Advances In Research Research Articles

Meeting Report for the 2023 International Scientific Conference on Complex Lymphatic Anomalies

Objectives: Complex lymphatic anomalies (CLAs) are rare diseases with variable clinical manifestations caused by the abnormal development of lymphatic vessels. The Lymphatic Malformation Institute (LMI), Lymphangiomatosis & Gorham’s Disease Alliance (LGDA), and LGD Alliance Europe sponsored an international conference on CLAs so leaders in the field could discuss recent advances in research on CLAs. Methods: The conference occurred in Dallas, Texas, between September 29th and September 30th, 2023. The event had 22 distinguished speakers and 38 attendees. Additional researchers, clinicians, and patients attended the conference virtually. Results: In this article, we summarize the key takeaways from the meeting. The conference emphasized the crucial role of the patient voice in guiding research, and attendees heard stories from patients and parents of children with CLAs. The conference covered topics such as the genetic causes of CLAs, preclinical models, clinical advances, new technologies for CLA research, lymphatic imaging, and patient-centered research. Videos of all the presentations can be found on the LGDA website. Conclusions: The meeting revealed that while progress has been made, many challenges still exist surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of CLAs. Sustained research efforts are necessary to fill the gaps in knowledge and improve the care and quality of life of CLA patients.

Neuroinflammation in Glioblastoma: The Role of the Microenvironment in Tumour Progression.

Glioblastoma (GBM) stands as the most aggressive and lethal among the main types of primary brain tumors. It exhibits malignant growth, infiltrating the brain tissue, and displaying resistance toward treatment. GBM is a complex disease characterized by high degrees of heterogeneity. During tumour growth, microglia and astrocytes, among other cells, infiltrate the tumour microenvironment and contribute extensively to gliomagenesis. Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), either of peripheral origin or representing brain-intrinsic microglia, are the most numerous nonneoplastic populations in the tumour microenvironment in GBM. The complex heterogeneous nature of GBM cells is facilitated by the local inflammatory tumour microenvironment, which mostly induces tumour aggressiveness and drug resistance. The immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment of GBM provides multiple pathways for tumour immune evasion, contributing to tumour progression. Additionally, TAMs and astrocytes can contribute to tumour progression through the release of cytokines and activation of signalling pathways. In this review, we summarize the role of the microenvironment in GBM progression, focusing on neuroinflammation. These recent advancements in research of the microenvironment hold the potential to offer a promising approach to the treatment of GBM in the coming times.

Recent Advances in Research on Active Compounds Against Hepatic Fibrosis.

Almost all chronic liver diseases cause fibrosis, which can lead to cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer. Liver fibrosis is now considered to be a reversible pathophysiological process and suppression of fibrosis is necessary to prevent liver cancer. At present, no specific drugs have been found that have hepatic anti-fibrotic activity. The research progress of anti-hepatic fibrosis compounds in recent ten years was reviewed to provide a reference for the design and development of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs. According to the structure of the compounds, they are divided into monocyclic compounds, fused-heterocyclic compounds, and acyclic compounds. In this article, the natural products and synthetic compounds with anti-fibrotic activity in recent ten years were reviewed, with emphasis on their pharmacological activity and structure-activity relationship (SAR). Most of these compounds are natural active products and their derivatives, and there are few researches on synthetic compounds and SAR studies on natural product.

Soil microbes deal with the nitrogen deposition enhanced phosphorus limitation by shifting community structure in an old-growth subtropical forest

Elevated atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition potentially enhances the degree of phosphorus (P) limitation in tropical and subtropical forests. However, it remains elusive that how soil microorganisms deal with the N deposition-enhanced P limitation. We collected soils experienced 9 years of manipulative N input at various rates (0, 40, and 80 kg N ha−1 y−1) in an old-growth subtropical natural forest. We measured soil total and available carbon (C), N and P, microbial biomass C, N and P, enzyme activities involved in C, N and P acquisition, microbial community structure, as well as net N and P mineralization. Additionally, we calculated element use efficiency and evaluated microbial homeostasis index. Our findings revealed that N input increased microbial biomass C:P (MBC:P) and N:P (MBN:P) ratios. The homeostasis indexes of MBC:P and MBN:P were 0.68 and 0.75, respectively, indicating stoichiometric flexibility. Interestingly, MBC:P and MBN:P correlated significantly with the fungi:bacteria ratio (F:B), not with N and P use efficiencies, net N and P mineralization, and enzyme C:P (EEAC:P) and N:P (EEAN:P) ratios. Furthermore, EEAC:P and EEAN:P correlated positively with F:B but did not negatively correlate with the C:P and N:P ratios of available resources and microbial biomass. The effects of N deposition on MBC:P, MBN:P and EEAN:P became insignificant when including F:B as a covariate. These findings suggest that microbes flexibly adapted to the N deposition enhanced P limitation by changing microbial community structure, which not only alter microbial biomass C:N:P stoichiometry, but also the enzyme production strategy. In summary, our research advances our understanding of how soil microorganisms deal with the N deposition-enhanced soil P limitation in subtropical forests.

