bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Recovery of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Based on Estimated Hearing Disorders
Authors: Nishimura Tadashi , Okayasu Tadao , Morimoto Chihiro , Akasaka Sakie , Kitahara Tadashi , Hosoi Hiroshi
Published: September 2022

Various prognostic factors for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) have been reported. Hearing loss directly derived from idiopathic SSNHL is important for understanding underlying pathogenesis and outcomes. We assessed the usefulness of evaluating hearing loss and recovery of idiopathic SSNHL on the basis of estimated hearing loss. The study included 115 patients whose characteristics and outcomes of hearing loss were investigated. The effects of vertigo/dizziness and age on hearing thresholds before/after treatment, nonaffected ear threshold, estimated hearing loss, improvement of hearing loss, and estimated remaining hearing loss were investigated. Vertigo/dizziness was a significant prognostic factor for hearing. In vertigo/dizziness patients, significantly more severe hearing loss and poorer improvement of hearing loss were observed above 500 Hz and below 1000 Hz, respectively. Severe hearing disorder remained at all frequencies. Conversely, post-treatment thresholds were significantly higher in the older population (≥65 years), although no differences in pretreatment thresholds were observed between the younger (≤64 years) and older populations. However, on the basis of nonaffected ear thresholds, previously existing hearing loss could have influenced the outcome. Thus, comparison of hearing outcomes between affected and nonaffected ears is essential for understanding hearing loss and outcomes in idiopathic SSNHL cases with existing hearing disorder.
Changes in SpO2 on Room Air for 34 Severe COVID-19 Patients after Ivermectin-Based Combination Treatment: 62% Normalization within 24 Hours
Authors: Stone Jaqueline C. , Ndarukwa Pisirai , Scheim David E. , Dancis Barry M. , Dancis Jerome , Gill Martin G. , Aldous Colleen
Published: September 2022

The emergence of COVID-19 in March 2020 challenged Zimbabwe to respond with limited medical facilities and therapeutic options. Based on early clinical indications of efficacy for the macrocyclic lactone, Ivermectin (IVM), against COVID-19, IVM-based combination treatments were deployed to treat it. Oxygen saturation (SpO2) data were retrospectively analyzed for 34 severe, hypoxic COVID-19 patients all on room air (without supplemental oxygen). The patients, median age 56.5, were treated at clinics or at home between August 2020 and May 2021. All but three of these 34 patients had significantly increased SpO2 values within 24 h after the first IVM dose. The mean increase in SpO2 as a percentage of full normalization to SpO2 = 97 was 55.1% at +12 h and 62.3% at +24 h after the first IVM dose (paired t-test, p < 0.0000001). These results parallel similar sharp, rapid increases in SpO2, all on room air, for 24 mostly severe COVID-19 patients in the USA (California) who were given an IVM-based combination treatment. All patients in both of these critical series recovered. These rapid increases in SpO2 values after IVM treatment stand in sharp contrast to declines in SpO2 and associated pulmonary function through the second week following the onset of moderate or severe COVID-19 symptoms under standard care.
Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity
Authors: Hassan Shahnawaz , Sabreena  , Poczai Peter , Ganai Bashir Ah , Almalki Waleed Hassan , Gafur Abdul , Sayyed R. Z.
Published: September 2022

The dearth of cardinal data on species presence, dispersion, abundance, and habitat prerequisites, besides the threats impeded by escalating human pressure has enormously affected biodiversity conservation. The innovative concept of eDNA, has been introduced as a way of overcoming many of the difficulties of rigorous conventional investigations, and is hence becoming a prominent and novel method for assessing biodiversity. Recently the demand for eDNA in ecology and conservation has expanded exceedingly, despite the lack of coordinated development in appreciation of its strengths and limitations. Therefore it is pertinent and indispensable to evaluate the extent and significance of eDNA-based investigations in terrestrial habitats and to classify and recognize the critical considerations that need to be accounted before using such an approach. Presented here is a brief review to summarize the prospects and constraints of utilizing eDNA in terrestrial ecosystems, which has not been explored and exploited in greater depth and detail in such ecosystems. Given these obstacles, we focused primarily on compiling the most current research findings from journals accessible in eDNA analysis that discuss terrestrial ecosystems (2012–2022). In the current evaluation, we also review advancements and limitations related to the eDNA technique.
A High-Throughput Search for SFXN1 Physical Partners Led to the Identification of ATAD3, HSD10 and TIM50
Authors: Tifoun Nesrine , Bekhouche Mourad , De las Heras José M. , Guillaume Arnaud , Bouleau Sylvina , Guénal Isabelle , Mignotte Bernard , Le Floch Nathalie
Published: September 2022

