bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case Study on the Design and Implementation of a Platform for Hand Rehabilitation
Authors: Kosar Tomaž , Lu Zhenli , Mernik Marjan , Horvat Marjan , Črepinšek Matej
Published: January 2021

Rehabilitation aids help people with temporal or permanent disabilities during the rehabilitation process. However, these solutions are usually expensive and, consequently, inaccessible outside of professional medical institutions. Rapid advances in software development, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and additive manufacturing open up a way to affordable rehabilitation solutions, even to the general population. Imagine a rehabilitation aid constructed from accessible software and hardware with local production. Many obstacles exist to using such technology, starting with the development of unified software for custom-made devices. In this paper, we address open issues in designing rehabilitation aids by proposing an extensive rehabilitation platform. To demonstrate our concept, we developed a unique platform, RehabHand. The main idea is to use domain-specific language and code generation techniques to enable loosely coupled software and hardware solutions. The main advantage of such separation is support for modular and a higher abstraction level by enabling therapists to write rehabilitation exercises in natural, domain-specific terminology and share them with patients. The same platform provides a hardware-independent part that facilitates the integration of new rehabilitation devices. Experience in implementing RehabHand with three different rehabilitation devices confirms that such rehabilitation technology can be developed, and shows that implementing a hardware-independent rehabilitation platform might not be as challenging as expected.
Lemon Balm and Dandelion Leaf Extracts Synergistically Protect against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice
Authors: Choi Beom-Rak , Cho Il-Je , Jung Su-Jin , Kim Jae-Kwang , Lee Dae-Geon , Ku Sae-Kwang , Park Ki-Moon
Published: January 2021

Lemon balm and dandelion are commonly used medicinal herbs exhibiting numerous pharmacological activities that are beneficial for human health. In this study, we explored the protective effects of a 2:1 (w/w) mixture of lemon balm and dandelion extracts (MLD) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in mice. CCl4 (0.5 mL/kg; i.p.) injection inhibited body weight gain and increased relative liver weight. Pre-administration of MLD (50–200 mg/kg) for 7 days prevented these CCl4-mediated changes. In addition, histopathological analysis revealed that MLD synergistically alleviated CCl4-mediated hepatocyte degeneration and infiltration of inflammatory cells. MLD decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transferase activities and reduced the number of liver cells that stained positive for cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, suggesting that MLD protects against CCl4-induced hepatic damage via the inhibition of apoptosis. Moreover, MLD attenuated CCl4-mediated lipid peroxidation and protein nitrosylation by restoring impaired hepatic nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 mRNA levels and its dependent antioxidant activities. Furthermore, MLD synergistically decreased mRNA and protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 in the liver. Together, these results suggest that MLD has potential for preventing acute liver injury by inhibiting apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
Intelligent Neonatal Sepsis Early Diagnosis System for Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Tarricone Fabio , Brunetti Antonio , Buongiorno Domenico , Altini Nicola , Bevilacqua Vitoantonio , Del Vecchio Antonio , Petrillo Flavia
Published: January 2021

Neonatal sepsis is a critical pathology that particularly affects the neonates in intensive care, especially if they are preterm and low birth weight, with an incidence varying between 1and 40% according to the onset (early or late) of the disease. Prompt diagnostic and therapeutic interventions could reduce the high percentage of mortality that characterises this pathology, especially in the premature and low weight neonates. The HeRO score analyses the heart rate variability and represents the risk of contracting sepsis because of the hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit up to 24 h before the clinical signs. However, it has been demonstrated that the HeRO score can produce many false-positive cases, thus leading to the start of unnecessary antibiotic therapy. In this work, the authors propose an optimised artificial neural network model able to diagnose sepsis early based on the HeRO score along with a series of parameters strictly connected to the risk of neonatal sepsis. The proposed methodology shows promising results, outperforming the diagnostic accuracy of the only HeRO score and reducing the number of false positives, thus revealing itself to be a promising tool for supporting the clinicians in the daily clinical practice.
Structural, Morphological, and Electrochemical Performance of CeO2/NiO Nanocomposite for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Ahmad Naushad , Ali Alghamdi Abdulaziz , AL-Abdulkarim Hessah A. , Mustafa Ghulam M. , Baghdadi Neazar , Alharthi Fahad A.
Published: January 2021

The composite of ceria has been widely studied as an electrode material for supercapacitors applications due to its high energy density. Herein, we synthesize CeO2/NiO nanocomposite via a hydrothermal route and explore its different aspects using various characterization techniques. The crystal structure is investigated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopy. The formation of nanoflakes which combine to form flower-like morphology is observed from scanning electron microscope images. Selected area scans confirm the presence of all elements in accordance with their stoichiometric amount and thus authenticate the elemental purity. Polycrystalline nature with crystallite size 8–10 nm having truncated octahedron shape is confirmed from tunneling electron microscope images. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy the different oxidation states of Ce and Ni are observed which play the role of active sites in the electrochemical performance of this nanocomposite material. Cyclic Voltammetry(CV) measurements at different scan rates and Galvanic Charge Discharge (GCD) measurements at different current densities are performed to probe the electrochemical response which revealed the potential of CeO2/NiO nanocomposite as an electrode material for energy storage devices.
Homodyne Spectroscopy with Broadband Terahertz Power Detector Based on 90-nm Silicon CMOS Transistor
Authors: Ikamas Kęstutis , But Dmytro B. , Lisauskas Alvydas
Published: January 2021

