bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of In Vivo Bone Tissue Generation Using Calcium Phosphate Bone Substitutes in a Novel 3D Printed Four-Chamber Periosteal Bioreactor
Authors: Al Maruf D. , Cheng Kai , Xin Hai , Cheung Veronica , Foley Matthew , Wise Innes , Lewin Will , Froggatt Catriona , Wykes James , Parthasarathi Krishnan , Leinkram David , Howes Dale , Suchowerska Natalka , McKenzie David , Gupta Ruta , Crook Jeremy , Clark Jonathan
Published: October 2023

Autologous bone replacement remains the preferred treatment for segmental defects of the mandible; however, it cannot replicate complex facial geometry and causes donor site morbidity. Bone tissue engineering has the potential to overcome these limitations. Various commercially available calcium phosphate-based bone substitutes (Novabone®, BioOss®, and Zengro®) are commonly used in dentistry for small bone defects around teeth and implants. However, their role in ectopic bone formation, which can later be applied as vascularized graft in a bone defect, is yet to be explored. Here, we compare the above-mentioned bone substitutes with autologous bone with the aim of selecting one for future studies of segmental mandibular repair. Six female sheep, aged 7–8 years, were implanted with 40 mm long four-chambered polyether ether ketone (PEEK) bioreactors prepared using additive manufacturing followed by plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) to improve hydrophilicity and bioactivity. Each bioreactor was wrapped with vascularized scapular periosteum and the chambers were filled with autologous bone graft, Novabone®, BioOss®, and Zengro®, respectively. The bioreactors were implanted within a subscapular muscle pocket for either 8 weeks (two sheep), 10 weeks (two sheep), or 12 weeks (two sheep), after which they were removed and assessed by microCT and routine histology. Moderate bone formation was observed in autologous bone grafts, while low bone formation was observed in the BioOss® and Zengro® chambers. No bone formation was observed in the Novabone® chambers. Although the BioOss® and Zengro® chambers contained relatively small amounts of bone, endochondral ossification and retained hydroxyapatite suggest their potential in new bone formation in an ectopic site if a consistent supply of progenitor cells and/or growth factors can be ensured over a longer duration.
Biocompatibility and Transplantation Efficacy of the C-Clear Artificial Cornea in a Rabbit Chemical Burn Model
Authors: Chung Ho-Seok , Nam Sanghyu , Lee Ko-Eun , Jeong Do-Sun , Oh Seheon , Sunwoo Jeong-Hye , Lee Hun , Kim Jae-Yong , Tchah Hungwon
Published: October 2023

We investigated the bioavailability and stability of a C-Clear artificial cornea in a rabbit chemical burn model. Thirty-six rabbits were divided into a control group (n = 16) and a chemical burn group that used NaOH solution (n = 20). After lamellar dissection, the central posterior lamella was excised using a 3 mm diameter trephine, and an artificial cornea was transplanted into the lamellar pocket. After 2 weeks, the central anterior lamella was excised using a 3 mm diameter trephine to secure a clean visual axis. We examined the anterior segment of the eyes weekly for 12 weeks after transplantation. Successful subjects whose artificial corneas were maintained stably for 12 weeks were euthanized and underwent histologic examinations. Artificial corneas remained stable for up to 12 weeks in 62.5 and 50% of rabbits in the control and chemical burn groups, respectively. Two rabbits in the chemical burn group showed the formation of a retroprosthetic membrane, and one rabbit with visual axis blockage underwent membrane removal using a Nd:YAG laser. In histologic examinations, adhesion between artificial cornea and peripheral corneal stoma was observed. In conclusion, we confirmed structural stability and biocompatibility of the C-Clear artificial cornea for up to 12 weeks after implantation in control and chemical burn groups.
Essential Trace Elements Status in Portuguese Pregnant Women and Their Association with Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: A Prospective Study from the IoMum Cohort
Authors: Bracchi Isabella , Guimarães Juliana , Rodrigues Catarina , Azevedo Rui , Coelho Cláudia Matta , Pinheiro Cátia , Morais Juliana , Barreiros-Mota Inês , Fernandes Virgínia Cruz , Delerue-Matos Cristina , Pinto Edgar , Moreira-Rosário André , de Azevedo Luís Filipe Ribeiro , Dias Cláudia Camila , Lima Jorge , Sapinho Inês , Ramalho Carla , Calhau Conceição , Leite João Costa , Almeida Agostinho , Pestana Diogo , Keating Elisa
Published: October 2023

Cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn) are essential trace elements (ETEs) and important cofactors for intermediary metabolism or redox balance. These ETEs are crucial during pregnancy, their role on specific pregnancy outcomes is largely unknown. This prospective study (#NCT04010708) aimed to assess urinary levels of these ETEs in pregnancy and to evaluate their association with pregnancy outcomes. First trimester pregnant women of Porto and Lisbon provided a random spot urine sample, and sociodemographic and lifestyle data. Clinical data were obtained from clinical records. Urinary ETEs were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A total of 635 mother:child pairs were included. Having urinary Zn levels above the 50th percentile (P50) was an independent risk factor for pre-eclampsia (PE) (aOR [95% CI]: 5.350 [1.044–27.423], p = 0.044). Urinary Zn levels above the P50 decreased the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) birth head circumference (aOR [95% CI]: 0.315 [0.113–0.883], p = 0.028), but it increased the risk SGA length (aOR [95% CI]: 2.531 [1.057–6.062], p = 0.037). This study may provide valuable information for public health policies related to prenatal nutrition, while informing future efforts to de-fine urinary reference intervals for ETEs in pregnant women.
Unraveling the Thread of Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Translational Cognitive Perspective
Authors: Papageorgiou Georgios , Kasselimis Dimitrios , Laskaris Nikolaos , Potagas Constantin
Published: October 2023

