bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Present Status, Challenges, and Prospects of Dihydromyricetin in the Battle against Cancer
Authors: Wu Jiajun , Xiao Zuowei , Li Hongfang , Zhu Neng , Gu Jia , Wang Wenmao , Liu Chao , Wang Wei , Qin Li
Published: July 2022

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a natural flavonoid compound extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. DHM has attracted intensive attention due to its numerous beneficial activities, such as hepatoprotection, cardioprotection, antioxidant, and anti-inflammation. In addition, DHM inhibits the progression of cancers such as lung cancer, hepatocellular cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and malignant reproductive systems through multiple mechanisms, including antiangiogenesis, antiproliferation, apoptosis, and inhibition of invasion and migration. Notably, DHM also activates autophagy at different levels, exerting a dual-regulatory effect on cancers. Mechanistically, DHM can effectively regulate mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), noncoding RNA-mediated signaling, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), p53, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress)-driven signaling in different types of cancers. DHM has also been shown to have inhibitory effects on various regulators that trigger epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, DHM exhibits a remarkable anticancer reversal ability when used in combination with drugs such as adriamycin, nedaplatin, and other drugs. However, the low bioavailability of DHM limits its potential applications, which are improved through structural modification and the exploration of novel dosage forms. Therefore, DHM may become a promising candidate for treating malignancies alone or combined with conventional anticancer strategies used in clinical practice.
The Epigenetic Regulatory Protein CBX2 Promotes mTORC1 Signalling and Inhibits DREAM Complex Activity to Drive Breast Cancer Cell Growth
Authors: Bilton Lucie J. , Warren Chloe , Humphries Rebecca M. , Kalsi Shannon , Waters Ella , Francis Thomas , Dobrowinski Wojtek , Beltran-Alvarez Pedro , Wade Mark A.
Published: July 2022

Chromobox 2 (CBX2) is a chromatin-binding component of polycomb repressive complex 1, which causes gene silencing. CBX2 expression is elevated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), for which there are few therapeutic options. Here, we aimed to investigate the functional role of CBX2 in TNBC. CBX2 knockdown in TNBC models reduced cell numbers, which was rescued by ectopic expression of wild-type CBX2 but not a chromatin binding-deficient mutant. Blocking CBX2 chromatin interactions using the inhibitor SW2_152F also reduced cell growth, suggesting CBX2 chromatin binding is crucial for TNBC progression. RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis of CBX2-depleted cells identified downregulation of oncogenic signalling pathways, including mTORC1 and E2F signalling. Subsequent analysis identified that CBX2 represses the expression of mTORC1 inhibitors and the tumour suppressor RBL2. RBL2 repression, in turn, inhibits DREAM complex activity. The DREAM complex inhibits E2F signalling, causing cell senescence; therefore, inhibition of the DREAM complex via CBX2 may be a key oncogenic driver. We observed similar effects in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, and analysis of patient datasets suggested CBX2 inhibits RBL2 activity in other cancer types. Therapeutic inhibition of CBX2 could therefore repress mTORC1 activation and promote DREAM complex-mediated senescence in TNBC and could have similar effects in other cancer types.
A Radiomics-Based Machine Learning Model for Prediction of Tumor Mutational Burden in Lower-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Lam Luu Ho Thanh , Chu Ngan Thy , Tran Thi-Oanh , Do Duyen Thi , Le Nguyen Quoc Khanh
Published: July 2022

Glioma is a Center Nervous System (CNS) neoplasm that arises from the glial cells. In a new scheme category of the World Health Organization 2016, lower-grade gliomas (LGGs) are grade II and III gliomas. Following the discovery of suppression of negative immune regulation, immunotherapy is a promising effective treatment method for lower-grade glioma patients. However, the therapy is not effective for all types of LGGs, and tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been shown to be a potential biomarker for the susceptibility and prognosis of immunotherapy in lower-grade glioma patients. Hence, predicting TMB benefits brain cancer patients. In this study, we investigated the correlation between MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)-based radiomic features and TMB in LGG by applying machine learning methods. Six machine learning classifiers were examined on the features extracted from the genetic algorithm. Subsequently, a light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) succeeded in selecting 11 radiomics signatures for TMB classification. Our LightGBM model resulted in high accuracy of 0.7936, and reached a balance between sensitivity and specificity, achieving 0.76 and 0.8107, respectively. To our knowledge, our study represents the best model for classification of TMB in LGG patients at present.
An In-Depth Exploration of the Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) Phenomenon on Carbon-Based Catalysts in Alkaline and Acidic Mediums
Authors: Talukder Niladri , Wang Yudong , Nunna Bharath Babu , Lee Eon Soo
Published: July 2022

