bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Mitochondrial Dynamics and Mitotic Fission in Regulating the Cell Cycle in Cancer and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Implications for Dynamin-Related Protein 1 and Mitofusin2 in Hyperproliferative Diseases
Authors: Colpman Pierce , Dasgupta Asish , Archer Stephen L.
Published: July 2023

Mitochondria, which generate ATP through aerobic respiration, also have important noncanonical functions. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles, that engage in fission (division), fusion (joining) and translocation. They also regulate intracellular calcium homeostasis, serve as oxygen-sensors, regulate inflammation, participate in cellular and organellar quality control and regulate the cell cycle. Mitochondrial fission is mediated by the large GTPase, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) which, when activated, translocates to the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) where it interacts with binding proteins (Fis1, MFF, MiD49 and MiD51). At a site demarcated by the endoplasmic reticulum, fission proteins create a macromolecular ring that divides the organelle. The functional consequence of fission is contextual. Physiological fission in healthy, nonproliferating cells mediates organellar quality control, eliminating dysfunctional portions of the mitochondria via mitophagy. Pathological fission in somatic cells generates reactive oxygen species and triggers cell death. In dividing cells, Drp1-mediated mitotic fission is critical to cell cycle progression, ensuring that daughter cells receive equitable distribution of mitochondria. Mitochondrial fusion is regulated by the large GTPases mitofusin-1 (Mfn1) and mitofusin-2 (Mfn2), which fuse the OMM, and optic atrophy 1 (OPA-1), which fuses the inner mitochondrial membrane. Mitochondrial fusion mediates complementation, an important mitochondrial quality control mechanism. Fusion also favors oxidative metabolism, intracellular calcium homeostasis and inhibits cell proliferation. Mitochondrial lipids, cardiolipin and phosphatidic acid, also regulate fission and fusion, respectively. Here we review the role of mitochondrial dynamics in health and disease and discuss emerging concepts in the field, such as the role of central versus peripheral fission and the potential role of dynamin 2 (DNM2) as a fission mediator. In hyperproliferative diseases, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and cancer, Drp1 and its binding partners are upregulated and activated, positing mitochondrial fission as an emerging therapeutic target.
Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-Based Long-Term Streamflow Forecasting Models Using Climate Indices for Three Tributaries of Goulburn River, Australia
Authors: Oad Shamotra , Imteaz Monzur Alam , Mekanik Fatemeh
Published: July 2023

Water resources systems planning, and control are significantly influenced by streamflow forecasting. The streamflow in northern and north-central regions of Victoria (Australia) is influenced by different climate indices, such as El Niño Southern Oscillation, Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and Indian Ocean Dipole. This paper presents the development of the ANN model using machine learning with the multi-layer perceptron and Levenberg algorithm for long-term streamflow forecasting for three tributaries of Goulburn River located within Victoria through establishing relationships between climate indices and streamflow. The climate indices were used as input predictors and the models’ performances were analyzed through best fit correlation. The higher correlation values of the developed models evident from Pearson regression (R) values ranging from 0.61 to 0.95 reveal the models’ acceptability. The accuracies of ANN models were evaluated using statistical measures such as Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). It is found that considering R, RMSE, MAE and MAPE values, the ENSO has more influence (61% to 95%) on the streamflow of Goulburn River tributaries than other climate drivers. Moreover, it is concluded that Acheron ANN models are the best models that can be confidently used to forecast the streamflow even six-months ahead.
Effect of Zn on Phase Evolution and Shear Resistance of Stainless Steel and Aluminum Alloy Interface by Laser Cladding
Authors: Wang Keyan , Yin Xianqing , Li Chengxin , Du Kaiping
Published: July 2023

The connection between aluminum and iron alloys is of immense significance in the pursuit of lightweight industrial products. However, the Fe-Al interface’s inherent weakness restricts its widespread application. This study investigates the impact of Zn at the interface of Al-Fe laser cladding on the phase and mechanical properties of the interface. Specifically, we examine the influence of the applied Zn powder layer and alloying Zn layer on the morphology of the Fe-based cladding layer. The inclusion of Zn enhances the spreadability of the Fe-based cladding layer. Additionally, we elucidate the effect of Zn on the composition and phase of the Fe-Al laser cladding interface. Notably, the affinity between Zn and the η phase surpasses that of the θ phase, and an increased Zn content significantly thickens the η phase. Shear tests reveal that the failure mode of shear fracture encompasses both brittle and ductile fractures. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that Zn has a limited effect on the strength of the η phase but reduces the enthalpy of formation of the η phase. Our findings demonstrate that the alloyed Zn layer initially facilitates the formation of a continuous and uniform η layer, while an increased Zn content enhances and stabilizes the shear strength of the interface.
Secondary Phase CeO2 Precipitates in Ce,Er-Doped Na0.5La0.5MoO4 Single Crystals Grown by Czochralski Method
Authors: Suvorova Elena I. , Subbotin Kirill A. , Lis Denis A. , Zharikov Evgeny V. , Buffat Philippe A.
Published: July 2023

