bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of radiomics model based on the concept of gross tumor volume and clinical target volume in predicting occult lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zeng Chao , Zhang Wei , Liu Meiyue , Liu Jianping , Zheng Qiangxin , Li Jianing , Wang Zhiwu , Sun Guogui
Published: May 2023

Objective

This study aimed to establish a predictive model for occult lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with clinical stage I-A non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on contrast-enhanced CT.

Methods

A total of 598 patients with stage I–IIA NSCLC from different hospitals were randomized into the training and validation group. The “Radiomics” tool kit of AccuContour software was employed to extract the radiomics features of GTV and CTV from chest-enhanced CT arterial phase pictures. Then, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was applied to reduce the number of variables and develop GTV, CTV, and GTV+CTV models for predicting occult lymph node metastasis (LNM).

Results

Eight optimal radiomics features related to occult LNM were finally identified. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the three models showed good predictive effects. The area under the curve (AUC) value of GTV, CTV, and GTV+CTV model in the training group was 0.845, 0.843, and 0.869, respectively. Similarly, the corresponding AUC values in the validation group were 0.821, 0.812, and 0.906. The combined GTV+CTV model exhibited a better predictive performance in the training and validation group by the Delong test (p<0.05). Moreover, the decision curve showed that the combined GTV+CTV predictive model was superior to the GTV or CTV model.

Conclusion

The radiomics prediction models based on GTV and CTV can predict occult LNM in patients with clinical stage I–IIA NSCLC preoperatively, and the combined GTV+CTV model is the optimal strategy for clinical application.
Descriptive epidemiology of the head and neck cancers in old patients
Authors: Gatta Gemma , Capocaccia Riccardo , Botta Laura
Published: May 2023

Background

In Europe, as in other high-income (HI) countries, quite half of the newly diagnosed patients with head and neck (H and N) cancers are older than 65 years of age and their proportion within the prevalent cases is even higher. Moreover, the incidence rate (IR) for all H and N cancers sites increased with age and the survival rate is lower in older patients (≥65), compared with younger patients (<65). The number of older patients affected by H and N cancers will increase because of the increase in life expectancy. The aim of the article is to provide an epidemiological description of H and N cancers in the elderly population.

Material and methods

Incidence and prevalence data by time periods and continents were extracted from the Global Cancer Observatory. The survival information for Europe is obtained from the EUROCARE and RARECAREnet projects. In 2020, according to the results from these data, slightly more than 900,000 cases have been diagnosed with H and N cancers in the world, and approximately 40% were older than 65 years of age. This percentage was higher, reaching approximately 50% in the HI countries. The highest number of cases was in the Asiatic populations, while the highest crude IR was in Europe and Oceania. Among H and N cancers occurring in the elderly, laryngeal and oral cavity cancers were the most common, while nasal cavities and nasopharyngeal cancers were the rarest. This was true for all the countries, excluding some Asiatic populations, in which tumour of the nasopharynx was more common. The five-year survival rate in the European population was low in the elderly, compared with the younger for all H and N cancers, and it ranged from approximately 60% for both salivary-gland type and laryngeal to 22% for hypopharyngeal tumors. For the elderly, the conditional 5-year survival after surviving one year became more than 60% for many H and N epithelial tumors.

Conclusion

The high variability in the H and N cancer incidence around the world is due to the distribution of the major risk factors which for the elderly are mainly alcohol and smoking. The reasons for low survival in the elderly are most likely due to the complexity of treatment, the late arrival of patients at diagnosis, and the difficult access to specialized centers.
DNA methylation differences in noncoding regions in ER negative breast tumors between Black and White women
Authors: Chen Jianhong , Higgins Michael J. , Hu Qiang , Khoury Thaer , Liu Song , Ambrosone Christine B. , Gong Zhihong
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Incidence of estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer, an aggressive tumor subtype associated with worse prognosis, is higher among African American/Black women than other US racial and ethnic groups. The reasons for this disparity remain poorly understood but may be partially explained by differences in the epigenetic landscape.

Methods

We previously conducted genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of ER- breast tumors from Black and White women and identified a large number of differentially methylated loci (DML) by race. Our initial analysis focused on DML mapping to protein-coding genes. In this study, motivated by increasing appreciation for the biological importance of the non-protein coding genome, we focused on 96 DMLs mapping to intergenic and noncoding RNA regions, using paired Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450K array and RNA-seq data to assess the relationship between CpG methylation and RNA expression of genes located up to 1Mb away from the CpG site.

Results

Twenty-three (23) DMLs were significantly correlated with the expression of 36 genes (FDR<0.05), with some DMLs associated with the expression of single gene and others associated with more than one gene. One DML (cg20401567), hypermethylated in ER- tumors from Black versus White women, mapped to a putative enhancer/super-enhancer element located 1.3 Kb downstream of HOXB2. Increased methylation at this CpG correlated with decreased expression of HOXB2 (Rho=-0.74, FDR<0.001) and other HOXB/HOXB-AS genes. Analysis of an independent set of 207 ER- breast cancers from TCGA similarly confirmed hypermethylation at cg20401567 and reduced HOXB2 expression in tumors from Black versus White women (Rho=-0.75, FDR<0.001).

