bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miR-210 Expression Is Strongly Hypoxia-Induced in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cell Lines and Is Associated with Extracellular Vesicles and Argonaute-2
Authors: Powell Bonita H. , Turchinovich Andrey , Wang Yongchun , Gololobova Olesia , Buschmann Dominik , Zeiger Martha A. , Umbricht Christopher B. , Witwer Kenneth W.
Published: February 2023

Hypoxia, or low oxygen tension, is frequently found in highly proliferative solid tumors such as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) and is believed to promote resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. Identifying hypoxic cells for targeted therapy may thus be an effective approach to treating aggressive cancers. Here, we explore the potential of the well-known hypoxia-responsive microRNA (miRNA) miR-210-3p as a cellular and extracellular biological marker of hypoxia. We compare miRNA expression across several ATC and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cell lines. In the ATC cell line SW1736, miR-210-3p expression levels indicate hypoxia during exposure to low oxygen conditions (2% O2). Furthermore, when released by SW1736 cells into the extracellular space, miR-210-3p is associated with RNA carriers such as extracellular vesicles (EVs) and Argonaute-2 (AGO2), making it a potential extracellular marker for hypoxia.
General Trends of the Camelidae Antibody VHHs Domain Dynamics
Authors: Vattekatte Akhila Melarkode , Diharce Julien , Rebehmed Joseph , Cadet Frédéric , Gardebien Fabrice , Etchebest Catherine , de Brevern Alexandre G.
Published: February 2023

Conformational flexibility plays an essential role in antibodies’ functional and structural stability. They facilitate and determine the strength of antigen–antibody interactions. Camelidae express an interesting subtype of single-chain antibody, named Heavy Chain only Antibody. They have only one N-terminal Variable domain (VHH) per chain, composed of Frameworks (FRs) and Complementarity Determining regions (CDRs) like their VH and VL counterparts in IgG. Even when expressed independently, VHH domains display excellent solubility and (thermo)stability, which helps them to retain their impressive interaction capabilities. Sequence and structural features of VHH domains contributing to these abilities have already been studied compared to classical antibodies. To have the broadest view and understand the changes in dynamics of these macromolecules, large-scale molecular dynamics simulations for a large number of non-redundant VHH structures have been performed for the first time. This analysis reveals the most prevalent movements in these domains. It reveals the four main classes of VHHs dynamics. Diverse local changes were observed in CDRs with various intensities. Similarly, different types of constraints were observed in CDRs, while FRs close to CDRs were sometimes primarily impacted. This study sheds light on the changes in flexibility in different regions of VHH that may impact their in silico design.
Triamterene Functions as an Effective Nonsense Suppression Agent for MPS I-H (Hurler Syndrome)
Authors: Siddiqui Amna , Dundar Halil , Sharma Jyoti , Kaczmarczyk Aneta , Echols Josh , Dai Yanying , Sun Chuanxi Richard , Du Ming , Liu Zhong , Zhao Rui , Wood Tim , Sanders Shalisa , Rasmussen Lynn , Bostwick James Robert , Augelli-Szafran Corinne , Suto Mark , Rowe Steven M. , Bedwell David M. , Keeling Kim M.
Published: February 2023

Mucopolysaccharidosis I-Hurler (MPS I-H) is caused by the loss of α-L-iduronidase, a lysosomal enzyme that degrades glycosaminoglycans. Current therapies cannot treat many MPS I-H manifestations. In this study, triamterene, an FDA-approved, antihypertensive diuretic, was found to suppress translation termination at a nonsense mutation associated with MPS I-H. Triamterene rescued enough α-L-iduronidase function to normalize glycosaminoglycan storage in cell and animal models. This new function of triamterene operates through premature termination codon (PTC) dependent mechanisms that are unaffected by epithelial sodium channel activity, the target of triamterene’s diuretic function. Triamterene represents a potential non-invasive treatment for MPS I-H patients carrying a PTC.
Drugging the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in ER+ Breast Cancer
Authors: Alves Carla L. , Ditzel Henrik J.
Published: February 2023

The frequent activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and its crucial role in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer tumorigenesis and drug resistance has made it a highly attractive therapeutic target in this breast cancer subtype. Consequently, the number of new inhibitors in clinical development targeting this pathway has drastically increased. Among these, the PIK3CA isoform-specific inhibitor alpelisib and the pan-AKT inhibitor capivasertib were recently approved in combination with the estrogen receptor degrader fulvestrant for the treatment of ER+ advanced breast cancer after progression on an aromatase inhibitor. Nevertheless, the clinical development of multiple inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, in parallel with the incorporation of CDK4/6 inhibitors into the standard of care treatment in ER+ advanced breast cancer, has led to a multitude of available therapeutic agents and many possible combined strategies which complicate personalizing treatment. Here, we review the role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in ER+ advanced breast cancer, highlighting the genomic contexts in which the various inhibitors of this pathway may have superior activity. We also discuss selected trials with agents targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and related pathways as well as the rationale supporting the clinical development of triple combination therapy targeting ER, CDK4/6 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR in ER+ advanced breast cancer.
Cytotoxic and Bactericidal Effects of Inhalable Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) Nanoparticles with Traces of Zinc Oxide
Authors: Sabuj Mohammad Zaidur Rahman , Huygens Flavia , Spann Kirsten M. , Tarique Abdullah A. , Dargaville Tim R. , Will Geoffrey , Wahab Md Abdul , Islam Nazrul
Published: February 2023