Sideroflexins (SFXN, SLC56) are a family of evolutionarily conserved mitochondrial carriers potentially involved in iron homeostasis. One member of the SFXN family is SFXN1, recently identified as a human mitochondrial serine transporter. However, little is known about the SFXN1 interactome, necessitating a high-throughput search to better characterize SFXN1 mitochondrial functions. Via co-immunoprecipitation followed by shotgun mass spectrometry (coIP-MS), we identified 96 putative SFXN1 interactors in the MCF7 human cell line. Our in silico analysis of the SFXN1 interactome highlights biological processes linked to mitochondrial organization, electron transport chains and transmembrane transport. Among the potential physical partners, ATAD3A and 17β-HSD10, two proteins associated with neurological disorders, were confirmed using different human cell lines. Nevertheless, further work will be needed to investigate the significance of these interactions.
MicroRNAs Involved in Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway during Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity: Potential Use of Natural Products against DDP-Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Loren Pía , Lugones Yuliannis , Saavedra Nicolás , Saavedra Kathleen , Páez Isis , Rodriguez Nelia , Moriel Patricia , Salazar Luis A.
Published: September 2022

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II), DDP) is an antineoplastic agent widely used in the treatment of solid tumors because of its extensive cytotoxic activity. However, the main limiting side effect of DDP use is nephrotoxicity, a rapid deterioration in kidney function due to toxic chemicals. Several studies have shown that epigenetic processes are involved in DDP-induced nephrotoxicity. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), a class of epigenetic processes, are molecules that regulate gene expression under physiological and pathological conditions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the most characterized class of ncRNAs and are engaged in many cellular processes. In this review, we describe how different miRNAs regulate some pathways leading to cell death by apoptosis, specifically the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Accordingly, many classes of natural products have been tested for their ability to prevent DDP-induced apoptosis. The study of epigenetic regulation for underlying cell death is still being studied, which will allow new strategies for the diagnosis and therapy of this unwanted disease, which is presented as a side effect of antineoplastic treatment.
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Critical Neural Microdamage-Derived Neuroinflammation
Authors: Sonkodi Balázs
Published: September 2022

Piezo2 transmembrane excitatory mechanosensitive ion channels were identified as the principal mechanotransduction channels for proprioception. Recently, it was postulated that Piezo2 channels could be acutely microdamaged on an autologous basis at proprioceptive Type Ia terminals in a cognitive demand-induced acute stress response time window when unaccustomed or strenuous eccentric contractions are executed. One consequence of this proposed transient Piezo2 microinjury could be a VGLUT1/Ia synaptic disconnection on motoneurons, as we can learn from platinum-analogue chemotherapy. A secondary, harsher injury phase with the involvement of polymodal Aδ and nociceptive C-fibers could follow the primary impairment of proprioception of delayed onset muscle soreness. Repetitive reinjury of these channels in the form of repeated bout effects is proposed to be the tertiary injury phase. Notably, the use of proprioception is associated with motor learning and memory. The impairment of the monosynaptic static phase firing sensory encoding of the affected stretch reflex could be the immediate consequence of the proposed Piezo2 microdamage leading to impaired proprioception, exaggerated contractions and reduced range of motion. These transient Piezo2 channelopathies in the primary afferent terminals could constitute the critical gateway to the pathophysiology of delayed onset muscle soreness. Correspondingly, fatiguing eccentric contraction-based pathological hyperexcitation of the Type Ia afferents induces reactive oxygen species production-associated neuroinflammation and neuronal activation in the spinal cord of delayed onset muscle soreness.
First Evidence of the Expression and Localization of Prothymosin α in Human Testis and Its Involvement in Testicular Cancers
Authors: Venditti Massimo , Arcaniolo Davide , De Sio Marco , Minucci Sergio
Published: September 2022

Prothymosin α (PTMA) is a phylogenetically conserved polypeptide in male gonads of Vertebrates. In Mammals, it is a ubiquitous protein, and, possessing a random-coil structure, it interacts with many other partners, in both cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. PTMA has been widely studied during cell progression in different types of cancer because of its anti-apoptotic and proliferative properties. Here, we provided the first evidence of PTMA expression and localization in human testis and in two testicular cancers (TC): classic seminoma (CS) and Leydig cell tumor (LCT). Data showed that its protein level, together with that of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a cell cycle progression marker, increased in both CS and LCT samples, as compared to non-pathological (NP) tissue. Moreover, in the two-cancer tissue, a decreased apoptotic rate and an increased autophagic flux was also evidenced. Results confirmed the anti-apoptotic action of PTMA, also suggesting that it can act as a switcher from apoptosis to autophagy, to favor the survival of testicular cancer cells when they develop in adverse environments. Finally, the combined data, even if they need to be further validated, add new insight into the role of PTMA in human normal and pathological testicular tissue.
Clinical Predictors of Lung-Function Decline in Systemic-Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease Patients with Normal Spirometry
Authors: Nagy Tamas , Toth Nora Melinda , Palmer Erik , Polivka Lorinc , Csoma Balazs , Nagy Alexandra , Eszes Noémi , Vincze Krisztina , Bárczi Enikő , Bohács Anikó , Tárnoki Ádám Domonkos , Tárnoki Dávid László , Nagy György , Kiss Emese , Maurovich-Horvát Pál , Müller Veronika
Published: September 2022

