bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective effectiveness of previous infection against subsequent SARS-Cov-2 infection: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Wei-Hua , Cai Huan-Le , Yan Huan-Chang , Wang Han , Sun Hui-Min , Wei Yong-Yue , Hao Yuan-Tao
Published: June 2024

Background

The protective effectiveness provided by naturally acquired immunity against SARS-CoV-2 reinfection remain controversial.

Objective

To systematically evaluate the protective effect of natural immunity against subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection with different variants.

Methods

We searched for related studies published in seven databases before March 5, 2023. Eligible studies included in the analysis reported the risk of subsequent infection for groups with or without a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome was the overall pooled incidence rate ratio (IRR) of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection/infection between the two groups. We also focused on the protective effectiveness of natural immunity against reinfection/infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. We used a random-effects model to pool the data, and obtained the bias-adjusted results using the trim-and-fill method. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding included studies one by one to evaluate the stability of the results.

Results

We identified 40 eligible articles including more than 20 million individuals without the history of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The bias-adjusted efficacy of naturally acquired antibodies against reinfection was estimated at 65% (pooled IRR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.26–0.47), with higher efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 cases (pooled IRR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.08–0.26) than asymptomatic infection (pooled IRR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.29–0.54). Meta-regression revealed that SARS-CoV-2 variant was a statistically significant effect modifier, which explaining 46.40% of the variation in IRRs. For different SARS-CoV-2 variant, the pooled IRRs for the Alpha (pooled IRR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.06–0.19), Delta (pooled IRR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.15–0.24) and Omicron (pooled IRR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.42–0.87) variant were higher and higher. In other subgroup analyses, the pooled IRRs of SARS-CoV-2 infection were statistically various in different countries, publication year and the inclusion end time of population, with a significant difference (p = 0.02, p < 0.010 and p < 0.010), respectively. The risk of subsequent infection in the seropositive population appeared to increase slowly over time. Despite the heterogeneity in included studies, sensitivity analyses showed stable results.

Conclusion

Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection provides protection against pre-omicron reinfection, but less against omicron. Ongoing viral mutation requires attention and prevention strategies, such as vaccine catch-up, in conjunction with multiple factors.
Air Traffic Controllers’ Rostering: Sleep Quality, Vigilance, Mental Workload, and Boredom: A Report of Two Case Studies
Authors: Terenzi Michela , Tempestini Giorgia , Di Nocera Francesco
Published: June 2024

Fatigue in air traffic management (ATM) is a well-recognized safety concern. International organizations like ICAO and EASA have responded by advocating for fatigue risk management systems (FRMSs). EU Regulation 2017/373, implemented in January 2020, mandates specific requirements for air traffic service providers (ANSPs) regarding controller fatigue, stress, and rostering practices. These regulations are part of broader safety management protocols. Despite ongoing efforts to raise awareness about fatigue in ATC, standardized operational requirements remain elusive. To address this gap, Eurocontrol recently published “Guidelines on fatigue management in ATC rostering systems” (23 April 2024). This initiative aims to facilitate the adoption of common fatigue management standards across operations. However, neither EU Regulation 2017/373 nor existing documentation provides definitive rostering criteria. ANSPs typically derive these criteria from a combination of scientific research, best practices, historical data, and legal and operational constraints. Assessing and monitoring fatigue in the real-world ATC setting is complex. The multifaceted nature of fatigue makes it difficult to study, as it is influenced by many factors including sleep quality, circadian rhythms, psychosocial stressors, individual differences, and environmental conditions. Long-term studies are often required to fully understand these complex interactions. This paper presents two case studies that attempt to create an evidence-based protocol for fatigue risk monitoring in ATC operations. These studies utilize a non-invasive approach and collect multidimensional data. The cases involved en-route and tower (TWR) controllers from different ATC centers. The results highlight the importance of fatigue assessment in ATC and shed light on the challenges of implementing fatigue monitoring systems within operational environments.
Effects of Deep Vertical Rotary Tillage on Soil Water Use and Yield Formation of Forage Maize on Semiarid Land
Authors: Fang Yanjie , Tan Weijun , Hou Huizhi , Wang Hongli , Yin Jiade , Zhang Guoping , Lei Kangning , Dong Bo , Qin Anzhen
Published: June 2024

