bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Feature of the Horizontal Directional Solidification (HDS) Method Affects the Microstructure of Al2O3/YAG Eutectic Ceramics
Authors: Kajan Juraj , Damazyan Grigori , Tinkova Vira , Prnová Anna , Michálková Monika , Švančárek Peter , Gregor Tomáš , Akusevich Alena , Hruška Branislav , Galusek Dušan
Published: September 2024

The solidification processes of two compositions, hypereutectic (21.0 mol% Y2O3–79.0 mol% Al2O3) and eutectic (18.5 mol% Y2O3–81.5 mol% Al2O3), were used via the horizontal directional solidification (HDS) method to produce two ingots with dimensions of 317 × 220 × 35 mm and 210 × 180 × 35 mm, respectively. The first ingot was heterogeneous and characterized by a two-layer structure with an expressed horizontal boundary, which is parallel to the solidification direction (an experimental fact observed for the first time), separating eutectic-type ceramics in the upper layer from the lower one containing the YAG dendrites. Considering the heat transfer feature characteristic of the HDS method and its action during the solidification of materials scattering thermal radiation, an explanation of the occurrence of such structure has been proposed. On this basis, the solidification parameters of the second ingot, providing its homogeneous structure, were selected. Characterization of the crystallographic texture and microstructure of both ingots revealed the advantage of the second solidification processing conditions.
Advances of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wei Jing , Liu Fangze
Published: September 2024

To address the challenge posed by the growing global energy demand, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) present a sustainable and clean solution with the advantage of low cost, high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and easy processing features [...]
Study on Synthesis of CSH Gel and Its Immobilization of Heavy Metals
Authors: Zhu Kunqian , Wang Lijuan , Liao Libing , Bai Yunlong , Hu Jing
Published: September 2024

Calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gel is the most important hydration product of cement. It influences the mechanical properties of resulting materials and plays an important role in the adsorption and immobilization of heavy metal ions. Research in the structure of CSH gel and its ability for heavy metal immobilization enables the development of tailored cement-based materials, a feature that holds significant future potential. In this study, CSH gel was synthesized under different pH and Ca/Si conditions. Structural and morphological changes in CSH gel were investigated using modern technologies. The results revealed that both pH and Ca/Si ratios were important factors influencing the structure of CSH gel. During the formation of CSH, both Cr3+ and Pb2+ can be incorporated into CSH gel, and promoting the formation of calcium hydroxide Cr3+ can also replace Si4+ in the Si-O bond.
Structural and Electronic Properties of U5M+ and T5M+ (U = Uracil, T = Thymine, M = Ag and Au) Cluster Cations
Authors: Cao Guo-Jin
Published: September 2024

The geometric and electronic structures and the bonding of U5M+ and T5M+ (U = uracil, T = thymine, M = Ag, Au) cluster cations have been investigated with density functional theory methods. They have a perfectly planar structure with C5h symmetry and significant stability, containing self-complementary N-H···O hydrogen bonds and five Au-O or Ag-O contacts. The energy gap between the LUMO and HOMO in the U5Ag+ cluster is 4.2 eV, which is twice as large as the HOMO-LUMO gap observed in the U5Au+ cluster. This notable difference clearly indicates that the U5Ag+ cluster possesses substantially greater stability compared to the U5Au+ cluster. This finding is consistent with the results from the energy decomposition analyses, which show that the total interaction energy of U5Ag+ is significantly higher than that of U5Au+. The same trend is observed in T5M+ as well. The interaction between the metal atoms, whether gold (Au) or silver (Ag), and the nucleobase is not predominantly controlled by electrostatic forces, as initially believed. Instead, it is primarily characterized by pronounced covalent bonding effects.
Expression of Trefoil Factor 1 (TFF1) in Cancer: A Tissue Microarray Study Involving 18,878 Tumors
Authors: Lutz Florian , Han Soo-Young , Büyücek Seyma , Möller Katharina , Viehweger Florian , Schlichter Ria , Menz Anne , Luebke Andreas M. , Bawahab Ahmed Abdulwahab , Reiswich Viktor , Kluth Martina , Hube-Magg Claudia , Hinsch Andrea , Weidemann Sören , Lennartz Maximilian , Dum David , Bernreuther Christian , Lebok Patrick , Sauter Guido , Marx Andreas H. , Simon Ronald , Krech Till , Fraune Christoph , Gorbokon Natalia , Burandt Eike , Minner Sarah , Steurer Stefan , Clauditz Till S. , Jacobsen Frank
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) plays a role in the mucus barrier. Methods: To evaluate the prevalence of TFF1 expression in cancer, a tissue microarray containing 18,878 samples from 149 tumor types and 608 samples of 76 normal tissue types was analyzed through immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: TFF1 staining was detectable in 65 of 149 tumor categories. The highest rates of TFF1 positivity were found in mucinous ovarian carcinomas (76.2%), colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas (47.1–75%), breast neoplasms (up to 72.9%), bilio-pancreatic adenocarcinomas (42.1–62.5%), gastro-esophageal adenocarcinomas (40.4–50.0%), neuroendocrine neoplasms (up to 45.5%), cervical adenocarcinomas (39.1%), and urothelial neoplasms (up to 24.3%). High TFF1 expression was related to a low grade of malignancy in non-invasive urothelial carcinomas of the bladder (p = 0.0225), low grade of malignancy (p = 0.0003), estrogen and progesterone receptor expression (p < 0.0001), non-triple negativity (p = 0.0005) in invasive breast cancer of no special type, and right-sided tumor location (p = 0.0021) in colorectal adenocarcinomas. Conclusions: TFF1 IHC has only limited utility for the discrimination of different tumor entities given its expression in many tumor entities. The link between TFF1 expression and parameters of malignancy argues for a relevant biological role of TFF1 in cancer. TFF1 may represent a suitable therapeutic target due to its expression in only a few normal cell types.
Electro-Stimulation System with Artificial-Intelligence-Based Auricular-Triggered Algorithm to Support Facial Movements in Peripheral Facial Palsy: A Simulation Pilot Study
Authors: Steiner Katharina , Arnz Marius , Volk Gerd Fabian , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando
Published: September 2024

