bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prior Negative Biopsy, PSA Density, and Anatomic Location Impact Cancer Detection Rate of MRI-Targeted PI-RADS Index Lesions
Authors: Alzubaidi Ahmad N. , Zheng Amy , Said Mohammad , Fan Xuanjia , Maidaa Michael , Owens R. Grant , Yudovich Max , Pursnani Suraj , Owens R. Scott , Stringer Thomas , Tracy Chad R. , Raman Jay D.
Published: August 2024

Background: MRI fusion prostate biopsy has improved the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSC). Continued refinements in predicting the pre-biopsy probability of CSC are essential for optimal patient counseling. We investigated potential factors related to improved cancer detection rates (CDR) of CSC in patients with PI-RADS ≥ 3 lesions. Methods: The pathology of 980 index lesions in 980 patients sampled by transrectal mpMRI-targeted prostate biopsy across four medical centers between 2017–2020 was reviewed. PI-RADS lesion distribution included 291 PI-RADS-5, 374 PI-RADS-4, and 315 PI-RADS-3. We compared CDR of index PI-RADS ≥ 3 lesions based on location (TZ) vs. (PZ), PSA density (PSAD), and history of prior negative conventional transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUS). Results: Mean age, PSA, prostate volume, and level of prior negative TRUS biopsy were 66 years (43–90), 7.82 ng/dL (5.6–11.2), 54 cm3 (12–173), and 456/980 (46.5%), respectively. Higher PSAD, no prior history of negative TRUS biopsy, and PZ lesions were associated with higher CDR. Stratified CDR highlighted significant variance across subgroups. CDR for a PI-RADS-5 score, PZ lesion with PSAD ≥ 0.15, and prior negative biopsy was 77%. Conversely, the CDR rate for a PI-RADS-4 score, TZ lesion with PSAD < 0.15, and prior negative biopsy was significantly lower at 14%. Conclusions: For index PI-RADS ≥ 3 lesions, CDR varied significantly based on location, prior history of negative TRUS biopsy, and PSAD. Such considerations are critical when counseling on the merits and potential yield of prostate needle biopsy.
Feasibility of a Novel 3D Ultrasound Imaging Technique for Intraoperative Margin Assessment during Tongue Cancer Surgery
Authors: Makouei Fatemeh , Frehr Theresa , Agander Tina , Lelkaitis Giedrius , Hyldig Dal Mette , Kaltoft Mikkel , Orloff Lisa , Sebelik Merry , Søndergaard Svendsen Morten , Wessel Irene , Todsen Tobias
Published: August 2024

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue is the most prevalent form of oral cavity cancer, with surgical intervention as the preferred method of treatment. Achieving negative or free resection margins of at least 5 mm is associated with improved local control and prolonged survival. Nonetheless, margins that are close (1–5 mm) or positive (less than 1 mm) are often observed in practice, especially for the deep margins. Ultrasound is a promising tool for assessing the depth of invasion, providing non-invasive, real-time imaging for accurate evaluation. We conducted a clinical trial using a novel portable 3D ultrasound imaging technique to assess ex vivo surgical margin assessment in the operating room. During the operation, resected surgical specimens underwent 3D ultrasound scanning. Four head and neck surgeons measured the surgical margins (deep, medial, and lateral) and tumor area on the 3D ultrasound volume. These results were then compared with the histopathology findings evaluated by two head and neck pathologists. Six patients diagnosed with tongue SCC (three T1 stage and three T2 stage) were enrolled for a consecutive cohort. The margin status was correctly categorized as free by 3D ultrasound in five cases, and one case with a “free” margin status was incorrectly categorized by 3D ultrasound as a “close” margin. The Pearson correlation between ultrasound and histopathology was 0.7 (p < 0.001), 0.6 (p < 0.001), and 0.3 (p < 0.05) for deep, medial, and lateral margin measurements, respectively. Bland–Altman analysis compared the mean difference and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) for deep margin measurement by 3D ultrasound and histopathology, with a mean difference of 0.7 mm (SD 1.15 mm). This clinical trial found that 3D ultrasound is accurate in deep margin measurements. The implementation of intraoperative 3D ultrasound imaging of surgical specimens may improve the number of free margins after tongue cancer treatment.
An Unusual Radiologic Image of Extensive Tumor Mass Infiltrating Hepatic Hilum without Signs of Cholestasis—A Case Report and a Literature Review of Non-Cancerous Lesions Mimicking Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Ciesielka Jakub , Jakimów Krzysztof , Cedrych Ida , Kwaśniewska Anna , Pająk Jacek , Chudek Jerzy
Published: August 2024

