bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Outcome and Prognosis of a Nosocomial Outbreak of COVID-19
Authors: Kim Sang Hyuk , Kim Taehee , Choi Hayoung , Shin Tae Rim , Sim Yun Su
Published: March 2023

Nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks have been reported despite widespread quarantine methods to prevent COVID-19 in society and hospitals. Our study was performed to investigate the clinical outcome and prognosis of a nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients diagnosed with nosocomial COVID-19 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) at a university teaching hospital between 1 November 2021 and 31 April 2022. Nosocomial COVID-19 was defined as a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result 4 or more days after admission in asymptomatic patients who had a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test on admission. In this study, 167 patients were diagnosed with nosocomial COVID-19 (1.14%) among a total of 14,667 patients admitted to hospital during the study period. A total of 153 patients (91.6%) survived, but 14 patients (8.4%) died. The median time between admission and COVID-19 diagnosis was 11 days, and the median duration of hospital stay was 24 days. After adjusting for other factors, no vaccination (adjusted HR = 5.944, 95% CI = 1.626–21.733, p = 0.007) and chronic kidney disease (adjusted HR = 6.963, 95% CI = 1.182–41.014, p = 0.032) were found to increase mortality risk. Despite strict quarantine, a significant number of nosocomial COVID-19 cases with a relatively high mortality rate were reported. As unvaccinated status or chronic kidney disease were associated with poor outcomes of nosocomial COVID-19, more active preventive strategies and treatments for patients with these risk factors are needed.
Cognitive Dysfunction, an Increasingly Valued Long-Term Impairment in Acromegaly
Authors: Chen Juan , Xiang Zhigao , Zhang Zhuo , Yang Yan , Shu Kai , Lei Ting
Published: March 2023

Acromegaly is a chronic disease caused by the overproduction of growth hormone (GH) and accompanying insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is often caused by GH-secreting pituitary adenomas. In addition to its somatic burden, a growing number of studies have found that patients suffering from acromegaly exhibit psychosocial and personality changes. Over the past 70 years, there has been increasing interest in the cognitive impairment and neuropsychological issues of patients with acromegaly, and a variety of neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests have been used to measure cognitive changes in patients. The impact of disease progression status, treatment modalities, and various comorbidities on cognitive function and the mechanisms of cognitive impairment in patients with acromegaly are therefore outlined in this review. Multidisciplinary assessment has important implications for the management of acromegaly, particularly in relation to cognitive function. Here, we summarize the relevant literature concerning cognitive-behavioral research on acromegaly to demonstrate the impact of long-term impairment caused by GH and IGF-1 on the cognitive behavior of patients.
Clinical Significance of Corneal Striae in Thyroid Associated Orbitopathy
Authors: Liao Xulin , Aljufairi Fatema Mohamed Ali Abdulla , Lai Kenneth Ka Hei , Chan Karen Kar Wun , Jia Ruofan , Chen Wanxue , Hu Zhichao , Wei Yingying , Chu Winnie Chiu Wing , Tham Clement Chee Yung , Pang Chi Pui , Chong Kelvin Kam Lung
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To elucidate the clinical implications of corneal striae (CS) in thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO) patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the presence of CS was confirmed after topical fluorescein staining on a slit lamp for consecutive treatment-naive TAO patients. Orbital parameters, including margin reflex distances, lagophthalmos, exophthalmos, intraocular pressure and radiological measurements, were compared between eyes with and without CS. The largest cross-sectional areas of each rectus muscle were measured by segmenting the T1-weighted (T1W) magnetic resonance images (MRI). The logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between CS and orbital parameters and rectus muscle measurements. Results: Fifty-three consecutive TAO patients (presenting age 46.47 ± 14.73 years, clinical activity score 1.77 ± 1.25) who had unilateral CS were enrolled. In univariate analysis, both the degree of lagophthalmos and the area of the levator palpebrae superioris–superior rectus complex (LPS/SR) on T1W MRI were significantly larger in CS eyes compared to eyes without CS (p < 0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that CS in TAO patients were significantly associated with the degree of lagophthalmos (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.18–2.61, p < 0.05) and LPS/SR area (OR = 19.27, 95% CI: 1.43–259.32, p < 0.05) but not with the other parameters. CS could predict LPS/SR enlargement and larger lagophthalmos in TAO (p < 0.05). The largest cross-sectional areas of LPS/SR and inferior rectus were positively correlated with clinical activity scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The presence of CS in TAO eye is significantly associated with LPS/SR enlargement and worse lagophthalmos. CS might be evaluated further as a potential ocular surface biomarker to identify upper lid and LPS/SR involvement in TAO.
Can Ampullary G1 and G2 Neuroendocrine Tumors Be Cured by Endoscopic Papillectomy?
Authors: Zhang Wengang , Chai Ningli , Linghu Enqiang
Published: March 2023

