bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Immune Cell Activation in Pemphigus
Authors: Kowalska-Kępczyńska Anna , Mleczko Mateusz , Domerecka Weronika , Krasowska Dorota , Donica Helena
Published: June 2022

(1) Background: Pemphigus is a blistering autoimmune disease of the skin and/or mucous membranes, characterised by the presence of specific autoantibodies directed against structural proteins of the human skin. Recent reports indicate that new haematological parameters, termed Extended Inflammation Parameters (EIP), can be used to assess the activation of immune cells during active inflammation. These include parameters assessing both neutrophil activation (NEUT-RI, NEUT-GI) and the number of activated lymphocytes (RE-LYMP). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between changes in NEUT-RI, NEUT-GI and RE-LYMP and the disease activity in patients with pemphigus. (2) Results: The study involved 32 patients with diagnosed different types of pemphigus. Neutrophil activation parameters (NEUT-RI and NEUT-GI) and lymphocytes (RE-LYMP) were significantly higher in these patients compared to the parameters in healthy participants (respectively p = 0.0127, p = 0.0011 and p = 0.0033). The increased quantity of activated lymphocytes (RE-LYMP) also correlated significantly with the extent of skin and/or mucosal lesions in patients assessed by the PDAI scale (p < 0.02). (3) Conclusions: The NEUT-RI, NEUT-GI and RE-LYMP parameters proved to be appropriate markers of inflammation severity in pemphigus, also in relation to local lesions, which was not possible with the inflammation markers (CRP, ESR) used so far on a routine basis.
Ultrasonographic Assessment of Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis in Elderly Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: An Italian Cohort Study
Authors: Battaglia Yuri , Fiorini Fulvio , Gisonni Pietro , Imbriaco Massimo , Lentini Paolo , Zeiler Matthias , Russo Luigi , Prencipe Michele , Russo Domenico
Published: June 2022

Although atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is strictly associated with high cardiovascular risk and mortality, it often may remain unrecognized being clinically silent and frequently masked by co-morbidities especially in elderly patients with coexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present observational study was conducted in elderly CKD-patients with atherosclerosis on other arterial beds. The aims were assessment of (1) ARAS prevalence; (2) best predictor(s) of ARAS, using duplex ultrasound; and (3) cardiovascular and renal outcomes at one-year follow-up. The cohort was represented by 607 consecutive in-patients. Inclusion criteria were age ≥65 years; CKD stages 2–5 not on dialysis; single or multiple atherosclerotic plaque on epiaortic vessels, abdominal aorta, aortic arch, coronary arteries, peripheral arteries that had been previously ascertained by one or more procedures. Duplex ultrasound was used to detect ARAS. Multiple regression analysis and ROS curve were performed to identify the predictors of ARAS. ARAS was found in 53 (44%) out of 120 patients who met the inclusion criteria. In univariate analysis, GFR (b = −0.021; p = 0.02); hemoglobin (b = −0.233; p = 0.02); BMI (b = 0.134; p = 0.036) and atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta and/or peripheral vessels (b = 1.025; p < 0.001) were associated with ARAS. In multivariable analysis, abdominal aorta and/or peripheral atherosclerosis was a significant (p = 0.002) predictor of ARAS. The area under the ROC curve was 0.655 (C.I. = 0.532–0.777; p = 0.019). ARAS is common in older CKD patients with extra-renal atherosclerosis, with the highest prevalence in those with aortic and peripheral atherosclerosis. ARAS may pass by unnoticed in everyday clinical practice.
Diagnosis of Human Leptospirosis: Comparison of Microscopic Agglutination Test with Recombinant LigA/B Antigen-Based In-House IgM Dot ELISA Dipstick Test and Latex Agglutination Test Using Bayesian Latent Class Model and MAT as Gold Standard
Authors: Behera Sujit Kumar , Sabarinath Thankappan , Ganesh Balasubramanian , Mishra Prasanta Kumar K. , Niloofa Roshan , Senthilkumar Kuppusamy , Verma Med Ram , Hota Abhishek , Chandrasekar Shanmugam , Deneke Yosef , Kumar Ashok , Nagarajan Muruganandam , Das Deepanker , Khatua Sasmita , Sahu Radhakrishna , Ali Syed Atif
Published: June 2022

Leptospirosis is a spirochaetal infection that possesses a broad host range affecting almost all mammals. In the present study, the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was compared with recombinant LigA/B antigen-based point-of-care diagnostics such as the in-house IgM dot ELISA dipstick test (IgM- DEDT) and the latex agglutination test (LAT) for the serodiagnosis of human leptospirosis. The comparison of the MAT with these two point–of-care diagnostics was performed using the MAT as the gold standard test and using Bayesian latent class modelling (BLCM), which considers all diagnostic tests as imperfect. The N-terminal conserved region of the LigA/B protein spanning the first to fifth big tandem repeat domains (rLigA/BCon1-5) was employed as a serodiagnostic marker in both of the bedside assays. A total of 340 serum samples collected from humans involved in high risk occupations were screened using the MAT, IgM DEDT and LAT. During the early phase of leptospirosis, BLCM analysis showed that the IgM DEDT and LAT had similar sensitivities (99.6 (96.0–100)) and (99.5 (95.2–100)), respectively, while the single acute phase MAT had the lowest sensitivity (83.3 (72.8–91.3)). Both the IgM DEDT and the LAT may be superior to the single acute phase MAT in terms of sensitivity during the early phase of infection and may be suitable for the early diagnosis of leptospirosis. However, BLCM analysis revealed that the use of both acute and convalescent samples substantially increased the sensitivity of the final MAT (98.2% (93.0–99.8%)) as a test to diagnose human leptospirosis. Both the IgM DEDT and LAT can be employed as bedside spot tests in remote locations where the MAT is not easily accessible.
Liver Trauma: Management in the Emergency Setting and Medico-Legal Implications
Authors: Saviano Angela , Ojetti Veronica , Zanza Christian , Franceschi Francesco , Longhitano Yaroslava , Martuscelli Ermelinda , Maiese Aniello , Volonnino Gianpietro , Bertozzi Giuseppe , Ferrara Michela , La Russa Raffaele
Published: June 2022

