bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Omega-3 intake is associated with liver disease protection
Authors: Vell Mara Sophie , Creasy Kate Townsend , Scorletti Eleonora , Seeling Katharina Sophie , Hehl Leonida , Rendel Miriam Daphne , Schneider Kai Markus , Schneider Carolin Victoria
Published: July 2023

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease are among the most common liver diseases worldwide, and there are currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments. Recent studies have focused on lifestyle changes to prevent and treat NAFLD. Omega-3 supplementation is associated with improved outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease. However, it is unclear whether Omega-3 supplementation can prevent the development of liver disease, particularly in individuals at an increased (genetic) risk.

Methods

In this UK Biobank cohort study, we established a multivariate cox proportional hazards model for the risk of incident liver disease during an 11 year follow up time. We adjusted the model for diabetes, prevalent cardiovascular disorders, socioeconomic status, diet, alcohol consumption, physical activity, medication intake (insulin, biguanides, statins and aspirin), and baseline characteristics.

Results

Omega-3 supplementation reduced the risk of incident liver disease (HR = 0.716; 95% CI: 0.639, 0.802; p = 7.6 × 10−9). This protective association was particularly evident for alcoholic liver disease (HR = 0.559; 95% CI: 0.347, 0.833; p = 4.3 × 10−3), liver failure (HR = 0.548; 95% CI: 0.343, 0.875; p = 1.2 × 10−2), and non-alcoholic liver disease (HR = 0.784; 95% CI: 0.650, 0.944; p = 1.0 × 10−2). Interestingly, we were able to replicate the association with reduced risk of NAFLD in a subset with liver MRIs (HR = 0.846; 95% CI: 0.777, 0.921; p = 1.1 × 10−4). In particular, women benefited from Omega-3 supplementation as well as heterozygous allele carriers of the liver-damaging variant PNPLA3 rs738409.

Conclusions

Omega-3 supplementation may reduce the incidence of liver disease. Our study highlights the potential of personalized treatment strategies for individuals at risk of metabolic liver disease. Further evaluation in clinical trials is warranted before Omega-3 can be recommended for the prevention of liver disease.
Cat rabies in Brazil: a growing One Health concern
Authors: de Lima Jonathan Santos , Mori Enio , Kmetiuk Louise Bach , Biondo Leandro Meneguelli , Brandão Paulo Eduardo , Biondo Alexander Welker , Maiorka Paulo César
Published: July 2023

This review of human and cat rabies from 1986 to 2022 has shown mostly AgV3 variant in human cases with 29/45 (64.4%) reports including 23 from bats, four from cats, and two from unknown species, followed by 8/45 (17.8%) of AgV2 variant (all from dogs), 4/45 from marmoset variant (all from Callithrix jacchus), 2/45 samples compatible with wild canid variant (both from Cerdocyon thous), and one/45 of AgV1 variant from a domestic dog. Only one sample of human rabies was not typified, related to bat aggression. In addition, surveillance conducted in the state of São Paulo confirmed the presence of rabies in 7/23,839 cats (0.031%) and 3/106,637 dogs (0.003%) between 2003 and 2013, with a 10:1 overall cat-to-dog positivity ratio. This 10-fold higher infection rate for cat rabies may be explained by cats’ hunting habits and predation. In addition, after 28 years of rabies-free status, a new cat rabies case was reported in the city of São Paulo in 2011. The rabid cat lived, along with other pets, in a household located near the largest downtown city park, whose owners presented animal hoarding behavior. Thus, animal hoarders and rescuers, public health agents, animal health professionals, and the general population with contact need to be aware of the risk of bat-borne rabies followed by spillover from cats to humans. In conclusion, cat rabies cases are becoming increasingly important in Brazil. This poses a One Health concern, given the overlapping of human, bat and cat populations within the same predisposed environment.
Differences in epidemiological and clinical features between adult and pediatric tracheobronchial tuberculosis patients in Southwest China
Authors: Chen Qing , Huang Tao , Zou Liping , Jiang Liangshuang , Sun Jiying , Lu Xiaoli , Huang Xiaoqiu , Wu Guihui , He Wei
Published: July 2023

Background

Tracheobronchial tuberculosis (TBTB) is a common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that affects the tracheobronchial tree. However, the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Comparisons of clinical characteristics in various age groups can aid in the understanding of TBTB.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted at the Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu between July 2017 and December 2021, including adults and children with TBTB. Clinical data were extracted from medical records. T/T' test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test were used in this study.

Results

This study enrolled 347 patients with TBTB (175 adults and 172 children). Adult females were more susceptible to TBTB, whereas gender-based differences were not observed in children. Children had a higher occurrence of irritant dry cough and fever, and acute hematogenous disseminated PTB, and specific types of EPTB, but a shorter interval before diagnosis, and lower diagnostic yields compared to adults (P < 0.05). Adults presented more extensive lung lesions and cavitations as compared to children. Granulation hyperplasia and lymph fistula were more frequently observed in children, as well as airway stenosis, but less severe.

