by Janusz Włodarczyk  and Alicja Włodarczyk

Received: 26 October 2020;  Published: 07 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2102171

Esophageal cancer is a disease with difficult clinical management, and palliative therapy is the only predominant treatment. This retrospective study analyses the results of clinical management of elderly patients (>75 years of age) who were treated with esophageal stenting for malignant dysphagia due to primary esophageal cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), as well as secondary esophageal malignant strictures due to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with [...]

by Gregory R. Goodwin  , Narges Sadat Shamabadi  , Pratima Pandey  , Ewen McLean  and Omar Bagasra

Received: 26 September 2020;  Published: 07 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2102011

Regressive Autism [RA] is a subtype of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that manifests as the loss of previously acquired developmental milestones and skills. Early life dysregulation of neurodevelopment due to exposure to toxic metals has been associated with ASD, but the underlying biological mechanisms by which metals influence neurodevelopment remain unclear. We explored the potential role of thimerosal or ethylmercury on neurite formation and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) modulation in four human-developing neuronal [...]

by Brian R. Stanmore

Received: 01 March 2021;  Published: 07 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2102013

A set of empirical models which accounts for the formation of gas phase polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD and PCDF), and solid phase PCDD/F by the de novo mechanism is described.In each case, competing formation and destruction reactions are considered to operate.The effect of the time-temperature history on their formation is then examined.At high temperatures, steady-state is reached in fractions of a second, resulting in the observed low product concentrations.Rapid cooling as found in furnaces [...]

by Angela Q Maldonado  , Kristoffer Sjöholm,  , Joshua Lee  , Håkan Olsson  , Christian Kjellman  and Darren E Stewart

Received: 01 April 2021;  Published: 03 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2102143

Prioritization in the US Kidney Allocation System (KAS) has led to an improvement in the rates of transplantation in highly sensitized (HS) patients. However, there is a subset of HS patients who are at a disadvantage, despite prioritization under KAS. The purpose of this study was to describe the transplant rate (TR) by calculated panel reactive antibody (CPRA) of HS candidates before and five years post-KAS to characterize their access to deceased donor transplants and quantify the number of HS candidates who are [...]

by Doo-Sung Lee

Received: 09 December 2020;  Published: 02 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2102021

This paper concerns a poroelastic half-space in which plane compressional waves are scattered by a spherical inclusion. Addition theorems for the spherical wave functions are utilized to meet the boundary conditions on the plane, and the satisfaction of the given conditions on the boundary of the sphere leads to three infinite series equations, whose solution can be acquired by successive approximations. Further, its existence and uniqueness are discussed.

by Pithchai Pandian Sivakumar  , Elke Gruyaert  , Nele De Belie  and Stijn Matthys

Received: 09 March 2021;  Published: 02 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2102022

Depending on the availability of aggregate sources pertaining to their geographic locations, the concrete industry utilizes conventional aggregates such as marine sand, dredged gravel, or crushed rocks. This method requires high energy and high processing costs for washing and grinding. The objective of this work is to use Modified Ferro silicate slag (MFS), a by-product obtained from the copper industry, as an alternative to the conventional fine aggregates found in mortar. No additional processing such as washing [...]

by Gerald Schlaf  , Jakob Kehlen  , Anja Wahle  , Diana Mauer  and Wolfgang Altermann

Received: 26 January 2021;  Published: 02 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2102142

The specification of anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies is an important task for patients awaiting kidney allografts. Especially the patients immunized in previous transplantations, transfusions, or pregnancies must be carefully observed, since grafting patients with HLA antigens/phenotypes recognized by their pre-formed antibodies are the main cause of harmful hyperacute and acute rejection. The complement-dependent lymphocytotoxicity-based de facto (physical) crossmatching (CDC-CM) has thus been implem [...]

by Krzysztof Wierzcholski

Received: 08 October 2020;  Published: 02 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2102023

This paper aims to highlight the result of a new progression of mathematical estimation methods of stochastic bio-hydrodynamic lubrication parameters for arbitrary, curvilinear, non-rotational, co-operating, living biological surfaces coated with phospholipid bi-layers. Movable, non-rotational, co-operating surfaces occur in various biological friction nods like the collar bone, the blade bone, the jump joint, and the wrist joint. Specifically, the author presents a synthetic and comprehensive estimation of stochas [...]

by Ganisetti Vijay Kumar  , Min-Ze Lu  and Chang-Ming Liaw

Received: 19 December 2020;  Published: 31 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2102023

This paper presents the development of a high-performance electric vehicle (EV) synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) drive and its vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-microgrid (V2M) bidirectional operations. The EV motor drive boostable DC-link voltage is established by a battery through a bilateral interface boost-buck DC-DC converter for good driving performance over a wide speed range. The motor efficiency is 92.3% near the rated load. In idle conditions, the embedded interface converter and inverter of the mo [...]

