bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes in Four Children with Persistent, Recurrent, and Progressive Gangliogliomas Treated in Phase II Studies with Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1
Authors:   Burzynski Clinic, Houston, Texas, USA, Stanislaw Burzynski , Gregory Burzynski ,   Burzynski Clinic, Houston, Texas, USA, Tomasz Janicki ,   Burzynski Clinic, Houston, Texas, USA, Samuel Beenken ,   Oncology Writings, Calera, Alabama, USA
Published: July 2023

Rationale: Gangliogliomas are generally benign tumors and are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as grade I or II tumors. However, in 1-5% of cases, gangliogliomas can behave more aggressively (WHO grade III) and have a worse prognosis. Four children with a ganglioglioma are presented to detail and discuss the efficacy of Antineoplastons A10 (Atengenal) and AS2-1 (Astugenal) in the treatment of gangliogliomas. Objectives: The children were treated with Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 (ANP therapy) at the Burzynski Clinic (BC) according to the phase II Protocols, BT-10 and BT-11. ANP therapy was delivered via subclavian catheter and infusion pump. During ANP therapy, tumor response was determined by comparison of sequential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain with a baseline brain MRI. Findings: Of the four children treated for gangliogliomas, all had prior surgery but none had radiation therapy (RT) or chemotherapy. Two had recurrent, and progressive tumors with possible high-grade transformation (thalamo-mesencephalic region; temporal lobe with leptomeningeal spread) while two had tumors of the brain stem (persistent multicentric ganglioglioma; persistent and progressive ganglioglioma of the inferior medulla and superior cervical spinal cord), which are more difficult to treat and have a worse prognosis. Physical findings corresponded with the location of each child’s tumor. IV ANP therapy continued for 6.4 to 24.8 months. The two children with possible high-grade transformation achieved a partial response (PR) while the two children with brain stem tumors maintained stable disease (SD). Overall survival for these four children ranged from 10.3 to 22.4 years. Conclusions: The utilization of ANP therapy in children with gangliogliomas is presented. We conclude that ANP therapy is an attractive therapeutic option for children with gangliogliomas who are ineligible for or refuse surgical resection and/or demonstrate persistent, recurrent, or progressive disease with or without high-grade transformation following surgical resection..
Depression in Older Adults - A Review
Authors:   Geriatric Medicine, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Zhou Ke , Tan Sher Yin ,   Geriatric Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Arroyo Shiela P ,   Geriatric Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Lim Si Ching ,   Geriatric Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
Published: July 2023

The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is estimated to be 13.3%, while depressive symptoms are estimated to occur in 28.4% of older adults. A range of medical, functional, and psychosocial risk factors contribute to depression in this population. Depression in older adults may present differently than in younger adults with more physical complaints. Diagnosis becomes even more challenging in the presence of delirium and dementia, which often overlap in an older adult with MDD. It is important to assess suicide risks in older adults with depressive symptoms. Psychotherapy is recommended for mild to moderate depression, while antidepressants should be considered for severe depression or when psychotherapy is not available. Careful monitoring of side effects is important in older adults due to reduced physiological reserves.
Diabetes Insipidus And The Unsuspected Capacity Of Human Body To Dissociate The Water Molecule, Like Plants: Case Report
Authors:   Human Photosynthesis™ Research Center, Aguascalientes 20000, México, Herrera, Arturo Solís , del Carmen Arias Esparza María ,   Human Photosynthesis™ Research Center, Aguascalientes 20000, México, Solís Arias Ruth I ,   Human Photosynthesis™ Research Center, Aguascalientes 20000, México
Published: July 2023

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is the result of several conditions that affect the hypothalamicneurohypophysis system. Diabetes insipidus is a disease in which large volumes of dilute urine (polyuria) are excreted due to vasopressin (AVP) deficiency [central diabetes insipidus (CDI)]. These adipsic CDI patients are treated with desmopressin and adjusting the amount of daily water intake based on body weight measurement; but controlling the water balance is extremely difficult, and morbidity and mortality are shown to be high in these patients. However, the discovery of the intrinsic property of melanin to dissociate the water molecule marks a before and after in the diagnostic, study, and treatment of patients affected by Central diabetes insipidus. Working on eumelanin has usually been regarded as an intriguing, though sometimes frustrating experience. The molecular mechanism by which eumelanin dissipates the radiation it absorbs was not known until we discovered it (water dissociation) in 2002, during an observational study that began in 1990 and ended in 2002. The working hypothesis was to try to correlate the anatomical characteristics of the blood vessels that enter and leave the optic nerve and the three main causes of blindness in the world. This study allowed us to identify the unsuspected capacity of the human body to transform the energy of sunlight into chemical energy, through the dissociation of the water molecule, as in plants.
The Originality of the Artistic Search of the Volyn Artist Oleksandr Valenta
Authors:   Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Berlach Oleksandr , Lesyk-Bondaruk Oksana ,   Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University
Published: July 2023