Analytical scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the microstructure of Ce,Er-doped Na0.5La0.5MoO4 laser crystals. Crystals were grown by the Czochralski method from the melts with a nominal composition of Na0.5La0.5−xCexEr0.005MoO4, where x = 0.125 and 0.15, then annealed at 700 and 1000 °C in the oxidizing atmosphere. We found the secondary phase precipitation of Ce2O3 oxide in as-grown crystals, while after high-temperature annealing the CeO2 precipitated crystals are always observed. Impurity ions Ce3+ occupy the La sites, and approximately 20% of the nominal Ce content is involved in the formation of Ce oxide secondary phase precipitates. The length of CeO2 precipitated crystals ranged between 100 nm and 550 nm (average length was 200 nm) and their width was 30–70 nm. The mechanism of CeO2 formation is discussed. The orientation relationships of Na0.5La0.5−xCexEr0.005MoO4/CeO2, the degree of coherence of the interface, and the preferential directions of their growth in the matrix were established. CeO2 crystals precipitated in the matrix cause light scattering with a wavelength comparable to the size of the precipitates and lead to deterioration of optical transparency of the material.
CDX2- and PAX8-Expressing Subtypes in Female Urethral Adenocarcinoma: Pathogenesis Insights through Immunohistochemical and Morphological Analyses
Authors: Sugawara Emiko , Shigematsu Yasuyuki , Amori Gulanbar , Sugita Keisuke , Yonese Junji , Takeuchi Kengo , Inamura Kentaro
Published: July 2023

Female urethral adenocarcinoma has attracted attention as a rare tumor type based on its differential pathogenesis from its male counterpart. However, to date, our knowledge concerning its immunohistochemical and morphological characteristics remains limited due to the small number of cases studied. In this study, nine consecutive cases of female urethral adenocarcinoma were used for immunohistochemical and morphological characterization of the tumor based on semi-comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis and detailed morphological evaluations. Our immunohistochemical assay revealed two subtypes of female urethral adenocarcinoma with distinctive staining patterns: the CDX2- and PAX8-expressing subtypes. The former stained positive for other intestinal markers (e.g., HNF4α and TFF1) as well (7 of 7 cases); the latter stained negative for these intestinal markers (0 of 2 cases) but stained positive for clear cell carcinoma markers (e.g., Napsin A and HNF1β) (2 of 2 cases). Regarding cytokeratins, the former displayed a CK7- and CK20-positive immunoprofile (7 of 7 cases); the latter exhibited a CK7-positive and CK20-negative immunoprofile (2 of 2 cases). Morphologically, CDX2- and PAX8-expressing subtypes resembled intestinal-type adenocarcinoma and clear cell carcinoma (occurring in gynecological organs), respectively. The semi-comprehensive immunoprofiling data presented in this study can potentially contribute to the correct diagnosis of this rare tumor type. Finally, our study represents an important basis for future investigations aiming to further elucidate the details and origin of female urethral adenocarcinoma, and it can potentially contribute to developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for treating this malignancy.
A Novel Piezoelectric-Assisted Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment: A Prospective Case Series
Authors: Rotundo Roberto , Marini Lorenzo , Carere Mauro , Trezza Cinzia , Marras Giovanni , Nieri Michele , Pilloni Andrea
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a non-surgical periodontal treatment using a piezoelectric power-driven device with a novel insert. Plaque index (PlI), bleeding on probing (BoP), probing depth (PD), recession depth (Rec) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Furthermore, tooth mobility and furcation involvement were recorded and chewing discomfort and dental hypersensitivity were evaluated. Eighteen stage I to IV periodontitis patients providing 437 teeth and 2622 sites in total were analyzed. At six weeks, CAL gain (0.4; p < 0.0001), PD reduction (0.4; p < 0.0001) and Rec increase (0.1; p = 0.0029) were statistically significant. Similarly, the mean number of sites with PD > 4 mm and absence of BoP significantly decreased between baseline and 6 weeks (−12.7; p < 0.0001). At this time point, the patient’s chewing discomfort was also significantly diminished (1.4; p = 0.0172). Conversely, no statistically significant changes were observed between 6 weeks and 3 months and between 3 months and 6 months for any of the clinical variables evaluated. In conclusion, within the limitation of this study, mechanical piezo-assisted non-surgical periodontal treatment in conjunction with an innovative tip resulted significantly efficacious to reduce pathological periodontal pockets, to gain clinical attachment and to reduce gingival inflammation.
Career Trajectories of Higher Education Graduates: Impact of Soft Skills
Authors: Ibourk Aomar , El Aynaoui Karim
Published: July 2023

