bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Activation of PPARγ by (2Z,4E,6E)-2-methoxyocta-2,4,6-trienoic Acid Counteracts the Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Process in Skin Carcinogenesis
Authors: Flori Enrica , Mosca Sarah , Cardinali Giorgia , Briganti Stefania , Ottaviani Monica , Kovacs Daniela , Manni Isabella , Truglio Mauro , Mastrofrancesco Arianna , Zaccarini Marco , Cota Carlo , Piaggio Giulia , Picardo Mauro
Published: March 2023

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common UV-induced keratinocyte-derived cancer, and its progression is characterized by the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. We previously demonstrated that PPARγ activation by 2,4,6-octatrienoic acid (Octa) prevents cutaneous UV damage. We investigated the possible role of the PPARγ activators Octa and the new compound (2Z,4E,6E)-2-methoxyocta-2,4,6-trienoic acid (A02) in targeting keratinocyte-derived skin cancer. Like Octa, A02 exerted a protective effect against UVB-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in NHKs. In the squamous cell carcinoma A431 cells, A02 inhibited cell proliferation and increased differentiation markers’ expression. Moreover, Octa and even more A02 counteracted the TGF-β1-dependent increase in mesenchymal markers, intracellular ROS, the activation of EMT-related signal transduction pathways, and cells’ migratory capacity. Both compounds, especially A02, counterbalanced the TGF-β1-induced cell membrane lipid remodeling and the release of bioactive lipids involved in EMT. In vivo experiments on a murine model useful to study cell proliferation in adult animals showed the reduction of areas characterized by active cell proliferation in response to A02 topical treatment. In conclusion, targeting PPARγ may be useful for the prevention and treatment of keratinocyte-derived skin cancer.
A Review of the Biosynthesis and Structural Implications of Insulin Gene Mutations Linked to Human Disease
Authors: Ataie-Ashtiani Sara , Forbes Briony
Published: March 2023

The discovery of the insulin hormone over 100 years ago, and its subsequent therapeutic application, marked a key landmark in the history of medicine and medical research. The many roles insulin plays in cell metabolism and growth have been revealed by extensive investigations into the structure and function of insulin, the insulin tyrosine kinase receptor (IR), as well as the signalling cascades, which occur upon insulin binding to the IR. In this review, the insulin gene mutations identified as causing disease and the structural implications of these mutations will be discussed. Over 100 studies were evaluated by one reviewing author, and over 70 insulin gene mutations were identified. Mutations may impair insulin gene transcription and translation, preproinsulin trafficking and proinsulin sorting, or insulin-IR interactions. A better understanding of insulin gene mutations and the resultant pathophysiology can give essential insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying impaired insulin biosynthesis and insulin-IR interaction.
Systematic Investigation of TCP Gene Family: Genome-Wide Identification and Light-Regulated Gene Expression Analysis in Pepino (Solanum Muricatum)
Authors: Si Cheng , Zhan Deli , Wang Lihui , Sun Xuemei , Zhong Qiwen , Yang Shipeng
Published: March 2023

Plant-specific transcription factors such as the TCP family play crucial roles in light responses and lateral branching. The commercial development of S. muricatum has been influenced by the ease with which its lateral branches can be germinated, especially under greenhouse cultivation during the winter with supplemented LED light. The present study examined the TCP family genes in S. muricatum using bioinformatics analysis (whole-genome sequencing and RNA-seq) to explore the response of this family to different light treatments. Forty-one TCP genes were identified through a genome-wide search; phylogenetic analysis revealed that the CYC/TB1, CIN and Class I subclusters contained 16 SmTCP, 11 SmTCP and 14 SmTCP proteins, respectively. Structural and conserved sequence analysis of SmTCPs indicated that the motifs in the same subcluster were highly similar in structure and the gene structure of SmTCPs was simpler than that in Arabidopsis thaliana; 40 of the 41 SmTCPs were localized to 12 chromosomes. In S. muricatum, 17 tandem repeat sequences and 17 pairs of SmTCP genes were found. We identified eight TCPs that were significantly differentially expressed (DETCPs) under blue light (B) and red light (R), using RNA-seq. The regulatory network of eight DETCPs was preliminarily constructed. All three subclusters responded to red and blue light treatment. To explore the implications of regulatory TCPs in different light treatments for each species, the TCP regulatory gene networks and GO annotations for A. thaliana and S. muricatum were compared. The regulatory mechanisms suggest that the signaling pathways downstream of the TCPs may be partially conserved between the two species. In addition to the response to light, functional regulation was mostly enriched with auxin response, hypocotyl elongation, and lateral branch genesis. In summary, our findings provide a basis for further analysis of the TCP gene family in other crops and broaden the functional insights into TCP genes regarding light responses.
Adipose Tissue Caveolin-1 Upregulation in Obesity Involves TNF-α/NF-κB Mediated Signaling
Authors: Al Madhoun Ashraf , Kochumon Shihab , Haddad Dania , Thomas Reeby , Nizam Rasheeba , Miranda Lavina , Sindhu Sardar , Bitar Milad S. , Ahmad Rasheed , Al-Mulla Fahd
Published: March 2023

