bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The therapeutic potential of Camel Wharton jelly mesenchymal stem cells (CWJ-MSCs) in canine chronic kidney disease model
Authors: El Miniawy Hala M. F. , Farghali Haithem A. , Khattab Marwa S. , Emam Ibrahim A. , Ibrahem Essam M. , Sabry Dina , Ismail Tahany A.
Published: July 2022

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health problem that its incidence increases nowadays with the increase in the risk of environmental pollution. CKD can progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) which usually ends fatally. This study aimed to examine the therapeutic potential of Camel Wharton jelly-mesenchymal stem cells (CWJ-MSCs) in chronic kidney disease model induced in dogs.

Methods

CWJ-MSCs were injected directed to the kidney with ultrasonographic guidance in dogs with 5/6 nephrectomy to evaluate its therapeutic potency in such cases. Analysis of variance was applied in normally distributed quantitative variables while a non-parametric Mann–Whitney test was used for non-normally distributed quantitative variables.

Results

The serum urea and creatinine in the treated group were significantly decreased transferring dogs in the treated group from stage 3 to stage 2 CKD according to the IRIS staging system. Histopathology of renal tissue revealed improving CKD lesions by increasing regeneration of degenerated tubules, maintaining the integrity of glomeruli. New vascularization with blood vessels remodeling were common findings. Periodic acid Schiff stain of renal tissue showed the integrity of renal tubules and thickness of the glomerular basement membrane. Fibrosis of cortex and medulla was lower in the treated group than in the CKD model as monitored by Mallory’s trichrome stain (MTC). NGAL and KIM-1 genes expression were decreased while VEGF and EGF genes expression were increased indicating renal tissue repair.

Conclusions

CWJ-MSCs have a therapeutic potential in the CKD model induced in dogs.
Hyaluronan supports the limbal stem cell phenotype during ex vivo culture
Authors: Puri Sudan , Moreno Isabel Y. , Sun Mingxia , Verma Sudhir , Lin Xiao , Gesteira Tarsis F. , Coulson-Thomas Vivien J.
Published: July 2022

Background

Hyaluronan (HA) has previously been identified as an integral component of the limbal stem cell niche in vivo. In this study, we investigated whether a similar HA matrix is also expressed in vitro providing a niche supporting limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) during ex vivo expansion. We also investigated whether providing exogenous HA in vitro is beneficial to LESCs during ex vivo expansion.

Method

Human LESCs (hLESCs) were isolated from donor corneas and a mouse corneal epithelial progenitor cell line (TKE2) was obtained. The HA matrix was identified surrounding LESCs in vitro using immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and red blood exclusion assay. Thereafter, LESCs were maintained on HA coated dishes or in the presence of HA supplemented in the media, and viability, proliferation, cell size, colony formation capabilities and expression of putative stem cell markers were compared with cells maintained on commonly used coated dishes.

Results

hLESCs and TKE2 cells express an HA-rich matrix in vitro, and this matrix is essential for maintaining LESCs. Further supplying exogenous HA, as a substrate and supplemented to the media, increases LESC proliferation, colony formation capabilities and the expression levels of putative limbal stem cell markers.

Conclusion

Our data show that both exogenous and endogenous HA help to maintain the LESC phenotype. Exogenous HA provides improved culture conditions for LESC during ex vivo expansion. Thus, HA forms a favorable microenvironment for LESCs during ex vivo expansion and, therefore, could be considered as an easy and cost-effective substrate and/or supplement for culturing LESCs in the clinic.
Knockout of integrin β1 in induced pluripotent stem cells accelerates skin-wound healing by promoting cell migration in extracellular matrix
Authors: Ren Yansong , Liu Jinbo , Xu Huijun , Wang Shun , Li Shirui , Xiang Meng , Chen Sifeng
Published: July 2022

Background

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have the potential to promote wound healing; however, their adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) might decrease iPSC migration, thereby limiting their therapeutic potential. Integrin β1 (Itgb1) is the major integrin subunit that mediates iPSC-ECM adhesion, suggesting that knocking out Itgb1 might be an effective method for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of iPSCs.

Methods

We knocked out Itgb1 in mouse iPSCs and evaluated its effects on the therapeutic potential of topically applied iPSCs, as well as their underlying in vivo and in vitro mechanisms.

Results

The Itgb1-knockout (Itgb1-KO) did not change iPSC pluripotency, function, or survival in the absence of embedding in an ECM gel but did accelerate wound healing, angiogenesis, blood perfusion, and survival in skin-wound lesions. However, embedding in an ECM gel inhibited the in vivo effects of wild-type iPSCs but not those of Itgb1-knockout iPSCs. Additionally, in vitro results showed that Itgb1-knockout decreased iPSC-ECM adhesion while increasing ECM-crossing migration. Moreover, ECM coating on the culture surface did not change cell survival, regardless of Itgb1 status; however, the in vivo and in vitro functions of both Itgb1-knockout and wild-type iPSCs were not affected by the presence of agarose gel, which does not contain integrin-binding sites. Knockout of Integrin α4 (Itga4) did not change the above-mentioned cellular and therapeutic functions of iPSCs.

