bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating Aquaponics with Macrobrachium amazonicum (Palaemonidae: Decapoda) Cultivation for the Production of Microgreens: A Sustainable Approach
Authors: Guerreiro Sávio L. M. , Cabral Júnior João Francisco Garcez , Eiras Bruno J. C. F. , Miranda Bruna dos Santos , Lopes Priscila Caroline Alves , Melo Nuno Filipe Alves Correia de , Luz Ronald Kennedy , Sterzelecki Fábio Carneiro , Palheta Glauber David Almeida
Published: August 2024

The use of aquaponic systems has grown in recent years, but few of these systems have integrated the production of prawns and short-cycle vegetables. This study evaluated the potential for producing microgreens (beet, amaranth, arugula, and red cabbage) integrated with Amazon River prawns (Macrobrachium amazonicum) in an aquaponic system. Four seeding densities (5, 10, 15, or 20 seeds/cell) were assessed in two treatments: one using prawn wastewater and the other using plain dechlorinated water (control). Water quality, prawn growth performance, and microgreen productivity were monitored over 13 days, revealing optimal conditions for both prawns and microgreens in the aquaponic system. Amaranthus paniculatus yielded 374.00 g/m2 in prawn wastewater compared to 231.34 g/m2 in the control, while Beta vulgaris produced 1734.39 g/m2 in wastewater versus 1127.69 g/m2 in the control. Similarly, Brassica oleracea (2180.69 g/m2) and Eruca sativa (2109.46 g/m2) had higher yields in the prawn aquaponics system. These findings demonstrate that integrating prawn cultivation in aquaponic systems significantly enhances microgreen production compared to traditional methods. This integrated approach not only improves yields but also offers a more sustainable production model. Significant variation in productivity and growth metrics among species treatments underscores the viability and need for more systematic aquaponic procedures.
Integrating Actuator Fault-Tolerant Control and Deep-Learning-Based NDVI Estimation for Precision Agriculture with a Hexacopter UAV
Authors: Ortiz-Torres Gerardo , Zurita-Gil Manuel A. , Rumbo-Morales Jesse Y. , Sorcia-Vázquez Felipe D. J. , Gascon Avalos José J. , Pérez-Vidal Alan F. , Ramos-Martinez Moises B. , Martínez Pascual Eric , Juárez Mario A.
Published: August 2024

This paper presents an actuator fault-tolerant control (FTC) strategy for a hexacopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed specifically for precision agriculture applications. The proposed approach integrates advanced sensing techniques, including the estimation of Near-Infrared (NIR) reflectance from RGB imagery using the Pix2Pix deep learning network based on conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (cGANs), to enable the calculation of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for health assessment. Additionally, trajectory flight planning is developed to ensure the efficient coverage of the targeted agricultural area while considering the vehicle’s dynamics and fault-tolerant capabilities, even in the case of total actuator failures. The effectiveness of the proposed system is validated through simulations and real-world experiments, demonstrating its potential for reliable and accurate data collection in precision agriculture. An NDVI test was conducted on a sugarcane crop using the estimated NIR to assess the crop’s condition during its tillering stage. Therefore, the main contributions this paper include (i) the development of an actuator FTC strategy for a hexacopter UAV in precision agriculture applications, integrating advanced sensing techniques such as NIR reflectance estimation using deep learning network; (ii) the design of a flight trajectory planning method ensuring the efficient coverage of the targeted agricultural area, considering the vehicle’s dynamics and fault-tolerant capabilities; (iii) the validation of the proposed system through simulations and real-world experiments; and (iv) the successful integration of FTC scheme, advanced sensing, and flight trajectory planning for reliable and accurate data collection in precision agriculture.
An Integrated Engineering Method for Improving Air Quality of Cage-Free Hen Housing
Authors: Bist Ramesh Bahadur , Yang Xiao , Subedi Sachin , Paneru Bidur , Chai Lilong
Published: August 2024

High particulate matter levels in cage-free (CF) houses have led to concerns from producers, as that can pose significant risks to the health and well-being of hens and their caretakers. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an electrostatic particle ionization (EPI) + bedding management (BM) treatment in reducing particulate matter (PM) concentrations. Four identical CF rooms each housed 175 hens for six weeks, with two rooms assigned to the EPI + BM treatment (EPI + 20% wood chip topping over 81-week-old litter) and the other two as controls. Measurements of PM were conducted twice a week for 10 min using TSI DustTrak. Additionally, small and large particle concentrations were monitored continuously using a Dylos monitor, with a sampling period of one minute. Footpad scoring was recorded for logistic analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA with the Tukey HSD method (p < 0.05). Results demonstrated that the EPI + BM treatment significantly reduced particle counts (37.83% decrease in small particles, 55.90% decrease in large particles) compared to the control group (p < 0.01). PM concentrations were also substantially lowered across different size fractions, ranging from 58.41% to 64.17%. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the EPI + BM treatment in reducing PM in CF houses. The integration of EPI and bedding management innovated in this study holds promise for improving air quality and contributing to the well-being of hens and caretakers in CF housing systems.
Fractional Calculus Meets Neural Networks for Computer Vision: A Survey
Authors: Coelho Cecília , Costa M. Fernanda P. , Ferrás Luís L.
Published: August 2024

