bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellular and Molecular Genetic Mechanisms of Lung Fibrosis Development and the Role of Vitamin D: A Review
Authors: Enzel Darya , Kriventsov Maxim , Sataieva Tatiana , Malygina Veronika
Published: August 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis remains a relevant problem of the healthcare system with an unfavorable prognosis for patients due to progressive fibrous remodeling of the pulmonary parenchyma. Starting with the damage of the epithelial lining of alveoli, pulmonary fibrosis is implemented through a cascade of complex mechanisms, the crucial of which is the TGF-β/SMAD-mediated pathway, involving various cell populations. Considering that a number of the available drugs (pirfenidone and nintedanib) have only limited effectiveness in slowing the progression of fibrosis, the search and justification of new approaches aimed at regulating the immune response, cellular aging processes, programmed cell death, and transdifferentiation of cell populations remains relevant. This literature review presents the key modern concepts concerning molecular genetics and cellular mechanisms of lung fibrosis development, based mainly on in vitro and in vivo studies in experimental models of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, as well as the latest data on metabolic features, potential targets, and effects of vitamin D and its metabolites.
Different Strategies to Overcome Resistance to Proteasome Inhibitors—A Summary 20 Years after Their Introduction
Authors: Tyrna Paweł , Procyk Grzegorz , Szeleszczuk Łukasz , Młynarczuk-Biały Izabela
Published: August 2024

Proteasome inhibitors (PIs), bortezomib, carfilzomib, and ixazomib, are the first-line treatment for multiple myeloma (MM). They inhibit cytosolic protein degradation in cells, which leads to the accumulation of misfolded and malfunctioned proteins in the cytosol and endoplasmic reticulum, resulting in cell death. Despite being a breakthrough in MM therapy, malignant cells develop resistance to PIs via different mechanisms. Understanding these mechanisms drives research toward new anticancer agents to overcome PI resistance. In this review, we summarize the mechanism of action of PIs and how MM cells adapt to these drugs to develop resistance. Finally, we explore these mechanisms to present strategies to interfere with PI resistance. The strategies include new inhibitors of the ubiquitin–proteasome system, drug efflux inhibitors, autophagy disruption, targeting stress response mechanisms, affecting survival and cell cycle regulators, bone marrow microenvironment modulation, and immunotherapy. We list potential pharmacological targets examined in in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Some of these strategies have already provided clinicians with new anti-MM medications, such as panobinostat and selinexor. We hope that further exploration of the subject will broaden the range of therapeutic options and improve patient outcomes.
Weight Status, Autonomic Function, and Systemic Inflammation in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Chuang Hai-Hua , Huang Chung-Guei , Hsu Jen-Fu , Chuang Li-Pang , Huang Yu-Shu , Li Hsueh-Yu , Lee Li-Ang
Published: August 2024

Children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) frequently experience chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, with the inflammasome playing a central role in OSA. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between weight status, autonomic function, and systemic inflammation in a cohort of 55 children with OSA, predominantly boys (78%) with an average age of 7.4 ± 2.2 years and an apnea-hypopnea index of 14.12 ± 17.05 events/hour. Measurements were taken of body mass index (BMI), sleep heart-rate variability, morning circulatory levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, anthropometry, and polysomnography. Multiple linear regression modeling showed that an apnea-hypopnea index was significantly associated with BMI, the standard deviation of successive differences between normal-to-normal intervals during N3 sleep, and the proportion of normal-to-normal interval pairs differing by more than 50 ms during rapid-eye-movement sleep. A moderated mediation model revealed that interleukin-1 receptor antagonist levels mediated the association between BMI and interleukin-6 levels, with sympathovagal balance during N3 sleep and minimum blood oxygen saturation further moderating these relationships. This study highlights the complex relationships between BMI, polysomnographic parameters, sleep heart-rate-variability metrics, and inflammatory markers in children with OSA, underlining the importance of weight management in this context.
Combined Diagnostic Value of Hsa-miR-592 and Hsa-miR-9-3p in Plasma for Methamphetamine Addicts
Authors: Li Wenbo , Liu Diandian , Liu Xiaokun , Lu Yun , Zhang Ludi , Yu Feng , Yu Hailei , Ma Chunling , Cong Bin , Wen Di , Xie Bing
Published: August 2024

