bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TMBIM4 Deficiency Facilitates NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation-Induced Pyroptosis of Trophoblasts: A Potential Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia
Authors: Chen Yuanyao , Xiao Lin , Sun Guoqiang , Li Min , Yang Hailan , Ming Zhangyin , Zhao Kai , Shang Xuejun , Zhang Huiping , Liu Chunyan
Published: January 2023

Impaired invasion of EVTs results in inadequate remodelling of arteries and poor placentation, leading to PE. TMBIM4 was found to promote the migration and invasion of human osteosarcoma U2-OS and breast cancer MCF7 cell lines. However, the effect of TMBIM4 on trophoblast biological behaviour and its relevance to PE pathophysiology remain unclear. In this study, we confirmed that TMBIM4 was highly expressed in cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, and EVTs of the human placenta during early pregnancy. By comparing the expression levels of TMBIM4 in the placenta of women with normal-term pregnancy and PE, TMBIM4 was found to be significantly decreased in PE. Thereafter, we determined the expression of TMBIM4 in the LPS-treated first-trimester human trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo (mimicking a PE-like cell model), and determined the effect of TMBIM4 on trophoblast function and its underlying mechanism. LPS treatment reduced the expression of TMBIM4 and induced NLRP3 inflammasome activity in HTR-8/SVneo cells. KO of TMBIM4 in the HTR-8/SVneo cell line impaired cell viability, migration, and invasion, which was more severe in the LPS/ATP-treated TMBIM4-KO cell line. Moreover, TMBIM4 deficiency enhanced NLRP3 inflammasome activity and promoted subsequent pyroptosis, with or without LPS/ATP treatment. The negative relationship between TMBIM4 expression and NLRP3 inflammatory activity was verified in PE placentas. Inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome with MCC950 in HTR-8/SVneo cells alleviated LPS/ATP-induced pyroptosis and damaged cell function in the TMBIM4-KO cell line. Overall, this study revealed a new PE-associated protein, TMBIM4, and its biological significance in trophoblast pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome. TMBIM4 may serve as a potential target for the treatment of placental inflammation-associated PE.
Correction: Abulmeaty et al. Effect of Long-Term Continuous Light Exposure and Western Diet on Adropin Expression, Lipid Metabolism, and Energy Homeostasis in Rats. Biology 2021, 10, 413
Authors: Abulmeaty Mahmoud Mustafa Ali , Almajwal Ali Madi , Alnumair Khalid S. , Razak Suhail , Hasan Mai Mohammed , Fawzy Amal , Farraj Abdullah Ibrahim , Abudawood Manal , Aljuraiban Ghadeer S.
Published: January 2023

In the original publication [...]
Metabolic and Body Composition Changes in Ice Hockey Players Using an Ergogenic Drug (Cytoflavin)
Authors: Zaborova Victoria , Kurshev Vladislav , Kryuchkova Kira , Anokhina Valeria , Malakhovskiy Vladimir , Morozova Vera , Sysoeva Veronika , Zimatore Giovanna , Bonavolontà Valerio , Guidetti Laura , Dronina Yuliya , Kravtsova Elena , Shestakov Dmitry , Gurevich Konstantin , Heinrich Katie M.
Published: January 2023

Background and objectives: In ice hockey, the major physical workload comes from acceleration in all planes of motion and transitions between skating trajectories. Hockey players’ anthropometric characteristics correlate with performance. In team sports, the use of ergogenic drugs for recovery is relevant to avoid athletes’ overtraining. It is very important to protect athletes’ health and allow them to maintain high-performance levels. Cytoflavin is an ergogenic drug whose action is based on the combined effects of its active ingredients (succinic acid, inosine, nicotinamide and riboflavin), which are naturally occurring metabolites that stimulate tissue respiration. The study aimed to assess the 6-week Cytoflavin consumption effects on body composition (body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage and bioimpedance phase angle) and aerobic performance. Methods: This study included 60 male professional hockey players (aged 19 to 36 years) divided into two groups of 30 subjects: group I (body weight 87.90 ± 7.44 kg, BMI 25.86 ± 2.04 kg/m2) and group II (body weight 87.04 ± 6.22 kg, BMI 25.52 ± 2.38 kg/m2). Athletes in group I received Cytoflavin, whereas athletes in group II did not. Results: In group I, statistically significant reductions in body weight and body mass index were not observed until 14 and 35 days, respectively. In contrast, in group II, both body weight and BMI significantly decreased both times. Aerobic performance significantly increased in both groups, with significantly greater increases in group I. Conclusions: Cytoflavin can be considered an ergogenic drug that improves body composition parameters, especially in the control of weight reduction and improvement in aerobic performance.
Targets of Immune Escape Mechanisms in Cancer: Basis for Development and Evolution of Cancer Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Dutta Shovan , Ganguly Anirban , Chatterjee Kaushiki , Spada Sheila , Mukherjee Sumit
Published: January 2023

