bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of an Adjustable Hinged Carbon Fiber Operating Table on Sagittal Alignment of the Lumbar Spine
Authors: Tanaka Masato , Desai Dhvanit , Fujiwara Yoshihiro , Arataki Shinya , Latka Kajetan , Sake Naveen , Liang Wang , Kodama Yuya , Miyamoto Yoshiaki , Yamauchi Taro
Published: December 2022

This is a prospective study that has been done to assess the lumbar sagittal alignment of patients positioned prone over an adjustable hinged carbon fiber operating table. The following three variations of table position have been considered: neutral, 20° convex, and 20° concave bending. A total of 33 patients who underwent lumbar disc herniation and lumbar canal stenosis surgery were enrolled. Patients who presented with spinal deformity akin to lumbar scoliosis or spondylolisthesis were excluded. For the surgical procedure, following the induction of endotracheal general anesthesia, patients were positioned prone on the adjustable hinged carbon fiber operating table. Radiographs of the lateral view of the lumbar spine were acquired for the three table positions, i.e., neutral, 20° convex, and 20° concave. The lumbar lordosis was measured on radiographs. The lumbar lordosis presented divergently in all three variations of the table (p < 0.01): 45.2 ± 11.0° in neutral; 52.0 ± 10.7° in 20° lumbar extension bending; and 35.9 ± 10.8° in 20° lumbar flexion bending. The efficacy of table bending was 46.5% in convex and 34.0% in concave bending. In conclusion, the lumbar lordosis in three different table positions were 35.9° in 20° convex bending, 45.2° in neutral, and 52.0° in concave bending. The efficacy of table bending was 46.5% in convex and 34.0% in concave bending.
Scatter-GNN: A Scatter Graph Neural Network for Prediction of High-Speed Railway Station—A Case Study of Yinchuan–Chongqing HSR
Authors: Ma Manfu , Zhang Yiding , Li Yong , Li Xiaoxue , Liu Yiping
Published: December 2022

The Yinchuan–Chongqing high-speed railway (HSR) is one of the “ten vertical and ten horizontal” comprehensive transportation channels in the National 13th Five-Year Plan for Mid- and Long-Term Railway Network. However, the choice of node stations on this line is controversial. In this paper, the problem of high-speed railway station selection is transformed into a classification problem under the edge graph structure in complex networks, and a Scatter-GNN model is proposed to predict stations. The article first uses the Node2vec algorithm to perform a biased random walk on the railway network to generate the vector representation of each station. Secondly, an adaptive method is proposed, which derives the critical value of edge stations through the pinching rule, and then effectively identifies the edge stations in the high-speed railway network. Next, the calculation method of Hadamard product is used to represent the potential neighbors of edge sites, and then the attention mechanism is used to predict the link between all potential neighbors and their corresponding edge sites. After the link prediction, the final high-speed railway network is obtained, and it is input into the GNN classifier together with the line label to complete the station prediction. Experiments show that: Baoji and Hanzhong are more likely to become node stations in this north–south railway trunk line. The Scatter-GNN classifier optimizes the site selection strategy by calculating the connection probabilities between two or more candidate routes and comparing their results. This may reduce manual selection costs and ease geographic evaluation burdens. The model proposed in this paper can be used as an auxiliary strategy for the traditional route planning scheme, which may become a new way of thinking to study such problems in the future.
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Red Seaweeds from Central Portugal
Authors: Freitas Marta V. , Inácio Leonardo G. , Ruas Ana , Silva Isabela A. , Mouga Teresa , Pereira Leonel , Afonso Clélia
Published: December 2022

Throughout the ages, macroalgae have provided humankind with elements beneficial to human health, and often with bioactive abilities. Yet, while today we fully acknowledge such potential, especially that of the most widely known species, an even greater number of species remain unaknowledged. This holds particularly true for the highly diverse phylum Rhodophyta (red seaweeds) and, therefore, the present study aims to unveil the antioxidant and the antimicrobial potential of twelve red seaweed species collected in central Portugal. Results obtained from the antioxidant assays ABTS and TPC highlighted the high scavenging capacity of the coralline algae Corallina officinalis, Ellisolandia elongata and Amphiroa rigida, and the high phenolic content of Porphyra umbilicalis, whereas the antimicrobial analyses through MIC determination emphasized the activities of Sphaerococcus coronopifolius and Mesophyllum lichenoides against, respectively, Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This study raised awareness of the bioactive potential waiting to be discovered regarding less known Rhodophyta species, such as Amphiroa rigida and Mesophyllum lichenoides. Therefore, we believe this study provides extra steps in pinpointing Rhodophyta species with bioactive potential, encouraging further studies tailored toward a biotechnological perspective, and, ultimately, influencing current perspectives regarding the exploration of seaweeds.
Late Shelf Life Saturation of Golden Delicious Apple Parameters: TSS, Weight, and Colorimetry
Authors: Kassebi Salma , Farkas Csaba , Székely László , Géczy Attila , Korzenszky Péter
Published: December 2022

