bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathologic Significance of Heat Shock Protein 60 as a Survival Predictor in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kang Myunghee , Jeong Soyeon , An Jungsuk , Park Sungjin , Nam Seungyoon , Kwon Kwang An , Sahoo Debashis , Ghosh Pradipta , Kim Jung Ho
Published: August 2023

The role of heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), a mitochondrial chaperone, in tumor progression or its anti-tumor effects remains controversial. This study aimed to confirm the possibility of using HSP60 as a prognostic marker in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), considering TNM classification for precise prediction. HSP60 expression increased with differentiation and p53 mutations in patients. However, compared to patients with high HSP60 expression, patients with low HSP60 expression had event-free survival and disease-specific survival hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.42 and 1.69, respectively. Moreover, when the survival rate was analyzed by combining TNM classification and HSP60 expression, the prognosis was poor, particularly when HSP60 expression was low in the late/advanced stage. This pattern was also observed with HSP family D member 1, HSPD1, the gene that encodes HSP60. Low HSPD1 expression was linked to lower overall survival and relapse-free survival rates, with HRs of 1.80 and 1.87, respectively. When TNM classification and HSPD1 expression were considered, CRC patients with low HSPD1 expression and advanced malignancy had a poorer prognosis than those with high HSPD1 expression. Thus, HSPD1/HSP60 can be a useful biomarker for a sophisticated survival prediction in late- and advanced-stage CRC, allowing the design of individualized treatment strategies.
Impact of BRAFV600E Mutation on Event-Free Survival in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study in a Romanian Population
Authors: Nechifor-Boilă Adela , Zahan Ancuţa , Bănescu Claudia , Moldovan Valeriu , Piciu Doina , Voidăzan Septimiu , Borda Angela
Published: August 2023

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of BRAFV600E mutation in a series of 127 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cases as a single factor, and in synergic interaction with other standard risk factors. BRAFV600E mutation was assessed by real-time PCR. Event-free survival (EFS) was calculated between the date of the first evaluation and the date of occurrence of an adverse event or the date of the last known status. The prevalence of BRAFV600E mutation was 57.2%. The Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a significant reduction of EFS among cases harboring BRAFV600E mutation compared to non-mutated cases (p = 0.010). In addition, BRAFV600E mutation was found to better predict adverse outcomes when associated with the following risk factors: age ≥ 55 years old (p < 0.001), male gender (p < 0.001), conventional (p = 0.005) and tall cell (p = 0.014) histology, tumor size > 40 mm (p = 0.001), extrathyroidal extension (p = 0.001), multifocality (p = 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, a 3.74-fold increased risk for a reduced EFS (p = 0.018) was found for BRAFV600E-mutated cases, but no increased risk was further confirmed by multivariate analysis. Our results highlight that BRAFV600E mutation cannot be used alone as an independent predictive factor in PTC patients, but is prognostically valuable if integrated in the context of other clinicopathological risk factors.
Telemedicine in Neuro-Oncology—An Evaluation of Remote Consultations during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Feldheim Jonas , Schmidt Teresa , Oster Christoph , Feldheim Julia , Stuschke Martin , Stummer Walter , Grauer Oliver , Scheffler Björn , Hagemann Carsten , Sure Ulrich , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Lazaridis Lazaros , Kebir Sied , Glas Martin
Published: August 2023

In order to minimize the risk of infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote video consultations (VC) experienced an upswing in most medical fields. However, telemedicine in neuro-oncology comprises unique challenges and opportunities. So far, evidence-based insights to evaluate and potentially customize current concepts are scarce. To fill this gap, we analyzed >3700 neuro-oncological consultations, of which >300 were conducted as VC per patients’ preference, in order to detect how both patient collectives distinguished from one another. Additionally, we examined patients’ reasons, suitable/less suitable encounters, VC’s benefits and disadvantages and future opportunities with an anonymized survey. Patients that participated in VC had a worse clinical condition, higher grade of malignancy, were more often diagnosed with glioblastoma and had a longer travel distance (all p < 0.01). VC were considered a fully adequate alternative to face-to-face consultations for almost all encounters that patients chose to participate in (>70%) except initial consultations. Most participants preferred to alternate between both modalities rather than participate in one alone but preferred VC over telephone consultation. VC made patients feel safer, and participants expressed interest in implementing other telemedicine modalities (e.g., apps) into neuro-oncology. VC are a promising addition to patient care in neuro-oncology. However, patients and encounters should be selected individually.
Mapping the Oncological Basis Dataset to the Standardized Vocabularies of a Common Data Model: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Carus Jasmin , Trübe Leona , Szczepanski Philip , Nürnberg Sylvia , Hees Hanna , Bartels Stefan , Nennecke Alice , Ückert Frank , Gundler Christopher
Published: August 2023