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has emerged as a novel therapeutic tool for cancer therapy in the last decade. Unfortunately, a small number of patients benefit from approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, multiple studies are being conducted to find new ICIs and combination strategies to improve the current ICIs. In this review, we discuss some approved immune checkpoints, such as PD-L1, PD-1, and CTLA-4, and also highlight newer emerging ICIs. For instance, HLA-E, overexpressed by tumor cells, represents an immune-suppressive feature by binding CD94/NKG2A, on NK and T cells. NKG2A blockade recruits CD8+ T cells and activates NK cells to decrease the tumor burden. NKG2D acts as an NK cell activating receptor that can also be a potential ICI. The adenosine A2A and A2B receptors, CD47-SIRPα, TIM-3, LAG-3, TIGIT, and VISTA are targets that also contribute to cancer immunoresistance and have been considered for clinical trials. Their antitumor immunosuppressive functions can be used to develop blocking antibodies. PARPs, mARTs, and B7-H3 are also other potential targets for immunosuppression. Additionally, miRNA, mRNA, and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated immunotherapeutic approaches are being investigated with great interest. Pre-clinical and clinical studies project these targets as potential immunotherapeutic candidates in different cancer types for their robust antitumor modulation.
Rare Variants in LRP4 Are Associated with Mesiodens, Root Maldevelopment, and Oral Exostoses in Humans
Authors: Kantaputra Piranit Nik , Jatooratthawichot Peeranat , Adisornkanj Ploy , Kitsadayurach Panita , Kaewgahya Massupa , Olsen Bjorn , Ohazama Atsushi , Ngamphiw Chumpol , Tongsima Sissades , Cox Timothy C. , Ketudat Cairns James R.
Published: January 2023

Background: Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4; MIM 604270) modulates WNT/β-catenin signaling, through its binding of WNT ligands, and to co-receptors LRP5/6, and WNT inhibitors DKK1, SOSTDC1, and SOST. LRP4 binds to SOSTDC1 and WNT proteins establishing a negative feedback loop between Wnt/β-catenin, Bmp, and Shh signaling during the bud and cap stages of tooth development. Consistent with a critical role for this complex in developing teeth, mice lacking Lrp4 or Sostdc1 have multiple dental anomalies including supernumerary incisors and molars. However, there is limited evidence supporting variants in LRP4 in human dental pathologies. Methods: We clinically, radiographically, and molecularly investigated 94 Thai patients with mesiodens. Lrp4 mutant mice were generated in order to study the effects of aberrant Lrp4 expression in mice. Results: Whole exome and Sanger sequencing identified three extremely rare variants (c.4154A>G, p.Asn1385Ser; c.3940G>A, p.Gly1314Ser; and c.448G>A, p.Asp150Asn) in LRP4 in seven patients with mesiodens. Two patients had oral exostoses and two patients had root maldevelopments. Supernumerary incisors were observed in Lrp4 mutant mice. Conclusions: Our study implicates heterozygous genetic variants in LRP4 as contributing factors in the presentation of mesiodens, root maldevelopments, and oral exostoses, possibly as a result of altered WNT/β-catenin-BMP-SHH signaling.
A High-Throughput Assay for In Vitro Determination of Release Factor-Dependent Peptide Release from a Pretermination Complex by Fluorescence Anisotropy—Application to Nonsense Suppressor Screening and Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Ghelfi Mikel D. , Bhat Saleem Y. , Li Hong , Cooperman Barry S.
Published: January 2023

Premature termination codons (PTCs) account for ~12% of all human disease mutations. Translation readthrough-inducing drugs (TRIDs) are prominent among the several therapeutic approaches being used to overcome PTCs. Ataluren is the only TRID that has been approved for treating patients suffering from a PTC disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but it gives variable readthrough results in cells isolated from patients suffering from other PTC diseases. We recently elucidated ataluren’s mechanism of action as a competitive inhibitor of release factor complex (RFC) catalysis of premature termination and identified ataluren’s binding sites on the ribosome responsible for such an inhibition. These results suggest the possibility of discovering new TRIDs, which would retain ataluren’s low toxicity while displaying greater potency and generality in stimulating readthrough via the inhibition of termination. Here we present a detailed description of a new in vitro plate reader assay that we are using both to screen small compound libraries for the inhibition of RFC-dependent peptide release and to better understand the influence of termination codon identity and sequence context on RFC activity.
Action Mechanism of Metformin and Its Application in Hematological Malignancy Treatments: A Review
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhou Fang , Guan Jiaheng , Zhou Lukun , Chen Baoan
Published: January 2023

Hematologic malignancies (HMs) mainly include acute and chronic leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other heterogeneous tumors that seriously threaten human life and health. The common effective treatments are radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which have limited options and are prone to tumor recurrence and (or) drug resistance. Metformin is the first-line drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Recently, studies identified the potential anti-cancer ability of metformin in both T2DM patients and patients that are non-diabetic. The latest epidemiological and preclinical studies suggested a potential benefit of metformin in the prevention and treatment of patients with HM. The mechanism may involve the activation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway by metformin as well as other AMPK-independent pathways to exert anti-cancer properties. In addition, combining current conventional anti-cancer drugs with metformin may improve the efficacy and reduce adverse drug reactions. Therefore, metformin can also be used as an adjuvant therapeutic agent for HM. This paper highlights the anti-hyperglycemic effects and potential anti-cancer effects of metformin, and also compiles the in vitro and clinical trials of metformin as an anti-cancer and chemosensitizing agent for the treatment of HM. The need for future research on the use of metformin in the treatment of HM is indicated.
Systematic Comparison of Uremic Toxin Removal Using Different Hemodialysis Modes: A Single-Center Crossover Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Duval-Sabatier Ariane , Burtey Stephane , Pelletier Marion , Laforet Manon , Dou Laetitia , Sallee Marion , Lorec Anne-Marie , Knidiri Hafssa , Darbon Floriane , Berland Yvon , Brunet Philippe
Published: January 2023

