bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Over-expression by degradation rescue of RTKs via cancer-secreted autocrine growth factors: a Phospho-degron-driven actionable layer of post-translational regulation?
Authors: Scalia Pierluigi , Williams Stephen J.
Published: September 2023

Recently published work provide the first known evidence of a malignancy-associated regulatory mechanism, functionally connecting a phospho-regulated degron domain embedded in a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), with its ectopic expression in cancer, conditional to a specific autocrine growth factor signal. Mechanistically, the growth factor-triggered phosphorylation inhibits the degron domain present in the regulated RTK, blocking access to a specific degradation complex. This ultimately rescues the RTK from rapid ubiquitin-proteasome-system-mediated degradation and, most importantly, causes its cellular overexpression. This mechanism, which has been here assigned the new functional name “Over-Expression by Degradation Rescue” (OEDR), provides an additional layer and potentially preferential tool for the control of RTKs expression in cancer, in addition to other mechanisms acting at the transcriptional and messenger transcript stabilization levels. We propose this newly defined phosphorylation/ubiquitination switch-dependent signal to bear wider unexploited relevance in cell biology and human pathophysiology. The recently identified mechanism underlying an OEDR-regulated RTK is discussed herein in the context of physiological endocrine circuits and cancer.
The frequency of Duchenne muscular dystrophy/Becker muscular dystrophy and Pompe disease in children with isolated transaminase elevation: results from the observational VICTORIA study
Authors: Kansu Aydan , Kuloglu Zarife , Tümgör Gökhan , Taşkın Didem Gülcü , Dalgıç Buket , Çaltepe Gönül , Demirören Kaan , Doğan Güzide , Tuna Kırsaçlıoğlu Ceyda , Arslan Duran , Işık İshak Abdurrahman , Demir Hülya , Bekem Özlem , Şahin Yasin , Bayrak Nevzat Aykut , Selimoğlu Mukadder Ayşe , Yavuz Sibel , Taşkaya İbrahim Ethem , Altay Derya ,   the VICTORIA Study Group
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Elevated transaminases and/or creatine phosphokinase can indicate underlying muscle disease. Therefore, this study aims to determine the frequency of Duchenne muscular dystrophy/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) in male children and Pompe disease (PD) in male and female children with isolated hypertransaminasemia.

Methods

This multi-center, prospective study enrolled patients aged 3–216 months with serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and/or aspartate transaminase (AST) levels >2× the upper limit of normal (ULN) for ≥3 months. Patients with a known history of liver or muscle disease or physical examination findings suggestive of liver disease were excluded. Patients were screened for creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels, and molecular genetic tests for DMD/BMD in male patients and enzyme analysis for PD in male and female patients with elevated CPK levels were performed. Genetic analyses confirmed PD. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of the patients were analyzed.

Results

Overall, 589 patients [66.8% male, mean age of 63.4 months (standard deviation: 60.5)] were included. In total, 251 patients (188 male and 63 female) had CPK levels above the ULN. Of the patients assessed, 47% (85/182) of male patients were diagnosed with DMD/BMD and 1% (3/228) of male and female patients were diagnosed with PD. The median ALT, AST, and CPK levels were statistically significantly higher, and the questioned neurological symptoms and previously unnoticed examination findings were more common in DMD/BMD patients than those without DMD/BMD or PD (p < 0.001).

Discussion

Questioning neurological symptoms, conducting a complete physical examination, and testing for CPK levels in patients with isolated hypertransaminasemia will prevent costly and time-consuming investigations for liver diseases and will lead to the diagnosis of occult neuromuscular diseases.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04120168.
Decoding tumor heterogeneity in uveal melanoma: basement membrane genes as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets revealed by multi-omics approaches for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Li Yunyue , Cai Huabao , Yang Jinyan , Xie Xixi , Pei Shengbin , Wu Yifan , Zhang Jinhao , Song Guobin , Zhang Jieying , Zhang Qinhong , Chi Hao , Yang Guanhu
Published: September 2023

Background: Uveal melanoma (UVM) is a primary intraocular malignancy that poses a significant threat to patients’ visual function and life. The basement membrane (BM) is critical for establishing and maintaining cell polarity, adult function, embryonic and organ morphogenesis, and many other biological processes. Some basement membrane protein genes have been proven to be prognostic biomarkers for various cancers. This research aimed to develop a novel risk assessment system based on BMRGs that would serve as a theoretical foundation for tailored and accurate treatment.

Methods: We used gene expression profiles and clinical data from the TCGA-UVM cohort of 80 UVM patients as a training set. 56 UVM patients from the combined cohort of GSE84976 and GSE22138 were employed as an external validation dataset. Prognostic characteristics of basement membrane protein-related genes (BMRGs) were characterized by Lasso, stepwise multifactorial Cox. Multivariate analysis revealed BMRGs to be independent predictors of UVM. The TISCH database probes the crosstalk of BMEGs in the tumor microenvironment at the single-cell level. Finally, we investigated the function of ITGA5 in UVM using multiple experimental techniques, including CCK8, transwell, wound healing assay, and colony formation assay.