In their joint effort against cancer, all involved parties within the German healthcare system are obligated to report diagnostics, treatments, progression, and follow-up information for tumor patients to the respective cancer registries. Given the federal structure of Germany, the oncological basis dataset (oBDS) operates as the legally required national standard for oncological reporting. Unfortunately, the usage of various documentation software solutions leads to semantic and technical heterogeneity of the data, complicating the establishment of research networks and collective data analysis. Within this feasibility study, we evaluated the transferability of all oBDS characteristics to the standardized vocabularies, a metadata repository of the observational medical outcomes partnership (OMOP) common data model (CDM). A total of 17,844 oBDS expressions were mapped automatically or manually to standardized concepts of the OMOP CDM. In a second step, we converted real patient data retrieved from the Hamburg Cancer Registry to the new terminologies. Given our pipeline, we transformed 1773.373 cancer-related data elements to the OMOP CDM. The mapping of the oBDS to the standardized vocabularies of the OMOP CDM promotes the semantic interoperability of oncological data in Germany. Moreover, it allows the participation in network studies of the observational health data sciences and informatics under the usage of federated analysis beyond the level of individual countries.
Mitochondrial Peptide Humanin Facilitates Chemoresistance in Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Peña Agudelo Jorge A. , Pidre Matías L. , Garcia Fallit Matias , Pérez Küper Melanie , Zuccato Camila , Nicola Candia Alejandro J. , Marchesini Abril , Vera Mariana B. , De Simone Emilio , Giampaoli Carla , Amorós Morales Leslie C. , Gonzalez Nazareno , Romanowski Víctor , Videla-Richardson Guillermo A. , Seilicovich Adriana , Candolfi Marianela
Published: August 2023

Humanin (HN) is a mitochondrial-derived peptide with robust cytoprotective effects in many cell types. Although the administration of HN analogs has been proposed to treat degenerative diseases, its role in the pathogenesis of cancer is poorly understood. Here, we evaluated whether HN affects the chemosensitivity of glioblastoma (GBM) cells. We found that chemotherapy upregulated HN expression in GBM cell lines and primary cultures derived from GBM biopsies. An HN analog (HNGF6A) boosted chemoresistance, increased the migration of GBM cells and improved their capacity to induce endothelial cell migration and proliferation. Chemotherapy also upregulated FPR2 expression, an HN membrane-bound receptor, and the HNGF6A cytoprotective effects were inhibited by an FPR2 receptor antagonist (WRW4). These effects were observed in glioma cells with heterogeneous genetic backgrounds, i.e., glioma cells with wild-type (wtIDH) and mutated (mIDH) isocitrate dehydrogenase. HN silencing using a baculoviral vector that encodes for a specific shRNA for HN (BV.shHN) reduced chemoresistance, and impaired the migration and proangiogenic capacity of GBM cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that HN boosts the hallmark characteristics of GBM, i.e., chemoresistance, migration and endothelial cell proliferation. Thus, strategies that inhibit the HN/FPR2 pathway may improve the response of GBM to standard therapy
ASSET: Auto-Segmentation of the Seventeen SEgments for Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation in Radiation Therapy
Authors: Morris Eric , Chin Robert , Wu Trudy , Smith Clayton , Nejad-Davarani Siamak , Cao Minsong
Published: August 2023

There has been a recent effort to treat high-risk ventricular tachycardia (VT) patients through radio-ablation. However, manual segmentation of the VT target is complex and time-consuming. This work introduces ASSET, or Auto-segmentation of the Seventeen SEgments for Tachycardia ablation, to aid in radiation therapy (RT) planning. ASSET was retrospectively applied to CTs for 26 thoracic RT patients (13 undergoing VT ablation). The physician-defined parasternal long-axis of the left ventricle (LV) and the axes generated from principal component analysis (PCA) were compared using mean distance to agreement (MDA) and angle of separation. The manually selected right ventricle insertion point and LVs were used to apply the ASSET model to automatically generate the 17 segments of the LV myocardium (LVM). Physician-defined parasternal long-axis differed from PCA by 1.2 ± 0.3 mm MDA and 6.9 ± 0.7 degrees. Segments differed by 0.69 ± 0.29 mm MDA and 0.89 ± 0.03 Dice similarity coefficient. Running ASSET takes <5 min where manual segmentation took >2 h/patient. Agreement between ASSET and expert contours was comparable to inter-observer variability. Qualitative scoring conducted by three experts revealed automatically generated segmentations were clinically useable as-is. ASSET offers efficient and reliable automatic segmentations for the 17 segments of the LVM for target generation in RT planning.
Combining Crocin and Sorafenib Improves Their Tumor-Inhibiting Effects in a Rat Model of Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Cirrhotic-Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Awad Basma , Hamza Alaaeldin Ahmed , Al-Maktoum Amna , Al-Salam Suhail , Amin Amr
Published: August 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies, with continuously increasing cases and fatalities. Diagnosis often occurs in the advanced stages, confining patients to systemic therapies such as sorafenib. Sorafenib (SB), a multi-kinase inhibitor, has not yet demonstrated sufficient efficacy against advanced HCC. There is a strong argument in favor of studying its use in combination with other medications to optimize the therapeutic results. According to our earlier work, crocin (CR), a key bioactive component of saffron, hinders HCC development and liver cancer stemness. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic use of CR or its combination with SB in a cirrhotic rat model of HCC and evaluated how effectively SB and CR inhibited tumor growth in this model. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was administered intraperitoneally to rats once a week for 15 weeks, leading to cirrhosis, and then 19 weeks later, leading to multifocal HCC. After 16 weeks of cancer induction, CR (200 mg/kg daily) and SB (10 mg/kg daily) were given orally to rats for three weeks, either separately or in combination. Consistently, the combination treatment considerably decreased the incidence of dyschromatic nodules, nodule multiplicity, and dysplastic nodules when compared to the HCC group of single therapies. Combined therapy also caused the highest degree of apoptosis, along with decreased proliferating and β-catenin levels in the tumor tissues. Additionally, when rats received combined therapy with CR, it showed anti-inflammatory characteristics where nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) were considerably and additively lowered. As a result, CR potentiates the suppressive effects of SB on tumor growth and provides the opportunity to strengthen the therapeutic effects of SB in the treatment of HCC.
BRD4 Inhibition as a Strategy to Prolong the Response to Standard of Care in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Elshazly Ahmed M. , Sinanian Melanie M. , Neely Victoria , Chakraborty Eesha , Alshehri Muruj A. , McGrath Michael K. , Harada Hisashi , Schoenlein Patricia V. , Gewirtz David A.
Published: August 2023