Conclusions

The study revealed important variations exist in multiple respects between adults and children with TBTB.
Design and Analysis of a Novel Actuator with a Double-Roller Gear Drive
Authors: Li Xuan , Li Yang , Niu Weilong , Guo Ran
Published: July 2023

In recent years, with the development of robot transmission technology, the market demand for high-performance actuators, which can be applied to lower limb exoskeleton assist robots, is increasing. These robots help achieve human–robot interaction through rigid and flexible coupling, and they can ensure the flexibility of the elderly or patients in daily walking and rehabilitation training. A novel actuator with a double-roller gear drive structure is proposed with high bearing capability and high transmission efficiency due to multi-tooth rolling contact with small tooth difference such that friction is greatly reduced in the transmission process compared to what occurs in involute planetary transmission. The bearing capacity of the tooth surface was analyzed by using the loaded contact analysis method. Finally, a prototype was manufactured with the 3D printer, and the maximum output torque of the developed actuator was tested with an experimental setup. The results show that this novel actuator, with its double-roller gear drive, has huge potential for use in the hip joint of an exoskeleton robot.
A Large Force Haptic Interface with Modular Linear Actuators
Authors: Jung Yeongtae , Ramos Joao
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a haptic interface with modular linear actuators that addresses the limitations of conventional devices based on rotary joints. The proposed haptic interface is composed of parallel linear actuators that provide high backdrivability and small inertia. The performance of the haptic interface is compared to those of conventional mechanisms in terms of force capability, reflected inertia, and structural stiffness. High stiffness, large range of motion, and high force capability, which are in trade-off relationships in traditional haptic interfaces, are achieved. The device can apply up to 83 N continuously, i.e., three-fold more than most haptic devices. The theoretical minimum haptic force density and stiffness of the proposed mechanism are 1.3 to 1.9 and 37 times those of the conventional mechanisms under similar conditions, respectively. The system is scalable because the structural stiffness depends on only the timing belt stiffness, whereas that of conventional haptic interfaces is inversely proportional to the cube of the structural length. The modular actuator enables changes in the degrees of freedom (DOFs) for different applications. The proposed haptic interface was tested through an interaction experiment in a virtual environment with virtual walls.
Study on the Mechanism of Motion Interaction between Soil and a Bionic Hole-Forming Device
Authors: Wang Long , Xing Jianfei , He Xiaowei , Li Xin , Guo Wensong , Wang Xufeng , Hou Shulin
Published: July 2023

Due to the lack of water resources, the main agricultural planting method used in the northwest region of China is plastic film mulching, with precision hole sowing performed on the film after mulching. However, conventional hole-forming devices damage the compactness of the soil hole while moving on the plastic film, causing seed misplacement. Therefore, this study designed a bionic hole-forming device based on the oriental mole cricket. In order to explore the interaction between the hole-forming device and the soil, a typical soil discrete element particle model was established, and its contact parameters were calibrated. An experiment was conducted to compare the performance of the bionic hole-forming device with a conventional device using discrete element method and multi-body dynamics (DEM-MBD) coupled simulations. The results revealed that the bionic hole-forming device caused less soil disturbance during the hole-forming process and could reduce the sowing operation resistance compared to the traditional device. Compared to traditional square and cone-shaped hole-forming devices, the soil resistance of the bionic hole-forming device was the smallest, at 7.51 N. This work provides a reference for the optimization of hole-forming devices for plastic film sowing.
Development Results of a Cross-Platform Positioning System for a Robotics Feed System at a Dairy Cattle Complex
Authors: Pavkin Dmitriy Yu. , Nikitin Evgeniy A. , Shilin Denis V. , Belyakov Mikhail V. , Golyshkov Ilya A. , Mikhailichenko Stanislav , Chepurina Ekaterina
Published: July 2023

Practical experience demonstrates that the development of agriculture is following the path of automating and robotizing operational processes. The operation of feed pushing in the feeding alley is an integral part of the feeding process and significantly impacts dairy cattle productivity. The aim of this research is to develop an algorithm for automatic positioning and a mobile remote-control system for a wheeled robot on a dairy farm. The kinematic and dynamic motion characteristics of the wheeled robot were obtained using software that allows simulation of physical processes in an artificial environment. The mobile application was developed using Swift tools, with the preliminary visualization of interfaces and graphic design. The system uses technical vision based on RGB cameras and programmed color filters and is responsible for the automatic positioning of the feed-pusher robot. This system made it possible to eliminate the inductive sensors from the system and suspend the labor effort required for assembling the contour wire of the feed alley. By assessing the interaction between the mobile app and the feed pusher via the base station connected to the Internet and located on the farm, the efficiency and accuracy of the feedback was measured. Furthermore, remote changes in the operating regime of the robot (start date) were proven to be achievable, and the productiveness of the food supplement dispenser also became manageable.
New NADPH Oxidase 2 Inhibitors Display Potent Activity against Oxidative Stress by Targeting p22phox-p47phox Interactions
Authors: Treuer Adriana , Faúndez Mario , Ebensperger Roberto , Hovelmeyer Erwin , Vergara-Jaque Ariela , Perera-Sardiña Yunier , Gutierrez Margarita , Fuentealba Roberto , González Daniel
Published: July 2023

