bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanoplatform‐Based In Vivo Gene Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Luo Rui , Le Hao , Wu Qinjie , Gong Changyang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGene therapy uses modern molecular biology methods to repair disease‐causing genes. As a burgeoning therapeutic, it has been widely applied for cancer therapy. Since 1989, there have been numerous clinical gene therapy cases worldwide. However, a few are successful. The main challenge of clinical gene therapy is the lack of efficient and safe vectors. Although viral vectors show high transfection efficiency, their application is still limited by immune rejection and packaging capacity. Therefore, the development of non‐viral vectors is overwhelming. Nanoplatform‐based non‐viral vectors become a hotspot in gene therapy. The reasons are mainly as follows. 1) Non‐viral vectors can be engineered to be uptaken by specific types of cells or tissues, providing effective targeting capability. 2) Non‐viral vectors can protect goods that need to be delivered from degradation. 3) Nanoparticles can transport large‐sized cargo such as CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids and nucleoprotein complexes. 4) Nanoparticles are highly biosafe, and they are not mutagenic in themselves compared to viral vectors. 5) Nanoparticles are easy to scale preparation, which is conducive to clinical conversion and application. Here, an overview of the categories of nanoplatform‐based non‐viral gene vectors, the limitations on their development, and their applications in cancer therapy.
A data model for enabling deep learning practices on discovery services of cyber‐physical systems
Authors: Llopis Juan Alberto , Fernández‐García Antonio Jesús , Criado Javier , Iribarne Luis , Corral Antonio 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe W3C Web of Things (WoT) is a leading technology that facilitates dynamic information management in the Internet of Things (IoT). In most IoT scenarios, devices and their associated information change continuously, generating a large amount of data. Hence, to correctly use the information and the data generated by different devices, a new perspective of managing and ensuring data quality is recommended. Applying Data Science techniques to create the data model can help to manage and ensure data quality by creating a common schema that can be reused in future projects, as well as producing recommendations to facilitate Service Discovery. In addition, due to the dynamic devices that change over time or under specific circumstances, the data model created must be sufficiently abstract to add new instances and to support new requirements that devices should incorporate. The use of models helps to raise the abstraction level, adapting it to the continuous changes of devices by defining instances associated with the data model. This paper proposes two data models: one for Cyber‐Physical Systems (CPS) to define device information fetched by a Discovery Service, and another for applying Deep Learning in natural language problems through a Transformer approach. The latter matches user queries in natural language sentences with WoT devices or services. These data models expand the Thing Description model to help find similar CPSs by giving a confidence level to each CPS based on features such as security and the number of times the device was accessed. The results show how the proposed models support the search process of CPSs in syntactic and natural language searches. Furthermore, the four levels of the FAIR principles are validated for the proposed data models, thus ensuring the data's transparency, reproducibility, and reusability.
Flaw and amendment of Dharminder et al.'s authentication protocol for satellite communication
Authors: Yadav Sonam , Dabra Vivek , Malik Pradeep , Kumari Saru 
Published: March 2024

