bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Tone and Stiffness of the Teres Major Muscle in Elite Handball Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Jiménez-del-Barrio Sandra , Jiménez-Rejano Jose Jesús , Rebollo-Salas Manuel , Mingo-Gómez María Teresa , Lorenzo-Muñoz Almudena , Ceballos-Laita Luis
Published: July 2023

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether the elite handball (HB) athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) present differences in the mechanical properties in the teres major muscle, and strength and extensibility of the posterior shoulder tissues of the throwing shoulder (TS) compared to the non-throwing (non-TS) and non-HB athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, with sixty male participants: 30 HB athletes with GIRD and 30 age-matched healthy non-HB athletes. Mechanical properties of the teres major muscle were measured with MyotonPRO; also, extensibility of the posterior shoulder tissues and maximum isometric internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) strength were recorded. Results: The teres major muscle of the TS in the HB group achieved a higher tone (Δ 0.34; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.53) and stiffness (Δ 30.86; 95% CI: 23.04,38.68), and a lower relaxation time compared to the non-TS of the same group (Δ −0.69; 95% CI: −1.15, −0.24;) and to the TS of the control group for the tone (Δ 0.36; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.70) and for the stiffness (Δ 27.03; 95% CI: 15.24, 38.83). The extensibility of the TS of the HB group presented a statistically significant decrease compared to the control group (Δ−7.83; 95% CI: −12.42, 3.23). A between-groups ER/IR ratio imbalance was found for the TS (Δ−12.18; 95% CI: −25.59, −1.23) and the non-TS (Δ−13.01; 95% CI: −25.79, −0.25). Conclusions: HB athletes with GIRD present a higher tone and stiffness of the teres major muscle and lack of extensibility of the tissues of the posterior part of the shoulder compared to the non-TS and to healthy non-HB athletes.
Cytological Applications of the Vacuolization Phenomenon as a Means of Determining Saline Cytotoxicity
Authors: Emilian Onisan , Ioan Sarac , Irina Petrescu , Raul Pascalau , Adriana Ciulca , Dorin Camen , Ciprian Stroia
Published: July 2023

Salt stress induces cytotoxicity at the cellular level, influencing the vacuolization process, disrupting mitotic division, and thus inhibiting plant growth. The results for a range of species used in agriculture have shown that high soil salt levels affect germination, chlorophyl content and yield. In this study, an experiment was carried out in the laboratory using NaCl concentration treatments of 0, 100, 125 and 150 mM on sunflower seeds of the inbred line HA-89 obtained from the USDA gene bank. For the experiment, the seeds were germinated in a salt solution and analyzed cytologically by calculating the mitotic index, chromosomal aberration index, provacuolar index and vacuolization index. Following our cytological studies, we observed that the vacuolization phenomenon was caused by salt stress and progressively accentuated by the salt concentration levels and exposure times. The formation of vacuolized cells is due to the fusion of provacuoles, which contributes to a uniform or non-uniform distribution of genetic material around them. According to our results, the vacuolization index showed high values depending on the NaCl concentration and stress exposure time. Similarly, high salt concentrations significantly decreased the mitotic index and increased the chromosomal aberration index. The effect of salt stress causes cell vacuolization, a decrease in the mitotic index and an increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations in meristematic tissues, inhibiting growth and development and consequently leading to a reduction in productivity per unit area.
Liquid to Fused Deposition Modeling (L-FDM)—A Revolution in Application Chemicals to 3D Printing Technology—Mechanical and Functional Properties
Authors: Przekop Robert E. , Gabriel Ewa , Pakuła Daria , Sztorch Bogna
Published: July 2023

A novel L-FDM technique that builds upon the fundamentals of the FDM additive manufacturing process has been developed. It includes a mechanism that directly incorporates a chemical substance and alters polymer fibers throughout the fine process. This method eliminates the need for additional extrusion operations and compounding equipment to introduce chemical additives and solvents. This advancement opens up new opportunities for printers to be used in chemical labs to test new or known chemical substances. The paper outlines the technological assumptions, potential applications, and practical examples of direct filament modification using the L-FDM technique. The modifications made to the mechanical properties of the printed objects were confirmed through thermal analysis techniques (DSC), water contact angle measurements, electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), and mechanical analysis.
The Use of Blockchain Technology and OCR in E-Government for Document Management: Inbound Invoice Management as an Example
Authors: Azzam Fatima , Jaber Mariam , Saies Amany , Kirresh Tareq , Awadallah Ruba , Karakra Abdallah , Barghouthi Hafez , Amarneh Saleh
Published: July 2023

