bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of NLRP3 in Regulation of Antimicrobial Peptides and Estrogen Signaling in UPEC-Infected Bladder Epithelial Cells
Authors: Lindblad Anna , Wu Rongrong , Persson Katarina , Demirel Isak
Published: September 2023

The NLRP3 inflammasome, estrogen and antimicrobial peptides have all been found to have a vital role in the protection of the bladder urothelium. However, the interdependence between these protective factors during a bladder infection is currently unknown. Our aim was to investigate the role of NLRP3 in the regulation of antimicrobial peptides and estrogen signaling in bladder epithelial cells during a UPEC infection. Human bladder epithelial cells and CRISPR/Cas9-generated NLRP3-deficient cells were stimulated with the UPEC strain CFT073 and estradiol. The gene and protein expression were evaluated with microarray, qRT-PCR, western blot and ELISA. Microarray results showed that the expression of most antimicrobial peptides was reduced in CFT073-infected NLRP3-deficient cells compared to Cas9 control cells. Conditioned medium from NLRP3-deficient cells also lost the ability to suppress CFT073 growth. Moreover, NLRP3-deficient cells had lower basal release of Beta-defensin-1, Beta-defensin-2 and RNase7. The ability of estradiol to induce an increased expression of antimicrobial peptides was also abrogated in NLRP3-deficient cells. The decreased antimicrobial peptide expression might be linked to the observed reduced expression and activity of estradiol receptor beta in NLRP3-deficient cells. This study suggests that NLRP3 may regulate the release and expression of antimicrobial peptides and affect estrogen signaling in bladder epithelial cells.
A Portable Nanoporous Gold Modified Screen-Printed Sensor for Reliable and Simultaneous Multi-Vitamins Analysis
Authors: Gao Xinyu , Chen Siyu , Wang Xiaolei , Liu Honglei , Wang Xia
Published: September 2023

Despite being present in minimal amounts, vitamin B2 (VB2), vitamin C (VC), and vitamin B6 (VB6) each play indispensable roles in human metabolisms. Given that VB2, VC, and VB6 cannot be synthesized by the human body, detections of these three vitamins both in fermentation liquid where vitamins are industrially manufactured and in human serum where vitamin concentrations could be clinically controlled are of significant importance. Here, a nanoporous gold (NPAu) modified screen-printed electrode (NPAu/SPE) was fabricated to detect VB2, VC, and VB6 based on NPAu’s electro-oxidation towards vitamins. Owing to the wide separation of peak potentials among VB2, VC, and VB6, the simultaneous detection of these three vitamins was achieved by the NPAu/SPE within a potential range from −0.8 V to 0.8 V. The achieved limits of detection (LOD) for VB2, VC, and VB6 were 0.46, 6.44, and 1.92 μM, with sensitivities of 68.58, 4.77, and 15.94 μA/μM, respectively. Subsequent reliability experiments suggested that the NPAu/SPE exhibited solid anti-interference capability and repeatability. Additionally, the real-sample detection of the NPAu/SPE towards VB2, VC, and VB6 was achieved both in human serum and in fermentation liquid with comparable accuracy (the recovery rates were from 89.8% to 111.7%) as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Moreover, the portable NPAu/SPE showed comparable performance in terms of the LOD and linear dynamic range when compared to glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) limited to laboratory detection. The proposed NPAu/SPE possesses various advantageous properties including portability, easy fabrication, high sensitivity, and cost-efficiency, making it a potential candidate for clinical and industrial multi-vitamins analysis.
MicroRNA Biosensors for Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Xiaogang , Wang Ke , Luo Chunfeng , Yang Mengjie , Wu Jayne
Published: September 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main pathological type of liver cancer. Due to its insidious onset and the lack of specific early markers, HCC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, and the survival rate of patients with partial liver resection is low. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as valuable biomarkers for HCC detection, with microRNAs (miRNAs) being a particularly relevant class of short ncRNAs. MiRNAs play a crucial role in gene expression regulation and can serve as biomarkers for early HCC detection. However, the detection of miRNAs poses a significant challenge due to their small molecular weight and low abundance. In recent years, biosensors utilizing electrochemical, optical, and electrochemiluminescent strategies have been developed to address the need for simple, rapid, highly specific, and sensitive miRNA detection. This paper reviews the recent advances in miRNA biosensors and discusses in detail the probe types, electrode materials, sensing strategies, linear ranges, and detection limits of the sensors. These studies are expected to enable early intervention and dynamic monitoring of tumor changes in HCC patients to improve their prognosis and survival status.
Surface-Enhance Raman Spectroscopy Detection of Thiabendazole in Frozen Food Products: The Case of Blueberries and Their Extracts
Authors: Müller Molnár Csilla , Berghian-Groșan Camelia , Măgdaș Dana Alina , Cîntă Pînzaru Simona
Published: September 2023

