bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colorimetric Detection and Killing of Bacteria by Enzyme-Instructed Self-Aggregation of Peptide-Modified Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Yin Dan , Li Xiao , Wang Xin , Liu Jin-Zhou , She Wen-Zhi , Liu Jiahui , Ling Jian , Li Rong Sheng , Cao Qiue
Published: September 2023

Bacterial infections seriously threaten human safety. Therefore, it is very important to develop a method for bacterial detection and treatment with rapid response, high sensitivity, and simple operation. A peptide CF4KYP (C, cysteine; F4, phenylalanine tetrapeptide; K, lysine; YP, phosphorylated tyrosine) functionalized gold nanoparticle (AuNPs-CF4KYP) was synthesized for simultaneous detection and treatment of bacteria based on bacterial alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In solution, ALP can induce AuNPs-CF4KYP aggregation and produce significant color changes. After encountering bacteria, monodisperse AuNPs-CF4KYP can aggregate/assemble in situ on the surface of the bacterial membrane, change the color of the solution from wine red to grey, destroy the bacterial membrane structure, and induce the production of a large number of reactive oxygen species within the bacteria. The absorption change of AuNPs-CF4KYP solution has a good linear relationship with the number of bacteria. Furthermore, the aggregation of AuNPs-CF4KYP kills approximately 80% of Salmonella typhimurium. By combining enzyme-instructed peptide self-assembly technology and colorimetric analysis technology, we achieve rapid and sensitive colorimetric detection and killing of bacteria.
Adapting PINN Models of Physical Entities to Dynamical Data
Authors: Tarkhov Dmitriy , Lazovskaya Tatiana , Antonov Valery
Published: September 2023

This article examines the possibilities of adapting approximate solutions of boundary value problems for differential equations using physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) to changes in data about the physical entity being modelled. Two types of models are considered: PINN and parametric PINN (PPINN). The former is constructed for a fixed parameter of the problem, while the latter includes the parameter for the number of input variables. The models are tested on three problems. The first problem involves modelling the bending of a cantilever rod under varying loads. The second task is a non-stationary problem of a thermal explosion in the plane-parallel case. The initial model is constructed based on an ordinary differential equation, while the modelling object satisfies a partial differential equation. The third task is to solve a partial differential equation of mixed type depending on time. In all cases, the initial models are adapted to the corresponding pseudo-measurements generated based on changing equations. A series of experiments are carried out for each problem with different functions of a parameter that reflects the character of changes in the object. A comparative analysis of the quality of the PINN and PPINN models and their resistance to data changes has been conducted for the first time in this study.
Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Yeast Diversity Associated to Postharvest Fermentation Process of Coffee Fruits in Southern Ecuador
Authors: Apolo David , Fernández José Miguel , Benítez Ángel , Figueroa Jorge G. , Estrada Karla , Cruz Darío
Published: September 2023

Coffee (Coffea arabica), produced and marketed in Ecuador and worldwide, can be organoleptically improved by means of microorganisms such as well-characterized yeasts. This study aimed to isolate and characterize yeasts from three postharvest fermentation processes (i.e., Natural aerobic at room temperature; Carbonic maceration with a CO2 atmosphere at room temperature; and Carbonic refrigerated maceration with a CO2 atmosphere to 10 °C) of coffee fruits in Ecuador. Phenotypic and molecular analyses were conducted on 329 yeast isolates obtained from coffee farms in Loja, Olmedo, and Gonzanamá. Three universal media were used for yeast isolation diversity, and phenotypic characterization included morphology, sugar fermentation, salt tolerance, and ethanol resistance. Molecular characterization involved DNA analysis. The isolated diversity was classified into 12 morphotypes, nine distinct biochemical groups and nine genetic species. Only six species (i.e., Kurtzmaniella quercitrusa, Hanseniaspora opuntiae, Pichia. kluyveri, Torulaspora delbrueckii, T. quercuum, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus) identified phylogenetically corresponded to the designated morphotypes. But surprisingly, nine genetic species matched with the nine biochemical groups determined phenotypically analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). Most of this diversity was found in the coffee plantation located in Gonzanamá, in contrast to Olmedo and Loja, without statistical significance (p value: 0.08295). On the other hand, the richness is not similar statistically (p value: 0.02991) between postharvest fermentation treatments. The findings suggest that the application of biochemical tests is useful for species determination, although morphological data may be ambiguous. Notably, Pichia kluyveri, detected in this study, holds potential for biotechnological evaluation in coffee fermentation processes.
A Symmetric Key and Elliptic Curve Cryptography-Based Protocol for Message Encryption in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Nyangaresi Vincent Omollo , Jasim Hend Muslim , Mutlaq Keyan Abdul-Aziz , Abduljabbar Zaid Ameen , Ma Junchao , Abduljaleel Iman Qays , Honi Dhafer G.
Published: September 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles have found applications in fields such as environmental monitoring and the military. Although the collected data in some of these application domains are sensitive, public channels are deployed during the communication process. Therefore, many protocols have been presented to preserve the confidentiality and integrity of the exchanged messages. However, numerous security and performance challenges have been noted in the majority of these protocols. In this paper, an elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and symmetric key-based protocol is presented. The choice of ECC was informed by its relatively shorter key sizes compared to other asymmetric encryption algorithms such as the Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA) algorithm. Security analysis showed that this protocol provides mutual authentication, session key agreement, untraceability, anonymity, forward key secrecy, backward key secrecy, and biometric privacy. In addition, it is robust against smart card loss, password guessing, known secret session temporary information (KSSTI), privileged insider, side-channeling, impersonation, denial-of-service (DoS), and man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks. The comparative performance evaluation showed that it has relatively low computation, storage, and communication complexities.
Echo Preprocessing-Based Smeared Spectrum Interference Suppression
Authors: Wang Xiaoge , Chen Hui , Liu Weijian , Zhang Liang , Li Binbin , Ni Mengyu
Published: September 2023