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring malignancy in women and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. ER+ breast cancer constitutes approximately 70% of all breast cancer cases. The standard of care for ER+ breast cancer involves estrogen antagonists such as tamoxifen or fulvestrant in combination with CDK4/6 inhibitors such as palbociclib. However, these treatments are often not curative, with disease recurrence and metastasis being responsible for patient mortality. Overexpression of the epigenetic regulator, BRD4, has been shown to be a negative prognostic indicator in breast cancer, and BET family inhibitors such as ARV-825 and ABBV-744 have garnered interest for their potential to improve and prolong the response to current therapeutic strategies. The current work examined the potential of utilizing ARV-825 and ABBV-744 to increase the effectiveness of tamoxifen or fulvestrant plus palbociclib. ARV-825 was effective in both p53 wild-type (WT) breast tumor cells and in cells lacking functional p53 either alone or in combination with tamoxifen, while the effectiveness of ABBV-744 was limited to fulvestrant plus palbociclib in p53 WT cells. These differential effects may be related to the capacity to suppress c-Myc, a downstream target of BRD4.
Proteomic Analysis on Sequential Samples of Cystic Fluid Obtained from Human Brain Tumors
Authors: Magrassi Lorenzo , Brambilla Francesca , Viganò Raffaello , Di Silvestre Dario , Benazzi Louise , Bellantoni Giuseppe , Danesino Gian Marco , Comincini Sergio , Mauri Pierluigi
Published: August 2023

Cystic formation in human primary brain tumors is a relatively rare event whose incidence varies widely according to the histotype of the tumor. Composition of the cystic fluid has mostly been characterized in samples collected at the time of tumor resection and no indications of the evolution of cystic content are available. We characterized the evolution of the proteome of cystic fluid using a bottom-up proteomic approach on sequential samples obtained from secretory meningioma (SM), cystic schwannoma (CS) and cystic high-grade glioma (CG). We identified 1008 different proteins; 74 of these proteins were found at least once in the cystic fluid of all tumors. The most abundant proteins common to all tumors studied derived from plasma, with the exception of prostaglandin D2 synthase, which is a marker of cerebrospinal fluid origin. Overall, the protein composition of cystic fluid obtained at different times from the same tumor remained stable. After the identification of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and the protein–protein interaction network analysis, we identified the presence of tumor-specific pathways that may help to characterize tumor–host interactions. Our results suggest that plasma proteins leaking from local blood–brain barrier disruption are important contributors to cyst fluid formation, but cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the tumor itself also contribute to the cystic fluid proteome and, in some cases, as with immunoglobulin G, shows tumor-specific variations that cannot be simply explained by differences in vessel permeability or blood contamination.
Relationship of Mitochondrial-Related Protein Expression with the Differentiation, Metastasis, and Poor Prognosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Murakami Aki , Takeda Daisuke , Hirota Junya , Saito Izumi , Amano-Iga Rika , Yatagai Nanae , Arimoto Satomi , Kakei Yasumasa , Akashi Masaya , Hasegawa Takumi
Published: August 2023

