bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Quantitative Methods for Campylobacter spp. Quantification: ISO 10272-2:2017, Tempo® and Real-Time PCR in Refrigerated and Frozen Turkey Cuts
Authors: Führ Carlos Alberto , Giombelli Audecir , Cerutti Marisete Fochesatto , Bergmann Guiomar Pedro , Kindlein Liris
Published: October 2024

New technologies for more effective microbiological assays are being adopted by the food industry to intervene more rapidly in its production chain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alternative methods of TEMPO® CAM and real-time PCR (rtPCR) Biotecon® in comparison with the ISO 10272-2:2017 reference method for Campylobacter spp. quantification in turkey meat, aiming to validate a quick and easily replicable method in these meat matrices. A total of 416 samples were analyzed over a one-year period. The TEMPO® methodology showed inadequate performance with a significant difference (p < 0.05) compared with the reference methodology; therefore, its use was not recommended for turkey meat matrices. However, the performance of the rtPCR Biotecon® methodology showed adequate performance with no significant difference (p > 0.05), and its use was recommended in turkey meat matrices. The study was limited to exclusive research in turkey meat matrices, and expansion of the research into other matrices is recommended to verify whether the behavior of alternative methodologies is similar. The findings of this study illustrate the necessity for a thorough and comprehensive evaluation during the implementation of alternative methodologies that may potentially supplant conventional approaches.
Inhibitory Effect of Phenethyl Isothiocyanate on the Adhesion and Biofilm Formation of Staphylococcus aureus and Application on Beef
Authors: Ma Xiaojing , Ma Jinle , Liu Jianan , Hao Hongshun , Hou Hongman , Zhang Gongliang
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to explore the mechanism by which phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) inhibited the adhesion and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). PEITC exhibited antimicrobial efficacy against S. aureus, demonstrating a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 1 mmol/L. PEITC exerted its antibacterial effect by disrupting cell membrane integrity, and it decreased total adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production after 1 and 4 h treatment. PEITC at 0.5 mmol/L increased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 26.39% compared to control. The mature biofilm of S. aureus was destroyed by 86.4% after treatment with PEITC for 24 h. Adhesion tests revealed that PEITC at 0.5 mmol/L reduced 44.51% of the S. aureus that adhered to NCM460 cells. Furthermore, at the genetic level, PEITC significantly downregulated the related genes by 31.26% to 97.04%, including agrB, agrD, isdA, ebh, luxS, fnbA, and icaR. Moreover, PEITC markedly inhibited S. aureus proliferation in beef preserved at temperatures of 25 and 4 °C, respectively. In summary, the present study suggests that PEITC effectively inhibits the adhesion and biofilm formation of S. aureus by affecting the relevant genes of S. aureus and holds promise for microbial management in meat products.
Effect of Litsea cubeba and Cinnamon Essential Oil Nanoemulsion Coatings on the Preservation of Plant-Based Meat Analogs
Authors: Zhu Yiqun , Gu Mengqing , Su Yuhan , Li Zhe , Xie Tiemin , Zhang Yifan , Qiao Guohua , Lu Fei , Han Chunyang
Published: October 2024

Plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs) are promising sustainable food sources. However, their high moisture and protein contents make them prone to microbial deterioration, limiting their shelf life and sensory appeal. This study explored enhancing PBMAs’ shelf life using nanoemulsions of Litsea cubeba and cinnamon essential oils, emulsified with chitosan and Tween 80. The composite nanoemulsion, produced through high-pressure homogenization, exhibited a droplet size of 4.99 ± 0.03 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.221 ± 0.008, and a zeta potential of 95.13 ± 2.67 mV, indicating remarkable stability (p < 0.05). Applied to PBMAs stored at 4 °C, it significantly improved color and pH balance and reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and cooking loss. Most notably, it inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, curbing spoilage and protein oxidation, thereby extending the products’ shelf life and preserving sensory quality. As shown above, the encapsulation of LCEO/CEO in nanoemulsions effectively inhibits spoilage and deterioration in PBMAs, improving flavor and quality more than direct addition. Future studies should explore using various essential oils and emulsifiers, as well as alternative encapsulation techniques like microcapsules and nanoparticles, to further prevent PBMA deterioration.
Bioactive Peptides from Fermented Foods: Production Approaches, Sources, and Potential Health Benefits
Authors: Peres Fabbri Laryssa , Cavallero Andrea , Vidotto Francesca , Gabriele Morena
Published: October 2024

Microbial fermentation is a well-known strategy for enhancing the nutraceutical attributes of foods. Among the fermentation outcomes, bioactive peptides (BAPs), short chains of amino acids resulting from proteolytic activity, are emerging as promising components thanks to their bioactivities. Indeed, BAPs offer numerous health benefits, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review focuses on the production of bioactive peptides during the fermentation process, emphasizing how different microbial strains and fermentation conditions influence the quantity and quality of these peptides. Furthermore, it examines the health benefits of BAPs from fermented foods, highlighting their potential in disease prevention and overall health promotion. Additionally, this review addresses the challenges and future directions in this field. This comprehensive overview underscores the promise of fermented foods as sustainable and potent sources of bioactive peptides, with significant implications for developing functional foods and nutraceuticals.
Longitudinal Analysis of Sweet Taste Preference Through Genetic and Phenotypic Data Integration
Authors: Bae Ji Hyun , Kang Hyunju
Published: October 2024

