bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lympho-SPECT/CT as a Key Tool in the Management of a Patient with Chylous Ascites
Authors: Iuele Francesca , Rubini Dino , Altini Corinna , Mammucci Paolo , Pisani Antonio Rosario
Published: January 2023

Chylous ascites is a rare form of ascites usually associated with cirrhosis, abdominal malignancies, surgeries or infections. We presented a case of chylous ascites after robotic laparoscopic prostatectomy (PLDN-RALP), in which the correct diagnosis was achieved by SPECT/CT lymphoscintigraphy. A 72-year-old male developed chylous ascites after surgery and underwent lymphoscintigraphy with radiolabeled albumin nanocolloids for the supplementary study of the lymph flow and to detect a possible site of leakage. The scintigraphic imaging demonstrated the abdominal effusion and lymph stasis in the left iliac region. The combination of planar imaging with SPECT/CT can resolve the assessment of chylous disorders.
Selective In Vitro and Ex Vivo Staining of Brain Neurofibrillary Tangles and Amyloid Plaques by Novel Ethylene Ethynylene-Based Optical Sensors
Authors: Monge Florencia A. , Fanni Adeline M. , Donabedian Patrick L. , Hulse Jonathan , Maphis Nicole M. , Jiang Shanya , Donaldson Tia N. , Clark Benjamin J. , Whitten David G. , Bhaskar Kiran , Chi Eva Y.
Published: January 2023

The identification of protein aggregates as biomarkers for neurodegeneration is an area of interest for disease diagnosis and treatment development. In this work, we present novel super luminescent conjugated polyelectrolyte molecules as ex vivo sensors for tau-paired helical filaments (PHFs) and amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques. We evaluated the use of two oligo-p-phenylene ethynylenes (OPEs), anionic OPE12− and cationic OPE24+, as stains for fibrillar protein pathology in brain sections of transgenic mouse (rTg4510) and rat (TgF344-AD) models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) tauopathy, and post-mortem brain sections from human frontotemporal dementia (FTD). OPE12− displayed selectivity for PHFs in fluorimetry assays and strong staining of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in mouse and human brain tissue sections, while OPE24+ stained both NFTs and Aβ plaques. Both OPEs stained the brain sections with limited background or non-specific staining. This novel family of sensors outperformed the gold-standard dye Thioflavin T in sensing capacities and co-stained with conventional phosphorylated tau (AT180) and Aβ (4G8) antibodies. As the OPEs readily bind protein amyloids in vitro and ex vivo, they are selective and rapid tools for identifying proteopathic inclusions relevant to AD. Such OPEs can be useful in understanding pathogenesis and in creating in vivo diagnostically relevant detection tools for neurodegenerative diseases.
Screening and Evaluation of Thiamethoxam Aptamer Based on Pressurized GO-SELEX and Its Sensor Application
Authors: Yue Yaqi , Zhang De , Tian Kangfei , Ni Dejiang , Guo Fei , Yu Zhi , Wang Pu , Liang Pei
Published: January 2023

Thiamethoxam, a nicotinic pesticide used worldwide, can cause great harm to the environment and even to human health, and aptamers, known as chemical antibodies, have high affinity and specificity for the target, as well as great potential in detecting small molecules such as pesticides. In this paper, we report a highly sensitive biosensor system for thiamethoxam residue detection based on aptamer technology. After 15 rounds of screening with the pressurized GO-SELEX technology, we found that the aptamer libraries of the 5th and 9th rounds showed high affinity by the capture method. Four candidate aptamers were obtained by high-throughput sequencing and secondary structure prediction. Among them, the aptamer named Thi-5R-18 from the 5th round was demonstrated to possess the highest affinity by isothermal titration calorimetry, with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 4.935 × 10−5 M. The results of molecular docking showed that thiamethoxam and Thi-5R-18 were combined with bases G-15, A-19, and T-71 through hydrogen bonding and π–π interaction.Thi-5R-18 was used as a recognition element to construct a AuNPs colorimetric aptasensor, achieving an ultralow detection limit of 0.37 nM. More importantly, this colorimetric aptasensor can be used for quantitative detection of thiamethoxam on tea leaves, with a recovery of 96.94%~105.86%. This study provides a highly sensitive biosensor for detection of thiamethoxam residue.
Insights into the Mechanism of Bipolar Electrodeposition of Au Films and Its Application in Visual Detection of Prostate Specific Antigens
Authors: Zhao Daoyuan , Liu Yujing , Jiang Hong , Yang Haijian , Yu Huihui , Qiao Jingtang , Li Zhiwen , Jin Bing , Wu Meisheng
Published: January 2023

