Good Value Research Articles

Recent advances in enzymatic modification techniques to improve the quality of flour-based fried foods.

Flour-based fried foods are among the most commonly consumed foods worldwide. However, the sensory attributes and nutritional value of fried foods are inconsistent and unstable. Therefore, the creation of fried foods with desirable sensory attributes and good nutritional value remains a major challenge for the development of the fried food industry. The quality of flour-based fried foods can sometimes be improved by physical methods and the addition of chemical modifiers. However, enzyme modification is widely accepted by consumers due to its unique advantages of specificity, mild processing conditions and high safety. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the effects of enzyme treatments on the sensory attributes (color, flavor and texture), oil absorption and digestibility of flour-based fried foods. This paper reviews recent research progress in utilizing enzyme modification to improve the quality of flour-based fried foods. This paper begins with the effects of common enzymes on the physicochemical properties (rheological property, retrogradation property and specific volume) of dough. Based on the analysis of the mechanism of formation of sensory attributes and nutritional properties, it focuses on the application of amylase, protease, transglutaminase, and lipase in the regulation of sensory attributes and nutritional properties of flour-based fried foods.

Optimization for industrial robot joint movement in non-horizontal 3D printing application

When a robot is printing a sequence of non-horizontal goal poses, its joint values often undergo significant variations, resulting in challenges such as singularities or exceeding joint limits. This paper proposes two new methods aimed at optimizing goal poses to solve the problem. The first method, employing an analytical approach, modifies the goal poses to maintain the 4th joint value of a 6-axis industrial robot at zero. This adjustment effectively reduces the motion range of the 5th and 6th axes. The second method utilizes numerical optimization to adjust the goal poses, aiming to minimize the motion range of all joints. Leveraging the analytical method to obtain one good initial value, numerical optimization is subsequently applied to complete the entire path optimization, creating an optimization workflow. It is also possible to use only analytical methods for computational efficiency. The feasibility and effectiveness of these two methods are validated through simulation and real project case.

Gefitinib metabolism-related lncRNAs for the prediction of prognosis, tumor microenvironment and drug sensitivity in lung adenocarcinoma

The complete compound of gefitinib is effective in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma. However, the effect on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) during its catabolism has not yet been elucidated. We carried out this study to examine the predictive value of gefitinib metabolism-related long noncoding RNAs (GMLncs) in LUAD patients. To filter GMLncs and create a prognostic model, we employed Pearson correlation, Lasso, univariate Cox, and multivariate Cox analysis. We combined risk scores and clinical features to create nomograms for better application in clinical settings. According to the constructed prognostic model, we performed GO/KEGG and GSEA enrichment analysis, tumor immune microenvironment analysis, immune evasion and immunotherapy analysis, somatic cell mutation analysis, drug sensitivity analysis, IMvigor210 immunotherapy validation, stem cell index analysis and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis. We built a predictive model with 9 GMLncs, which showed good predictive performance in validation and training sets. The calibration curve demonstrated excellent agreement between the expected and observed survival rates, for which the predictive performance was better than that of the nomogram without a risk score. The metabolism of gefitinib is related to the cytochrome P450 pathway and lipid metabolism pathway, and may be one of the causes of gefitinib resistance, according to analyses from the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Immunological evasion and immunotherapy analysis revealed that the likelihood of immune evasion increased with risk score. Tumor microenvironment analysis found most immune cells at higher concentrations in the low-risk group. Drug sensitivity analysis found 23 sensitive drugs. Twenty-one of these drugs exhibited heightened sensitivity in the high-risk group. RT-qPCR analysis validated the characteristics of 9 GMlncs. The predictive model and nomogram that we constructed have good application value in evaluating the prognosis of patients and guiding clinical treatment.

Commissioning of a novel PET-Linac for biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT).

Biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) is a novel radiotherapy delivery technique that utilizes the tumor itself to guide dynamic delivery of treatment dose to the tumor. The RefleXion X1 system is the first radiotherapy system developed to deliver SCINTIX® BgRT. The X1 is characterized by its split arc design, employing two 90-degree positron emission tomography (PET) arcs to guide therapeutic radiation beams in real time, currently cleared by FDA to treat bone and lung tumors. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the capabilities of the SCINTIX radiotherapy delivery system by evaluating its sensitivity to changes in PET contrast, its adaptability in the context of patient motion, and its performance across a spectrum of prescription doses. A series of experimental scenarios, both static and dynamic, were designed to assess the SCINTIX BgRT system's performance, including an end-to-end test. These experiments involved a range of factors, including changes in PET contrast, motion, and prescription doses. Measurements were performed using a custom-made ArcCHECK insert which included a 2.2cm spherical target and a c-shape structure that can be filled with a PET tracer with varying concentrations. Sinusoidal and cosine4 motion patterns, simulating patient breathing, was used to test the SCINTIX system's ability to deliver BgRT during motion-induced challenges. Each experiment was evaluated against specific metrics, including Activity Concentration (AC), Normalized Target Signal (NTS), and Biology Tracking Zone (BTZ) bounded dose-volume histogram (bDVH) pass rates. The accuracy of the delivered BgRT doses on ArcCHECK and EBT-XD film were evaluated using gamma 3%/2mm and 3%/3mm analysis. In static scenarios, the X1 system consistently demonstrated precision and robustness in SCINTIX dose delivery. The end-to-end delivery to the spherical target yielded good results, with AC and NTS values surpassing the critical thresholds of 5 kBq/mL and 2, respectively. Furthermore, bDVH analysis consistently confirmed 100% pass rates. These results were reaffirmed in scenarios involving changes in PET contrast, emphasizing the system's ability to adapt to varying PET avidities. Gamma analysis with 3%/2mm (10% dose threshold) criteria consistently achieved pass rates>91.5% for the static tests. In dynamic SCINTIX delivery scenarios, the X1 system exhibited adaptability under conditions of motion. Sinusoidal and cosine4 motion patterns resulted in 3%/3mm gamma pass rates>87%. Moreover, the comparison with gated stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) delivery on a conventional c-arm Linac resulted in 93.9% gamma pass rates and used as comparison to evaluate the interplay effect. The 1cm step shift tests showed low overall gamma pass rates of 60.3% in ArcCHECK measurements, while the doses in the PTV agreed with the plan with 99.9% for 3%/3mm measured with film. The comprehensive evaluation of the X1 radiotherapy delivery system for SCINTIX BgRT demonstrated good agreement for the static tests. The system consistently achieved critical metrics and delivered the BgRT doses per plan. The motion tests demonstrated its ability to co-localize the dose where the PET signal is and deliver acceptable BgRT dose distributions.

The Factors that Influencing the Success of the Village Cooperative Unit (Kud) Madani Beach Fisheries in Bantan District Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province

This research was conducted in 2023 at the Pantai Madani Fisheries Cooperative, Bantan District, Bengkalis Regency with the aim of: 1) Analyzing the success of the financial performance of the Pantai Madani Fisheries Cooperative in terms of financial ratios; 2) Knowing the factors that influencing the success of the Madani Beach Fisheries Cooperative. The method used in this research is a survey method using purposive sampling as a sampling technique that will be used as respondents. The number of respondents in this research is 25 cooperative members. The research results show that the current ratio is very good because the cooperative is able to cover its short-term liabilities, the solvency ratio on DER and DAR is in good condition where the cooperative's ability to cover its debts does not affect the management of cooperative assets and capital, the profitability ratio on ROE and also ROA is not good because activity has not been maximized, NPM is not good because sales are high but cannot produce large profits, NPM is not good because sales are high but cannot produce large profits, total turnover of receivable assets is very good, meaning the utilization of the activity ratio in receivables turnover is quite good, meaning that the collection carried out on assets is optimal to generate sales. The factors that influence the success of the Pantai Madani Fisheries Cooperative are economic scale, market failure, service benefits, profit generation in the area of value obtained from these variables 479,203/month, the value obtained is the quantitative value of goods and services from fishing activities that have been executed.

