bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypoalbuminemia and Nutritional Status in Children With Cancer
Authors: McLean Thomas W. , Shah Natasha S. , Barr Ronald D. , Tooze Janet A.
Published: November 2024

Background

In children with cancer, poor nutritional status adversely affects outcomes. Hypoalbuminemia is common in pediatric oncology patients, and in some groups is associated with inferior survival rates. We sought to determine if serum albumin associates with body mass index (BMI) percentile and if combining serum albumin and BMI is associated with survival.

Methods

We performed a single institution, retrospective review of pediatric oncology patients and collected data regarding baseline BMI, serum albumin, and survival outcome. Combining baseline BMI and serum albumin, we classified patients’ nutritional status as adequately nourished, mildly/moderately depleted, and severely depleted.

Results

In a cohort of 490 pediatric oncology patients, hypoalbuminemia prevalence was 49%. Serum albumin did not associate with BMI percentile for age. Overall, those defined as severely depleted had an increased risk of relapse or death at 3 and 6 months from chemotherapy initiation compared with those defined as adequately nourished (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.37, 95% CI 1.29–4.37 at 3 months, p = 0.006; HR = 1.77, CI 1.11–2.82 at 6 months, p = 0.017). Statistical analyses suggest the inferior survival in those deemed severely depleted was primarily driven by hypoalbuminemia rather than BMI.

Conclusions

In this cohort of pediatric oncology patients, serum albumin did not correlate with BMI. Severe hypoalbuminemia is an adverse prognostic factor. Baseline BMI had a minimal impact on relapse‐free survival and overall survival, independently or in combination with hypoalbuminemia.
Molecular mechanisms of hepatic lipid metabolism disorders: Focus on mitochondrial quality control
Authors: Yu Jiachi , Huang Jia , Xia Tian , Li Mianyang , Li Ruibing
Published: November 2024

Alcohol‐associated liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the two predominant forms of chronic liver disease worldwide. Regardless of alcohol consumption, patients with NAFLD and ALD exhibit disturbances in lipid metabolism, progressing from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and ultimately cirrhosis. The precise mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of NAFLD and ALD remain unclear. However, numerous studies have highlighted mitochondrial dysfunction as a hallmark of both diseases. Beyond their canonical metabolic function, mitochondria could influence hepatocytes through oxidative stress, intracellular signaling transduction, inflammation, and cell death, all of which are regulated by the mitochondrial quality control (MQC) system. Abnormalities in MQC, including defective mitophagy, erroneous mitochondrial dynamics, and delayed biogenesis, comprise mitochondrial morphological structure, function, and lifespan, resulting in hepatocyte damage. This review explores the involvement of MQC in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and ALD and identifies promising therapeutic targets aimed at enhancing MQC, potentially alleviating metabolic liver disease.
Electrical and Optical Properties of hBN Capped MoTe2 Monolayers Fabricated by Gold‐Mediated Exfoliation
Authors: Yoshimura Taku , Shigeno Hiroshi , Yamamura Rikuto , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Hoshi Yusuke
Published: November 2024

This study focuses on the electrical and optical properties of monolayer MoTe2 (1L‐MoTe2) flakes fabricated via gold‐mediated exfoliation, and it is demonstrated that this technique applies to the development of 1L‐MoTe2 channel field‐effect transistors (FETs). The average area of the gold‐exfoliated flakes is larger than that of conventional tape exfoliation. While the samples without an hBN cap layer are easily oxidized by atmospheric exposure for 1 day, increasing the number of nonradiative recombination centers, the surface oxidation of 1L‐MoTe2 can be suppressed by the deposition of the hBN cap layer. The transfer characteristics of the 1L‐MoTe2 channel FETs show clear ambipolar behavior and excellent switching properties, with an on/off ratio of 105. It is shown that graphite/1L‐MoTe2 junctions form a Schottky barrier with an energy of 280 meV, consistent with the theoretical value. By lowering the vacuum level, the gate voltage at the conductivity minimum point shifts to a negative value and the subthreshold swing decreases, implying a reduction in the interfacial trapped charge density due to the physisorption of O2/H2O molecules. These results demonstrate that the electrical properties of gold‐exfoliated 1L‐MoTe2 strongly depend on the environmental conditions.
Kinetic Parameters Analysis of GdAlO3 Based on Thermoluminescent Phenomenon
Authors: Nolasco‐Altamirano Daniel , Alonso‐Sotolongo Alejandro , Benavente‐Cuevas José Francisco , García‐Salcedo Ricardo , García‐Gardunño Olivia Amanda , Zarate‐Medina J. , Correcher Virgilio , Rivera‐Montalvo Teodoro
Published: November 2024

Herein, it is reported on calculating thermoluminescence (TL) kinetic parameters determined from the TL emission of synthetic GdAlO3 (GAO) phosphors prepared by the coprecipitation method. The sample characterized employing X‐ray diffraction with an orthorhombic phase structure (space group Pnma (62)) shows complex glow curves consisting of at least four groups of components peaked at 100, 140, 240, and 290 °C where the two lower overlapped temperature peaks are difficult to identify using the TM‐Tstop. The coexistence of a continuum in the trap distribution (linked to the lower temperature peaks) and a discrete trap system (associated with the components at temperatures higher than 200 °C) can be distinguished. The estimation of the TL kinetic parameters is performed using GlowFit, computing glow curve deconvolution (CGCD), and various heating rate methods. However, only CGCD appears as the suitable technique for such purpose since it provides information on the TL physical process supported by mathematical models based on a linear combination of functions related to the first order kinetic approach.
A Novel Three‐Dimensional Star Structure with Stable Negative Poisson's Ratio
Authors: Wang Ao , He Baofeng , Huang Qian , Lin Jiachun , Shi Zhaoyao
Published: November 2024

