bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fish Oil Supplementation as an Omega-3 Fatty Acid Source during Gestation: Effects on the Performance of Awassi Ewes and Their Offspring
Authors: Alshdaifat Mustafa M. , Serbester Ugur , Obeidat Belal S. , Gorgulu Murat
Published: December 2023

The primary aim of this research was to assess the impact of supplementing fish oil into the diet of pregnant Awassi ewes on various aspects of the dam’s productive performance, offspring birth weight, colostrum yield and quality, milk production and composition, postpartum offspring performance, and the composition of fatty acids in milk. In this study, two different fat sources, namely palm oil (PO) and fish oil (FO), were utilized, with both being included at a rate of 2.4% of dietary dry matter (DM) during the initial 65 days of gestation (early gestation stage), and then at 2.1% DM from day 65 of gestation until lambing (late gestation stage). The study subjects were Awassi ewes with a body weight (BW) averaging 57 ± 1.5 kg and an age of 3.5 ± 1.2 years. These ewes were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments: (i) a diet containing only palm oil from day 0 to day 150 of pregnancy (PO, n = 15); (ii) a diet containing palm oil from day 0 to day 65 of pregnancy, followed by a diet containing fish oil from day 66 to day 150 of pregnancy (POFO, n = 16); (iii) a diet containing fish oil from day 0 to day 65 of pregnancy, followed by a diet containing palm oil from day 66 to day 150 of pregnancy (FOPO, n = 16); (iv) a diet containing only fish oil from day 0 to day 150 of pregnancy (FO, n = 16). Within each treatment, ewes were housed in three replicates, with each replicate further divided into three subgroups. The first two subgroups each contained eight ewes, while the third subgroup contained nine ewes. In addition, each treatment contained 10 primiparous and 15 multiparous ewes. The results indicated that the POFO treatment led to significant increases (p < 0.05) in birth weight, gestation length, and colostrum IgG concentration. However, it also resulted in a decrease (p < 0.001) in colostrum production and a reduction (p < 0.001) in the percentage of milk fat and milk protein. Furthermore, the milk from the POFO treatment exhibited higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (p < 0.001) compared to the PO and FOPO treatments, while the milk saturated fatty acids (SFA) were lower (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the addition of fish oil at a rate of 2.1% DM during the late pregnancy period showed promise for enhancing birth weight, colostrum IgG concentration, and the PUFA content in the milk.
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Falkensammer Eva , Erenler Ece , Johansen Truls E. Bjerklund , Tzelves Lazaros , Schneidewind Laila , Yuan Yuhong , Cai Tommaso , Koves Bela , Tandogdu Zafer
Published: December 2023

It remains unclear whether antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) should be recommended or discouraged in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) for prostate cancer (PCa). The development of microbial resistance and side effects are risks of antibiotic use. This systematic review (SR) investigates the evidence base for AP in RALP. A systematic literature search was conducted until 12 January 2023, using Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Cochrane CDSR (via Ovid) and CINAHL for studies reporting the effect of AP on postoperative infectious complications in RALP. Of 436 screened publications, 8 studies comprising 6378 RALP procedures met the inclusion criteria. There was no evidence of a difference in the rate and severity of infective complications within 30 days after RALP surgery between different AP protocols. No studies omitted AP. For patients who received AP, the overall occurrence of postoperative infectious complications varied between 0.6% and 6.6%. The reported urinary tract infection (UTI) rates varied from 0.16% (4/2500) to 8.9% (15/169). Wound infections were reported in 0.46% (4/865) to 1.12% (1/89). Sepsis/bacteraemia and hyperpyrexia were registered in 0.1% (1/1084) and 1.6% (5/317), respectively. Infected lymphoceles (iLC) rates were 0.9% (3 of 317) in a RALP cohort that included 88.6% pelvic lymph node dissections (PLND), and 3% (26 of 865) in a RALP cohort where all patients underwent PLND. Our findings underscore that AP is being administered in RALP procedures without scientifically proven evidence. Prospective studies that apply consistent and uniform criteria for measuring infectious complications and antibiotic-related side effects are needed to ensure the comparability of results and guidance on AP in RALP.
Seismic Velocity Inversion via Physical Embedding Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN)
Authors: Lu Cai , Zhang Chunlong
Published: December 2023