Over the last two decades, photomixer-based continuous wave systems developed into versatile and practical tools for terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. The high responsivity to the THz field amplitude of photomixer-based systems is predetermined by the homodyne detection principle that allows the system to have high sensitivity. Here, we show that the advantages of homodyne detection can be exploited with broadband power detectors combined with two photomixer sources. For this, we employ a THz detector based on a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor and a broadband bow-tie antenna (TeraFET). At 500 GHz and an effective noise bandwidth of 1 Hz, the response from one photomixer-based THz source resulted in an about 43 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We demonstrate that by employing a homodyne detection system by overlaying the radiation from two photomixers, the SNR can reach up to 70 dB at the same frequency with an integration time 100 ms. The improvement in SNR and the spectroscopic evidence for water vapor lines demonstrated up to 2.2 THz allow us to conclude that these detectors can be successfully used in practical continuous wave THz spectrometry systems.
An Improved Adaptive Genetic Algorithm for Two-Dimensional Rectangular Packing Problem
Authors: Li Yi-Bo , Sang Hong-Bao , Xiong Xiang , Li Yu-Rou
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes the hybrid adaptive genetic algorithm (HAGA) as an improved method for solving the NP-hard two-dimensional rectangular packing problem to maximize the filling rate of a rectangular sheet. The packing sequence and rotation state are encoded in a two-stage approach, and the initial population is constructed from random generation by a combination of sorting rules. After using the sort-based method as an improved selection operator for the hybrid adaptive genetic algorithm, the crossover probability and mutation probability are adjusted adaptively according to the joint action of individual fitness from the local perspective and the global perspective of population evolution. The approach not only can obtain differential performance for individuals but also deals with the impact of dynamic changes on population evolution to quickly find a further improved solution. The heuristic placement algorithm decodes the rectangular packing sequence and addresses the two-dimensional rectangular packing problem through continuous iterative optimization. The computational results of a wide range of benchmark instances from zero-waste to non-zero-waste problems show that the HAGA outperforms those of two adaptive genetic algorithms from the related literature. Compared with some recent algorithms, this algorithm, which can be increased by up to 1.6604% for the average filling rate, has great significance for improving the quality of work in fields such as packing and cutting.
Feasibility of LoRa for Smart Home Indoor Localization
Authors: Kim Kyungki , Li Sining , Heydariaan Milad , Smaoui Nour , Gnawali Omprakash , Suh Wonho , Suh Min Jae , Kim Jung In
Published: January 2021

With the advancement of low-power and low-cost wireless technologies in the past few years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has been growing rapidly in numerous areas of Industry 4.0 and smart homes. With the development of many applications for the IoT, indoor localization, i.e., the capability to determine the physical location of people or devices, has become an important component of smart homes. Various wireless technologies have been used for indoor localization including WiFi, ultra-wideband (UWB), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), radio-frequency identification (RFID), and LoRa. The ability of low-cost long range (LoRa) radios for low-power and long-range communication has made this radio technology a suitable candidate for many indoor and outdoor IoT applications. Additionally, research studies have shown the feasibility of localization with LoRa radios. However, indoor localization with LoRa is not adequately explored at the home level, where the localization area is relatively smaller than offices and corporate buildings. In this study, we first explore the feasibility of ranging with LoRa. Then, we conduct experiments to demonstrate the capability of LoRa for accurate and precise indoor localization in a typical apartment setting. Our experimental results show that LoRa-based indoor localization has an accuracy better than 1.6 m in line-of-sight scenario and 3.2 m in extreme non-line-of-sight scenario with a precision better than 25 cm in all cases, without using any data filtering on the location estimates.
Shape Modelling and Volume Optimisation of Salt Caverns for Energy Storage
Authors: Cyran Katarzyna , Kowalski Michal
Published: January 2021

Salt caverns are an attractive solution to the growing energy demand in view of their large storage capacity, safety of storage operation and long operation time. The designing process of salt caverns is still considered a complex issue despite progress in geotechnical, construction and exploration methods. Finding the optimal shape and dimensions of a salt cavern in given geological conditions is a difficult engineering problem in view of safety and stability requirements. In this paper, the stability of typical cavern shapes (cylindrical, enlarged top, and enlarged bottom), with each of the three variants differing by their diameter, was evaluated against the stability factors of the geological conditions of the bedded salt deposit. Moreover, the analysed shapes were examined in terms of edges. The three-step smoothing of sharp edges was performed, and its impact on the cavern’s stability performance was studied. Moreover, the analysis aimed to find the optimal cavern shape and volume in the implemented geological conditions. The evaluation was based on the following criteria: the displacement, effective strain, von Mises stress, strength/stress ratio and safety factor. The results of this evaluation can be useful in the design of an optimal cavern shape and volume and for planning new cavern fields for storing natural gas, compressed air or hydrogen in the bedded salt deposits.
A Novel Wireless-Netted UWB Life-Detection Radar System for Quasi-Static Person Sensing
Authors: Yan Kun , Wu Shiyou , Ye Shengbo , Fang Guangyou
Published: January 2021

