bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Propuesta Para Obtener Consistencias Líquidas Para la Evaluación de la Disfagia
Authors: Aguirre Fernando Delprado , Durango Sánchez Chary , Gómez Yepes Andrea , Rodríguez Sánchez Nini Johanna
Published: September 2021

la iniciativa internacional para la estandarización de la dieta de disfagia (IDDSI) permite, entre otras cosas, clasificar la viscosidad de los líquidos por niveles. Aunque suele ser una herramienta para el tratamiento de la disfagia, puede también usarse en la ejecución de distintos métodos de evaluación para establecer el grado de dificultad que tiene un usuario en el manejo de una viscosidad determinada. Con todo, la iniciativa no determina las medidas específicas de espesante requeridas para obtener cada nivel de viscosidad y sugiere hacer adaptaciones de acuerdo con las condiciones particulares de aplicación (por ejemplo, tipo de espesante o alimentos ofertados en una institución). Este estudio desarrolló una propuesta para la preparación de viscosidades mediante pruebas experimentales, precisando los mililitros de agua y gramos de espesante para cada nivel de viscosidad. Así pues, se especifican las cantidades necesarias de agua y espesante para conseguir los niveles de viscosidad en bebidas de 0-4, verificados a través del test de flujo. Los hallazgos presentados, tienen en cuenta factores influyentes como la ubicación geográfica, temperatura y altitud. Se espera que esta propuesta incida en las dinámicas de evaluación de la deglución en el área clínica colombiana de forma que esta sea más precisa y eficaz. Finalmente, es pertinente realizar futuras investigaciones que determinen medidas específicas de espesante para lograr cambios en la viscosidad de líquidos diferentes al agua e igualmente necesario, replicar esta propuesta con otros espesantes de más fácil acceso para los usuarios y que tengan en cuenta otros aspectos como la palatabilidad.
Nasofibroscopía De La Deglución:Propuesta de Protocolo Cooperativo en Fonoaudiología y Otorrrinolaringología
Authors: Reyes Belkis David Parra , Angulo Luna Hellen
Published: September 2021

El objetivo es presentar la metodología de nuestro protocolo de evaluación nasofibroscópica de la deglución de manera cooperativa y difundir entre los otorrinolaringólogos y fonoaudiólogos que es un proceso ágil, sencillo y fácilmente factible de estudiar, diagnosticar y planear la terapia de las disfagias orofaríngeas de manera conjunta en el equipo multidisciplinar. Fue un estudio piloto descriptivo transversal donde se aplicó la nasofibroscopía de la deglución mediante el protocolo de evaluación funcional como método multidisciplinario cooperativo, tomando una muestra piloto de 29 adultos, con una edad promedio de 62.5 años. Se realizó en pacientes sin ninguna alteración en el estado de conciencia y que presenten hallazgos compatibles con disfagia en el contexto de patología neurológica, post intubación y algunos pacientes disfónicos. El protocolo se inicia con la anamnesis, examen físico y funcional de las estructuras orofaciales, y finaliza con el examen endoscópico clínico de las estructuras implicadas en la disfagia orofaríngea. Después de la aplicación de la prueba piloto, se observó los sucesos durante el proceso de deglución. Los hallazgos frecuentes fueron: presencia de residuos en los valléculas y recesos faríngeos tras ingestión de consistencia tipo pudín, además de escape posterior de líquidos en consistencia tipo néctar. Se concluye que la nasofibrosopia de la deglución es un examen objetivo muy versátil, fácil y seguro de realizar, que permite realizar un diagnóstico adecuado de la disfagia orofaríngea, que si se aplica de la manera cooperativa entre el fonoaudiólogo y el otorrinolaringólogo puede orientar el trabajo de rehabilitación y la conducta terapéutica.
Abordaje Rehabilitador de la Deglución en Adultos Mayores con Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas: Revisión Sistemática
Authors: Vargas Garcia Miguel Antonio , Bustamante Arboleda Valeria , Ospina Ruiz Ana , Valvuena Cuartas Catalina
Published: September 2021

La presente revisión se planteó con el fin de recopilar la evidencia existente sobre el abordaje rehabilitador de la disfagia en adultos mayores con enfermedades neurodegenerativas, con la intención de encontrar propuestas de tratamientos que influyan de manera positiva en la salud de los pacientes. Los métodos de búsqueda se implementaron bajo un proceso ordenado de revisión sistemática bajo el modelo Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), a través de la cual se recolecta información de forma cronológica sobre la evidencia científica de un tema en particular. Para ello se usaron descriptores como: “Adulto; Neurodegenerativa; Disfagia; Rehabilitación”. En la revisión sistemática se incluyeron 21 artículos, entre estos se mencionaron estudios y revisiones sobre los tratamientos empleados en las enfermedades neurodegenerativas. En los hallazgos es evidente la intervención multidisciplinar, modificación del entorno, uso de fármacos como medio para mitigar síntomas principalmente motores, procedimientos quirúrgicos; además, maniobras deglutorias, compensatorias, rehabilitadoras, entre otras. Algunas alternativas requieren de la participación del Fonoaudiólogo/Logopeda debido a que en la mayoría de personas que padecen enfermedades neurodegenerativas se ve afectada la fase oral y/o faríngea de la deglución, desencadenando disfagia en diferentes grados de severidad y comprometiendo de forma directa la ingesta de alimentos debido al riesgo de aspiración, neumonía y/o muerte y a su vez, la calidad de vida. Esta revisión sistemática permite identificar la necesidad de realizar más propuestas terapéuticas, estudios que evidencien su eficacia y que, sobre todo, generen cambios significativos en quienes padecen las enfermedades descritas.
Ausculta Cervical en el Paciente Pediátrico con Parálisis Cerebral: Revisión Narrativa
Authors: Eusse Solano Paola Andrea , Vargas García Miguel Antonio , Alvarado Meza Jimy
Published: September 2021