Seismic velocity inversion is one of the most critical issues in the field of seismic exploration and has long been the focus of numerous experts and scholars. In recent years, the advancement of machine learning technologies has infused new vitality into the research of seismic velocity inversion and yielded a wealth of research outcomes. Typically, seismic velocity inversion based on machine learning lacks control over physical processes and interpretability. Starting from wave theory and the physical processes of seismic data acquisition, this paper proposes a method for seismic velocity model inversion based on Physical Embedding Recurrent Neural Networks. Firstly, the wave equation is a mathematical representation of the physical process of acoustic waves propagating through a medium, and the finite difference method is an effective approach to solving the wave equation. With this in mind, we introduce the architecture of recurrent neural networks to describe the finite difference solution of the wave equation, realizing the embedding of physical processes into machine learning. Secondly, in seismic data acquisition, the propagation of acoustic waves from multiple sources through the medium represents a high-dimensional causal time series (wavefield snapshots), where the influential variable is the velocity model, and the received signals are the observations of the wavefield. This forms a forward modeling process as the forward simulation of the wavefield equation, and the use of error back-propagation between observations and calculations as the velocity inversion process. Through time-lapse inversion and by incorporating the causal information of wavefield propagation, the non-uniqueness issue in velocity inversion is mitigated. Through mathematical derivations and theoretical model analyses, the effectiveness and rationality of the method are demonstrated. In conjunction with simulation results for complex models, the method proposed in this paper can achieve velocity inversion in complex geological structures.
Autonomous Fever Detection, Medicine Delivery, and Environmental Disinfection for Pandemic Prevention
Authors: Su Chien-Yu , Young Kuu-Young
Published: December 2023

In facing the outbreak of the pandemic, robots are highly appealing for their non-contact nature. Among them, we have selected the mobile robot manipulator to develop an autonomous system for pandemic prevention, as it possesses both mobility and manipulability. The robot was used as a platform for performing autonomous fever detection, medicine delivery, and environmental disinfection system for the fever station and isolation ward, which are the two primary units that deal with the pandemic in a hospital. The proposed novel algorithms aim to ensure both human safety and comfort by automating fever detection and recognizing medicine taking. Additionally, they address environmental disinfection by effectively covering blind spots. We conducted a series of experiments to evaluate their performance in a hospital-like setting, which was designed specifically for the testing of intelligent medical systems developed in our university. Quantitative assessment was administered to analyze how the introduction of the proposed autonomous system reduced the risk of infection, and feedback was also collected from participants through questionnaires.
A Proposal for Risk Assessment of Low-Frequency Noise in the Human–Machine–Environment System
Authors: Balážiková Michaela , Pačaiová Hana , Tomašková Marianna
Published: December 2023

Low-frequency noise, the frequency range from approximately 10 Hz to 200 Hz, has been recognized as a special environmental noise problem. The World Health Organization recognizes the special place of low-frequency noise as an environmental problem. Noise can damage hearing, and it affects the whole body. Low-frequency sound is heard by humans, but infrasound is not audible. Low-frequency sound is most often measured based on a weighting function of the frequency. The A-weighted level underestimates the effects of low-frequency noise. For the detrimental effects of low-frequency sound, it would be appropriate to apply measurements using Z-weighting. The aim of this paper was to propose a comprehensive method of acoustic risk assessment (CMARA) that implements the effects of low-frequency values of noise exposure. The proposed methodology has been applied in practice at four workplaces for seven work activities. A risk assessment using the proposed CMARA method for individual activities shows that the noise exposure time may pose a health risk in the occupational and environmental process due to exposure to low-frequency noise at the limit of audibility. A high risk was assessed for activities WA2 (machining) and WA3 (spot welding). This paper highlights the need to measure low-frequency noise using Z-filter weighting.
Study on the Influence of Gas Desorption Characteristics under High-Pressure Fluid Fracturing of Deep Coal
Authors: Ma Shuyin , Cao Jianjun , Zhang Qinghua , Xue Sheng
Published: December 2023

In order to study the influence law of gas desorption accumulation and emission characteristics under hydraulic fracturing, this experiment uses coal-rock adsorption–desorption test equipment to carry out isothermal desorption tests of water-bearing coal under various stress paths. The experimental object is anthracite from Four Seasons Chun coal mine in Guizhou Province. In this experiment, the influence law of the desorption emission characteristics of coal under different stresses is analyzed. Research shows that the stress directly affects the gas desorption of coal and plays a decisive role in the gas desorption and emission characteristics of water-bearing coal in the stress-affected zone. Under equivalent gas adsorption of water-bearing coal, the total accumulated gas desorption displayed by coal increases with the increase in stress under certain conditions and the increase rate slows down with the time; coal samples differing in moisture content are subjected to various stress paths, leading to the difference in the total gas desorption. The total accumulated gas desorption displayed by coal with higher moisture content is generally smaller than that with lower moisture content. Through field observation, a zone with high accumulated gas desorption is formed in the stress-affected zone beyond the radius of effective fracture influence, generating an imbalance of gas desorption and emission. The study results are of theoretical and practical engineering significance for the prevention and control of stress-induced disasters and gas disasters in deep coal seams.
Seismic Response Effect on Base-Isolated Rigid Structures by Mass Eccentricity in Nuclear Plants
Authors: Shin Tae-Myung , Lee Byung-Chan
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the seismic response effect caused by the mass eccentricity of individual equipment when conducting base isolation for the improvement of the seismic performance of a nuclear power plant. Recent research has interpreted and confirmed through analysis and testing that base isolation for safety-related equipment in nuclear power plants is an efficient alternative to designing for excessive seismic loads. Depending on the equipment, unavoidable mass eccentricity can occur, which necessitates verification of the response impact caused by eccentricity. In this paper, we analyze the seismic response impact of equipment with mass eccentricity using small base isolators. To do so, sensitivity analysis of the seismic response due to mass eccentricity is conducted for a base-isolated concentrated mass model. Furthermore, three efficient mass eccentricity models suitable for testing are designed and manufactured. Simulation analyses using the finite element method (FEM) models are performed, followed by three-axis shake table tests to validate the seismic response impact of mass eccentricity. In conclusion, it is confirmed that applying small base isolators to equipment with mass eccentricity can affect seismic response impact to some extent when compared for a beyond-design-basis earthquake (BDBE).
Exploring and Visualizing Research Progress and Emerging Trends of Event Prediction: A Survey
Authors: Xu Shishuo , Liu Jinbo , Li Songnian , Yang Su , Li Fangning
Published: December 2023