Hybridization alters red deer gut microbiome and metabolites

The host genes play a crucial role in shaping the composition and structure of the gut microbiome. Red deer is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and its pilose antlers have good medicinal value. Hybridization can lead to heterosis, resulting in increased pilose antler production and growth performance in hybrid deer. However, the role of the gut microbiome in hybrid deer remains largely unknown. In this study, alpha and beta diversity analysis showed that hybridization altered the composition and structure of the gut microbiome of the offspring, with the composition and structure of the hybrid offspring being more similar to those of the paternal parents. Interestingly, the LefSe differential analysis showed that there were some significantly enriched gut microbiome in the paternal parents (such as g_Prevotellaceae UCG-003, f_Bacteroidales RF16 group; Ambiguous_taxa, etc.) and the maternal parents (including g_Alistipes, g_Anaerosporobacter, etc.), which remained significantly enriched in the hybrid offspring. Additionally, the hybrid offspring exhibited a significant advantage over the parental strains, particularly in taxa that can produce short-chain fatty acids, such as g_Prevotellaceae UCG-003, g_Roseburia, g_Succinivibrio, and g_Lachnospiraceae UCG-006. Similar to bacterial transmission, metagenomic analysis showed that some signaling pathways related to pilose antler growth (“Wnt signaling pathway,” “PI3K Akt signaling pathway,” “MAPK signaling pathway”) were also enriched in hybrid red deer after hybridization. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis revealed that compared with the paternal and maternal parents, the hybrid offspring exhibited significant enrichment in metabolites related to “Steroid hormone biosynthesis,” “Tryptophan metabolism,” “Valine, leucine and isoleucine metabolism,” and “Vitamin B metabolism.” Notably, the metagenomic analysis also showed that these metabolic pathways were significantly enriched in hybrid deer. Finally, a correlation analysis between the gut microbiome and metabolites revealed a significant positive correlation between the enriched taxa in hybrid deer, including the Bacteroidales RF16 group, Prevotellaceae, and Succinivibrio, and metabolites, such as 7α-hydroxytestosterone, L-kynurenine, indole, L-isoleucine, and riboflavin. The study contributes valuable data toward understanding the role of the gut microbiome from red deer in hybridization and provides reference data for further screening potential probiotics and performing microbial-assisted breeding that promotes the growth of red deer pilose antlers and bodies, development, and immunity.

Synthesis, Biological and Molecular Docking Studies of Thiazole-Thiadiazole derivatives as potential Anti-Tuberculosis Agents.

Tuberculosis remains a global health threat, with increasing infection rates and mortality despite existing anti-TB drugs. The present work focuses on the research findings regarding the development and evaluation of thiadiazole-linked thiazole derivatives as potential anti-tuberculosis agents. We present the synthesis data and confirm the compound structures using spectroscopic techniques. The current study reports twelve thiazole-thiadiazole compounds (5a-5l) for their anti-tuberculosis and related bioactivities. This paper emphasizes compounds 5g, 5i, and 5l, which exhibited promising MIC values, leading to further in silico and interaction analysis. Pharmacophore mapping data included in the present analysis identified tubercular ThyX as potential drug targets. The compounds were evaluated for anti-tubercular activity using standard methods, revealing significant MIC values, particularly compound 5l, with the best MIC value of 7.1285 µg/ml. Compounds 5g and 5i also demonstrated moderate to good MIC values against M. tuberculosis (H37Ra). Structural inspection of the docked poses revealed interactions such as hydrogen bonds, halogen bonds, and interactions containing Pi electron cloud, shedding light on conserved interactions with residues like Arg 95, Cys 43, His 69, and Arg 87 from the tubercular ThyX enzyme.

Novel autoantibodies help diagnose anti-SSA antibody negative Sjögren disease and predict abnormal labial salivary gland pathology

ObjectivesSjögren disease (SjD) diagnosis often requires either positive anti-SSA antibodies or a labial salivary gland biopsy with a positive focus score (FS). One-third of patients with SjD lack anti-SSA antibodies...

