bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural and Antimicrobial Characterization of Co-Crystal [Ni(bpy)(acr)2(H2O)]·MA
Authors: Olar Rodica , Daniliuc Constantin , Vasile Scăețeanu Gina , Cerc Korosec Romana , Čelan Korošin Nataša , Chifiriuc Mariana , Badea Mihaela
Published: August 2022

A new co-crystal with the formula [Ni(bpy)(acr)2(H2O)]·MA (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, acr = acrylate and MA = melamine) has been synthesized and characterized using IR, UV-Vis, thermogravimetric analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex contains discrete unities of [Ni(bpy)(acr)2(H2O)] and melamine linked in a complex network by both hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions. Structural characterization revealed that Ni(II) adopts an octahedral distorted stereochemistry, and acrylate ions present both unidentate and chelate coordination modes. Thermal decomposition occurs in four steps, the ligands being stepwise released in the order of water, acrylate, bipyridine and melamine. The antimicrobial activity of the obtained complex, its precursor ([Ni(bpy)(acr)2(H2O)]) and melamine were assessed against planktonic (minimal inhibitory concentration—MIC) and biofilm-embedded (minimal biofilm eradication concentration—MBEC) Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The obtained results revealed that the new complex and its precursor exhibited a superior activity compared to MA, the highest susceptibility being recorded for the Staphylococcus aureus strain. The MIC and MBEC ranges were very similar, indicating the potential of this complex and its precursor to develop novel anti-biofilm agents.
Low-Frequency Vibration Sensor with Dual-Fiber Fabry–Perot Interferometer Using a Low-Coherence LED
Authors: Wang Mu-Chun , Chao Shou-Yen , Lin Chun-Yeon , Chang Cheng-Hsun-Tony , Lan Wen-How
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we propose a dual-fiberoptic Fabry–Perot interferometer (FFPI) sensing system integrated with a low-cost and low-coherence light-emitting diode (LED) as a light source to detect dynamic vibration caused by acoustic waves with a cut-off frequency of 200 Hz. When the acoustic signals are applied, the sensing FFPI on a Styrofoam sheet provides the function of partially transforming the longitudinal energy as the transverse energy generates a phase shift in the sensing FFPI cavity. The light reflected from the sensor is demodulated by the reference FFPI to extract the measurand. The low-power (sub-nW) optical signals are transferred into electrical signals, processed by a designed optical receiver, and recorded for data analysis.
A Critical Review on Engineering of d-Mannitol Crystals: Properties, Applications, and Polymorphic Control
Authors: Yang Yuxin , Liu Jia , Hu Anna , Nie Ting , Cheng Zeneng , Liu Wenjie
Published: August 2022

d-mannitol is a common six-carbon sugar alcohol, which is widely used in food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and other industries. Polymorphism is defined as the ability of materials to crystallize into different crystal structures. It has been reported for a long time that d-mannitol has three polymorphs: β, δ, and α. These different polymorphs have unique physicochemical properties, thus affecting the industrial applications of d-mannitol. In this review, we firstly introduced the characteristics of different d-mannitol polymorphs, e.g., crystal structure, morphology, molecular conformational energy, stability, solubility and the analytical techniques of d-mannitol polymorphisms. Then, we described the different strategies for the preparation of d-mannitol crystals and focused on the polymorphic control of d-mannitol crystals in the products. Furthermore, the factors of the formation of different d-mannitol polymorphisms were summarized. Finally, the application of mannitol polymorphism was summarized. The purpose of this paper is to provide new ideas for a more personalized design of d-mannitol for various applications, especially as a pharmaceutical excipient. Meanwhile, the theoretical overview on polymorphic transformation of d-mannitol may shed some light on the crystal design study of other polycrystalline materials.
Efficiency Droop and Degradation in AlGaN-Based UVB Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Chang Yi-Tsung , Lai Mu-Jen , Liu Rui-Sen , Wang Shu-Chang , Zhang Xiong , Zhang Lin-Jun , Lin Yu-Hsien , Huang Shiang-Fu , Chen Lung-Chien , Lin Ray-Ming
Published: August 2022

In this study, we found that the current droop (J-droop) in AlGaN-based UVB light-emitting diodes was more obvious at higher temperatures, despite both the main and parasitic peaks undergoing monotonic decreases in their intensity upon an increase in the temperature. The slower temperature droop (T-droop) did not occur when the forward current was increased to temperatures greater than 298 K. After an aging time of 6000 h, the emission wavelengths did not undergo any obvious changes, while the intensity of the parasitic peak barely changed. Thus, the degradation in the light output power during long-term operation was not obviously correlated to the existence of the parasitic peak.
The Potential Role of Urinary Microbiome in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia/Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Authors: Yu Seong Hyeon , Jung Seung Il
Published: August 2022

