bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chitosan-Based Oleogels: Emulsion Drying Kinetics and Physical, Rheological and Textural Characteristics of Olive Oil Oleogels
Authors: Lama Mario , Montes Leticia , Franco Daniel , Franco-Uría Amaya , Moreira Ramón
Published: June 2024

Oleogels are of high interest as promising substitutes for trans fats in foods. An emulsion-templated method was used to trap olive oil in the chitosan crosslinked with vanillin matrix. Oil in water emulsions (50:50 w/w) with different chitosan content (0.7 and 0.8% w/w) with constant vanillin/chitosan ratio (1.3) were air-dried at different temperatures (50, 60, 70 and 80ºC) and freeze-dried (-26ºC and 0.1 mbar) to produce oleogels. Only falling-rate periods were determined during air-drying kinetics and were successfully modelled with empirical and diffusional models. At drying temperature of 70ºC the drying kinetics were the fastest. Viscoelasticity of oleogels showed that elastic modulus significantly increased after drying at 60 and 70ºC, and those dried at 50ºC and freeze-dried were weaker. All oleogels showed high oil binding capacity (> 91%), but the highest values (> 97%) were obtained in oleogels with a threshold elastic modulus (50,000 Pa). Oleogels color depended on drying temperature and chitosan content (independent of the drying method). Significant differences were observed between air-dried and freeze-dried oleogels with respect to oxidative stability. Oxidation increased with air drying time regardless of chitosan content. Found results indicated that drying conditions must be carefully selected to produce oleogels with specific features.
Cosmetic Efficacy of a Topical Probiotic Micrococcus luteus Q24 in Healthy Human Adults
Authors: McLoughlin Isabella J , Voss Abigail L , Hale John D F , Jain Rohit
Published: June 2024

Probiotics in cosmetics is a new and burgeoning area of research attracting attention from cosmetic manufacturers and customers looking for natural or additional alternatives in their skincare regimens. Probiotics not only promote beneficial microbiomes to improve skin health but can also modulate the visual, topographical, and mechanical attributes to improve skin quality. This study was conducted in healthy adults to determine the effect of a topical serum formulation containing the live probiotic Micrococcus luteus Q24 on several key cosmetic skin quality parameters and its beneficial impact on the modulation of the skin microbiome. Quantitative changes in various skin parameters were measured using a skin analyzer device and skin swabs were analysed using whole genome sequencing to monitor microbial diversity and levels of probiotic colonisation. Compared to the baseline, a significant reduction in the pore, spots, wrinkles, and impurities scores; and an increase of 101% in the hydration scores were observed. Additionally, 45-80% of participants showed a decrease in pores, spots, wrinkles, and impurities and 90% of participants showed an increase in hydration after 25 days of probiotic serum application. The WGS analysis of the skin swab samples showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of M. luteus Q24. The results from this study indicated that topical application of serum-containing probiotic M. luteus Q24 offers the benefit of improving skin health quality.
Draft Genome Sequence and SSR Data Mining of “Pumpo” (Bos taurus), a Top Bull From a Peruvian Genetic Nucleus
Authors: Estrada Richard , Romero Yolanda , Figueroa Deyanira , Quilcate Carlos , Casanova David , Vasquez Hector V. , Alvarado Wigoberto , Maicelo Jorge L. , Arbizu Carlos I.
Published: June 2024

Pumpo is a Simmental breed and an essential livestock resource in the nucleus genetic cattle of Peru. This study provides a draft genome sequence of a top bull using a de novo assembly approach on the Illumina Novaseq X platform, yielding 208 GB of raw sequencing data with 150 bp paired-end reads. The final genome assembly resulted in a size of 2.06 Gb with an N50 contig length of 108 Mb and a completeness of 95.7% according to BUSCO analysis. A total of 973,925 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified, with a predominance of mononucleotide repeats. The genome showed low heterozygosity (0.568%) and moderate repeatability (11.5%), aligning with other Bos taurus genomes. Reference-guided scaffolding improved the assembly quality significantly, producing an N50 scaffold value of 108 Mb. The SSR analysis of the Pumpo genome identified 973,925 SSRs with a frequency of 2,808 SSRs per kilobase, predominantly mononucleotide repeats, and 85,453 found in compound formations. Obtaining knowledge of the genome of a breeding Simmental bull is essential to optimize breeding programs and improve productivity.
On the Complex-Valued Convolutional Neural Network for Oil Spill Classification based on Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar
Authors: Li Yu , Liang Jiale , Yang Jingfei , E Xinhua , Zhang Yuanzhi
Published: June 2024