This work aims to estimate the shelf life of Golden Delicious apple fruit stored at room temperature by determining the changing trend in color every week using a non-destructive measurement method. Moreover, the study will measure the changes in weight loss (Δm) and the total soluble solids (TSS) contained in the apple. The research focuses on the last stage of ripening and the effect of shelf life affecting consumer behavior; therefore, the examined fruits were picked at the end of the season and were stored at an ambient temperature and in controlled laboratory conditions for six weeks, at 24 °C under 60% RH relative. Color measurements were performed with a portable color sensor, which provided a simple and effective examination method in the case of an appropriate number of fruit samples. The findings showed a significant increase in TSS and weight loss over time. Color varying (ΔE) and chroma (C*) parameters increased with prolonged storage duration, meaning that the color of the apples became darker and more color-saturated at the end of storage. While weight loss and TSS follow a linear tendency in the given storage period, the color changes in deteriorating fruits were characterized by exponential asymptotic regression. It was found that although the moisture content reaches its limit value during the drying process of apples, the saturation of color coordinates allows for determination of the limit parameters of consumption in the linear stage of weight loss. The saturation limits (70.97; 12.77; 56.34 CIELAB L*; a*; b*), the dominant color part (b*), and the growth rate of the saturation curves allow an accurate characterization of ripening from the visual aspect, thus determining the limit parameters of shelf life and improving the critical analysis factors affecting the life of fruits after harvest. By assessing color characteristics using a non-destructive technology, customers may quickly evaluate the quality of apples and make better decisions during their purchase.
A Novel Method for Cross-Modal Collaborative Analysis and Evaluation in the Intelligence Era
Authors: Wu Wenyan , Hu Qintai , Feng Guang , He Yaxuan
Published: December 2022

The development of intelligent information technology provides an effective way for cross-modal learning analytics and promotes the realization of procedural and scientific educational evaluation. To accurately capture the emotional changes of learners and make an accurate evaluation of the learning process, this paper takes the evaluation of learners’ emotional status in the behavior process as an example to construct an intelligent analysis model of learners’ emotional status in the behavior process, which provides effective technical solutions for the construction of cross-modal learning analytics. The effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method are verified by experiments. Through the analysis of learners’ cross-mode learning behavior, it innovates the evaluation method of classroom teaching in the intelligent age and improves the quality of modern teaching.
Sodium and Sulphur Content in Plants after Lime, Charcoal, and Loam Application to Soil Contaminated with Fluorine
Authors: Szostek Radosław , Wyszkowski Mirosław , Ciećko Zdzisław , Rolka Elżbieta
Published: December 2022

This article presents the results of a study on the effect of fluorine pollution of soil, including soil amendments, on the concentration of sodium and sulphur in six species of crops. The experiment consisted of six pot trials performed in a greenhouse. Two factors were taken into consideration: (I) Increasing doses of fluorine (0, 20, 40, and 60 mg F kg−1 of soil for narrow-leaf lupine and 0, 100, 200, and 300 mg F kg−1 of soil for yellow lupine, winter oilseed rape, spring triticale, black radish, and phacelia) and (II) neutralizing substances (lime–1 HAC, charcoal and loam–3% relative to the soil mass). The highest sodium content was in t roots of winter oilseed rape, and the lowest was in the grain of spring triticale. Large differences were detected in the Na content between the analyzed organs of phacelia. The roots of this plant contained 16-fold more sodium than aerial parts. The highest average content of sulphur was in yellow lupine aerial parts, and the lowest was in spring triticale aerial biomass. The increasingly severe soil pollution with fluorine, in most cases, led to a decline in the sodium and sulphur content in the analyzed crops. The highest degree of soil contamination with fluorine had the strongest negative effect in this regard. The content of the analyzed macronutrients concerned the species and organs of a crop, the dose of the tested xenobiotic, and the substance applied to soil for the inactivation of fluorine. A decrease in the sodium content in most of the tested crops could be attributed to the fact that fluorine ‘reacts’, i.e., binds sodium into compounds that are hardly soluble in water, thereby limiting sodium phytovailability.
Endotoxins Affecting Human Health during Agricultural Practices: An Overview
Authors: Chhetry B. , Dewangan Krishna , Mahato Dipendra , Kumar Pradeep
Published: December 2022

Agricultural operations and the processing sector generate dust laden with endotoxin in the workplace. Endotoxin, a pro-inflammatory agent, has adverse effects on health, especially in the lungs, as exposure to endotoxin reduces lung function capacity. Endotoxin exposure to workers and its harmful impact on the health of agricultural workers needs to be studied in detail for future interventions to reduce exposure to endotoxin. The review can help to identify the analytical methods used to determine endotoxin exposure in agriculture. A detailed study of the research articles published in the last two decades related to agriculture and allied fields was carried out. In the agricultural sector, Pantoea agglomerans, a Gram-negative bacterium, was predominantly present. The filters were stored at a temperature of −20 °C, and E. coli 055: B5 was the predominately used standard to analyze the endotoxin. The quantitative kinetic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate test was the most common detection method for quantifying endotoxin. Control strategies to reduce endotoxin exposure are also emphasized in this review.
The Strangest Music in the World: Self-Supervised Creativity and Nostalgia for the Future in Robotic Rock Band “The Three Sirens”
Authors: Audry Sofian , Drouin-Trempe Victor , Siebert Ola
Published: December 2022

