bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing Industry 4.0 and circular economy through the developmental culture perspective—Driving a competitive advantage in the manufacturing industry
Authors: Piyathanavong Vichathorn , Olapiriyakul Sun , Garza‐Reyes Jose Arturo , Kumar Vikas , Huynh Van‐Nam , Karnjana Jessada
Published: September 2024

The transition towards Industry 4.0 and circular economy (CE) is increasingly important for the manufacturing sector in the emerging economy context, where culture plays an important role. This study explores how organisational culture, i.e., developmental culture, influences Industry 4.0 and CE transition to achieve a competitive advantage. The findings are based on 354 survey responses from manufacturing firms in Thailand. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was adopted to explore the mediation effect of Industry 4.0 and CE between developmental culture and competitive advantage and direct relationships. The developmental culture is examined as the firm's intrinsic factor in advancing Industry 4.0 and CE implementation. The direct effect of Industry 4.0 on CE adoption is analysed. The results indicate the positive influence of developmental culture on Industry 4.0 and CE transition and their positive impact on competitive advantage. This implies that firms should align their cultural characteristics with developmental culture as part of their strategic approaches towards adopting Industry 4.0 and CE principles. This study expands the literature by incorporating the influence of developmental culture to improve the understanding of the intrinsic influencing factor that leads to effective Industry 4.0 and CE implementation.
Transforming the agri‐food sector through eco‐innovation: A path to sustainability and technological progress
Authors: Chaparro‐Banegas Nuria , Sánchez‐Garcia Mercedes , Calafat‐Marzal Consuelo , Roig‐Tierno Norat
Published: September 2024

The rapid transformation in the way people live has become a concern for countries around the world. Innovation can offer a strategy to address sustainable development challenges in all areas of society. Traditionally, the agri‐food sector has had low levels of innovation and research and development (R&D). Despite its negative environmental effects, its value for society is unquestionable. Therefore, the agri‐food sector must not lag behind other sectors in embracing the technological progress that contributes to sustainable development. The scientific literature contains studies of eco‐innovation drivers and barriers. Nevertheless, research on low‐technology sectors such as the agri‐food sector is scarce. To address this research gap, this paper identifies the internal and external factors that are necessary for in‐firm eco‐innovation and whose absence can constrain or block eco‐innovation development. Data were gathered from Spanish agriculture and industrial agri‐food firms in 2022 based on primary statistical information collected in a 2022 survey to obtain data on their activity in the period 2017–2021. Necessary condition analysis (NCA) reveals three main findings: (i) internal factors are more relevant than external factors, (ii) the type of firm and the degree of eco‐innovation development affect the importance of internal and external factors, and (iii) agricultural and industrial agri‐food firms prioritize different stages of eco‐innovation development because of the higher complexity and technological progress of industrial firms. These results highlight eco‐innovation as a key strategy to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the sector. By prioritizing internal factors and fostering eco‐innovation through environmental training, green relationships, and support networks, companies can progress toward more sustainable and technologically advanced practices, thus contributing to the overall sustainable development of the sector. This underscores the importance of policies that promote training, investment in R&D, environmental and fiscal regulation, and collaboration to drive eco‐innovation and sustainability in the agri‐food sector.
The efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy and lymphocyte subset predictors in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective study
Authors: Wang Ruotong , Wen Shaodi , Du Xiaoyue , Xia Jingwei , Hu Bowen , Zhang Yihan , Zhou Guoren , Jiang Feng , Lu Xiaomin , Zhu Miaolin , Xu Xinyu , Shen Bo
Published: September 2024

Background

Despite the recognized therapeutic potential of programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐1/PD‐L1) inhibitors in advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), their role in neoadjuvant therapy and reliable efficacy biomarkers remain elusive.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed locally advanced ESCC patients who underwent surgery following a 2‐cycle platinum and paclitaxel‐based treatment, with or without PD‐1 inhibitors (January 2020–March 2023). We assessed peripheral blood indexes and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) density to evaluate their impact on pathological response and prognosis, leading to a clinical prediction model for treatment efficacy and survival.

Results

Of the 157 patients recruited, 106 received immunochemotherapy (ICT) and 51 received chemotherapy (CT) alone. The ICT group demonstrated a superior pathological response rate (PRR) (47.2% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.034) with comparable adverse events and postoperative complications. The ICT group also showed a median disease‐free survival (DFS) of 39.8 months, unattained by the CT group. The 1‐year DFS and overall survival (OS) rates were 73% and 91% for the ICT group, and 68% and 81% for the CT group, respectively.

We found higher baseline activated T cells, lower baseline Treg cells, and a decreased posttreatment total lymphocyte and CD4+/CD8+ ratio predicted an enhanced PRR. Reduced posttreatment CD4+/CD8+ ratio and increased NK cells were associated with prolonged survival, while higher TLS density indicated poorer prognosis. Among ICT group, a lower posttreatment CD4+/CD8+ ratio indicated longer DFS and reduced posttreatment B cells indicated longer OS. A nomogram integrating these predictors was developed to forecast treatment efficacy and survival.

