bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A triple-drug combination induces apoptosis in cervical cancer-derived cell lines
Authors: Delgado-Waldo Izamary , Contreras-Romero Carlos , Salazar-Aguilar Sandra , Pessoa João , Mitre-Aguilar Irma , García-Castillo Verónica , Pérez-Plasencia Carlos , Jacobo-Herrera Nadia Judith
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Cervical cancer is a worldwide health problem due to the number of deaths caused by this neoplasm. In particular, in 2020, 30,000 deaths of this type of tumor were reported in Latin America. Treatments used to manage patients diagnosed in the early stages have excellent results as measured by different clinical outcomes. Existing first-line treatments are not enough to avoid cancer recurrence, progression, or metastasis in locally advanced and advanced stages. Therefore, there is a need to continue with the proposal of new therapies. Drug repositioning is a strategy to explore known medicines as treatments for other diseases. In this scenario, drugs used in other pathologies that have antitumor activity, such as metformin and sodium oxamate, are analyzed.

Methods

In this research, we combined the drugs metformin and sodium oxamate with doxorubicin (named triple therapy or TT) based on their mechanism of action and previous investigation of our group against three CC cell lines.

Results

Through flow cytometry, Western blot, and protein microarray experiments, we found TT-induced apoptosis on HeLa, CaSki, and SiHa through the caspase 3 intrinsic pathway, including the critical proapoptotic proteins BAD, BAX, cytochrome-C, and p21. In addition, mTOR and S6K phosphorylated proteins were inhibited in the three cell lines. Also, we show an anti-migratory activity of the TT, suggesting other targets of the drug combination in the late CC stages.

Discussion

These results, together with our former studies, conclude that TT inhibits the mTOR pathway leading to cell death by apoptosis. Our work provides new evidence of TT against cervical cancer as a promising antineoplastic therapy.
MAP4K4 and cancer: ready for the main stage?
Authors: González-Montero Jaime , Rojas Carlos I. , Burotto Mauricio
Published: May 2023

MAP4K4 is a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the MAP kinase family and plays a critical role in embryogenesis and cellular migration. It contains approximately 1,200 amino acids and has a molecular mass of 140 kDa. MAP4K4 is expressed in most tissues where it has been examined and its knockout is embryonic lethal due to impaired somite development. Alterations in MAP4K4 function have a central role in the development of many metabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes, but have recently been implicated in the initiation and progression of cancer. For example, it has been shown that MAP4K4 can stimulate the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells by activating pro-proliferative pathways (such as the c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK] and mixed-lineage protein kinase 3 [MLK3] pathways), attenuate anti-tumor cytotoxic immune responses, and stimulate cell invasion and migration by altering cytoskeleton and actin function. Recent in vitro experiments using RNA interference-based knockdown (miR) techniques have shown that inhibition of MAP4K4 function reduces tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion, and may represent a promising therapeutic approach in many types of cancer such as pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, and medulloblastoma, among others. Over the last few years, specific MAP4K4 inhibitors such as GNE-495 have been developed but have not yet been tested in cancer patients. However, these novel agents may be useful for cancer treatment in the future.
No-tillage with straw mulching promotes the utilization of soil nitrogen by rice under wheat–rice and oilseed rape–rice cropping systems
Authors: Yan Fengjun , Zhou Wei , Sun Yongjian , Guo Changchun , Xiang Kaihong , Li Na , Yang Zhiyuan , Wu Yunxia , Zhang Qiao , Sun Yuanyuan , Wang Xiyao , Ma Jun
Published: May 2023

Introduction

To investigate the effects of no-tillage with straw mulching on the absorption and utilization of soil nitrogen (N), fertilizer N, and straw N by rice under paddy-upland rotations.

Methods

A field experiment with three cropping systems: fallow–rice rotation without straw mulching (FRN), wheat–rice rotation with wheat mulching in rice season (WRS), and oilseed rape–rice rotation with oilseed rape straw mulching in rice season (ORS) was conducted from 2015 to 2017, along with a mini-plot experiment with 15N-labeled urea and straws, which was conducted in 2017.

Results

No-tillage with straw reduced rice N uptake up to 20 days after transplanting, the total amount of fertilizer N uptake of WRS and ORS rice plants was 46.33 and 61.67 kg/ha, respectively, which was 9.02 and 45.10% higher than that of FRN plants. Soil N was the main source for rice growth, followed by fertilizer N. Soil N uptake by WRS and ORS rice plants was 21.75 and 26.82% higher than that of FRN plants, accounting for 72.37 and 65.47%, respectively, of the total N accumulated in rice plants. Straw mulching increased the N utilization efficiency of tillering, panicle, and total fertilizer by 2.84–25.30%; however, base fertilizer was dependent on straw mulching. The total amount of N released from WRS and ORS straw mulching in the rice season was 34.97 and 24.82 kg/ha, respectively; however, only 3.04 and 4.82% of it was absorbed by the rice plants, accounting for only 0.62 and 0.66% of the total accumulated N.

