bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Report of Three Ampharetinae Malmgren, 1866 Species from Korean Subtidal Waters, Including Genetic Features of Histone H3 and Descriptions of Two New Species
Authors: Kim Jong-Rae , Kim Dae-Hun , Jeong Man-Ki
Published: February 2025

This study reports two new species of Ampharete and one new record of a species of Amphicteis (Ampharetidae) from the Korean subtidal zone, based on an integrative approach. Ampharete koreana sp. nov. is characterized by paleal chaetae several times thicker than notochaetae, with short filamentous tips. It more closely resembles A. finmarchica but differs in the shape of its paleae, interbranchial gap, thoracic uncini, and pygidial cirri and shows a 2% genetic divergence in histone H3 and in 18% of mtCOI genes. Ampharete namhaensis sp. nov. shares with A. petersenae the absence of paleae and the presence of 16 abdominal uncinigers, a rare combination of traits among known Ampharete species. However, A. petersenae differs in having a marked interbranchial gap, prominent eyes on the prostomium, double the number of abdominal uncini and buccal tentacles, and in its distribution (southern Korea for A. namhaensis sp. nov. vs. North Atlantic and Arctic-adjacent waters for A. petersenae). The Korean Amphicteis specimens examined in this study closely resemble A. glabra in key morphological features, including fine paleae tips, 14 thoracic and 15 abdominal uncinigers, and approximately eight paleae. However, given the need for a comprehensive revision of Amphicteis and the potential for cryptic diversity within the genus, these specimens are provisionally designated as Amphicteis sp. cf. A. glabra.
Drone Path Planning for Bridge Substructure Inspection Considering GNSS Signal Shadowing
Authors: Kim Phillip , Youn Junhee
Published: February 2025

Drones are useful tools for performing tasks that are difficult for humans. Thus, they are being increasingly utilized in various fields. In smart construction, a range of methods, including robots and drones, has been proposed to inspect facilities and other similar structures. Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) shadowing can occur when large bridge substructures, which are difficult for humans to access, are inspected using drones because GNSS is a major component in drone operation. This study develops a path planning algorithm to address areas with GNSS shadowing. The operation mode of the drone is classified into waypoint selection based on the photography point algorithm (WPS-PPA) and GNSS non-shadowing area algorithm (WPS-GNSA). Both algorithms are experimentally compared for flight performance in the GNSS shadowing area. A field experiment was conducted by varying the distance between the drone and the bridge substructure and by comparing the success of the flights. In successful flights, the GNSS reception of WPS-GNSA reached 1.4 times that of WPS-PPA. Furthermore, even in failed flights, compared to the WPS-PPA algorithm, the WPS-GNSA algorithm continued flight until the GNSS signal further deteriorated. Accordingly, WPS-GNSA is more favorable than WPS-PPA for inspecting bridge substructures under GNSS signal shadowing.
A Consensus-Driven Distributed Moving Horizon Estimation Approach for Target Detection Within Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Formations in Rescue Operations
Authors: Bassolillo Salvatore Rosario , D’Amato Egidio , Notaro Immacolata
Published: February 2025

In the last decades, the increasing employment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in civil applications has highlighted the potential of coordinated multi-aircraft missions. Such an approach offers advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, operational flexibility, and mission success rates, particularly in complex scenarios such as search and rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and surveillance. However, achieving global situational awareness, although essential, represents a significant challenge, due to computational and communication constraints. This paper proposes a Distributed Moving Horizon Estimation (DMHE) technique that integrates consensus theory and Moving Horizon Estimation to optimize computational efficiency, minimize communication requirements, and enhance system robustness. The proposed DMHE framework is applied to a formation of UAVs performing target detection and tracking in challenging environments. It provides a fully distributed architecture that enables UAVs to estimate the position and velocity of other fleet members while simultaneously detecting static and dynamic targets. The effectiveness of the technique is proved by several numerical simulation, including an in-depth sensitivity analysis of key algorithm parameters, such as fleet network topology and consensus iterations and the evaluation of the robustness against node faults and information losses.
Teachers’ Digital Leadership and Competencies in Primary Education: A Cross-Sectional Behavioral Study
Authors: Antonopoulou Hera , Matzavinou Panagiota , Giannoukou Ioanna , Halkiopoulos Constantinos
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates the case of digital leadership at the level of primary education based on in-service teachers’ digital competence and leadership styles in Western Greece. The objectives of this study are also to identify the effects of different kinds of leadership styles on teachers’ satisfaction and the adoption of digital practices and to identify gaps in educators’ digital skills. Quantitative design was supported, and for research purposes, a structured survey was administered to 105 primary school teachers. Different statistical analyses were conducted to examine the relationships among leadership styles, demographic factors, and digital competencies, with a specific interest in transformational leadership. The results indicate that transformational leadership plays a pivotal role in enhancing teachers’ satisfaction and fostering the adoption of digital leadership practices; hence, it is of special importance when promoting digital transformation in schools. The results point to a large gap in the digital competencies of teachers that targeted professional development programs could make up for. In terms of demographic variables, neither gender nor age was found to be a significant predictor of leadership style, while postgraduate education was found to be positively linked to more advanced leadership practices. These findings stress the importance of teachers in the process of shaping digital transformation and call for further research to develop a deeper understanding of what works in effective digital leadership in education that can support the development of high-performing digital ecosystems in schools.
Nanogels—Innovative Drug Carriers for Overcoming Biological Membranes
Authors: Radeva Lyubomira , Yoncheva Krassimira
Published: February 2025