Conclusion

The combination of PD‐1 inhibitors and chemotherapy appears promising for locally advanced ESCC. Evaluating the differentiation status and dynamic changes of peripheral blood immune cells may provide valuable predictive insights into treatment efficacy and prognosis.
Chemical Characterization and Insecticidal Activities of the Essential Oils from the Different Parts of Ocimum gratissimum var. suave (Willd.) Hook. f.
Authors: Liu Ao , Zhang Yu‐Chen , Qi Yuan‐Tong , Wang Jia‐Zhu , Wang Dan , Du Shu‐Shan
Published: September 2024

In this research, the essential oils (EOs) from different parts of Ocimum gratissimum var. suave were chemically characterized and evaluated for insecticidal activity, especially against two common storage pests of Chinese herbal medicines: Tribolium castaneum and Liposcelis bostrychophila. Ocimum gratissimum is a plant with several medicinal values in traditional Chinese medicine. In the study, EOs were successfully extracted from inflorescences (OGI) and stem‐leaf (OGLS) parts of O. gratissimum by steam distillation and 16 compounds were identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), of which eugenol was the major constituent in both extracts. In fumigation toxicity tests against both pests, the EOs showed limited toxicity against T. castaneum but showed better toxicity against L. bostrychophila. Contact toxicity tests showed that OGLS had better insecticidal potential than OGI, while the insecticidal effect of eugenol sometimes exceeded that of EOs. In addition, repellency experiments showed that O. gratissimum EOs repelled the pests to varying degrees, with the effect being influenced by concentration and exposure time. The results suggest that O. gratissimum EOs could be a promising alternative to synthetic insecticides for sustainable utilization.
Evaluation of Anti‐Hyperlipidemic Activity of the Seeds Extracts of Ficus carica: In Vitro and In Silico Approaches
Authors: Fayyaz Saira , Islam Muhammad , Ahmed Abrar , Saeed Hamid
Published: September 2024

Obesity and hyperlipidemia have become major disorders predominantly causing prevailing cardiovascular diseases and ultimately death. The prolonged use of anti‐obesity drugs and statins for reducing obesity and blood lipid levels is leading toward adverse effects of kidneys and muscles, specifically rhabdomyolysis. The objective of this study is to evaluate potential of seeds of Ficus carica against hyperlipidemia. Various extracts and isolated compounds from fig seeds were analyzed and evaluated for their anti‐hyperlipidemic potential. Methanol extract and its ethyl acetate fraction showed maximum pancreatic lipase inhibition of 61.93% and 86.45% in comparison to reference drug Orlistat. Four compounds isolated by HPLC‐PDA technique were determined as Gallic acid, Catechin, Epicatechin, and Quercetin also showed strong potential to inhibit enzyme pancreatic lipase comparable to Orlistat. These isolated compounds were further analyzed for molecular docking and MM‐GBSA studies. Three ligands, namely Quercetin, Epicatechin, and Catechin were found more effective against pancreatic lipase as these possessed docking scores (−9.881, −9.741, −9.410) higher to that of the reference ligand Orlistat (−5.273). The binding free energies of these compounds were −55.03, −56.54, and 60.35 kcal/mol, respectively. The results have shown that Quercetin has the highest binding affinity correlating with the highest inhibition of pancreatic lipase enzyme 1LPB. Hence, it is suggested that seeds of F. carica have promising anti‐hyperlipidemic potential and foremost in reducing obesity.
Synthesis of a 13C/2H Labeled Building Block to Probe the Phosphotyrosine Interactome Using Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Kratzwald Sarah , Schwarz Thomas C. , Ledolter Karin , Hlavac Matus , Felkl Manuel , Becker Christian F. W. , Konrat Robert , Lichtenecker Roman J.
Published: September 2024

Phosphotyrosine (pTyr) recognition coordinates the assembly of protein complexes, thus controlling key events of cell cycle, cell development and programmed cell death. Although many aspects of membrane receptor function and intracellular signal transduction have been deciphered in the last decades, the details of how phosphorylation alters protein‐protein interaction and creates regulating switches of protein activity and localization often remains unclear. We developed a synthetic route to a protected phophotyrosine building block with isolated 13C‐1H spins in the aromatic ring. The compound can be used for solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and readily applied to study affinity, dynamics and interactions on an atomic level using NMR spectroscopy. As a first example, we prepared an isotopologue of a pTyr containing 12mer peptide (pY1021) as part of the platelet‐derived growth factor to analyze the binding to the phospholipase C‐γ (PLCγ‐1) SH2 domain.
A New Bubble Image Model Based on the Recognition of Bubble Flow
Authors: Li Guohui , Liu Xue , Liu Yang
Published: September 2024

In this study, a new ellipse‐fitting algorithm is proposed to achieve the reconstruction of bubble shapes in bubbly flow captured by a high‐speed camera in the gas–liquid two‐phase column reactor. Bubble flow patterns and geometric parameters in the experimental images are recognized and identified successfully, represented by means of the topological parameters. Three logical steps are carried out in detail. First, the area threshold and the circularity factors are established to identify the bubbles whether belonging to a single bubble or not. The overlapping bubbles in images can be separated from single bubbles based on a watershed segmentation algorithm. Second, a single bubble image and an overlapping bubble image are combined into one image. After that, statistical analysis for the size distributions and ellipse area bubbles is performed for further analysis and discussion. The advantage of this algorithm is that it can make use of a set of major and minor axes of an ellipse to capture the ellipse parameters more effectively. Simulation results are well agreed with experimental measurements. Moreover, it can be used to detect many ellipse‐like bubbles that are dispersed in high‐speed camera images, indicating that it is a better strategy for the recognition and identification of bubbly turbulent flow accurately.
The Structural Regulation of Photosensitive Unit and Conjugation in COFs for Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Evolution
Authors: Zhang Guohui , Ma Shuwei , Yang Jilu , Zhang Jin , Si Wenbo , Cao Yuping , Qin Wenwu , Jia Zhaowei
Published: September 2024

