bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The value of “diaphragmatic relaxing incision” for the durability of the crural repair in patients with paraesophageal hernia: a double blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Tsoposidis A. , Thorell A. , Axelsson H. , Reuterwall Hansson M. , Lundell L. , Wallenius V. , Kostic S. , Håkanson B.
Published: November 2023

Background

Surgical repair of paraesophageal hernias (PEHs) is burdened with high recurrence rates, and hitherto various techniques explored to enforce the traditional crural repair have not been successful. The hiatal reconstruction in PEH is exposed to significant tension, which may be minimized by adding a diaphragmatic relaxing incision to enhance the durability of the crural repair.

Patients and methods

All individuals undergoing elective laparoscopic repair of a large PEH, irrespective of age, were considered eligible. PEHs were classified into types II–IV. The preoperative work-up program included multidetector computed tomography and symptom assessment questionnaires, which will be repeated during the postoperative follow-up. Patients were randomly divided into a control group with crural repair alone and an intervention group with the addition of a left-sided diaphragmatic relaxing incision at the edge of the upper pole of the spleen. The diaphragmatic defect was then covered by a synthetic mesh.

Results

The primary endpoint of this trial was the rate of anatomical PEH recurrence at 1 year. Secondary endpoints included symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease, dysphagia, odynophagia, gas bloat, regurgitation, chest pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, postprandial pain, cardiovascular and pulmonary symptoms, and patient satisfaction in the immediate postoperative course (3 months) and at 1 year. Postoperative complications, morbidity, and disease burden were recorded for each patient. This was a double-blind study, meaning that the operation report was filed in a locked archive to keep the patient, staff, and clinical assessors blinded to the study group allocation. Blinding must not be broken during the follow-up unless required by any emergencies in the clinical management of the patient. Likewise, the patients must not be informed about the details of the operation.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identification number NCT04179578.
Rivaroxaban plus aspirin vs. dual antiplatelet therapy in endovascular treatment in peripheral artery disease and analysis of medication utilization of different lesioned vascular regions
Authors: Huo SiYan , Cheng Jun
Published: November 2023

Background

In the management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), the administration of anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents is imperative. The use of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT) in conjunction with rivaroxaban has shown potential in mitigating adverse outcomes. Given the heterogeneity in the pathology of lower limb arteries, there is a compelling case for individualized treatment strategies.

Methods

In a single-center retrospective study on pharmacotherapy for peripheral artery disease, patients were treated with either aspirin combined with rivaroxaban or aspirin coupled with clopidogrel. The primary efficacy outcome encompassed a composite of increases in the Rutherford classification, acute limb ischemia, amputations due to vascular causes, target lesion revascularization, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular death. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding, as defined by the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) criteria; meanwhile, major bleeding as categorized by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) served as a secondary safety outcome. The study differentiated between two subgroups: patients with only above-the-knee and below-the-knee arterial lesions.

Results

From January 2016 to December 2021, 455 patients received either clopidogrel plus aspirin or rivaroxaban plus aspirin following endovascular treatment (EVT). The rivaroxaban group (n = 220) exhibited a lower incidence of primary efficacy outcomes [49.1% vs. 60.4%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.77, P = 0.006] but had more TIMI major bleeding events (5.9% vs. 2.1%, HR 2.6, P = 0.04). ISTH major bleeding events did not show a significant difference, though a higher percentage of rivaroxaban patients discontinued medication due to bleeding (10% vs. 4.7%, HR 2.2, P = 0.03). In the above-the-knee arterial disease subgroup, the rivaroxaban group demonstrated a lower incidence of primary efficacy outcomes (28.2% vs. 45.2%, HR 0.55, P = 0.02). In the below-the-knee arterial disease subgroup, no significant difference was observed in the occurrence of primary efficacy events between the two groups (58.7% vs. 64.8%, HR 0.76, P = 0.14).

Conclusion

Rivaroxaban plus aspirin improved outcomes compared to DAPT in patients with lower extremity artery disease. Similar findings were observed in the above-the-knee artery lesion-only group. However, in the below-the-knee artery lesion-only group, rivaroxaban plus aspirin did not surpass DAPT in efficacy. Regarding safety, rivaroxaban plus aspirin exhibited higher bleeding risks and more frequent treatment discontinuation than aspirin combined with clopidogrel.
Minimally invasive surgery for placement of a subcutaneous EEG implant
Authors: Djurhuus Bjarki D. , Viana Pedro F. , Ahrens Esben , Nielsen Sofie S. , Srinivasan Harishchandra L. , Richardson Mark P. , Homøe Preben , Hasegawa Harutomo , Zarei Ali A. , Gauger Pia L. K. , Duun-Henriksen Jonas
Published: November 2023

Background

A new class of subcutaneous electroencephalography has enabled ultra long-term monitoring of people with epilepsy. The objective of this paper is to describe surgeons' experiences in an early series of implantations as well as discomfort or complications experienced by the participants.

