bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomarker Analysis from a Phase I/Ib Study of Regorafenib and Nivolumab in Mismatch Repair-Proficient Advanced Refractory Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kim Dae Won , Kim Young-Chul , Kovari Bence P. , Martinez Maria , Miao Ruoyu , Yu James , Mehta Rutika , Strosberg Jonathan , Imanirad Iman , Kim Richard D.
Published: January 2024

Previously, we reported the modest but durable anticancer activity of regorafenib/nivolumab in mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) refractory colorectal cancer in our I/Ib study. Our finding suggests the necessity of biomarkers for better selection of patients. Baseline clinical and pathological characteristics, blood and tumor samples from the patients in the trial were collected and evaluated to discover potential biomarkers. The obtained samples were assessed for immunohistochemistry, ELISA and RNA sequencing. Their correlations with clinical outcome were analyzed. A high albumin level was significantly associated with improved progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and disease control. Non-liver metastatic disease showed prolonged PFS and OS. Low regulatory T-cell (Treg) infiltration correlated with prolonged PFS. Low MIP-1β was associated with durable response and improved OS significantly. Upregulation of 23 genes, including CAPN9, NAPSA and ROS1, was observed in the durable disease control group, and upregulation of 10 genes, including MRPS18A, MAIP1 and CMTR2, was associated with a statistically significant improvement of PFS. This study suggests that pretreatment albumin, MIP-1β, non-liver metastatic disease and Treg infiltration may be potential predictive biomarkers of regorafenib/nivolumab in pMMR colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Therapeutic Immunomodulation in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Akkanapally Venu , Bai Xue-Feng , Basu Sujit
Published: January 2024

Gastric carcinoma, being one of the most prevalent types of solid tumors, has emerged as the third leading cause of death worldwide. The symptoms of gastric cancer (GC) are typically complex, which makes early detection challenging. Immune checkpoint inhibition has become the new standard targeted therapy for advanced or metastatic GC. It is currently being explored in various combinations, both with and without chemotherapy, across multiple therapies in clinical trials. Immunotherapy can stimulate immune responses in GC patients, leading to the destruction of cancer cells. Compared with traditional therapies, immunotherapy has shown strong effectiveness with tolerable toxicity levels. Hence, this innovative approach to the treatment of advanced GC has gained popularity. In this review, we have outlined the recent advancements in immunotherapy for advanced GC, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, vascular endothelial growth factor-A inhibitors, and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. Our current emphasis is on examining the immunotherapies presently employed in clinical settings, addressing the existing challenges associated with these therapeutic approaches, and exploring promising strategies to overcome their limitations.
Pain Catastrophizing in Cancer Patients
Authors: Mercadante Sebastiano , Ferrera Patrizia , Lo Cascio Alessio , Casuccio Alessandra
Published: January 2024

Background: Pain catastrophizing is a group of negative irrational cognitions in the context of anticipated or actual pain. The aim of this study was to decipher the possible role of catastrophism on pain expression and outcomes after a comprehensive palliative care treatment. Methods: A consecutive sample of patients with uncontrolled pain was assessed. Demographic characteristics, symptom intensity included in the Edmonton symptom assessment system (ESAS), and opioid drugs used were recorded at admission (T0). The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was measured for patients. Patients were also asked about their personalized symptom goal (PSG) for each symptom of ESAS. One week after a comprehensive palliative care treatment (T7), ESAS and opioid doses used were recorded again, and the number of patients who achieved their PSG (PSGR) were calculated. At the same interval (T7), Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) was calculated using patient global impression (PGI). Results: Ninety-five patients were eligible. A significant decrease in symptom intensity was reported for all ESAS items. PGI was positive for all symptoms, with higher values for pain, poor well-being, and poor sleep. Only the rumination subscale of catastrophism was significantly associated with pain at T0 (B = 0.540; p = 0.034). Conclusions: Catastrophism was not associated with the levels of pain intensity, PSG, PSGR, and PGI for pain, except the rumination subscale that was associated with pain intensity at T0. A comprehensive palliative care management provided the relevant changes in symptom burden, undoing the pain expression associated with rumination.
Introduction to the Special Issue on “Role of Novel Imaging Technique in Brain Tumors”
Authors: Nabavizadeh Ali
Published: January 2024

In recent years, significant strides have been made in the field of neuro-oncology imaging, contributing to our understanding and management of brain tumors [...]
Insights, Advantages, and Barriers of Teledermatology vs. Face-to-Face Dermatology for the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nikolakis Georgios , Vaiopoulos Aristeidis G. , Georgopoulos Ioannis , Papakonstantinou Eleni , Gaitanis George , Zouboulis Christos C.
Published: January 2024