Background: Mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (mICC) is the most frequent type of ICC. In contrast-enhanced computed tomography, mICC is visualized as a hypodense lesion with distal dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts. The presented case illustrates the unusual manifestation of mICC in a 71-year-old male patient, where despite the extensive tumor mass and the hilar infiltration, the dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts and cholestasis were not noted. Methods: A literature review on PubMed was performed. Primarily, 547 records were identified, and the titles and abstracts were systematically searched. Regarding the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 31 papers describing the non-cancerous liver lesions mimicking ICC were included in the further analysis. Results: In 41.9% of the analyzed non-cancerous lesions, the obstruction of the bile ducts was not noted, similar to our patient. A significant cholestasis has been found in 30.03% of analyzed patients. The invasion of the liver hilum was noted in one-third of the patients. Conclusions: Atypical radiological features in lesions suspected of ICC, such as the absence of intrahepatic bile-duct dilation, are common in benign lesions. In the case of radiologically atypical lesions suspected of ICC, the diagnostic imaging needs to be correlated with clinical data, and the diagnosis should be confirmed with a pathological examination.
StrawSnake: A Real-Time Strawberry Instance Segmentation Network Based on the Contour Learning Approach
Authors: Guo Zhiyang , Hu Xing , Zhao Baigan , Wang Huaiwei , Ma Xueying
Published: August 2024

Automated harvesting systems rely heavily on precise and real-time fruit recognition, which is essential for improving efficiency and reducing labor costs. Strawberries, due to their delicate structure and complex growing environments, present unique challenges for automated recognition systems. Current methods predominantly utilize pixel-level and box-based approaches, which are insufficient for real-time applications due to their inability to accurately pinpoint strawberry locations. To address these limitations, this study proposes StrawSnake, a contour-based detection and segmentation network tailored for strawberries. By designing a strawberry-specific octagonal contour and employing deep snake convolution (DSConv) for boundary feature extraction, StrawSnake significantly enhances recognition accuracy and speed. The Multi-scale Feature Reinforcement Block (MFRB) further strengthens the model by focusing on crucial boundary features and aggregating multi-level contour information, which improves global context comprehension. The newly developed TongStraw_DB database and the public StrawDI_Db1 database, consisting of 1080 and 3100 high-resolution strawberry images with manually segmented ground truth contours, respectively, serves as a robust foundation for training and validation. The results indicate that StrawSnake achieves real-time recognition capabilities with high accuracy, outperforming existing methods in various comparative tests. Ablation studies confirm the effectiveness of the DSConv and MFRB modules in boosting performance. StrawSnake’s integration into automated harvesting systems marks a substantial step forward in the field, promising enhanced precision and efficiency in strawberry recognition tasks. This innovation underscores the method’s potential to transform automated harvesting technologies, making them more reliable and effective for practical applications.
Variable-Frequency Control for Totem-Pole Bridgeless Power Factor Correction Converter to Achieve Zero-Voltage Switching Without Zero-Crossing Detection Circuits
Authors: Xi He , Li Liting , Xu Guo , Su Mei , Cai Zhiqiang
Published: August 2024

The totem-pole bridgeless power factor correction (PFC) converter, known for its advantages including simple topology, capability for zero-voltage switching (ZVS), and low common mode interference, presents an opportunity to enhance the efficiency and environmental friendliness of power systems. However, these converters have issues such as ZVS, requiring zero-crossing detection (ZCD) under circuits’ critical continuous mode (CRM) or additional auxiliary resonant circuits, resulting in increased circuit costs and control complexity. Therefore, this paper proposes a variable switching frequency digital control method to achieve ZVS under a wide operating range without ZCD circuits. At the same time, under the premise of ZVS, an interleaved parallel scheme is adopted to further minimize the current ripple and enhance the quality of the current waveform. Finally, an experimental 2 kW two-phase interleaved totem-pole bridgeless PFC converter prototype is designed to verify that the proposed method is correct and effective. The experimental prototype can reach an efficiency of 97.78%.
Machine Fault Diagnosis: Experiments with Different Attention Mechanisms Using a Lightweight SqueezeNet Architecture
Authors: Zabin Mahe , Choi Ho-Jin , Kabir Muhammad Kubayeeb , Kabir Anika Nahian Binte , Uddin Jia
Published: August 2024

As artificial intelligence technology progresses, deep learning models are increasingly utilized for machine fault classification. However, a significant drawback of current state-of-the-art models is their high computational complexity, rendering them unsuitable for deployment in portable devices. This paper presents a compact fault diagnosis model that integrates a self-attention SqueezeNet architecture with a hybrid texture representation technique utilizing empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and a gammatone spectrogram (GS) filter. In the model, the dominant signal is first isolated from the audio fault signals by discarding lower intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) from EMD, and subsequently, the dominant signals are transformed into 2D texture maps using the GS filter. These generated texture maps feed as input into the modified self-attention SqueezeNet classifier, featuring reduced model width and depth, for training and validation. Different attention modules were tested in the paper, including the self-attention, channel attention, spatial attention, and convolutional block attention module (CBAM). The models were tested on the MIMII and ToyADMOS datasets. The experimental results demonstrated that the self-attention mechanism with SqueezeNet achieved an accuracy of 97% on the previously unseen MIMII and ToyADMOS datasets. Furthermore, the proposed model outperformed the SqueezeNet attention model with other attention mechanisms and state-of-the-art deep architectures, exhibiting a higher precision, recall, and F1-score. Lastly, t-SNE is applied to visualize the features of the self-attention SqueezeNet for different fault classes of both MIMII and ToyADMOS.
Effects of Oxygen Concentration on Soot Formation in Ethylene and Ethane Fuel Laminar Diffusion Flames
Authors: Ju Hongling , Zhou Renjie , Zhang Deman , Deng Peng , Wang Zhaowen
Published: August 2024