Methods

We included 38 implantation procedures from two trials on people with epilepsy and healthy adults. Questionnaires to assess surgeons' and participants’ experience were analyzed as well as all recorded adverse events occurring up to 21 days post-surgery.

Results

With training, the implantation could be performed in approximately 15 min. Overall, the implantation procedure was considered easy to perform with only 2 episodes where the implant got fixated in the introducing needle and a new implant had to be used. The explantation procedure was considered effortless. In 2 cases the silicone sheath covering the lead was damaged during the explantation, but it was possible to remove the entire implant without leaving any foreign body under the skin. Especially in the trial on healthy participants, a proportion experienced adverse events in the form of headache or implant-pain up to 21 days post-operatively. In 6 cases, adverse events contributed to the decision to explant and discontinue the study: Four of these cases involved implant pain or headache; One case involved a post-operative local infection; and in one case superficial lead placement resulted in skin perforation a few weeks after implantation.

Conclusion

The implantation and explantation procedures are considered swift and easy to perform by both neurosurgeons and ENT surgeons. The implant is well tolerated by most participants. However, headache or pain around the implant can occur for up to 21 days post-operatively as anticipated with any such surgery. The expected benefits from the implant should always outweigh the potential disadvantages.
Advancing chemical safety assessment through an omics-based characterization of the test system-chemical interaction
Authors: del Giudice Giusy , Migliaccio Giorgia , D’Alessandro Nicoletta , Saarimäki Laura Aliisa , Torres Maia Marcella , Annala Maria Emilia , Leppänen Jenni , Mӧbus Lena , Pavel Alisa , Vaani Maaret , Vallius Anna , Ylä‐Outinen Laura , Greco Dario , Serra Angela
Published: November 2023

Assessing chemical safety is essential to evaluate the potential risks of chemical exposure to human health and the environment. Traditional methods relying on animal testing are being replaced by 3R (reduction, refinement, and replacement) principle-based alternatives, mainly depending on in vitro test methods and the Adverse Outcome Pathway framework. However, these approaches often focus on the properties of the compound, missing the broader chemical-biological interaction perspective. Currently, the lack of comprehensive molecular characterization of the in vitro test system results in limited real-world representation and contextualization of the toxicological effect under study. Leveraging omics data strengthens the understanding of the responses of different biological systems, emphasizing holistic chemical-biological interactions when developing in vitro methods. Here, we discuss the relevance of meticulous test system characterization on two safety assessment relevant scenarios and how omics-based, data-driven approaches can improve the future generation of alternative methods.
Using Graph Neural Networks for Social Recommendations
Authors: Tallapally Dharahas , Wang John , Potika Katerina , Eirinaki Magdalini
Published: November 2023

Recommender systems have revolutionized the way users discover and engage with content. Moving beyond the collaborative filtering approach, most modern recommender systems leverage additional sources of information, such as context and social network data. Such data can be modeled using graphs, and the recent advances in Graph Neural Networks have led to the prominence of a new family of graph-based recommender system algorithms. In this work, we propose the RelationalNet algorithm, which not only models user–item, and user–user relationships but also item–item relationships with graphs and uses them as input to the recommendation process. The rationale for utilizing item–item interactions is to enrich the item embeddings by leveraging the similarities between items. By using Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), RelationalNet incorporates social influence and similar item influence into the recommendation process and captures more accurate user interests, especially when traditional methods fall short due to data sparsity. Such models improve the accuracy and effectiveness of recommendation systems by leveraging social connections and item interactions. Results demonstrate that RelationalNet outperforms current state-of-the-art social recommendation algorithms.
Comparison of Machine Learning Classifiers for the Detection of Breast Cancer in an Electrical Impedance Tomography Setup
Authors: Rixen Jöran , Blass Nico , Lyra Simon , Leonhardt Steffen
Published: November 2023

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Early prediction is crucial as it severely increases the survival rate. Although classical X-ray mammography is an established technique for screening, many eligible women do not consider this due to concerns about pain from breast compression. Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) is a technique that aims to visualize the conductivity distribution within the human body. As cancer has a greater conductivity than surrounding fatty tissue, it provides a contrast for image reconstruction. However, the interpretation of EIT images is still hard, due to the low spatial resolution. In this paper, we investigated three different classification models for the detection of breast cancer. This is important as EIT is a highly non-linear inverse problem and tends to produce reconstruction artifacts, which can be misinterpreted as, e.g., tumors. To aid in the interpretation of breast cancer EIT images, we compare three different classification models for breast cancer. We found that random forests and support vector machines performed best for this task.
Coupling Dynamics and Three-Dimensional Trajectory Optimization of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Propelled by Electroaerodynamic Thrusters
Authors: Lin Tong , Huo Mingying , Qi Naiming , Wang Jianfeng , Wang Tianchen , Gu Haopeng , Zhang Yiming
Published: November 2023