Over the last decade, event prediction has drawn attention from both academic and industry communities, resulting in a substantial volume of scientific papers published in a wide range of journals by scholars from different countries and disciplines. However, thus far, a comprehensive and systematic survey of recent literature has been lacking to quantitatively capture the research progress as well as emerging trends in the event prediction field. Aiming at addressing this gap, we employed CiteSpace software to analyze and visualize data retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database, including authors, documents, research institutions, and keywords, based on which the author co-citation network, document co-citation network, collaborative institution network, and keyword co-occurrence network were constructed. Through analyzing the aforementioned networks, we identified areas of active research, influential literature, collaborations at the national level, interdisciplinary patterns, and emerging trends by identifying the central nodes and the nodes with strong citation bursts. It reveals that sensor data has been widely used for predicting weather events and meteorological events (e.g., monitoring sea surface temperature and weather sensor data for predicting El Nino). The real-time and multivariable monitoring features of sensor data enable it to be a reliable source for predicting multiple types of events. Our work offers not only a comprehensive survey of the existing studies but also insights into the development trends within the event prediction field. These findings will assist researchers in conducting further research in this area and draw a large readership among academia and industrial communities who are engaged in event prediction research.
Ground Calibration and In-Flight Performance of the Low Energy Particle Analyzer on FY-4B
Authors: Su Bin , Chen Anqin , Liu Mohan , Kong Linggao , Zhang Aibing , Tian Zheng , Liu Bin , Wang Xinyue , Wang Wenjing , Zhang Xiaoxin , Zong Weiguo , Zheng Xiangzhi , Wang Jinsong
Published: December 2023

The FY-4B satellite is one of the second generation of China’s geosynchronous meteorological satellites aiming at numerical weather forecasts. The space environment monitoring package (SEMP) onboard the FY-4B is a comprehensive instrument package for plasma, high-energy particle, and energetic neutral particle measurements. The low-energy particle analyzer (LEPA) is one of the instruments of the SEMP and consists of two top hat electrostatic analyzers designed for plasma detection. The electron and ion sensors are back-to-back assembled and are integrated to a shared electronic box. It measures the three-dimensional velocity distribution of low-energy electrons and ions on the geosynchronous orbit. In this paper, we present the ground calibration and in-flight performance of the instrument. With the electrostatic deflectors and the cylindrically symmetric structure, the instrument provides high-cadence measurements of electron and ion velocity distributions with a wide field of view (FOV) of 180° by 100°, an angular resolution of 16.7° × 20°, and a broad energy range for both the electrons and ions from tens of eV to above 30 keV, with a 1 s time resolution. The geometric factors of the electron and ion analyzers are 1.1 × 10−3 cm2·sr·eV/eV and 1.4 × 10−3 cm2·sr·eV/eV, respectively, which fulfills the requirements of the low-energy plasma measurement. The LEPA monitored typical space environment disturbance such as geomagnetic storms and successfully recorded the responses of plasma energy fluxes. Satellite surface charging events were measured, with the highest potentials of −2000 V in the shadow period and −500 V in the nonshadow period.
KCC Theory of the Oregonator Model for Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction
Authors: Gupta M. K. , Sahu Abha , Yadav C. K. , Goswami Anjali , Swarup Chetan
Published: December 2023

The behavior of the simplest realistic Oregonator model of the BZ-reaction from the perspective of KCC theory has been investigated. In order to reduce the complexity of the model, we initially transformed the first-order differential equation of the Oregonator model into a system of second-order differential equations. In this approach, we describe the evolution of the Oregonator model in geometric terms, by considering it as a geodesic in a Finsler space. We have found five KCC invariants using the general expression of the nonlinear and Berwald connections. To understand the chaotic behavior of the Oregonator model, the deviation vector and its curvature around equilibrium points are studied. We have obtained the necessary and sufficient conditions for the parameters of the system in order to have the Jacobi stability near the equilibrium points. Further, a comprehensive examination was conducted to compare the linear stability and Jacobi stability of the Oregonator model at its equilibrium points, and We highlight these instances with a few illustrative examples.
Citral-Enriched Fraction of Lemon Essential Oil Mitigates LPS-Induced Hepatocyte Injuries
Authors: Gasparro Roberta , Pucci Marzia , Costanzo Elisa , Urzì Ornella , Tinnirello Vincenza , Moschetti Marta , Conigliaro Alice , Raimondo Stefania , Corleone Valeria , Fontana Simona , Alessandro Riccardo
Published: December 2023