NADPH oxidase (NOX2) is responsible for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in neutrophils and has been recognized as a key mediator in inflammatory and cardiovascular pathologies. Nevertheless, there is a lack of specific NOX2 pharmacological inhibitors. In medicinal chemistry, heterocyclic compounds are essential scaffolds for drug design, and among them, indole is a very versatile pharmacophore. We tested the hypothesis that indole heteroaryl-acrylonitrile derivatives may serve as NOX2 inhibitors by evaluating the capacity of 19 of these molecules to inhibit NOX2-derived ROS production in human neutrophils (HL-60 cells). Of these compounds, C6 and C14 exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition of NOX2 (IC50~1 µM). These molecules also reduced NOX2-derived oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes and prevented cardiac damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion. Compound C6 significantly reduced the membrane translocation of p47phox, a cytosolic subunit that is required for NOX2 activation. Molecular docking analyses of the binding modes of these molecules with p47phox indicated that C6 and C14 interact with specific residues in the inner part of the groove of p47phox, the binding cavity for p22phox. This combination of methods showed that novel indole heteroaryl acrylonitriles represent interesting lead compounds for developing specific and potent NOX2 inhibitors.
Enhanced Polyphenols Recovery from Grape Pomace: A Comparison of Pressurized and Atmospheric Extractions with Deep Eutectic Solvent Aqueous Mixtures
Authors: Huamán-Castilla Nils Leander , Gajardo-Parra Nicolás , Pérez-Correa José R. , Canales Roberto I. , Martínez-Cifuentes Maximiliano , Contreras-Contreras Gabriela , Mariotti-Celis María Salomé
Published: July 2023

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are emerging as potent polyphenol extractors under normal atmospheric conditions. Yet, their effectiveness in hot pressurized liquid extraction (HPLE) must be studied more. We explored the ability of various water/DES and water/hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) mixtures in both atmospheric solid liquid extraction (ASLE) and HPLE (50%, 90 °C) for isolating specific polyphenol families from Carménère grape pomace. We assessed extraction yields based on total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, and recovery of targeted polyphenols. The HBDs ethylene glycol and glycerol outperformed DES in atmospheric and pressurized extractions. Ethylene glycol exhibited a higher affinity for phenolic acids and flavonols, while flavanols preferred glycerol. Quantum chemical computations indicated that a high-water content in DES mixtures led to the formation of new hydrogen bonds, thereby reducing polyphenol-solvent interactions. HPLE was found to be superior to ASLE across all tested solvents. The elevated pressure in HPLE has caused significant improvement in the recovery of flavanols (17–89%), phenolic acids (17–1000%), and flavonols (81–258%). Scanning electron microscopy analysis of post-extraction residues suggested that high pressures collapse the plant matrix, thus easing polyphenol release.
Investigating the Interplay between Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus Infection, Starch Metabolism and Antioxidant Defence System in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Authors: Kumar Ravinder , Lal Milan Kumar , Tiwari Rahul Kumar , Chourasia Kumar Nishant , Kumar Awadhesh , Kumar Rakesh , Sharma Shivangi , Singh Brajesh
Published: July 2023

The potato apical leaf curl disease is caused by tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus-potato (ToLCNDV-potato), which severely alters a plant’s starch metabolism, starch hydrolysing enzymes, and antioxidant mechanism. In this study, the result suggested that ToLCNDV-potato significantly (p < 0.01) affected the morphological parameters and photosynthetic pigment system in both the cultivars of potato, viz., Kufri Pukhraj (susceptible) and Kufri Bahar (tolerant). However, the impact of ToLCNDV-potato was lower in Kufri Bahar. Moreover, the viral infection in potato showed significant (p < 0.01) enhancement in the leakage of plant oxidative metabolites such as proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) which was further confirmed with higher electrolyte leakage. The viral infection imbalance of starch metabolism in the leaves ultimately affects the carbohydrate profile. ToLCNDV-potato significantly lowered starch synthesis, enhanced the accumulation of sucrose, glucose, fructose and—which was further validated by enzymatic estimation of β-amylase—α-amylase and phosphorylase activity in the leaves of both cultivars. The antioxidant enzymes, viz., catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, were reported to be enhanced in both the cultivars due to ToLCNDV-potato infection. The higher enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activity was observed in Kufri Bahar, which signifies its resistant attributes. These findings in the potato plant broaden our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of starch metabolism and antioxidant activity and provide proof of concept for breeding potato for ToLCNDV-potato tolerance.
Multicriteria Decision Making and Water Infrastructure: An Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process for a Sustainable Ranking of Investments
Authors: Macchiaroli Maria , Dolores Luigi , De Mare Gianluigi
Published: July 2023