To improve the control and detection methods of thiabendazole (TBZ), a fungicide and parasiticide often used in food products, we investigated the performance of the SERS technique applied to frozen blueberry fruits available on the market. TBZ-treated fruit extracts provided a multiplexed SERS feature, where the SERS bands of TBZ could be distinctly recorded among the characteristic anthocyanidins from blueberries. Quantitative SERS of TBZ in a concentration range from 20 µM to 0.2 µM has been achieved in solutions. However, quantitative multiplexed SERS is challenging due to the gradually increasing spectral background of polyphenols from extracts, which covers the TBZ signal with increasing concentration. The strategy proposed here was to employ food bentonite to filter a substantial amount of flavonoids to allow a higher SERS signal-to-background recording and TBZ recognition. Using bentonite, the LOD for SERS analysis of blueberry extracts provided a detection limit of 0.09 µM. From the relative intensity of the specific SERS bands as a function of concentration, we estimated the detection capability of TBZ to be 0.0001 mg/kg in blueberry extracts, which is two orders of magnitude lower than the maximum allowed by current regulations.
Neurodevelopmental, Mental Health, and Parenting Issues in Preterm Infants
Authors: Shaw Richard J. , Givrad Soudabeh , Poe Celeste , Loi Elizabeth C. , Hoge Margaret K. , Scala Melissa
Published: September 2023

The World Health Organization in its recommendations for the care of preterm infants has drawn attention to the need to address issues related to family involvement and support, including education, counseling, discharge preparation, and peer support. A failure to address these issues may translate into poor outcomes that extend across the lifespan. In this paper, we review the often far-reaching impact of preterm birth on the health and wellbeing of the parents and highlight the ways in which psychological stress may have a negative long-term impact on the parent-child interaction, attachment, and the styles of parenting. This paper addresses the following topics: (1) neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants, including cognitive, sensory, and motor difficulties, (2) long-term mental health issues in premature infants that include elevated rates of anxiety and depressive disorders, autism, and somatization, which may affect social relationships and quality of life, (3) adverse mental health outcomes for parents that include elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress, as well as increased rates of substance abuse, and relationship strain, (4) negative impacts on the parent-infant relationship, potentially mediated by maternal sensitivity, parent child-interactions, and attachment, and (5) impact on the parenting behaviors, including patterns of overprotective parenting, and development of Vulnerable Child Syndrome. Greater awareness of these issues has led to the development of programs in neonatal mental health and developmental care with some data suggesting benefits in terms of shorter lengths of stay and decreased health care costs.
Rapid, Landscape-Scale Assessment of Cyclonic Impacts on Mangrove Forests Using MODIS Imagery
Authors: Islam AHM Mainul , Assal Timothy J.
Published: September 2023

Cyclones are a key disturbance in mangrove ecosystems, but it is challenging to assess post-storm impacts over large areas, along with the recovery of these systems at broad temporal scales. Given the high frequency of these events in the Sundarbans region, prompt and consistent assessment of vegetation conditions is an important research need. Several studies have assessed the impact of an extreme cyclone event in 2007 (Sidr); however, there is little agreement between the extent and severity of the disturbance footprint of the cyclone, and very few studies attempted to assess vegetation recovery. We used a MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) time series (2001–2010) to calculate monthly plant productivity anomalies in Google Earth Engine. We summarized dry season anomalies to assess post-storm vegetation change and evaluate the recovery time. Approximately 2100 km2, primarily on the east side, were impacted by Sidr. The number of damaged pixels was reduced by 55% the following dry season (2008) and 93% in the dry season of 2009, indicating a near-full recovery 26 months after the event. Our results provide an additional line of evidence to provide a rapid assessment of the post-storm vegetation damage. The simple framework used can provide a comprehensive view of the extent of the damage, including lag effects on vegetation, in just a matter of months after the event.
Study on Cavitation Corrosion Properties of Titanium Alloy Radiation Rod with Different Roughnesses for Ultrasonic Casting
Authors: Yang Yilong , Zhang Ya , Liu Xuhe , Zhang Haoming
Published: September 2023

To determine the mechanism of corrosion damage caused by cavitation, the properties of titanium alloy radiation rods with different roughnesses in 2A14 aluminum melt for ultrasonic casting were studied. The corrosion morphology, weight loss/cavitated area, reaction layer and microhardness of surface section were observed, and the collapse of a single cavitation bubble was simulated. The weight loss/cavitated area caused by the physical impact of cavitation accounted for 6.4% to 8.6% of the total weight loss/cavitated area. The corrosion product was TiAl3. The reactant appeared at the Al/Ti solid–liquid interface in 4 min and the reaction layer appeared in 10 min under different roughnesses. The thickness of the work hardening layer on the surface of the material could reach 160 μm. The results show that the greater the roughness of titanium alloy in aluminum melt, the greater the rate of weight loss/cavitated area and the greater the maximum pressure in the process of cavitation bubble collapse. The evolution of the hardened layer depended on the stripping rate of the surface material caused by cavitation corrosion and the work hardening rate of the surface layer. This study provides insights to develop a new homemade Ti alloy radiation rod with better resistance to corrosion in the ultrasonic casting.
Special Issue: Functional Nanoparticles for Environmental Contaminants Removal and Agricultural Application
Authors: Tao Ran , Kong Mengmeng , Zhang Yinlong , Shen Yu
Published: September 2023

