bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activation of Non-Canonical Autophagic Pathway through Inhibition of Non-Integrin Laminin Receptor in Neuronal Cells
Authors: Limone Adriana , Veneruso Iolanda , Izzo Antonella , Renna Maurizio , Bonavita Raffaella , Piscitelli Silvia , Calì Gaetano , De Nicola Sergio , Riccio Patrizia , D’Argenio Valeria , Lavecchia Antonio , Sarnataro Daniela
Published: January 2022

To fight neurodegenerative diseases, several therapeutic strategies have been proposed that, to date, are either ineffective or at the early preclinical stages. Intracellular protein aggregates represent the cause of about 70% of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, autophagy, i.e., lysosomal degradation of macromolecules, could be employed in this context as a therapeutic strategy. Searching for a compound that stimulates this process led us to the identification of a 37/67kDa laminin receptor inhibitor, NSC48478. We have analysed the effects of this small molecule on the autophagic process in mouse neuronal cells and found that NSC48478 induces the conversion of microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3-I) into the LC3-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate (LC3-II). Interestingly, upon NSC48478 treatment, the contribution of membranes to the autophagic process derived mainly from the non-canonical m-TOR-independent endocytic pathway, involving the Rab proteins that control endocytosis and vesicle recycling. Finally, qRT-PCR analysis suggests that, while the expression of key genes linked to canonical autophagy was unchanged, the main genes related to the positive regulation of endocytosis (pinocytosis and receptor mediated), along with genes regulating vesicle fusion and autolysosomal maturation, were upregulated under NSC48478 conditions. These results strongly suggest that 37/67 kDa inhibitor could be a useful tool for future studies in pathological conditions.
Generating Membrane Curvature at the Nuclear Pore: A Lipid Point of View
Authors: Peeters Bas W. A. , Piët Alexandra C. A. , Fornerod Maarten
Published: January 2022

In addition to its structural role in enclosing and protecting the genome, the nuclear envelope (NE) forms a highly adaptive communication interface between the cytoplasm and the nuclear interior in eukaryotic cells. The double membrane of the NE is perforated by nuclear pores lined with large multi-protein structures, called nuclear-pore complexes (NPCs), which selectively allow the bi-directional transport of ions and macromolecular cargo. In order to nucleate a pore, the inner and outer nuclear membrane have to fuse at the site of NPC insertion, a process requiring both lipid bilayers to be deformed into highly curved structures. How this curvature is achieved and which factors are involved in inducing and stabilizing membrane curvature at the nuclear pore remain largely unclear. In this review, we will summarize the molecular mechanisms thought to be involved in membrane curvature generation, with a particular emphasis on the role of lipids and lipid metabolism in shaping the nuclear pore membrane.
Identification of Small Molecules Inhibiting Cardiomyocyte Necrosis and Apoptosis by Autophagy Induction and Metabolism Reprogramming
Authors: Liu Dawei , Peyre Félix , Loissell-Baltazar Yahir Alberto , Courilleau Delphine , Lacas-Gervais Sandra , Nicolas Valérie , Jacquet Eric , Dokudovskaya Svetlana , Taran Frédéric , Cintrat Jean-Christophe , Brenner Catherine
Published: January 2022

Improvement of anticancer treatments is associated with increased survival of cancer patients at risk of cardiac disease. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic molecules capable of preventing acute and long-term cardiotoxicity. Here, using commercial and home-made chemolibraries, we performed a robust phenotypic high-throughput screening in rat cardiomyoblast cell line H9c2, searching for small molecules capable of inhibiting cell death. A screen of 1600 compounds identified six molecules effective in preventing necrosis and apoptosis induced by H2O2 and camptothecin in H9c2 cells and in rat neonatal ventricular myocytes. In cells treated with these molecules, we systematically evaluated the expression of BCL-2 family members, autophagy progression, mitochondrial network structure, regulation of mitochondrial fusion/fission, reactive oxygen species, and ATP production. We found that these compounds affect autophagy induction to prevent cardiac cell death and can be promising cardioprotective drugs during chemotherapy.
Spatiotemporal Distribution of Homogalacturonans and Hemicelluloses in the Placentas, Ovules and Female Gametophytes of Utricularia nelumbifolia during Pollination
Authors: Płachno Bartosz J. , Kapusta Małgorzata , Stolarczyk Piotr , Bogucka-Kocka Anna
Published: January 2022