Self-protection deceptive interferences (SPDI) are widely used in electronic countermeasures. Smeared spectrum (SMSP) interference, as a typical SPDI, can form a large number of dense false targets at the receiver output to affect effective target detection. Therefore, the suppression of SMSP interference is a compelling issue. The existing SMSP interference suppression methods inevitably result in energy loss of the target due to signal processing. This paper proposes a novel interference suppression method based on echo preprocessing to address this problem. Firstly, the pulse compression (PC) and the coherent integration (CI) characteristics of SMSP interference in the pulse Doppler radar are obtained through the derivation of formulas. Then, echo preprocessing is introduced, and the steps of interference suppression are listed in detail. Finally, the SMSP interference is suppressed because the preprocessed interference forms a center-shifting and range-scaling in the distance dimension after PC, and CI gain cannot be further obtained. The proposed method does not lose the energy of the true target because it does not involve filtering and reconstruction processing. Simulations show that the target detection probability of the proposed method can reach 100% via peak search after the interference suppression when the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than −10 dB and the jamming-to-signal ratio (JSR) is less than 35 dB. Compared with three representative methods in the recent literature, the proposed method has better robustness and higher JSR tolerance.
Influence of the Skin and Proximity Effects on the Thermal Field in a System of Two Parallel Round Conductors
Authors: Zaręba Marek , Szczegielniak Tomasz , Jabłoński Paweł
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a semi-analytical method for determining the distribution of the thermal field in a system of two parallel round conductors, taking into account the skin and proximity effects. The method of a suitably constructed Green’s function was applied to find an analytical expression for the eigenfunctions describing the temperature distributions. In turn, the relevant integrals, which cannot be determined analytically, were calculated numerically. The foundation of the method is the knowledge of the current density distribution in the conductors. As a result, the steady-state distribution of the temperature field in the conductors for various parameter values can be determined. The obtained numerical results were positively verified using the finite element method. Using the developed method, the share of skin and proximity effects in the temperature rise and steady-state current rating was evaluated. Closed analytical formulas were obtained for the AC case with the skin effect taken into account. When the skin depth is smaller than the wire radius, the skin effect has quite a large impact on the conductor temperature. The impact of the proximity effect is much smaller but clearly noticeable when the distance between the wires is smaller than five times the wire radius. In addition, the influence of the value of the heat transfer coefficient on the thermal field of the conductors was also examined.
Systematic Investigation of the Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus TW01 on Potential Prevention of Particulate Matter (PM)2.5-Induced Damage Using a Novel In Vitro Platform
Authors: Luo Sioumin , Chen Mingju
Published: September 2023

Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) and cigarette smoking (CS) is a risk factor for respiratory/lung infections and metabolic disorders. Lung–gut axis disruption involving the upregulation of oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and gut barrier dysfunction by PM is one of the potential mechanisms. Thus, we designed a novel in vitro platform for pre-selecting probiotics with potentially protective effects against PM-induced lung damage through the lung–gut axis to reduce animal usage. The results showed that a high dose of Lactobacillus acidophilus TW01 (1 × 108 CFU/mL) inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This strain could also reduce respiratory epithelial cell death induced by cigarette smoke extraction (CSE), as well as promoting Caco-2 cell migration in 1 × 106 CFU/mL. Although further animal experiments are needed to validate the in vitro findings, L. acidophilus TW01 is a promising probiotic strain for the potential prevention of PM2.5-induced damage.
Lentinula edodes Sing Polysaccharide: Extraction, Characterization, Bioactivities, and Emulsifying Applications
Authors: Dai Yan , Wang Lei , Chen Xingyi , Song Angxin , He Laping , Wang Lingyuan , Huang Diandian
Published: September 2023

