bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infant Vitamin D Supplements, Fecal Microbiota and Their Metabolites at 3 Months of Age in the CHILD Study Cohort
Authors: Zhao Xin , Bridgman Sarah L. , Drall Kelsea M. , Tun Hein M. , Mandhane Piush J. , Moraes Theo J. , Simons Elinor , Turvey Stuart E. , Subbarao Padmaja , Scott James A. , Kozyrskyj Anita L.
Published: January 2023

Infant vitamin D liquid formulations often contain non-medicinal excipients such as glycerin (ie. glycerol) and 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD). We examined whether infant vitamin D supplementation is associated with fecal glycerol and 1,2-PD concentrations at 3 months of age and characterized associations between these two molecules, and gut microbiota and their metabolites. Fecal metabolites and microbiota were quantified using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and 16S rRNA sequencing, respectively, in 575 infants from the CHILD Study at 3 months of age. Vitamin D supplement use was determined using questionnaires. Vitamin D supplementation was associated with greater odds of high 1,2-PD (adjusted OR 1.65 95% CI: 1.06, 2.53) and with decreased odds of high fecal glycerol (adjusted OR: 0.62 95% CI: 0.42, 0.90) after adjustment for breastfeeding and other covariates. Our findings were confirmed in linear regression models; vitamin D supplementation was positively associated with fecal 1,2-PD and inversely associated with glycerol (aβ: 0.37, 95% CI 0.03, 0.71 & aβ: −0.23 95% CI −0.44, −0.03, respectively). Fecal 1,2-PD and glycerol concentrations were negatively correlated with each other. Positive correlations between fecal 1,2-PD, Bifidobacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and acetate levels were observed. Our research demonstrates that infant vitamin D supplement administration may differentially and independently influence infant gut microbiota metabolites.
The Association between Antibiotic Use and the Incidence of Heart Failure: A Retrospective Case-Control Study of 162,188 Outpatients
Authors: Loosen Sven H. , Krieg Sarah , Gaensbacher Julia , Doege Corinna , Krieg Andreas , Luedde Tom , Luedde Mark , Roderburg Christoph , Kostev Karel
Published: January 2023

The pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) is multifactorial, and is characterized by structural, cellular, and molecular remodeling processes. Inflammatory signaling pathways may play a particularly understudied role in HF. Recent data suggest a possible impact of antibiotic use on HF risk. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective case-control study was to investigate the association between antibiotic use and the incidence of HF. Data from the Disease Analyzer (IQVIA) database for patients diagnosed with HF and matched non-HF controls from 983 general practices in Germany between 2000 and 2019 were analyzed. A multivariable conditional logistic regression model was performed. Regression models were calculated for all patients, as well as for data stratified for sex and four age groups. A total of 81,094 patients with HF and 81,094 patients without HF were included in the analyses. In the regression analysis, low, but not high, total antibiotic use was significantly associated with a slightly lower HF risk compared with non-antibiotic users (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.85–0.90). A significantly lower HF incidence was observed for sulfonamides and trimethoprim (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.81–0.93) and for macrolides (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.84–0.91). High use of cephalosporins, however, was associated with an increased HF risk (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.11–1.22). In conclusion, this study from a large real-world cohort from Germany provides evidence that the use of different antibiotics may be associated with HF risk in a dose-dependent manner, possibly due to involved inflammatory processes. Overall, this study should provide a basis for future research to offer new therapeutic strategies for HF patients to improve their limited prognosis.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Biomedicines in 2022
Authors:   Biomedicines Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Hepatitis C Virus-Lipid Interplay: Pathogenesis and Clinical Impact
Authors: Elgretli Wesal , Chen Tianyan , Kronfli Nadine , Sebastiani Giada
Published: January 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents the major cause of chronic liver disease, leading to a wide range of hepatic diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is the leading indication for liver transplantation worldwide. In addition, there is a growing body of evidence concerning the role of HCV in extrahepatic manifestations, including immune-related disorders and metabolic abnormalities, such as insulin resistance and steatosis. HCV depends on its host cells to propagate successfully, and every aspect of the HCV life cycle is closely related to human lipid metabolism. The virus circulates as a lipid-rich particle, entering the hepatocyte via lipoprotein cell receptors. It has also been shown to upregulate lipid biosynthesis and impair lipid degradation, resulting in significant intracellular lipid accumulation (steatosis) and circulating hypocholesterolemia. Patients with chronic HCV are at increased risk for hepatic steatosis, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease, including accelerated atherosclerosis. This review aims to describe different aspects of the HCV viral life cycle as it impacts host lipoproteins and lipid metabolism. It then discusses the mechanisms of HCV-related hepatic steatosis, hypocholesterolemia, and accelerated atherosclerosis.
Changes in Coordination and Its Variability with an Increase in Functional Performance of the Lower Extremities
Authors: Hansen Clint , Chebil Baraah , Cockroft John , Bianchini Edoardo , Romijnders Robbin , Maetzler Walter
Published: January 2023

