bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Biomarkers and Molecular Pathways Implicated in Smoking and COVID-19 Associated Lung Cancer Using Bioinformatics and Machine Learning Approaches
Authors: Hossain Md Ali , Rahman Mohammad Zahidur , Bhuiyan Touhid , Moni Mohammad Ali
Published: October 2024

Lung cancer (LC) is a significant global health issue, with smoking as the most common cause. Recent epidemiological studies have suggested that individuals who smoke are more susceptible to COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of smoking and COVID-19 on LC using bioinformatics and machine learning approaches. We compared the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LC, smoking, and COVID-19 datasets and identified 26 down-regulated and 37 up-regulated genes shared between LC and smoking, and 7 down-regulated and 6 up-regulated genes shared between LC and COVID-19. Integration of these datasets resulted in the identification of ten hub genes (SLC22A18, CHAC1, ROBO4, TEK, NOTCH4, CD24, CD34, SOX2, PITX2, and GMDS) from protein-protein interaction network analysis. The WGCNA R package was used to construct correlation network analyses for these shared genes, aiming to investigate the relationships among them. Furthermore, we also examined the correlation of these genes with patient outcomes through survival curve analyses. The gene ontology and pathway analyses were performed to find out the potential therapeutic targets for LC in smoking and COVID-19 patients. Moreover, machine learning algorithms were applied to the TCGA RNAseq data of LC to assess the performance of these common genes and ten hub genes, demonstrating high performances. The identified hub genes and molecular pathways can be utilized for the development of potential therapeutic targets for smoking and COVID-19-associated LC.
Neurodegenerative Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapies 2nd Edition
Authors: Zhou Zhi Dong , Kihara Alexandre Hiroaki
Published: October 2024

Neurodegenerative disorders are multiple chronic neurological diseases that pose a serious public health risk to our society, especially among the aging population [...]
Characterization, Codon Usage Pattern and Phylogenetic Implications of the Waterlily Aphid Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Mitochondrial Genome
Authors: Shi Aiyang , Li Chenyang , Farhan Muhammad , Xu Chunhao , Zhang Yanjin , Qian Hongye , Zhang Shuai , Jing Tianxing
Published: October 2024

The water lily aphid, Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae, is the only known aphid that can live in both terrestrial and aquatic conditions. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of R. nymphaeae was generated using Illumina sequencing technology. The typical circular DNA mitochondrial genome of R. nymphaeae is 15,772 bp in length, with a high A+T content (84.34%). It contains 37 coding genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 transport RNAs, and two ribosomal RNAs) and two non-coding regions (one control region and one repeat region). Enc-plot, PR2-bias, and neutrality plot analysis indicated that the codon usage of the protein-coding genes is mainly affected by natural selection. The evolution rate analysis (the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous, Ka/Ks) indicated that all the PCGs in R. nymphaeae are under a strong purifying selection. The control region has conserved structure elements, and two types of tandem repeat units exist. The length and sequence of the aphid-unique repeat region has high similarity with closely related species. Phylogenetic analyses determined by both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference support the monophyly of Aphidinae, Aphidini, Aphidina, and Rhopalosiphina. However, the monophyly of the genera in Rhopalosiphina, such as Rhopalosiphum, is still not resolved. This study may help us to understand the phylogenetic relationship of aphids, and much more aphid data are needed in future studies.
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals, Hypothalamic Inflammation and Reproductive Outcomes: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Stathori Galateia , Hatziagapiou Kyriaki , Mastorakos George , Vlahos Nikolaos F. , Charmandari Evangelia , Valsamakis Georgios
Published: October 2024

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are environmental and industrial agents that interfere with hormonal functions. EDC exposure is linked to various endocrine diseases, especially in reproduction, although the mechanisms remain unclear and effects vary among individuals. Neuroinflammation, particularly hypothalamic inflammation, is an emerging research area with implications for endocrine-related diseases like obesity. The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating reproduction, and its inflammation can adversely affect reproductive health. EDCs can cross the blood–brain barrier, potentially causing hypothalamic inflammation and disrupting the reproductive axis. This review examines the existing literature on EDC-mediated hypothalamic inflammation. Our findings suggest that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), tributyltin (TBT), phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and chlorpyrifos (CPF) in animals is linked to hypothalamic inflammation, specifically affecting the hypothalamic centers of the gonadotropic axis. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review on this topic, indicating hypothalamic inflammation as a possible mediator between EDC exposure and reproductive dysfunction. Further human studies are needed to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies against EDC exposure.
Identification of Candidate Genes Associated with Flesh Firmness by Combining QTL Mapping and Transcriptome Profiling in Pyrus pyrifolia
Authors: Jiang Shuang , Zhang Jiaying , Wang Xiaoqing , Shi Chunhui , Luo Jun
Published: October 2024

