bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Working together: A study of civil society partnerships between WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) and GESI (gender equality and social inclusion) organisations in Timor-Leste
Authors: Grant Melita Louise , Nguyen Therese Tam , Vieira Ajerino , Niner Sara Louise , Roche Chris
Published: March 2023

This article reports on an empirical study conducted in Timor-Leste that explored the drivers, benefits, and challenges of partnerships and collaborations between water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) organisations as integral parts of the WASH system. The research design was primarily qualitative and included a data-collection workshop with 30 representatives from 16 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Dili, longitudinal research involving two rounds of semi-structured interviews over 2.5 years with five organisations, and semi-structured interviews with an additional 18 CSOs. We applied a framework of post-development theory, including critical localism and working contingently. Key drivers to form partnerships were found to be the identification of community WASH service gaps and the alignment of advocacy agendas. Key benefits reported were increased inclusion and empowerment outcomes and strengthened organisational knowledge and capacity. Challenges emerge when organisations' key staff change, strategies misalign, and financial and administrative capabilities differ. The study contributes practical insights into how civil society organisations (CSOs) partner to strengthen mutual WASH and GESI strategies and programmes and their outcomes. We recommend strengthening the partnerships between WASH and GESI organisations in ways that are cognisant of power dynamics, local priorities, and capacity needs and promote longevity and continuity through ownership of decisions at the local level. Our findings suggest that meaningful, reciprocal, and respectful engagement with WASH and GESI organisations enables WASH programmes to be in a better position to address the harmful norms that drive inequitable behaviours, thus strengthening localism, and the WASH governance system overall.
Older adults' perceptions of the risks associated with contemporary gambling environments: Implications for public health policy and practice
Authors: Pitt Hannah , McCarthy Simone , Thomas Samantha L. , Randle Melanie , Marko Sarah , Cowlishaw Sean , Kairouz Sylvia , Daube Mike
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Rapid changes in the Australian gambling environment have amplified the risks for gamblers and pose significant threats to public health. Technological advances, saturation of marketing, and the embedding of gambling in sport have all contributed to significant changes in the gambling risk environment. Older adults have witnessed the changes to the way gambling is provided and promoted in public spaces, but little is known about how these changes have shaped the way they conceptualize the risks associated with gambling.

Method

Guided by critical qualitative inquiry, semi structured interviews were conducted with 40 Australian adults aged 55 years and older, who had gambled at least once in the last 12 months. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to interpret the data.

Results

Participants discussed gambling environments in Australia and how they had changed through the proliferation of gambling products, environments, and opportunities; the risks posed through the embedding of gambling in community and media environments; the role of technology in gambling environments; and the role of marketing and promotions in the changing gambling environments. Participants recognized that these factors had contributed to gambling environments becoming increasingly risky over time. However, despite the perception of increased risk, many participants had engaged with new gambling technologies, products, and environments.

Discussion

This research supports the adoption of public health responses that include consideration of the environmental, commercial, and political factors that may contribute to risky gambling environments.
Constrained to be (im)mobile? Refugees' and Asylum seekers' practices to integrate in restrictive socio-economic urban contexts in Northern Italy
Authors: Dimitriadis Iraklis , Ambrosini Maurizio
Published: March 2023

This article comparatively examines forms of (im)mobility among refugees and asylum seekers (RAS) in coping with dispersal process, restrictive migration policies and local socio-economic characteristics in three cities of Northern Italy. Drawing on qualitative data, it sheds light on the everyday forms of (im)mobility of RAS to resist structural barriers limiting their opportunities to access jobs and welfare services. The Results show that people's capacity to overcome barriers depends upon individual characteristics and informal networks, and is shaped by particularities of local contexts. While people's regular legal status is considered an important resource in achieving goals, refugees and holders of international protection often have to adopt (im)mobility practices to access resources in contexts that do not facilitate their integration. This article highlights the inefficiency of integration and reception policies and advances the theoretical debate on the link between being (im)mobile and agency by calling authors to pay more attention to the (in)voluntary nature of spatial (im)mobility. Finally, it shows the ambivalent outcome of (im)mobilities in terms of agency, highlighting the implications for individuals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the nature of Tycho Brahe’s supernova
Authors: Ruiz–Lapuente Pilar
Published: March 2023

At the 450 years anniversary of its observation, the supernova named after Tycho Brahe, SN 1572, can be explained in the terms used nowadays to characterize Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). By assembling the records of the observations made in 1572–74 and evaluating their uncertainties, it is possible to recover the light curve and the color evolution of this supernova. It is found that, within the SNe Ia family, the event should have been a SN Ia with a normal rate of decline. Concerning the color evolution of SNe Ia, the most recently recovered records reaffirm previous findings of its being a normal SN Ia. The abundance studies from X–ray spectroscopy of the whole remnant point to a nuclear burning of the kind of a delayed detonation explosion of a Chandrasekhar–mass white dwarf. A tentative single degenerate path to explosion was suggested from the exploration of the stars in the field of SN 1572. Though, the origin in a double degenerate is being considered as well. Tycho Brahe’s supernova, being the first supernova studied by astronomers, is still the subject of very intensive debates nowadays.
Prediction of Chongqing's grain output based on support vector machine
Authors: Wang Jia , Tian Guixian , Tao Yongchao , Lu Chengwu
Published: March 2023

