bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interdisciplinary Surgical Therapy of Extremity Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: A Personalized Resection and Reconstruction Algorithm
Authors: Osterloh Justus , Ludolph Ingo , Grützmann Robert , Meyer Alexander , Lang Werner , Horch Raymund E. , Fechner Katja , Arkudas Andreas
Published: January 2023

Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare, but potentially life-threatening malignancies. STS can occur anywhere in the human body with the limbs being the most common site. Referral to a specialized sarcoma center is crucial to guarantee prompt and appropriate treatment. STS treatment strategies should be discussed in an interdisciplinary tumor board to involve expertise from all available resources, including an experienced reconstructive surgeon for an optimal outcome. In many cases, extensive resection is needed to achieve R0 resection, resulting in large defects after surgery. Hence, an evaluation of whether plastic reconstruction might be required is mandatory to avoid complications due to insufficient primary wound closure. In this retrospective observational study, we present data of patients with extremity STS treated at the Sarcoma Center, University Hospital Erlangen, in 2021. We found that complications were more frequent in patients who received secondary flap reconstruction after insufficient primary wound closure compared to patients who received primary flap reconstruction. Additionally, we propose an algorithm for an interdisciplinary surgical therapy of soft-tissue sarcomas regarding resection and reconstruction and present two problematic cases to emphasize the complexity of surgical sarcoma therapy.
Last-Passage American Cancelable Option in Lévy Models
Authors: Palmowski Zbigniew , Stȩpniak Paweł
Published: January 2023

We derive the explicit price of the perpetual American put option canceled at the last-passage time of the underlying above some fixed level. We assume that the asset process is governed by a geometric spectrally negative Lévy process. We show that the optimal exercise time is the first moment when the asset price process drops below an optimal threshold. We perform numerical analysis considering classical Black–Scholes models and the model where the logarithm of the asset price has additional exponential downward shocks. The proof is based on some martingale arguments and the fluctuation theory of Lévy processes.
The Students’ Representative Processes in Solving Mathematical Word Problems
Authors: Nasrun  , Prahmana Rully Charitas Indra , Akib Irwan
Published: January 2023

Representation in mathematics is essential as a basis for students to be able to understand and apply mathematical ideas. This study aims to describe how students produce different representations in solving word problems. In solving word problems, students make verbal–written representations, image representations, and symbol representations. This research uses a qualitative descriptive study involving 75 fifth-grade students at one of the private schools in Makassar, Indonesia. Setting and Participants: two subjects were chosen from 75 participants based on the completion of word problems that resulted in different representations, including verbal–written representations, picture representations, and symbol representations. The instruments used were word problems and interview sheets, although some other students only used one or two forms of mathematical representation. The results of this study indicate that, from the different representations produced that include verbal–written representations, image representations, and symbol representations, students carry out the process of translation, integration, solution, and evaluation until finding answers. In addition, other findings were students’ ‘mathematical literacy which immensely helped the students’ representation process in solving word problems. three forms of representation were found to be produced by students: verbal–written, image representation, and symbol representation. Furthermore, the three forms of representation were created through carrying out four representation processes, namely the processes of translation, integration, solution, and evaluation.
Asynchronous Transformation of Cropping Patterns from 5800–2200 cal BP on the Southern Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Yang Liu , Yang Yishi , Zhang Shanjia , Li Haiming , Cao Huihui , Cui Yifu , Liu Fengwen , Ma Minmin
Published: January 2023