In the present work, the optimization of extraction, emulsifying properties, and biological activities of polysaccharides from Lentinula edodes Sing (LES) were studied. The results showed LES polysaccharides extracted by hot water or ultrasonication are a group of β-glucan. Among all the samples, the one extracted by hot water showed the best emulsifying capacity. In addition, the results demonstrated that LES polysaccharide had strong scavenging activities in vitro on DPPH and ABTS radicals, which reached the highest level for the one extracted by 90 min ultrasonication (p < 0.05). Overall, Lentinula edodes Sing polysaccharides (LESPs) may have potential applications as emulsifying agents in food industries.
Arctoscopus japonicus Lipids Enhance Immunity of Mice with Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression
Authors: Choi JeongUn , Rod-in Weerawan , Jang A-yeong , Park Woo Jung
Published: September 2023

A lipid extract was obtained from eggs of the sailfin sandfish, Arctoscopus japonicus. Immunostimulatory effects of A. japonicus lipids incorporated with PEG6000 (AJ-PEG) on immunosuppressed mice treated with cyclophosphamide (CY) were investigated. AJ-PEG was administered orally to mice at different concentrations of 25 to 100 mg/kg body weight (BW). CY was injected to mice intraperitoneally at 80 mg/kg BW. Administration of AJ-PEG significantly increased the spleen index of CY-treated mice. AJ-PEG also stimulated the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) activity. Immune-associated cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ as well as TLR4 were overexpressed in splenic lymphocytes. Furthermore, AJ-PEG significantly increased splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. In peritoneal macrophages, AJ-PEG administration improved proliferation, nitric oxide (NO) production, and phagocytosis. It also upregulated iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. Taken together, these results suggest that AJ-PEG can be used in animal models with immunosuppressive conditions as a potent immunomodulatory agent.
Test Particles and Quasiperiodic Oscillations around Gravitational Aether Black Holes
Authors: Rayimbaev Javlon , Abdulxamidov Farrux , Tojiev Sardor , Abdujabbarov Ahmadjon , Holmurodov Farhod
Published: September 2023

This paper is devoted to the analysis of the dynamics of test particles in the vicinity of a black hole within the framework of a gravitational aether model. First, we explored the structure of spacetime by analyzing the curvature scalars. Then, we studied particle dynamics around a black hole using the Hamilton–Jacobi equation.The influence of the aether on the effective potential of the radial motion of test particles around the black hole has been investigated. The dependence of the innermost stable circular orbits (ISCO) on the aether parameter has also been investigated. We also considered particle collision near the black hole in the presence of aether, and studied the fundamental frequencies of the orbital motion of the test particles around the black hole in the presence of aether. Further, we applied the obtained results to the analysis of the upper and lower frequencies of twin-peaked quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) occurring near black holes. Finally, we use theoretical and numerical results to obtain constraints on model parameters using observation data in QPO.
General Practitioners’ Own Traumatic Experiences and Their Skills in Addressing Patients’ Past History of Adversities: A Cross-Sectional Study in Portugal
Authors: Sá Mariana , Pereira Paulo Almeida , Castro-Vale Ivone
Published: September 2023

Addressing trauma has been found to be important for primary care patients, as it can improve their health-related outcomes. We aimed to assess how Portuguese general practitioners’ (GPs) past history of traumatic events (TEs) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence their clinical communication skills when addressing their patients’ past history of adversities. An online survey was circulated by email to GPs’ associations and through GPs’ social media groups. A sample of 143 GPs participated in this study. GPs’ exposure to ACEs and TEs was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form and the Life Events Checklist for the DSM-5. To evaluate clinical communication skills, we adapted the Self-confidence Scale and used the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy. GPs identified barriers to addressing trauma routinely, including a lack of time (86.7%) and a fear of causing further patient suffering (56.6%). GPs’ exposure to TEs and ACEs was positively correlated with scores in some dimensions of self-confidence and empathy (r values varying from 0.170 to 0.247). GPs exposed to traumatic experiences felt more confident when addressing their patients’ adversities and were more empathic when conducting therapeutic relationships. This study shows that GPs with a history of traumatic experiences are able to address their patients’ adversities; however, they lack proper training and better patient care conditions, such as more time and more resources available for patient guidance.
Cost–Effectiveness Analysis of Pharmacist Adherence Interventions in People Living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Ali , Dujaili Juman Abdulelah , Chuah Lay Hong , Hashmi Furqan Khurshid , Le Long Khanh Dao , Chatha Zeenat Fatima , Khanal Saval , Awaisu Ahmed , Chaiyakunapruk Nathorn
Published: September 2023