The concave star structure is a typical negative Poisson's ratio structure which reduces the volume of the structure through mechanical compression. Usually, the parameters of the structure such as wall thickness, bevel angle, and size affect the strength, stiffness, and energy absorption characteristics of the structure. This study designs a novel 3D star‐shaped structure with a negative Poisson's ratio. Through finite element method simulation and mechanical experiments, the influence of relevant parameters on the strength, stiffness, and Poisson's ratio of the overall structure is explored, and the deformation mode, load‐bearing capacity, and energy absorption capacity of the structure under quasistatic compression conditions are systematically studied, and structural parameters with good mechanical properties are finally obtained. The unit cell of the proposed structure has higher strength and specific energy absorption, and the proposed star‐shaped structure shows a stable negative Poisson's ratio phenomenon after array combination compared with the traditional star‐shaped structure. The structure designed in this research has both high strength and stiffness, as well as good buffering and high energy‐absorbing potential, to prevent structural fracture under limited compression distance, which may have broad application prospects in the field of protective structures.
Skewness‐Corrected Confidence Intervals for Predictive Values in Enrichment Studies
Authors: Zhang Dadong , Wang Jingye , Cai Suqin , Surtihadi Johan
Published: November 2024

The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) can be expressed as functions of disease prevalence () and the ratios of two binomial proportions (), where and . In prospective studies, where the proportion of subjects with the disease in the study cohort is an unbiased estimate of the disease prevalence, the confidence intervals (CIs) of PPV and NPV can be estimated using established methods for single proportion. However, in enrichment studies, such as case–control studies, where the proportion of diseased subjects significantly differs from disease prevalence, estimating CIs for PPV and NPV remains a challenge in terms of skewness and overall coverage, especially under extreme conditions (e.g., ). In this article, we extend the method adopted by Li, where CIs for PPV and NPV were derived from those of . We explored additional CI methods for , including those by Gart & Nam (GN), MoverJ, and Walter and convert their corresponding CIs for PPV and NPV. Through simulations, we compared these methods with established CI methods, Fieller, Pepe, and Delta in terms of skewness and overall coverage. While no method proves universally optimal, GN and MoverJ methods generally emerge as recommended choices.
C4H7+ System on Zeolite Y: The Relative Stability Among Ionic Carbocations and Covalent Alkoxides
Authors: Rosenbach Nilton , Chagas Henrique C. , Mota Claudio J. A.
Published: November 2024

The hybrid ONIOM(PBE1PBE/6‐31(d,p):MNDO) method of calculation was used to study the C4H7+ system on zeolite Y. The calculations involved the ionic bicyclobutonium and cyclopropylcarbinyl cations and the alkoxides (allylcarbinyl, cyclobutyl, and cyclopropylcarbinyl), which are covalently bonded to the zeolite framework. The structures of the carbocations are similar to the computed structures in the gas phase; the main differences in geometry are associated with the interaction of the cations with the zeolite framework. The results indicated that the bicyclobutonium cation is more stable than the cyclopropylcarbinyl cation due to stronger hydrogen bond interactions with the oxygen atoms of the zeolite structure. On the other hand, the alkoxides are lower in energy than the ionic carbocation, but the energy gap significantly decreases upon treating the system at ONIOM(MP2(FULL)/6‐31(d,p):PBE1PBE/6‐31(d,p)) level, indicating that long‐range effects are important in the stabilization of ionic species within the zeolite cage.
Harnessing the Interface Effect of Ru/CeO2 Heterostructures for Enhanced Hydrogen Electrocatalysis in Freshwater and Seawater Electrolysis
Authors: Qi Fangbing , Qin Xiaoyan , Wang Jianquan , Yang Xiaodong , Sun Yiqiang , Li Cuncheng
Published: November 2024

Direct seawater electrolysis confronts pivotal challenges in both catalytic efficiency and process engineering domains. Herein, a metal hybridization strategy is proposed for crafting an HER catalyst featuring Ru nanoparticles anchored on the surface of CeO2 and integrated with conductive carbon (Ru/CeO2/C). Ru/CeO2/C heterostructure catalyst exhibits remarkable electrocatalytic prowess towards HER, manifesting overpotentials of merely 30 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH, surpassing the performance of commercial Pt/C. Notably, the overpotentials escalate to 41 and 338 mV respectively, in environments of 1 M KOH supplemented with 0.5 M NaCl and 3.5% NaCl. Meanwhile, Ru/CeO2/C || RuO2 exhibits 1.68 V at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline seawater for overall water splitting. Experimental data underscores the Ru‐CeO2 interface's pivotal role in modulating charge, intensifying electronic coupling, and refining adsorption/desorption energies. High surface area carbon integration amplifies activity, stability, and kinetics via robust interfacial dynamics, yielding the Ru/CeO2/C heterostructure catalyst's remarkable hydrogen production efficiency in alkaline and seawater media. This work may provide new options for the design and preparation of potential HER directly used seawater electrocatalysts.
Bis(phenylsulfonyl)sulfide as a Bifunctional Single‐Sulfur Source for the Rapid Assembly of Unsymmetric Diaryl Sulfides Enabled by Copper Catalyst
Authors: Wang Jianbo , Zhou Yong , Huang Chaoqun , Pang Huailin , Huang Pengmian
Published: November 2024

