bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of an Urban Domestic Waste Landfill Based on Aerial Image Segmentation and Ecological Restoration Theory
Authors: Xu Chenxi , Wu Xinxiong , Zhou Zehao , Yao Yuxi , Yin Pengzhi
Published: August 2023

Properly managed urban household waste landfills play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development and ecological civilization. This paper proposes an innovative design method that aims to overcome the limitations and extensive challenges of traditional urban domestic waste landfill design by combining aerial image segmentation with ecological restoration theory. We suggest an enhanced SEVnet, a combination of the basic vnet network and the sequence-and-excitation module, for precise and efficient garbage dump identification. Through this module, the network can independently analyze the significance of each feature channel and provide weights, leading to enhanced image detail recovery and more precise segmentation. We implemented the proposed SEVnet model based on an aerial photography database of urban garbage dumps. Following precise urban garbage disposal site division, we adopt ecological restoration theory to achieve sustainable design. This article presents the Saihanba area in China as a case study, collects pertinent data, and conducts image segmentation and GIS-assisted analysis. This paper examines the landscape application and design of the landfill site based on an analysis and planning of land use in its vicinity. The intervention of landscape ecology imbues the landfill site with new functions. We propose comprehensive planning and landscape restoration design measures from four perspectives, encompassing disadvantages, threats, opportunities, and strengths, using SWOT analysis to better integrate the Hebei Saihanba landfill site with the surrounding environment. This paper introduces a groundbreaking design scheme for a landfill that aligns with the principles of current green and sustainable development.
Multicriteria Decision Making in Tourism Industry Based on Visualization of Aggregation Operators
Authors: Sakulin Sergey , Alfimtsev Alexander
Published: August 2023

The modern tourist industry is characterized by an abundance of applied multicriteria decision-making tasks. Several researchers have demonstrated that such tasks can be effectively resolved using aggregation operators based on fuzzy integrals and fuzzy measures. At the same time, the implementation of this mathematical tool is limited by weak intuitive understanding by the practicing specialists of the aggregation process as well as fuzzy measures in general. Some researchers have proposed different aggregation visualization methods, but these methods have several properties that block their wide implementation in decision-making practice. The purpose of this study is to develop a decision-making approach that will allow practitioners to have a clear intuitive vision of the aggregation process and fuzzy measures. This article proposes an approach to decision making in the tourist industry based on the synthesis of the aggregation operator that includes 3D visualization graphics in virtual reality. Firstly, some research devoted to decision-making methods in tourism was assessed along with “smart” tourism, aggregation operators and their visualization. Secondly, a 3D visualization in the form of a balance model was introduced. Thirdly, the method of aggregation-operator synthesis based on the 3D balance model and the 2-order Choquet integral was developed. Finally, an illustrational example of implementing such an approach for resolving the task of assessing and choosing a hotel was described.
Possible Influence of Solar Cyclicity on Extratropical Cyclone Trajectories in the North Atlantic
Authors: Veretenenko Svetlana , Dmitriev Pavel
Published: August 2023

In this work, we study long-term changes in the main directions of movement (storm tracks) of extratropical cyclones in the North Atlantic for the period 1873–2021, based on the data of the MSLP (Mean Sea Level Pressure) archives from the Climatic Research Unit and NCEP/DOE AMIP-II reanalysis. It was found that in the cold half of the year, the mean latitudes of storm tracks undergo oscillations with the periods ~80–100, ~40–45, and ~22 years, which indicates their possible association with solar cyclicity. Cyclone trajectories were found to shift northward at the minimum of the Gleissberg secular cycle (~1900–1930) and southward at its maximum (~1940–1960). The secular variations are the most pronounced in the western part of the North Atlantic, with the peak-to-peak amplitude reaching ~3–5°, and disappear at longitudes east of Greenwich. On the bidecadal timescale, cyclone tracks were found to shift noticeably to the north in even solar cycles and weakly to the south in odd ones. The most significant northward shifts (~1–2°) were detected during the descending phase and the minimum of the solar cycle (from the second to the sixth year after the solar maximum) in the eastern part of the North Atlantic (longitudes 30–10° W). The detected oscillations of cyclone trajectories may be caused by long-term changes in the intensity of the stratospheric polar vortex associated with galactic cosmic ray variations and geomagnetic activity.
Unsupervised Multitaper Spectral Method for Identifying REM Sleep in Intracranial EEG Recordings Lacking EOG/EMG Data
Authors: Lepage Kyle Q. , Jain Sparsh , Kvavilashvili Andrew , Witcher Mark , Vijayan Sujith
Published: August 2023