Discussion

Our findings indicate that epigenetic differences in ER- tumors between Black and White women are linked to altered gene expression and may hold functional significance in breast cancer pathogenesis.
Laboratory diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection: a narrative review
Authors: Lopez-Albizu Constanza , Rivero Rocío , Ballering Griselda , Freilij Hector , Santini María Soledad , Bisio Margarita María Catalina
Published: May 2023

Trypanosoma cruzi infection, currently endemic in 21 countries, is a public health problem not only in the Americas but also in countries with Latin American migrants. However, it is estimated that two-thirds of people with Chagas disease currently live in urban areas and that only 10% of them are aware of it. This review summarizes the most important aspects of the diagnosis of human T. cruzi infection by describing the following aspects of clinical laboratory diagnosis: the most widely used tests available in Latin America and those expected to improve access to diagnosis of the affected population with their implementation; the advantages, disadvantages, and sensitivity of the tests in the different phases of infection; and their usefulness in the acute or chronic phases of infection and in the context of immunosuppression. In this way, we hope to contribute to broadening the knowledge about this prevalent infection in the Americas.
Beyond brain injury biomarkers: chemoattractants and circulating progenitor cells as biomarkers of endogenous rehabilitation effort in preterm neonates with encephalopathy
Authors: Efstathiou N. , Soubasi V. , Koliakos G. , Kantziou K. , Kyriazis G. , Slavakis A. , Dermentzoglou V. , Michalettou I. , Drosou-Agakidou V.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Preclinical work and studies in adults have shown that endogenous regeneration efforts that involve mobilization of progenitor cells take place after brain injury. However, kinetics of endogenous circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) in preterm neonates is not well described, particularly their possible role regarding brain injury and regeneration. We aimed to assess the kinetics of CPCs in neonates with encephalopathy of prematurity in relation to brain injury biomarkers, chemoattractants and relevant antenatal and postanal clinical factors, in an effort to outline the related pathophysiology.

Materials and methods

47 preterm neonates (of 28–33 weeks GA) were enrolled: 31 newborns with no or minimal brain injury (grade I IVH) and 16 prematures with encephalopathy (grade III or IV IVH, PVL or infarct). Peripheral blood samples obtained on days 1, 3, 9, 18 and 45 after birth were analyzed using flow cytometry, focusing on EPCs (early and late Endothelial Progenitor Cells), HSCs (Hematopoietic Stem Cells) and VSELs (Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells). At the same time-points serum levels of S100B, Neuron-specific Enolase (NSE), Erythropoietin (EPO), Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and SDF-1 were also measured. Neonates were assessed postnatally with brain MRI, and with Bayley III developmental test at 2 years of corrected age.

Results

Preterms with brain injury proved to have significant increase of S100B and NSE, followed by increase of EPO and enhanced mobilization mainly of HSCs, eEPCs and lEPCs. IGF-1 was rather decreased in this group of neonates. IGF-1 and most CPCs were intense decreased in cases of antenatal or postnatal inflammation. S100B and NSE correlated with neuroimaging and language scale in Bayley III test, providing good prognostic ability.

Conclusion

The observed pattern of CPCs’ mobilization and its association with neurotrophic factors following preterm brain injury indicate the existence of an endogenous brain regeneration process. Kinetics of different biomarkers and associations with clinical factors contribute to the understanding of the related pathophysiology and might help to early discriminate neonates with adverse outcome. Timely appropriate enhancement of the endogenous regeneration effort, when it is suppressed and insufficient, using neurotrophic factors and exogenous progenitor cells might be a powerful therapeutic strategy in the future to restore brain damage and improve the neurodevelopmental outcome in premature infants with brain injury.
The role of dietary magnesium deficiency in inflammatory hypertension
Authors: Pitzer Mutchler Ashley , Huynh Linh , Patel Ritam , Lam Tracey , Bain Daniel , Jamison Sydney , Kirabo Annet , Ray Evan C.
Published: May 2023

