bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional Evaluation of Neuropeptides, Hormones, and Tissue Repair Modulators in the Skin of Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata L.) Subjected to Mechanical Damage
Authors: Piñera-Moreno Rocío , Reyes-López Felipe E. , Goldstein Merari , Santillán-Araneda María Jesús , Robles-Planells Bárbara , Arancibia-Carvallo Camila , Vallejos-Vidal Eva , Cuesta Alberto , Esteban María Ángeles , Tort Lluis
Published: June 2024

The skin of bony fish is the first physical barrier and is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the fish. Lesions make the skin vulnerable to potential infection by pathogens present in the aquatic environment. In this way, wound repair has barely been studied in gilthead sea bream. Thus, this study investigated the modulation of peripheral neuro-endocrine and tissue repair markers at the transcriptional level in the skin of teleost fish subjected to mechanical damage above or below the lateral line (dorsal and ventral lesions, respectively). Samples were evaluated using RT-qPCR at 2-, 4-, and 20-days post-injury. Fish with a ventral lesion presented a trend of progressive increase in the expressions of corticotropin-releasing hormone (crh), pro-opiomelanocortin-A (pomca), proenkephalin-B (penkb), cholecystokinin (cck), oxytocin (oxt), angiotensinogen (agt), and (less pronounced) somatostatin-1B (sst1b). By contrast, fish with a dorsal lesion registered no significant increase or biological trend for the genes evaluated at the different sampling times. Collectively, the results show a rapid and more robust response of neuro-endocrine and tissue repair markers in the injuries below than above the lateral line, which could be attributable to their proximity to vital organs.
African Swine Fever in the Philippines: A Review on Surveillance, Prevention, and Control Strategies
Authors: Fernandez-Colorado Cherry P. , Kim Woo Hyun , Flores Rochelle A. , Min Wongi
Published: June 2024

African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious disease of swine, has posed a significant global threat to the swine industry. As an archipelago, the Philippines has a geographic advantage when it comes to the risk of ASF transmission. However, since its introduction to the Philippines in 2019, it has proliferated not only in backyard and commercial farms but also in wild pig populations. While certain parts of the country were more affected than others, the epidemiologic features of ASF necessitate that all affected areas must be closely monitored and that confirmed cases be treated with the utmost care. With the very limited data on ASF epidemiology and surveillance in the Philippines, future efforts to combat ASF must place even greater emphasis on improved prevention and control strategies. It is worth mentioning that the government’s efforts toward comprehensive ASF surveillance and epidemiological investigation into the possible ASFV sources or transmission pathways are the most important measures in the prevention and control of ASF outbreaks. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current swine industry and ASF situation in the Philippines, which includes its epidemiology, surveillance, prevention, and control strategies.
Cetacean Stranding Response Program and Spatial–Temporal Analysis in Taiwan, 1994–2018
Authors: Chou Lien-Siang , Yao Chiou-Ju , Wang Ming-Chih , Chi Wei-Lien , Ho Yun , Yang Wei-Cheng
Published: June 2024

A national cetacean stranding response program in Taiwan has evolved significantly in the past three decades. Initially co-ordinated by National Taiwan University from 1994, the program transitioned to the Taiwan Cetacean Society in 1999, and local governments took on a more prominent role after 2009. A comprehensive stranding database (1994–2018) has been maintained, which documented 1320 stranding events involving 1698 animals from at least 27 species. The most commonly stranded species include finless porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, Kogia spp., and Risso’s dolphins. The stranding rates varied annually and seasonally, with increases noted from an average of 16 events per year for the first 3 years to 44–58 events per year between 1997 and 2015, and a sharp rise to over 90 events per year for the period of the last three years. Seasonal variations were also significant, with higher stranding rates during the northeastern monsoon (NEM, October to next April) than that during southwestern monsoon (SWM, May to September). From the aspect of distribution, more frequent and even strandings occurred along the coast of northern Taiwan, while mass strandings were concentrated in the southwestern counties during NEM. Among all strandings, 390 events (29.5%) and 660 animals (38.9%) were live ones. Under great effort in rescuing and rehabilitating 52 cases, 15 cetacean individuals have been released since 2000. Additionally, there have been 56 mass strandings involving at least 11 species since 1994, predominated by pygmy killer whales, particularly during the NEM season along the southwest coast. This study not only contributes to our understanding of the stranding patterns and diversity of the cetaceans in Taiwan, but also provides valuable insights for future conservation strategies on cetaceans in the western Pacific.
Numerical Simulation Study on the Deformation Patterns of Surrounding Rock in Deeply Buried Roadways under Seepage Action
Authors: Xie Xuebin , Li Liang
Published: June 2024

To reveal the deformation patterns of the surrounding rock in deeply buried straight-wall arch-shaped roadways under seepage action, this study, based on an FLAC3D numerical simulation and classic elastoplastic theory, investigates the influences of surrounding rock classification, roadway burial depth, pore water pressure, and roadway cross-sectional dimensions on the deformation of surrounding rock. A multivariate regression prediction model for rock deformation was established based on the numerical simulation conclusions, and the correctness of the conclusions was verified through comparative analysis. Correlation analysis of various factors with rock deformation was conducted, ranking their impact as follows: pore water pressure > roadway burial depth > surrounding rock classification > roadway height > roadway width. The research results can provide guidance for the construction and support of deeply buried roadways under seepage action.
IDP-YOLOV9: Improvement of Object Detection Model in Severe Weather Scenarios from Drone Perspective
Authors: Li Jun , Feng Yongqiang , Shao Yanhua , Liu Feng
Published: June 2024