Many hypotheses could explain the mortality decrease observed using hemodiafiltration, such as reduction of intradialytic hypotension and more efficient toxin removal. We led a systematic analysis of representative uremic toxin removal with hemodialysis (HD), online postdilution hemodiafiltration (postHDF) and online predilution hemodiafiltration (preHDF), in a single-center crossover and prospective observational study. The primary outcome was the reduction ratio of uremic toxins of the three categories defined by the Eutox group. Twenty-six patients were treated by those three techniques of extra renal epuration. Mean Kt/Vurea was not different between the treatment methods. Mean reduction ratio of beta2microglobulin was significantly higher for both HDF treatments than for HD (p < 0.001). Myoglobin, kappa, and lambda free light chain reduction ratio was significantly different between the modes: 37.75 ± 11.95%, 45.31 ± 11% and 61.22 ± 10.56%/57.21 ± 12.5%, 63.53 ± 7.93%, and 68.40 ± 11.79%/29.12 ± 8.44%, 34.73 ± 9.01%, and 45.55 ± 12.31% HD, preHDF, and postHDF, respectively (p < 0.001). Mean protein-bound solutes reduction ratio was not different between the different treatments except for PCS with a higher reduction ratio during HDF treatments. Mean albumin loss was always less than 2 g. HDF improved removal of middle molecules but had no effect on indoles concentration without any difference between synthetic dialysis membranes.
Activities against Lung Cancer of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles: A Review
Authors: Mejía-Méndez Jorge L. , López-Mena Edgar R. , Sánchez-Arreola Eugenio
Published: January 2023

Nanomedicine is an interdisciplinary field where nanostructured objects are applied to treat or diagnose disease. Nanoparticles (NPs) are a special class of materials at nanometric scale that can be prepared from lipids, polymers, or noble metals through bottom-up approaches. Biological synthesis is a reliable, sustainable, and non-toxic bottom-up method that uses phytochemicals, microorganisms, and enzymes to induce the reduction of metal ions into NPs. Silver (Ag) NPs exhibit potent therapeutic properties that can be exploited to overcome the limitations of current treatment modalities for human health issues such as lung cancer (LC). Here, we review the preparation of AgNPs using biological synthesis and their application against LC using in vitro and in vivo models. An overview of the staging, diagnosis, genetic mutations, and treatment of LC, as well as its main subtypes, is presented. A summary of the reaction mechanisms of AgNPs using microbial cell cultures, plant extracts, phytochemicals, and amino acids is included. The use of capping agents in the biosynthesis of AgNPs with anticancer activity is also detailed. The history and biological activities of metal-based nanostructures synthesized with gold, copper, palladium, and platinum are considered. The possible anticancer mechanisms of AgNPs against LC models are covered. Our perspective about the future of AgNPs in LC treatment and nanomedicine is added.
Use of Finite Elements in the Training of a Neural Network for the Modeling of a Soft Robot
Authors: Terrile Silvia , López Andrea , Barrientos Antonio
Published: January 2023

Soft bioinspired manipulators have a theoretically infinite number of degrees of freedom, providing considerable advantages. However, their control is very complex, making it challenging to model the elastic elements that define their structure. Finite elements (FEA) can provide a model with sufficient accuracy but are inadequate for real-time use. In this context, Machine Learning (ML) is postulated as an option, both for robot modeling and for its control, but it requires a very high number of experiments to train the model. A linked combination of both options (FEA and ML) can be an approach to the solution. This work presents the implementation of a real robot made up of three flexible modules and actuated with SMA (shape memory alloy) springs, the development of its model through finite elements, its use to adjust a neural network, and the results obtained.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Biophysica in 2022
Authors:   Biophysica Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
From Biowaste to Lab-Bench: Low-Cost Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for RNA Extraction and SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics
Authors: Yu Le , Adamson Penelope , Lay Yap Pei , Tung Tran , Makar Shaheer , Turra Mark , Higgins Geoff , Losic Dusan
Published: January 2023

