bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term Mammography Utilization after an Initial Randomized Intervention Period by all Underserved Chilean Women in the Clinics
Authors: Puschel Klaus , Rioseco Andrea , Soto Gabriela , Palominos Mario , León Augusto , Soto Mauricio , Thompson Beti
Published: August 2022

Chile has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in Latin America. Mammography rates among women, especially those of low socioeconomic status (SES), are thought to contribute to high breast cancer morbidity and mortality. A successful randomized controlled trial among women aged 50 to 70 in a low-SES primary care clinic in Chile led to a significant increase in mammography screening rates in a two-year intervention trial. This study assesses the sustainability of the intervention after ten years and identifies factors that might have been associated with a long-term effect using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework. The mammography rates among women aged 50 to 70 in the low-SES intervention clinic were compared to two populations of women aged 50 to 70 from middle-SES clinics and to national data. Qualitative data were used to answer questions of adoption, implementation, and maintenance, while quantitative data assessed the reach and effectiveness. After ten years, low-SES women at the intervention clinic maintained significantly higher mammography screening rates vs. middle-SES women at the comparison clinics (36.2% vs. 30.1% and 19.4% p < 0.0001). Women of a low SES at the intervention clinic also had significantly higher screening rates compared to women of a low SES at a national level (44.2% vs. 34.2% p < 0.0001). RE-AIM factors contributed to understanding the long-term difference in rates. Mailed contact, outreach interventions, and the integration of health promoters as part of the Community Advisory Board were important factors associated with the effects observed. This study provides information on factors that could contribute to reducing the social gap on breast cancer screening.
Integrated Analysis and Identification of Critical RNA-Binding Proteins in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Gu Lijiang , Chen Yuhang , Li Xing , Mei Yibo , Zhou Jinlai , Ma Jianbin , Zhang Mengzhao , Hou Tao , He Dalin , Zeng Jin
Published: August 2022

RBPs in the development and progression of BC remains unclear. Here, we elucidated the role of RBPs in predicting the survival of patients with BC. Clinical information and RNA sequencing data of the training and validation cohorts were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases, respectively. Survival-related differentially expressed RBPs were identified using Cox regression analyses. A total of 113 upregulated and 54 downregulated RBPs were observed, with six showing prognostic values (AHNAK, MAP1B, LAMA2, P4HB, FASN, and GSDMB). In both the GSE32548 and GSE31684 datasets, patients with low-risk scores in survival-related six RBPs-based prognostic model showed longer overall survival than those with high-risk scores. AHNAK, MAP1B, P4HB, and FASN expression were significantly upregulated in both BC tissues and cell lines. BC tissues from high-risk group showed higher proportions of naive CD4+ T cells, M0 and M2 macrophages, and neutrophils and lower proportions of plasma cells, CD8+ T cells, and T-cell follicular helper compared to low-risk group. AHNAK knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of BC cells in vitro and inhibited the growth of subcutaneous tumors in vivo. We thus developed and functionally validated a novel six RBPs-based prognostic model for BC.
Diagnostic Strategies and Algorithms for Investigating Cancer Predisposition Syndromes in Children Presenting with Malignancy
Authors: Rossini Linda , Durante Caterina , Bresolin Silvia , Opocher Enrico , Marzollo Antonio , Biffi Alessandra
Published: August 2022

In the past recent years, the expanding use of next-generation sequencing has led to the discovery of new cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs), which are now known to be responsible for up to 10% of childhood cancers. As knowledge in the field is in constant evolution, except for a few “classic” CPSs, there is no consensus about when and how to perform germline genetic diagnostic studies in cancer-bearing children. Several clinical screening tools have been proposed to help identify the patients who carry higher risk, with heterogeneous strategies and results. After introducing the main clinical and molecular features of several CPSs predisposing to solid and hematological malignancies, we compare the available clinical evidence on CPS prevalence in pediatric cancer patients and on the most used decision-support tools in identifying the patients who could benefit from genetic counseling and/or direct genetic testing. This analysis highlighted that a personalized stepwise approach employing clinical screening tools followed by sequencing in high-risk patients might be a reasonable and cost-effective strategy in the care of children with cancer.
Pyrolysis of Biomass Pineapple Residue and Banana Pseudo-Stem: Kinetics, Mechanism and Valorization of Bio-Char
Authors: Wang Xin , Yang Shuo , Shen Boxiong , Yang Jiancheng , Xu Lianfei
Published: August 2022

