bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arabinofuranosyl Thymine Derivatives—Potential Candidates against Cowpox Virus: A Computational Screening Study
Authors: Haj Hasan Ahlam , Preet Gagan , Milne Bruce Forbes , Ebel Rainer , Jaspars Marcel
Published: January 2023

Cowpox is caused by a DNA virus known as the cowpox virus (CPXV) belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. Cowpox is a zoonotic disease with the broadest host range among the known poxviruses. The natural reservoir hosts of CPXV are wild rodents. Recently, the cases of orthopoxviral infections have been increasing worldwide, and cowpox is considered the most common orthopoxviral infection in Europe. Cowpox is often a self-limiting disease, although cidofovir or anti-vaccinia gammaglobulin can be used in severe and disseminated cases of human cowpox. In this computational study, a molecular docking analysis of thymine- and arabinofuranosyl-thymine-related structures (1–21) on two cowpox-encoded proteins was performed with respect to the cidofovir standard and a 3D ligand-based pharmacophore model was generated. Three chemical structures (PubChem IDs: 123370001, 154137224, and 90413364) were identified as potential candidates for anti-cowpox agents. Further studies combining in vitro and in silico molecular dynamics simulations to test the stability of these promising compounds could effectively improve the future design of cowpox virus inhibitors, as molecular docking studies are not sufficient to consider a ligand a potential drug.
Playing with Biophysics: How a Symphony of Different Electromagnetic Fields Acts to Reduce the Inflammation in Diabetic Derived Cells
Authors: Zanotti Federica , Trentini Martina , Zanolla Ilaria , Tiengo Elena , Mantarro Chiara , Dalla Paola Luca , Tremoli Elena , Sambataro Maria , Sambado Luisa , Picari Massimo , Leo Sara , Ferroni Letizia , Zavan Barbara
Published: January 2023

Several factors, such as ischemia, infection and skin injury impair the wound healing process. One common pathway in all these processes is related to the reactive oxygen species (ROS), whose production plays a vital role in wound healing. In this view, several strategies have been developed to stimulate the activation of the antioxidative system, thereby reducing the damage related to oxidative stress and improving wound healing. For this purpose, complex magnetic fields (CMFs) are used in this work on fibroblast and monocyte cultures derived from diabetic patients in order to evaluate their influence on the ROS production and related wound healing properties. Biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, mitochondrial ROS production and gene expression have been evaluated. The results confirm the complete biocompatibility of the treatment and the lack of side effects on cell physiology following the ISO standard indication. Moreover, the results confirm that the CMF treatment induced a reduction in the ROS production, an increase in the macrophage M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype through the activation of miRNA 5591, a reduction in inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6, an increase in anti-inflammatory ones, such as IL-10 and IL-12 and an increase in the markers related to improved wound healing such as collagen type I and integrins. In conclusion, our findings encourage the use of CMFs for the treatment of diabetic foot.
Clinical Significance of Combined Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Markers Expression and Role of Rac1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shin Seung Kak , Ryu Sujin , Nam Seungyoon , Ha Seung Yeon , Kwon Oh Sang , Kim Yun Soo , Kim Se-Hee , Kim Ju Hyun
Published: January 2023

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis. We aimed to evaluate the correlations between clinicopathological characteristics and EMT markers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent surgical resection and to identify the key regulator in EMT process. Fresh-frozen HCC tissues and adjacent nontumor liver tissues from 30 patients who underwent surgical resection were provided by the Gachon University Gil Medical Center Bio Bank. Human HCC cell lines, Hep3B, SNU449, and Huh7 cells were transfected with Rac1 siRNA and exposed to hypoxic conditions. The combined EMT markers expression (down-expression of E-cadherin and overexpression of p21-activated kinases 1 (PAK1)/Snail) by Western blot in HCC tissues when compared to adjacent nontumor liver tissues was significantly associated with macrovascular invasion (p = 0.021), microvascular invasion (p = 0.001), large tumor size (p = 0.021), and advanced tumor stage (p = 0.015). Patients with combined EMT markers expression showed early recurrence and poor overall survival. In vitro studies showed that Rac1 knockdown decreased the expression of EMT markers including PAK1 and Snail in hypoxia-induced Hep3B cells and suppressed the migration and invasion of hypoxia-induced HCC cells. Rac1 may be a potential therapeutic target for inhibition of EMT process through the inhibition of PAK1 and Snail in HCC.
Genetic Interference of FGFR3 Impedes Invasion of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Cells by Alleviating RAS/MAPK Signal Activity
Authors: Huang Gong-Kai , Huang Chao-Cheng , Kang Chih-Hsiung , Cheng Yuan-Tso , Tsai Po-Ching , Kao Ying-Hsien , Chung Yueh-Hua
Published: January 2023

Upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) is a less common disease in Western countries but has a high level of prevalence in Asian populations. Compared to bladder cancer, unique etiologic and genomic factors are involved in UTUC. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) up-regulation has been proposed as a promising target for bladder cancer therapy. In this study, we aimed to profile the expression of FGFR3 in Asian and Caucasian UTUC tissues and to evaluate the in vitro therapeutic efficacy of small interference RNA (siRNA)-mediated FGFR3 silencing in UTUC treatment. The FGFR3 expression levels in renal pelvis tissues and microarray sections from Asian and Caucasian patients with UTUC, respectively, were measured via immunohistochemistry. The BFTC-909 and UM-UC-14 UTUC cell lines were used to examine the effects of FGFR3 silencing on proliferation, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker expression, and signaling machinery. FGFR3 expression increased as the TNM stage increased in both Asian and Caucasian UTUC tumors, and no statistical difference was identified between the two groups. In vitro studies demonstrated that FGFR3 siRNA delivery significantly inhibited proliferation and migration and suppressed the expression of EMT markers and transcription factors in UTUC cells. Mechanistically, FGFR3 silencing alleviated the constitutive expression of RAS and the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling mediators, including ERK1/2 and JNK1/2. FGFR3 silencing elicited an apoptosis-inducing effect similar to that of FGFR inhibition. Conclusion: siRNA-targeted FGFR3 expression may impede the expansion and invasion of UTUC cells by alleviating the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway. The genetic interference of FGFR3 expression via siRNA in UTUC cells may constitute a useful therapeutic strategy.
Identification of SALL4 Expressing Islet-1+ Cardiovascular Progenitor Cell Clones
Authors: Monteon Andrea , Hughes Lorelei , Camberos Victor , Kearns-Jonker Mary
Published: January 2023

The utilization of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) has been shown to induce favorable regenerative effects. While there are various populations of endogenous CPCs in the heart, there is no consensus regarding which population is ideal for cell-based regenerative therapy. Early-stage progenitor cells can be differentiated into all cardiovascular lineages, including cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. Identifying an Islet-1+ (Isl-1+) early-stage progenitor population with enhanced stemness, multipotency and differentiation potential would be beneficial for the development of novel regenerative therapies. Here, we investigated the transcriptome of human neonatal Isl-1+ CPCs. Isl-1+ human neonatal CPCs exhibit enhanced stemness properties and were found to express Spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4). SALL4 plays a role in embryonic development as well as proliferation and expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells. SALL4, SOX2, EpCAM and TBX5 are co-expressed in the majority of Isl-1+ clones isolated from neonatal patients. The pre-mesendodermal transcript TFAP2C was identified in select Isl-1, SALL4, SOX2, EpCAM and TBX5 expressing clones. The ability to isolate and expand pre-mesendodermal stage cells from human patients is a novel finding that holds potential value for applications in regenerative medicine.
Alarmins and MicroRNAs, a New Axis in the Genesis of Respiratory Diseases: Possible Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Allegra Alessandro , Murdaca Giuseppe , Gammeri Luca , Ettari Roberta , Gangemi Sebastiano
Published: January 2023

It is well ascertained that airway inflammation has a key role in the genesis of numerous respiratory pathologies, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Pulmonary tissue inflammation and anti-inflammatory responses implicate an intricate relationship between local and infiltrating immune cells and structural pulmonary cells. Alarmins are endogenic proteins discharged after cell injury in the extracellular microenvironment. The purpose of our review is to highlight the alterations in respiratory diseases involving some alarmins, such as high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and interleukin (IL)-33, and their inter-relationships and relationships with genetic non-coding material, such as microRNAs. The role played by these alarmins in some pathophysiological processes confirms the existence of an axis composed of HMGB1 and IL-33. These alarmins have been implicated in ferroptosis, the onset of type 2 inflammation and airway alterations. Moreover, both factors can act on non-coding genetic material capable of modifying respiratory function. Finally, we present an outline of alarmins and RNA-based therapeutics that have been proposed to treat respiratory pathologies.
Group Testing with a Graph Infection Spread Model
Authors: Arasli Batuhan , Ulukus Sennur
Published: January 2023

The group testing idea is an efficient infection identification approach based on pooling the test samples of a group of individuals, which results in identification with less number of tests than individually testing the population. In our work, we propose a novel infection spread model based on a random connection graph which represents connections between n individuals. Infection spreads via connections between individuals, and this results in a probabilistic cluster formation structure as well as non-i.i.d. (correlated) infection statuses for individuals. We propose a class of two-step sampled group testing algorithms where we exploit the known probabilistic infection spread model. We investigate the metrics associated with two-step sampled group testing algorithms. To demonstrate our results, for analytically tractable exponentially split cluster formation trees, we calculate the required number of tests and the expected number of false classifications in terms of the system parameters, and identify the trade-off between them. For such exponentially split cluster formation trees, for zero-error construction, we prove that the required number of tests is O(log2n). Thus, for such cluster formation trees, our algorithm outperforms any zero-error non-adaptive group test, binary splitting algorithm, and Hwang’s generalized binary splitting algorithm. Our results imply that, by exploiting probabilistic information on the connections of individuals, group testing can be used to reduce the number of required tests significantly even when the infection rate is high, contrasting the prevalent belief that group testing is useful only when the infection rate is low.
Constructing an Ensemble Model and Niche Comparison for the Management Planning of Eucalyptus Longhorned Borer Phoracantha semipunctata under Climate Change
Authors: Zhao Haoxiang , Xian Xiaoqing , Liang Te , Wan Fanghao , Shi Juan , Liu Wanxue
Published: January 2023

