bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel intranasal vaccine targeting SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain to mucosal microfold cells and adjuvanted with TLR3 agonist Riboxxim™ elicits strong antibody and T-cell responses in mice
Authors: Horvath Dennis , Temperton Nigel , Mayora-Neto Martin , Da Costa Kelly , Cantoni Diego , Horlacher Reinhold , Günther Armin , Brosig Alexander , Morath Jenny , Jakobs Barbara , Groettrup Marcus , Hoschuetzky Heinz , Rohayem Jacques , ter Meulen Jan
Published: March 2023

SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate in the human population necessitating regular booster immunization for its long-term control. Ideally, vaccines should ideally not only protect against symptomatic disease, but also prevent transmission via asymptomatic shedding and cover existing and future variants of the virus. This may ultimately only be possible through induction of potent and long-lasting immune responses in the nasopharyngeal tract, the initial entry site of SARS-CoV-2. To this end, we have designed a vaccine based on recombinantly expressed receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, fused to the C-terminus of C. perfringens enterotoxin, which is known to target Claudin-4, a matrix molecule highly expressed on mucosal microfold (M) cells of the nasal and bronchial-associated lymphoid tissues. To further enhance immune responses, the vaccine was adjuvanted with a novel toll-like receptor 3/RIG-I agonist (Riboxxim™), consisting of synthetic short double stranded RNA. Intranasal prime-boost immunization of mice induced robust mucosal and systemic anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 strains Wuhan-Hu-1, and several variants (B.1.351/beta, B.1.1.7/alpha, B.1.617.2/delta), as well as systemic T-cell responses. A combination vaccine with M-cell targeted recombinant HA1 from an H1N1 G4 influenza strain also induced mucosal and systemic antibodies against influenza. Taken together, the data show that development of an intranasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine based on recombinant RBD adjuvanted with a TLR3 agonist is feasible, also as a combination vaccine against influenza.
One year follow-up on a randomized study investigating serratus anterior muscle and pectoral nerves type I block to reduced neuropathic pain descriptors after mastectomy
Authors: Flores Eva M. , Gouveia Flavia V. , Matsumoto Marcio , Bonacif Tomás H. F. S. , Kuroki Mayra A. , Antunes Geiza Fernanda , Campos Ana Carolina P. , Kimachi Pedro P. , Campos Diego O. , Simões Claudia M. , Sampaio Marcelo M. C. , Andrade Felipe E. M. , Valverde João , Barros Alfredo C. S. D. , Pagano Rosana L. , Martinez Raquel C. R.
Published: March 2023

Breast cancer is the second most common diagnosed type of cancer in women. Chronic neuropathic pain after mastectomy occurs frequently and is a serious health problem. In our previous single-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical study, we demonstrated that the combination of serratus anterior plane block (SAM) and pectoral nerve block type I (PECS I) with general anesthesia reduced acute postoperative pain. The present report describes a prospective follow-up study of this published study to investigate the development of chronic neuropathic pain 12 months after mastectomy by comparing the use of general anesthesia alone and general anesthesia with SAM + PECS I. Additionally, the use of analgesic medication, quality of life, depressive symptoms, and possible correlations between plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10 collected before and 24 h after surgery as predictors of pain and depression were evaluated. The results showed that the use of SAM + PECS I with general anesthesia reduced numbness, hypoesthesia to touch, the incidence of patients with chronic pain in other body regions and depressive symptoms, however, did not significantly reduce the incidence of chronic neuropathic pain after mastectomy. Additionally, there was no difference in the consumption of analgesic medication and quality of life. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10 levels and pain and depression. The combination of general anesthesia with SAM + PECS I reduced the occurrence of specific neuropathic pain descriptors and depressive symptoms. These results could promote the use of SAM + PECS I blocks for the prevention of specific neuropathic pain symptoms after mastectomy.

Registration of clinical trial: The Research Ethics Board of the Hospital Sirio-Libanes/Brazil approved the study (CAAE 48721715.0.0000.5461). This study is registered at Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos (ReBEC), and ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02647385.
Acute antagonism in three-drug combinations for vaginal HIV prevention in humanized mice
Authors: Gallay Philippe A. , Ramirez Christina M. , Baum Marc M.
Published: March 2023

Adolescent girls and young women in low- to middle-income countries are disproportionately at risk of becoming HIV-1 infected. New non-vaccine biomedical products aimed at overcoming this global health challenge need to provide a range of safe, effective, and discreet dosage forms based on the delivery of one or more antiviral compounds. An overarching strategy involves vaginal drug administration through inserts/tablets, gels, films, and intravaginal rings. The approach derives its appeal from being women-controlled and topical, there-by potentially minimizing systemic exposure to the agents and their metabolites. Oral regimens based on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) are established and effective in HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and form a promising basis for vaginal PrEP. Here, we used bone marrow/liver/thymus humanized mice to measure the in vivo efficacy against HIV-1 of single and combination antiviral compounds applied vaginally, coupled with data analysis using the Chou-Talalay mathematical model to study the dose–effect characteristics. Unexpectedly, strong antagonism was observed in drug combinations composed of TDF-FTC coupled with a third agent using a different mode of action against HIV-1. The antagonistic effect was remedied when TDF was omitted from the regimen. Our approach provides a translational template for the preclinical, rational, and systematic evaluation of drug combinations for the prevention of HIV-1, and other viral diseases.
Microbial bowel infections-induced biochemical and biological abnormalities and their effects on young Egyptian swimmers
Authors: Hassanein Faika , Masoud Inas M. , Awwad Zeinab M. , Abdel-Salam Hussin , Salem Mohamed , Shehata Amany I.
Published: March 2023