Background: Facial palsy causes severe functional disorders and impairs quality of life. Disturbing challenges for patients with acute facial palsy, but also with those with chronic facial palsy with synkinesis, are the loss of the ability to smile and insufficient eyelid closure. A potential treatment for these conditions could be a closed-loop electro-stimulation system that stimulates the facial muscles on the paretic side as needed to elicit eye closure, eye blink and smile in a manner similar to the healthy side. Methods: This study focuses on the development and evaluation of such a system. An artificial intelligence (AI)-based auricular-triggered algorithm is used to classify the intended facial movements. This classification is based on surface electromyography (EMG) recordings of the extrinsic auricular muscles, specifically the anterior, superior, and posterior auricular muscle on the paretic side. The system then delivers targeted surface electrical stimulation to contract the appropriate facial muscles. Results: The evaluation of the system was conducted with 17 patients with facial synkinesis, who performed various facial movements according to a paradigm video. The system’s performance was evaluated through a simulation, using previously captured data as the inputs. The performance was evaluated by means of the median macro F1-score, which was calculated based on the stimulation signal (output of the system) and the actual movements the patients performed. Conclusions: This study showed that such a system, using an AI-based auricular-triggered algorithm, can support with a median macro F1-score of 0.602 for the facial movements on the synkinetic side in patients with unilateral chronic facial palsy with synkinesis.
Transforming Lung Cancer Management: A Promising Case Study of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Success Following a Multidisciplinary Approach
Authors: Nishimura Tadashi , Fujimoto Hajime , Fujiwara Takumi , Okano Tomohito , Yasuma Taro , Gabazza Esteban C. , Ibata Hidenori , Kobayashi Tetsu
Published: September 2024

A 54-year-old female patient diagnosed with Stage IIIb squamous cell carcinoma (cT2aN3M0) initially received chemoradiotherapy. Two years after initial treatment, cancer relapse led to the administration of nivolumab, which was halted due to the development of drug-induced pneumonitis. Subsequent management with prednisolone and eight different cytotoxic agents failed to prevent metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes. The tumor’s programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression rate was recorded at 10%. Four years after her diagnosis, the patient received a ninth-line therapy combining cisplatin, gemcitabine, and necitumumab, followed by palliative neck radiation due to increasing lymph node size. Remarkable tumor regression occurred three months after introducing atezolizumab as the tenth-line treatment, suggesting that previous treatments, particularly radiotherapy and cisplatin, might have enhanced PD-L1 expression, aligning with the existing literature. This case highlights the urgent need for further research to elucidate the intricate interplay between treatment history and PD-L1 expression in squamous cell carcinoma, emphasizing the importance of accumulating case studies to inform therapeutic strategies.
Impact of the 2023 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria in Women with Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome during Pregnancy
Authors: Martínez-Taboada Víctor M. , Gómez Ana Micieces , del Barrio-Longarela Sara , Merino Ana , Comins-Boo Alejandra , López-Hoyos Marcos , Riancho-Zarrabeitia Leyre , Gálvez Rafael , Hernández José L.
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: ACR/EULAR has recently developed new classification criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The present study aims to analyze the impact of these new 2023 ACR/EULAR classification criteria in a cohort of pregnant women with primary APS. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 93 consecutive pregnant women attending the Autoimmune Diseases Pregnancy Clinic, a multidisciplinary unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital, between 2005 and 2023. All of them fulfilled the Sydney classification criteria for APS. Women diagnosed with rheumatic autoimmune diseases other than APS were excluded. Results: Twenty-four out of ninety-three patients (25.8%) met the 2023 ACR/EULAR criteria for APS. Patients who met the new classification criteria were very similar to those who did not, except for being younger (p < 0.001), and had a lower number of clinical pregnancies (p = 0.004). The obstetric domain was clearly underrepresented in women who fulfilled the 2023 ACR/EULAR criteria (p < 0.001). Patients meeting the new classification criteria were primarily characterized by preterm births before 34 weeks due to severe placentation disorders (p = 0.004). Women with early and late fetal loss were significantly underrepresented (p < 0.0001 and 0.03, respectively). Nearly half of these patients had thrombocytopenia (p < 0.001). Serologically, these patients showed a higher frequency of persistent lupus anticoagulant (p = 0.02) and a lower frequency of IgM isotype antiphospholipid antibodies (p = 0.05). Conclusions: Almost three-quarters of the patients included in the study did not meet the 2023 ACR/EULAR criteria. Most patients who could not be classified according to these new classification criteria were those with early and/or late fetal deaths, as well as patients carrying only IgM aCL/AB2GPI antibodies. The high specificity of the 2023 ACR/EULAR criteria, restricted to severe placentation disorders, may leave the majority of patients with obstetric APS out of the new classification criteria.
Chondrosarcoma of the Pelvis and Extremities: A Review of 77 Cases of a Tertiary Sarcoma Center with a Minimum Follow-Up of 10 Years
Authors: Breden Sebastian , Stephan Maximilian , Knebel Carolin , Lenze Florian , Pohlig Florian , Hinterwimmer Florian , Consalvo Sarah , Mogler Carolin , von Eisenhart-Rothe Rüdiger , Lenze Ulrich
Published: September 2024

