bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FLT3-Mutated Leukemic Stem Cells: Mechanisms of Resistance and New Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Capelli Debora
Published: May 2024

Despite the availability of target drugs in the first and second line, only 30% of FLT3mut AMLs are cured. Among the multiple mechanisms of resistance, those of FLT3mut LSC are the most difficult to eradicate because of their metabolic and genomic characteristics. Reactivation of glycogen synthesis, inhibition of the RAS/MAPK pathway, and degradation of FLT3 may be potential aids to fight the resistance of LSC to FLT3i. LSC is also characterized by the expression of a CD34+/CD25+/CD123+/CD99+ immunophenotype. The receptor and ligand of FLT3, the natural killer group 2 member D ligand (NKGD2L), and CD123 are some of the targets of chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), bispecific T-cell engager molecules (BiTEs), CAR-NK and nanoparticles recently designed and reported here. The combination of these new therapeutic options, hopefully in a minimal residual disease (MRD)-driven approach, could provide the future answer to the challenge of treating FLT3mut AML.
Updates on the Management of Colorectal Cancer in Older Adults
Authors: O’Donnell Conor D. J. , Hubbard Joleen , Jin Zhaohui
Published: May 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant global health challenge. Notably, the risk of CRC escalates with age, with the majority of cases occurring in those over the age of 65. Despite recent progress in tailoring treatments for early and advanced CRC, there is a lack of prospective data to guide the management of older patients, who are frequently underrepresented in clinical trials. This article reviews the contemporary landscape of managing older individuals with CRC, highlighting recent advancements and persisting challenges. The role of comprehensive geriatric assessment is explored. Opportunities for treatment escalation/de-escalation, with consideration of the older adult’s fitness level. are reviewed in the neoadjuvant, surgical, adjuvant, and metastatic settings of colon and rectal cancers. Immunotherapy is shown to be an effective treatment option in older adults who have CRC with microsatellite instability. Promising new technologies such as circulating tumor DNA and recent phase III trials adding later-line systemic therapy options are discussed. Clinical recommendations based on the data available are summarized. We conclude that deliberate efforts to include older individuals in future colorectal cancer trials are essential to better guide the management of these patients in this rapidly evolving field.
Poor Mobilization-Associated Factors in Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Harvest
Authors: Ahn Won Kee , Nam Hyun-Jun , Lee Hae Won , Hahn Seungmin , Han Jung Woo , Lyu Chuhl Joo , Kim Sinyoung , Kwon Soon Sung , Chung Haerim , Kim Jin Seok , Cheong June-Won , Lee Kyung-A
Published: May 2024

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is an important therapeutic measure for both hematologic and non-hematologic diseases. For PBSCT to be successful, sufficient CD34+ cells need to be mobilized and harvested. Although risk factors associated with poor mobilization in patients with hematologic diseases have been reported, studies of patients with non-hematologic diseases and those receiving plerixafor are rare. To identify factors associated with poor mobilization, data from autologous PBSC harvest (PBSCH) in 491 patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis revealed that in patients with a hematologic disease, an age older than 60 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.655, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.049–2.611, p = 0.008), the use of myelotoxic agents (OR 4.384, 95% CI 2.681–7.168, p < 0.001), and a low platelet count (OR 2.106, 95% CI 1.205–3.682, p = 0.009) were associated with poor mobilization. In patients with non-hematologic diseases, a history of radiation on the pelvis/spine was the sole associated factor (OR 12.200, 95% CI 1.934–76.956, p = 0.008). Among the group of patients who received plerixafor, poor mobilization was observed in 19 patients (19/134, 14.2%) and a difference in the mobilization regimen was noted among the good mobilization group. These results show that the risk factors for poor mobilization in patients with non-hematologic diseases and those receiving plerixafor differ from those in patients with hematologic diseases; as such, non-hematologic patients require special consideration to enable successful PBSCH.
Autonomous Tumor Signature Extraction Applied to Spatially Registered Bi-Parametric MRI to Predict Prostate Tumor Aggressiveness: A Pilot Study
Authors: Mayer Rulon , Turkbey Baris , Simone Charles B.
Published: May 2024

