bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Burden of ovarian cancer in China from 1990 to 2030: A systematic analysis and comparison with the global level
Authors: Wang Ying , Wang Zhi , Zhang Zihui , Wang Haoyu , Peng Jiaxin , Hong Li
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the major diseases threatening women's health and life. Estimating the burden trends and risk factors of OC can help develop effective management and prevention measures. However, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis concerning the burden and risk factors of OC in China. In this study, we aimed to assess and predict the burden trends of OC in China from 1990 to 2030, and make a comparison with the global level.

Methods

We extracted prevalence, incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019) and characterized OC burden in China by year and age. OC epidemiological characteristics were interpreted by conducting joinpoint and Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis. We also described risk factors, and predicted OC burden from 2019 to 2030 using Bayesian age-period-cohort model.

Results

In China, there were about 196,000 cases, 45,000 new cases and 29,000 deaths owing to OC in 2019. The age-standardized rates (ASRs) of prevalence, incidence and mortality have increased by 105.98%, 79.19%, and 58.93% respectively by 1990. In the next decade, OC burden in China will continue to rise with a higher rate than the global level. The OC burden in women under 20 years of age is slowing down, while the burden in women over 40 years of age is getting more severe, especially in postmenopausal and older women. High fasting plasma glucose is the major factor contributing the most to OC burden in China, and high body-mass index has surpassed occupational exposure to asbestos to be the second risk factor. OC burden from 2016 to 2019 in China has increased faster than ever before, indicates an urgent need to develop effective interventions.

Conclusion

The burden of OC in China has shown an obvious upward trend in the past 30 years, and the increase rate accelerated significantly in recent 5 years. In the next decade, OC burden in China will continue to rise with a higher rate than the global level. Popularizing screening methods, optimizing the quality of clinical diagnosis and treatment, and promoting healthy lifestyle are critical measures to improve this problem.
Why do we need to go beyond overall biological variability assessment in metabolomics?
Authors: Boccard Julien , Rudaz Serge
Published: February 2023

Unlike other systems such as plants, microorganisms or fungi, human cells are not proficient in eliciting the production of defense compounds in response to external stresses and threats. Human metabolism is essentially based on a set of primary metabolites that participate in the various regulatory events of cells and tissues. The challenge is therefore to maintain homeostasis and allow the survival of the individual through the modulation of existing endogenous metabolic pathways with a relatively stable set of ubiquitous compounds. Since these complex regulatory phenomena are potentially subject to multiple influences, assessing their overall variability, as achieved by most conventional approaches, is not sufficiently informative. The experimental evaluation of several factors acting simultaneously on the metabolome is paramount. Because metabolomics involves the characterization of multivariate metabolic phenotypes, such a methodology requires specific data analysis tools to fully exploit the relevant information considering the different factors, as well as their respective impact on metabolite levels. The investigation of high-dimensional multifactorial data in metabolomics opens new challenges and requires the development of innovative experimental strategies involving structured designs of experiments to assess cause-effect associations and offer deeper insight into relevant biological information. In the future, key outputs should not only consider lists of metabolites, but also include their specific variation related to each effect that can be identified and/or quantified, thus allowing accurate biochemical and functional relationships to be highlighted.
Long-term geospace climate monitoring
Authors: Zhang Shun-Rong , Cnossen Ingrid , Laštovička Jan , Elias Ana G. , Yue Xinan , Jacobi Christoph , Yue Jia , Wang Wenbin , Qian Liying , Goncharenko Larisa
Published: February 2023

Climate change is characterized by global surface warming associated with the increase of greenhouse gas population since the start of the industrial era. Growing evidence shows that the upper atmosphere is experiencing appreciable cooling over the last several decades. The seminal modeling study by Roble and Dickinson (1989) suggested potential effects of increased greenhouse gases on the ionosphere and thermosphere cooling which appear consistent with some observations. However, several outstanding issues remain regarding the role of CO2, other important contributors, and impacts of the cooling trend in the ionosphere and thermosphere: for example, (1) what is the regional variability of the trends? (2) the very strong ionospheric cooling observed by multiple incoherent scatter radars that does not fit with the prevailing theory based on the argument of anthropogenic greenhouse gas increases, why? (3) what is the effect of secular changes in Earth’s main magnetic field? Is it visible now in the ionospheric data and can it explain some of the regional variability in the observed ionospheric trends? (4) what is the impact of long-term cooling in the thermosphere on operational systems? (5) what are the appropriate strategic plans to ensure the long-term monitoring of the critical space climate?
A quantitative analysis of factors which influence supplement use and doping among adolescent athletes in New Zealand
Authors: Clancy Sian , Borotkanics Robert , Millar Sarah-Kate , Oldham Anthony R. H.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Doping is a maladaptive behaviour which poses numerous risks and potentially enhances athletic performance while supplement use poses threats of positive, yet inadvertent, doping control results. Investigation is required to understand factors that influence adolescent supplement use and doping in New Zealand (NZ).