Swimmers’ personal hygiene affects the spread of microbes in pools. The present study aimed to determine the incidence of microbial infections among young Egyptian swimmers and its impact on swimmers’ scores. From January 2020 to June 2021, 528 public club swimmers were examined cross-sectionally. Swimmers were divided into two groups according to their star tests and their scores in the competition (group 1 with a high score and group 2 with a low score). Stool samples, biochemical and biological parameters were assessed. Microbial infections were 54% for intestinal parasitosis and 2.8% for Helicobacter pylori. The rate of intestinal parasitosis was higher among Gp2 as compared to Gp1. The results also revealed higher prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia lamblia, Entameba histolytica, and Cyclospora among Gp2 than Gp1. Swimming frequency, and duration influenced the infectious status that induced anemia, abnormal blood pressure, and heart rate. Infected swimmers with cryptosporidiosis had higher alanine transaminase levels, white blood cells, and differential cells but lower aspartate transaminase levels. Giardiasis showed higher reduction in the biochemical markers including ferritin, lactoferrin, iron, and transferrin among Gp 2, compared to Gp 1 and thus affected the swimmers’ scores. Thus, raising swimmers’ hygiene awareness and targeting health education is obliged.
Potentiated early neural responses to fearful faces are not driven by specific face parts
Authors: Bruchmann Maximilian , Mertens Léa , Schindler Sebastian , Straube Thomas
Published: March 2023

Prioritized processing of fearful compared to neutral faces is reflected in increased amplitudes of components of the event-related potential (ERP). It is unknown whether specific face parts drive these modulations. Here, we investigated the contributions of face parts on ERPs to task-irrelevant fearful and neutral faces using an ERP-dependent facial decoding technique and a large sample of participants (N = 83). Classical ERP analyses showed typical and robust increases of N170 and EPN amplitudes by fearful relative to neutral faces. Facial decoding further showed that the absolute amplitude of these components, as well as the P1, was driven by the low-frequency contrast of specific face parts. However, the difference between fearful and neutral faces was not driven by any specific face part, as supported by Bayesian statistics. Furthermore, there were no correlations between trait anxiety and main effects or interactions. These results suggest that increased N170 and EPN amplitudes to task-irrelevant fearful compared to neutral faces are not driven by specific facial regions but represent a holistic face processing effect.
Enhancing bio-oil yield extracted from Egyptian castor seeds by using microwave and ultrasonic
Authors: Khater El-Sayed G. , Abd Allah Soha A. , Bahnasawy Adel H. , Hashish Hassan M. Abu
Published: March 2023

Energy scarcity and conventional energy problems are the main reason of finding a renewable source of energy which is cheap and environmental friendly, therefore, biodiesel production is one of the most promising solutions of this problem. Also, Egyptian castor is one of the most important crops for oil production compared with other commonly used oil crops. The main aim of this study is to enhance the production of bio-oil from Egyptian castor seeds by using microwave and ultrasonic as pre-treatments. To achieve that, the effects of extraction screw speed (20, 40 and 60 rpm) and temperature (100, 150, 200 and 250 °C) on oil extraction yield and quality, extraction energy requirements and extraction time and were studied. Also, the effect of pretreatment conditions of microwave at three levels of power (Low, Med and High) and different times (1, 2 and 3 min) and pretreatment condition ultrasonic with different temperatures (40, 60 and 80 °C) and different times (15, 30 and 45 min) for castor seeds before extraction with the optimum condition of the screw press on oil extraction yield from castor seeds, extraction energy, extraction time and quality of the oil extracted. The results indicate that the optimum conditions oil extraction by screw press were 200 °C extraction temperature and 60 rpm screw speed. It could be seen that the extraction oil yield, extraction energy requirements and extraction time were 35.59%, 18.68 and 1.86 min, respectively. Microwave pretreatments had better on oil yield and energy required for extraction compared to ultrasonic pretreatments, where, microwave pretreatments recorded high oil yield and lower energy requirements compared to the ultrasonic pretreatments. Oil yield ranged from 32.67 to 37.41% compared to 13.29 to 39.83% in literature. The time required for extraction was ranged from 1.77 to 2.00 and 1.79 to 2.21 min for microwave and ultrasonic pretreatments, respectively. The pretreatment improved properties of the extracted oil.
Ethnic differences in right ventricular structure and function in urbanized hypertensive patients in the Gornaya Shoriya region
Authors: Sumin Alexey N. , Gomozova Nina S. , Shcheglova Anna V. , Arkhipov Oleg G.
Published: March 2023

