bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I: Current Treatments, Limitations, and Prospects for Improvement
Authors: Hampe Christiane S. , Wesley Jacob , Lund Troy C. , Orchard Paul J. , Polgreen Lynda E. , Eisengart Julie B. , McLoon Linda K. , Cureoglu Sebahattin , Schachern Patricia , McIvor R. Scott
Published: January 2021

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a lysosomal disease, caused by a deficiency of the enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA). IDUA catalyzes the degradation of the glycosaminoglycans dermatan and heparan sulfate (DS and HS, respectively). Lack of the enzyme leads to pathologic accumulation of undegraded HS and DS with subsequent disease manifestations in multiple organs. The disease can be divided into severe (Hurler syndrome) and attenuated (Hurler-Scheie, Scheie) forms. Currently approved treatments consist of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients with attenuated disease are often treated with ERT alone, while the recommended therapy for patients with Hurler syndrome consists of HSCT. While these treatments significantly improve disease manifestations and prolong life, a considerable burden of disease remains. Notably, treatment can partially prevent, but not significantly improve, clinical manifestations, necessitating early diagnosis of disease and commencement of treatment. This review discusses these standard therapies and their impact on common disease manifestations in patients with MPS I. Where relevant, results of animal models of MPS I will be included. Finally, we highlight alternative and emerging treatments for the most common disease manifestations.
Effect of Methionine Restriction on Aging: Its Relationship to Oxidative Stress
Authors: Kitada Munehiro , Ogura Yoshio , Monno Itaru , Xu Jing , Koya Daisuke
Published: January 2021

Enhanced oxidative stress is closely related to aging and impaired metabolic health and is influenced by diet-derived nutrients and energy. Recent studies have shown that methionine restriction (MetR) is related to longevity and metabolic health in organisms from yeast to rodents. The effect of MetR on lifespan extension and metabolic health is mediated partially through a reduction in oxidative stress. Methionine metabolism is involved in the supply of methyl donors such as S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM), glutathione synthesis and polyamine metabolism. SAM, a methionine metabolite, activates mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 and suppresses autophagy; therefore, MetR can induce autophagy. In the process of glutathione synthesis in methionine metabolism, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is produced through cystathionine-β-synthase and cystathionine-γ-lyase; however, MetR can induce increased H2S production through this pathway. Similarly, MetR can increase the production of polyamines such as spermidine, which are involved in autophagy. In addition, MetR decreases oxidative stress by inhibiting reactive oxygen species production in mitochondria. Thus, MetR can attenuate oxidative stress through multiple mechanisms, consequently associating with lifespan extension and metabolic health. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the effects of MetR on lifespan extension and metabolic health, focusing on the reduction in oxidative stress.
Action Video Games Enhance Attentional Control and Phonological Decoding in Children with Developmental Dyslexia
Authors: Bertoni Sara , Franceschini Sandro , Puccio Giovanna , Mancarella Martina , Gori Simone , Facoetti Andrea
Published: January 2021

Reading acquisition is extremely difficult for about 5% of children because they are affected by a heritable neurobiological disorder called developmental dyslexia (DD). Intervention studies can be used to investigate the causal role of neurocognitive deficits in DD. Recently, it has been proposed that action video games (AVGs)—enhancing attentional control—could improve perception and working memory as well as reading skills. In a partial crossover intervention study, we investigated the effect of AVG and non-AVG training on attentional control using a conjunction visual search task in children with DD. We also measured the non-alphanumeric rapid automatized naming (RAN), phonological decoding and word reading before and after AVG and non-AVG training. After both video game training sessions no effect was found in non-alphanumeric RAN and in word reading performance. However, after only 12 h of AVG training the attentional control was improved (i.e., the set-size slopes were flatter in visual search) and phonological decoding speed was accelerated. Crucially, attentional control and phonological decoding speed were increased only in DD children whose video game score was highly efficient after the AVG training. We demonstrated that only an efficient AVG training induces a plasticity of the fronto-parietal attentional control linked to a selective phonological decoding improvement in children with DD.
Design of Porous Carbons for Supercapacitor Applications for Different Organic Solvent-Electrolytes
Authors: Bates Joshua , Markoulidis Foivos , Lekakou Constantina , Laudone Giuliano M.
Published: January 2021

The challenge of optimizing the pore size distribution of porous electrodes for different electrolytes is encountered in supercapacitors, lithium-ion capacitors and hybridized battery-supercapacitor devices. A volume-averaged continuum model of ion transport, taking into account the pore size distribution, is employed for the design of porous electrodes for electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) in this study. After validation against experimental data, computer simulations investigate two types of porous electrodes, an activated carbon coating and an activated carbon fabric, and three electrolytes: 1.5 M TEABF4 in acetonitrile (AN), 1.5 M TEABF4 in propylene carbonate (PC), and 1 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate:ethyl methyl carbonate (EC:EMC) 1:1 v/v. The design exercise concluded that it is important that the porous electrode has a large specific area in terms of micropores larger than the largest desolvated ion, to achieve high specific capacity, and a good proportion of mesopores larger than the largest solvated ion to ensure fast ion transport and accessibility of the micropores.
Front Line Applications and Future Directions of Immunotherapy in Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Wong Selina K. , Iams Wade T.
Published: January 2021