The labor market can be a daunting place for young graduates; this paper aims to shed light on how they navigate it. By examining the ways in which they enter the workforce and the impact of individual and socioeconomic factors on their career paths, we gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they face. We use a two-stage approach to study this issue: first, we create a typology of graduates’ integration paths and then estimate the likelihood of following a specific trajectory through multinomial logit analysis. Our findings reveal a diverse range of professional journeys, with graduates from open-access institutions facing higher rates of unemployment and continuing their studies, and women experiencing more precarious situations. This study stands out in the literature in several ways. Unlike previous research on the topic, we develop an index of soft skills that incorporates multiple dimensions. Additionally, we use individual data from a regional survey conducted by ANAPEC, making this the first study of its kind for Morocco. The results of our study can inform our understanding of the importance of soft skills for youth employability and the need for training policies in a rapidly changing job market. In terms of employment policy, our findings on the intertwining of first-time and long-term unemployment among higher education graduates suggest the need for a comprehensive strategy that focuses on the organization of the initial integration phase. To achieve this, the efforts of Career Centers must be broadened, consolidated, and evaluated.
Research on the Development of Equitable Education in China from the Human Capability Perspective
Authors: Li Mingmei , Liu Min , Wang Hejia , Hong Xiaohan , Wang Chen
Published: July 2023

“Capability” is an important conceptual tool for addressing educational inequity (EI). This paper analyzes the existing limitations of developing educational equity in China from the human capital perspective and proposes the human capability approach as a way to improve it. This paper begins by a policy review on China’s education equity measures, revealing a troubling emphasis on resources allocation and a “top-down” governance. In response, we propose an actionable research approach as a means to improve multi-stakeholder collaboration in educational equity reform and to further the development of student capabilities. The study also presents a case study to illustrate the process of using “capability” and actionable research methods to promote educational equity, demonstrating the necessity and effectiveness. We also note that education inequality is a delicate and complicated topic that requires joint, flexible and innovative efforts.
The Task-Based Approach to Teaching Critical Thinking for Computer Science Students
Authors: Mäkiö Elena , Mäkiö Juho
Published: July 2023

Critical thinking (CT) is one of the most important 21st-century skills that employers believe will grow in prominence. However, many higher education (HE) graduates often lack it. This is also true for graduates in computer science (CS) and related disciplines, who need CT to drive social and organizational digitalization. There are a number of strategies for teaching CT. However, there is no evidence regarding how to effectively teach CT in CS. To address this gap, this study proposes an educational approach that aims to promote CT to the students of CS and related disciplines. An educational experiment using this approach was conducted in two modules with similar content. The written reflections of 11 students on their development in CT and the quantitative data of students’ self-assessments of their CT skills and dispositions before (N = 20) and after (N = 11) the experiment were analyzed. Priority was given to the qualitative data. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the proposed approach has a positive impact on the development of students’ perceived CT skills. They also show that this approach stimulates and promotes students’ ability to transfer CT to other tasks and domains and to other contexts and situations. However, the positive development of students’ CT dispositions could not be demonstrated in this study, which can be explained by the short duration of this intervention.
DenseNet-201 and Xception Pre-Trained Deep Learning Models for Fruit Recognition
Authors: Salim Farsana , Saeed Faisal , Basurra Shadi , Qasem Sultan Noman , Al-Hadhrami Tawfik
Published: July 2023

With the dramatic increase of the global population and with food insecurity increasing, it has become a major concern for both individuals and governments to fulfill the need for foods such as vegetables and fruits. Moreover, the desire for the consumption of healthy food, including fruit, has increased the need for applications in the field of agriculture that help to achieve better methods for fruit sorting and fruit disease prediction and classification. Automated fruit recognition is a potential solution to reduce the time and labor required to identify different fruits in situations such as retail stores during checkout, fruit processing centers during sorting, and orchards during harvest. Automating these processes reduces the need for human intervention, making them cheaper, faster, and immune to human error and biases. Past research in the field has focused mainly on the size, shape, and color features of fruits or employed convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for their classification. This study investigates the effectiveness of pre-trained deep learning models for fruit classification using two distinct datasets: Fruits-360 and the Fruit Recognition dataset. Four pre-trained models, DenseNet-201, Xception, MobileNetV3-Small, and ResNet-50, were chosen for the experiments based on their architecture and features. The results show that all models achieved almost 99% accuracy or higher with Fruits-360. With the Fruit Recognition dataset, DenseNet-201 and Xception achieved accuracies of around 98%. The good results exhibited by DenseNet-201 and Xception on both the datasets are remarkable, with DenseNet-201 attaining accuracies of 99.87% and 98.94%, and Xception attaining 99.13% and 97.73% accuracy, respectively, on Fruits-360 and the Fruit Recognition dataset.
Dual Reversible Data Hiding in Encrypted Halftone Images Using Matrix Encoding
Authors: Kim Cheonshik , Dao Nhu-Ngoc , Jung Ki-Hyun , Leng Lu
Published: July 2023