Currently, increasing demands are being placed on agricultural production, presented with the challenge of finding sustainable ways to meet the needs of the world’s growing population [...]
Investigation of Oxygen Behavior under Different Melt Flow, Diffusion Boundary Layer, and Crystal-Melt Interface in a 300 mm Silicon Crystal Growth with Cusp Magnetic Field
Authors: Sun Chenguang , Ai Xingtian , Zhang Hui , Chou Hungpang , Lyu Huiyun , Chen Guifeng
Published: September 2023

The silicon single crystals for semiconductor application are usually grown by the Czochralski (CZ) method. In this paper, we studied a 300 mm Czochralski silicon crystal grown with a cusp magnetic field to be used for an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). Different positions of the zero-Gauss plane (ZGP) under a cusp magnetic field were simulated and compared to numerical analysis. We investigated three factors that affected the oxygen concentration in the crystal, including (1) melt convection, (2) melt flow velocity near the quartz crucible wall, and (3) the diffusion boundary layer. We also studied the shape of the solid/liquid interface at the same time. The simulation results show that a change in the ZGP of the cusp magnetic field (CMF) strongly affects the convection in the melt, which leads to a difference in the thickness of the boundary layer near the wall of the quartz crucible. We investigated the relationship of the ZGP, convection in the melt, and the thickness of the boundary layer. In this way, we determined how to reduce oxygen diffusing into the melt and finally into the crystal. After simulation results were obtained, we pulled single crystals under the three configurations. The results show that the experimental data of the oxygen content and shape of the solid/liquid interfaces are consistent with the simulation results.
Influential Mechanism of Cr3C2 Content and Process Parameters on Crack Generation of Fe3Al/Cr3C2 Composites
Authors: Feng Yingkai , Liu Shaoquan , Zhao Jiayu , Zhao Lin , Liu Zhenbo
Published: September 2023

In this paper, a brake cylinder coating comprising composite material of Fe3Al and Cr3C2 mixed powder was prepared by laser cladding onto carbon structural steel. The microstructure of the cladding materials was investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The influence mechanism of the Cr3C2 content and process parameters on crack generation of Fe3Al/Cr3C2 composites were studied. The crack is mainly caused by the mismatch between the plastic phase of Fe2AlCr, the brittle phase of Fe3Al, and Cr7C3 in the cladding layer. With the increase in Cr3C2 content, Fe2AlCr and Cr7C3 in the cladding layer increased, while Fe3Al decreased. When the content of Cr7C3 is low, the cladding layer mainly reflects the plastic increase brought by Fe2AlCr; when the content of Cr7C3 is too much, the property of the cladding layer is reflected as the brittleness of Cr7C3. The number of cracks reached the lowest value at 15 wt.%. The process parameters mainly affect the dilution rate of the cladding layer and thus affect the content of Fe2AlCr.
Effect of Vanadium Layer on Microstructure and Properties of TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V)/TiAl (Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb) Dissimilar Metals Produced by Laser Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Wang Haijiang , Liu Zhanqi , Liang Jianhui , Wei Wei , Yin Guili
Published: September 2023

Dissimilar metal samples of TC4/TiAl were successfully prepared by laser additive manufacturing (LAM) technology, with pure vanadium as the interlayer. The microstructure, phase composition, element distribution and mechanical properties at the interface of TC4/V and TiAl/V were analyzed by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and backscattering diffraction (EBSD). The experimental results showed that the interface microstructure of TiAl/V is mainly composed of γ, α2 phase and V solid solution. The microstructure of the TC4/V interface is mainly composed of β-Ti and V solid solution. There are no holes, metallurgical defects or microcracks at the above two interfaces, and the interface is bonded well. With the increase in the number of deposition layers, the interface bonding depth increases, and its thickness increases from 30 μm to 80 μm. The mechanical properties tests showed that the tensile strength and elongation of dissimilar metals with two layers of V interlayer TC4/TiAl are the highest, and their values are 483 MPa and 0.35%, respectively. Compared with the one-layer V intermediate layer sample (tensile strength 405 MPa, elongation 0.24%), the tensile strength and elongation are increased by 19.2% and 45%, respectively. The tensile strength and elongation of dissimilar metals in three-layer V interlayer TC4/TiAl are the lowest, and their values are 350 MPa and 0.16%.
Four-Polarisation Camera for Anisotropy Mapping at Three Orientations: Micro-Grain of Olivine
Authors: Kamegaki Shuji , Smith Daniel , Ryu Meguya , Ng Soon Hock , Huang Hsin-Hui , Maasoumi Pegah , Vongsvivut Jitraporn , Moraru Daniel , Katkus Tomas , Juodkazis Saulius , Morikawa Junko
Published: September 2023

A four-polarisation camera was used to map the absorbance of olivine micro-grains before and after high-temperature annealing (HTA). It is shown that HTA of olivine xenoliths at above 1200 °C in O2 flow makes them magnetised. Different modes of operation of the polariscope with polarisation control before and after the sample in transmission and reflection modes were used. The reflection type was assembled for non-transparent samples of olivine after HTA. The sample for optical observation in transmission was placed on an achromatic, plastic, quarter-wavelength waveplate as a sample holder. Inspection of the sample’s birefringence (retardance), as well as absorbance, was undertaken. The best fit for the transmitted intensity or transmittance T (hence, absorbance A=−log10T) is obtainable using a simple best fit with only three orientations (from the four orientations measured by the camera). When the intensity of transmitted light at one of the orientations is very low due to a cross-polarised condition (polariser–analyser arrangement), the three-point fit can be used. The three-point fit in transmission and reflection modes was validated for T(θ)=Amp×cos(2θ−2θshift)+offset, where the amplitude Amp, offset offset, and orientation azimuth θshift were extracted for each pixel via the best fit.
Composed Effects of Electron-Hole Exchange and Near-Field Interaction in Quantum-Dot-Confined Radiative Dipoles
Authors: Díaz-Ramírez Jaime David , Huang Shiang-Yu , Cheng Bo-Long , Lo Ping-Yuan , Cheng Shun-Jen , Ramírez-Gómez Hanz Yecid
Published: September 2023

