bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the RIST Molecular-Targeted Regimen in a Three-Dimensional Neuroblastoma Spheroid Cell Culture Model
Authors: Kaess Carina , Matthes Marie , Gross Jonas , Waetzig Rebecca , Heise Tilman , Corbacioglu Selim , Sommer Gunhild
Published: March 2023

Background: The outcome for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma remains poor and novel treatment strategies are urgently needed. The RIST protocol represents a novel metronomic and multimodal treatment strategy for high-risk neuroblastoma combining molecular-targeted drugs as ‘pre-treatment’ with a conventional chemotherapy backbone, currently evaluated in a phase II clinical trial. For preclinical drug testing, cancer cell growth as spheroid compared to mo-nolayer cultures is of advantage since it reproduces a wide range of tumor characteristics, including the three-dimensional architecture and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. The objective of this study was to establish a neuroblastoma spheroid model for the rigorous assessment of the RIST treatment protocol. Methods: Evaluation of CSC marker expression was performed by mRNA and protein analysis and spheroid viability by luminescence-based assays. Aberrant expression of RNA-binding protein La in neuroblastoma was assessed by tissue microarray analysis and patients’ data mining. Results: Spheroid cultures showed increased expression of a subgroup of CSC-like markers (CXCR4, NANOG and BMI) and higher Thr389 phosphorylation of the neuroblastoma-associated RNA-binding protein La when compared to monolayer cultures. Molecular-targeted ‘pre-treatment’ of spheroids decreased neoplastic signaling and CSC marker expression. Conclusions: The RIST treatment protocol efficiently reduced the viability of neuroblastoma spheroids characterized by advanced CSC properties.
Improving the Assessment and Diagnosis of Breast Lymphedema after Treatment for Breast Cancer
Authors: Riches Katie , Cheung Kwok-Leung , Keeley Vaughan
Published: March 2023

Lymphedema can develop after treatment for breast cancer (BCRL). Lymphedema of the breast is not well studied. Currently, the main techniques used to diagnose and monitor the effectiveness of treatment are subjective clinician assessment and patient reports. Eighty-nine women who had undergone breast cancer treatment were recruited with and without breast lymphedema. Blinded clinical assessment determined the presence or absence of breast lymphedema. Measurement of skin thickness by ultrasound scanning, local tissue water by tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and tissue indentation by tonometry was recorded. Breast cancer treatment and demographic details were documented. Descriptive statistics were undertaken to compare sample characteristics, including the Chi-squared test, Odds Ratio (OR) and Relative Risks (RR) calculated. Increased body mass index (BMI), larger bra size, increased number of positive lymph nodes, axillary surgery, chemotherapy and increased Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) were all associated with breast lymphedema (p < 0.05). Ultrasound and TDC measurements were significantly higher in the lymphedema group (p < 0.05). Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated that ultrasound and TDC measurements could distinguish between edematous and non-edematous breasts. Threshold levels were produced, which demonstrated good levels of sensitivity and specificity. These findings have the potential to improve the diagnosis of breast lymphedema.
Enhanced Cyclopentanone Yield from Furfural Hydrogenation: Promotional Effect of Surface Silanols on Ni-Cu/m-Silica Catalyst
Authors: Balaga Ravi , Balla Putrakumar , Zhang Xiaoqiang , Ramineni Kishore , Du Hong , Lingalwar Shrutika , Perupogu Vijayanand , Zhang Zongchao Conrad
Published: March 2023

A direct alkaline hydrothermal method was used to synthesize mono- and bimetallic Ni and Cu on mesoporous silica (m-SiO2) as catalysts for the hydrogenation of furfural (FAL) to cyclopentanone (CPO). The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FTIR, H2-TPR, SEM, TEM, HR-TEM, XPS, ICP, BET, and CHN analysis. The results demonstrate that the addition of Cu metal improved the reducibility of Ni catalysts and revealed Ni-Cu alloy formation over m-SiO2. Furthermore, XPS and FTIR results reveal that the silanol groups on the catalyst surface play an important role in the ring rearrangement of furfuryl alcohol. Hence, the effect of silanol groups in the FOL rearrangement was studied in detail. Among the catalysts at fixed metal loading of 20 wt.%, Ni5Cu15/m-SiO2 catalyzed the formation of CPO as the main product due to the synergy of Ni-Cu alloy and surface silanol groups. Ni5Cu15 supported on a commercial mesoporous silica (Ni5Cu15/C-SiO2) showed inferior performance compared with the Ni5Cu15/m-SiO2 catalyst for the FAL hydrogenation. Reaction temperature and time were also optimized for the enhanced CPO yield over Ni5Cu15/m-SiO2. The Ni5Cu15/m-SiO2 catalyst is durable, as demonstrated by stability tests over multiple reuses. This effective and flexible NixCuy on m-SiO2 catalyst provides an effective candidate for efficient upgrading of furanics in selective hydrogenation reactions.
Multifunctional Enzymes in Microbial Secondary Metabolic Processes
Authors: Wang Jun-Tao , Shi Ting-Ting , Ding Lin , Xie Juan , Zhao Pei-Ji
Published: March 2023