Mitochondrial dysfunction and respiratory function changes have been consistently associated with the initiation and progression of cancer. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate the expression of mitochondrial tumor-suppressor and DNA-repair proteins in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to evaluate the relationship between their expression and prognosis. We enrolled 197 patients with OSCC who underwent surgical resection between August 2013 and October 2018. Clinical, pathological, and epidemiological data were retrospectively collected from hospital records. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), mitochondrial transcription factor A, mitochondrial tumor suppressor gene 1, silent information regulator 3, and 8-hydroxyguanine DNA glycosylase was investigated using immunochemistry. The 3-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates of patients showing positive expression of all selected proteins were significantly higher than those of patients showing a lack of expression. Multivariate analysis revealed that the expression of PGC-1α (hazard ratio, 4.684) and vascular invasion (hazard ratio, 5.690) can predict the DSS rate (p < 0.001). Low PGC-1α expression and vascular invasion are potential clinically effective predictors of the prognosis of OSCC.
Organic Acids from Glucose—Heterogeneous Catalysis with the Participation of Natural Zeolite
Authors: Sobuś Natalia , Łabaj Igor , Król Magdalena
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we present the results of a one-pot process for converting, utilizing a modified clinoptilolite catalyst. Iron, cobalt, and copper were introduced into the zeolite structure as active centers. The modified clinoptilolite catalyst was characterized in terms of phase composition, structure, and microstructure (using XRD, BET, FT-IR, and DRS UV-VIS), as well as the speciation of introduced metals. The catalytic process was conducted at a temperature of 250 °C for 1–5 h. Depending on the catalyst used and the specific process conditions, the reaction mixture exhibited the formation of various organic acids, including lactic acid (100% yield after 1 h using CLI), levulinic acid (40.3% yield after 5 h using Fe-H-CLI), formic acid (15.8% yield after 3 h using Fe-H-CLI), and acrylic acid (11.9% yield after 5 h using Fe-CLI).
ZnO/TiO2 Composite Thin-Film Photocatalysts for Gas-Phase Oxidation of Ethanol
Authors: Sanusi Ibrahim , Almquist Catherine B.
Published: August 2023

The aim of this project is to investigate the photocatalytic activity of ZnO/TiO2 composite films for the gas-phase oxidation of ethanol. Pure TiO2, pure ZnO, and their composites were formulated using a sol-gel synthesis method, and the resulting powders were cast and dried as thin films in a flat-plate ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV LED) reactor. P25 TiO2 and commercially available ZnO were also used for comparison. The structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of the materials were characterized. The photocatalytic oxidation of ethanol vapors in air after 24 h of reactor operation was used to assess the relative photocatalytic activity of the ZnO/TiO2 composite films. Our results show that as ZnO content increased in the coupled semiconductor materials, the apparent photocatalytic activity decreased. In this study, pure ZnO (both sol-gel and purchased) had the least photocatalytic activity for vapor-phase ethanol oxidation in our test apparatus. For gas-phase photocatalysis, surface area was shown to be a critical feature for photocatalytic activity. However, the inherent photocatalytic activity of the materials was not decoupled from the effects of surface area in this study.
Coming of Age: Targeting Cyclin K in Cancers
Authors: Xiao Yi , Dong Jixin
Published: August 2023

Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) play versatile roles in promoting the hallmarks of cancer. Therefore, cyclins and CDKs have been widely studied and targeted in cancer treatment, with four CDK4/6 inhibitors being approved by the FDA and many other inhibitors being examined in clinical trials. The specific purpose of this review is to delineate the role and therapeutic potential of Cyclin K in cancers. Studies have shown that Cyclin K regulates many essential biological processes, including the DNA damage response, mitosis, and pre-replicative complex assembly, and is critical in both cancer cell growth and therapeutic resistance. Importantly, the druggability of Cyclin K has been demonstrated in an increasing number of studies that identify novel opportunities for its use in cancer treatment. This review first introduces the basic features and translational value of human cyclins and CDKs. Next, the discovery, phosphorylation targets, and related functional significance of Cyclin K-CDK12/13 complexes in cancer are detailed. This review then provides a summary of current Cyclin K-associated cancer studies, with an emphasis on the available Cyclin K-targeting drugs. Finally, the current knowledge gaps regarding the potential of Cyclin K in cancers are discussed, along with interesting directions for future investigation.
Anti-Tumor Effect of Turandot Proteins Induced via the JAK/STAT Pathway in the mxc Hematopoietic Tumor Mutant in Drosophila
Authors: Kinoshita Yuriko , Shiratsuchi Naoka , Araki Mayo , Inoue Yoshihiro H.
Published: August 2023

Several antimicrobial peptides suppress the growth of lymph gland (LG) tumors in Drosophila multi sex comb (mxc) mutant larvae. The activity of another family of polypeptides, called Turandots, is also induced via the JAK/STAT pathway after bacterial infection; however, their influence on Drosophila tumors remains unclear. The JAK/STAT pathway was activated in LG tumors, fat body, and circulating hemocytes of mutant larvae. The mRNA levels of Turandot (Tot) genes increased markedly in the mutant fat body and declined upon silencing Stat92E in the fat body, indicating the involvement of the JAK/STAT pathway. Furthermore, significantly enhanced tumor growth upon a fat-body-specific silencing of the mRNAs demonstrated the antitumor effects of these proteins. The proteins were found to be incorporated into small vesicles in mutant circulating hemocytes (as previously reported for several antimicrobial peptides) but not normal cells. In addition, more hemocytes containing these proteins were found to be associated with tumors. The mutant LGs contained activated effector caspases, and a fat-body-specific silencing of Tots inhibited apoptosis and increased the number of mitotic cells in the LG, thereby suggesting that the proteins inhibited tumor cell proliferation. Thus, Tot proteins possibly exhibit antitumor effects via the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation.
Prospects of Waste Incineration for Improved Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management in Ghana—A Review
Authors: Yakah Noah , Samavati Mahrokh , Akuoko Kwarteng Augustine , Martin Andrew , Simons Anthony
Published: August 2023