Application of Nanotechnology for Herbal Medicine Development: A Review

Background: Herbal medicines have been extensively used to treat diseases since the prehistoric era, but written records date back more than 5,000 years only. All civilizations developed their knowledge of herbal medicines in a well-ordered system, such as Ayurveda, Unani, Traditional Chinese Medicine, etc. The interest in traditional medicine declined after the discovery of modern medicine. However, in the 21st century, herbal medicines are staging a comeback as the dangers and limitations of modern medicine have become more apparent and herbal medicines are viewed as a balanced and moderate approach to healing. Methods: This review includes the nanoformulations of phytoconstituents and extract. Advancements in analysis and clinical research prove the efficacy of nano-herbal medicines in preventing and treating diseases. This review is mostly about how nanotechnology can be used to help herbal medicines work better. Result: The major problems with herbal medicines are their poor solubility and stability. New technological advancements are capable of removing the problems associated with herbal medicine. Novel drug delivery systems such as microemulsion, liposome, niosome, and nano-drug delivery systems are used to enhance the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines. Conclusion: Nanotechnology has significant merit for herbal medicines, such as improving solubility, bioavailability, pharmacological activity enhancement, and stability enhancement.

A network-based mobile positioning system using an optimization model

The expansion of cellular network coverage facilitates the advancement of research on network-based positioning. We are interested in the signal fingerprinting method to predict the location of a mobile device. By this method, the device must be within the fingerprint coverage to have a successful location prediction. However, any disturbance in the signal propagation would decrease the prediction accuracy. We propose an optimization model based on generalized triangulation combined with a signal fingerprint which is treated more adaptively in responding to any signal disturbance. The triangulation method determines the most likely region where the device is located. The solution provides the estimated longitude and latitude of the device. An illustration of the implementation of the model is presented. The model is assessed using the Indosat cellular network in three distinct testbeds in Indonesia, which are: South Jakarta, a metropolitan area; South Tangerang, a buffer area adjacent to the metropolitan area; and Malang, a city surrounded by rural areas. The most favorable outcome yields an average prediction error of 39.6 m, a maximum error of 197.08 m, a minimum error of 0.05 m, and a standard deviation of error of 39.22 m.

Biodegradation of Pharmaceutical Pollutants Using Fungal Enzyme

Abstract: The potential of filamentous fungi and their enzymes are investigated for bioremediating pharmaceutical pollutants from wastewater thereby addressing the growing concern of emerging pollutants in water resources. Among the various microorganisms, the current abstract discusses the role of fungi in degrading antibiotics and persistent pharmaceutical compounds. These fungi allow the biodegradation via the formation of highly oxidative hydroxyl radicals. It summarizes the role of both intra (cytochrome P450) and extracellular (laccase) enzyme systems for the bioremediation of emerging clinical pollutants. It emphasizes the importance of both biosorption and biodegradation for effective pollutant removal by breaking down pharmaceuticals (e.g. antibiotics) and other hazardous compounds (e.g. endocrine-disrupting compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Although the enzymes CYP450 are not directly engaged, their metabolic pathways execute mechanisms such as oxidation, the formation of reactive intermediates, and chemical modification, all of which result in the degradation of clinical pollutants. Amongst all enzyme systems in the case of laccase which oxidise a wide spectrum of substrates, converts them to free radicals. Additionally, the role of recombinant enzyme production and transgenic strains for pollutant degradation has also been elaborated. These considerations emphasise the need for ongoing research and biotechnological advancements to address the growing concern of pharmaceuticals and personal care product pollutants in water systems.

