bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helen Sutherland in Interwar Northumberland: Patronage and Place
Authors: Holt Ysanne
Published: October 2024

From 1928 to 1939 the art collector Helen Sutherland rented Rock Hall, a large manor house partly dating from the 13th century and located near the coast in rural Northumberland. Throughout this period, interspersed with regular returns to London, Rock served, in her words, as a ‘place of refuge and renewal’ for friends, including the painter and poet David Jones, curator and collector Jim Ede and artists Ben and Winifred Nicholson. This, for Sutherland, was a ‘greatly loved landscape of seashore, hills, saints, legends, birds and all the friends who came there’. Such a perception of the relatively unpeopled rural north of England is important, not simply in terms of Sutherland’s experience, but as it speaks to wider interwar contexts of modernism and modernity, rurality and notions of regional and national identity. With a processual and relational understanding of place, I consider the nature and implications of Helen Sutherland’s art collection and her form of collecting, the character of her social and cultural networks and the extent to which patronage itself can contribute to a production of place.
Heard But Not Seen: Gardens and Their Child Ghosts in Rudyard Kipling, T. S. Eliot and Lucy M. Boston
Authors: Butler Catherine
Published: October 2024

The post-Romantic idealisation of childhood in much late-Victorian and Edwardian literature often makes use of a garden setting as a locus amoenus associated (like childhood itself) with qualities of innocence. There was inevitably a disjunction between this idealised image and the lives of actual children, however. One aspect of that difference was the high incidence of child mortality, a phenomenon notably absent from most Golden Age children’s literature, though present in the lives of many of its authors. The depiction of child ghosts was one way of acknowledging this trauma. Rudyard Kipling’s story ‘They’ is a powerful case in point, one that echoes in the work of writers as diverse as T. S. Eliot and Lucy M. Boston. It is a text unusual both in the directness with which it exposes the disjunction noted above and in its willingness to explore (though not wholly embrace) new narrative and genre approaches to its resolution, some of which would go on to inform key texts of modernism and of twentieth-century rurality.
‘On the Perimeter and Fringe of War’: Norman Nicholson, Rural Modernity and Wartime
Authors: Frayn Andrew
Published: October 2024

The author Norman Nicholson is an exemplary writer of rural modernity, acutely conscious of the need for rural areas to remain ‘living and organic communities’, as he puts it in his topographic book Greater Lakeland (1969). Here I argue that his position in his lifetime home of Millom, an industrial town on the periphery of the tourist Lake District, gives his writing a unique, revisionary perspective on both modern/ist and war poetry: he is a non-combatant rural poet who focuses not on contested ground overseas, but on the rural and wartime industry on the north-western English coast. Born in 1914, his life was profoundly shaped by war, and while not often considered in these terms, he was inspired by modernist poetry, particularly that of his editor at Faber & Faber, T. S. Eliot. Reading Nicholson’s early writings ‘on the perimeter and fringe of war’ (‘Waiting for Spring, 1943’) during the Second World War, engaging with his editing, periodical contributions, and early poetry up to and including his debut collection Five Rivers (1944), enables us to see the multiple ways that the traces of war in his poetry have previously gone unrecognised, displaced, by the widely-theorised struggle of both combatants and civilians to articulate the experience of war, into dates, locations, events and depictions of the body. I conclude by examining Nicholson’s response to war after the Second World War, and commenting on the implications for more general theories of wartime.
Entropy generation rate optimisation for profiled endwall design for axial turbines
Authors:   Durham University, Martinez-Castro Pedro A. , Williams Richard J. ,   Durham University, Ingram Grant L. ,   Durham University
Published: October 2024

This paper investigates the formulation of the optimal objective function for aerodynamic design of turbomachinery using genetic algorithms (GA) supported by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The aim is to outline entropy generation rate minimisation as the most suitable objective function for improving turbomachinery. To this end, the calculation of this variable in RANS-CFD simulations is explained, followed by a sensitivity analysis to mesh size, turbulence model and calculation method in a turbine passage of a low-speed linear cascade. Entropy generation rate minimisation was then used as the objective function to improve profiled endwall (PEW) design for the same cascade. The results of entropy generation rate per unit surface area of optimised designs were compared with previous studies’ endwall designs. This confirmed that the PEWs reduce secondary loss by weakening the pressure side of the horseshoe vortex and its interaction with the suction surface boundary layer. Comparison of loss coefficient CFD results with measurements from the reference cascade with original planar and the optimised PEW showed good agreement between simulations and experiments, demonstrating the proposed design approach’s effectiveness. This paper recommends adopting entropy generation rate as the objective function because it yields superior designs and provides deeper insights into loss mechanisms.
Extended emission footprint analysis of dispatchable gas-based power generation technologies with exhaust aftertreatment technologies
Authors:   Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines, RWTH Aachen University, Goßrau Christian , Petersen Nils H. ,   Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines, RWTH Aachen University, May Laurenz ,   Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines, RWTH Aachen University, Wirsum Manfred ,   Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines, RWTH Aachen University, Lampkowski Alexander ,   Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Alvarez Ariel Schönberger ,   Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Claßen Johannes ,   Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Pischinger Stefan ,   Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems, RWTH Aachen University
Published: October 2024

