bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Type 2 Diabetes: Mediation Through Status Anxiety?
Authors: Crielaard Loes , Motazedi Ehsan , Galenkamp Henrike , van de Werfhorst Herman G. , Hulvej Rod Naja , Kuipers Mirte A. G. , Nicolaou Mary , Stronks Karien
Published: October 2023

Objectives: While status anxiety has received attention as a potential mechanism generating health inequalities, empirical evidence is still limited. Studies have been ecological and have largely focused on mental and not physical health outcomes.

Methods: We conducted individual-level analyses to assess status anxiety (feelings of inferiority resulting from social comparisons) and resources (financial difficulties) as mediators of the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) (education/occupation/employment status) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We used cross-sectional data of 21,150 participants (aged 18–70 years) from the Amsterdam-based HELIUS study. We estimated associations using logistic regression models and estimated mediated proportions using natural effect modelling.

Results: Odds of status anxiety were higher among participants with a low SES [e.g., OR = 2.66 (95% CI: 2.06–3.45) for elementary versus academic occupation]. Odds of T2D were 1.49 (95% CI: 1.12–1.97) times higher among participants experiencing status anxiety. Proportion of the SES–T2D relationship mediated was 3.2% (95% CI: 1.5%–7.0%) through status anxiety and 10.9% (95% CI: 6.6%–18.0%) through financial difficulties.

Conclusion: Status anxiety and financial difficulties played small but consistent mediating roles. These individual-level analyses underline status anxiety’s importance and imply that status anxiety requires attention in efforts to reduce health inequalities.
Multi-Objective Optimization of a Solar-Assisted Combined Cooling, Heating and Power Generation System Using the Greywolf Optimizer
Authors: Ukaegbu Uchechi , Tartibu Lagouge , Lim C. W.
Published: October 2023

Energy demand and consumption have, in recent times, witnessed a rapid proliferation influenced by technological developments, increased population and economic growth. This has fuelled research trends in the domain of energy management employing tri-generation systems such as combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) systems. Furthermore, the incorporation of renewable energy, especially solar energy, to complement the thermal input of fossil fuels has facilitated the effectiveness and sustainability of CCHP systems. This study proposes a new approach to improve the overall efficiency of CCHP systems and to compute optimal design parameters in order to assist decision makers to identify the best geometrical configuration. A multi-objective optimization formulation of a solar-assisted CCHP system was adopted to maximize the net power and exergy efficiency and to minimize the CO2 emission using the greywolf optimization technique. In addition, the effects of the decision variables on the objective functions were analysed. The proposed optimization approach yielded 100 set of Pareto optimal solutions which would serve as options for the decision maker when making a selection to choose from when seeking to improve the performance of a solar-assisted CCHP system. It also yielded higher exergy efficiency and lower CO2 emission values when compared with a similar study. The results obtained indicate that a system with high net power output does not necessarily translate to a highly efficient system. Additionally, minimal CO2 emissions were recorded for a system with low compression ratio, low combustion chamber inlet temperature and high inlet turbine temperature. This study demonstrates that the proposed approach is potentially suitable for the optimization of a solar-assisted CCHP system.
Anomaly Detection for Skin Lesion Images Using Convolutional Neural Network and Injection of Handcrafted Features: A Method That Bypasses the Preprocessing of Dermoscopic Images
Authors: Grignaffini Flavia , Troiano Maurizio , Barbuto Francesco , Simeoni Patrizio , Mangini Fabio , D’Andrea Gabriele , Piazzo Lorenzo , Cantisani Carmen , Musolff Noah , Ricciuti Costantino , Frezza Fabrizio
Published: October 2023

Skin cancer (SC) is one of the most common cancers in the world and is a leading cause of death in humans. Melanoma (M) is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and has an increasing incidence rate. Early and accurate diagnosis of M is critical to increase patient survival rates; however, its clinical evaluation is limited by the long timelines, variety of interpretations, and difficulty in distinguishing it from nevi (N) because of striking similarities. To overcome these problems and to support dermatologists, several machine-learning (ML) and deep-learning (DL) approaches have been developed. In the proposed work, melanoma detection, understood as an anomaly detection task with respect to the normal condition consisting of nevi, is performed with the help of a convolutional neural network (CNN) along with the handcrafted texture features of the dermoscopic images as additional input in the training phase. The aim is to evaluate whether the preprocessing and segmentation steps of dermoscopic images can be bypassed while maintaining high classification performance. Network training is performed on the ISIC2018 and ISIC2019 datasets, from which only melanomas and nevi are considered. The proposed network is compared with the most widely used pre-trained networks in the field of dermatology and shows better results in terms of classification and computational cost. It is also tested on the ISIC2016 dataset to provide a comparison with the literature: it achieves high performance in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.
Economic Incentives, Reputation Incentives, and Rural Residents’ Participation in Household Waste Classification: Evidence from Jiangsu, China
Authors: Han Guang , Zhai Ping , Zhu Liqun , Li Kongqing
Published: October 2023

