bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistivity Prediction Model for Basalt–Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Sun Zhen , He Weidong , Niu Ditao , Zhang Lu , Su Li , Wang Xiaoqian
Published: December 2022

As a new cement-matrix composite material, fiber-reinforced concrete performs excellently in freeze–thaw resistance, tensile resistance, and seepage resistance. Since resistivity can be used to evaluate the performance of concrete, the resistivity of basalt–polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete (BPFRC) was investigated in this study. Various parameters such as fiber type, fiber content, and water–binder ratio were also analyzed. The resistivity of the BPFRC was tested by an improved two-electrode alternating current (AC) method, and the differences in resistivity were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The results showed that adding fiber affected the resistivity of the BPFRC, and the basalt fiber had a more significant effect than the polypropylene fiber. The resistivity of the BPFRC was sensitive to the water–binder ratio, which showed a negative correlation. In addition, a 365-day resistivity model for the BPFRC was established by considering variables such as fiber, water–binder ratio, ambient temperature, and ambient relative humidity. The hydration equations of various cementitious materials were derived, and a time-varying resistivity model for the BPFRC was developed. Finally, the established resistivity model of the BPFRC lays a foundation for the further building of the relationship between resistivity and BPFRC performance.
Nonlinear Stochastic Seismic Response Analysis of Three-Dimensional Reinforced Concrete Piles
Authors: Hu Hongqiang , Gan Gang , Bao Yangjuan , Guo Xiaopeng , Xiong Min , Han Xu , Chen Kepeng , Cui Linyong , Wang Lin
Published: December 2022

A reliable assessment and design of engineering structures requires appropriate estimation and consideration of different sources of uncertainty. The randomness of seismic ground motion is one major uncertainty that needs to be considered from the perspective of performance-based earthquake engineering. To properly account for this uncertainty and its corresponding effect on pile foundations, a stochastic seismic response analytical framework based on a probability density evolution method and a stochastic ground motion model is proposed for the nonlinear stochastic seismic response analysis of pile foundations. A three-dimensional finite element model of a reinforced concrete pile with a large diameter embedded in the soil foundation is firstly established and calibrated using the full-scale lateral load test results from the literature, in which the nonlinear behavior of soil, the soil–pile interaction, the concrete damaged plasticity, and the steel yielding of the pile are properly modeled. Then, the calibrated three-dimensional numerical model is employed as an illustrative example for the stochastic seismic response analysis using the proposed framework. The mean, standard deviation, and probability density function of pile settlement and the dynamic reliabilities of the pile concerning various performance requirements are obtained in the present study. The settlements of the pile show great variability under the excitation of various stochastic ground motions, and the maximum mean value of the pile settlements is about 8 mm. The changing shape of the settlement probability density functions in every moment demonstrates that it is unreasonable to use assumed probabilistic distribution models to characterize the seismic responses of pile foundations during a seismic reliability analysis. Based on the proposed method, it is found that the dynamic reliabilities of the selected reinforced concrete pile concerning four different performance levels are 0, 0.1293, 0.8247, and 1, respectively. The proposed stochastic seismic response analytical method in the present study can provide a proper and comprehensive way to quantify various uncertainties and their corresponding effects on the seismic performance of pile foundations. It can also be used to estimate the actual reliability level of pile foundations that are designed by the current codes when they are subjected to seismic loads.
S100A10 Promotes Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells Proliferation, Migration and Adhesion through JNK/LAMB3-LAMC2 Axis
Authors: Lin Hai , Yang Pengfei , Li Bixiang , Chang Yue , Chen Yutong , Li Yaning , Liu Kecheng , Liang Xinyue , Chen Tianliang , Dai Yalan , Pang Wenzheng , Zeng Linjuan
Published: December 2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive tumors, characterized by diagnosis at an advanced stage and a poor prognosis. As a member of the S100 protein family, S100A10 regulates multiple biological functions related to cancer progression and metastasis. However, the role of S100A10 in PDAC is still not completely elucidated. In this study, we reported that S100A10 was significantly up-regulated in PDAC tissue and associated with a poor prognosis by integrated bioinformatic analysis and human PDAC tissue samples. In vitro, down-regulation of S100A10 reduced the proliferation, migration, and adhesion of PDAC cell lines, whereas up-regulation of S100A10 showed the opposite effect. Furthermore, LAMB3 was proved to be activated by S100A10 using RNA-sequencing and western blotting. The effect of LAMB3 on the proliferation, migration, and adhesion of PDAC cells was similar to that of S100A10. Up-regulation or down-regulation of LAMB3 could reverse the corresponding effect of S100A10. Moreover, we validated S100A10 activates LAMB3 through the JNK pathway, and LAMB3 was further proved to interact with LAMC2. Mice-bearing orthotopic pancreatic tumors showed that S100A10 knocked-down PANC-1 cells had a smaller tumor size than the control group. In conclusion, S100A10 promotes PDAC cells proliferation, migration, and adhesion through JNK/LAMB3-LAMC2 axis.
Serum-Exosome-Derived miRNAs Serve as Promising Biomarkers for HCC Diagnosis
Authors: Rui Tao , Zhang Xiaobing , Guo Jufeng , Xiang Aizhai , Tang Ning , Liu Jian , Mao Zonglei
Published: December 2022