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the leading cause of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) is defined as progression in 2 domains including clinical, radiological or lung-function parameters. Our aim was to assess predictors of functional decline in SSc-ILD patients and compare disease behavior to that in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients. Patients with normal forced vital capacity (FVC > 80% predicted; SSc-ILD: n = 31; IPF: n = 53) were followed for at least 1 year. Predictors of functional decline including clinical symptoms, comorbidities, lung-function values, high-resolution CT pattern, and treatment data were analyzed. SSc-ILD patents were significantly younger (59.8 ± 13.1) and more often women (93 %) than IPF patients. The median yearly FVC decline was similar in both groups (SSc-ILD = −67.5 and IPF = −65.3 mL/year). A total of 11 SSc-ILD patients met the PPF criteria for functional deterioration, presenting an FVC decline of −153.9 mL/year. Cough and pulmonary hypertension were significant prognostic factors for SSc-ILD functional progression. SSc-ILD patients with normal initial spirometry presenting with cough and PH are at higher risk for showing progressive functional decline.
Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases—An Update on Pathogenesis, Clinical Presentation and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Ungureanu Oana , Ismail Gener
Published: September 2022

Distal renal tubular acidosis (DRTA) has been reported in association with autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroiditis. Whether we talk about the complete or incomplete form of DRTA associated with autoimmune diseases, the real incidence is unknown because asymptomatic patients usually are not identified, and most of the reported cases are diagnosed due to severe symptoms secondary to hypokalemia, a frequent finding in these cases. The mechanisms involved in DRTA in patients with autoimmune diseases are far from being fully elucidated and most of the data has come from patients with Sjögren’s syndrome. This review will present different hypotheses raised to explain this association. Also, aiming for a better understanding of the association between autoimmune diseases and DRTA, our review summarizes data from 37 case reports published in the last five years. We will emphasize data regarding clinical presentation, biological alterations, treatment and outcome. A very important question is whether immunosuppressive therapy is helpful in DRTA associated with autoimmune diseases. Because the pathology is rather rare, treatment is not standardized, and reported results are often contradictory. Corticosteroids are frequently used, but multiple other immunosuppressive drugs have been proposed and will be approached in this review.
Application of Standardized Regression Coefficient in Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nieminen Pentti
Published: September 2022

The lack of consistent presentation of results in published studies on the association between a quantitative explanatory variable and a quantitative dependent variable has been a long-term issue in evaluating the reported findings. Studies are analyzed and reported in a variety of ways. The main purpose of this review is to illustrate the procedures in summarizing and synthesizing research results from multivariate models with a quantitative outcome variable. The review summarizes the application of the standardized regression coefficient as an effect size index in the context of meta-analysis and describe how it can be estimated and converted from data presented in original research articles. An example of synthesis is provided using research articles on the association between childhood body mass index and carotid intima-media thickness in adult life. Finally, the paper shares practical recommendations for meta-analysts wanting to use the standardized regression coefficient in pooling findings.
The Counteraction of Cultivated Cistus creticus L. (Rock Rose) Plants to the Strain Imposed by a Long-Term Exposure to Non-Ionizing Radiation and the Role of DDC
Authors: Stefi Aikaterina L. , Kalouda Georgia , Skouroliakou Aikaterini S. , Vassilacopoulou Dido , Christodoulakis Nikolaos S.
Published: September 2022

Two groups of Cistus creticus seedlings were grown in two chambers under controlled environmental conditions. In one of the chambers, a continuously emitting base unit of a wireless telephone was placed. After fifty days of culture, the two groups of plants were removed and thoroughly investigated and compared. The aboveground parts of the exposed plants were retarded in development while their roots exhibited increased biomass, compared to the controls. There was a minor decrease in the absorbance of the photosynthetic pigments in exposed plants, while an overproduction of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) ROS in their leaves and roots was detected. The expression of the L-Dopa decarboxylase (DDC) seemed to “erupt” following the exposure to radiation in both shoots and roots of the stressed plants, and their roots slow down their secondary development; strangely, the phenolic content is reduced in their leaves, the external topography of which indicates a rather xeromorphic response. We may suggest that Cistus creticus plants, forced by the radiation stress, can finely tune their metabolic pathways in a way that can be useful in the pharmaceutical industry.
Screening of Single-Stranded DNA Aptamer Specific for Florfenicol and Application in Detection of Food Safety
Authors: Shi Minghui , Liu Ruobing , Zhang Fuyuan , Chitrakar Bimal , Wang Xianghong
Published: September 2022

