bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Testing of the New Cage for Tibial Tuberosity Advancement with the Cranial Implant Fixation (TTA CF) Technique—Ex Vivo Study on Sheep Model
Authors: Zhalniarovich Yauheni , Przyborowska-Zhalniarovich Paulina , Tobolska Angelika , Mieszkowska Marta , Abako Justyna , Morawska-Kozłowska Magdalena , Mieszkowski Marcin , Onichimowski Dariusz
Published: August 2022

Background: Modifications of tibial tuberosity advancement are well accepted for cranial cruciate rupture repair. We compared the loads that were needed to pull the TTA CF cage out in the two groups. The first group consisted of five sheep in which osteotomy and TTA CF cage fixation were performed as assumed preoperatively. The second group consisted of five sheep in which intraoperative or postoperative discrepancies from preoperative planning were found. This is also the first report describing biomechanical testing after tibial tuberosity advancement with cranial implant fixation (TTA CF) surgical procedures. Results: A total of 10 ovine proximal tibiae were tested biomechanically by tearing out TTA CF implants from the bone. The mean maximal loaded forces to pull out the cage in Group 1, in which fixation of the implant was performed as assumed preoperatively, was 878 ± 61 N, and in Group 2, in which discrepancies from preoperative planning were found, was 330 ± 55 N. The mean implant displacement under maximal load to failure was 2.6 mm and 2.2 mm in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was a significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in the maximal loads-to-failure; however, the difference in the displacement at maximal loaded forces to pull out the cage was not significant between the groups. Conclusions: The mean maximal loaded forces to pull out the cage was significantly lower in Group 2, where discrepancies from preoperative planning were found (878 ± 61 N vs. 330 ± 55 N). The lower forces that were needed to extract the TTA CF implant from the tibia can lead to the conclusion that biointegration of the implant is also weaker. Correct positioning of the osteotomy line and TTA CF implant is essential for good biointegrity and thus for limiting complications in the form of tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture or tibial shaft fracture.
The Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Three Sphenomorphinae Species (Squamata: Scincidae) and the Selective Pressure Analysis on Mitochondrial Genomes of Limbless Isopachys gyldenstolpei
Authors: Wu Lian , Tong Yao , Ayivi Sam Pedro Galilee , Storey Kenneth B. , Zhang Jia-Yong , Yu Dan-Na
Published: August 2022

In order to adapt to diverse habitats, organisms often evolve corresponding adaptive mechanisms to cope with their survival needs. The species-rich family of Scincidae contains both limbed and limbless species, which differ fundamentally in their locomotor demands, such as relying on the movement of limbs or only body swing to move. Locomotion requires energy, and different types of locomotion have their own energy requirements. Mitochondria are the energy factories of living things, which provide a lot of energy for various physiological activities of organisms. Therefore, mitochondrial genomes could be tools to explore whether the limb loss of skinks are selected by adaptive evolution. Isopachys gyldenstolpei is a typical limbless skink. Here, we report the complete mitochondrial genomes of I. gyldenstolpei, Sphenomorphus indicus, and Tropidophorus hainanus. The latter two species were included as limbed comparator species to the limbless I. gyldenstolpei. The results showed that the full lengths of the mitochondrial genomes of I. gyldenstolpei, S. indicus, and T. hainanus were 17,210, 16,944, and 17,001 bp, respectively. Three mitochondrial genomes have typical circular double-stranded structures similar to other reptiles, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and the control region. Three mitochondrial genomes obtained in this study were combined with fifteen mitochondrially complete genomes of Scincidae in the NCBI database; the phylogenetic relationship between limbless I. gyldenstolpei and limbed skinks (S. indicus and T. hainanus) is discussed. Through BI and ML trees, Sphenomorphinae and Mabuyinae were monophyletic, while the paraphyly of Scincinae was also recovered. The limbless skink I. gyldenstolpei is closer to the species of Tropidophorus, which has formed a sister group with (T. hainanus + T. hangman). In the mitochondrial genome adaptations between limbless I. gyldenstolpei and limbed skinks, one positively selected site was found in the branch-site model analysis, which was located in ND2 (at position 28, BEB value = 0.907). Through analyzing the protein structure and function of the selected site, we found it was distributed in mitochondrial protein complex I. Positive selection of some mitochondrial genes in limbless skinks may be related to the requirement of energy to fit in their locomotion. Further research is still needed to confirm this conclusion though.
Correction: González-Rellán et al. Anatomy of the Palmar Region of the Carpus of the Dog. Animals 2022, 12, 1573
Authors: González-Rellán Sonia , Barreiro Andrés , Cifuentes José Manuel , Fdz-de-Trocóniz Patricia
Published: August 2022

In the original publication [...]
Regulatory Role of Apoptotic and Inflammasome Related Proteins and Their Possible Functional Aspect in Thiram Associated Tibial Dyschondroplasia of Poultry
Authors: Kulyar Muhammad Fakhar-e-Alam , Yao Wangyuan , Mo Quan , Ding Yanmei , Zhang Yan , Gao Jindong , Li Kewei , Pan Huachun , Nawaz Shah , Shahzad Muhammad , Mehmood Khalid , Iqbal Mudassar , Akhtar Muhammad , Bhutta Zeeshan Ahmad , Waqas Muhammad , Li Jiakui , Qi Desheng
Published: August 2022