Archaeobotanical studies have largely illuminated spatiotemporal differences in agricultural development across the Loess Plateau. However, the particularities of local agricultural development have not been adequately studied for complex geographical, environmental, and prehistoric contexts. Here, new archaeobotanical data and radiocarbon dating results from 27 Neolithic and Bronze Age sites in Baoji are reported. Combining these data with published archaeobotanical datasets, this study explores shifts (and underlying driving factors) in cropping patterns from the late Neolithic to Bronze Age on the southern Loess Plateau (SLP). Regional geographic, environmental, and climatic factors produced mixed millet-rice agricultural systems in the Guanzhong Plain (GZP) and western Henan Province (WHN) and foxtail and broomcorn millet dry-farming systems in the Upper Weihe River (UWR) from 5800–4500 cal BP. Wheat and barley were added to the agricultural systems of the UWR as auxiliary crops after ~4000 cal BP, while cropping patterns remained largely unchanged in GZP and WHN from 4500–3500 cal BP. Cultural exchanges and technological innovations may have influenced the formation of different agricultural patterns across the three regions (i.e., GZP, WHN, and UWR) from 4500–3500 cal BP. From 3500–2200 cal BP, wheat and barley became increasingly important crops on the SLP, although their importance varied spatially, and rice was rarely cultivated. Spatiotemporal variation in cropping patterns was driven by altered survival pressures associated with climate deterioration and population growth from 3500–2200 cal BP. This process was reinforced by internal social developments, as well as interactions with close northern neighbors, in the Shang-Zhou period.
Verification of Immersive Virtual Reality as a Streetscape Evaluation Method in Urban Residential Areas
Authors: Han Jaewon , Lee Sugie
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we verified the applicability of immersive VR technology to street-level residential landscape evaluation. We used GSV images taken from pedestrian paths in residential areas of Seoul and selected evaluation images through random sampling. Then, we conducted web-based and VR-based residential streetscape evaluation experiments with those landscape images. The VR-based streetscape evaluation results differed significantly from the web-based streetscape evaluation results. Our multi-level ordered logistic analysis confirmed that the VR-based streetscape evaluation method had better explanatory power than the web-based streetscape evaluation method. In the immersive VR-based streetscape evaluation index, the naturalness, beauty, and safety indicators had particularly high explanatory power. This study concluded that the VR-based streetscape evaluation method over the web-based method is more suitable for evaluating street scenes experienced in daily life. In addition, the innovative methodological approaches, including big data, virtual reality, and visual experiences, will also provide new insights for the planning and management of sustainable landscapes.
Characteristics of Soil Moisture Variation in Agroforestry in Karst Region
Authors: Wang Zehui , Xiong Kangning , Wu Chenxu , Luo Ding , Xiao Jie , Shen Chuhong
Published: January 2023

The special above-ground and underground dual structure in the karst area makes the capacity of surface water storage in this area poor. In water-limited ecosystems, soil moisture is the key to the survival of plants. Influenced by rainfall and soil texture, soil moisture variation characteristics of different vegetation types are different in slope land. Many researchers use rainfall simulation experiments to study the influence of soil water movement processes under rainfall patterns, but there are few studies under natural conditions. In this paper, wood trees, peach trees, flue-cured tobacco, and grassland were planted at the buffer zone boundary of Shibing, a World Heritage site, along different elevations in the depression of the research site. Peach trees and flue-cured tobacco were the main cash crops in the area. The soil layers of 0–0.15 m, 0.15–0.30 m, 0.30–0.45 m, 0.45–0.60 m, and 0.60–0.75 m were taken as research objects. Rainfall and soil moisture were monitored every ten minutes to study the variation of soil moisture of vegetation types under different rainfall patterns. Through the analysis of soil physicochemical properties and vegetation types, it was found that soil moisture changes were different in different land types. In general, shallow soil moisture (0~0.30 m) was more active in the wet season (CV > 10%) but tended to be stable in the dry season. The rainy season rainfall had the greatest influence on soil moisture change. The response level of soil moisture to rainfall of all vegetation types was grassland > peach trees > flue-cured tobacco. These results can provide ecological and economic suggestions for karst areas with large population distribution in China, so as to reduce the impact of rock desertification on this area.
Opportunities for Adaptation to Climate Change of Extensively Grazed Pastures in the Central Apennines (Italy)
Authors: Bellini Edoardo , Martin Raphaël , Argenti Giovanni , Staglianò Nicolina , Costafreda-Aumedes Sergi , Dibari Camilla , Moriondo Marco , Bellocchi Gianni
Published: January 2023

Future climate change is expected to significantly alter the growth of vegetation in grassland systems, in terms of length of the growing season, forage production, and climate-altering gas emissions. The main objective of this work was, therefore, to simulate the future impacts of foreseen climate change in the context of two pastoral systems in the central Italian Apennines and test different adaptation strategies to cope with these changes. The PaSim simulation model was, therefore, used for this purpose. After calibration by comparison with observed data of aboveground biomass (AGB) and leaf area index (LAI), simulations were able to produce various future outputs, such as length of growing season, AGB, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, for two time windows (i.e., 2011–2040 and 2041–2070) using 14 global climate models (GCMs) for the generation of future climate data, according to RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios under business-as-usual management (BaU). As a result of increasing temperatures, the fertilizing effect of CO2, and a similar trend in water content between present and future, simulations showed a lengthening of the season (i.e., mean increase: +8.5 and 14 days under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively, for the period 2011–2040, +19 and 31.5 days under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively, for the period 2041–2070) and a rise in forage production (i.e., mean biomass peak increase of the two test sites under BaU: +53.7% and 62.75% for RCP4.5. and RCP8.5, respectively, in the 2011–2040 period, +115.3% and 176.9% in RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 in 2041–2070, respectively,). Subsequently, three different alternative management strategies were tested: a 20% rise in animal stocking rate (+20 GI), a 15% increase in grazing length (+15 GL), and a combination of these two management factors (+20 GI × 15 GL). Simulation results on alternative management strategies suggest that the favorable conditions for forage production could support the increase in animal stocking rate and grazing length of alternative management strategies (i.e., +20 GI, +15 GL, +20 GI × 15 GL). Under future projections, net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions decreased, whereas methane (CH4) rose. The simulated GHG future changes varied in magnitude according to the different adaptation strategies tested. The development and assessment of adaptation strategies for extensive pastures of the Central Apennines provide a basis for appropriate agricultural policy and optimal land management in response to the ongoing climate change.
Land Take and Landslide Hazard: Spatial Assessment and Policy Implications from a Study Concerning Sardinia
Authors: Isola Federica , Lai Sabrina , Leone Federica , Zoppi Corrado
Published: January 2023

