bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discovering Potential Anti-Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mechanisms from Kochiae Fructus Using Network-Based Pharmacology Analysis and Experimental Validation
Authors: Kim Youn-Sook , Lee Jin-Choon , Lee Minhyung , Oh Hae-Jin , An Won G. , Sung Eui-Suk
Published: June 2023

The natural product Kochiae Fructus (KF) is the ripe fruit of Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad and is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-fungal, and anti-pruritic effects. This study examined the anticancer effect of components of KF to assess its potential as an adjuvant for cancer treatment. Network-based pharmacological and docking analyses of KF found associations with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The molecular docking of oleanolic acid (OA) with LC3 and SQSTM1 had high binding scores, and hydrogen binding with amino acids of the receptors suggests that OA is involved in autophagy, rather than the apoptosis pathway. For experimental validation, we exposed SCC-15 squamous carcinoma cells derived from a human tongue lesion to KF extract (KFE), OA, and cisplatin. The KFE caused SCC-15 cell death, and induced an accumulation of the autophagy marker proteins LC3 and p62/SQSTM1. The novelty of this study lies in the discovery that the change in autophagy protein levels can be related to the regulatory death of SCC-15 cells. These findings suggest that KF is a promising candidate for future studies to provide insight into the role of autophagy in cancer cells and advance our understanding of cancer prevention and treatment.
Future Comorbidities in an Aging Cystic Fibrosis Population
Authors: Ticona Javier Humberto , Lapinel Nicole , Wang Janice
Published: June 2023

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease due to mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. With the advent of highly effective modulator therapy targeting the abnormal CFTR protein, people with CF (PwCF) are living more than 40 years longer than the pre-modulator therapy era. As a result, PwCF are facing new challenges of managing similar comorbidities affecting the average aging population. While CF is notoriously identified as a chronic respiratory disease, the multisystem presence of the CFTR gene can contribute to other organ-related complications acutely, but also heighten the likelihood of chronic conditions not routinely encountered in this cohort. In this overview, we will focus on risk factors and epidemiology for PwCF as they relate to cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, CF-related diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, CF-liver disease, bone health and malignancy. With increased awareness of diseases affecting a newly aging CF population, a focus on primary and secondary prevention will be imperative to implementing a comprehensive care plan to improve long-term morbidity and mortality.
Vitamin Effects in Primary Dysmenorrhea
Authors: Matsas Alkis , Sachinidis Athanasios , Lamprinou Malamatenia , Stamoula Eleni , Christopoulos Panagiotis
Published: June 2023

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is considered to be one of the most common gynecological complaints, affecting women’s daily activities and social life. The severity of dysmenorrhea varies among women, and its management is of high importance for them. Given that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the established treatment for dysmenorrhea, are associated with many adverse events, alternative therapeutic options are under evaluation. Emerging evidence correlates management of dysmenorrhea with micronutrients, especially vitamins. Purpose: The aim of this narrative review is to highlight and provide evidence of the potential benefits of vitamins for the management of dysmenorrhea. Methods: The articles were searched on PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. The searching process was based on keywords, such as “primary dysmenorrhea”, “vitamins”, “supplementation”, “vitamin D”, “vitamin E” and others. Our search focused on data derived from clinical trials, published only during the last decade (older articles were excluded). Results: In this review, 13 clinical trials were investigated. Most of them supported the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic properties of vitamins. Particularly, vitamins D and E revealed a desirable effect on dysmenorrhea relief Conclusion: Despite the scarcity and heterogeneity of related research, the studies indicate a role of vitamins for the management of primary dysmenorrhea, proposing that they should be considered as alternative therapeutic candidates for clinical use. Nevertheless, this correlation warrants further research.
The Role of Microorganisms in the Etiopathogenesis of Demyelinating Diseases
Authors: Frau Jessica , Coghe Giancarlo , Lorefice Lorena , Fenu Giuseppe , Cocco Eleonora
Published: June 2023

Multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD) are inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) with a multifactorial aetiology. Environmental factors are important for their development and microorganisms could play a determining role. They can directly damage the CNS, but their interaction with the immune system is even more important. The possible mechanisms involved include molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, bystander activation and the dual cell receptor theory. The role of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in MS has been definitely established, since being seropositive is a necessary condition for the onset of MS. EBV interacts with genetic and environmental factors, such as low levels of vitamin D and human endogenous retrovirus (HERV), another microorganism implicated in the disease. Many cases of onset or exacerbation of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have been described after infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, EBV and human immunodeficiency virus; however, no definite association with a virus has been found. A possible role has been suggested for Helicobacter pylori, in particular in individuals with aquaporin 4 antibodies. The onset of MOGAD could occur after an infection, mainly in the monophasic course of the disease. A role for the HERV in MOGAD has been hypothesized. In this review, we examined the current understanding of the involvement of infectious factors in MS, NMO and MOGAD. Our objective was to elucidate the roles of each microorganism in initiating the diseases and influencing their clinical progression. We aimed to discuss both the infectious factors that have a well-established role and those that have yielded conflicting results across various studies.
Research Progress in Preparation, Properties and Applications of Biomimetic Organic-Inorganic Composites with “Brick-and-Mortar” Structure
Authors: Liu Feng , Yang Hongyu , Feng Xiaming
Published: June 2023

