bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistin Modulates the Functional Activity of Colostral Macrophages from Mothers with Obesity and Diabetes
Authors: Dalcin Letícia Damas Leão , Fagundes-Triches Danny Laura Gomes , de Queiroz Adriele Ataides , Torres André Henrique Furtado , França Danielle Cristina Honorio , Soares Tatiane Araújo , Ramos Luana Cristina da Silva , Antônio Carla Roberta Silva Souza , Fujimori Mahmi , França Eduardo Luzia , Honorio-França Adenilda Cristina
Published: September 2022

Background: Obesity and diabetes are major public health problems. Resistin is an adipokine that links the two diseases. There are few reports regarding colostrum cells and resistin from mothers with obesity and diabetes. Thus, this study aimed to determine the functional activity of macrophages present in the breast milk and colostrum of diabetic mothers with obesity and the effects of resistin on these cells. Methods: The women were divided according to BMI and glycemic status into normal weight non-diabetic, obese non-diabetic, normal weight type 2 diabetic, or obese type 2 diabetic groups. ELISA determined the resistin in colostrum. The cell subsets and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry and the functional activity of cells by fluorescence microscopy. Results: The resistin levels were higher in the colostrum from diabetic mothers with obesity. The frequencies of CD14+ cells and cells expressing CD95+, independent of resistin treatment, were higher in the colostrum from diabetic mothers with obesity. The frequency of cells expressing CD14+CD95+ was higher in cells not treated with resistin in the colostrum from diabetic mothers with obesity. Apoptosis, irrespective of the presence of resistin, increased, whereas microbicidal activity decreased in cells from diabetic mothers with obesity. Conclusion: The data suggest that hyperglycemia associated with low-grade inflammation caused by obesity affects the percentage of cells expressing CD14+CD95+, death by apoptosis, and microbicidal indices; meanwhile, resistin restored the microbicidal activity of colostrum cells.
Telomeres and Telomerase in the Control of Stem Cells
Authors: Lupatov Alexey Yu. , Yarygin Konstantin N.
Published: September 2022

Stem cells serve as a source of cellular material in embryogenesis and postnatal growth and regeneration. This requires significant proliferative potential ensured by sufficient telomere length. Telomere attrition in the stem cells and their niche cells can result in the exhaustion of the regenerative potential of high-turnover organs, causing or contributing to the onset of age-related diseases. In this review, stem cells are examined in the context of the current telomere-centric theory of cell aging, which assumes that telomere shortening depends not just on the number of cell doublings (mitotic clock) but also on the influence of various internal and external factors. The influence of the telomerase and telomere length on the functional activity of different stem cell types, as well as on their aging and prospects of use in cell therapy applications, is discussed.
An Electric Wheelchair Manipulating System Using SSVEP-Based BCI System
Authors: Chen Wen , Chen Shih-Kang , Liu Yi-Hung , Chen Yu-Jen , Chen Chin-Sheng
Published: September 2022

Most people with motor disabilities use a joystick to control an electric wheelchair. However, those who suffer from multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may require other methods to control an electric wheelchair. This study implements an electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain–computer interface (BCI) system and a steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) to manipulate an electric wheelchair. While operating the human–machine interface, three types of SSVEP scenarios involving a real-time virtual stimulus are displayed on a monitor or mixed reality (MR) goggles to produce the EEG signals. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is used to classify the EEG signals into the corresponding class of command and the information transfer rate (ITR) is used to determine the effect. The experimental results show that the proposed SSVEP stimulus generates the EEG signals because of the high classification accuracy of CCA. This is used to control an electric wheelchair along a specific path. Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is the mapping method that is available in the robotic operating software (ROS) platform that is used for the wheelchair system for this study.
Angioarchitectural Factors Associated with Postoperative Cerebral Infarction in Ischemic Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Yu Tengfei , Wang Rong , Ye Xun , Zeng Chun , Chen Xiaolin , Zhao Yuanli
Published: September 2022

Objective: To investigate the angioarchitectural factors associated with postoperative cerebral infarction in ischemic moyamoya disease. Methods: Data on patients who underwent surgery for ischemic MMD from 1 October 2015 to 31 October 2020, at Peking University International Hospital were collected and retrospectively analyzed. General conditions such as patient sex, age, site of surgery, preoperative manifestations such as TIA attack and old cerebral infarction, and seven angioarchitectural factors of the MMD based on DSA were selected and measured. Statistical analysis was performed by the Pearson chi-square statistic, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multifactor logistic regression analysis. Results: Age (OR, 0.969; 95%CI, 0.939–1.000; p = 0.049), A1stenosis (OR, 5.843; 95%CI, 1.730–19.732; p = 0.004), M1stenosis (OR, 6.206; 95%CI, 2.079–18.526; p = 0.001), PCA anomalies (OR, 4.367; 95%CI, 1.452–13.129; p = 0.049), Unstable compensation (OR, 5.335; 95%CI, 1.427–19.948; p = 0.013), TIA (OR, 4.264; 95%CI, 1.844–9.863; p = 0.001), Old cerebral infarction (OR, 2.972; 95%CI, 1.194–7.397; p = 0.019). The above seven factors can be used in the regression equation to predict the probability of postoperative cerebral infarction. The prediction accuracy is 90.2%. Conclusions: Age, TIA attack, old cerebral infarction, and five angioarchitectural factors of MMD are strongly associated with postoperative cerebral infarction. Seven factors, including age, TIA attack, old infarction, and four angioarchitectural factors, can be taken to quantify the probability of surgical cerebral infarction in MMD.
Machine Learning Models for Predicting Shear Strength and Identifying Failure Modes of Rectangular RC Columns
Authors: Phan Van-Tien , Tran Viet-Linh , Nguyen Van-Quang , Nguyen Duy-Duan
Published: September 2022