Au particles are commonly used for deposition on the surface of a bipolar electrode (BPE) in order to amplify electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal because of their excellent conductivity, biocompatibility, and large surface area. In this work, a closed BPE device was fabricated and Au particles were deposited on the two poles of a BPE via bipolar deposition. Results indicated that the electrochemical stability of Au film on the anode part of the BPE and the reduction of AuCl4– to Au on the cathode part of the BPE depended on the conductivity of the solution. The prepared Au–Au BPE exhibited a remarkable amplification effect on the ECL signal. Then, a specific sensing interface was constructed on one pole of the BPE for the visual detection of prostate-specific antigens (PSA) based on sandwich-type immunoreactions between primary PSA antibodies (Ab1) on the electrode surface, PSA, and SiO2 nanoparticles labeled secondary PSA antibodies (SiO2-Ab2). The designed biosensor exhibited a good linear relationship for the ECL detection of PSA in the range of 1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−10 g/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9866; the limit of detection (LOD) was 1.5 × 10−11 g/mL. Additionally, the biosensor can realize the electrochemical imaging of PSA by regulating the electrochemical oxidation of the Au anode with the immunoreactions on the cathode part of BPE. Therefore, the small, portable and highly sensitive biosensors have great potential for on-site detection.
The Safety and Feasibility of Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Training in Individuals with Chronic Stroke: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Almutairi Sattam M. , Alfouzan Moodhi M. , Almutairi Taghreed S. , Alkaabi Hatem A. , AlMulaifi Misoon T. , Almutairi Marzouq K. , Alhuthaifi Faisal K. , Swank Chad
Published: January 2023

Background: Lower body positive pressure (LBPP) may provide a novel intervention for gait training in neurological conditions. Nonetheless, studies investigating the safety and feasibility of LBPP in patients with stroke are insufficient. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of LBPP as a rehabilitation intervention for individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: Individuals with chronic stroke were recruited from the community to participate in LBPP gait training three times a week for six weeks. The LBPP’s safety and feasibility were documented throughout the study and at the end of six weeks. Safety and feasibility referred to the incidence of adverse events, complications, the participant and therapist satisfaction questionnaire, and the device limitation including but not limited to technical issues and physical constraints. In addition, blood pressure, pulse rate, and oxygen saturation were taken pre- and post-session. Dependent t-tests were used to analyze the difference between assessments. A Wilcoxon test was used to assess the ordinal data (Trial registration number NCT04767334). Results: Nine individuals (one female, eight males) aged 57 ± 15.4 years were enrolled. All participants completed the intervention without adverse events. All participants reported positive scores from 4 (very satisfying) to 5 (extremely satisfying) in the safety and feasibility questionnaire. No significant differences were observed in blood pressure and oxygen saturation during the intervention sessions. However, significant increases were observed in heart rate from 82.6 ± 9.1 beats/min (pre-session) to 88.1 ± 6.8 beats/min (post-session) (p = 0.027). Conclusions: LBPP is a safe and feasible rehabilitation tool to use with individuals with chronic stroke.
Axial Compression Performance of Precast Circular Semi-Continuous Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns: Finite Element Analysis and Theoretical Modeling
Authors: Cao Bing , Xie Mingming , Huang Bo , Hu Gaoxing , Wang Jiawei
Published: January 2023

A new finite element (FE) model was constructed with ABAQUS, and the applicability of the model was verified by the coincidence with typical damage modes and load-compression curves in the tests, and the axial compression performance of the precast circular semi-continuous concrete-filled steel tube (PCSCFST) columns was investigated. The effects of diameter-thickness ratio, slenderness ratio, yield strength, etc. on the axial compression performance of the PCSCFST columns were investigated by parametric analysis. The changes in slenderness ratio, yield strength and diameter-thickness ratio of the upper and lower steel tubes have obvious effects on the bearing capacity of the specimen, while the changes in bolt diameter and diameter-thickness ratio of the outer steel tube have little effects on the bearing capacity. In particular, the diameter ratio of bolt to steel tube (d/D) increases to 1/10, the bearing capacity increases slightly, the ratio (d/D) continues to increase until the bearing capacity decreases slightly, and the bearing capacity appears to increase significantly after the ratio (d/D) reaches 1/7; the yield strength ratio of bolt to upper and lower steel tube (fyb/fy1) increases from 1 to 2, the bearing capacity decreases slightly, and the bearing capacity increases significantly when the ratio (fyb/fy1) reaches about 2. After that, the change is minimal. In addition, a theoretical model was developed to predict the ultimate bearing capacity of the PCSCFST columns, and a close correlation was found between the FE simulation results and the theoretical model. The mean ratio of the FE ultimate load Nu,FE to the predicted ultimate load Nu,pre was 1.006 with a standard deviation of 0.0389.
Exploring Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Internet of Things (IoT) Integration for Sustainable Building
Authors: Chen Yali , Wang Xiaozi , Liu Zhen , Cui Jia , Osmani Mohamed , Demian Peter
Published: January 2023