Objectives: At present, pancreaticoduodenectomy or local excision are the main treatment options for ampullary neuroendocrine tumors of any size with no distant spread. Endoscopic papillectomy provided a super minimally invasive treatment method for ampullary lesions. However, the studies of endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary neuroendocrine tumors were very limited. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary neuroendocrine tumors. Methods: Between August 2007 and June 2021, seven patients with ampullary neuroendocrine tumors with no advanced signs underwent endoscopic papillectomy in our center. We assessed and analyzed the related clinical outcomes. Moreover, a comprehensive literature review was conducted. Results: All the seven cases underwent endoscopic papillectomy successfully; six (85.7%) of them achieved the complete resection. No recurrence occurred over a median follow-up of 48 months (range 6–172 months). Moreover, 22 cases from the comprehensive search were included, and showed a promising clinical outcome. Conclusions: Endoscopic papillectomy appeared to be a feasible way to treat ampullary neuroendocrine tumors without the advanced signs, although further prospectively multicenter studies are warranted.
Recent Trends in Treatment and Fabrication of Plant-Based Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composite: A Review
Authors: Birniwa Abdullahi Haruna , Abdullahi Shehu Sa’ad , Ali Mujahid , Mohammad Rania Edrees Adam , Jagaba Ahmad Hussaini , Amran Mugahed , Avudaiappan Siva , Maureira-Carsalade Nelson , Flores Erick I. Saavedra
Published: March 2023

Natural fiber (NF) is one of the many resources that nature has provided. NFs decompose quickly and are biodegradable, renewable, and cost-effective. It may be scavenged from a variety of plant and animal sources. They are employed as reinforcing materials in polymers for NF composite development. Because of its environmental friendliness and long-term survivability, NF is growing in appeal among academics and researchers for usage in polymer composites. This study aims to offer a thorough evaluation of the most suitable and widely utilized natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs), along with their manufacture, processing, and applications. It also defines several external treatments of NF and their influence on the characteristics of NFPCs. The characteristics of NFPCs are affected by fiber supply, fiber type, and fiber structure. Numerous physical and chemical treatments were tested to see how they affected the thermal and strength properties of natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic and thermosetting composites. Several polymer composite fabrication techniques were also studied. NFPCs have several disadvantages, notably low fire protection, poor strength properties, and greater moisture absorption, which have prevented their application. It is shown how NFPCs are employed in a variety of industries, particularly automotive and research industries. The review discovered that intentionally changing the regular fiber enhanced the thermochemical and physico-mechanical properties of the NFPCs by means of improving the grip between the fiber surface and the polymer framework. This study aims to provide important and fundamental facts on NF and their composites, which will aid in new investigations, the creation of a creative framework for polymer composite types, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.
Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Sandwich Composite Panels Made with Recyclates and Flax Fiber/Bio-Based Epoxy Processed by Liquid Composite Molding
Authors: Ravindran Bharath , Feuchter Michael , Schledjewski Ralf
Published: March 2023

Despite significant advancements in bio-based natural-fiber-reinforced composites, the recyclability/reprocessing of thermoset composites remains a persistent challenge that needs to be addressed. In the present study, an effort is made to provide a justification for the recyclability/reprocessing assessment of sandwich composite panels made with ‘recyclate’ (i.e., recycled flax/bio-based epoxy composite) cores and (flax/bio-based epoxy) skins produced by liquid composite molding. Resin transfer molding and vacuum-assisted resin infusion processes were used to investigate the influence of production processes on mechanical properties. Two different recyclate sizes—4 mm and 10 mm—were used to fabricate sandwich composite panels to study the effect of size on the mechanical properties of the panels. This study aims to compare the qualities of sandwich panels to those of virgin composite panels in terms of their physical (density) and mechanical properties (tensile and flexural). Additionally, the recyclate packing was verified by employing digital microscopy. The results illustrated that the sandwich panels made with the 4 mm recyclates exhibited better mechanical properties compared to those made with the 10 mm recyclates. In comparison with virgin composite panels, the sandwich composite panels made of flax fiber and (flax/epoxy) recyclate exhibited significantly higher flexural moduli, which was attributed to their moments of inertia. This article emphasizes recycling/reprocessing and demonstrates an effective closed-loop approach. Thus, by preserving the structural integrity of recyclates, sandwich panels could be advantageous for semi-structural applications.
Failure Analysis and Intelligent Identification of Critical Friction Pairs of an Axial Piston Pump
Authors: Zhu Yong , Zhou Tao , Tang Shengnan , Yuan Shouqi
Published: March 2023

Hydraulic axial piston pumps are the power source of fluid power systems and have important applications in many fields. They have a compact structure, high efficiency, large transmission power, and excellent flow variable performance. However, the crucial components of pumps easily suffer from different faults. It is therefore important to investigate a precise fault identification method to maintain reliability of the system. The use of deep models in feature learning, data mining, automatic identification, and classification has led to the development of novel fault diagnosis methods. In this research, typical faults and wears of the important friction pairs of piston pumps were analyzed. Different working conditions were considered by monitoring outlet pressure signals. To overcome the low efficiency and time-consuming nature of traditional manual parameter tuning, the Bayesian algorithm was introduced for adaptive optimization of an established deep learning model. The proposed method can explore potential fault feature information from the signals and adaptively identify the main fault types. The average diagnostic accuracy was found to reach up to 100%, indicating the ability of the method to detect typical faults of axial piston pumps with high precision.
Biocontrol of Diseases Caused by Phytophthora capsici and P. parasitica in Pepper Plants
Authors: Santos Mila , Diánez Fernando , Sánchez-Montesinos Brenda , Huertas Victoria , Moreno-Gavira Alejandro , Esteban García Belén , Garrido-Cárdenas José A. , Gea Francisco J.
Published: March 2023