Aim of this study was to compare right ventricular echocardiography parameters in urbanized hypertensive patients of the Shor and non-indigenous ethnic groups in the Mountain Shoria region. The study included patients with arterial hypertension: 58 Shors and 50 non-indigenous urbanized residents, comparable in age, and divided by ethnicity and gender into 4 groups: Shors men (n = 20), Shors women (n = 38) , non-indigenous men (n = 15) and non-indigenous women (n = 35). All underwent echocardiographic examination, and the right heart parameters were studied. Shor men with arterial hypertension had the lowest values ​​of the pulmonary artery index (p = 0.05), the right atrium dimensions (p = 0.04), and the highest values ​​of the blood flow velocity in the right ventricle, et' (p = 0.05) and st' (p = 0.05) in comparison with non-indigenous men. Shor women have the lowest values Et/At ratios (p = 0.05). RV diastolic dysfunction was detected mainly in women compared with men (23.1% and 1.9%, p = 0.0014), somewhat more often in Shors. Ethnicity was one of the factors associated with the right ventricular diastolic dysfunction presence (p = 0.002). Among the factors associated with the RV diastolic dysfunction were risk factors (smoking, obesity), blood pressure, gender, ethnicity, and left ventricular parameters (diastolic dysfunction and the myocardial mass increase). Thus, our study established the influence of ethnic differences on the right heart echocardiographic parameters in Shors and Caucasians with arterial hypertension. The effect of sex on RV diastolic dysfunction was a lot bigger compared to the effect of ethnicity. The revealed differences should improve the assessment of the right heart structure and function in patients with arterial hypertension from small ethnic groups, which will help to improve the diagnosis and treatment of such patients.
Post-plasma catalysis: charge effect on product selectivity in conversion of methane and nitrogen plasma to ethylene and ammonia
Authors: Tiwari Sarojini , Ibrahim Saleh Ahmat , Robinson Brandon , Brown Siobhan , Wang Qiang , Che Fanglin , Hu Jianli
Published: March 2023

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the post-microwave plasma interaction with catalytic surfaces to enhance the ethylene and ammonia production from methane and nitrogen conversion.
Protein–phenolic interactions in lentil and wheat crackers with onion skin phenolics: effects of processing and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Günal-Köroğlu Deniz , Turan Semra , Capanoglu Esra
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the protein–phenolic interaction in functional crackers made of wheat/lentil flour with onion skin phenolics (onion skin powder: OSP, onion skin phenolic extract: OSE, or quercetin: Q) after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.
Infrared modulation via near-room-temperature phase transitions of vanadium oxides & core–shell composites
Authors: Taha Mohammad , Balendhran Sivacarendran , Sherrell Peter C. , Kirkwood Nick , Wen Dingchen , Wang Shifan , Meng Jiajun , Bullock James , Crozier Kenneth B. , Sciacca Len
Published: March 2023

Intrinsic and extrinsic strains are leveraged to synthesise vanadium oxide complexes that undergo IMT near room temperature. The complexes are studied and used to modulate the IR radiation of a hot object as a proof-of-concept application.
Ligand-free template-assisted synthesis of stable perovskite nanocrystals with near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield within the pores of vaterite spheres
Authors: Peltek Oleksii O. , Talianov Pavel M. , Krylova Anna , Polushkin Artem S. , Anastasova Elizaveta I. , Mikushina Daria D. , Gets Dmitri , Zelenkov Lev E. , Khubezhov Soslan , Pushkarev Anatoly , Zyuzin Mikhail V. , Makarov Sergey V.
Published: March 2023

Ligand-free methods for the synthesis of halide perovskite nanocrystals are of great interest because of their excellent performance in optoelectronics and photonics.
Homogeneous base catalyst with high activity and stability for synthesis of dimethyl carbonate by transesterification
Authors: Bao Yu-Fen , Wang Yi-Jie , Wang Yu-Chen , Liu Ding-Hua
Published: March 2023

A novel type of homogeneous catalyst KIm was developed and applied to the reaction of PC and MeOH to synthesize DMC.
Tuning anticancer properties and DNA-binding of Pt(ii) complexes via alteration of nitrogen softness/basicity of tridentate ligands
Authors: Al-Rashdi Kamelah S. , Babgi Bandar A. , Ali Ehab M. M. , Jedidi Abdesslem , Emwas Abdul-Hamid M. , Davaasuren Bambar , Jaremko Mariusz , Humphrey Mark G.
Published: March 2023

The article illustrates the design flexibility of tridentate ligands and the resultant platinum complexes, highlighting the impact of this design flexibility on the anticancer potential.
High-temperature solvent-free synthesis of low-molecular-weight organogelators consisting of starch-derived 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol coupled with fatty acids
Authors: Komba Shiro , Iwaura Rika
Published: March 2023

We have succeeded in synthesizing organogelators in high yield by simply mixing 1,5-AG derived from corn starch and a free fatty acid derived from natural oils in a reaction vessel and heating to 230 °C without adding any solvent.
Stabilizing Ni-rich high energy cathodes for advanced lithium-ion batteries: the case of LiNi0.9Co0.1O2
Authors: Susai Francis Amalraj , Bano Amreen , Maiti Sandipan , Grinblat Judith , Chakraborty Arup , Sclar Hadar , Kravchuk Tatyana , Kondrakov Aleksandr , Tkachev Maria , Talianker Michael , Major Dan Thomas , Markovsky Boris , Aurbach Doron
Published: March 2023

Lithiated oxides like Li[NixCoyMnz]O2 (x + y + z = 1) with high nickel content (x ≥ 0.8) can possess high specific capacity ≥200 mA h g−1 and have attracted extensive attention as perspective cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries.
Investigating magnetic van der Waals materials using data-driven approaches
Authors: Bhattarai Romakanta , Minch Peter , Rhone Trevor David
Published: March 2023

In this work, we investigate magnetic monolayers of the form AiAiiB4X8 based on the well-known intrinsic topological magnetic van der Waals (vdW) material MnBi2Te4 (MBT) using first-principles calculations and machine learning techniques.
A novel metasurface lens antenna design for over‐the‐air testing in millimetre wave radio resource management measurement
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Zhiqin , Xue Zhiwen , Zhu Ying , Ren Yuxin
Published: March 2023