Forage maize is one of the most important feed crops for livestock production, and is mainly grown in northwest China. However, their growth is often stressed by limited soil water availability due to the arid climate. To provide more soil moisture, a high-efficiency tillage technique was required to make crops effectively use soil moisture in deep soil layers. Deep vertical rotary tillage is a promising choice for this purpose. In this study, a long-term (2020–2022) field experiment consisting of three treatments, i.e., traditional tillage (TT), deep rotary tillage (DT), and deep vertical rotary tillage (VRT), was carried out in semiarid areas of Loess Plateau, northwest China, to investigate the effects of VRT on soil water storage (SWS), phase crop evapotranspiration (ETc) during the pre- and post-flowering periods, dry matter accumulation, grain yields and the water use efficiency (WUE) of forage maize. The results showed that VRT significantly improved the absorption of soil moisture from deep layers, especially in dry years. During the pre-flowering period of a dry year (2020), VRT decreased SWS by 7.6%–10.0% in the 60–180 cm layer, and by 17.6%–18.5% in the 180–300 cm layer, respectively, compared to DT and TT. As a result, VRT increased ETc during the pre-flowering period by 6.1% and 9.2%, respectively. In wet years (2021 and 2022), VRT increased total ETc by 2.0%–7.9% in 2021, and by 10.1%–14.9% in 2022, respectively. On average, VRT increased the dry matter weight per plant by 1.0%–7.8%, grain yields by 2.4%–38.6%, biomass yields by 3.4%–16.2%, and WUE by 10.1%–30.0%, respectively. Particularly, the benefit of VRT for increasing yields and WUE was more noticeable in dry years. It can be concluded that VRT is a drought-tolerant and yield-boosting tillage technique that is suitable for rain-fed forage maize in semiarid areas of Loess Plateau, northwest China.
Effect of Split Basal Fertilisation and Top-Dressing on Relative Chlorophyll Content and Yield of Maize Hybrids
Authors: Zagyi Péter , Horváth Éva , Vasvári Gyula , Simon Károly , Széles Adrienn
Published: June 2024

The aim of this study was to determine the nitrogen requirement of maize, the optimal timing and amount of nutrient application, based on long time series data. An additional objective was to examine the response of the relative chlorophyll content of maize to nitrogen fertilisation. The examinations were carried out in a long-term field experiment at the University of Debrecen between 2016 and 2022, using two maize hybrids with different genotypes. Spatial and temporal changes in the N status of maize leaves were monitored using the Soil and Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) instrument. In addition to the non-fertilised (A0) treatment, six fertiliser treatments were applied (spring basal fertilisation: 60 and 120 kg N ha−1, A60; A120). Basal fertilisation was followed by two occasions of top-dressing at phenological stages V6 and V12, at rates of +30–30 kg N ha−1 (V690 and V6150, and V12120 and V12180). The CMR (Chlorophyll Meter Reading), averaged over the examined years, genotypes and fertiliser treatments, were lowest in the V6 phenological phase (40.23 ± 5.57, p < 0.05) and highest in R1 (49.91 ± 8.41, p < 0.05). A120 fertiliser treatment increased the relative chlorophyll content by 5.11 compared to the non-fertilised treatment, 1.67 more than A60 treatment. The basal fertilisation treatment substantially increased the yield (A60: +30.75%; A120: +66.68%) compared to the A0 treatment averaged over years and genotypes. Based on the obtained research results, a basal treatment of 120 kg N ha−1 is recommended and it can be concluded that, under appropriate water supply conditions (rainfall, irrigation), nitrogen top-dressing applied in V6 phenophase results in a significant yield increase compared to basal fertilisation.
Correction: Medeiros-Ventura et al. The Impact of Phytase and Different Levels of Supplemental Amino Acid Complexed Minerals in Diets of Older Laying Hens. Animals 2023, 13, 3709
Authors: Medeiros-Ventura Waleska R. L. , Rabello Carlos B. V. , Santos Marcos J. B. , Barros Mércia R. , Silva Junior Rogério V. , Oliveira Heraldo B. , Costa Fabiano S. , Faria Andresa G. , Fireman Alba K.
Published: June 2024

To allow the original publication to be better understood [...]
Digital and Precision Technologies in Dairy Cattle Farming: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: de Oliveira Franck Morais , Ferraz Gabriel Araújo e Silva , André Ana Luíza Guimarães , Santana Lucas Santos , Norton Tomas , Ferraz Patrícia Ferreira Ponciano
Published: June 2024

The advancement of technology has significantly transformed the livestock landscape, particularly in the management of dairy cattle, through the incorporation of digital and precision approaches. This study presents a bibliometric analysis focused on these technologies involving dairy farming to explore and map the extent of research in the scientific literature. Through this review, it was possible to investigate academic production related to digital and precision livestock farming and identify emerging patterns, main research themes, and author collaborations. To carry out this investigation in the literature, the entire timeline was considered, finding works from 2008 to November 2023 in the scientific databases Scopus and Web of Science. Next, the Bibliometrix (version 4.1.3) package in R (version 4.3.1) and its Biblioshiny software extension (version 4.1.3) were used as a graphical interface, in addition to the VOSviewer (version 1.6.19) software, focusing on filtering and creating graphs and thematic maps to analyze the temporal evolution of 198 works identified and classified for this research. The results indicate that the main journals of interest for publications with identified affiliations are “Computers and Electronics in Agriculture” and “Journal of Dairy Science”. It has been observed that the authors focus on emerging technologies such as machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision for behavioral monitoring, dairy cattle identification, and management of thermal stress in these animals. These technologies are crucial for making decisions that enhance health and efficiency in milk production, contributing to more sustainable practices. This work highlights the evolution of precision livestock farming and introduces the concept of digital livestock farming, demonstrating how the adoption of advanced digital tools can transform dairy herd management. Digital livestock farming not only boosts productivity but also redefines cattle management through technological innovations, emphasizing the significant impact of these trends on the sustainability and efficiency of dairy production.
Induction of Nitric Oxide and Its Role in Facial Nerve Regeneration According to the Method of Facial Nerve Injury
Authors: Oh Yeon Ju , Yon Dong Keon , Choi Yong Sung , Lee Jinseok , Yeo Joon Hyung , Kim Sung Soo , Lee Jae Min , Yeo Seung Geun
Published: June 2024