Conclusions

Itgb1-knockout increased iPSCs migration and the wound-healing-promoting effect of topically applied iPSCs. These findings suggest the inhibition of Itgb1 expression is a possible strategy for increasing the efficacy of iPSC therapies.
Toward in vivo proof of binding of 18F-labeled inhibitor [18F]TRACK to peripheral tropomyosin receptor kinases
Authors: Wuest Melinda , Bailey Justin J. , Dufour Jennifer , Glubrecht Darryl , Omana Vanessa , Johnston Tom H. , Brotchie Jonathan M. , Schirrmacher Ralf
Published: July 2022

Background

Tropomyosin receptor kinases (TrkA, TrkB, TrkC) are a family of tyrosine kinases primarily expressed in neuronal cells of the brain. Identification of oncogenic alterations in Trk expression as a driver in multiple tumor types has increased interest in their role in human cancers. Recently, first- and second-generation 11C and 18F-labeled Trk inhibitors, e.g., [18F]TRACK, have been developed. The goal of the present study was to analyze the direct interaction of [18F]TRACK with peripheral Trk receptors in vivo to prove its specificity for use as a functional imaging probe.

Methods

In vitro uptake and competition experiments were carried out using the colorectal cancer cell line KM12. Dynamic PET experiments were performed with [18F]TRACK, either alone or in the presence of amitriptyline, an activator of Trk, entrectinib, a Trk inhibitor, or unlabeled reference compound TRACK in KM12 tumor-bearing athymic nude mice as well as B6129SF2/J and corresponding B6;129S2-Ntrk2tm1Bbd/J mice. Western blot and immunohistochemistry experiments were done with KM12 tumors, brown adipose tissue (BAT), and brain tissue samples.

Results

Uptake of [18F]TRACK was increasing over time reaching 208 ± 72% radioactivity per mg protein (n = 6/2) after 60 min incubation time. Entrectinib and TRACK competitively blocked [18F]TRACK uptake in vitro (IC50 30.9 ± 3.6 and 29.4 ± 9.4 nM; both n = 6/2). [18F]TRACK showed uptake into KM12 tumors (SUVmean,60 min 0.43 ± 0.03; n = 6). Tumor-to-muscle ratio reached 0.9 (60 min) and 1.2 (120 min). In TrkB expressing BAT, [18F]TRACK uptake reached SUVmean,60 min 1.32 ± 0.08 (n = 7). Activation of Trk through amitriptyline resulted in a significant radioactivity increase of 21% in KM12 tumor (SUVmean,60 min from 0.53 ± 0.01 to 0.43 ± 0.03; n = 6; p < 0.05) and of 21% in BAT (SUVmean,60 min from 1.32 ± 0.08; n = 5 to 1.59 ± 0.07; n = 6; p < 0.05) respectively. Immunohistochemistry showed TrkB > TrkA expression on BAT fat cells, but TrkA > TrkB in whole brain. WB analysis showed sevenfold higher TrkB expression in BAT versus KM12 tumor tissue.

Conclusion

The present data show that radiotracer [18F]TRACK can target peripheral Trk receptors in human KM12 colon cancer as well as brown adipose tissue as confirmed through in vitro and in vivo blocking experiments. Higher TrkB versus TrkA protein expression was detected in brown adipose tissue of mice confirming a peripheral functional role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adipose tissue.
Characterization of a novel chitinolytic Serratia marcescens strain TC-1 with broad insecticidal spectrum
Authors: Tao Aili , Wang Tan , Pang Fahu , Zheng Xueling , Ayra-Pardo Camilo , Huang Siliang , Xu Ruxin , Liu Fengqin , Li Jiakang , Wei Yibin , Wang Zhiqing , Niu Qiuhong , Li Dandan
Published: July 2022

The Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen of many organisms, including insects. We report the identification and optimal in vitro chitinase production conditions of a novel chitinolytic S. marcescens strain TC-1 isolated from a naturally infected white grub (Anomala corpulenta) collected from a peanut field at Nanyang city, Henan province, China. Strain identification was conducted by morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular analyses. The amplified 16S rRNA gene of TC-1 showed a similarity greater than 99% with multiple strains of S. marcescens. Based on Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences, TC-1 formed a clade with S. marcescens, clearly separated from other Serratia spp. The strain TC-1 showed larvicidal activities against five insect species (A. corpulenta, Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera exigua, Helicoverpa armigera, Bombyx mori) and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, but not against S. litura. The operating parameters of chitinase production by TC-1 were optimized by response surface methodology using a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken experimental design. The effects of three independent variables i.e. colloidal chitin concentration (7–13 g l−1), incubation time (24–72 h) and incubation temperature (24–32 °C) on chitinase production by TC-1 were investigated. A regression model was proposed to correlate the independent variables for an optimal chitinase activity predicted as 20.946 U ml−1, using a combination of colloidal chitin concentration, incubation time and incubation temperature of 9.06 g l−1, 63.83 h and 28.12 °C, respectively. The latter agreed well with a mean chitinase activity of 20.761 ± 0.102 U ml−1 measured in the culture supernatants of TC-1 grown under similar conditions with a colloidal chitin concentration, incubation time and incubation temperature of 9 g l−1, 64 h and 28 °C, respectively. Our study revealed the S. marcescens strain TC-1 with potential as a biocontrol agent of insect pests and nematodes and demonstrated the proposed regression model's potential to guide chitinase production by this strain.
LncRNA CRLM1 inhibits apoptosis and promotes metastasis through transcriptional regulation cooperated with hnRNPK in colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Zhe , Chen Jianfang , Sun Fengjun , Zhao Xiang , Dong Yan , Yu Songtao , Li Jianjun , Liang Houjie
Published: July 2022