With the economic development and rising living standards in rural China, the amount of household waste generated continues to increase, causing serious pollution to the environment and risks to public health. Promoting the classification of rural household waste is a critical way to improve the dwelling environment and control disease transmission in rural areas. Using the 2021 China Land Economic Survey (CLES) conducted in rural areas of Jiangsu province, China, this research explores how economic incentives and reputational incentives impact rural residents’ participation in household waste classification intention and behavior. The results show that most surveyed rural residents have the intention to classify their household waste, but only half of them perform the waste classification behavior. Furthermore, both economic incentives and reputation incentives have significant positive effects on rural residents’ intention and behavior regarding household waste classification, and there exists a complementary effect between them, which indicates that a combination of economic incentives and reputation incentives will increase the participation rate of rural residents in household waste classification. Finally, based on the findings, we put forward recommendations for rural waste management policies, including synergizing both economic incentives and reputation incentives, improving the mobilization system, and strengthening publicity and education on household waste classification.
An Artificial Neural Network for Predicting Groundnut Yield Using Climatic Data
Authors: Sajindra Hirushan , Abekoon Thilina , Wimalasiri Eranga M. , Mehta Darshan , Rathnayake Upaka
Published: October 2023

Groundnut, being a widely consumed oily seed with significant health benefits and appealing sensory profiles, is extensively cultivated in tropical regions worldwide. However, the yield is substantially impacted by the changing climate. Therefore, predicting stressed groundnut yield based on climatic factors is desirable. This research focuses on predicting groundnut yield based on several combinations of climatic factors using artificial neural networks and three training algorithms. The Levenberg–Marquardt, Bayesian Regularization, and Scaled Conjugate Gradient algorithms were evaluated for their performance using climatic factors such as minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and rainfall in different regions of Sri Lanka, considering the seasonal variations in groundnut yield. A three-layer neural network was employed, comprising a hidden layer. The hidden layer consisted of 10 neurons, and the log sigmoid functions were used as the activation function. The performance of these configurations was evaluated based on the mean squared error and Pearson correlation. Notable improvements were observed when using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm as the training algorithm and applying the natural logarithm transformation to the yield values. These improvements were evident through the higher Pearson correlation values for training (0.84), validation (1.00) and testing (1.00), and a lower mean squared error (2.2859 × 10−21) value. Due to the limited data, K-Fold cross-validation was utilized for optimization, with a K value of 5 utilized for the process. The application of the natural logarithm transformation to the yield values resulted in a lower mean squared error (0.3724) value. The results revealed that the Levenberg–Marquardt training algorithm performs better in capturing the relationships between the climatic factors and groundnut yield. This research provides valuable insights into the utilization of climatic factors for predicting groundnut yield, highlighting the effectiveness of the training algorithms and emphasizing the importance of carefully selecting and expanding the climatic factors in the modeling equation.
Phosphorus and Glyphosate Adsorption and Desorption Trends across Different Depths in Sandy Soil
Authors: Fenn Rachel A. , Kadyampakeni Davie M. , Kanissery Ramdas G. , Judy Jonathan , Bashyal Mahesh
Published: October 2023

The unintended loss of glyphosate and P from cropland may pose an environmental risk to downstream water quality and marine ecosystems. Glyphosate and P compete for exchange sites, and since glyphosate is an organophosphate, it reacts similarly to phosphates in soil. The competition for exchange sites between glyphosate and P could lead to an increased risk of loss due to leaching, leading to water quality degradation and harm to aquatic wildlife. The focus of this study was to (i) determine the sorption tendencies of P and orthophosphate in Florida Entisols and (ii) determine the sorption tendencies of glyphosate in Florida Entisols. Adsorption and desorption experiments were performed for both P and glyphosate. The data from the sorption experiments were fitted to linear, Freundlich, and Langmuir models. Orthophosphate-P (ortho-P) was best represented by the linear isotherm. Glyphosate adsorption was best represented by the linear isotherm, and desorption was best represented by both the linear and Freundlich models. Phosphorus and glyphosate sorption and desorption increased with soil depth, likely due to the higher concentrations of Fe and Al with greater depth. These results could improve P and glyphosate application rates when applied in tandem to citrus trees, increasing overall tree health and improving soil quality.
Assessing Fruit Maturity and Quality of ‘Buckeye Gala’ Grown on a Diverse Panel of Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) Rootstocks in Western Maryland
Authors: Miah Md Shipon , Hinson Chloe , Farcuh Macarena
Published: October 2023

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is usually produced in the form of a rootstock grafted scion. Rootstocks have important effects on several horticultural attributes. However, the results are not consistent regarding sites and scion–rootstock combinations. The aim of this research was to characterize the horticultural performance of ‘Buckeye Gala’ apple scion grafted onto ten rootstocks grown in Western Maryland during two harvest seasons. Our results demonstrated that, on average, tree size and yield in G.935, M.26 and G.969 rootstocks were 5–40% higher, but weight per fruit was 2–15% lower than in all other rootstocks. Fruit maturity was significantly delayed with increasingly vigorous rootstocks. There were no crop load differences. Overall, the assessed rootstocks were discriminated into seven significantly distinct clusters characterized by marked differences in vigor, yield, and fruit maturity. Moreover, significant correlations were obtained amongst all assessed variables. Rootstock impact must be considered when making management decisions in ‘Buckeye Gala’ fruit grown under Western Maryland conditions as they are critical in modulating fruit maturity and quality.
RZWQM2 Simulated Irrigation Strategies to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts on Cotton Production in Hyper–Arid Areas
Authors: Chen Xiaoping , Dong Haibo , Feng Shaoyuan , Gui Dongwei , Ma Liwang , Thorp Kelly R. , Wu Hao , Liu Bo , Qi Zhiming
Published: October 2023