Background: Teledermatology is employed in the diagnosis and follow-up of skin cancer and its use was intensified during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, demographic changes result in an overall increase in non-melanoma skin cancer and skin precancerous lesions. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of teledermatology in comparison to conventional face-to-face dermatology for such lesions and determine the advantages and limitations of this workflow for patients and physicians. Methods: Research was performed using relevant keywords in MEDLINE and CENTRAL. Relevant articles were chosen following a predetermined standardized extraction form. Results: Diagnostic accuracy and interrater/intrarater agreement can be considered comparable—although lower—than in-person consultation. Improvement of particular features such as image quality, medical history availability, and teledermoscopy can further increase accuracy. Further aspects of limitations and advantages (mean time-to-assessment, time-to-treatment, cost-effectiveness) are discussed. Conclusions: Teledermatology has comparable diagnostic accuracy with face-to-face dermatology and can be utilized both for the effective triage of non-melanocytic epithelial tumors and precancerous lesions, as well as the follow-up. Easy access to dermatologic consultation with shorter mean times to diagnostic biopsy and/or treatment coupled with cost-effectiveness could compensate for the lower sensitivity of teledermatology and offer easier access to medical care to the affected populations.
Hypoxic Signaling Pathways in Carotid Body Tumors
Authors: Cao Kangxi , Yuan Wanzhong , Hou Chaofan , Wang Zhongzheng , Yu Jiazhi , Wang Tao
Published: January 2024

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare tumors with a 1–2 incidence per 100,000 individuals. CBTs may initially present without apparent symptoms, and symptoms begin to arise since tumors grow bigger to compress surrounding tissue, such as recurrent laryngeal nerve and esophagus. Also, the etiology of CBTs remains unclear since it is more likely to occur in those who live in high-altitude areas or suffer from chronic hypoxic diseases such as COPD. SDH mutations and familial inheritance have been reported to be related to CBTs. SDH complexes play crucial roles in aerobic respiration, and SDH mutations in CBTs have been reported to be associated with hypoxia. Hypoxic signaling pathways, specifically hypoxic markers, have attracted more research attention in tumor exploration. However, the existing literature on these signaling and markers lacks a systematic review. Also, therapeutic approaches in CBTs based on hypoxic signaling are rarely used in clinics. In this review, we concluded the role of hypoxic signaling and markers and their potential implications in the initiation and progression of CBTs. Our findings underscore the involvement of the SDH family, the HIF family, VEGFs, and inflammatory cytokines (ICs) in tumorigenesis and treatment. Of particular interest is the role played by SDHx, which has recently been linked to oxygen sensing through mutations leading to hereditary CBTs. Among the SDH family, SDHB and SDHD exhibit remarkable characteristics associated with metastasis and multiple tumors. Besides SDH mutations in CBTs, the HIF family also plays crucial roles in CBTs via hypoxic signaling pathways. The HIF family regulates angiogenesis during mammalian development and tumor growth by gene expression in CBTs. HIF1α could induce the transcription of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) to inhibit pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDH) by inhibiting the TCA cycle. Then, carotid body cells begin to hyperplasia and hypertrophy. At the same time, EPAS1 mutation, an activating mutation, could decrease the degradation of HIF2α and result in Pacak–Zhuang syndrome, which could result in paraganglioma. HIFs can also activate VEGF expression, and VEGFs act on Flk-1 to control the hyperplasia of type I cells and promote neovascularization. ICs also play a pivotal signaling role within the CB, as their expression is induced under hypoxic conditions to stimulate CB hyperplasia, ultimately leading to CBTs detecting hypoxic areas in tumors, and improving the hypoxic condition could enhance photon radiotherapy efficacy. Moreover, this review offers valuable insights for future research directions on understanding the relationship between hypoxic signaling pathways and CBTs.
New Tumor Budding Evaluation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Cacchi Claudio , Fischer Henrike J. , Wermker Kai , Rashad Ashkan , Jonigk Danny D. , Hölzle Frank , Klein Maurice
Published: January 2024

Background: Tumor budding (TB) is a histomorphological characteristic of the tumor invasion front and it has an impact on the tumor outcome prediction for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) aetiopathology. Patients and methods: The average TB score (TB rel) of all tumor-positive marginal sections (n = 443) in the primary tumor was analyzed in the FFPE-fixed tumor slices of 66 patients with HNSCC, and they were compared with cryo-fixed sections. Results: TB rel correlates with tumor aggressiveness (i.e., lymph node metastasis quantity, lymph node ratio, extra capsular growth, Pn1, pV1, grading). The TB scores often vary between the different tumor margins of FFPE sections in the same patient, and in many cases, they differ depending on the fixation method. Conclusion: Our data show that a randomly selected marginal cut cannot reliably mirror the TB score, and thus, they cannot predict the prognostic outcome. However, TB rel could be a tool that compensates for differences in TB score analysis. TB score determination in cryo sections seems to be inaccurate compared with TB determination in FFPE.
How [18F]FDG-PET/CT Affects the Management of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma in Clinical Routines
Authors: Vogel Jonas , Sekler Julia , Gückel Brigitte , Pfannenberg Christina , Nikolaou Konstantin , La Fougère Christian , Dittmann Helmut , Reinert Christian Philipp
Published: January 2024

