bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Leaf By-Products: Bioactive Compounds, Anti-Inflammatory Properties, and Potential Health Applications
Authors: Frusciante Luisa , Geminiani Michela , Shabab Behnaz , Olmastroni Tommaso , Roncucci Neri , Mastroeni Pierfrancesco , Salvini Laura , Lamponi Stefania , Trezza Alfonso , Santucci Annalisa
Published: January 2025

The sustainable utilization of biomass-derived bioactives addresses the growing demand for natural health products and supports sustainable development goals by reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals in healthcare. Cannabis sativa biomass, in particular, has emerged as a valuable resource within this context. This study focuses on the hydroethanolic extract of C. sativa leaves (CSE), which exhibited significant levels of phenolic compounds contributing to robust antioxidant activity. Evaluation using potassium ferricyanide, ABTS, and DPPH methods revealed potent radical scavenging activity comparable to the Trolox standard. UPLC-MS/MS profiling identified cannabinoids as the predominant secondary metabolites in CSE, with flavonoids also present in substantial quantities. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of CSE on RAW 264.7 macrophages and IL-1β-stimulated C-20/A4 immortalized human chondrocytes, demonstrating protective effects without cytotoxic or mutagenic effects. Mechanistically, CSE reduced inflammation by inhibiting the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. In silico approaches showed the ability of CSE’s main metabolites to bind and influence MAPK and NF-κB activity, confirming in vitro evidence. Incorporating C. sativa leaf extract into a hyaluronic acid-based formulation showed biotechnological promise for treating joint inflammation. Future research should aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects and explore the potential of CSE-derived compounds in mitigating osteoarthritis progression. This approach highlights the significance of utilizing annually increasing biomass waste for sustainable bioactivity and environmental impact reduction.
Comparative Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Aflibercept and Brolucizumab in Human Aqueous Humor Using Nano-Surface and Molecular-Orientation Limited Proteolysis
Authors: Nagaoka Kosuke , Kimura Natsuka , Inoda Satoru , Takayama Takuya , Arai Yusuke , Yanagi Yasuo , Shimada Takashi , Nagai Ryozo , Takahashi Hidenori , Aizawa Kenichi
Published: January 2025

Aflibercept and brolucizumab, two anti-VEGF agents used as intravitreal injections in ophthalmology, differ significantly in molecular weight (aflibercept—115 kDa and brolucizumab—26 kDa). Using aqueous humor samples collected after drug administration, we measured and performed a comparative analysis of pharmacokinetics and half-lives of these drugs in the human eye. Since the quantification of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using antigen–antibody reactions, such as ELISA, is influenced by endogenous ligands or anti-drug antibodies, we employed nano-surface and molecular-orientation limited proteolysis (nSMOL), combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), for accurate measurements. Aqueous humor samples were collected from 59 eyes of 59 patients treated with aflibercept and 52 eyes of 52 patients treated with brolucizumab. Samples were obtained with a median post-injection period of 30 (range, 2–49) days for aflibercept and 28 (range, 4–60) days for brolucizumab. A population pharmacokinetic (PPK) analysis revealed that the half-life of aflibercept in human aqueous humor was significantly shorter than that of brolucizumab, 2.88 days versus 9.00 days, respectively (p = 1.16 × 10−7). Using the same mass spectrometry conditions, we calculated the half-lives of the two drugs. These results may be useful for optimizing the efficacy of these drugs in clinical practice.
Enhancing the Solubility and Dissolution of Apigenin: Solid Dispersions Approach
Authors: Rosiak Natalia , Tykarska Ewa , Miklaszewski Andrzej , Pietrzak Robert , Cielecka-Piontek Judyta
Published: January 2025

Apigenin (APG), a bioactive flavonoid with promising therapeutic potential, suffers from poor water solubility, which limits its bioavailability. To address this, solid dispersions of APG were prepared using ball milling with sodium alginate (SA), Pluronic® F-68 (PLU68), Pluronic® F-127 (PLU127), PVP K30, and PVP VA64 as polymeric excipients. These dispersions were screened for apparent solubility in water and buffers with pH 1.2, 5.5, and 6.8. Based on improved solubility after 60 min, APG–PLU68 and APG–PLU127 dispersions were selected for further study. DSC and FT-IR analysis confirmed molecular interactions between APG and the polymer matrices, contributing to enhanced solubility and dissolution rates. Dissolution rate studies showed that APG–PLU127 achieved 100% solubility at pH 6.8, suggesting its potential use in environments such as the small intestine. Additionally, APG–PLU127 exhibited 84.3% solubility at pH 1.2, indicating potential for solid oral dosage forms, where APG could be absorbed in the acidic conditions of the stomach. The stability study confirmed that storage for one year under ambient conditions does not cause chemical degradation but affects the physical state and solubility of the dispersion. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the ABTS assay. Freshly obtained APG–PLU127 showed 68.1% ± 1.94% activity, whereas APG–PLU127 stored for one year under ambient conditions exhibited 66.2% ± 1.62% (significant difference, p < 0.05). The difference was related to a slight decrease in the solubility of APG in the solid dispersion (T0 = 252 ± 1 μg∙mL−1, T1 = 246 ± 1 μg∙mL−1). The findings demonstrate the superior performance of PLU127 as a carrier for enhancing the solubility, release, and antioxidant activity of APG.
Natural Progression of Cranial Shape Following Helmet Therapy for Deformational Plagiocephaly
Authors: Kato Risa , Nagano Nobuhiko , Sasano Mari , Sumi Koichiro , Morioka Ichiro
Published: January 2025