Scientific prediction of agricultural food production plays an essential role in stabilizing food supply. In order to improve the accuracy of grain yield prediction and reduce the error of grain yield prediction in Chongqing, this paper proposes a new method for the grain yield prediction in Chongqing by using support vector machine (SVM). In this paper, based on the support vector regression structure, the support vector regression algorithm is designed, and then the support vector machine is adopted in the replacement of the error back propagation process in BP neural network. The results of case analysis show that the method based on support vector machine can effectively reduce the error of grain yield prediction.
Antioxidant, starch-digesting enzymes inhibitory, and pasting properties of elite yellow-fleshed cassava genotypes
Authors: Kareem Babajide , Irondi Emmanuel Anyachukwu , Alamu Emmanuel Oladeji , Ajani Emmanuel Oladipo , Abass Adebayo , Parkes Elizabeth , Maziya-Dixon Busie
Published: March 2023

Biofortification of cassava roots has improved its health benefits by raising the quantity and bioavailability of bioactive compounds, particularly carotenoids. This study analyzed the bioactive constituents (carotenoids, tannins, total phenolics, and flavonoids), antioxidant, starch-digesting enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) inhibitory and pasting properties of flours of 18 elite yellow-fleshed cassava genotypes grown at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, using standard laboratory methods. Generally, the concentrations of the bioactive constituents (9-cis-β-carotene, 13-cis-β-carotene, all trans-β-carotene, total β-carotene, total carotenoids, tannins, total phenolics, and total flavonoids) of the different cassava genotypes varied. The antioxidant activity varied significantly among the different cassava genotypes, with IITA-TMS-IBA183001 having the highest reducing power (2.59 GAE mg/g) and most potent DPPH· scavenging ability (SC50: 14.56 mg/mL). However, the starch-hydrolysing enzymes (alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase) inhibitory and the pasting properties of the different genotypes were generally comparable. Total carotenoids content significantly correlated with the DPPH· SC50 (r = −0.495), while total phenolics content correlated with ABTS·+(r = 0.839) and DPPH· SC50 (r = −0.870). Also, tannins content significantly correlated with ABTS·+ (r = 0.553), while total flavonoids content was significantly correlated with α-amylase IC50 (r = −0.532). These findings suggest the potential of flours of the 18 elite yellow-fleshed cassava genotypes to serve as important dietary sources of antioxidants and starch-hydrolysing enzyme inhibitors, which may be beneficial in oxidative stress and postprandial hyperglycaemic conditions.
The one-stop-shop approach: Navigating lumbar 360-degree instrumentation in a single position
Authors: Schwendner Maximilian , Liang Raimunde , Butenschön Vicki M. , Meyer Bernhard , Ille Sebastian , Krieg Sandro M.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Treatment strategies of patients suffering from pyogenic spondylodiscitis are a controverse topic. Percutaneous dorsal instrumentation followed by surgical debridement and fusion of the infectious vertebral disc spaces is a common approach for surgical treatment. Technical advances enable spinal navigation for dorsal and lateral instrumentation. This report investigates combined navigated dorsal and lateral instrumentation in a single surgery and positioning for lumbar spondylodiscitis in a pilot series.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with 1- or 2-level discitis were prospectively enrolled. To enable posterior navigated pedicle screw placement and lateral interbody fusion (LLIF) patients were positioned semi-prone in 45-degree fashion. For spinal referencing, a registration array was attached to the pelvic or spinal process. 3D scans were acquired intraoperatively for registration and implant control.

Results

27 patients suffering from 1- or 2-level spondylodiscitis with a median ASA of 3 (1–4) and a mean BMI of 27.9 ± 4.9 kg/m2 were included. Mean duration of surgery was 146 ± 49 min. Mean blood loss was 367 ± 307 ml. A median of 4 (4–8) pedicle screws were placed for dorsal percutaneous instrumentation with an intraoperative revision rate of 4.0%. LLIF was performed on 31 levels with an intraoperative cage revision rate of 9.7%.