Understanding the genetic basis of sweet taste preference is crucial for potential implications in diet-related health outcomes, such as obesity. This study identified genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with sweet taste preferences over time. Data from the American Nurses’ Health Study (NHS1) and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) cohorts were analyzed. Using tools like PLINK and METAL for genetic associations and FUMA for functional annotation, the study identified eight SNPs associated with sweet taste preferences. Notably, rs80115239 and rs12878143 were identified as key determinants of the highest and lowest associations with sweet taste preferences, respectively. Individuals with the rs80115239 (AA) genotype displayed a higher preference for sweet tastes, including chocolate and cake, but a lower preference for physical activity, fruits, and vegetables, particularly in females from the NHS1 cohort, linking this genotype to a higher obesity risk. Conversely, those with the rs12878143 (CC) genotype preferred fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tea, with a lower preference for sweetened beverages, but the correlation with obesity risk was less clear due to inconsistent data. In conclusion, these findings highlight the genetic influences on sweet taste preference and their potential role in personalized dietary recommendations and obesity management strategies.
The Initial-Final Mass Relation from Carbon Stars in Open Clusters
Authors: Abia Carlos , Domínguez Inma , Marigo Paola , Cristallo Sergio , Straniero Oscar
Published: October 2024

Recently, Marigo et al, identified a kink in the initial-final mass relation around initial masses of Mini≈1.65−2.10M⊙, based on Gaia DR2 and EDR3 data for white dwarfs in open clusters aged 1.5–2.5 Gyr. Notably, the white dwarfs associated with this kink, all from NGC 7789, exhibit masses of ∼0.70–0.74 M⊙, usually associated with stars of Mini∼ 3–4 M⊙. This kink in the Mini mass range coincides with the theoretically accepted solar metallicity lowest-mass stars evolving into carbon stars during the AGB phase. According to Marigo et al., these carbon stars likely experienced shallow third dredge-up events, resulting in low photospheric C/O ratios and, consequently, middle stellar winds. Under such conditions, the AGB phase is prolonged, allowing for further core mass growth beyond typical predictions. If this occurs, it might provoke other anomalies, such as a non-standard surface chemical composition. We have conducted a chemical analysis of several carbon stars belonging to open clusters within the above cluster ages. Our chemical analysis reveals that the carbon stars found within the kink exhibit C/O ratios only slightly above the unity and the typical chemical composition expected for carbon stars of near solar metallicity, partially validating the above theoretical predictions. We also show that this kink in the IMFR strongly depends on the method used to derived the distances (luminosity) of these carbon stars.
Evaluation of Associative Effects on Degradability, Fermentation Parameters, and In Vitro Methane Production as a Result of Variation in the Ruminants Diets Constituents
Authors: Baffa Danielle Ferreira , Oliveira Tadeu S. , Fernandes Alberto Magno , Camilo Michele Gabriel , Silva Ismael N. , Aniceto Elon Souza , Meirelles Júnior José Ribeiro , Lopes Mozelli Filho Elvanio José
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different forage sources and forage-to-concentrate ratios on digestibility, energy concentration, fermentation parameters, and in vitro estimate of methane. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design using a 3 × 6 factorial arrangement with three forages varying the chemical composition (pineapple crop waste silage [PS], corn silage [CS], and Tifton hay [TH]) associated with concentrate feed (C) in six combinations, using triplicates for each ratio. We evaluated in vitro digestibility, metabolizable and net energy, pH, redox potential, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and methane production. The in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD) decreased (p = 0.0011) with the inclusion of concentrate. It was also affected by the forage source, but this fact was only observed in CS up to the 50:50 ratio. In TH, this fact occurred from the 80:20 ratio, and this behavior was not observed in the PS. Data on methane production, VFA, and fermentation parameters varied according to forage source and concentrate inclusion. In conclusion, the inclusion of concentrate reduces methane production, increasing the system’s energy contribution. Overall, the different forage sources and the inclusion of concentrate change digestion and fermentation parameters.
Hand-Washing Habits in a Sample of Spanish Soft Contact Lens Wearers
Authors: Alonso Silvia , Navarro Irene , Cardona Genis
Published: October 2024