Inspired by nature, materials scientists have been exploring and designing various biomimetic materials. Among them, composite materials with brick-and-mortar-like structure synthesized from organic and inorganic materials (BMOIs) have attracted increasing attention from scholars. These materials have the advantages of high strength, excellent flame retardancy, and good designability, which can meet the requirements of various fields for materials and have extremely high research value. Despite the increasing interest in and applications of this type of structural material, there is still a dearth of comprehensive reviews, leaving the scientific community with a limited understanding of its properties and applications. In this paper, we review the preparation, interface interaction, and research progress of BMOIs, and propose possible future development directions for this class of materials.
Magnesiothermic Reduction of Silica: A Machine Learning Study
Authors: Tang Kai , Rasouli Azam , Safarian Jafar , Ma Xiang , Tranell Gabriella
Published: June 2023

Fundamental studies have been carried out experimentally and theoretically on the magnesiothermic reduction of silica with different Mg/SiO2 molar ratios (1–4) in the temperature range of 1073 to 1373 K with different reaction times (10–240 min). Due to the kinetic barriers occurring in metallothermic reductions, the equilibrium relations calculated by the well-known thermochemical software FactSage (version 8.2) and its databanks are not adequate to describe the experimental observations. The unreacted silica core encapsulated by the reduction products can be found in some parts of laboratory samples. However, other parts of samples show that the metallothermic reduction disappears almost completely. Some quartz particles are broken into fine pieces and form many tiny cracks. Magnesium reactants are able to infiltrate the core of silica particles via tiny fracture pathways, thereby enabling the reaction to occur almost completely. The traditional unreacted core model is thus inadequate to represent such complicated reaction schemes. In the present work, an attempt is made to apply a machine learning approach using hybrid datasets in order to describe complex magnesiothermic reductions. In addition to the experimental laboratory data, equilibrium relations calculated by the thermochemical database are also introduced as boundary conditions for the magnesiothermic reductions, assuming a sufficiently long reaction time. The physics-informed Gaussian process machine (GPM) is then developed and used to describe hybrid data, given its advantages when describing small datasets. A composite kernel for the GPM is specifically developed to mitigate the overfitting problems commonly encountered when using generic kernels. Training the physics-informed Gaussian process machine (GPM) with the hybrid dataset results in a regression score of 0.9665. The trained GPM is thus used to predict the effects of Mg-SiO2 mixtures, temperatures, and reaction times on the products of a magnesiothermic reduction, that have not been covered by experiments. Additional experimental validation indicates that the GPM works well for the interpolates of the observations.
Effect of Sintering Mechanism towards Crystallization of Geopolymer Ceramic—A Review
Authors: Mustapa Nur Bahijah , Ahmad Romisuhani , Ibrahim Wan Mastura Wan , Abdullah Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri , Wattanasakulpong Nuttawit , Nemeș Ovidiu , Sandu Andrei Victor , Vizureanu Petrica , Sandu Ioan Gabriel , Kartikowati Christina W. , Risdanareni Puput
Published: June 2023

Globally, there is an increasing need for ceramic materials that have a variety of applications in the environment, for precision tools, and for the biomedical, electronics, and environmental industries. However, in order to obtain remarkable mechanical qualities, ceramics have to be manufactured at a high temperature of up to 1600 °C over a long heating period. Furthermore, the conventional approach presents issues with agglomeration, irregular grain growth, and furnace pollution. Many researchers have developed an interest in using geopolymer to produce ceramic materials, focusing on improving the performances of geopolymer ceramics. In addition to helping to lower the sintering temperature, it also improves the strength and other properties of the ceramics. Geopolymer is a product of polymerization involving aluminosilicate sources such as fly ash, metakaolin, kaolin, and slag through activation using an alkaline solution. The sources of the raw materials, the ratio of the alkaline solution, the sintering time, the calcining temperature, the mixing time, and the curing time may have significant impacts on the qualities. Therefore, this review aims to study the effects of sintering mechanisms on the crystallization of geopolymer ceramics, concerning the strength achieved. A future research opportunity is also presented in this review.
Convective Flow Redistribution of Oxygen by Laser Melting of a Zr-Based Amorphous Alloy
Authors: Goetz Inga K. , Pacheco Victor , Hassila Carl J. , Jansson Ulf , Schneider Jochen M. , Hans Marcus
Published: June 2023