Background: Evidence has shown the positive impact of pharmacist involvement on the adherence and health outcomes of people living with HIV/AIDS. However, whether such intervention provides value for money remains unclear. This study aims to fill this gap by assessing the cost–effectiveness of pharmacist interventions in HIV care in Pakistan. Methods: A Markov decision analytic model was constructed, considering clinical inputs, utility data, and cost data obtained from a randomized controlled trial and an HIV cohort of Pakistani origin. The analysis was conducted from a healthcare perspective, and the incremental cost–effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated and presented for the year 2023. Additionally, a series of sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. Results: Pharmacist intervention resulted in higher quality-adjusted life years (4.05 vs. 2.93) and likewise higher annual intervention costs than usual care (1979 USD vs. 429 USD) (532,894 PKR vs. 115,518 PKR). This yielded the ICER of 1383 USD/quality-adjusted life years (QALY) (372,406 PKR/QALY), which is well below the willingness-to-pay threshold of 1658 USD (446,456 PKR/QALY) recommended by the World Health Organization Choosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis reported that more than 68% of iterations were below the lower limit of threshold. Sensitivity analysis reported intervention cost is the most important parameter influencing the ICER the most. Conclusion: The study suggests that involving pharmacists in HIV care could be a cost-effective approach. These findings could help shape healthcare policies and plans, possibly making pharmacist interventions a regular part of care for people with HIV in Pakistan.
LBS Tag Cloud: A Centralized Tag Cloud for Visualization of Points of Interest in Location-Based Services
Authors: Cheng Xiaoqiang , Liu Zhongyu , Wu Huayi , Xiao Haibo
Published: September 2023

Taking location-based service (LBS) as the research scenario and aiming at the limitation of visualizing LBS points of interest (POI) in conventional web maps, this article proposes a visualization method of LBS-POI based on tag cloud, which is called “LBS tag cloud”. In this method, the user location is taken as the layout center, and the name of the POI is converted into a text tag and then placed around the center. The tags’ size, color, and placement location are calculated based on other attributes of the POI. The calculation of placement location is at the core of the LBS tag cloud. Firstly, the tag’s initial placement position and layout priority are calculated based on polar coordinates, and the tags are placed in the initial placement position in the order of layout priority. Then, based on the force-directed model, a repulsive force is applied to the tag from the layout center to make it move to a position without overlapping with other tags. During the move, the quadtree partition of the text glyph is used to optimize the detection of overlaps between tags. Taking scenic spots as an example, the experimental results show that the LBS tag cloud can present the attributes and distribution of POIs completely and intuitively and can effectively represent the relationship between the POIs and user location, which is a new visualization form suitable for spatial cognition.
Evaluation of Machine Learning Algorithms in the Classification of Multispectral Images from the Sentinel-2A/2B Orbital Sensor for Mapping the Environmental Dynamics of Ria Formosa (Algarve, Portugal)
Authors: Souza Flavo Elano Soares de , Rodrigues José Inácio de Jesus
Published: September 2023

With the growing availability of remote sensing orbital spatial data, the applications of machine learning (ML) algorithms have been leveraging the field of process automation in image classification. The present work aimed to evaluate the precision and accuracy of ML algorithms in the classification of Sentinel 2A/2B images from an area of high environmental dynamics, such as Ria Formosa (Algarve, Portugal). The images were submitted to classification by groups of ML algorithms such as the Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Decision Tree (DT). The Orfeo Toolbox (OTB) open-source programming package made the algorithms available. Ten samples were collected for each of the 14 land use and cover classes in the Ria Formosa area, totaling 140 samples. Of these, 70% were for training and 30% for validating the classification. The evaluation metrics used were the class discrimination measures: Recall (R), the Global Kappa Index (k), and the General Accuracy Index (OA). The results showed that the KNN and DT algorithms demonstrated a greater discrimination capacity for most classes. SVM and RF significantly improved class discrimination when using larger samples for training. Merging the classified images significantly improved the classification accuracy, ranging from 71% to 81%. This evaluation made it possible to define sets of ML algorithms sensitive to change detection for mapping and monitoring dynamic environments.
Nerve Structure-Function: Unusual Structural Details and Unmasking of Sulfhydryl Groups by Electrical Stimulation or Asphyxia in Axon Membranes and Gap Junctions
Authors: Peracchia Camillo
Published: September 2023

This review describes and discusses unusual axonal structural details and evidence for unmasking sulfhydryl groups (-SH) in axoplasmic membranes resulting from electrical stimulation or asphyxia. Crayfish axons contain fenestrated septa (FS) that, in phase contrast, micrographs appear as repeated striations. In the electron microscope, each septum is made of two cross-sectioned membranes containing ~55 nm pores, each occupied by a microtubule. Thin filaments, which we believe are made of kinesin, bridge the microtubule to the edge of the pore. FS are believed to play a role in axoplasmic flow. The axons also display areas in which axon and sheath glial cell plasma membranes are sharply curved and project into the axoplasm. In freeze-fractures, the protoplasmic leaflet (P-face) of the projections appears as elongated indentations containing parallel chains of particles. The sheath glial cell plasma membrane also contains particles, but they are irregularly aggregated. The axons also display areas where axonal and glial plasma membranes fuse, creating intercellular pores. In axons fixed during electrical stimulation, the plasma membrane, the outer membrane of mitochondria, membranes of other cytoplasmic organelles, and gap junctions increase in electron opacity and thickness, resulting from unmasking of sulfhydryl groups (-SH). Similar changes occur in asphyxiated nerve cords.
A Strainer-Based Platform for the Collection and Immunolabeling of Mouse Intestinal Organoids
Authors: Tan Jinlong , Liu Yinju , Li Weike , Chen Guohua , Fang Yongxiang , He Xiaobing , Fu Baoquan , Jing Zhizhong
Published: September 2023