Microorganisms possess a strong capacity for secondary metabolite synthesis, which is represented by tightly controlled networks. The absence of any enzymes leads to a change in the original metabolic pathway, with a decrease in or even elimination of a synthetic product, which is not permissible under conditions of normal life activities of microorganisms. In order to improve the efficiency of secondary metabolism, organisms have evolved multifunctional enzymes (MFEs) that can catalyze two or more kinds of reactions via multiple active sites. However, instead of interfering, the multifunctional catalytic properties of MFEs facilitate the biosynthetic process. Among the numerous MFEs considered of vital importance in the life activities of living organisms are the synthases involved in assembling the backbone of compounds using different substrates and modifying enzymes that confer the final activity of compounds. In this paper, we review MFEs in terms of both synthetic and post-modifying enzymes involved in secondary metabolic biosynthesis, focusing on polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, terpenoids, and a wide range of cytochrome P450s(CYP450s), and provide an overview and describe the recent progress in the research on MFEs.
Biochemical Characterization of an Endoglucanase GH7 from Thermophile Thermothielavioides terrestris Expressed on Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Alnoch Robson C. , Salgado Jose C. S. , Alves Gabriela S. , de Andrades Diandra , Meleiro Luana P. , Segato Fernando , Berto Gabriela Leila , Ward Richard J. , Buckeridge Marcos S. , Polizeli Maria de Lourdes T. M.
Published: March 2023

Endoglucanases (EC 3.2.1.4) are important enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of cellulose, acting randomly in the β-1,4-glycosidic bonds present in the amorphous regions of the polysaccharide chain. These biocatalysts have been classified into 14 glycosyl hydrolase (GH) families. The GH7 family is of particular interest since it may act on a broad range of substrates, including cellulose, β-glucan, and xylan, an attractive feature for biotechnological applications, especially in the renewable energy field. In the current work, a gene from the thermophilic fungus Thermothielavioides terrestris, encoding an endoglucanase GH7 (TtCel7B), was cloned in the secretion vector pEXPYR and transformed into the high-protein-producing strain Aspergillus nidulans A773. Purified TtCel7B has a molecular weight of approximately 66 kDa, evidenced by SDS-PAGE. Circular dichroism confirmed the high β-strand content consistent with the canonical GH7 family β-jellyroll fold, also observed in the 3D homology model of TtCel7B. Biochemical characterization assays showed that TtCel7B was active over a wide range of pH values (3.5–7.0) and temperatures (45–70 °C), with the highest activity at pH 4.0 and 65 °C. TtCel7B also was stable over a wide range of pH values (3.5–9.0), maintaining more than 80% of its activity after 24 h. The KM and Vmax values in low-viscosity carboxymethylcellulose were 9.3 mg mL−1 and 2.5 × 104 U mg−1, respectively. The results obtained in this work provide a basis for the development of applications of recombinant TtCel7B in the renewable energy field.
Waste-Extracted Zn and Ag Co-Doped Spent Catalyst-Extracted V2O5 for Photocatalytic Degradation of Congo Red Dye: Effect of Metal-Nonmetal Co-Doping
Authors: Shalaby Nasser H. , Al-Mhyawi Saedah R. , Ragab Ahmed H. , Elmawgoud H. A. , Al-Swat Eman A. , Al-Thubaiti Noha M.
Published: March 2023

The current study applies the eco-friendly principle of “wastes treat wastes”. By swift methods, a composite photocatalyst was prepared from waste-extracted oxides, namely V2O5, Ag, and ZnO. The metal–lixiviant complexes were used as metal precursors, where the lixiviants act as auto-templates and increase the compatibility between the mixed metallic species, and their controlled thermal removal generates pores. The tri-constitute composite catalyst was doped with nitrogen. The constitution, surface composition, and optical properties of the doped catalysts were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, BET surface analysis, XPS, diffuse reflectance, and PL spectra. The as-prepared catalysts were employed in the photodegradation of Congo red dye (CR) under visible irradiation at ambient temperature. The degree of Ag dispersion had a significant effect on the bandgap, as did metal and metal-nonmetal co-doping. The efficiency of dye removal changes dramatically with time up to 120 min, after which it begins to decrease. According to the pH effect, the normal pH of Congo red dye (6.12) is optimal. At a catalyst dose of 1 g L−1 and an irradiation period of 120 min, photodegradation efficiency reached 89.9% and 83.4% over [Ag0.05 ZnO0.05 V2O5(0.90)] and [Ag0.05 ZnO0.05 V2O5(0.90)]N, respectively. The kinetic study depicted the significant role of mass transfer in the reaction rate. The obtained rate constants were 0.995 mole L−1 S−1 and 0.998 mole L−1 S−1 for [Ag0.05 ZnO0.05 V2O5(0.90)] and [Ag0.05 ZnO0.05 V2O5(0.90)]N, respectively.
The Pleiotropic Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 16 and Its Many Substrates
Authors: Zheng Jiahuan , Chen Chunxu , Guo Chunqing , Caba Cody , Tong Yufeng , Wang Hengbin
Published: March 2023

Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 16 (USP16) is a deubiquitinase that plays a role in the regulation of gene expression, cell cycle progression, and various other functions. It was originally identified as the major deubiquitinase for histone H2A and has since been found to deubiquitinate a range of other substrates, including proteins from both the cytoplasm and nucleus. USP16 is phosphorylated when cells enter mitosis and dephosphorylated during the metaphase/anaphase transition. While much of USP16 is localized in the cytoplasm, separating the enzyme from its substrates is considered an important regulatory mechanism. Some of the functions that USP16 has been linked to include DNA damage repair, immune disease, tumorigenesis, protein synthesis, coronary artery health, and male infertility. The strong connection to immune response and the fact that multiple oncogene products are substrates of USP16 suggests that USP16 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of certain human diseases.
Terminal Complement Activation Is Induced by Factors Released from Endplate Tissue of Disc Degeneration Patients and Stimulates Expression of Catabolic Enzymes in Annulus Fibrosus Cells
Authors: Kuhn Amelie , Riegger Jana , Teixeira Graciosa Q. , Huber-Lang Markus , Lambris John D. , Neidlinger-Wilke Cornelia , Brenner Rolf E.
Published: March 2023

Terminal complement complex (TCC) deposition was identified in human degenerated discs. To clarify the role of terminal complement activation in disc degeneration (DD), we investigated respective activating mechanisms and cellular effects in annulus fibrosus (AF) cells. Isolated cells from human AF, nucleus pulposus (NP), and endplate (EP) were stimulated with human serum alone or with zymosan and treated with either the C3 inhibitor Cp40 or the C5 antibody eculizumab. Complement activation was determined via anaphylatoxin generation and TCC deposition detection. Thereby, induced catabolic effects were evaluated in cultured AF cells. Moreover, C5 cleavage under degenerative conditions in the presence of AF cells was assessed. Zymosan-induced anaphylatoxin generation and TCC deposition was significantly suppressed by both complement inhibitors. Zymosan induced gene expression of ADAMTS4, MMP1, and COX2. Whereas the C3 blockade attenuated the expression of ADAMTS4, the C5 blockade reduced the expression of ADAMTS4, MMP1, and COX2. Direct C5 cleavage was significantly enhanced by EP conditioned medium from DD patients and CTSD. These results indicate that terminal complement activation might be functionally involved in the progression of DD. Moreover, we found evidence that soluble factors secreted by degenerated EP tissue can mediate direct C5 cleavage, thereby contributing to complement activation in degenerated discs.
Persistent CD8 T Cell Marks Caused by the HCMV Infection in Seropositive Adults: Prevalence of HLA-E-Reactive CD8 T Cells
Authors: Rousselière Amélie , Charreau Béatrice
Published: March 2023

This study investigated the frequency and peptide specificity of long-lasting HCMV-specific CD8 T cells in a cohort of 120 cytomegalovirus seropositive (HCMV+) healthy carriers with the aim of deciphering the relative contribution of unconventional HLA-E- versus conventional HLA-A2-specific CD8 T cells to long-term T cell memory expansion in HCMV immunity. The presence of HCMV-specific CD8 T cells was investigated by flow cytometry using five MHC/peptide tetramer complexes (HLA-A2/pp65, HLA-A2/IE1 and three different HLA-E/UL40). Here, we report that 50% of HCMV+ healthy individuals possess HCMV-specific CD8 T cells, representing ≥0.1% of total blood CD8 T cells years post-infection. Around a third (30.8%) of individuals possess HLA-A2-restricted (A2pp65 or A2IE1) and an equal proportion (27.5%) possess an HLA-E/UL40 CD8 T response. Concomitant HLA-E- and HLA-A2-reactive CD8 T cells were frequently found, and VMAPRTLIL peptide was the major target. The frequency of HLA-E/VMAPRTLIL among total blood CD8 T cells was significantly higher than the frequency of HLA-A2pp65 T cells (mean values: 5.9% versus 2.3%, p = 0.0354). HLA-EUL40 CD8 T cells display lower TCR avidity but similar levels of CD3 and CD8 coreceptors. In conclusion, HLA-E-restricted CD8 T cells against the VMAPRTLIL UL40 peptide constitute a predominant subset among long-lasting anti-HCMV CD8 T cells.
Unleashed Actin Assembly in Capping Protein-Deficient B16-F1 Cells Enables Identification of Multiple Factors Contributing to Filopodium Formation
Authors: Hein Jens Ingo , Scholz Jonas , Körber Sarah , Kaufmann Thomas , Faix Jan
Published: March 2023

Background: Filopodia are dynamic, finger-like actin-filament bundles that overcome membrane tension by forces generated through actin polymerization at their tips to allow extension of these structures a few microns beyond the cell periphery. Actin assembly of these protrusions is regulated by accessory proteins including heterodimeric capping protein (CP) or Ena/VASP actin polymerases to either terminate or promote filament growth. Accordingly, the depletion of CP in B16-F1 melanoma cells was previously shown to cause an explosive formation of filopodia. In Ena/VASP-deficient cells, CP depletion appeared to result in ruffling instead of inducing filopodia, implying that Ena/VASP proteins are absolutely essential for filopodia formation. However, this hypothesis was not yet experimentally confirmed. Methods: Here, we used B16-F1 cells and CRISPR/Cas9 technology to eliminate CP either alone or in combination with Ena/VASP or other factors residing at filopodia tips, followed by quantifications of filopodia length and number. Results: Unexpectedly, we find massive formations of filopodia even in the absence of CP and Ena/VASP proteins. Notably, combined inactivation of Ena/VASP, unconventional myosin-X and the formin FMNL3 was required to markedly impair filopodia formation in CP-deficient cells. Conclusions: Taken together, our results reveal that, besides Ena/VASP proteins, numerous other factors contribute to filopodia formation.
Identification of Novel Gene Regulatory Networks for Dystrophin Protein in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Single-Nuclear Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Shen Yan , Kim Il-man , Tang Yaoliang
Published: March 2023

