bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Review of Stone Dust in Concrete: Mechanical Behavior, Durability, and Environmental Performance
Authors: Silva Leandro S. , Amario Mayara , Stolz Carina M. , Figueiredo Karoline V. , Haddad Assed N.
Published: July 2023

The escalating demand for natural resources within the construction industry is progressing upward. At the same time, however, there is a great concern regarding the depletion of these resources. This review paper emphasizes the significance of utilizing alternative aggregate materials in concrete. Particularly, it aims to explore replacing natural sand with stone dust. On the one hand, the depletion of primary sources of natural sand worldwide, combined with environmental and ecological concerns, drives the adoption of alternative aggregate materials for sustainable concrete construction. On the other hand, stone dust, a waste from the quarrying industry, offers a cost-effective and practical solution for producing concrete. This article presents a comprehensive literature review of the main trends in utilizing stone dust in recycled aggregates in the past decade and its influence on concrete properties. It addresses critical research questions regarding the physical and chemical properties of stone dust aggregates compared to natural sand; the impact of stone dust on the workability, mechanical, physical, and durability properties of recycled concrete; and the potential reduction of environmental impacts in terms of energy consumption and emissions through the replacement of natural sand with stone dust. Ultimately, this paper proposes future investigative work based on identified research gaps.
Shear Behavior of Prestressed Hollow Core One-Way Slabs with Openings: Experimental, Numerical, and Standard Formulation Verification
Authors: Pinheiro Gregory , Moreno Júnior Armando , Schultz Arturo , Silva Igor , Arroyo Felipe N. , Aquino Vinícius , Ferreira Marcelo , Carvalho Roberto , Santos Herisson , Christoforo André L. , Almeida Filho Fernando
Published: July 2023

The use of prestressed precast hollow core slabs has intensified as technological advances. However, the knowledge of the structural behavior when openings are inserted into this element is still limited, mainly due to the shear force. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the structural behavior of the shear test of prestressed hollow core slabs with openings. In this paper, three types of hollow core slabs were tested: no openings, a central opening and side openings; using experimental and numerical methodology. The experimental test was carried out in the Federal University of São Carlos, and the numerical analysis used the software ABAQUS. All results were compared with three standard formulations (i.e., NBR, ACI and Eurocode), in order to verify its accuracy. In the end, the numerical results demonstrated that the developed model (CDP) presented results close to the experimental results. For the hollow core slab with a central opening, a rupture occurred in the web adjacent to the opening. On the other hand, for the hollow core slab with side openings, the rupture occurred at the edge of the web. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that the openings influence the main web tensions, being responsible for the diagonal model stress rupture. Finally, the Brazilian and Eurocode standard formulations proved to be good estimators of the resistant shear force.
Generating Interior Design from Text: A New Diffusion Model-Based Method for Efficient Creative Design
Authors: Chen Junming , Shao Zichun , Hu Bin
Published: July 2023

Because interior design is subject to inefficiency, more creativity is imperative. Due to the development of artificial intelligence diffusion models, the utilization of text descriptions for the generation of creative designs has become a novel method for solving the aforementioned problem. Herein, we build a unique interior decoration style dataset. Thus, we solve the problem pertaining to the need for datasets, propose a new loss function that considers the decoration style, and retrain the diffusion model using this dataset. The trained model learns interior design knowledge and can generate an interior design through text. The proposed method replaces the designer’s drawing with computer-generated creative design, thereby enhancing the design efficiency and creative generation. Specifically, the proposed diffusion model can generate interior design images of specific decoration styles and spatial functions end to end from text descriptions, and the generated designs are easy to modify. This novel and creative design method can efficiently generate various interior designs, promote the generation of creative designs, and enhance the design and decision-making efficiency.
Exploringthe Potential of Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Architectural Design: A Perception Study Using Gaudí’sWorks
Authors: Zhang Zhihui , Fort Josep M. , Giménez Mateu Lluis
Published: July 2023

This study undertakes a comprehensive investigation into the comparison of designs between the acclaimed architect Antoni Gaudí and those produced by an artificial intelligence (AI) system. We evaluated the designs using five main metrics: Authenticity, Attractiveness, Creativity, Harmony, and overall Preference. The findings underline the superiority of Gaudí’s designs in terms of Authenticity and Harmony, testifying to the unique aesthetic appeal of human-created designs. On the other hand, AI-generated designs demonstrate significant potential, exhibiting competitive results in the categories of Attractiveness and Creativity. In some cases, they even surpass Gaudí’s designs in terms of overall Preference. However, it is clear that AI faces challenges in replicating the distinctive aspects of human design styles, pointing to the innate subjectivity inherent to design evaluations. These findings shed light on the role AI could play as a tool in architectural design, offering diverse design solutions and driving innovation. Despite this, the study also emphasizes the difficulties AI faces in capturing the unique facets of human design styles and the intrinsic subjectivity in design evaluations.
The Time-Dependent Behavior of Glulam Beams from European Hornbeam
Authors: Lovrić Vranković Jelena , Boko Ivica , Uzelac Glavinić Ivana , Torić Neno , Abramović Mario
Published: July 2023