Rapid access to unsymmetrical diaryl sulfides through a bifunctional single‐sulfur source is a very attractive strategy. Here we report the utilization of bis(phenylsulfonyl)sulfide as a bielectrophilic sulfide platform molecule for chemoselective and sequential installation of two different aryl nucleophiles by twice copper‐catalyzed Chan–Lam‐type cross couplings to access diverse unsymmetrical diaryl sulfides. This strategy demonstrates good tolerance to a wide range of aryl boronic acids under different metal catalysts, good functional group compatibility, as well as the extension to the modification of complex bioactive molecules.
Formation of Laves Phase and Its Effect on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti8Zr6Nb4V5Crx Lightweight High‐Entropy Alloys
Authors: Xu Qin , Guo Chengyuan , Wang Qi , Cai Yanhui , Yin Yajun , Chen Ruirun
Published: November 2024

To investigate effects of Cr on mechanical properties of lightweight high‐entropy alloys (LHEA) and enhance mechanical properties of alloys, Ti8Zr6Nb4V5Crx LHEAs are prepared by vacuum nonconsumable arc melting. Effects of Cr on phase constitution, microstructure characteristics, and mechanical properties of LHEAs are investigated. In the results, it is shown that addition of Cr into Ti8Zr6Nb4V5 LHEAs leads to phase transition from body‐centered cubic (BCC)2 to C15 Laves. Dimensional size of BCC phase first increases and then decreases while volume fraction of C15 Laves phase shows opposite trend with increasing of Cr. Phases are greatly refined when Cr content is 4 at%, and average grain size of LW‐Cr4 alloy is the smallest of 10.7 μm. Moreover, density of alloys increases slightly and strength of the alloys increases significantly by adding varying Cr content. Compressive strength and yield strength of alloys show first increase and then decrease with addition of Cr, and those of LW‐Cr2 alloy reach maximum of 2326.3 and 2046.1 MPa, respectively. LW‐Cr1 alloy shows excellent comprehensive mechanical properties with compressive strength of 1963.8 MPa and fracture strain of 23.5%. Strengthening of the alloy is directly related to increase of BCC phase, precipitation of high‐strength C15 Laves phase, and solid‐solution strengthening of Cr atoms.
Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia: Report of 82 Patients and Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Kaze Edeline , Baldin Pamela , Piessevaux Hubert , Dahlqvist Géraldine
Published: November 2024

Background

Data about the clinical significance and outcome of patients with nodular regenerative hyperplasia are limited.

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and histopathological characteristics of patients with nodular regenerative hyperplasia and compare our findings with the literature.

Methods

From January 2015 to March 2021, patients with a diagnosis of nodular regenerative hyperplasia were included. They were extracted from the database of the pathology department of Cliniques universitaires Saint‐Luc. Clinical and histological data were retrospectively recorded and complications of portal hypertension and mortality were analyzed. We also performed a systematic review of the literature.

Results

Eighty‐two histology‐proven nodular regenerative hyperplasia were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 58 ± 14 years. At least one clinical sign of portal hypertension was present in 37 patients (45%), and liver tissue sampling was performed for 29 of them for evaluation of portal hypertension. Conversely, nodular regenerative hyperplasia was an incidental discovery in 27 patients (33%), mostly after liver resection for metastasis (n = 15) or protocol biopsy in liver‐transplanted patients (n = 9). The 5‐year liver‐related mortality was 5%. The 5‐year non‐liver‐related mortality was 20%. Patients diagnosed by clinical suspicion (n = 55) were compared to patients diagnosed incidentally (n = 27). Patients with an incidental diagnosis had more frequently a condition associated with nodular regenerative hyperplasia than patients diagnosed clinically (93% vs. 66%, p = 0.008) and they developed significantly lower liver‐related complications (4% vs. 27%, p = 0.01). A systematic review allowed us to compare our patients with 10 case series in the literature.

Conclusion

The clinical spectrum of patients with nodular regenerative hyperplasia is heterogeneous, including patients with clinical liver manifestations and patients diagnosed incidentally who could remain free of liver‐related complications. This suggests that nodular regenerative hyperplasia could be a histological epiphenomenon as well as a clinical entity.
Ethical Considerations in Complications of Surgical Procedures
Authors: Mehdorn H. Maximilian , Mehdorn Anne-Sophie
Published: November 2024

Surgical procedures carry certain risks of complications, which need to be considered and discussed when any procedure is suggested to a patient. In this article, some ethical problems will be discussed concerning the communication of problems after they have occurred. Some clinical case studies will serve to clarify the need for having standards of ethical behavior, even in difficult situations. Further information will be given from experience gained from a medicolegal commission for malpractice complaints.
Unexpected Complications Following Accidental Petrosal Vein Damage during Standard Retrosigmoid Surgery for a Large Vestibular Schwannoma: Introspection and Lessons Learned
Authors: Nair Suresh , Shrivastava Adesh , Nair Anirudh , Mishra Rakesh
Published: November 2024