A number of studies have reported that drug addiction is associated with microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the roles of plasma miRNAs in methamphetamine (METH) addicts have not been clearly explained. This study aimed to profile a panel of miRNAs as non-invasive predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for METH addiction. Differentially expressed miRNAs were derived from next-generation sequencing technology (NGS) and were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The diagnostic value of specific altered miRNAs was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and area under the curve (AUC). NGS results revealed that 63 miRNAs were significantly altered in the METH-exposed paradigm. The levels of hsa-miR-592, hsa-miR-9-3p, hsa-miR-206 and hsa-let-7b-3p were significantly elevated in the plasma of METH addicts. Hsa-miR-9-3p was a useful biomarker discriminating METH addicts from normal (AUC was 0.756). Importantly, combining detection of hsa-miR-592 and hsa-miR-9-3p achieved the highest AUC of 0.87, with a sensitivity and specificity of 82.7% and 78.9%, respectively. Target gene BDNF decreased significantly in METH addicts. Although METH addicts showed significant depressive symptoms, there was no correlation between the expression level of miR-592 and miR-9-3p and the degree of depression. Our findings suggested that hsa-miR-592, hsa-miR-9-3p, hsa-miR-206, and hsa-let-7b-3p may play a potential role in the pathology of METH addiction, and a combination of hsa-miR-592 and hsa-miR-9-3p could serve as potential peripheral biomarker and therapeutic target for METH addiction.
Our Journey from Individual Efforts to Nationwide Support: Implementing Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Serbia
Authors: Brkušanin Miloš , Garai Nemanja , Karanović Jelena , Šljivančanin Jakovljević Tamara , Dimitrijević Aleksandra , Jovanović Kristina , Mitrović Tanja Lazić , Miković Željko , Brajušković Goran , Nikolić Dimitrije Mihailo , Savić-Pavićević Dušanka
Published: August 2024

Innovative treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) yield the utmost advantages only within the presymptomatic phase, underlining the significance of newborn screening (NBS). We aimed to establish statewide NBS for SMA in Serbia. Our stepwise implementation process involved technical validation of a screening assay, collaboration with patient organizations and medical professionals, a feasibility study, and negotiation with public health representatives. Over 12,000 newborns were tested during the 17-month feasibility study, revealing two unrelated SMA infants and one older sibling. All three children received therapeutic interventions during the presymptomatic phase and have shown no signs of SMA. No false-negative results were found among the negative test results. As frontrunners in this field in Serbia, we established screening and diagnostic algorithms and follow-up protocols and raised awareness among stakeholders about the importance of early disease detection, leading to the incorporation of NBS for SMA into the national program on 15 September 2023. Since then, 54,393 newborns have been tested, identifying six SMA cases and enabling timely treatment. Our study demonstrates that effective collaborations between academia, non-profit organizations, and industry are crucial in bringing innovative healthcare initiatives to fruition, and highlights the potential of NBS to revolutionize healthcare outcomes for presymptomatic SMA infants and their families.
A Methodology to Distribute On-Chip Voltage Regulators to Improve the Security of Hardware Masking
Authors: Seçkiner Soner , Köse Selçuk
Published: August 2024

Hardware masking is used to protect against side-channel attacks by splitting sensitive information into different parts, called hardware masking shares. Ideally, a side-channel attack would only work if all these parts were completely independent. But in real-world VLSI implementations, things are not perfect. Information from a hardware masking share can leak to another, making it possible for side-channel attacks to succeed without needing data from every hardware masking share. The theoretically supposed independence of these shares often does not hold up in practice. The effectiveness of hardware masking is reduced because of the parasitic impedance that stems from power delivery networks or the internal structure of the integrated circuit. When the coupling effect and noise spread among the hardware masking shares powered by the same power delivery network, side-channel attacks can be carried out with fewer measurements. To address this, we propose a new method of distributing on-chip voltage regulators to improve hardware masking security. The benefits of distributed on-chip voltage regulators are evident. Placing the regulators close to the load minimizes power loss due to resistive losses in the power delivery network. Localized regulation allows for more efficient adjustments to the varying power demands of different chip sections, improving overall power efficiency. Additionally, distributed regulators can quickly respond to power demand changes, maintaining stable voltage levels for high-performance circuits, leading to improved control over noise. We introduce a new DLDO voltage regulator that uses random clocking and randomizing limit cycle oscillations to enhance security. Our simulations show that with these distributed DLDO regulators, the t-test value can be as low as 2.019, and typically, a circuit with a t-test value below 4.5 is considered secure.
Optimized Early Prediction of Business Processes with Hyperdimensional Computing
Authors: Asgarinejad Fatemeh , Thomas Anthony , Hildebrant Ryan , Zhang Zhenyu , Ren Shangping , Rosing Tajana , Aksanli Baris
Published: August 2024

There is a growing interest in the early prediction of outcomes in ongoing business processes. Predictive process monitoring distills knowledge from the sequence of event data generated and stored during the execution of processes and trains models on this knowledge to predict outcomes of ongoing processes. However, most state-of-the-art methods require the training of complex and inefficient machine learning models and hyper-parameter optimization as well as numerous input data to achieve high performance. In this paper, we present a novel approach based on Hyperdimensional Computing (HDC) for predicting the outcome of ongoing processes before their completion. We highlight its simplicity, efficiency, and high performance while utilizing only a subset of the input data, which helps in achieving a lower memory demand and faster and more effective corrective measures. We evaluate our proposed method on four publicly available datasets with a total of 12 binary prediction tasks. Our proposed method achieves an average 6% higher area under the ROC curve (AUC) and up to a 14% higher F1-score, while yielding a 20× earlier prediction than state-of-the-art conventional machine learning- and neural network-based models.
A Feasibility Study of a Respiratory Rate Measurement System Using Wearable MOx Sensors
Authors: Fukuda Mitsuhiro , Hyry Jaakko , Omoto Ryosuke , Shimazaki Takunori , Kobayashi Takumi , Anzai Daisuke
Published: August 2024