Background: Chondrosarcomas (CS) are a rare and heterogenic group of primary malignant bone tumors. In the literature, data on prognostic factors in chondrosarcomas are scarce, and most studies are limited by a short follow-up. The aim of this retrospective study was therefore to determine factors associated with the survival and local recurrence of chondrosarcomas and to compare the results with previous studies. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 77 patients who were treated for chondrosarcoma of the extremities or pelvis at our tertiary sarcoma center between 1998 and 2007. Patient-related data (age, sex, etc.), tumor characteristics (localization, grading, presence of metastases, etc.), and treatment-related data (previous surgical treatment, type of local treatment, surgical margins, etc.) were evaluated and analyzed for possible correlation with patients’ outcomes. A statistical analysis was performed, including multivariate analysis. Results: The mean survival in our patients was 207 months, which resulted in a five-year survival rate of 76%. Negative prognostic factors for survival were histopathological grading, a patient aged over 70 years, and metastatic disease. The quality of the resection (clear or contaminated margins) negatively influenced both the development of local recurrence and survival too, at least in the univariate analysis. In contrast, factors such as tumor localization (extremities vs. pelvis), pathological fractures, or an initial inadequate resection elsewhere had no significant effect on survival. Conclusions: In accordance with results in the literature, the survival of patients with chondrosarcomas is mainly influenced by factors such as tumor grading, age, and metastases. However, complete resection remains paramount for the outcome in patients with chondrosarcoma—a primary malignant bone tumor with limited alternative treatment options.
New Insights into the Pathophysiology of Coronary Artery Aneurysms
Authors: Bararu-Bojan Iris , Badulescu Oana-Viola , Badescu Minerva Codruta , Vladeanu Maria Cristina , Plesoianu Carmen Elena , Bojan Andrei , Iliescu-Halitchi Dan , Tudor Razvan , Huzum Bogdan , Frasinariua Otilia Elena , Ciocoiu Manuela
Published: September 2024

Coronary aneurysms are typically defined as sections of a coronary artery where the diameter is more than 1.5 times that of an adjacent normal segment. In rare circumstances, these aneurysms can become exceedingly large, leading to the classification of giant coronary artery aneurysms. Despite their occurrence, there is no clear consensus on the precise definition of giant coronary artery aneurysms, and their etiology remains somewhat ambiguous. Numerous potential causes have been suggested, with atherosclerosis being the most prevalent in adults, accounting for up to 50% of cases. In pediatric populations, Kawasaki disease and Takayasu arteritis are the primary causes. Although often discovered incidentally, coronary artery aneurysms can lead to severe complications. These complications include local thrombosis, distal embolization, rupture, and vasospasm, which can result in ischemia, heart failure, and arrhythmias. The optimal approach to medical, interventional, or surgical management of these aneurysms is still under debate and requires further clarification. This literature review aims to consolidate current knowledge regarding coronary artery aneurysms’ pathophysiology, emphasizing their definition, causes, complications, and treatment strategies. Recent research has begun to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in the formation and progression of coronary artery aneurysms. Various molecules, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), inflammatory cytokines, and growth factors, play crucial roles in the degradation of the extracellular matrix and the remodeling of vascular walls. Elevated levels of MMPs, particularly MMP-9, have been associated with the weakening of the arterial wall, contributing to aneurysm development. Inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6) have been implicated in promoting inflammatory responses that further degrade vascular integrity. Additionally, growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may influence angiogenesis and vascular remodeling processes. Understanding these molecular pathways is essential for developing targeted therapies aimed at preventing the progression of coronary artery aneurysms and improving patient outcomes.
Detection of Thymoma Disease Using mRMR Feature Selection and Transformer Models
Authors: Agar Mehmet , Aydin Siyami , Cakmak Muharrem , Koc Mustafa , Togacar Mesut
Published: September 2024