We present the case of a patient with a vestibular schwannoma (VS) who developed vascular complications following surgery and discuss the potential mechanisms. Additionally, we systematically searched the literature to identify citations on vascular and brain stem complications following VS surgery. We excluded the articles related to facial and vestibulocochlear nerve–related complications and other complications, such as headache, tinnitus, and ataxia. We also excluded the articles related to recurrent vestibular schwannoma because our article focuses on primary VS surgery–related complications due to vascular injury. We have clearly come a long way in managing vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery over the past century. In the early twentieth century, VS surgery entailed high morbidity and mortality. The principles of microneurosurgery have improved the outcomes of surgery on VSs to a great extent. The current concept in modern VS surgery is maximal safe resection with minimal complications and minimal cranial nerve deficits. The management of VS has undergone a paradigm shift from reducing mortality to facial nerve preservation and the preservation of hearing. Surgery of the cerebellopontine (CP) angle requires a unique skill set and is a craft in that any iatrogenic damage can have devastating results on the neurovascular structures and brain stem in the vicinity. As with other neurosurgical procedures, the goal of VS surgery is to minimize complications, but complications are always possible, from the positioning of the patient under general anaesthesia to complications during the various steps of VS surgery. In spite of advancements in surgical techniques and better illumination provided by modern high-end microscopes, the surgical removal of large and giant vestibular schwannomas with good preservation of facial nerve function continues to be one of the most challenging operations in modern neurosurgery. The complexity of operating on the vestibular schwannoma is attributable not only to the difficult anatomy in the CP angle but also to the presence of multiple vital neurovascular structures and the brain stem in the vicinity. The various complications arising out of surgery for vestibular schwannomas range from one or more cranial nerve deficits to life-endangering complications associated with vascular and/or brain stem damage. The senior author, who has a personal experience with consecutively operating on 835 such cases of large and giant vestibular schwannoma, describes the clinical course following petrosal vein damage to a patient who underwent a standard retrosigmoid operation for a large vestibular schwannoma. We retrospectively analyse the critical management issues that could have reduced the unexpected morbidity resulting in a prolonged hospital stay.
The Naked Neurosurgeon and the Anatomy of a Complication
Authors: Pande Anil , Ghosh Siddhartha , Krishna Kumar G.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The neurosurgeon is always poised precariously between the operation and the abyss of a complication. As Wilder Penfield sagaciously wrote in 1961, “I will faithfully record and analyze my failures in the care of the sick, seeking the cause, so that those who follow may be warned of the danger.”

Aim

This paper seeks to briefly overview the literature on complications in surgery, neurosurgery in particular.

Materials and Method

Progress in our specialty has been accomplished by the overcoming of complications via technique or technology. Dr. Samer Nashef commented sarcastically that surgeons are not, as a general rule, well known for their rapacious appetite for reading. But knowing the literature on complications from our field and others is essential for progress. We must know the anatomy of complications to avoid and manage them.

In 1992, Michael Apuzzo published his magnus opus, Brain surgery: Complication avoidance and management, which was admirably followed by Edward Benzel’s edited work Spine surgery: Techniques, complication avoidance and management, setting standards in the science of complication avoidance and management in 1999 for years to come. In 2001, Crossing the quality chasm: A new health system for the twenty-first century was published in the United States by the Institute of Medicine. Lucian Leape (a pediatric and thoracic surgeon) published Error in Medicine in JAMA in December 1994, and in 1991, he published the Harvard Medical Practice Study, defining essential terms like adverse event and negligence. Atul Gawande, a general surgeon at Harvard University, wrote “The Bell Curve: What happens when patients find out how good their doctors really are,” in the New Yorker on December 6, 2004; he went on to pen Complications—A surgeon’s notes on an imperfect science in 2002 and Better: A surgeon’s notes on performance in 2007; and he peaked with his classic The Checklist Manifesto—How to get things right in 2009. In 2015, The Naked Surgeon—The power and peril of transparency in medicine appeared. Written by a cardiothoracic surgeon, Samer Nashef, the book takes the study of complication avoidance to a different level and describes how cardiac surgery blazed the trail in quality monitoring and improvement, leaving no scope for other specialties but to follow. The era of the naked neurosurgeon may be beginning anytime.