The field of electronic government (e-government) is gaining prominence in contemporary society, as it has a significant influence on the wider populace within the context of a technologically advanced world. E-government makes use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) at various levels and domains within government agencies and the public sector. ICT reduces manual labour, potential fraud points, errors, and process lapses. The Internet’s quick accessibility and the widespread adoption of modern technologies and disciplines, such as big data, the Internet of Things, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, have accelerated the need for e-government. However, these developments raise a number of data reliability and precision concerns. The adoption of blockchain technology by researchers demonstrates its efficacy in addressing such issues. The present study proposes the SECHash system model, which integrates blockchain and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technologies for the purpose of regulating the processing of incoming documents by governmental agencies. As a case study to assess the proposed system paradigm, the study uses a document containing incoming invoices. The proposal seeks to maintain the integrity of document data by prohibiting its modification after acceptance. Additionally, SECHash guarantees that accepted documents will not be destroyed or lost. The analysis demonstrates that using the SECHash model system will decrease fraudulent transactions by eradicating manual labour and storing documents on a blockchain network.
Use of Logarithmic Rates in Multi-Armed Bandit-Based Transmission Rate Control Embracing Frame Aggregations in Wireless Networks
Authors: Cho Soohyun
Published: July 2023

Herein, we propose the use of the logarithmic values of data transmission rates for multi-armed bandit (MAB) algorithms that adjust the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) levels of data packets in carrier-sensing multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) wireless networks. We argue that the utilities of the data transmission rates of the MCS levels may not be proportional to their nominal values and suggest using their logarithmic values instead of directly using their data transmission rates when MAB algorithms compute the expected throughputs of the MCS levels. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposal, we introduce two MAB algorithms that adopt the logarithmic rates of the transmission rates. The proposed MAB algorithms also support frame aggregations available in wireless network standards that aim for a high throughput. In addition, the proposed MAB algorithms use a sliding window over time to adapt to rapidly changing wireless channel environments. To evaluate the performance of the proposed MAB algorithms, we used the event-driven network simulator, ns-3. We evaluated their performance using various scenarios of stationary and non-stationary wireless network environments including multiple spatial streams and frame aggregations. The experiment results show that the proposed MAB algorithms outperform the MAB algorithms that do not adopt the logarithmic transmission rates in both the stationary and non-stationary scenarios.
Spectra Prediction for WLEDs with High TLCI
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Wang Peipei , Jin Zhiliang , Song Yang , Xiong Daxi
Published: July 2023

White light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) with a high television lighting consistency index (TLCI) are becoming popular in stadium, studio, and stage lighting, but they are hard to empirically manufacture because they exploit the response of a camera rather than that of the human eye. In this study, blue chips with green and red phosphors were used to build high-TLCI WLEDs, and a spectral prediction model for WLEDs used for calculating the TLCI was established. The model considers the reabsorption and re-emission of phosphors and spectral shift. To validate the model, WLEDs with a TLCI greater than 90, from 3000 K to 7000 K, were predicted and packaged. The maximum difference in the TLCI between the measured and predicted model values is approximately 1.93%. The spectral prediction model proposed in this study is expected to provide a helpful guideline for building high-TLCI WLEDs.
Semisupervised Speech Data Extraction from Basque Parliament Sessions and Validation on Fully Bilingual Basque–Spanish ASR
Authors: Penagarikano Mikel , Varona Amparo , Bordel Germán , Rodriguez-Fuentes Luis Javier
Published: July 2023

In this paper, a semisupervised speech data extraction method is presented and applied to create a new dataset designed for the development of fully bilingual Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems for Basque and Spanish. The dataset is drawn from an extensive collection of Basque Parliament plenary sessions containing frequent code switchings. Since session minutes are not exact, only the most reliable speech segments are kept for training. To that end, we use phonetic similarity scores between nominal and recognized phone sequences. The process starts with baseline acoustic models trained on generic out-of-domain data, then iteratively updates the models with the extracted data and applies the updated models to refine the training dataset until the observed improvement between two iterations becomes small enough. A development dataset, involving five plenary sessions not used for training, has been manually audited for tuning and evaluation purposes. Cross-validation experiments (with 20 random partitions) have been carried out on the development dataset, using the baseline and the iteratively updated models. On average, Word Error Rate (WER) reduces from 16.57% (baseline) to 4.41% (first iteration) and further to 4.02% (second iteration), which corresponds to relative WER reductions of 73.4% and 8.8%, respectively. When considering only Basque segments, WER reduces on average from 16.57% (baseline) to 5.51% (first iteration) and further to 5.13% (second iteration), which corresponds to relative WER reductions of 66.7% and 6.9%, respectively. As a result of this work, a new bilingual Basque–Spanish resource has been produced based on Basque Parliament sessions, including 998 h of training data (audio segments + transcriptions), a development set (17 h long) designed for tuning and evaluation under a cross-validation scheme and a fully bilingual trigram language model.
Distributed Weighted Coverage for Multi-Robot Systems in Non-Convex Environment
Authors: Cao Kai , Chen Yangquan , Gao Song , Dang Haixin , An Di
Published: July 2023