Results: There are three genes in the prognostic risk model (ADAMTS10, ADAMTS14, and ITGA5). After validation, we determined that the model is quite reliable and accurately forecasts the prognosis of UVM patients. Immunotherapy is more likely to be beneficial for UVM patients in the high-risk group, whereas the survival advantage may be greater for UVM patients in the low-risk group. Knockdown of ITGA5 expression was shown to inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasive ability of UVM cells in vitro experiments.

Conclusion: The 3-BMRGs feature model we constructed has excellent predictive performance which plays a key role in the prognosis, informing the individualized treatment of UVM patients. It also provides a new perspective for assessing pre-immune efficacy.
PMVT: a lightweight vision transformer for plant disease identification on mobile devices
Authors: Li Guoqiang , Wang Yuchao , Zhao Qing , Yuan Peiyan , Chang Baofang
Published: September 2023

Due to the constraints of agricultural computing resources and the diversity of plant diseases, it is challenging to achieve the desired accuracy rate while keeping the network lightweight. In this paper, we proposed a computationally efficient deep learning architecture based on the mobile vision transformer (MobileViT) for real-time detection of plant diseases, which we called plant-based MobileViT (PMVT). Our proposed model was designed to be highly accurate and low-cost, making it suitable for deployment on mobile devices with limited resources. Specifically, we replaced the convolution block in MobileViT with an inverted residual structure that employs a 7×7 convolution kernel to effectively model long-distance dependencies between different leaves in plant disease images. Furthermore, inspired by the concept of multi-level attention in computer vision tasks, we integrated a convolutional block attention module (CBAM) into the standard ViT encoder. This integration allows the network to effectively avoid irrelevant information and focus on essential features. The PMVT network achieves reduced parameter counts compared to alternative networks on various mobile devices while maintaining high accuracy across different vision tasks. Extensive experiments on multiple agricultural datasets, including wheat, coffee, and rice, demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the current best lightweight and heavyweight models. On the wheat dataset, PMVT achieves the highest accuracy of 93.6% using approximately 0.98 million (M) parameters. This accuracy is 1.6% higher than that of MobileNetV3. Under the same parameters, PMVT achieved an accuracy of 85.4% on the coffee dataset, surpassing SqueezeNet by 2.3%. Furthermore, out method achieved an accuracy of 93.1% on the rice dataset, surpassing MobileNetV3 by 3.4%. Additionally, we developed a plant disease diagnosis app and successfully used the trained PMVT model to identify plant disease in different scenarios.
Exploring the ecosystem of K-12 online learning: an empirical study of impact mechanisms in the post-pandemic era
Authors: Wang Ping , Wang Feiye , Li Zhiyuan
Published: September 2023

With the normalization of the COVID-19 epidemic, online learning has gained prominence in the post-epidemic era. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of how online learning influences learning outcomes is essential for the success of large-scale online education initiatives. This study proposed a conceptual model based on an ecosystem theory to investigate the impact of K-12 online learning on academic achievement. A survey was conducted among 1,625 K-12 school students in Shenzhen, China, utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for data analysis. The results indicate the following: (1) online learning engagement directly predicts academic achievement and mediates personal and environmental factors; (2) Family involvement and school support have similar impacts, with family involvement slightly stronger; (3) The Big Five Personality, especially conscientiousness, openness, and emotional stability, mediate the influence of family and school investment; and (4) School support affects academic achievement through online learning engagement, with emotional engagement being most significant. Our model illuminates the mediating role of online learning engagement, the impact of family involvement and school support, and the significance of Big Five Personality traits in K-12 online learning. This study contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of the online learning ecosystem in the post-pandemic era, seldom explored in K-12 settings.
Fighting for Olympic dreams and life beyond: Olympian judokas on striving for glory and tackling post-athletic challenges
Authors: Hong Hee Jung , Hong Seung Han
Published: September 2023

Objectives

This study explores the experiences of Olympian judokas, examining both their pursuit of excellence to compete at the Olympics and their subsequent transition out of judo. The aim is to offer empirical evidence regarding the challenges they face in realizing their Olympic dreams, and to shed light on the transitional challenges, available resources, and needs they face as they move toward post-athletic lives.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with eight Olympian judokas: five males and three females, all of whom have retired from competitive judo. These participants are from Portugal (n= 1), Republic of Korea (n= 2), and the United Kingdom (n= 5). We employed thematic analysis, which led to the identification of five main themes: (a) From Dreams to Olympic Reality, (b) Facing the Void: Loss of Goals and Identity, (c) The Crucial Role of Social Support, (d) Dual Aspects of Pre-Retirement Planning, and (e) The Double Edge of Organizational Support.

Findings

The findings highlight the significant challenges faced by Olympian judokas, including goal and identity loss post-retirement, and the need for comprehensive and accessible organizational support, particularly psychological assistance, to assist in their transition to post-athletic life.