Sustainable development, which has become the priority study of architectural design, is receiving increasing attention with global climate change. At the same time, the building industry is urgently changing towards intelligent and digitalized tendencies. As a result, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT) make crucial contributions to the transforming process. However, there is little knowledge of the integration of BIM–IoT in sustainable building from a macro perspective. Moreover, most existing research adopts a literature review method and lacks objective quantitative analysis. Few papers use bibliometric analysis to study the respective BIM and IoT research fields. Furthermore, few studies use Citespace software tools to analyze the integrated application of BIM–IoT. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the research frontiers and knowledge structure in BIM–IoT integration and the relationship between BIM-IoT and sustainable building and explore the research hotspots, trends, and future research directions. A quick and objective method was proposed to understand the research status of these new and rapidly developing fields. This paper uses topic search in the web of science core collection to obtain relevant literature and then uses Citespace for bibliometric analysis based on the literature review. Controlled terms and subject terms statistics from the Engineering Index core database search results are also used to briefly examine the fields’ research frontiers and hotspots as obtained from Citespace. The results show that: (1) The research on BIM–IoT integration focuses on building intelligence with BIM as the basis of application, and research on BIM–IoT integration within the field of sustainable building is currently focused on the first three phases of the life cycle. (2) The development of sustainable buildings needs to be considered on its human and social dimensions. BIM provides a platform for sharing information and communication among stakeholders involved in the building’s entire life cycle. At the same time, IoT allows occupants to better participate in buildings’ sustainable design and decision making. (3) In the future, more emerging technologies such as cloud computing and big data are required to better promote sustainable buildings and thus realize the construction of sustainable smart cities. At the same time, researchers should also pay attention to the sustainable transformation of existing buildings.
Influence of Infill on Reinforced Concrete Frame Resting on Slopes under Lateral Loading
Authors: Sivanantham Pradeep , Selvan Subramanian Senthil , Srinivasan Satyanarayanan Kachabeswara , Gurupatham Beulah Gnana Ananthi , Roy Krishanu
Published: January 2023

When compared to traditional reinforced concrete constructions on level surfaces, buildings situated on hills with slopes require additional consideration, particularly when seismic loading is an important factor. In hilly slopes, the ground-level columns of structures have different heights due to the nature of the slope, which leads to a short column effect. This paper represents an experimental and analytical investigation of the behaviour of reinforced concrete frames and their response in sloped regions of hills, in which global retrofitting techniques were adopted by providing solid infill in the short column effect zone for the columns in the same storey of differentheights. Numerical analysis was conducted on how infill affected the short column effect under lateral cyclic loads. It was discovered that compared to bare reinforced concrete frames, masonry infill greatly increased the lateral load-carrying capacity by up to 50%. In the meantime, the frame’s ability to dissipate energy increased linearly. After infill was added to the frame with the short column effect, the reinforced concrete structure’s different reactions, including ultimate load displacement, crack pattern, energy dissipation, and energy absorption, were examined. With the addition of a solid infill, the reinforced concrete structure’s lateral strength and energy dissipation capacity were increased by 2.45 times. The damage development on the reinforced concrete frame with infill and the short column effect was less impacted by lateral stress than the reinforced concrete frame without infill.
Participatory Planning of Public Architecture under the Condition of Newly Exploring and Organizing Various Participants: The Case of School Facility in Korea
Authors: Baek Seon Gyeong
Published: January 2023

Discussions and practices aimed at improving the learning environment of public school facilities built in the 1990s to fit the current century are ongoing. There have been improvements to the school environment in Korea for approximately a decade that involved user participation and collaboration in the design process. This study aims to determine the characteristics of user participation in consultations on one such project and reflects on the condition that participants in public building projects be newly sought out and organized. This is a qualitative study that tracks the actions and results of participants and related subjects from an exploratory point of view, targeting the Seoul Eunro Elementary School (SEES) project. The participants did not include users who raised issues about the school space or influenced the start of the project, moreover, they had no experience participating in public projects. Thereby, the participants should be categorized into newly or partly reorganized groups. The administration and experts should focus on collecting opinions, including design training, and detailed roles should be assigned for the same.
The Influence of Built-Environment Factors on Connectivity of Road Networks in Residential Areas: A Study Based on 204 Samples in Nanjing, China
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Rui , Wu Yue , Chu Guanlong , Wu Xiaomin
Published: January 2023

Over the past decades, China has built a large number of superblocks and gated residential areas, which have contributed to increased congestion on urban road traffic. Although some studies have found a correlation between residential environments and travel convenience, there is little quantitative evidence to explain which factors influence the connectivity of road networks. This paper aims to clarify the indicators of built environments in Chinese residential areas that affect travel accessibility and their correlation proportions through a more quantitative method and to provide a basis for planning and design decisions. To this end, this study took 204 residential areas in the three districts of Nanjing, China as a sample and calculated 16 built-environment indicators. The path distance (D) and pedestrian route directness (PRD) from the center of these residential areas to the nearest urban intersection were measured by GIS as outcome variables. First, correlation analysis was used to screen for significant variables, and multiple linear regression models were used to examine the significant influencing factors of D and PRD. Then, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to provide a model that could determine whether the built environment of the residential area met the requirements for convenient travel. The results revealed that the length of the long side, the area size, and the total road length of the residential area were significantly related to D, and the number of entrances and exits, the intersection density, and the X ratio were significantly related to PRD. The indicators that were positively correlated with D were the size, network complexity, and the boundary shape of the residential area according to the degree of correlation. Meanwhile, other indicators such as the density and connectivity of the residential road network were negatively correlated with D.
Novel Nanobiocatalyst Constituted by Lipase from Burkholderia cepacia Immobilized on Graphene Oxide Derived from Grape Seed Biochar
Authors: de Almeida Lays C. , Andrade Erikles L. O. , Santos Jefferson C. B. , Santos Roberta M. , Fricks Alini T. , Freitas Lisiane dos S. , Lima Álvaro S. , Pereira Matheus M. , Soares Cleide M. F.
Published: January 2023