Nanogels are promising drug delivery systems since they possess undeniable advantages such as high loading capacity for hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, stabilization of sensitive drugs, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The present review summarizes experimental studies related to carriers, drug loading, and membrane transport of nanogels. In particular, the review discusses the properties, advantages, and limitations of polymeric carriers with respect to the behavior of the prepared nanogels in in vivo conditions. The potential of nanogel systems for encapsulation of hydrophilic or hydrophobic drugs and the mechanisms of loading and drug release are also emphasized. Moreover, the challenges related to nanogel transport through the barriers presented in parenteral, oral, ocular, nasal, and dermal routes of administration are also considered.
Stress Overshoot Analysis in Flow Start-Up Tests: Aging Time Fitting of the Different Gel-Based Drilling Fluids
Authors: Quitian-Ardila Luis H. , Schimicoscki Raquel S. , Garcia-Blanco Yamid J. , Germer Eduardo M. , Ballesteros-Ballesteros Vladimir , Calabokis Oriana Palma , Franco Admilson T.
Published: February 2025

Drilling fluids are essential for maintaining cutting suspension during drilling, exhibiting gel-like behavior at rest and liquid-like behavior under shearing. These fluids display shear-thinning behavior, yield stress, and thixotropy. This study investigates the impact of aging time on stress overshoot and the deformation required to disrupt the gelled structure of water-based and synthetic-based drilling fluids. Flow start-up tests were conducted using a rotational rheometer at 25 °C and atmospheric pressure. The results show that aging time significantly affects both stress overshoot and the shear strain needed to disrupt the gelled structure. Longer aging times reduce the strain required to break the structure, indicating a correlation between aging time and stress overshoot. The fitted model strongly correlates with the experimental data, providing valuable insights for the planning and simulation of offshore drilling wells, primarily in well stability.
Effects of Grafting with Different Rootstocks on Fruit Yield and Quality of Muskmelon Under Continuous Cropping
Authors: Ye Hongxia , Zhang Caiyu , Wang Bingliang
Published: February 2025

Grafting is a promising approach to control melon fusarium wilt disease. However, there is a potential risk of deterioration in the quality of melon fruit due to scion–rootstock interactions. Using two primary muskmelon cultivars, ‘ZheTian 105’ (ZT105) and ‘ZheTian 401’ (ZT401) in Zhejiang Province as scion, and taking one squash (interspecific hybrids between Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata) ‘Sizhuang No.12’ (SZ12) and four melon, ‘YongZhen No 9’ (YZ9), ‘XiaTe’ (XT), ‘ZhenTian No 1’ (ZT1), and ‘T1-151’ (T1) as rootstock, the yield and fruit quality including total soluble solid content (SSC), flesh texture, and flavor of grafted melon were measured, compared with non-grafted melon. The results indicated there was no significant difference in single fruit weight among the grafted melon and non-grafted melon plants, while the yield of most grafted melon plants was significantly higher than that of the non-grafted ones. No significant differences were observed in SSC and flesh texture among the grafted and non-grafted melon plants. The fruit of the “ZT401/SZ12” combination exhibited peculiar odors reminiscent of pumpkin flavor, negatively affecting edibility, whereas the fruit of the “ZT105/SZ12” combination did not. Considering both yield and fruit quality, the results indicated that the squash rootstock “SZ12” and the melon rootstocks “ZT1” are suitable for grafting with the muskmelon cultivar “ZT105”, while the melon rootstocks “ZT1” and “T1” are appropriate for grafting with the muskmelon cultivar “ZT401”. The results of this research are of considerable significance for the sustainable cultivation of the cultivars “ZT105” and “ZT401”, particularly under continuous cropping conditions.
A Report of Two Uncommon Cases of Mycobacterium chelonae with Localized and Disseminated Skin and Soft Tissue Infection
Authors: Rueda Prada Libardo , Gorasevic Marko , Gavrancic Tatjana , Rajani Aayushi J. , Sluzevich Jason C. , Nair-Collins Sangeeta , Durvasula Ravi V.
Published: February 2025