Utricularia nelumbifolia is a large carnivorous plant that is endemic to Brazil. It forms an extra-ovular female gametophyte, which surpasses the entire micropylar canal and extends beyond the limit of the integument and invades the placenta tissues. Due to the atypical behavior of the female gametophyte, it is interesting to determine the interaction between the gametophyte and sporophytic tissue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the placenta, the ovular tissues, the hypertrophied central cell and the integument in guiding the pollen tube in Utricularia nelumbifolia Gardner by studying the distribution of homogalacturonans and hemicelluloses. It was also determined whether the distribution of the homogalacturonans (HG) and hemicelluloses in Utricularia are dependent on pollination. The antibodies directed against the wall components (anti-pectin: JIM5, JIM7, LM19, LM20 and the anti-hemicelluloses: LM25, LM11, LM15, LM20, LM21) were used. Because both low- and high-esterified HG and xyloglucan were observed in the placenta, ovule (integument, chalaza) and female gametophyte of both pollinated and unpollinated flowers, the occurrence of these cell-wall components was not dependent on pollination. After fertilization, low methyl-esterified HGs were still observed in the cell walls of somatic cells and female gametophyte. However, in the case of high-esterified HG, the signal was weak and occurred only in the cell walls of the somatic cells. Because xyloglucans were observed in the cell walls of the synergids and egg cells, this suggests that they play a role in sexual reproduction. Utricularia nelumbifolia with an extra ovule-female gametophyte is presented as an attractive model for studying the male-female dialogue in plants.
Are Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells a Step towards Modeling Pediatric Leukemias?
Authors: Bertuccio Salvatore Nicola , Leardini Davide , Messelodi Daria , Anselmi Laura , Manente Francesca , Ragni Federico , Serravalle Salvatore , Masetti Riccardo , Pession Andrea
Published: January 2022

Despite enormous improvements in pre-clinical and clinical research, acute leukemia still represents an open challenge for pediatric hematologists; both for a significant relapse rate and for long term therapy-related sequelae. In this context, the use of an innovative technology, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), allows to finely reproduce the primary features of the malignancy and can be exploited as a model to study the onset and development of leukemia in vitro. The aim of this review is to explore the recent literature describing iPSCs as a key tool to study different types of hematological malignancies, comprising acute myeloid leukemia, non-down syndrome acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. This model demonstrates a positive impact on pediatric hematological diseases, especially in those affecting infants whose onsets is found in fetal hematopoiesis. This evidence highlights the importance of achieving an in vitro representation of the human embryonic hematopoietic development and timing-specific modifications, either genetic or epigenetic. Moreover, further insights into clonal evolution studies shed light in the way of a new precision medicine era, where patient-oriented decisions and therapies could further improve the outcome of pediatric cases. Nonetheless, we will also discuss here the difficulties and limitations of this model.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Cells in 2021
Authors:   Cells Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Can We Use Ginkgo biloba Extract to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease? Lessons from Preclinical and Clinical Studies
Authors: Xie Liming , Zhu Qi , Lu Jiahong
Published: January 2022

(1) Background: Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) has been widely used to treat central nervous system and cardiovascular diseases. Accumulating evidence has revealed the therapeutic potential of GBE against Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, no systematic evaluation has been performed; (2) Methods: a total of 17 preclinical studies and 20 clinical trials assessing the therapeutic effects of GBE against AD were identified from electronic databases. The data in the reports were extracted to conduct a meta-analysis of the AD-related pathological features or symptoms; (3) Results: For the preclinical reports, 45 animals treated with GBE, in six studies, were subjected to cognitive function assessments by the Morris water maze. GBE was shown to reduce the escape latencies in several studies, in both rats and mice (I2 > 70%, p < 0.005). For the clinical trials, eight trials, including 2100 individuals, were conducted. The results show that GBE improved the SKT and ADAS-Cog scores in early-stage AD patients after high doses and long-term administration; (4) Conclusions: GBE displayed generally consistent anti-AD effects in animal experiments, and it might improve AD symptoms in early-stage AD patients after high doses and long-term administration. A lack of sample size calculations and the poor quality of the methods are two obvious limitations of the studies. Nevertheless, the preclinical and clinical data suggest that further large-scale clinical trials may be needed in order to examine the effects of long-term GEB administration on early-stage AD.
Application of the Stripping Voltammetry Method for the Determination of Copper and Lead Hyperaccumulation Potential in Lunaria annua L.
Authors: Buljac Maša , Radić Josip , Buzuk Marijo , Škugor Rončević Ivana , Vladislavić Nives , Krivić Denis , Marijanović Ana
Published: January 2022

Various species of the Brassicaceae family are known to hyperaccumulate metals. Lunaria annua L., a plant from the Brassicaceae family, is an oilseed crop known for its pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In this work, Lunaria annua L. was investigated for its accumulation potential in copper and lead-contaminated soil. Concentrations of copper and lead were measured before planting (in seeds and soils) and after the plant was harvested (in soils and plant). Two types of soils were used: a soil sample collected from the Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Science, University of Split (soil 1, S1) and a commercially available organic mineral substrate (soil 2, S2). Measured pH values showed that the S1 (pH = 8.58) was moderately alkaline soil. On the other hand, the purchased organic soil, S2 (pH = 6.35), was poorly acidic to neutral. For the determination of copper (Cu) and lead (Pb), square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), using a glassy carbon electrode modified with mercury film, was applied. The concentrations of Pb and Cu were determined and calculated in the sample using the standard addition method. Obtained results have shown that Lunaria annua L. is a lead hyperaccumulator (4116.2 mg/kg in S1 and 3314.7 mg/kg in S2) and a potential copper accumulator (624.2 mg/kg in S1 and 498.9 mg/kg in S2). Likewise, the results have shown that the higher the pH is, the lower the possibility that metal accumulation exists.
Electrochemical Sensors for Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing: Strategies and Applications
Authors: Kim Dongmin , Yoo Seungmin
Published: January 2022

