bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerobic physical exercise enhances nanoparticle efficacy in prostate cancer treatment
Authors: Veras Allice Santos Cruz , Batista Victor Rogério Garcia , Correia Rafael Ribeiro , Tavares Maria Eduarda Almeida , Rubira Rafael Jesus Gonçalves , Tavares Elaine Rufo , Maranhão Raul Cavalcante , Teixeira Giovana Rampazzo
Published: August 2023

The effectiveness of drugs currently employed for prostate cancer (PC) can vary, as they may not always yield satisfactory results. Moreover, resistance to these drugs can develop over time, rendering long-term therapy ineffective, depending on the specific type of cancer. The research and clinical application of drug-carrying nanoparticles in various types of cancers is rapidly expanding. Here, we used a nanoemulsion (LDE) as a carrier of docetaxel (DTX). Nevertheless, our testing has demonstrated that the non-pharmacological effects of aerobic physical exercise can enhance the antitumor effects associated with LDE nanoemulsion in the treatment of PC. Aerobic physical exercise demonstrated a potentiation effect on the internalization of LDE nanoparticles. Notably, when combined with LDE+DTX+EX, it resulted in an increased expression of p-16, p-27, p-53, and p-21 compared to the PC group. The LDE-DTX treatment exhibited significant reductions in prostate weight, protected against adenocarcinomas, decreased proliferation, and downregulated the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2, while simultaneously increasing the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein BAX and reduction of the inflammation. Additionally, the LDE+DTX+EX group displayed metabolic regulation, as evidenced by reductions in lipids and plasma glucose levels. These findings collectively highlight the potential benefits of combining LDE, docetaxel, and physical exercise, indicating improved therapeutic outcomes and metabolic regulation in prostate cancer. In conclusion, our findings revealed that the combined treatment of LDE-docetaxel and physical exercise led to an increase in tumor suppressor proteins, which had a significant impact on the phenotype of PC.
Nonparametric Bayesian Online Change Point Detection Using Kernel Density Estimation with Nonparametric Hazard Function
Authors: Prabpon Naruesorn , Homsud Kitakorn , Vatiwutipong Pat
Published: August 2023

This paper aims to develop Bayesian online change point detection (BOCD), a parametric change point detection method, into a nonparametric method to be able to detect change points in a free-distribution time series. Instead of using pre-defined exponential family distribution for predictive probability, we use kernel density estimation in which two possible options have been proposed. The first is manual constant bandwidth selection. This option provides a fast computation of KDE as it can pursue dynamic programming. Another option for maximum accuracy is a nonparametric bandwidth estimator. Additionally, to pursue the goal of fully nonparametric change point detection, the predefined hazard function in BOCD method is changed to be a nonparametric estimator. The performance of the proposed method was intensively evaluated with simulated and real-life data, and compared with other traditional methods. It was found that nonparametric BOCD gives a better solution in general cases as a consequence of the adaptive property of KDE. But this also comes with a drawback: it requires a sufficient amount of data to form a precise distribution curve to accurately detect change points.
Prognostic impact of cancer inflammation prognostic index for non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Motono Nozomu , Mizoguchi Takaki , Ishikawa Masahito , Iwai Shun , Iijima Yoshihito , Uramoto Hidetaka
Published: August 2023

Purpose: Cancer-inflammation prognostic index (CIPI) is calculated by multiplying the concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen by neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. CIPI has been reported as a prognostic factor for colorectal cancer. Although carcinoembryonic antigen and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio have been reported as prognostic factors for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), it has not been investigated whether CIPI is a useful marker.
Methods: We analyzed the prognostic factors, including CIPI, in 700 NSCLC patients treated by pulmonary resection. We also analyzed a subgroup of 482 patients with pathological stage I NSCLC.
Result: CIPI>14.59 (P<.01), maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) >5.35 (P<.01), lymphatic invasion (P=.01), and pathological stage (P<.01) were significant factors for relapse-free survival (RFS) in multivariate analysis. SUVmax>5.35 (P<.01) and pathological stage (P<.01) were revealed as significant factors for overall survival in the multivariate analysis.
In the subanalysis, CIPI>14.88 (P=.01) and SUVmax>5.07 (P<.01) were significant factors for RFS of pathological stage I NSCLC in multivariate analysis.
Conclusion: CIPI was a significant factor for RFS in NSCLC patients treated surgically, even in those with pathological stage I disease. SUVmax was also a significant factor for RFS and overall survival in NSCLC patients treated surgically, and for RFS in patients with pathological stage I NSCLC.
Trial registration: The Institutional Review Board of Kanazawa Medical University approved the protocol of this retrospective study (approval number: I392), and written informed consent was obtained from all patients
Insecticide-treated bed nets and residual indoor spraying reduce malaria in areas with low transmission: a reanalysis of the Maltrials study
Authors: Gari Taye , Lindtjørn Bernt
Published: August 2023