Background: Serum exosomes are emerging as key liquid biopsy biomarkers for the early diagnosis of cancer. However, the proportion and distribution of small RNA (sRNA) species from serum exosomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients remain unclear. Effective and reliable biomarkers for HCC diagnosis should be explored. Methods: In this study, we aimed to use sRNA sequencing to profile the sRNAs of serum exosomes in HCC and non-tumor donors. The serum exosomes of 124 HCC patients and 46 non-tumor donors were enrolled for detecting the values of the potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC. Results: We found that miRNAs accounted for the maximal percentage of all types of sRNAs both in the serum exosomes of HCC patients and non-tumor donors. This indicated that the serum-exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) were the most valuable as potential biomarkers in HCC diagnosis. Then, miRNAs were set as research candidates. In our Chinese cohorts, three serum-exosome-derived miRNAs (miR-122-5p, let-7d-5p, and miR-425-5p) could be promising biomarkers for distinguishing HCC patients from non-tumor donors. In addition, they were preferred for the early diagnosis of HCC. We also presented the base distribution of some novel serum-exosome-derived miRNAs and described the potential values as biomarkers. Conclusions: The results suggested that the serum-exosome-derived miRNAs were the most crucial sRNA species and they highlighted the potential of serum-exosome-derived miRNAs as promising biomarkers for HCC diagnosis.
Evaluating Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with HER2 Inhibitors: Could a Combination of Radionuclide Ventriculography and Cardiac Biomarkers Predict the Cardiac Impact?
Authors: Gherghe Mirela , Lazar Alexandra Maria , Mutuleanu Mario-Demian , Bordea Cristian Ioan , Ionescu Sinziana , Mihaila Raluca Ioana , Petroiu Cristina , Stanciu Adina Elena
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: The aim of our study was to determine whether monitoring cardiac function through RNV and cardiac biomarkers could predict the cardiac impact of combined therapy with trastuzumab, pertuzumab and docetaxel, which are regularly used nowadays to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. (2) Methods: This prospective monocentric study included 22 patients, diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, who had their LVEFs and cardiac biomarkers evaluated both at the beginning of their treatment and after 6 months. Among all of the enrolled patients, two blood specimens were collected to assess circulating cardiac biomarkers. RNV was performed in each patient after “in vivo” radiolabeling of the erythrocytes. The obtained results were then statistically correlated. (3) Results: The average LVEF decrease between the two time points was approximately 4%. Of the five biomarkers we considered in this paper, only NT-proBNP correlated with the LVEF values obtained both in the baseline study and after 6 months of follow-up (r = −0.615 for T0 and r = −0.751 for T1, respectively). ST2/IL-33R proved statistically significant at the T1 time point (r = −0.547). (4) Conclusions: A combination of LVEF, NT-proBNP and ST2/IL-33R assessment may be useful for early detection of cardiac impairment in breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab, pertuzumab and docetaxel.
Exploring the Dynamic Crosstalk between the Immune System and Genetics in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Authors: Dimino Alessandra , Brando Chiara , Algeri Laura , Gristina Valerio , Pedone Erika , Peri Marta , Perez Alessandro , De Luca Ida , Sciacchitano Roberta , Magrin Luigi , Bazan Russo Tancredi Didier , Bono Marco , Barraco Nadia , Contino Silvia , La Mantia Maria , Galvano Antonio , Badalamenti Giuseppe , Russo Antonio , Bazan Viviana , Incorvaia Lorena
Published: December 2022

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) represent a paradigmatic model of oncogene addiction. Despite the well-known impact of the mutational status on clinical outcomes, we need to expand our knowledge to other factors that influence behavior heterogeneity in GIST patients. A growing body of studies has revealed that the tumor microenvironment (TME), mostly populated by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and lymphocytes (TILs), and stromal differentiation (SD) have a significant impact on prognosis and response to treatment. Interestingly, even though the current knowledge of the role of immune response in this setting is still limited, recent pre-clinical and clinical data have highlighted the relevance of the TME in GISTs, with possible implications for clinical practice in the near future. Moreover, the expression of immune checkpoints, such as PD-L1, PD-1, and CTLA-4, and their relationship to the clinical phenotype in GIST are emerging as potential prognostic biomarkers. Looking forward, these variables related to the underlying tumoral microenvironment in GIST, though limited to still-ongoing trials, might lead to the potential use of immunotherapy, alone or in combination with targeted therapy, in advanced TKI-refractory GISTs. This review aims to deepen understanding of the potential link between mutational status and the immune microenvironment in GIST.
Sodium Propionate Contributes to Tumor Cell Growth Inhibition through PPAR-γ Signaling
Authors: Filippone Alessia , Casili Giovanna , Scuderi Sarah Adriana , Mannino Deborah , Lanza Marika , Campolo Michela , Paterniti Irene , Capra Anna Paola , Colarossi Cristina , Bonasera Annalisa , Lombardo Sofia Paola , Cuzzocrea Salvatore , Esposito Emanuela
Published: December 2022