A large number of human intracranial EEG (iEEG) recordings have been collected for clinical purposes, in institutions all over the world, but the vast majority of these are unaccompanied by EOG and EMG recordings which are required to separate Wake episodes from REM sleep using accepted methods. In order to make full use of this extremely valuable data, an accurate method of classifying sleep from iEEG recordings alone is required. Existing methods of sleep scoring using only iEEG recordings accurately classify all stages of sleep, with the exception that wake (W) and rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep are not well distinguished. A novel multitaper (Wake vs. REM) alpha-rhythm classifier is developed by generalizing K-means clustering for use with multitaper spectral eigencoefficients. The performance of this unsupervised method is assessed on eight subjects exhibiting normal sleep architecture in a hold-out analysis and is compared against a classical power detector. The proposed multitaper classifier correctly identifies 36±6 min of REM in one night of recorded sleep, while incorrectly labeling less than 10% of all labeled 30 s epochs for all but one subject (human rater reliability is estimated to be near 80%), and outperforms the equivalent statistical-power classical test. Hold-out analysis indicates that when using one night’s worth of data, an accurate generalization of the method on new data is likely. For the purpose of studying sleep, the introduced multitaper alpha-rhythm classifier further paves the way to making available a large quantity of otherwise unusable IEEG data.
The Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter (MCU): Molecular Identity and Role in Human Diseases
Authors: D’Angelo Donato , Rizzuto Rosario
Published: August 2023

Calcium (Ca2+) ions act as a second messenger, regulating several cell functions. Mitochondria are critical organelles for the regulation of intracellular Ca2+. Mitochondrial calcium (mtCa2+) uptake is ensured by the presence in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex, a macromolecular structure composed of pore-forming and regulatory subunits. MtCa2+ uptake plays a crucial role in the regulation of oxidative metabolism and cell death. A lot of evidence demonstrates that the dysregulation of mtCa2+ homeostasis can have serious pathological outcomes. In this review, we briefly discuss the molecular structure and the function of the MCU complex and then we focus our attention on human diseases in which a dysfunction in mtCa2+ has been shown.
The Fidelity of Rheumatoid Arthritis Multivariate Diagnostic Biomarkers Using Discriminant Analysis and Binary Logistic Regression
Authors: Hassan Wail M. , Othman Nashwa , Daghestani Maha , Warsy Arjumand , Omair Maha A. , Alqurtas Eman , Amin Shireen , Ismail Abdulaziz , El-Ansary Afaf , Bhat Ramesa Shafi , Omair Mohammed A.
Published: August 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that causes multi-articular synovitis. The illness is characterized by worsening inflammatory synovitis, which causes joint swelling and pain. Synovitis erodes articular cartilage and marginal bone, resulting in joint deterioration. This bone injury is expected to be permanent. Cytokines play a prominent role in the etiology of RA and could be useful as early diagnostic biomarkers. This research was carried out at Riyadh’s King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH). Patients were enrolled from the Rheumatology unit. Seventy-eight RA patients were recruited (67 (85.9%) females and 11 (14.1%) males). Patients were selected for participation by convenience sampling. Demographic data were collected, and disease activity measurements at 28 joints were recorded using the disease activity score (DAS-28). Age- and sex-matched controls from the general population were included in the study. A panel of 27 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors was determined in patient and control sera. Binary logistic regression (BLR) and discriminant analysis (DA) were used to analyze the data. We show that multiple cytokine biomarker profiles successfully distinguished RA patients from healthy controls. IL-17, IL-4, and RANTES were among the most predictive variables and were the only biomarkers incorporated into both BLR and DA predictive models for pooled participants (men and women). In the women-only models, the significant cytokines incorporated in the model were IL-4, IL-17, MIP-1b, and RANTES for the BLR model and IL-4, IL-1Ra, GM-CSF, IL-17, and eotaxin for the DA model. The BLR and DA men-only models contained one cytokine each, eotaxin for BLR and platelet-derived growth factor-bb (PDGF-BB) for DA. We show that BLR has a higher fidelity in identifying RA patients than DA. We also found that the use of gender-specific models marginally improves detection fidelity, indicating a possible benefit in clinical diagnosis. More research is needed to determine whether this conclusion will hold true in various and larger patient populations.
Association between Patients’ Body Mass Index and the Effect of Monophasic Pulsed Microcurrent Stimulation on Pressure Injury Healing
Authors: Yoshikawa Yoshiyuki , Maeshige Noriaki , Yamaguchi Atomu , Uemura Mikiko , Hiramatsu Terutaka , Tsuji Yoriko , Terashi Hiroto
Published: August 2023

This secondary analysis study aimed to detect individual variables that influence the efficacy of monophasic pulsed microcurrent on pressure injury healing. Eleven patients with pressure injuries showing delayed healing underwent a microcurrent stimulation period and a placebo period. We analyzed the correlation between the individual variables and the following three outcomes using monophasic pulsed microcurrent: the wound reduction rate in the electrical stimulation period, the reduction rate in the placebo period, and the difference between these two reduction rates. Furthermore, the patients were divided into two groups, one with a wound reduction rate of more than 10% and the other with less than 10%, and the relationship between each variable was compared. As a result, the wound reduction rate in the electrical stimulation period and the difference in the reduction rate between the two periods showed significant positive correlations with patients’ body mass index. In addition, a significant difference was observed in the body mass index between subjects with a reduction rate of 10% or higher and those with a reduction rate of less than 10%. This study found a correlation between the effect of monophasic pulsed microcurrent for pressure injury healing and the level of patients’ body mass index.
Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Composite-Based Enzyme-Linked Aptamer Assay for the Sensitive Detection of Deoxynivalenol
Authors: Shu Zaixi , Zhou Run , Hao Guijie , Tang Xingyue , Liu Xin , Bi Jie , Dai Huang , Shen Yafang
Published: August 2023