Implications

The findings not only enhance our understanding of judokas’ experiences during transition but also offer insights that could guide the development of tailored support programs. It is critical for sport governing bodies and practitioners to apply these insights in creating comprehensive and easily accessible support systems, which will ensure a smoother transition to post-athletic life for high-performance athletes.
“On an island by myself”: implications for the inclusion of autistic students in self-contained classrooms in public elementary schools
Authors: Ahlers Kaitlyn , Hugh Maria L. , Tagavi Daina , Eayrs Curtis , Hernandez Alyssa M. , Ho Theodore , Locke Jill
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Autistic students have limited access to inclusive classes and activities in their schools. Principals and special education teachers who directly teach and administer programs for autistic elementary students can offer critical insight into factors, such as educators’ attitudes, that may impact inclusive opportunities in schools. These attitudes may serve as barriers to or facilitators of promoting an inclusive school setting.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with 26 elementary school principals and 26 special education teachers explored their experiences implementing evidence-based practices for autistic students (pivotal response training, discrete trial training, and visual schedules) in 26 self-contained classrooms in the United States. Autism-specific culture and inclusion emerged as a theme, which was analyzed for this paper.

Results

An inductive approach to thematic analysis revealed principals’ and special education teachers’ perspectives regarding the “autism-specific culture” in the school, including attitudes towards and inclusion of autistic students in self-contained classrooms in the broader school environment. Analysis of text related to “autism-specific culture” detailed aspects of inclusion, factors (i.e., barriers and facilitators) affecting inclusion, principals’ and special education teachers’ attitudes towards autistic students placed in self-contained classrooms, attitudes of other school staff towards teachers in self-contained classrooms, and recommendations to support an inclusive school environment for autistic students.

Discussion

Results suggest that valuing “equal” access to classes and activities for autistic students in self-contained classrooms may not be sufficient for promoting an inclusive school environment, Educators may benefit from targeted strategies to facilitate inclusion. Strategies range from supporting educators’ attitudes and knowledge of autism to shifting physical aspects of the school environment (e.g., location of classrooms). Additional implications for supporting the true inclusion (i.e., inclusion that goes beyond physical inclusion) involves of autistic students in self-contained classrooms schools are discussed.
Wastewater-based surveillance identifies start to the pediatric respiratory syncytial virus season in two cities in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Mercier Elisabeth , Pisharody Lakshmi , Guy Fiona , Wan Shen , Hegazy Nada , D’Aoust Patrick M. , Kabir Md Pervez , Nguyen Tram Bich , Eid Walaa , Harvey Bart , Rodenburg Erin , Rutherford Candy , Mackenzie Alex E. , Willmore Jacqueline , Hui Charles , Paes Bosco , Delatolla Robert , Thampi Nisha
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Detection of community respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections informs the timing of immunoprophylaxis programs and hospital preparedness for surging pediatric volumes. In many jurisdictions, this relies upon RSV clinical test positivity and hospitalization (RSVH) trends, which are lagging indicators. Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) may be a novel strategy to accurately identify the start of the RSV season and guide immunoprophylaxis administration and hospital preparedness.

Methods

We compared citywide wastewater samples and pediatric RSVH in Ottawa and Hamilton between August 1, 2022, and March 5, 2023. 24-h composite wastewater samples were collected daily and 5 days a week at the wastewater treatment facilities in Ottawa and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, respectively. RSV WBS samples were analyzed in real-time for RSV by RT-qPCR.

Results

RSV WBS measurements in both Ottawa and Hamilton showed a lead time of 12 days when comparing the WBS data set to pediatric RSVH data set (Spearman’s ρ = 0.90). WBS identify early RSV community transmission and declared the start of the RSV season 36 and 12 days in advance of the provincial RSV season start (October 31) for the city of Ottawa and Hamilton, respectively. The differing RSV start dates in the two cities is likely associated with geographical and regional variation in the incidence of RSV between the cities.

Discussion

Quantifying RSV in municipal wastewater forecasted a 12-day lead time of the pediatric RSVH surge and an earlier season start date compared to the provincial start date. These findings suggest an important role for RSV WBS to inform regional health system preparedness, reduce RSV burden, and understand variations in community-related illness as novel RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies become available.
Corrosion behavior of aluminum-carbon fiber/epoxy sandwich composite exposed on NaCl solution
Authors: Jáquez-Muñoz J. M. , Castrejon A. N. , Lira-Martínez M. A. , Maldonado-Bandala E. , Cabral-Miramontes J. , Lara-Banda M. , Estupiñán-López F. , Nieves-Mendoza D. , Gaona-Tiburcio C. , Almeraya-Calderón F.
Published: September 2023