The present research aims to study the process of immobilization of lipase from Burkholderia cepacia by physical adsorption on graphene oxide derived (GO) from grape seed biochar. Additionally, the modified Hummers method was used to obtain the graphene oxide. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectrum, X-ray diffraction, and point of zero charge were used for the characterization of the GO. The influences of pH, temperature, enzyme/support concentration on the catalytic activity were evaluated for the immobilized biocatalyst. The best immobilization was found (543 ± 5 U/g of support) in the pH 4.0. Considering the biochemical properties, the optimal pH and temperature were 3.0 and 50 °C, respectively, for the immobilized biocatalyst. Reusability studies exhibited that the immobilized lipase well kept 60% of its original activity after 5 cycles of reuse. Overall, these results showed the high potential of graphene oxide obtained from biochar in immobilization lipase, especially the application of nanobiocatalysts on an industrial scale.
Avant-Garde Polymer and Nano-Graphite-Derived Nanocomposites—Versatility and Implications
Authors: Kausar Ayesha
Published: January 2023

Graphite (stacked graphene layers) has been modified in several ways to enhance its potential properties/utilities. One approach is to convert graphite into a unique ‘nano-graphite’ form. Nano-graphite consists of few-layered graphene, multi-layered graphene, graphite nanoplatelets, and other graphene aggregates. Graphite can be converted to nano-graphite using physical and chemical methods. Nano-graphite, similar to graphite, has been reinforced in conducting polymers/thermoplastics/rubbery matrices to develop high-performance nanocomposites. Nano-graphite and polymer/nano-graphite nanomaterials have characteristics that are advantageous over those of pristine graphitic materials. This review basically highlights the essential features, design versatilities, and applications of polymer/nano-graphite nanocomposites in solar cells, electromagnetic shielding, and electronic devices.
Therapeutic Advances in Relapsed and Refractory Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Stuver Robert , Moskowitz Alison J.
Published: January 2023

Historic outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory nodal-based T-cell lymphomas are poor, with survival generally measured in months in multiple reports from the late 20th and early 21st century. Until recently, salvage strategies have mostly been borrowed from other aggressive lymphomas. However, dedicated investigations into the pathogenesis of T-cell lymphomas have resulted in an outpouring of therapies that target these diseases in biologically rational strategies. In particular, an evolving appreciation of the multiple complex oncogenic pathways and epigenetic changes that underlie these diseases has led to numerous agents targeting these aberrancies. Moreover, large reports of salvage allogeneic stem cell transplants in T-cell lymphoma have now been published, showing that adaptive immunotherapy is a potentially curative strategy for patients with relapsed or refractory disease. This review highlights therapeutic advances for relapsed or refractory T-cell lymphomas, including cellular therapy and allogeneic stem cell transplant, and provides a framework for management.
Stromal POSTN Enhances Motility of Both Cancer and Stromal Cells and Predicts Poor Survival in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ueki Akane , Komura Masayuki , Koshino Akira , Wang Chengbo , Nagao Kazuhiro , Homochi Mai , Tsukada Yuki , Ebi Masahide , Ogasawara Naotaka , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Kasai Kenji , Kasugai Kunio , Takahashi Satoru , Inaguma Shingo
Published: January 2023

Evidence for the tumor-supporting capacities of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has rapidly been accumulating. To uncover clinicopathological importance of periostin (POSTN) expression in colorectal cancer (CRC), the present study immunohistochemically examined its expression status. Furthermore, to reveal its mechanisms involved, molecular experiments were performed. In CRC tissues, 44% of the cases (119/269) exhibited POSTN expression in the CAFs. In contrast, CRC cells expressed POSTN at almost undetectable levels. Survival analyses identified that patients with POSTN-positive CRC had a significantly worse 5-year survival rate (63.2% vs. 81.2%; p = 0.011). Univariate analyses revealed that POSTN positivity was associated with peritoneal (p = 0.0031) and distant organ metastasis (p < 0.001). Furthermore, immunohistochemical analyses identified a significant association between POSTN and p53 complete loss status in CRC cells. Decorin and fibroblast activation protein expression in CAFs was also associated with POSTN. POSTN significantly enhanced the migration of both CRC cells and fibroblasts with FAK and AKT or STAT3 activation, and co-culture assays demonstrated the communication between CRC cells and fibroblasts, which enhanced STAT3 activation in fibroblasts. On the basis of our results, we speculated that stromal POSTN accelerated metastasis via stromal remodeling capacity and activated the migration of both tumor and stromal cells.
Repeated Cytoreduction Combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in Selected Patients Affected by Peritoneal Metastases: Italian PSM Oncoteam Evidence
Authors: Pasqual Enrico Maria , Londero Ambrogio P. , Robella Manuela , Tonello Marco , Sommariva Antonio , De Simone Michele , Bacchetti Stefano , Baiocchi Gianluca , Asero Salvatore , Coccolini Federico , De Cian Franco , Guaglio Marcello , Cinquegrana Armando , Cenzi Carola , Scaringi Stefano , Macrì Antonio
Published: January 2023