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of Trichoderma aggressivum f. europaeum, T. longibrachiatum, Paecilomyces variotii, and T. saturnisporum as biological control agents (BCAs) against diseases caused by P. capsici and P. parasitica in pepper. For this purpose, their antagonistic activities were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. We analysed the expression patterns of five defence related genes, CaBGLU, CaRGA1, CaBPR1, CaPTI1, and CaSAR8.2, in leaves. All BCAs showed a high in vitro antagonistic activity, significantly reducing the mycelial growth of P. capsici and P. parasitica. The treatments with T. aggressivum f. europaeum, T. longibrachiatum, and P. variotii substantially reduced the severity of the disease caused by P. capsici by 54, 76, and 70%, respectively, and of the disease caused by P. parasitica by 66, 55, and 64%, respectively. T. saturnisporum had the lowest values of disease reduction. Reinoculation with the four BCAs increased the control of both plant pathogens. Markedly different expression patterns were observed in the genes CaBGLU, CaRGA1, and CaSAR8.2. Based on the results, all four BCAs under study could be used as a biological alternative to chemicals for the control of P. capsici and P. parasitica in pepper with a high success rate.
Immunotherapy Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 in Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Yang Tinglin , Li Wenhui , Huang Tao , Zhou Jun
Published: March 2023

The advent of immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has revolutionized antitumor therapy. Programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) are among the most promising targets for encouraging the immune system to eliminate cancer cells. PD-1/PD-L1 have made clinical remission for numerous solid tumors, including metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In recent years, integrating PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors into existing treatments in early-stage TNBC has attracted wide attention. Herein, we summarize the clinical benefit of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and targeted therapy in early-stage TNBC. Possible immunotherapy biomarkers, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and the key challenges faced in TNBC anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy are also concluded. Numerous studies on immunotherapy are ongoing, and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have demonstrated great clinical prospects in early-stage TNBC. To maximize the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, further research into the challenges which still exist is necessary.
Pain Trajectory after Short-Stay Anorectal Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Zhang Yujiao , Xia Yangyang , Yong Yue , Zhou Yalan , Yin Zhiyu , Wang Jing , Mei Ling , Song Wei , Wang Jian , Song Jiangang
Published: March 2023

The evolution of pain after anorectal surgery has not been well characterized. The main objective of this study is to evaluate patterns in acute postoperative pain in patients undergoing short-stay anorectal surgery. A total of 217 patients were included in the study, which used group-based trajectory modeling to estimate postoperative pain and then examined the relationships between sociodemographic or surgical factors and pain trajectories. Three distinct postoperative pain trajectories were determined: hemorrhoidectomy (OR, 0.15), higher anxiety (OR, 3.26), and a higher preoperative pain behavior score (OR, 3.15). In multivariate analysis, they were associated with an increased likelihood of being on the high pain trajectory. The pain trajectory group was related to postoperative analgesic use (p < 0.001), with the high-low group needing more nonsteroidal analgesics. The study showed that there were three obvious pain trajectories after anorectal surgery, including an unreported low-moderate-low type. More than 60% of patients maintained moderate to severe pain within 7 days after the operation. These postoperative pain trajectories were predominantly defined by surgery factors and patient factors.
Association of Glycosylation-Related Genes with Different Patterns of Immune Profiles and Prognosis in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Jing Wanling , Zhang Runjie , Chen Xinyi , Zhang Xuemei , Qiu Jin
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: Although the application of modern diagnostic tests and vaccination against human papillomavirus has markedly reduced the incidence and mortality of early cervical cancer, advanced cervical cancer still has a high death rate worldwide. Glycosylation is closely associated with tumor invasion, metabolism, and the immune response. This study explored the relationship among glycosylation-related genes, the immune microenvironment, and the prognosis of cervical cancer. (2) Methods and results: Clinical information and glycosylation-related genes of cervical cancer patients were downloaded from the TCGA database and the Molecular Signatures Database. Patients in the training cohort were split into two subgroups using consensus clustering. A better prognosis was observed to be associated with a high immune score, level, and status using ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA analyses. The differentially expressed genes were revealed to be enriched in proteoglycans in cancer and the cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, as well as in the PI3K/AKT and the Hippo signaling pathways according to functional analyses, including GO, KEGG, and PPI. The prognostic risk model generated using the univariate Cox regression analysis, LASSO algorithm and multivariate Cox regression analyses, and prognostic nomogram successfully predicted the survival and prognosis of cervical cancer patients. (3) Conclusions: Glycosylation-related genes are correlated with the immune microenvironment of cervical cancer and show promising clinical prediction value.
The Mechanism of Identification and Management of Risks Affecting the Process of Supporting Creativity Based on the Sample from the Slovak Academic Environment
Authors: Tumová Dominika , Mičiak Martin
Published: March 2023