In millimetre wave (mmWave) frequency band, radio resource management (RRM) performance is characterised in plane wave conditions using radiated over‐the‐air test method, which is a challenging combination of protocol and radio frequency performance measurement. This article presents a novel design of multiple lens‐based compact antenna test ranges (CATRs) to simulate multiple angles of arrival from different base‐stations in RRM measurement. Only four lens‐based CATRs are proposed to create plane wave conditions at the device under test with six different angles of arrival and capable of accurately constructing the wireless propagation condition and minimising the diffraction and scattering between adjacent CATRs. The lens‐based CATR is the key element in the RRM measurement system, which is composed of a metasurface lens for phase alignment and a 2 × 2 feed array antenna for the emission of electromagnetic signals. The function and capability of the proposed lens‐based CATR is validated through simulation and measurement, that the worst‐case amplitude variation in the quiet zone region is lower than ±0.8 dB at 26 GHz, and phase variation is lower than ±7.5° in the designed quiet zone, which could be used in the fifth‐generation mmWave RRM measurement.
Numerical dependencies of the galactic dynamo in isolated galaxies with SPH
Authors: Wissing Robert , Shen Sijing
Published: March 2023

Simulating and evolving magnetic fields within global galaxy simulations provides a large tangled web of numerical complexity due to the vast amount of physical processes involved. Understanding the numerical dependencies that act on the galactic dynamo is a crucial step in determining what resolution and conditions are required to properly capture the magnetic fields observed in galaxies. Here, we present an extensive study on the numerical dependencies of the galactic dynamo in isolated spiral galaxies using smoothed particle magnetohydrodynamics. We performed 53 isolated spiral galaxy simulations with different initial setups, feedback, resolution, Jeans floor, and dissipation parameters. The results show a strong mean-field dynamo occurring in the spiral-arm region of the disk, likely produced by the classical alpha-omega dynamo or the recently described gravitational instability dynamo. The inclusion of feedback is seen to work in both a destructive and positive fashion for the amplification process. Destructive interference for the amplification occurs due to the breakdown of filament structure in the disk, the increase of turbulent diffusion, and the ejection of magnetic flux from the central plane to the circumgalactic medium. The positive effect of feedback is the increase in vertical motions and the turbulent fountain flows that develop, showing a high dependence on the small-scale vertical structure and the numerical dissipation within the galaxy. Galaxies with an effective dynamo saturate their magnetic energy density at levels between 10 and 30% of the thermal energy density. The density-averaged numerical Prandtl number is found to be below unity throughout the galaxy for all our simulations, with an increasing value with radius. Assuming a turbulent injection length of 1 kpc, the numerical magnetic Reynolds number is within the range of Remag = 10 − 400, indicating that some regions are below the levels required for the small-scale dynamo (Remag, crit = 30 − 2700) to be active.
Study of Biodiversity in Submontana of Kamojang Nature Reserve, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Isfan Abdillah Afrisal , Eka Putra Utama Silva , Van Minh Nguyen
Published: March 2023

The low mountain forest area is known as a source of biodiversity because it has an area with natural ecosystems that are relatively still intact and has rich biodiversity and a high level of endemism. The study was conducted to determine the biodiversity found in the mountain forests under Kamojang. The methods used are qualitative and quantitative data collection, vegetation data collection using plot paths, fauna data with exploration (renaissance survey), edaphic and climatic data by purposive sampling. Research shows as many as 10 species of vegetation at pole and tree level, 15 species of seedlings and understorey, and 10 species of sapling level. Lower mountain forest shows as many as 18 species of animals with a composition of 14 species of aves, two species of mammals, two species of reptiles. The land in the Kamojang lower mountain forest includes andosols with three horizons namely O, A, and B which tend to be fertile. Temperatures in the lower mountain forests range from 18.5 °C to 21 °C with 93 % relative humidity.
Characterization Properties of Banana Peel as a Promising Alternative for Bioplastic
Authors: Maria Abel Dina , de Castro Ruas Juvencio , de Castro Ruas Adilson , Kok Tjie
Published: March 2023