Phoracantha semipunctata is a destructive invasive alien forest pest worldwide. It primarily damages the eucalyptus via adults, affecting almost all parts of the eucalyptus. Its larvae develop in almost all major tissues of the plant. Phoracantha semipunctata spreads both via the migration of adults and global trade in intercontinental translocation. Currently, this pest has spread to six continents worldwide, except Antarctica, resulting in substantial economic losses. Based on global occurrence data and environmental variables, the potential global geographical distribution of P. semipunctata was predicted using an ensemble model. The centroid shift, overlap, unfilling, and expansion scheme were selected to assess niche dynamics during the global invasion process. Our results indicated that the AUC and TSS values of the ensemble model were 0.993 and 0.917, respectively, indicating the high prediction accuracy of the model. The distribution pattern of P. semipunctata is primarily attributed to the temperature seasonality (bio4), mean temperature of the warmest quarter (bio10), and human influence index variables. The potential geographical distribution of P. semipunctata is primarily in western and southwestern Asia, western Europe, western and southern North America, southern South America, southern Africa, and eastern and southern Oceania. The potential geographical distribution of P. semipunctata showed a downward trend in the 2030s and the 2050s. The distribution centroid showed a general tendency to shift southward from the near-current to future climate. Phoracantha semipunctata has largely conserved its niche during the global invasion process. More attention should be paid to the early warning, prevention, and control of P. semipunctata in the countries and regions where it has not yet become invasive.
Sleep Spindle Characteristics and Relationship with Memory Ability in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome
Authors: Zhu Qilin , Han Fei , Wang Jin , Chen Chaohong , Su Tong , Wang Qiaojun , Chen Rui
Published: January 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) causes intermittent hypoxia and sleep disruption in the brain, resulting in cognitive dysfunction, but its pathogenesis is unclear. The sleep spindle wave is a transient neural event involved in sleep memory consolidation and synaptic plasticity. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of sleep spindle activity and its relationship with memory ability in patients with OSAS. A total of 119 patients, who were divided into the OSAS group (n = 59, AHI ≥ 15) and control group (n = 60, AHI < 15) according to the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI), were enrolled and underwent polysomnography. Power spectral density (PSD) and omega complexity were used to analyze the characteristics of single and different brain regions of sleep spindles. Memory-related cognitive functions were assessed in all subjects, including logical memory, digit ordering, pattern recognition, spatial recognition and spatial working memory. The spindle PSD of the OSAS group was significantly slower than the control group, regardless of the slow, fast, or total spindle. The complexity of the spindles in the prefrontal and central region decreased significantly, whereas it increased in the occipital region. Sleep spindle PSD was positively correlated with logical memory and working memory. Spindle complexity was positively correlated with immediate logical and visual memory in the prefrontal region and positively correlated with immediate/delayed logical and working memory in the central region. In contrast, spindle complexity in the occipital region negatively correlated with delayed logical memory. Spindle hyperconnectivity in the prefrontal and central regions underlies declines in logical, visual and working memory and weak connections in the occipital spindles underlie the decline in delayed logical memory.
Scarpa Fascia Preservation to Reduce Seroma Rate on Massive Weight Loss Patients Undergoing Abdominoplasty: A Comparative Study
Authors: Repo Oskari , Oranges Carlo M. , di Summa Pietro G. , Uusalo Panu , Anttinen Mikael , Giordano Salvatore
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: An increasing number of patients undergo bariatric surgery and seek body contouring surgery after massive weight loss (MWL). Abdominoplasty itself is associated with a high complication rate in these patients, particularly due to seroma formation. Scarpa fascia preservation (SFP) has been proven to be an efficient method of reducing seroma rates. We aimed to evaluate the possible benefits of SFP on massive weight loss patients comparatively. (2) Methods: This is a single-center retrospective comparative study encompassing 202 MWL patients operated between 2009 and 2019 at Turku University Hospital. Patients included in the study had a preoperative weight loss greater than 30 kg. Of them, 149 went through traditional abdominoplasty and 53 abdominoplasties with SFP. The primary outcome measure was seroma occurrence, while secondary outcomes included drainage amount, hospital stay, surgical site occurrence, and need for blood transfusion. (3) Results: The only statistically significant difference between groups on patients’ demographics was the sex ratio, favoring females in the control group (43:10, 81% vs. 130:19, 87%, p = 0.018). SFP significantly reduced seroma occurrence (9.4% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.011) and decreased mean drainage duration (3.7 ± 2.4 vs. 5.3 ± 3.2 days, p = 0.025). There was a trend towards lower drainage output (214.1 ± 162.2 mL vs. 341.9 ± 480.5 mL, p = 0.060) and fewer postoperative days on ward in the SFP group. Other complication incidences did not differ between the groups. The multivariable analysis did not show any significant factor for seroma formation or surgical site occurrence. (4) Conclusions: Preserving Scarpa fascia on MWL patients may result in decreased seroma occurrence and a shorter time to drain removal.
Biological Markers to Predict Outcome in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Severe COVID-19 Living at High Altitude
Authors: Vélez-Páez Jorge Luis , Pelosi Paolo , Battaglini Denise , Best Ivan
Published: January 2023