Improving cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and water use efficiency (WUE) under future climate scenarios by optimizing irrigation regimes is crucial in hyper-arid areas. Assuming a current baseline atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2atm) of 380 ppm (baseline, BL0/380), the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM2) was used to evaluate the effects of four climate change scenarios—S1.5/380 (∆Tair°=1.5 °C,∆CO2atm=0), S2.0/380 (∆Tair°=2.0 °C,∆CO2atm=0), S1.5/490 (∆Tair°=1.5 °C,∆CO2atm=+110 ppm) and S2.0/650 (∆Tair°=2.0 °C,∆CO2atm=+270 ppm) on soil water content (θ), soil temperature (Tsoil°), aboveground biomass, cotton yield and WUE under full irrigation. Cotton yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) under 10 different irrigation management strategies were analysed for economic benefits. Under the S1.5/380 and S2.0/380 scenarios, the average simulated aboveground biomass of cotton (vs. BL0/380) declined by 11% and 16%, whereas under S1.5/490 and S2.0/650 scenarios it increased by 12% and 30%, respectively. The simulated average seed cotton yield (vs. BL0/380) increased by 9.0% and 20.3% under the S1.5/490 and S2.0/650 scenarios, but decreased by 10.5% and 15.3% under the S1.5/380 and S2.0/380 scenarios, respectively. Owing to greater cotton yield and lesser transpiration, a 9.0% and 24.2% increase (vs. BL0/380) in cotton WUE occurred under the S1.5/490 and S2.0/650 scenarios, respectively. The highest net income ($3741 ha−1) and net water yield ($1.14 m−3) of cotton under climate change occurred when irrigated at 650 mm and 500 mm per growing season, respectively. These results suggested that deficit irrigation can be adopted in irrigated cotton fields to address the agricultural water crisis expected under climate change.
The Effect of Temperature and Moisture Content on Population Growth of Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Zafeiriadis Sofronios , Baliota Georgia V. , Athanassiou Christos G.
Published: October 2023

Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), commonly known as the lesser mealworm, is a significant pest that infests stored grains and other amylaceous commodities. In addition, the species has also been recognized as a viable and environmentally friendly protein source. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive research on the developmental response of this species across various temperature and moisture conditions. This study investigates the impact of temperature and moisture content of the commodity on the population growth of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). In the first series of bioassays, the progeny production of A. diaperinus adults was recorded after 50 days of incubation under a range of temperatures from 25 to 40 °C in cracked soft wheat with 11.3% moisture content, while in the second series, the moisture content of the wheat was adjusted to 5, 10, 15, and 20%, at 30 °C. Our results show that temperature largely influences parental adult mortality of A. diaperinus. The most suitable temperatures for optimal larval development and adult survival were found to be within the spectrum of 25 to 32 °C. Moreover, we found that the moisture content of the wheat that served as rearing media was also a factor of significance, since a gradual decrease in the larval numbers was observed with an increase in the moisture content. The findings of this study provide data to further enhance the pest control strategies of A. diaperinus in poultry farms but also to establish mass rearing standards and facilitate the production of the species for efficient use as food and feed.
“Smart Agriculture” Information Technology and Agriculture Cross-Discipline Research and Development
Authors: Zhang Jian , Goebel Randy G. , Wu Zhihai
Published: October 2023

Digital technology applications in agriculture and biology are a dynamic area of research interest, with topics including, but not limited to, agriculture, data collection, data mining, bioinformatics, genomics and phenomics, as well as applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence [...]
Genome-Wide Association Study for Spike Traits and Distribution of Two QTLs for Grain Number in Chinese Wheat Cultivars
Authors: Wang Junzhe , Chen Yijin , Lai Xiangjun , Liu Zihui , Liu Manshuang , Xu Shengbao
Published: October 2023

Spike traits play an important role in improving wheat yield. However, the application of reported spike-related loci remains unclear. Here, we assessed six spike-related traits across seven different environments using 406 wheat accessions. A negative correlation was observed between two components of wheat yield: thousand kernel weight (TKW) and grain number per spike (GN). Nonetheless, TKW and GN were significantly higher in modern cultivars compared to landraces. Two reliable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to GN, QGN.nwafu-4A and QGN.nwafu-7A, were identified through genome-wide associate analysis. QGN.nwafu-4A showed pleiotropy on GN, kernel number per spikelet and spike length. Both elite haplotypes of QGN.nwafu-7A were prominently present in Chinese modern cultivars, particularly those released after the year 2000. Elite haplotype A of QGN.nwafu-7A was significantly prevalent in Chinese Yellow and Huai wheat zone, while elite haplotype D of QGN.nwafu-7A was concentrated in other wheat-growing regions of China. This observation suggests distinct preferences in wheat cultivation across various agro-ecological regions. Conversely, elite haplotype A of QGN.nwafu-4A was more common in introduced cultivars from abroad. This divergence may be attributed to the reduced TKW of haplotype A. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the application of these two QTLs in high-yield wheat breeding.
Ontology-Driven Semantic Analysis of Tabular Data: An Iterative Approach with Advanced Entity Recognition
Authors: Mansurova Madina , Barakhnin Vladimir , Ospan Assel , Titkov Roman
Published: October 2023