New therapeutic approaches are needed to improve the outcome of patients with glioblastoma (GBM). Propionate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), has a potent antiproliferative effect on various tumor cell types. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ligands possess anticancer properties. We aimed to investigate the PPAR-γ/SCFAs interaction in in vitro and in vivo models of GBM. The U87 cell line was used in the in vitro study and was treated with sodium propionate (SP). U87 cells were silenced by using PPAR-γ siRNA or Ctr siRNA. In the in vivo study, BALB/c nude mice were inoculated in the right flank with 3 × 106 U-87 cells. SP (doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg) and GW9662 (1 mg/kg) were administered. In vitro exposure of GBM to SP resulted in prominent apoptosis activation while the autophagy pathway was promoted by SP treatments by influencing autophagy-related proteins. Knockdown of PPAR-γ sensitized GBM cells and blocked the SP effect. In vivo, SP was able to decrease tumor growth and to resolve GBM tissue features. SP promoted apoptosis and autophagy pathways and tumor cell proliferation leading to cell cycle arrest through a PPAR-γ-dependent mechanism suggesting that the PPAR-γ/SCFAs axis could be targeted for the management of GBM.
Is Acupuncture an Ideal Adjunctive Treatment for Cancer-Related Fatigue? Comment on Choi et al. Acupuncture for Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers 2022, 14, 4419
Authors: Hu Xiaoqian , Feng Beibei , Xie Jindong , Deng Xinpei , Zou Yutian
Published: December 2022

We read with great interest the results of the systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Choi et al. showing the beneficial effects of acupuncture (AT) on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with breast cancer that was published in your esteemed journal (Volume 14, Issue 18) and congratulate the authors [...]
Potential Therapeutic Use of Aptamers against HAT1 in Lung Cancer
Authors: Klett-Mingo José Ignacio , Pinto-Díez Celia , Cambronero-Plaza Julio , Carrión-Marchante Rebeca , Barragán-Usero Miriam , Pérez-Morgado María Isabel , Rodríguez-Martín Eulalia , Toledo-Lobo Mª Val , González Víctor M , Martín M. Elena
Published: December 2022

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and the most common of all cancer types. Histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) has attracted increasing interest as a potential therapeutic target due to its involvement in multiple pathologies, including cancer. Aptamers are single-stranded RNA or DNA molecules whose three-dimensional structure allows them to bind to a target molecule with high specificity and affinity, thus making them exceptional candidates for use as diagnostic or therapeutic tools. In this work, aptamers against HAT1 were obtained, subsequently characterized, and optimized, showing high affinity and specificity for HAT1 and the ability to inhibit acetyltransferase activity in vitro. Of those tested, the apHAT610 aptamer reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and inhibited colony formation in lung cancer cell lines. All these results indicate that the apHAT610 aptamer is a potential drug for the treatment of lung cancer.
Influence of the Type and the Amount of Surfactant in Phillipsite on Adsorption of Diclofenac Sodium
Authors: Smiljanić Danijela , Daković Aleksandra , Obradović Milena , Ožegović Milica , Marković Marija , Rottinghaus George E. , de Gennaro Bruno
Published: December 2022

Modified phillipsite samples were prepared with two different amounts (monolayer and bilayer coverage) of surfactants octadecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (O) and dodecylamine (D). Composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR–ATR), thermal analysis and determination of zeta potential, and subsequently tested for removal of diclofenac sodium (DCF). Drug adsorption experiments were performed under different initial DCF concentrations and different contact times. In order to investigate the influence of the chemical structure of surfactants used for modification of phillipsite on the preparation and properties of composites and DCF adsorption, experimental data were compared with previously published results on DCF adsorption by composites containing phillipsite and the same amounts of surfactants cetylpyridinium chloride (C) and Arquad®2HT-75 (A). DCF adsorption isotherms for O and D composites showed a better fit with the Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacities between 12.3 and 38.4 mg/g and are similar to those for C and A composites, while kinetics run followed a pseudo-second-order model. Composites containing either benzyl or pyridine functional groups showed higher adsorption of DCF, implying that surfactant structure has a significant impact on drug adsorption. Drug adsorption onto O, D, C and A composites was also confirmed by FTIR–ATR spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements.
Notch1 Protects against Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury by Suppressing PTEN-Pink1-Mediated Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Mitophagy
Authors: Xu Qirong , Liu Sheng , Gong Qiang , Zhu Rongrong , Liu Jichun , Wu Qicai , Zhou Xueliang
Published: December 2022