The photosensitive unit and conjugation play a significant role in   photocatalytic performance of covalent organic frameworks (COFs). In this work, a series of COFs that introduced the phenyl phenanthridine as photosensitive unit with different planarity of linkages were synthesized and the common regulation between them for photocatalysis hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was also studied. The results indicate that DHTB‐PPD, with 2/3 planarity linkages (β‐ketoenamine/imine is 2/3) and the phenyl phenanthridine as building blocks, shows the narrowest bandgap and the strongest charge separation efficiency. Therefore, it shows the highest H2 production rate of 12.13 mmol g−1 h−1. The optimal photocatalytic efficiency of DTHB‐PPD can be attributed to the combined effect of the photosensitive unit and the long‐range ordering of the COF skeleton. According to The Density Functional Theory (DFT), the O site on β‐ketoamine is the most possible H2 generation site, but the photocatalytic efficiency of TP‐PPD, with the highest skeletal conjugation and the highest proportion of β‐ketoamine is not the most efficient photocatalyst, indicating that the long‐range ordering of COFs is important on photocatalytic performance. Thus, these findings provide valuable guidance for the structural design of COFs photocatalysts.
Varactor‐tuned bandpass filter using a microstrip stepped‐impedance combline filter and a new J‐inverter
Authors: Hoseinabadi Abbas , Bagher Tavakoli Mohammad , Rastegar Fatemi Mohammad Jalal , Setoudeh Farbod
Published: September 2024

The stepped‐impedance combline band pass filter (BPF) with novel input and output networks based on a new proposed J‐inverter, which increases the center frequency tuning range with constant bandwidth (BW), is discussed. The even and odd mode analysis shows that the stepped resonators provide the necessary conditions for the appropriate coupling coefficient to keep the BW constant. In order to create an appropriate quality factor, the new proposed J‐inverter is used. In the frequency response of the stopband region, three transition zeros (TZs) are generated, which two of TZs are controllable. The proposed tunable BPF has been fabricated on RO4003 substrate with a dielectric constant of 3.38 and 0.813 mm thickness. The size of the filter is compact and is only
, where
is the guided wavelength at the lower center frequency. The center frequency is equal to 1.723 GHz and a frequency tuning range from 1.2 GHz to 2.246 GHz with 100 MHz constant 3 dB absolute BW, the insertion loss of 1.4–3.17 dB and return loss of 17.8–25.9 dB is achieved.
NY‐ESO‐1 antigen: A promising frontier in cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Alsalloum Alaa , Shevchenko Julia A. , Sennikov Sergey
Published: September 2024

Significant strides have been made in identifying tumour‐associated antigens over the past decade, revealing unique epitopes crucial for targeted cancer therapy. Among these, the New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (NY‐ESO‐1) protein, a cancer/testis antigen, stands out. This protein is presented on the cell surface by major histocompatibility complex class I molecules and exhibits restricted expression in germline cells and various cancers, marking it as an immune‐privileged site. Remarkably, NY‐ESO‐1 serves a dual role as both a tumour‐associated antigen and its own adjuvant, implying a potential function as a damage‐associated molecular pattern. It elicits strong humoural immune responses, with specific antibody frequencies significantly correlating with disease progression. These characteristics make NY‐ESO‐1 an appealing candidate for developing effective and specific immunotherapy, particularly for advanced stages of disease. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of NY‐ESO‐1 as an immunogenic tumour antigen. We then explore the diverse strategies for targeting NY‐ESO‐1, including cancer vaccination with peptides, proteins, DNA, mRNA, bacterial vectors, viral vectors, dendritic cells and artificial adjuvant vector cells, while considering the benefits and drawbacks of each strategy. Additionally, we offer an in‐depth analysis of adoptive T‐cell therapies, highlighting innovative techniques such as next‐generation NY‐ESO‐1 T‐cell products and the integration with lymph node‐targeted vaccines to address challenges and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Overall, this comprehensive review sheds light on the evolving landscape of NY‐ESO‐1 targeting and its potential implications for cancer treatment, opening avenues for future tailored directions in NY‐ESO‐1‐specific immunotherapy.

Highlights

Endogenous immune response: NY‐ESO‐1 exhibited high immunogenicity, activating endogenous dendritic cells, T cells and B cells.

NY‐ESO‐1‐based cancer vaccines: NY‐ESO‐1 vaccines using protein/peptide, RNA/DNA, microbial vectors and artificial adjuvant vector cells have shown promise in enhancing immune responses against tumours.