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a prevalent contaminant in cereals that threatens the health of both humans and animals and causes economic losses due to crop contamination. The rapid and sensitive detection of DON is essential for food safety. Herein, a colorimetric biosensor based on horseradish peroxidase- and gold nanoparticle-encapsulated zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (HRP&Au@ZIF-8) was developed for the sensitive screening of DON. The synthesized HRP&Au@ZIF-8 probes not only held great potential for signal amplification but also exhibited stable catalytic activity even under extreme conditions, which endowed the biosensor with both good sensitivity and stability. Under the optimized conditions, qualitative measurement of DON can be achieved through visual inspection, and quantitative evaluation can be performed via absorbance measurements at a characteristic wavelength of 450 nm. The proposed method has demonstrated high sensitivity with a linear detection range of 1–200 ng/mL and a detection limit of 0.5068 ng/mL. It also presented good selectivity and reliability. Furthermore, DON in spiked cereal samples has been quantified successfully using this method. This novel approach demonstrates significant potential for the facile and expeditious detection of DON in cereal products and brings us one step closer to enhancing food safety.
Monitoring the Effectiveness of Treatment in Women with Schizophrenia: New Specialized Cooperative Approaches
Authors: Natividad Mentxu , Seeman Mary V. , Paolini Jennipher Paola , Balagué Ariadna , Román Eloïsa , Bagué Noelia , Izquierdo Eduard , Salvador Mireia , Vallet Anna , Pérez Anabel , Monreal José A. , González-Rodríguez Alexandre
Published: August 2023

Women with schizophrenia have specific health needs that differ from those of men and that change through successive life stages. We aimed to review the biopsychosocial literature on schizophrenia that addresses clinically important questions related to the treatment of women, including somatic morbi-mortality, hyperprolactinemia, comorbid substance use disorders, social risk factors, and medication effectiveness/safety. Data search terms were as follows: (Morbidity AND mortality) OR hyperprolactinemia OR (“substance use disorders” OR addictions) OR (“social risk factors”) OR (“drug safety” OR prescription) AND women AND schizophrenia. A secondary aim was to describe a method of monitoring and interdisciplinary staff strategies. Schizophrenia patients show an increased risk of premature death from cardiovascular/respiratory disease and cancer compared to the general population. The literature suggests that close liaisons with primary care and the introduction of physical exercise groups reduce comorbidity. Various strategies for lowering prolactin levels diminish the negative long-term effects of hyperprolactinemia. Abstinence programs reduce the risk of victimization and trauma in women. Stigma associated with women who have serious psychiatric illness is often linked to reproductive functions. The safety and effectiveness of antipsychotic drug choice and dose differ between men and women and change over a woman’s life cycle. Monitoring needs to be multidisciplinary, knowledgeable, and regular.
Effects of Particle Shape and Packing Density on the Mechanical Performance of Recycled Aggregates for Construction Purposes
Authors: Tan Xin , Qiu Zhaohui , Yin Xin , Hu Yuegang , Liu Xiaoming , Zeng Lei
Published: August 2023

This paper employs the discrete element method (DEM) to study the mechanical properties of artificial crushed stone. Different grain shapes and gradations are considered, and three types of 3D artificial stone models are generated based on the statistical conclusions in the relevant literature and the observed data. Concurrently, the 3D models of the artificial stones are divided into three groups by their shape parameters (elongation index and flatness index). Furthermore, three types of gradation with different Cu (coefficient of uniformity) and Cc (coefficient of curvature) are also considered. Then, several 3D triaxial compression tests are conducted with the numerical methods to determine the relationship between the grain shapes and their mechanical characteristics. The test results showed that there was a positive correlation between a particles’ angularities and the maximum deviatoric stress in the triaxial compression tests when there were obvious distinctions between the particles. In addition, gradations had a conspicuous impact on the stiffness of the sample. The stress–strain curve possessed a larger slope when the coefficient of curvature was bigger. In terms of shear strength, the results in this paper align well with the traditional shear strength envelope which are convincing for the dependability of the methods used in this paper. The radial deformation capacity and volume strain of the specimen during the triaxial compression tests are also examined. It is believed that there were great differences in deformability between different samples. At the mesoscopic level, the change in coordination number is identified as the fundamental reason for the change in volume strain trend.
Mechanical and Thermal Conductivity Study of Inorganic Modified Raw Soil Materials Based on Gradient Concept
Authors: Yang Fei , Qiao Mengjie , Li Linchang , Cui Yangyang , Liu Junxia
Published: August 2023

Based on the inorganic modification of raw soil materials by using cement, fly ash, lime and other admixtures, the influence of modified jute fiber content on the strength of raw-soil-based wall materials was studied. The effects of the gradient distribution of inorganic admixtures on the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of raw-soil-based wall materials were studied and compared by designing the gradient distribution and homogenous distribution of admixtures in raw soil materials. The results show that when the mass ratio of raw soil, sand, cement, fly ash and lime is 30:10:5:3:2, the compressive strength and flexural strength of the modified raw soil specimen at 28 d are 6.4 MPa and 2.9 MPa, respectively; on the basis of the further addition of 0.8 v% jute fibers, the strength can still be enhanced by 20% and its thermal insulation properties will also be improved. Gradient design can further improve the mechanical properties of modified raw-soil-based wall materials and can weaken the loss of its inherent thermal insulation function.
Analytical Solution for Longitudinal Anti-Push Stiffness of the Middle Tower of Cross-Cable Multi-Tower Cable-Stayed Bridge
Authors: Yao Sisi , Wang Luyao , Peng Biao , Chen Hengda
Published: August 2023