Conservation of polarization is an important requirement for reliable single-photon emitters, which, in turn, are essential building blocks for light-based quantum information processing. In this work, we study the exciton-spin dynamics in a double quantum dot under the combined effects of electron-hole exchange and Förster resonance energy transfer. By means of numerical solutions of the quantum master equation, we simulate the time-dependent spin polarization for two neighboring dots. According to our results, under some conditions, the depolarization caused by the electron-hole exchange may be slowed by the near field-induced interdot energy transfer, suggesting a new mechanism to extend the exciton coherence time. This opens doors to alternative schemes for improved solid-state quantum light sources.
Thermal Evaporation Synthesis, Optical and Gas-Sensing Properties of ZnO Nanowires
Authors: Thach Pham Hong , Khai Tran Van
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study is to synthesize and explore the relationship between the optical properties and gas-sensing performance of ZnO nanowires (NWs). Well-aligned ZnO nanowire (NW) arrays were synthesized on a silicon substrate using the thermal evaporation method without any catalyst or additive. The structures, surface morphologies, chemical compositions, and optical properties of the products were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) together with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and their gas-sensing properties for NO2 were examined. The results showed that single-crystalline ZnO NWs with high density grow uniformly and vertically on a Si substrate. The FESEM and TEM images indicate that ZnO NWs have an average diameter of roughly 135–160 nm with an average length of roughly 3.5 μm. The results from XRD confirm that the ZnO NWs have a hexagonal wurtzite structure with high crystalline quality and are highly oriented in the [0001] direction (i.e., along the c-axis). The deconvoluted O 1s peak at ~531.6 eV (29.4%) is assigned to the oxygen deficiency, indicating that the ZnO NWs contain very few oxygen vacancies. This observation is further confirmed by the PL analysis, which showed a sharp and high-intensity peak of ultraviolet (UV) emission with a suppressed deep-level (DL) emission (very high: IUV/IDL > 70), indicating the excellent crystalline quality and good optical properties of the grown NWs. In addition, the gas-sensing properties of the as-prepared ZnO NWs were investigated. The results indicated that under an operating temperature of 200 °C, the sensor based on ZnO NWs is able to detect the lowest concentration of 1.57 ppm of NO2 gas.
Multi-Modal Laser-Fabricated Nanocomposites with Non-Invasive Tracking Modality and Tuned Plasmonic Properties
Authors: Ryabchikov Yury V.
Published: September 2023

Ultrapure composite nanostructures combining semiconductor and metallic elements as a result of ultrafast laser processing are important materials for applications in fields where high chemical purity is a crucial point. Such nanocrystals have already demonstrated prospects in plasmonic biosensing by detecting different analytes like dyes and bacteria. However, the structure of the nanocomposites, as well as the control of their properties, are still very challenging due to the significant lack of research in this area. In this paper, the synthesis of silicon–gold nanoparticles was performed using various approaches such as the direct ablation of (i) a gold target immersed in a colloidal solution of silicon nanoparticles and (ii) a silicon wafer immersed in a colloidal solution of plasmonic nanoparticles. The formed nanostructures combine both plasmonic (gold) and paramagnetic (silicon) modalities observed by absorbance and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies, respectively. A significant narrowing of the size distributions of both types of two-element nanocrystals as compared to single-element ones is shown to be independent of the laser fluence. The impact of the laser ablation time on the chemical stability and the concentration of nanoparticles influencing their both optical properties and electrical conductivity was studied. The obtained results are important from a fundamental point of view for a better understanding of the laser-assisted synthesis of semiconductor–metallic nanocomposites and control of their properties for further applications.
Indentation Size Effect in Electrodeposited Nickel with Different Grain Size and Crystal Orientation
Authors: Haušild Petr , Čech Jaroslav , Karlík Miroslav , Legros Marc , Nohava Jiří , Merle Benoit
Published: September 2023

Indentation size effect at shallow indentation depths still remains a challenge as it cannot be correctly described by the Nix–Gao model based on the concept of strain gradient plasticity and geometrically necessary dislocations. The reasons for this discrepancy may be various, and multiple microstructural factors may play a role at the nanoscale. In the present paper, the breakdown of the Nix–Gao model was explored in electrodeposited nickel with different grain size/shape and crystallographic orientation. Crystallographic orientation has no significant effect on the indentation process at shallow depths if plastic deformation has already developed. On the other hand, decreasing the grain size leads to constrained plastic deformation in the grains below the indenter and to an effective plastic zone expansion. Further grain refinement down to the nanograin material leads to a change in the plastic deformation mechanisms to grain boundary-mediated deformation and a more pronounced breakdown of the Nix–Gao model.
Oxidized Graphitic-C3N4 with an Extended π-System for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Property and Behavior
Authors: Chang Yue , Dai Zhongkui , Suo Kaili , Wang Yuhang , Ren Xiaona
Published: September 2023