Background: We reanalysed malaria incidence data from a malaria prevention study from the Rift Valley in Central Ethiopia (see https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12936-019-2775-1). Our objective was to investigate whether including an administrative structure within the society, which may have required consideration in our protocol or previous analysis, would provide divergent outcomes.
Methods: We performed a cluster-randomised controlled trial lasting 121 weeks with 176 clusters in four groups with 6071 households with 34,548 persons: interventions combining indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), IRS alone, ITNs alone and routine use. The primary outcome was malaria incidence. A multilevel negative binomial regression model was employed to examine the impact of the kebele and the proximity of homes to the primary mosquito breeding sites as potential residual confounders (levels). The study also assessed whether these factors influenced the effect measures of the interventions.
Results: The initial findings of our study revealed 1183 instances of malaria episodes among 1059 persons, with comparable effects observed across the four intervention groups. In the reanalysis, the results showed that both ITN+IRS (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.63, P<0.001) and ITN alone (IRR 0.78, P=0.011) were associated with a greater reduction in malaria cases compared to IRS (IRR 0.90; P=0.28) or the control group (reference). The combined usage of IRS with ITN yields better outcomes compared to the standalone use of ITN and surpasses the effectiveness of IRS in isolation.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that implementing a combination of IRS and ITN decreased malaria incidence. Furthermore, there was an observed synergistic impact when ITN and IRS were used in combination. Considering relevant social structures as potential residual confounders is of paramount importance.
Trial registration: PACTR201411000882128 (08 September 2014)
Sub-one Quasi-norm-based k-means Clustering Algorithm and Analyses
Authors: An Qi , Jiang Shan
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we investigate the impact of distance metrics on the performance of the k-means algorithm, which is one of the most popular clustering schemes. Our focus is on the sub-one ℓp quasi-norm-based distance metric, which has recently gained attention due to its ability to better leverage similarities between data-items while avoiding overemphasizing the dissimilarities. Through an illustrative example, we demonstrate the superiority of the proposed distance metric over commonly used metrics in revealing natural groupings in data. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed sub-one ℓp distance based k-means method, we conduct experiments on synthetic datasets as well as real-life datasets from the UCI machine learning repository both in their original form and with additional noise introduced. Overall, our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the ℓp quasi-norm-based distance metric in improving the performance of the k-means algorithm in various situations, particularly in noisy data.
The physical and dynamical analysis of the suspected binary asteroid (12499) 1998 FR47
Authors: Borisov Galin , Todorović Nataša , Bebekovska Elena Vchkova , Kostov Andon , Apostolovska Gordana
Published: August 2023

We present the R-band lightcurves of the Flora family asteroid (12499) 1998FR47, obtained in 2022 at two different astronomical sites: Bulgarian National Astronomical Observatory Rozhen (MPC 071) and Astronomical Station Vidojevica (MPC C89). The quadramodal lightcurves reveal a rotation period of6.172±0.003 h and an amplitude of about 0.44 mag. Using the lightcurve inversion method, with the combination of our dense lightcurves and the sparse data from DR3, we found the sidereal period, an indication of a retrograde rotation of (12499) and its low-convex resolution shape.
Nonetheless, the unusual shape of the quadramodal lightcurve and its additional analysis reveals two possible periods, 3.0834±0.0085 h and 4.1245±0.0151 h, making the suspect that the asteroid might be a non-synchronised wide binary system.
Spectral analysis of the asteroid using data from the GAIA DR3 shows that it is either an M- or an L-type object and maybe a piece of the first planetesimals to form in the Solar System protoplanetary disk.
On the other hand, our studies of (12499)’s dynamical properties indicate a sig-nificantly shorter lifetime. The asteroid lies on the border of the 7:4 mean motionresonance with Mars (7M:4), alternating between being in and out of it for almost190 Myrs. During 200 Myrs of integration, (12499) visited other resonances inthe Flora family, but it never became a Near Earth Object (NEO). Additionalintegration of fictive objects from the 7M:4 resonance showed that there is apossibility of transpiration to the NEO region already at about 20 Myrs.
Sprayable starch films for agricultural mulching
Authors: Anzorena Hector A. , López Olivia V. , Ninago Mario D.
Published: August 2023