Data hiding and reversible data hiding research has primarily focused on grayscale and color images, because binary and halftone images are prone to visual distortion caused by a small number of errors in pixel representation. As a result, reversible data hiding is more useful than halftone-based data hiding. This study proposes an investigation of encrypted halftone images based on dual reversible data hiding, which improves the reversibility and security of the image by utilizing a dual cover image. Since halftone images are adequately compressed, they are beneficial in low-channel-bandwidth environments. Hamming code (HC) (7,4) is applied to each block of the halftone image to hide the secret data, and two halftone images are recorded and sent to different receivers at the end of the embedding process. Recipients can use the proposed method and the two marked images to extract the message and recover the cover halftone image. The proposed data hiding method can enhance the quality of the decrypted image by appropriately increasing the block size, and conversely, sufficiently large amounts of data can be hidden by reducing the block size. The experimental results provide evidence of the effectiveness of the proposed method in terms of both image quality and the embedding rate.
Research on Non-Intrusive Load Recognition Method Based on Improved Equilibrium Optimizer and SVM Model
Authors: Wang Jingqin , Zhang Bingpeng , Shu Liang
Published: July 2023

Non-intrusive load monitoring is the main trend of green energy-saving electricity consumption at present, and load identification is a core part of non-invasive load monitoring. A support vector machine (SVM) is commonly used in load recognition, but there are still some problems in the parameter selection, resulting in a low recognition accuracy. Therefore, an improved equilibrium optimizer (IEO) is proposed to optimize the parameters of the SVM. Firstly, household appliance data are collected, and load features are extracted to build a self-test dataset; and secondly, Bernoulli chaotic mapping, adaptive factors and the Levy flight were introduced to improve the traditional equilibrium optimizer algorithm. The performance of the IEO algorithm is validated on test functions, and the SVM is optimized using the IEO algorithm to establish the IEO-SVM load identification model. Finally, the recognition effect of the IEO-SVM model is verified based on the self-test dataset and the public dataset. The results show that the IEO algorithm has good optimization accuracy and convergence speed on the test function. The IEO-SVM load recognition model achieves an accuracy of 99.428% on the self-test dataset and 100% accuracy on the public dataset, and the classification performance is significantly better than other classification algorithms, which can complete the load recognition task well.
Support Vector Regression Model for Determining Optimal Parameters of HfAlO-Based Charge Trapping Memory Devices
Authors: Hu Yifan , Wang Fucheng , Chen Jingwen , Dhungel Suresh , Li Xinying , Song Jang-Kun , Kim Yong-Sang , Pham Duy , Yi Junsin
Published: July 2023

The production and optimization of HfAlO-based charge trapping memory devices is central to our research. Current optimization methods, based largely on experimental experience, are tedious and time-consuming. We examine various fabrication parameters and use the resulting memory window data to train machine learning algorithms. An optimized Support Vector Regression model, processed using the Swarm algorithm, is applied for data prediction and process optimization. Our model achieves a MSE of 0.47, an R2 of 0.98856, and a recognition accuracy of 90.3% under cross-validation. The findings underscore the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms in non-volatile memory fabrication process optimization, enabling efficient parameter selection or outcome prediction.
YOLOv7-UAV: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Image Object Detection Algorithm Based on Improved YOLOv7
Authors: Zeng Yalin , Zhang Tian , He Weikai , Zhang Ziheng
Published: July 2023

Detecting small objects in aerial images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is challenging due to their complex backgrounds and the presence of densely arranged yet sparsely distributed small targets. In this paper, we propose a real-time small object detection algorithm called YOLOv7-UAV, which is specifically designed for UAV-captured aerial images. Our approach builds upon the YOLOv7 algorithm and introduces several improvements: (i) removal of the second downsampling layer and the deepest detection head to reduce the model’s receptive field and preserve fine-grained feature information; (ii) introduction of the DpSPPF module, a spatial pyramid network that utilizes concatenated small-sized max-pooling layers and depth-wise separable convolutions to extract feature information across different scales more effectively; (iii) optimization of the K-means algorithm, leading to the development of the binary K-means anchor generation algorithm for anchor allocation; and (iv) utilization of the weighted normalized Gaussian Wasserstein distance (nwd) and intersection over union (IoU) as indicators for positive and negative sample assignments. The experimental results demonstrate that YOLOv7-UAV achieves a real-time detection speed that surpasses YOLOv7 by at least 27% while significantly reducing the number of parameters and GFLOPs to 8.3% and 73.3% of YOLOv7, respectively. Additionally, YOLOv7-UAV outperforms YOLOv7 with improvements in the mean average precision (map (0.5:0.95)) of 2.89% and 4.30% on the VisDrone2019 and TinyPerson datasets, respectively.
Research on Illegal Mobile Device Identification Based on Radio Frequency Fingerprint Feature
Authors: Shao Zhipeng , Lv Zhuo , Wang Wengting , Zhang Tao
Published: July 2023