Discussion

No-tillage with straw mulching under paddy-upland rotations increased the N utilization of rice, especially for the absorption of soil N. These results provide theoretical information for the effective utilization of straw and rational N application practices in rice-based cropping systems.
Effect of Micro-Credit for Poverty Alleviation on Income Growth and Poverty Alleviation—Empirical Evidence from Rural Areas in Hebei, China
Authors: Yin Shuangming , Chen Xiaojuan , Zhou Xiangyu , Chen Chao , Liu Jianxu
Published: May 2023

Micro-credit for poverty alleviation is an important financial measure of targeted poverty reduction and rural revitalization in China. This paper employs the OLS model and Logit model to empirically test the effect of micro-credit for poverty alleviation on the income level and stability of income growth of farmers based on the field survey data of 458 registered poverty-stricken farmer households in Fuping County and Quyang County of Hebei Province. The results suggest that micro-credit for poverty alleviation can increase farmers’ income, stabilize the growth of their income, and exert significant short-term and long-term effects on income growth and poverty alleviation. The specialized farmer cooperatives, the scale of production and operation, the proportion of family labor force, and the education level of the head of the farmer’s household exert a significantly positive effect on the farmers’ income and the stable growth of their income. There is a significant interaction between micro-credit for poverty alleviation and specialized farmer cooperatives. The physical conditions of family members exert a negative effect on the stable growth of their income, and other financing channels have no significant effect.
Mitigation of Salinity Stress on Soybean Seedlings Using Indole Acetic Acid-Producing Acinetobacter pittii YNA40
Authors: Kang Sang-Mo , Hoque Md. Injamum Ul , Woo Ji-In , Lee In-Jung
Published: May 2023

Soybean is an important oil crop with multiple uses. Soybeans can grow in various soil types and climates; however, salt stress reduces their yield. Plant growth-promoting microorganisms are an environmentally benign way to combat stress and boost plant tolerance. In the present study, we have identified plant growth-promoting bacteria that can produce indole acetic acid (IAA) and induce distinct growth characteristics in soybean plants under salt stress. The YNA40 isolate was identified as Acinetobacter pittii through 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. A pure culture of Acinetobacter pittii YNA40 was subjected to chromatographic and mass spectrometry selected-ion monitoring (GC-MS/SIM) for IAA quantification. The results revealed that the YNA40 bacterial strain showed a significantly higher IAA concentration (473.88 ng/mL) at 4% sodium chloride (NaCl). Moreover, in a salt-stress condition, inoculation with Acinetobacter pittii YNA40 was able to induce increased shoot length (23.48%), shoot weight (24%), root length (2.47%), and root weight (44.82%) compared to the uninoculated control. Therefore, soybean seedlings were inoculated with YNA40 to examine their potential for promoting growth and reprogramming after salt stress. Inoculation with YNA40 isolates mitigated the salt stress and significantly improved the growth of the plant, enhanced the chlorophyll contents, and improved the quantum efficiency of chlorophyll fluorescence, total phenolic content, flavonoid content, the diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity, and antioxidant activities of soybean plants during and after salt stress. The present research demonstrated that the application of the YNA40 isolate is promising for reducing salt stress in soybean plants and helps plants grow better in a salt-stressed environment.
Aminoglycosides for the Treatment of Severe Infection Due to Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens
Authors: Thy Michaël , Timsit Jean-François , de Montmollin Etienne
Published: May 2023

Aminoglycosides are a family of rapidly bactericidal antibiotics that often remain active against resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Over the past decade, their use in critically ill patients has been refined; however, due to their renal and cochleovestibular toxicity, their indications in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock have been gradually reduced. This article reviews the spectrum of activity, mode of action, and methods for optimizing the efficacy of aminoglycosides. We discuss the current indications for aminoglycosides, with an emphasis on multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Additionally, we review the evidence for the use of nebulized aminoglycosides.
Terahertz Absorption Spectroscopy in Bicrystal Josephson Junctions Formed from Mutually Tilted c-Axes YBa2Cu3O7−x Films
Authors: Divin Yuriy
Published: May 2023

Spectral analysis of terahertz (THz) and sub-THz emission from quantum cascade lasers has been recently demonstrated using conventional YBa2Cu3O7−x bicrystal Josephson junctions made from c-axes thin films. Josephson frequencies of alternative bicrystal junctions made from YBa2Cu3O7−x films with mutually tilted c-axes extend further into the THz range. However, these THz oscillations can weaken due to new absorption channels in the junction environment. Here, using Josephson admittance spectroscopy, THz losses in YBa2Cu3O7−x bicrystal junctions with mutually tilted c-axes are studied. Absorption maximizes at a reproducible set of THz frequencies close to those of collective modes in bulk YBa2Cu3O7−x recovered by Fourier spectroscopy. Annealing junctions in atomic oxygen reduces the losses at frequencies of 2.7 and 3.6 THz, while the losses increase at frequencies of 2.3 and 4.6 THz. Thus, as a THz spectrum analyzer, YBa2Cu3O7−x bicrystal junctions require post-fabrication correction of the oxygen content. In addition, the fine structure of the absorption spectrum appears at frequencies near 4.6 THz. Significant absorption near 2.3 THz may be due to effects associated with the second Josephson harmonic or second-order nonlinearity of the susceptibility in YBa2Cu3O7−x. This work paves the way towards probing collective modes in high-Tc materials in situ using the Josephson oscillations.
Violence, Exile, and Homeland in Visual Arts in the Slovenian Diaspora in Argentina
Authors: Repič Jaka
Published: May 2023