Intestinal organoids have emerged as powerful model systems for studying the complex structure and function of the intestine. However, there is a lack of widely applicable methods for the collection, labeling, and imaging of intestinal organoids. In this study, we developed a novel method for loading and labeling intestinal organoids, a method that efficiently collects the organoids and facilitates imaging of their three-dimensional (3D) structure. Based on this strainer platform, mouse intestinal organoids were adequately collected and immobilized, facilitating the immunolabeling workflow to target proteins of the organoids. After evaluation, the strainer size of 40 μm was considered to be more conducive to the collection and labeling of mouse intestinal organoids. More extensive research on organoids of multiple types and species origins will contribute to broadening the applicability of the methodology. Overall, our study proposes an innovative workflow for loading and analyzing intestinal organoids. The combination of a strainer-based collection method, fluorescent labeling, and 3D reconstruction provides valuable insights into the organization and complexity of these tissue models, thereby offering new avenues for investigating intestinal development, disease modeling, and drug discovery.
In Silico Identification and Validation of Pyroptosis-Related Genes in Chlamydia Respiratory Infection
Authors: Sun Ruoyuan , Zheng Wenjing , Yang Shuaini , Zeng Jiajia , Tuo Yuqing , Tan Lu , Zhang Hong , Bai Hong
Published: September 2023

The incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis respiratory infection is increasing, and its pathogenesis is still unclear. Pyroptosis, as a mode of inflammatory cell death, plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of Chlamydia trachomatis respiratory infection. In this study, the potential pyroptosis-related genes involved in Chlamydia trachomatis respiratory infection were identified by constructing a mouse model of C. muridarum infection combined with bioinformatics analysis. Through in-depth analysis of the RNA sequencing data, 13 differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes were screened, including 1 downregulated gene and 12 upregulated genes. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that these genes mainly regulate inflammatory responses and produce IL-1β. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified eight hub genes of interest: Tnf, Tlr2, Il1b, Nlrp3, Tlr9, Mefv, Zbp1 and Tnfaip3. Through quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis, we found that the expression of these genes in the lungs of C. muridarum-infected mice was significantly reduced, consistent with the bioinformatics results. At the same time, we detected elevated levels of caspase-3, gasdermin D and gasdermin E proteins in the lungs of C. muridarum-infected mice, demonstrating that Chlamydia trachomatis infection does induce pyroptosis. We then predicted nine miRNAs targeting these hub genes and constructed a key competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. In summary, we identified six key pyroptosis-related genes involved in Chlamydia trachomatis respiratory infection and constructed a ceRNA network associated with these genes. These findings will improve understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying pyroptosis in Chlamydia trachomatis respiratory infections.
Integrative Genome-Based Survey of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.16 Variant
Authors: Scarpa Fabio , Azzena Ilenia , Ciccozzi Alessandra , Giovanetti Marta , Locci Chiara , Casu Marco , Fiori Pier Luigi , Borsetti Alessandra , Cella Eleonora , Quaranta Miriana , Pascarella Stefano , Sanna Daria , Ciccozzi Massimo
Published: September 2023