Pineapple residue and banana pseudo-stem are waste from agricultural production in tropical zones, and the characteristics of their pyrolysis should be explored for high-value utilization. Kinetics, thermodynamics, reaction mechanism and valorization of bio-char during pyrolysis of these feedstock were conducted in this study. In biomass mainly decomposed at 150–500 °C, there was a significant mass loss peak for banana pseudo-stem at 650 °C. The activation energy range of pineapple residue and banana pseudo-stem, based on a multi-heating rate method, was 159–335 and 169–364 kJ/mol, respectively. Based on the Gaussian multi-peak fitting method, derivative thermogravimetric curves of pineapple residue and banana pseudo-stem were deconvoluted with three or four fitting peaks, based on the key components in biomass. Interaction between intermediates during pyrolysis increased the complexity of kinetic data. The main carbon number of organic volatiles during pyrolysis was C4 and C5 for pineapple residue, and C2 and C3 for banana pseudo-stem. The high content of cellulose and hemicellulose in biomass improved the yield of volatiles. Porous carbon sourced from pineapple residue and banana pseudo-stems had specific capacitance of 375 F/g and 297 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g, respectively. This suggested pineapple residue and banana pseudo-stem as a potential feedstock for electrochemical materials.
Synthesis of Vanadium-Containing Catalytically Active Phases for Exhaust Gas Neutralizers of Motor Vehicles and Industrial Enterprises
Authors: Khussain Bolatbek , Brodskiy Alexandr , Sass Alexandr , Rakhmetova Kenzhegul , Yaskevich Vladimir , Grigor’eva Valentina , Ishmukhamedov Altay , Shapovalov Anatoliy , Shlygina Irina , Tungatarova Svetlana , Khussain Atabek
Published: August 2022

The catalytically active vanadium-containing system of γ-Al2O3 was studied using a wide range of physical and chemical methods, depending on the synthesis conditions. It is shown that the vanadium-containing system includes several complexes with different thermal stabilities and catalytic activities. Low-active complexes are destroyed with the formation of more active ones based on V2O5 oxide, as the temperature of heat treatment increases. It can be assumed that V2O5 oxide has the decisive role in its catalytic activity. It was concluded that the vanadium-containing catalytic system on aluminium oxide, in the studied temperature range, is thermally stable and shows high activity not only in the reduction of nitrogen oxides but also in the oxidation of hydrocarbons (even of the most difficult ones, such as oxidizable methane). These properties of the system make it quite promising in the field of application for the purification of the exhaust gases of motor transport and industrial enterprises with environmentally harmful components, as well as for understanding the mechanism of the action of the catalysts in these processes, which is very important for solving the problems of decarbonization and achieving carbon neutrality.
PARP1 Might Substitute HSF1 to Reactivate Latent HIV-1 by Binding to Heat Shock Element
Authors: Xu Xinfeng , Lin Yingtong , Zeng Xiaoyun , Yang Chan , Duan Siqin , Ding Liqiong , Lu Wanzhen , Lin Jian , Pan Xiaoyan , Ma Xiancai , Liu Shuwen
Published: August 2022

At present, the barrier to HIV-1 functional cure is the persistence of HIV-1 reservoirs. The “shock (reversing latency) and kill (antiretroviral therapy)” strategy sheds light on reducing or eliminating the latent reservoir of HIV-1. However, the current limits of latency-reversing agents (LRAs) are their toxicity or side effects, which limit their practicability pharmacologically and immunologically. Our previous research found that HSF1 is a key transcriptional regulatory factor in the reversion of HIV-1 latency. We then constructed the in vitro HSF1-knockout (HSF1-KO) HIV-1 latency models and found that HSF1 depletion inhibited the reactivation ability of LRAs including salubrinal, carfizomib, bortezomib, PR-957 and resveratrol, respectively. Furthermore, bortezomib/carfizomib treatment induced the increase of heat shock elements (HSEs) activity after HSF1-KO, suggesting that HSEs participated in reversing the latent HIV-1. Subsequent investigation showed that latent HIV-1-reversal by H2O2-induced DNA damage was inhibited by PARP1 inhibitors, while PARP1 was unable to down-regulate HSF1-depleted HSE activity, indicating that PARP1 could serve as a replaceable protein for HSF1 in HIV-1 latent cells. In summary, we succeeded in finding the mechanisms by which HSF1 reactivates the latent HIV-1, which also provides a theoretical basis for the further development of LRAs that specifically target HSF1.
Smooth Muscle Myosin Localizes at the Leading Edge and Regulates the Redistribution of Actin-regulatory Proteins during Migration
Authors: Wang Ruping , Arbel Eylon , Tang Dale D.
Published: August 2022

Airway smooth muscle cell migration plays an essential role in airway development, repair, and remodeling. Smooth muscle myosin II has been traditionally thought to localize in the cytoplasm solely and regulates cell migration by affecting stress fiber formation and focal adhesion assembly. In this study, we unexpectedly found that 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) and myosin-11 (MYH11), important components of smooth muscle myosin, were present at the edge of lamellipodia. The knockdown of MLC20 or MYH11 attenuated the recruitment of c-Abl, cortactinProfilin-1 (Pfn-1), and Abi1 to the cell edge. Moreover, myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) colocalized with integrin β1 at the tip of protrusion. The inhibition of MLCK attenuated the recruitment of c-Abl, cortactin, Pfn-1, and Abi1 to the cell edge. Furthermore, MLCK localization at the leading edge was reduced by integrin β1 knockdown. Taken together, our results demonstrate that smooth muscle myosin localizes at the leading edge and orchestrates the recruitment of actin-regulatory proteins to the tip of lamellipodia. Mechanistically, integrin β1 recruits MLCK to the leading edge, which catalyzes MLC20 phosphorylation. Activated myosin regulates the recruitment of actin-regulatory proteins to the leading edge, and promotes lamellipodial formation and migration.
Versatile Triad Alliance: Bile Acid, Taurine and Microbiota
Authors: Duszka Kalina
Published: August 2022

Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in the body, and is mainly derived from the diet, but can also be produced endogenously from cysteine. It plays multiple essential roles in the body, including development, energy production, osmoregulation, prevention of oxidative stress, and inflammation. Taurine is also crucial as a molecule used to conjugate bile acids (BAs). In the gastrointestinal tract, BAs deconjugation by enteric bacteria results in high levels of unconjugated BAs and free taurine. Depending on conjugation status and other bacterial modifications, BAs constitute a pool of related but highly diverse molecules, each with different properties concerning solubility and toxicity, capacity to activate or inhibit receptors of BAs, and direct and indirect impact on microbiota and the host, whereas free taurine has a largely protective impact on the host, serves as a source of energy for microbiota, regulates bacterial colonization and defends from pathogens. Several remarkable examples of the interaction between taurine and gut microbiota have recently been described. This review will introduce the necessary background information and lay out the latest discoveries in the interaction of the co-reliant triad of BAs, taurine, and microbiota.
Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis of the Effects of Exogenous Trehalose on Salt Tolerance in Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
Authors: Yuan Gaopeng , Sun Dexi , An Guolin , Li Weihua , Si Wenjing , Liu Junpu , Zhu Yingchun
Published: August 2022

Trehalose can effectively protect the biomolecular structure, maintain the balance of cell metabolism, and improve the tolerance to various abiotic stresses in plants. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the improvement in salt tolerance by exogenous trehalose in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seedlings is still unclear. To understand these molecular mechanisms, in this study, watermelon seedlings under salt stress were treated with various concentrations of exogenous trehalose. An amount of 20 mM exogenous trehalose significantly improved the physiological status; increased the activities of enzymes such as POD, SOD, and CAT; and increased the K+/Na+ ratio in watermelon seedlings under salt stress. RNA-seq and metabolomic analysis were performed to identify the specifically expressed genes and metabolites after trehalose treatment. Watermelon seedlings were divided into salt stress (CK2), control (CK1) and trehalose treatment (T) groups as per the treatment. Overall, 421 shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the two comparison groups, namely CK2–CK1 and T–CK2. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly involved in MAPK signaling pathway for plant hormone signal transduction and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, 129 shared differential expressed metabolites (DEMs) were identified in the two comparison groups using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, which were mainly involved in the metabolic pathway and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that genes involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and carbohydrate biosynthesis pathways, especially bHLH family transcription factors, played an important role in improving salt tolerance of watermelon seedlings after exogenous trehalose treatment.
MiR-23b Promotes Porcine Preadipocyte Differentiation via SESN3 and ACSL4
Authors: Li Meng , Zhang Na , Li Jiao , Zhang Wanfeng , Hei Wei , Ji Mengting , Yang Yang , Cao Guoqing , Guo Xiaohong , Li Bugao
Published: August 2022

Genetic improvement of pork quality is one of the hot topics in pig germplasm innovation. Backfat thickness and intramuscular fat content are important indexes of meat quality. MiRNAs are becoming recognized as a crucial regulator of adipose development. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how miR-23b regulates fat metabolism at the molecular level. In the present study, Oil Red O staining, and Western blot were used to evaluate the effect of miR-23b on the differentiation of porcine preadipocytes. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, pulldown, and RIP were used to reveal the mechanism of miR-23b regulating cell differentiation. The findings demonstrated that miR-23b promotes the expression of adipogenic factors and increases the content of lipid droplets, thus promoting the differentiation of preadipocytes. Further research found that miR-23b can directly bind to the 3’UTR of SESN3 to regulate adipogenic differentiation. In addition, it was speculated that miR-23b controls cell differentiation by positively regulating the expression of ACSL4 in other ways. Here, we demonstrate that miR-23b promotes the differentiation of porcine preadipocytes by targeting SESN3 and promoting the expression of ACSL4. The present study is meaningful to the improvement of pork quality and the development of animal husbandry.
β-Glucocerebrosidase Deficiency Activates an Aberrant Lysosome-Plasma Membrane Axis Responsible for the Onset of Neurodegeneration
Authors: Lunghi Giulia , Carsana Emma Veronica , Loberto Nicoletta , Cioccarelli Laura , Prioni Simona , Mauri Laura , Bassi Rosaria , Duga Stefano , Straniero Letizia , Asselta Rosanna , Soldà Giulia , Di Fonzo Alessio , Frattini Emanuele , Magni Manuela , Liessi Nara , Armirotti Andrea , Ferrari Elena , Samarani Maura , Aureli Massimo
Published: August 2022