Lemon essential oil (LEO) is known for its aromatic and healthy properties; however, less consideration is given to the biological properties of the fractions obtained from LEO. This study aims to evaluate the ability of a citral-enriched fraction obtained from LEO (Cfr-LEO) to counteract lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammation, oxidative stress, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in healthy human hepatocytes. Human immortalized hepatocytes (THLE-2 cell line) were pretreated with Cfr-LEO and subsequently exposed to LPS at various time points. We report that the pretreatment with Cfr-LEO counteracts LPS-mediated effects by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in THLE-2. In particular, we found that pretreatment with Cfr-LEO reduced NF-κB activation and the subsequent proinflammatory cytokines release, ROS production, and NRF2 and p53 expression. Furthermore, the pretreatment with Cfr-LEO showed its beneficial effect in counteracting LPS-induced EMT. Taken together, these results support Cfr-LEO application in the nutraceutical research field not only for its organoleptic properties, conferred by citral enrichment, but also for its biological activity. Our study could lay the basis for the development of foods/drinks enriched with Cfr-LEO, aimed at preventing or alleviating chronic conditions associated with liver dysfunction.
Combination Drug Therapy for the Management of Chronic Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Boccella Serena , De Filippis Lidia , Giorgio Cristina , Brandolini Laura , Jones Meghan , Novelli Rubina , Amorizzo Ezio , Leoni Matteo Luigi Giuseppe , Terranova Gaetano , Maione Sabatino , Luongo Livio , Leone Manuela , Allegretti Marcello , Minnella Enrico Maria , Aramini Andrea
Published: December 2023

Chronic neuropathic pain (NP) is an increasingly prevalent disease and leading cause of disability which is challenging to treat. Several distinct classes of drugs are currently used for the treatment of chronic NP, but each drug targets only narrow components of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, bears limited efficacy, and comes with dose-limiting side effects. Multimodal therapies have been increasingly proposed as potential therapeutic approaches to target the multiple mechanisms underlying nociceptive transmission and modulation. However, while preclinical studies with combination therapies showed promise to improve efficacy over monotherapy, clinical trial data on their efficacy in specific populations are lacking and increased risk for adverse effects should be carefully considered. Drug-drug co-crystallization has emerged as an innovative pharmacological approach which can combine two or more different active pharmaceutical ingredients in a single crystal, optimizing pharmacokinetic and physicochemical characteristics of the native molecules, thus potentially capitalizing on the synergistic efficacy between classes of drugs while simplifying adherence and minimizing the risk of side effects by reducing the doses. In this work, we review the current pharmacological options for the treatment of chronic NP, focusing on combination therapies and their ongoing developing programs and highlighting the potential of co-crystals as novel approaches to chronic NP management.
The Promoting Mechanism of the Sterile Fermentation Filtrate of Serratia odorifera on Hypsizygus marmoreus by Means of Metabolomics Analysis
Authors: Cao Jixuan , Xie Jiacheng , Yu Mingming , Xu Tao , Zhang Huangru , Chen Liding , Sun Shujing
Published: December 2023

Hypsizygus marmoreus has become one of the most popular edible mushrooms due to its high nutritional and economic value. Previous researchers found that Serratia odorifera could promote the growth of H. marmoreus by producing and secreting some of its inducers. However, the specific mechanism of action was still unclear. In this study, we found that the exogenous addition of sterile fermentation filtrate (HZSO-1), quorum sensing (QS) signaling molecules, 3-oxo-C6-HSL, cyclo(Pro-Leu), and cyclo(Tyr-Leu) could significantly promote the growth of H. marmoreus, increase the number of clamp junctions, and the diameter of mycelium (p < 0.05). In addition, non-targeted metabolomic analysis revealed that 706 metabolites were detected in the treated group. Of these, 307 metabolites were significantly different (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, 54 and 86 metabolites were significantly increased and decreased in the HZSO-1 group, respectively (p < 0.05). We speculate that the sterile fermentation filtrate of S. odorifera could mediate the carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism of H. marmoreus by influencing the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) to increase the energy supply for the growth and development of the mycelium. The above results will further reveal the growth-promoting mechanism of S. odorifera on H. marmoreus.
On the Prevalence and Roles of Proteins Undergoing Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation in the Biogenesis of PML-Bodies
Authors: Silonov Sergey A. , Mokin Yakov I. , Nedelyaev Eugene M. , Smirnov Eugene Y. , Kuznetsova Irina M. , Turoverov Konstantin K. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Fonin Alexander V.
Published: December 2023