After being stagnant for decades, there has finally been a paradigm shift in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) with the emergence and application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Multiple trials of first-line ICI-chemotherapy combinations have demonstrated survival benefit compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with extensive-stage SCLC, establishing this as the new standard of care. ICIs are now being applied in the potentially curative limited-stage setting, actively being investigated as concurrent treatment with chemoradiation and as adjuvant treatment following completion of chemoradiation. This review highlights the evidence behind the practice-changing addition of ICIs in the first-line setting of extensive-stage SCLC, the potentially practice-changing immunotherapy trials that are currently underway in the limited-stage setting, and alternate immunotherapeutic strategies being studied in the treatment of SCLC.
Radical Hemithoracic Radiotherapy Induces Systemic Metabolomics Changes That Are Associated with the Clinical Outcome of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Patients
Authors: Di Gregorio Emanuela , Miolo Gianmaria , Saorin Asia , Muraro Elena , Cangemi Michela , Revelant Alberto , Minatel Emilio , Trovò Marco , Steffan Agostino , Corona Giuseppe
Published: January 2021

Radical hemithoracic radiotherapy (RHRT) represents an advanced therapeutic option able to improve overall survival of malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. This study aims to investigate the systemic effects of this radiotherapy modality on the serum metabolome and their potential implications in determining the individual clinical outcome. Nineteen patients undergoing RHRT at the dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions were enrolled. Serum targeted metabolomics profiles were investigated at baseline and the end of radiotherapy by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Univariate and multivariate OPLS-DA analyses were applied to study the serum metabolomics changes induced by RHRT while PLS regression analysis to evaluate the association between such changes and overall survival. RHRT was found to affect almost all investigated metabolites classes, in particular, the amino acids citrulline and taurine, the C14, C18:1 and C18:2 acyl-carnitines as well as the unsaturated long chain phosphatidylcholines PC ae 42:5, PC ae 44:5 and PC ae 44:6 were significantly decreased. The enrichment analysis showed arginine metabolism and the polyamine biosynthesis as the most perturbed pathways. Moreover, specific metabolic changes encompassing the amino acids and acyl-carnitines resulted in association with the clinical outcome accounting for about 60% of the interpatients overall survival variability. This study highlighted that RHRT can induce profound systemic metabolic effects some of which may have a significant prognostic value. The integration of metabolomics in the clinical assessment of the malignant pleural mesothelioma could be useful to better identify the patients who can achieve the best benefit from the RHRT treatment.
Xanthohumol, a Prenylated Chalcone Derived from Hops, Inhibits Growth and Metastasis of Melanoma Cells
Authors: Seitz Tatjana , Hackl Christina , Freese Kim , Dietrich Peter , Mahli Abdo , Thasler Reinhard Manfred , Thasler Wolfgang Erwin , Lang Sven Arke , Bosserhoff Anja Katrin , Hellerbrand Claus
Published: January 2021

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers worldwide. Despite recent progress in melanoma therapy, the prognosis for metastasized melanoma continues to be poor. Xanthohumol (XN), a prenylated chalcone derived from hop cones, is known to possess a broad spectrum of chemopreventive and anticancer activities. However, few studies have analyzed functional XN effects on melanoma cells and there have been no previous in vivo studies of its effects on metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of XN on the tumorigenic and liver metastatic activity of melanoma cells. XN exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on human melanoma cell lines (Mel Ju; Mel Im) in vitro. Functional analysis in the subtoxic dose-range revealed that XN dose-dependently inhibited proliferation, colony formation, and migratory activity of melanoma cells. Subtoxic XN doses also induced markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress but inhibited the phosphorylation of the protumorigenic c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK). Furthermore, XN effects on hepatic metastasis were analyzed in a syngeneic murine model (splenic injection of murine B16 melanoma cells in C57/BL6 mice). Here, XN significantly reduced the formation of hepatic metastasis. Metastases formed in the liver of XN-treated mice revealed significantly larger areas of central necrosis and lower Ki67 expression scores compared to that of control mice. In conclusion, XN inhibits tumorigenicity of melanoma cells in vitro and significantly reduced hepatic metastasis of melanoma cells in mice. These data, in conjunction with an excellent safety profile that has been confirmed in previous studies, indicate XN as a promising novel agent for the treatment of hepatic (melanoma) metastasis.
PGRMC Proteins Are Coming of Age: A Special Issue on the Role of PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 in Metabolism and Cancer Biology
Authors: Cahill Michael A. , Neubauer Hans
Published: January 2021

This is a preface by the guest editors of the special issue of Cancers featuring the biology of progesterone (P4) receptor membrane component (PGRMC) proteins as it relates to metabolism and cancer [...]
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Evades Innate Immune Response by 3C-Targeting of MDA5
Authors: Kim Hyejin , Kim Ah-Young , Choi Jieun , Park Sun Young , Park Sang Hyun , Kim Jae-Seok , Lee Sim-In , Park Jong-Hyeon , Park Choi-Kyu , Ko Young-Joon
Published: January 2021

