bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential Oils in Nellore Beef Cattle: In Vivo Impact on Rumen Emissions
Authors: Benetel Gabriela , Fagundes Gisele Maria , de Méo-Filho Paulo , Silva Thaysa dos Santos , Welter Katiéli Caroline , Melo Flávia Alves , Lobo Annelise Aila Gomes , Frighetto Rosa Toyoko Shiraishi , Berndt Alexandre , Muir James Pierre , Bueno Ives Cláudio da Silva
Published: June 2024

Essential oils (EOs), as rumen additives, decreased CH4 emissions in in vitro trials but results from in vivo studies are still limited. We investigated the effects of Origanum vulgare (OEO) and Thymus vulgaris (TEO) EOs on in vivo methane emissions from Nellore beef cattle. Six adult rumen-cannulated Nellore cattle were used in a double 3 × 3 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of three diets containing either 3 mL OEO per kg of concentrate, 3 mL TEO/kg of concentrate, or no EO addition. The experimental period consisted of three 21 d feeding periods and methane production was measured using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) technique from Day 16 to Day 21 of each feeding period. Intake, total apparent digestibility (dry matter as well as neutral and acid detergent fiber), and rumen parameters (pH, ammoniacal nitrogen concentration, and short-chain fatty acids) were also evaluated. The EOs did not decrease CH4 emissions and had no effect on rumen parameters.
Lovastatin-Induced Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Leads to the Release of mtDNA to Promote Apoptosis by Activating cGAS-STING Pathway in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Huang Xiaoming , Liang Ning , Zhang Fuming , Lin Wanjun , Ma Wenzhe
Published: June 2024

Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors widely used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase in the mevalonate pathway leads to the suppression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) stimulator of the interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway has been suggested to not only facilitate inflammatory responses and the production of type I interferons (IFN), but also activate other cellular processes, such as apoptosis. It has not been studied, however, whether cGAS-STING activation is involved in the apoptosis induced by statin treatment in human colorectal cancer cells. In this study, we reported that lovastatin impaired mitochondrial function, including the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, reduction of oxygen consumption, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) integrity, and mtDNA abundance in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. The mitochondrial dysfunction markedly induced ROS production in mitochondria, whereas the defect in mitochondria respiration or depletion of mitochondria eliminated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The ROS-induced oxidative DNA damage by lovastatin treatment was attenuated by mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone (mitoQ). Upon DNA damage, mtDNA was released into the cytosol and bound to DNA sensor cGAS, thus activating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway to trigger a type I interferon response. This effect was not activated by nuclear DNA (nuDNA) or mitochondrial RNA, as the depletion of mitochondria compromised this effect, but not the knockdown of retinoic acid-inducible gene-1/melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (RIG-I/MDA5) adaptor or mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS). Moreover, lovastatin-induced apoptosis was partly dependent on the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in HCT116 cells as the knockdown of cGAS or STING expression rescued cell viability and mitigated apoptosis. Similarly, the knockdown of cGAS or STING also attenuated the antitumor effect of lovastatin in the HCT116 xenograft model in vivo. Our findings suggest that lovastatin-induced apoptosis is at least partly mediated through the cGAS-STING signaling pathway by triggering mtDNA accumulation in the cytosol in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells.
Role of Uremic Toxins, Oxidative Stress, and Renal Fibrosis in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Frąk Weronika , Dąbek Bartłomiej , Balcerczyk-Lis Marta , Motor Jakub , Radzioch Ewa , Młynarska Ewelina , Rysz Jacek , Franczyk Beata
Published: June 2024

Affecting millions of people worldwide, chronic kidney disease is a serious medical problem. It results in a decrease in glomerular filtration rate below 60 mL/min/1.73 m, albuminuria, abnormalities in urine sediment and pathologies detected by imaging studies lasting a minimum of 3 months. Patients with CKD develop uremia, and as a result of the accumulation of uremic toxins in the body, patients can be expected to suffer from a number of medical consequences such as progression of CKD with renal fibrosis, development of atherosclerosis or increased incidence of cardiovascular events. Another key element in the pathogenesis of CKD is oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between the production of antioxidants and the production of reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress contributes to damage to cellular proteins, lipids and DNA and increases inflammation, perpetuating kidney dysfunction. Additionally, renal fibrogenesis involving the accumulation of fibrous tissue in the kidneys occurs. In our review, we also included examples of forms of therapy for CKD. To improve the condition of CKD patients, pharmacotherapy can be used, as described in our review. Among the drugs that improve the prognosis of patients with CKD, we can include: GLP-1 analogues, SGLT2 inhibitors, Finerenone monoclonal antibody—Canakinumab and Sacubitril/Valsartan.
Weed Detection and Classification with Computer Vision Using a Limited Image Dataset
Authors: Moldvai László , Mesterházi Péter Ákos , Teschner Gergely , Nyéki Anikó
Published: June 2024

