bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Processing Steps on Structural, Functional, and Quality Properties of Beef Hamburgers
Authors: Berger Lisa M. , Witte Franziska , Terjung Nino , Weiss Jochen , Gibis Monika
Published: July 2022

In hamburger manufacturing, meat is subjected to four main processing steps (pre-grinding, mixing, grinding, and forming), whereby muscle fibers are disintegrated. In this study, the influence of these process steps was characterized by structural (amount of non-intact cells (ANIC), CLS-Microscopy), functional (drip loss) and qualitative (soluble protein content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, myoglobin content (Mb)) parameters of the meat. Therefore, meat samples were analyzed after each process step. Histological analyses revealed an increased ANIC with progressive processing. Thereby, the first and second grinding steps caused the strongest increases (factors 2.43 and 2.69). Comparable results were found in the relative LDH activity (factor 2.20 and 1.62) and the Mb concentration (factor 2.24 and 1.33) of the extracted meat solution. The findings suggest that the disintegration of the meat structure increases with progressive processing, causing more vulnerable structures which result in increased leakage of intramuscular substances. Further, the type of stress acting on the meat determines the extent of the changes. The presented findings enable manufacturers to precisely adjust their process towards more gentle production parameters and thus, to meet the legal regulations.
A Fuzzy Consensus Clustering Algorithm for MRI Brain Tissue Segmentation
Authors: Aruna Kumar S. V. , Yaghoubi Ehsan , Proença Hugo
Published: July 2022

Brain tissue segmentation is an important component of the clinical diagnosis of brain diseases using multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MR). Brain tissue segmentation has been developed by many unsupervised methods in the literature. The most commonly used unsupervised methods are K-Means, Expectation-Maximization, and Fuzzy Clustering. Fuzzy clustering methods offer considerable benefits compared with the aforementioned methods as they are capable of handling brain images that are complex, largely uncertain, and imprecise. However, this approach suffers from the intrinsic noise and intensity inhomogeneity (IIH) in the data resulting from the acquisition process. To resolve these issues, we propose a fuzzy consensus clustering algorithm that defines a membership function resulting from a voting schema to cluster the pixels. In particular, we first pre-process the MRI data and employ several segmentation techniques based on traditional fuzzy sets and intuitionistic sets. Then, we adopted a voting schema to fuse the results of the applied clustering methods. Finally, to evaluate the proposed method, we used the well-known performance measures (boundary measure, overlap measure, and volume measure) on two publicly available datasets (OASIS and IBSR18). The experimental results show the superior performance of the proposed method in comparison with the recent state of the art. The performance of the proposed method is also presented using a real-world Autism Spectrum Disorder Detection problem with better accuracy compared to other existing methods.
A Deep Learning-Based System for Monitoring the Number and Height Growth Rates of Moso Bamboo Shoots
Authors: Hong Shilan , Jiang Zhaohui , Zhu Jiawei , Rao Yuan , Zhang Wu , Gao Jian
Published: July 2022

The number and growth of new shoots are very important information for bamboo forest cultivation and management. At present, there is no real-time, efficient and accurate monitoring method. In this study, a fixed webcam was applied for image capture, optimized YOLOv4 was used to model the detection of moso bamboo shoots, and a strategy of sorting and screening was proposed to track each moso bamboo shoot. The change in the number and height of moso bamboo shoots was obtained according to the number and height of detection boxes. The experimental results show that the system can remotely and automatically obtain the number of moso bamboo shoots and the pixel height of each bamboo shoot at any given time. The average relative error and variance in the number of moso bamboo shoots were 1.28% and 0.016%, respectively, and those for the corresponding pixel height results were −0.39% and 0.02%. This system can be applied to a series of monitoring purposes, such as the daily or weekly growth rate of moso bamboo shoots at monitoring stations and trends in the height of selected bamboo shoots.
A Machine Learning Method for Modeling Wind Farm Fatigue Load
Authors: Miao Yizhi , Soltani Mohsen N. , Hajizadeh Amin
Published: July 2022

Wake steering control can significantly improve the overall power production of wind farms. However, it also increases fatigue damage on downstream wind turbines. Therefore, optimizing fatigue loads in wake steering control has become a hot research topic. Accurately predicting farm fatigue loads has always been challenging. The current interpolation method for farm-level fatigue loads estimation is also known as the look-up table (LUT) method. However, the LUT method is less accurate because it is challenging to map the highly nonlinear characteristics of fatigue load. This paper proposes a machine-learning algorithm based on the Gaussian process (GP) to predict the farm-level fatigue load under yaw misalignment. Firstly, a series of simulations with yaw misalignment were designed to obtain the original load data, which considered the wake interaction between turbines. Secondly, the rainflow counting and Palmgren miner rules were introduced to transfer the original load to damage equivalent load. Finally, the GP model trained by inputs and outputs predicts the fatigue load. GP has more accurate predictions because it is suitable for mapping the nonlinear between fatigue load and yaw misalignment. The case study shows that compared to LUT, the accuracy of GP improves by 17% (RMSE) and 0.6% (MAE) at the blade root edgewise moment and 51.87% (RMSE) and 1.78% (MAE) at the blade root flapwise moment.
Workspace and Productivity: Guidelines for Virtual Reality Workplace Design and Optimization
Authors: Aufegger Lisa , Elliott-Deflo Natasha , Nichols Tim
Published: July 2022