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease caused by FMD virus (FMDV) in cloven-hoofed animals. Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) are representative receptors in the cytoplasm for the detection of viral RNA and trigger antiviral responses, leading to the production of type I interferon. Although MDA5 is a crucial receptor for sensing picornavirus RNA, the interplay between MDA5 and FMDV is relatively unknown compared to the interplay between RIG-I and FMDV. Here, we observed that the FMDV infection inhibits MDA5 protein expression. Of the non-structural proteins, the Lb and 3C proteinases (Lbpro and 3Cpro) were identified to be primarily responsible for this inhibition. However, the inhibition by 3Cpro was independent of proteasome, lysosome and caspase-dependent pathway and was by 3C protease activity. A direct interaction between 3Cpro and MDA5 protein was observed. In conclusion, this is the first report that 3Cpro inhibits MDA5 protein expression as a mechanism to evade the innate immune response during FMDV infection. These results elucidate the pathogenesis of FMDV and provide fundamental insights for the development of a novel vaccine or therapeutic agent.
Carbon Dots Fluorescence-Based Colorimetric Sensor for Sensitive Detection of Aluminum Ions with a Smartphone
Authors: Wei Wei , Huang Juan , Gao Wenli , Lu Xiangyang , Shi Xingbo
Published: January 2021

In this work, blue emission carbon dots (CDs) are synthesized in the one-pot solvothermal method using naringin as precursor. The CDs are used to develop a ratiometric fluorescence sensor for the sensitive analysis of Al3+ with a detection limit of 113.8 nM. A fluorescence emission peak at 500 nm gradually appears, whereas the original fluorescence peak at 420 nm gradually decreases upon the increase in the Al3+ concentration. More importantly, the obvious color change of the CDs probe from blue to green under a 360 nm UV lamp can be identified by a smartphone and combined with the RGB (red/green/blue) analysis. This results in a visual and sensitive analysis of Al3+ with a detection limit of 5.55 μM. Moreover, the high recovery is in the 92.46–104.10% range, which demonstrates the high accuracy of this method for actual samples’ analysis. The use of a smartphone and the RGB analysis greatly simplifies the operation process, saves equipment cost, shortens the detection time, and provides a novel method for the instant, on-site, visual detection of Al3+ in actual samples.
Development of an ImmunoFET for Analysis of Tumour Necrosis Factor-α in Artificial Saliva: Application for Heart Failure Monitoring
Authors: Vozgirdaite Daiva , Ben Halima Hamdi , Bellagambi Francesca G. , Alcacer Albert , Palacio Francisio , Jaffrezic-Renault Nicole , Zine Nadia , Bausells Joan , Elaissari Abdelhamid , Errachid Abdelhamid
Published: January 2021

Assessing tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in the human body has become an essential tool to recognize heart failure (HF). In this work, label-free, rapid, easy to use ImmunoFET based on an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) was developed for the detection of TNF-α protein. Monoclonal anti-TNF-α antibodies (anti-TNF-α mAb) were immobilized on an ISFET gate made of silicon nitride (Si3N4) after salinization with 11-(triethoxysilyl) undecanal (TESUD). The obtained ISFET functionalized with the mAbs (ImmunoFET) was used to detect TNF-α protein in both phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and artificial saliva (AS). The change in the threshold voltage of the gate (∆VT) showed approximately linear dependency on the concentration of the antigens in the range 5–20 pg/mL for both matrixes. The cross-selectivity study showed that the developed ImmunoFET demonstrated to be selective towards TNF-α, when compared to other HF biomarkers such as N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and cortisol, even if further experiments have to be carried out for decreasing possible unspecific absorption phenomena. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ImmunoFET that has been developed based on Si3N4 for TNF-α detection in AS by electrical measurement.
Clinical Presentation and Management of a Dinutuximab Beta Extravasation in a Patient with Neuroblastoma
Authors: Launspach Michael , Seif Marita , Thole Theresa M. , Jesse Patrick , Schulz Joachim , Schulte Johannes H. , Bischoff Susan , Eggert Angelika , Deubzer Hedwig E.
Published: January 2021

Extravasation can present serious accidental complication of intravenous drug application. While monoclonal antibodies do not show the necrotic potential of cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs, considerable inflammatory toxicity can occur, necessitating standardized operating procedures for the management of their extravasation. Here, we report the clinical course and management of dinutuximab beta extravasation in a 3-year-old child. Dinutuximab beta is a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting the GD2 disialoganglioside on the surface of neuroblastoma cells that has in recent years gained significant importance in the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma, now contributing to both first- and second-line therapy protocols. The dinutuximab beta extravasation reported here occurred when the patient received the antibody cycle as a continuous infusion over a 10-day period after haploidentical stem cell transplantation for relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma. The extravasated dinutuximab beta caused local pain, swelling, and hyperemia accompanied by fever and an overall deterioration in the general condition. Laboratory diagnostics demonstrated an increase in C-reactive protein level and total white blood cell count. Clinical complication management consisted of intravenous fluid therapy, local dabbing with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), analgesia with dipyrone, as well as application of intravenous antibiotics to prevent bacterial superinfection in the severely immunocompromised host. The patient considerably improved after six days with this treatment regimen and fully recovered by day 20.
Scope and Limits of Teriparatide Use in Delayed and Nonunions: A Case Series
Authors: Ismailidis Petros , Suhm Norbert , Clauss Martin , Mündermann Annegret , Cadosch Dieter
Published: January 2021