Flesh firmness is an important quality of pear fruits. Breeding cultivars with suitably low flesh firmness is one of the popular pear breeding goals. At present, SNP markers related to pear flesh firmness and genes affecting flesh firmness are still uncertain. In this study, a QTL analysis was performed, and the result showed that the position of 139.857 cM in lineage group 14 (LG14) had the highest average logarithm of odds (3.41) over two years. This newly discovered locus was identified as a flesh firmness-related QTL (qFirmness-LG14). The ‘C/T’ SNP was found in corresponding Marker1512129. The ‘C’ genotype is the high-firmness genotype, which is a dominant trait. The average firmness of fruits with genotype C is 21.4% higher than genotype without the C genotype. Transcriptome profiling was obtained between ‘Zaoshengxinshui’ and ‘Qiushui’ at five time points. Three candidate genes in the interval of qFirmness-LG14 might affect firmness. A gene of xyloglucan endotransglucosylase 1 (PpXTH1) was upregulated in ‘Qiushui’ at all five time points. Two transcription factors (PpHY5 and PpERF113) were upregulated in ‘Zaoshengxinshui’, which might be negative regulatory genes for high flesh firmness. The transcriptome results also isolated a large number of cell wall-related genes (e.g., Pectate lyase, Pectin acetylesterase, Pectin methylesterase, and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase) and transcription factors (e.g., ERF, WRKY). These genes are all potential upstream and downstream genes related to flesh firmness. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the QTLs and molecular mechanisms associated with fruit firmness in Pyrus pyrifolia.
NF-κB in Alzheimer’s Disease: Friend or Foe? Opposite Functions in Neurons and Glial Cells
Authors: Kaltschmidt Barbara , Czaniera Nele Johanne , Schulten Wiebke , Kaltschmidt Christian
Published: October 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devasting neurodegenerative disease afflicting mainly glutamatergic neurons together with a massive neuroinflammation mediated by the transcription factor NF-κB. A 65%-plus increase in Alzheimer’s patients by 2050 might be a major threat to society. Hallmarks of AD are neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of hyperphosphorylated tau and amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques. Here, we review the potential involvement of transcription factor NF-κB by hereditary mutations of the tumor necrosis factor pathway in AD patients. One of the greatest genetic risk factors is APOE4. Recently, it was shown that the APOE4 allele functions as a null allele in human astrocytes not repressing NF-κB anymore. Moreover, NF-κB seems to be involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks during healthy learning and memory, a function blunted in AD. NF-κB could be a friend to healthy neurons by repressing apoptosis and necroptosis. But a loss of neuronal NF-κB and activation of glial NF-κB in AD makes it a foe of neuronal survival. Hopeful therapies include TNFR2 receptor bodies relieving the activation of glial NF-κB by TNFα.
The Detailed Analysis of Polish Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Through Insights from Molecular Testing (POL-MOL Study)
Authors: Kowalski Dariusz M. , Zaborowska-Szmit Magdalena , Bryl Maciej , Byszek Agnieszka , Dziedzic Dariusz Adam , Jaśkiewicz Piotr , Langfort Renata , Krzakowski Maciej , Orłowski Tadeusz , Ramlau Rodryg , Szmit Sebastian
Published: October 2024

Molecular testing is recommended in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the extent of its use in Poland is unknown. The aim of the POL-MOL study was to investigate the frequency of using molecular testing in Polish patients with NSCLC. The invited Polish oncologists completed two questionnaires, and data for 1001 patients undergoing systemic treatment for NSCLC were collected. The use of molecular tests for the following genetic mutations was recorded: EGFR (del19, sub21), EGFR (other than del19/sub21), EGFR T790M, ALK (expression and rearrangement), RET, NTRK, ROS1, BRAF, HER2, and MET, as well as for immunochemical assessment of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Thanks to the weighting procedure, the results are representative of the population of Polish patients treated for NSCLC. Molecular tests were applied in 78% of patients with NSCL, 70% of patients with NSCLC not otherwise specified, and in 12% of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The frequency of application increased with disease stage in all groups. In patients with squamous cell carcinoma, approximately 30% of tests for EGFR, ALK, and RET mutations were positive, which confirms the importance of testing at least a preselected subgroup of patients.
Genome Analysis of BnCNGC Gene Family and Function Exploration of BnCNGC57 in Brassica napus L.
Authors: Wang Yue , Chi Qing , Jia Wenjing , Zheng Tiantian , Li Binghua , Li Lin , Li Ting , Gao Rui , Liu Wenzhe , Ye Shenglin , Xu Ruqiang , Zhang Hanfeng
Published: October 2024

The cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel (CNGC), as a non-selective cation channel, plays a pivotal role in plant growth and stress response. A systematic analysis and identification of the BnCNGC gene family in Brassica napus is crucial for uncovering its biological functions and potential applications in plant science. In this study, we identified 61 BnCNGC members in the B. napus genome, which are phylogenetically similar to Arabidopsis and can be classified into Groups I-IV (with Group IV further subdivided into IV-a and IV-b). Collinearity analysis with other species provided insights into the evolution of BnCNGC. By homology modeling, we predicted the three-dimensional structure of BnCNGC proteins and analyzed cis-acting elements in their promoters, revealing diverse roles in hormone regulation, growth, and stress response. Notably, overexpression of BnCNGC57 (BnaC09g42460D) significantly increased seed size, possibly through regulating cell proliferation via the MAPK signaling pathway. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the BnCNGC gene family and highlight the potential regulatory role of BnCNGC57 in the seed development of B. napus.
Hair Growth Effect and the Mechanisms of Rosa rugosa Extract in DHT-Induced Alopecia Mice Model
Authors: Kim Ha-Rim , Park Jung Up , Lee Seung-Hyeon , Park Jae Young , Lee Wonwoo , Choi Kyung-Min , Kim Seon-Young , Park Mi Hee
Published: October 2024

Rosa rugosa is a medicinal plant known for its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial benefits. The pharmacological effects of Rosa rugosa extract on hair loss have not yet been documented. This research sought to assess the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of action of Rosa rugosa water extract (RWE) in a mouse model of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced alopecia. The study was conducted using C57BL/6 mice, which were assigned to five groups: control, DHT-treated, Rosa rugosa water extract (RWE) at doses of 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight, and bicalutamide-treated. To induce hair loss, dihydrotestosterone (1 mg/day per body weight) was administered via intraperitoneal injections, and dorsal hair removal was timed to align with the telogen phase. Each group received oral treatments for a period of 23 days. In this study, we assessed hair growth activity, examined histological changes, and performed immunoblot analysis. We noted improvements in hair length and thickness. Additionally, the protein expression of growth factors associated with hair growth, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), showed significant increases in the group treated with RWE. Additionally, treatment with RWE suppressed the protein expression of hair growth inhibitory factors, including dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 1 (DKK1) and interleukin (IL)-6. Moreover, hair growth regulatory pathway related factors, including ERK, AKT, and GSK-3β, were activated. These findings indicate that RWE could serve as a promising natural therapy for preventing hair loss by enhancing the production of factors that promote hair growth while inhibiting those that suppress it.
Neuropilin-1 as a Key Molecule for Renal Recovery in Lupus Nephritis: Insights from an NZB/W F1 Mouse Model
Authors: Sandoval Sebastian , Solé Cristina , Joseph-Mullol Blanca , Royo Maria , Moliné Teresa , Gabaldón Alejandra , Cortés-Hernández Josefina
Published: October 2024

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease affecting multiple organs, with lupus nephritis (LN) occurring in 40–50% of SLE patients. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, LN remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, with 10–20% of patients progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). While knowledge of LN’s pathogenesis has improved, mechanisms of renal recovery are still largely unexplored. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), a transmembrane receptor expressed in renal tissue, has emerged as a promising biomarker for assessing renal recovery in LN. This study evaluates and correlates longitudinal levels of NRP-1 with kidney histology using an NZB/W F1 mouse model of LN. A total of 30 mice were used, with 15 receiving intravenous cyclophosphamide (CYC) and 15 being untreated. NRP-1 levels were measured in urine and serum, and kidney samples were taken from a subgroup of mice for histological evaluation. The results demonstrated a progressive increase in renal and urinary NRP-1 expression, particularly notable at weeks 26 and 32. Urinary NRP-1 levels above 34.40 ng/mL were strong predictors of favorable renal response, showing 100% sensitivity and 88% specificity. These findings indicate a robust correlation between urinary NRP-1 levels and renal histological recovery, underscoring the potential of NRP-1 as a valuable biomarker for assessing renal response in LN. This study demonstrates that renal production of NRP-1 is linked to histological recovery and establishes a foundation for future research into the role of NRP-1 in lupus kidney recovery.
Structural Basis of Activity of HER2-Targeting Construct Composed of DARPin G3 and Albumin-Binding Domains
Authors: Konshina Anastasia G. , Bocharov Eduard V. , Konovalova Elena V. , Schulga Alexey A. , Tolmachev Vladimir , Deyev Sergey M. , Efremov Roman G.
Published: October 2024