Historically, urine in the urinary tract was considered “sterile” based primarily on culture-dependent methods of bacterial detection. Rapidly developing sequencing methods and analytical techniques have detected bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid and live bacteria in urine, improving our ability to understand the urinary tract microbiome. Recently, many studies have revealed evidence of a microbial presence in human urine in the absence of clinical infections. In women, fascinating evidence associates urinary tract microbiota with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). However, the association between urinary tract microbiota and men with LUTS, particularly those with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), has not been established. In addition, the identification of the proinflammatory cytokines and pathogens responsible for the clinical progression of BPH is still underway. This review article aimed to address microbiome-related evidence for BPH. Further studies are required for a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the urogenital microbiome and BPH pathogenesis to facilitate the development of preventive and therapeutic approaches for male LUTS.
Data-Driven Degradation Modeling and SOH Prediction of Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Pang Bo , Chen Li , Dong Zuomin
Published: August 2022

Electrified vehicles (EV) and marine vessels represent promising clean transportation solutions to reduce or eliminate petroleum fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. The presently commonly used electric energy storage system (ESS) is based on lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are the electrified or hybridized powertrain’s most expensive component and show noticeable performance degradations under different use patterns. Therefore, battery life prediction models play a key role in realizing globally optimized EV design and energy control strategies. This research studies the data-driven modelling and prediction methods for Li-ion batteries’ performance degradation behaviour and the state of health (SOH) estimation. The research takes advantage of the increasingly available battery test and data to reduce prediction errors of the widely used semi-empirical modelling methods. Several data-driven modelling techniques have been applied, improved, and compared to identify their advantages and limitations. The data-driven approach and Kalman Filter (KF) algorithm are used to estimate and predict the degradation of the battery during operation. The combined algorithm of Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) and Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) showed higher accuracy than other algorithms.
A Data-Driven Reduced-Order Model for Estimating the Stimulated Reservoir Volume (SRV)
Authors: Rezaei Ali , Aminzadeh Fred
Published: August 2022

The main goal of hydraulic fracturing stimulation in unconventional and tight reservoirs is to maximize hydrocarbon production by creating an efficient stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) around the horizontal wells. To zreach this goal, a physics-based model is typically used to design and optimize the hydraulic fracturing process before executing the job. However, two critical issues make this approach insufficient for achieving the mentioned goal. First, the physics-based models are based on several simplified assumptions and do not correctly represent the physics of unconventional reservoirs; hence, they often fail to match the observed SRVs in the field. Second, the success of the executed stimulation job is evaluated after it is completed in the field, leaving no room to modify some parameters such as proppant concentration in the middle of the job. To this end, this paper proposes data-driven and global sensitivity approaches to address these two issues. It introduces a novel workflow for estimating SRV in near real-time using some hydraulic fracturing parameters that can be inferred before or during the stimulation process. It also utilizes a robust global sensitivity framework known as the Sobol Method to rank the input parameters and create a reduced-order (mathematically simple) model for near real-time estimation of SRV (referred to as DSRV). The proposed framework in this paper has two main advantages and novelties. First, it is based on a pure data-based approach, with no simplified assumptions due to the use of a simulator for generating the training and test dataset, which is often the case in similar studies. Second, it treats SRV generation as a rock mechanics problem (rather than a reservoir engineering problem with fixed fracture lengths), accounting for changes in hydraulic fracture topology and SRV changes with time. A dataset from the Marcellus Shale Energy and Environment Laboratory (MSEEL) project is used. The model’s input parameters include stimulation variables of 58 stages of two wells. These parameters are stage number, step, pump rate and duration, proppant concentration and mass, and treating pressure. The model output consists of the corresponding microseismic (MS) cloud size at each step (i.e., time window) during the job. Based on the model, guidelines are provided to help operators design more efficient fracturing jobs for maximum recovery and to monitor the effectiveness of the hydraulic fracturing process. A few future improvements to this approach are also provided.
Short-Term Load Forecasting Algorithm Based on LST-TCN in Power Distribution Network
Authors: Sheng Wanxing , Liu Keyan , Jia Dongli , Chen Shuo , Lin Rongheng
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a neural network model called Long Short-Term Temporal Convolutional Network (LST-TCN) model is proposed for short-term load forecasting. This model refers to the 1-D fully convolution network, causal convolution, and void convolution structure. In the convolution layer, a residual connection layer is added. Additionally, the model makes use of two networks to extract features from long-term data and periodic short-term data, respectively, and fuses the two features to calculate the final predicted value. Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN) are used as comparison algorithms to train and forecast 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h ahead of daily electricity load together with LST-TCN. Three different performance metrics, including pinball loss, root mean squared error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (RASE), were used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms. The results of the test set proved that LST-TCN has better generalization effects and smaller prediction errors. The algorithm has a pinball loss of 1.2453 for 3 h ahead forecast and a pinball loss of 1.4885 for 48 h ahead forecast. Generally speaking, LST-TCN has better performance than LSTM, TCN, and other algorithms.
A Comprehensive Analysis of the Myocardial Transcriptome in ZBED6-Knockout Bama Xiang Pigs
Authors: Wang Shengnan , Tian Wenjie , Pan Dengke , Liu Ling , Xu Cheng , Ma Yuehui , Wang Dandan , Jiang Lin
Published: August 2022