For years, the aeronautical industry has employed different types of materials to satisfy its high-performance requirements. Fiber-metal laminates are used due to their combination of lighter weight and the high mechanical properties of reinforced metal and carbon. We therefore made two different composites of laminate-metal and laminate-metal-laminate of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer and aluminum with an ALCLAD layer. The samples were characterized by salt fog (0, 48, and 96 h) at 5 wt% NaCl and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with an electrolyte of 3.5 wt% NaCl. All samples were studied by electron scanning microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrated that the samples of laminate-metal-laminate presented an adsorption process after 0 and 48 h of salt fog exposition; meanwhile, the samples of laminate-metal showed a capacitive behavior for all the samples; however, corrosion resistance decreased when the salt fog exposition time increased.
Effect of Ligament Fibers on Dynamics of Synthetic, Self-Oscillating Vocal Folds in a Biomimetic Larynx Model
Authors: Tur Bogac , Gühring Lucia , Wendler Olaf , Schlicht Samuel , Drummer Dietmar , Kniesburges Stefan
Published: September 2023

Synthetic silicone larynx models are essential for understanding the biomechanics of physiological and pathological vocal fold vibrations. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of artificial ligament fibers on vocal fold vibrations in a synthetic larynx model, which is capable of replicating physiological laryngeal functions such as elongation, abduction, and adduction. A multi-layer silicone model with different mechanical properties for the musculus vocalis and the lamina propria consisting of ligament and mucosa was used. Ligament fibers of various diameters and break resistances were cast into the vocal folds and tested at different tension levels. An electromechanical setup was developed to mimic laryngeal physiology. The measurements included high-speed video recordings of vocal fold vibrations, subglottal pressure and acoustic. For the evaluation of the vibration characteristics, all measured values were evaluated and compared with parameters from ex and in vivo studies. The fundamental frequency of the synthetic larynx model was found to be approximately 200–520 Hz depending on integrated fiber types and tension levels. This range of the fundamental frequency corresponds to the reproduction of a female normal and singing voice range. The investigated voice parameters from vocal fold vibration, acoustics, and subglottal pressure were within normal value ranges from ex and in vivo studies. The integration of ligament fibers leads to an increase in the fundamental frequency with increasing airflow, while the tensioning of the ligament fibers remains constant. In addition, a tension increase in the fibers also generates a rise in the fundamental frequency delivering the physiological expectation of the dynamic behavior of vocal folds.
The Effect of Growth and Body Surface Area on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: A Cohort Study in Preadolescent Female Swimmers
Authors: Stavrou Vasileios T. , Karetsi Eleni , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos I.
Published: September 2023

Background: The performance of young swimmers is the result of a multifactorial process that is influenced by anthropometric characteristics and biological maturation. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of stages of biological maturation and body surface area on cardiopulmonary fitness indicators in preadolescent female swimmers, for whom menstruation has not started. Methods: Thirty female preadolescent swimmers (age 13.4 ± 1.0 years) participated in this study. We recorded anthropometric and morphological characteristics, stages of biological maturation, and pulmonary function parameters, and the swimmers underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Results: The cut-off was set for body surface area (BSA) at 1.6 m2 and for biological maturation stages at score 3. The BSA results showed differences in variabilities in maximal effort oxygen pulse (p < 0.001), oxygen uptake (p < 0.001), ventilation (p = 0.041), tidal volume (p < 0.001), and oxygen breath (p < 0.001). Tanner stage score results showed differences in variabilities in maximal effort breath frequency (p < 0.001), tidal volume (p = 0.013), and oxygen breath (p = 0.045). Biological maturation stages and BSA were correlated during maximal effort with oxygen breath (p < 0.001; p < 0.001), oxygen uptake (p = 0.002; p < 0.001), and oxygen pulse (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, the findings of our study showed that the girls who had a smaller body surface area and biological maturation stage presented lower values in maximal oxygen uptake and greater respiratory work.
Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An In-Depth Review of Correlations and Complexities
Authors: Zaffanello Marco , Piacentini Giorgio , Nosetti Luana , Zoccante Leonardo
Published: September 2023

Sleep-disordered breathing is a significant problem affecting the pediatric population. These conditions can affect sleep quality and children’s overall health and well-being. Difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behavioral patterns characterize autism spectrum disorder. Sleep disturbances are common in children with ASD. This literature review aims to gather and analyze available studies on the relationship between SDB and children with autism spectrum disorder. We comprehensively searched the literature using major search engines (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). After removing duplicates, we extracted a total of 96 records. We selected 19 studies for inclusion after a thorough title and abstract screening process. Seven articles were ultimately incorporated into this analysis. The research findings presented herein emphasize the substantial influence of sleep-disordered breathing on pediatric individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These findings reveal a high incidence of SDB in children with ASD, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and specialized treatment. Obesity in this population further complicates matters, requiring focused weight management strategies. Surgical interventions, such as adenotonsillectomy, have shown promise in improving behavioral issues in children with ASD affected by OSA, regardless of their obesity status. However, more comprehensive studies are necessary to investigate the benefits of A&T treatment, specifically in children with ASD and OSA. The complex relationship between ASD, SDB, and other factors, such as joint hypermobility and muscle hypotonia, suggests a need for multidisciplinary treatment approaches. Physiotherapy can play a critical role in addressing these intricate health issues. Early sleep assessments and tailored weight management strategies are essential for timely diagnosis and intervention in children with ASD. Policy initiatives should support these efforts to enhance the overall well-being of this population. Further research is crucial to understand the complex causes of sleep disturbances in children with ASD and to develop effective interventions considering the multifaceted nature of these conditions.
Personality Disorder and Adolescents—Still Living on a Shoestring?
Authors: Bo Sune , Lind Majse
Published: September 2023

