bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total Keratin-18 (M65) as a Potential, Early, Non-Invasive Biomarker of Hepatocyte Injury in Alcohol Intoxicated Adolescents—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Zdanowicz Katarzyna , Olanski Witold , Kowalczuk-Kryston Monika , Bobrus-Chociej Anna , Werpachowska Irena , Lebensztejn Dariusz Marek
Published: June 2021

Background: Underage drinking is associated with health risk behaviors. Serum keratin-18 (CK18) levels are increased in liver diseases and may be biomarkers of outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine if the total CK18 (M65) or caspase-cleaved CK18 (M30) levels were different in adolescents admitted to hospital because of alcohol intoxication and controls with excluded liver diseases. Methods: A prospective study included 57 adolescents after alcohol use and 23 control subjects. The concentrations of M30 and M65 in the serum samples were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The median age was 15 (14–17) years and 49% were male. There were significant differences in M65 levels between the study and control groups (p = 0.03). The concentrations of M30 and M65 were insignificant in adolescents divided into subgroups according to blood alcohol concentrations (BAC). Significant positive correlations were found between BAC and M65 levels (p = 0.038; r = 0.3). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis M65 (cut-off = 125.966 IU/l, Se = 70.2%, Sp = 43.5%) allowed to differentiate between patients with and without alcohol intoxication (AUC = 0.66, p = 0.03). Conclusion: M65 appears to be a promising non-invasive biomarker of hepatocyte injury during alcohol intoxication in adolescents. Moreover, a higher concentration of M65 may indicate early organ injury before the increase in the activity of liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).
Survival Outcomes in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Compared to Oestrogen Receptor-Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Authors: Timbres Jasmine , Moss Charlotte , Mera Anca , Haire Anna , Gillett Cheryl , Van Hemelrijck Mieke , Sawyer Elinor
Published: June 2021

Invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC) accounts for 10–15% of breast cancers and has distinct characteristics compared with the more common invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Studies have shown that ILC may be less sensitive to chemotherapy than IDC, with lower rates of complete pathological response after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, but it is not clear how this affects long-term survival. Patients at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust between 1975 and 2016 diagnosed with ER+ IDC or ER+ ILC were eligible for inclusion. Kaplan–Meier plots and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used for analysis. There was no difference in overall survival comparing ER+ ILC to ER+ IDC (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.83, 1.04) with a median follow-up time of 8.3 years compared to 8.4 years in IDC. However, ER+HER2− ILC had worse survival compared to ER+HER2− IDC in those that received chemotherapy (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.01). Here, median follow-up time was 7.0 years in ILC compared to 8.1 years in IDC. These results indicate worse overall survival after chemotherapy (neo-adjuvant and adjuvant) in ILC compared to ER+HER2− IDC even when correcting for tumour grade, age, size, and nodal involvement, but validation is needed in a larger study population.
Transformation of Resinous Components of the Ashalcha Field Oil during Catalytic Aquathermolysis in the Presence of a Cobalt-Containing Catalyst Precursor
Authors: Mukhamatdinov Irek I. , Salih Indad Sh.S. , Rakhmatullin Ilfat Z. , Sviridenko Nikita N. , Pevneva Galina S. , Sharma Rakesh K. , Vakhin Alexey V.
Published: June 2021

The aim of this work was to study the fractional composition of super-viscous oil resins from the Ashalcha field, as well as the catalytic aquathermolysis product in the presence of a cobalt-containing catalyst precursor and a hydrogen donor. The study was conducted at various durations of thermal steam exposure. In this regard, the work enabled the identification of the distribution of resin fractions. These fractions, obtained by liquid adsorption chromatography, were extracted with individual solvents and their binary mixtures in various ratios. The results of MALDI spectroscopy revealed a decrease in the molecular mass of all resin fractions after catalytic treatment, mainly with a hydrogen donor. However, the elemental analysis data indicated a decrease in the H/C ratio for resin fractions as a result of removing alkyl substituents in resins and asphaltenes. Moreover, the data of 1H NMR spectroscopy of resin fractions indicated an increase in the aliphatic hydrogen index during catalytic aquathermolysis at the high molecular parts of the resins R3 and R4. Finally, a structural group analysis was carried out in this study, and hypothetical structures of the initial oil resin molecules and aquathermolysis products were constructed as well.
Theoretical Investigation of the Deactivation of Ni Supported Catalysts for the Catalytic Deoxygenation of Palm Oil for Green Diesel Production
Authors: Hafeez Sanaa , Al-Salem Sultan M , Papageridis Kyriakos N , Charisiou Nikolaos D , Goula Maria A , Manos George , Constantinou Achilleas
Published: June 2021