Clinical gait analysis has a long-standing tradition in biomechanics. However, the use of kinematic data or segment coordination has not been reported based on wearable sensors in “real-life” environments. In this work, the skeletal kinematics of 21 healthy and 24 neurogeriatric participants was collected in a magnetically disturbed environment with inertial measurement units (IMUs) using an accelerometer-based functional calibration method. The system consists of seven IMUs attached to the lower back, the thighs, the shanks, and the feet to acquire and process the raw sensor data. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test was performed to relate joint kinematics and segment coordination to the overall SPPB score. Participants were then divided into three subgroups based on low (0–6), moderate (7–9), or high (10–12) SPPB scores. The main finding of this study is that most IMU-based parameters significantly correlated with the SPPB score and the parameters significantly differed between the SPPB subgroups. Lower limb range of motion and joint segment coordination correlated positively with the SPPB score, and the segment coordination variability correlated negatively. The results suggest that segment coordination impairments become more pronounced with a decreasing SPPB score, indicating that participants with low overall SPPB scores produce a peculiar inconsistent walking pattern to counteract lower extremity impairment in strength, balance, and mobility. Our findings confirm the usefulness of SPPB through objectively measured parameters, which may be relevant for the design of future studies and clinical routines.
Wearable Microfluidic Sweat Chip for Detection of Sweat Glucose and pH in Long-Distance Running Exercise
Authors: Liu Dong , Liu Zhenyu , Feng Shilun , Gao Zehang , Chen Ran , Cai Gaozhe , Bian Shengtai
Published: January 2023

Traditional exercise training monitoring is based on invasive blood testing methods. As sweat can reveal abundant blood-related physiological information about health, wearable sweat sensors have received significant research attention and become increasingly popular in the field of exercise training monitoring. However, most of these sensors are used to measure physical indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, etc., demanding a versatile sensor that can detect relevant biochemical indicators in body fluids. In this work, we proposed a wearable microfluidic sweat chip combined with smartphone image processing to realize non-invasive in situ analysis of epidermal sweat for sports practitioners. The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based chip was modified with nonionic surfactants to ensure good hydrophilicity for the automatic collection of sweat. Besides, a simple, reliable, and low-cost paper-based sensor was prepared for high-performance sensing of glucose concentration and pH in sweat. Under optimized conditions, this proposed chip can detect glucose with low concentrations from 0.05 mM to 0.40 mM, with a pH range of 4.0 to 6.5 for human sweat. The ability of this microfluidic chip for human sweat analysis was demonstrated by dynamically tracking the changes in glucose concentration and pH in long-distance running subjects.
Evaluation of Noise Level in Intensive Care Units of Hospitals and Noise Mitigation Strategies, Case Study: Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Nyembwe Jean-Paul Kapuya Bulaba , Ogundiran John Omomoluwa , Gameiro da Silva Manuel , Albino Vieira Simões Nuno
Published: January 2023

High noise levels in hospitals can affect patients’ well-being, staff productivity, and medical error rates. This study measured noise in two intensive care units (ICUs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). An occupant’s survey and a continuous field sampling were conducted in May and June 2021 in each ICU, using a T Tocas SL 1361 digital sound level meter and an online questionnaire. In GH-ICU, variations in the noise levels for the day, evening, and night-time were recorded as measuring 60.5–94.6 dBA, 61.9–90.0 dBA and 33.3–80.2 dBA respectively, while respective values of 58.8–75.5 dBA, 57–75 dBA, and 33.9–74.8 dBA were recorded for CH-ICU. The weekly noise equivalent level (Leq) of 82.8 dBA and Lden of 83.8 dBA for GH-ICU was computed, and 68.6 dBA and Lden 72.1 dBA for CH-ICU. This study found that the noise levels in both ICUs exceeded the recommended limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) for hospitals, while three-quarters of occupants expressed dissatisfaction with the acoustic environment. The results suggest the need for immediate intervention, including implementing suitable noise mitigation measures since hospital workers and patients are prone to long-term exposure to high noise, which can decrease working performance and health problems.
Building Information Modelling, Integrated Project Delivery, and Lean Construction Maturity Attributes: A Delphi Study
Authors: Rashidian Sara , Drogemuller Robin , Omrani Sara
Published: January 2023

The benefits of adopting collaborative approaches in the construction industry, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and Lean Construction (LC), in an integrated manner are widely acknowledged in academia and industry. Once organizations have embraced BIM, IPD, and LC integration (BIL), a measurement method for evaluating their progress and planning for continuous improvement is required. However, there is no widely accepted capability assessment model, such as Maturity Models (MMs), to effectively assess productivity improvements in organizations adopting all three approaches based on the interdependencies between them. The first step in the process of BIL MM development is identifying the critical attributes of BIM, IPD, and LC integration. This research investigates the interrelationships of BIM, IPD, and LC for use in the maturity models, determining how BIM and IPD can support the application of LC principles. The mixed methods approach was adopted, and a literature review and a two-round Delphi survey were conducted for the data collection. The findings revealed a number of complementarities between BIM, IPD, and LC. The panel of experts agreed upon the five major attributes and 24 sub-attributes of BIM, IPD, and LC, which formed the structure of the presented integrated BIL framework. The significance of this study is to provide the basis for organizations that intend to implement BIM, IPD, and LC in an integrated manner. Interrelating these attributes in a maturity framework also supports the planning and evaluation of organizations’ progress towards realistic goals for continuous improvement.
Tripartite Evolutionary Game Analysis of Participants’ Behaviors in Technological Innovation of Mega Construction Projects under Risk Orientation
Authors: Wang Qinge , Pan Liying
Published: January 2023