β-glucocerebrosidase is a lysosomal hydrolase involved in the catabolism of the sphingolipid glucosylceramide. Biallelic loss of function mutations in this enzyme are responsible for the onset of Gaucher disease, while monoallelic β-glucocerebrosidase mutations represent the first genetic risk factor for Parkinson’s disease. Despite this evidence, the molecular mechanism linking the impairment in β-glucocerebrosidase activity with the onset of neurodegeneration in still unknown. In this frame, we developed two in vitro neuronal models of β-glucocerebrosidase deficiency, represented by mouse cerebellar granule neurons and human-induced pluripotent stem cells-derived dopaminergic neurons treated with the specific β-glucocerebrosidase inhibitor conduritol B epoxide. Neurons deficient for β-glucocerebrosidase activity showed a lysosomal accumulation of glucosylceramide and the onset of neuronal damage. Moreover, we found that neurons react to the lysosomal impairment by the induction of their biogenesis and exocytosis. This latter event was responsible for glucosylceramide accumulation also at the plasma membrane level, with an alteration in lipid and protein composition of specific signaling microdomains. Collectively, our data suggest that β-glucocerebrosidase loss of function impairs the lysosomal compartment, establishing a lysosome–plasma membrane axis responsible for modifications in the plasma membrane architecture and possible alterations of intracellular signaling pathways, leading to neuronal damage.
RNA-Binding Proteins in the Regulation of Adipogenesis and Adipose Function
Authors: Zhang Pengpeng , Wu Wenyan , Ma Chaofeng , Du Chunyu , Huang Yueru , Xu Haixia , Li Cencen , Cheng Xiaofang , Hao Ruijie , Xu Yongjie
Published: August 2022

The obesity epidemic represents a critical public health issue worldwide, as it is a vital risk factor for many diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is a complex disease involving excessive fat accumulation. Proper adipose tissue accumulation and function are highly transcriptional and regulated by many genes. Recent studies have discovered that post-transcriptional regulation, mainly mediated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), also plays a crucial role. In the lifetime of RNA, it is bound by various RBPs that determine every step of RNA metabolism, from RNA processing to alternative splicing, nucleus export, rate of translation, and finally decay. In humans, it is predicted that RBPs account for more than 10% of proteins based on the presence of RNA-binding domains. However, only very few RBPs have been studied in adipose tissue. The primary aim of this paper is to provide an overview of RBPs in adipogenesis and adipose function. Specifically, the following best-characterized RBPs will be discussed, including HuR, PSPC1, Sam68, RBM4, Ybx1, Ybx2, IGF2BP2, and KSRP. Characterization of these proteins will increase our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of RBPs in adipogenesis and provide clues for the etiology and pathology of adipose-tissue-related diseases.
Crack Driving Forces of Atmospheric Plasma-Sprayed Thermal Barrier Coatings
Authors: Zhang Bochun , Chen Kuiying , Baddour Natalie
Published: August 2022

High-temperature operation service conditions can be used to evaluate the durability of Atmospheric Plasma-Sprayed Thermal Barrier Coating systems (APS-TBCs). To evaluate the durability of TBCs within their life span, two different thermal cycling testing results, i.e., isothermal furnace cycling and burner rig cycling tests, are utilized to numerically investigate possible crack driving forces that might lead to the failure of TBCs. Although there are many studies on failure and life prediction, there is still a lack of quantitative evaluation and comparison on the crack driving forces under these two different thermal cycling schemes. In this paper, by using modified analytical models, strain energy release rates (ERRs) are estimated and compared between these two testing approaches using experimental data. A new residual stress model was developed to study the position where the maximum residual stress occurs due to coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch at different thermally grown oxide (TGO) thicknesses. The main crack driving forces are identified for two types of thermal cycling. A possible cracking route is found based on the calculated equivalent ERRs with respect to distance from the interface between the topcoat (TC)/TGO layers. The relationship between crack driving force of isothermal furnace and burner cycling tests is also elaborated.
Influence of Hydrothermal Sealing on the High Cycle Fatigue Behavior of the Anodized 6082 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Winter Lisa , Lampke Thomas
Published: August 2022

For aluminum alloys, anodizing is a common electrochemical surface treatment to allow for protection against corrosion and wear. The produced conversion layers are first sealed in industrial processes to further enhance the corrosion protection by closing the coating surface pores. In their lifetime, anodized components often undergo cyclic loadings. However, despite the relevance of a sealing treatment, there is a lack of systematic studies regarding its influence on the fatigue behavior of anodized aluminum components. In this work, a 6082-aluminum alloy was anodized in sulphuric acid and the effect of the anodizing treatment with and without further hydrothermal sealing on the fatigue strength was investigated. The thickness and Martens hardness of the coatings were determined and the coating appearance in non-sealed and sealed conditions was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy prior to and after cyclically loading at R = −1. The fatigue strength was significantly decreased by the anodizing treatment, when compared to the bare substrate. However, hydrothermal sealing had a positive influence as the anodized and sealed condition attained a fatigue strength in the range of the bare aluminum. Distinct differences regarding the coating appearances, thickness, and hardness were not observed when comparing the non-sealed and the sealed conditions. After fatigue loading, numerous pronounced radial cracks were present in the anodic coating, but the number of cracks were significantly lower for the hydrothermally sealed coating. Fatigue failure occurred due to propagation of one crack from the coating towards the substrate, resulting in single-point crack initiation, which was similar to the fatigue fracture behavior of the bare aluminum substrate.
Platform-Independent Web Application for Short-Term Electric Power Load Forecasting on 33/11 kV Substation Using Regression Tree
Authors: Veeramsetty Venkataramana , Sai Pavan Kumar Modem , Salkuti Surender Reddy
Published: August 2022