Detailed studies of the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on catalyst materials are crucial to improving the performance of different electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems (e.g., fuel cells and batteries), as well as numerous chemical synthesis processes. In the effort to reduce the loading of expensive platinum group metal (PGM)-based catalysts for ORR in the electrochemical systems, many carbon-based catalysts have already shown promising results and numerous investigations on those catalysts are in progress. Most of these studies show the catalyst materials’ ORR performance as current density data obtained through the rotating disk electrode (RDE), rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) experiments taking cyclic voltammograms (CV) or linear sweep voltammograms (LSV) approaches. However, the provided descriptions or interpretations of those data curves are often ambiguous and recondite which can lead to an erroneous understanding of the ORR phenomenon in those specific systems and inaccurate characterization of the catalyst materials. In this paper, we presented a study of ORR on a newly developed carbon-based catalyst, the nitrogen-doped graphene/metal-organic framework (N-G/MOF), through RDE and RRDE experiments in both alkaline and acidic mediums, taking the LSV approach. The functions and crucial considerations for the different parts of the RDE/RRDE experiment such as the working electrode, reference electrode, counter electrode, electrolyte, and overall RDE/RRDE process are delineated which can serve as guidelines for the new researchers in this field. Experimentally obtained LSV curves’ shapes and their correlations with the possible ORR reaction pathways within the applied potential range are discussed in depth. We also demonstrated how the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a possible intermediate of ORR, in the alkaline electrolyte and the concentration of acid in the acidic electrolyte can maneuver the ORR current density output in compliance with the possible ORR pathways.
Gene Alterations, Mediators, and Artificial Intelligence in Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Wagner Doris , Margonis Georgios Antonios
Published: July 2022

In this Special Issue of Cells, we seek articles that focus on the study of tumor biology in order to guide the scalpel [...]
Ferroptosis-Related Genes Are Potential Therapeutic Targets and the Model of These Genes Influences Overall Survival of NSCLC Patients
Authors: Zhang Na , Wu Yangyang , Wu Yifan , Wang Lihong , Chen Jingfei , Wang Xiaosa , Chard Dunmall Louisa S. , Cheng Zhenguo , Wang Yaohe
Published: July 2022

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSCC) are two of the most common subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with high mortality rates and rising incidence worldwide. Ferroptosis is a mode of programmed cell death caused by lipid peroxidation, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and is dependent on iron. The recent discovery of ferroptosis has provided new insights into tumor development, and the clinical relevance of ferroptosis for tumor therapy is being increasingly appreciated. However, its role in NSCLC remains to be explored. Methods: The clinical and molecular data for 1727 LUAD and LUSCC patients and 73 control individuals were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene expression profiles, copy number variations and somatic mutations of 57 ferroptosis-related genes in 1727 tumor samples from the four datasets were used in a univariate Cox analysis and consensus clustering analysis. The biological signatures of each pattern were identified. A ferroptosis score was generated by combining the univariate Cox regression analysis and random forest algorithm followed by principal component analysis (PCA) and further investigated for its predictive and therapeutic value in LUAD and LUSCC. Results: The expression of 57 ferroptosis-related genes in NSCLC patients differed significantly from that of normal subjects. Based on unsupervised clustering of ferroptosis-related genes, we divided all patients into three ferroptosis expression pattern groups, which showed differences in ferroptosis-associated gene expression patterns, immune cell infiltration levels, prognostic characteristics and enriched pathways. Using the differentially expressed genes in the three ferroptosis expression patterns, a set of 17 ferroptosis-related gene prognostic models was established, which clustered all patients in the cohort into a low score group and a high score group, with marked differences in prognosis (p < 0.001). The high ferroptosis score was significantly associated with positive response to radiotherapy (p < 0.001), high T stage (p < 0.001), high N stage (p < 0.001) and high-grade tumor (p < 0.001) characteristics. Conclusions: The 17 ferroptosis-associated genes show great potential for stratifying LUAD and LUSCC patients into high and low risk groups. Interestingly, a high ferroptosis score in LUAD patients was associated with a good prognosis, whereas a similar high ferroptosis score in LUSCC patients was associated with a poor prognosis. Familiarity with the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis and its implications for the treatment of NSCLC, as well as its effect on OS and PFS, may provide guidance and insights in developing new therapeutic targets for NSCLC.
RELA∙8-Oxoguanine DNA Glycosylase1 Is an Epigenetic Regulatory Complex Coordinating the Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway in RSV Infection
Authors: Xu Xiaofang , Qiao Dianhua , Pan Lang , Boldogh Istvan , Zhao Yingxin , Brasier Allan R.
Published: July 2022