Employee satisfaction and productivity are highly dependent on the alignment between the design of a workplace, the culture, the work activities, and the technology used, and while the understanding of such interactions has received increased interest in fields including architecture, health, and psychology, very little is known in relation to virtual work and reality (VR). VR workplaces have the potential to become an integral part of new work arrangements, enabling employees to execute teamwork and task work through (mature) simulated environments designed to meet individual, team, and organizational productivity needs. Thus, the aim of this study was three-fold: In study 1, we gained, through expert interviews, insights into contemporary thinking in workplace design, and gathered a greater understanding of the dimensions of design, behaviors, environments, and tools that affect collaborative work and productivity. In study 2, we observed knowledge workers in home environments and open, closed, and balanced office layouts, in order to understand the potential for successful integration in VR. In study 3, we evaluated environmental needs and opportunities through VR. Based on our findings, we developed an Ecology of Work model, combining work systems and pillars of performance success. These are followed by discussions on design needs and implications for VR.
Suppression Effect of Waterborne Polymer on Soil Used for Backfilling at Construction Site
Authors: Yang Sheng , Qin Zhiyuan , Zhang Fuqiang
Published: July 2022

To improve the dust control efficiency of soil for backfilling at construction sites, a novel waterborne polymer was used as a dust suppressant, and the dust emission model was created to control the effect of a large-scale field. The results showed that the waterborne polymer could improve the water retention efficiency of soil for backfilling, and the average water content was 2.18 times that of the watered samples, significantly delaying water evaporation. The compressive strength of soil for backfilling reached 4.91 MPa and improved the wind erosion resistance of the consolidation layer, effectively resisting wind damage. At a construction site, the waterborne polymer was sprayed on soil for backfilling, and the concentration of PM10 was reduced by 67.41%, confirming the effectiveness for large-scale utilization.
Differences in Air and Sea Surface Temperatures in the Northern and Southern Part of the Adriatic Sea
Authors: Bonacci Ognjen , Vrsalović Adrijana
Published: July 2022

The paper compares air and sea surface temperatures in recent years on two islands in the Adriatic Sea. The data measured at the climatological station Krk on the island of Krk and the main meteorological station Lastovo on the island of Lastovo are used. The island of Krk is located in the north of the Adriatic Sea and Lastovo in the south. Since a significant increase in air and sea surface temperatures has been observed over the last thirty years, the goal is to establish how they reflect at these two stations, 313 km apart. The goal of the analysis is to monitor the changes in these two islands to reduce the negative impacts they may cause. The analysis of sea temperatures showed that global warming has a greater impact in the northern Adriatic than in the southern Adriatic. Air and sea surface temperatures have a faster upward trend on Krk than on Lastovo. Similar to the Mediterranean Sea, a positive trend was observed in the Adriatic Sea for both sea surface temperature and air temperature.
Mathematical Analysis for the Evaluation of Settlement and Load-Bearing Capacity of a Soil Base Adjacent to an Excavation Pit
Authors: Ter-Martirosyan Zaven G. , Ter-Martirosyan Armen Z. , Vanina Yulia V.
Published: July 2022

The present paper states and provides an analytical solution for the problem of evaluating the settlement and load-bearing capacity of weighty soil layers of limited thickness resting upon incompressible soil bases and an excavation pit wall upon exposure of the foundation to a distributed load in the vicinity of a wall. The authors develop a method for determining the stressed state component in the reduced engineering problem based on the Ribere–Faylon trigonometric series and for accounting for the nonlinear deformation properties of soils, building on the analytical dependencies of S.S. Grigoryan and S.P. Timoshenko. In order to determine the relationship between stress and strain, the Hencky’s physical equation systems were used. They factor in the impact of average stresses σm on the shear modulus of elasticity G (σm) and volumetric modulus of elasticity K (σm). The obtained solutions make it possible to assess the deformation of soil bases and the load-bearing capacity with respect to nonlinear properties in a way that accurately corresponds to the actual performance of subsoils exposed to loading. The theoretical results are followed by numerical experiments to prove their validity.
A Model in Which Well-Orderings of the Reals Appear at a Given Projective Level
Authors: Kanovei Vladimir , Lyubetsky Vassily
Published: July 2022

The problem of the existence of analytically definable well-orderings at a given level of the projective hierarchy is considered. This problem is important as a part of the general problem of the study of the projective hierarchy in the ongoing development of descriptive set theory. We make use of a finite support product of the Jensen-type forcing notions to define a model of set theory ZFC in which, for a given n>2, there exists a good Δn1 well-ordering of the reals but there are no such well-orderings in the class Δn−11. Therefore the existence of a well-ordering of the reals at a certain level n>2 of the projective hierarchy does not imply the existence of such a well-ordering at the previous level n−1. This is a new result in such a generality (with n>2 arbitrary), and it may lead to further progress in studies of the projective hierarchy.
Isolation and Functional Characterization of a Green-Tissue Promoter in Japonica Rice (Oryza sativa subsp. Japonica)
Authors: Lin Mi , Yan Jingwan , Ali Muhammad Moaaz , Wang Shaojuan , Tian Shengnan , Chen Faxing , Lin Zhimin
Published: July 2022