In studying the effects of oxygen concentration and molecular structure on the morphologies of the soot particles produced by hydrocarbon fuels, ethylene and ethane were chosen as experimental fuels. With a Gülde laminar coaxial diffusion flame device, a soot particle device was used to sample soot particles at different oxygen concentrations (21%, 24%, 26%, 28%, and 31%) and at different heights above a burner (HABs = 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, and 50 mm). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was used to scrutinize and analyze the soot particles at varying oxygen concentrations. The findings suggest that at the same oxygen concentration, ethylene produces brighter and taller flames. With an increase in the oxygen concentration, ethylene flames and ethane flames gradually decrease in height and become brighter. With an increase in the HAB, the average primary soot particle diameter (Dp) increases initially and then decreases, the fractal dimension (Df) increases, and the aggregates transition from strips and chains to clusters. At the same flame height (HAB = 30 mm), the Dp decreases, the Df increases, the carbon layer torsion resistance (Tf) and the carbon layer spacing (Ds) increase, and the carbon layer changes from a parallel arrangement to a curved arrangement to form denser network aggregations.
Review of Fourth-Order Maximum Entropy Based Predictive Modeling and Illustrative Application to a Nuclear Reactor Benchmark: II. Best-Estimate Predicted Values and Uncertainties for Model Responses and Parameters
Authors: Cacuci Dan Gabriel , Fang Ruixian
Published: August 2024

This work continues the review and illustrative application to energy systems of the “Fourth-Order Best-Estimate Results with Reduced Uncertainties Predictive Modeling” (4th-BERRU-PM) methodology. The 4th-BERRU-PM methodology uses the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) principle to incorporate fourth-order experimental and computational information, including fourth (and higher) order sensitivities of computed model responses with respect to model parameters. The 4th-BERRU-PM methodology yields the fourth-order MaxEnt posterior distribution of experimentally measured and computed model responses and parameters in the combined phase space of model responses and parameters. The 4th-BERRU-PM methodology encompasses fourth-order sensitivity analysis (SA) and uncertainty quantification (UQ), which were reviewed in the accompanying work (Part 1), as well as fourth-order data assimilation (DA) and model calibration (MC) capabilities, which will be reviewed and illustrated in this work (Part 2). The applicability of the 4th-BERRU-PM methodology to energy systems is illustrated by using the Polyethylene-Reflected Plutonium (acronym: PERP) OECD/NEA reactor physics benchmark, which is modeled using the linear neutron transport Boltzmann equation, involving 21,976 imprecisely known parameters. This benchmark is representative of “large-scale computations” such as those involved in the modeling of energy systems. The result (“response”) of interest for the PERP benchmark is the leakage of neutrons through the outer surface of this spherical benchmark, which can be computed numerically and measured experimentally. The impact of the high-order sensitivities of the response with respect to the PERP model parameters is quantified for “high-precision” parameters (2% standard deviations) and “typical-precision” parameters (5% standard deviations). Analyzing the best-estimate results with reduced uncertainties for the 1st—through 4th-order moments (mean values, covariance, skewness, and kurtosis) produced by the 4th-BERRU-PM methodology for the PERP benchmark indicates that, even for systems modeled by linear equations (e.g., the PERP benchmark), retaining only first-order sensitivities is insufficient for reliable predictive modeling (including SA, UQ, DA, and MC). At least second-order sensitivities should be retained in order to obtain reliable predictions.
The Impact of Additives on Gaseous Pollutants from the Combustion of Various Solid Fuels
Authors: Szatyłowicz Ewa , Siemieniuk Anna
Published: August 2024

This article compares the emission of gaseous pollutants such as CO2, CO, NO, SO2, and HCl emissions from the combustion of the selected most popular solid fuels in a low-power boiler. The process was carried out under controlled conditions on a laboratory stand equipped with a Moderator Unica Vento Eko 25 kW boiler. Solid fuels were selected for comparison, such as hard coal with granulation above 60 mm, hard coal with a granulation of 25–80 mm, hard coal with a granulation of 8–25 mm, wood pellets, and mixed firewood. The experiment was carried out in two stages. In stage 1, previously selected solid fuels were combusted under controlled repeatable conditions, while simultaneously measuring gaseous components in the exhaust gases in real time. On the other hand, the second stage involves the combustion of the same fuels under the same conditions with combustion additives that modify the combustion process in terms of reducing the emission of pollutants. At the same time, in the second stage, gaseous components in the exhaust gas were also measured in real time. The experiments carried out have shown that, in addition to the additive, a testing system should be used to assess the profitability and improve the efficiency of energy production and distribution after using a given additive for fuel combustion. Implementation of the use of solid fuel activators on a common scale should also entail research on the emission of dioxins and furans, which may be emitted in increased amounts under the influence of some components contained in combustion modifiers.
Investigation into PV Inverter Topologies from the Standards Compliance Viewpoint
Authors: Hasan Muhammad Asif , Vemula Naresh Kumar , Devarapalli Ramesh , Knypiński Łukasz
Published: August 2024