Translational neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field that aims to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical practice. Regarding aphasia rehabilitation, there are still several unresolved issues related to the neural mechanisms that optimize language treatment. Although there are studies providing indications toward a translational approach to the remediation of acquired language disorders, the incorporation of fundamental neuroplasticity principles into this field is still in progress. From that aspect, in this narrative review, we discuss some key neuroplasticity principles, which have been elucidated through animal studies and which could eventually be applied in the context of aphasia treatment. This translational approach could be further strengthened by the implementation of intervention strategies that incorporate the idea that language is supported by domain-general mechanisms, which highlights the impact of non-linguistic factors in post-stroke language recovery. Here, we highlight that translational research in aphasia has the potential to advance our knowledge of brain–language relationships. We further argue that advances in this field could lead to improvement in the remediation of acquired language disturbances by remodeling the rationale of aphasia–therapy approaches. Arguably, the complex anatomy and phenomenology of aphasia dictate the need for a multidisciplinary approach with one of its main pillars being translational research.
Bio-Inspired Proprioceptive Touch of a Soft Finger with Inner-Finger Kinesthetic Perception
Authors: Liu Xiaobo , Han Xudong , Guo Ning , Wan Fang , Song Chaoyang
Published: October 2023

In-hand object pose estimation is challenging for humans and robots due to occlusion caused by the hand and object. This paper proposes a soft finger that integrates inner vision with kinesthetic sensing to estimate object pose inspired by human fingers. The soft finger has a flexible skeleton and skin that adapts to different objects, and the skeleton deformations during interaction provide contact information obtained by the image from the inner camera. The proposed framework is an end-to-end method that uses raw images from soft fingers to estimate in-hand object pose. It consists of an encoder for kinesthetic information processing and an object pose and category estimator. The framework was tested on seven objects, achieving an impressive error of 2.02 mm and 11.34 degrees for pose error and 99.05% for classification.
Suppressing a Blocked Balance Recovery Step: A Novel Method to Assess an Inhibitory Postural Response
Authors: Bolton David A. E. , Baggett Charlie C. , Mitton Chase A. , Harper Sara A. , Richardson James K.
Published: October 2023

Stepping to recover balance is an important way we avoid falling. However, when faced with obstacles in the step path, we must adapt such reactions. Physical obstructions are typically detected through vision, which then cues step modification. The present study describes a novel method to assess visually prompted step inhibition in a reactive balance context. In our task, participants recovered balance by quickly stepping after being released from a supported forward lean. On rare trials, however, an obstacle blocked the stepping path. The timing of vision relative to postural perturbation was controlled using occlusion goggles to regulate task difficulty. Furthermore, we explored step suppression in our balance task related to inhibitory capacity measured at the hand using a clinically feasible handheld device (ReacStick). Our results showed that ReacStick and step outcomes were significantly correlated in terms of successful inhibition (r = 0.57) and overall reaction accuracy (r = 0.76). This study presents a novel method for assessing rapid inhibition in a dynamic postural context, a capacity that appears to be a necessary prerequisite to a subsequent adaptive strategy. Moreover, this capacity is significantly related to ReacStick performance, suggesting a potential clinical translation.
The Role of Cognition in Divergent Thinking: Implications for Successful Aging
Authors: Colautti Laura , Borsa Virginia Maria , Fusi Giulia , Crepaldi Maura , Palmiero Massimiliano , Garau Francesca , Bonfiglio Natale Salvatore , Giannì Jessica , Rusconi Maria Luisa , Penna Maria Pietronilla , Rozzini Luca , Antonietti Alessandro
Published: October 2023

Promoting active and successful aging has become crucial to improve quality of life in later adulthood and reduce the impact of cognitive decline. Increasing evidence suggested that the ability to think creatively (e.g., via divergent thinking), similar to cognitive reserve, could represent a beneficial factor against the negative effects of aging. However, there is still little evidence investigating the relationships between divergent thinking, cognitive functions, and cognitive reserve in late adulthood. The present study explored these relationships in a sample of 98 individuals ranging from 61 to 88 years old (mean age: 72.44 ± 6.35). Results showed that visual, but not verbal, divergent thinking was affected by aging. Interestingly, visual divergent thinking performance was predicted by both the cognitive component of crystallized intelligence and cognitive reserve. Only the crystallized component of intelligence was found to mediate the aging effect on visual divergent thinking performance. These results suggest that in later adulthood a potential shift strategy to prior knowledge and semantic components over executive and control components of cognition could underlie a preserved ability to think divergently and, plausibly, creatively. Limitations of the study and implications for successful aging are discussed.
Adaptation, Academic Performance and Support: Students with and without Disabilities and Future Considerations for Counselling Psychology
Authors: Parpottas Panagiotis , Christofi Yianna , Ioannou Ioanna
Published: October 2023