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or human orthopneumovirus, is a negative-sense RNA virus that is the causative agent of severe lower respiratory tract infections in children and is associated with exacerbations of adult lung disease. The mechanisms how severe and/or repetitive virus infections cause declines in pulmonary capacity are not fully understood. We have recently discovered that viral replication triggers epithelial plasticity and metabolic reprogramming involving the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP). In this study, we examine the relationship between viral induced innate inflammation and the activation of hexosamine biosynthesis in small airway epithelial cells. We observe that RSV induces ~2-fold accumulation of intracellular UDP-GlcNAc, the end-product of the HBP and the obligate substrate of N glycosylation. Using two different silencing approaches, we observe that RSV replication activates the HBP pathway in a manner dependent on the RELA proto-oncogene (65 kDa subunit). To better understand the effect of RSV on the cellular N glycoproteome, and its RELA dependence, we conduct affinity enriched LC-MS profiling in wild-type and RELA-silenced cells. We find that RSV induces the accumulation of 171 N glycosylated peptides in a RELA-dependent manner; these proteins are functionally enriched in integrins and basal lamina formation. To elaborate this mechanism of HBP expression, we demonstrate that RSV infection coordinately induces the HBP pathway enzymes in a manner requiring RELA; these genes include Glutamine-Fructose-6-Phosphate Transaminase 1 (GFPT)-1/2, Glucosamine-Phosphate N-Acetyltransferase (GNPNAT)-1, phosphoglucomutase (PGM)-3 and UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine Pyrophosphorylase (UAP)-1. Using small-molecule inhibitor(s) of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase1 (OGG1), we observe that OGG1 is also required for the expression of HBP pathway. In proximity ligation assays, RSV induces the formation of a nuclear and mitochondrial RELA∙OGG1 complex. In co-immunoprecipitaton (IP) experiments, we discover that RSV induces Ser 536-phosphorylated RELA to complex with OGG1. Chromatin IP experiments demonstrate a major role of OGG1 in supporting the recruitment of RELA and phosphorylated RNA Pol II to the HBP pathway genes. We conclude that the RELA∙OGG1 complex is an epigenetic regulator mediating metabolic reprogramming and N glycoprotein modifications of integrins in response to RSV. These findings have implications for viral-induced adaptive epithelial responses.
Role of Periostin and Nuclear Factor-κB Interplay in the Development of Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Abbad Lilia , Prakoura Niki , Michon Arthur , Chalghoumi Rym , Reichelt-Wurm Simone , Banas Miriam C. , Chatziantoniou Christos
Published: July 2022

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains the most common reason for end-stage renal disease and a leading cause of kidney replacement therapy. Multifactorial pathophysiological mechanisms underlie the development of DN. Among the signalling pathways involved, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a key role in pathogenesis triggering inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. Recent evidence shows that periostin, a matricellular protein, is involved in the development of renal glomerular diseases through interaction with NF-κB signalling. The aim of the present study is to investigate the contribution of periostin and its interaction with NF-κB in DN development. To this end, we used the BTBR ob/ob mice model of diabetes type 2, and we applied transcriptomic analysis, immunostaining and methods quantifying protein and mRNA expressions. We found that increased periostin expression was correlated with decreased renal function, advanced stage renal damage and fibrosis, and NF-κB activation. Subsequently, we identified novel pathways and genes regulated by the NF-κB-periostin interaction which are involved in the mechanisms of progression of DN. Some of these genes, such as FGF1 and GDF15, have the potential to be new biomarkers and/or targets for the therapy of DN.
Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A): Regulator of Dopamine Agonist-Induced Gene Expression in the Striatum
Authors: Bonate Ryan , Kurek Gabriela , Hrabak Michael , Patterson Santanna , Padovan-Neto Fernando , West Anthony R. , Steiner Heinz
Published: July 2022

Dopamine and other neurotransmitters have the potential to induce neuroplasticity in the striatum via gene regulation. Dopamine receptor-mediated gene regulation relies on second messenger cascades that involve cyclic nucleotides to relay signaling from the synapse to the nucleus. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) catalyze cyclic nucleotides and thus potently control cyclic nucleotide signaling. We investigated the role of the most abundant striatal PDE, PDE10A, in striatal gene regulation by assessing the effects of PDE10A inhibition (by a selective PDE10A inhibitor, TP-10) on gene regulation and by comparing the basal expression of PDE10A mRNA throughout the striatum with gene induction by dopamine agonists in the intact or dopamine-depleted striatum. Our findings show that PDE10A expression is most abundant in the sensorimotor striatum, intermediate in the associative striatum and lower in the limbic striatum. The inhibition of PDE10A produced pronounced increases in gene expression that were directly related to levels of local PDE10A expression. Moreover, the gene expression induced by L-DOPA after dopamine depletion (by 6-OHDA), or by psychostimulants (cocaine, methylphenidate) in the intact striatum, was also positively correlated with the levels of local PDE10A expression. This relationship was found for gene markers of both D1 receptor- and D2 receptor-expressing striatal projection neurons. Collectively, these results indicate that PDE10A, a vital part of the dopamine receptor-associated second messenger machinery, is tightly linked to drug-induced gene regulation in the striatum. PDE10A may thus serve as a potential target for modifying drug-induced gene regulation and related neuroplasticity.
Ripening of Pomegranate Skin as Revealed by Developmental Transcriptomics
Authors: Ginzberg Idit , Faigenboim Adi
Published: July 2022