The determination of shear strength and the identification of potential failure modes are the crucial steps in designing and evaluating the structural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) columns. However, the current design codes and guidelines do not clearly provide a detailed procedure for governing failure types of RC columns. This study predicted the shear strength and identified the failure modes of rectangular RC columns using various Machine Learning (ML) models. Six ML models, including Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARSs), Naïve Bayes (NBs), K-nearest Neighbors (KNNs), Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN), were developed to calculate the shear strength and to classify the failure modes of rectangular RC columns. A total of 541 experimental data samples were collected from literature and utilized for developing the ML models. The results reveal that the ANN and KNNs models outperformed other ML models in predicting the shear strength of rectangular RC columns with the R2 value larger than 0.99. Additionally, the KNNs model achieved the highest accuracy, mostly 100%, for identifying the failure modes of rectangular RC columns. Based on the superior performance of the ANN and KNNs models, a graphical user interface was also developed to rapidly predict the shear strength and failure modes of rectangular RC columns.
Optimal Design and Verification of Informal Learning Spaces (ILS) in Chinese Universities Based on Visual Perception Analysis
Authors: Chen Yuzhen , Wu Jinxiu , Zou Yamei , Dong Wei , Zhou Xin
Published: September 2022

As the focus on higher education in China gradually shifts from rapid development to an emphasis on quality, the need for campus environments to become facilitators of education has gained increasing attention. The accelerated development of information technology has also led to tremendous changes in both teaching and learning methods, with informal learning taking on an increasingly important role. Furthermore, the development of human sensing technology, especially visual perception technology, has brought in new opportunities for the research and optimization of informal learning spaces (ILSs) in universities. This paper focuses on the ILS in Chinese universities by exploring optimal design approaches based on visual perception analysis. Through research and field investigation, this paper proposes revised theoretical research of classifications and spatial elements of ILS in universities more applicable to the architectural study of space. This paper also explores practical optimal design methods with two case studies and makes experiments with wearable eye trackers to study the users’ perception in these spaces before and after optimization. The optimal design is made from the aspects of physical space, facilities, and environment. Visual perception experiments and quantitative analysis were used to obtain a higher level of experimental accuracy than the previous studies and thus to study the real feeling of users in spaces. By these means, the effect of the optimized design was verified and the relation between users’ perceptions and the spatial environments was explored for further improvements to optimal design methods. This article can provide theoretical and practical references for campus space optimization research and design, especially for ILS on university campuses.
The Adsorptive and Photocatalytic Performance of Granite and Basalt Waste in the Discoloration of Basic Dye
Authors: Almeida Lariana N. B. , Josue Tatiana G. , Nogueira Othavio H. L. , Ribas Laura S. , Fuziki Maria E. K. , Tusset Angelo M. , Santos Onelia A. A. , Lenzi Giane G.
Published: September 2022

The present work explored the adsorptive capacity and catalytic activity of rock powders from basaltic and granitic rocks in the discoloration of synthetic and industrial effluents containing the yellow dye Basic Yellow 96. The rock powders were characterized with scanning electron microscopy associated with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, photoacoustic spectroscopy, N2 physisorption and X-ray diffraction, the latter confirming the abundant presence of silica in the four materials studied. The basaltic powders presented specific surface areas between 7 and 10 times greater than those of granitic materials, which allowed up to 92% removal of the dye in 3 h of test using the basaltic powder. Despite the smaller area, the granitic materials showed considerable photocatalytic activity in 3 h, 94%, the same as that of the basaltic materials in the photocatalysis. Granitic and basaltic photocatalysts proved to be efficient in the discoloration of synthetic and industrial effluents, although TOC analyses indicated that it was not possible to promote the pollutant mineralization in the industrial effluent. Both artificial light and sunlight were effective in the photocatalysis of the dye, although the former was slightly faster.
Catalytic Materials by 3D Printing: A Mini Review
Authors: Chen Lina , Zhou Shiqiang , Li Mengrui , Mo Funian , Yu Suzhu , Wei Jun
Published: September 2022

Catalytic processes are the dominant driving force in the chemical industry, proper design and fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) catalysts monoliths helps to keep the active species from scattering in the reaction flow, improve high mass loading, expose abundant active catalytic sites and even realize turbulent gas flow, greatly improving the catalytic performance. Three-dimensional printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing, provides free design and accurate fabrication of complex 3D structures in an efficient and economic way. This disruptive technology brings light to optimizing and promoting the development of existing catalysts. In this mini review, we firstly introduce various printing techniques which are applicable for fabricating catalysts. Then, the recent developments in 3D printing catalysts are scrutinized. Finally, challenges and possible research directions in this field are proposed, with the expectation of providing guidance for the promotion of 3D printed catalysts.
Pyrolysis and Co-Combustion of Semi-Dry Sewage Sludge and Bituminous Coal: Kinetics and Combustion Characteristics
Authors: Li Guangyang , Chen Zhuoyuan , Wu Afeng , Shi Tao , Zhang Xiong , Li Hui , Yang Haiping , Shao Jingai , Zhang Shihong , Chen Hanping
Published: September 2022

