bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell-Free RNA from Plasma in Patients with Neuroblastoma: Exploring the Technical and Clinical Potential
Authors: Lak Nathalie S. M. , Seijger Anne , van Zogchel Lieke M. J. , Gelineau Nina U. , Javadi Ahmad , Zappeij-Kannegieter Lily , Bongiovanni Laura , Andriessen Anneloes , Stutterheim Janine , van der Schoot C. Ellen , de Bruin Alain , Tytgat Godelieve A. M.
Published: March 2023

Neuroblastoma affects mostly young children, bearing a high morbidity and mortality. Liquid biopsies, e.g., molecular analysis of circulating tumor-derived nucleic acids in blood, offer a minimally invasive diagnostic modality. Cell-free RNA (cfRNA) is released by all cells, especially cancer. It circulates in blood packed in extracellular vesicles (EV) or attached to proteins. We studied the feasibility of analyzing cfRNA and EV, isolated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), from platelet-poor plasma from healthy controls (n = 40) and neuroblastoma patients with localized (n = 10) and metastatic disease (n = 30). The mRNA content was determined using several multiplex droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays for a neuroblastoma-specific gene panel (PHOX2B, TH, CHRNA3) and a cell cycle regulation panel (E2F1, CDC6, ATAD2, H2AFZ, MCM2, DHFR). We applied corrections for the presence of platelets. We demonstrated that neuroblastoma-specific markers were present in plasma from 14/30 patients with metastatic disease and not in healthy controls and patients with localized disease. Most cell cycle markers had a higher expression in patients. The mRNA markers were mostly present in the EV-enriched SEC fractions. In conclusion, cfRNA can be isolated from plasma and EV and analyzed using multiplex ddPCR. cfRNA is an interesting novel liquid biopsy-based target to explore further.
From Fenton and ORR 2e−-Type Catalysts to Bifunctional Electrodes for Environmental Remediation Using the Electro-Fenton Process
Authors: Fajardo-Puerto Edgar , Elmouwahidi Abdelhakim , Bailón-García Esther , Pérez-Cadenas Agustín Francisco , Carrasco-Marín Francisco
Published: March 2023

Currently, the presence of emerging contaminants in water sources has raised concerns worldwide due to low rates of mineralization, and in some cases, zero levels of degradation through conventional treatment methods. For these reasons, researchers in the field are focused on the use of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) as a powerful tool for the degradation of persistent pollutants. These AOPs are based mainly on the in-situ production of hydroxyl radicals (OH•) generated from an oxidizing agent (H2O2 or O2) in the presence of a catalyst. Among the most studied AOPs, the Fenton reaction stands out due to its operational simplicity and good levels of degradation for a wide range of emerging contaminants. However, it has some limitations such as the storage and handling of H2O2. Therefore, the use of the electro-Fenton (EF) process has been proposed in which H2O2 is generated in situ by the action of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, it is important to mention that the ORR is given by two routes, by two or four electrons, which results in the products of H2O2 and H2O, respectively. For this reason, current efforts seek to increase the selectivity of ORR catalysts toward the 2e− route and thus improve the performance of the EF process. This work reviews catalysts for the Fenton reaction, ORR 2e− catalysts, and presents a short review of some proposed catalysts with bifunctional activity for ORR 2e− and Fenton processes. Finally, the most important factors for electro-Fenton dual catalysts to obtain high catalytic activity in both Fenton and ORR 2e− processes are summarized.
Catalytic Processes for Water and Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Vakros John
Published: March 2023

Water and wastewater treatment still face significant challenges today [...]
Low-Temperature NH3-SCR Performance and In Situ DRIFTS Study on Zeolite X-Supported Different Crystal Phases of MnO2 Catalysts
Authors: Chen Lin , Ren Shan , Chen Tao , Li Xiaodi , Wang Mingming , Chen Zhichao , Liu Qingcai
Published: March 2023

In this study, a series of zeolite-X-supported different crystal phases of MnO2 (α-MnO2, β-MnO2, γ-MnO2, and σ-MnO2) catalysts were prepared via a solid-state diffusion method and high-heat treatment method to explore their low-temperature NH3-SCR performance. All of the catalysts featured typical octahedral zeolite X structures and manganese dioxides species of various crystal types dispersed across the support surface. Throughout the entire temperature range of the reaction, γ-MnO2/X catalyst had the highest NO conversion. Additionally, β-MnO2/X, γ-MnO2/X, and σ-MnO2/X catalysts had nearly 100% of N2 selectivity, whereas the α-MnO2/X catalyst had the lowest N2 selectivity (about 90%) below 125 °C. Moreover, the γ-MnO2/X catalyst demonstrated superior acidity capacity and reduction ability compared with the other three catalysts. All the catalysts contained the essential intermediates NH2NO and NH4NO3 species, which are essential to the SCR reaction. More acid sites and nitrate species existed on the γ-MnO2/X catalyst than on the other catalysts, thereby boosting the SCR reaction.
Design of Cu/MoOx for CO2 Reduction via Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Gao Yuan , Xiong Kun , Zhu Bingfeng
Published: March 2023