Serum exosomes miR-206 and miR-549a-3p as potential biomarkers of traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. However, effective diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic biomarkers are still lacking. Our research group previously revealed through high-throughput sequencing that the serum exosomes miR-133a-3p, miR-206, and miR-549a-3p differ significantly in severe TBI (sTBI), mild or moderate TBI (mTBI), and control groups. However, convincing experimental evidence is lacking. To solve this problem, we used qPCR in this study to further verify the expression levels of serum exosomes miR-133a-3p, miR-206 and miR-549a-3p in TBI patients. The results showed that the serum exosomes miR-206 and miR-549a-3p showed good predictive value as biomarkers of TBI. In addition, in order to further verify whether serum exosomes miR-206 and miR-549a-3p can be used as potential biomarkers in patients with TBI and to understand the mechanism of their possible effects, we further determined the contents of SOD, BDNF, VEGF, VEGI, NSE and S100β in the serum of TBI patients. The results showed that, serum exosomes miR-206 and miR-549a-3p showed good correlation with BDNF, NSE and S100β. In conclusion, serum exosomes miR-206 and miR-549a-3p have the potential to serve as potential biomarkers in patients with TBI.

Chicken manure-derived biochar enhanced the potential of Comamonas testosteroni ZG2 to remediate Cd contaminated soil.

The combined remediation of Cd-contaminated soil using biochar and microorganisms has a good application value. In this study, the effect of chicken manure-derived biochar on CdCO3 precipitation induced by Comamonas testosteroni ZG2 was investigated. The results showed that biochar could be used as the carrier of strain ZG2, enhance the resistance of strain ZG2 to Cd, and reduce the toxicity of Cd to bacterial cells. Cd adsorbed by biochar could be induced by strain ZG2 to form CdCO3 precipitation. Strain ZG2 could also induce CdCO3 precipitation when biochar was added during precipitation formation and fermentation broth formation. The CdCO3 precipitation could enter the pores of the biochar and attach to the surface of the biochar. The single and combined effects of strain ZG2 and biochar could realize the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil to a certain extent. The overall effect was in the order of strain ZG2 with biochar > biochar > strain ZG2. The combination of strain ZG2 and biochar reduced soil available Cd by 48.2%, the aboveground biomass of pakchoi increased by 72.1%, and the aboveground Cd content decreased by 73.3%. At the same time, it promoted the growth and development of the root system and improved the microbial community structure of the rhizosphere soil. The results indicated that chicken manure-derived biochar could enhance the stability of CdCO3 precipitation induced by strain ZG2, and strain ZG2 combined with biochar could achieve a more stable remediation effect on Cd-contaminated soil.

Vision detection and path planning of mobile robots for rebar binding

AbstractFocused on the problems of cumbersome operation, low efficiency, and high cost in the traditional manual rebar binding process, we propose a mobile robot vision detection and path‐planning method for rebar binding to realize automated rebar binding by combining deep learning and path‐planning technology. A MobileNetV3‐SSD rebar binding crosspoints recognition model is built based on TensorFlow deep learning framework, and a crosspoints localization method combining control factor α and feature projection curve is introduced to achieve the localization of unbound crosspoints. In addition, A back‐and‐forth path‐planning algorithm with priority constraints combined with dead zone escape algorithm based on improved A* is proposed to achieve complete coverage path planning of the working area and path transfer of the dead zone. In the field test of the robot prototype, the classification accuracy and localization accuracy reached 94.40% and 90.49%, and the robot was able to reach complete coverage path planning successfully. The experimental results show that the visual detection method can achieve fast, noncontact and intelligent recognition of rebar binding crosspoints, which has good robustness and application value. At the same time, the proposed path‐planning method has higher efficiency in the execution of robot complete coverage path planning, and meets the basic requirements of path planning for rebar binding process.

Value of long non-coding RNA HAS2-AS1 as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of glioma