Marine oil spills seriously threaten the coastal environment, challenge the safety of marine eco-system, and cause huge economic losses to marine fishery, aquaculture, and tourism industries. Timely and accurate oil spill monitoring and early warning can not only make the oil spill acci-dent be handled timely and effectively but also provide key information for investigating the re-sponsibility of the polluters. Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has shown its great po-tential in oil spill classification for its capacity to distinguish mineral oil and biogenic look-alikes. Traditional oil spill classification approaches rely on the scattering matrix elements or pre-designed scattering mechanism-based polarimetric SAR features, which limits its robustness and generalization in large-scale marine surveillance tasks. The recent development of deep learning frameworks, especially the convolutional neural network (CNN) provides a powerful tool for remote sensing image classification. However, conventional CNN only accepts re-al-valued input, which cannot efficiently analyze the polarimetric information carried by com-plex-valued SAR data. In this study, a new framework that employs the complex-valued neural network was proposed for marine oil spill detection. Sophisticated studies were designed to evaluate the contribution of the physical scattering mechanism-based features, complex-valued framework, and convolutional feature extraction structures respectively. Comparative studies were conducted on four study cases using Radarsat-2 and SIR-C fully polarimetric SAR data. The outcome of the proposed study may shed light on the development of an end-to-end marine spill classification system and enlarge its application in practical marine surveillance operations.
The Clinical Utility of Molecular Imaging Using Nuclear Medicine Tools in the Management of All Stages of Adult Gliomas
Authors: Boshomane Tebatso Moshoeu , Kgatle Mankgopo Maggie , Joseph Febin , Padayachy Llewellyn , Bida Meshack , Ebenhan Thomas , Vorster Mariza , Sathekge Mike Machaba
Published: June 2024

Gliomas are common primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours which are often very difficult to diagnose, stage and manage because of their heterogeneity and molecular aberrations. The notable hallmark of gliomas is integrated genome mutations and methylome that correlates with distinctive patterns of transcription that potentiates glioma heterogeneity, angiogenesis and ultimately poor prognosis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to reclassify gliomas based on molecular markers rather than the traditional anatomical basis; use of Nuclear Medicine techniques e.g. SPECT/PET and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques based on molecular markers is set to become the future gold standards. This has led to the investigations on potential for the use of non-invasive imaging techniques such as [68Ga]68Ga-RGD positron emission tomography (PET) to be utilised routinely in clinical practice based on angiogenic markers and also the potential to add information that may assist in drug-design and therapeutic decision making. This review aims to provide an overview of the basis of recent advances in glioma imaging using molecular targeting with positron emission tomography and SPECT imaging, as well as the role in patient management i.e. diagnosis, staging, recurrence detection etc.
Advancements in AI-Driven 3D Reality Capture: Transforming Architectural Digitisation and Modelling
Authors: Zhang Kai , Fassi Francesco
Published: June 2024

3D reality capturing has demonstrated increased efficiency and consistently accurate outcomes in architectural digitisation. Nevertheless, despite advancements in data collecting, 3D reality capturing still lacks full automation, especially in the post-processing and modelling phase. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a significant focus, especially in computer vision, and tasks such as image classification and object recognition might be beneficial to the digitisation process and its subsequent utilisation. This article aims to examine the potential outcomes of integrating AI technology into the field of 3D reality-capturing, with a particular focus on its use in architectural scenarios. The main methods used for data collection are laser scanning (static or mobile) and photogrammetry. As a result, image data including RGB-D data (files containing both RGB colours and Depth information) and point clouds have become the most common raw datasets available for object mapping. The study comprehensively analyses the current use of 2D and 3D deep learning techniques in documentation tasks, particularly downstream applications. It also highlights the ongoing research efforts in developing real-time applications with the ultimate objective of achieving generalisation and improved accuracy.
Assessment of the Efficacy of the Antihistamine Drug Rupatadine Used Alone or in Combination against Mycobacteria
Authors: Tian Xirong , Ma Wanli , Yusuf Buhari , Su Biyi , Hu Jinxing , Zhang Tianyu
Published: June 2024

The emergence of drug-resistant mycobacteria has rendered many clinical drugs and regimens ineffective, imposing significant economic and healthcare burden on individuals and society. Repurposing drugs intended for treating other diseases is a time-saving, cost-effective, and efficient approach for identifying excellent anti-mycobacterial candidates or lead compounds. This study is the first to demonstrate that rupatadine (RTD), a drug used to treat allergic rhinitis, possesses excellent activity against mycobacteria without detectable resistance, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium marinum, with a minimal inhibitory concentration as low as 3.13 µg/mL. Furthermore, RTD exhibited moderate activity against nonreplicating M. tuberculosis with the minimal inhibitory concentrations lower than drugs targeting the cell wall, suggesting that RTD has the great potential to be modified and used for the treatment of nonreplicating M. tuberculosis. Additionally, RTD exhibits partial synergistic effects when combined with clofazimine, pretomanid, and TB47 against M. tuberculosis, providing the theoretical foundation for the development of treatment regimens. Transcriptomic profiling leads us to speculate that eight essential genes may be the targets of RTD or may be closely associated with the mycobacterial resistance to RTD. In summary, RTD may be a promising hit for further anti-mycobacterial drug or regimen optimization, especially in case of nonreplicating mycobacteria.
Raising Awareness about Sex Trafficking Among School Personnel
Authors: Savoia Elena , Liu Amy , Leffler Amy , Nadril Churchill Léa Kay , Su Maxwell
Published: June 2024