To reduce the energy consumption and cost of the drying of sewage sludge (SS) and to ensure stability during combustion, the pyrolysis and co-combustion characteristics of semi-dry SS after the dehydration of flocculant and bituminous coal (BC) were studied in this work. The results show that the decrease in moisture content accelerates the release of volatile substances, and the increase in heating rate can also enhance the release of water and volatile matters. Furthermore, in the co-combustion of semi-dry SS and BC, the increase in mixing ratio (from 0% to 60%) of semi-dry SS caused the ignition and burnout temperature to decrease from 481 °C to 214 °C and from 702 °C to 627 °C, respectively. During co-combustion, the infrared spectra showed that the temperature range of 300–700 °C was the main gas precipitation area, and the main gaseous products were CO2, NOx, SO2, and volatile organic pollutants (VOCs).
Influence of Surface Chemistry of Carbon Nanofibers on the Hydrodechlorination of Chloroform to Olefins
Authors: Liu Sichen , Frutos Víctor , Álvarez-Montero María Ariadna , Gómez-Sainero Luisa María , Rodriguez Juan José , Martin-Martinez Maria
Published: September 2022

Functionalized carbon nanofibers (CNF) are fascinating materials to be used as supports in Pd-based catalysts for the treatment of waste chloroform (TCM) to produce light olefins through the catalytic hydrodechlorination (HDC). The CNF were functionalized by HNO3, HCl, and urea. Compared to the Pd supported on un-treated CNF, all the catalysts using functionalized CNF as support showed lower turnover frequency values with higher stability, owing to their smaller Pd nanoparticles (NPs). These smaller Pd NPs are formed due to the stronger metal–support interactions promoted by the higher concentration of surface groups on the functionalized catalysts. Since the smaller Pd NPs could hinder the hydrogenation of olefins to paraffins, the selectivity to olefins increased on the functionalized catalysts. Moreover, the N-doped CNF was successfully formed on the catalyst functionalized by urea. Since the nitrogen functional groups (pyridinic N and pyrrolic N) could provide much stronger metal–support interactions compared to the oxygen functional groups on the other catalysts, the catalyst functionalized by urea showed the smallest Pd NPs among the four catalysts, leading to the highest selectivity to light olefins.
Validation of AAC-11-Derived Peptide Anti-Tumor Activity in a Single Graft Sézary Patient-Derived Xenograft Mouse Model
Authors: Habault Justine , Thonnart Nicolas , Ram-Wolff Caroline , Bagot Martine , Bensussan Armand , Poyet Jean-Luc , Marie-Cardine Anne
Published: September 2022

Sézary syndrome (SS) is an aggressive cutaneous T cell lymphoma with poor prognosis mainly characterized by the expansion of a tumor CD4+ T cell clone in both skin and blood. So far, the development of new therapeutic strategies has been hindered by a lack of reproducible in vivo models closely reflecting patients’ clinical features. We developed an SS murine model consisting of the intravenous injection of Sézary patients’ PBMC, together with a mixture of interleukins, in NOD-SCID-gamma mice. Thirty-four to fifty days after injection, mice showed skin disorders similar to that observed in patients, with the detection of epidermis thickening and dermal tumor T cell infiltrates. Although experimental variability was observed, Sézary cells could be tracked in the blood stream, confirming that our model could efficiently exhibit both skin and blood involvement. Using this model, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of RT39, a cell-penetrating peptide derived from the survival protein anti-apoptosis clone 11 (AAC-11), that we previously characterized as specifically inducing apoptosis of Sézary patients’ malignant clone ex vivo. Systemic administration of RT39 led to cutaneous tumor T cells depletion, demonstrating efficient malignant cells’ targeting and a favorable safety profile. These preclinical data confirmed that RT39 might be an innovative therapeutic tool for Sézary syndrome.
Systematic Annotation Reveals CEP Function in Tomato Root Development and Abiotic Stress Response
Authors: Liu Dan , Shen Zeping , Zhuang Keqing , Qiu Ziwen , Deng Huiming , Ke Qinglin , Liu Haoju , Han Huibin
Published: September 2022

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most important vegetable crops worldwide; however, environmental stressors severely restrict tomato growth and yield. Therefore, it is of great interest to discover novel regulators to improve tomato growth and environmental stress adaptions. Here, we applied a comprehensive bioinformatics approach to identify putative tomato C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDE (CEP) genes and to explore their potential physiological function in tomato root development and abiotic stress responses. A total of 17 tomato CEP genes were identified and grouped into two subgroups based on the similarity of CEP motifs. The public RNA-Seq data revealed that tomato CEP genes displayed a diverse expression pattern in tomato tissues. Additionally, CEP genes expression was differentially regulated by nitrate or ammonium status in roots and shoots, respectively. The differences in expression levels of CEP genes induced by nitrogen indicate a potential involvement of CEPs in tomato nitrogen acquisition. The synthetic CEP peptides promoted tomato primary root growth, which requires nitric oxide (NO) and calcium signaling. Furthermore, we also revealed that CEP peptides improved tomato root resistance to salinity. Overall, our work will contribute to provide novel genetic breeding strategies for tomato cultivation under adverse environments.
Counteractions of a Novel Hydroalcoholic Extract from Lens Culinaria against the Dexamethasone-Induced Osteoblast Loss of Native Murine Cells
Authors: Antonacci Marina , Dibenedetto Jacopo Raffaele , Maqoud Fatima , Centoducati Gerardo , Colonna Nicola , Leonetti Francesco , Tricarico Domenico
Published: September 2022