The multifaceted culture of the Volyn land is distinguished by a colorful palette of prominent figures in the field of art, including fine art, and their creative achievements. A Volyn artist Oleksandr Valenta (1944–1997), was well-known far beyond our country. He was a master of the still life and landscape genre, which combined features of post-impressionism, cubism, pointillism. At the same time, the artist had highly distinct, specifically Ukrainian, namely Volyn individual handwriting, marked by folklore motifs, decorative motifs, ornamental construction of the composition, which are still not studied by art critics and are still waiting for their scientific understanding. This article is the first to introduce factual and analytical materials into scientific circulation, the authors cataloged the creative works of the master, which will help in further scientific practice of research of little-known creative heritage, and highlighting his creative methods and techniques. The authors proved that the peculiarity of O. Valenta’s paintings is a peculiar image of space composed of small particles. They are painted lush, colorful, full of light and freshness. The Ukrainian color of his paintings is revealed by the peculiarities of the image and color palette. The artist often painted his canvases using different variations of one shade, striking the bold combination of colors, conciseness, decorativeness, and symbolism of the image. As a result of the research, it was established that a significant number of the artist’s works are the property of private collections (collectors) of Poland, Germany, Israel, some are in the collection of the Volyn Museum of Local Lore, and the study revealed the artist’s appeal to the historical genre in particular, attention is focused on the theme of glorifying the work of Lesya Ukrainka.
Dehydrated guava by-product in feed for slow-growing broilers
Authors: Vieira Silvia Silva , Tavares Fernando Barbosa , Vieira Ernilde Dos Santos , Moura Eslane da Silva , Lopes Wanderson dos Santos , Marinho Andressa Martins , Reis Cassio Pinho dos , Galvão Luckas Thiago Oliveira , Neta Ernestina Ribeiro dos Santos
Published: July 2023

This study evaluated the use of dehydrated guava by-products (DGBP) in the feed of slow-growing broilers as a substitute for corn. A total of 324 one-day-old broiler Naked Neck from a slow-growing lineage were used. At 30 days of age, the broilers were distributed in an entirely randomized experimental design consisting of four treatments with nine replicates and nine birds in each replicate. The treatments were differentiated by varying concentrations of DGBP (0, 5, 10, and 15%) in the feed. Performance data [feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR)] were evaluated from 30 to 60 days and 61 to 84 days of age. At 84 days of age, the broilers were slaughtered; subsequently, the analyses of carcass and organ yield in terms of chemical composition of the breast, thigh and drumstick, and meat quality parameters (coloration, pH, weight loss by cooking and dripping, shear force, and sensory evaluation) were performed. There was no effect of DGBP on the average weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and FCR of the broilers (P > 0.05). However, there was an increasing linear effect (P < 0.05) on the gizzard yield and a quadratic effect on the liver and abdominal fat yield, where treatments with 5 and 10% DGBP obtained the highest yield percentages. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of DGBP addition on chemical composition, pH, shear force, and weight loss by cooking and dripping. A linear increasing effect on coloration (P < 0.05) was found due to dietary DGBP in all the cuts of meat. In addition, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was found in the texture of the breast meat, where the greater the amount of DGBP added, the greater the scores attributed by the tasters. In conclusion, DGBP can be included up to 15% in the diet of slow-growing broilers without altering the production performances, carcass and cut yield, and meat quality parameters. Furthermore, it promoted a reddish coloration of the breast skin and thigh skin of the birds.
Feature separation and adversarial training for the patient-independent detection of epileptic seizures
Authors: Yang Yong , Li Feng , Qin Xiaolin , Wen Han , Lin Xiaoguang , Huang Dong
Published: July 2023

An epileptic seizure is the external manifestation of abnormal neuronal discharges, which seriously affecting physical health. The pathogenesis of epilepsy is complex, and the types of epileptic seizures are diverse, resulting in significant variation in epileptic seizure data between subjects. If we feed epilepsy data from multiple patients directly into the model for training, it will lead to underfitting of the model. To overcome this problem, we propose a robust epileptic seizure detection model that effectively learns from multiple patients while eliminating the negative impact of the data distribution shift between patients. The model adopts a multi-level temporal-spectral feature extraction network to achieve feature extraction, a feature separation network to separate features into category-related and patient-related components, and an invariant feature extraction network to extract essential feature information related to categories. The proposed model is evaluated on the TUH dataset using leave-one-out cross-validation and achieves an average accuracy of 85.7%. The experimental results show that the proposed model is superior to the related literature and provides a valuable reference for the clinical application of epilepsy detection.
Low-dose of phenolic rich extract from Annona squamosa Linn leaves ameliorates insulin sensitivity and reduces body weight gain in HF diet-induced obesity
Authors: Alkhalidy Hana , Al-Nabulsi Anas , Mhawish Reham , Liu Dongmin
Published: July 2023