This article explores visual arts and literature in the Slovenian diasporic community in Argentina, founded by post-World-War-II refugees who fled Slovenia at the end of the war and the beginning of the communist revolution in Yugoslavia. Based on the ethnographic data collected among the Slovenes in Argentina and biographical interviews with selected Slovene artists, the article addresses how art and cultural production in the diaspora, imbued with social memories and themes of war, violence, mass executions in the post-war period, and exile from the homeland is encompassed in three levels of cultural policies: (a) an Argentinean framework of cultural pluralism that integrated migrant communities into the national identity and narrative, allowing them to preserve and express their ethnic and cultural backgrounds and identities; (b) a diasporic level that institutionalized specific themes important for diasporic ideologies, some explicitly related to violence, exile, and mass executions; and (c) a transnational level that facilitated the integration of artists from the diaspora into Slovenian and international “art worlds”. These cultural policies were often contradictory and required artists to shift between inclusion in the Argentinean art domain and the diasporic one, which favored partial social exclusivism.
Using Low-Cost Radar Sensors and Action Cameras to Measure Inter-Vehicle Distances in Real-World Truck Platooning
Authors: Log Markus Metallinos , Thoresen Thomas , Eitrheim Maren H. R. , Levin Tomas , Tørset Trude
Published: May 2023

Many modern vehicles collect inter-vehicle distance data from radar sensors as input to driver assistance systems. However, vehicle manufacturers often use proprietary algorithms to conceal the collected data, making them inaccessible to external individuals, such as researchers. Aftermarket sensors may circumvent this issue. This study investigated the use of low-cost radar sensors to determine inter-vehicle distances during real-world semi-automated truck platooning on two-way, two-lane rural roads. Radar data from the two follower trucks in a three-truck platoon were collected, synchronized and filtered. The sensors measured distance, relative velocity and signal-to-noise ratio. Dashboard camera footage was collected, coded and synchronized to the radar data, providing context about the driving situation, such as oncoming trucks, roundabouts and tunnels. The sensors had different configuration parameters, suggested by the supplier, to avoid signal interference. With parameters as chosen, sensor ranges, inferred from maximum distance measurements, were approximately 74 and 71 m. These values were almost on par with theoretical calculations. The sensors captured the preceding truck for 83–85% of the time where they had the preceding truck within range, and 95–96% of the time in tunnels. While roundabouts are problematic, the sensors are feasible for collecting inter-vehicle distance data during truck platooning.
Hand-Eye Calibration via Linear and Nonlinear Regressions
Authors: Sato Junya
Published: May 2023

For a robot to pick up an object viewed by a camera, the object’s position in the image coordinate system must be converted to the robot coordinate system. Recently, a neural network-based method was proposed to achieve this task. This methodology can accurately convert the object’s position despite errors and disturbances that arise in a real-world environment, such as the deflection of a robot arm triggered by changes in the robot’s posture. However, this method has some drawbacks, such as the need for significant effort in model selection, hyperparameter tuning, and lack of stability and interpretability in the learning results. To address these issues, a method involving linear and nonlinear regressions is proposed. First, linear regression is employed to convert the object’s position from the image coordinate system to the robot base coordinate system. Next, B-splines-based nonlinear regression is applied to address the errors and disturbances that occur in a real-world environment. Since this approach is more stable and has better calibration performance with interpretability as opposed to the recent method, it is more practical. In the experiment, calibration results were incorporated into a robot, and its performance was evaluated quantitatively. The proposed method achieved a mean position error of 0.5 mm, while the neural network-based method achieved an error of 1.1 mm.
Sirtuin-3-Mediated Cellular Metabolism Links Cardiovascular Remodeling with Hypertension
Authors: Gao Jing , Shen Weili
Published: May 2023

Hypertension can cause structural and functional abnormalities in the cardiovascular system, which can be attributed to both hemodynamic and nonhemodynamic factors. These alterations are linked with metabolic changes and are induced by pathological stressors. Sirtuins are enzymes that act as stress sensors and regulate metabolic adaptation by deacetylating proteins. Among them, mitochondrial SIRT3 performs a crucial role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Evidence from experimental and clinical studies has shown that hypertension-induced decreases in SIRT3 activity can lead to cellular metabolism reprogramming and, subsequently, increased susceptibility to endothelial dysfunction, myocardial hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and heart failure. This review presents recent research advances in SIRT3-mediated metabolic adaptation in hypertensive cardiovascular remodeling.
Correction: Taokaew, S.; Kriangkrai, W. Chitinase-Assisted Bioconversion of Chitinous Waste for Development of Value-Added Chito-Oligosaccharides Products. Biology 2023, 12, 87
Authors: Taokaew Siriporn , Kriangkrai Worawut
Published: May 2023