The gold standard for diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus is based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using centralized PCR facilities and commercial viral RNA extraction kits. One of the key components of these kits are magnetic beads composed of silica coated magnetic iron oxide (Fe2O3 or Fe3O4) nanoparticles, needed for the selective extraction of RNA. At the beginning of the pandemic in 2019, due to a high demand across the world there were severe shortages of many reagents and consumables, including these magnetic beads required for testing for SARS-CoV-2. Laboratories needed to source these products elsewhere, preferably at a comparable or lower cost. Here, we describe the development of a simple, low-cost and scalable preparation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) from biowaste and demonstrate their successful application in viral RNA extraction and the detection of COVID-19. These MNPs have a unique nanoplatelet shape with a high surface area, which are beneficial features, expected to provide improved RNA adsorption, better dispersion and processing ability compared with commercial spherical magnetic beads. Their performance in COVID-19 RNA extraction was evaluated in comparison with commercial magnetic beads and the results presented here showed comparable results for high throughput PCR analysis. The presented magnetic nanoplatelets generated from biomass waste are safe, low-cost, simple to produce in large scale and could provide a significantly reduced cost of nucleic acid extraction for SARS-CoV-2 and other DNA and RNA viruses.
Impedimetric Sensing: An Emerging Tool for Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ong Victor , Soleimani Ali , Amirghasemi Farbod , Khazaee Nejad Sina , Abdelmonem Mona , Razaviyayn Meisam , Hosseinzadeh Parisa , Comai Lucio , Mousavi Maral P. S.
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a pressing need for the development of sensitive and low-cost point-of-care sensors for disease diagnosis. The current standard of care for COVID-19 is quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). This method is sensitive, but takes time, effort, and requires specialized equipment and reagents to be performed correctly. This make it unsuitable for widespread, rapid testing and causes poor individual and policy decision-making. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are a widely used alternative that provide results quickly but have low sensitivity and are prone to false negatives, particularly in cases with lower viral burden. Electrochemical sensors have shown much promise in filling this technology gap, and impedance spectroscopy specifically has exciting potential in rapid screening of COVID-19. Due to the data-rich nature of impedance measurements performed at different frequencies, this method lends itself to machine-leaning (ML) algorithms for further data processing. This review summarizes the current state of impedance spectroscopy-based point-of-care sensors for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This article also suggests future directions to address the technology’s current limitations to move forward in this current pandemic and prepare for future outbreaks.
Nanotechnology-Assisted Biosensors for the Detection of Viral Nucleic Acids: An Overview
Authors: Choi Hye Kyu , Yoon Jinho
Published: January 2023

The accurate and rapid diagnosis of viral diseases has garnered increasing attention in the field of biosensors. The development of highly sensitive, selective, and accessible biosensors is crucial for early disease detection and preventing mortality. However, developing biosensors optimized for viral disease diagnosis has several limitations, including the accurate detection of mutations. For decades, nanotechnology has been applied in numerous biological fields such as biosensors, bioelectronics, and regenerative medicine. Nanotechnology offers a promising strategy to address the current limitations of conventional viral nucleic acid-based biosensors. The implementation of nanotechnologies, such as functional nanomaterials, nanoplatform-fabrication techniques, and surface nanoengineering, to biosensors has not only improved the performance of biosensors but has also expanded the range of sensing targets. Therefore, a deep understanding of the combination of nanotechnologies and biosensors is required to prepare for sanitary emergencies such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we provide interdisciplinary information on nanotechnology-assisted biosensors. First, representative nanotechnologies for biosensors are discussed, after which this review summarizes various nanotechnology-assisted viral nucleic acid biosensors. Therefore, we expect that this review will provide a valuable basis for the development of novel viral nucleic acid biosensors.
One-Step Fabrication of Paper-Based Inkjet-Printed Graphene for Breath Monitor Sensors
Authors: Lim Wei Yin , Goh Choon-Hian , Yap Keenan Zhihong , Ramakrishnan Narayanan
Published: January 2023

Irregularities in breathing patterns can be detected using breath monitor sensors, and this help clinicians to predict health disorders ranging from sleep disorders to heart failures. Variations in humidity during the inhalation and exhalation of breath have been utilized as a marker to detect breath patterns, and graphene-based devices are the favored sensing media for relative humidity (RH). In general, most graphene-based RH sensors have been used to explore resistance change as a measurement parameter to calibrate against the RH value, and they are prone to noise interference. Here, we fabricated RH sensors using graphene ink as a sensing medium and printed them in the shape of interdigital electrodes on glossy paper using an office inkjet printer. Further, we investigated the capacitance change in the sensor for the RH changes in the range of 10–70%. It exhibited excellent sensitivity with 0.03 pF/% RH, good stability, and high intraday and interday repeatability, with relative standard deviations of 1.2% and 2.2%, respectively. Finally, the sensor was embedded into a face mask and interfaced with a microcontroller, and capacitance change was measured under three different breathing situations: normal breathing, deep breathing, and coughing. The result show that the dominant frequency for normal breath is 0.22 Hz, for deep breath, it is 0.11 Hz, and there was no significant dominant cough frequency due to persistent coughing and inconsistent patterns. Moreover, the sensor exhibited a short response and recovery time (<5 s) during inhalation and exhalation. Thus, the proposed paper-based RH sensor is promising wearable and disposable healthcare technology for clinical and home care health applications.
Impact of Self-Efficacy on Entrepreneurs’ Ambidextrous Behavior in New Ventures: Moderating Effect of Status
Authors: Ma Jun , Duan Yuzhen , Wang Jianan , Luo Mengjie
Published: January 2023

This article discusses the mechanism of the ambidextrous behavior of entrepreneurs in exploring and exploiting simultaneously in new ventures. We draw on social cognition theory to discuss the influence of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) on entrepreneurs’ ambidextrous behavior and the moderating effect of their status. We contend that an inverted ‘U’ relationship exists between ESE and entrepreneurs’ ambidextrous behavior. A higher economic status of an entrepreneur strengthens the relationship between ESE and that entrepreneur’s ambidextrous behavior, whereas higher power status weakens the relationship. Analyses of high-tech industry entrepreneurs support our hypotheses in the context of emerging economies, represented by China.
Relationship between Principals’ Leadership Styles and Teachers’ Behavior
Authors: Hoque Kazi Enamul , Raya Zarin Tasnim
Published: January 2023