SummarySatellite communication is becoming an increasingly important component of the communication process, as all forms of communication are sent over open networks. As a result, there is an increase in the number of security concerns, and several protocols have been established with this consideration in mind. Recently, Dharminder et al. proposed a post‐quantum secure authentication protocol for satellite communication. The protocol is an improved version of Kumar and Garg's protocol. The authors claimed that the protocol resists the vulnerability of Kumar and Garg's protocol and provides post‐quantum security for satellite communication. Despite their claims, we have found that the protocol is vulnerable to a key mismatch attack and an offline dictionary attack. Further, we have improved Dharminder et al.'s proposed protocol that resists the key mismatch attack and offline dictionary attack and have provided the condition for the correctness of the improved protocol. Our formal security proof and implementation results demonstrate that the improved protocol is secure against quantum attacks.
Ameliorative effects of zinc and vitamin E against phthalates‐induced reproductive toxicity in male rats
Authors: Xia Ling‐Zi , Liu Li‐Lan , Yue Jun‐Zhe , Lu Zhen‐Yu , Deng Ru‐Ya , He Xi , Li Can‐Can , Hu Burong , Gao Hai‐Tao 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectivePhthalates (PEs) could cause reproductive harm to males. A mixture of three widely used PEs (MPEs) was used to investigate the ameliorative effects of zinc (Zn) and vitamin E (VE) against male reproductive toxicity.MethodsFifty male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10). Rats in MPEs group were orally treated with 160 mg/kg/d MPEs, while rats in MPEs combined Zn and/or VE groups were treated with 160 mg/kg/d MPEs plus 25 mg/kg/d Zn and/or 25 mg/kg/d VE. After intervention for 70 days, it's was measured of male reproductive organs' weight, histopathological observation of sperms and testes, serum hormones, PIWI proteins and steroidogenic proteins.ResultsCompared with control, anogenital distance, testes weight, epididymides weight, and sex hormones were significantly decreased, while the sperm malformation rate was markedly increased in MPEs group (p < .05); the testicular tissues were injured in MPEs group with disordered and decreased spermatids, and arrested spermatogenesis. PIWIL1, PIWIL2, StAR, CYP11A1 and CYP19A1 were down‐regulated in MPEs group (p < .05). However, the alterations of these parameters were restored in MPEs combined Zn and/or VE groups (p < .05).ConclusionZn and/or VE improved steroid hormone metabolism, and inhibited MPEs' male reproductive toxicity.
A systematic review on the interconnectedness of eco‐innovations and digital transformation
Authors: Dionisio Marcelo , Paula Fábio 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe growing use of technologies allows enterprises to introduce green processes to reduce the impact of the production on the environment, and to obtain competitive advantage. Green production differs from the conventional production in its emphasis on environmental guidelines, which reduce costs, increase profitability, and make the organizations more competitive. There is very limited normative literature on the relationship between digital transformation and green innovation, therefore this study proposes to answer how digital transformation and environmental innovations are interconnected, and which technologies and green processes are important for achieving a higher level of sustainability. We conducted a systematic review where we combine a bibliometric study to analyze the interconnectedness of environmental innovations and digital transformation and a content analysis with focus on the technologies and processes that promote higher levels of sustainability. We expect that our findings support scholars and practitioners to explore empirical evidence of this relationship.
Marine macro algae‐derived activated carbon an efficient bio‐sorbent for Malachite green removal from wastewater
Authors: Amreen Sayed , Dash Suresh Kumar , Naik Brundabana , Dash Aditya Kishore , Verma Akshaya Kumar , Pradhan Abanti 
Published: March 2024