Conclusion

Ever since E. C. Pearce delivered the 34th Rovenstine lecture, 40 years behind the mask—Safety revisited, in 1996, the literature on complication avoidance and management has been growing exponentially. Cross-specialty discourse and the exchange of ideas are essential for neurosurgery to maintain its position as the emperor of all specialties.
Effect of Staphylococcal Decolonization Regime on Post-Craniotomy Meningitis
Authors: Gupta Ankush , Rajshekhar Vedantam
Published: November 2024

Post craniotomy meningitis (PCM), an uncommon complication following craniotomy can be categorized as either bacterial meningitis (BM) or aseptic meningitis (AM) based on the results of CSF culture. Staph. aureus is a common causative organism. Some patients who are nasal carriers of these organisms have been shown to be at a higher risk of acquiring surgical site infections (SSI) following general or gynecological surgeries. Staphylococcal decolonization regime (SDR), using chlorhexidine gluonate (CHG) showers and application of mupirocin ointment to the anterior nares, is an attempt to reduce the load of these bacteria in a patient prior to surgery. SDR targeted at those proven to be nasal carriers of staphylococcal bacteria, has shown to reduce SSI following general surgery, gynecological surgery and cardio-thoracic surgery. However, its effectiveness in reducing PCM has been poorly investigated. In a review of the literature on the use of SDR in patients undergoing craniotomy, we found only one study where the authors used CHG showers but in a non-targeted fashion (all patients rather than only carriers). They showed a reduction in the incidence of both AM and BM following craniotomy compared to historical controls, but the study had a confounder in the form of a change of the prophylactic antibiotic used. While there is no high quality evidence that SDR is effective in reducing PCM, its relatively low cost, easy implementation and few and mild side effects, would make it attractive to adopt in patients undergoing craniotomy.
Recurrent Symptomatic Cage Migration After Minimally Invasive L4-5 TLIF
Authors: Turel Mazda K. , Meshram Bhushan
Published: November 2024

A 70-year-old man presented with severe lower-back pain and left L5 radiculopathy that was resistant to all forms of conservative treatment. Imaging showed a grade 1 unstable degenerative listhesis at L4/5 that resulted in severe left lateral recess stenosis. To this end, he underwent an uneventful minimally invasive L4/5 unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), and he was discharged 3 days later with complete relief of leg pain. But 2 weeks later, he presented to the emergency room with a recurrence of severe left leg pain. A plain X-ray obtained in the ER showed a displaced interbody cage (backout). The patient underwent revision surgery, where the cage was removed. A larger cage was reinserted, and right-sided pedicle screw and rod fixation was performed. This resulted in complete pain relief until 2 weeks later, when the patient experienced yet another recurrence of cage migration. This time, the cage was removed, and the interbody space was successfully impacted with a bone graft. Since then, he has been pain-free over a 6-month period. The possible reasons for cage backout and strategies to prevent it are discussed.
Postoperative CSF Rhinorrhoea
Authors: Bhagwat Aniruddha , Deopujari Chandrashekhar , Shah Nishit , Karmarkar Vikram
Published: November 2024

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea is a well known complication following skull base surgery. Identifying the site of leak is the most important determinant for the appropriate approach in the further management of the case. Either transcranial or transnasal approaches may be used, alone or in combination, as deemed appropriate. The success of the repair depends on the site of the fistula, the timing of surgery, and patient factors. Discussion of two illustrative cases is presented here to describe the challenges faced by the neurosurgeon in the recognition and the immediate and definitive management of postoperative CSF rhinorrhoea and various strategies for a successful outcome in their repair.
Artificial intelligence in respiratory pandemics—ready for disease X? A scoping review
Authors: Straub Jennifer , Estrada Lobato Enrique , Paez Diana , Langs Georg , Prosch Helmut
Published: November 2024

Objectives

This study aims to identify repeated previous shortcomings in medical imaging data collection, curation, and AI-based analysis during the early phase of respiratory pandemics. Based on the results, it seeks to highlight essential steps for improving future pandemic preparedness.

Materials and methods

We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Reviews for articles published from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2021, using the terms “imaging” or “radiology” or “radiography” or “CT” or “x-ray” combined with “SARS,” “MERS,” “H1N1,” or “COVID-19.” WHO and CDC Databases were searched for case definitions.

Results

Over the last 20 years, the world faced several international health emergencies caused by respiratory diseases such as SARS, MERS, H1N1, and COVID-19. During the same period, major technological advances enabled the analysis of vast amounts of imaging data and the continual development of artificial intelligence algorithms to support radiological diagnosis and prognosis. Timely availability of data proved critical, but so far, data collection attempts were initialized only as individual responses to each outbreak, leading to long delays and hampering unified guidelines and data-driven technology to support the management of pandemic outbreaks. Our findings highlight the multifaceted role of imaging in the early stages of SARS, MERS, H1N1, and COVID-19, and outline possible actions for advancing future pandemic preparedness.

Conclusions

Advancing international cooperation and action on these topics is essential to create a functional, effective, and rapid counteraction system to future respiratory pandemics exploiting state of the art imaging and artificial intelligence.

Key Points

Question

What has been the role of radiological data for diagnosis and prognosis in early respiratory pandemics and what challenges were present?

Findings

International cooperation is essential to developing an effective rapid response system for future respiratory pandemics using advanced imaging and artificial intelligence.

Clinical relevance

Strengthening global collaboration and leveraging cutting-edge imaging and artificial intelligence are crucial for developing rapid and effective response systems. This approach is essential for improving patient outcomes and managing future respiratory pandemics more effectively.

Graphical Abstract
Pea and soy fortified with leucine stimulates muscle protein synthesis comparable to whey in a murine ageing model
Authors: Dijk Francina J. , van Dijk Miriam , Roberts Justin , van Helvoort Ardy , Furber Matthew J.W.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To meet the global dietary protein demands, a trend towards plant-based protein (PBP) sources to replace animal-derived protein is currently ongoing. However, PBPs may not have the same anabolic capacity to stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS) as dairy proteins. For vulnerable populations with specific medical needs, it is especially important to validate the anabolic properties of PBPs. In this study, a blend of pea and soy protein isolate, with or without additional leucine, was compared to whey protein isolate on MPS in aged mice.