CO2 reduction to CO as raw material for conversion to chemicals and gasoline fuels via the reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) reaction is generally acknowledged to be a promising strategy that makes the CO2 utilization process more economical and efficient. Cu-based catalysts are low-cost and have high catalytic performance but have insufficient stability due to hardening at high temperatures. In this work, a series of Cu-based catalysts supported by MoOx were synthesized for noble metal-free RWGS reactions, and the effects of MoOx support on catalyst performance were investigated. The results show that the introduction of MoOx can effectively improve the catalytic performance of RWGS reactions. The obtained Cu/MoOx (1:1) catalyst displays excellent activity with 35.85% CO2 conversion and 99% selectivity for CO at 400 °C. A combination of XRD, XPS, and HRTEM characterization results demonstrate that MoOx support enhances the metal-oxide interactions with Cu through electronic modification and geometric coverage, thus obtaining highly dispersed copper and more Cu-MoOx interfaces as well as more corresponding oxygen vacancies.
Review on the Biomedical and Environmental Applications of Nonthermal Plasma
Authors: Mumtaz Sohail , Khan Rizwan , Rana Juie Nahushkumar , Javed Rida , Iqbal Madeeha , Choi Eun Ha , Han Ihn
Published: March 2023

Recent advances in atmospheric plasmas have led to the formation of nonthermal plasma (NTP). In recent decades, a number of novel plasma diagnostic approaches have been implemented and reported in order to better understand the physics of NTP. The use of NTP is a novel approach to producing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Plasma technology has many applications, including electrical device microfabrication, biomedicine, dentistry, agriculture, ozone generation, chemical synthesis, surface treatment, coating, and disease therapy. Furthermore, NTP is thought to be a successful strategy for the degradation of hazardous pollutants in the environment, making it a future hope. Recent studies showed that various operating parameters affect the yield of NTP-based technology. Especially, the presence of a catalyst, properly placed in an NTP reactor, leads to a significant increase in process performance as compared to NTP alone. Scientists have looked at using NTP in conjunction with catalysts to remove various sorts of pollutants from the environment. In this context, review articles are crucial due to the prevalence of NTP-based applications and ongoing developments. This review will describe recent advancements in NTP-based biomedical applications, bacterial inactivation, food preservation and storage, and environmental catalytic formulations. This review could be useful in providing a platform for advancements in biological applications and environmental protection through the use of NTP technology.
Nuclei on the Rise: When Nuclei-Based Methods Meet Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Butto Tamer , Mungikar Kanak , Baumann Peter , Winter Jennifer , Lutz Beat , Gerber Susanne
Published: March 2023

In the last decade, we have witnessed an upsurge in nuclei-based studies, particularly coupled with next-generation sequencing. Such studies aim at understanding the molecular states that exist in heterogeneous cell populations by applying increasingly more affordable sequencing approaches, in addition to optimized methodologies developed to isolate and select nuclei. Although these powerful new methods promise unprecedented insights, it is important to understand and critically consider the associated challenges. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the rise of nuclei-based studies and elaborate on their advantages and disadvantages, with a specific focus on their utility for transcriptomic sequencing analyses. Improved designs and appropriate use of the various experimental strategies will result in acquiring biologically accurate and meaningful information.
Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells in Type One Diabetes Mellitus Treatment: Is There an Ideal Candidate?
Authors: Carulli Ermes , Pompilio Giulio , Vinci Maria Cristina
Published: March 2023

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a highly prevalent autoimmune disease causing the destruction of pancreatic islet β-cells. The resulting insulin production deficiency leads to a lifelong need for insulin re-placement therapy, systemic complications, and reduced life quality and expectancy. Cell therapy has been extensively attempted to restore insulin independence (IID), and autologous nonmyeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHST) has appeared to give the most promising results, but with a highly variable quote of patients achieving IID across the studies. We performed a comprehensive review of the trials involving stem cells, and in particular AHST, for the treatment of T1DM. We then pooled the patients enrolled in the different trials and looked for the patient characteristics that could be associated with the achievement of IID. We found a significantly higher probability of achieving IID in older patients (OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.06–1.33, p = 0.002) and a significantly lower probability in patients with a history of ketoacidosis (OR 0.23, 95%CI 0.06–0.78, p = 0.023). This suggests that there could be a population of patients more likely to benefit from AHST, but further data would be required to depict the profile of the ideal candidate.
EZH2 Methyltransferase Regulates Neuroinflammation and Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Weng Han-Rong , Taing Kyle , Chen Lawrence , Penney Angela
Published: March 2023