Background: Accurate, reliable, non-invasive assessment of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer is essential for proper disease management. Quantitative assessment of multi-parametric MRI, such as through artificial intelligence or spectral/statistical approaches, can provide a non-invasive objective determination of the prostate tumor aggressiveness without side effects or potential poor sampling from needle biopsy or overdiagnosis from prostate serum antigen measurements. To simplify and expedite prostate tumor evaluation, this study examined the efficacy of autonomously extracting tumor spectral signatures for spectral/statistical algorithms for spatially registered bi-parametric MRI. Methods: Spatially registered hypercubes were digitally constructed by resizing, translating, and cropping from the image sequences (Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC), High B-value, T2) from 42 consecutive patients in the bi-parametric MRI PI-CAI dataset. Prostate cancer blobs exceeded a threshold applied to the registered set from normalizing the registered set into an image that maximizes High B-value, but minimizes the ADC and T2 images, appearing “green” in the color composite. Clinically significant blobs were selected based on size, average normalized green value, sliding window statistics within a blob, and position within the hypercube. The center of mass and maximized sliding window statistics within the blobs identified voxels associated with tumor signatures. We used correlation coefficients (R) and p-values, to evaluate the linear regression fits of the z-score and SCR (with processed covariance matrix) to tumor aggressiveness, as well as Area Under the Curves (AUC) for Receiver Operator Curves (ROC) from logistic probability fits to clinically significant prostate cancer. Results: The highest R (R > 0.45), AUC (>0.90), and lowest p-values (<0.01) were achieved using z-score and modified registration applied to the covariance matrix and tumor signatures selected from the “greenest” parts from the selected blob. Conclusions: The first autonomous tumor signature applied to spatially registered bi-parametric MRI shows promise for determining prostate tumor aggressiveness.
Frequency of Common and Uncommon BRAF Alterations among Colorectal and Non-Colorectal Gastrointestinal Malignancies
Authors: Mahipal Amit , Storandt Michael H. , Teslow Emily A. , Jaeger Ellen , Stoppler Melissa C. , Jin Zhaohui , Chakrabarti Sakti
Published: May 2024

Background: The predictive and prognostic role of BRAF alterations has been evaluated in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, BRAF alterations have not been fully characterized in non-CRC gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. In the present study, we report the frequency and spectrum of BRAF alterations among patients with non-CRC GI malignancies. Methods: Patients with CRC and non-CRC GI malignancies who underwent somatic tumor profiling via a tissue-based or liquid-based assay were included in this study. Gain-of-function BRAF alterations were defined as pathogenic/likely pathogenic somatic short variants (SVs), copy number amplifications ≥8, or fusions (RNA or DNA). Results: Among 51,560 patients with somatic profiling, 40% had CRC and 60% had non-CRC GI malignancies. BRAF GOF alterations were seen more frequently in CRC (8.9%) compared to non-CRC GI malignancies (2.2%) (p < 0.001). Non-CRC GI malignancies with the highest prevalence of BRAF GOF alterations were bile duct cancers (4.1%) and small intestine cancers (4.0%). Among BRAF GOF alterations, class II (28% vs. 6.8%, p < 0.001) and class III (23% vs. 14%, p < 0.001) were more common in non-CRC GI malignancies. Among class II alterations, rates of BRAF amplifications (3.1% vs. 0.3%, p < 0.001) and BRAF fusions (12% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001) were higher in non-CRC GI malignancies compared to CRC. Conclusions: Non-CRC GI malignancies demonstrate a distinct BRAF alteration profile compared to CRC, with a higher frequency of class II and III mutations, and more specifically, a higher incidence of BRAF fusions. Future studies should evaluate clinical implications for the management of non-CRC GI patients with BRAF alterations, especially BRAF fusions.
Perovskite Oxide Catalysts for Enhanced CO2 Reduction: Embroidering Surface Decoration with Ni and Cu Nanoparticles
Authors: Osti Andrea , Rizzato Lorenzo , Cavazzani Jonathan , Meneghello Ambra , Glisenti Antonella
Published: May 2024

The imperative reduction of carbon dioxide into valuable fuels stands as a crucial step in the transition towards a more sustainable energy system. Perovskite oxides, with their high compositional and property adjustability, emerge as promising catalysts for this purpose, whether employed independently or as a supporting matrix for other active metals. In this study, an A-site-deficient La0.9FeO3 perovskite underwent surface decoration with Ni, Cu or Ni + Cu via a citric acid-templated wet impregnation method. Following extensive characterization through XRD, N2 physisorption, H2-TPR, SEM-EDX, HAADF STEM-EDX mapping, CO2-TPD and XPS, the prepared powders underwent reduction under diluted H2 to yield metallic nanoparticles (NPs). The prepared catalysts were then evaluated for CO2 reduction in a CO2/H2 = 1/4 mixture. The deposition of Ni or Cu NPs on the perovskite support significantly enhanced the conversion of CO2, achieving a 50% conversion rate at 500 °C, albeit resulting in only CO as the final product. Notably, the catalyst featuring Ni-Cu co-deposition outperformed in the intermediate temperature range, exhibiting high selectivity for CH4 production around 350 °C. For this latter catalyst, a synergistic effect of the metal–support interaction was evidenced by H2-TPR and CO2-TPD experiments as well as a better nanoparticle dispersion. A remarkable stability in a 20 h time-span was also demonstrated for all catalysts, especially the one with Ni-Cu co-deposition.
Au Nanoparticles Supported on Hydrotalcite-Based MMgAlOx (M=Cu, Ni, and Co) Composite: Influence of Dopants on the Catalytic Activity for Semi-Hydrogenation of C2H2
Authors: Sun Xun , Lv Wenrui , Cheng Yanan , Su Huijuan , Sun Libo , Zhao Lijun , Wang Zifan , Qi Caixia
Published: May 2024