Design

A survey was completed by 660 athletes aged 13 to 18 years, of any gender, who competed at any level of any sport in NZ. Forty-three independent variables measured autonomy, confidence sources, motivational climate, social norms and age.

Methods

Multivariate, ordinal, and binary logistic regression models measured associations between independent variables and five dependant variables: supplement use, doping, doping considerations and intent (soon and in the next year).

Results

Confidence through mastery, internally perceived locus of control (IPLOC) and volition decreased the odds of doping while confidence through self-presentation, subjective and descriptive norms increased the odds of supplement use and doping.

Conclusion

To decrease the odds of doping, adolescent autonomy should be increased in sport through opportunities for volitional decision making and exposure to mastery as a confidence source.
Recovery with a fan-cooling jacket after exposure to high solar radiation during exercise in hot outdoor environments
Authors: Naito Takashi , Saito Tatsuya , Ohhashi Mitsunori , Hayashi Sotaro
Published: February 2023

The study aimed to investigate the effect of body cooling with a fan-cooling jacket on body temperature responses during recovery after exercise when exposed to high solar radiation in a hot outdoor environment. Nine males cycled using ergometer until their rectal temperature increased to 38.50 °C in hot outdoor environments, followed by body cooling recovery in warm indoor environments. Subjects repeatedly performed the cycling exercise protocol, which consisted of one set of 5 min at a load of 1.5 watt/kg body weight and 15 min at a load of 2.0 watt/kg body weight at 60 rpm. Body cooling recovery consisted of cold water ingestion (10°C: CON) or cold water ingestion + wearing a fan-cooling jacket (FAN) until the rectal temperature decreased to 37.75°C. The time for the rectal temperature to reach 38.5°C did not differ between the two trials. The rate of decrease in rectal temperature at recovery tended to be higher in FAN trial than in CON trial (P = 0.082). The rate of decrease in tympanic temperature was higher in FAN trials than in CON trials (P = 0.002). The rate of decrease in mean skin temperature at the first 20 min of recovery was higher in FAN than in CON trial (P = 0.013). Body cooling recovery with a fan-cooling jacket in addition to cold water ingestion may be effective in reducing elevated tympanic and skin temperatures after exercise in the heat under a clear sky, but may be difficult to decrease rectal temperature.
Explaining vegetarian and vegan dietary behavior among U.S. and Dutch samples applying a reasoned action approach
Authors: Zaal Emma L. , Ongena Yfke P. , Hoeks John C. J.
Published: February 2023

The present research applied the framework of the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) to investigate intention formation of adopting vegetarian and vegan diets among U.S. and Dutch samples. First, a belief elicitation study was carried out to determine salient beliefs regarding both dietary behaviors. The U.S. sample (N = 59) together provided a total of 551 beliefs (298 vegetarian, 253 vegan) and the Dutch sample (N = 30) 294 beliefs (171 vegetarian, 123 vegan). Second, a regression study determined which reasoned action variables—Attitude, Perceived Norm and Perceived Control—explained Intention to adopt a vegetarian or a vegan diet for two separate samples. For both samples RAA-variables explained Intention relatively well (i.e., between 30 and 43% of the variance). For U.S. participants (N = 204), Instrumental and Experiential Attitude were significant predictors of their Intention to have a vegetarian or a vegan diet. For Dutch participants (N = 345), Instrumental and Experiential Attitude and Descriptive Norm predicted Intention to adopt a vegetarian diet. For adopting a vegan diet, Experiential Attitude was the only predicting variable for the Dutch sample. Almost all salient beliefs collected in the belief elicitation study significantly correlated with Intention to adopt diet, regardless of which RAA-variable they belonged to. Based on our findings, we critically evaluate the use of RAA in explaining behavioral Intentions, especially for behavior with a strong social component. Moreover, we show the importance of—the often not employed—belief elicitation phase and as such, discourage using only a regression approach. From a societal perspective, we argue that there is a strong need for interventions if one wants to encourage behavior change in the field of vegetarianism and veganism as—amongst others—average Intention scores were very low. In addition, we show that while the U.S. and Dutch samples, sharing Western norms and values, often overlapped, they also differed in subtle—yet potentially important—ways when it comes to motivations and cognitions with regard to vegetarian and vegan dietary behavior. Hence, interventions may have to include different content in order to be effective for these seemingly similar target groups and target behaviors.
The 100 most cited articles in lateral epicondylitis research: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Zhu Senbo , He Zeju , Bi Qing , Cao Li , Gu Haifeng , Zhang Qiong , Chai Fang
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Lateral epicondylitis is a significant clinical problem in orthopaedics. There have been numerous articles written about this. Bibliometric analysis is critical for determining a field's most influential study. We attempt to identify and analyze the top 100 citations in lateral epicondylitis research.

Materials and methods

On December 31, 2021, an electronic search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection and the Scopus search engine with no restrictions on publication years, language, or study design. We reviewed each article's title and abstract until the top 100 were documented and evaluated in various ways.

