bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Intraoperative Parameters between Two Handpieces in One-Handed Phacoemulsification with Active Fluidics
Authors: Araño-Ferrer Jerónimo , Medina-Perez Ana Beatriz , Solis-Hernandez Cyntia , Gulias-Cañizo Rosario , Guerrero-Berger Oscar
Published: September 2024

Purpose: To compare anterior chamber stability and surgical efficiency in one-handed phacoemulsification, comparing Ozil and Active Sentry (AS) handpieces. Methods: Observational and comparative study. Selected patients were divided into two groups, AS and Ozil handpieces, and underwent one-handed phacoemulsification. Parameters like IOP per quadrant, vacuum, and aspiration flow were fixed in all surgeries. The study endpoints were intraoperative anterior chamber instability score (IACIS), cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), followability, and surgery duration. Results: Mean age was 71.42 years in the AS group vs. 73.97 in the Ozil Group. Mean Axial Length was 22.85 ± 1.21 mm with Active Sentry vs. 23.3 ± 1.29 mm with Ozil (p = 0.324). IACIS was 0.10 ± 0.30 with AS vs. 0.63 ± 0.71 with Ozil (˂0.001*). CDE was 9.95 ± 4.76 percent-seconds with AS vs. 10.89 ± 6.55 percent-seconds with Ozil (0.519). The followability score was 0.74 ± 0.855 with AS vs. 0.83 ± 0.874 with Ozil (p = 0.678). Surgery duration was 19.00 ± 5.44 min with AS vs. 24.57 ± 6.51 with Ozil (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The Active Sentry handpiece improves anterior chamber stability in one-handed phacoemulsification while maintaining surgical performance during nucleus removal without an auxiliary side-port. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that the Active Sentry handpiece can increase anterior chamber stability not only in conventional phacoemulsification but also in one-handed phacoemulsification.
An Artificial Intelligence-Based Tool for Enhancing Pectoral Muscle Segmentation in Mammograms: Addressing Class Imbalance and Validation Challenges in Automated Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Cortes-Rojas Fausto David , Hernández-Rodríguez Yazmín Mariela , Bayareh-Mancilla Rafael , Cigarroa-Mayorga Oscar Eduardo
Published: September 2024

Breast cancer remains a major health concern worldwide, requiring the advancement of early detection methods to improve prognosis and treatment outcomes. In this sense, mammography is regarded as the gold standard in breast cancer screening and early detection. However, in a scenario where extensive analysis is required, a large set of mammograms conducted by radiologists may carry out false negative or false positive diagnoses. Therefore, artificial intelligence has emerged in recent years as a method for enhancing timing in breast cancer diagnosis. Nonetheless, preprocessing stages are required to prepare the mammography dataset to enhance learning models to correctly identify breast anomalies. In this paper, we introduce a novel method employing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to segment the pectoral muscle in 1288 mediolateral oblique mammograms (MLOs), thereby addressing class imbalance and overfitting between classes, and dataset augmentation based on translation, rotation, and scale transformation. The effectiveness of the model was assessed through a confusion matrix and performance metrics, highlighting an average Dice coefficient of 0.98 and a Jaccard index of 0.96. The outcomes demonstrate the model capability to accurately identify three classes: pectoral muscle, breast, and background. This study emphasizes the importance of tackling class imbalance problems and augmenting data for the training of models for reliable early breast cancer detection.
A Novel Student-Initiated International Emergency Medicine Competition: A Decade of Experience from the Khon Kaen University International Challenge of Emergency Medicine
Authors: Okamura Yui , Ngeabngamsri Parames , Iwano Ami , Krikeerati Thanachit , Yanagisawa Kotaro , Jansirirat Thanut , Ohkoshi Moeko , Shimoda Tomonari , Mayers Thomas , Kotruchin Praew , Makarawate Pattarapong
Published: September 2024

The global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic severely restricted in-person international events and clinical exposure opportunities for medical students. As a result, fostering global collaborations and providing hands-on experiences for future healthcare professionals has become increasingly challenging. The Khon Kaen University International Challenge of Emergency Medicine (KKU ICEM) is the world’s first international emergency medicine (EM)-focused competition for medical students. Since 2016, it has been held eight times and attracted participation from approximately 500 students across 18 countries spanning Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa. The KKU ICEM not only equips medical students with essential EM knowledge but also cultivates international friendships and cross-cultural competence. Initiatives like the KKU ICEM can play a crucial role in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals for the challenges ahead.
Design of Environmental Sensor Board for Energy Harvesting: Integration of Conventional and Eco-Friendly Sensors with Power Generation Sources
Authors: Landi Giovanni , Avallone Guerino , Barone Carlo , Pagano Sergio
Published: September 2024