Tibial dyschondroplasia debilities apoptotic and inflammasomal conditions that can further destroy chondrocytes. Inflammasomes are specialized protein complexes that process pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. Moreover, there is mounting evidence that many of the signaling molecules that govern programmed cell death also affect inflammasome activation in a cell-intrinsic way. During the last decade, apoptotic functions have been described for signaling molecules involving inflammatory responses and cell death pathways. Considering these exceptional developments in the knowledge of processes, this review gives a glimpse of the significance of these two pathways and their connected proteins in tibial dyschondroplasia. The current review deeply elaborates on the elevated level of signaling mediators of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and the inflammasome. Although investigating these pathways’ mechanisms has made significant progress, this review identifies areas where more study is especially required. It might lead to developing innovative therapeutics for tibial dyschondroplasia and other associated bone disorders, e.g., osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, where apoptosis and inflammasome are the significant pathways.
Environmental Bovine Mastitis Pathogens: Prevalence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Sensitivity to Thymus vulgaris L., Thymus serpyllum L., and Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oils
Authors: Tomanić Dragana , Božin Biljana , Kladar Nebojša , Stanojević Jovan , Čabarkapa Ivana , Stilinović Nebojša , Apić Jelena , Božić Dragana D. , Kovačević Zorana
Published: August 2022

Mastitis is considered to be one of the most important diseases of dairy cows in terms of health, production, and economy. Being the most common cause of antibiotic consumption in dairy cows, treatment of this disease is one of the biggest challenges in the veterinary profession as an increasing number of pathogens develop resistance to antibiotics used in the treatment. Therefore, new alternative approaches for limiting the use of antibiotics in livestock are required. For this reason, our study aimed to investigate prevalence of environmental mastitis associated bacterial strains, as well as the sensitivity of isolated strains to different antibiotics. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of three essential oils (EOs) was tested against bovine Serratia spp. and Proteus spp. mastitis pathogens, based on their chemical composition, as well as antibacterial potential. The study was carried out on 81 milk samples collected from dairy cows with mastitis. In order to determine prevalence of S. marcescens and P. mirabilis, microbiological isolation and identification were performed. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method and the microdilution method was used to determine the antibacterial activity of selected EOs. In the oregano EO, a total of 23 compounds were detected, with carvacrol as a dominant component (78.94%). A total of 26 components were present in the EO of common thyme, where thymol was the most abundant compound (46.37%). Thymol also dominated (55.11%) the wild thyme EO. All tested EOs displayed antibacterial activity against all strains to different extents, while wild and common thyme EOs were the most effective. It could be concluded that the tested EOs represent promising therapeutic candidates for effective non-antibiotic treatment of mastitis.
Sound Field Modeling Method and Key Imaging Technology of an Ultrasonic Phased Array: A Review
Authors: Xu Qian , Wang Haitao
Published: August 2022

An ultrasonic phased array consists of multiple ultrasonic probes arranged in a certain regular order, and the delay time of the excitation signal sent to each array element is controlled electronically. The testing system model based on ultrasonic propagation theory is established to obtain a controllable and focused sound field, which has theoretical and engineering guiding significance for the calculation and analysis of ultrasonic array sound fields. Perfecting array theory and exploring array imaging methods can obtain rich acoustic information, provide more intuitive and reliable research results, and further the development of ultrasonic phased-array systems. This paper reviews the progress of research on the application of ultrasound arrays for non-destructive testing (NDT) and brings together the most relevant published work on the application of simulation methods and popular imaging techniques for ultrasonic arrays. It mainly reviews the modeling approaches, including the angular spectrum method (ASM), multi-Gaussian beam method (MGB), ray tracing method, finite element method (FEM), finite difference method (FDM), and distributed point source method (DPSM), which have been used to assess the performance and inspection modality of a given array. In addition, the array of imaging approaches, including the total focusing method (TFM), compression sensing imaging (CSI), and acoustic nonlinearity imaging (ANI), are discussed. This paper is expected to provide strong technical support in related areas such as ultrasonic array testing theory and imaging methods.
Simulation of Vapor-Liquid Separation in the Orifice-Baffle Header under Various Operating Conditions
Authors: Huang Kunteng , Chen Jianyong , Chen Ying , Luo Xianglong , Liang Yingzong , He Jiacheng , Yang Zhi
Published: August 2022