In agriculture, as precision farming increasingly employs robots to monitor crops, the use of weeding and harvesting robots is expanding the need for computer vision. Currently, most researchers and companies address these computer vision tasks with CNN-based deep learning. This technology requires large datasets of plant and weed images labeled by experts, as well as substantial computational resources. However, traditional feature-based approaches to computer vision can extract meaningful parameters and achieve comparably good classification results with only a tenth of the dataset size. This study presents these methods and seeks to determine the minimum number of training images required to achieve reliable classification. We tested the classification results with 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 images per weed type in a four-class classification system. We extracted shape features, distance transformation features, color histograms, and texture features. Each type of feature was tested individually and in various combinations to determine the best results. Using six types of classifiers, we achieved a 94.56% recall rate with 160 images per weed. Better results were obtained with more training images and a greater variety of features.
Contribution of Atmospheric Factors in Predicting Sea Surface Temperature in the East China Sea Using the Random Forest and SA-ConvLSTM Model
Authors: Ji Qiyan , Jia Xiaoyan , Jiang Lifang , Xie Minghong , Meng Ziyin , Wang Yuting , Lin Xiayan
Published: June 2024

Atmospheric forcings are significant physical factors that influence the variation of sea surface temperature (SST) and are often used as essential input variables for ocean numerical models. However, their contribution to the prediction of SST based on machine-learning methods still needs to be tested. This study presents a prediction model for SST in the East China Sea (ECS) using two machine-learning methods: Random Forest and SA-ConvLSTM algorithms. According to the Random Forest feature importance scores and correlation coefficients R, 2 m air temperature and longwave radiation were selected as the two most important key atmospheric factors that can affect the SST prediction performance of machine-learning methods. Four datasets were constructed as input to SA-ConvLSTM: SST-only, SST-T2m, SST-LWR, and SST-T2m-LWR. Using the SST-T2m and SST-LWR, the prediction skill of the model can be improved by about 9.9% and 9.43% for the RMSE and by about 8.97% and 8.21% for the MAE, respectively. Using the SST-T2m-LWR dataset, the model’s prediction skill can be improved by 10.75% for RMSE and 9.06% for MAE. The SA-ConvLSTM can represent the SST in ECS well, but with the highest RMSE and AE in summer. The findings of the presented study requires much more exploration in future studies.
Daily Fine Resolution Estimates of the Influence of Wildfires on Fine Particulate Matter in California, 2011–2020
Authors: Jones-Ngo Caitlin G. , Conlon Kathryn C. , Al-Hamdan Mohammad , Vargo Jason
Published: June 2024

Worsening wildfire seasons in recent years are reversing decadal progress on the reduction of harmful air pollutants in the US, particularly in Western states. Measurements of the contributions of wildfire smoke to ambient air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), at fine resolution scales would be valuable to public health research on climate vulnerable populations and compound climate risks. We estimate the influence of wildfire smoke emissions on daily PM2.5 at fine-resolution, 3 km, for California 2011–2020, using a geostatistical modeled ambient PM2.5 estimate and wildfire smoke plume data from NOAA Hazard Mapping System. Additionally, we compare this product with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) daily and annual standards for PM2.5 exposure. Our results show wildfires significantly influence PM2.5 in California and nearly all exceedances of the daily US EPA PM2.5 standard were influenced by wildfire smoke, while annual exceedances were increasingly attributed to wildfire smoke influence in recent years. This wildfire-influenced PM2.5 product can be applied to public health research to better understand source-specific air pollution impacts and assess the combination of multiple climate hazard risks.
Environmentally Friendly and Cost-Effective Approaches to Reduce Toxin Content in Toxic Cyanobacterial Biomasses
Authors: Loss Leticia , Azevedo Joana , Azevedo Tomé , Freitas Marisa , Vasconcelos Vitor , Campos Alexandre
Published: June 2024

Cyanobacterial outgrowths are naturally occurring processes in eutrophic aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, as a result of climate change and anthropogenic pollution, cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) are expanding worldwide. CyanoHABs are considered a threat to human health and environment due to the production of potent toxic substances, but at the same time, valuable products can be obtained from these microorganisms. The main objective of this study was to test straightforward and cost-effective methods to reduce the toxin content of cyanobacterial biomass for the exploitation of this important biological resource. To carry out this study, lyophilized or hydrated biomass from microcystin-LR (MC-LR) producing Microcystis aeruginosa and cylindrospermopsin (CYN) producing Chrysosporum ovalisporum strains were subjected to the following treatments: (1) thermal (50 °C); (2) ultraviolet (UV) radiation; (3) ozone; and (4) sunlight, for periods varying between 2 and 12 h. MC-LR and CYN concentrations were quantified by LC-MS and compared between experimental groups. The results show a significant reduction in the amount of MC-LR in M. aeruginosa biomass (lyophilized and hydrated) exposed to sunlight. Since no other treatment reduced MC-LR in M. aeruginosa biomass, this molecule was demonstrated to be very stable. Regarding CYN, the concentration of this toxin in C. ovalisporum biomass was significantly reduced with the exposure to UV radiation, to approximately 51% of the initial concentration after 2 h of exposure; 86% reduction after 5 h of exposure; and 77% reduction after 12 h of exposure. Overall, this study demonstrates that the toxicity of cyanobacterial biomass can be reduced by employing environmentally friendly and cost-effective treatments with sunlight and UV radiation.
Production, Extraction and Partial Characterization of Natural Pigments from Chryseobacterium sp. kr6 Growing on Feather Meal Biomass
Authors: Gemelli Sabrine , Silveira Silvana Terra , Pailliè-Jiménez Maria Elisa , Rios Alessandro de Oliveira , Brandelli Adriano
Published: June 2024