The mitigation of climate change poses severe pressure on the rapid replacement of conventional power generation technologies by renewables. Due to the inherent volatility of renewable power generation technologies, dispatchable power generation units, such as gas turbines (GT) and gas-based reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE), must be operated to maintain grid stability. While RICE are equipped with exhaust aftertreatment (EAT) technologies as standard to meet regulatory emission limits, this may also become important for GT in the near future. The present study therefore investigates the influence of EAT on emissions, taking into account oxidation catalysts (OC) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts. Single-cycle power plant configurations for both technologies are studied under different operation scenarios, with emphasis on start-ups and partial load operation. Emissions are assessed as “generated mass per electrical output” (g=kWhel), considering both greenhouse gases and local pollutants. To holistically assess the environmental footprint, emissions are converted into impact categories such as Global Warming Potential (GWP), Respiratory Inorganics (RI), Photochemical Ozone Formation (POF) and Human Toxicity Potential (HTP). The increasing variability of operation demands of gas-based power generation technologies leads to a significant increase of emissions and environmental impact without EAT, highlighting the overall need for EAT systems to meet regulatory limits in the future. Both technologies show a significant reduction in the environmental impact factors (RI: > 46 %, POF: > 87 %, HTP: > 86 %) with EAT deployment in all load profile scenarios. With CO2 largely unaffected by EAT, RICE has a lower GWP100 than GT for all load scenarios (-2.6 to -11.4 %) because of the higher average plant efficiency. Due to their modularity, RICE plants can be operated over most of the plant load range without excessive emissions, whereas GT plants are limited to operation above 30 %.
Proper orthogonal decomposition assisted multi-objective inverse design optimization method for the compressor cascade airfoil
Authors:   Harbin Engineering University, Chen Yutian , Zheng Qun ,   Harbin Engineering University, Jiang Yuting ,   Harbin Engineering University, Jiang Qin ,   Harbin Engineering University
Published: October 2024

The limited adoption of inverse design in engineering can be attributed to the challenges associated with predetermining optimal load distribution and the failure to consider aerodynamic performance under various operational conditions. The sparse polynomial combined with non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-Ⅲ (NSGA3) is employed in this study to achieve the optimal load distribution under multiple operating conditions, which is utilized for inverse design. The introduction of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) simultaneously aims to reduce the dimensionality of the static pressure distribution on the blade surface, thereby enhancing the accuracy of sparse polynomial representation. The results demonstrate that the optimized load distribution effectively shifts the maximum load towards the leading edge in comparison to the initial solution. The optimized blade profile also enhances the working range by 14.2% compared to the baseline blade profile.
A new subscale test facility for large temperature difference compact heat exchangers
Authors:   University of Oxford, Pilkington Andrew , Ireland Peter ,   University of Oxford, Bacic Marko ,   Rolls-Royce Plc.
Published: October 2024

This paper describes a new heat exchanger test facility, designed to investigate heat transfer fundamentals in high temperature difference compact heat exchangers. The knowledge gained from this facility will be used in the design of heat exchangers for liquid hydrogen fuel for aircraft propulsion. This new facility will test subscale designs of heat exchangers for use in aircraft, using heated air (250 ℃) and liquid nitrogen (-196 ℃) as the working fluids. The facility is designed to measure local temperatures in the heat exchanger as well as distributions in outlet flow rate and temperature. This allows for more local information to be obtained from a heat exchanger design, as well as measuring bulk temperature changes and global parameters, such as overall heat transfer coefficient and effectiveness.
Numerical and experimental investigation of the velocity field and spray distribution of a novel H2-O2-H2O burner
Authors:   Institute of Sustainable Energy Supply Jade University of Applied Sciences, Sanders Dennis , Eichhorn Lars ,   Institute of Technical Combustion Leibniz University Hannover, Siwczak Niklas ,   Institute of Power Plant Engineering and Heat Transfer Leibniz University Hannover, Scharf Roland ,   Institute of Power Plant Engineering and Heat Transfer Leibniz University Hannover, Dinkelacker Friedrich ,   Institute of Technical Combustion Leibniz University Hannover, Oehlert Karsten ,   Institute of Sustainable Energy Supply Jade University of Applied Sciences
Published: October 2024