Purpose: To investigate the impact of [18F]FDG-PET/CT on the management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in routine clinical settings. Material and methods: In total, 98 patients (55 females, age 56 ± 18 years) with histologically confirmed thyroid cancer, including all types of DTC and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC, n = 7), underwent [18F]FDG-PET/CT for staging or recurrence diagnostics performed using a state-of-the art clinical scanner (Biograph mCT, Siemens Healthineers) with a standardized examination protocol. The impact of PET/CT on clinical decision making was prospectively evaluated using standardized questionnaires completed by the referring physicians before and after PET/CT. Patient outcome was analyzed for OS drawn from patient records. Results: Referring physicians were unable to establish a treatment plan for 81% of patients with thyroid cancer in the absence of PET/CT. The use of PET/CT had a notable influence on patient management, leading to the development of a well-defined treatment plan for 92% of patients. Moreover, after PET/CT a change in pre-PET/CT-intended treatments occurred in 32% of cases, and further invasive diagnostic could be waived in 7% of cases. [18F]FDG-PET/CT revealed a tumor detection rate of 68% (local tumor: 19%, lymph node metastases: 40%, distant metastases: 42%). HTg levels, when stimulated via TSH, were considerably higher in patients with metastases detected on PET/CT, compared to those without metastatic findings (p = 0.02). OS was significantly worse in patients with PDTC (p = 0.002) compared to follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) and PTC or even in patients with distant metastases at first diagnosis (p = 0.03). Conclusions: This prospective registry study confirms that [18F]FDG-PET/CT used in a routine clinical setting has a very important impact on the management of patients with thyroid cancer by initiating treatments and reducing the uses of additional imaging and invasive tests.
miRNA–221 and miRNA–483–3p Dysregulation in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Bozzarelli Isotta , Orsini Arianna , Isidori Federica , Mastracci Luca , Malvi Deborah , Lugaresi Marialuisa , Fittipaldi Silvia , Gozzellino Livia , Astolfi Annalisa , Räsänen Jari , D’Errico Antonia , Rosati Riccardo , Fiocca Roberto , Seri Marco , Krishnadath Kausilia K. , Bonora Elena , Mattioli Sandro
Published: January 2024

Alterations in microRNA (miRNA) expression have been reported in different cancers. We assessed the expression of 754 oncology–related miRNAs in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) samples and evaluated their correlations with clinical parameters. We found that miR–221 and 483–3p were consistently upregulated in EAC patients vs. controls (Wilcoxon signed–rank test: miR–221 p < 0.0001; miR–483–3p p < 0.0001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed worse cancer–related survival among all EAC patients expressing high miR–221 or miR–483–3p levels (log–rank p = 0.0025 and p = 0.0235, respectively). Higher miR–221 or miR–483–3p levels also correlated with advanced tumor stages (Mann–Whitney p = 0.0195 and p = 0.0085, respectively), and overexpression of miR–221 was associated with worse survival in low–risk EAC patients. Moreover, a significantly worse outcome was associated with the combined overexpression of miR–221 and miR–483–3p (log–rank p = 0.0410). To identify target genes affected by miRNA overexpression, we transfected the corresponding mimic RNA (miRVANA) for either miR–221 or miR–483–3p in a well–characterized esophageal adenocarcinoma cell line (OE19) and performed RNA–seq analysis. In the miRNA–overexpressing cells, we discovered a convergent dysregulation of genes linked to apoptosis, ATP synthesis, angiogenesis, and cancer progression, including a long non–coding RNA associated with oncogenesis, i.e., MALAT1. In conclusion, dysregulated miRNA expression, especially overexpression of miR–221 and 483–3p, was found in EAC samples. These alterations were connected with a lower cancer–specific patient survival, suggesting that these miRNAs could be useful for patient stratification and prognosis.
The Effect of Non-Overlapping Somatic Mutations in BRAF, NRAS, NF1, or CKIT on the Incidence and Outcome of Brain Metastases during Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy of Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Samlowski Wolfram
Published: January 2024

Previous studies suggested that somatic BRAF and NRAS mutations in metastatic melanoma increase the risk for brain metastases. The risk related to other non-overlapping “driver” mutations is unknown. We performed a retrospective evaluation of the incidence, timing, and outcome of brain metastases in a population of melanoma patients that underwent uniform next-gen sequencing. All patients were treated with initial checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Seventeen of 88 patients (20.0%) developed brain metastases. Eleven patients had brain metastases at diagnosis (12.9%). These were all patients with BRAF V600 or NF1 mutations. Only six patients with NRAS, NF1, KIT, or BRAF mutations (including fusions/internal rearrangements experienced delayed CNS progression following immunotherapy (7.1%)). No “quadruple negative” patient developed brain metastases. Patients with brain metastases at diagnosis had a better outcome than those with delayed intracranial progression. Current predictive markers, (LDH, tumor mutation burden, and PDL1) were poorly correlated with the development of brain metastases. Treatment with immunotherapy appears to reduce the incidence of brain metastases. Next-gen molecular sequencing of tumors in metastatic melanoma patients was useful in identifying genetic subpopulations with an increased or reduced risk of brain metastases. This may allow eventual personalization of screening strategies.
Tumor Neurobiology in the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Liang Siyuan , Hess Jochen
Published: January 2024