The ZBED6 gene is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of IGF2 and affects muscle growth and development. However, its effect on the growth and development of the heart is still unknown. Emerging evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can regulate genes at the epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels and play an important role in the development of eukaryotes. To investigate the function of ZBED6 in the cardiac development of pigs, we constructed the expression profiles of mRNAs and lncRNAs in myocardial tissue obtained from Bama Xiang pigs in the ZBED6 knockout group (ZBED6-KO) and the wild-type group (ZBED6-WT). A total of 248 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 209 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were detected, and 105 potential cis target genes of DELs were identified. The functional annotation analysis based on the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases revealed two GO items related to muscle development by the cis target genes of DELs. Moreover, IGF2 was the direct target gene of ZBED6 by ChIP-PCR experiment. Our results explored the mechanism and expression profile of mRNAs and lncRNAs of ZBED6 gene knockout on myocardium tissue development, mining the key candidate genes in that process like IGF2.
Utilization of Traditional Korean Medicine Services by the Older Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sung Angela Dong-Min , Baik You-Sang , Jang Soobin , Park Jang-Kyung , Sung Hyun-Kyung , Lee Ji-Yeon , Shin Byung-Cheul , Choi Sung-Yong , Sung Soo-Hyun
Published: August 2022

Korean healthcare service is divided into conventional medicine and traditional Korean medicine (TKM). This cross-sectional study compared the older population (65 years and older) with two groups of the general population (19–50 years and 51–64 years) to understand the current patterns in the use of TKM services by the older population. Using data from the 2017 National Survey of TKM Usage, we analyzed the main purpose and diseases or symptoms for TKM use, the reason for choosing TKM over other types of medicine, and the treatments provided. Both age groups sought TKM services to “[treat] a disease”. The top five diseases and symptoms in the older adult (65 and older) group were musculoskeletal and are as follows: arthritis and joint diseases (37.8%, n = 166), disc-related diseases (25.5%, n = 112), back pain (8.4%, n = 37), frozen shoulder and shoulder pain (7.7%, n = 34), and sprain (5.9%, n = 26). The most frequently used treatments for these diseases were acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and physiotherapy. The present study suggests that older adults primarily used TKM clinics for the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. Further studies are necessary to assess the clinical effectiveness of conventional medicine versus TKM versus a combination of both in treating musculoskeletal disorders.
Work Stress and Willingness of Nursing Aides during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Chang Ting-Shan , Chen Li-Ju , Hung Shu-Wen , Hsu Yi-Min , Tzeng Ya-Ling , Chang Ying
Published: August 2022

Objectives: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, nursing aides (NAs) experienced greater work stress than they do typically because they worked in highly contagious environments. This may have influenced their work morale and willingness to work, which can reduce patient satisfaction, influence their physical and mental health, and even endanger patient safety or cause medical system collapse. Design: A cross-sectional survey with a structured self-report questionnaire was conducted. Setting and Participants: 144 NAs from a medical center in Central Taiwan participated. Methods: We recruited NAs through convenience sampling to discuss their work stress, willingness to work, and patients’ satisfaction with them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Result: Of the 144 recruited NAs, 115 (79.9%) were women and 29 (20.1%) were men, and 89 (61.8%) had completed COVID-19 training courses. NAs with different work tenure lengths exhibited significant differences in work stress (p = 0.022), willingness to work (p = 0.029), and patient satisfaction (p = 0.029) scores during the pandemic. Conclusion: The study findings provide crucial data for the management of NAs during pandemics to prevent them from neglecting patients due to excessive work stress or losing their willingness to work, which may cause the medical system to collapse.
Association of Social Capital and Locus of Control with Perceived Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan
Authors: Mori Mitsuru , Seko Toshiaki , Ogawa Shunichi
Published: August 2022

Previous studies have indicated that social capital and locus of control influence mental health. Accordingly, we investigated the effect of social capital and locus of control on perceived physical and mental health in the general Japanese population during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to conduct a cross-sectional study, in 2021, three thousand citizens were randomly selected from the Chitose City Resident Register according to ten strata of sex and age classes between 30 years and 79 years. Because thirteen persons moved away from the city, the survey was conducted for the remaining 2987 citizens. A total of 1430 citizens (712 males, 718 females) responded to the survey with their written informed consent (response rate, 47.9%). As a result, social capital measured three dimensions, namely social support, social participation, and trust and reciprocity, and internal locus of control was significantly inversely associated with it, but external locus of control was significantly positively associated with impaired physical and mental health in male and female subjects after adjustment of lifestyle habits and lifestyle change affected by the pandemic. Strengthening social capital and internal locus of control, and weakening external locus of control, may improve physical and mental health, even if the pandemic would bring about distress. Further longitudinal study is needed to examine the causal relationship among them.
The Effects of Anastomotic Leaks on the Net Revenue from Colon Surgery
Authors: Enodien Bassey , Maurer Andreas , Ochs Vincent , Bachmann Marta , Gripp Maike , Frey Daniel M. , Taha Anas
Published: August 2022