Background: Mycobacterium chelonae is a ubiquitous, rapidly growing, nontuberculous mycobacteria that primarily affects immunocompromised patients. The most common presentation is an atypical, chronic skin and soft tissue infection. Due to its high resistance rate, early diagnosis based on clinical suspicion, risk factor assessment, and exposure history is crucial for initiating appropriate multi-drug treatment. Methods: We report two cases of M. chelonae skin and soft tissue infections, one presenting with localized disease and the other with disseminated involvement. One case had a specific exposure to fish-related activities, a risk factor more commonly associated with Mycobacterium marinum infections rather than M. chelonae. Results: One of the cases involved osteomyelitis and tenosynovitis which are rare presentations of M. chelonae infection. While the limbs are the most commonly affected sites in disseminated M. chelonae infections, involvement of the lower extremities, as seen in one of our cases, is rarely reported. Treatment posed challenges due to antibiotic resistance and patient tolerance. However, in both cases where follow up was possible, prolonged multi-drug therapy led to complete resolution of the lesions. Conclusions: These cases highlight the importance of considering M. chelonae in chronic skin and soft tissue infections, especially in patient with relevant exposures or immunosupression. Uncommon presentations require a high index of suspicion. Given the challenges of treatment resistance and patient tolerance, prolonged multi-drug therapy remains essential for successful outcomes.
The Enhancement of Biomass Accumulation, Caffeoylquinic Acid Derivative Production, and Antioxidant Activity of Rhaponticum carthamoides Transformed Roots Cultured in a Nutrient Sprinkle Bioreactor
Authors: Skała Ewa , Olszewska Monika A. , Kicel Agnieszka
Published: February 2025

Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin. is an endemic plant species found in Siberia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. Its roots and rhizomes are used to treat physical fatigue and weakness following illness. The present study examines the scaling up of caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) derivative and flavonoid production in R. carthamoides transformed roots. The transformed roots were grown in shaken Erlenmeyer flasks of varying volumes (0.5–2 L), a temporary immersion system (TIS) (Rita® and PlantForm bioreactors), and a nutrient sprinkle bioreactor (NSB) in Woody Plant medium for 35 days. The highest dry biomass production was achieved in the 0.5 L and 1 L flasks and in the NSB bioreactor, yielding 22.2 to 20.4 g/L—approximately 14 to 23 times the weight of the inoculum. The accumulation of individual specialized metabolites varied depending on the culture system used. The peak amount of CQAs (544.5 mg/L), in terms of the increase in dry weight and metabolite levels, was obtained in the NSB bioreactor. The primary CQAs were chlorogenic acid (5-CQA) and a tri-CQA 1. The highest concentration of 5-CQA (7.38 mg/g DW) was found in the roots cultivated in the NSB bioreactor. In contrast, the tri-CQA 1 dominated in the roots from 2 L shaken Erlenmeyer flasks (8.44 mg/g DW). Our findings demonstrate that transformed roots growing in an NSB bioreactor are an effective system for increasing CQA production, potentially serving as an alternative source. This biotechnological approach could help reduce the overexploitation of field-grown R. carthamoides, a currently threatened species.
Recent Advances in Peptide Inhibitors Targeting Wild-Type Ras Protein Interactions in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Qin Weirong , Liu Zijian , Huang Mingyu , Liang Lin , Gan Yuxin , Huang Zubei , Huang Jin , Wei Xiangzan
Published: February 2025

Ras proteins are pivotal in the regulation of cell proliferation signals, and their dysregulation is intricately linked to the pathogenesis of various malignancies. Peptide inhibitors hold distinct advantages in targeting Ras proteins, attributable to their extensive binding domains, which result from the smooth surfaces of the proteins. The array of specific strategies includes the employment of full hydrocarbon chains, cyclic peptides, linear peptides, and N-terminal nucleation polypeptides. These methods effectively suppress the Ras signaling pathway through distinct mechanisms, highlighting their potential as anti-neoplastic agents. Moreover, cutting-edge methodologies, including the N-terminal aspartate nucleation strategy and the utilization of hydrocarbon-stapled peptides, are transforming the landscape of therapeutics aimed at Ras proteins. These innovations highlight the promise of peptide libraries and combinatorial chemistry in augmenting binding affinity, specificity, and cellular permeability, which are pivotal for the development of potent anti-cancer agents. The incorporation of dual therapeutic strategies, such as the synergy between peptide inhibitors and conventional chemotherapy or the use of radiotherapy enhancers, emerges as a compelling strategy to bolster the efficacy of cancer treatments targeting the Ras-MAPK pathway. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated that Ras-targeting stabilized peptides can amplify the radio-sensitivity of cancer cells, offering an innovative approach to enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy within cancer management.
Single-Cell Sequencing Reveals the Role of Radiation-Induced Stemness-Responsive Cancer Cells in the Development of Radioresistance
Authors: Shi Zheng , Hu Cuilan , Liu Jiadi , Cheng Wei , Chen Xiaohua , Liu Xiongxiong , Bao Yanyu , Tian Haidong , Yu Boyi , Gao Feifei , Ye Fei , Jin Xiaodong , Sun Chao , Li Qiang
Published: February 2025