This article focuses on risks while supporting creativity. This represents a knowledge gap that is addressed. The employees’ creativity is desired, but there is often no approach process to its support. The implementation is affected by risks needed to be managed. The aim was to create a mechanism for managing risks within the support of creativity in organizations, including commercial companies and others, e.g., sports clubs. Content analysis, case studies, questionnaire surveys, or models were applied. The results combined secondary (cases) and primary data (survey with two groups of respondents). The findings showed that when creativity is supported, people are willing to increase their performance (50% of academicians, 88.78% of students). The process is negatively affected by the lack of managerial skills and the interconnectedness of processes. Organizations should increase their managers’ skills. A proactive approach to risk prevention leads to continuous improvement. A procedure was selected when the potential of applying findings from the academic environment to other organizations was identified. A generalization of the findings was performed so that the research results can be applied in different environments after considering their specificities. The recommendations include the process for supporting creativity, the identification of risks, and the risk management mechanism.
How Spatial Resolution of Remote Sensing Image Affects Earthquake Triggered Landslide Detection: An Example from 2022 Luding Earthquake, Sichuan, China
Authors: Huang Yu , Zhang Jianqiang , Zhang Lili , Ming Zaiyang , He Haiqing , Chen Rong , Ge Yonggang , Liu Rongkun
Published: March 2023

The magnitude 6.8 Luding earthquake that occurred on 5 September 2022, triggered multiple large-scale landslides and caused a heavy loss of life and property. The investigation of earthquake-triggered landslides (ETLs) facilitates earthquake disaster assessments, rescue, reconstruction, and other post-disaster recovery efforts. Therefore, it is important to obtain landslide inventories in a timely manner. At present, landslide detection is mainly conducted manually, which is time-consuming and laborious, while a machine-assisted approach helps improve the efficiency and accuracy of landslide detection. This study uses a fully convolutional neural network algorithm with the Adam optimizer to automatically interpret the aerial and satellite data of landslides. However, due to the different resolutions of the remote sensing images, the detected landslides vary in boundary and quantity. In this study, we conducted an assessment in the study area of Wandong village in the earthquake-affected area of Luding. UAV images, GF-6 satellite images, and Landsat 8 satellite images, with a resolution of 0.2 m, 2 m, and 15 m, respectively, were selected to detect ETLs. Then, the accuracy of the results was compared and verified with visual detection results and field survey data. The study indicates that as the resolution decreases, the accuracy of landslide detection also decreases. The overall landslide area detection rate of UAV imagery can reach 82.17%, while that of GF-6 and Landsat 8 imagery is only 52.26% and 48.71%. The landslide quantity detection rate of UAV imagery can reach 99.07%, while that of GF-6 and Landsat 8 images is only 48.71% and 61.05%. In addition, for each landslide detected, little difference is found in large-scale landslides, and it becomes more difficult to correctly detect small-scale landslides as the resolution decreases. For example, landslides under 100 m2 could not be detected from a Landsat 8 satellite image.
Horst-Controlled Karstification in the Bakony Region (Hungary)
Authors: Veress Márton
Published: March 2023

The karst of the horsts of the Bakony Region belonging to horst types of different development is described. Horsts elevated to the summit position are characterised by the most widespread and diverse karstification (with covered karst, cave-ins and shafts). Cryptopeneplains affect the karstification of horsts elevated to the summit position, but karst features also occur in their areas. On threshold surfaces of marginal position, the hypogene branches of regional flow systems influenced the development of spring caves. The karstification of basaltic mountains has been mainly governed by the properties of the basalt caprock (the major features being ponors with blind valleys and caprock dolines).
The Last Attempt at Land Reform in Spain: Application and Scope of the Andalusian Agrarian Reform, 1984–2011
Authors: Díaz-Diego José , Jurado-Almonte José Manuel , Márquez-Domínguez Juan Antonio
Published: March 2023

In this article, we contextualise, describe and analyse the last attempt at land reform in Spain—the one passed by the Autonomous Parliament of Andalusia in 1984. The Andalusians had passed their Statute of Autonomy by referendum in 1981, incorporating the mandate to carry out an agrarian reform that would boost the rural economy, generate employment and balance the agricultural structure of this region in Southern Spain, peripheral to both national and European centres of power. The Andalusian socialist government complied with this mandate, pushing the agrarian reform law through and applying a package of reform measures, which met with resistance from landowners and conservative political forces from the outset. Political, economic, legal and administrative obstacles swiftly discouraged the Andalusian socialists from persevering in the endeavour, and at the beginning of the nineties, its dismantling began. Finally, in 2011 the end of the agrarian reform was declared, and with it, the waiver of the right to consider alternative models to the liberal management of the agricultural sector. Archives and newspaper libraries, as well as administrative and legal sources, have been consulted, and the information has been examined using content analysis and cross-checked and triangulated with the specialised literature. This article hails a breakthrough in the understanding of the socio-territorial scopes of an agrarian reform little studied to date.
The Utility of Multimodal Imaging and Artificial Intelligence Algorithms for Overlying Two Volumes in the Decision Chain for the Treatment of Complex Pathologies in Interventional Neuroradiology—A Case Series Study
Authors: Popa Bogdan Valeriu , Minoiu Aurelian Costin , Juratu Catalin , Fulgoi Cristina , Trifan Dragos , Tutelca Adrian , Crisinescu Dana , Popica Dan Adrian , Mihalea Cristian , Ples Horia
Published: March 2023