The Queensferry Crossing in Scotland is the first multi-tower cable-stayed bridge with crossed cables in the world. This means that the conceptual design of a cross-cable multi-tower cable-stayed bridge has become a reality. In this paper, the cross-cable action mechanism is studied deeply. Suppose that the small displacement amount at the top of the side tower is ignored. The deformation coordination principle is used twice to analyze the relationship between the horizontal external force and the top displacement amount of the middle tower. Thus, derive the formula for estimating the anti-push stiffness of cross cables to the middle tower of the multi-tower cable-stayed bridge under the influence of the stiffness of the tower and beam. A numerical example is given to verify this. The research results show that the error between the analytical solution and the finite element solution is less than 8%, which meets the conceptual design requirements of cross-cable multi-tower cable-stayed bridges. The cross cables can reduce the deflection of the main beam and improve the stiffness of the bridge. After setting 10 pairs of cross cables, the displacement amount of the middle tower decreases by as high as 51%. The stiffness of the multi-tower cable-stayed bridge increases with an increase in the number of cross cables, but the increasing trend of stiffness gradually slows down. Increasing the stiffness of the tower or beam can improve the structural stiffness to a certain extent, but the effect is much less potent than that of the cross cable in the middle span.
A Review of Large-Eddy Simulation Cell Size Requirements for Indoor Flows
Authors: Szodrai Ferenc
Published: August 2023

Nowadays computational fluid dynamics now assists ventilation system designers and architects in understanding the induced flow behaviour in the indoor environment. The use of large-eddy simulation is a novel methodology for these types of assessments. The method requires that the computational domain be adequately discretized in order to resolve the majority of the flow. The last five years of publications of Elsevier, SAGE, and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute were screened. Indoor flow categories were utilized to assess the differences. Based on the papers reviewed, the cell size requirement was considered as a key factor of computational demand. Specifications were made for each type of indoor flow simulation.
Histomorphometric Analysis of 38 Giant Cell Tumors of Bone after Recurrence as Compared to Changes Following Denosumab Treatment
Authors: Arndt Sophia , Hartmann Wolfgang , Rókusz András , Leinauer Benedikt , von Baer Alexandra , Schultheiss Markus , Pablik Jessica , Fritzsche Hagen , Mogler Carolin , Antal Imre , Baumhoer Daniel , Mellert Kevin , Möller Peter , Szendrői Miklós , Jundt Gernot , Barth Thomas F. E.
Published: August 2023

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is an osteolytic tumor driven by an H3F3A-mutated mononuclear cell with the accumulation of osteoclastic giant cells. We analyzed tissue from 13 patients with recurrence and 25 patients with denosumab therapy, including two cases of malignant transformation. We found a decrease in the total number of cells (p = 0.03), but not in the individual cell populations when comparing primary and recurrence. The patients treated with denosumab showed induction of osteoid formation increasing during therapy. The total number of cells was reduced (p < 0.0001) and the number of H3F3A-mutated tumor cells decreased (p = 0.0001), while the H3F3A wild-type population remained stable. The KI-67 proliferation rate dropped from 10% to 1% and Runx2- and SATB2-positive cells were reduced. The two cases of malignant transformation revealed a loss of the H3F3A-mutated cells, while the KI-67 rate increased. Changes in RUNX2 and SATB2 expression were higher in one sarcoma, while in the other RUNX2 was decreased and SATB2-positive cells were completely lost. We conclude that denosumab has a strong impact on the morphology of GCTB. KI-67, RUNX2 and SATB2 expression differed depending on the benign or malignant course of the tumor under denosumab therapy.
Rotatable Bi-Channel En Bloc Resection of Bladder Tumor for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer in an Ex Vivo Porcine Model
Authors: Yao Qiu , Jiang Huizhong , Niu Hui , Hu Guangmo , Cao Jianlong , Xue Boxin
Published: August 2023

En bloc resection of bladder tumor (ERBT) is a promising alternative for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer management. However, the tumor characteristics and surgeon’s experience influence its application. Therefore, in this pilot study, we developed a technique called “rotatable bi-channel en bloc resection of bladder tumor (RBC-ERBT)” and assessed its feasibility, efficacy, and safety compared with those of conventional ERBT. In an ex vivo porcine bladder model, 160 bladder lesions of varying morphologies (exophytic and flat) and sizes (1 and 2 cm) were created and evenly distributed across different locations. A total of 160 procedures were performed, with the ERBT and RBC-ERBT group each exhibiting 80 lesions. RBC-ERBT had a significantly higher technical success rate than ERBT (98.8% vs. 77.5%) for exophytic and flat lesions of both sizes and dome lesions. The procedure time was significantly shorter in the RBC-ERBT group, particularly for flat lesions, lesions with a 2 cm diameter, and lesions located at the dome. RBC-ERBT had a significantly lower piecemeal resection rate than ERBT (0% vs. 18.8%). The incidence of perforation or detrusor muscle sampling did not differ between the groups. Compared with conventional ERBT, RBC-ERBT offered improved success rates, reduced resection times, and effective management of challenging lesions.
11p15 Epimutations in Pediatric Embryonic Tumors: Insights from a Methylome Analysis
Authors: Silva Felipe Luz Torres , Ruas Juliana Silveira , Euzébio Mayara Ferreira , Hoffmann Iva Loureiro , Junqueira Thais , Tedeschi Helder , Pereira Luiz Henrique , Cassone Alejandro Enzo , Cardinalli Izilda Aparecida , Seidinger Ana Luiza , Jotta Patricia Yoshioka , Maschietto Mariana
Published: August 2023