Desktop Voice Assistant

Abstract: Desktop voice assistants have become a popular interface for human-computer interaction because they allow users to speak with their computers in natural language. However, modern desktop voice assistants sometimes struggle to understand and respond to complex queries and context. Privacy concerns concerning the collection and use of user data also remain significant barriers. In order to enhance desktop voice assistants, we present a novel personalization and multimodal interaction technique in this research. By combining text, voice, and visual inputs, our approach improves the accuracy and relevance of the responses. By combining several modalities, our system is able to better understand context and user intent, leading to more meaningful interactions. Furthermore, we propose a user-centric personalization strategy whereby the voice assistant progressively learns each user's preferences and usage patterns. Because it depends less on centralized data collection and processing, this customized approach improves user experience while simultaneously addressing privacy concerns. Through a series of experiments and user surveys, we show how effective our approach is in improving the overall performance and user experience of desktop voice assistants. Our results show that the combination of multimodal interaction with personalization produces more accurate and contextually relevant responses, improving the user experience. All things considered, our research advances desktop voice assistant technology by addressing significant interface and personalization issues. Our approach has the potential to significantly improve desktop voice assistant usability and user acceptance, which could result in considerably more intuitive and natural human-computer interaction.

C634Y mutation in RET-induced multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A: A case report

BACKGROUND Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is a rare, autosomal dominant endocrine disease. Currently, the RET proto-oncogene is the only gene implicated in MEN2A pathogenesis. Once an RET carrier is detected, family members should be screened to enable early detection of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and hyperparatitity. Among these, medullary thyroid carcinoma is the main factor responsible for patient mortality. Accordingly, delineating strategies to inform clinical follow-up and treatment plans based on genes is paramount for clinical practitioners. CASE SUMMARY Herein, we present RET proto-oncogene mutations, clinical characteristics, and treatment strategies in a family with MEN2A. A family study was conducted on patients diagnosed with MEN2A. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of family members, and first-generation exon sequencing of the RET proto-oncogene was conducted. The C634Y mutation was identified in three family members spanning three generations. Two patients were sequentially diagnosed with pheochromocytomas and bilateral medullary thyroid carcinomas. A 9-year-old child harboring the gene mutation was diagnosed with medullary thyroid carcinoma. Surgical resection of the tumors was performed. All family members were advised to undergo complete genetic testing related to the C634Y mutation, and the corresponding treatments administered based on test results and associated clinical guidelines. CONCLUSION Advancements in MEN2A research are important for familial management, assessment of medullary thyroid cancer invasive risk, and deciding surgical timing.

Challenges of Congenital Heart Surgery in Brazil: It is Time to Designate Pediatric Congenital Heart Surgery Subspecialty.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects eight to ten out of every 1,000 births, resulting in approximately 23,057 new cases in Brazil in 2022. About one in four children with CHD requires surgery or other procedures in the first year of life, and it is expected that approximately 81% of these children with CHD will survive until at least 35 years of age. Professionals choosing to specialize in CHD surgery face numerous challenges, not only related to mastering surgical techniques and the complexity of the diseases but also to the lack of recognition by medical societies as a separate subspecialty. Furthermore, families face difficulties when access to services capable of providing treatment for these children. To address these challenges, it is essential to have specialized hospitals, qualified professionals, updated technologies, sustainable industry, appropriate financing, quality assessment systems, and knowledge generation. The path to excellence involves specialization across all involved parties. As we reflect on the importance of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and Congenital Heart Diseases establishing themselves as a subspecialty of Cardiovascular Surgery, it is essential to look beyond our borders to countries like the United States of America and United Kingdom, where this evolution is already a reality. This autonomy has led to significant advancements in research, education, and patient care outcomes, establishing a care model. By following this path in Brazil, we not only align our practice with the highest international standards but also demonstrate our maturity and the ability to meet the specific needs of patients with CHD and those with acquired childhood heart disease.

Progress on early diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects both cognition and non-cognition functions. The disease follows a continuum, starting with preclinical stages, progressing to mild cognitive and behavioral impairment, ultimately leading to dementia. Early detection of AD is crucial for better diagnosis and more effective treatment. However, the current AD diagnostic tests of biomarkers using cerebrospinal fluid and/or brain imaging are invasive or expensive, and mostly are still not able to detect early disease state. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop new diagnostic techniques with higher sensitivity and specificity during the preclinical stages of AD. Various non-cognitive manifestations, including behavioral abnormalities, sleep disturbances, sensory dysfunctions, and physical changes, have been observed in the preclinical AD stage before occurrence of notable cognitive decline. Recent research advances have identified several biofluid biomarkers as early indicators of AD. This review focuses on these non-cognitive changes and newly discovered biomarkers in AD, specifically addressing the preclinical stages of the disease. Furthermore, it is of importance to explore the potential for developing a predictive system or network to forecast disease onset and progression at the early stage of AD.