Dentro de la atención clínica, el profesional de la fonoaudiología cuenta con recursos evaluativos para describir la biomecánica secuencial de la ingesta; uno de los recursos utilizados es la Auscultación Cervical (AC). Teniendo en cuenta la descripción de la importancia de la intervención oportuna y efectiva de los procesos de alimentación en los niños con parálisis cerebral, se considera necesario resolver ¿cuál es el perfil espectrográfico que registra la fase faríngea de la deglución en el paciente pediátrico con parálisis cerebral? Su metodología contempla una Revisión sistemática bajo metodología PRISMA, estableciendo la búsqueda de artículos científicos en la utilización de la AC en la evaluación clínica de la deglución en sujetos pediátricos diagnosticados con Parálisis Cerebral. Como resultado se hallan 180 artículos en las bases de datos indagadas, tomando de acuerdo a los criterios de elegibilidad 6 artículos del total, estableciendo un 3,34% de inclusión. En ausencia de procesos instrumentales de evaluación deglutoria, la AC aporta como beneficio la accesibilidad del procedimiento, además de características de temporalidad en la secuencia de los sonidos deglutorio, sin ningún tipo de factor adverso para su realización. Es por ello que la auscultación es un recurso importante en la evaluación clínica, establece un primer paso en el análisis fisiológico de la deglución con los aspectos fisiológicos de la fase faríngea. Esto, pone a la auscultación en una posición privilegiada, pero que debe ser estandarizada por los estudiosos y teóricos del tema.
Optimal Inter-Organization Control of Collaborative Advertising with Myopic and Far-Sighted Behaviors
Authors: Xu Yinfei , Zu Yafei , Zhang Hui
Published: September 2021

This paper investigates the optimal inter-organization control of collaborative advertising considering the myopic and far-sighted behaviors. Taking a two-echelon supply chain as an example, four kinds of differential game models including myopic Stackelberg game, far-sighted Stackelberg game, myopic cooperative game and far-sighted cooperative game are studied. The results show that the optimal advertising efforts of both manufacturer and retailer in the myopic situation decrease with time. But they remain constant in the far-sighted situation. The Pareto improvement applies to both game players from the non-cooperative game to the cooperative game. The numerical analyses are conducted to further investigate the theoretical results and to guide the inter-organization control of collaborative advertising in practice.
Towards a Circular Economy: Analysis of the Use of Biowaste as Biosorbent for the Removal of Heavy Metals
Authors: Madeła Magdalena , Skuza Monika
Published: September 2021

Industrial human activity has led to the release of substantial amounts of heavy metals into the environment. Contamination of water with heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, chromium, or nickel represents a serious problem. As part of the circular economy, it is appropriate to use biowaste from agriculture, fisheries, and the timber industry as biosorbents. In this literature review, the potential of using these biowaste groups as biosorbents for metal removal is presented. This biowaste is characterized by the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl, amide, amine, sulfydryl, and other groups on their surface, which form complexes and chelates with metals present in water. Biosorption seems to be a potential alternative to conventional technologies for removing or recovering heavy metals from water or wastewater, which are uneconomical and generate additional waste. The paper demonstrates that harnessing the potential of biowaste to remove metals is beneficial to the environment as they can solve the problem of incineration and realise recycling that meets the circular economy. Although the choice of a suitable biosorbent for the removal of a particular metal involves a lot of research, the high biosorption efficiency, low cost, and renewability justify their use.
Propagation of Cryogenic Thermal Fractures from Unconfined PMMA Boreholes
Authors: Cha Minsu , Alqahtani Naif B. , Yin Xiaolong , Wang Lei , Yao Bowen , Kneafsey Timothy J. , Miskimins Jennifer L. , Wu Yu-Shu
Published: September 2021

