bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy in Women with Arrhythmogenic Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bariani Riccardo , Bueno Marinas Maria , Rigato Ilaria , Veronese Paola , Celeghin Rudy , Cipriani Alberto , Cason Marco , Pergola Valeria , Mattesi Giulia , Deola Petra , Zorzi Alessandro , Limongelli Giuseppe , Iliceto Sabino , Corrado Domenico , Basso Cristina , Pilichou Kalliopi , Bauce Barbara
Published: November 2022

Background: In the last few years, a phenotypic variant of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) labeled arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy (ALVC) has been defined and researched. This type of cardiomyopathy is characterized by a predominant left ventricular (LV) involvement with no or minor right ventricular (RV) abnormalities. Data on the specific risk and management of pregnancy in women affected by ALVC are, thus far, not available. We have sought to characterize pregnancy course and outcomes in women affected by ALVC through the evaluation of a series of childbearing patients. Methods: A series of consecutive female ALVC patients were analyzed in a cross-sectional, retrospective study. Study protocol included 12-lead ECG assessments, 24-h Holter ECG evaluations, 2D-echocardiogram tests, cardiac magnetic resonance assessments, and genetic analysis. Furthermore, the long-term disease course of childbearing patients was compared with a group of nulliparous ALVC women. Results: A total of 35 patients (mean age 45 ± 9 years, 51% probands) were analyzed. Sixteen women (46%) reported a pregnancy, for a total of 27 singleton viable pregnancies (mean age at first childbirth 30 ± 9 years). Before pregnancy, all patients were in the NYHA class I and none of the patients reported a previous heart failure (HF) episode. No significant differences were found between childbearing and nulliparous women regarding ECG features, LV dimensions, function, and extent of late enhancement. Overall, 7 patients (20%, 4 belonging to the childbearing group) experienced a sustained ventricular tachycardia and 2 (6%)—one for each group—showed heart failure (HF) episodes. The analysis of arrhythmia-free survival patients did not show significant differences between childbearing and nulliparous women. Conclusions: In a cohort of ALVC patients without previous episodes of HF, pregnancy was well tolerated, with no significant influence on disease progression and degree of electrical instability. Further studies on a larger cohort of women with different degrees of disease extent and genetic background are needed in order to achieve a more comprehensive knowledge regarding the outcome of pregnancy in ALVC patients.
Neuroimaging and Cerebrovascular Changes in Fetuses with Complex Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Vena Flaminia , Manganaro Lucia , D’Ambrosio Valentina , Masciullo Luisa , Ventriglia Flavia , Ercolani Giada , Bertolini Camilla , Catalano Carlo , Di Mascio Daniele , D’Alberti Elena , Signore Fabrizio , Pizzuti Antonio , Giancotti Antonella
Published: November 2022

Background: Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are often associated with significant neurocognitive impairment and neurological delay. This study aims to elucidate the correlation between type of CHD and Doppler velocimetry and to investigate the possible presence of fetal brain abnormalities identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: From July 2010 to July 2020, we carried out a cross-sectional study of 63 singleton pregnancies with a diagnosis of different types of complex CHD: LSOL (left-sided obstructive lesions; RSOL (right-sided obstructive lesions) and MTC (mixed type of CHD). All patients underwent fetal echocardiography, ultrasound evaluation, a magnetic resonance of the fetal brain, and genetic counseling. Results: The analysis of 63 fetuses shows statistically significant results in Doppler velocimetry among the different CHD groups. The RSOL group leads to higher umbilical artery (UA-PI) pressure indexes values, whereas the LSOL group correlates with significantly lower values of the middle cerebral artery (MCA-PI) compared to the other subgroups (p = 0.036), whereas the RSOL group shows a tendency to higher pulsatility indexes in the umbilical artery (UA-PI). A significant correlation has been found between a reduced head circumference (HC) and the presence of brain injury at MRI (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Congenital left- and right-sided cardiac obstructive lesions are responsible for fetal hemodynamic changes and brain growth impairment. The correct evaluation of the central nervous system (CNS) in fetuses affected by CHD could be essential as prenatal screening and the prediction of postnatal abnormalities.
Therapeutic Potential of Targeting Mitochondria for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
Authors: Atlante Anna , Amadoro Giuseppina , Latina Valentina , Valenti Daniela
Published: November 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease, is characterized by memory and cognitive impairment and by the accumulation in the brain of abnormal proteins, more precisely beta-amyloid (β-amyloid or Aβ) and Tau proteins. Studies aimed at researching pharmacological treatments against AD have focused precisely on molecules capable, in one way or another, of preventing/eliminating the accumulations of the aforementioned proteins. Unfortunately, more than 100 years after the discovery of the disease, there is still no effective therapy in modifying the biology behind AD and nipping the disease in the bud. This state of affairs has made neuroscientists suspicious, so much so that for several years the idea has gained ground that AD is not a direct neuropathological consequence taking place downstream of the deposition of the two toxic proteins, but rather a multifactorial disease, including mitochondrial dysfunction as an early event in the pathogenesis of AD, occurring even before clinical symptoms. This is the reason why the search for pharmacological agents capable of normalizing the functioning of these subcellular organelles of vital importance for nerve cells is certainly to be considered a promising approach to the design of effective neuroprotective drugs aimed at preserving this organelle to arrest or delay the progression of the disease. Here, our intent is to provide an updated overview of the mitochondrial alterations related to this disorder and of the therapeutic strategies (both natural and synthetic) targeting mitochondrial dysfunction.
Clinical Utility of the Portable Pressure-Measuring Device for Compression Garment Pressure Measurement on Hypertrophic Scars by Burn Injury during Compression Therapy
Authors: Joo So Young , Cho Yoon Soo , Yoo Ji Won , Kim Yi Hyun , Sabangan Rachael , Lee Seung Yeol , Seo Cheong Hoon
Published: November 2022