Background: Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes after acute myocardial infarction. However, the molecular mechanism of ischemia/reperfusion injury remains unclear. Mitochondria dysfunction is a participant in and regulator of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process are not yet fully understood. We previously reported that Notch1 can reduce mitochondrial lysis, reduce myocardial infarct size, and inhibit ventricular remodeling. Herein, we explore the role of the downstream target Notch1 in mitochondrial regulation. Methods: This study constructs an ischemic/reperfusion injury rat model and a hypoxia/reoxygenation cell model. The expression of PTEN is detected by real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining. Cell viability is analyzed with CCK-8. Apoptosis level is detected via the TUNEL assay, and mitochondrial fission/fusion is analyzed with MitoTracker Green staining. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and CK levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK) are measured with ELISA kits. Results: We found that PETN-Pink1-Parkin signaling is inhibited by Notch1 I/R in injured neonatal cardiomyocytes and hearts, i.e., via the inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction and fragmentation. With the recure of PTEN or Pink1, the protective effect of Notch1 was largely diminished. Conclusion: These results suggest that N1ICD acts protectively against ischemic reperfusion injury by suppressing PTEN-Pink1-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and fragmentation.
Monoclonal Antibodies against Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide for Migraine Prophylaxis: A Systematic Review of Real-World Data
Authors: Pavelic Antun R. , Wöber Christian , Riederer Franz , Zebenholzer Karin
Published: December 2022

Objective: To perform a systematic review of real-world outcomes for anti-CGRP-mAbs. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed for real-world data of erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab, or eptinezumab in patients with migraines. Results: We identified 134 publications (89 retrospective), comprising 10 pharmaco-epidemiologic and 83 clinic-based studies, 38 case reports, and 3 other articles. None of the clinic-based studies provided follow-up data over more than one year in more than 200 patients. Findings suggest that there are reductions in health insurance claims and days with sick-leave as well as better treatment adherence with anti-CGRP-mAbs. Effectiveness, reported in 77 clinic-based studies, was comparable to randomized controlled trials. A treatment pause was associated with an increase in migraine frequency, and switching to another antibody resulted in a better response in some of the patients. Adverse events and safety issues were addressed in 86 papers, including 24 single case reports. Conclusion: Real-world data on anti-CGRP-mAbs are limited by retrospective data collection, small patient numbers, and short follow-up periods. The majority of papers seem to support good effectiveness and tolerability of anti-CGRP-mAbs in the real-world setting. There is an unmet need for large prospective real-world studies providing long-term follow-ups of patients treated with anti-CGRP-mAbs.
ML216 Prevents DNA Damage-Induced Senescence by Modulating DBC1–BLM Interaction
Authors: Cui Feng , Han Xueying , Zhang Xiaoqian , Wang Siqi , Liang Na , Tan Qing , Sha Wuga , Li Jun
Published: December 2022

DNA damage is the major cause of senescence and apoptosis; however, the manner by which DNA-damaged cells become senescent remains unclear. We demonstrate that DNA damage leads to a greater level of senescence rather than apoptosis in DBC1-deficient cells. In addition, we show that BLM becomes degraded during DNA damage, which induces p21 expression and senescence. DBC1 binds to and shields BLM from degradation, thus suppressing senescence. ML216 promotes DBC1–BLM interaction, which aids in the preservation of BLM following DNA damage and suppresses senescence. ML216 enhances pulmonary function by lowering the levels of senescence and fibrosis in both aged mice and a mouse model of bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Our data reveal a unique mechanism preventing DNA-damaged cells from becoming senescent, which may be regulated by the use of ML216 as a potential treatment for senescence-related diseases.
Nalfurafine Hydrochloride, a κ-Opioid Receptor Agonist, Induces Melanophagy via PKA Inhibition in B16F1 Cells
Authors: Lee Ha Jung , Kim Seong Hyun , Kim Yong Hwan , Kim So Hyun , Oh Gyeong Seok , Bae Ji-Eun , Kim Joon Bum , Park Na Yeon , Park Kyuhee , Yeom Eunbyul , Jeong Kwiwan , Kim Pansoo , Jo Doo Sin , Cho Dong-Hyung
Published: December 2022

Selective autophagy controls cellular homeostasis by degrading unnecessary or damaged cellular components. Melanosomes are specialized organelles that regulate the biogenesis, storage, and transport of melanin in melanocytes. However, the mechanisms underlying melanosomal autophagy, known as the melanophagy pathway, are poorly understood. To better understand the mechanism of melanophagy, we screened an endocrine-hormone chemical library and identified nalfurafine hydrochlorides, a κ-opioid receptor agonist, as a potent inducer of melanophagy. Treatment with nalfurafine hydrochloride increased autophagy and reduced melanin content in alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-treated cells. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy blocked melanosomal degradation and reversed the nalfurafine hydrochloride-induced decrease in melanin content in α-MSH-treated cells. Consistently, treatment with other κ-opioid receptor agonists, such as MCOPPB or mianserin, inhibited excessive melanin production but induced autophagy in B16F1 cells. Furthermore, nalfurafine hydrochloride inhibited protein kinase A (PKA) activation, which was notably restored by forskolin, a PKA activator. Additionally, forskolin treatment further suppressed melanosomal degradation as well as the anti-pigmentation activity of nalfurafine hydrochloride in α-MSH-treated cells. Collectively, our data suggest that stimulation of κ-opioid receptors induces melanophagy by inhibiting PKA activation in α-MSH-treated B16F1 cells.
Gene Amplification in Tumor Cells: Developed De Novo or Adopted from Stem Cells
Authors: Fischer Ulrike , Meese Eckart
Published: December 2022