Obesity is associated with metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk and severity of several diseases. This study aimed to explore whether the aqueous extract of Annona squamosa Linn leaves (ASE) can ameliorate metabolic abnormalities associated with high fat (HF) diet-induced obesity. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were distributed among four treatment groups: a standard low-fat diet group, a HF diet group, and two HF diet groups with a daily oral dose of ASE (100 or 200 mg/kg body weights) administered for 9 weeks. Daily energy intake, body weight, blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance, and insulin tolerance were evaluated. At the end of the study, organs, and tissues were collected and weighed for analysis, and blood samples were collected to determine the serum insulin levels and serum liver enzymes. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical antioxidant activity of the ASE were evaluated. Oral administration of the low dose of ASE to HF diet-fed rats significantly reduced the long-term food intake and body weight gain without altering adiposity compared with untreated HF diet-fed rats. This outcome was accompanied by a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity and a reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels measured at weeks 6 and 9 of the study. The high dose of ASE had a short-term effect on body weight gain and food and caloric intake, and in the long-term, it improved FBG levels measured at weeks 6 and 9 of the study. The high dose of ASE resulted in hyperinsulinemia and high homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value compared to healthy rats. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 74.9 ± 0.491 mg of gallic acid equivalent and 20.0 ± 0.091 mg quercetin equivalent per g of ASE, respectively. The antioxidant activity of ASE expressed as half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value was 8.43 ± 0.825 mg/mL. These data suggest that ASE can safely and potently reduce the development of insulin resistance induced by HF diet feeding and lowering body weight gain in a dose-dependent manner.
Incidence disparities of obstructive sleep apnea-associated lung cancer by gender; Korean National Health Insurance data analysis
Authors: Park Marn Joon , Han Kyung-Do , Cho Jae Hoon , Choi Ji Ho
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known to increase the risk of various cancers. By analyzing the Korea National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) registry, the impact of OSA on the lung cancer incidence was analyzed in a retrospective cohort group.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of adult patients newly registered with OSA in the KNHIS data from 2007 to 2017 was included and observed until December 2019 (12 years). The main outcome measure was newly diagnosed lung cancer. The control group was set with age and sex that matched those in the OSA group.

Results

The hazard ratio (HR) of OSA for lung cancer incidence showed a significantly reduced HR of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82–0.93). The observed significance of this finding was limited to male OSA patients [HR, 0.84 (95% CI, 0.78–0.90)], while no significant association was found in female OSA patients [HR, 1.05 (95% CI, 0.91–1.21)], irrespective of their age.

Discussion

OSA patients have a lower risk of developing lung cancer, but this risk reduction is gender-specific, as female OSA patients do not show a reduction in hazard ratio.
The pharmacokinetic profile of brensocatib and its effect on pharmacodynamic biomarkers including NE, PR3, and CatG in various rodent species
Authors: Basso Jessica , Chen Kuan-Ju , Zhou Yuchen , Mark Lilly , LaSala Daniel , Dorfman Arielle , Atalla Mary , Chun Donald , Viramontes Veronica , Chang Christina , Leifer Franziska , McDonald Patrick P. , Cipolla David C.
Published: July 2023

Brensocatib is a novel, oral, selective, reversible inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1), which activates several neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs), including neutrophil elastase (NE), proteinase 3 (PR3), and cathepsin G (CatG) in the bone marrow during the early stage of neutrophil maturation. These NSPs are associated with pathogen destruction and inflammatory mediation; their dysregulated activation can result in excess secretion of active NSPs causing damaging inflammation and contributing to neutrophil-mediated inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Pharmacological inhibition of DPP1 in the bone marrow could therefore represent an attractive strategy for these neutrophil-driven diseases. A completed Phase 2 trial in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03218917; EudraCT number: 2017-002533-32) indeed demonstrated that administration of brensocatib attenuated the damaging effects of chronic inflammation by inhibiting the downstream activation of NSPs. To support a range of preclinical programs and further understand how rodent species and strains may affect brensocatib’s pharmacokinetic (PK) profile and its pharmacodynamic (PD) effects on NE, PR3, and CatG, an extensive naïve dosing study with brensocatib at different dosing levels, frequencies, and durations was undertaken. Dose-dependent PK exposure responses (AUC and Cmax) were observed regardless of the rodent species and strain. Overall, mice showed greater reduction in NSP activities compared to rats. Both mice and rats dosed once daily (QD) had equivalent NSP activity reduction compared to BID (twice a day) dosing when the QD dose was 1.5-times the BID daily dose. For both mouse strains, CatG activity was reduced the most, followed by NE, then PR3; whereas, for both rat strains, PR3 activity was reduced the most, followed by CatG, and then NE. Maximum reduction in NSP activities was observed after ∼7 days and recoveries were nearly symmetrical. These results may facilitate future in vivo brensocatib study dosing considerations, such as the timing of prophylactic or therapeutic administration, choice of species, dosage and dosing frequency.
How do the joint effects of aspiration and social influence promote cooperation in the prisoner’s dilemma game?
Authors: Liu Chao , Wang Hexin , Dai Yu
Published: July 2023