In this work, an oxidized g-C3N4 film was successfully synthesized using a two-step acid treatment and electrophoretic deposition method. The delocalized π-system of the oxidized g-C3N4 film was extended via an annealing treatment. We investigated the influence of hydrogen bonding reversibility and the oxidation treatment of g-C3N4 on the photoelectrochemical property and photocathodic protection for 304 stainless steel (304 SS). The resulting oxidized g-C3N4 photoelectrode with an extended π-system presents a remarkably enhanced photogenerated electron transfer capability from the photoelectrode to 304 SS (photoinduced OCP negative shift of −0.55 VAgCl) compared with oxidized g-C3N4 and protonated g-C3N4. The oxidation of g-C3N4 facilitates the formation of a porous structure and the introduction of abundant oxygen functional groups, which could promote the effective separation and transport of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. The hydrogen bonding reversibility contributes to the extension of the delocalized π-conjugation system, which could enhance light absorption efficiency. Meanwhile, the annealing treatment is beneficial for prolonging the lifetime of photoelectrons, which could reduce the recombination rate of charge carriers. In addition, to understand how the oxidation treatment and annealing treatment affect the charge transfer behavior, the electronic band structure was investigated, and we found that the oxidized g-C3N4 film with an extended π-system possesses a more negative conduction band position, which could reduce the energy barrier of the photogenerated electron transfer.
Ultrasonically Prepared Sodium Heparin-Stabilized Indocyanine Green/Nano-Hydroxyapatite Suspension for Collaborative Photodynamic and Photothermal Tumor Therapy
Authors: Song Qifa , Ding Zi-You , Li Chengyu , Fan Yiran , Tang Xinli , Han Yingchao
Published: September 2023

Indocyanine green (ICG) shows promise for diagnosing and treating tumors due to its good photothermal and fluorescent properties. In this study, sodium heparin (SH)-stabilized ICG/nano-hydroxyapatite (SH-ICG/nHAP) suspension was ultrasonically prepared to achieve photothermal and photodynamic collaborative therapy (PTT/PDT) for treating tumors. The nHAP had a short rod-like shape and a drug-loading capacity of 13.3% for ICG, corresponding to a drug-loading efficiency of 88.6%. In addition, the SH-ICG/nHAP suspension showed a very low release of ICG in PBS (7.4) and a slightly improved release in acidic buffers (6.5, 5.5), indicating an excellent binding ability of nHAP for ICG. The resulting SH-ICG/nHAP showed good suspension stability. Under an 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser, SH-ICG/nHAP showed good photothermal properties and could produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under the irradiation of an 808 nm NIR laser at 0.8 W/cm2 for 5 min, SH-ICG/nHAP was found to significantly inhibit HepG2 cells proliferation (78.58%), similar to free ICG. In vivo, SH-ICG/nHAP was found to exert an improved inhibitory effect on tumor growth compared to free ICG. Biocompatible and stable SH-ICG/nHAP suspension like this could be a promising system for the PTT/PDT of tumors.
Concordance of Abundance for Mutational EGFR and Co-Mutational TP53 with Efficacy of EGFR-TKI Treatment in Metastatic Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Youping , Liu Hong , Yu Ningjuan , Xiang Xueping
Published: September 2023

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of the mutation abundance of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its co-mutation with TP53 on the therapeutic efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment in patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In total, 130 patients (January 2018-September 2022) with metastatic LUAD from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were included. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to measure the duration of drug application (DDA) and the log-rank test was used to compare differences. Univariate and multivariate analyses of Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the association between the relevant clinicopathological factors and DDA. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were also calculated. Among the 130 patients who were treated with first-generation EGFR-TKIs, 86 showed high-EGFR mutation abundance (>22.0%) and 44 showed low-EGFR mutation abundance (≤22.0%). Patients in the high-EGFR group had a greater DDA than those in the low-EGFR group (p < 0.05). The results of the subgroup analysis were consistent with those of the total mutation population (exon19: >18.5% vs. ≤18.5%, 14 months vs. 10 months, p = 0.049; exon21: >22.0% vs. ≤22.0%, 15 months vs. 9 months, p = 0.005). In addition, the mutation abundance of TP53 was negatively correlated with the DDA (p < 0.05). Patients in the combination group had a better DDA than those in the monotherapy group (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that, among the low mutation abundance of the EGFR exon 21 or 19 cohort, the combination group had a better DDA than the monotherapy group (p < 0.05). An EGFR mutation abundance greater than 22.0% was a positive predictor of DDA in patients with metastatic LUAD. However, a TP53 mutation abundance higher than 32.5% could reverse this situation. Finally, first-line treatment with EGFR-TKIs plus chemotherapy is a potential treatment strategy for patients with low-abundance EGFR mutations.
Assessing and Preparing Patients for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Canada: An Environmental Scan of Psychosocial Care
Authors: Beattie Sara , Qureshi Maryam , Pink Jennifer , Gajtani Zen , Feldstain Andrea
Published: September 2023