Recent studies by us and others have shown that enhancer of zeste homolog-2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase, in glial cells regulates the genesis of neuropathic pain by modulating the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In this review, we summarize recent advances in this research area. EZH2 is a subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which primarily serves as a histone methyltransferase to catalyze methylation of histone 3 on lysine 27 (H3K27), ultimately resulting in transcriptional repression. Animals with neuropathic pain exhibit increased EZH2 activity and neuroinflammation of the injured nerve, spinal cord, and anterior cingulate cortex. Inhibition of EZH2 with DZNep or GSK-126 ameliorates neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain. EZH2 protein expression increases upon activation of Toll-like receptor 4 and calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors, downregulation of miR-124-3p and miR-378 microRNAs, or upregulation of Lncenc1 and MALAT1 long noncoding RNAs. Genes suppressed by EZH2 include suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like-2 factor (NrF2), miR-29b-3p, miR-146a-5p, and brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1). Pro-inflammatory mediators facilitate neuronal activation along pain-signaling pathways by sensitizing nociceptors in the periphery, as well as enhancing excitatory synaptic activities and suppressing inhibitory synaptic activities in the CNS. These studies collectively reveal that EZH2 is implicated in signaling pathways known to be key players in the process of neuroinflammation and genesis of neuropathic pain. Therefore, targeting the EZH2 signaling pathway may open a new avenue to mitigate neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain.
Primary Cilium Identifies a Quiescent Cell Population in the Human Intestinal Crypt
Authors: Sénicourt Blanche , Cloutier Gabriel , Basora Nuria , Fallah Sepideh , Laniel Andréanne , Lavoie Christine , Beaulieu Jean-François
Published: March 2023

Primary cilia are sensory antennae located at the cell surface which mediate a variety of extracellular signals involved in development, tissue homeostasis, stem cells and cancer. Primary cilia are found in an extensive array of vertebrae cells but can only be generated when cells become quiescent. The small intestinal epithelium is a rapidly self-renewing tissue organized into a functional unit called the crypt–villus axis, containing progenitor and differentiated cells, respectively. Terminally differentiated villus cells are notoriously devoid of primary cilia. We sought to determine if intestinal crypts contain a quiescent cell population that could be identified by the presence of primary cilia. Here we show that primary cilia are detected in a subset of cells located deep in the crypts slightly above a Paneth cell population. Using a normal epithelial proliferative crypt cell model, we show that primary cilia assembly and activity correlate with a quiescent state. These results provide further evidence for the existence of a quiescent cell population in the human small intestine and suggest the potential for new modes of regulation in stem cell dynamics.
High Glucose Activates Prolyl Hydroxylases and Disrupts HIF-α Signaling via the P53/TIGAR Pathway in Cardiomyocyte
Authors: Chen Jian-Xiong , Li Lanfang , Cantrell Aubrey C. , Williams Quinesha A. , Zeng Heng
Published: March 2023

The induction of hypoxia tolerance has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ischemic diseases. The disruption of hypoxic signaling by hyperglycemia has been shown to contribute to diabetic cardiomyopathy. In this study, we explored the potential molecular mechanisms by which high glucose (HG) impairs hypoxia-inducible factor-α (HIF-α) signaling in cardiomyocytes. The exposure of H9c2 cell lines to HG resulted in time- and concentration-dependent decreases in HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression together with an increase in prolyl hydroxylase-1,2 (PHD1 and PHD2) expression, the main regulators of HIF-α destabilization in the heart. The exposure of H9c2 cells to normal glucose (5.5 mM) and high glucose (15, 30, and 45 mM) led to dose-dependent increases in p53 and TIGAR and a decrease in SIRT3 expression. The pretreatment of H9c2 with p53 siRNA to knockdown p53 attenuated PHD1 and PHD2 expression, thus significantly enhancing HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression in H9c2 cells under HG conditions. Interestingly, pretreatment with p53 siRNA altered H9c2 cell metabolism by reducing oxygen consumption rate and increasing glycolysis. Similarly, pretreatment with TIGAR siRNA blunted HG-induced PHD1 and PHD2 expression. This was accompanied by an increase in HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression with a reduction in oxygen consumption rate in H9c2 cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with adenovirus-SIRT3 (Ad-SIRT3) significantly reduced the HG-induced expression of p53 and PHDs and increased HIF-1α levels in H9c2 cells. Ad-SIRT3 treatment also regulated PHDs-HIF-1α levels in the hearts of diabetic db/db mice. Our study revealed a novel role of the HG-induced disruption of PHDs-HIF-α signaling via upregulating p53 and TIGAR expression. Therefore, the p53/TIGAR signaling pathway may be a novel target for diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary: Insights into the Pathogenomic Features of a Global Pathogen
Authors: Hossain Md. Motaher , Sultana Farjana , Li Weiqiang , Tran Lam-Son Phan , Mostofa Mohammad Golam
Published: March 2023

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a broad host-range fungus that infects an inclusive array of plant species and afflicts significant yield losses globally. Despite being a notorious pathogen, it has an uncomplicated life cycle consisting of either basal infection from myceliogenically germinated sclerotia or aerial infection from ascospores of carpogenically germinated sclerotia. This fungus is unique among necrotrophic pathogens in that it inevitably colonizes aging tissues to initiate an infection, where a saprophytic stage follows the pathogenic phase. The release of cell wall-degrading enzymes, oxalic acid, and effector proteins are considered critical virulence factors necessary for the effective pathogenesis of S. sclerotiorum. Nevertheless, the molecular basis of S. sclerotiorum pathogenesis is still imprecise and remains a topic of continuing research. Previous comprehensive sequencing of the S. sclerotiorum genome has revealed new insights into its genome organization and provided a deeper comprehension of the sophisticated processes involved in its growth, development, and virulence. This review focuses on the genetic and genomic aspects of fungal biology and molecular pathogenicity to summarize current knowledge of the processes utilized by S. sclerotiorum to parasitize its hosts. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating the infection process of S. sclerotiorum will contribute to devising strategies for preventing infections caused by this destructive pathogen.
Cbfβ Is a Novel Modulator against Osteoarthritis by Maintaining Articular Cartilage Homeostasis through TGF-β Signaling
Authors: Che Xiangguo , Jin Xian , Park Na Rae , Kim Hee-June , Kyung Hee-Soo , Kim Hyun-Ju , Lian Jane B. , Stein Janet L. , Stein Gary S. , Choi Je-Yong
Published: March 2023