Compression therapy for burn scars can accelerate scar maturation and improve clinical symptoms (pruritus and pain). This study objectively verified the effect of pressure garment therapy in maintaining a therapeutic pressure range for hypertrophic scars. Sixty-five participants (aged 20~70 years) with partial- or full-thickness burns, Vancouver scar scale score of ≥4, and a hypertrophic scar of ≥4 cm × 4 cm were enrolled. Compression pressure was measured weekly using a portable pressure-monitoring device to regulate this pressure at 15~25 mmHg for 2 months. In the control group, the compression garment use duration and all other burn rehabilitation measures were identical except for compression monitoring. No significant difference was noted in the initial evaluations between the two groups (p > 0.05). The improvements in the amount of change in scar thickness (p = 0.03), erythema (p = 0.03), and sebum (p = 0.02) were significantly more in the pressure monitoring group than in the control group. No significant differences were noted in melanin levels, trans-epidermal water loss, or changes measured using the Cutometer® between the two groups. The efficacy of compression garment therapy for burn-related hypertrophic scars can be improved using a pressure-monitoring device to maintain the therapeutic range.
Symmetry of the Vermillion Height after Modified Rotation-Advancement Cheiloplasty
Authors: Tangco Ivy Valdez , Bhandari Kishor , Yao Chuan-Fong , Lu Ting-Chen , Chen Philip Kuo-Ting
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: This study aimed to determine the postoperative vermillion symmetry between the cleft and non-cleft sides of patients with unilateral cleft lip during the early and late postoperative periods. (2) Methods: 57 patients with complete and 38 with incomplete unilateral cleft lips operated on between 2010 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated within 1 month (T1), 9 months to 1 ½ years (T2), and more than 4 years (T3). Vermilion heights of the cleft and non-cleft sides were measured from frontal photographs. The Cleft Lip Component Symmetry Index (CLCSI) was used to determine the symmetry of the cleft and non-cleft sides and was then analyzed. (3) Results: Among the 95 patients studied, vermilion height was excessive on the cleft side throughout the three time periods. There was a significant increase in CLCSI from T1 to T2 for both complete and incomplete types, and a significant increase from T1 to T3 only in the incomplete group and no difference from T2 to T3 for both the groups. (4) Conclusions: Even with efforts to obtain a symmetric vermilion height during the primary cheiloplasty, vermilion height excess was noted with time in complete and incomplete cleft types. Secondary revisional vermilion surgery may be performed to achieve symmetry.
Different Facets of Creativity in Employees Covering Non-Clinical to Clinical Manifestations of Burnout
Authors: Weiss Elisabeth M. , Canazei Markus , Perchtold-Stefan Corinna M. , Rominger Christian , Papousek Ilona , Fink Andreas
Published: November 2022

Empirical studies exploring the relationship between burnout and creativity are very rare. In the present study, a well-defined group of clinical burnout patients (n = 75) and two groups of working people showing high (n = 39) vs. low burnout symptoms (n = 62) were investigated. Participants completed various creativity tests including self-assessed facets of creativity, as well as psychometric measures of figural and verbal creativity. Furthermore, we examined individual and clinical characteristics that may influence creativity in burnout patients, such as depression, sleep quality, daytime fatigue, and cognitive measures (i.e., selective attention and executive control). The clinical burnout group scored lowest in all creativity tasks and cognitive tests. Additionally, they showed lower nighttime sleep quality and higher depression scores. However, creativity scores in both groups of working people were largely comparable, indicating that only more severe (i.e., clinical) manifestations of burnout are linked to creativity.
Using Different Classic Turbulence Closure Models to Assess Salt and Temperature Modelling in a Lagunar System: A Sensitivity Study
Authors: Lopes José Fortes
Published: November 2022