The bactericidal effects of inhalable ciprofloxacin (CIP) loaded-poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) nanoparticles (NPs) with traces of zinc oxide (ZnO) were investigated against clinical strains of the respiratory pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CIP-loaded PEtOx NPs retained their bactericidal activity within the formulations compared to free CIP drugs against these two pathogens, and bactericidal effects were enhanced with the inclusion of ZnO. PEtOx polymer and ZnO NPs did not show bactericidal activity alone or in combination against these pathogens. The formulations were tested to determine the cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects on airway epithelial cells derived from healthy donors (NHBE), donors with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, DHBE), and a cell line derived from adults with cystic fibrosis (CFBE41o-) and macrophages from healthy adult controls (HCs), and those with either COPD or CF. NHBE cells demonstrated maximum cell viability (66%) against CIP-loaded PEtOx NPs with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 50.7 mg/mL. CIP-loaded PEtOx NPs were more toxic to epithelial cells from donors with respiratory diseases than NHBEs, with respective IC50 values of 0.103 mg/mL for DHBEs and 0.514 mg/mL for CFBE41o- cells. However, high concentrations of CIP-loaded PEtOx NPs were toxic to macrophages, with respective IC50 values of 0.002 mg/mL for HC macrophages and 0.021 mg/mL for CF-like macrophages. PEtOx NPs, ZnO NPs, and ZnO-PEtOx NPs with no drug were not cytotoxic to any cells investigated. The in vitro digestibility of PEtOx and its NPs was investigated in simulated lung fluid (SLF) (pH 7.4). The analysed samples were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Digestion of PEtOx NPs commenced one week following incubation and was completely digested after four weeks; however, the original PEtOx was not digested after six weeks of incubation. The outcome of this study revealed that PEtOx polymer could be considered an efficient drug delivery carrier in respiratory linings, and CIP-loaded PEtOx NPs with traces of ZnO could be a promising addition to inhalable treatments against resistant bacteria with reduced toxicity.
Draft Genome and Biological Characteristics of Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum Causing Black Rot in Gastrodia elata
Authors: Li Jinshao , He Ke , Zhang Qian , Wu Xiaoyi , Li Zhong , Pan Xuejun , Wang Yong , Li Cheng , Zhang Manman
Published: February 2023

Gastrodia elata is a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal plant. However, G. elata crops are affected by major diseases, such as brown rot. Previous studies have shown that brown rot is caused by Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani. To further understand the disease, we studied the biological and genome characteristics of these pathogenic fungi. Here, we found that the optimum growth temperature and pH of F. oxysporum (strain QK8) and F. solani (strain SX13) were 28 °C and pH 7, and 30 °C and pH 9, respectively. An indoor virulence test showed that oxime tebuconazole, tebuconazole, and tetramycin had significant bacteriostatic effects on the two Fusarium species. The genomes of QK8 and SX13 were assembled, and it was found that there was a certain gap in the size of the two fungi. The size of strain QK8 was 51,204,719 bp and that of strain SX13 was 55,171,989 bp. Afterwards, through phylogenetic analysis, it was found that strain QK8 was closely related to F. oxysporum, while strain SX13 was closely related to F. solani. Compared with the published whole-genome data for these two Fusarium strains, the genome information obtained here is more complete; the assembly and splicing reach the chromosome level. The biological characteristics and genomic information we provide here lay the foundation for further research on G. elata brown rot.
The Dual Roles of Triiodothyronine in Regulating the Morphology of Hair Cells and Supporting Cells during Critical Periods of Mouse Cochlear Development
Authors: Bai Xue , Xu Kai , Xie Le , Qiu Yue , Chen Sen , Sun Yu
Published: February 2023

Clinically, thyroid-related diseases such as endemic iodine deficiency and congenital hypothyroidism are associated with hearing loss, suggesting that thyroid hormones are essential for the development of normal hearing. Triiodothyronine (T3) is the main active form of thyroid hormone and its effect on the remodeling of the organ of Corti remain unclear. This study aims to explore the effect and mechanism of T3 on the remodeling of the organ of Corti and supporting cells development during early development. In this study, mice treated with T3 at postnatal (P) day 0 or P1 showed severe hearing loss with disordered stereocilia of the outer hair cells (OHCs) and impaired function of mechanoelectrical transduction of OHCs. In addition, we found that treatment with T3 at P0 or P1 resulted in the overproduction of Deiter-like cells. Compared with the control group, the transcription levels of Sox2 and notch pathway-related genes in the cochlea of the T3 group were significantly downregulated. Furthermore, Sox2-haploinsufficient mice treated with T3 not only showed excess numbers of Deiter-like cells but also a large number of ectopic outer pillar cells (OPCs). Our study provides new evidence for the dual roles of T3 in regulating both hair cells and supporting cell development, suggesting that it is possible to increase the reserve of supporting cells.
Platelets, Protean Cells with All-Around Functions and Multifaceted Pharmacological Applications
Authors: Puricelli Chiara , Boggio Elena , Gigliotti Casimiro Luca , Stoppa Ian , Sutti Salvatore , Giordano Mara , Dianzani Umberto , Rolla Roberta
Published: February 2023