TGF-β signaling is a vital regulator for maintaining articular cartilage homeostasis. Runx transcription factors, downstream targets of TGF-β signaling, have been studied in the context of osteoarthritis (OA). Although Runx partner core binding factor β (Cbfβ) is known to play a pivotal role in chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation, the role of Cbfβ in maintaining articular cartilage integrity remains obscure. This study investigated Cbfβ as a novel anabolic modulator of TGF-β signaling and determined its role in articular cartilage homeostasis. Cbfβ significantly decreased in aged mouse articular cartilage and human OA cartilage. Articular chondrocyte-specific Cbfb-deficient mice (Cbfb△ac/△ac) exhibited early cartilage degeneration at 20 weeks of age and developed OA at 12 months. Cbfb△ac/△ac mice showed enhanced OA progression under the surgically induced OA model in mice. Mechanistically, forced expression of Cbfβ rescued Type II collagen (Col2α1) and Runx1 expression in Cbfβ-deficient chondrocytes. TGF-β1-mediated Col2α1 expression failed despite the p-Smad3 activation under TGF-β1 treatment in Cbfβ-deficient chondrocytes. Cbfβ protected Runx1 from proteasomal degradation through Cbfβ/Runx1 complex formation. These results indicate that Cbfβ is a novel anabolic regulator for cartilage homeostasis, suggesting that Cbfβ could protect OA development by maintaining the integrity of the TGF-β signaling pathway in articular cartilage.
Prolonged Subculturing of Aspergillus fumigatus on Galleria Extract Agar Results in Altered Virulence and Sensitivity to Antifungal Agents
Authors: Curtis Aaron , Walshe Kieran , Kavanagh Kevin
Published: March 2023

Aspergillus fumigatus is an environmental saprophyte and opportunistic fungal pathogen of humans. The aim of the work presented here was to examine the effect of serially subculturing A. fumigatus on agar generated from Galleria mellonella larvae in order to characterize the alterations in the phenotypes that might occur. The passaged strains showed alterations in virulence, antifungal susceptibility, and in protein abundances that may indicate adaptation after 25 passages over 231 days on Galleria extract agar. Passaged strains demonstrated reduced virulence in G. mellonella larvae and increased tolerance to hemocyte-mediated killing, hydrogen peroxide, itraconazole, and amphotericin B. A label-free proteomic analysis of control and passaged A. fumigatus strains revealed a total of 3329 proteins, of which 1902 remained following filtration, and 32 proteins were statistically significant as well as differentially abundant. Proteins involved in the response to oxidative stress were altered in abundance in the passaged strain and included (S)-S-oxide reductase (+2.63-fold), developmental regulator FlbA (+2.27-fold), and histone H2A.Z (−1.82-fold). These results indicate that the prolonged subculturing of A. fumigatus on Galleria extract agar results in alterations in the susceptibility to antifungal agents and in the abundance of proteins associated with the oxidative stress response. The phenomenon may be a result of selection for survival in adverse conditions and highlight how A. fumigatus may adapt to tolerate the pulmonary immune response in cases of human infection.
Fluorescent Protein-Based Metal Biosensors
Authors: Nam Ki Hyun
Published: March 2023

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are optical probes that are used to track the functions of genetically encoded target molecules in molecular and cellular biology. FPs have intrinsic photophysical properties generated by the chromophore and its surrounding amino acid sequences. The intensity of the fluorescence emission of FPs can be changed using external factors such as pH or metal ions. Additionally, the fluorescence intensity of FPs can be reduced or quenched using specific transition metal ions, suggesting that they are attractive probes for measuring metal ion levels. A spectroscopical analysis of the metal-induced fluorescence quenching of several FPs revealed that they exhibited intrinsic fluorescence quenching behavior with specific metal ions. The quenchable metal-binding site of FP has been determined using chemical modification, crystal structure, and modeling, providing insights into the molecular mechanism and FP engineering. In this review, studies on the change in the fluorescence activity of FPs mediated by metal ions are comprehensively compared and reviewed, and the requirements for the development of fluorescent protein-based metal biosensors in the future are discussed.
Reliability and Validity of the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) in Adolescents and Young Adults with Down Syndrome
Authors: Sánchez-González Juan Luis , Llamas-Ramos Inés , Llamas-Ramos Rocío , Molina-Rueda Francisco , Carratalá-Tejada María , Cuesta-Gómez Alicia
Published: March 2023