Results

Between 1979 and 2015, the 100 most cited articles were published in 49 journals. The total number of citations ranged from 75 to 508 (mean ± SD, 145.5 ± 90.9), with citation densities ranging from 2.2 to 37.6 citations per year (mean ± SD, 8.7 ± 6.5). The United States is the most productive country, and the 2000s witnessed a surge in lateral epicondylitis research. The year of publication had a moderately positive correlation with citation density.

Conclusion

Our findings offer readers a fresh perspective on historical development hotspot areas of lateral epicondylitis research. Disease progression, diagnosis, and management have always been topics of discussion in articles. PRP-based biological therapy has emerged as a promising area for future research.
Right ventricular outflow tract stenting promotes pulmonary artery development in tetralogy of fallot
Authors: Guo Hui , Wu Zhongshi , Zhao Tianli , Yang Jinfu , Hu Shijun , Huang Can , Yang Yifeng , Xie Li
Published: February 2023

Background

Right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenting seems to be suggested as a promising treatment option and an alternative to modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (mBTS) in the initial palliation of patients with Fallot-type lesions in recent years. This study sought to assess the effect of RVOT stenting on the growth of the pulmonary artery (PA) in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).

Methods

Retrospective review analyzing 5 patients with Fallot-type congenital heart disease with small pulmonary arteries who underwent palliative with RVOT stenting and 9 patients underwent modified Blalock-Taussig shunt within 9 years period. Differential left PA (LPA) and right PA (RPA) growth was measured by Cardiovascular Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA).

Results

RVOT stenting improved arterial oxygen saturation from median of 60% (interquartile range [IQR]: 37% to 79%) to 95% (87.5% to 97.5%) (p = 0.028). The LPA diameter Z-score improved from −2.843 (−3.51–2.037) to −0.78 (−2.3305–0.19) (p = 0.03), the RPA diameter Z-score improved from median −2.843 (−3.51–2.037) to −0.477 (−1.1145–0.459) (p = 0.002), the Mc Goon ratio increased from median 1 (0.8–1.105) to 1.32 (1.25–1.98) (p = 0.017). There were no procedural complications and all 5 patients have undergone final repair in the RVOT stent group. In the mBTS group, the LPA diameter Z-score improved from −1.494 (−2.242–0.6135) to −0.396 (−1.488–1.228) (p = 0.15), the RPA diameter Z-score improved from median −1.328 (−2.036–0.838) to 0.088 (−0.486–1.223) (p = 0.007), and there were 5 patients occur different complications and 4 patients was not attained the standards of final surgical repair.

Conclusion

RVOT stenting, compared with mBTS, seems to better promote pulmonary artery growth, improve arterial oxygen saturations, and have less procedure complications in patients with TOF who being absolute contraindicated for primary repair due to high risks.
Transvaginal prolapsed submucosal leiomyoma after cesarean section misdiagnosed as bladder prolapse: A case report with literature review
Authors: Li Ling , Shen Jihong , Gao Zhenhua , Wang Xingqi , Tian Daoming , Yang Xunguo , Zhou Hang , Li Bailuan , Tang Dan , Zhang Quan
Published: February 2023

Uterine leiomyomas, also known as uterine fibroids, are the most common benign tumors found in the female reproductive system. Transvaginal prolapsed submucosal leiomyomas are a rare complication of uterine fibroids during the postpartum period. Due to the lack of sufficient published evidence on these rare complications and their uncommon appearance, they often result in diagnostic and treatment difficulties for clinicians. This case report presents a primigravida with no special prenatal examination developed recurrent high fever and bacteremia following an emergency cesarean section. On the 20th day after delivery, a vaginal prolapsed mass was observed, which was initially misdiagnosed as bladder prolapse before being corrected to a diagnosis of vaginal prolapse of submucosal uterine leiomyoma. This patient was able to retain fertility by prompt use of powerful antibiotics and transvaginal myomectomy rather than undergoing a hysterectomy. For parturient women with hysteromyoma and recurrent fever after delivery where the source of infection cannot be found, the infection of the submucous leiomyoma of the uterus should be highly suspected. It can be helpful to perform an imaging examination to diagnose a disease, and transvaginal myomectomy should be the first choice for treating prolapsed leiomyoma in cases with no obvious blood supply or if pedicle can be achieved.
Asymmetric figure-of-eight single-layer suture technique for intestinal anastomosis: A preliminary study
Authors: Liu Mingzhu , Zhang Mingxiang , Ren Xiang , Liu Chen , Yu Huaijing , Xu Xiao-Liang , Ding Guo-Jian , Fu Tingliang , Geng Lei , Cheng Fengchun
Published: February 2023

Background

Anastomotic leakage is a life-threatening complication. Improvement of the anastomosis technique is needed, especially in patients with an inflamed edematous intestine. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an asymmetric figure-of-eight single-layer suture technique for intestinal anastomosis in pediatric patients.

Methods

A total of 23 patients underwent intestinal anastomosis at the Department of Pediatric Surgery of Binzhou Medical University Hospital. Demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, anastomosis time, duration of nasogastric tube placement, day of first postoperative bowel movement, complications, and length of hospital stay were statistically analyzed. The follow-up was conducted for 3–6 months after discharge.