Review of Vibration Analysis and Structural Optimization Research for Rotating Blades

AbstractBlades are important parts of rotating machinery such as marine gas turbines and wind turbines, which are exposed to harsh environments during mechanical operations, including centrifugal loads, aerodynamic forces, or high temperatures. These demanding working conditions considerably influence the dynamic performance of blades. Therefore, because of the challenges posed by blades in complex working environments, in-depth research and optimization are necessary to ensure that blades can operate safely and efficiently, thus guaranteeing the reliability and performance of mechanical systems. Focusing on the vibration analysis of blades in rotating machinery, this paper conducts a comprehensive literature review on the research advancements in vibration modeling and structural optimization of blades under complex operational conditions. First, the paper outlines the development of several modeling theories for rotating blades, including one-dimensional beam theory, two-dimensional plate–shell theory, and three-dimensional solid theory. Second, the research progress in the vibrational analysis of blades under aerodynamic loads, thermal environments, and crack factors is separately discussed. Finally, the developments in rotating blade structural optimization are presented from material optimization and shape optimization perspectives. The methodology and theory of analyzing and optimizing blade vibration characteristics under multifactorial operating conditions are comprehensively outlined, aiming to assist future researchers in proposing more effective and practical approaches for the vibration analysis and optimization of blades.

Recent Advances in Understanding and Controlling Fusarium Diseases of Alliums

Allium species are known for their culinary, medicinal, and ornamental purposes. Fusarium basal rot is one of the most damaging soilborne fungal diseases of Allium species and poses a significant threat to yield, quality, and storage life worldwide. Various species of Fusarium have been identified as causal agents for Fusarium basal rot, depending on the Allium species involved. Diverse disease management practices have been implemented to mitigate the impact of Fusarium basal rot. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in detecting different species of Fusarium involved in Fusarium basal rot and strategies to control them in affected Allium species involving chemical, biological, and cultural methods. It covers the latest advancements in host plant resistance research from traditional breeding to modern molecular techniques and studying secondary metabolites involved in defense mechanisms against Fusarium basal rot.

Recent advances on control strategies for microgrid islanding operation

In order to achieve the national strategic goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, the electricity-energy-ecosystem is undergoing significant transformation, presenting new opportunities for the development of new energy generation technologies. With the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, microgrids have begun to play a prominent role as small-scale power systems. Microgrids, as small, autonomous power systems, have received significant attention in recent years. Microgrids can enhance energy sustainability by integrating renewable energy resources and energy storage systems, while also providing the capability to maintain power supply during main grid failures or planned maintenance. This article aims to review the advances in control strategy research for microgrid islanding operation, with a focus on the classification of control strategies, design principles, and their impact on microgrid stability. The article also explores potential directions for future research to enhance the efficiency and reliability of microgrid islanding operation, providing valuable references for future studies.

Abstracts of the papers presented in the international conference of Indian Virological Society, VIROCON 2023 on “Advancements in global virus research towards one health” held during 01–03 December, 2023 at ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstracts of the papers presented in the international conference of Indian Virological Society, VIROCON 2023 on “Advancements in global virus research towards one health” held during 01–03 December, 2023 at ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India

THE EVOLUTION OF NURSING AS A PROFESSION IN HEALTHCARE

Currently, nursing stands as a highly coveted profession drawing significant attention. While its roots can be traced back to ancient times, the formal recognition of nursing as a profession, labeled as such, has only emerged in recent decades. Defined as both a science and an art grounded in evidence, nursing is progressively assuming more significant roles within the healthcare and biomedical realms. The profession’s evolution is intricately linked with advancements in science, technology, and research, which have translated into tangible practices within the healthcare system. Offering both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs elevates the level of responsibility among nurses. However, this advancement lacks proper systematization and acknowledgment of educational standards within the healthcare sector. Future challenges encompass meeting the increasing healthcare demands spurred by longer life expectancies and population growth, alongside facilitating professional mobility within EU nations. Factors such as enhanced financial stability and improved working conditions contribute to the outflow of nurses from the region. Proposed solutions include establishing adaptable mobile teams, prioritizing patient education and preventative measures, integrating LED clinics/facilities, and introducing supportive robotic technologies. Nurses play a pivotal role in delivering care and advocating for health equity, emphasizing the necessity of fostering collaborative partnerships for the future sustainability of healthcare systems.

Role of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology.