Obesity is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation. Obese people have higher levels of caveolin-1 (CAV1), a structural and functional protein present in adipose tissues (ATs). We aimed to define the inflammatory mediators that influence CAV1 gene regulation and the associated mechanisms in obesity. Using subcutaneous AT from 27 (7 lean and 20 obese) normoglycemic individuals, in vitro human adipocyte models, and in vivo mice models, we found elevated CAV1 expression in obese AT and a positive correlation between the gene expression of CAV1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). CAV1 gene expression was associated with proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and their cognate receptors (r ≥ 0.447, p ≤ 0.030), but not with anti-inflammatory markers. CAV1 expression was correlated with CD163, indicating a prospective role for CAV1 in the adipose inflammatory microenvironment. Unlike wild-type animals, mice lacking TNF-α exhibited reduced levels of CAV1 mRNA/proteins, which were elevated by administering exogenous TNF-α. Mechanistically, TNF-α induces CAV1 gene transcription by mediating NF-κB binding to its two regulatory elements located in the CAV1 proximal regulatory region. The interplay between CAV1 and the TNF-α signaling pathway is intriguing and has potential as a target for therapeutic interventions in obesity and metabolic syndromes.
Absence of HDAC3 by Matrix Stiffness Promotes Chromatin Remodeling and Fibroblast Activation in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Toscano-Marquez Fernanda , Romero Yair , Espina-Ordoñez Marco , Cisneros José
Published: March 2023

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and fatal disease characterized by progressive and irreversible lung scarring associated with persistent activation of fibroblasts. Epigenetics could integrate diverse microenvironmental signals, such as stiffness, to direct persistent fibroblast activation. Histone modifications by deacetylases (HDAC) may play an essential role in the gene expression changes involved in the pathological remodeling of the lung. Particularly, HDAC3 is crucial for maintaining chromatin and regulating gene expression, but little is known about its role in IPF. In the study, control and IPF-derived fibroblasts were used to determine the influence of HDAC3 on chromatin remodeling and gene expression associated with IPF signature. Additionally, the cells were grown on hydrogels to mimic the stiffness of a fibrotic lung. Our results showed a decreased HDAC3 in the nucleus of IPF fibroblasts, which correlates with changes in nucleus size and heterochromatin loss. The inhibition of HDAC3 with a pharmacological inhibitor causes hyperacetylation of H3K9 and provokes an increased expression of Col1A1, ACTA2, and p21. Comparable results were found in hydrogels, where matrix stiffness promotes the loss of nuclear HDAC3 and increases the profibrotic signature. Finally, latrunculin b was used to confirm that changes by stiffness depend on the mechanotransduction signals. Together, these results suggest that HDAC3 could be a link between epigenetic mechanisms and the fibrotic microenvironment.
Uncovering Actions of Type 3 Deiodinase in the Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)
Authors: Marschner Rafael Aguiar , Roginski Ana Cristina , Ribeiro Rafael Teixeira , Longo Larisse , Álvares-da-Silva Mário Reis , Wajner Simone Magagnin
Published: March 2023

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has gained worldwide attention as a public health problem. Nonetheless, lack of enough mechanistic knowledge restrains effective treatments. It is known that thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) regulates hepatic lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial function. Liver dysfunction of type 3 deiodinase (D3) contributes to MAFLD, but its role is not fully understood. Objective: To evaluate the role of D3 in the progression of MAFLD in an animal model. Methodology: Male/adult Sprague Dawley rats (n = 20) were allocated to a control group (2.93 kcal/g) and high-fat diet group (4.3 kcal/g). Euthanasia took place on the 28th week. D3 activity and expression, Uncoupling Protein 2 (UCP2) and type 1 deiodinase (D1) expression, oxidative stress status, mitochondrial, Krebs cycle and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis in liver tissue were measured. Results: We observed an increase in D3 activity/expression (p < 0.001) related to increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and carbonyls and diminished reduced glutathione (GSH) in the MAFLD group (p < 0.05). There was a D3-dependent decrease in UCP2 expression (p = 0.01), mitochondrial capacity, respiratory activity with increased endoplasmic reticulum stress in the MAFLD group (p < 0.001). Surprisingly, in an environment with lower T3 levels due to high D3 activity, we observed an augmented alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) enzymes activity (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Induced D3, triggered by changes in the REDOX state, decreases T3 availability and hepatic mitochondrial capacity. The Krebs cycle enzymes were altered as well as endoplasmic reticulum stress. Taken together, these results shed new light on the role of D3 metabolism in MAFLD.
Isolated Peptide from Spider Venom Modulates Dendritic Cells In Vitro: A Possible Application in Oncoimmunotherapy for Glioblastoma
Authors: de Mato Felipe Cezar , Barreto Natália , Cordeiro Gabriel , Munhoz Jaqueline , Bonfanti Amanda Pires , da Rocha-e-Silva Thomaz A. A. , Sutti Rafael , Cruz Priscilla B. M. , Sanches Livia R. , Bombeiro André Luis , Chalbatani Ghanbar Mahmoodi , Verinaud Liana , Rapôso Catarina
Published: March 2023