Obtaining natural pigments from microorganisms is an alternative with high potential for biotechnological application. The use of agro-industrial wastes as substrate for cultivations enables a reduction of the production cost and may add value to potentially polluting byproducts. In this work, the extraction of pigments produced by the bacterium Chryseobacterium sp. strain kr6 was evaluated, employing feather meal as the sole carbon source for bacterial growth. The maximum production of the yellow pigments was observed for cultivation at 30 °C, during 48 h, with 5 g/L feather meal. The pigment extraction from the bacterial biomass was performed with the aid of physical methods and the testing of different organic solvents. The conditions that provided better extraction were using ultrasound with acetone as the solvent, reaching a yield of 180 μg/g biomass after optimization. The pigment was partially characterized via UV-visible, FTIR and mass spectroscopy and CIELAB color parameters, suggesting the presence of molecules belonging to the flexirubin group (aryl polyenes). The antioxidant capacity of the pigment was confirmed via the scavenging of DPPH radical and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) methodologies. Moreover, the pigment extract showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis.
Intentionally Lengthening Nonparetic Step Length Inhibits the Paretic-Side Swing-Phase Ankle Motion More than Knee Motion
Authors: Tsushima Yuichi , Fujita Kazuki , Hayashi Koji , Miaki Hiroichi , Hayashi Katsuhiro
Published: June 2024

Gait training to intentionally lengthen the nonparetic step length can increase the propulsive force of the paretic leg but may also induce overactivity of the knee extensor muscles that might limit knee flexion during the swing phase. Herein, we investigated the effects of lengthening the nonparetic step length during gait on the joint motion and muscle activity of the paretic lower limb. Fifteen chronic stroke patients (stroke group) and 15 healthy participants (control group) were evaluated for lower limb joint movements, electromyography, and spatiotemporal gait parameters during walking. Walking conditions were Normal (comfortable walking) and NP-Long/Contralateral-Long (walking with a lengthened step length of the nonmeasured limb). The trailing limb angle, a surrogate for propulsive forces, was increased in both groups by changing the step length, with no significant change in the peak knee flexion angle during the swing phase. However, the stroke group did not increase ankle plantar flexor activity in the stance phase or ankle dorsiflexion angle in the swing phase. Intentionally lengthening the nonparetic step length did not limit knee flexion. However, the effect of increased propulsive force during the stance phase was insufficient, with the possibility of decreased foot clearance.
Age-Related Aspects of Sex Differences in Event-Related Brain Oscillatory Responses: A Turkish Study
Authors: Yener Görsev , Kıyı İlayda , Düzenli-Öztürk Seren , Yerlikaya Deniz
Published: June 2024

Earlier research has suggested gender differences in event-related potentials/oscillations (ERPs/EROs). Yet, the alteration in event-related oscillations (EROs) in the delta and theta frequency bands have not been explored between genders across the three age groups of adulthood, i.e., 18–50, 51–65, and >65 years. Data from 155 healthy elderly participants who underwent a neurological examination, comprehensive neuropsychological assessment (including attention, memory, executive function, language, and visuospatial skills), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from past studies were used. The delta and theta ERO powers across the age groups and between genders were compared and correlational analyses among the ERO power, age, and neuropsychological tests were performed. The results indicated that females displayed higher theta ERO responses than males in the frontal, central, and parietal regions but not in the occipital location between 18 and 50 years of adulthood. The declining theta power of EROs in women reached that of men after the age of 50 while the theta ERO power was more stable across the age groups in men. Our results imply that the cohorts must be recruited at specified age ranges across genders, and clinical trials using neurophysiological biomarkers as an intervention endpoint should take gender into account in the future.
Quantitative–Qualitative Assessment of Dream Reports in Schizophrenia and Their Correlations with Illness Severity
Authors: Ficca Gianluca , De Rosa Oreste , Giangrande Davide , Mazzei Tommaso , Marzolo Salvatore , Albinni Benedetta , Coppola Alessia , Lustro Alessio , Conte Francesca
Published: June 2024