In this work, the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamers specific to florfenicol (FF) and having a high binding affinity were prepared using the magnetic bead-based systematic evolution of ligands by the exponential enrichment technique (MB-SELEX). After 10 rounds of the MB-SELEX screening, aptamers that can simultaneously recognize FF and its metabolite florfenicol amine (FFA) were obtained. The aptamer with the lowest dissociation constant (Kd) was truncated and optimized based on a secondary structure analysis. The optimal aptamer selected was Apt-14t, with a length of 43 nt, and its dissociation constant was 4.66 ± 0.75 nM, which was about 7 times higher than that of the full-length sequence. The potential binding sites and interactions with FF were demonstrated by molecular docking simulations. In addition, a colorimetric strategy for nanogold aptamers was constructed. The linear detection range of this method was 0.00128–500 ng/mL and the actual detection limit was 0.00128 ng/mL. Using this strategy to detect florfenicol in actual milk and eggs samples, the spiked recoveries were 88.9–123.1% and 84.0–112.2%, respectively, and the relative standard deviation was less than 5.6%, showing high accuracy.
A Ratiometric Organic Fluorescent Nanogel Thermometer for Highly Sensitive Temperature Sensing
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhao Xianhao , Wu Kaiyu , Lv Shuyi , Zhu Chunlei
Published: September 2022

Sensing temperature in biological systems is of great importance, as it is constructive to understanding various physiological and pathological processes. However, the realization of highly sensitive temperature sensing with organic fluorescent nanothermometers remains challenging. In this study, we report a ratiometric fluorescent nanogel thermometer and study its application in the determination of bactericidal temperature. The nanogel is composed of a polarity-sensitive aggregation-induced emission luminogen with dual emissions, a thermoresponsive polymer with a phase transition function, and an ionic surface with net positive charges. During temperature-induced phase transition, the nanogel exhibits a reversible and sensitive spectral change between a red-emissive state and a blue-emissive state by responding to the hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic change in the local environment. The correlation between the emission intensity ratio of the two states and the external temperature is delicately established, and the maximum relative thermal sensitivities of the optimal nanogel are determined to be 128.42 and 68.39% °C−1 in water and a simulated physiological environment, respectively. The nanogel is further applied to indicate the bactericidal temperature in both visual and ratiometric ways, holding great promise in the rapid prediction of photothermal antibacterial effects and other temperature-related biological events.
Lineage Tracing and Molecular Real-Time Imaging of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Jia Xiaohua , Shen Guodong , Jia Jia , Zhang Yan , Zhang Dan , Li Wanjun , Zhang Jianjun , Huang Xinglu , Tian Jie
Published: September 2022

The cancer stem cells (CSC) are the roots of cancer. The CSC hypothesis may provide a model to explain the tumor cell heterogeneity. Understand the biological mechanism of CSC will help the early detection and cure of cancer. The discovery of the dynamic changes in CSC will be possible by the using of bio-engineering techniques-lineage tracing. However, it is difficult to obtain real-time, continuous, and dynamic live-imaging information using the traditional approaches that take snapshots of time points from different animals. The goal of molecular imaging is to monitor the in situ, continuous molecular changes of cells in vivo. Therefore, the most advanced bioengineering lineage tracing approach, while using a variety of molecular detection methods, will maximize the presentation of CSC. In this review, we first introduce the method of lineage tracing, and then introduce the various components of molecular images to dynamic detect the CSC. Finally, we analyze the current situation and look forward the future of CSC detection.
Glucose to Platelet Ratio: A Potential Predictor of Hemorrhagic Transformation in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Chen Lingli , Chen Nan , Lin Yisi , Ren Huanzeng , Huang Qiqi , Jiang Xiuzhen , Zhou Xiahui , Pan Rongrong , Ren Wenwei
Published: September 2022

Glucose and platelet are two easily obtained clinical indicators; the present research aimed to demonstrate their association with hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients without thrombolytic or thrombectomy therapy. This was a single-center retrospective study. Patients who were diagnosed with HT after AIS were included in the HT group. Meanwhile, using the propensity score matching (PSM) approach, with a ratio of 1:2, matched patients without HT were included in the non-HT group. Serum G/P levels were measured on the first morning after admission (at least eight hours after the last meal). Characteristics were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the independent relationship between G/P and HT after AIS, with G/P being divided into quartiles. From January 2013 to March 2022, we consecutively included 643 AIS patients with HT (426/643 [66.25%] with HI and 217/643 [33.75%] with PH), and 1282 AIS patients without HT, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. The HT group had higher G/P levels than the non-HT group (0.04 ± 0.02 vs. 0.03 ± 0.02, p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in G/P levels between HI and PH subgroups (0.04 ± 0.02 vs. 0.04 ± 0.02, p > 0.05). Moreover, the G/P levels were divided into quartiles (Q1 ≤ 0.022; Q2 = 0.023–0.028; Q3 = 0.029–0.039; Q4 ≥ 0.040), with Q1 being settled as the reference layer. After controlling the confounders, multivariate regression analyses showed that the Q4 layer (Q4: G/P ≥ 0.040) was independently associated with elevated HT risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.31–2.63, p < 0.001). G/P levels on admission were independently associated with HT risk in AIS patients. In clinical practice, adequate attention should be paid to AIS patients with elevated G/P levels (G/P ≥ 0.040).
Cross-Cultural Comparison of ICD-11 Adjustment Disorder Prevalence and Its Risk Factors in Japanese and Lithuanian Adolescents
Authors: Abe Kazuaki , Daniunaite Ieva , Truskauskaitė-Kunevičienė Inga , Sugimura Kazumi , Zelviene Paulina , Hihara Shogo , Kamite Yuka , Kazlauskas Evaldas
Published: September 2022

