Current Advances Research Articles

Artificial Intelligence in Oncology: Present Potential, Prospective Prospects, And Ethical Reviews

Over the last ten years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly contributed to solving several health issues, such as cancer.Deep Learning (DL), a subset of adaptable AI that facilitates automated identification of important characteristics, is rapidly used in manyfundamental and clinical cancer investigation domains. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent instances of AI utilizedin oncology. It highlights how DL techniques have effectively resolved previously deemed unsolvable issues and discusses the challengesthat must be addressed for the wider implementation of such applications. In addition, we emphasize valuable resources and datasets thatmight facilitate the use of AI in cancer research. In the next decade, the development of novel AI methods and their practical use willprovide valuable knowledge in the field of cancer. The advancement of AI technology has proven rapid in recent times and is beingincorporated into every facet of life. The medical profession is also advancing in the deployment of AI-equipped medical equipment. AI isanticipated to have a significant impact on achieving the present worldwide movement towards precision medicine. This article offers acomprehensive summary of the historical development of AI and the current advancements in medical AI, with a specific emphasis oncancer.In addition, while AI has significant promise, several unresolved concerns exist.

Efficacy of plant products in controlling disease vector mosquitoes, a review

AbstractMosquitoes pose a severe threat to the environment as vectors of numerous harmful diseases affecting humans and animals. Mosquitoes transmit pathogens that cause dengue, chikungunya, malaria, zika, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and filariasis. Today's mosquito control strategies heavily rely on the use of chemical insecticides such as N,N‐diethyl‐meta‐toluamide (DEET), N,N‐diethyl mandelic acid amide (DEM), and dimethyl phthalate (DMP). However, the widespread use of chemical insecticides has resulted in pollution, bio‐magnification, and other health and environmental issues. It has also become ineffective because of the mosquitoes' aptitude to develop resistance, emphasizing the urgent need for safe, effective, and long‐lasting strategies. An alternative and promising approach to circumventing these obstacles involves the implementation of insecticides made from natural compounds found in plants. Therefore, the scientific community has shifted its focus towards plant‐based phytochemicals, oils, and extracts, as these are eco‐friendly, safe, and cost‐effective alternatives to conventional chemical insecticides. This review aims to provide details on current advances in plant‐based products (plant compounds, extracts, and essential oils), which are used to control all the life cycle stages (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) of the mosquito genera Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex. Hopefully, this review will pave the way to devise control strategies against these challenging pests.

Data fusion in neuromarketing: Multimodal analysis of biosignals, lifecycle stages, current advances, datasets, trends, and challenges

The primary goal of any company is to increase its profits by improving both the quality of its products and how they are advertised. In this context, neuromarketing seeks to enhance the promotion of products and generate a greater acceptance on potential buyers. Traditionally, neuromarketing studies have relied on a single biosignal to obtain feedback from presented stimuli. However, thanks to new devices and technological advances studying this area of knowledge, recent trends indicate a shift towards the fusion of diverse biosignals. An example is the usage of electroencephalography for understanding the impact of an advertisement at the neural level and visual tracking to identify the stimuli that induce such impacts. This emerging pattern determines which biosignals to employ for achieving specific neuromarketing objectives. Furthermore, the fusion of data from multiple sources demands advanced processing methodologies. Despite these complexities, there is a lack of literature that adequately collates and organizes the various data sources and the applied processing techniques for the research objectives pursued. To address these challenges, the current paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the objectives, biosignals, and data processing techniques employed in neuromarketing research. This study provides both the technical definition and a graphical distribution of the elements under revision. Additionally, it presents a categorization based on research objectives and provides an overview of the combinatory methodologies employed. After this, the paper examines primary public datasets designed for neuromarketing research together with others whose main purpose is not neuromarketing, but can be used for this matter. Ultimately, this work provides a historical perspective on the evolution of techniques across various phases over recent years and enumerates key lessons learned.

The genetic architecture of the human hypothalamus and its involvement in neuropsychiatric behaviours and disorders.