Methods

25-Months aged C57BL/6J-mice received an oral gavage with 70 mg of whey protein isolate (W), PS protein isolate (PS; ratio 51:49), PS fortified with 19% leucine (PS + L), or 0.5mL water (F). Mice were subcutaneously injected with puromycin (0.04 µmol/g body weight, t = 30 min) and sacrificed 60 min thereafter. Left m. tibialis anterior (TA) was used to analyse MPS by the SUnSET method and mTOR signal transduction proteins. Amino acid concentrations were determined in plasma and right TA. Dried blood spots (DBS) were analysed for postprandial dynamics of amino acids at 10-20-45-60-min.

Results

MPS was significantly increased by W and PS + L (p < 0.003), however not by PS. Pathway protein 4EBP1 showed significant increases with W, PS and PS + L to F (p < 0.0002). W and PS + L increased plasma and muscle free leucine equally, which was confirmed by DBS.

Conclusion

A PS blend fortified with leucine stimulates MPS comparable to whey protein in this acute murine ageing model. Leucine appears to be the main driver for the anabolic responses observed.
Different infant formulas can activate toll-like receptor 9 in vitro and inhibit interleukin 6 in human primary intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Hedegger Kathrin , Hommel Theresa , Schaubeck Monika , Gimpfl Martina , Dahlhoff Maik
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most severe gastrointestinal disease in preterm infants caused by an exaggerated intestinal epithelial immune activation. Several studies show that modulation of toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) activity may have positive effects on preventing intestinal inflammatory mechanisms ultimately resulting in NEC development. In this study, the effect of various infant formulas (IF) and the probiotic strain Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 on TLR9 activation were analyzed in vitro.

Methods

First, TLR4 and TLR9 expression was analyzed on human primary intestinal epithelial cells (P-IECs) by qPCR and Western blot analysis. Then genetically designed HEK-Dual™ hTLR9 (NF/IL8) reporter cells (HEK-Dual) were treated with different IFs, L. fermentum CECT5716, and different functional components to measure TLR9 activation via luminescence. Finally, the IFs were investigated in P-IECs to analyze TLR downstream signaling by Western blot analysis.

Results

IFs containing intact protein and L. fermentum CECT5716 activated TLR9 in HEK-Dual cells, but the functional components lactoferrin, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, and hydrolyzed whey proteins failed to activate TLR9. In P-IECs, the IFs induced increased phosphorylation of MAPK8/9 of the TLR signaling pathway and significantly reduced IL6 levels. Consistently, IL6 levels were increased in P-IECs when TLR9-signaling was inhibited. Interestingly, L. fermentum CECT5716 enhanced TLR9-signaling and increased NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha-phosphorylation.

Conclusion

We found out that the used control formula, prebiotic formula, prebiotic formula with hydrolyzed-protein, and L. fermentum CECT5716 reduce IL6 levels in human P-IECs through TLR9 activation. L. fermentum CECT5716 and the here tested IFs could be a promising approach for modulation of gut health in infants.
Association between homologous recombination deficiency and time to treatment failure to platinum-based chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer by using the C-CAT database
Authors: Ishigaki Kazunaga , Tokito Yurie , Takahara Naminatsu , Nishio Hiroto , Endo Go , Fukuda Koshiro , Ishida Kota , Fukuda Rintaro , Takaoka Shinya , Oyama Hiroki , Noguchi Kensaku , Suzuki Tatsunori , Sato Tatsuya , Saito Tomotaka , Hamada Tsuyoshi , Miyabayashi Koji , Sato Yasuyoshi , Nakai Yousuke , Kage Hidenori , Oda Katsutoshi , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro
Published: November 2024

Background

Since homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) is relatively uncommon in pancreatic cancer (PC), its impact on time-to-treatment failure (TTF) among patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy for unresectable and recurrent PC remains uncertain.

Methods

Among patients with unresectable and recurrent PC enrolled in the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT) database by July 2023, a total of 1394 patients who underwent first-line chemotherapy with either gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) or FOLFIRINOX (FFX) and received tissue-based CGP tests after disease progression were included in this study. HRD was defined as the presence of germline or somatic genetic mutations in homologous recombination repair (HRR)-related genes such as ATM, BARD1, BRIP1, BRCA1/2, CHEK2, CDK12, PALB, and RAD51C/D. We investigated the correlation between HRD and TTF among patients treated with GnP and FFX.