Turbulence modelling is an important issue when dealing with hydrodynamic and transport models for better simulation of the transport of dissolved or suspended substances in a body-water. It controls processes involving physical balances (salt and water temperature) and, therefore, the ecosystem equilibrium. The study arises from the need to model the turbulence more efficiently when dealing with extreme situations on the Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), a coastal lagoon shallow water system dominated by tidal transport. Because the turbulence model is coupled to the hydrodynamic and transport models, a correct estimation of the eddy viscosity is important in simulating the salt and the heat transports. The aim is to assess the performance of four turbulence schemes/models (k, k-ε, Smagorinsky’s, and k-ε/Smagorinsky’s (k-ε/Sma), where k is turbulent kinetic energy and ε the dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy) associated to a coupled hydrodynamic and transport models to simulate the eddy viscosity, the salinity, and the temperature. Overall, the results point out that among the different models/schemes used, the is the one which provides a more realistic value of the eddy viscosity within the range (1–6) m2 s−1, but most probably (1–3) m2 s−1. The application of the sensitivity analysis to some non-universal k-ε/Sma parameters evidenced significant sensitivity for the eddy viscosity and the salinity and moderate sensitivity for the water temperature. A 100% adjustment of the parameter values relative to the reference, translated into variations within the range of (1, 4) m2 s−1, (0, 13) PSU, and (1, 2.20) °C, for the eddy viscosity, salinity, and water temperature, respectively.
Novel Species and Records of Dictyosporiaceae from Freshwater Habitats in China and Thailand
Authors: Shen Hongwei , Bao Danfeng , Wanasinghe Dhanushka N. , Boonmee Saranyaphat , Liu Jiankui , Luo Zonglong
Published: November 2022

China and Thailand are rich in fungal diversity with abundant freshwater resources that are favorable for numerous fungal encounters. Resulting from this, the majority of the Dictyosporiaceae species reported were from these two countries. During the investigation on the diversity of lignicolous freshwater fungi in the Greater Mekong Subregion, eleven collections of cheirosporous species on submerged wood were collected from lentic and lotic habitats in China and Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis that combined nuclear small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU), internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU) and translation elongation factor 1α (tef 1-α) loci revealed six new species: Dictyocheirospora chiangmaiensis, D. multiappendiculata, D. suae, Digitodesmium aquaticum, Vikalpa grandispora and V. sphaerica. In addition, four known species were also identified and reported based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The detailed descriptions and illustrations of these taxa are provided with an updated phylogenetic tree of Dictyosporiaceae.
Transcriptomic Analyses Reveals Molecular Regulation of Photosynthesis by Epichloë endophyte in Achnatherum inebrians under Blumeria graminis Infection
Authors: Zhu Yue , Zhu Shibo , Zhang Fang , Zhao Zhenrui , Christensen Michael J. , Nan Zhibiao , Zhang Xingxu
Published: November 2022

Photosynthesis is essential for the growth of all green plants, and the presence of an Epichloë endophyte enhances the photosynthesis of Achnatherum inebrians (drunken horse grass, DHG), including when it is under attack by fungal pathogens. However, few studies have examined the mechanism of the increased photosynthetic activity at the molecular level of A. inebrians when it is under pathogen stress. The present study investigated the effects of the presence of the Epichloë endophyte on the net photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of DHG plants under a Blumeria graminis infection condition, and we compared the transcriptomes using RNA sequencing. The results showed that the photosynthetic rate of Epichloë endophyte-infected (E+) plants was higher under the B. graminis infection condition, and also without this pathogen, when it was compared with Epichloë endophyte-free (E-) plants. The E+ plants uninfected with B. graminis had 15 up-regulated unigenes that are involved in photosynthesis which were compared to the E- plants that were uninfected with this pathogen. This suggests that the presence of an Epichloë endophyte up-regulates the genes that are involved in the process of photosynthesis.
Diversity among Lasiodiplodia Species Causing Dieback, Root Rot and Leaf Spot on Fruit Trees in Egypt, and a Description of Lasiodiplodia newvalleyensis sp. nov.
Authors: El-Ganainy Sherif Mohamed , Ismail Ahmed Mahmoud , Iqbal Zafar , Elshewy Eman Said , Alhudaib Khalid A. , Almaghasla Mustafa I. , Magistà Donato
Published: November 2022

Lasiodiplodia (family Botryosphaeriaceae) is a widely distributed fungal genus that causes a variety of diseases in tropical and subtropical regions. During 2020–2021, a routine survey of fruit tree plants was conducted in five Egyptian Governorates, and fresh samples exhibiting dieback, decline, leaf spot and root rot symptoms were collected. Collection from eight different symptomatic leaves, twigs, branches and roots of fruit trees yielded 18 Lasiodiplodia-like isolates. The sequencing data from the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-a) and β-tubulin (tub2) were used to infer phylogenetic relationships with known Lasiodiplodia species. Two isolates obtained from black necrotic lesions on Phoenix dactylifera leaves were identified as a putative novel species, L. newvalleyensis sp. nov., and were thus subjected to further morphological characterization. The results of isolation and molecular characterization revealed that L. theobromae (n = 9) was the most common species on Mangifera indica, Citrus reticulata, C. sinensis, Ficus carica, Prunus persica, Prunus armeniaca and Pyrus communis trees. Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae (n = 5) was isolated from M. indica, Prunus persica and C. sinensis. Lasiodiplodia laeliocattleyae (n = 2) was isolated from C. reticulata. Pathogenicity test results suggested that all Lasiodiplodia species were pathogenic to their hosts. The present study is considered the first to characterize and decipher the diversity of Lasiodiplodia species associated with fruit trees in Egypt, using the multi-locus ITS, tef1-a and tub2 sequence data, along with morphological and pathogenic trials. To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. newvalleyensis on Phoenix dactylifera and L. laeliocattleya on C. reticulata in Egypt and worldwide.
Clutching on to Gendered Tropes? Framing of Gender Roles and Power Dynamics by Young Indian Writers of BTS Fanfiction
Authors: Chandi Jasdeep Kaur , Trehan Kulveen
Published: November 2022