3D rotational angiography is now increasingly used in routine neuroendovascular procedures––in particular, for situations where the analysis of two overlayed sets of volume imaging proves useful for planning the treatment strategy or for confirming the optimal apposition of the intravascular devices used. The aim of this study is to identify and describe the decision algorithm for which the overlay function of 3D rotational angiography volumes, high-resolution contrast-enhanced flat panel detector CT adapted for intravascular devices (VasoCT/DynaCT), non-enhanced flat detector C-arm volume acquisition functionality integrated with the angiography equipment (XperCT/DynaCT), and isovolumetric MRI volumes were all used in treatments performed in a series of 29 patients. Two superposed 3DRA volumes were used in the treatment aneurysms located at the junction of two vascular territories and for arteriovenous malformations with compartments fed from different vascular territories. The superposition function of a preoperatively acquired 3DRA volume and a postoperatively acquired VasoCT volume provides accurate information about the apposition of neuroendovascular endoprostheses used in the treatment of aneurysms. The automatic overlay function generated by the 3D workstation is particularly useful, but in about 50% of cases it requires manual operator-dependent correction, requiring a certain level of experience. In our experience, multimodal imaging brings an important benefit, both in the treatment decision algorithm and in the assessment of neuroendovascular treatment efficacy.
Capsaicin Ameliorates the Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Inhibiting Free Radicals Generation, Inflammatory Cytokines, and Apoptotic Pathway in Rats
Authors: Ahmed Rayan A. , Alam Mohammad Firoz , Alshahrani Saeed , Jali Abdulmajeed M. , Qahl Abdullah M. , Khalid Mohammad , Muzafar Hisham M. A. , Alhamami Hussain N. , Anwer Tarique
Published: March 2023

Cyclophosphamide is an antineoplastic agent that has a broad range of therapeutic applications; however, it has numerous side effects, including cardiotoxicity. Furthermore, chili peppers contain a substance called capsaicin, having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, this research paper focuses on the potential mechanism of capsaicin’s cardioprotective activity against cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity by measuring the expression of oxidative and inflammatory marker such as interleukins and caspases. The following groups of rats were randomly assigned: only vehicle given for 6 days (control group); cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg intraperitoneal on 4th day only (positive control group); capsaicin 10 mg/kg orally given for 6 days followed by cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg on 4th day of treatment; capsaicin 20 mg/kg orally for six days followed by cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg on 4th day of treatment; and maximum amount of capsaicin alone (20 mg/kg) orally for six days. Using ELISA kits, it was found that the cyclophosphamide administration significantly increased the levels of lactate dehydrogenase, troponin-I (cardiac cell damage marker), lipid peroxidation, triglyceride, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and caspase 3. However, it markedly reduced the antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione levels. Both doses of capsaicin could reverse cardiac cell damage markers, as shown by a significant decline in (lactate dehydrogenase and troponin-I). In addition, capsaicin significantly reduced the cytokine levels (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha), caspase 3, lipid peroxidation, and triglycerides. However, capsaicin treatment significantly raised the antioxidant content of enzymes such as glutathione and catalase. The capsaicin-treated group restored the oxidative parameter’s imbalance and generated considerable protection against cardiomyocyte harm from cyclophosphamide in male Wistar rats. These protective effects might be beneficial against the negative impacts of cyclophosphamide when used to treat cancer and immune-mediated diseases.
Dynamic Changes of Endogenous Hormones in Different Seasons of Idesia polycarpa Maxim
Authors: Huang Song , Zheng Wei , Wang Yanmei , Yan Huiping , Zhou Chenbo , Ma Tianxiao
Published: March 2023

Idesia polycarpa Maxim is a native dioecious tree from East Asia cultivated for its fruits and as an ornamental plant throughout temperate regions. Given the economic potential, comparative studies on cultivated genotypes are of current interest. This study aims to discover the dynamic changes and potential functions of endogenous hormones in I. polycarpa, as well as the differences in endogenous hormone contents in different growth stages among different I. polycarpa provenances. We used High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to measure and compare the levels of abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellin A3 (GA3), and trans-Zeatin-riboside (tZR) in the leaves, flowers, and fruits of I. polycarpa from various provenances between April and October. Our findings indicated that changes in the ABA and GA3 content of plants from Jiyuan and Tokyo were minimal from April to October. However, the levels of these two hormones in Chengdu plants vary greatly at different stages of development. The peak of IAA content in the three plant materials occurred primarily during the early fruit stage and the fruit expansion stage. The concentration of tZR in the three plant materials varies greatly. Furthermore, we discovered that the contents of endogenous hormones in I. polycarpa leaves, flowers, and fruits from Chengdu provenances were slightly higher than those from Tokyo and Jiyuan provenances. The content of IAA was higher in male flowers than in female flowers, and the content of ABA, GA3, and tZR was higher in female flowers than in male flowers. According to the findings, the contents of these four endogenous hormones in I. polycarpa are primarily determined by the genetic characteristics of the trees and are less affected by cultivation conditions. The gender of I. polycarpa had a great influence on these four endogenous hormones. The findings of this study will provide a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for artificially regulating the flowering and fruiting of I. polycarpa.
Radioprotection for Astronauts’ Missions: Numerical Results on the Nomex Shielding Effectiveness
Authors: Loffredo Filomena , Vardaci Emanuele , Bianco Davide , Di Nitto Antonio , Quarto Maria
Published: March 2023