As part of the energy transition, a shift to CO2-neutral fuels is inevitable. One potential fuel is hydrogen, which leads to increased nitrogen oxide emissions when air is used due to higher adiabatic combustion temperatures. A completely emission-free use of hydrogen can be achieved by combustion with oxygen instead of air, but the adiabatic combustion temperatures then exceed 3300K making this technologically difficult to realize. In this work, a new combustion process is presented in which the combustion is cooled by liquid water. For this purpose, an innovative novel burner with an integrated dual-fluid nozzle has been developed. The focus of the following work is the numerical and experimental investigation using substitute gases to prepare further steps. It has been shown that the numerical simulations give satisfactorily accurate results and valuable information about the resulting spray has been collected, so that more sophisticated simulations can be performed in further steps.
Effects of ground vortex on flutter stability of a fan blade under quiescent conditions
Authors:   School of Aeronautics and Space Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Chennuru Venkata Y.T. , Rodriguez-Blanco Salvador ,   School of Aeronautics and Space Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Zhao Fanzhou ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering Imperial College, Corral Roque ,   School of Aeronautics and Space Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Vahdati Mehdi ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering Imperial College
Published: October 2024

This paper examines the impact of ground vortex on the flutter stability of a fan blade under quiescent conditions. With the development of Ultra-High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) engines, with resulting shorter intakes and lower ground clearances, it is paramount to establish if (and how) distortions such as ground vortex will influence the flutter stability of a fan blade during ground operation. This work is carried out by using a three-dimensional unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. The results from this preliminary study indicate that the ground vortex (at static engine operating condition without crosswind) can slightly reduce the flutter stability of the blade. To the best knowledge of the authors this is the first time that the work-per-cycle and critical damping ratio is computed for the cases with inlet distortion. Classical post-processing techniques fail to extract damping because of the multiple frequencies present in the system. A novel post-processing technique that performs fitting on the modal force signals using standard square root regression has been used in this paper to overcome this issue.
Performance Analysis of Aviation SOFC/GT Hybrid Power System Considering Hydrogen Energy
Authors:   Beihang University, Li Yanan , Tao Zhi ,   Beihang University, Li Haiwang ,   Beihang University, Xie Gang ,   Beihang University, Yu Mingxing ,   Beihang University
Published: October 2024

As the demand for energy conservation and emission reduction grows, efficient aviation propulsion systems are increasingly gaining attention. The solid oxide fuel cell and gas turbine combined cycle (SOFC/GT) system, with its high efficiency and capability to adapt to clean fuels like hydrogen, is one of the most competitive solutions for achieving zero carbon emissions on large-scale aircraft. However, as the key components of this system are still in the conceptual stage, the power system needs to utilize forward design methods. The high degree of design freedom can lead to convergence challenges in the design process. Therefore, this study proposes a breakeven analysis method to determine the design space of the power system. Using this method, the key parameter design points for the hydrogen SOFC/GT system of a 350-seat blended-wing-body aircraft are determined. The range payload capabilities of the hydrogen SOFC/GT system are compared with the fuel-based and hydrogen-based turbo-electric configurations. The results indicate that the hydrogen SOFC/GT system can achieve performance levels comparable to conventional power systems with lower fuel consumption. However, the power-to-weight ratio of SOFC/GT and hydrogen-storage capacities limit further performance enhancements, necessitating breakthroughs in these key technologies.
Optimal design of a ram air cooling duct housing the condenser of an airborne ORC WHR unit
Authors:   TU Delft, Beltrame Fabio , Van Dongen L. Jasper ,   TU Delft, Colonna Piero ,   TU Delft, De Servi Carlo M. ,   TU Delft
Published: October 2024

Thermal energy harvesting from aero engines using compact organic Rankine cycle (ORC) units can reduce aircraft fuel consumption and emissions. Heat exchangers (HX) are key components of such ORC systems: the primary heat exchanger, or evaporator, recovers part of the thermal energy of the exhaust gases of the engine, while the condenser rejects the thermal energy required to condense the working fluid into the ambient through ram air. The use of ram air can significantly increase the overall drag of the aircraft, thus reducing the fuel savings achievable through the ORC system. As a result, the proper design of the ram air duct and the condenser is critical for the feasibility of thermal energy harvesting from aero engines. By exploiting the ram air temperature increase across the heat exchanger and minimizing pressure losses in the duct, it is possible to reduce the ram air drag or even generate net thrust. This possibility is strongly related to the system design and constraints, thus the integration of fast yet accurate models for the preliminary design of the ram air duct with the overall system model of the combined cycle engine is key. The literature currently lacks studies that assess the accuracy of ram air duct lumped parameter models or provide guidelines for the design of air ducts housing HXs. This paper thus focuses on the development of a quasi-1D model for predicting the drag associated with a ram air duct housing the condenser of a turboshaft ORC bottoming unit and its verification against the results of CFD simulations in which the HX is modeled as a porous medium. The quasi-1D model is then used to perform a sensitivity study and a series of constrained optimizations in which the maximum allowed duct length is varied. More specifically, the paper first describes the lumped parameter model of the duct used to assess the influence of heat exchanger geometry and key design parameters of the duct on the performance of the ram air cooling system. Then, a constrained optimization is carried out to identify the optimal design solution for the duct. Finally, a CFD model of the duct is developed by resorting to the porous media modeling methodology to simulate the presence of the condenser. The porous zone source terms are calibrated using in-house heat exchanger design and rating tools. Results demonstrate that the space constraints strongly affect the design of the ram air duct and that the condenser is one of the main pressure loss sources. Additionally, it is shown that in a preliminary design stage, the lumped parameter model can predict the internal drag of the duct with reasonable accuracy.
Polytropic Process and Real Gas Behavior in Performance Evaluation of Centrifugal Compressors
Authors:   Bechtel Energy Inc., Taher Matt
Published: October 2024