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important molecule in cell communication that also plays an important role in many biological processes. Given the dual role of NO in nerve degeneration and regeneration after facial nerve injury, we sought to delve deeper into its role through a systematic literature review. A comprehensive review of the literature employing SCOPUS, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases was conducted to evaluate the induction and role of NO in neurodegeneration and regeneration after facial nerve injury. From the 20 papers ultimately reviewed, the central findings were that neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increased or decreased depending on the method of facial nerve damage, damaged area, harvested area, and animal age, and were correlated with degeneration and regeneration of the facial nerve. Research conducted on rats and mice demonstrated that NO, nNOS, eNOS, and iNOS play significant roles in nerve regeneration and degeneration. However, the relationship between nerve damage and NO could not be defined by a simple causal relationship. Instead, the involvement of NOS depends on the type of nerve cell, source of NO, timing, and location of expression, age of the target animal, and proximity of the damage location to the brainstem. Consequently, nNOS, eNOS, and iNOS expression levels and functions may vary significantly.
Enhanced Tuna Detection and Automated Counting Method Utilizing Improved YOLOv7 and ByteTrack
Authors: Liu Yuqing , Song Ling , Li Jie , Cheng Yuanchen
Published: June 2024

At present, catch statistics in the pelagic fishery industry rely mainly on manual counting methods. However, this method suffers from low statistical accuracy and insufficient timeliness. An automatic tuna counting approach based on ByteTrack and YOLOv7-Tuna is presented in this research. The method selects YOLOv7 as the base model, adopts DySnakeConv to obtain more temporal features, combines it with CoordConv to enhance the location-awareness ability of the model, and introduces DyHead to suppress the interference of complex backgrounds. The experimental results show that YOLOv7-Tuna outperforms YOLOv7 in terms of precision by 5.2%, recall by 3.1%, mAP@0.5 by 0.5%, and mAP@0.5:0.95 by 10%. Furthermore, the ByteTrack algorithm was employed to achieve real-time tracking of targets, with specific counting areas added. The results indicate that the counting error of this method decreased to 3.1%. It can effectively accomplish automatic counting tasks for tuna, providing a new solution for the automatic quantification of catch in the offshore fishing industry.
Modeling Conidiospore Production of Trichoderma harzianum Using Artificial Neural Networks and Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Serna-Diaz Maria Guadalupe , Tellez-Jurado Alejandro , Seck-Tuoh-Mora Juan Carlos , Hernández-Romero Norberto , Medina-Marin Joselito
Published: June 2024

An alternative to facing plagues without affecting ecosystems is the use of biocontrols that keep crops free of harmful organisms. There are some studies showing the use of conidiospores of Trichoderma harzianum as a medium for the biological control of plagues. To find the optimal parameters to maximize the production of conidiospores of Trichoderma harzianum in barley straw, this process is modeled in this work through artificial neural networks and response surface modeling. The data used in this modeling include the amount of conidiospores in grams per milliliter, the culture time from 48 to 136 h in intervals of 8 h, and humidity percentages of 70%, 75%, and 80%. The surface response model presents R2 = 0.8284 and an RMSE of 4.6481. On the other hand, the artificial neural network with the best performance shows R2 = 0.9952 and RMSE = 0.7725. The modeling through both methodologies can represent the behavior of the Trichoderma harzianum conidiospores growth in barley straw, showing that the artificial neural network has better goodness of fit than the response surface methodology, and it can be used for obtaining the optimal values for producing conidiospores.
Enhancing Fine-Grained Image Recognition with Multi-Channel Self-Attention Mechanisms: A Focus on Fruit Fly Species Classification
Authors: Lu Yu , Yi Ke , Xu Yilu
Published: June 2024