Conclusions

Navigated lumbar dorsal and lateral instrumentation in a single operation and positioning is feasible and safe. It enables rapid 360-degree instrumentation in these critically ill patients and potentially reduces overall intraoperative radiation exposure for patient and staff. Compared to purely dorsal approaches it allows for optimal discectomy and fusion while overall incisions and wound size are minimized. Compared to prone LLIF procedures, semi-prone in 45-degree positioning allows for a steep learning curve due to minor changes of familiar anatomy.
Case report: Clinical and pathological findings in a canine patient with intervertebral disk extrusion resembling progressive myelomalacia
Authors: Lin Annie , Lampe Rachel , Bandt Carsten , Vieson Miranda , Park Jae Yoon
Published: March 2023

A 4-year-old female spayed dog presented to the emergency department for non-ambulatory tetraparesis, which progressed to tetraplegia. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed cervical intervertebral disk extrusion at C5-6 extending to C6-7, and an emergency ventral slot was performed. After the procedure, the patient was placed on mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure. Repeat assessment upon weaning her ventilatory support suggested the patient's neurological status had declined. Based on her deterioration and suspicion of progressive myelomalacia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), she was euthanized. Post-mortem histopathology of the spinal cord supported the presence of progressive myelomalacia. To the author's knowledge, this is the first case report describing a progressive myelomalacia in a canine patient with cervical intervertebral disk extrusion.
A retrospective study on parapneumonic effusion in 130 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia
Authors: Burnotte Priscilla , Graziano Nicolas , Gommeren Kris
Published: March 2023

Objective

To screen the occurrence of parapneumonic effusion in dogs.

Methods

Medical records were searched for dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia from 2017 to 2021 at the Liege university teaching hospital. Bacterial pneumonia was presumptively diagnosed based on compatible clinical signs and findings; thoracic radiographs compatible with bacterial bronchopneumonia; and either increased serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a positive bronchoalveolar lavage culture or a positive clinical evolution in response to antibiotic therapy. Patients diagnosed with parasitic or other non-bacterial inflammatory pneumonia or with pulmonary neoplasia were excluded. Signalment, clinical findings, and outcome were recorded.

Results

One hundred and thirty dogs were included in the study, of which 44 dogs (33.8%) developed a parapneumonic effusion. Four of these dogs (4/44; 9%) had thoracocentesis performed, displaying a modified transudate (2) or septic exudate (2).

Conclusions

Although parapneumonic effusion in dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia appears to be rather common (33.8%), thoracocentesis or chest tube placement was rarely performed. Furthermore, the outcome of dogs with and without parapneumonic effusion appears to be similar.
Upgraded Thoth: Software for Data Visualization and Statistics
Authors: Laher Russ R. , Masci Frank J. , Rebull Luisa M. , Schurr Steven D. , Burt Wendy , Laity Anastasia , Swain Melanie , Shupe David L. , Groom Steve , Rusholme Benjamin , Kong Mih-Seh , Good John C. , Gorjian Varoujan , Akeson Rachel , Fulton Benjamin J. , Ciardi David R. , Carey Sean
Published: March 2023

Thoth is a free desktop/laptop software application with a friendly graphical user interface that facilitates routine data-visualization and statistical-calculation tasks for astronomy and astrophysical research (and other fields where numbers are visualized). This software has been upgraded with many significant improvements and new capabilities. The major upgrades consist of: (1) six new graph types, including 3D stacked-bar charts and 3D surface plots, made by the Orson 3D Charts library; (2) new saving and loading of graph settings; (3) a new batch-mode or command-line operation; (4) new graph-data annotation functions; (5) new options for data-file importation; and (6) a new built-in FITS-image viewer. There is now the requirement that Thoth be run under Java 1.8 or higher. Many other miscellaneous minor upgrades and bug fixes have also been made to Thoth. The newly implemented plotting options generally make possible graph construction and reuse with relative ease, without resorting to writing computer code. The illustrative astronomy case study of this paper demonstrates one of the many ways the software can be utilized. These new software features and refinements help make astronomers more efficient in their work of elucidating data.
Real-Time Detection of Faults in Rotating Blades Using Frequency Response Function Analysis
Authors: Kocharla Ravi Prakash Babu , Kolli Murahari , Cheepu Muralimohan
Published: March 2023

Turbo machines develop faults in the rotating blades during operation in undesirable conditions. Such faults in the rotating blades are fatigue cracks, mechanical looseness, imbalance, misalignment, etc. Therefore, it is crucial that the blade faults should be detected and diagnosed in order to minimize the severe damage of such machines. In this paper, vibration analysis of the rotating blades is conducted using an experimental laboratory setup in order to develop a methodology to detect faults in the rotating blades. The faults considered for the study include cracks and mechanical looseness for which dynamic responses are recorded using a laser vibrometer. Analysis has been carried out by comparing the frequency response function spectrums of the fault blade with those of the healthy blade related to the resonance frequency. The Internet of Things and wireless sensor networks are implemented to transmit the measured data to the cloud platform. A support vector machine algorithm is used for preparing the learning model in order to extract and classify the faults of the rotating blades. It can be clearly seen from the results that there is variation in the frequency response function spectrums of healthy and faulty conditions of the rotating blades.
Could the ‘Spinner Innovation’ and ‘Triple Helix’ Models Improve System Innovation?
Authors: Figueiredo Ronnie , Soliman Mohammad , Al-Alawi Alamir N. , Fatnassi Tarek
Published: March 2023