Vapor-liquid separation during condensation enables the enhancement of heat transfer coefficient and reduction in pressure drop simultaneously. The vapor-liquid separator is vital to the performance of such a liquid-separation condenser (LSC). It should fulfill the functions of allowing the condensate to drain away as much as possible from the separator and leaving only vapor to continue condensing afterwards. However, due to the intensive interactions between the liquid and vapor, it is really hard to achieve perfect vapor-liquid separation, adding new uncertainties to the maldistributions in the branch outlets of a parallel condenser. To discover more insights of the flow conditions in the header and phase distributions, the characteristics of the orifice-baffle header are studied by using CFD and the mechanistic model for the droplet analysis is established by means of force balance in this paper. A parametrical analysis is carried out to discover the effects of operating conditions. It is found that the maximum vapor-liquid separation efficiency (η) is 51.94% as the inlet mass flow rate (ṁin) is 12 g/s. The vapor leakage from the orifice because of the liquid impact is one of the main reasons that deteriorate the vapor-liquid separation performance. Moreover, the vortex in the header increases the local mass flux, thereafter decreasing the droplet diameter. With the increasing of ṁin, the dominant force of the droplet in the vertical direction switches from FG to FD2.
Voltammetric Study for the Determination of Diclofenac in Aqueous Solutions Using Electro-Activated Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Berto Silvia , Cagno Enrico , Prenesti Enrico , Aragona Giulia , Bertinetti Stefano , Giacomino Agnese , Inaudi Paolo , Malandrino Mery , Terranova Emanuele , Abollino Ornella
Published: August 2022

Diclofenac (DCF) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to treat pain and inflammatory diseases. The high consumption of the drug leads to a significant change in the ecosystem. With the aim of optimizing a fast screening analysis for DCF detection on many samples with a sensitive and cheap procedure, we considered electrochemical methods using carbon-based electrodes as sensors. The electrochemical behavior of the DCF was studied on glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) and on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) from two different suppliers after an anodic activation. The surface of the SPCEs was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS). On all the activated electrodes, the voltammetric procedure (Differential Pulse Voltammetry) for the determination of DCF was optimized by the Experimental Design method, and the linearity range of the response, as well as the calibration and limit parameters (limits of detection—LoD; limit of quantification—LoQ), were defined. Analyses on SPCEs were performed both by immersing the electrode in the solution and by deposing a drop of solution on the electrode. DCF signals are stabilized by the polishing process and enhanced by the anodic activation and acid pH. The electrochemical response of DCF is not reversible, and its by-products tend to be adsorbed on the surfaces, particularly on GCE. The lowest limit parameters were obtained using the GCE (LoD = 1.6 µg L−1) and the SPCE, having the smallest surface, immersed in solution (LoD = 7 µg L−1).
Prognostic Value of Chest-Computed Tomography in Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Perincek Gökhan , Önal Canver , Omar Timor
Published: August 2022

Background: The diagnostic value for chest CT has been widely established in patients with COVID-19. However, there is a lack of satisfactory data about the prognostic value of chest CTs. This study investigated the prognostic value of chest CTs in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 521 symptomatic patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were included retrospectively. Clinical, laboratory, and chest CT characteristics were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Concerning chest CT, for each subject, a semi-quantitative CT severity scoring system was applied. Results: Most patients showed typical CT features based on the likelihood of COVID-19. The global CT score was significantly higher in non-survivors (median (IQR), 1 (0–6) vs. 10 (5–13), p < 0.001). A cut-off value of 5.5 for the global CT score predicted in-hospital mortality with 74% sensitivity and 73% specificity. Global CT score, age, C-reactive protein, and diabetes were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. The global CT score was significantly correlated with the C-reactive protein, D-dimer, pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and procalcitonin levels. Conclusion: The global CT score could provide valuable prognostic data in symptomatic patients with COVID-19.
Association of Serum Albumin and Copeptin with Early Clinical Deterioration and Instability in Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Parthasarathi Ashwaghosha , Padashetti Vaibhav , Padukudru Sunag , Chaya Sindaghatta , Siddaiah Jayaraj , Anand Mahesh
Published: August 2022

Background: There is a paucity of data on biomarkers for the early deterioration and clinical instability of patients in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), as treatment failure occurs in the first seven days in 90% of patients. Aim: To evaluate serum albumin and copeptin with CURB-65, PSI scoring and ATS/IDSA minor criteria for the prediction of early mortality or ICU-admission (7 days) and clinical instability after 72 h. Methods: In 100 consecutive hospitalized adult CAP patients, PSI-scores, CURB-65 scores, ATS/IDSA 2007 minor criteria, copeptin and albumin on admission were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to assess independent risk factors for early combined mortality or ICU admission. Predictive powers of albumin and copeptin were tested with ROC curves and ICU-free survival probability was tested using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: Albumin was lower and copeptin higher in patients with short-term adverse outcomes (p < 0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that albumin [HR (95% CI): 0.41 (0.18–0.94, p = 0.034)] and copeptin [HR (95% CI): 1.94 (1.03–3.67, p = 0.042)] were independent risk factors for early combined mortality or ICU admission (7 days). The Kaplan–Meier analysis observed that high copeptin (>27.12 ng/mL) and low albumin levels (<2.85 g/dL) had a lower (p < 0.001) survival probability. The diagnostic accuracy of albumin was better than copeptin. The inclusion of albumin and copeptin into ATS/IDSA minor criteria significantly improved their predictive power. Conclusions: Both biomarkers serum albumin and copeptin can predict early deterioration and clinical instability in hospitalized CAP patients and increase the prognostic power of the traditional clinical scoring systems.
The Impact of El-Niño and La-Niña on the Pre-Monsoon Convective Systems over Eastern India
Authors: Sahu Rajesh Kumar , Choudhury Goutam , Vissa Naresh Krishna , Tyagi Bhishma , Nayak Sridhara
Published: August 2022

