bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Wind Tunnel Tests of the PROSIB 19-Pax Airplane
Authors: Ciliberti Danilo , Buonagura Giuseppe , Nicolosi Fabrizio
Published: October 2023

This research paper delves into the longitudinal wind tunnel tests conducted on the 19-passengers aircraft model of the Italian PROSIB project. The concept is an innovative small air transport airplane with distributed propellers and hybrid-electric powerplant. The primary objective was to assess its stability and control characteristics in power-off conditions. In addition to the usual investigation of the aircraft components, the study introduced a belly-mounted pod, which served as a battery storage unit, and explored two distinct tail configurations: a body-mounted (low) tail and a T-tail (high). The results obtained from these tests generally confirmed the anticipated characteristics of the aircraft design. The experiments provided data on aerodynamic forces and moments, giving useful indications on the effects of a belly-mounted battery storage unit and tail layout on the aircraft stability and control characteristics. This information could be used by aircraft designers to size an airplane of the same class.
Study on the Vibration and Sound Radiation Performance of Micro-Perforated Laminated Cylindrical Shells
Authors: Li Bin , Wang Ning , Zheng Zengquan , Kuang Wenjian , Wei Langlang , Chen Yihao , Hou Jiangbin , Chen Shuang
Published: October 2023

In response to the problem of vibration and noise reduction in equipment with cylindrical shell structures, this paper focuses on the micro-perforated laminated cylindrical shell structure and establishes its finite element model. Through comparative analysis with experimental results, the reliability of the finite element modeling method is verified. Based on this, the paper places particular emphasis on the vibration and acoustic radiation performance of the structure in the 1–1000 Hz frequency range under free conditions to understand the impact of different laminated shell structures, micro-perforation parameters (porosity, aperture), sound-absorbing foam materials, and placement methods. The results indicate that micro-perforated structures can efficiently reduce the structural radiated sound power level at specific frequencies, but the overall reduction in radiated sound power level is not significant. Various types of foam are effective in reducing the structural radiation acoustic power level, with polyurethane performing best among them. Changing the location of foam placement has a relatively insignificant impact on the structural radiation acoustic power level.
Chemical Composition and Source of PM2.5 during Winter Heating Period in Guanzhong Basin
Authors: Cao Lei , Tao Yanan , Zheng Hao , Wang Mei , Li Shiying , Xu Yongjiang , Li Mei
Published: October 2023

An intensive field campaign was carried out from December 2022 to March 2023 at six different sites across five major cities (Xi’an, Baoji, Xianyang, Weinan, and Hancheng) in the Guanzhong Basin, China, covering most of the heating period there, which is characterized by high PM2.5 pollution levels. During the campaign, the mean PM2.5 concentrations at these sites exceeded the 24 h PM2.5 standard (75 μg m−3), except the site at Hancheng, with mean PM2.5 concentrations of 57.8 ± 32.3 μg m−3. The source apportionment of PM2.5 varied significantly across sites, with vehicle exhaust being the dominant source at urban sites located in Xi’an and Baoji, coal combustion at suburban sites in Hancheng, and comparable contribution from coal combustion and industrial emissions at suburban sites in Xianyang and Weinan. Compared with clean condition, the contribution of vehicle exhaust and secondary inorganic sources (SIs) were largely enhanced during heavy PM2.5 pollution periods, while the contribution from biomass burning (BB) and dust decreased significantly at all sites. Combined with an analysis of meteorological parameters, the study further found that higher contributions of SIs and heavy PM2.5 pollution were generally associated with higher relative humidity (RH). In addition, higher PM2.5 concentrations at suburban sites were related to lower wind speeds, which could be explained by the stagnant condition favoring the accumulation of local emissions as well as the formation of secondary pollutants. In contrast, at urban sites (e.g., Xianyang), higher PM2.5 concentrations were more associated with the strong influence of vehicle exhaust at slightly higher wind speeds.
Hail: Mechanisms, Monitoring, Forecasting, Damages, Financial Compensation Systems, and Prevention
Authors: Kim Min Hee , Lee Jaeyong , Lee Seung-Jae
Published: October 2023

Hail has long caused extensive damage and economic loss in places inhabited by humans. Climate change is expected to lead to different types of damage due to the geographic characteristics of each continent. Under changing environment, hail is becoming increasingly unstable and is causing damage that is difficult to repair, making it essential to study the occurrence of hail and hail-damage. Hail formation has been studied at the micro- and macrophysical scales as well as thermal and dynamical scales. Hail forms in various sizes, and the scale of damage varies with size. Hail precipitation occurs suddenly and is localized, making it is difficult to observe and predict. Nonetheless, techniques to measure and forecast hail precipitation are improving in accuracy. Hail-damage management and financial compensation systems are used to mitigate the severe economic losses caused by hail fallen in rural and urban areas. This review most comprehensively considers hail research, focusing on the mechanisms, observation and prediction methods, damage, social compensation systems for hail damage, and hail-disaster prevention, suggesting future study directions briefly.
An Approach for Approximating Analytical Solutions of the Navier-Stokes Time-Fractional Equation Using the Homotopy Perturbation Sumudu Transform’s Strategy
Authors: Iqbal Sajad , Martínez Francisco
Published: October 2023