Platelets, traditionally known for their roles in hemostasis and coagulation, are the most prevalent blood component after erythrocytes (150,000–400,000 platelets/μL in healthy humans). However, only 10,000 platelets/μL are needed for vessel wall repair and wound healing. Increased knowledge of the platelet’s role in hemostasis has led to many advances in understanding that they are crucial mediators in many other physiological processes, such as innate and adaptive immunity. Due to their multiple functions, platelet dysfunction is involved not only in thrombosis, mediating myocardial infarction, stroke, and venous thromboembolism, but also in several other disorders, such as tumors, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. On the other hand, thanks to their multiple functions, nowadays platelets are therapeutic targets in different pathologies, in addition to atherothrombotic diseases; they can be used as an innovative drug delivery system, and their derivatives, such as platelet lysates and platelet extracellular vesicles (pEVs), can be useful in regenerative medicine and many other fields. The protean role of platelets, from the name of Proteus, a Greek mythological divinity who could take on different shapes or aspects, is precisely the focus of this review.
Machilin D Promotes Apoptosis and Autophagy, and Inhibits Necroptosis in Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Yun Hyung-Mun , Kwon Yoon-Ju , Kim Eonmi , Chung Hea-Jong , Park Kyung-Ran
Published: February 2023

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for about 90% of all head and neck cancers, the prognosis is very poor, and there are no effective targeted therapies. Herein, we isolated Machilin D (Mach), a lignin, from the roots of Saururus chinensis (S. chinensis) and assessed its inhibitory effects on OSCC. Herein, Mach had significant cytotoxicity against human OSCC cells and showed inhibitory effects against cell adhesion, migration, and invasion by inhibiting adhesion molecules, including the FAK/Src pathway. Mach suppressed the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K pathway and MAPKs, leading to apoptotic cell death. We investigated other modes of programmed cell death in these cells and found that Mach increased LC3I/II and Beclin1 and decreased p62, leading to autophagosomes, and suppressed the necroptosis-regulatory proteins RIP1 and MLKL. Our findings provide evidence that the inhibitory effects of Mach against human YD-10B OSCC cells are related to the promotion of apoptosis and autophagy and inhibition of necroptosis and are mediated via focal adhesion molecules.
Low Dose of BPA Induces Liver Injury through Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Apoptosis in Long–Evans Lactating Rats and Its Perinatal Effect on Female PND6 Offspring
Authors: Linillos-Pradillo Beatriz , Rancan Lisa , Paredes Sergio D. , Schlumpf Margret , Lichtensteiger Walter , Vara Elena , Tresguerres Jesús Á. F.
Published: February 2023

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a phenolic compound used in plastics elaboration for food protection or packaging. BPA-monomers can be released into the food chain, resulting in continuous and ubiquitous low-dose human exposure. This exposure during prenatal development is especially critical and could lead to alterations in ontogeny of tissues increasing the risk of developing diseases in adulthood. The aim was to evaluate whether BPA administration (0.036 mg/kg b.w./day and 3.42 mg/kg b.w./day) to pregnant rats could induce liver injury by generating oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, and whether these effects may be observed in female postnatal day-6 (PND6) offspring. Antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GR, GPx and GST), glutathione system (GSH/GSSG) and lipid-DNA damage markers (MDA, LPO, NO, 8-OHdG) were measured using colorimetric methods. Inducers of oxidative stress (HO-1d, iNOS, eNOS), inflammation (IL-1β) and apoptosis (AIF, BAX, Bcl-2 and BCL-XL) were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting in liver of lactating dams and offspring. Hepatic serum markers and histology were performed. Low dose of BPA caused liver injury in lactating dams and had a perinatal effect in female PND6 offspring by increasing oxidative stress levels, triggering an inflammatory response and apoptosis pathways in the organ responsible for detoxification of this endocrine disruptor.
Assessment of sST2 Behaviors to Evaluate Severity/Clinical Impact of Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Petramala Luigi , Concistrè Antonio , Sarlo Francesca , Baroni Silvia , Suppa Marianna , Servello Adriana , Circosta Francesco , Galardo Gioacchino , Gandini Orietta , Marino Luca , Cavallaro Giuseppe , Iannucci Gino , Letizia Claudio
Published: February 2023