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the natural progression of the cranial shape from the end of helmet therapy for deformational plagiocephaly to 1 year of age. Methods: This study included infants with moderate to severe deformational plagiocephaly who began treatment at our department between December 2022 and July 2023. The cranial shape was assessed using a 3D scanner (VECTRA®H2) at the start of treatment, end of treatment, and 12 months of age. Changes in the Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (ΔCVAI), an indicator of cranial deformity, and the severity of deformity (normal, mild, moderate, severe, very severe) were assessed between the end of treatment and 12 months. Results: The study included 32 infants: 30 were full-term and 2 were preterm (gestational ages: 34 and 36 weeks). The median age at the start of treatment was 4 months (range: 2–7 months), with a mean CVAI of 10.5 ± 2.2%. At the end of treatment, the median age was 9 months (range: 5–11 months), with a mean CVAI of 4.2 ± 1.8%. The ΔCVAI from the end of treatment to 12 months of age was 0.3 ± 0.8%. Regarding severity, an improvement was observed in one infant (3%) (from moderate to mild), no change in 28 infants (88%) (23 classified as normal, three as mild, and two as moderate), and worsening in three infants (9%) (one from mild to moderate and two from normal to mild). Conclusions: The severity of cranial deformity showed minimal worsening during the natural progression from the end of helmet therapy to 1 year of age.
PD-1 and PD-L1 Expression in Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Tommasi Orazio De , Marchetti Matteo , Tripepi Marta , Bigardi Sofia , Incognito Giosuè Giordano , Tuninetti Valentina , Facchetti Emma , Tasca Giulia , Noventa Marco , Saccardi Carlo , Tozzi Roberto , Spagnol Giulia
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Cancer immunotherapy through the use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have shown significant promise in endometrial carcinoma (EC), particularly in tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI) or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), present in approximately 30% of cases. This review evaluated PD-L1 and PD-1 expression as potential biomarkers for immunotherapy response in EC, focusing on their relationship with MSI status. Methods: A systematic review, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, analyzed studies from MEDLINE and Embase until February 2023 on PD-1/PD-L1 expression in EC stratified by MSI status, including diverse study designs but excluding conference abstracts, with independent screening, data extraction, and additional reference checks to ensure comprehensive coverage. Results: A systematic analysis of 10 studies found that PD-L1 expression was more frequently expressed in MSI tumors (49%) compared to microsatellite-stable tumors (MSS) (33.5%), while PD-1 was expressed in 58% of MSI cases and 48% of MSS cases. Despite these findings, the prognostic value of PD-L1/PD-1 remains uncertain, with conflicting results regarding their association with survival outcomes. PD-L1 expression varied across molecular subtypes, being highest in POLE-mutated tumors (76.56%) and serous carcinomas (73%). Differences in PD-L1 expression between primary and metastatic sites were also noted, complicating its use as a biomarker. Conclusions: The assessment of PD-L1 expression in EC could represent a valuable option for selecting patients who may benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), including those in the MSS cohort, thereby ensuring a more tailored and personalized treatment strategy.
Early Surgical Resection in Pediatric Patients with Localized Ileo-Cecal Crohn’s Disease: Results of a Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Madaffari Isabella , Muttillo Edoardo , La Franca Alice , Massimi Fanny , Castagnola Giorgio , Coppola Alessandro , Furio Silvia , Piccirillo Marisa , Ferretti Alessandro , Mennini Maurizio , Parisi Pasquale , Cozzi Denis , Ceccanti Silvia , Felici Enrico , Alessio Pini , Lisi Gabriele , Illiceto Maria , Sperduti Isabella , Di Nardo Giovanni , Mercantini Paolo
Published: January 2025

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that also affects pediatric patients. It frequently presents as a localized disease, affecting the ileocecal area, ileum, or colon. It requires targeted therapy to achieve a good quality of life and long-term control of disease activity. Despite multiple medical therapies available, several patients benefit from surgical treatment. The aim of our study is to demonstrate how an early surgical approach can bring an improvement in disease activity, evaluating the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease (SES-CD) and the Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (PCDAI). Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was carried out from 2008 to 2023, including 29 patients, affected by localized CD. These data were analyzed: demographics, SES-CD, and PCDAI, before and after surgery. The differences between groups were analyzed using Student’s t-test for continuous variables, and Pearson’s Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. Results: The SES-CD significantly decreased from 12 (median, range 1–15) to 0 (median, range 0–6) (p < 0.0001) and the PCDAI decreased from 30 (median, range 10–50) to 0 (median, range 0–15) (p < 0.0001). The rate of patients receiving enteral nutrition decreased from 51.7% preoperatively to 0% postoperatively (p = 0.0001). The rate of antibiotic use decreased from 13.8% to 0% (p = 0.0001). The rate of patients receiving ≥2 drugs decreased from 10.3% to 0% (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: The early surgical approach can be considered an excellent therapeutic strategy in patients with localized CD. Both parameters examined, SES-CD and PCDAI, demonstrated a clear improvement in the endoscopic images and in disease activity.
Safety Profile of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients with Lupus Nephritis: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Petrou Dimitra , Marinaki Smaragdi , Kriki Pelagia , Flouda Sofia , Venetsanopoulou Aliki , Voulgari Paraskevi , Sardeli Aggeliki , Drouzas Konstantinos , Panagoutsos Stylianos , Liapis George , Gakiopoulou Harikleia , Lionaki Sophia
Published: January 2025

