bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing Silk-Based Cryogels for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Abdullah Turdimuhammad , Su Esra , Memić Adnan
Published: December 2022

There is a need to develop the next generation of medical products that require biomaterials with improved properties. The versatility of various gels has pushed them to the forefront of biomaterials research. Cryogels, a type of gel scaffold made by controlled crosslinking under subzero or freezing temperatures, have great potential to address many current challenges. Unlike their hydrogel counterparts, which are also able to hold large amounts of biologically relevant fluids such as water, cryogels are often characterized by highly dense and crosslinked polymer walls, macroporous structures, and often improved properties. Recently, one biomaterial that has garnered a lot of interest for cryogel fabrication is silk and its derivatives. In this review, we provide a brief overview of silk-based biomaterials and how cryogelation can be used for novel scaffold design. We discuss how various parameters and fabrication strategies can be used to tune the properties of silk-based biomaterials. Finally, we discuss specific biomedical applications of silk-based biomaterials. Ultimately, we aim to demonstrate how the latest advances in silk-based cryogel scaffolds can be used to address challenges in numerous bioengineering disciplines.
Electrochemical Biosensors Based on Carbon Nanomaterials for Diagnosis of Human Respiratory Diseases
Authors: Li Chunmei , Che Bo , Deng Linhong
Published: December 2022

In recent years, respiratory diseases have increasingly become a global concern, largely due to the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This inevitably causes great attention to be given to the development of highly efficient and minimal or non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases. And electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials show great potential in fulfilling the requirement, not only because of the superior performance of electrochemical analysis, but also given the excellent properties of the carbon nanomaterials. In this paper, we review the most recent advances in research, development and applications of electrochemical biosensors based on the use of carbon nanomaterials for diagnosis of human respiratory diseases in the last 10 years. We first briefly introduce the characteristics of several common human respiratory diseases, including influenza, COVID-19, pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis and lung cancer. Then, we describe the working principles and fabrication of various electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials used for diagnosis of these respiratory diseases. Finally, we summarize the advantages, challenges, and future perspectives for the currently available electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials for detecting human respiratory diseases.
Dual Classification Approach for the Rapid Discrimination of Metabolic Syndrome by FTIR
Authors: Tkachenko Kateryna , Esteban-Díez Isabel , González-Sáiz José M. , Pérez-Matute Patricia , Pizarro Consuelo
Published: December 2022

Metabolic syndrome is a complex of interrelated risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Thus, new point-of-care diagnostic tools are essential for unambiguously distinguishing MetS patients, providing results in rapid time. Herein, we evaluated the potential of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometric tools to detect spectra markers indicative of metabolic syndrome. Around 105 plasma samples were collected and divided into two groups according to the presence of at least three of the five clinical parameters used for MetS diagnosis. A dual classification approach was studied based on selecting the most important spectral variable and classification methods, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and SIMCA class modelling, respectively. The same classification methods were applied to measured clinical parameters at our disposal. Thus, the classification’s performance on reduced spectra fingerprints and measured clinical parameters were compared. Both approaches achieved excellent discrimination results among groups, providing almost 100% accuracy. Nevertheless, SIMCA class modelling showed higher classification performance between MetS and no MetS for IR-reduced variables compared to clinical variables. We finally discuss the potential of this method to be used as a supportive diagnostic or screening tool in clinical routines.
Neurological Erdheim–Chester Disease Manifesting with Subacute or Progressive Cerebellar Ataxia: Novel Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Riso Vittorio , Nicoletti Tommaso Filippo , Rossi Salvatore , Vita Maria Gabriella , Alessia Perna , Di Natale Daniele , Silvestri Gabriella
Published: December 2022

Neurological involvement is relatively common in Erdheim–Chester disease (ECD), a rare clonal disorder of histiocytic myeloid precursors characterized by multisystem involvement. In ECD patients, neurological symptoms can occur either at onset or during the disease course and may lead to various degrees of neurological disability or affect patients’ life expectancy. The clinical neurological presentation of ECD often consists of cerebellar symptoms, showing either a subacute or progressive course. In this latter case, patients manifest with a slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia, variably associated with other non-specific neurological signs, infratentorial leukoencephalopathy, and cerebellar atrophy, possibly mimicking either adult-onset degenerative or immune-mediated ataxia. In such cases, diagnosis of ECD may be particularly challenging, yet some peculiar features are helpful to address it. Here, we retrospectively describe four novel ECD patients, all manifesting cerebellar symptoms at onset. In two cases, slow disease progression and associated brain MRI features simulated a degenerative cerebellar ataxia. Three patients received a definite diagnosis of histiocytosis, whereas one case lacked histology confirmation, although clinical diagnostic features were strongly suggestive. Our findings regarding existing literature data focused on neurological ECD will be also discussed to highlight those diagnostic clues helpful to address diagnosis.
Pathogenesis Study of Glioma: From Glioma Stem Cells, Genomic Tags, to Rodent Models
Authors: Tang Hailiang , Li Xi , Xie Rong
Published: December 2022