Background: Thymoma is a tumor that originates in the thymus gland, a part of the human body located behind the breastbone. It is a malignant disease that is rare in children but more common in adults and usually does not spread outside the thymus. The exact cause of thymic disease is not known, but it is thought to be more common in people infected with the EBV virus at an early age. Various surgical methods are used in clinical settings to treat thymoma. Expert opinion is very important in the diagnosis of the disease. Recently, next-generation technologies have become increasingly important in disease detection. Today’s early detection systems already use transformer models that are open to technological advances. Methods: What makes this study different is the use of transformer models instead of traditional deep learning models. The data used in this study were obtained from patients undergoing treatment at Fırat University, Department of Thoracic Surgery. The dataset consisted of two types of classes: thymoma disease images and non-thymoma disease images. The proposed approach consists of preprocessing, model training, feature extraction, feature set fusion between models, efficient feature selection, and classification. In the preprocessing step, unnecessary regions of the images were cropped, and the region of interest (ROI) technique was applied. Four types of transformer models (Deit3, Maxvit, Swin, and ViT) were used for model training. As a result of the training of the models, the feature sets obtained from the best three models were merged between the models (Deit3 and Swin, Deit3 and ViT, Deit3 and ViT, Swin and ViT, and Deit3 and Swin and ViT). The combined feature set of the model (Deit3 and ViT) that gave the best performance with fewer features was analyzed using the mRMR feature selection method. The SVM method was used in the classification process. Results: With the mRMR feature selection method, 100% overall accuracy was achieved with feature sets containing fewer features. The cross-validation technique was used to verify the overall accuracy of the proposed approach and 99.22% overall accuracy was achieved in the analysis with this technique. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the added value of the proposed approach in the detection of thymoma.
Enhancing Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival Prediction through Multi-Omics Integration Using Graph Attention Network
Authors: Elbashir Murtada K. , Almotilag Abdullah , Mahmood Mahmood A. , Mohammed Mohanad
Published: September 2024

Background: Cancer survival prediction is vital in improving patients’ prospects and recommending therapies. Understanding the molecular behavior of cancer can be enhanced through the integration of multi-omics data, including mRNA, miRNA, and DNA methylation data. In light of these multi-omics data, we proposed a graph attention network (GAT) model in this study to predict the survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The different omics data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and preprocessed and combined into a single dataset using the sample ID. We used the chi-square test to select the most significant features to be used in our model. We used the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) to balance the dataset and the concordance index (C-index) to measure the performance of our model on different combinations of omics data. Results: Our model demonstrated superior performance, with the highest value of the C-index obtained when we used both mRNA and miRNA data. This demonstrates that the multi-omics approach could be effective in predicting survival. Further pathway analysis conducted with KEGG showed that our GAT model provided high weights to the features that are associated with the viral entry pathways, such as the Epstein–Barr virus and Influenza A pathways, which are involved in lung cancer development. From our findings, it can be observed that the proposed GAT model leads to a significantly improved prediction of survival by exploiting the strengths of multiple omics datasets and the findings from the enriched pathways. Our GAT model outperforms other state-of-the-art methods that are used for NSCLC prediction. Conclusions: In this study, we developed a new model for the survival prediction of NSCLC using the GAT based on multi-omics data. Our model showed outstanding predictive values, and the KEGG analysis of the selected significant features showed that they were implicated in pivotal biological processes underlying pathways such as Influenza A and the Epstein–Barr virus infection, which are linked to lung cancer progression.
Performance of Elecsys® HCV Duo Immunoassay for Diagnosis and Assessment of Treatment Response in HCV Patients with or without HIV Infection
Authors: Ananchuensook Prooksa , Wongpiyabovorn Jongkonnee , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Tangkijvanich Pisit
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: The Elecsys® HCV Duo immunoassay (Roche Diagnostics International Ltd., Rotkreuz, Switzerland) detects both antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and HCV core antigen (HCV-Ag) and has shown excellent diagnostic performance in blood donor samples. We aim to validate its use for diagnosing chronic HCV infection and assessing sustained virological response (SVR) post-direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in patients with or without HIV infection. Methods: Blood samples from 100 healthy controls, as well as 64 HCV mono-infection and 136 HCV-HIV coinfections, were collected before and 12–24 weeks after DAAs. The assay performance for determining active infection at baseline and SVR was compared with HCV RNA. Results: Overall, 156 (78.0%) of HCV-infected patients had HCV genotype 1, and the SVR rate was 96.5%. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve (AUROC) for HCV diagnosis at baseline were 99.50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 96.82–99.97%), 100% (95%CI, 95.39–100%), and 0.998 (95%CI, 0.992–1.003), respectively. The corresponding results for HCV-Ag in determining SVR were 57.14% (95%CI, 20.24–88.19%), 97.41% (95%CI, 93.73–99.04%), and 0.773 (95%CI, 0.543–1.003), respectively. The assay also exhibited comparable sensitivity and specificity between HCV mono- and coinfection. Conclusions: Our study showed that the Elecsys® HCV Duo immunoassay effectively diagnosed HCV infection, regardless of HIV status, making it suitable for managing high-risk populations in resource-limited settings.
Neuroimaging Correlates of Post-COVID-19 Symptoms: A Functional MRI Approach
Authors: Tanashyan Marine M. , Kuznetsova Polina I. , Morozova Sofya N. , Annushkin Vladislav A. , Raskurazhev Anton A.
Published: September 2024