As more young girls write stories online thanks to the increased amount of publishing platforms, their fiction becomes a means to explore if they are offsetting prescribed practices of patriarchy in their gender constructions. Often, young women interrogate gender and recontextualize their experiences by writing fanfictions. In the age of transmedia storytelling, various online fan communities are rich data sources, as transnational female fans prolifically write fiction featuring icons from music and movies belonging to another country. We examined how young Indian girls frame gender roles and power dynamics in their fanfictions of BTS, the South Korean boyband, on Wattpad. To know if conventional gender frames are upheld or challenged in fanfiction stories revolving around non-Indian celebrities, we performed a textual analysis on forty-four BTS fanfictions. We found that in these fanfictions, existing gendered tropes used to depict masculinity and femininity are mostly normalized, with minor alterations reflecting a power imbalance typical in Indian patriarchal households. A subversion of tropes was found in framing men as emotionally expressive, arguably drawing from the soft masculinity projected in the home country of BTS–South Korea. Grounding these findings in self-categorization theory implores us to situate the construction of gendered identities within the socio-cultural conventions of fanfiction writers.
The Clinical Application of Machine Learning-Based Models for Early Prediction of Hemorrhage in Trauma Intensive Care Units
Authors: Lee Shih-Wei , Kung His-Chun , Huang Jen-Fu , Hsu Chih-Po , Wang Chia-Cheng , Wu Yu-Tung , Wen Ming-Shien , Cheng Chi-Tung , Liao Chien-Hung
Published: November 2022

Uncontrolled post-traumatic hemorrhage is an important cause of traumatic mortality that can be avoided. This study intends to use machine learning (ML) to build an algorithm based on data collected from an electronic health record (EHR) system to predict the risk of delayed bleeding in trauma patients in the ICU. We enrolled patients with torso trauma in the surgical ICU. Demographic features, clinical presentations, and laboratory data were collected from EHR. The algorithm was designed to predict hemoglobin dropping 6 h before it happened and evaluated the performance with 10-fold cross-validation. We collected 2218 cases from 2008 to 2018 in a trauma center. There were 1036 (46.7%) patients with positive hemorrhage events during their ICU stay. Two machine learning algorithms were used to predict ongoing hemorrhage events. The logistic model tree (LMT) and the random forest algorithm achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.816 and 0.809, respectively. In this study, we presented the ML model using demographics, vital signs, and lab data, promising results in predicting delayed bleeding risk in torso trauma patients. Our study also showed the possibility of an early warning system alerting ICU staff that trauma patients need re-evaluation or further survey.
Do People Determine Their Subjective Socioeconomic Status Based on the Housing Type and Residential Neighborhood? Empirical Evidence from Seoul
Authors: Kang Su Jin , Seo Wonseok
Published: November 2022

Housing has traditionally been regarded as the most valuable asset in South Korea and is frequently used as an indicator of an individual’s socioeconomic status. In particular, this preference is evolving into a classification criterion for social class. This has led to rising social conflict and social anxiety in recent years. In this regard, this study examined the effect of residential characteristics, namely housing type and residential neighborhood, on subjective socioeconomic status using a multi-level logistic model centered on Seoul. The following are the key findings: First, it is demonstrated that home ownership has a substantial effect on subjective socioeconomic status. Second, the subjective socioeconomic status was found to vary depending on the type of housing in which a person currently resides, with residents of single-family housing having a higher subjective socioeconomic status than residents of other housing types. Third, residents of multi-household housing evaluated their socioeconomic status as the lowest. Fourth, the type of housing in one’s residential neighborhood was also found to be a significant factor in determining subjective socioeconomic status. Fifth, complex residential characteristics, such as the type of housing in which a person currently resides and the type of housing in the residential neighborhood, were found to have a considerable effect on subjective socioeconomic status. Through empirical analysis, this study examined the implications of inclusive housing policies that can reduce social problems and class conflicts and clearly identified the impact of residential characteristics on subjective socioeconomic status.
Drought- and Salt-Tolerant Plants of the Mediterranean and Their Diverse Applications: The Case of Crete
Authors: Christoforidi Irene , Kollaros Dimitrios , Manios Thrassyvoulos , Daliakopoulos Ioannis N.
Published: November 2022