Dendritic cells (DCs) vaccine is a potential tool for oncoimmunotherapy. However, it is known that this therapeutic strategy has failed in solid tumors, making the development of immunoadjuvants highly relevant. Recently, we demonstrated that Phoneutria nigriventer spider venom (PnV) components are cytotoxic to glioblastoma (GB) and activate macrophages for an antitumor profile. However, the effects of these molecules on the adaptive immune response have not yet been evaluated. This work aimed to test PnV and its purified fractions in DCs in vitro. For this purpose, bone marrow precursors were collected from male C57BL6 mice, differentiated into DCs and treated with venom or PnV-isolated fractions (F1—molecules < 3 kDa, F2—3 to 10 kDa and F3—>10 kDa), with or without costimulation with human GB lysate. The results showed that mainly F1 was able to activate DCs, increasing the activation-dependent surface marker (CD86) and cytokine release (IL-1β, TNF-α), in addition to inducing a typical morphology of mature DCs. From the F1 purification, a molecule named LW9 was the most effective, and mass spectrometry showed it to be a peptide. The present findings suggest that this molecule could be an immunoadjuvant with possible application in DC vaccines for the treatment of GB.
Impact of Accelerated Climate Change on Maximum Temperature Differences between Western and Coastal Sydney
Authors: Bubathi Varsha , Leslie Lance , Speer Milton , Hartigan Joshua , Wang Joanna , Gupta Anjali
Published: March 2023

The aims of this study are to assess the impacts of accelerated climate change on summer maximum temperatures since the early 1990s in the Australian city of Sydney’s eastern coastal and western inland suburbs. Western Sydney currently experiences far more intense summer (December–March) heat waves than coastal Sydney, with maximum temperatures exceeding those of coastal Sydney by up to 10 °C. Aside from increased bushfire danger, extreme temperature days pose health and socio-economic threats to western Sydney. Permutation tests of consecutive summer periods, 1962–1991 and 1992–2021, are employed to determine the differential climate change impacts on maximum summer temperatures at two locations: Sydney and Richmond, representative of eastern and western Sydney, respectively. Attribution of observed maximum summer temperature trends in Sydney and Richmond was performed using machine learning techniques applied to known Australian region oceanic and atmospheric climate drivers. It was found that there is a marked disparity in the percentage of summer days above the 95th percentile during the accelerated climate change period (1992–2021) between Richmond (+35%) and Sydney (−24%), relative to 1962–1991. The climate drivers detected as attributes were similar in both Sydney and Richmond, but, unsurprisingly, Sydney was more affected than Richmond by the oceanic climate drivers.
Psycho-Emotional Well-Being in Caregivers of People with Acquired Brain Injury: An Exploratory Study on the Human Immersion Model during the Omicron Wave
Authors: De Luca Rosaria , Pollicino Patrizia , Rifici Carmela , Mondo Natale , Iorio Stefania , Cassaniti Angela , Ferrara Donatella , Caminiti Angelo , Famà Fausto , Bonanno Mirjam , Calabrò Rocco Salvatore
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a “human immersion model” (HIM) in improving psychological well-being in caregivers of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) during the Omicron wave in Italy. Fifteen subjects affected by ABI, who attended our intensive neurorehabilitation unit from January to March 2022 and their caregivers were submitted to the HIM. This novel approach consisted of “real” long-lasting meetings between the patients and their careers in a hospital setting (1–72 h meeting per week for 8 weeks). Each ABI caregiver was assessed through the administration of a short psychometric battery before starting the first immersion session with their family member and at the end of the HIM. We found significant changes in the caregivers’ scores analyzed for anxiety, as per SAS (p < 0.0007, d = 1.02), burden and stress (ZBI-22; p < 0.001, d = 0.65), and emotive intelligence (TEIQue-SF; p < 0.0007, d = 0.82). Our data suggest that the HIM may be useful to promote ABI caregivers’ psycho-emotional well-being in the context of critical periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Composite High-k Films Based on Polyethylene Filled with Electric Arc Furnace Dust and MWCNT with Permittivity Synergetic Effect
Authors: Burmistrov Igor , Kiselev Nikolay , Khaydarov Timur , Khaydarov Bekzod , Kolesnikov Evgeny , Ovchinnikov Vasily , Volnyanko Elena , Suyasova Marina , Vikulova Maria , Gorshkov Nikolay , Kuznetsov Denis , Offor Peter O.
Published: March 2023