Increasing awareness of the impacts of infectious diseases has driven the development of advanced techniques for detecting pathogens in clinical and environmental settings. However, this process is hindered by the complexity and variability inherent in antibiotic-resistant species. A great deal of effort has been put into the development of antibiotic-resistance/susceptibility testing (AST) sensors and systems to administer proper drugs for patient-tailored therapy. Electrochemical sensors have garnered increasing attention due to their powerful potential to allow rapid, sensitive, and real-time monitoring, alongside the low-cost production, feasibility of minimization, and easy integration with other techniques. This review focuses on the recent advances in electrochemical sensing strategies that have been used to determine the level of antibiotic resistance/susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria. The recent examples of the current electrochemical AST sensors discussed here are classified into four categories according to what is detected and quantitated: the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes, changes in impedance caused by cell lysis, current response caused by changes in cellular membrane properties, and changes in the redox state of redox molecules. It also discusses potential strategies for the development of electrochemical AST sensors, with the goal of broadening their practical applications across various scientific and technological fields.
Assessing Changes in 21st Century Mean and Extreme Climate of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta in California
Authors: He Minxue
Published: January 2022

This work aims to assess potential changes in the mean and extreme precipitation and temperature across the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Delta) in California in the 21st century. The study employs operative climate model projections from the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). Specifically, 64 individual downscaled daily projections (1/16 degree, approximately 6 by 6 km) on precipitation and temperature from 32 Global Circulation Models (GCMs) under two emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) from 2020–2099 are utilized for the analysis. The results indicate increasing warming (in mean, minimum, and maximum temperature) further into the future under both emission scenarios. Warming also exhibits a strong seasonality, with winters expecting lower and summers expecting higher increases in temperature. In contrast, for mean annual total precipitation, there is no consistent wetter or drier signal. On average, the changes in annual total precipitation are minimal. However, dry season precipitation is projected to decline. The study also shows that the number of wet days is projected to decrease while the number of very wet (daily precipitation over 10 mm) and extremely wet (daily precipitation over 20 mm) days is projected to increase. Moreover, the study illustrates that only about half of the changes in total annual precipitation are projected to come from changes in the wettest 10% of wet days. In contrast, a majority of changes in variance of the annual precipitation comes from changes in variance of the wettest 10% of the wet days. This suggests that fluctuations in large storms are projected to dictate the variability of precipitation in the Delta. Additionally, a general upward trend in dry conditions measured by the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index is expected during the projection period. The trending signal is stronger at multi-year temporal scales (one to four years) and under the higher emission scenario. These change patterns are generally similar across three sub-regions of the Delta (i.e., North, South, and West), even though some changes in the South Delta are the most pronounced. This study further discusses challenges posed by these changes to the Delta’s water supply and ecosystems, along with the Delta’s resiliency and potential ways to address these challenges.
Fracture Toughness of Different Region Materials from a Dissimilar Metal Welded Joint in Steam Turbine Rotor
Authors: Wang Wenke , Guo Yang , Li Yuanbo , Li Zhengning
Published: January 2022

This study systematically evaluated the fracture toughness of a CrMoV/NiCrMoV dissimilar metal welded joint (DMWJ) with buttering layer technology in a steam turbine rotor. The fracture resistance curves and parameters of base metals (BM-1 and BM-2), weld metal (WM), buttering layer (BL), and heat-affected zones (HAZ-1 and HAZ-2) in the welded joint were all obtained. The characteristic microstructures, carbides, and fracture surfaces were observed by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results revealed a different fracture toughness of each region in the DMWJ. The BM-1 showed a brittle fracture mode, mainly related to the directional needle-shaped carbide M3C. However, HAZ-1, BL, WM, HAZ-2, and BM-2 illustrated ductile fracture mode. The tempered microstructure and dispersed carbides increased the toughness of each material. Except for BM-1, the ductile fracture toughnesses of BL and WM were low in DMWJ due to coarse spherical carbide M7C3. The fracture toughness in the middle of HAZs was higher than that of the corresponding BMs owing to the fine tempered martensite and bainite. The fracture toughness along DMWJ appeared uneven. In sum, these findings look promising for the accurate integrity evaluation of DMWJs.
On the High-Resolution Discretization of the Maxwell Equations in a Composite Tape and the Heating Effects Induced by the Dielectric Losses
Authors: Ghnatios Chady , Barasinski Anais , Chinesta Francisco
Published: January 2022