Oxygen impurities play a crucial role in the glass-forming ability and crystallisation behaviour of metallic glasses. In the present work, single laser tracks were produced on Zr59.3-xCu28.8 Al10.4Nb1.5Ox substrates (x = 0.3, 1.3) to study the redistribution of oxygen in the melt pool under laser melting, which provides the basis for laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing. Since such substrates are commercially not available, they were fabricated by arc melting and splat quenching. X-ray diffraction revealed that the substrate with 0.3 at.% oxygen was X-ray amorphous, while the substrate with 1.3 at.% oxygen was partially crystalline. Hence, it is evident that the oxygen content affects the crystallisation kinetics. Subsequently, single laser tracks were produced on the surface of these substrates, and the melt pools attained from the laser processing were characterised by atom probe tomography and transmission electron microscopy. Surface oxidation and subsequent convective flow redistribution of oxygen by laser melting were identified as causes of the presence of CuOx and crystalline ZrO nanoparticles in the melt pool. Bands of ZrO likely originate from surface oxides that were moved deeper into the melt pool by convective flow. The findings presented here highlight the influence of oxygen redistribution from the surface into the melt pool during laser processing.
Research on HMCVT Parameter Design Optimization Based on the Service Characteristics of Agricultural Machinery in the Whole Life Cycle
Authors: Cheng Zhun , Lu Zhixiong
Published: June 2023

The HMCVT (Hydro-mechanical Continuously Variable Transmission) can realize continuously variable speed in a large range and transmit high power through power diving, and thus, it is widely applied in agricultural machineries, such as tractors. The engineering technology requirements of precision agriculture and intelligent agriculture have put forward higher requests for the research and development of HMCVT. In order to further improve the performance of HMCVT in the design stage and match the service characteristics of agricultural tractors in the whole life cycle, this paper proposes a new HMCVT optimization design method which mainly consists of 5 steps. The proposed method takes the regular and continuous transmission ratio variation, matching the working requirements in the whole life cycle of agricultural tractors and transmission efficiency maximization as comprehensive objectives. The improved genetic algorithm (I-GA) is applied. The HMCVT efficiency characteristic model combines the characteristic efficiency model of the hydraulic system, which has been verified, and the theoretical calculation model based on the engaging power method. By analyzing the statistical data of the tractor speed operating frequency in the whole life cycle, the proposed method is used to determine the weight of each hydro-mechanical power dividing stage (i.e., HM stage) service time. In the design process, the HMCVT efficiency is integrated with the displacement ratio so as to realize the evaluation of the maximum efficiency in the whole life cycle of the tractor. Research results show that the proposed method can improve HMCVT performance significantly, and the mean error between speed regulating characteristics and expected value in design is 1.04% or so. The HMCVT service efficiency in the whole life cycle of the tractor has been improved by 19.93%. The research in the paper offers a valuable reference for getting the law of HMCVT characteristics and performance improvement design of tractors.
Feasibility of Cherry Pit Particles as a Natural Reinforcement in Polypropylene
Authors: Burgstaller Christoph , Renner Károly
Published: June 2023

Using natural materials as reinforcements for polypropylene to alter composite properties and cost is a well-known approach. Often, wood particles are used for that. These give reasonable reinforcement, but are also sought after by other industries, e.g., for energy production, and may also not be available everywhere. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate cherry pit particles as an alternative material for polypropylene reinforcement. Cherry pits originate as a by-product from fruit processing and have not been utilized until now as reinforcement. Cherry pit particles were produced by milling the pits, and afterwards composites were produced by compounding and injection molding. Mechanical properties and melt flow were investigated. We found some reinforcement effect, but to a lesser extent than wood particles. The cherry pit particles contain some fatty acid components, which reduce tensile properties and increase the melt flow rate of the composites. For future applications, methods for reducing these fatty acids to improve reinforcement capabilities should be investigated.
Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffold Optimisation through Modification of Chitosan/Ceramic Composition
Authors: Zhou Keran , Azaman Farah Alwani , Cao Zhi , Brennan Fournet Margaret , Devine Declan M.
Published: June 2023

A large bone defect is defined as a defect that exceeds the regenerative capacity of the bone. Nowadays, autologous bone grafting is still the gold standard treatment. In this study, a hybrid bone tissue engineering scaffold (BTE) was designed with biocompatibility, biodegradability and adequate mechanical strength as the primary objectives. Chitosan (CS) is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that can be used in a wide range of applications in bone tissue engineering. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) and fluorapatite (FAp) have the potential to improve the mechanical properties of CS. In the present work, different volumes of acetic acid (AA) and different ratios of HAp and FAp scaffolds were prepared and UV cross-linked to form a 3D structure. The properties of the scaffolds were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, swelling studies and compression testing. The cytotoxicity result was obtained by the MTT assay. The degradation rate was tested by weight loss after the scaffold was immersed in SBF. The results showed that a crosslinked structure was formed and that bonding occurred between different materials within the scaffold. Additionally, the scaffolds not only provided sufficient mechanical strength but were also cytocompatibility, depending on their composition. The scaffolds were degraded gradually within a 6-to-8-week testing period, which closely matches bone regeneration rates, indicating their potential in the BTE field.
Uncertainty Analysis and Optimization Modeling with Application to Supply Chain Management: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chen Lin , Dong Ting , Peng Jin , Ralescu Dan
Published: June 2023