The appearance of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit is highly important for its marketing. The primary concerns are obtaining sufficient red pigment accumulation and minimal cracking of the fruit skin (the outer red layer of the peel). We analyzed the skin transcriptome of pomegranate cv. Wonderful at distinct time points of fruit development to characterize the processes that occur in the skin during fruit ripening and which may reflect on processes in the whole fruit, such as the non-climacteric nature of pomegranate. The data suggested a ripening mechanism in pomegranate skin that differs from that in strawberry—the model plant for non-climacteric fruit where abscisic acid is the growth regulator that drives ripening—involving ethylene, polyamine, and jasmonic acid pathways. The biosynthetic pathways of important metabolites in pomegranate—hydrolyzable tannins and anthocyanins—were co-upregulated at the ripening stage, in line with the visual enhancement of red coloration. Interestingly, cuticle- and cell-wall-related genes that showed differential expression between the developmental stages were mainly upregulated in the skin of early fruit, with lower expression at mid-growth and ripening stages. Nevertheless, lignification may be involved in skin hardening in the mature fruit.
Role of Hepatocyte Senescence in the Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells and Liver Fibrosis Progression
Authors: Wijayasiri Pramudi , Astbury Stuart , Kaye Philip , Oakley Fiona , Alexander Graeme J. , Kendall Timothy J. , Aravinthan Aloysious D.
Published: July 2022

Hepatocyte senescence is associated with liver fibrosis. However, the possibility of a direct, causal relation between hepatocyte senescence and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation was the subject of this study. Liver biopsy specimens obtained from 50 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and a spectrum of liver fibrosis stages were stained for p16, αSMA, and picrosirius red (PSR). Primary human HSCs were cultured in conditioned media derived from senescent or control HepG2 cells. Expression of inflammatory and fibrogenic genes in HSCs cultured in conditioned media were studied using RT-PCR. ELISAs were undertaken to measure factors known to activate HSCs in the conditioned media from senescent and control HepG2 cells and serum samples from healthy volunteers or patients with biopsy-proven cirrhosis. There was a strong association between proportion of senescent hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cell activation. Both proportion of hepatocyte senescence and hepatic stellate cell activation were closely associated with fibrosis stage. Inflammatory and fibrogenic genes were up-regulated significantly in HSCs cultured in conditioned media from senescent HepG2 cells compared with control HepG2 cells. PDGF levels were significantly higher in the conditioned media from senescent hepatocytes than control HepG2-conditioned media, and in serum samples from patients with cirrhosis than healthy volunteers. In conclusion, this ‘proof of concept’ study revealed activation of human HSCs by media from senescent HepG2 cells, indicating direct involvement of factors secreted by senescent hepatocytes in liver fibrosis.
Signal Amplification by Means of a Dickson Charge Pump: Analysis and Experimental Validation
Authors: Ballo Andrea , Grasso Alfio Dario , Palumbo Gaetano
Published: July 2022

Recently, with the aim of extending the use of the CP in all those applications where a time-variant signal must be amplified with its DC component above the positive power supply rail, the signal amplification feature of a conventional Dickson charge pump (CP) has been investigated, introducing a small-signal model for each particular condition in which a CP can work. In this paper this idea is further investigated, especially under the slow switching limit (SSL) condition, and experimental validation has been carried out using a 65 nm CMOS technology for four different voltage gain values. Starting from an equivalent model of the CP, the main small- and large-signal parameters are analytically derived and discussed in depth. As a proof of concept, experimental measurements on four CPs with different numbers of stages confirm the validity of this unconventional application and the effectiveness of the CP when used as an amplifier.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Partial Resistance to P. sojae in Wild Soybeans from Heilongjiang Province, China
Authors: Li Wei , Liu Miao , Lai Yong-Cai , Liu Jian-Xin , Fan Chao , Yang Guang , Wang Ling , Liang Wen-Wei , Di Shu-Feng , Yu De-Yue , Bi Ying-Dong
Published: July 2022

Phytophthora root rot (PRR) is a destructive disease of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr) caused by Phytophthora sojae (P. sojae). The most effective way to prevent the disease is growing resistant or tolerant varieties. Partial resistance provides a more durable resistance against the pathogen compared to complete resistance. Wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.) seems to be an extraordinarily important gene pool for soybean improvement due to its high level of genetic variation. In this study, 242 wild soybean germplasms originating from different regions of Heilongjiang province were used to identify resistance genes to P. sojae race 1 using a genome-wide association study (GWAS). A total of nine significant SNPs were detected, repeatedly associated with P. sojae resistance and located on chromosomes 1, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19 and 20. Among them, seven favorable allelic variations associated with P. sojae resistance were evaluated by a t-test. Eight candidate genes were predicted to explore the mechanistic hypotheses of partial resistance, including Glysoja.19G051583, which encodes an LRR receptor-like serine/threonine protein kinase protein, Glysoja.19G051581, which encodes a receptor-like cytosolic serine/threonine protein kinase protein. These findings will provide additional insights into the genetic architecture of P. sojae resistance in a large sample of wild soybeans and P. sojae-resistant breeding through marker-assisted selection.
Argon and Other Defects in Amorphous SiO2 Coatings for Gravitational-Wave Detectors
Authors: Paolone Annalisa , Placidi Ernesto , Stellino Elena , Betti Maria Grazia , Majorana Ettore , Mariani Carlo , Nucara Alessandro , Palumbo Oriele , Postorino Paolo , Sbroscia Marco , Trequattrini Francesco , Granata Massimo , Hofman David , Michel Christophe , Pinard Laurent , Lemaitre Anaël , Shcheblanov Nikita , Cagnoli Gianpietro , Ricci Fulvio
Published: July 2022