People with Down syndrome (DS) have gait deficits because motor milestones are usually reached later. Decreased gait speed or reduced stride length are some of the main deficits. The main objective of the present work was to assess the reliability of the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) in adolescents and young adults with DS. The objective has been to analyze the construct validity of the 10MWT with the Timed up and go (TUG) test. A total of 33 participants with DS were included. Reliability was verified by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement was analyzed by the Bland-Altman method. Finally, construct validity was evaluated through Pearson correlation coefficient. The 10MWT intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were good (ICC between 0.76 until 0.9) and excellent (ICC > 0.9), respectively. The minimal detectable change for intra-rater reliability was 0.188 m/s. Also, it has demonstrated moderate construct validity (r > 0.5) considering the TUG test. The 10MWT has shown high intra- and inter-rater reliability and validity in adolescent and adults with SD and a moderate construct validity between TUG test and 10MWT.
Allometric Association between Six-Minute Walk Distance and Both Body Size and Shape in Young Obese Girls
Authors: Makni Emna , Hachana Younes , Elloumi Mohamed
Published: March 2023

Background: The 6-min walk test (6MWT) provides information regarding functional capacity, response to therapy and prognosis in a variety of chronic cardiovascular disorders. Variability in body size and composition, particularly in obese people, confounds the six-minute covered distance (6MWD). The aim of the present study was to adopt allometric models to identify the most appropriate body size/shape; i.e., body mass (BM), body height (BH), body mass index (BMI) and estimated fat-free mass (FFM); associated with the 6MWD in 190 young girls with obesity. Methods: Nonlinear allometric modeling was used to calculate common body size exponents for BM, BH, BMI and FFM. In a validation sample of 35 age-matched obese girls, these allometric exponents were used prospectively. Results: The point estimates for the size exponents (95% confidence interval) from the separate allometric models were: BM 0.23 (0.19–0.27), BH 0.91 (0.78–1.03), BMI 0.33 (0.23–0.44) and FFM 0.28 (0.24–0.33). The presence of significant residual size correlations for 6MWD/BH−0.91 indicates that the influence of body size was not correctly partitioned out. In the validation group, the correlations between 6MWD BM−b and BM, 6MWD BMI−b and BMI, and 6MWD FFM−b and FFM using the established exponents were not statistically different from zero (r = 0.01), implying that participants in the allometric investigation were not penalized based on their BM, BMI, or FFM. Conclusion: We conclude that BM, BMI, BH and FFM, as indicators of body size/shape, are the most valid allometric denominators for the scaling of 6MWD in a group of young girls with obesity.
Identification of Extremely Rare Pathogenic CNVs by Array CGH in Saudi Children with Developmental Delay, Congenital Malformations, and Intellectual Disability
Authors: Karim Sajjad , Hussein Ibtessam Ramzi , Schulten Hans-Juergen , Alsaedi Saad , Mirza Zeenat , Al-Qahtani Mohammed , Chaudhary Adeel
Published: March 2023

Chromosomal imbalance is implicated in developmental delay (DD), congenital malformations (CM), and intellectual disability (ID), and, thus, precise identification of copy number variations (CNVs) is essential. We therefore aimed to investigate the genetic heterogeneity in Saudi children with DD/CM/ID. High-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) was used to detect disease-associated CNVs in 63 patients. Quantitative PCR was done to confirm the detected CNVs. Giemsa banding-based karyotyping was also performed. Array CGH identified chromosomal abnormalities in 24 patients; distinct pathogenic and/or variants of uncertain significance CNVs were found in 19 patients, and aneuploidy was found in 5 patients including 47,XXY (n = 2), 45,X (n = 2) and a patient with trisomy 18 who carried a balanced Robertsonian translocation. CNVs including 9p24p13, 16p13p11, 18p11 had gains/duplications and CNVs, including 3p23p14, 10q26, 11p15, 11q24q25, 13q21.1q32.1, 16p13.3p11.2, and 20q11.1q13.2, had losses/deletions only, while CNVs including 8q24, 11q12, 15q25q26, 16q21q23, and 22q11q13 were found with both gains or losses in different individuals. In contrast, standard karyotyping detected chromosomal abnormalities in ten patients. The diagnosis rate of array CGH (28%, 18/63 patients) was around two-fold higher than that of conventional karyotyping (15.87%, 10/63 patients). We herein report, for the first time, the extremely rare pathogenic CNVs in Saudi children with DD/CM/ID. The reported prevalence of CNVs in Saudi Arabia adds value to clinical cytogenetics.
Pain during Rapid Maxillary Expansion: A Systematic Review
Authors: Barone Martina , De Stefani Alberto , Cavallari Filippo , Gracco Antonio , Bruno Giovanni
Published: March 2023