The increasing use of conventional plastic has been creating some big problems, ranging from the oil crisis as a raw material for plastic production and the accumulation of unbiodegradable plastic waste on the earth. One of the promising measures to handle the problem is the use of environmentally–friendly biodegradable plastic, made from renewable materials. The aim of this project is to characterize the properties of bio-plastic from banana peel. The process begins with the extraction of pectin from banana peel with hydrochloric acid and followed by the addition of water, CaSO4, tapioca starch, acetic acid, glycerin to form plastic. The analysis of pectin extract gave 8.3 % pectin yield, 29 % water content, 10 % ash content, 4.9 % metoxyl content, 50 % galacturonic acid content,and 13.8 % degree of esterification. The plastic obtained after the following process had the thickness of 0.28 mm, the water absorption capability of 53.8 %, and it was biodegradable with certain characteristics.
Quality Assessment on Honey Produced from Six Months Old Acacia crassicarpa
Authors: Suhesti Eni , Zalizar Lili , Triwanto Joko , Ervayendri Ervayendri , Hendroko Setyobudi Roy , Tri Waskitho Nugroho , Tarik Ibrahim Jabal , Maftuchah Maftuchah , Hadinoto Hadinoto , Vincēviča-Gaile Zane , Tonda Rusli , Anggara Ari , Hartono Rudi , Utami Lestari Sri , Agung Pakarti Trias
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to analyze the quality of Apis mellifera-produced honey generated from 6 mo old Acacia crassicarpa nectar at 28 d harvest period. The tests referred to the procedures required by the Indonesia National Standard (SNI) 8664-2018. The quality variables tested were of odor and taste and diastase enzyme activity as well as hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), water, reducing sugar (glucose), sucrose, acid, water insoluble matter, and ash contents. The data were analyzed by using the student t test, where one sample group was prepared to compare each honey quality variable with the quality standard value. The results showed a distinctive smell and taste of honey, enzyme activity > 1.52 DN, HMF 0 mg kg-1, water content 24.2 % w w-1, reducing sugar content 66.56 % w w-1, sucrose content 1.50 % w w-1, acidity 113.05 NaOH kg-1, water insoluble matter content 0.018 % w w-1, and ash content 0.26 % w w-1. It is concluded that the quality variables for honey samples that met the quality requirements were odor and taste, HMF, reducing sugar, sucrose, water insoluble matter, and ash. Meanwhile, those that do not meet the quality requirements are the activity of the attached enzyme, water content and acidity.
Incentive Strategy for Energy Efficiency Programs in Industries Consuming 6 000 TOE/year with Sustainable Energy Performance
Authors: Martoyoedo Satryo , Priyadi Priyadi , Fajrie Dewanto , Ariati Ratna , Yandri Erkata , Hendroko Setyobudi Roy , Suherman Suherman , Burlakovs Juris , Mel Maizirwan , Krido Wahono Satriyo , Heri Purnomo Agus , Fauzi Ahmad , Tonda Rusli , Iswahyudi Iswahyudi
Published: March 2023

This study aims to obtain the incentives strategy that can increase the participation of energy users greater than or equal to 6000-TOE in fulfilling their obligations on energy conservation through energy management with Sustainable Energy Performance (SEP). Several steps need to be carried out. First, data collection on industries that must carry out energy management, and will be analyzed to determine the level of compliance of energy users. Second, ensure that already have carried out an energy-saving program with the SEP. Third, formulating incentive schemes for energy users. Fourth, the interest deduction for the company when they implement the SEP. The results show that only 10.25 % fully comply with the regulation, 36.89 % are partially compliant and 52.87 % are not compliant with energy management activities at all. For industries that have implemented energy conservation and SEP, several benefits are obtained, including capital expenditure (capex) savings when purchasing new imported equipment for creating another energy efficiency, by up to 30 % and incentives in the form of lowering interest rates by up to 4 %.
Thermostable Chitinase Producing Bacterium from Ijen Hot Spring – Indonesia: Isolation, Identification, and Characterization
Authors: Chrisnasari Ruth , Priscilla Sutanto Liony , Paulina Dian , Wahjudi Alicia , Pantjajani Tjandra
Published: March 2023

The high industrial demand for thermostable chitinase with new and desirable characteristics has led to the exploration of chitinolytic bacteria from extreme environments. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate, screen, and identify chitinase–producing bacteria from Ijen hot spring, Indonesia. The highest chitinolytic activity bacterium was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and its characteristics were confirmed by morphological and physiological analyses. Chitinase production activity of selected bacterium under variation of agitation and aeration as well as its chitinase properties were characterized afterward. Twelve chitinolytic bacterial colonies were isolated and screened for their growth activity on Thermus colloidal chitin medium, in which chitin was used as the sole carbon source. Among these twelve isolates, isolate B2 showed the highest chitinolytic activity. The molecular, morphological, and physiological analyses confirmed that isolate B2 belonged to Bacillus licheniformis. This isolate produced a huge amount of chitinase on Thermus colloidal chitin medium at 50 °C within 30 h. The highest growth and chitinase production activity were recorded at 3 vvm aeration rate and 300 rpm agitation speed. Chitinase produced by this isolate was optimally active at pH of 7 and temperature of 55 °C and evidently proofed as thermostable due to its high residual activity after several thermal stability tests.
Benchmark of eight commercial solutions for deterministic intra-day solar forecast
Authors: Lehmann Jonathan , Koessler Christian , Ruiz Gomez Lina , Scheerlinck Stijn
Published: March 2023

Continuous increase of the production of photovoltaic energy requires precise forecasting to ensure grid stability. This paper presents a detailed benchmark of eight commercial forecasting solutions for intra-day solar forecasts. The comparison was carried out on a period of six months, from November to May 2021, on seven different PV plants located in different countries of the northern hemisphere. Performance evaluation metrics MAE, RMSE and MBE are used in order to analyze the forecasting precision. It is shown that forecasting solar power remains challenging, as shown by the important dispersion between the actors that we have observed.
Multi-objective optimization of process parameters for ultrasonic rolling extrusion of 42CrMo material
Authors: Wang Xiaoqiang , Wang Haojie , Wang Paigang , Zhu Qiping
Published: March 2023

