bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Identification of Histone Deacetylases and Their Roles Related with Light Response in Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum)
Authors: Yan Huiling , Chen Hongxu , Liao Qingxia , Xia Mengying , Yao Tian , Peng Lianxin , Zou Liang , Zhao Gang , Zhao Jianglin , Wu Ding-Tao
Published: May 2023

Histone deacetylases (HDACs), known as histone acetylation erasers, function crucially in plant growth and development. Although there are abundant reports focusing on HDACs of Arabidopsis and illustrating their important roles, the knowledge of HDAC genes in Tartary buckwheat (Polygonales Polygonaceae Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn) is still scarce. In the study, a total of 14 HDAC genes were identified and divided into three main groups: Reduced Potassium Dependency-3/His-52 tone Deacetylase 1 (RPD3/HDA1), Silent Information Regulator 2 (SIR2), and the plant-53 specific HD2. Domain and motif composition analysis showed there were conserved domains and motifs in members from the same subfamilies. The 14 FtHDACs were distributed asymmetrically on 7 chromosomes, with three segmental events and one tandem duplication event identified. The prediction of the cis-element in promoters suggested that FtHDACs probably acted in numerous biological processes including plant growth, development, and response to environmental signals. Furthermore, expression analysis based on RNA-seq data displayed that all FtHDAC genes were universally and distinctly expressed in diverse tissues and fruit development stages. In addition, we found divergent alterations in FtHDACs transcript abundance in response to different light conditions according to RNA-seq and RT-qPCR data, indicating that five FtHDACs might be involved in light response. Our findings could provide fundamental information for the HDAC gene family and supply several targets for future function analysis of FtHDACs related with light response of Tartary buckwheat.
Interplay between LncRNAs and microRNAs in Breast Cancer
Authors: Schwarzenbach Heidi , Gahan Peter B.
Published: May 2023

(1) Although long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to be precursors of microRNAs (miRNAs), they frequently act as competing endogoneous RNAs (ceRNAs), yet still their interplay with miRNA is not well known. However, their interaction with miRNAs may result in the modulation of miRNA action. (2) To determine the contribution of these RNA molecules in tumor resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, it is essential to consider not only the oncogenic and tumor suppressive function of miRNAs but also the impact of lncRNAs on miRNAs. Therefore, we performed an extensive search in different databases including PubMed. (3) The present study concerns the interplay between lncRNAs and miRNAs in the regulatory post-transcriptional network and their impact on drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer. (4) Consideration of this interplay may improve the search for new drugs to circumvent chemoresistance.
Alternative Splicing Changes Promoted by NOVA2 Upregulation in Endothelial Cells and Relevance for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Di Matteo Anna , Belloni Elisa , Pradella Davide , Chiaravalli Anna Maria , Pini Giacomo Maria , Bugatti Mattia , Alfieri Roberta , Barzan Chiara , Franganillo Tena Elena , Bione Silvia , Terenzani Elisa , Sessa Fausto , Wyatt Christopher D. R. , Vermi William , Ghigna Claudia
Published: May 2023

Angiogenesis is crucial for cancer progression. While several anti-angiogenic drugs are in use for cancer treatment, their clinical benefits are unsatisfactory. Thus, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms sustaining cancer vessel growth is fundamental to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Alternative splicing (AS) is an essential modifier of human proteome diversity. Nevertheless, AS contribution to tumor vasculature development is poorly known. The Neuro-Oncological Ventral Antigen 2 (NOVA2) is a critical AS regulator of angiogenesis and vascular development. NOVA2 is upregulated in tumor endothelial cells (ECs) of different cancers, thus representing a potential driver of tumor blood vessel aberrancies. Here, we identified novel AS transcripts generated upon NOVA2 upregulation in ECs, suggesting a pervasive role of NOVA2 in vascular biology. In addition, we report that NOVA2 is also upregulated in ECs of gastric cancer (GC), and its expression correlates with poor overall survival of GC patients. Finally, we found that the AS of the Rap Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 6 (RapGEF6), a newly identified NOVA2 target, is altered in GC patients and associated with NOVA2 expression, tumor angiogenesis, and poor patient outcome. Our findings provide a better understanding of GC biology and suggest that AS might be exploited to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutics for anti-angiogenic GC treatments.
A Novel Role for UNC119 as an Enhancer of Synaptic Transmission
Authors: Fehlhaber Katherine E. , Majumder Anurima , Boyd Kimberly K. , Griffis Khris G. , Artemyev Nikolai O. , Fain Gordon L. , Sampath Alapakkam P.
Published: May 2023