Background: There is not much evidence on the prognostic utility of different biological markers in patients with severe COVID-19 living at high altitude. The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of inflammatory and hematological markers for the risk of mortality at 28 days in patients with severe COVID-19 under invasive mechanical ventilation, living at high altitude and in a low-resource setting. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study including patients with severe COVID-19, under mechanical ventilation and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) located at 2850 m above sea level, between 1 April 2020 and 1 August 2021. Inflammatory (interleukin-6 (IL-6), ferritin, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) and hematologic (mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), MPV/platelet ratio) markers were evaluated at 24 h and in subsequent controls, and when available at 48 h and 72 h after admission to the ICU. The primary outcome was the association of inflammatory and hematological markers with the risk of mortality at 28 days. Results: We analyzed 223 patients (median age (1st quartile [Q1]–3rd quartile [Q3]) 51 (26–75) years and 70.4% male). Patients with severe COVID-19 and with IL-6 values at 24 h ≥ 11, NLR values at 24 h ≥ 22, and NLR values at 72 h ≥ 14 were 8.3, 3.8, and 3.8 times more likely to die at 28 days, respectively. The SOFA and APACHE-II scores were not able to independently predict mortality. Conclusions: In mechanically ventilated patients with severe COVID-19 and living at high altitude, low-cost and immediately available blood markers such as IL-6 and NLR may predict the severity of the disease in low-resource settings.
A Deep Learning Method for Quantification of Femoral Head Necrosis Based on Routine Hip MRI for Improved Surgical Decision Making
Authors: Ruckli Adrian C. , Nanavati Andreas K. , Meier Malin K. , Lerch Till D. , Steppacher Simon D. , Vuilleumier Sébastian , Boschung Adam , Vuillemin Nicolas , Tannast Moritz , Siebenrock Klaus A. , Gerber Nicolas , Schmaranzer Florian
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: To evaluate the performance of a deep learning model to automatically segment femoral head necrosis (FHN) based on a standard 2D MRI sequence compared to manual segmentations for 3D quantification of FHN. (2) Methods: Twenty-six patients (thirty hips) with avascular necrosis underwent preoperative MR arthrography including a coronal 2D PD-w sequence and a 3D T1 VIBE sequence. Manual ground truth segmentations of the necrotic and unaffected bone were then performed by an expert reader to train a self-configuring nnU-Net model. Testing of the network performance was performed using a 5-fold cross-validation and Dice coefficients were calculated. In addition, performance across the three segmentations were compared using six parameters: volume of necrosis, volume of unaffected bone, percent of necrotic bone volume, surface of necrotic bone, unaffected femoral head surface, and percent of necrotic femoral head surface area. (3) Results: Comparison between the manual 3D and manual 2D segmentations as well as 2D with the automatic model yielded significant, strong correlations (Rp > 0.9) across all six parameters of necrosis. Dice coefficients between manual- and automated 2D segmentations of necrotic- and unaffected bone were 75 ± 15% and 91 ± 5%, respectively. None of the six parameters of FHN differed between the manual and automated 2D segmentations and showed strong correlations (Rp > 0.9). Necrotic volume and surface area showed significant differences (all p < 0.05) between early and advanced ARCO grading as opposed to the modified Kerboul angle, which was comparable between both groups (p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Our deep learning model to automatically segment femoral necrosis based on a routine hip MRI was highly accurate. Coupled with improved quantification for volume and surface area, as opposed to 2D angles, staging and course of treatment can become better tailored to patients with varying degrees of AVN.
Multilayer Perceptron and Their Comparison with Two Nature-Inspired Hybrid Techniques of Biogeography-Based Optimization (BBO) and Backtracking Search Algorithm (BSA) for Assessment of Landslide Susceptibility
Authors: Moayedi Hossein , Canatalay Peren Jerfi , Ahmadi Dehrashid Atefeh , Cifci Mehmet Akif , Salari Marjan , Le Binh Nguyen
Published: January 2023

Regarding evaluating disaster risks in Iran’s West Kurdistan area, the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural network was upgraded with two novel techniques: backtracking search algorithm (BSA) and biogeography-based optimization (BBO). Utilizing 16 landslide conditioning elements such as elevation (aspect), plan (curve), profile (curvature), geology, NDVI (land use), slope (degree), stream power index (SPI), topographic wetness index (TWI), rainfall, and sediment transport index (STI), and 504 landslides as target variables, a large geographic database is constructed. Applying the techniques mentioned above to the synthesis of the MLP results in the suggested BBO-MLP and BSA-MLP ensembles. As accuracy standards, we benefit from mean absolute error, mean square error, and area under the receiving operating characteristic curve to assess the utilized models, we have also designed a scoring system. The MLP’s accuracy increases thanks to the application of the BBO and BSA algorithms. Comparing the BBO with the BSA, we find that the former achieves higher average MLP optimization ranks (20, 15, and 14). A further finding showed that the BBO is superior to the BSA at maximizing the MLP.
Analysis of Wine-Producing Vitis vinifera L. Biotypes, Autochthonous to Crete (Greece), Employing Ampelographic and Microsatellite Markers
Authors: Avramidou Evangelia , Masaoutis Ioannis , Pitsoli Theodora , Kapazoglou Aliki , Pikraki Maria , Trantas Emmanouil , Nikolantonakis Michael , Doulis Andreas
Published: January 2023