In this study, we utilize the properties of the Sumudu transform (SuT) and combine it with the homotopy perturbation method to address the time fractional Navier-Stokes equation. We introduce a new technique called the homotopy perturbation Sumudu transform Strategy (HPSuTS), which combines the SuT with the homotopy perturbation method using He’s polynomials. This approach proves to be powerful and practical for solving various linear and nonlinear fractional partial differential equations (FPDEs) in scientific and engineering fields. We demonstrate the efficiency and simplicity of this method through examples, showcasing its ability to approximate solutions for FPDEs. Additionally, we compare the numerical results obtained using this technique for different values of alpha, showing that as the value moves from a fractional order to an integer order, the solution becomes increasingly similar to the exact solution. Furthermore, we provide the tabular representations of the solution for each example.
Frontiers of Wearable Biosensors for Human Health Monitoring
Authors: Xian Xiaojun
Published: October 2023

Wearable biosensors offer noninvasive, real-time, and continuous monitoring of diverse human health data, making them invaluable for remote patient tracking, early diagnosis, and personalized medicine [...]
Calcium-Dependent Interaction of Nitric Oxide Synthase with Cytochrome c Oxidase: Implications for Brain Bioenergetics
Authors: Haynes Virginia , Giulivi Cecilia
Published: October 2023

Targeted nitric oxide production is relevant for maintaining cellular energy production, protecting against oxidative stress, regulating cell death, and promoting neuroprotection. This study aimed to characterize the putative interaction of nitric-oxide synthase with mitochondrial proteins. The primary finding of this study is that cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) subunit IV (CCOIV) is associated directly with NOS in brain mitochondria when calcium ions are present. The matrix side of CCOIV binds to the N-terminus of NOS, supported by the abrogation of the binding by antibodies towards the N-terminus of NOS. Evidence supporting the interaction between CCOIV and NOS was provided by the coimmunoprecipitation of NOS from detergent-solubilized whole rat brain mitochondria with antibodies to CCOIV and the coimmunoprecipitation of CCOIV from crude brain NOS preparations using antibodies to NOS. The CCOIV domain that interacts with NOS was identified using a series of overlapping peptides derived from the primary sequence of CCOIV. As calcium ions not only activate NOS, but also facilitate the docking of NOS to CCOIV, this study points to a dynamic mechanism of controlling the bioenergetics by calcium changes, thereby adapting bioenergetics to cellular demands.
Advances in Glioblastoma Therapy: An Update on Current Approaches
Authors: Angom Ramcharan Singh , Nakka Naga Malleswara Rao , Bhattacharya Santanu
Published: October 2023

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a primary malignant brain tumor characterized by a high grade of malignancy and an extremely unfavorable prognosis. The current efficacy of established treatments for GBM is insufficient, necessitating the prompt development of novel therapeutic approaches. The progress made in the fundamental scientific understanding of GBM is swiftly translated into more advanced stages of therapeutic studies. Despite extensive efforts to identify new therapeutic approaches, GBM exhibits a high mortality rate. The current efficacy of treatments for GBM patients is insufficient due to factors such as tumor heterogeneity, the blood–brain barrier, glioma stem cells, drug efflux pumps, and DNA damage repair mechanisms. Considering this, pharmacological cocktail therapy has demonstrated a growing efficacy in addressing these challenges. Towards this, various forms of immunotherapy, including the immune checkpoint blockade, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy, oncolytic virotherapy, and vaccine therapy have emerged as potential strategies for enhancing the prognosis of GBM. Current investigations are focused on exploring combination therapies to mitigate undesirable side effects and enhance immune responses against tumors. Furthermore, clinical trials are underway to evaluate the efficacy of several strategies to circumvent the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to achieve targeted delivery in patients suffering from recurrent GBM. In this review, we have described the biological and molecular targets for GBM therapy, pharmacologic therapy status, prominent resistance mechanisms, and new treatment approaches. We also discuss these promising therapeutic approaches to assess prospective innovative therapeutic agents and evaluated the present state of preclinical and clinical studies in GBM treatment. Overall, this review attempts to provide comprehensive information on the current status of GBM therapy.
Phase II Trial Evaluating Olaparib Maintenance in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Responsive or Stabilized on Docetaxel Treatment: SOGUG-IMANOL Study
Authors: Juan Fita María José , Anido Herranz Urbano , Mendez-Vidal María José , Gironés-Sarrió Regina , Muñoz-Langa José , Sepúlveda-Sánchez Juan , Mellado Begoña , Alvarez-Fernandez Carlos , Heras López Lucía , López-Guerrero José Antonio , García-Casado Zaida , Calatrava Ana , Ángel Climent Miguel
Published: October 2023