Objectives: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been vital in alleviating the spread of the recent pandemic. We aimed to estimate the frequency and type of adverse events related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with lupus nephritis (LN), and assess its impact, if any, on the risk of subsequent reactivation of nephritis. Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter study which included patients with biopsy-proven LN, who had received at least one vaccine dose. Patients who ended up with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) prior to vaccination or were diagnosed with LN after vaccination were excluded. Adverse events, systemic or local, COVID-19 outcomes (full recovery, death, or long COVID-19), outcome of LN (remission, refractory disease, relapse, ESKD or death), demographics, laboratory measurements, and immunosuppressive regimens were recorded. Results: Sixty-seven patients were included. The median age was 33 (20–46) years. Induction therapy for LN was administered to 92.5% of patients and 74.6% received maintenance therapy. Of these, 94.02% were in remission at vaccination. The BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was administered in 97.01% of cases, with mild systemic adverse symptoms in 28.35% (myalgias 17.91%, headache 13.43%, arthralgias 13.43%, and fever 10.44%) and local adverse effects in 35.82% (pain 25.37%, swelling 13.43%). Overall, among patients in remission upon vaccination, two (3.17%) experienced a LN relapse within 5.75 (±0.25) months, while 75% of those with active disease at vaccination achieved remission within 21 (±2) months. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination appears safe for LN patients without serious adverse events occurring, and there is no significant impact in the clinical course of the disease.
Frey’s Syndrome Surgical Treatment After Parotidectomy: A Scoping Review
Authors: Barbera Giorgio , Ottaviano Caterina , Lobbia Guido , Rizzo Tommaso , Zatta Esmeralda , Nocini Riccardo
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Frey’s syndrome surgical treatment may be either prophylactic or therapeutic. The aim of this study is to summarize the state of the art in Frey’s syndrome surgical treatment after parotidectomy and review indications, advantages, and disadvantages of different surgical options. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews; to fulfill the research enquiries, four different electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science) were searched using the PICO protocol and key words in Frey’s syndrome surgical treatment. Results: A total of 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Multiple surgical strategies have been developed over the last fifty years in an attempt to treat gustatory sweating; nevertheless, the surgical results are not always as effective as desired, and a gold standard has not been developed yet. Within the limitations of the study, a shift in surgical approaches over the years has been noted: tympanic neurectomy was the most frequently employed technique until the 1980s; more recently, local flaps interposed between the parotid tissue and skin layer have been the treatment of choice. Conclusions: Surgery is a viable option in Frey’s syndrome treatment, and it is indicated in cases of medical treatment inefficacy, tumor recurrence, invalidating symptoms, and unaesthetic surgical sequelae.
Bone Adaptations to a Whole Body Vibration Protocol in Murine Models of Different Ages: A Preliminary Study on Structural Changes and Biomarker Evaluation
Authors: Cariati Ida , Bonanni Roberto , Romagnoli Cristian , Caprioli Lucio , D’Arcangelo Giovanna , Tancredi Virginia , Annino Giuseppe
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Whole body vibration (WBV) is a valuable tool to mitigate physiological adaptations related to age and inactivity. Although significant benefits have been found at the musculoskeletal level, including increased bone mass and reduced muscle atrophy, the underlying biological mechanisms remain largely unknown. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the effects of vibratory training on bone tissue in murine models of different age groups by investigating the structural and distribution changes in some crucial biomarkers involved in musculoskeletal homeostasis. Methods: Specifically, 4-, 12-, and 24-month-old mice were trained with a WBV protocol characterized by three series of 2 min and 30 s, interspersed with a recovery period of the same duration, on a 3-weekly frequency for 3 months. At the end of the training, histological and morphometric analyses were conducted, in association with immunohistochemical analysis to investigate changes in the distribution of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Results: Our preliminary results showed that WBV improves musculoskeletal health by preserving bone architecture and promoting up-regulation of FNDC5 and SIRT1 and down-regulation of NOX4. Conclusions: Our study confirms vibratory training as a viable alternative to counter musculoskeletal decline in elderly and/or sedentary subjects. Further investigations should be conducted to deepen knowledge in this field and explore the role of other molecular mediators in physiological adaptations to vibration.
The Evolution of Match Running Performance in the Top Two Spanish Soccer Leagues: A Comparative Four-Season Study
Authors: García-Calvo Tomás , Lobo-Triviño David , Raya-González Javier , López del Campo Roberto , Resta Ricardo , Pons Eduard , Ponce-Bordón José Carlos
Published: January 2025