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of glued laminated timber (glulam) beams made from European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) under constant loading for three months. Glulam beams were experimentally tested as a part of the last phase of the research project conducted by Drvene konstrukcije Ltd. and the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy, Split. Beams were loaded in four-point bending tests with the applied load levels of 20% and 30% of the maximum force obtained from previously performed short-term tests. The experiments were carried out under minor environmental changes at the specialized laboratory unit at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Geodesy, Split. The objective of this study is to present the research results of bending creep tests for hardwood species not included in the European Assessment Document. The experimentally obtained deflection-time curves were fitted with the power law equation used for the prediction of creep behavior. The results indicate that the power law fits well with experimental data. A comparison with requirements from Eurocode 5 is given.
Bridging Law Application to Fracture of Fiber Concrete Containing Oil Shale Ash
Authors: Upnere Sabine , Novakova Iveta , Jekabsons Normunds , Krasnikovs Andrejs , Macanovskis Arturs
Published: July 2023

Concrete is a widely used material in various industries, including hazardous waste management. At the same time, its production creates a significant carbon footprint. Therefore, intensive research is being conducted to create more eco-friendly concrete, for example, partially replacing cement with by-products such as oil shale ash (OSA) or improving properties by adding dispersed fibers such as basalt fibers (BFs). The article consists of experimental testing of nine types of concrete and the modeling of crack propagation in bending. The basic trends of crack propagation in samples of concrete with OSA and BFs are simulated using a two-dimensional Finite Element (FE) model considering only material degradation on the opening crack surface and experimental data of three- and four-point bending tests. Crack propagation is modeled using the bridging law approach. A surrogate model for predicting the peak loading as a function of tensile strength and fracture work was created. An examination of the results of the FE model shows that the bilinear and nonlinear bridging law functions best describe the crack growth in the analyzed material. A comparison of experimental and modeled results showed that the length of the composite BF strongly affects the accuracy of the numerical model.
The Influence of Aeroelastic Effects on Wind Load and Wind-Induced Response of a Super-Tall Building: An Experimental Study
Authors: Xu Ze , Yin Jiangjiang
Published: July 2023

To investigate the wind-induced response and equivalent wind load of a super-tall building, an aeroelastic model of the building was designed to measure aerodynamic interference in wind tunnel tests. Experiments on pressure and vibration measurements were conducted in both uniform and turbulent wind fields, and the displacement response and surface wind pressure at different locations of the model were recorded. The displacement time-history response spectrum and aerodynamic spectrum in both fields were compared and analyzed. The research showed that the mean displacement responses of the model in the across-wind and along-wind directions gradually increased with velocity under different wind attack angles. The mean displacement response of torsion moment in a uniform wind field changed very little, and the mean and fluctuating wind pressures in each layer were significantly stratified, making it is easy to generate a coupled vortex-induced resonance. On the other hand, the mean displacement response of torsion moment in a turbulent field increased with wind velocity. Strong turbulence made the fluctuating wind pressure at the top and bottom of the model slightly more significant than in a uniform field. The resistance of super-tall buildings came from turbulence excitation in the along-wind direction and the self-excited resistance generated by the across-wind direction. The test methods and main research conclusions may provide a reference for glass curtain walls and the structural wind-resistant design of super-tall buildings.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Thermal Ablation in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Testoni Sabrina Gloria Giulia , Minici Claudia , Benetti Elisa , Clemente Francesca , Boselli Daniela , Sciorati Clara , De Monte Lucia , Petrone Maria Chiara , Enderle Markus , Linzenbold Walter , Protti Maria Pia , Manfredi Angelo , De Cobelli Francesco , Reni Michele , Falconi Massimo , Capurso Gabriele , Arcidiacono Paolo Giorgio , Della-Torre Emanuel
Published: July 2023

Immunological consequences of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-local thermal ablation (LTA) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have not been extensively assessed. We aimed to explore EUS-LTA effects on the systemic immune response in PDAC. Peripheral blood was collected from 10 treatment-naïve patients with borderline resectable and locally advanced PDAC, randomly allocated to Nab-paclitaxel plus Gemcitabine chemotherapy (CT-arm, n = 5) or EUS-LTA with HybridTherm Probe plus CT (HTP + CT-arm, n = 5). Twenty healthy donors were included as controls. Flow-cytometry and multiplex assays were used to profile immune cell subsets and measure serum cytokines/chemokines, respectively. At baseline, PDAC patients showed increased circulating monocytes and lower circulating lymphocytes and CD19+ B cells counts compared to healthy controls. After 4 months, CT induced decrease of B regulatory cells, CD4+ cytotoxic T cells and IL-1β. The addition of EUS-HTP to CT selectively decreased the serum levels of APRIL/TNFSF13 as well as T regulatory cells, total, classic and inflammatory monocytes. Serum levels of APRIL/TNFSF13 and total, classic and inflammatory monocytes counts at baseline were associated with worse overall survival. EUS-HTP has the potential to selectively impact on immune cells and cytokines associated with poor outcomes in PDAC.
Can Bee Venom Be Used as Anticancer Agent in Modern Medicine?
Authors: Małek Agata , Strzemski Maciej , Kurzepa Joanna , Kurzepa Jacek
Published: July 2023