El-Niño and La-Niña are believed to change the intensity and frequencies of extreme weather events globally. The present study aims to analyse the impact of El-Niño and La-Niña on the lightning activities of cloud systems and their associated precipitation and thermodynamic indices over the Eastern India regions (Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal) during the pre-monsoon season (March–May). Eastern India receives catastrophic thunderstorm events during the pre-monsoon season. The results suggest that the number of lightning flashes was higher in the El-Niño years than in the La-Niña periods, which helps convective activities to be developed over the study region. The precipitation variations showed similar patterns during El-Niño and La-Niña periods, but the magnitudes were higher in the latter. Results from the analysis of thermodynamic indices show that, during the La-Niña phase, the convective available potential energy (CAPE), convective inhibition (CIN), severe weather threat index (SWEAT), humidity index (HI), and total totals index (TTI) values increased, while the cross total index (CTI) and K index (KI) decreased. In contrast, the vertical total index (VTI) and Boyden index (BI) values showed less significant changes in both El-Niño and La-Niña periods. The anomalies of flash rate densities over most parts of our domain were positive during the El-Niño years and negative during the La-Niña years. Precipitation anomalies had a higher positive magnitude during the La-Niña phase, but had spatial variability similar to the El-Niño phase. The anomalies of most of the thermodynamic indices also showed noticeable differences between El-Niño and La-Niña periods, except for the HI index. El-Niño periods showed higher lightning and increased values of associated thermodynamic indices over eastern India, indicating more pronounced convective systems.
Long-Term Variability of Aerosol Concentrations and Optical Properties over the Indo-Gangetic Plain in South Asia
Authors: Shahid Imran , Shahid Muhammad Zeeshaan , Chen Zhi , Asif Zunaira
Published: August 2022

Emissions of atmospheric pollutants are rapidly increasing over South Asia. A greater understanding of seasonal variability in aerosol concentrations over South Asia is a scientific challenge and has consequences due to a lack of monitoring and modelling of air pollutants. Therefore, this study investigates aerosol patterns and trends over some major cities in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the South Asia, i.e., Islamabad, Lahore, Delhi, and Dhaka, by using simulations from the Modern -Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2) model and satellite measurements (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, (MODIS)) from 2000 to 2020. The results show that seasonal MODIS–aerosol optical depth (AOD) during 2000−2020 in Lahore is 0.5, 0.52, 0.92, and 0.71, while in Islamabad 0.25, 0.32, 0.45, and 0.38, in Delhi 0.68, 0.6, 1.0, and 0.77, and in Dhaka 0.79, 0.75, 0.78 and 0.55 values are observed during different seasons, i.e., winter, spring, summer, and autumn, respectively. The analysis reveals a significant increase in aerosol concentrations by 25%, 24%, 19%, and 14%, and maximum AOD increased by 15%, 14%, 19%, and 22% during the winter of the last decade (2011–2020) over Islamabad, Lahore, Delhi, and Dhaka, respectively. In contrast, AOD values decreased during spring by −5%, −12%, and −5 over Islamabad, Lahore, and Delhi, respectively. In Dhaka, AOD shows an increasing trend for all seasons. Thus, this study provides the aerosol spatial and temporal variations over the South Asian region and would help policymakers to strategize suitable mitigation measurements.
Generating Sustained Coherence in a Quantum Memory for Retrieval at Times of Quantum Revival
Authors: Kaur Tavshabad , Kaur Maninder , Arvind  , Arora Bindiya
Published: August 2022

We study the time degradation of quantum information stored in a quantum memory device under a dissipative environment in a parameter range which is experimentally relevant. The quantum memory under consideration is comprised of an optomechanical system with additional Kerr nonlinearity in the optical mode and an anharmonic mechanical oscillator with quadratic nonlinearity. Time degradation is monitored, both in terms of loss of coherence, which is analyzed with the help of Wigner functions, as well as in terms of loss of amplitude of the original state, studied as a function of time. While our time trajectories explore the degree to which the stored information degrades depending upon the variation in values of various parameters involved, we suggest a set of parameters for which the original information can be retrieved without degradation. We identify a very interesting situation where the role played by the nonlinearity is insignificant, and the system behaves as if the information is stored in a linear medium. For this case, the information retrieval is independent of the coherence revival time and can be retrieved at any instant during the time evolution.
A Novel Evaluation Criterion for the Rapid Estimation of the Overcharge and Deep Discharge of Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Differential Capacity
Authors: Kurzweil Peter , Frenzel Bernhard , Scheuerpflug Wolfgang
Published: August 2022