Although several prior studies have outlined and examined models associated with knowledge and innovation in different fields, the literature lacks any solid insights combining the Triple Helix model and the Spinner Innovation model and ascertaining their relevance to innovation. This article correspondingly presents an unprecedented alternative based on two innovation models, analyzing and structuring a process to innovate in different economic sectors. In doing so, this paper seeks to explore how this integration between Spinner Innovation and Triple Helix models could have a significant influence to improve system innovation. We collected data from the Scopus database spanning the period between 2012 and 2021 to study the integration of the models. The analysis identifies how these models differ but are nevertheless of complementary importance for developing regional and national economies through combining the “helices”, the “fidgets” and the framework integrating both models and their components to system innovation.
A Conceptual Framework for the Technological Advancement of E-Commerce Applications
Authors: Sulova Snezhana
Published: March 2023

E-commerce is an area in which success largely depends on the e-commerce applications used. Currently, there are many studies that focus on various technological innovations in e-commerce systems, but a comprehensive concept of their improvement is lacking. In this regard, the main objective of the article was to explore the technological possibilities for the improvement of e-commerce systems and to propose a conceptual framework for their maintenance and development. The chosen research approach included a combined methodology–text mining analysis of existing developments and identifying the key themes and trends in papers and deep scientific analyses of the most-cited developments. As a result, a conceptual framework for the maintenance and development of e-commerce applications was proposed. To test the approach, publications from the scientific literature database Scopus, on the topic “e-commerce applications” were used. Experiments and text processing were performed with the software RapidMiner Studio. Several main directions for the development of e-commerce systems have been defined: the application of modern development tools; the technological base; and the possibilities of integration. Future research may focus on detailing each direction.
Immunohistochemical Analysis of Spermatogenesis in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Invasion in Different Age Groups
Authors: Demyashkin Grigory A. , Kogan Evgeniya , Demura Tatiana , Boldyrev Dmitry , Vadyukhin Matvey , Schekin Vladimir , Shegay Peter , Kaprin Andrey
Published: March 2023

Based on studies that focused on the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on human tissues, not only pulmonary invasion was revealed, but also impaired testicular function. Thus, the study of the mechanisms of influence of SARS-CoV-2 on spermatogenesis is still relevant. Of particular interest is the study of pathomorphological changes in men of different age groups. The purpose of this study was to evaluate immunohistochemical changes in spermatogenesis during SARS-CoV-2 invasion in different age groups. In our study, for the first time, a cohort of COVID-19-positive patients of different age groups was collected, and the following were conducted––confocal microscopy of the testicles and immunohistochemical evaluation of spermatogenesis disorders in SARS-CoV-2 invasion with antibodies to the spike protein, the nucleocapsid protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and angiotensin convertase type 2. An IHC study and confocal microscopy of testicular autopsies from COVID-19-positive patients revealed an increase in the number of S-protein- and nucleocapsid-positively stained spermatogenic cells, which indicates SARS-CoV-2 invasion into them. A correlation was found between the number of ACE2-positive germ cells and the degree of hypospermatogenesis, and in the group of patients with confirmed coronavirus infection older than 45 years, the decrease in spermatogenic function was more pronounced than in the cohort of young people. Thus, our study found a decrease in both spermatogenic and endocrine (Leydig cells) testicular functions in patients with COVID-19 infection. In the elderly, these changes were significantly higher than in the group of young patients.
Future of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Cancer Care: A Global Cross-Sectional Survey of Researchers
Authors: Cabral Bernardo Pereira , Braga Luiza Amara Maciel , Syed-Abdul Shabbir , Mota Fabio Batista
Published: March 2023

Cancer significantly contributes to global mortality, with 9.3 million annual deaths. To alleviate this burden, the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) applications has been proposed in various domains of oncology. However, the potential applications of AI and the barriers to its widespread adoption remain unclear. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting a cross-sectional, global, web-based survey of over 1000 AI and cancer researchers. The results indicated that most respondents believed AI would positively impact cancer grading and classification, follow-up services, and diagnostic accuracy. Despite these benefits, several limitations were identified, including difficulties incorporating AI into clinical practice and the lack of standardization in cancer health data. These limitations pose significant challenges, particularly regarding testing, validation, certification, and auditing AI algorithms and systems. The results of this study provide valuable insights for informed decision-making for stakeholders involved in AI and cancer research and development, including individual researchers and research funding agencies.
A Patient with Acute Necrotizing Fasciitis after a Total Knee Replacement: A Case Report
Authors: Chang Shu-Hao , Jiang Ching-Chuan , Liu Tom J. , Kuo Yu-Feng , Yeh Ping-Chun
Published: March 2023