Contact lens (CL) wear is a safe method for the correction of refractive errors. However, rare, severe ocular complications may occur which may lead to visual loss. As most of these complications are related to poor patient compliance with care and maintenance instructions, resulting in the contamination of hands, CLs and accessories, it was the purpose of this study to assess hand-washing habits in a sample of Spanish soft CL wearers. Hand hygiene was explored through a self-reported online survey and via an in-office practical demonstration in a subset of those users answering the survey. A total of 198 surveys were analyzed, and 18 CL users participated in the practical demonstration. Overall, hand-washing habits were not adequate, with 35 (17.8%) and 103 (52.2%) participants reporting not always washing their hands prior to CL or storage case manipulation, respectively. While 161 (81.3%) participants dried their hands after washing, 132 of these (82.1%) used non-disposable cloth towels. Participants receiving specific hand-washing information from their practitioners (141, or 71.1%) had better hand hygiene (p < 0.05). During the practical demonstration, 13 (72.2%) participants used water and soap to wash their hands, but only 3 (16.7%) displayed correct hand washing routines. Complete patient education, as well as practical reminders at all follow-up visits, are essential to ensure better hand hygiene in order to reduce the probability of ocular complications and to guarantee safe and satisfactory CL use.
Qualitative Analysis of Responses in Estimating Older Adults Cognitive Functioning in Spontaneous Speech: Comparison of Questions Asked by AI Agents and Humans
Authors: Igarashi Toshiharu , Iijima Katsuya , Nitta Kunio , Chen Yu
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is gaining attention for its potential in cognitive function assessment and intervention. AI robots and agents can offer continuous dialogue with the elderly, helping to prevent social isolation and support cognitive health. Speech-based evaluation methods are promising as they reduce the burden on elderly participants. AI agents could replace human questioners, offering efficient and consistent assessments. However, existing research lacks sufficient comparisons of elderly speech content when interacting with AI versus human partners, and detailed analyses of factors like cognitive function levels and dialogue partner effects on speech elements such as proper nouns and fillers. Methods: This study investigates how elderly individuals’ cognitive functions influence their communication patterns with both human and AI conversational partners. A total of 34 older people (12 men and 22 women) living in the community were selected from a silver human resource centre and day service centre in Tokyo. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and participants engaged in semi-structured daily conversations with both human and AI partners. Results: The study examined the frequency of fillers, proper nouns, and “listen back” in conversations with AI and humans. Results showed that participants used more fillers in human conversations, especially those with lower cognitive function. In contrast, proper nouns were used more in AI conversations, particularly by those with higher cognitive function. Participants also asked for explanations more often in AI conversations, especially those with lower cognitive function. These findings highlight differences in conversation patterns based on cognitive function and the conversation partner being either AI or human. Conclusions: These results suggest that there are differences in conversation patterns depending on the cognitive function of the participants and whether the conversation partner is a human or an AI. This study aims to provide new insights into the effective use of AI agents in dialogue with the elderly, contributing to the improvement of elderly welfare.
An Analysis of the Influence of a Patient’s Sex on Quality of Life in Liver and Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Campillo Amo Naiara , Martínez Enrique Pérez , Gomis Ana van-der Hofstadt , Ramírez Ana Carolina Londoño , Román Carlos J. van-der Hofstadt
Published: October 2024

Background: Renal and liver transplantation influences the quality of life of the patients who undergo these procedures. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze possible differences in liver and kidney transplantation in relation to the patient’s sex and to determine their impact on quality of life. Methodology: An observational study was carried out with 147 patients with liver (n = 70) and kidney (n = 77) failure on the transplantation waiting list. The possible influence of sex on clinical, sociodemographic, and psychological aspects of the patients’ quality of life before and 6 months after transplantation was analyzed. Questionnaires on health-related quality of life (SF-36), the perception of social and family support (EASP), and coping strategies (CEA), the depression and anxiety scale (HAD), and the Eysenck personality inventory (EPI) were used. A univariate analysis was performed according to sex using statistical tools including the Chi-square test, the t-test, and a univariate linear analysis of variance. Results: In patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation, we found sex differences in terms of age (p = 0.040), time of evolution of end-stage liver disease (p = 0.013), etiology (p = 0.07), and associated complications, as well as in the consumption of tobacco and other psychotropic substances (p = 0.022), while patients on the waiting list for renal transplantation showed sex-related differences in terms of etiology (p = 0.012) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.005). The results showed significant sex-related differences in sociodemographic and psychological aspects, but no significant sex-related differences were observed in global quality of life in either of the two assessments in both groups. Discussion: The findings suggest that improvement in quality of life after liver or kidney transplantation is not influenced by the patient’s sex.
Fungal Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes in Greece
Authors: Tertipi Niki , Sfyri Eleni , Kefala Vasiliki , Rallis Efstathios
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Fungal infections, commonly referred to as mycoses, are widespread and affect various parts of the body. Common types of fungal skin infections include tinea pedis, tinea unguim, tinea cruris, tinea versicolor, and tinea manuum. Athletes, in particular, are at a higher risk of contracting these infections due to several factors inherent to their training and competitive environments. Methods: This research examined the incidence, anatomical distribution, and seasonal occurrence of fungal skin infections among beach volleyball athletes in Greece. The study cohort consisted of 785 participants, with an average age of 28.4 years. Variables recorded included gender, the seasonal periods during which athletes might be more prone to injuries, and the specific body areas affected by fungal infections. In addition, training-related data such as weekly training frequency, and daily training duration were collected. Results: Incidence rates correlated in relation to gender: male, tinea pedis (p < 0.000), tinea manuum (p < 0.010); number of weekly trainings: tinea pedis (p < 0.000), tinea unguium (p < 0.043), tinea cruris (p < 0.008), tinea versicolor (p < 0.038), tinea manuum (p < 0.043); average hours of daily training: tinea unguium (p < 0.039), tinea manuum (p < 0.039). Conclusions: Athletic activities often involve exposure to warm, moist conditions that promote fungal growth. Locker rooms, showers, and equipment can harbor fungi, spreading infections among athletes. Understanding these infections is essential for effective prevention and management, as they can impact performance and health if untreated. Proper hygiene, antifungal treatments, and public health measures are crucial to reducing the risk in athletic settings.
Counting Polynomials in Chemistry II
Authors: Joița Dan-Marian , Jäntschi Lorentz
Published: October 2024