Nonunion is known to occur in up to 10% of all bone fractures. Until recently, the treatment options considered in cases of delayed union and nonunion focused on revision surgery and improvement of local healing. Lately, teriparatide has been introduced as an osteoanabolic factor that induces fracture healing in cases with delayed or nonunions. We report on a series of five cases of delayed and nonunions treated with teriparatide: delayed unions of an atypical femoral fracture, of a multifragmentary clavicle fracture, and of a periprosthetic humeral fracture; nonunion of a tibial and fibular fracture; and infected nonunion of a tibial and fibular fracture. Based on this series, the indications and limits of application of teriparatide in cases of impaired fracture healing are discussed. Due to the “off-label” character of this application, informed consent, and cost coverage from the healthcare insurance must be obtained prior to treatment. In our experience and according to the limited existing literature, teriparatide is a safe feasible treatment in cases of delayed and nonunions with a reasonable need of resources. While adequate biomechanical stability remains the cornerstone of fracture healing, as well as healing of nonunions, teriparatide could help avoid repetitive surgeries, especially in atrophic delayed and nonunions, as well as in patients with impaired fracture healing undergoing bisphosphonate therapy. There is an urgent need for widely accepted definitions, standardized protocols, as well as further clinical trials in the field of impaired fracture healing.
Rust Conversion Performance of Phosphoric Acid-Gallic Acid in Vinyl Chloride Acrylic Emulsion
Authors: Wang Xin , Zhu Qingjun , Liu Xiangju , Hou Baorong
Published: January 2021

This work studied the application of phosphoric acid-gallic acid in vinyl chloride acrylic emulsion and its rust conversion performance. The increase of phosphoric acid affected the stability of the system, leading to the rapid precipitation of flocculent precipitation. Rust conversion coating (RCC) showed the best synergistic conversion effect when gallic acid (GA) was 0.2 wt.% and phosphoric acid (PA) was 2 wt.%. XRD and FTIR analysis show that the components of adherent rust (AR) are α-FeOOH, γ-FeOOH and Fe3O4. The conversion products are ferric phosphate (FP) and ferric gallate (FG). The RCC can effectively treat the rusted steel (RS) produced by simulated marine atmospheric corrosion. The corrosion current density was reduced by three orders of magnitude, the adhesion reached 2.75 MPa, and the salt spray corrosion resistance was 20 days. The results of Raman, XPS, SEM and EDS show that the ionic dissolution of iron, complexation and further oxidation reactions occur at the interface between the adherent rust and the RCC. After rust conversion treatment, unreacted rust (UR) affects the further improvement of adhesion strength and anti-corrosion performance.
Out-of-Plane Thermal Expansion Coefficient and Biaxial Young’s Modulus of Sputtered ITO Thin Films
Authors: Tien Chuen-Lin , Lin Tsai-Wei
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes a measuring apparatus and method for simultaneous determination of the thermal expansion coefficient and biaxial Young’s modulus of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films. ITO thin films simultaneously coated on N-BK7 and S-TIM35 glass substrates were prepared by direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering deposition. The thermo-mechanical parameters of ITO thin films were investigated experimentally. Thermal stress in sputtered ITO films was evaluated by an improved Twyman–Green interferometer associated with wavelet transform at different temperatures. When the heating temperature increased from 30 °C to 100 °C, the tensile thermal stress of ITO thin films increased. The increase in substrate temperature led to the decrease of total residual stress deposited on two glass substrates. A linear relationship between the thermal stress and substrate heating temperature was found. The thermal expansion coefficient and biaxial Young’s modulus of the films were measured by the double substrate method. The results show that the out of plane thermal expansion coefficient and biaxial Young’s modulus of the ITO film were 5.81 × 10−6 °C−1 and 475 GPa.
Tuning the Optical Properties of MEH–PPV/PFO Hybrid Thin Films via the Incorporation of CsPbBr3 Quantum Dots
Authors: Qaid Saif M. H. , Al-Asbahi Bandar Ali , Ghaithan Hamid M. , Aldwayyan Abdullah S.
Published: January 2021

The current work examines the effects of cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) on the structural and optical properties of conjugated polymer blends of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH–PPV) and poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO). MEH–PPV/PFO composite thin-films containing PQDs with weight ratios between 0.5 wt.% and 10 wt.% were prepared via a solution-blending method prior to spin-coating on glass substrates. The MEH–PPV/PFO composites’ crystallinity was improved, and the roughness was dramatically increased with higher PQDs content, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. Conversely, a higher PQDs content resulted in a gradual reduction of the Urbach tail and an increase in the steepness parameter, thereby reducing the localized density of the electronic states within the forbidden bandgap of the hybrids. Moreover, a slight reduction in the direct and indirect bandgaps was found in PQDs/(MEH–PPV/PFO) composite films containing a higher PQDs content and provided evidence of the low concentration of the localized states. The incorporation of the PQDs resulted in enhanced non-radiative energy transfer processes in the MEH–PPV/PFO hybrids, which are very important for the development of optimized optoelectronic devices.
Wear and Corrosion Resistance Analysis of FeCoNiTiAlx High-Entropy Alloy Coatings Prepared by Laser Cladding
Authors: Sun Zhaolei , Zhang Mingyuan , Wang Gaoqi , Yang Xuefeng , Wang Shouren
Published: January 2021