Electroaerodynamic unmanned aerial vehicles (EAD-UAVs) are innovative UAVs that use high-voltage asymmetric electrodes to ionize air molecules and Coulomb force to push these ions to produce thrust. Unlike fixed-wing and rotor UAVs, EAD-UAVs contain no moving surfaces and have the advantages of very low noise, low mechanical fatigue, and no carbon emissions. This paper proposes an EAD-UAV configuration with an orthogonal arrangement of multiple EAD thrusters to adjust the EAD-UAV attitude and flight trajectory through voltage distribution control alone. Based on a one-dimensional dynamic model of an EAD thruster, the attitude–path coupling dynamics of the EAD-UAV were derived. To achieve EAD-UAV flight control for a specified target, the Bezier shaping approach (BSA) was implemented to realize rapid trajectory optimization considering the coupling dynamic constraints. The numerical simulation results indicate that the BSA can quickly procure an optimized flight trajectory that satisfies the dynamic and boundary constraints. Compared with the Gaussian pseudospectral method (GPM), the BSA changes the optimization index of the objective function by nearly 1.14% but demands only nearly 1.95% of the computational time on average. Hence, the improved integrative Bezier shaping approach (IBSA) can overcome the poor convergence issue of the BSA under the continuous acceleration constraint of multi-target flight trajectories.
Landing Impact Load Analysis and Validation of a Civil Aircraft Nose Landing Gear
Authors: Liu Wenbin , Wang Youshan , Ji Yuchen
Published: November 2023

Landing impact load design is essential, but the process has rarely been fully described, and some designers have even neglected the differences between wheel-axle and ground-contact loads, as well as loads in the longitudinal direction, especially in experimental validations. In this paper, the entire design process of a nose landing gear is addressed, including a theoretical analysis of the unit and its experimental validation. In the theoretical analysis, a mathematical model of a two-mass system with four degrees of freedom was adopted, a computer simulation model was built accordingly, and a preliminary analysis was subsequently conducted to analyze the landing impact loads, verify the landing gear performance, and gauge the difference between the wheel-axle and ground-contact loads. For the experimental validation of the gear, a landing gear drop test was conducted in an optimized manner that emphasized pre-test preparation and during-test wheel-axle load measurement. The test results showed that both the vertical and less studied longitudinal loads, as well as the wheel-axle and ground-contact loads, had good agreement with the analysis; thus, the model, the tool, and the preliminary design were considered to be experimentally validated.
Evaluation of Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System Components and Enzymes in Systemically Hypertensive Cats Receiving Amlodipine
Authors: Adin Darcy , Atkins Clarke , Domenig Oliver , Glahn Catherine , DeFrancesco Teresa , Meurs Kathryn
Published: November 2023

Background: Chronic renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) activation is harmful. Amlodipine activates RAAS in humans and dogs, but contradictory data exist for systemically hypertensive (SHT) cats. Hypothesis: Cats with SHT and chronic kidney disease treated with amlodipine (SHT/CKD-A) are RAAS activated. Animals: Client-owned cats: unmedicated normotensive (NT) cats (n = 9); SHT/CKD-A cats (n = 5) with median systolic blood pressure of 170 mmHg (vs. 195 mmHg, pre-treatment), chronic kidney disease, and receiving no RAAS-suppressive therapy. Methods: Serum was frozen (−80 °C) until RAAS analysis via equilibrium analysis. The RAAS variables (reported as median (minimum–maximum)) were compared between groups, using Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Angiotensin 1, angiotensin 1,7, angiotensin III, and angiotensin 1,5, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-2 activity were higher in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats, while ACE activity was lower in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats (p < 0.05 all). A marker for alternative RAAS influence (ALT-S) was significantly higher (69; 58–73 pmol/pmol) in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats (35; 14–63 pmol/pmol; p = 0.001). Aldosterone concentrations were significantly higher (393; 137–564 pmol/L) in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats (129; 28–206 pmol/L; p = 0.007). Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Circulating RAAS is activated in systemically hypertensive cats receiving amlodipine. Although this study did not parse out the individual contributions of SHT, chronic kidney disease, and amlodipine, the findings suggest that the use of concurrent RAAS-suppressant therapy, specifically aldosterone antagonism, in amlodipine-treated SHT cats with chronic kidney disease might be indicated.
Local Voices: Perspectives from the Local Community on the Primates of Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya
Authors: Ikhuluru Widava E. , Imboma Malenya E. , Liseche Shikanga E. , Milemele Munayi J. , Shilabiga Sechero D. , Cords Marina
Published: November 2023

From the perspective of a field research team comprising members of the local community near a rain forest in western Kenya, we describe the relationship between local people and local primates. Local people generally have little knowledge about the natural history of the monkeys living nearby, with people living closer to the forest knowing more. Most have a negative attitude toward monkeys because they occasionally forage on agricultural crops. A few people value monkey meat, which they believe to enhance human health. Participating in research on the behavioral ecology of blue monkeys allowed the author team to learn a great deal about these animals, including their role in the forest ecosystem and their behavioral similarities to humans. This experience differentiates their attitudes from most other members of their local community. However, the attitudes of local people are changing along with lifestyles. With more children in school and adults finding paid work, local people today generally have less experience of the forest than previous generations. A more tolerant attitude toward monkeys, recognizing their role in the forest ecosystem and their similarities to humans, is emerging among those who have been taught about biodiversity. This perspective is likely to contribute to their successful conservation.
The Assembly Process of Free-Living and Particle-Attached Bacterial Communities in Shrimp-Rearing Waters: The Overwhelming Influence of Nutrient Factors Relative to Microalgal Inoculation
Authors: Shi Yikai , Wang Xuruo , Cai Huifeng , Ke Jiangdong , Zhu Jinyong , Lu Kaihong , Zheng Zhongming , Yang Wen
Published: November 2023