Increased stemness of cancer cells exacerbates radioresistance, thereby greatly limiting the efficacy of radiotherapy. In order to study the changes in cancer cell stemness during radiotherapy, we established a radioresistance model of human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells and obtained A549 radioresistant cells (A549-RR). We sampled the cells at different time points during the modeling process and investigated the heterogeneity of each group of cells using single-cell sequencing. Cells in the early stages of fractionated irradiation were found to be significantly up-regulated in stemness, and a subpopulation of cells producing this response was screened and referred to as “radiation-induced stemness-responsive cancer cells”. They were undergoing stemness response, energy metabolism reprogramming, and progressively differentiating into cells with more diverse and malignant phenotypes in order to attenuate the killing effect of radiation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that such responses might be driven by the activation of the EGFR-Hippo signaling pathway axis, which also plays a crucial role in the development of radioresistance. Our study reveals the dynamic evolution of cell subpopulation in cancer cells during fractionated radiotherapy; the early stage of irradiation can determine the destiny of the radiation-induced stemness-responsive cancer cells. The activation of stemness-like phenotypes during the development of radioresistance is not the result of dose accumulation but occurs during the early stage of radiotherapy with relatively low-dose irradiation. The degree of the radiation-induced stemness response of cancer cells mediated by the EGFR-Hippo signaling pathway might be a potential predictor of the efficacy of radiotherapy and the development of radioresistance.
Correction: Sasidharan et al. Wound Healing Activity of Elaeis guineensis Leaf Extract Ointment. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13, 336–347
Authors: Sasidharan Sreenivasan , Logeswaran Selvarasoo , Latha Lachimanan Yoga
Published: February 2025

In the original publication [...]
Augmented Intrarenal and Urinary Angiotensinogen in Diabetic Nephropathy: The Role of Isoflavones
Authors: Kamiyama Masumi , Iijima Kotoe , Okuzawa Rema , Kawata Ruka , Kimura Airi , Shinohara Yuki , Shimada Ayana , Yamanaka Mika , Youda Ayuka , Iwamoto Tamami
Published: February 2025

The circulating renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is an endocrine system with key functions in maintaining blood pressure, fluid volume, and electrolytes. The RAS in the kidney (intrarenal RAS) plays a critical role in the onset and progression of kidney diseases. However, the mechanism underlying the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy in relation to the expression and secretion of angiotensinogen (AGT) in the kidneys remains unclear. In this review, we present an overview of the intrarenal RAS and its role in diabetic nephropathy, as well as reviewing the evidence for the use of urinary AGT as a biomarker of this system in diabetic nephropathy. We also describe the roles of isoflavones in the context of diabetic nephropathy. The considered studies show that the intrarenal RAS—especially AGT—plays a diversified role in diabetic nephropathy; for instance, the increase in AGT due to oxidative stress is suppressed by polyphenols with antioxidant capacity, which is thought to affect the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, clarification of how polyphenols affect the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy may provide insights into new treatments for this illness.
Current Paradigms and Future Challenges in Harnessing Nanocellulose for Advanced Applications in Tissue Engineering: A Critical State-of-the-Art Review for Biomedicine
Authors: Dar Mudasir A. , Xie Rongrong , Liu Jun , Ali Shehbaz , Pawar Kiran D. , Sudiana I Made , Sun Jianzhong
Published: February 2025

Nanocellulose-based biomaterials are at the forefront of biomedicine, presenting innovative solutions to longstanding challenges in tissue engineering and wound repair. These advanced materials demonstrate enhanced mechanical properties and improved biocompatibility while allowing for precise tuning of drug release profiles. Recent progress in the design, fabrication, and characterization of these biomaterials underscores their transformative potential in biomedicine. Researchers are employing strategic methodologies to investigate and characterize the structure and functionality of nanocellulose in tissue engineering and wound repair. In tissue engineering, nanocellulose-based scaffolds offer transformative opportunities to replicate the complexities of native tissues, facilitating the study of drug effects on the metabolism, vascularization, and cellular behavior in engineered liver, adipose, and tumor models. Concurrently, nanocellulose has gained recognition as an advanced wound dressing material, leveraging its ability to deliver therapeutic agents via precise topical, transdermal, and systemic pathways while simultaneously promoting cellular proliferation and tissue regeneration. The inherent transparency of nanocellulose provides a unique advantage, enabling real-time monitoring of wound healing progress. Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain in the large-scale production, reproducibility, and commercial viability of nanocellulose-based biomaterials. This review not only underscores these hurdles but also outlines strategic directions for future research, including the need for bioengineering of nanocellulose-based wound dressings with scalable production and the incorporation of novel functionalities for clinical translation. By addressing these key challenges, nanocellulose has the potential to redefine biomedical material design and offer transformative solutions for unmet clinical needs in tissue engineering and beyond.
Genome-Wide Profiling of bZIP Transcription Factors and FocbZIP11’s Impact on Fusarium TR4 Pathogenicity
Authors: Xie Yanling , Huang Huoqing , Huo Yile , Yang Wenlong , Li Yuqing , Liu Siwen , Li Chunyu
Published: February 2025

