bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
YouTube as a Source of Patient Information for Meningiomas: A Content Quality and Audience Engagement Analysis
Authors: Krakowiak Michał , Fercho Justyna , Piwowska Kaja , Yuser Rami , Szmuda Tomasz , Słoniewski Paweł
Published: March 2022

YouTube (YT) has become a popular health information reservoir. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the content and quality of YT videos as a source of patient information for meningiomas. A YT search was conducted for the following terms: “meningioma”, “meningiomas”, “meningeal tumor”, and “psammoma”. A total of 119 videos were examined by five independent raters, using validated quality criteria, including the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN), the Journal of the American Medical Association instrument (JAMA), and the Global Quality Score (GQS). The mean DISCERN score was 35.6 points, while the mean GQS and JAMA scores were 2.4 and 1.8, respectively. The majority of the videos were produced in the United States (37.82%). Moreover, 47.9% of the evaluated videos were graded as “poor” and only 9.24% were “good”. Statistically higher scores in all three scoring systems were associated with the following information: tumor localization, clinical manifestations, indications for surgery, treatment options, risks, adjuvant therapies, results, follow up, diagrams, and those that featured a doctor as the speaker. Misleading information was presented in 35 productions. Our findings show that the overall quality of YT on the topic of meningiomas is defective, and requires further improvement and evaluation.
Cancer Screening Rate and Related Factors in the Japanese Child-Rearing Generation
Authors: Okayama Mutsumi , Nagaoka Tomo , Sugisaki Koshu
Published: March 2022

In Japan, although the incidence of cancer is increasing, the cancer screening rate is low compared to that in other countries. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with cancer screening behavior in Japanese men and women of child-rearing age. The survey was conducted among 2410 child-rearing adults from a countrywide database in August 2018. Among the respondents, there were 1381 (57.3%) who had been screened for cancer and 1029 (42.7%) who had not been screened. When stratified by sex, 503 (40.9%) men and 878 (74.3%) women had been screened for cancer, and education, income, and family history were associated with cancer screening. Among the men, where they lived, age, and family history were associated with cancer screening. In women, annual income was associated with stomach, colon, breast, and uterine cancer screening. In addition, uterine cancer screening was related to the women’s educational level. Our results suggest a need to improve the cancer screening rate among the child-rearing generation, especially for those with limited education and low income.
Indolent T- and NK-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract: Current Understanding and Outstanding Questions
Authors: Soderquist Craig R. , Bhagat Govind
Published: March 2022

Indolent T- and NK-cell lymphoproliferative disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are uncommon clonal neoplasms that have a protracted clinical course and limited response to therapy. In recent years, advances in the immunophenotypic, genetic, and clinical characterization of these disorders have led to increased awareness and a better understanding of disease pathogenesis. However, many questions remain unanswered, including those concerning the cell(s) of origin, inciting immune or environmental factors, and the molecular pathways underlying disease progression and transformation. In this review, we discuss recent findings regarding the immunophenotypic and genomic spectrum of these lymphoproliferative disorders and highlight unresolved issues.
Austrian Stained Glass in the Interplay of Research and Conservation: Reflections on How to Preserve an Endangered Art Genre
Authors: Wais-Wolf Christina , Weiss Petra , Tinzl Christoph
Published: March 2022

In 2021, two projects for the protection and preservation of Austrian stained glass were performed in close cooperation between the Federal Monuments Authority Austria and active members of the Corpus Vitrearum Austria. Both projects are dedicated to difficult topics that will increasingly challenge how we tackle the preservation of monuments in the coming decades. There are questions regarding the correct conservation and restoration treatment of stained glass from the late 19th and early 20th century (stained glass from the so-called art period of Historicism), which, despite all the Guidelines for the Conservation and Restoration of this endangered genre of art, is still far from being treated with the necessary care throughout the country. The protection and preservation of the original substance—the glass, the leading and the painting—are the primary focus of interest here. Using the example of the restoration campaign currently being conducted on the windows of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Linz, a cultural monument of particular importance for Austria, work is being undertaken to elaborate the feasibility of a concept that can be easily implemented in the future at other construction sites and by all the stakeholders involved. The second monitoring project presented concerns the equally important area of “preventive conservation” of medieval and modern stained glass. The focus of the work that took place here was on checking the condition of stained glass from the Middle Ages to the 20th century (with and without exterior protective glazing) and the general identification of damage and determination of the urgency of measures for conservation (using a “traffic light system” developed for this purpose).
Dietary Intake Is Unlikely to Explain Symptom Severity and Syndrome-Specific Microbiome Alterations in a Cohort of Women with Fibromyalgia
Authors: Minerbi Amir , Brereton Nicholas J. B. , Anjarkouchian Abraham , Moyen Audrey , Gonzalez Emmanuel , Fitzcharles Mary-Ann , Shir Yoram , Chevalier Stéphanie
Published: March 2022

