bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial communities inhabiting shallow hydrothermal vents as sentinels of acidification processes
Authors: Arcadi Erika , Rizzo Carmen , Calogero Rosario , Sciutteri Valentina , Fabiano Francesco , Consoli Pierpaolo , Andaloro Franco , Romeo Teresa
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Shallow hydrothermal vents are considered natural laboratories to study the effects of acidification on biota, due to the consistent CO2 emissions with a consequent decrease in the local pH.

Methods

Here the microbial communities of water and sediment samples from Levante Bay (Vulcano Island) with different pH and redox conditions were explored by Next Generation Sequencing techniques. The taxonomic structure was elucidated and compared with previous studies from the same area in the last decades.

Results and discussion

The results revealed substantial shifts in the taxonomic structure of both bacterial and archaeal communities, with special relevance in the sediment samples, where the effects of external parameters probably act for a long time. The study demonstrates that microbial communities could be used as indicators of acidification processes, by shaping the entire biogeochemical balance of the ecosystem in response to stress factors. The study contributes to understanding how much these communities can tell us about future changes in marine ecosystems.
Antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes in rodents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hayer Shivdeep S. , Hwang Soonjo , Clayton Jonathan B.
Published: September 2023

There are previous epidemiological studies reporting associations between antibiotic use and psychiatric symptoms. Antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis and alteration of microbiota-gut-brain axis communication has been proposed to play a role in this association. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we reviewed published articles that have presented results on changes in cognition, emotion, and behavior in rodents (rats and mice) after antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis. We searched three databases—PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS to identify such articles using dedicated search strings and extracted data from 48 articles. Increase in anxiety and depression-like behavior was reported in 32.7 and 40.7 percent of the study-populations, respectively. Decrease in sociability, social novelty preference, recognition memory and spatial cognition was found in 18.1, 35.3, 26.1, and 62.5 percent of the study-populations, respectively. Only one bacterial taxon (increase in gut Proteobacteria) showed statistically significant association with behavioral changes (increase in anxiety). There were no consistent findings with statistical significance for the potential biomarkers [Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus, serum corticosterone and circulating IL-6 and IL-1β levels]. Results of the meta-analysis revealed a significant association between symptoms of negative valence system (including anxiety and depression) and cognitive system (decreased spatial cognition) with antibiotic intake (p < 0.05). However, between-study heterogeneity and publication bias were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Risk of bias was evaluated to be high in the majority of the studies. We identified and discussed several reasons that could contribute to the heterogeneity between the results of the studies examined. The results of the meta-analysis provide promising evidence that there is indeed an association between antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis and psychopathologies. However, inconsistencies in the implemented methodologies make generalizing these results difficult. Gut microbiota depletion using antibiotics may be a useful strategy to evaluate if and how gut microbes influence cognition, emotion, and behavior, but the heterogeneity in methodologies used precludes any definitive interpretations for a translational impact on clinical practice.
Association of fertility diet score with endometriosis: a case–control study
Authors: Ghasemisedaghat Sakine , Eslamian Ghazaleh , Kazemi Seyyedeh Neda , Rashidkhani Bahram , Taheripanah Robabeh
Published: September 2023

Background and aims

Different factors, such as environmental, epigenetic, genetic and immunological, have been identified as potential risks for developing endometriosis. However, the correlation between dietary patterns and endometriosis is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the potential link between fertility diet score and the odds of endometriosis.

Methods

This study was a hospital-based case–control study that took place in a gynecology clinic in Tehran, Iran, between February 2021 and January 2022. A total of 107 newly diagnosed endometriosis cases and 210 controls were included. The participants' habitual diets were evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire, and their fertility diet score was estimated using a point system based on Chavarro et al.'s criteria. The logistic regression was utilized to calculate the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The study found that women who adherence to fertility diet have a lower odds of endometriosis. This was observed in both the base model and the adjusted model, with a significant decrease in odds of endometriosis by 66% (OR = 0.44, 95%CI = 0.27–0.71, p = 0.001) and 54% (aOR = 0.46, 95%CI = 0.23–0.90, p = 0.022), respectively. Additionally, consuming vegetable proteins and multivitamins were also associated with lower odds of endometriosis. On the other hand, consuming animal proteins, heme iron, and having a high glycemic load were associated with significantly higher odds of endometriosis.

Conclusion

Our research supports the hypothesis that following a fertility diet may decrease the odds of endometriosis in Iranian women. However, these findings should be verified through extensive, prospective studies.
Magnetic resonance imaging findings of pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Li Yang , Yang Li , Gu Xiaolong , Wang Yaning , Deng Huiyan , Feng Hui , Zhang Ning , Wang Mingbo , Wang Qi , Shi Gaofeng
Published: September 2023

Background

Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma (PSP) is a rare lung tumor that is mostly isolated and commonly reported among middle-aged East Asian women. Recently, Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis has suggested that PSP is of primitive epithelial origin, most likely derived from type II alveolar air cells. Patients with PSP are generally asymptomatic and usually detected for other unrelated reasons during routine imaging. Several studies have already investigated the computed tomography (CT) features of PSP and their correlation with pathology. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a radiation-free imaging technique with important diagnostic value for specific pulmonary nodules. However, very few case reports or studies focus on the MRI findings of PSP.