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X-linked recessive disease caused by mutations in dystrophin proteins that lead to heart failure and respiratory failure. Dystrophin (DMD) is not only expressed in cardiomyocytes and skeletal muscle cells, but also in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Patients with DMD have been reported to have hypotension. Single nuclear RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) is a state-of-the-art technology capable of identifying niche-specific gene programs of tissue-specific cell subpopulations. To determine whether DMD mutation alters blood pressure, we compared systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure levels in mdx mice (a mouse model of DMD carrying a nonsense mutation in DMD gene) and the wide-type control mice. We found that mdx mice showed significantly lower systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure than control mice. To understand how DMD mutation changes gene expression profiles from VSMCs, we analyzed an snRNA-seq dataset from the muscle nucleus of DMD mutant (DMDmut) mice and control (Ctrl) mice. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that the most significantly activated pathways in DMDmut-VSMCs are involved in ion channel function (potassium channel activity, cation channel complex, and cation channel activity). Notably, we discovered that the DMDmut-VSMCs showed significantly upregulated expression of KCNQ5 and RYR2, whereas the most suppressed pathways were transmembrane transporter activity (such as anion transmembrane transporter activity, inorganic anion transmembrane transporter activity, import into cell, and import across plasma membrane). Moreover, we analyzed metabolic pathways from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) using “scMetabolism” R package. DMDmut-VSMCs exhibited dysregulation of pyruvate metabolism and nuclear acid metabolism. In conclusion, via the application of snRNA-seq, we (for the first time) identify the potential molecular regulation by DMD in the upregulation of the expression of KCNQ5 genes in VSMCs, which helps us to understand the mechanism of hypotension in DMD patients. Our study potentially offers new possibilities for therapeutic interventions in systemic hypotension in DMD patients with pharmacological inhibition of KCNQ5.
MgAl-NO3 LDH: Adsorption Isotherms and Multivariate Optimization for Cr(VI) Removal
Authors: Cardinale Anna Maria , Carbone Cristina , Molinari Simone , Salviulo Gabriella , Ardini Francisco
Published: March 2023

Within the framework of the various strategies studied for the abatement of polluting agents in water, both from anthropogenic and natural origins, adsorption processes are among the most widespread techniques. In this context, Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) play a fundamental role. In this study, a Mg–Al LDH (nitrate intercalated, Mg/Al = 2) was prepared to be used as an anion exchanger for Cr(VI)-removal purposes from water. The LDH was synthesized through a coprecipitation reaction, followed by an aging process under heating. The compound was characterized by means of inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Regarding LDH adsorption capacity, with respect to Cr(VI), the adsorption isotherms and reaction kinetic were studied, and the adsorption process was well described by the Langmuir model. A central composite design was used for the multivariate optimization of the working parameters. The maximum adsorption capacity was estimated to be 30 mg/g.
Extra Lateral Pin or Less Radiation? A Comparison of Two Different Pin Configurations in the Treatment of Supracondylar Humerus Fracture
Authors: Kaya Özgür , Gencer Batuhan , Çulcu Ahmet , Doğan Özgür
Published: March 2023

Background: Closed reduction and percutaneous fixation are the most commonly used methods in the surgical treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures. The pin configuration changes stability and is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between surgical duration and radiation dose/duration for different pinning fixations. Methods: A total of 48 patients with Gartland type 2, 3, and 4 supracondylar fractures of the humerus were randomized into two groups—2 lateral and 1 medial (2L1M) pin fixation (n = 26) and 1 lateral 1 medial (1L1M) pin fixation (n = 22). A primary assessment was performed regarding surgical duration, radiation duration, and radiation dose. A secondary assessment included clinical outcome, passive range of motion, radiographic measurements, Flynn’s criteria, and complications. Results: There were 26 patients in the first group (2L1M) and 22 patients in the second group (1L1M). There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding age, sex, type of fracture, or Flynn’s criteria. The overall mean surgical duration with 1L1M fixation (30.59 ± 8.72) was statistically lower (p = 0.001) when compared to the 2L1M Kirschner wire K-wire fixation (40.61 ± 8.25). The mean radiation duration was 0.76 ± 0.33 s in the 1L1M K-wire fixation and 1.68 ± 0.55 s in the 2L1M K-wire fixation. The mean radiation dose of the 2L1M K-wire fixation (2.45 ± 1.15 mGy) was higher than that of the 1L1M K-wire fixation (0.55 ± 0.43 mGy) (p = 0.000). Conclusions: The current study shows that although there is no difference between the clinical and radiological outcomes, radiation dose exposure is significantly lower for the 1L1M fixation method.
A Feedback Loop between TGF-β1 and ATG5 Mediated by miR-122-5p Regulates Fibrosis and EMT in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells
Authors: Chakraborthy Munmun , Rao Aparna
Published: March 2023