Vitis vinifera ssp. vinifera (domesticated grapevine) includes thousands of cultivars, which are classified according to their main uses, as wines, fresh fruits or dried raisins and sultanas since ancient times. Evidence showed that Crete grapevine cultivars and winemaking date back to 2300 BC. In this study, fifty-one genotypes belonging to seven different traditional Vitis vinifera cultivars, presumed autochthonous to the island of Crete, were selected for their wine-producing potential and classified by 51 ampelographic descriptors. In addition, five genotypes belonging to two non-autochthonous cultivars were included as out-group controls. Subsequently, in order to characterize genetic diversity, establish genetic relationships within and between cultivars and solve accession-labeling problems, genotypes were fingerprinted employing Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR or microsatellite) markers. Four of the autochthonous cultivars namely ‘Vidiano’, ‘Vilana’, ‘Plyto’, and ‘Moschato Spinas’ are used in the local economy for blanc (white) wine production while the rest, namely ‘Kotsifali’, ‘Liatiko’ and ‘Mantilari’ for Noir (red) wines. The two cultivars employed as out-group were ‘Moschato Samou’ and ‘Moschato Alexandrias’: both white wine producers. Ampelography-based clustering grouped the majority of genotypes along cultivar-specific clusters. All three Moschato cultivars formed a distinct clade pointing to the non-autochthonous origin of ‘Moschato Spinas’. A total of one hundred and thirteen (113) SSR alleles were amplified from thirteen (13) SSR loci, with an average number of alleles per locus equal to 10.23 revealing ample genetic polymorphism. The cumulative probability of identity was also quite high (3.389 × 10−16). The overall observed heterozygosity was 0.837 while for twenty-nine of the examined genotypes, at least one private SSR allele was detected. The majority of genotypes were grouped in cultivar-specific clusters. The results of this paper pave the way for the certification and registration of clones of some of the most important wine-producing cultivars in Crete.
Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Pouch of Douglas Successfully Treated by Radiation Therapy: A Case Report
Authors: Enomoto Hirayuki , Fujiwara Masayuki , Kono Hiroshi , Kako Yasukazu , Takahagi Motonori , Taniguchi Junichi , Ishikawa Eri , Ikeda Naoto , Takashima Tomoyuki , Yuri Yukihisa , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Okamoto Mamiko , Yoshihara Kohei , Yoshioka Ryota , Kawata Shoki , Ota Shogo , Nakano Ryota , Shiomi Hideyuki , Nishimura Takashi , Hirota Seiichi , Yamakado Koichiro , Iijima Hiroko
Published: January 2023

Metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the pouch of Douglas is relatively rare. A 65-year-old man with liver cirrhosis was admitted for detailed examination of a pelvic tumor. He had a previous history of ruptured HCC, and received emergent hemostasis with transcatheter arterial embolization followed by curative ablation. His blood tests showed an increase in des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) revealed a heterogeneously enhanced large pelvic tumor, but no additional tumorous lesions were detected in other organs, including the lungs, liver and abdominal lymph nodes. The colonoscopy showed compression by an extra-luminal/submucosal tumor, and computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle biopsy revealed that the pelvic tumor was metastasis of HCC. Because of the poor liver function, the solitary pelvic tumor was treated with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). The tumor size and the DCP value were markedly decreased after radiation therapy. Nine months later, occasional mild bloody stool due to radiation proctitis was observed; however, no serious side effects occurred. Our case suggests that radiation therapy may be a therapeutic option for a solitary metastatic lesion of HCC in the pouch of Douglas.
Significance of Melting Heat Transfer and Brownian Motion on Flow of Powell–Eyring Fluid Conveying Nano-Sized Particles with Improved Energy Systems
Authors: Yang Hong , Majeed Aaqib , Al-Khaled Kamel , Abbas Tasawar , Naeem Muhammad , Khan Sami Ullah , Saeed Munazza
Published: January 2023

The present study explores the characteristics of 2D MHD melting with reference to mass and heat transportation upon stagnation point Powell–Eyring nanofluid flow on an extensible surface. Melting is an important phenomenon that is involved in many procedures such as permafrost melting, solidification of slag, defrosting frozen ground etc., all of which are examples of soil freezing and melting that involve heat trafficking through a coil in a grounded pump. A mathematical model is developed for the boundary layer flow. The differential equations are solved through a numerical algorithm which makes use of the boundary value problem solver bvp4c, applying MATLAB software. The numerical variations of embedded parameters on velocity lineation, temperature figuration, and concentration delineation are represented graphically, as are the width of the boundary layer value and the delineation rate for the increasing velocity parameter. The velocity function shows a decremental response for M while the opposite behavior is seen against the concentration field.
3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole
Authors: Efimova Julia A. , Shetnev Anton A. , Baykov Sergey V. , Petzer Anél , Petzer Jacobus P.
Published: January 2023