Background: Complications in colon surgery can have severe health consequences, while at the same time, they are associated with increased costs. An anastomotic leak (AL) is associated with significantly increased costs compared to cases without. The aim of our analysis was to evaluate, which individual processes and patient-unrelated factors influencing the treatment process of colon surgery are responsible for the financial burden in patients with AL. Methods: Data from 263 patients who underwent colon surgery in Wetzikon hospital between January 2018 and December 2020 and was analyzed. In these 263 cases, 12 anastomotic leaks occurred and were compared with 36 cases without AL using a Propensity Score Matching (PSM). The covariates for the PSM have been Age, Sex, and Type of Surgery (t value: −3.26, p-value: 0.001). Results: A total of 48 surgeries were broken down in terms of costs and profitability. This reflected a mean deficit of −37,527 CHF per case (range from −130.05 to +755 CHF) for patients with AL, whereas a mean profit of 1590 CHF per case (range from −24.37 to +12.65 CHF) for those without AL (p < 0.001). Thus, the difference in profit showed a factor of 24.6 with an overall significant negative outcome for the occurrence of AL. The main cost contributing factors were the length of hospital stay (~p < 0.05) and length of intensive care (p < 0.05), whereas neither surgical operation time and anesthesia time nor surgical access, insurance status, indication or type of operation had a significant influence on the net revenue. Conclusion: AL after colon surgery leads to a significant deficit regarding the net revenue. Regarding process optimization, our analysis identified several sectors of non-patient-related, yet cost-influencing variables that should be addressed in future evaluations and optimization of the colon surgery treatment processes.
A Critical Assessment of the Congruency between Environmental DNA and Palaeoecology for the Biodiversity Monitoring and Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction
Authors: Hassan Shahnawaz , Khurshid Zulaykha , Sabreena  , Bali Bikram Singh , Ganai Bashir Ah , Sayyed R. Z. , Poczai Peter , Zaman Muzafar
Published: August 2022

The present study suggests that standardized methodology, careful site selection, and stratigraphy are essential for investigating ancient ecosystems in order to evaluate biodiversity and DNA-based time series. Based on specific keywords, this investigation reviewed 146 publications using the SCOPUS, Web of Science (WoS), PUBMED, and Google Scholar databases. Results indicate that environmental deoxyribose nucleic acid (eDNA) can be pivotal for assessing and conserving ecosystems. Our review revealed that in the last 12 years (January 2008–July 2021), 63% of the studies based on eDNA have been reported from aquatic ecosystems, 25% from marine habitats, and 12% from terrestrial environments. Out of studies conducted in aquatic systems using the environmental DNA (eDNA) technique, 63% of the investigations have been reported from freshwater ecosystems, with an utmost focus on fish diversity (40%). Further analysis of the literature reveals that during the same period, 24% of the investigations using the environmental DNA technique were carried out on invertebrates, 8% on mammals, 7% on plants, 6% on reptiles, and 5% on birds. The results obtained clearly indicate that the environmental DNA technique has a clear-cut edge over other biodiversity monitoring methods. Furthermore, we also found that eDNA, in conjunction with different dating techniques, can provide better insight into deciphering eco-evolutionary feedback. Therefore, an attempt has been made to offer extensive information on the application of dating methods for different taxa present in diverse ecosystems. Last, we provide suggestions and elucidations on how to overcome the caveats and delineate some of the research avenues that will likely shape this field in the near future. This paper aims to identify the gaps in environmental DNA (eDNA) investigations to help researchers, ecologists, and decision-makers to develop a holistic understanding of environmental DNA (eDNA) and its utility as a palaeoenvironmental contrivance.
Visualization and Analysis of Transport Accessibility Changes Based on Time Cartograms
Authors: Wang Lina , Li Xiang , Ding Linfang , Yu Xinkai , Hu Tao
Published: August 2022

Visualization of the spatial distribution pattern of transport accessibility and its changes can be crucial for understanding and assessing the performance of transportation systems. Compared to traditional maps representing geographic space, time cartograms modify geographic locations and spatial relationships to suit travelling times and thereby emphasize time–distance relationships in time-space. This study aims to facilitate a better understanding of the evolution of the spatial distribution pattern of accessibility by presenting a novel visualization and analysis methodology based on time cartograms. This is achieved by combining a visual qualitative display with a quantitative indicator analysis from multiple perspectives to show transport accessibility changes. Two indicators, namely, the shortest railway travel time (STRT) and spatiotemporal con-version parameter (STCP), are proposed to measure accessibility changes. Our work consists of the construction of time cartograms, the analysis of indicators, and the use of multiple views to show changes in transportation accessibility from multiple perspectives. The methodology is applied on the railway data of Beijing and selected 226 cities in China and to analyze changes in railway accessibility in 1996, 2003, 2009 and 2016. The results show that the development of transportation technology has continuously shortened the travel time, the time-space is gradually compressed, However, the difference in transport accessibility is getting bigger and bigger because of the uneven transportation development speeds between the regions.
Effects of Climate Change on Corn Yields: Spatiotemporal Evidence from Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression Model
Authors: Yang Bing , Wu Sensen , Yan Zhen
Published: August 2022