Aim: The aim of the present systematic review is to evaluate the pain perceived by patients during rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in relation to factors such as demographic characteristics, appliance type, activation protocol, and the eventual use of medication or pain management strategies. Materials and methods: An electronic search of available articles on the subject was conducted on three electronic databases, using predefined keywords. Sequential screenings based on pre-established eligibility criteria were performed. Results: Ten studies were ultimately included in this systematic review. The main data of the reviewed studies were extracted according to the PICOS approach. Conclusions: Pain is a common effect of RME treatment that tends to decrease over time. Gender and age differences in pain perception are not clear. Perceived pain is influenced by the expander design and expansion protocol used. Some pain management strategies can be useful for reducing RME-associated pain.
Post-Infectious Acute Cerebellar Ataxia Treatment, a Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Del Giudice Emanuela , Mondì Filippo , Bazzanella Greta , Marcellino Alessia , Martucci Vanessa , Pontrelli Giovanna , Sanseviero Mariateresa , Pavone Piero , Bloise Silvia , Martellucci Salvatore , Carraro Anna , Ventriglia Flavia , Lichtner Miriam , Lubrano Riccardo
Published: March 2023

Background: infectious mononucleosis is very common during childhood and neurological manifestations are extremely rare. However, when they occur, an appropriate treatment must be undertaken to reduce morbidity and mortality as well as to ensure appropriate management. Methods: we describe the clinical and neurological records of a female patient with post-EBV acute cerebellar ataxia, whose symptoms rapidly resolved with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Afterwards, we compared our results with published data. Results: we reported the case of an adolescent female with a 5-day history of sudden asthenia, vomiting, dizziness, and dehydration, with a positive monospot test and hypertransaminasemia. In the following days, she developed acute ataxia, drowsiness, vertigo, and nystagmus with a positive EBV IgM titer, confirming acute infectious mononucleosis. The patient was clinically diagnosed with EBV-associated acute cerebellitis. A brain MRI showed no acute changes and a CT scan showed hepatosplenomegaly. She started therapy with acyclovir and dexamethasone. After a few days, because of her condition’s deterioration, she received intravenous immunoglobulin and demonstrated a good clinical response. Conclusions: although there are no consensus guidelines for the treatment of post-infectious acute cerebellar ataxia, early intervention with intravenous immunoglobulin might prevent adverse outcomes, especially in cases that do not respond to high-dose steroid therapy.
The Effects of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy on Children with OSAHS’s Craniomaxillofacial Growth: A Systematic Review
Authors: Liu Yue , Zhou Jian-Rong , Xie Shi-Qi , Yang Xia , Chen Jing-Lan
Published: March 2023

Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is one of the therapeutic methods for neuromuscular re-education and has been considered as one of the auxiliary methods for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and orthodontic treatment. There is a dearth of comprehensive analysis of OMT’s effects on muscle morphology and function. This systematic review examines the literature on the craniomaxillofacial effects of OMT in children with OSAHS. This systematic analysis was carried out using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) standards, and the research was scanned using PICO principles. A total of 1776 articles were retrieved within a limited time, with 146 papers accepted for full-text perusing following preliminary inspection and 9 of those ultimately included in the qualitative analysis. Three studies were rated as having a severe bias risk, and five studies were rated as having a moderate bias risk. Improvement in craniofacial function or morphology was observed in most of the 693 children. OMT can improve the function or morphology of the craniofacial surface of children with OSAHS, and its effect becomes more significant as the duration of the intervention increases and compliance improves. In the majority of the 693 infants, improvements in craniofacial function or morphology were seen. The function or morphology of a kid’s craniofacial surface can be improved with OMT, and as the duration of the intervention lengthens and compliance rises, the impact becomes more pronounced.
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) Haplotypes in Healthy Subjects from Worldwide Macroareas: A Population Genetics Perspective for Cardiovascular Disease, Neurodegeneration, and Dementia
Authors: Abondio Paolo , Bruno Francesco , Luiselli Donata
Published: March 2023

Human APOE is a 299-amino acid long protein expressed and secreted in several tissues and body districts, where it exerts different functions mainly related to lipid metabolism, with specific activities around cholesterol transport and absorption/elimination. It has three main isoforms, determined by the pair of mutations rs7412-C/T and rs429358-C/T, which gives rise to the functionally different APOE variants ε2, ε3, and ε4. These have a distinct impact on lipid metabolism and are differentially implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and dyslipidemia. A plethora of other single nucleotide variants along the sequence of the APOE gene have been studied in cohorts of affected individuals, where they also modulate the influence of the three main isoforms to determine the risk of developing the disease. However, no contextual analysis of gene-long haplotypes has been carried out so far, and never extensively in cohorts of healthy individuals from different worldwide populations. Leveraging a rich population genomics dataset, this study elucidates the distribution of APOE variants and haplotypes that are shared across populations and to specific macroareas, revealing a variety of risk-allele associations that distinguish specific ancestral backgrounds and can be leveraged for specific ancestry-informed screenings in medicine and public health.
Thermocapillarity in Cross Hybrid Nanofilm Flow Past an Unsteady Stretching Sheet
Authors: Naganthran Kohilavani , Hashim Ishak , Nazar Roslinda , Jalaluddin Dian Adline , Aruchunan Elayaraja
Published: March 2023