Various mechanisms have been proposed to promote cooperation in evolutionary games, including aspiration and social influence. However, the joint effects of aspiration and social influence have so far been ignored in the literature. Thus, we discuss the joint effects of aspiration and social influence on promoting cooperation in the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game (PDG). We introduce different aspiration tags as different aspirations and different types of neighborhoods as different social influences to reveal how the level of cooperation changes in four heterogeneous micro-environments composed of diverse aspirations and social influences. The Fermi function is adopted as the priority strategy updating rule. Simulation results show that aspiration and social influence mechanisms are jointly effective at improving cooperation in the PDG. More precisely, the aspiration mechanism promotes cooperation unconditionally, but that the social influence mechanism promotes it conditionally.
Oviposition by Plagiodera versicolora on Salix matsudana cv. ‘Zhuliu’ alters the leaf transcriptome and impairs larval performance
Authors: Liu Fengjie , Li Bin , Liu Chenghu , Liu Yipeng , Liu Xiaolong , Lu Min
Published: July 2023

Insect egg deposition can induce plant defenses against their larvae. Previous studies have primarily focused on herbaceous plant defenses; however, little is known about how the Salicaceae respond to insect egg deposition and defend themselves against herbivores. By combining plant defense gene studies and bioassays, we investigated the effect of the coleoptera Plagiodera versicolora egg deposition on willow (Salix matsudana cv. ‘Zhuliu’) and examined the interactions at the plant resistance and transcriptome levels. RNA-seq data were utilized to analyze changes in the leaf transcriptome with and without oviposition, and also the changes in the leaf transcriptome of feeding-damaged leaves with and without prior oviposition. P. versicolora oviposition on willow leaves resulted in altered expression levels of transcripts associated with plant stress and metabolic responses. Compared with leaves with no oviposition, leaves with egg deposition showed a slight increase in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and phytohormone signaling genes after larval feeding. The RNA-seq analysis revealed alterations in willow transcripts in response to leaf beetle infestations. Bioassays indicated that oviposition by P. versicolora on willows reduced subsequent larvae performance, suggesting that prior oviposition by P. versicolora could increase willows’ resistance to larvae. This study advances our knowledge of how oviposition by coleoptera insects induces changes in the resistance of leaves to herbivory in the Salicaceae family.
The New Ice Age of Musculoskeletal Intervention: Role of Percutaneous Cryoablation in Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors
Authors: Papalexis Nicolas , Savarese Leonor Garbin , Peta Giuliano , Errani Costantino , Tuzzato Gianmarco , Spinnato Paolo , Ponti Federico , Miceli Marco , Facchini Giancarlo
Published: July 2023

In the rapidly evolving field of interventional oncology, minimally invasive methods, including CT-guided cryoablation, play an increasingly important role in tumor treatment, notably in bone and soft tissue cancers. Cryoablation works using compressed gas-filled probes to freeze tumor cells to temperatures below −20 °C, exploiting the Joule–Thompson effect. This cooling causes cell destruction by forming intracellular ice crystals and disrupting blood flow through endothelial cell damage, leading to local ischemia and devascularization. Coupling this with CT technology enables precise tumor targeting, preserving healthy surrounding tissues and decreasing postoperative complications. This review reports the most important literature on CT-guided cryoablation’s application in musculoskeletal oncology, including sarcoma, bone metastases, and bone and soft tissue benign primary tumors, reporting on the success rate, recurrence rate, complications, and technical aspects to maximize success for cryoablation in the musculoskeletal system.
Massive Green Hydrogen Production Using Solar and Wind Energy: Comparison between Europe and the Middle East
Authors: Jaszczur Marek , Hassan Qusay , Sameen Aws Zuhair , Salman Hayder M. , Olapade Olushola Tomilayo , Wieteska Szymon
Published: July 2023

This comparative study examines the potential for green hydrogen production in Europe and the Middle East, leveraging 3MWp solar and wind power plants. Experimental weather data from 2022 inform the selection of two representative cities, namely Krakow, Poland (Europe), and Diyala, Iraq (Middle East). These cities are chosen as industrial–residential zones, representing the respective regions’ characteristics. The research optimizes an alkaline water electrolyzer capacity in juxtaposition with the aforementioned power plants to maximize the green hydrogen output. Economic and environmental factors integral to green hydrogen production are assessed to identify the region offering the most advantageous conditions. The analysis reveals that the Middle East holds superior potential for green hydrogen production compared to Europe, attributed to a higher prevalence of solar and wind resources, coupled with reduced land and labor costs. Hydrogen production costs in Europe are found to range between USD 9.88 and USD 14.31 per kilogram, in contrast to the Middle East, where costs span from USD 6.54 to USD 12.66 per kilogram. Consequently, the Middle East emerges as a more feasible region for green hydrogen production, with the potential to curtail emissions, enhance air quality, and bolster energy security. The research findings highlight the advantages of the Middle East industrial–residential zone ‘Diyala’ and Europe industrial–residential zone ‘Krakow’ in terms of their potential for green hydrogen production.
Electrical Transport Characteristics of Vertical GaN Schottky-Barrier Diode in Reverse Bias and Its Numerical Simulation
Authors: Maurya Vishwajeet , Buckley Julien , Alquier Daniel , Irekti Mohamed-Reda , Haas Helge , Charles Matthew , Jaud Marie-Anne , Sousa Veronique
Published: July 2023