BackgroundGlioma presents high incidence and poor prognosis, and therefore more effective treatments are needed. Studies have confirmed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) basically regulate various human diseases including glioma. It has been theorized that HAS2-AS1 serves as an lncRNA to exert an oncogenic role in varying cancers. This study aimed to assess the value of lncRNA HAS2-AS1 as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for glioma. MethodsThe miRNA expression data and clinical data of glioma were downloaded from the TCGA database for differential analysis and survival analysis. In addition, pathological specimens and specimens of adjacent normal tissue from 80 patients with glioma were used to observe the expression of HAS2-AS1. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic ability and prognostic value of HAS2-AS1 in glioma. Meanwhile, a Kaplan–Meier survival curve was plotted to evaluate the survival of glioma patients with different HAS2-AS1 expression levels. ResultsHAS2-AS1 was significantly upregulated in glioma tissues compared with normal tissue. The survival curves showed that overexpression of HAS2-AS1 was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Several clinicopathological factors of glioma patients, including tumor size and WHO grade, were significantly correlated with HAS2-AS1 expression in tissues. The ROC curve showed an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.863, indicating that HAS2-AS1 had good diagnostic value. The ROC curve for the predicted OS showed an AUC of 0.906, while the ROC curve for predicted PFS showed an AUC of 0.88. Both suggested that overexpression of HAS2-AS1 was associated with poor prognosis. ConclusionsNormal tissues could be clearly distinguished from glioma tissues based on HAS2-AS1 expression. Moreover, overexpression of HAS2-AS1 indicated poor prognosis in glioma patients. Therefore, HAS2-AS1 could be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for glioma.

Synthesis of surfactant assisted Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) photocatalysts for removal of dyes from wastewater

Herein, pure and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) assisted Cu2ZnSnS4 were synthesized via effective hydrothermal method. The pure and HMT assisted Cu2ZnSnS4 samples were characterized to identify physicochemical behavior of photocatalysts. Prepared pure, 0.2 M, 0.4 M HMT assisted Cu2ZnSnS4 photocatalysts showed narrow band gap of 1.88, 1.47 and 1.23 eV. The HMT addition helped to reduce the photocatalyst’s band gap. The pure Cu2ZnSnS4 sample showed nanoparticles with higher agglomeration and improper growth. The 0.2 M HMT–Cu2ZnSnS4 samples showed smaller sized nanoparticles with little agglomeration on the surface of the nanoparticles. 0.4 M HMT-Cu2ZnSnS4 sample exhibited nanosheets like structure. The nanosheets were arranged in the interplanar manner. The obtained material was investigated to eliminate the RhB dye under visible light. The 0.4 M HMT-Cu2ZnSnS4 samples achieved higher efficiency of 84 %. The rate constant values of pure, 0.2 M, 0.4 M HMT-Cu2ZnSnS4 was 0.006, 0.009, 0.012 and 0.014 min−1. The active species corresponding to Cu2ZnSnS4 was holes which were confirmed by scavenger test. The good efficiency and rate constant values was attained by narrow band gap, electron hole transfer and better morphology which were attributed to the inclusion of HMT surfactant. 0.4 M HMT-Cu2ZnSnS4 will be prospective material for futuristic environmental remediation.

Enabling reliable usability assessment and comparative analysis of medical software: a comprehensive framework for multimodal biomedical imaging platforms

Enabling reliable usability assessment and comparative analysis of medical software: a comprehensive framework for multimodal biomedical imaging platforms

Conceptualisation and Role of Market Access in Pharmaceutical Industry: A Scoping Review

Background: Understanding the concept and dynamic process of the evolution of professional identity and roles of market access (MA) in the pharmaceutical industry (pharma) is critical to personal, interpersonal, and professional levels of development and impact. Objective: The aim was to carry out a scoping review of the conceptualisation of MA within pharma. Data Sources: BioMed Central, WorldCat.org, and Directory of Open Access Journals were searched from 2003 to 2023. Study Selection: All articles on concepts or definitions and other surrogate terms on MA in pharma were selected. Data Extraction: Keywords generated from an initial cursory literature search on MA in pharma were used in conjunction with AND/OR as search terms. Using the data charting method, key findings were mapped and summarised descriptively. inductive analysis was performed, allowing codes/themes that are relevant to the concept to emerge. Data Synthesis: Arskey and O’Malley’s six-stage framework and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews extension checklist were used as the review and reporting templates. The databases search yielded 222 results. Following title and abstract screening, a total of 146 papers were screened, and 127 of them were excluded. Full-text review was conducted for 19 papers that were deemed by two reviewers to meet the eligibility criteria. One of the authors arbitrated on disputed papers for inclusion. Only 14 of the included papers were found to meet the criteria for the final analysis. Five conceptual dimensions of MA in pharma were identified as “right products”, “right patient”, “right price”, “right point” (time), and “right place” (setting). Conclusions: Market access in pharma is a process that commences with the development and availability of the right products that are proven to be efficacious and disease/condition-specific (including medications, medical devices, and vaccines); specifically produced for the right patients or end users who will maximise best clinical outcomes and economic value; delivered at the right point in a timely, sustained, and efficient manner, given at the right price (commercially viable or reimbursed price that represents good value); and conducted within the economic, policy, societal, and technological contexts, with the overarching goal of achieving the best patient outcomes and ensuring product profitability.