Background: Significant alterations were recently identified in the composition and putative function of the gut microbiome in women with fibromyalgia. As diet can influence the composition of the gut microbiome, differences in nutritional intake could, in theory, account for some of these specific fibromyalgia microbiome alterations. The current study aims to compare the diet of women with fibromyalgia to that of controls in order to explore possible associations between the intake of certain nutrients, symptom severity and gut microbiome composition. Methods: The study population was comprised of 56 women with fibromyalgia and 68 controls. Dietary intake was assessed using the NIH Automated Self-Administered 24 h recall, following dietitian’s instructions and the completion of a three-day dietary recall. The gut microbiome was assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of stool samples. Results: Most demographic and anthropometric characteristics were comparable between groups. The average energy and macronutrient intake (total and relative) and overall diet quality score were not different between patients and controls, nor were the main vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, alcohol, caffeine, sugar or fiber intakes. The daily intake of micronutrients and normalized macronutrients in women with fibromyalgia was largely not correlated with disease-specific measures, including pain intensity, fatigue, cognitive symptoms and quality of sleep, or with the relative quantity of almost any of the gut microbiome bacterial taxa differentially abundant in fibromyalgia. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that dietary intakes, as evaluated by self-reported questionnaires, probably cannot explain the syndrome-specific differences in gut microbiome or the clinical phenotype of fibromyalgia.
Impact of Stress and Financials on Romanian Infertile Women Accessing Assisted Reproductive Treatment
Authors: Margan Roxana , Margan Madalin-Marius , Fira-Mladinescu Corneluta , Putnoky Salomeia , Tuta-Sas Ioana , Bagiu Radu , Popa Zoran Laurentiu , Bernad Elena , Ciuca Ioana Mihaela , Bratosin Felix , Miloicov-Bacean Oana Codruta , Vlaicu Brigitha , Dobrescu Amadeus
Published: March 2022

Around 20% of couples worldwide are affected by infertility issues, with numbers in the European Union reaching as high as 25%, while access to reproductive care varies significantly by geopolitical and country-specific variables. The purpose of this research is to shed light on the unique social, psychological, and financial difficulties faced by Romanian couples seeking access to assisted reproductive therapy (ART). A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2017 and 2019 to involve women who accessed ART at fertility clinics in Romania by completing two infertility surveys. We analyzed the data in terms of all facets of infertility and ART, including the effect of personal background and stress levels on succeeding to conceive, the impact of treatment costs, and household income. A total of 829 participants completed the survey. We observed that high stress exposure leads to a substantially higher duration to conceive using ART, although the proportions of successful pregnancies did not differ between low-stress and high-stress groups. A significantly higher number of couples achieved pregnancy when their monthly household income was higher than EUR 1000 and if the ART method was more expensive. Additionally, we observed that advanced age, high stress levels, and the high cost of ART had a negative association with achieving pregnancy using ART. The findings indicated that Romanian couples experiencing infertility must contend with significant expenses for specialist infertility treatments, as well as treatment-related stress, both of which have a detrimental effect on their odds of attaining conception.
Geospatial Assessment of Pesticide Concentration in Ambient Air and Colorectal Cancer Incidence in Arkansas, 2013–2017
Authors: Su Lihchyun Joseph , Young Sean G. , Collins Josephine , Matich Eryn , Hsu Ping-Ching , Chiang Tung-Chin
Published: March 2022

Exposure to various agricultural pesticides has been linked to colorectal cancer (CRC), mostly among farmworkers and applicators. Given the potential pesticide drift in ambient air, residents near farmland may be exposed to carcinogenic pesticides even if they are not actively engaged in pesticide application. Pesticide air pollution at the county level was estimated using the 2014 National Air Toxics Assessment. CRC incidence data were acquired from the Arkansas Central Cancer Registry for 2013–2017. We ran ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models, finding significant spatial autocorrelation of residuals for most models. Using geographically weighted regression (GWR) we found age-adjusted CRC incidence rates vary in an increasing west-to-east gradient, with the highest rates in the Arkansas Delta region. A similar gradient was observed in the distribution of the population living below the poverty line and the population percentage of Black people. Significant associations between Trifluralin (crude model only), Carbon Tetrachloride, and Ethylene Dibromide with CRC incidence rates in OLS models only explained 5–7% of the variation and exhibited spatial autocorrelation of residuals. GWR models explained 24–32% (adjusted r2 9–16%) of CRC incidence rate variation, suggesting additional factors may contribute to the association between pesticides and CRC.
A Single-Case Design Investigation for Measuring the Efficacy of Gestalt Therapy to Treat Depression in Older Adults with Dementia in Italy and in Mexico: A Research Protocol
Authors: Merizzi Alessandra , Biasi Rosanna , Zamudio José Fernando Álvarez , Spagnuolo Lobb Margherita , Di Rosa Mirko , Santini Sara
Published: March 2022

