylsalicylic acid in polypills used in the treatment of hypertension. The chromatographic analysis of the APIs was performed on an ACE-5 C18-PFP column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH = 2.50) and acetonitrile in gradient elution as the mobile phase at a flow rate 1.0 mL min−1. UV detection was performed at 230 nm. The analysis time was 35 min. The elaborated method meets the acceptance criteria for specificity, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision for all examined substances. The linearity range was observed in a wide concentration range, whereas the determination coefficients (R2) for the linear model were greater than 0.990. The sensitivity of the method was good with the LOD and LOQ values ranged from 0.0009 to 0.0923 mg mL−1 and from 0.0027 to 0.2794 mg mL−1, respectively. The proposed method showed good precision with RSD less than 1.91% and the accuracy expressed as percent recovery was from 95.20% to 104.62%. The proposed HPLC-DAD method was successfully applied to determine APIs in prepared model mixtures corresponding to the commercially available polypill tablets. The obtained results of the measured contents were with good accuracy (95.84–103.92%) and high precision (RSD < 0.95%) indicating the applicability of the proposed method for the simultaneous determination of the polypill components. Therefore, the method can be an effective tool in the quality control of polypills.
Facile Preparation of Co3O4 Hollow Dodecahedron with Superior Peroxidase-like Activity for Selective Detection of Cholesterol
Authors: Liu Meili , Xue Liuheng , Feng Qinghua , Wang Yingsha , Liu Jia , Zhang Shouting , Hu Wenping
Published: December 2022

The Co3O4 hollow dodecahedron (Co3O4@CN) was prepared by calcining ZIF-67 in N2 and then air atmosphere. In the Co3O4@CN compound material, Co3O4 nanoparticles (Co3O4 NPs) are anchored in the carbon skeleton, solving the aggregation problem of Co3O4 NPs. Because Co3O4@CN retains the porous structure of ZIF-67, and the presence of Co2+ and Co3+ favors electron transfer between the enzyme substrates, it has excellent peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity. Enzymatic kinetic tests show that Co3O4@CN has approximately six times more affinity for TMB than HRP and the maximal reaction rate is approximately three times that of HRP. The cholesterol sensor was constructed with Co3O4@CN, and its linear range was 20-1000 μM, and the detection limit was 14.33 μM. The application of Co3O4@CN to the detection of human serum cholesterol will be a valuable research direction.
Dysphagia in Children, Do Not Blame Eosinophils Too Quickly
Authors: Debourdeau Antoine , Gonzalez Jean-Michel , Barthet Marc , Vitton Véronique
Published: December 2022

Dysphagia in children is a relatively frequent symptom in childhood, and the main causes are congenital and linked to ear–nose–throat etiologies. However, non-congenital esophageal dysphagia is less common, and the main cause in such cases is eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). When there is no response to a well-conducted treatment, with normalization of histology, the diagnosis of EoE must then be reconsidered. Here, we present the case of a 10-year-old patient whose initial diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis delayed the diagnosis of type III achalasia.
Effects of Mediterranean Diet, DASH Diet, and Plant-Based Diet on Outcomes among End Stage Kidney Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Charkviani Mariam , Thongprayoon Charat , Tangpanithandee Supawit , Krisanapan Pajaree , Miao Jing , Mao Michael A. , Cheungpasitporn Wisit
Published: December 2022

Background: The Mediterranean, Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and plant-based diets may provide cardiovascular benefit to the general population. However, data on their effect on end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients are limited. This systematic review aims to assess the impact of Mediterranean, DASH, and plant-based diets on outcomes among ESKD patients. Methods: A literature review was conducted in EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases from inception through September 2022 to identify studies that assess the clinical outcomes of Mediterranean, DASH, or plant-based diets on ESKD patients on hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Effect estimates from the individual studies were derived utilizing the random-effect, generic inverse variance approach of DerSimonian and Laird. Results: Seven studies with 9400 ESKD patients (8395 HD and 1005 PD) met the eligibility criteria and were included in the data analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) of mortality for ESKD patients who adhered to the Mediterranean versus plant-based diet were 0.49 (95% CI: 0.07–3.54; two studies, I2 = 67%) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.75–1.01; two studies, I2 = 0%), respectively. Data on mortality for ESKD patients on a DASH diet were limited to one study with an OR of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.89–1.12). The pooled OR of cardiovascular mortality among ESKD patients who adhered to a plant-based diet was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.68–1.08; two studies, I2 = 0%), compared to those who did not. Data on cardiovascular mortality among those with Mediterranean and DASH diet were limited to one study with ORs of 1.14 (95% CI: 0.90–1.43) and 1.19 (95% CI: 0.99–1.43), respectively. Mediterranean diet adherence was found to be associated with reduced risk of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with an OR of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.68–0.99) in a study including 127 ESKD patients. The risk of hyperkalemia was not significant among those with a plant-based diet with an OR of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.94–1.07) in a study including 150 ESKD patients. Conclusions: While our systematic review demonstrated no significant associations of Mediterranean, DASH, and plant-based diets with reduced all-cause mortality or cardiovascular mortality, there was also no evidence that suggested harmful effects of these diets to ESKD patients.
Phase Composition and Stability, Sintering and Thermal Conductivity of Gd2O3 and Yb2O3 Co-Doped YSZ
Authors: Tian He , Wei Liangliang , He Limin
Published: December 2022

Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) has been the material of choice for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) in the past decades, yet its phase decomposition limits its application above 1200 °C. In this study, Gd2O3 and Yb2O3 co-doped YSZ powders were produced, in which some amounts of monoclinic (m) phase were introduced into the cubic (c) phase matrix. XRD results showed that the fabricated powders obtained by a solid phase synthesis were composed of m and c phases, and hat the m phase content decreased in a sequence of 4Gd-2Yb-4Y, 2Gd-2Yb-6Y and 2Gd-4Yb-4Y powders. This indicated that Yb3+ is an excellent stabilizer in the ZrO2-based lattice, which could largely suppress the formation of the m phase. The m phase content in the powders was almost kept unchanged with heating at 1300 °C, which could provide a toughening effect to the ceramic. All the powders exhibited no obvious sintering at 1300 °C for 150 h. As compared to YSZ, the three fabricated ceramics had lower thermal conductivities, and they increased in a sequence of 4Gd-2Yb-4Y, 2Gd-4Yb-4Y and 2Gd-2Yb-6Y.
Framework of Meta-Heuristic Variable Length Searching for Feature Selection in High-Dimensional Data
Authors: Saraf Tara Othman Qadir , Fuad Norfaiza , Taujuddin Nik Shahidah Afifi Md
Published: December 2022

Feature Selection in High Dimensional Space is a combinatory optimization problem with an NP-hard nature. Meta-heuristic searching with embedding information theory-based criteria in the fitness function for selecting the relevant features is used widely in current feature selection algorithms. However, the increase in the dimension of the solution space leads to a high computational cost and risk of convergence. In addition, sub-optimality might occur due to the assumption of a certain length of the optimal number of features. Alternatively, variable length searching enables searching within the variable length of the solution space, which leads to more optimality and less computational load. The literature contains various meta-heuristic algorithms with variable length searching. All of them enable searching in high dimensional problems. However, an uncertainty in their performance exists. In order to fill this gap, this article proposes a novel framework for comparing various variants of variable length-searching meta-heuristic algorithms in the application of feature selection. For this purpose, we implemented four types of variable length meta-heuristic searching algorithms, namely VLBHO-Fitness, VLBHO-Position, variable length particle swarm optimization (VLPSO) and genetic variable length (GAVL), and we compared them in terms of classification metrics. The evaluation showed the overall superiority of VLBHO over the other algorithms in terms of accomplishing lower fitness values when optimizing mathematical functions of the variable length type.
Novel Crosslinked HA Hydrogel Films for the Immediate Release of Active Ingredients
Authors: Rashid Fatimah , Albayati Mustafa , Dodou Kalliopi
Published: December 2022

Novel crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel films were previously invented by reacting the HA polymer with the PT (Pentaerythritol Tetra-acrylate) crosslinker over basic pH conditions in the oven. HA is considered a natural polymer present in cosmetic as well as pharmaceutical formulations. This current study aimed to highlight the effect of loading method (post-loading and in situ) of selected actives (salicylic acid and niacinamide B3) in the hydrogel films and then study their release kinetics. Differential scanning colometry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis evidenced the loading of the actives and full release from the HA hydrogel films, while the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated the morphological changes to the films during the study by comparing the average molecular weight between crosslinks (M¯c), gel fraction, crosslinking density (Ve) and mesh size (ξ) of the films. The loading percentage of the SA and B3 showed high percentage loading of actives via both loading methods. In conclusion, the (95–100%) release of the actives achieved from the HA hydrogel films within 10 min revealed that the films are an efficient immediate release system of actives.
Transformations of Vascular Flora of a Medieval Settlement Site: A Case Study of a Fortified Settlement in Giecz (Wielkopolska Region, Western Poland)
Authors: Celka Zbigniew , Brzeg Andrzej , Sobczyński Adam
Published: December 2022