AbstractExtensive use of dyes by the textile industries poses a serious threat to the aquatic flora and fauna. Low‐cost bio‐sorbent derived from marine red, Gracilaria verrucosa (RAC), and green macroalgae, Enteromorpha intestinalis (GAC) have been used for effective removal of unsafe Malachite Green (MG) dye. Batch study was conducted to determine the different bio‐sorption parameters such as biochar dosage, pH, initial concentration of MG, and contact time including MG bio‐sorption capacities. The physicochemical characterization results show the presence of lower crystallite sizes, and active functional groups such as carbonyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfate and amine with the mesoporous morphology of the algal biochar. The FT‐IR, XRD and SEM analyses were also performed to characterize the structural investigation of adsorbents. The kinetics of adsorption such as pseudo‐first‐order and pseudo‐second‐order were analyzed and pseudo‐second‐order confirms about the nature of process to be chemisorption. The bio‐sorption test for 20 mg/L of initial MG at an equilibrium time of 90 min by RAC showed maximum removal efficiency of about 97.49% at pH 8 whereas GAC showed a removal efficiency of 93.37% at pH10. Thus, marine macroalgae RAC and GAC can be a substitute for the commercially available adsorbents for degradation of dyes from textile effluents.
Viability of low‐grade heat conversion using liquid piston Stirling engines
Authors: Mazhar Abdur Rehman , Shen Yongliang , Liu Shuli 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLiquid piston Stirling engines (LPSEs) are low‐cost, simple, maintenance‐free, and flexible external combustion engines with the potential to operate from low‐grade heat sources. This study reviews the major components, operations, and variants of LPSEs along with the mathematical models to assess their performance, which have been developed since the inception of LPSEs. Consequently, the technical feasibility of LPSEs in different applications is deduced from this complete systematic review, especially useful for both theoretical and applied researchers. The operation is based on a four‐stage Stirling cycle with most engines having three main components as per the findings of this study: the displacer columns, the regenerator, and tuning columns. The two main variants categorized by this study are the dry operating fluidyne and the wet operating thermofluidic. The accurate analyses of these engines are mostly within the spheres of experimental and numerical techniques since analytical mathematical models are difficult to develop owing to the complexity of the operating thermo‐physics. Pumping, cooling, and the direct generation of electricity are frequent applications of these engines reported in the literature. However, since their inception in 1969, these engines are yet to be commercialized owing to their low energy efficiency, power density, and reliability. The findings of this research conclude that LPSEs are essential for environment‐friendly pumping applications using low‐grade heat, especially in the irrigation sector of remote regions with limited access to electricity grids. Additionally, by replacing the electricity‐consuming status quo pumps, LPSEs ensure sustainability with minimal greenhouse gas emissions.This article is categorized under:
Energy and Power Systems > Energy Management
Sustainable Development > Energy‐Water‐Food Nexus
Energy and Power Systems > Distributed Generation
Sustainable Development > Goals
Surgical prevalence and outcomes in ischemic colitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Qian Wanyang , Bruinsma Joshua , Mac Curtain Benjamin , Ibraheem Mark , Temperley Hugo C. , Ng Zi Qin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground/AimThis study reviews the literature to examine the proportion of patients requiring surgical management in ischemic colitis (IC) and identify surgical outcomes.MethodA systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted in accordance with the latest Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) statement. English language studies and adult patients were included. Studies with fewer than 10 patients, and IC post aortic or cardiac surgery was excluded. We present our systematic review and meta‐analysis with pooled proportions of right sided IC distribution and prevalence of surgical treatment.Results23 studies with a total of 12,844 patients were included in the systematic review, with 19 studies and 12,420 patients included in the meta‐analysis. Four studies were excluded from the meta‐analysis due to only including specific cohorts of patients—two with cocaine induced colitis, one with phlebosclerotic colitis, and one with IC associated with acute myocardial infarction. The pooled proportion of right sided IC distribution was 15% (CI 14%–17%, p < 0.001), whilst the pooled proportion of surgical management of IC was 15% (CI 13%–16% p < 0.001).ConclusionPrevalence of surgical management of IC is rare. Right sided IC is associated with higher mortality and higher rates of surgical management. Reporting of surgical outcomes is scant.
DUNE potential as a new physics probe
Authors: Cherchiglia Adriano , Santiago José 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Neutrino experiments, in the next years, aim to determine with precision all the six parameters of the three-neutrino standard paradigm. The complete success of the experimental program is, nevertheless, attached to the non-existence (or at least smallness) of Non-Standard Interactions (NSI). In this work, anticipating the data taken from long-baseline neutrino experiments, we map all the weakly coupled theories that could induce sizable NSI, with the potential to be determined in these experiments, in particular DUNE. Once present constraints from other experiments are taken into account, in particular charged-lepton flavor violation, we find that only models containing leptoquarks (scalar or vector) and/or neutral isosinglet vector bosons are viable. We provide the explicit matching formulas connecting weakly coupled models and NSI, both in propagation and production. Departing from the weakly coupled completion with masses at TeV scale, we also provide a global fit on all NSI for DUNE, finding that NSI smaller than 10−2 cannot be probed even in the best-case scenario.