The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor (TF) family performs diverse functions in fungal processes, including vegetative growth, nutrient utilization, stress responses, and invasion. Despite their importance, little is known about the bZIP members in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), a highly virulent banana pathogen. In this study, we systematically identified 17 bZIPs distributed across 10 Foc TR4 chromosomes and classified them into four types based on their protein sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of fungal bZIP TFs revealed that the FocbZIP proteins cluster into 12 groups shared across fungal species. A cis-element analysis showed that each bZIP promoter contains at least one type of stress response-related element. Furthermore, RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses of FocbZIP gene expression patterns demonstrated that these genes may serve distinct roles during infection. Notably, the deletion of FocbZIP11 led to reduced vegetative growth, heightened sensitivity to osmotic, oxidative, and cell wall stresses, and diminished virulence toward banana plantlets. Overall, our findings indicate that FocbZIP11 plays a critical role in growth, abiotic stress responses, and virulence in Foc TR4. This study provides a foundation for the further functional characterization of FocbZIP genes, and FocbZIP11 might serve as a promising target for RNA-based biopesticide control of FWB.
The Synergistic Impact of Glycolysis, Mitochondrial OxPhos, and PEP Cycling on ATP Production in Beta Cells
Authors: Grubelnik Vladimir , Zmazek Jan , Marhl Marko
Published: February 2025

Pancreatic beta cells regulate insulin secretion in response to glucose by generating ATP, which modulates ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) channel activity and Ca2+ dynamics. We present a model of ATP production in pancreatic beta cells, focusing on ATP dynamics within the bulk cytosol, submembrane region, and microdomains near KATP channels. ATP is generated through glycolysis, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), and glycolytic pyruvate kinase-mediated phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) production, supported by PEP cycling between mitochondria and the cytosol. The model examines ATP production in relation to Ca2+ oscillations, elucidating their interdependent dynamics. Our findings demonstrate that both mitochondrial OxPhos and PEP-mediated ATP production contribute substantially to cellular ATP levels. Specifically, glycolysis and mitochondrial OxPhos are crucial for the initial (first-phase) increase in bulk and subplasmalemmal ATP, effectively “filling up” the ATP pool in beta cells. In the second phase, coordinated cycling between OxPhos and PEP pathways enables cost-effective fine-tuning of ATP levels, with localized effects in the KATP channel microdomains. This model addresses and clarifies the recent debate regarding the mechanisms by which sufficient ATP concentrations are achieved to close KATP channels in glucose-stimulated beta cells, offering novel insights into the regulation of energy production and KATP channel activity.
Role of Human DNA Ligases in Mediating Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids
Authors: Sun Daekyu , Gokhale Vijay
Published: February 2025

Dietary flavonoids are a group of polyphenol compounds originating from plants that have drawn much attention in the last few decades. Flavonoid-rich foods and dietary supplements are used worldwide due to their health benefits, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunity-enhancing, anticarcinogenic, estrogenic, and favorable cardiovascular effects. The main objective of our study was to explore the molecular targets of flavonoids to gain insight into the mechanism of action behind their biological effects. In this study, a novel class of resorcinol-based flavonoid compounds was identified as a potent inhibitor of human DNA ligase activity. Human DNA ligases are crucial in the maintenance of genetic integrity and cell fate determination. Thus, our results strongly suggest that this activity against human DNA ligases is responsible, at least in part, for the cellular effects of flavonoid compounds. We anticipate that the results from our studies will improve our understanding of how interactions with human DNA ligases cascade into the recognized health benefits of flavonoids, particularly their wide variety of anticancer effects.
Antagonists Enhance Cell-Surface Expression of Mammalian Odorant Receptors
Authors: Takayama Ikumi , Araki Nako , Tewari Jeevan , Yohda Masafumi , Matsunami Hiroaki , Fukutani Yosuke
Published: February 2025

Functional characterization of vertebrate odorant receptors (ORs), members of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, is essential for understanding olfaction. However, the functional expression of ORs in heterologous cells is often challenging, at least partly caused by structural instability in non-olfactory cells. Antagonists have been shown to restore membrane expression of some non-olfactory GPCR mutants, likely by transient increase in structural stability upon antagonist binding. Based on this premise, we examined whether antagonists could enhance OR membrane expression in heterologous cells. Using phenyl salicylate (PES) on cells expressing the mouse OR Or11g7, we observed increased cell surface expression exceeding the effects of co-expression with the OR chaperone RTP1S. After removing the antagonist, Or11g7 retained normal agonist responsiveness. Similar enhancements in cell surface expression were observed for a human OR OR2T11 treated with its antagonists. These findings suggest that small-molecule antagonists act as pharmacological chaperones to stabilize OR conformation, enhancing surface expression in a manner similar to molecular chaperones. Our study reveals a novel role for odorant antagonists in OR biogenesis and may inform future research on olfactory training mechanisms.
Attention-Based Inception-Residual CNN: Skin Cancer Diagnosis with Attention-Based Inception-Residual CNN Model
Authors: Younas Sara , Sargano Allah Bux , You Lihua , Habib Zulfiqar
Published: February 2025