The conventional polytropic process model, 𝑝𝑣𝑛̅ = 𝑐̅, often found in thermodynamic textbooks, is inadequate for accurately describing real gases and may lead to contradiction with the second law of thermodynamics. This paper presents an improved approach to evaluation of the polytropic performance of centrifugal compressors using real gas thermodynamic relationships. The solution technique is based upon a constant efficiency, temperature-entropy path represented by Taher-Evans cubic polynomials. Additionally, the Taher-Evans cubic polynomial method is employed to explain the inaccuracies associated with assuming a constant polytropic exponent in the 𝑝𝑣𝑛̅ = 𝑐̅ model, highlighting how this incorrect assumption may violate the second law of thermodynamics.
Distribution characteristics of integrons and correlation analysis of antibiotic resistance in urine isolated Enterobacter cloacae
Authors: Qiu Xuedan , Zhang Hui , Jiang Min , Wu Qiaoping , Li Qingcao , Wu Guangliang
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aims to understand the distribution of integrons among Enterobacter cloacae isolated from clinical urine specimens in our hospital, as well as the molecular characteristics of the variable region resistance gene cassette of integron-positive strains and its relationship with drug resistance.

Methods

We collected a total of 80 strains of Enterobacter cloacae isolated from urine specimens of hospitalized patients in our hospital between August 2019 and July 2023, and conducted drug sensitivity testing on them. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology was employed to screen these strains for Class 1, 2, and 3 integrons. Following this, the promoter and variable regions of integron-positive strains were amplified and sequenced. Additionally, Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR) was utilized for homology analysis of integron-positive strains.

Results

Among the 80 clinical strains, Class 1 integrons were detected in 31 (38.8%) strains, and the following resistance gene cassettes were identified: aadA2, aadA1, aadB, aac(6’), and catB8. Three types of variable region promoters were observed: PcS (4 strains), PcW (7 strains), and PcH1 (17 strains), with consistently inactive downstream P2 promoters. Additionally, Class 2 integrons were detected in 5 (6.3%) strains, carrying the variable region resistance gene cassette dfrA1-sat2-aadA1. The promoters for Class 2 integrons were uniformly of the Pc2D-Pc2A-Pc2B-Pc2C type. No Class 3 integrons were detected. The strains containing integrons showed significantly higher resistance rates to ciprofloxacin, compound sulfamethoxazole, levofloxacin, gentamicin, amikacin, and tobramycin compared to those without integrons (P<0.05). 35 strains of Enterobacter cloacae carrying integrons are primarily classified into three genotypes: A, B, and C. These genotypes are mainly distributed in the urology department and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The distribution of variable region gene boxes and promoter types is relatively concentrated in the same genotype.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed that Enterobacter cloacae isolated from urine samples predominantly carries Class 1 integrons with an extended array of antibiotic-resistant genes. For future research, it is recommended to explore additional resistance mechanisms and evaluate the effectiveness of new therapeutic strategies. Clinicians should be vigilant about the possibility of clonal dissemination and implement enhanced infection control measures in hospital settings.
Effects of climate change on migration in Latin America and Caribbean: a scoping review
Authors: Cabieses Báltica , Huerta Catalina
Published: October 2024