Background: We aimed to 1) Understand the level of knowledge about sex trafficking of minors among school personnel and the determinants of such knowledge; 2) Test the effectiveness of short educational videos in increasing awareness about sex trafficking of minors among school personnel.
Methods: We employed an online survey to gather responses from 741 teachers and school counselors living in the US. The McNemar test was used to test for differences in awareness before and after exposure to the videos. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of awareness based on the respondents’ characteristics.
Results: Predictors of knowledge about sex trafficking were years of experience, level of education and being a female. Exposure to the educational videos improved the respondents’ level of awareness about this crime and prompted respondents to seek additional educational material. There is a need to develop training initiatives for school personnel on sex trafficking and response protocols to support victims of this crime.
Conclusion: School personnel have a high level of awareness of risk factors for sexual abuse but less awareness of what constitutes sex trafficking in children. Exposure to short educational videos can increase such awareness.
A Virtual Reality-Based Simulation Tool for Assessing the Risk of Falls in Older Adults
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Asif , Gouveia Élvio Rúbio , Bermúdez i Badia Sergi
Published: June 2024

Falls are considered a significant cause of disability, pain, and premature deaths in older adults, often due to sedentary lifestyles and various risk factors. Combining immersive virtual reality (IVR) with physical exercise, or exergames, enhances motivation and personalizes training, effectively preventing falls by improving strength and balance in older people. IVR technology may increase the ecological validity of the assessments. The main goal of our study was to assess the feasibility of using a KAVE-based VR platform combining simulations of Levadas and a Cable Car to perform a balanced assessment and profiling of the older adult population for high risk-of-falls and the related user experience. A VR-based platform using a Wii balance board and a CAVE was developed to assess balance and physical fitness. Validated by the Biodex Balance System (BBS), 25 older adults participated in this study. The usability and presence were measured through the System Usability Scale and ITC-SOPI questionnaires, respectively. The IVR system showed a high presence and a good usability score of 75. Significant effects were found in the maximum excursion of the Centre of Pressure (COP) on the anterior-posterior axis during the Cable Car Simulation (CCS), correlating with BBS metrics. Multiple discriminative analysis models and the support vector machine classified fall risk with moderate to high accuracy, precision, and recall. The system accurately identified all high-risk participants using the Leave-One-Out method. This study suggests that an IVR-based platform based on simulations with high ecological validity can be used to assess physical fitness and identify individuals at a higher risk of falls.
A Novel Security System Using a Physical Unclonable Framework with Modified Elliptic Curve Cryptography Algorithm.
Authors: Altaher Aiham , Bystrov Alex , Johnston Martin
Published: June 2024

A Physical Unclonable Framework (PUF) is a detached hardware component or, the structural arrangement of hardware that provides natural variations in the physical parts of semiconductor devices to generate unique and unpredictable identifiers based on challenging-to-replicate. In this case, PUFs are giving us a tool to utilise these variations to create an unclonable identifier for your device. PUFs generate a response or a unique pattern based on the physical characteristics of the device, and this response is difficult to predict or duplicate. This study aims to introduce a PUK device to provide security research on the Internet of Things technology. The elliptic curve cryptography algorithm was modified with an advanced equation to calculate a private key and K value. In this study, a PUF device will be employed with a modified elliptic curve cryptography algorithm on a novel security system to be used in current and future communication technology.
Experimental and Clinical Study of Flap Monitoring with Analysis of Clinical Course of the Flap Using Infrared Thermal Camera
Authors: Kim Hyun , Kwak Si Hyun , Byeon Je Yeon , Lee Da Woon , Kim Jun Hyuk , Lim Soomin , Choi Hwan Jun
Published: June 2024

Flap surgery is a common method used to cover defects following tumor ablation, trauma, or infection. However, insufficient vascularity in the transferred flap can lead to flap necrosis and failure. Proper postoperative monitoring is essential to prevent these complications. Recently, research has explored the use of infrared thermal imaging in plastic surgery, leading to its clinical application. This study investigates the use of a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera to monitor blood flow in flaps. In the study, 28 rats underwent reverse McFarlane flap surgery, and their flaps were analyzed using a FLIR thermal imaging camera seven days post-surgery. Additionally, thermal images of flaps were taken on postoperative days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 7 in 22 patients. The study focused on temperature differences between normal skin and the perforator compared to the average flap temperature. Results showed that the temperature difference was higher in the necrosis group and increased over time in cases of total necrosis. A lower perforator temperature compared to the flap's average indicated vascular compromise, potentially leading to flap failure. The FLIR camera, being contact-free and convenient, shows promise for understanding and inferring the clinical progression of flaps in postoperative monitoring.
Implementation of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs at the Hospital and ICU Level of a Clinic in Sincelejo-Sucre
Authors: Diaz-Morales Erick , Pacheco-Hermosilla Ana , Castro-Mangonez Daniel Esteban , Pajaro-Castro Nerlis
Published: June 2024