Despite their proficiency with typical environmental datasets, deep learning-based object detection algorithms struggle when faced with diverse adverse weather conditions. Moreover, existing methods often address single adverse weather scenarios, neglecting situations involving multiple concurrent adverse conditions. To tackle these challenges, we propose an enhanced approach to object detection in power construction sites under various adverse weather conditions, dubbed IDP-YOLOV9. This model leverages a parallel architecture comprising the Image Dehazing and Enhancement Processing (IDP) module and an improved YOLOV9 object detection module. Specifically, for images captured in adverse weather, our approach employs a parallel architecture that includes the Three-Weather Removal Algorithm (TRA) module and the Deep Learning-based Image Enhancement (DLIE) module, which, together, filter multiple weather factors to enhance image quality. Subsequently, we introduce an improved YOLOV9 detection network module that incorporates a three-layer routing attention mechanism for object detection. Experiments demonstrate that the IDP module significantly improves image quality by mitigating the impact of various adverse weather conditions. Compared to traditional single-processing models, our method improves recognition accuracy on complex weather datasets by 6.8% in terms of mean average precision (mAP50).
Novel Ordinary Differential Equation for State-of-Charge Simulation of Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Authors: Nteutse Peguy Kameni , Mugenga Ineza Remy , Geletu Abebe , Li Pu
Published: June 2024

Lithium-ion battery energy storage systems are rapidly gaining widespread adoption in power systems across the globe. This trend is primarily driven by their recognition as a key enabler for reducing carbon emissions, advancing digitalization, and making electricity grids more accessible to a broader population. In the present study, we investigated the dynamic behavior of lithium-ion batteries during the charging and discharging processes, with a focus on the impact of terminal voltages and rate parameters on the state of charge (SOC). Through modeling and simulations, the results show that higher terminal charging voltages lead to a faster SOC increase, making them advantageous for applications requiring rapid charging. However, large values of voltage-sensitive coefficients and energy transfer coefficients were found to have drawbacks, including increased battery degradation, overheating, and wasted energy. Moreover, practical considerations highlighted the trade-off between fast charging and time efficiency, with charging times ranging from 8 to 16 min for different rates and SOC levels. On the discharging side, we found that varying the terminal discharging voltage allowed for controlled discharging rates and adjustments to SOC levels. Lower sensitivity coefficients resulted in more stable voltage during discharging, which is beneficial for applications requiring a steady power supply. However, high discharging rates and sensitivity coefficients led to over-discharging, reducing battery life and causing damage. These new findings could provide valuable insights for optimizing the performance of lithium-ion batteries in various applications.
Risk of Mycotoxin Contamination in Thermophilic Composting of Kitchen and Garden Waste at Large-Scale
Authors: Woźny Maciej , Kasiński Sławomir , Obremski Kazimierz , Dąbrowski Michał , Dębowski Marcin
Published: June 2024

Although toxicogenic moulds have been identified in municipal waste and composting facilities, only a few reports exist on the occurrence of mycotoxins in compost. Those reports mostly concern sewage sludge as a substrate, tested only a limited range of mycotoxins, and did not monitor the production of mycotoxins during the composting process. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether mycotoxins are produced during composting of selectively collected kitchen and garden waste. The study was carried out at pilot scale (550 L reactor with passive aeration). Kitchen waste (59.0% w/w), garden leaves (28.2%), and wood chips (12.8%) were used as a substrate, which was sampled every five days to determine its basic physicochemical characteristics (temperature, moisture, size-fraction content, loss on ignition) and respirometric activity (AT4). The substrate and leachate samples were also tested for the content of eight mycotoxins by HPLC-MS/MS. To screen the local compost market, commercial organic-compost samples were analysed for mycotoxin contamination. The substrate was successfully stabilized after 45 days (thermophilic peak of 62.6 °C, 40.4% mass reduction, 26.9% loss of organic matter, increase in the share of particles in the smallest size fraction, AT4 of 9.82 g O2/kg). Although the substrate was colonised by moulds at an early stage, only trace amounts of mycotoxins were detected in a few samples. Similarly, little or no mycotoxins were found in the commercial compost. Our results suggest a low risk of mycotoxin contamination in biowaste compost produced under appropriate technological conditions. Future research should focus on screening compost produced at smaller scales (e.g., in agricultural/residential compost piles) and on identifying factors associated with the risk of mycotoxin contamination in compost.
A Novel Dataset for Fabric Defect Detection: Bridging Gaps in Anomaly Detection
Authors: Carrilho Rui , Hambarde Kailash A. , Proença Hugo
Published: June 2024