Objectives: This study uniquely examines the evolution of match running performance in official matches over four consecutive seasons (2019/2020–2022/23) within Spain’s top two professional soccer leagues (LaLiga). By analyzing differences between competitive league standards (First Division vs. Second Division), this research provides critical insights into how competition levels influence physical performance trends over time. Methods: A total of 6784 match observations were recorded from 95 teams competing in the First and Second Divisions (LaLiga). Performance metrics included total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR, >21 km·h−1), very high-speed running (VHSR, 21.1–24 km·h−1), sprint distance (Sprint, >24 km·h−1), the number of HSR efforts (Nº. Sprints > 21 km·h−1), and sprint efforts (Nº. Sprints > 24 km·h−1), all analyzed using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, ChyronHego, New York, NY, USA). Results: The primary findings indicated significantly higher match running performance in First Division matches compared to Second Division matches across all variables (p < 0.001). Furthermore, match running performance significantly increased over the four seasons in both leagues, with notably higher values during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons for all physical performance metrics (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study contributes to understanding the temporal evolution of soccer match performance across competition levels. The findings emphasize the importance of periodic performance monitoring and adapting training loads increasing high-intensity distances to align with escalating physical demands in modern soccer, offering valuable guidance for coaches and performance analysts.
Supervised and Self-Supervised Learning for Assembly Line Action Recognition
Authors: Indris Christopher , Ibrahim Fady , Ibrahem Hatem , Bramesfeld Götz , Huo Jie , Ahmad Hafiz Mughees , Hayat Syed Khizer , Wang Guanghui
Published: January 2025

The safety and efficiency of assembly lines are critical to manufacturing, but human supervisors cannot oversee all activities simultaneously. This study addresses this challenge by performing a comparative study to construct an initial real-time, semi-supervised temporal action recognition setup for monitoring worker actions on assembly lines. Various feature extractors and localization models were benchmarked using a new assembly dataset, with the I3D model achieving an average mAP@IoU=0.1:0.7 of 85% without optical flow or fine-tuning. The comparative study was extended to self-supervised learning via a modified SPOT model, which achieved a mAP@IoU=0.1:0.7 of 65% with just 10% of the data labeled using extractor architectures from the fully-supervised portion. Milestones include high scores for both fully and semi-supervised learning on this dataset and improved SPOT performance on ANet1.3. This study identified the particularities of the problem, which were leveraged and referenced to explain the results observed in semi-supervised scenarios. The findings highlight the potential for developing a scalable solution in the future, providing labour efficiency and safety compliance for manufacturers.
An Ultra-Low-Power 0.8 V, 60 nW Temperature Sensor for Battery-Less Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Naveed  , Dix Jeff
Published: January 2025

This work presents a nano-watt digital output temperature sensor featuring a supply-insensitive, self-biased current source. Second-order temperature dependencies of the MOS diode are canceled to produce a stable reference and a linear temperature-sensitive voltage. The sensor integrates a sensing unit, voltage-controlled differential ring oscillators, and a low-power frequency-to-digital converter, utilizing a resistor-less design to minimize power and area. The delay element in the ring oscillator reduces stage count, improving noise performance and compactness. Fabricated in 65 nm CMOS, the sensor occupies 0.02 mm2 and consumes 60 nW at 25 °C and 0.8 V. Measurements show an inaccuracy of +1.5/−1.6 °C from −20 °C to 120 °C after two-point calibration, with a resolution of 0.2 °C (rms) and a resolution FoM of 0.022 nJ·K−2. Consuming 0.55 nJ per conversion with a 9.2 ms conversion time, the sensor was tested in a battery-less wireless sensor node, demonstrating its suitability for wireless sensing systems.
Multi-Scale Analysis of Urban Greenspace Exposure and Equality: Insights from a Population-Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI)-Weighted Model in the West Side Straits Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Zheng Peng , Zhang Xiaolan , Pan Wenbin
Published: January 2025

Urban greenspaces (UGSs) are pivotal for ecological enhancement and the well-being of urban residents. The accurate quantification of greenspace exposure (GE) and its distributional equality is essential for equitable urban planning and mitigating inequalities in greenspace access. This study introduces a novel population-EVI-weighted model that integrates the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), land cover, and demographic data to evaluate GE across various spatial scales and buffer distances (300 m, 500 m, and 1 km). This model provides a more nuanced representation of realistic UGSs utilization by residents than traditional metrics of greenspace coverage or simple population-weighted exposure. Our comprehensive analysis reveals that refining the spatial scale improves the understanding of GE’s spatial variation and its distributional equality. Furthermore, increasing the buffer distance substantially enhances GE and its distributional equality across 20 cities and over 93% of counties within the Urban Agglomeration on the West Side of the Straits (WSS). Notably, the county level shows superior performance and greater sensitivity to buffer distance adjustments compared to the city level in the WSS. These findings underscore the importance of scale and buffer distance in urban greenspace planning to achieve equal access to greenspaces.
The Role of Nature Reserves in Ecosystem Services and Urban Ecological Sustainable Development
Authors: Wu Haoyu , Song Fei , Li Haifu , Bai Junbo , Cui Lijuan , Su Fangli , Kalantari Zahra , Ferreira Carla Sofia
Published: January 2025