Traumatic abdominal injuries are life-threatening emergencies frequently seen in the Emergency Department (ED). The most common is liver trauma, which accounts for approximately 5% of all ED admissions for trauma. The management of blunt liver trauma has evolved significantly over the past few decades and, according to the injury’s severity, it may require massive resuscitation, radiological procedures, endoscopy, or surgery. Patients admitted to the ED with blunt abdominal trauma require a multidisciplinary evaluation, including emergency physicians, surgeons, radiologists, and anesthetists, who must promptly identify the extent of the injury to prevent serious complications. In case of a patient’s death, the execution of a forensic examination carried out with a multidisciplinary approach (radiological, macroscopic, and histological) is essential to understand the cause of death and to correlate the extent of the injuries to the possibility of survival to be able to manage any medico-legal disputes. This manuscript aims to collect the most up-to-date evidence regarding the management of hepatic trauma in the emergency room and to explore radiological findings and medico-legal implications.
Deep Transfer Learning for the Multilabel Classification of Chest X-ray Images
Authors: Huang Guan-Hua , Fu Qi-Jia , Gu Ming-Zhang , Lu Nan-Han , Liu Kuo-Ying , Chen Tai-Been
Published: June 2022

Chest X-ray (CXR) is widely used to diagnose conditions affecting the chest, its contents, and its nearby structures. In this study, we used a private data set containing 1630 CXR images with disease labels; most of the images were disease-free, but the others contained multiple sites of abnormalities. Here, we used deep convolutional neural network (CNN) models to extract feature representations and to identify possible diseases in these images. We also used transfer learning combined with large open-source image data sets to resolve the problems of insufficient training data and optimize the classification model. The effects of different approaches of reusing pretrained weights (model finetuning and layer transfer), source data sets of different sizes and similarity levels to the target data (ImageNet, ChestX-ray, and CheXpert), methods integrating source data sets into transfer learning (initiating, concatenating, and co-training), and backbone CNN models (ResNet50 and DenseNet121) on transfer learning were also assessed. The results demonstrated that transfer learning applied with the model finetuning approach typically afforded better prediction models. When only one source data set was adopted, ChestX-ray performed better than CheXpert; however, after ImageNet initials were attached, CheXpert performed better. ResNet50 performed better in initiating transfer learning, whereas DenseNet121 performed better in concatenating and co-training transfer learning. Transfer learning with multiple source data sets was preferable to that with a source data set. Overall, transfer learning can further enhance prediction capabilities and reduce computing costs for CXR images.
Echocardiography in Prone Positioned Critically Ill Patients: A Wealth of Information from a Single View
Authors: Giustiniano Enrico , Palma Sergio , Meco Massimo , Ripani Umberto , Nisi Fulvio
Published: June 2022

In critically ill patients, standard transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) generally does not facilitate good image quality during mechanical ventilation. We propose a prone-TTE in prone positioned patients, which allows clinicians to obtain a complete apical four-chamber (A-4-C) view. A basic cardiac assessment can be performed in order to evaluate right ventricle function and left ventricle performance, even measuring objective parameters, i.e., tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE); pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAP), from the tricuspid regurgitation peak Doppler velocity; RV end-diastolic diameter and its ratio to left ventricular end-diastolic diameter; the S’ wave peak velocity with tissue Doppler imaging; the ejection fraction (EF); the mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE); diastolic function evaluation by the mitral valve; and annular Doppler velocities. Furthermore, by tilting the probe, we can obtain the apical-five-chamber (A-5-C) view, which facilitates the analysis of blood flow at the level of the output tract of the left ventricle (LVOT) and then the estimation of stroke volume. Useful applications of this technique are hemodynamic assessment, titration of fluids, vasoactive drugs therapy, and evaluation of the impact of prone positioning on right ventricle performance and right pulmonary resistances. We believe that considerable information can be drawn from a single view and hope this may be helpful to emergency and critical care clinicians whenever invasive hemodynamic monitoring tools are not available or are simply inconvenient due to clinical reasons.
Analysis and Design of a Smart Controller for Managing Penetration of Renewable Energy Including Cybersecurity Issues
Authors: Palahalli Harshavardhan , Hemmati Marziyeh , Gruosso Giambattista
Published: June 2022