Semi-hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene over metal oxide-supported Au nanoparticles is an interesting topic. Here, a hydrotalcite-based MMgAlOx (M=Cu, Ni, and Co) composite oxide was exploited by introducing different Cu, Ni, and Co dopants with unique properties, and then used as support to obtain Au/MMgAlOx catalysts via a modified deposition–precipitation method. XRD, BET, ICP-OES, TEM, Raman, XPS, and TPD were employed to investigate their physic-chemical properties and catalytic performances for the semi-hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene. Generally, the catalytic activity of the Cu-modified Au/CuMgAlOx catalyst was higher than that of the other modified catalysts. The TOR for Au/CuMgAlOx was 0.0598 h−1, which was 30 times higher than that of Au/MgAl2O4. The SEM and XRD results showed no significant difference in structure or morphology after introducing the dopants. These dopants had an unfavorable effect on the Au particle size, as confirmed by the TEM studies. Accordingly, the effects on catalytic performance of the M dopant of the obtained Au/MMgAlOx catalyst were improved. Results of Raman, NH3-TPD, and CO2-TPD confirmed that the Au/CuMgAlOx catalyst had more basic sites, which is beneficial for less coking on the catalyst surface after the reaction. XPS analysis showed that gold nanoparticles exhibited a partially oxidized state at the edges and surfaces of CuMgAlOx. Besides an increased proportion of basic sites on Au/CuMgAlOx catalysts, the charge transfer from nanogold to the Cu-doped matrix support probably played a positive role in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene. The stability and deactivation of Au/CuMgAlOx catalysts were also discussed and a possible reaction mechanism was proposed.
Promoter Impact on 5Ni/SAPO-5 Catalyst for H2 Production via Methane Partial Oxidation
Authors: Al-Anazi Abdulaziz , Bellahwel Omer , C. Kavitha , Abu-Dahrieh Jehad , Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Santhosh S. , Abasaeed Ahmed E. , Fakeeha Anis H. , Al-Fatesh Ahmed S.
Published: May 2024

Compared to steam reforming techniques, partial oxidation of methane (POM) is a promising technology to improve the efficiency of synthesizing syngas, which is a mixture of CO and H2. In this study, partial oxidation of methane (POM) was used to create syngas, a combination of CO and H2, using the SAPO-5-supported Ni catalysts. Using the wetness impregnation process, laboratory-synthesized Ni promoted with Sr, Ce, and Cu was used to modify the SAPO-5 support. The characterization results demonstrated that Ni is appropriate for the POM due to its crystalline structure, improved metal support contact, and increased thermal stability with Sr, Ce, and Cu promoters. During POM at 600 °C, the synthesized 5Ni+1Sr/SAPO-5 catalyst sustained stability for 240 min on stream. While keeping the reactants stoichiometric ratio of (CH4:O2 = 2:1), the addition of Sr promoter and active metal Ni to the SAPO-5 increased the CH4 conversion from 41.13% to 49.11% and improved the H2/CO ratio of 3.33. SAPO-5-supported 5Ni+1Sr catalysts have great potential for industrial catalysis owing to their unique combination of several oxides. This composition not only boosts the catalyst’s activity but also promotes favorable physiochemical properties, resulting in improved production of syngas. Syngas is a valuable intermediate in various industrial processes.
Long-Term Maintenance of Viable Human Endometrial Epithelial Cells to Analyze Estrogen and Progestin Effects
Authors: Riaz Muhammad Assad , Kary Franziska Louisa , Jensen Alexandra , Zeppernick Felix , Meinhold-Heerlein Ivo , Konrad Lutz
Published: May 2024

There are fewer investigations conducted on human primary endometrial epithelial cells (HPEECs) compared to human primary endometrial stromal cells (HPESCs). One of the main reasons is the scarcity of protocols enabling prolonged epithelial cell culture. Even though it is possible to culture HPEECs in 3D over a longer period of time, it is technically demanding. In this study, we successfully established a highly pure, stable, and long-term viable human conditionally reprogrammed endometrial epithelial cell line, designated as eCRC560. These cells stained positive for epithelial markers, estrogen and progesterone receptors, and epithelial cell–cell contacts but negative for stromal and endothelial cell markers. Estradiol (ES) reduced the abundance of ZO-1 in a time- and dose-dependent manner, in contrast to the dose-dependent increase with the progestin dienogest (DNG) when co-cultured with HPESCs. Moreover, ES significantly increased cell viability, cell migration, and invasion of the eCRC560 cells; all these effects were inhibited by pretreatment with DNG. DNG withdrawal led to a significantly disrupted monolayer of eCRC560 cells in co-culture with HPESCs, yet it markedly increased the adhesion of eCRC560 to the human mesothelial MeT-5A cells. The long-term viable eCRC560 cells are suitable for in vitro analysis of HPEECs to study the epithelial compartment of the human endometrium and endometrial pathologies.
Correction: Kolesar et al. Role of Nse1 Subunit of SMC5/6 Complex as a Ubiquitin Ligase. Cells 2022, 11, 165
Authors: Kolesar Peter , Stejskal Karel , Potesil David , Murray Johanne M. , Palecek Jan J.
Published: May 2024

In the original publication [...]
Were the 2022 Summer Heatwaves a Strong Cause of Europe’s Excess Deaths?
Authors: Aarstad Jarle
Published: May 2024