Results

First-line chemotherapy consisted of GnP in 69% of the cases and FFX in 31%. The CGP tests used were NCC OncoPanel and FoundationOne CDx in 26% and 74%, respectively. HRR-related genetic abnormalities were identified in 107 patients (7.6%): BRCA2 (n = 51), ATM (n = 34), BRCA1 (n = 9), PALB2 (n = 9), among others. In the GnP cohort, the median TTF was comparable between the HRD and non-HRD groups (5.3 vs 4.6 months, P = 0.44). Conversely, in the FFX cohort, it was significantly longer in the HRD group compared to the non-HRD group (7.3 vs. 4.7 months, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that HRR-related genetic abnormalities might be predictive of TTF in platinum-based chemotherapy for PC.
Challenges and future research directions in secure multi-party computation for resource-constrained devices and large-scale computations
Authors: Gamiz Idoia , Regueiro Cristina , Lage Oscar , Jacob Eduardo , Astorga Jasone
Published: November 2024

In the era of Big Data and the advancement of the Internet of Things, there is an increasing amount of valuable information. It is important to emphasize that this data is usually sensitive or confidential, so security and privacy are two of the highest priorities for organizations when performing Data Mining. Researchers have explored techniques such as secure multi-party computation (SMPC) in the last decades. Nevertheless, there is still a significant gap between the theory of SMPC and its applicability, especially when working with resource-constrained devices or massive data. This work has been conducted with a systematic literature review, and it intends to analyze the open issues of adapting SMPC to those scenarios, by classifying the studies to answer two research questions: (1) how has the use of SMPC attempted to be adapted to constrained devices? and (2) how have traditional techniques fitted with Big Data? At the end of the process, after analyzing a total of 637 studies, 19 papers were selected. Regarding constrained devices, solutions are grouped into three main techniques: secure outsourcing, hardware-based trusted execution, and intermediate representations. As for Big Data, the selected studies use mixed protocols to change over cleartext and ciphertext, combine different types of SMPC protocols, or modify existing protocols through optimizations.
Online level-2 perspective taking for newly learnt symbols
Authors: Pető Réka , Elekes Fruzsina , Király Ildikó
Published: November 2024

Humans demonstrate spontaneous sensitivity to other people’s perspectives on object identities in online tasks. Evidence shows that this not only involves representing the mere discrepancy between perspectives, but the content of such perspectives as well (level-2 perspective taking/L2PT). However, this evidence comes from studies using culturally grounded symbols which leaves open the possibility that having extensive, easily accessible background knowledge about an object is necessary for the L2PT effect. Experiment 1 tested this by comparing L2PT across two groups: one performing a verification task on Arabic numbers, and one on newly learnt symbol-label pairs. In both groups, half of the visual stimuli was symmetrical, while half was asymmetrical. In both cases, there was a joint condition: participants performed the task in parallel with a partner, observing stimuli from opposite angles, thus having conflicting interpretations for asymmetric characters. Furthermore, they also performed the verification task individually, while their partner had no visual access to the stimuli. We found an interference effect in both groups. However, while the effect was stable in the number group, it diminished over time in the symbol group. Experiments 2a and 2b demonstrated that the complexity of the recently learnt symbols has an influence on spontaneous L2PT: the same procedure with more complex symbols did not elicit any interference effect. Our results show that online L2PT is not limited to objects that participants have proficiency in identifying. Nevertheless, the L2PT effect seems to diminish when participants have to process increasingly complex novel symbols.
Enhancing the best-first-search F with incremental search and restarts for large-scale single machine scheduling with release dates and deadlines
Authors: Laalaoui Yacine , M’Hallah Rym
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a new heuristic search $$\hbox {F}_{IR}$$

F

IR

that determines the feasibility of scheduling a set of jobs on a single machine where each job is characterized by its release date, processing time, and deadline. $$\hbox {F}_{IR}$$

F

IR

uses incremental search and restart strategies to scale the best-first-search heuristic F (Laalaoui and M’Hallah, in: IEEE symposium on evolutionary scheduling and combinatorial optimisation (SSCI) 2022, IEEE, Singapore, 2022). Experimental results provide computational evidence of the superiority of $$\hbox {F}_{IR}$$

F

IR

for large-scale instances. In fact, $$\hbox {F}_{IR}$$

F

IR

outperforms the IBM ILOG CP constraint programming solver, the CPLEX mixed integer programming solver, and existing heuristics. It finds feasible solutions for many instances with 100,000 jobs in less than one minute.
Characterisation of the rigid diaphragm conditions for cross laminated timber floors
Authors: D’Arenzo Giuseppe , Rigo Pietro , Nicolussi Valentino , Pozza Luca , Casagrande Daniele
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive numerical study aimed at defining the conditions for which Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) floor diaphragms of platform-type CLT buildings can be assumed rigid in linear seismic analyses. Numerical analyses are conducted on a regular CLT archetype within a framework of parametric analyses, in which different geometrical and mechanical parameters including the stiffness of the floor panel-to-panel connections, the stiffness of the floor-to-wall connections, the floor span, the distance between two consecutive shear-walls, the lateral stiffness of the shear-walls, and the number of storeys are varied. The conditions to ensure a rigid diaphragm behaviour are derived by calculating the discrepancies in terms of floor displacements, distribution of lateral forces in the shear-walls, and fundamental vibration period of the structure, between numerical models where the floor is modelled with its actual deformability and as rigid. The discrepancies are compared with threshold values given in Eurocode 8 and used to derive the conditions for which CLT floor diaphragms can be assumed rigid. The study reveals that the behaviour of the floor tends toward the rigid diaphragm condition by increasing the stiffness of the floor panel-to-panel connections and the number of storeys, and by decreasing the stiffness of the floor-to-wall connections, the ratio between the distance between two consecutive shear-walls and the floor span, and the stiffness of the shear-walls. Specific threshold values ensuring a rigid diaphragm behaviour are determined for the properties of the system, delivering the geometrical and mechanical conditions for rigid CLT floor diaphragms.
Complementarities of occupations and language skills of immigrants in Europe
Authors: Tóth Peter , Vitáloš Matej
Published: November 2024