Case report

We reported a case of an asymptomatic 56-year-old female with a solitary, well-defined soft-tissue mass in the lower lobe of the left lung. The mass showed iso-to-high signal intensity (SI) than muscle on T1-weighted image (T1WI) and T2-weighted image (T2WI) and a much higher SI on fat-suppressed T2WI, diffusion-weighted image, and apparent diffusion coefficient image. Contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1WI revealed noticeable inhomogeneous progressive enhancement throughout the mass. The mass revealed early enhancement without a significant peak, followed by a plateau pattern on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI images. The patient underwent left basal segmentectomy via thoracoscopic surgery. Histopathology and IHC results of the surgical specimen confirmed that it was a PSP. We concluded that the MRI findings of PSP might adequately reflect the different components within the tumor and aid clinicians in preoperative diagnosis and assessment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive case report on the MRI findings of PSP.

Conclusion

The MRI findings of PSP correspond to its histopathological features. Here, we present a case of PSP with the most comprehensive MRI findings, emphasizing the importance of multiple-sequence MRI in diagnosing PSP.
Prognostic significance of C-reactive protein in patients with cervical cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Sheng , Zhang Zongxin , Shen Linglong
Published: September 2023

Background

Numerous studies have investigated the significance of pretreatment C-reactive protein (CRP) levels for determining the prognosis of cervical cancer (CC). The results of these studies, however, have been inconsistent. The present meta-analysis, therefore, focused on identifying the exact relationship of CRP levels with CC prognoses.

Methods

We searched the following databases from their inception until April 18, 2023: PubMed; Web of Science; Embase; and Cochrane Library. From the search results, we estimated the significance of CRP levels in determining the prognosis of CC, based on combined hazard ratios (HRs) and relevant 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The present meta-analysis included 12 studies, encompassing 2,204 patients. Based on combined data, an increased CRP level was significantly related to an unfavorable overall survival (OS) of patients with CC (HR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.36–1.95; P < 0.001). Moreover, an increased CRP level was significantly associated with shortened progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with CC (HR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.39–2.03; P < 0.001). According to the subgroup and sensitivity analyses, CRP level was a reliable factor in determining CC prognoses.

Conclusion

Based on the results of our present analyses, increased CRP levels were significant predictors of poor OS and PFS in patients with CC. CRP level, therefore, could be an independent and inexpensive factor for determining the prognosis of patients with CC in clinical settings.

Systematic review registration

INPLASY, identifier INPLASY202360074.
Heterogeneity and potential therapeutic insights for triple-negative breast cancer based on metabolic‐associated molecular subtypes and genomic mutations
Authors: Li Lijuan , Wu Nan , Zhuang Gaojian , Geng Lin , Zeng Yu , Wang Xuan , Wang Shuang , Ruan Xianhui , Zheng Xiangqian , Liu Juntian , Gao Ming
Published: September 2023

Objective: Due to a lack of effective therapy, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is extremely poor prognosis. Metabolic reprogramming is an important hallmark in tumorigenesis, cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Categorizing metabolic patterns in TNBC is critical to combat heterogeneity and targeted therapeutics.

Methods: 115 TNBC patients from TCGA were combined into a virtual cohort and verified by other verification sets, discovering differentially expressed genes (DEGs). To identify reliable metabolic features, we applied the same procedures to five independent datasets to verify the identified TNBC subtypes, which differed in terms of prognosis, metabolic characteristics, immune infiltration, clinical features, somatic mutation, and drug sensitivity.

Results: In general, TNBC could be classified into two metabolically distinct subtypes. C1 had high immune checkpoint genes expression and immune and stromal scores, demonstrating sensitivity to the treatment of PD-1 inhibitors. On the other hand, C2 displayed a high variation in metabolism pathways involved in carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. More importantly, C2 was a lack of immune signatures, with late pathological stage, low immune infiltration and poor prognosis. Interestingly, C2 had a high mutation frequency in PIK3CA, KMT2D, and KMT2C and displayed significant activation of the PI3K and angiogenesis pathways. As a final output, we created a 100-gene classifier to reliably differentiate the TNBC subtypes and AKR1B10 was a potential biomarker for C2 subtypes.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we identified two subtypes with distinct metabolic phenotypes, provided novel insights into TNBC heterogeneity, and provided a theoretical foundation for therapeutic strategies.
Relatively high light inhibits reserves degradation in the Coptis chinensis rhizome during the leaf expansion by changing the source-sink relationship
Authors: Ke Wenjia , Li Yirou , Zhong Furong , Pen Maoyao , Dong Jijing , Xu Binjie , Ma Yuntong , Zhou Tao
Published: September 2023