The transition to university is a process that presents young adults with several challenges in adaptation, especially students with disabilities. The current study investigated the differences in adaptation and academic performance between students with and without disabilities and further examined these differences among students with disabilities. Additionally, we explored the role of academic support for students with disabilities’ adaptation and academic performance, as well as their perceptions of a proposed specialised package of counselling psychology interventions. The sample consisted of 127 students with disabilities and 127 without disabilities, aged 18–24 years. Results revealed that students with disabilities reported a lower GPA and adaptation than students without disabilities. Additionally, differences among students with disabilities were observed only in terms of GPA, according to their disability type, existence of comorbidity and type of exam accommodations. Interestingly, no differences were found in GPA or adaptation between students with disabilities who utilised psychological therapy and those who did not. Finally, adaptation scores, but not GPA, were higher for students with disabilities who were positive in receiving a specialised package of counselling psychology interventions. The findings are discussed in relation to the existing literature and future considerations of counselling psychology’s role in support of students with disabilities.
The Impact of Physical Activity on Depressive Symptoms among Urban and Rural Older Adults: Empirical Study Based on the 2018 CHARLS Database
Authors: Jin Xueyu , Liu Huasen , Niyomsilp Eksiri
Published: October 2023

Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2018, we employed the propensity score matching method to examine the effect of physical activity on depressive symptoms among older adults across rural and urban areas. The study sample consisted of 5055 participants, with urban and rural populations representing 31.3% and 68.7%, respectively. This study found that rural older adult individuals exhibited a greater incidence of depressive symptoms and lower physical activity levels when compared to their urban counterparts. Engagement in high-intensity physical activity was identified as an effective method for mitigating depressive symptoms among older adults. However, the moderating effects of physical activity were only observed among urban older adult individuals. Our findings revealed a cross-sectional correlation between physical activity and depressive symptoms among older adult Chinese individuals, and this link differed between urban and rural areas. Although high-intensity physical activity has a positive effect on depressive symptoms among older adults, physical activity interventions should sufficiently consider the variations in older adults’ living conditions and environments due to urban–rural differences so that interventions can be customized to improve the mental health of older adults.
Simultaneous 18F-FDG PET/MRI Radiomics and Machine Learning Analysis of the Primary Breast Tumor for the Preoperative Prediction of Axillary Lymph Node Status in Breast Cancer
Authors: Romeo Valeria , Kapetas Panagiotis , Clauser Paola , Rasul Sazan , Cuocolo Renato , Caruso Martina , Helbich Thomas H. , Baltzer Pascal A. T. , Pinker Katja
Published: October 2023

In this prospective study, 117 female patients (mean age = 53 years) with 127 histologically proven breast cancer lesions (lymph node (LN) positive = 85, LN negative = 42) underwent simultaneous 18F-FDG PET/MRI of the breast. Quantitative parameters were calculated from dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging (tumor Mean Transit Time, Volume Distribution, Plasma Flow), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) (tumor ADCmean), and PET (tumor SUVmax, mean and minimum, SUVmean of ipsilateral breast parenchyma). Manual whole-lesion segmentation was also performed on DCE, T2-weighted, DWI, and PET images, and radiomic features were extracted. The dataset was divided into a training (70%) and a test set (30%). Multi-step feature selection was performed, and a support vector machine classifier was trained and tested for predicting axillary LN status. 13 radiomic features from DCE, DWI, T2-weighted, and PET images were selected for model building. The classifier obtained an accuracy of 79.8 (AUC = 0.798) in the training set and 78.6% (AUC = 0.839), with sensitivity and specificity of 67.9% and 100%, respectively, in the test set. A machine learning-based radiomics model comprising 18F-FDG PET/MRI radiomic features extracted from the primary breast cancer lesions allows high accuracy in non-invasive identification of axillary LN metastasis.
A Combination of Alectinib and DNA-Demethylating Agents Synergistically Inhibits Anaplastic-Lymphoma-Kinase-Positive Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma Cell Proliferation
Authors: Kawasoe Kazunori , Watanabe Tatsuro , Yoshida-Sakai Nao , Yamamoto Yuta , Kurahashi Yuki , Kidoguchi Keisuke , Ureshino Hiroshi , Kamachi Kazuharu , Fukuda-Kurahashi Yuki , Kimura Shinya
Published: October 2023