This study focuses on the extraction and semantic analysis of data from tables, emphasizing the importance of understanding the semantics of tables to obtain useful information. The main goal was to develop a technology using the ontology for the semantic analysis of tables. An iterative algorithm has been proposed that can parse the contents of a table and determine cell types based on the ontology. The study presents an automated method for extracting data in various languages in various fields, subject to the availability of an appropriate ontology. Advanced techniques such as cosine distance search and table subject classification based on a neural network have been integrated to increase efficiency. The result is a software application capable of semantically classifying tabular data, facilitating the rapid transition of information from tables to ontologies. Rigorous testing, including 30 tables in the field of water resources and socio-economic indicators of Kazakhstan, confirmed the reliability of the algorithm. The results demonstrate high accuracy with a notable triple extraction recall of 99.4%. The use of Levenshtein distance for matching entities and ontology as a source of information was key to achieving these metrics. The study offers a promising tool for efficiently extracting data from tables.
An Assessment of the Structural Performance of Rebar-Corroded Reinforced Concrete Beam Members
Authors: Kim Hyungrae , Yang Sungchul , Noguchi Takafumi , Yoon Sangchun
Published: October 2023

This paper aims to determine the effects of local corrosion at three different corrosion areas, the (1) entire area, (2) the constant moment area, and (3) the constant shear area, on the flexural performance of RC beams. To analyze this, an experimental study was carried out to prepare two series of RC beams (200 × 300 × 2800 mm) created with three different degrees of corrosion, inducing local rebar corrosion. Furthermore, two series of experimental tests were conducted under different loading types: monotonic and cyclic loading. It was observed that the strength capacity reduction grew in the RC specimens with induced corrosion in the order of the (1) entire area > (2) the constant moment area > (3) the constant shear area, as the average corrosion rate increased. Our test results further showed that the yield and ultimate strength were kept nearly equivalent to the uncorroded RC specimen, with average corrosion rates of 10% and 15%, respectively. Over these corrosion rates, the yield strength and ultimate strength dropped significantly. Compared to the test results under a monotonic loading condition, the structural capacity under a cyclic loading condition decreased, with a more pronounced tendency for each corrosion case as the corrosion rate increased. Longitudinal cracks developed throughout and adjacent to the corrosion areas as the corrosion rate increased. Thus, we can infer that strength reductions may be strongly influenced by these longitudinal cracks.
ZnFe2O4/Zeolite Nanocomposites for Sorption Extraction of Cu2+ from Aqueous Medium
Authors: Tomina Elena , Novikova Lyudmila , Kotova Alexandra , Meshcheryakova Anna , Krupskaya Victoria , Morozov Ivan , Koroleva Tatiana , Tyupina Ekaterina , Perov Nikolai , Alekhina Yuliya
Published: October 2023

In order to enhance the efficiency of heavy metal ion extraction from aqueous medium, new nanocomposite magnetic sorbents were synthesized on the base of natural zeolite (Zt) and nanoparticles of ZnFe2O4 (F). The composition, structure and physical–chemical properties of new composites with 2% (Zt-2F), 8% (Zt-8F) and 16% (Zt-16F) of zinc ferrite were characterized by XRD, BET adsorption–desorption of nitrogen, SEM with elemental mapping, TEM and magnetometry. The sorption capacity of materials was assessed towards Cu2+ ions in aqueous solutions, for which kinetic and equilibrium features of sorption were established. The maximal sorption capacity (amax, mg/g) of the studied materials increased in the order: Zt (19.4) < Zt-2F (27.3) < Zt-8F (30.2) < Zt-16F (32.8) < ZnFe2O4 (161.3). The kinetics of the sorption process followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model. The sorption equilibrium at zinc ferrite was successfully described by the Langmuir model, while the Freundlich model better fitted the sorption equilibrium on zeolite and composites. The efficiency of Cu2+ ion extraction from 320 mg/dm3 aqueous solution was 63% for composite Zt-16F and 100% for a sample of ZnFe2O4. It was established that the proposed composite sorbents provide the operation of several cycles without regeneration, they can be easily recycled with 0.1 N HCl solution and are capable of magnetic separation. The advantages of new composites and the proposed method of synthesis allow recommending these materials as effective sorbents of heavy metals from wastewater.
Life-History and Ecological Correlates of Egg and Clutch Mass Variation in Sympatric Bird Species at High Altitude
Authors: Liu Yuxin , Du Xiaolong , Li Guopan , Liu Yingbao , Li Shaobin
Published: October 2023