In actual life-detection radar applications, a quasi-static person with weak respiration is difficult to find when relying on the echoes from a single fixed observation point. To effectively sense the weak respiration of a quasi-static person in complex through-wall and through-floor conditions, this paper proposes a novel multi-observation point detection system composed of multiple Golay complementary coded radars in which communication and synchronization are carried out wirelessly. The collaboration structure and Golay complementary coded transmitter improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR). Proof-of-principle experiments are carried out with our designed radar prototype and prove that the radar system can detect a respiring target 21 m behind a brick wall or a respiring target behind two levels of reinforced concrete floors, validating the effectiveness of a multi-observation point working mode for the efficient detection of weak human respiration.
Criteria for the Nonexistence of Kneser Solutions of DDEs and Their Applications in Oscillation Theory
Authors: Moaaz Osama , Dassios Ioannis , Bin Jebreen Haifa , Muhib Ali
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study was to improve existing oscillation criteria for delay differential equations (DDEs) of the fourth order by establishing new criteria for the nonexistence of so-called Kneser solutions. The new criteria are characterized by taking into account the effect of delay argument. All previous relevant results have neglected the effect of the delay argument, so our results substantially improve the well-known results reported in the literature. The effectiveness of our new criteria is illustrated via an example.
Stem and Cancer Stem Cell Identities, Cellular Markers, Niche Environment and Response to Treatments to Unravel New Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Pineda Jose R. , Badiola Iker , Ibarretxe Gaskon
Published: January 2021

Adult stem cells are a partially quiescent cell population responsible for natural cell renewal and are found in many different regions of the body, including the brain, teeth, bones, muscles, skin, and diverse epithelia, such as the epidermal or intestinal epithelium, among others [...]
RAB11-Mediated Trafficking and Human Cancers: An Updated Review
Authors: Ferro Elsi , Bosia Carla , Campa Carlo C.
Published: January 2021

Many disorders block and subvert basic cellular processes in order to boost their progression. One protein family that is prone to be altered in human cancers is the small GTPase RAB11 family, the master regulator of vesicular trafficking. RAB11 isoforms function as membrane organizers connecting the transport of cargoes towards the plasma membrane with the assembly of autophagic precursors and the generation of cellular protrusions. These processes dramatically impact normal cell physiology and their alteration significantly affects the survival, progression and metastatization as well as the accumulation of toxic materials of cancer cells. In this review, we discuss biological mechanisms ensuring cargo recognition and sorting through a RAB11-dependent pathway, a prerequisite to understand the effect of RAB11 alterations in human cancers.
S100A9-Imaging Enables Estimation of Early Therapy-Mediated Changes in the Inflammatory Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Helfen Anne , Schnepel Annika , Rieß Jan , Stölting Miriam , Gerwing Mirjam , Masthoff Max , Vogl Thomas , Roth Johannes , Höltke Carsten , Wildgruber Moritz , Eisenblätter Michel
Published: January 2021

(1) Background: The prognosis of cancer is dependent on immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The protein S100A9 is an essential regulator of the TME, associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we evaluated early therapy effects on the TME in syngeneic murine breast cancer via S100A9-specific in vivo imaging. (2) Methods: Murine 4T1 cells were implanted orthotopically in female BALB/c mice (n = 59). Tumor size-adapted fluorescence imaging was performed before and 5 days after chemo- (Doxorubicin, n = 20), anti-angiogenic therapy (Bevacizumab, n = 20), or placebo (NaCl, n = 19). Imaging results were validated ex vivo (immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry). (3) Results: While tumor growth revealed no differences (p = 0.48), fluorescence intensities (FI) for S100A9 in Bevacizumab-treated tumors were significantly lower as compared to Doxorubicin (2.60 vs. 15.65 AU, p < 0.0001). FI for Doxorubicin were significantly higher compared to placebo (8.95 AU, p = 0.01). Flow cytometry revealed shifts in monocytic and T-cell cell infiltrates under therapy, correlating with imaging. (4) Conclusions: S100A9-specific imaging enables early detection of therapy effects visualizing immune cell activity in the TME, even before clinically detectable changes in tumor size. Therefore, it may serve as a non-invasive imaging biomarker for early therapy effects.
Cold Saline Perfusion before Ischemia-Reperfusion Is Harmful to the Kidney and Is Associated with the Loss of Ezrin, a Cytoskeletal Protein, in Rats
Authors: Révész Csaba , Wasik Anita A. , Godó Mária , Tod Pál , Lehtonen Sanna , Szénási Gábor , Hamar Péter
Published: January 2021