The recent evolution of molecular targeted therapy has improved clinical outcomes in several human malignancies. The translocation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) was originally identified in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) and subsequently in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Since ALK fusion gene products act as a driver of carcinogenesis in both ALCL and NSCLC, several ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed. Crizotinib and alectinib are first- and second-generation ALK TKIs, respectively, approved for the treatment of ALK-positive ALCL (ALK+ ALCL) and ALK+ NSCLC. Although most ALK+ NSCLC patients respond to crizotinib and alectinib, they generally relapse after several years of treatment. We previously found that DNA-demethylating agents enhanced the efficacy of ABL TKIs in chronic myeloid leukemia cells. Moreover, aberrant DNA methylation has also been observed in ALCL cells. Thus, to improve the clinical outcomes of ALK+ ALCL therapy, we investigated the synergistic efficacy of the combination of alectinib and the DNA-demethylating agent azacytidine, decitabine, or OR-2100 (an orally bioavailable decitabine derivative). As expected, the combination of alectinib and DNA-demethylating agents synergistically suppressed ALK+ ALCL cell proliferation, concomitant with DNA hypomethylation and a reduction in STAT3 (a downstream target of ALK fusion proteins) phosphorylation. The combination of alectinib and OR-2100 markedly altered gene expression in ALCL cells, including that of genes implicated in apoptotic signaling, which possibly contributed to the synergistic anti-ALCL effects of this drug combination. Therefore, alectinib and OR-2100 combination therapy has the potential to improve the outcomes of patients with ALK+ ALCL.
Unraveling Resistance to Immunotherapy in MSI-High Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Heregger Ronald , Huemer Florian , Steiner Markus , Gonzalez-Martinez Alejandra , Greil Richard , Weiss Lukas
Published: October 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Incidences of early CRC cases are increasing annually in high-income countries, necessitating effective treatment strategies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown significant clinical efficacy in various cancers, including CRC. However, their effectiveness in CRC is limited to patients with mismatch-repair-deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) disease, which accounts for about 15% of all localized CRC cases and only 3% to 5% of metastatic CRC cases. However, the varied response among patients, with some showing resistance or primary tumor progression, highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Elements involved in shaping the response to ICIs, such as tumor microenvironment, immune cells, genetic changes, and the influence of gut microbiota, are not fully understood thus far. This review aims to explore potential resistance or immune-evasion mechanisms to ICIs in dMMR/MSI-H CRC and the cell types involved, as well as possible pitfalls in the diagnosis of this particular subtype.
Computed Tomography-Based Quantitative Texture Analysis and Gut Microbial Community Signatures Predict Survival in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Dora David , Weiss Glen J. , Megyesfalvi Zsolt , Gállfy Gabriella , Dulka Edit , Kerpel-Fronius Anna , Berta Judit , Moldvay Judit , Dome Balazs , Lohinai Zoltan
Published: October 2023

This study aims to combine computed tomography (CT)-based texture analysis (QTA) and a microbiome-based biomarker signature to predict the overall survival (OS) of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients by analyzing their CT scans (n = 129) and fecal microbiome (n = 58). One hundred and five continuous CT parameters were obtained, where principal component analysis (PCA) identified seven major components that explained 80% of the data variation. Shotgun metagenomics (MG) and ITS analysis were performed to reveal the abundance of bacterial and fungal species. The relative abundance of Bacteroides dorei and Parabacteroides distasonis was associated with long OS (>6 mo), whereas the bacteria Clostridium perfringens and Enterococcus faecium and the fungal taxa Cortinarius davemallochii, Helotiales, Chaetosphaeriales, and Tremellomycetes were associated with short OS (≤6 mo). Hymenoscyphus immutabilis and Clavulinopsis fusiformis were more abundant in patients with high (≥50%) PD-L1-expressing tumors, whereas Thelephoraceae and Lachnospiraceae bacterium were enriched in patients with ICI-related toxicities. An artificial intelligence (AI) approach based on extreme gradient boosting evaluated the associations between the outcomes and various clinicopathological parameters. AI identified MG signatures for patients with a favorable ICI response and high PD-L1 expression, with 84% and 79% accuracy, respectively. The combination of QTA parameters and MG had a positive predictive value of 90% for both therapeutic response and OS. According to our hypothesis, the QTA parameters and gut microbiome signatures can predict OS, the response to therapy, the PD-L1 expression, and toxicity in NSCLC patients treated with ICI, and a machine learning approach can combine these variables to create a reliable predictive model, as we suggest in this research.
Breast Cancer and Bone Mineral Density in a U.S. Cohort of Middle-Aged Women: Associations with Phosphate Toxicity
Authors: Brown Ronald B. , Bigelow Philip , Dubin Joel A.
Published: October 2023

Breast cancer is associated with phosphate toxicity, the toxic effect from dysregulated phosphate metabolism that can stimulate tumorigenesis. Phosphate toxicity and dysregulated phosphate metabolism are also associated with bone mineral abnormalities, including excessive bone mineral loss and deposition. Based on shared associations with dysregulated phosphate metabolism and phosphate toxicity, a hypothesis proposed in the present mixed methods–grounded theory study posits that middle-aged women with incidence of breast cancer had a greater magnitude of changes in bone mineral density over time compared with women who remained cancer-free. To test this hypothesis, a mixed-effects model was used to analyze the associations of breast cancer incidence with spinal bone mineral density changes in the U.S. Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Compared with women in the cohort who remained cancer-free, women who self-reported breast cancer had higher bone mineral density at baseline, but had more rapid losses in bone mineral density during follow-up visits. These findings agree with the hypothesis that a greater magnitude of changes in bone mineral density over time is associated with breast cancer in a cohort of middle-aged women. The findings also have implications for studies investigating dysregulated phosphate metabolism and phosphate toxicity as causative factors of bone metastasis in metastatic breast cancer. Additionally, the authors previously found increased breast cancer risk associated with high dietary phosphate intake in the same cohort of middle-aged women, and more studies should investigate a low-phosphorus diet to reduce bone mineral abnormalities and tumorigenesis in breast cancer patients.
Triage Strategies for Non-16/Non-18 HPV-Positive Women in Primary HPV-Based Cervical Cancer Screening: p16/Ki67 Dual Stain vs. Cytology
Authors: Mazurec Karolina , Trzeszcz Martyna , Mazurec Maciej , Streb Joanna , Halon Agnieszka , Jach Robert
Published: October 2023