With the acceleration of global urbanization, the ecosystem services (ES) and ecological balance of nature reserves have been significantly impacted. However, quantitative assessments of the multiple contributions of nature reserves to urban ecological sustainability are still lacking. This study selects Panjin, a wetland city in China (3788 km2), as the study area, utilizing the InVEST model to quantify ES (water yield, carbon storage, soil retention, and habitat quality), and employing redundancy analysis to explore the influencing factors. Ecological source areas were identified, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) score was calculated to systematically evaluate the contribution of nature reserves. The results indicate that from 1990 to 2010, the built-up area of Panjin increased by approximately 159%, leading to a reduction in carbon storage, soil retention, and habitat quality by 20%, 4%, and 14%, respectively. From 2010 to 2020, ecological restoration policies resulted in a 63% increase in ES compared to 2010. Nature reserves played a crucial role in maintaining ecological stability, providing over 40% of the ecological source areas while occupying only 24% of the city’s area and contributing more than 30% to the overall urban ecological sustainability. This study is the first to systematically assess the multiple contributions of nature reserves to urban ecological sustainability, providing ecological management recommendations for policymakers based on innovative environmental indicators and methods to support sustainable urban development.
The Origin(s) of LUCA: Computer Simulation of a New Theory
Authors: Tang Shiping , Gao Ming
Published: January 2025

Carl Woese’s thesis of cellular evolution emphasized that the last universal common/cellular ancestor (LUCA) must have evolved by drawing from “global inventions”. Yet, existing theories regarding the origin(s) of LUCA have mostly centered upon scenarios that LUCA had evolved mostly independently. In an earlier paper, we advanced a new theory regarding the origin(s) of LUCA that extends Woese’s original insights. Our theory centers upon the possibility that different vesicles and protocells can merge with and acquire each other as a form of variation, selection, and retention, driven by wet-and-dry cycles and other similar cyclical processes. In this paper, we use computer simulation to show that under a variety of simulated conditions, LUCA can indeed be produced by our proposed processes. We hope that our study can stimulate laboratory testing of some key hypotheses that vesicles’ absorption, acquisition, and merger has indeed been a central force in driving the evolution of LUCA.
Therapy for Dupuytren’s Disease (II): Collagenase Therapy vs. Limited Fasciectomy—A Long-Term Comparative Study
Authors: Wachtel Nikolaus , Dingler Francesca Romana , Kuhlmann Constanze , Mert Sinan , Haas-Lützenberger Elisabeth Maria , Alt Verena , Moellhoff Nicholas , Giunta Riccardo , Demmer Wolfram
Published: January 2025

Background: Dupuytren’s disease (DD) is a systemic connective tissue disorder of the palm, predominantly affecting men of Northern European or Caucasian origin over 55. In addition to conventional surgery, Dupuytren’s contracture can be treated in a minimally invasive way by injecting bacterial collagenase into the cord. However, studies on the long-term success rate when compared to the gold standard, surgical limited fasciectomy, are limited. Methods: This monocentric retrospective study examined 35 patients who had been treated with bacterial collagenase for Dupuytren’s contracture, conducting a long-term follow-up after an average of 5.7 years. The results were compared to a control group of 40 patients treated with surgical limited fasciectomy on average 5.5 years ago. Finger extension (Tubiana stage), strength, sensitivity, the effect of possible risk factors, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were compared between the two groups. Results: The long-term results after therapy for DD showed a significant reduction in the Tubiana stage for both groups (p < 0.001). Additionally, we observed a longer mean preintervention Tubiana stage and a better long-term improvement in the Tubiana stage for patients with limited fasciectomy when compared to the collagenase group. (both p < 0.001). Neither grip strength nor the pinch test showed significant differences when compared within each group or when comparing both groups. Both the treated and untreated fingers of patients with limited fasciectomy had a superior two-point discrimination (p < 0.001). For the URAM questionnaire, we observed a significantly better result in the control group (p < 0.01). Retrospectively, significantly more patients in the collagenase group would not choose the same therapy to treat DD (35 vs. 8%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: The two therapy options should be seen as complementary for the treatment of DD. Collagenase therapy seems a sensible option for DD with an earlier Tubiana stage and contractures that predominantly affect the MCP joint. Contractures with higher Tubiana stages that also affect the PIP joint should predominantly be treated with limited fasciectomy.
Review of the Microstructural Impact on Creep Mechanisms and Performance for Laser Powder Bed Fusion Inconel 718
Authors: Bryndza Guillian , Tchuindjang Jérôme Tchoufang , Chen Fan , Habraken Anne Marie , Sepúlveda Héctor , Tuninetti Víctor , Mertens Anne , Duchêne Laurent
Published: January 2025