Honey bee venom in its composition contains many biologically active peptides and enzymes that are effective in the fight against diseases of various etiologies. The history of the use of bee venom for medicinal purposes dates back thousands of years. There are many reports in the literature on the pharmacological properties of bee venom and/or its main components, e.g., anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial or neuroprotective properties. In addition, both crude venom and melittin exhibit cytotoxic activity against a wide range of tumor cells, with significant anti-metastatic activity in pre-clinical studies. Due to the constantly increasing incidence of cancer, the development of new therapeutic strategies in oncology is a particular challenge for modern medicine. A review paper discusses the various properties of bee venom with an emphasis on its anticancer properties. For this purpose, the PubMed database was searched, and publications related to “bee”, “venom”, “cancer” from the last 10 years were selected.
A Radiomics-Based Classifier for the Progression of Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated with Definitive Radiotherapy
Authors: Garcia Darwin A. , Jeans Elizabeth B. , Morris Lindsay K. , Shiraishi Satomi , Laughlin Brady S. , Rong Yi , Rwigema Jean-Claude M. , Foote Robert L. , Herman Michael G. , Qian Jing
Published: July 2023

In this study, we investigated whether radiomics features from pre-treatment positron emission tomography (PET) images could be used to predict disease progression in patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer treated with definitive proton or x-ray radiotherapy. Machine learning models were built using a dataset from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (n = 72) and tested on a dataset from Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona (n = 22). A total of 71 clinical and radiomics features were considered. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to identify the top 2 clinical and top 20 radiomics features that were significantly different between progression and progression-free patients. Two dimensionality reduction methods were used to define two feature sets (manually filtered or machine-driven). A forward feature selection scheme was conducted on each feature set to build models of increased complexity (number of input features from 1 to 6) and evaluate model robustness and overfitting. The machine-driven features had superior performance and were less prone to overfitting compared to the manually filtered features. The four-variable Gaussian Naïve Bayes model using the ‘Radiation Type’ clinical feature and three machine-driven features achieved a training accuracy of 79% and testing accuracy of 77%. These results demonstrate that radiomics features can provide risk stratification beyond HPV-status to formulate individualized treatment and follow-up strategies.
Enhancing Triage Efficiency and Accuracy in Emergency Rooms for Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis of Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Triage Using ChatGPT 4.0
Authors: Gebrael Georges , Sahu Kamal Kant , Chigarira Beverly , Tripathi Nishita , Mathew Thomas Vinay , Sayegh Nicolas , Maughan Benjamin L. , Agarwal Neeraj , Swami Umang , Li Haoran
Published: July 2023

Background: Accurate and efficient triage is crucial for prioritizing care and managing resources in emergency rooms. This study investigates the effectiveness of ChatGPT, an advanced artificial intelligence system, in assisting health providers with decision-making for patients presenting with metastatic prostate cancer, focusing on the potential to improve both patient outcomes and resource allocation. Methods: Clinical data from patients with metastatic prostate cancer who presented to the emergency room between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023 were retrospectively collected. The primary outcome was the sensitivity and specificity of ChatGPT in determining whether a patient required admission or discharge. The secondary outcomes included the agreement between ChatGPT and emergency medicine physicians, the comprehensiveness of diagnoses, the accuracy of treatment plans proposed by both parties, and the length of medical decision making. Results: Of the 147 patients screened, 56 met the inclusion criteria. ChatGPT had a sensitivity of 95.7% in determining admission and a specificity of 18.2% in discharging patients. In 87.5% of cases, ChatGPT made the same primary diagnoses as physicians, with more accurate terminology use (42.9% vs. 21.4%, p = 0.02) and more comprehensive diagnostic lists (median number of diagnoses: 3 vs. 2, p < 0.001). Emergency Severity Index scores calculated by ChatGPT were not associated with admission (p = 0.12), hospital stay length (p = 0.91) or ICU admission (p = 0.54). Despite shorter mean word count (169 ± 66 vs. 272 ± 105, p < 0.001), ChatGPT was more likely to give additional treatment recommendations than physicians (94.3% vs. 73.5%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our hypothesis-generating data demonstrated that ChatGPT is associated with a high sensitivity in determining the admission of patients with metastatic prostate cancer in the emergency room. It also provides accurate and comprehensive diagnoses. These findings suggest that ChatGPT has the potential to assist health providers in improving patient triage in emergency settings, and may enhance both efficiency and quality of care provided by the physicians.
Cancer Associated Macrophage-like Cells Are Prognostic for Highly Aggressive Prostate Cancer in Both the Non-Metastatic and Metastatic Settings
Authors: Gironda Daniel J. , Bergan Raymond C. , Alpaugh R. Katherine , Danila Daniel C. , Chuang Tuan L. , Hurtado Brenda Y. , Ho Thai , Adams Daniel L.
Published: July 2023