Background: Organ protection for transplantation is perfusion with ice-cold preservation solutions, although saline is also used in animal experiments and living donor transplantations. However, ice-cold perfusion can contribute to initial graft injury. Our aim was to test if cytoskeletal damage of parenchymal cells is caused by saline itself or by the ice-cold solution. Methods: F344 rat kidneys were flushed with cold (4 °C) saline, ischemic and sham kidneys were not perfused. In a separate set, F344 kidneys were flushed with saline or preservation solution at 4 or 15 °C. Ischemia time was 30 min. Results: Renal injury was significantly more severe following cold ischemia (CI) than after ischemia-reperfusion without flushing (ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)). Functional and morphologic damage was accompanied by severe loss of ezrin from glomerular and tubular epithelial cells after CI. Moreover, saline caused serious injury independently from its temperature, while the perfusion solution was more beneficial, especially at 4 °C. Conclusions: Flushing the kidney with ice-cold saline can cause more severe injury than ischemia-reperfusion at body temperature even during a short (30 min) ischemia. Saline perfusion can prolong recovery from ischemia in kidney transplantation, which can be prevented by using preservation solutions.
An Electrochemical Strategy for the Simultaneous Detection of Doxorubicin and Simvastatin for Their Potential Use in the Treatment of Cancer
Authors: Rus Iulia , Tertiș Mihaela , Barbălată Cristina , Porfire Alina , Tomuță Ioan , Săndulescu Robert , Cristea Cecilia
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to develop a disposable, simple, fast, and sensitive sensor for the simultaneous electrochemical detection of doxorubicin (DOX) and simvastatin (SMV), which could be used in preclinical studies for the development of new pharmaceutical formulations for drug delivery. Firstly, the electrochemical behavior of each molecule was analyzed regarding the influence of electrode material, electrolyte solution, and scan rate. After this, the proper electrode material, electrolyte solution, and scan rate for both active substances were chosen, and a linear sweep voltammetry procedure was optimized for simultaneous detection. Two chronoamperometry procedures were tested, one for the detection of DOX in the presence of SMV, and the other one for the detection of DOX and SMV together. Finally, calibration curves for DOX and SMV in the presence of each other were obtained using both electrochemical methods and the results were compared. The use of amperometry allowed for a better limit of detection (DOX: 0.1 μg/mL; SMV: 0.7 μg/mL) than the one obtained in voltammetry (1.5 μg/mL for both drugs). The limits of quantification using amperometry were 0.5 μg/mL for DOX (dynamic range: 0.5–65 μg/mL) and 2 μg/mL for SMV (dynamic range: 2–65 μg/mL), while using voltammetry 1 μg/mL was obtained for DOX (dynamic range: 1–100 μg/mL) and 5 μg/mL for SMV (dynamic range: 5–100 μg/mL). This detection strategy represents a promising tool for the analysis of new pharmaceutical formulations for targeted drug delivery containing both drugs, whose association was proven to bring benefits in the treatment of cancer.
MicroRNA-Mediated Metabolic Shaping of the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Virga Federico , Quirico Lorena , Cucinelli Stefania , Mazzone Massimiliano , Taverna Daniela , Orso Francesca
Published: January 2021

The metabolism of cancer cells is generally very different from what is found in normal counterparts. However, in a tumor mass, the continuous crosstalk and competition for nutrients and oxygen among different cells lead to metabolic alterations, not only in cancer cells, but also in the different stromal and immune cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME), which are highly relevant for tumor progression. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that silence their mRNA targets post-transcriptionally and are involved in numerous physiological cell functions as well as in the adaptation to stress situations. Importantly, miRs can also be released via extracellular vesicles (EVs) and, consequently, take part in the bidirectional communication between tumor and surrounding cells under stress conditions. Certain miRs are abundantly expressed in stromal and immune cells where they can regulate various metabolic pathways by directly suppressing enzymes or transporters as well as by controlling important regulators (such as transcription factors) of metabolic processes. In this review, we discuss how miRs can induce metabolic reprogramming in stromal (fibroblasts and adipocytes) and immune (macrophages and T cells) cells and, in turn, how the biology of the different cells present in the TME is able to change. Finally, we debate the rebound of miR-dependent metabolic alterations on tumor progression and their implications for cancer management.
Role of PUM RNA-Binding Proteins in Cancer
Authors: Smialek Maciej J. , Ilaslan Erkut , Sajek Marcin P. , Jaruzelska Jadwiga
Published: January 2021

Until recently, post-transcriptional gene regulation (PTGR), in contrast to transcriptional regulation, was not extensively explored in cancer, even though it seems to be highly important. PUM proteins are well described in the PTGR of several organisms and contain the PUF RNA-binding domain that recognizes the UGUANAUA motif, located mostly in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of target mRNAs. Depending on the protein cofactors recruited by PUM proteins, target mRNAs are directed towards translation, repression, activation, degradation, or specific localization. Abnormal profiles of PUM expression have been shown in several types of cancer, in some of them being different for PUM1 and PUM2. This review summarizes the dysregulation of PUM1 and PUM2 expression in several cancer tissues. It also describes the regulatory mechanisms behind the activity of PUMs, including cooperation with microRNA and non-coding RNA machineries, as well as the alternative polyadenylation pathway. It also emphasizes the importance of future studies to gain a more complete picture of the role of PUM proteins in different types of cancer. Such studies may result in identification of novel targets for future cancer therapies.
Hypoplastic Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Just an Overlap Syndrome?
Authors: Fattizzo Bruno , Serpenti Fabio , Barcellini Wilma , Caprioli Chiara
Published: January 2021