In recent years, there have been frequent cases of impact on the stable development of supply chain economy caused by uncertain events such as COVID-19 and extreme weather events. The creation, management, and impact coping techniques of the supply chain economy now face wholly novel requirements as a result of the escalating level of global uncertainty. Although a significant literature applies uncertainty analysis and optimization modeling (UAO) to study supply chain management (SCM) under uncertainty, there is a lack of systematic literature review and research classification. Therefore, in this paper, 121 articles published in 44 international academic journals between 2015 and 2022 are extracted from the Web of Science database and reviewed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Bibliometric analysis and CiteSpace software are used to identify current developments in the field and to summarize research characteristics and hot topics. The selected published articles are classified and analyzed by author name, year of publication, application area, country, research purposes, modeling methods, research gaps and contributions, research results, and journals to comprehensively review and evaluate the SCM in the application of UAO. We find that UAO is widely used in SCM under uncertainty, especially in the field of decision-making, where it is common practice to abstractly model the decision problem to obtain scientific decision results. This study hopes to provide an important and valuable reference for future research on SCM under uncertainty. Future research could combine uncertainty theory with supply chain management segments (e.g., emergency management, resilience management, and security management), behavioral factors, big data technologies, artificial intelligence, etc.
Eulerian-Eulerian Modeling of the Features of Mean and Fluctuational Flow Structure and Dispersed Phase Motion in Axisymmetric Round Two-Phase Jets
Authors: Pakhomov Maksim A. , Terekhov Viktor I.
Published: June 2023

The features of the local mean and fluctuational flow structure, carrier phase turbulence and the propagation of the dispersed phase in the bubbly and droplet-laden isothermal round polydispersed jets were numerically simulated. The dynamics of the polydispersed phase is predicted using the Eulerian–Eulerian two-fluid approach. Turbulence of the carrier phase is described using the second-moment closure while taking into account the presence of the dispersed phase. The numerical analysis was performed in a wide range of variation of dispersed phase diameter at the inlet and particle-to-fluid density ratio (from gas flow laden with water droplets to carrier fluid flow laden with gas bubbles). An increase in the concentration of air bubbles and their size leads to jet expansion (as compared to a single-phase jet up to 40%), which indicates an increase in the intensity of the process of turbulent mixing with the surrounding space. However, this makes the gas-droplet jet narrower (up to 15%) and with a longer range in comparison with a single-phase flow. The addition of finely dispersed liquid droplets to an air jet suppresses gas phase turbulence (up to 15%). In a bubbly jet, it is found that small bubbles (Stk < 0.1) accumulate near the jet axis in the initial cross-sections, while concentration of the large ones (Stk > 0.2) along the jet axis decreases rapidly. In the gas-droplet jet, the effect of dispersed phase accumulation is also observed in the initial cross-section, and then its concentration decreases gradually along the jet axis. For gas bubbles (Stk < 0.1), small turbulence attenuation (up to 6%) is shown.
Reversible Data Hiding in Encrypted Image Based on Bit-Plane Redundancy of Prediction Error
Authors: Ren Fang , Wu Ziyi , Xue Yaqi , Hao Yanli
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we propose a reversible data hiding scheme in an encrypted image based on bit-plane redundancy of prediction error. The scheme greatly improves the embedding capacity while maintaining lossless image recovery and error-free secret data extraction. Firstly, the original image is preprocessed to obtain the prediction error image. After the error matrix is divided into blocks, the corresponding block type is obtained. Secondly, the predicted error image is encrypted with stream cipher and the encryption matrix blocks are scrambled to ensure the security of the scheme. Finally, after embedding the block type value into the encrypted image, the spare room corresponding to each block was obtained, which was used to embed the secret data. The scheme makes full use of the spatial correlation of the pixels in the block, so it improves the embedding rate. By selecting 100 images in each dataset of BOSSbase and BOWS-2, when the block size is 3×3, the average embedding rate of our scheme can reach 3.56 bpp and 3.81 bpp, respectively. The performance of the proposed method is better than the other schemes with similar properties.
Constructing Optimal Designs for Order-of-Addition Experiments Using a Hybrid Algorithm
Authors: Wang Dongying , Wang Sumin
Published: June 2023

For order-of-addition experiments, the response is affected by the addition order of the experimental materials. Consequently, the main interest focuses on creating a predictive model and an optimal design for optimizing the response. Van Nostrand proposed the pairwise-order (PWO) model for detecting PWO effects. Under the PWO model, the full PWO design is optimal under various criteria but is often unaffordable because of the large run size. In this paper, we consider the D-, A- and M.S.-optimal fractional PWO designs. We first present some results on information matrices. Then, a flexible and efficient algorithm is given for generating these optimal PWO designs. Numerical simulation shows that the generated design has an appealing efficiency in comparison with the full PWO design, though with only a small fraction of runs. Several comparisons with existing designs illustrate that the generated designs achieve better efficiencies, and the best PWO designs and some selected 100% efficient PWO designs generated by the new algorithm are reported.
Global–Local Non Intrusive Analysis with 1D to 3D Coupling: Application to Crack Propagation and Extension to Commercial Software
Authors: Jaque-Zurita Matías , Hinojosa Jorge , Fuenzalida-Henríquez Ignacio
Published: June 2023