Some polynomials find their way into chemical graph theory less often than others. They could provide new ways of understanding the origins of regularities in the chemistry of specific classes of compounds. This study’s objective is to depict the place of polynomials in chemical graph theory. Different approaches and notations are explained and levelled. The mathematical aspects of a series of such polynomials are put into the context of recent research. The directions in which this project was intended to proceed and where it stands right now are presented.
Construction of Legal Knowledge Graph Based on Knowledge-Enhanced Large Language Models
Authors: Li Jun , Qian Lu , Liu Peifeng , Liu Taoxiong
Published: October 2024

Legal knowledge involves multidimensional heterogeneous knowledge such as legal provisions, judicial interpretations, judicial cases, and defenses, which requires extremely high relevance and accuracy of knowledge. Meanwhile, the construction of a legal knowledge reasoning system also faces challenges in obtaining, processing, and sharing multisource heterogeneous knowledge. The knowledge graph technology, which is a knowledge organization form with triples as the basic unit, is able to efficiently transform multisource heterogeneous information into a knowledge representation form close to human cognition. Taking the automated construction of the Chinese legal knowledge graph (CLKG) as a case scenario, this paper presents a joint knowledge enhancement model (JKEM), where prior knowledge is embedded into a large language model (LLM), and the LLM is fine-tuned through the prefix of the prior knowledge data. Under the condition of freezing most parameters of the LLM, this fine-tuning scheme adds continuous deep prompts as prefix tokens to the input sequences of different layers, which can significantly improve the accuracy of knowledge extraction. The results show that the knowledge extraction accuracy of the JKEM in this paper reaches 90.92%. Based on the superior performance of this model, the CLKG is further constructed, which contains 3480 knowledge triples composed of 9 entities and 2 relationships, providing strong support for an in-depth understanding of the complex relationships in the legal field.
An Improved Multi-Scale Feature Extraction Network for Rice Disease and Pest Recognition
Authors: Lv Pengtao , Xu Heliang , Zhang Yana , Zhang Qinghui , Pan Quan , Qin Yao , Chen Youyang , Cao Dengke , Wang Jingping , Zhang Mengya , Chen Cong
Published: October 2024

In the process of rice production, rice pests are one of the main factors that cause rice yield reduction. To implement prevention and control measures, it is necessary to accurately identify the types of rice pests and diseases. However, the application of image recognition technologies focused on the agricultural field, especially in the field of rice disease and pest identification, is relatively limited. Existing research on rice diseases and pests has problems such as single data types, low data volume, and low recognition accuracy. Therefore, we constructed the rice pest and disease dataset (RPDD), which was expanded through data enhancement methods. Then, based on the ResNet structure and the convolutional attention mechanism module, we proposed a Lightweight Multi-scale Feature Extraction Network (LMN) to extract multi-scale features at a finer granularity. The proposed LMN model achieved an average classification accuracy of 95.38% and an F1-Score of 94.5% on the RPDD. The parameter size of the model is 1.4 M, and the FLOPs is 1.65 G. The results suggest that the LMN model performs rice disease and pest classification tasks more effectively than the baseline ResNet model by significantly reducing the model size and improving accuracy.
Limited Variation in Bacterial Communities of Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Across European Populations and Different Life Stages
Authors: Enciso Juan Sebastian , Corretto Erika , Borruso Luigimaria , Schuler Hannes
Published: October 2024