Accurately obtaining a patient’s respiratory rate is crucial for promptly identifying any sudden changes in their condition during emergencies. Typically, the respiratory rate is assessed through a combination of impedance change measurements and electrocardiography (ECG). However, impedance measurements are prone to interference from body movements. Conversely, a capnometer coupled with a ventilator offers a method of measuring the respiratory rate that is unaffected by body movements. However, capnometers are mainly used to evaluate respiration when using a ventilator or an Ambu bag by measuring the CO2 concentration at the breathing circuit, and they are not used only to measure the respiratory rate. Furthermore, capnometers are not suitable as wearable devices because they require intubation or a mask that covers the nose and mouth to prevent air leaks during the measurement. In this study, we developed a reliable system for measuring the respiratory rate utilizing a small wearable MOx sensor that is unaffected by body movements and not connected to the breathing circuit. Subsequently, we conducted experimental assessments to gauge the accuracy of the rate estimation achieved by the system. In order to avoid the effects of abnormal states on the estimation accuracy, we also evaluated the classification performance for distinguishing between normal and abnormal respiration using a one-class SVM-based approach. The developed system achieved 80% for both true positive and true negative rates. Our experimental findings reveal that the respiratory rate can be precisely determined without being influenced by body movements.
Exploring the Frontiers of Cathode Catalysts in Lithium–Carbon Dioxide Batteries: A Mini Review
Authors: Guo Jing , Yan Xin , Meng Xue , Li Pengwei , Wang Qin , Zhang Yahui , Yan Shenxue , Luo Shaohua
Published: August 2024

To mitigate the greenhouse effect and environmental pollution caused by the consumption of fossil fuels, recent research has focused on developing renewable energy sources and new high-efficiency, environmentally friendly energy storage technologies. Among these, Li–CO2 batteries have shown great potential due to their high energy density, long discharge plateau, and environmental friendliness, offering a promising solution for achieving carbon neutrality while advancing energy storage devices. However, the slow kinetics of the CO2 reduction reaction and the accumulation of Li2CO3 discharge on the cathode surface lead to a significant reduction in space and active sites. This in turn results in high discharge overpotential, low energy efficiency, and low power density. This study elucidates the charge–discharge reaction mechanisms of lithium–carbon dioxide batteries and systematically analyzes their reaction products. It also summarizes the latest research advancements in cathode materials for these batteries. Furthermore, it proposes future directions and efforts for the development of Li–CO2 batteries.
Socioeconomic Status and Access to Care for Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Disease in Universal Health Coverage Models
Authors: Greenwell Amanda A. , Deng Mimi X. , Ross Shelagh , Weixler Viktoria , Vervoort Dominique
Published: August 2024

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common major congenital anomaly, affecting one in every 100 live births. Whereas over 90% of children born with CHD in low- and middle-income countries cannot access the care they need, early detection, advances in management, and financial risk protection have resulted in over 90% of children with CHD in high-income countries surviving into adulthood. Despite the presence of universal health coverage, barriers to accessing high-quality cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular care for CHD remain common. Lower socioeconomic status has been associated with differential access to cardiac care and poorer outcomes across multiple cardiovascular conditions and subspecialties. In this review article, we describe the relationship between socioeconomic status and access to CHD care in countries with universal health coverage models. We further evaluate notable challenges and opportunities to improve equitable, high-quality CHD care in these countries.
The Effects of Colchicum Dispert and Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy on Skeletal Muscle Injury in a Rat Aortic Ischemia–Reperfusion Model
Authors: Orhan Atilla , Çiçek Ömer Faruk , Öztürk Bahadır , Akbayrak Hakan , Ünlükal Nejat , Vatansev Hakan , Solmaz Merve , Büyükateş Mustafa , Aniç Seda , Ovalı Fadime , Almaghrebi Eissa , Akat Fatma , Vatansev Hüsamettin
Published: August 2024