To choose the most suitable method to solve the process parameter optimization of ultrasonic rolling extrusion, the 42CrMo material was taken as the research object. Based on a four-factor five-level orthogonal experiment, the response surface method was used to establish prediction models of the surface roughness, surface residual stress, and work hardening degree. To obtain better Pareto front, resulting in better distribution and convergence of the solution set, the simulated annealing algorithm, particle swarm optimization, second-generation non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm and multi-island genetic algorithm were used to optimize the parameters of ultrasonic rolling extrusion. Comparing the optimization effect with the calculation efficiency, the simulated annealing algorithm is finally selected as the optimization method of the ultrasonic rolling extrusion process parameters, and the optimization parameter domain of the ultrasonic rolling extrusion process is obtained. The optimization model was tested and verified. The results showed that the best optimization effect was achieved after 3000 iterations, and the maximum relative error of the experimental and calculated values for the surface roughness, work hardening degree and residual stress of the optimized 42CrMo material after ultrasonic rolling was controlled within 5%. The established multi-objective optimization model has high accuracy and application value, can realize the optimization of ultrasonic rolling extrusion process parameters.
Des premières transplantations rénales à la transplantation rénale pédiatrique actuelle
Authors: Duneton Charlotte , Hogan Julien
Published: March 2023

La transplantation rénale est le traitement de choix de l’insuffisance rénale terminale chez l’enfant, mais cela reste une procédure rare avec, en France, seulement 100 à 120 transplantations rénales pédiatriques par an. Si les grands principes de la transplantation rénale sont identiques chez l’enfant et chez l’adulte, certaines spécificités en lien avec les maladies rénales sous-jacentes, la technique chirurgicale, le métabolisme des immunosuppresseurs et le risque de complication infectieuse, justifient une prise en charge particulière des jeunes patients. La morbidité de la dialyse, particulière chez l’enfant, et le besoin de transplantations répétées au cours de la vie du patient expliquent des spécificités pédiatriques dans le choix des donneurs et l’allocation des greffons sur la liste d’attente nationale. L’objectif de cette revue est de présenter l’histoire et les spécificités de la transplantation rénale pédiatrique, de décrire l’état actuel de cette activité en France et d’évoquer les perspectives futures en soulignant le besoin de recherches fondamentale et clinique focalisées sur la population pédiatrique.
Kleintierdosimetrie für die diagnostische PET Bildgebung
Authors: Kranz Mathias
Published: March 2023

Vor der erstmaligen Anwendung neuartiger Radiopharmazeutika für die PET Bildgebung im Menschen muss deren Strahlenrisiko abgeschätzt werden. Neben ex vivo Methoden, welche die Verwendung von Tieren voraussetzt, bieten bildgebende in vivo Methoden unter Nutzung entsprechender Kleintierscanner die Möglichkeit Langzeitstudien durchzuführen und die Tiere für weitere Versuche zu verwenden. Aktuell stehen verschiedene kommerziell erhältliche PET Kameras speziell für Mäuse und Ratten zur Verfügung. Größere Spezies wie z. B. Ferkel können in humanen PET Scannern untersucht werden.

Bei der Verwendung von anhand Tieren erhobener Daten für die Dosisabschätzung im Menschen, müssen deren Biokinetik auf den Menschen extrapoliert werden, um Unterschiede im Metabolismus und der Anatomie auszugleichen. Die anschließende Organdosisberechnung kann mit Hilfe verschiedener Software erfolgen (z. B. Olinda) und die effektive Dosis als Maß des kumulierten Strahlenrisikos abgeschätzt werden.

Die Durchführung einer präklinischen Dosimetriestudie dient dem Ziel einer Abschätzung des Strahlenrisikos für das Individuum nach Inkorporation eines Radiopharmazeutikums. Es können kritische Organe und der Ausscheidungsweg identifiziert werden, jedoch sollten die Ergebnisse einer präklinischen Dosimetriestudie immer mit Hinblick auf die methodischen Limitationen betrachtet werden. Aktuelle Untersuchungen zeigen eine Unterschätzung der Exposition um bis zu 40 % und dies sollte bei der Beantragung einer frühen klinischen Studie berücksichtig werden.
Dosimetrie diagnostischer Radiopharmaka und Diagnostische Referenzwerte in der Nuklearmedizin
Authors: Sattler Bernhard , Kurth Jens
Published: March 2023

Diese Übersichtsarbeit gibt einen Überblick über die, Grundsätze, Basisgrößen und Einheiten der Dosimetrie als Voraussetzung für das Verständnis der prinzipiellen Herangehensweisen bei der Inkorporationsdosimetrie bei der Anwendung von Radiopharmazeutika zu diagnostischen Zwecken. Die Grundlagen und Voraussetzung der dosimetrischen Berechnungen anhand von Biodistributions- und Biokinetikdaten werden eingeführt. Das Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) Konzept wird in seinen Grundzügen erläutert und die Historie und kontinuierliche Weiterentwicklung der dort zugrundeliegenden Körperphantome einschließlich der über sogenannte spezifische absorbierte Fraktionen (SAF → S-Werte) implementierten strahlenphysikalischen und rein geometrischen Quelle-Ziel-Beziehungen erläutert. Anhand eines Beispielprotokolls werden das Protokoll, die Datenakquisition und die inkorporationsdosimetrische Berechnung im Rahmen der Überprüfung der Sicherheit und Tolerabilität eines neuen PET-Radiopharmazeutikums vorgestellt. Die Größenordnung der sich ergebenden Exposition wird mit der bei therapeutischen Anwendungen verglichen bzw. von dieser abgegrenzt und es wird abgeleitet, dass für diagnostische Anwendungen keine individuelle Dosimetrie erforderlich ist und die Anwendung von standardisieren diagnostischen Referenzwerten der anzuwendenden Aktivitätsmengen für diagnostische Anwendungen gerechtfertigt ist. Das Konzept und die Erhebung sowie regelmäßige Aktualisierung der diagnostischen Referenzwerte für die Nuklearmedizin wird erläutert und deren Anwendung in der Routinediagnostik vorgestellt.
Bedeutung der Dosimetrie bei der Therapie aus Sicht der Medizinischen Physik
Authors: Lassmann Michael , Glatting Gerhard
Published: March 2023