Despite its crucial role in the regulation of vital metabolic and neurological functions, the genetic architecture of the hypothalamus remains unknown. Here we conducted multivariate genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using hypothalamic imaging data from 32,956 individuals to uncover the genetic underpinnings of the hypothalamus and its involvement in neuropsychiatric traits. There were 23 significant loci associated with the whole hypothalamus and its subunits, with functional enrichment for genes involved in intracellular trafficking systems and metabolic processes of steroid-related compounds. The hypothalamus exhibited substantial genetic associations with limbic system structures and neuropsychiatric traits including chronotype, risky behaviour, cognition, satiety and sympathetic-parasympathetic activity. The strongest signal in the primary GWAS, the ADAMTS8 locus, was replicated in three independent datasets (N = 1,685-4,321) and was strengthened after meta-analysis. Exome-wide association analyses added evidence to the association for ADAMTS8, and Mendelian randomization showed lower ADAMTS8 expression with larger hypothalamic volumes. The current study advances our understanding of complex structure-function relationships of the hypothalamus and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie hypothalamic formation.

AI and Face-Driven Orthodontics: A Scoping Review of Digital Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), technological progress is changing established workflows and enabling some basic routines to be updated. In dentistry, the patient’s face is a crucial part of treatment planning, although it has always been difficult to grasp in an analytical way. This review highlights the current digital advances that, thanks to AI tools, allow us to implement facial features beyond symmetry and proportionality and incorporate facial analysis into diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontics. A Scopus literature search was conducted to identify the topics with the greatest research potential within digital orthodontics over the last five years. The most researched and cited topic was artificial intelligence and its applications in orthodontics. Apart from automated 2D or 3D cephalometric analysis, AI finds its application in facial analysis, decision-making algorithms as well as in the evaluation of treatment progress and retention. Together with AI, other digital advances are shaping the face of today’s orthodontics. Without any doubts, the era of “old” orthodontics is at its end, and modern, face-driven orthodontics is on the way to becoming a reality in modern orthodontic practices.

Defining digital surgery: a SAGES white paper.

Digital surgery is a new paradigm within the surgical innovation space that is rapidly advancing and encompasses multiple areas. This white paper from the SAGES Digital Surgery Working Group outlines the scope of digital surgery, defines key terms, and analyzes the challenges and opportunities surrounding this disruptive technology. In its simplest form, digital surgery inserts a computer interface between surgeon and patient. We divide the digital surgery space into the following elements: advanced visualization, enhanced instrumentation, data capture, data analytics with artificial intelligence/machine learning, connectivity via telepresence, and robotic surgical platforms. We will define each area, describe specific terminology, review current advances as well as discuss limitations and opportunities for future growth. Digital Surgery will continue to evolve and has great potential to bring value to all levels of the healthcare system. The surgical community has an essential role in understanding, developing, and guiding this emerging field.

Adaptive modeling optimized by the data fusion strategy: Real-time dying cell percentage prediction using capacitance spectroscopy.

The previous research showcased a partial least squares (PLS) regression model accurately predicting cell death percentages using in-line capacitance spectra. The current study advances the model accuracy through adaptive modeling employing a data fusion approach. This strategy enhances prediction performance by incorporating variables from the Cole-Cole model, conductivity and its derivatives over time, and Mahalanobis distance into the predictor matrix (X-matrix). Firstly, the Cole-Cole model, a mechanistic model with parameters linked to early cell death onset, was integrated to enhance prediction performance. Secondly, the inclusion of conductivity and its derivatives over time in the X-matrix mitigated prediction fluctuations resulting from abrupt conductivity changes during process operations. Thirdly, Mahalanobis distance, depicting spectral changes relative to a reference spectrum from a previous time point, improved model adaptability to independent test sets, thereby enhancing performance. The final data fusion model substantially decreased root-mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) by around 50%, which is a significant boost in prediction accuracy compared to the prior PLS model. Robustness against reference spectrum selection was confirmed by consistent performance across various time points. In conclusion, this study illustrates that the data fusion strategy substantially enhances the model accuracy compared to the previous model relying solely on capacitance spectra.

High-throughput CRISPR technology: a novel horizon for solid organ transplantation.