For the first time, a fully comprehensive heterogeneous computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model has been developed to predict the selective catalytic deoxygenation of palm oil to produce green diesel over an Ni/ZrO2 catalyst. The modelling results were compared to experimental data, and a very good validation was obtained. It was found that for the Ni/ZrO2 catalyst, the paraffin conversion increased with temperature, reaching a maximum value (>95%) at 300 °C. However, temperatures greater than 300 °C resulted in a loss of conversion due to the fact of catalyst deactivation. In addition, at longer times, the model predicted that the catalyst activity would decline faster at temperatures higher than 250 °C. The CFD model was able to predict this deactivation by relating the catalytic activity with the reaction temperature.
Introduction of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts into Early Embryos: From Confusion to Constructive Discussion. Comment on Savatier, P. Introduction of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts into Early Embryos Causes Reprogramming and (Con)fusion. Cells 2021, 10, 772
Authors: Żyżyńska-Galeńska Krystyna , Karasiewicz Jolanta , Bernat Agnieszka
Published: June 2021

We would like to address the issues raised by Pierre Savatier in “Introduction of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts into Early Embryos Causes Reprogramming and (Con)Fusion” [...]
Prenatal Hyperhomocysteinemia Induces Glial Activation and Alters Neuroinflammatory Marker Expression in Infant Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Shcherbitskaia Anastasiia D. , Vasilev Dmitrii S. , Milyutina Yulia P. , Tumanova Natalia L. , Mikhel Anastasiia V. , Zalozniaia Irina V. , Arutjunyan Alexander V.
Published: June 2021

Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia is one of the common complications of pregnancy that causes offspring cognitive deficits during postnatal development. In this study, we investigated the effect of prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia (PHHC) on inflammatory, glial activation, and neuronal cell death markers in the hippocampus of infant rats. Female Wistar rats received L-methionine (0.6 g/kg b.w.) by oral administration during pregnancy. On postnatal days 5 and 20, the offspring’s hippocampus was removed to perform histological and biochemical studies. After PHHC, the offspring exhibited increased brain interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 levels and glial activation, as well as reduced anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 level in the hippocampus. Additionally, the activity of acetylcholinesterase was increased in the hippocampus of the pups. Exposure to PHHC also resulted in the reduced number of neurons and disrupted neuronal ultrastructure. At the same time, no changes in the content and activity of caspase-3 were found in the hippocampus of the pups. In conclusion, our findings support the hypothesis that neuroinflammation and glial activation could be involved in altering the hippocampus cellular composition following PHHC, and these alterations could be associated with cognitive disorders later in life.
Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) in Blood—A Biomarker Predicting Unfavourable Outcome in the Acute Phase and Improvement in the Late Phase after Stroke
Authors: Pekny Milos , Wilhelmsson Ulrika , Stokowska Anna , Tatlisumak Turgut , Jood Katarina , Pekna Marcela
Published: June 2021

Increased sensitivity of methods assessing the levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), a neuron-specific intermediate filament protein, in human plasma or serum, has in recent years led to a number of studies addressing the utility of monitoring NfL in the blood of stroke patients. In this review, we discuss that elevated blood NfL levels after stroke may reflect several different neurobiological processes. In the acute and post-acute phase after stroke, high blood levels of NfL are associated with poor clinical outcome, and later on, the blood levels of NfL positively correlate with secondary neurodegeneration as assessed by MRI. Interestingly, increased blood levels of NfL in individuals who survived stroke for more than 10 months were shown to predict functional improvement in the late phase after stroke. Whereas in the acute phase after stroke the injured axons are assumed to be the main source of blood NfL, synaptic turnover and secondary neurodegeneration could be major contributors to blood NfL levels in the late phase after stroke. Elevated blood NfL levels after stroke should therefore be interpreted with caution. More studies addressing the clinical utility of blood NfL assessment in stroke patients are needed before the inclusion of NfL in the clinical workout as a useful biomarker in both the acute and the chronic phase after stroke.
A Robust Protocol for Decellularized Human Lung Bioink Generation Amenable to 2D and 3D Lung Cell Culture
Authors: Dabaghi Mohammadhossein , Saraei Neda , Carpio Mabel Barreiro , Nanduri Vibudha , Ungureanu Julia , Babi Mouhanad , Chandiramohan Abiram , Noble Alexander , Revill Spencer D. , Zhang Boyang , Ask Kjetil , Kolb Martin , Shargall Yaron , Moran-Mirabal Jose , Hirota Jeremy Alexander
Published: June 2021

Decellularization efforts must balance the preservation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components while eliminating the nucleic acid and cellular components. Following effective removal of nucleic acid and cell components, decellularized ECM (dECM) can be solubilized in an acidic environment with the assistance of various enzymes to develop biological scaffolds in different forms, such as sheets, tubular constructs, or three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels. Each organ or tissue that undergoes decellularization requires a distinct and optimized protocol to ensure that nucleic acids are removed, and the ECM components are preserved. The objective of this study was to optimize the decellularization process for dECM isolation from human lung tissues for downstream 2D and 3D cell culture systems. Following protocol optimization and dECM isolation, we performed experiments with a wide range of dECM concentrations to form human lung dECM hydrogels that were physically stable and biologically responsive. The dECM based-hydrogels supported the growth and proliferation of primary human lung fibroblast cells in 3D cultures. The dECM is also amenable to the coating of polyester membranes in Transwell™ Inserts to improve the cell adhesion, proliferation, and barrier function of primary human bronchial epithelial cells in 2D. In conclusion, we present a robust protocol for human lung decellularization, generation of dECM substrate material, and creation of hydrogels that support primary lung cell viability in 2D and 3D culture systems
Molecular and Dynamic Evaluation of Proteins Related to Resistance to Neoadjuvant Treatment with Chemoradiotherapy in Circulating Tumor Cells of Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Silva Virgílio Souza e , Abdallah Emne Ali , Flores Bianca de Cássia Troncarelli , Braun Alexcia Camila , Costa Daniela de Jesus Ferreira , Ruano Anna Paula Carreta , Gasparini Vanessa Alves , Silva Maria Letícia Gobo , Mendes Gustavo Gomes , Claro Laura Carolina Lopez , Calsavara Vinicius Fernando , Aguiar Junior Samuel , de Mello Celso Abdon Lopes , Chinen Ludmilla Thomé Domingos
Published: June 2021