The emergence of deep learning since the mid-2010s and its successful application to creative activity challenges long-held anthropocentric conceptions of art and music, bringing back ideas about machine creativity that had been previously explored in the 20th century. Particularly, in the 1990s, some artists, composers, and musicians started working with machine learning and other adaptive computation systems. The work of Nicolas Baginsky is emblematic of that era. In 1992, he created the robot guitar Aglaopheme, which became the first performer of a self-learning robotic band developed throughout the 1990s, soon joined by the robot bass Peisinoe, the robot drum Thelxiepeia, and eventually other artificial agents, forming the autonomous robotic band The Three Sirens. In this review, we describe the technological, musical, and imaginative aspects of Baginsky’s robotic instruments. The unreal and behind-the-scenes story of the mythological three sirens is important in understanding how the robots are designed and what they (are) intend(ed) to do. In the context of artificial intelligence, the concept of seeking a surprising musical effect will push us to reimagine such concepts as musical creativity and improvisation within the algorithmic composition and provide opportunities to discuss nostalgia for the future music and live performance.
Large Methane Emission from the River Inlet Region of Eutrophic Lake: A Case Study of Lake Taihu
Authors: Liao Yuanshan , Lan Haijin , Zhang Xinyue , Liu Zhenjing , Zhang Mi , Hu Zhenghua , Duan Hongtao , Xiao Qitao
Published: December 2022

Lakes are important natural sources of atmospheric methane (CH4), which should be considered in global CH4 budget estimations. However, the CH4 emissions from lakes can be highly variable, and the emissions from the river inlet region were less studied, which seriously hamper our understanding of CH4 budget estimates of lakes. Here, field measurements from over six years (2012 to 2017) at Lake Taihu, a large eutrophic shallow lake with a complicated river network, were conducted to address the issue. Results show that the river inlet region of the lake was a hot spot of CH4 emission. The CH4 emission at the river inlet region with an annual mean value of 0.183 mmol m−2 d−1 was seven times higher than that at pelagic region (0.028 mmol m−2 d−1). Peak CH4 emission occurred in warm seasons, and the lowest in cold seasons at the pelagic region, but peak emission occurred in cold seasons at the river inlet region. The seasonal CH4 emission at the pelagic region can be explained by water temperature; however, less temperature dependency of CH4 emission at the river inlet region was found. The variability of CH4 emission was linked to pollution loadings, and CH4-rich water in the inflowing river likely sustained the large CH4 emission of river inlet region.
The Effect of Diluent on the Release of Benzene Series from Nitrocellulose-Lacquered MDF
Authors: Cui Xiaolei , Ma Junhong , Li Huifang
Published: December 2022

Because the surface of MDF is not aesthetically pleasing, it usually needs to be veneered and then painted, but such a board releases harmful VOCs, among which Benzene Series is the most harmful. Benzene and its series are a group of carcinogenic compounds. With the diluents of nitrocellulose (NC)-lacquered MDF as the research objects, the release of the Benzene Series was studied to provide a scientific basis for pollution control and a reference for eco-friendly paint production. The attenuant of NC paint, anhydrous ethanol, ethyl acetate and solvents mixed with different alcohol ester ratios were used as diluents in NC lacquer. Two kinds of wood-veneered MDF with different thickness (18 mm and 8 mm) were coated with NC lacquer and analyzed in the experiment. The gas was collected using a small environmental chamber and the Benzene Series was analyzed using GC-MS. The concentration of Benzene Series released by MDF was 316.24 μg·m−3, and that of the NC-lacquered MDF with thicknesses of 18 mm and 8 mm were 284.44 μg·m−3 and 281.06 μg·m−3, respectively. The MDF released 14 kinds of Benzene Series, and the NC-lacquered MDF with two thicknesses released 18 kinds of it. The release concentration order of Benzene Series in NC-lacquered MDF with different diluents of the 18 mm thick panel was NC-M, NC-A, and NC-E from high to low. The lowest concentration of it occurred when the ratio of anhydrous ethanol to ethyl acetate was 1:3, and the lowest amount of components were at the ratio of 1:2. The concentration of Benzene Series released by MDF is higher than that released by the NC-lacquered MDF. Thickness has no effect on the type of release. The thicker MDF was, the higher the concentration was. The alcohol and ester thinner can control the release of Benzene Series from the source, and the optimal mixing ratio was 1:3.
Use of Diltiazem in Chronic Rate Control for Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Diemberger Igor , Spadotto Alberto , Massaro Giulia , Amadori Martina , Damaschin Liviu , Martignani Cristian , Ziacchi Matteo , Biffi Mauro , Galiè Nazzareno , Boriani Giuseppe
Published: December 2022