Autophagy is a cell’s evolutionary conserved process for degrading and recycling cellular proteins and removing damaged organelles. There has been an increasing interest in identifying the basic cellular mechanism of autophagy and its implications in health and illness during the last decade. Many proteinopathies such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease are reported to be associated with impaired autophagy. The functional significance of autophagy in exfoliation syndrome/exfoliation glaucoma (XFS/XFG), remains unknown though it is presumed to be impaired autophagy to be responsible for the aggregopathy characteristic of this disease. In the current study we have shown that autophagy or ATG5 is enhanced in response to TGF-β1 in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells and TGF-β1 induced autophagy is necessary for increased expression of profibrotic proteins and epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) through Smad3 that lead to aggregopathy. Inhibition of ATG5 by siRNA mediated knockdown reduced profibrotic and EMT markers and increased protein aggregates in the presence of TGF-β1 stimulation. The miR-122-5p, which was increased upon TGF exposure, was also reduced upon ATG5 inhibition. We thus conclude that TGF-β1 induces autophagy in primary HTM cells and a positive feedback loop exists between TGF-β1 and ATG5 that regulated TGF downstream effects mainly mediated by Smad3 signaling with miR-122-5p also playing a role.
Teaching Deprescribing and Combating Polypharmacy in the Pharmacy Curriculum: Educational Recommendations from Thematic Analysis of Focus Groups
Authors: Scott Devin , Cernasev Alina , Barenie Rachel E. , Springer Sydney P. , Axon David R.
Published: March 2023

In the last two decades in the United States (US), the previous research has focused on medication optimization, including polypharmacy. Polypharmacy is associated with several negative outcomes, which may be resolved by deprescribing medications that are no longer necessary. Although deprescribing is a critical aspect of a pharmacist’s role, some studies have demonstrated that student pharmacists are less familiar with their future role in deprescribing. Thus, this study aimed to explore student pharmacists’ perceptions of deprescribing in the pharmacy curriculum. This qualitative study was conducted with student pharmacists enrolled in three Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) programs in the US. The participants, all student pharmacists at the time of the study, were identified via an email requesting their voluntary participation in a focus group study. The focus groups were conducted via an online platform over three months in 2022, and recruitment continued until thematic saturation was obtained. Using thematic analysis, the corpus of the transcribed data was imported into Dedoose®, a qualitative software that facilitated the analysis. Three themes emerged from the data: (1) the importance of deprescribing; (2) barriers to deprescribing; (3) education recommendations. The data highlight that the student pharmacists believe integrating deprescribing content into the clinical, didactic, and simulation education would help them overcome the identified obstacles. Colleges of pharmacy should consider emphasizing the importance of deprescribing in their curriculum, creating programs to assist future pharmacists in addressing the barriers to deprescribing, and adopting the suggested educational strategies to improve the deprescribing education that is offered.
Heat Treatment Optimization of 2219 Aluminum Alloy Fabricated by Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Yang Jiannan , Ni Yunqiang , Li Hui , Fang Xuewei , Lu Bingheng
Published: March 2023

Wire-arc additive manufacturing has generated significant interest in the aerospace industry for the fabrication of large aluminum alloy components such as alloy 2219 (Al-6.3Cu). However, its application is limited by the low strength of the deposited parts. In this study, the effect of heat-treatment parameters, including solution temperature, solution time, aging temperature, and aging time, on the mechanical properties was optimized by using the Taguchi method. The results show that the solution temperature is the most influential factor on ultimate tensile strength and yielding strength, while the aging time had the most significant effect on elongation. Thereafter, the best control factor for the maximum response variable was obtained. Microhardness and strength properties were greatly improved after optimized T6 heat treatment. The strengthening mechanism of this additively fabricated Al-6.3Cu alloy was investigated by microstructural analysis.
Corrosion Behaviors of Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate (IDS) as an Environmentally Friendly Inhibitor: Experimental and Theoretical Studies
Authors: Fu Shaopeng , Yang Xingyao , Peng Yichun , Wang Qi , Sun Qinghao , Zhang Junwei , Wang Xinping , Liang Zezhou , Li Jianfeng
Published: March 2023

An environmentally friendly chelating agent, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate (IDS), was investigated as an inhibitor in the simulated concrete pore solution on Q235 carbon steel by using Tafel polarization (TF), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and surface morphology tests. The EIS and TF results indicate that the IDS is a mixed type of inhibitor and exhibits excellent protection efficiency (97.54%) at 200 mg/L. Furthermore, based on the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, IDS protects carbon steel through physical and chemical adsorption. Besides, density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are applied to explore the inhibition mechanism to support the experimental data, indicating that IDS can be used as a new green corrosion inhibitor.
Using Applied Electrochemistry to Obtain Nanoporous TiO2 Films on Ti6Al4V Implant Alloys and Their Preclinical In Vitro Characterization in Biological Solutions
Authors: Benea Lidia , Ravoiu Anca , Neaga Veaceslav , Axente Elena Roxana
Published: March 2023

Nanoporous TiO2 film is deposited on grade 5 Ti6Al4V implant alloy by electrochemical oxidation. The nanopores of the film, as highlighted by electron microscopy, have a mean diameter of 58.6 nm, which is measured and calculated from an average value of 10 measurements. The increase in oxygen concentration compared to the untreated alloy, which indicates the oxidation of the titanium alloy surface, is visualized using X-ray spectroscopy coupled to an electron microscope. The beneficial effect of the oxidation and controlled formation of the TiO2 film on the implant alloy is proven by the comparative evaluation of degradation over time through the corrosion of both the untreated alloy and the alloy with an electrochemically formed and controlled TiO2 film in Hank’s solution, which simulates the most corrosive biological fluid, blood. The results show that the electrochemical modification of the grade 5 titanium alloy to form a nanoporous TiO2 surface film using the electrochemical oxidation method confirms the potential of improving the anticorrosive properties of titanium alloys used in implant applications.
Agar Foam: Properties and Cleaning Effectiveness on Gypsum Surfaces
Authors: Guzmán García Lascurain Paulina , Goidanich Sara , Briatico Vangosa Francesco , Anzani Marilena , Rabbolini Alfiero , Sansonetti Antonio , Toniolo Lucia
Published: March 2023

