bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tillage-based nutrient management practices for sustaining productivity and soil health in the soybean-wheat cropping system in Vertisols of the Indian semi-arid tropics
Authors: Meena Satya Narayan , Sharma Shanti Kumar , Singh Pratap , Ram Asha , Meena Bharat Prakash , Jain Devendra , Singh Deepak , Debnath Sovan , Yadav Suman , Dhakad Uditi , Verma Preeti , Meena Jitendra Kumar , Nandan Surya
Published: July 2023

To achieve higher crop production in a soybean-wheat cropping system, comprehensive knowledge of soil fertility status and its variability is crucial. However, a significant gap exists between the potential and actual productivity of this system in the Vertisols of Indian semi-arid tropics. Therefore, 2 years of field research were conducted to investigate how different crop management practices affect soil fertility in this cropping system. The trial was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five crop management practices: CAO (conservation tillage + organic nutrient and weed management), CAC (conservation tillage + chemical nutrient and weed management), CTC (conventional tillage + chemical nutrient and weed management), OCT (conventional tillage + organic nutrient and weed management), and PoPs (package of practices). Results showed that CAO significantly (p< 0.05) increased soil organic C (6.8 g kg−1), available N (129.5 mg kg−1), P (11.0 mg kg−1), K (232.6 mg kg−1), Fe (9.17 mg kg−1), and Mn (10.48 mg kg−1) at topsoil (0–15 cm) and deeper layers (15–60 cm). In contrast, CAC had significantly (p< 0.05) higher soil availability of Ca (5,072 mg kg−1) and Mg (901 mg kg−1) and Cu (0.84 mg kg−1). On the other side, PoPs resulted in the highest S (10.05 mg kg−1) and Zn (0.85 mg kg−1) availability in the topsoil. Our results evidently suggested S and Zn availability as key indicators of soil health sustenance in the present agroecosystem. Notably, CAC had significantly (p< 0.05) higher system productivity (4.62 t ha−1) than the other treatments, showing a 14.0, 6.3, and 18.2% increase over CAO, CTC, and OCT, respectively. Based on the results, it is recommended that CAC is a better option for achieving higher system productivity, while CAO is the best option for ensuring long-term sustainability of soil fertility. The findings of this study could be useful for farmers and agricultural researchers in designing efficient crop management practices to improve the productivity and sustainability of soybean-wheat cropping system in arid to semiarid ecology.
Factors Influencing the Perceptions of Smallholder Farmers towards Adoption of Digital Technologies in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Bontsa Nasiphi Vusokazi , Mushunje Abbyssinia , Ngarava Saul
Published: July 2023

The objective of the study was to determine the factors that influence the perceptions of smallholder farmers towards the adoption of digital technologies. A purposively selected sample of 250 smallholder farmers who were cross-sectionally surveyed from Port St Johns and Ingquza Hill Local Municipalities in South Africa was used in the study. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Attention, Desire, and Action (AIDA) model were used to analyse the data. The results showed that digital technologies were perceived to be expensive, cause a digital divide, and discouraged the use of Indigenous Knowledge even though they increased production. Positive perception towards digital technologies was associated with cattle rearing, with extreme negative perception for sheep and goat rearing. Educational level, employment status, monthly income, household size, being part of a cooperative (1% level), age, and source of income (10% level) were significant factors affecting smallholder farmers’ perceptions of digital technologies. In conclusion, there are economic, social justice, and traditional perceptions towards digital technologies by smallholder farmers, with socio-economic factors affecting the perceptions. The study recommends providing low-cost digital technologies that promote Indigenous Knowledge, which should target the youth and young farmers with less education in small households who are full-time farmers with moderate-to-high incomes and are part of farmer groups/organisations.
Genetic Parameter Estimates for Teat and Mammary Traits in Commercial Sows
Authors: Earnhardt-San Audrey L. , Gray Kent A. , Knauer Mark T.
Published: July 2023

The objective was to evaluate the genetics of sow teat and mammary traits at farrowing and at weaning. Data were recorded on 3099 Landrace × Large White F1 sows. Underline traits included the total teat number (TT), the functional teat number (FT), the non-functional teat number (NFT), the damaged teat number (DT), and the number of functional mammary glands (FMG). Variance components were estimated using AIREMLF90. Means for TT, FT, and NFT at farrowing were 14.93, 13.90, and 1.03, respectively. Heritability estimates for TT, FT, and NFT ranged from 0.18 to 0.37, 0.16 to 0.28, and 0.14 to 0.18, respectively. Estimates of heritability for DT and FMG at weaning were 0.03 and 0.06, respectively. Estimated genetic correlations between FT with TT and NFT were 0.68 to 0.78 and −0.19 to −0.57, respectively. Genetic correlation estimates between TT, FT, and NFT with the number weaned were 0.25, 0.50, and −0.38, respectively. An increase of one TT and FT enhanced (p < 0.05) the number weaned by 0.14 to 0.16 and 0.18 to 0.27 piglets, respectively. The results suggest that genetically increasing the number of functional teats on a sow at farrowing would improve the number of piglets at weaning.
Artificial Intelligence to Predict the BRAF V595E Mutation in Canine Urinary Bladder Urothelial Carcinomas
Authors: Küchler Leonore , Posthaus Caroline , Jäger Kathrin , Guscetti Franco , van der Weyden Louise , von Bomhard Wolf , Schmidt Jarno M. , Farra Dima , Aupperle-Lellbach Heike , Kehl Alexandra , Rottenberg Sven , de Brot Simone
Published: July 2023