Climate change-induced natural disasters such as hurricanes, landslides, forest fires, and changes in precipitation directly affect rural sectors that depend on field production and other dimensions of everyday life. This generates the mobilization of people from their homes to safer places within the same country or across borders. There is a lack of information on the impacts of climate change on environmental migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This scoping review aims to describe the scientific evidence of the health effects of climate change on migrant in LAC. The review was conducted using databases from PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), and Google Scholar in English, Spanish and Portuguese. After screening the title, abstract, and full text of identified hits (n = 726), 31 records were finally included. Evidence indicates that climate change relates to health and healthcare, psychosocial and infrastructure dimensions among migrants in LAC. Health effects refer to limited access to healthcare, underdiagnosis, increased susceptibility to diseases and mental health conditions like stress and anxiety. Psychosocial dimensions refer to a heightened risk of sexual and gender-based violence, social marginalization, family separation, and loss of identity and culture. Infrastructure refers to environmental degradation and agricultural and urban infrastructure destruction. Multiple adaptations to these conditions are described among migrant populations in the region. Recommendations for improvements are presented. This scoping review suggests climate change’s significant health, psychosocial, and infrastructural associations with migrants in Latin America.
The association of perioperative serum uric acid variation with in-hospital adverse outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting patients
Authors: Gao Junyi , Cheng Yi
Published: October 2024

Background

Previous studies proposed the predictive value of baseline serum uric acid (SUA) in the prognosis of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. The association of perioperative SUA variation with in-hospital adverse outcomes in CABG patients is unknown.

Methods

A total of 2,453 patients were included in the study and were divided into four groups (G1–G4) according to perioperative SUA variation (ΔSUA) (G1, ΔSUA ≤ −90 μmol/L; G2, −90 μmol/L < ΔSUA < 0; G3, 0 ≤ ΔSUA < 30 μmol/L; G4, 30 μmol/L ≤ ΔSUA.) The basic characteristics and incidence of adverse outcomes were compared between the groups in the overall population and the subgroups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore the association between perioperative SUA increases and adverse outcomes, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to obtain the cutoff value of SUA increases.

Results

The patients had a mean age of 60.9 years and the majority were males (76.7%). In the group with the most significant increase in SUA (G4), incidences of in-hospital all-cause death and fatal arrhythmia were higher than in other groups in the overall population and the subgroups. Multivariate logistic regression showed that an increase in the SUA level of ≥30 µmol/L was significantly associated with in-hospital all-cause death and fatal arrhythmia, independent of the baseline SUA level and renal function. This association was significant in most subgroups for in-hospital fatal arrhythmia and in the ≥60 years, myocardial infarction, and female subgroups for in-hospital all-cause death. The cutoff values of SUA increases in the overall population were 54.5 µmol/L for in-hospital all-cause death and 42.6 µmol/L for in-hospital fatal arrhythmia.

Conclusions

The perioperative SUA increase significantly correlated with a higher incidence of in-hospital all-cause death and fatal arrhythmia in CABG patients, independent of the baseline SUA level and renal function. Perioperative SUA variation may provide complementary information in the identification of patients potentially at risk.
Deep structural insights into the origin of the Heyuan ms 4.5 revealed by deep seismic sounding profiles in southeast China
Authors: Song Jiajia , Wang Shuaijun , Duan Yonghong , Ye Xiuwei , Lv Zuoyong , Wang Liang , Liu Baofeng , Song Xianghui , Cheng Guoliang , Ruan Mingming
Published: October 2024

This study presents an interpretation of a deep seismic sounding (DSS) profile that carried out along the Cathaysia Block in southeast china, aiming to explore the crustal velocity structure. Data used in the survey were obtained from three controlled-source explosions conducted along the 320 km long Lianping-Heyuan-Shanwei profile. The modeling was based on ray tracing, using the extrapolation of seismic wave arrival times with the help of travel times predicted from a one-dimensional velocity model. The average velocity structure of the middle crust is 6.0–6.4 km/s, while a low velocity anomaly of approximately 0.1–0.2 km/s in the vicinity of the Heyuan-Shaowu fault zone. The resulting 2D velocity model indicates that steeply dipping low-velocity zones that correlate with the projection of two major fault zones. These zones, together with a flat LVZ at a depth of 12 km, define a triangular region that correlates with numerous hypocenters. This tectonic setting is favorable for the accumulation and release of strain in high-velocity media within the triangular region. The unique triangular structure in the upper crust provides necessary shallow medium conditions for seismic activity. This indicates that increased seismicity within this area is partially attributed to heightened stress within higher-velocity material. The triangular annular low-velocity body, situated in the upper crust, is influenced by dynamic environmental factors caused by deep thermal disturbances. The deep-seated fault serves as a conduit for the historical migration of thermal material, likely contributing to the seismogenic conditions for earthquakes in Heyuan’s region through deep-seated thermal disturbances. These findings provide a novel geophysical reference model for the regional seismicity near the Xinfengjang reservoir and significantly contribute to understanding the causal relationship between tectonic setting and seismicity. In comparison with previous studies, our research is dedicated to investigating the causes of shallow earthquakes in the region and exploring the relationship between deep and shallow structures.
Single-cell sequencing decodes the secrets of the RAP phenomenon of corticotomy
Authors: Fan Zhibo , Li Shenghong , You Liping , Lan Yuxin , Zhong Yutong , Ma Yuefan , Xu Jie , Xu Xiaomei
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Corticotomy-assisted tooth movement is commonly performed in clinics, however, its time-limited efficacy and the fear of surgery among patients significantly limit its clinical application. Hence, researchers have investigated non-invasive methods to accelerate tooth movement. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying corticotomy-assisted tooth movement are not fully understood.