Results

Patients were divided into two groups: the single-layer asymmetric figure-of-eight suture technique (group 1) and the traditional suture technique (group 2). Body mass index in group 1 was lower than in group 2 (14.43 ± 3.23 vs. 19.38 ± 6.74; P = 0.036). The mean intestine anastomosis time in group 1 (18.83 ± 0.83 min) was less than that in group 2 (22.70 ± 4.11 min; P = 0.005). Patients in group 1 had an earlier first postoperative bowel movement (2.17 ± 0.72 vs. 2.80 ± 0.42; P = 0.023). The duration of nasogastric tube placement in group 1 was shorter than that in group 2 (4.12 ± 1.42 vs. 5.60 ± 1.57; P = 0.043). There was no significant difference in laboratory variables, complication occurrence, and length of hospital stay between the two groups.

Conclusion

The asymmetric figure-of-eight single-layer suture technique for intestinal anastomosis was feasible and effective. More studies are needed to compare the novel technique with the traditional single-layer suture.
What is the correlation between the defective and splitting posterior segmental bronchus and recurrent artery crossing intersegmental planes in the right upper lobe?
Authors: Li Zhikai , Kong Yuhong , Wu Wenbo , Chen Shuangqing , Zhang Xiaopeng
Published: February 2023

Background

With the prevalence of three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) and the development of anatomical segmentectomy, studies have confirmed the increased incidence of anomalous veins in patients with tracheobronchial abnormalities. Nevertheless, the characteristic anatomical correlation between bronchus and artery variation remains unknown. Thus, we conducted a retrospective study to investigate recurrent artery crossing intersegmental planes and their associated pulmonary anatomical features by analyzing the incidence and types of the right upper lobe (RUL) bronchus and the artery composition of the posterior segment.

Materials and Methods

A total of 600 patients with ground-glass opacity who had undergone 3D-CTBA preoperatively at Hebei General Hospital between September 2020 and September 2022 were included. We reviewed the anatomical variations of the RUL bronchus and artery in these patients using 3D-CTBA images.

Results

Among all 600 cases, the defective and splitting B2 contained four types of the RUL bronchial structure: B1 + BX2a, B2b, B3 (11/600, 1.8%); B1, B2a, BX2b + B3 (3/600, 0.5%); B1 + BX2a, B3 + BX2b (18/600, 3%); B1, B2a, B2b, B3 type (29/600, 4.8%). The incidence of recurrent artery crossing intersegmental planes was 12.7% (70/600). The incidence of recurrent artery crossing intersegmental planes with and without the defective and splitting B2 was 26.2% (16/61) and 10.0% (54/539), respectively (p < 0.005).

Conclusions

In patients with defective and splitting B2, the incidence of recurrent artery crossing intersegmental planes was increased. Our study provides certain references that surgeons can use to plan and perform RUL segmentectomy.
Development and validation of nomograms to predict early death for elderly lung cancer patients
Authors: Li Jiafei , Zou Qian , Gu Rubing , Wang Fang , Li Xun
Published: February 2023

Background

Due to the aging of society, the average age of LC (lung cancer) patients has increased in recent years. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors and develop nomograms to predict the probability of early death (dead in three months) for elderly (≥ 75 years old) LC patients.

Methods

Data of elderly LC patients were obtained from the SEER database by using the SEER stat software. All patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort in a ratio of 7:3. The risk factors of all-cause early and cancer-specific early death were identified by univariate logistic regression and backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression in the training cohort. Then, risk factors were used to construct nomograms. The performance of nomograms was validated by receiver operating curves (ROC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) in the training cohort and validation cohort.

Results

A total of 15,057 elderly LC patients in the SEER database were included in this research and randomly divided into a training cohort (n = 10,541) and a validation cohort (n = 4516). The multivariable logistic regression models found that there were 12 independent risk factors for the all-cause early death and 11 independent risk factors for the cancer-specific early death of the elderly LC patients, which were then integrated into the nomograms. The ROC indicated that the nomograms exhibited high discriminative ability in predicting all-cause early (AUC in training cohort = 0.817, AUC in validation cohort = 0.821) and cancer-specific early death (AUC in training cohort = 0.824, AUC in validation cohort = 0.827). The calibration plots of the nomograms were close to the diagonal line revealing that there was good concordance between the predicted and practical early death probability in the training and validation cohort. Moreover, the results of DCA analysis indicated that the nomograms had good clinical utility in predicting early death probability.