In dogs, the BRAF mutation (V595E) is common in bladder and prostate cancer and represents a specific diagnostic marker. Recent advantages in artificial intelligence (AI) offer new opportunities in the field of tumour marker detection. While AI histology studies have been conducted in humans to detect BRAF mutation in cancer, comparable studies in animals are lacking. In this study, we used commercially available AI histology software to predict BRAF mutation in whole slide images (WSI) of bladder urothelial carcinomas (UC) stained with haematoxylin and eosin (HE), based on a training (n = 81) and a validation set (n = 96). Among 96 WSI, 57 showed identical PCR and AI-based BRAF predictions, resulting in a sensitivity of 58% and a specificity of 63%. The sensitivity increased substantially to 89% when excluding small or poor-quality tissue sections. Test reliability depended on tumour differentiation (p < 0.01), presence of inflammation (p < 0.01), slide quality (p < 0.02) and sample size (p < 0.02). Based on a small subset of cases with available adjacent non-neoplastic urothelium, AI was able to distinguish malignant from benign epithelium. This is the first study to demonstrate the use of AI histology to predict BRAF mutation status in canine UC. Despite certain limitations, the results highlight the potential of AI in predicting molecular alterations in routine tissue sections.
Two Convenient Methods for Detection of Non-Dairy Fats in Butter by Dynamic Light Scattering and Luminescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Chaikov Leonid L. , Kirichenko Marina N. , Krivokhizha Svetlana V. , Kupov Maskhud R. , Lobanov Andrey N. , Sverbil Pavel P. , Nagaev Egor I. , Shkirin Alexey V.
Published: July 2023

We propose two convenient methods to quickly detect the presence of non-milk fat (palm oil) in butter, as well as to determine its amount in the product. For the first time, we have experimentally obtained the dependence of the size of drops of an alcoholic emulsion of oil or spread on the content of palm oil in it by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method. We have also obtained the dependence of intensity ratio of the components of spread luminescence spectrum on palm oil content when excited at a wavelength λ = 266 nm. These results allowed us to propose two methods for determining the adulteration of butter with palm oil using DLS and measuring luminescence spectra. The two methods are physically independent but successfully supplement each other. DLS and luminescent methods for determining the proportion of palm oil give errors of no more than 10% and 6%, respectively.
Anomalies in Infrared Outgoing Longwave Radiation Data before the Yangbi Ms6.4 and Luding Ms6.8 Earthquakes Based on Time Series Forecasting Models
Authors: Zhu Junqing , Sun Ke , Zhang Jingye
Published: July 2023

Numerous scholars have used traditional thermal anomaly extraction methods and time series prediction models to study seismic anomalies based on longwave infrared radiation data. This paper selected bidirectional long short-term memory (BILSTM) as the research algorithm after analyzing and comparing the prediction performance of five time series prediction models. Based on the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data, the time series prediction model was used to predict the infrared longwave radiation values in the spatial area of 5° × 5° at the epicenter for 30 days before the earthquake. The confidence interval was used as the evaluation criterion to extract anomalies. The examples of earthquakes selected for study were the Yangbi Ms6.4-magnitude earthquake in Yunnan on 21 May 2021 and the Luding Ms6.8-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan on 5 September 2022. The results showed that the observed values of the Yangbi earthquake 15 to 16 days before the earthquake (5 May to 6 May) exceeded the prediction confidence interval over a wide area and to a large extent. This indicates a strong and concentrated OLR anomaly before the Yangbi earthquake. The observations at 27 days (9 August), 18 days (18 August), and 8 days (28 August) before the Luding earthquake exceeded the prediction confidence interval in a local area and by a large extent, indicating a strong and scattered OLR anomaly before the Luding earthquake. Overall, the method used in this paper extracts anomalies in both spatial and temporal dimensions and is an effective method for extracting infrared longwave radiation anomalies.
The Centralization and Sharing of Information for Improving a Resilient Approach Based on Decision-Making at a Local Home Health Care Center
Authors: Dessevre Guillaume , Martinez Cléa , Zhang Liwen , Bortolaso Christophe , Fontanili Franck
Published: July 2023