Plant promoters play a vital role in the initiation and regulation of gene transcription. In this study, a rice protein/gene of unknown expression, named Os8GSX7, was gained from a rice T-DNA capture line. The semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the gene was only expressed in root, glume, and flower, but not in stem, leaf, embryo, and endosperm of japonica rice. The GUS activity analysis of the GSX7R promoter showed that it was a reverse green tissue expression promoter, except in endosperm. The forward promoter of GSX7 cannot normally drive the expression of the foreign GUS gene, while the reverse promoter of GSX7 is a green tissue-specific expression promoter, which can drive the expression of the foreign GUS gene. The region from −2097 to −1543 bp was the key region for controlling the green tissue-specific expression. The regulatory sequences with different lengths from the 2097 bp reverse sequence from the upstream region of the Os8GSX7 were fused with the GUS reporter gene and stably expressed in rice. Furthermore, transgenic rice plants carrying Cry1Ab encoding Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin, regulated by GSX7R, were resistant to yellow stem borer. The analysis suggested that 10 light responsive elements of tissue-specific expression were found, including ACE, Box4, CAT-box, G-Box, G-box, GATA motif, GC motif, I-box, Sp1, and chs-unit1 M1. In addition, the results of 5′ and 3′ deletions further speculated that ACE and I-box may be the key elements for determining the green tissue-specific expression of GSX7R promoter.
Hsp90 and Associated Co-Chaperones of the Malaria Parasite
Authors: Dutta Tanima , Singh Harpreet , Edkins Adrienne L , Blatch Gregory L
Published: July 2022

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is one of the major guardians of cellular protein homeostasis, through its specialized molecular chaperone properties. While Hsp90 has been extensively studied in many prokaryotic and higher eukaryotic model organisms, its structural, functional, and biological properties in parasitic protozoans are less well defined. Hsp90 collaborates with a wide range of co-chaperones that fine-tune its protein folding pathway. Co-chaperones play many roles in the regulation of Hsp90, including selective targeting of client proteins, and the modulation of its ATPase activity, conformational changes, and post-translational modifications. Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the most lethal form of human malaria. The survival of the malaria parasite inside the host and the vector depends on the action of molecular chaperones. The major cytosolic P. falciparum Hsp90 (PfHsp90) is known to play an essential role in the development of the parasite, particularly during the intra-erythrocytic stage in the human host. Although PfHsp90 shares significant sequence and structural similarity with human Hsp90, it has several major structural and functional differences. Furthermore, its co-chaperone network appears to be substantially different to that of the human host, with the potential absence of a key homolog. Indeed, PfHsp90 and its interface with co-chaperones represent potential drug targets for antimalarial drug discovery. In this review, we critically summarize the current understanding of the properties of Hsp90, and the associated co-chaperones of the malaria parasite.
Cardiac Amyloidosis with Normal Wall Thickness: Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics and Outcome in a Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Nagy Daniella , Révész Katalin , Peskó Gergely , Varga Gergely , Horváth Laura , Farkas Péter , Tóth András Dávid , Sepp Róbert , Vágó Hajnalka , Nagy Anikó Ilona , Masszi Tamás , Pozsonyi Zoltán
Published: July 2022

Background: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a rare, progressive, infiltrative cardiac disease. Light chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis are in the background in almost all cases. New, easily available diagnostic tools and recently introduced novel therapies for both types of CA put this disease into the field of interest. Increased left ventricular wall thickness (IWT) detected by echocardiography is generally thought to be a necessary part of the diagnosis. We aimed to determine the proportion of CA patients without IWT, and to define the clinical characteristics of this cohort. Methods: In an academic tertiary center for CA, we identified patients diagnosed and treated for CA between January 2009 and February 2022. In a retrospective analysis we defined the proportion of patients with (≥12 mm) and without (<12 mm) IWT, and described their clinical features. Results: We identified 98 patients suitable for the analysis. In total, 70 had AL and 27 ATTR CA; 89 patients had CA with IWT and 9 patients (9%) had CA without IWT. All non-IWT patients had AL type CA. Both group of patients had clinically significant disease, which is supported by the relevant elevation in cardiac biomarker levels. There was no difference between the outcome of the two groups. Conclusion: Patients without IWT form a relevant subgroup among those with CA. Our results suggest that diagnostic algorithms and criteria should take these individuals into consideration, and, therefore, give them access to effective treatments.
Novel Anti-Cancer Agents and Cellular Targets and Their Mechanism(s) of Action
Authors: Allison Simon J.
Published: July 2022