Food security has been one of the greatest global concerns facing the current complicated situation. Among these, the impact of climate change on agricultural production is dynamic over time and space, making it a major challenge to food security. Taking the U.S. Corn Belt as an example, we introduce a geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model that can handle both temporal and spatial non-stationarity in the relationship between corn yield and meteorological variables. With a high fitting performance (adjusted R2 at 0.79), the GTWR model generates spatiotemporally varying coefficients to effectively capture the spatiotemporal heterogeneity without requiring completion of the unbalanced data. This model makes it possible to retain original data to the maximum possible extent and to estimate the results more reliably and realistically. Our regression results showed that climate change had a positive effect on corn yield over the past 40 years, from 1981 to 2020, with temperature having a stronger effect than precipitation. Furthermore, a fuzzy c-means algorithm was used to cluster regions based on spatiotemporally changing trends. We found that the production potential of regions at high latitudes was higher than that of regions at low latitudes, suggesting that the center of productive regions may migrate northward in the future.
Optimal Routing of Wide Multi-Modal Energy and Infrastructure Corridors
Authors: Salamati Mehdi , Wang Xin , Winter Jennifer , Zareipour Hamidreza
Published: August 2022

A multi-modal corridor accommodates multiple modes of energy and transportation infrastructure within the same right-of-way. The existing literature on corridor routing in raster space often focuses on one mode with no consideration of the width. This is not a realistic assumption, especially if multiple modes are to co-exist within the same wide right-of-way. Moreover, newer routing methods that consider corridor width cannot take into account multi-modality and the arrangement of modes within a corridor. We developed two multi-modal wide-corridor routing methods using raster data. In the first method, the cost rasters of all modes are weighted and aggregated into a single composite on which a wide LCP is found. This wide LCP is then divided among the modes based on the desired arrangement. The second method uses a directed transformed graph in which the weight of each edge is calculated using different layers of cost data based on the edge direction, the desired widths and arrangement of the modes. Comparative analyses using synthetic datasets show the superior performance of the second proposed method in finding a muti-modal corridor in comparison with the first mode, and in finding a single-modal corridor when compared to the existing methods.
Monitoring Somatic Genetic Alterations in Circulating Cell-Free DNA/RNA of Patients with “Oncogene-Addicted” Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Real-World Clinical Study
Authors: Lupini Laura , Roncarati Roberta , Belluomini Lorenzo , Lancia Federica , Bassi Cristian , D’Abundo Lucilla , Michilli Angelo , Guerriero Paola , Fasano Alessandra , Tiberi Elisa , Salamone Andrea , Cosi Donato Michele , Saccenti Elena , Tagliatti Valentina , Maestri Iva , Sabbioni Silvia , Volinia Stefano , Gafà Roberta , Lanza Giovanni , Frassoldati Antonio , Negrini Massimo
Published: August 2022

Liquid biopsy has advantages over tissue biopsy, but also some technical limitations that hinder its wide use in clinical applications. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the usefulness of liquid biopsy for the clinical management of patients with advanced-stage oncogene-addicted non-small-cell lung adenocarcinomas. The investigation was conducted on a series of cases—641 plasma samples from 57 patients—collected in a prospective consecutive manner, which allowed us to assess the benefits and limitations of the approach in a real-world clinical context. Thirteen samples were collected at diagnosis, and the additional samples during the periodic follow-up visits. At diagnosis, we detected mutations in ctDNA in 10 of the 13 cases (77%). During follow-up, 36 patients progressed. In this subset of patients, molecular analyses of plasma DNA/RNA at progression revealed the appearance of mutations in 29 patients (80.6%). Mutations in ctDNA/RNA were typically detected an average of 80 days earlier than disease progression assessed by RECIST or clinical evaluations. Among the cases positive for mutations, we observed 13 de novo mutations, responsible for the development of resistance to therapy. This study allowed us to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of liquid biopsy, which led to suggesting algorithms for the use of liquid biopsy analyses at diagnosis and during monitoring of therapy response.
Pepper Alkaloid Piperine Increases Radiation Sensitivity of Cancer Cells from Glioblastoma and Hypopharynx In Vitro
Authors: Diehl Sascha , Hildebrandt Guido , Manda Katrin
Published: August 2022