The Nearctic leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is the primary vector of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis’, the causative agent of Flavescence doreé in Europe. Although microorganisms play an important role in the ecology and behavior of insects, knowledge about the interaction between S. titanus and microbes is limited. In this study, we employed an amplicon metabarcoding approach for profiling the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize the bacterial communities of S. titanus across several populations from four European localities. Additionally, we investigated changes in bacterial communities between nymphal and adult stages. In total, we identified 7,472 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in adults from the European populations. At the genus level, ‘Candidatus Karelsulcia’ and ‘Candidatus Cardinium’ were the most abundant genera, with both being present in every individual. While we found significant changes in the microbial composition of S. titanus across different European populations, no significant differences were observed between nymphal and adult stages. Our study reveals new insights into the microbial composition of S. titanus and highlights the role of geography in influencing its bacterial community.
Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery in Elderly Patients: Results from a Multicenter Study
Authors: Francica Alessandra , Barbero Cristina , Tonelli Filippo , Cerillo Alfredo Giuseppe , Lodo Vittoria , Centofanti Paolo , Marchetto Giovanni , Di Credico Germano , De Paulis Ruggero , Stefano Pierluigi , Luciani Giovanni Battista , Onorati Francesco , Rinaldi Mauro
Published: October 2024

Background: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has been increasingly adopted worldwide as an alternative to conventional sternotomy, especially for young patients. The remarkable results gained by MIMVS have encouraged its application in more complex and fragile patients, such as the elderly, though results in this subgroup remain controversial. It is the aim of this study to assess the postoperative outcomes of patients older than 75 years old undergoing MIMVS, and to compare these results to those of younger patients. Methods: The data of all patients undergoing MIMVS between 2015 and 2022 were retrospectively collected at seven high-volume cardiac surgery centers. Patients were divided into two age-based groups: the young (<65 years old) and the elderly (>75 years old). A propensity score (PS) matching analysis obtained two comparable groups. Postoperative outcomes were assessed in both the unmatched and PS-matched populations. Results: Out of 1113 patients undergoing MIMVS, 524 were young and 279 were elderly. Elderly patients were more commonly affected by multiple comorbidities, with a higher EuroSCORE II (4.6 ± 5.5% vs. 1.6 ± 3.3%, p < 0.001). There was no difference in postoperative mortality, though the elderly had a greater incidence of postoperative complications, such as re-exploration for bleeding, stroke, reintubation, and a need for hemodialysis and blood transfusions. After PS matching, 119 pairs of young and elderly patients with similar risk profiles (EuroSCORE II 2.5 ± 4.7% vs. 2.7 ± 3.2%, p = 0.7) were compared, and no differences in all postoperative outcomes were found. Conclusions: Adequately selected elderly patients can report hospital outcomes similar to young patients after MIMVS.
Osteoporosis and Normocalcemic Primary Hyperparathyroidism (Conservatively or Surgically Managed)
Authors: Gheorghe Ana-Maria , Nistor Claudiu , Ranetti Aurelian-Emil , Ciuche Adrian , Ciobica Mihai-Lucian , Stanciu Mihaela , Tanasescu Denisa , Popa Florina Ligia , Carsote Mara
Published: October 2024

Asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) involves 80–90% of the parathyroid tumor-associated cases of PHPT in the modern medical era, while normocalcemic PHPT (NPHPT) has a prevalence of 0.1–11%. We aimed to analyze the bone status and mineral metabolism in NPHPT amid conservative or surgical management. In this narrative review, we searched PubMed (between January 2020 and July 2024) via different keywords. Fourteen studies from the final analysis (388 patients with NPHPT; 1188 with PHPT; and 803 controls) showed that mean serum calcium levels varied between 2.57 and 2.26 mmol/L in NPHPT. Ten studies identified a similar 24 h urinary calcium in NPHPT versus hypercalcemic PHPT (HPHPT). Except for one study, a mandatory vitamin D analysis was performed, but the 25-hydroxyvitamin D cut-offs varied. Osteoporosis (n = 6 studies; N = 172 with NPHPT) was confirmed in 41.7–100% of NPHPT subjects. In surgery candidates, this rate might be overestimated. A DXA analysis was performed in eight studies (235 subjects with NPHPT, and 455 patients with HPHPT); two studies identified a lower BMD in HPHPT < NPHPT, but the results were not homogenous. A single study analyzed the TBS and found similar results in NPHPT. The prevalence of fractures (n = 9) varied between 7.4% and 42.8% in NPHPT. Bone turnover markers (N = 262 patients, n = 8 studies) showed lower bone formation markers in NPHPT versus PHPT (n = 3). Two studies analyzed the BMD and bone turnover markers following parathyroidectomy (161 patients, including 30 patients with NPHPT; mean ages over 60 years). To conclude, given the wide spectrum of complications associated with PHPT, an early diagnosis and proper management is essential. A more extensive screening in patients with osteoporosis and kidney stones might lead to the discovery of NPHPT, a more recently described form of PHPT. While it is still unclear whether NPHPT is an early stage of HPHPT or a separate entity, recent findings show similar osteoporosis and fracture occurrence, and an improvement in bone metabolism, following parathyroidectomy. More extensive prospective studies are crucial to understand the natural course of the disease, to reach a consensus regarding parathyroidectomy indications and surgery candidates’ selection, and to ensure proper personalized management for these patients. With the evolving diagnosis methods, PHPT has become a condition with a changing clinical presentation, which now requires modern evaluation and treatment approaches.
Thin Delivery Stents Can Obviate the Need for Additional Fistula Dilatation of Large Diameter in Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Hepaticogastrostomy
Authors: Ogata Tomoki , Kurita Yusuke , Sato Takamitsu , Yagi Shin , Hasegawa Sho , Hosono Kunihiro , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Endo Itaru , Kubota Kensuke , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) often requires fistula dilation owing to the placement of a large diameter of the delivery stent. The recently developed delivery devices, which are as thin as 5.9/6.0 Fr, may save the need for fistula dilation. Therefore, we investigated whether large fistula dilation would be required or not in the case of this newly developed thin-diameter delivery stents. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving 33 patients implemented with a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) during EUS-HGS. The patients were categorized based on the delivery device diameter into thin (n = 13; delivery device diameter: 5.9/6.0 Fr) and thick (n = 20; delivery device diameter: 8.5 Fr) groups. We compared the initial rate of success, technical success, and clinical success between the thin and thick groups. The initial rate of success was defined as successful stent placement without a balloon or large diameter mechanical dilation. Results: The rate of the initial stenting success was significantly higher in the thin group (100% [13/13]) compared with that in the thick group (65.0% [13/20]) (p = 0.027). In the thick group, seven cases with technical difficulty in terms of stent placement could be successfully completed with additional fistula dilation with a 9 Fr bougie dilator or 4 mm balloon dilator; this resulted in a technical success of 100% in both groups ultimately. The rate of clinical success was 100% and 95.0% in the thin and thick groups, respectively (p = 1.00). Conclusions: Thin delivery stents may facilitate stent placement without the need for a balloon fistula or large-diameter mechanical dilation.
The Level and Limitations of Physical Activity in Elderly Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Biernat Karolina , Marciniak Dominik M. , Mazurek Justyna , Kuciel Natalia , Hap Katarzyna , Kisiel Michał , Sutkowska Edyta
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Old age and illnesses can limit physical activity (PA). We have assessed the level of PA and its limitations in older people with diabetes (DM). Methods: Cross-sectional study, period: January and June 2024, place: Diabetes Center, subjects: patients (N = 207) > 64 years with DM), Surveying using: IPAQ, Accompanying Survey (AS). The significance was assessed by: Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Pearson’s test. The relationships between the IPAQ and the AS results were analyzed based on a meta-analysis model for variable effects, OR with a 95% CI. ROC curve was used to determine the threshold values for age, BMI. Correlations between selected key variables were evaluated using the PCA. Results: The median age: 72 years (65–87), BMI: 28.70 (18.61–49.69). The median PA level: 1837 MET-min/week (0–9.891). The individuals who obtained insufficient (n = 28), sufficient (n = 75), and high levels of PA (n = 53) were 17.95%, 48.08%, and 33.97%, respectively. Diseases were the main factor limiting PA (53.54%) in patient’s opinion, followed by the lack of a companion or motivation. The meta-analysis found no diseases linked to insufficient PA, but those with BMI > 33.3 and over 75 years old more often had insufficient PA. PCA revealed several characteristics that predispose individuals to insufficient PA. Conclusions: People over 75 years of age tend to avoid PA more than younger seniors, leading to its insufficient level, similarly like higher BMI. The individual with DM who has an insufficient level of PA is typically a single, woman, over 75, BMI > 33.
Chest Tubes and Pleural Drainage: History and Current Status in Pleural Disease Management
Authors: Sorino Claudio , Feller-Kopman David , Mei Federico , Mondoni Michele , Agati Sergio , Marchetti Giampietro , Rahman Najib M.
Published: October 2024

Thoracostomy and chest tube placement are key procedures in treating pleural diseases involving the accumulation of fluids (e.g., malignant effusions, serous fluid, pus, or blood) or air (pneumothorax) in the pleural cavity. Initially described by Hippocrates and refined through the centuries, chest drainage achieved a historical milestone in the 19th century with the creation of closed drainage systems to prevent the entry of air into the pleural space and reduce infection risk. The introduction of plastic materials and the Heimlich valve further revolutionized chest tube design and function. Technological advancements led to the availability of various chest tube designs (straight, angled, and pig-tail) and drainage systems, including PVC and silicone tubes with radiopaque stripes for better radiological visualization. Modern chest drainage units can incorporate smart digital systems that monitor and graphically report pleural pressure and evacuated fluid/air, improving patient outcomes. Suction application via wall systems or portable digital devices enhances drainage efficacy, although careful regulation is needed to avoid complications such as re-expansion pulmonary edema or prolonged air leak. To prevent recurrent effusion, particularly due to malignancy, pleurodesis agents can be applied through the chest tube. In cases of non-expandable lung, maintaining a long-term chest drain may be the most appropriate approach and procedures such as the placement of an indwelling pleural catheter can significantly improve quality of life. Continued innovations and rigorous training ensure that chest tube insertion remains a cornerstone of effective pleural disease management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the historical evolution and modern advancements in pleural drainage. By addressing both current technologies and procedural outcomes, it serves as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals aiming to optimize pleural disease management and patient care.
Prenatal mTOR Inhibitors in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Current Insights and Future Directions
Authors: Racioppi Giacomo , Proietti Checchi Martina , Sforza Giorgia , Voci Alessandra , Mazzone Luigi , Valeriani Massimiliano , Moavero Romina
Published: October 2024