Glioma remains the toughest brain tumor among all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors [...]
Adult Avoidant Attachment, Attention Bias, and Emotional Regulation Patterns: An Eye-Tracking Study
Authors: Uccula Arcangelo , Mercante Beniamina , Barone Lavinia , Enrico Paolo
Published: December 2022

Proximity-seeking in distress situations is one of attachment theory’s primary strategies; insecure individuals often also develop secondary strategies. The mechanisms implied in attachment deactivation constitute a key issue in the current debate related to their role in support-seeking. The main aim of this study is to investigate the attachment deactivation strategy and the processes of proximity/support-seeking under distress conditions by analyzing the attentional processes (i.e., an essential emotion-regulation strategy), using eye-tracking techniques. Seventy-two participants (45 female; Mage 23.9 ± 3.97) responded to the ECR-R questionnaire in order to identify their attachment style. They participated in an experimental situation in which they had to choose between pictures of care or pictures of food, following the presentation of threatening or neutral prime conditions (via the pictures’ stimuli). Results showed that a care–consistency response pattern was the most frequent pattern of response, particularly under a threatening condition; on the contrary, only avoidant individuals showed a lower care–consistency response pattern by choosing food pictures. The overall findings demonstrate that avoidant individuals used the deactivation strategy to process comfort-related attachment pictures, suggesting that they considered these stimuli to be threatening. The implications for attachment theory and particularly for avoidant strategies are discussed.
Why Theory of Mind Is Not Enough to Understand Others?
Authors: Sanhueza María Isabel , Fossa Pablo
Published: December 2022

Theory of Mind (ToM), understood as the ability to intuit one’s own mental states and those of others, has been extensively researched in developmental psychology and cognitive psychology. The psychological literature shows a direct relationship between ToM and the (self) reflective capacity of consciousness, a product of the cognitive effort that implies the understanding of one’s own subjectivity and that of others. In this sense, ToM has received a strong cognitive influence, sub-dimensioning other dimensions involved in the intersubjective process of mutual understanding. Based on the theory of pre-reflective consciousness and the theory of intuition in phenomenology, we propose in this paper that the process of understanding one’s own mental states and the mental states of others constitutes, mainly, a pre-reflective and intuitive experience, and that it is only possible to move on to reflection at a later time. In short, with contributions from the theory of pre-reflective consciousness and phenomenological intuition, the aim is to complement the theoretical bases of ToM in psychology; a theory that, without incorporating elements of phenomenology, remains incomplete.
Method for Determining the Fracture Parameters of Fully Graded Dam Concrete
Authors: Gao Xiaofeng , Wu Jiong , Zhou Mengxia , Xu Tao , Liu Chunfeng , Tan Yaosheng , Yang Ning , Qiao Yu
Published: December 2022

This paper describes a method for determining the initiation and unstable toughness of fully graded concrete of arbitrary specimen size. The method first predicts the initiation and peak loads of concrete specimens of any size, as well as crack length-to-height ratios based on the fracture test results of concrete specimens with limited sizes or crack length-to-height ratios. Then, combined with the fracture extreme theory, the fracture toughness of concrete with varying size or crack length-to-height ratios is determined. Finally, in order to verify the applicability of the method, it is used to calculate the fracture toughness of small aggregate concrete and fully graded concrete with different sizes or crack length-to-height ratios, and its prediction accuracy is evaluated through indices such as mean absolute percentage error, root mean square error and reliability index a15. The results show that the proposed method can meet the needs of practical engineering applications and can provide theoretical basis for the optimization of the fracture test method of fully graded concrete and the determination of fracture parameters in crack stability or propagation analysis.
Thioredoxin Reductase-1 as a Potential Biomarker in Fibroblast-Associated HCT116 Cancer Cell Progression and Dissemination in a Zebrafish Model
Authors: Muangthong Tharathip , Chusangnin Pornnapat , Hassametto Artchaya , Tanomrat Rataya , Suwannalert Prasit
Published: December 2022

The tumor microenvironment, especially that of fibroblasts, strongly promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Progressive cancers usually accumulate high reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress. The stress relates to the expression of thioredoxin reductase-1 (TrxR-1), which is an oxidative stress sensitivity molecule. This study aimed to investigate TrxR-1 expression as an indication of colon-fibroblast-inducing colorectal cancer progression and metastasis. We found that the high proliferative fibroblast-cultured media (FCM) contained pro-inflammatory cytokines that have a high ability to influence HCT116 and CRC cell progression, when compared with complete media (CM) as a control in terms of growth (CM = 100.00%, FCM = 165.96%), migration (CM = 32.22%, FCM = 83.07%), invasion (CM = 130 cells/field, FCM = 449 cells/field), and EMT transformation while decreasing E-cadherin expression (CM = 1.00, FCM = 0.69) and shape factor (CM = 0.94, FCM = 0.61). In addition, the overexpression of TrxR-1 is associated with cellular oxidant enchantment in FCM-treated cells. A dot plot analysis showed a strong relation between the EMT process and the overexpression of TrxR-1 in FCM-treated cells (CM = 13/100 cells, FCM = 45/100 cells). The cancer transplantation of the adult zebrafish model illustrated a significantly higher number of microtumors in FCM-treated cells (CM = 4.33 ± 1.51/HPF, FCM = 25.00 ± 13.18/HPF) disseminated in the intraperitoneal cavity with TrxR-1 positive cells. The overexpression of TrxR-1 indicated fibroblast-associated CRC progression in HCT116 cells and the zebrafish model. Therefore, TrxR-1 could be applied as a novel biomarker for colorectal cancer progression and prognostic evaluation.
A Comprehensive Analysis of the Effects of Key Mitophagy Genes on the Progression and Prognosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Dai Dongjun , Liu Lihong , Guo Yinglu , Shui Yongjie , Wei Qichun
Published: December 2022