Background: In the context of primary HPV cervical cancer screening, the identification of minor screening abnormalities necessitates triage tests to optimize management and mitigate overtreatment. Currently, reflex cytology and reflex p16/Ki67 dual-stain (DS) are under scrutiny for their applicability in primary HPV-based screening. However, there remains a dearth of comprehensive data for comparing their performance. Methods: Among 30,066 results from liquid-based cervical cancer screening tests, a cohort of 332 cases was meticulously selected based on available high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) test results, limited genotyping for HPV 16 and 18, liquid-based cytology, DS, and histology outcomes from standardized colposcopy with biopsy. For cases positive for 12 other high-risk HPV genotypes, three retrospective triage approaches were analyzed. We computed the positive predictive value (PPV) for the detection of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse (HSIL+). Results: Both triage models employing DS (reflex cytology followed by DS and reflex DS alone in all cases) exhibited significantly higher PPV for HSIL+ compared to the strategy with reflex cytology alone (35.9%/33.3% vs. 18.8%; p < 0.0001). Additionally, these DS-based models showed higher negative predictive values (NPV) (100%/96.2% vs. 69.2%; p = 0.0024/0.0079). In the DS-inclusive models, fewer colposcopies were necessitated (103/102 vs. 154), and fewer cases of HSIL+ were overlooked (0/3 vs. 8). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that p16/Ki67 dual-stain, either as a standalone or combined triage test, holds promise for the effective detection of HSIL+ in patients with minor screening abnormalities in primary HPV-based cervical cancer screening.
Oocyte-Specific Deletion of Slc6a9 Encoding the GLYT1 Glycine Transporter Eliminates Glycine Transport in Mouse Preimplantation Embryos and Their Ability to Counter Hypertonic Stress
Authors: Tscherner Allison K. , McClatchie Taylor , Kaboba Gracia , Boison Detlev , Baltz Jay M.
Published: October 2023

Early preimplantation mouse embryos are sensitive to increased osmolarity, which can block their development. To overcome this, they accumulate organic osmolytes to maintain cell volume. The main organic osmolyte used by early mouse embryos is glycine. Glycine is transported during the mature egg and 1-cell to 4-cell embryo stages by a transporter identified as GLYT1, encoded by the Slc6a9 gene. Here, we have produced an oocyte-specific knockout of Slc6a9 by crossing mice that have a segment of the gene flanked by LoxP elements with transgenic mice expressing iCre driven by the oocyte-specific Gdf9 promoter. Slc6a9 null oocytes failed to develop glycine transport activity during meiotic maturation. However, females with these oocytes were fertile. When enclosed in their cumulus-oocyte complex, Slc6a9 null oocytes could accumulate glycine via GLYT1 transport in their coupled cumulus cells, which may support female fertility in vivo. In vitro, embryos derived from Slc6a9 null oocytes displayed a clear phenotype. While glycine rescued complete preimplantation development of wild type embryos from increased osmolarity, embryos derived from null oocytes failed to develop past the 2-cell stage even with glycine. Thus, Slc6a9 is required for glycine transport and protection against increased osmolarity in mouse eggs and early embryos.
Differential Transcriptomic Signatures of Small Airway Cell Cultures Derived from IPF and COVID-19-Induced Exacerbation of Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Uhl Katie , Paithankar Shreya , Leshchiner Dmitry , Jager Tara E. , Abdelgied Mohamed , Dixit Bhavna , Marashdeh Raya , Luo-Li Dewen , Tripp Kaylie , Peraino Angela M. , Tamae Kakazu Maximiliano , Lawson Cameron , Chesla Dave W. , Luo-Li Ningzhi , Murphy Edward T. , Prokop Jeremy , Chen Bin , Girgis Reda E. , Li Xiaopeng
Published: October 2023