Drought and salinity are two of the most urgent challenges faced in Mediterranean ecosystems, equally impacting natural systems, agricultural crops, and urban green. While many technical and soft approaches have been proposed to anticipate, mitigate, and remediate these impacts, a class of solutions has possibly been in front of us all along. Native Mediterranean fauna is well adapted, and when properly established still has unexploited conservation, restoration, and production diversification potential. Here, we outline the results of a long-term experiment taking place on the island of Crete, Greece that started in 1996 and involves over 70 native Mediterranean plants planted and monitored in various green spaces (private, shared, public) and a university campus under a diversity of adverse topographies (e.g., coastal, steep slopes), soils (e.g., disturbed, nutrient-deficient), and microclimatic conditions, taking various plant formations and serving various functions. After plant establishment, drought and salinity resistance were evaluated by gradually exposing plants (n = 5249) to deficit irrigation and saline environmental conditions, and plants were followed up for at least 5 years to empirically assess their ability to cope with abiotic stress. From the Mediterranean plants that were planted and tested, 52 were singled out because of their resistance and additional favorable traits. Motivated by this long-term assessment, a systematic literature review was conducted using the protocol Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to validate empirical results, determine which were still unexplored, and bring to light additional uses. Results showed that 41 of the plants included in this research have significant medicinal properties, 26 have nutritional uses, 17 industrial uses, and 18 have evidence of cosmetology uses. Additionally, the empirical assessment gave new evidence of at least 40 new species–trait combinations. By formally documenting the characteristics of these native Mediterranean plants, this work highlights their versatile traits, and the prospect of creating new uses and value chains enables, for the first time their inclusion in planting-decision support systems and aims to increase demand and facilitate the scaling up of native greening in the context of sustainable land and water management within and beyond the Mediterranean basin.
Historical Changes in Urban and Peri-Urban Forests: Evidence from the Galați Area, Romania
Authors: Geacu Sorin , Grigorescu Ines
Published: November 2022

In Romania, urban and peri-urban forests (UPUF) have been subject to significant transformations during the past centuries, especially during the post-communist period. The current paper seeks to provide an integrated assessment of UPUF in one of the most dynamic and densely populated urban areas in Romania, i.e., Galați, in terms of historical overview, forest structure and dynamics, and conservation of forest ecosystems, and the way all these aspects are reflected in the toponymy. The analysis covers three main time intervals: (1) until the 20th century, (2) the first half of the 20th century, and (3) the second half of the 20th century through the beginning of the 21st century. For each of the three intervals, complex quantitative spatial and temporal analyses were performed at the level of the Local Administrative Unit (LAU) using in-depth documentation of relevant historical records and geospatial data for selected years (1912, 1948, 1976, 2002, and 2018) derived from cartographic materials and satellite images. Significant changes in the urban and peri-urban forests were evidenced, but the most notable were observed since the 19th century in relation to the new political and socio-economic context, which pushed deforestation processes to support settlement expansion (though urbanization and suburbanization) and agricultural development (intensification and extensification). These processes gradually expanded until the beginning of the 21st century under the socio-economic changes during the communist regime and the post-communist period. Galați area has more than tripled in size, which led to a significant pressure on the forest-covered area, followed by changes in its structure and composition.
Ecological Well-Being Performance Evaluation and Spatio-Temporal Evolution Characteristics of Urban Agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Lan Feng , Hui Zhao , Bian Jing , Wang Ying , Shen Wenxin
Published: November 2022

The urban agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin are important carriers for China’s high-quality development. It is an inevitable trend to promote sustainable development and people’s well-being in the urban agglomerations of the Yellow River Basin. A case study of 70 cities of seven urban agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin from 2011 to 2017 is presented. The two-stage super-efficiency network slacks-based measure (Super-NSBM) model considering undesirable outputs is adopted to measure the ecological well-being performance (EWP), and the spatial correlation analysis method is used to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of the EWP. The results show that the average EWP of the seven urban agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin was less than 1, showing a trend of firstly rising and then slowly decreasing. The average EWP presents the distribution pattern of the highest in the middle reaches, followed by the upper reaches, and the lowest in the lower reaches of the Yellow River Basin, respectively. The average ecological economic efficiency in the first stage of urban agglomerations of the Yellow River Basin was greater than the average economic well-being efficiency in the second stage. The average EWP in the Yellow River Basin shows local spatial heterogeneity during the study period. Policy measures are proposed to promote the improvement of the EWP of urban agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin. This study can provide reference for the policy formulation of high-quality green development and sustainable construction of urban agglomeration in the Yellow River Basin.
Functional Insights into Protein Kinase A (PKA) Signaling from C. elegans
Authors: Sadeghian Fereshteh , Castaneda Perla G. , Amin Mustafi R. , Cram Erin J.
Published: November 2022