Land take and soil sealing imply land cover transitions that may possibly result in decreased capacity to resist landslides; hence, this study focuses on the relations between land-taking processes and landslide hazard by addressing the following research question: “To what extent do land-taking processes increase landslide hazard?” The impact of land take is assessed through a regression model which relates the level of landslide hazard to a set of land cover variables which include artificialized land; that is, land taken up through urbanization processes, and a set of covariates that represent land cover types grouped in accordance with the LEAC (land and ecosystem accounting) classification. This methodological approach is implemented into the spatial context of Sardinia, an insular Italian region, and shows that not only the amount of taken up artificialized land, but also other types of land covers, are likely to increase the magnitude of landslide hazard. A set of implications concerning planning policies related to land cover and land cover transitions are discussed in the concluding section, where policy recommendations are identified in order to mitigate the impacts of land cover transitions on landslide hazards.
The Driving Role of 3D Geovisualization in the Reanimation of Local Collective Memory and Historical Sources for the Reconstitution of Rural Landscapes
Authors: Goussios Dimitris , Faraslis Ioannis
Published: January 2023

The dynamics created by the process of territorial construction are partly based on the selective and functional incorporation of heritage. However, in rural areas, retrospection presents particular difficulties due to a lack of appropriate information. Τhis research proposes the implementation of a methodology that combines sources, methods, and tools where the extraction of timeless information is based on the use of 3D interactive representations incorporating the active participation of actors and their collective memory. The proposed methodology strives for the compatibility, objectivity, and synergy of information from various sources and historical periods. The scope of this research concerns the mapping of the route and landscapes that were explored and described by the traveller Leake 210 years ago in the Farsala-Almyros area in Thessaly (Greece). The results focus on the reconstruction of the spatial subsystems of land use and exploitation at the beginning of the 19th century. The analysis reveals a production system, organized to use the laws of nature in order to sustainably manage the relationship between humans, animals, and natural resources. At the same time, the comparison with the current space has revealed a serious degradation in the natural environment since then. Finally, this mixed methodology, by combining the “spatialization” of information, virtuality and interactivity, the transition in time and space, and, finally, the “territorialization” of information, forms the basis for the inclusion of the history of places in the modern process of constructing a territorial area.
Contributions of Social Media to the Recognition, Assessment, Conservation, and Communication of Spanish Post-Industrial Landscapes
Authors: Layuno Rosas Ángeles , Magaz-Molina Jorge
Published: January 2023

The paper aims to draft how phenomena such as abandonment, territorial disarticulation, environmental pollution, socioeconomic imbalances, and heritage consideration issues that surround landscapes where industrial activity has ceased are reflected on social media in Spain. The research focuses on the most popular social media platforms in Spain: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. A manual sample strategy was conducted to ensure an individualized approach to user-generated content. Sampling was carried out separately for three aspects: (1) keywords at a general level, (2) terms used to define industrial landscapes, and (3) recognition of significant industrial landscapes related to governmental facilities built in the 20th century, wherein we take into account three potential profile types: (i) individuals; (ii) NGOs/associations and/or public administrations; and (iii) academics. The results show that social media platforms are widely used as tools to disseminate information about industrial landscapes, but the contributions of each platform are uneven and incomplete in relation to the reality of post-industrial landscapes. However, it is worth recognizing the added value that their possible interaction brings as a reference for current civic debates. How social media contributes toward mitigating the difficulties of recognition, comprehension, and protection of post-industrial landscapes is emphasized in our conclusions.
The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) from a Civil Procedure Perspective
Authors: Ismail Shahrul Mizan , Alheji Ali Ibrahim
Published: January 2023