Differential capacity dQ/dU (capacitance) can be used for the instant diagnosis of battery performance in common constant current applications. A novel criterion allows state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) monitoring of lithium-ion batteries during cycling. Peak values indicate impeding overcharge or deep discharge, while dSOC/dU = dU/dSOC = 1 is close to “full charge” or “empty” and can be used as a marker for SOC = 1 (and SOC = 0) at the instantaneous SOH of the aging battery. Instructions for simple state-of-charge control and fault diagnosis are given.
Plant Polysaccharides in Engineered Pharmaceutical Gels
Authors: Bahú Juliana O. , de Andrade Lucas R. Melo , de Melo Barbosa Raquel , Crivellin Sara , da Silva Aline Pioli , Souza Samuel D. A. , Cárdenas Concha Viktor O. , Severino Patrícia , Souto Eliana B.
Published: August 2022

Hydrogels are a great ally in the pharmaceutical and biomedical areas. They have a three-dimensional polymeric structure that allows the swelling of aqueous fluids, acting as an absorbent, or encapsulating bioactive agents for controlled drug release. Interestingly, plants are a source of biogels, specifically polysaccharides, composed of sugar monomers. The crosslinking of these polymeric chains forms an architecture similar to the extracellular matrix, enhancing the biocompatibility of such materials. Moreover, the rich hydroxyl monomers promote a hydrophilic behavior for these plant-derived polysaccharide gels, enabling their biodegradability and antimicrobial effects. From an economic point of view, such biogels help the circular economy, as a green material can be obtained with a low cost of production. As regards the bio aspect, it is astonishingly attractive since the raw materials (polysaccharides from plants-cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, inulin, pectin, starch, guar, and cashew gums, etc.) might be produced sustainably. Such properties make viable the applications of these biogels in contact with the human body, especially incorporating drugs for controlled release. In this context, this review describes some sources of plant-derived polysaccharide gels, their biological function, main methods for extraction, remarkable applications, and properties in the health field.
Laser Bioprinting of Cells Using UV and Visible Wavelengths: A Comparative DNA Damage Study
Authors: Karakaidos Panagiotis , Kryou Christina , Simigdala Nikiana , Klinakis Apostolos , Zergioti Ioanna
Published: August 2022

Laser-based techniques for printing cells onto different substrates with high precision and resolution present unique opportunities for contributing to a wide range of biomedical applications, including tissue engineering. In this study, laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) printing was employed to rapidly and accurately deposit patterns of cancer cells in a non-contact manner, using two different wavelengths, 532 and 355 nm. To evaluate the effect of LIFT on the printed cells, their growth and DNA damage profiles were assessed and evaluated quantitatively over several days. The damaging effect of LIFT-printing was thoroughly investigated, for the first time at a single cell level, by counting individual double strand breaks (DSB). Overall, we found that LIFT was able to safely print patterns of breast cancer cells with high viability with little or no heat or shear damage to the cells, as indicated by unperturbed growth and negligible gross DNA damage.
Peptide-Functionalized Nanoemulsions as a Promising Tool for Isolation and Ex Vivo Culture of Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Carmona-Ule Nuria , Gal Noga , Abuín Redondo Carmen , De La Fuente Freire María , López López Rafael , Dávila-Ibáñez Ana Belén
Published: August 2022

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are shed from primary tumors and travel through the blood, generating metastases. CTCs represents a useful tool to understand the biology of metastasis in cancer disease. However, there is a lack of standardized protocols to isolate and culture them. In our previous work, we presented oil-in-water nanoemulsions (NEs) composed of lipids and fatty acids, which showed a benefit in supporting CTC cultures from metastatic breast cancer patients. Here, we present Peptide-Functionalized Nanoemulsions (Pept-NEs), with the aim of using them as a tool for CTC isolation and culture in situ. Therefore, NEs from our previous work were surface-decorated with the peptides Pep10 and GE11, which act as ligands towards the specific cell membrane proteins EpCAM and EGFR, respectively. We selected the best surface to deposit a layer of these Pept-NEs through a Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring (QCM-D) method. Next, we validated the specific recognition of Pept-NEs for their protein targets EpCAM and EGFR by QCM-D and fluorescence microscopy. Finally, a layer of Pept-NEs was deposited in a culture well-plate, and cells were cultured on for 9 days in order to confirm the feasibility of the Pept-NEs as a cell growth support. This work presents peptide-functionalized nanoemulsions as a basis for the development of devices for the isolation and culture of CTCs in situ due to their ability to specifically interact with membrane proteins expressed in CTCs, and because cells are capable of growing on top of them.
A Novel Method for Identifying the Transition Zone in Long-Segment Hirschsprung Disease: Investigating the Muscle Unit to Ganglion Ratio
Authors: Yang Wendy , Pham Jenny , King Sebastian K. , Newgreen Donald F. , Young Heather M. , Stamp Lincon A. , Hao Marlene M.
Published: August 2022