The neurobiology of tumors has attracted considerable interest from clinicians and scientists and has become a multidisciplinary area of research. Neural components not only interact with tumor cells but also influence other elements within the TME, such as immune cells and vascular components, forming a polygonal relationship to synergistically facilitate tumor growth and progression. This review comprehensively summarizes the current state of the knowledge on nerve–tumor crosstalk in head and neck cancer and discusses the potential underlying mechanisms. Several mechanisms facilitating nerve–tumor crosstalk are covered, such as perineural invasion, axonogenesis, neurogenesis, neural reprogramming, and transdifferentiation, and the reciprocal interactions between the nervous and immune systems in the TME are also discussed in this review. Further understanding of the nerve–tumor crosstalk in the TME of head and neck cancer may provide new nerve-targeted treatment options and help improve clinical outcomes for patients.
Theory of Constraints and Bitcoin: Introducing a New Fulcrum
Authors: Matthews Rupert L.
Published: January 2024

Much of the attention on bitcoin relates to its ability to store value over time or whether you will one day by able to buy a cup of coffee with it. Much less attention is given to bitcoin’s potential role as a unit of account. This opinion piece proposes that bitcoin has potential to provide a consistent unit of account for organisations to adopt, but also to assist them in making and measuring meaningful business developments. The paper draws from the business improvement philosophy of Theory of Constraints to propose that unit of account, particularly within high inflation environments, is critical to consider. An illustrative case of a well-known publicly traded company, Microstrategy, provides an example and logic for a company choosing to integrate bitcoin into a business. The paper also gives attention to how the adoption of bitcoin can promote the development of renewable energy infrastructure and provide staff with opportunities for personal development to support their well-being. Opportunities for further research are identified to explore the integration of bitcoin within a business as well as with Theory of Constraints.
Synthesis of New Zinc and Copper Coordination Polymers Derived from Bis (Triazole) Ligands
Authors: Al-Matarneh Maria , Nicolescu Alina , Dascalu Ioan-Andrei , Shova Sergiu , Varganici Cristian-Dragos , Fifere Adrian , Danac Ramona , Marinas Ioana-Cristina
Published: January 2024

Recent research has focused on molecules with different aromatic nitrogen-containing moieties coupled to a biphenyl core, as an effective approach for the assembly of coordination polymers. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of new ligands based on 1,1′-(3,3′-dimethoxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diyl)bis(4-butyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole) (L1) and 1,1′-(3,3′-dimethoxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diyl)bis(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole) (L2) and their coordination polymers with Cu(II) and Zn(II). An unexpected coordination polymer with Cu(I) starting from Cu(II) was obtained in the case of the L2 ligand. The ligands and metal complexes underwent thorough characterization, including X-ray diffraction, NMR-, FTIR-, MS-spectrometry, and EPR, XPS, and TG-DTG analyses. While the ligand L2 generated a linear Cu(I) polymer, the ligand L1 formed a zigzag polymer with both copper and zinc.
Bird Feeder Explorers Are Not Attracted by the Seeds of Invasive Weeds in Winter
Authors: Grzędzicka Emilia
Published: January 2024

Winter feeding of birds is one of the most widespread forms of human influence on animals in the world. Urban areas, however, contain many other food sources apart from the contents of feeders, including contaminated food and seeds of invasive plants. This research aimed to investigate whether birds exploring urban food select it, giving up potentially toxic or unknown seeds, or whether they use every available food. In the winter of the year 2022, an experiment was carried out with 18 feeders in two city parks in Kraków, Poland, which was based on feeding birds using sunflower seeds with various admixtures of the invasive Caucasian hogweeds Heracleum sp. seeds. Despite the detection of pecking marks on the hogweed seeds, only a small part of them disappeared from the feeders compared to the intensive feeding of birds on sunflower seeds. This result shows that not every new food source in the city can be used by birds. Urban explorers remain selective when choosing food, which keeps their behaviour close to non-urban populations.
Seasonal Variation in First Territory Settlement of Dispersing Golden Eagles: An Innate Behaviour?
Authors: Whitfield D. Philip , Fielding Alan H. , Anderson David , Benn Stuart , Reid Robin , Tingay Ruth , Weston Ewan D.
Published: January 2024

Despite advancements through satellite telemetry, knowledge of the behaviour and ecology of large raptors during natal dispersal is still poor, even though this transience phase is important in understanding the population dynamics and conservation of these keystone species. After this phase, which can take several years, the subsequent rapid transitional event on first territory settlement is less studied. It apparently occurs earlier without competition from existing territory occupants. The time of year when young large raptors settle on a territory has rarely been addressed empirically. Our study of seasonal timing of first settlement used data from 46 golden eagles GPS-tagged as nestlings in Scotland which were tracked to their first territory settlement, as adjudged by a robust algorithmic method. We show that when young golden eagles occupied their first territory, their settlements were uncommon in summer and most common in late winter/spring, but also occurred in autumn into early winter. The significant seasonal pattern was consistent, regardless of the probable prior occupancy status (vacant/occupied) of the settled territory (respectively, the likely absence or presence of defending territorial birds). This showed that seasonal territory settlement was unlikely to be related to any response from territory occupants. It infers further that seasonality in first territory settlement was underpinned by innate behaviours in dispersing eagles. Seasonal distribution of settlement dates was significantly different between sexes, with males more likely to settle in autumn, predominantly in prior vacant territories. We speculate on potential causative drivers behind our results and conclude that more research is clearly needed in this field of study.
Roadkill Patterns on Workdays, Weekends and Long Weekends: Anticipating the Implications of a Four-Day Work Week
Authors: Balčiauskas Linas , Kučas Andrius , Balčiauskienė Laima
Published: January 2024

Understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of animal road mortality is important for planning protective measures and raising driver awareness. In our study of Lithuania, spanning from 2002 to 2022, we examined these patterns based on road types and categorized them by working days, weekends, and long weekends, predicting the potential impact of transitioning to a four-day working week. We found that road type explains 22–50% of the variability in roadkill numbers for moose, red deer, wild boar, and roe deer. The highest occurrences were on main roads, while regional roads had the fewest incidents. The overall number of roadkills, especially those involving ungulates, was highest on weekends, followed by workdays, with the least on long weekends. However, these variations lacked statistical significance, and their effect size was small. We also observed a trend of increased roadkill numbers on the day before, the first day, notably on All Saints Day, or the last day of long weekends. In this context, with the introduction of a four-day work week, we are only expecting the highest roadkill numbers to move from Friday to Thursday.
Application of Path Analysis and Remote Sensing to Assess the Interrelationships between Meteorological Variables and Vegetation Indices in the State of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Senhorelo Adriano Posse , Sousa Elias Fernandes de , Santos Alexandre Rosa dos , Ferrari Jéferson Luiz , Peluzio João Batista Esteves , Carvalho Rita de Cássia Freire , Souza Kaíse Barbosa de , Moreira Taís Rizzo
Published: January 2024

Utilizing path analysis, we examined the interconnectedness among six meteorological variables. Among these, three pertain to energy conditions—air temperature, net solar radiation, and reference evapotranspiration (ET0)—while the others are associated with hydrological conditions: precipitation, relative humidity, and water deficiency. These variables were assessed across five distinct temporal delay levels to understand their influences on the normalized difference vegetation Index (NDVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) within grassland areas situated in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. The images underwent processing using analytical algorithms and a geographic information system (GIS). The direct and indirect impacts of these variables on the NDVI and EVI exhibited remarkable similarity across varying temporal delays and geographic regions. Meteorological variables explained over 50% of the observed variation in both indices, occasionally even reaching levels of 70%. Temperature and relative humidity primarily exerted direct effects on the indices. Conversely, precipitation exhibited indirect effects on the indices, often in conjunction with other hydrological variables. ET0 demonstrated a direct effect on the vegetation indices, particularly after a delay of 32 days. Solar radiation and water deficiency displayed direct effects up to the 32-day mark, implying that vegetation responds more promptly to these variables. The proposed methodology enabled a consistent and stable assessment of the direct and indirect effects of meteorological variables on vegetation indices.
Postmortem Minimally Invasive Autopsy in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients at the Bedside: A Proof-of-Concept Study at the ICU
Authors: Lahmer Tobias , Weirich Gregor , Porubsky Stefan , Rasch Sebastian , Kammerstetter Florian A. , Schustetter Christian , Schüffler Peter , Erber Johanna , Dibos Miriam , Delbridge Claire , Kuhn Peer Hendrik , Jeske Samuel , Steinhardt Manuel , Chaker Adam , Heim Markus , Heemann Uwe , Schmid Roland M. , Weichert Wilko , Stock Konrad Friedrich , Slotta-Huspenina Julia
Published: January 2024