An effective leader follows a style that helps maintain good relations with his staff. A school leader should use a style best suited to his teachers’ behavior. This research investigates the association between four leadership styles (instructional, democratic, transformational, and laissez-faire) and teachers’ behavior in Malaysia. This study applied a quantitative research method using a survey technique by administering questionnaires. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Multiple regression and ANOVA were used to study the strength of the relationship between variables. The research found average care of the principals towards teachers’ emotional behavior. Democratic leadership style showed significant relationships that explain 28.5% of the variation in the emotional behavior of the teachers. Leaders with a democratic leadership style were more aware of and responded positively to teachers’ psychometric behavior. School principals with transformational leadership styles responded positively to teachers’ pro-social behavior, although the relationship was weak. These results indicate that a democratic leadership style addresses the issues of teachers’ emotional behavior, while instructional leadership, which is the most perceived leadership style, does not. The result of this study can guide Malaysian school principals in choosing the appropriate leadership style best suited to teachers’ behavior.
Measuring Mindfulness in Business School Students: A Comparative Analysis of Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and Langer’s Scale
Authors: Laeequddin Mohammed , Waheed K. Abdul , Sahay Vinita
Published: January 2023

Research studies have established that mindfulness helps in psychological well-being, stress reduction, chronic pain management, behavioral therapy, and other areas including organizational development. Mindfulness often refers to a state of consciousness, but mindfulness can also be understood as a personality trait. State mindfulness is referred as the individual’s capacity to cultivate a particular state of mind during meditative practice. Traits are more permanent facets of personality characteristics that are difficult to change and likely have some basis in genetics. Few scholars have criticized meditative mindfulness as a trend and cautioned that organizations should carefully consider their goals before introducing meditative mindfulness training. This dichotomy has prompted us to review the literature and carry out a comparative analysis of two divergent measurement scales of mindfulness: the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and Langer’s mindfulness/mindlessness scale. The MAAS is the most widely used mindfulness scale to measure mindfulness, and Langer’s scale measures mindfulness/mindlessness. We developed hypotheses relating Langer’s scale and the MAAS. Further, we studied whether there is any difference in mindfulness/mindlessness among business school students with an undergraduate background in engineering and nonengineering streams. Using a self-administered questionnaire, we measured the mindfulness levels of 221 MBA first- and second-year graduates and tested the hypothesis using partial least squares structural equations modeling (PLS-SEM). We found that Langer’s mindfulness/mindlessness scale was negatively associated with the MAAS. We did not find any effect of gender, education, and professional specializations on mindfulness.
A Fast Method for Identifying Room Configurations from Unit Boundaries in Existing Residential Buildings
Authors: Chen Chen , Liu Ziwen
Published: January 2023

Prediction of interior room layout from observations on the exterior boundaries of a unit is sometimes needed in cases of emergencies when unit entry is denied. Seeing that 3D laser scanners are becoming smaller, lighter, and easier to carry around, this paper attempts to offer a fast method that can automatically reconstruct a room model relying merely on the 3D point cloud of the unit boundaries. The method first partitions the building floor space to generate the so-called “room seeds” from the intersections of lines that are extended from the detected wall segments. Then, the grammar approach compares different possible room configurations through a trial-and-error process to find the most possible one. The proposed method is tested on a real residential building case for validation. The proposed method may be useful in emergent cases when exact floor plans are not available. The method can be extended to other Manhattan-type buildings as long as the grammar rules are settled.
Study on the Basic Performance Deterioration Law and the Application of Lead Rubber Bearings under the Alternation of Aging and Seawater Erosion
Authors: Li Yanmin , Ma Yuhong , Zhao Guifeng , Liu Rong
Published: January 2023

Lead rubber isolation bearings are well-recognized as a common and effective means to mitigate the seismic responses of bridges. However, rubber isolation bearings used in offshore bridges are extremely vulnerable to the action of the alternation of aging and seawater erosion caused by weather conditions, wind, waves, and other factors. Meanwhile, the deterioration law and application of lead rubber bearings subject to the effect of aging and seawater erosion cycles are not clear. Thus, aging and seawater erosion cycles testing on both lead rubber isolation bearings (LRB) and rubber materials were carried out. The parameters for the Mooney–Rivlin model of the rubber material used in LRBs were determined and the time-varying law of basic performance of LRBs was obtained based on test results of LRBs and their rubber material. Then, the determined rubber material parameters were applied into the finite-element model of LRBs to verify the basic performance degradation law of the LRBs. Finally, the obtained basic performance degradation law of LRBs was substituted into the finite model of offshore bridges to investigate the impact of the property degradation of LRBs on their seismic performance. The time-varying law of seismic performance of offshore bridge structures was also studied based on finite element analysis. The results show that both the horizontal and vertical stiffness of LRBs increase with the alternating of aging and seawater erosion time, and the horizontal and vertical stiffness increase by 16.1% and 24.3%, respectively, during the 120-year service period. Additionally, the Mooney–Rivlin model parameters of the LRB rubber material are also significantly affected by the alternating of aging and seawater erosion. Additionally, the results also indicate the deterioration of LRBs has a great influence on the anti-seismic performance of offshore bridge structures. After 120 years of service of offshore bridge isolation bearings under the alternating of aging and seawater erosion, the maximum displacement of the pier top of the offshore bridges, the maximum bending moment at the pier bottom, and the maximum displacement of the rubber bearing increased by 14.2%, 6.6%, and 9.1%, respectively. The findings of this paper play an important role in the seismic behavior study and the life-cycle performance analysis of offshore traffic projects such as sea-crossing bridges in marine environments. At the same time, they also lay a theoretical foundation for the performance analysis of rubber isolation bearings and offshore bridge structures under the alternation of aging and seawater erosion cycles.
Study on the Performance of Personal Heating in Extremely Cold Environments Using a Thermal Manikin
Authors: Li Sishi , Deng Yue , Cao Bin
Published: January 2023