Technological innovation of mega construction projects (MCPs) plays a crucial role in promoting upgrades to the construction industry. However, MCPs are complex and the transformation ratio of technological innovation achievements is generally low. To achieve the goal of technological innovation of MCPs which requires organizations from multiple fields to participate, it is critical to find the factors that influence cooperation and subsequently reduce the risk of technological innovation. Therefore, taking the risk as the guide of participants’ behaviors, this study constructs an evolutionary game model by tripartite participation: the owners or the representatives of the users who rely on the MCPs with technological innovation (the Users), the construction production enterprises (the CPEs), and the universities and the research institutes (the URIs). We derive the evolutionary stable strategy and apply matlab2020a for simulation analysis. The findings are as follows: (1) The strategy choice of the participant will be influenced by the strategy choices of other participants. (2) Collaborative cooperation for all parties is the evolutionary stable strategy. (3) The sensitivity of the participants to different parameters is different, and they are more sensitive to the perceived loss of technological innovation risk, risk-taking ratio, technological innovation investment, and cost compression coefficient. Based on the research results, the study provides effective suggestions for the Users and the government. The Users can quantify risk loss, refine risk management and establish collaborative cooperation evaluation indexes, and it is necessary for the government to encourage technological innovation of MCPs.
Properties of Bacterial Copper Slag Concrete
Authors: Rohini I. , Padmapriya R.
Published: January 2023

Copper ore processing generates a large amount of copper slag, which has properties that are similar to fine aggregate. Copper slag has a promising future in the construction industry as an alternative to fine aggregate. Up to 50% of fine aggregate substitutions have been successful. The performance of copper slag concrete could be improved by microbiologically induced calcium carbonate precipitation. The impact of micro-organisms on the mechanical properties and flexural behaviour of copper slag concrete was investigated in this study. Five concrete mixtures were created by replacing varying amounts of fine aggregate with copper slag, ranging from 0% to 100%. M30 grade concrete was used, and 1% to 2% of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis by weight of cement was added during the concrete casting procedure. Specimens of different shapes, such as cubes, cylinders, and prisms, were cast and examined at 7, 14, and 28 days. When treated with micro-organisms, the test results revealed that replacing 50% to 75% of the sand with copper slag produced concrete with superior mechanical properties and a greater density. With the optimal ratio of copper slag to micro-organisms, a suitable RCC beam was formed. Load–deflection patterns of bacterial copper slag concrete were used to investigate beam flexural behaviour, and the results were compared using ABAQUS modelling. Microbiologically induced calcium carbonate precipitation can alter regular copper slag concrete, resulting in enhanced concrete performance.
Influence of Heating–Cooling Regime on the Engineering Properties of Structural Concrete Subjected to Elevated Temperature
Authors: Paul Thanaraj Daniel , Kiran Tattukolla , Kanagaraj Balamurali , Nammalvar Anand , Andrushia A. Diana , Gurupatham Beulah Gnana Ananthi , Roy Krishanu
Published: January 2023

Structural concrete has become a highly preferable building material in the construction industry due to its versatile characteristics, such as workability, strength, and durability. When concrete structures are exposed to fire, the mechanical properties of concrete degrade significantly. The research on the residual mechanical properties of concrete after exposure is necessary, particularly for the repair and rehabilitation of concrete elements and for the stability of the infrastructure. Factors, such as the grade of concrete, the effect of temperature exposure, and rapid water cooling, affect the residual strength characteristics of concrete. Considering these factors, the present investigation evaluates the mechanical properties of concrete using different grades, such as those ranging from 20 to 50 MPa, with an increment of 10 MPa. The specimens were exposed to different durations of fire from 15 to 240 min, following the standard rate of heating. A loss of strength was observed after fire exposure for all the grades of concrete. The rate of reduction in tensile and flexural strengths of the concrete was greater than that of compressive strength. The experimental results also showed that the strength reduction is greater for M50 than M20 concrete concerning the duration of heating. A microstructure evaluation confirmed the extent of damage to concrete under varied temperature conditions.
Seven Centuries of Church Architectural Evolution and Its Influence on Indoor Acoustics: The Case of the Dome of Conegliano in Italy
Authors: Bettarello Federica , Caniato Luciano , Caniato Marco
Published: January 2023