The United Nations SDG6 goal of ensuring universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2030 will require increased investment in the rehabilitation and maintenance of water infrastructure. In Italy, the water sector has not yet reached the performance of other European countries. The hierarchization of investments is essential for identifying priorities and efficiently allocating resources. This issue is part of the debate on the reconciliation of public and private needs in the management of water services. The present research proposes a model based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Taking into account the design alternatives considered optimal that contribute to the resolution of territorial criticalities, the model organizes them in a ranking that indicates the chronological priorities to be respected in the investments to be made. The evaluation criteria are set in compliance with the norms defined by the National Authority (ARERA). The model is tested on a water manager in the Campania region. Among the main results, it is found that the two extremes of the ranking are shared between the two actors involved in the investment strategy (the private operator and public regulator). The model represents an effective tool for identifying shared planning strategies between public and private operators.
Machine Learning Techniques for Soil Characterization Using Cone Penetration Test Data
Authors: Chala Ayele Tesema , Ray Richard P.
Published: July 2023

Seismic response assessment requires reliable information about subsurface conditions, including soil shear wave velocity (Vs). To properly assess seismic response, engineers need accurate information about Vs, an essential parameter for evaluating the propagation of seismic waves. However, measuring Vs is generally challenging due to the complex and time-consuming nature of field and laboratory tests. This study aims to predict Vs using machine learning (ML) algorithms from cone penetration test (CPT) data. The study utilized four ML algorithms, namely Random Forests (RFs), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Trees (DT), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), to predict Vs. These ML models were trained on 70% of the datasets, while their efficiency and generalization ability were assessed on the remaining 30%. The hyperparameters for each ML model were fine-tuned through Bayesian optimization with k-fold cross-validation techniques. The performance of each ML model was evaluated using eight different metrics, including root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), coefficient of determination (R2), performance index (PI), scatter index (SI), A10−I, and U95. The results demonstrated that the RF model consistently performed well across all metrics. It achieved high accuracy and the lowest level of errors, indicating superior accuracy and precision in predicting Vs. The SVM and XGBoost models also exhibited strong performance, with slightly higher error metrics compared with the RF model. However, the DT model performed poorly, with higher error rates and uncertainty in predicting Vs. Based on these results, we can conclude that the RF model is highly effective at accurately predicting Vs using CPT data with minimal input features.
Deep Learning for Medical Image Cryptography: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Lata Kusum , Cenkeramaddi Linga Reddy
Published: July 2023

Electronic health records (EHRs) security is a critical challenge in the implementation and administration of Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) systems within the healthcare sector’s heterogeneous environment. As digital transformation continues to advance, ensuring privacy, integrity, and availability of EHRs become increasingly complex. Various imaging modalities, including PET, MRI, ultrasonography, CT, and X-ray imaging, play vital roles in medical diagnosis, allowing healthcare professionals to visualize and assess the internal structures, functions, and abnormalities within the human body. These diagnostic images are typically stored, shared, and processed for various purposes, including segmentation, feature selection, and image denoising. Cryptography techniques offer a promising solution for protecting sensitive medical image data during storage and transmission. Deep learning has the potential to revolutionize cryptography techniques for securing medical images. This paper explores the application of deep learning techniques in medical image cryptography, aiming to enhance the privacy and security of healthcare data. It investigates the use of deep learning models for image encryption, image resolution enhancement, detection and classification, encrypted compression, key generation, and end-to-end encryption. Finally, we provide insights into the current research challenges and promising directions for future research in the field of deep learning applications in medical image cryptography.
Radish Growth Stage Recognition Based on GAN and Deep Transfer Learning
Authors: Zhou Ximeng , Yang Xinhao , Luo Songshi
Published: July 2023

Image recognition of plant growth states provides technical support for crop monitoring; this reduces labor costs and promotes efficient planting. However, difficulties in data collection, the required high levels of algorithm efficiency, and the lack of computing power resources create challenges to the development of intelligent agriculture. As a result, a deep transfer learning algorithm is proposed in this paper. The main motivation for this study was the lack of a dataset of plant growth stages. The key idea was to collect radish growth stage images in an experimental field using standardized equipment and to generate more images using DCGAN. By improving the deep transfer learning model, radish growth stages can be identified much more accurately. In this study, five different deep migration models were selected, namely, Inception-v3, MobileNet, Xception, VGG-16, and VGG-19. Our experiment demonstrated that Inception-v3 was the most suitable model for the recognition of plant growth states. Based on Inception-v3, we propose three improved models. The test accuracies for the radish and Oxford Flower datasets were 99.5% and 99.3%, respectively. Additionally, the accuracy of the pest and disease dataset also achieved excellent performance, with an accuracy of 94.7%, 2.4% higher than previously. These results demonstrate the wide applicability of our model and the rationality of constructing a radish growth stage dataset.
A Combined Multi-Classification Network Intrusion Detection System Based on Feature Selection and Neural Network Improvement
Authors: Wang Yunhui , Liu Zifei , Zheng Weichu , Wang Jinyan , Shi Hongjian , Gu Mingyu
Published: July 2023