Gene amplifications have been known for several decades as physiological processes in amphibian and flies, e.g., during eggshell development in Drosophila and as part of pathological processes in humans, specifically in tumors and drug-resistant cells. The long-held belief that a physiological gene amplification does not occur in humans was, however, fundamental questioned by findings that showed gene amplification in human stem cells. We hypothesis that the physiological and the pathological, i.e., tumor associated processes of gene amplification share at their beginning the same underlying mechanism. Re-replication was reported both in the context of tumor related genome instability and during restricted time windows in Drosophila development causing the known developmental gene amplification in Drosophila. There is also growing evidence that gene amplification and re-replication were present in human stem cells. It appears likely that stem cells utilize a re-replication mechanism that has been developed early in evolution as a powerful tool to increase gene copy numbers very efficiently. Here, we show that, several decades ago, there was already evidence of gene amplification in non-tumor mammalian cells, but that was not recognized at the time and interpreted accordingly. We give an overview on gene amplifications during normal mammalian development, the possible mechanism that enable gene amplification and hypothesize how tumors adopted this capability for gene amplification.
TLR9 and Glioma: Friends or Foes?
Authors: Fehri Emna , Ennaifer Emna , Bel Haj Rhouma Rahima , Ardhaoui Monia , Boubaker Samir
Published: December 2022

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is an intracellular innate immunity receptor that plays a vital role in chronic inflammation and in recognizing pathogenic and self-DNA in immune complexes. This activation of intracellular signaling leads to the transcription of either immune-related or malignancy genes through specific transcription factors. Thus, it has been hypothesized that TLR9 may cause glioma. This article reviews the roles of TLR9 in the pathogenesis of glioma and its related signaling molecules in either defending or promoting glioma. TLR9 mediates the invasion-induced hypoxia of brain cancer cells by the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (2, 9, and 13) in brain tissues. In contrast, the combination of the TLR9 agonist CpG ODN to radiotherapy boosts the role of T cells in antitumor effects. The TLR9 agonist CpG ODN 107 also enhances the radiosensitivity of human glioma U87 cells by blocking tumor angiogenesis. CpG enhances apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, it can enhance the antigen-presenting capacity of microglia, switch immune response toward CD8 T cells, and reduce the number of CD4CD25 Treg cells. CpG ODN shows promise as a potent immunotherapeutic drug against cancer, but specific cautions should be taken when activating TLR9, especially in the case of glioblastoma.
Preclinical Studies of Posttraumatic Headache and the Potential Therapeutics
Authors: Tanaka Mikiei , Zhang Yumin
Published: December 2022

Posttraumatic headache (PTH) attributed to traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a secondary headache developed within 7 days after head injury, and in a substantial number of patients PTH becomes chronic and lasts for more than 3 months. Current medications are almost entirely relied on the treatment of primary headache such as migraine, due to its migraine-like phenotype and the limited understanding on the PTH pathogenic mechanisms. To this end, increasing preclinical studies have been conducted in the last decade. We focus in this review on the trigeminovascular system from the animal studies since it provides the primary nociceptive sensory afferents innervating the head and face region, and the pathological changes in the trigeminal pathway are thought to play a key role in the development of PTH. In addition to the pathologies, PTH-like behaviors induced by TBI and further exacerbated by nitroglycerin, a general headache inducer through vasodilation are reviewed. We will overview the current pharmacotherapies including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibody and sumatriptan in the PTH animal models. Given that modulation of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system has been well-documented in the treatment of migraine and TBI, the therapeutic potential of eCB in PTH will also be discussed.
Metal–Organic Frameworks-Based Analytical Devices for Chiral Sensing and Separations: A Review (2012–2022)
Authors: Hassanpour Soodabeh , Niaei Navid , Petr Jan
Published: December 2022

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as high-surface-area materials, have shown promise in various areas of application, such as chiral sensing and separation, due to their flexibility in design and organized porous cages. Researchers have been striving to design and develop high-performance enantiorecognition and separation analytical techniques in chiral science fields. The main aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of chirality, state-of-the-art MOFs in chirality, and chiral analysis in the past decade, 2012–2022. The classification of this review includes chirality, principles of chiral analysis, the attraction of functional materials in chirality, MOFs in chiral analysis, MOFs for designing enantioselective sensors (fluorescence, circular dichroism, quartz crystal microbalance, electrochemical), and MOFs as chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for chromatographic enantioseparation (high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and capillary electrochromatography). Finally, this review covers the vital progress of these materials with attention to the available opportunities and challenges in this topic.
External-Cavity Quantum Cascade Laser-Based Gas Sensor for Sulfur Hexafluoride Detection
Authors: Pan Xingyu , Zhang Yifan , Zeng Jiayu , Zhang Minghui , Li Jingsong
Published: December 2022