The cytoprotective effects of a novel hydroalcoholic extract (0.01–5 mg/mL) from Lens culinaria (Terre di Altamura Srl) were investigated within murine native skeletal muscle fibers, bone marrow cells, and osteoblasts, and in cell lines treated with the apoptotic agent staurosporine (2.14 × 10−6 M), the alkylating drug cisplatin (10−4 M), the topoisomerase I inhibitor irinotecan (10−4 M), the antimitotic pro-oxidant doxorubicin (10−6 M), and the immunosuppressant dexamethasone (2 × 10−6 M). An amount of 10g of plant material was used to obtain a 70% ethanol/water product, following two-step extraction, evaporation, lyophilization, and storage at −20 °C. For the murine osteoblasts, doxorubicin reduced survival by −65%, dexamethasone by −32% and −60% after 24 and 48 h of incubation time, respectively. The extract was effective in preventing the osteoblast count-reduction induced by dexamethasone; it was also effective at preventing the inhibition of mineralization induced by dexamethasone. Doxorubicin and cisplatin caused a significant reduction in cell growth by −77% for bone marrow cells, −43% for irinotecan, and −60% for dexamethasone, but there was no evidence for the cytoprotective effects of the extract in these cells. Staurosporine and doxorubicin caused a fiber death rate of >−40% after 18 and 24 h of incubation, yet the extract was not effective at preventing these effects. The extract was effective in preventing the staurosporine-induced reduction of HEK293 proliferation and colony formation in the crystal violet DNA staining and the clonogenic assays. It was also effective for the cisplatin-induced reduction in HEK293 cell proliferation. The extract, however, failed to protect the SHSY5Y neurons against cisplatin and irinotecan-induced cytotoxicity. A UV/VIS spectroscopy analysis showed three peaks at the wavelengths of 350, 260, and 190 nm, which correspond to flavonoids, proanthocyanins, salicylates, and AA, constituting the extract. These data suggest the possible development of this extract for use against dexamethasone-induced bone loss and renal chemotherapy-induced damage.
Advances in Biomarkers and Endogenous Regulation of Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Chen Wenmin , Zhang Lu , Liu Suling , Chen Ceshi
Published: September 2022

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. Even if breast cancer patients initially respond to treatment, developed resistance can lead to a poor prognosis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a group of undifferentiated cells with self-renewal and multipotent differentiation characteristics. Existing evidence has shown that CSCs are one of the determinants that contribute to the heterogeneity of primary tumors. The emergence of CSCs causes tumor recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Previous studies indicated that different stemness-associated surface markers can identify other breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) subpopulations. Deciphering the critical signaling networks that are involved in the induction and maintenance of stemness is essential to develop novel BCSC-targeting strategies. In this review, we reviewed the biomarkers of BCSCs, critical regulators of BCSCs, and the signaling networks that regulate the stemness of BCSCs.
Comparison of Different Clinical Chemotherapeutical Agents’ Toxicity and Cell Response on Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Cancer Cells
Authors: Vajda Flóra , Szepesi Áron , Várady György , Sessler Judit , Kiss Dániel , Erdei Zsuzsa , Szebényi Kornélia , Német Katalin , Szakács Gergely , Füredi András
Published: September 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or fibroblasts are one of the most abundant cell types in the tumor microenvironment (TME) exerting various anti- and pro-apoptotic effects during tumorigenesis, invasion, and drug treatment. Despite the recently discovered importance of MSCs in tumor progression and therapy, the response of these cells to chemotherapeutics compared to cancer cells is rarely investigated. A widely accepted view is that these naive MSCs have higher drug tolerance than cancer cells due to a significantly lower proliferation rate. Here, we examine the differences and similarities in the sensitivity of MSCs and cancer cells to nine diverse chemotherapy agents and show that, although MSCs have a slower cell cycle, these cells are still sensitive to various drugs. Surprisingly, MSCs showed similar sensitivity to a panel of compounds, however, suffered fewer DNA double-stranded breaks, did not enter into a senescent state, and was virtually incapable of apoptosis. Our results suggest that MSCs and cancer cells have different cell fates after drug treatment, and this could influence therapy outcome. These findings could help design drug combinations targeting both MSCs and cancer cells in the TME.
Bio-Engineered Scaffolds Derived from Decellularized Human Esophagus for Functional Organ Reconstruction
Authors: Barbon Silvia , Biccari Andrea , Stocco Elena , Capovilla Giovanni , D’Angelo Edoardo , Todesco Martina , Sandrin Deborah , Bagno Andrea , Romanato Filippo , Macchi Veronica , De Caro Raffaele , Agostini Marco , Merigliano Stefano , Valmasoni Michele , Porzionato Andrea
Published: September 2022