Nearly 30% of adults consume less than the estimated average daily requirement of magnesium (Mg2+), and commonly used medications, such as diuretics, promote Mg2+ deficiency. Higher serum Mg2+ levels, increased dietary Mg2+ in-take, and Mg2+ supplementation are each associated with lower blood pressure, suggesting that Mg2+-deficiency contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Antigen-presenting cells, such as monocytes and dendritic cells, are well-known to be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. In these cells, processes implicated as necessary for increased blood pressure include activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-1β production, and oxidative modification of fatty acids such as arachidonic acid, forming isolevuglandins (IsoLGs). We hypothesized that increased blood pressure in response to dietary Mg2+-depletion leads to increased NLRP3, IL-1β, and IsoLG production in antigen presenting cells. We found that a Mg2+-depleted diet (0.01% Mg2+ diet) increased blood pressure in mice compared to mice fed a 0.08% Mg2+ diet. Mg2+-depleted mice did not exhibit an increase in total body fluid, as measured by quantitative magnetic resonance. Plasma IL-1β concentrations were increased (0.13 ± 0.02 pg/mL vs. 0.04 ± 0.02 pg/mL). Using flow cytometry, we observed increased NLRP3 and IL-1β expression in antigen-presenting cells from spleen, kidney, and aorta. We also observed increased IsoLG production in antigen-presenting cells from these organs. Primary culture of CD11c+ dendritic cells confirmed that low extracellular Mg2+ exerts a direct effect on these cells, stimulating IL-1β and IL-18 production. The present findings show that NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IsoLG-adduct formation are stimulated when dietary Mg2+ is depleted. Interventions and increased dietary Mg2+ consumption may prove beneficial in decreasing the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
A bibliometric analysis and literature review on emotional skills
Authors: Manjarres María Teresa , Duarte Diana Paola Mahecha , Navarro-Obeid Jorge , Álvarez Maria Laura Vergara , Martinez Isneila , Cudris-Torres Lorena , Hernández-Lalinde Juan , Bermúdez Valmore
Published: May 2023

The content, management, and implementation of social skills have been developed since the end of the 20th century as a model of capabilities. Thus, as human beings develop and train their basic cognitive and perceptual–motor functions, they increase their ability to solve and cope with difficulties. This article aims to present a bibliometric and systematic review of social skills, using query sources in databases such as Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus between the years 2000 and 2022, with platforms such as Bibliometrix and Gephi. This search yielded a total of 233 records in WoS and 250 records in Scopus that were merged and, after eliminating 143 duplicate data, were consolidated into 340 records that enclose the academic production of 20 years. Through scientific mapping, the main authors, journals, and countries in this field were determined; similarly, the most relevant studies were classified into three categories, namely, classic, structural, and perspectives, which were represented by means of the metaphor of the tree of science. In addition, a program for further studies was planned, such as in-depth qualitative research measuring observationally and directly taking into account emotional expressiveness, emotional understanding, emotion regulation, and behavior, and the impact of social skills training on social problem-solving. Finally, another important aspect to mention is that this research work is useful for the scientific academic community in many areas of knowledge such as psychology, education, and managers of educational institutions.
Perceived use and value of reproductive, problem-solving, and athlete-initiated teaching by coaches and athletes
Authors: Kılıç Koray , Ince Mustafa Levent
Published: May 2023

In the sports coaching environment, it is recognized that developing athletes’ autonomy and problem-solving skills are crucial to support holistic development and ensure optimal performance. However, there needs to be more information on how coaches use and value different teaching methods in training and how athletes perceive and value these methods. This study aimed to examine coaches’ and athletes’ perceptions of the use and value of reproductive, productive problem-solving, and productive athlete-initiated teaching methods. To this end, the Coaches’ Use of Teaching Methods Scale which is validated for the use of coaches and athletes, was applied to 70 coaches and their 294 athletes of youth sports teams purposefully selected from four cities in Türkiye. Data were analyzed by nonparametric methods, including Friedman’s and Mann–Whitney tests (p < 0.05). Although there were statistically significant differences between the responses of coaches and athletes regarding the use of different teaching methods in their training and the value they gave to these methods, both groups marked the frequent use of reproductive, occasional use of productive problem-solving and rare use of productive athlete-initiated teaching methods during training. The value given to productive athlete-initiated teaching methods in terms of enjoyment, learning, and motivation by the athletes was higher than the value given to them by the coaches. The study’s findings strongly indicate the coaches’ professional needs in their pedagogical knowledge, specifically on their value perceptions of productive problem-solving and productive athlete-initiated teaching methods and the capacity to apply them.
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among healthcare workers during the Omicron era
Authors: Yin YuanYuan , Han Sizhu , Guan Jiaoqiong , Wang DuanWei , Wang HaiRong , Yuan Ti-Fei , Yang Ying
Published: May 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant psychological stress among healthcare workers. This study aimed to clarify the factors that influenced health workers’ posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Method

A total of 443 healthcare workers from eight Mental Health Centers in Shandong were recruited to attend an online survey. Participants completed self-evaluation measures of exposure to the COVID-19 environment and PTSD symptoms, as well as measures of potential protective factors such as euthymia and perceived social support.

Results

About 45.37% of healthcare workers had severe symptoms of PTSD symptoms. Healthcare workers with more serious PTSD symptoms were significantly related to higher exposure to COVID-19 (r = 0.177, p < 0.001), as well as lower levels of euthymia (r = −0.287, p < 0.001) and perceived social support (r = −0.236, p < 0.001). The structural equation model (SEM) further revealed that the impact of exposure to COVID-19 on PTSD symptoms was partially mediated by euthymia, and moderated by perceived social support, especially from others (e.g., friends, leaders, relatives and colleagues).