Numerous reviews are available in the literature on PV inverter topologies. These reviews have intensively investigated the available PV inverter topologies from their modulation techniques, control strategies, cost, and performance aspects. However, their compliance with industrial standards has not been investigated in detail so far in the literature. There are various standards such as North American standards (UL1741, IEEE1547, and CSA 22.2) and Australian and European safety standards and grid codes, which include IEC 62109 and VDE. These standards provide detailed guidelines and expectations to be fulfilled by a PV inverter topology. Adherence to these standards is essential and crucial for the successful operation of PV inverters, be it a standalone or grid-tied mode of operation. This paper investigates different PV inverter topologies from the aspect of their adherence to different standards. Both standalone and grid-tied mode of operation-linked conditions have been checked for different topologies. This investigation will help power engineers in selecting suitable PV inverter topology for their specific applications.
Optimization and Stability Assessment of Monochamus alternatus Antimicrobial Peptide MaltAtt-1 in Komagataella phaffii GS115 for the Control of Pine Wood Nematode
Authors: Jiang Di , Xu Xuhuizi , Wang Zeguang , Yu Chao , Wang Zeqing , Xu Yuda , Chu Xu , Li Ming , Zhang Feiping , Hu Xia
Published: August 2024

MaltAtt-1 is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from Monochamus alternatus with nematocidal activity against pine wood nematode. In this study, a eukaryotic expression system based on Komagataella phaffii GS115 was established, and its secretory expression of MaltAtt-1 was realized. The basic properties and secondary and tertiary structures of the antimicrobial peptide MaltAtt-1 were identified by bioinformatics analysis. MaltAtt-1 is a hydrophilic stable protein, mainly composed of an α-helix (Hh), β-folds (Ee), and irregular curls (Cc). The optimal fermentation conditions for MaltAtt-1 were determined by a single-factor test and the Box–Behnken response surface method, including an induction time of 72 h, induction temperature of 30 °C, culture medium of pH 7.6, methanol volume fraction of 2.0%, and an initial glycerol concentration of 1%. The stability of MaltAtt-1 indicated its resistant to UV irradiation and repeated freezing and thawing, but the antibacterial activity decreased significantly under the influence of high temperature and a strong acid and base, and it decreased significantly to 1.1 cm and 0.83 cm at pH 2.0 and pH 10.0, respectively. The corrected mortality of B. xylophilus achieved 71.94% in 3 h at a concentration of 300 mg·L−1 MaltAtt-1 exposure. The results provide a theoretical basis for the antimicrobial peptide MaltAtt-1 to become a new green and efficient nematicide.
Valpalf®: A New Nutraceutical Formulation Containing Bovine Lactoferrin That Exhibits Potentiated Biological Activity
Authors: Rosa Luigi , Ianiro Giusi , Niro Antonella , Musci Giovanni , Paesano Rosalba , Cutone Antimo , Valenti Piera
Published: August 2024

As a nutraceutical, bovine lactoferrin (bLf), an iron-binding glycoprotein involved in innate immunity, is gaining elevated attention for its ability to exert pleiotropic functions and to be exceptionally tolerated even at high dosages. Some of bLf’s activities, including its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, are tightly linked to its ability to both chelate iron and enter inside the cell nucleus. Here, we present data about Valpalf®, a new formulation containing bLf, sodium citrate, and sodium bicarbonate at a molar ratio of 10−3. In the present study, Valpalf® exhibits superior iron-binding capacity, resistance to tryptic digestion, and a greater capacity to accumulate into the nucleus over time when compared to the native bLf alone. In agreement, Valpalf® effectively reduces interleukin(IL)-6 levels in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages and modulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase 1 and 2, in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-stimulated monocytes. Of note, this potentiated bioactivity was corroborated in a retrospective study on the treatment of anemia of inflammation in hereditary thrombophilic pregnant and non-pregnant women, demonstrating that Valpalf® improves hematological parameters and reduces serum IL-6 levels to a higher extent than bLf alone.
The Exosomes of Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth Suppress Inflammation in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Lin Chuang-Yu , Naruphontjirakul Parichart , Huang Te-Yang , Wu Yi-Chia , Cheng Wei-Hsuan , Su Wen-Ta
Published: August 2024

Hyaluronic acid injection is commonly used clinically to slow down the development of osteoarthritis (OA). A newly developed therapeutic method is to implant chondrocytes/stem cells to regenerate cartilage in the body. The curative effect of stem cell therapy has been proven to come from the paracrine of stem cells. In this study, exosomes secreted by stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and hyaluronic acid were used individually to evaluate the therapeutic effect in slowing down OA. SHED was cultured in a serum-free medium for three days, and the supernatant was collected and then centrifuged with a speed difference to obtain exosomes containing CD9 and CD63 markers, with an average particle size of 154.1 nm. SW1353 cells were stimulated with IL-1β to produce the inflammatory characteristics of OA and then treated with 40 μg/mL exosomes and hyaluronic acid individually. The results showed that the exosomes successfully inhibited the pro-inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, NO, COX-2 and PGE2, induced by IL-1β and the degrading enzyme of the extrachondral matrix (MMP-13). Collagen II and ACAN, the main components of the extrachondral matrix, were also increased by 1.76-fold and 2.98-fold, respectively, after treatment, which were similar to that of the normal joints. The effect can be attributed to the partial mediation of SHED exosomes to the NF-κB pathway, and the ability of exosomes to inhibit OA is found not inferior to that of hyaluronic acid.
Mechanism of the Oxidative Ring-Closure Reaction during Gliotoxin Biosynthesis by Cytochrome P450 GliF
Authors: Qureshi Muizz , Mokkawes Thirakorn , Cao Yuanxin , de Visser Sam P.
Published: August 2024