In cryogenic fracturing, a rock surface exposed to cryogenic fluids undergoes a large thermal gradient, and the resultant local tensile stress overcomes rock strength and initiates fractures. This study investigates the development of cracks generated from the cryogenic treatment of a borehole under no external confining stress on specimens. The experiments were performed on transparent PMMA specimens to observe fracture proliferation around boreholes. Liquid nitrogen was flowed through the boreholes to cool the borehole surface. The results show that initial fracture growth is characterized by abrupt starts and stops, and as the fracture propagates outward, the growth appears more continuous. In an early stage, horizontal/radial fractures and vertical fractures are the defining patterns. Horizontal fractures tend to be separated by a specific exclusion distance (i.e., spacing between cracks). While distinct horizontal/vertical fractures and exclusion distance manifest themselves at an early stage, fractures resulting from fracture interactions and curvatures can develop into complex shapes at later stages. Cryogenic thermal loading induces distinctively curved fractures. The tendency of curvature may prevent greater penetration. An increase in the borehole pressure during liquid nitrogen flow, however, can lessen fracture tortuosity and facilitate radial propagation. A high flow pressure and rate are also advantageous in that they accelerate cooling and fracture propagation.
Advanced Flexibility Market for System Services Based on TSO–DSO Coordination and Usage of Distributed Resources
Authors: Niewiadomski Waldemar , Baczyńska Aleksandra
Published: September 2021

The high and growing share of renewable sources and the more important role of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in the Distribution System (DS) is leading to a need for more efficient coordination of those sources. In future power systems, TSO–DSO coordination will play a key role in providing flexibility services. Lack of proper coordination of sources may lead to congestion in the network or to a lack of possibility to generate or consume energy on a requested level. The crucial aspect is that the TSO–DSO coordination must be based on an active role of all participants: TSO, DSO, generation units and the demand. This paper presents the possible application of the TSO–DSO coordination by providing the flexibility services from DS to the Transmission System (TS). The paper presents the complex optimization of TS, DS and its coordination. The main goal of the paper is to show the possibility of the application of the flexibility market into the current system design. It requires the creation of a new platform, where the offers of the flexibility services could be submitted and then exchanged between entities. The paper shows that the usage of flexibility services may decrease the operational cost of the system, and the DERs providing those services may benefit from an additional source of income.
Binge Drinking: The Top 100 Cited Papers
Authors: Cortés-Tomás María-Teresa , Giménez-Costa José-Antonio , Martín-del-Río Beatriz , Gómez-Íñiguez Consolación , Solanes-Puchol Ángel
Published: September 2021

We conducted a review to analyze the 100 most-cited studies on binge drinking (BD) in the Web of Science (WoS) database to determine their current status and the aspects that require further attention. We carried out a retrospective bibliometric analysis in January 2021. The year of publication, authors, design, subject, journal, institution and lead author’s country, as well as the definition of BD, were extracted from the articles. The data on the country, year, thematic category of the journals and their rank were obtained from the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Journal Citation Reports 2020. The number of citations was collected from the WoS, and the h index was collected from the Scopus database. The citation density and Bradford’s law were calculated. The majority of the articles were empirical quantitative studies with a cross-sectional design published between 1992 and 2013 in 49 journals. There were 306 authors, mostly English-speaking and from the USA. The definitions used to describe BD are not homogeneous. The most-cited topics were the analysis of consequences, determinants and epidemiology. There is a need to unify the definitions of BD and base them on scientific evidence. The multidisciplinary nature of BD is not well reflected in each of the thematic areas discussed in this work.
Effects of Intradialytic Exercise on Dialytic Parameters, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Depression Status in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lin Chia-Huei , Hsu Yu-Juei , Hsu Pi-Hsiu , Lee Yi-Ling , Lin Chueh-Ho , Lee Meei-Shyuan , Chiang Shang-Lin
Published: September 2021

Exercise is fundamentally important in managing chronic diseases and improving health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, whether intradialytic exercise is safe through assessment of changes in dialytic parameters and has a positive impact on HRQL and depression status of hemodialysis patients requires further research with diverse racial and cultural populations to identify. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intradialytic exercise on dialytic parameters, HRQL, and depression status in hemodialysis patients. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a medical center in Northern Taiwan. Sixty-four hemodialysis patients were recruited using stratified random sampling. Participants were randomized into an experimental group (EG, n = 32) or a control group (CG, n = 32). The EG received a 12-week intradialytic exercise program while the CG maintained their usual lifestyles. Dialytic parameters, HRQL, and depression status were collected at baseline and at 12 weeks. The results indicated no differences in the dialytic parameters from the baseline between both groups. However, the EG had increased HRQL (ß = 22.6, p < 0.001) and reduced depression status (ß = −7.5, p = 0.02) at 12 weeks compared to the CG. Therefore, a 12-week intradialytic exercise regime is safe and effective in improving HRQL and reducing depression status for hemodialysis patients.
Modification of the Forms of Self-Determined Regulation and Quality of Life after a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme: Tennis-Based vs. Bicycle Ergometer-Based
Authors: Fuentes-García Juan Pedro , Alonso-Rivas Lorena , Gómez-Barrado José Javier , Abello-Giraldo Víctor Manuel , Jiménez-Castuera Ruth , Díaz-Casasola César
Published: September 2021