Necrotizing fasciitis is a relatively rare and serious fatal soft-tissue infection that is characterized by a rapidly spreading bacterial infection located in the subcutaneous tissues. We report a 59-year-old man who was diagnosed with acute necrotizing fasciitis, following a primary total knee replacement. He received primary total knee replacement that was uneventful and smooth intraoperatively. An immediate high fever was reported in the next few days, with several complications, confirming a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. The most effective treatment for this disease is a rapid primary diagnosis and surgical debridement. Gold standard treatment includes intravenous therapy, such as antibiotics, surgical debridement, and intensive care. As a result of possible GI complications that triggered necrotizing fasciitis, the patient underwent flap reconstruction. This report’s aim is to review the comprehensive treatment, management, and experience of necrotizing fasciitis, highlighting the roles with a multidisciplinary care team for improving the condition of this patient.
Mental Health of Tourism Employees Post COVID-19 Pandemic: A Test of Antecedents and Moderators
Authors: Elshaer Ibrahim A. , Azazz Alaa M. S.
Published: March 2023

Many people are experiencing a lack of confidence in the security of their employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly employees in the tourism sector, which has caused adverse effects on their mental health. These adverse effects involve the management of stress, anxiety and depression, that may arise from the demands of the industry. However, few studies have explored how insecurity in the workplace and financial pressure from families affects mental health and can intervene in these relationships. In this study, the aim was to investigate job insecurity as an antecedent of employees’ mental health and family financial pressures as a moderator using a sample of 475 hotel and travel industry employees. The theoretical background of the study was built upon the theories of resource conservation and effort–reward imbalance. The participants completed an online survey that measured job insecurity, family financial pressure, depression, anxiety, and stress. The collected data were subjected to PLS-SEM data analysis. The findings of this study reveal that job insecurity had a significant influence on depression, anxiety, and stress among tourism employees, and family financial pressure worsened the negative consequences of job insecurity on mental health. This research highlights the significance of addressing the mental health of employees in the tourism sector after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the crucial role played by family financial pressures. The findings of this study highlight the importance of addressing job insecurity in the tourism industry and its impact on employees’ mental health. This could involve implementing policies and practices that enhance job security, such as providing more stable work schedules, better benefits packages, and greater opportunities for professional development. The results also underscore the need to take into account the role of family financial pressure in moderating the impact of job insecurity on mental health. Practitioners and policymakers in the tourism industry should consider ways to alleviate financial pressure on employees and their families, such as offering assistance programs, flexible work arrangements, and supportive company policies.
Desalinated Water Costs from Steam, Combined, and Nuclear Cogeneration Plants Using Power and Heat Allocation Methods
Authors: Zeitoun Obida , Orfi Jamel , Khan Salah Ud-Din , Al-Ansary Hany
Published: March 2023

This work presents a detailed thermo-economic analysis of unit water costs from dual-purpose cogeneration plants. The power levelized cost was first calculated for stand-alone steam, nuclear, and combined-cycle power plants. The cost of energy needed to operate the desalination systems connected to power plants was evaluated based on two different approaches: power- and heat-allocated methods. Numerical models based on the heat and mass balances of the power and desalination plants’ components were developed and validated. Comprehensive and updated data generated using Desaldata libraries were correlated to estimate the capital, labor, overhead, and maintenance costs for different desalination systems. The levelized water cost produced by multi-effect distillation, multi-effect distillation with vapor compression, multi-stage flash, and reverse osmosis systems connected to different power plants was estimated. The impact of various controlling parameters, including the price of natural gas, nuclear power plant installation cost, and the desalination capacity on water cost, was investigated. For all simulated cases, the levelized water cost evaluated using the heat-allocated method was found to be lower by 25–30% compared to that estimated using the power-allocated method. The cost of water produced using reverse osmosis remains below that produced by other desalination technologies. However, using the heat-allocated method to estimate the levelized water cost narrows the gap between the costs of water produced by multi-effect distillation and that produced by seawater reverse osmosis. The results also show that the use of the multi-effect distillation process in a cogeneration configuration rather than multi-effect distillation with vapor compression can result in a lower water cost. The profit analysis shows slight differences between the profit of a power plant connected to a reverse osmosis system and the profit of a power plant connected to a plain multi-effect distillation system.
Liquified Petroleum Gas-Fuelled Vehicle CO2 Emission Modelling Based on Portable Emission Measurement System, On-Board Diagnostics Data, and Gradient-Boosting Machine Learning
Authors: Mądziel Maksymilian
Published: March 2023