The heterogeneity of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) is still a challenge in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The evaluation of thymidylate synthase (TYMS) and RAD23 homolog B (RAD23B) expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) provides complementary clinical information. CTCs were prospectively evaluated in 166 blood samples (63 patients) with LARC undergoing NCRT. The primary objective was to verify if the absence of RAD23B/TYMS in CTCs would correlate with pathological complete response (pCR). Secondary objectives were to correlate CTC kinetics before (C1)/after NCRT (C2), in addition to the expression of transforming growth factor-β receptor I (TGF-βRI) with survival rates. CTCs were isolated by ISET and evaluated by immunocytochemistry (protein expression). At C1, RAD23B was detected in 54.1% of patients with no pCR and its absence in 91.7% of patients with pCR (p = 0.014); TYMS− was observed in 90% of patients with pCR and TYMS+ in 51.7% without pCR (p = 0.057). Patients with CTC2 > CTC1 had worse disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.00025) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.0036) compared with those with CTC2 ≤ CTC1. TGF-βRI expression in any time correlated with worse DFS (p = 0.059). To conclude, RAD23B/TYMS and CTC kinetics may facilitate the personalized treatment of LARC.
DEAD-Box RNA Helicases in Cell Cycle Control and Clinical Therapy
Authors: Zhang Lu , Li Xiaogang
Published: June 2021

Cell cycle is regulated through numerous signaling pathways that determine whether cells will proliferate, remain quiescent, arrest, or undergo apoptosis. Abnormal cell cycle regulation has been linked to many diseases. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the diverse molecular mechanisms of how the cell cycle is controlled. RNA helicases constitute a large family of proteins with functions in all aspects of RNA metabolism, including unwinding or annealing of RNA molecules to regulate pre-mRNA, rRNA and miRNA processing, clamping protein complexes on RNA, or remodeling ribonucleoprotein complexes, to regulate gene expression. RNA helicases also regulate the activity of specific proteins through direct interaction. Abnormal expression of RNA helicases has been associated with different diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, aging, and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) via regulation of a diverse range of cellular processes such as cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Recent studies showed that RNA helicases participate in the regulation of the cell cycle progression at each cell cycle phase, including G1-S transition, S phase, G2-M transition, mitosis, and cytokinesis. In this review, we discuss the essential roles and mechanisms of RNA helicases in the regulation of the cell cycle at different phases. For that, RNA helicases provide a rich source of targets for the development of therapeutic or prophylactic drugs. We also discuss the different targeting strategies against RNA helicases, the different types of compounds explored, the proposed inhibitory mechanisms of the compounds on specific RNA helicases, and the therapeutic potential of these compounds in the treatment of various disorders.
Stem Cells as a Source of Pancreatic Cells for Production of 3D Bioprinted Bionic Pancreas in the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Wszoła Michał , Nitarska Daria , Cywoniuk Piotr , Gomółka Magdalena , Klak Marta
Published: June 2021

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the third most common autoimmune disease which develops due to genetic and environmental risk factors. Often, intensive insulin therapy is insufficient, and patients require a pancreas or pancreatic islets transplant. However, both solutions are associated with many possible complications, including graft rejection. The best approach seems to be a donor-independent T1D treatment strategy based on human stem cells cultured in vitro and differentiated into insulin and glucagon-producing cells (β and α cells, respectively). Both types of cells can then be incorporated into the bio-ink used for 3D printing of the bionic pancreas, which can be transplanted into T1D patients to restore glucose homeostasis. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge about stem cells sources and their transformation into key pancreatic cells. Last, but not least, we comment on possible solutions of post-transplant immune response triggered stem cell-derived pancreatic cells and their potential control mechanisms.
Roughing Milling with Ceramic Tools in Comparison with Sintered Carbide on Nickel-Based Alloys
Authors: Fernández-Lucio Pablo , Pereira Neto Octavio , Gómez-Escudero Gaizka , Amigo Fuertes Francisco Javier , Fernández Valdivielso Asier , López de Lacalle Marcaide Luis Norberto
Published: June 2021