FeCoNiTiAlx (x = 0, 0.5, 1) high-entropy alloy coatings were prepared by laser cladding technology. The phase, microstructure, hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance were tested and analyzed. The results showed Al element promoted the conversion from the FCC phase to the BCC phase. The coating presented dendritic structure due to the addition of the Al element, while the number of dendrites increased. And the average hardness of the coating increased from 204 to 623 HV. The addition of the Al element increases the corrosion current density of the coating from 1.270 × 10−5 to 3.489 × 10−5 A/cm2. The wear rate of the coatings decreases with the increase of Al content according to dry friction and wear, which indicates the wear resistance of the coating was improved by adding the Al element. According to the corrosion wear test in 3.5% NaCl solution, it can be found that the wear rate of the coating increases firstly and then decreases with the addition of the Al element, which indicates that the addition of the Al element intensifies the wear of the coating in 3.5% NaCl solution.
An Experimental Study of Contact Temperatures at Sealing Interface against Varying Shaft Surfaces
Authors: Shabbir Sarah , Garvey Seamus D. , Dakka Sam M. , Rothwell Benjamin C.
Published: January 2021

Increased temperatures at the sealing interface between the seal and shaft can reduce the working life of a seal through elastomer aging, swelling and increased friction. Degradation of the seal due to increased temperatures can cause pre-mature failure, wear and leakage. There is no such thing as a perfect seal; each application has requirements to cater to the needs of each system. For radial oil seals in helicopter gearboxes, the contact temperatures at the sealing interface are a critical parameter to consider. In this manuscript, investigating the factors that influence the temperatures at the contact interface shed light on the operating parameters that cause an increase in contact temperatures. Four varying shaft coatings are tested against three seal spring loads for a range of sliding velocities between 5–25 ms−1 to reproduce conditions of the gearbox. The study reveals an optimum seal spring of 12 oz, with a circumferential load of 3.34 N for lowest temperatures at the interface. Higher springs of 14 oz and lower springs of 8.5 oz both cause increased temperatures at the interface. Additionally, the need for surface coatings on the shaft is re-enforced through experimental evidence demonstrated by comparing temperatures reached between a plain stainless steel shaft and three surface coated shafts. Chrome plating shafts are undesirable due to the ‘polishing’ in effect they experience. The results of this study build on this by showing that chrome plated shafts have higher temperatures at the interface, aggravating any wear or polishing in of that surface. Contact temperatures with Tungsten carbide and Chrome oxide coatings remain within the expected temperature rise. Lastly, microscopically ‘rougher’ surfaces result in increased temperatures in contrast to surface coatings within the specified range of roughness as provided by DIN 3760/61/ISO 6194.
Wear Resistance of (Ti,Al)N Metallic Coatings for Extremal Working Conditions
Authors: Mikuła Jarosław , Pakuła Daniel , Żukowska Ludwina , Gołombek Klaudiusz , Kříž Antonín
Published: January 2021

The article includes research results for the functional properties achieved for a wide range of sintered tool materials, including sintered carbides, cermets and three types of Al2O3 oxide tool ceramics ((Al2O3 + ZrO2, Al2O3 + TiC and Al2O3 + SiC(w)) with (Ti,Al)N coating deposited in the cathodic arc evaporation (CAE-PVD) method and comparison with uncoated tool materials. For all coated samples, a uniform wear pattern on tool shank was observed during metallographic analysis. Based on the scanning electron microscope (SEM) metallographic analysis, it was found that the most common types of tribological defects identified in tested materials are: mechanical defects and abrasive wear of the tool side, crater formation on the tool face, cracks on the tool side, chipping on the cutting edge and built-up edge from chip fragments. Deposition of (Ti,Al)N coating on all tested substrates increases the wear resistance and also limits the exceeding of critical levels of permanent stresses. It even increases the tool life many times over. Such a significant increase in tool life results, among other things, from a large increase in microhardness of PVD coated materials compared to uncoated samples, increased resistance to thermal and chemical abrasion, improved chip formation and removal process conditions. Use of hard coatings applied to sintered tool materials is considered to be one of the most important achievements in improving the functional properties of cutting tools and can still be developed by improving the coating structure solutions (sorted and nanocrystalline structures) and extending the range of coating applications (Ti,Al)N in a variety of substrates.
Development of Multifunctional Coating of Textile Materials Using Silver Microencapsulated Compositions
Authors: Petrova Luidmila , Kozlova Olga , Vladimirtseva Elena , Smirnova Svetlana , Lipina Anna , Odintsova Olga
Published: January 2021