Feature loss in IoT scenarios is a common problem. This situation poses a greater challenge in terms of real-time and accuracy for the security of intelligent edge computing systems, which also includes network security intrusion detection systems (NIDS). Losing some packet information can easily confuse NIDS and cause an oversight of security systems. We propose a novel network intrusion detection framework based on an improved neural network. The new framework uses 23 subframes and a mixer for multi-classification work, which improves the parallelism of NIDS and is more adaptable to edge networks. We also incorporate the K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) algorithm and Genetic Algorithm (GA) for feature selection, reducing parameters, communication, and memory overhead. We named the above system as Combinatorial Multi-Classification-NIDS (CM-NIDS). Experiments demonstrate that our framework can be more flexible in terms of the parameters of binary classification, has a fairly high accuracy in multi-classification, and is less affected by feature loss.
Wine Polyphenol Content during the Fermentation of Vitis vinifera CS Grapes and Its Relationship with the Presence of Minerals in the Resulting Wine
Authors: Acuña-Avila Pedro Estanislao , Vasquez-Murrieta María Soledad , Cortés-Camargo Stefani , Hernández-Botello Mayuric Teresa , Ramos-Monroy Oswaldo , López-Cortéz Ma del Socorro
Published: July 2023

The content of minerals and bioactive compounds in wine depends on various factors, among which are the origin of the grapes, their phenolic composition, and the winemaking process. This study monitored the physicochemical parameters, phenolic compound contents, and antioxidant capacity of the red grape Vitis vinifera L. “Cabernet Sauvignon” harvested in three Mexican vineyards during the first nine days of the fermentation process. The bioactive compounds and elemental composition (determined by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, ICP-OES) were correlated. The fermentation process decreased from 22 to 5 °Bx in all cases, while the acidity increased from 6.5 to 8 g of tartaric acid/L, decreasing the pH. The phenolic compounds extracted during the winemaking ranged from 1400 to 1600 gallic acid equivalent/L, while the antioxidant capacity was 9 mmol Trolox equivalent. The bioactive compounds identified by HPLC were resveratrol, piceid, catechin, and epicatechin. The presence of Na, Mg, and Fe was correlated with antioxidant capacity, while higher Mn, Pb, Zn, and Cu contents were related to the presence of resveratrol, piceid, and catechin in Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Thus, certain minerals present in the soil that were transferred to the V. vinifera grapes can influence the amount and type of bioactive compounds present in the wine. The phenolic content and, therefore, the organoleptic characteristics of the wine are related to the mineral composition of the vine-growing soil (origin).
Special Issue on Small Satellites Missions and Applications
Authors: Battistini Simone , Graziani Filippo , Pontani Mauro
Published: July 2023

Over the past few decades, space missions have been significantly revolutionized by the advent of small satellites [...]
Exploring the Mineral Composition of Grapevine Canes for Wood Chip Applications in Alcoholic Beverage Production to Enhance Viticulture Sustainability
Authors: D’Eusanio Veronica , Genua Francesco , Marchetti Andrea , Morelli Lorenzo , Tassi Lorenzo
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to assess the metal content of tannic extracts obtained from grapevine canes, to evaluate their suitability as wood shavings for direct infusion during the aging process of alcoholic beverages or vinegars. Traditional barrel aging is a slow and costly process that can be enhanced through direct infusion of wood chips. Our investigation focused on the pruning materials of two widely cultivated Lambrusco cultivars in the Modena (Italy) area, Ancellotta and Salamino. The grapevine chips underwent preliminary heat treatments at temperatures ranging from 120 °C to 260 °C. Tannic extracts were obtained by ethanol maceration at 80 °C for 2 h. The metal composition was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Generally, the metal content increased with the roasting temperature of the chips. Two exceptions were noted in the Salamino extracts, where the concentrations of Bi and Ni decreased as the roasting temperature increased. The levels of heavy metal, such as Pb and Cd, were low, posing no toxicity concerns for using infused grapevine chips during the beverage aging process. The Ni concentration slightly exceeded the limits imposed by certain regulations. Its content is likely derived from the type of soil in which the plant has grown.
Marker-Assisted Selection for Early Maturing E Loci in Soybean Yielded Prospective Breeding Lines for High Latitudes of Northern Kazakhstan
Authors: Yerzhebayeva Raushan , Didorenko Svetlana , Amangeldiyeva Aigul , Daniyarova Aliya , Mazkirat Shynar , Zinchenko Alyona , Shavrukov Yuri
Published: July 2023