The early spring is a seasonal high-light “window” for new leaf growth and photosynthetic carbon capture by the shade-tolerant evergreen understory plants. However, it remains unclear how light regulates the source–sink relationship between rhizome (RO), mature leaf (ML), and immature leaf (IL) during Coptis chinensis leaf expansion. Understanding this relationship is essential to reducing RO reserve degradation and ultimately promote RO biomass accumulation. The plants grew in an artificial climate chamber with low (50 μmol m−2 s−1) and relatively high (200 μmol m−2 s−1) light intensity treatments. Leaf fluorescence, foliar phosphorus (P) fractions, soluble sugars, starch, total P, and alkaloid concentrations in ILs, MLs, and RO were measured, and 13C labeling was used to indicate the direction of photosynthetic carbon flow between organs. The plants grown under high light intensity had higher levels of starch in RO and higher RO biomass at the end of the year compared to those grown under low light intensity. The photosystem II (PSII) operating efficiency [Y(II)], relative electron transport rate (rETR), and photochemical quenching (qP), as well as sucrose and glucose, in ILs and MLs under relatively high light, was higher than those under low light. The glucose and starch concentrations in ILs at 35 d was significantly higher than that at 15 d when plants were under 200 μmol m−2 s−1, while they were not significantly changed and remained low at 50 μmol m−2 s−1. The 13C was detected in the RO when plants were grown at 200 μmol m−2 s−1, regardless of ILs and MLs 13C labeling, while no 13C was detected in the RO when plants were under 50 μmol m−2 s−1. Additionally, the proportion of photosynthetic transport from ILs to MLs was significantly higher than that from MLs to ILs under the 50-μmol m−2 s−1 limit. Total P concentration in ILs was lower under relatively high light, but there was no difference in nucleic acid P concentration in ILs under the two light intensity treatments. The alkaloid concentration in RO was lower under 200 μmol m−2 s−1 than that under 50 μmol m−2 s−1. We propose that relatively high light reduces the need for carbohydrates and P stored in the RO to support IL growth by (1) accelerating the sink-to-source transition in ILs, which inhibits the use of reserves in the RO; (2) using energy from MLs to support IL growth, thereby reducing RO reserve consumption, and (3) reducing the demand for P by investing less in the development of photosynthetic machinery. Furthermore, under low light, MLs serve as a sink and rely on other organs for support, directly or indirectly exacerbating the reserves lost in the RO.
The integrative process promoted by EMDR in dissociative disorders: neurobiological mechanisms, psychometric tools, and intervention efficacy on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Poli Andrea , Cappellini Francesco , Sala Josephine , Miccoli Mario
Published: September 2023

Dissociative disorders (DDs) are characterized by a discontinuity in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, bodily representation, motor control, and action. The life-threatening coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been identified as a potentially traumatic event and may produce a wide range of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, and DD, stemming from pandemic-related events, such as sickness, isolation, losing loved ones, and fear for one's life. In our conceptual analysis, we introduce the contribution of the structural dissociation of personality (SDP) theory and polyvagal theory to the conceptualization of the COVID-19 pandemic-triggered DD and the importance of assessing perceived safety in DD through neurophysiologically informed psychometric tools. In addition, we analyzed the contribution of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to the treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic-triggered DD and suggest possible neurobiological mechanisms of action of the EMDR. In particular, we propose that, through slow eye movements, the EMDR may promote an initial non-rapid-eye-movement sleep stage 1-like activity, a subsequent access to a slow-wave sleep activity, and an oxytocinergic neurotransmission that, in turn, may foster the functional coupling between paraventricular nucleus and both sympathetic and parasympathetic cardioinhibitory nuclei. Neurophysiologically informed psychometric tools for safety evaluation in DDs are discussed. Furthermore, clinical and public health implications are considered, combining the EMDR, SDP theory, and polyvagal conceptualizations in light of the potential dissociative symptomatology triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impact of wars and natural disasters on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases
Authors: Topluoglu Seher , Taylan-Ozkan Aysegul , Alp Emine
Published: September 2023

Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (REIDs) constitute significant health problems and are becoming of major importance. Up to 75% of EIDs and REIDs have zoonotic origin. Several factors such as the destruction of natural habitats leading humans and animals to live in close proximity, ecological changes due to natural disasters, population migration resulting from war or conflict, interruption or decrease in disease prevention programs, and insufficient vector control applications and sanitation are involved in disease emergence and distribution. War and natural disasters have a great impact on the emergence/re-emergence of diseases in the population. According to a World Bank estimation, two billion people are living in poverty and fragility situations. Wars destroy health systems and infrastructure, curtail existing disease control programs, and cause population movement leading to an increase in exposure to health risks and favor the emergence of infectious diseases. A total of 432 catastrophic cases associated with natural disasters were recorded globally in 2021. Natural disasters increase the risk of EID and REID outbreaks by damaging infrastructure and leading to displacement of populations. A Generic National Action Plan covering risk assessment, mechanism for action, determination of roles and responsibilities of each sector, the establishment of a coordination mechanism, etc. should be developed.
The impact of digital presence and use of information technology on business performance of veterinary practices: a case study of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Fejzić Nihad , Muftić Abdullah , Šerić-Haračić Sabina , Muftić Emina
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The veterinary profession is facing various challenges in the 21st century, such as livestock production intensification, shifting distribution of infectious diseases, growing focus on food safety alongside growing demand for companion animals’ veterinary services. Information technologies and digitalization trends had driven changes in many business sectors, including providing veterinary services thus opening new avenues to overcome the existing challenges this profession is facing.