Despite advancements in the early-stage detection and expansion of treatments for prostate cancer (PCa), patient mortality rates remain high in patients with aggressive disease and the overtreatment of indolent disease remains a major issue. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a standard PCa blood biomarker, is limited in its ability to differentiate disease subtypes resulting in the overtreatment of non-aggressive indolent disease. Here we assess engorged cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs), a ≥50 µm, cancer-specific, polynucleated circulating cell type found in the blood of patients with PCa as a potential companion biomarker to PSA for patient risk stratification. We found that rising PSA is positively correlated with increasing CAML size (r = 0.307, p = 0.004) and number of CAMLs in circulation (r = 0.399, p < 0.001). Over a 2-year period, the presence of a single engorged CAML was associated with 20.9 times increased likelihood of progression (p = 0.016) in non-metastatic PCa, and 2.4 times likelihood of progression (p = 0.031) with 5.4 times likelihood of death (p < 0.001) in metastatic PCa. These preliminary data suggest that CAML cell monitoring, in combination with PSA, may aid in differentiating non-aggressive from aggressive PCas by adding biological information that complements traditional clinical biomarkers, thereby helping guide treatment strategies.
Immunotherapy Approaches in Isocitrate-Dehydrogenase-Mutant Low-Grade Glioma
Authors: Gallus Marco , Kwok Darwin , Lakshmanachetty Senthilnath , Yamamichi Akane , Okada Hideho
Published: July 2023

Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) are slow-growing tumors in the central nervous system (CNS). Patients characteristically show the onset of seizures or neurological deficits due to the predominant LGG location in high-functional brain areas. As a molecular hallmark, LGGs display mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) enzymes, resulting in an altered cellular energy metabolism and the production of the oncometabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate. Despite the remarkable progress in improving the extent of resection and adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, LGG remains incurable, and secondary malignant transformation is often observed. Therefore, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. In recent years, immunotherapeutic strategies have led to tremendous success in various cancer types, but the effect of immunotherapy against glioma has been limited due to several challenges, such as tumor heterogeneity and the immunologically “cold” tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, recent preclinical and clinical findings from immunotherapy trials are encouraging and offer a glimmer of hope for treating IDH-mutant LGG patients. Here, we aim to review the lessons learned from trials involving vaccines, T-cell therapies, and IDH-mutant inhibitors and discuss future approaches to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapies in IDH-mutant LGG.
Treatment Patterns and Outcomes for Patients with Ampullary Carcinoma Who Do Not Undergo Surgery
Authors: Facer Benjin D. , Cloyd Jordan M. , Manne Ashish , Pitter Kenneth L. , Diaz Dayssy A. , Bazan Jose G. , Miller Eric D.
Published: July 2023

Surgical resection is the standard of care for ampullary adenocarcinoma (AC). Many patients are ineligible due to comorbidities/advanced disease. Evidence for the optimal non-operative management of localized AC is lacking. We hypothesize that patients treated with chemotherapy (CT) and definitive radiation (DRT) will have superior survival (OS) compared to those treated with CT alone. We performed a retrospective review of the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2017 to identify patients with non-metastatic AC and no surgical intervention. Patients were categorized as having received no treatment, palliative radiotherapy (PRT) alone, CT alone, CT + PRT, DRT alone, or CT + DRT. We utilized Kaplan–Meier analysis to determine OS and the log-rank test to compare survival curves. Among 2176 patients, treatment groups were: No treatment (71.2%), PRT alone (1.9%), CT alone (13.1%), CT + PRT (1.6%), DRT alone (2.4%), and CT + DRT (9.7%). One-year OS varied by treatment group, ranging from 35.1% (PRT alone) to 59.4% (CT + DRT). The one-year OS in a matched cohort was not significantly different between CT alone and CT + DRT (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.69–1.10, p = 0.87). Most patients with non-metastatic AC not treated with surgery do not receive any treatment. There is no difference in one-year OS between those undergoing CT alone and CT + DRT.
Microtubule Dynamics Deregulation Induces Apoptosis in Human Urothelial Bladder Cancer Cells via a p53-Independent Pathway
Authors: Drosos Yiannis , Konstantakou Eumorphia G. , Bassogianni Aggeliki-Stefania , Nikolakopoulos Konstantinos-Stylianos , Koumoundourou Dimitra G. , Markaki Sophia P. , Tsitsilonis Ourania E. , Voutsinas Gerassimos E. , Valakos Dimitrios , Anastasiadou Ema , Thanos Dimitris , Velentzas Athanassios D. , Stravopodis Dimitrios J.
Published: July 2023

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is the sixth most common type of cancer and has a dismal prognosis if diagnosed late. To identify treatment options for BLCA, we systematically evaluated data from the Broad Institute DepMap project. We found that urothelial BLCA cell lines are among the most sensitive to microtubule assembly inhibition by paclitaxel treatment. Strikingly, we revealed that the top dependencies in BLCA cell lines include genes encoding proteins involved in microtubule assembly. This highlights the importance of microtubule network dynamics as a major vulnerability in human BLCA. In cancers such as ovarian and breast, where paclitaxel is the gold standard of care, resistance to paclitaxel treatment has been linked to p53-inactivating mutations. To study the response of BLCA to microtubule assembly inhibition and its mechanistic link with the mutational status of the p53 protein, we treated a collection of BLCA cell lines with a dose range of paclitaxel and performed a detailed characterization of the response. We discovered that BLCA cell lines are significantly sensitive to low concentrations of paclitaxel, independently of their p53 status. Paclitaxel induced a G2/M cell cycle arrest and growth inhibition, followed by robust activation of apoptosis. Most importantly, we revealed that paclitaxel triggered a robust DNA-damage response and apoptosis program without activating the p53 pathway. Integration of transcriptomics, epigenetic, and dependency data demonstrated that the response of BLCA to paclitaxel is independent of p53 mutational signatures but strongly depends on the expression of DNA repair genes. Our work highlights urothelial BLCA as an exceptional candidate for paclitaxel treatment. It paves the way for the rational use of a combination of paclitaxel and DNA repair inhibitors as an effective, novel therapeutic strategy.
Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential of Squalene Synthase: Deciphering Its Biochemical Mechanism, Disease Implications, and Intriguing Ties to Ferroptosis
Authors: Picón David Figueredo , Skouta Rachid
Published: July 2023