Mammalian UNC119 is a ciliary trafficking chaperone highly expressed in the inner segment of retinal photoreceptors. Previous research has shown that UNC119 can bind to transducin, the synaptic ribbon protein RIBEYE, and the calcium-binding protein CaBP4, suggesting that UNC119 may have a role in synaptic transmission. We made patch-clamp recordings from retinal slices in mice with the UNC119 gene deleted and showed that removal of even one gene of UNC119 has no effect on the rod outer segment photocurrent, but acted on bipolar cells much like background light: it depolarized membrane potential, decreased sensitivity, accelerated response decay, and decreased the Hill coefficient of the response–intensity relationship. Similar effects were seen on rod bipolar-cell current and voltage responses, and after exposure to bright light to translocate transducin into the rod inner segment. These findings indicate that UNC119 deletion reduces the steady-state glutamate release rate at rod synapses, though no change in the voltage dependence of the synaptic Ca current was detected. We conclude that UNC119, either by itself or together with transducin, can facilitate the release of glutamate at rod synapses, probably by some interaction with RIBEYE or other synaptic proteins rather than by binding to CaBP4 or calcium channels.
Serum Vitamin D Metabolites by HPLC-MS/MS Combined with Differential Ion Mobility Spectrometry: Aspects of Sample Preparation without Derivatization
Authors: Usoltseva Liliia , Ioutsi Vitaliy , Panov Yuriy , Antsupova Mariya , Rozhinskaya Liudmila , Melnichenko Galina , Mokrysheva Natalia
Published: May 2023

In current clinical practice, a thorough understanding of vitamin D metabolism is in high demand both for patients with various diseases and for healthy individuals. Analytical techniques that provide simultaneous measurement of multiple metabolites are preferred. Herein, the development of an HPLC-DMS-MS/MS method for the quantitation of vitamin D compounds (25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2, 1,25(OH)2D3, 3-epi-25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, and D3) in serum is described. The selected sample preparation procedure based on the combination of liquid–liquid and solid-phase extraction, which excluded a lengthy derivatization step, was compared with other common approaches. Sensitivity was increased through the implementation of differential ion mobility separation. The proposed assay allowed us to determine the low abundant 1,25(OH)2D3 with the detection limit of 10 pg/mL. The validation study showed good linearity (r2 > 0.99), a wide analytical range (2.5–75 ng/mL for 25(OH)D3), and acceptable precision (<7%) for all metabolites. The recovery ranged from 71% to 93% and the matrix effect from 0.80 to 0.95 depending on the metabolite; accuracy determination was performed using DEQAS controls.
AKAP1 Regulates Mitochondrial Dynamics during the Fatty-Acid-Promoted Maturation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes as Indicated by Proteomics Sequencing
Authors: Xiang Han , Xu Hao , Tan Bin , Yi Qin , Zhang Xinyuan , Wang Rui , Chen Tangtian , Xie Qiumin , Tian Jie , Zhu Jing
Published: May 2023

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) are cells with promising applications. However, their immaturity has restricted their use in cell therapy, disease modeling, and other studies. Therefore, the current study focused on inducing the maturation of CMs. We supplemented hiPSC-CMs with fatty acids (FAs) to promote their phenotypic maturity. Proteomic sequencing was performed to identify regulators critical for promoting the maturation of hiPSC-CMs. AKAP1 was found to be significantly increased in FA-treated hiPSC-CMs, and the results were verified. Therefore, we inhibited AKAP1 expression in the FA-treated cells and analyzed the outcomes. FA supplementation promoted the morphological and functional maturation of the hiPSC-CMs, which was accompanied by the development of a mitochondrial network. Proteomic analysis results revealed that AKAP1 expression was significantly higher in FA-treated hiPSC-CMs than in control cells. In addition, increased phosphorylation of the mitochondrial dynamin Drp1 and an increased mitochondrial fusion rate were found in FA-treated hiPSC-CMs. After AKAP1 was knocked down, the level of DRP1 phosphorylation in the cell was decreased, and the mitochondrial fusion rate was reduced. FA supplementation effectively promoted the maturation of hiPSC-CMs, and in these cells, AKAP1 regulated mitochondrial dynamics, possibly playing a significant role.
The Role of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease, and the Potential Function of Placental Cell-Derived EVs as a Therapeutic Tool
Authors: Zavaro Mor , Dangot Ayelet , Bar-Lev Tali Hana , Amit Odelia , Avivi Irit , Ram Ron , Aharon Anat
Published: May 2023

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) presents with dermal inflammation and fibrosis. We investigated the characteristics of extracellular vesicles (EVs) obtained from cGVHD patients, and their potential effects on human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells. The anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of placental EVs were also explored given their known anti-inflammatory properties. Fourteen cGVHD patients’ EVs contained higher levels of fibrosis-related proteins, TGFβ and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), compared to EVs from thirteen healthy subjects. The exposure of NHDF cells to the patients’ EVs increased the NHDF cells’ TGFβ and αSMA expressions. Placental EVs derived from placental-expanded cells (PLX) (Pluri Inc.) and human villous trophoblast (HVT) cells expressing the mesenchymal markers CD29, CD73, and CD105, penetrated into both the epidermal keratinocytes (HACATs) and NHDF cells. Stimulation of the HACAT cells with cytokine TNFα/INFγ (0.01–0.1 ng/µL) reduced cell proliferation, while the addition of placental EVs attenuated this effect, increasing and normalizing cell proliferation. The treatment of NHDF cells with a combination of TGFβ and placental HVT EVs reduced the stimulatory effects of TGFβ on αSMA production by over 40% (p = 0.0286). In summary, EVs from patients with cGVHD can serve as a biomarker for the cGVHD state. Placental EVs may be used to regulate dermal inflammation and fibrosis, warranting further investigation of their therapeutic potential.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Interaction of Adiponectin Gene Polymorphisms and Diabetes
Authors: Chen Hsi-Hsien , Huang Ya-Li , Chen Mei-Chieh , Wu Chih-Yin , Lin Ying-Chin , Shiue Horng-Sheng , Hsu Sheng-Lun , Hsueh Yu-Mei
Published: May 2023