Methods

A study was conducted among 244 veterinary practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The gathered information related to subjects involving digital presence, the utilization of information technologies, and the business performance. To obtain this information, a personalized questionnaire was utilized as the means for collecting data.

Results

The study revealed that only 10.2% had a business-associated website, and 54.9% were present on at least one social media platform. The study suggests that a positive impact on annual profit can be achieved through the implementation of effective digital marketing strategies such as web presence, search engine optimization, Google business account existence, website Google advertisement, continuous administration of social media, and social media advertisement. The statistical analysis indicates that Google advertisements, website search engine optimization, and social media advertisements greatly affect annual profit.

Discussion

Improving digital presence of veterinary businesses with professionally managed websites, use of social media platforms, investment in online marketing strategies, and adopting telehealth services and online access to patient records positively affects business performance and better fits the growing needs of clients and society.
A Mathematical Study on a Fractional-Order SEIR Mpox Model: Analysis and Vaccination Influence
Authors: Batiha Iqbal M. , Abubaker Ahmad A. , Jebril Iqbal H. , Al-Shaikh Suha B. , Matarneh Khaled , Almuzini Manal
Published: September 2023

This paper establishes a novel fractional-order version of a recently expanded form of the Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovery (SEIR) Mpox model. This model is investigated by means of demonstrating some significant findings connected with the stability analysis and the vaccination impact, as well. In particular, we analyze the fractional-order Mpox model in terms of its invariant region, boundedness of solution, equilibria, basic reproductive number, and its elasticity. In accordance with an effective vaccine, we study the progression and dynamics of the Mpox disease in compliance with various scenarios of the vaccination ratio through the proposed fractional-order Mpox model. Accordingly, several numerical findings of the proposed model are depicted with the use of two numerical methods; the Fractional Euler Method (FEM) and Modified Fractional Euler Method (MFEM). Such findings demonstrate the influence of the fractional-order values coupled with the vaccination rate on the dynamics of the established disease model.
Adaptive Neural Network Global Fractional Order Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Model-Free Intelligent PID Control for Hypersonic Vehicle’s Ground Thermal Environment
Authors: Lv Xiaodong , Zhang Guangming , Bai Zhiqing , Zhou Xiaoxiong , Shi Zhihan , Zhu Mingxiang
Published: September 2023

In this paper, an adaptive neural network global fractional order fast terminal sliding mode model-free intelligent PID control strategy (termed as TDE-ANNGFOFTSMC-MFIPIDC) is proposed for the hypersonic vehicle ground thermal environment simulation test device (GTESTD). Firstly, the mathematical model of the GTESTD is transformed into an ultra-local model to ensure that the control strategy design process does not rely on the potentially inaccurate dynamic GTESTD model. Meanwhile, time delay estimation (TDE) is employed to estimate the unknown terms of the ultra-local model. Next, a global fractional-order fast terminal sliding mode surface (GFOFTSMS) is introduced to effectively reduce the estimation error generated by TDE. It also eliminates arrival time, accelerates the convergence speed of the sliding phase, guarantees finite time arrival, avoids the singularity phenomenon, and bolsters robustness. Then, as the upper bound of the disturbance error is unknown, an adaptive neural network (ANN) control is designed to approximate the upper bound of the estimation error closely and mitigate the chattering phenomenon. Furthermore, the stability of the control system and the convergence time are proven by the Lyapunov stability theorem and are calculated, respectively. Finally, simulation results are conducted to validate the efficacy of the proposed control strategy.
The Life and Death of Freya the Walrus: Human and Wild Animal Interactions in the Anthropocene Era
Authors: Levin Abigail , Vincent Sarah
Published: September 2023

Freya the Walrus, who often climbed onto docked boats to sunbathe and frolic, was euthanized by the Norwegian Department of Fisheries in the Oslo fjord in August 2022, sparking international outrage and media attention. Since walruses are social animals, and since the Anthropocene era of climate change has displaced animals from their Arctic homes, forcing them to migrate, we can expect more human–animal interactions at such places as marinas, where Freya met her end. This paper asks and attempts to answer how we can make such interactions just going forward? In cases such as Freya’s, we need to reconcile three competing interests: the animal’s interest in living a flourishing life as best they can in a changing climate; the public’s interest in a safe and fulfilling wildlife encounter with an animal they have come to know intimately enough to name and follow devotedly on social media; and interests in maintaining private property. Examining these interests through the philosophical lenses of co-sovereignty, capability, and individuality, however, will yield more just results for animals in similar situations of conflict and co-existence with humans in urban spaces. We argue that, going forward, state resources should be expended to safeguard the public from marina access if safety is a genuine concern, while private money should be spent by marinas to enact safe animal removal with a no-kill policy.
Short-Term Wind Power Forecasting Based on VMD and a Hybrid SSA-TCN-BiGRU Network
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Zhang Lei , Sun Duo , Jin Kai , Gu Yu
Published: September 2023