Home care centers face both an increase in demand and many variations during the execution of routes, compromising the routes initially planned; robust solutions are not effective enough, and it is necessary to move on to resilient approaches. We create a close-to-reality use case supported by interviews of staff at home health care centers, where caregivers are faced with unexpected events that compromise their initial route. We model, analyze, and compare two resilient approaches to deal with these disruptions: a distributed collaborative approach and a centralized collaborative approach, where we propose a centralization and sharing of information to improve local decision-making. The latter reduces the number of late arrivals by 11%, the total time of late arrival by 21%, and halves the number of routes exceeding the end of work time (contrary to the distributed collaborative approach due to the time wasted reaching colleagues). The use of a device, such as a smartphone application, to centralize and share information thus, allows better mutual assistance between caregivers. Moreover, we highlight several possible openings, like the coupling of simulation and optimization, to propose a more resilient approach.
Static Liquefaction Assessment Combining Shear Wave Velocity, Peak Strength and Soil Grading
Authors: Soares Marisa , Viana da Fonseca António , Ferreira Cristiana , Rios Sara
Published: July 2023

A large set of undrained compression triaxial tests was carried out on different types of cohesionless soils, from sands to silty sands and silts. Shear wave velocity measurements were also carried out. These tests exhibit distinct state transitions ranging from flow liquefaction to strain softening or strain hardening. With the purpose of defining a framework to assess soil liquefaction, it was found that the ratio between the shear wave velocity (VS0) and the peak undrained deviatoric stress (qpeak), VS0/qpeak, could be accurately used to define a boundary between liquefaction and strain hardening for sands and between strain softening and strain hardening for silty sands and silts. Since this ratio is a function of the tested material, the prediction of these boundaries can be made as a function of soil grading, namely via the coefficient of uniformity, CU. Despite not being regarded as a strong geomechanical parameter, CU is easily determined from a grain-size distribution test and has an empirically proven correlation with critical state parameters.
Identity as Palimpsest
Authors: Blair Gregory
Published: July 2023

This article focuses on the formation of identity as a stratified discourse between the singular and the collective, and how that exchange is expressed as a visual palimpsest by the artists Annette Cords, G Farrell Kellum, and Njideka Akunyili Crosby. Through their artworks, each artist explores their own identity formation, but also identity formation of those living amid the Postmodern condition of the Western world in the late stages of capitalism. All three artists explore how the collective is manifested in their singular identities by weaving in the personal, intimate, and everyday vernacular into their artworks while also including remnants of wider cultural influences. In the contemporary moment, the dynamic process of identity formation remains betwixt any sort of settled or concretized state. This unresolved status is also reflected in the conceptualization and construction of the artworks by Cords, Kellum, and Akunyili Crosby. The messy interplay between the singular and collective is presented in their artworks as unexpected juxtapositions of diverse information, images, materials, and mark-making.
Medical Biology of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Morgan Annah , Griffin Michelle , Kameni Lionel , Wan Derrick C. , Longaker Michael T. , Norton Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2023

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer with one of the lowest 5-year survival rates of all cancer types. A defining characteristic of pancreatic cancer is the existence of dense desmoplastic stroma that, when exposed to stimuli such as cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines, generate a tumor-promoting environment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are activated during the progression of pancreatic cancer and are a crucial component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). CAFs are primarily pro-tumorigenic in their activated state and function as promoters of cancer invasion, proliferation, metastasis, and immune modulation. Aided by many signaling pathways, cytokines, and chemokines in the tumor microenvironment, CAFs can originate from many cell types including resident fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, pancreatic stellate cells, adipocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and other cell types. CAFs are a highly heterogeneous cell type expressing a variety of surface markers and performing a wide range of tumor promoting and inhibiting functions. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses have revealed a high degree of specialization among CAFs. Some examples of CAF subpopulations include myofibrotic CAFs (myCAFs), which exhibit a matrix-producing contractile phenotype; inflammatory CAFs (iCAF) that are classified by their immunomodulating, secretory phenotype; and antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs), which have antigen-presenting capabilities and express Major Histocompatibility Complex II (MHC II). Over the last several years, various attempts have been undertaken to describe the mechanisms of CAF–tumor cell interaction, as well as CAF–immune cell interaction, that contribute to tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Although our understanding of CAF biology in cancer has steadily increased, the extent of CAFs heterogeneity and their role in the pathobiology of pancreatic cancer remains elusive. In this regard, it becomes increasingly evident that further research on CAFs in pancreatic cancer is necessary.
Research on Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Heat Island Variability and Influencing Factors in Urban Center Areas: A Case Study of Beijing’s Central Area
Authors: Wen Zheng , Tian Dongwei , Zhu Yongqiang
Published: July 2023