The formation and function of membrane-less organelles (MLOs) is one of the main driving forces in the molecular life of the cell. These processes are based on the separation of biopolymers into phases regulated by multiple specific and nonspecific inter- and intramolecular interactions. Among the realm of MLOs, a special place is taken by the promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML-NBs or PML bodies), which are the intranuclear compartments involved in the regulation of cellular metabolism, transcription, the maintenance of genome stability, responses to viral infection, apoptosis, and tumor suppression. According to the accepted models, specific interactions, such as SUMO/SIM, the formation of disulfide bonds, etc., play a decisive role in the biogenesis of PML bodies. In this work, a number of bioinformatics approaches were used to study proteins found in the proteome of PML bodies for their tendency for spontaneous liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), which is usually caused by weak nonspecific interactions. A total of 205 proteins found in PML bodies have been identified. It has been suggested that UBC9, P53, HIPK2, and SUMO1 can be considered as the scaffold proteins of PML bodies. It was shown that more than half of the proteins in the analyzed proteome are capable of spontaneous LLPS, with 85% of the analyzed proteins being intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and the remaining 15% being proteins with intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs). About 44% of all proteins analyzed in this study contain SUMO binding sites and can potentially be SUMOylated. These data suggest that weak nonspecific interactions play a significantly larger role in the formation and biogenesis of PML bodies than previously expected.
Bilateral Deficits in Dynamic Postural Stability in Females Persist Years after Unilateral ACL Injury and Are Modulated by the Match between Injury Side and Leg Dominance
Authors: Calisti Maité , Mohr Maurice , Federolf Peter
Published: December 2023

Previous research has documented brain plasticity after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and suggests that these neural adaptations contribute to poorer motor control. Since both brain hemispheres show adaptations, we hypothesized that reduced dynamic stability occurs not only in the injured, but also the contralateral, uninjured leg. Further, given brain hemispheric specialization’s impact on motor coordination, we hypothesized the need to consider the injury side. A total of 41 female athletes and 18 controls performed single-leg jump-landings. Dynamic postural stability was measured as time-to-stabilization (TTS). We found reduced medio-lateral dynamic stability for the ACL injured leg (p = 0.006) with a similar trend for the contralateral leg (p = 0.050) compared to the control group. However, when distinguishing between injuries to the dominant and non-dominant legs, we found increased medio-lateral TTS only if the injury had occurred on the dominant side where landings on injured (p = 0.006) and contralateral (p = 0.036) legs required increased TTS. Assessments of dynamic stability, e.g., in the context of return-to-sport, should consider the injury side and compare results not only between the injured and the contralateral leg, but also to uninjured controls. Future research should not pool data from the dominant-leg ACL with non-dominant-leg ACL injuries when assessing post-injury motor performance.
An Open-Label Study of a Wearable Device Targeting ADHD, Executive Function, and Academic Performance
Authors: Ayearst Lindsay E. , Brancaccio Richard , Weiss Margaret Danielle
Published: December 2023

Objective: This was an open-label pilot study to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a wearable digital intervention developed to improve on-task behavior. This was an exploratory study to test for specificity of response on parent- and teacher-reported symptom outcomes in attention and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, as well as domains of functional impairment, including school behavior and learning and executive function. Method:Participants included 38 children aged 8–12 years with a parent-reported past diagnosis of ADHD. Following baseline ratings from parents (N = 38) and teachers (N = 26), participants wore the device to school for four weeks. Parent and teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms, executive function, and functional impairment were repeated at the end of the four-week intervention period. Results:Statistically significant improvement was seen in the total scores for all parent and nearly all teacher outcomes, with moderate effect size improvements in attention, organization and planning, self-monitoring, school functioning, and teacher-reported academic performance. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence from this open-label pilot study suggests that having a child interact with a wearable device to self-monitor attention is feasible. This exploratory, open-label pilot study found real-world improvement in functional domains, including academic performance. Future research will require a blinded, randomized, controlled trial using an appropriate sham comparator to confirm these findings.
Challenge Level Contributes to the Efficacy of Treadmill Interventions after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Olsen Sharon , Alder Gemma , Rashid Usman , Gomes Emeline , Aislabie Madeleine , Chee Fran , Smith Caitlin , Kean Brody , Towersey Nicola , Signal Nada
Published: December 2023