Sacred constructions like churches are built both for holy and architectural purposes. They are influenced by the design fashions, city history and the government. When a church, or more generally a religious building, is constructed, it is rarely torn down. Instead, these kinds of edifices are refurbished, expanded and modified according to the architectural trend of a specific period. The indoor activities of the church have changed over time, especially after the Second Vatican Council. Thus, it can be interesting to study the past modifications of churches and their features and uses. The aim of this paper is to explore the influence of a building’s history on the architectural change over time and more specifically, the subsequent influence on the indoor acoustic field. Additionally, this study aims to show how a precise and scientific reconstruction of a church’s history, using ancient documents, can provide researchers with a valuable method of investigation. Furthermore, this study aims to analyze the indoor acoustics of these holy buildings over time and elucidate whether these were considered or not for the purposes of the contemporary sacred celebrations. Therefore, in this paper, the Dome of Conegliano (Italy) is the focus of the present study. Detailed historical research was performed by means of reviewing ancient documents to faithfully reconstruct the Dome’s history. Furthermore, acoustic measurements were executed to characterize its shape in our times. Using these results, the ancient configuration of the dome was reconstructed virtually and compared to the contemporary one. Interestingly, the results show that seven centuries of history did influence the church’s architecture and consequently its indoor acoustics. The source–receiver distance has been shown to be an influential parameter, determining that the church is acoustically more suitable for listening to music rather than voice. Clearly, the Dome of Conegliano’s indoor acoustics were not modified or improved over time to fulfill their potential use, but the internal shape was modified according to the architectural fashion and to fulfill other requests as well as the structural requirements of the owners.
Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Masonry Residential Buildings in the Older Parts of Tehran through Fragility Curves and Basic RVS Scores
Authors: Yekrangnia Mohammad
Published: January 2023

The present study aims to determine the Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) basic scores for four representative Unreinforced Masonry (URM) and their corresponding Confined Masonry (CM) buildings. Two types of analysis were carried out on the finite element models: modal and push-over analysis. It was observed that confining URM walls with horizontal and vertical RC ties leads to a significant improvement in both the ultimate strength and ductility ratio of URM buildings. The natural frequency and strength of the studied buildings were strongly influenced by the walls’ relative area. The push-over-based fragility curves indicate that there is an average of 100% increase in the spectral acceleration related to the 50% exceedance probability of the CP performance level of CM buildings compared to their corresponding URM buildings. Moreover, the average resulted RVS basic score of CM buildings was 45% higher compared to those of their corresponding URM buildings and their sensitivity to the higher seismicity of the region was lower, thus greatly reducing the vulnerability of masonry buildings.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Cancers in 2022
Authors:   Cancers Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Photocatalyzed Oxygenation Reactions with Organic Dyes: State of the Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Forchetta Mattia , Valentini Francesca , Conte Valeria , Galloni Pierluca , Sabuzi Federica
Published: January 2023

Oxygen atom incorporation into organic molecules is one of the most powerful strategies to increase their pharmacological activity and to obtain valuable intermediates in organic synthesis. Traditional oxidizing agents perform very well, but their environmental impact and their low selectivity constitute significant limitations. On the contrary, visible-light-promoted oxygenations represent a sustainable method for oxidizing organic compounds, since only molecular oxygen and a photocatalyst are required. Therefore, photocatalytic oxygenation reactions exhibit very high atom-economy and eco-compatibility. This mini-review collects and analyzes the most recent literature on organo-photocatalysis applications to promote the selective oxygenation of organic substrates. In particular, acridinium salts, Eosin Y, Rose Bengal, cyano-arenes, flavinium salts, and quinone-based dyes are widely used as photocatalysts in several organic transformations as the oxygenations of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds, amines, phosphines, silanes, and thioethers. In this context, organo-photocatalysts proved to be highly efficient in catalytic terms, showing similar or even superior performances with respect to their metal-based counterparts, while maintaining a low environmental impact. In addition, given the mild reaction conditions, visible-light-promoted photo-oxygenation processes often display remarkable selectivity, which is a striking feature for the late-stage functionalization of complex organic molecules.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Pharmaceutical Amisulpride Using g-C3N4 Catalyst and UV-A Irradiation
Authors: Antonopoulou Maria , Papadaki Maria , Rapti Ilaeira , Konstantinou Ioannis
Published: January 2023

In the present study, the photocatalytic degradation of amisulpride using g-C3N4 catalyst under UV-A irradiation was investigated. The photocatalytic process was evaluated in terms of its effectiveness to remove amisulpride from ultrapure and real municipal wastewater. High removal percentages were achieved in both aqueous matrices. However, a slower degradation rate was observed using wastewater as matrix that could be attributed to its complex chemical composition. The transformation products (TPs) were identified with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) in both ultrapure and real municipal wastewater. Based on the identified TPs, the photocatalytic degradation pathways of amisulpride are proposed which include mainly oxidation, dealkylation, and cleavage of the methoxy group. Moreover, the contribution of reactive species to the degradation mechanism was studied using well-documented scavengers, and the significant role of h+ and O2•− in the reaction mechanism was proved. The evolution of ecotoxicity was also estimated using microalgae Chlorococcum sp. and Dunaliella tertiolecta. Low toxicity was observed during the overall process without the formation of toxic TPs when ultrapure water was used as matrix. In the case of real municipal wastewater, an increased toxicity was observed at the beginning of the process which is attributed to the composition of the matrix. The application of heterogeneous photocatalysis reduced the toxicity, and almost complete detoxification was achieved at the end of the process. Our results are in accordance with literature data that reported that heterogeneous photocatalysis is effective for the removal of amisulpride from aqueous matrices.
Nano-ZrO2-Catalyzed Biginelli Reaction and the Synthesis of Bioactive Dihydropyrimidinones That Targets PPAR-γ in Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Deveshegowda Suresha N. , Yang Ji-Rui , Xi Zhang , Nagaraja Omantheswara , Fazl-Ur-Rahman Kashifa , Narasimhachar Bhanuprakash C. , Sethi Gautam , Periyasamy Ganga , Madegowda Mahendra , Rangappa Shobith , Pandey Vijay , Lobie Peter E. , Basappa Basappa
Published: January 2023