In the past decade, the usage of soft materials, like gels, has allowed for a better control of the water release process into the substrate for cleaning interventions. Agar—a natural polysaccharide harvested from algae—has been used to perform cleaning of stone materials, gypsum works, and paintings with remarkably positive results. Agar presents the great advantage of being cheap, easily available, fast to produce and not toxic, allowing for more sustainable conservation works. More recently, a new type of agar fluid, agar foam, promises further control of the water release and ease of application on delicate surfaces. In the present study, this new type of agar, CO2 and N2O foams, has been characterized and compared with the conventional sol/gel agar system. Moreover, the cleaning effectiveness of the agar foam was tested both in laboratory conditions and in two case studies: a historical gypsum from the porch framing of the Abbey of Nonantola, and the 20th century gypsum cast of the Pietà Rondanini by Michelangelo, located in the Sforza Castle in Milan. The obtained results show that foaming changes the sol-gel transition temperature of the agar gel as well as incrementing its dissipative behavior. When freshly applied, the foams flow with a reduced velocity, thus allowing a better control and ease of application. Once gelified, they act as a soft solid-like material, as shown by their rheological properties. Moreover, it was found that CO2 foam slightly reduces the water release to the surface, while maintaining the moldability and ease of application. The study allows for the conclusion that agar foam offers an interesting alternative for delicate surfaces, with a non-coherent mineral deposit, and with complex geometries that often represent a challenge for the conventional agar applications
Boronation of Biomass-Derived Materials for Hydrogen Storage
Authors: Lazzarini Andrea , Marino Alessia , Colaiezzi Roberta , De Luca Oreste , Conte Giuseppe , Policicchio Alfonso , Aloise Alfredo , Crucianelli Marcello
Published: March 2023

In spite of the widespread range of hydrogen applications as one of the greenest energy vectors, its transportation and storage still remain among the main concerns to be solved in order to definitively kickstart a rapid takeoff of a sustainable H2 economy. The quest for a simple, efficient, and highly reversible release storage technique is a very compelling target. Many studies have been undertaken to increase H2 storage efficiency by exploiting either chemisorption or physisorption processes, or through entrapment on different porous solid materials as sorbent systems. Among these, biomass-derived carbons represent a category of robust, efficient, and low-cost materials. One question that is still open-ended concerns the correlation of H2 uptake with the kind and number of heteroatoms as dopant of the carbonaceous sorbent matrix, such as boron, aiming to increase whenever possible bonding interactions with H2. Furthermore, the preferred choice is a function of the type of hydrogen use, which may involve a short- or long-term storage option. In this article, after a brief overview of the main hydrogen storage methods currently in use, all the currently available techniques for the boronation of activated carbonaceous matrices derived from recycled biomass or agricultural waste are discussed, highlighting the advantages and drawbacks of each of them.
Enhanced Pre-Trained Xception Model Transfer Learned for Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Joshi Shubhangi A. , Bongale Anupkumar M. , Olsson P. Olof , Urolagin Siddhaling , Dharrao Deepak , Bongale Arunkumar
Published: March 2023

Early detection and timely breast cancer treatment improve survival rates and patients’ quality of life. Hence, many computer-assisted techniques based on artificial intelligence are being introduced into the traditional diagnostic workflow. This inclusion of automatic diagnostic systems speeds up diagnosis and helps medical professionals by relieving their work pressure. This study proposes a breast cancer detection framework based on a deep convolutional neural network. To mine useful information about breast cancer through breast histopathology images of the 40× magnification factor that are publicly available, the BreakHis dataset and IDC(Invasive ductal carcinoma) dataset are used. Pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) models EfficientNetB0, ResNet50, and Xception are tested for this study. The top layers of these architectures are replaced by custom layers to make the whole architecture specific to the breast cancer detection task. It is seen that the customized Xception model outperformed other frameworks. It gave an accuracy of 93.33% for the 40× zoom images of the BreakHis dataset. The networks are trained using 70% data consisting of BreakHis 40× histopathological images as training data and validated on 30% of the total 40× images as unseen testing and validation data. The histopathology image set is augmented by performing various image transforms. Dropout and batch normalization are used as regularization techniques. Further, the proposed model with enhanced pre-trained Xception CNN is fine-tuned and tested on a part of the IDC dataset. For the IDC dataset training, validation, and testing percentages are kept as 60%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. It obtained an accuracy of 88.08% for the IDC dataset for recognizing invasive ductal carcinoma from H&E-stained histopathological tissue samples of breast tissues. Weights learned during training on the BreakHis dataset are kept the same while training the model on IDC dataset. Thus, this study enhances and customizes functionality of pre-trained model as per the task of classification on the BreakHis and IDC datasets. This study also tries to apply the transfer learning approach for the designed model to another similar classification task.
Nanomaterial Sensing Advantages: Electrochemical Behavior, Optimization and Performance of f-MWCNTs/CS/PB/AuE towards Aluminum Ions (Al3+) in Drinking Water
Authors: Ringgit Gilbert , Siddiquee Shafiquzzaman , Saallah Suryani , Mohamad Lal Mohammad Tamrin
Published: March 2023