In our study, our aim was to examine the cytotoxic and radio-sensitizing effect of the alkaloid piperine, a major pungent of black pepper, on two different human epithelial tumor cell lines in vitro. The growth of the human cell lines T98G (glioblastoma) and FaDu (hypopharyngeal carcinoma) was examined under the influence of piperine in different concentrations. In addition, after combined treatment with ionizing radiation, long-term survival was investigated with a colony formation assay. The proliferation was analyzed using the BrdU-assay, while the DNA repair capacity was examined via the γH2AX assay. Piperine reduced the growth of both cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner as well as a time-dependent one. After combined treatment with piperine and ionizing radiation, an inhibition of clonogenic survival could be proven. A reduced proliferation capacity and an additive effect on DNA damage 24 h after irradiation are possible causal mechanisms, which were also demonstrated for both cell lines. Based on the results presented in this study, piperine was shown to have cytotoxic antitumor activity and a radio-sensitizing effect in micromolar concentrations in the human tumor cells that were tested. Based on these results piperine represents a potential therapeutic option in radio-oncological treatment.
Quantum Biochemistry Screening and In Vitro Evaluation of Leishmania Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
Authors: Moreno Cláudia Jassica Gonçalves , Farias Henriqueta Monalisa , Medeiros Rafael , Brito Talita , Oliveira Johny , de Sousa Francimar Lopes , Medeiros Mayara Jane Campos de , Amorim Bruno , Santos-Gomes Gabriela , Pontes Daniel , Rocha Hugo Alexandre Oliveira , Frazao Nilton Fereira , Silva Marcelo Sousa
Published: August 2022

Leishmanolysin, also known as major promastigote protease (PSP) or gp63, is the most abundant surface glycoprotein of Leishmania spp., and has been extensively studied and recognized as the main parasite virulence factor. Characterized as a metalloprotease, gp63 can be powerfully inactivated in the presence of a metal chelator. In this study, we first used the structural parameters of a 7-hydroxycoumarin derivative, L1 compound, to evaluate the theoretical–computational experiments against gp63, comparing it with an available metal chelator already described. The methodology followed was (i) analysis of the three-dimensional structure of gp63 as well as its active site, and searching the literature and molecular databases for possible inhibitors; (ii) molecular docking simulations and investigation of the interactions in the generated protein–ligand complexes; and (iii) the individual energy of the gp63 amino acids that interacted most with the ligands of interest was quantified by ab initio calculations using Molecular Fraction with Conjugated Caps (MFCC). MFCC still allowed the final quantum balance calculations of the protein interaction to be obtained with each inhibitor candidate binder. L1 obtained the best energy quantum balance result with −2 eV, followed by DETC (−1.4 eV), doxycycline (−1.3 eV), and 4-terpineol (−0.6 eV), and showed evidence of covalent binding in the enzyme active site. In vitro experiments confirmed L1 as highly effective against L. amazonensis parasites. The compound also exhibited a low cytotoxicity profile against mammalian RAW and 3T3 cells lines, presenting a selective index of 149.19 and 380.64 µM, respectively. L1 induced promastigote forms’ death by necrosis and the ultrastructural analysis revealed disruption in membrane integrity. Furthermore, leakage of the contents and destruction of the parasite were confirmed by Spectroscopy Dispersion analysis. These results together suggested L1 has a potential effect against L. amazonensis, the etiologic agent of diffuse leishmaniasis, and the only one that currently does not have a satisfactory treatment.
The Screening of Therapeutic Peptides for Anti-Inflammation through Phage Display Technology
Authors: Zhang Kangran , Tang Yezhong , Chen Qin , Liu Yang
Published: August 2022

For the treatment of inflammatory illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and carditis, as well as cancer, several anti-inflammatory medications have been created over the years to lower the concentrations of inflammatory mediators in the body. Peptides are a class of medication with the advantages of weak immunogenicity and strong activity, and the phage display technique is an effective method for screening various therapeutic peptides, with a high affinity and selectivity, including anti-inflammation peptides. It enables the selection of high-affinity target-binding peptides from a complex pool of billions of peptides displayed on phages in a combinatorial library. In this review, we will discuss the regular process of using phage display technology to screen therapeutic peptides, and the peptides screened for anti-inflammation properties in recent years according to the target. We will describe how these peptides were screened and how they worked in vitro and in vivo. We will also discuss the current challenges and future outlook of using phage display to obtain anti-inflammatory therapeutic peptides.
Effects of Naphthaleneacetic Acid, Indole-3-Butyric Acid and Zinc Sulfate on the Rooting and Growth of Mulberry Cuttings
Authors: Sourati Reza , Sharifi Peyman , Poorghasemi Mohammadreza , Alves Vieira Evandro , Seidavi Alireza , Anjum Naser A. , Sehar Zebus , Sofo Adriano
Published: August 2022