Protein kinase A (PKA), which regulates a diverse set of biological functions downstream of cyclic AMP (cAMP), is a tetramer consisting of two catalytic subunits (PKA-C) and two regulatory subunits (PKA-R). When cAMP binds the PKA-R subunits, the PKA-C subunits are released and interact with downstream effectors. In Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), PKA-C and PKA-R are encoded by kin-1 and kin-2, respectively. This review focuses on the contributions of work in C. elegans to our understanding of the many roles of PKA, including contractility and oocyte maturation in the reproductive system, lipid metabolism, physiology, mitochondrial function and lifespan, and a wide variety of behaviors. C. elegans provides a powerful genetic platform for understanding how this kinase can regulate an astounding variety of physiological responses.
IND-2, a Quinoline Derivative, Inhibits the Proliferation of Prostate Cancer Cells by Inducing Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis and Inhibiting Topoisomerase II
Authors: Balaji Swapnaa , Neupane Rabin , Malla Saloni , Khupse Rahul , Amawi Haneen , Kumari Shikha , Tukaramrao Diwakar Bastihalli , Chattopadhyay Srestha , Ashby Charles R. , Boddu Sai H. S. , Karthikeyan Chandrabose , Trivedi Piyush , Raman Dayanidhi , Tiwari Amit K.
Published: November 2022

In men, prostate cancer (PC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer, causing an estimated 375,000 deaths globally. Currently, existing therapies for the treatment of PC, notably metastatic cases, have limited efficacy due to drug resistance and problematic adverse effects. Therefore, it is imperative to discover and develop novel drugs for treating PC that are efficacious and do not produce intolerable adverse or toxic effects. Condensed quinolines are naturally occurring anticancer compounds. In this study, we determined the in vitro efficacy of IND-2 (4-chloro-2-methylpyrimido[1″,2″:1,5]pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolone) in the PC lines, PC-3 and DU-145. IND-2 significantly inhibited the proliferation of PC-3 and DU-145, with IC50 values of 3 µM and 3.5 µM, respectively. The incubation of PC-3 cells with 5 and 10 µM of IND-2 caused the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential in PC-3 cells. Furthermore, IND-2, at 5 µM, increased the expression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-7 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The incubation of PC-3 cells with 5 µM of IND-2 significantly decreased the expression of the apoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Furthermore, 5 and 10 µM of IND-2 produced morphological changes in PC-3 cells characteristic of apoptosis. Interestingly, IND-2 (2.5, 5 and 10 µM) also induced mitotic catastrophe in PC-3 cells, characterized by the accumulation of multinuclei. The incubation of DU-145 cells with 1.25 and 5 μM of IND-2 significantly increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, IND-2, at 10 μM, inhibited the catalytic activity of topoisomerase IIα. Overall, our findings suggest that IND-2 could be a potential lead compound for the development of more efficacious compounds for the treatment of PC.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery as a Salvage Treatment for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma with Skull Base and Intracranial Invasion (T4b)
Authors: Chu Shao-Ang , Chen Tai-Been , Chen Han-Jung , Wang Kuo-Wei , Chen Jui-Sheng , Chuang Fu-Cheng , Wang Hao-Kuang , Liang Cheng-Loong
Published: November 2022

It is usually difficult to achieve good outcomes with salvage treatment for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) because of its deep-seated location, surrounding critical structures, and patient history of high-dose irradiation. Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) is a treatment option for malignancies with skull base and intracranial invasion. We conducted a retrospective, observational, single-center study including 15 patients with recurrent NPC (stage T4b) involving the skull base and intracranial invasion, who underwent GKS as a salvage treatment. Patients were enrolled over 12 years. Per a previous study, the TNM classification T4b was subclassified into T4b1 and T4b2, defined as the involvement of the skull base or cavernous sinus with an intracranial extension of <5 mm and >5 mm, respectively. The effect of prognostic factors, including age, sex, survival period, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) presentation, presence of other distant metastases, tumor volume, marginal dose, maximal dose, and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), on outcomes was analyzed. The patients with T4b1 NPC (p = 0.041), small tumor volume (p = 0.012), higher KPS (p < 0.001), and no other metastasis (p = 0.007) had better outcomes after GKS treatment, suggesting that it is a viable treatment modality for NPC. We also suggest that detailed brain imaging studies may enable the early detection of intracranial invasion.
Assessment of the Association of Vitamin D and the Risk of Tuberculosis among End-Stage Kidney Disease Population
Authors: Dlamini Sithembiso Tiyandza , Htet Kyaw Moe , Theint Ei Chue Chue , Li Wei-Ming , Chang Hsin-Wen , Tu Hung-Pin
Published: November 2022

We investigated the role of vitamin D in the risk of tuberculosis (TB) among patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The retrospective cohort was conducted with data of 20,985 patients with kidney disease and 20,985 controls without kidney disease (1:1 matching on age of cohort entry and sex) in the duration of 1997–2010 from the Taiwan National Health insurance database. Then, by a case–cohort study, among 20,985 kidney disease, 3194 ESKD patients were identified with matched 3194 non-ESKD patients. Multivariate analyses revealed a significant association between kidney disease and tuberculosis (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.57 (1.33–1.86)), and the risk increased after 3 years of follow-up the (adjusted IRR 3.79 (2.55–5.62)), but after more years of follow-up no significance was observed. We also found that ESKD increases the risk of tuberculosis (adjusted IRR 3.67 (2.27–5.93)). However, vitamin D usage was not related with the tuberculosis risk in ESKD patients (p > 0.1783). Our study showed increased risk of tuberculosis in kidney disease and ESKD patients, and vitamin D was not beneficial in ESKD.
Use of Wild Ungulates as Sentinels of TBEV Circulation in a Naïve Area of the Northwestern Alps, Italy
Authors: Garcia-Vozmediano Aitor , Bellato Alessandro , Rossi Luca , Hoogerwerf Marieke N. , Sprong Hein , Tomassone Laura
Published: November 2022