Embryonic tumors share few recurrent mutations, suggesting that other mechanisms, such as aberrant DNA methylation, play a prominent role in their development. The loss of imprinting (LOI) at the chromosome region 11p15 is the germline alteration behind Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome that results in an increased risk of developing several embryonic tumors. This study analyzed the methylome, using EPIC Beadchip arrays from 99 sporadic embryonic tumors. Among these tumors, 46.5% and 14.6% presented alterations at imprinted control regions (ICRs) 1 and 2, respectively. Based on the methylation levels of ICR1 and ICR2, four clusters formed with distinct methylation patterns, mostly for medulloblastomas (ICR1 loss of methylation (LOM)), Wilms tumors, and hepatoblastomas (ICR1 gain of methylation (GOM), with or without ICR2 LOM). To validate the results, the methylation status of 29 cases was assessed with MS-MLPA, and a high level of agreement was found between both methodologies: 93% for ICR1 and 79% for ICR2. The MS-MLPA results indicate that 15 (51.7%) had ICR1 GOM and 11 (37.9%) had ICR2 LOM. To further validate our findings, the ICR1 methylation status was characterized via digital PCR (dPCR) in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) extracted from peripheral blood. At diagnosis, we detected alterations in the methylation levels of ICR1 in 62% of the cases, with an agreement of 76% between the tumor tissue (MS-MLPA) and cfDNA methods. Among the disagreements, the dPCR was able to detect ICR1 methylation level changes presented at heterogeneous levels in the tumor tissue, which were detected only in the methylome analysis. This study highlights the prevalence of 11p15 methylation status in sporadic embryonic tumors, with differences relating to methylation levels (gain or loss), location (ICR1 or ICR2), and tumor types (medulloblastomas, Wilms tumors, and hepatoblastomas).
Vascular Immune Evasion of Mesenchymal Glioblastoma Is Mediated by Interaction and Regulation of VE-Cadherin on PD-L1
Authors: Luo Jing , Wang Ziyi , Zhang Xuemei , Yu Haihui , Chen Hui , Song Kun , Zhang Yang , Schwartz Lawrence M. , Chen Hongzhuan , Liu Yingbin , Shao Rong
Published: August 2023

The mesenchymal subtype of glioblastoma (mGBM), which is characterized by rigorous vasculature, resists anti-tumor immune therapy. Here, we investigated the mechanistic link between tumor vascularization and the evasion of immune surveillance. Clinical datasets with GBM transcripts showed that the expression of the mesenchymal markers YKL-40 (CHI3L1) and Vimentin is correlated with elevated expression of PD-L1 and poor disease survival. Interestingly, the expression of PD-L1 was predominantly found in vascular endothelial cells. Orthotopic transplantation of glioma cells GL261 over-expressing YKL-40 in mice showed increased angiogenesis and decreased CD8+ T cell infiltration, resulting in a reduction in mouse survival. The exposure of recombinant YKL-40 protein induced PD-L1 and VE-cadherin (VE-cad) expression in endothelial cells and drove VE-cad-mediated nuclear translocation of β-catenin/LEF, where LEF upregulated PD-L1 expression. YKL-40 stimulated the dissociation of VE-cad from PD-L1, rendering PD-L1 available to interact with PD-1 from CD8+-positive TALL-104 lymphocytes and inhibit TALL-104 cytotoxicity. YKL-40 promoted TALL-104 cell migration and adhesion to endothelial cells via CCR5-dependent chemotaxis but blocked its anti-vascular immunity. Knockdown of VE-cad or the PD-L1 gene ablated the effects of YKL-40 and reinvigorated TALL-104 cell immunity against vessels. In summary, our study demonstrates a novel vascular immune escape mechanism by which mGBM promotes tumor vascularization and malignant transformation.
Advances in Immunotherapeutics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chouari Tarak , La Costa Francesca Soraya , Merali Nabeel , Jessel Maria-Danae , Sivakumar Shivan , Annels Nicola , Frampton Adam E.
Published: August 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for up to 95% of all pancreatic cancer cases and is the seventh-leading cause of cancer death. Poor prognosis is a result of late presentation, a lack of screening tests and the fact some patients develop resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Novel therapies like immunotherapeutics have been of recent interest in pancreatic cancer. However, this field remains in its infancy with much to unravel. Immunotherapy and other targeted therapies have yet to yield significant progress in treating PDAC, primarily due to our limited understanding of the disease immune mechanisms and its intricate interactions with the tumour microenvironment (TME). In this review we provide an overview of current novel immunotherapies which have been studied in the field of pancreatic cancer. We discuss their mechanisms, evidence available in pancreatic cancer as well as the limitations of such therapies. We showcase the potential role of combining novel therapies in PDAC, postulate their potential clinical implications and the hurdles associated with their use in PDAC. Therapies discussed with include programmed death checkpoint inhibitors, Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T cell therapy, oncolytic viral therapy and vaccine therapies including KRAS vaccines, Telomerase vaccines, Gastrin Vaccines, Survivin-targeting vaccines, Heat-shock protein (HSP) peptide complex-based vaccines, MUC-1 targeting vaccines, Listeria based vaccines and Dendritic cell-based vaccines.
Down-Regulation of ABCA7 in Human Microglia, Astrocyte and THP-1 Cell Lines by Cholesterol Depletion, IL-1β and TNFα, or PMA
Authors: Wiener Joel P. , Desire Sindy , Garliyev Viktor , Lyssenko III Nicholas , Praticò Domenico , Lyssenko Nicholas N.
Published: August 2023

Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter subfamily A member 7 (ABCA7) is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Human neural cell lines were used to investigate the regulation of ABCA7 expression by cholesterol and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cholesterol was depleted by methyl-β-cyclodextrin, followed by treatment with rosuvastatin to suppress de novo synthesis, while the cells underwent adjustment to low cholesterol. Cholesterol depletion by 50–76% decreased ABCA7 expression by ~40% in C20 microglia and ~21% in A172 astrocytes but had no effect on the protein in SK-N-SH neurons. Cholesterol depletion also suppressed ABCA7 in HMC3 microglia. Previously, cholesterol loss was reported to up-regulate ABCA7 in murine macrophages. ABCA7 was down-regulated during PMA-induced differentiation of human THP-1 monocytes to macrophages. But, cholesterol depletion in THP-1 macrophages by ~71% had no effect on ABCA7. IL-1β and TNFα reduced ABCA7 expression in C20 and HMC3 microglia but not in A172 astrocytes or SK-N-SH neurons. IL-6 did not affect ABCA7 in the neural cells. These findings suggest that ABCA7 is active in regular homeostasis in human neural cells, is regulated by cholesterol in a cell type-dependent manner, i.e., cholesterol depletion down-regulates it in human neuroglia but not neurons, and is incompatible with IL-1β and TNFα inflammatory responses in human microglia.
Exosomes as a Nano-Carrier for Chemotherapeutics: A New Era of Oncology
Authors: Araldi Rodrigo Pinheiro , Delvalle Denis Adrián , da Costa Vitor Rodrigues , Alievi Anderson Lucas , Teixeira Michelli Ramires , Dias Pinto João Rafael , Kerkis Irina
Published: August 2023

Despite the considerable advancements in oncology, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Drug resistance mechanisms acquired by cancer cells and inefficient drug delivery limit the therapeutic efficacy of available chemotherapeutics drugs. However, studies have demonstrated that nano-drug carriers (NDCs) can overcome these limitations. In this sense, exosomes emerge as potential candidates for NDCs. This is because exosomes have better organotropism, homing capacity, cellular uptake, and cargo release ability than synthetic NDCs. In addition, exosomes can serve as NDCs for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drugs. Thus, this review aimed to summarize the latest advances in cell-free therapy, describing how the exosomes can contribute to each step of the carcinogenesis process and discussing how these nanosized vesicles could be explored as nano-drug carriers for chemotherapeutics.
GABA Prevents Age-Related Sarcopenic Obesity in Mice with High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Jin Heegu , Oh Hyun-Ji , Lee Boo-Yong
Published: August 2023

Sarcopenic obesity is characterized by concurrent obesity and muscle wasting (sarcopenia) and is common in the elderly. Sarcopenic obesity has steadily increased as the aging population has grown and is an increasing public health burden. Both obesity and sarcopenia independently increase health risks of the elderly, but sarcopenic obesity has a greater effect on metabolic disease than either obesity or sarcopenia alone. The metabolic mechanisms of obesity and sarcopenia are strongly interconnected, and obesity and sarcopenia form a vicious cycle, with each pathology exacerbating the other. The pathogenesis of sarcopenic obesity is more complex than either disease alone and remains incompletely understood, underscoring the significant unmet clinical need for effective sarcopenic obesity treatments. We aimed to determine the efficacy and underlying regulatory mechanisms of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in sarcopenic obesity in high-fat-diet-fed obese aged mice and alterations in related mechanisms to determine the potential of GABA as a therapeutic modality for sarcopenic obesity. In this study, we used young (3 months) and aged (20 months) mice to evaluate age-related sarcopenic obesity. The daily administration of GABA for 8 weeks resulted in decreased fat mass and increased muscle mass and strength in aged mice. GABA also enhanced energy expenditure in both adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. In addition, GABA promoted muscle synthesis and decreased muscle degradation by activating the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. These findings demonstrate that GABA has potential uses in preventing age-related sarcopenic obesity and related metabolic diseases.
Metabolic Profile of Patients with Smith-Magenis Syndrome: An Observational Study with Literature Review
Authors: Cipolla Clelia , Sessa Linda , Rotunno Giulia , Sodero Giorgio , Proli Francesco , Veredice Chiara , Giorgio Valentina , Leoni Chiara , Rosati Jessica , Limongelli Domenico , Kuczynska Eliza , Sforza Elisabetta , Trevisan Valentina , Rigante Donato , Zampino Giuseppe , Onesimo Roberta
Published: August 2023