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia have been proposed to be an intrusion of dreaming in wakefulness; conversely, psychotic patients’ abnormal cognitive and behavioral features could overflow into sleep, so that their dreams would differ from those of healthy people. Here we assess this hypothesis by comparing dream features of 46 patients affected by schizophrenic spectrum disorders to those of 28 healthy controls. In patients, we also investigated correlations of dream variables with symptom severity and verbal fluency. Overall, patients reported fewer and shorter dreams, with a general impoverishment of content (including characters, settings, interactions) and higher spatiotemporal bizarreness. The number of emotions, mainly negative ones, was lower in patients’ reports and correlated inversely with symptom severity. Verbal fluency correlated positively with dream report length and negatively with perceptive bizarreness. In conclusion, our data show a significant impoverishment of dream reports in psychotic patients versus controls. Future research should investigate to what extent this profile of results depends on impaired verbal fluency or on impaired mechanisms of dream generation in this population. Moreover, in line with theories on the role of dreaming in emotion regulation, our data suggest that this function could be impaired in psychoses and related to symptom severity.
Prognostic Impact of Mucin Expression in Curatively Resected Ampulla of Vater Cancer
Authors: Noh Byeong Gwan , Seo Hyung Il , Park Young Mok , Song Su-Bin , Kim Suk , Hong Seung Baek , Lee Nam Kyung , Lee Jonghyun , Kim Tae In , Kwon Chae Hwa , Ahn Ji Hyun
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Mucins play a pivotal role in epithelial carcinogenesis; however, their role remains elusive in ampulla of Vater (AoV) cancer, regardless of histological subtype. Therefore, we investigated the clinical significance of MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 expression in AoV cancer. Methods: Using samples from 68 patients with AoV cancer, we performed immunohistochemical staining for MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 using a tissue microarray. Subsequently, we analyzed their expression patterns in relation to clinicopathological parameters and patient outcomes. Results: Of the patients, 98.5% exhibited positive expression for MUC1, while MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 were expressed in 44.1%, 47.1%, and 41.2% of the patients, respectively. Correlation analyses between mucin expression and clinicopathological factors revealed no significant associations, except between MUC5AC expression and N stage. Univariate analysis demonstrated significant associations between MUC5AC expression and overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis further confirmed that MUC5AC expression was a significant predictor of OS, along with the N stage. However, MUC5AC expression was not meaningfully associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS). The patients positive for MUC5AC expression had a considerably shorter OS than those with negative expression. Conclusions: Our study provides insights into the clinical impact of mucins on AoV cancer, regardless of the histological subtype. Although MUC1 expression is universal, MUC5AC expression is a significant prognostic indicator that correlates with lymph node metastasis and poor OS. These results emphasize the possible utility of MUC5AC as a biomarker for extensive lymph node dissection and the prognostic evaluation of patients with AoV cancer.
Deep Learning Analysis for Predicting Tumor Spread through Air Space in Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma Pathology Images
Authors: Ou De-Xiang , Lu Chao-Wen , Chen Li-Wei , Lee Wen-Yao , Hu Hsiang-Wei , Chuang Jen-Hao , Lin Mong-Wei , Chen Kuan-Yu , Chiu Ling-Ying , Chen Jin-Shing , Chen Chung-Ming , Hsieh Min-Shu
Published: June 2024

The presence of spread through air spaces (STASs) in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma is a significant prognostic factor associated with disease recurrence and poor outcomes. Although current STAS detection methods rely on pathological examinations, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) offers opportunities for automated histopathological image analysis. This study developed a deep learning (DL) model for STAS prediction and investigated the correlation between the prediction results and patient outcomes. To develop the DL-based STAS prediction model, 1053 digital pathology whole-slide images (WSIs) from the competition dataset were enrolled in the training set, and 227 WSIs from the National Taiwan University Hospital were enrolled for external validation. A YOLOv5-based framework comprising preprocessing, candidate detection, false-positive reduction, and patient-based prediction was proposed for STAS prediction. The model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 in predicting STAS presence, with 72% accuracy, 81% sensitivity, and 63% specificity. Additionally, the DL model demonstrated a prognostic value in disease-free survival compared to that of pathological evaluation. These findings suggest that DL-based STAS prediction could serve as an adjunctive screening tool and facilitate clinical decision-making in patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.
Exploring the Role of Genetics in Sarcoidosis and Its Impact on the Development of Cardiac Sarcoidosis
Authors: Sivalokanathan Sanjay
Published: June 2024

Sarcoidosis is a multifaceted and multisystemic inflammatory disorder, the etiology of which remains unknown. However, it has been suggested that an intricate interplay between genetic, environmental, and inflammatory factors may contribute to the development and progression of sarcoidosis. Although 30–50% of patients demonstrate extra-pulmonary manifestations, cardiac involvement is rare, affecting only 2–5% of cases. Diagnosis is often challenging, relying on the careful application of clinical judgment, histopathological evidence, and imaging biomarkers. In this literature review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the genetic basis of sarcoidosis, the contribution to the pathogenesis of the disorder, and discuss the potential link between certain genetic variants and the development of cardiac sarcoidosis.
Combined Insults of a MASH Diet and Alcohol Binges Activate Intercellular Communication and Neutrophil Recruitment via the NLRP3-IL-1β Axis in the Liver
Authors: Babuta Mrigya , Nagesh Prashanth Thevkar , Datta Aditi Ashish , Remotti Victoria , Zhuang Yuan , Mehta Jeeval , Lami Francesca , Wang Yanbo , Szabo Gyongyi
Published: June 2024