The ecological functions of bacterial communities vary between particle-attached (PA) lifestyles and free-living (FL) lifestyles, and separately exploring their community assembly helps to elucidate the microecological mechanisms of shrimp rearing. Microalgal inoculation and nutrient enrichment during shrimp rearing are two important driving factors that affect rearing-water bacterial communities, but their relative contributions to the bacterial community assembly have not been evaluated. Here, we inoculated two microalgae, Nannochloropsis oculata and Thalassiosira weissflogii, into shrimp-rearing waters to investigate the distinct effects of various environmental factors on PA and FL bacterial communities. Our study showed that the composition and representative bacteria of different microalgal treatments were significantly different between the PA and FL bacterial communities. Regression analyses and Mantel tests revealed that nutrients were vital factors that constrained the diversity, structure, and co-occurrence patterns of both the PA and FL bacterial communities. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) analysis indicated that microalgae could directly or indirectly affect the PA bacterial community through nutrient interactions. Moreover, a significant interaction was detected between PA and FL bacterial communities. Our study reveals the unequal effects of microalgae and nutrients on bacterial community assembly and helps explore microbial community assembly in shrimp-rearing ecosystems.
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolates from Chicken Meat in Romania
Authors: Brătfelan Dariana Olivia , Tabaran Alexandra , Colobatiu Liora , Mihaiu Romolica , Mihaiu Marian
Published: November 2023

The current study was conducted in order to analyze the prevalence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in samples of chicken meat (100 chicken meat samples), as well as to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates. A total of 30 samples were positive for E. coli among the collected chicken samples. Most isolates proved to be highly resistant to tetracycline (80%), ampicillin (80%), sulfamethoxazole (73.33%), chloramphenicol (70%) and nalidixic acid (60%). Strong resistance to ciprofloxacin (56.66%), trimethoprim (50%), cefotaxime (46.66%), ceftazidime (43.33%) and gentamicin (40%) was also observed. Notably, one E. coli strain also proved to be resistant to colistin. The antimicrobial resistance determinants detected among the E. coli isolates recovered in our study were consistent with their resistance phenotypes. Most of the isolates harbored the tetA (53.33%), tetB (46.66%), blaTEM (36.66%) and sul1 (26.66%) genes, but also aadA1 (23.33%), blaCTX (16.66%), blaOXA (16.66%), qnrA (16.66%) and aac (10%). In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this is among the first studies analyzing the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli strains isolated from chicken meat in Romania and probably the first study reporting colistin resistance in E. coli isolates recovered from food sources in our country.
The Immunoprotective Effect of ROP27 Protein of Eimeria tenella
Authors: Li Menggang , Lv Xiaoling , Zheng Mingxue , Wei Yingyi
Published: November 2023

Eimeria tenella rhoptry protein has the properties of a protective antigen. EtROP27 is a pathogenic gene that is detected via a transcriptome, but its expression pattern, immunogenicity, and potency are unknown. Therefore, a gene segment of EtROP27 was amplified and transplanted into the pET28a prokaryotic vector for the expression of the recombinant protein, and it subsequently purified for the generation of a polyclonal antibody. Then, RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to understand the expression pattern of EtROP27. Subsequently, animal experiments were conducted to evaluate the immunoprotective effect of the recombinant protein with different immunizing doses (50, 100, and 150 μg). The results showed that the expression of EtROP27 gradually increased with the prolongation of infection time, reaching the highest level at 96 h and then decreasing. Additionally, EtROP27 is a natural antigen of coccidia that can stimulate the body to produce high levels of IgY. As with recombinant protein vaccines, the results of immune protection evaluation tests showed that the average weight gain rates of the immune challenge groups were significantly higher than that of the challenged control group, and their average lesion scores were significantly lower than that of the challenged control group. Furthermore, the oocyst excretion decreased by 81.25%, 86.21%, and 80.01%, and the anticoccidial index was 159.45, 171.47, and 166.75, respectively, for these groups. EtROP27 is a promising antigen gene candidate for the development of a coccidiosis vaccine.
Nucleation Mechanism and Rupture Dynamics of Laboratory Earthquakes at Different Loading Rates
Authors: Wu Gongcheng , Zhang Kanghua , Wang Chonglang , Li Xing
Published: November 2023