Bioactive dihydropyrimidinones (DHPs) were designed and synthesized by a multicomponent Biginelli reaction. The reaction was catalyzed by the polarized surface of nano-zirconium dioxide with partial positive charge of 0.52e at the Zr center and a negative charge of −0.23e at the oxygen center. There was good corroboration between the computed and experimental ZrO2 cell parameters and bond distances as determined by in silico and in vitro experimental methods. Since DHPs were found to target the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, we tested these ligands toward MCF-7 cell toxicity, which revealed that the compounds 4d [ethyl-4-(4′-fluoro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate] and 4e [ethyl-4-(3′-methoxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate] inhibited proliferation with IC50 values of 11.8 and 15.8 μM, respectively. Further, our bioinformatic analysis found that the active molecule 4d, fit into the enzyme’s catalytic site, almost in the same position as rosiglitazone, which was buried deep inside the cavity. In conclusion, we herein report novel DHPs which could be better structures to help explore a new class of synthetic PPAR-γ ligands.
Biochar from Lemon Stalks: A Highly Active and Selective Carbocatalyst for the Oxidation of Sulfamethoxazole with Persulfate
Authors: Giannakopoulos Spyridon , Vakros John , Frontistis Zacharias , Manariotis Ioannis D. , Venieri Danae , Poulopoulos Stavros G. , Mantzavinos Dionissios
Published: January 2023

Pyrolysis of lemon stalks at 850 °C under a limited oxygen atmosphere yields a highly active and selective biochar for the activation of persulfate ion and the oxidation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The biochar mainly consists of C and O atoms, with Ca and K being the most abundant minerals. It has a moderate specific surface area of 154 m2 g−1 and carbonate species, probably in the form of calcium carbonate. Complete degradation of 0.5 mg L−1 SMX can be achieved within 20 min using 500 mg L−1 sodium persulfate (SPS) and 100 mg L−1 biochar in ultrapure water (UPW). The acidic environment positively influences the degradation and adsorption processes, while the complexity of the water matrices usually has a negative impact on the degradation. The presence of chloride accelerates the oxidation of SMX, whose mechanism follows radical and non-radical pathways. Hydroxyl radicals seem to have the dominant contribution, while the electron transfer pathway was proven with electrochemical characterization. The biochar is stable for at least five cycles, and this makes it a good candidate for a sustainable, metal-free catalyst.
Hedgehog Signaling in Gonadal Development and Function
Authors: Dilower Iman , Niloy Asef J. , Kumar Vishnu , Kothari Ayushi , Lee Eun Bee , Rumi M. A. Karim
Published: January 2023

Three distinct hedgehog (HH) molecules, (sonic, desert, and indian), two HH receptors (PTCH1 and PTCH2), a membrane bound activator (SMO), and downstream three transcription factors (GLI1, GLI2, and GLI3) are the major components of the HH signaling. These signaling molecules were initially identified in Drosophila melanogaster. Later, it has been found that the HH system is highly conserved across species and essential for organogenesis. HH signaling pathways play key roles in the development of the brain, face, skeleton, musculature, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. While the sonic HH (SHH) pathway plays a major role in the development of the central nervous system, the desert HH (DHH) regulates the development of the gonads, and the indian HH (IHH) acts on the development of bones and joints. There are also overlapping roles among the HH molecules. In addition to the developmental role of HH signaling in embryonic life, the pathways possess vital physiological roles in testes and ovaries during adult life. Disruption of DHH and/or IHH signaling results in ineffective gonadal steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. While DHH regulates the male gonadal functions, ovarian functions are regulated by both DHH and IHH. This review article focuses on the roles of HH signaling in gonadal development and reproductive functions with an emphasis on ovarian functions. We have acknowledged the original research work that initially reported the findings and discussed the subsequent studies that have further analyzed the role of HH signaling in testes and ovaries.
Defining a Correlative Transcriptional Signature Associated with Bulk Histone H3 Acetylation Levels in Adult Glioblastomas
Authors: Hervás-Corpión Irati , Navarro-Calvo Jorge , Martín-Climent Paula , Iriarte-Gahete Marianela , Geribaldi-Doldán Noelia , Castro Carmen , Valor Luis M.
Published: January 2023