We study the returns to language skills of immigrants using the European Adult Education Survey (2016). We estimate a standard income equation augmented by self-reported proficiency levels in the host country’s language and in English. Contrary to earlier literature, we find that the inclusion of English skills of immigrants increases the estimated returns to proficiency in the local language. Next, considering heterogeneous effects across occupations, we find significantly positive returns to language proficiency only for medium-skilled occupations. Among those, blue-collar jobs reward fluency in both the local language and English. Whereas in white-collar jobs, only the knowledge of English yields significantly higher income. These estimates are consistent with occupational sorting of immigrants and suggest that there are complementarities between proficiency in languages and job skills for some occupations. Following earlier literature, we also corrected the potential endogeneity bias in host-country language skills using instrumental variable methods. Our findings could be relevant for immigration policies in Europe.
Predicting freshwater biological quality using macrophytes: A comparison of empirical modelling approaches
Authors: Gebler Daniel , Segurado Pedro , Ferreira Maria Teresa , Aguiar Francisca C.
Published: November 2024

Difficulties have hampered bioassessment in southern European rivers due to limited reference data and the unclear impact of multiple interacting stressors on plant communities. Predictive modelling may help overcome this limitation by aggregating different pressures affecting aquatic organisms and showing the most influential factors. We assembled a dataset of 292 Mediterranean sampling locations on perennial rivers and streams (mainland Portugal) with macrophyte and environmental data. We compared models based on multiple linear regression (MLR), boosted regression trees (BRT) and artificial neural networks (ANNs). Secondarily, we investigated the relationship between two macrophyte indices grounded in distinct conceptual premises (the Riparian Vegetation Index — RVI, and the Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers — IBMR) and a set of environmental variables, including climatic conditions, geographical characteristics, land use, water chemistry and habitat quality of rivers. The quality of models for the IBMR was superior to those for the RVI in all cases, which indicates a better ecological linkage of IBMR with the stressor and abiotic variables. The IBMR using ANN outperformed the BRT models, for which the r-Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.877 and 0.801, and the normalised root mean square errors were 10.0 and 11.3, respectively. Variable importance analysis revealed that longitude and geology, hydrological/climatic conditions, water body size and land use had the highest impact on the IBMR model predictions. Despite the differences in the quality of the models, all showed similar importance to individual input variables, although in a different order. Despite some difficulties in model training for ANNs, our findings suggest that BRT and ANNs can be used to assess ecological quality, and for decision-making on the environmental management of rivers.
Combined effect of a pretreatment and optical settings on the laser diffraction particle size distribution of soils and sediments
Authors: Gresina Fruzsina , Szalai Zoltán , Zacháry Dóra , Kiss Klaudia , Madarász Balázs , Angyal Zsuzsanna , Jakab Gergely , Darabos Gabriella , Varga György
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The two main challenges in providing good quality granulometric data are the limitations of laser diffraction method and the insufficient chemical pretreatments. The present study aims to determine the combined effect of these two sources of error and to find optimized procedures to fit the physical and chemical parameters of the soil and sediment samples.

Methods

Five soil and sediment samples with diverse characteristics were analysed. Three commonly used pretreatment procedures (FAO, USDA, Wageningen Agricultural University) were applied and compared to the “untreated” Hungarian standard. The particle size distributions (PSD) were determined by HORIBA LA-950V2 laser diffraction device with 25 optical setting combinations.

Results

The effectiveness of pretreatment protocols was related to the particle size, SOM content, size of the aggregates, clay ratio and the order of reagents. Descriptive statistics showed which preparation processes were effective for the dispersion of different sample types. Samples containing a relatively high amount of clay and/or SOM are sensitive to disaggregation procedures, affecting their texture. The refractive index (RI) 1.40 and absorption coefficient (AC) 0.00 and 0.01 provided the highest degree of disaggregation. By the changes in the mean and median values, we could determine which optical settings gave similar results that could be characterized by the same texture classifications.

Conclusions

None of the procedures was generally considered to be the best procedure. The disaggregation efficiency of the three sample preparation methods differs for different materials. These uncertainties, combined with inadequate optical settings, make it difficult to detect poor quality granulometric data.

Graphical Abstract
Embodiment and Violence: From Lived Experience to Imagistic Givenness
Authors: Ciocan Cristian
Published: November 2024

In this paper, I explore the bodily constitution of violence from a phenomenological perspective, contrasting the directly lived experience of violence with imagistic violence. The analysis involves examining one’s own embodiment from the first-person perspective in two distinct situations: as the agent of violence, anchored in one’s own “I can”, and as a passive victim, marked by vulnerability and helplessness. Each situation reveals specific particularities of the other’s adversity. The final section transitions to the imagistic experience of violence, discussing how bodily markers are modified in this context. Using Kubrick’s iconic film A Clockwork Orange as an example, I illustrate the shift in bodily structures and the implications of imagistic violence.