Multi-robot coverage systems are widely used in operations such as environmental monitoring, disaster rescue, and pollution prevention. This study considers inherent positioning errors in positioning systems and ground mobile robots with limited communication distance and poor quality in practice. A centroidal Voronoi tessellation algorithm-based formation control technology for multi-robots is optimized. First, by constructing buffered Voronoi cells (BUVCs) for each robot, the collision avoidance ability of the multi-robot formation movement is improved. Next, the formation control problem of multi-robots in a limited communication range and non-convex environment is realized via discrete Voronoi partitioning, a communication distance constraint, and an obstacle avoidance strategy. Simulation and experiment results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively solve the position generation problem of multi-robot coverage systems in a non-convex environment with actual sizes of the robots and positioning system errors and can further improve the collision avoidance performance of robots and the robustness of BUVC algorithms.
Exponentially Correlated Hylleraas–Configuration Interaction Studies of Atomic Systems. III. Upper and Lower Bounds to He-Sequence Oscillator Strengths for the Resonance 1S→1P Transition
Authors: Sims James S. , Padhy Bholanath , Ruiz María Belén Ruiz
Published: July 2023

The exponentially correlated Hylleraas–configuration interaction method (E-Hy-CI) is a generalization of the Hylleraas–configuration interaction method (Hy-CI) in which the single rij of an Hy-CI wave function is generalized to a form of the generic type rijνije−ωijrij. This work continues the exploration, begun in the first two papers in this series (on the helium atom and on ground and excited S states of Li II), of whether wave functions containing both linear and exponential rij factors converge more rapidly than either one alone. In the present study, we examined not only 1s2 1S states but 1s2p 1P states for the He I, Li II, Be III, C V and O VII members of the He isoelectronic sequence as well. All 1P energies except He I are better than previous results. The wave functions obtained were used to calculate oscillator strengths, including upper and lower bounds, for the He-sequence lowest (resonance) 1S→1P transition. Interpolation techniques were used to make a graphical study of the oscillator strength behavior along the isoelectronic sequence. Comparisons were made with previous experimental and theoretical results. The results of this study are oscillator strengths for the 1s2 1S→ 1s2p1P He isoelectronic sequence with rigorous non-relativistic quantum mechanical upper and lower bounds of (0.001–0.003)% and probable precision ≤ 0.0000003, and were obtained by extending the previously developed E-Hy-CI formalism to include the calculation of transition moments (oscillator strengths).
Generalized Cauchy–Schwarz Inequalities and A-Numerical Radius Applications
Authors: Altwaijry Najla , Feki Kais , Furuichi Shigeru
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this research paper is to introduce new Cauchy–Schwarz inequalities that are valid in semi-Hilbert spaces, which are generalizations of Hilbert spaces. We demonstrate how these new inequalities can be employed to derive novel A-numerical radius inequalities, where A denotes a positive semidefinite operator in a complex Hilbert space. Some of our novel A-numerical radius inequalities expand upon the existing literature on numerical radius inequalities with Hilbert space operators, which are important tools in functional analysis. We use techniques from semi-Hilbert space theory to prove our results and highlight some applications of our findings.
A New Class of Quantile Regression Ratio-Type Estimators for Finite Population Mean in Stratified Random Sampling
Authors: Koç Tuba , Koç Haydar
Published: July 2023

Quantile regression is one of the alternative regression techniques used when the assumptions of classical regression analysis are not met, and it estimates the values of the study variable in various quantiles of the distribution. This study proposes ratio-type estimators of a population mean using the information on quantile regression for stratified random sampling. The proposed ratio-type estimators are investigated with the help of the mean square error equations. Efficiency comparisons between the proposed estimators and classical estimators are presented in certain conditions. Under these obtained conditions, it is seen that the proposed estimators outperform the classical estimators. In addition, the theoretical results are supported by a real data application.
Classes of Harmonic Functions Related to Mittag-Leffler Function
Authors: Al-Dohiman Abeer A. , Frasin Basem Aref , Taşar Naci , Sakar Fethiye Müge
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this paper is to find new inclusion relations of the harmonic class HF(ϱ,γ) with the subclasses SHF*,KHF and TNHF(τ) of harmonic functions by applying the convolution operator Θ(ℑ) associated with the Mittag-Leffler function. Further for ϱ=0, several special cases of the main results are also obtained.
Stability Results and Reckoning Fixed Point Approaches by a Faster Iterative Method with an Application
Authors: Hammad Hasanen A. , Kattan Doha A.
Published: July 2023

In this manuscript, we investigate some convergence and stability results for reckoning fixed points using a faster iterative scheme in a Banach space. Also, weak and strong convergence are discussed for close contraction mappings in a Banach space and for Suzuki generalized nonexpansive mapping in a uniformly convex Banach space. Our method opens the door to many expansions in the problems of monotone variational inequalities, image restoration, convex optimization, and split convex feasibility. Moreover, some experimental examples were conducted to gauge the usefulness and efficiency of the technique compared with the iterative methods in the literature. Finally, the proposed approach is applied to solve the nonlinear Volterra integral equation with a delay.
Generalized Bayes Prediction Study Based on Joint Type-II Censoring
Authors: Abdel-Aty Yahia , Kayid Mohamed , Alomani Ghadah
Published: July 2023