The aim of our study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the gene expression, copy number variation (CNV) and mutation of key mitophagy genes in the progression and prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We obtained the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Clustering analysis was performed to stratify the mitophagy related groups. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) based cox model was used to select hub survival genes. An independent validation cohort was retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus database. We found 24 out of 27 mitophagy genes were aberrantly expressed between tumor and normal samples. CNV gains were associated with higher expression of mitophagy genes in 23 of 27 mitophagy genes. The clustering analysis identified high and low risk mitophagy groups with distinct survival differences. The high risk mitophagy groups had higher tumor mutation burden, stemness phenotype, total CNVs and lower CD4+ T cells infiltration. Drugs targeted to high risk mitophagy groups were identified including the PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitor, HDAC inhibitor and chemotherapy agents such as cisplatin and gemcitabine. In addition, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between mitophagy groups. Further univariate Cox analysis of each DEG and subsequent LASSO-based Cox model revealed a mitophagy-related prognostic signature. The risk score model of this signature showed a strong ability to predict the overall survival of LUAD patients in training and validation datasets. In conclusion, the mitophagy genes played an important role in the progression and prognosis of LUAD, which might provide useful information for the treatment of LUAD.
Anal Cancer in High-Risk Women: The Lost Tribe
Authors: Lupi Micol , Brogden Danielle , Howell Ann-Marie , Tekkis Paris , Mills Sarah , Kontovounisios Christos
Published: December 2022

In developed countries the incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been rising; especially in women over the age of 60 years who present with more advanced disease stage than men. Historically, anal SCC screening has focused on people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (PLWH) who are considered to be at the highest risk of anal SCC, and its precancerous lesion, anal squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). Despite this, women with vulval high-grade squamous epithelial lesions (HSIL) and SCCs have been shown to be as affected by anal HSIL and SCC as some PLWH. Nevertheless, there are no guidelines for the management of anal HSIL in this patient group. The ANCHOR trial demonstrated that treating anal HSIL significantly reduces the risk of anal SCC in PLWH, there is therefore an unmet requirement to clarify whether the screening and treatment of HSIL in women with a prior genital HSIL is also beneficial. This review presents the current evidence supporting the screening, treatment, and surveillance of anal HSIL in high-risk women with a previous history of genital HSIL and/or SCC.
Role of Machine Learning in Precision Oncology: Applications in Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Tabari Azadeh , Chan Shin Mei , Omar Omar Mustafa Fathy , Iqbal Shams I. , Gee Michael S. , Daye Dania
Published: December 2022

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, consisting of a wide spectrum of pathologies, have become a prominent health issue globally. Despite medical imaging playing a crucial role in the clinical workflow of cancers, standard evaluation of different imaging modalities may provide limited information. Accurate tumor detection, characterization, and monitoring remain a challenge. Progress in quantitative imaging analysis techniques resulted in ”radiomics”, a promising methodical tool that helps to personalize diagnosis and treatment optimization. Radiomics, a sub-field of computer vision analysis, is a bourgeoning area of interest, especially in this era of precision medicine. In the field of oncology, radiomics has been described as a tool to aid in the diagnosis, classification, and categorization of malignancies and to predict outcomes using various endpoints. In addition, machine learning is a technique for analyzing and predicting by learning from sample data, finding patterns in it, and applying it to new data. Machine learning has been increasingly applied in this field, where it is being studied in image diagnosis. This review assesses the current landscape of radiomics and methodological processes in GI cancers (including gastric, colorectal, liver, pancreatic, neuroendocrine, GI stromal, and rectal cancers). We explain in a stepwise fashion the process from data acquisition and curation to segmentation and feature extraction. Furthermore, the applications of radiomics for diagnosis, staging, assessment of tumor prognosis and treatment response according to different GI cancer types are explored. Finally, we discussed the existing challenges and limitations of radiomics in abdominal cancers and investigate future opportunities.
Opioid-Free Anesthesia and Postoperative Outcomes in Cancer Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bugada Dario , Drotar Megan , Finazzi Simone , Real Giovanni , Lorini Luca F. , Forget Patrice
Published: December 2022