The mulberry tree (Morus alba) is a perennial and fast-growing tree distributed worldwide under different climatic conditions. Most of the world’s silk production (>90%) is facilitated by the feeding of silkworm larvae on the leaves of mulberry (Morus alba L.) varieties. Therefore, exploration of the protocol for improving the propagation efficiency and increasing the reproductive capacity of M. alba varieties could be of great significance. This study aimed to determine the effect of four concentrations (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg L−1) each of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and zinc sulfate (0, 100 and 200 mg L−1), supplied separately or combined, on the rooting and growth of mulberry cuttings. M. alba cuttings were immersed for 5 s in each solution using the quick-dip method and subsequently, the cuttings were dried and planted in plastic pots and maintained in a greenhouse for 60 days. The number of leaves (NL), longest root size (LRS), longest stem size (LSS), number of rooted cuttings (NRC), number of stems per tree (NSP), rooting percentage (RP), wet root weight (WRW), dry root weight (DRW), wet stem weight (WSW), dry stem weight (DSW), wet leaf weight (WLW) and dry leaf weight (DLW) were evaluated. The results obtained showed an increase in all growth parameters of the mulberry cuttings. Treatments of hormones (IBA and NAA) and Zn sulfate were effective on LSS, LRS and WSW. The highest values of LSS were obtained for the treatments T5, T6, T14, T15, T16 and T18. Moreover, T5, T12 and T10 showed the highest values of LRS. The highest value of WSW was observed for T18, T5, T14, T15 and T16. The highest values of WLW and DLW were observed in T20 and T14. Dry stem weight (DSW) was high in T18 and T14. The application of NAA (at 200 mg L−1), IBA (200 and 400 mg L−1) and Zn sulfate (200 and 400 mg L−1), either alone or in double combination, can be a suitable and reliable method for mulberry propagation.
Congenital Heart Disease and the Risk of Cancer: An Update on the Genetic Etiology, Radiation Exposure Damage, and Future Research Strategies
Authors: Campolo Jonica , Annoni Giuseppe , Giaccardi Marzia , Andreassi Maria Grazia
Published: August 2022

Epidemiological studies have shown an increased prevalence of cancer in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) as compared with the general population. The underlying risk factors for the acquired cancer risk remain poorly understood, and shared genetic anomalies and cumulative radiation exposure from repeated imaging and catheterization procedures may be contributing factors. In the present review, we provide an update on the most recent literature regarding the associations between CHD and cancer, with a particular focus on genetic etiology and radiation exposure from medical procedures. The current evidence indicates that children with CHD may be a high-risk population, already having the first genetic “hit”, and, consequently, may have increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation from birth or earlier. Future research strategies integrating biological and molecular measures are also discussed in this article.
Outcomes and Prognostic Factors Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Intraocular Foreign Bodies—11-Year Retrospective Analysis in a Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Hapca Mădălina Claudia , Muntean George Adrian , Drăgan Iulia Andrada Nemeș , Vesa Ștefan Cristian , Nicoară Simona Delia
Published: August 2022

Aim: To evaluate the visual outcome of penetrating ocular injuries with a retained intraocular foreign body (IOFB) managed by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and to describe the risk factors associated with poor visual acuity and retinal detachment (RD) development. Methods: Medical records of 56 patients with IOFB that were removed by PPV over a period of 11 years (1 January 2010–31 December 2020) were reviewed. We extracted the demographic data, initial and final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using standard Snellen chart, IOFB characteristics, complications and surgical details. Outcome was evaluated according to the final BCVA: poor <0.1, good 0.1–<0.5 or excellent ≥0.5. Results: The mean age was 36.1 ± 14.1 (range, 16–71) years and the majority of patients were males (55 out of 56, 98.2%). IOFB was retinal in 27 (48.2%) cases and intravitreal in 29 cases (51.8%). IOFB size was ≤3mm in 26 (46.4%) cases and >3mm in 30 (53.6%) cases. Preoperative RD was identified in 12 (21.4%) cases and endophthalmitis in 17 cases (30.4%). IOFBs larger than 3 mm and retinal location were associated with RD development. Poor visual outcome was associated with initial BCVA, retinal location, RD and endophthalmitis. Conclusion: Initial BCVA, retinal foreign body, RD and endophthalmitis were risk factors for poor visual outcome.
Trigeminal Nerve Affection in Patients with Neuro-Sjögren Detected by Corneal Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Seeliger Tabea , Gehlhaar Marten A. , Oluwatoba-Popoola Irene , Konen Franz F. , Haar Melanie , Donicova Emilia , Wachsmann Marija , Pielen Amelie , Gingele Stefan , Prenzler Nils K. , Ernst Diana , Witte Torsten , Framme Carsten , Bajor Anna , Skripuletz Thomas
Published: August 2022

Background: Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and polyneuropathy more frequently develop cranial nerve affection when compared to patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). We therefore aimed to analyze trigeminal corneal nerve fibre characteristics in both patient groups. Methods: A total of 26 patients with Sjögren’s syndrome associated neuropathy and 29 patients with CIDP were recruited at our university hospital and compared to 6 healthy controls. Dry eye symptoms and signs were assessed via clinical examination and the Ocular Disease Surface Index questionnaire. Trigeminal corneal nerve fibres were analyzed via corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) as a non-invasive in vivo microscopy. Results: CCM revealed significantly reduced corneal nerve fibre density and corneal nerve fibre main branch density in the Neuro-Sjögren group when compared with healthy controls. There were no significant group differences between the Neuro-Sjögren and the CIDP group for any of the microscopic parameters. Dry eye assessment showed similarly reduced scores for both patient groups, while healthy controls showed better results for objective dry eye signs. There was no correlation between microscopic parameters of the corneal confocal microscopy and parameters of dry eye assessment. Conclusions: Our data revealed trigeminal corneal nerve affection in patients with neuropathy associated with Sjögren’s syndrome and patients with CIDP detected by CCM. No difference was found between both neuropathy groups indicating that CCM is not able to distinguish between both entities.
A New Matrix for Soft Tissue Management
Authors: De Santis Daniele , Luciano Umberto , Pancera Paola , Castegnaro Giacomo , Alberti Christian , Gelpi Federico
Published: August 2022