Computational simulation is a highly reliable tool used to solve structural analysis problems. In recent times, several techniques have been developed in the field of computational mechanics in order to analyze non-linearities in less time, helping decision-making when structures suffer damage. The global–local analysis is a technique to increase the efficiency of computational simulations by using a global model to obtain boundary conditions in a coupling zone imposed on a local model. Coupling can be performed through the primal–dual method, which is used for crack propagation using 2D and 3D models with fine meshes, thus saving computational time. However, it has not been implemented at a commercial level to analyze large structures such as multi-story buildings with focused non-linearities. In this work, a global–local analysis with non-intrusive methodology and simplified models was implemented in a cracked framed structure, using a 1D (global) and 3D (local) coupling considering crack propagation with primal–dual interface conditions. Different lengths of the local model were analyzed, studying their influence on the convergence of the problem, and compared with a 3D monolithic model to check the reliability of the results. The results show that the proposed methodology solves the problem with an error less than 10%. Furthermore, it was determined that the dimensions of the local model affect the convergence of the problem. This work also provides an implementation of the method for large structures containing focused non-linearities and using commercial software, reducing computational time for the cracked structural analysis.
A Study on the Contributions of Sonication to the Identification of Bacteria Associated with Intubation Cannula Biofilm and the Risk of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Authors: Codru Ioana Roxana , Sava Mihai , Vintilă Bogdan Ioan , Bereanu Alina Simona , Bîrluțiu Victoria
Published: June 2023

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is one of the most severe complications of critically ill patients that need mechanical respiratory support, as it poses a significant risk of prolonging hospitalization, disability, and even death. This is why physicians worldwide target newer methods for prevention, early diagnosis, and early target treatment for this condition. There are few methods for a quick etiological diagnosis of pneumonia, especially point of care, and most are only readily available in some intensive care units. This is why a new, simple, and cheap method is needed for determining the bacteria that might be infectious in a particular patient. The manner in question is sonication. Method: In this prospective, observational, single-center study, endotracheal cannula specimens will be collected from at least 100 patients in our intensive care unit. This specimen will be submitted to a specific sonication protocol for bacteria to dislodge the biofilm inside the cannula. The resulting liquid will be seeded on growth media, and then a comparison will be made between the germs in the biofilm and the ones in the tracheal secretion of the patient. The primary purpose is to determine the bacteria before the appearance of a manifest infection.
Evaluation of Preventive Role of Systemically Applied Erythropoietin after Tooth Extraction in a Bisphosphonate-Induced MRONJ Model
Authors: Duygu Gonca , Yalcin-Ülker Gül Merve , Günbatan Murat , Soluk-Tekkesin Merva , Özcakir-Tomruk Ceyda
Published: June 2023

In this experimental study, the prophylactic effect of systemically administered erythropoietin (EPO) in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) was evaluated. The osteonecrosis model was established using 36 Sprague Dawley rats. EPO was systemically applied before and/or after tooth extraction. Groups were formed based on the application time. All samples were evaluated histologically, histomorphometrically, and immunohistochemically. A statistically significant difference in new bone formation was observed between the groups (p < 0.001). When new bone-formation rates were compared, no significant differences were observed between the control group and the EPO, ZA+PostEPO, and ZA+Pre-PostEPO groups (p = 1, 0.402, and 1, respectively); however, this rate was significantly lower in the ZA+PreEPO group (p = 0.021). No significant differences in new bone formation were observed between the ZA+PostEPO and ZA+PreEPO groups (p = 1); however, this rate was significantly higher in the ZA+Pre-PostEPO group (p = 0.009). The ZA+Pre-PostEPO group demonstrated significantly higher intensity level in VEGF protein expression than the other groups (p < 0.001). Administering EPO two weeks pre-extraction and continuing EPO treatment for three weeks post-extraction in ZA-treated rats optimized the inflammatory reaction, increased angiogenesis by inducing VEGF, and positively affected bone healing. Further studies are needed to determine the exact durations and doses.
Twenty-Year Experience with Surgery for Native and Prosthetic Mitral Valve Endocarditis
Authors: Galeone Antonella , Gardellini Jacopo , Di Nicola Venanzio , Perrone Fabiola , Boschetti Vincenzo , Di Gaetano Renato , Onorati Francesco , Luciani Giovanni Battista
Published: June 2023