Internet of Things (IoT) technology is widely used in new power systems, and it also provides many new modes for network attacks. Illegal terminal device identification is also a significant topic in the field of wireless authentication technology. Some kinds of power network equipment are located in sparsely populated areas and rely on IoT terminals for real-time monitoring. Attackers use illegal terminals to connect power IoT devices for production monitoring and to carry out network attacks, which may cause serious damage, such as power data theft and misoperation of power network equipment. Radio frequency fingerprint (RFF) can extract hardware features from different devices, and is widely used for device identification and authentication. The area over which power network equipment placed is vast, and there are many wireless communication devices and terminals. It is difficult to identify illegal devices through commonly used network management techniques, thus making it difficult to distinguish between the mobile terminals of employees and illegal terminals in general spectrum screening. In response to the above situation, this paper uses the characteristics of the squared spectrum of random access preamble signals to extract hardware device features, proposes an illegal device identification algorithm based on Gaussian distribution theory, and evaluates its performance. The experimental results show that, when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is greater than 15 dB, the average recognition result is greater than 92%. In addition, the algorithm has low computational complexity and high engineering application value.
Lightweight Strawberry Instance Segmentation on Low-Power Devices for Picking Robots
Authors: Cao Leilei , Chen Yaoran , Jin Qiangguo
Published: July 2023

Machine vision plays a great role in localizing strawberries in a complex orchard or greenhouse for picking robots. Due to the variety of each strawberry (shape, size, and color) and occlusions of strawberries by leaves and stems, precisely locating each strawberry brings a great challenge to the vision system of picking robots. Several methods have been developed for localizing strawberries, based on the well-known Mask R-CNN network, which, however, are not efficient running on the picking robots. In this paper, we propose a simple and highly efficient framework for strawberry instance segmentation running on low-power devices for picking robots, termed StrawSeg. Instead of using the common paradigm of “detection-then-segment”, we directly segment each strawberry in a single-shot manner without relying on object detection. In our model, we design a novel feature aggregation network to merge features with different scales, which employs a pixel shuffle operation to increase the resolution and reduce the channels of features. Experiments on the open-source dataset StrawDI_Db1 demonstrate that our model can achieve a good trade-off between accuracy and inference speed on a low-power device.
Yeasts Inoculation Effect on Bacterial Development in Carbonic Maceration Wines Elaboration
Authors: Gutiérrez Ana Rosa , Santamaría Pilar , González-Arenzana Lucía , Garijo Patrocinio , Olarte Carmen , Sanz Susana
Published: July 2023

Carbonic maceration (CM) vinification is a very traditional method that allows saving energy without great equipment investment, obtaining high-quality wines. However, due to its particularities, CM winemaking implies a higher risk of microbial alteration. This work studies the evolution of bacterial population along carbonic maceration wines elaboration with and without yeast inoculation. In the same way, two strategies of yeast inoculation were studied: “pied de cuve” and Active Dry Yeasts (ADY) seed. For this purpose, three conditions were assayed: spontaneous fermentation (without inoculation), “pied de cuve” technology, and ADY inoculation. For each condition, two winemaking methods were compared: carbonic maceration and the standard method of destemming and crushing (DC). The bacterial evolution (lactic acid and acetic acid bacteria) was followed in different fermentation stages. Finally, the wines obtained were analysed (pH and volatile acidity). In the non-inoculated wines produced by CM, high development of the bacterial population was observed (counts of acetic acid bacteria around 4.3 log cfu/mL), and finished wines presented high values of volatile acidity (>1.5 g/L), which did not occur in the inoculated vinifications (counts of acetic acid bacteria around 1.5 log cfu/mL and 0.5 g/l of volatile acidity). Thus, the control of yeast population, as a “pied de cuve” as ADY seed, seems to be an effective tool to avoid bacterial alterations in CM vinifications.
Human Error Analysis and Modeling of Medication-Related Adverse Events in Taiwan Using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System and Logistic Regression
Authors: Ko Shu-Huan , Hsieh Min-Chih , Huang Run-Feng
Published: July 2023

Medical institutions worldwide strive to avoid adverse medical events, including adverse medication-related events. However, studies on the comprehensive analysis of medication-related adverse events are limited. Therefore, we aimed to identify the error factors contributing to medication-related adverse events using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) and to develop error models through logistic regression. These models calculate the probability of a medication-related adverse event when a healthcare system defect occurs. Seven experts with at least 12 years of work experience (four nurses and three pharmacists) were recruited to analyze thirty-seven medication-related adverse events. The findings indicate that decision errors, physical/mental limitations, failure to correct problems, and organizational processes were the four factors that most frequently contributed to errors at the four levels of the HFACS. Seven error models of two types (error occurrence and error analysis pathways) were established using logistic regression models, and the relative probabilities of failure factor occurrences were calculated. Based on our results, medical staff can use the error models as a new analytical approach to improve and prevent adverse medication events, thereby improving patient safety.
Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Negative COVID-19 Outcomes and Their Relation to Socioeconomic Indicators in Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro Helena Fiats , de Barros Carvalho Maria Dalva , Pelloso Fernando Castilho , Santos Lander dos , de Andrade Pereira Silva Marcela , Stevanato Kely Paviani , Borghesan Deise Helena Pelloso , Romani Isaac , Marques Vlaudimir Dias , de Freitas Karina Maria Salvatore , Jacinto Alarcão Ana Carolina , Pujals Constanza , Bocchi Pedroso Raíssa , Cardelli Alexandrina Aparecida Maciel , Pelloso Sandra Marisa
Published: July 2023