Gingival recession is a mucogingival defect defined as the apical shifting of the gingival margin in relation to the CEJ. The use of connective tissue autografts allows for the obtention of very satisfactory results but is associated with undoubted disadvantages. The aim of the present work is to carry out a systematic review of the literature using a meta-analysis to investigate the clinical efficacy of xenogeneic collagen matrix (XCM) in the treatment of gingival recessions. This revision was carried out strictly following the guidelines published in the Cochrane Handbook. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to calculate relative risks and standardized mean differences for each of the variables considered. The results of the meta-analysis show that CAF + CTG was statistically better than CAF + XCM in almost all the variables analyzed: complete root coverage (RR 0.46), mean root coverage (SMD −0.89), recession reduction (SMD −0.98), clinical attachment level (SMD −0.63) and gingival thickness (SMD −1.68). Meanwhile, CAF + XCM was slightly better than CAF alone in regard to: mean root coverage (SMD 0.51), recession reduction (SMD 0.47) and gingival thickness (SMD 0.56). It is possible to conclude that CAF + CTG still remains the gold standard in radicular coverage.
Influence of Accelerated Aging on the Wear Behavior of Cross-Linked Polyethylene Liners—A Hip Simulator Study
Authors: Dammer Rebecca H. , Zietz Carmen , Reinders Jörn , Teske Michael , Bader Rainer
Published: August 2022

Sequential cross-linked and annealed ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (SX-PE) is known as a low-wear articulating partner, especially for total hip endoprostheses. Aging of polymeric materials, irrespective of if induced by shelf or in vivo life, can degrade their tribological and mechanical properties. However, changes in wear behavior of aged SX-PE liners have not been not quantified so far. An accelerated aging procedure, to simulate shelf and in vivo aging, was performed on thin SX-PE liners after five million load cycles using a simulator (“worn-aged”) as well as on new SX-PE liners (“new-aged”). A subsequent hip simulator test was performed with both thin SX-PE liner sets in combination with large-diameter ceramic femoral head, representing a combination known as advantageous for treatment after revision because of dislocation. Oxidation indices were measured on the liners after each step of the procedure. SX-PE liners after accelerated aging show bedding-in phases during simulator test, which was a characteristic only known from clinical investigations. Hence, the wear rates of the “new-aged” ((1.71 ± 0.49) mg/million cycles) and of the “worn-aged” ((9.32 ± 0.09) mg/million cycles) SX-PE were increased in the first period compared to new unaged SX-PE liners. Subsequently, the wear rates decreased for “new-aged” and “worn-aged” inserts to (0.44 ± 0.48) mg/million cycles and (2.72 ± 0.05) mg/million cycles, respectively. In conclusion, the results show promising effects of accelerated aging on SX-PE liners in simulator testing and for potential long-term use in clinical applications.
High Tg/HDL-Cholesterol Ratio Highlights a Higher Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents with Severe Obesity
Authors: Radetti Giorgio , Grugni Graziano , Lupi Fiorenzo , Fanolla Antonio , Caroli Diana , Bondesan Adele , Sartorio Alessandro
Published: August 2022

Few data are currently available on the reliability of the different anthropometric, instrumental and biochemical indexes in recognizing the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and adolescents with severe obesity. Therefore, the objective of our study was to find out the simplest and most accurate predictive index of MetS in this population at-risk. In 1065 children and adolescents (563 f, 502 m), aged 14.6 ± 2.1 years (range 10–17), with severe obesity [BMI-SDS 3.50 ± 0.36 (range 3.00–5.17)], the following indexes were evaluated: BMI, BMI-SDS, Tri-Ponderal Mass Index, Waist-to-Height ratio, TG/HDL-Cholesterol ratio, Cardiometabolic Index (CMI), and Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI). For each subject, all the components of MetS, defined according to the IDF criteria, were determined. Overall, the presence of MetS was found in 324 patients (30.4%), 167 males (33.3%) and 157 females (27.9%). According to the ROC analysis, three indexes (VAI, CMI and TG/HDL-Cholesterol ratio), performed significantly better than the other ones in identifying MetS, with no difference among them. In conclusion, the TG/HDL ratio, which just needs the evaluation of two simple biochemical parameters, offers the same accuracy as other more sophisticated indexes in recognizing MetS in children and adolescents with severe obesity, thus making it the best predictor to be easily used.