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most prevalent primary brain cancer and the most aggressive form of glioma because of its poor prognosis and high recurrence. To confirm the importance of epigenetics in glioma, we explored The Cancer Gene Atlas (TCGA) database and we found that several histone/DNA modifications and chromatin remodeling factors were affected at transcriptional and genetic levels in GB compared to lower-grade gliomas. We associated these alterations in our own cohort of study with a significant reduction in the bulk levels of acetylated lysines 9 and 14 of histone H3 in high-grade compared to low-grade tumors. Within GB, we performed an RNA-seq analysis between samples exhibiting the lowest and highest levels of acetylated H3 in the cohort; these results are in general concordance with the transcriptional changes obtained after histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition of GB-derived cultures that affected relevant genes in glioma biology and treatment (e.g., A2ML1, CD83, SLC17A7, TNFSF18). Overall, we identified a transcriptional signature linked to histone acetylation that was potentially associated with good prognosis, i.e., high overall survival and low rate of somatic mutations in epigenetically related genes in GB. Our study identifies lysine acetylation as a key defective histone modification in adult high-grade glioma, and offers novel insights regarding the use of HDAC inhibitors in therapy.
Evaluation of Serum Biomarkers and Electroencephalogram to Determine Survival Outcomes in Pediatric Post-Cardiac-Arrest Patients
Authors: El-Seify Magda , Shata Mennatallah O. , Salaheldin Sondos , Bawady Somia , Rezk Ahmed R.
Published: January 2023

Cardiac arrest causes primary and secondary brain injuries. We evaluated the association between neuron-specific enolase (NSE), serum S-100B (S100B), electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns, and post-cardiac arrest outcomes in pediatric patients. A prospective observational study was conducted in the pediatric intensive care unit and included 41 post-cardiac arrest patients who underwent EEG and serum sampling for NSE and S100B. The participants were aged 1 month to 18 years who experienced cardiac arrest and underwent CPR after a sustained return of spontaneous circulation for ≥48 h. Approximately 19.5% (n = 8) of patients survived until ICU discharge. Convulsions and sepsis were significantly associated with higher mortality (relative risk: 1.33 [95% CI = 1.09–1.6] and 1.99 [95% CI = 0.8–4.7], respectively). Serum NSE and S100B levels were not statistically associated with the outcome (p = 0.278 and 0.693, respectively). NSE levels were positively correlated with the duration of CPR. EEG patterns were significantly associated with the outcome (p = 0.01). Non-epileptogenic EEG activity was associated with the highest survival rate. Post-cardiac arrest syndrome is a serious condition with a high mortality rate. Management of sepsis and convulsions affects prognosis. We believe that NSE and S100B may have no benefit in survival evaluation. EEG can be considered for post-cardiac arrest patients.
Impact of Blue Space Geometry on Urban Heat Island Mitigation
Authors: Ampatzidis Petros , Cintolesi Carlo , Kershaw Tristan
Published: January 2023

A growing body of literature recognises the importance of nature-based solutions in providing resilience to the effects of climate change by mitigating urban heat islands. However, a knowledge gap exists regarding the contribution of blue spaces to the urban environment. Recent evidence suggests that blue spaces within urban canyons can promote pollutant removal via the vertical transport of air under certain conditions, but this is inconclusive. Using a numerical solver that accounts for evaporation effects, we investigate the influence of blue space size and shape on the in-canyon flow structure, temperature and water vapour distribution. Simulations were performed for water bodies of varying size and shape at different temperatures compared to the surrounding air. Results suggest that inadequately sized warmer water bodies are unable to promote sufficient vertical transport for pollutant removal, leading to overturning and increased temperature and humidity levels at the pedestrian level, thereby worsening environmental conditions and increasing the risk of heat-related illness and mortality. Hence, larger water bodies are better suited to nocturnal transport of pollutants and accumulated warm air away from the urban surface, while smaller water bodies are better suited to providing localised evaporative cooling. Lastly, irregular water bodies may have a greater cooling effect across a larger area.
All-Inkjet-Printed Ti3C2 MXene Capacitor for Textile Energy Storage
Authors: Gibertini Eugenio , Lissandrello Federico , Bertoli Luca , Viviani Prisca , Magagnin Luca
Published: January 2023

The emerging wearable electronics integrated into textiles are posing new challenges both in materials and micro-fabrication strategies to produce textile-based energy storage and power source micro-devices. In this regard, inkjet printing (IJP) offers unique features for rapid prototyping for various thin-film (2D) devices. However, all-inkjet-printed capacitors were very rarely reported in the literature. In this work, we formulated a stable Ti3C2 MXene aqueous ink for inkjet printing current-collector-free electrodes on TPU-coated cotton fabric, together with an innovative inkjet-printable and UV-curable solvent-based electrolyte precursor. The electrolyte was inkjet-printed on the electrode’s surface, and after UV polymerization, a thin and soft gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) was obtained, resulting in an all-inkjet-printed symmetrical capacitor (a-IJPSC). The highest ionic conductivity (0.60 mS/cm) was achieved with 10 wt.% of acrylamide content, and the capacitance retention was investigated both at rest (flat) and under bending conditions. The flat a-IJPSC textile-based device showed the areal capacitance of 0.89 mF/cm2 averaged on 2k cycles. Finally, an array of a-IJPSCs were demonstrated to be feasible as both a textile-based energy storage and micro-power source unit able to power a blue LED for several seconds.
An Overview of the Latest Developments in the Electrochemical Aptasensing of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Mikuła Edyta , Malecka-Baturo Kamila
Published: January 2023