The SOGUG-IMANOL trial was a phase 2, uncontrolled, Spanish multicenter study to assess the effect of maintenance treatment with olaparib on radiographic progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who achieved partial or complete response or disease stabilization on docetaxel treatment and had a documented germline/somatic mutation in any of the homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes. Patients received olaparib 300 mg orally twice daily. From the screened population (n = 134), 26 (19.4%) somatic mutations were found, and 14 patients were included in the study. The median radiographic PFS was 11.1 (95%CI, 5.7 to 16.5) months. The median PSA-PFS was 3.5 (95%CI, 1.0 to 6.0) months, and the median clinical PFS was 14.7 (95%CI, 1.8 to 27.5 months). Clinical benefit was observed in 12 patients (85.7%, 95%CI 67.4% to 100%), including two patients with partial response and 10 with stable disease. Six patients reported grade 3–5 adverse events: asthenia (n = 3), anemia (n = 2) and neutropenia (n = 1). In this setting, olaparib has been shown to be an efficacious maintenance treatment in terms of radiographic PFS and clinical benefit, becoming a therapeutic option for some patients harboring an HRR gene mutation and in scenarios where further investigation is needed.
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors Induce Ferroptosis through Inhibition of AKT/FTH1 Signaling in Ewing Sarcoma Tumor Cells
Authors: Fayzullina Darya , Yakushov Semyon , Kantserova Kamilla , Belyaeva Elizaveta , Aniskin Denis , Tsibulnikov Sergey , Fayzullina Nafisa , Kalinin Stanislav , Romantsova Olga , Timashev Peter S. , Schroeder Brett A. , Ulasov Ilya V.
Published: October 2023

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is one of the most frequent types of malignant tumors among children. The active metabolic state of ES cells presents a new potential target for therapeutic interventions. As a primary regulator of cellular homeostasis, carbonic anhydrases (CAs; EC 4.2.1.1) have emerged as promising molecular targets for the development of anticancer drugs. Within the present study, we tested the commercial drug acetazolamide and our previously discovered inhibitors to target the CAII isoform, which was overexpressed and positively correlated with ES patient relapse. We employed molecular biology tests to identify effective inhibitors of CAII that can induce ferroptosis by downregulating FTH1 expression in ES cells. In vitro, we have also demonstrated their ability to reduce cell proliferation, decrease invasion, and induce apoptosis- or autophagy-related cell death. Using Western blotting, we confirmed the induction of cathepsin B in cells treated with CA inhibitors. It was found that the suppression of cathepsin B expression during the treatment reduces the anticancer efficacy of selected CAII inhibitors. These experiments highlighted profound antitumor activity of CAII inhibitors attributive to their remarkable ability to trigger ferroptosis in Ewing sarcoma cells without causing substantial host damage. The obtained results suggest that cytosolic CAII may be a prospective target for ES treatment, and CAII inhibitors can be considered as potential single-agent or combination antitumor agents to be used in the treatment of ES.
Disparities Contributing to Late-Stage Diagnosis of Lung, Colorectal, Breast, and Cervical Cancers: Rural and Urban Poverty in Florida
Authors: Hall Jaclyn M. , Mkuu Rahma S. , Cho Hee Deok , Woodard Jennifer N. , Kaye Frederic J. , Bian Jiang , Shenkman Elizabeth A. , Guo Yi
Published: October 2023

Despite advances in cancer screening, late-stage cancer diagnosis is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. In this study, we aim to understand demographic and geographic factors associated with receiving a late-stage diagnosis (LSD) of lung, colorectal, breast, or cervical cancer. (1) Methods: We analyzed data of patients with a cancer diagnosis between 2016 and 2020 from the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS), a statewide population-based registry. To investigate correlates of LSD, we estimated multi-variable logistic regression models for each cancer while controlling for age, sex, race, insurance, and census tract rurality and poverty. (2) Results: Patients from high-poverty rural areas had higher odds for LSD of lung (OR = 1.23, 95% CI (1.10, 1.37)) and breast cancer (OR = 1.31, 95% CI (1.17,1.47)) than patients from low-poverty urban areas. Patients in high-poverty urban areas saw higher odds of LSD for lung (OR = 1.05 95% CI (1.00, 1.09)), breast (OR = 1.10, 95% CI (1.06, 1.14)), and cervical cancer (OR = 1.19, 95% CI (1.03, 1.37)). (3) Conclusions: Financial barriers contributing to decreased access to care likely drive LSD for cancer in rural and urban communities of Florida.
Artificial Intelligence and Lung Cancer: Impact on Improving Patient Outcomes
Authors: Gandhi Zainab , Gurram Priyatham , Amgai Birendra , Lekkala Sai Prasanna , Lokhandwala Alifya , Manne Suvidha , Mohammed Adil , Koshiya Hiren , Dewaswala Nakeya , Desai Rupak , Bhopalwala Huzaifa , Ganti Shyam , Surani Salim
Published: October 2023

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, emphasizing the need for improved diagnostic and treatment approaches. In recent years, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked considerable interest in its potential role in lung cancer. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of AI applications in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. AI algorithms like machine learning, deep learning, and radiomics have shown remarkable capabilities in the detection and characterization of lung nodules, thereby aiding in accurate lung cancer screening and diagnosis. These systems can analyze various imaging modalities, such as low-dose CT scans, PET-CT imaging, and even chest radiographs, accurately identifying suspicious nodules and facilitating timely intervention. AI models have exhibited promise in utilizing biomarkers and tumor markers as supplementary screening tools, effectively enhancing the specificity and accuracy of early detection. These models can accurately distinguish between benign and malignant lung nodules, assisting radiologists in making more accurate and informed diagnostic decisions. Additionally, AI algorithms hold the potential to integrate multiple imaging modalities and clinical data, providing a more comprehensive diagnostic assessment. By utilizing high-quality data, including patient demographics, clinical history, and genetic profiles, AI models can predict treatment responses and guide the selection of optimal therapies. Notably, these models have shown considerable success in predicting the likelihood of response and recurrence following targeted therapies and optimizing radiation therapy for lung cancer patients. Implementing these AI tools in clinical practice can aid in the early diagnosis and timely management of lung cancer and potentially improve outcomes, including the mortality and morbidity of the patients.
Extracellular Hsp90 Binds to and Aligns Collagen-1 to Enhance Breast Cancer Cell Invasiveness
Authors: Singh Pragya , Ramanathan Varshini , Zhang Yang , Georgakoudi Irene , Jay Daniel G.
Published: October 2023