Background

Colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) continue to have a low survival rate. The number of CRLM regulators and clinical indicators remains limited. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a new master regulator of cell invasion and metastasis. However, the function and regulation mechanism of lncRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis are yet unknown.

Methods

To screen and identify CRLM-related lncRNAs, public transcriptome data were used. Gain and loss of function experiments were carried out to investigate the biological activities of lncRNA CRLM1 in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP), immunofluorescence (IF), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blotting, and rescue experiments were performed to explore the molecular mechanism of CRLM1. Moreover, identified the proteins, DNAs, and RNAs that interact with CRLM1.

Results

The investigation of lncRNA expression dynamics in CRLM, primary CRC, and normal tissues in this work resulted in identifying a series of lncRNAs associated with metastasis, including CRLM1. CRLM1 inhibited apoptosis of CRC cells and promoted liver metastasis in Balb/C nude mice. CRLM1 was weakly associated with the chromatin regions of genes involved in cell adhesion and DNA damage, and this association was bidirectionally correlated with CRLM1-regulated pro-metastatic gene expression. CRLM1 physically interacts with the hnRNPK protein and promotes its nuclear localization. CRLM1 effectively enhances hnRNPK promoter occupancy and co-regulates the expression of a panel of metastatic genes.

Conclusions

The finding of the clinically significant lncRNA CRLM1 in promoting metastasis and regulating gene expression suggests a potential biomarker and target for CRLM therapy.
Paper 4: a review of reporting and disseminating approaches for rapid reviews in health policy and systems research
Authors: Kelly Shannon E. , McGowan Jessie , Barnhardt Kim , Straus Sharon E.
Published: July 2022

Background

Transparent reporting of rapid reviews enables appropriate use of research findings and dissemination strategies can strengthen uptake and impact for the targeted knowledge users, including policy-makers and health system managers. The aim of this literature review was to understand reporting and dissemination approaches for rapid reviews and provide an overview in the context of health policy and systems research.

Methods

A literature review and descriptive summary of the reporting and disseminating approaches for rapid reviews was conducted, focusing on available guidance and methods, considerations for engagement with knowledge users, and optimizing dissemination. MEDLINE, PubMed, Google scholar, as well as relevant websites and reference lists were searched from January 2017 to March 2021 to identify the relevant literature with no language restrictions. Content was abstracted and charted.

Results

The literature review found limited guidance specific to rapid reviews. Building on the barriers and facilitators to systematic review use, we provide practical recommendations on different approaches and methods for reporting and disseminating expedited knowledge synthesis considering the needs of health policy and systems knowledge users. Reporting should balance comprehensive accounting of the research process and findings with what is “good enough” or sufficient to meet the requirements of the knowledge users, while considering the time and resources available to conduct a review. Typical approaches may be used when planning the dissemination of rapid review findings; such as peer-reviewed publications or symposia and clear and ongoing engagement with knowledge users in crafting the messages is essential so they are appropriately tailored to the target audience. Consideration should be given to providing different products for different audiences. Dissemination measures and bibliometrics are also useful to gauge impact and reach.

Conclusions

Limited guidance specific to the reporting and dissemination of rapid reviews is available. Although approaches to expedited synthesis for health policy and systems research vary, considerations for the reporting and dissemination of findings are pertinent to all.
General decay for weak viscoelastic equation of Kirchhoff type containing Balakrishnan–Taylor damping with nonlinear delay and acoustic boundary conditions
Authors: Yoon Min , Lee Mi Jin , Kang Jum-Ran
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we consider the general decay of solutions for the weak viscoelastic equation of Kirchhoff type containing Balakrishnan–Taylor damping with nonlinear delay and acoustic boundary conditions. By using suitable energy and Lyapunov functionals, we prove the general decay for the energy, which depends on the behavior of bothσandk.
Current insight into the regulation of PD-L1 in cancer
Authors: Liu Zhuandi , Yu Xibao , Xu Ling , Li Yangqiu , Zeng Chengwu
Published: July 2022