Cold protection for outdoor workers is crucial for their health and thermal safety in winter. Personal heating is considered an effective measure to solve the problem, which can significantly improve thermal comfort. However, according to the present studies, a uniform assessment of different personal heating measures is hard to obtain. This study explored four typical types of personal heating measures (electrically heated garment, electrically heated garment with an aerogel layer, electrically heated seat, and chemically heated insole) in different cold environments. Clothing insulation, effective heating power (Peff), and heating efficiency (η) were measured by a thermal manikin with a constant temperature in nine environmental conditions. Three levels of two critical environmental factors (air temperature (Ta): −5 °C, −10 °C, and −15 °C; air velocity (Va): <0.1 m/s, 0.5 m/s, and 1.0 m/s) were crossed orthogonally to form the nine environmental conditions. The results indicated that Ta had no significant effect on clothing insulation, while elevated Va significantly decreased clothing insulation. When Va increased from 0 m/s to 1 m/s, the air layer inside the garment was squeezed, causing a 0.6–0.9 clo decrease in total clothing insulation. Decreased Ta and elevated Va reduced the Peff and η of electrical heating measures while they improved the Peff and η of chemical heating insoles. The Peff and η of the garment dropped to 8.2 W and 21%, respectively, at −15 °C and 1.0 m/s. In addition, the aerogel layer could effectively improve the Peff and η of the garment. The improvement was weakened by decreased Ta and elevated Va. The corrective power values of personal heating measures in different environments were calculated to guide the design and application of personal heating.
High-Temperature Performance Evaluation of Asphalt Mixtures by Adding Short-Chopped Basalt Fiber
Authors: Jiu Xueyang , Wang Yu , Wu Zhengguang , Xiao Peng , Kang Aihong
Published: January 2023

Adding basalt fiber (BF) can effectively enhance the performance of asphalt mixtures and improve the service quality of asphalt pavement. However, the effect of BF on the high-temperature performance of different types of asphalt mixtures and systematic high-temperature performance test analysis are still not well known. To address this issue, three typical types of asphalt mixtures of AC-13, SMA-13, and SUP-13 were selected. Wheel tracking test, uniaxial penetration test, dynamic modulus test, and dynamic creep test were conducted. In addition, relevant parameters of dynamic stability, penetration strength, dynamic modulus index, and flow number were analyzed. The results showed that adding BF into the asphalt mixture could improve the dynamic stability, penetration strength, dynamic modulus index, and flow number significantly, indicating that adding basalt fiber is an effective solution to the rutting deformation damage of asphalt pavement. Moreover, the parameter of dynamic stability presented an approximate polynomial correlation with penetration strength, dynamic modulus index, and flow number, respectively. These findings provide a certain theoretical reference for evaluating the high-temperature performance of BF-modified asphalt mixtures.
Dosimetric Impact of Lesion Number, Size, and Volume on Mean Brain Dose with Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Multiple Brain Metastases
Authors: La Rosa Alonso , Wieczorek D Jay J. , Tolakanahalli Ranjini , Lee Yongsook C. , Kutuk Tugce , Tom Martin C. , Hall Matthew D. , McDermott Michael W. , Mehta Minesh P. , Gutierrez Alonso N. , Kotecha Rupesh
Published: January 2023

We evaluated the effect of lesion number and volume for brain metastasis treated with SRS using GammaKnife® ICON™ (GK) and CyberKnife® M6™ (CK). Four sets of lesion sizes (<5 mm, 5–10 mm, >10–15 mm, and >15 mm) were contoured and prescribed a dose of 20 Gy/1 fraction. The number of lesions was increased until a threshold mean brain dose of 8 Gy was reached; then individually optimized to achieve maximum conformity. Across GK plans, mean brain dose was linearly proportional to the number of lesions and total GTV for all sizes. The numbers of lesions needed to reach this threshold for GK were 177, 57, 29, and 10 for each size group, respectively; corresponding total GTVs were 3.62 cc, 20.37 cc, 30.25 cc, and 57.96 cc, respectively. For CK, the threshold numbers of lesions were 135, 35, 18, and 8, with corresponding total GTVs of 2.32 cc, 12.09 cc, 18.24 cc, and 41.52 cc respectively. Mean brain dose increased linearly with number of lesions and total GTV while V8 Gy, V10 Gy, and V12 Gy showed quadratic correlations to the number of lesions and total GTV. Modern dedicated intracranial SRS systems allow for treatment of numerous brain metastases especially for ≤10 mm; clinical evidence to support this practice is critical to expansion in the clinic.
CT-Derived Sarcopenia and Outcomes after Thoracoscopic Pulmonary Resection for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Hasenauer Arpad , Forster Céline , Hungerbühler Johan , Perentes Jean Yannis , Abdelnour-Berchtold Etienne , Koerfer Joachim , Krueger Thorsten , Becce Fabio , Gonzalez Michel
Published: January 2023