The photoperiodic sensitivity of soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the limiting factors affecting plant growth and yield. At higher latitudes, early flowering and maturity with neutral reaction to photoperiods are required for adaptation of soybean plants to long-day conditions. Currently, the production and distribution of new varieties of soybeans adapted to widespread agricultural regions in northern Kazakhstan is in strong demand. Eleven soybean hybrid populations were obtained from crosses between 17 parents with four maturity groups, MG 000, 00, 0, and I. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) was assessed for suitable SSR markers and successfully applied for genes E1, E3, E4, and E7, targeting homozygous genotypes with recessive alleles. The identified and selected genotypes were propagated and tested in the conditions of 53° N latitude in the Kostanay region of northern Kazakhstan. Finally, 20 early maturing F4 breeding lines were identified and developed with genotypes e1 e3 E4 e7, e1 E3 E4 e7, and e1 E3 e4 e7, all completing their growth period within 92–102 days. These breeding lines were developed by MAS and should provide very prospective superior varieties of soybean for northern Kazakhstan through a strategy that may be very helpful to other countries with high latitudes.
Comparative Study of the Cytokine Profiles of Serum and Tissues from Patients with the Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Authors: Fay Li-Yu , Kuo Chao-Hung , Chang Hsuan-Kan , Yeh Mei-Yin , Chang Chih-Chang , Ko Chin-Chu , Tu Tsung-Hsi , Kuo Yi-Hsuan , Hsu Wang-Yu , Hung Chien-Hui , Chen Ching-Jung , Wu Jau-Ching , Tsai May-Jywan , Huang Wen-Cheng , Cheng Henrich , Lee Meng-Jen
Published: July 2023

Background: The ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is one of the contributing factors leading to severe cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). The mechanism causing ossification is still unclear. The current study was designed to analyze the specimens of patients with or without OPLL. Methods: The study collected 51 patients with cervical spondylosis. There were six serum samples in both the non-OPLL (NOPLL) and OPLL groups. For tissue analysis, there were seven samples in the NOPLL group and five samples in the OPLL group. The specimens of serum and tissue were analyzed by using Human Cytokine Antibody Arrays to differentiate biomarkers between the OPLL and NOPLL groups, as well as between serum and OPLL tissue. Immunohistochemical staining of the ligament tissue was undertaken for both groups. Results: For OPLL vs. NOPLL, the serum leptin levels are higher in the OPLL group, corroborating others’ observations that it may serve as a disease marker. In the tissue, angiogenin (ANG), osteopontin (OPN), and osteopro-tegerin (OPG) are higher than they are in the OPLL group (p < 0.05). For serum vs. OPLL tissue, many chemotactic cytokines demonstrated elevated levels of MIP1 delta, MCP-1, and RANTES in the serum, while many cytokines promoting or regulating bone genesis were up-regulated in tissue (oncostatin M, FGF-9, LIF, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, TGF-beta2), as well as the factor that inhibits osteoclastogenesis (IL-10), with very few cytokines responsible for osteoclastogenesis. Molecules promoting angiogenesis, including angiotensin, vEGF, and osteoprotegerin, are abundant in the OPLL tissue, which paves the way for robust bone growth.
Comprehensive Grading System for Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis in Mice
Authors: Shome Avik , Mugisho Odunayo O. , Niederer Rachael L. , Rupenthal Ilva D.
Published: July 2023

Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is the most commonly used animal model to study the progression of chronic uveitis and to test various therapies to treat the disease. However, to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of such treatments, a grading system that combines the latest imaging techniques with definitive quantitative grading thresholds is required. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive grading system that objectively evaluates EAU progression in C57BL/6J mice. EAU was induced following immunisation with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) and pertussis toxin. Weekly fundus and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were acquired over 12 weeks using a Micron IV imaging system. Each mouse was graded (between 0 to 4) based on changes seen on both the fundus (optic disc, retinal blood vessels and retinal tissue) and OCT (vitreous and retinal layers) images. A total EAU response (with a maximum score of 48) was calculated for each mouse based on the sum of the individual scores each week. Analysis of the clinical scores depicted a gradual increase in inflammatory signs including optic disc and vascular swelling, leukocyte infiltration in the vitreous, lesions in the retina and formation of granulomas and hyper-reflective foci in the retinal layers in EAU mice, with most signs reaching a plateau towards the end of the study period. Development of these signs into sight-threatening complications such as optic disc atrophy, structural damage to the retina and subretinal oedema were noted in 80–90% of mice suggesting consistent disease induction. Overall, a comprehensive and objective grading system encompassing all pathologies occurring in EAU mice was developed to enhance the preclinical evaluation of novel uveitis treatments.
Innovative Structural Systems for Timber Buildings: A Comprehensive Review of Contemporary Solutions
Authors: Premrov Miroslav , Žegarac Leskovar Vesna
Published: July 2023

The remarkable development of timber construction technologies in recent decades has led to an increase in the number of timber buildings worldwide, including multi-storey buildings. The design of timber buildings, especially those of greater height, is relatively demanding and, even in the context of architectural expression, has certain constraints due to the specific structural and physical properties of this material. Thus, it is important for designers to have an overview of existing timber structural systems and their specificities to be able to make the right design decisions during the design process. Unfortunately, there is a lack of scientific literature that systematically addresses the essential features of contemporary timber structural systems. Within the aims of this paper to provide the systematic review of contemporary structural systems, both the scientific and professional literature are comprehensively reviewed. This paper presents a systematic classification and description of the following structural systems of timber buildings: all-timber and hybrid timber structural systems with an additional description of constituent structural elements, while examples of completed multi-storey timber buildings are also given for each structural system. The findings provide a broader view of the knowledge of contemporary solutions of timber structural systems and their application, thus representing a novelty in the field of timber construction review.
Immunotherapy in Urothelial Cancer: Stop When Achieving a Response, Restart upon Disease Progression
Authors: Salhi Youssra , De Wit Ronald , Robbrecht Debbie
Published: July 2023