Personality disorder (PD) has been and continues to be a controversial mental disorder to discuss with young people under the age of 18 [...]
Assessing the Hydrological Impacts of Climate Change on the Upper Benue River Basin in Nigeria: Trends, Relationships, and Mitigation Strategies
Authors: Ezra Andrew , Zhu Kai , Dávid Lóránt Dénes , Yakubu Barnabas Nuhu , Ritter Krisztian
Published: September 2023

The impact of climate change on river systems is a multifaceted threat to the environment, affecting various aspects of ecosystems. The Upper Benue River Basin (UBRB) in Nigeria is an area of concern, as river flow and water levels are crucial for irrigation and transportation. In this study, we investigate the impact of climate change on the hydrology of the UBRB using data on rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, river discharge, and water level. Trend, correlation, and stepwise regression analyses were conducted using Excel and SPSS 20 to analyze the data. The results indicate that the UBRB is experiencing climate change, as evidenced by annual decreases in rainfall and relative humidity and increases in maximum and minimum temperatures. Specifically, mean annual rainfall and relative humidity exhibit a negative trend, while the maximum and minimum temperature exhibit a positive trend. Furthermore, we found that rainfall and relative humidity have a significant positive relationship with river discharge and level (p < 0.01), whereas maximum temperature and wind speed have a significant negative relationship with water discharge and level. We also identified wind speed and rainfall as the critical climatic indices influencing river discharge, accounting for 21.7% of the variation in river discharge within the basin (R2 = 21.7). Based on these findings, we conclude that increases in rainfall and relative humidity will lead to significant increases in river discharge and level, while increases in wind speed and maximum temperature will decrease river discharge and level. Moreover, wind speed and rainfall are the critical climatic indices influencing river discharge, whereas relative humidity, wind speed, and rainfall are the critical climatic indices influencing water level. Thus, we recommend constructing more reservoirs (dams) to mitigate the negative trend in rainfall and encourage climate change control, such as afforestation among the population of the region. These findings have important implications for understanding the impact of climate change on river systems and developing effective strategies to mitigate its effects.
A Systematic Review on the Implementation of Agility in Sustainable Design Development
Authors: Zhao Zhining , Alli Hassan , Me Rosalam
Published: September 2023

The importance of sustainable design for achieving sustainable development goals (SDG) has become increasingly prevalent. Agility for sustainable design development is a project management approach that aims to provide a flexible and efficient way of developing new products. However, the application of agility for sustainable design development is not well-defined, with unknown processes and benefits. To address this, this study aims to explore the benefits of theoretical research and the application of agility in sustainable design. The study critically examines the application of agility in sustainable design development through a literature review. The results identify eight integration directions of agility that contribute to sustainable design, providing a better understanding of agility and enabling its implementation in the development of new products. This study seeks to create a more coherent and rigorous system of theory and practice for sustainable design.
The Study of Intelligent Image Classification Systems: An Exploration of Generative Adversarial Networks with Texture Information on Coastal Driftwood
Authors: Yeh Mei-Ling , Wan Shiuan , Ma Hong-Lin , Chou Tien-Yin
Published: September 2023

Taiwan is located at the junction of plates in which the stratum is relatively unstable, resulting in frequent earthquakes. Driftwood has always been regarded as a precious asset that enables ecoscientists to track earthquakes. In the event of a typhoon or heavy rain, the surface water flows to flush the woods from the hills to the coast. More specifically, a large rainfall or earthquake may cause floods and collapses, and the trees in the forest will be washed down. Therefore, this study used high-resolution images to build an image database of the new north coast of Taiwan, and a deep learning approach is incorporated to classify the driftwoods. To improve the interpretation of driftwood in the remote images, we initially import eight pieces of textured information which are employed to the raw bands (B, G, R, and IR). The usage of spatial information image extraction technology is incorporated into a deep learning analysis using two parallel approaches. The generative adversarial network (GAN) is used to analyze the color images alongside an ancillary image with texture information. Most of the salt–pepper effects are produced by applying a high-resolution thematic map, and an error matrix is generated to compare the differences between them. The raw data (original R + G + B + IR) images, when analyzed using GAN, have about 70% overall classification outcomes. Not all of the driftwood can be detected. By applying the texture information to the parallel approach, the overall accuracy is enhanced to 78%, and about 80% of the driftwood can be recognized.
Rapid Trace Detection of Sulfite Residue in White Wine Using a Multichannel Colorimetric Nanozyme Sensor
Authors: Yue Xiaoyue , Fu Long , Wu Chaoyun , Xu Sheng , Bai Yanhong
Published: September 2023