Short-term electric power load forecasting is a critical and essential task for utilities in the electric power industry for proper energy trading, which enables the independent system operator to operate the network without any technical and economical issues. From an electric power distribution system point of view, accurate load forecasting is essential for proper planning and operation. In order to build most robust machine learning model to forecast the load with a good accuracy irrespective of weather condition and type of day, features such as the season, temperature, humidity and day-status are incorporated into the data. In this paper, a machine learning model, namely a regression tree, is used to forecast the active power load an hour and one day ahead. Real-time active power load data to train and test the machine learning models are collected from a 33/11 kV substation located in Telangana State, India. Based on the simulation results, it is observed that the regression tree model is able to forecast the load with less error.
Synthesis of Two Novel Copper (II) Complexes as Potential Inhibitors of HIV-1 Protease Enzyme: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations
Authors: Hamlaoui Meriem , Hamlaoui Ikram , Damous Maamar , Belhocine Youghourta , Sbei Najoua , Ali Fatima Adam Mohamed , Alghamdi Mashael A. , Talab Sarra , Rahali Seyfeddine , Merazig Hocine
Published: August 2022

In this study, we report the synthesis of two new copper complexes: [Cu(C11H7O2)(SCN)(C10H8N2)], denoted as (C-1), and [Cu(C11H7O2) (C12H8N2) Cl]·H2O, denoted as (C-2). They are based on 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline and 2-hydroxy-1-naphtaldehyde ligands. The obtained complexes were characterized by FT-IR, UV-visible spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding mode involved in the interaction between the two synthetic copper (II) complexes and HIV-1 protease enzyme. The X-ray structural analysis revealed that the crystal structures of both complexes are mainly stabilized by several intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The fingerprint plots associated with the Hirshfeld surfaces of both complexes clearly show that H···H interactions provide the largest contributions. According to the docking results, the synthesized complexes exhibit promising features which enable them to be bound to the HIV-protease enzyme.
Biosynthesis of Ag Nanoparticles Using Caralluma acutangula Extract and Its Catalytic Functionality towards Degradation of Hazardous Dye Pollutants
Authors: Alamier Waleed M. , Hasan Nazim , Ali Syed Kashif , Oteef Mohammed D. Y.
Published: August 2022

Nanomaterials, today, are an integral part of our everyday lives, industrial processes and appliances. Biosynthesis, because of its environmental sustainability, is now becoming a hot topic. The biosynthesis of nanomaterials using plant phytochemicals enhances the nanomaterial’s biocompatibility and its compatibility with the environment too. Hence, forthe first time, this study uses Caralluma acutangula (CA) plant extracts to synthesize silver nanoparticles (CA-AgNPs) and characterize them using UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, TGA, SEM, EDX, zeta potential, and bandgap analysis. The particle size distributions of CA-AgNPs were observed to fall in the range of 2–6 nm predominantly using TEM images. High crystallinity % was calculated as 86.01 using XRD data. Extracted phytochemicals from CA were characterized and analyzed using GC-MS. The bandgap (Eg) of CA-AgNPs was calculated as 3.01 eV and zeta potential was found to be −16.1 mV. The biosynthesized CA-AgNPs were confirmed for their degradation efficiency of two toxic water pollutant dyes: Congo red, CR (95.24% degradation within 36 min), and methylene blue, MB (96.72% degradation within 32 min), in the presence of NaBH4. Different doses of CA-AgNPs and NaBH4 were checked for their chemical kinetics and rate constant analysis. The chemical kinetics were explored on the basis of integrated rate law model equations and confirmed as pseudo-zero-order reactionsfor CR and MB dyes. The rate constant ‘k’ for CR and MB was calculated as 0.0311 and 0.0431 mol.L−1.min−1, respectively.
Applications of Machine Learning to the Study of Crystalline Materials
Authors: Schlenz Hartmut , Sandfeld Stefan
Published: August 2022

This Special Issue, “Applications of Machine Learning to the Study of Crystalline Materials”, is a collection of seven original articles published in 2021 and 2022 and dedicated to applications of machine learning in materials research [...]
Infrared Photoluminescence of Nd-Doped Sesquioxide and Fluoride Nanocrystals: A Comparative Study
Authors: Gennari Fulvia , Sekulić Milica , Barudžija Tanja , Antić Željka , Dramićanin Miroslav D. , Toncelli Alessandra
Published: August 2022