A platform for indoor monitoring inside buildings, integrating both conventional and environmentally friendly devices with energy-harvesting sources, is proposed. Biomaterials such as gelatin and chitosan, derived from renewable resources, have been utilized to fabricate hydrogel and active layers for sensors and supercapacitors. These devices enhance the environmental profile of the proposed solution by employing sustainable materials and optimizing energy consumption. The developed electronic board prototype provides a versatile platform for testing various sensor configurations while accommodating different energy-harvesting sources. The article details the design of an energy harvesting system for indoor monitoring, covering various aspects regarding energy sources, power management circuits, and low-power microcontroller units. It examines energy storage devices and sensors, including both eco-friendly and commercial ones, as well as radio transceivers with different communication technologies. Additionally, an energy analysis to evaluate the performance and energy efficiency of the platform is presented.
Tetramycin B3: An Effective and Biological Nematicide for Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Sun Shuaibin , Li Wenchao , Ju Kunyang , Xiong Xiong , Li Jie , Yu Chengming , Tian Yehan , Liu Huixiang
Published: September 2024

Pine wilt disease, caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Buhrer, 1934) Nickle 1981, poses a significant threat to the safety of pine forests in the world. Currently, the available nematicides for controlling this disease are limited. Finding new nematicides is crucial for the effective prevention and control of pine wilt disease. In this study, we discovered that tetramycin B3, derived from Streptomyces ahygroscopicus, demonstrated a promising effect on pine wilt disease. The LC50 values of tetramycin B3 at 24, 48, and 72 h were 26.49, 23.37, and 12.79 μg/mL, respectively. Tetramycin B3 significantly inhibited the feeding and growth rate of B. xylophilus at low concentrations while also increasing ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and lipid accumulation. Furthermore, tetramycin B3 markedly inhibited the activity of detoxifying and protective enzymes. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses indicated that tetramycin B3 significantly affected the expression of genes related to lysosomes, autophagy, and lipid metabolism in B. xylophilus. Additionally, tetramycin B3 delayed the onset of pine wilt disease. Transcriptome results showed that tetramycin B3 significantly influenced the expression of genes related to defense responses in pine trees and induced pine trees to produce disease-resistant mechanisms. Future research will focus on further elucidating the mechanism of action of tetramycin B3 against B. xylophilus and verifying the gene functions identified through transcriptome screening.
Molecular Cloning and Functional Characterization of a Cytochrome P450 Enzyme (SaCYP736A167) Promoter from Santalum album
Authors: Yan Haifeng , Zhang Yueya , Wei Rongchang , Qiu Lihang , Zhou Huiwen , Xiong Faqian , Ma Guohua
Published: September 2024

The primary constituents of the essential oil derived from Santalum album L. are (Z)-α-santalol, (Z)-β-santalol, (Z)-α-exo-bergamotol, and (Z)-epi-β- santalol. SaCYP736A167 plays a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of these sesquiterpene alcohols within S. album, but the mechanisms governing the expression of the SaCYP736A167 gene is far from being deciphered. In this research, a promoter sequence of the SaCYP736A167 gene, spanning 2808 base pairs, was isolated from S. album. A bioinformatics analysis of the 2384-bp SaCYP736A167 promoter (PSaCYP736A167) showed that abundant stress-inducible cis-acting elements were distributed in different regions of PSaCYP736A167. The histochemical β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining of T1 transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants harboring PSaCYP736A167 demonstrated that the predominant GUS activity was exhibited in the parenchyma cells of the stem cortex and phloem, suggesting that PSaCYP736A167 is a tissue-specific expression promoter. GUS fluorometric assays of transiently transgenic N. benthamiana leaves revealed that seven distinct segments of PSaCYP736A167 exhibited notably varied levels of GUS activity. A 936-base pair sequence upstream of the transcription initiation codon ATG constitutes the core promoter section of PSaCYP736A167. Our findings shed light on the regulatory mechanisms controlling the transcription of the SaCYP736A167 gene, potentially serving as a novel tissue-specific promoter for applications in transgenic plant biotechnology.
Sports-Related Genomic Predictors Are Associated with Athlete Status in Chinese Sprint/Power Athletes
Authors: Wang Yaqi , He Zihong , Mei Tao , Yang Xiaolin , Gu Zhuangzhuang , Zhang Zhihao , Li Yanchun
Published: September 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between variant loci significantly associated with sports-related traits in the GWAS Catalog database and sprint/power athlete status, as well as to explore the polygenic profile of elite athletes. Methods: Next-generation sequencing and microarray technology were used to genotype samples from 211 elite athletes who had achieved success in national or international competitions in power-based sports and from 522 non-athletes, who were healthy university students with no history of professional sports training. Variant loci collected from databases were extracted after imputation. Subsequently, 80% of the samples were randomly selected as the training set, and the remaining 20% as the validation set. Results: Association analysis of variant loci was conducted in the training set, and individual Total Genotype Score (TGS) were calculated using genotype dosage and lnOR, followed by the establishment of a logistic model, with predictive performance evaluated in the validation set. Association analysis was performed on 2075 variant loci, and after removing linked loci (r2 > 0.2), 118 Tag SNPs (p ≤ 0.05) were identified. A logistic model built using 30 Tag SNPs (p ≤ 0.01) showed better performance in the validation set (AUC = 0.707). Conclusions: Our study identified 30 new genetic molecular markers and demonstrated that elite sprint/power athlete status is polygenic.
Integrated Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Reveal Key Insights into Iridoid Biosynthesis in Gentiana crassicaulis Seeds during Germination
Authors: Xuan Lechen , Xiao Hongyang , Zhao Zhili , Feng Jingxian , Ni Lianghong , Wu Jinrong
Published: September 2024