Background: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) can present prenatally, often with cardiac rhabdomyomas, which, if large, may cause complications such as hydrops fetalis and reduced cardiac output. Prenatal treatment of these lesions with mTOR inhibitors, approved for other TSC manifestations, is under investigation. We hypothesize that mTOR inhibitors could help manage or prevent other TSC-related conditions, particularly neurological issues like epilepsy and CNS lesions, potentially improving neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, the safety of prenatal mTOR treatment remains a concern, especially for foetal development, and limited data are available on neurological outcomes. Methods: We conducted a literature review using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL, focusing on studies involving mTOR inhibitors for prenatal TSC management. The search included case reports and series involving pregnant women diagnosed with TSC or early manifestations like cardiac rhabdomyomas. Keywords included “mTOR Inhibitor”, “Rapamycin”, “tuberous sclerosis complex”, “prenatal”, and “rhabdomyoma”. Results: Three prenatal mouse studies and eight papers reporting on ten pregnant women treated with mTOR inhibitors were identified. Conclusions: The literature confirms that prenatal mTOR inhibitors may reduce cardiac rhabdomyomas. However, further studies are needed to explore their broader potential, particularly in preventing neurological complications, while carefully considering their impact on intrauterine growth and neurodevelopment.
Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia Secondary to Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia: Review of the Literature and Illustrative Case
Authors: Visocchi Massimiliano , Zeoli Fabio , Signorelli Francesco
Published: October 2024

Classical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by severe, unilateral facial pain, often resulting from vasculonervous conflict. A less common cause of TN is vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD). Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the preferred surgical intervention for TN, but in case of VBD, the surgical procedure is more complex due to the aberrant vascular anatomy. This study aims to review the evidence on MVD for VBD-induced TN, and analyze operative challenges, efficacy, and postoperative outcomes. An illustrative case is also presented. We report on the case of a 62-year-old male with a 7-year history of right-sided TN affecting the maxillary (V2) and mandibular (V3) territories. The patient underwent MVD using the interposition technique, where Teflon sponges were placed between the basilar artery and the nerve. Postoperatively, the patient experienced complete pain relief without neurological deficits. At 12 months follow-up, the patient remained pain-free and off medications. We performed an extensive literature review using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences, highlighting the most relevant studies and findings on the topic. The literature review showed that, while MVD is effective in providing long-term pain relief in VBD-induced TN, the choice between interposition and transposition techniques remains debated. Interposition is easier to perform but may inadvertently increase nerve compression in some cases, whereas transposition offers more definitive decompression but carries higher technical risks. Our case and the available literature highlight the importance of individualized treatment planning in achieving optimal outcomes for patients with VBD-induced TN. Further research is needed to refine surgical techniques and minimize complications in this subset of TN patients.
Selecting Appropriate Water–Energy Solutions for Desalination Projects in Coastal Areas
Authors: Shenouda Abanoub , Hagras Mona A. , Rusu Eugen , Ismael Sayed , Fayek Hady H. , Balah Ahmed
Published: October 2024

Selecting the appropriate desalination and renewable energy technologies is crucial for the success of desalination projects, as each technology offers distinct advantages and disadvantages tailored to specific project requirements. This research investigates the application of both the analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy logic techniques to develop four decision-making models: two for selecting the optimal desalination technology and two for selecting the optimal renewable energy technology in coastal communities. For desalination technology selection, the analytic hierarchy process model is structured into four hierarchical levels: the main goal, criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives. The criteria level encompasses four groups, while the sub-criteria level comprises 26 factors. The alternatives considered are reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, and multi-stage flash. In parallel, the analytic hierarchy process model for renewable energy technology selection is similarly structured, with four criteria groups and 24 sub-criteria factors. The alternatives evaluated include photovoltaic, concentrated solar power, and wind energy. Additionally, fuzzy logic models are developed for both desalination and renewable energy technology selection. These models enhance the decision-making framework by incorporating the uncertainty and vagueness that are inherent in real-world scenarios. The integration of analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy logic methodologies provide a robust approach to identifying optimal technologies, thereby supporting sustainable development in Egypt’s water–energy nexus. The research outcomes highlight the effectiveness of integrating analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy logic in decision-making processes, offering decision-makers systematic and reliable approaches for selecting the most suitable technologies to achieve sustainability in water–energy nexus projects. The results of the research indicate that the best alternative for desalination was reverse osmosis, and for renewable energy was photovoltaics.
Enhancing Signal-to-Noise Ratio in Vehicle-to-Vehicle Visible Light Communication Systems Through Diverse LED Array Transmitter Geometries
Authors: Deniz Ahmet , Oztopal Melike , Yuksel Heba
Published: October 2024