During gliotoxin biosynthesis in fungi, the cytochrome P450 GliF enzyme catalyzes an unusual C–N ring-closure step while also an aromatic ring is hydroxylated in the same reaction cycle, which may have relevance to drug synthesis reactions in biotechnology. However, as the details of the reaction mechanism are still controversial, no applications have been developed yet. To resolve the mechanism of gliotoxin biosynthesis and gain insight into the steps leading to ring-closure, we ran a combination of molecular dynamics and density functional theory calculations on the structure and reactivity of P450 GliF and tested a range of possible reaction mechanisms, pathways and models. The calculations show that, rather than hydrogen atom transfer from the substrate to Compound I, an initial proton transfer transition state is followed by a fast electron transfer en route to the radical intermediate, and hence a non-synchronous hydrogen atom abstraction takes place. The radical intermediate then reacts by OH rebound to the aromatic ring to form a biradical in the substrate that, through ring-closure between the radical centers, gives gliotoxin products. Interestingly, the structure and energetics of the reaction mechanisms appear little affected by the addition of polar groups to the model and hence we predict that the reaction can be catalyzed by other P450 isozymes that also bind the same substrate. Alternative pathways, such as a pathway starting with an electrophilic attack on the arene to form an epoxide, are high in energy and are ruled out.
Increased Homer Activity and NMJ Localization in the Vestibular Lesion het−/− Mouse soleus Muscle
Authors: Trautmann Gabor , Block Katharina , Gutsmann Martina , Besnard Stéphane , Furlan Sandra , Denise Pierre , Volpe Pompeo , Blottner Dieter , Salanova Michele
Published: August 2024

We investigated the shuttling of Homer protein isoforms identified in soluble (cytosolic) vs. insoluble (membrane–cytoskeletal) fraction and Homer protein–protein interaction/activation in the deep postural calf soleus (SOL) and non-postural gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles of het−/− mice, i.e., mice with an autosomal recessive variant responsible for a vestibular disorder, in order to further elucidate a) the underlying mechanisms of disrupted vestibular system-derived modulation on skeletal muscle, and b) molecular signaling at respective neuromuscular synapses. Heterozygote mice muscles served as the control (CTR). An increase in Homer cross-linking capacity was present in the SOL muscle of het−/− mice as a compensatory mechanism for the altered vestibule system function. Indeed, in both fractions, different Homer immunoreactive bands were detectable, as were Homer monomers (~43–48 kDa), Homer dimers (~100 kDa), and several other Homer multimer bands (>150 kDA). The het−/− GAS particulate fraction showed no Homer dimers vs. SOL. The het−/− SOL soluble fraction showed a twofold increase (+117%, p ≤ 0.0004) in Homer dimers and multimers. Homer monomers were completely absent from the SOL independent of the animals studied, suggesting muscle-specific changes in Homer monomer vs. dimer expression in the postural SOL vs. the non-postural GAS muscles. A morphological assessment showed an increase (+14%, p ≤ 0.0001) in slow/type-I myofiber cross-sectional area in the SOL of het−/− vs. CTR mice. Homer subcellular immuno-localization at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) showed an altered expression in the SOL of het−/−mice, whereas only not-significant changes were found for all Homer isoforms, as judged by RT-qPCR analysis. Thus, muscle-specific changes, myofiber properties, and neuromuscular signaling mechanisms share causal relationships, as highlighted by the variable subcellular Homer isoform expression at the instable NMJs of vestibular lesioned het−/− mice.
Novel Insights into Hb Shaare Zedek Associated with β0-Thalassemia: Molecular Characteristics, Genetic Origin and Diagnostic Approaches
Authors: Satthakarn Surada , Srisuwan Wibhasiri , Kunyanone Naowarat , Panyasai Sitthichai
Published: August 2024