Terrorism is a global threat that has caused immense suffering and loss of life. The United States’ Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) is an important piece of legislation that allows victims of terrorism to hold foreign entities accountable for their actions. However, there is a need to evaluate the act from the perspective of Civil Procedure to determine its effectiveness in providing remedies for victims and addressing the challenges of holding foreign entities accountable. This paper’s analysis is based on the JASTA, for the evaluation of its position and application from a pre-litigation of Civil Procedure perspective. The two most significant parts of Civil Procedure in the segments of preliminary issues including Parties to the Suit and Cause of Action are examined to determine their susceptibility to being exploited in the process of executing the intention and purpose of the act concerning foreign entities, as highlighted in JASTA. Preliminary aspects must be considered before initiating a civil suit based on JASTA. This analysis is important in understanding the strength and weaknesses of JASTA in the civil suit and it involves a qualitative method of research. For the most part, the research methodology adopted will be pure legal research. Since the research will focus on JASTA, the regular method of analysis adopted is by referring to the sources and data discussing JASTA and procedural law. The findings of this work could be used to establish better laws from JASTA and provide the opportunity for the citizens who are victims to bring legal action against foreign states that are also responsible for their loss and suffering. Moreover, other countries faced with litigation initiated under JASTA could also benefit from the findings as they could be used in establishing better laws for countries that had also suffered greatly due to actions resulting from terrorism or the war against terrorism. Future research related to this topic is also recommended in this analysis.
Hot Spots and Trends in the Relationship between Cancer and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Knowledge Graph Analysis
Authors: Gao Le , Yang Tian , Xue Ziru , Chan Chak Kwan Dickson
Published: January 2023

Cancer is one of the most difficult medical problems in today’s world. There are many factors that induce cancer in humans, and obesity has become an important factor in inducing cancer. This study systematically and quantitatively describes the development trend, current situation and research hotspot of the relationship between cancer and obesity by using document statistics and knowledge graph visualization technology. Through the visualization technology analysis of knowledge graph in this study, the research hotspot and knowledge base source of the relationship between cancer and obesity in the last 20 years have been ascertained. Obesity-related factors, such as immunity, insulin, adiponectin, adipocytokines, nonalcoholic fatty liver and inflammatory reaction, may affect the occurrence of obesity and increase the risk of cancer. Obesity-related cancers include respiratory cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, etc. Our research provides direction and basis for future research in this field, as well as technical and knowledge basis support for experts and researchers in related medical fields.
Mechanism of Wuyao–Ginseng Medicine Pair in the Prevention and Treatment of Diarrhea-Type Irritable Bowel Syndrome Based on Gene Expression Omnibus Chip Data
Authors: Sun Wenjing , Qing Ruizi , Fan Zhiqiang , He Qin , Wu Jinhong , He Yang , Ouyang Linqi , Chen Zhen , Deng Guiming
Published: January 2023

Based on a Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) chip analysis combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, in this study we explored the molecular targets and mechanism of the wuyao–ginseng medicine pair in the prevention and treatment of diarrhea-type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) was used to search for the chemical constituents and targets of wuyao and ginseng. The UniProt database was used to search for the target gene name. In the GEO database, IBS was searched to obtain GSE36701 and GSE14841 microarray data. We imported the intersection targets into the STRING database to construct a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (Go) pathway analyses were performed using the Metascape database. A total of 30 active ingredients of wuyao–ginseng, 171 drug targets, 1257 IBS differentially expressed genes, and 20 drug-disease intersection genes were obtained from the GEO data. We screened the results and obtained the core active ingredients beta-sitosterol, DMPEC, Boldine, etc.; the core targets NCOA2, EGFR, VEGFA, etc.; and the key pathways P13K-Akt, MAPK, etc. The wuyao–ginseng medicine pair may be involved in inflammation-related signaling pathways, acting on disease targets such as NCOA2, EGFR, and VEGFA as well as pathways such as P13K-Akt and MAPK, thereby playing a key role in the prevention and treatment of IBS-D.
Impact of Dietary Administration of Seaweed Polysaccharide on Growth, Microbial Abundance, and Growth and Immune-Related Genes Expression of The Pacific Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
Authors: Abbas Eman M. , Al-Souti Ahmed Said , Sharawy Zaki Z. , El-Haroun Ehab , Ashour Mohamed
Published: January 2023

This work aims to determine the impact of dietary supplementation of polysaccharide, extracted from brown seaweeds Sargassum dentifolium on growth indices, feed utilization, biochemical compositions, microbial abundance, expressions of growth and immunity-related genes, and stress genes of the Pacific Whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. A total of 360 post-larvae of L. vannamei were randomly distributed into a 12-glass aquarium (40 L of each) at a stocking density of 30 shrimp with an initial weight of (0.0017 ± 0.001 g). During the 90-day experiment trial, all shrimp larvae were fed their respective diets at 10% of total body weight, three times a day. Three experimental diets were prepared with different seaweed polysaccharide (SWP) levels. The basal control diet had no polysaccharide level (SWP0), while SWP1, SWP2, and SWP3 contained polysaccharides at concentrations of 1, 2, and 3 g kg−1 diet, respectively. Diets supplemented with polysaccharide levels showed significant improvements in weight gain and survival rate, compared to the control diet. Whole-body biochemical composition and the microbial abundance (the total count of heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp.) of L. vannamei showed significant differences among polysaccharide-treated diets compared to the control. At the end of the feeding experiment, the dietary supplementation of polysaccharide levels enhanced the expression of growth-related genes (Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-II), immune-related genes (β -Glucan-binding protein (β-Bgp), Prophenoloxidase (ProPO), Lysozyme (Lys), and Crustin), and stress genes (Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the muscle tissue of L. vannamei. However, the current study concluded that the inclusion rate of 2 g kg–1 of polysaccharide as a dietary additive administration enhanced both weight gain and survival rate of L. vannamei, while the incorporation level of 3 g kg–1 reduces the abundance of pathogenic microbes and enhances the growth-, immunity- and stress-related gene expressions of L. vannamei.
The Topological Characteristics of Biological Ratio-Sensing Networks
Authors: Chen Xinmao , Wang Tianze , Guan Ying , Ouyang Qi , Lou Chunbo , Qian Long
Published: January 2023