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysms and peripheral artery disease pose significant health risks, ranking third after heart attacks and cerebral strokes. Surgical interventions often involve temporary aortic clamping, leading to ischemia–reperfusion injury and tissue damage. Colchicine and mesenchymal stem cells have shown promise, individually, in mitigating ischemia–reperfusion injury, but their combined effects remain understudied. Methods: This study utilized 42 male Wistar rats, divided into six groups: Control, Sham, Ischemia–Reperfusion, Colchicine, Mesenchymal stem cell, and Mix (colchicine and mesenchymal stem cell). The ischemia–reperfusion model involved clamping the abdominal aorta for 60 min, followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Colchicine and mesenchymal stem cell treatments were administered as pre- and post-ischemia interventions, respectively. Mesenchymal stem cells were cultured, characterized by flow cytometry, and verified for specific surface antigens. Blood and tissue samples were analyzed for oxidative stress markers, nitric oxide metabolites, and apoptosis using TUNEL. Results: There were significant differences between the groups in terms of the serum total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.001) and inflammation markers (ischemia-modified albumin, p = 0.020). The combined therapy group (Mix) exhibited the lowest inflammation levels. Arginine levels also showed significant variation (p = 0.028), confirming the ischemia–reperfusion injury model. In muscle tissues, the total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.022), symmetric dimethylarginine, and citrulline levels (p < 0.05) indicated nitric oxide metabolism. Apoptosis was notably high in the ischemia–reperfusion injury group as anticipated. It appeared to be reduced by colchicine, mesenchymal stem cells, and their combination, with the most significant decrease observed in the Mix group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of using combined colchicine and mesenchymal stem cell therapy to reduce muscle damage caused by ischemia–reperfusion injury. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and confirm the clinical significance of this approach in treating extremity ischemia–reperfusion injuries.
Personality Traits and Depression in Infertile Couples during the COVID-19
Authors: Burgio Sofia , Polizzi Concetta , Alesi Marianna , Perino Antonio , Cucinella Gaspare , Kotlik Yulia , Lopez Alessandra , Vassiliadis Alessandra , Gullo Giuseppe
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: The study presented in this paper seeks to examine how personality traits and depressive symptoms, influenced by the fear of COVID-19, interact in infertile couples, who are on the verge of commencing treatments with assisted reproductive technology (ART). The purpose of this observational study was to explore the relationship between personality traits in infertile couples and the occurrence of depressive symptoms, taking into account the mediating effect of COVID-19 fear. Methods: The study sample consisted of 108 women and 71 men (N = 179), all of whom had received an infertility diagnosis and expressed a desire to begin ART treatment at a Sicilian ART center; they were subsequently recruited. The Personality Inventory (PI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Fear of COVID (FCV-19S) were used for data collection. Results: The FCV-19S demonstrates a significant positive correlation with both neuroticism (r = 0.25, p = 0.001) and agreeableness (r = 0.19, p = 0.012). In addition, there is a significant correlation between FCV-19S (r = 0.67, p < 0.001) and depression symptoms. The mediation analysis reveals that neuroticism is a predictor of fear of COVID-19 (β = 1.77, p = 0.001) and depression (β = 0.22, p = 0.002). Additionally, the fear of COVID-19 significantly influences (β = 0.12, p < 0.001) depression. Conclusions: This study found that neuroticism and agreeableness are positively linked to the fear of COVID-19, and women displayed notable mild mood disorders. Neuroticism predicted both depression and fear of COVID-19, while fear of COVID-19 predicted depressive symptoms. However, the total efficacy of the mediation model was not significant, thereby suggesting that the variables do not fully explain this model.
The Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Pancreatitis Are Different in Elderly Patients: A Single-Center Study over a 6-Year Period
Authors: Zhang Shihang , Chen Zhiyao , Hu Cheng , Zhu Ping , Jin Tao , Li Lan , Lin Ziqi , Shi Na , Zhang Xiaoxin , Xia Qing , Deng Lihui
Published: August 2024

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and investigate the effects of age on the clinical outcomes of AP. Methods: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with AP admitted within 72 h from 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2019 were included. Patients were divided into elderly (≥60 years) and non-elderly (<60 years) groups. Clinical data and outcomes were compared. Results: A total of 756 elderly and 4896 non-elderly patients with AP were included. The elderly patients had different etiological distributions and more severe clinical markers and scores. Age was an independent risk factor for mortality [odds ratio (OR): 2.911, 95% CI: 1.801–4.706, p < 0.001], intensive care unit admission (OR: 1.739, 95% CI: 1.126–2.685, p = 0.013), persistent organ failure (OR: 1.623, 95% CI: 1.326–1.987, p < 0.001), multiple organ failure (OR: 1.757, 95% CI: 1.186–2.604, p = 0.005), and infection (OR: 2.451, 95% CI: 1.994–3.013, p < 0.001). Adjusted multiple logistic regression and trend analysis confirmed the risk of the age for the outcomes. The deaths of elderly patients showed a biphasic pattern with peaks in the first and fifth weeks, in contrast to the single peak in the first week in the non-elderly patients. Conclusions: Elderly patients with AP were associated with worse clinical outcomes. It is crucial to devote considerable attention to the optimization of therapeutic approaches to reduce late mortality in this group of patients.
A Single-Surgeon Experience Transitioning to Total Arterial Revascularization
Authors: Harris Dwight D. , Chu Louis , Sabe Sharif A. , Doherty Michelle , Senthilnathan Venkatachalam
Published: August 2024