Background: Economic restrictions and workforce cuts have continually challenged conventional autopsies. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has added tissue quality and safety requirements to the investigation of this disease, thereby launching efforts to upgrade autopsy strategies. Methods: In this proof-of-concept study, we performed bedside ultrasound-guided minimally invasive autopsy (US-MIA) in the ICU of critically ill COVID-19 patients using a structured protocol to obtain non-autolyzed tissue. Biopsies were assessed for their quality (vitality) and length of biopsy (mm) and for diagnosis. The efficiency of the procedure was monitored in five cases by recording the time of each step and safety issues by swabbing personal protective equipment and devices for viral contamination. Findings: Ultrasound examination and tissue procurement required a mean time period of 13 min and 54 min, respectively. A total of 318 multiorgan biopsies were obtained from five patients. Quality and vitality standards were fulfilled, which not only allowed for specific histopathological diagnosis but also the reliable detection of SARS-CoV-2 virions in unexpected organs using electronic microscopy and RNA-expressing techniques. Interpretation: Bedside multidisciplinary US-MIA allows for the fast and efficient acquisition of autolytic-free tissue and offers unappreciated potential to overcome the limitations of research in postmortem studies.
The Performance of Pulmonary Function Tests in Predicting Systemic Sclerosis—Interstitial Lung Disease in the European Scleroderma Trial and Research Database
Authors: Lepri Gemma , Bruni Cosimo , Tofani Lorenzo , Moggi-Pignone Alberto , Orlandi Martina , Tomassetti Sara , Hughes Michael , Del Galdo Francesco , Irace Rosaria , Distler Oliver , Riccieri Valeria , Allanore Yannick , Gheorghiu Ana Maria , Siegert Elise , De Vries-Bouwstra Jeska , Hachulla Eric , Tikly Mohammed , Damjanov Nemanja , Spertini Francois , Mouthon Luc , Hoffmann-Vold Anna-Maria , Gabrielli Armando , Guiducci Serena , Matucci-Cerinic Marco , Furst Daniel , Bellando-Randone Silvia ,   EUSTAR Collaborators
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: In SSc, ILD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the performance of DLCO (diffusing capacity of lung carbon monoxide) and FVC (forced vital capacity) delta change (Δ) and baseline values in predicting the development of SSc-ILD. Methods: Longitudinal data of DLCO, FVC, and ILD on the HRCT of SSc patients from the EUSTAR database were evaluated at baseline (t0) and after 12 (±4) (t1) and 24 (±4) (t2) months. Results: 474/17805 patients were eligible for the study (403 females); 46 (9.7%) developed ILD at t2. Positivity for anti-topoisomerase antibodies (117 patients) showed an association with ILD development at t2 (p = 0.0031). Neither the mean t0 to t1 change (Δ) of DLCO nor the mean t0 to t1 FVCΔ predicted the appearance of ILD at t2. Investigating the possible role of baseline DLCO and FVC values in predicting ILD appearance after 24 (±4) months, we observed a moderate predictive capability of t0 DLCO < 80%, stronger than that of FVC < 80%. Conclusions: We suggest that an impaired baseline DLCO may be predictive of the appearance of ILD after 2 years of follow-up. This result advances the hypothesis that a reduction in gas exchange may be considered an early sign of lung involvement. However, further rigorous studies are warranted to understand the predictive role of DLCO evaluation in the course of SSc.
The Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Early Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Shah Jimil , Chatterjee Abhirup , Kothari Truptesh H.
Published: January 2024

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an irreversible and progressive inflammation of the pancreas that can involve both pancreatic parenchyma and the pancreatic duct. CP results in morphological changes in the gland in the form of fibrosis and calcification along with functional impairment in the form of exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. Studies on the natural history of CP reveal the irreversibility of the condition and the resultant plethora of complications, of which pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the most dreaded one. In Japanese population-based studies by Otsuki and Fuzino et al., CP was clearly shown to reduce lifespan among males and females by 10.5 years and 16 years, respectively. This dismal prognosis is superadded to significant morbidity due to pain and poor quality of life, creating a significant burden on health and health-related infrastructure. These factors have led researchers to conceptualize early CP, which, theoretically, is a reversible stage in the disease spectrum characterised by ongoing pancreatic injury with the presence of clinical symptoms and the absence of classical imaging features of CP. Subsequently, the disease is thought to progress through a compensated stage, a transitional stage, and to culminate in a decompensated stage, with florid evidence of the functional impairment of the gland. In this focused review, we will discuss the definition and concept of early CP, the risk factors and natural history of the development of CP, and the role of various modalities of EUS in the timely diagnosis of early CP.
Latest Advances in Endoscopic Detection of Oesophageal and Gastric Neoplasia
Authors: Waddingham William , Graham David G. , Banks Matthew R.
Published: January 2024

Endoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of cancers and cancer precursors in the oesophagus and stomach. Early detection of upper GI cancers requires high-quality endoscopy and awareness of the subtle features these lesions carry. Endoscopists performing surveillance of high-risk patients including those with Barrett’s oesophagus, previous squamous neoplasia or chronic atrophic gastritis should be familiar with endoscopic features, classification systems and sampling techniques to maximise the detection of early cancer. In this article, we review the current approach to diagnosis of these conditions and the latest advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques.
Maximum Entropy Criterion for Moment Indeterminacy of Probability Densities
Authors: Stoyanov Jordan M. , Tagliani Aldo , Novi Inverardi Pier Luigi
Published: January 2024

We deal with absolutely continuous probability distributions with finite all-positive integer-order moments. It is well known that any such distribution is either uniquely determined by its moments (M-determinate), or it is non-unique (M-indeterminate). In this paper, we follow the maximum entropy approach and establish a new criterion for the M-indeterminacy of distributions on the positive half-line (Stieltjes case). Useful corollaries are derived for M-indeterminate distributions on the whole real line (Hamburger case). We show how the maximum entropy is related to the symmetry property and the M-indeterminacy.
Power-Law Negative Group Delay Filters
Authors: Nako Julia , Psychalinos Costas , Elwakil Ahmed S. , Maundy Brent J.
Published: January 2024