Background: This study aimed to analyze maternal risk factors associated with negative outcomes of COVID-19 and association with socioeconomic indicators in Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study, with data from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (SIVEP-Flu) of pregnant women with COVID-19 and cases of hospitalization and death. For the analysis of risk factors and outcomes, the multiple logistic regression method was used. Results: Pregnant women who had some risk factor represented 47.04%. The chance of death was 2.48 times greater when there was a risk factor, 1.55 for ICU admission and 1.43 for use of ventilatory support. The percentage of cure was 79.64%, 15.46% without any negative outcome, 4.65% death and 0.26% death from other causes. Pregnant women who did not take the vaccine represented 30.08%, 16.74% took it and 53.18% were not specified. The variables HDI, illiteracy, per capita income and urbanization did not influence the cases of COVID-19. Conclusions: Factors such as age, obesity, asthma and pregnancy were responsible for the increase in hospitalizations, respiratory complications and death. Vaccination reduced the risk of negative outcomes by 50%. There were no correlations between socioeconomic indicators and the negative outcomes of COVID-19 in pregnant women.
Intraperitoneal Injection of Human Ferritin Heavy Chain Attenuates the Atherosclerotic Process in APOE-Knockout Mice
Authors: Yuan Wanzhong , Zhang Jianlin , Huo Ran , Hou Chaofan , Yang Jun , Wang Tao
Published: July 2023

Background: Iron overload can accelerate the accumulation of lipid oxides and contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. Ferritin heavy chain (FT-H) exhibits oxidase activity, which inhibits the toxicity of ferrous ions and reduces oxidative damage. We investigated the effect of the intraperitoneal injection of FT-H on the progression of atherosclerosis in APOE-knockout mice (Apo-E(−/−) mice). Methods: All mice were fed on a high-fat diet. After 10 weeks, the mice were divided into an injection group (n = 4) and a control group (n = 4). The injection group was injected intraperitoneally with FT-H (50 mg/kg, once a week), and the control group was treated with PBS buffer (at an equal volume to the injection group, once a week). After 10 weeks of intervention, MRI of the aortas was performed. Then, the animals were sacrificed, and tissues were taken. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining was used for histomorphometry, Masson staining was used to quantify the collagen content in the arteries, Prussian blue staining was used to visualize iron deposition in the arteries, and MRI was used to analyze the structure of the aorta in vivo. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of MCP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, FT-H, FT-L, TfR1, NRF-2 and GPX-4. Results: The serological results showed that the injection group had lower levels of glucose (Glu), triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol (CHO), low-density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p = 0.0058, p = 0.0098, p = 0.0019, p = 0.0368 and p = 0.0025, respectively), and their serum ferritin (SF) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were higher (p = 0.0004 and p < 0.0001). The Masson staining and MRI results showed that the injection group had less collagen deposition (p = 0.0226), a larger arterial lumen area and arterial volume (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0005), thinner arterial wall thickness (p = 0.0013) and a more stable arterial plaque structure (p < 0.0001). The immunohistochemical results showed reduced expression of FT-H, FT-L, TfR1, MMP-2, MMP-9, MCP-1 and NRF-2 in the injection group (p = 0.0054, p = 0.0242, p = 0.0221, p = 0.0477, p = 0.0131, p = 0.0435 and p = 0.0179). Prussian blue staining showed that the area of iron-positive areas in the aortic plaques of the control group was larger than that of injected group. The expression of GPX-4 was lower in the control group than in the injection group (p = 0.016). Conclusions: The intraperitoneal administration of FT-H to Apo-E(−/−) mice resulted in lower blood glucose and lipid levels; reduced iron and iron metabolism protein deposition in the aorta; reduced indices of their ferroptosis, oxidation and inflammatory aggregation; and reduced collagen deposition in the aorta, which delayed the process of aortic atherosclerosis in mice.
Fibrotic Diseases of the Human Urinary and Genital Tract: Current Understanding and Potential Strategies for Treatment
Authors: Rahardjo Harrina E. , Märker Viktoria , Tsikas Dimitrios , Kuczyk Markus A. , Ückert Stefan , Bannowsky Andreas
Published: July 2023