The molecular mechanisms underlying cancer immune escape are a core topic in cancer immunology research. Cancer cells can escape T cell-mediated cellular cytotoxicity by exploiting the inhibitory programmed cell-death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1, CD274) immune checkpoint. Studying the PD-L1 regulatory pattern of tumor cells will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms of tumor immune evasion and improve cancer treatment. Recent studies have found that tumor cells regulate PD-L1 at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels and influence the anti-tumor immune response by regulating PD-L1. In this review, we focus on the regulation of PD-L1 in cancer cells and summarize the underlying mechanisms.
Noninvasive fetal genotyping of single nucleotide variants and linkage analysis for prenatal diagnosis of monogenic disorders
Authors: Wu Wenman , Zhou Xuanyou , Jiang Zhengwen , Zhang Dazhi , Yu Feng , Zhang Lanlan , Wang Xuefeng , Chen Songchang , Xu Chenming
Published: July 2022

Background

High-cost, time-consuming and complex processes of several current approaches limit the use of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for monogenic disorders in clinical application. Thus, a more cost-effective and easily implementable approach is required.

Methods

We established a low-cost and convenient test to noninvasively deduce fetal genotypes of the mutation and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci by means of targeted amplification combined with deep sequencing of maternal genomic and plasma DNA. The sequential probability ratio test was performed to detect the allelic imbalance in maternal plasma. This method can be employed to directly examine familial pathogenic mutations in the fetal genome, as well as infer the inheritance of parental haplotypes through a group of selected SNPs linked to the pathogenic mutation.

Results

The fetal mutations in 17 families with different types of monogenic disorders including hemophilia A, von Willebrand disease type 3, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hyper-IgM type 1, glutaric acidemia type I, Nagashima-type palmoplantar keratosis, and familial exudative vitreoretinopathy were identified in the study. The mutations included various forms: point mutations, gene inversion, deletions/insertions and duplication. The results of 12 families were verified by sequencing of amniotic fluid samples, the accuracy of the approach in fetal genotyping at the mutation and SNPs loci was 98.85% (172/174 loci), and the no-call rate was 28.98% (71/245 loci). The overall accuracy was 12/12 (100%). Moreover, the approach was successfully applied in plasma samples with a fetal fraction as low as 2.3%.

Conclusions

We have shown in this study that the approach is a cost-effective, less time consuming and accurate method for NIPD of monogenic disorders.
Impact of Ageing on Female Metabolic Flexibility: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study in over-60 Active Women
Authors: Monferrer-Marín Jordi , Roldán Ainoa , Monteagudo Pablo , Chulvi-Medrano Iván , Blasco-Lafarga Cristina
Published: July 2022

Background

Ageing affects metabolic flexibility, although physical status could influence this relationship. This cross-sectional study aims to describe and analyse the metabolic flexibility/inflexibility in a group of active older women, together with the impact of ageing and physical status on their oxidation rates and maximal fat oxidation (MFO).

Methods

Fifteen volunteers (69.00 ± 6.97 years)—from 24 women—completed an incremental cycling test until the second ventilatory threshold. Intensity increased 10 W each 3 min 15 s, starting at 30 W. Gas exchange, heart rate, rate of perceived effort, pain scale and muscle power were registered, together with lactate. VO2 and VCO2 were considered for fat and carbohydrate oxidation (FATox and CHOox; Frayn’s equation) at intensities 60%, 80% and 100% from the peak power in the test (P100). Psychophysiological parameters were compared at MFO/FATmax and P100, together with the energy expenditure calculations around MFO (included FAT and CHO contributions), and the main correlation analyses, with and without P100 and VO2 as covariates.

Results

FATox was low at MFO (0.13; 95% CI [0.09–0.17] mg/min/kgFFM; 3.50; 95% CI [2.49–4.50] mg/min/kgFFM), with short oxidation-rate curves shifting down and leftward. CHOox and FATox were both low for reduced power with age (77.14 ± 18.58 W and 39.29 ± 9.17 W at P100 and MFO, respectively), all accompanied by a fall in energy expenditure (5.44 ± 2.58 kcal/min and 3.32 ± 1.55 kcal/min at P100 and MFO, respectively). Power appears as a determinant factor, given its strong and negative significant association with age (r = − 0.85, p < 0.005; R2 = 0.72) and moderate with MFO (r = − 0.54, p = 0.04; R2 = 0.29). In turn, energy expenditure shows a positive and moderate association with muscle power (r = 52, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Despite the drop in substrates oxidation with age, physical status (i.e. larger muscular power and energy expenditure) suggests a key role in the preservation of metabolic health with ageing in active women.
A comprehensive in silico exploration of the impacts of missense variants on two different conformations of human pirin protein
Authors: Khan Auroni Semonti , Parvez Nahid , Ahsan Tamim , Shoily Sabrina Samad , Sajib Abu Ashfaqur
Published: July 2022

Background

Pirin, a member of the cupin superfamily, is an iron-binding non-heme protein. It acts as a coregulator of several transcription factors, especially the members of NFκB transcription factor family. Based on the redox state of its iron cofactor, it can assume two different conformations and thereby act as a redox sensor inside the nucleus. Previous studies suggested that pirin may be associated with cancer, inflammatory diseases as well as COVID-19 severities. Hence, it is important to explore the pathogenicity of its missense variants. In this study, we used a number of in silico tools to investigate the effects of missense variants of pirin on its structure, stability, metal cofactor binding affinity and interactions with partner proteins. In addition, we used protein dynamics simulation to elucidate the effects of selected variants on its dynamics. Furthermore, we calculated the frequencies of haplotypes containing pirin missense variants across five major super-populations (African, Admixed American, East Asian, European and South Asian).