Environmental sustainability has driven research into the development of biodegradable materials to address ecological challenges. In this study, biodegradable sprayable films were produced from thermally gelatinized cassava starch suspensions (5% w/v) to explore their potential application as protective coatings for agricultural soils. Starch gelatinization process was optimized to evaluate their feasibility to be applied by the spraying technique. Results showed that it is necessary to carry out a previous dilution of the gelatinized suspensions (1:4) to be able to spray them and form a uniform layer on the soil. To enhance films properties, it were introduced bentonite particles (0, 5, and 10% w/w starch basis) as reinforcement and sodium tetraborate (0 and 3% w/w starch basis) as crosslinking agent. A uniform bentonite particles distribution within the starch matrix was observed and films exhibited capacity to block UV and visible radiation, especially in the photosynthetically active radiation range. Tensile and puncture tests revealed that bentonite and borax presence increased the final films resistance, and biodegradability of the films was confirmed through water solubility and composting tests. The comprehensive findings from this study provide crucial insights for the implementation of eco-conscious innovations in crop cultivation and soil management techniques.
A many-objective optimization model for the end-of-life of buildings
Authors: Quéheille Eva , Taillandier Franck , Saiyouri Nadia , Fernandez Christophe
Published: August 2023

objectives
cost, delay, landfill rate, damages on resources, ecosystem quality and human health; the three last objectives are based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Different constraints allow to ensure the operationality of the solutions. In order to allow a quick and easy instantiation of the model to any new demolition project, the model considers three types of data: the decision variables that will be optimized, the professional data that are valid on different study cases, and the study case parameters that are specific to the considered project. The optimization process is done via the DBEA genetic algorithm. The model was applied to a real study case and allows to build a set of pareto-optimal solutions. To assess the relevance of these solutions, an expert studied them and validated their interest and their feasibility. The diversity of solutions offered by the model is an advantage for the experts, as it offers new visions and the opportunity to explore new strategies.
Youth Unemployment and Rising Crime Rate in South Africa: Does Governance Matter?
Authors: AKINOLA Gbenga , Ohonba Abieyuwa
Published: August 2023

This study examined the nexus among governance, crime rates and youth unemployment in South Africa. The study’s objectives are: 1) to study the trending nexus on the categorical age-group of youth unemployment, crime rate and governance in South Africa. Variables proxying governance are the voice of accountability, political stability and the absence of violence/terrorism and regulatory quality 2) to investigate how crime rates and governance impact on unemployment in South Africa. Descriptive statistic forms the preliminary trend analysis; these alongside with dynamic auto-regressive distributive lag (ARDL) model have been engaged to achieve the study’s objectives. Governance series adopted in the model includes government voice of Accountability, Political Stability and Regulatory quality alongside age groups 45–54; 15–64, 35–44, 15–24; 25–34. The findings from ARDL model are reported from three separate regimes. From regime one, the findings indicate that in the long-run and holding other variables constant, only inflation and Political Stability indicator on the average rate significantly impact on youth unemployment. Increment in inflation would cause increment in the youth unemployment by 27 units but increment in Political Stability would decrease youth unemployment by 606 units. In the short-run, the main determinants of youth unemployment are inflation rate (CPI) and Political Stability in South Africa. The result revealed that unemployment gets worse in the long-run with higher inflation rate in the country. Policies to strengthen rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness could create wider employment opportunities for various categories of youths, reduce the crime rate at all level.
Building Envelope Design With PHASE-CHANGEMATERIALS (PCM).
Authors: BENACHIR NOUHAILA , Farida Bendriaa , MOUHIB TAOUFIQ
Published: August 2023

Building is one of the most energy consuming and CO2 producing sectors in the world. In Morocco, this sector currently accounts for 33% of total consumption nationwide. The new thermal regulation in Morocco aims at introducing energy efficient practices in this sector to reduce these consumptions. Indeed, in the Mediterranean region, the architecture of the building has a major impact on its energy and thermal performance. In addition, the integration of passive techniques and the use of local materials, phase change materials MCP could significantly reduce energy consumption in the building sector.Depending on the properties of the thermal zone where we are, it is therefore possible to integrate PCM and optimize their parameters in order to favorably diphase the energy consumption peaks and energy consumption and, by the same token, significantly reducing the use of the HC system. Consequently, the integration of this PCM in the envelopes of new buildings or in renovation would contribute to reduce the energy bill in the building sector in Morocco. So the (PCM) represents a sustainable alternative to reduce energy consumption for this a thermal dynamic simulation was realized with TRNSYS 204. Since PCM involves large latent heat at small temperature phase changes, PCM is used for temperature stabilization and for storing heat with large energy densities and capacity the storage in combination with rather small temperature changes. The simulation was carried out for the climate zone of Morocco (Casablanca Nouasseur). The results of the simulation showed that the use of phase change materials in brick walls reduced overheating in the summer period, decreasing the ambient temperature.
Rab7 localized on zymogen granules is involved in maturation but not in autophagy or regulated exocytosis in pancreatic acinar cells
Authors: Takahashi Kenichi , Mashima Hirosato , Sekine Masanari , Uehara Takeshi , Asano Takeharu , Sun-Wada Ge-Hong , Wada Yoh , Ohnishi Hirohide
Published: August 2023