Non-immunoglobulin-based scaffold proteins (SPs) represent one of the key therapeutic target-specific and high-affinity binders in modern medicine. Among their cellular targets are signaling receptors, in particular, receptor tyrosine kinases, whose dysfunction leads to the development of cancer and other serious diseases. Successful applications of SPs have been reported for HER receptor type 2 (HER2), a member of the human epidermal growth factor receptor family that regulates cell growth and differentiation. To extend the blood residence of SPs and prevent their high accumulation in the kidneys, these proteins are often fused with serum albumin. Promising results for HER2-binding activity were obtained for SP G3 from the DARPins (Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins) family fused with an albumin-binding domain (ABD). Interestingly, the detected HER2–G3 binding strongly depended on the position of the G3 module in the sequence of the constructs. Further improvement of these constructs for biomedical applications requires deciphering the molecular mechanism responsible for this effect. Here, we investigate the structural and dynamic aspects of ABD–G3 and G3–ABD chimeras using NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Based on biophysical data, we come to the conclusion that extensive inter-domain contacts form in both constructs, although their binding interfaces and complex stability are somewhat different. Also, it is shown that the domain linker plays an important role—it limits the accessibility of the detected protein–protein binding sites, depending on the order of the domains in the chimeric molecules. These results create a solid structural basis for the rational design of new effective SP constructs targeting the signaling receptors in cells.
Layer Analysis Based on RNA-Seq Reveals Molecular Complexity of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Perez-Wert Pablo , Fernandez-Hernandez Sara , Gamez-Pozo Angelo , Arranz-Alvarez Marina , Ghanem Ismael , López-Vacas Rocío , Díaz-Almirón Mariana , Méndez Carmen , Fresno Vara Juan Ángel , Feliu Jaime , Trilla-Fuertes Lucia , Custodio Ana
Published: October 2024

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) is a significant global health issue with poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Although molecular classifications, such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), provide valuable insights, their clinical utility remains limited. We performed a multi-layered functional analysis using TCGA RNA sequencing data to better define molecular subtypes and explore therapeutic implications. We reanalyzed TCGA RNA-seq data from 142 GA patients with localized disease who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Our approach included probabilistic graphical models and recurrent sparse k-means/consensus cluster algorithms for layer-based analysis. Our findings revealed survival differences among TCGA groups, with the GS subtype showing the poorest prognosis. We identified twelve functional nodes and seven biological layers, each with distinct functions. The combined molecular layer (CML) classification identified three prognostic groups that align with TCGA subtypes. CML2 (GS-like) displayed gene expression related to lipid metabolism, correlating with worse survival. Transcriptomic heterogeneity within the CIN subtype revealed clusters tied to proteolysis and lipid metabolism. We identified a subset of CIN tumors with profiles similar to MSI, termed CIN-MSI-like. Claudin-18, a key gene in proteolysis, was overexpressed across TCGA subtypes, suggesting it is a potential therapeutic target. Our study advances GA biology, enabling refined stratification and personalized treatment. Further studies are needed to translate these findings into clinical practice.
Light Output Function and Pulse-Shape Discrimination Capability of p-Terphenyl Organic Scintillator in Wide Neutron Energy Range of 1.1 to 19 MeV
Authors: Jančář Aleš , Kopecký Zdeněk , Čulen Jiří , Matěj Zdeněk , Košťál Michal
Published: October 2024

In this work, we studied the light-output properties, efficiency function, as well as the pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) capability of p-Terphenyl scintillator. The selected solid cylindrical scintillation detector has a thickness of 45 mm and a diameter of 45 mm. Recently presented studies of light-output functions have only been measured for low-neutron energies. Our motivation has been to determine the light output function for p-Terphenyl scintillator more accurately over a wider neutron energy range. The measurements have been carried out with mono-energetic neutron beams in the wide energy range from 1.1 to 19 MeV. The neutron–gamma spectrometric system which we developed has been used for the measurement. The input analog signal from the detector was digitized with a fast 12-bits analog to digital converter with a sampling frequency of 1 GHz. Measured data from the detector are processed into the gamma and neutron spectra. The accurate light output function for the p-Therphenyl scintillator has been calculated. The pulse-shape discrimination capability, as well as the detection efficiency, of a p-Terphenyl scintillator are lower in comparison with a NE-213 equivalent detector.
Platelet Responses After Tapering and Discontinuation of Fostamatinib in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Continuation of the Fostasur Study
Authors: Mingot-Castellano María Eva , García-Donas Gloria , Campos-Álvarez Rosa María , de Mora María Carmen Fernández-Sánchez , Luis-Navarro Josefa , Domínguez-Rodríguez Juan Francisco , del Mar Nieto-Hernández María , Sánchez-Bazán Irene , Yera-Cobo Maria , Cardesa-Cabrera Rocio , Jiménez-Gonzalo Francisco José , Caparrós-Miranda Isabel , Entrena-Ureña Laura , Herrera Sergio Jurado , Fernández Jiménez Dolores , Díaz-Canales Dana , Moreno-Carrasco Gloria , Calderón-Cabrera Cristina , Núñez-Vázquez Ramiro José , Pedrote-Amador Begoña , Jiménez Bárcenas Reyes
Published: October 2024