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterised by the absence of enteric ganglia along variable lengths of the distal bowel. Current gold standard treatment involves the surgical resection of the defective, aganglionic bowel. Clear and reliable distinction of the normoganglionated bowel from the transition zone is key for successful resection of the entire defective bowel, and the avoidance of subsequent postoperative complications. However, the intraoperative nature of the tissue analysis and the variability of patient samples, sample preparation, and operator objectivity, make reproducible identification of the transition zone difficult. Here, we have described a novel method for using muscle units as a distinctive landmark for quantifying the density of enteric ganglia in resection specimens from HSCR patients. We show that the muscle unit to ganglion ratio is greater in the transition zone when compared with the proximal, normoganglionated region for long-segment HSCR patients. Patients with short-segment HSCR were also investigated, however, the muscle unit to ganglion ratio was not significantly different in these patients. Immunohistochemical examination of individual ganglia showed that there were no differences in the proportions of either enteric neurons or glial cells through the different regions of the resected colon. In addition, we identified that the size of enteric ganglia was smaller for patients that went on to develop HSCR associated enterocolitis; although the density of ganglia, as determined by the muscle unit to ganglia ratio, was not different when compared with patients that had no further complications. This suggests that subtle changes in the enteric nervous system, even in the “normoganglionated” colon, could be involved in changes in immune function and subsequent bacterial dysbiosis.
The Effect of the FIFA 11+ on Injury Prevention and Performance in Football: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Vlachas Theodosis , Paraskevopoulos Eleftherios
Published: August 2022

Football is characterized as a contact sport that increases the risk of injury. For the reduction of injuries, health care providers created a warm-up program that is called the FIFA11+. This is a 20 min warm-up program that has the goal of preventing injuries. This literature review investigated the effects of FIFA11+ on injury prevention and performance in football players. A systematic search was performed in three scientific databases (Pubmed, Scopus, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)) and one search engine (Google Scholar) from inception to June 2022. Relevant studies published in the English language were extracted, evaluated, and independently rated for methodological quality (PEDro scale). Overall, 10 randomized controlled trials were analyzed and their outcomes are discussed. Through the analysis of the studies, it was observed that the groups which performed the FIFA 11+ warm-up program had fewer incidents of injuries. In addition, the athletes of these groups increased their performance, especially in balance, proprioception, and strength of hamstrings. After the analysis, the results and limitations of the randomized controlled trials are discussed. Finally, this review suggests the inclusion of the FIFA 11+ in training sessions, and future recommendations are provided for the next trials for the maximization of their reliability.
Falling Short: The Contribution of Central Insulin Receptors to Gait Dysregulation in Brain Aging
Authors: Case Sami L. , Frazier Hilaree N. , Anderson Katie L. , Lin Ruei-Lung , Thibault Olivier
Published: August 2022

Insulin resistance, which manifests as a reduction of insulin receptor signaling, is known to correlate with pathological changes in peripheral tissues as well as in the brain. Central insulin resistance has been associated with impaired cognitive performance, decreased neuronal health, and reduced brain metabolism; however, the mechanisms underlying central insulin resistance and its impact on brain regions outside of those associated with cognition remain unclear. Falls are a leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries in the older population. Despite this, there is a paucity of work focused on age-dependent alterations in brain regions associated with ambulatory control or potential therapeutic approaches to target these processes. Here, we discuss age-dependent alterations in central modalities that may contribute to gait dysregulation, summarize current data supporting the role of insulin signaling in the brain, and highlight key findings that suggest insulin receptor sensitivity may be preserved in the aged brain. Finally, we present novel results showing that administration of insulin to the somatosensory cortex of aged animals can alter neuronal communication, cerebral blood flow, and the motivation to ambulate, emphasizing the need for further investigations of intranasal insulin as a clinical management strategy in the older population.
New Insights in Radiotherapy
Authors: Martínez-Campa Carlos
Published: August 2022

This Special Issue of Biomedicines, entitled “New insights in Radiotherapy”, compiles insightful reviews on the state of the art on different aspects of radiation therapy, and also collects high-quality research articles highlighting the latest advances in the use of ionizing radiation to treat a variety of specific diseases, including cancer, either with curative of palliative purposes [...]
FAK Executes Anti-Senescence via Regulating EZH2 Signaling in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Chuang Hsiang-Hao , Huang Ming-Shyan , Zhen Yen-Yi , Chuang Cheng-Hao , Lee Ying-Ray , Hsiao Michael , Yang Chih-Jen
Published: August 2022

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase overexpressed in various cancer types that plays a critical role in tumor progression. Accumulating evidence suggests that targeting FAK, either alone or in combination with other agents, may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy for numerous cancers. In addition to retarding proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis, FAK inhibition triggers cellular senescence in lung cancer cells. However, the detailed mechanism remains enigmatic. In the present study, we found that FAK inhibition not only elicits DNA-damage signaling but also downregulates enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) expression. The manipulation of FAK expression influences EZH2 expression and corresponding signaling in vitro. Immunohistochemistry shows that active FAK signaling corresponds with the activation of the EZH2-mediated signaling cascade in lung-cancer-cells-derived tumor tissues. We also found that ectopic EZH2 expression attenuates FAK-inhibition-induced cellular senescence in lung cancer cells. Our results identify EZH2 as a critical downstream effector of the FAK-mediated anti-senescence pathway. Targeting FAK-EZH2 axis-induced cellular senescence may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for restraining tumor growth.
Efficacy and Safety of Different Bioactive Coils in Intracranial Aneurysm Interventional Treatment, a Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jie , Jiang Guannan , Song Zhaoming , Cheng Wei , Wu Wenxue , Chen Zhouqing , Wang Zhong , You Wanchun , Chen Gang
Published: August 2022