The reiteration of surgical cytoreduction (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients affected by recurrent peritoneal metastases is still questioned regarding safety and effectiveness. This study evaluates the safety, efficacy, and associated factors of iterative CRS combined with HIPEC. This multicentric retrospective study collected data from four surgical oncology centers, on iterative HIPEC. We gathered data on patient and cancer characteristics, the peritoneal cancer index (PCI), completeness of cytoreduction (CC), postoperative complications, and overall survival (OS). In the study period, 141 CRS-plus-HIPECs were performed on 65 patients. Nine patients underwent three iterative procedures, and one underwent five. No increased incidence of complications after the second or third procedure was observed. Furthermore, operative time and hospitalization stay were significantly shorter after the second than after the first procedure (p < 0.05). Optimal cytoreduction was achieved in more than 90% of cases in each procedure, whether first, second, or third. A five-year (5 y) OS represented 100% of the cases of diffuse malignant-peritoneal-mesotheliomas, 81.39% of pseudomyxoma peritonei, 34.67% of colorectal cancer (CRC), and 52.50% of ovarian cancer. During the second CRS combined with HIPEC, we observed a lower rate of complete cytoreduction and a non-significantly better survival in cases with complete cytoreduction (5 y−OS CC−0 56.51% vs. 37.82%, p = 0.061). Concomitant hepatic-CRC-metastasis did not compromise the CRS-plus-HIPEC safety and efficacy. This multicentric experience encourages repeated CRS-plus-HIPEC, showing promising results.
Synthesis and Biological Activity of a VHL-Based PROTAC Specific for p38α
Authors: Cubillos-Rojas Mónica , Loren Guillem , Hakim Yusuf Z. , Verdaguer Xavier , Riera Antoni , Nebreda Angel R.
Published: January 2023

We report a series of small molecule proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) that target the protein kinase p38α for degradation. These PROTACs are based on a ligand of the VHL E3 ubiquitin ligase, which is linked to an ATP competitive inhibitor of p38α. We provide evidence that these compounds can induce the specific degradation of p38α, but not p38β and other related kinases, at nanomolar concentrations in several mammalian cell lines. We also show that the p38α-specific PROTACs are soluble in aqueous solutions and therefore suitable for their administration to mice. Systemic administration of the PROTACs induces p38α degradation only in the liver, probably due to the PROTAC becoming inactivated in that organ, but upon local administration the PROTACs induce p38α degradation in mammary tumors. Our compounds provide an alternative to traditional chemical inhibitors for targeting p38α signaling in cultured cells and in vivo.
Machine Learning to Predict the Response to Lenvatinib Combined with Transarterial Chemoembolization for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ma Jun , Bo Zhiyuan , Zhao Zhengxiao , Yang Jinhuan , Yang Yan , Li Haoqi , Yang Yi , Wang Jingxian , Su Qing , Wang Juejin , Chen Kaiyu , Yu Zhengping , Wang Yi , Chen Gang
Published: January 2023

Background: Lenvatinib and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) are first-line treatments for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the objective response rate (ORR) is not satisfactory. We aimed to predict the response to lenvatinib combined with TACE before treatment for unresectable HCC using machine learning (ML) algorithms based on clinical data. Methods: Patients with unresectable HCC receiving the combination therapy of lenvatinib combined with TACE from two medical centers were retrospectively collected from January 2020 to December 2021. The response to the combination therapy was evaluated over the following 4–12 weeks. Five types of ML algorithms were applied to develop the predictive models, including classification and regression tree (CART), adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM). The performance of the models was assessed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The Shapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) method was applied to explain the model. Results: A total of 125 unresectable HCC patients were included in the analysis after the inclusion and exclusion criteria, among which 42 (33.6%) patients showed progression disease (PD), 49 (39.2%) showed stable disease (SD), and 34 (27.2%) achieved partial response (PR). The nonresponse group (PD + SD) included 91 patients, while the response group (PR) included 34 patients. The top 40 most important features from all 64 clinical features were selected using the recursive feature elimination (RFE) algorithm to develop the predictive models. The predictive power was satisfactory, with AUCs of 0.74 to 0.91. The SVM model and RF model showed the highest accuracy (86.5%), and the RF model showed the largest AUC (0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61–0.95). The SHAP summary plot and decision plot illustrated the impact of the top 40 features on the efficacy of the combination therapy, and the SHAP force plot successfully predicted the efficacy at the individualized level. Conclusions: A new predictive model based on clinical data was developed using ML algorithms, which showed favorable performance in predicting the response to lenvatinib combined with TACE for unresectable HCC. Combining ML with SHAP could provide an explicit explanation of the efficacy prediction.
Caregivers with Cancer Patients: Focus on Hispanics
Authors: Bisht Jasbir , Rawat Priyanka , Sehar Ujala , Reddy P. Hemachandra
Published: January 2023