Wind power generation is a renewable energy source, and its power output is influenced by multiple factors such as wind speed, direction, meteorological conditions, and the characteristics of wind turbines. Therefore, accurately predicting wind power is crucial for the grid operation and maintenance management of wind power plants. This paper proposes a hybrid model to improve the accuracy of wind power prediction. Accurate wind power forecasting is critical for the safe operation of power systems. To improve the accuracy of wind power prediction, this paper proposes a hybrid model incorporating variational modal decomposition (VMD), a Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA), and a temporal-convolutional-network-based bi-directional gated recurrent unit (TCN-BiGRU). The model first uses VMD to break down the raw power data into several modal components, and then it builds an SSA-TCN-BIGRU model for each component for prediction, and finally, it accumulates all the predicted components to obtain the wind power prediction results. The proposed short-term wind power prediction model was validated using measured data from a wind farm in China. The proposed VMD-SSA-TCN-BiGRU forecasting framework is compared with benchmark models to verify its practicability and reliability. Compared with the TCN-BiGRU, the symmetric mean absolute percentage error, the mean absolute error, and the root mean square error of the VMD-SSA-TCN-BiGRU model reduced by 34.36%, 49.14%, and 55.94%.
Taking Rational Numbers at Random
Authors: Cufaro Petroni Nicola
Published: September 2023

In this article, some prescriptions to define a distribution on the set Q0 of all rational numbers in [0,1] are outlined. We explored a few properties of these distributions and the possibility of making these rational numbers asymptotically equiprobable in a suitable sense. In particular, it will be shown that in the said limit—albeit no absolutely continuous uniform distribution can be properly defined in Q0—the probability allotted to every single q∈Q0 asymptotically vanishes, while that of the subset of Q0 falling in an interval [a,b]⊆Q0 goes to b−a. We finally present some hints to complete sequencing without repeating the numbers in Q0 as a prerequisite to laying down more distributions on it.
Protein Soft Drinks: A Retail Market Analysis and Selected Product Characterization
Authors: Ahern Niamh , Arendt Elke K. , Sahin Aylin W.
Published: September 2023

The market for protein-based drinks is endlessly growing, as the awareness of health-conscious consumers demands a shift from traditional protein smoothies or shakes to clear beverage alternatives that address thirst and hydration. The aim of this study was to investigate the soft drink market on a global scale with a focus on commercially available high-protein soft drinks, carbonated and uncarbonated, from both animal- and plant-based protein sources. Additionally, the physicochemical properties of 25 selected protein soft drinks from the market research were evaluated, including their protein content, density, viscosity, particle size, stability, pH and total titratable acidity (TTA), to explore their quality attributes. From the market research, 6.8% was the highest protein content found out of 138 beverages, with whey protein isolate and collagen hydrolysate being the most popular added protein ingredients. Only 18% of the market contained plant-based proteins, with pea protein isolate being the most common. The pH of all beverages showed acidic values (2.9 to 4.2), where TTA ranged from 0.4 to 1.47 mL (0.1 M NaOH/mL). Protein content, density and viscosity in all beverages exhibited a significantly strong positive correlation. The protein soft drink containing beef protein isolate stood out for highest protein content, density, particle size and TTA. Overall, these results demonstrate the effects and correlations of the different formulations on the quality characteristics. Therefore, the presented results can be utilized in the development and formulation of future protein soft drinks, including nutritional improvement and optimum quality, meeting current consumer trends and that are used as a convenient pre- or post-workout drink for individuals seeking muscle growth and repair.
Lineage Plasticity and Stemness Phenotypes in Prostate Cancer: Harnessing the Power of Integrated “Omics” Approaches to Explore Measurable Metrics
Authors: Logotheti Souzana , Papadaki Eugenia , Zolota Vasiliki , Logothetis Christopher , Vrahatis Aristidis G. , Soundararajan Rama , Tzelepi Vasiliki
Published: September 2023