Background and Objectives: To evaluate the early and long-term results of surgical treatment of isolated mitral native and prosthetic valve infective endocarditis. Materials and Methods: All patients undergoing mitral valve repair or replacement for infective endocarditis at our institution between January 2001 and December 2021 were included in the study. The preoperative and postoperative characteristics and mortality of patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 130 patients, 85 males and 45 females, with a median age of 61 ± 14 years, underwent surgery for isolated mitral valve endocarditis during the study period. There were 111 (85%) native and 19 (15%) prosthetic valve endocarditis cases. Fifty-one (39%) patients died during the follow-up, and the overall mean patient survival time was 11.8 ± 0.9 years. The mean survival time was better in patients with mitral native valve endocarditis compared to patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (12.3 ± 0.9 years vs. 8 ± 1.4 years; p = 0.1), but the difference was not statistically significant. Patients who underwent mitral valve repair had a better survival rate compared to patients who had mitral valve replacement (14.8 ± 1.6 vs. 11.3 ± 1 years; p = 0.06); however, the difference was not statistically significant. Patients who underwent mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis had a significantly better survival rate compared to patients who received a biological prosthesis (15.6 ± 1.6 vs. 8.2 ± 0.8 years; p < 0.001). Patients aged ≤60 years had significantly better survival compared to patients aged >60 years (17.1 ± 1.1 vs. 8.2 ± 0.9; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the patient’s age >60 years at the time of surgery was an independent risk factor for mortality, while mitral valve repair was a protective factor. Eight (7%) patients required reintervention. Freedom from reintervention was significantly higher in patients with mitral native valve endocarditis compared to patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (19.3 ± 0.5 vs. 11.5 ± 1.7 years; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Surgery for mitral valve endocarditis is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The patient’s age at the time of surgery represents an independent risk factor for mortality. Mitral valve repair should be the preferred choice whenever possible in suitable patients affected by infective endocarditis.
Transcatheter Arterial Embolization (TAE) in the Management of Bleeding in the COVID-19 Patient
Authors: Minici Roberto , Fontana Federico , Venturini Massimo , Guzzardi Giuseppe , Siciliano Agostino , Piacentino Filippo , Serra Raffaele , Coppola Andrea , Guerriero Pasquale , Apollonio Biagio , Santoro Rita , Team MGJR , Brunese Luca , Laganà Domenico
Published: June 2023

Background and Objectives: Increasing attention is being paid to the coagulation disorders associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Bleeding accounts for 3–6% of COVID-19 patient deaths, and is often a forgotten part of the disease. The bleeding risk is enhanced by several factors, including spontaneous heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, the hyperfibrinolytic state, the consumption of coagulation factors, and thromboprophylaxis with anticoagulants. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of TAE in the management of bleeding in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: This multicenter retrospective study analyzes data from COVID-19 patients subjected to transcatheter arterial embolization for the management of bleeding from February 2020 to January 2023. Results: Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed in 73 COVID-19 patients for acute non-neurovascular bleeding during the study interval (February 2020–January 2023). Coagulopathy was observed in forty-four (60.3%) patients. The primary cause of bleeding was spontaneous soft tissue hematoma (63%). A 100% technical success rate was recorded; six cases of rebleeding resulted in a 91.8% clinical success rate. No cases of non-target embolization were observed. Complications were recorded in 13 (17.8%) patients. The efficacy and safety endpoints did not differ significantly between the coagulopathy and non-coagulopathy groups. Conclusions: Transcatheter Arterial Embolization (TAE) is an effective, safe and potentially life-saving option for the management of acute non-neurovascular bleeding in COVID-19 patients. This approach is effective and safe even in the subgroup of COVID-19 patients with coagulopathy.
Clinical and Oncological Outcomes after Uniportal Anatomical Segmentectomy for Stage IA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Gioutsos Konstantinos , Hayoz Yves J. , Dorn Patrick
Published: June 2023

Background and Objectives: The existing literature comparing sublobar and lobar resection in the treatment of stage IA lung cancer highlights the trend and overall need for further evaluation of minimally invasive, parenchymal-sparing techniques. The role of uniportal minimally invasive segmentectomy in the oncological therapy of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and midterm oncological outcomes of patients who underwent uniportal video-assisted anatomical segmentectomy for pathological stage IA lung cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with pathological stage IA lung cancer (8th edition UICC) who underwent uniportal minimally invasive anatomical segmentectomy at our institution from January 2015 to December 2018. Results: 85 patients, 54 of whom were men, were included. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (1.-3. IQR 3–5), whereas 30-day morbidity was 15.3% (13 patients), and the in-hospital mortality rate was 1.2% (1 patient). The 3-year overall survival rate was 87.9% for the total population. It was 90.5% in the IA1 group, 93.3% in the IA2 group, and 70.1% in the IA3 group, respectively. Conclusions: There were satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes with low 30-day morbidity and mortality and promising midterm oncological survival results following uniportal minimally invasive anatomical segmentectomy for pathological stage IA non-small cell lung cancer.
Application of Immersed Membrane Bioreactor for Semi-Continuous Production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Organic Waste-Based Volatile Fatty Acids
Authors: Vu Danh H. , Mahboubi Amir , Root Andrew , Heinmaa Ivo , Taherzadeh Mohammad J. , Åkesson Dan
Published: June 2023