One method to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicle exhaust is the use of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) fuel. The global use of this fuel is high in European countries such as Poland, Romania, and Italy. There are a small number of computational models for the purpose of estimating the emissions of LPG vehicles. This work is one of the first to present a methodology for developing microscale CO2 emission models for LPG vehicles. The developed model is based on data from road tests using the portable emission measurement system (PEMS) and on-board diagnostic (OBDII) interface. This model was created from a previous exploratory data analysis while using gradient-boosting machine learning methods. Vehicle velocity and engine RPM were chosen as the explanatory variables for CO2 prediction. The validation of the model indicates its good precision, while its use is possible for the analysis of continuous CO2 emissions and the creation of emission maps for environmental analyses in urban areas. The validation coefficients for the selected gradient-boosting method of modelling CO2 emissions for an LPG vehicle are the R2 test of 0.61 and the MSE test of 0.77.
The Roles of Liver Fibrosis Scores and Modified Stress Hyperglycemia Ratio Values in Predicting Contrast-Induced Nephropathy after Elective Endovascular Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Guvenc Orhan , Engin Mesut , Ata Filiz , Yavuz Senol
Published: March 2023

Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) methods are higher preferred for the treatment of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Various markers, including the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, have been used to predict the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4), aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and modified stress hyperglycemia ratio (mSHR) values in predicting CIN. Patients who had undergone elective endovascular infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in our clinic between January 2015 and January 2022 were included in this retrospective study. Patients who did not develop contrast-induced nephropathy after the procedure were identified as Group 1, and those who did were referred to as Group 2. A total of 276 patients were included in the study. The two groups were similar in terms of age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hyperlipidemia, and left ventricular ejection fraction. In Group 2, the FIB-4 score, APRI, and mSHR values were significantly higher (p = 0.008, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). In Group 2, the contrast volume and number of packed blood products used (median 1 (1–4) vs. 2 (1–5)) were significantly higher (p = 0.003 and p = 0.012, respectively). In this study, we demonstrated that we may predict the risk of CIN development with preoperatively calculated, noninvasive liver fibrosis scores and mSHR.
Revising the Landscape of Cytokine-Induced Killer Cell Therapy in Lung Cancer: Focus on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Vaseq Rohulla , Sharma Amit , Li Yutao , Schmidt-Wolf Ingo G. H.
Published: March 2023

Undeniably, immunotherapy has markedly improved the survival rate of cancer patients. The scenario is no different in lung cancer, where multiple treatment options are now available and the inclusion of immunotherapy yields better clinical benefits than previously used chemotherapeutic strategies. Of interest, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell immunotherapy has also taken a central role in clinical trials for the treatment of lung cancer. Herein, we describe the relative success of CIK cell therapy (alone and combined with dendritic cells as DC/CIKs) in lung cancer clinical trials and discuss its combination with known immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1). Additionally, we provide insights into the findings of several preclinical in vitro/in vivo studies linked to lung cancer. In our opinion, CIK cell therapy, which recently completed 30 years and has been approved in many countries, including Germany, offers tremendous potential for lung cancer. Foremost, when it is optimized on a patient-by-patient basis with special attention to the patient-specific genomic signature.
Altered Lung Heat Shock Protein-70 Expression and Severity of Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury in a Chronic Kidney Disease Rat Model
Authors: Cho Jun-Yeun , Kim Seung-Jung , Woo Chang-Gok , Kwon Soon-Kil , Choe Kang-Hyeon , Kim Eung-Gook , Shin Yoon-Mi
Published: March 2023

Enhanced heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) expression in the lungs is associated with attenuated acute lung injury (ALI) in a sepsis model. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly contributes to the poor prognosis of patients with sepsis. This study examined the relationship between sepsis-induced ALI severity and altered lung HSP-70 expression in CKD. Experimental rats underwent a sham operation (control group) or 5/6 nephrectomy (CKD group). Sepsis was induced with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Laboratory tests and lung harvest were performed in the control group (without CLP and after 3, 12, 24, and 72 h of CLP) and in the CKD group (without CLP and after 72 h of CLP). ALI was the most severe after 12 h of sepsis. The mean lung injury score at 72 h after sepsis was significantly higher in the CKD group than in the control group (4.38 versus 3.30, p < 0.01). Nonetheless, enhanced lung HSP-70 expression was not observed in the CKD group. This study shows that altered lung HSP-70 expression is associated with the worsening of sepsis-induced ALI in patients with CKD. Enhancing lung HSP-70 is a novel treatment target for patients with CKD and sepsis-induced ALI.
Rheumatic Immune-Related Adverse Events due to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors—A 2023 Update
Authors: Dang Quang Minh , Watanabe Ryu , Shiomi Mayu , Fukumoto Kazuo , Nobashi Tomomi W. , Okano Tadashi , Yamada Shinsuke , Hashimoto Motomu
Published: March 2023