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening disorder. Beyond its usefulness in the prognostic stratification of heart failure, sST2 can represent a biomarker with high utility in several acute conditions. Our study was aimed to investigate whether sST2 can be used as a clinical marker of severity and prognostic outcome in acute PE. We enrolled 72 patients with documented PE and 38 healthy subjects; we measured the plasma concentrations of sST2 to evaluate the prognostic and severity performance of different levels of sST2 according to its association with the pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) score and several parameters of respiratory function. PE patients had significantly higher levels of sST2 compared with healthy subjects (87.74 ± 17.1 vs. 17.1 ± 0.4 ng/mL, p < 0.001); we found higher PESI scores and serum lactate values in the group of patients with sST2 > 35 ng/mL compared with patients with sST2 < 35 ng/mL (138.7 ± 14.9 vs. 103.7 ± 15.1 and 2.43 ± 0.69 vs. 1.025 ± 0.05 mmol/L, respectively; p < 0.05). Patients with sST2 > 35 ng/mL showed higher radiological severity of PE compared with patients with sST2 < 35 ng/mL. Moreover, sST2 was the strongest parameter with a discriminative capacity for the development of acute respiratory failure and a PESI score >106 with respect to C reactive protein (CRP), creatinine, d-dimer, and serum lactate. We clearly demonstrated that sST2 significantly increased in PE and that its elevation was associated with disease severity. Therefore, sST2 may be used as a clinical marker in the evaluation of PE severity. However, further studies with larger patient populations are required to confirm these findings.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell-Derived Exosomal miR-21-5p Induces Macrophage M2 Polarization by Targeting RhoB
Authors: Yu Haiyang , Pan Jing , Zheng Siyue , Cai Deyang , Luo Aixiang , Xia Zanxian , Huang Jufang
Published: February 2023

M2-like polarized tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the major component of infiltrating immune cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which have been proved to exhibit significant immunosuppressive and pro-tumoral effects. However, the underlying mechanism of the tumor microenvironment (TME) educating TAMs to express M2-like phenotypes is still not fully understood. Here, we report that HCC-derived exosomes are involved in intercellular communications and exhibit a greater capacity to mediate TAMs’ phenotypic differentiation. In our study, HCC cell-derived exosomes were collected and used to treat THP-1 cells in vitro. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results showed that the exosomes significantly promoted THP-1 macrophages to differentiate into M2-like macrophages, which have a high production of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukin (IL)-10. The analysis of bioinformatics indicated that exosomal miR-21-5p is closely related to TAM differentiation and is associated with unfavorable prognosis in HCC. Overexpressing miR-21-5p in human monocyte-derived leukemia (THP-1) cells induced down-regulation of IL-1β levels; however, it enhanced production of IL-10 and promoted the malignant growth of HCC cells in vitro. A reporter assay confirmed that miR-21-5p directly targeted Ras homolog family member B (RhoB) 3′-untranslatedregion (UTR) in THP-1 cells. Downregulated RhoB levels in THP-1 cells would weaken mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) axis signaling pathways. Taken together, tumor-derived miR-21-5p promote the malignant advance of HCC, which mediated intercellular crosstalk between tumor cells and macrophages. Targeting M2-like TAMs and intercepting their associated signaling pathways would provide potentially specific and novel therapeutic approaches for HCC treatment.
Transcriptomic Analyses of Brains of RBM8A Conditional Knockout Mice at Different Developmental Stages Reveal Conserved Signaling Pathways Contributing to Neurodevelopmental Diseases
Authors: McSweeney Colleen , Chen Miranda , Dong Fengping , Sebastian Aswathy , Reynolds Derrick James , Mott Jennifer , Pei Zifei , Zou Jizhong , Shi Yongsheng , Mao Yingwei
Published: February 2023

RNA-binding motif 8A (RBM8A) is a core component of the exon junction complex (EJC) that binds pre-mRNAs and regulates their splicing, transport, translation, and nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). Dysfunction in the core proteins has been linked to several detriments in brain development and neuropsychiatric diseases. To understand the functional role of Rbm8a in brain development, we have generated brain-specific Rbm8a knockout mice and used next-generation RNA-sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in mice with heterozygous, conditional knockout (cKO) of Rbm8a in the brain at postnatal day 17 (P17) and at embryonic day 12. Additionally, we analyzed enriched gene clusters and signaling pathways within the DEGs. At the P17 time point, between the control and cKO mice, about 251 significant DEGs were identified. At E12, only 25 DEGs were identified in the hindbrain samples. Bioinformatics analyses have revealed many signaling pathways related to the central nervous system (CNS). When E12 and P17 results were compared, three DEGs, Spp1, Gpnmb, and Top2a, appeared to peak at different developmental time points in the Rbm8a cKO mice. Enrichment analyses suggested altered activity in pathways affecting cellular proliferation, differentiation, and survival. The results support the hypothesis that loss of Rbm8a causes decreased cellular proliferation, increased apoptosis, and early differentiation of neuronal subtypes, which may lead ultimately to an altered neuronal subtype composition in the brain.
Update on the Pathogenesis of the Hirschsprung-Associated Enterocolitis
Authors: Li Shuai , Zhang Yichun , Li Kang , Liu Yuan , Chi Shuiqing , Wang Yong , Tang Shaotao
Published: February 2023

Despite the significant progress that has been made in terms of understanding the pathophysiology and risk factors of Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC), the morbidity rate has remained unsatisfactorily stable, and clinical management of the condition continues to be challenging. Therefore, in the present literature review, we summarized the up-to-date advances that have been made regarding basic research on the pathogenesis of HAEC. Original articles published between August 2013 and October 2022 were searched in a number of databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The keywords “Hirschsprung enterocolitis”, “Hirschsprung’s enterocolitis”, “Hirschsprung’s-associated enterocolitis”, and “Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis” were selected and reviewed. A total of 50 eligible articles were obtained. The latest findings of these research articles were grouped into gene, microbiome, barrier function, enteric nervous system, and immune state categories. The present review concludes that HAEC is shown to be a multifactorial clinical syndrome. Only deep insights into this syndrome, with an accrual of knowledge in terms of understanding its pathogenesis, will elicit the necessary changes that are required for managing this disease.
Gut-Microbiota Dysbiosis in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats with Diet-Induced Steatohepatitis
Authors: Kanezawa Shini , Moriyama Mitsuhiko , Kanda Tatsuo , Fukushima Akiko , Masuzaki Ryota , Sasaki-Tanaka Reina , Tsunemi Akiko , Ueno Takahiro , Fukuda Noboru , Kogure Hirofumi
Published: February 2023