Whilst there have been some significant improvements in treatments and patient outcomes for some cancers, for other cancers there has been little change in survival rates for many years [...]
Presynaptic Acetylcholine Receptors Modulate the Time Course of Action Potential-Evoked Acetylcholine Quanta Secretion at Neuromuscular Junctions
Authors: Bukharaeva Ellya , Skorinkin Andrey , Samigullin Dmitry , Petrov Alexey
Published: July 2022

For effective transmission of excitation in neuromuscular junctions, the postsynaptic response amplitude must exceed a critical level of depolarization to trigger action potential spreading along the muscle-fiber membrane. At the presynaptic level, the end-plate potential amplitude depends not only on the acetylcholine quanta number released from the nerve terminals in response to the nerve impulse but also on a degree of synchronicity of quanta releases. The time course of stimulus-phasic synchronous quanta secretion is modulated by many extra- and intracellular factors. One of the pathways to regulate the neurosecretion kinetics of acetylcholine quanta is an activation of presynaptic autoreceptors. This review discusses the contribution of acetylcholine presynaptic receptors to the control of the kinetics of evoked acetylcholine release from nerve terminals at the neuromuscular junctions. The timing characteristics of neurotransmitter release is nowadays considered an essential factor determining the plasticity and efficacy of synaptic transmission.
CB2 Agonist GW842166x Protected against 6-OHDA-Induced Anxiogenic- and Depressive-Related Behaviors in Mice
Authors: Liu Xiaojie , Yu Hao , Chen Bixuan , Friedman Vladislav , Mu Lianwei , Kelly Thomas J. , Ruiz-Pérez Gonzalo , Zhao Li , Bai Xiaowen , Hillard Cecilia J. , Liu Qing-song
Published: July 2022

In addition to motor dysfunction, patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are often affected by neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In animal models, activation of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system produces anxiolytic and antidepressant-like behavioral effects. CB2 agonists have demonstrated neuroprotective effects against neurotoxin-induced dopamine neuron loss and deficits in motor function. However, it remains unknown whether CB2 agonism ameliorates anxiogenic- and depressive-like behaviors in PD models. Here, we report that the selective CB2 agonist GW842166x exerted neuroprotective effects against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced loss of dopaminergic terminals and dopamine release in the striatum, which were blocked by the CB2 antagonist AM630. We found that 6-OHDA-treated mice exhibited anxiogenic- and depressive-like behaviors in the open-field, sucrose preference, novelty-suppressed feeding, marble burying, and forced swim tests but did not show significant changes in the elevated plus-maze and light–dark box test. GW842166x treatments ameliorated 6-OHDA-induced anxiogenic- and depressive-like behaviors, but the effects were blocked by CB2 antagonism, suggesting a CB2-dependent mechanism. These results suggest that the CB2 agonist GW842166x not only reduces 6-OHDA-induced motor function deficits but also anxiogenic- and depressive-like behaviors in 6-OHDA mouse models of PD.
The Immunotherapy and Immunosuppressive Signaling in Therapy-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Xu Pengfei , Wasielewski Logan J. , Yang Joy C. , Cai Demin , Evans Christopher P. , Murphy William J. , Liu Chengfei
Published: July 2022

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in men. Initially, it is androgen-dependent, but it eventually develops into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which is incurable with current androgen receptor signaling target therapy and chemotherapy. Immunotherapy, specifically with immune checkpoint inhibitors, has brought hope for the treatment of this type of prostate cancer. Approaches such as vaccines, adoptive chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have been employed to activate innate and adaptive immune responses to treat prostate cancer, but with limited success. Only Sipuleucel-T and the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab are approved by the US FDA for the treatment of limited prostate cancer patients. Prostate cancer has a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) in which various immunosuppressive molecules and mechanisms coexist and interact. Additionally, prostate cancer is considered a “cold” tumor with low levels of tumor mutational burden, low amounts of antigen-presenting and cytotoxic T-cell activation, and high levels of immunosuppressive molecules including cytokines/chemokines. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of immunosuppressive signaling activation and immune evasion will help develop more effective treatments for prostate cancer. The purpose of this review is to summarize emerging advances in prostate cancer immunotherapy, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms that lead to immune evasion in prostate cancer. At the same time, we also highlight some potential therapeutic targets to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Asymmetric Mach–Zehnder Interferometric Biosensing for Quantitative and Sensitive Multiplex Detection of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Human Plasma
Authors: Besselink Geert , Schütz-Trilling Anke , Veerbeek Janneke , Verbruggen Michelle , van der Meer Adriaan , Schonenberg Rens , Dam Henk , Evers Kevin , Lindhout Ernst , Garritsen Anja , van Amerongen Aart , Knoben Wout , Scheres Luc
Published: July 2022