Psychotherapy is one of the evidence-based clinical interventions for the treatment of depression in older adults with dementia. Randomised controlled trials are often the first methodological choice to gain evidence, yet they are not applicable to a wide range of humanistic psychotherapies. Amongst all, the efficacy of the Gestalt therapy (GT) is under-investigated. The purpose of this paper is to present a research protocol, aiming to assess the effects of a GT-based intervention on people with dementia (PWD) and indirect influence on their family carers. The study implements the single-case experimental design with time series analysis that will be carried out in Italy and Mexico. Six people in each country, who received a diagnosis of dementia and present depressive symptoms, will be recruited. Eight or more GT sessions will be provided, whose fidelity will be assessed by the GT fidelity scale. Quantitative outcome measures are foreseen for monitoring participants’ depression, anxiety, quality of life, loneliness, carers’ burden, and the caregiving dyad mutuality at baseline and follow-up. The advantages and limitations of the research design are considered. If GT will effectively result in the treatment of depression in PWD, it could enrich the range of evidence-based interventions provided by healthcare services.
Removal of Ammonia Using Persulfate during the Nitrate Electro-Reduction Process
Authors: Yang Shuai , Hu Xinxin , You Xinyu , Zhang Wenwen , Liu Yu , Liang Wenyan
Published: March 2022

NH4+ is often produced during the electro-reduction of NO3−, which results in inadequate total nitrogen (TN) removal during advanced sewage treatment. In this study, the electro-reduction byproduct NH4+ was oxidized and removed using sulfate radical (SO4•−)-based advanced oxidation. Persulfate (PS) was activated by electrocatalysis, using Co/AC0.9-AB0.1 particle electrodes to produce SO4•−. Results showed that when the influent concentration of NO3−-N was 20 mg/L, a PS dosage of 5.0 mM could completely oxidize NH4+ at 0.1 A (nondetectable in effluent) reducing the TN concentration from 9.22 to 0.55 mg/L. The presence of coexisting PO43−, CO32− and humic acid suppressed the oxidation and removal of NH4+. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra and quenching experiments revealed SO4•− as the dominant radical in the process of indirect NH4+ oxidation, while •OH radicals only had an assisting role, and the surface accumulated free radicals were responsible for the indirect oxidation of NH4+. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves indicated that NO3− was primarily reduced via atomic H*-mediated indirect reduction. Therefore, the activation of PS using Co/AC0.9-AB0.1 particle electrodes might be a promising alternative method for oxidizing byproduct NH4+ in the electro-reduction of NO3− and reduce TN concentration in advanced sewage treatment.
Association between Physical Exercise and Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in Korean Patients Diagnosed with Diabetes
Authors: Yun Il , Joo Hye Jin , Park Yu Shin , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to identify the association between physical exercise and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in Korean patients diagnosed with diabetes. Data from the 2015–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. In total, 2559 participants were included (1286 males and 1273 females). Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of physical exercise on controlled HbA1c levels among diabetic patients. In Korean male patients with diabetes, performance of physical exercise, including walking and resistance exercises, was associated with controlled HbA1c levels < 6.5% (odds ratio (OR), 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17–2.92). In males, performing resistance exercise for ≥5 days a week, without walking exercise, had a significant association with HbA1c levels (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.15–2.65). HbA1c levels were more likely to be controlled when both walking and resistance exercises were performed for ≥5 days a week in both sexes (males: OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.04–2.93 and females: OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.09–6.15). This study found that resistance exercise may contribute to the management of HbA1c levels among Korean patients with diabetes. Promoting resistance exercise performance can be beneficial for improving the condition of patients with diabetes.
The Impact of Physical Activity at School on Children’s Body Mass during 2 Years of Observation
Authors: Ługowska Katarzyna , Kolanowski Wojciech , Trafialek Joanna
Published: March 2022