During the 2022 summer, Europe experienced heatwaves with record temperatures, and a study has argued that they caused about 62,000 deaths between 30 May and 4 September. The total number of excess deaths during the same period was about 137,000, indicating that the heatwaves were a substantial contributor. Not ruling out that explanation entirely, this paper argues that it was unlikely a strong cause. First, if the heatwaves were a strong cause of numerous deaths, one would assume that the older and deprived were relatively likely to die. However, during the 2022 summer heatwaves in England, which were claimed to have caused about 2900 deaths, the oldest age cohort did not have a higher excess death rate than the middle age cohort, and the excess death rate actually decreased with deprivation status. Moreover, Iceland had among Europe’s highest excess death rates during the summer, which cannot be attributed to heatwaves. During June, July, and August 2022, comparable southern hemisphere countries furthermore had high excess death rates, which cannot be attributed to heatwaves either, as it was during their winter. Also, Europe’s excess death rate was higher during the 2022–2023 winter than during the 2022 summer, and intuitively not attributed to heatwaves, but neither to cold weather, as that winter was abnormally mild. Finally, the paper discusses the puzzling issue that about 56% more women than men, relative to the population, presumably died from the heatwaves.
Development and Application of Intelligent Coating Technology: A Review
Authors: Chen Xiaoyi , Zheng Bingbing , Zhou Shujing , Shi Chengyang , Liang Yiwei , Hu Lina
Published: May 2024

Coating technology, as a part of surface engineering, has shown remarkable potential in future industrial applications. With the continuous development and improvement of coating technology, coatings have gradually become an indispensable part of industrial manufacturing, possessing various excellent properties and characteristics, such as superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning, enhanced biological antibacterial properties, and improved corrosion resistance. Intelligent coatings are not only rigid barriers between substrates and the environment but also coatings designed to respond to the environment and improve coating life or achieve certain special functions through this response. Biomimetics is a discipline that studies the structure, function, and behavior of living organisms and applies them to engineering design. Combining bionics with intelligent coating materials can not only improve the performance and functionality of intelligent coatings but also create more intelligent coating materials. This paper includes advanced superhydrophobic intelligent coatings, anticorrosion intelligent coatings, biological antibacterial intelligent coatings, and other intelligent coatings with specific functions. We also provide a detailed overview of the preparation methods and technologies of various representative intelligent coatings, as well as their properties and applications, which will offer some valuable references for the development direction of future intelligent coatings.
Method for Detecting Pathology of Internal Organs Using Bioelectrography
Authors: Shichkina Yulia , Fatkieva Roza , Sychev Alexander , Kazak Anatoliy
Published: May 2024

This article considers the possibility of using the bioelectrography method to identify the pathology of internal organs. It is shown that with the currently existing methods, there is no possibility of the automatic detection of diseases or abnormalities in the functioning of a particular organ, or of the definition of combined pathology. It has been revealed that the use of various classifiers makes it possible to expand the field of pathology and choose the most optimal method for determining a particular disease. Based on this, a method for detecting the pathology of internal organs is developed, as well as a software package that allows the detection of diseases of the internal organs based on the bioelectrography results. Machine-learning models such as logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, xgboost, KNN, SVM and HyperTab are used for this purpose. HyperTab, logistic regression and xgboost turn out to be the best among them for this task, achieving a performance according to the f1-score metric in the order of 60–70%. The use of the developed method will, in practice, allow us to switch to combining various machine-learning models for the identification of certain diseases, as well as for the identification of combined pathology, which will help solve the problem of detecting pathology during screening studies and lead to a reduction in the burden on the staff of medical institutions.
The Predictors of Early Treatment Effectiveness of Intravitreal Bevacizumab Application in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Katić Karla , Katić Josip , Kumrić Marko , Božić Joško , Tandara Leida , Šupe Domić Daniela , Bućan Kajo
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to establish whether multiple blood parameters might predict an early treatment response to intravitreal bevacizumab injections in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Seventy-eight patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and DME were included. The treatment response was evaluated with central macular thickness decrease and best corrected visual acuity increase one month after the last bevacizumab injection. Parameters of interest were the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), vitamin D, and apolipoprotein B to A-I ratio (ApoB/ApoA-I). The NLR (2.03 ± 0.70 vs. 2.80 ± 1.08; p < 0.001), MLR (0.23 ± 0.06 vs. 0.28 ± 0.10; p = 0.011), PLR (107.4 ± 37.3 vs. 135.8 ± 58.0; p = 0.013), and SII (445.3 ± 166.3 vs. 675.3 ± 334.0; p < 0.001) were significantly different between responder and non-responder groups. Receiver operator characteristics analysis showed the NLR (AUC 0.778; 95% CI 0.669–0.864), PLR (AUC 0.628; 95% CI 0.511–0.735), MLR (AUC 0.653; 95% CI 0.536–0.757), and SII (AUC 0.709; 95% CI 0.595–0.806) could be predictors of response to bevacizumab in patients with DME and NPDR. Patients with severe NPDR had a significantly higher ApoB/ApoA-I ratio (0.70 (0.57–0.87) vs. 0.61 (0.49–0.72), p = 0.049) and lower vitamin D (52.45 (43.10–70.60) ng/mL vs. 40.05 (25.95–55.30) ng/mL, p = 0.025). Alterations in the NLR, PLR, MLR, and SII seem to provide prognostic information regarding the response to bevacizumab in patients with DME, whilst vitamin D deficiency and the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio could contribute to better staging.
MedKnee: A New Deep Learning-Based Software for Automated Prediction of Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Touahema Said , Zaimi Imane , Zrira Nabila , Ngote Mohamed Nabil , Doulhousne Hassan , Aouial Mohsine
Published: May 2024