Myelodysplasias with hypocellular bone marrow (hMDS) represent about 10–15% of MDS and are defined by reduced bone marrow cellularity (i.e., <25% or an inappropriately reduced cellularity for their age in young patients). Their diagnosis is still an object of debate and has not been clearly established in the recent WHO classification. Clinical and morphological overlaps with both normo/hypercellular MDS and aplastic anemia include cytopenias, the presence of marrow hypocellularity and dysplasia, and cytogenetic and molecular alterations. Activation of the immune system against the hematopoietic precursors, typical of aplastic anemia, is reckoned even in hMDS and may account for the response to immunosuppressive treatment. Finally, the hMDS outcome seems more favorable than that of normo/hypercellular MDS patients. In this review, we analyze the available literature on hMDS, focusing on clinical, immunological, and molecular features. We show that hMDS pathogenesis and clinical presentation are peculiar, albeit in-between aplastic anemia (AA) and normo/hypercellular MDS. Two different hMDS phenotypes may be encountered: one featured by inflammation and immune activation, with increased cytotoxic T cells, increased T and B regulatory cells, and better response to immunosuppression; and the other, resembling MDS, where T and B regulatory/suppressor cells prevail, leading to genetic clonal selection and an increased risk of leukemic evolution. The identification of the prevailing hMDS phenotype might assist treatment choice, inform prognosis, and suggest personalized monitoring.
The Role of Antigen Processing and Presentation in Cancer and the Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy
Authors: Mpakali Anastasia , Stratikos Efstratios
Published: January 2021

Recent clinical successes of cancer immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are rapidly changing the landscape of cancer treatment. Regardless of initial impressive clinical results though, the therapeutic benefit of ICIs appears to be limited to a subset of patients and tumor types. Recent analyses have revealed that the potency of ICI therapies depends on the efficient presentation of tumor-specific antigens by cancer cells and professional antigen presenting cells. Here, we review current knowledge on the role of antigen presentation in cancer. We focus on intracellular antigen processing and presentation by Major Histocompatibility class I (MHCI) molecules and how it can affect cancer immune evasion. Finally, we discuss the pharmacological tractability of manipulating intracellular antigen processing as a complementary approach to enhance tumor immunogenicity and the effectiveness of ICI immunotherapy.
Recent Advances in Metal Catalyst Design for CO2 Hydroboration to C1 Derivatives
Authors: Kostera Sylwia , Peruzzini Maurizio , Gonsalvi Luca
Published: January 2021

The use of CO2 as a C1 building block for chemical synthesis is receiving growing attention, due to the potential of this simple molecule as an abundant and cheap renewable feedstock. Among the possible reductants used in the literature to bring about CO2 reduction to C1 derivatives, hydroboranes have found various applications, in the presence of suitable homogenous catalysts. The current minireview article summarizes the main results obtained since 2016 in the synthetic design of main group, first and second row transition metals for use as catalysts for CO2 hydroboration.
Neuronal Death in the CNS Autonomic Control Center Comes Very Early after Cardiac Arrest and Is Not Significantly Attenuated by Prompt Hypothermic Treatment in Rats
Authors: Ahn Ji Hyeon , Lee Tae-Kyeong , Tae Hyun-Jin , Kim Bora , Sim Hyejin , Lee Jae-Chul , Kim Dae Won , Kim Yoon Sung , Shin Myoung Cheol , Park Yoonsoo , Cho Jun Hwi , Park Joon Ha , Lee Choong-Hyun , Choi Soo Young , Won Moo-Ho
Published: January 2021

Autonomic dysfunction in the central nervous system (CNS) can cause death after recovery from a cardiac arrest (CA). However, few studies on histopathological changes in animal models of CA have been reported. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of neuronal death and damage in various brain regions and the spinal cord at early times after asphyxial CA and we studied the relationship between the mortality rate and neuronal damage following hypothermic treatment after CA. Rats were subjected to 7–8 min of asphyxial CA, followed by resuscitation and prompt hypothermic treatment. Eight regions related to autonomic control (the cingulate cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, myelencephalon, and spinal cord) were examined using cresyl violet (a marker for Nissl substance) and Fluoro-Jade B (a marker for neuronal death). The survival rate was 44.5% 1 day post-CA, 18.2% 2 days post-CA and 0% 5 days post-CA. Neuronal death started 12 h post-CA in the gigantocellular reticular nucleus and caudoventrolateral reticular nucleus in the myelencephalon and lamina VII in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spinal cord, of which neurons are related to autonomic lower motor neurons. In these regions, Iba-1 immunoreactivity indicating microglial activation (microgliosis) was gradually increased with time after CA. Prompt hypothermic treatment increased the survival rate at 5 days after CA with an attenuation of neuronal damages and death in the damaged regions. However, the survival rate was 0% at 12 days after CA. Taken together, our study suggests that the early damage and death of neurons related to autonomic lower motor neurons was significantly related to the high mortality rate after CA and that prompt hypothermic therapy could increase the survival rate temporarily after CA, but could not ultimately save the animal.
The Impact of Oxidative Stress on Blood-Retinal Barrier Physiology in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Tisi Annamaria , Feligioni Marco , Passacantando Maurizio , Ciancaglini Marco , Maccarone Rita
Published: January 2021