Adiponectin is an adipokine multipeptide hormone with insulin-sensitizing; anti-atherosclerotic; and anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be associated with low adiponectin. The adiponectin gene ADIPOQ is thought to be the only major gene responsible for plasma adiponectin levels; which are associated with diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between ADIPOQ polymorphism and CKD. In addition; the combined effects of ADIPOQ polymorphism and diabetes and levels of total urinary arsenic and blood cadmium on CKD were also explored. This study included 215 CKD patients and 423 age–sex matched controls. The ADIPOQ polymorphisms were determined using the Agena Bioscience Mass ARRAY System. The levels of blood cadmium and urinary arsenic species were measured. The ADIPOQ rs182052 GA/AA genotype had a marginally lower odds ratio (OR) for CKD than the GG genotype. The OR (95% confidence interval; CI) was 16.33 (5.72–46.66) of CKD in subjects carrying the ADIPOQ rs182052 GG genotype and diabetes compared to non-diabetes subjects carrying the ADIPOQ rs182052 GA/AA genotype; the interaction term had p = 0.015; and the synergy index was 6.64 (1.81–24.36) after multivariate adjustment. A significant interaction of diabetes and ADIPOQ rs1501299 risk genotype increased the OR of CKD after multivariate adjustment with a synergy index of 0.31 (0.11–0.86) and a multiplicative interaction with p = 0.001. These results suggest that ADIPOQ rs182052 and rs1501299 risk genotypes may significantly modify the association between diabetes and CKD but not the association between total urinary arsenic and blood cadmium and CKD.
Dynamics of the Ligand Excited States Relaxation in Novel β-Diketonates of Non-Luminescent Trivalent Metal Ions
Authors: Polikovskiy Trofim , Korshunov Vladislav , Gontcharenko Victoria , Kiskin Mikhail , Belousov Yuriy , Pettinari Claudio , Taydakov Ilya
Published: May 2023

Complexes emitting in the blue spectral region are attractive materials for developing white-colored light sources. Here, we report the luminescence properties of novel coordination compounds based on the trivalent group 3, 13 metals, and the 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-cyclohexylcarbonyl-pyrazol-5-onate (QCH) ligand. [M(QCH)3] (M = Al, Ga, and In), [M(QCH)3(H2O)] (M = Sc, Gd, and Lu), [Lu(QCH)3(DMSO)], and [La(QCH)3(H2O)(EtOH)] complexes were synthesized and structurally characterized by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. It has been found that the luminescence quantum yields of the ligand increase by one order of magnitude upon metal coordination. A significant correspondence between the energies of the ligand’s excited states and the luminescence quantum yields to the metal ion’s atomic numbers was found using molecular spectroscopy techniques. The replacement of the central ion with the heavier one leads to a monotonic increase in singlet state energy, while the energy of the triplet state is similar for all the complexes. Time-resolved measurements allowed us to estimate the intersystem crossing (ISC) rate constants. It was shown that replacing the Al3+ ion with the heavier diamagnetic Ga3+ and In3+ ions decreased the ISC rate, while the replacement with the paramagnetic Gd3+ ion increased the ISC rate, which resulted in a remarkably bright and room-temperature phosphorescence of [Gd(QCH)3(H2O)].
Energy Usage Forecasting Model Based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI)
Authors: Maarif Muhammad Rifqi , Saleh Arif Rahman , Habibi Muhammad , Fitriyani Norma Latif , Syafrudin Muhammad
Published: May 2023

The accurate forecasting of energy consumption is essential for companies, primarily for planning energy procurement. An overestimated or underestimated forecasting value may lead to inefficient energy usage. Inefficient energy usage could also lead to financial consequences for the company, since it will generate a high cost of energy production. Therefore, in this study, we proposed an energy usage forecasting model and parameter analysis using long short-term memory (LSTM) and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), respectively. A public energy usage dataset from a steel company was used in this study to evaluate our models and compare them with previous study results. The results showed that our models achieved the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE) scores by up to 0.08, 0.07, and 0.07 for the single-layer LSTM, double-layer LSTM, and bi-directional LSTM, respectively. In addition, the interpretability analysis using XAI revealed that two parameters, namely the leading current reactive power and the number of seconds from midnight, had a strong influence on the model output. Finally, it is expected that our study could be useful for industry practitioners, providing LSTM models for accurate energy forecasting and offering insight for policymakers and industry leaders so that they can make more informed decisions about resource allocation and investment, develop more effective strategies for reducing energy consumption, and support the transition toward sustainable development.
Image-Based Insect Counting Embedded in E-Traps That Learn without Manual Image Annotation and Self-Dispose Captured Insects
Authors: Saradopoulos Ioannis , Potamitis Ilyas , Konstantaras Antonios I. , Eliopoulos Panagiotis , Ntalampiras Stavros , Rigakis Iraklis
Published: May 2023