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a multifaceted disease requiring personalised treatment. The aim of our study was to explore the prognostic impact of a patient-specific therapy (PT) for rate control, including the use of non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (NDDC) in patients with heart failure (HF) or in combination with beta-blockers (BB), compared to standard rate control therapy (ST), as defined by previous ESC guidelines. This is a single-centre prospective observational registry on AF patients who were followed by our University Hospital. We included 1112 patients on an exclusive rate control treatment. The PT group consisted of 125 (11.2%) patients, 93/125 (74.4%) of whom were prescribed BB + NDCC (±digoxin), while 85/125 (68.0%) were HF patients who were prescribed NDCC, which was diltiazem in all cases. The patients treated with a PT showed no difference in one-year overall survival compared to those with an ST. Notably, the patients with HF in ST had a worse prognosis (p < 0.001). To better define this finding, we performed three sensitivity analyses by matching each patient in the PT subgroups with three subjects from the ST cohort, showing an improved one-year survival of the HF patients treated with PT (p = 0.039). Our results suggest a potential outcome benefit of NDCC for rate control in AF patients, either alone or in combination with BB and in selected patients with HF.
HIF1A Knockout by Biallelic and Selection-Free CRISPR Gene Editing in Human Primary Endothelial Cells with Ribonucleoprotein Complexes
Authors: Brandt Camilla Blunk , Fonager Sofie Vestergaard , Haskó János , Helmig Rikke Bek , Degn Søren , Bolund Lars , Jessen Niels , Lin Lin , Luo Yonglun
Published: December 2022

Primary endothelial cells (ECs), especially human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), are broadly used in vascular biology. Gene editing of primary endothelial cells is known to be challenging, due to the low DNA transfection efficiency and the limited proliferation capacity of ECs. We report the establishment of a highly efficient and selection-free CRISPR gene editing approach for primary endothelial cells (HUVECs) with ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. We first optimized an efficient and cost-effective protocol for messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery into primary HUVECs by nucleofection. Nearly 100% transfection efficiency of HUVECs was achieved with EGFP mRNA. Using this optimized DNA-free approach, we tested RNP-mediated CRISPR gene editing of primary HUVECs with three different gRNAs targeting the HIF1A gene. We achieved highly efficient (98%) and biallelic HIF1A knockout in HUVECs without selection. The effects of HIF1A knockout on ECs’ angiogenic characteristics and response to hypoxia were validated by functional assays. Our work provides a simple method for highly efficient gene editing of primary endothelial cells (HUVECs) in studies and manipulations of ECs functions.
Message in a Scaffold: Natural Biomaterials for Three-Dimensional (3D) Bioprinting of Human Brain Organoids
Authors: Layrolle Pierre , Payoux Pierre , Chavanas Stéphane
Published: December 2022

Brain organoids are invaluable tools for pathophysiological studies or drug screening, but there are still challenges to overcome in making them more reproducible and relevant. Recent advances in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting of human neural organoids is an emerging approach that may overcome the limitations of self-organized organoids. It requires the development of optimal hydrogels, and a wealth of research has improved our knowledge about biomaterials both in terms of their intrinsic properties and their relevance on 3D culture of brain cells and tissue. Although biomaterials are rarely biologically neutral, few articles have reviewed their roles on neural cells. We here review the current knowledge on unmodified biomaterials amenable to support 3D bioprinting of neural organoids with a particular interest in their impact on cell homeostasis. Alginate is a particularly suitable bioink base for cell encapsulation. Gelatine is a valuable helper agent for 3D bioprinting due to its viscosity. Collagen, fibrin, hyaluronic acid and laminin provide biological support to adhesion, motility, differentiation or synaptogenesis and optimize the 3D culture of neural cells. Optimization of specialized hydrogels to direct differentiation of stem cells together with an increased resolution in phenotype analysis will further extend the spectrum of possible bioprinted brain disease models.
Sexual Dimorphism in Neurodegenerative Diseases and in Brain Ischemia
Authors: Zalewska Teresa , Pawelec Paulina , Ziabska Karolina , Ziemka-Nalecz Malgorzata
Published: December 2022

Epidemiological studies and clinical observations show evidence of sexual dimorphism in brain responses to several neurological conditions. It is suggested that sex-related differences between men and women may have profound effects on disease susceptibility, pathophysiology, and progression. Sexual differences of the brain are achieved through the complex interplay of several factors contributing to this phenomenon, such as sex hormones, as well as genetic and epigenetic differences. Despite recent advances, the precise link between these factors and brain disorders is incompletely understood. This review aims to briefly outline the most relevant aspects that differ between men and women in ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders (AD, PD, HD, ALS, and SM). Recognition of disparities between both sexes could aid the development of individual approaches to ameliorate or slow the progression of intractable disorders.
Trecode: A FAIR Eco-System for the Analysis and Archiving of Omics Data in a Combined Diagnostic and Research Setting
Authors: Kerstens Hindrik HD , Hehir-Kwa Jayne Y , van de Geer Ellen , van Run Chris , Badloe Shashi , Janse Alex , Baker-Hernandez John , de Vos Sam , van der Leest Douwe , Verwiel Eugène TP , Tops Bastiaan BJ , Kemmeren Patrick
Published: December 2022