Background: Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., a key species used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating rheumatic pain and stroke, contains iridoids as its primary active component. However, the biosynthetic mechanisms underlying iridoid production are not fully understood. Methods: This study focused on iridoid biosynthesis during the germination of G. crassicaulis seeds, integrating metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to uncover the underlying pathways and key candidate genes. Results: 196,132 unigenes and 10 iridoid compounds were identified through RNA-seq and ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometer (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), respectively. The intersection of results from Pearson correlation analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed a significant correlation between 26 genes and iridoid levels, suggesting their potential role in the iridoid metabolism. Notably, six highly expressed candidate genes (DL7H, SLS, CYP76, CYP72A2, CYP84A1, and 13-LOX3) and five iridoids (loganic acid, sweroside, swertiamarin, gentiopicroside, and 6′-O-β-D-glucosyl-gentiopicroside) responded to methyl jasmonate stimulation in G. crassicaulis seedlings. Conclusions: by combining the known functions of candidate gene families, It is hypothesized that the CYP716 and LOX families exert indirect influences on iridoid metabolism, while the CYP71, CYP81, CYP72, CYP76, CYP710 families, 2OG-FeII family, and the glucosyltransferase family are likely to play direct roles in the biosynthetic transformations of the five iridoids. This study provides a theoretical basis for further functional gene validation and metabolic engineering aimed at enhancing iridoid production. The insights gained could lead to improved iridoid production efficiency in medicinal plants, ultimately benefiting the quality and efficacy of medicinal materials.
Miocene Petit-Spot Basanitic Volcanoes on Cretaceous Alba Guyot (Magellan Seamount Trail, Pacific Ocean)
Authors: Peretyazhko Igor S. , Savina Elena A. , Pulyaeva Irina A.
Published: September 2024

New data obtained from core samples of two boreholes and dredged samples from the Alba Guyot in the Magellan Seamount Trail (MST), Western Pacific, including the 40Ar/39Ar age determinations of basanite, and the mineralogy of basanite, tuff, tuffite, mantle-derived inclusions in basanite and tuff (lherzolite xenolith and Ol, Cpx, and Opx xenocrysts), and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, have implications for the guyot′s development and history. Volcanic units in the upper part of the Alba Guyot main edifice and its Oma Vlinder satellite, at sea depths between 3600 and 2200 m, were deposited during the Cretaceous 112 to 86 Ma interval. In the following ~60 myr, the Alba Guyot became partly submerged and denuded with the formation of a flat summit platform while the respective fragment of the Pacific Plate was moving to the Northern Hemisphere. Volcanic activity in the northeastern part of the guyot summit platform was rejuvenated in the Miocene (24–15 Ma) and produced onshore basanitic volcanoes and layers of tuff in subaerial and tuffite in shallow-water near-shore conditions. In the Middle-Late Miocene (10–6 Ma), after the guyot had submerged, carbonates containing calcareous nannofossils were deposited on the porous surfaces of tuff and tuffite. Precipitation of the Fe-Mn crust (Unit III) recommenced during the Pliocene–Pleistocene (<1.8 Ma) when the guyot summit reached favorable sea depths. The location of the MST guyots in the northwestern segment of the Pacific Plate near the Mariana Trench, along with the Miocene age and alkali-basaltic signatures of basanite, provide first evidence for petit-spot volcanism on the Alba Guyot. This inference agrees with the geochemistry of Cenozoic petit-spot basaltic rocks from the Pacific and Miocene basanite on the Alba Guyot. Petit-spot volcanics presumably originated from alkali-basaltic melts produced by decompression partial melting of carbonatized peridotite in the metasomatized oceanic lithosphere at the Lithosphere–Asthenosphere Boundary level. The numerous volcanic cones with elevations of up to 750 m high and 5.1 km in basal diameter, discovered on the Alba summit platform, provide the first evidence of voluminous Miocene petit-spot basanitic volcanism upon the Cretaceous guyots and seamounts of the Pacific.
The Return of the Repressed: The Subprime Haunted House
Authors: Harris Jaleesa Rena
Published: September 2024

This article merges evaluations of Black life through the Southern Gothic and the intersection of Black studies to conceptualize the “Black Gothic”. The Black Gothic conceives of a future that requires closely examining the past and the present primarily through a Southern Gothic and Black horror lens. Much of Black Gothic’s analytics depended upon the framework outlined within Afro-pessimism and the subprime; however, it differs in its pursuits of reparations as a way forward. The Black Gothic focuses on intermingling the lived anti-Black experiences of Black existence with supernatural gothic traditions, forcing readers to determine which experience is more horrific. The Black Gothic functions as a mode of interaction with the Southern Gothic and the Black horror visual genres; its definition invokes literary and visual modes and genres that expand the many depictions of Black life in America when it is constantly threatened by elimination and devaluation. The Black horror genre seeks to expose the “afterlife of slavery” through actual and speculative means. Meanwhile, Southern Gothic’s ability to cross temporal bounds makes these the ideal genres to present the enslaved’s repressed and debted history. Southern Gothic replaced ruined gothic castles with plantations; Black Gothic replaced plantations and the monolithic “South” with northern sundown towns, redlining, and subprime mortgages. The Black Gothic’s methodology uses a systemic fiscal devaluation of Black ownership, self, and property through the subprime. In company with Fred Moten’s conceptualization of the subprime, the Black Gothic views being marked as “subprime” as an antecedent to predatory housing practices; it is instead the moment that captured Africans experience social death. Using Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Misha Green’s HBO adaptation of Matt Ruff’s novel Lovecraft Country, I define the Black Gothic and then outline its capacity to function as an analytic to further both the Southern Gothic and Black horror genres. The Black Gothic transcends gothic traditions by including films and texts that are not categorically gothic or horror and exposes the horrific and gothic modes primarily exhibited through the treatment of the descendants of enslaved Africans. Comprehensively, this article argues for a space to view the future re-evaluation of Black life through speculative and practical reparations.
Air Quality Geospatial Analysis in Vulnerable Areas. Case Study of Valencia (Spain)
Authors: Guardiola Ibáñez Nuria , Coll Aliaga Eloina , Porres De La Haza Maria Joaquina , Lerma Arce Victoria , Lorenzo-Sáez Edgar
Published: September 2024