Prostate cancer (PCa), the most frequent and second most lethal cancer type in men in developed countries, is a highly heterogeneous disease. PCa heterogeneity, therapy resistance, stemness, and lethal progression have been attributed to lineage plasticity, which refers to the ability of neoplastic cells to undergo phenotypic changes under microenvironmental pressures by switching between developmental cell states. What remains to be elucidated is how to identify measurements of lineage plasticity, how to implement them to inform preclinical and clinical research, and, further, how to classify patients and inform therapeutic strategies in the clinic. Recent research has highlighted the crucial role of next-generation sequencing technologies in identifying potential biomarkers associated with lineage plasticity. Here, we review the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic events that have been described in PCa and highlight those with significance for lineage plasticity. We further focus on their relevance in PCa research and their benefits in PCa patient classification. Finally, we explore ways in which bioinformatic analyses can be used to determine lineage plasticity based on large omics analyses and algorithms that can shed light on upstream and downstream events. Most importantly, an integrated multiomics approach may soon allow for the identification of a lineage plasticity signature, which would revolutionize the molecular classification of PCa patients.
Discovery of VIP236, an αvβ3-Targeted Small-Molecule–Drug Conjugate with Neutrophil Elastase-Mediated Activation of 7-Ethyl Camptothecin Payload for Treatment of Solid Tumors
Authors: Lerchen Hans-Georg , Stelte-Ludwig Beatrix , Heroult Melanie , Zubov Dmitry , Gericke Kersten Matthias , Wong Harvey , Frigault Melanie M. , Johnson Amy J. , Izumi Raquel , Hamdy Ahmed
Published: September 2023

The emerging field of small-molecule–drug conjugates (SMDCs) using small-molecule biomarker-targeted compounds for tumor homing may provide new perspectives for targeted delivery. Here, for the first time, we disclose the structure and the synthesis of VIP236, an SMDC designed for the treatment of metastatic solid tumors by targeting αvβ3 integrins and extracellular cleavage of the 7-ethyl camptothecin payload by neutrophil elastase in the tumor microenvironment. Imaging studies in the Lewis lung mouse model using an elastase cleavable quenched substrate showed pronounced elastase activity in the tumor. Pharmacokinetics studies of VIP236 in tumor-bearing mice demonstrated high stability of the SMDC in plasma and high tumor accumulation of the cleaved payload. Studies in bile-duct-cannulated rats showed that biliary excretion of the unmodified conjugate is the primary route of elimination. Treatment- and time-dependent phosphorylation of H2AX, a marker of DNA damage downstream of topoisomerase 1 inhibition, verified the on-target activity of the payload cleaved from VIP236 in vivo. Treatment with VIP236 resulted in long-lasting tumor regression in subcutaneous patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models from patients with non-small-cell lung, colon, and renal cancer as well as in two orthotopic metastatic triple-negative breast cancer PDX models. In these models, a significant reduction of brain and lung metastases also was observed.
Endocrine Mucin-Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma: Case Presentation with a Comprehensive Review of the Literature
Authors: Cazzato Gerardo , Bellitti Emilio , Trilli Irma , Colagrande Anna , Sgarro Nicoletta , Scarcella Vincenza Sara , Lettini Teresa , Ingravallo Giuseppe , Piscitelli Domenico , Resta Leonardo , Lospalluti Lucia
Published: September 2023

(1) Background: Endocrine Mucin-Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma (EMPSGC) is a rare, low-grade, neuroendocrine-differentiated, cutaneous adnexal tumor, officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Skin Tumors Classification in 2018 as a separate entity and homologue of endocrine ductal carcinoma in situ (eDCIS)/solid papillary carcinoma of the breast. Although it is more frequent in the female sex, between 60 and 70 years old, in the peri-orbital region, EMPSGC has also been described in the male sex, in subjects under 60 and over 80, and in extra-eyelid localizations (cheek, temple, scalp), but also in extra-facial localizations (chest and scrotum). (2) Methods: We present the clinical case of a 71-year-old woman with an undated lesion of the scalp, which presented as a nodule, skin-colored, and 2.5 cm in maximum diameter. We also conduct a comprehensive literature review from 1997 to the end of 2022, consulting PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Google Scholar using the following keywords: “Endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma” and/or “EMPSGC” and/or “skin” and “cutaneous neoplasms”. In addition, we followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 253 patients were recorded; 146 were females (57.7%) and 107 were males (42.2%). The vast majority of the lesions were in the eyelids (peri-ocular region), and only a minority of cases involved the cheeks, supra-auricular, retro-auricular, and occipital region, with very rare cases in the scalp, to which the present is also added. (4) Conclusions: The morphological and immunophenotypical features are essential both for the correct diagnosis and to be able to classify this lesion among the corresponding eDCIS/solid papillary carcinoma of the breast, with neuroendocrine differentiation. Recent papers have attempted to shed light on the molecular features of EMPSGC, and much remains to be conducted in the attempt to subtype the molecular profiles of these entities. Future studies with large case series, and especially with molecular biology techniques, will be needed to further add information about EMPSGC and its relationship in the PCMC spectrum.
Quantum-Walk-Inspired Dynamic Adiabatic Local Search
Authors: Chiang Chen-Fu , Alsing Paul M.
Published: September 2023