Rab7 is known to function in the autophagy and endocytosis pathways in eukaryocytes and is related to various types of diseases. We recently reported that Rab7 plays a protective role against acute pancreatitis. However, its physiological function in exocytotic cells remains unclear. Thus, we investigated the role of Rab7 using pancreas-specific Rab7 knockout mice (Rab7Δpan). Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that Rab7 colocalized with amylase in pancreatic acinar cells of wild-type mice but not in Rab7Δpan mice. Western blotting confirmed Rab7 localization in on zymogen granule (ZG) membranes of wild-type mice. Cholecystokinin (CCK)-stimulated amylase secretion examined using isolated pancreatic acini was similar in Rab7Δpan and wild-type mice. In contrast, electron microscopy revealed that the diameters of ZGs were shorter and the number of ZGs larger in the pancreatic acinar cells of Rab7Δpan than in those of wild-type mice. However, the number of ZGs decreased in both Rab7Δpan and wild-type mice after 24 h of starvation. In addition, the amount of amylase in the pancreas was decreased in both Rab7Δpan and wild-type mice. These data indicate that Rab7 localized on ZGs plays a crucial role in the maturation of ZGs but not in their autophagy or regulated exocytosis in pancreatic acinar cells.
Charging what you are worth
Authors: Hilton W. Mark
Published: August 2023

Veterinarians are notorious for undervaluing what we do and undercharging for our knowledge, advice and services. The “whys” of this are discussed elsewhere. Our focus is on the “hows” to value what you do and to be paid for the value you bring to your clients.
Injectable anesthesia for cattle field procedures
Authors: Lear Andrea
Published: August 2023

For ambulatory veterinary practitioners, the need to safely per­form field-based procedures is paramount. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss use of injectable anesthesia to aid in the veterinary practitioner’s ability to perform an array of tasks ranging from routine to invasive procedures. Multiple drug protocols will be outlined from the perspective of the author/ presenter and case-indications will be described.
Colostrum: Day 1 and beyond
Authors: Rowntree Jennifer
Published: August 2023

As dairy farms optimize maternity facilities and early life calf management, proper handling and storage of maternal colos­trum become the single point within a dairy system where all animals must flow. The success of this program therefore has a direct impact on calf and cow performance. Research has shown the benefits of feeding high-quality maternal colostrum to new­born calves and the key role it plays in gastrointestinal tract (GIT)1 and immune system development. Further research has shown benefits of extended colostrum feeding beyond day one to provide a local protective effect in the GIT, food for GIT mi­crobiota,2 and even as part of therapy for common early life calf illnesses such as scours3,4 and bovine respiratory disease (BRD).4 Producers and veterinarians should work together to understand how each dairy can best manage their maternity and colostrum programs to optimize early life calf health and development.
Rumenotomy: Approaches and practical aspects
Authors: Maroney Michael
Published: August 2023

There are many veterinary related indications for accessing the rumen. However, opening the rumen can be a daunting task, especially under field conditions. This article reviews ap­proaches to rumenotomy and rumenostomy, with a detailed de­scription of the refinement of a two-stage surgical rumen can­nulation procedure.
Stable feet before a night out: Bovine arthrodesis
Authors: Breuer Ryan M.
Published: August 2023

Lameness in cattle is one of the top causes of lost production in the United States. It affects milk production, feed and water intake, reproduction, daily gain, and animal wellbeing. While there is increasing information available in the literature de­scribing lameness in dairy cattle, comparatively very little is published on lameness in beef cattle. One of the most potential­ly debilitating causes of lameness is a septic distal interphalan­geal joint. When this occurs, an arthrodesis is a useful proce­dure to maintain the welfare and production of the bovine.
Parenting in the vet truck
Authors: Rooney Barnhardt Tera
Published: August 2023

Managing and balancing young children and a busy veterinary practice can be difficult work. It can also be fulfilling and en­joyable work. According to a Pew Research Report on balanc­ing work and family, 46% of American families feature two working parents who more often than not share equally the workload inside of the home.1 Society does not tend to drive this trend, so one could expect this trend to continue to move in this direction. A veterinary career presents some unique challenges in our profession and this will discuss particular convenience tactics that relate specifically to a veterinarian operating out of a vehicle and managing children simultaneous.
Effect of a new probiotic on Artemia cysts determined by a convolutional neural network
Authors: Evdokimov Ivan , Malkova Angelina , Irkitova Alena , Shirmanov Maxim , Dementev Dmitrii
Published: August 2023

One of the problems in sea farming is infections that cause mass mortality of crustaceans. To fight infections and improve sanitary conditions, farmers are actively using probiotic preparations. We aimed to study the effect of a new probiotic based on Bacillus toyonensis B-13249 and Bacillus pumilus B-13250 strains on the incubation of Artemia franciscana cysts. Another purpose was to test a possibility of using a convolutional neural network for fast automatic counting of cysts, nauplii, and embryos.