In the original publication [...]
Production of Fructooligosaccharides Using a Commercial Heterologously Expressed Aspergillus sp. Fructosyltransferase
Authors: Karkeszová Klaudia , Polakovič Milan
Published: May 2023

The catalytic properties of Seqenzym® FT, a fungal fructosyltransferase heterologously expressed in yeasts, were investigated at a temperature of 55 °C and pH 5.5. The initial rate measurements showed that the transfructosylation rate was only slightly inhibited by sucrose above the concentration of 1.5 M. A rather low level of hydrolytic side activity was observed even at sucrose concentrations as low as 0.25 M. In progress curve experiments, the mass yield of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) reached a maximum value of 57% at this sucrose concentration, although it dropped to about 35% later on. At high initial sucrose concentrations up to 2 M, the FOS yield reached a maximum value of approximately 63% at a sucrose conversion of approximately 90%. Although neither the yield nor the conversion changed much later on, the progress of the reaction was manifested by the gradual depletion of shorter chain FOS, 1-kestose and nystose, and the accumulation of 1-β-fructofuranosyl nystose. At initial sucrose concentrations of 2 M, the degree of polymerization expressed through the number of fructosyl units grew from 2.3 at a conversion degree of 87% to 3.1 at a conversion degree of 94%. Compared to other commercial preparations, Seqenzym® FT can better produce FOS with a higher degree of polymerization.
Justus von Liebig
Authors: Schindler Siegfried
Published: May 2023

This is a short overview of the life and achievements of Justus von Liebig. Clearly, this can only be an incomplete and somewhat personal view of the author, who has been a professor of inorganic chemistry at Justus Liebig University since 2002. Having already been interested in the work of Liebig for many years, and with a strong connection to the Liebig Museum in Giessen, the author hopes to provide some useful information about this great chemist, one of the founders of modern chemistry. The reader should find many interesting, probably new, facts about Liebig’s major impact on chemistry, agriculture, nutrition, and pharmacology.
Child Abuse, Misdiagnosed by an Expertise Center—Part II—Misuse of Bayes’ Theorem
Authors: van Gemert Martin J. C. , Zwinderman Aeilko H. , Koppen Peter J. van , Neumann H. A. Martino , Vlaming Marianne
Published: May 2023

A newborn girl had, from two weeks on, small bruises on varying body locations, but not on her chest. Her Armenian grandmother easily bruised, too. Her mother was diagnosed with hypermobility-type Ehlers-Danlos-Syndrome (hEDS), an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder, with a 50% inheritance probability. Referral to a University Medical Center located “Dutch Expertise Center for Child Abuse” resulted (prior to consultation) in physical abuse suspicion. Protocol-based skeletal X-rays showed three healed, asymptomatic rib fractures. A protocol-based Bayesian likelihood ratio guesstimation gave 10–100, erroneously used to suggest a 10–100 times likelier non-accidental-than-accidental cause. Foster care placement followed, even in a secret home, where she also bruised, suggesting hEDS inheritance. Correct non-accidental/accidental Bayes’ probability of symptoms is (likelihood ratio) × (physical abuse incidence). From the literature, we derived an infant abuse incidence between about ≈0.0009 and ≈0.0026 and a likelihood ratio of <5 for bruises. For rib fractures, we used a zero likelihood ratio, arguing their cause was birth trauma from the extra delivery pressure on the chest, combined with fragile bones as the daughter of an hEDS-mother. We thus derived a negligible abuse/accidental probability between <5 × 0.0009 <0.005 and <5 × 0.0026 <0.013. The small abuse incidence implies that correctly using Bayes’ theorem will also miss true infant physical abuse cases. Curiously, because likelihood ratios assess how more often symptoms develop if abuse did occur versus non-abuse, Bayes’ theorem then implies a 100% infant abuse incidence (unwittingly) used by LECK. In conclusion, probabilities should never replace differential diagnostic procedures, the accepted medical method of care. Well-known from literature, supported by the present case, is that (child abuse pediatrics) physicians, child protection workers, and judges were unlikely to understand Bayesian statistics. Its use without statistics consultation should therefore not have occurred. Thus, Bayesian statistics, and certainly (misused) likelihood ratios, should never be applied in cases of physical child abuse suspicion. Finally, parental innocence follows from clarifying what could have caused the girl’s bruises (inherited hEDS), and rib fractures (birth trauma from fragile bones).
Cycle Threshold (Ct) Values of SARS-CoV-2 Detected with the GeneXpert® System and a Mutation Associated with Different Target Gene Failure
Authors: Yamashita Keita , Taniguchi Terumi , Niizeki Noriyasu , Nagao Yuki , Suzuki Akira , Toguchi Akihiro , Takebayashi Shiori , Ishikawa Jinko , Nagura Osanori , Furuhashi Kazuki , Iwaizumi Moriya , Maekawa Masato
Published: May 2023

SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection tests enable rapid virus detection; however, it is challenging to identify genotypes to comprehend the local epidemiology and infection routes in real-time qRT-PCR. At the end of June 2022, our hospital experienced an in-hospital cluster of COVID-19. When examined using the GeneXpert® System, the cycle threshold (Ct) value of the N2 region of the nucleocapsid gene of SARS-CoV-2 was approximately 10 cycles higher than that of the envelope gene. Sanger sequencing revealed a G29179T mutation in the primer and probe binding sites. A review of past test results revealed differences in Ct values in 21 of 345 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, of which 17 cases were cluster-related and 4 were not. Including these 21 cases, 36 cases in total were selected for whole-genome sequencing (WGS). The viral genomes in the cluster-related cases were identified as BA.2.10, and those in the non-cluster cases were closely related and classified as being downstream of BA.2.10 and other lineages. Although WGS can provide comprehensive information, its use is limited in various laboratory settings. A measurement platform reporting and comparing Ct values of different target genes can improve test accuracy, enhance our understanding of infection spread, and be applied to the quality control of reagents.
Deregulation of Autophagy and Apoptosis in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Implications for Disease Development and Progression
Authors: Tsekoura Georgia , Agathangelidis Andreas , Kontandreopoulou Christina-Nefeli , Taliouraki Angeliki , Mporonikola Georgia , Stavropoulou Maria , Diamantopoulos Panagiotis T. , Viniou Nora-Athina , Aleporou Vassiliki , Papassideri Issidora , Kollia Panagoula
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDSs) consist of a group of blood malignancies with a complex biological background. In this context, we investigated the role of autophagy and apoptosis in the pathogenesis and progression of MDSs. (2) Methods: To address this issue, we performed a systematic expression analysis on a total of 84 genes in patients with different types of MDSs (low/high risk of malignancy) versus healthy individuals. Furthermore, real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to validate significantly upregulated or downregulated genes in a separate cohort of MDS patients and healthy controls. (3) Results: MDS patients were characterized by lower expression levels for a large series of genes involved in both processes compared to healthy individuals. Of importance, deregulation was more pronounced in patients with higher-risk MDS. Results from the qRT-PCR experiments displayed a high level of concordance with the PCR array, strengthening the relevance of our findings. (4) Conclusions: Our results indicate a clear effect of autophagy and apoptosis on MDS development, which becomes more pronounced as the disease progresses. The results from the present study are expected to assist in our understanding of the biological background of MDSs as well as in the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
Immune-Related Long Non-Coding RNA Signatures for Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hu Daniel , Messadi Diana V.
Published: May 2023

Background: Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) represents one of the major subsets of head and neck cancer, which is characterized by unfavorable prognosis, frequent lymph node metastasis, and high mortality rate. The molecular events regulating tongue tumorigenesis remain elusive. In this study, we aimed to identify and evaluate immune-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as prognostic biomarkers in TSCC. Methods: The lncRNA expression data for TSCC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the immune-related genes were downloaded from the Immunology Database and Analysis Portal (ImmPort). Pearson correlation analysis was performed to identify immune-related lncRNAs. The TCGA TSCC patient cohort was randomly divided into training and testing cohorts. In the training cohort, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determining key immune-related lncRNAs, which were then validated through Cox regression analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis in the testing cohort. Results: Six immune-related signature lncRNAs (MIR4713HG, AC104088.1, LINC00534, NAALADL2-AS2, AC083967.1, FNDC1-IT1) were found to have prognostic value in TSCC. Multivariate and univariate cox regression analyses showed that the risk score based on our six-lncRNA model, when compared to other clinicopathological factors (age, gender, stage, N, T), was an important indicator of survival rate. In addition, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated significantly higher overall survival in the low-risk patient group than the high-risk patient group within both training and testing cohorts. The ROC analysis indicated that the AUCs for 5-year overall survival were 0.790, 0.691, and 0.721, respectively, for training, testing, and entire cohorts. Finally, PCA analysis demonstrated that the high-risk and low-risk patient groups presented significant deviation regarding their immune status. Conclusions: A prognostic model based on six immune-related signature lncRNAs was established. This six-lncRNA prognostic model has clinical significance and may be helpful in the development of personalized immunotherapy strategies.
Classification of Monkeypox Images Using LIME-Enabled Investigation of Deep Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Lakshmi M. , Das Raja
Published: May 2023