Cancer cell-secreted eHsp90 binds and activates proteins in the tumor microenvironment crucial in cancer invasion. Therefore, targeting eHsp90 could inhibit invasion, preventing metastasis—the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Previous eHsp90 studies have solely focused on its role in cancer invasion through the 2D basement membrane (BM), a form of extracellular matrix (ECM) that lines the epithelial compartment. However, its role in cancer invasion through the 3D Interstitial Matrix (IM), an ECM beyond the BM, remains unexplored. Using a Collagen-1 binding assay and second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging, we demonstrate that eHsp90 directly binds and aligns Collagen-1 fibers, the primary component of IM. Furthermore, we show that eHsp90 enhances Collagen-1 invasion of breast cancer cells in the Transwell assay. Using Hsp90 conformation mutants and inhibitors, we established that the Hsp90 dimer binds to Collagen-1 via its N-domain. We also demonstrated that while Collagen-1 binding and alignment are not influenced by Hsp90’s ATPase activity attributed to the N-domain, its open conformation is crucial for increasing Collagen-1 alignment and promoting breast cancer cell invasion. These findings unveil a novel role for eHsp90 in invasion through the IM and offer valuable mechanistic insights into potential therapeutic approaches for inhibiting Hsp90 to suppress invasion and metastasis.
Degradable Starch Microspheres Transarterial Chemoembolization with or without Lipiodol for Liver Metastases from Pancreatic Cancer: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Vogl Thomas J. , Lilienthal Charlotte , Gruber-Rouh Tatjana , Afraz Zahra , Adwan Hamzah
Published: October 2023

To evaluate and compare the outcome of patients with liver metastases from pancreatic cancer treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using two different protocols. In this prospective, randomized, single-center trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive TACE therapy either with degradable starch microspheres (DSM) alone or a combination of Lipiodol and DSM. From the initial 58 patients, 26 patients (13 DSM-TACE, 13 Lipiodol + DSM-TACE) who completed 3 TACE treatments at an interval of four weeks were considered for evaluation of tumor responses. Initial and final MRIs were used to evaluate local therapy response by RECIST 1.1; changes in diameter, volume, ADC value, and survival rate were statistically evaluated. The differences between the DSM-TACE and Lipiodol + DSM-TACE were identified for partial response (PR) as 15.4% versus 53.8%, stable disease (SD) as 69.2% versus 46.2%, progressive disease (PD) as 15.4% versus 0%, respectively (p = 0.068). Median overall survival times for DSM-TACE and Lipiodol + DSM-TACE were 20 months (95% CI, 18.1–21.9) and 23 months (95% CI, 13.8–32.2), respectively (p = 0.565). The one-year survival rates for DSM-TACE and Lipiodol + DSM-TACE were 85.4% and 60.4%, the two-year survival rates were 35.9% and 47.7%, and the three-year survival rates were 12% and 30.9%, respectively. The evaluated local therapy response by RECIST 1. was not significantly different between the two studied groups. A longer overall survival time was observed after Lipiodol + DSM-TACE therapy; however, it was not significantly different.
BRAF Inhibitors in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer and Mechanisms of Resistance: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Guerrero Patricia , Albarrán Víctor , San Román María , González-Merino Carlos , García de Quevedo Coral , Moreno Jaime , Calvo Juan Carlos , González Guillermo , Orejana Inmaculada , Chamorro Jesús , Martínez-Delfrade Íñigo , Morón Blanca , de Frutos Belén , Ferreiro María Reyes
Published: October 2023

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with mutated BRAF exhibits distinct biological and molecular features that set it apart from other subtypes of CRC. Current standard treatment for these tumors involves a combination of chemotherapy (CT) and VEGF inhibitors. Recently, targeted therapy against BRAF and immunotherapy (IT) for cases with microsatellite instability (MSI) have been integrated into clinical practice. While targeted therapy has shown promising results, resistance to treatment eventually develops in a significant portion of responsive patients. This article aims to review the available literature on mechanisms of resistance to BRAF inhibitors (BRAFis) and potential therapeutic strategies to overcome them.
Modulation of FDG Uptake by Cell Cycle Synchronization Using a T-Type Calcium Channel Inhibitor
Authors: Yoon Joon-Kee , Kang Won Jun
Published: October 2023