Background: Since there is no clear consensus on optimal treatment duration of PD-(L)1 targeting checkpoint inhibitors in the setting of urothelial cancer (UC) patients, even patients with durable responses are often treated up to 2 years. It is questionable whether this is necessary and whether quality of life improves when treatment is discontinued earlier and restarted when necessary. Methods: We collected available data from locally advanced or metastatic UC patients within the Netherlands between September 2017 and December 2019 treated with first or second-line pembrolizumab, to evaluate treatment duration, reasons for discontinuation, subsequent treatments and survival outcomes. Results: Data were available from 74 patients: 85% (63/74) of patients had a treatment duration of 12 months or shorter, and in seven out of them, treatment was discontinued for another reason than progressive disease. Two patients (3%) had a treatment duration between 12 and 24 months, and eight patients (11%) completed 24 months of treatment. Survival at data cut-off (1 July 2020) with a median follow-up of 35 months was 100% in patients with partial or complete response (6/7 patients) and treatment duration ≤ 12 months, and 100% in patients treated for 24 months. In total, three patients were re-treated with pembrolizumab upon progressive disease during follow-up. Conclusions: In patients who reach partial or complete response during treatment with a PD-(L)1 targeting checkpoint inhibitor, early discontinuation of treatment with pembrolizumab and restart if necessary seems to be reasonable with preserved favorable outcomes. This article should drive further efforts to optimize the treatment duration for patients who respond to treatment with pembrolizumab.
Maintenance Treatment for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Balancing Therapeutic Intensity with Tolerable Toxicity
Authors: Walker Evan J. , Ko Andrew H.
Published: July 2023

Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is typically treated with multi-agent chemotherapy until disease progression or intolerable cumulative toxicity. For patients whose disease shows ongoing control or response beyond a certain timeframe (≥3–4 months), options include pausing chemotherapy with close monitoring or de-escalating to maintenance therapy with the goal of prolonging progression-free and overall survival while preserving quality of life. There is currently no universally accepted standard of care and a relative dearth of randomized clinical trials in the maintenance setting. Conceptually, such therapy can entail continuing the least toxic components of a first-line regimen and/or introducing novel agent(s) such as the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib, which is presently the only approved drug for maintenance treatment and is limited to a genetically defined subset of patients. In addition to identifying new therapeutic candidates and combinations in the maintenance setting, including targeted agents and immunotherapies, future research should focus on better understanding this unique biologic niche and how treatment in the maintenance setting may be distinct from resistant/refractory disease; identifying molecular predictors for more effective pairing of specific treatments with patients most likely to benefit; and establishing patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials to ensure accurate capture of quality of life metrics.
Image-Guided Ablation Therapies for Extrahepatic Metastases from Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review
Authors: Umakoshi Noriyuki , Matsui Yusuke , Tomita Koji , Uka Mayu , Kawabata Takahiro , Iguchi Toshihiro , Hiraki Takao
Published: July 2023

The most common sites of extrahepatic metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are the lungs, intra-abdominal lymph nodes, bones, and adrenal glands, in that order. Although systemic therapies are a common treatment for patients with extrahepatic metastases, local ablative therapies for the extrahepatic metastatic lesions can be performed in selected patients. In this article, the literature on image-guided thermal ablation for metastasis to each organ was reviewed to summarize the current evidence. Radiofrequency ablation was the most commonly evaluated technique, and microwave ablation, cryoablation, and percutaneous ethanol injection were also utilized. The local control rate of thermal ablation therapy was relatively favorable, at approximately 70–90% in various organs. The survival outcomes varied among the studies, and several studies reported that the absence of viable intrahepatic lesions was associated with improved survival rates. Since only retrospective data from relatively small studies has been available thus far, more robust studies with prospective designs and larger cohorts are desired to prove the usefulness of thermal ablation for extrahepatic metastases from HCC.
Interferon-Alpha Decreases Cancer Stem Cell Properties and Modulates Exosomes in Malignant Melanoma
Authors: García-Ortega María Belén , Aparicio Ernesto , Griñán-Lisón Carmen , Jiménez Gema , López-Ruiz Elena , Palacios José Luis , Ruiz-Alcalá Gloria , Alba Cristina , Martínez Antonio , Boulaiz Houria , Perán Macarena , Hackenberg Michael , Bragança José , Calado Sofia M. , Marchal Juan A. , García María Ángel
Published: July 2023