In this paper, the problem of predicting future failure times based on a jointly type-II censored sample from k exponential populations is considered. The Bayesian prediction intervals and point predictors were then obtained. Generalized Bayes is a Bayesian study based on a learning rate parameter. This study investigated the effects of the learning rate parameters on the prediction results. The loss functions of squared error, Linex, and general entropy were used as point predictors. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to show the effectiveness of the learning rate parameter in improving the results of prediction intervals and point predictors.
Perceptions of Probiotics and Kombucha Consumption in Relation to Emotion Regulation: An Exploratory Study Comparing Portugal and Brazil
Authors: Góis Maria , Batista Patrícia , Araújo Magnólia , Oliveira-Silva Patrícia
Published: July 2023

Probiotic products have been the focus of research for several years due to the potential of their biological properties to impact mental health, mood, and cognitive functions. Kombucha is a probiotic drink that has been reported to be beneficial for mental health, particularly at the level of emotion regulation. This study aims to understand the perception of the Portuguese and Brazilian populations regarding the consumption of probiotics and Kombucha, as well as to understand these consumers’ perceptions related to the impact on emotion regulation (and the impact of this consumption on emotion regulation). The research was conducted through an online questionnaire and had a total sample of 256 participants. The results show that there are no statistically significant differences between the consumption of probiotics and Kombucha when comparing the Portuguese and Brazilian samples. Additionally, this study reveals a significant association between probiotic consumption patterns in both the Portuguese and Brazilian samples. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between the consumption of probiotics and Kombucha and emotion regulation. This study intends to contribute to the increase in knowledge about the perception of probiotics and Kombucha consumption in relation to emotion regulation, and to draw attention to the importance of this topic in the community (society, academia, and industry).
Empirical Myoelectric Feature Extraction and Pattern Recognition in Hemiplegic Distal Movement Decoding
Authors: Anastasiev Alexey , Kadone Hideki , Marushima Aiki , Watanabe Hiroki , Zaboronok Alexander , Watanabe Shinya , Matsumura Akira , Suzuki Kenji , Matsumaru Yuji , Ishikawa Eiichi
Published: July 2023

In myoelectrical pattern recognition (PR), the feature extraction methods for stroke-oriented applications are challenging and remain discordant due to a lack of hemiplegic data and limited knowledge of skeletomuscular function. Additionally, technical and clinical barriers create the need for robust, subject-independent feature generation while using supervised learning (SL). To the best of our knowledge, we are the first study to investigate the brute-force analysis of individual and combinational feature vectors for acute stroke gesture recognition using surface electromyography (EMG) of 19 patients. Moreover, post-brute-force singular vectors were concatenated via a Fibonacci-like spiral net ranking as a novel, broadly applicable concept for feature selection. This semi-brute-force navigated amalgamation in linkage (SNAiL) of EMG features revealed an explicit classification rate performance advantage of 10–17% compared to canonical feature sets, which can drastically extend PR capabilities in biosignal processing.
Correlations between Ratings and Technical Measurements in Hand-Intensive Work
Authors: Dahlgren Gunilla , Liv Per , Öhberg Fredrik , Slunga Järvholm Lisbeth , Forsman Mikael , Rehn Börje
Published: July 2023

An accurate rating of hand activity and force is essential in risk assessment and for the effective prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However, it is unclear whether the subjective ratings of workers and observers correlate to corresponding objective technical measures of exposure. Fifty-nine workers were video recorded while performing a hand-intensive work task at their workplace. Self-ratings of hand activity level (HAL) and force (Borg CR10) using the Hand Activity Threshold Limit Value® were assessed. Four ergonomist observers, in two pairs, also rated the hand activity and force level for each worker from video recordings. Wrist angular velocity was measured using inertial movement units. Muscle activity in the forearm muscles flexor carpi radialis (FCR) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) was measured with electromyography root mean square values (RMS) and normalized to maximal voluntary electrical activation (MVE). Kendall’s tau-b correlations were statistically significant between self-rated hand activity and wrist angular velocity at the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles (0.26, 0.31, and 0.23) and for the ratings of observers (0.32, 0.41, and 0.34). Significant correlations for force measures were found only for observer-ratings in five of eight measures (FCR 50th percentile 0.29, time > 10%MVE 0.43, time > 30%MVE 0.44, time < 5% −0.47) and ECR (time > 30%MVE 0.26). The higher magnitude of correlation for observer-ratings suggests that they may be preferred to the self-ratings of workers. When possible, objective technical measures of wrist angular velocity and muscle activity should be preferred to subjective ratings when assessing risks of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
An Innovative Three-Stage Model for Prenatal Genetic Disorder Detection Based on Region-of-Interest in Fetal Ultrasound
Authors: Tang Jiajie , Han Jin , Jiang Yuxuan , Xue Jiaxin , Zhou Hang , Hu Lianting , Chen Caiyuan , Lu Long
Published: July 2023