Background: Surgery is an essential component of the treatment of solid tumors, but the perioperative course can be complicated by different factors (including anesthesia). Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) may mitigate adverse outcomes of opioid-based anesthesia (OBA), but major questions remain on the actual impact in terms of analgesia and the improvement of surgical outcomes. To address this issue, we present a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of OFA compared to OBA in the specific subset of cancer patients undergoing surgery. Methods: following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane CENTRAL Library to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on adults undergoing oncological surgery, comparing OFA and OBA up to March 2022. Additional papers were added from the reference lists of identified sources. Papers were manually reviewed by two independent authors to ascertain eligibility and subsequent inclusion in qualitative analysis. Results: only two studies were eligible according to inclusion criteria. It was not possible to perform any meta-analysis. The two studies included patients undergoing prostate and gynecologic surgery on 177 patients, with significant heterogeneity in the outcomes. Conclusions: randomized controlled trial specifically addressed to cancer patients are lacking. A knowledge gap exists, neither confirming nor rejecting the capacity of OFA to improve early postoperative outcomes in cancer surgery. Long-term consequences on specific oncological outcomes are far from being elucidated. We expect a growing body of literature in the coming years. Further studies are required with homogeneous methodology and endpoints.
Using Evidence-Based Medicine to Support Clinical Decision-Making in RMS
Authors: Phillips Robert S. , Vaarwerk Bas , Morgan Jessica E.
Published: December 2022

The foundations of evidence-based practice are the triad of patient values and preferences, healthcare professional experience, and best available evidence, used together to inform clinical decision-making. Within the field of rhabdomyosarcoma, collaborative groups such as the European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Group (EpSSG) have worked to develop evidence to support this process. We have explored many of the key research developments within this review, including patient and public involvement, decision-making research, research into areas other than drug development, core outcome sets, reporting and dissemination of research, evidence synthesis, guideline development and clinical decision rules, research of research methodologies, and supporting research in RMS.
EBV and MSI Status in Gastric Cancer: Does It Matter?
Authors: do Nascimento Catarina Neto , Mascarenhas-Lemos Luís , Silva João Ricardo , Marques Diogo Sousa , Gouveia Catarina Ferreira , Faria Ana , Velho Sónia , Garrido Rita , Maio Rui , Costa Andreia , Pontes Patrícia , Wen Xiaogang , Gullo Irene , Cravo Marília , Carneiro Fátima
Published: December 2022

We investigated the impactof microsatellite instability (MSI) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) status in gastric cancer (GC), regarding response to perioperative chemotherapy (POPChT), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). We included 137 cases of operated GC, 51 of which were submitted to POPChT. MSI status was determined by multiplex PCR and EBV status by EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridization. Thirty-seven (27%) cases presented as MSI-high, and seven (5.1%) were EBV+. Concerning tumor regression after POPChT, no differences were observed between the molecular subtypes, but females were more likely to respond (p = 0.062). No significant differences were found in OS or PFS between different subtypes. In multivariate analysis, age (HR 1.02, IC 95% 1.002–1.056, p = 0.033) and positive lymph nodes (HR 1.82, IC 95% 1.034–3.211, p = 0.038) were the only prognostic factors for OS. However, females with MSI-high tumors treated with POPChT demonstrated a significantly increased OS compared to females with MSS tumors (p = 0.031). In conclusion, we found a high proportion of MSI-high cases. MSI and EBV status did not influence OS or PFS either in patients submitted to POPChT or surgery alone. However, superior survival of females with MSI-high tumors suggests that sex disparities and molecular classification may influence treatment options in GC.
Hereditary Colorectal Cancer: State of the Art in Lynch Syndrome
Authors: Nolano Antonio , Medugno Alessia , Trombetti Silvia , Liccardo Raffaella , De Rosa Marina , Izzo Paola , Duraturo Francesca
Published: December 2022

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer is also known as Lynch syndrome. Lynch syndrome is associated with pathogenetic variants in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes. In addition to colorectal cancer, the inefficiency of the MMR system leads to a greater predisposition to cancer of the endometrium and other cancers of the abdominal sphere. Molecular diagnosis is performed to identify pathogenetic variants in MMR genes. However, for many patients with clinically suspected Lynch syndrome, it is not possible to identify a pathogenic variant in MMR genes. Molecular diagnosis is essential for referring patients to specific surveillance to prevent the development of tumors related to Lynch syndrome. This review summarizes the main aspects of Lynch syndrome and recent advances in the field and, in particular, emphasizes the factors that can lead to the loss of expression of MMR genes.
Short and Long-Term Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy Compared with Open Total Gastrectomy in Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Eom Sang Soo , Park Sin Hye , Eom Bang Wool , Yoon Hong Man , Kim Young-Woo , Ryu Keun Won
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) with that of open total gastrectomy (OTG) in terms of postoperative complications and long-term survival. We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological data of 560 patients, who underwent total gastrectomy between 2012 and 2016 at the National Cancer Center, Korea. Propensity-score matching (PSM) was performed to correct for discrepancies between the two groups. Matched variables included sex, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and pathological Tumor–Node–Metastasis stage. After PSM, 238 patients were included in this analysis. The rate of D2 lymph node dissection was significantly higher in the OTG group than in the LTG group. The estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the LTG group than in the OTG group. The overall complication rate was not significantly different between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the 3-year disease-free and 5-year overall survival rates between the two groups. LTG and OTG had comparable efficacies in gastric cancer patients regarding short- and long-term surgical outcomes. This study suggests that LTG could be an alternative approach to the OTG.
Motif-Targeting Phosphoproteome Analysis of Cancer Cells for Profiling Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Ogata Kosuke , Takagi Shunsuke , Sugiyama Naoyuki , Ishihama Yasushi
Published: December 2022