In this research, we demonstrate a Deep Convolutional Neural Network-based classification model for the detection of monkeypox. Monkeypox can be difficult to diagnose clinically in its early stages since it resembles both chickenpox and measles in symptoms. The early diagnosis of monkeypox helps doctors cure it more quickly. Therefore, pre-trained models are frequently used in the diagnosis of monkeypox, because the manual analysis of a large number of images is labor-intensive and prone to inaccuracy. Therefore, finding the monkeypox virus requires an automated process. The large layer count of convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures enables them to successfully conceptualize the features on their own, thereby contributing to better performance in image classification. The scientific community has recently articulated significant attention in employing artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose monkeypox from digital skin images due primarily to AI’s success in COVID-19 identification. The VGG16, VGG19, ResNet50, ResNet101, DenseNet201, and AlexNet models were used in our proposed method to classify patients with monkeypox symptoms with other diseases of a similar kind (chickenpox, measles, and normal). The majority of images in our research are collected from publicly available datasets. This study suggests an adaptive k-means clustering image segmentation technique that delivers precise segmentation results with straightforward operation. Our preliminary computational findings reveal that the proposed model could accurately detect patients with monkeypox. The best overall accuracy achieved by ResNet101 is 94.25%, with an AUC of 98.59%. Additionally, we describe the categorization of our model utilizing feature extraction using Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME), which provides a more in-depth understanding of particular properties that distinguish the monkeypox virus.
AI-Based Decision Support System for Traumatic Brain Injury: A Survey
Authors: Rajaei Flora , Cheng Shuyang , Williamson Craig A. , Wittrup Emily , Najarian Kayvan
Published: May 2023

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Rapid and precise clinical assessment and decision-making are essential to improve the outcome and the resulting complications. Due to the size and complexity of the data analyzed in TBI cases, computer-aided data processing, analysis, and decision support systems could play an important role. However, developing such systems is challenging due to the heterogeneity of symptoms, varying data quality caused by different spatio-temporal resolutions, and the inherent noise associated with image and signal acquisition. The purpose of this article is to review current advances in developing artificial intelligence-based decision support systems for the diagnosis, severity assessment, and long-term prognosis of TBI complications.
Diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: Past, Present, and Future—A Mini-Review
Authors: Lien Han-Chung , Lee Ping-Huan , Wang Chen-Chi
Published: May 2023

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a variant of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in which gastric refluxate irritates the lining of the aerodigestive tract and causes troublesome airway symptoms or complications. LPR is a prevalent disease that creates a significant socioeconomic burden due to its negative impact on quality of life, tremendous medical expense, and possible cancer risk. Although treatment modalities are similar between LPR and GERD, the diagnosis of LPR is more challenging than GERD due to its non-specific symptoms/signs. Due to the lack of pathognomonic features of endoscopy, mounting evidence focused on physiological diagnostic testing. Two decades ago, a dual pH probe was considered the gold standard for detecting pharyngeal acidic reflux episodes. Despite an association with LPR, the dual pH was unable to predict the treatment response in clinical practice, presumably due to frequently encountered artifacts. Currently, hypopharygneal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH catheters incorporating two trans-upper esophageal sphincter impedance sensors enable to differentiate pharyngeal refluxes from swallows. The validation of pharyngeal acid reflux episodes that are relevant to anti-reflux treatment is, therefore, crucial. Given no diagnostic gold standard of LPR, this review article aimed to discuss the evolution of objective diagnostic testing and its predictive role of treatment response.
Comparison between Two-Dimensional and Point Shear Wave Elastography Techniques in Evaluating Liver Fibrosis Using Histological Staging as the Reference Standard: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Lee Sang , Ha Hong , Lee In , Lee Kwanseop , Lee Jung , Park Ji , Kim Sung-Eun , Kwon Mi , Choe Ji-Young , Yoon Sam-Youl , Yeo Seung-Gu , Kim Min-Jeong
Published: May 2023

Evaluation of hepatic fibrosis is essential to prevent liver-related morbidity and mortality. Although various types of ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) have been used and validated, there are limited studies on the relatively newer technique, two-dimensional SWE (2D-SWE). Therefore, this study aimed to compare the diagnostic performances of 2D-SWE and point SWE (p-SWE) for evaluating liver fibrosis using histology as the reference standard. To measure liver stiffness (LS) values, 87 patients underwent 2D-SWE and p-SWE using the same machine. Technical failures and unreliable measurements were also evaluated. The diagnostic performances of 2D-SWE and p-SWE were compared using area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis. No technical failures were observed in either method; however, unreliable measurements were less frequent in 2D-SWE (1/87 [1.1%]) than in p-SWE (8/87 [9.2%]) (p < 0.001). The AUROC of the LS values of 2D-SWE were significantly higher than those of p-SWE for diagnosing significant fibrosis (0.965 vs. 0.872, p = 0.022) and cirrhosis (0.994 vs. 0.886, p = 0.042). In conclusion, 2D-SWE is more reliable and accurate than p-SWE for diagnosing hepatic fibrosis.
Implementation of a Mixed Strategy of Gamification and Flipped Learning in Undergraduate Basic Programming Courses
Authors: Huesca Gilberto , Campos Gabriela , Larre Mónica , Pérez-Lezama Claudia
Published: May 2023

The post-pandemic stage has accelerated the search for innovative ways that impact the teaching–learning process. Flipped learning and gamification have been used as active learning strategies to increase motivation and student learning gains. Both strategies have shown positive results when applied alone and when compared to traditional modalities. In this work, we present a quantitative study that was applied to 414 students throughout a complete course of basic programming, divided into four groups: (1) group that applied flipped learning using videos, (2) group that applied outside-class gamification, (3) group that applied both strategies, and (4) control group. A pretest–posttest process, with 96 true or false questions test, was applied to the groups to find out the normalized learning achievements of the students. A statistical analysis found that the students in groups 1 and 2 performed significantly better (+9%) than the students in the control group. In addition, the students of group 3 had a lower performance than the students of groups 1 and 2 (−10%). Our results confirm that active learning in a flipped classroom and the use of gamification can be useful and strategic tools for advancing the new way of educating in the post-pandemic period.
FEM Analysis of 3D Timber Connections Subjected to Fire: The Effect of Using Different Densities of Wood Combined with Steel
Authors: Fonseca Elza M. M. , Gomes Carlos
Published: May 2023