(1) Background: Children’s overweight and obesity are a growing public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of physical activity (PA) at school on body mass of children aged 10–12 during 2 years of observation. (2) Methods: Primary school children (n = 245, 48% girls and 52% boys) took part in the study. Children were divided in two groups, (1) of standard PA and (2) of elevated PA at school corresponding to 4 and 10 h of physical education lessons (PE) a week, respectively. Weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were measured starting from the 4th grade and ending at the 6th grade of school. (3) Results: The number of children with excessive body weight (overweight and obese) increased by ¼ in children of standard PA while slightly decreased in children of elevated PA. Many more children of elevated PA changed body mass category from overweight to healthy weight than those of standard PA. Girls, especially of standard PA, had more often excessive body weight compared to boys. (4) Conclusions: Increasing time of physical activity at school by elevation of the number of PE lessons favorably affects the body mass of children.
Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perceived Changes in Psychological Vulnerability, Resilience and Social Cohesion before, during and after Lockdown
Authors: Silveira Sarita , Hecht Martin , Matthaeus Hannah , Adli Mazda , Voelkle Manuel C. , Singer Tania
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns have posed unique and severe challenges to our global society. To gain an integrative understanding of pervasive social and mental health impacts in 3522 Berlin residents aged 18 to 65, we systematically investigated the structural and temporal relationship between a variety of psychological indicators of vulnerability, resilience and social cohesion before, during and after the first lockdown in Germany using a retrospective longitudinal study design. Factor analyses revealed that (a) vulnerability and resilience indicators converged on one general bipolar factor, (b) residual variance of resilience indicators formed a distinct factor of adaptive coping capacities and (c) social cohesion could be reliably measured with a hierarchical model including four first-order dimensions of trust, a sense of belonging, social interactions and social engagement, and one second-order social cohesion factor. In the second step, latent change score models revealed that overall psychological vulnerability increased during the first lockdown and decreased again during re-opening, although not to baseline levels. Levels of social cohesion, in contrast, first decreased and then increased again during re-opening. Furthermore, participants who increased in vulnerability simultaneously decreased in social cohesion and adaptive coping during lockdown. While higher pre-lockdown levels of social cohesion predicted a stronger lockdown effect on mental health, individuals with higher social cohesion during the lockdown and positive change in coping abilities and social cohesion during re-opening showed better mental health recovery, highlighting the important role of social capacities in both amplifying but also overcoming the multiple challenges of this collective crisis.
A New Role of Acute Phase Proteins: Local Production Is an Ancient, General Stress-Response System of Mammalian Cells
Authors: Hamar Péter
Published: March 2022

The prevailing general view of acute-phase proteins (APPs) is that they are produced by the liver in response to the stress of the body as part of a systemic acute-phase response. We demonstrated a coordinated, local production of these proteins upon cell stress by the stressed cells. The local, stress-induced APP production has been demonstrated in different tissues (kidney, breast cancer) and with different stressors (hypoxia, fibrosis and electromagnetic heat). Thus, this local acute-phase response (APR) seems to be a universal mechanism. APP production is an ancient defense mechanism observed in nematodes and fruit flies as well. Local APP production at the tissue level is also supported by sporadic literature data for single proteins; however, the complex, coordinated, local appearance of this stress response has been first demonstrated only recently. Although a number of literature data are available for the local production of single acute-phase proteins, their interpretation as a local, coordinated stress response is new. A better understanding of the role of APPs in cellular stress response may also be of diagnostic/prognostic and therapeutic significance.
A High Body Mass Index and the Vacuum Phenomenon Upregulate Pain-Related Molecules in Human Degenerated Intervertebral Discs
Authors: Miyagi Masayuki , Uchida Kentaro , Inoue Sho , Takano Shotaro , Nakawaki Mitsufumi , Kawakubo Ayumu , Sekiguchi Hiroyuki , Nakazawa Toshiyuki , Imura Takayuki , Saito Wataru , Shirasawa Eiki , Kuroda Akiyoshi , Ikeda Shinsuke , Yokozeki Yuji , Mimura Yusuke , Akazawa Tsutomu , Takaso Masashi , Inoue Gen
Published: March 2022

Animal studies suggest that pain-related-molecule upregulation in degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) potentially leads to low back pain (LBP). We hypothesized that IVD mechanical stress and axial loading contribute to discogenic LBP’s pathomechanism. This study aimed to elucidate the relationships among the clinical findings, radiographical findings, and pain-related-molecule expression in human degenerated IVDs. We harvested degenerated-IVD samples from 35 patients during spinal interbody fusion surgery. Pain-related molecules including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES1), and nerve growth factor (NGF) were determined. We also recorded preoperative clinical findings including body mass index (BMI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and radiographical findings including the vacuum phenomenon (VP) and spinal instability. Furthermore, we compared pain-related-molecule expression between the VP (−) and (+) groups. BMI was significantly correlated with the ODI, CGRP, and mPGES-1 levels. In the VP (+) group, mPGES-1 levels were significantly higher than in the VP (−) group. Additionally, CGRP and mPGES-1 were significantly correlated. Axial loading and mechanical stress correlated with CGRP and mPGES-1 expression and not with inflammatory cytokine or NGF expression. Therefore, axial loading and mechanical stress upregulate CGRP and mPGES-1 in human degenerated IVDs, potentially leading to chronic discogenic LBP.
Genome-Wide Identification of Petunia HSF Genes and Potential Function of PhHSF19 in Benzenoid/Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis
Authors: Fu Jianxin , Huang Shuying , Qian Jieyu , Qing Hongsheng , Wan Ziyun , Cheng Hefeng , Zhang Chao
Published: March 2022