The escalating concern over poor air quality, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO2), poses a critical public health challenge, especially for vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults, and those with chronic diseases. This study aimed to analyze air quality in areas with vulnerable populations through a geospatial analysis of NO2 concentration measured by the passive dosimetry method in 2022. The results reveal high vulnerability caused by areas with over-centralized facilities and high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, often coinciding with busy avenues. The study emphasizes the urgent need to address air quality disparities, providing crucial insights for public decision-makers to allocate resources effectively and reduce environmental inequalities in the city, ultimately safeguarding the health of at-risk communities.
Impact of Health Access on Hospitalization of Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy and Paralytic Syndromes in Brazilian Regions
Authors: Baltieri Silvia , Wajnsztejn Rubens
Published: September 2024

In 2021, 28.16% of Brazilians were aged 0–19 years, highlighting the critical need for medical care in diagnosing and treating cerebral palsy (CP). In developing countries, CP prevalence reaches 7/1000 live births, emphasizing the importance of healthcare access, which influences diagnosis and prognosis. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between health infrastructure across different Brazilian regions and its impact on hospitalization and mortality rates among children with CP and other paralytic syndromes. An ecological time-series design was used, analyzing secondary population-based data from DATASUS, covering January 2018 to December 2021. The data included healthcare facilities, physicians, hospitalizations, and deaths for individuals aged 0–19 years, with analysis conducted using Microsoft Excel. The results revealed significant disparities in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in the northern and northeastern regions. A notable correlation was found between healthcare inequalities and hospitalizations and mortality rates, with the northern region showing significant results (p = 0.03 for hospitalizations and p = 0.02 for mortalities). This study underscores significant regional disparities in healthcare access in Brazil, contributing to variations in hospitalization rates for children and adolescents, especially in the northern region.
Does Managerial Power Explain the Association between Agency Costs and Firm Value? The French Case
Authors: Moez Dabboussi
Published: September 2024

This paper demonstrates whether the impact of agency costs on firm value depends on the level of managerial power using the fraction of capital held by the manager, as well as their level of voting rights. Focusing on a sample of 120 non-financial French firms incorporated in the CAC All-Tradable Index for the period 2008–2022, the first empirical analysis provides strong evidence that agency costs of equity, as measured in terms of operating expenses, administrative expenses and the agency cost of free cash flow, exert a negative impact on the firm’s market value. In a second empirical analysis, we split our sample into three sub-samples with the aim of capturing the effect of managerial power. The findings lead us to believe that the association between the agency cost measurement and the firm’s market value depend on the level of managerial power. This paper challenges prior studies by strengthening our understanding of managerial behavior (incentive, neutral, and entrenchment) in relation to shareholder wealth. Furthermore, it contributes to the recent literature by enabling a better knowledge of the disparity related to studies conducted in other countries with different governance models.
Molecular Markers and Marker-Assisted Selection Provide Genetic Insights for Identifying Key Quantitative Trait Locus for Watermelon Rind Thickness
Authors: Zhao Zhengxiang , Pei Shuang , Song Yuying , Yang Tiantian , Gao Yuan , Chai Hao , Luan Feishi , Zhu Zicheng , Wang Xuezheng
Published: September 2024

Rind thickness (RT) is an important agronomic trait in watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansf.] and affects watermelon storability. However, genetic studies on this trait, as well as gene regulation studies, are scarce and of limited production significance. We constructed a temporary F2 generation using the highly differentiated thick-rind watermelon ‘XiaoXiGua-4’ and the thin-rind watermelon ‘DuanMan’ as parents and localized the Cla97C02G044120 gene, which controls the thickness of watermelon rind, to the intervals of chromosome 2, CL2-32303995 and CL2-32316840, through 2 years of genetic analysis. No exonic mutations were found in this gene, but two promoter mutations resulted in changes in the promoter progenitor. Fluorescence quantitative PCR analysis revealed highly significant differences in expression at 1 d and 28 d, and the expression was significantly lower in thick-skinned watermelon varieties. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) for this trait was performed using the Caps marker CL2-32303995 and the InDel marker CL2-32316840, which not only verified the stability of the localization interval but also distinguished thick rind from thin rind. These results can be used for germplasm resource screening and have strong breeding significance.
Expression of Manganese Transporters ZIP8, ZIP14, and ZnT10 in Brain Barrier Tissues
Authors: McCabe Shannon Morgan , Zhao Ningning
Published: September 2024