Background: The objective is to analyse and compare the effects of an adapted tennis cardiac rehabilitation programme and a classical bicycle ergometer-based programme on the type of motivation towards sports practice and quality of life in patients classified as low risk after suffering acute coronary syndrome. Methods: The Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2) and Velasco’s Qualityof Life Test were applied. The sample comprised 110 individuals (age = 55.05 ± 9.27) divided into two experimental groups (tennis and bicycle ergometer) and a control group. Results: The intra-group analysis showed a significant increase between pre- and post-test results in intrinsic regulation in the tennis group and in the control group. In identified regulation, the bicycle ergometer group presented significant differences from the control group. On the other hand, in the external regulation variable, only the tennis group showed significant differences, which decreased. Significant improvements in all quality-of-life factors when comparing the pre-test period with the post-test period were only found in the experimental groups. As per the inter-group analysis, significant differences were observed in favour of the tennis group with respect to the control group in the variables of health, social relations and leisure, and work time as well as in favour of the bicycle ergometer group compared with the control group in the variables of health, sleep and rest, future projects and mobility. No significant differences were found in any of the variables between the tennis group and the bicycle ergometer group. Conclusion: It is relevant to enhance the practice of physical exercise in infarcted patients classified as low risk as it improves the forms of more self-determined regulation towards sporting practice and their quality of life.
The Effect of Night Duty of Pharmacists on Sleepiness and Concentration at Daytime
Authors: Biechele Claus Werner , Glos Martin , Fietze Ingo , Kurths Jürgen , Penzel Thomas
Published: September 2021

Background: The changing responsibilities of pharmacists contribute to a lack of qualified pharmacists to fill vacant positions, particularly in rural areas. Consequently, pharmacy managers cover various duties, including an increasing number of nights being on duty that can impair daytime concentration and performance. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of night duties on daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, and concentration abilities of pharmacists. Methods: 22 pharmacists, both sexes, aged 27 to 60 years, were recruited and their sleep time, sleep efficiency, and mobility (actigraphy) were assessed during a night on duty and a control night using an actimetry. Daytime sleepiness and concentration were assessed using standardized questionnaires (ESS, KSS, d2-R). Results: Significant differences were observed between the night shift and control nights with respect to sleep time, sleep efficiency, and mobility. Daytime sleepiness was significantly increased after night shifts (ESS: 11.64 vs. 2.09; KSS: 6.77 vs. 2.41 after a night shift and control night, respectively; p < 0.001) and concentration diminished compared to control nights (d2-R KL: 220.95 vs. 260.36 after a night shift and control night, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results provide evidence that night duties lead to high daytime sleepiness in pharmacists, which in turn may negatively affect their ability to concentrate and their error rate. Existing regulations on emergency pharmacy services should be reconsidered regarding the safety of the pharmaceutical supply.
Copper Oxide Nanoparticle-Induced Acute Inflammatory Response and Injury in Murine Lung Is Ameliorated by Synthetic Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside (LGM2605)
Authors: Pietrofesa Ralph A. , Park Kyewon , Mishra Om P. , Johnson-McDaniel Darrah , Myerson Jacob W. , Shuvaev Vladimir V. , Arguiri Evguenia , Chatterjee Shampa , Moorthy Ganesh S. , Zuppa Athena , Hwang Wei-Ting , Christofidou-Solomidou Melpo
Published: September 2021

Metal-oxide nanoparticles (MO-NPs), such as the highly bioreactive copper-based nanoparticles (CuO-NPs), are widely used in manufacturing of hundreds of commercial products. Epidemiological studies correlated levels of nanoparticles in ambient air with a significant increase in lung disease. CuO-NPs, specifically, were among the most potent in a set of metal-oxides and carbons studied in parallel regarding DNA damage and cytotoxicity. Despite advances in nanotoxicology research and the characterization of their toxicity, the exact mechanism(s) of toxicity are yet to be defined. We identified chlorination toxicity as a damaging consequence of inflammation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activation, resulting in macromolecular damage and cell damage/death. We hypothesized that the inhalation of CuO-NPs elicits an inflammatory response resulting in chlorination damage in cells and lung tissues. We further tested the protective action of LGM2605, a synthetic small molecule with known scavenging properties for reactive oxygen species (ROS), but most importantly, for active chlorine species (ACS) and an inhibitor of MPO. CuO-NPs (15 µg/bolus) were instilled intranasally in mice and the kinetics of the inflammatory response in lungs was evaluated 1, 3, and 7 days later. Evaluation of the protective action of LGM2605 was performed at 24 h post-challenge, which was selected as the peak acute inflammatory response to CuO-NP. LGM2605 was given daily via gavage to mice starting 2 days prior to the time of the insult (100 mg/kg). CuO-NPs induced a significant inflammatory influx, inflammasome-relevant cytokine release, and chlorination damage in mouse lungs, which was mitigated by the action of LGM2605. Preventive action of LGM2605 ameliorated the adverse effects of CuO-NP in lung.
Comparison of Osteogenic Potentials of Dental Pulp and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using the New Cell Transplantation Platform, CellSaic, in a Rat Congenital Cleft-Jaw Model
Authors: Lyu Jinzhao , Hashimoto Yoshiya , Honda Yoshitomo , Matsumoto Naoyuki
Published: September 2021