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) appear to be an economical carbon feedstock for the cost-effective production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). The use of VFAs, however, could impose a drawback of substrate inhibition at high concentrations, resulting in low microbial PHA productivity in batch cultivations. In this regard, retaining high cell density using immersed membrane bioreactor (iMBR) in a (semi-) continuous process could enhance production yields. In this study, an iMBR with a flat-sheet membrane was applied for semi-continuous cultivation and recovery of Cupriavidus necator in a bench-scale bioreactor using VFAs as the sole carbon source. The cultivation was prolonged up to 128 h under an interval feed of 5 g/L VFAs at a dilution rate of 0.15 (d−1), yielding a maximum biomass and PHA production of 6.6 and 2.8 g/L, respectively. Potato liquor and apple pomace-based VFAs with a total concentration of 8.8 g/L were also successfully used in the iMBR, rendering the highest PHA content of 1.3 g/L after 128 h of cultivation. The PHAs obtained from both synthetic and real VFA effluents were affirmed to be poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) with a crystallinity degree of 23.8 and 9.6%, respectively. The application of iMBR could open an opportunity for semi-continuous production of PHA, increasing the feasibility of upscaling PHA production using waste-based VFAs.
Resourceful Treatment of Battery Recycling Wastewater Containing H2SO4 and NiSO4 by Diffusion Dialysis and Electrodialysis
Authors: Wu Sifan , Zhu Haitao , Wu Yaqin , Li Shuna , Zhang Gaoqi , Miao Zhiwei
Published: June 2023

Facing the increasing demand for batteries worldwide, recycling waste lithium batteries has become one of the important ways to address the problem. However, this process generates a large amount of wastewater which contains high concentration of heavy metals and acids. Deploying lithium battery recycling would cause severe environmental hazards, would pose risks to human health, and would also be a waste of resources. In this paper, a combined process of diffusion dialysis (DD) and electrodialysis (ED) is proposed to separate, recover, and utilize Ni2+ and H2SO4 in the wastewater. In the DD process, the acid recovery rate and Ni2+ rejection rate could reach 75.96% and 97.31%, respectively, with a flow rate of 300 L/h and a W/A flow rate ratio of 1:1. In the ED process, the recovered acid from DD is concentrated from 43.1 g/L to 150.2 g/L H2SO4 by the two-stage ED, which could be used in the front-end procedure of battery recycling process. In conclusion, a promising method for the treatment of battery wastewater which achieved the recycling and utilization of Ni2+ and H2SO4 was proposed and proved to have industrial application prospects.
Differentiation of the Organoleptic Volatile Organic Compound Profile of Three Edible Seaweeds
Authors: Moura Pedro Catalão , Fernandes Jorge Manuel , Diniz Mário Sousa , Fetter Viktor , Vassilenko Valentina
Published: June 2023

The inclusion of seaweeds in daily-consumption food is a worthy-of-attention challenge due to their high nutritional value and potential health benefits. In this way, their composition, organoleptic profile, and toxicity must be assessed. This work focuses on studying the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by three edible seaweeds, Grateloupia turuturu, Codium tomentosum, and Bifurcaria bifurcata, with the aim of deepening the knowledge regarding their organoleptic profiles. Nine samples of each seaweed were prepared in glass vials, and the emitted headspace was analyzed, for the first time, with a gas chromatography—ion mobility spectrometry device, a highly sensitive technology. By statistically processing the collected data through PCA, it was possible to accurately differentiate the characteristic patterns of the three seaweeds with a total explained variance of 98%. If the data were pre-processed through PLS Regression, the total explained variance increased to 99.36%. The identification of 13 VOCs was accomplished through a developed database of compounds. These outstanding values in addition to the identification of the main emissions of VOCs and the utilization of a never-before-used technology prove the capacity of GC-IMS to differentiate edible seaweeds based solely on their volatile emissions, increase the knowledge regarding their organoleptic profiles, and provide an important step forward in the inclusion of these highly nutritional ingredients in the human diet.
Development of a Urine Metabolomics Biomarker-Based Prediction Model for Preeclampsia during Early Pregnancy
Authors: Zhang Yaqi , Sylvester Karl G. , Jin Bo , Wong Ronald J. , Schilling James , Chou C. James , Han Zhi , Luo Ruben Y. , Tian Lu , Ladella Subhashini , Mo Lihong , Marić Ivana , Blumenfeld Yair J. , Darmstadt Gary L. , Shaw Gary M. , Stevenson David K. , Whitin John C. , Cohen Harvey J. , McElhinney Doff B. , Ling Xuefeng B.
Published: June 2023