Objectives: In this retrospective observational study, it is intended to establish how the implementation of the use of antimicrobial optimization programs at the hospital and ICU level in a Sincelejo Sucre Clinic has significantly impacted the improvement of the rational use of antibiotics1, due to the alarming situation of increasing antibiotic resistance. Materials and methods: The methodology used was to analyze the Excel database of the Clinic, in such a way that it would allow comparing the pre-PROA and post-PROA data of 4 antibiotics, ceftriaxone3, ciprofloxacin4, meropenem5 and vancomycin6, measured in Daily Dose. defined. Results: According to the DDD values obtained for the 4 antibiotics, a reduction in DDD was identified in the post-Proa period. On the other hand, considering the DDD reported by the WHO for each of the antibiotics, significant differences were verified compared to the DDD obtained in the clinic in the hospitalization and ICU services. Conclusions: In conclusion, in the clinic there was evidence of a reduction in DDD in the post-ASP2 period compared to the pre-PROA period, both in hospitalization and in the ICU, as well as a slight to large effect with Cohen's D.
Hybrid Energy Optimization for Efficient Distributed Energy Resources Management in Green Building Environment
Authors: Ali Safdar , Hayat Khizar , Hussain Ibrar , Khan Ahmad , Kim Dohyeun
Published: June 2024

Without an established energy management plan, human lifestyle improvement is incomprehensible. Adequate energy assets are the key to human lifestyle development, however, energy assets are restricted and exorbitant too. In this paper, an energy control system for a green environment called PMC (Power Management and Control) is proposed. The system is based on hybrid energy optimization, energy prediction, and multi-preprocessing. The blend of GA (Genetic Algorithm) and PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization) is utilized to make a fusion methodology to improve occupant comfort index (OCI) and decrease energy utilization. The main theme of the proposed PMC technique is to improve OCI and decrease energy utilization. The proposed framework gives better OCI when compared with its counterpart Ant Bee Colony along with Knowledge Base framework (ABCKB), GA-based prediction framework (GAP), Hybrid Prediction with Single Optimization framework (SOHP), and PSO-based power consumption framework. Compared with the existing AEO framework, the proposed PMC methodology gives practically the same OCI, but consumes less energy. The proposed PMC methodology additionally accomplished the most extreme OCI (i-e 1) when compared with the existing model FA-GA (i-e 0.98). The proposed PMC model consumed less energy as compared to existing models ABCKB, GAP, PSO and AEO. The proposed model consumed more energy than SOHP but provided better OCI. The comparative outcomes show the viability of the proposed PMC framework in lessening energy utilization and improving the OCI. Unlike other existing mythologies except for the AEO framework, the proposed PMC technique is additionally confirmed through a simulated climate by controlling indoor climate using actuators, like Fan, light, AC and boiler.
Development of Energy Poverty and its Solutions from the Perspective of Renewables Use
Authors: Taušová Marcela , Domaracká Lucia , Čulková Katarína , Tauš Peter
Published: June 2024

The problem of energy poverty, when energy becomes unaffordable for some population group, is not only a problem for developing countries, but this phenomenon is appearing more and more often in European countries as well. In Europe, it is estimated that 50 to 125 million people are at risk of energy poverty. We hear more and more about energy poverty in connection with the current energy crisis and rising energy prices, but also as a result of insufficient use of renewable energy sources. Due to rising energy prices, we are increasingly hearing about deepening energy poverty in Slovakia as well. The aim of the contribution is to examine the development of energy poverty in Slovakia compared to other EU countries. The situation is studied from the view of the number of days of heating and cooling, the percentage of the population that cannot maintain adequate heat at home, the percentage of the population that has a lack of heat and the percentage of residents without enough heat. During the research, we used distribution analysis, trend analysis, analysis of variance and one-way analysis. The main results show that HDD index recorded decrease, CDD index recorded increase, and Energy poverty is most obvious in low-income group of inhabitants, having shortage of heat, when RES use contribute to mitigation of energy poverty. Solving the unfavorable situation with energy poverty is possible by increasing the share of Renewable energy sources in the gross final energy consumption for heating and cooling, primarily in residential buildings. The results provide information for policy makers in area of economic, social and environmental decision-making.
SS 433: Flares and L2 Overflow, Spirals in the Wind
Authors: Bowler Michael
Published: June 2024

Flaring in the SS 433 microquasar is dominated by outbursts from material at distances from the centre of mass of the binary system comparable to the separation of the two components. This note completes a demonstration that ejected plasma leaves the system in the region of the L_2 point, there overflowing the outer Roche lobe and giving rise to a spiral structure as it leaves the system as part of the local environment.
Sourdough Bread and Metabolic Risk Factors. A Randomized, Controlled Trial in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Pérez-Vega Karla Alejandra , Sanllorente Albert , Zomeño María-Dolores , Quindós Ana , Muñoz-Martínez Júlia , Malcampo Mireia , Aldea-Perona Ana , Hernáez Álvaro , Lluansí Aleix , Llirós Marc , Elias Isidre , Elias-Masiques Núria , Aldeguer Xavier , Muñoz Daniel , Gaixas Sònia , Blanchart Gemma , Schröder Helmut , Hernando-Redondo Javier , Carrón Nerea , González-Torres Pedro , Konstantinidou Valentini , Fitó Montserrat , Castañer Olga
Published: June 2024