Exceptional components of the cultural landscape of Central Europe include archaeological sites, e.g., castle ruins, prehistoric or medieval fortified settlements, other settlements and burial mounds. The plants associated with them help us explain the processes of species persistence on habitat islands as well as the process of naturalization of crop species, which escape from fields or are abandoned. This study describes the flora of a medieval fortified settlement in Giecz (Wielkopolska region, western Poland), presents plant indicators of former settlements (relics of cultivation), species of high conservation value, and transformations of the vascular flora of this settlement over a few decades. Field research was conducted in 1993–1994, 1998–1999, and 2019. At the study site, 298 species of vascular plant species were recorded, and nearly 70% of them (201 species) have persisted there over the last 20 years. The flora includes seven relics of cultivation (Artemisia absinthium, Leonurus cardiaca, Lycium barbarum, Malva alcea, Pastinaca sativa, Saponaria officinalis, and Viola odorata), 5 species threatened with extinction in Poland and/or Wielkopolska, and 53 species of least concern (LC) according to the European red list. We have attempted to explain the floristic changes. The archaeological site in Giecz is of high conservation value, very distinct from the surrounding cultural landscape because of its specific flora, and composed of species from various habitats (e.g., dry grasslands, wooded patches, meadows, aquatic and ruderal habitats), including threatened, protected, and relic species.
The Impact of Moderate-to-High-Intensity Exercise Protocols on Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Authors: Pedrosa Ana , Furtado Guilherme , de Barros Marcelo Paes , Bachi André Luís Lacerda , Ferreira José Pedro , Sardão Vilma A. , Rama Luís , Teixeira Ana
Published: December 2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health issue that is closely linked to the epidemic of obesity. In addition to genetic factors, environmental and health-risk behaviours (i.e., high-carbohydrate diet and physical inactivity) contribute to a variety of pathophysiological disorders. Advanced exercise protocols, such as Moderate-to-intensity (MIT) and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), revealed a strategy for mitigating and/or attenuating the DTMII’s harmful effects by controlling glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. The goals of this review were to summarize the most recent evidence on the impact of HIIT on HbA1c levels. A mini-review protocol was performed through the PubMed/Medline database. The search comprised experimental and randomized controlled trial studies published in English between 2016 and 2021. The terms HbA1c, T2DM, MIT and HIIT, and their analogues were used. A total of seven studies were finally included. Our findings showed that the HIIT protocol is an effective strategy to induce HbA1c balance and improve glycaemic control than moderate training. The HIIT conducted in the laboratory and involving aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer appears to be more efficient that MIT. Additional findings include improved beta-cell function, decreased low-grade inflammation, and the induction of cardiovascular benefits. More research is required to investigate the feasibility and safety of HIIT protocols in T2DM patients.
Microbiome in Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gwon Yong-Nam , Park Jae-Joon , Lee Ki-Soo , Lee Kong-Hee , Kim Tae-Hyo , Kim Jae-Heon
Published: December 2022

Although many studies on bladder cancer and the microbiome have been conducted so far, useful strains at the species level have not yet been identified. In addition, in the case of urine studies, methodological heterogeneity is too great, and in tissue studies, the species level through shotgun analysis has not been revealed, and studies using stool samples have provided only limited information. In this review, we will review all the microbiome studies related to bladder cancer so far through a systematic review.
Are Renal Cell Carcinoma with Fibromyomatous Stroma (RCC-FMS) and Thyroid-like Follicular Carcinoma of the Kidney (TLFCK) Really Independent Variants?
Authors: Stanca Stefano , Boldrini Laura , Erba Paola Anna , Faviana Pinuccia
Published: December 2022