Wild and domestic animals can be usefully employed as sentinels for the surveillance of diseases with an impact on public health. In the case of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), the detection of antibodies in animals can be more effective than screening ticks for detecting TBEV foci, due to the patchy distribution of the virus. In the Piedmont region, northwestern Italy, TBEV is considered absent, but an increase in tick densities, of Ixodes ricinus in particular, has been observed, and TBEV is spreading in bordering countries, e.g., Switzerland. Therefore, we collected sera from wild ungulates during the hunting season (October–December) from 2017 to 2019 in the Susa Valley, Italian western Alps, and screened them for TBEV antibodies by a commercial competitive ELISA test. We collected 267 serum samples by endocranial venous sinuses puncture from red deer, roe deer and northern chamois carcasses. The animals were hunted in 13 different municipalities, at altitudes ranging between 750 and 2800 m a.s.l. The serological survey for TBEV yielded negative results. Borderline results for five serum samples were further confirmed as negative for TBEV by a plaque reduction neutralisation test. To date, our results indicate that TBEV is not circulating in western Piedmont. However, monitoring of TBEV should continue since TBEV and its vector are spreading in Europe. The wide-range distribution of wild ungulates and their role as feeding hosts, make them useful indicators of the health threats posed by Ixodid ticks.
Abrasive Wear Resistance of High-Strength Compacted Graphite Iron under Microabrasion Conditions
Authors: Wollmann Daniela , Miranda Maria Angélica de , Pintaude Giuseppe
Published: November 2022

Compacted graphite iron (CGI) has been considered an excellent option for heavy-duty engine blocks due to its superior mechanical properties, which allow reduction of weight, enhancing engine performance. Abrasion is a recognized wear mechanism in engine blocks, meaning it deserves to be evaluated for CGI. This study analyzed two grades of high-strength CGI (GJV450 and GJV500) submitted to microscale abrasion tests in free ball configuration using two different slurries: diamond and silica. There was more wear to the surfaces tested with silica due to the particle size, which was one order of magnitude larger than the diamond. The data obtained showed that both materials presented similar resistance when tests were performed with the diamond slurry. On the other hand, when silica was used, GJV500 presented 2.5 times greater wear resistance than GJV450, even though its global hardness was only 17% greater.
Flooding Application of Vegetable- and Mineral-Based Cutting Fluids in Turning of AISI 1050 Steel
Authors: Almeida Carvalho Déborah Oliveira , da Silva Leonardo Rosa Ribeiro , de Souza Felipe Chagas Rodrigues , França Pedro Henrique Pires , Machado Álisson Rocha , Costa Eder Silva , Fernandes Gustavo Henrique Nazareno , da Silva Rosemar Batista
Published: November 2022

The use of cutting fluids during machining processes remains one of the main challenges toward greener manufacturing, mainly when applied by flooding. The use of vegetable-based cutting fluids stands out as one of the alternatives toward more sustainability by making the process eco-friendlier without much impact on the economic aspects of the chain. In this paper, the performance of two vegetable-based cutting fluids applied by flooding was compared to one mineral-based during the turning process of the AISI 1050 steel. They were also tested after aging for microbiological contamination to assess the fluids’ sustainability further. The machinability of the cutting fluids was evaluated by considering the tool life and wear mechanisms, workpiece surface roughness, and cutting temperatures. After microbial contamination, all the fluids increased kinematic viscosity and specific weight, except for the emulsion of vegetable-based fluid, where its kinematic viscosity decreased. The vegetable-synthetic fluid obtained the best machining results in cutting temperature and roughness (Ra) and also had the best behavior for microbial growth. However, considering the tool life, the best result was obtained with the emulsion of the vegetable-based fluid.
(S)-(1-Pyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)quinuclidin-1-ium Bromide
Authors: Ñíguez José A. , Burlingham Sarah J. , Chinchilla Rafael , Alonso Diego A.
Published: November 2022

(S)-(1-Pyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)quinuclidine-1-ium bromide was synthesized in a six-step reaction process starting from l-proline and spectroscopically and thermally characterized.
Cold Roll Forming Process Design for Complex Stainless-Steel Section Based on COPRA and Orthogonal Experiment
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Hua-Min , Li She-Fei , Chen Wan-Jun
Published: November 2022