Electromagnetic field propagation inside composite materials represents a challenge where fiber-scale simulation remains intractable using classical simulation methods. The present work proposes an original 3D simulation with a mesh resolution fine enough to resolve the fiber scale, thanks to the use of Proper Generalized Decomposition (PGD)-based space decomposition, which avoids the necessity of considering homogenized properties and considers the richest description of the involved physics from the solution of the Maxwell equations. This high-resolution simulation enables comparing the electromagnetic field propagation in a composite part, depending on the considered frequency and the fiber’s/wave polarization’s relative orientation. The electromagnetic fields are then post-processed to identify the heat generation terms and- the resulting induced thermal field. The results prove the ability of the PGD-based discretization to attain extremely high levels of resolution, the equivalent of 1010 finite-element degrees of freedom. The obtained results show an enhanced wave penetration when the electric field polarization coincides with the fiber orientation. On the contrary, when the electric field is polarized along the normal to the fiber orientation, both the penetration and the associated heating reduce significantly, compromising the use of homogenized models, rendering them unable to reproduce the observed behaviors.
Microstructure-Based Fatigue Modeling with Residual Stresses: Effect of Inclusion Shape on Very High Cycle Fatigue Life
Authors: Gu Chao , Lian Junhe , Lv Ziyu , Bao Yanping
Published: January 2022

When considering the effect of inclusions on fatigue life, the size effect of inclusions is well recognized. However, many of these studies overlooked or decoupled the size effect from the shape features. Therefore, in this study, the influence of the shape characteristics of inclusions with 3 equivalent sizes of 26.6 μm, 13.3 μm, and 4.2 μm on the very high cycle fatigue life of high-strength steels is investigated based on a microstructure-sensitive modeling approach, considering residual stresses. A shape parameter, unifying the aspect ratio and tilting angle of inclusion, is introduced. Based on this parameter, a new formulation of fatigue life with respect to inclusions is also proposed, extending the former one to consider the shape effect of inclusions. It is concluded that the general trend that the fatigue life increases with the decrease in inclusion size is still valid, while the shape features in terms of aspect ratio and tilting angle complicate the quantitative influence of inclusions size significantly. Even for a constant inclusion size, the combination of shape factor and tilting angle could change the fatigue life with one order of magnitude compared with the commonly assumed round shape. These findings would enhance the precision for the fatigue life estimation based on pre-inclusion analysis and also eventually provide new dimensions for inclusion engineering to improve fatigue resistance, as size will not be the only design parameter for fatigue life.
Salification Controls the In-Vitro Release of Theophylline
Authors: Baraldi Laura , Fornasari Luca , Bassanetti Irene , Amadei Francesco , Bacchi Alessia , Marchiò Luciano
Published: January 2022

Sustained released formulation is the most used strategy to control the efficacy and the adverse reactions of an API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) with a narrow therapeutic index. In this work, we used a different way to tailor the solubility and diffusion of a drug. Salification of Theophylline with Squaric Acid was carried out to better control the absorption of Theophylline after administration. Salification proved to be a winning strategy decreasing the dissolution of the APIs up to 54% with respect to Theophylline. Most importantly, this was accomplished in the first 10 min of the dissolution process, which are the most important for the API administration. Two polymorphs were identified and fully characterized. Theophylline squarate was discovered as trihydrate (SC-XRD) and as a metastable anhydrous form. Indeed, during the Variable Temperature-XRPD experiment, the trihydrate form turned back into the two starting components after losing the three molecules of water. On the other hand, the synthesis of the trihydrate form was observed when a simple mixing of the two starting components were exposed to a high humidity relative percentage (90% RH).
Nucleation Behaviors of Adipic Acid in Different Polarity Solvent Based on Metastable Zone Width
Authors: Wang Yanfei , Chuai Xiaoyu , Li Yifei , Guo Jia , Yang Jing , Liu Zhixue , Xu Shijie
Published: January 2022

In this contribution, we experimentally determined the metastable zone width (MSZW) of adipic acid (AA) in different polar solvents to reveal the nucleation behavior. We performed analyses for different cooling rates, saturation temperatures and polar solvents. The findings showed that the MSZW increased as the cooling rate increased, or saturation temperature or polarity decreased. Here, we suggest that the hydrogen bond donor capacity decreases as the polarity of the solvent decreases, which weakens the solute and solvent interaction and makes the desolvation process more difficult during nucleation. Furthermore, we found that the MSZW is mainly determined by the cooling rate, when the cooling rate is large enough. On account of the classical nucleation theory, it was found that the sizes of the critical nucleus and Gibbs nucleation energy do not increase monotonously with increasing driving force. Moreover, this study confirms that solid–liquid interface tension is associated with crystallization driving force.
Characterization of the Micro-Structural Properties of InAlN/GaN Epilayer Grown by MOCVD
Authors: Zhu Youhua , Hu Tao , Wang Meiyu , Li Yi , Ge Mei , Guo Xinglong , Deng Honghai , Chen Zhitao
Published: January 2022