The per capita municipal solid waste (MSW) generation per day in Ghana is estimated to be 0.47 kg/person/day, which translates to over 14,000 tonnes of solid waste generation daily. The disposal and management of this amount of solid waste has been challenging worldwide, and in Ghana, this is evident with the creation of unsanitary dumping sites scattered across most communities in the country, especially urban communities. The indiscriminate disposal of solid waste in Ghana is known to cause flooding, the pollution of water bodies, and the spread of diseases. The purpose of this review is to highlight the prospects of waste incineration with energy recovery as a waste-to-energy (WtE) technology which has contributed immensely to the disposal and management of MSW in nations worldwide (especially developed ones). The review indicates that waste incineration with energy recovery is a matured waste-to-energy technology in developed nations, and there are currently about 492 waste incineration plants in operation in the EU, over 77 in operation in about 25 states in the USA, and about 1900 in operation in Japan. Waste incineration with energy recovery is also gradually gaining prominence in developing nations like China, Brazil, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The adoption of waste incineration with energy technology can reduce Ghana’s overdependence on fossil fuels as primary sources of energy. It is, however, recommended that a techno-economic assessment of proposed waste incineration facilities is performed considering the MSW generated in Ghana. Additionally, it is also recommended that the possibility of incorporating the use of artificial intelligence technology into the management of MSW in Ghana be investigated.
Nanotechnology in Packaging for Food Industry: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: de Sousa Marcos Silva , Schlogl Andersen Escobar , Estanislau Felipe Ramalho , Souza Victor Gomes Lauriano , dos Reis Coimbra Jane Sélia , Santos Igor José Boggione
Published: August 2023

Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in food preservation, offering innovative solutions for food monitoring and enabling the creation of packaging with unique functional properties. The nanomaterials used in the packaging can extend the shelf life of foods, enhance food safety, keep consumers informed about contamination or food spoilage, repair packaging damage, and even release preservatives to prolong the durability of food items. Therefore, this review aims to provide an overview of the diverse applications of nanotechnology in food packaging, highlighting its key advantages. Safety considerations and regulations related to nanotechnology packaging are also addressed, along with the evaluation of potential risks to human health and the environment, emphasizing that this field faces challenges in terms of safety considerations and regulations. Additionally, the development of nanotechnology-based packaging can drive advancements in food preservation by creating safer, more sustainable, and higher-quality packaging. Thus, nanotechnology offers the potential to enhance the efficiency and functionality of packaging, delivering substantial benefits for both manufacturers and consumers.
Study on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Modification of Cu-Ti3AlC2 Composites by Ni Element
Authors: Wang Yiran , Xu Liujie , Li Xiuqing
Published: August 2023

Ti3AlC2 three-layered ceramics-reinforced copper matrix composites show not only the strength of the copper matrix but also better wear resistance, all while preserving its conductive property and, ultimately, reducing the cost of preparation. However, decomposition in Cu-Ti3AlC2 composites mainly occurs due to the severe interdiffusion of Al and Cu elements from Ti3AlC2 particle-grain boundaries, leading to the formation of TiCx. This work explored a practical method to produce Cu reinforced with a Ti3AlC2 particle which keeps an effective ternary layered structure by adding a nickel element. Results show that the addition of Ni elements results in a microstructure composed of Ti3AlC2, TiCx, NixAl, NixTi, and a Cu(Ni) matrix in the Cu-Ni-Ti3AlC2 composites. As the volume fraction of Ti3AlC2 particles increases, the morphologies change from a finely dispersed reinforcement phase to a continuous network, leading to a reduction in hole number and volume compared to Cu-Ti3AlC2 composites. This reduction is especially significant when the volume fraction of Ti3AlC2 exceeds 50%. The formation of NixAl and NixTi compounds at the grain boundary of the reinforcement phase after Ni element alloying restricts the diffusion of Al elements. The addition of Ni elements improves the mechanical properties of the composites.
Genomic Phylogeny Using the MaxwellTM Classifier Based on Burrows–Wheeler Transform
Authors: Demongeot Jacques , Gardes Joël , Maldivi Christophe , Boisset Denis , Boufama Kenza , Touzouti Imène
Published: August 2023

Background: In present genomes, current relics of a circular RNA appear which could have played a central role as a primitive catalyst of the peptide genesis. Methods: Using a proximity measure to this circular RNA and the distance, a new unsupervised classifier called MaxwellTM has been constructed based on the Burrows–Wheeler transform algorithm. Results: By applying the classifier to numerous genomes from various realms (Bacteria, Archaea, Vegetables and Animals), we obtain phylogenetic trees that are coherent with biological trees based on pure evolutionary arguments. Discussion: We discuss the role of the combinatorial operators responsible for the evolution of the genome of many species. Conclusions: We opened up possibilities for understanding the mechanisms of a primitive factory of peptides represented by an RNA ring. We showed that this ring was able to transmit some of its sub-sequences in the sequences of genes involved in the mechanisms of the current ribosomal production of proteins.
Sustainability of Shade-Grown Erva-Mate Production: A Management Framework for Forest Conservation
Authors: Lacerda André Eduardo Biscaia
Published: August 2023