Background: Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is caused by either interstitial deletions in the 17p11.2 region or pathogenic variants in the RAI1 gene and is marked by a distinct set of physical, developmental, neurological, and behavioral features. Hypercholesterolemia has been described in SMS, and obesity is also commonly found. Aim: To describe and characterize the metabolic phenotype of a cohort of SMS patients with an age range of 2.9–32.4 years and to evaluate any correlations between their body mass index and serum lipids, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and basal insulin levels. Results: Seven/thirty-five patients had high values of both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; 3/35 had high values of triglycerides; none of the patients with RAI1 variants presented dyslipidemia. No patients had abnormal fasting glucose levels. Three/thirty-five patients had HbA1c in the prediabetes range. Ten/twenty-two patients with 17p11.2 deletion and 2/3 with RAI1 variants had increased insulin basal levels. Three/twenty-three patients with the 17p11.2 deletion had prediabetes. Conclusion: Our investigation suggests that SMS ‘deleted’ patients may show a dyslipidemic pattern, while SMS ‘mutated’ patients are more likely to develop early-onset obesity along with hyperinsulinism.
Thermionic Vacuum Discharges for Thin Film Depositions
Authors: Mustata Ion , Lungu Cristian , Jepu Ionut , Porosnicu Corneliu
Published: August 2023

The thermionic vacuum discharge method is very effective in that the films obtained using this technology are characterised by a very high degree of adhesion, density and purity because the deposition technique is carried out in high, very high or, if possible, in ultra-very high vacuum conditions with no gas present. When the substrate is placed in vacuum, no heat transfer particles are present, the substrate being heated only by the ion incident on the surface. This advantage recommends the TVD method for deposits on plastics or other thermally sensitive materials. Additionally, this slow heat transfer reduces energy loss, making the deposition method industrially competitive. The paper aims to present theoretical aspects of this type of discharge, compared to typical or more popular plasmas but also to present the achievements of this method and its utility in the thin films production, layers that have specific imposed properties. The practical depositions and applications presented are in the nuclear fusion-related material science and also for obtaining materials for granular structures, used as magneto-resistive coatings.
Active Coatings Development Based on Chitosan/Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymeric Matrix Incorporated with Thymol Modified Activated Carbon Nanohybrids
Authors: Salmas Constantinos E. , Leontiou Areti , Kollia Eleni , Zaharioudakis Konstantinos , Kopsacheili Anna , Avdylaj Learda , Georgopoulos Stavros , Karabagias Vassilios K. , Karydis-Messinis Andreas , Kehayias George , Proestos Charalampos , Giannakas Aris E.
Published: August 2023

The food waste disposal to landfill practice contributes to the greenhouse problem due to the emission of gases such as methane into the atmosphere. Shelf life extension of food products and further valorization of food wastes such as the conversion to activated carbon are tested nowadays as alternative techniques. The development and use of biobased active coatings against food oxidation/bacterial deterioration is an environmentally friendly technique. In this study, a novel food active coating was successfully developed based on a chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) matrix activated with a nanohybrid of natural thymol (TO) adsorbed in activated carbon (AC) derived from spent coffee. The results have shown that, compared to the pure CS/PVOH polymeric matrix, the coating with 15 wt.% TO@AC nanohybrid concentration achieved a +23.5% Young’s modulus value, a +20.1% ultimate strength value, an increased barrier of +50.2% for water and +74.0% for oxygen, a +69.0% antioxidant activity, an increased antibacterial activity of +5.5% against Escherichia coli, a +17.8% against Salmonella enterica, a +42.5% against Staphylococcus aureus, and a +2.5% against Listeria monocytogenes. A visual evaluation of this coating showed a delay in fresh bananas’ enzymatic browning and a significant decrease in their weight loss. This indicates the potential extension of the fresh fruits’ shelf life.
A New Species and Two New Records of the Lichen Genus Fissurina from China
Authors: Shi Kaijie , Jia Zefeng , Zhao Xin
Published: August 2023

The lichenized fungal genus Fissurina with mostly slit-like lirellae, belongs to Graphidaceae and is mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. A total of 17 Fissurina species have been reported from China. During a survey of the lichen diversity of southern China, a new species Fissurina wuyinensis K.J. Shi, Z.F. Jia and X. Zhao, sp. nov. was found, which is characterized by a corticolous thallus without detected secondary substances, uncarbonized lirellae, and an exposed disc with pruina, muriform and amyloid ascospores. Furthermore, two new records of F. pseudostromatica, F. subcomparimuralis have been identified by morphological, anatomical, chemical and molecular studies. Phylogenetic analyses of three loci (ITS, nuLSU and mtSSU) supported the position of these species within Fissurina. Detailed morphological descriptions as well as high-resolution photographs of the morphology and anatomy of the three species are provided, as well as a comparison and discussion of the characteristics of similar species. The studied specimens were deposited in the Fungarium of the College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University (LCUF).
The Influence of Maternal Condition on Fetal Cardiac Function during the Second Trimester
Authors: Yao Shifa , Yang Tian , Kong Xiaoxiao , Dang Yuanyuan , Chen Ping , Lyu Mingli
Published: August 2023