Traditional computer vision techniques aim to extract meaningful information from images but often depend on manual feature engineering, making it difficult to handle complex real-world scenarios. Fractional calculus (FC), which extends derivatives to non-integer orders, provides a flexible way to model systems with memory effects and long-term dependencies, making it a powerful tool for capturing fractional rates of variation. Recently, neural networks (NNs) have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in learning complex patterns directly from raw data, automating computer vision tasks and enhancing performance. Therefore, the use of fractional calculus in neural network-based computer vision is a powerful method to address existing challenges by effectively capturing complex spatial and temporal relationships in images and videos. This paper presents a survey of fractional calculus neural network-based (FC NN-based) computer vision techniques for denoising, enhancement, object detection, segmentation, restoration, and NN compression. This survey compiles existing FFC NN-based approaches, elucidates underlying concepts, and identifies open questions and research directions. By leveraging FC’s properties, FC NN-based approaches offer a novel way to improve the robustness and efficiency of computer vision systems.
Identification of ActivinβA and Gonadotropin Regulation of the Activin System in the Ovary of Chinese Sturgeon Acipenser sinensis
Authors: Yue Huamei , Ye Huan , Ruan Rui , Du Hao , Li Chuangju
Published: August 2024

Activin is a dimeric growth factor with diverse biological activities in vertebrates. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of the activin signaling pathway in the ovary of the endangered, cultured sturgeon species Acipenser sinensis. One activinβA subunit was identified, with a full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of 1572 base pairs. Multiple sequence alignment suggested that ActivinβA shared high sequence identities with its counterparts in four other sturgeon species. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the conserved evolution of ActivinβA among vertebrates from mammals to fish species. Transcripts of activinβA were distributed ubiquitously in the liver, kidney, intestine, ovary, midbrain, hypothalamus, and pituitary, with the highest transcription found in the pituitary. In Chinese sturgeon ovarian cells, in vitro human recombinant Activin A incubation stimulated the activin system-related gene transcriptions of activinβA, follistatin, its receptors -activinRIIA and activinRIIB, and drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic proteins (smads) smad2, smad3, and smad4. Ovary development-related mRNA levels of cyp19a1a and aromatase receptors of erα and erβ were enhanced by Activin A or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) incubation. Furthermore, 15 IU/mL hCG treatment increased the transcription levels of activinβA, follistatin, activinRIIA, and smad2. This suggested that the activin system was functional for the regulation of ovary development in Chinese sturgeon, possibly under the regulation of gonadotropin, by recruiting activinβA, follistatin, activinRIIA, and smad2. These results were helpful for the molecular exploration of activin signaling in fish species, as well as the ovarian maturation regulation of A. sinensis.
Adaptive Evolution and Functional Differentiation of Testis-Expressed Genes in Theria
Authors: Katsura Yukako , Shigenobu Shuji , Satta Yoko
Published: August 2024

Gene expression patterns differ in different tissues, and the expression pattern of genes in the mammalian testis is known to be extremely variable in different species. To clarify how the testis transcriptomic pattern has evolved in particular species, we examined the evolution of the adult testis transcriptome in Theria using 10 species: two marsupials (opossum and Tasmanian devil), six eutherian (placental) mammals (human, chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, rhesus macaque, and mouse), and two outgroup species (platypus and chicken). We show that 22 testis-expressed genes are marsupial-specific, suggesting their acquisition in the stem lineage of marsupials after the divergence from eutherians. Despite the time length of the eutherian stem lineage being similar to that of the marsupial lineage, acquisition of testis-expressed genes was not found in the stem lineage of eutherians; rather, their expression patterns differed by species, suggesting rapid gene evolution in the eutherian ancestors. Fifteen testis-expressed genes are therian-specific, and for three of these genes, the evolutionary tempo is markedly faster in eutherians than in marsupials. Our phylogenetic analysis of Rho GTPase-activating protein 28 (ARHGAP28) suggests the adaptive evolution of this gene in the eutherians, probably together with the expression pattern differentiation.
Pycnogenol-Assisted Alleviation of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle-Induced Lung Inflammation via Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein Downregulation
Authors: Lim Je-Oh , Kim Woong-Il , Pak So-Won , Lee Se-Jin , Moon Changjong , Shin In-Sik , Kim Sung-Hwan , Kim Jong-Choon
Published: August 2024