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has once more emphasized the urgent need for accurate and fast point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for outbreak control and prevention. The main challenge in the development of POC in vitro diagnostics (IVD) is to combine a short time to result with a high sensitivity, and to keep the testing cost-effective. In this respect, sensors based on photonic integrated circuits (PICs) may offer advantages as they have features such as a high analytical sensitivity, capability for multiplexing, ease of miniaturization, and the potential for high-volume manufacturing. One special type of PIC sensor is the asymmetric Mach–Zehnder Interferometer (aMZI), which is characterized by a high and tunable analytical sensitivity. The current work describes the application of an aMZI-based biosensor platform for sensitive and multiplex detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human plasma samples using the spike protein (SP), the receptor-binding domain (RBD), and the nucleocapsid protein (NP) as target antigens. The results are in good agreement with several CE-IVD marked reference methods and demonstrate the potential of the aMZI biosensor technology for further development into a photonic IVD platform.
Sensitive Identification of Microcystin-LR via a Reagent-Free and Reusable Electrochemical Biosensor Using a Methylene Blue-Labeled Aptamer
Authors: Wei Xiaoqian , Wang Shanlin , Zhan Yujuan , Kai Tianhan , Ding Ping
Published: July 2022

We report a methylene blue (MB)-modified electrochemical aptamer (E-AB) sensor for determining microcystin-LR (MC-LR). The signal transduction of the sensor was based on changes in conformation and position of MB induced by the binding between MC-LR and the modified aptamer probe. In the absence of MC-LR, an aptamer probe was considered partially folded. After combining aptamer and MC-LR, the configuration of the aptamer probe changed and facilitated the electron transfer between MB and the electrode surface. As a result, an increased current response was observed. We optimized the parameters and evaluated the electrochemical performance of the sensor using square wave voltammetry (SWV). MC-LR was measured from 1.0 to 750.0 ng/L with a detection limit of 0.53 ng/L. The reliability of the method was verified by the determination of MC-LR in environmental real samples, such as pond water and tap water. Moreover, we demonstrated that this reagent-less biosensor could be regenerated and reused after rinsing with deionized water with good accuracy and reproducibility. As a reusable and regenerable E-AB sensor, this rapid, reagent-free, and sensitive sensing platform will facilitate routine monitoring of MC-LR in actual samples.
Editorial: Early Detection and Early Intervention Strategies for Cerebral Palsy in Low and High Resource Settings
Authors: Malhotra Atul
Published: July 2022

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in childhood [...]
Inattention, Impulsivity, and Hyperactivity among Individuals with Self-Reported Impaired Wound Healing
Authors: Balikji Jessica , Hoogbergen Maarten M. , Garssen Johan , Verster Joris C.
Published: July 2022

Background: Inattention and impulsivity are common causes of accidents and injury. The aim of the current study was to examine the level of attention deficit (AD), hyperactivity, and impulsivity (HI) in individuals with and without self-reported impaired wound healing (IWH). Methods: A survey was conducted among N = 773 Dutch young adults, 18–30 years old. N = 198 were allocated to the IWH group and N = 575 to the control group. All participants completed the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Rating Scale. Results: The analysis revealed that the IWH group has significantly higher scores on AD and HI, compared to the control group. Among the IWH group, 12.8% screened positive for AD (compared to 5.8% of the control group) and 14.0% screened positive for HI (compared to 7.4% of the control group). Conclusion: Clinically relevant increased inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity were observed among individuals with self-reported impaired wound healing.
Association between Functional Connectivity of Entorhinal Cortex and Olfactory Performance in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Fan Wentao , Li Hui , Li Haoyuan , Li Ying , Wang Jing , Jia Xiuqin , Yang Qi
Published: July 2022

The present study aimed to investigate the association between the functional connectivity (FC) of the olfactory cortex and olfactory performance in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Eighty-two early PD patients and twenty-one healthy controls underwent structural and resting-state functional MRI scans, as well as neuropsychological assessments from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative database. A whole brain voxel-wise regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the FC of the entorhinal cortex (EC-FC) and olfactory performance. Then, a one-way ANCOVA, based on the regions of interest, was performed with SPSS to investigate the group differences and correlation analysis that were used to analyze the relationships between the FC and neuropsychological assessments. In addition, regression models were used to evaluate the risk factors for the decreased olfactory function. A significantly negative correlation was observed between the olfactory performance and the left EC-FC in the right dorsal cingulate gyrus (dCC) in patients. The PD patients with anosmia exhibited significantly higher FC values than the PD patients with normal olfaction or the PD patients with mild to moderate microsomia. Except for the olfactory performance, no significant correlation was detected between the neuropsychological assessments and the FC values. A linear regression analysis revealed that the increased FC and Geriatric Depression Scale are independently associated with lower the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test scores. The current findings enhanced the understanding of olfactory dysfunction-related pathophysiological mechanisms in early PD and suggested that the left EC-FC in the right dCC may be a potential neuroimaging biomarker for olfactory performance.
Sexual Coach in High-Functioning Autism: A Growing Need
Authors: Calabrò Rocco Salvatore , Pioggia Giovanni , Contrada Marianna , Cerasa Antonio
Published: July 2022

When individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) reach adulthood, they may experience a set of challenges related to sexual health, dating and romantic relationships [...]
Changes in Gait Self-Efficacy, Fear of Falls, and Gait Four and Eight Months after Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Shin Danny , Keegan Laura , Gill Simone V.
Published: July 2022