Squalene synthase (SQS) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for various diseases, including cancers, owing to its pivotal role in the mevalonate pathway and the antioxidant properties of squalene. Primarily, SQS orchestrates the head-to-head condensation reaction, catalyzing the fusion of two farnesyl pyrophosphate molecules, leading to the formation of squalene, which has been depicted as a highly effective oxygen-scavenging agent in in vitro studies. Recent studies have depicted this isoprenoid as a protective layer against ferroptosis due to its potential regulation of lipid peroxidation, as well as its protection against oxidative damage. Therefore, beyond its fundamental function, recent investigations have unveiled additional roles for SQS as a regulator of lipid peroxidation and programmed cell death pathways, such as ferroptosis—a type of cell death characterized by elevated levels of lipid peroxide, one of the forms of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and intracellular iron concentration. Notably, thorough explorations have shed light on the distinctive features that set SQS apart from other members within the isoprenoid synthase superfamily. Its unique biochemical structure, intricately intertwined with its reaction mechanism, has garnered significant attention. Moreover, considerable evidence substantiates the significance of SQS in various disease contexts, and its intriguing association with ferroptosis and lipid peroxidation. The objective of this report is to analyze the existing literature comprehensively, corroborating these findings, and provide an up-to-date perspective on the current understanding of SQS as a prospective therapeutic target, as well as its intricate relationship with ferroptosis. This review aims to consolidate the knowledge surrounding SQS, thereby contributing to the broader comprehension of its potential implications in disease management and therapeutic interventions.
An Integrated CT and MRI Imaging Model to Differentiate between Adrenal Adenomas and Pheochromocytomas
Authors: Araujo-Castro Marta , García Sanz Iñigo , Mínguez Ojeda César , Calatayud María , Hanzu Felicia A. , Mora Mireia , Vicente Delgado Almudena , Carrera Concepción Blanco , de Miguel Novoa Paz , del Carmen López García María , Manjón-Miguélez Laura , Rodríguez de Vera Gómez Pablo , del Castillo Tous María , Barahona San Millán Rebeca , Recansens Mónica , Fernández-Ladreda Mariana Tomé , Valdés Nuria , Gracia Gimeno Paola , Robles Lazaro Cristina , Michalopoulou Theodora , Gómez Dos Santos Victoria , Alvarez-Escola Cristina , García Centeno Rogelio , Lamas Cristina , Herrera-Martínez Aura
Published: July 2023

Purpose: to perform an external validation of our predictive model to rule out pheochromocytoma (PHEO) based on unenhanced CT in a cohort of patients with PHEOs and adenomas who underwent adrenalectomy. Methods: The predictive model was previously developed in a retrospective cohort of 1131 patients presenting with adrenal lesions. In the present study, we performed an external validation of the model in another cohort of 214 patients with available histopathological results. Results: For the external validation, 115 patients with PHEOs and 99 with adenomas were included. Our previously described predictive model combining the variables of high lipid content and tumor size in unenhanced CT (AUC-ROC: 0.961) had a lower diagnostic accuracy in our current study population for the prediction of PHEO (AUC: 0.750). However, when we excluded atypical adenomas (with Hounsfield units (HU) > 10, n = 39), the diagnostic accuracy increased to 87.4%. In addition, in the whole cohort (including atypical adenomas), when MRI information was included in the model, the diagnostic accuracy increased to up to 85% when the variables tumor size, high lipid content in an unenhanced CT scan, and hyperintensity in the T2 sequence in MRI were included. The probability of PHEO was <0.3% for adrenal lesions <20 mm with >10 HU and without hyperintensity in T2. Conclusion: Our study confirms that our predictive model combining tumor size and lipid content has high reliability for the prediction of PHEO when atypical adrenal lesions are excluded. However, for atypical adrenal lesions with >10 HU in an unenhanced CT scan, MRI information is necessary for a proper exclusion of the PHEO diagnosis.
Histology-Validated Dielectric Characterisation of Lung Carcinoma Tissue for Microwave Thermal Ablation Applications
Authors: Farina Laura , Ruvio Giuseppe , Shatwan Ramadan , Shalaby Aliaa , O’Halloran Martin , White Alexandra , Soo Alan , Breen David , Lowery Aoife , Quinn Anne Marie
Published: July 2023