This study describes the development of an image-based insect trap diverging from the plug-in camera insect trap paradigm in that (a) it does not require manual annotation of images to learn how to count targeted pests, and (b) it self-disposes the captured insects, and therefore is suitable for long-term deployment. The device consists of an imaging sensor integrated with Raspberry Pi microcontroller units with embedded deep learning algorithms that count agricultural pests inside a pheromone-based funnel trap. The device also receives commands from the server, which configures its operation, while an embedded servomotor can automatically rotate the detached bottom of the bucket to dispose of dehydrated insects as they begin to pile up. Therefore, it completely overcomes a major limitation of camera-based insect traps: the inevitable overlap and occlusion caused by the decay and layering of insects during long-term operation, thus extending the autonomous operational capability. We study cases that are underrepresented in the literature such as counting in situations of congestion and significant debris using crowd counting algorithms encountered in human surveillance. Finally, we perform comparative analysis of the results from different deep learning approaches (YOLOv7/8, crowd counting, deep learning regression). Interestingly, there is no one optimal clear-cut counting approach that can cover all situations involving small and large insects with overlap. By weighting the pros and cons we suggest that YOLOv7/8 provides the best embedded solution in general. We open-source the code and a large database of Lepidopteran plant pests.
Investigating the Multi-Recyclability of Recycled Plastic-Modified Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Di Mino Gaetano , Vijayan Vineesh , Eskandarsefat Shahin , Venturini Loretta , Mantalovas Konstantinos
Published: May 2023

Although the benefits of asphalt recycling have been scientifically proven and several best practices are being implemented, further research is required in specific and specialized areas. One of these circumstances is the recycling of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements (RAPs) that contain asphalt modifiers such as elastomers and/or plastomers. Following the principles of the circular economy and considering the sustainability implications of asphalt mixtures, this paper deals with the multi-recyclability of asphalt mixtures containing 50% RAP with and without a recycled plastic asphalt modifier and rejuvenating agent. The recycled plastic asphalt modifier was made of hard recycled plastics and was introduced to the mixture via a dry method. The research focuses on the characterization of binders via conventional, rheological, and chemical analysis. To control the consistency and variables of the mixtures, the RAP was produced artificially in the laboratory following an ageing protocol for loose asphalt mixtures. According to the obtained results, at all three cycles of binder recycling, comparable properties for (i) the extracted binders from the recycled plastic-modified asphalt mixture, (ii) the extracted binders from the control un-modified mixture, and (iii) the reference bitumen 50/70 were obtained. This was even noticed when a nearly similar quantity of the rejuvenator was needed during the rejuvenator optimization process. Overall, it can be deduced that from the binder-scale point of view, the mixture containing the introduced recycled plastic additive could be recycled for multiple life cycles without any degradation of its mechanical and physical properties.
Numerical and Experimental Behavior Analysis of Slabs Strengthened Using Steel Plates and Slurry-Infiltrated Mat Concrete (SIMCON) Laminates
Authors: Qanber Ali Sadik Gafer , Yas Mohammed H. , Kadhum Mohammed M.
Published: May 2023

This study has two main aims; firstly, investigating the behavior of slabs that are strengthened with different types of reinforcements and with Slurry-Infiltrated Mat Concrete (SIMCON) laminates, having different dimensions and thicknesses and subjected to static and dynamic (impact) loads. Secondly, the development of a non-linear finite element (FE) model to simulate the behavior of the tested slabs utilizing the ABAQUS/Standard package. The modeling of the NSC slabs strengthened with either SIMCON or steel plates involves using three-dimensional solid elements that are partially integrated with the modeling of concretes using the 8-node brick element (C3D8R). The results of the experimental and numerical investigations are compared to examine whether the slab modeling is sufficient. The comparison includes the element type, material characteristics, real constants, and convergence study. The predicted ultimate load-carrying capacity versus vertical deformation response is compared with the lab results that correspond with it, as obtained via the FE analysis of all tested slabs. In addition, the results of the FE analysis of slab specimens that are strengthened with steel plates were compared to the results of the ones strengthened using SIMCON laminates. The obtained results have led to a number of significant observations. Considering the punching shear strength, it was found that using SIMCON strengthening in different dimensions increased the slab’s punching shear capacity and outperformed steel-strengthened slabs. As for the plate stiffness, SIMCON-strengthened slabs presented higher stiffness rates than steel-strengthened slabs, to the extent that even 20 mm SIMCON strengthening outperformed the steel plate-strengthened slabs of any thickness or dimensions. The axial load-displacement relationships indicate that all the numerical models show a stiffer behavior when compared with the experimental axial load-displacement relationships. The slab thickness of SIMCON significantly affects the load-carrying capacity, and it increases with the increase in thickness. Likewise, using strengthening from steel plates gives a higher load-carrying capacity. Finally, since the results of the yield line analyses for these slabs are found to match the experimental results closely, this method is considered to be suitable for practical use in determining the strength of plated slabs. Therefore, the conclusion is drawn that the proposed FE model can be sufficiently used in evaluating the dynamic responses of slabs strengthened with SIMCON or steel plates and subjected to cyclic and impact load.
Elucidating the Effect of Temperature Stress on the Protein Content, Total Antioxidant Capacity, and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Authors: Nie Peng-Cheng , Yang Ruo-Lan , Zhou Jing-Jiang , Dewer Youssef , Shang Su-Qin
Published: May 2023