Mediterranean diet, featuring sourdough bread, shows promise in managing metabolic syndrome. This study explored the effects of two sourdough breads with differing fermentation times but similar nutritional profiles on inflammation, satiety, and gut microbiota composition in adults with metabolic syndrome. The double-blind clinical trial randomized participants to consume over two-months Elias Boulanger® long fermentation (48h) sourdough bread (EBLong) or Elias Boulanger® short fermentation (2h) sourdough bread (EBShort). We assessed clinical parameters, inflammatory- and satiety-related biomarkers; and richness and abundance of gut microbiota at baseline and follow-up. 31 individuals (mean age: 67, 55.7% female) participated. EBShort was associated with reduced soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM) levels, and irrespective of the adjudicated intervention, all participants had a decrease in sICAM and diastolic pressure relative to baseline (p<0.017). At follow-up, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were lower in EBShort (-744 pg/mL; 95%CI: -282 to -1210 pg/mL) compared to EBLong. High-quality sourdough bread may offer mild benefits in blood pressure and inflammation for those with metabolic syndrome, however, only EBLong was associated to reduced Enterobacteriaceae abundance. Further research is needed to understand potential benefits and mechanisms of sourdough bread in managing metabolic syndrome and improving cardiovascular health.
Review of the Il-18 and IL37 Implications in the Pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis: Prospective Treatment Targets
Authors: Rusiñol Lluís , Puig Lluís
Published: June 2024

Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are prevalent inflammatory skin conditions with diverse treatment options. Despite advances in understanding their underlying mechanisms, recent research highlights the significance of interleukins IL-18 and IL-37 as potential therapeutic targets. This review synthesizes knowledge on these interleukins, their roles in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, and emerging treatment strategies. Findings of a literature search up to May 30, 2024 underscore a research gap in IL-37-targeted therapies. Conversely, IL-18-focused treatments have demonstrated promise in adult-onset Still’s Disease, warranting further exploration for their potential efficacy in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
The Evolving Landscape of Computational Neuroscience: A Shift Towards Data-Driven and Integrative Approaches
Authors: Montgomery Richard Murdoch
Published: June 2024

Computational neuroscience has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, driven by the exponential growth of neural data and advancements in data science and machine learning. While traditional theoretical models remain valuable, there is a growing emphasis on integrating data-driven approaches to develop more accurate, biologically plausible, and predictive models of neural function. This shift has led to a new equilibrium in the field, where data-driven model development, machine learning techniques, and hybrid approaches that combine data and theory are increasingly prevalent. In this article, we discuss the evolving landscape of computational neuroscience, highlighting the importance of data-driven methods and the emergence of a more integrative approach that leverages both data and theory to unlock the mysteries of the brain. We also explore the implications of this shift for future research and clinical applications, emphasizing the potential for data-driven computational neuroscience to revolutionize our understanding of neural function and pave the way for new treatments for neurological disorders.
Practice Recommendations for the Management of MASLD in Primary care: Consensus Results
Authors: Lionis Christos , Papadakis Sophia , Anastasaki Marilena , Aligizakis Eftichios , Anastasiou Fotini , Francque Sven , Gergianaki Irini , Mendive Juan Manuel , Marketou Maria , Muris Jean , Manolakopoulos Spilios , Papatheodoridis Georgios , Samonakis Dimitrios , Symvoulakis Emmanouil , Tsiligianni Ioanna
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Despite its high prevalence and impact on health, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is inadequately addressed in European primary care (PC), with a large proportion of cases going undiagnosed or diagnosed too late. A multi-country European re-search consortium led a project to design and evaluate a patient-centered, integrated model for MASLD screening, diagnosis and linkage to specialty care for European PC settings.
Aim: Based on the lessons from this project, the latest research evidence and existing guidelines for the management of MASLD, we sought to develop a set of practice recommendations for screening, referral and management of MASLD in PC.
Methods: The Rand/UCLA modified Delphi panel method, with two rounds, was used to reach consensus on practice recommendations. The international panel consisted of experts from six countries, representing family medicine, gastroenterology, hepatology, cardiology and public health. Initially, fifteen statements were drafted based on a synthesis of evidence from the literature and earlier findings from our consortium. Prior to the consensus meeting, the statements were rated by the experts in a first round. Then, in a hybrid meeting, the experts discussed findings of round one, adjusted the statements and reassessed the updated recommendations in a second round.
Results: In round one, there was already a high level of consensus on 10 out of 15 statements. After round 2, there were fourteen statements with a high agreement (>90%). One statement was not endorsed. The approved recommendations addressed the following practice areas: risk screening and diagnosis, management of MASLD – Lifestyle interventions, pharmacological treatment of MASLD/MASH, pharmacological treatment for co-morbidity, integrated care, surgical management and other referrals to specialists.
Conclusion: The final set of 14 recommendations focuses on increasing comprehensive care for MASLD in PC. The recommendations provide practical evidence-based guidance tailored to PC practitioners. We expect that these recommendations will contribute to the ongoing discussion on systematic approaches to tackle MASLD and support European PC providers by integrating the latest evidence into practice.
Feed Components and Timing to Improve Feed Conversion Ratio for Sustainable Aquaculture Using Starch
Authors: Shima Hideaki , Asakura Taiga , Sakata Kenji , Koiso Masahiko , Kikuchi Jun
Published: June 2024