Hemoglobin Shaare Zedek (Hb SZ) is a rare structural α-Hb variant. Characterizing its genotype–phenotype relationship and genetic origin enhances diagnostic and clinical management insights. We studied a proband and six family members using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), PCR, and sequencing to analyze α- and β-globin genes and α-globin haplotypes. Pathogenicity predictions and a rapid diagnostic method were developed. The proband, his father, grandfather, and aunt had Hb migrating to the HbH-zone on CE and elevated fetal hemoglobin (HbF) on HPLC. Direct sequencing identified an A to G mutation at codon 56 of the α2-globin gene, characteristic of Hb SZ. Additionally, the proband carried a β-globin gene mutation [HBB.52A>T]. Mild thalassemia-like changes were observed in the proband, whereas individuals with only the Hb SZ variant did not exhibit these changes. Pathogenicity predictions indicated that Hb SZ is benign. The variant can be identified using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and allele-specific PCR. The Thai variant of Hb SZ is associated with the haplotype [- - M - - - -]. Hb SZ is a non-pathological variant that minimally affects red blood cell parameters, even when it coexists with β0-thalassemia. HPLC and CE systems cannot distinguish it from other Hbs, necessitating DNA analysis for accurate diagnosis.
Novel and Previously Known Mutations of the KCNV2 Gene Cause Various Variants of the Clinical Course of Cone Dystrophy with Supernormal Rod Response in Children
Authors: Alsalloum Almaqdad , Mosin Ilya , Shefer Kristina , Mingaleva Natalia , Kim Alexander , Feoktistova Sofya , Malyugin Boris , Boiko Ernest , Sultanov Shamil , Mityaeva Olga , Volchkov Pavel
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: Cone dystrophy with supernormal rod response (CDSRR) is a rare autosomal recessive retinal disorder characterized by a delayed and markedly decreased photoreceptor response. In this article, we aim to describe the clinical course and associated molecular findings in children with cone dystrophy with supernormal rod response associated with recessive mutations in the KCNV2 gene, which encodes a subunit (Kv8.2) of the voltage-gated potassium channel. Methods: The genetic testing of two patients included the next-generation sequencing of a retinal dystrophy panel and direct Sanger sequencing to confirm KCNV2 gene variants, in addition to an electroretinogram (ERG) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Results: Cone dystrophy with supernormal rod response is associated with identified variants in the KCNV2 gene. The genetic analysis of the first case identified a compound heterozygous mutation in the KCNV2 gene, including a de novo nonsense duplication at cDNA position 1109, which led to the premature termination of the p.Lys371Ter codon in the second extracellular domain of the protein. Two patients showed changes in the full-field electroretinogram, especially in the first case, which demonstrated a close to supernormal total electroretinogram amplitude. This study increased the range of the KCNV2 mutation database, added an unreported de novo substitution pattern to KCNV2 gene variants, and linked it to the evaluated clinical studies. Conclusions: The initial clinical manifestations were varied, but both patients presented with hypermetropia and slight exotropia. The ERG findings are characteristic of KCNV2 mutations, and patients exhibited an increased b-wave latency in DA3.0 ERG (combined rod–cone response).
A Proposal for a Process from as Low as Reasonably Achievable to an Ultra-Low-Level Goal in Chest Computed Tomography
Authors: Fitton Isabelle , Charpentier Etienne , Arsovic Emina , Isaia Jennifer , Guillou Manon , Saltel-Fulero Aurélien , Fournier Laure , Van Ngoc Ty Claire
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: To define and evaluate a radiation dose optimization process for chest computed tomography (CT) imaging. Methods: Data from unenhanced and enhanced chest CT acquisitions performed between June 2018 and January 2020 in adult patients were included in the study. Images were acquired on a Siemens SOMATOM® Definition Edge CT. Dose values, including Dose.Length Product (DLP) and Volume CT Dose Index (CTDIvol), were collected. Low doses (LDs, 25th percentiles), achievable doses (ADs, 50th percentiles), and diagnostic reference levels (DRLs, 75th percentiles) were calculated before and after parameter modifications. A process was defined and applied to patient data. For unenhanced chest CT, data were differentiated according to three groups: high dose (HD), optimized dose (OD), and ultra-low dose (ULD). Dosimetric changes between protocols were expressed as mean CTDIvol % (CI95%). A Mann and Whitney statistical test was used. The diagnostic quality score (DQS) of a subset of 70 randomly selected CT examinations was evaluated by one radiologist. The DQS was scored according to a three-point Likert scale: (1) poor (definite diagnosis impossible), (2) fair (evaluation of major findings possible), and (3) excellent (exact diagnosis possible). Results: Data were collected from 1929 patients. For unenhanced chest CT protocols, only one process loop was run. A dose comparison between the chest CT protocol before the use of the process and the three groups showed a decrease of −38.3% (9.7%) and −93.4% (24.2%) for OD and ULD, respectively, and an increase of +29.4% (4.7%) for HD. For the enhanced chest CT protocol, two optimization loops were performed, and they resulted in a mean dose reduction of −50.0% (2.6%) compared to the pre-optimization protocol. For all protocols, the DQS was greater than or equal to 2. Conclusions: We proposed a radiation dose optimization process for chest CT that could significantly reduce the dose without compromising diagnosis.
New Therapeutic Advances in the Management of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation
Authors: Synetos Andreas , Ktenopoulos Nikolaos , Katsaros Odysseas , Vlasopoulou Konstantina , Korovesis Theofanis , Drakopoulou Maria , Apostolos Anastasios , Koliastasis Leonidas , Toutouzas Konstantinos , Tsioufis Constantinos
Published: August 2024