Despite the socioeconomic importance of erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) traditional agroforestry production for family agriculture in Southern Brazil, there has been no systematization of forest management best practices aiming at long-term sustainability. Here, I present an analysis of relevant forest characteristics that are combined with restoration and management best practices to maintain not only sustainable traditional erva-mate production but also a healthy forest environment. Additionally, I developed a framework that offers an easy tool to apply a focused analysis of general forest attributes to help determine best practices for forest restoration, species diversification, and overall sustainability and health of agroforestry systems. This study also demonstrates that the integration of knowledge and practices that small-scale farmers and traditional communities have been developing for generations should be leveraged for more inclusive research and extension, especially considering the threats family farming is facing due to the dominant paradigm of conventional, one-size-fits-all agriculture.
Applications of Neural Network-Based AI in Cryptography
Authors: Nitaj Abderrahmane , Rachidi Tajjeeddine
Published: August 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a modern technology that allows plenty of advantages in daily life, such as predicting weather, finding directions, classifying images and videos, even automatically generating code, text, and videos. Other essential technologies such as blockchain and cybersecurity also benefit from AI. As a core component used in blockchain and cybersecurity, cryptography can benefit from AI in order to enhance the confidentiality and integrity of cyberspace. In this paper, we review the algorithms underlying four prominent cryptographic cryptosystems, namely the Advanced Encryption Standard, the Rivest–Shamir–Adleman, Learning with Errors, and the Ascon family of cryptographic algorithms for authenticated encryption. Where possible, we pinpoint areas where AI can be used to help improve their security.
In-Situ Study of Temperature- and Magnetic-Field-Induced Incomplete Martensitic Transformation in Fe-Mn-Ga
Authors: Sun Xiaoming , Cui Jingyi , Li Shaofu , Ma Zhiyuan , Liss Klaus-Dieter , Li Runguang , Chen Zhen
Published: August 2023

Significant interest in the stoichiometric and off-stoichiometric Fe2MnGa alloys is based on their complex phase transition behavior and potential application. In this study, temperature- and magnetic-field-induced phase transformations in the Fe41.5Mn28Ga30.5 magnetic shape memory alloy were investigated by in situ synchrotron high-energy X-ray diffraction and in situ neutron diffraction techniques. It was found that incomplete phase transformation and phase coexistence behavior are always observed while applying and removing fields in Fe41.5Mn28Ga30.5. Typically, even at 4 K and under 0 T, or increasing the magnetic field to 11 T at 250 K, it can be directly detected that the martensite and austenite are in competition, making the phase transition incomplete. TEM observations at 300 K and 150 K indicate that the anti-phase boundaries and B2 precipitates may lead to field-induced incomplete phase transformation behavior collectively. The present study may enrich the understanding of field-induced martensitic transformation in the Fe-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloys.
Non-Professional Phagocytosis Increases in Melanoma Cells and Tissues with Increasing E-Cadherin Expression
Authors: Unseld Luzie Helene , Hildebrand Laura S. , Putz Florian , Büttner-Herold Maike , Daniel Christoph , Fietkau Rainer , Distel Luitpold Valentin
Published: August 2023

Non-professional phagocytosis in cancer has been increasingly studied in recent decades. In malignant melanoma metastasis, cell-in-cell structures have been described as a sign of cell cannibalism. To date, only low rates of cell-in-cell structures have been described in patients with malignant melanoma. To investigate these findings further, we examined twelve primary melanoma cell lines in both adherent and suspended co-incubation for evidence of engulfment. In addition, 88 malignant melanoma biopsies and 16 healthy tissue samples were evaluated. E-cadherin levels were determined in the cell lines and tissues. All primary melanoma cell lines were capable of phagocytosis, and phagocytosis increased when cells were in suspension during co-incubation. Cell-in-cell structures were also detected in most of the tissue samples. Early T stages and increasingly advanced N and M stages have correspondingly lower rates of cell-in-cell structures. Non-professional phagocytosis was also present in normal skin tissue. Non-professional phagocytosis appears to be a ubiquitous mechanism in malignant melanoma. The absence of phagocytosis in metastases may be one reason for the high rate of metastasis in malignant melanoma.
Validation of the Canadian Version of the Shame and Stigma Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Authors: Bobevski Irene , Kissane David W. , Desroches Justin , De Simone Avina , Henry Melissa
Published: August 2023

Cancers of the head and neck and their treatment can cause disfigurement and loss of functioning, with a profound negative impact on the person’s self-image and psychosocial wellbeing. This can lead to experiences of shame and stigma, which are important targets for psychosocial interventions. Accurate measurement and identification of these problems enables clinicians to offer appropriate interventions and monitor patients’ progress. This study aimed to validate the Canadian version of the Shame and Stigma Scale (SSS) among French- and English-speaking head and neck cancer patients. Data from 254 patients from two major Canadian hospitals were analysed. The existing four-factor structure of the SSS was supported, with the following subscales: Shame with Appearance, Sense of Stigma, Regret, and Social/Speech Concerns. The Canadian SSS showed adequate convergent and divergent validity and test–retest reliability. Rasch analysis suggested scale improvement by removing two misfitting items and two items with differential functioning between French- and English-speaking patients. The final 16-item scale version was an adequate fit with the Rasch model. The SSS provides more accurate measures for people with high levels of shame and stigma, and thus has utility in identifying patients with more severe symptoms who may be in need of psychosocial interventions.
Genetic Variability and Kinship Analyses of Seized Red-Browed Amazon, Amazona rhodocorytha (Aves, Psittacidae)
Authors: Agazzi Migotto Anna , Bocalini Fernanda , Francisco Mercival Roberto , Reillo Paul , Silveira Luís Fábio
Published: August 2023