The external-cavity quantum cascade laser (ECQCL) is an ideal mid-infrared (MIR) spectral light source for determining large molecular-absorption spectral features with broad transition bands. For this paper, a gas sensor system was developed using a broadband tunable ECQCL and a direct absorption spectroscopy detection scheme with a short path absorption cell of 29.6 cm. For spectral signal detection, a cheap and miniaturized quartz crystal tuning fork- (QCTF) based light detector was used for laser signal detection. The characteristics of the QCTF detector were theoretically simulated and experimentally observed. To demonstrate this sensing technique, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) was selected as the analyte, which can be used as an effective indicator to identify fault-types of gas-insulated electrical equipment. Preliminary results indicated that a good agreement was obtained between experimentally observed data and reference spectra according to the NIST database and previous publications, and the gas sensor system showed a good linear response to SF6 gas concentration. Finally, Allan–Werle deviation analysis indicated that detection limits of 1.89 ppm for SF6 were obtained with a 1 s integration time, which can be further improved to ~0.38 ppm by averaging up to 131 s.
An Algorithm for the Detection of General Movements of Preterm Infants Based on the Instantaneous Heart Rate
Authors: Maeda Tomoki , Kobayashi Osamu , Eto Eriko , Inoue Masanori , Sekiguchi Kazuhito , Ihara Kenji
Published: December 2022

Video recording and editing of general movements (GMs) takes time. We devised an algorithm to automatically extract the period of GMs emergence to assist in the assessment of GMs. The algorithm consisted of δHR: subtracting the moving average heart rate (HR) for the past 60 s from the average instantaneous HR; and %δHR: the percentage of the instantaneous HR to the moving average HR. Ten-second sections in which δHR was positive for three consecutive sections and contained at least one section with %δHR > 105% were extracted. Extracted periods are called automated extraction sections (AESs). We evaluated the concordance rate between AESs and GMs in three periods (gestational age 24–32, 33–34, and 35–36 weeks). The records of 84 very low birth weight infants were evaluated. Approximately 90% of AESs were accompanied by GMs at any period in both the supine and prone positions. The proportion of full-course (beginning to end) GMs among GMs in the AES was 80–85% in the supine position and 90% in the prone position in all periods. We could extract a sufficient number of assessable GMs with this algorithm, which is expected to be widely used for assisting in the assessment of GMs.
Fracture through Pre-Existing Tarsal Coalition: A Narrative Review
Authors: Anastasio Albert T. , Peairs Emily M. , Grant Caitlin , Kim Billy I. , Duruewuru Anthony , Adams Samuel B.
Published: December 2022

Tarsal coalitions are abnormal fibrous or bony connections between the tarsal bones of the foot. While not always symptomatic, coalitions can cause pain, alterations in forefoot and hindfoot morphology, and alterations in foot and ankle biomechanics. Previous research has described the association of tarsal coalitions with fractures of the lower extremity. Multiple reports of acute fracture in the presence of tarsal coalition have been presented, as have reports of stress fractures of the foot and ankle with concomitant coalition, insidious in onset and thought to be related to aberrancies in foot and ankle biomechanics. The purpose of this review is to discuss the biomechanics seen in tarsal coalitions and to describe reports of fracture occurring concomitantly with tarsal coalitions. We will discuss diagnostic options and treatment approaches in the setting of fracture with preexisting tarsal coalition.
Molecular Mechanism of Gibberellins in Mesocotyl Elongation Response to Deep-Sowing Stress in Sweet Maize
Authors: Leng Bingying , Li Ming , Mu Chunhua , Yan Zhenwei , Yao Guoqi , Kong Xiangpei , Ma Changle , Zhang Fajun , Liu Xia
Published: December 2022

Uneven germination is still a common problem in sweet maize planting. The mesocotyl is a key driver for ground-breaking sweet maize, and deep-sowing has a longer mesocotyl. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms of sweet maize mesocotyl elongation in response to deep-sowing remain unknown. Here we found that sweet maize inbred line Ltx05 could obtain longer mesocotyls in deep soil of 10 cm depth, and that 20 mg/L GA3 was the optimal concentration to promote mesocotyl elongation and seedling emergence. Microstructure observation showed that the longitudinal cell length of mesocotyl at 10 cm sowing depth was significantly longer than that of 1 cm. Transcriptome analysis showed that microtubule process related differentially expressed genes may contribute to the longitudinal cell elongation. The content of GAs in the mesocotyl at 10 cm sowing depth was markedly higher than that of 1 cm. Combining transcriptome data and qRT-PCR at different developmental stages, ZmGA20ox1, ZmGA20ox4 and ZmGA20ox5 were identified as three positive regulation candidate genes during mesocotyl elongation under deep-sowing conditions, and this was further confirmed by the significant elongation of the hypocotyl in heterologous transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana. These results lay a foundation for improving the ability of sweet maize to tolerate deep-sowing stress and improving the breeding of excellent deep-sowing-tolerant germplasms.
Identification of Specific Pathogen-Infected sRNA-Mediated Interactions between Turnip Yellows Virus and Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yu Ruiyang , Ye Xinghuo , Zhang Chenghua , Hu Hailong , Kang Yanlei , Li Zhong
Published: December 2022