Background: We investigated whether cell cycle synchronization induced by the T-type calcium channel inhibitor mibefradil could increase tumoral 2-[18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) uptake in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) were treated with 10 μM mibefradil for 24, 48, and 72 h to induce G1 arrest. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed at 0, 4, 8, 12, 15, 18, and 24 h after mibefradil withdrawal. Cellular uptake was measured after incubating cells with [3H] Deoxy-d-Glucose (DDG) for 1 h at the same time points used in the cell cycle analysis. The correlation between [3H] DDG uptake and each cell cycle phase was evaluated in the early (0–12 h) and late phases (15–24 h) of synchronization. In vivo FDG PET imaging was performed in PC-3-bearing mice at baseline, 24 h, and 48 h after mibefradil treatment. Results: The G0/G1 fraction of PC-3 cells was significantly increased from 33.1% ± 0.2% to 60.9% ± 0.8% after 24 h mibefradil treatment, whereas the S and G2/M fractions were decreased from 36.3% ± 1.4% to 23.2% ± 1.1% and from 29.7% ± 1.3% to 14.9% ± 0.9%, respectively, which were similar to the results by serum starvation. Mibefradil treatment for 24, 48, and 72 h increased the number of cells in S phase at 18–24 h after withdrawal; however, only the 72 h treatment increased [3H] DDG uptake (145.8 ± 5.8% of control at 24 h after withdrawal). [3H] DDG uptake was positively correlated with the size of the S phase fraction and negatively correlated with the size of the G0/G1 fraction in the late phase of synchronization. DDG uptake was significantly increased by mibefradil-induced cell cycle synchronization and correlated with the sizes of cell cycle fractions. In vivo FDG PET imaging also demonstrated a significant increase in tumor uptake after mibefradil treatment. Quantified tumor FDG uptake (%ID/g) increased from 4.13 ± 2.10 to 4.7 ± 2.16 at 24 h, and 5.95 ± 2.57 at 48 h (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Cell cycle synchronization could be used to increase the diagnostic sensitivity of clinical FDG positron emission tomography.
Prognostic Value of Hematological Parameters in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Trevisani Lorenzo Fernandes Moça , Kulcsar Isabelle Fernandes , Kulcsar Marco Aurélio Vamondes , Dedivitis Rogerio Aparecido , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Matos Leandro Luongo
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a significant public health concern. The variables utilized to determine appropriate treatment for this disease also represent its most unfavorable prognostic factors, with these parameters solely determined by the neoplasm and its behavior. However, a lack of well-established indices is evident in the literature that specifically relate to the patient and indicate a worse prognosis. Objective: To assess the prognostic impact of hematological indices in patients with OSCC. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) who underwent curative-intent treatment. Treatment encompassed surgery, followed by adjuvant therapy, as necessary. Laboratory tests were conducted immediately prior to surgery, and demographic information was obtained from medical records. Results: The cohort comprised 600 patients, with 73.5% being male subjects. Adjuvant treatment was recommended for 60.3% of patients. Throughout the follow-up period, 48.8% of participants died. Univariate analysis indicated that perineural invasion, angiolymphatic invasion, pT4 tumors, lymph node metastases, extranodal extravasation, RDW > 14.3%, NLR (neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio) > 3.38, PLR (platelet–lymphocyte ratio) > 167.3, and SII (systemic inflammatory/immune response index) > 416.1 were factors associated with increased mortality. These threshold values were established through ROC curve analysis. In the multivariate analysis, angiolymphatic invasion (HR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.076–1.925; p = 0.014), pT4a/b tumors (HR = 1.761; 95% CI: 1.327–2.337; p < 0.001), extranodal extravasation (HR = 1.420; 95% CI: 1.047–1.926; p = 0.024), and RDW (HR = 1.541; 95% CI: 1.153–2.056; p = 0.003) were identified as independent risk factors for decreased overall survival. Conclusions: RDW > 14.3% was proven to be a reliable parameter for assessing overall survival in patients with OSCC. Further studies are required to evaluate the clinical applicability of other hematological indices.
Multi-Method Analysis of Histopathological Image for Early Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Deep Learning and Hybrid Techniques
Authors: Ahmad Mehran , Irfan Muhammad Abeer , Sadique Umar , Haq Ihtisham ul , Jan Atif , Khattak Muhammad Irfan , Ghadi Yazeed Yasin , Aljuaid Hanan
Published: October 2023