Scaffolds stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation and play major roles in providing growth and nutrition factors in the repair of bone defects. We used the recombinant peptide Cellnest™ to prepare the three-dimensional stem cell complex, CellSaic, and evaluated whether CellSaic containing rat dental pulp stem cells (rDPSCs) was better than that containing rat bone marrow stem cells (rBMSCs). rDPSC-CellSaic or rBMSC-CellSaic, cultured with or without osteogenic induction medium, formed the experimental and control groups, respectively. Osteoblast differentiation was evaluated in vitro and transplanted into a rat model with a congenital jaw fracture. Specimens were collected and evaluated by microradiology and histological analysis. In the experimental group, the amount of calcium deposits, expression levels of bone-related genes (RUNX2, ALP, BSP, and COL1), and volume of mineralized tissue, were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Both differentiated and undifferentiated rDPSC-CellSaic and only the differentiated rBMSC-CellSaic could induce the formation of new bone tissue. Overall, rBMSC-CellSaic and rDPSC-CellSaic made with Cellnest™ as a scaffold, provide excellent support for promoting bone regeneration in rat mandibular congenital defects. Additionally, rDPSC-CellSaic seems a better source for craniofacial bone defect repair than rBMSC-CellSaic, suggesting the possibility of using DPSCs in bone tissue regenerative therapy.
Molecular Mechanisms of Neuroimmune Crosstalk in the Pathogenesis of Stroke
Authors: Choi Yun Hwa , Laaker Collin , Hsu Martin , Cismaru Peter , Sandor Matyas , Fabry Zsuzsanna
Published: September 2021

Stroke disrupts the homeostatic balance within the brain and is associated with a significant accumulation of necrotic cellular debris, fluid, and peripheral immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Additionally, cells, antigens, and other factors exit the brain into the periphery via damaged blood–brain barrier cells, glymphatic transport mechanisms, and lymphatic vessels, which dramatically influence the systemic immune response and lead to complex neuroimmune communication. As a result, the immunological response after stroke is a highly dynamic event that involves communication between multiple organ systems and cell types, with significant consequences on not only the initial stroke tissue injury but long-term recovery in the CNS. In this review, we discuss the complex immunological and physiological interactions that occur after stroke with a focus on how the peripheral immune system and CNS communicate to regulate post-stroke brain homeostasis. First, we discuss the post-stroke immune cascade across different contexts as well as homeostatic regulation within the brain. Then, we focus on the lymphatic vessels surrounding the brain and their ability to coordinate both immune response and fluid homeostasis within the brain after stroke. Finally, we discuss how therapeutic manipulation of peripheral systems may provide new mechanisms to treat stroke injury.
The Multifaceted Role of Serotonin in Intestinal Homeostasis
Authors: Koopman Nienke , Katsavelis Drosos , Ten Hove Anne , Brul Stanley , de Jonge Wouter , Seppen Jurgen
Published: September 2021

The monoamine serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a remarkable molecule with conserved production in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and a wide range of functions. In the gastrointestinal tract, enterochromaffin cells are the most important source for 5-HT production. Some intestinal bacterial species are also able to produce 5-HT. Besides its role as a neurotransmitter, 5-HT acts on immune cells to regulate their activation. Several lines of evidence indicate that intestinal 5-HT signaling is altered in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on the production, secretion, and signaling of 5-HT in the intestine. We present an inventory of intestinal immune and epithelial cells that respond to 5-HT and describe the effects of these signaling processes on intestinal homeostasis. Further, we detail the mechanisms by which 5-HT could affect inflammatory bowel disease course and describe the effects of interventions that target intestinal 5-HT signaling.
Oligodendrocyte-Specific Deletion of FGFR1 Reduces Cerebellar Inflammation and Neurodegeneration in MOG35-55-Induced EAE
Authors: Rajendran Ranjithkumar , Rajendran Vinothkumar , Giraldo-Velasquez Mario , Megalofonou Fevronia-Foivi , Gurski Fynn , Stadelmann Christine , Karnati Srikanth , Berghoff Martin
Published: September 2021