Background: Although there is increasing knowledge about adjustment disorder (AjD) based on the new diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), less is known on AjD in adolescents. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of AjD and its risk factors in Japanese and Lithuanian adolescents. Methods: The cross-sectional study sample comprised 1745 adolescents from Japan (n = 913) and Lithuania (n = 832). AjD was assessed using the Adjustment Disorder New Module-8 (ADNM-8). We compared the prevalence of AjD in Japanese and Lithuanian adolescents. Using multinominal logistic regression analysis, we examined the effects of age, gender, socioeconomic status, and cumulative stressors as societal and cultural factors, resilience as an intrapersonal factor, and loneliness and perceived support as interpersonal factors on adolescent AjD. Results: The prevalence of probable AjD was 11.7% in Lithuanian adolescents and 6.9% in Japanese adolescents. Gender, socioeconomic status, cumulative stressors, resilience, loneliness, and perceived positive social support were each significantly associated with AjD risk. Conclusions: This cross-cultural comparative study revealed characteristics of the stressors and prevalence of AjD among Japanese and Lithuanian adolescents. In terms of the socio-interpersonal framework model for the stress–response syndrome, sociocultural, intrapersonal, and interpersonal factors were found to be risk factors associated with AjD in adolescents.
A Method for the Study of Cerebellar Cognitive Function—Re-Cognition and Validation of Error-Related Potentials
Authors: Mu Bo , Niu Chang , Shi Jingping , Li Rumei , Yu Chao , Yin Kuiying
Published: September 2022

The cerebellar region has four times as many brain cells as the brain, but whether the cerebellum functions in cognition, and how it does so, remain unexplored. In order to verify whether the cerebellum is involved in cognition, we chose to investigate whether the cerebellum is involved in the process of error judgment. We designed an experiment in which we could activate the subject’s error-related potentials (ErrP). We recruited 26 subjects and asked them to wear EEG caps with cerebellar regions designed by us to participate in the experiment so that we could record their EEG activity throughout the experiment. We successfully mitigated the majority of noise interference after a series of pre-processing of the data collected from each subject. Our analysis of the preprocessed data revealed that our experiment successfully activated ErrP, and that the EEG signals, including the cerebellum, were significantly different when subjects made errors compared to when they made correct judgments. We designed a feature extraction method that requires selecting channels with large differences under different classifications, firstly by extracting the time-frequency features of these channels, and then screening these features with sequence backward feature (SBS) selection. We use the extracted features as the input and different event types in EEG data as the labels for multiple classifiers to classify the data in the executive and feedback segments, where the average accuracy for two-class classification of executive segments can reach 80.5%. The major contribution of our study is the discovery of the presence of ErrP in cerebellar regions and the extraction of an effective feature extraction method for EEG data.
Will Abusive Supervision Promote Subordinates’ Voluntary Learning Behavior?
Authors: Xiao Zengrui , Wang Ying
Published: September 2022

Abusive supervision was traditionally viewed as a unidimensional construct and found detrimental in various fields, while there may be subdimensions associating with different consequences. This study aims to justify two subdimensions of abusive supervision, namely overt abusive supervision and covert abusive supervision, and investigate their effects on subordinates’ voluntary learning behavior, with public self-consciousness as a moderator. Data was acquired from a sample of 443 employees from China through a two-wave survey, and hypotheses were tested by hierarchical regression analysis. The empirical results demonstrated that overt abusive supervision promotes subordinates’ voluntary learning behavior at lower levels of public self-consciousness and hinders it otherwise, while covert abusive supervision promotes subordinates’ voluntary learning behavior homogeneously at different levels of public self-consciousness. The results suggest that supervisors could be mean and critical when encouraging subordinates to improve themselves, with subordinates’ public self-consciousness taken into consideration. However, abusive supervision should never be overused, not only because it is unethical and detrimental in many other fields, but also because the abused subordinates may just be preparing for leaving.
Seismic Performance of the PVA Fiber Reinforced Concrete Prefabricated Hollow Circular Piers with Socket and Slot Connection
Authors: Yang Dahai , Wang Zhitian , Zhang Yi , Pan Wuzhi , Wang Jianan , Shi Jun
Published: September 2022

The seismic performance of prefabricated hollow circular piers with socket and slot connection was evaluated through model tests and numerical simulations. The quasi-static tests with cyclic lateral load and constant axial load were conducted on three large pier specimens. The piers of these three specimens were cast by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber concrete, and the piers were connected to the cover beams by slotted connections and to the bearing platform by socketed connections. The seismic performance of the specimens was investigated in terms of failure modes, hysteresis curves, skeleton curves, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation, and residual deformation. The test results showed that, within a certain range, increasing the axial compression ratio is able to enhance the shear bearing capacity of prefabricated hollow piers and increase the cumulative energy dissipation, but it is not beneficial to the ductility. In addition, the increase in the shear span ratio significantly reduces the shear bearing capacity of piers and increases the residual deformation of the specimen, but the ductility is significantly improved. In addition, the numerical model of the prefabricated hollow pier was established by ABAQUS. The result of the numerical simulation was consistent and similar to the experimental result in terms of damage modes and load–displacement curves. Finally, the parametric analysis of the prefabricated hollow piers was carried out on the basis of the numerical model.
Numerical Performance Analysis of Concrete-Filled Hollow GFRP Beams including Inner Surface Bearing Stresses at the Interface
Authors: Ülger Tuna , Sharifi Ahmad Shayan
Published: September 2022