We investigate the irreconcilability issue that arises when translating the search algorithm from the Continuous Time Quantum Walk (CTQW) framework to the Adiabatic Quantum Computing (AQC) framework. For the AQC formulation to evolve along the same path as the CTQW, it requires a constant energy gap in the Hamiltonian throughout the AQC schedule. To resolve the constant gap issue, we modify the CTQW-inspired AQC catalyst Hamiltonian from an XZ operator to a Z oracle operator. Through simulation, we demonstrate that the total running time for the proposed approach for AQC with the modified catalyst Hamiltonian remains optimal as CTQW. Inspired by this solution, we further investigate adaptive scheduling for the catalyst Hamiltonian and its coefficient function in the adiabatic path of Grover-inspired AQC to improve the adiabatic local search.
Narrow Band Frequency Response Analysis of Power Transformers with Deep Learning
Authors: Phillip Micah , Singh Arvind , Ramlal Craig J.
Published: September 2023

Frequency response analysis (FRA) is a standard technique for monitoring the integrity of the mechanical structure of power transformer windings. To date, however, there remains no suitable method for online testing using this technique. One of the main issues that persists is that any hardware designed to measure the frequencies in the range of interest would filter out frequency bands used for assessment by humans. The growth of pattern recognition capabilities in deep learning networks, however, now offers the possibility of detecting different types of faults in a narrow frequency band, which is simply not possible for human experts. This paper explores the ability of a selection of typical networks to classify common faults within different bands. The results show that networks are able to identify faults in bands where humans are unable to find them, which has implications for signal processing and electronics design in developing a system for online monitoring.
Estimating Energy Consumption of Battery Electric Vehicles Using Vehicle Sensor Data and Machine Learning Approaches
Authors: Achariyaviriya Witsarut , Wongsapai Wongkot , Janpoom Kittitat , Katongtung Tossapon , Mona Yuttana , Tippayawong Nakorn , Suttakul Pana
Published: September 2023

Transport electrification, which entails replacing fossil fuel-powered engines with electric drivetrains through the use of electric vehicles (EVs), has been identified as a potential strategy for reducing emissions in the transportation sector. As the adoption of EVs increases, there is a growing need to understand their performance and characteristics, particularly the factors that influence energy consumption under actual driving conditions. This study sought to investigate the actual energy consumption of commercial battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Thailand by conducting real-world driving tests under various route conditions, including urban and rural route modes. Data collection was performed through the use of onboard diagnostics and global positioning system devices. The result shows that the average energy consumption of the BEVs in this study was 148.03 Wh/km. Moreover, several machine learning (ML) techniques were utilized to analyze the collected dataset to predict energy consumption and identify the key factors influencing energy consumption. A comprehensive investigation of factor significance was carried out by employing a specific algorithm in conjunction with the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) approach. This investigation provided insights into the influence of battery current and vehicle speed on the energy consumption of BEVs, particularly in the context of urban route conditions. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the energy consumption of BEVs and the factors affecting it, which can aid in improving energy efficiency and informing policy decisions related to transport electrification.
Effect of Tannic Acid on the Corrosion Behavior of W18Cr4V in a Simulated Wood Environment and Its Inhibition Mechanism
Authors: Jia Na , Wang Chunxin , Zhang Chunpu , Liu Jiuqing
Published: September 2023

This study explores the effect of tannic acid on the corrosion of woodworking tool material W18Cr4V in a simulated wood environment. The weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to study the corrosion and the corrosion inhibition process of W18Cr4V in an environment of acetic acid solution with different concentrations of tannic acid. The results show that after continuous immersion for 20 h, low concentrations (1 wt% and 3 wt%) of tannic acid promoted the corrosion of W18Cr4V, while high concentrations (5 wt% and above) of tannic acid had a significant anti-corrosion effect, with a corrosion inhibition efficiency of about 64% for 10 wt% tannic acid. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to further verify and elucidate the inhibition mechanism. It was found that tannic acid can form a dense and effective corrosion inhibition film composed of iron–tannin complexes on the surface of W18Cr4V. This study not only provides a new perspective on understanding the corrosion effect of tannic acid on woodworking tools but also offers new insights for developing effective bio-corrosion protection strategies.
Tactical Forwarder Planning: A Data-Driven Approach for Timber Forwarding
Authors: Munis Rafaele Almeida , Almeida Rodrigo Oliveira , Camargo Diego Aparecido , da Silva Richardson Barbosa Gomes , Wojciechowski Jaime , Simões Danilo
Published: September 2023