The increase in speed, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of high-throughput sequencing has led to the widespread clinical application of genome (WGS), exome (WXS), and transcriptome analysis. WXS and RNA sequencing is now being implemented as the standard of care for patients and for patients included in clinical studies. To keep track of sample relationships and analyses, a platform is needed that can unify metadata for diverse sequencing strategies with sample metadata whilst supporting automated and reproducible analyses, in essence ensuring that analyses are conducted consistently and data are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR).We present “Trecode”, a framework that records both clinical and research sample (meta) data and manages computational genome analysis workflows executed for both settings, thereby achieving tight integration between analysis results and sample metadata. With complete, consistent, and FAIR (meta) data management in a single platform, stacked bioinformatic analyses are performed automatically and tracked by the database, ensuring data provenance, reproducibility, and reusability, which is key in worldwide collaborative translational research. The Trecode data model, codebooks, NGS workflows, and client programs are publicly available. In addition, the complete software stack is coded in an Ansible playbook to facilitate automated deployment and adoption of Trecode by other users.
Microfluidic Systems for Blood and Blood Cell Characterization
Authors: Kim Hojin , Zhbanov Alexander , Yang Sung
Published: December 2022

A laboratory blood test is vital for assessing a patient’s health and disease status. Advances in microfluidic technology have opened the door for on-chip blood analysis. Currently, microfluidic devices can reproduce myriad routine laboratory blood tests. Considerable progress has been made in microfluidic cytometry, blood cell separation, and characterization. Along with the usual clinical parameters, microfluidics makes it possible to determine the physical properties of blood and blood cells. We review recent advances in microfluidic systems for measuring the physical properties and biophysical characteristics of blood and blood cells. Added emphasis is placed on multifunctional platforms that combine several microfluidic technologies for effective cell characterization. The combination of hydrodynamic, optical, electromagnetic, and/or acoustic methods in a microfluidic device facilitates the precise determination of various physical properties of blood and blood cells. We analyzed the physical quantities that are measured by microfluidic devices and the parameters that are determined through these measurements. We discuss unexplored problems and present our perspectives on the long-term challenges and trends associated with the application of microfluidics in clinical laboratories. We expect the characterization of the physical properties of blood and blood cells in a microfluidic environment to be considered a standard blood test in the future.
Long-Term Seizure Outcomes and Predictors in Patients with Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumors Associated with Epilepsy
Authors: Zhang Huawei , Hu Yue , Aihemaitiniyazi Adilijiang , Li Tiemin , Zhou Jian , Guan Yuguang , Qi Xueling , Zhang Xufei , Wang Mengyang , Liu Changqing , Luan Guoming
Published: December 2022

Objective: To determine the predictors and the long-term outcomes of patients with seizures following surgery for dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNTs); Methods: Clinical data were collected from medical records of consecutive patients of the Department of Neurosurgery of Sanbo Brain Hospital of Capital Medical University with a pathological diagnosis of DNT and who underwent surgery from January 2008 to July 2021. All patients were followed up after surgery for at least one year. We estimated the cumulative rate of seizure recurrence-free and generated survival curves. A log-rank (Mantel–Cox) test and a Cox proportional hazard model were performed for univariate and multivariate analysis to analyze influential predictors; Results: 63 patients (33 males and 30 females) were included in this study. At the final follow-up, 49 patients (77.8%) were seizure-free. The cumulative rate of seizure recurrence-free was 82.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 71.8–91.3%), 79.0% (95% CI 67.8–88.6%) and 76.5% (95% CI 64.8–87.0%) at 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The mean time for seizure recurrence-free was 6.892 ± 0.501 years (95% CI 5.91–7.87). Gross total removal of the tumor and a short epilepsy duration were significant predictors of seizure freedom. Younger age of seizure onset, bilateral interictal epileptiform discharges, and MRI type 3 tumors were risk factors for poor prognosis; Conclusions: A favorable long-term seizure outcome was observed for patients with DNT after surgical resection. Predictor analysis could effectively guide the clinical work and evaluate the prognosis of patients with DNT associated with epilepsy.
A Method for Using Video Presentation to Increase Cortical Region Activity during Motor Imagery Tasks in Stroke Patients
Authors: Fujiwara Kengo , Shimoda Rikako , Shibata Masatomo , Awano Yoshinaga , Shibayama Koji , Higashi Toshio
Published: December 2022

Previous studies have reported that stroke patients have difficulty recalling the motor imagery (MI) of a task, also known as MI vividness. Research on combining MI with action observation is gaining importance as a method to improve MI vividness. We enrolled 10 right-handed stroke patients and compared MI vividness and cortical activity under different presentation methods (no inverted image, inverted image of another individual’s hand, and an inverted image of the patient’s nonparalyzed hand) using near-infrared spectroscopy. Images of the nonparalyzed upper limb were inverted to make the paralyzed upper limb appear as if it were moving. Three tasks (non inverted image, AO + MI (other hand), AO + MI (own hand)) were randomly performed on 10 stroke patients. MI vividness was significantly higher when the inverted image of the nonparalyzed upper limb was presented compared to the other conditions (p < 0.01). The activity of the cortical regions was also significantly enhanced (p < 0.01). Our study highlights the potential application of inverted images of a stroke patient’s own nonparalyzed hand in mental practice to promote the motor recovery of stroke patients. This technique achieved higher levels of MI vividness and cortical activity when performing motor tasks.
A New Explanation for the Frog-in-the-Pan Phenomenon Based on the Cognitive-Evolutionary Model of Surprise
Authors: Liang Dapeng , Liu Mengting , Fu Yang , Sun Jiayin , Wang Hongyan
Published: December 2022