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty-liver disease (MAFLD) is the principal worldwide cause of liver disease. Individuals with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have a higher prevalence of small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). We examined gut-microbiota isolated from 12-week-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive-5 rats (SHRSP5) fed on a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat- and high-cholesterol-containing diet (HFCD) and clarified the differences between their gut-microbiota. We observed that the Firmicute/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio in both the small intestines and the feces of the SHRSP5 rats fed HFCD increased compared to that of the SHRSP5 rats fed ND. Notably, the quantities of the 16S rRNA genes in small intestines of the SHRSP5 rats fed HFCD were significantly lower than those of the SHRSP5 rats fed ND. As in SIBO syndrome, the SHRSP5 rats fed HFCD presented with diarrhea and body-weight loss with abnormal types of bacteria in the small intestine, although the number of bacteria in the small intestine did not increase. The microbiota of the feces in the SHRSP5 rats fed HFCD was different from those in the SHRP5 rats fed ND. In conclusion, there is an association between MAFLD and gut-microbiota alteration. Gut-microbiota alteration may be a therapeutic target for MAFLD.
Radiogenomics in Renal Cancer Management—Current Evidence and Future Prospects
Authors: Ferro Matteo , Musi Gennaro , Marchioni Michele , Maggi Martina , Veccia Alessandro , Del Giudice Francesco , Barone Biagio , Crocetto Felice , Lasorsa Francesco , Antonelli Alessandro , Schips Luigi , Autorino Riccardo , Busetto Gian Maria , Terracciano Daniela , Lucarelli Giuseppe , Tataru Octavian Sabin
Published: February 2023

Renal cancer management is challenging from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up. In cases of small renal masses and cystic lesions the differential diagnosis of benign or malignant tissues has potential pitfalls when imaging or even renal biopsy is applied. The recent artificial intelligence, imaging techniques, and genomics advancements have the ability to help clinicians set the stratification risk, treatment selection, follow-up strategy, and prognosis of the disease. The combination of radiomics features and genomics data has achieved good results but is currently limited by the retrospective design and the small number of patients included in clinical trials. The road ahead for radiogenomics is open to new, well-designed prospective studies, with large cohorts of patients required to validate previously obtained results and enter clinical practice.
Engineering Challenges for Safe and Sustainable Underground Occupation
Authors: Cavalcanti Maria do Carmo Reis , Nahas Ribeiro Wagner , Cabral dos Santos Junior Marcelo
Published: February 2023

Shallow tunnels induce surface displacements which can cause damage to existing structures; an adequate evaluation of their settlement trough is of paramount importance. Nowadays, it becomes even more critical when dealing with an underground occupation where the green stress field has already been disturbed by previous excavations. Since the end of the last century, many researchers have explored the subject. Some empirical methodologies have been developed based on data from actual cases, sometimes associated with numerical analysis. The present work used plane strain numerical analysis of different geometric arrangements of side-by-side twin tunnels for different depths and distances between tunnel axes to evaluate its compatibility with some of the proposed methods to adjust the settlement profile of the second cavity. It was observed that the discussed methodologies have similar results for maximum settlement and its eccentricity. Nevertheless, the behavior of the trough width parameter from the semi-empirical methods has shown discrepancies.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of IoT in 2022
Authors: IoT Editorial Office IoT
Published: February 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Prevalence and Characteristics of Inspiration-Induced Negative Left Atrial Pressure during Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: Ikoma Takenori , Naruse Yoshihisa , Kaneko Yutaro , Sakakibara Tomoaki , Narumi Taro , Sano Makoto , Mogi Satoshi , Suwa Kenichiro , Ohtani Hayato , Saotome Masao , Urushida Tsuyoshi , Maekawa Yuichiro
Published: February 2023

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is performed under deep sedation, which may cause inspiration-induced negative left atrial pressure (INLAP) associated with deep inspiration. INLAP could be the cause of periprocedural complications. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 381 patients with AF (mean age, 63.9 ± 10.8 years; 76 women; 216 cases of paroxysmal AF) who underwent CA under deep sedation using an adaptive servo ventilator (ASV). Patients whose LAP was not obtained were excluded. INLAP was defined as <0 mmHg of mean LAP during inspiration immediately after the transseptal puncture. The primary and secondary endpoints were the presence of INLAP and the incidence of periprocedural complications. Results: Among 381 patients, INLAP was observed in 133 (34.9%). Patients with INLAP had higher CHA2DS2-Vasc scores (2.3 ± 1.5 vs. 2.1 ± 1.6) and 3% oxygen desaturation indexes (median 18.6 (interquartile range 11.2–31.1) vs. 15.7 (8.1–25.3)), and higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (23.3 vs. 13.3%) than patients without INLAP. Air embolism occurred in four patients with INLAP (3.0 vs. 0.0%). Conclusion: INLAP is not rare in patients undergoing CA for AF under deep sedation with ASV. Much attention should be paid to the possibility of air embolism in patients with INLAP.
Applications of LiDAR in Agriculture and Future Research Directions
Authors: Debnath Sourabhi , Paul Manoranjan , Debnath Tanmoy
Published: February 2023