Microwave thermal ablation is a promising emerging treatment for early-stage lung cancer. Applicator design optimisation and treatment planning rely on accurate knowledge of dielectric tissue properties. Limited dielectric data are available in the literature for human lung tissue and pulmonary tumours. In this work, neoplastic and non-neoplastic lung dielectric properties are characterised and correlated with gross and histological morphology. Fifty-six surgical specimens were obtained from twelve patients undergoing lung resection for lung cancer in University Hospital of Galway, Ireland. Dielectric spectroscopy in the microwave frequency range (500 MHz–8.5 GHz) was performed on the ex vivo lung specimens with the open-ended coaxial probe technique (in the Department of Pathology). Dielectric data were analysed and correlated with the tissue histology. The dielectric properties of twelve lung tumours (67% non-small cell carcinoma (NSCC)) and uninvolved lung parenchyma were obtained. The values obtained from the neoplastic lung specimens (relative permittivity: 52.0 ± 5.4, effective conductivity: 1.9 ± 0.2 S/m, at 2.45 GHz) were on average twice the value of the non-neoplastic lung specimens (relative permittivity: 28.3 ± 6.7, effective conductivity: 1.0 ± 0.3 S/m, at 2.45 GHz). Dense fibrosis was comparable with tumour tissue (relative permittivity 49.3 ± 4.6, effective conductivity: 1.8 ± 0.1 S/m, at 2.45 GHz).
The Use of Targeted Cytokines as Cancer Therapeutics in Glioblastoma
Authors: Sooreshjani Moloud , Tripathi Shashwat , Dussold Corey , Najem Hinda , de Groot John , Lukas Rimas V. , Heimberger Amy B.
Published: July 2023

Cytokines play an important role in regulating the immune response. Although there is great interest in exploiting cytokines for cancer immunotherapy, their clinical potential is limited by their pleiotropic properties and instability. A variety of cancer cell-intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics pose a barrier to effective treatments including cytokines. Recent studies using gene and cell therapy offer new opportunities for targeting cytokines or their receptors, demonstrating that they are actionable targets. Current efforts such as virotherapy, systemic cytokine therapy, and cellular and gene therapy have provided novel strategies that incorporate cytokines as potential therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma. Ongoing research on characterizing the tumor microenvironment will be informative for prioritization and combinatorial strategies of cytokines for future clinical trials. Unique therapeutic opportunities exist at the convergence of cytokines that play a dual role in tumorigenesis and immune modulation. Here, we discuss the underlying strategies in pre- and clinical trials aiming to enhance treatment outcomes in glioblastoma patients.
Optimization of a Luteolin-Loaded TPGS/Poloxamer 407 Nanomicelle: The Effects of Copolymers, Hydration Temperature and Duration, and Freezing Temperature on Encapsulation Efficiency, Particle Size, and Solubility
Authors: Mod Razif Muhammad Redza Fahmi , Chan Siok Yee , Widodo Riyanto Teguh , Chew Yik-Ling , Hassan Masriana , Hisham Shairyzah Ahmad , Rahman Shamima Abdul , Ming Long Chiau , Tan Ching Siang , Lee Siew-Keah , Liew Kai Bin
Published: July 2023

Background: Luteolin is a flavonoid compound that has been widely studied for its various anti-cancer properties and sensitization to multidrug-resistant cells. However, the limited solubility and bioavailability of Lut hindered its potential clinical use. Theoretically, the combination of this compound with vitamin E TPGS and poloxamer 407 can produce a synergistic effect to enhance tumor apoptosis and P-glycoprotein inhibition. This study aimed to develop and optimize vitamin E TPGS/Poloxamer 407 micelles loaded with luteolin through investigating certain factors that can affect the encapsulation efficiency and particle size of the micelle. Methods: A micelle was prepared using the film hydration method, and the micellar solution was lyophilized. The cake formed was analyzed. The factors investigated include the concentrations of the surfactants, ratio of vitamin E TPGS/Poloxamer 407, temperature of the hydrating solution, duration of hydration, and freezing temperature before lyophilization. The effects of these factors on the encapsulation efficiency and particle size of the micelle were also studied. The encapsulation efficiency was measured using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, while particle size was measured using dynamic light scattering. Results: The optimized micelle was found to have 90% encapsulation efficiency with a particle size of less than 40 nm, which was achieved using a 10% concentration of surfactants at a vitamin E TPGS/Poloxamer 407 ratio of 3:1. The optimized temperature for hydrating the micellar film was 40 °C, the optimized mixing time was 1 h, and the optimized freezing temperature was −80 °C. The solubility of the luteolin-loaded micelles increased 459-fold compared to pure Lut in water. The critical micelle concentration of the vitamin E TPGS/Poloxamer 407 micelle was 0.001 mg/mL, and the release study showed that luteolin-loaded micelles exhibited sustained release behavior. The release of luteolin from a micelle was found to be higher in pH 6.8 compared to pH 7.4, which signified that luteolin could be accumulated more in a tumor microenvironment compared to blood. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that several factors need to be considered when developing such nanoparticles in order to obtain a well-optimized micelle.
The Impact of Different Green Synthetic Routes on the Photocatalytic Potential of FeSnO2 for the Removal of Methylene Blue and Crystal Violet Dyes under Natural Sunlight Exposure
Authors: Shaukat Arifa , Farrukh Muhammad Akhyar , Chong Kok-Keong , Nawaz Rabia , Qamar Muhammad Tariq , Iqbal Shahid , Awwad Nasser S. , Ibrahium Hala A.
Published: July 2023