Results

Among a total of 153 missense variants of pirin, 45 were uniformly predicted to be pathogenic. Of these, seven variants can be considered for further experimental studies. Variants R59P and L116P were predicted to significantly destabilize and damage pirin structure, substantially reduce its affinity to its binding partners and alter pirin residue fluctuation profile via changing the flexibility of several key residues. Additionally, variants R59Q, F78V, G98D, V151D and L220P were found to impact pirin structure and function in multiple ways. As no haplotype was identified to be harboring more than one missense variant, further interrogation of the individual effects of these seven missense variants is highly recommended.

Conclusions

Pirin is involved in the transcriptional regulation of several genes and can play an important role in inflammatory responses. The variants predicted to be pathogenic in this study may thus contribute to a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of various inflammatory diseases. Future studies should be focused on clarifying if any of these variants can be used as disease biomarkers.
Effects of repeated fire on Florida oak-saw palmetto scrub
Authors: Schmalzer Paul A. , Foster Tammy E.
Published: July 2022

Background

The dominant species of Florida oak-saw palmetto scrub sprout after burning from belowground rhizomes or fire-resistant aboveground buds with rapid reestablishment of cover. Responses to single fires are well documented; however, responses to repeated fires may differ. Fire return intervals, differences among sites, and species may influence responses. We used transect data from four sites on Kennedy Space Center/Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to test whether growth differed through repeated fires. Two sites burned five times in 36 years, one site burned five times in 25 years, and one burned four times in 18 years. We used linear mixed models that account for repeated measures to determine if the number of fires affected height, total cover ≥ 0.5 m and < 0.5 m, bare ground, and cover of the dominant oak (Quercus) ≥ 0.5 m and of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) ≥ 0.5 m. We compared community composition through repeated fires using nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination.

Results

Height, total cover ≥ 0.5 m, and cover of the dominant oak ≥ 0.5 m and of saw palmetto ≥ 0.5 m increased with time since burn; total cover < 0.5 m and bare ground decreased. A quadratic term in the growth model was significant except for total cover < 0.5 m. There were site differences for all variables except bare ground. The number of fires decreased height, total cover ≥ 0.5 m, and cover of the dominant oak ≥ 0.5 and increased total cover < 0.5 m and bare ground but had no effect on cover of Serenoa repens ≥ 0.5 m. Community changes after repeated fires were similar in nonmetric multidimensional ordinations with time since burn correlated to the first or second axis.

Conclusions

Scrub recovered from repeated fires at a range of intervals and seasons, but short return intervals reduced growth with responses differing among species.
Egyptian vowel second formant in isolation and in transition following high-frequency fricatives by NLFC hearing aid in children: how does the pattern compare to typically hearing peers?
Authors: Saleh Marwa Mahmoud , Mohammed Hassnaa Othman , El Danasoury Iman Sadek , Hassan Dalia Mohamed , Sarwat Sally A. , Elrefaie Dina A.
Published: July 2022

Background

High-frequency consonants form an area of difficulty among children with hearing impairment. Many technological setups have emerged in order to improve their audibility, among them nonlinear frequency compression (NLFC). Therefore, the following study was carried out in order to evaluate change in production of high-frequency fricatives by hearing-impaired children utilizing NLFC hearing aids. This was through spectrographic analysis of F2 onset of transition elicited by fricatives in a prevocalic context, and results were compared to typically developing (TD) children. A change in mid-frequency sounds due to high-frequency compression was also tested through production of sustained vowels in isolation.

Results

A preliminary prospective case-control study involved 9 patients with NLFC hearing aids, evaluated at 1- and at 6-month post-fitting, without receiving speech therapy. Spectrographic analysis of F2 formant onset in [a] and [i] vowels when combined with [s] and [f] fricatives in a CV (consonant-vowel) pattern, presented auditorily and audio-visually, was observed and analyzed. One patient was excluded due to noncompliance in attendance. In the 8 patients who completed the study, very high-frequency level of F2 onset in CV was notable in second versus first evaluation in NLFC group, to the extent of surpassing the typical value in TD control group with [i] vowel. Contrastingly, F2 of sustained vowels in isolation took a trend of a lower value after 6 months of NLFC hearing aid use, as compared to the first evaluation. Consequently, the gap between sustained vowel F2 level in TD and NLFC groups widened.