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are used in products that are applied to the human body, such as cosmetics and food, but their biocompatibility remains controversial. Pycnogenol (PYC), a natural extract of pine bark, exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated whether PYC effectively alleviates pulmonary toxicity induced by airway exposure to TiO2NPs, and the beneficial effects of PYC were explained through the analysis of changes to the mechanism of cytotoxicity. TiO2NPs induced pulmonary inflammation and mucus production, increased the levels of malondialdehyde, and upregulated thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and cleaved-caspase 3 (Cas3) in the lungs of mice. However, PYC treatment reduced the levels of all toxicity markers of TiO2NPs and restored glutathione levels. These antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of PYC were also demonstrated in TiO2NP-exposed human airway epithelial cells by increasing the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes and decreasing the expression of TXNIP, cleaved-Cas3, and inflammatory mediators. Taken together, our results showed that PYC attenuated TiO2NP-induced lung injury via TXNIP downregulation. Therefore, our results suggest the potential of PYC as an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent against TiO2NP-induced pulmonary toxicity.
Pre-Processing Event Logs by Chaotic Filtering Approaches Based on the Direct Following Relationship
Authors: Lv Tengzi , Gong Xiugang , Gong Na , Li Kaiyu
Published: August 2024

Process discovery aims to discover process models from event logs to describe actual business processes. The quality of event logs has an impact on the quality of process models, so preprocessing methods can be used to improve the quality of event logs. Chaotic activities may exist in real business scenarios, and the occurrence of chaotic activities is independent of other activities in the process and can occur at any location in the event log at any frequency. Therefore, chaotic activities seriously affect the model quality of process discovery. Filtering chaotic activities in event logs can effectively improve the quality of event logs and thus improve the quality of process models. The traditional chaotic activity filtering algorithm makes it difficult to balance accuracy and time performance. Therefore, a direct method for filtering chaotic activities is proposed in this paper. By analyzing the relationship between activities, chaotic activities are identified in the log according to the characteristics of chaotic activities and the direct following relationship of activities as the judgment condition, and the filtering of chaotic activities in the event log is realized. In addition, this paper proposes an indirect chaotic activity filtering method, which identifies and filters chaotic activities in the log by analyzing the influence of the existence of different activities on the overall chaos degree of the log. The proposed method is compared with the traditional chaotic activity filtering method on several simulation/real data sets, and the accuracy and running time between the multi-group event logs and the process models generated before and after chaotic activity filtering are analyzed, further verifying the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method. By summarizing the experimental results, it is found that the accuracy of the proposed chaotic activity filtering methods is greater than that of the frequency-based filtering method and is close to that of the entropy-based chaotic activity filtering methods. Moreover, compared with other filtering methods used in the experiment, the chaotic activity filtering method proposed in this paper can improve the efficiency by 23.4% on average for simulation logs, and by 84.25% on average for real event logs. It is concluded that compared with other filtering methods, the proposed chaotic activity filtering methods have higher accuracy and can effectively improve the time performance of chaotic activity filtering. Therefore, the chaotic activity filtering method proposed in this paper can balance the accuracy and time performance, and can ensure the integrity of the filtered event log to a certain extent.
Black Carbon in the Air of the Baikal Region, (Russia): Sources and Spatiotemporal Variations
Authors: Khodzher Tamara V. , Yausheva Elena P. , Shikhovtsev Maxim Yu. , Zhamsueva Galina S. , Zayakhanov Alexander S. , Golobokova Liudmila P.
Published: August 2024

In recent years, the role of the atmosphere in the formation of the chemical composition of water in Lake Baikal and its tributaries has been increasing. In this regard, the study of equivalent black carbon (eBC) in the air above the lake and its coast has an important practical application. This paper presents the results of the mass concentration of eBC and submicron aerosol in the air above the water area of Lake Baikal, which were obtained during expeditions onboard research vessels in the summer of 2019 and 2023. We analyzed the data from the coastal monitoring station Listvyanka. To measure eBC, an MDA-02 aethalometer was used in the water area of the lake, and a BAC-10 aethalometer at the Listvyanka station. The background level of the eBC concentration in the air at different areas of the lake ranged between 0.15 and 0.3 µg m−3. The results of the two expeditions revealed the influence of the coastal settlements and the air mass transport along the valleys of the lake’s large tributaries on the five- to twentyfold growth of the eBC concentration in the near-water atmosphere. In the diurnal dynamics of eBC near settlements, we recorded high values in the evening and at night. In background areas, the diurnal dynamics were poorly manifested. In the summer of 2019, there were smoke plumes in the water area of Lake Baikal from distant wildfires and a local fire site on the east coast of the lake. The eBC concentration increased to 5–6 µg m−3, which was 10 to 40 times higher than the background. The long-range transport of plumes from coal-fired thermal power plants in large cities of the region made the major contribution to the eBC concentration at «Listvyanka» in winter, which data on aerosol, gas impurities, and meteorological parameters confirmed.
Production of Functional Vinegar Enriched with γ-Aminobutyric Acid through Serial Co-Fermentation of Lactic Acid and Acetic Acid Bacteria Using Rice Wine Lees
Authors: Park Yun-Ho , Kwon Min-Jeong , Shin Dong-Min , Lee Sam-Pin
Published: August 2024