Aquaculture contributes to the sustainable development of food security, marine resource conservation, and economy. Shifting aquaculture feed from fish meal and oil to terrestrial plant-derivatives may result in cost savings. However, many carnivorous fish cannot be sustained on plant-derived materials, necessitating the need for the identification of important factors for farmed fish growth and to investigate whether components derived from terrestrial plants can be used in feed. Herein, we focused on the carnivorous fish leopard coral grouper (P. leopardus) to identify the essential growth factors and clarify their intake timing from feeds. Furthermore, we evaluated the functionality of starch, which are easily produced by terrestrial plants. Results reveal that carbohydrates, which are not considered essential for carnivorous fish, can be introduced as a major part of artificial diet. The development of artificial feed using starch offers the possibility of increasing the growth of carnivorous fish in aquaculture.
Article Seasonal Surges in Bacterial Diversity along the Coastal Waters of the Eastern Arabian Sea
Authors: Hafza Shyla , Parvathi Ammini , Pradeep Ram Angia Sriram , Alok Thampan K , Neeraja R , Jyothibabu Retnamma , Gupta GVM
Published: June 2024

The upwelling phenomenon plays a vital role within marine ecosystems, transporting essential nutrients from the bottom to the surface and boosting biological productivity. However, the bacterial community structure in upwelling zones along Western coast of India (WCI) is under-studied. This research systematically examines bacterial diversity across three sea-sons—Pre-monsoon (PR), Monsoon (MN), and Post-monsoon (PM)—using next-generation se-quencing. Our findings show distinct spatial patterns of bacterial communities in the Arabian Sea and demonstrate that ecological variations influence bacterial distribution in this dynamic envi-ronment. During MN, the bacterial community was notably distinct and diverse than during PR and PM, despite their lower abundance in MN. Non-Metric MDS cluster analysis revealed a 78% similarity (at order level) between PR and PM, indicating MN supports unique bacterial diversi-ty. KEGG analysis showed significant seasonal variations in metabolic functions, with increased functional potential during MN. Additionally, Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZymes) analy-sis revealed distinct seasonal profiles, among which the GH13 enzymes were the most prevalent glycoside hydrolases during MN; predominantly sucrose phosphorylase and glucosidase, known for breaking down glucan deposits derived from phytoplankton. The CAZymes profiles sup-ported taxonomic and KEGG pathway findings, reinforcing that microbial communities are sea-sonally distinct and functionally adapted to changing availability of nutrients.
Roles of Micropillar Topography and Surface Energy on Cancer Cell Dynamics
Authors: Vu Hoang Huy , Nguyen Nam-Trung , Yadav Sharda , Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha , Kashaninejad Navid
Published: June 2024

Microstructured surfaces are renowned for their unique properties, such as waterproofing and low adhesion, making them highly applicable in the biomedical field. These surfaces play a crucial role in influencing cell response by mimicking the native microenvironment of biological tissues. In this study, we engineered a series of biomimetic micropatterned surfaces using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to explore their effects on primary breast cancer cell lines, contrasting these effects with those observed on conventional flat surfaces. The surface topography was varied to direct cells’ attachment, growth, and morphology. Our findings elucidate that surface-free energy is not merely a background factor but plays a decisive role in cell dynamics, strongly correlating with the spreading behaviour of breast cancer cells. Notably, on micropillar surfaces with high surface-free energy, an increase in the population of cancer cells was observed. Conversely, surfaces characterised by lower surface-free energies noted a reduction in cell viability. Moreover, the structural parameters, such as the gaps and diameters of the pillars, were found to critically influence cellular dispersion and adherence, underscoring the importance of the microstructures’ topography in biomedical applications. These insights pave the way for designing advanced microstructured surfaces tailored to specific cellular responses, opening new avenues for targeted cancer therapies and tissue engineering.
Preprocessing of Iris Images for BSIF-Based Biometric Systems: Binary Detected Edges and Iris Unwrapping
Authors: Rubio Arthur , Magnier Baptiste
Published: June 2024

This work investigates into the enhancement of iris recognition systems through a two-module approach focusing on low level image preprocessing techniques and advanced feature extraction. The first module is dedicated to the preprocessing of iris images, leveraging the Canny algorithm for edge detection followed by the circle-based Hough transform for precise iris extraction. This process, integral to our methodology, ensures the quality and consistency necessary for the subsequent Binary Statistical Image Features (BSIF) analysis. The second module employs the BSIF technique, incorporating domain-specific filters trained on iris-specific data, for robust biometric identification. By combining these advanced image preprocessing techniques, the proposed method addresses key challenges in iris recognition, such as occlusions, varying pigmentation, and textural diversity. Experimental results on the Human-inspired Domain-specific Binarized Image Features (HDBIF) Dataset composed of 1892 iris images demonstrate the effectiveness of the developped approach, with potential future improvements including adaptive algorithms and machine learning integrations for enhanced performance in diverse and unpredictable real-world applications. The novel contributions of this paper lie in the provision of a reproducible research framework, making the iris-domain-specific BSIF filters, training patches, testing database, and source codes publicly available for further application and study.
Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL): Characterization and Methylene Blue Degradation Studies
Authors: Bashkova Svetlana , Carollo Justyn , Ballesteros-Plata Daniel , Rodríguez-Aguado Elena
Published: June 2024