Skin cancer poses a significant global health concern, demanding early diagnosis to enhance patient outcomes and alleviate healthcare burdens. Despite advancements in automated diagnosis systems, most existing approaches primarily address binary classification, with limited focus on distinguishing among multiple skin cancer classes. Multiclass classification poses significant challenges due to intra-class variations and inter-class similarities, often leading to misclassification. These issues stem from subtle differences between skin cancer types and shared features across various classes. This paper proposes an attention-based Inception-Residual CNN (AIR-CNN) model specially designed to tackle the challenges related to multiclass skin cancer classification. Incorporating the attention mechanism model effectively focuses on the most relevant features, enhancing its ability to distinguish between visually similar classes and those with intra-class variations. The attention mechanism also facilitates effective training with limited samples. The inclusion of Inception-Residual (IR) blocks mitigates vanishing gradients, improves multi-scale feature extraction, and reduces parameters, creating a lightweight yet accurate model. The experimental evaluation of the ISIC 2019 dataset demonstrates superior performance with 91.63% accuracy and fewer parameters than state-of-the-art methods, which makes it suitable for practical applications, thus contributing to the advancement of automated skin cancer diagnosis systems.
Interaction Glove for 3-D Virtual Environments Based on an RGB-D Camera and Magnetic, Angular Rate, and Gravity Micro-Electromechanical System Sensors
Authors: Sonchan Pontakorn , Ratchatanantakit Neeranut , O-Larnnithipong Nonnarit , Adjouadi Malek , Barreto Armando
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the theoretical foundation, practical implementation, and empirical evaluation of a glove for interaction with 3-D virtual environments. At the dawn of the “Spatial Computing Era”, where users continuously interact with 3-D Virtual and Augmented Reality environments, the need for a practical and intuitive interaction system that can efficiently engage 3-D elements is becoming pressing. Over the last few decades, there have been attempts to provide such an interaction mechanism using a glove. However, glove systems are currently not in widespread use due to their high cost and, we propose, due to their inability to sustain high levels of performance under certain situations. Performance deterioration has been observed due to the distortion of the local magnetic field caused by ordinary ferromagnetic objects present near the glove’s operating space. There are several areas where reliable hand-tracking gloves could provide a next generation of improved solutions, such as American Sign Language training and automatic translation to text and training and evaluation for activities that require high motor skills in the hands (e.g., playing some musical instruments, training of surgeons, etc.). While the use of a hand-tracking glove toward these goals seems intuitive, some of the currently available glove systems may not meet the accuracy and reliability levels required for those use cases. This paper describes our concept of an interaction glove instrumented with miniature magnetic, angular rate, and gravity (MARG) sensors and aided by a single camera. The camera used is an off-the-shelf red, green, and blue–depth (RGB-D) camera. We describe a proof-of-concept implementation of the system using our custom “GMVDK” orientation estimation algorithm. This paper also describes the glove’s empirical evaluation with human-subject performance tests. The results show that the prototype glove, using the GMVDK algorithm, is able to operate without performance losses, even in magnetically distorted environments.
Abstract Operations Research Modeling Using Natural Language Inputs
Authors: Li Junxuan , Wickman Ryan , Bhatnagar Sahil , Maity Raj Kumar , Mukherjee Arko
Published: February 2025

Operations research (OR) uses mathematical models to enhance decision making, but developing these models requires expert knowledge and can be time-consuming. Automated mathematical programming (AMP) has emerged to simplify this process, but existing systems have limitations. This paper introduces a novel methodology that uses recent advances in a large language model (LLM) to create and edit abstract OR models from non-expert user queries expressed using natural language. This reduces the need for domain expertise and the time to formulate a problem, and an abstract OR model generated can be deployed to a multi-tenant platform to support a class of users with different input data. This paper presents an end-to-end pipeline, named NL2OR, that generates solutions to OR problems from natural language input, and shares experimental results on several important OR problems.
An Efficient Contamination-Reducing Closet for Reusing Protective Clothing
Authors: Qiu Xing , Lo Jeffery C. C. , Cheng Yuanjie , Xu Hua , Xu Qianwen , Lee Shi-Wei Ricky
Published: February 2025

A professional closet with highly efficient disinfection for reusing protective clothing is required to reduce supply and demand and protect the environment. A self-developed ultraviolet-C (UVC) light-emitting diode (LED) package that can emit uniform radiance in a certain distance was developed; and a series of disinfection modules with UVC LED packages were installed in a closet for disinfection. A disinfection module can achieve an over 99.9% disinfection rate of H1N1; E. coli; S. aureus; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and an over 99% disinfection rate of EV71 within a minute. A 1-min disinfection closet was developed to reuse protective clothing. The closet was well-designed; as well as a series of burn-in tests were performed after the assembly of the closet. The optical and thermal properties of the closet were stable within one minute of a working period during the burn-in test. After disinfection; bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) and viral filtration efficiency (VFE) were examined on the disposable protective clothing. The disposable protective clothing did not show any degradation after being exposed to UVC for sixty minutes; which means the defensive capability of medical protective clothing can be reused sixty times in light of the self-developed disinfection closet. The disinfection closet provides an efficient method for reusing protective clothing.
Shower–IoT: An Internet of Things System for Monitoring Electric Showers
Authors: Prezotto Helder Holanda , da Silva Natássya Barlate Floro da , Sampaio Lucas Dias Hiera , Pozza Rogério Santos
Published: February 2025