Esophageal reconstruction through bio-engineered allografts that highly resemble the peculiar properties of the tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) is a prospective strategy to overcome the limitations of current surgical approaches. In this work, human esophagus was decellularized for the first time in the literature by comparing three detergent-enzymatic protocols. After decellularization, residual DNA quantification and histological analyses showed that all protocols efficiently removed cells, DNA (<50 ng/mg of tissue) and muscle fibers, preserving collagen/elastin components. The glycosaminoglycan fraction was maintained (70–98%) in the decellularized versus native tissues, while immunohistochemistry showed unchanged expression of specific ECM markers (collagen IV, laminin). The proteomic signature of acellular esophagi corroborated the retention of structural collagens, basement membrane and matrix–cell interaction proteins. Conversely, decellularization led to the loss of HLA-DR expression, producing non-immunogenic allografts. According to hydroxyproline quantification, matrix collagen was preserved (2–6 µg/mg of tissue) after decellularization, while Second-Harmonic Generation imaging highlighted a decrease in collagen intensity. Based on uniaxial tensile tests, decellularization affected tissue stiffness, but sample integrity/manipulability was still maintained. Finally, the cytotoxicity test revealed that no harmful remnants/contaminants were present on acellular esophageal matrices, suggesting allograft biosafety. Despite the different outcomes showed by the three decellularization methods (regarding, for example, tissue manipulability, DNA removal, and glycosaminoglycans/hydroxyproline contents) the ultimate validation should be provided by future repopulation tests and in vivo orthotopic implant of esophageal scaffolds.
Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Atherosclerosis: Friend or Foe?
Authors: Gole Sarin , Tkachenko Svyatoslav , Masannat Tarek , Baylis Richard A. , Cherepanova Olga A.
Published: September 2022

Despite many decades of research, complications of atherosclerosis resulting from the rupture or erosion of unstable plaques remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Advances in cellular lineage tracing techniques have allowed researchers to begin investigating the role of individual cell types in the key processes regulating plaque stability, including maintenance of the fibrous cap, a protective collagen-rich structure that underlies the endothelium. This structure was previously thought to be entirely derived from smooth muscle cells (SMC), which migrated from the vessel wall. However, recent lineage tracing studies have identified endothelial cells (EC) as an essential component of this protective barrier through an endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a process that has previously been implicated in pulmonary, cardiac, and kidney fibrosis. Although the presence of EndoMT in atherosclerotic plaques has been shown by several laboratories using EC-lineage tracing mouse models, whether EndoMT is detrimental (i.e., worsening disease progression) or beneficial (i.e., an athero-protective response that prevents plaque instability) remains uncertain as there are data to support both possibilities, which will be further discussed in this review.
WIN55212-2 Modulates Intracellular Calcium via CB1 Receptor-Dependent and Independent Mechanisms in Neuroblastoma Cells
Authors: Pulgar Victor M. , Howlett Allyn C. , Eldeeb Khalil
Published: September 2022

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) and extracellular calcium (eCa2+)-stimulated Calcium Sensing receptor (CaSR) can exert cellular signaling by modulating levels of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). We investigated the mechanisms involved in the ([Ca2+]i) increase in N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells, which endogenously express both receptors. Changes in [Ca2+]i were measured in cells exposed to 0.25 or 2.5 mM eCa2+ by a ratiometric method (Fura-2 fluorescence) and expressed as the difference between baseline and peak responses (ΔF340/380). The increased ([Ca2+]i) in cells exposed to 2.5 mM eCa2+ was blocked by the CaSR antagonist, NPS2143, this inhibition was abrogated upon stimulation with WIN55212-2. WIN55212-2 increased [Ca2+]i at 0.25 and 2.5 mM eCa2+ by 700% and 350%, respectively, but this increase was not replicated by CP55940 or methyl-anandamide. The store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) blocker, MRS1845, attenuated the WIN55212-2-stimulated increase in [Ca2+]i at both levels of eCa2+. Simultaneous perfusion with the CB1 antagonist, SR141716 or NPS2143 decreased the response to WIN55212-2 at 0.25 mM but not 2.5 mM eCa2+. Co-perfusion with the non-CB1/CB2 antagonist O-1918 attenuated the WIN55212-2-stimulated [Ca2+]i increase at both eCa2+ levels. These results are consistent with WIN55212-2-mediated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization from store-operated calcium channel-filled sources that could occur via either the CB1R or an O-1918-sensitive non-CB1R in coordination with the CaSR. Intracellular pathway crosstalk or signaling protein complexes may explain the observed effects.
Numerical Treatment of Hybrid Fuzzy Differential Equations Subject to Trapezoidal and Triangular Fuzzy Initial Conditions Using Picard’s and the General Linear Method
Authors: Mallak Saed , Attili Basem , Subuh Marah
Published: September 2022

We study hybrid fuzzy differential equations (HFDEs) under the Hukuhara derivative numerically using Picard’s and the general linear method (GLM). We use trapezoidal and triangular fuzzy numbers as the initial conditions. To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed methods, the exact as well as the numerical solutions are presented numerically and graphically. In addition, a comparison is made between the results from applying the GLM and those obtained when applying the fifth order Runge–Kutta method as reported in the literature.
STRN-ALK Fusion in Lung Adenocarcinoma with Brain Metastasis Responded Well to Ensartinib: A Case Report
Authors: Zhang Linlin , Xiao Ping , Meng Fanlu , Zhong Diansheng
Published: September 2022