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a pathological condition wherein lung injury precipitates the deposition of scar tissue, ultimately leading to a decline in pulmonary function. Existing research indicates a notable exacerbation in the clinical prognosis of IPF patients following infection with COVID-19. This investigation employed bulk RNA-sequencing methodologies to describe the transcriptomic profiles of small airway cell cultures derived from IPF and post-COVID fibrosis patients. Differential gene expression analysis unveiled heightened activation of pathways associated with microtubule assembly and interferon signaling in IPF cell cultures. Conversely, post-COVID fibrosis cell cultures exhibited distinctive characteristics, including the upregulation of pathways linked to extracellular matrix remodeling, immune system response, and TGF-β1 signaling. Notably, BMP signaling levels were elevated in cell cultures derived from IPF patients compared to non-IPF control and post-COVID fibrosis samples. These findings underscore the molecular distinctions between IPF and post-COVID fibrosis, particularly in the context of signaling pathways associated with each condition. A better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms holds the promise of identifying potential therapeutic targets for future interventions in these diseases.
Preparation and Application of Green Sustainable Solvent Cyrene
Authors: Wang Yadong , Dai Mingfei , Luo Gang , Fan Jiajun , Clark James H. , Zhang Shicheng
Published: October 2023

The bio-based solvent dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene) is a green and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based dipolar aprotic solvents. Cyrene can be prepared from cellulose in a simple two-step process and can be produced in a variety of yields. Cyrene is compatible with a large number of reactions in the chemical industry and can be applied in organic chemistry, biocatalysis, materials chemistry, graphene and lignin processing, etc. It is also green, non-mutagenic and non-toxic, which makes it very promising for applications. In this paper, we have also screened all articles related to Cyrene on the Web of Science and visualised them through Cite Space.
Solid-Phase Extraction Followed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Revealing the Effects of the Application of Bentonite, Tannins, and Their Combination during Fermentation in the Production of White Wine
Authors: Lukić Igor , Horvat Ivana , Radeka Sanja , Vrhovsek Urska
Published: October 2023

To investigate the effects of the application of bentonite, tannins, and their combination in alcoholic fermentation, Malvazija istarska (Vitis vinifera L.) white grape must was treated with 95 g/L of bentonite, 25 g/L of a hydrolysable tannin preparation, while the third treatment received the aforementioned doses of both agents. Control grape must was fermented without bentonite and exogenous tannins. All of the produced wines were additionally fined after fermentation with doses of bentonite needed to achieve complete protein stability. Wines were analyzed both after fermentation and after additional bentonite fining. Standard physicochemical parameters were determined by the OIV methods, and phenols were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD), while the concentrations of free and bound volatile aroma compounds were obtained after solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Bentonite and tannins in fermentation generally reduced the total dose of bentonite needed for complete stabilization. Treatments with bentonite slightly decreased the concentration of total dry extract, while tannins preserved total acidity. The negative effect of bentonite on flavonoids was more severe. Tannins in fermentation preserved more hydroxycinnamoyltartaric acids with respect to control wine, and this effect was additionally enhanced by bentonite. Volatile and bound aroma composition was affected by all the treatments, while the addition of tannins resulted in higher concentrations of several important odoriferous esters, such as ethyl hexanoate, ethyl decanoate, and hexyl acetate. Additional fining with bentonite to complete protein stabilization annulled some of the positive effects observed after fermentation.
Electrochemical vs. Optical Biosensors for Point-of-Care Applications: A Critical Review
Authors: Pour Seyedeh Rojin Shariati , Calabria Donato , Emamiamin Afsaneh , Lazzarini Elisa , Pace Andrea , Guardigli Massimo , Zangheri Martina , Mirasoli Mara
Published: October 2023

Analytical chemistry applied to medical and diagnostic analysis has recently focused on the development of cost-effective biosensors able to monitor the health status or to assess the level of specific biomarkers that can be indicative of several diseases. The improvement of technologies relating to the possibility of the non-invasive sampling of biological fluids, as well as sensors for the detection of analytical signals and the computational capabilities of the systems routinely employed in everyday life (e.g., smartphones, computers, etc.), makes the complete integration of self-standing analytical devices more accessible. This review aims to discuss the biosensors that have been proposed in the last five years focusing on two principal detecting approaches, optical and electrochemical, which have been employed for quantifying different kinds of target analytes reaching detection limits below the clinical sample levels required. These detection principles applied to point-of-care (POC) devices have been extensively reported in literature, and even the limited examples found on the market are based on these strategies. This work will show the latest innovations considering the integration of optical and electrochemical detection with the most commonly reported analytical platforms for POC applications such as paper-based or wearable and implantable devices.
Paint Film Formation Characteristics on Conical Surfaces for Electrostatic Air Spray Painting
Authors: Zhang Shuzhen , Jin Jiongde , Wu Shijie , Jia Lun , Ma Xujie
Published: October 2023

When a curved target surface is coated in an electrostatic spray-painting process, the paint film pattern on curved targets will deform, and the thickness will change compared with the planar target due to the curvature characteristics of the target, the inhomogeneous electric field, and the flow field. Therefore, directly using the planar deposition distribution for painting the trajectory planning of curved surfaces causes large errors and low paint transfer efficiency. A study investigating the curved surface paint film thickness distribution characteristics is presented in this research to understand the relations among the target surface curvature, the electrostatic field, and the flow field distribution. Spray-painting process simulations were performed for conical surfaces of different curvatures. Moreover, the paint particle’ trajectories, electric potential, and film deposition distribution were computed using ANSYS Fluent. The paint transfer efficiencies of these targets were computed. The results show that when the generatrix curvature of the conical surface increases gradually, the electric field intensity near the wall increases, which enhances the deposition of charged droplets on the wall. Moreover, the airflow field velocity increases as the curvature increases, which leads to a large diffusions of the spray flow field, so the paint thickness decreases, and the transfer efficiency is low.
The SARS-CoV-2 Virus Detection with the Help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Monitoring the Disease Using Fractal Analysis
Authors: Nichita Mihai-Virgil , Paun Maria-Alexandra , Paun Vladimir-Alexandru , Paun Viorel-Puiu
Published: October 2023