The XBB.1.16 SARS-CoV-2 variant, also known as Arcturus, is a recent descendant lineage of the recombinant XBB (nicknamed Gryphon). Compared to its direct progenitor, XBB.1, XBB.1.16 carries additional spike mutations in key antigenic sites, potentially conferring an ability to evade the immune response compared to other circulating lineages. In this context, we conducted a comprehensive genome-based survey to gain a detailed understanding of the evolution and potential dangers of the XBB.1.16 variant, which became dominant in late June. Genetic data indicates that the XBB.1.16 variant exhibits an evolutionary background with limited diversification, unlike dangerous lineages known for rapid changes. The evolutionary rate of XBB.1.16, which amounts to 3.95 × 10−4 subs/site/year, is slightly slower than that of its direct progenitors, XBB and XBB.1.5, which have been circulating for several months. A Bayesian Skyline Plot reconstruction suggests that the peak of genetic variability was reached in early May 2023, and currently, it is in a plateau phase with a viral population size similar to the levels observed in early March. Structural analyses indicate that, overall, the XBB.1.16 variant does not possess structural characteristics markedly different from those of the parent lineages, and the theoretical affinity for ACE2 does not seem to change among the compared variants. In conclusion, the genetic and structural analyses of SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.16 do not provide evidence of its exceptional danger or high expansion capability. Detected differences with previous lineages are probably due to genetic drift, which allows the virus constant adaptability to the host, but they are not necessarily connected to a greater danger. Nevertheless, continuous genome-based monitoring is essential for a better understanding of its descendants and other lineages.
Preliminary Comparison of Molecular Antioxidant and Inflammatory Mechanisms Determined in the Peripheral Blood Granulocytes of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Skrzydlewska Elżbieta , Łuczaj Wojciech , Biernacki Michał , Wójcik Piotr , Jarocka-Karpowicz Iwona , Orehovec Biserka , Baršić Bruno , Tarle Marko , Kmet Marta , Lukšić Ivica , Marušić Zlatko , Bauer Georg , Žarković Neven
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate selected parameters of redox signaling and inflammation in the granulocytes of COVID-19 patients who recovered and those who died. Upon admission, the patients did not differ in terms of any relevant clinical parameter apart from the percentage of granulocytes, which was 6% higher on average in those patients who died. Granulocytes were isolated from the blood of 15 healthy people and survivors and 15 patients who died within a week, and who were selected post hoc for analysis according to their matching gender and age. They differed only in the lethal outcome, which could not be predicted upon arrival at the hospital. The proteins level (respective ELISA), antioxidant activity (spectrophotometry), and lipid mediators (UPUPLC–MS) were measured in the peripheral blood granulocytes obtained via gradient centrifugation. The levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NFκB, and IL-6 were higher in the granulocytes of COVID-19 patients who died within a week, while the activity of cytoplasmic Cu,Zn-SOD and mitochondrial Mn-SOD and IL-2/IL-10 were lower in comparison to the levels observed in survivors. Furthermore, in the granulocytes of those patients who died, an increase in pro-inflammatory eicosanoids (PGE2 and TXB2), together with elevated cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (associated with a decrease in the anti-inflammatory 15d-PGJ2), were found. Hence, this study suggests that by triggering transcription factors, granulocytes activate inflammatory and redox signaling, leading to the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids while reducing cellular antioxidant capacity through SOD, thus expressing an altered response to COVID-19, which may result in the onset of systemic oxidative stress, ARDS, and the death of the patient.
A Comprehensive Analysis of the Worst Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Latin America
Authors: Flor-Unda Omar , Simbaña Freddy , Larriva-Novo Xavier , Acuña Ángel , Tipán Rolando , Acosta-Vargas Patricia
Published: September 2023

Vulnerabilities in cyber defense in the countries of the Latin American region have favored the activities of cybercriminals from different parts of the world who have carried out a growing number of cyberattacks that affect public and private services and compromise the integrity of users and organizations. This article describes the most representative vulnerabilities related to cyberattacks that have affected different sectors of countries in the Latin American region. A systematic review of repositories and the scientific literature was conducted, considering journal articles, conference proceedings, and reports from official bodies and leading brands of cybersecurity systems. The cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified in the countries of the Latin American region are low cybersecurity awareness, lack of standards and regulations, use of outdated software, security gaps in critical infrastructure, and lack of training and professional specialization.
Long-Term Prognosis among COVID-19 Patients: The Predictive Role Played by Hyperinflammation and Arrhythmic Disorders in Fatal Outcome
Authors: Cozzolino Domenico , Romano Ciro , Sardu Celestino , Nevola Riccardo , Umano Giuseppina Rosaria , Rinaldi Luca , Adinolfi Luigi Elio , Catalini Christian , Marrone Aldo , Municinò Maurizio , Sasso Ferdinando Carlo , Marfella Raffaele
Published: September 2023

Limited data are available on outcomes among COVID-19 patients beyond the acute phase of the disease. All-cause mortality among our COVID-19 patients one year after hospital discharge and factors/conditions associated with death were evaluated. All patients discharged from our COVID center were periodically evaluated by clinical assessment and by digital healthcare registry consultation. All findings acquired on discharge day represented the baseline data and were utilized for statistics. Of the 208 patients admitted, 187 patients were discharged. Among these, 17 patients died within 12 months (non-survivors). Compared to survivors, non-survivor patients were significantly (p < 0.05) older, exhibited significantly greater comorbidities and prevalence of active malignancy, heart failure, and arrhythmias, and showed significantly higher circulating levels of B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin, C-reactive protein, and d-dimer, as well as a longer heart-rate-corrected QT interval and significantly lower values for the glomerular filtration rate. Following multivariate analysis, cancer, arrhythmias, and high C-reactive protein levels were found to be factors independently associated with death. At the one-year follow-up, about 9% of patients discharged from our COVID center had a fatal outcome. Ageing, myocardial injury, impaired renal function, and, in particular, cancer, hyperinflammation, and arrhythmias represented strong predictors of the worst long-term outcome among COVID-19 patients.
Hope on the Horizon: New and Future Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Kuriri Fahd A.
Published: September 2023