The blood retinal barrier (BRB) is a fundamental eye component, whose function is to select the flow of molecules from the blood to the retina and vice-versa, and its integrity allows the maintenance of a finely regulated microenvironment. The outer BRB, composed by the choriocapillaris, the Bruch’s membrane, and the retinal pigment epithelium, undergoes structural and functional changes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness worldwide. BRB alterations lead to retinal dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Several risk factors have been associated with AMD onset in the past decades and oxidative stress is widely recognized as a key factor, even if the exact AMD pathophysiology has not been exactly elucidated yet. The present review describes the BRB physiology, the BRB changes occurring in AMD, the role of oxidative stress in AMD with a focus on the outer BRB structures. Moreover, we propose the use of cerium oxide nanoparticles as a new powerful anti-oxidant agent to combat AMD, based on the relevant existing data which demonstrated their beneficial effects in protecting the outer BRB in animal models of AMD.
Insights into Plant Programmed Cell Death Induced by Heavy Metals—Discovering a Terra Incognita
Authors: Sychta Klaudia , Słomka Aneta , Kuta Elżbieta
Published: January 2021

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a process that plays a fundamental role in plant development and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Knowledge of plant PCD mechanisms is still very scarce and is incomparable to the large number of studies on PCD mechanisms in animals. Quick and accurate assays, e.g., the TUNEL assay, comet assay, and analysis of caspase-like enzyme activity, enable the differentiation of PCD from necrosis. Two main types of plant PCD, developmental (dPCD) regulated by internal factors, and environmental (ePCD) induced by external stimuli, are distinguished based on the differences in the expression of the conserved PCD-inducing genes. Abiotic stress factors, including heavy metals, induce necrosis or ePCD. Heavy metals induce PCD by triggering oxidative stress via reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. ROS that are mainly produced by mitochondria modulate phytotoxicity mechanisms induced by heavy metals. Complex crosstalk between ROS, hormones (ethylene), nitric oxide (NO), and calcium ions evokes PCD, with proteases with caspase-like activity executing PCD in plant cells exposed to heavy metals. This pathway leads to very similar cytological hallmarks of heavy metal induced PCD to PCD induced by other abiotic factors. The forms, hallmarks, mechanisms, and genetic regulation of plant ePCD induced by abiotic stress are reviewed here in detail, with an emphasis on plant cell culture as a suitable model for PCD studies. The similarities and differences between plant and animal PCD are also discussed.
A New Composite Biomaterial Made from Sunflower Proteins, Urea, and Soluble Polymers Obtained from Industrial and Municipal Biowastes to Perform as Slow Release Fertiliser
Authors: Evon Philippe , Labonne Laurent , Padoan Elio , Vaca-Garcia Carlos , Montoneri Enzo , Boero Valter , Negre Michéle
Published: January 2021

Controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) are needed under current agriculture practice to decrease the environmental impact caused by fertilizer doses applied in excess of plants’ uptake rate. Commercial CRF are available. They are manufactured from mineral fertilizers encapsulated into a synthetic polymer matrix or coated by a polymer layer. However, substitution of fossil sourced organic polymers with biopolymers is a major environmental concern. In the present paper, we describe the manufacture by a continuous twin-screw extrusion process, and the mechanical and chemical properties of injection-molded composite pellets containing 90% sunflower protein concentrate (SPC) matrix, and 5–10% of a biopolymer (BP) obtained from municipal biowastes (MBW), and/or urea (U). The reported results show that SPC-BP-U behaves as an efficient eco-friendly CRF. BP contributes to several benefits to the performance of the composite pellets, upon increasing surface hardness, and controlling the formation of ammonia from urea hydrolysis and the release of organic nitrogen. The SPC-BP-U appears a powerful eco-friendly CRF to supply organic C and the three major N, P, and K nutrients to soil and plants. It offers worthwhile scope for being tested in the cultivation of specific plants under the real operational conditions of agriculture practices.
Changes of Fixed Anatomical Spinopelvic Parameter in Patients with Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae: A Matched Pair Analysis
Authors: Haffer Henryk , Becker Luis , Putzier Michael , Wiethölter Mats , Ziegeler Katharina , Diekhoff Torsten , Pumberger Matthias , Hardt Sebastian
Published: January 2021

Functional spinopelvic parameters are crucial for describing spinal alignment (SA), but this is susceptible to variation. Anatomically fixed pelvic shape is defined by the parameters pelvic radius (PR), pelvic incidence (PI), and sacral table angle (STA). In patients with lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), the spinopelvic alignment may be altered by changes of these parameters and influences of SA. There have been no reports studying the relation between LSTV, four (4 LV) and six (6 LV) lumbar vertebrae, and fixed anatomical spinopelvic parameters. A retrospective analysis of 819 abdomen–pelvis CT scans was performed, identifying 53 patients with LSTV. In a matched-pair analysis, we analyzed the influence of LSTV and the subgroups 4 LV (n = 9) and 6 LV (n = 11) on PR, PI, and STA. LSTV were classified according to Castellvi classification. In patients with 6 LV, measurement points at the superior endplates of S1 and S2 were compared. The prevalence of LSTV was 6.5% (53/819), 6 LV was 1.3% (11/819), and 4 LV was 1.1% (9/819) in our study population. PI significantly increased (p < 0.001), STA significantly decreased (p < 0.001), and PR (p = 0.051) did not differ significantly in the LSTV group (n = 53). Similar findings were observed in the 4 LV subgroup, with an increase in PI (p < 0.021), decrease in STA (p < 0.011), and no significant difference in PR (p < 0.678). The same results were obtained in the 6 LV subgroup at measuring point S2 (true S1) PI (p = 0.010), STA (p = 0.004), and PR (p = 0.859), but not at measuring point S1 (true L6). Patients with LSTV, 4 LV, and 6 LV showed significant differences in PI and STA compared to the matched control group. PR showed no significant differences. The altered spinopelvic anatomy in LSTV patients need to be reflected in preoperative planning rebalancing the sagittal SA.
PIC-GAN: A Parallel Imaging Coupled Generative Adversarial Network for Accelerated Multi-Channel MRI Reconstruction
Authors: Lv Jun , Wang Chengyan , Yang Guang
Published: January 2021