This article presents an optimal distributed energy resource management system for a smart grid connected to photovoltaics, battery energy storage, and an electric vehicle aggregator. These management systems are one of the key factors for the optimal control of power converters connected to the grid. The proposed management system includes the communication architecture necessary for realizing the information flow between the individual control of the distributed generators and the master supervisory control algorithm. The work carried out on two levels is first to design a control strategy for energy management and validate it with the grid in real-time hardware-in-the-loop simulation integrating the IEC61850 communication layer and physical intelligent electronic devices. The second is to analyze the vulnerabilities of the designed methodology for cybersecurity threats explicitly with the extension of IEC61850 to electric vehicle aggregators for communication with the master energy management. A man-in-the-middle attack conducted in the supervisory communication layer enabled us to investigate the effects of such an attack on the performance and operation of the smart electric grid.
Effect of Herbicide Clopyralid and Imazamox on Dehydrogenase Enzyme in Soil of Regenerated Pedunculate Oak Forests
Authors: Vasic Verica , Hajnal-Jafari Timea , Djuric Simonida , Kovacevic Branislav , Stojnic Srdjan , Vasic Sreten , Galovic Vladislava , Orlovic Sasa
Published: June 2022

Clopyralid and imazamox are successfully used for weed control during the first years of regeneration of pedunculate oak forests. Hence, the question that arises is how these herbicides affect microorganisms, especially the activity of dehydrogenase enzyme, when they reach the soil. Two study sites were selected in regenerated pedunculate oak forests, and the two herbicides were applied in two doses that are used for weed control (clopyralid, 100 g a.i. ha−1 and 120 g a.i. ha−1; imazamox, 40 g a.i. ha−1 and 48 g a.i. ha−1). The effect of the herbicides was evaluated 7, 14, 21, 30, and 60 days after application. A significant reduction in dehydrogenase activity was found on days 7 and 14 at both sites. However, after 14 days there was a recovery of dehydrogenase activity for all treatments such that the values obtained on day 21 did not differ from the control values. The effect of clopyralid and imazamox on dehydrogenase activity was not dose-dependent. Dehydrogenase activity also depended on soil properties, soil sampling time and climatic conditions during the investigation years. The results show that clopyralid and imazamox can reduce soil dehydrogenase activity, but this effect is transient. This can be attributed to the ability of microorganisms to overcome the stress caused by the herbicide by developing the capability to utilize herbicides as a nutrient source and proliferating in such an environment.
Integration of Geophysical Methods for Doline Hazard Assessment: A Case Study from Northern Oman
Authors: Farfour Mohammed , Economou Nikos , Abdalla Osman , Al-Taj Masdouq
Published: June 2022

Subsurface formations with low compaction, often, due to the presence of underlying cavities, are potential sources of hazards. Thus, understanding the occurrence, properties, and extension of these weak zones poses a major concern in engineering geophysics. In this study, we examine the ability of geophysical methods to map weak areas over carbonates in Northern Oman. The weak zones are known to cause surface depression in many areas. The geophysical methods examined involve Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), Seismic Refraction Tomography (SRT), and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT). This integrated geophysical survey was conducted near the Bimmah sinkhole, in the Quriya area, Northern Oman. The survey covers both an area with ground truth (low compaction sediments overlaying a cave) and a part with unknown subsurface properties. GPR velocity analysis using selected diffraction’s fitting helped to identify high-velocity anomalies that were attributed to the cavity. The GPR interpretation was calibrated with SRT and ERT. The former showed a clear drop in P-wave velocity and low ray coverage at the cavity zone, while the latter demonstrated high resistivity anomalies caused by the air filling the cavity. The scope was to examine the geophysical methods response, especially the GPR, and utilize the results of this preliminary approach for a wider exploration investigation in the area. The results from the study indicated that the GPR is capable to serve as a pioneer method in detecting the cavities. Hence, the GPR will cover large area in the site and the other two methods will be used as complementary for the final subsurface conditions’ evaluation.
Remapping Black Childhood in The Brownies’ Book
Authors: Gleason William
Published: June 2022

This essay examines the recurring preoccupation with geography in W. E. B. Du Bois’s and Jessie Redmon Fauset’s African American children’s magazine, The Brownies’ Book (1920–1921). Drawing in part on conventions established by early Black periodicals, including an emphasis on the rich global presence of non-Western peoples and places, many of the magazine’s features, from its stories and poems to its images and games, offered Black children a much wider view of their place in the world—both literally and imaginatively—than that provided by typical U.S. schoolroom atlases and geographies, which tended to have little to say (or show) about countries and continents outside North America and Europe. By aiming to develop in its readers alternative forms of geographic and political consciousness, The Brownies’ Book provocatively recast geography as a radical mode of knowledge available to Black children through cultural as well as cartographic forms, in the process remapping Black childhood itself.
Manual Therapy Facilitates Homeostatic Adaptation to Bone Microstructural Declines Induced by a Rat Model of Repetitive Forceful Task
Authors: Barbe Mary F. , Amin Mamta , Harris Michele Y. , Panibatla Siva Tejaa , Assari Soroush , Popoff Steven N. , Bove Geoffrey M.
Published: June 2022