Functional vinegar with high γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content was manufactured through a two-stage serial co-fermentation of rice wine lees, a by-product of Korean rice wine, using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and acetic acid bacteria (AAB). The first LAB fermentation elevated GABA content by utilizing monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a precursor. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KS2020 converted up to 10% of MSG into GABA and indicated a GABA content of 65.49 mg/g. The concentration of LAB-fermented rice wine lees was then optimized for the second co-fermentation, and Acetobacter aceti was used to produce vinegar. Co-fermentation using 40% first LAB-fermented rice wine lees yielded vinegar with 55.34 mg/g acetic acid and 22.61 mg/g GABA. The temperature-dependent reduction in GABA in GABA-enriched vinegar followed the Arrhenius relationship during storage, with an activation energy of 9.94 kcal/mol (20–35 °C, R2 = 0.99). The GABA present in the vinegar showed evidence of a temperature-/time-dependent decrease, decreasing by 40% over five months. This study first proved the higher GABA-enriched vinegar production from rice wine lees using Lb. plantarum KS2020 and A. aceti.
Exploring the Relationship between Inhaled Corticosteroid Usage, Asthma Severity, and Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Zaffanello Marco , Ferrante Giuliana , Piazza Michele , Nosetti Luana , Tenero Laura , Piacentini Giorgio
Published: August 2024

(1) Background: Sleep-disordered breathing and asthma are often interrelated. Children and adults with asthma are more susceptible to sleep apnea. Inhaled corticosteroids effectively reduce inflammation and prevent structural changes in the airways. Objective: to explore the existing literature to determine whether inhaled corticosteroids play a role in sleep-disordered breathing in patients with asthma. (2) Methods: We conducted a thorough search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for English-language articles published up to 12 May 2024. We utilized the ROBINS-E tool to assess the risk of bias. (4) Conclusions: 136 articles were discerned upon conducting the literature search. A total of 13 articles underwent exhaustive full-text scrutiny, resulting in 6 being considered non-relevant. The remaining seven articles, assessed for eligibility, were incorporated into the final analysis. Five studies were identified in adults and two in children. In adult patients, inhaled corticosteroids, especially at high doses, appear to increase the risk of sleep apnea in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the properties of inhaled corticosteroids, such as particle size, may impact the risk of developing sleep apnea. In children, the severity of asthma is a key factor affecting the prevalence of sleep apnea, whereas inhaled corticosteroids appear to be a less significant risk factor compared to adults. All of the studies reviewed were classified as having a high risk of bias or some concerns regarding bias. Each study revealed at least one type of bias that raised notable concerns. This research highlights a complex interaction between the use of inhaled corticosteroids, the severity of asthma, and the onset of sleep apnea. Additional research is necessary to investigate these relationships further.
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events: The Importance of Serum Levels and Haplotypes of the Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin 10
Authors: Schulz Susanne , Reuter Leonie , Navarrete Santos Alexander , Bitter Kerstin , Rehm Selina , Schlitt Axel , Reichert Stefan
Published: August 2024

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent major medical and socio-economic challenges worldwide. There is substantial evidence that CVD is closely linked to inflammatory changes triggered by a complex cytokine network. In this context, interleukin 10 (IL-10) plays an important role as a pleiotropic cytokine with an anti-inflammatory capacity. In this study (a substudy of ClinTrials.gov, identifier: NCT01045070), the prognostic relevance of IL-10 levels and IL-10 haplotypes (rs1800896/rs1800871/rs1800872) was assessed regarding adverse cardiovascular outcomes (combined endpoint: myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischemic attack, cardiac death and death according to stroke) within a 10-year follow-up. Patients and methods: At baseline, 1002 in-patients with CVD were enrolled. Serum levels of IL-10 were evaluated utilizing flow cytometry (BD™ Cytometric Bead Array). Haplotype analyses were carried out by polymerase chain reactions with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). Results: In a survival analysis, IL-10 haplotypes were not proven to be cardiovascular prognostic factors in a 10-year follow-up (Breslow test: p = 0.423). However, a higher IL-10 level was associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes (Breslow test: p = 0.047). A survival analysis considering adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) could not confirm this correlation (Cox regression: adjusted HR = 1.26, p = 0.168). Conclusion: In the present study, an elevated IL-10 level but not IL-10 haplotypes was linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes (10-year follow-up) in a cohort of CVD patients.
Ionic Liquid Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Sugarcane Cellulose to Produce Reducing Sugar
Authors: Liu Ruihuan , Li Jiying , Liu Enming , Ali Ahmad , Li Zicheng , Yao Shun
Published: August 2024