This paper introduces an AI model designed for the diagnosis and monitoring of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The present artificial intelligence (AI) model founded on the machine learning concept was created for the identification/recognition, keeping under observation, and prediction of a patient’s clinical evaluation infected with the CoV-2 virus. The deep learning (DL)-initiated process (an AI subset) is punctually prepared to identify patterns and provide automated information to healthcare professionals. The AI algorithm is based on the fractal analysis of CT chest images, which is a practical guide to detecting the virus and establishing the degree of lung infection. CT pulmonary images, delivered by a free public source, were utilized for developing correct AI algorithms with the aim of COVID-19 virus observation/recognition, having access to coherent medical data, or not. The box-counting procedure was used with a predilection to determine the fractal parameters, the value of the fractal dimension, and the value of lacunarity. In the case of a confirmation, the analysed image is used as input data for a program responsible for measuring the degree of health impairment/damage using fractal analysis. The support of image scans with computer tomography assistance is solely the commencement part of a correctly established diagnostic. A profiled software framework has been used to perceive all the details collected. With the trained AI model, a maximum accuracy of 98.1% was obtained. This advanced procedure presents an important potential in the progress of an intricate medical solution to pulmonary disease evaluation.
Multifunctional Biological Properties and Topical Film Forming Spray Base on Auricularia polytricha as a Natural Polysaccharide Containing Brown Agaricus bisporus Extract for Skin Hydration
Authors: Nitthikan Nichcha , Leelapornpisid Pimporn , Naksuriya Ornchuma , Intasai Nutjeera , Kiattisin Kanokwan
Published: October 2023

Mushrooms are edible fungi containing valuable nutrients. They provide attractive bio-active properties, which have confirmed anti-oxidants, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties. Mushrooms possess abundant natural polymers affecting skin hydration and acting as moisturizers supporting skin barrier function. In this study, cloud ear mushroom (Auricularia polytricha) water extract (CW) was produced as a natural polymer to evaluate a new film-forming spray (FFS) containing CW to increase skin hydration and protect transepidermal water loss. CW contained polysaccharides as 748.2 ± 0.02 mg glucose/g extract. CW significantly inhibited the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α and enhanced skin hydration by increasing aquaporin-3 (AQP3) and filaggrin (FLG) in HaCaT cells. The FFS was formulated using CW, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, and glycerin. The selected formulation contained brown Agaricus bisporus (BE-FFS) evaluated physical appearance, spray angle, spray pattern, and in vitro skin permeation. The BE-FFS has a transparent thin film with suitable occlusive properties, drying time, and physical appearance. Afterward, in vitro skin permeation and human hydration property studies presented the long-lasting effects and provided safety and hydration potential after 4 weeks of use. Overall, all results indicate that the BE-FFS is a natural film-forming spray for skin hydration improvement.
Feasibility of Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Vein Puncture under Valsalva Maneuver for Diagnostic and Cardiovascular Interventional Purposes: Pacemaker and Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation
Authors: Sassone Biagio , Bertagnin Enrico , Virzì Santo , Simeti Giuseppe , Tolomeo Paolo
Published: October 2023

Although ultrasound-guided axillary vein access (USGAVA) has proven to be a highly effective and safe method for cardiac electronic implantable device (CIED) lead placement, the collapsibility of the axillary vein (AV) during tidal breathing can lead to narrowing or complete collapse, posing a challenge for successful vein puncture and cannulation. We investigated the potential of the Valsalva maneuver (Vm) as a facilitating technique for USGAVA in this context. Out of 148 patients undergoing CIED implantation via USGAVA, 41 were asked to perform the Vm, because they were considered unsuitable for venipuncture due to a narrower AV diameter, as assessed by ultrasound (2.7 ± 1.7 mm vs. 9.1 ± 3.3 mm, p < 0.0001). Among them, 37 patients were able to perform the Vm correctly. Overall, the Vm resulted in an average increase in the AV diameter of 4.9 ± 3.4 mm (p < 0.001). USGAVA performed during the Vm was successful in 30 patients (81%), and no Vm-related complications were observed during the 30-day follow-up. In patients with unsuccessful USGAVA, the Vm resulted in a notably smaller increase in AV diameter (0.5 ± 0.3 mm vs. 6.0 ± 2.8 mm, p < 0.0001) compared to patients who achieved successful USGAVA, while performing the Vm. Therefore, the Vm is a feasible maneuver to enhance AV diameter and the success rate of USGAVA in most patients undergoing CIED implantation while maintaining safety.
Dynamic Semi-Supervised Federated Learning Fault Diagnosis Method Based on an Attention Mechanism
Authors: Liu Shun , Zhou Funa , Tang Shanjie , Hu Xiong , Wang Chaoge , Wang Tianzhen
Published: October 2023