An InAlN/GaN heterostructure has been successfully grown on GaN/sapphire and AlN/sapphire substrate by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The whole epitaxial quality has been confirmed through X-ray diffraction, while some corresponding micro-structural propagation defects have been characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy. It can be concluded that these defects have been originating from the extended threading dislocation in GaN layer. In addition, with the increasing of acceleration voltage, a series of the cathodoluminescence peak shifting can be clearly observed, and the interesting phenomenon has been attributed to the several complex factors, such as inhomogeneous composition, internal absorption, and so on. Nevertheless, with further optimization of the structural parameters of the epilayers, it can be expected that these experimental results would promote a better epitaxy quality and the optoelectronic device design.
The Annealing Effect at Different Temperatures for Organic-Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dots
Authors: Lien Shui-Yang , Lai Pin-Jia , Chen Wen-Ray , Liu Chuan-Hsi , Sze Po-Wen , Huang Chien-Jung
Published: January 2022

After the preparation of inorganic perovskite cesium lead iodide quantum dots (CsPbI3 QD) by ligand-assisted reprecipitation (LARP), CsPbI3 QD was added to the organic perovskite methylamine lead triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3; MAPbI3) to successfully form composite perovskite film. To obtain better perovskite quantum dot (PQD) crystal characteristics, this research used different annealing temperatures to discuss the crystallinity changes of perovskite quantum dots (PQD). Through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, it was found that the preferred peak (110) of MAPbI3 had maximum peak intensity when the annealing temperature increased to 120 °C. Based on the measurement results of PQD’s Ultraviolet-Visible spectrum, it was shown that the maximum absorption area was obtained at the wavelength of 350 nm~750 nm at the annealing temperature 120 °C. From the scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurement, it was found that the grain size was the largest at the annealing temperature 120 °C, and the grain size was 60.2 nm. The best crystallization characteristics of PQD were obtained at the annealing temperature 120 °C.
The Critical Behaviour and Magnetism of MnCoGe0.97Al0.03 Compounds
Authors: Rahman Abdul Rashid Abdul , Md Din Muhamad Faiz , Othman Norinsan Kamil , Wang Jianli , Suhaimi Nur Sabrina , Dou Shi Xue , Mohamed Sharif Noor Fadzilah , Makmor Nazrul Fariq
Published: January 2022

The critical behaviour associated with the field-induced martensitic transformation heavily relies on the vacancy and transition of the magnetic phase in MnCoGe based-compounds. Due to this revelation, an intensive investigation was brought forth to study the substitution of Ge (atomic radius = 1.23 Å) by Al (atomic radius = 1.43 Å) in MnCoGe0.97Al0.03 alloy compound. The room-temperature X-ray diffraction indicated that the reflections were identified with the orthorhombic structure (TiNiSi-type, space group Pnma) and minor hexagonal structure (Ni2In-type, space group P63/mmc). The substitution of Al in the supersession of Ge transmuted the crystal structure from TiNiSi-type to Ni2In-type structure. The MnCoGe0.97Al0.03 compound’s magnetism was driven by interactions that are long in range, as indicated by the study of the critical behaviour in the proximity of TC. The magnetic measurement and neutron diffraction revealed that the structural transition took place with the decrease in temperature. The results from neutron diffraction signify that the transformation of the magnetic field-induced martensitic has a crucial function in producing the immense effect of magnetocaloric systems such as these. This outcome serves a critical function for investigations in the future.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Crystals in 2021
Authors:   Crystals Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Current Oncology in 2021
Authors:   Current Oncology Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Microbiome of Bacterially Impaired Watersheds: Distribution of Potential Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Kincaid John C. , Owen Marc R. , Pavlowsky Robert T. , Mirza Babur S.
Published: January 2022

Bacterial impairment of freshwater systems is a commonly studied global problem. However, studies on the relative distribution of bacterial pathogens in different impaired aquatic systems have been limited. Frequently, impaired freshwater systems are classified by the presence of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and the identification of sources of fecal contamination through microbial source tracking. In this study, we assessed the relative abundance of DNA sequences related to potential human bacterial pathogens along with human fecal indicator bacteria in three impaired watersheds. These watersheds consistently showed a high abundance of FIB for the past several years. Using Illumina paired-end DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons, we observed variation in the relative distribution of DNA sequences related to Legionellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroidaceae families across different sites. We identified potential hotspots sites in these impaired water systems, which showed a relatively high abundance of pathogen-related DNA sequences. This study demonstrates the significance of Next-Gen DNA sequencing for the initial screening of waterborne pathogens and the identification of high-risk sites for preferential remediation efforts in impaired water systems. Secondly, the frequent temporal monitoring of specifically identified pathogens that are in high abundance in a watershed can help in the accurate prediction and prevention of disease outbreaks.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Dairy in 2021
Authors:   Dairy Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Development of a Web-Based Prediction System for Students’ Academic Performance
Authors: Alboaneen Dabiah , Almelihi Modhe , Alsubaie Rawan , Alghamdi Raneem , Alshehri Lama , Alharthi Renad
Published: January 2022