Conclusion

The nomograms were constructed and validated to predict the early death probability of elderly LC patients based on the SEER database. The nomograms were expected to have high predictive ability and good clinical utility, which may help oncologists develop better treatment strategies.
Management of COVID-19 related tracheal stenosis: The state of art
Authors: Orlandi Riccardo , Raveglia Federico , Calderoni Matteo , Cassina Enrico Mario , Cioffi Ugo , Guttadauro Angelo , Libretti Lidia , Pirondini Emanuele , Rimessi Arianna , Tuoro Antonio , Passera Eliseo
Published: February 2023

Tracheal stenosis (TS) is a debilitating disease promoted by pathologic narrowing of the trachea. The acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19 has been demonstrated to trigger enhanced inflammatory response and to require prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation as well as high frequency of re-intubation or emergency intubation, thus increasing the rate and complexity of TS. The standard-of-care of COVID-19-related tracheal complications has yet to be established and this is a matter of concern. This review aims at collecting latest evidence on this disease, providing an exhaustive overview on its distinctive features and open issues, and investigating different diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to handle COVID-19-induced TS, focusing on endoscopic versus open surgical approach. The former encompasses bronchoscopic procedures: electrocautery or laser-assisted incisions, ballooning dilation, submucosal steroid injection, endoluminal stenting. The latter consists of tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis. As a rule, traditionally, the endoscopic management is restricted to short, low-grade, and simple TS, whereas the open techniques are employed in long, high-grade, and complex TS. However, the critical conditions or extreme comorbidities of several COVID-19 patients, as well as the marked inflammation in tracheal mucosa, have led some authors to apply endoscopic management also in complex TS, recording acceptable results. Although severe COVID-19 seems to be an issue of the past, its long-term complications are still unknown and considering the increased rate and complexity of TS in these patients, we strongly believe that it is worth to focus on it, attempting to find the best management strategy for COVID-19-related TS.
Cholesterol content regulates silica-induced lysosomal membrane permeability
Authors: Sydor Matthew J. , Kendall Rebekah L. , Holian Andrij
Published: February 2023

Inhalation of crystalline silica has been well documented to cause pulmonary inflammation and lung disease such as silicosis. Respirable silica particles deposit in the lungs and are phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages. Subsequently, phagocytosed silica remains undegraded within lysosomes causing lysosomal damage known as phagolysosomal membrane permeability (LMP). LMP can trigger the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome resulting in release of inflammatory cytokines that contribute to disease. In order to better understand the mechanisms of LMP this study used murine bone marrow derived macrophages (BMdM) as a cellular model to investigate the mechanism of silica-induced LMP. Reduction of lysosomal cholesterol in bone marrow derived macrophages with 18:1 phosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) liposome treatment increased silica-induced LMP and IL-1β release. Conversely, increasing lysosomal and cellular cholesterol with U18666A reduced IL-1β release. Co-treatment of bone marrow derived macrophages with 18:1 phosphatidylglycerol and U18666A resulted in a significant reduction of the effects of U18666A on lysosomal cholesterol. Phosphatidylcholine 100-nm liposome model systems were used to examine the effects of silica particles on lipid membrane order. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy of the membrane probe, Di-4-ANEPPDHQ, was used to determine changes to membrane order. Silica increased lipid order that was attenuated by inclusion of cholesterol in the phosphatidylcholine liposomes. These results demonstrate that increased cholesterol can attenuate silica-induced membrane changes in liposomes and cell models, while decreasing cholesterol exacerbates silica-induced membrane changes. Selective manipulation of lysosomal cholesterol may be a way of attenuating lysosomal disruption and preventing silica-induced chronic inflammatory disease progression.
Physicochemical and Molecular Properties of Spelt and Wheat Starches Illuminated with UV Light
Authors: Nowak Ewelina , Wisła-Świder Anna , Leszczyńska Teresa , Koronowicz Aneta
Published: February 2023

Scope: Aqueous suspensions of spelt and wheat starch were irradiated with ultraviolet radiation for 5–50 h. The changes in the molecular structure of the starch induced by UV radiation were related to the photodegradation of starch chains and the subsequent recombination of the resulting polysaccharide radicals during prolonged irradiation. Methods and Results: Aqueous suspensions of spelt and wheat starch were irradiated with ultraviolet radiation for 5–50 h. The HPSEC-MALLS-RI method was used to measure the weight-average molecular weights of the starch polysaccharide chains and the distribution of the amylopectin side chains. FTIR spectroscopy of the modified samples and a study of the starch surface morphology were conducted using a scanning electron microscope. However, an increase in both the rate constant of the first stage of hydrolysis (k1) and its final level were demonstrated. The changes in the molecular structure of the starch induced by UV radiation were related to the photodegradation of starch chains and the subsequent recombination of the resulting polysaccharide radicals during prolonged irradiation. Conclusions: Changes in starch granules could influence some of their functional properties. Rearrangement in the polysaccharide chains could obtain novel starches with defined properties.
A Review on Thermal Behaviors and Thermal Management Systems for Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhou Wei , Liu Zhien , Chen Wan , Sun Xianzhong , Luo Maji , Zhang Xiaohu , Li Chen , An Yabin , Song Shuang , Wang Kai , Zhang Xiong
Published: February 2023