As a commonly used food additive, sulfite (SO32−) is popular with food manufacturers due to the functions of bleaching, sterilizing, and oxidation resistance. However, excess sulfites can pose a threat to human health. Therefore, it is particularly important to achieve rapid and sensitive detection of SO32−. Herein, a colorimetric sensor was invented for visual, meticulous, and rapid detection of SO32− based on MIL-53(Fe/Mn). Bimetallic nanozyme MIL-53(Fe/Mn) was prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal reaction. The prepared MIL-53(Fe/Mn) can effectively catalyze the oxidation of colorless TMB to a blue oxidation product (oxTMB). The introduction of SO32− causes significant discoloration of the reaction system, gradually transitioning from a visible blue color to colorless. Hence, a sensitive colorimetric sensor for SO32− detection was developed based on the decolorization degree of the detection system. Further, the discoloration was ascribed to the inactivation of nanozyme and the strong reducing ability of SO32−. Under the optimal experimental conditions, there was a good linear relationship between the absorbance at 652 nm and SO32− concentration in the linear range of 0.5–6 μg mL−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 μg mL−1. The developed method was successfully applied to the detection of actual samples of white wine with good accuracy and recovery. Compared to traditional methods, this colorimetric sensor produces similar detection results but significantly reduces the detection time. Compared to traditional methods, this colorimetric sensor can not only reduce the detection costs effectively but also help the food industry maintain quality standards. Strong anti-interference capability, simple operation, and low detection limits ensure the excellent performance of the colorimetric sensor in detecting SO32− in white wine. The combination of a smartphone and a colorimetric analysis application has also greatly facilitated the semi-quantitative, visual on-site detection of SO32−, which has opened up an application prospect of an MIL-53(Fe/Mn)-based detection platform. Our work has indicated a new direction for the detection of SO32− and provided important assurance for food safety.
Compositions and Antioxidant Activity of Tea Polysaccharides Extracted from Different Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Varieties
Authors: Xiao Kunyue , Shi Yutao , Liu Sisi , Chen Yuqiong , Ni Dejiang , Yu Zhi
Published: September 2023

Tea polysaccharide (TPS) is a bioactive compound extracted from tea. It has raised great interest among researchers due to its bioactivity. However, few studies focused on the diversity of TPS in its compositions and antioxidant activity. This study collected 140 different tea varieties from four tea germplasm gardens in China, and their TPSs in tea shoots were extracted. The extraction efficiency, composition contents, including neutral sugar, uronic acid, protein, and tea polyphenols, and the scavenging abilities of hydroxyl radical (·OH) and superoxide radical (O2-·) of 140 TPSs were determined and analyzed. The results showed significant differences in the compositions and antioxidant activities of TPS extracted from different tea varieties. By applying hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), we selected nine tea varieties with high TPS extraction efficiency and 26 kinds of TPS with high antioxidant capacity.
Stability of Hydroxy-α-Sanshool in Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil and Corresponding Oil/Water Emulsions
Authors: Mitani Takahiko , Yawata Yasuko , Yamamoto Nami , Nishide Mitsunori , Sakamoto Hidefumi , Kayano Shin-ichi
Published: September 2023

The pungent component of sansho (Japanese pepper, Zanthoxylum pipritum) is sanshool, which is easily oxidized and decomposed. We have previously reported several sanshool stabilizers, such as α-tocopherol (α-Toc). Sansho pericarp powder treated with middle-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can be used to obtain extracts containing hydroxy-α-sanshool (HαS). Although HαS is stabilized when α-Toc is added to the MCT extracts, the loss of HαS is accelerated when it is mixed with a powder such as lactose. The separation of α-Toc from sanshools was thought to inevitably lead to their oxidation. Therefore, using sansho pericarp MCT extracts with or without α-Toc, oil/water (o/w) emulsions were prepared by adding a surfactant, glycerin, and water to these extracts. In both emulsions, HαS was stable in accelerated tests at 50 °C. However, when lactose powder was added to the emulsions and an accelerated test was performed, HαS in the emulsion containing α-Toc was stable, but HαS in the emulsion without α-Toc was unstable. These results highlight the importance of maintaining the close proximity of HαS and α-Toc in the emulsion. The stabilization of sanshools using emulsion technology can facilitate the production of various processed beverages, foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals containing Japanese pepper.
Digital Prediction of the Purchase Price of Fresh Tea Leaves of Enshi Yulu Based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Wang Shengpeng , Feng Lin , Liu Panpan , Gui Anhui , Teng Jing , Ye Fei , Wang Xueping , Xue Jinjin , Gao Shiwei , Zheng Pengcheng
Published: September 2023

