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In this paper, an artificial neural network inverse (ANNi) model is applied to optimize the thermal performance (η) of parabolic trough concentrators. A feedforward neural network architecture is trained using an experimental database from parabolic trough concentrators operations. Rim angle (φr), inlet (Tin) and outlet (Tout) fluid temperatures, ambient temperature (Ta), water flow (Fw), direct solar radiation (Gb), and the wind velocity (Vw) were used as main input variables within the neural network model to estimate the thermal performance with a correlation coefficient of R2=0.9996 between experimental and simulated values. The sensitivity analysis is carried out to verify the effect of all input variables. The optimal operation conditions of parabolic trough concentrators are established using artificial neural network inverse modeling (ANNi) to achieve optimal operation conditions of parabolic trough concentrators. The results indicated that ANNi is a feasible tool for Parabolic Trough Concentrators optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CAR-T cell therapies have been successful in treating numerous hematologic malignancies as the T cell can be engineered to target a specific antigen associated with the disease. However, translating CAR-T cell therapies for solid cancers is proving more challenging due to the lack of truly tumor-associated antigens and the high risk of off-target toxicities. To combat this, numerous synthetic biology mechanisms are being incorporated to create safer and more specific CAR-T cells that can be spatiotemporally controlled with increased precision. Here, we seek to summarize and analyze the advancements for CAR-T cell therapies with respect to clinical implementation, from the perspective of synthetic biology and immunology. This review should serve as a resource for further investigation and growth within the field of personalized cellular therapies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interests No declaration for G.B.K., (Copyright © 2024 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) may rescue remnant liver hypertrophy after failure of portal vein embolization (PVE). 1 Venous reconstruction is unusual during the first step of ALPPS. 2 We report herein an ALPPS for colorectal liver metastases with reconstruction of the hepato-caval junction during the first step., Methods: After failure of left PVE, a total ALPPS procedure was performed to achieve left trisectionectomy. A complete transection of the parenchyma was done to avoid extensive dissection during the second step in the context of the venous reconstruction. Total vascular exclusion (TVE) was applied selectively during venous reconstruction using a peritoneal patch. 3 RESULTS: The first step lasted 285 min with 200 ml of blood loss, and 29 min of TVE. On postoperative day (POD) 5 there was a good recovery of liver function [prothrombin time 75%; bilirubin 25 µmol/L]. On POD 14, imaging showed an increase of the future remnant liver volume and function to 50% and 48%, respectively. The second step of ALPPS lasted 120 min, with transfusion of one unit of blood, allowing resection of seven liver metastases. Postoperative course experienced a biliary fistula, the patient was discharged on POD 31 and received adjuvant chemotherapy. There was recurrence of one liver metastasis, treated by percutaneous ablation before later resection of the primary. The patient was free of recurrence 12 months after ALPPS., Conclusion: Hepato-caval junction reconstruction can be performed during the first step of an ALPPS procedure, facilitated by the availability of a peritoneum patch., (© 2022. Society of Surgical Oncology.)

Background and Objectives: Previous reports showed an increased risk of infectious complications when liver radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is performed simultaneously to colorectal resection. The aim of this study was to compare early and long-term outcomes of simultaneous versus staged strategy., Methods: Data from colorectal cancer liver metastases consecutively treated by surgery of the primary tumor with an associated liver RFA procedure between January 1, 2010 and January 31, 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: RFA performed during colorectal surgery (simultaneous) or in a different moment (staged). Patients were manually matched (1:1) to minimize influence of known covariates., Results: Seventy-two patients were included. After matching, there was no difference between the two groups in morbidity or mortality. Hospital stay was 2 days shorter in the simultaneous group., Conclusions: Early or long-term outcomes were identical between the two strategies. The simultaneous strategy was associated with a shorter duration of hospitalization although not significant. Simultaneous colorectal resection and liver RFA is safe and must be included in surgeons' armamentarium., (© 2022 by SLS, Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons.)