Tetranychus urticae Koch is a worldwide agricultural pest mite that feeds on more than 1100 kinds of crops. The mite has developed a high level of tolerance to high temperatures, but the physiological mechanism underlying the outstanding adaptability of this pest to high temperatures remains unclear. To clarify the physiological mechanisms of T. urticae in response to short-term heat stress, four temperatures (36, 39, 42, and 45 °C) and three short-term heat durations (2, 4, and 6 h) were conducted to test the effects on protein content, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). The results showed that protein content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and T-AOC in T. urticae were significantly induced by heat stress. These results suggest that heat stress induces oxidative stress and that antioxidant enzymes play an important role in reducing oxidative damage in T. urticae. The data of this study will provide a basis for further research on the molecular mechanisms of thermostability and ecological adaptability of T. urticae.
Sub-Lethal Effects of Pirimiphos-Methyl Are Expressed to Different Levels in Wings of Three Stored-Product Coleopterans: A Geometric Morphometrics Investigation
Authors: Boukouvala Maria C. , Kavallieratos Nickolas G. , Žikić Vladimir , Stanković Saša S. , Ilić Milošević Marijana , Skourti Anna , Lazarević Maja
Published: May 2023

Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Prostephanus truncatus (Horn), and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) are noxious insect pests of grains in storages. Pirimiphos-methyl is widely used to protect grains at the post-harvest stage. However, the sub-lethal impact of this active ingredient on the offspring of all three coleopterans remains unknown. Thus, mated females of each species were exposed separately to pirimiphos-methyl at short exposures (30 min, 3, 5, 8, 16, 24, and 36 h), where the elytra and hindwings of the adult progeny were analyzed with the geometric morphometrics method. Males and females of all species were incorporated into the analysis. The results revealed variability among species. Tenebrio molitor was the most sensitive among three species, displaying significant deformations in the elytra and hindwings. Males had more conspicuous morphological changes than females. Prostephanus truncatus hindwings exhibited deformities after 36 h of exposure to pirimiphos-methyl. In contrast, R. dominica offspring were not affected by pirimiphos-methyl. In light of our findings, organophosphorus insecticides may cause variable sub-lethal effects to stored-product insects. This issue may lead to different insecticidal treatments according to the targeted stored-product species.
Expression Levels of Heat-Shock Proteins in Apis mellifera jemenetica and Apis mellifera carnica Foragers in the Desert Climate of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alghamdi Ahmad A. , Alattal Yehya Z.
Published: May 2023

A. m. jemenetica is the indigenous honeybee of the Arabian Peninsula. It is highly adapted to extreme temperatures exceeding 40 °C, yet important molecular aspects of its adaptation are not well documented. In this study we quantify relative expression levels of small- and large-molecular-weight heat-shock proteins (hsp10, hsp28, hsp70, hsp83, hsp90 and hsc70 (mRNAs)) in the thermos-tolerant A. m. jemenetica and thermosusceptible A. m. carnica forager honeybee subspecies under desert (Riyadh) and semi-arid (Baha) summer conditions. The results showed significant day-long higher expression levels of hsp mRNAs in A. m. jemenetica compared to A. m. carnica under the same conditions. In Baha, the expression levels were very modest in both subspecies compared those in Riyadh though the expression levels were higher in A. m. jemenetica. The results also revealed a significant interaction between subspecies, which indicated milder stress conditions in Baha. In conclusion, the higher expression levels of hsp10, hsp28, hsp70ab, hsp83 and hsp90 mRNAs in A. m. jemenetica are key elements in the adaptive nature of A. m. jemenetica to local conditions that enhance its survival and fitness in high summer temperatures.
Changing Face of Inflammatory Activation in Complex Coronary Artery Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Urbanowicz Tomasz , Czub Paweł , Olasińska-Wiśniewska Anna , Michalak Michał , Fryska Zuzanna , Zieliński Jakub , Filipiak Krzysztof Jerzy , Wróbel Krzysztof , Tykarski Andrzej , Jemielity Marek
Published: May 2023