Productivity in the manufacture of aircrafts components, especially engine components, must increase along with more sustainable conditions. Regarding machining, a solution is proposed to increase the cutting speed, but engines are made with very difficult-to-cut alloys. In this work, a comparison between two cutting tool materials, namely (a) cemented carbide and (b) SiAlON ceramics, for milling rough operations in Inconel® 718 in aged condition was carried out. Furthermore, both the influence of coatings in cemented carbide milling tools and the cutting speed in the ceramic tools were analysed. All tools were tested until the end of their useful life. The cost performance ratio was used to compare the productivity of the tested tools. Despite the results showing higher durability of the coated carbide tool, the ceramic tools presented a better behavior in terms of productivity at higher speed. Therefore, ceramic tools should be used for higher productivity demands, while coated carbide tools for low speed-high volume material removal.
In-Situ Reduction of Mo-Based Composite Particles during Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Guo Suxia , Zhou Weiwei , Zhou Zhenxing , Fan Yuchi , Luo Wei , Nomura Naoyuki
Published: June 2021

Raw powders are processed in water during the freeze-dry pulsated orifice ejection method (FD-POEM), leading to the inclusion of oxygen impurities. This study proposes a strategy for removing the oxygen content and enhancing the mechanical performance of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) builds from powders using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and H2 reduction. Spherical 1.5 wt.% CNT/Mo composite powders with uniform dispersion were fabricated via FD-POEM. The quantity of MoO2 decreased significantly, and a hexagonally structured Mo2C phase was simultaneously formed in the L-PBF build. The Mo2C with network structure was distributed along the boundaries of equiaxed Mo grains, leading to an increased Vickers hardness of the matrix. This study demonstrates the feasibility of fabricating oxygen-free and high-strength refractory parts during L-PBF for ultrahigh-temperature applications.
Biomarkers in Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Theranostics
Authors: Vlachostergios Panagiotis J. , Zachos Ioannis , Tzortzis Vassilios
Published: June 2021

Theranostics of prostate cancer (PC) represents a growing area of development of imaging agents and targeted radionuclide therapeutics against a major target, prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). In view of the encouraging efficacy from the use of 177Lu and other radionuclides in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), it is becoming increasingly important to identify surrogate markers that can help predict which patients are more likely to respond and experience improved survival. This review discusses potential predictors of efficacy of PSMA-targeted radionuclide therapies (TRT) segregated in three major categories: imaging, clinical and molecular.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance to Detect the Underlying Substrate in Patients with Frequent Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: Nikolaidou Chrysovalantou , Kotanidis Christos P. , Wijesurendra Rohan , Leal-Pelado Joana , Kouskouras Konstantinos , Vassilikos Vassilios P. , Karvounis Haralambos , Ntusi Ntobeko , Antoniades Charalambos , Neubauer Stefan , Karamitsos Theodoros D.
Published: June 2021

Background: A routine diagnostic work-up does not identify structural abnormalities in a substantial proportion of patients with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). We investigated the added value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in this group of patients. Methods: A single-centre prospective study was undertaken of 72 patients (mean age 46 ± 16 years; 53% females) with frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs ≥ 500/24 h) and/or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), an otherwise normal electrocardiogram, normal echocardiography and no coronary artery disease. Results: CMR provided an additional diagnostic yield in 54.2% of patients. The most prevalent diagnosis was previous myocarditis (23.6%) followed by possible PVC-related cardiomyopathy (20.8%), non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (8.3%) and ischaemic heart disease (1.4%). The predictors of abnormal CMR findings were male gender, age and PVCs/NSVT non-outflow tract-related or with multiple morphologies. Patients with VAs had an impaired peak left ventricular (LV) global radial strain (GRS) compared with the controls (28.88% (IQR: 25.87% to 33.97%) vs. 36.65% (IQR: 33.19% to 40.2%), p < 0.001) and a global circumferential strain (GCS) (−17.66% (IQR: −19.62% to −16.23%) vs. −20.66% (IQR: −21.72% to −19.6%), p < 0.001). Conclusion: CMR reveals abnormalities in a significant proportion of patients with frequent idiopathic VAs. Male gender, age and non-outflow tract PVC origin can be clinical indicators for CMR referral.
Assessment of Radiation Dose in Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology Procedures for Patient and Staff Safety
Authors: Matsubara Kosuke
Published: June 2021

Medical imaging and interventional radiology procedures that use ionizing radiation play a significant role in patient healthcare [...]
Parental Involvement during Pandemic Times: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Ribeiro Luísa Mota , Cunha Rosário Serrão , Silva Maria Conceição Andrade e , Carvalho Marisa , Vital Maria Luísa
Published: June 2021

Due to COVID-19, many countries implemented emergency plans, such as lockdown and school closures. This new situation has significantly affected families, namely, the involvement required to support children’s learning at home. The current study aimed to analyze Portuguese parents’ perceptions of their home-based parental involvement in their children’s learning during the lockdown and school closures in 2020 due to COVID-19. An online survey, using a closed-ended questionnaire, was employed. Variables included parents’ sociodemographic and COVID-19 related characteristics; students’ sociodemographic characteristics; distance learning context; parental involvement; and students’ autonomy. Data were collected from a sample of 21,333 parents with children from elementary school to secondary education, and statistical data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26. Findings revealed that Portuguese parents supported their children during the pandemic mainly through the monitoring of attention in classes and task realization. However, several variables appear to significantly determine parental involvement time, which is higher when students attend public schools, when they are less autonomous and younger, when parents’ level of education is lower, when the child is a boy (except in secondary education where gender is not relevant), and when the online school time is higher. Findings highlight the need for a significant investment of time from parents, particularly of primary school children, making it difficult to cohere work or telework with school activities. Implications for policies, schools, families are discussed in order to promote children’s learning and success.
A Multi-Party Contract Signing Solution Based on Blockchain
Authors: Ferrer-Gomila Josep-Lluis , Hinarejos M. Francisca
Published: June 2021