The loading rate of tectonic stress is not constant during long-term geotectonic activity and significantly affects the earthquake nucleation and fault rupture process. However, the mechanism underlying the loading rate effect is still unclear. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments to explore the effect of the loading rate on earthquake nucleation and stick–slip characteristics. Through lab experiments, faults were biaxially loaded at varying rates to produce a series of earthquakes (stick–slip events). Both shear strain and fault displacement were monitored during these events. The findings indicate a substantial effect of the loading rate on the recurrence interval and the shear stress drop of these stick–slip events, with the recurrence interval inversely proportional to the loading rate. The peak friction of the fault also decreases with the increasing loading rate. Notably, prior to the dynamic rupture of earthquakes, there exists a stable nucleation phase where slip occurs in a quasi-static manner. The critical nucleation length, or the distance required before the dynamic rupture, diminishes with both the loading rate and normal stress. A theoretical model is introduced to rationalize these observations. However, the rupture velocity of these lab-simulated earthquakes showed no significant correlation with the loading rate. Overall, this study enhanced our comprehension of earthquake nucleation and rupture dynamics in diverse tectonic settings.
Predicting the Remaining Time before Earthquake Occurrence Based on Mel Spectrogram Features Extraction and Ensemble Learning
Authors: Zhang Bo , Xu Tao , Chen Wen , Zhang Chongyang
Published: November 2023

Predicting the remaining time before the next earthquake based on seismic signals generated in a laboratory setting is a challenging research task that is of significant importance for earthquake hazard assessment. In this study, we employed a mel spectrogram and the mel frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) to extract relevant features from seismic signals. Furthermore, we proposed a deep learning model with a hierarchical structure. This model combines the characteristics of long short-term memory (LSTM), one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNN), and two-dimensional convolutional neural networks (2D-CNN). Additionally, we applied a stacking model fusion strategy, combining gradient boosting trees with deep learning models to achieve optimal performance. We compared the performance of the aforementioned feature extraction methods and related models for earthquake prediction. The results revealed a significant improvement in predictive performance when the mel spectrogram and stacking were introduced. Additionally, we found that the combination of 1D-CNN and 2D-CNN has unique advantages in handling time-series problems.
The Responses of N2O, CO2 Emissions, and Bacterial Communities to Nitrogen Addition in Saline–Alkaline Wetlands of Northeast China
Authors: Su Huihui , Liang Hong , Li Feng , Xu Ao , Li Huiju , Du Wei , Gao Zhongyan
Published: November 2023

The Zhalong Wetland is impacted by elevated atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition and N inputs from agricultural fertilization, which in turn affect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is unclear how N addition affects nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in this wetland. Therefore, we conducted a short-term experiment, collecting soil samples from three representative points with different water levels, and five N addition levels (N0 = 0 mg N kg−1, N10 = 10 mg N kg−1, N30 = 30 mg N kg−1, N50 = 50 mg N kg−1, N100 = 100 mg N kg−1) were used to simulate N input. Overall, N2O emissions were significantly increased by N addition. Differently, N addition had a significant suppressive effect on CO2 emissions in high-flooded soils, whereas the highest CO2 emissions were regarded under the N30 treatment in middle-flooded and dry soils. Through Pearson’s correlation analysis, we found a significant positive correlation between N2O emissions and ammonium (NH4+), and CO2 emission was significantly positively correlated with pH and total organic carbon (TOC). Meanwhile, the bacterial community of the soil was analyzed via high-throughput sequencing. The results revealed that N addition was not significantly affecting soil bacterial community structure, while the three points were significantly different. Among them, the relative abundance of the dominant genera of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas were significantly enhanced after N addition. Furthermore, the bacterial communities were found to be significantly correlated with soil pH, TOC, NH4+, and nitrate contents, which affected N2O and CO2 emissions.
Study on VLF Electric Field Anomalies Caused by Seismic Activity on the Western Coast of the Pacific Rim
Authors: Li Zhong , Chen Zhaoyang , Huang Jianping , Li Xingsu , Han Ying , Yang Xuming , Li Zongyu
Published: November 2023

In order to explore the correlation between earthquakes and ionospheric very low-frequency (VLF) electric field disturbances, this article uses VLF data observed by the China Earthquake Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES) to analyze very low-frequency signals before and after earthquakes from January 2019 to March 2023 in terms of the amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio of electric field power spectrum disturbances. Taking 73 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.0 or higher occurring in the Circum-Pacific seismic belt as an example, comprehensive research on the VLF electric field disturbance phenomenon caused by strong earthquakes is conducted, considering both the earthquake location and source mechanism. The research results indicate the following: (1) there is a strong correlation between earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.0 or above and abnormal disturbances in the VLF electric field, which often occur within 20 days before the earthquake and within 800 km from the epicenter. (2) From the perspective of earthquake-prone areas, the VLF electric field anomalies observed before earthquakes in the Ryukyu Islands of the Taiwan region exhibit small and concentrated field fluctuations, while the Taiwan Philippines region exhibits larger field fluctuations and more dispersed fluctuations. The discovery of this correlation between seismic ionospheric phenomena and seismic activity provides a new and effective approach to earthquake monitoring, which can be used for earthquake prediction, early warning, and disaster prevention and reduction work.
Posturography Approaches: An Insightful Window to Explore the Role of the Brain in Socio-Affective Processes
Authors: Mouras Harold , Vonesch Alexandre , Lebel Karina , Léonard Guillaume , Lelard Thierry
Published: November 2023