The present work is highly interested in examining the transport phenomena of the thin Cross hybrid nanofluid film flow over a continuously stretching surface. The proposed thin film flow study elucidates the film extrusion process, which is prominent in the packaging industry. With the intention of improvising the quality of the coating process, the thermocapillarity and injection effects have been probed in the present model. A suitable similarity transformation and the MATLAB software aid in producing accurate numerical solutions. The accumulated numerical results indicate that an increment in the hybrid nanofluid viscosity and surface tension intensity reduces the wall shear stress past the permeable stretching sheet and improves the heat transfer rate. Remarkably, negative film thickness has been identified when the unsteadiness parameter is greater than or equal to 0.9 while the thermocapillarity parameter falls within the range of 0 and 0.6.
Experimental Exploration, RSM Modeling, and DFT/MD Simulations of the Anticorrosion Performance of Naturally Occurring Amygdalin and Raffinose for Aluminum in NaOH Solution
Authors: Toghan Arafat , Fawzy Ahmed , Alakhras Abbas I. , Alqarni Nada , Zaki Magdi E. A. , Sanad Moustafa M. S. , Farag Ahmed A.
Published: March 2023

This paper underlined how the naturally occurring amygdalin (Amy) and raffinose (Raf) can inhibit the corrosion of aluminum in 0.1 M sodium hydroxide utilizing various tools at fixed temperatures. The obtained outcomes designated that the rate of corrosion of Al was set to rise with the rising alkali. The evaluated greater values of inhibition efficiencies (%IEs) of Amy and Raf (reaching 89% and 92%, respectively, at doses of 500 ppm) indicated that such compounds were efficient inhibitors against aluminum corrosion. Such %IE values depended on the concentrations and the structures of the inhibitors. The examined compounds played as mixed-kind inhibitors with a trivial cathodic priority. At similar concentrations, the average %IE values of raffinose were discovered to be faintly greater than those of amygdalin. The %IE values were reduced with the rising temperature. The acquired high values of %IEs were understood to be a result of the effective adsorption of the molecules of the examined compounds on the aluminum surface and the construction of a defensive film, and this adsorption was in agreement with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters were evaluated and debated. The kinetics of inhibition by the tested compounds were also investigated. The mechanisms of Al corrosion and its inhibition were discussed. The results acquired from the three utilized tools with respect to the values of %IEs were set to be in a good agreement with each other, confirming the validity of the obtained results of the existing study. Computational studies for the interactions between Amy and Raf molecules at the Al (1 1 1) surface were found to be consistent with the experimental results. The quadratic model of response surface methodology (RSM) modeling was used to expertly evaluate the relationships between the input parameters and the expected response (output).
Thickness Measurement of Self-Lubricating Fabric Liner of Inner Ring of Sliding Bearings Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Deng Yaosen , Zhong Shuncong , Lin Jiewen , Zhang Qiukun , Nsengiyumva Walter , Cheng Shuying , Huang Yi , Chen Zhixiong
Published: March 2023

This study presents a novel and highly accurate method of measuring the geometric thickness of the self-lubricating fabric liner of bearings by combining the optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology and the Hanning-windowed energy centrobaric method (HnWECM). The geometric thickness of wear-resistant coating material is one of the important indicators for evaluating its wear, and the measurement of its geometric thickness is of great significance for preventing coating failure. To address the issue of significant measurement errors caused by using the refractive index of the sample instead of the group refractive index to calculate the material’s geometrical thickness in previous OCT research and applications, our proposed method can accurately measure the geometrical thickness of materials without the influence of the refractive index of the material. Moreover, this method exhibits the advantages of non-contact and high precision, since it utilizes an SD-OCT system, making it a novel method for extracting the physical parameters of composite materials. The geometric thickness of the peeled-off liner obtained from our method is compared with the thickness measured by the spiral micrometer to evaluate its accuracy. The experimental results indicate that the thickness measured by the spiral micrometer was 172 μm, while the maximum difference in the data obtained by our method was 171.261 μm. This suggests that the difference between the two methods is less than 0.430%, which verifies the accuracy and validity of our method. Additionally, the obtained geometric thickness and the optical thickness of the peeled-off liner are used to evaluate the group refractive index of this material. The inside geometrical structure of the self-lubricating fabric liner on the end face and inner ring of the sliding bearing is imaged with this group refractive index. The measurement of the inner ring liner of the sliding bearing proves the flexibility of the fiber-optic OCT and provides a non-contact, nondestructive testing method for measuring the geometric thickness and internal geometric structure of composite materials.
The Influence of CO2-Cured Incinerated Waste Fly Ash on the Performance of Reactive Powder Concrete
Authors: Xu Jianhu , Wang Hui , Wang Wanzhen , Shi Feiting
Published: March 2023

Incinerated waste fly ash is a toxic solid, which can cause serious harm to the environment. CO2-cured incinerated waste fly ash may be useful in decreasing the toxicity of waste fly ash and improving the corresponding mechanical properties of cement-based material with incinerated waste fly ash. Meanwhile, this technology can play a certain role in reducing the content of CO2 in the atmosphere. In this study, the influence of CO2-cured incinerated waste fly ash on the rheological parameters (the slump flow and plastic viscosity) and the setting time of fresh reactive powder cement concrete (RPC) is investigated. The flexural and compressive strengths of hardened RPC standard cured for 1 day, 3 days, and 28 days are measured. The leached amounts of Cr and Zn immersed in water for 6 months are measured. The scanning electron microscope photos, thermogravimetric analysis curves, and mercury intrusion curves are obtained. Our results show that the slump flow, the setting time, and the flexural and compressive strengths increased, and the plastic viscosity decreased by adding the waste fly ash with the maximum varying rates of 12.1%, 41.7%, 41.3%, and 61.2%, respectively. CO2 curing on the waste fly ash can increase the setting time and the flexural and compressive strengths with the maximum varying rates of 19.2%, 13.1%, and 14.2%. The effect of CO2-cured waste fly ash on the mechanical strengths of RPC is quite limited.
Planar Multi-Gate Artificial Synaptic Transistor with Solution-Processed AlOx Solid Electric Double Layer Dielectric and InOx Channel
Authors: Luo Yu , Li Zhenwen , Pei Yanli
Published: March 2023