Conclusion

These findings suggested that improving the state of euthymia, getting social support from others could alleviate PTSD symptoms among healthcare workers during the COVID-19.
Psychometric properties of the Italian version of the staff attitude to coercion scale: an exploratory factor analysis
Authors: Venturini Paola , Bassi Giulia , Salcuni Silvia , Kotzalidis Georgios D. , Telesforo Carla Ludovica , Salustri Eleonora , Trevisi Manuela , Roselli Valentina , Tarsitani Lorenzo , Infante Vittorio , Niolu Cinzia , Polselli Gianmarco , Boldrini Tommaso
Published: May 2023

Aims

The current study aimed to validate the Italian version of the Staff Attitude to Coercion Scale (SACS), which assesses mental health care staff’s attitudes to the use of coercion in treatment.

Methods

The original English version of the SACS was translated into Italian, according to the back-translation procedure. Subsequently, it was empirically validated by performing an exploratory factor analysis on a sample of 217 mental health professionals (Mean = 43.40 years, SD = 11.06) recruited form Italian general hospital (acute) psychiatric wards (GHPWs), with at least 1 year of work experience (i.e., inclusion criteria).

Results

Results confirmed the three-factor solution of the original version for the Italian version of the SACS, though three items loaded on different factors, compared to the original. The three extracted factors, explained 41% of total variance, and were labeled similarly to the original scale and according to their respective item content, i.e., Factor 1 “Coercion as offending” (items: 3, 13, 14, and 15), Factor 2 “Coercion as care and security” (items: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9), and Factor 3 “Coercion as treatment” (items: 6, 10, 11, and 12). The internal consistency of the three-factor model of the Italian version of the SACS was assessed through Cronbach’s α and yielded acceptable indexes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.77.

Conclusion

The present findings suggest that the Italian version of the SACS is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to assess healthcare professionals’ attitudes toward coercion.
Enhancing e-commerce recommendation systems through approach of buyer's self-construal: necessity, theoretical ground, synthesis of a six-step model, and research agenda
Authors: Feng Yilin
Published: May 2023

The current recommendation system predominantly relies on evidential factors such as behavioral outcomes and purchasing history. However, limited research has been conducted to explore the use of psychological data in these algorithms, such as consumers' self-perceived identities. Based on the gap identified and the soaring significance of levering the non-purchasing data, this study presents a methodology to quantify consumers' self-identities to help examine the relationship between these psychological cues and decision-making in an e-commerce context, focusing on the projective self, which has been overlooked in previous research. This research is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the cause of inconsistency in similar studies and provide a basis for further exploration of the impact of self-concepts on consumer behavior. The coding method in grounded theory, in conjunction with the synthesis of literature analysis, was employed to generate the final approach and solution in this study as they provide a robust and rigorous basis for the findings and recommendations presented in this study.
Chemoprevention in oral leukoplakia: challenges and current landscape
Authors: Palma Victor de Mello , Koerich Laureano Natalia , Frank Luiza Abrahão , Rados Pantelis Varvaki , Visioli Fernanda
Published: May 2023

Oral potentially malignant disorders have the potential to transform into oral cancer. Oral leukoplakia is a prevalent OPMD with a 9.8% malignant transformation rate. The standard management for OL involves surgical excision, but its efficacy in preventing clinical recurrence and malignant transformation is limited. Therefore, alternative strategies such as chemoprevention modalities have emerged as a promising approach to inhibit the carcinogenesis process. The aim of this review was to identify human studies that investigated the effectiveness of chemopreventive agents in preventing the progression of oral leukoplakia and to provide guidance for future research. Several systemic and topical agents have been evaluated for their potential chemopreventive effects in oral leukoplakia. Systemic agents that have been investigated include vitamin A, lycopene, celecoxib, green tea extract, ZengShengPing, Bowman Birk inhibitor, beta-carotene, curcumin, erlotinib, and metformin. In addition, topical agents tested include bleomycin, isotretinoin, ONYX-015 mouthwash, ketorolac, and dried black raspberry. Despite numerous agents that have already been tested, evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. To improve the search for an ideal chemopreventive agent for oral leukoplakia, we propose several strategies that can be implemented. Oral leukoplakia chemoprevention presents a promising opportunity for decreasing the incidence of oral cancer. Identifying new chemopreventive agents and biomarkers for predicting treatment response should be a focus of future research.
Deep learning of model- and reanalysis-based precipitation and pressure mismatches over Europe
Authors: Patakchi Yousefi Kaveh , Kollet Stefan
Published: May 2023