Fruit fly species classification is a fine-grained task as there is a small gap between species. In order to effectively identify and improve the recognition of fruit flies, a fine-grained image-recognition method based on a multi-channel self-attention mechanism was studied and a network framework for fine-grained image recognition based on deep learning was designed in this paper. In this framework, long-term and short-term memory networks are used to extract the underlying features in fruit fly fine-grained images. By inputting the underlying features in the multi-channel self-attention mechanism module, the global and local attention feature maps can be obtained.The weighted attention feature map can also be obtained by multiplying the weight of each channel and the attention feature map. The fine-grained image features of fruit flies were obtained by summing the weighted attention feature map. A softmax classifier was used to process the features and complete the recognition of the fruit fly fine-grained images. Two fine-grained image datasets of fruit flies were applied as experimental objects. Dataset 1 and Dataset 2 contain 11,778 images and 20,580 images from 46 different categories of fruit flies, respectively. The Kappa coefficient was used as the evaluation index to identify fruit fly images with different targets using the method proposed herein. The experimental results showed that, as the number of attention channels increased, the Kappa coefficient gradually increased, suggesting an improvement in the accuracy of fine-grained image recognition. The fine-grained image features extracted by introducing a multi-channel self-attention mechanism exhibited more distinct boundaries with a small amount of overlap, demonstrating strong feature extraction capabilities. When dealing with fine-grained images with either simple or complex backgrounds, the method proposed in this paper has good performance and generalization ability. Even if the target is small and varied in shape, it can still achieve highly accurate recognition.
Aspects of Coexistence between Art Glass and Architecture—Façade Graphics
Authors: Lipowicz-Budzyńska Alina
Published: June 2024

One of the key concerns for present-day society is the need to build the environment in which we live in a sustainable way, using green solutions, but without losing the aesthetic values. The following study proves that, when applied in the right way, façade graphics support sustainability. Art glass placed inside the envelope significantly influences a number of aspects related to how a building functions, improving the quality of a given architectural space’s properties. Façade graphics have a considerable effect, as they control the intensity of light penetrating to the interior and provide support sunlight protection. Façade graphics act as a cover that controls how images filter through from the inside to the outside and from the outside to the inside. The graphics may be used to show messaging directed at the public. Art glass located in the external partition has a significant impact on several aspects of the functioning of an architectural object. In the preliminary examination, a few factors that determine the scope of such effect were identified, including the structure of the glass layer and of the image. The objective of this publication is to determine to what degree the structure of an image on glass, and the artistic means associated with it, influence the scope of the visual effect of a glass partition, as well as its functional properties, and how important for the reception of architectural space are the artistic values of glazing, in terms of its form, dynamics, composition, and colours, as well as the means by which the applied image impacts its surroundings. These means result from selection of suitable execution techniques and strategies for shaping the partition. The research concerns aspects of interconnection between graphics and the architectural space; its artistic, compositional, integrating, and covering role. The work is important in further research on the use of facade graphics in the utility and visual aspect.
An Investigation into Electrolytes and Cathodes for Room-Temperature Sodium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Adeoye Hakeem Ademola , Tennison Stephen , Watts John F. , Lekakou Constantina
Published: June 2024

In the pursuit of high energy density batteries beyond lithium, room-temperature (RT) sodium–sulfur (Na-S) batteries are studied, combining sulfur, as a high energy density active cathode material and a sodium anode considered to offer high energy density and very good standard potential. Different liquid electrolyte systems, including three different salts and two different solvents, are investigated in RT Na-S battery cells, on the basis of the solubility of sulfur and sulfides, specific capacity, and cyclability of the cells at different C-rates. Two alternative cathode host materials are explored: A bimodal pore size distribution activated carbon host AC MSC30 and a highly conductive carbon host of hollow particles with porous particle walls. An Na-S cell with a cathode coating with 44 wt% sulfur in the AC MSC30 host and the electrolyte 1M NaFSI in DOL/DME exhibited a specific capacity of 435 mAh/gS but poor cyclability. An Na-S cell with a cathode coating with 44 wt% sulfur in the host of hollow porous particles and the electrolyte 1M NaTFSI in TEGDME exhibited a specific capacity of 688 mAh/gS.
Systematic Review on the Impact of Mobile Applications with Augmented Reality to Improve Health
Authors: Piqueras-Sola Beatriz , Cortés-Martín Jonathan , Rodríguez-Blanque Raquel , Menor-Rodríguez María José , Mellado-García Elena , Merino Lobato Carolina , Sánchez-García Juan Carlos
Published: June 2024

Physical inactivity represents a significant public health challenge globally. Mobile applications, particularly those utilizing augmented reality (AR), have emerged as innovative tools for promoting physical activity. However, a systematic evaluation of their efficacy is essential. This systematic review aims to evaluate and synthesize the evidence regarding the effectiveness and benefits of mobile applications with augmented reality in enhancing physical activity and improving health outcomes. A comprehensive search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, WOS, and the Cochrane Library databases following PRISMA guidelines. Observational and interventional studies evaluating AR mobile applications for physical exercise were included, without restrictions on publication date or language. The search terms included “Mobile Applications”, “Augmented Reality”, “Physical Fitness”, “Exercise Therapy”, and “Health Behavior”. The methodological quality was assessed using the ROBINS tool. The review identified twelve eligible studies encompassing 5,534,661 participants. The findings indicated significant increases in physical activity and improvements in mental health associated with the use of AR applications, such as Pokémon GO. However, potential risk behaviors were also noted. The evidence suggests that AR interventions can effectively promote physical activity and enhance health. Nonetheless, further research is needed to address limitations and optimize their efficacy. Future interventions should be tailored to diverse cultural contexts to maximize benefits and mitigate risks. AR mobile applications hold promise for promoting physical activity and improving health outcomes. Strategies to optimize their effectiveness and address identified risks should be explored to fully realize their potential.
Smartphone-Based Artificial Intelligence for the Detection and Diagnosis of Pediatric Diseases: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Principi Nicola , Esposito Susanna
Published: June 2024