Malignant melanoma (MM) can spread to other organs and is resistant in part due to the presence of cancer stem cell subpopulations (CSCs). While a controversial high dose of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) has been used to treat non-metastatic high-risk melanoma, it comes with undesirable side effects. In this study, we evaluated the effect of low and high doses of IFN-α on CSCs by analyzing ALDH activity, side population and specific surface markers in established and patient-derived primary cell lines. We also assessed the clonogenicity, migration and tumor initiation capacities of IFN-α treated CSCs. Additionally, we investigated genomic modulations related to stemness properties using microRNA sequencing and microarrays. The effect of IFN-α on CSCs-derived exosomes was also analyzed using NanoSight and liquid chromatography (LC-HRMS)-based metabolomic analysis, among others. Our results showed that even low doses of IFN-α reduced CSC formation and stemness properties, and led to a significant decrease in the ability to form tumors in mice xenotransplants. IFN-α also modulated the expression of genes and microRNAs involved in several cancer processes and metabolomics of released exosomes. Our work suggests the utility of low doses of interferon, combined with the analysis of metabolic biomarkers, as a potential clinical approach against the aggressiveness of CSCs in melanoma.
Effect of Ultraviolet Illumination on the Fixation of Silver Ions on Zinc Oxide Films and Their Photocatalytic Efficiency
Authors: Ivanova Dobrina , Mladenova Ralitsa , Kolev Hristo , Kaneva Nina
Published: July 2023

This study focuses on the fabrication and characterization of nanostructured zinc oxide films deposited on glass substrates using sol–gel dip-coating methods. The thin films are functionalized with silver ions at various Ag+ concentrations (10−2, 10−3, 10−4 M) through room temperature ion fixation process with and without ultraviolet (UV) illumination. Physicochemical characterization techniques, such as employing Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) techniques. The SEM-EDX and XRD confirmed a characteristic ganglia-like structure with a hexagonal crystalline structure. The photocatalytic performance and available surface area of the pure and Ag films are investigated in the removal of methylene blue dye under UV and visible light illumination and in darkness. It is observed that the photocatalytic activity increases proportionally to the Ag+ ion concentration: ZnO < Ag(10−4 M)/ZnO, < Ag(10−3 M)/ZnO < Ag(10−2 M)/ZnO. Moreover, the catalysts modified under UV illumination during the fixation treatment (Ag-UV/ZnO) exhibited a higher photocatalytic efficiency and degraded the dye in comparison with those without a light source (Ag/ZnO). The experimental results are confirmed using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. The optimal silver concentration (10−2 M) is established, which shows the highest photocatalytic efficiency (in both cases of ion fixation treatment). The results can be used as a guideline for the development of co-catalyst-functionalized semiconductor photocatalysts.
A DFT Study on Adsorption of SF6 Decomposition Products on Zr-MOF-808
Authors: Lei Tianxiang , Lv Fangcheng , Jiang Bowen
Published: July 2023

Identifying the main byproducts of SF6 decomposition proves to be an effective strategy for determining the nature and severity of internal discharge faults in gas-insulated switchgears (GISs). In this research, it was suggested to utilize the coordination polymer Zr-MOF-808 as a sensor for the main byproducts of SF6 decomposition. This study examined the adsorption of SF6 and its main decomposition products (CF4, CS2, SO2, SO2F2, and SOF2) on Zr-MOF-808, utilizing Gaussian16 simulation software through a method anchored on quantum chemistry. Adsorption parameters were calculated and analyzed, including binding energy, charge transfer, adsorption distance, along with variations in bond length, bond angle, density of states, and frontier orbital of gas molecules. Our research indicated that the Zr-MOF-808 cluster demonstrated varying degrees of chemical adsorption for the six gases, leading to differential conductivity changes in each system following adsorption. Consequently, the detection of resistance value alterations in the materials would allow for the identification of the gas products.
Analyses of Criminal Judgments about Domestic Child Abuse Cases in Taiwan
Authors: Su Hsiu-Chih , Lin Yi-Hxuan
Published: July 2023

Child abuse has negative impacts on the well-being of children and often leads to adverse consequences, such as suicide, alcohol addiction, depression, and substance abuse. To better understand domestic child abuse in Taiwan, this study analyzed 73 criminal judgments (open-access documents) in which the victims of domestic child abuse were children below the age of 12 from the “Judicial Yuan Law and Regulations Retrieving System” database. There were 73 victims and 91 perpetrators involved. The results indicated that younger children were more likely to be victims of physical abuse, and the majority of death cases were committed by biological parents and cohabiting partners. The perpetrators tended to be young males with lower education. Male cohabiting partners appeared to be a high-risk population for child abuse. Approximately 63% of perpetrators experienced poverty, and 24.7% suffered from marital discord. In the 73 cases, 61.6% of the victims died, 21.9% were mildly injured, and 16.5% were severely injured. The sentencing was related to the level of injury, with perpetrators of mild injury sentenced to less than one year while perpetrators with victim death were sentenced to a longer period of imprisonment. It is suggested that parents at higher risk require greater financial and social support and should be educated on appropriate disciplinary techniques.