Physically based numerical weather prediction and climate models provide useful information for a large number of end users, such as flood forecasters, water resource managers, and farmers. However, due to model uncertainties arising from, e.g., initial value and model errors, the simulation results do not match the in situ or remotely sensed observations to arbitrary accuracy. Merging model-based data with observations yield promising results benefiting simultaneously from the information content of the model results and observations. Machine learning (ML) and/or deep learning (DL) methods have been shown to be useful tools in closing the gap between models and observations due to the capacity in the representation of the non-linear space–time correlation structure. This study focused on using UNet encoder–decoder convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for extracting spatiotemporal features from model simulations for predicting the actual mismatches (errors) between the simulation results and a reference data set. Here, the climate simulations over Europe from the Terrestrial Systems Modeling Platform (TSMP) were used as input to the CNN. The COSMO-REA6 reanalysis data were used as a reference. The proposed merging framework was applied to mismatches in precipitation and surface pressure representing more and less chaotic variables, respectively. The merged data show a strong average improvement in mean error (~ 47%), correlation coefficient (~ 37%), and root mean square error (~22%). To highlight the performance of the DL-based method, the results were compared with the results obtained by a baseline method, quantile mapping. The proposed DL-based merging methodology can be used either during the simulation to correct model forecast output online or in a post-processing step, for downstream impact applications, such as flood forecasting, water resources management, and agriculture.
Structure and milk hygiene of dairy cooperative value chains in an intensive production area of Uganda—A bottleneck of intervention
Authors: Sugino Yoshiharu , Bugeza James , Bahame David , Byaruhanga Joseph , Shimazaki Haruka , Anzai Masahiko , Kayano Taishi , Mwebembezi William , Akashaba Andrew , Shimada Taku , Muramatsu Yasukazu , Makita Kohei
Published: May 2023

In Uganda, informal raw milk sales dominate for domestic dairy consumption. This study was implemented to identify the structure of the dairy value chain starting from farms that participated in the Japan International Cooperation Agency Safe Milk Promotion in Mbarara project conducted between 2016 and 2019, to assess the hygiene conditions along the chain, and thereby identify the bottleneck of dairy hygiene intervention. A longitudinal study was conducted in 30 dairy farms in Mbarara District to compare the practice, prevalence of sub-clinical mastitis, and level of milk hygiene in 2016–2017 and 2019, before and after the milking hygiene intervention in 2018. California Mastitis Test was used for diagnosis with sub-clinical mastitis. Bulk milk samples were collected and a checklist was used to examine hygiene practices by observation. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 milk collecting centers using a structured questionnaire to quantify the dairy value chain, and to sample milk from cooler tanks in 2020. Microbiological examinations of bulk milk from farms and collection centers were conducted using six-point blood agar scoring and 3M Petri film, respectively. Participatory online appraisals with farmers and dairy cooperatives union were conducted to better understand the overall dairy value chains. The cooperatives sold milk to both formal and informal chains, but the sale of raw milk to Kampala was conducted by independent private traders. Within-herd prevalence of sub-clinical mastitis significantly decreased from 72.3% before the intervention to 25.8% after (p < 0.001). However, the farm bulk milk score did not change (3.3 vs. 3.2, p = 0.418). A significant increase in the total bacterial count was observed in the milk from collection centers (mean: 6.50 log10 CFU/ml) when compared to farm bulk milk (mean: 3.79 log10 CFU/ml; p < 0.001). Only 13.3% of the samples from the centers met the microbiological criteria for processing for human consumption. Our findings suggest that intervention targeted only at mastitis does not lead to better public health due to the low level of hygiene in transportation and milk handling in milk collection centers. Systematic interventions are needed to improve post-harvest dairy hygiene in Uganda.
Head rebound test in the clinical neurological examination of veterinary patients: a case example and discussion of Stewart and Holmes’ rebound phenomenon
Authors: Santifort Koen M.
Published: May 2023

In human medical neurology, the clinical neurological examination is variably augmented by specific tests that may be either unsuitable for veterinary patients or not included in the clinical evaluation of veterinary neurological patients due to clinicians presumably being unfamiliar with these tests. An example of the latter can be found in testing for the Stewart and Holmes’ rebound phenomenon (“rebound test”). In this article, a veterinary case example is presented in which a modified version of this test was performed (“head rebound test”). The interpretation of the results of this test is discussed, and the literature on the Stewart and Holmes’ rebound phenomenon and testing thereof is reviewed.
Using Image Texture Analysis to Evaluate Soil–Compost Mechanical Mixing in Organic Farms
Authors: Romano Elio , Brambilla Massimo , Bisaglia Carlo , Assirelli Alberto
Published: May 2023

Soil amendments (e.g., compost) require uniform incorporation in the soil profile to benefit plants. However, machines may not mix them uniformly throughout the upper soil layer commonly explored by plant roots. The study focuses on using image texture analysis to determine the level of mixing uniformity in the soil following the passage of two kinds of harrows. A 12.3-megapixel DX-format digital camera acquired images of soil/expanded polystyrene (in the laboratory) and soil/compost mixtures (in field conditions). In the laboratory, pictures captured the soil before and during the simulated progressive mixing of expanded polystyrene particles. In field conditions, images captured the exposed superficial horizons of compost-amended soil after the passage of a combined spike-tooth–disc harrow and a disc harrow. Image texture analysis based on the gray-level co-occurrence matrix calculated the sums of dissimilarity, contrast, entropy, and uniformity metrics. In the laboratory conditions, the progressive mixing resulted in increased image dissimilarity (from 1.15 ± 0.74 × 106 to 1.65 ± 0.52 × 106) and contrast values (from 2.69 ± 2.06 × 106 to 5.67 ± × 1.93 106), almost constant entropy (3.50 ± 0.25 × 106), and decreased image uniformity (from 6.65 ± 0.31 × 105 to 4.49 ± 1.36 × 105). Using a tooth-disc harrow in the open field resulted in higher dissimilarity, contrast, entropy (+73.3%, +62.8%, +16.3%), and lower image uniformity (−50.6%) than the disc harrow, suggesting enhanced mixing in the superficial layer.
Genome-Wide Analysis of MAMSTR Transcription Factor-Binding Sites via ChIP-Seq in Porcine Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts
Authors: Li Chenlei , Zhang Zhe , Wei Yilin , Qi Kunlong , Dou Yaqing , Song Chenglei , Liu Yingke , Li Xinjian , Li Xiuling , Wang Kejun , Qiao Ruimin , Yang Feng , Han Xuelei
Published: May 2023