After bariatric surgery, individuals improve walking characteristics related to fall risk. However, little is known about psychosocial factors, such as gait self-efficacy and fear of falling, after surgery. Our objectives were to (1) examine how weight loss affects psychosocial factors and gait four and eight months after bariatric surgery, as well as (2) determine if there is a relationship between gait self-efficacy and fear of falling. Fourteen adults scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery completed three visits: before surgery, four and eight months after surgery. Gait self-efficacy was measured with the Modified Gait Efficacy Scale, and fear of falls was measured with the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale. Gait measures were collected during five conditions: initial baseline and final baseline on flat ground, and crossing obstacles of three heights. Gait self-efficacy or fear of falling did not change after surgery. However, both four and eight months after surgery, higher gait self-efficacy and lower fear of falling were correlated with longer and faster steps during all conditions (all ps < 0.05). Focusing interventions on psychosocial measures related to gait may yield longer lasting improvements in walking after surgery, ultimately resulting in a decreased fall risk and higher quality of life.
Defense-Oriented Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy as a Tailored Treatment for Boys: Neurobiological Underpinnings to Male-Specific Response Tested in Regulation-Focused Psychotherapy for Children
Authors: Rice Timothy , Prout Tracy A. , Walther Andreas , Hoffman Leon
Published: July 2022

This paper presents defense-oriented psychoanalytic psychotherapy as a tailored treatment for boys through a neurophysiological hypothesis. Male central nervous system development is reviewed, with a focus on the development of the emotion regulation system. The organizational effects of pre- and post-natal androgens delay central nervous system development in males relative to females, following a caudal to rostral phylogenetic framework. Ventromedial prefrontal structures mature at an earlier developmental age than dorsolateral prefrontal structures, creating less of a gender gap in the available underlying neural architecture for responsivity to targeted therapeutic intervention. The hypothesized operation of defense analysis upon ventromedial prefrontal cortical structures and corticolimbic connectivity therefore positions boys to benefit from psychotherapy equally as girls. In this study, we explored gender differences in presentation and response to a short-term, manualized defense-oriented psychoanalytic psychotherapy named regulation-focused psychotherapy for children. In a sample size of 43 school-aged children, consisting of 32 boys and 11 girls, with oppositional defiant disorder, we found no statistically significant differences in participant characteristics upon entry nor in treatment response, as measured by changes in scores on the Oppositional Defiant Disorder Rating Scale, the oppositional defiant problems subscale of the Child Behavior Checklist, the suppression and reappraisal subscales of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents, and the lability and negativity subscale of the Emotion Regulation Checklist. The findings were comparable with the gendered findings of preexisting studies of play therapy, where boys and girls improve equally, but not of behaviorally predominant psychotherapy, where girls appear to have superior responses. Our findings suggest that the treatment as a general play therapy, but with a focus on the implicit emotion regulation system, was successful in meeting boys’ gendered treatment needs. Conclusions are drawn with implications for further study.
Development of Quality Assessment Criteria for Burnt Clay Bricks of Different Ages Based on Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test
Authors: Azam Rizwan , Riaz Muhammad Rizwan , Haq Ehtasham Ul , Shihata Ayman , Zawam Mohamed
Published: July 2022

Burnt clay bricks are widely used as a construction material in Pakistan, and their testing for quality confirmation is frequently needed for new and old bricks used in existing structures. The destructive testing methods are time-consuming and not always feasible for testing the bricks used in existing structures. The current study investigated the feasibility of using the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test as a non-destructive technique to assess the quality of both new and old bricks in masonry structures. A relationship was developed after performing the UPV test followed by a compression test on burnt clay brick samples of five different ages acquired from different sources. The acquired brick samples ranged from new to a century old. Consequently, as a novel contribution, brick quality assessment criteria based on UPV were proposed according to which a UPV value greater than 3000 m/s represents an excellent first-class brick whereas a UPV value lower than 2000 m/s shows a second-class brick. Further, the effectiveness of the UPV test to assess the compressive strength of old bricks was demonstrated with a case study of a 100-year-old masonry structure. The research concluded with the remarks that the compressive strength of bricks can be assessed with reasonable accuracy using the UPV test. The developed quality assessment criteria can be used to quickly check the quality of new and old burnt clay bricks.
Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Dessinioti Clio , Stratigos Alexander J.
Published: July 2022