We present a motif-targeting phosphoproteome analysis workflow utilizing in vitro kinase reaction to enrich a subset of peptides with specific primary sequence motifs. Phosphopeptides are enriched and dephosphorylated with alkaline phosphatase, followed by in vitro kinase reaction to phosphorylate substrate peptides with specific primary-sequence motifs. These phosphopeptides are enriched again, TMT-labeled, dephosphorylated to enhance MS-detectability, and analyzed by LC/MS/MS. We applied this approach to inhibitor-treated cancer cells, and successfully profiled the inhibitory spectra of multiple kinase inhibitors. We anticipate this approach will be applicable to target specific subsets of the phosphoproteome using the wide variety of available recombinant protein kinases.
Updated Mortality Analysis of SELTINE, the French Cohort of Nuclear Workers, 1968–2014
Authors: Laurent Olivier , Samson Eric , Caër-Lorho Sylvaine , Fournier Lucie , Laurier Dominique , Leuraud Klervi
Published: December 2022

Cohorts of nuclear workers are particularly relevant to study the health effects of protracted exposures to low doses at low dose-rates of ionizing radiation (IR). In France, a cohort of nuclear workers badge-monitored for external IR exposure has been followed-up for several decades. Its size and follow-up period have recently been extended. The present paper focuses on mortality from both cancer and non-cancer diseases in this cohort. The SELTINE cohort of nuclear workers employed by CEA, Orano, and EDF companies was followed-up for mortality from 1968 to 2014. Mortality in the cohort was compared to that in the French general population. Poisson regression methods were used to estimate excess relative rates of mortality per unit of cumulative dose of IR, adjusted for calendar year, age, company, duration of employment, and socioeconomic status. The cohort included 80,348 workers. At the end of the follow-up, the mean attained age was 63 years, and 15,695 deaths were observed. A strong healthy worker effect was observed overall. A significant excess of pleural cancer mortality was observed but not associated with IR dose. Death from solid cancers was positively but non-significantly associated with radiation. Death from leukaemia (excluding chronic lymphocytic leukaemia), dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease were positively and significantly associated with IR dose. Estimated dose–risk relationships were consistent with those from other nuclear worker studies for all solid cancers and leukaemia but remained associated with large uncertainty. The association between IR dose and dementia mortality risk should be interpreted with caution and requires further investigation by other studies.
Sequential and Hybrid PET/MRI Acquisition in Follow-Up Examination of Glioblastoma Show Similar Diagnostic Performance
Authors: Ziegenfeuter Julian , Delbridge Claire , Bernhardt Denise , Gempt Jens , Schmidt-Graf Friederike , Griessmair Michael , Thomas Marie , Meyer Hanno S. , Zimmer Claus , Meyer Bernhard , Combs Stephanie E. , Yakushev Igor , Wiestler Benedikt , Metz Marie-Christin
Published: December 2022

Both positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion (DSC-PWI), are crucial for treatment monitoring of patients with high-grade gliomas. In clinical practice, they are usually conducted at separate time points. Whether this affects their diagnostic performance is presently unclear. To this end, we retrospectively reviewed 38 patients with pathologically confirmed glioblastoma (IDH wild-type) and suspected tumor recurrence after radiotherapy. Only patients who received both a PET–MRI (where DSC perfusion was acquired simultaneously with a FET-PET) and a separate MRI exam (including DSC perfusion) were included. Tumors were automatically segmented into contrast-enhancing tumor (CET), necrosis, and edema. To compare the simultaneous as well as the sequential DSC perfusion to the FET-PET, we calculated Dice overlap, global mutual information as well as voxel-wise Spearman correlation of hotspot areas. For the joint assessment of PET and MRI, we computed logistic regression models for the differentiation between true progression (PD) and treatment-related changes (TRC) using simultaneously or sequentially acquired images as input data. We observed no significant differences between Dice overlap (p = 0.17; paired t-test), mutual information (p = 0.18; paired t-test) and Spearman correlation (p = 0.90; paired t-test) when comparing simultaneous PET–MRI and sequential PET/MRI acquisition. This also held true for the subgroup of patients with >14 days between exams. Importantly, for the diagnostic performance, ROC analysis showed similar AUCs for differentiation of PD and TRC (AUC simultaneous PET: 0.77; AUC sequential PET: 0.78; p = 0.83, DeLong’s test). We found no relevant differences between simultaneous and sequential acquisition of FET-PET and DSC perfusion, also regarding their diagnostic performance. Given the increasing attention to multi-parametric assessment of glioma treatment response, our results reassuringly suggest that sequential acquisition is clinically and scientifically acceptable.
One-Pot Au@Pd Dendritic Nanoparticles as Electrocatalysts with Ethanol Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Choi Young Su , Ji Mi-Jung , Kim Yu Jin , Kim Hyeon Jeong , Hong Jong Wook , Lee Young Wook
Published: December 2022