Intervention parameters such as the challenge, amount, and dosage (challenge × amount) have the potential to alter the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions after stroke. This systematic review investigated the effect of intervention parameters of challenge, amount, and dosage on improvements in walking outcomes following treadmill training (TT) and comparison interventions in people with stroke. Randomized controlled trials were included if they: (i) investigated interventions of TT or bodyweight-supported TT (BWSTT); (ii) made comparisons with other physiotherapy interventions, other types of TT, or no intervention; (iii) studied people with stroke; (iv) reported sufficient data on challenge and amount parameters; and (v) measured walking speed or endurance. Completeness of reporting was evaluated using the TIDieR-Rehab checklist and risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The review included 26 studies; 15 studies compared TT or BWSTT with other physiotherapy interventions and 11 studies compared different types of TT. Meta-analyses provided evidence with low to moderate certainty that greater differences in challenge and dosage between treadmill and comparison physiotherapy interventions produced greater effects on walking endurance (p < 0.01). However, challenge and dosage did not influence walking speed outcomes. The analysis of intervention amount was limited by the lack of studies that manipulated the amount of intervention. Overall, the findings indicate that, after stroke, some of the efficacy of TT on walking endurance can be explained by the challenge level during training. This supports the implementation of TT at higher challenge levels in stroke rehabilitation practice.
Emotional Dysregulation and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms: Which Interaction in Adolescents and Young Adults? A Systematic Review
Authors: Conti Lorenzo , Fantasia Sara , Violi Miriam , Dell’Oste Valerio , Pedrinelli Virginia , Carmassi Claudia
Published: December 2023

Emotional dysregulation (ED) has recently been conceptualized as a transnosographic entity in major mental disorders, and increasing evidence has suggested association between ED and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), though the nature of this association is unclear. The aim of the present review was to examine the possible interplay between ED and trauma exposure in the literature, as well as a possible role for the comorbidity of PTSD or PTSS in adolescents and young adults. In particular, we explored whether ED may represent a risk factor for PTSD or, conversely, a consequence of traumatic exposure. This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Embase). The 34 studies included showed a wide heterogeneity in terms of the populations selected and outcomes examined. Most studies used the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and examined the relationship between ED, trauma, and psychopathological manifestations after the occurrence of trauma, with a focus on child abuse. Although current data in the literature are heterogeneous and inconclusive, this research highlights the role of ED as a mechanism that may mediate vulnerability to PTSD, but also as a predictor of severity and maintenance of typical, atypical, or associated PTSD symptoms, suggesting prevention programs for PTSD and other mental disorders should support the development of emotion regulation strategies.
The Effect of Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Stereotype Threat on Inhibitory Control in Individuals with Different Household Incomes
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Yang Dong
Published: December 2023

Previous studies have discussed the impact of the socioeconomically disadvantaged stereotype threat (SDST) on inhibitory control. But the specific influences of the SDST on inhibitory control in different household income groups are not clear. We hypothesized that the SDST had different effects on inhibitory control in individuals with distinct household income, and the attribution of stimuli would influence it as well, especially the currency value of the stimuli. To investigate it, two studies were conducted, which required inhibiting their motor responses. Specifically, Study 1 explored the influence of the SDST on basic inhibitory control. Study 2 analyzed the influence of the SDST on inhibitory control when the input stimuli included currency values and monetary conception. The results revealed that the inhibitory control ability was worse in the lower income group but not during the processing of stimuli with currency value. For the effect of the SDST, it found that there was a negative effect on those with a lower household income and a positive effect on those with a higher household income. Based on the findings, the effect of the SDST on inhibitory control in human beings is not stable; instead, it varies depending on the traits of the stimuli in different tasks and of the individuals themselves.
Study of Heat Recovery Equipment for Building Applications
Authors: Popescu Lelia Letitia , Popescu Razvan Stefan , Catalina Tiberiu
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, heat exchangers find widespread use across various applications in different fields, particularly in the field of heat recovery. This paper provides a detailed explanation of a plate heat exchanger counter-flow model developed in Simulink/Matlab. Water was employed in simulations for both circuits, although the thermal properties of other fluids can be investigated by modifying them. The “Tanks in series” method was used for simulation purposes. The developed model enables users to explore the impact of various parameters on heat exchanger functionality, such as altering the number of plates, the material or thickness of the plates, and the nature of thermal agents (gaseous or liquid). These models play a crucial role not only in simulating and sizing heat exchangers but also in achieving parametric optimization. Parameter variations can be employed to examine the operation of existing equipment under conditions different from their design specifications. The Simulink/Matlab proposed model, featuring a variable number of finite volumes to ensure high accuracy, was compared to the classical design method for plate heat exchangers. The results revealed good accuracy, with relative errors for heat transfer rate remaining below 2.6%. This research also considered the study of the number of finite volumes necessary for achieving accurate results. For the 40 finite volumes model, the relative error for heat transfer rate is less than 10%. Dividing the mesh into 50 finite volumes along the fluid flow direction resulted in relative errors ranging from 1.6% to 1.7%, indicating that a finer mesh was not necessary. To validate the conceived model, experimental data from the literature were compared. The relative errors for heat transfer rate between the Matlab/Simulink model’s results and experimental data ranged from 1.58% to 11.92%, demonstrating a strong agreement between the conceived model and the experimental values.
The Role of Adjuvant Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Resected High-Risk Stage III Cutaneous Melanoma in the Era of Modern Systemic Therapies
Authors: Kibel Seth , Kuehne Nathan , Ribeiro Mauricio Fernando , Muniz Thiago P. , Ye Xiang Y. , Spreafico Anna , Saibil Samuel D. , Sun Alexander , Mak David Y. , Gray Diana , Jones Bailie , Wong Philip , Butler Marcus O.
Published: December 2023