Inconel 718 (IN718) is a polycrystalline nickel-based superalloy and one of the most widely used materials in the aerospace industry owing to its excellent mechanical performances at high temperatures, including creep resistance. Interest in additively manufactured components in aerospace is greatly increasing due to their ability to reduce material consumption, to manufacture complex parts, and to produce out-of-equilibrium microstructures, which can be beneficial for mechanical behavior. IN718’s properties are, however, very sensitive to microstructural features, which strongly depend on the manufacturing process and subsequent heat treatments. Additive manufacturing and, more specifically, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) induces very high thermal gradients and anisotropic features due to its inherently directional nature, which largely defines the microstructure of the alloy. Hence, defining appropriate manufacturing parameters and heat treatments is critical to obtain appropriate mechanical behavior. This review aims to present the main microstructural features of IN718 produced by LPBF, the creep mechanisms taking place, the optimal microstructure for creep strength, and the most efficient heat treatments to yield such an optimized microstructure.
Sustainable Management of Photovoltaic Waste Through Recycling and Material Use in the Construction Industry
Authors: Bulińska Sandra , Sujak Agnieszka , Pyzalski Michał
Published: January 2025

The rapid expansion of photovoltaic (PV) technology as a source of renewable energy has resulted in a significant increase in PV panel waste, creating environmental and economic challenges. A promising strategy to address these challenges is the reuse of glass waste from decommissioned PV panels as a component of cementitious materials. This review explores the potential of integrating glass waste from PV panels into cementitious materials, focusing on its impact on their mechanical, thermal, and durability properties. This analysis includes various methods of processing PV glass waste, such as crushing and grinding, to obtain the desired particle size for cementitious applications. It goes on to analyze how advances in cementitious materials can facilitate the incorporation of PV glass waste, helping to improve properties such as compressive strength, workability, and setting time. In addition, this review makes a detailed analysis of the long-term sustainability and environmental benefits of PV glass waste, highlighting its potential to reduce the carbon footprint of cementitious materials. Incorporating PV glass waste can improve certain properties of cementitious materials, resulting in increased durability and improved thermal insulation, while contributing to waste reduction and resource conservation. This review highlights the importance of developing standardized recycling methods and integration processes and identifies areas for further research to optimize the use of PV glass waste in cement formulations. Ultimately, the sustainable integration of PV glass panel waste into cementitious materials is a viable approach to promote green building practices and support a circular economy in the construction industry.
Optimisation of Using Low-Grade Kaolinitic Clays in Limestone Calcined Clay Cement Production (LC3)
Authors: Vargas Paola , Borrachero María Victoria , Payá Jordi , Macián Ana , Tobón Jorge Iván , Martirena Fernando , Soriano Lourdes
Published: January 2025

LC3 (limestone calcined clay cement) is poised to become the construction industry’s future as a so-called low-carbon-footprint cement. Research into this subject has determined the minimum kaolinite content in calcined clays to guarantee good mechanical performance. This study examines the use of clay from the Valencian Community (Spain), which has a lower kaolinite content than the recommended amount (around 30%) for use in LC3 and how its performance can be enhanced by replacing part of that clay with metakaolin. This study begins with a physico-chemical characterisation of the starting materials. This is followed by a microstructural analysis of cement pastes, which includes isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and X-ray diffraction tests at different curing ages. Finally, this study analyses the mechanical performance of standard mortars under compression to observe the evolution of the control mortars and the mortars with calcined clay and metakaolin over time. The results show that the LC3 mortars exhibited higher compressive strength in the mixtures with higher calcined kaolinite contents, achieved by adding metakaolin. Adding 6% metakaolin increased the compressive strength after 90 days, while 10% additions surpassed the control mortar’s compressive strength after 28 days. Mortars with 15% metakaolin exceeded the control mortar’s compressive strength after just 7 curing days. The hydration kinetics showed an acceleration of LC3 hydration with metakaolin additions due to the nucleation effect and the formation of monocarboaluminate and hemicarboaluminate (both AFm phases). The results suggest the potential for combining less reactive materials blended with highly reactive materials.
Steel Ball Impact on SiC/AlSi12 Interpenetrated Composite by Peridynamics
Authors: Postek Eligiusz , Sadowski Tomasz , Guhathakurta Jajnabalkya
Published: January 2025

Silicon carbide and an aluminum alloy (SiC/AlSi12) composite are obtained during the pressurized casting process of the aluminum alloy into the SiC foam. The foam acts as a high-stiffness skeleton that strengthens the aluminum alloy matrix. The goal of the paper is to describe the behavior of the material, considering its internal structure. The composite’s structure is obtained by using X-ray computing tomography. The thorough computer tomography analysis allows for the high-precision identification of the shape and distribution of the pores in the matrix. The computational model prepared in the framework of the peridynamics method takes into account the pores and their shape. The pores in the structure appeared in the fabrication process. The impact of a steel ball is studied employing the peridynamics method. The sample without any porosity and a porous one were considered during the analyses. It has been found that the porosity of the matrix influences the plastic strain development, but the damage parameter in the skeleton is not affected significantly. The damage advancement in the skeleton during the process is practically identical in both cases. The equivalent plastic strain field is much smoother in a non-porous matrix than in a porous one. The porous matrix has high equivalent plastic strain concentrations, much higher than the non-porous matrix. The shape of the sample is affected by the porosity of the matrix. The sample with a porous matrix tends to fragment, and it shows a tendency towards spallation when in close contact to the surface with the base.
Multidimensional Stability of Planar Traveling Waves for Competitive–Cooperative Lotka–Volterra System of Three Species
Authors: Shi Na , Wu Xin , Ma Zhaohai
Published: January 2025