Educational Data Mining (EDM) is used to extract and discover interesting patterns from educational institution datasets using Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. There is much academic information related to students available. Therefore, it is helpful to apply data mining to extract factors affecting students’ academic performance. In this paper, a web-based system for predicting academic performance and identifying students at risk of failure through academic and demographic factors is developed. The ML model is developed to predict the total score of a course at the early stages. Several ML algorithms are applied, namely: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Linear Regression (LR). This model applies to the data of female students of the Computer Science Department at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU). The dataset contains 842 instances for 168 students. Moreover, the results showed that the prediction’s Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) reached 6.34%, and the academic factors had a higher impact on students’ academic performance than the demographic factors, the midterm exam score in the top. The developed web-based prediction system is available on an online server and can be used by tutors.
Resource Management through Artificial Intelligence in Screening Programs—Key for the Successful Elimination of Hepatitis C
Authors: Butaru Anca Elena , Mămuleanu Mădălin , Streba Costin Teodor , Doica Irina Paula , Diculescu Mihai Mircea , Gheonea Dan Ionuț , Oancea Carmen Nicoleta
Published: January 2022

Background: The elimination of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) will only be possible if rapid and efficient actions are taken. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are computing systems based on the topology of the biological brain, containing connected artificial neurons that can be tasked with solving medical problems. Aim: We expanded the previously presented HCV micro-elimination project started in September 2020 that aimed to identify HCV infection through coordinated screening in asymptomatic populations and developed two ANN models able to identify at-risk subjects selected through a targeted questionnaire. Material and method: Our study included 14,042 screened participants from a southwestern region of Oltenia, Romania. Each participant completed a 12-item questionnaire along with anti-HCV antibody rapid testing. Hepatitis-C-positive subjects were linked to care and ultimately could receive antiviral treatment if they had detectable viremia. We built two ANNs, trained and tested on the dataset derived from the questionnaires and then used to identify patients in a similar, already existing dataset. Results: We found 114 HCV-positive patients (81 females), resulting in an overall prevalence of 0.81%. We identified sharing personal hygiene items, receiving blood transfusions, having dental work or surgery and re-using hypodermic needles as significant risk factors. When used on an existing dataset of 15,140 persons (119 HCV cases), the first ANN models correctly identified 97 (81.51%) HCV-positive subjects through 13,401 tests, while the second ANN model identified 81 (68.06%) patients through only 5192 tests. Conclusions: The use of ANNs in selecting screening candidates may improve resource allocation and prioritize cases more prone to severe disease.
Undetected Omicron Transmission in Romania—Report of the First Detected Case of Locally Acquired Omicron Infection and Complete Epidemiological Investigation
Authors: Streinu-Cercel Anca , Săndulescu Oana , Miron Victor Daniel , Paraschiv Simona , Casangiu Corina , Hohan Robert , Bănică Leontina , Surleac Marius , Streinu-Cercel Adrian
Published: January 2022

The occurrence of the omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has importantly impacted surveillance and diagnosis, and has changed the therapeutic landscape of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We present the first documented case of locally acquired SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant in Romania in a patient with no recent travel outside the country. We also present the full results of the epidemiological investigation that led to the identification of the index case in a co-worker who had developed mild symptoms shortly after returning from the UK and who had undergone multiple rapid antigen tests with negative results prior to being tested by RT-PCR. We highlight potential lessons learned and describe further directions for actionable research and development in the field of COVID-19.
Feasibility, Reproducibility and Reference Ranges of Left Atrial Strain in Preterm and Term Neonates in the First 48 h of Life
Authors: Ficial Benjamim , Corsini Iuri , Clemente Maria , Cappelleri Alessia , Remaschi Giulia , Quer Laura , Urbani Giulia , Sandrini Camilla , Biban Paolo , Dani Carlo , Benfari Giovanni
Published: January 2022

Left atrial strain (LAS) is the most promising technique for assessment of diastolic dysfunction but few data are available in neonates. Our aim was to assess feasibility and reproducibility, and to provide reference ranges of LAS in healthy neonates in the first 48 h of life. We performed one echocardiography in 30 neonates to assess feasibility and develop a standard protocol for image acquisition and analysis. LAS reservoir (LASr), conduit (LAScd) and contraction (LASct) were measured. We performed echocardiography at 24 and 48 h of life in an unrelated cohort of 90 neonates. Median (range) gestational age and weight of the first cohort were 34.4 (26.4–40.2) weeks and 2075 (660–3680) g. LAS feasibility was 96.7%. Mean (SD) gestational age and weight of the second cohort were 34.2 (3.8) weeks and 2162 (833) g. Mean (SD) LASr significantly increased from 24 to 48 h: 32.9 (3.2) to 36.8 (4.6). Mean (SD) LAScd and LASct were stable: −20.6 (8.0) and −20.8 (9.9), −11.6 (4.9) and −13.5 (6.4). Intra and interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient for LASr, LAScd and LASct were 0.992, 0.993, 0.986 and 0.936, 0.938 and 0.871, respectively. We showed high feasibility and reproducibility of LAS in neonates and provided reference ranges.
Intracranial Meningioma in Elderly Patients. Retrospective Multicentric Risk and Surgical Factors Study of Morbidity and Mortality
Authors: Armocida Daniele , Arcidiacono Umberto Aldo , Palmieri Mauro , Pesce Alessandro , Cofano Fabio , Picotti Veronica , Salvati Maurizio , D’Andrea Giancarlo , Garbossa Diego , Santoro Antonio , Frati Alessandro
Published: January 2022