Fibrosis is a disease condition characterized by abnormalities of the extracellular matrix, such as accumulation of the transforming growth factor β, infiltration by myofibroblasts, deposition of collagen, and a generalized dysregulation of collagen maturation. It can severely impair the function of organs by replacing normal tissue with a highly collagenized matrix, thereby reducing the elasticity and compliance of tissues. Fibrotic diseases of the genitourinary tract present relevant problems in healthcare, and their principles of pathophysiology remain unclarified; hence, the armamentarium for prevention and treatment is limited. These diseases include renal fibrosis, Peyronie’s disease and ureteral and urethral strictures due to perturbations in the process of wound healing in response to injuries. Such deteriorations may contribute to obstructive uropathies or sexual dysfunction. This review provides a brief overview of the most frequent fibrotic diseases of the genitourinary system and of how the pathophysiology is related to symptoms, and also highlights potential therapeutic strategies to address the abnormal deposition of collagen. Although the understanding of factors associated with fibrotic conditions of the urinary and genital tract is still limited, some beneficial advances have been made. Further research will serve to provide a more comprehensive insight into factors responsible for the development of fibrotic tissue deposition.
Latest Developments in Adapting Deep Learning for Assessing TAVR Procedures and Outcomes
Authors: Tahir Anas M. , Mutlu Onur , Bensaali Faycal , Ward Rabab , Ghareeb Abdel Naser , Helmy Sherif M. H. A. , Othman Khaled T. , Al-Hashemi Mohammed A. , Abujalala Salem , Chowdhury Muhammad E. H. , Alnabti A.Rahman D. M. H. , Yalcin Huseyin C.
Published: July 2023

Aortic valve defects are among the most prevalent clinical conditions. A severely damaged or non-functioning aortic valve is commonly replaced with a bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) via the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. Accurate pre-operative planning is crucial for a successful TAVR outcome. Assessment of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis (FEA), and fluid–solid interaction (FSI) analysis offer a solution that has been increasingly utilized to evaluate BHV mechanics and dynamics. However, the high computational costs and the complex operation of computational modeling hinder its application. Recent advancements in the deep learning (DL) domain can offer a real-time surrogate that can render hemodynamic parameters in a few seconds, thus guiding clinicians to select the optimal treatment option. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of classical computational modeling approaches, medical imaging, and DL approaches for planning and outcome assessment of TAVR. Particularly, we focus on DL approaches in previous studies, highlighting the utilized datasets, deployed DL models, and achieved results. We emphasize the critical challenges and recommend several future directions for innovative researchers to tackle. Finally, an end-to-end smart DL framework is outlined for real-time assessment and recommendation of the best BHV design for TAVR. Ultimately, deploying such a framework in future studies will support clinicians in minimizing risks during TAVR therapy planning and will help in improving patient care.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, and Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery for the Management of Rectal and Anorectal Lesions: A Narrative Review
Authors: Moreira Pedro , Cardoso Pedro , Macedo Guilherme , Santos-Antunes João
Published: July 2023

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), and transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) are modern techniques that now play a crucial role in the treatment of colorectal lesions. ESD is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that allows for the resection of lesions of any size in a single piece, with clear advantages regarding oncological outcomes and recurrences. However, it is a complex technique, requiring high endoscopic skills, expertise, and specialized training, with higher rates of adverse events expected compared with EMR. EMR is another endoscopic technique used to remove superficial gastrointestinal tumors, particularly those that are limited to the mucosal layer. It is a faster and more accessible procedure, with fewer adverse events, although it only allows for an en-bloc resection of lesions measuring 15–20 mm. TAMIS is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to remove rectal tumors, involving the insertion of a single-port device through the anus, allowing for a better visualization and removal of the tumor with minimal disruption. This article reviews the current applications and evidence regarding these techniques, in search for the most adequate treatment for the removal of lesions in the rectum and anorectal junction, as these locations possess distinct characteristics that demand a more specific approach.
Differential Association of Sex Hormones with Metabolic Parameters and Body Composition in Men and Women from the United States
Authors: Ciardullo Stefano , Zerbini Francesca , Cannistraci Rosa , Muraca Emanuele , Perra Silvia , Oltolini Alice , Perseghin Gianluca
Published: July 2023

Sex hormones impact body composition. Data on the specific impact of each hormone on different body depots in men and women are scarce. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between testosterone, estradiol and body fat distribution in the general population. This is a population-based cross-sectional study based on data from the 2013–2016 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry were performed on participants aged 18–59 years to evaluate body composition and sex hormone levels, respectively. Weighted multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between these parameters after adjustment for potential confounders. A total of 6655 participants (3309 males and 3346 females) was included in the analysis. Men with lower testosterone levels were older, had a higher body mass index (BMI) and had a generally unfavorable metabolic profile, while no specific trends were found in women. Among men, testosterone was positively associated with lean body mass and was negatively associated with fat mass and the android/gynoid (A/G) ratio, while an opposite trend was found for estradiol. Among women, testosterone did not impact body composition, while estradiol levels were positively associated with lean mass and were negatively associated with fat mass. Our results support the notion that the impact of different sex hormones on specific fat depots varies substantially between men and women.
COVID-19 and Tuberculosis: Unveiling the Dual Threat and Shared Solutions Perspective
Authors: Cioboata Ramona , Biciusca Viorel , Olteanu Mihai , Vasile Corina Maria
Published: July 2023