Modern adjuvant systemic therapies (STs) have revolutionized the management of stage III melanoma. Currently, the role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) remains unclear. In this single-center retrospective study, patients with clinically detectable stage III melanoma with high-risk features for lymph node basin (LNB) recurrence and whose tumors were fully resected with complete lymphadenectomy (CLD) between 2010 and 2019 were assessed. We determined the cumulative incidence (CIF) of LNB recurrence and any disease recurrence or progression using competing risk analysis. A total of 108 patients were identified; the median age was 59 years (24–92), and 74 (69%) were men. A total of 51 (42%) received adjuvant RT, 22 (20%) received adjuvant ST, and 35 (32%) received no adjuvant therapy. The advent of ST changed clinical practice, with a significant increase in the use of adjuvant ST and a decrease in the use of RT when comparing practice patterns before and after 2015 (p < 0.001). The 3-year CIF of LNB recurrence was similar in patients treated with adjuvant RT (6.3%) and adjuvant ST (9.8%). The 3-year CIF of any disease recurrence or progression was lower in patients receiving adjuvant ST (24%) compared to those receiving adjuvant RT (52%) or no adjuvant therapy (55%, p = 0.06). Three-year overall survival (OS) was not significantly different in patients treated with ST compared to those not treated with any ST (p = 0.118). Despite ST replacing RT as the dominant adjuvant treatment modality, this change in practice has not resulted in increased LNB recurrence for patients at high risk of LNB recurrence following CLD.
Combination of Local Ablative Techniques with Radiotherapy for Primary and Recurrent Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bonome Paolo , Pezzulla Donato , Lancellotta Valentina , Scrofani Anna Rita , Macchia Gabriella , Rodolfino Elena , Tagliaferri Luca , Kovács György , Deodato Francesco , Iezzi Roberto
Published: December 2023

In patients with early-stage or recurrent NSCLC who are unable to tolerate surgery, a benefit could derive only from a systemic therapy or another few forms of local therapy. A systematic review was performed to evaluate the feasibility and the effectiveness of radiotherapy combined with local ablative therapies in the treatment of primary and recurrent lung cancer in terms of toxicity profile and local control rate. Six studies featuring a total of 115 patients who met eligibility criteria and 119 lesions were included. Three studies evaluated lung cancer patients with a medically inoperable condition treated with image-guided local ablative therapies followed by radiotherapy: their local control rate (LC) ranged from 75% to 91.7% with only 15 patients (19.4%) reporting local recurrence after combined modality treatment. The other three studies provided a salvage option for patients with locally recurrent NSCLC after RT: the median follow-up period varied from 8.3 to 69.3 months with an LC rate ranging from 50% to 100%. The most common complications were radiation pneumonitis (9.5%) and pneumothorax (29.8%). The proposed intervention appears to be promising in terms of toxicity profile and local control rate. Further prospective studies are need to better delineate combining LTA-RT treatment benefits in this setting.
Multidimensional Predictors of Cancer-Related Fatigue Based on the Predisposing, Precipitating, and Perpetuating (3P) Model: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wang Yiming , Tian Lv , Liu Xia , Zhang Hao , Tang Yongchun , Zhang Hong , Nie Wenbo , Wang Lisheng
Published: December 2023

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a widespread symptom with high prevalence in cancer patients, seriously affecting their quality of life. In the context of precision care, constructing machine learning-based prediction models for early screening and assessment of CRF is beneficial to this situation. To further understand the predictors of CRF for model construction, we conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases, combining CRF with predictor-related terms. A total of 27 papers met the inclusion criteria. We evaluated the above studies into three subgroups following the predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating (3P) factor model. (1) Predisposing factors—baseline fatigue, demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, psychosocial traits and physical symptoms. (2) Precipitating factors—type and stage of chemotherapy, inflammatory factors, laboratory indicators and metabolic changes. (3) Perpetuating factors—a low level of physical activity and poorer nutritional status. Future research should prioritize large-scale prospective studies with emerging technologies to identify accurate predictors of CRF. The assessment and management of CRF should also focus on the above factors, especially the controllable precipitating factors, to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors.
Development of a Genetically Engineered Mouse Model Recapitulating LKB1 and PTEN Deficiency in Gastric Cancer Pathogenesis
Authors: Fang Kuan-Te , Hung Hsin , Lau Nga Yin Sadonna , Chi Jou-Hsi , Wu Deng-Chyang , Cheng Kuang-Hung
Published: December 2023