In cases where a client suffers from completely unlabeled data, unsupervised learning has difficulty achieving an accurate fault diagnosis. Semi-supervised federated learning with the ability for interaction between a labeled client and an unlabeled client has been developed to overcome this difficulty. However, the existing semi-supervised federated learning methods may lead to a negative transfer problem since they fail to filter out unreliable model information from the unlabeled client. Therefore, in this study, a dynamic semi-supervised federated learning fault diagnosis method with an attention mechanism (SSFL-ATT) is proposed to prevent the federation model from experiencing negative transfer. A federation strategy driven by an attention mechanism was designed to filter out the unreliable information hidden in the local model. SSFL-ATT can ensure the federation model’s performance as well as render the unlabeled client capable of fault classification. In cases where there is an unlabeled client, compared to the existing semi-supervised federated learning methods, SSFL-ATT can achieve increments of 9.06% and 12.53% in fault diagnosis accuracy when datasets provided by Case Western Reserve University and Shanghai Maritime University, respectively, are used for verification.
Pedagogical Imagination in Mathematics Teacher Education
Authors: Skovsmose Ole , Lima Priscila , Penteado Miriam Godoy
Published: October 2023

After providing a brief summary of what has already been said about pedagogical imagination, data are presented showing how prospective mathematics teachers can become engaged in such imaginations. With reference to this data, the notion of pedagogical imagination is explored further by relating it to dialogue, social justice, mathematics, hope, and sociological imagination. To illustrate these relationships, different episodes from the data are highlighted. Finally, the central role that pedagogical imagination can play in mathematics teacher education is discussed.
A Methodology and Open-Source Tools to Implement Convolutional Neural Networks Quantized with TensorFlow Lite on FPGAs
Authors: Parra Dorfell , Escobar Sanabria David , Camargo Carlos
Published: October 2023

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are used for classification, as they can extract complex features from input data. The training and inference of these networks typically require platforms with CPUs and GPUs. To execute the forward propagation of neural networks in low-power devices with limited resources, TensorFlow introduced TFLite. This library enables the inference process on microcontrollers by quantizing the network parameters and utilizing integer arithmetic. A limitation of TFLite is that it does not support CNNs to perform inference on FPGAs, a critical need for embedded applications that require parallelism. Here, we present a methodology and open-source tools for implementing CNNs quantized with TFLite on FPGAs. We developed a customizable accelerator for AXI-Lite-based systems on chips (SoCs), and we tested it on a Digilent Zybo-Z7 board featuring the XC7Z020 FPGA and an ARM processor at 667 MHz. Moreover, we evaluated this approach by employing CNNs trained to identify handwritten characters using the MNIST dataset and facial expressions with the JAFFE database. We validated the accelerator results with TFLite running on a laptop with an AMD 16-thread CPU running at 4.2 GHz and 16 GB RAM. The accelerator’s power consumption was 11× lower than the laptop while keeping a reasonable execution time.
Design Techniques for L-C-L T-Type Wideband CMOS Phase Shifter with Suppressed Phase Error
Authors: Jang Seongjin , Park Changkun
Published: October 2023

In this study, we designed a K-band CMOS switch-type phase shifter. Equivalent circuits of shift and pass modes were analyzed to minimize phase errors in a wide frequency range. In particular, the impedance inside the equivalent circuit of the pass mode was analyzed to derive a frequency region in which the equivalent circuit of the pass mode becomes an L-C-L structure. Based on the fact that equivalent circuits in shift and pass modes can be regarded as L-C-L structures beyond a specific frequency, a design methodology of the wideband phase shifter was proposed through slope adjustment of the phase according to the frequency of each of the two modes. To verify the feasibility of the proposed design methodology, a 20°-bit phase shifter was designed through a 65 nm RFCMOS process. As a result of the measurement at 21.5 GHz to 40.0 GHz, the phase error was within 0.87°.
PD-PAn: Prefix- and Distribution-Preserving Internet of Things Traffic Anonymization
Authors: Gu Xiaodan , Dong Kai
Published: October 2023

One of the features of network traffic in Internet of Things (IoT) environments is that various IoT devices periodically communicate with their vendor services by sending and receiving packets with unique characteristics through private protocols. This paper investigates semantic attacks in IoT environments. An IoT semantic attack is active, covert, and more dangerous in comparison with traditional semantic attacks. A compromised IoT server actively establishes and maintains a communication channel with its device, and covertly injects fingerprints into the communicated packets. Most importantly, this server not only de-anonymizes other IPs, but also infers the machine states of other devices (IPs). Traditional traffic anonymization techniques, e.g., Crypto-PAn and Multi-View, either cannot ensure data utility or is vulnerable to semantic attacks. To address this problem, this paper proposes a prefix- and distribution-preserving traffic anonymization method named PD-PAn, which generates multiple anonymized views of the original traffic log to defend against semantic attacks. The prefix relationship is preserved in the real view to ensure data utility, while the IP distribution characteristic is preserved in all the views to ensure privacy. Intensive experiments verify the vulnerability of the state-of-the-art techniques and effectiveness of PD-PAn.