In computer-aided medical diagnosis, deep learning techniques have shown that it is possible to offer performance similar to that of experienced medical specialists in the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis. In this study, a new deep learning (DL) software, called “MedKnee” is developed to assist physicians in the diagnosis process of knee osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) score. To accomplish this task, 5000 knee X-ray images obtained from the Osteoarthritis Initiative public dataset (OAI) were divided into train, valid, and test datasets in a ratio of 7:1:2 with a balanced distribution across each KL grade. The pre-trained Xception model is used for transfer learning and then deployed in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed with Tkinter and Python. The suggested software was validated on an external public database, Medical Expert, and compared with a rheumatologist’s diagnosis on a local database, with the involvement of a radiologist for arbitration. The MedKnee achieved an accuracy of 95.36% when tested on Medical Expert-I and 94.94% on Medical Expert-II. In the local dataset, the developed tool and the rheumatologist agreed on 23 images out of 30 images (74%). The MedKnee’s satisfactory performance makes it an effective assistant for doctors in the assessment of knee osteoarthritis.
A Pilot Comparative Study between Creatinine- and Cystatin-C-Based Equations to Estimate GFR and Kidney Ultrasound Percentiles in Children with Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract
Authors: Steflea Ruxandra Maria , Stroescu Ramona , Gafencu Mihai , Stoicescu Emil Robert , Isac Raluca , Olariu Ioana-Cristina , Micsescu-Olah Andrada Mara , Susa Septimiu Radu , Murariu Mircea , Doros Gabriela
Published: May 2024

Congenital anomalies affecting the kidneys present significant challenges in pediatric nephrology, needing precise methods for assessing renal function and guiding therapeutic intervention. Bedside Schwartz formula with the cystatin-C-based Full Age Spectrum formula and Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) U 25 formula used in estimating glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and also to assess if the eGFR in association with kidney length percentiles can be a monitoring parameter for the progression of chronic kidney disease in children with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). A total of 64 pediatric patients (median age at diagnostic was 12 months with an interquartile range of 2 to 60) were diagnosed with congenital anomalies in the kidney and urinary tract between June 2018 and May 2023 at “Louis Turcanu” Emergency Hospital for Children in Timisoara, Romania. Baseline characteristics, CAKUT types, associated pathologies, CKD staging, and eGFR using creatinine and cystatin C were analyzed. The mean age at the moment of examination was 116.50 months; (65, 180). Chronic kidney disease staging revealed a predominance of patients in CKD stages G1 and A1. Analysis of eGFR methods revealed a small mean difference between eGFR estimated by creatinine and cystatin C, with a moderate-strong positive correlation observed between the eGFR and ultrasound parameters. Using cystatin-C-based formulas for eGFR, in conjunction with ultrasound measurements, may offer reliable insights into renal function in pediatric patients with congenital anomalies affecting the kidney and urinary tract. However, the economic aspect must be taken into consideration because cystatin C determination is approximately eight times more expensive than that of creatinine. An interdisciplinary approach is crucial for managing patients with CAKUT.
The Impact of Resilience Interventions on University Students’ Mental Health and Well-Being: A Systematic Review
Authors: Abulfaraj Ghalib G. , Upsher Rebecca , Zavos Helena M. S. , Dommett Eleanor J.
Published: May 2024

Attending university is a time of considerable change, and there are rising concerns about the mental health and well-being of university students, leading to calls for a whole-university approach to student support. Resilience interventions offer an opportunity to improve mental health and well-being, whilst also developing a much sought-after graduate attribute. We conducted a systematic review of interventions designed to increase university students’ levels of resilience and examined the impact of these on students’ mental health and well-being. Five databases identified 1377 unique records, 47 of which were eligible for inclusion. Eligible studies were drawn from a range of countries and adopted different designs, with the most common being the randomised controlled trial (RCT). Interventions were classified into mindfulness, skills-based, psychoeducation, and coaching, with delivery both online and face-to-face. The most common outcomes were depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being. The ‘Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-/Post) Studies’ was used to assess the risk of bias with most studies rated as fair. Overall, the studies indicated that there is little evidence of a positive effect on depression, but stress and anxiety may be reduced following interventions. Well-being data were inconclusive. Interestingly, most interventions did not impact measures of resilience or mindfulness, despite the training targeting these constructs. The available research is currently limited and there is a need for more high-quality designs providing descriptions of interventions.
Hierarchical Vector-Quantized Variational Autoencoder and Vector Credibility Mechanism for High-Quality Image Inpainting
Authors: Li Cheng , Xu Dan , Chen Kuai
Published: May 2024