Space missions with humans expose the crews to ionizing radiation, mainly due to the galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). All radiation protection programs in space aim to minimize crews’ exposure to radiation. The radiation protection of astronauts can be achieved through the use of shields. The shields could serve as a suit to reduce GCR exposure and, in an emergency, as a radiation shelter to perform necessary interventions outside the space habitat in case of a solar proton event (SPE). A space radiation shielding that is suitable for exploration during space missions requires particular features and a proper knowledge of the radiation type. This study shows the results of numerical simulations performed with the Geant4 toolkit-based code DOSE. Calculations to evaluate the performance of Nomex, an aramidic fiber with high mechanical resistance, in terms of dose reduction to crews, were performed considering the interaction between protons with an energy spectrum ranging from 50 to 1100 MeV and a target slab of 20 g/cm2. This paper shows the properties of secondary products obtained as a result of the interaction between space radiation and a Nomex target and the properties of the secondary particles that come out the shield. The results of this study show that Nomex can be considered a good shield candidate material in terms of dose reductions. We also note that the secondary particles that provide the greatest contribution to the dose are protons, neutrons and, in a very small percentage, α-particles and Li ions.
A Comparative Study of Two Imaging Techniques of Meibomian Glands
Authors: Diz-Arias Elena , Fernández-Jiménez Elena , Peral Assumpta , Gomez-Pedrero Jose A.
Published: March 2023

In the present study, two different meibographers, Oculus Keratograph 5M (K5M) that uses 840 nm infrared light and the Visible Light Non-Contact Meibographer (VLNCM) that uses 610 nm visible light have been used to obtain meibography images from normal and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) population. The main objective has been to validate and demonstrate that the use of visible light is useful for observation and quantification of MG in clinical practice. Twenty participants were enrolled in this prospective study. The upper eyelids of one randomly chosen eye were used to obtain results. Forty images were captured and analysed. Three specialized observers were recruited to grade images using Pult and Riede Pult 5-degree scale, in two different sessions. Intra-observer agreement between sessions for both devices was shown. Inter-observer variability analysis showed discrepancy between meiboscores obtained from observers with K5M (p-value < 0.05), except for session 2 in the pathology group, while no statistical difference was found with VLNCM. Repeatability analysis found no statistically significant differences between sessions. Correlation between meibographers showed no statistically significant difference and a moderate correlation coefficient between meiboscores graded with the two devices. The current study suggests that VLNCM can allow MG to be properly visualized and classified in the upper eyelids.
Late-Onset Psoriatic Arthritis: Are There Any Distinct Characteristics? A Retrospective Cohort Data Analysis
Authors: Gialouri Chrysoula G. , Evangelatos Gerasimos , Iliopoulos Alexios , Tektonidou Maria G. , Sfikakis Petros P. , Fragoulis George E. , Nikiphorou Elena
Published: March 2023

As life expectancy increases, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in older individuals becomes more prevalent. We explored whether late-onset versus earlier-onset PsA patients display different clinical features at diagnosis and/or during the disease course, as well as different treatment approaches and comorbidity profiles. We retrospectively collected data from consecutive PsA patients attending two rheumatology centers (December 2017–December 2022). Late-onset PsA patients (diagnosis-age: ≥60 years) were compared to those diagnosed before 60 years old. Univariate analyses and logistic regression were performed to examine for factors associated with late-onset PsA. For sensitivity analyses, the cohort’s mean diagnosis age was used as the cut-off value. Overall, 281 PsA patients were included (mean ± SD diagnosis-age: 46.0 ± 13.3 years). Of them, 14.2% (N = 40) had late-onset PsA. At diagnosis, after controlling for confounders, no demographic and clinical differences were identified. During the disease course, the late-onset group exhibited 65% fewer odds of manifesting enthesitis (adjusted Odds-ratio—adOR 0.35; 95% confidence interval 0.13–0.97), but higher frequency of dyslipidemia (adOR 3.01; 1.30–6.95) and of major adverse cardiovascular events (adOR 4.30; 1.42–12.98) compared to earlier-onset PsA group. No differences were found in the treatment approaches. In sensitivity analyses, PsA patients diagnosed after 46 (vs. ≤46) years old had an increased frequency of hypertension (adOR 3.18; 1.70–5.94) and dyslipidemia (adOR 2.17; 1.25–3.74). The present study underpins that late-onset PsA is not uncommon, while the age at PsA onset may affect the longitudinal clinical expression of the disease. Patients with late-onset PsA were less likely to manifest enthesitis but displayed increased cardiovascular risk.
In Vitro Effects of Photon Beam and Carbon Ion Radiotherapy on the Perineural Invasion of Two Cell Lines of Neurotropic Tumours
Authors: Charalampopoulou Alexandra , Barcellini Amelia , Frittitta Giuseppe Emanuele , Fulgini Giorgia , Ivaldi Giovanni Battista , Magro Giuseppe , Liotta Marco , Orlandi Ester , Pullia Marco Giuseppe , Tabarelli de Fatis Paola , Facoetti Angelica
Published: March 2023