In this study, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with a variety of chemometrics methods was used to establish a fast and non-destructive prediction model for the purchase price of fresh tea leaves. Firstly, a paired t-test was conducted on the quality index (QI) of seven quality grade fresh tea samples, all of which showed statistical significance (p < 0.05). Further, there was a good linear relationship between the QI, quality grades, and purchase price of fresh tea samples, with the determination coefficient being greater than 0.99. Then, the original near-infrared spectra of fresh tea samples were obtained and preprocessed, with the combination (standard normal variable (SNV) + second derivative (SD)) as the optimal preprocessing method. Four spectral intervals closely related to fresh tea prices were screened using the synergy interval partial least squares (si-PLS), namely 4377.62 cm−1–4751.74 cm−1, 4755.63 cm−1–5129.75 cm−1, 6262.70 cm−1–6633.93 cm−1, and 7386 cm−1–7756.32 cm−1, respectively. The genetic algorithm (GA) was applied to accurately extract 70 and 33 feature spectral data points from the whole denoised spectral data (DSD) and the four characteristic spectral intervals data (FSD), respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied, respectively, on the data points selected, and the cumulative contribution rates of the first three PCs were 99.856% and 99.852%. Finally, the back propagation artificial neural (BP-ANN) model with a 3-5-1 structure was calibrated with the first three PCs. When the transfer function was logistic, the best results were obtained (Rp2 = 0.985, RMSEP = 6.732 RMB/kg) by 33 feature spectral data points. The detection effect of the best BP-ANN model by 14 external samples were R2 = 0.987 and RMSEP = 6.670 RMB/kg. The results of this study have achieved real-time, non-destructive, and accurate evaluation and digital display of purchase prices of fresh tea samples by using NIRS technology.
Self-Standing 3D-Printed PEGDA–PANIs Electroconductive Hydrogel Composites for pH Monitoring
Authors: Carcione Rocco , Pescosolido Francesca , Montaina Luca , Toschi Francesco , Orlanducci Silvia , Tamburri Emanuela , Battistoni Silvia
Published: September 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing processes, is introducing new possibilities in electronic, biomedical, sensor-designing, and wearable technologies. In this context, the present work focuses on the development of flexible 3D-printed polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA)- sulfonated polyaniline (PANIs) electrically conductive hydrogels (ECHs) for pH-monitoring applications. PEGDA platforms are 3D printed by a stereolithography (SLA) approach. Here, we report the successful realization of PEGDA–PANIs electroconductive hydrogel (ECH) composites produced by an in situ chemical oxidative co-polymerization of aniline (ANI) and aniline 2-sulfonic acid (ANIs) monomers at a 1:1 equimolar ratio in acidic medium. The morphological and functional properties of PEGDA–PANIs are compared to those of PEGDA–PANI composites by coupling SEM, swelling degree, I–V, and electro–chemo–mechanical analyses. The differences are discussed as a function of morphological, structural, and charge transfer/transport properties of the respective PANIs and PANI filler. Our investigation showed that the electrochemical activity of PANIs allows for the exploitation of the PEGDA–PANIs composite as an electrode material for pH monitoring in a linear range compatible with that of most biofluids. This feature, combined with the superior electromechanical behavior, swelling capacity, and water retention properties, makes PEGDA–PANIs hydrogel a promising active material for developing advanced biomedical, soft tissue, and biocompatible electronic applications.
Pain Care Management in Rare Diseases
Authors: Rodríguez-Merchán Emérito Carlos , Di Minno Matteo Nicola Dario , Pasta Gianluigi
Published: September 2023

In this Special Issue on “Musculoskeletal Pain Care and Management in Rare Disease”, it is essential to make it clear that, while specialists in rare diseases (RDs) are often very knowledgeable about the management of the specific diseases in which they are experts, primary care physicians and other physicians who are not experts in a given disease often have very little contact with the patients who experience it [...]
Comparative Assessment of Treatment of Mushroom Farm Wastewater Using Plant (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) and Algae (Chlorella vulgaris): Experimental and Kinetic Studies
Authors: Širić Ivan , Taher Mostafa A. , Kumar Pankaj , Abou Fayssal Sami , Bachheti Rakesh Kumar , Mioč Boro , Andabaka Željko , Singh Jogendra , Eid Ebrahem M.
Published: September 2023

Mushroom cultivation produces a significant amount of wastewater containing high levels of both organic and inorganic contaminants. In this study, mushroom farm wastewater (MFW) was treated separately by aquatic macrophytes (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) and algae (Chlorella vulgaris). The laboratory experiments consisted of a constructed reactor planted with selected aquatic plants and a microalgal culture and operated for 16 days. The pollutant removal efficiency was evaluated using different experimental combinations such as control 1 (C. demersum using borewell water), control 2 (C. vulgaris using borewell water), T1 (C. demersum using MFW), and T2 (C. vulgaris using MFW), respectively. The results showed that the T1 treatment had the highest significant (p < 0.05) removal efficiency of selected pollutant parameters (total dissolved solids: 86.00%; biochemical oxygen demand: 83.10%; chemical oxygen demand: 86.60%; total nitrogen: 84.30%; total phosphorus: 75.60%). The kinetic studies using the first-order reaction model showed a good fit (R2 > 0.8317) and the maximum rate constant (k) of pollutant reduction in T1 treatment. In addition, the growth, biochemical, and proximate parameters of both C. demersum and C. vulgaris were highest in the same treatment. Therefore, the proposed experiment offers a promising approach for the efficient and environmentally friendly treatment of MFW.
Morphological Characters, Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activities of Novel Garden Roses Edible Cultivars
Authors: Simin Nataša , Lesjak Marija , Živanović Nemanja , Božanić Tanjga Biljana , Orčić Dejan , Ljubojević Mirjana
Published: September 2023