Ratio sensing is a fundamental biological function observed in signal transduction and decision making. In the synthetic biology context, ratio sensing presents one of the elementary functions for cellular multi-signal computation. To investigate the mechanism of the ratio-sensing behavior, we explored the topological characteristics of biological ratio-sensing networks. With exhaustive enumeration of three-node enzymatic and transcriptional regulatory networks, we found that robust ratio sensing was highly dependent on network structure rather than network complexity. Specifically, a set of seven minimal core topological structures and four motifs were deduced to be capable of robust ratio sensing. Further investigations on the evolutionary space of robust ratio-sensing networks revealed highly clustered domains surrounding the core motifs which suggested their evolutionary plausibility. Our study revealed the network topological design principles of ratio-sensing behavior and provided a design scheme for constructing regulatory circuits with ratio-sensing behavior in synthetic biology.
Annona muricata: Comprehensive Review on the Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Aspects Focusing on Antidiabetic Properties
Authors: Zubaidi Siti Norliyana , Mohd Nani Hidayah , Ahmad Kamal Mohd Saleh , Abdul Qayyum Taha , Maarof Syahida , Afzan Adlin , Mohmad Misnan Norazlan , Hamezah Hamizah Shahirah , Baharum Syarul Nataqain , Mediani Ahmed
Published: January 2023

Plants have played an important role over the centuries in providing products that have been used to help combat ailments and diseases. Many products originating from fresh, dried-plant materials, or extracts are utilized as community remedies in traditional practices or even in modern medicine. The Annonaceae family contains different types of bioactive chemical properties, such as alkaloids, acetogenins, flavonoids, terpenes, and essential oil, meaning the plants in this family are potential therapeutic agents. Belonging to the Annonaceae family, Annona muricata Linn. has recently attracted the attention of scientists for its medicinal value. It has been utilized as a medicinal remedy since ancient times to treat and improve various diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer, and bacterial infections. This review, therefore, highlights the important characteristic and therapeutic effect of A. muricata along with future perspectives on its hypoglycemic effect. The most-common name is soursop, referring to its sour and sweet flavors, while in Malaysia, this tree is commonly called ‘durian belanda’. Furthermore, A. muricata contains a high content of phenolic compounds in the roots and leaves. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that A. muricata has the pharmacological effects of anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, and wound healing. With regard to its anti-diabetic effect, mechanisms of inhibiting glucose absorption via α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity inhibition, increasing glucose tolerance and glucose uptake by peripheral tissues, and stimulating insulin release or acting like insulin were deeply discussed. There is still a significant research gap, and future studies are required to conduct detailed investigations and gain a better molecular understanding of A. muricata’s anti-diabetic potential, especially by using the metabolomics approach.
Near-Infrared Spectral Similarity between Ex Vivo Porcine and In Vivo Human Tissue
Authors: Vries Eva de , Alic Lejla , Schols Rutger M. , Emanuel Kaj S. , Wieringa Fokko P. , Bouvy Nicole D. , Tuijthof Gabriëlle J. M.
Published: January 2023

Background: In vivo diffuse reflectance spectroscopy provides additional contrast in discriminating nerves embedded in adipose tissue during surgery. However, large datasets are required to achieve clinically acceptable classification levels. This study assesses the spectral similarity between ex vivo porcine and in vivo human spectral data of nerve and adipose tissue, as porcine tissue could contribute to generate large datasets. Methods: Porcine diffuse reflectance spectra were measured at 124 nerve and 151 adipose locations. A previously recorded dataset of 32 in vivo human nerve and 23 adipose tissue locations was used for comparison. In total, 36 features were extracted from the raw porcine to generate binary logistic regression models for all combinations of two, three, four and five features. Feature selection was performed by assessing similar means between normalized features of nerve and of adipose tissue (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.05) and for models performing best on the porcine cross validation set. The human test set was used to assess classification performance. Results: The binary logistic regression models with selected features showed an accuracy of 60% on the test set. Conclusions: Spectral similarity between ex vivo porcine and in vivo human adipose and nerve tissue was present, but further research is required.
Remote Psychotherapy during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study on the Changes Experienced by Austrian Psychotherapists
Authors: Stadler Michael , Jesser Andrea , Humer Elke , Haid Barbara , Stippl Peter , Schimböck Wolfgang , Maaß Elisabeth , Schwanzar Helmut , Leithner Daniela , Pieh Christoph , Probst Thomas
Published: January 2023