Conclusion

Mean high-frequency range of F2 onset of transition in CV patterns of voiceless fricatives [s] and [f] with [i] and [a] vowels 6 months after NLFC fitting reflects an enhancement in the frequency range production of these sounds. A shift toward a lower F2 frequency range in sustained mid-frequency vowels, on the other hand, remains to be carefully investigated as a sequel of nonlinear frequency compression in the Egyptian hearing-impaired children.
Quality of life outcomes in acoustic neuroma: systematic review (2000–2021)
Authors: Barker-Collo Suzanne , Miles Anna , Garrett Joanne
Published: July 2022

Background

The majority of acoustic neuroma (AN) outcome studies examine medical outcomes. An alternative is to examine how AN, its treatment, and complications impact patients’ quality of life (QOL). A systematic review for AN was conducted using MEDLINE, PUBMED, and EMBASE.

Manuscripts were limited to human participants, written in English, and published from 2000 to 2021. Of 426 unique citations, only 48 examined QOL outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using Downs and Black’s Quality Assessment Index.

Results

Sixteen studies (33.3%) compared AN patients to normative/control data, 15 (31.25%) compared QOL outcomes between treatment groups, 8 (16.7%) examined changes in QOL over time within a treatment modality, 7 (14.6%) examined QOL in relation to a specific sample characteristic, and 2 (4.2%) used non-standard methods to describe patients experiences. QOL was worse post-surgery and/or radiotherapy compared with healthy controls and active surveillance and tied to symptoms experienced. Study quality was reasonable despite expectable limitations due to the nature of the population.

Conclusions

AN treatments, particularly surgical, may result in pain and nerve damage. Whilst not common, these can significantly impact QOL domains, including social and emotional wellbeing and social participation. Surgical teams should prepare patients for this possibility and ensure adequate community follow-up with specialist physical therapies, audiology, ophthalmology, and psychology to mitigate these effects should they occur.
Preservation techniques and their effect on nutritional values and microbial population of brewer’s spent grain: a review
Authors: Terefe Geberemariyam
Published: July 2022

The most prevalent by-product produced by the brewery factory is brewer's spent grain (BSG). A total of 70%, 10%, and 20% of the BSG produced are used for animal feed, biogas production, and landfills, respectively. Feeding wet brewery spent grain can avoid the cost of drying. Wet brewery spent grain is used as a replacement for forage in the diets of animals. The high moisture content and ease of deterioration of wet brewery leftover grain as a fresh feed are drawbacks (3–5 days). BSG is provided as a low-cost feed despite its greater perishability and microbiological instability. There are two significant challenges brought on by the BSG's higher moisture content (80%). First, transportation is expensive. Second, the abundance of proteins and polysaccharides in BSG promotes microbial development and deterioration. Therefore, these problems can be solved by utilizing various preservation methods, including drying (solar, freeze, and oven drying), freezing, ensiling (both alone and in combination with other animal feeds), and additives (Silo-King GPX preservatives, xylanase, carbohydrase (econase) and protease (alcalase), urea and lime, sodium formate, calcium propionate, formic and propionic acids, acetic acid, NaCl, NaOH, HCl, and H2SO4).
Empiric treatment of patients with sepsis and septic shock and place in therapy of cefiderocol: a systematic review and expert opinion statement
Authors: Cortegiani Andrea , Ingoglia Giulia , Ippolito Mariachiara , Girardis Massimo , Falcone Marco , Pea Federico , Pugliese Francesco , Stefani Stefania , Viale Pierluigi , Giarratano Antonino
Published: July 2022

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are frequent causes of sepsis and septic shock in intensive care unit (ICU) and thus considered a public health threat. Until now, the best available therapies consist of combinations of preexisting or new antibiotics with β-lactamase inhibitors (either new or preexisting). Several mechanisms of resistance, especially those mediated by metallo-β-lactamases (MBL), are responsible for the inefficacy of these treatments, leaving an unmet medical need. Intravenous cefiderocol has been recently approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and nosocomial pneumonia due to Gram-negative, when limited therapeutical options are available. In addition, its ability to hijack bacterial iron uptake mechanisms makes cefiderocol stable against the whole Ambler β-lactamase inhibitors and increases the in vitro efficacy against Gram-negative pathogens (e.g., Enterobacterales spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii). Trials have already demonstrated their non-inferiority to comparators. In 2021, ESCMID guidelines released a conditional recommendation supporting the use of cefiderocol against metallo-β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales and against Acinetobacter baumannii. This review provides the opinion of experts about the general management of empiric treatment of patients with sepsis and septic shock in the intensive care unit and detects the proper place in therapy of cefiderocol considering recent evidence sought through a systematic search.
Associations of Serum Vitamin B6 Status and Catabolism With All-Cause Mortality in Patients With T2DM
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Li Yilan , Lang Xueyan , Zhang Yao
Published: July 2022

Context

There is little evidence regarding the association between serum vitamin B6 status and catabolism and all-cause mortality in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Objective

We aimed to ascertain if the serum level of vitamin B6 and catabolism, including pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) and 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA), were associated with risk of all-cause mortality in T2DM patients.