Studying the urban heat island effect and actively exploring effective measures for its mitigation and alleviation can provide important parameters for urban ecological environment monitoring and propose rational strategies to address environmental degradation. This article, with the background of urban renewal projects in Beijing, focuses on the central area of Beijing as the research object. Landsat ETM+/OLI_ TIRS data from 2000 to 2020 are used as the main remote sensing imagery source, combined with functional information data and spatial attribute data of open spaces in the central area. Based on the mono-window (MW) algorithm, this study first quantitatively retrieves and categorizes the summer land surface temperature in Beijing’s central area and analyzes its spatiotemporal characteristics using the direction distribution method, revealing regular patterns in the temporal and spatial dimensions. The results show a gradual decrease in the size of the persistent high-temperature concentration area over time. Subsequently, the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model is employed to predict the changing trends of the urban heat island and the occurrence time of the strongest and weakest heat islands. Higher land surface temperature (LST) years are projected for 2025 and 2035, with the lowest year being 2030. Lastly, the correlation coefficient and Moran’s index are used to analyze the correlation between the urban heat island and its corresponding influencing factors in different years. The results indicate that population density, nighttime light, and gross domestic product (GDP) have significant positive effects on the heat island intensity from a temporal perspective. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) shows a significant negative relationship with the heat island intensity when analyzed over time. The research findings provide important reference for rational urban planning, layout, and construction, and hold significance for advancing urban renewal efforts.
Flexure Strengthening and Analysis Using CFRP Composite and Reactive Powder Concrete
Authors: Lee Ming-Gin , Huang Yi-Shuo , Kan Yu-Cheng , Wang Wei-Chien , Wang Yung-Chih , Wu Chien-Hsing
Published: July 2023

There are many cases of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and reactive powder concrete (RPC) in structural repair and reinforcement, but there are not many related theoretical and experimental discussions. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to focus on the experiment and theoretical calculation of the flexural strengthening of concrete beam specimens. The study was primarily separated into two parts. In the first part, the laboratory tests of flexure strengthening by using CFRP and two reactive powder concretes (RPC1 and RPC2) are used to evaluate the effect of strengthening concrete beams. Secondly, the test value of the maximum flexure failure load of the strengthening specimen using RPC or CFRP and its theoretical value calculated by the transform section method or the ultimate strength method are discussed and compared with their reinforced effect. The test results show that the RPC and CFRP display excellent repair and retrofit potential. The RPC reinforcement material with a thickness of 2 cm and a steel fiber content of 1.0% is approximately equal to the reinforcement effect of three layers of CFRP. In particular, the RPC reinforcement effect is good, and the bonding interface is not damaged. The transform section method could be used to analyze and calculate the maximum flexure failure load of the RPC strengthening concrete beam. The transform section method and ultimate strength method cannot accurately analyze the maximum flexure failure load of the CFRP-strengthening concrete beam.
Intelligent Anti-Seismic Foundation: The Role of Fractal Geometry
Authors: Saoud Ahmad , Queiros-Conde Diogo , Omar Ahmad , Michelitsch Thomas
Published: July 2023

Safe and resistant infrastructure is an essential component of public safety. However, existing structures are vulnerable to damage resulting from excessive ground movement due to seismic activity or underground explosions. The aim of this paper, which is part of an extensive study, is to develop an isolation system based on periodic materials with H-fractal geometry in order to obstruct, absorb or completely modify the pattern of seismic energy before it reaches the foundations of structures. Fractal metamaterial structures have shown promise for increasing the frequency range prohibited for seismic protection. We report the anti-seismic properties of a seismic metamaterial model based on an H-shaped quasi-fractal cell. The fractal design, also known as seismic metamaterials, has an important impact on the band structures of seismic crystals. Using the fractal as a base unit, anti-seismic phononic crystals were developed, and their band-gap characteristics were shown to display unique features due to the increasing wave propagation path and hybridization between local resonances and Bragg scattering. The seismic–mechanical duality is supposed to provide flexible solutions capable of increasing/widening the band-gaps to improve the level of seismic protection.
Textbook Oncological Outcomes for Robotic Colorectal Cancer Resections: An Observational Study of Five Robotic Colorectal Units
Authors: Azevedo José Moreira , Panteleimonitis Sofoklis , Mišković Danilo , Herrando Ignacio , Al-Dhaheri Mahmood , Ahmad Mukhtar , Qureshi Tahseen , Fernandez Laura Melina , Harper Mick , Parvaiz Amjad
Published: July 2023