The frog-in-the-pan (FIP) phenomenon suggests that investors are more sensitive to abrupt price changes than gradual price changes in the stock market. Based on the cognitive-evolutionary model of surprise and the reinforcement learning model, this paper provides a new explanation for the FIP phenomenon in that this phenomenon could be explained by the elicitation of surprise emotion. We predict that when a change substantially and abruptly occurs, the significant prediction error triggers participants’ surprise, which makes participants more sensitive to the change. To ascertain these hypotheses, we recruited 109 participants and compared participants’ learning rates and surprise responses under different contexts. We observed that participants’ learning rate soared when the prediction error was large enough to trigger surprise emotion under abruptly changed conditions and confirmed that the FIP phenomenon could be explained by the elicitation of surprise emotion. In a word, this research demonstrates the significant role of surprise emotion in the decision-making process.
Relationships between Weight Perceptions and Suicidal Behaviors in Chinese Adolescents: Results from an Ongoing School-Based Survey in Zhejiang Province
Authors: Yu Zhu , He Fan , Cai Gaofeng , Wang Meng , Fu Junfen
Published: December 2022

Background: Weight perception has been implicated in suicidal behaviors among children and adolescents, yet little is known about the relationships in China. We examined the associations of self-perceived weight status and weight misperception with suicidal behaviors among Chinese adolescents. Methods: Data used in this analysis were from the 2017 Zhejiang Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which included 17,359 middle and high school students aged 9 to 18 years. Information on perceived weight status, as well as the actual height, weight and other related traits, was extracted by a self-reported questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for suicidal behaviors associated with perceived weight status and weight misperception. Results: Overall, the mean (SD) age was 15.7 (1.6) years among the study participants. Students who perceived themselves as overweight were more likely to have increased suicidal ideation and attempts reports, with ORs of 1.22 (95% CI: 1.09–1.37) and 1.32 (1.06–1.34), compared to those who perceive themselves as having about the right weight. Overestimated weight was significantly associated with greater odds of suicidal ideation (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03–1.27) and attempts (1.35, 1.10–1.65) relative to accurate weight perception. Conclusions: Controlling for potential confounders, we found that both self-perception of overweight and overestimated perception were significantly associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among Chinese adolescents.
Characteristics of Extreme Wind Pressure on the Open Prefabricated Spatial Grid Structure of Evergrande Stadium
Authors: Chen Gang , Huang Yongqi , Wu Peng , Feng Ruoqiang , Zhou Fangyuan
Published: December 2022

Large-span open prefabricated spatial grid structures are characterized by light mass, high flexibility, low self-oscillation frequency, and low damping, resulting in wind-sensitive structures. Meanwhile, their height tends to be relatively low, located in the wind field with a large wind speed gradient and high turbulence area. Therefore, surface airflow is complex, and many flow separations, reattachment, eddy shedding, and other phenomena occur, causing damage to local areas. This paper took the Evergrande Stadium in Guiyang, China, as the research object and used the random number cyclic pre-simulation method to study its surface extreme wind pressure. Firstly, five conventional distributions (Gaussian, Weibull, three-parameter gamma, generalized extreme value, and lognormal distribution) were fitted to the wind pressure probability densities at different measurement points on the surface of the open stadium. It is found that the same distribution could not be chosen to describe the probability density distribution of wind pressure at all measurement points. Hence, based on the simulation results, the Gaussian and non-Gaussian regions of this structure were divided to determine where to apply which distribution. Additionally, the accuracy of the peak factor, improved peak factor, and modified Hermite moment model method were compared to check their applicability. Finally, the effect of roughness on the extreme wind pressure distribution on the open stadium surface was also investigated according to the highest accuracy method above. The findings of this study will provide a reference for engineers in designing large-span open stadiums for wind resistance to minimize the occurrence of wind damage.
Non-Coding RNAs in Airway Diseases: A Brief Overview of Recent Data
Authors: Albano Giusy Daniela , Gagliardo Rosalia , Montalbano Angela Marina , Profita Mirella
Published: December 2022