A pilot batch of the probiotic was prepared at the Prombiotech Engineering Center, Altai State University, from two strains of spore bacteria from the Center’s collection: B. toyonensis B-13249 and B. pumilus B-13250.

The recommended amount of the probiotic was experimentally determined as 0.1 per 2 g of cysts. This concentration increased the number of hatched cysts by 1.4 and 10% in the batches from Lake Bolshoye Yarovoye (Z29.04) and from Lake Kuchuk (C9). It also increased the biomass yield to 7.40 ± 0.69 and 6.80 ± 0.43 g in these two batches, respectively, compared to the control samples where the yields were 5.30 ± 0.60 and 4.60 ± 0.50 g, respectively. The robot counter reduced the sample processing time 15 times and saved the data for further use.

The probiotic based on B. toyonensis B-13249 and B. pumilus B-13250 had a positive effect on the hatching rate and biomass yield of A. franciscana. The new method for rapid counting of Artemia, which was based on the convolutional neural network and developed as an application of the Artemeter-1 robot, reduced the processing time and lowered labor costs.
Coffee pulp pretreatment methods: A comparative analysis of hydrolysis efficiency
Authors: Phuong Do Viet , Nguyen Luu Thao
Published: August 2023

The Vietnamese food industry produces a lot of coffee pulp, which is a valuable and abundant source of agricultural by-products. It contains a lot of cellulose, which can be converted into bioethanol. However, coffee pulp needs an extensive pretreatment to reduce the amount of lignin and hemicellulose while retaining the initial cellulose composition. This study compared several pre-hydrolysis and pre-fermentation pretreatment methods which involved H2SO4, NaOH, microwaves, and white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

The hemicellulose dropped by 43.8% after the acidic pretreatment, by 47.1% after the alkaline pretreatment, and by 12.8% after the microbial pretreatment. The lignin contents dropped by 4.2, 76.6, and 50.2% after acidic, alkaline, and microbial pretreatment, respectively. The removal of hemicellulose and lignin in the coffee pulp was much more efficient when two or three of the pretreatment methods were combined. The microwave-assisted acid and alkaline pretreatment was the most efficient method: it removed 71.3% of hemicellulose and 79.2% of lignin. The combined method also had the highest amount of reducing sugars and glucose in hydrolysate. Additionally, concentrations of such yeast inhibitors as 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (HMF) and furfural were 2.11 and 3.37 g/L, respectively.

The acid pretreatment was effective only in removing hemicellulose while the alkaline pretreatment was effective in lignin removal; the fungal pretreatment had low results for both hemicellulose and lignin removals. Therefore, the combined pretreatment method was found optimal for coffee pulp.
Bruno Latour: New Challenges and Inspirations in Political Ecology
Authors: Buraj Ivan
Published: August 2023

Political ecology is a recent development in contemporary scholarship. Contrary to popular belief, the French philosopher Bruno Latour was not its originator. Some scholars began to recognise that nature and politics were closely connected back to the time of Montesquieu. Nonetheless, Latour’s political ecology is original in that it features new or revamped concepts that lend it new content and meaning. It includes concepts such as ‘mode of existence,’ ‘actor/network,’ ‘humans’ and ‘non-humans,’ ‘terrestrial’ or ‘Earthbound,’ and offers a new interpretation of the concepts of nature and politics. These concepts are the focus of the first and second parts of the article. The final part looks at their practical application, particularly in connection with Latour’s idea of creating a common world fit for life, or at least survival. -------------------------- Received: 24/11/2022. Reviewed: 08/03/2023. Accepted: 30/03/2023.
Toward Environmental Citizenship: The Concept of Citizenship and Its Conceptualization in the Context of Global Environmental Challenges
Authors: Mravcová Anna
Published: August 2023

The issue of citizenship has been one of the main topics of political thinking since antiquity, when its origins were significantly shaped by classical philosophers, whose ideas are also important for modern thinking. Gradually, with the intensification of globalization many new conceptualizations of the classical concept of citizenship were formulated to address global challenges. These shift away from the basic view of the interconnectedness of citizenship with a specific territory and give humans a wider, global identity with an associated appeal to global responsibility. One such concept is environmental citizenship. This article is aimed at examining the historical development of citizenship, particularly in its republican and liberal versions, and its conceptualisation in the context of environmental problems that overcome national borders. The demands on citizens must be adapted to this reality. This article highlights the growing potential of environmental citizenship as one of the possible key factors for achieving a more sustainable world, which however requires the active involvement of nation-states. --------------------------- Received: 24/11/2022. Reviewed: 27/03/2023. Accepted: 18/04/2023.
The Anthropocene and the Problem of Anthropological Constants
Authors: Podušelová Katarína
Published: August 2023