The production of three-phase composites is a relevant and effective approach to obtain materials with the required mechanical and dielectric properties. In this work, dust, which is a waste product of steelmaking and is formed during the gas cleaning of electric arc furnaces at the production base of Severstal, was used as a functional filler for the low-density polyethylene polymer matrix. The fractional, elemental, qualitative, and quantitative phase composition of the native dust was studied using laser diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray phase analysis, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. An increase in the permittivity of the dust was achieved due to its reduction in a hydrogen atmosphere and, as a consequence, a change in the elemental and phase composition causing an increase in the concentration of metallic iron. Composite films were obtained using a blending roll mill at temperatures of 130 and 140 °C. The concentration of the main filler was 18.75, 37.5, and 75 wt.%. Additionally, a conductive additive in the form of MWCNTs was introduced into the composition of the composites in an amount of 0.25 wt.%. The uniformity of the filler distribution in the polymer matrix was assessed from electron micrographs. The dielectric properties of fillers and composite films based on polyethylene filled with electric arc furnace dust and MWCNTs were studied using impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range of 10–106 Hz. The use of reduced dust at a concentration of 25.8 vol.% combined with 0.25 wt.% MWCNTs in the composition of the composite film provided an increase in ε′ to 13.5 at tan δ = 0.038. Thus, three-phase polymer matrix composites based on LDPE using dust as a filler with a conductive microadditive of MWCNTs have a synergistic effect, which manifests itself in an increase in the permittivity and a decrease in dielectric losses.
Eco-Friendly Sustainable Dyeing of Cotton Fabric Using Reactive Violet 05 and Direct Violet 09 Dyes
Authors: Bokhari Tanveer Hussain , Bano Sumaira , Adeel Shahid , Fazal-ur-Rehman  , Ahmed Bulbul , Al Mahmud Md. Abdullah , Qayyum Muhammad Abdul , Khattak Shahnaz Parveen
Published: March 2023

Sustainable chemistry is a relatively new field that aims to achieve both economic and environmental goals simultaneously. This paper discusses a cleaner and more sustainable method for dyeing cotton fabric using Direct Violet 09 and Reactive Violet 05 dye. It has been noticed that good color characteristics were obtained when cotton fabric was dyed with 35 mL of microwave-treated Reactive Violet 05 dye solution of 7 pH and 2 g Aluminum sulfate for 30 min at 60 °C. When dyeing cotton fabric with Direct Violet 09 dye, it has been observed that cotton fabric, when microwave treated for 6 min and dyed at 80 °C for 50 min using 35 mL of non-treated dye solution of 7 pH with 2 g Potassium sulfate, produces good results. The colorfastness of the dyed fabrics using ISO standards was also evaluated. Overall, it was found that the use of microwave radiation improves the sustainability of the dyeing process.
Depth-Aware Neural Style Transfer for Videos
Authors: Ioannou Eleftherios , Maddock Steve
Published: March 2023

Temporal consistency and content preservation are the prominent challenges in artistic video style transfer. To address these challenges, we present a technique that utilizes depth data and we demonstrate this on real-world videos from the web, as well as on a standard video dataset of three-dimensional computer-generated content. Our algorithm employs an image-transformation network combined with a depth encoder network for stylizing video sequences. For improved global structure preservation and temporal stability, the depth encoder network encodes ground-truth depth information which is fused into the stylization network. To further enforce temporal coherence, we employ ConvLSTM layers in the encoder, and a loss function based on calculated depth information for the output frames is also used. We show that our approach is capable of producing stylized videos with improved temporal consistency compared to state-of-the-art methods whilst also successfully transferring the artistic style of a target painting.
The Promise and Challenge of High Pressure Macromolecular Crystallography
Authors: Kurpiewska Katarzyna , Sławek Joanna , Klonecka Agnieszka , Kozak Maciej
Published: March 2023

Since its introduction in the early 1970s, high pressure crystallography (HPX) has shown great potential for the investigation of different types of matter. Using diamond anvil cells, HPX is an emerging technique that has been rapidly implemented, making it available to biologists, and there is immense potential for utilizing this technique in biological systems in the future. At the molecular level, high-pressure crystallographic investigation provides information on structural characteristics that not only determine the native conformation of a protein but also the conformations with higher free-energy, thus revealing function-related structural changes and properties that can be modified as a result of pressurization. The increase in the number of crystal structures of different macromolecules determined under high pressure over the last five decades can be ascribed mainly to two factors: the emergence of high-pressure cells with very large, open angles, and the advent of third generation synchrotron sources. The use of high pressure crystallography as a research tool has been shown to contribute to the advancements in the basic fields of biochemistry (protein misfolding and aggregation), biophysics (protein stability), and biotechnology (food processing). Presently, with a growing interest in biomedicine and nanotechnology, this nonstandard method appears to be a valid instrument for probing more challenging and complex systems. In this review, we present the method, highlight a selection of recent applications, and describe challenges for high pressure macromolecular crystallography (HPMX).
Characterization, Kinetic Using Deconvolution Techniques and Thermodynamic Study of Synthetic MgHPO4·3H2O
Authors: Kullyakool Saifon , Thompho Somphob , Boonchom Banjong , Rungrojchaipon Pesak
Published: March 2023

MgHPO4·3H2O was synthesized via a simple wet reaction and transformed to its final decomposed product, Mg2P2O7 at 873 K. The thermal properties, vibrational modes of block units, and solid phases of the synthetic compounds have been investigated by TG/DTG/DTA, FTIR, and XRD techniques. The temperature dependence of thermodynamic properties estimated from the DSC data occurred in two regions (before and after the dehydration reaction) indicating a characteristic of the prepared MgHPO4·3H2O sample. The dehydration reactions of 3.5 mol of water molecules in the structure overlapped in the temperature of 363–823 K and showed the phase transition at 921 K as revealed by TG/DTG/DTA. The deconvolution technique using the newly modified co-mathematical functions was used to separate the overlapped dehydration steps in the DTG curve, which obtained the three steps. Only the first and second steps were estimated using kinetic triplet parameters (Ea, A, and model), which indicate the single dehydration mechanism with the A1.25 model and the multi-step of a parallel mechanism with the A1.6 model, respectively. The data of kinetics and thermodynamics play key points in theoretical study, application development, and industrial production of magnesium phosphates as a theoretical basis.
Assessing Psychological Morbidity in Cancer-Unaffected BRCA1/2 Pathogenic Variant Carriers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Isselhard Anna , Lautz Zoë , Rhiem Kerstin , Stock Stephanie
Published: March 2023