Amorphous SiO2 thin films are one of the two components of the highly reflective mirror coatings of gravitational-wave detectors. For this study, layers of amorphous SiO2 on crystalline Si substrates were produced by ion-beam sputtering (IBS), using accelerated neutralized argon ions as sputtering particles, as is the case for the actual mirror coatings of gravitational-wave detectors. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible presence of various defects in the materials in order to improve the coating quality. We provide evidence that, due to the synthesis method, about 0.2 wt.% of Ar is present in the coatings, and it can be released by means of thermal treatments, starting around 400 °C. The time and temperature to obtain the total release of Ar increases with the coating thickness; for a thickness of 100 nm, all argon is released below 600 °C, while an isotherm of one hour at 900 °C is necessary for a coating 5 μm thick. Besides the Ar atoms left from the synthesis, other defects, such as Si clusters and silicon dangling bonds, are present in the coatings. The concentration of both of them is strongly reduced by thermal treatments either in vacuum or in air. The overall thickness of the coating is slightly increased after thermal treatments, as witnessed by the change of the period of interference fringes.
Enhancing Corrosion Performance of Cold-Sprayed Titanium/Baghdadite (Ti/BAG) Bio-Composite Coatings via Laser Treatment
Authors: Kumar Avneesh , Goyal Dhruva , Kant Ravi , Singh Harpreet
Published: July 2022

This study aims to enhance the corrosion performance of cold-sprayed titanium/baghdadite (Ti/BAG) bio-composite coatings. Laser post processing was performed to reduce porosity and improve mechanical properties. The process parameters for laser treatment of cold-sprayed coatings were verified experimentally using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a thermal imaging camera. The laser-treated coatings are analyzed with SEM, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), ImageJ software, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, electrochemical analysis of the laser-treated and as-sprayed coatings was conducted in Ringer’s solution. The results of this study revealed that laser treatment helps significantly in enhancing resistance to corrosion for Ti/BAG composite coatings in a Ringer’s solution. The reduction in porosity and surface roughness is ascribed as the reason for their superior performance relative to as-sprayed coatings.
Contribution to the Research and Development of Innovative Building Components with Embedded Energy-Active Elements
Authors: Kalús Daniel , Koudelková Daniela , Mučková Veronika , Sokol Martin , Kurčová Mária
Published: July 2022

The research described in this study focuses on the innovation and optimization of building envelope panels with integrated energy-active elements in the thermal barrier function. It is closely related to developing and implementing the prototype prefabricated house IDA I with combined building-energy systems using renewable energy sources. We were inspired by the patented ®ISOMAX panel and system, which we have been researching and innovating for a long time. The thermal barrier has the function of eliminating heat loss/gain through the building envelope. By controlling the heat/cold transfer in the thermal barrier, it is possible to eliminate the thickness of the thermal insulation of the building envelope and thus achieve an equivalent thermal resistance of the building structure that is equal to the standard required value. The technical solution of the ISOMAX panel also brings, besides the use of the thermal barrier function, the function of heat/cold accumulation in the load-bearing part of the building envelope. Our research aimed to design and develop a panel for which the construction would be optimal in terms of thermal barrier operation and heat/cold accumulation. As the production panels in the lost formwork of expanded polystyrene (according to the patented system) proved to be too complicated and time consuming, and often showed shortcomings from a structural point of view, the next goal was to design a new, statically reliable panel construction with integrated energy-active elements and a time-saving, cost-effective, unified production directly in the panel factory. In order to develop and design an innovative panel with integrated energy-active elements, we analyzed the composition of the original panel and designed the composition of the innovative panel. We created mathematical–physical models of both panels and analyzed their energy potential. By induction and an analog form of formation, we designed the innovative panel. Based on the synthesis of the knowledge obtained from the scientific analysis and the transformation of this data, most of the building components and all the panels with integrated energy-active elements were manufactured directly in the prefabrication plant. Subsequently, the prototype of the prefabricated house IDA I was realized. The novelty of our innovative building envelope panel solution lies in the panel’s design, which has a heat loss/gain that is 2.6 times lower compared to the ISOMAX panel.
Coordination of a Pyrazole Functionalized Acetylacetone to the Coinage Metal Cations: An Unexpected Packing Similarity and a Trinuclear CuII/AuI Complex
Authors: van Terwingen Steven , Ebel Ben , Nachtigall Noah , Englert Ulli
Published: July 2022

The heteroditopic molecule HacacMePz combines a Pearson hard acetylacetone donor site with a softer trimethylpyrazole and shows site selectivity towards the coinage metal cations. The coordination of the N donor function was achieved towards AgI and AuI, leading to the salt [Ag(HacacMePz)2]PF6 (1) and the neutral complex [AuCl(HacacMePz)] (2). In either case, linear coordination about the coinage metal cation is observed. Interestingly, both complexes crystallize in space group Pbca with similar cell parameters. The two solids do not qualify as isostructural, albeit being closely related in real and reciprocal space. To probe the ligand’s ability for the envisaged synthesis of bimetallic coordination polymers, the mixed-metal CuII/AuI complex [Cu(acacMePzAuCl)2] (3) was obtained. In this mixed-metal oligomer, the central CuII cation adopts a square planar coordination environment with two O,O′-coordinated acacMePz− ligands, whose softer N donor sites are saturated with a AuCl moiety.
Effect of κ Carbides on Deformation Behavior of Fe-27Mn-10Al-1C Low Density Steel
Authors: Li Siyuan , Li Dazhao , Lu Haitao , Cao Pengfei , Xie Ruofei
Published: July 2022