Inflammation of the human lung is mediated in response to different stimuli (e.g., physical, radioactive, infective, pro-allergenic, or toxic) such as cigarette smoke and environmental pollutants. These stimuli often promote an increase in different inflammatory activities in the airways, manifesting themselves as chronic diseases (e.g., allergic airway diseases, asthma chronic bronchitis/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or even lung cancer). Non-coding RNA (ncRNAs) are single-stranded RNA molecules of few nucleotides that regulate the gene expression involved in many cellular processes. ncRNA are molecules typically involved in the reduction of translation and stability of the genes of mRNAs s. They regulate many biological aspects such as cellular growth, proliferation, differentiation, regulation of cell cycle, aging, apoptosis, metabolism, and neuronal patterning, and influence a wide range of biologic processes essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. The relevance of ncRNAs in the pathogenetic mechanisms of respiratory diseases has been widely established and in the last decade many papers were published. However, once their importance is established in pathogenetic mechanisms, it becomes important to further deepen the research in this direction. In this review we describe several of most recent knowledge concerning ncRNA (overall miRNAs) expression and activities in the lung.
Hsa_circ_0015278 Regulates FLT3-ITD AML Progression via Ferroptosis-Related Genes
Authors: Jiang Jiquan , Feng Jing , Song Xiangnan , Yang Qing , Zhao Hongbo , Zhao Rui , He Xinrui , Tian Yaoyao , Wang Lianjie , Liu Yanhong
Published: December 2022

AML with the FLT3-ITD mutation seriously threatens human health. The mechanism by which circRNAs regulate the pathogenesis of FLT3-ITD mutant-type AML through ferroptosis-related genes (FerRGs) remains unclear. Differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs were identified from multiple integrated data sources. The target miRNAs and mRNAs of the circRNAs were predicted using various databases. The PPI network, ceRNA regulatory network, GO, and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. The “survival” and the “pROC” R packages were used for K-M and ROC analysis, respectively. GSEA, immune infiltration analysis, and clinical subgroup analysis were performed. Finally, circRNAs were validated by Sanger sequencing and qRT-PCR. In our study, 77 DECircs-1 and 690 DECircs-2 were identified. Subsequently, 11 co-up-regulated DECircs were obtained by intersecting DECircs-1 and DECircs-2. The target miRNAs of the circRNAs were screened by CircInteractome, circbank, and circAtlas. Utilizing TargetScan, ENCORI, and miRWalk, the target mRNAs of the miRNAs were uncovered. Ultimately, 73 FerRGs were obtained, and the ceRNA regulatory network was constructed. Furthermore, MAPK3 and CD44 were significantly associated with prognosis. qRT-PCR results confirmed that has_circ_0015278 was significantly overexpressed in FLT3-ITD mutant-type AML. In summary, we constructed the hsa_circ_0015278/miRNAs/FerRGs signaling axis, which provides new insight into the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of AML with FLT3-ITD mutation.
Gold Nanozymes: Smart Hybrids with Outstanding Applications
Authors: Jimenez-Falcao Sandra , Méndez-Arriaga Jose M. , García-Almodóvar Victoria , García-Valdivia Antonio A. , Gómez-Ruiz Santiago
Published: December 2022

Nanozymes are nanostructured artificial enzymes that have attracted great attention among researchers because of their ability to mimic relevant biological reactions carried out by their natural counterparts, but with the capability to overcome natural enzymes’ drawbacks such as low thermostability or narrow substrate scope. The promising enzyme-like properties of these systems make nanozymes excellent candidates for innovative solutions in different scientific fields such as analytical chemistry, catalysis or medicine. Thus, nanozymes with different type of activities are of special interest owing to their versatility since they can reproduce several biological reactions according to the substrates and the environmental conditions. In this context, gold-based nanozymes are a representative example of multifunctional structures that can perform a great number of enzyme-like activities. In addition, the combination of gold-based materials with structures of organic and inorganic chemical nature yields even more powerful hybrid nanozymes, which enhance their activity by providing improved features. This review will carry out a deep insight into gold-based nanozymes, revisiting not only the different type of biological enzymatic reactions that can be achieved with these kinds of systems, but also structural features of some of the most relevant hybrid gold-based nanozymes described in the literature. This literature review will also provide a representative picture of the potential of these structures to solve future technological challenges.
Enhancement of α-Ketoglutaric Acid Production by Yarrowia lipolytica Grown on Mixed Renewable Carbon Sources through Adjustment of Culture Conditions
Authors: Tomaszewska-Hetman Ludwika , Rywińska Anita , Lazar Zbigniew , Rymowicz Waldemar
Published: December 2022

α-Ketoglutaric acid (KGA) is a valuable compound with a wide range of applications, e.g., in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries. The present study aimed to enhance the efficiency of KGA production by Yarrowia lipolytica CBS146773 from renewable carbon sources. In the investigation, various factors that may potentially affect KGA biosynthesis were examined in bioreactor cultures performed on a simple medium containing glycerol (20 g/L) and fed with four portions of a substrate mixture (15 + 15 g/L of glycerol and rapeseed oil). It was found that the process may be stimulated by regulation of the medium pH and aeration, application of selected neutralizing agents, supplementation with thiamine and addition of sorbitan monolaurate, whereas presence of biotin and iron ions had no positive effect on KGA biosynthesis. Adjustment of the parameters improved the process efficiency and allowed 82.4 g/L of KGA to be obtained, corresponding to productivity of 0.57 g/L h and yield of 0.59 g/g. In addition, the production of KGA was characterized by a low level (≤6.3 g/L) of by-products, i.e., citric and pyruvic acids. The results confirmed the high potential of renewable carbon sources (glycerol + rapeseed oil) for effective KGA biosynthesis by Yarrowia lipolytica.
Optimization and Determination of Kinetic Parameters of the Synthesis of 5-Lauryl-hydroxymethylfurfural Catalyzed by Lipases
Authors: Uribe Jorge , Lienqueo María Elena , Guajardo Nadia
Published: December 2022