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated measures to contain the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus required a change in treatment format from face-to-face to remote psychotherapy. This study investigated the changes experienced by Austrian therapists when switching to psychotherapy at a distance. A total of 217 therapists participated in an online survey on changes experienced when switching settings. The survey was open from 26 June until 3 September 2020. Several open questions were evaluated using qualitative content analysis. The results show that the setting at a distance was appreciated by the therapists as a possibility to continue therapy even during an exceptional situation. Moreover, remote therapy offered the respondents more flexibility in terms of space and time. Nevertheless, the therapists also reported challenges of remote therapy, such as limited sensory perceptions, technical problems and signs of fatigue. They also described differences in terms of the therapeutic interventions used. There was a great deal of ambivalence in the data regarding the intensity of sessions and the establishment and/or maintenance of a psychotherapeutic relationship. Overall, the study shows that remote psychotherapy seems to have been well accepted by Austrian psychotherapists in many settings and can offer benefits. Clinical studies are also necessary to investigate in which contexts and for which patient groups the remote setting is suitable and where it is potentially contraindicated.
Clinical Application of a Customized 3D-Printed Bolus in Radiation Therapy for Distal Extremities
Authors: Yu Suah , Ahn So Hyun , Choi Sang Hyoun , Ahn Woo Sang , Jung In-hye
Published: January 2023

In radiation therapy (RT) for skin cancer, tissue-equivalent substances called boluses are widely used to ensure the delivery of an adequate dose to the skin surface and to provide a radioprotective effect for normal tissue. The aim of this study was to develop a new type of three-dimensional (3D) bolus for RT involving body parts with irregular geometries and to evaluate its clinical feasibility. Two 3D-printed boluses were designed for two patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of their distal extremities based on computed tomography (CT) images and printed with polylactic acid (PLA). The clinical feasibility of the boluses was evaluated by measuring the in vivo skin dose at the tumor site with optically stimulated luminescence detectors (OSLDs) and comparing the results with the prescribed and calculated doses from the Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS). The average measured dose distribution for the two patients was 94.75% of the prescribed dose and 98.8% of the calculated dose. In addition, the average measured dose during repeated treatments was 189.5 ± 3.7 cGy, thus demonstrating the excellent reproducibility of the proposed approach. Overall, the customized 3D-printed boluses for the RT of distal extremities accurately delivered doses to skin tumors with improved reproducibility.
EEG-Neurofeedback as a Potential Therapeutic Approach for Cognitive Deficits in Patients with Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Vilou Irini , Varka Aikaterini , Parisis Dimitrios , Afrantou Theodora , Ioannidis Panagiotis
Published: January 2023

Memory deficits are common in patients with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, but also in patients with other neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as brain injury, multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke and schizophrenia. Memory loss affects patients’ functionality and, by extension, their quality of life. Non-invasive brain training methods, such as EEG neurofeedback, are used to address cognitive deficits and behavioral changes in dementia and other neurological disorders by training patients to alter their brain activity via operant activity. In this review paper, we analyze various protocols of EEG neurofeedback in memory rehabilitation in patients with dementia, multiple sclerosis, strokes and traumatic brain injury. The results from the studies show the effectiveness of the ΕΕG-NFB method in improving at least one cognitive domain, regardless of the number of sessions or the type of protocol applied. In future research, it is important to address methodological weaknesses in the application of the method, its long-term effects as well as ethical issues.
Arachidonic Acid Added during the Differentiation Phase of 3T3-L1 Cells Exerts Anti-Adipogenic Effect by Reducing the Effects of Pro-Adipogenic Prostaglandins
Authors: Nartey Michael N. N. , Jisaka Mitsuo , Syeda Pinky Karim , Nishimura Kohji , Shimizu Hidehisa , Yokota Kazushige
Published: January 2023