We investigated the temperature-dependent reverse characteristics (JR-VR-T) of vertical GaN Schottky-barrier diodes with and without a fluorine-implanted edge termination (ET). To understand the device leakage mechanism, temperature-dependent characterizations were performed, and the observed reverse current was modeled through technology computer-aided design. Different levels of current were observed in both forward and reverse biases for the ET and non-ET devices, which suggested a change in the conduction mechanism for the observed leakages. The measured JR-VR-T characteristics of the non-edge-terminated device were successfully fitted in the entire temperature range with the phonon-assisted tunneling model, whereas for the edge-terminated device, the reverse characteristics were modeled by taking into account the emission of trapped electrons at a high temperature and field caused by Poole–Frenkel emission.
Safeguarding Biodiversity and Promoting Sustainable Development: Assessing the Energy–Water Nexus of San Andrés Island, Colombia
Authors: Rodríguez-Urrego Daniella , González-Díaz Benjamín , Rodríguez-Urrego Leonardo , García-Afonso Oscar , Guerrero-Lemus Ricardo
Published: July 2023

This article provides an extensive examination of the interconnectedness between energy and water in island regions, particularly those heavily reliant on tourism, as exemplified by the present case. This study explores the present state and trends of research in this field with the objective of attaining a sustainable system in future scenarios. Specifically, this analysis delves into the water–energy–CO2 nexus of the Colombian island of San Andrés. Currently, there is no energy generation from the water sector, with 76.18% of water consumption directed towards the cooling of thermal power plants and a mere 1.54% of the energy employed for water extraction, desalination, and purification. In 2019, the island’s total energy consumption reached 138 ktoe (kilotons of oil equivalent), and renewable energies have yet to contribute to the system. These findings emphasize the necessity for the island to implement measures that will bolster its sustainability, self-sufficiency, and resilience. This entails mitigating and managing the intensity of resource consumption, particularly in areas experiencing economic growth. According to the Sankey diagram obtained, some political implications and recommendations have been listed.
NFE2L2 and STAT3 Converge on Common Targets to Promote Survival of Primary Lymphoma Cells
Authors: Arena Andrea , Di Crosta Michele , Gonnella Roberta , Zarrella Roberta , Romeo Maria Anele , Benedetti Rossella , Gilardini Montani Maria Saveria , Santarelli Roberta , D’Orazi Gabriella , Cirone Mara
Published: July 2023

NFE2L2 and STAT3 are key pro-survival molecules, and thus, their targeting may represent a promising anti-cancer strategy. In this study, we found that a positive feedback loop occurred between them and provided evidence that their concomitant inhibition efficiently impaired the survival of PEL cells, a rare, aggressive B cell lymphoma associated with the gammaherpesvirus KSHV and often also EBV. At the molecular level, we found that NFE2L2 and STAT3 converged in the regulation of several pro-survival molecules and in the activation of processes essential for the adaption of lymphoma cells to stress. Among those, STAT3 and NFE2L2 promoted the activation of pathways such as MAPK3/1 and MTOR that positively regulate protein synthesis, sustained the antioxidant response, expression of molecules such as MYC, BIRC5, CCND1, and HSP, and allowed DDR execution. The findings of this study suggest that the concomitant inhibition of NFE2L2 and STAT3 may be considered a therapeutic option for the treatment of this lymphoma that poorly responds to chemotherapies.
Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Differential Gene Expression during the Process of Microtuber Formation in Pinellia ternata
Authors: Bo Chen , Su Chuandong , Teng Jingtong , Sheng Wei , Xue Tao , Zhu Yanfang , Xue Jianping
Published: July 2023

Using petiole material as explants and directly inducing the formation of microtubers without going through the callus stage is an essential way to rapidly expand scarce medical plants such as Pinellia ternata. However, the early molecular mechanism underlying the formation of the microtuber is largely elusive. Here, we conducted cytology and dynamic transcriptome analyses of inchoate microtubers in Pinellia explants and identified 1092 differentially expressed genes after their cultivation in vitro for 0, 5, and 15 days. Compared with 0 day, the number and size of the microtuber cells were larger at 5 and 15 days of culture. Detailed categorization revealed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly related to responses to stimulus, biological regulation, organelles, membranes, transcription factor activity, and protein binding. Further analysis revealed that the microtuber at different incubation days exhibited quite a difference in both hormone signaling pathway transduction and the regulation pattern of transcription factors. Therefore, this study contributes to a better understanding of the early molecular regulation during the formation of the microtuber and provides new insights for the study of the rapid expansion of P. ternata and other medical plants.
Small-Extracellular-Vesicle-Derived miRNA Profile Identifies miR-483-3p and miR-326 as Regulators in the Pathogenesis of Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)
Authors: Solé Cristina , Royo Maria , Sandoval Sebastian , Moliné Teresa , Cortés-Hernández Josefina
Published: July 2023