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors have accrued an ever-increasing presence in the agricultural sector due to their non-destructive mode of capturing data. LiDAR sensors emit pulsed light waves that return to the sensor upon bouncing off surrounding objects. The distances that the pulses travel are calculated by measuring the time for all pulses to return to the source. There are many reported applications of the data obtained from LiDAR in agricultural sectors. LiDAR sensors are widely used to measure agricultural landscaping and topography and the structural characteristics of trees such as leaf area index and canopy volume; they are also used for crop biomass estimation, phenotype characterisation, crop growth, etc. A LiDAR-based system and LiDAR data can also be used to measure spray drift and detect soil properties. It has also been proposed in the literature that crop damage detection and yield prediction can also be obtained with LiDAR data. This review focuses on different LiDAR-based system applications and data obtained from LiDAR in agricultural sectors. Comparisons of aspects of LiDAR data in different agricultural applications are also provided. Furthermore, future research directions based on this emerging technology are also presented in this review.
Effects of UVR on Photosynthesis in Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh Adapted to Different Nitrogen Levels
Authors: Xu Zhiguang , Jiang Xiaotong , Li Baoqi , Lv Zhengzheng , Wu Hongyan , Zang Shasha , Yan Fang , Bao Menglin
Published: February 2023

In recent years, golden tides caused by drifting Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh have caused serious ecological disasters in coastal areas of China. Eutrophication is an important cause of the formation of the golden tide. Additionally, the drifting population on the surface of the ocean is exposed to more ultraviolet radiation (UVR) than the attached population on the sea floor. In this study, the thalli of S. horneri were cultivated under two levels of nitrogen (LN: natural seawater, in which the concentration of NO3−-N was 1 µmol L−1; HN: NO3−-enriched seawater, in which the concentration of NO3−-N was 200 μmol L−1) for 6 days with low photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and then exposed to three levels of radiation (P: photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), 400–700 nm; PA: PAR + UVA, 320–700 nm; PAB: PAR + UVA + UVB, 280–700 nm) under each level of nitrogen for 2 h to investigate the effects of high UVR and nitrogen on photosynthesis. The results showed that the high level of N (HN) only enhanced the synthesis of pigments after 6 days of pre-cultivation under low PAR. After 2 h of high UVR exposure, high P, PA, and PB decreased the maximum photochemical quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and increased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in S. horneri regardless of the N level, and PAB significantly decreased Fv/Fm compared to PA under the LN condition alone. Under the LN condition, compared to the P group, PA and PAB significantly promoted the synthesis of carotenoids. Under the HN condition, compared to the P group, PAB increased the absorbed flux by active RCs (ABS/RC) and dissipated the energy flux by active RCs (DI0/RC) in S. horneri alone. Furthermore, HN increased Fv/Fm, ABS/RC, and DI0/RC more in S. horneri with PAB in comparison to those in the LN and PAB group. However, no significant differences in these parameters were observed between the LN and HN conditions under the same UVR treatments. These results demonstrate that drifting S. horneri on the surface of seawater could be inhibited by the high P; however, S. horneri living in eutrophic high-nitrogen seawater may have a stronger ability to resist high UVR damage, especially with regard to PAB radiation, which may be one of the reasons for the formation of golden tides in coastal seawater.
Cause of Double-Peak Spectrum in Hyuga-Nada by the HF Radar
Authors: Tokashiki Yudai , Fujii Satoshi
Published: February 2023

High-frequency (HF) radar is a land-based instrument that can observe the radial distribution of oceanographic information, such as surface currents, wave heights, and wind directions. The first-order echo peak of the Doppler spectrum is often splits in this observation, and the levels of the split peaks are of approximately the same magnitude. We call this the double-peak spectrum. Because such a spectral shape may affect the derivation of oceanographic information, we examined the factors that cause double-peak spectra. The Kuroshio Current flows near the observation area of this study’s radar, which may have caused the double-peak spectrum. By mapping the spatial distribution of the double-peak spectra, we found areas in which the double-peak spectra occur relatively often at each radar station. The area of high vorticity ahead of the northeastward Kuroshio Current coincided with the area in which the double-peak spectra occurred, indicating the complexity of the currents occurring there; furthermore, more than two current velocity patterns can be mapped. These results show that the distance and directional continuity of the double-peak spectra can be used to calculate the flow-changing region with better spatial resolution.
Research on Bearing Characteristics of Gravity Anchor in Clay
Authors: Yu Jianxing , Liu Pengfei , Yu Yang , Liu Xin , Li Haoda , Sun Ruoke , Zong Xuyang
Published: February 2023