As the most abundant bioenergy raw material in nature, cellulose can be converted into sugar by hydrolysis, which can be further degraded to produce downstream chemicals, such as polyols. Hydrolysis technology is one of the key steps in the development and utilization of cellulosic biomass resources. In this study, the ionic liquid (IL)-catalyzed hydrolysis of sugarcane cellulose into reducing sugar was studied. Firstly, the hydrolysis of sugarcane cellulose in different ionic liquids (including benzothiazolomethane sulfonate, [HBth][CH3SO3] and 1-methyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)-imidazolium hydrogen sulfate, [C3SO3Hmim]HSO4) in heterogeneous and homogeneous systems to produce reducing sugar was studied. In a homogeneous system, the catalytic effect of an ionic liquid on sugarcane cellulose was explored. The pretreatment, IL dosage (0.1~1.0 g), reaction temperature (100~180 °C), addition of water (0~500 μL), and time (1~6 h) were all discovered as key conditions for hydrolysis. The acidity of an acidic ionic liquid is a key factor affecting the hydrolysis of sugarcane cellulose; meanwhile, effective pretreatment and water are also important. As a comparison, the catalytic effect of [C3SO3Hmim]HSO4 in heterogeneous systems (the maximum yield of 5.98% for total reducing sugars, TRS) was not as good as that of [HBth][CH3SO3] in homogeneous systems (33.97%). A higher temperature does not necessarily lead to an increased TRS yield, but it will make the maximum TRS appear earlier. At last, 732 cationic ion exchange resin was used to investigate the separation of reducing sugar and ionic liquid, and the recovery of ionic liquid was investigated by an adsorption–desorption experiment. The ionic liquid can be well separated from TRS in the [HBth][CH3SO3] and reused at least five times.
Strategy Development for Hydrogen-Conversion Businesses in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Angbé Kassé Jean Hugues , Nougbléga Yawovi , Narra Satyanarayana , Singh Vidhi
Published: August 2024

Côte d’Ivoire has substantially neglected crop residues from farms in rural areas, so this study aimed to provide strategies for the sustainable conversion of these products to hydrogen. The use of existing data showed that, in the Côte d’Ivoire, there were up to 16,801,306 tons of crop residues from 11 crop types in 2019, from which 1,296,424.84 tons of hydrogen could potentially be derived via theoretical gasification and dark fermentation approaches. As 907,497.39 tons of hydrogen is expected annually, the following estimations were derived. The three hydrogen-project implementation scenarios developed indicate that Ivorian industries could be supplied with 9,026,635 gigajoules of heat, alongside 17,910 cars and 4732 buses in the transport sector. It was estimated that 817,293.95 tons of green ammonia could be supplied to farmers. According to the study, 5,727,992 households could be expected to have access to 1718.40 gigawatts of electricity. Due to these changes in the transport, energy, industry, and agricultural sectors, a reduction of 1,644,722.08 tons of carbon dioxide per year could theoretically be achieved. With these scenarios, around 263,276.87 tons of hydrogen could be exported to other countries. The conversion of crop residues to hydrogen is a promising opportunity with environmental and socio-economic impacts. Therefore, this study requires further extensive research.
Approaches to Extracting Patterns of Service Utilization for Patients with Complex Conditions: Graph Community Detection vs. Natural Language Processing Clustering
Authors: Bambi Jonas , Sadri Hanieh , Moselle Ken , Chang Ernie , Santoso Yudi , Howie Joseph , Rudnick Abraham , Elliott Lloyd T. , Kuo Alex
Published: August 2024

Background: As patients interact with a healthcare service system, patterns of service utilization (PSUs) emerge. These PSUs are embedded in the sparse high-dimensional space of longitudinal cross-continuum health service encounter data. Once extracted, PSUs can provide quality assurance/quality improvement (QA/QI) efforts with the information required to optimize service system structures and functions. This may improve outcomes for complex patients with chronic diseases. Method: Working with longitudinal cross-continuum encounter data from a regional health service system, various pattern detection analyses were conducted, employing (1) graph community detection algorithms, (2) natural language processing (NLP) clustering, and (3) a hybrid NLP–graph method. Result: These approaches produced similar PSUs, as determined from a clinical perspective by clinical subject matter experts and service system operations experts. Conclusions: The similarity in the results provides validation for the methodologies. Moreover, the results stress the need to engage with clinical or service system operations experts, both in providing the taxonomies and ontologies of the service system, the cohort definitions, and determining the level of granularity that produces the most clinically meaningful results. Finally, the uniqueness of each approach provides an opportunity to take advantage of the various analytical capabilities that each approach brings, which will be further explored in our future research.
The Efficacy of Medical Interventions for Free-Floating Thrombus in Cerebrovascular Events: A Systematic Review
Authors: Jayyusi Fairoz , AlBarakat Majd M. , Al-Rousan Habib H. , Alawajneh Mohmmad M. , Alkasabrah Abdel Rahman , Abujaber Mo’tasem , Aldabbas Mohammed E. , Abuelsamen Mustafa , Alshgerat Yahya , Sayuri Yahia , Alhertani Nazeeh , BaniAmer Mohammad , Shari Issa , Brašić James Robert
Published: August 2024