In the humanities and social sciences, the concept of the Anthropocene has become the starting point for theoretical analyses of the immediate relationship between the environmental preconditions for the existence of civilization and the human actions whose consequences threaten these preconditions. From the philosophical-anthropological point of view, reflections on the concepts of the Anthropocene focus not only on a critical analysis of the claims about human that originate in the natural sciences but also on an understanding of the overall role of humanity in the new geological-climatic regime of the Earth. The primary purpose of this paper is to highlight two-pronged problem areas, which include both the problem of anthropological constants as specific ways of makingstatements about humans and the problem of using them to reflect on the conceptual system of the Anthropocene. In particular, this paper emphasizes hypotheses and claims from the Anthropocene concept of Earth System Science that point to humans becoming a geobiophysical force in the Anthropocene. Three areas in which anthropological constants could be subsequently subjected to a deeper analysis are proposed.

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Received: 01/12/2022. Reviewed: 08/02/2023. Accepted: 30/03/2023.
Statins, Allies against Antibiotic Resistance?
Authors: Abavisani Mohammad , Hoseinzadeh Melika , Khayami Reza , Kodori Mansoor , Soleimanpour Saman , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: August 2023

Due to the ever-increasing rate of antibacterial resistance, the search for effective
antibacterial agents has become imperative. Researchers have investigated the potential antimicrobial
properties of various classes of nonantibiotic drugs. Statins are a group of antihyperlipidemic
drugs with several cholesterol-independent effects, including antiinflammatory,
immune-modulating, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. In vitro and in vivo
studies have demonstrated the antibacterial properties of statins against various grampositive
and gram-negative bacteria. Simvastatin and atorvastatin are the most potent members
of the family. Their antibacterial effect can be attributed to several direct and indirect
mechanisms. Bacterial invasion, growth, and virulence are affected by statins. However,
since in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) are significantly higher than serum
concentrations at the lipid-lowering dosage, indirect mechanisms have been suggested to
explain the positive clinical results, including reducing inflammation and improving immune
response capacity. Further, statins have shown promising results when combined with
antibiotics and other antibacterial agents, such as triazenes and silver nanoparticles. Despite
this, the controversial aspects of statins have cast doubt on their efficacy as a possible solution
for antibacterial resistance, and further research is required. Consequently, this review
will examine in detail the current clinical and in vitro findings and controversies regarding
statins’ antibacterial properties and their relevance to antibacterial resistance.
Natural Products: A Potential New Hope to Defeat Post-acute Sequelae of
COVID-19
Authors: Zhao Shuang , Abdurehim Aliya , Yuan Yu , Yang Tan , Li Chao , Zhang Yanqing , Li Yaxin , Sun Xiuyan , Xie Junbo
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic was the most significant public healthcare crisis worldwide. It was estimated that 80% of infected patients with COVID-19 have not fully recovered and devel-oped one or more long-term symptoms, referred to as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Seeking a treatment strategy for PASC has become a concerning topic since the sequelae can cause irreversible multiple organ damage and can severely compromise quality of life. It is indicated that PASC may be closely related to lung injury-induced hypoxia, excessive immune response, cytokine storm, gut bacteria imbalance, and endothelial dysfunction. Also, more and more research has indi-cated that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 and vanillin 1 (TRPA1/V1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) can be considered as the targets to treat PASC. There is currently still no proven medication for PASC due to its com-plexity. Many clinical practices and studies have shown that natural products have great potential in preventing and treating PASC. Therefore, we intended to provide a comprehensive review of the current literature on PASC and the role of natural ingredients in PASC management. Meanwhile, this review provided meaningful insight for further study of natural ingredients to improve PASC and its clinical application.
Fabrication of Graphene-based Ammonia Sensors: A Review
Authors: Xu Ke , Zheng Wei
Published: August 2023

Graphene gas sensors have gained much scientific interest due to their high sensitivity,
selectivity, and fast detection of various gases. This article summarizes the research progress
of graphene gas sensors for detecting ammonia gas at room temperature. Firstly, the performance
and development trends of the graphene/semiconductor Schottky diode sensor are discussed.
Secondly, manufacturing methods and the latest developments in graphene field-effect
transistor sensors are reviewed. Finally, the basic challenges and latest efforts of functional ammonia
gas sensors are studied. The discussion delves into each sensor type's detection principles
and performance indicators, including selectivity, stability, measurement range, response time,
recovery time, and relative humidity. A comparative analysis is conducted to highlight the progress
achieved in research, elucidating the advantages, disadvantages, and potential solutions
associated with various sensors. As a result, the paper concludes by exploring the future development
prospects of graphene-based ammonia sensors.
An Investigation of the Relationship Between 18F-FDG PET/CT Parameters
of Primary Tumors and Lymph Node Metastasis in Resectable Non-small
Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kandemir Ozan , Demir Fadime
Published: August 2023

Background:

Mediastinal lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor in
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients without distant metastases. 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-Dglucose
Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) is recommended
for detecting and staging lymph nodes and distant metastases in NSCLC patients.