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the immunological status of the population, indicating increased activation. The aim of the study was to compare the degree of inflammatory activation in patients admitted for surgical revascularization in the period before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: This retrospective analysis included an analysis of inflammatory activation assessed on the basis of whole blood counts in 533 patients (435 (82%) male and 98 (18%) female) with a median age of 66 (61–71) years who underwent surgical revascularization, including 343 and 190 patients operated on in 2018 and 2022, respectively. Results: The compared groups were matched by propensity score matching analysis, obtaining 190 patients in each group. Significantly higher values of preoperative monocyte count (p = 0.015), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.004) and systemic inflammatory response index (p = 0.022) were found in the during-COVID subgroup. The perioperative and 12-month mortality rates were comparable, with 1% (n = 4) in 2018 vs. 1% (n = 2) in 2022 (p = 0.911), and 5.6 % (n = 11 patients) vs. 7% (n = 13 patients) (p = 0.413), in the pre-COVID and during-COVID subgroups, respectively. Conclusions: Simple whole blood analysis in patients with complex coronary artery disease performed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic indicates excessive inflammatory activation. However, the immune variation did not interfere with one-year mortality rate after surgical revascularization.
Assessment of Biomechanical Advantages in Combined Anterior–Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery by Radiological Outcomes: Pedicle Screws over Lateral Mass Screws
Authors: Kim Sang-Ho , Kim Ji-hyeon , Kwon Ji-Won , Kim Hak-Sun , Moon Seong-Hwan , Suk Kyung-Soo , Lee Byung-Ho
Published: May 2023

Background: The combined anterior–posterior approach has shown good clinical outcomes for multilevel cervical diseases. This work describes the biomechanical advantage of cervical-pedicle-screw fixation over lateral-mass-screw fixation in combined anterior–posterior cases. Method: Seventy-six patients who received combined cervical surgery from June 2013 to December 2020 were included. The patients were divided into two groups: the lateral-mass-screw group (LMS) and the pedicle-screw group (PPS). Radiological outcomes were assessed with lateral cervical spine X-rays for evaluating sagittal alignment, subsidence, and bone remodeling. Results: At 1 year postoperatively, the numbers of patients whose C2–C7 cervical lordosis was less than 20 degrees decreased by more in the PPS group (p-value = 0.001). The amount of vertical-length change from immediately to 1 year postsurgery was less in the PPS group than in the LMS group (p-value = 0.030). The mean vertebral-body-width change was larger in the PPS group than in the LMS group during 3 months to 1 year postsurgery (p-value = 0.000). Conclusions: In combined anterior–posterior cervical surgery cases, maintenance of cervical lordosis and protection of the vertebral body from subsidence were better with the pedicle-screw fixation. More bone remodeling occurred when using the pedicle-screw fixation method.
Investigating the Effectiveness of a Family Intervention after Acquired Brain or Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Soendergaard Pernille Langer , Arango-Lasprilla Juan Carlos , Wolffbrandt Mia Moth , Dornonville de la Cour Frederik Lehman , Biering-Sørensen Fin , Norup Anne
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: Acquired brain injury (ABI) or spinal cord injury (SCI) constitutes a severe life change for the entire family, often resulting in decreased quality of life (QoL) and increased caregiver burden. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a family intervention in individuals with ABI or SCI and in their family members. (2) Methods: An RCT of a family intervention group (FIG) vs. a psychoeducational group (PEG) (ratio 1:1) was performed. The FIG received an eight-week manual-based family intervention, and the PEG received one psychoeducational session. Self-reported questionnaires on QoL with the Mental Component Summary (MCS) and on caregiver burden with the Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) were the primary outcomes. The data analysis involved linear mixed-effects regression models. (3) Results: In total, 74 participants were allocated randomly to the FIG and 84 were allocated randomly to the PEG. The FIG had significantly larger improvements on the MCS and significantly larger reductions on the CBS at the two-month follow-up than participants in the PEG (mean differences of 5.64 points on the MCS and −0.26 points on the CBS). At the eight-month follow-up, the between-group difference remained significant (mean difference of 4.59 points) on the MCS, whereas that on the CBS was borderline significant (mean change of −0.14 points). (4) Conclusions: Family intervention was superior to psychoeducation, with larger improvements in QoL and larger reductions in caregiver burden.
Predictors of Response to Fremanezumab in Migraine Patients with at Least Three Previous Preventive Failures: Post Hoc Analysis of a Prospective, Multicenter, Real-World Greek Registry
Authors: Argyriou Andreas A. , Dermitzakis Emmanouil V. , Xiromerisiou Georgia , Rallis Dimitrios , Soldatos Panagiotis , Litsardopoulos Pantelis , Vikelis Michail
Published: May 2023