Oral cancer is a fatal disease and ranks seventh among the most common cancers throughout the whole globe. Oral cancer is a type of cancer that usually affects the head and neck. The current gold standard for diagnosis is histopathological investigation, however, the conventional approach is time-consuming and requires professional interpretation. Therefore, early diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is crucial for successful therapy, reducing the risk of mortality and morbidity, while improving the patient’s chances of survival. Thus, we employed several artificial intelligence techniques to aid clinicians or physicians, thereby significantly reducing the workload of pathologists. This study aimed to develop hybrid methodologies based on fused features to generate better results for early diagnosis of OSCC. This study employed three different strategies, each using five distinct models. The first strategy is transfer learning using the Xception, Inceptionv3, InceptionResNetV2, NASNetLarge, and DenseNet201 models. The second strategy involves using a pre-trained art of CNN for feature extraction coupled with a Support Vector Machine (SVM) for classification. In particular, features were extracted using various pre-trained models, namely Xception, Inceptionv3, InceptionResNetV2, NASNetLarge, and DenseNet201, and were subsequently applied to the SVM algorithm to evaluate the classification accuracy. The final strategy employs a cutting-edge hybrid feature fusion technique, utilizing an art-of-CNN model to extract the deep features of the aforementioned models. These deep features underwent dimensionality reduction through principal component analysis (PCA). Subsequently, low-dimensionality features are combined with shape, color, and texture features extracted using a gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG), and Local Binary Pattern (LBP) methods. Hybrid feature fusion was incorporated into the SVM to enhance the classification performance. The proposed system achieved promising results for rapid diagnosis of OSCC using histological images. The accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, F-1 score, and area under the curve (AUC) of the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm based on the hybrid feature fusion of DenseNet201 with GLCM, HOG, and LBP features were 97.00%, 96.77%, 90.90%, 98.92%, 93.74%, and 96.80%, respectively.
Tailoring Therapeutic Strategies in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The Role of Genetic Mutations and Programmed Death Ligand-1 Expression in Survival Outcomes
Authors: Kobayashi Nobuaki , Miura Kenji , Kaneko Ayami , Matsumoto Hiromi , Somekawa Kohei , Hirose Tomofumi , Kajita Yukihito , Tanaka Anna , Teranishi Shuhei , Sairenji Yu , Kawashima Hidetoshi , Yumoto Kentaro , Tsukahara Toshinori , Fukuda Nobuhiko , Nishihira Ryuichi , Kudo Makoto , Miyazawa Naoki , Kaneko Takeshi
Published: October 2023

Background: This study aims to assess the real-world impact of advancements in first-line systemic therapies for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), focusing on the role of driver gene mutations and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression levels. Methods: Conducted across eight medical facilities in Japan, this multicenter, retrospective observational research included 863 patients diagnosed with NSCLC and treated between January 2015 and December 2022. The patients were categorized based on the type of systemic therapy received: cytotoxic agents, molecular targeting agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and combination therapies. Comprehensive molecular and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted, and statistical evaluations were performed. Results: The median overall survival (OS) shows significant variations among treatment groups, with targeted therapies demonstrating the longest OS. This study also revealed that high PD-L1 expression was common in the group treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the type of anticancer drug and the expression of PD-L1 at diagnosis as the impactful variables affecting 5-year OS. Conclusions: This study underscores the efficacy of targeted therapies and the critical role of comprehensive molecular diagnostics and PD-L1 expression in affecting OS in NSCLC patients, advocating for their integration into routine clinical practice.
Molecular Determinants of Calcitriol Signaling and Sensitivity in Glioma Stem-like Cells
Authors: Rehbein Sarah , Possmayer Anna-Lena , Bozkurt Süleyman , Lotsch Catharina , Gerstmeier Julia , Burger Michael , Momma Stefan , Maletzki Claudia , Classen Carl Friedrich , Freiman Thomas M. , Dubinski Daniel , Lamszus Katrin , Stringer Brett W. , Herold-Mende Christel , Münch Christian , Kögel Donat , Linder Benedikt
Published: October 2023

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain cancer in adults and represents one of the worst cancer diagnoses for patients. Suffering from a poor prognosis and limited treatment options, tumor recurrences are virtually inevitable. Additionally, treatment resistance is very common for this disease and worsens the prognosis. These and other factors are hypothesized to be largely due to the fact that glioblastoma cells are known to be able to obtain stem-like traits, thereby driving these phenotypes. Recently, we have shown that the in vitro and ex vivo treatment of glioblastoma stem-like cells with the hormonally active form of vitamin D3, calcitriol (1α,25(OH)2-vitamin D3) can block stemness in a subset of cell lines and reduce tumor growth. Here, we expanded our cell panel to over 40 different cultures and can show that, while half of the tested cell lines are sensitive, a quarter can be classified as high responders. Using genetic and proteomic analysis, we further determined that treatment success can be partially explained by specific polymorphism of the vitamin D3 receptor and that high responders display a proteome suggestive of blockade of stemness, as well as migratory potential.
The Effects of Process Parameters on Workpiece Roundness in the Shoe-Type Centerless Grinding Operation for Internal Raceway of Ball Bearings
Authors: Tuan Nguyen Anh
Published: October 2023

One of the most important indices of bearing raceway, roundness, has an important influence on the life and performance of the bearing. Currently, shoe-type centerless grinding (STCG) is a core process for the fabrication of the raceway surface. Some researchers have carried out studies in this field; however, the reason and extent of the influence of process parameters on the workpiece roundness in the STCG operation for the internal raceway of the 6208 ball bearings are not clear up to now. In this paper, new research on the effects of process parameters on workpiece roundness in the STCG operation for the internal raceway of the 6208 ball bearings is presented. The influence of the angular placement of the two shoes, as well as the technology parameters including the offset between the rotational centers of the workpiece and the magnetic drivehead (e), the normal feed rate (Snf), the speed of the workpiece (nw), and the grinding depth (af), on the roundness of the raceway surface were investigated both theoretically and experimentally to solve the difficulties in the STCG operation to ensure the roundness of the raceway surface. Based on the research results, a guideline for selecting initial process parameters is introduced to ensure the roundness of the bearing raceway in the STCG operation for the internal raceway of 6208_ball bearings on the 3MK136B grinder.
Internal Diameter Atmospheric-Plasma-Sprayed High-Performance YSZ-Based Thermal Barrier Coatings
Authors: Li Hongchen , Wang Weize , Yang Zining , Liu Yangguang , Wang Yihao , Liu Wei
Published: October 2023