The effectiveness of manual therapy in reducing the catabolic effects of performing repetitive intensive force tasks on bones has not been reported. We examined if manual therapy could reduce radial bone microstructural declines in adult female Sprague–Dawley rats performing a 12-week high-repetition and high-force task, with or without simultaneous manual therapy to forelimbs. Additional rats were provided 6 weeks of rest after task cessation, with or without manual therapy. The control rats were untreated or received manual therapy for 12 weeks. The untreated TASK rats showed increased catabolic indices in the radius (decreased trabecular bone volume and numbers, increased osteoclasts in these trabeculae, and mid-diaphyseal cortical bone thinning) and increased serum CTX-1, TNF-α, and muscle macrophages. In contrast, the TASK rats receiving manual therapy showed increased radial bone anabolism (increased trabecular bone volume and osteoblast numbers, decreased osteoclast numbers, and increased mid-diaphyseal total area and periosteal perimeter) and increased serum TNF-α and muscle macrophages. Rest, with or without manual therapy, improved the trabecular thickness and mid-diaphyseal cortical bone attributes but not the mineral density. Thus, preventive manual therapy reduced the net radial bone catabolism by increasing osteogenesis, while rest, with or without manual therapy, was less effective.
Molecular Hydrogen Neuroprotection in Post-Ischemic Neurodegeneration in the Form of Alzheimer’s Disease Proteinopathy: Underlying Mechanisms and Potential for Clinical Implementation—Fantasy or Reality?
Authors: Pluta Ryszard , Januszewski Sławomir , Czuczwar Stanisław J.
Published: June 2022

Currently, there is a lot of public interest in naturally occurring substances with medicinal properties that are minimally toxic, readily available and have an impact on health. Over the past decade, molecular hydrogen has gained the attention of both preclinical and clinical researchers. The death of pyramidal neurons in especially the CA1 area of the hippocampus, increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier, neuroinflammation, amyloid accumulation, tau protein dysfunction, brain atrophy, cognitive deficits and dementia are considered an integral part of the phenomena occurring during brain neurodegeneration after ischemia. This review focuses on assessing the current state of knowledge about the neuroprotective effects of molecular hydrogen following ischemic brain injury. Recent studies in animal models of focal or global cerebral ischemia and cerebral ischemia in humans suggest that hydrogen has pleiotropic neuroprotective properties. One potential mechanism explaining some of the general health benefits of using hydrogen is that it may prevent aging-related changes in cellular proteins such as amyloid and tau protein. We also present evidence that, following ischemia, hydrogen improves cognitive and neurological deficits and prevents or delays the onset of neurodegenerative changes in the brain. The available evidence suggests that molecular hydrogen has neuroprotective properties and may be a new therapeutic agent in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as neurodegeneration following cerebral ischemia with progressive dementia. We also present the experimental and clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of hydrogen use after cerebral ischemia. The therapeutic benefits of gas therapy open up new promising directions in breaking the translational barrier in the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Distribution, Characterization and the Commercialization of Elite Rhizobia Strains in Africa
Authors: Wekesa Clabe , Jalloh Abdul A. , Muoma John O. , Korir Hezekiah , Omenge Keziah M. , Maingi John M. , Furch Alexandra C. U. , Oelmüller Ralf
Published: June 2022

Grain legumes play a significant role in smallholder farming systems in Africa because of their contribution to nutrition and income security and their role in fixing nitrogen. Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) serves a critical role in improving soil fertility for legumes. Although much research has been conducted on rhizobia in nitrogen fixation and their contribution to soil fertility, much less is known about the distribution and diversity of the bacteria strains in different areas of the world and which of the strains achieve optimal benefits for the host plants under specific soil and environmental conditions. This paper reviews the distribution, characterization, and commercialization of elite rhizobia strains in Africa.
Design and Synthesis of Menthol and Thymol Derived Ciprofloxacin: Influence of Structural Modifications on the Antibacterial Activity and Anticancer Properties
Authors: Szostek Tomasz , Szulczyk Daniel , Szymańska-Majchrzak Jolanta , Koliński Michał , Kmiecik Sebastian , Otto-Ślusarczyk Dagmara , Zawodnik Aleksandra , Rajkowska Eliza , Chaniewicz Kinga , Struga Marta , Roszkowski Piotr
Published: June 2022

Sixteen new Ciprofloxacin derivatives were designed and successfully synthesized. In an in silico experiment, lipophilicity was established for obtained compounds. All compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity using standard and clinical strains. As for Gram-positive hospital microorganisms, all tested derivatives were active. Measured MICs were in the range 1–16 µg/mL, confirming high antimicrobial potency. Derivative 12 demonstrated activity against all standard Gram-positive Staphylococci, within the range of 0.8–1.6 µg/mL and was confirmed as the leading structure with MICs 1 µg/mL for S. pasteuri KR 4358 and S. aureus T 5591 (clinical strains). All compounds were screened for their in vitro cytotoxic properties via the MTT method. Three of the examined compounds (3, 11 and 16) showed good activity against cancer cells, and in parallel were found not to be cytotoxic toward normal cells. Doxorubicin SI ranged 0.14–1.11 while the mentioned three ranged 1.9–3.4. Selected Ciprofloxacin derivatives were docked into the crystal structure of topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) in complex with DNA (PDB ID: 5BTC). In summary, leading structures were established (3, 11, 12 and 16). We have observed poor results in preformed studies for disubstituted derivatives, suggesting that 3-oxo-4-carboxylic acid core is the active DNA-gyrase binding site, and when structural changes were made in this fragment, there was an observed decrease in antibacterial potency.
Intratracheal Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuates Hyperoxia-Induced Microbial Dysbiosis in the Lungs, Brain, and Gut in Newborn Rats
Authors: Ahn So Yoon , Sung Dong Kyung , Chang Yun Sil , Park Won Soon
Published: June 2022