Backgrounds and Purpose: Post-COVID syndrome is characterized by persistent symptoms, including fatigue and cognitive impairment. These symptoms may be experienced by up to 80% of patients. We aimed to identify possible patterns of brain activation underlying post-COVID fatigue. Methods: The study used functional MRI (Siemens MAGNETOM Prisma 3T scanner with a specially created protocol) of the brain in 30 patients with post-COVID fatigue syndrome and 20 healthy volunteers. Task functional MRI (fMRI) was performed using a cognitive paradigm (modified Stroop test). Eligible patients included adults aged 18–50 years with a >12 weeks before enrolment (less than 12 months) prior history of documented COVID-19 with symptoms of fatigue not attributable to any other cause, and with MFI-20 score > 30 and MoCA at first visit. Healthy control participants had no prior history of COVID-19 and negative tests for severe acute coronavirus respiratory syndrome with MFI-20 score < 30 and MoCA at first visit. Task fMRI data were processed using the SPM12 software package based on MATLAB R2022a. Results: Cognitive task fMRI analysis showed significantly higher activation in the post-COVID group versus healthy volunteers’ group. Between-group analysis showed significant activation differences. Using a threshold of T > 3 we identified eight clusters of statistically significant activation: supramarginal gyri, posterior cingulate cortex, opercular parts of precentral gyri and cerebellum posterior lobe bilaterally. Conclusions: Post-COVID fatigue syndrome associated with subjective cognitive impairment could show changes in brain functional activity in the areas connected with information processing speed and quality.
Deep Learning for Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis: A Graph Neural Network (GNN) Based Classification Approach with Graph Wavelet Transform (GWT) Using Protein–Peptide Datasets
Authors: Mohanraj Prabhavathy , Raman Valliappan , Ramanathan Saveeth
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Background: An important neurological disorder of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is characterized by motor and non-motor activity of the patients. Empirical condition of the patient: PD assessment uses the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Rating Scale part III (MDS-UPDRS-III) measures for identifying the prediction of PD. Due to the unstable value of the measurement, the PD prediction and tracking lead to a lower prediction rate. Methods: To overcome this limitation, this paper proposed the Graph Wavelet Transform (GWT) based weighted feature extraction along with the Graph Neutral Network (GNN) classification. The main contribution of this research is (i) The weighted correlation between the data is calculated by GWT for effective prediction of PD. (ii) Machine learning algorithms were trained to predict Parkinson’s disease based on these patterns. In this research, we developed a new model called Graph Neural Network (GNN) to predict PD tremors’ MDS-UPDRS-III score using input data. To strengthen PD research and enable the construction of individualized treatment plans, these linked networks work together to methodically examine the data and find significant discoveries. Results: The proposed approach for predicting PD severity (motor- and MDS_UPDRS) has a mean squared error of 0.1796 and a root mean squared error of 0.2845, according to the experimental data. The prediction accuracy is increased by 27.66%, 54.11%, and 0.71%, correspondingly, when compared with the most effective State-of-the-Art methods of DNN, ANFIS + SVR, and Mixed MLP models. Conclusion: In conclusion, this proves that the proposed strategy is more effective at making predictions.
Neck Reflex Points: A New Clinical Test? Prevalence in Two Cohorts and Its Covariates
Authors: Weinschenk Stefan , Gerhardt Axel , Wibmer Christine , Strowitzki Thomas , Feisst Manuel
Published: September 2024

Background: Neck reflex points (NRPs) are 2 × 6 potentially tender areas of the neck, denominated NRP-C0 to NRP-C7. They are different from muscular trigger points and become tender in response to chronic trigeminal irritation. NRP examination has a high inter-rater reproducibility. We investigated the prevalence of NRPs in two populations to investigate their usefulness as a clinical test for trigeminal irritation. Methods: In total, 165 patients with chronic pain and 431 students were examined for NRP tenderness using a three-level pain scale: absent pain (PI = 0), mild tenderness (PI = 1), or marked tenderness (PI = 2). Results: In patients, we found more tender NRPs than in the student group (p < 0.001), and on the left side, more tender NRPs were found in NRP-C0–C4. Left and right NRPs appeared independently (kappa 0.1–0.4), except for NRP-C7 (kappa 0.55). Females had more tender NRPs (p < 0.001). Tenderness was independent of age, BMI, and pre-existing diseases. Conclusions: NRP tenderness occurs more frequently in patients than in students, independent from potential covariates. Our results, together with previous findings, support the use of NRP examination as a clinical test for chronic silent inflammation of the trigeminal region. These data provide a base for further studies investigating correlations of NRPs with clinical findings.
Experimental Measurements of the Length of the Human Colon: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alqarni Faiz , Akbar Tejal , Fatani Hala , Kumasaka Soma , Hoad Caroline L. , Spiller Robin C. , Taylor Moira A. , Marciani Luca
Published: September 2024