Background/objectives: Fostamatinib is a spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor approved for the treatment of adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). There is little information about dose tapering and sustained remission after discontinuation in ITP. In this retrospective multicenter study, we evaluated efficacy and safety of fostamatinib in adult patients with ITP before, during, and after tapering/discontinuation (T/D). Methods: T/D was performed on subjects who achieved complete platelet response (CR) with progressive, conditional dose reduction every four weeks. Results: Sixty-one patients were included from 14 reference centers between October 2021 and May 2023. In subjects that completed T/D (n = 9), the median time from treatment initiation to response was 21 days (IQR: 7.5–42), median time from treatment initiation to CR was 28 days (IQR: 28–42), median time from treatment initiation to the start of tapering was 116 days (IQR: 42–140), and duration of tapering was 112.5 days (IQR: 94.5–191). The median platelet count was 232 × 109/L (IQR: 152–345 × 109/L) at tapering and 190 × 109/L (IQR: 142.5–316.5 × 109/L) at discontinuation. With a median follow-up since discontinuation of 263 days (IQR: 247–313 days), only two patients have relapsed (at 63 and 73 days). Fostamatinib was restarted, achieving a new CR. Platelet counts higher than 100 × 109/L in week 12 were the only positive predictive factors for successful tapering and discontinuation. Conclusions: Sustained response in patient with ITP treated with fostamatinib could be developed. The prognostic factors and recommended scheme of tapering still have to be evaluated.
Extended Reality Applications in Otolaryngology Beyond the Operating Room: A Scoping Review
Authors: Torborg Stefan R. , Kligerman Maxwell P. , Cohen Marc , Schefflein Javin
Published: October 2024

Objective: Extended reality (XR) has increasing usage in medicine, especially surgical fields, but the scope of applications is largely limited to intraoperative navigation. The aim of this scoping review is to evaluate all the available literature on how XR technologies have been applied to otolaryngology—head and neck surgery (OHNS) beyond the operating room for applications such as patient education and interdisciplinary communication. Review Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed and Scopus. Studies were reviewed without temporal restriction. Inclusion criteria comprised English-language, peer-review papers or conference abstracts studying XR technologies for non-operative uses such as patient education, physician training, or interdisciplinary preoperative planning in the field of OHNS. Results: Database searching initially identified 1607 records. After filtering for duplicates, screening for relevance, and applying the inclusion criteria, 10 studies were ultimately included. This study identifies gaps in the existing literature and describes future applications and key areas of research. XR is a novel strategy for increasing patients’ comprehension of their procedures and can facilitate improved communication and planning amongst a multidisciplinary surgical team during preoperative discussions. However, the existing literature is small in scale and has low statistical power for demonstrating clinical benefits. Conclusions: More robust studies are required to determine the true value of implementing XR. XR is a promising new technology with potential to advance education and patient care in OHNS. Ongoing research will continue to optimize the use of XR technology, ensuring safe and effective integration into clinical practice.
The Clinical Utility of Pulmonary Function Tests in the Diagnosis and Characterization of Central Airway Obstruction: A Narrative Review
Authors: Ampazis Dimitrios , Vlachakos Vasileios , Anagnostopoulos Nektarios , Tzouvelekis Argyrios , Sampsonas Fotios
Published: October 2024

Central airway obstruction is of major clinical importance since it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is usually clinically diagnosed late. Pulmonary function tests, with the recent incorporation of oscillometry, can have a crucial role in earlier diagnosis. In this review, we summarize all recent advances in that view, including the crucial role of oscillometry.
Clinical Performance of Semi-Automated Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Authors: Alibhai A. Yasin , Durbin Mary K. , Hou Huiyuan , Sadda Srinivas R. , Marcus Dennis M. , You Timothy T. , El-Nimri Nevin W. , Huebschmann Lukas , Waheed Nadia K.
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the clinical performance of two optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) devices, including a semi-automated device, with respect to image quality and pathology detection, with fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) serving as the reference standards. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, normal eyes and those with various retinal and choroidal pathologies were enrolled and underwent OCTA scanning using semi-automated 3D OCT-1 Maestro2 and Cirrus™ HD-OCT 5000 devices, as well as FA/ICGA imaging. OCTA scans and FA/ICGA images were independently graded for image quality and the visibility of prespecified anatomic vascular features, along with the presence or absence of pathology on the OCTA scans and the FA/ICGA images (within regions corresponding to the OCTA scan areas). Positive percent agreement (PPA), defined as the proportion of eyes in which the OCTA demonstrated pathology when the corresponding FA/ICGA showed pathology, and negative percent agreement (NPA), defined as the proportion of eyes in which the OCTA showed no pathology when the FA/ICGA also showed no pathology, were calculated. Results: In total, 38 normal eyes and 86 pathologic eyes were enrolled in the study. The majority of images for both devices were considered clinically useful. The PPA and NPA were high for both devices, indicating a good ability to identify disease when present and to rule it out when not present. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the semi-automated Maestro2 and Cirrus have comparably good clinical performance, particularly with regard to accuracy when identifying vascular pathologies.
Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery for Non-Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (pNETs): A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bousi Stelios-Elion , Zachiotis Marinos , Papapanou Michail , Frountzas Maximos , Symeonidis Dimitrios , Raptis Dimitrios , Papaziogas Basilios , Toutouzas Konstantinos , Felekouras Evangelos , Schizas Dimitrios
Published: October 2024