With the increasing life expectancy, a large number of intracranial meningiomas (IM) have been identified in elderly patients. There is no general consensus regarding the management for IMs nor studies regarding the outcome of older patients undergoing meningioma surgery. We aimed to determine whether preoperative variables and postoperative clinical outcomes differ between age groups after meningioma surgery. We analyzed data from all patients who had undergone IM surgery from our departments. The final cohort consisted of 340 patients affected by IM with ASA class I-II: 188 in the young group (<65) and 152 in the elderly. The two subgroups did not present significant differences concerning biological characteristics of tumor, localization, diameters, lesion and edema volumes and surgical radicality. Despite these comparable data, elderly presented with a significantly lower Karnofsky Performance status value on admission and remained consistently lower during the follow-up. We establish instead that there is no intrinsic correlation to the presence of IM and no significant increased risk of complications or recurrence in elderly patients, but rather only an increased risk of reduced performance status with mortality related to the comorbidity of the patient, primarily cardiovascular disease, and an intrinsic frailty of the aged population.
Antibodies against 4 Atypical Post-Translational Protein Modifications in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Rodríguez-Martínez Lorena , Regueiro Cristina , Amhaz-Escanlar Sámer , Pena Carmen , Herbello-Hermelo Paloma , Moreda-Piñeiro Antonio , Rodriguez-Garcia Javier , Mera-Varela Antonio , Pérez-Pampín Eva , González Antonio
Published: January 2022

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) show autoantibodies against post-translational protein modifications (PTMs), such as anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. However, the range of recognized PTMs is unknown. Here, we addressed four PTMs: chlorination, non-enzymatic glycation, nitration, and homocysteinylation, identified as targets of atypical RA autoantibodies in studies whose protocols we have followed. The modified antigens included collagen type II, an extract of synovial proteins and a selection of peptides. We interpreted the results according to the optical density (OD) obtained in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) with the modified antigen and the corrected OD obtained after subtracting the reactivity against the unmodified antigen. The results showed evidence of specific antibodies against glycated collagen type II, as the corrected ODs were higher in the 182 patients with RA than in the 164 healthy controls (p = 0.0003). However, the relevance of these antibodies was doubtful because the magnitude of the specific signal was small (median OD = 0.072 vs. 0.027, respectively). There were no specific antibodies against any of the other three PTMs. Therefore, our results showed that the four PTMs are not inducing a significant autoantibody response in patients with RA. These results indicated that the repertoire of PTM autoantigens in RA is restricted.
Difficulties in Diagnosing Extraperitoneal Ureteroinguinal Hernias: A Review of the Literature and Clinical Experience of a Rare Encounter in Acute Surgical Care Settings
Authors: Pirvu Catalin , Pantea Stelian , Popescu Alin , Grigoras Mirela Loredana , Bratosin Felix , Valceanu Andrei , Mihoc Tudorel , Dema Vlad , Selaru Mircea
Published: January 2022

Although inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures, finding a retroperitoneal structure, such as the ureter, is a rather rare occurrence. Ureteroinguinal hernias may arise in the presence or absence of obstructive uropathy, the latter raising difficulties in diagnosis for the general surgeon performing a regular inguinal hernia surgery. This study aims to collect the relevant literature describing the diagnosis and management of ureteroinguinal hernias and update it with a case encountered in our clinic. The following study was reported following the SCARE guidelines. The relevant literature describes less than 150 cases of ureteroinguinal hernias overall, considering the 1.7% prevalence of inguinal hernias in the general population. With only 20% of these hernias being described as extraperitoneal, such an encounter becomes an extremely rare finding. Our clinical experience brings a case of a 75-year-old male with frequent urinary tract infections and a large irreducible inguinoscrotal hernia of about 20/12 cm located at the right scrotum. The patient underwent an open inguinal hernia repair technique under general anesthesia, incidentally finding an extraperitoneal ureteral herniation. Segmental ureterectomy was performed with uneventful recovery. Intraoperatively, finding an incidental ureteroinguinal hernia raises concerns about probable urinary tract complications during regular hernia repair surgery and whether the diagnosis is likely to happen prior to surgical intervention. Although imaging is rarely indicated in inguinal hernias, the case reports show that a pelvic CT scan with urography in symptomatic patients with urinary symptoms will provide accurate confirmation of the diagnosis. The relevant literature is limited due to the rarity of respective cases, thus making standardized management of such cases unlikely.
Incidental CT Findings in the Elderly with Low-Energy Falls: Prevalence and Implications
Authors: Niedermeier Sandra , Wania Rebecca , Lampart Alina , Stahl Robert , Trumm Christoph , Kammerlander Christian , Böcker Wolfgang , Nickel Christian H. , Bingisser Roland , Armbruster Marco , Pedersen Vera
Published: January 2022