Purpose: Knowledge of the length of the colon is relevant to understanding physiological and pathological function. It also has implications for diagnostic and clinical interventions, as well as for the design of delayed-release drug formulations and drug disposition modeling. Methods: Over the years, a range of different experimental methods have been employed to assess colon length. These methods vary from direct measurements on cadavers and during intraoperative procedures to measurements obtained from endoscopic and medical imaging techniques. However, no systematic review or meta-analysis of these findings has yet been carried out. In this systematic review, we identified 31 published experimental studies that measured the length of the human colon and/or its segments. Results: We synthesized the available data, comprising colon length measurements from 5741 adults and 337 children and young people, in a meta-analysis. The data contribute to our understanding of colon morphology and may have implications for clinical practice, particularly for colonoscopy and preoperative planning of surgical resections. Additionally, this review provides potential insights into anatomical correlates of functional diseases, such as constipation. Conclusions: This review highlights that non-invasive, non-destructive diagnostic imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can provide more physiologically relevant measurements of colon length. However, there is a need for more standardized measurement protocols and for additional pediatric data.
Quantitative Assessment of Body Composition in Cirrhosis
Authors: Eriksen Christian Skou , Møller Søren
Published: September 2024

Changes in body composition often accompany the progression of liver disease and seem to be an aggravating pathophysiological factor. Specifically, accelerated loss of skeletal muscle mass, lower muscle quality, and changes in body fat distribution have been shown to be associated with poor clinical outcomes. The aim of the present narrative review was to discuss the current status and relevance of commonly applied, advanced, non-invasive methods to quantify skeletal muscle mass, muscle fat infiltration—i.e., myosteatosis—and fat distribution. This review focuses in particular on Computed Tomography (CT), Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Ultrasonography (US). We propose future directions to enhance the diagnostic and prognostic relevance of using these methods for quantitative body composition assessment in patients with cirrhosis.
Comparison of Lineblot and Immunoprecipitation Methods in the Detection of Myositis-Specific and Myositis-Associated Antibodies in Patients with Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies: Consistency with Clinical Diagnoses
Authors: Angeli Fabrizio , Pedretti Eleonora , Garrafa Emirena , Fredi Micaela , Ceribelli Angela , Franceschini Franco , Cavazzana Ilaria
Published: September 2024

Background: the reference method for detection of myositis-specific and myositis-associated antibodies (MSAs and MAAs) is considered immunoprecipitation (IP), but it is routinely replaced by semi-automated methods, like lineblot (LB). Few data are available on the consistency with clinical diagnoses; thus, we aim at analysing these aspects. Methods: sixty-nine patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) were studied via LB (Myositis Antigens Profile 3 EUROLINE, Euroimmun) and IP (RNA and protein antigens). The degree of concordance between methods was calculated using Cohen’s coefficient. Results: a substantial concordance was found for anti-Ku and anti-PM/Scl and a moderate concordance was found for anti-Jo1 and anti–Mi-2, while a fair concordance was found for anti-EJ, anti-SRP, and anti-Ro52 antibodies. The concordance could not be calculated for anti-OJ, anti-PL-7, anti-PL-12, anti-NXP2, anti-TIF1ɣ, and anti-MDA5, because they were only detected with one method. Multiple MSAs were found only with LB in 2/69 sera. Anti-MDA5, TIF1ɣ, NXP2 (detected via IP), and anti-Jo1 in anti-synthetase syndrome (both LB and IP) had the best concordance with clinical diagnosis. Conclusions: LB and IP show substantial concordance for PM/Scl and Ku, and moderate concordance for Jo1 and Mi-2, with a good concordance with clinical diagnoses. IP shows a high performance for DM-associated MSAs. LB seems to be more sensitive in detecting anti-Ro52 antibodies, but it identified multiple MSAs, unlike IP.
Transabdominal Ultrasound of the Stomach in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia: A Review
Authors: Roopan Sangeeta , Gilja Odd Helge
Published: September 2024