Analyzing genetic variability and kinship relations is essential to guide conservation management plans for threatened species. The Red-browed Amazon (Amazona rhodocorytha) is one of the four Amazona parrots that are endemic to remnants of the Atlantic Forest, classified as Vulnerable (IUCN) owing to habitat loss and fragmentation and trapping for the illegal pet trade. At the end of 2021, 19 Red-browed Amazons were rescued from illegal trade in the Espírito Santo state, Brazil, including 14 nestlings reportedly captured in the Sooretama Biological Reserve, which provided the first opportunity to address the genetic parameters of a wild population of this threatened parrot. We used Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) data to assess the genetic diversity and kinship relations between the rescued birds. We observed high heterozygosity levels and low inbreeding coefficients. Principal Component Analysis revealed the presence of at least two distinct genetic groups, suggesting past isolation followed by secondary contact. Our results suggest that the population from Sooretama is an important genetic and demographic repository of the Red-browed Amazon, and the presence of individuals from the two genetic lineages in the same area reduces concerns about potential inbreeding depression in rehabilitation and reintroduction plans and also inspires further investigations on historical and contemporary population structuring.
Cancer and Diabetes: Predictive Factors in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Stan Mihai Cosmin , Georgescu Daniel , Mireștean Ciprian Camil , Bădulescu Florinel
Published: August 2023

Background and Objectives: A growing number of epidemiological studies have suggested that diabetes mellitus may increase cancer risk and is implicated in numerous other metabolic and inflammatory disorders. The increase in proinflammatory cytokines plays a major role in insulin resistance and leads to hypoalbuminemia and micro- and macrovascular diabetes complications, including kidney disease and anemia. This study aimed to investigate the utility of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin level, hemoglobin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as biomarkers for cancer risk, and the biological implications of diabetes on the evolution and prognosis of oncological patients. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal, observational study on a total group of 434 patients, of which 217 were diagnosed with a form of cancer and type two diabetes as a comorbidity, and the other 217 were a control group without diabetes. These patients were admitted to the oncology clinic. In subgroups, the same number of patients was considered, depending on the location of the oncological pathology. Anemia, hypoalbuminemia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, glycated hemoglobin, and C-reactive protein levels are more pronounced in subjects with type two diabetes and cancer. Conclusions: The presence of diabetes negatively affects the clinical and biological prognosis of cancer patients.
Comparison of the Effects of DOTA and NOTA Chelators on 64Cu-Cudotadipep and 64Cu-Cunotadipep for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Lee Inki , Kim Min Hwan , Lee Kyongkyu , Oh Keumrok , Lim Hyunwoo , Ahn Jae Hun , Lee Yong Jin , Cheon Gi Jeong , Chi Dae Yoon , Lim Sang Moo
Published: August 2023

Background: This study compared the effects of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) and 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (NOTA) as 64Cu-chelating agents in newly developed prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) target compounds, 64Cu-cudotadipep and 64Cu-cunotadipep, on pharmacokinetics. Methods: The in vitro stability of the chelators was evaluated using human and mouse serum. In vitro PSMA-binding affinity and cell uptake were compared using human 22Rv1 cells. To evaluate specific PSMA-expressing tumor-targeting efficiency, micro-positron emission tomography (mcroPET)/computed tomography (CT) and biodistribution analysis were performed using PSMA+ PC3-PIP and PSMA− PC3-flu tumor xenografts. Results: The serum stability of DOTA- or NOTA-conjugated 64Cu-cudotadipep and 64Cu-cunotadipep was >97%. The Ki value of the NOTA derivative, cunotadipep, in the in vitro affinity binding analysis was higher (2.17 ± 0.25 nM) than that of the DOTA derivative, cudotadipep (6.75 ± 0.42 nM). The cunotadipep exhibited a higher cellular uptake (6.02 ± 0.05%/1 × 106 cells) compared with the cudotadipep (2.93 ± 0.06%/1 × 106 cells). In the biodistribution analysis and microPET/CT imaging, the 64Cu-labeled NOTA derivative, 64Cu-cunotadipep, demonstrated a greater tumor uptake and lower liver uptake than the DOTA derivative. Conclusions: This study indicates that the PSMA-targeted 64Cu-cunotadipep can be applied in clinical practice owing to its high diagnostic power for prostate cancer.
Brain Tumor Segmentation from MRI Images Using Handcrafted Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Ullah Faizan , Nadeem Muhammad , Abrar Mohammad , Al-Razgan Muna , Alfakih Taha , Amin Farhan , Salam Abdu
Published: August 2023