We attempted to determine whether intratracheal (IT) transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could simultaneously attenuate hyperoxia-induced lung injuries and microbial dysbiosis of the lungs, brain, and gut in newborn rats. Newborn rats were exposed to hyperoxia (90% oxygen) for 14 days. Human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (5 × 105) were transplanted via the IT route on postnatal day (P) five. At P14, the lungs were harvested for histological, biochemical, and microbiome analyses. Bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes from the lungs, brain, and large intestine were amplified, pyrosequenced, and analyzed. IT transplantation of MSCs simultaneously attenuated hyperoxia-induced lung inflammation and the ensuing injuries, as well as the dysbiosis of the lungs, brain, and gut. In correlation analyses, lung interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were significantly positively correlated with the abundance of Proteobacteria in the lungs, brain, and gut, and it was significantly inversely correlated with the abundance of Firmicutes in the gut and lungs and that of Bacteroidetes in the lungs. In conclusion, microbial dysbiosis in the lungs, brain, and gut does not cause but is caused by hyperoxic lung inflammation and ensuing injuries, and IT transplantation of MSCs attenuates dysbiosis in the lungs, brain, and gut, primarily by their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.
Importance of Tyrosine Phosphorylation in Hormone-Regulated Plant Growth and Development
Authors: Song Weimeng , Hu Li , Ma Zhihui , Yang Lei , Li Jianming
Published: June 2022

Protein phosphorylation is the most frequent post-translational modification (PTM) that plays important regulatory roles in a wide range of biological processes. Phosphorylation mainly occurs on serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), and tyrosine (Tyr) residues, with the phosphorylated Tyr sites accounting for ~1–2% of all phosphorylated residues. Tyr phosphorylation was initially believed to be less common in plants compared to animals; however, recent investigation indicates otherwise. Although they lack typical protein Tyr kinases, plants possess many dual-specificity protein kinases that were implicated in diverse cellular processes by phosphorylating Ser, Thr, and Tyr residues. Analyses of sequenced plant genomes also identified protein Tyr phosphatases and dual-specificity protein phosphatases. Recent studies have revealed important regulatory roles of Tyr phosphorylation in many different aspects of plant growth and development and plant interactions with the environment. This short review summarizes studies that implicated the Tyr phosphorylation in biosynthesis and signaling of plant hormones.
Robotic-Assisted Microsurgery and Its Future in Plastic Surgery
Authors: Aitzetmüller Matthias M. , Klietz Marie-Luise , Dermietzel Alexander F. , Hirsch Tobias , Kückelhaus Maximilian
Published: June 2022

Within the last 20 years, robotic-assisted surgeries have been implemented as routine procedures in many surgical fields, except in plastic surgery. Although several case series report promising results, technical and economic aspects have prevented its translation into clinical routine. This review is based on a PubMed and Google Scholar database search, including case reports, case series, clinical and preclinical trials, as well as patents. Past, recent approaches, ongoing patents, as well as eight specific systems for robotic-assisted microsurgery and their potential to be translated into a clinical routine, are described. They may lay the ground for a novel field within plastic surgery. This review provides an overview of the emerging technologies and clinical and preclinical studies and discusses the potential of robotic assistance in the field of plastic surgery.
Acute Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Detection Using Mobile Non-Imaging Brain Perfusion Ultrasound—First Case
Authors: Kilic Mustafa , Wendl Christina , Wilfling Sibylle , Olmes David , Linker Ralf Andreas , Schlachetzki Felix
Published: June 2022

Mobile brain perfusion ultrasound (BPU) is a novel non-imaging technique creating only hemispheric perfusion curves following ultrasound contrast injection and has been specifically designed for early prehospital large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke identification. We report on the first patient investigated with the SONAS® system, a portable point-of-care ultrasound system for BPU. This patient was admitted into our stroke unit about 12 h following onset of a fluctuating motor aphasia, dysarthria and facial weakness resulting in an NIHSS of 3 to 8. Occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery occlusion was diagnosed by computed tomography angiography. BPU was performed in conjunction with injection of echo-contrast agent to generate hemispheric perfusion curves and in parallel, conventional color-coded sonography (TCCS) assessing MCAO. Both assessments confirmed the results of angiography. Emergency mechanical thrombectomy (MT) achieved complete recanalization (TICI 3) and post-interventional NIHSS of 2 the next day. Telephone follow-up after 2 years found the patient fully active in professional life. Point-of-care BPU is a non-invasive technique especially suitable for prehospital stroke diagnosis for LVO. BPU in conjunction with prehospital stroke scales may enable goal-directed stroke patient placement, i.e., directly to comprehensive stroke centers aiming for MT. Further results of the ongoing phase II study are needed to confirm this finding.
Does Concurrent Distal Tibiofibular Joint Arthrodesis Affect the Nonunion and Complication Rates of Tibiotalar Arthrodesis?
Authors: Schlickewei Carsten , Neumann Julie A. , Yarar-Schlickewei Sinef , Riepenhof Helge , Valderrabano Victor , Frosch Karl-Heinz , Barg Alexej
Published: June 2022