NY‐ESO‐1‐specific T‐cell receptor‐engineered cells: NY‐ESO‐1‐targeted T cells, along with ongoing innovations in engineered natural killer cells and other cell therapies, have improved the efficacy of immunotherapy.
Perspectives on Photocatalytic Paper‐Based Batteries Fueled by Alcohol
Authors: Zanata Cinthia R. , Zapata Maximiliano J. M. , Wender Heberton , Martins Cauê A.
Published: September 2024

Amid growing energy demands, innovative solutions are essential to power a variety of devices. Paper‐based microfluidic fuel cells (PμFCs), powered by eco‐friendly alcohols derived from biomass, present a promising option. While lightweight and disposable, they mainly rely on costly noble‐metal catalysts for high efficiency. In this context, the concept of photo paper batteries (pPBs), utilizing affordable sunlight‐activated semiconductors to drive alcohol oxidation on paper, opens the possibility to disposable and affordable energy solutions. Our review highlights recent progress in PμFCs fueled by alcohols like methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol. We explore semiconductor advancements driving anodic reactions and envision the potential of pPBs. To achieve practical pPBs, refining semiconductors, electrode design, and microfluidic engineering are pivotal. This short review highlights the transformative potential of pPBs and beckons researchers to partake in shaping this new field.
Nitrogen and Oxygen Dual‐Doped Carbon as High‐Rate Long‐Cycle‐Life Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Yuxiu , Cai Yanjun , Jiang Qianying , Wu Yanshan , Wu Qiwei , Zhang Yue , Su Zhi
Published: September 2024

Defect‐type carbon, doped with nitrogen and oxygen, is synthesized using the high‐temperature solid‐phase method. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals the presence of nitrogen, including pyridine nitrogen, pyrrole nitrogen, and graphitized nitrogen, incorporated into the carbon structure. Additionally, oxygen is introduced into carbon, with both CO and CO functionalities are observed. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy indicate that all samples exhibit a morphology of carbon microblocks with localized turbocharged lattice regions. Electrochemical tests demonstrate that the nitrogen‐ and oxygen‐doped carbon microblocks exhibit excellent cycling performance and high rate capacity. Specifically, at current densities of 1 and 2 A g−1, the rate capacity remains at 385.6 and 214.4 mA h g−1, respectively. Furthermore, the discharge capacity at 5 A g−1 remains at 58.3 mA h g−1 on the 3500th cycle. The defects introduced by nitrogen and oxygen doping not only enhance reactivity and electronic conductivity but also improve lithium‐ion diffusion dynamics.
A study on the application of a composite MIL88A(Fe)/TiO2 in a hexagonal photoreactor for phenol removal: Response surface methodology and kinetic modeling
Authors: Nikseresht Mehrazin , Iranshahi Davood , Badiei Alireza
Published: September 2024

The application of a novel composite MIL88A(Fe)/TiO2 for phenol removal in a new hexagonal photoreactor design was investigated. The unique hexagonal shape of the reactor increases the surface area available for irradiation, leading to more efficient removal of contaminants. The composite was characterized using X ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images to determine its properties. Photocatalyst dosage, reaction time, phenol concentration, pH, and mL H2O2/L PW (phenol wastewater) were chosen as effective parameters on the process. To plan an experiment and maximize phenol removal, the response surface methodology (RSM) was applied. Ideal conditions for optimum efficiency (95.96%) include initial phenol concentration of 58 mg/L, pH of 7.51, reaction time of 68.61 min, mL H2O2/L PW of 0.18, and catalyst dosage of 0.4 g/L PW. Trapping experiments prove that ˙O2 and ˙OH produced in Fenton and photocatalytic processes are the predominant active radicals in this process. The kinetics was fitted with the first‐order, second‐order, n‐order, and Langmuir–Hinshelwood models using nonlinear least squares techniques. The n‐order model with n = 0.54 was found to be the most suitable model (R2 0.998), with a model constant of k = 0.11 (mol0.46/L0.46.s).
Coral reefs‐like shape AgI/polypyrrole nanocomposite through the intercalation of iodide ions in the network for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Rabia Mohamed , Elsayed Asmaa M. , Aldosari Eman , Abdelazeez Ahmed Adel A.
Published: September 2024

A promising optoelectronic device for light sensing in both the UV and Vis regions is fabricated. This device consists of a nanocomposite resembling coral reefs, termed AgI/polypyrrole‐iodide (AgI/Ppy‐I). The resulting nanocomposite exhibits a hierarchical structure wherein larger particles, comprising smaller particles ~45 nm and an optical bandgap measuring 2.4 eV, form a coral reef‐like morphology. The sensitivity estimation of this constructed optoelectronic device relies on evaluating the current density (Jph) values. Under illumination, a remarkable augmentation in current density (Jph = 0.46 mA cm−2) with a promising value compared to the dark condition's 0.12 mA cm−2. The optical characteristics of this nanocomposite make it highly conducive to efficient UV–Vis light sensing. The values of D (detectivity), reflecting the device's sensitivity, are notably high at 4 × 108 and 3.82 × 108 Jones in the UV and Vis regions, correspondingly. The potential of this photodetector is reinforced by the computed R‐values, which denote the device's responsivity. With values of 1.8 and 1.72 mA W−1 across these two optical regions, correspondingly, it showcases the nanocomposite's effectiveness in transforming incident light into electrical current. Moreover, the appeal of this photodetector extends beyond its performance characteristics. Its cost‐effectiveness, eco‐friendliness, straightforward preparation methodology, scalability for mass production, and high stability collectively. The versatility of this material, coupled with its advantageous attributes, opens avenues for its widespread application, catering to the diverse needs of industries and contributing to the accessibility of efficient optoelectronic devices for a broader audience.
Experimental study on stepped solar still equipped with reflectors for the concentration of sugarcane juice
Authors: Grewal Rahul , Kumar Mahesh , Chaudhary Ashok , Yadav Pankaj
Published: September 2024