Background: Bioactive coils have been used for nearly 20 years to improve aneurysm treatments. Previous studies are inadequate for comparing the efficacy and safety between different coils. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of different coils by comparing the percentage of people with different modified Raymond scale grades, re-rupture rates, and mortality in patients with intracranial aneurysms embolized with different coils. Method: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) containing coils for aneurysm interventional treatment were collected from Web of Science, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library up to December 2021. Bayesian network meta-analysis with a randomized or fixed model was performed to compare the efficacy and safety among different bioactive coils and bare platinum coils. Results: We pooled 3362 patients from eight RCTs. No significant differences were found between coils in the proportion of patients with a three-grade classification assessed with the modified Raymond scale immediately after surgery. Hydrogel coils did not show a significant difference in the percentage of patients with a modified Raymond scale grade I postoperatively compared with bare platinum coils (OR, −0.1080; 95% CI, −0.4201–0.2423), but at follow-up, the percentage of patients with modified Raymond scale grade I was significantly higher with hydrogel coils than with bare platinum coils (OR, 0.4957; 95% CI, 0.0060–0.9442). There were no statistical differences between these four coils in terms of aneurysm rupture or re-rupture rate and mortality. Conclusion: Though there was no significant difference in the embolization effect between the several coils in the postoperative period, complete embolization was more likely to be achieved with hydrogel coils compared to bare platinum coils at follow-up. There were no significant differences in safety between the several coil materials.
High Expression of CUL9 Is Prognostic and Predictive for Adjuvant Chemotherapy in High-Risk Stage II and Stage III Colon Cancer
Authors: Zheng Peng , Lv Yang , Mao Yihao , Shen Feifan , Zhang Zhiyuan , Chang Jiang , Yu Shanchao , Ji Meiling , Feng Qingyang , Xu Jianmin
Published: August 2022

We evaluated the clinical implications of CUL9 expression on the prognosis and the predictive value for adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer. A total of 1078 consecutive patients treated with radical resection from 2008 to 2012 were included. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens were used as immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CUL9. For all patients, high expression of CUL9 was identified as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (HR = 1.613, 95% CI 1.305–1.993, p < 0.001) and disease-free survival (HR = 1.570, 95% CI 1.159–2.128, p = 0.004). The prognostic value of high CUL9 expression was confirmed in an independent validation cohort from the GEO database. The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy was analyzed among patients with high-risk stage II and stage III disease. Those with high CUL9 expression from the full dose group had better disease-free survival (HR = 0.477, 95% CI 0.276–0.825, p = 0.006) than those from the reduced dose group. The interaction test between CUL9 expression and the treatment reached significance and was not confounded by T stage, N stage and histopathological grade. In general, high expression of CUL9 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with colon cancer. In those with high-risk stage II and stage III disease, high expression of CUL9 was associated with the benefit from standard 6-months adjuvant chemotherapy regimens.
Management of Patients with Treatment of Pheochromocytoma: A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Bihain Florence , Nomine-Criqui Claire , Guerci Philippe , Gasman Stephane , Klein Marc , Brunaud Laurent
Published: August 2022

The management of pheochromocytomas has significantly evolved these last 50 years, especially with the emergence of new technologies such as laparoscopic procedures in the 1990s. A preoperative blockade using antihypertensive medications to prevent intraoperative hemodynamic instability and cardiocirculatory events is recommended by current clinical guidelines. However, these guidelines are still based on former experiences and are subject to discussion in the scientific community. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the evolution of the management of pheochromocytomas. Laparoscopic procedure is established as the standard of care in current practices. Preoperative medical preparation should be questioned because it does not significantly improve intraoperative events or the risk of postoperative complications in current clinical practice. Current clinical recommendations should be revised and upgraded to current clinical practices.
N-Terminal Tails of Histones H2A and H2B Differentially Affect Transcription by RNA Polymerase II In Vitro
Authors: Chang Han-Wen , Feofanov Alexey V. , Lyubitelev Alexander V. , Armeev Grigory A. , Kotova Elena Y. , Hsieh Fu-Kai , Kirpichnikov Mikhail P. , Shaytan Alexey K. , Studitsky Vasily M.
Published: August 2022