Modern roses (Rosa × hybrida) are among the most important and economically profitable horticultural plants. Besides their beauty and remarkable fragrance, they are also rich sources of biologically active compounds with potential health benefits. The aim of this study was to valorize the prospective of six new genotypes of edible roses to be utilized as functional foods. Rose flowers were subjected to detailed characterization of morphological traits, fragrance analysis, GC-MS analysis of aroma carriers, determination of phenolic profile and vitamin C content, and evaluation of biological activities. The results showed that all the investigated cultivars have a favorable aroma for human consumption (pear-like, strawberry-like or fruity), high contents of phenolics and vitamin C, strong antioxidant content and moderate neuroprotective activity. They are characterized by large amounts of quercetin 3-O-glycosydes and quinic acid. The genotype ‘Marija Frayla’ stands out from others due to facilitated flower morphology, the highest level of total phenolics (217 mg of galic acid equivalents/g of dry extract) and the strongest antioxidant activity (in the DPPH assay, IC50 = 9.24 µg/mL; and antioxidant potential in the FRAP assay was 220 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/g of dry extract), thus represents the most valuable amendment to the development of novel functional food products. The ‘Eveline Wild’ genotype has the highest neuroprotective activity (68.5 ng of eserine equivalents/g of dry extract), thus might be applied in the prevention of dementia. The ‘Pear’ cultivar with the lowest phenolics content and biological activity has a mild, fruity aroma, thus can be used in everyday eating.
Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Potential Players of Sex Determination and Asymmetrical Development in Chicken Embryo Gonads
Authors: Luo Huaixi , Zhou Hao , Jiang Shengyao , He Chuan , Xu Ke , Ding Jinmei , Liu Jiajia , Qin Chao , Chen Kangchun , Zhou Wenchuan , Wang Liyuan , Yang Wenhao , Zhu Wenqi , Meng He
Published: September 2023

Despite the notable progress made in recent years, the understanding of the genetic control of gonadal sex differentiation and asymmetrical ovariogenesis in chicken during embryonic development remains incomplete. This study aimed to identify potential key genes and speculate about the mechanisms associated with ovary and testis development via an analysis of the results of PacBio and Illumina transcriptome sequencing of embryonic chicken gonads at the initiation of sexual differentiation (E4.5, E5.5, and E6.5). PacBio sequencing detected 328 and 233 significantly up-regulated transcript isoforms in females and males at E4.5, respectively. Illumina sequencing detected 95, 296 and 445 DEGs at E4.5, E5.5, and E6.5, respectively. Moreover, both sexes showed asymmetrical expression in gonads, and more DEGs were detected on the left side. There were 12 DEGs involved in cell proliferation shared between males and females in the left gonads. GO analysis suggested that coagulation pathways may be involved in the degradation of the right gonad in females and that blood oxygen transport pathways may be involved in preventing the degradation of the right gonad in males. These results provide a comprehensive expression profile of chicken embryo gonads at the initiation of sexual differentiation, which can serve as a theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of bird sex determination and its evolutionary process.
Dynamic Performance of Suspended Pipelines with Permeable Wrappers under Solitary Waves
Authors: Dong Youkou , Zhao Enjin , Cui Lan , Li Yizhe , Wang Yang
Published: September 2023

Submarine pipelines are widely adopted around the world for transporting oil and gas from offshore fields. They tend to be severely ruined by the extreme waves induced by the natural disaster, such as hurricanes and tsunamis. To maintain the safety and function integrity of the pipelines, porous media have been used to wrap them from the external loads by the submarine environment. The functions of the porous wrappers under the hydrodynamic impact remain to be uncovered before they are widely accepted by the industry. In this study, a numerical wave tank is established with the immersed boundary method as one of the computational fluid dynamics. The submarine pipelines and their porous wrappers are two-way-coupled in terms of displacement and pressure at their interfaces. The impact from the solitary waves, which approximately represent the extreme waves in the reality, on the pipelines with different configurations of the porous wrapper is investigated. The results present significant protective functions of the wrappers on the internal pipelines, transferring the impact forces from the pipelines to the wrappers. The protective effects tend to be enhanced by the porosity and thickness of the wrappers. The influence of the pipeline configurations and the marine environment are then analysed. As for the front pipeline, an increase in the gap leads to a slight increase in the horizontal forces on both the wrapper and the pipeline, but a significant increase in the vertical forces. As for the rear pipeline, because of the shield function of the front pipeline, the velocity within the gap space and the forces on the pipes are decreased with the decrease in the gap size. The complex flow fields around the pipelines with wrappers are also illuminated, implying that the protection function of the wrapper is enhanced by the wave height reduction.