As a representative electrochemical energy storage device, supercapacitors (SCs) feature higher energy density than traditional capacitors and better power density and cycle life compared to lithium-ion batteries, which explains why they are extensively applied in the field of energy storage. While the available reviews are mainly concerned with component materials, state estimation, and industrial applications, there is a shortage of understanding of thermal behaviors and thermal management systems of SCs, which makes this review a timely aide for fulfilling this gap. This review introduces the energy storage mechanisms of SCs, followed by descriptions of current investigations of thermal behaviors. This covers the aspects of heat generation rates for electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) and hybrid supercapacitors (HSCs), together with reviewing existing experimental methods to measure and estimate heat generation rates, as well as comparative assessments of multiple heat generation rate models and research on thermal runaway. In addition, there are also overviews of current efforts by researchers in air cooling systems, liquid cooling systems, phase change material cooling systems, and heat pipe cooling systems. Finally, an in-depth discussion is provided regarding the challenges and future work directions for SCs in thermal behaviors and thermal management systems.
GRGB rPPG: An Efficient Low-Complexity Remote Photoplethysmography-Based Algorithm for Heart Rate Estimation
Authors: Haugg Fridolin , Elgendi Mohamed , Menon Carlo
Published: February 2023

Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) is a promising contactless technology that uses videos of faces to extract health parameters, such as heart rate. Several methods for transforming red, green, and blue (RGB) video signals into rPPG signals have been introduced in the existing literature. The RGB signals represent variations in the reflected luminance from the skin surface of an individual over a given period of time. These methods attempt to find the best combination of color channels to reconstruct an rPPG signal. Usually, rPPG methods use a combination of prepossessed color channels to convert the three RGB signals to one rPPG signal that is most influenced by blood volume changes. This study examined simple yet effective methods to convert the RGB to rPPG, relying only on RGB signals without applying complex mathematical models or machine learning algorithms. A new method, GRGB rPPG, was proposed that outperformed most machine-learning-based rPPG methods and was robust to indoor lighting and participant motion. Moreover, the proposed method estimated the heart rate better than well-established rPPG methods. This paper also discusses the results and provides recommendations for further research.
Induced Models of Osteoarthritis in Animal Models: A Systematic Review
Authors: Longo Umile Giuseppe , Papalia Rocco , De Salvatore Sergio , Picozzi Riccardo , Sarubbi Antonio , Denaro Vincenzo
Published: February 2023

The most common induction methods for OA are mechanical, surgical and chemical. However, there is not a gold standard in the choice of OA animal models, as different animals and induction methods are helpful in different contexts. Reporting the latest evidence and results in the literature could help researchers worldwide to define the most appropriate indication for OA animal-model development. This review aims to better define the most appropriate animal model for various OA conditions. The research was conducted on the following literature databases: Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Studies reporting cases of OA in animal models and their induction from January 2010 to July 2021 were included in the study and reviewed by two authors. The literature search retrieved 1621 articles, of which 36 met the selection criteria and were included in this review. The selected studies included 1472 animals. Of all the studies selected, 8 included information about the chemical induction of OA, 19 were focused on mechanical induction, and 9 on surgical induction. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that several induction models, mechanical, surgical and chemical, have been proven suitable for the induction of OA in animals.
Molecular Mechanisms Behind the Role of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Silva Inês S. , Ferreira Beatriz H. , Almeida Catarina R.
Published: February 2023

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects multiple systems. It is characterized by immunological deregulation, functional and structural abnormalities of small blood vessels, and fibrosis of the skin, and, in some cases, internal organs. Fibrosis has a devastating impact on a patient’s life and lung fibrosis is associated with high morbimortality. Several immune populations contribute to the progression of SSc, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been identified as crucial mediators of fibrosis. Research on murine models of lung and skin fibrosis has shown that pDCs are essential in the development of fibrosis, and that removing pDCs improves fibrosis. pDCs are a subset of dendritic cells (DCs) that are specialized in anti-viral responses and are also involved in autoimmune diseases, such as SSc, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and psoriasis, mostly due to their capacity to produce type I interferon (IFN). A type I IFN signature and high levels of CXCL4, both derived from pDCs, have been associated with poor prognosis in patients with SSc and are correlated with fibrosis. This review will examine the recent research on the molecular mechanisms through which pDCs impact SSc.
CAR Based Immunotherapy of Solid Tumours—A Clinically Based Review of Target Antigens
Authors: Maher John , Davies David M.
Published: February 2023

Immunotherapy with CAR-engineered immune cells has transformed the management of selected haematological cancers. However, solid tumours have proven much more difficult to control using this emerging therapeutic modality. In this review, we survey the clinical impact of solid tumour CAR-based immunotherapy, focusing on specific targets across a range of disease indications Among the many candidates which have been the subject of non-clinical CAR T-cell research, clinical data are available for studies involving 30 of these targets. Here, we map out this clinical experience, highlighting challenges such as immunogenicity and on-target off-tumour toxicity, an issue that has been both unexpected and devastating in some cases. We also summarise how regional delivery and repeated dosing have been used in an effort to enhance impact and safety. Finally, we consider how emerging armouring systems and multi-targeted CAR approaches might be used to enhance tumour access and better enable discrimination between healthy and transformed cell types.
Fabrication of a Polycaprolactone/Chitosan Nanofibrous Scaffold Loaded with Nigella sativa Extract for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Kahdim Qasim Shakir , Abdelmoula Najmeddine , Al-Karagoly Hassan , Albukhaty Salim , Al-Saaidi Jabbar
Published: February 2023