by Christopher H. Vane  , Alexander W. Kim  , Darren Beriro  , Mark R. Cave  , Stephen R. Lowe  , Raquel A. Lopes dos Santos  , Antonio M. P. J. Ferreira  , Christopher Collins  , C. Paul Mathanail  and Vicky Moss-Hayes

Received: 05 March 2021;  Published: 28 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2102012

Total organic carbon (TOC), black carbon (BC), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were determined in 73 surface (0-2 cm) and subsurface (5-20 cm) soil samples taken from a 142 km2 area in Central London, UK. Soils were assessed to provide a baseline chemistry for site owners, developers, occupiers and regulators involved in understanding the potential risk to human health and the environment. TOC range was 1.75-11.85 % (mean 5.82 %), BC 3.7 [...]

by Christopher Wilson  , Anthenius Versluis  , Daranee Tantbirojn  and Martha Wells

Received: 10 February 2021;  Published: 28 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2102020

Prefabricated zirconia crowns (ZRCs) require a passive fit and more reduction than stainless steel crowns (SSC). To determine the mean and maximum reduction depths in the mesial-buccal and occlusal areas for three ZRC brands and one SSC in posterior primary typodont molars and to compare reduction depths to existing literature to determine the preparation’s proximity to pulpal tissue. Four primary maxillary and mandibular typodont teeth (J and S) were prepared according to the manufacturers’ guidelines for three ZR [...]

by Ashley Schumaker  , Richard Gomez  , Sofia Rojasova  , Cassidy Muir  , Katie Bukiri  , Clinton Korneffel  , Aparna Sharma  , Murali Rao  and Edwin Meresh

Received: 25 February 2021;  Published: 25 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2102099

The complete spectrum of neuropsychiatric effects of SARS-CoV-2 acute respiratory distress syndrome has yet to be fully appreciated, particularly in intubated patients. Manifestations including delirium and catatonia need to be considered in intubated COVID-19 patients. Medications known to exhibit neuroprotective effects, like valproate, can assist in agitation related to sedative withdrawal during extubation. This case series reports on the management of agitation, delirium, and catatonia in COVID-19 patients dur [...]

by Riccardo Misto

Received: 19 November 2020;  Published: 24 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2102019

Using musical scales in a therapeutic key is one of the fundamental music therapy techniques of the Yoga of Sound (Nāda Yoga). The practice consists of singing particular sound formulas (scales), which are devised on a logical mathematical basis formed by specific musical intervals. These scales can bring to the surface, in a clear (objective), recognizable, and predictable way, psycho-emotional states and transform the blocked emotional energies. These blocked emotional energies are caused by repeated emotional st [...]

by Jessica Lin  , Valentina L Kouznetsova  and Igor F Tsigelny

Received: 08 December 2020;  Published: 24 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2102131

Feline cancers have not been studied as extensively as canine cancers, though they may offer similar advantages, with cats being immunocompetent animals subject to similar conditions as their human counterparts. The most common feline cancers include lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, sarcoma, and mammary tumors, though mast cell tumors were also investigated in this review. As the pathogenesis of many feline cancers remains unclear, this study seeks to elucidate some molecular mechanisms behind feline cancers. Fel [...]

by Ji-Jie Pang  and Samuel M. Wu

Received: 24 November 2020;  Published: 21 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2102098

We studied how GC death in glaucoma related to the intraocular pressure (IOP), eyeball volume (VS) and elasticity (volumetric KS and tensile ES), and eyeball volume-pressure relation. Glaucomatous GC loss was studied in DBA/2J (D2) mice with wild-type mice as controls. GCs were retrogradely identified and observed with a confocal microscope. The elasticity calculation was also done on published data from patients treated by a gas bubble injection in the vitreous cavity. The GC population in D2 mice (1.5- to 14-mont [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 18 May 2021;  Published: 20 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2102018

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an accurate term for an effective and important application of light in medicine (such as in photomedicine). Three review articles of authors from the International Society of Medical Laser Applications (ISLA-Transcontinental) on the topic of PBM with a total of 116 printed pages, published in one renowned journal of molecular sciences with an impact factor of 13.668, are presented in the current review. The main topics are PBM, probiotics, curcumin, and arthritis. PBM can modulate cellu [...]

by Francesco Sciancalepore  , Giulia Remoli  , Leonardo Tariciotti  , Giulia Sarti  , Federica Trentin  , Gabriele Riccardi  , Eleonora Lacorte  , Massimo Corbo  , Marco Canevelli  , Nicola Vanacore  and Paola Piscopo