Tibiotalar arthrodesis successfully treats ankle arthritis but carries risk of nonunion. It is unclear whether concurrent distal tibiofibular arthrodesis affects tibiotalar nonunion rate. The purpose of this study is to compare tibiotalar nonunion and complication rates in patients with versus without a distal tibiofibular arthrodesis. This is a retrospective review of 516 consecutive ankle arthrodesis performed between March 2002 and May 2016. A total of 319 ankles (312 patients) underwent primary, open tibiotalar arthrodesis (227 with distal tibiofibular arthrodesis, 92 without). Primary outcome measure was nonunion rate. Secondary outcome measures were time to tibiotalar union, rate of development of post-operative deep vein thrombosis (DVT)/pulmonary embolism (PE), rate of deep wound complications, and rate of return to operating room (OR). No differences in nonunion rates were observed in both cohorts of patients with versus without distal tibiofibular arthrodesis: 17/227 (7.5%) versus 11/92 (12%) (p = 0.2), respectively, odds ratio was 0.74, 95% CI: 0.29~2.08 (p = 0.55). There was no difference in deep wound complications (5.3% versus 10.9%, p = 0.42), time to union (3.7 months versus 4.1 months, p = 0.72), or rate of development of DVT/PE (5.2% versus 2.2%, p = 0.18) between patients with and without distal tibiofibular arthrodesis, respectively. This is the first study directly comparing nonunion and complication rates in primary, open ankle arthrodesis with and without distal tibiofibular arthrodesis. Inclusion of the distal fibular joint with the tibiotalar fusion was not associated with a change in tibiotalar nonunion rate, time to union, wound complications, or postoperative DVT/PE.
Potential Biochemical Markers and Radiomorphometric Indices as Predictors of Reduced Bone Mass in Patients with Congenital Hemophilia
Authors: Czajkowska Sylwia , Rupa-Matysek Joanna , Wojtasińska Ewelina , Nijakowski Kacper , Gil Lidia , Surdacka Anna , Kulczyk Tomasz
Published: June 2022

Background: The study aimed to evaluate radiomorphometric indices derived from panoramic X-rays and selected blood markers of bone turnover and neutrophil extracellular traps, with a view to identifying hemophilic patients at risk of developing osteoporosis. Methods: The study consisted of 50 adult men with hemophilia A and B (mild, moderate, and severe). The control group consisted of 25 healthy adult men. In both groups, blood samples were collected to determine concentrations of citrullinated histone H3 (CH3) and osteocalcin (BGLAP) with ELISA tests, and panoramic X-rays were obtained. Images were imported into AudaXCeph software to calculate two radiomorphometric indices: mental index (MI) and panoramic mandibular index (PMI). Concentrations of BGLAP and CH3 were compared with MI and PMI values in patients with and without hemophilia. Results: There were statistically significant differences in BGLAP, CH3, and PMI between the study and the control group (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a predictive value for PMI, BGLAP, and CH3.The ROC curve with cutoff point (Youden index) at 0.40—PMI was calculated. No correlation was observed for the PMI index in any particular subgroup of patients. No correlation between MI and BGLAP/CH3 was observed. Conclusions: Simultaneous use of PMI value and BGLAP and CH3 levels may allow the identification of patients with hemophilia who requirea detailed diagnosis of osteoporosis with DXA.
Prognostic Values of Combined Ratios of White Blood Cells in Glioblastoma: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Jarmuzek Pawel , Kot Marcin , Defort Piotr , Stawicki Jakub , Komorzycka Julia , Nowak Karol , Tylutka Anna , Zembron-Lacny Agnieszka
Published: June 2022

In some malignant tumours, the changes in neutrophil counts in relation to other blood cells are connected with unfavourable prognosis. Nevertheless, the prognostic value of the combinations of the haematological components in glioblastoma (GBM) remains under dispute. The clinical significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) was investigated in our study. We retrospectively studied 358 patients (males n = 195; females n = 163) aged 59.9 ± 13.5 yrs with newly diagnosed glioma and admitted to the Neurosurgery Centre. Routine blood tests and clinical characteristics were recorded within the first hour of hospital admission. The inflammatory variables: NLR, SII and SIRI exceeded the reference values and were significantly elevated in Grade 3 and Grade 4 tumour. The Cox model analysis showed that the age ≥ 63 years, NLR ≥ 4.56 × 103/µL, SII ≥ 2003 × 103/µL and SIRI ≥ 3.03 × 103/µL significantly increased the risk of death in Grade 4 tumour patients. In the inflammatory variables, NLR demonstrated the highest impact on the survival time (HR 1.56; 95% CI 1.145–2.127; p = 0.005). In the first Polish study including GBM patients, the age in relation to simple parameters derived from complete blood cell count were found to have prognostic implications in the survival rate.
Ancient Agricultural and Pastoral Landscapes on the South Side of Lake Issyk-Kul: Long-Term Diachronic Analysis of Changing Patterns of Land Use, Climate Change, and Ritual Use in the Juuku and Kizil Suu Valleys
Authors: Chang Claudia , Ivanov Sergei S. , Tourtellotte Perry A. , Spengler Robert N. , Mir-Makhamad Basira , Kramar David
Published: June 2022