In recent years, the use of smartphones and other wireless technology in medical care has developed rapidly. However, in some cases, especially for pediatric medical problems, the reliability of information accessed by mobile health technology remains debatable. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the relevance of smartphone applications in the detection and diagnosis of pediatric medical conditions for which the greatest number of applications have been developed. This is the case of smartphone applications developed for the diagnosis of acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, hearing impairment, obesity, amblyopia, and vision screening. In some cases, the information given by these applications has significantly improved the diagnostic ability of physicians. However, distinguishing between applications that can be effective and those that may lead to mistakes can be very difficult. This highlights the importance of a careful application selection before including smartphone-based artificial intelligence in everyday clinical practice.
Smart Drill for a Streamlined Estimation of the Drilling Angle and Channel Length in Orthopedic Surgical Procedures
Authors: Ivanišević Arsen , Boban Zvonimir , Jurić Josip , Vukojević Katarina
Published: June 2024

The estimation of distances and angles is a routine part of an orthopedic surgical procedure. However, despite their prevalence, these steps are most often performed manually, heavily relying on the surgeon’s skill and experience. To address these issues, this study presents a sensor-equipped drill system which enables automatic estimation of the drilling angle and channel length. The angular accuracy and precision of the system were tested over a range of inclination angles and proved to be superior to the manual approach, with mean absolute errors ranging from 1.9 to 4.5 degrees for the manual approach, and from 0.6 to 1.3 degrees with the guided approach. When sensors were used for simultaneous estimation of both the inclination and anteversion angles, the obtained mean absolute errors were 0.35 ± 0.25 and 2 ± 1.33 degrees for the inclination and anteversion angles, respectively. Regarding channel length estimation, using measurements obtained with a Vernier caliper as a reference, the mean absolute error was 0.33 mm and the standard deviation of errors was 0.41 mm. The obtained results indicate a high potential of smart drill systems for improvement of accuracy and precision in orthopedic surgical procedures, enabling better patient clinical outcomes.
Shotgun Proteomics Links Proteoglycan-4+ Extracellular Vesicles to Cognitive Protection in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Vilardo Beatrice , De Marchi Fabiola , Raineri Davide , Manfredi Marcello , De Giorgis Veronica , Bebeti Alen , Scotti Lorenza , Kustrimovic Natasa , Cappellano Giuseppe , Mazzini Letizia , Chiocchetti Annalisa
Published: June 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder lacking reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease progression monitoring. This study aimed to identify the novel biomarkers in plasmatic extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from ALS patients and healthy controls (HCs). A total of 61 ALS patients and 30 age-matched HCs were enrolled in the study and the protein content of circulating EVs was analyzed by shotgun proteomics. The study was divided into a discovery phase (involving 12 ALS and 12 HC patients) and a validation one (involving 49 ALS and 20 HC patients). In the discovery phase, more than 300 proteins were identified, with 32 proteins showing differential regulation in ALS patients compared to HCs. In the validation phase, over 400 proteins were identified, with 20 demonstrating differential regulation in ALS patients compared to HCs. Notably, seven proteins were found to be common to both phases, all of which were significantly upregulated in EVs from ALS patients. Most of them have previously been linked to ALS since they have been detected in the serum or cerebrospinal fluid of ALS patients. Among them, proteoglycan (PRG)-4, also known as lubricin, was of particular interest since it was significantly increased in ALS patients with normal cognitive and motor functions. This study highlights the significance of EVs as a promising avenue for biomarker discovery in ALS. Moreover, it sheds light on the unexpected role of PRG-4 in relation to cognitive status in ALS patients.
New Insights into the Role of PPARγ in Skin Physiopathology
Authors: Briganti Stefania , Mosca Sarah , Di Nardo Anna , Flori Enrica , Ottaviani Monica
Published: June 2024

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a transcription factor expressed in many tissues, including skin, where it is essential for maintaining skin barrier permeability, regulating cell proliferation/differentiation, and modulating antioxidant and inflammatory responses upon ligand binding. Therefore, PPARγ activation has important implications for skin homeostasis. Over the past 20 years, with increasing interest in the role of PPARs in skin physiopathology, considerable effort has been devoted to the development of PPARγ ligands as a therapeutic option for skin inflammatory disorders. In addition, PPARγ also regulates sebocyte differentiation and lipid production, making it a potential target for inflammatory sebaceous disorders such as acne. A large number of studies suggest that PPARγ also acts as a skin tumor suppressor in both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, but its role in tumorigenesis remains controversial. In this review, we have summarized the current state of research into the role of PPARγ in skin health and disease and how this may provide a starting point for the development of more potent and selective PPARγ ligands with a low toxicity profile, thereby reducing unwanted side effects.
Exogenous Iron Induces Mitochondrial Lipid Peroxidation, Lipofuscin Accumulation, and Ferroptosis in H9c2 Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Lyamzaev Konstantin G. , Huan He , Panteleeva Alisa A. , Simonyan Ruben A. , Avetisyan Armine V. , Chernyak Boris V.
Published: June 2024