The applications and studies of gravity anchors in the ocean are becoming more and more extensive. Most of the research, however, has been directed toward the bearing properties of sand. Relatively less attention has been paid to the bearing properties of gravity anchors in clay. Clay is widely distributed on the seabed. The research on the bearing capacity of gravity anchors in clay is of great significance for offshore oil exploitation. Therefore, the gravity anchor was investigated by conducting reduced-scale model tests, and the bearing process of gravity anchors in clay was simulated through a 3D finite element method. Model tests and numerical simulations were used to determine the capacity curve and the V-H failure envelope of gravity anchors in clay. The simulation results and the test results are in good agreement. The failure form of the gravity anchor in clay was revealed by 3D finite element analysis. The effect of cohesion, internal friction angle, and mooring point height on bearing capacity have been studied. The influence of the height of the mooring point on the V-H failure envelope curve was explored by changing the height of the mooring point. The formula of the V-H failure envelope curve suitable for different mooring point heights was obtained.
Cold Dome Affects Mesozooplankton Communities during the Southwest Monsoon Period in the Southeast East China Sea
Authors: Wang Yan-Guo , Tseng Li-Chun , Chen Xiao-Yin , Sun Rou-Xin , Xiang Peng , Xing Bing-Peng , Wang Chun-Guang , Hwang Jiang-Shiou
Published: February 2023

In order to better understand the cold dome influence on zooplankton community structure, zooplankton samples were collected during the southwest monsoon prevailing period from the southeast waters of the East China Sea. To reduce the bias caused by different sampling months, the samples were collected in June 2018 and in June 2019. An obvious cold dome activity was proven by images of remote sensing satellites during the June 2018 cruise. In contrast, the research area was much affected by open sea high temperature and water masses during the June 2019 cruise. Significant differences in water conditions were demonstrated by surface seawater temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen concentrations between the two cruises. Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed concerning mesozooplankton in general, copepods, large crustaceans, other crustaceans, and pelagic molluscs between the June 2018 and June 2019 cruises. However, the mean abundance of gelatinous plankton was significantly different with 1213.08 ± 850.46 (ind./m3) and 2955.93 ± 1904.42 (ind./m3) in June 2018 and June 2019, respectively. Noteworthy, a significantly lower mean abundance of meroplankton, with 60.78 ± 47.32 (ind./m3), was identified in June 2018 compared to 464.45 ± 292.80 (ind./m3) in June 2019. Pearson’s correlation analysis also showed a highly positive correlation of gelatinous plankton and meroplankton with sea surface temperature (p < 0.01). The variation of salinity showed a significant negative correlation with gelatinous plankton abundance (p < 0.05), and a highly significant negative correlation with the abundance of meroplankton (p < 0.01). Only the abundance of meroplankton showed a positive correlation with dissolved oxygen concentrations (p < 0.05). The copepod communities were separated in two groups which were consistent with sampling cruises in 2018 and 2019. Based on the specificity and occupancy of copepods, Macrosetella gracilis, Oithona rigida, Cosmocalanus darwinii, Paracalanus parvus, and Calocalanus pavo were selected as indicator species for the cold dome effect in the study area during June 2018, whereas the indicator species of warm water impact in the open sea were Calanopia elliptica, Subeucalanus pileatus, Paracalanus aculeatus, and Acrocalanus gibber during the June 2019 cruise.
A Data-Driven Intelligent Prediction Approach for Collision Responses of Honeycomb Reinforced Pipe Pile of the Offshore Platform
Authors: Yang Lei , Lin Hong , Han Chang , Karampour Hassan , Luan Haochen , Han Pingping , Xu Hao , Zhang Shuo
Published: February 2023

The potential collision between the ship and the pipe piles of the jacket structure brings huge risks to the safety of an offshore platform. Due to their high energy-absorbing capacity, honeycomb structures have been widely used as impact protectors in various engineering applications. This paper proposes a data-driven intelligent approach for the prediction of the collision response of honeycomb-reinforced structures under ship collision. In the proposed model, the artificial neural network (ANN) is combined with the dynamic particle swarm optimization (DPSO) algorithm to predict the collision responses of honeycomb reinforced pipe piles, including the maximum collision depth (δmax) and maximum absorption energy (Emax). Furthermore, a data-driven evaluation method, known as grey relational analysis (GRA), is proposed to evaluate the collision responses of the honeycomb-reinforced pipe piles of offshore platforms. Results of the case study demonstrate the accuracy of the DPSO-BP-ANN model, with measured mean-square-error (MSE) of 5.06 × 10−4 and 4.35 × 10−3 and R2 of 0.9906 and 0.9963 for δmax and Emax, respectively. It is shown that the GRA method can provide a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of a honeycomb structure under impact loads. The proposed model provides a robust and efficient assessment tool for the safe design of offshore platforms under ship collisions.
A Multi-Beam Seafloor Constant False Alarm Detection Method Based on Weighted Element Averaging
Authors: Wang Jian , Li Haisen , Huo Guanying , Li Chao , Wei Yuhang
Published: February 2023