Female BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers have an increased lifetime risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Cancer-unaffected women who are newly diagnosed with this pathogenic variant may experience psychological distress because of imminent health threat. No comprehensible review on psychological morbidity in cancer-unaffected BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers is currently available. This review aims to give an overview about all available the studies in which psychological outcomes have been assessed in cancer-unaffected BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers, whether as a primary outcome or secondary measurement. A systematic search across four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and EBSCO) was conducted. Studies had to report on cancer-unaffected pathogenic variant carriers (exclusively or separately) and use a validated measure of psychological morbidity to be eligible. Measures were only included if they were used in at least three studies. The final review consisted of 45 studies from 13 countries. Distress measures, including anxiety and cancer worry, were most often assessed. Most studies found a peak of distress immediately after genetic test result disclosure, with a subsequent decline over the following months. Only some studies found elevated distress in carriers compared to non-carriers in longer follow-ups. Depression was frequently investigated but largely not found to be of clinical significance. Quality of life seemed to be largely unaffected by a positive genetic test result, although there was some evidence that younger women, especially, were less satisfied with their role functioning in life. Body image has been infrequently assessed so far, but the evidence suggested that there may be a decrease in body image after genetic test result disclosure that may decrease further for women who opt for a prophylactic mastectomy. Across all the outcomes, various versions of instruments were used, often limiting the comparability among the studies. Hence, future research should consider using frequently used instruments, as outlined by this review. Finally, while many studies included cancer-unaffected carriers, they were often not reported on separately, which made it difficult to draw specific conclusions about this population.
Staging Systems and Nomograms for Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Danieli Maria , Gronchi Alessandro
Published: March 2023

Reliable tools for prognosis prediction are crucially needed by oncologists so they can tailor individual treatments. However, the wide spectrum of histologies and prognostic behaviors of sarcomas challenges their development. In this field, nomograms could definitely better account for their granularity compared to the more widely used AJCC/UICC TNM staging system. Nomograms are predictive tools that incorporate multiple risk factors and return a numerical probability of a clinical event. Since the development of the first nomogram in 2002, several other nomograms have been built, either general, site-specific, histology-specific, or both. Recently, some new “dynamic” nomograms and prognostic tools have been developed, allowing doctors to “recalculate” a patient’s prognosis by taking into account the time since primary surgery, the event history, and the potential time-dependent effect of covariates. Due to these new tools, prognosis prediction is no longer limited to the time of the first computation but can be adapted and recalculated based on the occurrence (or not) of any event as time passes from the first computation. In this review, we aimed to give an overview of the available nomograms for STS and to help clinicians in the process of selecting the best tool for each patient.
Bioenergetics of Euphausia superba and Euphausia crystallorophias in the Ross Sea
Authors: De Felice Andrea , Manini Elena , Biagiotti Ilaria , Leonori Iole
Published: March 2023

Krill species are key organisms in the Antarctic food web. Biochemical composition in terms of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and fatty acids and its implications for spatial distribution were investigated in specimens of Euphausia superba and Euphausia crystallorophias collected in the Ross Sea and the adjacent Pacific region during an acoustic survey carried out within the framework of the 19th Italian National Program for Research in Antarctica (PNRA) Expedition, to gain insights into their trophic relationships and bioenergetic strategies. In both species, the body biochemical composition (wet) showed a predominance of proteins (62–86%), followed by lipids and carbohydrates, and, among identified lipid classes, the two species did not seem to differ much in fatty acid composition. Results showed the highest dissimilarity in biochemical composition between species relative to differences in latitude (24%) and to inshore/offshore haul (22%). Fatty acid analysis, and particularly PUFA/SFA and 18PUFA/16PUFA ratios, allowed identification of a more pronounced omnivorous kind of diet in E. crystallorophias relative to E. superba.
The North Asian Genus Kolhymamnicola Starobogatov and Budnikova 1976 (Gastropoda: Amnicolidae), Its Extended Diagnosis, Distribution, and Taxonomic Relationships
Authors: Sitnikova Tatiana , Peretolchina Tatiana , Prozorova Larisa , Sherbakov Dmitry , Babushkin Eugeny , Vinarski Maxim
Published: March 2023