The variation in egg and clutch mass in sympatric species at high altitudes is poorly understood, and the potential causes of variation are rarely investigated. This study aimed to describe the interspecific variation in avian egg and clutch mass among 22 sympatric bird species at an altitude of 3430 m. Our objective was to reduce potential confounding effects of biotic/abiotic factors and investigated hypotheses concerning allometry, clutch size, parental care, nest predation, and lifespan as possible correlates and explanations for the observed variation. Our findings indicated that both egg and clutch mass evolve with body mass across species. We found that egg mass variation was not explained by clutch size when controlling for allometric effects, which contrasts the “egg mass vs. clutch size trade-off” hypothesis. Additionally, we found that clutch mass was positively associated with parental care (reflected by development period) but negatively associated with predation rate. By substituting egg mass and clutch size into the models, we found that clutch size was significantly correlated with parental care, predation rate, and lifespan, while egg mass was only significantly associated with development period. Overall, these findings support life-history theories suggesting that reduced clutch size or mass is associated with a higher risk of predation, reduced parental care, but longer adult lifespan. Interestingly, our results indicate that clutch size has a greater influence on these factors compared to egg mass. This could be attributed to the fact that smaller clutch sizes result in a more notable decrease in energetic allocation, as they require a reduced effort in terms of offspring production, incubation, and feeding, as opposed to solely reducing egg size. These findings contribute to the growing evidence that life-history and ecological traits correlate with egg and clutch mass variation in sympatric species. However, further research is needed to explore the potential evolutionary causes underlying these patterns.
The Kinematics and Biomechanics for Non-Contiguous Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion, Cervical Disc Arthroplasty, and Hybrid Cervical Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Anastasio Albert T. , Baumann Anthony N. , Fiorentino Andrew , Sidloski Katelyn , Walley Kempland C. , Muralidharan Aditya , Conry Keegan T. , Hoffmann Jacob C.
Published: October 2023

Cervical disc degenerative disease (CDDD) is a common spinal pathology that is often treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA), and/or hybrid cervical surgery (HCS). The purpose of this first-time systematic review is to examine the biomechanical outcomes associated with three types of non-contiguous cervical surgeries—ACDF, CDA, and HCS—to provide a greater understanding of non-contiguous cervical surgical biomechanics. A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE, and Web of Science from database inception until June 6th, 2023. The inclusion criteria was any article that reported biomechanical or kinematic outcomes, outcomes for any of the three non-contiguous cervical surgeries, and human-derived and/or human cadaver subjects. A total of 5 biomechanical articles were included from a total of 523 articles. Non-contiguous two-level HCS experienced less drastic range-of-motion (ROM) changes throughout the cervical spine and decreased intervertebral disc pressure (IDP) compared to non-contiguous two-level ACDF. Non-contiguous two-level CDA resulted in more cervical ROM and less non-operative segment facet contact force compared to non-contiguous two level ACDF. There was less cephalad and caudal non-operative segment ROM in non-contiguous two-level ACDF compared to contiguous three-level ACDF.
The Importance of Optimal Hydration in Patients with Heart Failure—Not Always Too Much Fluid
Authors: Wittczak Andrzej , Ślot Maciej , Bielecka-Dabrowa Agata
Published: October 2023

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and a major public health problem. Both overhydration and dehydration are non-physiological states of the body that can adversely affect human health. Congestion and residual congestion are common in patients hospitalized for HF and are associated with poor prognosis and high rates of rehospitalization. However, the clinical problem of dehydration is also prevalent in healthcare and community settings and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This article provides a comprehensive review of the issue of congestion and dehydration in HF, including HF guidelines, possible causes of dehydration in HF, confirmed and potential new diagnostic methods. In particular, a full database search on the relationship between dehydration and HF was performed and all available evidence in the literature was reviewed. The novel hypothesis of chronic subclinical hypohydration as a modifiable risk factor for HF is also discussed. It is concluded that maintaining euvolemia is the cornerstone of HF management. Physicians have to find a balance between decongestion therapy and the risk of dehydration.
The Effects of Prenatal Pravastatin Treatment in the Rabbit Fetal Growth Restriction Model
Authors: Zapletalova Katerina , Valenzuela Ignacio , Greyling Marnel , Regin Yannick , Frigolett Cristian , Krofta Ladislav , Deprest Jan , van der Merwe Johannes
Published: October 2023

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) remains without an effective prenatal treatment. Evidence from murine FGR models suggests a beneficial effect of prenatal pravastatin. Since the rabbit hemodichorial placenta more closely resembles the human condition, we investigated the effects of prenatal maternal pravastatin administration in the rabbit FGR model. At a gestational age of 25 days (term 31d), pregnant dams underwent partial uteroplacental vessel ligation (UPVL) in one uterine horn to induce FGR, leaving the other horn as a control. Dams were randomized to either receive 5 mg/kg/d pravastatin dissolved in their drinking water or normal drinking water until delivery. At GA 30d, the rabbits were delivered and were divided into four groups: control without pravastatin (C/NoPrav), FGR without pravastatin (FGR/NoPrav), FGR with pravastatin (FGR/Prav), and controls with pravastatin (C/Prav). The newborn rabbits underwent pulmonary functional assessment and neurobehavioral assessment, and they were harvested for alveolar morphometry or neuropathology. The placentas underwent histology examination and RNA expression. Birth weight was lower in the FGR groups (FGR/Prav, FGR/NoPrav), but there was no difference between FGR/Prav and C/NoPrav. No differences were noted in placental zone proportions, but eNOS in FGR/Prav placentas and VEGFR-2 in FGR/Prav and C/Prav were upregulated. There were no differences in pulmonary function assessment and alveolar morphometry. FGR/Prav kittens had increased neurosensory scores, but there were no differences in neuromotor tests, neuron density, apoptosis, and astrogliosis. In conclusion, in the rabbit FGR model, pravastatin upregulated the expression of VEGFR-2 and eNOS in FGR placentas and was associated with higher neurosensory scores, without measurable effects on birthweight, pulmonary function and morphology, and neuron density.
Principles of Palliative and Supportive Care in Pancreatic Cancer: A Review
Authors: Mazur Robert , Trna Jan
Published: October 2023