Fair digital signature of contracts and agreements is an essential process in any electronic commerce scenario, and therefore also in data marketplaces, where the relationships and agreements among the different parties (consumers and providers) are more dynamic. In multi-party contract signing, N parties wish to sign a contract in a such a way that either all signatories obtain evidence of the signing or none obtains conflicting evidence regarding the honest signatories; the exchange must be fair. In this paper, we propose a blockchain-based multi-party contract signing protocol. This solution does not require the existence or potential intervention of a trusted third party (TTP), thus avoiding the difficulty of N signatories agreeing upon a TTP. In addition, this proposal meets the necessary requirements: fairness, timeliness, non-repudiation of origin, and non-repudiation of receipt. Furthermore, confidentiality can be easily achieved. To minimize costs associated with the use of blockchain, it should be invoked in the case of exception (analogous to optimistic solutions with a TTP) and by only one of the N signatories. However, when the use of blockchain is required, we show that its cost is within perfectly manageable margins.
DeepSGP: Deep Learning for Gene Selection and Survival Group Prediction in Glioblastoma
Authors: Kirtania Ritaban , Banerjee Subhashis , Laha Sayantan , Shankar B. Uma , Chatterjee Raghunath , Mitra Sushmita
Published: June 2021

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive form of glioma, exhibiting very poor survival. Genomic input, in the form of RNA sequencing data (RNA-seq), is expected to provide vital information about the characteristics of the genes that affect the Overall Survival (OS) of patients. This could have a significant impact on treatment planning. We present a new Autoencoder (AE)-based strategy for the prediction of survival (low or high) of GBM patients, using the RNA-seq data of 129 GBM samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). This is a novel interdisciplinary approach to integrating genomics with deep learning towards survival prediction. First, the Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) were selected using EdgeR. These were further reduced using correlation-based analysis. This was followed by the application of ranking with different feature subset selection and feature extraction algorithms, including the AE. In each case, fifty features were selected/extracted, for subsequent prediction with different classifiers. An exhaustive study for survival group prediction, using eight different classifiers with the accuracy and Area Under the Curve (AUC), established the superiority of the AE-based feature extraction method, called DeepSGP. It produced a very high accuracy (0.83) and AUC (0.90). Of the eight classifiers, using the extracted features by DeepSGP, the MLP was the best at Overall Survival (OS) prediction with an accuracy of 0.89 and an AUC of 0.97. The biological significance of the genes extracted by the AE were also analyzed to establish their importance. Finally, the statistical significance of the predicted output of the DeepSGP algorithm was established using the concordance index.
Decentralized Factoring for Self-Sovereign Identities
Authors: Mohammadzadeh  Nasibeh , Dorri Nogoorani  Sadegh , Muñoz-Tapia  José Luis
Published: June 2021

Invoice factoring is a handy tool for developing businesses that face liquidity problems. The main property that a factoring system needs to fulfill is to prevent an invoice from being factored twice. Distributed ledger technology is suitable for implementing the platform to register invoice factoring agreements and prevent double-factoring. Several works have been proposed to use this technology for invoice factoring. However, current proposals lack in one or several aspects, such as decentralization and security against corruption, protecting business and personally identifiable information (PII), providing non-repudiation for handling disputes, Know-Your-Customer (KYC) compliance, easy user on-boarding, and being cost-efficient. In this article, a factoring registration protocol is proposed for invoice factoring registration based on a public distributed ledger which adheres to the aforementioned requirements. We include a relayer in our architecture to address the entry barrier that the users have due to the need of managing cryptocurrencies for interacting with the public ledger. Moreover, we leverage the concept of Verifiable Credentials (VCs) for KYC compliance, and allow parties to implement their self-sovereign identities by using decentralized identifiers (DIDs). DIDs enable us to relay on the DIDComm protocol for asynchronous and secure off-chain communications. We analyze our protocol from several security aspects, compare it to the related work, and study a possible business use case. Our evaluations demonstrate that our proposal is secure and efficient, as well as covers requirements not addressed by existing related work.
Performance Evaluations of Distributed File Systems for Scientific Big Data in FUSE Environment
Authors: Lee Jun-Yeong , Kim Moon-Hyun , Raza Shah Syed Asif , Ahn Sang-Un , Yoon Heejun , Noh Seo-Young
Published: June 2021