Binge drinking in obese patients positively correlates with accelerated liver damage and liver-related death. However, the underlying mechanism and the effect of alcohol use on the progression of metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remain unexplored. Here, we show that short-term feeding of a metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) diet plus daily acute alcohol binges for three days induce liver injury and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. We identify that a MASH diet plus acute alcohol binges promote liver inflammation via increased infiltration of monocyte-derived macrophages, neutrophil recruitment, and NET release in the liver. Our results suggest that both monocyte-derived macrophages and neutrophils are activated via NLRP3, while the administration of MCC950, an NLRP3 inhibitor, dampens these effects.In this study, we reveal important intercellular communication between hepatocytes and neutrophils. We discover that the MASH diet plus alcohol induces IL-1β via NLRP3 activation and that IL-1β acts on hepatocytes and promotes the production of CXCL1 and LCN2. In turn, the increase in these neutrophils recruits chemokines and causes further infiltration and activation of neutrophils in the liver. In vivo administration of the NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, improves the early phase of MetALD by preventing liver damage, steatosis, inflammation, and immune cells recruitment.
First-Line Treatments and Management of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients: An Italian Interdisciplinary Uro-Oncologic Group Algorithm
Authors: Bloise Francesco , Manfredi Fiorella , Zatteri Luca , Dima Giovanni , Carli Chiara , Di Vita Rosanna , Olivieri Maria , Sammarco Enrico , Ferrari Marco , Salfi Alessia , Bonato Adele , Serafin Debora , Coccia Natalia , Doni Laura , Galli Luca , Sisani Michele , Roviello Giandomenico , Catalano Martina , Paolieri Federico
Published: June 2024

The treatment landscape for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has undergone significant transformations in recent years. The introduction of novel combination therapies involving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and immune checkpoint inhibitors has resulted in improved oncological outcomes compared to traditional TKI monotherapy. In this evolving paradigm, the pivotal role of the multidisciplinary tumor board is underscored, particularly in shaping the therapeutic trajectory for patients eligible for locoregional interventions like cytoreductive nephrectomy and metastasectomy. In cases where systemic treatment is deemed appropriate, the absence of direct comparisons among the various combination therapies complicates the selection of a first-line approach. The clinician is faced with the challenge of making decisions based on patient-specific factors such as performance status, risk classification according to the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium, comorbidities, and disease characteristics, including the number and location of metastases and tumor histology. Considering these concerns, we propose, as a member of a Tuscany Interdisciplinary Uro-Oncologic Group, an algorithm to streamline the decision-making process for mRCC patients, offering guidance to clinicians in their day-to-day clinical practice.
Flow Cytometry as the Tool to Define Peripheral Blood Leukocyte Signatures in Acute EBV Infection
Authors: Singh Pragya , Gadgeel Manisha , AlQanber Batool , Farooqi Ahmad , Savaşan Süreyya
Published: June 2024

Primary Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection which can manifest as infectious mononucleosis (IM) is commonly acquired during childhood. EBV primarily invades B cells leading to a lytic reaction; the control of the infection is handled by natural killer and T cells in immunocompetent individuals. The infection has a wide spectrum of clinical findings and can lead to serious complications in patients with certain underlying immunological dysfunctions. We retrospectively investigated peripheral white blood cell populations’ surface marker characteristics in IM using a comprehensive flow cytometry marker panel. Twenty-one cases of IM and seventeen EBV-seropositive cases without IM serving as controls were included. We observed novel alterations in lymphocyte, neutrophil, and monocyte populations. In addition to increased activated cytotoxic T cells and low B cells, we demonstrated high T-large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) populations in IM cases. Furthermore, despite T cells’ increased HLA-DR expression, another activation marker, CD11b, was lower in T-LGL populations. Monocytes showed increased CD16 expression; CD64 was higher in neutrophils. Our findings point to monocyte and neutrophil activation which may account for acute clinical features and may contribute to the understanding of IM immunobiology. Furthermore, they may serve as a useful tool in investigating inherited and post-transplant conditions characterized by deficiencies in controlling EBV infection.
Tumor-Infiltrating T Cells in Skin Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Global Th1 Preponderance with Th17 Enrichment—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cunha Daniela , Neves Marco , Silva Daniela , Silvestre Ana Rita , Nunes Paula Borralho , Arrobas Fernando , Ribot Julie C. , Ferreira Fernando , Moita Luís F. , Soares-de-Almeida Luís , Silva João Maia , Filipe Paulo , Ferreira João
Published: June 2024

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are high-incidence, non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). The success of immune-targeted therapies in advanced NMSCs led us to anticipate that NMSCs harbored significant populations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with potential anti-tumor activity. The main aim of this study was to characterize T cells infiltrating NMSCs. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were used to assess, respectively, the proportions and densities of T cell subpopulations in BCCs (n = 118), SCCs (n = 33), and normal skin (NS, n = 30). CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cell subsets, namely, Th1, Th2, Th17, Th9, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD8+ and CD4+ memory T cells, and γδ T cells were compared between NMSCs and NS samples. Remarkably, both BCCs and SCCs featured a significantly higher Th1/Th2 ratio (~four-fold) and an enrichment for Th17 cells. NMSCs also showed a significant enrichment for IFN-γ-producing CD8+T cells, and a depletion of γδ T cells. Using immunohistochemistry, NMSCs featured denser T cell infiltrates (CD4+, CD8+, and Tregs) than NS. Overall, these data favor a Th1-predominant response in BCCs and SCCs, providing support for immune-based treatments in NMSCs. Th17-mediated inflammation may play a role in the progression of NMSCs and thus become a potential therapeutic target in NMSCs.
Modulation of Redox and Inflammatory Signaling in Human Skin Cells Using Phytocannabinoids Applied after UVA Irradiation: In Vitro Studies
Authors: Wroński Adam , Jarocka-Karpowicz Iwona , Surażyński Arkadiusz , Gęgotek Agnieszka , Zarkovic Neven , Skrzydlewska Elżbieta
Published: June 2024