We aimed to evaluate whether computed tomography (CT)-derived preoperative sarcopenia measures were associated with postoperative outcomes and survival after video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) anatomical pulmonary resection in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients that underwent VATS anatomical pulmonary resection for NSCLC between 2012 and 2019. Skeletal muscle mass was measured at L3 vertebral level on preoperative CT or PET/CT scans to identify sarcopenic patients according to established threshold values. We compared postoperative outcomes and survival of sarcopenic vs. non-sarcopenic patients. A total of 401 patients underwent VATS anatomical pulmonary resection for NSCLC. Sarcopenia was identified in 92 patients (23%). Sarcopenic patients were predominantly males (75% vs. 25%; p < 0.001) and had a lower BMI (21.4 vs. 26.5 kg/m2; p < 0.001). The overall postoperative complication rate was significantly higher (53.2% vs. 39.2%; p = 0.017) in sarcopenic patients and the length of hospital stay was prolonged (8 vs. 6 days; p = 0.032). Two factors were associated with postoperative morbidity in multivariate analysis: BMI and American Society of Anesthesiologists score >2. Median overall survival was comparable between groups (41 vs. 46 months; p = 0.240). CT-derived sarcopenia appeared to have a small impact on early postoperative clinical outcomes, but no effect on overall survival after VATS anatomical lung resection for NSCLC.
Comment on Ramai et al. Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Porphyria: A Systematic Review. Cancers 2022, 14, 2947
Authors: Lissing Mattias , Vassiliou Daphne , Harper Pauline , Sardh Eliane , Wahlin Staffan
Published: January 2023

We read with interest this review by Ramai et al. [...]
Outcomes Following Autologous Fat Grafting in Patients with Sequelae of Head and Neck Cancer Treatment
Authors: Masià-Gridilla Jorge , Gutiérrez-Santamaría Javier , Álvarez-Sáez Iago , Pamias-Romero Jorge , Saez-Barba Manel , Bescós-Atin Coro
Published: January 2023

A single-center retrospective study was designed to assess the outcomes of autologous fat grafting for improving surgery- and radiotherapy-related sequelae in 40 patients with head and neck cancer. All patients underwent surgical resection of primary tumors and radiotherapy (50–70 Gy) and were followed over 12 months after fat grafting. Eligibility for fat grafting procedures included complete remission after at least 3 years of oncological treatment. The cervical and paramandibular regions were the most frequently treated areas. Injected fat volumes ranged between 7.5 and 120 mL (mean: 23 mL). Esthetic improvement was obtained in 77.5% of patients, being significant in 17.5%, and functional improvement in 89.2%, being significant in 29.7% of patients. Minor complications occurred in three patients. There was a high degree of satisfaction regarding esthetic improvement, global satisfaction, and 92.5% of patients would recommend the procedure. This study confirms the benefits of fat grafting as a volumetric correction reconstructive strategy with successful cosmetic and functional outcomes in patients suffering from sequelae after head and neck cancer treatment.
Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Rodrigo Juan P. , Sánchez-Canteli Mario , Triantafyllou Asterios , de Bree Remco , Mäkitie Antti A. , Franchi Alessandro , Hellquist Henrik , Saba Nabil F. , Stenman Göran , Takes Robert P. , Valero Cristina , Zidar Nina , Ferlito Alfio
Published: January 2023

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with survival in various cancers, including head and neck cancer. However, there is limited information on its role in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) according to HPV status. This prompted the present meta-analysis. Studies were selected when the prognostic value of NLR prior to treatment was evaluated in OPSCC patients, the cutoff value of NLR was available, and the prognostic value of NLR was evaluated by time-to-event survival analysis. A total of 14 out of 492 articles, including 7647 patients, were analyzed. The results showed a worse prognosis for the patients with a high NLR: The combined hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS) in patients with an elevated NLR was 1.56 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–2.02; p = 0.0006), for disease-free survival was 1.52 (95% CI 1.34–1.73; p < 0.00001), and for recurrence-free survival was 1.86 (95% CI 1.50–2.30; p < 0.00001). This worse prognosis of high NLR was exclusive of HPV-positive patients: HR for OS in the HPV-positive subgroup was 4.05 (95% CI 1.90–8.62 (p = 0.0003), and in the HPV-negative subgroup 0.92 (95% CI 0.47–1.80; p = 0.82). The prognosis of NLR was not influenced by treatment: The HR for OS for patients treated with radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy (RT/CRT) was 1.48 (95% CI 1.09–2.01; p = 0.01), and for patients treated with surgery (±RT/CRT) was 1.72 (95% CI 1.08–2.72; p = 0.02). In conclusion, an elevated NLR relates to worse outcomes in patients with HPV-positive OPSCC.
Development of a Patient Decision Aid for Rectal Cancer Patients with Clinical Complete Response after Neo-Adjuvant Treatment
Authors: Smets Lien , Debucquoy Annelies , Oldenburger Eva , Van Audenhove Chantal , Debrun Lynn , Dekervel Jeroen , Bislenghi Gabriele , D’Hoore André , Wolthuis Albert , Haustermans Karin
Published: January 2023