Detecting anomalies in texture has become a significant concern across various industrial processes. One prevalent application of this is in inspecting patterned textures, especially in the domain of fabric defect detection, which is a commonly encountered scenario. This task entails dealing with a wide array of colours and textile varieties, spanning a broad spectrum of fabrics. Due to the extensive diversity in colours, textures, and defect characteristics, fabric defect detection presents a complex and formidable challenge within the realm of patterned texture inspection. While recent trends have seen a rise in the utilization of deep learning methods for anomaly detection, there still exist notable gaps in this field. In this paper, we introduce a novel dataset comprising a diverse selection of fabrics and defects from a textile company based in Portugal. Our contributions encompass the provision of this unique dataset and the evaluation of state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods’ performance on our dataset.
An Improved Deviation Coupling Control Method for Speed Synchronization of Multi-Motor Systems
Authors: Mu Ying , Qi Liqun , Sun Mingyuan , Han Wenbo
Published: June 2024

In order to enhance the synchronization of welding robot arms and improve welding quality, this study proposes a fuzzy PID-based improved deviation coupling multi-axis synchronous control method. Firstly, in response to the intricacies inherent in the compensation mechanism of the deviation coupling control structure and the substantial volume of system computation, the integration of average speed and sub-average speed is proposed to optimize the speed compensator. This integration aims to mitigate speed synchronization errors, minimize synchronization adjustment time, and elevate overall system synchronization performance. Moreover, the fuzzy PID algorithm is employed to design the controller to realize the single-motor adaptive control, leading to improvement in both system stability and dynamic response performance. Finally, a simulation model for six-axis synchronization control and an experimental platform were developed. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the improved deviation coupling control method exhibits superior synchronization performance. The proposed multi-axis synchronous control method effectively heightens the synchronous performance of the six-degrees-of-freedom robotic arm.
Systematic Review: Anti-Forensic Computer Techniques
Authors: González Arias Rafael , Bermejo Higuera Javier , Rainer Granados J. Javier , Bermejo Higuera Juan Ramón , Sicilia Montalvo Juan Antonio
Published: June 2024

The main purpose of anti-forensic computer techniques, in the broadest sense, is to hinder the investigation of a computer attack by eliminating traces and preventing the collection of data contained in a computer system. Nowadays, cyber-attacks are becoming more and more frequent and sophisticated, so it is necessary to understand the techniques used by hackers to be able to carry out a correct forensic analysis leading to the identification of the perpetrators. Despite its importance, this is a poorly represented area in the scientific literature. The disparity of the existing works, together with the small number of articles, makes it challenging to find one’s way around the vast world of computer forensics. This article presents a comprehensive review of the existing scientific literature on anti-forensic techniques, mainly DFIR (digital forensics incident response), organizing the studies according to their subject matter and orientation. It also presents key ideas that contribute to the understanding of this field of forensic science and details the shortcomings identified after reviewing the state of the art.
Making Space for the Better: Living by the Sacred Yamuna
Authors: Dhage Vrushali Anil
Published: June 2024

Eviction could hold a different meaning if a home’s immediate surroundings contribute to its residents’ livelihood, especially for informal laborers. This paper explores the notion of the fragility of a home within an expanded space—the space on which a home stands and its surroundings when turned into a contested area. It specifically looks at the slum of Yamuna Pushta in Delhi, which was demolished in 2004. The act uprooted thousands of low-income families who were blamed for polluting the river. The demolition was fueled by new urban visions and planning strategies, political and capitalist ambitions, projections of national pride, and an event-driven approach camouflaged under an environmentalist concern attempting to “clean” the river. Using the photographic works of artist, curator, and activist Ravi Agarwal as a case study, this paper argues the presence of a counternarrative in the works, challenging the projected environmentalist discourse around the river, the slum dwellers. This study further states the dual marginalization of the Pushta residents and the Yamuna by critiquing the economic format of majoritarianism through the growing normalcy and agreeability of the slum demolitions by the urban non-poor disguised as the “greater good”.
Exposure to Waterpipe Smoke Disrupts Erythrocyte Homeostasis of BALB/c Mice
Authors: Ferdous Zannatul , Beegam Sumaya , Zaaba Nur E. , Nemmar Abderrahim
Published: June 2024

The prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WPS) is increasing worldwide and is relatively high among youth and young adults. It has been shown, both experimentally and clinically, that WPS exposure adversely affects the cardiovascular and hematological systems through the generation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of WPS exposure on erythrocytes, a major component of the hematological system, of BALB/c mice. Here, we assessed the effect of nose-only WPS exposure for four consecutive weeks on erythrocyte inflammation, oxidative stress, and eryptosis. The duration of the session was 30 min/day, 5 days/week. Control mice were exposed to air. Our results showed that the levels of C-reactive protein, lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase, and total nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased in the plasma of WPS-exposed mice. The number of erythrocytes and the hematocrit were significantly decreased in WPS-exposed mice compared with the control group. Moreover, there was an increase in the erythrocyte fragility in mice exposed to WPS compared with those exposed to air. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase, LPO, reduced glutathione, catalase, and NO were significantly increased in the red blood cells (RBCs) of WPS-exposed mice. In addition, erythrocytes of the WPS-exposed group showed a significant increase in ATPase activity, Ca2+, annexin V binding, and calpain activity. Taken together, our findings suggest that WPS exposure elevated inflammation and oxidative stress in the plasma and induced hemolysis in vivo. It also caused alterations of RBCs oxidative stress and eryptosis in vitro. Our data confirm the detrimental impact of WPS on erythrocyte physiology.
Genetic and Phenotypic Evaluation of European Maize Landraces as a Tool for Conservation and Valorization of Agrobiodiversity
Authors: Balconi Carlotta , Galaretto Agustin , Malvar Rosa Ana , Nicolas Stéphane D. , Redaelli Rita , Andjelkovic Violeta , Revilla Pedro , Bauland Cyril , Gouesnard Brigitte , Butron Ana , Torri Alessio , Barata Ana Maria , Kravic Natalija , Combes Valérie , Mendes-Moreira Pedro , Murariu Danela , Šarčević Hrvoje , Schierscher-Viret Beate , Vincent Morgane , Zanetto Anne , Kessel Bettina , Madur Delphine , Mary-Huard Tristan , Pereira André , Placinta Domnica Daniela , Strigens Alexandre , Charcosset Alain , Goritschnig Sandra
Published: June 2024

The ECPGR European Evaluation Network (EVA) for Maize involves genebanks, research institutions, and private breeding companies from nine countries focusing on the valorization of maize genetic resources across Europe. This study describes a diverse collection of 626 local landraces and traditional varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) from nine European genebanks, including criteria for selection of the collection and its genetic and phenotypic diversity. High-throughput pool genotyping grouped the landraces into nine genetic groups with a threshold of 0.6 admixture, while 277 accessions were designated admixed and likely to have resulted from previous breeding activities. The grouping correlated well with the geographic origins of the collection, also reflecting the various pathways of introduction of maize to Europe. Phenotypic evaluations of 588 accessions for flowering time and plant architecture in multilocation trials over three years confirmed the great diversity within the collection, although phenotypic clusters only partially correlated with the genetic grouping. The EVA approach promotes conservation of genetic resources and opens an opportunity to increase genetic variability for developing improved varieties and populations for farmers, with better adaptation to specific environments and greater tolerance to various stresses. As such, the EVA maize collection provides valuable sources of diversity for facing climate change due to the varieties’ local adaptation.
Effect of Statin Lipophilicity on the Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Glebavičiūtė Goda , Vijaya Akshay Kumar , Preta Giulio
Published: June 2024

The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, statins, are drugs used globally for lowering the level of cholesterol in the blood. Different clinical studies of statins in cancer patients have indicated a decrease in cancer mortality, particularly in patients using lipophilic statins compared to those on hydrophilic statins. In this paper, we selected two structurally different statins (simvastatin and pravastatin) with different lipophilicities and investigated their effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Lipophilic simvastatin highly influences cancer cell growth and survival in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, while pravastatin, due to its hydrophilic structure and limited cellular uptake, showed minimal cytotoxic effects.
Differences between Patients with Sporadic and Familial Pheochromocytoma—Is It Possible to Avoid Genetic Testing in Certain Patients?
Authors: Muñoz María Consuelo , Febrero Beatriz , Abellán Miriam , Hernández Antonio Miguel , Rodríguez José Manuel
Published: June 2024

Background: Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) is a rare neuroendocrine tumour with a strong genetic link, which therefore may modify its clinical behaviour and prognosis. The aim of the study is to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical differences between patients with sporadic and familial PHEO, as well as the specific differences in the index cases. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 136 patients in a tertiary hospital (1984–2021). Epidemiological, clinical, and histological variables were analysed. Statistics: SPSS 28.0 software was used. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 64.71% of the cases (n = 88) presented a genetic mutation (familial cases). Additionally, 32.39% (n = 23) corresponded to index cases and the rest to screening cases. The main differences between patients with familial and sporadic PHEO were age (OR = 0.93 (0.89–0.97)), blood pressure-related symptoms (OR = 0.22 (0.06–0.89)), bilaterality (OR = 15.49 (3.76–63.84)), and size (OR = 0.70 (0.54–0.92)). Among patients with sporadic PHEO and index cases, only bilaterality was significant (OR = 13.53 (1.24–144.34)). Conclusions: Patients with familial PHEO diagnosed by screening differ from sporadic cases in terms of age, clinical features, and size. However, patients with sporadic PHEO only differ from index cases by a lower presence of bilaterality, which reaffirms the importance of genetic screening of patients with PHEO and their relatives.
Vitamin D3 (Calcitriol) Monotherapy Decreases Tumor Growth, Increases Survival, and Correlates with Low Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in a Murine HPV-16-Related Cancer Model
Authors: Hernández-Rangel Alejandra E. , Hernandez-Fuentes Gustavo A. , Montes-Galindo Daniel A. , Sanchez-Ramirez Carmen A. , Cabrera-Licona Ariana , Martinez-Fierro Margarita L. , Rodriguez-Sanchez Iram P. , Garza-Veloz Idalia , Diaz-Martinez Janet , Casarez-Price Juan C. , Plata-Florenzano Jorge E. , Ochoa-Díaz-Lopez Hector , Lugo-Trampe Angel , Delgado-Enciso Iván
Published: June 2024