STRN-ALK fusion is a rare ALK rearrangement identified in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Here, we reported a case of lung adenocarcinomas with brain metastasis, harboring STRN-ALK fusion, responded well to ensartinib. This case report could provide more information for the therapeutic strategy selecting of NSCLC patients harboring STRN-ALK fusion.
Skewed X-Chromosome Inactivation and Parental Gonadal Mosaicism Are Implicated in X-Linked Recessive Female Hemophilia Patients
Authors: Shen Ming-Ching , Chang Shun-Ping , Lee Dong-Jay , Lin Wen-Hsiang , Chen Ming , Ma Gwo-Chin
Published: September 2022

Background: Hemophilia A (HA) and B (HB) are X-linked recessive disorders that mainly affect males born from a mother carrier. Females are rarely affected but a number of mechanisms have been suggested in symptomatic females, such as skewed X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), chromosomal rearrangements, and hermaphrodites. Different methodologies are required to elucidate the underlying causes of such diseases in female patients. Methods: Three families with female hemophilia patients, including two HA and one HB, were enrolled for genetic analyses. Cytogenetics, molecular examinations on F8 and F9 genes, XCI assay, and linkage analysis were performed. Results: All three female patients are demonstrated to be heterozygous for an F8, or F9 mutation: one patient is inherited from her unaffected mother and the other two are sporadic cases. All three patients exhibit skewed XCI. The inherited patient is found to be unmethylated in the maternal X chromosome, which increases the potential for the expression of the mutant allele. The two sporadic cases are hypomethylated or unmethylated in the paternal X chromosome, suggesting that paternal gonadal mosaicism may exist in these families. Conclusions: In addition to screening for coagulation function, different genetic analyses are mandatory to explore the nature of mechanisms responsible for the X-linked recessive disorders in female patients as shown in this study. Our results confirm that skewed XCI is responsible for hemophilia in heterozygous female patients. Likewise, our results implicate that parental gonadal mosaicism, followed by skewed XCI, contributes to hemophilia in “sporadic” female patients.
Diagnostic Accuracy of a Portable ECG Device in Rowing Athletes
Authors: Wilson Fiona , McHugh Cliodhna , MacManus Caroline , Baggish Aaron , Tanayan Christopher , Reddy Satyajit , Wasfy Meagan M. , Reilly Richard B.
Published: September 2022

Background: Athletes can experience exercise-induced transient arrythmias during high-intensity exercise or competition, which are difficult to capture on traditional Holter monitors or replicate in clinical exercise testing. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of a portable single channel ECG sensor and data recorder (PluxECG) and to evaluate the confidence and reliability in interpretation of ECGs recorded using the PluxECG during remote rowing. Methods: This was a two-phase study on rowing athletes. Phase I assessed the accuracy and precision of heart rate (HR) using the PluxECG system compared to a reference 12-lead ECG system. Phase II evaluated the confidence and reliability in interpretation of ECGs during ergometer (ERG) and on-water (OW) rowing at moderate and high intensities. ECGs were reviewed by two expert readers for HR, rhythm, artifact and confidence in interpretation. Results: Findings from Phase I found that 91.9% of samples were within the 95% confidence interval for the instantaneous value of the changing exercising HR. The mean correlation coefficient across participants and tests was 0.9886 (σ = 0.0002, SD = 0.017) and between the two systems at elevated HR was 0.9676 (σ = 0.002, SD = 0.05). Findings from Phase II found significant differences for the presence of artifacts and confidence in interpretation in ECGs between readers’ for both intensities and testing conditions. Interpretation of ECGs for OW rowing had a lower level of reader agreement than ERG rowing for HR, rhythm, and artifact. Using consensus data between readers’ significant differences were apparent between OW and ERG rowing at high-intensity rowing for HR (p = 0.05) and artifact (p = 0.01). ECGs were deemed of moderate-low quality based on confidence in interpretation and the presence of artifacts. Conclusions: The PluxECG device records accurate and reliable HR but not ECG data during exercise in rowers. The quality of ECG tracing derived from the PluxECG device is moderate-low, therefore the confidence in ECG interpretation using the PluxECG device when recorded on open water is inadequate at this time.
A Rapid, Simple, Trace, Cost-Effective, and High-Throughput Stable Isotope-Dilution Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Serum Methylmalonic Acid Quantification and Its Clinical Applications
Authors: Jin Lizi , Liu Zhenni , Zhou Weiyan , Zeng Jie , Wu Minhang , Zhang Yu , Zhang Tianjiao , He Falin , Zhang Chuanbao
Published: September 2022