FeSnO2 nanocomposites were synthesized via the green method using aqueous leaf extracts of Lawsonia inermis and Phyllanthus embilica plants. The role of polyphenols based on reduction potentials for the synthesis of FeSnO2 was also highlighted. The synthesized materials were examined by using TGA and DSC, FT-IR, XRD, and SEM with EDX analysis. Tetragonal rutile and distorted hexagonal structures were observed in SEM images of the FeSnO2 nanocomposites and compared with an FeSnO2 nanocomposite prepared using the sol-gel method. Scherer’s formula yielded crystallite sizes of 29.49, 14.54, and 20.43 nm; however, the average crystallite size assessed employing the Williamson–Hall equation was found to be 20.85, 11.30, and 14.86 nm by using the sol-gel and green techniques, using extracts from Lawsonia inermis and Phyllanthus embilica. The band gap was determined by using the Tauc and Wood equations, and photocatalytic activity was analyzed to determine the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) under the illumination of natural sunlight. It was observed that the sample prepared by means of the green method using the leaf extract of Lawsonia inermis showed the best photocatalytic activity of 84%, with a particle size of 14.54 nm, a 3.10 eV band gap, and a specific surface area of 55.68 m2g−1.
Reaction Pathways of Gamma-Valerolactone Hydroconversion over Co/SiO2 Catalyst
Authors: Novodárszki Gyula , Lónyi Ferenc , Mihályi Magdolna R. , Vikár Anna , Barthos Róbert , Szabó Blanka , Valyon József , Solt Hanna E.
Published: July 2023

The hydroconversion of γ-valerolactone (GVL) over Co/SiO2 catalyst proceeds in a complex reaction network, resulting in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) as the main product, and C4–C5 alcohol and alkane side-products. The catalyst was shown to contain Co0 sites and Lewis acid (Co2+ ion)/Lewis base (O2− ion) pair sites, active for hydrogenation/dehydrogenation and dehydration reactions, respectively. The initial reaction step was confirmed to be the hydrogenation of GVL to key intermediate 1,4-pentanediol (1,4-PD). Cyclodehydration of 1,4-PD led to the main product 2-MTHF, whereas its dehydration/hydrogenation gave 1-pentanol and 2-pentanol side-products, with about the same yield. In contrast, 2-pentanol was the favored alcohol product of 2-MTHF hydrogenolysis. 2-Butanol was formed by decarbonylation of 4-hydroxypentanal intermediate. The latter was the product of 1,4-PD dehydrogenation. Alkanes were formed from the alcohol side-products via dehydration/hydrogenation reactions.
Unravelling the Role of PARP1 in Homeostasis and Tumorigenesis: Implications for Anti-Cancer Therapies and Overcoming Resistance
Authors: Lovsund Taylor , Mashayekhi Fatemeh , Fitieh Amira , Stafford James , Ismail Ismail Hassan
Published: July 2023

Detailing the connection between homeostatic functions of enzymatic families and eventual progression into tumorigenesis is crucial to our understanding of anti-cancer therapies. One key enzyme group involved in this process is the Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family, responsible for an expansive number of cellular functions, featuring members well established as regulators of DNA repair, genomic stability and beyond. Several PARP inhibitors (PARPi) have been approved for clinical use in a range of cancers, with many more still in trials. Unfortunately, the occurrence of resistance to PARPi therapy is growing in prevalence and requires the introduction of novel counter-resistance mechanisms to maintain efficacy. In this review, we summarize the updated understanding of the vast homeostatic functions the PARP family mediates and pin the importance of PARPi therapies as anti-cancer agents while discussing resistance mechanisms and current up-and-coming counter-strategies for countering such resistance.
Application-Oriented Bulk Cryopreservation of Human iPSCs in Cryo Bags Followed by Direct Inoculation in Scalable Suspension Bioreactors for Expansion and Neural Differentiation
Authors: Meiser Ina , Alstrup Monica , Khalesi Elham , Stephan Bianca , Speicher Anna M. , Majer Julia , Kwok Chee Keong , Neubauer Julia C. , Hansson Mattias , Zimmermann Heiko
Published: July 2023

Stem cell-based therapies are promising tools for regenerative medicine and require bulk numbers of high-quality cells. Currently, cells are produced on demand and have a limited shelf-life as conventional cryopreservation is primarily designed for stock keeping. We present a study on bulk cryopreservation of the human iPSC lines UKKi011-A and BIONi010-C-41. By increasing cell concentration and volume, compared to conventional cryopreservation routines in cryo vials, one billion cells were frozen in 50 mL cryo bags. Upon thawing, the cells were immediately seeded in scalable suspension-based bioreactors for expansion to assess the stemness maintenance and for neural differentiation to assess their differentiation potential on the gene and protein levels. Both the conventional and bulk cryo approach show comparative results regarding viability and aggregation upon thawing and bioreactor inoculation. Reduced performance compared to the non-frozen control was compensated within 3 days regarding biomass yield. Stemness was maintained upon thawing in expansion. In neural differentiation, a delay of the neural marker expression on day 4 was compensated at day 9. We conclude that cryopreservation in cryo bags, using high cell concentrations and volumes, does not alter the cells’ fate and is a suitable technology to avoid pre-cultivation and enable time- and cost-efficient therapeutic approaches with bulk cell numbers.
Questions about Using the Induced Membrane Technique to Manage Cases of Congenital Tibial Pseudarthrosis
Authors: Klein Céline , Gindraux Florelle , Masquelet Alain-Charles , Mentaverri Romuald , Gouron Richard
Published: July 2023