Flexible actuation with intrinsic sensing for ram extrusion 3D printing
Authors: Suthithanakom Setthibhak , Sithiwichankit Chaiwuth , Chaiprabha Kantawatchr , Chancharoen Ratchatin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractConventional actuation mechanisms used in liquid deposition modeling (LDM) technology limit the flow handling capability and the visibility of the printing materials’ properties. This work presents a flexible actuation system with intrinsic sensing for a ram extrusion printhead used in LDM technology. A mathematical model is used to design and simulate the printhead. The experimental results demonstrate the system’s ability to control the extrusion flow in two modes. The pressure control mode is favorable for the flow in a transient state such as flushing. The volumetric control mode provides a constant printed line width with less than 0.1-mm deviation between each tested material (biogel, chocolate fudge, and silicone sealant). A lower standard deviation for printed lines in the volumetric control mode indicates more precise line printing. The system also incorporates real-time monitoring of extrusion pressure and flow rate. The intrinsic capability to detect printing material properties is validated in both simulation and experiment. It provides valuable insights for further optimization of the printing process. The proposed system offers the advantage of improved pressure and flow control as well as the ability to monitor and respond to the properties of printing material.
Thiacloprid impairs reproductive functions of male Wistar rats
Authors: Mahmoud Aya Abdel Nasser , Ahmed Ebtehal Altohamy , Omar Amel Ramadan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGlobal male infertility correlated to the rise of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including insecticides, has grown into a pressing problem. Thiacloprid is one of the most commonly used neonicotinoids that accounts for more than 25% of the global pesticide industry. However, its impact on the reproductive system and male fertility has not been fully elucidated. The object of this study was to explore the adverse effects of thiacloprid on male Wistar rats’ reproductive system. Thirty healthy male rats were separated into one of three groups: control group, and two groups that were orally administered with low (22.5 mg/kg) and high dose (62.1 mg/kg) of thiacloprid for 56 days. Thiacloprid significantly (p<0.05) reduced body weight and relative testicular weight, as well as sperm quality (count, motility, viability, and morphology), in a dose-dependent manner. THIA-treated groups revealed a large effect (d > 0.8) on semen quality with Cohen’s d of (6.57, 8.82), (20.14, 23.54), and (2.81, 9.10) for count, motility, and viability respectively. Meanwhile, the serum testosterone level dropped while the levels of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones increased. 17ꞵ-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and 3ꞵ-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase levels were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of the tested antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione reduced (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) exhibited a considerable decrease compared to the control group with a significant elevation in the lipid peroxidation activity as indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA) level. The testicular histology revealed degenerative changes in spermatogenic cells and interstitial tissue. Comet assay revealed DNA fragmentation in treated groups’ testicular tissue. Thiacloprid exposure interferes with reproductive function and impairs male Wistar rat fertility. Such harmful consequences may also develop in humans frequently exposed to thiacloprid.
Loofah and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) nano-fiber-reinforced chitosan hydrogel composite scaffolds with elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) extracts as additives for osteochondral tissue engineering applications
Authors: Baysan Gizem , Yilmaz Pinar Akokay , Albayrak Aylin Ziylan , Havitcioglu Hasan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn recent years, people have had more expectations from the developed technology in medicine, especially in the field of orthopedics and traumatology. Tissue engineers are interested in techniques that benefit from patients’ cells and biomaterials, instead of prostheses and implants. On the other hand, researchers have begun to use various medicinal plants for regeneration and anti-cancer studies. In the present study, we aimed to produce cartilage and bone inductive scaffolds for osteochondral tissue engineering applications with the addition of hawthorn or elderberry extracts. Firstly, wet electro-spun poly (3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) fibers were integrated with a loofah mat. Then, they were impregnated into chitosan solution with/without hawthorn or elderberry extract. Composite hydrogel scaffolds were obtained by cross-linking with 0.3% (w/v) genipin. Fabricated scaffolds had more than 90% porosity and showed swelling capacity in the range of 1500–2200%. Based on the in vitro biocompatibility analyses using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), all the fabricated scaffolds were found to be biocompatible by WST-1, ALP activity, and GAG content analysis. Also, histological/immunohistochemical analyses showed that hawthorn and elderberry extract addition increased MSCs proliferation and collagen type I and II positivity. Consequently, all the scaffolds showed promising features for osteochondral tissue engineering applications.
Graphical abstract
Developing a multivariable prediction model of global health-related quality of life in patients treated for rectal cancer: a prospective study in five countries
Authors: Andersson John , Angenete Eva , Gellerstedt Martin , Haglind Eva 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Rectal cancer and its treatment have a negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). If risk factors for sustained low HRQoL could be identified early, ideally before the start of treatment, individualised interventions could be identified and implemented to maintain or improve HRQoL. The study aimed to develop a multivariable prediction model for global HRQoL 12 months after rectal cancer treatment.