Background: This systematic review, using pairwise and network meta-analyses, aimed to compare the intraoperative, short-term, and long-term postoperative outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and open surgery (OS) for the management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). Methods: Studies reporting on the effects of robotic, laparoscopic, and open surgery on pNETs published before November 2023 on PubMed, Scopus, and CENTRAL were analyzed. Results: Thirty-two studies with 5379 patients were included in this review, encompassing 2251 patients undergoing MIS (1334 laparoscopic, 508 robotic, and 409 unspecified MIS) and 3128 patients undergoing OS for pNETs management. Pairwise meta-analysis revealed that the MIS group had a significantly shorter length of hospital stay ((a low certainty of evidence), MD of −4.87 (−6.19 to −3.56)); less intraoperative blood loss ((a low certainty of evidence), MD of −108.47 (−177.47 to −39.47)); and decreased tumor recurrence ((a high certainty of evidence), RR of 0.46, 95% CI (0.33 to 0.63)). Subgroup analysis indicated a higher R0 resection rate and prolonged operative time for laparoscopic surgery than for OS. The network meta-analysis ranked the robotic approach as superior in terms of the length of hospital stay, followed by the laparoscopic and OS arms. Furthermore, it favored both MIS approaches over OS in terms of the R0 resection rate. No significant differences were found in severe postoperative complications, postoperative fistula formation, mortality, readmission, reoperation, or conversion rates. Conclusions: This review supports the safety of MIS for the treatment of pNETs. However, the varying certainty of evidence emphasizes the need for higher-quality studies.
The Impact of Nusinersen Treatment on Respiratory Function in Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Aldukain Mona , Aldukain Ali , Hobani Assal , Barakat Abdulmalik , Alsayyed Lujain , Alomar Maher , Zain Al-Abeden Maha Saad , Alzoum Nora , Asseri Ali Alsuheel
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: This systematic review evaluated the impact of nusinersen therapy on respiratory health and function in individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and determined whether nusinersen improves pulmonary function, focusing on differences based on patient age and the timing of treatment initiation. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Ovid Medline, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases was conducted up to January 2024 in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Thirteen studies were included, comprising clinical trials, observational studies, and case series that focused on respiratory outcomes in SMA patients treated with nusinersen. The data on study design, participant characteristics, nusinersen intervention, respiratory outcomes, and adverse events were extracted. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool was used to assess study quality. A narrative synthesis was conducted to address the heterogeneity of the studies. Results: This review found a general trend of improvement in pulmonary function, specifically in forced vital capacity (FVC), although the extent and duration of improvement varied across the studies. Peak cough flow (PCF) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) showed positive trends in some studies, although the results were not consistently significant. Respiratory function improvements were frequently observed, particularly in younger patients and those treated earlier. Conclusions: Nusinersen appears to enhance respiratory function and improve motor outcomes in SMA patients, especially with early treatment. However, further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms and long-term effects on respiratory health in SMA.
The Adversarial Robust and Generalizable Stereo Matching for Infrared Binocular Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Liu Bowen , Ji Jiawei , Tao Cancan , Li Jujiu , Wang Yingxun
Published: October 2024

Despite the considerable success of deep learning methods in stereo matching for binocular images, the generalizability and robustness of these algorithms, particularly under challenging conditions such as occlusions or degraded infrared textures, remain uncertain. This paper presents a novel deep-learning-based depth optimization method that obviates the need for large infrared image datasets and adapts seamlessly to any specific infrared camera. Moreover, this adaptability extends to standard binocular images, allowing the method to work effectively on both infrared and visible light stereo images. We further investigate the role of infrared textures in a deep learning framework, demonstrating their continued utility for stereo matching even in complex lighting environments. To compute the matching cost volume, we apply the multi-scale census transform to the input stereo images. A stacked sand leak subnetwork is subsequently employed to address the matching task. Our approach substantially improves adversarial robustness while maintaining accuracy on comparison with state-of-the-art methods which decrease nearly a half in EPE for quantitative results on widely used autonomous driving datasets. Furthermore, the proposed method exhibits superior generalization capabilities, transitioning from simulated datasets to real-world datasets without the need for fine-tuning.
Phase Change Memory Drift Compensation in Spiking Neural Networks Using a Non-Linear Current Scaling Strategy
Authors: Palhares Joao Henrique Quintino , Garg Nikhil , Beilliard Yann , Anghel Lorena , Alibart Fabien , Drouin Dominique , Galy Philippe
Published: October 2024

The non-ideality aspects of phase change memory (PCM) such as drift and resistance variability can pose significant obstacles in neuromorphic hardware implementations. A unique drift and variability compensation strategy is demonstrated and implemented in an FD-SOI SNN hardware unit composed of embedded phase change memories (ePCMs), current attenuators, and spiking neurons. The effect of drift and variability compensation on inference accuracy is tested on the MNIST dataset to show that our drift and variability mitigation strategy is effective in sustaining its accuracy over time. The variability is reduced by up to 5% while the drift coefficient is reduced by up to 57.8%. The drift is compensated and the SNN classification accuracy is sustained for up to 2 years with intrinsic control-free hardware that tracks the ePCM current over time and consumes less than 30 µW. The results are based on ePCM chip experimental data and pos-layout simulation of a test chip comprising the proposed circuit solution.
Processing Parameter Setting Procedure for a Commercial Bowden Tube FDM Printer
Authors: Aguirre Pablo Sebastián , Veiga Fernando , Irijalba Mikel , Villabona Eneko , Rivero Pedro J.
Published: October 2024