Background: The quality of care of patients receiving colorectal resections has conventionally relied on individual metrics. When discussing with patients what these outcomes mean, they often find them confusing or overwhelming. Textbook oncological outcome (TOO) is a composite measure that summarises all the ‘desirable’ or ‘ideal’ postoperative clinical and oncological outcomes from both a patient’s and doctor’s point of view. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of TOO in patients receiving robotic colorectal cancer surgery in five robotic colorectal units and understand the risk factors associated with failure to achieve a TOO in these patients. Methods: We present a retrospective, multicentric study with data from a prospectively collected database. All consecutive patients receiving robotic colorectal cancer resections from five centres between 2013 and 2022 were included. Patient characteristics and short-term clinical and oncological data were collected. A TOO was achieved when all components were realized—no conversion to open, no complication with a Clavien–Dindo (CD) ≥ 3, length of hospital stay ≤ 14, no 30-day readmission, no 30-day mortality, and R0 resection. The main outcome measure was a composite measure of “ideal” practice called textbook oncological outcomes. Results: A total of 501 patients submitted to robotic colorectal cancer resection were included. Of the 501 patients included, 388 (77.4%) achieved a TOO. Four patients were converted to open (0.8%); 55 (11%) had LOS > 14 days; 46 (9.2%) had a CD ≥ 3 complication; 30-day readmission rate was 6% (30); 30-day mortality was 0.2% (1); and 480 (95.8%) had an R0 resection. Abdominoperineal resection was a risk factor for not achieving a TOO. Conclusions: Robotic colorectal cancer surgery in robotic centres achieves a high TOO rate. Abdominoperineal resection is a risk factor for failure to achieve a TOO. This measure may be used in future audits and to inform patients clearly on success of treatment.
Proteomic and Metabolomic Analysis of Bone Marrow and Plasma from Patients with Extramedullary Multiple Myeloma Identifies Distinct Protein and Metabolite Signatures
Authors: Dunphy Katie , Bazou Despina , Henry Michael , Meleady Paula , Miettinen Juho J. , Heckman Caroline A. , Dowling Paul , O’Gorman Peter
Published: July 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable haematological malignancy of plasma cells in the bone marrow. In rare cases, an aggressive form of MM called extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMM) develops, where myeloma cells enter the bloodstream and colonise distal organs or soft tissues. This variant is associated with refractoriness to conventional therapies and a short overall survival. The molecular mechanisms associated with EMM are not yet fully understood. Here, we analysed the proteome of bone marrow mononuclear cells and blood plasma from eight patients (one serial sample) with EMM and eight patients without extramedullary spread. The patients with EMM had a significantly reduced overall survival with a median survival of 19 months. Label-free mass spectrometry revealed 225 proteins with a significant differential abundance between bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMNCs) isolated from patients with MM and EMM. This plasma proteomics analysis identified 22 proteins with a significant differential abundance. Three proteins, namely vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF), and hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA), were verified as the promising markers of EMM, with the combined protein panel showing excellent accuracy in distinguishing EMM patients from MM patients. Metabolomic analysis revealed a distinct metabolite signature in EMM patient plasma compared to MM patient plasma. The results provide much needed insight into the phenotypic profile of EMM and in identifying promising plasma-derived markers of EMM that may inform novel drug development strategies.
SMAD4 Positive Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas Are Associated with Better Outcomes in Patients Receiving FOLFIRINOX-Based Neoadjuvant Therapy
Authors: Racu Marie-Lucie , Bernardi Dana , Chaouche Aniss , Zindy Egor , Navez Julie , Loi Patrizia , Maris Calliope , Closset Jean , Van Laethem Jean-Luc , Decaestecker Christine , Salmon Isabelle , D’Haene Nicky
Published: July 2023

Background: SMAD4 is inactivated in 50–55% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). SMAD4 loss of expression has been described as a negative prognostic factor in PDAC associated with an increased rate of metastasis and resistance to therapy. However, the impact of SMAD4 inactivation in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is not well characterized. The aim of our study was to investigate whether SMAD4 status is a prognostic and predictive factor in patients receiving NAT. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 59 patients from a single center who underwent surgical resection for primary PDAC after NAT. SMAD4 nuclear expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and its relationship to clinicopathologic variables and survival parameters was evaluated. Interaction testing was performed between SMAD4 status and the type of NAT. Results: 49.15% of patients presented loss of SMAD4. SMAD4 loss was associated with a higher positive lymph node ratio (p = 0.03), shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.02), and metastasis-free survival (MFS) (p = 0.02), but it was not an independent prognostic biomarker in multivariate analysis. Interaction tests demonstrated that patients with SMAD4-positive tumors receiving FOLFIRINOX-based NAT showed the best outcome. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential prognostic and predictive role of SMAD4 status in PDAC patients receiving FOLFIRINOX-based NAT.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Older Patients with Gastric Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Chan Wing-Lok , Liu Xiaodong , Wong Carlos King-Ho , Wong Michael Siu-Nam , Wong Ian Yu-Hong , Lam Ka-On , Yun Bryan Ho-Kwan , Cheung Emina Edith , Tse Rosa Pui-Ying , Chan Fion , Law Simon , Kwong Dora
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: The effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in older patients with gastric cancer after D2-gastrectomy is unclear. This study investigated the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly patients with stage II/III gastric cancer. (2) Methods: A real-world population-based retrospective cohort of patients aged ≥65 with stage II/III gastric cancer (n = 2616; median age: 73.5; 12.2% aged >80 years) treated between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2020 were included. All data was retrieved from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority Clinical Management System (CMS). Clinical characteristics of those patients with and without adjuvant chemotherapy treatment were balanced after propensity score matching (PSM). In total, 732 patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy were matched with 732 patients treated with surgery alone. Hazard ratios (HRs) estimated via Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compare the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of the two patient groups. (3) Results: Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with better OS (37 vs. 25 months; HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.75–0.84; p < 0.001) than surgery alone. The OS benefit was observed in both the 65–80 (44 vs. 27 months; HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.74–0.84; p < 0.001) and >80 (14 vs. 11 months; HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.71–0.96; p < 0.001) age groups. A better CSS was observed in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy than those who only had surgery (5-year CSS: 64.1% vs. 61.1%, HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.79–0.93; p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved OS and CSS in older patients with stage II/III gastric cancer.
Sonoelastography for Testicular Tumor Identification: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy
Authors: Lai Derek Ka-Hei , Cheng Ethan Shiu-Wang , Mao Ye-Jiao , Zheng Yi , Yao Ke-Yu , Ni Ming , Zhang Ying-Qi , Wong Duo Wai-Chi , Cheung James Chung-Wai
Published: July 2023