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is a systemic autoimmune disease associated with recurrent thrombosis and/or obstetric morbidity with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Although these antibodies drive endothelial injury and thrombophilia, the underlying molecular mechanism is still unclear. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) contain miRNAs, key players in intercellular communication. To date, the effects of miRNA-derived sEVs in PAPS are not well understood. We characterised the quantity, cellular origin and miRNA profile of sEVs isolated from thrombotic APS patients (PAPS, n = 50), aPL-carrier patients (aPL, n = 30) and healthy donors (HD, n = 30). We found higher circulating sEVs mainly of activated platelet origin in PAPS and aPL patients compared to HD, that were highly engulfed by HUVECs and monocyte. Through miRNA-sequencing analysis, we identified miR-483-3p to be differentially upregulated in sEVs from patients with PAPS and aPL, and miR-326 to be downregulated only in PAPS sEVs. In vitro studies showed that miR-483-3p overexpression in endothelial cells induced an upregulation of the PI3K-AKT pathway that led to endothelial proliferation/dysfunction. MiR-326 downregulation induced NOTCH pathway activation in monocytes with the upregulation of NFKB1, tissue factor and cytokine production. These results provide evidence that miRNA-derived sEVs contribute to APS pathogenesis by producing endothelial cell proliferation, monocyte activation and adhesion/procoagulant factors.
Effect of Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy on Transcriptomic Changes in Canine Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Majewska Alicja , Gajewska Małgorzata , Dembele Kourou
Published: July 2023

Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a genetic, chronic, and recurrent inflammatory and pruritic skin disorder. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is presently recognized as the only clinically effective disease-modifying treatment for allergies. The aim of our study was to analyze the changes in gene expression observed in the peripheral blood nuclear cells of cAD patients subjected to ASIT. Blood samples designated for transcriptomic analyses were collected from AD dogs twice, before and six months after ASIT, and also from healthy dogs. Statistical analysis revealed 521 differentially expressed transcripts, among which 241 transcripts represented genes with well-described functions. Based on the available literature, we chose nine differentially expressed genes (RARRES2, DPP10, SLPI, PLSCR4, MMP9, NTSR1, CBD103, DEFB122, and IL36G) which may be important in the context of the dysregulated immune response observed in cAD patients. The expressions of five out of the nine described genes (DPP10, PLSCR4, NTSR1, DEFB122, and IL36G) changed after the application of ASIT. The expressions of three of these genes returned to the level observed in the healthy control group. The genes listed above need further investigation to determine details of their role in the molecular mechanism of immune tolerance induction in response to allergen-specific immunotherapy.
Synthesis, Processing and Applications of Conjugated Oligomers and Polymers 2.0
Authors: Pasini Dario , Zapotoczny Szczepan
Published: July 2023

In the past few decades, conjugated organic oligomers and polymers have been shown to have amazing properties, such as conductivity, which were traditionally considered counterintuitive for macromolecules consistently used as plastics and fibers (and thus, insulators) until the late 1970s [...]
The Rare Marine Bioactive Compounds in Neurological Disorders and Diseases: Is the Blood-Brain Barrier an Obstacle or a Target?
Authors: Diao Xiaozhen , Han Hui , Li Bailin , Guo Zhen , Fu Jun , Wu Wenhui
Published: July 2023

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic barrier separating neurocytes and brain tissues from blood that is extremely sealed and strictly regulated by transporters such as aquaporin-4 (AQP-4), glucose transporter (GLUT), and specialized tight junctional complexes (TJCs) including tight junctions (TJs), adherens junctions (AJs), and Zonulae occludens (ZOs). With specifically selective transcellular and paracellular permeability, the BBB maintains a homeostatic microenvironment to protect the central nervous system (CNS). In recent years, increasing attention has been paied to the importance of BBB disruption and dysfunction in the pathology of neurological disorders and diseases, such as Alzheimer’s diseases (AD), Parkinson diseases (PD), stroke and cerebral edema. However, the further research on how the integral structure and function of BBB are altered under the physiological or pathological conditions is still needed. Focusing on the ultrastructural features of the BBB and combining the latest research on associated proteins and transporters, physiological regulation and pathological change of the BBB were elucidated. By summarizing the protective effects of known bioactive compounds derived from marine life on the BBB, this review aims to highlight the BBB as a key to the treatment of several major neurological diseases instead of a normally described obstacle to drug absorption and transport. Overall, the BBB’s morphological characteristics and physiological function and their regulation provide the theoretical basis for the study on the BBB and inspire the diagnosis of and therapy for neurological diseases.
Adsorption Features of Tetrahalomethanes (CX4; X = F, Cl, and Br) on β12 Borophene and Pristine Graphene Nanosheets: A Comparative DFT Study
Authors: Ibrahim Mahmoud A. A. , Mahmoud Amna H. M. , Moussa Nayra A. M. , Mekhemer Gamal A. H. , Sayed Shaban R. M. , Ahmed Muhammad Naeem , Abd El-Rahman Mohamed K. , Dabbish Eslam , Shoeib Tamer
Published: July 2023