Additive manufacturing (AM), especially fused deposition modeling (FDM), has experienced great development and diffusion during recent years. However, it still faces some limitations, such as poor dimensional accuracy or surface defects, the improvement of which motivates the elaboration of the present work. Contrary to an approach based on the optimization of parameters to obtain a single invariant value, the main objective of this study is the design of a procedure that anyone can follow to generate a printing profile for their specific FDM printer, environment, and imposed constraints through the adjustment of some selected parameters in the popular slicing software UltiMaker Cura. The resulting procedure consists of four ad hoc designed specimens and their analysis algorithms, all connected by a general workflow that ensures the correct execution of the procedure. Its applicability and effectiveness have been proved in a case study where a printing profile was developed for the real manufacturing project of a custom 3D object in polylactic acid (PLA), obtaining an improvement of 50% in tolerances and proving that the proposed parameter setting procedure represents a reduction in the setting time and material consumption versus conventional trial and error methodologies.
A Physiological Analysis of Desiccation Stress in the Green Tide Species Ulva stenophylloides and Ulva uncialis in the South Pacific
Authors: Mutizabal-Aros Javiera , Meynard Andrés , Contreras-Porcia Loretto
Published: October 2024

Global green tide blooms of the Ulva genus have been increasing due to human activities, with mass accumulation in Algarrobo Bay, Chile, causing ecological and social issues. In this area, five Ulva species were previously identified, with Ulva stenophylloides dominating across seasons and intertidal zones; Ulva uncialis was the second most abundant, mainly in winter. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that U. stenophylloides is more tolerant to desiccation than U. uncialis, explaining its dominance in the upper intertidal zone. Based on in vitro cultures, we assessed the impact of desiccation stress on weight, blade length, cellular activity, and lipoperoxide levels. In U. uncialis, desiccation treatment caused a decrease in weight; conversely, in U. stenophylloides, both control and desiccation treatments caused a slight decrease in weight. No significant differences (p > 0.05) in blade length or lipoperoxide levels as a function of culture time were detected in the control and desiccation treatment groups for both species. Furthermore, desiccation had no negative effects on the cellular activity of either species. Although the observed weight changes suggest that U. uncialis is more desiccation-tolerant than U. stenophylloides under the experimental conditions, the cellular activity and lipoperoxidation indicate high desiccation tolerance in both species, which partly explains their intertidal dominance.
Maintaining Accuracy While Reducing Effort in Online Decision Making: A New Quantitative Approach for Multi-Attribute Decision Problems Based on Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Jodlbauer Herbert , Riedl René
Published: October 2024

This paper explores consumer decision making, particularly focusing on the increasing prevalence of choices on the Internet such as online shopping. Examining the fundamental question of how individuals decide how to decide, our paper draws upon the effort–accuracy framework. This framework indicates that people typically consider both the cognitive effort associated with employing a specific decision strategy and the decision quality (i.e., accuracy) implied by using a particular strategy. However, decision strategies with high accuracy imply high effort. Empirical evidence shows that people often use decision strategies that require little effort. As a result, accuracy is often not high. Against this backdrop, this paper introduces a quantitative approach leveraging principal component analysis (PCA) as a decision support tool. Based on a simulation study, the approach demonstrates that it is possible to maintain high accuracy with significantly reduced effort in multi-attribute decision situations where attribute information is available in a quantitative format. This demonstration is based on the example of two decision strategies, which are both theoretically and practically highly relevant: the multi-attribute utility model (MAU) and the elimination-by-aspects strategy (EBA). By employing PCA for dimensionality reduction, the approach becomes particularly advantageous for online shops and online comparison portals, presenting users with concise yet accurate information. It is important to emphasize that our PCA approach is designed for data with a natural ordering, primarily focusing on quantitative variables. Consequently, decision situations where qualitative variables (e.g., product design or color) play a role in the decision-making process will need further exploration in future studies. However, we present a first solution to this problem so that our approach, based on this solution, can be implemented by online shops and online comparison portals in the near future.
Determination of Lubrication Layer Thickness and Its Effect on Concrete Pumping Pressure
Authors: Deng Rong , Ye Tong , Ye Zhiwei
Published: October 2024