The objective of this review was to summarize the applications of sonoelastography in testicular tumor identification and inquire about their test performances. Two authors independently searched English journal articles and full conference papers from CINAHL, Embase, IEEE Xplore®, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception and organized them into a PIRO (patient, index test, reference test, outcome) framework. Eleven studies (n = 11) were eligible for data synthesis, nine of which (n = 9) utilized strain elastography and two (n = 2) employed shear-wave elastography. Meta-analyses were performed on the distinction between neoplasm (tumor) and non-neoplasm (non-tumor) from four study arms and between malignancy and benignity from seven study arms. The pooled sensitivity of classifying malignancy and benignity was 86.0% (95%CI, 79.7% to 90.6%). There was substantial heterogeneity in the classification of neoplasm and non-neoplasm and in the specificity of classifying malignancy and benignity, which could not be addressed by the subgroup analysis of sonoelastography techniques. Heterogeneity might be associated with the high risk of bias and applicability concern, including a wide spectrum of testicular pathologies and verification bias in the reference tests. Key technical obstacles in the index test were manual compression in strain elastography, qualitative observation of non-standardized color codes, and locating the Regions of Interest (ROI), in addition to decisions in feature extractions. Future research may focus on multiparametric sonoelastography using deep learning models and ensemble learning. A decision model on the benefits–risks of surgical exploration (reference test) could also be developed to direct the test-and-treat strategy for testicular tumors.
Ectodomain Shedding by ADAM17 Increases the Release of Soluble CD40 from Human Endothelial Cells under Pro-Inflammatory Conditions
Authors: Klersy Anton , Meyer Sören , Leuschner Florian , Kessler Thorsten , Hecker Markus , Wagner Andreas H.
Published: July 2023

Background: Homozygosity for the C allele of the −1T>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the CD40 gene (rs1883832) is associated with susceptibility to coronary heart disease (CHD), enhanced CD40 expression, and shedding. The disintegrin metalloprotease ADAM17 can cleave various cell surface proteins. This study investigates an association between ADAM17-mediated CD40 shedding and inflammation in CC genotype human endothelial cells. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) carrying the CC genotype were stimulated with soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Messenger RNA and protein expression were determined with standard methods. Levels of high sensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and sCD40 in plasma samples from patients with CHD were assessed using ELISA. Results: ADAM17 surface abundance was elevated following stimulation with CD40L and TNFα just as its regulator iRhom2. Inhibition of ADAM17 prevented TNFα-induced sCD40 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 release into the conditioned medium and reinforced CD40 surface abundance. Secondary to inhibition of ADAM17, stimulation with CD40L or TNFα upregulated monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA and protein. Levels of sCD40 and the inflammatory biomarkers hs-CRP and IL-6 were positively correlated in the plasma of patients with CHD. Conclusions: We provide a mechanism by which membrane-bound CD40 is shed from the endothelial cell surface by ADAM17, boosting sCD40 formation and limiting downstream CD40 signaling. Soluble CD40 may represent a robust biomarker for CHD, especially in conjunction with homozygosity for the C allele of the −1T>C SNP of the CD40 gene.
Human Macrophages Polarized by Interaction with Apoptotic Cells Produce Fibrosis-Associated Mediators and Enhance Pro-Fibrotic Activity of Dermal Fibroblasts In Vitro
Authors: Maksimova Aleksandra , Shevela Ekaterina , Sakhno Lyudmila , Tikhonova Marina , Ostanin Aleksandr , Chernykh Elena
Published: July 2023

Apoptosis and subsequent removal of dead cells are an essential part of wound healing. Macrophages phagocytize apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) and contribute to the resolution of inflammation. However, their participation in fibrogenesis and the mechanisms of influence on this process remain unclear. In the present study, we focused on the fibrogenic properties of human monocyte-derived macrophages polarized in the M2 direction by interaction with apoptotic cells. We studied their influence on the proliferation ([3H]-thymidine incorporation), differentiation (by the expression of α-SMA, a myofibroblast marker) and collagen-producing activity (ELISA) of dermal fibroblasts compared to classically (LPS) and alternatively (IL-4) activated macrophages. Macrophages polarized by the interaction with apoptotic cells had a unique phenotype and profile of produced factors and differed from the compared macrophage subtypes. Their conditioned media promoted the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and the expression of α-SMA in them at the level of macrophages stimulated by IL-4, while the stimulating effect on the collagen-producing activity was more pronounced compared to that of the other macrophage subtypes. Moreover, they are characterized by the high level of production of pro-fibrotic factors such as TIMP-1, TGF-β1 and angiogenin. Taken together, M2-like macrophages polarized by efferocytosis demonstrate in vitro pro-fibrotic activity by promoting the functional activity of dermal fibroblasts and producing pro-fibrotic and pro-angiogenic factors.
Characteristic of Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma by Algorithm of Potential Biomarkers for Uterine Mesenchymal Tumor
Authors: Hayashi Takuma , Sano Kenji , Yaegashi Nobuo , Abiko Kaoru , Konishi Ikuo
Published: July 2023