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS commonly affects the cerebellum causing acute and chronic symptoms. Cerebellar signs significantly contribute to clinical disability, and symptoms such as tremor, ataxia, and dysarthria are difficult to treat. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) are involved in demyelinating pathologies such as MS. In autopsy tissue from patients with MS, increased expression of FGF1, FGF2, FGF9, and FGFR1 was found in lesion areas. Recent research using mouse models has focused on regions such as the spinal cord, and data on the expression of FGF/FGFR in the cerebellum are not available. In recent EAE studies, we detected that oligodendrocyte-specific deletion of FGFRs results in a milder disease course, less cellular infiltrates, and reduced neurodegeneration in the spinal cord. The objective of this study was to characterize the role of FGFR1 in oligodendrocytes in the cerebellum. Conditional deletion of FGFR1 in oligodendrocytes (Fgfr1ind−/−) was achieved by tamoxifen application, EAE was induced using the MOG35-55 peptide. The cerebellum was analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and western blot. At day 62 p.i., Fgfr1ind−/− mice showed less myelin and axonal degeneration compared to FGFR1-competent mice. Infiltration of CD3(+) T cells, Mac3(+) cells, B220(+) B cells and IgG(+) plasma cells in cerebellar white matter lesions (WML) was less in Fgfr1ind−/−mice. There were no effects on the number of OPC or mature oligodendrocytes in white matter lesion (WML). Expression of FGF2 and FGF9 associated with less myelin and axonal degeneration, and of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and CD200 was downregulated in Fgfr1ind−/− mice. The FGF/FGFR signaling protein pAkt, BDNF, and TrkB were increased in Fgfr1ind−/− mice. These data suggest that cell-specific deletion of FGFR1 in oligodendrocytes has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in the cerebellum in the EAE disease model of MS.
Prenatal Molecular Hydrogen Administration Ameliorates Several Findings in Nitrofen-Induced Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Miura Mayo , Imai Kenji , Tsuda Hiroyuki , Miki Rika , Tano Sho , Ito Yumiko , Hirako-Takamura Shima , Moriyama Yoshinori , Ushida Takafumi , Iitani Yukako , Nakano-Kobayashi Tomoko , Toyokuni Shinya , Kajiyama Hiroaki , Kotani Tomomi
Published: September 2021

Oxidative stress plays a pathological role in pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). This study investigated the effect of molecular hydrogen (H2), an antioxidant, on CDH pathology induced by nitrofen. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, CDH, and CDH + hydrogen-rich water (HW). Pregnant dams of CDH + HW pups were orally administered HW from embryonic day 10 until parturition. Gasometric evaluation and histological, immunohistochemical, and real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed. Gasometric results (pH, pO2, and pCO2 levels) were better in the CDH + HW group than in the CDH group. The CDH + HW group showed amelioration of alveolarization and pulmonary artery remodeling compared with the CDH group. Oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine-positive-cell score) in the pulmonary arteries and mRNA levels of protein-containing pulmonary surfactant that protects against pulmonary collapse (surfactant protein A) were significantly attenuated in the CDH + HW group compared with the CDH group. Overall, prenatal H2 administration improved respiratory function by attenuating lung morphology and pulmonary artery thickening in CDH rat models. Thus, H2 administration in pregnant women with diagnosed fetal CDH might be a novel antenatal intervention strategy to reduce newborn mortality due to CDH.
RNA Granules in the Mitochondria and Their Organization under Mitochondrial Stresses
Authors: Xavier Vanessa Joanne , Martinou Jean-Claude
Published: September 2021

The human mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) regulates its transcription products in specialised and distinct ways as compared to nuclear transcription. Thanks to its mtDNA mitochondria possess their own set of tRNAs, rRNAs and mRNAs that encode a subset of the protein subunits of the electron transport chain complexes. The RNA regulation within mitochondria is organised within specialised, membraneless, compartments of RNA-protein complexes, called the Mitochondrial RNA Granules (MRGs). MRGs were first identified to contain nascent mRNA, complexed with many proteins involved in RNA processing and maturation and ribosome assembly. Most recently, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) species, a hybrid of the two complementary mRNA strands, were found to form granules in the matrix of mitochondria. These RNA granules are therefore components of the mitochondrial post-transcriptional pathway and as such play an essential role in mitochondrial gene expression. Mitochondrial dysfunctions in the form of, for example, RNA processing or RNA quality control defects, or inhibition of mitochondrial fission, can cause the loss or the aberrant accumulation of these RNA granules. These findings underline the important link between mitochondrial maintenance and the efficient expression of its genome.
Inflammation- and Gut-Homing Macrophages, Engineered to De Novo Overexpress Active Vitamin D, Promoted the Regenerative Function of Intestinal Stem Cells
Authors: Xu Yi , Baylink David J. , Cao Huynh , Xiao Jeffrey , Abdalla Maisa I. , Wasnik Samiksha , Tang Xiaolei
Published: September 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gut. Available drugs aim to suppress gut inflammation. These drugs have significantly delayed disease progression and improved patients’ quality of life. However, the disease continues to progress, underscoring the need to develop novel therapies. Aside from chronic gut inflammation, IBD patients also experience a leaky gut problem due to damage to the intestinal epithelial layer. In this regard, epithelial regeneration and repair are mediated by intestinal stem cells. However, no therapies are available to directly enhance the intestinal stem cells’ regenerative and repair function. Recently, it was shown that active vitamin D, i.e., 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D or 1,25(OH)2D, was necessary to maintain Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells, actively cycling under physiological conditions. In this study, we used two strategies to investigate the role of 1,25(OH)2D in intestinal stem cells’ regenerative function. First, to avoid the side effects of systemic high 1,25(OH)2D conditions, we used our recently developed novel strategy to deliver locally high 1,25(OH)2D concentrations specifically to inflamed intestines. Second, because of the Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells’ active cycling status, we used a pulse-and-chase strategy via 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling to trace the Lgr5+ stem cells through the whole epithelial regeneration process. Our data showed that locally high 1,25(OH)2D concentrations enhanced intestinal stem cell migration. Additionally, the migrated cells differentiated into mature epithelial cells. Our data, therefore, suggest that local delivery of high 1,25(OH)2D concentrations is a promising strategy to augment intestinal epithelial repair in IBD patients.
Foamed Geopolymer Composites with the Addition of Glass Wool Waste
Authors: Kozub Barbara , Bazan Patrycja , Gailitis Rihards , Korniejenko Kinga , Mierzwiński Dariusz
Published: September 2021