Methods

This prospective cohort study involved 2574 patients with T2DM who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2010. The serum concentrations of PLP and 4-PA were used to assess the serum level of vitamin B6. Mortality status was determined by routine follow-up using the National Death Index through December 31, 2015.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 85 months, there were 588 deaths. The fully adjusted Cox model indicated that the highest serum PLP concentrations (> 63.6 nmol/L) were associated with a decrease in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55-0.99, P trend = .035). The risk for all-cause mortality was 59% higher for participants with the highest quartile of 4-PA level compared with the lowest quartile (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.12-2.35; P trend = .003). The sensitivity and specificity of the combination of PLP and 4-PA levels for the prediction of all-cause mortality were 59.5% and 60.9%, respectively (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.632). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival for patients based on different combinations of PLP level and 4-PA level. Patients with PLP less than 24.3 nmol/L and 4-PA greater than or equal to 25.4 nmol/L had the worst outcomes (log-rank P < .001).

Conclusion

Overall, our data suggest that a low serum level of PLP and high serum level of 4-PA, which represent the serum level of vitamin B6, increases the risk of all-cause mortality significantly in patients with T2DM.
Use of combined picosecond 1064nm and thulium laser 1927nm in melasma treatment – case report
Authors: Kozinska Urszula , Gras-Ozimek Jordi
Published: July 2022

Melasma is an acquired, chronic skin pigmentation disorder that affects mainly women and can significantly affect the quality of life and self-esteem of patients. Many therapeutic procedures have been described in the literature, nevertheless the disease is difficult to treat.

A case report. The paper presents a case of successful laser treatment in a 44-year-old woman with a long history of facial skin discoloration of the type of melasma. The patient was treated with combined laser therapy in the area of ​​facial discoloration with a picosecond laser and a thulium laser.

Aim The aim of this study is to draw attention to the possibility of using laser therapy in the treatment of melasma-type skin hyperpigmentation. In this article, we describe a case of brightening of a melasma-type discoloration during a single laser treatment combining the use of a 1064nm picosecond laser and a 1927nm thulium laser, in order to meet       interests of patients and physicians in the use of laserotherapy in the treatment of discoloration, especially in patients who do not tolerate well the side effects of pharmacological therapies.

Conclusions. The use of laser therapy, with particular emphasis on the picosecond and thulium laser, can be an important and effective element in the treatment of melasma-type hyperpigmentation of the skin.
A mixed-method approach to study country of origin effects on brand perceptions in international online behaviour
Authors: Drennan Todd , Lindh Cecilia , Dreifalt Nathalie
Published: July 2022

This study employs a mixed-method approach to online purchase intent in an international setting, with a combination of focus group interviews with a structural model based on a multi-national survey, consisting of 734 online consumers from 58 countries. Geographical borders make less
of a difference online and call for an investigation regarding the effect of country of origin (COO) and brand preferences on purchase intent when consumers purchase online from foreign countries. Quantitative data analysis of the data set revealed that the effect on consumers' purchase intent
and their openness to foreign countries and brand preferences are conditionally intertwined. However, if little is known or top-of-mind during the purchase decision process, the brand and its image have greater weight, thus alluding to the need to assess further the fundamental judgments and
decisions used in online purchase decisions.
Acceptance of COVID-19 Tracking Apps
Authors: Zhang Lixuan , Amos Clinton
Published: July 2022

To combat COVID-19, many governments have turned to tracking apps to detect exposure risk or enforce self-quarantine rules. Understanding factors that lead to public acceptance of these apps is essential since the adoption of these apps may help to suppress the pandemic. Based on a
survey of 296 American respondents in May 2020, the study investigates the psychological processes that lead to COVID-19 tracking app acceptance. The results show that institutional trust affects acceptance through perceived effectiveness of the apps. In addition, perceived threat moderates
the relationship between perceived app effectiveness and acceptance. When the perceived threat level is high, the relationship between perceived app effectiveness and acceptance is stronger. The results of the study provide a fruitful ground for future work that intends to examine the decisionmaking
process that may affect health surveillance tracking app acceptance.
Towards a multidimensional performance measure for North-South industrial alliances
Authors: Jedidi Mariem , Philippart Pascal , Zeribi Olfa
Published: July 2022

While the question of the success of alliances is a topic that is widely discussed in the literature, the definition of alliance performance and its measurement are still debatable. Previous research has shown that different measures are mostly global, unidimensional, or narrow in scope. However, the literature suggests that only an adequate combination of indicators should address the multidimensionality of alliance performance. Similarly, the validity of the underlying measures is still doubtful. This is more pronounced in the case of North-South industrial alliances, which have received little interest from researchers. This alliance involves companies from developed countries, in particular European or American ones, and firms from developing countries, such as those from North African countries. The study is intended, in the specific context of North-South alliances, to question the alliance performance concept and to evaluate the construct validity of the measures that define it. A second-order alliance performance construct, measured by financial performance, efficiency, learning and reputation, is then proposed. An empirical investigation was conducted among 136 Tunisian companies in the industrial sector. These companies were engaged in alliances with European and American firms. The validity of performance measures is assessed through reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant tests. The results show that the proposed indicators are valid measures corresponding to different and complementary dimensions. The findings obtained can help alliance managers with a toolkit for evaluating alliance success and recommendations for its operation. The research also contributes to the empirical validation of a second-order alliance performance construct, a result considered as original in a Tunisian context.
Pattern recognition based movement control and gripping forces control system on arm robot model using LabVIEW
Authors: Ramadhan Nur Jamiludin , Lilansa Noval , Rifa'i Afaf Fadhil , Nguyen Hoe Dinh
Published: July 2022