Preeclampsia (PE) is a condition that poses a significant risk of maternal mortality and multiple organ failure during pregnancy. Early prediction of PE can enable timely surveillance and interventions, such as low-dose aspirin administration. In this study, conducted at Stanford Health Care, we examined a cohort of 60 pregnant women and collected 478 urine samples between gestational weeks 8 and 20 for comprehensive metabolomic profiling. By employing liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS), we identified the structures of seven out of 26 metabolomics biomarkers detected. Utilizing the XGBoost algorithm, we developed a predictive model based on these seven metabolomics biomarkers to identify individuals at risk of developing PE. The performance of the model was evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation, yielding an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.856. Our findings suggest that measuring urinary metabolomics biomarkers offers a noninvasive approach to assess the risk of PE prior to its onset.
Plant Secondary Metabolites: The Weapons for Biotic Stress Management
Authors: Al-Khayri Jameel M. , Rashmi Ramakrishnan , Toppo Varsha , Chole Pranjali Bajrang , Banadka Akshatha , Sudheer Wudali Narasimha , Nagella Praveen , Shehata Wael Fathi , Al-Mssallem Muneera Qassim , Alessa Fatima Mohammed , Almaghasla Mustafa Ibrahim , Rezk Adel Abdel-Sabour
Published: June 2023

The rise in global temperature also favors the multiplication of pests and pathogens, which calls into question global food security. Plants have developed special coping mechanisms since they are sessile and lack an immune system. These mechanisms use a variety of secondary metabolites as weapons to avoid obstacles, adapt to their changing environment, and survive in less-than-ideal circumstances. Plant secondary metabolites include phenolic compounds, alkaloids, glycosides, and terpenoids, which are stored in specialized structures such as latex, trichomes, resin ducts, etc. Secondary metabolites help the plants to be safe from biotic stressors, either by repelling them or attracting their enemies, or exerting toxic effects on them. Modern omics technologies enable the elucidation of the structural and functional properties of these metabolites along with their biosynthesis. A better understanding of the enzymatic regulations and molecular mechanisms aids in the exploitation of secondary metabolites in modern pest management approaches such as biopesticides and integrated pest management. The current review provides an overview of the major plant secondary metabolites that play significant roles in enhancing biotic stress tolerance. It examines their involvement in both indirect and direct defense mechanisms, as well as their storage within plant tissues. Additionally, this review explores the importance of metabolomics approaches in elucidating the significance of secondary metabolites in biotic stress tolerance. The application of metabolic engineering in breeding for biotic stress resistance is discussed, along with the exploitation of secondary metabolites for sustainable pest management.
A Study on the Material Removal Characteristics and Damage Mechanism of Lapping for Pressureless Sintered Silicon Carbide (SSiC) Microlens Cavity
Authors: Zhou Tianfeng , Li Zhongyi , Guo Weijia , Liu Peng , Zhao Bin , Wang Xibin
Published: June 2023

Microlens arrays have been widely employed to control the reflection, refraction, and diffraction characteristics of light due to its distinctive surface properties. Precision glass molding (PGM) is the primary method for the mass production of microlens arrays, of which pressureless sintered silicon carbide (SSiC) is a typical mold material due to its excellent wear resistance, high thermal conductivity, high-temperature resistance, and low thermal expansion. However, the high hardness of SSiC makes it hard to be machined, especially for optical mold material that requires good surface quality. The lapping efficiency of SSiC molds is quite low. and the underlying mechanism remains insufficiently explored. In this study, an experimental study has been performed on SSiC. A spherical lapping tool and diamond abrasive slurry have been utilized and various parameters have been carried out to achieve fast material removal. The material removal characteristics and damage mechanism have been illustrated in detail. The findings reveal that the material removal mechanism involves a combination of ploughing, shearing, micro-cutting, and micro-fracturing, which aligns well with the results obtained from finite element method (FEM) simulations. This study serves as preliminary reference for the optimization of the precision machining of SSiC PGM molds with high efficiency and good surface quality.
Study of CdS/CdS Nanoparticles Thin Films Deposited by Soft Chemistry for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Carrasco-Chavez Laura Aislinn , Rubio-Valle José F. , Jiménez-Pérez Abimael , Martín-Alfonso José E. , Carrillo-Castillo Amanda
Published: June 2023

Chalcogenides semiconductors are currently being studied as active layers in the development of electronic devices in the field of applied technology. In the present paper, cadmium sulfide (CdS) thin films containing nanoparticles of the same material as the active layer were produced and analyzed for their application in fabricating optoelectronic devices. CdS thin films and CdS nanoparticles were obtained via soft chemistry at low temperatures. The CdS thin film was deposited via chemical bath deposition (CBD); the CdS nanoparticles were synthesized via the precipitation method. The construction of a homojunction was completed by incorporating CdS nanoparticles on CdS thin films deposited via CBD. CdS nanoparticles were deposited using the spin coating technique, and the effect of thermal annealing on the deposited films was investigated. In the modified thin films with nanoparticles, a transmittance of about 70% and a band gap between 2.12 eV and 2.35 eV were obtained. The two characteristic phonons of the CdS were observed via Raman spectroscopy, and the CdS thin films/CdS nanoparticles showed a hexagonal and cubic crystalline structure with average crystallite size of 21.3–28.4 nm, where hexagonal is the most stable for optoelectronic applications, with roughness less than 5 nm, indicating that CdS is relatively smooth, uniform and highly compact. In addition, the characteristic curves of current-voltage for as-deposited and annealed thin films showed that the metal-CdS with the CdS nanoparticle interface exhibits ohmic behavior.