UVA exposure disturbs the metabolism of skin cells, often inducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, there is a need for bioactive compounds that limit such consequences without causing undesirable side effects. The aim of this study was to analyse in vitro the effects of the phytocannabinoids cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabidiol (CBD), which differ in terms of biological effects. Furthermore, the combined use of both compounds (CBG+CBD) has been analysed in order to increase their effectiveness in human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes protection against UVA-induced alternation. The results obtained indicate that the effects of CBG and CBD on the redox balance might indeed be enhanced when both phytocannabinoids are applied concurrently. Those effects include a reduction in NOX activity, ROS levels, and a modification of thioredoxin-dependent antioxidant systems. The reduction in the UVA-induced lipid peroxidation and protein modification has been confirmed through lower levels of 4-HNE-protein adducts and protein carbonyl groups as well as through the recovery of collagen expression. Modification of antioxidant signalling (Nrf2/HO-1) through the administration of CBG+CBD has been proven to be associated with reduced proinflammatory signalling (NFκB/TNFα). Differential metabolic responses of keratinocytes and fibroblasts to the effects of the UVA and phytocannabinoids have indicated possible beneficial protective and regenerative effects of the phytocannabinoids, suggesting their possible application for the purpose of limiting the harmful impact of the UVA on skin cells.
Communicating for Sustainability in the Digital Age: Toward a New Paradigm of Literacy
Authors: Ott Brian L.
Published: June 2024

Efforts to create a sustainable future require careful and complex thinking, interdisciplinary and cross-organizational collaboration, and effective and ethical communication. However, the structural biases of digital communication technologies foster modes of thought and expression that undermine or impede these necessities. While one possible solution to this problem is digital literacy, the two prevailing paradigms of digital literacy both reproduce the myth of technological neutrality. This myth further inhibits sustainability by wrongly suggesting that digital technologies are appropriate to all communication goals and tasks. As a corrective to these models, I propose a new paradigm of digital literacy, one rooted in media ecology. The adoption of this model, I maintain, allows us to consciously co-create our social world rather than merely inhabit it.
A Multifunctional Magnetic Fluorescent Nanoprobe for Copper(II) Using ZnS-DL-Mercaptosuccinic Acid-Modified Fe3O4 Nanocomposites
Authors: Xu Ping , Chen Xin , Chen Jie , Yu Shihua , Zeng Xiaodan , Liu Zhigang
Published: June 2024

Cu2+ has increasingly become a great threat to the natural environment and human health due to its abundant content and wide application in various industries. DL-Mercaptosuccinic acid and ZnS-modified Fe3O4 nanocomposites were designed, synthesized, and applied in the determination of Cu2+. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopes (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and thermogravimetric analyzer (TG). The magnetic fluorescent nanoprobe exhibited highly selective and sensitive fluorescence-quenching characteristics with Cu2+ ions. The fluorescence detection linear range was 0–400 μM, with the detection limit being 0.489 μM. In addition, the magnetic fluorescent nanoprobe exhibited a high adsorption and removal rate for Cu2+. It had been successfully applied to detect Cu2+ in real water samples with a satisfactory recovery rate. The magnetic fluorescent nanoprobe could simultaneously realize the functions of enrichment, quantitative detection, and separation, reduce the pollution of copper ions and probes, and establish an environment-friendly detection method. Consequently, the magnetic fluorescent nanoprobe offered a new pathway for the removal and detection of not only Cu2+ but also other heavy metal ions in water.
The Effect of Preheating Temperature on the Corrosion Resistance and Porosity Defects Development Behaviour of Ni60A Coating
Authors: Huang Fule , Li Chen , Guo Hailin , Huang Shuqin , Ling Fanghai , Fu Qijun
Published: June 2024

The laser cladding of nickel-based fusion alloys makes them prone to cracks and defects that affect the overall performance of the coating. In this study, Ni60A coatings were prepared at different preheating temperatures (25 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C and 600 °C). The effect of the preheating temperature of the substrate on the corrosion resistance of the coating as well as on the development of defects were investigated by electrochemical tests and immersion experiments in a 65 wt% H2SO4 solution at 60 °C. The results indicate that preheating the substrate to 200 °C can completely eliminate cracks in the coating and reduce porosity. Preheating leads to a decrease in the corrosion resistance of the coating. The size of the porosity defects is related to the law of longitudinal development of the defects. Porosity defects with diameters smaller than 100 μm have a more pronounced tendency to expand vertically than those with diameters larger than 100 μm.
Microstructure and Biocompatibility of Graphene Oxide/BCZT Composite Ceramics via Fast Hot-Pressed Sintering
Authors: Zhao Bingqing , Liu Qibin , Tang Geng , Wang Dunying
Published: June 2024