Recipients and caregivers of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HCT) have extensive physical and psychosocial needs. HCT programs recognize the need to support psychosocial wellbeing. However, evidence-based guidance for pre-HCT psychosocial services is sparse. We conducted a qualitative environmental scan of programs across Canada to better understand how programs evaluate and support patients and caregivers prior to HCT. Methods: HCT programs across Canada were contacted with a list of questions about their psychosocial assessment and preparation process with patients and caregivers. They could respond via email or participate in an interview over the phone. Descriptive qualitative content analysis was conducted, using steps outlined by Vaismoradi and colleagues (2013). Results: Most participants were social workers from hospitals (64%). Four qualitative themes arose: (a) Psychosocial Team Composition. Psychosocial assessment for HCT patients was often provided by social workers, with limited availability of psychologists and psychiatrists. (b) Criteria for assessing select HCT patients. Participants prioritized psychosocial assessments for patients with higher perceived psychosocial needs or risk, and/or according to transplant type. Limited time and high psychosocial staff demands also played into decision-making. (c) Components and Practices of Pre-HCT Psychosocial Assessment. Common components and differences of assessments were identified, as well as a lack of standardized tools. (d) Patient Education Sessions. Many sites provided adjunct patient education sessions, of varying depth. Conclusion: Significant variation exists in the way programs across the country assess their patients’ psychosocial pre-transplant needs and assist in preparing patients for the psychosocial aspects of HCT. This environmental scan identified several strategies used in diverse ways. Further in-depth research on program outcomes across Canada could help to identify which strategies are the most successful.
The Intestinal Microbiota in the Development of Chronic Liver Disease: Current Status
Authors: Stojic Josip , Kukla Michał , Grgurevic Ivica
Published: September 2023

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a significant global health burden, leading to millions of deaths annually. The gut–liver axis plays a pivotal role in this context, allowing the transport of gut-derived products directly to the liver, as well as biological compounds from the liver to the intestine. The gut microbiota plays a significant role in maintaining the health of the digestive system. A change in gut microbiome composition as seen in dysbiosis is associated with immune dysregulation, altered energy and gut hormone regulation, and increased intestinal permeability, contributing to inflammatory mechanisms and damage to the liver, irrespective of the underlying etiology of CLD. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge about the composition of the intestinal microbiome in healthy individuals and those with CLD, including the factors that affect this composition, the impact of the altered microbiome on the liver, and the mechanisms by which it occurs. Furthermore, this review analyzes the effects of gut microbiome modulation on the course of CLD, by using pharmacotherapy, nutrition, fecal microbiota transplantation, supplements, and probiotics. This review opens avenues for the translation of knowledge about gut–liver interplay into clinical practice as an additional tool to fight CLD and its complications.
A Radiomic-Based Machine Learning System to Diagnose Age-Related Macular Degeneration from Ultra-Widefield Fundus Retinography
Authors: Interlenghi Matteo , Sborgia Giancarlo , Venturi Alessandro , Sardone Rodolfo , Pastore Valentina , Boscia Giacomo , Landini Luca , Scotti Giacomo , Niro Alfredo , Moscara Federico , Bandi Luca , Salvatore Christian , Castiglioni Isabella
Published: September 2023

The present study was conducted to investigate the potential of radiomics to develop an explainable AI-based system to be applied to ultra-widefield fundus retinographies (UWF-FRTs) with the objective of predicting the presence of the early signs of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and stratifying subjects with low- versus high-risk of AMD. The ultimate aim was to provide clinicians with an automatic classifier and a signature of objective quantitative image biomarkers of AMD. The use of Machine Learning (ML) and radiomics was based on intensity and texture analysis in the macular region, detected by a Deep Learning (DL)-based macular detector. Two-hundred and twenty six UWF-FRTs were retrospectively collected from two centres and manually annotated to train and test the algorithms. Notably, the combination of the ML-based radiomics model and the DL-based macular detector reported 93% sensitivity and 74% specificity when applied to the data of the centre used for external testing, capturing explainable features associated with drusen or pigmentary abnormalities. In comparison to the human operator’s annotations, the system yielded a 0.79 Cohen κ, demonstrating substantial concordance. To our knowledge, these results are the first provided by a radiomic approach for AMD supporting the suitability of an explainable feature extraction method combined with ML for UWF-FRT.
Immunohistochemical Staining Characteristics of Low-Grade Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Using the ADH5 Cocktail (CK5/14, P63, and CK7/18): A Potential Interpretative Pitfall
Authors: Al-Refai Reham , Bendari Ahmed , Morrar Doaa , Sham Sunder , Kataw Layth , Garajayev Azar , Hajiyeva Sabina
Published: September 2023