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting remains the standard of care for advanced and multifocal coronary artery disease; however, for patients that are surgical candidates, total arterial revascularization (TAR) remains underutilized due to concerns such as sternal wound infections and the learning curve. We present the results of a large cohort of mid-career surgeons transitioning to TAR, focusing on short-term outcomes and the learning curve. Methods: The surgeons transitioned to using TAR as the preferred revascularization technique in August of 2017. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database was reviewed to identify all patients who underwent isolated non-emergent CABG performed by a single surgeon from January 2014 through January 2022. Patients were divided into two groups—those who had TAR and those who had traditional CABG using one internal mammary artery and vein grafts (IMA-SVG). Results: Eight hundred ninety-eight patients meet inclusion criteria (458 IMA-SVG and 440 TAR). The TAR group had slightly longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross clamp times, and operative times (all p < 0.05); however, ICU stay was shorter and 30-day readmission rate was lower for TAR compared to IMA-SVG (all p < 0.05). The TAR group also required fewer postoperative transfusions (p = 0.005). There was no difference in prolonged intubation, stroke, length of stay, mortality, or sternal wound complications between groups (all p > 0.05). The average TAR was 30 min longer; however, learning curves, stratified by number of grafts placed, showed no significant learning curve associated with TAR. Conclusions: An experienced surgeon transitioning from IMA-SVG to TAR slightly increases operative time, but decreases ICU stay, readmissions, and postoperative transfusions with no significant difference in rates of immediate post-operative complications or 30-day mortality, with a minimal learning curve.
The Association between Pressure Pain Thresholds, Conditioned Pain Modulation, Clinical Status, and Sleep Quality in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Clinical Trial Secondary Analysis
Authors: González-Álvarez María Elena , Riquelme-Aguado Víctor , Arribas-Romano Alberto , Fernández-Carnero Josué , Villafañe Jorge Hugo
Published: August 2024

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex multidimensional disorder primarily characterized by chronic widespread pain, significantly affecting patients’ quality of life. FM is associated with some clinical signs found with quantitative sensory testing (QST), sleep disturbance, or psychological problems. This study aims to explore the associations between pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), conditioned pain modulation (CPM), clinical status, and sleep quality in FM patients, offering insights for better clinical management and assessment tools. Methods: This secondary analysis utilized data from a clinical trial involving 129 FM patients. Various assessments, including the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS), were employed to evaluate the clinical and psychological status and sleep quality. PPTs and CPM were measured to understand their relationship with clinical parameters. Results: Our findings revealed that PPTs and CPM are not significantly associated with the clinical status or sleep quality of FM patients. Instead, pain catastrophizing and anxiety state showed a stronger correlation with the impact of fibromyalgia and sleep disturbances. These results highlight the importance of psychological and cognitive factors in managing FM. Conclusions: The study suggests that while PPTs and CPM may not be reliable biomarkers for clinical status in FM, the use of comprehensive assessments including FIQ, PCS, STAI, and JSS can provide a more accurate evaluation of patients’ condition. These tools are cost-effective, can be self-administered, and facilitate a holistic approach to FM management, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment plans.
A Comparison of the Effectiveness of the Serratus Anterior Plane Block and Erector Spinae Plane Block to that of the Paravertebral Block in the Surgical Treatment of Breast Cancer—A Randomized, Prospective, Single-Blinded Study
Authors: But Michał , Wernicki Krzysztof , Zieliński Jacek , Szczecińska Weronika
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: The paravertebral block (PVB) is a well-studied, effective method of analgesia for breast surgery. Alternative techniques involving the blockage of intercostal nerve branches are the serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) and the erector spinae plane block (ESPB). However, no studies comparing both fascial blocks to PVB in breast surgery have been published to date. We evaluated the effectiveness of ESPB and SAPB vs. PVB, expressed as the requirement for intraoperative fentanyl, pain intensity at rest and during coughing, and morphine consumption on the first postoperative day. Additional aims were to perform an evaluation of the safety of the block types used. Materials and Methods: A total of 77 women and 1 man with stage I and II clinical breast cancer, aged 18–85 years, were randomized into one of three study groups: SAPB, PVB, and ESPB. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in fentanyl consumption during surgery with respect to the type of block used (p = 0.4246). Morphine consumption in the postoperative period was highest in the ESPB group, averaging 9.4 mg. There was a statistically significant difference in pain intensity from 4 pm on the day of surgery to 8 am the following morning. No complications related to the blocks were observed on the first postoperative day. Conclusions: Both the serratus anterior plane block and the erector spinae plane block were as effective as the paravertebral block in achieving intraoperative analgesia. The serratus anterior plane block was equally as effective as the paravertebral block in achieving postoperative analgesia. The erector spinae plane block was significantly less effective in achieving postoperative analgesia than both the paravertebral block and serratus anterior plane block.
Serum Calcium Level at Diagnosis Can Predict Lethal Prostate Cancer Relapse
Authors: Fekete Zsolt , Ignat Patricia , Jakab Henrietta , Todor Nicolae , László István Péter , Muntean Alina-Simona , Curcean Sebastian , Nemeș Adina , Nuțu Dumitrița , Kacsó Gabriel
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: The most important prognostic factors in curatively treated prostate cancer are T and N stage, histology, grade group and initial PSA. A recent study found that men with blood calcium levels at the high end of the normal range are over two-and-a-half times more likely to develop fatal prostate cancer than those with lower calcium levels. However, there is limited evidence regarding the prognostic value of calcium levels at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis. We aimed to determine whether a calcium level in the upper range of normal values has any prognostic value in curatively treated prostate cancer. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 84 consecutive patients with prostate cancer who underwent curative-intent radiotherapy—either as primary treatment or adjuvant therapy—using external beam radiotherapy with or without brachytherapy. We analyzed all pertinent prognostic factors that could potentially impact disease-free survival. Results: The study revealed that calcium levels at diagnosis significantly predict disease-free survival, whereas the initial PSA level did not hold prognostic significance—likely due to interference from benign prostatic hyperplasia. Conclusions: If our findings are validated, calcium levels at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis could be incorporated into future predictive and prognostic models.
Clinical Utility of Recently Food and Drug Administration-Approved IntelliSep Test (Sepsis Biomarker) for Early Diagnosis of Sepsis: Comparison with Other Biomarkers
Authors: Sarani Nima , Dasgupta Amitava , Enders Maria , Rowan Lauren , Elsarraj Hanan , Gralnek Sarah , Shay Madison , Lemar Lucas R. , Simpson Steven Q. , Cunningham Mark T. , Zheng X. Long
Published: August 2024