The taxonomic position and phylogenetic affinities of the endemic North Asian genus Kolhymamnicola Starobogatov and Budnikova, 1976 (Gastropoda: Amnicolidae) remain unknown. To resolve this, we studied key morpho-anatomical characteristics of Kolhymamnicola snails and performed a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of COI mtDNA, 16S rRNA, and 18S rRNA genes. In terms of protoconch microsculpture, operculum, radular teeth, and gill complex morphology, Kolhymamnicola snails do not differ significantly from the North American genera Amnicola Gould and Haldeman, 1840 and Taylorconcha Hershler et al., 1994, and the European genus Marstoniopsis van Regteren Altena 1936. The bifid penis found in Kolhymamnicola is similar to that in the genus Marstoniopsis. The female reproductive anatomy has some features shared by Kolhymamnicola and Taylorconcha (absence of bursa copulatrix, single seminal receptacle in rs2′ position, and ventral channel). The molecular analysis has revealed Taylorconcha as the closest relative to Kolhymamnicola; the COI-based genetic distance between them amounted to 0.113. We discuss the possible time of divergence of these two genera, as well as of European Marstoniopsis and the Baikal Lake endemic family Baicaliidae. The last common ancestor of these groups was widely distributed in Miocene–Pliocene in the Holarctic waterbodies. Recent Kolhymamnicola snails are distributed in Northern Asia, including lakes of the Baikal rift zone. We rank the Baicaliidae as a family rather than a subfamily of Amnicolidae based on their distinct, unique morpho-anatomical characteristics and highly supported separate position on the molecular tree. The tribe Erhaiini Davis and Kuo, 1985 is elevated to the rank of the family, with 3–4 recent genera included. The family Palaeobaicaliidae Sitnikova et Vinarski fam. nov. is established to embrace the Cretaceous North Asian gastropods conchologically similar to the recent Baicaliidae and Pyrgulidae.
A New Sinamiin Fish (Actinopterygii) from the Early Cretaceous of Thailand: Implications on the Evolutionary History of the Amiid Lineage
Authors: Deesri Uthumporn , Naksri Wilailuck , Jintasakul Pratueng , Noda Yoshikazu , Yukawa Hirokazu , Hossny Tamara El , Cavin Lionel
Published: March 2023

The Sinamiidae are a family of halecomorph fishes (Holostei) stratigraphically limited to the Lower Cretaceous and confined to East Asia. The first species of sinamiids were discovered in China, and then new occurrences were recorded in Thailand and Japan. The three recognized genera, Sinamia, Siamamia and Ikechaoamia, are notably characterized by an unpaired parietal. Here, we describe a new genus and species of sinamiid based on material from the Aptian Khok Kruat Formation of Ban Krok Duean Ha, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The new taxon known from preserved specimens in 3D is characterized by four pairs of extrascapular and tall cylindrical teeth with a conical enamel stalk topped by an arrowhead-shaped acrodine cap, among other characters. A phylogenetic analysis of the halecomorph fishes shows that the new taxon is the sister of the other Thai species, Siamamia naga, and that the two are grouped with two Chinese genera in a strongly supported clade, the Sinamiinae. This subfamily is here grouped with the Amiinae that contained the extant Amia. This new discovery is a clue that Southeast Asia may have been a center of diversification for this fish clade, and the phylogenetic analysis reveals that amiines may have originated somewhere in Asia during the Cretaceous before they spread throughout the northern hemisphere.
Designing and Testing a Tool That Connects the Value Proposition of Deep-Tech Ventures to SDGs
Authors: Schutselaars Joppe , Romme A. Georges L. , Bell John , Bobelyn Annelies S. A. , van Scheijndel Robin
Published: March 2023

Deep-tech startups have enormous potential to solve major societal challenges, but their failure rates are quite high (above 90%). In this respect, deep-tech systems and products have long development times and thus require substantial amounts of investment capital long before the first customer can be served. Moreover, potential investors increasingly expect that the value proposition of a deep-tech venture has a clear sustainability dimension. We therefore designed a tool that serves to develop a convincing value proposition for investors, one that is explicitly connected to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. We adopted a design science approach to develop and test this tool in the context of a deep-tech venture builder located in the Netherlands. The final tool arising from this study extends and integrates various existing tools with an explicit connection to the SDGs. As such, this tool enables deep-tech entrepreneurs to develop a value proposition that is more likely to attract early-stage investors.
Liver Ultrasound Elastography in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A State-of-the-Art Summary
Authors: Villani Rosanna , Lupo Pierluigi , Sangineto Moris , Romano Antonino Davide , Serviddio Gaetano
Published: March 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic disease which is currently the most common hepatic disorder affecting up to 38% of the general population with differences according to age, country, ethnicity and sex. Both genetic and acquired risk factors such as a high-calorie diet or high intake of saturated fats have been associated with obesity, diabetes and, finally, NAFLD. A liver biopsy has always been considered essential for the diagnosis of NAFLD; however, due to several limitations such as the potential occurrence of major complications, sampling variability and the poor repeatability in clinical practice, it is considered an imperfect option for the evaluation of liver fibrosis over time. For these reasons, a non-invasive assessment by serum biomarkers and the quantification of liver stiffness is becoming the new frontier in the management of patients with NAFLD and liver fibrosis. We present a state-of-the-art summary addressing the methods for the non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients, particularly the ultrasound-based techniques (transient elastography, ARFI techniques and strain elastography) and their optimal cut-off values for the staging of liver fibrosis.
Usefulness of the Measurement of Psoas Muscle Volume for Sarcopenia Diagnosis in Patients with Liver Disease
Authors: Manabe Takushi , Ogawa Chikara , Takuma Kei , Nakahara Mai , Oura Kyoko , Tadokoro Tomoko , Fujita Koji , Tani Joji , Shibatoge Mitsushige , Morishita Asahiro , Kudo Masatoshi , Masaki Tsutomu
Published: March 2023