Myocyte enhancer factor-2-activating motif and SAP domain-containing transcriptional regulator (MAMSTR) regulates its downstream through binding in its promoter regions. However, its molecular mechanism, particularly the DNA-binding sites, and coregulatory genes are quite unexplored. Therefore, to identify the genome-wide binding sites of the MAMSTR transcription factors and their coregulatory genes, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing was carried out. The results showed that MAMSTR was associated with 1506 peaks, which were annotated as 962 different genes. Most of these genes were involved in transcriptional regulation, metabolic pathways, and cell development and differentiation, such as AMPK signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway, transcription coactivator activity, transcription coactivator binding, adipocytokine signaling pathway, fat digestion and absorption, skeletal muscle fiber development, and skeletal muscle cell differentiation. Lastly, the expression levels and transcriptional activities of PID1, VTI1B, PRKAG1, ACSS2, and SLC28A3 were screened and verified via functional markers and analysis. Overall, this study has increased our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of MAMSTR during skeletal muscle fibroblast development and provided a reference for analyzing muscle development mechanisms.
Investigation of Actual In-Plane Geometric Imperfections of Steel Tied-Arch Bridges
Authors: Farbák Matúš , Chromčák Jakub , Bačová Dáša , Odrobiňák Jaroslav
Published: May 2023

The complex global analysis of the steel tied-arch bridges may require specific data in some cases, e.g., residual stress or real geometrical imperfections. The presented research is focused on the investigation of the actual in-plane shape of the steel tied-arch bridges. To obtain the actual shapes of the arches of existing bridges, 3D terrestrial laser scanning was applied. Data were then investigated as a group in order to find the relationship within the tied-arch bridges’ vertical imperfections. Firstly, the detailed surveyed points in the selected position were mathematically determined to estimate the measured data. The next step included the creation of curves presenting the real shape of the bridges’ arches course using numerical modelling. After the pre-programming, the calculations and related numerical modelling were performed in the Matlab environment. These modelled arch-bridges courses were approximated by using regression analysis. The approximating curves from the regression analysis represent the theoretical course of the arches. The difference between the theoretical shape and the processed measured values may be presented as the examined in-plane imperfections. Subsequently, the paper presents comparisons from the evaluation of the individual imperfections on the investigated bridges and a comparison of the measurement with the standardised shape of the imperfections.
Probenecid, an Old Drug with Potential New Uses for Central Nervous System Disorders and Neuroinflammation
Authors: García-Rodríguez Claudia , Mujica Paula , Illanes-González Javiera , López Araceli , Vargas Camilo , Sáez Juan C. , González-Jamett Arlek , Ardiles Álvaro O.
Published: May 2023

Probenecid is an old uricosuric agent used in clinics to treat gout and reduce the renal excretion of antibiotics. In recent years, probenecid has gained attention due to its ability to interact with membrane proteins such as TRPV2 channels, organic anion transporters, and pannexin 1 hemichannels, which suggests new potential therapeutic utilities in medicine. Some current functions of probenecid include their use as an adjuvant to increase the bioavailability of several drugs in the Central Nervous System (CNS). Numerous studies also suggest that this drug has important neuroprotective, antiepileptic, and anti-inflammatory properties, as evidenced by their effect against neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. In these studies, the use of probenecid as a Panx1 hemichannel blocker to reduce neuroinflammation is highlighted since neuroinflammation is a major trigger for diverse CNS alterations. Although the clinical use of probenecid has declined over the years, advances in its use in preclinical research indicate that it may be useful to improve conventional therapies in the psychiatric field where the drugs used have a low bioavailability, either because of a deficient passage through the blood–brain barrier or a high efflux from the CNS or also a high urinary clearance. This review summarizes the history, pharmacological properties, and recent research uses of probenecid and discusses its future projections as a potential pharmacological strategy to intervene in neurodegeneration as an outcome of neuroinflammation.
A Comparison of Spectroscopy and Imaging Techniques Utilizing Spectrally Resolved Diffusely Reflected Light for Intraoperative Margin Assessment in Breast-Conserving Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shanthakumar Dhurka , Leiloglou Maria , Kelliher Colm , Darzi Ara , Elson Daniel S. , Leff Daniel R.
Published: May 2023