Fe-Mn-Al-C steel, which is a potential lightweight material for automobiles, has a variety of microstructures and good mechanical properties. The effect of κ carbides on the mechanical properties and strain hardening rate of Fe-27Mn-10Al-1C (wt.%) low density steel was studied by short-time heat treatment to control the precipitation behavior of κ carbides. Quenched specimens have an excellent combination of strength and plasticity and continuous high strain hardening rate, which is due to the uniform distribution of κ carbides with an average size of 1.6 nm in an austenite matrix. The fracture mode of the sample changed from ductile fracture to cleavage fracture, which was because the aging treatment promoted the precipitation of B2 phases and κ carbides at grain boundaries. The size and volume fraction of nanoscale κ carbides in austenite grains increase with the increase of aging temperature, and the yield strength increases but the density of slip bands decreases, resulting in the gradual decrease of strain hardening rate.
Nanomechanical Characterization of Enzyme Induced Carbonate Precipitates
Authors: Krishnan Vinay , Khodadadi Tirkolaei Hamed , Kazembeyki Maryam , van Paassen Leon A. , Hoover Christian G. , Seto Jong , Kavazanjian Edward
Published: July 2022

The mechanical properties of calcium carbonate minerals formed by enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) were studied using nanoindentation. Two types of precipitates were considered: (i) a “baseline” precipitate, synthesized via urea hydrolysis in an aqueous solution of urease enzyme, urea, and calcium chloride; and (ii) a “modified” precipitate, synthesized from a similar solution, but with the inclusion of nonfat dry milk. While both precipitates predominantly comprised calcite, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy indicated broader peaks in the modified precipitate, implying differences in the crystal structure of the two precipitates. Both precipitates were polycrystalline and had a higher average indentation hardness (H) and a lower indentation modulus (M) compared with the values for single calcite crystals reported in the literature. The ductility of the precipitates was quantified by the ratio M/H. The modified precipitate had a higher average M/H, implying greater ductility. The increased ductility of the modified precipitate results in higher resistance to crack propagation. In sands biocemented using the modified EICP solution, the increased ductility of the precipitate, in addition to preferential precipitation at interparticle contacts, may contribute to relatively high unconfined compressive strengths at low carbonate contents.
Molecular Variation and Phylogeny within Fusarium avenaceum and Related Species
Authors: Yli-Mattila Tapani , Abbas Asmaa , Gavrilova Olga , Gagkaeva Tatiana
Published: July 2022

Many recent articles feature research on the Fusarium tricinctum species complex (FTSC), and their authors present different ideas on how the isolates of this species complex can be identified at the species level. In previous studies, our aim was to investigate the phylogeny of FTSC strains, which researchers have morphologically identified as Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium arthrosporioides, and Fusarium anguioides. In the current study, our phylogenetic maximum parsimony and likelihood analyses of the DNA sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) and combined sequences of TEF1 and beta-tubulin (TUB2) supported the existence of at least four main groups among these strains. Main Group I mainly contains F. avenaceum strains, while Main Group II contains two subgroups, one of which primarily includes F. arthrosporioides strains, and the other mainly includes European F. anguioides strains. Main Group III contains strains from different plants that originated from Asia, including two F. anguioides strains. F. avenaceum strains, which are mostly isolated from different trees, form Main Group IV. A fifth group (Main Group V) was only supported by TEF1 sequences. The main groups previously found by us based on TUB2 sequences could be connected to the new species of the FTSC, which were identified based on TEF1 sequences. In addition, we found strains that significantly differ from Main Groups I-V, and we grouped some of them as single, intermediate, or sister groups. All of the main groups of the present work, and some single and intermediate strains, may represent different species of the FTSC, while the two subgroups of Main Group II constitute intraspecific variation. Regardless of whether they belonged to the main groups, all the analysed strains were able to form different enniatins and 2-amino-14,16-dimethyloctadecan-3-ol, but did not produce beauvericin.
The First Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Pistachio (Pistacia vera)
Authors: Zarei Abdolkarim , Ebrahimi Aziz , Mathur Samarth , Lawson Shaneka
Published: July 2022