Image inpainting infers the missing areas of a corrupted image according to the information of the undamaged part. Many existing image inpainting methods can generate plausible inpainted results from damaged images with the fast-developed deep-learning technology. However, they still suffer from over-smoothed textures or textural distortion in the cases of complex textural details or large damaged areas. To restore textures at a fine-grained level, we propose an image inpainting method based on a hierarchical VQ-VAE with a vector credibility mechanism. It first trains the hierarchical VQ-VAE with ground truth images to update two codebooks and to obtain two corresponding vector collections containing information on ground truth images. The two vector collections are fed to a decoder to generate the corresponding high-fidelity outputs. An encoder then is trained with the corresponding damaged image. It generates vector collections approximating the ground truth by the help of the prior knowledge provided by the codebooks. After that, the two vector collections pass through the decoder from the hierarchical VQ-VAE to produce the inpainted results. In addition, we apply a vector credibility mechanism to promote vector collections from damaged images and approximate vector collections from ground truth images. To further improve the inpainting result, we apply a refinement network, which uses residual blocks with different dilation rates to acquire both global information and local textural details. Extensive experiments conducted on several datasets demonstrate that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art ones.
Predicting Liquid Natural Gas Consumption via the Multilayer Perceptron Algorithm Using Bayesian Hyperparameter Autotuning
Authors: Lee Hyungah , Cho Woojin , Park Jong-hyeok , Gu Jae-hoi
Published: May 2024

Reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are required globally. Under this background, the Multilayer Perceptron machine-learning algorithm was used to predict liquid natural gas consumption to improve energy consumption efficiency. Setting hyperparameters remains challenging in machine-learning-based prediction. Here, to improve prediction efficiency, hyperparameter autotuning via Bayesian optimization was used to identify the optimal combination of the eight key hyperparameters. The autotuned model was validated by comparing its predictive performance with that of a base model (with all hyperparameters set to the default values) using the coefficient of variation of root-mean-square error (CvRMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2) based on the Measurement and Verification Guideline evaluation metrics. To confirm the model’s industrial applicability, its predictions were compared with values measured at a small-to-medium-sized food factory. The optimized model performed better than the base model, achieving a CvRMSE of 12.30% and an R2 of 0.94, and achieving a predictive accuracy of 91.49%. By predicting energy consumption, these findings are expected to promote the efficient operation and management of energy in the food industry.
A Review of the Structure–Property Relationship of Nickel Phosphides in Hydrogen Production
Authors: Chen Linyuan , Wei Xian-Kui
Published: May 2024

Hydrogen, one of the most promising forms of new energy sources, due to its high energy density, low emissions, and potential to decarbonize various sectors, has attracted significant research attention. It is known that electrocatalytic hydrogen production is one of the most widely investigated research directions due to its high efficiency in the conversion of electricity to H2 gas. However, given the limited reserves and high cost of precious metals, the search for non-precious metal-based catalysts has been widely explored, for example, transition metal phosphides, oxides, and sulfides. Despite this interest, a detailed survey unveils that the surface and internal structures of the alternative catalysts, including their surface reconstruction, composition, and electronic structure, are poorly studied. As a result, a disconnection in the structure–property relationship severely hinders the rational design of efficient and reliable non-precious metal-based catalysts. In this review, by focusing on Ni5P4, a bifunctional catalyst for water splitting, we systematically summarize the material motifs pertaining to the different synthetic methods, surface characteristics, and hydrolysis properties. It is believed that a cascaded correlation may provide insights toward understanding the fundamental catalytic mechanism and design of robust alternative catalysts for hydrogen production.
Efficiency of Photosynthetic Microbial Fuel Cells (pMFC) Depending on the Type of Microorganisms Inhabiting the Cathode Chamber
Authors: Zieliński Marcin , Rusanowska Paulina , Dudek Magda , Starowicz Adam , Barczak Łukasz , Dębowski Marcin
Published: May 2024

Photosynthetic microbial fuel cells (pMFCs) are hybrid systems that enable simultaneous wastewater treatment under anaerobic conditions and the generation of electricity by utilizing the potential difference in the anaerobic anode chamber and the oxygenated cathode chamber. Dairy wastewater with a concentration of 2000 mg COD/L was treated in the anode of a batch pMFC. In the cathode chamber, Chlorella vulgaris or Arthrospira platensis was cultivated in synthetic medium, and next in diluted effluent from the anode chamber. The highest power density of 91 mW/m2 was generated by the pMFC with the cultivation of Arthrospira platensis. Higher values of dissolved oxygen remained during the dark phase in the cathodic medium with Arthrospira platensis cultivation than with Chlorella vulgaris. This depletion of oxygen significantly decreased voltage generation, which during the light phase increased again to the maximum values. The COD removal achieved in the anodic chamber was 87%. The efficiency of nitrogen removal in the cathode chamber during the cultivation of Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris was about 78% and 69%, respectively. The efficiency of phosphorus removal in the cathode chamber with the cultivation of Arthrospira plantensis and Chlorella vulgaris was 58% and 43%, respectively. This study has shown that the introduction of Arthrospira platensis into the cathode chamber is more effective than that of Chlorella vulgaris.
Modeling of a Solar Thermal Plant to Produce Hot Water and Steam for a Brewery Factory
Authors: Traslosheros-Zavala Kalo G. , Zavala-Guillén Ivett , Acuña-Ramírez Alexis , Cervantes-Astorga Manuel , Sauceda-Carvajal Daniel , Carranza-Chávez Francisco J.
Published: May 2024