In this study, we proposed a model combing parallel imaging (PI) with generative adversarial network (GAN) architecture (PIC-GAN) for accelerated multi-channel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction. This model integrated data fidelity and regularization terms into the generator to benefit from multi-coils information and provide an “end-to-end” reconstruction. Besides, to better preserve image details during reconstruction, we combined the adversarial loss with pixel-wise loss in both image and frequency domains. The proposed PIC-GAN framework was evaluated on abdominal and knee MRI images using 2, 4 and 6-fold accelerations with different undersampling patterns. The performance of the PIC-GAN was compared to the sparsity-based parallel imaging (L1-ESPIRiT), the variational network (VN), and conventional GAN with single-channel images as input (zero-filled (ZF)-GAN). Experimental results show that our PIC-GAN can effectively reconstruct multi-channel MR images at a low noise level and improved structure similarity of the reconstructed images. PIC-GAN has yielded the lowest Normalized Mean Square Error (in ×10−5) (PIC-GAN: 0.58 ± 0.37, ZF-GAN: 1.93 ± 1.41, VN: 1.87 ± 1.28, L1-ESPIRiT: 2.49 ± 1.04 for abdominal MRI data and PIC-GAN: 0.80 ± 0.26, ZF-GAN: 0.93 ± 0.29, VN:1.18 ± 0.31, L1-ESPIRiT: 1.28 ± 0.24 for knee MRI data) and the highest Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PIC-GAN: 34.43 ± 1.92, ZF-GAN: 31.45 ± 4.0, VN: 29.26 ± 2.98, L1-ESPIRiT: 25.40 ± 1.88 for abdominal MRI data and PIC-GAN: 34.10 ± 1.09, ZF-GAN: 31.47 ± 1.05, VN: 30.01 ± 1.01, L1-ESPIRiT: 28.01 ± 0.98 for knee MRI data) compared to ZF-GAN, VN and L1-ESPIRiT with an under-sampling factor of 6. The proposed PIC-GAN framework has shown superior reconstruction performance in terms of reducing aliasing artifacts and restoring tissue structures as compared to other conventional and state-of-the-art reconstruction methods.
Preoperative Embolization of a Solitary Fibrous Tumor Originating from External Auditory Meatus: A Case Report with Literature Review
Authors: Ciochon Urszula Maria , Schmidt Grethe , Jensen Ruben Juhl , Loya Anand C. , Lönn Lars Birger , Shekhrajka Nitesh
Published: January 2021

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are mesenchymal, fibroblastic tumors with mostly favorable, but still unpredictable prognosis. Their rarity and occurrence at a variety of locations coupled with variable histological appearance make the diagnosis a challenge. This can be resolved by histological and immunohistochemical analysis on the histologic material eventually coupled with demonstration of NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion by next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. Tumor removal with clear surgical margins is sufficient for complete cure in most cases. Percutaneous transcatheter embolization in well-vascularized lesions may minimize the risk of bleeding during subsequent removal. In this article we present a rare case of SFT arising from the external auditory canal and treated with preoperative endovascular arterial embolization. A literature review with focus on diagnostics and treatment of this entity in the head and neck region is following.
Using Portable Ultrasound to Monitor the Neuromuscular Reactivity to Low-Frequency Electrical Stimulation
Authors: Petraş Alin , Drăgoi Răzvan Gabriel , Pupazan Vasile , Drăgoi Mihai , Popa Daniel , Neagu Adrian
Published: January 2021

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is useful for muscle strengthening and for motor restoration of stroke patients. Using a portable ultrasound instrument, we developed an M-mode imaging protocol to visualize contractions elicited by NMES in the quadriceps muscle group. To quantify muscle activation, we performed digital image processing based on the Teager–Kaiser energy operator. The proposed method was applied for 35 voluntary patients (18 women and 17 men), of 63.8 ± 14.1 years and body mass index (BMI) 30.2 ± 6.70 kg/m2 (mean ± standard deviation). Biphasic, rectangular electric pulses of 350 µs duration were applied at two frequencies (60 Hz and 120 Hz), and ultrasound was used to assess the sensory threshold (ST) and motor threshold (MT) amplitude of the NMES signal. The MT was 23.4 ± 4.94 mA, whereas the MT to ST ratio was 2.69 ± 0.57. Linear regression analysis revealed that MT correlates poorly with body mass index (R2 = 0.004) or with the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue layer that covers the treated muscle (R2 = 0.013). Our work suggests that ultrasound is suitable to visualize neuromuscular reactivity during electrotherapy. The proposed method can be used in the clinic, enabling the physiotherapist to establish personalized treatment parameters.
Response to Comment on Jaworska, J. et al. Consensus on the Application of Lung Ultrasound in Pneumonia and Bronchiolitis in Children. Diagnostics 2020, 10, 935
Authors: Komorowska-Piotrowska Anna , Jaworska Joanna , Pomiećko Andrzej , Wiśniewski Jakub , Woźniak Mariusz , Littwin Błażej , Kryger Magdalena , Kwaśniewicz Piotr , Szczyrski Józef , Kulińska-Szukalska Katarzyna , Buda Natalia , Doniec Zbigniew , Kosiak Wojciech
Published: January 2021