In this work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized from cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) by varying the concentration of silver ions and pH of the CNSL extract. The synthesized AgNPs were further characterized to study their surface, structural, and morphological proper-ties, and tested for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. The results of this study showed that depending on the conditions, particles of various sizes, ranging from 1 to 60 nm, and different degrees of stabilization and agglomeration were produced. The concentration of silver ions equal to 3 mM and the pH of the solution of ~ 4.5 (AgNP3) resulted in the most efficient biosynthesis, where particles appeared to be highly stabilized and homogeneously distributed on the surface, exhibiting a small average particle size and a narrow particle size distribution (6.7 ± 6.5 nm). Such particles further showed the highest degradation of MB, where up to 80 % degradation rates were recorded within the first 20 min. Higher concentrations of silver ions and higher pH of the extract resulted in substantial particle agglomeration and unstable synthesis, respectively, which further negatively affected the ability of particles to degrade MB. Finally, visible light showed no significant effect on the degradation of MB by AgNPs with the average degradation rates found to be about the same as under the dark conditions.
Light-Induced Charge Separation in Photosystem I from Different Biological Species Characterized by Multifrequency EPR
Authors: Bindra Jasleen K. , Malavath Tirupathi , Teferi Mandefro Y. , Kretzschmar Moritz , Kern Jan , Utschig Lisa M. , Niklas Jens , Poluektov Oleg G.
Published: June 2024

Photosystem I (PSI) serves as a model system for studying fundamental processes such as electron transfer (ET) and energy conversion, which are not only central to photosynthesis but also have broader implications for bioenergy production and biomimetic device design. In this study, we employed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to investigate key light-induced charge separation steps in PSI isolated from several green algal and cyanobacterial species. Following photoexcitation, rapid, sequential ET occurs through either of two symmetric branches of donor/acceptor cofactors embedded within the protein core, termed the A and B branch. Using high-frequency (130 GHz) time-resolved EPR (TR-EPR) and deuteration techniques to enhance spectral resolution, we observed that at low temperatures prokaryotic PSI exhibits reversible ET in the A branch and irreversible ET in the B branch at low temperatures, while PSI from eukaryotic counterparts displays either reversible ET in both branches or exclusively in the B branch. Furthermore, we observed a notable correlation between low-temperature charge separation to the terminal [4Fe-4S] clusters of PSI, termed FA and FB, as reflected in the measured FA/FB ratio. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanistic diversity of PSI's ET across different species and underscore the importance of experimental design in resolving these differences. Though further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and the evolutionary significance of these variations in PSI charge separation, this study sets the stage for future investigations into the complex interplay between protein structure, ET pathways, and the environmental adaptations of photosynthetic organisms.
C-Reactive Protein after Intra- and Extra-Corporeal Anastomosis—Different Values but Same Clinical Outcomes: A Single-Center Experience with Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Right-Hemicolectomy
Authors: Ripamonti Lorenzo , Scacchi Andrea , Tamini Nicolò , Totis Mauro , Braga Marco , Nespoli Luca , Ceresoli Marco
Published: June 2024

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a predictive biomarker of colorectal surgery (CRS) complications but has not been evaluated by comparing patients undergoing CRS with intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) or extracorporeal anastomosis (EA). Therefore, we aimed to describe postoperative CRP values between two groups of patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for right-side colon cancer with IA or EA. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients affected by right-side colon cancers who underwent laparoscopic right-hemicolectomy with ileo-colic IA or EA between January 2016 and December 2022. Results: A total of 340 patients underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. EA was performed in 238 (70%) and IA in 102 (30%) cases. Patients with IA showed significantly higher values of CRP in the second, third and fourth postoperative days (15.2 mg/dL vs 9.5 mg/dL p=
COVID-19 Vaccines: A Risk Factor for Cerebral Thrombotic Syndromes
Authors: Rogers Claire , Thorp James , Cosgrove Kirstin , McCullough Peter
Published: June 2024