Organ transplantation is the gold standard therapy for end-stage organ failure. However, the shortage of available grafts and long-term graft dysfunction remain the primary barriers to organ transplantation. Exploring approaches to solve these issues is urgent, and CRISPR/Cas9-based transcriptome editing provides one potential solution. Furthermore, combining CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing with an ex vivo organ perfusion system would enable pre-implantation transcriptome editing of grafts. How to determine effective intervention targets becomes a new problem. Fortunately, the advent of high-throughput CRISPR screening has dramatically accelerated the effective targets. This review summarizes the current advancements, utilization, and workflow of CRISPR screening in various immune and non-immune cells. It also discusses the ongoing applications of CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing in transplantation and the prospective applications of CRISPR screening in solid organ transplantation.

Epigenetic regulation in cancer therapy: From mechanisms to clinical advances

AbstractEpigenetic regulation refers to the alteration of gene expression independent of changes in DNA sequence. It involves chemical modifications such as DNA methylation, histone methylation, and histone acetylation, which are regulated by a coordinated interplay of various regulators to ensure precise spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression. Epigenetic aberrations are commonly observed in cancer and are considered as hallmarks of cancer. In recent years, small molecules targeting specific epigenetic regulators have been developed and are demonstrating promising therapeutic potential in preclinical and clinical trials for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the essential regulatory mechanisms and dysfunctions of epigenetic regulators involved in DNA methylation, histone methylation, and histone acetylation during tumor development and progression. Moreover, we discuss the current advances and challenges in cancer epigenetic therapy that target these mechanisms in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Finally, we discuss the potential of combining epigenetic drugs with other therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, as a promising approach for cancer treatment. Overall, we aim to enhance the understanding of epigenetic regulation in cancer therapy and explore targeted therapeutic strategies based on these mechanisms, to ultimately advance cancer therapy and improve patient prognosis.

Drive soil nitrogen transformation and improve crop nitrogen absorption and utilization - a review of green manure applications.

Green manure application presents a valuable strategy for enhancing soil fertility and promoting ecological sustainability. By leveraging green manures for effective nitrogen management in agricultural fields can significantly reduce the dependency of primary crops on chemical nitrogen fertilizers, thereby fostering resource efficiency. This review examines the current advancements in the green manure industry, focusing on the modulation of nitrogen transformation in soil and how crops absorb and utilize nitrogen after green manure application. Initially, the influence of green manure on soil nitrogen transformation is delineated, covering processes such as soil nitrogen immobilization, and mineralization, and losses including NH3, N2O, and NO3 --N leaching. The review then delves into the effects of green manure on the composition and function of soil microbial communities, highlighting their role in nitrogen transformation. It emphasizes the available nitrogen content in the soil, this article discussing nitrogen uptake and utilization by plants, including aspects such as nitrogen translocation, distribution, the root system, and the rhizosphere environment of primary crops. This provides insights into the mechanisms that enhance nitrogen uptake and utilization when green manures are reintroduced into fields. Finally, the review anticipates future research directions in modulating soil nitrogen dynamics and crop nitrogen uptake through green manure application, aiming to advance research and the development of the green manure sector.

Biogenesis and delivery of extracellular vesicles: harnessing the power of EVs for diagnostics and therapeutics.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed particles secreted by a variety of cell types. These vesicles encapsulate a diverse range of molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, metabolites, and even organelles derived from their parental cells. While EVs have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, they also hold immense potential as both biomarkers and therapeutic agents for numerous diseases. A thorough understanding of EV biogenesis is crucial for the development of EV-based diagnostic developments since the composition of EVs can reflect the health and disease status of the donor cell. Moreover, when EVs are taken up by target cells, they can exert profound effects on gene expression, signaling pathways, and cellular behavior, which makes these biomolecules enticing targets for therapeutic interventions. Yet, despite decades of research, the intricate processes underlying EV biogenesis by donor cells and subsequent uptake by recipient cells remain poorly understood. In this review, we aim to summarize current insights and advancements in the biogenesis and uptake mechanisms of EVs. By shedding light on the fundamental mechanisms governing EV biogenesis and delivery, this review underscores the potential of basic mechanistic research to pave the way for developing novel diagnostic strategies and therapeutic applications.

Two-Dimensional Zeolites-Potential Catalysts for Biomass Valorization.