Lanthanide ions possess various emission channels in the near-infrared region that are well known in bulk crystals but are far less studied in samples with nanometric size. In this work, we present the infrared spectroscopic characterization of various Nd-doped fluoride and sesquioxide nanocrystals, namely Nd:Y2O3, Nd:Lu2O3, Nd:Sc2O3, Nd:YF3, and Nd:LuF3. Emissions from the three main emission bands in the near-infrared region have been observed and the emission cross-sections have been calculated. Moreover, another decay channel at around 2 μm has been observed and ascribed to the 4F3/2→4I15/2 transition. The lifetime of the 4F3/2 level has been measured under LED pumping. Emission cross-sections for the various compounds are calculated in the 1 μm, 900 nm, and 1.3 μm regions and are of the order of 10−20 cm2 in agreement with the literature results. Those in the 2 μm region are of the order of 10−21 cm2.
Nematicidal Activity of Organic Food Additives
Authors: Boyko Olexandra , Brygadyrenko Viktor
Published: August 2022

Organic food additives are popular in various spheres of human activity: the food industry, agriculture, veterinary and human medicine, the chemical industry, and other sectors. Due to the relatively short time of their breakdown in the environment, their non-toxicity to various organisms in certain concentrations, and their large annual amounts of production, application, and influx into the environment, it is an important task to study their influence on ecology. To help reduce toxic pressure on the environment, we studied the influence of 32 organic food additives on larvae of the nematodes Strongyloides papillosus, Haemonchus contortus, Muellerius capillaris, which are parasites of the digestive tracts of ruminants. This article presents the results of in vitro studies of organic food additives (acetic, propionic, lactic, sorbic, adipic, fumaric, malic, citric, ascorbic, and dehydroacetic acids, sodium formate, calcium formate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, sodium diacetate, calcium propanoate, sodium lactate, potassium sorbate, sodium sorbate, calcium sorbate, trisodium citrate, monosodium glutamate, sodium dehydroacetate, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, calcium benzoate, biphenyl, dibutylhydroxytoluene, hexamethylenetetramine, 2-phenylphenol, natamycin, and nisin) on nematode larvae at various stages of their development. Propionic acid and 2-phenylphenol, used in the food industry, exerted notable nematicidal effects on larvae of S. papillosus, M. capillaris, and H. contortus: 1% concentrations of the substances killed 85% of these larvae, except H. contortus, which were tolerant to 2-phenylphenol in 52% of cases. Other tested food additives at 1% concentrations could not kill more than 70% of invasive nematode larvae in 24 h. The research determined various degrees of toxicity of the studied substances to invasive (third age) and non-invasive (first and second age) larvae, which are related to a decrease in the feeding intensity of parasitic nematodes on the stage of third age larvae. Thus, some organic food additives, introduced into the environment with food wastes, are able to affect the vitality of certain nematode species to a varying extent.
Phylogeographic Structuring of the Kuroshio-Type Prawn Macrobrachium japonicum (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) in Taiwan and Ryukyu Islands
Authors: Han Chiao-Chuan , Lai Chien-Hung , Huang Chi-Chun , Wang I-Chen , Lin Hung-Du , Wang Wei-Kuang
Published: August 2022

Oceanic currents, biological traits, and geological evidence from historical climate change have shaped the distribution of genetic diversity and demographic history in Macrobrachium japonicum. In this study, we investigated the phylogeographic structures and demographic history of M. japonicum in Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands by the partial mitochondrial COI gene. The topology of the haplotype minimum-spanning network revealed a star-like structure, which suggested a recent range expansion. With the apparent lack of strong dispersal barriers to gene flow between ocean basins, amphidromous prawns, as marine organisms with larvae of high dispersal abilities, are generally expected to show genetic homogeneity. Divergence data suggested that M. japonicum populations diverged 0.462 ± 0.164 myr. Complex patterns of asymmetrical gene flow indicate that variation in dispersal ability is affected by the dominant Kuroshio Current systems of the Pacific Ocean. Analysis of its demographic history revealed that M. japonicum underwent a decline in size following a recent population expansion based on ABC analysis. Bayesian skyline plot analyses of all populations indicated that the expansion of M. japonicum was estimated to have occurred in 175 Kya and that the effective population size rapidly increased by approximately 50 Kya. The results of this study may offer both practical and theoretical value for the further study of conservation genetics, management, and sustainable resource utilization.
Populating the Data Space for Cultural Heritage with Heritage Digital Twins
Authors: Niccolucci Franco , Felicetti Achille , Hermon Sorin
Published: August 2022

The present paper concerns the design of the semantic infrastructure of the data space for cultural heritage as envisaged by the European Commission in its recent documents. Due to the complexity of the cultural heritage data and of their intrinsic inter-relationships, it is necessary to introduce a novel ontology, yet compliant with existing standards and interoperable with previous platforms used in this context as Europeana. The data space organization must be tailored to the methods and the theory of cultural heritage, briefly summarized in the introduction. The new ontology is based on the Digital Twin concept, i.e., the digital counterpart of cultural heritage assets incorporating all the digital information pertaining to them. This creates a Knowledge Base on the cultural heritage data space. The paper outlines the main features of the proposed Heritage Digital Twin ontology and provides some examples of its application. Future work will include completing the ontology in all its details and testing it in other real cases and with the various sectors of the cultural heritage community.
Structural Investigation and Economical Assessment of the Designed Automatic-Brake-Pad Thickness-Checking Machine
Authors: Dzulfiqar Muhammad Faiz , Prabowo Aditya Rio , Imaduddin Fitrian , Yaningsih Indri , Tjahjana Dominicus Danardono Dwi Pria , Juwana Wibawa Endra , Miyazaki Takahiko , Cho Joung Hyung
Published: August 2022