Lipid peroxidation plays an important role in various pathologies and aging, at least partially mediated by ferroptosis. The role of mitochondrial lipid peroxidation during ferroptosis remains poorly understood. We show that supplementation of exogenous iron in the form of ferric ammonium citrate at submillimolar doses induces production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation in mitochondria that precede ferroptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 and the redox mediator methylene blue, which inhibits the production of ROS in complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, prevent both mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. SkQ1 and methylene blue also prevented accumulation of lipofuscin observed after 24 h incubation of cardiomyocytes with ferric ammonium citrate. Using isolated cardiac mitochondria as an in vitro ferroptosis model, it was shown that rotenone (complex I inhibitor) in the presence of ferrous iron stimulates lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin accumulation. Our data indicate that ROS generated in complex I stimulate mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, lipofuscin accumulation, and ferroptosis induced by exogenous iron.
Therapeutic Efficacy of Interferon-Gamma and Hypoxia-Primed Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Their Extracellular Vesicles: Underlying Mechanisms and Potentials in Clinical Translation
Authors: Tan Yu Ling , Al-Masawa Maimonah Eissa , Eng Sue Ping , Shafiee Mohamad Nasir , Law Jia Xian , Ng Min Hwei
Published: June 2024

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold promises for cell therapy and tissue engineering due to their self-renewal and differentiation abilities, along with immunomodulatory properties and trophic factor secretion. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from MSCs offer similar therapeutic effects. However, MSCs are heterogeneous and lead to variable outcomes. In vitro priming enhances MSC performance, improving immunomodulation, angiogenesis, proliferation, and tissue regeneration. Various stimuli, such as cytokines, growth factors, and oxygen tension, can prime MSCs. Two classical priming methods, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and hypoxia, enhance MSC immunomodulation, although standardized protocols are lacking. This review discusses priming protocols, highlighting the most commonly used concentrations and durations, along with mechanisms and in vivo therapeutics effects of primed MSCs and their EVs. The feasibility of up-scaling their production was also discussed. The review concluded that priming with IFN-γ or hypoxia (alone or in combination with other factors) boosted the immunomodulation capability of MSCs and their EVs, primarily via the JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT and Leptin/JAK/STAT and TGF-β/Smad signalling pathways, respectively. Incorporating priming in MSC and EV production enables translation into cell-based or cell-free therapies for various disorders.
A Review of Fetal Development in Pregnancies with Maternal Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)-Associated Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Dysregulation: Possible Links to Pregestational Prediabetes
Authors: Ngema Mathuli , Xulu Nombuso D. , Ngubane Phikelelani S. , Khathi Andile
Published: June 2024

Research has identified fetal risk factors for adult diseases, forming the basis for the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis. DOHaD suggests that maternal insults during pregnancy cause structural and functional changes in fetal organs, increasing the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adulthood. It is proposed that altered maternal physiology, such as increased glucocorticoid (GC) levels associated with a dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in maternal stress and T2DM during pregnancy, exposes the fetus to excess GC. Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure reduces fetal growth and programs the fetal HPA axis, permanently altering its activity into adulthood. This programmed HPA axis is linked to increased risks of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and mental disorders in adulthood. With the global rise in T2DM, particularly among young adults of reproductive age, it is crucial to prevent its onset. T2DM is often preceded by a prediabetic state, a condition that does not show any symptoms, causing many to unknowingly progress to T2DM. Studying prediabetes is essential, as it is a reversible stage that may help prevent T2DM-related pregnancy complications. The existing literature focuses on HPA axis dysregulation in T2DM pregnancies and its link to fetal programming. However, the effects of prediabetes on HPA axis function, specifically glucocorticoid in pregnancy and fetal outcomes, are not well understood. This review consolidates research on T2DM during pregnancy, its impact on fetal programming via the HPA axis, and possible links with pregestational prediabetes.
MicroRNA-195-5p Attenuates Intracerebral-Hemorrhage-Induced Brain Damage by Inhibiting MMP-9/MMP-2 Expression
Authors: Tsai Yi-Cheng , Chang Chih-Hui , Chong Yoon Bin , Wu Chieh-Hsin , Tsai Hung-Pei , Cheng Tian-Lu , Lin Chih-Lung
Published: June 2024