Der Beitrag der Medizinischen Physik zur Dosimetrie bei der Radionuklidtherapie umfasst die Qualitätssicherung der eingesetzten Geräte, die Erstellung von Protokollen zur prä- und peritherapeutischen Dosimetrie, die Planung der Therapien bzw. deren Verifikation sowie eigenständige Forschung zur Methodenentwicklung in der Dosimetrie. Eine nach dem Stand von Wissenschaft und Technik durchgeführte Dosimetrie ist gerade bei Therapien, die nicht als Standardtherapie anzusehen sind, von hoher Bedeutung. Zum einen ermöglicht die Dosimetrie zur Therapieplanung und –verifikation die Optimierung des Strahlenschutzes für die Patienten. Andererseits ist die Dosimetrie von großer Bedeutung für die Planung und praktische Umsetzung neuer Therapieverfahren sowie für die Gewinnung und Berücksichtigung strahlenbiologischer Erkenntnisse. In jedem Fall leistet die Medizinische Physik einen unverzichtbaren Beitrag zur Optimierung der Behandlung nuklearmedizinischer Patienten mit radioaktiven Substanzen.
Bedeutung der Dosimetrie aus Sicht des Nuklearmediziners
Authors: Kotzerke Jörg , Braune Anja , Burchert Wolfgang
Published: March 2023

Auch wenn bei der Radionuklidtherapie die individuelle Dosimetrie unter Mitwirkung des Medizin-Physik-Experten in der Strahlenschutzverordnung (StrSchV) festgeschrieben ist, bestehen unterschiedliche Auffassungen über das Ausmaß der Datenerfassung und auch technische Limitationen im Hinblick auf eine valide Bildgebung zur Bestimmung der Biokinetik. Dabei ist für die klinische Anwendung stets eine einfache und robuste Approximation zu bevorzugen.

Für wissenschaftliche Fragestellungen und für die Berücksichtigung der biologisch effektiven Dosis bedarf es jedoch valider Algorithmen, insbesondere für die Kombination interner und externer Radiotherapie. Die Anwendung von Alphastrahlern mit geringen Aktivitätsmengen und geringer Emissionswahrscheinlichkeit von Gammastrahlung zur Bilderzeugung zwingt jedoch teilweise, auf Standardaktivitätsmengen auszuweichen oder sich an Wirkung und Nebenwirkung analog zu anderer onkologischer Systemtherapie zu orientieren.
One Year Experience of the Hand Allotransplantation First Performed after Korea Organ Transplantation Act (KOTA) Amendment
Authors: Lee Nara , Baek Woo Yeol , Choi Yun Rak , Joo Dong Jin , Lee Won Jai , Hong Jong Won
Published: March 2023

The revision of the Korea Organ Transplantation Act (KOTA) in 2018 included hand/arm among the organs that can be transplanted. The first hand transplantation since the revision of KOTA took place in January 2021. A 62-year-old male patient experienced hand amputation on July 13, 2018, by a catapult injury. The patient first visited our institute 3 months after the injury. After serial interviews and an overall evaluation, the patient was registered on the hand transplantation waiting list in January 2020. On January 9, 2021, the patient underwent hand transplantation at the right distal forearm level. The total operation time was 17 hours 15 minutes, and the cold ischemic time was 4 hours 9 minutes. Postoperative immunosuppression was administered based on the protocol used for kidney transplantation. Two acute rejection episodes occurred, on postoperative days 33 and 41. Both rejection episodes were reversible with rescue therapy of a higher tacrolimus trough level, steroid pulse therapy, and topical immunosuppressants. Controlled passive range of motion exercise was started on postoperative day 10. Dynamic splint was applied on postoperative day 18. At 1 year, graft maintenance and functional improvement were satisfactory, and the patient showed a Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand score of 25.8. We successfully performed the first hand transplantation surgery under the KOTA amendment. It came from the organic and effective cooperation of plastic, orthopaedic, and transplantation departments and we believe it will guarantee the future ongoing success.
Cognitive Impairment in Neurodegenerative Movement Disorders
Authors: Abdelnour Carla , Poston Kathleen L.
Published: March 2023

Patients with neurodegenerative movement disorders can develop cognitive impairment during the disease. Cognitive symptoms have been associated with decreased quality of life, higher caregiver burden, and earlier institutionalization, and are therefore critical for physicians to understand and address. The evaluation of cognitive performance of patients with neurodegenerative movement disorders is important for providing adequate diagnosis, management, prognosis, and support patients and their caregivers. In this review, we discuss the features of the cognitive impairment profile of commonly encountered movement disorders: Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome, and Huntington's disease. In addition, we provide neurologists with practical guidance and evaluation tools for the assessment and management of these challenging patients.
Can Utilizing Business Intelligence with Electronic Dental Record Data Improve Business Decisions for Dental Organizations: A Scoping Review
Authors: Walters Jared S. , Higgins Denise , Irving Michelle J. , Wallace Janet P.
Published: March 2023

Background Business intelligence can give businesses the ability to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement and can help reduce uncertainty in the decision-making process. With the increasing use of electronic dental records creating more and more dental data each day, it is an opportune time to determine if the data can be coupled with business intelligence systems to improve the management decision-making process in dental organizations to result in service improvement.