A linoleic acid (LA) metabolite arachidonic acid (AA) added to 3T3-L1 cells is reported to suppress adipogenesis. The purpose of the present study aimed to clarify the effects of AA added during the differentiation phase, including adipogenesis, the types of prostaglandins (PG)s produced, and the crosstalk between AA and the PGs produced. Adipogenesis was inhibited by AA added, while LA did not. When AA was added, increased PGE2 and PGF2α production, unchanged Δ12-PGJ2 production, and reduced PGI2 production were observed. Since the decreased PGI2 production was reflected in decreased CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-β (C/EBPβ) and C/EBPδ expression, we expected that the coexistence of PGI2 with AA would suppress the anti-adipogenic effects of AA. However, the coexistence of PGI2 with AA did not attenuate the anti-adipogenic effects of AA. In addition, the results were similar when Δ12-PGJ2 coexisted with AA. Taken together, these results indicated that the metabolism of ingested LA to AA is necessary to inhibit adipogenesis and that exposure of AA to adipocytes during only the differentiation phase is sufficient. As further mechanisms for suppressing adipogenesis, AA was found not only to increase PGE2 and PGF2α and decrease PGI2 production but also to abrogate the pro-adipogenic effects of PGI2 and Δ12-PGJ2.
Is Hypovitaminosis D a Risk Factor for Heart Failure?
Authors: Hagău Asmaa Carla , Pușcaș Amalia , Togănel Rodica , Muntean Iolanda
Published: January 2023

Background: Several studies in recent years have shown the association between vitamin D levels and heart failure. Vitamin D deficiency is related to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, with a higher risk of developing heart failure. In this systematic review, we aimed to assess recent studies that analyzed vitamin D deficiency and heart failure in adult and pediatric populations. (2) Methods: We conducted a systematic search for studies published in the following databases: PubMed and Scopus from January 2012 to October 2022. (3) Results: Most observational studies that were included found a significant association between hypovitaminosis D and heart failure. However, the beneficial role of vitamin D supplementation is still controversial due to the lack of randomized controlled trials. (4) Conclusions: Vitamin D may play an important role as a cardiovascular marker in heart failure patients. More well-designed studies are needed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and heart failure and to determine if vitamin D supplementation could improve long-term outcomes.
Antiobesity and Antioxidative Effect of Fermented Brown Rice Using In Vitro with In Vivo Caenorhabditis elegans Model
Authors: Barathikannan Kaliyan , Tyagi Akanksha , Shan Lingyue , Kim Nam-Hyeon , Lee Deuk-Sik , Park Jong-Soon , Chelliah Ramachandran , Oh Deog-Hwan
Published: January 2023

Naturally occurring phytochemicals from plants or grains are crucial in reducing various metabolic disorders. Bioactive phytonutrients are abundant in the Asian dietary staple, brown rice. This research evaluated the impact of lactic acid bacteria (LABs) bioconversion and fermentation on antioxidant and antiobesity activities and ferulic acid content in brown rice. The combination of bioconversion with Pediococcus acidilactici MNL5 among all LABs used showed a synergistic impact with 24 h of solid-state brown rice fermentation. The 24-h MNL5 fermented brown rice (FBR) demonstrated the most potent pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity (85.5 ± 1.25%) compared to raw brown rice (RBR) (54.4 ± 0.86%). The antioxidant potential of MNL5-FBR was also found to be highest in the DPPH assay (124.40 ± 2.40 mg Trolox Equiv./100 g, DW), ABTS assay (130.52 ± 2.32 mg Trolox Equiv./100 g, DW), and FRAP assay (116.16 ± 2.42 mg Trolox Equiv./100 g, DW). Based on higher antioxidant and antiobesity activities, samples were quantified for ferulic acid content using the HPLC-MS/MS approach. Furthermore, C. elegans supplementation with FBR showed enhanced life span and lipid reduction in fluorescence microscope analysis compared to the control. Our results indicate that the expression study using the C. elegans model (N2 and Daf-2 models) fat gene was conducted, showing a lowering of obesity ability in FBR-fed worms. Our study indicates that FBR has improved antioxidant and antiobesity actions, especially in MNL5-FBR, and can be employed to develop functional foods that combat obesity.
Investigation on the Essential Oils of the Achillea Species: From Chemical Analysis to the In Silico Uptake against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease
Authors: Angourani Hossein Rabbi , Zarei Armin , Moghadam Maryam Manafi , Ramazani Ali , Mastinu Andrea
Published: January 2023

In this study, phytochemicals extracted from three different Achillea genera were identified and analyzed to be screened for their interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. In particular, the antiviral potential of these natural products against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease was investigated, as was their effectiveness against the SARS-CoV-1 main protease as a standard (due to its high similarity with SARS-CoV-2). These enzymes play key roles in the proliferation of viral strains in the human cytological domain. GC-MS analysis was used to identify the essential oils of the Achillea species. Chemi-informatics tools, such as AutoDock 4.2.6, SwissADME, ProTox-II, and LigPlot, were used to investigate the action of the pharmacoactive compounds against the main proteases of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Based on the binding energies of kessanyl acetate, chavibetol (m-eugenol), farnesol, and 7-epi-β-eudesmol were localized at the active site of the coronaviruses. Furthermore, these molecules, through hydrogen bonding with the amino acid residues of the active sites of viral proteins, were found to block the progression of SARS-CoV-2. Screening and computer analysis provided us with the opportunity to consider these molecules for further preclinical studies. Furthermore, considering their low toxicity, the data may pave the way for new in vitro and in vivo research on these natural inhibitors of the main SARS-CoV-2 protease.
Keep the Right in Mind—A Focused Approach to Right Ventricle-Predominant Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Copeland Viana Jacquline , Fardman Alexander , Furer Ariel
Published: January 2023