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are two of the most challenging public health problems of our time. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms that contribute to these complex metabolic disorders is essential. An underlying pathophysiological condition of T2D and obesity is insulin resistance (IR), a reduced biological response to insulin in peripheral tissues such as the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. Many factors contribute to IR, including lifestyle variables such as a high-fat diet and physical inactivity, genetics, and impaired mitochondrial function. It is well established that impaired mitochondria structure and function occur in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle volunteers with T2D or obesity. Therefore, it could be hypothesized that the mitochondrial abnormalities are due to epigenetic regulation of mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded genes that code for mitochondrial structure and function. In this review, we describe the normal function and structure of mitochondria and highlight some of the key studies that demonstrate mitochondrial abnormalities in skeletal muscle of volunteers with T2D and obesity. Additionally, we describe epigenetic modifications in the context of IR and mitochondrial abnormalities, emphasizing mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) methylation, an emerging area of research., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Rautenberg, Hamzaoui and Coletta.)

Skeletal muscle is highly plastic and dynamically regulated by the body's physical demands. This study aimed to determine the plasticity of skeletal muscle DNA methylation in response to 8 weeks of supervised exercise training in volunteers with a range of insulin sensitivities. We studied 13 sedentary participants and performed euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps with basal vastus lateralis muscle biopsies and peak aerobic activity (VO2 peak) tests before and after training. We extracted DNA from the muscle biopsies and performed global methylation using Illumina's Methylation EPIC 850K BeadChip. Training significantly increased peak aerobic capacity and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal. Fasting serum insulin and insulin levels during the steady state of the clamp were significantly lower post-training. Insulin clearance rates during the clamp increased following the training. We identified 13 increased and 90 decreased differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) in response to 8 weeks of training. Of the 13 increased DMCs, 2 were within the following genes, FSTL3 , and RP11-624M8.1 . Of the 90 decreased DMCs, 9 were within the genes CNGA1 , FCGR2A , KIF21A , MEIS1 , NT5DC1 , OR4D1 , PRPF4B , SLC26A7 , and ZNF280C . Moreover, pathway analysis showed an enrichment in metabolic and actin-cytoskeleton pathways for the decreased DMCs, and for the increased DMCs, an enrichment in signal-dependent regulation of myogenesis, NOTCH2 activation and transmission, and SMAD2/3: SMAD4 transcriptional activity pathways. Our findings showed that 8 weeks of exercise training alters skeletal muscle DNA methylation of specific genes and pathways in people with varying degrees of insulin sensitivity.

Purpose: The prolonged life expectancy and increase in aging of the population have led surgeons to propose hepatectomy in the elderly population. In this study, we evaluate the surgical outcome of octogenarians in a single French center., Methods: Between 2000 and 2020, 78 patients over 80 years old were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors of major complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ grade IIIa) and patient performance after surgery by using textbook outcome (TO) (no surgical complications, no prolonged hospital stay (≤ 15 days), no readmission ≤90 days after discharge, and no mortality ≤90 days after surgery) were studied., Results: The main surgical indication was for malignancy (96%), including mainly colorectal liver metastases (n = 41; 53%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 22; 28%), and major hepatectomy was performed in 28 patients (36%). There were 6 (8%) postoperative mortalities. The most frequent complications were pulmonary (n = 22; 32%), followed by renal insufficiency (n = 22; 28%) and delirium (n = 16; 21%). Major complications occurred in 19 (24%) patients. On multivariate analysis, the main risk factors for major complications were the median vascular clamping time (0 vs 35; P = 0.04) and male sex (P = 0.046). TO was ultimately achieved in 30 patients (38%), and there was no prognostic factor for achievement of TO., Conclusions: Hepatectomy in octogenarians is associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Meanwhile, prolonged hepatic pedicle clamping should be avoided especially if hepatectomy is planned in a male patient., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)