Histone N-terminal tails and their post-translational modifications affect various biological processes, often in a context-specific manner; the underlying mechanisms are poorly studied. Here, the role of individual N-terminal tails of histones H2A/H2B during transcription through chromatin was analyzed in vitro. spFRET data suggest that the tail of histone H2B (but not of histone H2A) affects nucleosome stability. Accordingly, deletion of the H2B tail (amino acids 1–31, but not 1–26) causes a partial relief of the nucleosomal barrier to transcribing RNA polymerase II (Pol II), likely facilitating uncoiling of DNA from the histone octamer during transcription. Taken together, the data suggest that residues 27–31 of histone H2B stabilize DNA–histone interactions at the DNA region localized ~25 bp in the nucleosome and thus interfere with Pol II progression through the region localized 11–15 bp in the nucleosome. This function of histone H2B requires the presence of the histone H2A N-tail that mediates formation of nucleosome–nucleosome dimers; however, nucleosome dimerization per se plays only a minimal role during transcription. Histone chaperone FACT facilitates transcription through all analyzed nucleosome variants, suggesting that H2A/H2B tails minimally interact with FACT during transcription; therefore, an alternative FACT-interacting domain(s) is likely involved in this process.
Hsp90: From Cellular to Organismal Proteostasis
Authors: Somogyvári Milán , Khatatneh Saba , Sőti Csaba
Published: August 2022

Assuring a healthy proteome is indispensable for survival and organismal health. Proteome disbalance and the loss of the proteostasis buffer are hallmarks of various diseases. The essential molecular chaperone Hsp90 is a regulator of the heat shock response via HSF1 and a stabilizer of a plethora of signaling proteins. In this review, we summarize the role of Hsp90 in the cellular and organismal regulation of proteome maintenance.
Ecological Bodies and Relational Anatomies: Toward a Transversal Foundation for Planetary Health Education
Authors: Richter Robert , Maric Filip
Published: August 2022

As planetary health education enters medical and health professional training, transversal implementation across curricula is critical in developing its full potential and enabling future health professionals to meet the social, environmental, and health challenges of current and future generations in an integrated manner. To advance the transversal implementation of planetary health education, our study proceeded through: (1) a sequence analysis of documents framing physiotherapy education to identify relevant nexus points; (2) an explorative implementation of planetary health into foundational anatomy and physiology modules identified as critical nexus points; (3) practical implementation during the 2021 autumn semester. Implementation in the operative foundations of healthcare education—anatomy and physiology—enables the emphasis of the ecological nature of human bodies and interconnection with our planetary environment. Musculoskeletal joints accentuate the relational nature of bodies highlighted across current research and traditional knowledges, as dynamically pervaded and in interaction with culture, technology, objects, ideas, plants, planets, etc. Teaching relational anatomies thus highlights planetary health as the transversal foundation of medical and healthcare education. Making this foundation more explicit will be critical for the transversal implementation of planetary health education and subsequent practice, as well as the fundamental shifts in our understanding of human lives and health they require.
Insights into Microbiome and Metabolic Signatures of Children Undergoing Peanut Oral Immunotherapy
Authors: Blackman Andrea C. , Thapa Santosh , Venkatachalam Alamelu , Horvath Thomas D. , Runge Jessica K. , Haidacher Sigmund J. , Hoch Kathleen M. , Haag Anthony M. , Luna Ruth Ann , Anagnostou Aikaterini
Published: August 2022

Background: Peanut oral immunotherapy has emerged as a novel, active management approach for peanut-allergic sufferers, but limited data exist currently on the role of the microbiome in successful desensitization. Objective: We examined the oral and gut microbiome in a cohort of 17 children undergoing peanut oral immunotherapy with the aim to identify the microbiome signatures associated with successful desensitization. We also set out to characterize their fecal metabolic profiles after successful therapy. Methods: Participants gradually built up their daily dose from 2 mg (starting dose) to 300 mg (maintenance dose) within approximately 40 weeks. We collected a buccal and stool specimen from each subject at two different time points: at baseline and post-therapy (1 month after reaching maintenance). The oral (buccal) and gut (fecal) microbiome was characterized based on sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons with Illumina MiSeq. Fecal short chain fatty acid levels were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: We report increased alpha diversity of the oral microbiome post-therapy and have also identified a significant increase in the relative abundance of oral Actinobacteria, associated with the desensitized state. However, the baseline gut microbiome did not differ from the post-therapy. Additionally, fecal short chain fatty acids increased after therapy, but not significantly. Conclusion: Our research adds to the limited current knowledge on microbiome and metabolic signatures in pediatric patients completing oral immunotherapy. Post-therapy increased trends of fecal fatty acid levels support a role in modulating the allergic response and potentially exerting protective and anti-inflammatory effects alongside successful desensitization. A better understanding of the microbiome-related mechanisms underlying desensitization may allow development of smarter therapeutic approaches in the near future. Clinical implication: The oral microbiome composition is altered following successful peanut oral immunotherapy, with a significant increase in alpha diversity and the relative abundance of phylum Actinobacteria. Capsule summary: Significant microbiome changes in children completing peanut immunotherapy include increase in alpha-diversity and overrepresentation of Actinobacteria in the oral microbiome, and increased trends for fecal short chain fatty acids, suggesting a protective effect against the allergic response.