A significant amount of research has highlighted the importance of a motor component in the brain’s processing of emotional, motivational and social information. Posturography has emerged as an interesting way to assess motor correlates associated with this process. In this review, we highlight recent results within the functional context of painful stimulus perception and discuss the interest in broadening the use of posturography to other motivational and societal functional contexts. Although characterized by significant feasibility, the single measurement of the COP’s anteroposterior displacement presents limitations for attesting approach–avoidance behavior towards a visual target. Here, we discuss a number of methodological avenues that could go some way towards overcoming these limitations.
Modeling the Vibratory Compaction Process for Roads
Authors: Bratu Polidor , Tonciu Oana , Nițu Marilena Cristina
Published: November 2023

This paper presents results obtained for the vibratory compaction process of road structures, in which the natural soil is used for the foundation infrastructure. The experiments and the optimization of the compaction process were carried out on five road lanes in Transilvania, Romania. A self-propelled single-drum roller compactor, BOMAG BW 213 S-5, was used for the compaction, layer by layer, with six successive passes over each layer. For each layer, the initial degree of compaction was measured, and after the fifth pass, it achieved the value prescribed in the road construction project. After each pass over the same layer, its settlement increased due to the plastic deformation and the soil’s rigidity receiving discrete higher values. This is how five different discrete values for rigidity were obtained. Modeling the compaction process is carried out using the Kelvin–Voigt model, with discrete variable experimental values for soil rigidity and assumed constant viscous damping values. Based on the two-degree-of-freedom linear elastic model, graphs were plotted for vibration amplitude variation and for the force transmitted to the soil when the excitation pulsation varies continuously and the soil rigidity varies discretely. There is a relationship between the initial and final degree of compaction values in the ratio that was proven to be dependent on the ratio of amplitude values corresponding to the final and initial roller passes cycle. The result is a useful relationship for the “in-situ” estimation of the compaction process effect. The novelty of this research is that it demonstrates the change in soil rigidity values after each pass of the vibratory roller and, thus, the increase of its settlement (plastic deformation) and the “slipping” for the amplitude resonance peak by discrete increasing values. Calibration of the resonance vibrations regime in accordance with the degree of compaction determined by geotechnical methods for “in-situ” sample prelevation stands as a fast and efficient method for the evaluation of the final degree of compaction value. This is, implicitly, the method for estimating the number of vibratory roller passes in the road construction project. In conclusion, the novelty of the research consists in the fact that, through using the resonance response of the vibratory roller, a correlation was made with the degree of compaction achieved after each pass.
A Radiomics Approach to Identify Immunologically Active Tumor in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Nguyen Tan Mai , Bertolus Chloé , Giraud Paul , Burgun Anita , Saintigny Pierre , Bibault Jean-Emmanuel , Foy Jean-Philippe
Published: November 2023

Background: We recently developed a gene-expression-based HOT score to identify the hot/cold phenotype of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), which is associated with the response to immunotherapy. Our goal was to determine whether radiomic profiling from computed tomography (CT) scans can distinguish hot and cold HNSCC. Method: We included 113 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and 20 patients from the Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière (GHPS) with HNSCC, all with available pre-treatment CT scans. The hot/cold phenotype was computed for all patients using the HOT score. The IBEX software (version 4.11.9, accessed on 30 march 2020) was used to extract radiomic features from the delineated tumor region in both datasets, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was computed to select robust features. Machine learning classifier models were trained and tested in the TCGA dataset and validated using the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) in the GHPS cohort. Results: A total of 144 radiomic features with an ICC >0.9 was selected. An XGBoost model including these selected features showed the best performance prediction of the hot/cold phenotype with AUC = 0.86 in the GHPS validation dataset. Conclusions and Relevance: We identified a relevant radiomic model to capture the overall hot/cold phenotype of HNSCC. This non-invasive approach could help with the identification of patients with HNSCC who may benefit from immunotherapy.
The Influence of the Exposome in the Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a Multicenter Case–Control Study
Authors: Navarro-Bielsa Alba , Gracia-Cazaña Tamara , Almagro Manuel , De la Fuente-Meira Sonia , Flórez Ángeles , Yélamos Oriol , Montero-Vilchez Trinidad , González-Cruz Carlos , Diago Adrián , Abadías-Granado Isabel , Fuentelsaz Victoria , Colmenero María , Bañuls José , Arias-Santiago Salvador , Buendía-Eisman Agustín , Almenara-Blasco Manuel , Gil-Pallares Pedro , Gilaberte Yolanda
Published: November 2023