Surgery is the primary component of curative treatment for patients with rectal cancer. However, patients with a clinical complete response (cCR) after neo-adjuvant treatment may avoid the morbidity and mortality of radical surgery. An organ-sparing strategy could be an oncological equivalent alternative. Therefore, shared decision making between the patient and the healthcare professional (HCP) should take place. This can be facilitated by a patient decision aid (PtDA). In this study, we developed a PtDA based on a literature review and the key elements of the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. Additionally, a qualitative study was performed to review and evaluate the PtDA by both HCPs and former rectal cancer patients by a Delphi procedure and semi-structured interviews, respectively. A strong consensus was reached after the first round (I-CVI 0.85-1). Eleven patients were interviewed and most of them indicated that using a PtDA in clinical practice would be of added value in the decision making. Patients indicated that their decisional needs are centered on the impact of side effects on their quality of life and the outcome of the different options. The PtDA was modified taking into account the remarks of patients and HCPs and a second Delphi round was held. The second round again showed a strong consensus (I-CVI 0.87-1).
Presurgical Executive Functioning in Low-Grade Glioma Patients Cannot Be Topographically Mapped
Authors: Landers Maud J. F. , Smolders Lars , Rutten Geert-Jan M. , Sitskoorn Margriet M. , Mandonnet Emmanuel , De Baene Wouter
Published: January 2023

Executive dysfunctions have a high prevalence in low-grade glioma patients and may be the result of structural disconnections of particular subcortical tracts and/or networks. However, little research has focused on preoperative low-grade glioma patients. The frontotemporoparietal network has been closely linked to executive functions and is substantiated by the superior longitudinal fasciculus. The aim of this study was to investigate their role in executive functions in low-grade glioma patients. Patients from two neurological centers were included with IDH-mutated low-grade gliomas. The sets of preoperative predictors were (i) distance between the tumor and superior longitudinal fasciculus, (ii) structural integrity of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, (iii) overlap between tumor and cortical networks, and (iv) white matter disconnection of the same networks. Linear regression and random forest analyses were performed. The group of 156 patients demonstrated significantly lower performance than normative samples and had a higher prevalence of executive impairments. However, both regression and random forest analyses did not demonstrate significant results, meaning that neither structural, cortical network overlap, nor network disconnection predictors explained executive performance. Overall, our null results indicate that there is no straightforward topographical explanation of executive performance in low-grade glioma patients. We extensively discuss possible explanations, including plasticity-induced network-level equipotentiality. Finally, we stress the need for the development of novel methods to unveil the complex and interacting mechanisms that cause executive deficits in low-grade glioma patients.
Urinary Eubacterium sp. CAG:581 Promotes Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) Development through the ECM1/MMP9 Pathway
Authors: Zhang Yuhang , Wang Wenyu , Zhou Hang , Cui Yimin
Published: January 2023

Background: Increasing evidence points to the urinary microbiota as a possible key susceptibility factor for early-stage bladder cancer (BCa) progression. However, the interpretation of its underlying mechanism is often insufficient, given that various environmental conditions have affected the composition of urinary microbiota. Herein, we sought to rule out confounding factors and clarify how urinary Eubacterium sp. CAG:581 promoted non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) development. Methods: Differentially abundant urinary microbiota of 51 NMIBC patients and 47 healthy controls (as Cohort 1) were first determined by metagenomics analysis. Then, we modeled the coculture of NMIBC organoids with candidate urinary Eubacterium sp. CAG:581 in anaerobic conditions and explored differentially expressed genes of these NMIBC tissues by RNA-Seq. Furthermore, we dissected the mechanisms involved into Eubacterium sp. CAG:581 by inducing extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) upregulation. Finally, we used multivariate Cox modeling to investigate the clinical relevance of urinary Eubacterium sp. CAG:581 16S ribosomal RNA (16SrRNA) levels to the prognosis of 406 NMIBC patients (as Cohort 2). Results: Eubacterium sp. CAG:581 infection accelerated the proliferation of NMIBC organoids (p < 0.01); ECM1 and MMP9 were the most upregulated genes induced by the increased colony forming units (CFU) gradient of Eubacterium sp. CAG:581 infection via phosphorylating ERK1/2 in NMIBC organoids of Cohort 1. Excluding the favorable impact of potential contributing factors, the ROC curve of Cohort 2 manifested its 3-year AUC value as 0.79 and the cut-off point of Eubacterium sp. CAG:581 16SrRNA as 10.3 (delta CT value). Conclusion: Our evidence suggests that urinary Eubacterium sp. CAG:581 promoted NMIBC progression through the ECM1/MMP9 pathway, which may serve as the promising noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for NMIBC.