The potentiality of the β12 borophene (β12) and pristine graphene (GN) nanosheets to adsorb tetrahalomethanes (CX4; X = F, Cl, and Br) were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) methods. To provide a thorough understanding of the adsorption process, tetrel (XC-X3∙∙∙β12/GN)- and halogen (X3C-X∙∙∙β12/GN)-oriented configurations were characterized at various adsorption sites. According to the energetic manifestations, the adsorption process of the CX4∙∙∙β12/GN complexes within the tetrel-oriented configuration led to more desirable negative adsorption energy (Eads) values than that within the halogen-oriented analogs. Numerically, Eads values of the CBr4∙∙∙Br1@β12 and T@GN complexes within tetrel-/halogen-oriented configurations were −12.33/−8.91 and −10.03/−6.00 kcal/mol, respectively. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) results exhibited changes in the EHOMO, ELUMO, and Egap values of the pure β12 and GN nanosheets following the adsorption of CX4 molecules. Bader charge transfer findings outlined the electron-donating property for the CX4 molecules after adsorbing on the β12 and GN nanosheets within the two modeled configurations, except the adsorbed CBr4 molecule on the GN sheet within the tetrel-oriented configuration. Following the adsorption process, new bands and peaks were observed in the band structure and density of state (DOS) plots, respectively, with a larger number in the case of the tetrel-oriented configuration than in the halogen-oriented one. According to the solvent effect affirmations, adsorption energies of the CX4∙∙∙β12/GN complexes increased in the presence of a water medium. The results of this study will serve as a focal point for experimentalists to better comprehend the adsorption behavior of β12 and GN nanosheets toward small toxic molecules.
A Review of Recent Progress in Drug Doping and Gene Doping Control Analysis
Authors: Lu Yuze , Yan Jiayu , Ou Gaozhi , Fu Li
Published: July 2023

The illicit utilization of performance-enhancing substances, commonly referred to as doping, not only infringes upon the principles of fair competition within athletic pursuits but also poses significant health hazards to athletes. Doping control analysis has emerged as a conventional approach to ensuring equity and integrity in sports. Over the past few decades, extensive advancements have been made in doping control analysis methods, catering to the escalating need for qualitative and quantitative analysis of numerous banned substances exhibiting diverse chemical and biological characteristics. Progress in science, technology, and instrumentation has facilitated the proliferation of varied techniques for detecting doping. In this comprehensive review, we present a succinct overview of recent research developments within the last ten years pertaining to these doping detection methodologies. We undertake a comparative analysis, evaluating the merits and limitations of each technique, and offer insights into the prospective future advancements in doping detection methods. It is noteworthy that the continual design and synthesis of novel synthetic doping agents have compelled researchers to constantly refine and innovate doping detection methods in order to address the ever-expanding range of covertly employed doping agents. Overall, we remain in a passive position for doping detection and are always on the road to doping control.
Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) of Polar Compounds from Camellia sinensis Leaves: Use of Ethanol/Water as a Green Polarity Modifier
Authors: Atwi-Ghaddar Sirine , Zerwette Lydie , Destandau Emilie , Lesellier Eric
Published: July 2023

The use of bioactive plant extracts in cosmetic products is a common practice. Most of these extracts are obtained by maceration in organic solvents, and depending on which solvents are used, the polarity and the structure of the target molecules will vary. Polyphenols are polar compounds that often display antioxidant and/or antibacterial activities. To extract them, ethanol/water mixtures are usually selected as green solvents. This solid–liquid extraction (assisted or not) requires the use of high volumes of solvents and many additional steps like mixing, agitation, filtration, and evaporation. Alternatively, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) offers many benefits for plant extraction: economical, non-toxic, and naturally concentrated extracts. However, its low polarity is not suitable to solubilize polar compounds. In this study, an experimental design was used to optimize supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of caffeine and catechins from Camellia sinensis. Catechins are recognized for skin care use (antioxidant) and caffeine is also used for its skin care properties and to prevent excess storage of fat in cells. The temperature, modifier content, and water additive percentage were used as independent variables. The results showed that while the temperature was an insignificant parameter, a higher percentage of water (up to 20% in ethanol) and modifier favored the extraction of the polar target molecules. Additionally, the SFE results were compared with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Finally, a sequential selective extraction of caffeine from catechins is also presented.
Extroversion-Related Differences in Gaze Behavior during a Computer Task for Assessing Speed–Accuracy Trade-Off: Implications for Sensor-Based Applications
Authors: Tosini Laura , Gomes Ana Carolina , Corbetta Daniela M. , Magalhães Fernando Henrique , Meira Cassio M.
Published: July 2023

The principle of Fitts’ law explains that the difficulty of movement increases when targets are farther away and narrower in width, particularly when touching two parallel targets as quickly as possible. Understanding the differences in motor and gaze behaviors between extroverts and introverts when performing tasks that require speed and accuracy is crucial for the development of sensor-based interfaces for games and rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate such differences in a computer task that assesses the speed–accuracy trade-off (Fitts’ task). Twenty introverts and seventeen extroverts wore an eye tracker and an accelerometer attached to their hand while performing 12 trials through six levels of difficulty presented on a computer screen. The results showed that introverts had longer visual fixations at the higher difficulty levels and reduced pupil diameter variability when difficulty was intermediate, suggesting that their gaze behavior may be different from that of extroverts. However, no significant differences were found in the speed and accuracy performance or kinematic variables between extroverts and introverts. These findings have important implications for the design of interventions that require both speed and accuracy in movement, such as in the development of virtual reality/games for rehabilitation purposes. It is important to consider individual differences in motor and gaze behaviors, particularly in those who may struggle with longer visual fixations, for the design of sensor-based applications and to promote successful interventions and recovery.
A Blockchain-Based Trustworthy Model Evaluation Framework for Deep Learning and Its Application in Moving Object Segmentation
Authors: Jiang Rui , Li Jiatao , Bu Weifeng , Shen Xiang
Published: July 2023