Improving fracture toughness, electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility has consistently presented challenges in the development of artificial bone replacement materials. This paper presents a new strategy for creating high-performance, multifunctional composite ceramic materials by doping graphene oxide (GO), which is known to induce osteoblast differentiation and enhance cell adhesion and proliferation into barium calcium zirconate titanate (BCZT) ceramics that already exhibit good mechanical properties, piezoelectric effects, and low cytotoxicity. Using fast hot-pressed sintering under vacuum conditions, (1 − x)(Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3−xGO (0.2 mol% ≤ x ≤ 0.5 mol%) composite piezoelectric ceramics were successfully synthesized. Experimental results revealed that these composite ceramics exhibited high piezoelectric properties (d33 = 18 pC/N, kp = 62%) and microhardness (173.76 HV0.5), meeting the standards for artificial bone substitutes. Furthermore, the incorporation of graphene oxide significantly reduced the water contact angle and enhanced their wettability. Cell viability tests using Cell Counting Kit-8, alkaline phosphatase staining, and DAPI staining demonstrated that the GO/BCZT composite ceramics were non-cytotoxic and effectively promoted cell proliferation and growth, indicating excellent biocompatibility. Consequently, with their superior mechanical properties, piezoelectric performance, and biocompatibility, GO/BCZT composite ceramics show extensive potential for application in bone defect repair.
Regional Variability in Survival for Patients Diagnosed with Selected Central Nervous System Tumours in Canada
Authors: Wu Yifan , Walker Emily V. , Yuan Yan
Published: June 2024

Canada’s decentralized healthcare system may lead to regional disparities in survival among Canadians diagnosed with central nervous system (CNS) tumours. We identified 50,670 patients diagnosed with a first-ever primary CNS tumour between 2008 and 2017 with follow-up until 31 December 2017. We selected the four highest incidence histologies and used proportional hazard regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for five regions (British Columbia, Prairie Provinces, Ontario, Atlantic Provinces and the Territories), adjusting for sex, tumour behaviour and patient age. Ontario had the best survival profile for all histologies investigated. The Atlantic Provinces had the highest HR for glioblastoma (HR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.18–1.35) and malignant glioma not otherwise specified (NOS) (Overall: HR = 1.87, 95% CI:1.43–2.43; Pediatric population: HR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.28–6.39). For meningioma, the Territories had the highest HR (HR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.09–5.45) followed by the Prairie Provinces (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.38–1.67). For malignant unclassified tumours, the highest HRs were in British Columbia (HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.22–1.71) and the Atlantic Provinces (HR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.13–1.74). There are regional differences in the survival of CNS patients at the population level for all four specific histological types of CNS tumours investigated. Factors contributing to these observed regional survival differences are unknown and warrant further investigation.
Immunogenicity of Non-Mutated Ovarian Cancer-Specific Antigens
Authors: Hesnard Leslie , Thériault Catherine , Cahuzac Maxime , Durette Chantal , Vincent Krystel , Hardy Marie-Pierre , Lanoix Joël , Lavallée Gabriel Ouellet , Humeau Juliette , Thibault Pierre , Perreault Claude
Published: June 2024

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has not significantly benefited from advances in immunotherapy, mainly because of the lack of well-defined actionable antigen targets. Using proteogenomic analyses of primary EOC tumors, we previously identified 91 aberrantly expressed tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) originating from unmutated genomic sequences. Most of these TSAs derive from non-exonic regions, and their expression results from cancer-specific epigenetic changes. The present study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of 48 TSAs selected according to two criteria: presentation by highly prevalent HLA allotypes and expression in a significant fraction of EOC tumors. Using targeted mass spectrometry analyses, we found that pulsing with synthetic TSA peptides leads to a high-level presentation on dendritic cells. TSA abundance correlated with the predicted binding affinity to the HLA allotype. We stimulated naïve CD8 T cells from healthy blood donors with TSA-pulsed dendritic cells and assessed their expansion with two assays: MHC-peptide tetramer staining and TCR Vβ CDR3 sequencing. We report that these TSAs can expand sizeable populations of CD8 T cells and, therefore, represent attractive targets for EOC immunotherapy.
Understanding Colorectal Cancer Patient Experiences with Family Practitioners in Canada
Authors: Mksyartinian Patil , Mohammad Neha , Wildgoose Petra , Stein Barry D.
Published: June 2024