GFRP sections with filler concrete material form promising structural components for structures; therefore, the structural performance of them has been investigated with increasing popularity. However, the performance of these composites degrades when fully composite action cannot be developed at the interface in where the literature hosts limited knowledge. Different techniques, such as abraded and sand-bonded surface treatments, were investigated experimentally to improve the bond-slip behavior between GFRP and concrete; however, there is a need to define shear mechanism at the interface of the numerical models. In this study, first, the average frictional bearing strengths were extracted for the treated and untreated inner surfaces using experimental results; then, the coulomb friction model was utilized to transfer the shear stresses between two dissimilar materials. Numerical models were verified by the experimental results, and different parametric studies were investigated by varying the amount and shape of GFRP in the cross section, compressive strength of concrete including the non-linear material behavior and interface frictional contact models. The findings showed that the interface strength can improve the flexural capacity of the concrete-filled GFRP beams by about 15.4%. Square GFRP box sections can be suggested for the construction of hybrid beams instead of rectangular sections, whereas the 10% areal ratio in a square cross section reached 103% load capacity improvement. The increased nominal compressive strength of concrete in hybrid beams can increase the hollow GFRP beams’ nominal load capacities and elastic stiffness of the hybrid beams in between; however, the relative gain is reduced due to increased compressive strength of concrete.
A Scientometric Analysis of Studies on Risk Management in Construction Projects
Authors: Osei-Kyei Robert , Narbaev Timur , Ampratwum Godslove
Published: September 2022

Risk management is one of the topical areas in construction project management research. However, no attempt has been made in the past decades to explore the emerging themes in this area. This paper reviews the research trends in risk management in construction. The bibliometric data of 1635 publications between 1979 and 2022 were extracted from Scopus using a set of keywords. The study used VOSviewer and Gephi to conduct a scientometric analysis on the extracted publications. The review outcome indicates a significant increase in publications on risk management in construction, with about 205 publications recorded between 2021 and 2022 alone. Based on this analysis, it is projected that the next decade will see significant research on risk management, especially as the construction industry moves towards Industry 5.0 with many uncertainties. Further, the most productive countries of risk management studies in construction include China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Hong Kong. Emerging key research areas are discussed using network diagrams and clusters. These areas include the processes in risk management, risk analytical models and techniques, sources of risk and uncertainties, effective knowledge-based systems for improved risk management, risk contingency in construction contracts, risk-integrated project planning and scheduling, and stakeholder management. The findings of this study inform researchers on the current progress of risk management studies in construction and highlight possible research directions that can be considered.
Influence of Wastewater Content on Mechanical Properties, Microstructure, and Durability of Concrete
Authors: Yao Xianhua , Xu Zhaowen , Guan Junfeng , Liu Lijun , Shangguan Linjian , Xi Junyi
Published: September 2022

In this study, high concentration wastewater from ready-mixed concrete plants was used to replace potable water as mixing water of concrete, with replacement rates of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, by weight. The solid content of the wastewater was 12%. Five groups of C20 concrete mix proportions were designed. Different concrete properties, including workability, compressive strength and durability under freeze–thaw cycles, carbonization, and drying conditions, were studied, and the effect of the increase in the proportion of wastewater as a replacement for potable water was investigated. The microstructural attributes of the developed C20 concrete were studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG-DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Finally, the economic benefits of replacing potable water with wastewater were analyzed. The results indicate that using wastewater for concrete mixing reduces workability and a superplasticizer is needed to ensure adequate concrete workability. At the ages of 7, 28, and 56 days, with the increase in the proportion of wastewater as a replacement for potable water (0, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%), the compressive strength of concrete shows a trend of first decreasing, then increasing, and then decreasing. When the proportion of wastewater replacing potable water is 75%, the concrete compressive strength is the highest. The microstructure showed that the main products of wastewater-mixed concrete are calcite (CaCO3), portlandite (Ca(OH)2), ettringite (Aft), and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H). Adding wastewater to concrete does not lead to the formation of new products in the concrete. Wastewater can fill the concrete pores well, thus optimizing the pore structure. When the proportion of wastewater replacing potable water is 75%, C20 concrete has the densest microstructure, lower porosity, and better pore structure. Durability properties further indicate that 25%, 50%, and 75% of wastewater replacing potable water can improve the concrete’s frost resistance. However, there is a negative impact on the carbonation resistance of wastewater. Wastewater replacing 75% potable water by weight can improve the drying shrinkage of concrete. The recycling of wastewater is not only green and environmentally friendly but also has good economic and environmental benefits.
Experimental Characterization and Acoustic Correction of a Multipurpose Performance Hall: The Italian Theatre “Cavallino Bianco”
Authors: De Giorgi Maria Grazia , Congedo Paolo Maria , Baglivo Cristina , Bonomolo Marina , Milone Daniele
Published: September 2022