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) play a crucial role in enhancing the operating temperature of key equipment. However, when TBCs are sprayed on the internal surface of these components, there are issues related to the imperfect internal diameter atmospheric plasma spray (ID-APS) process and the unsatisfactory performance of TBCs in internal holes. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), YSZ + Gadolinium zirconate (GZ) and YSZ + tantalate (RETaO4) TBCs were prepared using the SM F210 ID-APS gun. The thermal shock and particle erosion resistance of the coatings were compared, and the relationship between the structure and properties was investigated. The results show that the hardness, fracture toughness and erosion resistance of the three coatings are the largest in the YSZ coating and the smallest in the GZ coating. YSZ coating also has the best thermal shock resistance. These research findings have important guiding significance for the improvement of the ID-APS process.
Growth of Germanium Thin Films on Sapphire Using Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Wangila Emmanuel , Lytvyn Peter , Stanchu Hryhorii , Gunder Calbi , de Oliveira Fernando Maia , Saha Samir , Das Subhashis , Eldose Nirosh , Li Chen , Zamani-Alavijeh Mohammad , Benamara Mourad , Mazur Yuriy I. , Yu Shui-Qing , Salamo Gregory J.
Published: October 2023

Germanium films were grown on c-plane sapphire with a 10 nm AlAs buffer layer using molecular beam epitaxy. The effects of Ge film thickness on the surface morphology and crystal structure were investigated using ex situ characterization techniques. The nucleation of Ge proceeds by forming (111) oriented three-dimensional islands with two rotational twin domains about the growth axis. The boundaries between the twin grains are the origin of the 0.2% strain and tilt grains. The transition to a single-grain orientation reduces the strain and results in a better-quality Ge buffer. Understanding the role of thickness on material quality during the Ge(111)/Al2O3(0001) epitaxy is vital for achieving device quality when using group IV material on the sapphire platform.
Psychological Distress and Concerns of In-Home Older People Living with Cancer and Their Impact on Supportive Care Needs: An Observational Survey
Authors: Kleisiaris Christos , Maniou Maria , Karavasileiadou Savvato , Togas Constantinos , Konstantinidis Theocharis , Papathanasiou Ioanna V. , Tsaras Konstantinos , Almegewly Wafa Hamad , Androulakis Emmanouil , Alshehri Hanan Hamdan
Published: October 2023

(1) Background: Cancer patients are experiencing psychological problems after diagnosis, such as emotional distress and social anxiety, which may increase their demands for emotional and supportive care. This study aimed to assess the influence of both emotional distress and concerns on the supportive care needs of cancer patients receiving home-based healthcare. (2) Methods: In this door-to-door screening program, 97 cancer patients were approached, with a mean age of 73 years old (mean = 73.43; SD = 6.60). (3) Results: As expected, 42.3% of patients highlighted their treatment as their main psychological priority, with 20.6% identifying concerns about the future of their family in this regard. No significant associations with respect to sex were identified in terms of focus, though females reported the need for more frequent psychological support (58.7% vs. 37.3%, respectively, p = 0.035) compared to males. Patients who had experienced an increased number of concerns during the last weeks (IRR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00–1.03, p = 0.007) had a significantly greater risk of presenting an increased rate of supportive care needs. Notably, male patients with bone cancer presented a significantly greater number of supportive care needs (mean rank 45.5 vs. 9.0, p = 0.031) respectively, in comparison to those with other types of cancer. (4) Conclusions: Supportive care needs arise from a greater concern and specific type of cancer, highlighting the need for supportive care, such as psychosocial and psychological support. This may have significant implications for treatment and patient outcomes in home care settings.
Vanilla pompona Schiede (Vanilloideae-Orchidaceae): Morphological Variation of the Labellum in the Mexican Localities of Veracruz, Puebla, Jalisco and Oaxaca
Authors: Viveros-Antonio Cecilia , Delgado-Alvarado Adriana , Bustamante-González Angel , Hernández-Ruíz Jesús , Arévalo-Galarza Ma. de Lourdes , Herrera-Cabrera Braulio Edgar
Published: October 2023

Vanilla pompona is the third most important commercial species of the genus Vanilla, but the morphometric variation of its flowers is not well known. In orchids, infraspecific variation is expressed in the labellum. This study had the objective of analyzing the floral variation of V. pompona collections from the localities in Veracruz, Puebla, Jalisco and Oaxaca, in Mexico. During the flowering period, we obtained 55 collections of V. pompona flowers, and the labellum of each flower was dissected. We used ImageJ to measure and portray 54 lines and 7 angles in these labella. With the data obtained, we performed an analysis of variance, principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The results showed significant differences among the collections and localities in the means of the lines of the basal, middle, and apical regions of the labellum. Also, six morphotypes were obtained, and we found that variation was associated with factors such as the environment, geographic barriers, and pollinator pressure. Moreover, we observed variation in flowering periods in one locality of Veracruz. We concluded that there is infraspecific variation within and between the collection localities of V. pompona in the Atlantic region (Puebla and Veracruz) and the Pacific region (Jalisco and Oaxaca), Mexico.
Exploring the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Daphnia cucullata Sars, 1862 in Boreal Lakes (Latvian Lakeland) Based on Microsatellites
Authors: Brakovska Aija , Škute Nataļja
Published: October 2023