Model evaluation is critical in deep learning. However, the traditional model evaluation approach is susceptible to issues of untrustworthiness, including insecure data and model sharing, insecure model training, incorrect model evaluation, centralized model evaluation, and evaluation results that can be tampered easily. To minimize these untrustworthiness issues, this paper proposes a blockchain-based model evaluation framework. The framework consists of an access control layer, a storage layer, a model training layer, and a model evaluation layer. The access control layer facilitates secure resource sharing. To achieve fine-grained and flexible access control, an attribute-based access control model combining the idea of a role-based access control model is adopted. A smart contract is designed to manage the access control policies stored in the blockchain ledger. The storage layer ensures efficient and secure storage of resources. Resource files are stored in the IPFS, with the encrypted results of their index addresses recorded in the blockchain ledger. Another smart contract is designed to achieve decentralized and efficient management of resource records. The model training layer performs training on users’ servers, and, to ensure security, the training data must have records in the blockchain. The model evaluation layer utilizes the recorded data to evaluate the recorded models. A method in the smart contract of the storage layer is designed to enable evaluation, with scores automatically uploaded as a resource attribute. The proposed framework is applied to deep learning-based motion object segmentation, demonstrating its key functionalities. Furthermore, we validated the storage strategy adopted by the framework, and the trustworthiness of the framework is also analyzed.
Fabry–Perot Interferometer Used to Measure Very Low Static Pressure Measurements
Authors: Calixto Sergio , Zitzumbo Roberto , Hernandez Zacarías Malacara
Published: July 2023

This paper describes the use of an optical instrument, the Fabry–Perot interferometer, adapted to measure very low pressures. The interferometer consists of two high-reflectance flat mirrors placed one in front of another. In addition, a metallic chamber contains air or a gas. In one of the faces of the chamber, a flexible thin silicone membrane is attached and, over it, one of the mirrors is glued. The other mirror rests in a fixed mechanical mounting. Light crosses both mirrors and, when it leaves them, forms an interference pattern consisting of concentric circular fringes. When the pressure is increased/decreased within the chamber, a displacement of the fringes is observed due to the movement of the glued mirror. By measuring the fringe displacement and knowing the pressure, a calibration plot can be made. Minimum pressure measurements of about tens of Pascals were achieved.
CNN-CNN: Dual Convolutional Neural Network Approach for Feature Selection and Attack Detection on Internet of Things Networks
Authors: Alabsi Basim , Anbar Mohammed , Rihan Shaza
Published: July 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) has brought significant advancements that have connected our world more closely than ever before. However, the growing number of connected devices has also increased the vulnerability of IoT networks to several types of attacks. In this paper, we present an approach for detecting attacks on IoT networks using a combination of two convolutional neural networks (CNN-CNN). The first CNN model is leveraged to select the significant features that contribute to IoT attack detection from the raw data on network traffic. The second CNN utilizes the features identified by the first CNN to build a robust detection model that accurately detects IoT attacks. The proposed approach is evaluated using the BoT IoT 2020 dataset. The results reveal that the proposed approach achieves 98.04% detection accuracy, 98.09% precision, 99.85% recall, 98.96% recall, and a 1.93% false positive rate (FPR). Furthermore, the proposed approach is compared with other deep learning algorithms and feature selection methods; the results show that it outperforms these algorithms.
Economic Potentials of Ecologically Attractive Multi-Life Products—The Example of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Jeppe Arne , Proff Heike , Eickhoff Max
Published: July 2023

The growth of the electric vehicle market is increasing the demand for batteries. The production of vehicle batteries has a high environmental impact and at the same time represents a high cost factor in the production of electric vehicles. Both the raw materials and the production capacity required for vehicle batteries are very limited. Driven by the increasing scarcity of resources and the rising internalization of external environmental costs, as well as by policy regulations, this paper shows a possibility of life cycle extension that goes beyond the circular economy approach and opens up additional economic and ecological potentials. In contrast to the current end-of-life strategies and the circular economy approach, a new innovation philosophy and business models for sustainable multi-life products are developed. To this end, we first conducted an economic analysis in three steps and developed a multi-life indicator in the process. Based on this, we integrated the influence of political regulations in a fourth step and elaborated on their effects in five scenarios. Our results show a savings potential of 5–30% (multi-life indicator M 0.95–0.70) compared to single-life batteries. This savings potential shows the importance of the new strategic multi-life approach and justifies the need for further research in this field.