The present study accentuate the noteworthiness of ongoing research in evolving sustainable sugarcane juice evaporation technologies to help the non‐centrifugal sugar (NCS) industry. Concentrated sugarcane juice (CSJ) is the raw material for the production of variety of value added products. A stepped solar still (SSS) could be one of the inexpensive solutions to evaporate water from sugarcane juice. In this study, a SSS having internal and external reflectors (SSS‐IR‐ER) is tested at 25 mL/min of sugarcane juice for obtaining CSJ. The thermo‐enviro‐economic performance of SSS‐IR‐ER unit is compared with SSS and SSS‐IR (SSS having internal reflectors) units. The final brix content (oB) of the CSJ obtained from SSS‐IR‐ER is found to be maximum (20.7 oB) which is respectively, 16.90% and 7.25% higher than those of SSS and SSS‐IR units. The total distillate output (condensate) and heat transfer coefficients show similar trends as that of brix values, which proves thermal dominance of SSS‐IR‐ER unit. For SSS‐IR‐ER, the convective and evaporative heat transfer coefficients were found to be maximum as 3.89 and 73.78 W/m2°C, respectively. The average values of energy and exergy efficiencies for SSS‐IR‐ER were, respectively, evaluated as 55.25% and 2.7% which were also observed maximum among the tested units. SSS‐IR‐ER also found to command in environmental and economic aspects with maximum values of total productive cost ($0.218), CO2 mitigation (14.93 tonnes) and carbon credit earned ($186.73). It is inferred that SSS‐IR‐ER is more economical and thermally efficient than SSS and SSS‐IR units.
Determining pore size distribution in rocks using shear‐thinning fluids: Utilisation of the method in geomorphology
Authors: Slavík Martin , Lanzendörfer Martin , Maľa Martin , Weiss Tomáš
Published: September 2024

The pore space characteristics of geological materials are closely related to their mechanical, transport and hydraulic properties. In geomorphology, pore size distribution (PSD) is an important characteristic in rock weathering, evaporation and other studies. In an effort to find novel methods to determine the PSD, perhaps to bypass the disadvantages of the current techniques, there has been a growing interest in the use of non‐Newtonian fluids. In this contribution, we are particularly interested in the method recently introduced by Abou Najm and Atallah (the ANA method), which exploits the way in which the flow of different shear‐thinning fluids distributes differently in the pore space to compute the functional PSD estimation. We performed a set of saturated flow experiments with aqueous xanthan gum solutions of different concentrations, using as simple as possible laboratory settings, and we implemented a modified version of the previously introduced numerical model to obtain the PSDs of four sandstone and one tuff samples. The results are compared with conventional mercury intrusion porosimetry, showing a good agreement regarding the dominant pore size and a notable similarity in the distributions. Several limitations were identified as well, such as the lack of information on relatively small pores (<5–10 μm for the samples studied) and the potential issues in obtaining a more detailed distribution. We conclude that the ANA method is promising for geomorphological evaporation and rock durability studies, particularly for coarser materials such as sandstone, but it also encounters challenges for certain applications, especially for fine‐grained rocks. It must be acknowledged that the ANA method has been tested on a limited range of materials and further investigation is required to fully explore its capabilities and limitations.
Are mesopelagic organisms nutritious food? Impact on metabolism, availability of nutrients, and contaminants from dietary intervention in C57BL/6J mice model
Authors: Azad Atabak M. , Myrmel Lene Secher , Wiech Martin , Nøstbakken Ole Jakob , Fjære Even , Lundebye Anne‐Katrine , Ho Quang Tri , Madsen Lise
Published: September 2024

Mesopelagic species are unexplored novel low‐trophic sources of essential micronutrients and may contribute to combat malnutrition. In this study, common mesopelagic species from the North Sea including Northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica), glacier lanternfish (Benthosema glaciale), and Muller's pearlside (Maurolicus muelleri) were supplemented in mice feed using a Western diet recipe. The metabolic outcomes were subsequently compared to those of ordinary seafood. Consumption of mesopelagic species induced a large variation in weight gain, in the following order: lanternfish (7.1 g) > krill (14.4 g) > control (19.7 g) > pearlside (22.6 g). The lanternfish‐supplemented diet containing wax esters reduced weight gain and obesity and improved insulin sensitivity. The wax esters from the lanternfish‐supplemented diet were efficiently absorbed, with more than 92% of the fatty alcohols being assimilated. The inclusion of lanternfish and pearlside led to improvements in the fatty acid (FA) composition in the mouse liver, evidenced by increased levels of essential long‐chain polyunsaturated FAs and an increased n‐3/n‐6 ratio (0.7 to 1.45 vs. 0.46 in control group). Notably, no adverse effects were found in mice fed pearlside and lanternfish, although an elevated level of fluoride in femur bone was observed in mice fed a diet supplemented with krill followed by reduced sperm concentration and sperm motility. Collectively, our findings underscore the diverse array of metabolic and physiological effects induced by the consumption of mesopelagic species. Furthermore, these species can be considered as good sources of n‐3 FAs and essential vitamins, suggesting their potential value to human nutrition.
Cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside magic: Unveiling the power to inhibit cholesterol absorption via the intestinal farnesoid X receptor–bile acids pathway with Lactobacillus Marvel
Authors: Wang Sihang , Li Bin , Tan Hui , Sun Xiyun , Tian Jinlong , Li Shuying , Xu Yongping , Bian Yuanyuan , Wang Yuehua
Published: September 2024

Cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside (C3G), an abundant and widely utilized anthocyanin monomer, has been shown to significantly inhibit cholesterol absorption. Building on our previous research demonstrating the role of Lactobacillus as a specific intestinal microflora associated with C3G‐mediated cholesterol absorption inhibition, the present study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of C3G on high‐fat diet–induced cholesterol absorption. Results indicate that C3G significantly reduced total cholesterol and triglyceride levels while suppressing red grease formation in Caco‐2 cells. In vivo, C3G ameliorated blood lipid levels and mitigated small intestinal damage, as evidenced by restored villus length and basal thickness. Additionally, C3G upregulated intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) mRNA expression and inhibited the expression of key cholesterol absorption proteins, Niemann‐Pick C1‐Like 1 and acetyl‐CoA acetyltransferase 2. Furthermore, C3G increased short‐chain fatty acid content and activated ileal bile acid‐binding protein expression. C3G also inhibited intestinal bile acid (BA) reabsorption, promoted fecal BA excretion, and obstructed cholesterol emulsification. Moreover, C3G modulated gut microbiota abundance and diversity, increasing the abundance of Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Coprococcus, Ruminococcus, and Butyricicoccus. In conclusion, our findings suggest that C3G inhibits cholesterol absorption by reshaping intestinal flora composition and regulating the FXR‐BAs axis. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the use of C3G as a raw material for inhibiting cholesterol absorption.
Insights into phytochemistry and bioactive potential of saffron (Crocus sativus L) petal
Authors: Qadir Mir Minha , Nissar Jasia , Dar Aamir Hussain , Ganaie Tariq Ahmad , Bashir Mahrukh
Published: September 2024

The principal by‐product of saffron processing, which is produced at a large level but has little market value, is saffron petals. Numerous constituents with profound bioactive potential, including safranal, crocin, picrocin, anthocyanins, glycosides, alkaloids, and kaempferol, are present in saffron petals. Saffron petal is an appropriate substitute for a variety of uses because it is less expensive and produced in greater quantities than saffron stigma. In this review, many pharmaceutical characteristics of the saffron petal have been discussed, including its anti‐bacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, immunomodulatory, antidepressant, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective, renoprotective, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activity. This review also provides insight into the pharmacological characteristics of saffron and its components along with the related mechanisms of action.
A Comparative Review on Carbon Nanomaterials and Their Impact on Plant Growth With the Lens of Green Chemistry Principles
Authors: Peng Wei , Li Peng , Zia Muhammad , Bhuiyan Shamsul A. , Liu Yiyi , Chen Dechao , Tudi Muyesaier , Gao Yongsheng , Yan Xuecheng , Jia Yi , Li Qin
Published: September 2024

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), comprising carbon dots, graphene‐related materials, and carbon nanotubes, have significant potential for enhancing agricultural productivity. Their compositional compatibility and exceptional properties intrigue a great deal of explorations in agricultural applications, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and regulators of plant growth. However, the evaluation of their agricultural applicability often lacks quantitative sustainability metrics, with insufficient scrutiny on the carbon footprint and scalability of the manufacturing. This review attempts to provide a quantitative ranking system for evaluating the manufacturing processes of the CNMs by applying the twelve principles of Green Chemistry, particularly in the context of agriculture applications. The review also offers a systematically organized account of CNMs' effects on plant systems, encompassing nutrient enhancement, photosynthesis, soil amelioration, disease resistance, and phytotoxicity, which can provide design rationales for the further development of CNMs.
Beyond complete remission: A comparative analysis of long‐term laryngeal function in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer following radiotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation
Authors: Huh Gene , Chung Eun‐Jae , Kim Won Shik , Kwon Seong Keun , Sung Myung‐Whun , Keam Bhumsuk , Wu Hong‐Gyun , Lee Joo Ho , Kim Jin Ho , Ahn Soon‐Hyun
Published: September 2024

Background

This study evaluates functional larynx preservation in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) and laryngeal cancer (LC) who achieved complete remission following radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT).

Methods

HPC and LC patients treated with RT/CCRT from 1999 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Severe late dysphagia and tracheostomy cases were assessed to determine laryngeal function. Long‐term preservation rate of functional larynx and associated factors were evaluated.

Results

Of 152 patients (55 HPC, 97 LC), nine developed severe dysphagia, occurring on average 58.2 months post‐treatment. HPC and cervical node metastasis significantly increased the risk of laryngeal function impairment (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively), presenting a continued decline in functional larynx preservation rate beyond 10 years.

Conclusions

Patients with HPC and cervical node metastasis demonstrate an increased risk for long‐term laryngeal function impairment despite successful oncologic outcomes. This risk extends beyond 10 years, underscoring the need for prolonged monitoring and comprehensive support.
Clinical presentations and dispositions of transient ischemic attack and minor stroke patients at the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in southern Thailand: A retrospective study
Authors: Sakarin Tanawin , Liabsuetrakul Tippawan
Published: September 2024

Objective

To assess the dispositions, management, and clinical outcomes of TIAMS patients in ED to improve the quality of management in ED.