High-risk cSCC is defined as invasive cSCC staged as N0 (without detectable regional lymph nodes) and M0 (without distant metastasis), that has features associated with a higher risk of poorer prognosis. The focus of this review is on the recent advances in the diagnosis and management of high-risk cSCC. The interest in high-risk cSCC relies on its higher risk of progression to advanced cSCC, as it represents the main pool of cSCCs that give rise to advanced tumors. Assessment of the risk is thus particularly relevant for common cSCC to identify the few with a high-risk risk of local recurrence, metastasis, or disease-specific death among all other low-risk tumors. The timely diagnosis and effective treatment of high-risk cSCCs may halt their further progression and aim to prevent and lower the incidence of advanced cSCCs. Clearance of the tumor with negative surgical margins is the main goal of surgery, which is the primary treatment of cSCC. It seems that it is difficult to discern the group of high-risk cSCCs that may benefit from adjuvant RT, as a universal beneficial effect for a cSCC with any high-risk factor which was resected with clear surgical margins has not been established. In the case of a high-risk cSCC with positive margins after surgery, and re-excision not feasible, post-operative radiotherapy is performed when possible. Recommendations on further management are discussed. Regarding the follow-up of patients diagnosed with high-risk cSCC, factors to consider regarding the frequency and intensity of the follow-up schedule include the risk and possible time of occurrence of metastasis from cSCC.
Designing Organoid Models to Monitor Cancer Progression, Plasticity and Resistance: The Right Set Up for the Right Question
Authors: Doffe Flora , Bonini Fabien , Lakis Emile , Terry Stéphane , Chouaib Salem , Savagner Pierre
Published: July 2022

The recent trend in 3D cell modeling has fostered the emergence of a wide range of models, addressing very distinct goals ranging from the fundamental exploration of cell–cell interactions to preclinical assays for personalized medicine. It is clear that no single model will recapitulate the complexity and dynamics of in vivo situations. The key is to define the critical points, achieve a specific goal and design a model where they can be validated. In this report, we focused on cancer progression. We describe our model which is designed to emulate breast carcinoma progression during the invasive phase. We chose to provide topological clues to the target cells by growing them on microsupports, favoring a polarized epithelial organization before they are embedded in a 3D matrix. We then watched for cell organization and differentiation for these models, adding stroma cells then immune cells to follow and quantify cell responses to drug treatment, including quantifying cell death and viability, as well as morphogenic and invasive properties. We used model cell lines including Comma Dβ, MCF7 and MCF10A mammary epithelial cells as well as primary breast cancer cells from patient-derived xenografts (PDX). We found that fibroblasts impacted cell response to Docetaxel and Palbociclib. We also found that NK92 immune cells could target breast cancer cells within the 3D configuration, providing quantitative monitoring of cell cytotoxicity. We also tested several sources for the extracellular matrix and selected a hyaluronan-based matrix as a promising alternative to mouse tumor basement membrane extracts for primary human cancer cells. Overall, we validated a new 3D model designed for breast cancer for preclinical use in personalized medicine.
Cancer Cell Metabolism Reprogramming and Its Potential Implications on Therapy in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Review
Authors: Perri Francesco , Della Vittoria Scarpati Giuseppina , Pontone Monica , Marciano Maria Luisa , Ottaiano Alessandro , Cascella Marco , Sabbatino Francesco , Guida Agostino , Santorsola Mariachiara , Maiolino Piera , Cavalcanti Ernesta , Togo Giulia , Ionna Franco , Caponigro Francesco
Published: July 2022

Carcinogenesis is a multistep process that consists of the transformation of healthy cells into cancer cells. Such an alteration goes through various stages and is closely linked to random mutations of genes that have a key role in the neoplastic phenotype. During carcinogenesis, cancer cells acquire and exhibit several characteristics including sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, activating invasion and metastasis, and expressing an immune phenotype, which allow them to evade recognition and destruction through cognate immune cells. In addition, cancer cells may acquire the ability to reprogram their metabolism in order to further promote growth, survival, and energy production. This phenomenon, termed metabolic reprogramming, is typical of all solid tumors, including squamous carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN). In this review, we analyze the genetic and biological mechanisms underlying metabolic reprogramming of SCCHN, focusing on potential therapeutic strategies that are able to counteract it.
Use of Autoreactive Antibodies in Blood of Patients with Pancreatic Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMN) for Grade Distinction and Detection of Malignancy
Authors: Brindl Niall , Boekhoff Henning , Bauer Andrea S. , Gaida Matthias M. , Dang Hien T. , Kaiser Jörg , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Felix Klaus
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: A reliable non-invasive distinction between low- and high-risk pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) is needed to effectively detect IPMN with malignant potential. This would improve preventative care and reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer and overtreatment. The present study aimed at exploring the presence of autoreactive antibodies in the blood of patients with IPMN of various grades of dysplasia. (2) Methods: A single-center cohort was studied composed of 378 serum samples from patients with low-grade IPMN (n = 91), high-grade IPMN (n = 66), IPMN with associated invasive cancer (n = 30), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) stages T1 (n = 24) and T2 (n = 113), and healthy controls (n = 54). A 249 full-length recombinant human protein microarray was used for profiling the serum samples. (3) Results: 14 proteins were identified as potential biomarkers for grade distinction in IPMN, yielding high specificity but mediocre sensitivity. (4) Conclusions: The identified autoantibodies are potential biomarkers that may assist in the detection of malignancy in IPMN patients.
Dysregulation of Liver Regeneration by Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Impact on Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Park Eun-Sook , Dezhbord Mehrangiz , Lee Ah Ram , Park Bo Bae , Kim Kyun-Hwan
Published: July 2022