The flow of six kinds of fresh concrete under different flow rates and lubrication layer thickness (TLL) values in the horizontal pipe was numerically simulated. The influence of the TLL on the pressure per unit length (PL) was analyzed. It was determined that the formation of the lubrication layer (LL) significantly reduces the PL in concrete pumping. As the TLL increased, the PL decreased. However, the degree of reduction in the PL gradually decreased as the TLL increased. Relating the simulated PL with the experimental PL, the size of the TLL was obtained, which was between 1 and 3 mm. The minimum and maximum were 1.23 and 2.58 mm, respectively, and the average value was 1.97 mm. The strength (S24, S50), the size of the aggregate (A10, A20, A25), and the flow rate of pumping all affected the TLL. The type of fresh concrete and the flow rate of pumping significantly affected the PL, which impacted the TLL. However, the TLL also impacted the PL. Finally, this made the TLL change within a certain range. When PL > 14,000 Pa/m, 2 mm < TLL< 3 mm; on the other hand, 1 mm < TLL< 2 mm. Therefore, we can use CFD to simulate the flow of all types of concrete in the actual pumping pipeline with a TLL of 2 mm to obtain their pumping pressure and guide the actual construction.
Research on Safety of Aero-Engine Oil Pipe Under Heating Conditions Based on Fluid–Solid Thermal Coupling
Authors: Yang Yuepeng , Wang Fang , Wen Fang , Jin Jie
Published: October 2024

This paper examines the safety of aero-engine pipelines under different heating conditions. Based on the fire test standard documents, a model of an aero-engine oil pipe was constructed, and its safety under heating conditions that meet the standard was analyzed using fluid–solid thermal coupling. The pipe material was stainless steel 1Cr18Ni9Ti, and the oil inside the pipeline was China RP-3 kerosene. To simulate the different working conditions or pump failure scenarios, various kerosene inlet flow rates were used for the calculations. The results indicate that the pipe wall exhibits an uneven temperature distribution under standard heating conditions. As the kerosene flow rate decreases, the pipe wall temperature rises, and heat transfer deterioration occurs. The increase in the pipe wall temperature reduces the material’s strength, while the uneven temperature distribution generates thermal stress, further increasing the safety risk. When the kerosene flow rate is reduced to a certain level, the equivalent stress in the pipe wall exceeds the material’s yield strength, leading to a high risk of rupture.
Al Alloy Melting Behavior and Interfacial Reactions with Steel Under Natural Convection
Authors: Song Shen-yang , Li Jing
Published: October 2024

The Al alloy melting behavior and interfacial reactions during the steelmaking process of high-Al automotive steel were investigated in this study. The total dissolution time of Al bars (20 × 20 × 80 mm) in molten steel was quite short, decreasing from 21.4 s to 10.0 s with an increase in bath temperature from 1580 to 1620 °C. The Al alloy melting process at the molten steel temperature of 1600 °C included the formation of a solidified steel layer, the latter’s rapid melting, and Al alloy normal melting, while at 1600 °C, the process included a second increase in the thickness of the solidified layer. Because steel elements such as [Fe], [C], [O], and [N] could diffuse during the whole Al alloy melting process, an Fe (Al)-FeAl-FeAl2-Fe2Al5-Al diffusion layer along the direction of the Al-rich matrix could be found at the Fe–Al interface. Moreover, FexO, Al2O3, and unstable AlN inclusions could be observed in the FeAl layer. This study also investigated how to reduce the number of these easily formed inclusions. Decreasing the pre-heating process time and dissolved oxygen content could be useful in decreasing FexO and Al2O3 inclusion formation. Some small-sized AlN inclusions formed in the center of the Al bars where they could not come into contact with the molten steel directly during the melting process; even for the immersion time of only 1 second, these inclusions were not stable in molten steel at the refining temperature and disappeared during the melting process.
Recent Developments in the Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Various Nanomaterials
Authors: Youssif Mahmoud M. , El-Attar Heba G. , Hessel Volker , Wojnicki Marek
Published: October 2024

Water pollution is caused by heavy metals, minerals, and dyes. It has become a global environmental problem. There are numerous methods for removing different types of pollutants from wastewater. Adsorption is viewed as the most promising and financially viable option. Nanostructured materials are used as effective materials for adsorption techniques to extract metal ions from wastewater. Many types of nanomaterials, such as zero-valent metals, metal oxides, carbon nanomaterials, and magnetic nanocomposites, are used as adsorbents. Magnetic nanocomposites as adsorbents have magnetic properties and abundant active functional groups, and unique nanomaterials endow them with better properties than nonmagnetic materials (classic adsorbents). Nonmagnetic materials (classic adsorbents) typically have limitations such as limited adsorption capacity, adsorbent recovery, poor selective adsorption, and secondary treatment. Magnetic nanocomposites are easy to recover, have strong selectivity and high adsorption capacity, are safe and economical, and have always been a hotspot for research. A large amount of data has been collected in this review, which is based on an extensive study of the synthesis, characterization, and adsorption capacity for the elimination of ions from wastewater and their separation from water. The effects of several experimental parameters on metal ion removal, including contact duration, temperature, adsorbent dose, pH, starting ion concentration, and ionic strength, have also been investigated. In addition, a variety of illustrations are used to describe the various adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm models, providing insight into the adsorption process.