The environmental impact caused by the intensive exploitation of fossil fuels to generate heat and electricity has already reached a critical level. Also, as the industrial sector is the largest energy consumer, mainly in the form of heat, it has then become compulsive to implement the use of renewable solar heat in industrial processes, such as those found in the food processing and beverages industries, which do not require high temperatures. Consequently, this study examines the viability of supplying heat as hot water at 80 °C and saturated steam at 160 °C to a medium-sized brewery factory through a hybrid solar plant composed of flat plate and parabolic trough collectors and sensible thermal energy storage. The study was conducted numerically using the meteorological conditions of a city different from that where the factory is located because it benefits from higher insolation levels. The mean annual solar fractions achieved were 49.9% for hot water production and 37.3% for steam generation, at a levelized cost of heat of 0.032 USD/kWh, which can be considered competitive if compared against the values reported in other similar solar projects. Also, the decrease in fossil fuel consumption allowed an annual reduction of 252 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
An Integrated Infrastructure Resilience Approach, from the Geotechnical Asset to the Transport Network
Authors: Belokas Georgios , Saroglou Charalampos , Moschovou Tatiana P. , Vlahogianni Eleni I.
Published: May 2024

The main objective of this work is to present a comprehensive and integrated methodology to enhance the resilience of transportation critical infrastructure (TCI), focusing on the interplay between geotechnical assets and the transport network. Societies are greatly dependent on transport infrastructure systems, and as the mobility of passengers and the transport of freight is continuously growing, a disruption due to natural or man-made hazards creates significant impacts and dysfunctionalities on their operation and necessitates response measures to minimize vulnerability and ensure continuous functionality and robustness through resilience. Therefore, resilience quantification allows the design of ad hoc operation action plans before, during, and after a disruption, considering the dynamics of societal, ecological, and technological (SET) environments. The current work focuses on resilience quantification methodologies for TCIs and on the influence of single geotechnical asset (i.e., slope failure) resilience capacity on the overall system (i.e., national road network) resilience. Two case studies of unexpected transport network disruptions that took place in Greece are presented, and resilience metrics and performance indicators are applied to quantify the influence of the recovery stage.
Complete Plastid Genome Sequences of Three Tropical African Beilschmiediineae Trees (Lauraceae: Crytocaryeae)
Authors: Zhu Wen , Zhang Haorong , Li Qishao , Cao Zhengying , Song Yu , Xin Peiyao
Published: May 2024

Millions of years of isolation have given Madagascar a unique flora that still reflects some of its relationship with the continents of Africa and India. Here, the complete chloroplast sequence of Beilschmiedia moratii, a tropical tree in Madagascar, was determined. The plastome, with a length of 158,410 bp, was 143 bp and 187 bp smaller than those of two closely related species, B. pierreana and Potameia microphylla, in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar with published sequences, respectively. A total of 124 repeats and 114 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were detected in the plastome of B. moratii. Six highly variable regions, including ndhF, ndhF-rpl32, trnC-petN, pebE-petL, rpl32-trnL, and ycf1, among the three African species were identified and 1151 mutation events, including 14 SVs, 351 indels, and 786 substitutions, were accurately located. There were 634 mutation events between B. moratii and P. microphylla with a mean nucleotide variability (π) value of 0.00279, while there were 827 mutation events between B. moratii and B. pierreana with a mean π value of 0.00385. The Ka/Ks ratios of 86 protein-coding genes in the three African species were less than 1, and the mean value between B. moratii and P. microphylla was 0.184, while the mean value between B. moratii and B. pierreana was 0.286. In this study, the plastid genomes of the three African Beilschmiediineae species were compared for the first time and revealed that B. moratii and P. microphylla from Madagascar were relatively conserved, with low mutation rates and slower evolutionary rates.
miR-423-5p Regulates Skeletal Muscle Growth and Development by Negatively Inhibiting Target Gene SRF
Authors: Pang Yanqin , Liang Jing , Huang Jianfang , Lan Ganqiu , Chen Fumei , Ji Hui , Zhao Yunxiang
Published: May 2024