In this study, biocompatible electrospun nanofiber scaffolds were produced using poly(-caprolactone (PCL)/chitosan (CS) and Nigella sativa (NS) seed extract, and their potential for biomedical applications was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), total porosity measurements, and water contact angle measurements were used to evaluate the electrospun nanofibrous mats. Additionally, the antibacterial activities of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated, as well as cell cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity, using MTT and DPPH assays, respectively. The obtained PCL/CS/NS nanofiber mat was observed by SEM to have a homogeneous and bead-free morphology, with average diameters of 81.19 ± 4.38 nm. Contact angle measurements showed that the wettability of the electrospun PCL/Cs fiber mats decreased with the incorporation of NS when compared to the PCL/CS nanofiber mats. Efficient antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli was displayed, and an in vitro cytotoxic assay demonstrated that the normal murine fibroblast cell line (L929 cells) remained viable after 24, 48, and 72 h following direct contact with the produced electrospun fiber mats. The results suggest that the PCL/CS/NS hydrophilic structure and the densely interconnected porous design are biocompatible materials, with the potential to treat and prevent microbial wound infections.
Stress: Eight Decades after Its Definition by Hans Selye: “Stress Is the Spice of Life”
Authors: Rochette Luc , Dogon Geoffrey , Vergely Catherine
Published: February 2023

July 1936: Hans Selye describes in 74 lines in the prestigious journal Nature a new concept: Stress [...]
Thermal Transport Study in a Strained Carbon Nanotube and Graphene Junction Using Phonon Wavepacket Analysis
Authors: Park Jungkyu
Published: February 2023

This study investigates single-mode phonon scattering from a junction structure consisting of a (6,6) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and graphene, subject to mechanical deformation, using phonon wavepacket analysis. Results show that longitudinal acoustic (LA) and transverse acoustic (TA) phonons at low frequencies are transmitted more effectively through the SWCNT–graphene junction when the junction is deformed. As low-frequency phonons in LA and TA modes are major energy carriers, it is expected that thermal transport across the SWCNT–graphene junction will be more efficient when the junction is deformed. Interfacial thermal resistance across the SWCNT-graphene junction was calculated using reverse nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (RNEMD). The RNEMD results show that the interfacial thermal resistance decreases when the structure is elongated, deforming the junction between the SWCNT and graphene. However, there was no notable difference in the transmission of twisting (TW) and flexural (FO) phonons when the junction was deformed. The study also showed that the transmission of phonon energy through the SWCNT–graphene junction has a slight dependence on the group velocity of phonons, with phonons having higher group velocities transmitting the junction more effectively. The findings of this research will play a significant role in advancing the development of futuristic electronics by providing a tool for developing 3D carbon nanostructures with high thermal performance under mechanical deformation.
A Peculiar Case of Ossicular Chain Fixation and Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct
Authors: Brotto Davide , Ariano Marzia
Published: February 2023

We present the case of a patient treated as affected by conductive hearing loss due to recurrent otitis, then as a juvenile otosclerosis, who was finally diagnosed as affected by bilateral ossicular chain fixation and enlarged vestibular aqueduct by means of cone-beam CT.
Combination Chemotherapy in Severe Pulmonary Vein Stenosis—A Case Series
Authors: Krivenko Gabriel , Iacono Karen , Nykanen David , Keen Robyn , Sutphin Robert , Farias Michael
Published: February 2023

Pulmonary vein stenosis results from a proliferative process that leads to the progressive obstruction of venous return to the left atrium. It is often resistant to catheterization and surgical based interventions and is frequently fatal when encountered in its severe form. Here, we describe three patients with severe, primary pulmonary vein stenosis that was progressing despite aggressive conventional management strategies. All three patients were initiated on combination chemotherapy with imatinib and sirolimus, drugs which have been previously shown to independently have potential benefit against PVS. Soon after the initiation of these therapies, all three patients experienced a stabilization of their disease process and clinical improvement. All three patients remain alive, with tolerable side effects from the medications. Although early in our experience and with only a small number of patients, combination chemotherapy with imatinib and sirolimus shows promise and merits further investigation as a therapeutic option for this aggressive disease.
Analysis of the Properties of 44 ABC Transporter Genes from Biocontrol Agent Trichoderma asperellum ACCC30536 and Their Responses to Pathogenic Alternaria alternata Toxin Stress
Authors: Du Hua-Ying , Zhang Yu-Zhou , Liu Kuo , Gu Pei-Wen , Cao Shuang , Gao Xiang , Wang Zhi-Ying , Liu Zhi-Hua , Yu Ze-Yang
Published: February 2023