Background: Methylmalonic acid (MMA) is an essential indicator of vitamin B12 (VB12) deficiency and inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs). The increasing number of requests for MMA testing call for higher requirements for convenient MMA testing methods. This study aims to develop a convenient quantification method for serum MMA. Methods: The method was established based on the stable isotope-dilution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectroscopy (ID-LC-MS/MS) technique. The LC-MS/MS parameters and sample preparation were optimized. Specificity, sensitivity, robustness, accuracy, and clinical applicability were validated according to CLSI C62-A guidelines. MMA levels in VB12-sufficient subjects and VB12-deficient subjects were measured. Results: MMA and its intrinsic isomer, i.e., succinic acid (SA), were completely separated. The average slope, intercept, and correlation relationship (R) with 95% confidence intervals, during the two months, were 0.992 (0.926–1.059), −0.004 (−0.012–0.004), and 0.997 (0.995–0.999), respectively. The limit of detection and quantification were <0.058 μmol/L and 0.085 μmol/L, respectively. Intra-run, inter-run, and total imprecisions were 1.42–2.69%, 3.09–5.27%, and 3.22–5.47%, respectively. The mean spiked recoveries at the three levels were 101.51%, 92.40%, and 105.95%, respectively. The IS-corrected matrix effects were small. The VB12-deficient subjects showed higher MMA levels than VB12-sufficient subjects. Conclusions: A convenient LC-MS/MS method for serum MMA measurement was developed and validated, which could be suitable for large-scale MMA testing and evaluating MMA levels in VB12-deficient patients.
Lung Radiomics Features Selection for COPD Stage Classification Based on Auto-Metric Graph Neural Network
Authors: Yang Yingjian , Wang Shicong , Zeng Nanrong , Duan Wenxin , Chen Ziran , Liu Yang , Li Wei , Guo Yingwei , Chen Huai , Li Xian , Chen Rongchang , Kang Yan
Published: September 2022

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable, treatable, progressive chronic disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation. Patients with COPD deserve special consideration regarding treatment in this fragile population for preclinical health management. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel lung radiomics combination vector generated by a generalized linear model (GLM) and Lasso algorithm for COPD stage classification based on an auto-metric graph neural network (AMGNN) with a meta-learning strategy. Firstly, the parenchyma images were segmented from chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images by ResU-Net. Second, lung radiomics features are extracted from the parenchyma images by PyRadiomics. Third, a novel lung radiomics combination vector (3 + 106) is constructed by the GLM and Lasso algorithm for determining the radiomics risk factors (K = 3) and radiomics node features (d = 106). Last, the COPD stage is classified based on the AMGNN. The results show that compared with the convolutional neural networks and machine learning models, the AMGNN based on constructed novel lung radiomics combination vector performs best, achieving an accuracy of 0.943, precision of 0.946, recall of 0.943, F1-score of 0.943, and ACU of 0.984. Furthermore, it is found that our method is effective for COPD stage classification.
miR-145, miR-92a and miR-375 Show Differential Expression in Serum from Patients with Diabetic Retinopathies
Authors: Solis-Vivanco Adriana , Santamaría-Olmedo Mónica , Rodríguez-Juárez Dalila , Valdés-Flores Margarita , González-Castor Carlos , Velázquez-Cruz Rafael , Ramírez-Salazar Eric , García-Ulloa Ana Cristina , Hidalgo-Bravo Alberto
Published: September 2022

Diabetic retinopathies are important disabling conditions. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of gene expression and diseases can change their expression. Our aim was to analyze the expression of miRNAs in serum and vitreous samples from patients with diabetic retinopathies. The following groups and number of individuals were included: proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (n = 16), diabetic macular edema (DME) (n = 17), and idiopathic epiretinal membrane (IEM) as non-diabetic controls (n = 23). The initial miRNA expression was explored using TaqMan low-density arrays (TLDAs) with subsequent validation through a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Target genes were identified through bioinformatic tools for enrichment analysis. The TLDAs revealed the following miRNAs with differential expression in terms of PDR vs. IEM: miR-320a-3p, miR-92a-3p, and miR-375-3p in the serum, with miR-541-5p and miR-223-5p in the vitreous samples. DME vs IEM: miR-486-5p, miR-145-5p, miR-197-3p, and miR-125b-5p in the serum, and miR-212-3p in vitreous samples. PDR vs. DME: miR-486-5p, miR-100-5p, miR-328-3p, miR-660-5p, and miR-145 in the serum and none in the vitreous samples. Validation was confirmed only for miR-145, miR-92a, and miR-375 in the serum. The relevant enriched pathways for these three validated miRNAs, miR-145, miR-92a, and miR-375 were the vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor, hepatocyte growth factor receptor, epidermal growth factor, focal adhesion, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Our results support the involvement of miRNAs in the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathies and reinforce their potential as biomarkers or therapeutic resources.
Automated Emotion Identification Using Fourier–Bessel Domain-Based Entropies
Authors: Nalwaya Aditya , Das Kritiprasanna , Pachori Ram Bilas
Published: September 2022