Material and Method

A descriptive retrospective study was conducted in ED patients aged >18 years diagnosed with TIAMS in the ED from 1 January 2018, to 31 January 2019. Data regarding terms of clinical presentation, examination, management, disposition, and adverse events were collected.

Results

Three hundred and sixty‐three TIAMS patients were enrolled in the study. Majority of the patients aged <45 years were admitted or referred (15.4%). The highest proportion of patients whose onset times from the last normal were less than 4.5 h were admitted to the EDOU (55.6%), while all patients whose onset times from the last normal were more than 48 h were discharged. Patients with abnormal cerebellar signs or atrial fibrillation were less likely to be discharged from the hospital. Patients with lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and ABCD2 scores tended to be discharged.

Conclusion

Among TIAMS patients, age, symptom onset, presence of atrial fibrillation, positive cerebellar signs, and severity scores influenced the disposition. There was no difference in adverse events among disposition groups.
A narrative review on advances in neoadjuvant immunotherapy for esophageal cancer: Molecular biomarkers and future directions
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Ye Lisha , Li Huihui , Chen Wei , Hong Wei , Mao Weimin , Xu Xiaoling
Published: September 2024

Esophageal cancer has a poor prognosis and survival rate due to its high incidence in Asia, lack of early symptoms and limited treatment options. In recent years, many clinical trials have demonstrated that immunotherapy has greatly improved the survival of patients with esophageal cancer. In addition, the combination of neoadjuvant immunotherapy with other popular therapeutic regimens has shown good efficacy and safety. In this review, we summarize the progress of clinical trials and some breakthroughs in neoadjuvant immunotherapy for esophageal cancer in recent years and suggest the possibility of multimodal neoadjuvant immunotherapy regimens, as well as directions for future development.
Efficient‐Residual Net—A Hybrid Neural Network for Automated Brain Tumor Detection
Authors: Sachdeva Jainy , Sharma Deepanshu , Ahuja Chirag Kamal , Singh Arnavdeep
Published: September 2024

A multiscale feature fusion of Efficient‐Residual Net is proposed for classifying tumors on brain Magnetic resonance images with solid or cystic masses, inadequate borders, unpredictable cystic and necrotic regions, and variable heterogeneity. Therefore, in this research, Efficient‐Residual Net is proposed by efficaciously amalgamating features of two Deep Convolution Neural Networks—ResNet50 and EffficientNetB0. The skip connections in ResNet50 have reduced the chances of vanishing gradient and overfitting problems considerably thus learning of a higher number of features from input MR images. In addition, EffficientNetB0 uses a compound scaling coefficient for uniformly scaling the dimensions of the network such as depth, width, and resolution. The hybrid model has improved classification results on brain tumors with similar morphology and is tested on three internet repository datasets, namely, Kaggle, BraTS 2018, BraTS 2021, and real‐time dataset from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. It is observed that the proposed system delivers an overall accuracy of 96.40%, 97.59%, 97.75%, and 97.99% on the four datasets, respectively. The proposed hybrid methodology has given assuring results of 98%–99% of other statistical such parameters as precision, negatively predicted values, and F1 score. The cloud‐based web page is also created using the Django framework in Python programming language for accurate prediction and classification of different types of brain tumors.
Dermo‐Optimizer: Skin Lesion Classification Using Information‐Theoretic Deep Feature Fusion and Entropy‐Controlled Binary Bat Optimization
Authors: Akram Tallha , Alsuhaibani Anas , Khan Muhammad Attique , Khan Sajid Ullah , Naqvi Syed Rameez , Bilal Mohsin
Published: September 2024

Increases in the prevalence of melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, have been observed over the last few decades. However, the likelihood of a longer life span for individuals is considerably improved with early detection of this malignant illness. Even though the field of computer vision has attained a certain level of success, there is still a degree of ambiguity that represents an unresolved research challenge. In the initial phase of this study, the primary objective is to improve the information derived from input features by combining multiple deep models with the proposed Information‐theoretic feature fusion method. Subsequently, in the second phase, the study aims to decrease the redundant and noisy information through down‐sampling using the proposed entropy‐controlled binary bat selection algorithm. The proposed methodology effectively maintains the integrity of the original feature space, resulting in the creation of highly distinctive feature information. In order to obtain the desired set of features, three contemporary deep models are employed via transfer learning: Inception‐Resnet V2, DenseNet‐201, and Nasnet Mobile. By combining feature fusion and selection techniques, we may effectively fuse a significant amount of information into the feature vector and subsequently remove any redundant feature information. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is supported by an evaluation conducted on three well‐known dermoscopic datasets, specifically , ISIC‐2016, and ISIC‐2017. In order to validate the proposed approach, several performance indicators are taken into account, such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, false negative rate (FNR), false positive rate (FPR), and F1‐score. The accuracies obtained for all datasets utilizing the proposed methodology are 99.05%, 96.26%, and 95.71%, respectively.
SSANet—Novel Residual Network for Computer‐Aided Diagnosis of Pulmonary Nodules in Chest Computed Tomography
Authors: Gu Yu , Liu Jiaqi , Yang Lidong , Zhang Baohua , Wang Jing , Lu Xiaoqi , Li Jianjun , Liu Xin , Yu Dahua , Zhao Ying , Tang Siyuan , He Qun
Published: September 2024