Data are important and ever growing in data-intensive scientific environments. Such research data growth requires data storage systems that play pivotal roles in data management and analysis for scientific discoveries. Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID), a well-known storage technology combining multiple disks into a single large logical volume, has been widely used for the purpose of data redundancy and performance improvement. However, this requires RAID-capable hardware or software to build up a RAID-enabled disk array. In addition, it is difficult to scale up the RAID-based storage. In order to mitigate such a problem, many distributed file systems have been developed and are being actively used in various environments, especially in data-intensive computing facilities, where a tremendous amount of data have to be handled. In this study, we investigated and benchmarked various distributed file systems, such as Ceph, GlusterFS, Lustre and EOS for data-intensive environments. In our experiment, we configured the distributed file systems under a Reliable Array of Independent Nodes (RAIN) structure and a Filesystem in Userspace (FUSE) environment. Our results identify the characteristics of each file system that affect the read and write performance depending on the features of data, which have to be considered in data-intensive computing environments.
Effects of Nitrogen Additions on Soil Respiration in an Asian Tropical Montane Rainforest
Authors: Wu Fangtao , Peng Changhui , Liu Weiguo , Liu Zhihao , Wang Hui , Chen Dexiang , Li Yide
Published: June 2021

Understanding the impacts of nitrogen (N) addition on soil respiration (RS) and its temperature sensitivity (Q10) in tropical forests is very important for the global carbon cycle in a changing environment. Here, we investigated how RS respond to N addition in a tropical montane rainforest in Southern China. Four levels of N treatments (0, 25, 50, and 100 kg N ha−1 a−1 as control (CK), low N (N25), moderate N (N50), and high N (N100), respectively) were established in September 2010. Based on a static chamber-gas chromatography method, RS was measured from January 2015 to December 2018. RS exhibited significant seasonal variability, with low RS rates appeared in the dry season and high rates appeared in the wet season regardless of treatment. RS was significantly related to the measured soil temperature and moisture. Our results showed that soil RS increased after N additions, the mean annual RS was 7% higher in N25 plots, 8% higher in N50 plots, and 11% higher in N100 plots than that in the CK plots. However, the overall impacts of N additions on RS were statistically insignificant. For the entire study period, the CK, N25, N50, and N100 treatments yielded Q10 values of 2.27, 3.45, 4.11, and 2.94, respectively. N addition increased the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of RS. Our results suggest that increasing atmospheric N deposition may have a large impact on the stimulation of soil CO2 emissions from tropical rainforests in China.
Risk Factors for and Frequency of CT Scans, Steroid Use, and Repeat Visits in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Seen at a Single-Center Emergency Department: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Euers Lindsay , Abughazaleh Shaadi , Glassner Kerri , Gajula Prianka , Jones-Pauley Michelle , Ezeana Chika , Puppala Mamta , Wang Lin , Wong Stephen , Oglat Ayah , Nickerson Stephanie , Abraham Bincy P.
Published: June 2021

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease often present to the emergency department due to the chronic relapsing nature of the disease. Previous studies have shown younger patients to have an increased frequency of emergency department visits, resulting in repeated exposure to imaging studies and steroids, both of which are associated with risks. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of inflammatory bowel disease patients seen at Houston Methodist Hospital’s emergency department from January 2014 to December 2017 using ICD codes to identify patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or indeterminate colitis from the electronic medical record. Data were collected on demographics, medications, and imaging. Five hundred and fifty-nine patients were randomly selected for inclusion. Older age was associated with decreased risk of CT scan or steroid use. Patients with ulcerative colitis compared to Crohn’s had decreased risk of CT scan, while there was an increased risk of CT in patients on a biologic, immunomodulator, or when steroids were given. Steroid use was also more common in those with inflammatory bowel disease as the primary reason for the visit. Patients in our study frequently received steroids and had CT scans performed. The increased risk of CT in those on a biologic, immunomodulator, or steroids suggests more severe disease may contribute. Guidelines are needed to reduce any unnecessary corticosteroid use and limit repeat CT scans in young inflammatory bowel disease patients to decrease the risk of radiation-associated malignancy over their lifetime.
Methylation Status of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) Receptor Genes in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Panagopoulou Maria , Cheretaki Antonia , Karaglani Makrina , Balgkouranidou Ioanna , Biziota Eirini , Amarantidis Kyriakos , Xenidis Nikolaos , Kakolyris Stylianos , Baritaki Stavroula , Chatzaki Ekaterini
Published: June 2021

The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system has been strongly associated with gastrointestinal pathophysiology, including colorectal cancer (CRC). We previously showed that altered expression of CRF receptors (CRFRs) in the colon critically affects CRC progression and aggressiveness through regulation of colonic inflammation. Here, we aimed to assess the potential of CRFR methylation levels as putative biomarkers in CRC. In silico methylation analysis of CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) and CRF receptor 2 (CRFR2) was performed using methylome data derived by CRC and Crohn’s disease (CD) tissues and CRC-derived circulating cell-free DNAs (ccfDNAs). In total, 32 and 33 differentially methylated sites of CpGs (DMCs) emerged in CRFR1 and CRFR2, respectively, between healthy and diseased tissues. The methylation patterns were verified in patient-derived ccfDNA samples by qMSP and associated with clinicopathological characteristics. An automated machine learning (AutoML) technology was applied to ccfDNA samples for classification analysis. In silico analysis revealed increased methylation of both CRFRs in CRC tissue and ccfDNA-derived datasets. CRFR1 hypermethylation was also noticed in gene body DMCs of CD patients. CRFR1 hypermethylation was further validated in CRC adjuvant-derived ccfDNA samples, whereas CRFR1 hypomethylation, observed in metastasis-derived ccfDNAs, was correlated to disease aggressiveness and adverse prognostic characteristics. AutoML analysis based on CRFRs methylation status revealed a three-feature high-performing biosignature for CRC diagnosis with an estimated AUC of 0.929. Monitoring of CRFRs methylation-based signature in CRC tissues and ccfDNAs may be of high diagnostic and prognostic significance in CRC.
Electrodiagnostic Studies in the Surgical Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome—A Systematic Review
Authors: Osiak Katarzyna , Mazurek Agata , Pękala Przemysław , Koziej Mateusz , Walocha Jerzy A. , Pasternak Artur
Published: June 2021