This work aims to present a study approach for double-shear connections of wood under fire with dowel pins and plates in steel material, using different types of glulam. The simplified Eurocode equations for ambient temperature were used to determine the dimensions and the number of dowel pins that each studied connection needs in order to resist an applied tensile load. Following this methodology, the finite element method was used to assess the thermal analysis of the studied connections under fire. The study aims to increase the information on these connections, where the wood material represents a complicated behavior in fire circumstances, with the addition of the steel material. The heat conducted by the dowel pin inside the connection, and the steel plate and its effect on the wood were analyzed. According to the results, it can be assumed that the temperature evolution is due to the geometry of the connection, the dowel pin or plate position, and the glulam density. Inside the wood element, the temperature remains lower, and externally a charred depth is developed when the target temperature of 300 °C is reached, and, in the vicinity of the dowel pin or the steel plate, a burned wood depth is indirectly formed. The rate of the charred layer is not constant throughout the entire fire exposure. Steel-to-timber connections with an internal steel plate with high glulam density have greater fire resistance due to the lower temperatures obtained.
Numerical Investigation of Inclined Piles under Liquefaction-Induced Lateral Spreading
Authors: Wang Yu , Orense Rolando P.
Published: May 2023

Inclined piles have been widely applied as one of the countermeasures against large lateral spreading induced by soil liquefaction during earthquakes. However, the unsatisfactory performance of inclined piles in past events has impeded their application in seismic areas. To elucidate the performance of inclined piles when subjected to lateral spreading induced by soil liquefaction, numerical analyzes were performed using the OpenSees framework. For this purpose, a comprehensive three-dimensional finite element model was developed. Interface elements were used between the soil and the pile to account for the friction and gapping mechanisms. A multi-yield-surface plasticity constitutive relationship for sand was adopted to simulate the soil liquefaction behavior. Based on the proposed numerical model, parametric analyzes were conducted to investigate the influence of various factors on the behavior of inclined piles, including the raked angle of the pile, the ground slope, the soil profile, and the amplitude of the input motion. The response of the system indicates that inclined piles can behave better than vertical piles in decreasing soil deformation and the cap response. The influences of the investigated factors are highlighted to adopt the appropriate pile inclination in laterally spreading ground and maximize the advantages of using inclined piles.
Urinary Tract Infections in Patients Hospitalized in a Gastroenterology Department—Study from a Tertiary Regional Hospital in South-East Poland
Authors: Gruszecka Jolanta , Filip Rafał
Published: May 2023

A retrospective analysis of urine culture results was conducted for adult patients treated between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021 at the Department of Gastroenterology in Rzeszow (southern Poland). A total of 102 patients were sampled for microbiological tests during the analyzed period, with microbial growth found in 30 samples. The purpose of our study was to determine the predominant bacterial species present in the urine of patients hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology, as well as their drug susceptibility. The data obtained from medical records included, for example, urine culture results and the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated microorganisms. The material for the study was collected according to the current procedures. During the analyzed period, urine was collected from a total of 102 patients, and 30 positive samples were found. The predominant pathogen was Escherichia coli (n = 10 (33.33% of all positive results), p < 0.001); the second most common microorganism was Enterococcus faecalis (n = 5 (16.67% of all positive results), p < 0.001). In vitro susceptibility testing showed E. coli, ESBL (ESBL strain with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase) (n = 2 (6.67% of all positive results), p = 0.055) and Klebsiella pneumoniae, ESBL (n = 3 (10% of all positive results), p = 0.005). Urinary tract infection (UTI) was an extremely common problem.
Survey of the Adequacy of Brazilian Children and Adolescents to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Molleri Natália , Gomes Junior Saint Clair , Marano Daniele , Zin Andrea
Published: May 2023

The 24-Hour Movement Guidelines provide specific recommendations on movement behaviors for children and adolescents. The objective of this study was to verify the adequacy of children and adolescents to the guidelines for moderate to vigorous physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep duration, and the overall adequacy to the guidelines, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted with parents or guardians of children or adolescents from different regions of Brazil using a digital interview form including sociodemographic characteristics of families, moderate to vigorous physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep duration before and during the pandemic. Statistically significant variation was observed in both groups in relation to moderate to vigorous physical activity and recreational screen time between the two periods evaluated. Overall adequacy to the guidelines before the pandemic was 19.28% for children from Group 1 (0–5 years old) and 39.50% for those from Group 2 (6 to 17 years old). During the pandemic, it corresponded to 3.58% in Group 1 and 4.94% in Group 2 (p-value between periods ≤0.001). This study showed the significant impact of pandemic restrictions on reducing overall compliance and physical activity, and increasing screen time among Brazilian children and adolescents.
Really Asymptomatic? Health-Related Quality of Life and Objective Clinical Foot Characteristics among 5–10-Year-Old Children with a Flexible FlatFoot
Authors: Žukauskas Saidas , Barauskas Vidmantas , Degliūtė-Muller Ramunė , Čekanauskas Emilis
Published: May 2023