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains a devastating disease with high mortality, and there is a lack of effective strategies to improve functional outcomes. The primary injury of ICH is mechanical damage to brain tissue caused by the hematoma. Secondary injury, resulting from inflammation, red cell lysis, and thrombin production, presents a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Inflammation, crucial in secondary brain injury, involves both cellular and molecular components. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are vital regulators of cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Their deregulation may lead to diseases, and modulating miRNA expression has shown therapeutic potential, especially in cancer. Recent studies have implicated miRNAs in the pathogenesis of stroke, affecting endothelial dysfunction, neurovascular integrity, edema, apoptosis, inflammation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Preclinical and human studies support the use of miRNA-directed gene modulation as a therapeutic strategy for ICH. Our study focused on the effects of miR-195 in ICH models. Neurological tests, including the corner turn and grip tests, indicated that miR-195 treatment led to improvements in motor function impairments caused by ICH. Furthermore, miR-195-5p significantly reduced brain edema in the ipsilateral hemisphere and restored blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, as shown by reduced Evans blue dye extravasation. These results suggest miR-195-5p’s potential in attenuating ICH-induced apoptosis, possibly related to its influence on MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression, enzymes associated with secondary brain injury. The anti-apoptotic effects of miR-195-5p, demonstrated through TUNEL assays, further underscore its therapeutic promise in addressing the secondary brain injury and apoptosis associated with ICH. In conclusion, miR-195-5p demonstrates a significant neuroprotective effect against ICH-induced neural damage, brain edema, and BBB disruption, primarily through the downregulation of MMP-9 and MMP-2. Our findings indicate that miR-195-5p holds therapeutic potential in managing cerebral cell death following ICH.
Assessing the Suitability of CHA2DS2-VASc for Predicting Adverse Limb Events and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Peripheral Artery Disease Patients with Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Cheng Yu-Tsung , Chang Fu-Lan , Li Po-Hsien , Lu Wen-Chien , Chiu Chien-Shan
Published: June 2024

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at high risk of major adverse limb events (MALEs) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). CHA2DS2-VASc is a prognostic score for atrial fibrillation stroke risk; however, no study has evaluated its predictive ability for MALEs and MACEs in PAD patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients from Taiwan with PAD. The patients were stratified into four risk groups based on their modified CHA2DS2-VASc score. Cox proportional hazard models, 10-fold cross-validation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were utilized to evaluate the predictive ability of CHA2DS2-VASc for MALEs, MACEs, and MALEs + MACEs. Kaplan–Meier analysis estimated the survival probability of the risk groups. CHA2DS2-VASc was found to be a significant predictor of MACEs (hazard ratio (HR) 3.52 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.00–12.12; p = 0.048), HR 4.18 (95% CI 1.19–14.36; p = 0.023), and HR 5.08 (95% CI 1.49–17.36; p = 0.009), for moderate-, high-, and very high-risk groups, respectively), while for MALEs and MALEs + MACEs, significance was achieved only for the high-risk group using a univariate model. For the multivariate adjusted model, the score was found to be a significant predictor of MACEs for only the very high-risk group, with an HR of 4.67 (95% CI 1.03–21.09; p = 0.045). The score demonstrated an AUC > 0.8, good discrimination (c-index > 0.8), and good calibration for predicting MACEs. However, it failed to achieve good performance for predicting MALEs and MALEs + MACEs. Based on all of the findings, CHA2DS2-VASc could potentially serve as a risk stratification score for predicting MACEs in patients with PAD, but it failed to qualify as a good predictor for MALEs.
Developing a Biomimetic 3D Neointimal Layer as a Prothrombotic Substrate for a Humanized In Vitro Model of Atherothrombosis
Authors: Echrish Jassim , Pasca Madalina-Ioana , Cabrera David , Yang Ying , Harper Alan G. S.
Published: June 2024

Acute cardiovascular events result from clots caused by the rupture and erosion of atherosclerotic plaques. This paper aimed to produce a functional biomimetic hydrogel of the neointimal layer of the atherosclerotic plaque that can support thrombogenesis upon exposure to human blood. A biomimetic hydrogel of the neointima was produced by culturing THP-1-derived foam cells within 3D collagen hydrogels in the presence or absence of atorvastatin. Prothrombin time and platelet aggregation onset were measured after exposure of the neointimal models to platelet-poor plasma and washed platelet suspensions prepared from blood of healthy, medication-free volunteers. Activity of the extrinsic coagulation pathway was measured using the fluorogenic substrate SN-17. Foam cell formation was observed following preincubation of the neointimal biomimetic hydrogels with oxidized LDL, and this was inhibited by pretreatment with atorvastatin. The neointimal biomimetic hydrogel was able to trigger platelet aggregation and blood coagulation upon exposure to human blood products. Atorvastatin pretreatment of the neointimal biomimetic layer significantly reduced its pro-aggregatory and pro-coagulant properties. In the future, this 3D neointimal biomimetic hydrogel can be incorporated as an additional layer within our current thrombus-on-a-chip model to permit the study of atherosclerosis development and the screening of anti-thrombotic drugs as an alternative to current animal models.
Factors Influencing Willingness to Continue Using Online Sports Videos: Expansion Based on ECT and TPB Theoretical Models
Authors: Pan Li , Pan Xinyi , Mo Xiaohong , Xia Tiansheng
Published: June 2024