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace mineral for brain function, but excessive accumulation can cause irreversible nervous system damage, highlighting the need for proper Mn balance. ZIP14, ZnT10, and ZIP8 are key transporters involved in maintaining Mn homeostasis, particularly in the absorption and excretion of Mn in the intestine and liver. However, their roles in the brain are less understood. The blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier and the blood–brain barrier, formed by the choroid plexus and brain blood vessels, respectively, are critical for brain protection and brain metal homeostasis. This study identified ZIP14 on the choroid plexus epithelium, and ZIP8 and ZnT10 in brain microvascular tissue. We show that despite significant Mn accumulation in the CSF of Znt10 knockout mice, ZIP14 expression levels in the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier remain unchanged, indicating that ZIP14 does not have a compensatory mechanism for regulating Mn uptake in the brain in vivo. Additionally, Mn still enters the CSF without ZIP14 when systemic levels rise. This indicates that alternative transport mechanisms or compensatory pathways ensure Mn balance in the CSF, shedding light on potential strategies for managing Mn-related disorders.
PTEN Deficiency Induced by Extracellular Vesicle miRNAs from Clonorchis sinensis Potentiates Cholangiocarcinoma Development by Inhibiting Ferroptosis
Authors: Wen Lijia , Li Meng , Yin Jigang
Published: September 2024

The human phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor. A slight deficiency in PTEN might cause cancer susceptibility and progression. Infection by the liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis could lead to persistent loss of PTEN in cholangiocarcinoma. However, the mechanism of PTEN loss and its malignant effect on cholangiocarcinoma have not yet been elucidated. Extracellular vesicles secreted by Clonorchis sinensis (CS-EVs) are rich in microRNAs (miRNAs) and can mediate communication between hosts and parasites. Herein, we delved into the miRNAs present in CS-EVs, specifically those that potentially target PTEN and modulate the progression of cholangiocarcinoma via ferroptosis mechanisms. CS-EVs were extracted by differential ultra-centrifugation for high-throughput sequencing of miRNA. Lentiviral vectors were used to construct stably transfected cell lines. Erastin was used to construct ferroptosis induction models. Finally, 36 miRNAs were identified from CS-EVs. Among them, csi-miR-96-5p inhibited PTEN expression according to the predictions and dual luciferase assay. The CCK-8 assay, xenograft tumor assays and transwell assay showed that csi-miR-96-5p overexpression and PTEN knockout significantly increased the proliferation and migration of cholangiocarcinoma cells and co-transfection of PTEN significantly reversed the effect. In the presence of erastin, the cell proliferation and migration ability of the negative transfection control group were significantly impaired, although they did not significantly change with transfection of csi-miR-96-5p and PTEN knockout, indicating that they obtained ferroptosis resistance. Mechanistically, csi-miR-96-5p and PTEN knockout significantly inhibited ferroptosis through a decrease in ferrous ion (Fe2+) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and an increase in glutathione reductase (GSH), Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). In conclusion, loss of PTEN promoted the progression of cholangiocarcinoma via the ferroptosis pathway and csi-miR-96-5p delivered by CS-EVs may mediate this process.
Entangled Connections: HIV and HPV Interplay in Cervical Cancer—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Pavone Giuliana , Marino Andrea , Fisicaro Viviana , Motta Lucia , Spata Alessandra , Martorana Federica , Spampinato Serena , Celesia Benedetto Maurizio , Cacopardo Bruno , Vigneri Paolo , Nunnari Giuseppe
Published: September 2024

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a prevalent malignancy and a significant global public health concern, primarily driven by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. The infectious nature of HPV underscores the preventability of CC through vaccination and screening programs. In addition to HPV, factors such as age, parity, smoking, hormonal contraceptives, and HIV co-infection elevate the risk of CC. HIV-associated immunodeficiency exacerbates susceptibility to infections and cancers, making CC a defining condition for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women living with HIV (WLWH). These women face higher risks of HPV exposure due to sexual behavior and often encounter economic, social, and psychological barriers to screening. HIV and HPV co-infection can potentially accelerate CC carcinogenesis, with WLWH typically being diagnosed with CC earlier than their HIV-negative counterparts. Antiretroviral therapy (ART), which reduces AIDS-related mortality, also lowers the risk of invasive CC. The interaction between HIV and HPV is intricate and bidirectional. This summary reviews current evidence on HPV infection and CC in WLWH, highlighting the connections across pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Understanding Online Purchases with Explainable Machine Learning
Authors: Bastos João A. , Bernardes Maria Inês
Published: September 2024