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is well known for its poor survival time. Clinical symptoms are painless jaundice or abdominal or back pain. Less specific symptoms often appear that make diagnosis difficult, e.g., weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and general weakness. Only 10–20% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage. A cure is practically only possible with a radical surgical operation. In the case of locally advanced findings, neoadjuvant therapy is administered. Among the therapeutic options offered are chemotherapy, radiotherapy (including stereotactic radiotherapy—SBRT), targeted treatment, or immunotherapy. In the case of metastatic disease, of which more than half are present at diagnosis, the goal is to relieve the patient of problems. Metastatic PDAC can cause problems arising from the localization of distant metastases, but it also locally affects the organs it infiltrates. In our review article, we focus on the largest group of patients, those with locally advanced disease and metastatic disease—symptoms related to the infiltration or destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma and the growth of the tumor into the surrounding. Therefore, we deal with biliary or duodenal obstruction, gastric outlet syndrome, bleeding and thromboembolic diseases, pain, depression, and fatigue, as well as pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and malnutrition. Metastatic spread is most often to the liver, peritoneum, or lungs. The presented overview aims to offer current therapeutic options across disciplines. In accordance with modern oncology, a multidisciplinary approach with a procedure tailored to the specific patient remains the gold standard.
Clinical Implication of PD-L1 Expression in Patients with Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Kim Yeorae , Aiob Ala , Kim Hyojin , Suh Dong Hoon , Kim Kidong , Kim Yong Beom , No Jae Hong
Published: October 2023

This study investigated PD-L1 expression in endometrial cancer, its links with prognostic factors, and survival outcomes in 232 patients. Of these, 73 (31.5%) had PD-L1-positive tumors and 159 (68.5%) had PD-L1-negative tumors. PD-L1 expression significantly correlated with adverse prognostic factors. The PD-L1-positive group had higher rates of high-grade tumors (37.0% vs. 19.1%, p = 0.004), deep myometrial invasion (35.6% vs. 24.4%, p = 0.004), lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (39.7% vs. 25.6%, p = 0.023), and lymph node metastasis (7.2% vs. 17.1%, p = 0.024) than the PD-L1-negative group. While 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) favored the PD-L1-negative group (94.1% vs. 86.3%), this difference lacked statistical significance (p = 0.139). No significant variations emerged in overall survival (OS) (p = 0.596) or recurrence rates between the groups. Although outcomes lack statistical significance, they suggest a plausible link between PD-L1 and established adverse prognostic factors, such as histological grade, myometrial invasion depth, LVSI, and lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer. These insights hint at PD-L1’s potential as an informal prognostic indicator, potentially aiding in endometrial cancer patient management.
Is Pulmonary Involvement a Distinct Phenotype of Post-COVID-19?
Authors: Bartczak Krystian T. , Miłkowska-Dymanowska Joanna , Pietrusińska Małgorzata , Kumor-Kisielewska Anna , Stańczyk Adam , Majewski Sebastian , Piotrowski Wojciech J. , Lipiński Cezary , Wawrocki Sebastian , Białas Adam J.
Published: October 2023

(1) Background: COVID-19 infection often provokes symptoms lasting many months: most commonly fatigue, dyspnea, myalgia and mental distress symptoms. In this study, we searched for clinical features of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) and differences between patients with and without pulmonary involvement. (2) Methods: A total of 282 patients with a mean age of 57 years (SD +/− 12 years) underwent assessment up to 12 weeks after COVID-19 recovery. The course of acute disease, past medical history and clinical symptoms were gathered; pulmonary function tests were performed; radiographic studies were assessed and follow-up examinations were conducted. Patients with and without detectable pulmonary lesions were divided into separate groups. (3) Results: Patients within the pulmonary group were more often older (59 vs. 51 y.o.; p < 0.001) males (p = 0.002) that underwent COVID-19-related hospitalization (p < 0.001) and were either ex- or active smokers with the median of 20 pack-years. We also managed to find correlations with hypertension (p = 0.01), liver failure (p = 0.03), clinical symptoms such as dyspnea (p < 0.001), myalgia (p = 0.04), headache (p = 0.009), sleeplessness (p = 0.046), pulmonary function tests (such as FVC, TLCO, RV and TLC; p < 0.001) and several basic laboratory tests (D-dimer, cardiac troponin, WBC, creatinine and others). (4) Conclusions: Our results indicate that initial pulmonary involvement alters the PCC, and it can be used to individualize clinical approaches.
The Role of Autophagy in Brain Tumors
Authors: D’Orazi Gabriella
Published: October 2023