Valorization of biomass and biomass-derived molecules has become a viable route to get fuels and useful chemicals as fossil feedstocks are dwindling and the demand for renewable feedstocks and sustainable energy sources are rising. Zeolites have been promising catalysts for biomass conversion owing to their structural features and active sites. However, the use of conventional zeolites was limited due to molecular diffusion constraints, which paved the way for the emergence of two-dimensional (2D) zeolites. The high external surface area, bimodal porosity (micropores and mesopores), and 2D structure of these zeolites envisage smooth diffusion of bulky molecules, enhanced accessibility to active sites, and slow deactivation, which are benefits in the valorization of biomass. In this brief review, current advancements in the use of layered 2D zeolites for biomass conversions are discussed. The relationship between the structural features and the catalytic potential of 2D zeolites in some of the major biomass conversion processes like pyrolysis, hydrodeoxygenation, alkylation, acetalization, condensation, and dehydration is discussed and multistep reactions that proceed via a cascade mechanism are highlighted.

Unleashing the Power of Undifferentiated Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Bioprinting: Current Progress and Future Prospects.

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has revolutionized various fields, including stem cell research, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine. The evolution of iPSC-based models has transitioned from conventional two-dimensional systems to more physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) models such as spheroids and organoids. Nonetheless, there still remain challenges including limitations in creating complex 3D tissue geometry and structures, the emergence of necrotic core in existing 3D models, and limited scalability and reproducibility. 3D bioprinting has emerged as a revolutionary technology that can facilitate the development of complex 3D tissues and organs with high scalability and reproducibility. This innovative approach has the potential to effectively bridge the gap between conventional iPSC models and complex 3D tissues in vivo. This review focuses on current trends and advancements in the bioprinting of iPSCs. Specifically, it covers the fundamental concepts and techniques of bioprinting and bioink design, reviews recent progress in iPSC bioprinting research with a specific focus on bioprinting undifferentiated iPSCs, and concludes by discussing existing limitations and future prospects.

Bitcoin Layer Two Scaling Solutions: Lightening Payment Channels Network Comprehensive Review, Mechanisms, Challenges, Open Issues and Future Research Directions

Blockchain technology era is triggered due to current advancement in the decentralized paradigms via facilitating secure collaboration among untrusted entities consequently superseding the necessity for the trusted third parties’ existence. Notwithstanding its potential, blockchain scalability faces severe limitations such as low throughput, high fees, and confirmation time latency. Several scaling solutions have been proposed, including layer one solutions that substantially require fundamentally amending blockchain underlying infrastructure resulted in further scalability complications. Layer two solutions, specifically Lightning Network, is a successful cryptographic layer built atop of the Bitcoin blockchain that aims to alleviate these implications by deporting transaction processing outside blockchain while ensuring security and consensus inherited from blockchain without compromising its infrastructure. Payment channels form the core of the lightning network, facilitating fast and secure transactions between participants. However, the network encounters substantial obstacles associated with transaction amounts that exceed the current channel capacity, leading to payment failures and limiting its effectiveness. Payment Channel Networks (PCN) have been risen as an evolved replacement that solves payment channel’s issues, seeking to enhance transaction throughput and reduce confirmation delays by solving limited capacities shortages. This paper thoroughly examines PCN efficiency impacting factors that hinder its current adoption growth and avoiding its widespread employment. Additionally, existing solutions are reviewed and categorized based on the PCN building architecture. The research concludes by outlining potential research avenues and future directions to improve the efficiency and practicality of the Lightning Network PCN. This research contribution aids the advent of blockchain layer two technology and participates in its integration into real-world applications.

Ingredients, structure and reconstitution properties of instant powder foods and the potential for healthy product development: a comprehensive review.