Volatile benzenoids/phenylpropanoids are the main flower scent compounds in petunia (Petunia hybrida). Heat shock factors (HSFs), well known as the main regulator of heat stress response, have been found to be involved in the biosynthesis of benzenoid/phenylpropanoid and other secondary metabolites. In order to figure out the potential function of HSFs in the regulation of floral scent in petunia, we systematically identified the genome-wide petunia HSF genes and analyzed their expression and then the interaction between the key petunia HSF gene with target gene involved in benzenoid/phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The results revealed that 34 HSF gene family members were obtained in petunia, and most petunia HSFs contained one intron. The phylogenetic analysis showed that 23 petunia HSFs were grouped into the largest subfamily HSFA, while only two petunia HSFs were in HSFC subfamily. The DBD domain and NLS motif were well conserved in most petunia HSFs. Most petunia HSF genes’ promoters contained STRE motifs, the highest number of cis-acting element. PhHSF19 is highly expressed in petal tubes, followed by peduncles and petal limbs. During flower development, the expression level of PhHSF19 was dramatically higher at earlier flower opening stages than that at the bud stage, suggesting that PhHSF19 may have potential roles in regulating benzenoid/phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The expression pattern of PhHSF19 is positively related with PhPAL2, which catalyzes the first committed step in the phenylpropanoid pathway. In addition, there are three STRE elements in the promoter of PhPAL2. PhHSF19 was proven to positively regulate the expression of PhPAL2 according to the yeast one hybrid and dual luciferase assays. These results lay a theoretical foundation for further studies of the regulation of HSFs on plant flower scent biosynthesis.
The Significance of Epidermal Growth Factor in Noninvasively Obtained Amniotic Fluid Predicting Respiratory Outcomes of Preterm Neonates
Authors: Gulbiniene Violeta , Balciuniene Greta , Petroniene Justina , Viliene Rita , Dumalakiene Irena , Pilypiene Ingrida , Ramasauskaite Diana
Published: March 2022

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) interrupts normal lung development, resulting in neonatal respiratory morbidity. Although post-PPROM risks have been researched, only a few studies have investigated noninvasively obtained amniotic fluid (AF) to predict neonatal outcomes. In this study, we aimed to determine whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) in vaginally-collected AF is a significant predictor of neonatal respiratory outcomes after PPROM. We analyzed EGF in vaginally-obtained AF from 145 women with PPROM at 22–34 weeks of gestation. The following neonatal outcomes were included: respiratory distress syndrome, surfactant need, duration and type of respiratory support, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We found that EGF concentration was associated with gestational age, and its medians were lower in neonates with respiratory morbidities than unaffected ones. EGF concentrations gradually declined, the lowest being in the most clinically ill patients. EGF < 35 pg/mL significantly predicted the odds of severe respiratory outcomes. EGF in noninvasively collected AF may be a reliable predictor for respiratory outcomes of preterm neonates with PPROM before 34 weeks of gestation. The results of our study may have implications for further research both in noninvasive amniotic fluid analysis and the management of patients after PPROM.
Micronutrient Improvement of Epithelial Barrier Function in Various Disease States: A Case for Adjuvant Therapy
Authors: DiGuilio Katherine M. , Rybakovsky Elizabeth , Abdavies Reza , Chamoun Romy , Flounders Colleen A. , Shepley-McTaggart Ariel , Harty Ronald N. , Mullin James M.
Published: March 2022

The published literature makes a very strong case that a wide range of disease morbidity associates with and may in part be due to epithelial barrier leak. An equally large body of published literature substantiates that a diverse group of micronutrients can reduce barrier leak across a wide array of epithelial tissue types, stemming from both cell culture as well as animal and human tissue models. Conversely, micronutrient deficiencies can exacerbate both barrier leak and morbidity. Focusing on zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin D, this review shows that at concentrations above RDA levels but well below toxicity limits, these micronutrients can induce cell- and tissue-specific molecular-level changes in tight junctional complexes (and by other mechanisms) that reduce barrier leak. An opportunity now exists in critical care—but also medical prophylactic and therapeutic care in general—to consider implementation of select micronutrients at elevated dosages as adjuvant therapeutics in a variety of disease management. This consideration is particularly pointed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effects of Ultra-Short Pulsed Electric Field Exposure on Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Casciati Arianna , Tanori Mirella , Gianlorenzi Isabella , Rampazzo Elena , Persano Luca , Viola Giampietro , Cani Alice , Bresolin Silvia , Marino Carmela , Mancuso Mariateresa , Merla Caterina
Published: March 2022