Introduction: The concept of exposome refers to the total of harmful and beneficial environmental exposures that can help predict the organism’s biological responses over time. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from sun exposure has been recognized as the main etiological agent of skin cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one most commonly associated with chronic exposure. However, in recent years, evidence suggests that lifestyle, environmental pollution, and contaminants in water and food can have an influence. Objectives: To study the relationship between SCC and sun exposure, pollution, stress, and lifestyle in a Spanish cohort. Materials and Method: A multicenter case–control study was carried out in which 13 dermatologists from different regions of Spain recruited cases and controls between April 2020 and August 2022. The group of cases were patients diagnosed with SCC and, as a control group, people who attended Dermatology consultations as companions with no history of skin cancer. Results: A total of 62 patients with SCC and 126 controls were included (62.9% males, median age 76.46 (10.1) and 33.3%, median age 55.7 (15), respectively). The SCC group had experienced more outside work than the controls (75% vs. 22.4%, p < 0.001), less recreational exposure (sunbathing, p = 0.05, and outdoor sports, p = 0.01), and a lower annual income (p = 0.01), with an increase in tobacco exposure (p < 0.001), without differences in other carcinogens, such as ionizing radiation or chemical exposure. The control group had a higher daily screentime use (p < 0.001) and practiced more relaxation activities (p = 0.03). A higher linolenic acid intake and lower coffee consumption were the only dietary variables associated with SCC (p < 0.05). Some chronic medications (anxiolytics, antidepressants, beta-blockers, statins, hydrochlorothiazide, ACE inhibitors, metformin, and omeprazole) were also statistically associated with SCC. Statistical significance for all aforementioned variables was maintained in the multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The study found a significant association between SCC and multiple exposome-related factors in addition to chronic sun exposure in the Spanish population. Primary prevention strategies should target specific populations, such as outdoor workers promoting sun-safe behaviors and stress-reducing activities, in addition to adequate skin photoprotection in patients under certain medications associated with SCC.
The Important Role of Protein Kinases in the p53 Sestrin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Gülow Karsten , Tümen Deniz , Kunst Claudia
Published: November 2023

p53, a crucial tumor suppressor and transcription factor, plays a central role in the maintenance of genomic stability and the orchestration of cellular responses such as apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and DNA repair in the face of various stresses. Sestrins, a group of evolutionarily conserved proteins, serve as pivotal mediators connecting p53 to kinase-regulated anti-stress responses, with Sestrin 2 being the most extensively studied member of this protein family. These responses involve the downregulation of cell proliferation, adaptation to shifts in nutrient availability, enhancement of antioxidant defenses, promotion of autophagy/mitophagy, and the clearing of misfolded proteins. Inhibition of the mTORC1 complex by Sestrins reduces cellular proliferation, while Sestrin-dependent activation of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and mTORC2 supports metabolic adaptation. Furthermore, Sestrin-induced AMPK and Unc-51-like protein kinase 1 (ULK1) activation regulates autophagy/mitophagy, facilitating the removal of damaged organelles. Moreover, AMPK and ULK1 are involved in adaptation to changing metabolic conditions. ULK1 stabilizes nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), thereby activating antioxidative defenses. An understanding of the intricate network involving p53, Sestrins, and kinases holds significant potential for targeted therapeutic interventions, particularly in pathologies like cancer, where the regulatory pathways governed by p53 are often disrupted.
Cyclin B Export to the Cytoplasm via the Nup62 Subcomplex and Subsequent Rapid Nuclear Import Are Required for the Initiation of Drosophila Male Meiosis
Authors: Yamazoe Kanta , Inoue Yoshihiro H.
Published: November 2023

The cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1)–cyclin B (CycB) complex plays critical roles in cell-cycle regulation. Before Drosophila male meiosis, CycB is exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm via the nuclear porin 62kD (Nup62) subcomplex of the nuclear pore complex. When this export is inhibited, Cdk1 is not activated, and meiosis does not initiate. We investigated the mechanism that controls the cellular localization and activation of Cdk1. Cdk1–CycB continuously shuttled into and out of the nucleus before meiosis. Overexpression of CycB, but not that of CycB with nuclear localization signal sequences, rescued reduced cytoplasmic CycB and inhibition of meiosis in Nup62-silenced cells. Full-scale Cdk1 activation occurred in the nucleus shortly after its rapid nuclear entry. Cdk1-dependent centrosome separation did not occur in Nup62-silenced cells, whereas Cdk1 interacted with Cdk-activating kinase and Twine/Cdc25C in the nuclei of Nup62-silenced cells, suggesting the involvement of another suppression mechanism. Silencing of roughex rescued Cdk1 inhibition and initiated meiosis. Nuclear export of Cdk1 ensured its escape from inhibition by a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. The complex re-entered the nucleus via importin β at the onset of meiosis. We propose a model regarding the dynamics and activation mechanism of Cdk1–CycB to initiate male meiosis.
TonEBP Haploinsufficiency Attenuates Microglial Activation and Memory Deficits in Middle-Aged and Amyloid β Oligomer-Treated Mice
Authors: Lee Jong Youl , Jeong Eun Ae , Lee Jaewoong , Shin Hyun Joo , Lee So Jeong , An Hyeong Seok , Kim Kyung Eun , Kim Won-Ho , Bae Yong Chul , Kang Heeyoung , Roh Gu Seob
Published: November 2023