Human dependence on computers is increasing day by day; thus, human interaction with computers must be more dynamic and contextual rather than static or generalized. The development of such devices requires knowledge of the emotional state of the user interacting with it; for this purpose, an emotion recognition system is required. Physiological signals, specifically, electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG), were studied here for the purpose of emotion recognition. This paper proposes novel entropy-based features in the Fourier–Bessel domain instead of the Fourier domain, where frequency resolution is twice that of the latter. Further, to represent such non-stationary signals, the Fourier–Bessel series expansion (FBSE) is used, which has non-stationary basis functions, making it more suitable than the Fourier representation. EEG and ECG signals are decomposed into narrow-band modes using FBSE-based empirical wavelet transform (FBSE-EWT). The proposed entropies of each mode are computed to form the feature vector, which are further used to develop machine learning models. The proposed emotion detection algorithm is evaluated using publicly available DREAMER dataset. K-nearest neighbors (KNN) classifier provides accuracies of 97.84%, 97.91%, and 97.86% for arousal, valence, and dominance classes, respectively. Finally, this paper concludes that the obtained entropy features are suitable for emotion recognition from given physiological signals.
Priority-Aware Resource Management for Adaptive Service Function Chaining in Real-Time Intelligent IoT Services
Authors: Tam Prohim , Math Sa , Kim Seokhoon
Published: September 2022

The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) in various mission-critical applications generates service heterogeneity with different priority labels. A set of virtual network function (VNF) orders represents service function chaining (SFC) for a particular service to robustly execute in a network function virtualization (NFV)-enabled environment. In IoT networks, the configuration of adaptive SFC has emerged to ensure optimality and elasticity of resource expenditure. In this paper, priority-aware resource management for adaptive SFC is provided by modeling the configuration of real-time IoT service requests. The problem models of the primary features that impact the optimization of configuration times and resource utilization are studied. The proposed approaches query the promising embedded deep reinforcement learning engine in the management layer (e.g., orchestrator) to observe the state features of VNFs, apply the action on instantiating and modifying new/created VNFs, and evaluate the average transmission delays for end-to-end IoT services. In the embedded SFC procedures, the agent formulates the function approximator for scoring the existing chain performance metrics. The testbed simulation was conducted in SDN/NFV topologies and captured the average of rewards, delays, delivery ratio, and throughput as −48.6666, 10.9766 ms, 99.9221%, and 615.8441 Mbps, which outperformed other reference approaches, following parameter configuration in this environment.
LRU-GENACO: A Hybrid Cached Data Optimization Based on the Least Used Method Improved Using Ant Colony and Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Zulfa Mulki Indana , Hartanto Rudy , Permanasari Adhistya Erna , Ali Waleed
Published: September 2022

An optimization strategy for cached data offloading plays a crucial role in the edge network environment. This strategy can improve the performance of edge nodes with limited cache memory to serve data service requests from user terminals. The main challenge that must be solved in optimizing cached data offloading is assessing and selecting the cached data with the highest profit to be stored in the cache memory. Selecting the appropriate cached data can improve the utility of memory space to increase HR and reduce LSR. In this paper, we model the cached data offloading optimization strategy as the classic optimization KP01. The cached data offloading optimization strategy is then improved using a hybrid approach of three algorithms: LRU, ACO, and GA, called LRU-GENACO. The proposed LRU-GENACO was tested using four real proxy log datasets from IRCache. The simulation results show that the proposed LRU-GENACO hit ratio is superior to the LRU GDS SIZE algorithms by 13.1%, 26.96%, 53.78%, and 81.69%, respectively. The proposed LRU-GENACO method also reduces the average latency by 25.27%.
Outage Probability and BER Estimation for FSO Links with Truncated Normal Time Jitter and Longitudinal Gaussian Pulse Propagation in Dispersive Media
Authors: Gripeos Panagiotis J. , Kriempardis Dimitrios , Aidinis Konstantinos , Nistazakis Hector E.
Published: September 2022

FSO is one of the most widespread, low-cost, wireless, optical communicational technologies with sufficiently high throughput, transmission reliability, and high-level security. Nevertheless, many fading effects act on the optical pulses used, during their propagation, causing performance degradation. In this work, group velocity dispersion and time jitter, modeled by the truncated normal distribution, are jointly investigated analytically and numerically. The availability of the studied model is expressed in terms of outage probability, while its reliability is given in terms of its average bit error rate, through the derived novel mathematical expressions. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that the outage and the BER performance are estimated analytically, through specific approximations, taking into account the abovementioned physical effects. Furthermore, using the obtained mathematical forms, the corresponding numerical results are presented by assuming typical parameter values for realistic FSO links.
Configurable Readout Error Mitigation in Quantum Workflows
Authors: Beisel Martin , Barzen Johanna , Leymann Frank , Truger Felix , Weder Benjamin , Yussupov Vladimir
Published: September 2022

Current quantum computers are still error-prone, with measurement errors being one of the factors limiting the scalability of quantum devices. To reduce their impact, a variety of readout error mitigation methods, mostly relying on classical post-processing, have been developed. However, the application of these methods is complicated by their heterogeneity and a lack of information regarding their functionality, configuration, and integration. To facilitate their use, we provide an overview of existing methods, and evaluate general and method-specific configuration options. Quantum applications comprise many classical pre- and post-processing tasks, including readout error mitigation. Automation can facilitate the execution of these often complex tasks, as their manual execution is time-consuming and error-prone. Workflow technology is a promising candidate for the orchestration of heterogeneous tasks, offering advantages such as reliability, robustness, and monitoring capabilities. In this paper, we present an approach to abstractly model quantum workflows comprising configurable readout error mitigation tasks. Based on the method configuration, these workflows can then be automatically refined into executable workflow models. To validate the feasibility of our approach, we provide a prototypical implementation and demonstrate it in a case study from the quantum humanities domain.