Background: Renal cell carcinoma with fibromyomatous stroma (RCC-FMS) is a recent provisional entity already recognised in the 2016 WHO Classification of Cancer of the Urinary Tract and Male Genital Organs 4th Edition as renal cell carcinoma with (angio)leiomyomatous stroma, histologically defined as a tumour characterised by clear cells intertwined in a conspicuous vascular stroma. In the casuistry taken into consideration, another proposed variant, thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney (TLFCK), endowed with a morphology mimicking thyroid parenchyma, was examined. The aim of this work was to parse the theoretical system, experimental data and diagnostic impact of these new entities proposed in the field of renal neoplasms. Materials and Methods: An analysis of 120 cases of kidney tumours from the Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area at the University of Pisa was run. Subsequently, all samples were reassessed by two pathologists with expertise in uropathology, whose revaluation provided a histomorphological study combined with subsequent and coherent immunohistochemical analyses of CK7, CD10, CAIX, CK34betaE12, CD117, vimentin, TTF-1 and thyroglobulin. These analyses were performed using the Ventana Benchmark Automated Staining System (Ventana Medical Systems, Tucson, AZ, USA) and Ventana reagents. Results: On the one hand, the data, thus brought to light, did not show an immunohistochemical profile consistent with that proposed for RCC-FMS. However, it should be emphasised that the morphological background also unearthed a poor specificity for RCC-FMS. This was specifically due to a stromal component which was, in any case, evident, although characterised by a wide range of presentation, in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). This latter is, indeed, the reference background for this theorised variant. On the other hand, a thyroid-like pattern was highlighted in 11 cases, more specifically in 10 ccRCCs and in one oncocytoma, presenting itself as a type of neoplastic appearance rather than as the peculiar morphological pattern of a standalone cancer. Conclusions: In the light of these results, RCC-FMS and TLFCK appear to be more appropriately variants of already categorised neoplastic entities rather than new independent neoplasias.
Predictors for False-Negative Interferon-Gamma Release Assay Results in Hemodialysis Patients with Latent Tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Park Heechul , Kang Yun-Jeong , Kim Ye Na , Park Sung-Bae , Lim Jaewon , Park Ji Young , Kang Young Ae , Lee Hyejon , Kim Jungho , Kim Sunghyun
Published: December 2022

The present study aimed to clinically evaluate the effect of T-cell dysfunction in hemodialysis (HD) patients with latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) who were false-negatives in the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test. Whole blood samples from a total of 20 active TB patients, 83 HD patients, and 52 healthy individuals were collected, and the QFT-GIT test was used for measuring Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific interferon gamma (IFN-γ) level. The positive rate of the IFN-γ release assays (IGRAs) in HD patients was lower than the negative rate. The mean value of MTB-specific IFN-γ level, which determines the positive rate of the IGRA test, was highest in active TB, followed by HD patients and healthy individuals. Among HD patients, phytohemagglutinin A (PHA)-stimulated IFN-γ levels of approximately 40% were 10.00 IU/mL or less. However, there was no low level of PHA-stimulated IFN-γ in the healthy individuals. This reveals that T-cell function in HD patients was reduced compared to healthy individuals, which leads to the possibility that QFT-GIT results in HD patients are false-negative. The clinical manifestations of TB in patients on HD are quite non-specific, making timely diagnosis difficult and delaying the initiation of curative treatment, delay being a major determinant of outcome.
ETECADx: Ensemble Self-Attention Transformer Encoder for Breast Cancer Diagnosis Using Full-Field Digital X-ray Breast Images
Authors: Al-Hejri Aymen M. , Al-Tam Riyadh M. , Fazea Muneer , Sable Archana Harsing , Lee Soojeong , Al-antari Mugahed A.
Published: December 2022

Early detection of breast cancer is an essential procedure to reduce the mortality rate among women. In this paper, a new AI-based computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) framework called ETECADx is proposed by fusing the benefits of both ensemble transfer learning of the convolutional neural networks as well as the self-attention mechanism of vision transformer encoder (ViT). The accurate and precious high-level deep features are generated via the backbone ensemble network, while the transformer encoder is used to diagnose the breast cancer probabilities in two approaches: Approach A (i.e., binary classification) and Approach B (i.e., multi-classification). To build the proposed CAD system, the benchmark public multi-class INbreast dataset is used. Meanwhile, private real breast cancer images are collected and annotated by expert radiologists to validate the prediction performance of the proposed ETECADx framework. The promising evaluation results are achieved using the INbreast mammograms with overall accuracies of 98.58% and 97.87% for the binary and multi-class approaches, respectively. Compared with the individual backbone networks, the proposed ensemble learning model improves the breast cancer prediction performance by 6.6% for binary and 4.6% for multi-class approaches. The proposed hybrid ETECADx shows further prediction improvement when the ViT-based ensemble backbone network is used by 8.1% and 6.2% for binary and multi-class diagnosis, respectively. For validation purposes using the real breast images, the proposed CAD system provides encouraging prediction accuracies of 97.16% for binary and 89.40% for multi-class approaches. The ETECADx has a capability to predict the breast lesions for a single mammogram in an average of 0.048 s. Such promising performance could be useful and helpful to assist the practical CAD framework applications providing a second supporting opinion of distinguishing various breast cancer malignancies.