Customer profiling in e-commerce is a powerful tool that enables organizations to create personalized offers through direct marketing. One crucial objective of customer profiling is to predict whether a website visitor will make a purchase, thereby generating revenue. Machine learning models are the most accurate means to achieve this objective. However, the opaque nature of these models may deter companies from adopting them. Instead, they may prefer simpler models that allow for a clear understanding of the customer attributes that contribute to a purchase. In this study, we show that companies need not compromise on prediction accuracy to understand their online customers. By leveraging website data from a multinational communications service provider, we establish that the most pertinent customer attributes can be readily extracted from a black box model. Specifically, we show that the features that measure customer activity within the e-commerce platform are the most reliable predictors of conversions. Moreover, we uncover significant nonlinear relationships between customer features and the likelihood of conversion.
Can Pest Management and Cultivar Affect Phytoptus avellanae Infestations on Hazelnut?
Authors: Contarini Mario , Masturzi Roberto , Iezzi Eleonora , Petrović Miloš , Silvestri Cristian , Turco Silvia , Speranza Stefano , Rossini Luca
Published: September 2024

The big bud mite Phytoptus avellanae is a resurgent pest of hazelnut, Corylus avellana, causing substantial yields reductions in many productive areas. Mites colonise and develop within healthy buds which become swollen, with subsequent alteration to the plant’s development. To date, there has been limited knowledge on how the cultivar and pest management strategies affect infestations. This study explored these aspects through two ad hoc experiments carried out in central Italy. In the first experiment, the susceptibility of 11 cultivars with different geographic origins was tested in a germplasm hazelnut collection. The second experiment assessed the infestation level in orchards with integrated pest management (IPM) and organic pest management strategies and in a renaturalised environment (a former agricultural area now converted in a natural park). The results showed that the most and the least susceptible cultivars were Tonda Gentile and Nocchione, respectively. No significant differences were found between IPM and organic management, but they were both different to the renaturalised environment. The outcomes of this research can serve as a valuable reference and can be applied to all current or potential hazelnut cultivation areas characterised by the same environmental conditions.
Factors to Male-Female Sex Approaches and the Identification of Volatiles and Compounds from the Terminalia of Proholopterus chilensis (Blanchard) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Females in Nothofagus obliqua (Mirb.) Oerst. (Nothofagaceae) Forests in Chile
Authors: Arraztio Diego , Huerta Amanda , Quiroz Andrés , Aniñir Washington , Rebolledo Ramón , Curkovic Tomislav
Published: September 2024

During the spring–summer seasons between 2019 and 2023, in the localities of Maquehue (La Araucanía Region) and Llifén (Los Ríos Region), we collected 262 virgin Proholopterus chilensis (1 female/2.3 males) specimens emerging from the live trunks of N. obliqua trees, an atypical sex ratio in Cerambycidae, suggesting high male competition for females. Virgin specimens of both sexes were individually placed in panel traps in the field, capturing only males (n = 184) over the field study seasons and only in traps baited with females. This fact preliminarily suggests the P. chilensis females emit possible “volatile or airborne” pheromones (eventually being a long-range sex pheromone), something unusual in Cerambycinae, the subfamily to which it currently belongs, although the taxonomic status of the species is under debate. In Llifén and Santiago (Metropolitan Region), behavioral observations were conducted, which allowed us to define the conditions necessary for male–female encounters that were replicated when carrying out volatile captures (Head Space Dynamic = HSD) and collections of compounds from terminalias excised from females. In field trials, virgin females less than ten days old were more attractive than older ones and attracted males during the night, i.e., between 23:00 and 5:00 AM, when the ambient temperature exceeded 11.6 °C. The aeration of females under the conditions described above and subsequent analysis of extracts by GC-MS allowed the identification of compounds absent in males and the control, including two oxygenated sesquiterpenes, a nitrogenous compound (C20), and a long-chain hydrocarbon (C26). From the terminalia extracts, hentriacontane, heptacosane, and heneicosyl, heptacosyl and docosyl acetates were identified by GC-MS, and their roles are unknown in the development of short-distance sexual behaviors, but they could serve to mark a trail leading the male towards the female in the final stage of approach for courtship/mating. Thus, we proposed the hypothesis that P. chilensis females emit both a long-range and a trail-pheromone, which, if confirmed, would be a rare case in this family. The specific identity of the compounds obtained by HSD, as well as the activities of these chemicals and those obtained from the terminalias, should be evaluated in future behavioral studies, as well as regarding their potential to attract males under field conditions. The current document is the first report on volatiles obtained from aerations and compounds extracted from female terminalia in P. chilensis.
The Importance of Orthostatic Increase in Pulse Wave Velocity in the Diagnosis of Early Vascular Aging
Authors: Dorogovtsev Victor , Yankevich Dmitry , Martyushev-Poklad Andrey , Borisov Ilya , Grechko Andrey V.
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: Vascular aging can be assessed by arterial stiffness measured through pulse wave velocity (PWV). Increased PWV predicts arterial hypertension, cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Detection of early signs of vascular aging remains an unmet problem. To search for the most sensitive markers for the early increase in vascular stiffness in a healthy population. Methods: One-hundred and twenty healthy subjects were divided in three equal age groups: <30 years, 30–45 years and >45 years. Head-up tilt test (HUTT) protocol was applied, providing a standardized hydrostatic column height. PWV at the brachial–ankle artery site (baPWV) was measured using a multichannel sphygmomanometer ABI System 100 PWV in three positions: in the baseline horizontal (supine) position—baPWVb; during the head tilt-up with an individual angle of inclination—baPWVt; and when returning to supine. Results: The most sensitive marker of early stiffness increase in a healthy population is the relative orthostatic increase in baPWV, ΔbaPWV/baPWVb, where ΔbaPWV = baPWVt − baPWVb. The significance of differences in this parameter between the young and elderly groups reached p = 0.000075 and p = 0.000006, respectively. Conclusions: The proposed index ΔbaPWV/baPWVb can be considered as a promising sensitive early biomarker of vascular aging and as a potential effective indicator in cardiovascular prevention. A longitudinal cohort study is needed to confirm this assumption.
Modified Transepithelial Phototherapeutic Keratectomy for Band Keratopathy
Authors: Shah Rachana Prashant , Nanavaty Mayank A.
Published: September 2024