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are involved in transporting multiple substrates, such as toxins, and may be important for the survival of Trichoderma when encountering biotic toxins. In this study, genome searching revealed that there are 44 ABC transporters encoded in the genome of Trichoderma asperellum. These ABC transporters were divided into six types based on three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction, of which four, represented by 39 ABCs, are involved in transport and the remaining two, represented by 5 ABCs, are involved in regulating translation. The characteristics of nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) are important in the identification of ABC proteins. Even though the 3D structures of the 79 NBDs in the 44 ABCs are similar, multiple sequence alignment showed they can be divided into three classes. In total, 794 motifs were found in the promoter regions of the 44 ABC genes, of which 541 were cis-regulators related to stress responses. To characterize how their ABCs respond when T. asperellum interact with fungi or plants, T. asperellum was cultivated in either minimal media (MM) control, C-hungry, N-hungry, or poplar medium (PdPap) to simulate normal conditions, competition with pathogens, interaction with pathogens, and interaction with plants, respectively. The results show that 17 of 39 transport ABCs are highly expressed in at least one condition, whereas four of the five translation-regulating ABCs are highly expressed in at least one condition. Of these 21 highly expressed ABCs, 6 were chosen for RT-qPCR expression under the toxin stress of phytopathogen Alternaria alternata, and the results show ABC01, ABC04, ABC05, and ABC31 were highly expressed and may be involved in pathogen interaction and detoxifying toxins from A. alternata.
Hesperetin Induces Autophagy and Delayed Apoptosis by Modulating the AMPK/Akt/mTOR Pathway in Human Leukemia Cells In Vitro
Authors: Lin Ching-Yeh , Chen Ya-Hui , Huang Ying-Chih
Published: February 2023

Background: Hesperetin has been reported to have anticancer properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its action on leukemia cells remain unclear. This in vitro study evaluated the possible mechanisms of hesperetin in leukemia cells (HL-60 and U937). Methods: Cell viability was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Apoptosis and autophagy assays were conducted through annexin V/PI staining and acidic vesicular organelle (AVO) staining. Cell cycle analysis was conducted through propidium iodide (PI) and flow cytometry. The expression of proteins related to apoptosis and autophagy, including cleaved-PARP-1, Bcl-2, Bax, LC3-I/II, Beclin-1, Atg5, p62, phospho-AMPK, AMPK, phospho-mTOR, mTOR, phospho-Akt, and Akt, in human leukemia cells were evaluated using Western blotting. Results: Hesperetin dose-dependently inhibited leukemia cell viability. However, we found a low degree of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induced by hesperetin in U937 cells. These findings imply the presence of additional mechanisms modulating hesperetin-induced cell death. Next, we evaluated autophagy, the possible mechanism modulating cell death or survival, to clarify the underlying mechanism of hesperetin-induced cell death. Hesperetin also dose-dependently increased the ratio of LC3II/I, Atg5, and Beclin 1 and decreased p62. Moreover, 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and bafilomycin A1 (Baf-A1) inhibited hesperetin-induced autophagy. We suggest that hesperetin can protect cancer cells during the transient period and may extend survival. Furthermore, a decrease in p-mTOR and p-Akt expression and an increase in p-AMPK expression were observed. Collectively, these findings suggest that hesperetin induces autophagy by modulating the AMPK/Akt/mTOR pathway. Conclusion: Hesperetin promoted cell death in the human leukemic cell line U937 by inducing a low degree of slight apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and autophagy. It is therefore a potential adjuvant to antileukemia therapy and may be combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs to reduce chemoresistance and side effects.
Protective Effect of Biflavones from Platonia insignis Mart. against Ethidium Bromide-Induced Lethality in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Moura Andressa Sabrina Guimarães , Barreto Júlia de Andrade Ferreira , Silva Andressa Kelly Ferreira e , Nascimento Maria Luísa Lima Barreto do , Pinheiro Emanuelly Elanny Andrade , Moura Arkellau Kenned Silva , Sousa João Marcelo de Castro e , Lima-Neto José de Souza , Citó Antonia Maria das Graças Lopes , Coutinho Henrique Douglas Melo , Barreto Humberto Medeiros
Published: February 2023

Brazilian flora are highly diverse and have great potential for research into new medicines of plant origin. Platonia insignis Mart. is a fruit tree from the Amazon region with several potential pharmacological applications already demonstrated. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of a mixture of the biflavones volkensiflavone and moreloflavone obtained from P. insignis flowers against the lethality induced by ethidium bromide in efflux pump overproducer strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Microdilution tests were performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of ethidium bromide in the absence or presence of biflavones. The addition of biflavones to the growth medium increased the minimum inhibitory concentration of ethidium bromide against all strains tested, indicating that biflavones protected the bacterial cells against cell damage induced by this biocide agent. Comparative analysis of the infrared absorption spectra of each isolated compound, as well as of the associated compounds, demonstrated the complexation reaction, indicating that there was a preferential interaction between the H2N- groups of primary amines of ethidium bromide with the carbonyls of biflavones that formed imines -C=NH. Such complexation could reduce the amount of free ethidium bromide molecules available for DNA intercalation, resulting in the observed protective effect. These results suggest a possible technological application of the biflavones from P. insignis as protective agents against cell damage induced by ethidium bromide.