Cancer is a public health concern and causes more than 8 million deaths annually. Cancer triggers include population growth, aging, and variations in the prevalence and distribution of the critical risk factors for cancer. Multiple hallmarks are involved in cancer, including cell proliferation, evading growth suppressors, activating invasion and metastasis, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, reprogramming energy metabolism, and evading immune destruction. Both cancer and dementia are age-related and potentially lethal, impacting survival. With increasing aging populations, cancer and dementia cause a burden on patients, family members, the health care system, and informal/formal caregivers. In the current article, we highlight cancer prevalence with a focus on different ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Our article covers risk factors and genetic causes associated with cancer and types of cancers and comorbidities. We extensively cover the impact of cancer in Hispanics in comparison to that in other ethnic groups. We also discuss the status of caregivers with cancer patients and urgent needs from the state and federal support for caregivers.
Green Synthesis of Silver Oxide Microparticles Using Green Tea Leaves Extract for an Efficient Removal of Malachite Green from Water: Synergistic Effect of Persulfate
Authors: Iqra  , Khattak Rozina , Begum Bushra , Qazi Raina Aman , Gul Hajera , Khan Muhammad Sufaid , Khan Sanaullah , Bibi Naheed , Han Changseok , Rahman Najeeb Ur
Published: January 2023

The removal of water pollutants by photocatalysis is a promising technique, mainly due to its environmentally friendly and sustainable nature. In this study, the degradation of a recalcitrant organic pollutant, malachite green (MG), was investigated in water by a microstructured silver oxide photocatalyst. The silver oxide (Ag2O) microparticles (MPs) were synthesized by a low-cost, green method, mediated by green tea leaves extract. The surface, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized Ag2O MPs were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible) spectrophotometry. The synthesized Ag2O MPs showed good photoactivity, represented by 83% degradation of malachite green (MG) ([C]0 = 0.4 mM, Ag2O loading = 0.1 g L−1) at neutral pH, in 3 h. Persulfate ions (PS) showed a strong synergistic effect on the efficiency of solar/Ag2O photocatalysis, represented by complete MG removal in 15 min, in the presence of 1.6 mM PS. The results revealed that solar/Ag2O, particularly solar/Ag2O/PS photocatalysis is a promising method for the elimination of toxic organic pollutants, such as malachite green, from the water environment.
A New 2D Metal-Organic Framework for Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes in Water
Authors: Arif Muhammad , Fatima Urooj , Rauf Abdul , Farooqi Zahoor Hussain , Javed Mohsin , Faizan Muhammad , Zaman Shahid
Published: January 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are fascinating photocatalytic materials because of their unique physical and catalytic properties. Herein, we report a new (E)-4-(3-carboxyacrylamido) benzoic acid [ABA–MA] ligand synthesized under facile conditions. This ABA–MA ligand is further utilized to synthesize a copper-based 2D MOF via the solvothermal process. The resulting 2D MOF is characterized for morphology and electronic structural analysis using advanced techniques, such as proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, 2D MOF is employed as a photocatalyst for degrading organic dyes, demonstrating the degradation/reduction of methylene blue (MeBl) dye with excellent catalytic/photodegradation activity in the absence of any photosensitizer or cocatalyst. The apparent rate constant (kap) values for the catalytic degradation/reduction of MeBl on the Cu(II)–[ABA-MA] MOF are reported to be 0.0093 min−1, 0.0187 min−1, and 0.2539 min−1 under different conditions of sunlight and NaBH4. The kinetics and stability evaluations reveal the noteworthy photocatalytic potential of the Cu(II)–[ABA–MA] MOF for wastewater treatment. This work offers new insights into the fabrication of new MOFs for highly versatile photocatalytic applications.
Research Progress on Application in Energy Conversion of Silicon Carbide-Based Catalyst Carriers
Authors: Teng Yingyue , Liu Dingze , Li Qiang , Bai Xue , Song Yinmin
Published: January 2023