Computed tomography (CT) is often used in the diagnosis of sarcopenia. In this study, we validated the assessment of sarcopenia by the psoas muscle volume using versatile software. The study involved a retrospective analysis of data from 190 patients with liver disease who underwent grip-strength testing and abdominal pelvic computed tomography. To assess sarcopenia, SYNAPSE 3D was used to obtain the skeletal muscle index, the psoas muscle index (PMI), and the simple method. We also used the recently proposed PMI cutoff values, for which the usefulness has been evaluated (O-PMI). The cutoff value of the psoas muscle volume index (PMVI) was determined using one of the diagnostic methods as the gold standard. All diagnostic methods showed that patients with sarcopenia had shorter survival, with O-PMI having the highest hazard ratio (HR) (HR, 6.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–14.41; p < 0.001). Even when sarcopenia could not be diagnosed by O-PMI, low PMVI was associated with shorter survival (HR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.34–9.32; p = 0.01). PMVI may be useful in the evaluation of sarcopenia, including the identification of poor overall survival in cases that cannot be diagnosed by O-PMI, which is considered more useful than PMI.
Long-Term Results of Below-The-Knee Bypass Using a Prosthetic Graft with a Distal Arteriovenous Fistula Interposition
Authors: Spinelli Francesco , Roscitano Giuseppe , Barillà David , Derone Graziana , Nenna Antonio , Montelione Nunzio , Catanese Vincenzo , Cutrupi Andrea , Giambra Martina Maria , Varrà Alessandra , Veroux Pier Francesco , Stilo Francesco
Published: March 2023

Surgical bypass is the gold standard treatment in patients affected by chronic limb-threatening ischemia in advanced GLASS stages, according to the Global Vascular Guidelines. For patients in whom an autologous graft is not available, a prosthesis could be used with the adjunct of a distal arteriovenous fistula interposition. The aim of this study was to examine the long-term results of below-the-knee surgical revascularization using a prosthesis with the distal adjunct mentioned above. From 2010 to 2020, we performed 159 lower limb below-the-knee surgical revascularizations using a prosthesis with the creation of an arteriovenous fistula interposition on the distal anastomosis. The GLASS stage was 3 in 100% of patients. The primary patency rates were as follows: 86.7% at 1 year, 57.2% at 3 years, and 12.6% at 5 years. The graft thrombosis rates were 17.4% at 1 year, 42.1% at 3 years, and 64.5% at 5 years. The amputation-free survival rates were 79% at 1 year, 76% at 3 years, and 64% at 5 years. PTFE prosthetic bypass for below-the-knee arteries using an arteriovenous fistula interposition is a good solution in patients without an autologous conduit. This technique offers reasonable graft patency and limb salvage rates.
Accurate and Reliable Classification of Unstructured Reports on Their Diagnostic Goal Using BERT Models
Authors: Rietberg Max Tigo , Nguyen Van Bach , Geerdink Jeroen , Vijlbrief Onno , Seifert Christin
Published: March 2023

Understanding the diagnostic goal of medical reports is valuable information for understanding patient flows. This work focuses on extracting the reason for taking an MRI scan of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients using the attached free-form reports: Diagnosis, Progression or Monitoring. We investigate the performance of domain-dependent and general state-of-the-art language models and their alignment with domain expertise. To this end, eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques are used to acquire insight into the inner workings of the model, which are verified on their trustworthiness. The verified XAI explanations are then compared with explanations from a domain expert, to indirectly determine the reliability of the model. BERTje, a Dutch Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) model, outperforms RobBERT and MedRoBERTa.nl in both accuracy and reliability. The latter model (MedRoBERTa.nl) is a domain-specific model, while BERTje is a generic model, showing that domain-specific models are not always superior. Our validation of BERTje in a small prospective study shows promising results for the potential uptake of the model in a practical setting.
Longitudinal Behavior of Left-Ventricular Strain in Fetal Growth Restriction
Authors: Domínguez-Gallardo Carla , Ginjaume-García Nuria , Ullmo Johana , Fernández-Oliva Antonio , Parra Juan , Vázquez Ana , Cruz-Lemini Mónica , Llurba Elisa
Published: March 2023

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes resulting from adaptive cardiovascular changes in conditions of placental insufficiency, leading to cardiac deformation and dysfunction, which can be evaluated with 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether reduced fetal growth is associated with cardiac left-ventricle (LV) dysfunction, using 2D-STE software widely used in postnatal echocardiography. A prospective longitudinal cohort study was performed, and global (GLO) and segmental LV longitudinal strain was measured offline and compared between FGR and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) fetuses throughout gestation. All cases of FGR fetuses were paired 1:2 to AGA fetuses, and linear mixed model analysis was performed to compare behavior differences between groups throughout pregnancy. Our study shows LV fetal longitudinal strain in FGR and AGA fetuses differed upon diagnosis and behaved differently throughout gestation. FGR fetuses had lower LV strain values, both global and segmental, in comparison to AGA, suggesting subclinical cardiac dysfunction. Our study provides more data regarding fetal cardiac function in cases of placental dysfunction, as well as highlights the potential use of 2D-STE in the follow-up of cardiac function in these fetuses.
Spinal Schwannomatosis Mimicking Metastatic Extramedullary Spinal Tumor
Authors: Nurdillah Idris , Rizuana Iqbal Hussain , Syazarina Sharis Osman
Published: March 2023