Instant foods are widely presented in powder forms across different food segments, which potentially can be formulated with functional or beneficial compounds to provide health benefits. Many reconstituted instant powder foods form colloidal suspensions with complex structures. However, designing instant powder food could be challenging due to the structural complexity and high flexibility in formulation. This review proposed a new classification method for instant powder foods according to the solubility of ingredients and the structure of the reconstituted products. Instant powder foods containing insoluble ingredients are discussed. It summarised challenges and current advances in powder treatments, reconstitution improvement, and influences on food texture and structure to facilitate product design in related industries. The characteristics and incorporation of the main ingredients and ingredients with health benefits in product development were reviewed. Different products vary significantly in the ratios of macronutrients. The macronutrients have limited solubility in water. After being reconstituted by water, the insoluble components are dispersed and swell to form colloidal dispersions with complex structures and textures. Soluble components, which dissolve in the continuous phase, may facilitate the dispersing process or influence the solution environment. The structure of reconstituted products and destabilising factors are discussed. Both particle and molecular structuring strategies have been developed to improve wettability and prevent the formation of lumps and, therefore, to improve reconstitution properties. Various types of instant food have been developed based on healthy or functional ingredients and exhibit positive effects on the prevention of non-communicable diseases and overall health. Less processed materials and by-products are often chosen to enhance the contents of dietary fibre and phenolic compounds. The enrichment of phenolic compounds, dietary fibres and/or probiotics tend to be simultaneous in plant-based products. The process of the ingredients and the formulation of products must be tailored to design the desired structure and to improve the reconstitution property.

Current advances and future outlook of heterogeneous catalytic transesterification towards biodiesel production from waste cooking oil

The demonstration of disposal and utilisation of waste cooking oil as potential feedstock towards biodiesel synthesis by catalytic heterogeneous transesterification.

Molecular Biomarkers: Current Advances in Liquid Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Cancer

Molecular Biomarkers: Current Advances in Liquid Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Cancer

Breaking Barriers: Current Advances and Future Directions in Mpox Therapy.

Mpox, a newly discovered zoonotic infection, can be transmitted from animal to human and between humans. Serological and genomic studies are used to identify the virus. Currently, there are no proven effective treatments for Mpox. Also, the safety and efficacy of intravenous vaccinia immune globulin, oral Tecovirimat (an inhibitor of intracellular viral release), and oral Brincidofovir (a DNA polymerase inhibitor) against the Mpox virus are uncertain, highlighting the need for more effective and safe treatments. As a result, drug repurposing has emerged as a promising strategy to identify previously licensed drugs that can be repurposed to treat Mpox. Various approaches have been employed to identify previously approved drugs that can target specific Mpox virus proteins, including thymidylate kinase, D9 decapping enzyme, E8 protein, Topoisomerase1, p37, envelope proteins (D13, A26, and H3), F13 protein, virus's main cysteine proteases, and DNA polymerase. In this summary, we provide an overview of potential drugs that could be used to treat Mpox and discuss the underlying biological processes of their actions.

Current advancements in diagnosing and managing cavovarus foot in paediatric patients.

The cavovarus deformity is a pathological condition characterised by an anomalous elevation of the longitudinal arch. This condition results from a significant hindfoot varus and forefoot equinus deformity. This phenomenon comprises diverse anomalies and therapies and exhibits a prevalence of 25% within the populace. A thorough clinical evaluation is required to identify deformities in the cavovarus foot. Weight-bearing radiographs play a crucial role in identifying the apex of deformity and quantifying the required extent of correction. Cavus feet are frequently linked with neurological conditions affecting sensory and motor nerves. Identifying the optimal treatment for individual patients necessitates the performance of clinical and radiographic evaluations. Inaccurate diagnosis of a neurological disorder can lead to inappropriate surgical intervention, relapse, and inadequate reconstruction. When faced with progressive anomalies, it is crucial to implement a phased surgical protocol promptly to avoid exacerbating malalignment. Various surgical procedures have been recorded, including soft tissue releases, tendon transfers, osteotomies, and arthrodesis, which are selected based on the nature and extent of the deformity assessment findings, with the ultimate goal of reaching a foot that is both plantigrade and balanced. Due to a lack of research on this topic, the present review aims to furnish the most recent literature update on the manifestation, imaging evaluation, and optimal therapeutic interventions currently accessible for individuals afflicted with cavovarus deformities and to assist healthcare providers in selecting the most suitable therapy for paediatric patients with this condition in their routine clinical practice.

Current advancement in nanomaterial-based emerging techniques for the determination of aminoglycosides antibiotics for antibiotic resistance surveillances

The graphical abstract represents the nanomaterial-based sensing approach for the detection of aminoglycosides (AMGs) antibiotics.