The electric shower is the main form of heating water for bathing in Brazilian homes and one of the significant appliances related to electricity and water consumption. Internet of Things (IoT) projects make it possible to connect objects to the Internet and collect data from machines remotely. In this work, we developed an Internet of Things system for monitoring an electric shower, called Shower–IoT, whose sensor data are water temperature, electric tension, electric current, and water flow. To implement the software infrastructure, we used the services present in cloud computing, such as a broker, processing, and storage, in which the information about the electric shower was made available through an Android application. The results demonstrate that our system can monitor an electric shower integrated with cloud services, allowing the users to visualize its behavior in real time and detect possible failures by comparing sensor data from previous evaluations.
Persistently Active Helicobacter pylori Infection Is Associated with the Development of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: Kim Jun Young , Kwan Byung Soo , Cho Jung Hwan , Kim Hye In , Ko Nak Gyeong , Jin Mihyeon , Lee Ok Jae
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Previous studies suggested a link between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and steatotic liver disease, now termed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study aimed to identify the association of active H. pylori infection and the new concept of MASLD in a longitudinal cohort. Methods: We reviewed 1497 health examinees who had two endoscopic biopsies for H. pylori activity without hepatic steatosis at the baseline abdominal ultrasonography. Subjects were classified into four groups based on H. pylori activity. Multivariable Cox models assessed the link between active H. pylori infection status and incident MASLD. Results: Over a median follow-up of 31.1 months, 247 subjects (16.5%) developed MASLD. The groups were: H. pylori naïve (n = 57, 15.6%), de novo (n = 31, 15.3%), eradicated (n = 32, 16.1%), and persistent (n = 127, 17.4%). The H. pylori persistent group had a higher risk of MASLD compared to naïve group (hazard ratio: 1.41; 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.96; p-value = 0.045). The association between H. pylori infection and incident MASLD was significant only with ongoing infection. Conclusions: Persistent H. pylori infection increases the risk of MASLD, indicating that active infection may contribute to MASLD development. Eradicating active H. pylori infection might help lower the incidence of MASLD.
Pediatric and Juvenile Strabismus Surgery Under General Anesthesia: Functional Outcomes and Safety
Authors: Briem Jakob , Rezar-Dreindl Sandra , Wassermann Lorenz , Eibenberger Katharina , Pusch Franz , Schmidt-Erfurth Ursula , Stifter Eva
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the safety of surgical intervention using anesthesia and ophthalmological parameters in pediatric strabismus patients. The design involved retrospective case series. Methods: The setting was the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Vienna, Austria. Participants: In total, 208 children aged 0–18 years who underwent strabismus surgery due to exotropia or esotropia between 2013 and 2020 were included. Main outcomes and measures: Information regarding the duration of surgery, intra- and postoperative complications, the postoperative angle of deviation (AoD), and functional outcomes (visual acuity, stereovision) were analyzed. Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 6.0 ± 4.1 years (range 0.6–18.0). The mean anesthesia time among all patients was 75.9 ± 19.3 min. The mean surgery and anesthesia time did not differ between the age groups. Longer anesthesia durations and surgery durations did not have a significant effect on the occurrence of intraoperation complications (p = 0.610 and p = 0.190, respectively). Intraoperative complications were recorded in 53% (most frequent triggering of oculocardiac reflex (OCR)) of the patients, and postoperative complications in 22% (the most frequent were postoperative nausea and vomiting and pain). An OCR was triggered more often in children older than 6 years than in younger children (p = 0.016). The mean angle of deviation was significantly reduced from preoperative to postoperative measurements. Preoperative stereovision tests were positive in 35% of the patients and increased to over 80% postoperatively. Conclusions: Strabismus surgery performed under general anesthesia in children aged 0 to 18 years is safe with regard to both surgical and anesthetic complications. A significant decrease in the angle of deviation and high rate of stereovision could be achieved with a low rate of re-treatments. However, the retrospective design, absence of standardized documentation, and limited sample size may affect the consistency and comparability of this study’s findings.
Clinical Ascites and Emergency Procedure as Determinants of Surgical Risk in Patients with Advanced Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Canillas Lidia , Pelegrina Amalia , León Fawaz Wasef , Salis Aina , Colominas-González Elena , Caro Antonia , Sánchez Juan , Álvarez Juan , Burdio Fernando , Carrión Jose A.
Published: February 2025