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are becoming a major global health problem. They constitute an incurable diverse group of disorders characterized by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the central or peripheral nervous system. There is an enormous unmet demand worldwide for methods for the early detection of ND biomarkers. The complexity of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal degeneration as well as the inhomogeneity of the patient population pose a great challenge for the development of early diagnostic tools. Various analytical technologies have been developed to meet this challenge. Among the various approaches reported so far, biosensors are powerful analytical implements that have been applied to detect biomarkers of NDs. Over the past decade, electrochemical aptasensors have been at the forefront of this development not only thanks to their low cost and simple design but also due to advances in nanomaterials modifying the surface of the transducers involved. The design of electrochemical aptasensors for the detection of ND biomarkers such as α-synuclein, amyloid β peptide, tau protein and human cellular prion protein were summarized and compared. Innovative strategies for increasing their sensitivity and selectivity were also pointed out. Undoubtedly, there is still a need for low-cost, fast and easy-to-use systems for the early detection of NDs.
A Centralized Routing for Lifetime and Energy Optimization in WSNs Using Genetic Algorithm and Least-Square Policy Iteration
Authors: Obi Elvis , Mammeri Zoubir , Ochia Okechukwu E.
Published: January 2023

Q-learning has been primarily used as one of the reinforcement learning (RL) techniques to find the optimal routing path in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, for the centralized RL-based routing protocols with a large state space and action space, the baseline Q-learning used to implement these protocols suffers from degradation in the convergence speed, network lifetime, and network energy consumption due to the large number of learning episodes required to learn the optimal routing path. To overcome these limitations, an efficient model-free RL-based technique called Least-Square Policy Iteration (LSPI) is proposed to optimize the network lifetime and energy consumption in WSNs. The resulting designed protocol is a Centralized Routing Protocol for Lifetime and Energy Optimization with a Genetic Algorithm (GA) and LSPI (CRPLEOGALSPI). Simulation results show that the CRPLEOGALSPI has improved performance in network lifetime and energy consumption compared to an existing Centralized Routing Protocol for Lifetime Optimization with GA and Q-learning (CRPLOGARL). This is because the CRPLEOGALSPI chooses a routing path in a given state considering all the possible routing paths, and it is not sensitive to the learning rate. Moreover, while the CRPLOGARL evaluates the optimal policy from the Q-values, the CRPLEOGALSPI updates the Q-values based on the most updated information regarding the network dynamics using weighted functions.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Computers in 2022
Authors:   Computers Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
The Cobalt(II) Oxidotellurate(IV) Hydroxides Co2(TeO3)(OH)2 and Co15(TeO3)14(OH)2
Authors: Eder Felix , Weil Matthias , Pramanik Prativa , Mathieu Roland
Published: January 2023

Previously unknown Co2(TeO3)(OH)2 and Co15(TeO3)14(OH)2 were obtained under mild hydrothermal reaction conditions (210 °C, autogenous pressure) from alkaline solutions. Their crystal structures were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Co2(TeO3)(OH)2 (Z = 2, P1¯, a = 5.8898(5), b = 5.9508(5), c = 6.8168(5) Å, α = 101.539(2), β = 100.036(2), γ = 104.347(2)°, 2120 independent reflections, 79 parameters, R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.017) crystallizes in a unique structure comprised of undulating 2∝[Co2(OH)6/3O3/3O2/2O1/1]4− layers. Adjacent layers are linked by TeIV atoms along the [001] stacking direction. Co2(TeO3)(OH)2 is stable up to 450 °C and decomposes under the release of water into Co6Te5O16 and CoO. Magnetic measurements of Co2(TeO3)(OH)2 showed antiferromagnetic ordering at ≈ 70 K. The crystal structure of Co15(TeO3)14(OH)2 (Z = 3, R3¯, a = 11.6453(2), c = 27.3540(5) Å, 3476 independent reflections, 112 parameters, R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.026) is isotypic with Co15(TeO3)14F2. A quantitative structural comparison revealed that the main structural difference between the two phases is connected with the replacement of F by OH, whereas the remaining part of the three-periodic network defined by [CoO6], [CoO5(OH)], [CoO5] and [TeO3] polyhedra is nearly unaffected. Consequently, the magnetic properties of the two phases are similar, namely being antiferromagnetic at low temperatures.
Micromagnetic Simulation of Increased Coercivity of (Sm, Zr)(Co, Fe, Cu)z Permanent Magnets
Authors: Zheleznyi Mark V. , Kolchugina Natalia B. , Kurichenko Vladislav L. , Dormidontov Nikolay A. , Prokofev Pavel A. , Milov Yuriy V. , Andreenko Aleksandr S. , Sipin Ivan A. , Dormidontov Andrey G. , Bakulina Anna S.
Published: January 2023