The aim of our paper was to provide comprehensive data on the role of electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). An extensive search was conducted through the major electronic database to identify eligible articles. Data extracted included grade of CTS based on neurophysiological testing, preoperative data of EDX studies, time of complete or partial resolution after surgery, postoperative Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire (CTQ) scores, age, sex, intraoperative and postoperative data of EDX studies, time to complete or partial resolution of symptoms, and number of patients without postsurgical improvement. Our main findings revealed that that electrodiagnostic testing is still a powerful tool for diagnosis of CTS. Moreover, it can also detect other pathologies. EDX testing provides a quantitative measure of the physiological function of the median nerve, which may be used to guide surgical treatment. Thirdly, when the outcome of surgery is unsatisfactory, NCS can assist in determining the reason for failure.
Isolation of Viable SARS-CoV-2 Virus from Feces of an Immunocompromised Patient Suggesting a Possible Fecal Mode of Transmission
Authors: Dergham Julie , Delerce Jeremy , Bedotto Marielle , La Scola Bernard , Moal Valérie
Published: June 2021

(1) Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) excretion in stools is well documented by RT-PCR, but evidences that stools contain infectious particles are scarce. (2) Methods: After observing a Corona Virus 2019 Disease (COVID-19) epidemic cluster associated with a ruptured sewage pipe, we search for such a viable SARS-CoV-2 particle in stool by inoculating 106 samples from 46 patients. (3) Results: We successfully obtained two isolates from a unique patient with kidney transplantation under immunosuppressive therapy who was admitted for severe diarrhea. (4) Conclusions: This report emphasizes that SARS-CoV-2 is an enteric virus, and infectious virus particles can be isolated from the stool of immune-compromised patients like, in our case, kidney transplant recipient. Immune-compromised patients are likely to have massive multiplication of the virus in the gastrointestinal tract and this report suggests possible fecal transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Analysis of Effectiveness and Psychological Techniques Implemented in mHealth Solutions for Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors: Vázquez-de Sebastián Julia , Ciudin Andreea , Castellano-Tejedor Carmina
Published: June 2021

Background: in diabetes, multiple mHealth solutions were produced and implemented for self-management behaviors. However, little research on the effectiveness of psychological techniques implemented within these mHealth solutions was carried out, and even less with the elderly population where technological barriers might exist. Reliable evidence generated through a comprehensive evaluation of mHealth interventions may accelerate its growth for successful long-term implementation and to help to experience mHealth benefits in an enhanced way in all ages. Objective: this study aimed to review mHealth solutions for diabetes self-management in older adults (adherence to treatments and glycemic control) by analyzing the effectiveness of specific psychological techniques implemented. Methods: a narrative review was conducted following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed (Medline) and American Psychological Association (APA) PsycInfo databases were searched for published papers that addressed eHealth solutions’ effectiveness for diabetes self-management. Studies in English, Spanish, and/or German of any design were screened, with no time constraints regarding the year of publication. A qualitative analysis of the selected papers was conducted in several steps. Results: this review found 38 studies setting up and analyzing mHealth solutions for older adults. Most research showed improvements in HbA1c, self-management behaviors, and medication adherence in T2DM patients post intervention. However, different mid-to-long term effects were found across studies, specifically concerning the maintenance and adherence to healthy behaviors. The most employed psychological framework was CBT, including techniques such as self-monitoring of outcome behaviors (mostly targeting glycemia measurements and healthy habits as physical activity and/or diet), tailored motivational feedback from medical staff, and psychoeducation or health coaches. The most successful mHealth intervention combined the feature of tailored feedback messages, interactive communication with healthcare professionals, and multifaceted functions. Conclusions: there is a lack of elaborate and detailed information in the literature regarding the factors considered in the design and development of mHealth solutions used as interventions for T2DM self-management in the elderly. Documentation and inclusion of such vital information will foster a transparent and shared decision-making process that will ultimately lead to the development of useful and user-friendly self-management apps that can enhance the quality of life for diabetes patients. Further research adapting mHealth solutions to older adults’ sensory deficits is necessary.
Nutrition Assessment and Adverse Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients with Tuberculosis
Authors: Lin Huang-Shen , Lin Ming-Shyan , Chi Ching-Chi , Ye Jung-Jr , Hsieh Ching-Chuan
Published: June 2021