The main goal of this paper is to present results of preliminary archaeological research on the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. We test the hypothesis that agropastoral land use changed over four millennia from the Bronze Age through the Kirghiz period due to economic, socio-political, and religious shifts in the prehistoric and historic societies of this region. Our research objectives are to: (1) describe and analyze survey results from the Lower Kizil Suu Valley; (2) discuss the results of radiometric and archaeobotanical samples taken from three stratigraphic profiles at three settlements from the Juuku Valley, including the chronological periods of the Wusun (140 to 437 CE), the Qarakhanid (942 to 1228 CE), and the historic Kirghiz (1700 to present CE); and (3) conduct preliminary GIS spatial analyses on the Iron Age mortuary remains (Saka and Wusun periods). This research emerges out of the first archaeological surveys conducted in 2019–2021 and includes the Lower Kizil Suu alluvial fan; it is an initial step toward developing a model for agropastoral land use for upland valleys of the Inner Tian Shan Mountains.
Home Cardiorespiratory Monitoring in Infants at Risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Apparent Life-Threatening Event (ALTE) or Brief Resolved Unexplained Event (BRUE)
Authors: Sodini Chiara , Paglialonga Letizia , Antoniol Giulia , Perrone Serafina , Principi Nicola , Esposito Susanna
Published: June 2022

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the sudden death of an infant younger than one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history. About 90% of SIDS occur before six months of age, the peak incidence is between two and four months, and the median age for death is elven weeks. The clinical, social, and economic relevance of SIDS, together with the evidence that prevention of this syndrome was possible, has significantly stimulated research into risk factors for the development of SIDS in the hope of being able to introduce new effective preventive measures. This narrative review discusses the potential relationships between apparent life-threatening events (ALTE) or brief resolved unexplained events (BRUE) and SIDS development, and when a home cardiorespiratory monitor is useful for prevention of these conditions. A literature analysis showed that home cardiorespiratory monitoring has been considered a potential method to identify not only ALTE and BRUE but SIDS also. ALTE and BRUE are generally due to underlying conditions that are not detectable in SIDS infants. A true relationship between these conditions has never been demonstrated. Use of home cardiorespiratory monitor is not recommended for SIDS, whereas it could be suggested for children with previous ALTE or severe BRUE or who are at risk of the development of these conditions. However, use of home cardiorespiratory monitors assumes that family members know the advantages and limitations of these devices after adequate education and instruction in their use.
Tomonaga–Luttinger Spin Liquid and Kosterlitz–Thouless Transition in the Spin-1/2 Branched Chains: The Study of Topological Phase Transition
Authors: Arian Zad Hamid , Zoshki Azam , Ananikian Nerses , Jaščur Michal
Published: June 2022

In the present work, we provide a comprehensive numerical investigation of the magnetic properties and phase spectra of three types of spin-1/2 branched chains consisting of one, two and three side spins per unit block with intra-chain interaction and a uniform inter-chain interaction in the presence of an external magnetic field. In a specific magnetic field interval, the low-temperature magnetization of these chains shows a step-like behavior with a pronounced plateau depending on the strength and the type of intra-chain interaction being ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic. We demonstrate that when inter-chain interaction J1 is antiferromagnetic and intra-chain interaction J2 is ferromagnetic, the magnetization of the models manifests a smooth increase without a plateau, which is evidence of the existence of a Luttinger-like spin liquid phase before reaching its saturation value. On the other hand, when J1 is ferromagnetic and J2 is antiferromagnetic, the low-temperature magnetization of the chain with two branches shows an intermediate plateau at one-half of the saturation magnetization that breaks a quantum spin liquid phase into two regions. The magnetization of the chain with three branches exhibits two intermediate plateaus and two regions of a quantum spin liquid. We demonstrate that the chains with more than one side spin illustrate in their ground-state phase diagram a Kosterlitz–Thouless transition from a gapful phase to a gapless spin liquid phase.
Antitumor Properties of Epitope-Specific Engineered Vaccine in Murine Model of Melanoma
Authors: Stoyanova Emiliya , Mihaylova Nikolina , Ralchev Nikola , Ganova Petya , Bradyanova Silviya , Manoylov Iliyan , Raynova Yuliana , Idakieva Krassimira , Tchorbanov Andrey
Published: June 2022

Finding new effective compounds of natural origin for composing anti-tumor vaccines is one of the main goals of antitumor research. Promising anti-cancer agents are the gastropodan hemocyanins–multimeric copper-containing glycoproteins used so far for therapy of different tumors. The properties of hemocyanins isolated from the marine snail Rapana thomasiana (RtH) and the terrestrial snail Helix aspersa (HaH) upon their use as carrier-proteins in conjugated vaccines, containing ganglioside mimotope GD3P4 peptide, were studied in the developed murine melanoma model. Murine melanoma cell line B16F10 was used for solid tumor establishment in C57BL/6 mice using various schemes of therapy. Protein engineering, flow cytometry, and cytotoxicity assays were also performed. The administration of the protein-engineered vaccines RtH-GD3P4 or HaH-GD3P4 under the three different regimens of therapy in the B16F10 murine melanoma model suppressed tumor growth, decreased tumor incidence, and prolonged the survival of treated animals. The immunization of experimental mice induced an infiltration of immunocompetent cells into the tumors and generated cytotoxic tumor-specific T cells in the spleen. The treatment also generates significantly higher levels of tumor-infiltrated M1 macrophages, compared to untreated tumor-bearing control mice. This study demonstrated a promising approach for cancer therapy having potential applications for cancer vaccine research.
Construction of a Rough Surface with Submicron Ti2Cu Particle on Ti-Cu Alloy and Its Effect on the Antibacterial Properties and Cell Biocompatibility
Authors: Xie Yanchun , Lu Ming , Cui Shenshen , Yu Hailong , Wang Ling , Ke Hongdan , Zhang Erlin
Published: June 2022