Measuring South African novice teacher resilience in coping with teaching challenges: a Rasch model framework

PurposeThe aim of this study was to measure the level of challenges faced by novice teachers in South Africa. Findings suggest a need for professional development courses to upskill teachers with effective pedagogies that can incorporate the social and emotional components into teaching and learning.Design/methodology/approachThis study applied a descriptive research methodology by administering a questionnaire to 143 novice teachers. The data analysis technique was the Rasch model.FindingsThe findings indicated high item and person reliability, with a good item fit and polarity values that are compatible with the Rasch model. The three major challenges identified are uninvolved parents, discipline problems and a lack of guidance and counselling. These challenges can be related to social and emotional learning (SEL) components.Research limitations/implicationsThe study used quantitative methods and discovered the challenges that novice teachers face. If the research uses a combination of qualitative methods, it will be possible to better identify the specific causes of the above three challenges of novice teachers.Practical implicationsDue to the complex nature of South African society, many novice teachers are overwhelmed by the challenges they face when entering the profession. These challenges are often embedded in societal risk factors, which complicate the transition from student teacher to novice teacher. The major challenges identified in this study can be related to SEL components, as the challenges are closely linked to the psychological and social backgrounds of the students. Teachers in this study indicated that they found it difficult to deal with these challenges at the beginning of their careers.Social implicationsBy identifying the challenges facing new teachers in South Africa, they will be better prepared for their work in schools. Therefore, they will improve the above situation to continue developing professionally.Originality/valueThe findings indicated high item and person reliability, with a good item fit and polarity values that are compatible with the Rasch model. Teachers in this study indicated that they found it difficult to deal with these challenges in the beginning of their careers. Professional development courses are suggested to help teachers deal with issues such as discipline, uninvolved parents and guidance and counselling effectively. Higher education programmes should also include these topics in their curricula for student teachers. A greater emphasis on training teachers in their pastoral roles is suggested.

Eco-friendly dyeing of leather and wood samples using Parthenocissus quinquefolia L. fruits aqueous extract

The present study is relevant to extracting natural colorant from Parthenocissus quinquefolia L. fresh fruits and applying the extracted dye on leather and wood samples in the presence and absence of various mordants. The effect of mordant type (copper sulfate (CuSO4.5H2O) ferrous sulfate (FeSO4.7H2O) and alum (KAI(SO4)2.12H2O) with different mordanting methods (pre-mordanting, meta-mordanting, post-mordanting) on dyeing quality was also examined. The effects of mordants on the color of dyed samples were investigated in terms of CIELab (L*, a*, b*) and K/S values. The dyed samples' light, washing, and rubbing fastness were evaluated according to ISO standards. Although generally good fastness values were obtained for all three mordants, light fastness was low. These results suggest that P. quinquefolia fruits have sufficient potential in dyeing leather and wood.

Prognostic properties of biomarkers in COVID-19 infection and concomitant chronic coronary syndromes