A global survey has revealed that genetic syndromes affect approximately 8% of the population, but most genetic diagnoses are typically made after birth. Facial deformities are commonly associated with chromosomal disorders. Prenatal diagnosis through ultrasound imaging is vital for identifying abnormal fetal facial features. However, this approach faces challenges such as inconsistent diagnostic criteria and limited coverage. To address this gap, we have developed FGDS, a three-stage model that utilizes fetal ultrasound images to detect genetic disorders. Our model was trained on a dataset of 2554 images. Specifically, FGDS employs object detection technology to extract key regions and integrates disease information from each region through ensemble learning. Experimental results demonstrate that FGDS accurately recognizes the anatomical structure of the fetal face, achieving an average precision of 0.988 across all classes. In the internal test set, FGDS achieves a sensitivity of 0.753 and a specificity of 0.889. Moreover, in the external test set, FGDS outperforms mainstream deep learning models with a sensitivity of 0.768 and a specificity of 0.837. This study highlights the potential of our proposed three-stage ensemble learning model for screening fetal genetic disorders. It showcases the model’s ability to enhance detection rates in clinical practice and alleviate the burden on medical professionals.
Effect of Fabrication Technology on the Accuracy of Surgical Guides for Dental-Implant Surgery
Authors: Lo Russo Lucio , Guida Laura , Mariani Pierluigi , Ronsivalle Vincenzo , Gallo Crescenzio , Cicciù Marco , Laino Luigi
Published: July 2023

Background: The accuracy of surgical guides is a relevant factor in both surgical safety and prosthetic implications. The impact of widespread fabrication technologies (milling and 3D printing) was investigated. Methods: Surgical guides manufactured by means of two specific milling and 3D-printing systems were digitized and compared in a 3D analysis with the digital file of the designed guides. The surface mean 3D distance (at the surface where the teeth and mucosa made contact) and the axial and linear deviations of the sleeves’ housings were measured by means of a metrological software program. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to investigate the effects of the fabrication technology, type of support, and arch type on the surgical guides’ accuracy. Results: The median deviations of the intaglio surface in contact with the mucosa were significantly (p < 0.001) lower for the milled surgical guides (0.05 mm) than for the 3D-printed guides (−0.07 mm), in comparison with the reference STL file. The generalized estimated equation models showed that the axial deviations of the sleeves’ housings (a median of 0.82 degrees for the milling, and 1.37 degrees for the 3D printing) were significantly affected by the fabrication technology (p = 0.011) (the milling exhibited better results), the type of support (p < 0.001), and the combined effect of the fabrication technology and the sleeve-to-crest angle (p = 0.003). The linear deviation (medians of 0.12 mm for the milling and 0.21 mm for the 3D printing) of their center points was significantly affected by the type of support (p = 0.001), with the milling performing slightly better than the 3D printing. Conclusions: The magnitude of the difference might account for a limited clinical significance.
Modulation of Antioxidant Compounds in Fruits of Citrus reticulata Blanco Using Postharvest LED Irradiation
Authors: Costanzo Giulia , Vitale Ermenegilda , Iesce Maria Rosaria , Spinelli Michele , Fontanarosa Carolina , Paradiso Roberta , Amoresano Angela , Arena Carmen
Published: July 2023

Phlegrean mandarin fruits are already known for health-promoting properties due to the high concentration of phytochemicals in peel, pulp, and seed. Biotic and abiotic factors, including light, may modulate their biosynthesis, metabolism, and accumulation. In this context, light-emitting diodes (LED) have recently been applied to control nutritional traits, ripening process, senescence, fruit shelf-life, and pathogenic microbial spoilage of fruits. This study investigated the effect of the seven-day exposure of Phlegrean mandarin fruits to two LED regimes, white (W) and red–blue (RB), to test the possibility that the storage under specific light wavelengths may be used as green preservation technology that enhances fruit phytochemical properties. To pursue this aim, the antioxidant activity and polyphenolic profile of the pulp and peel of mandarins under W and RB light regimes were evaluated and compared with Control fruits not exposed to LED treatment. Our results indicated that storage under W and RB treatments modulates the antioxidant content in pulp and peel differently. Compared to W, the RB regime increases the ascorbic acid, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid concentrations, while the polyphenol profile analysis reveals that the number of important phytochemicals, i.e., quercetin rutinoside, chlorogenic acid, sinensetin, and rutin, are higher under W. The overall data demonstrated that postharvest LED irradiation is a valid tool for modifying fruit phytochemical properties, which also boosts specific bioactive compounds.
Doxorubicin Dose-Dependent Impact on Physiological Balance—A Holistic Approach in a Rat Model
Authors: Afonso Ana I. , Amaro-Leal Ângela , Machado Filipa , Rocha Isabel , Geraldes Vera
Published: July 2023