With the aging of the population, malignancies are becoming common complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in elderly patients. Such malignancies often interfere with RA treatment. Among several therapeutic agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) which antagonize immunological brakes on T lymphocytes have emerged as a promising treatment option for a variety of malignancies. In parallel, evidence has accumulated that ICIs are associated with numerous immune-related adverse events (irAEs), such as hypophysitis, myocarditis, pneumonitis, and colitis. Moreover, ICIs not only exacerbate pre-existing autoimmune diseases, but also cause de novo rheumatic disease–like symptoms, such as arthritis, myositis, and vasculitis, which are currently termed rheumatic irAEs. Rheumatic irAEs differ from classical rheumatic diseases in multiple aspects, and treatment should be individualized based on the severity. Close collaboration with oncologists is critical for preventing irreversible organ damage. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the mechanisms and management of rheumatic irAEs with focus on arthritis, myositis, and vasculitis. Based on these findings, potential therapeutic strategies against rheumatic irAEs are discussed.
Urinary Biomarkers in a Living Donor Kidney Transplantation Cohort—Predictive Value on Graft Function
Authors: Huisman G. J. Julia , Spraakman Nora A. , Koomen Jeroen V. , Talsma A. Marrit , Pol Robert A. , Berger Stefan P. , Leuvenink Henri G. D. , Struys Michel M. R. F. , Nieuwenhuijs-Moeke Gertrude J.
Published: March 2023

Early non-invasive detection and prediction of graft function after kidney transplantation is essential since interventions might prevent further deterioration. The aim of this study was to analyze the dynamics and predictive value of four urinary biomarkers: kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in a living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) cohort. Biomarkers were measured up to 9 days after the transplantation of 57 recipients participating in the VAPOR-1 trial. Dynamics of KIM-1, NAG, NGAL, and H-FABP significantly changed over the course of 9 days after transplantation. KIM-1 at day 1 and NAG at day 2 after transplantation were significant predictors for the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at various timepoints after transplantation with a positive estimate (p < 0.05), whereas NGAL and NAG at day 1 after transplantation were negative significant predictors (p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis models for eGFR outcome improved after the addition of these biomarker levels. Several donor, recipient and transplantation factors significantly affected the baseline of urinary biomarkers. In conclusion, urinary biomarkers are of added value for the prediction of graft outcome, but influencing factors such as the timing of measurement and transplantation factors need to be considered.
Exercise Induces an Augmented Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response in a Mouse Model of Obesity Produced by a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Apablaza Pía , Bórquez Juan Carlos , Mendoza Rodrigo , Silva Mónica , Tapia Gladys , Espinosa Alejandra , Troncoso Rodrigo , Videla Luis A. , Juretić Nevenka , del Campo Andrea
Published: March 2023

Increase in body fat contributes to loss of function and changes in skeletal muscle, accelerating sarcopenia, a phenomenon known as sarco-obesity or sarcopenic obesity. Studies suggest that obesity decreases the skeletal muscle (SM)’s ability to oxidize glucose, increases fatty acid oxidation and reactive oxygen species production, due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Exercise improves mitochondrial dysfunction in obesity; however, it is not known if exercise regulates the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) in the SM. Our study aimed to determine the mito-nuclear UPRmt in response to exercise in a model of obesity, and how this response is associated with the improvement in SM functioning after exercise training. C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet and high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. After 8 weeks, animals were subdivided into sedentary and exercised for the remaining 4 weeks. Grip strength and maximal velocity of mice submitted to HFD improved after training. Our results show an increase in the activation of UPRmt after exercise while in obese mice, proteostasis is basally decreased but shows a more pronounced increase with exercise. These results correlate with improvement in the circulating triglycerides, suggesting mitochondrial proteostasis could be protective and could be related to mitochondrial fuel utilization in SM.
PD-1/PD-L1 Control of Antigen-Specifically Activated CD4 T-Cells of Neonates
Authors: Majer Christiane , Lingel Holger , Arra Aditya , Heuft Hans-Gert , Bretschneider Dirk , Balk Silke , Vogel Katrin , Brunner-Weinzierl Monika C.
Published: March 2023

Newborns are highly susceptible to infections; however, the underlying mechanisms that regulate the anti-microbial T-helper cells shortly after birth remain incompletely understood. To address neonatal antigen-specific human T-cell responses against bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was used as a model pathogen and comparatively analyzed in terms of the polyclonal staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) superantigen responses. Here, we report that neonatal CD4 T-cells perform activation-induced events upon S. aureus/APC-encounter including the expression of CD40L and PD-1, as well as the production of Th1 cytokines, concomitant to T-cell proliferation. The application of a multiple regression analysis revealed that the proliferation of neonatal T-helper cells was determined by sex, IL-2 receptor expression and the impact of the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Indeed, the treatment of S. aureus-activated neonatal T-helper cells with PD-1 and PD-L1 blocking antibodies revealed the specific regulation of the immediate neonatal T-cell responses with respect to the proliferation and frequencies of IFNγ producers, which resembled in part the response of adults’ memory T-cells. Intriguingly, the generation of multifunctional T-helper cells was regulated by the PD-1/PD-L1 axis exclusively in the neonatal CD4 T-cell lineage. Together, albeit missing memory T-cells in neonates, their unexperienced CD4 T-cells are well adapted to mount immediate and strong anti-bacterial responses that are tightly controlled by the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, thereby resembling the regulation of recalled memory T-cells of adults.
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Offers Protection against Disturbed Flow-Induced Atherosclerosis in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice
Authors: Wei Jih-Hua , Lee Wei-Jei , Luo Jing-Lin , Huang Hsin-Lei , Wang Shen-Chih , Chou Ruey-Hsing , Huang Po-Hsun , Lin Shing-Jong
Published: March 2023