Background. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become an unprecedented challenge for the health care system and has taken a leading position among infectious diseases due to the rapid spread and development of complications from various body systems. The problem of cardiac comorbidity in COVID-19 has several aspects: the impact of concomitant cardiovascular diseases on the incidence of a new viral infection, its severity and risk of mortality, as well as possible side effects of a number of drugs traditionally used to treat certain types of cardiovascular diseases. SARS-CoV-2 is not only a pneumonia pathogen, but also causes serious systemic consequences. Patients with cardiovascular diseases and risk factors for cardiovascular complications, such as hypertension and coronary heart disease, are more exposed to fatal consequences of COVID-19. In addition, a significant proportion of patients develop COVID-associated myocardial injury, which significantly increases the risk of in-hospital mortality. The purpose of the study was to investigate the prognostic role of individual biomarkers in patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia on the background of chronic coronary syndromes. Materials and methods. This study was defined as an open-label, non-randomized, controlled, comparative one in parallel groups. 124 patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia were selected upon admission, including 92 participants with a history of chronic coronary syndromes. Results. The study showed that elevated levels of biomarkers such as proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, iron-storage protein ferritin, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme-2, ketone body beta-hydroxybutyric acid, and fibrin breakdown product D-dimer may be associated with a more severe course of pneumonia caused by COVID-19 infection. Thus, these biomarkers had good prognostic value in predicting severe disease and death in patients with chronic coronary syndromes during hospitalization. Conclusions. The study confirms that an increase in the level of proinflammatory biomarkers is a predictor for the development of a severe coronavirus infection.

Significance of serum protein electrophoresis in the diagnosis of Tsukayama type IV periprosthetic joint infection

ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy of serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after hip and knee arthroplasty.MethodsThe medical records of patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty at a class A tertiary hospital between August 2013 and January 2021 were retrospectively investigated. A total of 179 patients were included and divided into two groups: 66 patients in the PJI group and 113 patients in the aseptic loosening (AL) group. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), D-dimer, Fibrinogen, Serum albumin and the proportion of serum protein in SPE were compared between the two groups. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the diagnostic value was compared using the area under the ROC curve (AUC).ResultsThere was no significant difference in age, sex and body mass index (BMI) between PJI group and AL group (P>0.05), but there was significant difference in the ratio of hip to knee (X2 = 22.043, P<0.001). The CRP, ESR, D-dimer, Fibrinogen and the proportion of α1 globulin band in PJI group was 22.99(10.55,40.58) mg/L, 37.00(23.00,61.70) mm/h, 790.00(500.00,1500.00) ng/ml, 4.84(3.81,5.55) g/L and 5.80(5.00,7.73) % which was higher than that in AL group [1.89(0.50,4.12) mg/L, U=7.984, P<0.001; 10.10(7.00,16.90) mm/h, U=8.095, P<0.001; 570.00(372.50,780.00) ng/ml, U=3.448, P<0.001; 2.84(2.45,3.43) g/L, U=8.053, P<0.001 and 4.20(3.90,4.80) %, U=8.154, P<0.001]. The Serum albumin and the proportion of Albumin band in PJI group was 36.10(33.10,39.00) g/L and 49.00(44.95,52.20) % which was lower than that in AL group [38.10(34.00,41.10) g/L, U=-2.383, P=0.017 and 54.40(51.55,56.70) %, U=-6.162, P<0.001]. The proportion of In PJI group, the AUC of proportion of α1 globulin was 0.8654, which was equivalent to CRP (0.8698), ESR (0.8680) and outperformed that of fibrinogen (0.8025).ConclusionsElevated proportion of α1 globulin in SPE presented with good diagnostic value for Tsukayama type IV PJI, and its accuracy was comparable to those of ESR and CRP. And α1 globulin can assist with CRP and ESR to determining the timing of second-stage revision.

Real-Time Multi-Sensor Joint Fault Diagnosis Method for Permanent Magnet Traction Drive Systems Based on Structural Analysis

Sensor faults are one of the most common faults that cause performance degradation or functional loss in permanent magnet traction drive systems (PMTDSs). To quickly diagnose faulty sensors, this paper proposes a real-time joint diagnosis method for multi-sensor faults based on structural analysis. Firstly, based on limited monitoring signals on board, a structured model of the system was established using the structural analysis method. The isolation and detectability of faulty sensors were analyzed using the Dulmage–Mendelsohn decomposition method. Secondly, the minimum collision set method was used to calculate the minimum overdetermined equation set, transforming the higher-order system model into multiple related subsystem models, thereby reducing modeling complexity and facilitating system implementation. Next, residual vectors were constructed based on multiple subsystem models, and fault detection and isolation strategies were designed using the correlation between each subsystem model and the relevant sensors. The validation results of the physical testing platform based on online fault data recordings showed that the proposed method could achieve rapid fault detection and the localization of multi-sensor faults in PMTDS and had a good application value.