This article provides an overview of conventional, new, and future treatment options for sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic disorder affecting the production of hemoglobin. Current treatments include hydroxyurea, a conventional SCD treatment that increases the levels of fetal hemoglobin, and new treatments such as voxelotor, a recently approved SCD treatment that selectively binds hemoglobin, preventing formation of sickled red blood cells. In addition to discussing the mechanisms of action of current SCD treatments, potential side effects are also discussed, highlighting the need for new treatments that can address the limitations of current treatments and improve the quality of life for people with SCD. Future treatments, such as gene therapy, are also explored as promising treatment options for SCD patients.
The Impact of Advanced Maternal Age on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Hochler Hila , Lipschuetz Michal , Suissa-Cohen Yael , Weiss Ari , Sela Hen Y. , Yagel Simcha , Rosenbloom Joshua I. , Grisaru-Granovsky Sorina , Rottenstreich Misgav
Published: September 2023

The aim of this multicenter retrospective cohort study was to examine the impact of maternal age on perinatal outcomes in multiparas, stratified according to maternal age in one- and two-year increments. The analysis involved 302,484 multiparas who delivered between the years 2003 and 2021 in four university-affiliated obstetrics departments. Maternal age was considered both as a continuous variable and in two-year intervals, as compared with a comparison group of parturients aged 25–30 years. The study focused on cesarean delivery and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission as primary outcomes. The findings revealed that cesarean delivery rates increased as maternal age advanced, with rates ranging from 6.7% among 25–30 year olds, rising continuously from 13.5% to 19.9% between the age strata of 31 and 42, to exceeding 20% among those aged ≥ 43 years (p < 0.01 for each stratum when compared to 25–30 year old group). Similarly, NICU admission rates rose from 2.7% in the comparison group to 6% in parturients aged 45–46 years (p < 0.01 for each stratum when compared to 25–30 year old group). The study highlights the association between incrementally advanced maternal age and increased rates of maternal and neonatal complications, necessitating global awareness of these implications for family planning decisions and maternal care.
Prevalence of Incidental Findings Suspicious for Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis among Patients Undergoing Bone Scintigraphy: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Treglia Giorgio , Martinello Chiara , Dondi Francesco , Albano Domenico , Bertagna Francesco , Rizzo Alessio , Delgado Bolton Roberto C. , Tersalvi Gregorio , Muoio Barbara , Riegger Martin , Cecchin Diego
Published: September 2023

Background: The myocardial uptake of bone-seeking tracers suspicious for transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) can be incidentally detected in patients undergoing bone scintigraphy for noncardiac reasons. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of these scintigraphic findings. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed using two bibliographic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library), searching for articles related to the review question. Eligible articles were selected, and relevant data were extracted by two authors. The pooled prevalence of incidental findings suspicious for ATTR-CA among patients undergoing bone scintigraphy was calculated on a per-patient-based analysis using a random-effects model. The pooled measure was provided with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) values. Results: Among 219 records, 11 articles were selected for the systematic review and 10 for the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of incidental findings suspicious for ATTR-CA was 1.1% (95% CI: 0.7–1.4%) with heterogeneity due to the characteristics of the included studies, patients, and index tests. These findings are more prevalent in older men. Conclusions: The prevalence of incidental findings of ATTR-CA among patients undergoing bone scintigraphy is low but not negligible. Nuclear medicine physicians should suggest, in the scintigraphic report, further clinical investigations when these findings are detected. Prospective studies are warranted.
Posterior Decompression and Fixation for Thoracic Spine Ossification: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Maruyama Juntaro , Furuya Takeo , Maki Satoshi , Inoue Takaki , Yunde Atsushi , Miura Masataka , Shiratani Yuki , Nagashima Yuki , Shiga Yasuhiro , Inage Kazuhide , Eguchi Yawara , Orita Sumihisa , Takahashi Hiroshi , Koda Masao , Yamazaki Masashi , Ohtori Seiji
Published: September 2023

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the thoracic spine (T-OPLL) causes symptoms including leg and back pain, and motor and sensory deficits. This study retrospectively reviewed 32 patients who initially underwent posterior decompression with instrumented fusion (PDF) for T-OPLL between 2001 and 2012, with 20 qualifying for the final analysis after applying exclusion criteria. Exclusions included unknown preoperative neurological findings, follow-up less than 10 years, or prior spinal surgeries at other levels. Outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, recovery rate, and kyphotic angle. The average preoperative JOA score of 3.6 improved to 7.4 at 1 year post-surgery and remained at 7.4 at 10 years, with a recovery rate of 52%. The kyphotic angle at T4–12 increased from 26 degrees preoperatively to 29 degrees postoperatively and to 37 degrees at 10 years. At the fused levels, the angle remained at 26 degrees immediately post-operation and increased to 32 degrees at 10 years. Forty percent of patients required additional surgery, primarily for conditions related to cervical OPLL, such as myelopathy, or lumbar OPLL, such as radiculopathy, or cauda equina syndrome. In conclusion, PDF effectively reduces T-OPLL symptoms over the long term, but the high rate of additional surgeries calls for careful patient follow-up.
Surgery and Reason: The End of History and the Last Surgeon
Authors: Magouliotis Dimitrios E. , Athanasiou Thanos , Zacharoulis Dimitrios
Published: September 2023