The one-pot synthesis strategy of Au@Pd dendrites nanoparticles (Au@Pd DNPs) was simply synthesized in a high-temperature aqueous solution condition where cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) acted as a reducing and capping agent at a high temperature. The Au@Pd DNPs with highly monodisperse were shown in high yields by the Au:Pd rate. The nanostructure and optical and crystalline properties of the Au@Pd DNPs were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction. The Au@Pd DNPs showed an efficient electrochemical catalytic performance rate toward the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) due to their nanostructures and Au:Pd rate.
An O-Demethylation Metabolite of Rabeprazole Sulfide by Cunninghamella blakesleeana 3.970 Biotransformation
Authors: Song Ming , Zhu Hongxiang , Wang Jian , Xu Weizhuo , Xu Wei
Published: December 2022

To explore the potential metabolites from rabeprazole sulfide, seven strains of filamentous fungi were screened for their biotransformation abilities. Among these strains, Cunninghamella blakesleeana 3.970 exhibited the best result. Four different culture media were screened in order to identify the most optimal for subsequent research. Single factors such as the initial pH of culture media, culture time, inoculation volume, and media volume were individually investigated to provide the optimum biotransformation conditions. Then, an orthogonal optimization process using a five-factor, four-level L16(45) experiment was designed and performed. Finally, when the substrate concentration is 3 g/L, one major metabolite was detected with a transformation rate of 72.4%. Isolated by semipreparative HPLC, this metabolite was further detected by ESI-MS and NMR. The final data analysis indicated that the metabolite is O-demethylation rabeprazole sulfide.
Study of the Regulatory Mechanism of miR-26a-5p in Allergic Asthma
Authors: Zhong Jinnan , Liu Min , Chen Shi , Liu Shuang , Li Fajiu , Li Chenghong
Published: December 2022

Objective: Allergic asthma is a growing burden on national public health services due to its high prevalence. The aim of this experiment was to investigate whether miR-26a-5p affects cellular fibrosis and thus airway remodeling in asthmatic mice through the regulation of target genes. Methods: Screening for differentially expressed miRNAs in asthma model mice was carried out by constructing a mouse model of allergic asthma. qRT-PCR was performed to determine candidate miRNAs in each group of bronchial tissues. Western blot detection of the expression levels of predicted candidate target genes in each group of bronchial tissues was conducted. A dual luciferase assay was performed to validate the binding of miR-26a-5p to target genes. Fibronectin, a marker of cellular fibrosis, was detected via flow cytometry. CCK8 and BrdU staining were used to detect the proliferation ability of each group of cells. Results: miR-26a-5p is able to target and bind to ABL2 3′-UTR, MMP16 3′-UTR and PDE7A 3′-UTR sequences. After interference with miR-26a-5p, improved bronchial histopathology and reduced peribronchial collagen deposition were found. Compared with the model group, interference with miR-26a-5p reduced lung fibrosis, decreased fibroblasts and increased apoptosis in mouse bronchial tissues; overexpression of miR-26a-5p decreased apoptosis in mouse bronchial tissues. Compared with the model group, the serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and I IFN-γ were decreased in the miR-26a-5p inhibitor group and increased in the miR-26a-5p mimic group. The immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of ABL2, MMP16 and PDE7A was significantly reduced after intervention with miR-26a-5p. Compared with the model group, the apoptosis rate of cells in the miR-26a-5p inhibitor group of the allergic asthma model was upregulated, the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ and ROS were decreased, the expression of the miRNA and proteins of ABL2, MMP16 and PDE7A was decreased, the expression of LC3A and P62 was significantly increased and the expression of LC3B, Beclin1, Atg5 and fibrosis markers collagen I and α-SMA was decreased. Conclusion: miR-26a-5p affects cellular fibrosis and thus airway remodeling in asthmatic mice by regulating target genes.
Association between Immunosenescence, Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Frailty Syndrome in Older Adults
Authors: Buondonno Ilaria , Sassi Francesca , Cattaneo Francesco , D’Amelio Patrizia
Published: December 2022

Aging is associated with changes in the immune system, increased inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. The relationship between these phenomena and the clinical phenotype of frailty is unclear. Here, we evaluated the immune phenotypes, T cell functions and mitochondrial functions of immune cells in frail and robust older subjects. We enrolled 20 frail subjects age- and gender-matched with 20 robust controls, and T cell phenotype, response to immune stimulation, cytokine production and immune cell mitochondrial function were assessed. Our results showed that numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were decreased in frail subjects, without impairment to their ratios. Memory and naïve T cells were not significantly affected by frailty, whereas the expression of CD28 but not that of ICOS was decreased in T cells from frail subjects. T cells from robust subjects produced more IL-17 after CD28 stimulation. Levels of serum cytokines were similar in frail subjects and controls. Mitochondrial bioenergetics and ATP levels were significantly lower in immune cells from frail subjects. In conclusion, we suggest that changes in T cell profiles are associated with aging rather than with frailty syndrome; however, changes in T cell response to immune stimuli and reduced mitochondrial activity in immune cells may be considered hallmarks of frailty.
Neurotrophic Factors in Health and Disease
Authors: Severini Cinzia
Published: December 2022