Modern technology has been evolving towards nanotechnology due to the materials that can be transformed and manipulated on micro and nanoscales. In terms of detection, nanomaterials offer substantial sensing advantages, particularly in terms of enhanced sensitivity, synergistic effect, stability and selectivity. The immobilization of nanoparticles could alter the physicochemical properties of the electrode’s surface depending on the type of materials synthesized and employed. This research examined the synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and chitosan (CS), as well as the immobilization of Prussian blue (PB) on the surface of a bare gold electrode (AuE). These materials have been reported to have strong electrical conductivity and nanomaterial compatibility. In contrast, aluminum has been described as a replacement for traditional water quality treatment processes, such as chlorination and ozonation. Aluminum concentrations must be monitored despite the use of chemical treatment for water quality. Hence, excessive levels of exposure frequently result in neurotoxic effects including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disorders. In this experiment, the optimal conditions for f-MWCNTs, CS, PB, and AuE for the detection of Al3+ are phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (0.1 M, pH 2) with 5 mM Prussian Blue; scan rate = 0.25 Vs−1; accumulation duration = 25 s; and volume = 10 mL (ratio of 4:6). The performance of f-MWCNTs, CS, PB, and AuE was measured between 0.2 and 1 ppm with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.9853 (y = 0.0387x + 0.0748). The limit of detection (LOD) of the modified electrode was determined to be 0.002 ppm, with a recovery of 98.66–99.56%. The application of nanoparticles resulted in various advantages, including high conductivity, a simple, less time-consuming preparation technique, and enhanced sensitivity and stability for detecting the lowest concentration of Al3+ in drinking water.
Grassland Alterations Do Not Affect Breeding Success, but Can Explain Dietary Shifts of a Generalist Raptor Species
Authors: Demerdzhiev Dimitar Atanasov , Dobrev Dobromir Damyanov , Boev Zlatozar Nikolaev
Published: March 2023

Habitat alteration is a widespread threat severely affecting large raptors because of their low density and the huge area they inhabit. In this study, we assessed whether human-driven habitat alterations mediated dietary shifts of apex predators, focusing on the Eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca). Following a bottom-up conception (before–after), we evaluated the effect of grassland change on the eagle’s dietary shift and breeding success. Land use patterns underwent a significant transformation over the study period, creating a large decrease in grasslands. The territories lost an average of 25.79% of their grasslands. Habitat alteration mediated dietary shifts, but had no reproductive consequences for eagles. Eagles became 1.90 times more likely to predate on northern white-breasted hedgehog and 1.62 times more likely to forage on white stork in the period after grassland alteration. The frequency of tortoises also increased, and they were 4.04 times more likely to be predated on in the years after transformation. Conversely, brown hare was 0.51 times less likely to be consumed in the grassland loss period, while this likelihood was 0.54 times lower for rodents and 0.64 times lower for the European souslik. Doves, meanwhile, were 2.73 times more likely to be predated on in the years following grassland destruction. We found that the presence and biomass of songbirds correlated negatively with the breeding success of eagles, and biomass supply from European souslik was negatively associated with breeding success, while the white stork’s presence and biomass resulted positively in more progeny. Diet diversity did not have an effect on the eagle’s reproduction. The responses of these eagles may vary across territories, depending on how they rank their prey, as the territory effect was a powerful factor shaping dietary shifts for this top predator. Our results offer new evidence of the link between habitat alteration, dietary shifts, and reproductive success, contributing to our understanding of the enigmatic mechanism through which an apex predator successfully adapts to large-scale land use pattern transformation by increasing dietary specialization. We recommend restoration of habitat complexity, including preservation of field margins, grassland patches with scattered small shrub formations, and grassland margins between medium-sized arable lands, promotion of measures for traditional grassland management through gradual grazing, and a ban on the use of shredders.
An In Vitro Pilot Study Investigating the Antineoplastic Effects of GP-2250 on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines: Preliminary Results
Authors: Barras Milan , Schmitz Lutz , Braumann Chris , Uhl Waldemar , Skrygan Marina , Buchholz Marie , Meyer Thomas , Stockfleth Eggert , Müller Thomas , Becker Jürgen C. , Gambichler Thilo
Published: March 2023

Advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) can be a life-threatening disease for which effective and safe treatment in advanced stages is very limited. GP-2250 has been recently proven to have—in vitro and in vivo—antineoplastic effects on cancer cells. This study aims to investigate the potential anti-neoplastic effects of GP-2250 on the cSCC cell lines SCC13 and A431 through dose finding assessments, MTT cytotoxicity assays, cell migration assays, BrdU proliferation assays and FCM analysis. Our preliminary results have shown for the first time evidence for anti-neoplastic effects of GP-2250 on cSCC cells, enhancing cytotoxicity, attenuating cancer cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis and reducing tumour cell migration. Further investigations evaluating the modes of action of GP-2250 on cSCC cell lines are warranted in order to justify the use in vivo studies.
Mini-Perc for Renal Stones—A Single Center Experience and Literature Review
Authors: Cauni Victor-Mihail , Dragutescu Mihai , Mihai Bogdan , Gorecki Gabriel-Petre , Ples Liana , Sima Romina-Marina , Persu Cristian
Published: March 2023