Arguably, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel has been one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century [...]
Risk Stratification in Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Authors: Martini Francesco , Balducci Daniele , Mancinelli Martina , Buzzanca Valerio , Fracchia Elena , Tarantino Giuseppe , Benedetti Antonio , Marzioni Marco , Maroni Luca
Published: September 2023

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease with a heterogeneous presentation, symptomatology, disease progression, and response to therapy. The current risk stratification assessment, aimed at identifying patients with a higher risk of disease progression, encompasses an in-depth analysis of demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings, antibody profiles, and the evaluation of liver fibrosis using both invasive and noninvasive techniques. Treatment response scores after one year of therapy remain to date a major factor influencing the prognosis of PBC patients. While the initial therapeutic approach with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is universally applied, new second-line treatment options have recently emerged, with many others under investigation. Consequently, the prevailing one-size-fits-all approach is poised to be supplanted by tailored strategies, ensuring high-risk patients receive the most appropriate treatment regimen from diagnosis. This will require the development of a risk prediction model to assess, at the time of diagnosis, the course, outcome, and response to first and additional treatments of PBC patients. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the current and emerging tools used for risk stratification in PBC and speculates on how these developments might shape the disease landscape in the near future.
Arthroplasty for Treating Proximal Femur Metastatic Lesions May Be Associated with Lower Mortality Rates Compared to Intramedullary Nailing within the VA Healthcare System
Authors: Lam Phillip W. , Putnam David , Mayeda Marissa M. Song , Gundle Kenneth R.
Published: September 2023

Metastatic bony disease is a significant health issue, with approximately 700,000 new cases annually that tend to metastasize to bones. The proximal femur in the appendicular skeleton is commonly affected. Our study aimed to investigate mortality rates and hospital stay duration in patients with pathologic proximal femur fractures treated with either intramedullary nailing or arthroplasty within the Veterans Health Administration system. In total, 679 patients (265 arthroplasty, 414 intramedullary nails) were identified through ICD-9 and CPT codes from 30 September 2010 to 1 October 2015. Hospital stays were similar for both groups (arthroplasty: 10.5 days, intramedullary nails: 11 days, p = 0.1). Mortality was associated with increased age and Gagne comorbidity scores (p < 0.001). Arthroplasty showed a survival benefit in the log-rank test (p = 0.018), and this difference persisted in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for age and comorbidities, with a hazard ratio of 1.3. Our study reported evidence that arthroplasty is associated with increased patient survival even when accounting for age and comorbidities in treating metastatic disease of the proximal femur.
Coordinated Trajectory Planning for Multiple Autonomous Underwater Vehicles: A Parallel Grey Wolf Optimizer
Authors: Wang Fang , Zhao Liang
Published: September 2023

The utilization of unmanned systems has witnessed a steady surge in popularity owing to its tremendous potential for a wide range of applications. In particular, the coordination among multiple vehicle systems has been demonstrated to possess unparalleled efficacy in accomplishing intricate and diverse tasks. In light of this, the present paper delves into the coordinated path planning mission that is accomplished by collaborative efforts amongst multiple Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). First, considering the potential threats, arrival time windows, space, and physical constraints for the AUVs, a sophisticated coordinated path planning model is formulated in a 3D environment, serving as a systematic and structured blueprint for the underlying mechanism. Subsequently, the optimization problem is addressed through the incorporation of a restricted initialization scheme and a multi-objective clustering strategy in the proposed methodology. The resulting approach leads to the development of the Parallel Grey Wolf Optimizer (P-GWO) which exhibits strong global searching abilities and a rapid convergence rate, rendering it a dependable and effective solution. The results demonstrate a 10–15% improvement in convergence rate and a reduction of over 60% in the average cost value compared to reliable references, thus presenting an effective solution for underwater missions with specific requirements.
A Novel Denoising Method for Ship-Radiated Noise
Authors: Li Yuxing , Zhang Chunli , Zhou Yuhan
Published: September 2023

Ship-radiated noise (SN) is one of the most critical signals in the complex marine environment; however, it is inevitably contaminated by the marine environment’s noise as well as noise from other equipment. Thus, the feature extraction and identification of SN becomes very arduous. This paper proposes a denoising method for SN based on successive variational mode decomposition (SVMD), the dual-threshold analysis based on fuzzy dispersion entropy (FuDE) and wavelet packet denoising (WPD), termed SVMD-FuDE-WPD. First, SVMD adaptively decomposes SN into certain intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), which can solve the parameter selection problem of variational mode decomposition (VMD) and suppress the mode mixing of empirical mode decomposition (EMD). After that, the FuDE-based dual-threshold analysis is used to accurately classify IMFs into signal IMFs, noise–signal IMFs and noise IMFs. Finally, the denoised signal could be obtained by reconstructing the signal IMFs and noise–signal IMFs that were denoised using WPD. The classical simulation experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed denoising method, which performs better than the other four existing denoising methods. And the measured SN experiments show that the attractor trajectories of the proposed method are smoother and more regular, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method.