Thickness checking is one of the quality control procedures in the brake pad industry. This research aims to address the issue of the time effectiveness of the thickness checking by turning the technique into an automatic process, from specimen preparation to data recordings; the technical aspects, the geometric design, and the structure analysis are critical elements of the industrial machinery. However, economic analysis is considered when it becomes an investment by a company with long-term use expectations. Thus, this research provides structural analysis, time checking estimation, and simple investment feasibility studies on break-even points and a simple payback period to ensure that the new design can improve testing performance. Monte Carlo simulation offers the calculation of investment feasibility with the three possibilities of pessimistic, optimistic, and realistic results in achieving a break-even point (BEP) and a simple payback period.
Tendentious Paper—Titles and Wrong Conclusions Lead to Fear in the Population and Medical Overconsumption. Comment on Luchian et al. Subclinical Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients with Persistent Dyspnea One Year after COVID-19. Diagnostics 2022, 12, 57
Authors: Vankrunkelsven Patrik
Published: August 2022

This week I read a press release from the University Hospital of Brussels with the title “30% of hospitalised COVID-19 patients have a heart defect one year after acute illness” [...]
Clinical Model for the Prediction of Severe Liver Fibrosis in Adult Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Calapod Ovidiu Paul , Marin Andreea Maria , Pantea Stoian Anca , Fierbinteanu-Braticevici Carmen
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related severe liver fibrosis is associated with a higher risk of progressing to decompensated cirrhosis and hepatic failure and developing NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in populations with diabetes. Our pilot study aims to evaluate the performances of various noninvasive methods in predicting liver fibrosis in a population of patients with diabetes and to establish a new scoring system for the prediction of severe fibrosis (>F3). Materials and Methods: A total of 175 patients with diabetes were enrolled for liver fibrosis evaluation. Using the degree of agreement (concordance) between a noninvasive score based on serum biomarkers (NAFLD fibrosis score) and point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) as the reference method, we generated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and performed a multivariate analysis to predict severe liver fibrosis. Results: In our population of patients with diabetes, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), age, body mass index (BMI), the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) were significant predictors for the diagnosis of the F3/F4 group (area under the ROC: 0.767, 0.743, 0.757, 0.772, and 0.7, respectively; p < 0.005 for all). Moreover, the combined composite score (the sum of GGT, age, BMI, HOMA index, and HbA1C) had the highest diagnostic performance at a cut-off value of 3 (AUROC—0.899; p < 0001). The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) were 91.20%, 79%, 79%, and 89%, respectively, and 89% of patients were correctly classified as having severe liver fibrosis. In contrast with the Fibrosis 4 (FIB-4) score and the AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), the composite score had the best accuracy in discriminating advanced fibrosis. Conclusions: The proposed composite score had a reliable and acceptable diagnostic accuracy in identifying patients with diabetes at risk of having severe fibrosis using readily available laboratory and clinical data.
The Effect of Changing the Toothbrush on the Marginal Gingiva Microcirculation in the Adolescent Population—A Laser Doppler Flowmetry Assessment
Authors: Miron Mariana I. , Barcutean Madalina , Luca Ruxandra E. , Todea Carmen D. , Tudor Anca , Ogodescu Emilia
Published: August 2022

It is well-known that proper tooth brushing has the effect of stimulating microcirculation in a healthy gingiva. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microcirculation dynamics at the level of healthy marginal gingiva in adolescents after changing their toothbrush. Three evaluation instruments were employed to assess and quantify the effects on the marginal gingiva: the periodontal probing depth (PD), gingival index (GI) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). A total of 12 adolescents, aged between 15 and 20, were enrolled in the study, resulting in a total of 72 frontal upper teeth for PD and GI and 48 gingival interdental sites for LDF assessment. For each measurement, the pulp blood flow signal was recorded for 1 min and represented as a pulsatory signal. Data were collected in four moments: before the toothbrush changed and 24 h, 7 days and 14 days after. For the statistical analysis, the nonparametric Friedman test was applied for comparisons between more than two pair numeric series and for comparisons between two sets of pair values without Gaussian distribution, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied. The paired t test was used for two sets of normally distributed paired values. The results showed that using a new toothbrush in the adolescent population with healthy gingiva can induce statistically significant increases in gingival blood flow, which remain at a high level even at two weeks. The GI also increases significantly at 7 days and 14 days, while the periodontal PD does not change significantly.
Tracing the Origin of Cell-Free DNA Molecules through Tissue-Specific Epigenetic Signatures
Authors: Oberhofer Angela , Bronkhorst Abel J. , Uhlig Carsten , Ungerer Vida , Holdenrieder Stefan
Published: August 2022