This study examines foamed geopolymer composites based on fly ash from the Skawina coal-fired power plant in Poland. The paper presents the effect of adding 3% and 5% by weight of glass wool waste on selected properties of foamed geopolymers. The scope of the tests carried out included density measurements, compressive and bending strength tests, measurements of the heat conduction coefficient, and the results of measurements of changes in thermal radiation in samples subjected to a temperature of 800 °C. The obtained results indicate that glass wool waste can be successfully used to lower the density and heat conduction coefficient of foamed geopolymer composites with a fly ash matrix. In addition, the results of changes in thermal radiation in the samples subjected to the temperature of 800 °C showed a positive effect of the addition of glass wool waste. Moreover, the introduction of the addition of glass wool waste made it possible to increase the compressive strength of the examined foamed geopolymers. For the material modified with 3% by weight of mineral wool, the increase in compressive strength was about 10%, and the increase in fibers in the amount of 5% by weight resulted in an increase of 20% concerning the base material. The obtained results seem promising for future applications. Such materials can be used in technical constructions as thermal insulation materials.
Light-Struck Taste in White Wine: Protective Role of Glutathione, Sulfur Dioxide and Hydrolysable Tannins
Authors: Fracassetti Daniela , Limbo Sara , Messina Natalia , Pellegrino Luisa , Tirelli Antonio
Published: September 2021

Light exposure of white wine can cause a light-struck taste (LST), a fault induced by riboflavin (RF) and methionine (Met) leading to the formation of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), including methanethiol (MeSH) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS). The study aimed to investigate the impact of different antioxidants, i.e., sulfur dioxide (SO2), glutathione (GSH) and chestnut tannins (CT), on preventing LST in model wine (MW) and white wine (WW), both containing RF and Met. Both MW and WW samples were added with the antioxidants, either individually or in different combinations, prior to 2-h light exposure and they were stored in the dark for 24 months. As expected, the light induced the degradation of RF in all the conditions assayed. Met also decreased depending on the antioxidants added. The presence of antioxidants limited the formation of LST as lower concentrations of VSCs were found in both MW and WW samples. In the latter matrix, neither MeSH nor DMDS were detected in the presence of CT, while only DMDS was found in WW+GSH, WW+SO2+GSH and WW+CT+SO2 samples at a concentration lower than the perception thresholds. Considering the antioxidants individually, the order of their effectiveness was CT ≥ GSH > SO2 in WW under the adopted experimental conditions. The results indicate tannins as an effective enological tool for preventing LST in white wine and their use will be further investigated in different white wines under industrial scale.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Interband Cascade Laser Subjected to Optical Feedback
Authors: Han Hong , Cheng Xumin , Jia Zhiwei , Shore K. Alan
Published: September 2021

We present a theoretical study of the nonlinear dynamics of a long external cavity delayed optical feedback-induced interband cascade laser (ICL). Using the modified Lang–Kobayashi equations, we numerically investigate the effects of some key parameters on the first Hopf bifurcation point of ICL with optical feedback, such as the delay time (τf), pump current (I), linewidth enhancement factor (LEF), stage number (m) and feedback strength (fext). It is found that compared with τf, I, LEF and m have a significant effect on the stability of the ICL. Additionally, our results show that an ICL with few stage numbers subjected to external cavity optical feedback is more susceptible to exhibiting chaos. The chaos bandwidth dependences on m, I and fext are investigated, and 8 GHz bandwidth mid-infrared chaos is observed.
Performance of Two Different Flight Configurations for Drone-Borne Magnetic Data
Authors: Accomando Filippo , Vitale Andrea , Bonfante Antonello , Buonanno Maurizio , Florio Giovanni
Published: September 2021

The compensation of magnetic and electromagnetic interference generated by drones is one of the main problems related to drone-borne magnetometry. The simplest solution is to suspend the magnetometer at a certain distance from the drone. However, this choice may compromise the flight stability or introduce periodic data variations generated by the oscillations of the magnetometer. We studied this problem by conducting two drone-borne magnetic surveys using a prototype system based on a cesium-vapor magnetometer with a 1000 Hz sampling frequency. First, the magnetometer was fixed to the drone landing-sled (at 0.5 m from the rotors), and then it was suspended 3 m below the drone. These two configurations illustrate endmembers of the possible solutions, favoring the stability of the system during flight or the minimization of the mobile platform noise. Drone-generated noise was filtered according to a CWT analysis, and both the spectral characteristics and the modelled source parameters resulted analogously to that of a ground magnetic dataset in the same area, which were here taken as a control dataset. This study demonstrates that careful processing can return high quality drone-borne data using both flight configurations. The optimal flight solution can be chosen depending on the survey target and flight conditions.
Even Lower Latency in IIoT: Evaluation of QUIC in Industrial IoT Scenarios
Authors: Fernández Fátima , Zverev Mihail , Garrido Pablo , Juárez José R. , Bilbao Josu , Agüero Ramón
Published: September 2021