Intradural extramedullary (IDEM) tumors are the most commonly observed intraspinal tumors, comprising over 60% of tumors found within the spinal canal, and the vast majority of these lesions are benign lesions. IDEM metastases are rare, but if they occur, they commonly manifest as leptomeningeal disease, secondary to drop lesions from intracranial metastases from adenocarcinomas of the lung, prostate cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, or rarely, as a result of lymphomas. The purely non-neurogenic origin of IDEM metastases is rare. Herein, we describe a patient with a previous history of treated colon cancer who presented with a progressive neurological deficit and whose imaging revealed multiple intradural, extramedullary and osseous lesions at the cervical and thoracolumbar spines. With the previous known primary and multiplicity of the lesions, an initial diagnosis of spinal metastasis was made, But it was proven to be schwannoma on histology. We emphasize the diagnostic dilemma in this case and the importance of detecting subtle imaging findings, which may be helpful to differentiate between metastatic disease and a second primary tumor.
Perfusion Computed Tomography May Help in Discriminating Gastrointestinal Tuberculosis and Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Seth Raghav , Gupta Pankaj , Debi Uma , Prasad Kaushal Kishore , Singh Harjeet , Sharma Vishal
Published: March 2023

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis (GITB) and Crohn’s disease (CD) are close mimics. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of perfusion computed tomography (CT) in differentiating GITB from CD. Consecutive patients with ileocaecal thickening underwent perfusion CT of the ileocaecal region between January 2019 and July 2020. Two radiologists (blinded to the final diagnosis) independently assessed blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and permeability at perfusion CT. These parameters were compared among the patients with GITB as well as active and inactive CD. Receiver operating characteristic curves were utilized for determining the diagnostic performance of perfusion CT. Interclass correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman analysis were performed to compare the observations of the two radiologists. During the study period, 34 patients underwent perfusion CT. Eight patients had diagnoses other than intestinal tuberculosis or CD. Thus, 26 patients (mean age 36 ± 14 years, 18 males) with GITB (n = 11), active CD (n = 6), and inactive CD (n = 9) were evaluated. BF, MTT, and permeability showed significant differences among the groups, while BV did not differ significantly among the groups. BF and permeability had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, while MTT had 61.5–100% sensitivity and 70–100% specificity for differentiating GITB from active CD and active from inactive CD. The interclass correlation coefficient for perfusion CT parameters was 0.88–1. Perfusion CT is a novel imaging technique that can improve the diagnostic performance of differentiating tuberculosis from CD.
A Stable Large-Scale Multiobjective Optimization Algorithm with Two Alternative Optimization Methods
Authors: Liu Tianyu , Zhu Junjie , Cao Lei
Published: March 2023

For large-scale multiobjective evolutionary algorithms based on the grouping of decision variables, the challenge is to design a stable grouping strategy to balance convergence and population diversity. This paper proposes a large-scale multiobjective optimization algorithm with two alternative optimization methods (LSMOEA-TM). In LSMOEA-TM, two alternative optimization methods, which adopt two grouping strategies to divide decision variables, are introduced to efficiently solve large-scale multiobjective optimization problems. Furthermore, this paper introduces a Bayesian-based parameter-adjusting strategy to reduce computational costs by optimizing the parameters in the proposed two alternative optimization methods. The proposed LSMOEA-TM and four efficient large-scale multiobjective evolutionary algorithms have been tested on a set of benchmark large-scale multiobjective problems, and the statistical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Holographic Dark Energy in Modified Barrow Cosmology
Authors: Sheykhi Ahmad , Hamedan Maral Sahebi
Published: March 2023

Thermodynamics–gravity conjecture implies that there is a deep connection between the gravitational field equations and the first law of thermodynamics. Therefore, any modification to the entropy expression directly modifies the field equations. By considering the modified Barrow entropy associated with the apparent horizon, the Friedmann equations are modified as well. In this paper, we reconsider the holographic dark energy (HDE) model when the entropy is in the form of Barrow entropy. This modification to the entropy not only changes the energy density of the HDE but also modifies the Friedmann equations. Therefore, one should take into account the modified HDE in the context of modified Friedmann equations. We study the Hubble horizon and the future event horizon as IR cutoffs and investigate the cosmological consequences of this model. We also extend our study to the case where dark matter (DM) and dark energy (DE) interact with each other. We observe that Barrow exponent δ significantly affects the cosmological behavior of HDE, and in particular, the equation of state (EoS) parameter can cross the phantom line (wde<−1). Additionally, adding δ remarkably affects the deceleration parameter and shifts the time of universe phase transition.