Methods
Within COLOR II, a randomised, multicentre, international trial of laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal cancer, a sub-study on HRQoL included 385 patients in 12 hospitals and five countries. The HRQoL study was optional for hospitals in the COLOR II trial. EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-CR38 were analysed preoperatively and at 1 and 12 months postoperatively. In exploratory analyses, correlations between age, sex, fatigue, pain, ASA classification, complications, and symptoms after surgery to HRQoL were studied. Bivariate initial analyses were followed by multivariate regression models.

Results
Patient characteristics and clinical factors explained 4–10% of the variation in global HRQoL. The patient-reported outcomes from EORTC QLQ-C30 explained 55–65% of the variation in global HRQoL. The predominant predictors were fatigue and pain, which significantly impacted global HRQoL at all time points measured.

Conclusion
We found that fatigue and pain were two significant factors associated with posttreatment global HRQoL in patients treated for rectal cancer T1-T3 Nx. Interventions to reduce fatigue and pain could enhance global HRQoL after rectal cancer treatment.

Trial registration
This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT00297791
Trends of mortality rate in patients with congenital heart defects in Germany—analysis of nationwide data of the Federal Statistical Office of Germany
Authors: Abdul-Khaliq Hashim , Gomes Delphina , Meyer Sascha , von Kries Rüdiger , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Pfeifer Jochen , Poryo Martin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Congenital heart defects (CHD) are still associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to analyze trends of mortality rates in patients with CHD between 1998 and 2018 in Germany.

Methods
Data of registered deaths with an underlying diagnosis of CHD were used to evaluate annual mortality between 1998 and 2018. Polynomial regressions were performed to assess annual changes in CHD-associated mortality rates by age groups.

Results
During the 21-year study period, a total of 11,314 deaths were attributed to CHD with 50.9% of deaths in infants (age < 1 year) and 28.2% in neonates (age ≤ 28 days). The most frequent underlying CHDs associated with death were hypoplastic left heart syndrome (n = 1498, 13.2%), left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n = 1009, 8.9%), atrial septal defects (n = 771, 6.8%), ventricular septal defects (n = 697, 6.2%), and tetralogy of Fallot (n = 673, 5.9%), and others (n = 6666, 58.9%). Among all patients, annual CHD-related mortality rates declined significantly between 1998 and 2010 (p < 0.0001), followed by a significant annual increase until 2018 (p < 0.0001). However, mortality rates in 2018 in all ages were significantly lower than in 1998.

Conclusion
Mortality in CHD patients decreased significantly between 1998 and 2010, but a substantial number of deaths still occurred and even significantly increased in the last 3 years of the observation period particularly in neonates and infants. This renewed slight increase in mortality rate during the last years was influenced mainly by high-risk neonates and infants. Assessment of factors influencing the mortality rate trends in association with CHD in Germany is urgently needed. Obligatory nationwide registration of death cases in relation to surgical and catheter interventions in CHD patients is necessary to provide additional valuable data on the outcome of CHD.

Graphical abstract