The year 2020 will likely be remembered as the year dominated by COVID-19, or coronavirus disease. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for this pandemic, can be traced back to late 2019 in China. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the tuberculosis (TB) care system, reducing TB testing and reporting. This can be attributed to the disruption of TB services and restrictions on patient movement, consequently increasing TB-related deaths. This perspective review aims to highlight the intersection between COVID-19 and TB, highlighting their dual threat and identifying shared solutions to address these two infectious diseases effectively. There are several shared commonalities between COVID-19 and tuberculosis, particularly the transmission of their causative agents, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Both pathogens are transmitted via respiratory tract secretions. TB and COVID-19 are diseases that can be transmitted through droplets and airborne particles, and their primary target is typically the lungs. Regarding COVID-19 diagnostics, several methods are available for rapid and accurate detection. These include RT-PCR, which can provide results within two hours, and rapid antigen test kits that offer results in just a few minutes. The availability of point-of-care self-testing further enhances convenience. On the other hand, various approaches are employed for TB diagnostics to swiftly identify active TB. These include sputum microscopy, sputum for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and chest X-rays. These methods enable the rapid detection of active TB on the same day, while culture-based testing may take significantly longer, ranging from 2 to 8 weeks. The utilization of diverse diagnostic tools helps ensure the timely identification and management of COVID-19 and TB cases. The quality of life of patients affected by COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB) can be significantly impacted due to the nature of these diseases and their associated challenges. In conclusion, it is crucial to emphasize the urgent need to address the dual threat of COVID-19 and TB. Both diseases have devastated global health, and their convergence poses an even greater challenge. Collaborative efforts, research investments, and policy reforms are essential to tackle this dual threat effectively.
Lateral Pterygoid Muscle Alteration in Patients Treated Surgically Due to Mandibular Head Fractures
Authors: Kozakiewicz Marcin , Pruszyńska Paulina
Published: July 2023

The goal of surgical treatment of mandibular head fracture is to restore anatomical relations; however, it also carries other implications. The purpose of this study is to present the alteration in the size of lateral pterygoid muscles after surgical treatment of unilateral mandibular head fractures and the impact of this change on the range of motion of the mandible. Another issue addressed is the persistence of changes in the appearance of the lateral pterygoid muscles after surgical treatment. In this study, 66 patients with unilateral mandibular head fracture were included. An additional 15 patients from this group who were treated only conservatively were separated as an extra reference group to exclude completely the effect of surgery on the appearance of the pterygoid lateral muscle (even on the opposite side to the surgically treated side). The range of mandibular movements was measured at specific time intervals up to 24 months post-operationally. Then, the lengths and widths of the lateral pterygoid muscles on the operated and healthy site were measured in CT images. The results were compared with a control group which consisted of muscles of the intact site (opposite site to the fracture). A significant reduction in the length-to-width ratio of the lateral pterygoid muscle on the operated side by approx. 20% is observed. This suggests that the muscle becomes more spherical, and thus the range of lateral movement to the contralateral side is permanently reduced.
Antenatal Diagnosis and Management of Fetal Intestinal Volvulus: Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Montironi Ramona , Tosto Valentina , Quintili Dayana , Crescenzi Daniele , Battistoni Giovanna Irene , Cobellis Giovanni , Giannubilo Stefano Raffaele , Ciavattini Andrea
Published: July 2023

Fetal intestinal volvulus is a rare condition that can lead to hemorrhage, bowel necrosis, and urgent surgical treatment after birth. Thus, prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to avoiding fetal or neonatal demise. Prenatal ultrasound is a keystone tool in the diagnostic course. However, sonographic findings tend to be non-specific, with limited understanding of the pathophysiology behind their atypical presentation. With a literature review and a case series, we aim to optimize the antenatal diagnosis and management of this rare but life-threatening condition. Six cases from our institution were retrospectively analyzed over 12 years. A literature review was conducted until December 2022. A total of 300 articles matched the keyword “Fetal volvulus”, and 52 studies were eligible for the review. Our 6 cases are added to the 107 cases reported in the literature of fetal intestinal volvulus with antenatal ultrasound assessment and without associated gastroschisis or omphalocele. Several prenatal symptoms and ultrasound markers, even if not specific, were more frequently reported. Different experiences of management were described regarding follow-up, the timing of delivery, the mode of delivery, and surgery outcomes. This paper highlights the importance of suspecting and assessing fetal volvulus at routine ultrasound scans, describing the most frequent antenatal presentations and management in order to improve fetal and neonatal outcomes.