In this paper, a novel method is introduced to enhance the performance of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) visible light communication (VLC) by employing different transmitter (Tx) light-emitting diode (LED) array arrangements with different LED orientations. Improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is crucial for V2V VLC systems to provide long communication ranges. For this purpose, six transmitter configurations are proposed: single-LED transmitters, as well as 3 × 3 square-, single hexagonal-, octagonal-, 5 × 5 square-, and honeycomb hexagonal-shaped LED arrays. Indoor VLC studies using LED arrays offer a uniform SNR, while outdoor studies focus on optimizing the receiver side to enhance system performance. This paper optimizes system performance by increasing the SNR and communication range of V2V VLC systems by changing the geometry of the Tx LED array and LED orientations. A V2V VLC system using on–off keying (OOK) is modeled in MATLAB, and the SNR and bit error rate (BER) are simulated for different Tx configurations. Our results show that the honeycomb hexagonal transmitter design provides a 19% improvement in system performance with a spacing of 1 cm, and maintains a 16% improvement when the array size is reduced by a factor of 100, making it smaller than one of the smallest industrial headlight modules.
Power Losses of Oil-Bath-Lubricated Ball Bearings—A Focus on Churning Losses
Authors: de Cadier de Veauce Florian , Marchesse Yann , Touret Thomas , Changenet Christophe , Ville Fabrice , Amar Luc , Fossier Charlotte
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the power losses of rolling element bearings (REBs) lubricated using an oil bath. Experimental tests conducted on two different deep-groove ball bearings (DGBBs) provide valuable insights into the behaviour of DGBBs under different oil levels, generating essential data for developing accurate models of power losses. Observations of the oil bath dynamics reveal the formation of an oil ring at high oil levels, as observed for planetary gear trains, leading to modifications in the oil flow behaviour. The experiments demonstrate that oil bath lubrication generates power losses comparable to injection lubrication when the oil level is low. However, as the oil level increases, so do the power losses due to increased drag within the bearing. This study presents a comprehensive model for calculating drag losses. The proposed drag power loss model accounts for variations in oil level and significantly improves loss predictions. A comparison of existing models with the experimental results shows good agreement for both bearings, demonstrating the effectiveness of the developed model in accounting for oil bath height in loss calculations.
Physics-Informed Neural Networks for the Reynolds Equation with Transient Cavitation Modeling
Authors: Brumand-Poor Faras , Barlog Florian , Plückhahn Nils , Thebelt Matteo , Bauer Niklas , Schmitz Katharina
Published: October 2024

Gaining insight into tribological systems is crucial for optimizing efficiency and prolonging operational lifespans in technical systems. Experimental investigations are time-consuming and costly, especially for reciprocating seals in fluid power systems. Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) simulations offer an alternative but demand significant computational resources. Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) provide a promising solution using physics-based approaches to solve partial differential equations. While PINNs have successfully modeled hydrodynamics with stationary cavitation, they have yet to address transient cavitation with dynamic geometry changes. This contribution applies a PINN framework to predict pressure build-up and transient cavitation in sealing contacts with dynamic geometry changes. The results demonstrate the potential of PINNs for modeling tribological systems and highlight their significance in enhancing computational efficiency.
Dynamics and Control of UAVs
Authors: Guerrero-Sánchez María-Eusebia , Hernández-González Omar
Published: October 2024

In recent years, the study of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has attracted attention because of their diverse applications [...]
Digital Magnetic Sorting for Fractionating Cell Populations with Variable Antigen Expression in Cell Therapy Process Development
Authors: Bshara-Corson Savannah , Burwell Andrew , Tiemann Timothy , Murray Coleman
Published: October 2024

Cellular therapies exhibit immense potential in treating complex diseases with sustained responses. The manufacture of cell therapies involves the purification and engineering of specific cells from a donor or patient to achieve a therapeutic response upon injection. Magnetic cell sorting targeting the presence or absence of surface markers is commonly used for upfront purification. However, emerging research shows that optimal therapeutic phenotypes are characterized not only by the presence or absence of specific antigens but also by antigen density. Unfortunately, current cell purification tools like magnetic or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) lack the resolution to differentiate populations based on antigen density while maintaining scalability. Utilizing a technique known as digital magnetic sorting (DMS), we demonstrate proof of concept for a scalable, magnetic-based approach to fractionate cell populations based on antigen density level. Targeting CD4 on human leukocytes, DMS demonstrated fractionation into CD4Hi T cells and CD4Low monocytes and neutrophils as quantified by flow cytometry and single-cell RNA seq. DMS also demonstrated high throughput processing at throughputs 3–10× faster than FACS. We believe DMS can be leveraged and scaled to enable antigen density-based sorting in cell therapy manufacturing, leading to the production of more potent and sustainable cellular therapies.