Bariatric surgery reduces body weight, enhances metabolic and diabetic control, and improves outcomes on obesity-related comorbidities. However, the mechanisms mediating this protection against cardiovascular diseases remain unclear. We investigated the effect of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) on vascular protection in response to shear stress-induced atherosclerosis using an overweighted and carotid artery ligation mouse model. Eight-week-old male wild-type mice (C57BL/6J) were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for two weeks to induce weight gain and dysmetabolism. SG was performed in HFD-fed mice. Two weeks after the SG procedure, partial carotid-artery ligation was performed to promote disturbed flow-induced atherosclerosis. Compared with the control mice, HFD-fed wild-type mice exhibited increased body weight, total cholesterol level, hemoglobin A1c, and enhanced insulin resistance; SG significantly reversed these adverse effects. As expected, HFD-fed mice exhibited greater neointimal hyperplasia and atherosclerotic plaques than the control group, and the SG procedure attenuated HFD-promoted ligation-induced neointimal hyperplasia and arterial elastin fragmentation. Besides, HFD promoted ligation-induced macrophage infiltration, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, and increased vascular endothelial growth factor secretion. SG significantly reduced the above-mentioned effects. Moreover, HFD restriction partially reversed the intimal hyperplasia caused by carotid artery ligation; however, this protective effect was significantly lower than that observed in SG-operated mice. Our study demonstrated that HFD deteriorates shear stress-induced atherosclerosis and SG mitigates vascular remodeling, and this protective effect was not comparable in HFD restriction group. These findings provide a rationale for using bariatric surgery to counter atherosclerosis in morbid obesity.
Optimization and Prediction of Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Conductivity of Vacuum Sintered Ti-6Al-4V-SiC(15 Wt.%) Using Soft Computing Techniques
Authors: Hegde Adithya , Shetty Raviraj , Naik Nithesh , Murthy B. R. N. , Nayak Madhukar , Kumar Mohan , Shanubhogue Deepika
Published: March 2023

Titanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2) is a novel composite material that has found a multitude of uses in the aerodynamics, automobile, and marine industries due to its excellent properties such as high strength and modulus, high thermal and electrical conductivity, high melting point, excellent corrosion resistance, and high-temperature oxidation resistance. These properties are strongly associated with physical properties and microstructural features. Due to difficulties in the synthesis of this material, there have been very few investigations on the relationship between microstructure and physical characteristics of titanium silicon carbide composites processed through powder metallurgical process. However, the importance of thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity of titanium silicon carbide composites in various potential applications has led to keen attention from several researchers. Hence, in this paper, optimization, and prediction of process input parameters during processing under vacuum sintering for achieving maximum electrical and thermal conductivity of Ti-6Al-4V-SiC(15 Wt.%) has been presented. Using Taguchi’s L9 Orthogonal Array, it has been observed that aging temperature (1150 °C), aging time (four hours), heating rate (25 °C/min), and cooling rate (5 °C/min) result in optimum input parameters for achieving the highest electrical conductivity values during the processing of Ti-6Al-4V-SiCp composites. Further, for maximum thermal conductivity values during the processing of Ti-6Al-4V-SiCp composites, aging temperature (1150 °C), aging time (four hours), heating rate (5 °C/min), and cooling rate (5 °C/min) are preferred. A second-order response surface model generated can be effectively used for predicting the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity during the processing of Ti-6Al-4V-SiCp composites with an accuracy of 99.28% (electrical conductivity) and 99.14% (thermal conductivity). By comparing the experimental results along with the results of the mathematical model and the BPANN model results for nine trials, it was observed that the estimated value is accurate for all tests with an error of 0.39% (electrical conductivity) and 0.48% (thermal conductivity). Further, from X-ray diffraction studies and microstructural analysis, it has been observed that aging at 1150 °C for four hours resulted in the formation of a ternary carbide phase of titanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2), which resulted in maximum electrical conductivity (4,260,000 Ω−1 m−1) and thermal conductivity (36.42 W/m·K) of the Ti-6Al-4V-SiC (15 Wt.%) composite specimen.