Context: IntelliSep by Cytovale has received United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a sepsis biomarker test. However, the clinical utility of this new test is not assessed in emergency departments. Objective: We investigated the clinical utility of this test using 44 patients visiting the emergency department at The University of Kansas Medical Center by comparing it with the monocyte distribution width (MDW) and other biomarkers including the von Willebrand factor (vWF) and ADAMTS13. Design and Methods: IntelliSep assesses the cellular host response via deformability cytometry of biophysical leukocyte properties and produces a score (IntelliSep Index; ISI: from 0.1 (lowest risk) to 10 (highest risk). We measured the ISI in 44 patients (19 high probability and 25 low probability of sepsis groups) using EDTA-anticoagulated blood. Left over plasma was used for measuring the plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) and ADAMTS13 antigen by ELISA assays. The MDW was obtained during routine CBC analysis using a Beckman hematology analyzer. The lactate and high-sensitivity troponin I levels were measured using a Beckman analyzer. Procalcitonin was measured using a Cobas e801 analyzer. Results: The median ISI was twofold higher in the high-probability group than in the low-probability group (p < 0.01) while the median MDW was 34.5% higher in the high-probability group than in the low-probability group (p < 0.01). However, the correlation between the ISI and MDW was only modest (r = 0.66). In addition, significantly higher levels of plasma vWF antigen but lower levels of plasma ADAMTS13 antigen in the high-probability group were found, resulting in significantly higher vWF/ADAMTS13 ratios in the high-probability group than in the low-probability group. Conclusions: The new IntelliSep test along with vWF/ADAMTS13 ratios may be useful for the early diagnosis of sepsis in patients visiting the emergency department, which appears to be superior to the traditional marker, MDW.
Clinical Aspects of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Waheed Yasir
Published: August 2024

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by harmful pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites [...]
Lowered GnT-I Activity Decreases Complex-Type N-Glycan Amounts and Results in an Aberrant Primary Motor Neuron Structure in the Spinal Cord
Authors: Hatchett Cody J. , Hall M. Kristen , Messer Abel R. , Schwalbe Ruth A.
Published: August 2024

The attachment of sugar to proteins and lipids is a basic modification needed for organismal survival, and perturbations in glycosylation cause severe developmental and neurological difficulties. Here, we investigated the neurological consequences of N-glycan populations in the spinal cord of Wt AB and mgat1b mutant zebrafish. Mutant fish have reduced N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-I (GnT-I) activity as mgat1a remains intact. GnT-I converts oligomannose N-glycans to hybrid N-glycans, which is needed for complex N-glycan production. MALDI-TOF MS profiles identified N-glycans in the spinal cord for the first time and revealed reduced amounts of complex N-glycans in mutant fish, supporting a lesion in mgat1b. Further lectin blotting showed that oligomannose N-glycans were more prevalent in the spinal cord, skeletal muscle, heart, swim bladder, skin, and testis in mutant fish relative to WT AB, supporting lowered GnT- I activity in a global manner. Developmental delays were noted in hatching and in the swim bladder. Microscopic images of caudal primary (CaP) motor neurons of the spinal cord transiently expressing EGFP in mutant fish were abnormal with significant reductions in collateral branches. Further motor coordination skills were impaired in mutant fish. We conclude that identifying the neurological consequences of aberrant N-glycan processing will enhance our understanding of the role of complex N-glycans in development and nervous system health.
Extension of a Contact Subroutine for Composite Ring Rolling to Include Temperature Dependency
Authors: Kluge Laurenz , Stergianou Stefan , Gouverneur Moritz , Bailly David
Published: August 2024