3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole was synthesized via the condensation of 3,4-dichlorobenzamidoxime and methyl 1H-indole-5-carboxylate using a superbasic medium (NaOH/DMSO). The compound was tested as a potential inhibitor of human monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B. It demonstrated a notable inhibition with an IC50 value of 0.036 μM for the MAO-B and isoform specificity. The product was characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and HRMS. In conclusion, the new active MAO-B inhibitor may serve as a candidate for the future discovery of therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Apparent Deterioration Law and Shear Failure Mode of Rock–Mortar Interface Based on Topography-Sensing Technology
Authors: Xie Linglin , Tang Wenyu , Lin Hang , Lei Fan , Chen Yifan , Wang Yixian , Zhao Yanlin
Published: January 2023

As an advanced spatial technology, topography-sensing technology is comprehensive, macroscopic, and intuitive. It shows unique advantages for rock structure interpretation and has important guiding significance for the research of the shear performances of rock–mortar interface under cyclic load in rock mass engineering. In this paper, cyclic shearing tests combined with the shear surface topography-sensing technology are employed to investigate the evolution characteristics of the interface morphology and the strength deterioration of the rock–mortar interface. Primarily, mortar and three types of rocks are used to prepare different rock–mortar interfaces, which are then applied to cyclic shear loading under two constant normal stresses. Subsequently, the shear strength degradation and dilatancy characteristics of rock–mortar interfaces with varying shear times are discussed. In addition, on the basis of the non-contact three-dimensional topography-sensing technology, the apparent three-dimensional point–cloud coordinate information of rock–mortar interface before and after each shear loading is obtained, and the apparent three-dimensional topography parameters of rock–mortar interface are calculated, according to which the influences of normal stress and lithology on the topography of interface subjected to cyclic shearing loading are analyzed.
Formation and Microstructural Evolution of Ferritic ODS Steel Powders during Mechanical Alloying
Authors: Nowik Krzysztof , Zybała Rafał , Oksiuta Zbigniew
Published: January 2023

Ferritic ODS steel elemental powder compositions with various Zr content (0.3–1.0 wt.%), ground in a Pulverisette 6 planetary ball mill, were extensively studied by X-ray diffraction line profile analysis, microscopic observations, microhardness testing and particle size measurements. A characteristic three-stage process of flattening the soft powders, formation of convoluted lamellae and, finally, formation of nanocrystalline grains was observed. In order to quantify the microstructural properties, expressed mainly in terms of crystallite size and dislocation density, a methodology for detailed and accurate microstructure analysis of nanosized and severely deformed materials was proposed by the Whole Powder Pattern Modelling (WPPM) approach. In the case of the proposed ODS alloy composition, the overlapping of Fe and Cr Bragg reflections makes the microstructure analysis certainly more complicated. The results showed that the microstructure of powders evolved towards the nanocrystalline state consisting of fine (diameter of ~15 nm) and narrowly dispersed domains, with extensive dislocation density exceeding 1016 m−2.
Continuous Evaluation of Shear Wave Velocity from Bender Elements during Monotonic Triaxial Loading
Authors: Khalil Ahmed , Khan Zahid , Attom Mousa , Fattah Kazi , Ali Tarig , Mortula Maruf
Published: January 2023

Few researchers have attempted to experimentally evaluate the low-strain shear wave velocity (Vs) of specimens undergoing large strain deformations. They report that the Vs is practically unaffected by the strains, and the reasons behind this behavior are not fully understood. This study presents the continuous measurement of low-strain Vs with bender elements (BE) during monotonic shearing of two sand specimens in a triaxial device. The results are analyzed using a micro-mechanical model based on contact theory. The results of this study confirm that the Vs values from BE measurements are unaffected by an increase in axial strains that are induced by a separate mechanism. The micro-mechanical model predictions of Vs agree well with the results of this study and with the results of previous studies. They show that the mean effective stress and increase in inter-particle stiffness controls the low-strain stiffness despite a global increase in strains during monotonic loading.
Application of Iron Nanoparticle-Based Materials in the Food Industry
Authors: Góral Dariusz , Marczuk Andrzej , Góral-Kowalczyk Małgorzata , Koval Iryna , Andrejko Dariusz
Published: January 2023

Due to their different properties compared to other materials, nanoparticles of iron and iron oxides are increasingly used in the food industry. Food technologists have especially paid attention to their ease of separation by magnetic fields and biocompatibility. Unfortunately, the consumption of increasing amounts of nanoparticles has raised concerns about their biotoxicity. Hence, knowledge about the applicability of iron nanoparticle-based materials in the food industry is needed not only among scientists, but also among all individuals who are involved in food production. The first part of this article describes typical methods of obtaining iron nanoparticles using chemical synthesis and so-called green chemistry. The second part of this article describes the use of iron nanoparticles and iron nanoparticle-based materials for active packaging, including the ability to eliminate oxygen and antimicrobial activity. Then, the possibilities of using the magnetic properties of iron nano-oxides for enzyme immobilization, food analysis, protein purification and mycotoxin and histamine removal from food are described. Other described applications of materials based on iron nanoparticles are the production of artificial enzymes, process control, food fortification and preserving food in a supercooled state. The third part of the article analyzes the biocompatibility of iron nanoparticles, their impact on the human body and the safety of their use.
Correlation between Infrared Absorption and Lithium Sublattice Disorder in Magnesium-Doped Lithium Niobate
Authors: Kling Andreas
Published: January 2023