A study of the behavior of the power-law negative group delay filters, accompanied by a comparison with their integer-order counterparts, is performed in this work. Employing a curve-fitting based approximation technique, the resulting integer-order rational transfer function is versatile in the sense that it has the same form independent of the order and/or the type of the filter. Its implementation is performed by following three alternative approaches, each one offering different advantages. The findings of this work are supported by simulation and experimental results using suitable platforms.
Finite-Alphabet Rate-Energy-Uncertainty Tradeoff in Multicasting SWIPT with Imperfect CSIT: An Error Performance Perspective
Authors: Wang Rui , Yuan Tao , Zhang Yanyu
Published: January 2024

Most of the existing works for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) focus on the robust designs via numerical approaches under the Gaussian input assumption or on the information–theoretic rate–energy tradeoff with perfect transmitter channel state information (CSIT). In contrast, this study, from an error performance perspective, investigates the optimal finite-alphabet signal structures and reveals the influence of CSIT uncertainty on the finite-alphabet rate and energy harvesting in multi-input single-output multicasting (MSM) SWIPT. To this end, we first utilize CSIT with any bounded uncertainty to establish a constellation-optimal space–time (COST) structure optimizing the worst-case minimum Euclidean distance among all the feasible sets for any given power splitting of all users under energy-harvesting constraints. The COST structure is proved to be rank-one with a multidimensional optimal constellation over ideal additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels (OCIA) with a worst-case optimized beamformer within the CSIT uncertainty. Then, for the case without CSIT, Alamouti transmission of 2D OCIA is proved to be the COST structure for a two-antenna MSM-SWIPT. We further show that the above two COSTs reveal an unreported fundamental tradeoff for MSM-SWIPT among finite-alphabet rate, energy harvesting and uncertainty of CSIT. The tradeoff comparison for different levels of sphere-bounded CSIT uncertainty indicates that there exists a feasibility region where imperfect CSIT can be very helpful for enhancing the system performance of MSM-SWIPT. The observations obtained in this paper provide useful insights into the fundamental finite-alphabet structures and tradeoff in SWIPT systems.
Leveraging Dual Variational Autoencoders and Generative Adversarial Networks for Enhanced Multimodal Interaction in Zero-Shot Learning
Authors: Li Ning , Chen Jie , Fu Nanxin , Xiao Wenzhuo , Ye Tianrun , Gao Chunming , Zhang Ping
Published: January 2024

In the evolving field of taxonomic classification, and especially in Zero-shot Learning (ZSL), the challenge of accurately classifying entities unseen in training datasets remains a significant hurdle. Although the existing literature is rich in developments, it often falls short in two critical areas: semantic consistency (ensuring classifications align with true meanings) and the effective handling of dataset diversity biases. These gaps have created a need for a more robust approach that can navigate both with greater efficacy. This paper introduces an innovative integration of transformer models with ariational autoencoders (VAEs) and generative adversarial networks (GANs), with the aim of addressing them within the ZSL framework. The choice of VAE-GAN is driven by their complementary strengths: VAEs are proficient in providing a richer representation of data patterns, and GANs are able to generate data that is diverse yet representative, thus mitigating biases from dataset diversity. Transformers are employed to further enhance semantic consistency, which is key because many existing models underperform. Through experiments have been conducted on benchmark ZSL datasets such as CUB, SUN, and Animals with Attributes 2 (AWA2), our approach is novel because it demonstrates significant improvements, not only in enhancing semantic and structural coherence, but also in effectively addressing dataset biases. This leads to a notable enhancement of the model’s ability to generalize visual categorization tasks beyond the training data, thus filling a critical gap in the current ZSL research landscape.
Development of a Wearable System for the Detection of Ingestible Medication Based on Electromagnetic Waves
Authors: Hoshino Junya , Hyry Jaakko , Kobayashi Takumi , Anzai Daisuke
Published: January 2024

Managing medication status solves related complications and prevents increases in medical costs due to the improper management of prescriptions. An ingestible sensor can be used to confirm a patient’s real-time medical status by measuring the electromagnetic waves transmitted from an ingested medication from outside of the human body. However, concerns about costs of delivery arise, as it would be necessary to attach a sensor to each ingested medication. In this study, we focused on using an electromagnetic (EM) imaging method which can estimate the internal structure of various objects using a scattered electric field. With this method we can detect medication as it does not require the installation of a sensor. At first we performed an electromagnetic field simulation and based on the results we experimentally measured the external electric field, which changes with the medicine. Then, we evaluated the accuracy of the detection method by calculating the difference between the detection rate with the proposed detection method against a more conventional method. The results indicate the possibility of achieving a more than 20% higher accuracy than the conventional detection method with our proposed method using electromagnetic waves.
Revolutionising the Quality of Life: The Role of Real-Time Sensing in Smart Cities
Authors: Miranda Rui , Alves Carlos , Sousa Regina , Chaves António , Montenegro Larissa , Peixoto Hugo , Durães Dalila , Machado Ricardo , Abelha António , Novais Paulo , Machado José
Published: January 2024