Age-related microglial activation is associated with cognitive impairment. Tonicity-responsive enhancer-binding protein (TonEBP) is a critical mediator of microglial activation in response to neuroinflammation. However, the precise role of TonEBP in the middle-aged brain is not yet known. We used TonEBP haploinsufficient mice to investigate the role of TonEBP in middle-aged or amyloid β oligomer (AβO)–injected brains and examined the effect of TonEBP knockdown on AβO-treated BV2 microglial cells. Consistent with an increase in microglial activation with aging, hippocampal TonEBP expression levels were increased in middle-aged (12-month-old) and old (24-month-old) mice compared with young (6-month-old) mice. Middle-aged TonEBP haploinsufficient mice showed reduced microglial activation and fewer memory deficits than wild-type mice. Electron microscopy revealed that synaptic pruning by microglial processes was reduced by TonEBP haploinsufficiency. TonEBP haploinsufficiency also reduced dendritic spine loss and improved memory deficits in AβO-treated mice. Furthermore, TonEBP knockdown attenuated migration and phagocytosis in AβO-treated BV2 cells. These findings suggest that TonEBP plays important roles in age-related microglial activation and memory deficits.
A Novel Co-Culture Model Reveals Enhanced CFTR Rescue in Primary Cystic Fibrosis Airway Epithelial Cultures with Persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection
Authors: Cholon Deborah M. , Greenwald Matthew A. , Higgs Matthew G. , Quinney Nancy L. , Boyles Susan E. , Meinig Suzanne L. , Minges John T. , Chaubal Ashlesha , Tarran Robert , Ribeiro Carla M. P. , Wolfgang Matthew C. , Gentzsch Martina
Published: November 2023

People with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) suffer from chronic and recurring bacterial lung infections that begin very early in life and contribute to progressive lung failure. CF is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes an ion channel important for maintaining the proper hydration of pulmonary surfaces. When CFTR function is ablated or impaired, airways develop thickened, adherent mucus that contributes to a vicious cycle of infection and inflammation. Therapeutics for pwCF, called CFTR modulators, target the CFTR defect directly, restoring airway surface hydration and mucociliary clearance. However, even with CFTR modulator therapy, bacterial infections persist. To develop a relevant model of diseased airway epithelium, we established a primary human airway epithelium culture system with persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. We used this model to examine the effects of CFTR modulators on CFTR maturation, CFTR function, and bacterial persistence. We found that the presence of P. aeruginosa increased CFTR mRNA, protein, and function. We also found that CFTR modulators caused a decrease in P. aeruginosa burden. These results demonstrate the importance of including live bacteria to accurately model the CF lung, and that understanding the effects of infection on CFTR rescue by CFTR modulators is critical to evaluating and optimizing drug therapies for all pwCF.
Cloning, Expression and Functional Characterization of a Novel α-Humulene Synthase, Responsible for the Formation of Sesquiterpene in Agarwood Originating from Aquilaria malaccensis
Authors: Sundaraj Yasotha , Abdullah Hasdianty , Nezhad Nima , Rasib Afiq Adham Abd , Othman Roohaida , Rodrigues Kenneth , Sabri Suriana , Baharum Syarul
Published: November 2023

This study describes the cloning, expression and functional characterization of α-humulene synthase, responsible for the formation of the key aromatic compound α-humulene in agarwood originating from Aquilaria malaccensis. The partial sesquiterpene synthase gene from the transcriptome data of A. malaccensis was utilized for full-length gene isolation via a 3′ RACE PCR. The complete gene, denoted as AmDG2, has an open reading frame (ORF) of 1671 bp and encodes for a polypeptide of 556 amino acids. In silico analysis of the protein highlighted several conserved motifs typically found in terpene synthases such as Asp-rich substrate binding (DDxxD), metal-binding residues (NSE/DTE), and cytoplasmic ER retention (RxR) motifs at their respective sites. The AmDG2 was successfully expressed in the E. coli:pET-28a(+) expression vector whereby an expected band of about 64 kDa in size was detected in the SDS-PAGE gel. In vitro enzyme assay using substrate farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) revealed that AmDG2 gave rise to two sesquiterpenes: α-humulene (major) and β-caryophyllene (minor), affirming its identity as α-humulene synthase. On the other hand, protein modeling performed using AlphaFold2 suggested that AmDG2 consists entirely of α-helices with short connecting loops and turns. Meanwhile, molecular docking via AutoDock Vina (Version 1.5.7) predicted that Asp307 and Asp311 act as catalytic residues in the α-humulene synthase. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report on the cloning, expression and functional characterization of α-humulene synthase from agarwood originating from A. malaccensis species. These findings reveal a deeper understanding of the structure and functional properties of the α-humulene synthase and could be utilized for metabolic engineering work in the future.