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is an intricate disorder that has a negative outlook, while surgical treatment is linked to increased mortality. Primary TR occurs due to a structural defect in the tricuspid valve (TV), while secondary TR is a more prevalent condition often associated with pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. The use of specific surgical procedures to improve TR is limited in everyday clinical practice due to the heightened surgical risk and delayed patient presentation. The development of other transcatheter heart valve procedures has led to a significant increase in transcatheter TV operations, which can be attributed to certain technological advancements. This review aims to provide an updated overview of transcatheter TV procedures, available alternative therapies, and standards for patient selection. It will also highlight the current state of development in this field, which is characterized by rapid progress and numerous ongoing clinical trials.
Estrogenic Responsiveness of Brown Trout Primary Hepatocyte Spheroids to Environmental Levels of 17α-Ethinylestradiol
Authors: Alves Rodrigo F. , Lopes Célia , Rocha Eduardo , Madureira Tânia Vieira
Published: August 2024

Three-dimensional (3D) fish hepatocyte cultures are promising alternative models for replicating in vivo data. Few studies have attempted to characterise the structure and function of fish 3D liver models and illustrate their applicability. This study aimed to further characterise a previously established spheroid model obtained from juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) primary hepatocytes under estrogenic stimulation. The spheroids were exposed for six days to environmentally relevant concentrations of 17α-ethinylestradiol—EE2 (1–100 ng/L). The mRNA levels of peroxisome (catalase—Cat and urate oxidase—Uox), lipid metabolism (acyl-CoA long chain synthetase 1—Acsl1, apolipoprotein AI—ApoAI, and fatty acid binding protein 1—Fabp1), and estrogen-related (estrogen receptor α—ERα, estrogen receptor β—ERβ, vitellogenin A—VtgA, zona pellucida glycoprotein 2.5—ZP2.5, and zona pellucida glycoprotein 3a.2—ZP3a.2) target genes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess Vtg and ZP protein expressions. At the highest EE2 concentration, VtgA and ZP2.5 genes were significantly upregulated. The remaining target genes were not significantly altered by EE2. Vtg and ZP immunostaining was consistently increased in spheroids exposed to 50 and 100 ng/L of EE2, whereas lower EE2 levels resulted in a weaker signal. EE2 did not induce significant changes in the spheroids’ viability and morphological parameters. This study identified EE2 effects at environmentally relevant doses in trout liver spheroids, indicating its usefulness as a proxy for in vivo impacts of xenoestrogens.
Assessing the Impact of Spatial and Temporal Variability in Fine Particulate Matter Pollution on Respiratory Health Outcomes in Asthma and COPD Patients
Authors: Xydi Irini , Saharidis Georgios , Kalantzis Georgios , Pantazopoulos Ioannis , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos I. , Kotsiou Ourania S.
Published: August 2024

Ambient air pollution’s health impacts are well documented, yet the domestic environment remains underexplored. We aimed to compare indoor versus outdoor (I/O) air quality and estimate the association between indoor/ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and lung function in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The study involved 24 h monitoring of PM2.5 levels indoors and outdoors, daily peak expiratory flow (PEF), and biweekly symptoms collection from five patients with asthma and COPD (average age of 50 years, 40% male) over a whole year. Data analysis was performed with linear mixed effect models for PEF and generalized estimating equations (GEE) for exacerbations. More than 5 million PM2.5 exposure and meteorological data were collected, demonstrating significant I/O PM2.5 ratio variability with an average ratio of 2.20 (±2.10). Identified indoor PM2.5 sources included tobacco use, open fireplaces, and cooking, resulting in average indoor PM2.5 concentrations of 63.89 μg/m3 (±68.41), significantly exceeding revised World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Analysis indicated a correlation between ambient PM2.5 levels and decreased PEF over 0-to-3-day lag, with autumn indoor exposure significantly impacting PEF and wheezing. The study underscores the need to incorporate domestic air quality into public health research and policy-making. A personalized approach is required depending on the living conditions, taking into account the exposure to particulate pollution.
Managing Risk Mitigation in Urban Expansion Areas of Argentina’s Drylands: The Gap between Perception and Environmental Behaviour
Authors: Sales Romina , Rescia Alejandro J.
Published: August 2024

Accessibility to rigorous scientific information to promote risk mitigation measures by citizens is crucial, especially in the context of climate change and extreme weather events. This study focuses on the perception of flood risk and the implementation of mitigation strategies by residents in drylands urban sprawl areas. Risk perception, defined as the subjective assessment of the likelihood and potential consequences of flooding, is a key element of mitigation. While many studies have explored the link between risk perception and behaviour, this research addresses gaps in understanding how public information affects these perceptions and actions. In areas of rapid urban expansion, where regulation often overlooks environmental features, the lack of adequate information poses significant barriers to effective risk mitigation. This research reveals that although residents claim to understand flooding, their descriptions often indicate a lack of understanding of the phenomenon. This ‘passive optimism’ could be mitigated by providing rigorous information and specific technical recommendations. This study highlights the disconnect between residents’ awareness of flood risks and the inadequacy of preventive measures, underlining the importance of targeted information and collaboration between the scientific community, government sectors, and local populations.
Disembedding and Disentangling Grassland Valuation: Insights into Grassland Management Institutions and Ecological Research in China
Authors: Zhang Qian , Mao KuoRay
Published: August 2024