Background: Malnutrition in patients with tuberculosis (TB) is associated with poor outcomes. This study assessed the validity of the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) in adult TB patients and examined the association of the PG-SGA score with adverse outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review study compared with the well-nourished and malnourished TB patients. The nutritional status was determined using the PG-SGA for adult patients (n = 128). Clinical outcomes included liver injury and mortality. Adverse outcomes included hepatitis during anti-tuberculosis therapy. Results: By comparing nutritional status using global assessment, well-nourished patients had a significantly higher body weight index (p = 0.002), a lower PG-SGA score (p < 0.001), and lower diabetic rate (p = 0.029). Malnourishment was a risk factor (p = 0.022) for liver injury and fatal outcomes (p < 0.001). A higher PG-SGA score was a risk factor for liver injury (p = 0.002) and an independent risk factor for fatal outcomes (p = 0.031). ROC analysis for outcome prediction showed that a PG-SGA score of 5.5 points yielded the most appropriate sensitivity (61.5%) and specificity (64.7%). Conclusion: Both global assessment and the total PG-SGA score were related to tuberculosis outcome and liver injury during anti-TB treatment.
Are Local Authorities Building Their Capacity to Plan for Reduced Climate Impact? A Longitudinal Analysis of Swedish Comprehensive Plans
Authors: Wretling Vincent , Balfors Berit
Published: June 2021

Spatial planning conducted by the local authorities has been identified as a key part of shaping carbon-neutral societies. Nevertheless, the question of whether local authorities are building their institutional capacity for integrating climate change mitigation aspects into spatial planning remains under-researched. This paper aims to fill this gap while also analysing the role of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in facilitating organisational learning. The methods employed were a longitudinal document analysis of Comprehensive Plans belonging to eight municipalities in Stockholm County, complemented by a focus group interview. A significant difference was identified, as the recently adopted Comprehensive Plans included more strategies for climate change mitigation and, to a greater extent, linked these strategies to reduced climate impact or energy efficiency than previously adopted Comprehensive Plans. However, numerous additional strategies could have been given further consideration in each studied Comprehensive Plan. Thus, this calls for more continuous and cyclical comprehensive planning processes to facilitate capacity building, primarily by being a vehicle for mobilising political support. Lastly, the findings indicate that SEA can lead to organisational learning of both single-loop and double-loop nature, where the latter can enable SEA to shape the planning process in a more profound and sustainability-oriented manner.
Bodies in Confinement: Negotiating Queer, Gender Nonconforming, and Transwomen’s Gender and Sexuality behind Bars
Authors: Francisco Nicole A.
Published: June 2021

The criminal punishment system plays a critical role in the production of race, gender, and sexuality in the United States. The regulation of marginalized women’s bodies—transwomen, butches, and lesbians—in confinement reproduces cis-heteronormativity. Echoing the paternalistic claims of protection that have inspired “bathroom bills,” gender-segregated prison facilities have notoriously condemned transwomen prisoners to men’s prisons for the “safety” of women’s prisons, constructing cisgender women as “at risk” of sexual assault and transgender women as “risky”, overlooking the reality of transwomen as the most at risk of experiencing sexual violence in prisons. Prisons use legal and medical constructions of gender that pathologize transgender identity in order to legitimize health concerns; for example, the mutilation of the body in an effort to remove unwanted genitalia as evidence to warrant a diagnosis of gender identity disorder, or later gender dysphoria. This construction of transgender identity as a medical condition that warrants treatment forces prisoners to pathologize their gender identity in order to access adequate gender-affirming care. By exploring the writings of queer and trans prisoners, we can glean how heteronormativity structures gender and sexuality behind bars and discover how trans prisoners work to assemble knowledge, support, and resources toward survival.
Ketamine Alters Functional Plasticity of Astroglia: An Implication for Antidepressant Effect
Authors: Stenovec Matjaž
Published: June 2021

Ketamine, a non-competitive N–methyl–d–aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, exerts a rapid, potent and long-lasting antidepressant effect, although the cellular and molecular mechanisms of this action are yet to be clarified. In addition to targeting neuronal NMDARs fundamental for synaptic transmission, ketamine also affects the function of astrocytes, the key homeostatic cells of the central nervous system that contribute to pathophysiology of major depressive disorder. Here, I review studies revealing that (sub)anesthetic doses of ketamine elevate intracellular cAMP concentration ([cAMP]i) in astrocytes, attenuate stimulus-evoked astrocyte calcium signaling, which regulates exocytotic secretion of gliosignaling molecules, and stabilize the vesicle fusion pore in a narrow configuration, possibly hindering cargo discharge or vesicle recycling. Next, I discuss how ketamine affects astrocyte capacity to control extracellular K+ by reducing vesicular delivery of the inward rectifying potassium channel (Kir4.1) to the plasmalemma that reduces the surface density of Kir4.1. Modified astroglial K+ buffering impacts upon neuronal firing pattern as demonstrated in lateral habenula in a rat model of depression. Finally, I highlight the discovery that ketamine rapidly redistributes cholesterol in the astrocyte plasmalemma, which may alter the flux of cholesterol to neurons. This structural modification may further modulate a host of processes that synergistically contribute to ketamine’s rapid antidepressant action.