In modern industrial production, heterogeneous catalysts play an important role. A catalyst carrier, as a constituent of heterogeneous catalysts, is employed for supporting and loading active components. The catalyst carrier has a considerable impact on the overall acting performance of the catalysts in actual production. Therefore, a catalyst carrier should have some necessary properties such as a high specific surface area, excellent mechanical strength and wear resistance, and better thermal stability. Among the candidate materials, silicon carbide (SiC) has excellent physical and chemical properties due to its special crystal structure; these properties include outstanding thermal conductivity and remarkable mechanical strength and chemical stability. Therefore, SiC materials with a high specific surface area basically meet the requirements of catalyst carriers. Accordingly, SiC has broad application prospects in the field of catalysis and is an ideal material for preparing catalyst carriers. In the present study, we reviewed the preparation methods and the variation in the raw materials used for preparing SiC-based catalyst carriers with high specific surface areas, in particular the research progress on the application of SiC-based catalyst carriers in the field of energy-conversion in recent years. The in-depth analysis indicated that the construction of SiC with a special structure, large-scale synthesis of SiC by utilizing waste materials, low-temperature synthesis of SiC, and exploring the interaction between SiC supports and active phases are the key strategies for future industrial development; these will have far-reaching significance in enhancing catalytic efficiency, reutilization of resources, ecological environmental protection, energy savings, and reductions in energy consumption.
Real-Time Degradation of Indoor Formaldehyde Released from Actual Particle Board by Heterostructured g-C3N4/TiO2 Photocatalysts under Visible Light
Authors: Jin Qing , Xiang Youlin , Gan Lu
Published: January 2023

Indoor formaldehyde pollution causes a serious threat to human health since it is uninterruptedly released from wooden furniture. Herein, we prepared a g-C3N4-modified TiO2 composite photocatalyst and coated it on the surface of a commercial artificial particle board with the assistance of melamine formaldehyde adhesive. The g-C3N4/ TiO2 coating was then used to degrade formaldehyde which was released in real-time from the particle board under the irradiation of visible light. The results showed that compared with pure TiO2, the g-C3N4/ TiO2 composite with a heterojunction structure had a lower band gap energy (~2.6 eV), which could effectively capture luminous energy from the visible light region. Under continuous irradiation, the g-C3N4/ TiO2 photocatalytic coating was capable of degrading more than 50% of formaldehyde constantly released from the particle board. In the meantime, the photocatalytic coating also exhibited promising catalytic stability towards various formaldehyde release speeds, air flow velocities and environmental humidities. The hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical were found to be the predominant active species which triggered formaldehyde degradation. This study provides a feasible and practical approach for the improvement in indoor air quality through photocatalyst surface engineering.
The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Liver Disease, Injury, and Regeneration
Authors: Rowe Melissa M. , Kaestner Klaus H.
Published: January 2023

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have diverse functions in health and pathology in many tissues, including the liver. This review highlights important microRNAs (miRs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in liver disease and regeneration. Greater attention is given to more prevalent and well characterized RNAs, including: miR-122, miR-21, the let-7 family of miRs, miR-451a, miR-144, and MALAT1.
Comparison of Radiation Response between 2D and 3D Cell Culture Models of Different Human Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Raitanen Julia , Barta Bernadette , Hacker Marcus , Georg Dietmar , Balber Theresa , Mitterhauser Markus
Published: January 2023

Radiation therapy is one of the most effective tools in cancer therapy. However, success varies individually, necessitating improved understanding of radiobiology. Three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroids are increasingly gaining attention, being a superior in vitro cancer model compared to 2D cell cultures. This in vitro study aimed at comparing radiation responses in 2D and 3D cell culture models of different human cancer cell lines (PC-3, LNCaP and T-47D) irradiated with varying doses (1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 20 Gy) of X-ray beams. Radiation response was analyzed by growth analysis, various cell viability assays (e.g., clonogenic assay, resazurin assay) and amount of DNA damage (γH2AX Western Blot). Results showed decreasing cell proliferation with the increase of radiation doses for all cell lines in monolayers and spheroids of LNCaP and T-47D. However, significantly lower radiosensitivity was detected in spheroids, most pronounced in PC-3, evincing radiation resistance of PC-3 spheroids up to 8 Gy and significant growth inhibition only by a dose escalation of 20 Gy. Cell line comparison showed highest radiosensitivity in LNCaP, followed by T-47D and PC-3 in 2D, whereas, in 3D, T-47D showed highest sensitivity. The results substantiate the significant differences in radiobiological response to X-rays between 2D and 3D cell culture models.
Epigenetic Perspective of Immunotherapy for Cancers
Authors: Keshari Sunita , Barrodia Praveen , Singh Anand Kamal
Published: January 2023

Immunotherapy has brought new hope for cancer patients in recent times. However, despite the promising success of immunotherapy, there is still a need to address major challenges including heterogeneity in response among patients, the reoccurrence of the disease, and iRAEs (immune-related adverse effects). The first critical step towards solving these issues is understanding the epigenomic events that play a significant role in the regulation of specific biomolecules in the context of the immune population present in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) during various treatments and responses. A prominent advantage of this step is that it would enable researchers to harness the reversibility of epigenetic modifications for their druggability. Therefore, we reviewed the crucial studies in which varying epigenomic events were captured with immuno-oncology set-ups. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic possibilities of their utilization for the betterment of immunotherapy in terms of diagnosis, progression, and cure for cancer patients.
FTO Regulated Intramuscular Fat by Targeting APMAP Gene via an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent Manner in Rex Rabbits
Authors: Luo Gang , Hong Tingting , Yu Lin , Ren Zhanjun
Published: January 2023