The process of muscle growth directly affects the yield and quality of pork food products. Muscle fibers are created during the embryonic stage, grow following birth, and regenerate during adulthood; these are all considered to be phases of muscle development. A multilevel network of transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and pathway levels controls this process. An integrated toolbox of genetics and genomics as well as the use of genomics techniques has been used in the past to attempt to understand the molecular processes behind skeletal muscle growth and development in pigs under divergent selection processes. A class of endogenous noncoding RNAs have a major regulatory function in myogenesis. But the precise function of miRNA-423-5p in muscle development and the related molecular pathways remain largely unknown. Using target prediction software, initially, the potential target genes of miR-423-5p in the Guangxi Bama miniature pig line were identified using various selection criteria for skeletal muscle growth and development. The serum response factor (SRF) was found to be one of the potential target genes, and the two are negatively correlated, suggesting that there may be targeted interactions. In addition to being strongly expressed in swine skeletal muscle, miR-423-5p was also up-regulated during C2C12 cell development. Furthermore, real-time PCR analysis showed that the overexpression of miR-423-5p significantly reduced the expression of myogenin and the myogenic differentiation antigen (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated that the overexpression of miR-423-5p led to a significant reduction in SRF expression (p < 0.05). Furthermore, miR-423-5p down-regulated the luciferase activities of report vectors carrying the 3′ UTR of porcine SRF, confirming that SRF is a target gene of miR-423-5p. Taken together, miR-423-5p’s involvement in skeletal muscle differentiation may be through the regulation of SRF.
Exploring the Relationship between Built Environment Attributes and Physical Activity in Lower-Income Aging Adults: Preliminary Insights from a Multi-Level Trial
Authors: Walia Arjan S. , King Abby C. , Campero Maria I. , Garcia Dulce M. , Lee Rebecca E. , Zamora Astrid N.
Published: May 2024

The built environment has been linked to physical activity (PA) behaviors, yet there is limited knowledge of this association among lower-income midlife and older adults who are insufficiently active. The present cross-sectional study utilized baseline data collected between October 2017 and November 2019 from a clustered randomized controlled trial to determine how built environment attributes were associated with PA behaviors among midlife and older adults (n = 255) residing in or near affordable housing sites (n = 10). At each site, perceptions of the built environment were collected and scored at the participant level via the abbreviated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Survey (NEWS-A), while objective built environment attributes were measured and scored by trained research staff using the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA). Multiple PA behaviors—walking, total PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (min/wk)—were measured using the validated Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire. Adjusted linear regression models examined associations between NEWS-A measures and PA behaviors, and site-level correlations between PARA measures and PA behaviors were examined using Spearman’s rank correlations. At the participant level, adjusted models revealed that a one point increase in the NEWS-A aesthetics score was associated with a 57.37 min/wk increase in walking (β = 57.37 [95% CI: 20.84, 93.91], p = 0.002), with a similar association observed for street connectivity and MVPA (β = 24.31 min/wk [95% CI: 3.22, 45.41], p = 0.02). At the site level, MVPA was positively correlated with the quality of the features of local, PA-supportive environmental resources (ρ = 0.82, p = 0.004). Findings indicate that participant- and site-level measures of the built environment may play a role in promoting PA behavior among this demographic and similar populations. Results also suggest that improvements in aesthetic attributes and street connectivity, along with enhancing the quality of local, PA-supportive environmental resources, may be effective strategies for promoting physical activity among lower-income midlife and older adults.
ABCG2 Mediates Resistance to the Dual EGFR and PI3K Inhibitor MTX-211 in Cancer Cells
Authors: Wu Chung-Pu , Hung Cheng-Yu , Murakami Megumi , Wu Yu-Shan , Chu Yi-Hsuan , Huang Yang-Hui , Yu Jau-Song , Ambudkar Suresh V.
Published: May 2024

MTX-211 is a first-in-class dual inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways with a compelling pharmaceutical profile and could enhance the effectiveness of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor therapy in colorectal tumors with KRAS mutations. However, the specific mechanisms contributing to the acquired resistance to MTX-211 in human cancers remain elusive. Here, we discovered that the overexpression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporter ABCG2, a prevalent mechanism associated with multidrug resistance (MDR), could diminish the effectiveness of MTX-211 in human cancer cells. We showed that the drug efflux activity of ABCG2 substantially decreased the intracellular accumulation of MTX-211 in cancer cells. As a result, the cytotoxicity and effectiveness of MTX-211 in suppressing the activation of the EGFR and PI3K pathways were significantly attenuated in cancer cells overexpressing ABCG2. Moreover, the enhancement of the MTX-211-stimulated ATPase activity of ABCG2 and the computational molecular docking analysis illustrating the binding of MTX-211 to the substrate-binding sites of ABCG2 offered a further indication for the interaction between MTX-211 and ABCG2. In summary, our findings indicate that MTX-211 acts as a substrate for ABCG2, underscoring the involvement of ABCG2 in the emergence of resistance to MTX-211. This finding carries clinical implications and merits further exploration.
The Role of Wheatgrass in Colorectal Cancer: A Review of the Current Evidence
Authors: Tamraz Magie , Al Ghossaini Najib , Temraz Sally
Published: May 2024

The etiology of colon cancer is either genetic in nature or results from inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease; nevertheless, dietary habits play a crucial role in the disease. Wheatgrass is a dietary supplement that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which contribute to health promotion in cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, blood diseases, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as in several types of cancers, such as oral squamous cell cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. In colorectal cancer (CRC), the prospect that wheatgrass possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, and its use as an adjunctive therapy, have been minimally investigated and evidence is still limited. In this review, we compiled the available evidence pertaining to wheatgrass and its likely impact on CRC, described the pathways of inflammation in which wheatgrass could possibly play a role, and identified future research needs on the subject.