The efficiency of the method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using a system containing oxalic dialdehyde as a reducing agent, and polyguanidine as a stabilizer is shown. An analysis of the data of photon correlation spectroscopy characterizing the sizes of the formed particles in the Ag-polyelectrolyte system is presented. It has been established that the synthesized silver nanoparticles have a stable biocidal effect. The system of biodegradable polyelectrolytes chitosan-xanthan gum for the synthesis of the capsule shell including silver nanoparticles is selected. This will allow the formation of stable polyelectrolyte capsule shells containing oyster mushroom mycelium extract. A protocol for the synthesis of microcapsules by the method of sequential adsorption of chitosan polyelectrolytes and xanthan gum on calcium carbonate templates was developed. Silver nanoparticles are included in the capsule shell, and a biologically active drug (oyster mushroom mycelium extract) is included in the core. The technological mode of complex capsules immobilization on a textile material by the layer-by-layer method is described. The immobilization of multilayer microcapsules on a fibrous substrate is provided by a system of polyelectrolytes: positively charged chitosan and negatively charged xanthan gum. The developed multifunctional coatings make it possible to impart multifunctional properties to textile materials: antibacterial, antimycotic, high hygroscopic properties.
Real Time Predictions of VGF-GaAs Growth Dynamics by LSTM Neural Networks
Authors: Dropka Natasha , Ecklebe Stefan , Holena Martin
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to assess the aptitude of the recurrent Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks for fast and accurate predictions of process dynamics in vertical-gradient-freeze growth of gallium arsenide crystals (VGF-GaAs) using datasets generated by numerical transient simulations. Real time predictions of the temperatures and solid–liquid interface position in GaAs are crucial for control applications and for process visualization, i.e., for generation of digital twins. In the reported study, an LSTM network was trained on 1950 datasets with 2 external inputs and 6 outputs. Based on network performance criteria and training results, LSTMs showed the very accurate predictions of the VGF-GaAs growth process with median root-mean-square-error (RMSE) values of 2 × 10−3. This deep learning method achieved a superior predictive accuracy and timeliness compared with more traditional Nonlinear AutoRegressive eXogenous (NARX) recurrent networks.
Thermomechanical Effects on Electrical Energy Harvested from Laminated Piezoelectric Devices
Authors: Thonapalin Pornrawee , Aimmanee Sontipee , Laoratanakul Pitak , Das Raj
Published: January 2021

Piezoelectric materials are used to harvest ambient mechanical energy from the environment and supply electrical energy via their electromechanical coupling property. Amongst many intensive activities of energy harvesting research, little attention has been paid to study the effect of the environmental factors on the performance of energy harvesting from laminated piezoelectric materials, especially when the temperature in the operating condition is different from the room temperature. In this work, thermomechanical effects on the electrical energy harvested from a type of laminated piezoelectric devices, known as thin layer unimorph ferroelectric driver (called THUNDER) were investigated. Three configurations of THUNDER devices were tested in a controlled temperature range of 30–80 °C. The THUNDER devices were pushed by using a cam mechanism in order to generate required displacements and frequencies. The experimental results exhibited a detrimental effect of the elevated temperature on the generated voltage and the harvested electrical power. It is due to changes in residual stress and geometry. These results are advantageous for many applications of the THUNDER devices and for future design of a new laminated piezoelectric sensor and energy harvester in an elevated temperature environment.
Seasonal and Spatial Patterns of Ecotoxicological Indices of Trace Elements in Superficial Sediments of the Marchica Lagoon Following Restoration Actions during the Last Decade
Authors: Oujidi Bouchra , El Bouch Mohammed , Tahri Mounia , Layachi Mostafa , Boutoumit Soilam , Bouchnan Rachid , Ouahidi Hassan , Bounakhla Moussa , El Ouamari Najib , Maanan Mohamed , Bazairi Hocein , Mhammdi Nadia , Snoussi Maria
Published: January 2021

Marchica Lagoon, a Ramsar site on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, is experiencing the impacts of watershed pollution, which includes pollutants from the domestic, agricultural, industrial, and mining sectors. Restoration actions were undertaken around this lagoon during the last decade in order to protect its ecological value and to develop tourist activity. To conserve the biodiversity in the lagoon, it is important to assess the environmental state of this ecosystem. This study aims to evaluate the ecotoxicological state of sediments through the post restoration characterization of the trace elements Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co, and Ba, as well as their correlation to the major elements, grain size, and total organic carbon, sampled during two campaigns (the wet and dry seasons of 2018) across a sampling network of thirteen stations. Multivariate analysis and ecotoxicological risk assessment of the trace elements using the sediment quality guidelines and five pollution indices (geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), pollution-load index (PLI), and mean effect range median quotient (m-ERM-Q)) revealed contamination of the lagoon by Pb, Zn, and Cu, and minimal pollution by Cr, Co, and Ba. The distribution of the biological-risk index reveals that four zones of the lagoon may present a high probability of toxicity, thus constituting potential risk areas for aquatic organisms: during the wet season, the area in the northwestern sandbar border, the southwest eutrophication zone, and the mouth of the stream valley conveying industrial discharges; and during dry season, the northwestern eutrophication zone. Despite the restoration actions achieved around the lagoon, the lead, zinc, and copper concentrations increased, and their variation was significant between group stations. The biodiversity conservation of Marchica Lagoon requires continuous monitoring and assessment, as well as the implementation of an integrated management plan with restoration actions, not only around the lagoon, but also at its watershed level.
Digging Deeper into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning across Two Continents
Authors: Houadria Mickal , Menzel Florian
Published: January 2021