The potential effects of asymptomatic flexible flatfoot (FF) on children’s health-related quality of life (QoL) and objective clinical foot characteristics have been poorly investigated in the literature. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse these indicators, comparing the children with asymptomatic FF and a control group. Methods: In total, 351 children were enrolled in this cross-sectional study—160 children with asymptomatic FF and 191 controls (children with normal feet). The children and their parents completed the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM 4.0). The objective foot characteristics included clinical foot posture measures, footprints, general hyperlaxity, and X-ray measurements. Results: Children with asymptomatic FF had a significantly lower QoL (overall and all four dimensions). The parents’ assessment of the QoL of their children with asymptomatic FF in most cases was lower compared to their children’s self-reported QoL. Moreover, almost all clinical foot measures also had significantly worse profiles among asymptomatic FF cases compared to the controls. This was observed with the Foot Posture Index-6 (FPI-6), the navicular drop (ND) test, the Chippaux–Smirak Index (CSI), Staheli’s Index (SI), the Beighton scale, and radiological angles (except the talo-first metatarsal angle). Conclusion: The findings suggest that asymptomatic FF not always reflects a normal foot development. This condition is related to decreased health-related quality of life, so the 5–10-year-old children’s and their parents’ complaints should be considered more closely in identification, treatment, and monitoring plans.
Influence of Three Laser Wavelengths with Different Power Densities on the Mitochondrial Activity of Human Gingival Fibroblasts in Cell Culture
Authors: Nowak-Terpiłowska Agnieszka , Zeyland Joanna , Hryhorowicz Magdalena , Śledziński Paweł , Wyganowska Marzena
Published: May 2023

Phototherapy plays a key role in wound healing and tissue regeneration. The use of lasers has the potential to become an effective and minimally invasive treatment in periodontal and peri-implant disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of three laser wavelengths with the combination of parameters such as power density and energy density on human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) in vitro culture. Isolated cells were seeded in 96-well plates with culture medium (DMEM, Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). After 24 h cells were irradiated (1064, 980 and 635 nm, various energy density value). After 24, 48 and 72 h, cells were evaluated for viability. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD test. We found the best outcomes for hGFs irradiated with laser 1064 nm for all combinations of power output (50/400/1000 mW) and energy dose (3/25/64 J/cm2) after 48 h and 72 h compared with control group. Cell viability increase ranged from 0.6× (3 J/cm2, 50 mW) to 1.3× (64 J/cm2, 1000 mW). Our findings indicate that the appropriate use of low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) can increase the proliferation rate of cultured cells. The use of LLLI can be extremely useful in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
The Autonomic Coumel Triangle: A New Way to Define the Fascinating Relationship between Atrial Fibrillation and the Autonomic Nervous System
Authors: Rebecchi Marco , Fanisio Francesca , Rizzi Fabio , Politano Alessandro , De Ruvo Ermenegildo , Crescenzi Cinzia , Panattoni Germana , Squeglia Marianna , Martino Annamaria , Sasso Stefano , Golia Paolo , Pugliese Giulia , Del Gigante Sofia , Giamundo Domenico , Desimone Pietro , Grieco Domenico , De Luca Lucia , Giordano Ignazio , Barillà Francesco , Perrone Marco Alfonso , Calò Leonardo , Iellamo Ferdinando
Published: May 2023

Arrhythmogenic substrate, modulating factors, and triggering factors (the so-called Coumel’s triangle concept) play a primary role in atrial fibrillation (AF) pathophysiology. Several years have elapsed since Coumel and co-workers advanced the concept of the relevance of autonomic nervous system (ANS) influences on atrial cells’ electrophysiological characteristics. The ANS is not only associated with cardiac rhythm regulation but also exerts an important role in the triggering and maintenance of atrial fibrillation. This review aims to describe in detail the autonomic mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF), starting from the hypothesis of an “Autonomic Coumel Triangle” that stems from the condition of the fundamental role played by the ANS in all phases of the pathophysiology of AF. In this article, we provide updated information on the biomolecular mechanisms of the ANS role in Coumel’s triangle, with the molecular pathways of cardiac autonomic neurotransmission, both adrenergic and cholinergic, and the interplay between the ANS and cardiomyocytes’ action potential. The heterogeneity of the clinical spectrum of the ANS and AF, with the ANS playing a relevant role in situations that may promote the initiation and maintenance of AF, is highlighted. We also report on drug, biological, and gene therapy as well as interventional therapy. On the basis of the evidence reviewed, we propose that one should speak of an “Autonomic Coumel’s Triangle” instead of simply “Coumel’s Triangle”.