Doxorubicin (DOX) is commonly used in several chemotherapies to treat various cancers, but it is known to cause cardiotoxicity and cardiac symptoms. Autonomic dysfunction is thought to contribute to the cardiotoxic effects of DOX, but the specific dose required to disrupt homeostatic processes is still unclear and is influenced by numerous factors. This study aimed to investigate how the DOX dosage affects autonomic function and physiological parameters, to elucidate the neurocardiac mechanisms underlying the observed cardiovascular side effects. Wistar rats were treated with DOX for four weeks and divided into three dosing groups: DOX8 (2 mg/kg/week), DOX16 (4 mg/kg/week), and DOX20 (5 mg/kg/week). A control group received NaCl 0.9% saline (1 mL/kg/week). In an acute experiment, we recorded blood pressure (BP), electrocardiogram, heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RF). Baroreflex gain and chemoreflex sensitivity were calculated, and cardiac tissue was analyzed with picrosirius histochemistry to measure collagen content. Our results showed that the LF/HF ratio, indicative of autonomic activity, was altered along with hypotension and bradycardia at a cumulative DOX dose threshold of 16 mg/kg. We observed a positive correlation between DOX dose and BP, HR, urinary norepinephrine, LF/HF ratio, and fibrotic heart area. Lower LF/HF ratios were associated with high DOX doses, reflecting drug-induced impairment of autonomic control of HR. This study provides valuable insights into the dose-dependent effects of DOX on physiological parameters and the development of cardiovascular dysfunction. These findings are critical, which is important for optimizing the management and therapeutic strategies for patients undergoing DOX-based chemotherapy.
Direct-Current Electrical Field Stimulation of Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Lange Falko , Porath Katrin , Sellmann Tina , Einsle Anne , Jaster Robert , Linnebacher Michael , Köhling Rüdiger , Kirschstein Timo
Published: July 2023

Several cues for a directional migration of colorectal cancer cells were identified as being crucial in tumor progression. However, galvanotaxis, the directional migration in direct-current electrical fields, has not been investigated so far. Therefore, we asked whether direct-current electrical fields could be used to mobilize colorectal cancer cells along field vectors. For this purpose, five patient-derived low-passage cell lines were exposed to field strengths of 150–250 V/m in vitro, and migration along the field vectors was investigated. To further study the role of voltage-gated calcium channels on galvanotaxis and intracellular signaling pathways that are associated with migration of colorectal cancer cells, the cultures were exposed to selective inhibitors. In three out of five colorectal cancer cell lines, we found a preferred cathodal migration. The cellular integrity of the cells was not impaired by exposure of the cells to the selected field strengths. Galvanotaxis was sensitive to inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels. Furthermore, signaling pathways such as AKT and MEK, but not STAT3, were also found to contribute to galvanotaxis in our in vitro model system. Overall, we identify electrical fields as an important contributor to the directional migration of colorectal cancer cells.
Dissecting the Protective Effect of CD8+ T Cells in Response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination and the Potential Link with Lymph Node CD8+ T Cells
Authors: Chen Mengfei , Venturi Vanessa , Munier C. Mee Ling
Published: July 2023

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have played a crucial role in effectively reducing COVID-19 disease severity, with a new generation of vaccines that use messenger RNA (mRNA) technology being administered globally. Neutralizing antibodies have featured as the heroes of vaccine-induced immunity. However, vaccine-elicited CD8+ T cells may have a significant impact on the early protective effects of the mRNA vaccine, which are evident 12 days after initial vaccination. Vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells have been shown to respond to multiple epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 and exhibit polyfunctionality in the periphery at the early stage, even when neutralizing antibodies are scarce. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines induce diverse subsets of memory CD8+ T cells that persist for more than six months following vaccination. However, the protective role of CD8+ T cells in response to the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines remains a topic of debate. In addition, our understanding of CD8+ T cells in response to vaccination in the lymph nodes, where they first encounter antigen, is still limited. This review delves into the current knowledge regarding the protective role of polyfunctional CD8+ T cells in controlling the virus, the response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, and the contribution to supporting B cell activity and promoting immune protection in the lymph nodes.
Preserved Ophthalmic Anti-Allergy Medication in Cumulatively Increasing Risk Factors of Corneal Ectasia
Authors: Paterson Tom , Azizoglu Serap , Gokhale Moneisha , Chambers Madeline , Suphioglu Cenk
Published: July 2023

The prevalence of allergies is rising every year. For those who suffer from it, ocular inflammation and irritation can be inconvenient and unpleasant. Anti-allergy eyedrops are a readily available treatment for symptoms of ocular allergy (OA) and can help allergy sufferers regain normal function. However, the eye is a delicate organ, and multiuse eyedrops often utilise preservatives to deter microbial growth. Preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride (BAK) have been shown to induce decreased cell viability. Therefore, during a period of high localised inflammation and eye rubbing, it is important that the preservatives used in topical medicines do not contribute to the weakening of the corneal structure. This review explores ocular allergy and the thinning and protrusion of the cornea that is characteristic of the disease keratoconus (KC) and how it relates to a weakened corneal structure. It also describes the use of BAK and its documented effects on the integrity of the cornea. It was found that atopy and eye rubbing are significant risk factors for KC, and BAK can severely decrease the integrity of the corneal structure when compared to other preservatives and preservative-free alternatives.
Genetic Markers for Metabarcoding of Freshwater Microalgae: Review
Authors: Kezlya Elena , Tseplik Natalia , Kulikovskiy Maxim
Published: July 2023