Background: In our practice, the antibody cocktail ADH5 (CK5/14, p63, and CK7/18) helps with diagnostic challenges, such as identifying microinvasion and foci of invasive carcinoma, differentiating atypical ductal hyperplasia from hyperplasia of the usual type, and distinguishing basal phenotypes in triple-negative carcinomas. However, the ADH5 cocktail does have pitfalls and caveats. Methods: We describe our experience with the ADH5 cocktail of antibodies in breast pathology. Institutional knowledge and a literature search form our data sources. Results: We analyzed 44 cases. Four out of a total of 44 cases (9.1%)—two tubular carcinomas and two low-grade invasive breast carcinomas of no special type (ductal) with tubular features—showed an expected pattern of staining for ADH5 with a loss of brown (P63, CK5/14) staining around invasive glands and diffuse red (CK7/18) expression. Forty out of 44 (90.9%) cases showed an unexpected staining pattern (mixture of cytoplasmic brown and red). All 44 cases (100%) showed negative myoepithelial staining around invasive foci when separately stained for P63 and SMMH (Smooth Muscle Myosin Heavy). Conclusions: The unexpected staining pattern of ADH5 in low-grade invasive ductal carcinomas can be challenging to interpret in these lesions with low-grade cytology. The occurrence can cause confusion among users who employ multiplex stains, and it is important for users to be aware of this potential pitfall.
Low-Cost Point-of-Care Monitoring of ALT and AST Is Promising for Faster Decision Making and Diagnosis of Acute Liver Injury
Authors: Chinnappan Raja , Mir Tanveer Ahmad , Alsalameh Suliman , Makhzoum Tariq , Alzhrani Alaa , Al-Kattan Khaled , Yaqinuddin Ahmed
Published: September 2023

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are important liver enzymes in clinical settings. Their levels are known to be elevated in individuals with underlying liver diseases and those consuming hepatotoxic drugs. Serum ALT and AST levels are crucial for diagnosing and assessing liver diseases. Serum ALT is considered the most reliable and specific candidate as a disease biomarker for liver diseases. ALT and AST levels are routinely analyzed in high-risk individuals for the bioanalysis of both liver function and complications associated with drug-induced liver injury. Typically, ALT and AST require blood sampling, serum separation, and testing. Traditional methods require expensive or sophisticated equipment and trained specialists, which is often time-consuming. Therefore, developing countries have limited or no access to these methods. To address the above issues, we hypothesize that low-cost biosensing methods (paper-based assays) can be applied to the analysis of ALT and AST levels in biological fluids. The paper-based biodetection technique can semi-quantitatively measure ALT and AST from capillary finger sticks, and it will pave the way for the development of an inexpensive and rapid alternative method for the early detection and diagnosis of liver diseases. This method is expected to significantly reduce the economic burden and aid routine clinical analysis in both developed and underdeveloped countries. The development of low-cost testing platforms and their diagnostic utility will be extremely beneficial in helping millions of patients with liver disorders.
Ultrasound Doppler Findings in Fetal Vascular Malperfusion Due to Umbilical Cord Abnormalities: A Pilot Case Predictive for Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Saji Shota , Hasegawa Junichi , Koike Junki , Takatsuki Misato , Furuya Natsumi , Suzuki Nao
Published: September 2023

Fetal Vascular Malperfusion (FVM), a pathologic condition in the feto-placental circulation, is a chronic vaso-occlusive disorder in the umbilical venous blood flow. Microthrombi are caused by the umbilical cord’s blood flow deficiency in a congested umbilical vein, which also causes microvascular damage to fetal organs, especially the brain, resulting in cerebral palsy. Thrombo-occlusive events also adversely affect the upstream chorionic or stem vessels in the placenta, resulting in fetal growth restriction and fetal hypoxia. An umbilical cord structural anomaly or multiple entanglements may involve FVM. In the present report, we demonstrate a case of FVM caused by multiple umbilical cord abnormalities obtained from antenatal ultrasound Doppler findings, and we also discuss FVM, which is chronically associated with CP, comparing the ultrasonographic findings to the pathologic findings.
A New Way to Model Periodontitis in Laboratory Animals
Authors: Moiseev Denis , Donskov Sergey , Dubrovin Ivan , Kulyukina Mariya , Vasil’ev Yuriy , Volel Beatrice , Shadieva Shodiya , Babaev Aleksey , Shevelyuk Juliya , Utyuzh Anatolij , Velichko Ellina , Dydykin Sergey , Dydykina Irina , Paramonov Yuri , Faustova Ekaterina
Published: September 2023

The prevalence of periodontal diseases is increasing, tends to increase with age and is considered as one of the main causes of tooth loss. To assess the effectiveness of new methods of treatment of periodontal diseases, studies on laboratory animals can be promising. The aim of the study: to develop a new method of accelerated modeling of experimental periodontitis on laboratory animals. Material and methods. The study was carried out on 22 female rats. A wire ligature was applied to the cervical area of the incisors of the animals in an eight-shaped manner. Plaque obtained from a patient with periodontitis was placed under the wire, and nicotine and ethyl alcohol solutions were injected under the gingival mucosa. A complex index has been proposed to assess inflammation. At the end of the experiment the animals were euthanized, their jaws were dissected into dentoalveolar blocks and further descriptive histologic analysis was performed. Results. On the second day the gingiva of the rats acquired a cyanotic-pink color, on the fourth day the consistency of the gingiva became friable, mobility appeared in the lower incisors. Complex index of inflammation in animals of the main group: before the study—9, on the 7th day—195. Gingival preparations showed signs of exudative inflammation. In alveolar processes—irreversible resorption of bone structures. The difference of indicators in animals before and after the experiment was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The new experimental model of periodontitis is reproduced in a short period of time, provides intensive development of inflammation, leads to disruption of the integrity of epithelial and connective tissue attachment, destruction of alveolar bone.
Mapping the Urban Environments of Aedes aegypti Using Drone Technology
Authors: Valdez-Delgado Kenia Mayela , Garcia-Salazar Octavio , Moo-Llanes David A. , Izcapa-Treviño Cecilia , Cruz-Pliego Miguel A. , Domínguez-Posadas Gustavo Y. , Armendáriz-Valdez Moisés O. , Correa-Morales Fabián , Cisneros-Vázquez Luis Alberto , Ordóñez-González José Genaro , Fernández-Salas Ildefonso , Danis-Lozano Rogelio
Published: September 2023