The benign tumor uterine leiomyoma (UL) develops from the smooth muscle tissue that constitutes the uterus, whereas malignant tumor uterine sarcoma develops from either the smooth muscle tissue or stroma and is different from UL and endometrial cancer. Uterine sarcoma is broadly classified into three types: uterine leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), and carcinosarcoma. Although uterine leiomyosarcoma and ESS are both classified as uterine sarcoma, they significantly differ in terms of their sites of occurrence, symptoms, and treatment methods. Uterine leiomyosarcoma develops from the muscle tissue constituting the wall of the uterus and accounts for approximately 70% of all uterine sarcoma cases. In contrast, ESS develops from the stromal tissue beneath the endometrium and accounts for approximately 25% of all uterine sarcoma cases. ESS is classified as either low grade (LG) or high grade (HG). This case report aimed to highlight the importance of histopathologic examinations based on surgical specimens. Herein, we reported the case of a 45-year-old woman suspected of having submucosal leiomyoma of the uterus based on imaging results. Transvaginal ultrasonography and endometrial biopsy or partial dilation and curettage were performed. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 32-mm mass projecting from the posterior wall of the uterus into the uterine cavity. T2-weighted imaging revealed a low signal within the mass; thus, submucosal UL was suspected. Histopathologic examination of surgical specimens obtained from a patient suspected of having submucosal UL after contrast-enhanced MRI indicated that the patient had ESS. Despite the remarkable advancements in medical imaging technology, the accuracy of contrast-enhanced MRI for detecting uterine mesenchymal tumors is limited. Therefore, histopathologic diagnosis based on surgical specimens should be performed when medical grounds for diagnosing a benign tumor on contrast-enhanced MRI are lacking.
Microstructure Evolution of CET-Free Epitaxial Growth NiCoCrAlYTa Coating by Electron Beam Cladding
Authors: Zhang Pu , Xiao Sheng , Luo Dan , Zeng Xian , Wang Wenqin
Published: July 2023

Some unavoidable factors in the operating environment could damage single-crystal components of nickel-based single-crystal superalloys. This work prepared an epitaxial growth NiCoCrAlYTa repaired coating without the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) phenomenon on a nickel-based single-crystal superalloy by electron beam cladding. The microstructure of two cross-sections and two surfaces at different depths were characterized. Moreover, the formation mechanism of coating dendrite was revealed by studying the relationship between coating dendrite size, growth direction, and solidification rate. The microstructure evolution and crystal growth orientation of the coating were investigated. The microstructural investigation of the sample revealed that the dendrites’ orientations on the coating’s horizontal section were different, and its characteristics were highly visible on the surface of the coating. The crystal growth orientations of the coating on the vertical cross-section parallel/perpendicular to the scanning direction of the electron beam were also different. Moreover, the average primary dendrite arm spacing (PDAS) of the columnar dendrite in the different areas of the coating was different and increased from 2 μm to 4 μm. The oxidation resistance of the coating at 1000 °C was about three times higher than that of the substrate.
Low-Potential Zone at the Interface of Precipitate and Austenite Affecting Intergranular Corrosion Sensitivity in UNS N08028 Nickel–Iron–Chromium Alloy
Authors: Fan Xuehua , Yu Yong , Fang Kun , Wang Jie , Zhang Hong , Yu Xiaohong , Du Bo , Dong Lei , Li Yuan
Published: July 2023

The precipitates and the intergranular corrosion behavior of a UNS N08028 nickel–iron–chromium alloy sensitized at different temperatures were studied by employing transmission electron microscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy and other methods. It was found that sigma precipitates appeared at the grain boundaries of the alloy being sensitized. There was a Cr-depleted zone and a low-potential zone around these precipitates. The potential difference between the sigma precipitates and the low-potential zone was 102 mV, and this increased with the growth of the sigma precipitates. At this potential difference, the migration of the vacancies in the passive film accelerated significantly, and then the protectiveness of the passive film decreased. The intergranular corrosion mechanism of the steel has also be discussed.
Prediction of Contact Angle for Oriented Hydrophobic Surface and Experimental Verification by Micro-Milling
Authors: Zhu Yiwen , Xu Wei , Cao Ziyang , Meng Wenlu , Ni Jiawei , Pan Jie , Wei Dong
Published: July 2023