Methods

Micro-CT and TRAP stain were used to tooth movement and bone resorption. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to study the transcriptome heterogeneity of macrophages after corticotomy. Transmission electron microscopy and iron ion detection was used to evaluate ferroptosis and iron metabolism. In addition, we carried out immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time and flow cytometry verify the effect of iron on macrophage polarization.

Results

Single-cell RNA sequencing of digested alveolar bone identified a significant increase in iron metabolism-related genes post-corticotomy. Macrophages play a central role in this field. Following the dimensionality reduction of macrophages, we revealed a new developmental state via pseudotime analysis post-corticotomy. SCENIC analysis revealed that Atf3 is a key transcription factor influencing this new state. We found that Atf3+ macrophages were closely associated with osteoclasts. Moreover, cell chat revealed an increase in cellular communication between Atf3+ macrophages and other cell types after corticotomy.

Discussion

These findings suggested that Atf3+ macrophages might play a key role in corticotomy-accelerated tooth movement, thus providing potential targets for drug development.
Causal effect of immune cells, metabolites, cathepsins, and vitamin therapy in diabetic retinopathy: a Mendelian randomization and cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhou Huijun , Wang Jingzhi , Cui Xuehao
Published: October 2024

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The pathogenesis of DR involves complex interactions between metabolic disturbances, immune cells, and proteolytic enzymes such as cathepsins (CATs). Despite various studies, the precise roles of different CATs, metabolites, and vitamins in DR remain unclear.

Method

In this study, we employed Mendelian Randomization (MR) to assess causal relationships using genetic instruments selected based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We employed two-sample and mediation MR to explore the causal effects between nine CATs, immune cells, metabolites, vitamins, and DR. Additionally, the study also incorporated data from the NHANES survey to explore the associated relationship between vitamins and DR. We utilized cross-sectional data from the NHANES to analyze the association between vitamin intake and diabetic retinopathy (DR), adjusting for potential confounders to strengthen the validity of our findings.

Results

The MR analysis identified CAT H as a significant risk factor for both NPDR and PDR, with no evidence of reverse causality. Additionally, 62 immune cell traits were found to have causal relationships with NPDR and 49 with PDR. Enrichment analysis revealed that metabolic pathways such as sphingolipid metabolism are crucial in DR progression. Vitamins B6 and E were significantly associated with a reduced risk of PDR. Cross-sectional data indicated that vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, and E progressively decreased with DR severity.

Conclusion

This study is the first to identify CAT H as a key risk factor for DR, while vitamins B6 and E showed significant protective effects, particularly against PDR. These findings suggest that CAT H, along with vitamins B6 and E, could serve as therapeutic targets for DR. Further validation through larger, multi-center studies is recommended to enhance the accuracy and applicability of these findings.
Isolation of a novel Bacillus subtilis HF1 strain that is rich in lipopeptide homologs and has strong effects on the resistance of plant fungi and growth improvement of broilers
Authors: Li Qianru , Wang Ying , Chen Chao , Zeng Mingbai , Jia Qingyun , Ding Jinhao , Zhang Chenjian , Jiao Shanhai , Guo Xupeng , Wu Jihua , Fan Chengming , Chen Yuhong , Hu Zanmin
Published: October 2024

Bacillus subtilis is an important probiotic microorganism that secretes a variety of antimicrobial compounds, including lipopeptides, which are a class of small molecule peptides with important application value in the fields of feed additives, food, biopesticides, biofertilizers, medicine and the biological control of plant diseases. In this study, we isolated a novel B. subtilis HF1 strain that is rich in lipopeptide components and homologs, has a strong antagonistic effect on a variety of plant fungi, and is highly efficient in promoting the growth of broilers. The live B. subtilis HF1 and its fermentation broth without cells showed significant inhibitory effects on 20 species of plant fungi. The crude extracts of lipopeptides in the fermentation supernatant of B. subtilis HF1 were obtained by combining acid precipitation and methanol extraction, and the lipopeptide compositions were analyzed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The results showed that HF1 could produce 11 homologs of surfactin and 13 homologs of fengycin. Among the fengycin homologs, C13-C19 fengycin A and C15-C17 fengycin B were identified; among the surfactin homologs, C11-C17 surfactin A and C13-C16 surfactin B were characterized. C13 fengycin A, C11 surfactin A and C17 surfactin A were reported for the first time, and their functions are worthy of further study. In addition, we found that HF1 fermentation broth with and without live cells could be used as a feed additive to promote the growth of broilers by significantly increasing body weight up to 15.84%. HF1 could be a prospective strain for developing a biocontrol agent for plant fungal diseases and an efficient feed additive for green agriculture.
Preoperative C-reactive protein to albumin ratio may be a good prognostic marker in patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Shi , Xu Shengqian , Wang Jun , Ye Hailin , Zhang Kai , Fan Xiaopeng , Xu Xiaoya
Published: October 2024

Background

Systemic inflammatory response represented by C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) was shown to be associated with long-term outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the prognostic value of preoperative CAR in patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC.