The metabarcoding methods for studying the diversity of freshwater microalgae and routine biomonitoring are actively used in modern research. A lot of experience has been accumulated already, and many methodological questions have been solved (such as the influence of the methods and time of sample conservation, DNA extraction and bioinformatical processing). The reproducibility of the method has been tested and confirmed. However, one of the main problems—choosing a genetic marker for the study—still lacks a clear answer. We analyzed 70 publications and found out that studies on eukaryotic freshwater microalgae use 12 markers (different nuclear regions 18S and ITS and plastids rbcL, 23S and 16S). Each marker has its peculiarities; they amplify differently and have various levels of efficiency (variability) in different groups of algae. The V4 and V9 18S and rbcL regions are used most often. We concentrated especially on the studies that compare the results of using different markers and microscopy. We summarize the data on the primers for each region and on how the choice of a marker affects the taxonomic composition of a community.
Global Potential Geographical Distribution of the Southern Armyworm (Spodoptera eridania) under Climate Change
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhao Haoxiang , Qi Yuhan , Li Ming , Yang Nianwan , Guo Jianyang , Xian Xiaoqing , Liu Wanxue
Published: July 2023

The southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), a polyphagous crop pest native to tropical America, has been found in Africa (2016) and India (2019), causing defoliation and damage to the reproductive structures of cassava, soybean, and tomato. The damage caused by this pest to crop systems has raised concerns regarding its potential risks. Therefore, we predicted the potential geographical distribution of S. eridania under climate change conditions using 19 bioclimatic variables based on an optimized MaxEnt model. The results showed that annual precipitation (bio12), mean temperature of the warmest quarter (bio10), and precipitation of the driest month (bio14) were important bioclimatic variables influencing the potential distribution. The prediction showed that the suitable habitat area was approximately 3426.43 × 104 km2, mainly concentrated in southern North America, South America, western Europe, central Africa, southern Asia, and eastern Oceania. In response to global climate change, suitable habitats for S. eridania will expand and shift to higher latitudes in the future, especially under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. Because of the current devastating effects on crop production, countries without S. eridania invasion, such as the European Union, Southeast Asian countries, and Australia, need to strengthen phytosanitary measures at border ports to prevent the introduction of this pest.
Novel Iron Chelator SK4 Drives Cytotoxicity through Inhibiting Mitochondrial Metabolism in Ovarian and Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Abdelaal Gina , Carter Andrew , Cheung William , Panayiotidis Mihalis , Racey Seth , Tétard David , Veuger Stephany
Published: July 2023

Anti-cancer therapy by iron chelation has been shown to inhibit many cellular processes including DNA replication, mitochondrial metabolism and oncogenic signalling pathways (e.g., EGFR). Iron chelator SK4 represents a double pronged approach towards treating cancer. SK4 enters through LAT1, a commonly overexpressed amino acid transporter in tumours, thus targeting iron addiction and LAT1 overexpression. The aim of this study was to characterise the mode of action of SK4 through proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics and seahorse real-time analysis in ovarian cell line SKOV3 and triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA MB 231. Pathway enrichment of proteomics data showed an overrepresentation of metabolism related pathways. Metabolic change after SK4 exposure have been confirmed in investigations of changes in basal and maximal mitochondrial respiration using seahorse real-time analysis of mitochondrial metabolism. Metabolomics also showed an increase in AMP and glucose-1-phosphate. Interestingly, our lipidomics data show a decrease in phospholipid synthesis in the SKOV3 cells which is in contrast with previous data which showed an upregulation of ceramide driven apoptosis. In summary, our data highlight impairment of energy metabolism as a mechanism of action underlying SK4 apoptosis, but also suggest a potential role of ceramide induction in the phenotypic outcome of the cell model.
A Comprehensive Survey of Digital Twins in Healthcare in the Era of Metaverse
Authors: Turab Muhammad , Jamil Sonain
Published: July 2023

Digital twins (DTs) are becoming increasingly popular in various industries, and their potential for healthcare in the metaverse continues to attract attention. The metaverse is a virtual world where individuals interact with digital replicas of themselves and the environment. This paper focuses on personalized and precise medicine and examines the current application of DTs in healthcare within the metaverse. Healthcare practitioners may use immersive virtual worlds to replicate medical scenarios, improve teaching experiences, and provide personalized care to patients. However, the integration of DTs in the metaverse poses technical, regulatory, and ethical challenges that need to be addressed, including data privacy, standards, and accessibility. Through this examination, we aim to provide insights into the transformative potential of DTs in healthcare within the metaverse and encourage further research and development in this exciting domain.
Use of Chitosan from Southern King Crab to Develop Films Functionalized with RGD Peptides for Potential Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Forero Juan Carlos , Carvajal Karina , Guzmán Fanny , Acevedo Cristian , Osses Nelson , Santana Paula
Published: July 2023