Objective:

This study aims to investigate whether maximum standardized uptake (SUVmax),
mean standardized uptake (SUVmean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and tumor lesion glycolysis
(TLG) values of the primary tumor measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT in resectable NSCLC can
predict preoperative lymph node metastasis.

Methods:

This retrospective study included eighty NSCLC patients who underwent preoperative
Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) for diagnosis and staging. The
patients were stage I-III and had no distant metastases. Tumor metabolic parameters such as SUVmax,
SUVmean, MTV, and TLG at PET/CT imaging were measured for preoperative diagnosis
and staging, and the postoperative pathology results of the patients were examined. The pathology
results divided patients with and without lymph node metastasis into two groups. The groups were
compared with the student's t-test and chi-square test regarding 18F-FDG PET/CT tumor metabolic
parameters and other parameters.

Results:

Fifteen (18.8%) patients were female, and 65 (81.3%) were male. According to the postoperative
pathology results, while 30 (37.5%) patients had lymph node metastasis, 50 (62.5%) did
not. There was a significant difference between the groups regarding tumor SUVmax and SUVmean
values (p = 0.036, p = 0.045). Overall survival in the N0 group was significantly higher
than in the N1 + N2 group (p = 0.034); median survival was 30.2 months in N0 cases and 27.3
months in N1 and N2 groups.

Conclusion:

SUVmax and SUVmean values are significantly higher in patients with lymph node
metastases than in patients without lymph node metastases, and this finding may provide useful
information for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with resectable NSCLC.
Reduction of misfit dislocation density in metamorphic heterostructures by design optimization of the buffer layer with non-linear graded composition profile
Authors: Chernov M. Yu.  , Solov’ev V. A.  , Ivanov S. V.
Published: August 2023

Equilibrium distributions of misfit dislocation density along the growth direction of metamorphic buffer layers InxAl1-xAs/GaAs with maximum In content xmax≥0.77 and different non-linear graded composition profiles x propto z1/n are calculated. The effect of the initial In composition (n=2) of InxAl1-xAs buffer layer with convex-graded (xmin) composition profile on misfit dislocation density as well as amount of residual stresses at its top part is considered. Using computational approach, it was shown that a dislocation-free region is formed under thin tensile-strained GaAs layer (1-10 nm) inserted into InAlAs metamorphic buffer layer, which agrees with experimental data obtained early by transmission electron microscopy. Novel non-linear graded composition profile of metamorphic buffer layer has been proposed, which results in twice reduction of misfit dislocation density as compared to the convex-graded one. In addition, equilibrium distributions of misfit dislocation density in the HEMT heterostructures with two-dimensional electron channel InxAl1-xAs, which are based on In0.75Ga0.25As/In0.75Al0.25As metamorphic buffer layer of various designs, are calculated. The values of inverse steps (Delta), representing the difference between the maximum In content of InxAl1-xAs (xmax) and In content of In0.75Al0.25As virtual substrate, at which relaxation of the elastic strains in 2D channel In0.75Ga0.25As/In0.75Al0.25As doesn't occur, are calculated for metamorphic buffer layers InxAl1-xAs with convex-graded and optimized non-linear graded composition profiles. Keywords: metamorphic heterostructures, metamorphic buffer layer, misfit dislocations, elastic stresses, In(Ga,Al)As/GaAs.
Impact of illumination on quantum lifetime in selectively doped GaAs single quantum wells with short-period AlAs/GaAs superlattice barriers
Authors: Bykov A. A.  , Nomokonov D. V.  , Goran A. V.  , Strygin I. S.  , Marchishin I. V.  , Bakarov A. K.
Published: August 2023

Impact of illumination on high-mobility dense 2D electron gas in selectively doped single GaAs quantum well with short-period AlAs/GaAs superlattice barriers at T=4.2 K in magnetic fields B<2 T has been studied. It was demonstrated that illumination at low temperatures gives rise to enhancement of electron density, mobility and quantum lifetime in studied heterostructures. The enhancement of quantum lifetime after illumination for single GaAs quantum well with modulated superlattice doping had been explained as consequence of decrease in effective concentration of remote ionized donors. Keywords: persistent photoconductivity, quantum lifetime, anisotropic mobility, superlattice barriers.
Establishment of a Public Mental Health Database for Research Purposes in the Ferrara Province: Development and Preliminary Evaluation Study
Authors: Ferrara Maria , Gentili Elisabetta , Belvederi Murri Martino , Zese Riccardo , Alberti Marco , Franchini Giorgia , Domenicano Ilaria , Folesani Federica , Sorio Cristina , Benini Lorenzo , Carozza Paola , Little Julian , Grassi Luigi
Published: August 2023

Background

The immediate use of data exported from electronic health records (EHRs) for research is often limited by the necessity to transform data elements into an actual data set.