Most arm robot has an inefficient operating time because it requires operator to input destination coordinates. Besides, main problem of arm robot is object’s vulnerability when it is manipulated by the robot. This research goals is to develop an arm robot control system which has ability to automatically detect object using image processing in order to reduce operating time. It is also able to control gripping force for eliminating damage to objects caused by robot gripper. This research is implemented in LabVIEW 2011 software to control arm robot model which can represent industrial scale robot. The software is designed with informative visualization to help user learn and understand robotic control concept deeply. The system can automatically detect object position based on pattern recognition method which has four steps: pre-processing process to initialize picture taken by camera, segmentation process for separating object from the background, classification process to determine characteristics of object, and position estimation process to estimate object position in the picture. The object’s position data are then calculated by using kinematic equation to control the robot’s motion. The results show that the system is able to detect object and move the robot automatically with accuracy rate in x-axis is 95.578 % and in y-axis is 92.878 %. The system also implements modified PI control method with FSR as input to control gripping force with maximum overshoot value `10 %. Arm robot model control system developed is successfully meet the expectation. The system control can be implemented to industrial scale arm robot with several modification because of kinematic similarity between model and industrial scale robot.
Design and application of models reference adaptive control (MRAC) on ball and beam
Authors: Romdlony Muhammad Zakiyullah , Rosa Muhammad Ridho , Syamsudin Edwin Muhammad Puji , Trilaksono Bambang Riyanto , Wibowo Agung Surya
Published: July 2022

This paper presents the implementation of an adaptive control approach to the ball and beam system (BBS). The dynamics of a BBS are non-linear, and in the implementation, the uncertainty of the system's parameters may occur. In this research, the linear state-feedback model reference adaptive control (MRAC) is used to synchronize the states of the BBS with the states of the given reference model. This research investigates the performance of the MRAC method for a linear system that is applied to a non-linear system or BBS. In order to get a faster states convergence response, we define the initial condition of the feedback gains. In addition, the feedback gains are limited to get less oscillation response. The results show the error convergence is improved for the different sets of the sinusoidal reference signal for the MRAC with modified feedback gains. The ball position convergence improvement of MRAC with modified feedback gains for sinusoidal reference with an amplitude of 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 are 35.1 %, 36 %, and 52.4 %, respectively.
Improvement of power grid stability and load distribution using diesel excitation controller
Authors: Ganji Ehsan , Mahdavian Mehdi
Published: July 2022

One of the requirements for controlling hybrid power systems is designing an appropriate excitation system, flexibility, protection, and coordination of all components to improve system stability. In this paper, various types of equipment simulated in the linear form and non-linear models are connected to the power supply. In the same direction, while presenting a new controller for the diesel generator excitation system and a filter used to purify and attenuate current harmonics is reported on the stability of a grid-independent system. Finally, the variation of the mode for the voltage and power of the system has been confirmed at the time of error and complete system stability. Also, the important indicators in the analysis are obtained in the lowest values, which can be seen from the controlled harmonics of the system of this data. In addition, the variation of the mode for the voltage and power of the system has been confirmed and the important indicators in the analysis are obtained in the lowest values.
State of charge estimation of ultracapacitor based on equivalent circuit model using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system
Authors: Nurdiansyah Rizal , Windarko Novie Ayub , Rakhmawati Renny , Abdul Haq Muhammad
Published: July 2022

Ultracapacitors have been attracting interest to apply as energy storage devices with advantages of fast charging capability, high power density, and long lifecycle. As a storage device, accurate monitoring is required to ensure and operate safely during the charge/discharge process. Therefore, high accuracy estimation of the state of charge (SOC) is needed to keep the Ultracapacitor working properly. This paper proposed SOC estimation using the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). The ANFIS is tested by comparing it to true SOC based on an equivalent circuit model. To find the best method, the ANFIS is modified and tested with various membership functions of triangular, trapezoidal, and gaussian. The results show that triangular membership is the best method due to its high accuracy. An experimental test is also conducted to verify simulation results. As an overall result, the triangular membership shows the best estimation. Simulation results show SOC estimation mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) is 0.70 % for charging and 0.83 % for discharging. Furthermore, experimental results show that MAPE of SOC estimation is 0.76 % for random current. The results of simulations and experimental tests show that ANFIS with a triangular membership function has the most reliable ability with a minimum error value in estimating the state of charge on the Ultracapacitor even under conditions of indeterminate random current.