The rectangular microgroove surfaces have obvious anisotropy, which can control the movement of water droplets in parallel and vertical directions. Based on such a property, anisotropic functional surfaces are expected to have potential applications in the fields of droplet-oriented delivery and microfluidics. Micro-milling can accurately adjust the dimension of microstructures, which is convenient to explore the optimal micro-structural parameters. In this study, the non-composite and composite state prediction models of contact angle on the oriented hydrophobic surface were established based on minimum Gibbs free energy, and the effect of micro-structural dimension parameters on contact angle was investigated. Then, the rectangular microgroove structure on 316 L stainless steel was prepared using micro-milling. The composite state prediction model of contact angle was found to be more consistent with the actual situation, and reducing the width of the convex platform was beneficial to increasing the contact angle. In particular, the contact angle in the parallel direction reached 146.5° when the width of the convex platform was 60 μm, and the accuracy of the prediction model was 98.4%. The proposed prediction models of contact angle provide a theoretical basis for designing and preparing oriented hydrophobic surfaces.
Study on the Rheological Properties of Fly Ash Modified Asphalt Mastics
Authors: Xing Xiangyang , Han Kangxin , Liu Ruijie , Chen Zijie , Li Huilin , Li Ping , Zhou Qingyue , Wen Yong
Published: July 2023

Fly ash is one of the industrial waste residues with significant emissions in China, and its rational utilization has important economic significance and environmental value. Due to the similarity in properties between fly ash and limestone mineral powder, it is possible to replace the mineral powder filler in asphalt concrete with fly ash. This article explored the feasibility of replacing the mineral powder with fly ash in an asphalt mixture through the study of fly-ash-modified asphalt mastic. Firstly, the microstructures and elemental compositions of fly ash and mineral powder were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests. Then, the rheological properties of asphalt mastics with different fillers were studied using dynamic shear rheological (DSR) tests. The results show that when the stress level was 3.2 kPa, the change in the Jnr value was different from that at 0.1 kPa, indicating that after increasing the stress level, the Jnr of fly ash asphalt mastic was smaller, and fly ash can improve the high-temperature creep performance of asphalt mastic. Replacing mineral powder with fly ash can improve the high-temperature rheological properties of asphalt mastic, but this damages the elastic and crack resistance properties of the asphalt mastic. In practical applications, partial substitution of mineral powder can be considered for the preparation of an asphalt mixture.
Real-World Clinical Outcomes for Patients with EGFR and HER2 Exon 20 Insertion-Mutated Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Li Kelly , Bosdet Ian , Yip Stephen , Ho Cheryl , Laskin Janessa , Melosky Barbara , Wang Ying , Sun Sophie
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: Exon 20 insertion mutations (ex20ins) in EGFR and HER2 are uncommon driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with a poor prognosis and few targeted therapy options, and there are limited real-world data. Here, we report the clinicopathologic features and outcomes for patients with ex20ins NSCLC across British Columbia, Canada. (2) Methods: NSCLC patients with ex20ins in EGFR or HER2 were identified via tumour testing between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2021 (n = 7233). Data were collected by chart review. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method using the log-rank test. (3) Results: A total of 131 patients were identified. The median age was 66. Thirty-three percent of patients had brain metastases. For the EGFR cohort, the median OS was 18.6 months for patients who received any systemic therapy (ST) vs. 2.6 months for patients who did not (p < 0.001). Median OS was similar for patients treated with ex20ins-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) vs. other STs (18.6 vs. 15.9 months; p = 0.463). The median first-line PFS was 4.1 vs. 7.4 months for patients treated with a TKI vs. other ST (p = 0.744). For the HER2 cohort, the median OS was 9.0 months for patients who received any ST vs. 4.9 months for patients who did not (p = 0.015). The median OS was 23.0 months for patients treated with an ex20ins TKI vs. 5.6 months for patients who were not (p = 0.019). The median first-line PFS was 5.4 vs. 2.1 months for patients treated with a TKI vs. other ST (p = 0.343). (4) Conclusions: Overall survival was significantly longer among ex20ins patients who received any systemic therapy vs. those who did not. Overall survival was significantly better among HER2 ex20ins patients who received ex20ins-specific TKIs.
A Review of Chemical Composition and Bioactivity Studies of the Most Promising Species of Ganoderma spp.
Authors: Sułkowska-Ziaja Katarzyna , Balik Monika , Szczepkowski Andrzej , Trepa Monika , Zengin Gokhan , Kała Katarzyna , Muszyńska Bożena
Published: July 2023

This paper presents the current state of knowledge on the biological activity and possible medicinal applications of selected species of the genus Ganoderma: Ganoderma adspersum (Schulzer) Donk, Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat., Ganoderma carnosum Pat., Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst., Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres., Ganoderma resinaceum Boud. These inedible, wood-decaying fungi are pathogens that cause the enzymatic decomposition of wood. They are a valued natural medicinal resource and have been used in traditional Far Eastern medicine for centuries. Research conducted on these species using modern analytical methods has led to advances in knowledge of the potential therapeutic use of compounds isolated not only from basidiocarps but also from biomass obtained by in vitro methods. Recent pharmacological studies have confirmed the known traditional uses of these species, elucidated previously unknown mechanisms of biological action, and found evidence of new biological activities, such as anticancer, cytotoxic, antiallergic, and neuroprotective activities. Furthermore, the article updated the state of knowledge on the general mycological characteristics of these species.