Objective: To define, in a real-world population of patients with high-frequency episodic (HFEM) or chronic migraine (CM), the predictive role of socio-demographic or phenotypic profiling of responders to fremanezumab. Patients and methods: Two-hundred and four adult fremanezumab-treated patients with either HFEM or CM, who failed to at least three preventive treatments, provided data at baseline on several individual socio-demographic and phenotypic variables. These variables were analyzed for their ability to independently predict the response (50–74% response rates) or super-response (≥ 75% response rates) to fremanezumab. Patients were followed from 3–18 months of fremanezumab exposure. Results: The main finding to emerge from univariate analyses was that three baseline socio-demographic/clinical variables, i.e., age group 41–70 years (p = 0.02); female gender (p = 0.03); patients with HFEM (p = 0.001), and three clinical phenotypic variables, i.e., strict unilateral pain (p = 0.05); pain in the ophthalmic trigeminal branch (p = 0.04); and the “imploding” quality of pain (p = 0.05), were significantly related to fremanezumab response. However, in multivariate analysis, only HFEM (p = 0.02), the presence of strict unilateral (p = 0.03), and pain location in the ophthalmic trigeminal branch (p = 0.036) were independently associated with good fremanezumab response. Allodynia (p = 0.04) was the only clinical predictive variable of super-responsiveness to fremanezumab. Conclusions: A precise phenotypic profiling with identification of pain characteristics consistent with peripheral and/or central sensitization might reliably predict the responsiveness to fremanezumab in migraine prophylaxis.
Association between Anterior Surgical Approach and Dysphagia Severity in Patients with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Chang Min Cheol , Kim Dae Yeong , Choi Jin-Woo , Choi Ho Yong , Park Jin-Sung , Park Donghwi
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Early detection and management of dysphagia are essential for preventing aspiration pneumonia and reducing mortality in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (C-SCI). In this study, we identified risk factors for dysphagia in patients with C-SCI by analyzing the correlation between the clinical factors and the severity of dysphagia, not the presence or absence of dysphagia. Combined with the analysis results of previous studies, we thought that this additional analysis method could more accurately reveal the risk factors for dysphagia in patients with C-SCI. Methods: The presence and severity of dysphagia in patients with C-SCI was evaluated using a modified videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (mVDS) and penetration–aspiration scale (PAS). All included patients with C-SCI performed a video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). Clinical factors such as age, sex, the presence of tracheostomy, spinal cord independence measure (SCIM), pulmonary function test (PFT), including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FVC/FEV1, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) score, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and operation method were investigated. Results: In the multivariate regression analysis, the anterior surgical approach was the only clinical factor that had a significant correlation in both mVDS and PAS, which represents the severity of dysphagia in C-SCI patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The anterior surgical approach was correlated with the severity of dysphagia in patients with C-SCI. Considering this, as one of the risk factors affecting dysphagia in patients with C-SCI, surgical method may also need to be considered. Additionally, we recommend that clinicians should pay particular attention to the potential for development of dysphagia in patients who received anterior cervical surgery. However, further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed for more accurate generalization.
Impact of Prolonged Cessation of Organized Team Training Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Body Composition of Japanese Elite Female Wheelchair Basketball Athletes
Authors: Ishimoto Ryu , Mutsuzaki Hirotaka , Tachibana Kaori , Shimizu Yukiyo , Hada Yasushi
Published: May 2023

Studies on the effects of training confinement on athletes with physical impairments are limited. Hence, in this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to investigate the impact of prolonged cessation of organized team training due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the body composition of elite female Japanese basketball athletes. Fourteen female wheelchair basketball athletes (aged ≥20 years) were enrolled. The primary outcomes were lean and adipose indices measured using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The impact of prolonged organized team training cessation on body composition was investigated by comparing the body composition at baseline and post-training confinement. A reduced whole-body lean mass (p = 0.038) and percent lean mass (p = 0.022), as well as an increased percent body fat (p = 0.035), were observed after the confinement period. The regional analysis revealed reduced percent lean and increased percent fat masses in the trunk (p = 0.015 and p = 0.026, respectively) and upper limbs (p = 0.036 and p = 0.048, respectively). In conclusion, prolonged organized team training cessation reduced lean mass and increased body fat percentage, primarily in the trunk and upper limbs. Individualized training programs targeting these body regions should be implemented to improve body composition and physical conditions in athletes during and after prolonged cessation of organized team training.
The Postoperative Effect of Sugammadex versus Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors in Colorectal Surgery: An Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Vaghiri Sascha , Prassas Dimitrios , Krieg Sarah , Knoefel Wolfram Trudo , Krieg Andreas
Published: May 2023

Background: the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the postoperative effects of neuromuscular blockade reversal with sugammadex compared with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in colorectal surgery. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for studies comparing the postoperative course of patients receiving neuromuscular blockade reversal with either sugammadex or acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (control) after colorectal surgery. Data from eligible studies were extracted, qualitatively assessed, and included in a meta-analysis. Odds ratios and standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Five studies with a total of 1969 patients were included (sugammadex n = 1137, control n = 832). Sugammadex reversal resulted in a significantly faster return of defecation or flatus after surgery compared to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (SMD 13.01, 95% CI 6.55–19.46, p = < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in other clinical outcomes such as surgical morbidity and length of hospital stay. Conclusion: The present data support the beneficial impact of sugammadex on gastrointestinal motility after colorectal surgery. However, the effect of sugammadex on the prevention of surgical complications and a prolonged hospital stay is diminishing. Larger randomized controlled trials with standardized study protocols are needed to validate the results presented here.
Temporomandibular Joint Facts and Foibles
Authors: Mercuri Louis Gerard
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this article is to dispel some of the major foibles associated with the etiology and management of TMJ disorders, while presenting some of the facts based on the scientific literature to date. To appreciate this kind of update, the reader must be an “out of the box thinker” which requires openness to new ways of seeing the world and a willingness to accept new concepts based on evolving evidence.
Female BMI and Body Weight Is Not Associated with Oocyte Yield and Maturation in hCG, Agonist or Dual Trigger Cycles: A Large Observational Study including 5000 Cycles
Authors: Donno Valeria , García-Martínez Sandra , Polyzos Nikolaos P.
Published: May 2023