Methods

We searched four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library) from inception to May 10th, 2024. Studies investigating the prognostic value of preoperative CAR in HCC patients after hepatectomy. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Data from individual studies were aggregated to calculate the pooled hazard ratio (HR) using a random-effects model.

Results

A total of 11 studies included 4,066 patients were finally analyzed in the meta-analysis. Overall, the higher preoperative CAR was associated with poorer OS (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.67 to 2.22, I2 = 0%) and DFS (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.59 to 2.02, I2 = 0%) rate. Furthermore, subgroup analyses indicated that CAR could be a prognostic biomarker for patients with HCC regardless of regions and cut-off value.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis indicates that higher preoperative CAR level is associated with poorer OS and DFS, it may be a good prognostic marker of survival outcomes after hepatectomy in patients with HCC. However, future prospective trials are necessary to validate the conclusion.

Systematic review registration

The study protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/uavt8).
Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: He Tao , Zou Jieyu
Published: October 2024

Objective

To investigate the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, imaging and pathological features, and treatment methods of primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL).

Case presentation

A 61-year-old male with a history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection presented to the hospital complaining of abdominal pain. Preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the right lobe of the liver, accompanied by an elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level. Consequently, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was initially suspected. Following a comprehensive multidisciplinary consultation, the patient underwent an anatomical hepatectomy. Histopathological examination post-surgery confirmed the diagnosis of primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. The patient received chemotherapy as an adjunct to surgical treatment. During the five-year follow-up period, there was no evidence of tumor recurrence.

Conclusion

Primary hepatic MALT lymphoma is infrequently encountered in clinical practice. Its clinical and radiological presentations are often nonspecific, making the pathological evaluation the definitive diagnostic tool. Surgical resection, in conjunction with chemotherapy, remains the cornerstone of management for this condition. The prognosis for most patients is favorable.
Non-metabolic enzyme function of pyruvate kinase M2 in breast cancer
Authors: Jemal Mohammed , Getinet Mamaru , Amare Gashaw Azanaw , Tegegne Bantayehu Addis , Baylie Temesgen , Mengistu Enyew Fenta , Osman Enatnesh Essa , Chura Waritu Nuredin , Adugna Adane
Published: October 2024

Breast cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignant tumor in women, and its incidence has been steadily increasing in recent years. Compared with other types of cancer, it has the highest mortality and morbidity rates in women. So, it is crucial to investigate the underlying mechanisms of BC development and identify specific therapeutic targets. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), an important metabolic enzyme in glycolysis, has been found to be highly expressed in BC. It can also move to the nucleus and interact with various transcription factors and proteins, including hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), β-catenin, cellular-myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1). This interaction leads to non-metabolic functions that control the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and tumor microenvironment in BC. This review provides an overview of the latest advancements in understanding the interactions between PKM2 and different transcription factors and proteins that influence the initiation and progression of BC. It also examined how natural drugs and noncoding RNAs affect various biological processes in BC cells through the regulation of the non-metabolic enzyme functions of PKM2. The findings provide valuable insights for improving the prognosis and developing targeted therapies for BC in the coming years.
Inhibition of ATM or ATR in combination with hypo-fractionated radiotherapy leads to a different immunophenotype on transcript and protein level in HNSCC
Authors: Meidenbauer Julia , Wachter Matthias , Schulz Sebastian R. , Mostafa Nada , Zülch Lilli , Frey Benjamin , Fietkau Rainer , Gaipl Udo S. , Jost Tina
Published: October 2024

Background

The treatment of head and neck tumors remains a challenge due to their reduced radiosensitivity. Small molecule kinase inhibitors (smKI) that inhibit the DNA damage response, may increase the radiosensitivity of tumor cells. However, little is known about how the immunophenotype of the tumor cells is modulated thereby. Therefore, we investigated whether the combination of ATM or ATR inhibitors with hypo-fractionated radiotherapy (RT) has a different impact on the expression of immune checkpoint markers (extrinsic), the release of cytokines or the transcriptome (intrinsic) of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells.