Virus infestation can seriously harm the host plant’s growth and development. Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) infestation of host plants can cause symptoms, such as yellowing and curling of leaves and root chlorosis. However, the regulatory mechanisms by which TuYV affects host growth and development are unclear. Hence, it is essential to mine small RNA (sRNA) and explore the regulation of sRNAs on plant hosts for disease control. In this study, we analyzed high-throughput data before and after TuYV infestation in Arabidopsis using combined genetics, statistics, and machine learning to identify 108 specifically expressed and critical functional sRNAs after TuYV infection. First, comparing the expression levels of sRNAs before and after infestation, 508 specific sRNAs were significantly up-regulated in Arabidopsis after infestation. In addition, the results show that AI models, including SVM, RF, XGBoost, and CNN using two-dimensional convolution, have robust classification features at the sequence level, with a prediction accuracy of about 96.8%. A comparison of specific sRNAs with genome sequences revealed that 247 matched precisely with the TuYV genome sequence but not with the Arabidopsis genome, suggesting that TuYV viruses may be their source. The 247 sRNAs predicted target genes and enrichment analysis, which identified 206 Arabidopsis genes involved in nine biological processes and three KEGG pathways associated with plant growth and viral stress tolerance, corresponding to 108 sRNAs. These findings provide a reference for studying sRNA-mediated interactions in pathogen infection and are essential for establishing a vital resource of regulation network for the virus infecting plants and deepening the understanding of TuYV virus infection patterns. However, further validation of these sRNAs is needed to gain a new understanding.
Physiological Aspects of Milk Somatic Cell Count in Small Ruminants—A Review
Authors: Kaskous Shehadeh , Farschtschi Sabine , Pfaffl Michael W.
Published: December 2022

The aim of this review was to focus on the physiological aspects of milk somatic cell count (SCC) in small ruminants (SM). The SCC is an important component naturally present in milk and is generally used as an indicator of milk quality and udder health in milk producing ruminants. SCC contains the following cells: polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), macrophages, lymphocytes, and many milk epithelial (MEC) cells, cell fragments, and cytoplasmic particles/vesicles. PMN (40–80%) represent the major cell type in milk in healthy uninfected goats, whereas the macrophages (45–88%) are the major cell type in sheep’s milk. However, dairy goats and sheep have an apocrine secretory system that produces cytoplasmic cellular particles/vesicles and large numbers of cell fragments, resulting in the physiological SCC limit being exceeded. It is obvious that the SCC level in milk of SM can be affected by various influencing factors, such as milk fraction, breed, stage of lactation, parity, type of birth, milking system, and others. An increase in the SCC above the physiological level not only indicates an udder or general health problem but reduces milk production, changes the milk composition, and hence affects milk processing. Moreover, the milking machine plays an important role in maintaining udder health in SM and stable SCC at physiological levels in the milk obtained. So far, there are no healthy or pathological physiological SCC levels defined in SM milk. Furthermore, a differential cell count (DCC) or even a high resolution DCC (HRDCC), which were recently developed for cattle milk, could also help in SM to gain deeper insight into the immunology of the mammary gland and find biomarkers to assess udder health. In conclusion, SCC is an indication of udder health or exposure of the udder to infectious agents or mechanical stress and should therefore always be considered a warning sign.
Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy—Current Practice and Future Perspectives for Recurrent/Metastatic Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Melo-Alvim Cecília , Neves Maria Eduarda , Santos Jorge Leitão , Abrunhosa-Branquinho André N. , Barroso Tiago , Costa Luís , Ribeiro Leonor
Published: December 2022

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant epithelial neoplasm affecting the oral cavity. While surgical resection is the cornerstone of a multimodal curative approach, some tumors are deemed recurrent or metastatic (R/M) and often not suitable for curative surgery. This mainly occurs due to the extent of lesions or when surgery is expected to result in poor functional outcomes. Amongst the main non-surgical therapeutic options for oral squamous cell carcinoma are radiotherapy, chemotherapy, molecular targeted agents, and immunotherapy. Depending on the disease setting, these therapeutic approaches can be used isolated or in combination, with distinct efficacy and side effects. All these factors must be considered for treatment decisions within a multidisciplinary approach. The present article reviews the evidence regarding the treatment of patients with R/M oral squamous cell carcinoma. The main goal is to provide an overview of available treatment options and address future therapeutic perspectives.
Efficient Breast Cancer Classification Network with Dual Squeeze and Excitation in Histopathological Images
Authors: Sarker Md. Mostafa Kamal , Akram Farhan , Alsharid Mohammad , Singh Vivek Kumar , Yasrab Robail , Elyan Eyad
Published: December 2022