Background: Liver function and the presence of portal hypertension, as well as the urgency and type of surgery, are prognostic factors in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) patients undergoing extrahepatic major surgeries. Emergent surgery in ACLD patients has 4–10 times higher mortality rates than elective surgery. However, perioperative management improvements have been made in recent years. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational, and unicentric study of 482 patients with ACLD who underwent major surgery from 2010 to 2019. We compared baseline characteristics and postoperative mortality according to the presence of ascites, the emergency, and the surgery period. Results: In total, 140 (29%) patients had ascites, and 191 (39.6%) underwent urgent surgeries. The 90-day mortality was 2.8-fold higher in patients with ascites [HR (95%CI) 2.8 (1.6–5.0); p = 0.001] and 3-fold higher in urgent surgeries [3.0 (1.6 − 5.5); p < 0.001)]. Urgent surgeries in patients with ascites revealed the highest mortality risk [6.3 (2.7–14.8); p < 0.001)], which persisted in current (2015–2019) surgeries [12.8 (2.9–56.5); p = 0.001)]. Portal hypertension was meaningful in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Conclusions: ascites and emergent surgery increase the mortality risk of patients with ACLD despite the recent perioperative improvements.
Laparoscopic Hysteropexy: How, When and for Whom Is It an Alternative Option? A Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors: Pitsillidi Anna , Noé Günter Karl
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Surgical repair of apical prolapse most commonly includes hysterectomy. However, nowadays, the number of women who seek uterine preserving surgical treatment is increasing. Our objective is to review the current evidence on laparoscopic hysteropexy techniques, outcomes and appropriate patient selection. Methods: A literature search was carried out in MEDLINE/PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. The search was restricted to humans, female patients and currently used surgical procedures. Results: Laparoscopic hysteropexy was found to be associated with good anatomic outcomes, symptom improvement and low complication or reoperation rates. Conclusions: Laparoscopic hysteropexy appears to be a good alternative option for women who undergo surgical treatment for apical prolapse and desire preservation of the uterus. However, further prospective comparative studies, as well as longer follow-up periods, are necessary for evaluating long-term safety and efficacy outcomes of the method.
Risk of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Patients with Gout: A Population-Level Study in a South Korean National Health Screening Cohort
Authors: Koo Hyung-Bon , Chung Juyong
Published: February 2025

Background: Gout, characterized by serum uric acid accumulation, prompts inflammation, leading to tissue damage and comorbidities. Prior studies reported a higher risk of hearing loss in gout patients; however, the specific risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) remains unclear. Method: This population-based study assessed SSNHL incidence and risk in patients aged ≥ 40 years with or without gout, excluding those with prior SSNHL, within the Korean National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Cohort (2002–2019). A total of 24,508 gout patients were matched 1:4 with 98,032 controls by age, sex, income, and region. SSNHL incidence was compared, and Kaplan–Meier curves with log-rank tests evaluated cumulative incidence over 200 months. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using stratified Cox models adjusted for patient characteristics. Results: SSNHL incidence was slightly higher in the gout cohort vs. controls (1.70% vs. 1.96%, SD = 0.02). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed significantly higher cumulative SSNHL incidence in gout patients (p = 0.009). Patients with gout had a significantly higher risk of developing SSNHL in both the unadjusted (HR [95% CI]: 1.14 [1.03–1.27]; p = 0.010) and adjusted Cox models (1.13 [1.02–1.26]; p = 0.021). Subgroup analyses indicated higher risk in gout patients aged <60 years, males, non-smokers, non-drinkers, moderately-high income, normal BMI, Charlson Comorbidity Index score of 0, or fasting blood glucose < 100 mg/dL (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Korean adults with gout, particularly younger, healthier patients, face increased SSNHL risk. Early, effective gout management may help mitigate this risk.
Are Mitochondria a Potential Target for Treating β-Thalassemia?
Authors: Di Pierro Elena , Di Stefano Valeria , Migone De Amicis Margherita , Graziadei Giovanna
Published: February 2025

The inherited genetic disorder β-thalassemia affects the hematopoietic system and is caused by the low production or absence of adult hemoglobin (HbA). Ineffective erythropoiesis is the hallmark of β-thalassemia pathophysiology and is characterized by an erythropoietin-driven substantial increase in erythroblast proliferation, coupled with an increase in late-stage precursor apoptosis, which results in low levels of circulating mature red blood cells (RBCs) and chronic anemia. Mitochondrial dysfunction commonly occurs in these cells because of the increased demand for energy production and the need to manage abnormal hemoglobin chain synthesis. Moreover, several studies have highlighted the importance of gradual mitochondrial clearance for mature erythroid cell production. This review offers an overview of the mitochondrial role in essential cellular processes, particularly those crucial for maintaining RBC health and function. Additionally, recent evidence regarding the contribution of mitochondrial dysfunction to the pathophysiology and severity of β-thalassemia is discussed, along with updated insights into indirect mitochondria-targeting treatments, which present potential pharmacological targets.