Objective

This paper describes the methodology for establishing a data set that originated from an EHR registry that included clinical, health service, and sociodemographic information.

Methods

The Extract, Transform, Load process was applied to raw data collected at the Integrated Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addictions in Ferrara, Italy, from 1925 to February 18, 2021, to build the new, anonymized Ferrara-Psychiatry (FEPSY) database. Information collected before the first EHR was implemented (ie, in 1991) was excluded. An unsupervised cluster analysis was performed to identify patient subgroups to support the proof of concept.

Results

The FEPSY database included 3,861,432 records on 46,222 patients. Since 1991, each year, a median of 1404 (IQR 1117.5-1757.7) patients had newly accessed care, and a median of 7300 (IQR 6109.5-9397.5) patients were actively receiving care. Among 38,022 patients with a mental disorder, 2 clusters were identified; the first predominantly included male patients who were aged 25 to 34 years at first presentation and were living with their parents, and the second predominantly included female patients who were aged 35 to 44 years and were living with their own families.

Conclusions

The process for building the FEPSY database proved to be robust and replicable with similar health care data, even when they were not originally conceived for research purposes. The FEPSY database will enable future in-depth analyses regarding the epidemiology and social determinants of mental disorders, access to mental health care, and resource utilization.
Effectiveness of the Wellness Together Canada Portal as a Digital Mental Health Intervention in Canada: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Basnet Syaron , Chaiton Michael
Published: August 2023

Background

The Wellness Together Canada (WTC) portal is a digital mental health intervention that was developed in response to an unprecedented rise in mental health and substance use concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with funding from the Government of Canada. It is a mental health and substance use website to support people across Canada providing digital interventions and services at no cost. Two million people have visited the WTC portal over the course of 1 year since launching; however, rigorous evaluation of this potential solution to access to mental health care during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is urgently required.

Objective

This study aims to better understand the effectiveness of the existing digital interventions in improving population mental health in Canada.

Methods

The Let’s Act on Mental Health study is designed as a longitudinal fully remote, equally randomized (1:1), double-blind, alternative intervention–controlled, parallel-group randomized controlled trial to be conducted between October 2023 and April 2024 with a prospective follow-up study period of 26 weeks. This trial will evaluate whether a digital intervention such as the WTC improves population mental health trajectories over time.

Results

The study was approved by the research ethics board of CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada). It is ongoing and participant recruitment is underway. As of August 2023, a total of 453 participants in the age group of 18-72 years have participated, of whom 70% (n=359) are female.

Conclusions

This initiative provides a unique opportunity to match people’s specific unmet mental health and substance use needs to evidence-based digital interventions.
The Impact of Virtual Consultations on the Quality of Primary Care: Systematic Review
Authors: Campbell Kate , Greenfield Geva , Li Edmond , O'Brien Niki , Hayhoe Benedict , Beaney Thomas , Majeed Azeem , Neves Ana Luísa
Published: August 2023

Background

The adoption of virtual consultations, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has transformed the delivery of primary care services. Owing to their rapid global proliferation, there is a need to comprehensively evaluate the impact of virtual consultations on all aspects of care quality.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the impact of virtual consultations on the quality of primary care.

Methods

A total of 6 databases were searched. Studies that evaluated the impact of virtual consultations, for any disease, were included. Title and abstract screening and full-text screening were performed by 2 pairs of investigators. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis of the results was performed.

Results

In total, 30 studies (5,469,333 participants) were included in this review. Our findings suggest that virtual consultations are equally effective to or more effective than face-to-face care for the management of certain conditions, including mental illness, excessive smoking, and alcohol consumption. Overall, 4 studies indicated positive impacts on some aspects of patient-centeredness; however, a negative impact was noted on patients’ perceived autonomy support (ie, the degree to which people perceive those in positions of authority to be autonomy supportive). Virtual consultations may reduce waiting times, lower patient costs, and reduce rates of follow-up in secondary and tertiary care settings. Evidence for the impact on clinical safety is extremely limited. Evidence regarding equity was considerably mixed. Overall, it appears that virtual care is more likely to be used by younger, female patients, with disparities among other subgroups depending on contextual factors.

Conclusions

Our systematic review demonstrated that virtual consultations may be as effective as face-to-face care and have a potentially positive impact on the efficiency and timeliness of care; however, there is a considerable lack of evidence on the impacts on patient safety, equity, and patient-centeredness, highlighting areas where future research efforts should be devoted. Capitalizing on real-world data, as well as clinical trials, is crucial to ensure that the use of virtual consultations is tailored according to patient needs and is inclusive of the intended end users. Data collection methods that are bespoke to the primary care context and account for patient characteristics are necessary to generate a stronger evidence base to inform future virtual care policies.