Despite ongoing screening efforts, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of death in Canada. The aim of this study was to better understand the experiences of Canadian CRC patients with their family practitioners (FPs) during and after their CRC diagnosis. Patient-reported data were collected through an online questionnaire to understand their CRC diagnosis experiences and identify potential gaps in care. Various factors contributing to challenges throughout a patient’s CRC diagnosis (e.g., delayed CRC diagnosis) were determined using descriptive, qualitative, and inferential analyses. These factors could be targeted to optimize CRC care. This study found that 40.6% of the 175 respondents were unaware of at least one of the following aspects of CRC prior to their diagnosis: early-age onset (EAO), symptoms, and screening procedures. While 84.6% had access to a family physician (FP) before their diagnosis, only 17.7% were diagnosed by FPs. Higher proportions of younger individuals experienced misdiagnoses and felt dismissed compared to older individuals. Only half felt fully informed about their diagnosis when it was explained to them by their FP, while 53.1% had their diagnosis explained in plain language. Transitioning towards patient-centred care would promote pre-diagnosis CRC awareness, address differences in management of CRC care (e.g., dismissal and support), and accommodate for age and health-literacy-related disparities, thereby improving CRC care pathways for patients. Future research should investigate FPs experiences in detecting CRC cases to develop educational resources and recommendations, enhancing early detection and improving patient outcomes (1).
Enhancing Employment Access for People with Disabilities through Transportation: Insights from Workers with Disabilities, Employers, and Transportation Providers
Authors: Tessier Alexandra , Gélinas Isabelle , Boucher Normand , Croteau Claire , Morin Diane , Archambault Philippe
Published: June 2024

Transportation is integral to the employment accessibility and sustainability of people with disabilities. This study aims to identify barriers, facilitators, and solutions to commuting for people with disabilities, drawing from their perspectives as well as those of employers and transportation providers. Through semi-structured individual interviews, insights were gathered from sixteen individuals with disabilities, seven employers, two job integration agents, and four transporters. Qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts revealed factors influencing commuting, including personal attributes and environmental factors. This study underscores the significant impact of environmental factors, particularly the role of social networks and transport infrastructure in either supporting or hindering public transportation use for people with disabilities who commute to work. For example, employers’ limited awareness of their employees’ commuting challenges contrasts with their recognition of their potential role in supporting it. Training and disability awareness initiatives emerge as pivotal solutions to empower individuals within the social network, including transport personnel, fellow passengers, and employers, to facilitate public transportation use by people with disabilities for work commutes.
Artificial Intelligence Modeling of the Heterogeneous Gas Quenching Process for Steel Batches Based on Numerical Simulations and Experiments
Authors: Narayan Nithin Mohan , Landgraf Pierre Max , Lampke Thomas , Fritsching Udo
Published: June 2024

High-pressure gas quenching is widely used in the metals industry during the heat treatment processing of steel specimens to improve their material properties. In a gas quenching process, a preheated austenised metal specimen is rapidly cooled with a gas such as nitrogen, helium, etc. The resulting microstructure relies on the temporal and spatial thermal history during the quenching. As a result, the corresponding material properties such as hardness are achieved. Challenges reside with the selection of the proper process parameters. This research focuses on the heat treatment of steel sample batches. The gas quenching process is fundamentally investigated in experiments and numerical simulations. Experiments are carried out to determine the heat transfer coefficient and the cooling curves as well as the local flow fields. Quenched samples are analyzed to derive the material hardness. CFD and FEM models numerically determine the conjugate heat transfer, flow behavior, cooling curve, and material hardness. In a novel approach, the experimental and simulation results are adopted to train artificial neural networks (ANNs), which allow us to predict the required process parameters for a targeted material property. The steels 42CrMo4 (1.7225) and 100Cr6 (1.3505) are investigated, nitrogen is the quenching gas, and geometries such as a disc, disc with a hole and ring are considered for batch series production.
RVDR-YOLOv8: A Weed Target Detection Model Based on Improved YOLOv8
Authors: Ding Yuanming , Jiang Chen , Song Lin , Liu Fei , Tao Yunrui
Published: June 2024

Currently, weed control robots that can accurately identify weeds and carry out removal work are gradually replacing traditional chemical weed control techniques. However, the computational and storage resources of the core processing equipment of weeding robots are limited. Aiming at the current problems of high computation and the high number of model parameters in weeding robots, this paper proposes a lightweight weed target detection model based on the improved YOLOv8 (You Only Look Once Version 8), called RVDR-YOLOv8 (Reversible Column Dilation-wise Residual). First, the backbone network is reconstructed based on RevCol (Reversible Column Networks). The unique reversible columnar structure of the new backbone network not only reduces the computational volume but also improves the model generalisation ability. Second, the C2fDWR module is designed using Dilation-wise Residual and integrated with the reconstructed backbone network, which improves the adaptive ability of the new backbone network RVDR and enhances the model’s recognition accuracy for occluded targets. Again, GSConv is introduced at the neck end instead of traditional convolution to reduce the complexity of computation and network structure while ensuring the model recognition accuracy. Finally, InnerMPDIoU is designed by combining MPDIoU with InnerIoU to improve the prediction accuracy of the model. The experimental results show that the computational complexity of the new model is reduced by 35.8%, the number of parameters is reduced by 35.4% and the model size is reduced by 30.2%, while the mAP50 and mAP50-95 values are improved by 1.7% and 1.1%, respectively, compared to YOLOv8. The overall performance of the new model is improved compared to models such as Faster R-CNN, SSD and RetinaNet. The new model proposed in this paper can achieve the accurate identification of weeds in farmland under the condition of limited hardware resources, which provides theoretical and technical support for the effective control of weeds in farmland.