The manifestations of early lung cancer in medical imaging often appear as pulmonary nodules, which can be classified as benign or malignant. In recent years, there has been a gradual application of deep learning‐based computer‐aided diagnosis technology to assist in the diagnosis of lung nodules. This study introduces a novel three‐dimensional (3D) residual network called SSANet, which integrates split‐based convolution, shuffle attention, and a novel activation function. The aim is to enhance the accuracy of distinguishing between benign and malignant lung nodules using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and alleviate the burden on doctors when interpreting the images. To fully extract pulmonary nodule information from chest CT images, the original residual network is expanded into a 3D CNN structure. Additionally, a 3D split‐based convolutional operation (SPConv) is designed and integrated into the feature extraction module to reduce redundancy in feature maps and improve network inference speed. In the SSABlock part of the proposed network, ACON (Activated or Not) function is also introduced. The proposed SSANet also incorporates an attention module to capture critical characteristics of lung nodules. During the training process, the PolyLoss function is utilized. Once SSANet generates the diagnosis result, a heatmap displays using Score‐CAM is employed to evaluate whether the network accurately identifies the location of lung nodules. In the final test set, the proposed network achieves an accuracy of 89.13%, an F1‐score of 84.85%, and a G‐mean of 86.20%. These metrics represent improvements of 5.43%, 5.98%, and 4.09%, respectively, compared with the original base network. The experimental results align with those of previous studies on pulmonary nodule diagnosis networks, confirming the reliability and clinical applicability of the diagnostic outcomes.
scRNA‐seq reveals NAMPT‐mediated macrophage polarization shapes smooth muscle cell plasticity in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Wen Zuoshi , Jiang Liujun , Yu Fangcong , Xu Xiaodong , Chen Mengjia , Li Chenxi , Ying Zhangquan , Xue Jianing , Zhu Pengwei , Muhetarijiang Mairedan , Xu Qingbo , Li Zhoubin , Chen Ting
Published: September 2024

Phenotypic switching of smooth muscle cells (SMC) is a crucial process in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we performed single‐cell RNA sequencing on pulmonary arteries obtained from lung transplantation to explore the cellular heterogeneity and gene expression profile of the main cell types. We identified three distinct SMC phenotypes, namely contractile, fibroblast‐like, and chondroid‐like, and observed an enhanced transition from contractile to fibroblast‐like phenotype in PAH by pseudo‐time analysis and in vitro. We also revealed a classically activated (M1) polarization of macrophages and an increased pro‐inflammatory macrophage‐SMC crosstalk in PAH via intercellular communication. Notably, Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) emerges as a key player in macrophage polarization. The macrophages overexpress Nampt in Sugen/hypoxia (Su/Hx) ‐induced PAH mice and significantly downregulate the pro‐inflammation secretion pattern with Nampt interference. In a cellular coculture system, Nampt knockdown in macrophages significantly inhibits the fibroblast‐like phenotypic switching of SMCs. Finally, we identified Ccl2/5 as a key cytokine for SMC phenotypic modulation. Collectively, these findings provide a cell atlas of normal human pulmonary arteries and demonstrate that NAMPT‐driven M1 macrophage polarization promotes the fibroblast‐like phenotypic switching of SMCs through CCR2/CCR5 cellular crosstalk in PAH.
Beta‐caryophyllene attenuates experimental hepatocellular carcinoma through downregulation of oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Ahmad Zaved , Jain Subodh Kumar , Mishra Siddhartha Kumar
Published: September 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is caused by various factors including toxic substances and xenobiotics. Numerous treatment strategies are used to address toxicity to the liver and HCC, yet their adverse effects are drawbacks. This study aimed to assess the effect of DEN/CCl4 on morphological changes in the liver, body weight, tumor incidence, and hematological tumor incidence, hematological parameters, hepatic markers, and histopathological analysis in mice following a preventive measure by using β‐caryophyllene (BCP). Adult Balb/c mice were administered a single dose of DEN 1‐mg/kg body weight and 0.2‐mL CCl4/kg body weight intraperitoneal twice a week (i.p.) for 22 weeks. BCP was treated in one group of mice at 30‐mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal, for 7 weeks. BCP alone was treated in one group of mice at 300‐mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal for 22 weeks. DEN/CCl4 caused a reduction in mice's body weight, which was significantly attenuated by BCP administration. BCP supplementation attenuated the tumor incidence DEN/CCl4 (100%) to about 25%. DEN/CCl4 caused alterations in the hematological parameters, serum total protein albumin globulin, A/G ratio, liver function markers (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, ACP, and bilirubin), and lipid profile markers that were significantly reinstated by BCP administration. Oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, CAT, NO, LDH, and GST) were reduced by DEN/CCl4, which were significantly increased in BCP‐treated groups. The liver histopathology alterations caused by DEN/CCl4 were amended considerably by BCP treatment. Immunohistochemical studies suggest that AFP, caspase‐3, and COX‐2 were chronically overexpressed in DEN/CCl4‐exposed mice, notably attenuated by BCP administration. BCP suppressed tumor incidence by downregulating inflammation and inducing caspase‐3‐mediated apoptosis. Conclusively, BCP appears to be a potent natural supplement capable of repressing liver inflammation and carcinoma through the mitigation of oxidative stress and inflammation pathways.