Cold roll forming can fabricate products with complex profiles, and its parameter optimization can achieve high quality and improved precision of products. In this paper, taking the side shield as a typical product, the cold roll forming of a complex section of stainless steel SUS301L-ST is analyzed, establishing a 3D finite element model by using the professional roll forming software COPRA. We propose a floating roll device for complex sections with asymmetry and large depth. We use an orthogonal experiment to obtain the inter-distance between rolls, friction coefficients, the diameter increments, and line velocities to investigate the effects on the maximum longitudinal strain of the edge. Results show that the diameter increment has the greatest influence on the maximum strain, and its increases can reduce the strain. The inter-distance value needs a suitable range. A small value is not conducive to the release of elastic deformation, while a large value will cause unexpected displacement and increase the cost. The friction coefficient increases; although it helps to reduce the strain, it will cause scratches and other defects on the stainless steel. The increase in velocity increases the strain. We derive the optimal parameters for the complex section, providing a theoretical basis for practical production.
Magnetic Domain Characterization and Physical Properties of Gd-Doped and (Gd, Al) Co-Doped ZnO Thin Films
Authors: Raship Nur Amaliyana , Tawil Siti Nooraya Mohd , Nayan Nafarizal , Ismail Khadijah , Bakri Anis Suhaili , Azman Zulkifli , Mohkhter Faezahana
Published: November 2022

Undoped ZnO, Gd-doped ZnO with various doping concentration (1, 3, 5, and 7 at%), and 3 at% (Gd, Al) co-doped ZnO films were prepared on a glass substrate using the co-reactive sputtering method. The influence of the doping and co-doping process on the films was characterized using X-ray diffraction, FESEM, EDX, MFM, VSM, UV–VIS spectroscopy, and the Hall Effect measurement at room temperature. XRD study confirmed that the Gd and Al ions are incorporated into a ZnO lattice. EDX analysis confirmed the existence of Zn, O, Al, and Gd elements in the prepared Gd-doped ZnO and (Gd, Al) co-doped ZnO films, which suggests the successful doping procedure. All the deposited films obtained maximum optical transmittance above 80%, showing a high transparency of the films in the visible region. The optical band gap was found red-shifted from 3.11 to 3.21 eV with the increase in Gd doping concentration. The increase in band gap energy from 3.14 eV to 3.16 eV was obtained for 3 at% Gd and 3 at% (Gd, Al) co-doped ZnO films. The MFM measurement proved the existence of room-temperature ferromagnetism and spin polarization in Gd and (Gd, Al) co-doped ZnO films. By co-doping with Al, the result obtained from MFM shows the enhancement of magnetic properties, as it exhibited a smaller domain size with a shorter magnetic correlation length L, a larger phase shift Φrms, and the highest value of δfrms compared to the sample with 3 at% Gd incorporated into ZnO. The carrier concentration and electrical conductivity increased with the increase in Gd concentration, whereas the electrical resistivity and hall mobility showed a reverse trend. The similar trend of results obtained for 3 at% (Gd, Al) co-doped ZnO as compared to 3 at% Gd-doped ZnO also indicates greater electrical properties after a shallow donor such as aluminum was incorporated into Gd-doped ZnO thin films. In conclusion, for future applications, one should consider the possible influence of other types of shallow donor incorporation in an attempt to enhance the properties of new types of diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs).
Hydration and Expansion Characteristics of MgO Expansive Agent in Mass Concrete
Authors: Jiang Feifei , Mao Zhongyang , Yu Lanqing
Published: November 2022

Based on the underground reinforced concrete wall of subway stations (Hangzhou, China), this paper studied the influence of a MgO expansive agent (MEA) on deformation and mechanical properties of a reinforced concrete wall. The results show that the effect of the MEA with different activities to compensate for the shrinkage of reinforced concrete walls is different. For MEA-R (60 s), because the activity is too high, its hydration rate is too fast, and many expansions occur at the plastic state of the concrete, which cannot effectively compensate for the shrinkage of concrete. For MEA-S (220 s), due to its low activity, the early hydration rate is so slow that it cannot compensate for the shrinkage, but it compensates well at the later stage due to the continuous hydration expansion of MEA. For MEA-M (140 s), the shrinkage of concrete is well compensated for the shrinkage at the early, middle and late stages due to its moderate activity. After using MEA to partially replace fly ash and mineral powder, the compressive strength of concrete was lower at the early stage (0–28 days). However, in the later stage, the porosity of concrete decreased rapidly, and the compressive strength of concrete would also be significantly improved. Therefore, choosing a suitably active MEA can compensate for the shrinkage of mass concrete without reducing its strength.
Grain Growth upon Annealing and Its Influence on Biodegradation Rate for Pure Iron
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Ke , Liu Weidong , Zheng Zhongren , Zhao Mingchun
Published: November 2022

Biodegradable pure iron has gained significant interest as a biomedical material. For biodegradable implant applications, the biodegradation behavior of pure iron is important. In this work, the influence of ferrite grain size on the biodegradation rate for pure iron was studied by means of heat treatment that was annealed below the austenized temperature using as-forged pure iron. Grains were coarsened and a spectrum of ferrite grain sizes was gained by changing the annealed temperature. Biodegradation behavior was studied through weight loss tests, electrochemical measurements and microscopic analyses. Hardness (HV) and biodegradation rate (Pi or Pw) were linearly ferrite grain size-dependent: HV=58.9+383.2d−12, and Pi=−0.023+0.425d−12 or Pw=0.056+0.631d−12. The mechanism by which the role of grain size on biodegradation rate was attributed to the ferrite grain boundary traits.