Soil fauna is generally understudied compared to above-ground arthropods, and ants are no exception. Here, we compared a primary and a secondary forest each on two continents using four different sampling methods. Winkler sampling, pitfalls, and four types of above- and below-ground baits (dead, crushed insects; melezitose; living termites; living mealworms/grasshoppers) were applied on four plots (4 × 4 grid points) on each site. Although less diverse than Winkler samples and pitfalls, subterranean baits provided a remarkable ant community. Our baiting system provided a large dataset to systematically quantify strata and dietary specialisation in tropical rainforest ants. Compared to above-ground baits, 10–28% of the species at subterranean baits were overall more common (or unique to) below ground, indicating a fauna that was truly specialised to this stratum. Species turnover was particularly high in the primary forests, both concerning above-ground and subterranean baits and between grid points within a site. This suggests that secondary forests are more impoverished, especially concerning their subterranean fauna. Although subterranean ants rarely displayed specific preferences for a bait type, they were in general more specialised than above-ground ants; this was true for entire communities, but also for the same species if they foraged in both strata.
Preoperative Texture Analysis Using 11C-Methionine Positron Emission Tomography Predicts Survival after Surgery for Glioma
Authors: Manabe Osamu , Yamaguchi Shigeru , Hirata Kenji , Kobayashi Kentaro , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Terasaka Shunsuke , Toyonaga Takuya , Magota Keiichi , Kuge Yuji , Tamaki Nagara , Shiga Tohru , Kudo Kohsuke
Published: January 2021

Background: Positron emission tomography with 11C-methionine (MET) is well established in the diagnostic work-up of malignant brain tumors. Texture analysis is a novel technique for extracting information regarding relationships among surrounding voxels, in order to quantify their inhomogeneity. This study evaluated whether the texture analysis of MET uptake has prognostic value for patients with glioma. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed adults with glioma who had undergone preoperative metabolic imaging at a single center. Tumors were delineated using a threshold of 1.3-fold of the mean standardized uptake value for the contralateral cortex, and then processed to calculate the texture features in glioma. Results: The study included 42 patients (median age: 56 years). The World Health Organization classifications were grade II (7 patients), grade III (17 patients), and grade IV (18 patients). Sixteen (16.1%) all-cause deaths were recorded during the median follow-up of 18.8 months. The univariate analyses revealed that overall survival (OS) was associated with age (hazard ratio (HR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.08, p = 0.0093), tumor grade (HR 3.64, 95% CI 1.63–9.63, p = 0.0010), genetic status (p < 0.0001), low gray-level run emphasis (LGRE, calculated from the gray-level run-length matrix) (HR 2.30 × 1011, 95% CI 737.11–4.23 × 1019, p = 0.0096), and correlation (calculated from the gray-level co-occurrence matrix) (HR 5.17, 95% CI 1.07–20.93, p = 0.041). The multivariate analyses revealed OS was independently associated with LGRE and correlation. The survival curves were also significantly different (both log-rank p < 0.05). Conclusion: Textural features obtained using preoperative MET positron emission tomography may compliment the semi-quantitative assessment for prognostication in glioma cases.
Vaginal Dysbiosis and Partial Bacterial Vaginosis: The Interpretation of the “Grey Zones” of Clinical Practice
Authors: Campisciano Giuseppina , Zanotta Nunzia , Petix Vincenzo , Giangreco Manuela , Ricci Giuseppe , Maso Gianpaolo , Comar Manola , De Seta Francesco
Published: January 2021