Up to 19% of patients require re-excision surgery due to positive margins in breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Intraoperative margin assessment tools (IMAs) that incorporate tissue optical measurements could help reduce re-excision rates. This review focuses on methods that use and assess spectrally resolved diffusely reflected light for breast cancer detection in the intraoperative setting. Following PROSPERO registration (CRD42022356216), an electronic search was performed. The modalities searched for were diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), multispectral imaging (MSI), hyperspectral imaging (HSI), and spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI). The inclusion criteria encompassed studies of human in vivo or ex vivo breast tissues, which presented data on accuracy. The exclusion criteria were contrast use, frozen samples, and other imaging adjuncts. 19 studies were selected following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were divided into point-based (spectroscopy) or whole field-of-view (imaging) techniques. A fixed-or random-effects model analysis generated pooled sensitivity/specificity for the different modalities, following heterogeneity calculations using the Q statistic. Overall, imaging-based techniques had better pooled sensitivity/specificity (0.90 (CI 0.76–1.03)/0.92 (CI 0.78–1.06)) compared with probe-based techniques (0.84 (CI 0.78–0.89)/0.85 (CI 0.79–0.91)). The use of spectrally resolved diffusely reflected light is a rapid, non-contact technique that confers accuracy in discriminating between normal and malignant breast tissue, and it constitutes a potential IMA tool.
Unraveling the Role of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Salivary Glands: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Hoch Cosima C. , Stögbauer Fabian , Wollenberg Barbara
Published: May 2023

Salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) is considered a challenging malignancy; it is characterized by a slow-growing nature, yet a high risk of recurrence and distant metastasis, presenting significant hurdles in its treatment and management. At present, there are no approved targeted agents available for the management of SACC and systemic chemotherapy protocols that have demonstrated efficacy remain to be elucidated. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process that is closely associated with tumor progression and metastasis, enabling epithelial cells to acquire mesenchymal properties, including increased mobility and invasiveness. Several molecular signaling pathways have been implicated in the regulation of EMT in SACC, and understanding these mechanisms is crucial to identifying new therapeutic targets and developing more effective treatment approaches. This manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research on the role of EMT in SACC, including the molecular pathways and biomarkers involved in EMT regulation. By highlighting the most recent findings, this review offers insights into potential new therapeutic strategies that could improve the management of SACC patients, especially those with recurrent or metastatic disease.
Ultrafast and Facile Synthesis of (Ni/Fe/Mo)OOH on Ni Foam for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Seawater Electrolysis
Authors: Xu Li , Dong Yuxuan , Xu Wei , Zhang Wen
Published: May 2023

Preparing high-performance electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER)s with high durability for seawater electrolysis is of great significance. Herein, reported a one-step solution-immersion synthesis strategy to prepare a (Ni/Fe/Mo)OOH catalyst on a nickel foam substrate that can be accomplished in 5 min under ambient temperature and pressure. The unique cluster morphology of the catalyst on the surface of electrodes effectively increases the number of active sites, and the presence of Mo, Ni, and Fe in the catalyst enhances the activity of the OER. In the electrolyte solution (1 mol/L NaOH), the electrode exhibited low OER overpotentials of 265 mV, 286 mV, and 332 mV at currents of 100 mA·cm−2, 400 mA·cm−2, and 1000 mA·cm−2, respectively. This electrode also demonstrated excellent performance in seawater splitting, and the overpotentials at currents of 100 mA·cm−2, 400 mA·cm−2, and 1000 mA·cm−2 in alkaline seawater environments were 330 mV, 416 mV, and 514 mV, respectively. In the 72 h durability test, the voltage increase was within 10 mV, exhibiting the excellent durability of the (Ni/Fe/Mo)OOH electrocatalyst. Therefore, the electrode developed here shows potential in the application of seawater electrolysis for hydrogen generation.
Effect of Poria cocos Mushroom Polysaccharides (PCPs) on the Quality and DNA Methylation of Cryopreserved Shanghai White Pig Spermatozoa
Authors: Zhou Jinyong , Zhang Keqin , Gao Jun , Xu Jiehuan , Wu Caifeng , He Mengqian , Zhang Shushan , Zhang Defu , Dai Jianjun , Sun Lingwei
Published: May 2023

In this study, we explore the effects of Poria cocos mushroom polysaccharides (PCPs) on the quality and DNA methylation of the cryopreserved spermatozoa of Shanghai white pigs. A total of 24 ejaculates (three ejaculate samples per boar) from eight Shanghai white pigs were manually collected. The pooled semen was diluted with a based extender supplemented with different concentrations of PCPs (0, 300, 600, 900, 1200, and 1500 μg/mL). Once thawed, the quality of the spermatozoa and their antioxidant function were assessed. In the meantime, the effect of spermatozoa DNA methylation was also analyzed. The results show that compared with the control group, 600 μg/mL of PCPs significantly improves the spermatozoa viability (p < 0.05). The motility and plasma membrane integrity of the frozen–thawed spermatozoa are significantly higher after treatment with 600, 900, and 1200 μg/mL of PCPs compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the percentages of acrosome integrity and mitochondrial activity are significantly enhanced after the application of 600 and 900 μg/mL PCPs (p < 0.05). The reactive oxygen species (ROS), the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, in comparison with the control group, are significantly decreased in all groups with PCPs (all p < 0.05). The enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in spermatozoa is significantly higher in the treatment with 600 μg/mL of PCPs than in the other groups (p < 0.05). As compared with the control group, a significant increase in the catalase (CAT) level is found in the groups with PCPs at 300, 600, 900, and 1200 μg/mL (all p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) levels are significantly decreased in all groups with PCPs (all p < 0.05). As a result of these findings, a certain amount of PCPs (600–900 μg/mL) added to the cryodiluent can significantly improve the quality of Shanghai white pig spermatozoa and can also reduce the methylation of spermatozoa DNA caused by cryopreservation. This treatment strategy may establish a foundation for the cryopreservation of semen from pigs.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Trifluridine/Tipiracil plus Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Evidence from Real-World Series
Authors: Voutsadakis Ioannis A.
Published: May 2023