Objective: Maternal health has a direct, profound and lasting effect on the formation and development of the fetal cardiovascular system. The aim of this research was to find whether maternal age, BMI hypertension (GH) or gestational diabetic mellitus (GDM) would affect fetal cardiac function in the second trimester. Method: 329 mothers who had a fetal echocardiogram examination at the International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institute, Shanghai, China, from 1 January 2020 to 30 April 2020 were enrolled at the gestational age of 21 to 26 weeks (mean 22.78 ± 1.13 weeks). Single-factor analysis and multi-factor line regression analysis were used to find the contribution values of each factor to fetal cardiac function. Results: at the second trimester, maternal age had a minor influence on the fetal left ventricle diastolic function. Higher maternal BMI could cause a decrease in the fetal diastolic function of both the left and right ventricle and the systolic function of the left ventricle. Maternal hypertension and gestational diabetic mellitus had a profound influence on both the left and right fetal heart ventricles of both systolic and diastolic function. Conclusion: maternal condition will have a profound influence on fetal cardiac function as early as the second trimester.
Diagnostic Accuracy of ki-67 Labeling Index in Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology and Biopsy of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Pyo Jung-Soo , Kim Nae Yu , Min Kyueng-Whan , Oh Il Hwan , Lim Dae Hyun , Son Byoung Kwan
Published: August 2023

Background: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Ki-67 labeling index (LI) between endoscopic ultrasonography-fine-needle aspiration cytology/biopsy (EUS-FNAC/FNB) and surgical specimens of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs). Methods: Conventional meta-analysis and diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) reviews were performed on 17 eligible studies. The DTA review involved calculating the sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (OR), and area under the curve (AUC) of the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve. In addition, subgroup analysis was conducted based on EUS-FNAC and FNB, tumor grade, and tumor size. Results: The overall concordance rate of WHO grade based on Ki-67 LI between the EUS-FNAC/FNB and the surgical specimen was 0.767 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.713–0.814). Concordance rates of the EUS-FNAC and EUS-FNB subgroups were 0.741 (95% CI, 0.681–0.794) and 0.839 (95% CI, 0.738–0.906), respectively. In the DTA review for grade 3, the sensitivity and specificity were calculated to be 0.786 (95% CI, 0.590–0.917) and 0.998 (95% CI, 0.987–1.000), respectively. The diagnostic OR and AUC of the SROC curve were 150.220 (95% CI, 46.145–489.000) and 0.983, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were observed to be highest in the grade 1 and 3 subgroups, respectively. Conclusions: Higher concordance of tumor grade based on Ki-67 LI was observed between EUS-FNAC/FNB and surgical specimens, indicating the potential usefulness of Ki-67 LI in predicting PanNEN tumor grade in EUS-FNAC/FNB.
A Multi-Task Classification Method for Application Traffic Classification Using Task Relationships
Authors: Baek Ui-Jun , Kim Boseon , Park Jee-Tae , Choi Jeong-Woo , Kim Myung-Sup
Published: August 2023

As IT technology advances, the number and types of applications, such as SNS, content, and shopping, have increased across various fields, leading to the emergence of complex and diverse application traffic. As a result, the demand for effective network operation, management, and analysis has increased. In particular, service or application traffic classification research is an important area of study in network management. Web services are composed of a combination of multiple applications, and one or more application traffic can be mixed within service traffic. However, most existing research only classifies application traffic by service unit, resulting in high misclassification rates and making detailed management impossible. To address this issue, this paper proposes three multitask learning methods for application traffic classification using the relationships among tasks composed of browsers, protocols, services, and application units. The proposed methods aim to improve classification performance under the assumption that there are relationships between tasks. Experimental results demonstrate that by utilizing relationships between various tasks, the proposed method can classify applications with 4.4%p higher accuracy. Furthermore, the proposed methods can provide network administrators with information about multiple perspectives with high confidence, and the generalized multitask methods are freely portable to other backbone networks.
Modal Decomposition Study of the Non-Reactive Flow Field in a Dual-Swirl Combustor
Authors: Feng Xiangzhou , Suo Jianqin , Li Qiandong , Zheng Longxi
Published: August 2023

The modal decomposition study of the non-reactive flow field in a dual-swirl combustor is investigated through the large eddy simulation. The formation mechanism and function of various recirculation zones are elaborated by analyzing the time-averaged and instantaneous velocity contours of the center section. The precessing vortex core (PVC) is first visualized by the pressure iso-surface, and the evolution process is presented. Different dimensionality reduction methods are adopted to identify the coherent structures from the flow field. The most energetic spatial structure corresponding to the PVC and its second-order harmonic structure is extracted by the classical proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). The coherent structures with high frequency have relatively low energy content. In addition, a spectral proper orthogonal decomposition (SPOD) method, which can implement spatial-temporal decomposition simultaneously, is introduced to obtain the energy-based spatial structures at all characteristic frequencies. A triple-helix with azimuth wave number m = 3 and a quadruple-helix with azimuth wave number m = 4 are discovered as the third-order and the fourth-order harmonics of single-helix, respectively.