Although free-floating thrombus (FFT) poses a significant risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), optimal management strategies are uncertain. To determine the state-of-the-art of medical interventions for FFT, we conducted a systematic review of the efficacy of various medical interventions and factors influencing FFT resolution and recurrence. A comprehensive search of Embase, PubMed, and ScienceDirect identified 61 studies encompassing 179 patients with FFT-related stroke or TIA treated with anticoagulants, antiplatelets, or their combinations. Primary outcomes assessed were stroke recurrence and thrombus resolution. Statistical analyses (Fisher’s exact test, chi-square test, Mann–Whitney test, and Kruskal–Wallis test) utilized significance set at p < 0.05. Over a median follow-up of 7 months, thrombus resolution occurred in 65% of patients, while 11.2% experienced recurrence, primarily as TIAs. Cardioembolism was significantly less common in resolved cases (p = 0.025). Combination therapy (antiplatelets, anticoagulants, and statins) significantly enhanced clot resolution (OR 11.4; 95% CI 1.436–91.91; p = 0.021) compared to monotherapies. Ulcerated plaque was a significant predictor of recurrence (OR 8.2; 95% CI 1.02–66.07; p = 0.048). These findings underscore the superiority of combination therapy in FFT management and highlight the need for targeted interventions in patients with ulcerated plaques to mitigate recurrence risk.
Behavior of Lightweight Self-Compacting Concrete with Recycled Tire Steel Fibers
Authors: Alabdulkarim Abdullah , El-Sayed Ahmed K. , Alsaif Abdulaziz S. , Fares Galal , Alhozaimy Abdulrahman M.
Published: August 2024

The utilization of recycled materials in concrete technology has gained significant attention in recent years, promoting sustainability and resource conservation. This paper investigates the behavior of lightweight self-compacting concrete (LWSCC) with recycled tire steel fibers (RTSFs). The effects of RTSFs on the flowability of the composite material and its density were assessed. The mechanical properties of the developed material were examined and beam tests were performed, aiming to assess its feasibility for structural applications. The compressive and tensile strengths were determined to evaluate the mechanical properties of the developed concrete mixtures. The beam tests were conducted to assess the flexural behavior of the beam specimens. Three different steel fiber contents of 0, 0.5, and 1% volumetric fractions of concrete were used in this study. The test results indicate that incorporating the fibers did not negatively impact the flowability and density of the LWSCC mixtures. In addition, the use of RTSFs enhanced the tensile strength of the developed concrete mixtures, where fibrous concrete showed increases in the splitting tensile strength in the range of 38 to 76% over that of non-fibrous concrete. On the other hand, the compressive strength of the mixtures was not affected. The test beams with RTSFs exhibited improved flexural performance in terms of delaying and controlling cracking, enhancing ultimate load, and increasing ductility. Compared with the control non-fibrous beam, the increases in the cracking load, ultimate load, and ductility index were up to 63.8, 9.3, and 16%, respectively. The test results of the beams were compared with theoretical predictions, and good agreement was found.
A New Case of Paediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Onset after SARS-CoV-2 and Epstein-Barr Infection—A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Petrea (Cliveți) Carmen Loredana , Ciortea Diana-Andreea , Miulescu Magdalena , Candussi Iuliana-Laura , Chirila Sergiu Ioachim , Verga (Răuță) Gabriela Isabela , Bergheș Simona-Elena , Râșcu Mihai Ciprian , Berbece Sorin Ion
Published: August 2024

Viral infections caused by exposure to viruses such as Epstein–Barr, cytomegalovirus, or Parvovirus B19 have always been considered predisposing environmental factors for the onset of autoimmune diseases. More recently, autoimmune mechanisms such as molecular mimicry, T-cell activation, transient immunosuppression and inflammation have also been observed in cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Several newly diagnosed autoimmune disorders have been reported post-COVID-19, such as COVID-19-associated multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), type 1 diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, or rheumatoid arthritis. In this article, we present a new case of paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with haematological (macrophage activation syndrome), renal (stage 2), cutaneous (urticarial vasculitis) and digestive involvement, onset three and a half months post-COVID-19. In the dynamics, de novo infection generated by Epstein–Barr exposure was associated. The diagnosis was confirmed based on EULAR/ACR 2019 criteria. The aim of the article is to present a possible correlation between SARS-CoV-2 and Epstein–Barr as extrinsic factors in triggering or activating paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Keywords: paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus; post-COVID-19; Epstein–Barr; SARS- CoV-2; case report; paediatric patient.
Evaluation of Potential Furin Protease Inhibitory Properties of Pioglitazone, Rosiglitazone, and Pirfenidone: An In Silico Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Approach
Authors: Carranza-Aranda Ahtziri Socorro , Diaz-Palomera Carlos Daniel , Lepe-Reynoso Eduardo , Santerre Anne , Muñoz-Valle José Francisco , Viera-Segura Oliver
Published: August 2024