Vitamin D3 or calcitriol (VitD3) has been shown to have anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity in in vitro models and clinical studies. However, its effect on HPV-16-related cancer has been sparsely explored. In this study, we aimed to determine whether monotherapy or combination therapy with cisplatin (CP) reduces tumor growth and affects survival and systemic inflammation. Treatments were administered to C57BL/6 mice with HPV-16-related tumors (TC-1 cells) as follows: (1) placebo (100 µL vehicle, olive oil, orally administered daily); (2) VitD3 (3.75 µg/kg calcitriol orally administered daily); (3) CP (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally, every 7 days); and (4) VitD3+CP. Tumor growth was monitored for 25 days, survival for 60 days, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was evaluated on days 1 (baseline), 7, and 14. VitD3+CP showed greater success in reducing tumor volume compared to CP monotherapy (p = 0.041), while no differences were observed between CP and VitD3 monotherapy (p = 0.671). Furthermore, VitD3+CP prolonged survival compared to CP (p = 0.036) and VitD3 (p = 0.007). Additionally, at day 14 the VitD3 and VitD3+CP groups showed significantly lower NLR values than the CP group (p < 0.05, for both comparisons). Vitamin D3 could be a promising adjuvant in the treatment of cervical cancer or solid tumors and deserves further investigation.
Loss of c-Kit in Endothelial Cells Protects against Hindlimb Ischemia
Authors: Falero-Diaz Gustavo , Barboza Catarina de A. , Vazquez-Padron Roberto I. , Velazquez Omaida C. , Lassance-Soares Roberta M.
Published: June 2024

Background: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the end stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD), and around 30% of CLI patients are ineligible for current treatments. The angiogenic benefits of c-Kit have been reported in the ischemia scenario; however, the present study demonstrates the effects of specific endothelial c-Kit signaling in arteriogenesis during hindlimb ischemia. Methods: We created conditional knockout mouse models that decrease c-Kit (c-Kit VE-Cadherin CreERT2—c-Kit) or its ligand (SCF VE-Cadherin CreERT2—SCF) specifically in endothelial cells (ECs) after tamoxifen treatment. These mice and a control group (wild-type VE-Cadherin CreERT2—WT) were subjected to hindlimb ischemia or aortic crush to evaluate perfusion/arteriogenesis and endothelial barrier permeability, respectively. Results: Our data confirmed the lower gene expression of c-Kit and SCF in the ECs of c-Kit and SCF mice, respectively. In addition, we confirmed the lower percentage of ECs positive for c-Kit in c-Kit mice. Further, we found that c-Kit and SCF mice had better limb perfusion and arteriogenesis compared to WT mice. We also demonstrated that c-Kit and SCF mice had a preserved endothelial barrier after aortic crush compared to WT. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate the deleterious effects of endothelial SCF/c-Kit signaling on arteriogenesis and endothelial barrier integrity.
Triple Combinations of Histone Lysine Demethylase Inhibitors with PARP1 Inhibitor–Olaparib and Cisplatin Lead to Enhanced Cytotoxic Effects in Head and Neck Cancer Cells
Authors: Dorna Dawid , Kleszcz Robert , Paluszczak Jarosław
Published: June 2024

PARP inhibitors are used to treat cancers with a deficient homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair pathway. Interestingly, recent studies revealed that HR repair could be pharmacologically impaired by the inhibition of histone lysine demethylases (KDM). Thus, we investigated whether KDM inhibitors could sensitize head and neck cancer cells, which are usually HR proficient, to PARP inhibition or cisplatin. Therefore, we explored the effects of double combinations of KDM4–6 inhibitors (ML324, CPI-455, GSK-J4, and JIB-04) with olaparib or cisplatin, or their triple combinations with both drugs, on the level of DNA damage and apoptosis. FaDu and SCC-040 cells were treated with individual compounds and their combinations, and cell viability, apoptosis, DNA damage, and gene expression were assessed using the resazurin assay, Annexin V staining, H2A.X activation, and qPCR, respectively. Combinations of KDM inhibitors with cisplatin enhanced cytotoxic effects, unlike combinations with olaparib. Triple combinations of KDM inhibitors with cisplatin and olaparib exhibited the best cytotoxic activity, which was associated with DNA damage accumulation and altered expression of genes associated with apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest. In conclusion, triple combinations of KDM inhibitors (especially GSK-J4 and JIB-04) with cisplatin and olaparib represent a promising strategy for head and neck cancer treatment.
PKCδ Protects against Lupus Autoimmunity
Authors: Chavan Sailee Vijay , Desikan Shreya , Roman Christopher A J , Huan Chongmin
Published: June 2024

Protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) has emerged as a key protective molecule against systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), an autoimmune disease characterized by anti-double stranded (ds) DNA IgGs. Although PKCδ-deficient mice and lupus patients with mutated PRKCD genes clearly demonstrate the requirement for PKCδ in preventing lupus autoimmunity, this critical tolerance mechanism remains poorly understood. We recently reported that PKCδ acts as a key regulator of B cell tolerance by selectively deleting anti-dsDNA B cells in the germinal center (GC). PKCδ’s tolerance function is activated by sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2), a lipid enzyme whose expression is generally reduced in B cells from lupus patients. Moreover, pharmacologic strengthening of the SMS2/PKCδ tolerance pathway alleviated lupus pathogenesis in mice. Here, we review relevant publications in order to provide mechanistic insights into PKCδ’s tolerance activity and discuss the potential significance of therapeutically targeting PKCδ’s tolerance activity in the GC for selectively inhibiting lupus autoimmunity.
A Review of the Association between Exposure to Flame Retardants and Thyroid Function
Authors: Yeshoua Brandon , Romero Castillo Horacio , Monaghan Mathilda , van Gerwen Maaike
Published: June 2024

Flame retardants have been shown to cause widespread physiological effects, in particular on endocrine organs such as the thyroid. This review aims to provide an overview of the literature on the association between flame retardants and thyroid function within humans. A search in the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health PubMed database through January 2024 yielded 61 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The most frequently analyzed flame retardants across all thyroid hormones were polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in particular BDE-47 and BDE-99. Ten studies demonstrated exclusively positive associations between flame retardants and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Six studies demonstrated exclusively negative associations between flame retardants and TSH. Twelve studies demonstrated exclusively positive associations for total triiodothyronine (tT3) and total thyroxine (tT4). Five and eight studies demonstrated exclusively negative associations between flame retardants and these same thyroid hormones, respectively. The effect of flame retardants on thyroid hormones is heterogeneous; however, the long-term impact warrants further investigation. Vulnerable populations, including indigenous people, individuals working at e-waste sites, firefighters, and individuals within certain age groups, such as children and elderly, are especially critical to be informed of risk of exposure.
Luteolin-7-O-β-d-Glucuronide Attenuated Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: Involvement of the Blood–Brain Barrier
Authors: Fan Xing , Song Jintao , Zhang Shuting , Lu Lihui , Lin Fang , Chen Yu , Li Shichang , Jin Xinxin , Wang Fang
Published: June 2024

Ischemic stroke is a common cerebrovascular disease with high mortality, high morbidity, and high disability. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucuronide (LGU) is a major active flavonoid compound extracted from Ixeris sonchifolia (Bge.) Hance, a Chinese medicinal herb mainly used for the treatment of coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, cerebral infarction, etc. In the present study, the protective effect of LGU on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was investigated in an oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) neuronal model and a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) rat model. In in vitro experiments, LGU was found to improve the OGD/R-induced decrease in neuronal viability effectively by the MTT assay. In in vivo experiments, neurological deficit scores, infarction volume rates, and brain water content rates were improved after a single intravenous administration of LGU. These findings suggest that LGU has significant protective effects on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in vitro and in vivo. To further explore the potential mechanism of LGU on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, we performed a series of tests. The results showed that a single administration of LGU decreased the content of EB and S100B and ameliorated the abnormal expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin and metalloproteinase MMP-9 in the ischemic cerebral cortex of the tMCAO 24-h injury model. In addition, LGU also improved the tight junction structure between endothelial cells and the degree of basement membrane degradation and reduced the content of TNF-α and IL-1β in the brain tissue. Thereby, LGU attenuated cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by improving the permeability of the blood–brain barrier. The present study provides new insights into the therapeutic potential of LGU in cerebral ischemia.
Design and Control of a Tendon-Driven Robotic Finger Based on Grasping Task Analysis
Authors: Zhou Xuanyi , Fu Hao , Shentu Baoqing , Wang Weidong , Cai Shibo , Bao Guanjun
Published: June 2024

To analyze the structural characteristics of a human hand, data collection gloves were worn for typical grasping tasks. The hand manipulation characteristics, finger end pressure, and finger joint bending angle were obtained via an experiment based on the Feix grasping spectrum. Twelve types of tendon rope transmission paths were designed under the N + 1 type tendon drive mode, and the motion performance of these 12 types of paths applied to tendon-driven fingers was evaluated based on the evaluation metric. The experiment shows that the designed tendon path (d) has a good control effect on the fluctuations of tendon tension (within 0.25 N), the tendon path (e) has the best control effect on the joint angle of the tendon-driven finger, and the tendon path (l) has the best effect on reducing the friction between the tendon and the pulley. The obtained tendon-driven finger motion performance model based on 12 types of tendon paths is a good reference value for subsequent tendon-driven finger structure design and control strategies.
Development of a Portable Cell-Based Biosensor for the Ultra-Rapid Screening for Boscalid Residues in Lettuce
Authors: Moschopoulou Georgia , Tsekouras Vasileios , Mercader Josep V. , Abad-Fuentes Antonio , Kintzios Spyridon
Published: June 2024