Primary and metastatic brain tumors are among the most threatening diseases worldwide [...]
MYCN Amplifications and Metabolic Rewiring in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Pouliou Marialena , Koutsi Marianna A. , Champezou Lydia , Giannopoulou Angeliki-Ioanna , Vatsellas Giannis , Piperi Christina , Agelopoulos Marios
Published: October 2023

Cancer is a disease caused by (epi)genomic and gene expression abnormalities and characterized by metabolic phenotypes that are substantially different from the normal phenotypes of the tissues of origin. Metabolic reprogramming is one of the key features of tumors, including those established in the human nervous system. In this work, we emphasize a well-known cancerous genomic alteration: the amplification of MYCN and its downstream effects in neuroblastoma phenotype evolution. Herein, we extend our previous computational biology investigations by conducting an integrative workflow applied to published genomics datasets and comprehensively assess the impact of MYCN amplification in the upregulation of metabolism-related transcription factor (TF)-encoding genes in neuroblastoma cells. The results obtained first emphasized overexpressed TFs, and subsequently those committed in metabolic cellular processes, as validated by gene ontology analyses (GOs) and literature curation. Several genes encoding for those TFs were investigated at the mechanistic and regulatory levels by conducting further omics-based computational biology assessments applied on published ChIP-seq datasets retrieved from MYCN-amplified- and MYCN-enforced-overexpression within in vivo systems of study. Hence, we approached the mechanistic interrelationship between amplified MYCN and overexpression of metabolism-related TFs in neuroblastoma and showed that many are direct targets of MYCN in an amplification-inducible fashion. These results illuminate how MYCN executes its regulatory underpinnings on metabolic processes in neuroblastoma.
Interventional Radiotherapy in Gynecological Cancer
Authors: Rovirosa Angeles , Arenas Meritxell , Tagliaferri Luca
Published: October 2023

This special issue of “Cancers” explores unusual and very particular aspects of interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) in gynecological cancer [...]
SLAM Modification as an Immune-Modulatory Therapeutic Approach in Cancer
Authors: Tojjari Alireza , Giles Francis J. , Vilbert Maysa , Saeed Anwaar , Cavalcante Ludimila
Published: October 2023

In the field of oncology, the Signaling Lymphocyte Activation Molecule (SLAM) family is emerging as pivotal in modulating immune responses within tumor environments. The SLAM family comprises nine receptors, mainly found on immune cell surfaces. These receptors play complex roles in the interaction between cancer and the host immune system. Research suggests SLAM’s role in both enhancing and dampening tumor-immune responses, influencing the progression and treatment outcomes of various cancers. As immunotherapy advances, resistance remains an issue. The nuanced roles of the SLAM family might provide answers. With the rise in technologies like single-cell RNA sequencing and advanced imaging, there is potential for precise SLAM-targeted treatments. This review stresses patient safety, the importance of thorough clinical trials, and the potential of SLAM-focused therapies to transform cancer care. In summary, SLAM’s role in oncology signals a new direction for more tailored and adaptable cancer treatments.
Preoperative Serum Levels of PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, TGF-α, EGF and ANG-2 in the Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Kozłowski Mateusz , Borzyszkowska Dominika , Mirko Justyna , Turoń-Skrzypińska Agnieszka , Piotrowska Katarzyna , Tołoczko-Grabarek Aleksandra , Kwiatkowski Sebastian , Tarnowski Maciej , Rotter Iwona , Cymbaluk-Płoska Aneta
Published: October 2023

(1) Background: It is relevant to find new diagnostic biomarkers for endometrial cancer. This study aimed to investigate whether PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, TGF-α, EGF and ANG-2 could be considered new useful markers for diagnosis and survival of endometrial cancer. (2) Methods: A total of 93 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer (EC) and 66 patients with non-cancerous endometrial lesions (NCEL) were included in this study. (3) Results: Median serum levels of PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, TGF-α, EGF and ANG-2 were significantly higher in the EC group compared to the NCEL group (for PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, TGF-α and ANG-2, p = 0.0000; for EGF, p = 0.0186). The cut-off level of PDGF-AB was set at 127.69 pg/mL with a sensitivity of 87.1% and a specificity of 66.67% (AUC = 0.78, p < 0.000001). The cut-off level of PDGF-BB was set at 207.86 ng/L with a sensitivity of 82.8% and a specificity of 75.76% (AUC = 0.85, p < 0.000001). The cut-off level of TGF-α was set at 33.85 ng/L with a sensitivity of 82.8% and a specificity of 75.76% (AUC = 0.82, p < 0.000001). The cut-off level of EGF was set at 934.76 pg/mL with a sensitivity of 83.87% and a specificity of 28.79% (AUC = 0.61, p = 0.018472). The cut-off level of ANG-2 was set at 3120.68 pg/mL with a sensitivity of 72.04% and a specificity of 93.94% (AUC = 0.87, p < 0.000001). (4) Conlusion: It was concluded that all the proteins studied could be potential diagnostic markers in endometrial cancer.
Taxifolin Inhibits the Growth of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer via Downregulating Genes Displaying Novel and Robust Associations with Immune Evasion Factors
Authors: Lin Xiaozeng , Dong Ying , Gu Yan , Wei Fengxiang , Peng Jingyi , Su Yingying , Wang Yanjun , Yang Chengzhi , Neira Sandra Vega , Kapoor Anil , Tang Damu
Published: October 2023