Background. Triggering final oocyte maturation is a key step of ovarian stimulation. Although previous studies demonstrated a negative association between female BMI and serum hCG levels, little evidence is available regarding the association between oocyte yield and patients’ BMI. The scope of the current study was to examine whether the efficiency of the r-hCG and triptorelin to trigger final oocyte maturation may be associated with patients’ BMI or weight. Methods. This is a retrospective observational study including 5190 ovarian stimulation cycles performed between January 2019 and September 2022 in the Reproductive Medicine Department of Dexeus University Hospital. Cycles were analyzed according to the type of trigger (triptorelin vs. r-hCG vs. dual). The primary outcome measures were oocyte maturation rate (MII/oocytes) and FOI (oocytes/AFC); secondary outcomes were oocyte and MII yield. Results. Multivariable regression analysis, adjusting for confounding factors, demonstrated that BMI was not associated with oocyte maturation rate (OR: 1.00 [95%CI: 0.99; 1.01]), FOI (Beta 0.52 [95%CI: −0.49; 1.54]), number of oocytes (Beta 0.02 [95%CI: −0.08; 0.13]) or MIIs (Beta 0.01 [95%CI: −0.08; 0.10]) retrieved. Similarly, all analyses conducted considering patients’ weight failed to reveal any association. Conclusion. Our study demonstrates that, independent of the type of trigger, patients’ BMI and weight are not associated with oocyte yield, maturation, or FOI.
Ion-Doped Calcium Phosphate-Based Coatings with Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Fosca Marco , Streza Alexandru , Antoniac Iulian V. , Vadalà Gianluca , Rau Julietta V.
Published: May 2023

Ion-substituted calcium phosphate (CP) coatings have been extensively studied as promising materials for biomedical implants due to their ability to enhance biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and bone formation. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the art in ion-doped CP-based coatings for orthopaedic and dental implant applications. Specifically, this review evaluates the effects of ion addition on the physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of CP coatings. The review also identifies the contribution and additional effects (in a separate or a synergistic way) of different components used together with ion-doped CP for advanced composite coatings. In the final part, the effects of antibacterial coatings on specific bacteria strains are reported. The present review could be of interest to researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals involved in the development and application of CP coatings for orthopaedic and dental implants.
Robocasting of Ceramic Fischer–Koch S Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Baumer Vail , Gunn Erin , Riegle Valerie , Bailey Claire , Shonkwiler Clayton , Prawel David
Published: May 2023

Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) are promising structures for bone tissue engineering scaffolds due to their relatively high mechanical energy absorption, smoothly interconnected porous structure, scalable unit cell topology, and relatively high surface area per volume. Calcium phosphate-based materials, such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, are very popular scaffold biomaterials due to their biocompatibility, bioactivity, compositional similarities to bone mineral, non-immunogenicity, and tunable biodegradation. Their brittle nature can be partially mitigated by 3D printing them in TPMS topologies such as gyroids, which are widely studied for bone regeneration, as evidenced by their presence in popular 3D-printing slicers, modeling systems, and topology optimization tools. Although structural and flow simulations have predicted promising properties of other TPMS scaffolds, such as Fischer–Koch S (FKS), to the best of our knowledge, no one has explored these possibilities for bone regeneration in the laboratory. One reason for this is that fabrication of the FKS scaffolds, such as by 3D printing, is challenged by a lack of algorithms to model and slice this topology for use by low-cost biomaterial printers. This paper presents an open-source software algorithm that we developed to create 3D-printable FKS and gyroid scaffold cubes, with a framework that can accept any continuous differentiable implicit function. We also report on our successful 3D printing of hydroxyapatite FKS scaffolds using a low-cost method that combines robocasting with layer-wise photopolymerization. Dimensional accuracy, internal microstructure, and porosity characteristics are also presented, demonstrating promising potential for the 3D printing of TPMS ceramic scaffolds for bone regeneration.
Real-Time Machine Learning-Based Driver Drowsiness Detection Using Visual Features
Authors: Albadawi Yaman , AlRedhaei Aneesa , Takruri Maen
Published: May 2023

Drowsiness-related car accidents continue to have a significant effect on road safety. Many of these accidents can be eliminated by alerting the drivers once they start feeling drowsy. This work presents a non-invasive system for real-time driver drowsiness detection using visual features. These features are extracted from videos obtained from a camera installed on the dashboard. The proposed system uses facial landmarks and face mesh detectors to locate the regions of interest where mouth aspect ratio, eye aspect ratio, and head pose features are extracted and fed to three different classifiers: random forest, sequential neural network, and linear support vector machine classifiers. Evaluations of the proposed system over the National Tsing Hua University driver drowsiness detection dataset showed that it can successfully detect and alarm drowsy drivers with an accuracy up to 99%.