Primary mucosal melanoma (PMM) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are two aggressive malignancies, characterized by intrinsic radio-chemoresistance and neurotropism, a histological feature resulting in frequent perineural invasion (PNI), supported by neurotrophic factors secreted in the tumour microenvironment (TME), such as neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). Carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) could represent an effective option in unresectable PMM and PDAC. Only a few data about the effects of CIRT on PNI in relation to NT-3 are available in the literature, despite the numerous pieces of evidence revealing the peculiar effects of this type of radiation on tumour cell migration. This in vitro study investigated for the first time the response of PMM and PDAC cells to NT-3 and evaluated the effects of conventional photon beam radiotherapy (XRT) and CIRT on cell viability, proliferation, and migration. Our results demonstrated the greater capacity of C-ions to generally decrease cell viability, proliferation, and migration, while the addition of NT-3 after both types of irradiation determined an increase in these features, maintaining a dose-dependent trend and acting more effectively as a chemoattractant than inductor in the case of migration.
Effects of Simulated 5-Ion Galactic Cosmic Radiation on Function and Structure of the Mouse Heart
Authors: Nemec-Bakk Ashley S. , Sridharan Vijayalakshmi , Desai Parth , Landes Reid D. , Hart Barry , Allen Antiño R. , Boerma Marjan
Published: March 2023

Missions into deep space will expose astronauts to the harsh space environment, and the degenerative tissue effects of space radiation are largely unknown. To assess the risks, in this study, male BALB/c mice were exposed to 500 mGy 5-ion simulated GCR (GCRsim) at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory. In addition, male and female CD1 mice were exposed to GCRsim and administered a diet containing Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β)RI kinase (ALK5) inhibitor IPW-5371 as a potential countermeasure. An ultrasound was performed to investigate cardiac function. Cardiac tissue was collected to determine collagen deposition, the density of the capillary network, and the expression of the immune mediator toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and immune cell markers CD2, CD4, and CD45. In male BALB/c mice, the only significant effects of GCRsim were an increase in the CD2 and TLR4 markers. In male CD1 mice, GCRsim caused a significant increase in total collagens and a decrease in the expression of TLR4, both of which were mitigated by the TGF-β inhibitor diet. In female CD1 mice, GCRsim caused an increase in the number of capillaries per tissue area in the ventricles, which may be explained by the decrease in the left ventricular mass. However, this increase was not mitigated by TGF-β inhibition. In both male and female CD1 mice, the combination of GCRsim and TGF-β inhibition caused changes in left ventricular immune cell markers that were not seen with GCRsim alone. These data suggest that GCRsim results in minor changes to cardiac tissue in both an inbred and outbred mouse strain. While there were few GCRsim effects to be mitigated, results from the combination of GCRsim and the TGF-β inhibitor do point to a role for TGF-β in maintaining markers of immune cells in the heart after exposure to GCR.
Screening for Primordial RNA–Peptide Interactions Using High-Density Peptide Arrays
Authors: Jenne Felix , Berezkin Ivan , Tempel Frank , Schmidt Dimitry , Popov Roman , Nesterov-Mueller Alexander
Published: March 2023

RNA–peptide interactions are an important factor in the origin of the modern mechanism of translation and the genetic code. Despite great progress in the bioinformatics of RNA–peptide interactions due to the rapid growth in the number of known RNA–protein complexes, there is no comprehensive experimental method to take into account the influence of individual amino acids on non-covalent RNA–peptide bonds. First, we designed the combinatorial libraries of primordial peptides according to the combinatorial fusion rules based on Watson–Crick mutations. Next, we used high-density peptide arrays to investigate the interaction of primordial peptides with their cognate homo-oligonucleotides. We calculated the interaction scores of individual peptide fragments and evaluated the influence of the peptide length and its composition on the strength of RNA binding. The analysis shows that the amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and proline contribute significantly to the strong binding between peptides and homo-oligonucleotides, while the sum charge of the peptide does not have a significant effect. We discuss the physicochemical implications of the combinatorial fusion cascade, a hypothesis that follows from the amino acid partition used in the work.
Effect of Different Artificial Staining Procedures on the Color Stability and Translucency of a Nano-Hybrid Resin-Based Composite
Authors: Paolone Gaetano , Mazzitelli Claudia , Boggio Francesca , Breschi Lorenzo , Vichi Alessandro , Gherlone Enrico , Cantatore Giuseppe
Published: March 2023