Background/Aim: Dyspepsia is a very common condition worldwide and has an immense impact on quality of life. Functional dyspepsia (FD) is defined by dyspeptic symptoms with the absence of any structural abnormality that can explain the cause. Ultrasonography (US) is a non-invasive imaging modality that can be applied to assess gastric function. The aim of this review paper is to assess how ultrasonography can sort out patients with dyspepsia and help diagnose functional dyspepsia. Methods: Using the keywords “functional dyspepsia” and “ultrasonography”, the PubMed database was screened for publications on the use of ultrasonography to identify functional dyspepsia. Afterward, two screening processes were performed to narrow the articles down to a rational number. Results: A total of 169 articles were obtained from the literature search, and 31 of these were included after the screening process. Ultrasonography was capable of identifying functional dyspepsia pathophysiology using both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Conclusions: We conclude that ultrasonography is a non-invasive, safe, low-cost, and widely accessible method that can help diagnose functional dyspepsia through the exclusion of organic dyspepsia and assessing FD pathophysiology. Incorporation of ultrasound in the work-up of patients with functional dyspepsia allows for a sound diagnostic approach and can further improve patient management.
Evaluation of C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5) as a Sample Adequacy Control in HPV Molecular Diagnostics
Authors: Njoku Ruth C. , Martinelli Marianna , Giubbi Chiara , De Marco Sofia , Torsello Barbara , d’Avenia Morena , Sironi Manuela , Bianchi Cristina , Cocuzza Clementina E.
Published: September 2024

Background: Reliable Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing and genotyping are essential for quality assurance in HPV-based primary screening, disease management and for monitoring the impact of HPV vaccination. The clinical validation of HPV molecular diagnostic assays has significantly contributed to these objectives; however, little emphasis has been placed on assuring sample quality. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of sample cellularity assessment using the C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5) gene target as a marker of sample adequacy in molecular diagnostics. Methods: Jurkat cell line samples were counted using both a Thoma cell-counting chamber and Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). Jurkat cell line samples at three different concentrations were subsequently evaluated using the OncoPredict HPV Quality Control (QC) real-time PCR assay, employing CCR5 for molecular cellularity quantification. Results: The cellularity values obtained were comparable across the three different methods for all dilutions of the cell line tested. Conclusions: The results obtained from this study show that CCR5 represents a promising molecular marker for the accurate quantification of sample cellularity, confirming its use as a reliable sample adequacy control, thus reducing the risk of “false-negative” results.
Traumatic Dental Injuries: Prevalence, First Aid, and Mouthguard Use in a Sample of Italian Kickboxing Athletes
Authors: Biagi Roberto , Mirelli Cristina , Ventimiglia Rebecca , Ceraulo Saverio
Published: September 2024

Background: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are a common complication in sports, with an overall prevalence ranging from 0.71% to 60%. Kickboxing is a high-risk combat sport for trauma to the facial region. Methods: A total of 142 5-to-65-year-old amateur athletes participated in the survey with a questionnaire that was released during their regular practice days. The questionnaire was structured into three parts: (1) questions about age, gender, type, and time of sports practice; (2) questions about dental injuries, personal experience, and awareness of emergency management, particularly about tooth avulsion; (3) questions about wearing a mouthguard for TDI prevention. Results: A total of 13 percent of athletes suffered a TDI while training or fighting. Regarding first aid, 61% of the participants in this survey are aware of the possibility of replanting a tooth after its avulsion; 10% believe that the tooth should be replanted within 15 min, and 37% of athletes believe that it should be kept wet. The mouthguard is known to the majority of athletes (94%), and 66% were informed by the coach; 68% of the athletes use it. Seventy-four percent of the mouthguards were purchased in a sports shop. Conclusions: A relatively low prevalence of TDIs was observed in players in the sample. A lack of information about the emergency management of tooth avulsion and about the type of mouthguard to wear emphasizes the importance of educational training by dentists to athletes and coaches.
Fundamentals of Nonparametric Statistical Tests for Dental Clinical Research
Authors: Garrocho-Rangel Arturo , Aranda-Romo Saray , Martínez-Martínez Rita , Zavala-Alonso Verónica , Flores-Arriaga Juan Carlos , Pozos-Guillén Amaury
Published: September 2024

This article provides the foundation for employing nonparametric testing in dental clinical research. To make wise judgments in their research, investigators should learn more about the main nonparametric tests and their particular uses. Biostatistical analysis is essential in dental research; dental research frequently deviates from the assumptions that underpin traditional parametric statistics. Nonparametric statistics are useful for studies with small sample sizes, nominal- or ordinal-level data, and non-normally distributed variables. These statistical tests make no assumptions about the sampled population. Nonparametric tests are statistical methods based on signs and ranks. For dental research to be conducted effectively and accurately, statistical approaches must be applied correctly. Therefore, dental researchers must understand the many statistical methods at their disposal and know when to use them.
The Effectiveness of Remineralization with Compound Silver Nanoparticles and Fluoride Varnish in Carious Lesions in Primary Teeth: A Randomized Split-Mouth Clinical Trial
Authors: Juárez-López María Lilia Adriana , Marín-Miranda Miriam , Palma-Pardínes Rosita , Retana-Ugalde Raquel
Published: September 2024