Southern King Crab (SKC) represents an important fishery resource that has the potential to be a natural source of chitosan (CS) production. In tissue engineering, CS is very useful to generate biomaterials. However, CS has a lack of signaling molecules that facilitate cell–substrate interaction. Therefore, RGD (arginine–glycine–aspartic acid) peptides corresponding to the main integrin recognition site in extracellular matrix proteins have been used to improve the CS surface. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro cell adhesion and proliferation of CS films synthesized from SKC shell wastes functionalized with RGD peptides. The FTIR spectrum of CS isolated from SKC shells (SKC-CS) was comparable to commercial CS. Thermal properties of films showed similar endothermic peaks at 53.4 and 53.0 °C in commercial CS and SKC-CS, respectively. The purification and molecular masses of the synthesized RGD peptides were confirmed using HPLC and ESI-MS mass spectrometry, respectively. Mouse embryonic fibroblast cells showed higher adhesion on SKC-CS (1% w/v) film when it was functionalized with linear RGD peptides. In contrast, a cyclic RGD peptide showed similar adhesion to control peptide (RDG), but the highest cell proliferation was after 48 h of culture. This study shows that functionalization of SKC-CS films with linear or cyclic RGD peptides are useful to improve effects on cell adhesion or cell proliferation. Furthermore, our work contributes to knowledge of a new source of CS to synthesize constructs for tissue engineering applications.
A Low-Cost Microfluidic-Based Detection Device for Rapid Identification and Quantification of Biomarkers-Based on a Smartphone
Authors: Yang Chonghui , Yang Yujing , Zhao Gaozhen , Wang Huan , Dai Yang , Huang Xiaowen
Published: July 2023

The sensitive and rapid detection of microsamples is crucial for early diagnosis of diseases. The short response times and low sample volume requirements of microfluidic chips have shown great potential in early diagnosis, but there are still shortcomings such as complex preparation processes and high costs. We developed a low-cost smartphone-based fluorescence detection device (Smartphone-BFDD) without precision equipment for rapid identification and quantification of biomarkers on glass capillary. The device combines microfluidic technology with RGB image analysis, effectively reducing the sample volume to 20 μL and detection time to only 30 min. For the sensitivity of the device, we constructed a standard sandwich immunoassay (antibody–antigen–antibody) in a glass capillary using the N-protein of SARS-CoV-2 as a biological model, realizing a low limit of detection (LOD, 40 ng mL−1). This device provides potential applications for different biomarkers and offers wide use for rapid biochemical analysis in biomedical research.
Person-Centred, Culturally Appropriate Music Intervention to Improve Psychological Wellbeing of Residents with Advanced Dementia Living in Australian Rural Residential Aged Care Homes
Authors: Hamiduzzaman Mohammad , Kuot Abraham , Greenhill Jennene , Strivens Edward , Parajuli Daya Ram , Isaac Vivian
Published: July 2023

This quasi-experimental, nonrandomized intervention study reports the effect of person-centred, culturally appropriate music on psychological wellbeing of residents with advanced dementia in five rural residential aged care homes in Australia. Seventy-four residents attended in person-centred music sessions and culturally appropriate group sessions. Interest, response, initiation, involvement, enjoyment, and general reactions of the residents were assessed using the Music in Dementia Assessment Scale (MiDAS), and interviews and focus groups were conducted with aged care staff and musicians. The overall effect of person-centred sessions at two-time points were: during the intervention—351.2 (SD 93.5); and two-hours post intervention—315.1 (SD 98.5). The residents presented a moderate to high level of interest, response, initiation, involvement, and enjoyment during the session and at post-intervention. However, the MiDAS sub-categories’ mean scores differed between the time-points: interest (t59 = 2.8, p = 0.001); response (t59 = 2.9, p = 0.005); initiation (t59 = 2.4, p = 0.019); and involvement (t59 = 2.8, p = 0.007), indicating a significant decline in the effect of person-centred music over time. Interestingly, during the period of time, most of the residents were observed with no exhibitions of agitation (87.5%), low in mood (87.5%), and anxiousness (70.3%), and with a presentation of relaxation (75.5%), attentiveness (56.5%), and smiling (56.9%). Themes from qualitative data collected regarding culturally appropriate group music sessions were behavioural change, meaningful interaction, being initiative, increased participation, and contentment. The findings suggest that the integration of music into care plans may reduce the residents’ agitation and improve their emotional wellbeing in rural aged care homes.
Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumor Overview and Emerging Treatment Considerations
Authors: Damodharan Sudarshawn , Puccetti Diane
Published: July 2023

Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the most common solid tumor in children, with the majority being glial in origin. These tumors are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as either being low grade (WHO grade 1 and 2) or high grade (WHO grade 3 and 4). Our knowledge of the molecular landscape of pediatric brain tumors has advanced over the last decade, which has led to newer categorizations along with an expansion of therapeutic targets and options. In this review, we will give an overview of common CNS tumors seen in children along with a focus on treatment options and future considerations.