Fungal plant pathogens have posed a significant threat to crop production. However, the large-scale application of pesticides is associated with possible risks for human health and the environment. Boscalid is a widely used fungicide, consistently implemented for the management of significant plant pathogens. Conventionally, the detection and determination of boscalid residues is based on chromatographic separations. In the present study, a Bioelectric Recognition Assay (BERA)-based experimental approach combined with MIME technology was used, where changes in the electric properties of the membrane-engineering cells with anti-boscalid antibodies were recorded in response to the presence of boscalid at different concentrations based on the maximum residue level (MRL) for lettuce. The membrane-engineering Vero cells with 0.5 μg/mL of antibody in their surface were selected as the best cell line in combination with the lowest antibody concentration. Furthermore, the biosensor was tested against another fungicide in order to prove its selectivity. Finally, the BERA cell-based biosensor was able to detect the boscalid residue, below and above the MRL, in spiked lettuce leaf extracts in an entirely distinct and reproducible manner. This study indicates that the BERA-based biosensor, after further development and optimization, could be used for the routine, high-throughput detection of boscalid residue in lettuce, and not only that.
Photoelectric Multi-Signal Output Sensor Based on Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Polymer Film Modified by Novel Aggregation-Induced Emission Probes
Authors: Song Yaru , Wu Guoling , Zhang Enbing , Feng Guangyuan , Lei Shengbin , Wu Lingli
Published: June 2024

Optical sensors, especially fluorescence sensors, have been widely used because of their advantages in sensing, such as the high sensitivity, good selectivity, no radiation source, and easy operation. Here, we report an example of fluorescence sensing based on two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic polymers and highlight that the material can achieve a fast response and multi-signal output. This 2DPTPAK+TAPB-based sensor can quickly detect aromatic hydrocarbons and Fe3+ by the fluorescence signal or electrical resistance signal.
Integrated High-Throughput Centrifugal Microfluidic Chip Device for Pathogen Detection On-Site
Authors: Lu Shuyu , Yang Yuanzhan , Cui Siqi , Li Anyi , Qian Cheng , Li Xiaoqiong
Published: June 2024

An integrated and high-throughput device for pathogen detection is crucial in point-of-care testing (POCT), especially for early diagnosis of infectious diseases and preventing the spread of infection. We developed an on-site testing platform that utilizes a centrifugal microfluidic chip and automated device to achieve high-throughput detection. The low-power (<32 W), portable (220 mm × 220 mm × 170 mm, 4 kg) device can complete bacterial lysis, nucleic acid extraction and purification, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reaction, and real-time fluorescence detection. Magnetic beads for nucleic acid adsorption can be mixed by applying electromagnetic fields and centrifugal forces, and the efficiency of nucleic acid extraction is improved by 60% compared to the no-mixing group. The automated nucleic acid extraction process achieves equivalent nucleic acid extraction efficiency in only 40% of the time consumed using the kit protocol. By designing the valve system and disc layout, the maximum speed required for the centrifugal microfluidic chip is reduced to 1500 rpm, greatly reducing the equipment power consumption and size. In detecting E. coli, our platform achieves a limit of detection (LOD) of 102 CFU/mL in 60 min. In summary, our active centrifugal microfluidic platform provides a solution for the integration of complex biological assays on turntables, with great potential in the application of point-of-care diagnosis.
Ensemble Coding of Crowd with Cross-Category Facial Expressions
Authors: Yang Zhi , Wu Yifan , Liu Shuaicheng , Zhao Lili , Fan Cong , He Weiqi
Published: June 2024

Ensemble coding allows observers to form an average to represent a set of elements. However, it is unclear whether observers can extract an average from a cross-category set. Previous investigations on this issue using low-level stimuli yielded contradictory results. The current study addressed this issue by presenting high-level stimuli (i.e., a crowd of facial expressions) simultaneously (Experiment 1) or sequentially (Experiment 2), and asked participants to complete a member judgment task. The results showed that participants could extract average information from a group of cross-category facial expressions with a short perceptual distance. These findings demonstrate cross-category ensemble coding of high-level stimuli, contributing to the understanding of ensemble coding and providing inspiration for future research.
Numerical Simulation Study on the Impact of Deep Foundation Pit Excavation on Adjacent Rail Transit Structures—A Case Study
Authors: Huang Junzhou , Liu Jizhixian , Guo Kai , Wu Cai , Yang Shan , Luo Mingxing , Lu Yani
Published: June 2024

Excavation in foundation pits can result in serious issues for nearby tunnel structures like deformation, differential settlement, and seepage damage, which profoundly impact project timelines and potentially endanger life and property safety. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate these impacts before and after construction and to facilitate timely adjustments of construction measures and reinforcement where possible. In this study, a foundation pit construction project near a rail transit line is employed as a case to comprehensive study the impact of on-site deep foundation pit excavation on adjacent rail transit structures by numerical simulation. A three-dimensional finite-element model of the foundation pit based on site geological characteristics and construction procedures is established to study the excavation and maintenance processes. Through analysis of key parameters including soil deformation, displacement, shear force, and bending moment of the tunnel structures, the designed protective structure is found to have effectively mitigated soil deformation, ensuring the stability of the foundation pit. As excavation progresses, lateral soil deformation and vertical uplift gradually increase but remain within specified control values. During various excavation stages, the maximum displacement of the tunnel structure gradually increases, with the increase rates of maximum settlement being 29.09%, 20.51%, and 6.45%, respectively. This indicates a gradual enhancement of the stability of the tunnel structure. Additionally, excavation of the foundation pit has a significant impact on the bending moment distribution of the tunnel structure but does not affect the axial force and shear force of the tunnel structure. The findings of this study offer crucial scientific insights for evaluating the safety and stability of construction near tunnel structures.
Characterizing Splitting Failure of Concrete Influenced by Material Heterogeneity Based on Digital Image Processing Techniques
Authors: Lin Houquan , Li Dong , Hu Zheng , Li Xiang , Yan Zhaoxi , Li Hui , Liu Jiankun
Published: June 2024