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects one-third of reproductive age women, increasing the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and posing a risk for reproductive health. The current diagnosis with Gram stain (Nugent Score) identifies a transitional stage named partial BV or intermediate microbiota, raising the problem of how to clinically handle it. We retrospectively analyzed cervicovaginal swabs from 985 immunocompetent non-pregnant symptomaticspp. women (vaginal discharge, burning, itching) by Nugent score and qPCR for BV, aerobic or fungal vaginitis, and STIs (Mycoplasmas spp., Chlamydia t., Trichomonas v., and Neisseria g.). Nugent scores 0–3 and 7–10 were confirmed in 99.3% and 89.7% cases, respectively, by qPCR. Among Nugent scores 4–6 (partial BV), qPCR identified 46.1% of BV cases, with 37.3% of cases negative for BV, and only 16.7% of partial BV. Gram staining and qPCR were discordant (p value = 0.0001) mainly in the partial BV. Among the qPCR BV cases, the presence of aerobic vaginitis and STIs was identified, with a significant association (p < 0.0001) between the STIs and partial BV/overt BV. qPCR is more informative and accurate, and its use as an alternative or in combination with Gram staining could help clinicians in having an overview of the complex vaginal microbiota and in the interpretation of partial BV that can correspond to vaginitis and/or STIs.
Dual Tracer 68Ga-DOTATOC and 18F-FDG PET Improve Preoperative Evaluation of Aggressiveness in Resectable Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Mapelli Paola , Partelli Stefano , Salgarello Matteo , Doraku Joniada , Muffatti Francesca , Schiavo Lena Marco , Pasetto Stefano , Bezzi Carolina , Bettinardi Valentino , Andreasi Valentina , Rancoita Paola Maria Vittoria , Gianolli Luigi , Picchio Maria , Falconi Massimo
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To define an imaging risk profile in a population of patients affected by Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) candidates to surgery, by assessing the predictive role of 68Ga-DOTATOC and 18F-FDG PET/CT and PET/MR derived parameters in risk stratification, particularly regarding histological features of aggressive behaviour. Patients and methods: Retrospective study including 83 patients (53 males, 30 females; median age: 60 years, interquartile range 52–66.5), who underwent to 68Ga-DOTATOC (PET/CT: n = 77; PET/MR: n = 6) and, 68/83 patients, also to 18F-FDG PET (PET/CT: n = 65; PET/MR: n = 3) before surgery for PanNEN between 2011 and 2019, with available histological and follow-up data. The PET scans were interpreted with both qualitative (positive vs. negative) and semiquantitative measurements as follows: maximum and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVmean) for both 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTATOC scans, metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and tumour lesion glycolysis (TLG) for 18F-FDG scans and somatostatin receptor density (SRD) and total lesion somatostatin receptor density (TLSRD) for 68Ga-DOTATOC PET. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to investigate the performance of several PET parameters in predicting tumour stage or characteristic. For each PET parameter, the optimal cut-off was derived. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess if the PET parameters, categorized with the optimal cut-off values, were able to predict significantly the corresponding tumour stage or characteristic. Results: Overall, 29 (35%) patients had G1, 49 (59%) a G2 and five (6%) had a G3 PanNEN. The median Ki-67 index was 4% (interquartile range: 1–8%). SRD and TLSRD significantly discriminated between pT3 or pT4 PanNEN versus pT1 or pT2, as well as 18F-FDG MTV and TLG. 68Ga-DOTATOC SUVmax was able to significantly predict the presence of distant metastases with a threshold of 51.27 (sensitivity and specificity of 85.7 and 68.1%, respectively). 18F-FDG MTV and TLG were predictors of angioinvasion. The cut-off threshold for MTV was 7.98 (sensitivity and specificity of 69.7 and 82.4%, respectively) (p = 0.0004) whereas the cut-off for TLG was 32.4 (sensitivity and specificity of 69.7% and 82.4%, respectively) (p = 0.0004). Conclusion: Dual tracer 68Ga-DOTATOC and 18F-FDG PET scans provide relevant information regarding tumour behaviour and aggressiveness, implementing the diagnostic preoperative work-up.
Feature Point Tracking-Based Localization of Colon Capsule Endoscope
Authors: Herp Jürgen , Deding Ulrik , Buijs Maria M. , Kroijer Rasmus , Baatrup Gunnar , Nadimi Esmaeil S.
Published: January 2021

In large bowel investigations using endoscopic capsules and upon detection of significant findings, physicians require the location of those findings for a follow-up therapeutic colonoscopy. To cater to this need, we propose a model based on tracking feature points in consecutive frames of videos retrieved from colon capsule endoscopy investigations. By locally approximating the colon as a cylinder, we obtained both the displacement and the orientation of the capsule using geometrical assumptions and by setting priors on both physical properties of the intestine and the image sample frequency of the endoscopic capsule. Our proposed model tracks a colon capsule endoscope through the large intestine for different prior selections. A discussion on validating the findings in terms of intra and inter capsule and expert panel validation is provided. The performance of the model is evaluated based on the average difference in multiple reconstructed capsule’s paths through the large intestine. The path difference averaged over all videos was as low as 4±0.7 cm, with min and max error corresponding to 1.2 and 6.0 cm, respectively. The inter comparison addresses frame classification for the rectum, descending and sigmoid, splenic flexure, transverse, hepatic, and ascending, with an average accuracy of 86%.
Immunohistochemical Biomarkers as a Surrogate of Molecular Analysis in Ovarian Carcinomas: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Santandrea Giacomo , Piana Simonetta , Valli Riccardo , Zanelli Magda , Gasparini Elisa , De Leo Antonio , Mandato Vincenzo Dario , Palicelli Andrea
Published: January 2021

The term “ovarian carcinoma” encompasses at least five different malignant neoplasms: high-grade serous carcinoma, low-grade serous carcinoma, endometrioid carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, and clear cell carcinoma. These five histotypes demonstrated distinctive histological, molecular, and clinical features. The rise of novel target therapies and of a tailored oncological approach has demanded an integrated multidisciplinary approach in the setting of ovarian carcinoma. The need to implement a molecular-based classification in the worldwide diagnostic and therapeutic setting of ovarian cancer demanded a search for easy-to-use and cost-effective molecular-surrogate biomarkers, relying particularly on immunohistochemical analysis. The present review focuses on the role of immunohistochemistry as a surrogate of molecular analysis in the everyday diagnostic approach to ovarian carcinomas.