Lithium niobate is a ferro- and piezoelectric material with excellent optical properties and a wide variety of applications. The defect structures of congruent and Mg-doped crystals are still under intense discussion. In this work, undoped lithium niobate and magnesium-doped lithium niobate grown from congruent melt with the addition of 0 to 9 mol% MgO were investigated by infrared absorption, establishing the dependence of the absorbance on the Mg-doping level in two bands related to OH− stretching vibrations. The absorption band at 3485 cm−1 peaks at a MgO concentration in melt of 1 mol% and vanishes for MgO concentrations above the threshold level for optical damage suppression (4.8 mol%). A corresponding peak occurs in the minimum yield of the 7Li(p,α)4He reaction during ion channeling measurements, indicating a maximum of disorder in the Li sublattice. A possible explanation for this correlation is the attribution of this absorption band to ilmenite stacking fault sequences instead of isolated NbLi antisites in undoped and low-doped material. On the other hand, the OH− absorption band at 3535 cm−1 stays weak up to the MgO concentration threshold, and then increases, hinting to a defect related to the increase of vacancies due to the lack of charge compensation.
New Types and Dosages for the Manufacture of Low-Energy Cements from Raw Materials and Industrial Waste under the Principles of the Circular Economy and Low-Carbon Economy
Authors: Martínez-Martínez Sergio , Pérez-Villarejo Luis , Eliche-Quesada Dolores , Sánchez-Soto Pedro J.
Published: January 2023

The cement manufacturing industry is one of the main greenhouse gas emission producers and also consumes a large quantity of raw materials. It is essential to reduce these emissions in order to comply with the Paris Agreement and the principles of the circular economy. The objective of this research was to develop different types of cement clinker blends using industrial waste and innovative design to produce low-energy cement. Several types of waste have been studied as alternative raw materials. Their main characteristics have been analyzed via X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Attenuated total reflectance Fourier trans-form infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), thermal analysis (TG-DTG-DSC) and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (SEM-EDS). The results obtained from the experimental work carried out in this research focused on the study of crude blends for low-energy cement created from industrial waste. The effect of the addition of different industrial waste types, as a substitution for raw materials, in the production of low-energy cement with high dicalcium silicate content has been investigated. Thus, the dosage design has been performed using modified Bogue equations and quality indexes (LSF, AM, and SM). The calculations of both the modified Bogue equations and quality indexes necessitate knowledge of the weight percentages of CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3, determined via XRF. In this theoretical design of the different blends, it has been established that a dicalcium silicate ratio of 60–65 wt % and an LSF of 78–83% as the limit are values common to all of them. The calculation basis for the crude blends has been based on calcined materials. Therefore, the chemical composition was established, following this premise. Thus, it was possible to develop cement clinker blends with compositions of 50 wt % and 100 wt % using industrial wastes. This research has shown that the clinkerization process is one of the main options for the valorization of waste and its consideration for inclusion as a raw material within the circularity of the cement industry’s production process. Thus, waste is used as a raw material for the production of a more useful substance, taking into account the fundamental principles of the circular economy.
New Marine Fungal Deoxy-14,15-Dehydroisoaustamide Resensitizes Prostate Cancer Cells to Enzalutamide
Authors: Dyshlovoy Sergey A. , Zhuravleva Olesya I. , Hauschild Jessica , Busenbender Tobias , Pelageev Dmitry N. , Yurchenko Anton N. , Khudyakova Yuliya V. , Antonov Alexandr S. , Graefen Markus , Bokemeyer Carsten , von Amsberg Gunhild
Published: January 2023

Marine fungi serve as a valuable source for new bioactive molecules bearing various biological activities. In this study, we report on the isolation of a new indole diketopiperazine alkaloid deoxy-14,15-dehydroisoaustamide (1) from the marine-derived fungus Penicillium dimorphosporum KMM 4689 associated with a soft coral. The structure of this metabolite, including its absolute configuration, was determined by HR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR as well as CD data. Compound 1 is a very first deoxyisoaustamide alkaloid possessing two double bonds in the proline ring. The isolated compound was noncytotoxic to a panel of human normal and cancer cell lines up to 100 µM. At the same time, compound 1 resensitized prostate cancer 22Rv1 cells to androgen receptor (AR) blocker enzalutamide. The mechanism of this phenomenon was identified as specific drug-induced degradation of androgen receptor transcription variant V7 (AR-V7), which also resulted in general suppression of AR signaling. Our data suggest that the isolated alkaloid is a promising candidate for combinational therapy of castration resistant prostate cancer, including drug-resistant subtypes.
Inflammation Control and Immunotherapeutic Strategies in Comprehensive Cancer Treatment
Authors: Seledtsov Victor Ivanovich , Darinskas Adas , Von Delwig Alexei , Seledtsova Galina Victorovna
Published: January 2023