Hydroxymethylfurfural esters (HMF-esters) have great potential for additive development; for this reason, the goal of this work was to study the optimization of the esterification conversion of HFM and lauric acid using two lipases: the Novozym 435® biocatalyst and immobilized lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TL). For the optimization of conversion, a three-level three-factorial Box–Behnken experimental design was used. The models achieved a good fit (R2 over 90%) for reactions catalyzed with Novozym 435® and immobilized TL lipase. The best conversion, 78.4%, was achieved with immobilized TL lipase using 30 mM HMF, 16 U of biocatalytic activity, and 50 °C. The kinetic parameters without inhibition by the substrate were determined using the Michaelis–Menten mechanism, whereby VMax  for both biocatalysts reached the highest values at 50 °C, and the highest enzyme–substrate affinities (low Km) were reached at temperatures of 30 °C and 40 °C. It can be concluded that immobilized TL lipase has the potential to catalyze this reaction since, under optimal reaction conditions, an 80.6% conversion (value predicted) could be achieved.
Lessons from Using Genetically Engineered Mouse Models of MYC-Induced Lymphoma
Authors: Winkler René , Piskor Eva-Maria , Kosan Christian
Published: December 2022

Oncogenic overexpression of MYC leads to the fatal deregulation of signaling pathways, cellular metabolism, and cell growth. MYC rearrangements are found frequently among non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas enforcing MYC overexpression. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) were developed to understand MYC-induced B-cell lymphomagenesis. Here, we highlight the advantages of using Eµ-Myc transgenic mice. We thoroughly compiled the available literature to discuss common challenges when using such mouse models. Furthermore, we give an overview of pathways affected by MYC based on knowledge gained from the use of GEMMs. We identified top regulators of MYC-induced lymphomagenesis, including some candidates that are not pharmacologically targeted yet.
The Role of Gut Dysbiosis in the Pathophysiology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Authors: Anand Nikhilesh , Gorantla Vasavi Rakesh , Chidambaram Saravana Babu
Published: December 2022

Mounting evidence shows that the complex gut microbial ecosystem in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract regulates the physiology of the central nervous system (CNS) via microbiota and the gut–brain (MGB) axis. The GI microbial ecosystem communicates with the brain through the neuroendocrine, immune, and autonomic nervous systems. Recent studies have bolstered the involvement of dysfunctional MGB axis signaling in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs). Several investigations on the dynamic microbial system and genetic–environmental interactions with the gut microbiota (GM) have shown that changes in the composition, diversity and/or functions of gut microbes (termed “gut dysbiosis” (GD)) affect neuropsychiatric health by inducing alterations in the signaling pathways of the MGB axis. Interestingly, both preclinical and clinical evidence shows a positive correlation between GD and the pathogenesis and progression of NPDs. Long-term GD leads to overstimulation of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the neuroimmune system, along with altered neurotransmitter levels, resulting in dysfunctional signal transduction, inflammation, increased oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuronal death. Further studies on the MGB axis have highlighted the significance of GM in the development of brain regions specific to stress-related behaviors, including depression and anxiety, and the immune system in the early life. GD-mediated deregulation of the MGB axis imbalances host homeostasis significantly by disrupting the integrity of the intestinal and blood–brain barrier (BBB), mucus secretion, and gut immune and brain immune functions. This review collates evidence on the potential interaction between GD and NPDs from preclinical and clinical data. Additionally, we summarize the use of non-therapeutic modulators such as pro-, pre-, syn- and post-biotics, and specific diets or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which are promising targets for the management of NPDs.
Rapid Gas-Sensing Detection of Carbon Disulfide by a CdS/SnS Nanocomposite-Based Cataluminescence Sensor
Authors: Sun Bai , Shi Guoji , Tang Zhuo , Zhang Pengyu , Guo Yuxian , Zhu Shuguang , Liu Jinyun
Published: December 2022

A CdS/SnS nanocomposite was prepared using a simple hydrothermal method and used as a sensitive material for the detection of carbon disulfide (CS2) based on cataluminescence (CTL). The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that the CdS/SnS nanocomposite sensor has a high sensitivity to CS2 at a relatively low operating temperature (162 °C); the response time is about 3 s, and the recovery time is about 16 s. The modification of CdS effectively enhances the sensitivity of SnS sensors. The CTL intensity shows a good linear relationship at gas concentrations ranging from 6.75 to 168.75 ppm (R2 = 09974), and the limit of detection (LOD) of CS2 reached 0.96 ppm. In addition, the CdS/SnS sensor has excellent selectivity and good stability towards CS2. The mechanism of the sensor is discussed in detail. This research shows that CdS/SnS has great potential for the detection of CS2.