Methods

The toxic and immunogenic effects of the smKI AZD0156 (ATMi) and VE-822 (ATRi) in combination with a hypo-fractionated scheme of 2x5Gy RT on HPV-negative (HSC4, Cal-33) and HPV-positive (UM-SCC-47, UD-SCC-2) HNSCC cell lines were analyzed as follows: cell death (necrosis, apoptosis; detected by AnxV/PI), expression of immunostimulatory (ICOS-L, OX40-L, TNFSFR9, CD70) and immunosuppressive (PD-L1, PD-L2, HVEM) checkpoint marker using flow cytometry; the release of cytokines using multiplex ELISA and the gene expression of Cal-33 on mRNA level 48 h post-RT.

Results

Cell death was mainly induced by the combination of RT with both inhibitors, but stronger with ATRi. Further, the immune phenotype of cancer cells, not dying from combination therapy itself, is altered predominantly by RT+ATRi in an immune-stimulatory manner by the up-regulation of ICOS-L. However, the analysis of secreted cytokines after treatment of HNSCC cell lines revealed an ambivalent influence of both inhibitors, as we observed the intensified secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 after RT+ATRi. These findings were confirmed by RNAseq analysis and further the stronger immune-suppressive character of RT+ATMi was enlightened. We detected the down-regulation of a central protein of cytoplasmatic sensing pathways of nucleic acids, RIG-1, and found one immune-suppressive target, EDIL3, strongly up-regulated by RT+ATMi.

Conclusion

Independent of a restrictive toxicity, the combination of RT + either ATMi or ATRi leads to comprehensive and immune-modulating alterations in HNSCC. This includes pro-inflammatory signaling induced by RT + ATRi but also anti-inflammatory signals. These findings were confirmed by RNAseq analysis, which further highlighted the immune-suppressive nature of RT + ATMi.
The impact of delayed versus early administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on transplantation outcome
Authors: Mahdizadeh Mahshid , Karimi Mohammad Amin , Tajabadi Zohreh , Kaveh Vahid , Zamani Shayan
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is routinely administered after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) to decrease the duration of neutropenia and diminish the incidence of febrile neutropenia. Nevertheless, the most advantageous timeframe for administering G-CSF in the transplantation setting remains elusive.

Material and Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 200 patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies who underwent auto-HSCT between July 2017 and January 2022. Patients were divided into two groups of 100 individuals based on the timing of G-CSF administration after auto-HSCT. In the first group, G-CSF was administered on post-transplantation day +1, while in the second group, G-CSF was administered on post-transplantation day +5. Patient demographics and clinical outcomes, including time to neutrophil engraftment, time to platelet engraftment, length of hospital stay, duration of fever, and incidence of bacterial and fungal bloodstream infections, were compared between the two groups.

Results

We identified a significantly shorter platelet engraftment time in the day +5 group than in the day +1 group (P<0.001), though the groups were similar regarding neutrophil engraftment time. The total number of G-CSF injections differed significantly according to the administration schedule. The number of red blood cells and length of hospital stay was greater in the day +1 group (all P<0.001). The incidence of bacterial and fungal bloodstream infections and duration of fever did not differ between the groups.

Conclusion

Delayed administration of G-CSF on day +5 is as effective as early administration and can positively influence platelet engraftment, transfusion support, and hospitalization time.
Exploring patient perspective: using narrative DIPEx interviews and the ICF model for interprofessional learning
Authors: Glässel Andrea , Hippold Ilona
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) has been widely adopted in academic health profession education and is part of bachelor curricula since its introduction by the WHO in 2001. In this context, interprofessional exchange among health professionals from a biopsychosocial perspective has become increasingly important and is now a key part of bachelor's program curricula to learn with, about, and from each other regarding students’ curiosity about interprofessional collaboration (IPC). This pilot study describes initial teaching experiences within an interprofessional elective module for health professions focused on patient-centeredness. It uses the ICF model to exemplify interprofessional exchange based on real patient experiences from the “DIPEx” database, which stands for “Database of Individual Patients’ Experiences.”

Methods

Bachelor students from four healthcare professions learned in small interprofessional groups and selected case-related content from excerpts of real patient narratives from qualitative interviews in the DIPEx database. In a peer-to-peer process, students structured, analyzed, and reflected on selected patient experiences and presented their findings using the ICF model.

Outcome

Develop a shared understanding of the case from a biopsychosocial perspective using the ICF model to communicate and reflect on patient-centeredness in interprofessional groups for a common care strategy rooted in patient-centeredness.

Conclusion

This study illustrates how the shared analysis of a patient's experience of illness can lead to different perspectives on professional concepts for practice. The ICF model serves as a guiding structure and analysis tool. The core of the IPC, patient-centeredness, becomes the focus of the collaborative actions of the health professions.