Background: Colorectal cancer is the most prevalent gastrointestinal neoplasm. When metastatic, the disease has limited systemic treatment options. Novel targeted therapies have expanded these options for subsets with specific molecular alterations, such as microsatellite instability (MSI)-high cancers, but additional treatments and combinations are in urgent need to improve outcomes and improve survival of this incurable disease. The fluoropyrimidine-derivative trifluridine, in combination with tipiracil, has been introduced as a third-line treatment, and more recently, it was studied in combination with bevacizumab. This meta-analysis reports on studies with this combination in clinical practice outside clinical trials. Methods: A literature search in the Medline/PubMed and Embase databases was executed for finding series of trifluridine/tipiracil with bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer. Criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis were English or French language of the report, inclusion of twenty or more patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with trifluridine/tipiracil in combination with bevacizumab outside of a trial and containing information regarding response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Information on the demographics of the patients and on adverse effects of treatment was also collected. Results: Eight series with a total of 437 patients were eligible for the meta-analysis. The performed meta-analysis discovered a summary response rate (RR) of 2.71% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–4.32%) and a disease control rate (DCR) of 59.63% (95% CI: 52.06–67.21%). Summary PFS was 4.56 months (95% CI: 3.57–5.55 months), and summary OS was 11.17 months (95% CI: 10.15–12.19 months). Common adverse effects identified mirrored the adverse-effect profile of the two components of the combination. Conclusion: The current systematic review and meta-analysis reports the efficacy of trifluridine/tipiracil with bevacizumab in advanced lines of therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer in the setting of clinical practice outside clinical trials. Discovery of predictive biomarkers of response to trifluridine/tipiracil with bevacizumab will promote the tailoring of this treatment to individual patients to maximize clinical benefit.
Brain Tumor Class Detection in Flair/T2 Modality MRI Slices Using Elephant-Herd Algorithm Optimized Features
Authors: Rajinikanth Venkatesan , Vincent P. M. Durai Raj , Gnanaprakasam C. N. , Srinivasan Kathiravan , Chang Chuan-Yu
Published: May 2023

Several advances in computing facilities were made due to the advancement of science and technology, including the implementation of automation in multi-specialty hospitals. This research aims to develop an efficient deep-learning-based brain-tumor (BT) detection scheme to detect the tumor in FLAIR- and T2-modality magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) slices. MRI slices of the axial-plane brain are used to test and verify the scheme. The reliability of the developed scheme is also verified through clinically collected MRI slices. In the proposed scheme, the following stages are involved: (i) pre-processing the raw MRI image, (ii) deep-feature extraction using pretrained schemes, (iii) watershed-algorithm-based BT segmentation and mining the shape features, (iv) feature optimization using the elephant-herding algorithm (EHA), and (v) binary classification and verification using three-fold cross-validation. Using (a) individual features, (b) dual deep features, and (c) integrated features, the BT-classification task is accomplished in this study. Each experiment is conducted separately on the chosen BRATS and TCIA benchmark MRI slices. This research indicates that the integrated feature-based scheme helps to achieve a classification accuracy of 99.6667% when a support-vector-machine (SVM) classifier is considered. Further, the performance of this scheme is verified using noise-attacked MRI slices, and better classification results are achieved.
Three-Stage Operational Amplifier with Frequency Compensation Using Cascade Zero
Authors: Jin Yurin , Seo Yeonho , Kim Sungmi , Cho Seongik
Published: May 2023

Short channel MOSFET exhibits the characteristics of wide bandwidth and low DC gain. A low DC gain causes a high gain error and a narrow output linear range in the closed loop. The DC gains can be improved by using the cascade structure, but frequency compensation is required due to the increase in the number of poles. The output nodes of each stage in a cascade Common-Source amplifier have a cascade of zero, and this zero is cancelled out by the input node of the next stage. This paper proposes a three-stage operational amplifier (op-amp) with frequency compensation using cascade zero. This op-amp was implemented in the 180 nm CMOS technology and achieved 86.96 MHz unity–gain frequency, 51.7° phase margin at 32 pF load capacitor and 99.83 dB DC gain, that is, a 36.21 dB improvement over a two-stage op-amp with the same power consumption. The op-amp consumed 7.74 mW with a supply voltage of 1.8 V.