Due to the influence of environmental noise, sidelobe data, and tunnel emission under the background of multi-background underwater surveying and mapping, it is challenging to detect seafloor terrain in the background noise. Constant false alarm detection of seafloor terrain under the condition of constant false alarm probability has been an important research field. The constant false alarm detection can eliminate noise interference in a water body in the seabed topography mapping process and provide clear and accurate seabed topography information. Therefore, it is a challenging task to increase the detection probability, reduce the missing probability, and increase the detection speed in constant false alarm detection methods. Aiming at the shortcomings of the existing algorithms, this paper proposes an efficient weighted cell averaged constant false alarm detection method (WCA-CFAR). First, the cross-window reference unit sampling method is used to improve the detection speed and accurately sample the background noise unit. Then, the reference unit weighted average constant false alarm detection method is employed to calculate the detection threshold to achieve the purpose of target detection. The proposed method is verified by the simulation data detection test and a test on the actual lake test data. The test results show that the proposed method can effectively reduce the missing detection probability and improve the detection probability.
Diversity of Microbial Communities Associated with Epilithic Macroalgae in Different Coral Reef Conditions and Damselfish Territories of the Gulf of Thailand
Authors: Titioatchasai Jatdilok , Surachat Komwit , Kim Jeong Ha , Mayakun Jaruwan
Published: February 2023

Reef degradation and algae-farming fish alter the structures and compositions of coral-algal-microbial communities. We collected epilithic macroalgae in different reef conditions and damselfish territories. The microbial communities were characterized by subjecting the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene to amplicon sequencing. Metagenomic analysis revealed 2 domains, 51 phyla, 112 orders, and 238 families and the dominance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota in both fair and degraded reefs inside and outside territories. Chloroflexi on the degraded reef was dominant and its proportion was almost two and a half times compared to the fair reef, whereas Cyanobacteria was low on the degraded reef. Bacteroidota was dominant on the fair reef, whereas Actinobacteriota was scarce on this reef. For the damselfish territories, Chloroflexi was dominant inside the territory, whereas Bacteroidetes were found outside the territory. Differences in the microbial species diversity and richness were not apparent between all sites; however, species evenness was higher on the degraded reef condition and lower outside the territory. Important potential pathogens of reef organisms, such as Vibrio, Photobacterium, and Phormidium, were found on the degraded reef areas inside the damselfish territory. The farming behaviors of damselfish influenced microbial communities by changing the epilithic algal matrix that harbors many microbial communities. This study provides useful information on microbial biota in coral reef habitats which is further applicable to reef conservation and coastal management.
Visual Odometry-Based Robust Control for an Unmanned Surface Vehicle under Waves and Currents in a Urban Waterway
Authors: Cortes-Vega David , Alazki Hussain , Rullan-Lara Jose Luis
Published: February 2023

This paper proposes the study of a robust control scheme for an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) in a urban waterway using Visual Odometry (VO) for position estimation of the vehicle instead of traditional sensors. For different applications, a USV is required to operate in autonomous navigation mode and under various disturbances inherent to its environment as currents and waves. To achieve efficient operation, a robust control scheme is required to cope with such disturbances. The autonomous navigation is achieved by using VO to estimate the vehicle’s position for denied Global Positioning Systems (GPS) environments. A robust control scheme based on Sliding Modes (SM) control theory is designed and its convergence is guaranteed by means of Lyapunov analysis. The tracking capabilities under disturbance conditions using VO for position estimation are verified in simulation using the virtual world tool from Matlab and Simulink.
Stylized Facts of the FOMC’s Longer-Run Forecasts
Authors: Marquez Jaime
Published: February 2023

Conventional explanations of monetary policy decisions in the United States assume that the longer-run Federal funds rate is determined by a representative central banker (i.e., the Fed) using longer-term forecasts of economic activity and unemployment. This assumption is inconsistent with the federalist structure of the Federal Reserve in which the Federal funds rate is determined by a committee made up of the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Banks. This inconsistency would be irrelevant if differences in the Fed participants’ longer-run projections were small or constant, but they are not: disparities in these longer-run projections are large and volatile. This finding raises several questions: Are FOMC participants relying on the same forecasting framework (i.e., model or rules of thumb) but using different values for the forecast drivers? Or are these participants using the same forecast drivers but relying on different frameworks?
A Study on Pedestrians’ Satisfaction and Preferences for Green Patterns according to the Sidewalk Width Using VR: The Case of Seoul, South Korea
Authors: Park Saekyung , Kwon Youngsang
Published: February 2023

Pedestrian-friendly cities are gaining traction worldwide. This study focused on sidewalk width and green space designs that comprise the walking environment. This study examined uniform planting patterns made without considering the width of the sidewalk and derived an appropriate green area pattern created according to the width of the sidewalk. We conducted a survey using virtual reality, satisfaction and preference review, and multilinear regression analysis. The results showed that ensuring safety through planting on a narrow sidewalk with a width of less than 3 m and 3 m to 5 m had a higher effect on satisfaction, while places with sufficient shade environments had an effect on overall satisfaction for a sidewalk width of 5 m to 8 m or more. The green spots were not quite preferred; on the contrary, there was a popular opinion that many green spots felt stuffy. This study is meaningful in that it identified the reason for appropriate planting plans, according to the width of the sidewalk, by applying the changing traffic paradigm, and conducted the study from the perspective of pedestrians. In addition, this study demonstrated the possibility of using virtual reality in the planning of smart cities, by applying a new research methodology using VR to visualize tasks that are difficult to perform in reality.