In this paper we analyze the performance of QUIC as a transport alternative for Internet of Things (IoT) services based on the Message Queuing Telemetry Protocol (MQTT). QUIC is a novel protocol promoted by Google, and was originally conceived to tackle the limitations of the traditional Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), specifically aiming at the reduction of the latency caused by connection establishment. QUIC use in IoT environments is not widespread, and it is therefore interesting to characterize its performance when in over such scenarios. We used an emulation-based platform, where we integrated QUIC and MQTT (using GO-based implementations) and compared their combined performance with the that exhibited by the traditional TCP/TLS approach. We used Linux containers as end devices, and the ns-3 simulator to emulate different network technologies, such as WiFi, cellular, and satellite, and varying conditions. The results evince that QUIC is indeed an appropriate protocol to guarantee robust, secure, and low latency communications over IoT scenarios.
Application of Feature Extraction Methods for Chemical Risk Classification in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Topolski Mariusz
Published: September 2021

The features that are used in the classification process are acquired from sensor data on the production site (associated with toxic, physicochemical properties) and also a dataset associated with cybersecurity that may affect the above-mentioned risk. These are large datasets, so it is important to reduce them. The author’s motivation was to develop a method of assessing the dimensionality of features based on correlation measures and the discriminant power of features allowing for a more accurate reduction of their dimensions compared to the classical Kaiser criterion and assessment of scree plot. The method proved to be promising. The results obtained in the experiments demonstrate that the quality of classification after extraction is better than using classical criteria for estimating the number of components and features. Experiments were carried out for various extraction methods, demonstrating that the rotation of factors according to centroids of a class in this classification task gives the best risk assessment of chemical threats. The classification quality increased by about 7% compared to a model where feature extraction was not used and resulted in an improvement of 4% compared to the classical PCA method with the Kaiser criterion, with an evaluation of the scree plot. Furthermore, it has been shown that there is a certain subspace of cybersecurity features, which complemented with the features of the concentration of volatile substances, affects the risk assessment of chemical hazards. The identified cybersecurity factors are the number of packets lost, incorrect Logins, incorrect sensor responses, increased email spam, and excessive traffic in the computer network. To visualize the speed of classification in real-time, simulations were carried out for various systems used in Industry 4.0.
Analysis of the Impact of Sustained Load and Temperature on the Performance of the Electromechanical Impedance Technique through Multilevel Machine Learning and FBG Sensors
Authors: Perera Ricardo , Torres Lluis , Díaz Francisco J. , Barris Cristina , Baena Marta
Published: September 2021

The electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) technique has been applied successfully to detect minor damage in engineering structures including reinforced concrete (RC). However, in the presence of temperature variations, it can cause false alarms in structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. This paper has developed an innovative approach that integrates the EMI methodology with multilevel hierarchical machine learning techniques and the use of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) temperature and strain sensors to evaluate the mechanical performance of RC beams strengthened with near surface mounted (NSM)-fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) under sustained load and varied temperatures. This problem is a real challenge since the bond behavior at the concrete–FRP interface plays a key role in the performance of this type of structure, and additionally, its failure occurs in a brittle and sudden way. The method was validated in a specimen tested over a period of 1.5 years under different conditions of sustained load and temperature. The analysis of the experimental results in an especially complex problem with the proposed approach demonstrated its effectiveness as an SHM method in a combined EMI–FBG framework.
The Fundamental Approach of the Digital Twin Application in Railway Turnouts with Innovative Monitoring of Weather Conditions
Authors: Kampczyk Arkadiusz , Dybeł Katarzyna
Published: September 2021

Improving railway safety depends heavily on the reliability of railway turnouts. The realization of effective, reliable and continuous observations for the spatial analysis and evaluation of the technical condition of railway turnouts is one of the factors affecting safety in railway traffic. The mode and scope of monitoring changes in geometric parameters of railway turnouts with associated indicators needs improvement. The application of digital twins to railway turnouts requires the inclusion of fundamental data indicating their condition along with innovative monitoring of weather conditions. This paper presents an innovative solution for monitoring the status of temperature and other atmospheric conditions. A UbiBot WS1 WIFI wireless temperature logger was used, with an external DS18B20 temperature sensor integrated into an S49 (49E1)-type rail as Tszyn WS1 WIFI. Measurements were made between January and May (winter/spring) at fixed time intervals and at the same measurement point. The aim of the research is to present elements of a fundamental approach of applying digital twins to railway turnouts requiring the consideration and demonstration of rail temperature conditions as a component in the data acquisition of railway turnout condition data and other constituent atmospheric conditions through an innovative solution. The research showed that the presented innovative solution is an effective support for the application of digital twins to railway turnouts and ongoing surveying and diagnostic work of other elements of rail transport infrastructure. The applicability of the TgCWRII second temperature difference indicator in the monitoring of railway turnouts was also confirmed.