Furin (Fur) is a member of the protease convertase family; its expression is crucial for cleaving and maturing many proteins. Fur also represents a therapeutic target in cancer, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. Pioglitazone (PGZ) and rosiglitazone (RGZ) are thiazolidinediones prescribed to type 2 diabetes patients and are structurally similar to the known Fur inhibitors naphthofluorescein (NPF) and pirfenidone (PFD). Thus, this study used molecular docking and molecular dynamics to assess and compare the affinities and the molecular interactions of these four ligands with the Fur active site (FurAct) and the recently described Fur allosteric site (FurAll). The 7QXZ Fur structure was used for molecular dockings, and for the best pose complexes, molecular dynamics were run for 100 ns. The best affinities of the ligand/FurAct and ligand/FurAll complexes were with NPF, PGZ, and RGZ, while PFD presented the lowest affinity. Asp154 was the central residue involved in FurAct complex formation, while Glu488 and Asn310 were the central residues involved in FurAll complex formation. This study shows the potential of RGZ, PGZ, and PFD as Fur competitive (FurAct) and non-competitive (FurAll) inhibitors. Therefore, they are candidates for repurposing in response to future emerging diseases through the modulation of Fur activity.
Taurine and Polyphenol Complex Repaired Epidermal Keratinocyte Wounds by Regulating IL8 and TIMP2 Expression
Authors: Lee Sooyeon , Shin Jae Young , Kwon Oh Sun , Jun Seung-Hyun , Kang Nae-Gyu
Published: August 2024

The healing process after acne lesion extraction provides a miniature model to study skin wound repair mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to identify solutions for acne scars that frequently occur on our faces. We performed acne scar cytokine profiling and found that Interleukin 8 (IL8) and Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) were significant factors at the wounded site. The effect of chlorogenic acid and taurine on human epidermal cells and irritated human skin was investigated. Chlorogenic acid and taurine regulated IL8 and TIMP2 expression and accelerated keratinocyte proliferation. Moreover, tight junction protein expression was upregulated by chlorogenic acid and taurine synergistically. Further, these compounds modulated the expression of several inflammatory cytokines (IL1α, IL1β, and IL6) and skin hydration related factor (hyaluronan synthase 3; HAS3). Thus, chlorogenic acid and taurine may exert their effects during the late stages of wound healing rather than the initial phase. In vivo experiments using SLS-induced wounds demonstrated the efficacy of chlorogenic acid and taurine treatment compared to natural healing, reduced erythema, and restored barrier function. Skin ultrasound analysis revealed their potential to promote denser skin recovery. Therefore, the wound-restoring effect of chlorogenic acid and taurine was exerted by suppression of inflammatory cytokines, and induction of cell proliferation, tight junction expression, and remodeling factors.
Assessing the COX-2/PGE2 Ratio and Anti-Nucleosome Autoantibodies as Biomarkers of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Using Combined ROC Curves to Improve Diagnostic Values
Authors: El-Ansary Afaf , Alfawaz Hanan A. , Ben Bacha Abir , AL-Ayadhi Laila
Published: August 2024

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by restricted and repetitive behaviors as well as difficulties with social interaction. Numerous studies have revealed aberrant lipid mediators and autoimmunity as a recognized etiological cause of ASD that is amenable to therapeutic intervention. In this study, the relationship between the relative cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E2 ratio (COX-2/PGE2) as a lipid mediator marker and anti-nucleosome autoantibodies as an autoimmunity marker of ASD was investigated using multiple regression and combined receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. The study also sought to identify the linear combination of these variables that optimizes the partial area under the ROC curves. There were forty ASD children and forty-two age- and gender-matched controls included in the current study. Using combined ROC curve analysis, a notable increase in the area under the curve was seen in the patient group, using the control group as a reference group. Additionally, it was reported that the combined markers had improved specificity and sensitivity. This study demonstrates how the predictive value of particular biomarkers associated with lipid metabolism and autoimmunity in children with ASD can be measured using a ROC curve analysis. This technique should help us better understand the etiological mechanism of ASD and how it may adversely affect cellular homeostasis, which is essential to maintaining healthy metabolic pathways. Early diagnosis and intervention may be facilitated by this knowledge.
Differences in Efficacy between Antibacterial Lock Therapy and the Standard of Care for CVC-Related Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Calabrese Vincenzo , Farina Alessandra , Maressa Veronica , Cernaro Valeria , Gembillo Guido , Messina Roberta Maria , Longhitano Elisa , Ferio Cinzia , Venanzi Rullo Emanuele , Santoro Domenico
Published: August 2024