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the issues raised by Nenna et al [...]
Multimodal MRI Assessment of Thalamic Structural Changes in Earthquake Survivors
Authors: Bruno Federico , Splendiani Alessandra , Tommasino Emanuele , Conson Massimiliano , Quarantelli Mario , Saporito Gennaro , Carolei Antonio , Sacco Simona , Di Cesare Ernesto , Barile Antonio , Masciocchi Carlo , Pistoia Francesca
Published: January 2021

Moving from the central role of the thalamus in the integration of inner and external stimuli and in the implementation of a stress-related response, the objective of the present study was to investigate the presence of any MRI structural and volumetric changes of the thalamic structures in earthquake witnesses. Forty-one subjects were included, namely 18 university students belonging to the experimental earthquake-exposed group (8 males and 10 females, mean age 24.5 ± 1.8 years) and a control group of 23 students not living in any earthquake-affected areas at the time of the earthquake (14 males and 9 females, mean age 23.7 ± 2.0 years). Instrumental MRI evaluation was performed using a 3-Tesla scanner, by acquiring a three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-echo (FSPGR) sequence for volumetric analysis and an EPI (echoplanar imaging) sequence to extract fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. As compared to the control one, the experimental group showed significantly lower gray matter volume in the mediodorsal nucleus of the left thalamus (p < 0.001). The dominant hemisphere thalamus in the experimental group showed higher mean ADC values and lower mean FA values as compared to the control group.
Cystatin C, Vitamin D and Thyroid Function Test Profile in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Tapper Marlene , McGrowder Donovan A. , Dilworth Lowell , Soyibo Adedamola
Published: January 2021

Background: The progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is concomitant with complications, including thyroid dysfunction, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to determine serum cystatin C levels, and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and thyroid dysfunction in CKD patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 140 CKD patients (stages 1–5) that were referred to a renal clinic. Demographic data was collected and thyroid function tests, serum 25-OH-vitamin D, cystatin C levels, and routine biochemistry tests were determined using cobas 6000 analyzer. Results: 129 (92.1%) of CKD patients had elevated serum cystatin C levels and there was a stepwise increase from stage 1–5. Overt hypothyroidism was present in one patient and nine had subclinical hypothyroidism. There was a stepwise reduction in serum 25-OH-vitamin D levels from stage 2–5, 31 (22.1%) had vitamin D insufficiency and 31 (22.1%) presented with deficiency. Conclusions: 25-OH-vitamin D deficiency and thyroid disorders are exhibited in chronic kidney disease patients and the severity of the former rises with disease progression, as indicated by elevated cystatin C levels. Routine screening and timely intervention is recommended so as to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
OQPSK Synchronization Parameter Estimation Based on Burst Signal Detection
Authors: Liu Zilong , Gong Kexian , Sun Peng , Deng Jicai , Zou Kunheng , Duan Linlin
Published: January 2021

The fast estimation of synchronization parameters plays an extremely important role in the demodulation of burst signals. In order to solve the problem of high computational complexity in the implementation of traditional algorithms, a synchronization parameter (frequency offset, phase offset, and timing error) estimation algorithm based on Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (OQPSK) burst signal detection is proposed in this article. We first use the Data-Aided (DA) method to detect where the burst signal begins by taking the segment correlation between the receiving signals and the known local Unique Word (UW). In the sequel, the above results are adopted directly to estimate the synchronization parameters, which is obviously different from the conventional algorithms. In this way, the complexity of the proposed algorithm is greatly reduced, and it is more convenient for hardware implementation. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has high accuracy and can track the Modified Cramer–Rao Bound (MCRB) closely.
Implementation of Autoencoders with Systolic Arrays through OpenCL
Authors: Gadea-Gironés Rafael , Herrero-Bosch Vicente , Monzó-Ferrer Jose , Colom-Palero Ricardo
Published: January 2021

In the world of algorithm acceleration and the implementation of deep neural networks’ recall phase, OpenCL based solutions have a clear tendency to produce perfectly adapted kernels in graphic processor unit (GPU) architectures. However, they fail to obtain the same results when applied to field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based architectures. This situation, along with an enormous advance in new GPU architectures, makes it unfeasible to defend an acceleration solution based on FPGA, even in terms of energy efficiency. Our goal in this paper is to demonstrate that multikernel structures can be written based on classic systolic arrays in OpenCL, trying to extract the most advanced features of FPGAs without having to resort to traditional FPGA development using lower level hardware description languages (HDLs) such as Verilog or VHDL. This OpenCL methodology is based on the intensive use of channels (IntelFPGA extension of OpenCL) for the communication of both data and control and on the refinement of the OpenCL libraries using register transfer logic (RTL) code to improve the performance of the implementation of the base and activation functions of the neurons and, above all, to reflect the importance of adequate communication between the layers when implementing neuronal networks.