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of miniaturized nephrolithotomy (mini-perc) in the management of renal stones with a diameter smaller than 20 mm. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 102 patients who underwent mini-perc between March 2015 and March 2020 in our department. The primary objective was the stone-free rate, but we also analyzed the retreatment rate, complications, hospital stay, operative time and reduction in hemoglobin level. All these patients had this technique as their first-line treatment, in a prone position, using a 16 Fr sheath size. Data were compared to a series of patients from the literature, treated with conventional PCNL. Results: The patients had calculus limited to either a single calyx or just extending to the renal pelvis, and stone size was less than 20 mm in its maximal dimension. The intrarenal stone location was in the upper calyx in 7 cases, middle calyx in 20 cases and lower calyx in 46 cases, and there were 29 patients with renal pelvis stone. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1, and the median age was 48.4 years. The average stone size was 17.4 mm in diameter (ranging between 9 and 20 mm) and all cases underwent Ho-YaG laser lithotripsy, ballistic energy and combined ultrasonic and ballistic lithotripsy. At the end of the procedure, an antegrade double J stent was placed under fluoroscopy for a maximum of 2 weeks in 42 cases, while 9 cases needed a nephrostomy tube 12–14 F. A total of 51 cases were totally tubeless. Our median operative time was 61 min (ranging from 35 to 75 min). The median hospitalization stay was 3.8 days. The stone free rate was 90.1% after one procedure, only nine (8.8%) cases needed a “second look” flexible ureteroscopy, and the final stone-free rate was 98% (absence of detectable calculi on ultrasound, KUB or non-contrast CT scan). The overall complication rate was 6.86% (Clavien classification I—57.14%; II—28.5%; III—14.2%), while no Clavien IV or V complications were reported. No patient required a blood transfusion, and mean hemoglobin loss was 0.81 mg/dL. Overall, our results are better than similar data for conventional PCNL in the literature. Conclusions: The “mini-perc” technique is an effective procedure for the treatment of the renal lithiasis that is less or equal to 2 cm. The results demonstrated that this minimally invasive technique is associated with a higher stone-free rate and minimal complications.
Study of Coagulation Disorders and the Prevalence of Their Related Symptoms among COVID-19 Patients in Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ghanem Heba Bassiony , Elderdery Abozer Y. , Alnassar Hana Nassar , Aldandan Hadeel Ali , Alkhaldi Wajd Hamed , Alfuhygy Kholod Saad , Alruwyli Mjd Muharib , Alayyaf Razan Ayed , Alkhalef Shoug Khaled , Alruwaili Saud Nahar L. , Mills Jeremy
Published: March 2023

Introduction: The coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected millions of people around the world. COVID-19 patients, particularly those with the critical illness, have coagulation abnormalities, thrombocytopenia, and a high prevalence of intravascular thrombosis. Objectives: This work aims to assess the prevalence of coagulation disorders and their related symptoms among COVID-19 patients in the Al-Jouf region of Saudi Arabia. Subjects and methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 160 COVID-19 patients. Data were collected from the medical records department of King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. The socio-demographic data, risk factors, coagulation profile investigation results, symptom and sign data related to coagulation disorders, and disease morbidity and mortality for COVID-19 patients were extracted from medical records, and the data were stored confidentially. Results: Males represented the highest prevalence of COVID-19 infection at 65%; 29% were aged 60 or over; 28% were smokers; and 36% were suffering from chronic diseases, with diabetes mellitus representing the highest prevalence. Positive D-dimer results occurred in 29% of cases, with abnormal platelet counts in 26%. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that the dysregulation of the coagulation cascade and the subsequent occurrence of coagulation disorders are common in coronavirus infections. The results show absolute values, not increases over normal values; thus, it is hard to justify increased risk and presence based on the presented data.
Methods of Visualizing the Results of an Artificial-Intelligence-Based Computer-Aided Detection System for Chest Radiographs: Effect on the Diagnostic Performance of Radiologists
Authors: Hong Sungho , Hwang Eui Jin , Kim Soojin , Song Jiyoung , Lee Taehee , Jo Gyeong Deok , Choi Yelim , Park Chang Min , Goo Jin Mo
Published: March 2023

It is unclear whether the visualization methods for artificial-intelligence-based computer-aided detection (AI-CAD) of chest radiographs influence the accuracy of readers’ interpretation. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of radiologists’ interpretations of chest radiographs using different visualization methods for the same AI-CAD. Initial chest radiographs of patients with acute respiratory symptoms were retrospectively collected. A commercialized AI-CAD using three different methods of visualizing was applied: (a) closed-line method, (b) heat map method, and (c) combined method. A reader test was conducted with five trainee radiologists over three interpretation sessions. In each session, the chest radiographs were interpreted using AI-CAD with one of the three visualization methods in random order. Examination-level sensitivity and accuracy, and lesion-level detection rates for clinically significant abnormalities were evaluated for the three visualization methods. The sensitivity (p = 0.007) and accuracy (p = 0.037) of the combined method are significantly higher than that of the closed-line method. Detection rates using the heat map method (p = 0.043) and the combined method (p = 0.004) are significantly higher than those using the closed-line method. The methods for visualizing AI-CAD results for chest radiographs influenced the performance of radiologists’ interpretations. Combining the closed-line and heat map methods for visualizing AI-CAD results led to the highest sensitivity and accuracy of radiologists.