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common brain cancer in adults. GBM starts from a small fraction of poorly differentiated and aggressive cancer stem cells (CSCs) responsible for aberrant proliferation and invasion. Due to extreme tumor heterogeneity, actual therapies provide poor positive outcomes, and cancers usually recur. Therefore, alternative approaches, possibly targeting CSCs, are necessary against GBM. Among emerging therapies, high intensity ultra-short pulsed electric fields (PEFs) are considered extremely promising and our previous results demonstrated the ability of a specific electric pulse protocol to selectively affect medulloblastoma CSCs preserving normal cells. Here, we tested the same exposure protocol to investigate the response of U87 GBM cells and U87-derived neurospheres. By analyzing different in vitro biological endpoints and taking advantage of transcriptomic and bioinformatics analyses, we found that, independent of CSC content, PEF exposure affected cell proliferation and differentially regulated hypoxia, inflammation and P53/cell cycle checkpoints. PEF exposure also significantly reduced the ability to form new neurospheres and inhibited the invasion potential. Importantly, exclusively in U87 neurospheres, PEF exposure changed the expression of stem-ness/differentiation genes. Our results confirm this physical stimulus as a promising treatment to destabilize GBM, opening up the possibility of developing effective PEF-mediated therapies.
Cancer-Related Cachexia: The Vicious Circle between Inflammatory Cytokines, Skeletal Muscle, Lipid Metabolism and the Possible Role of Physical Training
Authors: Mangano Giuseppe Donato , Fouani Malak , D’Amico Daniela , Di Felice Valentina , Barone Rosario
Published: March 2022

Cachexia is a multifactorial and multi-organ syndrome that is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in late-stage chronic diseases. The main clinical features of cancer-related cachexia are chronic inflammation, wasting of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, insulin resistance, anorexia, and impaired myogenesis. A multimodal treatment has been suggested to approach the multifactorial genesis of cachexia. In this context, physical exercise has been found to have a general effect on maintaining homeostasis in a healthy life, involving multiple organs and their metabolism. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence for the relationship between inflammatory cytokines, skeletal muscle, and fat metabolism and the potential role of exercise training in breaking the vicious circle of this impaired tissue cross-talk. Due to the wide-ranging effects of exercise training, from the body to the behavior and cognition of the individual, it seems to be able to improve the quality of life in this syndrome. Therefore, studying the molecular effects of physical exercise could provide important information about the interactions between organs and the systemic mediators involved in the overall homeostasis of the body.
Development and Regeneration of Muscle, Tendon, and Myotendinous Junctions in Striated Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Yamamoto Masahito , Sakiyama Koji , Kitamura Kei , Yamamoto Yutaro , Takagi Takahiro , Sekiya Sayo , Watanabe Genji , Taniguchi Shuichiro , Ogawa Yudai , Ishizuka Satoshi , Sugiyama Yuki , Takayama Takeshi , Hayashi Katsuhiko , Chang Wei-Jen , Abe Shinichi
Published: March 2022

Owing to a rapid increase in aging population in recent years, the deterioration of motor function in older adults has become an important social problem, and several studies have aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying muscle function decline. Furthermore, structural maintenance of the muscle–tendon–bone complexes in the muscle attachment sites is important for motor function, particularly for joints; however, the development and regeneration of these complexes have not been studied thoroughly and require further elucidation. Recent studies have provided insights into the roles of mesenchymal progenitors in the development and regeneration of muscles and myotendinous junctions. In particular, studies on muscles and myotendinous junctions have—through the use of the recently developed scRNA-seq—reported the presence of syncytia, thereby suggesting that fibroblasts may be transformed into myoblasts in a BMP-dependent manner. In addition, the high mobility group box 1—a DNA-binding protein found in nuclei—is reportedly involved in muscle regeneration. Furthermore, studies have identified several factors required for the formation of locomotor apparatuses, e.g., tenomodulin (Tnmd) and mohawk (Mkx), which are essential for tendon maturation.
Cyber-Security Challenges in Aviation Industry: A Review of Current and Future Trends
Authors: Ukwandu Elochukwu , Ben-Farah Mohamed Amine , Hindy Hanan , Bures Miroslav , Atkinson Robert , Tachtatzis Christos , Andonovic Ivan , Bellekens Xavier
Published: March 2022

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools into mechanical devices in routine use within the aviation industry has heightened cyber-security concerns. The extent of the inherent vulnerabilities in the software tools that drive these systems escalates as the level of integration increases. Moreover, these concerns are becoming even more acute as the migration within the industry in the deployment of electronic-enabled aircraft and smart airports gathers pace. A review of cyber-security attacks and attack surfaces within the aviation sector over the last 20 years provides a mapping of the trends and insights that are of value in informing on future frameworks to protect the evolution of a key industry. The goal is to identify common threat actors, their motivations, attacks types and map the vulnerabilities within aviation infrastructures most commonly subject to persistent attack campaigns. The analyses will enable an improved understanding of both the current and potential future cyber-security protection provisions for the sector. Evidence is provided that the main threats to the industry arise from Advance Persistent Threat (APT) groups that operate, in collaboration with a particular state actor, to steal intellectual property and intelligence in order to advance their domestic aerospace capabilities as well as monitor, infiltrate and subvert other sovereign nations’ capabilities. A segment of the aviation industry commonly attacked is the Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, the most prominent type of attack being malicious hacking with intent to gain unauthorised access. The analysis of the range of attack surfaces and the existing threat dynamics has been used as a foundation to predict future cyber-attack trends. The insights arising from the review will support the future definition and implementation of proactive measures that protect critical infrastructures against cyber-incidents that damage the confidence of customers in a key service-oriented industry.
First Nationwide Monitoring Program for the Detection of Potentially Invasive Mosquito Species in Austria
Authors: Bakran-Lebl Karin , Pree Stefanie , Brenner Thomas , Daroglou Eleni , Eigner Barbara , Griesbacher Antonia , Gunczy Johanna , Hufnagl Peter , Jäger Stefanie , Jerrentrup Hans , Klocker Lisa , Paill Wolfgang , Petermann Jana S. , Barogh Bita Shahi , Schwerte Thorsten , Suchentrunk Carina , Wieser Christian , Wortha Licha N. , Zechmeister Thomas , Zezula David , Zimmermann Klaus , Zittra Carina , Allerberger Franz , Fuehrer Hans-Peter
Published: March 2022