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used in trauma care, with increasing implementation during the emergency work-up of elderly patients with low-energy falls (LEF). The prevalence of incidental findings (IFs) resulting from CT imaging and requiring down-stream actions in this patient cohort is unknown. We have investigated the prevalence and urgency of IFs from emergency CT examinations in these patients. Methods: A total of 2871 patients with LEF and emergency CT examinations were consecutively included in this retrospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of IFs; the secondary endpoint was their urgency. Results: The median age was 82 years (64.2% were women). IFs were identified in 73.9% of patients, with an average of 1.6 IFs per patient. Of all IFs, 16.4% were classified as urgent or relevant, predominantly in the abdomen, chest and neck. Increasing age was associated with the prevalence of an IF (odds ratio: 1.053, 95% confidence interval: 1.042–1.064). Significantly more IFs were found in female patients (75.2% vs. 71.5%). Conclusion: IFs resulting from CT examinations of the elderly are frequent, but in more than 8 out of 10, they are harmless or currently asymptomatic. For the benefit of an accurate diagnosis of traumatic lesions, concerns about IFs with respect to disease burden, further work-up and resource utilisation might be disregarded.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Disabilities in 2021
Authors:   Disabilities Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Propeller Position Effects over the Pressure and Friction Coefficients over the Wing of an UAV with Distributed Electric Propulsion: A Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Analysis
Authors: Serrano José Ramón , García-Cuevas Luis Miguel , Bares Pau , Varela Pau
Published: January 2022

New propulsive architectures, with high interactions with the aerodynamic performance of the platform, are an attractive option for reducing the power consumption, increasing the resilience, reducing the noise and improving the handling of fixed-wing unmanned air vehicles. Distributed electric propulsion with boundary layer ingestion over the wing introduces extra complexity to the design of these systems, and extensive simulation and experimental campaigns are needed to fully understand the flow behaviour around the aircraft. This work studies the effect of different combinations of propeller positions and angles of attack over the pressure coefficient and skin friction coefficient distributions over the wing of a 25 kg fixed-wing remotely piloted aircraft. To get more information about the main trends, a proper orthogonal decomposition of the coefficient distributions is performed, which may be even used to interpolate the results to non-simulated combinations, giving more information than an interpolation of the main aerodynamic coefficients such as the lift, drag or pitching moment coefficients.
Power Graphs of Finite Groups Determined by Hosoya Properties
Authors: Ali Fawad , Rather Bilal Ahmad , Din Anwarud , Saeed Tareq , Ullah Asad
Published: January 2022

Suppose G is a finite group. The power graph represented by P(G) of G is a graph, whose node set is G, and two different elements are adjacent if and only if one is an integral power of the other. The Hosoya polynomial contains much information regarding graph invariants depending on the distance. In this article, we discuss the Hosoya characteristics (the Hosoya polynomial and its reciprocal) of the power graph related to an algebraic structure formed by the symmetries of regular molecular gones. As a consequence, we determined the Hosoya index of the power graphs of the dihedral and the generalized groups. This information is useful in determining the renowned chemical descriptors depending on the distance. The total number of matchings in a graph Γ is known as the Z-index or Hosoya index. The Z-index is a well-known type of topological index, which is popular in combinatorial chemistry and can be used to deal with a variety of chemical characteristics in molecular structures.
Analysis of Individual High-Frequency Traders’ Buy–Sell Order Strategy Based on Multivariate Hawkes Process
Authors: Watari Hiroki , Takayasu Hideki , Takayasu Misako
Published: January 2022

Traders who instantly react to changes in the financial market and place orders in milliseconds are called high-frequency traders (HFTs). HFTs have recently become more prevalent and attracting attention in the study of market microstructures. In this study, we used data to track the order history of individual HFTs in the USD/JPY forex market to reveal how individual HFTs interact with the order book and what strategies they use to place their limit orders. Specifically, we introduced an 8-dimensional multivariate Hawkes process that included the excitations due to the occurrence of limit orders, cancel orders, and executions in the order book change, and performed maximum likelihood estimations of the limit order processes for 134 HFTs. As a result, we found that the limit order generation processes of 104 of the 134 HFTs were modeled by a multivariate Hawkes process. In this analysis of the EBS market, the HFTs whose strategies were modeled by the Hawkes process were categorized into three groups according to their excitation mechanisms: (1) those excited by executions; (2) those that were excited by the occurrences or cancellations of limit orders; and (3) those that were excited by their own orders.