We investigate the multidimensional stability of planar traveling waves in competitive–cooperative Lotka–Volterra system of three species in n-dimensional space. For planar traveling waves with speed c>c*, we establish their exponential stability in L∞(Rn), which is expressed as t−n2e−ετσt, where σ>0 is a constant and ετ∈(0,1) depends on the time delay τ>0 as a decreasing function ετ=ε(τ). The time delay is shown to significantly reduce the decay rate of the solution. Additionally, for planar traveling waves with speed c=c*, we demonstrate their algebraic stability in the form t−n2. Our analysis employs the Fourier transform and a weighted energy method with a carefully chosen weight function.
Convergence Speed of Bermudan, Randomized Bermudan, and Canadian Options
Authors: Leduc Guillaume
Published: January 2025

American options have long received considerable attention in the literature, with numerous publications dedicated to their pricing. Bermudan and randomized Bermudan options are broadly used to estimate their prices efficiently. Notably, the penalty method yields option prices that coincide with those of randomized Bermudan options. However, theoretical results regarding the speed of convergence of these approximations to the American option price remain scarce. In this paper, we address this gap by establishing a general result on the convergence speed of Bermudan and randomized Bermudan option prices to their American limits. We prove that for convex payoff functions, the convergence speed is linear; that is, of order 1/n, where n denotes the number of exercisable opportunities in the Bermudan case and serves as the intensity parameter of the underlying Poisson process in the randomized Bermudan case. Our framework is quite general, encompassing Lévy models, stochastic volatility models, and nearly any risk-neutral model that can be incorporated within a strong Markov framework. We extend our analysis to Canadian options, showing under mild conditions a convergence rate of 1/n to their American limits. To our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the speed of convergence in Canadian option pricing.
A Dual-Path Neural Network for High-Impedance Fault Detection
Authors: Ning Keqing , Ye Lin , Song Wei , Guo Wei , Li Guanyuan , Yin Xiang , Zhang Mingze
Published: January 2025

High-impedance fault detection poses significant challenges for distribution network maintenance and operation. We propose a dual-path neural network for high-impedance fault detection. To enhance feature extraction, we use a Gramian Angular Field algorithm to transform 1D zero-sequence voltage signals into 2D images. Our dual-branch network simultaneously processes both representations: the CNN extracts spatial features from the transformed images, while the GRU captures temporal features from the raw signals. To optimize model performance, we integrate the Crested Porcupine Optimizer (CPO) algorithm for the adaptive optimization of key network hyperparameters. The experimental results demonstrate that our method achieves a 99.70% recognition accuracy on a dataset comprising high-impedance faults, capacitor switching, and load connections. Furthermore, it maintains robust performance under various test conditions, including different noise levels and network topology changes.
Preclinical Efficacy and Proteomic Prediction of Molecular Targets for s-cal14.1b and s-cal14.2b Conotoxins with Antitumor Capacity in Xenografts of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: Luna-Nophal Angélica , Díaz-Castillo Fernando , Izquierdo-Sánchez Vanessa , Velázquez-Fernández Jesús B. , Orozco-Morales Mario , Lara-Mejía Luis , Bernáldez-Sarabia Johana , Sánchez-Campos Noemí , Arrieta Oscar , Díaz-Chávez José , Castañeda-Sánchez Jorge-Ismael , Licea-Navarro Alexei-Fedorovish , Muñiz-Hernández Saé
Published: January 2025

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare neoplasm with increasing incidence and mortality rates. Although recent advances have improved the overall prognosis, they have not had an important impact on survival of patients with MPM, such that more effective treatments are needed. Some species of marine snails have been demonstrated to be potential sources of novel anticancer molecules. This study analyzed the anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo of two peptides found in C. californicus. The effects of s-cal14.1b and s-cal14.2b on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity were evaluated in 2D and 3D cultures of MPM-derived cells. Proteomics analysis of 3D cultures treated with conotoxins was performed to examine changes in expression or abundance. And the therapeutic effects of both conotoxins were evaluated in MPM mouse xenografts. s-cal14.1b and s-cal14.2b induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity in 2D and 3D cultures. However, only s-cal14.1b modified spheroid growth. Approximately 600 proteins exhibited important differential expression, which was more heterogeneous in H2452 vs MSTO-211H spheroids. The in silico protein functional analysis showed modifications in the biological pathways associated with carcinogenesis. CAPN1, LIMA1, ANXA6, HUWE1, PARP1 or PARP4 proteins could be potential cell targets for conotoxins and serve as biomarkers in MPM. Finally, we found that both conotoxins reduced the tumor mass in MPM xenografts; s-cal14.1b reached statistical significance. Based on these results, s-cal14.1b and s-cal14.2b conotoxins could be potential therapeutic drugs for MPM neoplasms with no apparent side effects on normal cells.
Formation of a Novel Antagonistic Bacterial Combination to Enhance Biocontrol for Cucumber Fusarium Wilt
Authors: Yang Fan , Wang Xin , Jiang Huayan , Chang Xiaoke , Chen Weiwei , Shi Gongyao , Tian Baoming , Yao Qiuju
Published: January 2025