Cardiogenic shock (CS) remains a highly lethal condition despite many efforts and new interventions. Patients presenting with a rapid onset of hemodynamic instability and subsequent collapse require prompt and appropriate multimodality treatment. Multiple etiologies can lead to heart failure and subsequent shock. As the case prevalence of heart failure increases worldwide, it is of great importance to explore all manners and protocols of presentation and treatment present. With research primarily focusing on CS due to cardiac left-sided pathology, few assessments of right-sided pathology and the subsequent clinical state and treatment have been conducted. This review aims to present an in-depth assessment of the currently available literature, assessing the pathophysiology, presentation and management of CS patients due to right heart failure.
Juglans regia Linn.: A Natural Repository of Vital Phytochemical and Pharmacological Compounds
Authors: Bhat Aeyaz Ahmad , Shakeel Adnan , Rafiq Sadaf , Farooq Iqra , Malik Azad Quyoom , Alghuthami Mohammed E. , Alharthi Sarah , Qanash Husam , Alharthy Saif A.
Published: January 2023

Juglans regia Linn. is a valuable medicinal plant that possesses the therapeutic potential to treat a wide range of diseases in humans. It has been known to have significant nutritional and curative properties since ancient times, and almost all parts of this plant have been utilized to cure numerous fungal and bacterial disorders. The separation and identification of the active ingredients in J. regia as well as the testing of those active compounds for pharmacological properties are currently of great interest. Recently, the naphthoquinones extracted from walnut have been observed to inhibit the enzymes essential for viral protein synthesis in the SARS-CoV-2. Anticancer characteristics have been observed in the synthetic triazole analogue derivatives of juglone, and the unique modifications in the parent derivative of juglone have paved the way for further synthetic research in this area. Though there are some research articles available on the pharmacological importance of J. regia, a comprehensive review article to summarize these findings is still required. The current review, therefore, abridges the most recent scientific findings about antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, and anticancer properties of various discovered and separated chemical compounds from different solvents and different parts of J. regia.
Anticancer Therapy and Mortality of Adult Patients with Hematologic Malignancy and COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lin Wen-Li , Nguyen Thi-Hoang-Yen , Wu Li-Min , Huang Wen-Tsung , Su Shih-Bin
Published: January 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) might affect cancer treatment outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis identified the prognostic predictors of adult patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19, and evaluated the effect of anticancer therapy on mortality. We performed a literature search of electronic databases and identified additional studies from the bibliographies of the articles that were retrieved. Two investigators independently extracted data according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. We evaluated study quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and performed a meta-analyses in order to evaluate the effect of anticancer therapy on mortality among adult patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistic. The meta-analysis included 12 studies. The overall mortality rate was 36.3%. The pooled risk difference (RD) in mortality between patients receiving and not receiving anticancer therapy was 0.14 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02–0.26; I2 = 76%). The pooled RD in mortality associated with chemotherapy was 0.22 (95% CI: 0.05–0.39; I2 = 48%), and with immunosuppression was 0.20 (95% CI: 0.05–0.34; I2 = 67%). In the subgroup analyses, anticancer-therapy-associated mortality was higher in females (RD = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.29–0.85; I2 = 0%) than in males (RD = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.04–0.52; I2 = 0%). Among patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19, those receiving anticancer therapy had a higher mortality risk, regardless of sex. The mortality risk was higher in females than in males. These results indicate that caution should be exercised when administering anticancer therapy to patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19.
Intrinsic Cardiac Neuromodulation in the Management of Atrial Fibrillation- A Potential Missing Link?
Authors: Aksu Tolga , Gupta Dhiraj , Skeete Jamario R. , Huang Henry H.
Published: January 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia that is linked with higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence has demonstrated that catheter-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is not only a viable alternative but may be superior to antiarrhythmic drug therapy for long-term freedom from symptomatic AF episodes, a reduction in the arrhythmia burden, and healthcare resource utilization with a similar risk of adverse events. The intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) has a significant influence on the structural and electrical milieu, and imbalances in the ANS may contribute to the arrhythmogenesis of AF in some individuals. There is now increasing scientific and clinical interest in various aspects of neuromodulation of intrinsic cardiac ANS, including mapping techniques, ablation methods, and patient selection. In the present review, we aimed to summarize and critically appraise the currently available evidence for the neuromodulation of intrinsic cardiac ANS in AF.