This study presents the retrofit acoustic dq1esign of the Italian theatre “Cavallino Bianco”. In its historical configuration, the hall had a curved roof with a pressed-plant fiber ceiling, which was demolished and replaced with a wooden roof without a false ceiling, leading to an increase in volume and a worsening of the reverberation time. This study proposed the realization of a wave ceiling and the application of sound-absorbing and reflecting panels on the walls, which have already been implemented. These modifications have affected the acoustic characterization of the theatre, as shown both through on-site measurements during the main construction phases and through numerical simulations. The reverberation time, clarity index, and speech transmission index (STI) are evaluated considering all the variations in the hall over different construction times, and the optimal solution is identified with regard to different specific uses. The final configuration with the new roof, by reducing the volume of the hall and using sound-absorbing materials, significantly reduces the reverberation time (e.g., at 2000 Hz, this reduction is from 2.33 to 1.47). In addition, the hall at full capacity with chairs and people shows evident improvement in terms of the clarity index, allowing the theatre to be used for a wide range of musical genres such as instrumental, symphonic, and opera performances. As regards the Combos 00 (concrete roof without vertical sound acoustic panels) and 01-a/b/c (wooden roof with draped curtains), the STI values are never lower than 0.42 and never higher than 0.70; therefore, the room never experiences poor or excellent conditions at any point. The Combos 01-a and 01-b, which have a non-performing C80, have a good STI index, confirming the difficulty of achieving a configuration that can be optimal a variety of uses. Combo 01 (wooden roof without vertical sound acoustic panels and no draped curtains), which has a good C80 value, presents a lower STI value, with an average performance. The STI values of Combo 02-a (characterized by wave false ceiling and vertical sound acoustic panels) are never lower than 0.52 and never higher than 0.60; therefore, neither poor nor excellent conditions are experienced in the room, but there is still a slight improvement over the combos 00 and 01.
Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies Pathogenic Germline Variants in Patients with Lynch-Like Syndrome
Authors: dos Santos Wellington , de Andrade Edilene Santos , Garcia Felipe Antonio de Oliveira , Campacci Natália , Sábato Cristina da Silva , Melendez Matias Eliseo , Reis Rui Manuel , Galvão Henrique de Campos Reis , Palmero Edenir Inez
Published: September 2022

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome, characterized by germline pathogenic variants in mismatch repair (MMR)-related genes that lead to microsatellite instability. Patients who meet the clinical criteria for LS and MMR deficiency and without any identified germline pathogenic variants are frequently considered to have Lynch-like syndrome (LLS). These patients have a higher risk of CRC and extracolonic tumors, and little is known about their underlying genetic causes. We investigated the germline spectrum of LLS patients through whole-exome sequencing (WES). A total of 20 unrelated patients with MMR deficiency who met the clinical criteria for LS and had no germline variant were subjected to germline WES. Variant classification was performed according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) criteria. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were identified in 35% of patients in known cancer genes such as MUTYH and ATM. Besides this, rare and potentially pathogenic variants were identified in the DNA repair gene POLN and other cancer-related genes such as PPARG, CTC1, DCC and ALPK1. Our study demonstrates the germline mutational status of LLS patients, a population at high risk of colorectal cancer.
Quantifying the Effects of Combination Trastuzumab and Radiation Therapy in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Bloom Meghan J. , Song Patrick N. , Virostko John , Yankeelov Thomas E. , Sorace Anna G.
Published: September 2022

Background: Trastuzumab induces cell cycle arrest in HER2-overexpressing cells and demonstrates potential in radiosensitizing cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to quantify combination trastuzumab and radiotherapy to determine their synergy. Methods: In vitro, HER2+ cancer cells were treated with trastuzumab, radiation, or their combination, and imaged to evaluate treatment kinetics. In vivo, HER2+ tumor-bearing mice were treated with trastuzumab and radiation, and assessed longitudinally. An additional cohort was treated and sacrificed to quantify CD45, CD31, α-SMA, and hypoxia. Results: The interaction index revealed the additive effects of trastuzumab and radiation in vitro in HER2+ cell lines. Furthermore, the results revealed significant differences in tumor response when treated with radiation (p < 0.001); however, no difference was seen in the combination groups when trastuzumab was added to radiotherapy (p = 0.56). Histology revealed increases in CD45 staining in tumors receiving trastuzumab (p < 0.05), indicating potential increases in immune infiltration. Conclusions: The in vitro results showed the additive effect of combination trastuzumab and radiotherapy. The in vivo results showed the potential to achieve similar efficacy of radiotherapy with a reduced dose when combined with trastuzumab. If trastuzumab and low-dose radiotherapy induce greater tumor kill than a higher dose of radiotherapy, combination therapy can achieve a similar reduction in tumor burden.
Liquid Biopsies in Colorectal Liver Metastases: Towards the Era of Precision Oncologic Surgery
Authors: Tsilimigras Diamantis I. , Ntanasis-Stathopoulos Ioannis , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: September 2022