The finite element micromagnetic simulation is used to study the role of complex composition of 2:17R-cell boundaries in the realization of magnetization reversal processes of (Sm, Zr)(Co, Cu, Fe)z alloys intended for high-energy permanent magnets. A modified sandwich model is considered for the combinations of 2:7R/1:5H phase and 5:19R/1:5H phase layers as the 2:17R-cell boundaries in the alloy structure. The results of the simulation represented in the form of coercive force vs. total width of cell boundary showed the possibility of reaching the increased coercivity at the expense of 180°-domain wall pinning at the additional barriers within cell boundaries. The phase and structural states of the as-cast Sm1-xZrx(Co0.702Cu0.088Fe0.210)z alloy sample with x = 0.13 and z = 6.4 are studied, and the presence of the above phases in the vicinity of the 1:5H phase was demonstrated.
Management of Oligometastatic Breast Cancer: An Expert Committee’s Opinion
Authors: Leblanc Dominique , Cantin Guy , Desnoyers Alexandra , Dufresne Jean , Masucci Giuseppina Laura , Panet-Raymond Valérie , Poirier Éric , Soldera Sara , Gingras Isabelle
Published: January 2023

Patients with oligometastatic breast cancer (BC) are candidates of choice for metastasis-directed therapy (MDT). This paper summarizes the opinions of an expert committee about the management of oligometastatic BC. The experts could complete the questionnaire from 13 September 2021, to 10 October 2021, followed by a discussion. The experts were physicians working in the Province of Quebec (Canada) and specialized in BC care, including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. The experts provided their opinions about the context of the disease and therapeutic approach, local and systemic therapies, and the prognosis of oligometastatic BC. In addition to the expert panel’s opinions about the management of oligometastatic disease per se, the experts stated that a prospective data registry should be implemented to collect data about oligometastatic BC to improve knowledge about oligometastatic BC and implement data-driven MDT. These data could also allow for the design of treatment algorithms. In conclusion, this paper presents the expert panel’s opinions about the management of oligometastatic BC and highlights the needs to be met to improve the care of this condition.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Data in 2022
Authors:   Data Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Evaluation of Liver Stiffness Measurement by Means of 2D-SWE for the Diagnosis of Esophageal Varices
Authors: Hristov Bozhidar , Andonov Vladimir , Doykov Daniel , Doykova Katya , Valova Siyana , Nacheva-Georgieva Emiliya , Uchikov Petar , Kostov Gancho , Doykov Mladen , Tilkian Eduard
Published: January 2023

Portal hypertension (PH) and esophageal varices (EVs) are a matter of extensive research. According to current Baveno VII guidelines, in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD), liver stiffness measurement (LSM) < 15 kPa and PLT count > 150 × 109/L, upper endoscopy (UE) is not mandatory, and the emphasis should be set on non-invasive methods for evaluation of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). The aim of this study is to establish whether liver stiffness (LS) measured by 2D-SWE could be used as a predictor for the presence and severity of EVs in cirrhotic patients. In total, 86 patients of whom 32 with compensated liver cirrhosis (cLC) and 54 with decompensated liver cirrhosis (dLC) were examined in the Gastroenterology clinic of University hospital “Kaspela”, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Each patient underwent LS assessment by 2D-SWE and EVs grading by UE. EVs were detected in 47 (54.7%) patients, 23 (49%) of them were stage 4-high-risk EVs (HREV). The cut-off value for LS that differentiates HREV from the rest was set at 2.49 m/s with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity (AUC 1.000, CI 0.925). Conclusions: 2D-SWE can be used as a non-invasive method in the assessment of only high-grade esophageal varices. For the other grades, upper endoscopy remains the method of choice.
Ocular Morpho-Functional Evaluation in ATTRv Pre-Symptomatic Carriers: A Case Series
Authors: Maceroni Martina , Falsini Benedetto , Luigetti Marco , Romano Angela , Guglielmino Valeria , Fasciani Romina , Placidi Giorgio , D’Agostino Elena , Sasso Paola , Rizzo Stanislao , Minnella Angelo
Published: January 2023

The present study aimed to investigate ocular findings in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) pre-symptomatic carriers. Fourteen ATTRv pre-symptomatic carriers, who are patients with positive genetic testing but without signs or symptoms of the disease, were retrospectively evaluated. Retinal morphology was assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography. Retinal function was evaluated using cone b-wave and photopic negative response (PhNR). Pupillometry and in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCM) were performed. ATTRv pre-symptomatic carriers presented a significantly reduced central macular thickness (CMT) (p = 0.01) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness (p = 0.01) in comparison to normal controls. No differences were found when analyzing sub-foveal choroidal thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell complex. In comparison to healthy controls, pre-symptomatic carriers presented an attenuated superficial retinal vascular network and a significantly augmented PhNR amplitude (p = 0.01). However, PhNR implicit times, B-wave amplitude and B-wave peak time did not show significant differences in comparison to controls. No differences were found for pupillometric values. All the examined eyes presented alterations in the IVCM. Preclinical ocular structural and functional abnormalities can be found in ATTRv pre-symptomatic carriers. Thus, an extensive ophthalmological evaluation should be included at the baseline visit and during follow-up. Considering the availability of new drugs potentially able to prevent or delay disease progression, the identification of new disease biomarkers appears to be particularly promising.