Brain tumor segmentation from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans is critical for the diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring of therapeutic outcomes. Thus, this research introduces a novel hybrid approach that combines handcrafted features with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to enhance the performance of brain tumor segmentation. In this study, handcrafted features were extracted from MRI scans that included intensity-based, texture-based, and shape-based features. In parallel, a unique CNN architecture was developed and trained to detect the features from the data automatically. The proposed hybrid method was combined with the handcrafted features and the features identified by CNN in different pathways to a new CNN. In this study, the Brain Tumor Segmentation (BraTS) challenge dataset was used to measure the performance using a variety of assessment measures, for instance, segmentation accuracy, dice score, sensitivity, and specificity. The achieved results showed that our proposed approach outperformed the traditional handcrafted feature-based and individual CNN-based methods used for brain tumor segmentation. In addition, the incorporation of handcrafted features enhanced the performance of CNN, yielding a more robust and generalizable solution. This research has significant potential for real-world clinical applications where precise and efficient brain tumor segmentation is essential. Future research directions include investigating alternative feature fusion techniques and incorporating additional imaging modalities to further improve the proposed method’s performance.
Immunohistochemical Expression of Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) in Salivary Gland Cancer: Correlation with the Biological Behavior
Authors: Kalaitsidou Ioanna , Pasteli Nikoleta , Venetis Gregory , Poulopoulos Athanasios , Antoniades Konstantinos
Published: August 2023

Salivary gland neoplasms comprise a diverse group of tumors with different biological behaviors and clinical outcomes. Understanding the underlying molecular alterations associated with these malignancies is critical for accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies. Among the many biomarkers under investigation, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) has emerged as a promising candidate in salivary gland cancer research. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the differential expression of EpCAM in salivary gland cancer and its potential correlation with the biological behavior of these tumors. The clinical characteristics of 65 patients with salivary gland malignancy of different histopathological subtypes were included. We report the differential expression of EpCAM and the relationship between the clinical and histopathologic features of these tumors. Regarding the evaluation of the effect of EpCAM expression on survival, in our study, we showed that tumors with high EpCAM expression had reduced disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001) compared to patients with cancers with low EpCAM expression. In addition, the concurrent presence of perineural invasion and positive EpCAM expression appeared to be associated with shorter disease-free survival and overall survival. In conclusion, our study confirmed the prognostic value of detecting perineural invasion and EpCAM expression.
The Predictive Value of Risk Factors and Prognostic Scores in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Brajkovic Milica , Vukcevic Miodrag , Nikolic Sofija , Dukic Marija , Brankovic Marija , Sekulic Ana , Popadic Viseslav , Stjepanovic Mihailo , Radojevic Aleksandra , Markovic-Denic Ljiljana , Rajovic Nina , Milic Natasa , Tanasilovic Srdjan , Todorovic Zoran , Zdravkovic Marija
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Risk stratification in patients with COVID-19 is a challenging task. Early warning scores (EWSs) are commonly used tools in the initial assessment of critical patients. However, their utility in patients with COVID-19 is still undetermined. Aim: This study aimed to discover the most valuable predictive model among existing EWSs for ICU admissions and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods: This was a single-center cohort study that included 3608 COVID-19 patients admitted to the University Clinical Hospital Center Bezanijska Kosa, Belgrade, Serbia, between 23 June 2020, and 14 April 2021. Various demographic, laboratory, and clinical data were collected to calculate several EWSs and determine their efficacy. For all 3608 patients, five EWSs were calculated (MEWS, NEWS, NEWS2, REMS, and qSOFA). Model discrimination performance was tested using sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. C statistic, representing the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, was used for the overall assessment of the predictive model. Results: Among the evaluated prediction scores for 3068 patients with COVID-19, REMS demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance with the sensitivity, PPV, specificity, and NPV of 72.1%, 20.6%, 74.9%, and 96.8%, respectively. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, aside from REMS, age (p < 0.001), higher CT score (p < 0.001), higher values of urea (p < 0.001), and the presence of bacterial superinfection (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Among all evaluated EWSs to predict mortality and ICU admission in COVID-19 patients, the REMS score demonstrated the highest efficacy.
Diagnosis of Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Past, Present and Future
Authors: Azzopardi Matthew , Chong Yu Jeat , Ng Benjamin , Recchioni Alberto , Logeswaran Abison , Ting Darren S. J.
Published: August 2023

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a painful and sight-threatening parasitic corneal infection. In recent years, the incidence of AK has increased. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial during the management of AK, as delayed diagnosis often results in poor clinical outcomes. Currently, AK diagnosis is primarily achieved through a combination of clinical suspicion, microbiological investigations and corneal imaging. Historically, corneal scraping for microbiological culture has been considered to be the gold standard. Despite its technical ease, accessibility and cost-effectiveness, the long diagnostic turnaround time and variably low sensitivity of microbiological culture limit its use as a sole diagnostic test for AK in clinical practice. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic modalities that are currently used to diagnose AK, including microscopy with staining, culture, corneal biopsy, in vivo confocal microscopy, polymerase chain reaction and anterior segment optical coherence tomography. We also highlight emerging techniques, such as next-generation sequencing and artificial intelligence-assisted models, which have the potential to transform the diagnostic landscape of AK.