Tumor mutational analysis has been incorporated into the management of patients with CRLM since it can provide valuable prognostic information as well as guide peri-operative systemic treatment. Unlike tumor biopsy, liquid biopsy has emerged as a promising, non-invasive alternative that can detect cell-derived markers from a variety of body fluids and might better characterize all subclones present at a specific time point and allow sequential monitoring of disease evolution. Although not currently considered standard of care, an increasing number of cancer centers are nowadays routinely using liquid biopsies in the treatment of CRLM patients with promising results. The current review provides an overview of liquid biopsies in cancer therapeutics and focuses on the application of this relatively new approach on patients with CRLM.
Nodal Disease and Survival in Oral Cancer: Is Occult Metastasis a Burden Factor Compared to Preoperatively Nodal Positive Neck?
Authors: Haidari Selgai , Obermeier Katharina Theresa , Kraus Moritz , Otto Sven , Probst Florian Andreas , Liokatis Paris
Published: September 2022

The impact of neck involvement and occult metastasis (OM) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) favors an elective neck dissection. However, there are barely any existing data on survival for patients with OM compared with patients with positive lymph nodes detected preoperatively. This study aims to compare survival curves of patients suffering from lymph nodal metastases in a preoperatively N+ neck with those suffering from OM. In addition, clinical characteristics of the primary tumor were analyzed to predict occult nodal disease. This retrospective cohort study includes patients with an OSCC treated surgically with R0 resection with or without adjuvant chemoradiotherapy between 2010 and 2016. Minimum follow-up was 60 months. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to compare the survival between patients with and without occult metastases and patients with N+ neck to those with occult metastases. Logistic regression was used to detect potential risk factors for occult metastases. The patient cohort consisted of 226 patients. Occult metastases occurred in 16 of 226 patients. In 53 of 226 patients, neck lymph nodes were described as suspect on CT imaging but had a pN0 neck. Higher tumor grading increased the chance of occurrence of occult metastasis 2.7-fold (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.07–6.7). After 12, 24, 48 and 60 months, 82.3%, 73.8%, 69% and 67% of the N0 patients, respectively, were progression free. In the group with OM occurrence, for the same periods 66.6%, 50%, 33.3% and 33.3% of the patients, respectively, were free of disease. For the same periods, respectively, 81%, 63%, 47% and 43% of the patients in the N+ group but without OM remained disease free. The predictors for progression-free survival were a positive N status (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.08–1.93) and the occurrence of OM (HR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.17–4.64). The presence of occult metastasis could lead to decreased survival and could be a burdening factor requiring treatment escalation and a more aggressive follow-up than nodal disease detected in the preoperative diagnostic imaging.
An Orthotopic Model of Glioblastoma Is Resistant to Radiodynamic Therapy with 5-AminoLevulinic Acid
Authors: Dupin Charles , Sutter Jade , Amintas Samuel , Derieppe Marie-Alix , Lalanne Magalie , Coulibaly Soule , Guyon Joris , Daubon Thomas , Boutin Julian , Blouin Jean-Marc , Richard Emmanuel , Moreau-Gaudry François , Bedel Aurélie , Vendrely Véronique , Dabernat Sandrine
Published: September 2022

Radiosensitization of glioblastoma is a major ambition to increase the survival of this incurable cancer. The 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is metabolized by the heme biosynthesis pathway. 5-ALA overload leads to the accumulation of the intermediate fluorescent metabolite protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) with a radiosensitization potential, never tested in a relevant model of glioblastoma. We used a patient-derived tumor cell line grafted orthotopically to create a brain tumor model. We evaluated tumor growth and tumor burden after different regimens of encephalic multifractionated radiation therapy with or without 5-ALA. A fractionation scheme of 5 × 2 Gy three times a week resulted in intermediate survival [48–62 days] compared to 0 Gy (15–24 days), 3 × 2 Gy (41–47 days) and, 5 × 3 Gy (73–83 days). Survival was correlated to tumor growth. Tumor growth and survival were similar after 5 × 2 Gy irradiations, regardless of 5-ALA treatment (RT group (53–67 days), RT+5-ALA group (40–74 days), HR = 1.57, p = 0.24). Spheroid growth and survival were diminished by radiotherapy in vitro, unchanged by 5-ALA pre-treatment, confirming the in vivo results. The analysis of two additional stem-like patient-derived cell lines confirmed the absence of radiosensitization by 5-ALA. Our study shows for the first time that in a preclinical tumor model relevant to human glioblastoma, treated as in clinical routine, 5-ALA administration, although leading to important accumulation of PpIX, does not potentiate radiotherapy.