Objectives: To report the outcomes of novel modified transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in treating band keratopathy (BK). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent PTK for BK at the Sussex Eye Laser Clinic, Nuffield Health, Brighton. Patients with BK obscuring the visual axis, affecting visual acuity, or causing discomfort were considered for PTK. All the patients underwent preoperative evaluation, including preoperative corneal topography and optical coherence tomography. Modified transepithelial PTK was performed without using EDTA for chelation or alcohol for epithelium debridement. Patients were followed up for one week and then every two weeks after that until two months. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were compared using a paired t-test. Results: We studied 15 eyes of nine patients undergoing novel PTK for BK. The mean age was 80 ± 5.73 years. The mean pre-treatment visual acuity was 0.68 ± 0.17 logMAR (range: 0.6 logMAR to 1 logMAR) and improved to 0.22 ± 0.09 logMAR (p < 0.05), ranging from 0.18 to 0.48 logMAR at two months following PTK. None of the patients complained of ocular discomfort following the procedure. A repeat procedure was not required for any of these patients. Conclusions: Modified transepithelial PTK is an effective procedure for improving visual outcomes in patients with band keratopathy and should be considered for the treatment of band keratopathy.
Clinical Expression of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Patients from France and French Canada Carrying Identical-by-Descent Pathogenic LDLR Gene Variants: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Larouche Miriam , Bluteau Olivier , Carrié Alain , Lauzière Alex , Khoury Etienne , Brisson Diane , Gaudet Daniel , Gallo Antonio
Published: September 2024

Background: Studying patients carrying identical-by-descent (IBD) pathogenic gene variants allows us to control for the disease-causing genetic background and to more accurately document the impact of modifiers. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels and premature atherosclerosis and is often caused by defects in the LDLR gene. There is a high prevalence of FH in French Canada as a result of a founder effect from France in the 17th century. Several FH patients currently living in French Canada (founder population) and in France (colonizing population) carry IBD FH-causing variants. The expression of FH is affected by environmental and genetic modifiers, and patients with IBD variants may present different characteristics. Methods: In this study, we compared FH clinical expression patients carrying IBD LDLR pathogenic variants living in France or Canada. Four IBD variants, namely c.259T>G p.(Trp87Gly), c.2000G>A p.(Cys667Tyr), c.682G>A p.(Glu228Lys), and c.1048C>T p.(Arg350*), were selected. Untreated plasma lipid profiles, the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, cardiovascular risk factors, and the occurrence of symptomatic ASCVD were compared in 105 adult carriers (30 from France and 75 from French Canada). Results: All parameters were similar between the two populations, except for untreated total cholesterol (10.14 ± 1.89 mmol/L vs. 8.65 ± 1.84 mmol/L, p = 0.0006) and LDL-c concentrations (7.94 ± 1.86 mmol/L vs. 6.93 ± 1.78 mmol/L, p = 0.016), which were significantly higher in FH patients living in France, an observation that was revealed across all studied LDLR variants. Conclusions: This study illustrates that FH patients sharing IBD pathogenic LDLR variants that have evolved in different geographic, cultural, and socio-economic environments for hundreds of years differ in terms of cholesterol levels, highlighting the importance of better understanding the interplay between genetic and environmental modulators of FH expression.
Pericholecystic Fat Stranding as a Predictive Factor of Length of Stays of Patients with Acute Cholecystitis: A Novel Scoring Model
Authors: Lee Suh-Won , Tsai Cheng-Han , Lin Hui-An , Chen Yu , Hou Sen-Kuang , Lin Sheng-Feng
Published: September 2024

Background: The 2018 Tokyo Guidelines (TG18) are used to classify the severity of acute cholecystitis (AC) but insufficient to predict the length of hospital stay (LOS). Methods: For patients with AC, clinical factors and computed tomography features, including our proposed grading system of pericholecystic fat stranding were used for predicting an LOS of ≥7 days in the logistic regression models. Results: Our multivariable model showed age ≥ 65 years (OR: 2.56, p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥ 2 mg/dL (OR: 1.97, p = 0.013), gamma-glutamyltransferase levels (OR: 2.460, p = 0.001), TG18 grade (OR: 2.89 per grade, p < 0.001), and moderate to severe pericholecystic fat stranding (OR: 2.14, p = 0.012) exhibited prolonged LOS ≥ 7 days. Conclusions: We developed a scoring model, including TG18 grades (score of 1–3 per grade), our grading system of fat stranding (score of 1), CRP (score of 1), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (score of 1), and a cutoff of >3 had highest diagnostic performance.
Prenatal Sonographic Features of Noonan Syndrome: Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Tangshewinsirikul Chayada , Wattanasirichaigoon Duangrurdee , Tim-Aroon Thipwimol , Promsonthi Patama , Katanyuwong Poomiporn , Diawtipsukon Sanpon , Chansriniyom Nareenun , Tongsong Theera
Published: September 2024