Pistachio is one of the most economically important nut crops worldwide. However, there are no reports describing the chloroplast genome of this important fruit tree. In this investigation, we assembled and characterized the complete pistachio chloroplast sequence. The Pistacia vera chloroplast genome was 160,598 bp in size, similar to other members of Anacardiaceae (149,011–172,199 bp) and exhibited the typical four section structure, including a large single copy region (88,174 bp), a small single copy region (19,330 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats regions (26,547 bp). The genome contains 121 genes comprised of 87 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. Thirteen intron-containing genes were identified in the genome wherein two genes had more than two introns. The genomic patterns of GC content resembled those for other Anacardiaceae. P. vera displayed the highest number of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) among the genera studied, which may be useful for molecular marker development and future population studies. Amino acid analysis revealed that Leucine is the most frequent (10.69%) amino acid in the chloroplast genome followed by Isoleucine (8.53%) and Serine (7.77%). Cysteine (1.30%) and Tryptophan (1.74%) were the least frequent amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis revealed P. vera is most like its taxonomically close relative P. weinmaniifolia, followed by Rhus chinensis; all placed taxonomically in the tribe Rhoeae. Members of Anacardiaceae were most closely related to Rhoeae, followed by members of Spondieae. The reports of this chloroplast genome will be useful for future conservation studies, genetic evaluation and breeding of P. vera, and more comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the Pistacia species and its closely-related genera.
SBGTool v2.0: An Empirical Study on a Similarity-Based Grouping Tool for Students’ Learning Outcomes
Authors: Mohseni Zeynab (Artemis) , Martins Rafael M. , Masiello Italo
Published: July 2022

Visual learning analytics (VLA) tools and technologies enable the meaningful exchange of information between educational data and teachers. This allows teachers to create meaningful groups of students based on possible collaboration and productive discussions. VLA tools also allow a better understanding of students’ educational demands. Finding similar samples in huge educational datasets, however, involves the use of effective similarity measures that represent the teacher’s purpose. In this study, we conducted a user study and improved our web-based similarity-based grouping VLA tool, (SBGTool) to help teachers categorize students into groups based on their similar learning outcomes and activities. SBGTool v2.0 differs from SBGTool due to design changes made in response to teacher suggestions, the addition of sorting options to the dashboard table, the addition of a dropdown component to group the students into classrooms, and improvement in some visualizations. To counteract color blindness, we have also considered a number of color palettes. By applying SBGTool v2.0, teachers may compare the outcomes of individual students inside a classroom, determine which subjects are the most and least difficult over the period of a week or an academic year, identify the numbers of correct and incorrect responses for the most difficult and easiest subjects, categorize students into various groups based on their learning outcomes, discover the week with the most interactions for examining students’ engagement, and find the relationship between students’ activity and study success. We used 10,000 random samples from the EdNet dataset, a large-scale hierarchical educational dataset consisting of student–system interactions from multiple platforms at the university level, collected over a two-year period, to illustrate the tool’s efficacy. Finally, we provide the outcomes of the user study that evaluated the tool’s effectiveness. The results revealed that even with limited training, the participants were able to complete the required analysis tasks. Additionally, the participants’ feedback showed that the SBGTool v2.0 gained a good level of support for the given tasks, and it had the potential to assist teachers in enhancing collaborative learning in their classrooms.
Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Multidisciplinary Approach in Diagnostic Accuracy
Authors: Cardín-Pereda Adrián , García-Sánchez Daniel , Terán-Villagrá Nuria , Alfonso-Fernández Ana , Fakkas Michel , Garcés-Zarzalejo Carlos , Pérez-Campo Flor María
Published: July 2022

Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head (ONFH) is a disabling disease affecting up to 30,000 people yearly in the United States alone. Diagnosis and staging of this pathology are both technically and logistically challenging, usually relying on imaging studies. Even anatomopathological studies, considered the gold standard for identifying ONFH, are not exempt from problems. In addition, the diagnosis is often made by different healthcare specialists, including orthopedic surgeons and radiologists, using different imaging modes, macroscopic features, and stages. Therefore, it is not infrequent to find disagreements between different specialists. The aim of this paper is to clarify the association and accuracy of ONFH diagnosis between healthcare professionals. To this end, femoral head specimens from patients with a diagnosis of ONFH were collected from patients undergoing hip replacement surgery. These samples were later histologically analyzed to establish an ONFH diagnosis. We found that clinico-radiological diagnosis of ONFH evidences a high degree of histological confirmation, thus showing an acceptable diagnostic accuracy. However, when the diagnoses of radiologists and orthopedic surgeons are compared with each other, there is only a moderate agreement. Our results underscore the need to develop an effective diagnosis based on a multidisciplinary approach to enhance currently limited accuracy and reliability.
Effectiveness of Evaluation of Adenoid Hypertrophy in Children by Flexible Nasopharyngoscopy Examination (FNE), Proposed Schema of Frequency of Examination: Cohort Study
Authors: Zwierz Aleksander , Domagalski Krzysztof , Masna Krystyna , Burduk Paweł
Published: July 2022