All cell and tissue types constantly release DNA fragments into human body fluids by various mechanisms including programmed cell death, accidental cell degradation and active extrusion. Particularly, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma or serum has been utilized for minimally invasive molecular diagnostics. Disease onset or pathological conditions that lead to increased cell death alter the contribution of different tissues to the total pool of cfDNA. Because cfDNA molecules retain cell-type specific epigenetic features, it is possible to infer tissue-of-origin from epigenetic characteristics. Recent research efforts demonstrated that analysis of, e.g., methylation patterns, nucleosome occupancy, and fragmentomics determined the cell- or tissue-of-origin of individual cfDNA molecules. This novel tissue-of origin-analysis enables to estimate the contributions of different tissues to the total cfDNA pool in body fluids and find tissues with increased cell death (pathologic condition), expanding the portfolio of liquid biopsies towards a wide range of pathologies and early diagnosis. In this review, we summarize the currently available tissue-of-origin approaches and point out the next steps towards clinical implementation.
A Multi-Task Convolutional Neural Network for Lesion Region Segmentation and Classification of Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Zhao , Xu Yuxin , Tian Linbo , Chi Qingjin , Zhao Fengrong , Xu Rongqi , Jin Guilei , Liu Yansong , Zhen Junhui , Zhang Sasa
Published: August 2022

Targeted therapy is an effective treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. Before treatment, pathologists need to confirm tumor morphology and type, which is time-consuming and highly repetitive. In this study, we propose a multi-task deep learning model based on a convolutional neural network for joint cancer lesion region segmentation and histological subtype classification, using magnified pathological tissue images. Firstly, we constructed a shared feature extraction channel to extract abstract information of visual space for joint segmentation and classification learning. Then, the weighted losses of segmentation and classification tasks were tuned to balance the computing bias of the multi-task model. We evaluated our model on a private in-house dataset of pathological tissue images collected from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. The proposed approach achieved Dice similarity coefficients of 93.5% and 89.0% for segmenting squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AD) specimens, respectively. In addition, the proposed method achieved an accuracy of 97.8% in classifying SCC vs. normal tissue and an accuracy of 100% in classifying AD vs. normal tissue. The experimental results demonstrated that our method outperforms other state-of-the-art methods and shows promising performance for both lesion region segmentation and subtype classification.
Long-Term Health Consequences of SARS-CoV-2: Assumptions Based on SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV Infections
Authors: Khaswal Ashutosh , Kumar Vivek , Kumar Subodh
Published: August 2022

Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is one of the worst pandemics in the history of the world. It is the third coronavirus disease that has afflicted humans in a short span of time. The world appears to be recovering from the grasp of this deadly pandemic; still, its post-disease health effects are not clearly understood. It is evident that the vast majority of COVID-19 patients usually recovered over time; however, disease manifestation is reported to still exist in some patients even after complete recovery. The disease is known to have left irreversible damage(s) among some patients and these damages are expected to cause mild or severe degrees of health effects. Apart from the apparent damage to the lungs caused by SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-surviving patients display a wide spectrum of dysfunctions in different organ systems that is similar to what occurs with SARS-CoV-1 and MERS diseases. The major long COVID-19 manifestations include the following aspects: (1) central nervous system, (2) cardiovascular, (3) pulmonary, (4) gastrointestinal, (5) hematologic, (6) renal and (7) psycho-social systems. COVID-19 has a disease display manifestation in these organs and its related systems amongst a large number of recovered cases. Our study highlights the expected bodily consequences of the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the understanding of the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV.
Small Bowel Detection for Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Using Convolutional Neural Networks with Temporal Filtering
Authors: Son Geonhui , Eo Taejoon , An Jiwoong , Oh Dong , Shin Yejee , Rha Hyenogseop , Kim You , Lim Yun , Hwang Dosik
Published: August 2022

By automatically classifying the stomach, small bowel, and colon, the reading time of the wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) can be reduced. In addition, it is an essential first preprocessing step to localize the small bowel in order to apply automated small bowel lesion detection algorithms based on deep learning. The purpose of the study was to develop an automated small bowel detection method from long untrimmed videos captured from WCE. Through this, the stomach and colon can also be distinguished. The proposed method is based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) with a temporal filtering on the predicted probabilities from the CNN. For CNN, we use a ResNet50 model to classify three organs including stomach, small bowel, and colon. The hybrid temporal filter consisting of a Savitzky–Golay filter and a median filter is applied to the temporal probabilities for the “small bowel” class. After filtering, the small bowel and the other two organs are differentiated with thresholding. The study was conducted on dataset of 200 patients (100 normal and 100 abnormal WCE cases), which was divided into a training set of 140 cases, a validation set of 20 cases, and a test set of 40 cases. For the test set of 40 patients (20 normal and 20 abnormal WCE cases), the proposed method showed accuracy of 99.8% in binary classification for the small bowel. Transition time errors for gastrointestinal tracts were only 38.8 ± 25.8 seconds for the transition between stomach and small bowel and 32.0 ± 19.1 seconds for the transition between small bowel and colon, compared to the ground truth organ transition points marked by two experienced gastroenterologists.