By combining the ring rolling and roll bonding processes, the product spectrum can be additionally expanded. Since a successful composite ring rolling process requires a higher growth tendency for the inner ring, previous publications commonly included a softer inner ring to reduce the flow resistance of the inner ring or specific geometries for rings and tools. In this work, the material combination of a 100Cr6 (DIN 1.3505, AISI 52100) outer ring and a 42CrMo4 (DIN 1.7225, AISI 4140) inner ring is used to show that the composite ring rolling process is also possible for material combinations with a balanced flow stress ratio and equal wall thicknesses. In earlier publications, the influence of temperature was neglected. As the influence on the yield stress and thus on the success of the process has a significant influence, this should be considered in order to be able to make a reliable statement. For this purpose, the bond formation of the two materials was investigated by bonding experiments, and an existing bond formation model was extended with respect to the temperature dependency. On the basis of this model, the process control parameters were investigated using FE simulations, and a ring rolling experiment was carried out.
Strategy and Impact of Liner Shipping Schedule Recovery under ECA Regulation and Disruptive Events
Authors: Zhou Jingmiao , Zhao Yuzhe , Yan Xinran , Wang Meican
Published: August 2024

In the post-pandemic era, the complexity of the international shipping situation, such as environmental policies, port congestion, and local conflicts, poses challenges to the stability of liner shipping, which requires strict adherence to schedules. This paper addressed the issue of schedule recovery for liner ships operating under Emission Control Areas (ECAs) regulations in the face of disruptive events. It established a bi-objective nonlinear programming model based on recovery costs and delay severity and designed a bi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm based on two traversal of voyage leg path selection and port skipping decisions of feasible solutions to solve it. The effectiveness of the algorithm was validated through a case study of a 6000 TEU liner ship, summarizing the correlation laws of operational decisions such as port skipping, voyage leg path selection, and speed adjustment, and proposing the optimal recovery strategy for liner ships under long-term ECA constraints while ensuring short-term schedule resilience. The findings demonstrate that, in compliance with emission restrictions, ships operating within ECA are required to slow down to mitigate costs. In contrast, ships operating outside of ECA regions must accelerate their pace to adhere to established shipping schedules.
Unsupervised Learning-Based Optical–Acoustic Fusion Interest Point Detector for AUV Near-Field Exploration of Hydrothermal Areas
Authors: Liu Yihui , Xu Yufei , Zhang Ziyang , Wan Lei , Li Jiyong , Zhang Yinghao
Published: August 2024

The simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technique provides long-term near-seafloor navigation for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). However, the stability of the interest point detector (IPD) remains challenging in the seafloor environment. This paper proposes an optical–acoustic fusion interest point detector (OAF-IPD) using a monocular camera and forward-looking sonar. Unlike the artificial feature detectors most underwater IPDs adopt, a deep neural network model based on unsupervised interest point detector (UnsuperPoint) was built to reach stronger environmental adaption. First, a feature fusion module based on feature pyramid networks (FPNs) and a depth module were integrated into the system to ensure a uniform distribution of interest points in depth for improved localization accuracy. Second, a self-supervised training procedure was developed to adapt the OAF-IPD for unsupervised training. This procedure included an auto-encoder framework for the sonar data encoder, a ground truth depth generation framework for the depth module, and optical–acoustic mutual supervision for the fuse module training. Third, a non-rigid feature filter was implemented in the camera data encoder to mitigate the interference from non-rigid structural objects, such as smoke emitted from active vents in hydrothermal areas. Evaluations were conducted using open-source datasets as well as a dataset captured by the research team of this paper from pool experiments to prove the robustness and accuracy of the newly proposed method.
Analysis of Production Laws of Hydrate Reservoirs via Combined Heat Injection and Depressurization Based on Local Thermal Non-Equilibrium
Authors: Shan Zhengfeng , Zhou Boyu , Kong Qingwen , Wang Xiansi , Liao Youqiang , Wang Zhiyuan , Zhang Jianbo
Published: August 2024

Natural gas hydrate is a kind of low-carbon and clean new energy, so research on its efficient extraction in terms of theory and technology is particularly important. Combined thermal injection and depressurization is an effective method for extracting natural gas hydrate. In this study, the classical local heat equilibrium model was modified, and a pore-scale fully coupled unsteady heat transfer model for hydrate reservoirs was set up by considering multiple forms of heat flow accompanying hydrate’s decomposition and gas–liquid flow. Based on this model and the basic geological information of the X2 hydrate reservoir in the western Pacific Ocean, a numerical model of gas hydrate extraction using combined heat injection and depressurization was constructed to simulate the production performance of the hydrate reservoir. The results were fully compared with the results obtained by the depressurization method alone. The results indicated the hydrate extraction via a combined heat injection and depressurization would have a cumulative gas production of 31.609 million m3 and a cumulative water production of 1.5219 million m3, which are 72.57% higher and 31.75% lower than those obtained by depressurization alone, respectively. These study results can provide theoretical support for the industrial extraction of gas hydrate in seas.
Research on the Characteristics of Solid–Liquid Two-Phase Flow in the Lifting Pipeline of Seabed Mining
Authors: Su Tianyu , Chen Shengtao , Yuan Hanhan
Published: August 2024