Machine learning (ML), a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) centered on machines learning from extensive datasets, stands at the forefront of a technological revolution shaping various facets of society. Cardiovascular medicine has emerged as a key domain for ML applications, with considerable efforts to integrate these innovations into routine clinical practice. Within cardiac electrophysiology, ML applications, especially in the automated interpretation of electrocardiograms, have garnered substantial attention in existing literature. However, less recognized are the diverse applications of ML in cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias, spanning basic science research on arrhythmia mechanisms, both experimental and computational, as well as contributions to enhanced techniques for mapping cardiac electrical function and translational research related to arrhythmia management. This comprehensive review delves into various ML applications within the scope of this journal, organized into 3 parts. The first section provides a fundamental understanding of general ML principles and methodologies, serving as a foundational resource for readers interested in exploring ML applications in arrhythmia research. The second part offers an in-depth review of studies in arrhythmia and electrophysiology that leverage ML methodologies, showcasing the broad potential of ML approaches. Each subject is thoroughly outlined, accompanied by a review of notable ML research advancements. Finally, the review delves into the primary challenges and future perspectives surrounding ML-driven cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias research.

Neutrophils in Cancer immunotherapy: friends or foes?

Neutrophils play a Janus-faced role in the complex landscape of cancer pathogenesis and immunotherapy. As immune defense cells, neutrophils release toxic substances, including reactive oxygen species and matrix metalloproteinase 9, within the tumor microenvironment. They also modulate the expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand and Fas ligand, augmenting their capacity to induce tumor cell apoptosis. Their involvement in antitumor immune regulation synergistically activates a network of immune cells, bolstering anticancer effects. Paradoxically, neutrophils can succumb to the influence of tumors, triggering signaling cascades such as JAK/STAT, which deactivate the immune system network, thereby promoting immune evasion by malignant cells. Additionally, neutrophil granular constituents, such as neutrophil elastase and vascular endothelial growth factor, intricately fuel tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms that guide neutrophils to collaborate with other immune cells for comprehensive tumor eradication is crucial to enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapeutics. In this review, we illuminate the underlying mechanisms governing neutrophil-mediated support or inhibition of tumor progression, with a particular focus on elucidating the internal and external factors that influence neutrophil polarization. We provide an overview of recent advances in clinical research regarding the involvement of neutrophils in cancer therapy. Moreover, the future prospects and limitations of neutrophil research are discussed, aiming to provide fresh insights for the development of innovative cancer treatment strategies targeting neutrophils.

Advanced Neuromorphic Applications Enabled by Synaptic Ion-Gating Vertical Transistors.

Bioinspired synaptic devices have shown great potential in artificial intelligence and neuromorphic electronics. Low energy consumption, multi-modal sensing and recording, and multifunctional integration are critical aspects limiting their applications. Recently, a new synaptic device architecture, the ion-gating vertical transistor (IGVT), has been successfully realized and timely applied to perform brain-like perception, such as artificial vision, touch, taste, and hearing. In this short time, IGVTs have already achieved faster data processing speeds and more promising memory capabilities than many conventional neuromorphic devices, even while operating at lower voltages and consuming less power. This work focuses on the cutting-edge progress of IGVT technology, from outstanding fabrication strategies to the design and realization of low-voltage multi-sensing IGVTs for artificial-synapse applications. The fundamental concepts of artificial synaptic IGVTs, such as signal processing, transduction, plasticity, and multi-stimulus perception are discussed comprehensively. The contribution draws special attention to the development and optimization of multi-modal flexible sensor technologies and presents a roadmap for future high-end theoretical and experimental advancements in neuromorphic research that are mostly achievable by the synaptic IGVTs.

Future of durum wheat research and breeding: Insights from early career researchers.

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) is globally cultivated for pasta, couscous, and bulgur production. With the changing climate and growing world population, the need to significantly increase durum production to meet the anticipated demand is paramount. This review summarizes recent advancements in durum research, encompassing the exploitation of existing and novel genetic diversity, exploration of potential new diversity sources, breeding for climate-resilient varieties, enhancements in production and management practices, and the utilization of modern technologies in breeding and cultivar development. In comparison to bread wheat (T. aestivum), the durum wheat community and production area are considerably smaller, often comprising many small-family farmers, notably in African and Asian countries. Public breeding programs such as the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) play a pivotal role in providing new and adapted cultivars for these small-scale growers. We spotlight the contributions of these and others in this review. Additionally, we offer our recommendations on key areas for the durum research community to explore in addressing the challenges posed by climate change while striving to enhance durum production and sustainability. As part of the Wheat Initiative, the Expert Working Group on Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding recognizes the significance of collaborative efforts in advancing toward a shared objective. We hope the insights presented in this review stimulate future research and deliberations on the trajectory for durum wheat genomics and breeding.