Received: 05 February 2021;  Published: 19 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2102097

Deep-Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an important treatment option for the management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is a common symptomatic treatment. However, an increasing number of studies have examined the biological processes to assess if DBS can also modify the natural history of PD by acting on its pathophysiological mechanisms. Relevant literature published up to November 2020 was systematically searched on databases such as PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Academic Search Index, and Science Citation Index. The f [...]

by Anthony J. Berdis

Received: 09 February 2021;  Published: 18 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2102096

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an extremely malignant type of primary brain tumor that exhibits a high mortality rate. Current standard therapy involves surgery followed by radiation and treatment with the DNA-alkylating agent, temozolomide (TMZ). While TMZ treatment can extend post-operative survival, most patients develop resistance to TMZ which leads to a significant increase in mortality. At the molecular level, TMZ produces a variety of different DNA lesions including N7-methylguanine, N3-methyladenine, and [...]

by David J Tansey  and Carel W Le Roux

Received: 12 October 2020;  Published: 17 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2102017

Oesophageal cancer is the ninth most common cancer and the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide [1]. Over the past number of years, due to earlier diagnosis and better treatment, we are seeing improvements in the survival rates of oesophageal cancer, with more patients living longer post-esophagectomy surgery. Unintentional weight loss is a common unintended feature seen in patients post-esophagectomy done with curative intent. Many recent studies have demonstrated the links between the pathophysiolog [...]

by Vidhula R Ahire  , Amit Kumar  , Sushma Bhosle  and Kaushala Prasad Mishra

Received: 22 September 2020;  Published: 14 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2102129

Ellagic acid (EA) is a polyphenol found in grapes, pomegranates, walnuts, etc. exhibits anti-cancer properties. The current study was conducted to understand the radiosensitizing role of EA on HeLa cells. Monotherapy of EA and radiation was initially studied on HeLa cells. The addition of EA before the radiation treatment subsequently made DNA more susceptible to damage thereby developing DNA beaks, which are known to be lethal for cell survival. This was evaluated by performing comet and γ-foci formation ass [...]

by Diane B. Paul

Received: 29 March 2021;  Published: 14 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2102130

This article explores difficulties encountered by those with no personal experience of a chronic disease or disability in accurately evaluating the quality of life with a condition present from birth. In most countries, cost-effectiveness analysis relies on ratings of health states by members of the general population, who must try to imagine what life for those affected is like based on (usually brief) descriptions of the conditions. That task is challenging for reasons that have been well-discussed in the literat [...]

by Chris R. Lavers

Received: 29 December 2020;  Published: 14 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2102019

Advanced optical stealth techniques are of growing importance in the role of manned and unmanned aircraft or ship platforms. We consider here the concept of using passive reflective display elements rather than high power active light projection to achieve a low observable camouflaged ship platform. This paper presents practical consideration towards minimal radiated power user-driven requirements using adaptive liquid crystal electro-optical methods. Optical reflectivity for a multi-layer liquid crystal cell struc [...]

by Kristen W. Carlson  , Jay L. Shils  , Sahil Patel  , Longzhi Mei  and Jeffrey E. Arle

Received: 23 November 2020;  Published: 14 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2102095

We review the use of numerical and computational models to explore deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease (DBS PD). It is a review for the modeler and those interested in PD DBS modelling methods and their value. The main model categories of active fiber, mean field, driving force, and volume of tissue activated are described as well as many modelling techniques. We give the basic requirements for a DBS PD model and current theories of DBS mechanism of action, PD etiology, and movement selection. The emphas [...]

by Eric P. Vejerano  , Jeonghyeon Ahn  , Junaid Latif  and Mustafa Mamun

Received: 17 January 2021;  Published: 13 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2102010

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are a new class organic pollutant sharing some of the attributes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This opinion/short review aims to describe the properties of EPFRs that merit their recognition as an additional and potentially significant source of POPs. EPFRs are ubiquitous in diverse environments because of multiple factors: (1) organic precursors from anthropogenic, biogenic, and other natural emission sources are abundant; multiple mechanisms in PM and so [...]

by Sampo Mäkikouri  , Sirje Vares  , Kirsi Korpijärvi  and Nikolaos Papakonstantinou

Received: 12 January 2021;  Published: 13 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2102018

Climate change has been identified as one of the biggest issues plaguing human life at present. Hence, immense attention is being paid to developing methods that can potentially reduce carbon dioxide emission. With the help of carbon-negative concrete, manufactured from alternative binders and cured with waste carbon dioxide, a major part of the manufacturing industries that emit carbon dioxide can be potentially turned into a carbon sink. In this study, the waste material streams in Finland, suitable for disposing [...]