Multi-terminal artificial synaptic devices are promising for building neural morphological networks and manufacturing neural chips. In this study, planar multi-gate InOx-based artificial synaptic transistor was demonstrated by using solution-processed AlOx as an electric double layer (EDL) dielectric with mobile hydrogen protons. The excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) was successfully controlled by adjusting amplitude, duration, and interval of the stimulating voltage pulses applied on the planar gates. The EPSC stimulated by multiple inputs shows the property of sublinear summation. As spatial resolution function of the artificial synaptic transistor, the EPSC depends on the presynaptic (planar gate) area and distance to the channel, nonlinearly. The paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), depending on time sequence, demonstrates the temporal resolution function of the multi-gate artificial synaptic transistor. The study shows the potential of planar multi-gate AlOx/InOx EDL transistor as multi-terminal artificial synaptic device.
Food-Grade Oil-in-Water (O/W) Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Agri-Food Byproduct Particles
Authors: Burgos-Díaz César , Garrido-Miranda Karla A. , Palacio Daniel A. , Chacón-Fuentes Manuel , Opazo-Navarrete Mauricio , Bustamante Mariela
Published: March 2023

In recent years, emulsions stabilized by solid particles (known as Pickering emulsions) have gained considerable attention due to their excellent stability and for being environmentally friendly compared to the emulsions stabilized by synthetic surfactants. In this context, edible Pickering stabilizers from agri-food byproducts have attracted much interest because of their noteworthy benefits, such as easy preparation, excellent biocompatibility, and unique interfacial properties. Consequently, different food-grade particles have been reported in recent publications with distinct raw materials and preparation methods. Moreover, emulsions stabilized by solid particles can be applied in a wide range of industrial fields, such as food, biomedicine, cosmetics, and fine chemical synthesis. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Pickering emulsions stabilized by a diverse range of edible solid particles, specifically agri-food byproducts, including legumes, oil seeds, and fruit byproducts. Moreover, this review summarizes some aspects related to the factors that influence the stabilization and physicochemical properties of Pickering emulsions. In addition, the current research trends in applications of edible Pickering emulsions are documented. Consequently, this review will detail the latest progress and new trends in the field of edible Pickering emulsions for readers.
A Robust Bubble Growth Solution Scheme for Implementation in CFD Analysis of Multiphase Flows
Authors: Pang Hao , Ngaile Gracious
Published: March 2023

Although the full form of the Rayleigh–Plesset (RP) equation more accurately depicts the bubble behavior in a cavitating flow than its reduced form, it finds much less application than the latter in the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation due to its high stiffness. The traditional variable time-step scheme for the full form RP equation is difficult to be integrated with the CFD program since it requires a tiny time step at the singularity point for convergence and this step size may be incompatible with time marching of conservation equations. This paper presents two stable and efficient numerical solution schemes based on the finite difference method and Euler method so that the full-form RP equation can be better accepted by the CFD program. By employing a truncation bubble radius to approximate the minimum bubble size in the collapse stage, the proposed schemes solve for the bubble radius and wall velocity in an explicit way. The proposed solution schemes are more robust for a wide range of ambient pressure profiles than the traditional schemes and avoid excessive refinement on the time step at the singularity point. Since the proposed solution scheme can calculate the effects of the second-order term, liquid viscosity, and surface tension on the bubble evolution, it provides a more accurate estimation of the wall velocity for the vaporization or condensation rate, which is widely used in the cavitation model in the CFD simulation. The legitimacy of the solution schemes is manifested by the agreement between the results from these schemes and established ones from the literature. The proposed solution schemes are more robust in face of a wide range of ambient pressure profiles.
Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Management: Impacts, Benefits, and Implementation
Authors: Taherdoost Hamed , Madanchian Mitra
Published: March 2023

The process of generating, disseminating, using, and managing an organization’s information and knowledge is known as knowledge management (KM). Conventional KM has undergone modifications throughout the years, but documentation has always been its foundation. However, the significant move to remote and hybrid working has highlighted the shortcomings in current procedures. These gaps will be filled by artificial intelligence (AI), which will also alter how KM is transformed and knowledge is handled. This article analyzes studies from 2012 to 2022 that examined AI and KM, with a particular emphasis on how AI may support businesses in their attempts to successfully manage knowledge and information. This critical review examines the current approaches in light of the literature that is currently accessible on AI and KM, focusing on articles that address practical applications and the research background. Furthermore, this review provides insight into potential future study directions and improvements by presenting a critical evaluation.