Tactical planning in timber harvesting involves aspects related to forest macro-planning and, particularly, the allocation of resources and sequencing of activities, all of which affect the allocation of timber in forest yards and roads and the productivity of forest machines. Data-driven approaches encourage the use of information obtained from data to enhance decision-making efficiency and support the development of short-term strategies. Therefore, our investigation was intended to determine whether a data-driven approach can generate sufficient input for modeling forwarder productivity in timber forwarding in Pinus and Eucalyptus planted forests, to support tactical planning. We utilized 3812 instances of raw data that were generated over a 36-month period. The data were collected from 23 loggers who operated in Pinus and Eucalyptus planted forests. We applied 22 regression algorithms that applied a supervised learning method from an experimental machine learning approach to the data instances. We evaluated the fitted models using three performance metrics. Out of the tested algorithms, the default mode of light gradient boosting produced a root mean squared error of 14.80 m3 h−1, a mean absolute error of 2.70, and a coefficient of determination of 0.77. Therefore, data-driven methods adequately support forwarder productivity modeling in timber forwarding in planted forests and help forest managers with tactical planning.
The Effect of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Concentration on the Growth and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Characteristics of Hazelnut Leaves under Cadmium Stress
Authors: Liu Xiaojia , Cai Yan , Ni Peiyan , Liu Binghan , Tang Xuedong
Published: September 2023

To understand the response of hazelnut to the increased concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) under cadmium (Cd) pollution stress, this paper used an artificial open top chamber to control the CO2 concentration (at 370 and 750 μmol·mol−1) and to study the effects of an elevated CO2 concentration on the growth and photosynthetic capacity of hazelnut leaves under different levels of Cd stress. The results showed that the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration has a tendency to alleviate the inhibition of plant growth caused by Cd. The net photosynthetic rate rose significantly, although the transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of hazelnut leaves decreased slightly with the rise in CO2 concentration. The rise in CO2 concentration had no significant effect on the activity of the photosystem Ⅱ (PSII) reaction center in hazelnut leaves. Under Cd stress conditions, the rise in CO2 concentration significantly enhanced the PSII hazelnut leaves’ photochemical activity, which promotes the PSII receptor’s electron transfer capacity side and alleviates the degree of damage to the oxygen-evolving complex and the thylakoid membrane of the PSII donor side. The number of active reaction centers per unit area of hazelnut leaves, and the proportion of energy absorbed by PSII that is used for photosynthetic electron transfer, increased under severe stress conditions, which in turn reduced the energy proportion that was used for heat dissipation, providing CO2’s effective fixation energy in the dark reaction. In conclusion, the rise in the CO2 concentration enhances hazelnut’s heavy metal resistance by improving the PSII function under Cd stress conditions.
A Predictive Model to Correlate Amino Acids and Aromatic Compounds in Calabrian Honeys
Authors: Carabetta Sonia , Di Sanzo Rosa , Fuda Salvatore , Muscolo Adele , Russo Mariateresa
Published: September 2023

To better understand the biochemistry of the organoleptic properties of honey influencing its commercial value, a predictive model for correlating amino acid profiles to aromatic compounds was built. Because the amino acid composition of different varieties of honey plays a key role as a precursor of specific aroma bouquets, it is necessary to relate the amino acid typesetting to aromatic molecules. A selection of unifloral honeys produced in Calabria, South Italy, were used, and a new methodology based on the use of HILIC-UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS and HS-SPME-GC-MS combined with multivariate processing has been developed. This study, carried out for the first time on honey, shows its excellent potential as a modern analytical tool for a rapid multicomponent analysis of food-quality indicators. Data obtained showed strong positive linear correlations between aldehydes and isoleucine, valine, leucine, and phenylalanine. Furans are correlated with isoleucine, leucine, and phenylalanine; hydrocarbons with serine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid; and ketones with serine, alanine, glutamine, histidine, asparagine, and lysine. Alcohols were more associated with tyrosine than esters with arginine. Proline, tryptophan, and threonine showed poor correlations with all the classes of aroma compounds.
Reduction in the Cocoa Spontaneous and Starter Culture Fermentation Time Based on the Antioxidant Profile Characterization
Authors: Balcázar-Zumaeta César R. , Pajuelo-Muñoz Alexa J. , Trigoso-Rojas Deisy F. , Iliquin-Chavez Angel F. , Fernández-Romero Editha , Yoplac Ives , Muñoz-Astecker Lucas D. , Rodríguez-Hamamura Nadia , Maza Mejía Ily M. , Cayo-Colca Ilse S. , Chagas-Junior Gilson C. A. , Maicelo-Quintana Jorge L. , Castro-Alayo Efrain M.
Published: September 2023

In current systems, the fermentation spontaneous process produces fermented beans of heterogeneous quality due to the fermentation time. This study demonstrated that the fermentation time should be reduced. For this purpose, the physicochemical parameters, antioxidant profile, and volatile compounds were characterized in two types of fermentation (spontaneous and starter culture) for 168 h in cocoa from three altitude levels. Multivariate analysis (cluster and PCA) was used to discriminate the fermentation stages. We found three stages in all fermentations, where the first two stages (0 h to 96 h) were characterized by a higher antioxidant potential of the cocoa bean and the presence of desirable volatile compounds such as acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and esters, which are precursors of cocoa aroma; however, prolonged fermentation times affected the antioxidant profile of the bean. In addition, the use of a starter culture facilitates the release of compounds in a shorter time (especially alcohols and esters). It is concluded that it is necessary to reduce the fermentation time under these conditions in the region of Amazonas.