Titanium-copper (Ti-Cu) alloy is an advanced antibacterial material with excellent mechanical properties, thermodynamic stability, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Sandblasting and acid-etching was applied to the Ti-3Cu alloy to construct a rough surface with Ti2Cu phase on the surface in order to improve the antibacterial properties and the osseointegration. The phase constitutes and the physical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), and the surface chemical properties were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical testing. The antibacterial property was assessed by the plate-count method and the cell compatibility was evaluated by the CCK-8 test in order to reveal the effect of surface characteristics on the antibacterial ability and bioactivity. The results demonstrated a rough and lamellar surface structure with many submicron Ti2Cu particles on the surface of Ti-3Cu, which could enhance the antibacterial ability and promote the cell proliferation and the initial adhesion of osteoblasts. However, the surface treatment also reduced the corrosion resistance and accelerated the Cu ion release.
The Endocannabinoid System: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Coagulopathies
Authors: Khayat Wujood , Lehmann Christian
Published: June 2022

Abnormal blood coagulation or coagulopathy is a common manifestation of many pathological conditions. It occurs when there is an imbalance between the activities of the coagulation system and the fibrinolytic system, leading to excessive or impaired intravascular blood clot formation, which can disturb blood flow causing ischemia or hemorrhage in the affected tissues. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated blood coagulation abnormalities in association with cannabinoid use, suggesting the involvement of the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) in modulating blood coagulation. However, the evidence in the literature has been controversial on whether cannabinoids promote or inhibit blood coagulation. The ECS has been extensively studied in recent years for its potential as a therapeutic target for many diseases. This review provides a brief introduction to the ECS and discusses the reported anticoagulatory and procoagulatory effects of various cannabinoids, highlighting some possible mechanisms that might underlie the observed effects. Understanding the coagulatory effects of cannabinoids and the interaction between the coagulation system and the ECS is vital for developing novel therapeutics for coagulopathies.
Moving Forward in Nano-Immune Interactions
Authors: Bardi Giuseppe , Neagu Monica
Published: June 2022

This is the second Special Issue on the topic “Immune Responses to Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications” [...]
Edge-Computing-Based Intelligent IoT: Architectures, Algorithms and Applications
Authors: Liu Xiao , Jin Jiong , Dong Fang
Published: June 2022

With the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G networks and beyond, the computing paradigm for intelligent IoT systems is shifting from conventional centralized-cloud computing to distributed edge computing [...]
Robust Soil Water Potential Sensor to Optimize Irrigation in Agriculture
Authors: Menne David , Hübner Christof , Trebbels Dennis , Willenbacher Norbert
Published: June 2022

Extreme weather phenomena are on the rise due to ongoing climate change. Therefore, the need for irrigation in agriculture will increase, although it is already the largest consumer of water, a valuable resource. Soil moisture sensors can help to use water efficiently and economically. For this reason, we have recently presented a novel soil moisture sensor with a high sensitivity and broad measuring range. This device does not measure the moisture in the soil but the water available to plants, i.e., the soil water potential (SWP). The sensor consists of two highly porous (>69%) ceramic discs with a broad pore size distribution (0.5 to 200 μm) and a new circuit board system using a transmission line within a time-domain transmission (TDT) circuit. This detects the change in the dielectric response of the ceramic discs with changing water uptake. To prove the concept, a large number of field tests were carried out and comparisons were made with commercial soil water potential sensors. The experiments confirm that the sensor signal is correlated to the soil water potential irrespective of soil composition and is thus suitable for the optimization of irrigation systems.
Design of a “Cobot Tactile Display” for Accessing Virtual Diagrams by Blind and Visually Impaired Users
Authors: Gill Satinder , Pawluk Dianne T. V.
Published: June 2022

Access to graphical information plays a very significant role in today’s world. Access to this information can be particularly limiting for individuals who are blind or visually impaired (BVIs). In this work, we present the design of a low-cost, mobile tactile display that also provides robotic assistance/guidance using haptic virtual fixtures in a shared control paradigm to aid in tactile diagram exploration. This work is part of a larger project intended to improve the ability of BVI users to explore tactile graphics on refreshable displays (particularly exploration time and cognitive load) through the use of robotic assistance/guidance. The particular focus of this paper is to share information related to the design and development of an affordable and compact device that may serve as a solution towards this overall goal. The proposed system uses a small omni-wheeled robot base to allow for smooth and unlimited movements in the 2D plane. Sufficient position and orientation accuracy is obtained by using a low-cost dead reckoning approach that combines data from an optical mouse sensor and inertial measurement unit. A low-cost force-sensing system and an admittance control model are used to allow shared control between the Cobot and the user, with the addition of guidance/virtual fixtures to aid in diagram exploration. Preliminary semi-structured interviews, with four blind or visually impaired participants who were allowed to use the Cobot, found that the system was easy to use and potentially useful for exploring virtual diagrams tactually.