Aedes aegypti is widely distributed worldwide and is the main vector mosquito for dengue, one of the most important infectious diseases in middle- and low-income countries. The landscape composition and vegetation cover determine appropriate environments for this mosquito to breed, and it is fundamental to define the most affordable methodology to understand these landscape variables in urban environments. The proposed methodology integrated drone technologies and traditional entomological surveillance to strengthen our knowledge about areas suitable for Ae. aegypti infestation. We included an analysis using the vegetation indexes, NDVI and NDVIRe, and their association with Ae. aegypti larvae and adults in houses from the El Vergel neighborhood Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. We used drone technology to obtain high-resolution photos and performed multispectral orthomosaic constructions for the data of vegetation indexes with a kernel density analysis. A negative binomial regression was performed to determine the association between the numbers of Ae. aegypti larvae and adults with the kernel density based on NDVI and NDVIRe. Medium and high values of kernel density of NDVIRe (both p-value < 0.05) and NDVI (both p-value < 0.05) were associated with a higher amount of mosquito adults per houses. The density of Ae. aegypti larvae per house did not show an association with medium and high values of NDVIRe (both p-value > 0.05) and NDVI (both p-value > 0.05). The vegetation indexes, NDVI and NDVIRe, have potential as precise predictors of Ae. aegypti adult mosquito circulation in urban environments. Drone technology can be used to map and obtain landscape characteristics associated with mosquito abundance in urban environments.
An Operational Capacity Assessment Method for an Urban Low-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Logistics Route Network
Authors: Yi Jia , Zhang Honghai , Wang Fei , Ning Changyuan , Liu Hao , Zhong Gang
Published: September 2023

The Federal Aviation Administration introduced the concept of urban air mobility (UAM), a new three-dimensional transport system that operates with a fusion of manned/unmanned aerial vehicles on an urban or intercity scale. The rapid development of UAM has brought innovation and dynamism to many industries, especially in the field of logistics. Various types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for use in transport logistics are being designed and produced. UAV logistics refers to the use of UAVs, usually carrying goods and parcels, to achieve route planning, identify risk perception, facilitate parcel delivery, and carry out other functions. This research provides a method for assessing the operational capacity of a UAV logistics route network. The concept of “logistics UAV route network operation capacity” is defined, and a bi-objective optimization model for assessing the route network’s operating capacity is developed. The first objective is to maximize the number of UAV logistics delivery plans that can be executed in a fixed operation time. The second objective is to minimize the total operational impedance value in a fixed operation time. To solve the bi-objective optimization model, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II) is utilized. A UAV logistics route network with 62 nodes is developed to assess the rationale and validity of the proposed concept. The experiments show that with an increase in operation time, the route network’s optimal operational capacity gradually increases, the convergence speed of the algorithm slows down, and the optimization magnitude gradually reduces. Two key parameters—operational safety interval and flight speed—are further analyzed in the experiments. According to the experiments, as the safety interval increases, the route network’s average operational capacity steadily diminishes, as does its sensitivity to the safety interval. The average operational capacity steadily rose with the rise in flight speed, especially when the UAV logistics flight speed was between 10 m/s and 10.5 m/s. In that range, the operational capacity of the route network was substantially impacted by the flight speed.
Impacts of Drone Flight Altitude on Behaviors and Species Identification of Marsh Birds in Florida
Authors: Orange Jeremy , Bielefeld Ronald , Cox William , Sylvia Andrea
Published: September 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (hereafter drones) are rapidly replacing manned aircraft as the preferred tool used for aerial wildlife surveys, but questions remain about which survey protocols are most effective and least impactful on wildlife behaviors. We evaluated the effects of drone overflights on nontarget species to inform the development of a Florida mottled duck (MODU; Anas fulvigula fulvigula) survey. Our objectives were to (1) evaluate the effect of flight altitude on the behavior of marsh birds, (2) evaluate the effect of altitude on a surveyor’s ability to identify the species of detected birds, and (3) test protocols for upcoming MODU surveys. We flew 120 continuously moving transects at altitudes ranging from 12 to 91 m and modeled variables that influenced detection, species identification, and behavior of nontarget species. Few marsh birds were disturbed during drone flights, but we were unable to confidently detect birds at the two highest altitudes, and we experienced difficulties identifying the species of birds detected in video collected at 30 m. Our findings indicate that MODUs could be surveyed at altitudes as low as 12–30 m with minimal impact to adjacent marsh birds and that larger-bodied nontarget marsh species can be identified from videos collected during MODU drone surveys.