We have used Daphnia cucullata (Crustacea: Cladocera) as a model organism for the first time in the four deepest Latvian lakes from the Boreal biogeographical region in order to find the genetic diversity of these populations. During the research, we detected the most appropriate microsatellite markers for future genetic studies of Daphnia cucullata populations of lakes Svente, Riča, Dridzis and Geraņimovas-Ilzas in the Boreal biogeographical region. Based on these microsatellite markers, we determined the genetic diversity of these populations. The loci Dgm105 and Dgm101 had the maximum number of alleles and the maximum number of private alleles. The specific locus Dgm105 had five private alleles (62% of all detected alleles), and locus Dgm101 had four private alleles (57% of all detected alleles) in these loci. We determined the observed heterozygosity (Hobs) and the expected heterozygosity (Hexp) level (via Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium), the number of polymorphic loci, the number of detected alleles in each analyzed microsatellite locus, the average number of alleles at the locus (Na), the average effective number of alleles at the locus (Ne), the FST of the population’s genetic differentiation, the genetic distance (D) (following Nei) and the significance (χ2-test) of differences between the levels of observed and expected heterozygosity. It was shown that Daphnia cucullata populations from lakes with a low number of zooplankton taxa (Riča and Geraņimovas-Ilzas) have a higher genetic diversity compared to lakes with a high number of zooplankton taxa (Dridzis and Svente). It was found that Daphnia cucullata populations from lakes Dridzis and Svente have the least genetic distance, and these populations form a single genetic group, as confirmed via clustering.
Galectin-3 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with First Acute Myocardial Infarction without Heart Failure
Authors: Vucic Rada M. , Andrejic Olivera M. , Stokanovic Dragana , Stoimenov Tatjana Jevtovic , McClements Lana , Nikolic Valentina N. , Sreckovic Miodrag , Veselinovic Mirjana , Aleksandric Srdjan , Popadic Viseslav , Zdravkovic Marija , Pavlovic Milan
Published: October 2023

Background: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a biomarker involved in a wide range of diseases including cardiac remodeling following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Identification of prognostic markers in patients with AMI can guide strategies towards improved survival and quality of life. Methods: Our study included 59 patients with AMI and a preserved ejection fraction. We determined the Gal-3 plasma concentration within 24 h of chest pain onset from the aortic root, femoral/radial artery, coronary sinus and cubital vein. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were evaluated at six months follow-up. Results: MACE at six months post-AMI was recorded in 20 patients (34%). The Gal-3 plasma concentration from the aortic root and the femoral/radial artery were independent predictors of MACE at six months follow-up after the first AMI (OR 1.228; 95%CI: 1.011–1.491; p = 0.038; OR 3.438; 95%CI: 1.275–9.265; p = 0.015). ROC analysis identifies the Gal-3 plasma concentration from the aortic root as a better predictor of MACE or death (cut-off ≥ 10.86 ng/mL; AUC 0.858; 95%CI: 0.744–0.973; p < 0.001) than Gal-3 plasma concentration from the femoral/radial artery (cut-off ≥ 10.18 ng/mL; AUC 0.742; 95%CI: 0.596–0.888; p = 0.006). Conclusion: the Gal-3 plasma concentration in patients with AMI determined during coronary angiography, especially from the aortic root, within 24 h after chest pain onset is a valuable biomarker of prognosis at six months follow-up.
The Detection of Colorectal Cancer through Machine Learning-Based Breath Sensor Analysis
Authors: Poļaka Inese , Mežmale Linda , Anarkulova Linda , Kononova Elīna , Vilkoite Ilona , Veliks Viktors , Ļeščinska Anna Marija , Stonāns Ilmārs , Pčolkins Andrejs , Tolmanis Ivars , Shani Gidi , Haick Hossam , Mitrovics Jan , Glöckler Johannes , Mizaikoff Boris , Leja Mārcis
Published: October 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While CRC screening is already part of organized programs in many countries, there remains a need for improved screening tools. In recent years, a potential approach for cancer diagnosis has emerged via the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using sensor technologies. The main goal of this study was to demonstrate and evaluate the diagnostic potential of a table-top breath analyzer for detecting CRC. Breath sampling was conducted and CRC vs. non-cancer groups (105 patients with CRC, 186 non-cancer subjects) were included in analysis. The obtained data were analyzed using supervised machine learning methods (i.e., Random Forest, C4.5, Artificial Neural Network, and Naïve Bayes). Superior accuracy was achieved using Random Forest and Evolutionary Search for Features (79.3%, sensitivity 53.3%, specificity 93.0%, AUC ROC 0.734), and Artificial Neural Networks and Greedy Search for Features (78.2%, sensitivity 43.3%, specificity 96.5%, AUC ROC 0.735). Our results confirm the potential of the developed breath analyzer as a promising tool for identifying and categorizing CRC within a point-of-care clinical context. The combination of MOX sensors provided promising results in distinguishing healthy vs. diseased breath samples. Its capacity for rapid, non-invasive, and targeted CRC detection suggests encouraging prospects for future clinical screening applications.