Tumor growth and expansion are determined by the immunological tumor microenvironment (TME). Typically, early tumorigenic stages are characterized by the immune system not responding or weakly responding to the tumor. However, subsequent tumorigenic stages witness the tumor promoting its growth and metastasis by stimulating tumor-protective (pro-tumor) inflammation to suppress anti-tumor immune responses. Here, we propose the pivotal role of inflammation control in a successful anti-cancer immunotherapy strategy, implying that available and novel immunotherapeutic modalities such as inflammation modulation, antibody (Ab)-based immunostimulation, drug-mediated immunomodulation, cancer vaccination as well as adoptive cell immunotherapy and donor leucocyte transfusion could be applied in cancer patients in a synergistic manner to amplify each other’s clinical effects and achieve robust anti-tumor immune reactivity. In addition, the anti-tumor effects of immunotherapy could be enhanced by thermal and/or oxygen therapy. Herein, combined immune-based therapy could prove to be beneficial for patients with advanced cancers, as aiming to provide long-term tumor cell/mass dormancy by restraining compensatory proliferation of surviving cancer cells observed after traditional anti-cancer interventions such as surgery, radiotherapy, and metronomic (low-dose) chemotherapy. We propose the Inflammatory Prognostic Score based on the blood levels of C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase as well as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to effectively monitor the effectiveness of comprehensive anti-cancer treatment.
Editorial for the Special Issue on the Progress of Emerging Hardware Development for Post-Moore’s Computing
Authors: Chang Yao-Feng
Published: January 2023

The potential of machine learning and novel computing architecture can be exploited in the immediate future if more efficient hardware is developed that meets the special requirements of bio-inspired computing or unconventional computing schemes [...]
An Amperometric Biomedical Sensor for the Determination of Homocysteine Using Gold Nanoparticles and Acetylene Black-Dihexadecyl Phosphate-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Zhu Chunnan , Zhang Jingfang , Zhang Shunrun , Liu Chao , Liu Xiaojun , Jin Jian , Zheng Dongyun
Published: January 2023

A novel nanocomposite film composed of gold nanoparticles and acetylene black–dihexadecyl phosphate was fabricated and modified on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode through a simple and controllable dropping and electropolymerization method. The nanocomposite film electrode showed a good electrocatalytic response to the oxidation of homocysteine and can work as an amperometric biomedical sensor for homocysteine. With the aid of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray technology and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the sensing interface was characterized, and the sensing mechanism was discussed. Under optimal conditions, the oxidation peak current of homocysteine was linearly increased with its concentration in the range of 3.0 µmol/L~1.0 mmol/L, and a sensitivity of 18 nA/(μmol/L) was obtained. Furthermore, the detection limit was determined as 0.6 µmol/L, and the response time was detected as 3 s. Applying the nanocomposite film electrode for monitoring the homocysteine in human blood serum, the results were satisfactory.
An Investigation into the Effects of Electric Field Uniformity on Electrospun TPU Fiber Nano-Scale Morphology
Authors: Morehouse Aaron , Ireland Kelton C. , Saha Gobinda C.
Published: January 2023

ANSYS Maxwell was used to replicate the conditions of two potential electrospinning configurations: a needle–plate and a parallel-plate configuration. Simulations showed that the electric field generated within the parallel-plate configuration was much more uniform than that within the needle–plate configuration. Both configurations were assembled and used electrospin fibers at three different spinning distances (10 cm, 12 cm, and 15 cm), at a consistent electric field strength of 1.7 kV/cm. Scanning electron microscopy was used to compare the morphologies of the fibers produced in both configurations in order to confirm whether a more uniform electric field yielded thinner fibers. The results show that the needle–plate configuration produced finer fibers than the parallel-plate configuration at all three spinning distances. However, there was no difference in the fiber diameters produced at the 12 and 15 cm spinning distances within the needle–plate configuration, implying thinning may only occur up to a certain distance in this configuration.
Study on Mechanical Properties of Ring Sandstone Specimen under Temperature and Water Coupling Dynamic Compression
Authors: Ping Qi , Gao Qi , Wu Shiwei
Published: January 2023

The excavation of hard rock roadways in coal mines is often in the environment of underground water and high ground temperature, and it is easy to be affected by the dynamic load, which leads to roadway destruction and increases the difficulty of roadway support. The ring sandstone specimens with different inner diameters (0~25 mm) were treated with temperature and water coupled, and the dynamic compression test was produced by the Hopkinson pressure rod device (SHPB). The experimental results indicate that the coupling effect of temperature and water reduces the dynamic performance of sandstone specimens. XRD test results showed that the composition of sandstone specimens did not change before and after warm water coupling, and no new substances were found. Dynamic properties of ring sandstone specimens with different inner diameters weaken with the increase in inner diameters. With the increasing inner diameter of ring sandstone specimens, the energy dissipation per unit volume increases the dynamic compressive strength decreases, and the degree of breakage increases. Fracture morphology, average strain rate, and dynamic peak strain of ring sandstone specimens increase with inner diameter.