In Austria, only fragmented information on the occurrence of alien and potentially invasive mosquito species exists. The aim of this study is a nationwide overview on the situation of those mosquitoes in Austria. Using a nationwide uniform protocol for the first time, mosquito eggs were sampled with ovitraps at 45 locations in Austria at weekly intervals from May to October 2020. The sampled eggs were counted and the species were identified by genetic analysis. The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus was found at two sites, once in Tyrol, where this species has been reported before, and for the first time in the province of Lower Austria, at a motorway rest stop. The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus was widespread in Austria. It was found in all provinces and was the most abundant species in the ovitraps by far. Aedes japonicus was more abundant in the South than in the North and more eggs were found in habitats with artificial surfaces than in (semi-) natural areas. Further, the number of Ae. japonicus eggs increased with higher ambient temperature and decreased with higher wind speed. The results of this study will contribute to a better estimation of the risk of mosquito-borne disease in Austria and will be a useful baseline for a future documentation of changes in the distribution of those species.
The Evolution of Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty—From the First Steps to Novel Implant Designs and Surgical Techniques
Authors: Frank Julia K. , Siegert Paul , Plachel Fabian , Heuberer Philipp R. , Huber Stephanie , Schanda Jakob E.
Published: March 2022

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review is to summarize recent literature regarding the latest design modifications and biomechanical evolutions of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and their impact on postoperative outcomes. Recent findings: Over the past decade, worldwide implantation rates of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty have drastically increased for various shoulder pathologies. While Paul Grammont’s design principles first published in 1985 for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty remained unchanged, several adjustments were made to address postoperative clinical and biomechanical challenges such as implant glenoid loosening, scapular notching, or limited range of motion in order to maximize functional outcomes and increase the longevity of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. However, the adequate and stable fixation of prosthetic components can be challenging, especially in massive osteoarthritis with concomitant bone loss. To overcome such issues, surgical navigation and patient-specific instruments may be a viable tool to improve accurate prosthetic component positioning. Nevertheless, larger clinical series on the accuracy and possible complications of this novel technique are still missing.
Fetal Nasal Bone Hypoplasia in the Second Trimester as a Marker of Multiple Genetic Syndromes
Authors: Moczulska Hanna , Serafin Marcin , Wojda Katarzyna , Borowiec Maciej , Sieroszewski Piotr
Published: March 2022

Nasal bone hypoplasia is associated with a trisomy of chromosome 21, 18 or 13. Nasal bone hypoplasia can also be seen in other, rarer genetic syndromes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of nasal bone hypoplasia, in the second trimester of pregnancy, as a marker of fetal facial dysmorphism, associated with pathogenic copy number variation (CNV). This retrospective analysis of the invasive tests results in fetuses with nasal bone hypoplasia, after excluding those with trisomy 21, 18 and 13. In total, 60 cases with nasal bone hypoplasia were analyzed. Chromosomal aberrations were found in 7.1% of cases of isolated nasal bone hypoplasia, and in 57% of cases of nasal bone hypoplasia with additional malformations. Additionally, in four of nine cases with non-isolated nasal bone hypoplasia but normal CMA results, a monogenic disease was diagnosed. Non-isolated hypoplastic nasal bone appears to be an effective objective marker of fetal facial dysmorphism, associated with pathogenic CNVs or monogenic diseases. In isolated cases, chromosomal microarray testing can be of additional value if invasive testing is performed, e.g., for aneuploidy testing after appropriate counseling.
Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Ovarian Cancer: Exploiting Strengths and Understanding Limitations
Authors: Gagliardi Tanja , Adejolu Margaret , deSouza Nandita M.
Published: March 2022