Background: To evaluate the effect of different experimental staining procedures on color stability and translucency of a nano-hybrid resin-based composite (RBC). Methods: Forty-eight cylindrical-shaped specimens (10 × 2 mm) were prepared with a nano-hybrid RBC (Clearfil Majesty ES-2) and randomly divided in four groups according to the experimental staining procedure: G1) static immersion in a staining solution (coffee) (44 ± 1 °C); G2) staining cycling between coffee (44 ± 1°C) and distilled water (37 ± 1°C) with an experimental staining machine based on Arduino, an Open Source hardware development platform; G3) staining cycles as in G2 + brushing with a low abrasive toothpaste (Relative Dentin Abrasion RDA = 30) (Elmex Sensitive Professional); G4) staining cycles as in G3, with brushing performed with a very strong abrasive toothpaste (RDA = 90) (Lacult Active). Color parameters were recorded at the baseline (T0) after staining procedures (T1) and repolishing (T2) using a spectrophotometer. Color change (∆E00) and translucency (TP, CR) were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed (p < 0.05). Results: For ∆E00 after staining, Group 1 showed the highest color change and Group 3 the lowest. All groups were significantly different (p < 0.001) except for Group 2 vs. Group 4; after repolishing, Group 1 was significantly higher than Group 3 (p < 0.001), Group 2 (p < 0.001), and Group 4 (p = 0.003); Group 2 was higher than Group 3 (p < 0.001). For TP variable, after staining procedures, Group 2 was significantly higher than all other groups (p < 0.001), and Group 1 was significantly higher than Group 3 (p < 0.001) and Group 4 (p = 0.007). After repolishing, Group 4 was significantly lower than Group 3 (p = 0.008) and Group 2 (p = 0.027). Repolishing procedure significantly reduced color parameters. Conclusions: The investigated staining procedure induced significant differences in color stability and translucency. The use of a very strong abrasive toothpaste (RDA = 90) induced higher color change than a low abrasive one (RDA = 30). Repolishing procedures are able to partially reduce color change induced by artificial staining procedures.
Friction Behaviour of 6082-T6 Aluminium Alloy Sheets in a Strip Draw Tribological Test
Authors: Trzepieciński Tomasz , Slota Ján , Kaščák Ľuboš , Gajdoš Ivan , Vojtko Marek
Published: March 2023

Aluminium alloy sheets cause many problems in sheet metal forming processes owing to their tendency to gall the surface of the tool. The paper presents a method for the determination of the kinematic friction coefficient of friction pairs. The determination of coefficient of friction (COF) in sheet metal forming requires specialised devices that ‘simulate’ friction conditions in specific areas of the formed sheet. In this article, the friction behaviour of aluminium alloy sheets was determined using the strip drawing test. The 1-mm-thick 6082 aluminium alloy sheets in T6 temper were used as test material. Different values for nominal pressures (4.38, 6.53, 8.13, 9.47, 10.63, and 11.69 MPa) and different sliding speeds (10 and 20 mm/min.) were considered. The change of friction conditions was also realised with several typical oils (hydraulic oil LHL 32, machine oil LAN 46 and engine oil SAE 5W-40 C3) commonly used in sheet metal forming operations. Friction tests were conducted at room temperature (24 °C). The main tribological mechanisms accompanying friction (adhesion, flattening, ploughing) were identified using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The influence of the parameters of the friction process on the value of the COF was determined using artificial neural networks. The lowest value of the COF was recorded when lubricating the sheet metal surface with SAE 5W40 C3 engine oil, which is characterised as the most viscous of all tested lubricants. In dry friction conditions, a decreasing trend of the COF with increasing contact pressure was observed. In the whole range of applied contact pressures (4.38–11.69 MPa), the value of the COF during lubrication with SAE 5W40 C3 engine oil was between 0.14 and 0.17 for a sliding speed of 10 mm/min and between 0.13 and 0.16 for a sliding speed of 20 mm/min. The value of the COF during dry friction was between 0.23 and 0.28 for a sliding speed of 10 mm/min and between 0.22 and 0.26 for a sliding speed of 20 mm/min. SEM micrographs revealed that the main friction mechanism of 6082-T6 aluminium alloys sheet in contact with cold-work tool steel flattens surface asperities. The sensitivity analysis of the input parameters on the value of COF revealed that oil viscosity has the greatest impact on the value of the COF, followed by contact pressure and sliding speed.
Surface Characterization of New β Ti-25Ta-Zr-Nb Alloys Modified by Micro-Arc Oxidation
Authors: Kuroda Pedro Akira Bazaglia , Grandini Carlos Roberto , Afonso Conrado Ramos Moreira
Published: March 2023

The technique of surface modification using electrolytic oxidation, called micro-arc oxidation (MAO), has been used in altering the surface properties of titanium alloys for biomedical purposes, enhancing their characteristics as an implant (biocompatibility, corrosion, and wear resistance). The layer formed by the micro-arc oxidation process induces the formation of ceramic oxides, which can improve the corrosion resistance of titanium alloys from the elements in the substrate, enabling the incorporation of bioactive components such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. This study aims to modify the surfaces of Ti-25Ta-10Zr-15Nb (TTZN1) and Ti-25Ta-20Zr-30Nb (TTZN2) alloys via micro-arc oxidation incorporating Ca, P, and Mg elements. The chemical composition results indicated that the MAO treatment was effective in incorporating the elements Ca (9.5 ± 0.4 %atm), P (5.7 ± 0.1 %atm), and Mg (1.1 ± 0.1 %atm), as well as the oxidized layer formed by micropores that increases the surface roughness (1160 nm for the MAO layer of TTZN1, 585 nm for the substrate of TTZN1, 1428 nm for the MAO layer of TTZN2, and 661 nm for the substrate of TTZN2). Regarding the phases formed, the films are amorphous, with low crystallinity (4 and 25% for TTZN2 and TTZN1, respectively). Small amounts of anatase, zirconia, and calcium carbonate were detected in the Ti-25Ta-10Zr-15Nb alloy.