Methods A scoping review was performed to map the research on the use of business intelligence in dental organizations and to identify any gaps in the existing literature. This scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-Scr) framework. The following databases were searched: Medline, Embase, Emcare, Cinahl, Informit, Web of Science, and Scopus. Data extracted from the articles included the organization type, purpose/aims, the software utilized, data sources utilized, outcomes measured, decision-makers involved, service benefit type, and service improvements.

Results In all, 945 articles were found during the search strategy, with 25 articles selected for full-text review. Of these 25 articles, only 3 met the final inclusion in this review. All three included articles were centered around dental school organizations and all situated in the United States. All three articles demonstrated a benefit from management decision-makers utilizing business intelligence systems for improving service efficiency.

Conclusion There is limited evidence to show that managers utilizing business intelligence systems in dental school organizations can lead to improvements in the organization's services. There was no evidence to support the use of a business intelligence system in other types of dental organizations. More research is required in this area.
Hybrid Thoracic Aortic Repair and Aortic Valve-In-Valve Replacement for Chronic Type A Dissection
Authors: Albacker Turki B. , Alghamdi Faisal K. , Alsaleh Ayman , Aljabary Talal , Alshahrani Ali , Alhomiedan Majid , Zahran Fathi , Abdulrahman Yasser , Eldemerdash Ahmed , Bakir Bakir M.
Published: March 2023

We describe a case of hybrid total thoracic aortic repair and valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement in a high-risk patient with complicated chronic type A dissection and severe prosthetic aortic stenosis. The patient underwent a three-stage-procedure including aortic arch debranching, thoracic endovascular aortic repair of the ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta, and direct aortic valve-in-valve replacement using transcatheter heart valve. The details of the procedures are described with a discussion of the challenges and the decision-making process.
Facial Nerve Hemangioma of the Lateral Portion of the Internal Acoustic Canal: A Case Report and a Review of Literature
Authors: Monteiro J.M. , Ramos J.I.R. , H. Oliveira F. , Lavinsky J. , Isolan G.R.
Published: March 2023

Introduction Facial nerve hemangiomas (FNH) are rare tumors. Although it can occur in any portion of the nerve, it predominantly appears near the geniculate ganglion. We present a case of facial nerve hemangioma of an unusual location.

Case Report A 30-year-old woman presented with right-sided severe hearing loss and progressive facial palsy. Magnetic resonance showed a 5 mm lesion in the lateral portion of the right internal auditory canal. Due to facial palsy, the patient was submitted to a translabyrinthine approach and a total tumor resection, followed by hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis.

Discussion The facial nerve is susceptible in its path to expansive lesions, which have high morbidity. FNH is a rare and difficult-to-diagnose lesion. Computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance can be used in its diagnosis. The differential diagnosis of FNH includes, in addition to schwannomas, meningiomas, cholesteatomas, paragangliomas, and other temporal bone tumors. There is no well-established consensus on the best approach. Because of its slow growth and benign behavior, some studies suggest conservative treatment and serial imaging. However, surgery is the cornerstone of treatment, as it is the only curative option.

Conclusion FNHs are often small but very symptomatic. Its high morbidity demands early diagnosis and, sometimes, surgical treatment.
Polycrystalline MnBi as a transverse thermoelectric material
Authors: Sola A. , Olivetti E. S. , Martino L. , Basso V.
Published: March 2023

To assess the potential of polycrystalline MnBi as a transverse thermoelectric material, we have experimentally investigated its anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) by means of the heat flux method. We prepared MnBi samples by powder metallurgy; this technique allows the preparation of samples in arbitrary shapes with the possibility to tailor their magnetic properties. In the material exhibiting the highest remanent magnetization, we found a value of the ANE thermopower of −1.1 μV/K at 1 T, after the compensation of the ordinary Nernst effect from pure bismuth present inside the polycrystalline sample. This value is comparable with those reported in the literature for single crystals.
Free vibration characteristics of cord-reinforced air spring with winding formation under preload conditions
Authors: Cheng Yu-Qiang , He Lin , Shuai Chang-Geng , Gao Hua , Ma Jian-Guo
Published: March 2023

A precise transfer matrix was employed to analyze the free vibration characteristics of a cord-reinforced air spring with winding formation under preload conditions. The air spring was abstracted as a rotary combined shell structure with variable winding trajectory characteristics. The rotary structure, which consisted of cylindrical and toroidal shells, was analyzed for its shell pre-stress under preload conditions. The shell pre-stress was combined with the theory of thin shells to create the rotary shell vibration control equations under preload effect. The Helmholtz equation was used to analyze the influence of sound pressure inside shells under the fluid–structure coupling boundary conditions. The rotary shell transfer matrix was derived from the variable winding trajectory equation, geometrical equation, and physical equation of shells. Under the continuous conditions of state vector between the cylindrical and toroidal shells, the shells were combined into a rotary combined shell structure to obtain its total free vibration equation. The shell boundary conditions were considered to solve the natural frequency of the air spring. The calculation results were compared with the prototype test and simulation results to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the theoretical model. On this basis, we explored the influence of axial half wave number, circumferential wave number, geometrical structure, and material characteristics on the free vibration characteristics of the air spring. The research findings would provide important and significant guidance for the structural design of cord-reinforced air springs with winding formation.