Medical image analysis methods for mammograms, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot provide the underline features on the cellular level to understand the cancer microenvironment which makes them unsuitable for breast cancer subtype classification study. In this paper, we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based breast cancer classification method for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) whole slide images (WSIs). The proposed method incorporates fused mobile inverted bottleneck convolutions (FMB-Conv) and mobile inverted bottleneck convolutions (MBConv) with a dual squeeze and excitation (DSE) network to accurately classify breast cancer tissue into binary (benign and malignant) and eight subtypes using histopathology images. For that, a pre-trained EfficientNetV2 network is used as a backbone with a modified DSE block that combines the spatial and channel-wise squeeze and excitation layers to highlight important low-level and high-level abstract features. Our method outperformed ResNet101, InceptionResNetV2, and EfficientNetV2 networks on the publicly available BreakHis dataset for the binary and multi-class breast cancer classification in terms of precision, recall, and F1-score on multiple magnification levels.
Possible Neuropathic Pain in Clinical Practice—Review on Selected Diagnostic Tools and Its Further Challenges
Authors: Szewczyk Anna K. , Jamroz-Wiśniewska Anna , Rejdak Konrad
Published: December 2022

Background: Neuropathic pain (NeP) is a wide group of conditions provoked by many different causes and with different patterns. The creation of a grading system was intended to determine the level of certainty that the pain is of neuropathic nature. Methods: The aim of this review is to update previously published data on some NeP questionnaires and their measurement properties. The selection of articles is based on the basic neurological units. To assess the usefulness and credibility of the questionnaires, the authors searched for a commonly used measure of reliability, as well as sensitivity and specificity. Results: Studies regarding the usefulness and credibility of questionnaires used in NeP were realized. Different patient cohorts, etiologies and sample sizes, do not allow for an unambiguous comparison of the presented scales; however, all of these studies found good measures of reliability, specificity and sensitivity. Conclusions: NeP tools seem to be beneficial screening instruments that should be utilized by specialists and general practitioners to improve the recognition of “possible” NeP and to determine the epidemiology of this disorder. They have been developed to distinguish perceived pain into neuropathic and non-neuropathic, and, therefore, patients with a mixed pain can still present a diagnostic challenge. Clinical examination and interview play an essential role in the diagnostic process and monitoring, and cannot be neglected.
Tricuspid Regurgitation in Acute Heart Failure: Predicting Outcome Using Novel Quantitative Echocardiography Techniques
Authors: Berrill Max , Ashcroft Eshan , Fluck David , John Isaac , Beeton Ian , Sharma Pankaj , Baltabaeva Aigul
Published: December 2022

Background: The prognostic impact of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in acute heart failure (AHF) remains uncertain. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 418 consecutive AHF patients who underwent comprehensive echocardiographic assessment within 24 h of study recruitment. TR was quantitatively assessed with 3 guideline-directed measures: regurgitant volumes (RgVol), effective regurgitant orifice area (ERO) and vena contracta (VC) diameter. Disproportionate TR was assessed by the ratio of the VC diameter to the tricuspid annulus diameter (VC/TA) ≥ 0.24. Results: The prevalence of significant (i.e., >mild) TR differed when various standard assessment parameters were applied to quantification: RgVol 50.3% (173/344), ERO 75.6% (260/344) and VC diameter 94.6% (335/354). None were able to delineate those at excess risk of all-cause 2-year mortality using guideline-directed cut-offs of mild, moderate and severe TR. Using a cut-off of VC/TA ≥ 0.24, we identified that 36.9% (130/352) had “disproportionate” TR. Disproportionate TR was associated with an excess risk of mortality at 2 years compared to proportionate TR; HR 1.48 (95% CI 1.06–2.06 [p = 0.02]) which was not significant on multivariate assessment (p = 0.94). Conclusions: TR was not associated with outcome in AHF using guideline measures. A new assessment of “Disproportionate” TR carries a higher risk than proportionate TR but was not related to outcome based on multivariate analysis. Further research is needed to quantify TR more effectively to identify cut-offs for future guidelines and disproportionate TR may be an important part of Heart Failure 2.0.
Lumbar Plexus Palsy Caused by Massive Psoas Hematoma Related to Vertebral Compression Fracture in a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Ahn Seong Hwan , Kim Dae Kyun , Kim Seok Won
Published: December 2022

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are common injuries in elderly patients and are usually stable because only the anterior column is involved. However, neurological deterioration may complicate osteoporotic VCFs, and most of them are related to canal invasion. Liver cirrhosis (LC) and its related complications have been identified as risk factors for an increased bleeding tendency, which, in turn, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality risks. We herein present a rare case of an osteoporotic VCF and a massive psoas hematoma that resulted in lumbar plexus palsy in a patient with LC after a stable-type spinal injury. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of lumbar plexus palsy attributed to a liver-cirrhosis-related massive psoas hematoma and a stable VCF after minor trauma. This case highlights the potential risk of severe neurological deficits related to this type of common and seemingly trivial injury. The possible pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed and the relevant literature is reviewed.