Objectives: To demonstrate the effectiveness of endoscopic assessment of the pharyngeal tonsil in defining the size of the adenoid hypertrophy in endoscopic examination that would be equivalent to intraoperative assessment as a large adenoid, and to determine the lowest necessary frequency of tests to assess the variability of its size. Methods: The study is based on an analysis of two groups of children diagnosed and treated in a children’s ENT outpatient clinic and ENT department. In the first group, adenoid size was assessed based on flexible endoscopy, and then with a consequent adenoid surgery with assessment of the intraoperative size of the adenoid, we compared the size of the adenoid. The second part of the study included a group of 81 children. We analyzed performed flexible nasopharyngoscopy examinations (FNE) of each child, and compared the change of adenoid size in a minimum of two subsequent examinations over a period of 1 year or more. Results: The sensitivity of flexible endoscopic examination in the assessment of the pharyngeal tonsil was determined at 97.3%, and specificity at 72.7%. The ROC curve shows the value of adenoid-to-choana (A/C) ratio as 75% or more in the preoperative FNE, indicating that the tonsil during surgery is assessed as large. Among the children, 26.3% had a change in adenoid size of more than 15% in the A/C ratio in 1 year of observation, and 45% of the children had A/C ratio changed above 15% in a period of 3 years of observation. Conclusions: FNE examination is highly effective in assessing the size of the pharyngeal tonsil. We proposed a schema for frequencies of FNE examinations and treatment dependent on A/C ratio and worsening of ailments.
The Roles of TP53 and FGFR2 in Progress Made Treating Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Adamczyk-Gruszka Olga , Horecka-Lewitowicz Agata , Strzelecka Agnieszka , Wawszczak-Kasza Monika , Gruszka Jakub , Lewitowicz Piotr
Published: July 2022

The morbidity and mortality caused by endometrial cancer (EC) is still rising worldwide. In recent years, a new system of tumor stratification has been proposed based on POLE-mutational status, TP53, and microsatellite stability status. The aim of the study was to analyze a vast panel on the genes potentially involved in the genesis of endometrial cancer in the Polish population. One hundred and three white female patients with confirmed endometrial cancer were enrolled on the study. We performed sequencing using the Hot Spot Illumina panel and microsatellite stability with immunohistochemistry. We confirmed a key role of the TP53 mutation in progress to high-grade EC and parallelly some role of FGFR2 mutation. Moreover, our data present a vast landscape of mutations in EC and their polymorphism. We reported the meaning of FGFR2 mutation and TP53 (high copy number) in high-grade ECs. Our observation in MSI contribution is comparable with other studies. Finally, we see a strong need for the implementation of the TCGA classification.
Reply to Çiftci, S.; Aydin, B.K. Comment on “Lee et al. Accuracy of New Deep Learning Model-Based Segmentation and Key-Point Multi-Detection Method for Ultrasonographic Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) Screening. Diagnostics 2021, 11, 1174”
Authors: Lee Si-Wook , Ye Hee-Uk , Lee Kyung-Jae , Jang Woo-Young , Lee Jong-Ha , Hwang Seok-Min , Heo Yu-Ran
Published: July 2022

We thank Dr. Sadettin Ciftci for his comment on the key point issues in measuring the alpha and beta angle with Graf method. We appreciated his feedback [...]
Watch the Mime Carefully! A Refractory Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Graziano Paolo , Fuso Paolo , Carbonelli Cristiano
Published: July 2022

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare neoplasm of a vascular origin which can arise in different locations such as the lungs, liver, soft tissue, and rarely, in the bones. In the lungs, pulmonary hemangioendothelioma (PEH) shows a variable clinical behavior, displaying a range from either an asymptomatic course to a highly aggressive progression with metastases. Based on radiological features, PEH differential diagnosis mainly includes primary or metastatic lymphangitic carcinomatosis, granulomatous infections, and diffuse interstitial lung diseases where ground glass pattern predominates. In this case, a transbronchial biopsy and subsequent histological and immunohistochemical analysis allowed for the attribution of the scenario to a pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. Clinicians should always consider bronchoscopy as a useful and effective tool to better investigate indeterminate and questionable clinical pictures, sparing patients the morbidity and mortality associated with more invasive techniques such as surgical or thoracoscopic biopsy.
Clinical and Histological Healing after Maxillary Sinus Floor Elevation
Authors: Botticelli Daniele
Published: July 2022

Sinus floor elevation is a surgical procedure that allows for the insertion of the implant in the posterior region of the maxilla in case of insufficient volume of native bone. Several studies have reported a high success rate, and this has helped to spread this surgical procedure around the world. The subject has been extensively studied and this could lead researchers to think that no new scientific evidence can be provided. However, new ideas and discoveries show that research never reaches a conclusion, and that new information can be added all the time. This collection aimed to provide new evidence that could be added to daily clinical work and to provide new ideas for future research.
Cantilevers: Multi-Tool in Orthodontic Treatment
Authors: Bilinska Malgorzata , Kristensen Kasper Dahl , Dalstra Michel
Published: July 2022

This review aims to discuss and illustrate various uses of cantilevers to solve multiple clinical issues and prove their versatility. Cantilevers are commonly used in the segmented arch technique, and they can be designed to solve various clinical problems with highly predictable results. Its design and shape can modify the various combinations of vertical and horizontal forces. The novel trend is to combine cantilevers with skeletal anchorage. Cantilevers offer a very simple and statically determined force system. The advantage is the control over side effects, which normally occur on the anchor teeth and the occlusion. The disadvantages include possible side effects on the anchorage unit, when the anchorage is poorly controlled. The review highlights the clear benefits of cantilever use in complex corrections of single teeth, segments, and entire arch with a diminished effect on the dentition, also with the use of skeletal anchorage. With their simple and easily tailored design, these springs can be called an orthodontic multi-tool.