Detection, characterization, staging, and response assessment are key steps in the imaging pathway of ovarian cancer. The most common type, high grade serous ovarian cancer, often presents late, so that accurate disease staging and response assessment are required through imaging in order to improve patient management. Currently, computerized tomography (CT) is the most common method for these tasks, but due to its poor soft-tissue contrast, it is unable to quantify early response within lesions before shrinkage is observed by size criteria. Therefore, quantifiable techniques, such as diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI), which generates high contrast between tumor and healthy tissue, are increasingly being explored. This article discusses the basis of diffusion-weighted contrast and the technical issues that must be addressed in order to achieve optimal implementation and robust quantifiable diffusion-weighted metrics in the abdomen and pelvis. The role of DW-MRI in characterizing adnexal masses in order to distinguish benign from malignant disease, and to differentiate borderline from frankly invasive malignancy is discussed, emphasizing the importance of morphological imaging over diffusion-weighted metrics in this regard. Its key role in disease staging and predicting resectability in comparison to CT is addressed, including its valuable use as a biomarker for following response within individual lesions, where early changes in the apparent diffusion coefficient in peritoneal metastases may be detected. Finally, the task of implementing DW-MRI into clinical trials in order to validate this biomarker for clinical use are discussed, along with the trials that include it within their protocols.
Photo2Video: Semantic-Aware Deep Learning-Based Video Generation from Still Content
Authors: Viana Paula , Andrade Maria Teresa , Carvalho Pedro , Vilaça Luis , Teixeira Inês N. , Costa Tiago , Jonker Pieter
Published: March 2022

Applying machine learning (ML), and especially deep learning, to understand visual content is becoming common practice in many application areas. However, little attention has been given to its use within the multimedia creative domain. It is true that ML is already popular for content creation, but the progress achieved so far addresses essentially textual content or the identification and selection of specific types of content. A wealth of possibilities are yet to be explored by bringing the use of ML into the multimedia creative process, allowing the knowledge inferred by the former to influence automatically how new multimedia content is created. The work presented in this article provides contributions in three distinct ways towards this goal: firstly, it proposes a methodology to re-train popular neural network models in identifying new thematic concepts in static visual content and attaching meaningful annotations to the detected regions of interest; secondly, it presents varied visual digital effects and corresponding tools that can be automatically called upon to apply such effects in a previously analyzed photo; thirdly, it defines a complete automated creative workflow, from the acquisition of a photograph and corresponding contextual data, through the ML region-based annotation, to the automatic application of digital effects and generation of a semantically aware multimedia story driven by the previously derived situational and visual contextual data. Additionally, it presents a variant of this automated workflow by offering to the user the possibility of manipulating the automatic annotations in an assisted manner. The final aim is to transform a static digital photo into a short video clip, taking into account the information acquired. The final result strongly contrasts with current standard approaches of creating random movements, by implementing an intelligent content- and context-aware video.
Seamless Copy–Move Replication in Digital Images
Authors: Qazi Tanzeela , Ali Mushtaq , Hayat Khizar , Magnier Baptiste
Published: March 2022

The importance and relevance of digital-image forensics has attracted researchers to establish different techniques for creating and detecting forgeries. The core category in passive image forgery is copy–move image forgery that affects the originality of image by applying a different transformation. In this paper, a frequency-domain image-manipulation method is presented. The method exploits the localized nature of discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to attain the region of the host image to be manipulated. Both patch and host image are subjected to DWT at the same level l to obtain 3l+1 sub-bands, and each sub-band of the patch is pasted to the identified region in the corresponding sub-band of the host image. Resulting manipulated host sub-bands are then subjected to inverse DWT to obtain the final manipulated host image. The proposed method shows good resistance against detection by two frequency-domain forgery detection methods from the literature. The purpose of this research work is to create a forgery and highlight the need to produce forgery detection methods that are robust against malicious copy–move forgery.
Influence of the L-PBF Process Atmosphere on the Microstructure and Tensile Properties of AISI 318LN Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Mirz Markus , Herzog Simone , Broeckmann Christoph , Kaletsch Anke
Published: March 2022

Duplex stainless steels (DSSs) have excellent mechanical properties, owing to their austenitic-ferritic microstructure. The phase equilibrium strongly depends on solidification conditions and chemical composition, where elemental nitrogen significantly stabilizes the austenitic phase. When DSSs are processed by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) under an argon atmosphere, the rapid cooling rates result in an undesirable fully ferritic microstructure. To better understand the microstructure formation, this study examined the influence of the L-PBF process atmosphere on the porosity, microstructure, and mechanical properties of DSS AISI 318LN. Gaseous argon and nitrogen were used as a protective atmosphere, and specimens were analyzed in the as-built and post-processed conditions via optical and electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and tensile testing. Specimens processed under a nitrogen atmosphere showed a lower initial density in the as-built conditions, and tended to form more lack-of-fusion and gas pores compared to specimens processed under argon. The different defect types in nitrogen-processed specimens were still present after solution-annealing and quenching, leading to a 13% lower tensile strength and 43% lower elongation at fracture. Differences in phase equilibrium caused by the process atmosphere could not be established. All differences in porosity can be minimized by hot isostatic pressing, thus resulting in comparable mechanical properties of argon- and nitrogen-processed specimens.