Paenibacillus polymyxa strain PJH16, isolated and tested by our team, suppresses cucumber Fusarium wilt as an efficient biocontrol agent. For further investigation, the strain has been combined with two other Bacillus strains (Bacillus velezensis VJH504 and Bacillus subtilis JNF2) to enhance biocontrol ability, which formed high-efficiency microbial agents in the current study. The methodological target taken is based on achieving the optimal growth conditions of the combined microbial agents; hence, the medium composition and culture conditions were optimized through a single-factor test, orthogonal test and response surface methodology. Following this, the effectiveness of the microbial combination was assessed through pot experiments, which provided a theoretical foundation for the synthesis of microbial flora to significantly control cucumber Fusarium wilt. The results showed excellent compatibility, proving suitable for the proliferation and growth of Paenibacillus polymyxa PJH16, Bacillus velezensis VJH504, and Bacillus subtilis JNF2 strains together, specifically, when the inoculation amounts were adjusted to 4% of each. Using the single-factor test and orthogonal test analysis, the optimum composition of culture medium for the composite strain was identified as 3% glucose as the optimal carbon source, 2% yeast extract powder as the preferred nitrogen source, and 1% dipotassium hydrogen phosphate as the most suitable inorganic salt. Furthermore, the optical density (OD600) of the composite strain solution reached its highest level at 3.16 under the following culture conditions: inoculation volume of 200 µL, 171 rpm culture speed, 21.6 h culture time, 30 °C cultural temperature, and an initial pH of 7.0. The pot experiment demonstrated that the mixed bacterial solution achieved a relative control efficacy of 93.4% against cucumber Fusarium wilt, which was significantly superior to that of single- strain or pesticide treatment, and also promoted cucumber growth. In summary, the microbial flora synthesized by the three Bacillus strains displayed a high bacterial concentration, following the optimization of culture conditions, and exerted remarkable control and growth-promoting effects on cucumber Fusarium wilt. This finding holds great significance for future developments of composite microbial agents.
Understanding Patterns of the Gut Microbiome May Contribute to the Early Detection and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bednarska Natalia G. , Håberg Asta Kristine
Published: January 2025

The rising burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global public health problem, particularly prominent in developing countries. The early detection of T2DM and prediabetes is vital for reversing the outcome of disease, allowing early intervention. In the past decade, various microbiome–metabolome studies have attempted to address the question of whether there are any common microbial patterns that indicate either prediabetic or diabetic gut microbial signatures. Because current studies have a high methodological heterogeneity and risk of bias, we have selected studies that adhered to similar design and methodology. We performed a systematic review to assess if there were any common changes in microbiome belonging to diabetic, prediabetic and healthy individuals. The cross-sectional studies presented here collectively covered a population of 65,754 people, with 1800 in the 2TD group, 2770 in the prediabetic group and 61,184 in the control group. The overall microbial diversity scores were lower in the T2D and prediabetes cohorts in 86% of the analyzed studies. Re-programming of the microbiome is potentially one of the safest and long-lasting ways to eliminate diabetes in its early stages. The differences in the abundance of certain microbial species could serve as an early warning for a dysbiotic gut environment and could be easily modified before the onset of disease by changes in lifestyle, taking probiotics, introducing diet modifications or stimulating the vagal nerve. This review shows how metagenomic studies have and will continue to identify novel therapeutic targets (probiotics, prebiotics or targets for elimination from flora). This work clearly shows that gut microbiome intervention studies, if performed according to standard operating protocols using a predefined analytic framework (e.g., STORMS), could be combined with other similar studies, allowing broader conclusions from collating all global cohort studies efforts and eliminating the effect-size statistical insufficiency of a single study.
Grazing Intensity Modifies Soil Microbial Diversity and Their Co-Occurrence Networks in an Alpine Steppe, Central Tibet
Authors: Xiang Mingxue , Liang Zepeng , Zhang Yanjie , Wu Junxi , Ma Tao , Duo Lha , Zhang Xianzhou , Fu Gang
Published: January 2025

Grazing intensity is one of the crucial anthropogenic activities on alpine grasslands. However, how grazing intensity affects soil microorganism diversities and their co-occurrence networks in alpine steppe remains uncertain. We carried out a controlled grazing experiment (null grazing, CK; moderate grazing, MG; and heavy grazing, HG) on a typical alpine steppe in the Lhasa River Basin, Central Tibet, China. We used high-throughput sequencing to find the sequences of bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS gene amplicons. Then, we analyzed their alpha and beta diversities and set up co-occurrence networks that show how often they occur together. MG significantly increased the bacterial Shannon index and changed the bacterial community structure. In contrast, HG decreased the fungal ACE and Chao1 indices and also changed the fungal community structure (p < 0.05). Linear mixed-effect model revealed that available phosphorus in soil significantly impacted on soil bacterial Shannon, ACE, and Chao1 indices across grazing intensities, while total carbon in subsoil significantly affected these indicators of soil fungi. Moreover, MG increased the complexity of the co-occurrence network in the bacterial community, while HG simplified it. However, both MG and HG made the co-occurrence networks in the fungal community less complicated. This shows that the intensity of grazing has different impacts on how microbes interact with each other. Therefore, sustainable grazing intensity necessitates a deeper understanding of biodiversity conservation in alpine grasslands.