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulates fat development in many ways. Low intramuscular fat (IMF) in rabbit meat seriously affects consumption. In order to improve meat quality, we explored the law of IMF deposition. FTO could increase the expression of APMAP and adipocyte differentiation through methylation. However, interference YTHDF2 can partially recover the influence of interference FTO on the APMAP gene and adipocyte differentiation. APMAP promoted the differentiation of adipocytes. Analysis of IMF and APMAP expression showed IMF content is positive with the expression level of the APMAP gene (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Together, FTO can regulate intramuscular fat by targeting the APMAP gene via an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent manner in Rex rabbits. The result provides a theoretical basis for the molecular breeding of rabbits.
School Dental Services Theoretical Model-Based on Geographic Information System in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aqeeli Amal , Alsharif Alla T. , Tennant Marc , Kruger Estie
Published: January 2023

The study aimed to design a geographic theoretical model for school dental services (SDS) in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia (SA), using a geographic information system (GIS). The location of all primary public schools and the student population at each school were obtained from the General Administration of Education in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Region website. The geographic modeling for SDS was analyzed using GIS according to two models. A scenario was developed to simulate the demand for dental care for the two models based on schoolchildren’s estimated oral health profile. The areas with the higher number of schools; higher number of students; and dense child population as presented in the map suggest the future location of SDS. The total number of dentists required to work in SDS settings was 415 for the first model, and 277 for the second model. The suggested average number of dentists per district in the highest child population density districts is 18 dentists in the first model, compared to 14 in the second model. Establishing SDS is suggested as a solution to the persistently high prevalence of dental caries among schoolchildren in Al-Madinah and SA in general. A model was suggested for SDS with a guide of the proposed SDS locations and the number of dentists to hire for the services to meet the child population’s oral health needs.
Kaposi Sarcoma in a Child after Fanconi Anemia-Induced Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: A Case Report
Authors: Alsaidan Mohammed Saud , Aljarbou Ohoud Zaid , Alajroush Waleed
Published: January 2023

Kaposi sarcoma is relatively common after solid organ transplantation, but very rare after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Here we are reporting a rare case of Kaposi sarcoma in a child after HSCT. An 11-year-old boy with Fanconi anemia was treated by haploidentical HSCT from his father. Three weeks after transplantation, the patient developed severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) which was treated by immunosuppressive therapy and extracorporeal photopheresis. Approximately 6.5 months after HSCT, the patient had asymptomatic nodular skin lesions over the scalp, chest, and face. Histopathological examination showed typical findings of Kaposi sarcoma. Later, additional lesions in the liver and oral cavity were confirmed. Liver biopsy was positive for HHV-8 antibodies. The patient was continued on Sirolimus which was already being used for the treatment of GVHD. Cutaneous lesions were also treated with topical timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution. Within six months, cutaneous and mucous membrane lesions were completely resolved. Follow-up abdominal ultrasound and MRI showed the disappearance of the hepatic lesion.
Evaluation of Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effects of Solanum indicum Fruit Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Gadewar Manoj M. , G K Prashanth , Mishra Prabhu Chandra , Ashraf Ghulam Md , Almashjary Majed N. , Harakeh Steve , Upadhye Vijay , Dey Abhijit , Singh Pallavi , Jha Niraj Kumar , Jha Saurabh Kumar
Published: January 2023

Background: Globally, diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of premature mortality after cardiovascular diseases and tobacco chewing. It is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterised by the faulty metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins as a result of defects in insulin secretion or resistance. It was estimated that approximately 463 million of the adult population are suffering from diabetes mellitus, which may grow up to 700 million by 2045. Solanum indicum is distributed all over India and all of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The different parts of the plant such as the roots, leaves and fruits were used traditionally in the treatment of cough, asthma and rhinitis. However, the hypoglycaemic activity of the plant is not scientifically validated. Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-hyperlipidaemic activity of methanolic fruit extract of Solanum indicum (SIE) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Method: Experimentally, type II diabetes was induced in rats by an i.p. injection of STZ at a dose of 60 mg/kg. The effect of the fruit extract was evaluated at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight in STZ-induced diabetic rats for 30 days. Result: The oral administration of fruit extract caused a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the blood glucose level with a more prominent effect at 200 mg/kg. The fruit extract showed dose-dependent α-amylase and α-glycosidase inhibitory activity. It reduced the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels remarkably in diabetic rats compared to normal. The extract showed the reduced activity of endogenous antioxidants, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the liver of STZ diabetic rats. Conclusion: The result confirmed that the fruit extract of Solanum indicum showed a dose-dependent blood glucose lowering effect and significantly reduced elevated blood cholesterol and triglycerides. It prevented oxidative stress associated with type II diabetes in STZ rats.