Vertical pipes are a significant component of deep-sea mining hydraulic lifting systems, frequently stretching up to thousands of meters. This article employs the coupling approach of computational fluid dynamics for the liquid phase and the Discrete Element Method for the particle phase (CFD-DEM) to simulate solid–liquid two-phase flow in a vertical pipeline, utilizing a scaled vertical lift pipeline model as the study object. By adjusting the conveying parameters and structural factors, the lifting performance of particles and the two-phase flow characteristics under various operating circumstances are examined, and the veracity of the simulation is validated by experimental techniques. The findings reveal that the lifting of particles is impacted by both the conveying parameters and the structural factors. The increase in flow rate can effectively improve the distribution of particles in the pipeline and enhance the followability of particles. The disturbance created by the collision and mixing of particles induced by the change in particle concentration has a tremendous impact on the velocity distribution of the two-phase flow in the pipeline and the pressure distribution of the pipe wall. In addition, there is an ideal lifting flow corresponding to various particle concentrations, which may improve the particle dispersion. The outcome of this research has a certain reference relevance for the selection of the parameters of deep-sea mining lifting systems in the future.
Seafloor Subsidence Evaluation Due to Hydrate Depressurization Recovery in the Shenhu Area, South China Sea
Authors: Song Benjian , Zou Qingping
Published: August 2024

Submarine hydrate mining can trigger geological disasters, including submarine landslides and seafloor subsidence due to excess pore pressure and weakened layers, which may potentially lead to the reactivation of faults and increased seismic activity. However, current research encounters challenges in assessing geotechnical issues associated with long-term and large-scale production from well grids located in sloped areas. Limited by the complexity of the hydrate sediment, a multifield coupled numerical model of hydrate slope in the Shenhu area was established. Utilizing the modified Mohr–Coulomb model as the constitutive model for hydrate-bearing sediments to track the dynamic reduction in strength and employing the shear strength method to assess submarine slope stability, a series of depressurization strategies are applied to evaluate the risks associated with submarine landslides and seafloor subsidence. Results show that the hydrate dissociation tends to stagnate after a period of mining. The strength of the hydrate decomposed area is severely reduced, and a volume deficit occurs in this area, causing formation displacement. The peripheral region of the decomposed area is compacted by high stress, resulting in a serious decrease in permeability and porosity, which limits the continued decomposition of hydrates. The large-scale submarine landslides with hydrates decomposition will not appear in this block. However, several meters’ seafloor subsidence over a wide range risks engineering safety significantly. The amount of seafloor subsidence in the first 50 days is approximately half of the final settlement. A higher production pressure drop can speed up the recovery rate while resulting in more significant seafloor subsidence and slippage. Therefore, the balance between mining speed and formation stability needs more research work.
Numerical Simulation of Flow Field around Jacket Foundations on Flat-Bed and Equilibrium Scour Bathymetry
Authors: Guan Dawei , Chu Yinuo , Chen Cheng , Liu Jingang , Yao Zishun
Published: August 2024

In recent years, jacket foundations have been increasingly employed in offshore wind farms. Their complex design comprising piles and trusses poses challenges for conducting comprehensive flow field measurements using physical experiments. Consequently, the influence of the flow field on local scour around these foundations remains unclear. Therefore, numerical simulation methods are essential to depict the surrounding flow characteristics. This study utilizes large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence models within OpenFOAM to simulate the flow field around jacket foundations on flat-bed and equilibrium scour bathymetry. A flume experiment was conducted for numerical model establishment and validation. The close agreement between experimental and numerical results indicates that the LES model accurately reflects the flow patterns around the jacket foundation. Time-averaged and instantaneous flow characteristics, average kinetic energy (AKE), turbulence structure, and bed shear stress were analyzed. The results indicate that flow intensity is reduced due to the shielding effect and energy dissipation by the truss structure of the jacket foundation. Furthermore, the AKE of the flow upstream of the rear piles decreases by 18.9% in the flat-bed state and 28.0% in the equilibrium state, indicating more energy dissipation and less scour at the rear piles in the equilibrium state. The research findings offer valuable insights into the design and scour protection strategies for jacket foundations.
Correction: Matha et al. Ergosterol Is Critical for Sporogenesis in Cryptococcus neoformans. J. Fungi 2024, 10, 106
Authors: Matha Amber R. , Xie Xiaofeng , Lin Xiaorong
Published: August 2024

We recently discovered that the D4H sterol biosensor strains used in Figure 4 of the published paper [...]