To further evolve urban quality of life, this paper explores the potential of crowdsensing and crowdsourcing in the context of smart cities. To aid urban planners and residents in understanding the nuances of day-to-day urban dynamics, we actively pursue the improvement of data visualisation tools that can adapt to changing conditions. An architecture was created and implemented that ensures secure and easy connectivity between various sources, such as a network of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, to merge with crowdsensing data and use them efficiently. In addition, we expanded the scope of our study to include the development of mobile and online applications, emphasizing the integration of autonomous and geo-surveillance. The main findings highlight the importance of sensor data in urban knowledge. Their incorporation via Tepresentational State Transfer (REST) Application Programming Interface (APIs) improves data access and informed decision-making, and dynamic data visualisation provides better insights. The geofencing of the application encourages community participation in urban planning and resource allocation, supporting sustainable urban innovation.
A Novel Online Path Planning Algorithm for Multi-Robots Based on the Secondary Immune Response in Dynamic Environments
Authors: Jiang Yafeng , Zhang Liang , Yuan Mingxin , Shen Yi
Published: January 2024

To solve the online path planning of multi-robots in dynamic environments, a novel secondary immune responses-based immune path planning algorithm (SIRIPPA) is presented. The algorithm comprises two immune stages. In the primary immune stage, the antibodies are mainly designed for obstacle avoidance and a primary immune kinetic model is designed in terms of the different impacts of obstacles on robot behaviors. The primary immune antibodies and their concentration values are mainly taken as the prior knowledge to accelerate the secondary immune response. In the secondary immune stage, aiming at the same obstacle antigens, which invade once more, the immune system quickly produces many behavior antibodies. Combining the primary immune results and secondary immune response results, the path planning performance of multi-robots is improved. The simulation experiment indicates that, in static environment tests, compared to corresponding immune planning algorithms, the SIRIPPA exhibits an average reduction of 6.22% in the global path length, a decrease of 23.00% in the average smoothness, and an average energy consumption reduction of 27.55%; the algorithm exhibits a better performance for path planning. The simulation test in a dynamic environment shows the good flexibility and stability of the SIRIPPA. Additionally, the experimental results in a real environment further support the validity of the SIRIPPA.
A Wide-Range Negative Output DC-DC Converter with Adaptive Drive Technique for Active-Matrix OLED Microdisplays
Authors: Liu Yue , Cai Hong , Zhao Bohua
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a DC-DC converter with wide-range negative output for active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED). The generated negative voltage Vout is connected to the negative terminal of the organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and the luminous brightness is adjusted by changing the value of Vout. The negative output voltage of the DC-DC converter is regulated by a Buck–Boost topology structure with a dual-loop control (DLC) system composed of a voltage loop and a current loop. The proposed compensatory peak-current-sensing technique (PCST) and switch MOSFETs adaptive drive technique (ADT) successfully support the implementation of the converter topology and enable the converter to work in continuous conduction mode (CCM). In addition, with the DLC system, the converter can guarantee a negative output voltage that enables both a fast transient response such as excellent load/line regulation, and a small output voltage ripple of the pulse width modulation (PWM) control. The proposed chip is implemented in a 0.18 μm CMOS process that operates at an operating frequency of 2 MHz with a maximum efficiency of 85.82%. The output voltage ripple is 1.5 mV at typical loading of Vout=−4 V and Iout=100 mA.
RFID-Based Localization System for Monitoring the Dispersal of Oak Acorns
Authors: Ciężkowski Maciej , Jankowski-Mihułowicz Piotr , Skrobacz Kacper
Published: January 2024

Radio techniques are widely used in wildlife tracking. Currently, the most common tracking methods include radio tracking (operating on Very high frequency (VHF) and Ultra high frequency (UHF)), satellite tracking (e.g., Argos satellite Doppler-based positioning system), and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) tracking. One of the radio tracking systems is the Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) system, characterized by small dimensions and a long operational period due to energy-efficient features. The advantages of RFID make it possible to apply this technique to track oak acorns in the process of zoochoric dispersal. In our study, we explored the potential applications of RFID systems for monitoring the dispersal of oak acorns. We developed a tracking system based on a semi-passive RFID tag, which we tested under laboratory and quasi-realistic conditions. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of using our system in radio tracking small objects such as oak acorns.
Context-Aware Behavioral Tips to Improve Sleep Quality via Machine Learning and Large Language Models
Authors: Corda Erica , Massa Silvia M. , Riboni Daniele
Published: January 2024

As several studies demonstrate, good sleep quality is essential for individuals’ well-being, as a lack of restoring sleep may disrupt different physical, mental, and social dimensions of health. For this reason, there is increasing interest in tools for the monitoring of sleep based on personal sensors. However, there are currently few context-aware methods to help individuals to improve their sleep quality through behavior change tips. In order to tackle this challenge, in this paper, we propose a system that couples machine learning algorithms and large language models to forecast the next night’s sleep quality, and to provide context-aware behavior change tips to improve sleep. In order to encourage adherence and to increase trust, our system includes the use of large language models to describe the conditions that the machine learning algorithm finds harmful to sleep health, and to explain why the behavior change tips are generated as a consequence. We develop a prototype of our system, including a smartphone application, and perform experiments with a set of users. Results show that our system’s forecast is correlated to the actual sleep quality. Moreover, a preliminary user study suggests that the use of large language models in our system is useful in increasing trust and engagement.