Concrete, as a composite material, is subject to heterogeneity in its mechanical properties and damage characteristics responding to load. In this paper, a numerical approach for analyzing the heterogeneous characteristics and the mechanical behavior of concrete specimens in tensile splitting tests using DIP techniques is introduced. The experiment involves the preparation of three types of concrete specimens with different strengths and performances of the tensile splitting test. The contour and position information of the different components in the split surface of a concrete specimen are reflected in the numerical model using the DIP techniques and the fracture of the split surface is realized by three types of cohesive elements in the finite element software ABAQUS. The results of the proposed numerical model are highly consistent with the experimental results with a maximum error of 4.77%, whereby the evolution of the splitting process is discussed. The simulation shows that the concrete fracture develops from the periphery towards the center of the concrete and the ITZ region splits first at similar strain levels, followed by the mortar region and finally the aggregate region. In addition, a simplified modeling scheme with faster computational efficiency and higher accuracy is proposed, which indicates that the shape of the heterogeneous components in concrete has a low effect on mechanical strength. The proposed model can accurately reflect the splitting fracture process of concrete which is instantaneous in the actual process, contributing to the understanding of the mechanism of the splitting fracture process and proposing a new methodology for simulating the fracture process of heterogeneous materials (e.g., concrete, rock). This work contributes to the understanding of the effect of material heterogeneity on concrete’s mechanical behavior and fracturing process and provides valuable hints for the research on the non-destructive prediction of concrete strength.
Malignant Melanoma: An Overview, New Perspectives, and Vitamin D Signaling
Authors: Slominski Radomir M. , Kim Tae-Kang , Janjetovic Zorica , Brożyna Anna A. , Podgorska Ewa , Dixon Katie M. , Mason Rebecca S. , Tuckey Robert C. , Sharma Rahul , Crossman David K. , Elmets Craig , Raman Chander , Jetten Anton M. , Indra Arup K. , Slominski Andrzej T.
Published: June 2024

Melanoma, originating through malignant transformation of melanin-producing melanocytes, is a formidable malignancy, characterized by local invasiveness, recurrence, early metastasis, resistance to therapy, and a high mortality rate. This review discusses etiologic and risk factors for melanoma, diagnostic and prognostic tools, including recent advances in molecular biology, omics, and bioinformatics, and provides an overview of its therapy. Since the incidence of melanoma is rising and mortality remains unacceptably high, we discuss its inherent properties, including melanogenesis, that make this disease resilient to treatment and propose to use AI to solve the above complex and multidimensional problems. We provide an overview on vitamin D and its anticancerogenic properties, and report recent advances in this field that can provide solutions for the prevention and/or therapy of melanoma. Experimental papers and clinicopathological studies on the role of vitamin D status and signaling pathways initiated by its active metabolites in melanoma prognosis and therapy are reviewed. We conclude that vitamin D signaling, defined by specific nuclear receptors and selective activation by specific vitamin D hydroxyderivatives, can provide a benefit for new or existing therapeutic approaches. We propose to target vitamin D signaling with the use of computational biology and AI tools to provide a solution to the melanoma problem.
Limited Additional Value of a Chest CT in Whole-Body Staging with PET-MRI: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Weijer Tineke van de , van der Meer Wilhelmina L. , Moonen Rik P. M. , van Nijnatten Thiemo J. A. , Gietema Hester A. , Mitea Cristina , van der Pol Jochem A. J. , Wildberger Joachim E. , Mottaghy Felix M.
Published: June 2024

Hybrid PET-MRI systems are being used more frequently. One of the drawbacks of PET-MRI imaging is its inferiority in detecting lung nodules, so it is often combined with a computed tomography (CT) of the chest. However, chest CT often detects additional, indeterminate lung nodules. The objective of this study was to assess the sensitivity of detecting metastatic versus indeterminate nodules with PET-MRI compared to chest CT. A total of 328 patients were included. All patients had a PET/MRI whole-body scan for (re)staging of cancer combined with an unenhanced chest CT performed at our center between 2014 and 2020. Patients had at least a two-year follow-up. Six percent of the patients had lung metastases at initial staging. The sensitivity and specificity of PET-MRI for detecting lung metastases were 85% and 100%, respectively. The incidence of indeterminate lung nodules on chest CT was 30%. The sensitivity of PET-MRI to detect indeterminate lung nodules was poor (23.0%). The average size of the indeterminate lung nodules detected on PET-MRI was 7 ± 4 mm, and the missed indeterminate nodules on PET-MRI were 4 ± 1 mm (p < 0.001). The detection of metastatic lung nodules is fairly good with PET-MRI, whereas the sensitivity of PET-MRI for detecting indeterminate lung nodules is size-dependent. This may be an advantage, limiting unnecessary follow-up of small, indeterminate lung nodules while adequately detecting metastases.