Using an LL2 cell-based syngeneic mouse LC model, taxifolin suppressed allografts along with the appearance of 578 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These DEGs were associated with enhancement of processes related to the extracellular matrix and lymphocyte chemotaxis as well as the reduction in pathways relevant to cell proliferation. From these DEGs, we formulated 12-gene (TxflSig) and 7-gene (TxflSig1) panels; both predicted response to ICB (immune checkpoint blockade) therapy more effectively in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than numerous well-established ICB biomarkers, including PD-L1. In both panels, the mouse counterparts of ITGAL, ITGAX, and TMEM119 genes were downregulated by taxifolin. They were strongly associated with immune suppression in LC, evidenced by their robust correlations with the major immunosuppressive cell types (MDSC, Treg, and macrophage) and multiple immune checkpoints in NSCLC and across multiple human cancer types. ITGAL, ITGAX, and IIT (ITGAL-ITGAX-TMEM119) effectively predicted NSCLC’s response to ICB therapy; IIT stratified the mortality risk of NSCLC. The stromal expressions of ITGAL and ITGAX, together with tumor expression of TMEM119 in NSCLC, were demonstrated. Collectively, we report multiple novel ICB biomarkers—TxflSig, TxflSig1, IIT, ITGAL, and ITGAX—and taxifolin-derived attenuation of immunosuppressive activities in NSCLC, suggesting the inclusion of taxifolin in ICB therapies for NSCLC.
The Risk of Colorectal Polyps after Weight Loss Therapy Versus Obesity: A Propensity-Matched Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Hussan Hisham , McLaughlin Eric , Chiang Chienwei , Marsano Joseph G. , Lieberman David
Published: October 2023

Background: A fundamental understanding of the impact of bariatric surgery (BRS) on mechanisms of colorectal carcinogenesis is limited. For instance, studies report a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in females but not in males after BRS. We examined whether this sex-specific difference existed at the earlier polyp development stage. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 281,417 adults from the 2012–2020 MarketScan database. We compared polyps rates on colonoscopy in four groups: post- vs. pre-BRS (treatment) to post- vs. pre-severe obesity (SO) diagnosis (control). We focused our main analysis on a propensity-matched sample that yielded a balanced distribution of covariates in our four groups (n = 9680 adults, 21.9% males). We also adjusted for important covariates. Results: Metabolic syndrome parameters improved after bariatric surgery and worsened after severe obesity diagnosis (p < 0.05). The rate of polyps was 46.7% at a median of 0.5 years pre-BRS and 47.9% at a median of 0.6 years pre-SO diagnosis. The polyps rate was 45.4% at a median (range) of 3.2 (1.0–8.5) years post-BRS. Conversely, 53.8% of adults had polyps at 3.0 (1.0–8.6) years post-SO. There was no change in the risk of colorectal polyps in males or females post- vs. pre-BRS. However, the risk of polyps was higher in males (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.02–1.70) and females (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.13–1.47) post- vs. pre-SO. When compared to the control group (SO), the odds ratios for colorectal polyps were lower for males and females after bariatric surgery (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44–0.90, and OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66–0.96, respectively). Conclusions: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of colorectal polyps, an effect that is ameliorated after bariatric surgery. These data are relevant for studies investigating colorectal carcinogenesis mechanisms.
PACS-Integrated Tools for Peritumoral Edema Volumetrics Provide Additional Information to RANO-BM-Based Assessment of Lung Cancer Brain Metastases after Stereotactic Radiotherapy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Cassinelli Petersen Gabriel , Jekel Leon , von Reppert Marc , Varghese Sunitha , Dixe de Oliveira Santo Irene , Avesta Arman , Aneja Sanjay , Omuro Antonio , Chiang Veronica , Aboian Mariam
Published: October 2023

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is the standard of care treatment for brain metastases (METS) today. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding of how posttreatment lesional volumetric changes may assist prediction of lesional outcome. This is partly due to the paucity of volumetric segmentation tools. Edema alone can cause significant clinical symptoms and, therefore, needs independent study along with standard measurements of contrast-enhancing tumors. In this study, we aimed to compare volumetric changes of edema to RANO-BM-based measurements of contrast-enhancing lesion size. Patients with NSCLC METS ≥10 mm on post-contrast T1-weighted image and treated with SRT had measurements for up to seven follow-up scans using a PACS-integrated tool segmenting the peritumoral FLAIR hyperintense volume. Two-dimensional contrast-enhancing and volumetric edema changes were compared by creating treatment response curves. Fifty NSCLC METS were included in the study. The initial median peritumoral edema volume post-SRT relative to pre-SRT baseline was 37% (IQR 8–114%). Most of the lesions with edema volume reduction post-SRT experienced no increase in edema during the study. In over 50% of METS, the pattern of edema volume change was different than the pattern of contrast-enhancing lesion change at different timepoints, which was defined as incongruent. Lesions demonstrating incongruence at the first follow-up were more likely to progress subsequently. Therefore, edema assessment of METS post-SRT provides critical additional information to RANO-BM.