The LKB1 and PTEN genes are critical in gastric cancer (G.C.) development. LKB1, a robust tumor suppressor gene, encodes a serine/threonine kinase that directly triggers the activation of AMPK—an integral cellular metabolic kinase. The role of the LKB1 pathway extends to maintaining the stability of epithelial junctions by regulating E-cadherin expression. Conversely, PTEN, a frequently mutated tumor suppressor gene in various human cancers, emerges as a pivotal negative regulator of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway. This study is set to leverage the H+/K+ ATPase Cre transgene strain to precisely target Cre recombinase expression at parietal cells within the stomach. This strategic maneuver seeks to selectively nullify the functions of both LKB1 and PTEN in a manner specific to the stomach, thereby instigating the development of G.C. in a fashion akin to human gastric adenocarcinoma. Moreover, this study endeavors to dissect the intricate ways in which these alterations contribute to the histopathologic advancement of gastric tumors, their potential for invasiveness and metastasis, their angiogenesis, and the evolving tumor stromal microenvironment. Our results show that conditional deletion of PTEN and LKB1 provides an ideal cancer microenvironment for G.C. tumorigenesis by promoting cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Tasks and Experiences of the Prospective, Longitudinal, Multicenter MoMar (Molecular Markers) Study for the Early Detection of Mesothelioma in Individuals Formerly Exposed to Asbestos Using Liquid Biopsies
Authors: Weber Daniel Gilbert , Casjens Swaantje , Wichert Katharina , Lehnert Martin , Taeger Dirk , Rihs Hans-Peter , Brüning Thomas , Johnen Georg , the MoMar Study Group the MoMar Study Group
Published: December 2023

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, strongly associated with prior exposure to asbestos. Commonly, tumors are detected at late stages of the disease. Detection at early stages might be meaningful, because therapies might be more effective when the tumor burden is relatively low and the tumor has not spread to distant sites. Circulating biomarkers in blood might be a promising tool to improve the early detection of mesothelioma, but for screening in asymptomatic subjects, candidate biomarkers need to be validated in appropriate studies. This study was conducted to assess the performance of biomarkers in liquid biopsies to detect mesothelioma at early stages. Over a period of 10 years, 2769 volunteers formerly exposed to asbestos were annually examined and liquid biopsies were collected. A follow-up was completed 17 months after the last blood collection. The article provides a detailed overview of our lessons learned and experiences of conducting a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter study. The existing cohort of individuals at risk is highly suitable for the validation of blood-based biomarkers for the early detection of mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Disparities in Cancer Incidence across Income Levels in South Korea
Authors: Jeong Su-Min , Jung Kyu-Won , Park Juwon , Kim Nayeon , Shin Dong Wook , Suh Mina
Published: December 2023

Background: Recent nationwide studies of disparities in cancer incidence by income are scarce in Korea. This study investigated such disparities in cancer incidence and the stage at cancer diagnosis across income groups in Korea. Methods: This study utilized data from a national cancer database, specifically focusing on cases recorded in the year 2018. Income levels were categorized into quintiles according to the insurance premium paid in addition to the Medicaid benefit. The slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) were used to measure absolute and relative differences in cancer incidence by income. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate the risk of a distant stage at cancer diagnosis. Results: The total number of cases of incident cancer was 223,371 (men: 116,320, women: 107,051) with shares of the total of 29.5% (5Q), 20.4% (4Q), 16.0% (3Q), 13.5% (2Q), 15.6% (1Q), and 5% (Medicaid). The most common cancer type was thyroid cancer, followed by gastric and colorectal cancers. The age-standardized incidence rate for all cancers was lowest in the highest income group, but the SII was not statistically significant (SII: −35.7), and the RII was −0.07. Colorectal and cervical cancers had lower incidence rates for higher income groups, while thyroid and prostate cancers had higher incidence rates for higher income groups. The odds ratio for a distant stage at diagnosis for all cancers increased for lower income groups relative to 5Q. Conclusions: Disparities in cancer incidence in a Korean population differed by cancer type, and lower income was a significant predictor of a distant stage at diagnosis for cancers overall. These results emphasize the need for further study of the underlying causes of disparities in cancer incidence and the stage at diagnosis, as well as the need for interventions to mitigate these disparities.
Effects of Exercise Training on Patient-Specific Outcomes in Pancreatic Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review
Authors: Rosebrock Kim , Sinn Marianne , Uzunoglu Faik G. , Bokemeyer Carsten , Jensen Wiebke , Salchow Jannike
Published: December 2023

Background: International guidelines have already highlighted the beneficial effects of exercise in common cancer entities. However, specific recommendations for pancreatic cancer are still missing. This scoping review aimed to evaluate the impact of exercise training on patient-specific outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients. Methods: A literature search was undertaken using PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before August 2023 with structured exercise interventions during or after pancreatic cancer treatment. Results: Seven articles that prescribed home-based or supervised exercise with aerobic or resistance training or both were reviewed. The results indicate that exercise is feasible and safe in pancreatic cancer patients. Furthermore, exercise was associated with improved quality of life, cancer-related fatigue, and muscle strength. Concerning other outcomes, heterogeneous results were reported. We identified a lack of evidence, particularly for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Conclusion: Exercise interventions in pancreatic cancer patients are feasible and can lead to improved quality of life, cancer-related fatigue, and muscle strength. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to clarify the potential of exercise in pancreatic cancer, in particular for advanced stages.