Background: Anti-cariogenic properties of silver nanoparticles and fluorides have been probed mainly in vitro and with the objetive to evaluate the remineralizing effects of an applied silver nanoparticle compound plus fluoride varnish, a randomized split-mouth clinical trial was conducted in children aged 6 to 7 years. Methods: The project was approved by the ethics committee of the faculty. Primary molars were randomly distributed into two groups, as follows: Group A was treated with a compound based on silver nanoparticles plus fluoride varnish (SNP-FV), and Group B was treated with a silver diamine fluoride compound (SDF-KI), which is the current standard treatment. Laser fluorescence with a DIAGNOdent pen was used for the evaluation, with follow-up examinations at 15 days, 6 months, and 12 months. ANOVA test was used to compare the groups. The results showed a decrease in demineralization was observed after treatment with SNP-FV; similar results were observed after treatment with SDF-KI. Within each group, there were favorable changes. In the SDF-KI group, the differences in demineralization were 25.63 at 15 days, 29.37 at 6 months, and 30.6 at one year (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, in the SNP-FV group, the decreases were 22.7 at 15 days, 28.78 at 6 months, and 31.11 at one year (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The SNP-FV combined treatment represents an alternative remineralizing treatment for the management of carious lesions in the dentin of primary molars.
Maternal Transmission of 17q12 Microdeletion: Intrafamilial Phenotypic Variability and Diagnostic Hurdles—A Case Report
Authors: Negrisolo Susanna , Caridi Gianluca , Antoniello Benedetta , Benetti Elisa
Published: September 2024

The relatively rare proximal 17q12 microdeletion, including the deletion of the HNF1B gene, is associated with renal cysts and diabetes syndrome (RCAD). This genomic rearrangement results in a wide range of phenotypes, including renal cysts and diabetes, which are consistent with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 5 (MODY5), Mullerian aplasia/dysgenesis, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, speech delay, learning difficulties, transient neonatal hypercalcemia, and neonatal cholestasis. We describe a girl with a 17q12 microdeletion identified using CGH array analysis (about 1.4 Mb, including HNF1B and LHX1 genes). The same deletion was identified in her mother. The proband had shown cystic and hypodysplastic bilateral kidneys since birth and hypertension, while her mother had bilateral renal cysts and diabetes. Despite suggestive findings in the girl and in the mother, no clinical suspicion arose, and genetic testing was carried out only after referral to a pediatric nephrologist. In children, the identification of 17q12 microdeletion may have a significant impact on the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of renal disease and early-onset type II diabetes. This family with a 17q12 microdeletion confirms intrafamilial phenotypic variability and highlights the importance of including it early on in the analysis of the diagnostic workup of children with renal cystic diseases.
UAV Anomaly Detection Method Based on Convolutional Autoencoder and Support Vector Data Description with 0/1 Soft-Margin Loss
Authors: Chen Huakun , Lyu Yongxi , Shi Jingping , Zhang Weiguo
Published: September 2024

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming more widely used in various industries, raising growing concerns about their safety and reliability. The flight data of UAVs can directly reflect their flight health status; however, the rarity of abnormal flight data and the spatiotemporal characteristics of these data represent a significant challenge for constructing accurate and reliable anomaly detectors. To address this, this study proposes an anomaly detection framework that fully considers the temporal correlations and distribution characteristics of flight data. This framework first combines a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1DCNN) with an autoencoder (AE) to establish a feature extraction model. This model leverages the feature extraction capabilities of the 1DCNN and the reconstruction capabilities of the AE to thoroughly extract the spatiotemporal features from UAV flight data. Then, to address the challenge of adaptive anomaly detection thresholds, this research proposes a nonlinear model of support vector data description (SVDD) utilizing a 0/1 soft-margin loss, referred to as L0/1-SVDD. This model replaces the traditional hinge loss function in SVDD with a 0/1 loss function, with the goal of enhancing the accuracy and robustness of anomaly detection. Since the 0/1 loss function is a bounded, non-convex, and non-continuous function, this paper proposes the Bregman ADMM algorithm to solve the L0/1-SVDD. Finally, the difference between the reconstructed and the actual value is employed to train the L0/1-SVDD, resulting in a hypersphere classifier that is capable of detecting UAV anomaly data. The experimental results using real flight data show that, compared with methods such as AE, LSTM, and LSTM-AE, the proposed method exhibits superior performance across five evaluation metrics.
Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Wireless Hierarchical Federated Learning: Performance Analysis
Authors: Zhang Haonan , Xu Peng , Dai Bin
Published: September 2024

Wireless hierarchical federated learning (WHFL) is an implementation of wireless federated Learning (WFL) on a cloud–edge–client hierarchical architecture that accelerates model training and achieves more favorable trade-offs between communication and computation. However, due to the broadcast nature of wireless communication, the WHFL is susceptible to eavesdropping during the training process. Apart from this, recently ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) has received much attention since it serves as a critical communication service in current 5G and upcoming 6G, and this motivates us to study the URLLC-WHFL in the presence of physical layer security (PLS) issue. In this paper, we propose a secure finite block-length (FBL) approach for the multi-antenna URLLC-WHFL, and characterize the relationship between privacy, utility, and PLS of the proposed scheme. Simulation results show that when the eavesdropper’s CSI is perfectly known by the edge server, our proposed FBL approach not only almost achieves perfect secrecy but also does not affect learning performance, and further shows the robustness of our schemes against imperfect CSI of the eavesdropper’s channel. This paper provides a new method for the URLLC-WHFL in the presence of PLS.