The liver is unique in its ability to regenerate in response to damage. The complex process of liver regeneration consists of multiple interactive pathways. About 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and HBV causes 686,000 deaths each year due to its complications. Long-term infection with HBV, which causes chronic inflammation, leads to serious liver-related diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV infection has been reported to interfere with the critical mechanisms required for liver regeneration. In this review, the studies on liver tissue characteristics and liver regeneration mechanisms are summarized. Moreover, the inhibitory mechanisms of HBV infection in liver regeneration are investigated. Finally, the association between interrupted liver regeneration and hepatocarcinogenesis, which are both triggered by HBV infection, is outlined. Understanding the fundamental and complex liver regeneration process is expected to provide significant therapeutic advantages for HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.
Genetic Disorders with Predisposition to Paediatric Haematopoietic Malignancies—A Review
Authors: Filipiuk Aleksandra , Kozakiewicz Agata , Kośmider Kamil , Lejman Monika , Zawitkowska Joanna
Published: July 2022

The view of paediatric cancer as a genetic disease arises as genetic research develops. Germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes have been identified in about 10% of children. Paediatric cancers are characterized by heterogeneity in the types of genetic alterations that drive tumourigenesis. Interactions between germline and somatic mutations are a key determinant of cancer development. In 40% of patients, the family history does not predict the presence of inherited cancer predisposition syndromes and many cases go undetected. Paediatricians should be aware of specific symptoms, which highlight the need of evaluation for cancer syndromes. The quickest possible identification of such syndromes is of key importance, due to the possibility of early detection of neoplasms, followed by presymptomatic genetic testing of relatives, implementation of appropriate clinical procedures (e.g., avoiding radiotherapy), prophylactic surgical resection of organs at risk, or searching for donors of hematopoietic stem cells. Targetable driver mutations and corresponding signalling pathways provide a novel precision medicine strategy.Therefore, there is a need for multi-disciplinary cooperation between a paediatrician, an oncologist, a geneticist, and a psychologist during the surveillance of families with an increased cancer risk. This review aimed to emphasize the role of cancer-predisposition gene diagnostics in the genetic surveillance and medical care in paediatric oncology.
Overcoming Temozolomide Resistance in Glioblastoma via Enhanced NAD+ Bioavailability and Inhibition of Poly-ADP-Ribose Glycohydrolase
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Koczor Christopher A. , Saville Kate M. , Hayat Faisal , Beiser Alison , McClellan Steven , Migaud Marie E. , Sobol Robert W.
Published: July 2022

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an incurable brain cancer with an average survival of approximately 15 months. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a DNA alkylating agent for the treatment of GBM. However, at least 50% of the patients treated with TMZ show poor response, primarily due to elevated expression of the repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) or due to defects in the mismatch repair (MMR) pathway. These resistance mechanisms are either somatic or arise in response to treatment, highlighting the need to uncover treatments to overcome resistance. We found that administration of the NAD+ precursor dihydronicotinamide riboside (NRH) to raise cellular NAD+ levels combined with PARG inhibition (PARGi) triggers hyperaccumulation of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR), resulting from both DNA damage-induced and replication-stress-induced PARP1 activation. Here, we show that the NRH/PARGi combination enhances the cytotoxicity of TMZ. Specifically, NRH rapidly increases NAD+ levels in both TMZ-sensitive and TMZ-resistant GBM-derived cells and enhances the accumulation of PAR following TMZ treatment. Furthermore, NRH promotes hyperaccumulation of PAR in the presence of TMZ and PARGi. This combination strongly suppresses the cell growth of GBM cells depleted of MSH6 or cells expressing MGMT, suggesting that this regimen may improve the efficacy of TMZ to overcome treatment resistance in GBM.
Early Prediction of Planning Adaptation Requirement Indication Due to Volumetric Alterations in Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Iliadou Vasiliki , Kakkos Ioannis , Karaiskos Pantelis , Kouloulias Vassilis , Platoni Kalliopi , Zygogianni Anna , Matsopoulos George K.
Published: July 2022

Background: During RT cycles, the tumor response pattern could affect tumor coverage and may lead to organs at risk of overdose. As such, early prediction of significant volumetric changes could therefore reduce potential radiation-related adverse effects. Nevertheless, effective machine learning approaches based on the radiomic features of the clinically used CBCT images to determine the tumor volume variations due to RT not having been implemented so far. Methods: CBCT images from 40 HN cancer patients were collected weekly during RT treatment. From the obtained images, the Clinical Target Volume (CTV) and Parotid Glands (PG) regions of interest were utilized to calculate 104 delta-radiomics features. These features were fed on a feature selection and classification procedure for the early prediction of significant volumetric alterations. Results: The proposed framework was able to achieve 0.90 classification performance accuracy while detecting a small subset of discriminative characteristics from the 1st week of RT. The selected features were further analyzed regarding their effects on temporal changes in anatomy and tumor response modeling. Conclusion: The use of machine learning algorithms offers promising perspectives for fast and reliable early prediction of large volumetric deviations as a result of RT treatment, exploiting hidden patterns in the overall anatomical characteristics.