The induced membrane technique is an innovative approach for repairing critical bone defects and has been applied recently in patients with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT). CPT is frequently associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Here, we briefly describe the clinical results of the induced membrane technique in NF1-deficient patients with CPT and in an animal model of CPT. Furthermore, we discuss the hypotheses used to explain inconsistent outcomes for the induced membrane technique in CPT–especially when associated with NF1.
MIP-Assisted 3-Hole POF Chip Faced with SPR-POF Sensor for Glyphosate Detection
Authors: Alberti Giancarla , Spina Stefano , Arcadio Francesco , Pesavento Maria , De Maria Letizia , Cennamo Nunzio , Zeni Luigi , Merli Daniele
Published: July 2023

The present study proposes the application of a recently developed optical–chemical sensor system to glyphosate detection. The device probes the refractive index variation in a chip based on a plastic optical fiber (POF) in which three orthogonal micro-holes were created and filled with an acrylic-based molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). This sensitive chip, connected in series to a gold-coated SPR-POF platform, can modify the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomena by exploiting the multimode characteristic of the POFs. Therefore, the gold film of the SPR-POF platform is not covered by the MIP layer, improving the sensor’s performance because the interaction between the analyte (glyphosate) and the polymer recognition cavities occurs in the core and not in the cladding of the waveguide. Indeed, the sample solution is dropped on the MIP-based chip while a water drop is constantly maintained above the gold surface of the reference SPR-POF platform to excite the surface plasmons, modulated by the MIP interaction with the target analyte. The device is here for the first time applied for glyphosate sensing in water samples. The high sensitivity and selectivity are proven, and tests on real samples highlight the good performances of the developed sensors.
Comparison of Different Types of Palatal Expanders: Scoping Review
Authors: Inchingolo Angelo Michele , Patano Assunta , De Santis Matteo , Del Vecchio Gaetano , Ferrante Laura , Morolla Roberta , Pezzolla Carmela , Sardano Roberta , Dongiovanni Leonardo , Inchingolo Francesco , Bordea Ioana Roxana , Palermo Andrea , Inchingolo Alessio Danilo , Dipalma Gianna
Published: July 2023

Maxillary bone contraction is caused by genetics or ambiental factors and is often accompanied by dental crowding, with the possibility of canine inclusion, crossbite, class II and III malocclusion, temporomandibular joint disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS). Transverse maxillary deficits, in which the maxillary growth is unusually modest, are frequently treated with maxillary expansion. The purpose of this study is to compare the dental and skeletal effects of different types of expanders, particularly the Leaf Expander, rapid and slow dental-anchored or skeletal-anchored maxillary expanders. Methods: We chose studies that compared effects determined by palatal expansion using a rapid palatal expander, expander on palatal screws, and leaf expander. Results: Reports assessed for eligibility are 26 and the reports excluded were 11. A final number of 15 studies were included in the review for qualitative analysis. Conclusions: Clinically and radiographically, the outcomes are similar to those obtained with RME and SME appliances; Therefore, it might be a useful treatment choice as an alternative to RME/SME equipment in cases of poor patient compliance or specific situations. Finally, all of the devices studied produce meaningful skeletal growth of the palate. The use of skeletally anchored devices does, without a doubt, promote larger and more successful growth in adolescent patients.
Household Wealth Gradient in Low Birthweight in India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Ghose Bishwajit
Published: July 2023

A low birthweight is a common complication that can result from numerous physiological, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, and can put babies at an increased risk for health issues such as breathing difficulties, developmental delays, and even death in severe cases. In this analysis, I aim to assess the differences in the burden of low birthweight based on household wealth status in India using data from the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS 2019–21). The sample population includes 161,596 mother–child dyads. A low birthweight is defined as a weight that is <2500 g at birth. I used descriptive and multivariate regression analyses in R studio to analyse the data. The findings show that 16.86% of the babies had a low birthweight. At the state level, the percentage of low birthweights ranges from 3.85% in Nagaland to 21.81% in Punjab. The mean birthweights range from 2759.68 g in the poorest, 2808.01 g in the poorer, 2838.17 g in the middle, 2855.06 g in the richer, and 2871.30 g in the richest wealth quintile households. The regression analysis indicates that higher wealth index quintiles have progressively lower risks of low birthweight, with the association being stronger in the rural areas. Compared with the poorest wealth quintile households, the risk ratio of low birthweight was 0.90 times lower for the poorer households and 0.74 times lower for the richest households. These findings indicate that household wealth condition is an important predictor of low birthweight by which low-income households are disproportionately affected. As wealth inequality continues to rise in India, health policymakers must take the necessary measures to support the vulnerable populations in order to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.