After two decades of implementing top-down grassland restoration projects focused on reducing livestock numbers and pastoralist populations, the Chinese government’s well-funded efforts have not significantly reversed grassland degradation. This study reviews the institutional changes in grassland management over the past forty years, highlighting the Livestock and Grassland Double Contract Household Responsibility System of the early 1980s and the Grassland Ecological Reward and Compensation Policy introduced in 2011. It demonstrates how these institutional transformations have shaped pastoralists’ evolving understanding of grassland value and reveals that commodifying grassland’s economic and ecological value has led to the capitalization of nature, disembedding husbandry from grassland production, and undermining the effectiveness of conservation projects. This article also showcases the development of grassland ecology research in China, noting its increasing detachment from a holistic understanding of ecosystems and the interdisciplinary needs of management practices. The disjunction between grassland ecology research and practical management has resulted in a lack of techniques aligned with local ecological and socioeconomic contexts. This article champions active engagement with and protection of pastoralist communities to reintegrate grasslands’ true economic and ecological value into management practices, thereby effectively restoring degraded grasslands and achieving sustainable management.
Evaluation of Pain-Associated Behavioral Changes in Monoiodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritic Rats Using Dynamic Weight Bearing Analysis
Authors: Kishnan Devika , Orozco Morato Erick , Calsetta Aydin , Baumbauer Kyle , Nair Lakshmi
Published: August 2024

Pain is the primary clinical indication of osteoarthritis (OA), and behavioral assessments in rodent pain models are widely used to understand pain patterns. These preclinical pain assessments can also help us to understand the effectiveness of emerging therapeutics for prolonged OA pain management. Along with evoked methods like mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, non-evoked methods such as dynamic weight bearing (DWB) analysis are valuable tools for behavioral assessments of pain. Both these methods were utilized to study pain-induced behavioral changes in a monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritic pain model, which is a well-established preclinical OA pain model. However, the utility of DWB analysis as an indicator of long-term pain sensitivity (more than 4 weeks) remains largely unexplored. Understanding the long-term sensitivity of DWB is valuable to study the effectiveness of novel prolonged pain-relieving therapeutics. Here, we studied the dynamic behavioral changes in MIA-induced OA rats over a period of 16 weeks using DWB measurements. Female Sprague Dawley rats were injected in the right knee joint with MIA (3 mg) using X-ray guidance. Multiple dynamic postural evaluations such as ipsilateral weight percentage, paw area, contralateral/ipsilateral weight ratio and area ratio were assessed to understand the behavioral changes. The data showed that the ipsilateral weight bearing percentage alone is not sufficient to assess pain-related behavior beyond 6 weeks. This study shows the advantages and limitations of dynamic weight bearing as an assessment tool for the long-term progression of pain behavior in MIA-induced OA rats.
Rickettsia Species: Genetic Variability, Vectors, and Rickettsiosis—A Review
Authors: Rymaszewska Anna , Piotrowski Mariusz
Published: August 2024

Rickettsiae are an interesting group of bacteria comprising a large number of obligate intracellular species. The circulation of these bacteria in the environment depends on the presence of vectors (blood-sucking invertebrates) and their hosts. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses in 2022, a division into five groups of Rickettsia has been proposed: I belli group, II canadensis group, III typhus group, and IV and V spotted group fever (respectively II, phylogenetically older, and I). The genus Rickettsia includes species that are both pathogenic and nonpathogenic to humans and domestic and wild animals. Some Rickettsia species are invertebrate symbionts. Currently, rickettsiae, which are transmitted mainly by ticks, are spreading worldwide. This has been promoted by climate change, environmental changes caused by humans, and the synanthropisation of plants and animals. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor the natural and urban environments. The study of potential vectors and reservoirs of bacteria in the genus Rickettsia should be a permanent part of the analysis of the modern human environment.
GhSWEET42 Regulates Flowering Time under Long-Day Conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Du Mengxue , Wang Deying , Li Jingyu , Zhu Taotao , Lyu Peng , Li Gang , Ding Yi , Liu Xinxin , Men Qingmei , Li Xiaofei , Sun Yongwang , Meng Lingzhi , Guo Shangjing
Published: August 2024

Flowering in plants is pivotal for initiating and advancing reproductive processes, impacting regional adaptation and crop yield. Despite numerous cloned and identified flowering time genes, research in cotton remains sparse. This study identified GhSWEET42 as a key determinant of the flowering time in cotton, demonstrating that its heterologous expression in Arabidopsis accelerated flowering under LD conditions compared to WT. Transgenic plants exhibited upregulated expression of the flowering inducers AtFT, AtSOC1, AtGI, and AtFKF1, alongside downregulated expression of the repressors AtTSF, AtFLC, and AtRGL2, correlating with the earlier flowering phenotype. GhSWEET42 showed a constitutive expression pattern, with elevated levels in the leaves, petals, and flower buds, and was notably higher in early-maturing cotton varieties. Subcellular localization assays confirmed GhSWEET42’s presence on the cell membrane. Transcriptome analysis between WT and GhSWEET42-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants revealed 2393 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), spanning 221 biological processes, 93 molecular functions, and 37 cellular components according to Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis categorized the DEGs into metabolism and environmental information processing. These findings enhance the understanding of GhSWEET42’s function and provide a foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing flowering time regulation in cotton.