Noonan syndro me is a rare autosomal dominant congenital abnormality associated with a gene defect located on the short arm of chromosome 12. It is characterized by dysmorphic facies, webbed neck, short stature, lymphatic obstruction, cardiac anomalies, and intellectual disability. Prenatal diagnosis of Noonan syndrome is rare because there are no pathognomonic sonographic signs. Studies on the prenatal sonographic features of Noonan syndrome have been reported in very limited numbers. This case series of severe fetal Noonan syndrome, together with a literature review, was conducted to establish prenatal sonographic features highly suggestive of Noonan syndrome to facilitate early detection by clinicians. This study reveals that Noonan syndrome has a relatively specific pattern, which facilitates prenatal molecular genetic diagnosis. Increased nuchal translucency (NT) in the late first trimester and fluid collection in the early second trimester could be warning signs for follow-up, prompting further investigation to detect late-onset features and leading to molecular genetic confirmation. Most structural abnormalities appear in the second trimester, with progressive changes noted throughout gestation. This review better characterizes the sonographic features of fetal Noonan syndrome based on a larger sample size, illustrating a wider spectrum of prenatal phenotypes, including lymphatic drainage disorders, cardiac abnormalities, polyhydramnios, and absent ductus venosus.
Teprotumumab for the Treatment of Thyroid Eye Disease: Why Should We Keep Our Eyes “Wide Open”?—A Clinical and Pharmacovigilance Point of View
Authors: Martel Arnaud , Rocher Fanny , Gerard Alexandre
Published: September 2024

Objectives: Thyroid eye disease (TED) treatment has been recently revolutionized with the approval of teprotumumab, a targeted insulin growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) inhibitor. To date, teprotumumab is the only FDA-approved drug for treating TED. In this article, we would like to temper the current enthusiasm around IGF1R inhibitors. Methods: critical review of the literature by independent academic practitioners. Results: several questions should be raised. First, “how an orphan drug has become a blockbuster with annual sales exceeding $1 billion?” Teprotumumab infusions are expensive, costing about USD 45,000 for one infusion and USD 360,000 for eight infusions in a 75 kg patient. Teprotumumab approval was based on two randomized clinical trials investigating active (clinical activity score ≥ 4) TED patients. Despite this, teprotumumab was approved by the FDA for “the treatment of TED” without distinguishing between active and inactive forms. The second question is as follows: “how can a new drug, compared only to a placebo, become the new standard without being compared to historically established gold standard medical or surgical treatments?” Teprotumumab has never been compared to other medical treatments in active TED nor to surgery in chronic TED. Up to 75% of patients may experience proptosis regression after treatment discontinuation. Finally, ototoxicity has emerged as a potentially devastating side effect requiring frequent monitoring. Investigation into the long-term side effects, especially in women of childbearing age, is also warranted. Conclusions: Teprotumumab is undoubtedly a major treatment option in TED. However, before prescribing a drug, practitioners should assess its benefit/risk ratio based on the following: (i) evidence-based medicine; (ii) their empirical experience; (iii) the cost/benefit analysis; (iv) the long-term outcomes and safety profile.
A Denoising Algorithm for Wear Debris Images Based on Discrete Wavelet Multi-Band Sparse Representation
Authors: Zhang Han , Xian Chen , Kim Young-Chul
Published: September 2024

Wear debris image processing techniques are increasingly employed in health monitoring and fault diagnosis for mechanical equipment. However, during the acquisition and storage of wear debris images, substantial noise is often introduced, leading to significant errors in the subsequent feature extraction and health status assessment. Moreover, the denoising process frequently encounters algorithmic shortcomings, resulting in blurred boundary information, noise artifacts, and incomplete boundaries, greatly hindering further research on wear debris images. Thus, this paper proposes the wavelet-K-singular value decomposition-edge (W-KSVD-EDGE) algorithm, which initially performs two-dimensional discrete wavelet decomposition on noisy images through a multi-band decomposition module, dividing them into four sub-bands of high and low frequencies to enhance image denoising performance. Simultaneously, a second-order decomposition is performed, followed by reconstruction, which reduces high-frequency noise and lowers the complexity of subsequent image processing operations. Subsequently, the K-singular value decomposition (KSVD) algorithm is applied to denoise each sub-band of the initially reconstructed images. Applying the KSVD algorithm to images of different frequency bands, its complexity is mitigated, and the efficiency of image denoising is increased. Consequently, the boundaries of the reconstructed images are further optimized using an improved Canny algorithm for edge enhancement, incorporating edge detection coefficients, resulting in better boundary information restoration for wear debris images. Finally, by analyzing the wear debris information of oil samples collected by a ferrograph, the W-KSVD-EDGE algorithm is employed for denoising both ordinary and wear debris images. The results are evaluated using both subjective and objective methods. The effectiveness and versatility of the proposed algorithm are thereby demonstrated.