Introduction: This population-based retrospective cohort study assesses rates of adverse events (AEs) involving cerebral thromboembolism (CTE) after COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: Data were collected from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2023. CTE AEs after COVID-19 vaccines were compared to those after influenza vaccines and after all other vaccines using proportional reporting ratio (PRR) analysis by time. Results: There are 5137 cerebral thromboembolism AEs reported in the 3 years (36 months) after COVID-19 vaccines compared to 52 AEs for the influenza vaccines over the past 34 years (408 months) and 282 AEs for all other vaccines (excluding COVID-19) over the past 34 years (408 months). The PRR’s are significant when comparing AEs by time from COVID-19 vaccines to that of the influenza vaccines (p < 0.0001) or to that of all other vaccines (p < 0.0001). The CTE AEs PRR by time (95% confidence intervals) for the COVID-19 vaccine AEs vs influenza AEs is 1120 (95% confidence interval (723-1730), p < 0.0001) and for COVID-19 vaccines vs all others is 207 (95% confidence interval (144-296), p < 0.0001). Cerebral venous thromboembolism AEs are female predominant with a female/male odds ratio of 1.63 (95% confidence interval (1.52-1.74), p < 0.0001). Conversely, cerebral arterial thromboembolism has a nonsignificant male preponderance. Cerebral venous thromboembolism is far more common than cerebral arterial thromboembolism over 36 months with an odds ratio (OR) of 14.8 (95% confidence interval 14.0-15.5, p < 0.0001). Atrial fibrillation, the most common identifiable cause of cerebral venous thromboembolism, occurs far more commonly after the COVID-19 as compared to all other vaccines with a PRR of 123 (95% CI 88.3-172, p < 0.0001) Conclusions: There is an alarming breach in the safety signal threshold concerning cerebral thrombosis AEs after COVID-19 vaccines compared to that of the influenza vaccines and even when compared to that of all other vaccines. An immediate global moratorium on the use of COVID-19 vaccines is necessary with an absolute contraindication in women of reproductive age.
CFD-Powered Ship Trim Optimization: Integrating ANN for User-Friendly Software Tool Development
Authors: Vasilev Matija , Kalajdžić Milan , Ivković Ines
Published: June 2024

This study presents a comprehensive approach to trim optimization as a energy efficiency improvement measure, focusing on reducing fuel consumption for one RO-RO car carrier. Utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software, the methodology incorporates Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to develop a mathematical model for estimating key parameters such as brake power, daily fuel oil consumption (DFOC) and propeller speed. The complex ANN model is then integrated into a user-friendly software tool for practical engineering applications. The research outlines a seven-phase trim optimization process and discusses its potential extension to other types of ships, aiming to establish a universal methodology for CFD-based engineering analyses. Based on trim optimization results, the biggest DFOC goes up to 10.5% at 7.5m draft and up to 8% for higher drafts. Generally, in every considered case, it is recommended to sail with the trim towards the bow, meaning that the ship’s weight (ballast) should be adjusted to tilt slightly forward.
Testosterone
Authors: Arcand Michel A. , Poulin Dominique , Testa Edward J. , Lemme Nicholas J.
Published: June 2024

» Testosterone replacement treatment (TRT) and anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use is common and possibly increasing.

» Diagnosing and treating hypogonadism in men is controversial.

» Hypogonadism and the use of AASs seem to have a detrimental effect on the musculoskeletal system. The current literature on TRT and the musculoskeletal system shows an increased risk of tendon injury.

» There may be a role for testosterone supplementation in the postoperative period.
A histological study of the black-winged kite's retina (Elanus caeruleus, Desfontaines, 1789)
Authors: Abid Shaimaa Awad , Haba Mukhtar Khamis
Published: June 2024

أظهرت الدراسة أن شبكية عين الطائرالجارح النهاري الغازي Elanus caeruleus ، هي لاوعائية  وتزود بالتغذية والأكسجين عن طريق المشيمية وممشط العين. تتكون شبكية العين من طبقتين: الطبقة الخارجية تسمى الظهارية المخضبة ، والطبقة الداخلية هي الطبقة العصبية. تتكون الطبقة العصبية من تسع طبقات: طبقة الخلايا البصرية ، الغشاء المحدد الخارجي ، الطبقة النووية الخارجية ، الطبقة الضفيرية الخارجية ، الطبقة النووية الداخلية ، الطبقة الضفيرية الداخلية ، طبقة الخلايا العقدية ، طبقة الألياف العصبية ، الغشاء المحدد الداخلي. تتكون طبقة الخلية البصرية من مخاريط مزدوجة ، ومخاريط مفردة وقضبان ، وتكون المخاريط أكثر من القضبان. أن الطبقة النووية الخارجية تحتوي على خلايا بصرية متراصة. تتميز الطبقة النووية الداخلية بأن خلاياها متنوعة ومتراصة بشكل كبير وتتألف من خلايا ثنائية القطب، والخلايا الافقية، و الخلايا عديمة البروزات الطويلة، وخلايا مولر. وتكون الطبقة الضفيرية الداخلية أكثر سمكًا من الطبقة الضفيرية الخارجية. تحتوي شبكية العين على الحفيرة العميقة والحفيرة الضحلة. تتميز الحفيرة العميقة بجدران محدبة حول النقرة العميقة والواسعة. تحتوي النقرة في الحفيرة العميقة على مخاريط رفيعة فقط ، وعدد قليل من الخلايا في الطبقة النووية الداخلية ، وعدم وجود الخلايا العقدية. تحتوي الحفيرة الضحلة على جميع طبقات الشبكية الموجودة في النقرة. ولكن ان صفوف الطبقة الشبكية الداخلية اقل عدد مما كانت عليه في المنطقة القريبة من الحفيرة.