Neurotrophic factors, including neurotrophins and neuropeptides, are secreted proteins that regulate the survival, development, and physiological functions of neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems [...]
How Chemometrics Revives the UV-Vis Spectroscopy Applications as an Analytical Sensor for Spectralprint (Nontargeted) Analysis
Authors: Ríos-Reina Rocío , Azcarate Silvana M.
Published: December 2022

In recent years, methodologies based on spectral analysis, using ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) radiation, have experienced an amazing development and have been widely applied in various fields such as agricultural, food, pharmaceutical, and environmental sciences. This straightforward technique has re-emerged with novel and challenging proposals to solve, in a direct and fast way, a wide variety of problems. These reaches would not have been possible without the essential support of chemometrics. In this sense, under the general background of the development in data and computer science, and other technologies, the emergence of innovative ideas, approaches, and strategies endows UV-Vis spectroscopy with a new vitality as an analytical sensor with the capability of significantly improving both the robustness and accuracy of results. This review presents modern UV-Vis spectral analysis, which is on the rise, associated with comprehensive chemometric methods that have become known in the last six years, especially from the perspective of practicability, including spectral preprocessing, wavelength (variable) selection, data dimension reduction, quantitative calibration, pattern recognition, and multispectral data fusion. Most importantly, it will foresee future trends of UV-Vis spectroscopy as an analytical sensor for a spectralprint (nontargeted) analysis.
Potentiometric Sensor Based on Layered Pillar[6]arene—Copper Composite
Authors: Sorvin Michail , Galimzyanova Guzeliya , Evtugyn Vladimir , Ivanov Alexey , Shurpik Dmitry , Stoikov Ivan , Evtugyn Gennady
Published: December 2022

A solid-contact potentiometric sensor has been developed on the basis of glassy carbon electrode covered with electropolymerized polyaniline and alternatively layered pillar[6]arene and Cu2+ ions films. The assembly of the surface layer was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance measurements. The number of deposited layers was selected to reach better analytical characteristics for Cu2+ determination. It was shown that better results were achieved by using five layers, the upper one consisting of the macrocycle. The addition of covering layers for polyelectrolytes (Nafion, poly(styrene sulfonate)) and Cu2+ ions did not improve sensor performance. The potentiometric sensor made it possible to determine Cu2+ ions in neutral and weakly acidic media with a linear range of the concentrations, from 3.0 μM to 10.0 mM (limit of detection 3.0 μM). The applicability of the sensor in real sample assays was confirmed by the determination of Cu2+ ions in copper vitriol, Bordeaux mixture, and polyvitamin-mineral pills of “Complivit” during an atomic emission spectroscopy analysis.
Effect of Ti2CTx MXene Oxidation on Its Gas-Sensitive Properties
Authors: Mokrushin Artem S. , Nagornov Ilya A. , Gorobtsov Philipp Yu. , Averin Aleksey A. , Simonenko Tatiana L. , Simonenko Nikolay P. , Simonenko Elizaveta P. , Kuznetsov Nikolay T.
Published: December 2022

The oxidation process was studied for the synthesized low-layer Ti2CTx MXene deposited on a special Al2O3/Pt sensor substrate using in situ Raman spectroscopy. It is noted that on the ceramic parts of the substrate (Al2O3), the beginning of oxidation (appearance of anatase mod phase) is observed already at 316 °C, in comparison with platinum, for which the appearance of anatase is noted only at 372 °C. At the temperature 447 °C, the initial MXene film is completely oxidized to TiO2. Using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, the microstructure and dispersity of the obtained MXene film were studied. It was found that the obtained films exhibit chemoresistive responses to the detection of a wide group of gases, H2, CO, NH3, C6H6, C3H6O, CH4, C2H5OH and O2, at room temperature and RH = 50%. The highest sensitivity is observed for NH3. The partial oxidation of the Ti2CTx MXene was shown to favorably affect the gas-sensitive properties.
The Global Research Trend in Electrochemical Microfluidic Technology: A Bibliometric Review
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhang Yihao , Guo Wei , Jiao Shipu , Liu Xianhua
Published: December 2022

Electrochemical microfluidic technology has been extensively studied in many fields due to its significant advantages. Despite the increasing number of publications on the subject, there are no studies based on bibliometric analysis in this area. In this study, we performed a bibliometric analysis of 457 publications related to electrochemical microfluidic technology during 2012–2021 through the Web of Science core database. Results show that the hot topics include the development of label-free immunosensors, biosensors, microfluidic device performance, and low cost of equipment, and the major contributors to these publications are from China, USA, Spain, India, and Germany. In addition, applications of electrochemical microfluidics in biomedicine, food safety, and environmental monitoring are summarized and analyzed. Finally, the future challenges as well as strategies for future research are discussed. This bibliometric review will be useful for researchers in gaining new insights into the electrochemical microfluidic technology.
Involving Children in Health Literacy Research
Authors: Jenkins Catherine L. , Wills Jane , Sykes Susie
Published: December 2022