Background: Central Venous Catheter (CVC)-related infections cannot always be solved by replacement, due to some vascular anomalies or an emergency status. This comprehensive, evidence-based review aimed to define the efficacy of antibacterial lock therapy (ALT) compared to the standard of care (SoC) in CVC-related infections. Methods: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, looking for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort or case-control observational studies. The eligible studies considered the subjects with a diagnosis of CVC-related infections treated with antibacterial lock therapy (ALT) compared to the standard of care (SoC). Results: Among 609 records at the end of the selection process, five articles, referring to observational studies, were included in this systematic review. In pooled analyses, including a total of 276 individuals, microbiological healing (OR 3.78; 95% CI; 2.03–7.03) showed significant differences between ALT and the SoC, with a follow-up varying from 2 weeks to 3 months. Conclusions: Our results suggested that ALT could improve the preservation of CVCs and could be considered when their replacement is not possible as a result of vascular problems. However, only observational studies were included and RCTs are needed to confirm these findings and to increase the level of evidence.
MMS19 and IFIH1 Host Genetic Variants Associate with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Elderly Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities
Authors: Franco Sandra , Trigueros Macedonia , Palacín Dolors , Bonet-Simó Josep Maria , Isnard Maria del Mar , Moreno Nemesio , Mateu Lourdes , Prat Nuria , Massanella Marta , Martinez Miguel Angel
Published: August 2024

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected older adults. Identifying host COVID-19 susceptibility genes in elderly populations remains a challenge. Here, we aimed to identify host genetic factors influencing the susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We genotyped 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with the innate immune response in a total of 97 elderly (age > 65 years) residents of three long-term care facilities located in Barcelona, Spain. Individuals were PCR-tested during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks between September and November 2020. SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests revealed infections in 81 residents. Importantly, the 16 uninfected residents remained SARS-CoV-2 seronegative until vaccination (January and February 2021). After adjusting for sex and age, we found that two SNPs were significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility—MMS19 nucleotide excision repair protein homolog (MMS19)/rs2236575 (p = 0.029) and interferon-induced helicase C domain-containing 1 (IFIH1)/rs1990760 (p = 0.034). No association with SARS-CoV-2 infection was found for 10 additional genotyped SNPs, which included 4 SNPs on chromosome 12 in the gene encoding oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS). Our results indicate that MMS19/rs2236575_A and IFIH1/rs1990760_TC genetic variants were associated with a resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of institutionalized seniors.
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIE: A Real Human Disease or a Diagnostic Pitfall?
Authors: Wiśniewska Karolina , Wolski Jakub , Żabińska Magdalena , Szulc Aneta , Gaffke Lidia , Pierzynowska Karolina , Węgrzyn Grzegorz
Published: August 2024

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) comprise a group of 12 metabolic disorders where defects in specific enzyme activities lead to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within lysosomes. This classification expands to 13 when considering MPS IIIE. This type of MPS, associated with pathogenic variants in the ARSG gene, has thus far been described only in the context of animal models. However, pathogenic variants in this gene also occur in humans, but are linked to a different disorder, Usher syndrome (USH) type IV, which is sparking increasing debate. This paper gathers, discusses, and summarizes arguments both for and against classifying dysfunctions of arylsulfatase G (due to pathogenic variants in the ARSG gene) in humans as another subtype of MPS, called MPS IIIE. Specific difficulties in diagnostics and the classification of some inherited metabolic diseases are also highlighted and discussed.
An Exploration of the Relationships between Emotional Well-Being, Learning Behaviour, and Academic Success in Postgraduate Students Who Combine Work with Study
Authors: Geertshuis Susan , Liu Qian
Published: August 2024

There is a growing demand for advanced education from mature learners who seek postgraduate qualifications whilst maintaining career and family responsibilities, but recent research has identified concerns regarding their well-being. This study assesses students’ emotional well-being and examines how well-being is associated with the way students learn and the grades they receive. In a survey of 206 part-time postgraduate students who worked for 30 or more hours a week, we assessed activated aspects of affective well-being (in the form of self-reported anxiety and enthusiasm), learning behaviour, and grades. We observed positive relationships between anxiety, enthusiasm, and learning behaviour and grades. Our results suggest that learning behaviour mediates the relationship between positively activated well-being (enthusiasm) and grades and that negatively activated emotional well-being (anxiety) moderates the effect of lifelong learning on grades. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Assessing EFL (English as Foreign Language) Education for Sustainable Development: Exploring the Cultural Teaching Literature
Authors: Wu Shujie , Shafait Zahid
Published: August 2024

Cultural teaching is the underlying core component of English as Foreign Language (EFL) education. Although the previous literature has intensely studied this theme, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research characteristics and trends in this field is still lacking regarding cultural teaching in EFL education. This study aims to explore the research distribution, research hot topics, and research the trends of EFL cultural teaching by conducting a bibliometric analysis of 358 articles on Web of Science using CiteSpace. The analysis leads to the following three findings: (a) The countries that teach EFL prevail in terms of number of publications but lag behind in terms of research influence, and a global academic community has not taken shape. (b) Interculturality is the central theme, encompassing a range of related topics such as intercultural competence, intercultural communication, and cultural awareness, with key teachers, learners, and textbooks as research perspectives. (c) Multilingual turn has emerged as a prominent new trend, which emphasizes the importance of cultural diversity and pays more attention to source/native languages and cultures. Furthermore, possible measures of promoting interculturality were discussed on the basis of relevant literature studies. In addition, scholars are suggested to pay more academic attention to the research and practices of EFL countries.