Digital sports, also known as online sports, are a new form of sport that users have tried in recent years. Despite the rapid growth of online sports, the factors influencing users’ willingness to sustain their use are currently unknown. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and expectation-confirmation theory (ECT), this study empirically investigates the factors influencing the persistent use of online sports videos. Questionnaires were administered to participants. A total of 305 participants completed the questionnaire. Structural equation modeling showed that all hypotheses’ paths were significant, except for H11 and H12. The results indicated that perceived usefulness, expectation confirmation, and coach social presence had a significant positive effect on users’ satisfaction in using online sports videos. Moreover, satisfaction, behavioral attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control had a significant positive effect on users’ willingness to consistently use online sports videos, with gender moderating the impact of satisfaction and behavioral attitudes on the willingness to consistently use. We discuss the practical implications and recommendations for applying this study’s findings.
Systematic Mapping of Global Research on Disaster Damage Estimation for Buildings: A Machine Learning-Aided Study
Authors: Rajapaksha Dilum , Siriwardana Chandana , Ruparathna Rajeev , Maqsood Tariq , Setunge Sujeeva , Rajapakse Lalith , De Silva Saman
Published: June 2024

Research on disaster damage estimation for buildings has gained extensive attention due to the increased number of disastrous events, facilitating risk assessment, the effective integration of disaster resilience measures, and policy development. A systematic mapping study has been conducted, focusing on disaster damage estimation studies to identify trends, relationships, and gaps in this large and exponentially growing subject area. A novel approach using machine learning algorithms to screen, categorise, and map the articles was adopted to mitigate the constraints of manual handling. Out of 8608 articles from major scientific databases, the most relevant 2186 were used in the analysis. These articles were classified based on the hazard, geographical location, damage function properties, and building properties. Key observations reveal an emerging trend in publications, with most studies concentrated in developed and severely disaster-affected countries in America, Europe, and Asia. A significant portion (68%) of the relevant articles focus on earthquakes. However, as the key research opportunities, a notable research gap exists in studies focusing on the African and South American continents despite the significant damage caused by disasters there. Additionally, studies on floods, hurricanes, and tsunamis are minimal compared to those on earthquakes. Further trends and relationships in current studies were analysed to convey insights from the literature, identifying research gaps in terms of hazards, geographical locations, and other relevant parameters. These insights aim to effectively guide future research in disaster damage estimation for buildings.
Impact of the Climate Background of Students on Thermal Perception: Implications for Comfort and Energy Use in University Lecture Theatres
Authors: Disci Zehra Nur , Lawrence Ranald , Sharples Steve
Published: June 2024

The thermal conditions in lecture theatres directly affect the well-being and overall learning experience of the users but also offer a testbed for understanding the degree to which people’s thermal perceptions are affected by their climate background. This study included surveys completed online by users in situ and environmental measurements conducted on four different days in three different lecture theatres at the University of Liverpool. The 340 participants who took part in the study were divided into three groups—from climates warmer or cooler than that of the UK and similar to that of the UK. Based on statistical analysis, it was observed that the climatic backgrounds affected participants’ thermal sensations and preferences. The results showed that the thermal sensation and preferences of people from warmer backgrounds and similar backgrounds were different and statistically significant. Most users from a warmer background preferred the environment to be warmer while most users with a similar background preferred it to be cooler. These findings have energy and comfort implications for how heating and cooling set-point temperatures in lecture theatres should be determined.
Examining Solicited Projects of Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) in the Initiative of Indonesian Government
Authors: Nahdi Mustafa , Widayati Naniek , Wibowo Mochamad Agung , Sari Endah Murtiana , Tamin Rizal Zainuddin , Thohirin Antho
Published: June 2024

The value of construction projects in Indonesia is significantly enhanced by partnering, leading to the adoption of the model by the government. The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Finance, is developing the partnering model based on Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) projects to further accelerate extensive infrastructure development. By leveraging PPPs, these projects intend to bridge the funding gap experienced by the government to facilitate swift infrastructure development and enhance the value of construction projects even further. Therefore, this study aimed to examine PPPs, such as the solicited projects occurring in Indonesia. Solicited projects were government-initiated PPPs based on long-term development plans. A qualitative method was adopted, conducting in-depth analyses at three locations with solicited PPP projects. Using Soft System Methodology (SSM) and expert Focus Group Discussion (FGD) through the Delphi method, this study investigated the interactions and depth of partnering in PPP projects. The obtained results emphasized the positive impact of solicited projects on Indonesian infrastructure development, addressing the funding gap experienced by the government. This study further contributed new insights for stakeholders and academics in the development of the projects in Indonesia, emphasizing the necessity of extensive development to support the implementation.