Despite the volume and breadth of health literacy research related to children, children’s involvement in that research is rare. Research with children is challenging, but the principles of involvement and engagement underpin all health promotion work, including health literacy. This commentary reflects on the process of setting up a Children’s Advisory Group to consult on an institutional ethnography study of health literacy work from children’s standpoint. The Children’s Advisory Group contributed feedback on the study ethics and design and piloted methods for rapport-building and data collection, including livestreamed draw-and-describe and modified Interview to the Double. Consulting with the Children’s Advisory Group highlighted the importance of listening to children and recognizing and valuing children’s imaginative contributions to methods for involving children in health literacy research. Insights from this commentary can be used to foreground equity-focused approaches to future research and practice with children in the field of health literacy.
Solutions of the Yang–Baxter Equation Arising from Brauer Configuration Algebras
Authors: Cañadas Agustín Moreno , Ballester-Bolinches Adolfo , Gaviria Isaías David Marín
Published: December 2022

Currently, researching the Yang–Baxter equation (YBE) is a subject of great interest among scientists of diverse areas in mathematics and other sciences. One of the fundamental open problems is to find all of its solutions. The investigation deals with developing theories such as knot theory, Hopf algebras, quandles, Lie and Jordan (super) algebras, and quantum computing. One of the most successful techniques to obtain solutions of the YBE was given by Rump, who introduced an algebraic structure called the brace, which allows giving non-degenerate involutive set-theoretical solutions. This paper introduces Brauer configuration algebras, which, after appropriate specializations, give rise to braces associated with Thompson’s group F. The dimensions of these algebras and their centers are also given.
Influence of Surface Preprocessing on 4H-SiC Wafer Slicing by Using Ultrafast Laser
Authors: Wang Hanwen , Chen Qiu , Yao Yongping , Che Linlin , Zhang Baitao , Nie Hongkun , Wang Rongkun
Published: December 2022

The physical properties of silicon carbide (SiC) are excellent as a third-generation semiconductor. Nevertheless, diamond wire cutting has many drawbacks, including high loss, long cutting time and prolonged processing time. The study of 4H-SiC wafer slicing by using an ultrafast laser is hopeful for solving these problems. In this work, the 4H-SiC samples with different surface roughness were processed by laser slicing. Findings revealed that good surface quality could reduce the damage to the wafer surface during laser slicing, reduce cleavage, and improve the flatness and uniformity of the modified layer. Thus, preprocessing on 4H-SiC can significantly improve the quality and efficiency of laser slicing.
Preparation of Memantine-Loaded Chitosan Nanocrystals: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Toxicity Analysis
Authors: Saleh Mohamed , Mohamed Jamal , Ruby J. , Kanthiah Selvakumar , Alanazi Yasmene , Majrashi Kamlah , Alshahrani Sultan , Eladl Mohamed , Alaryani Fatima , El-Sherbiny Mohamed , Menaa Farid
Published: December 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with unmet medical need, and is the leading cause of age-related dementia affecting millions of people worldwide. This work aims at developing small, high-drug loading capacity (DL) and -entrapment efficiency (EE) memantine hydrochloride (MEM)/chitosan nanocrystals (CS-NCs) to treat moderate to severe dementia associated with AD. MEM-loaded chitosan nanocrystals (MEM/CS-NCs, further abbreviated as MEM-NCs) were prepared by the ionic gelation method. Different formulations were prepared by varying the concentrations of CS and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). The prepared MEM-NCs formulations (n = 8) were evaluated for their particle size (PS), polydispersibility index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), DL, EE and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, in vitro (i.e., release behavior, cytotoxicity) and ex vivo studies (i.e., histopathology) studies were carried out. The results show that the DL was over 92% and the EE was higher than 73%, while the particles were relatively small with nanometric PS (152.63 ± 12.95 to 310.23 ± 10.49 nm), uniform with acceptable PDI (0.336 ± 0.05 to 0.534 ± 0.02), and stable with positive ZP (23.8 ± 0.4 mV to 54.0 ± 0.5 mV). The optimal formulation (MEM-NC3) was selected mainly based on the PS (152.63 ± 12.95 nm), DL (98.44 ± 3.31%), and EE (78.7 ± 3.11%). Interestingly, it does not elicit any cytotoxic and tissue damage when examining at goat nasal mucosa. The selected formulation was subjected to surface morphological studies such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which revealed that the NCs were spherical in shape and small (100 nm). Interestingly, the selected formulation was able to sustain the drug release for up to 24 h with an initial burst release (86.51 %). We conclude that the prepared MEM-NCs represent a promising drug formulation for further in vivo studies (in animal models and in a clinical setting) to prevent and treat AD.