Computer Engineering
ISSN: 10003428
Volume 15, Issue 4, 2026
Research Articles
Quercetin Metabolism and Transport Dynamics in the Presence of Benzo(a)pyrene: An In Vitro Investigation
Pages: 1–11
Abstract
Citation
Quercetin is a flavonoid able to modify the metabolism of carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene in human intestinal cells but it is not known if its metabolism is affected by the presence of B(a)P. In this study the phase-2 metabolism and transport rate of quercetin has been studied using CaCo-2/TC7 cell line, model of human enterocytes, co-treated with B(a)P. Quercetin and its main metabolites, sulfated and glucuronidated, were quantified at different times (from T0 to T 24h), using HPLC with diode array and MS detection. This study showed that quercetin metabolism in CaCo-2/TC7 cells co-treated with B(a)P presents some differences respect to control in the formation of sulphates coniugates, more evident in the last time of analysis. The transport study, instead, confirmed a stronger influence of BaP with an increased rate of glucuronidation and sulfation of quercetin in both cellular side. The effects of B(a)P observed on phase-2 metabolism and transport rate of quercetin, by in vitro model of human enterocytes, put in evidence its possible influence, consequently, also on biological activities of this flavonoid.
Alessandro Bianchi, Elena Mariani. "Quercetin Metabolism and Transport Dynamics in the Presence of Benzo(a)pyrene: An In Vitro Investigation." Computer Engineering, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 1–11, 2026.
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Designing Efficient Healthcare Systems: A Comparative Analysis of Decision Support Systems in Laboratory Medicine
Pages: 12–19
Abstract
Citation
: Laboratory tests play an important role in the diagnostic process. Unfortunately, their utility is at present affected by a significant rate of inappropriate prescriptions. The current strategies to solve the problem are not adequate. The aim of this study is to propose a structural solution through the Health Information Technology. Between the years 2008 and 2010, a methodology to prescribe laboratory tests with the aid of a Decision Support System (DSS), denomened Ermete, has been tested in collaboration with General Practitioners of Local Health Authorities of Rovigo and Mirano. The DSS, during the process of prescription, showed indications of appropriateness in real time and the general practitioner might or might not accept the indication. The number of prescriptions processed with DSS was compared with the number of prescriptions issued by the same physicians, in the same period of the previous year, without the assistance of the DSS. Results showed a decrease of the total number of prescriptions when the DSS was used. The reduction rate was 37.2% in Rovigo and 26.1% in Mirano. The achieved results showed that it is possible to perform the governance of prescriptions without political and administrative actions. The DSS was effective in reducing inappropriateness and in managing knowledge.
Elena Maria De Santis, Lorenzo Antonio Bianchi, Giulia Maria Rossi, Luca Nicola Ferraro,. "Designing Efficient Healthcare Systems: A Comparative Analysis of Decision Support Systems in Laboratory Medicine." Computer Engineering, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 12–19, 2026.
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Chemical Profiling of Coprinopsis lagopus: Identification of Bioactive Compounds
Pages: 20–23
Abstract
Citation
Chemical investigation of the dichloromethane extract of the fruiting bodies of Coprinopsis lagopus led to the isolation of 3β-linoleyloxyergosta-7,22-diene (1), ergosterol peroxide (2), linoleic acid (3) and triacylglycerols (4). The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.
Maria Lourdes R. Gonzales, Kristoffer J. Santos, Ma. Cristina G. David, Jemima A. Reyes,. "Chemical Profiling of Coprinopsis lagopus: Identification of Bioactive Compounds." Computer Engineering, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 20–23, 2026.
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Development and Validation of Diagnostic Criteria for Acute Cholangitis: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Pages: 24–36
Abstract
Citation
Although the diagnostic and severity grading criteria on the 2013 Tokyo Guidelines (TG13) are used worldwide as the primary standard for management of acute cholangitis (AC), they need to be validated through implementation and assessment in actual clinical practice. Here, we conduct a systematic review of the literature to validate the TG13 diagnostic and severity grading criteria for AC and propose TG18 criteria. While there is little evidence evaluating the TG13 criteria, they were validated through a large-scale case series study in Japan and Taiwan. Analyzing big data from this study confirmed that the diagnostic rate of AC based on the TG13 diagnostic criteria was higher than that based on the TG07 criteria, and that 30-day mortality in patients with a higher severity based on the TG13 severity grading criteria was significantly higher. Furthermore, a comparison of patients treated with early or urgent biliary drainage versus patients not treated this way showed no difference in 30-day mortality among patients with Grade I or Grade III AC, but significantly lower 30-day mortality in patients with Grade II AC who were treated with early or urgent biliary drainage. This suggests that the TG13 severity grading criteria can be used to identify Grade II patients whose prognoses may be improved through biliary drainage. The TG13 severity grading criteria may therefore be useful as an indicator for biliary drainage as well as a predictive factor when assessing the patient’s prognosis. The TG13 diagnostic and severity grading criteria for AC can provide results quickly, are minimally invasive for the patients, and are inexpensive. We recommend that the TG13 criteria be adopted in the TG18 guidelines and used as standard practice in the clinical setting. Free full articles and mobile app of TG18 are available at: http://www.jshbps.jp/modules/en/index.php?content_id=47 . Related clinical questions and references are also included. Keywords Acute cholangitis Diagnostic criteria Diagnostic imaging Guidelines Severity grading
Taro Yamada, Hiroshi Nakamura, Kenji. "Development and Validation of Diagnostic Criteria for Acute Cholangitis: A Multidisciplinary Approach." Computer Engineering, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 24–36, 2026.
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Development of Comprehensive Curricula in Cardiorenal Medicine: A Call to Action
Pages: 37–44
Abstract
Citation
With the adoption of the new definition and classification of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and its relevant subtypes, much attention has been placed on elucidating the mechanisms of heart and kidney interactions. Of great interest are the pathophysiological pathways by which acute heart failure may result in acute kidney injury (AKI; type 1), chronic heart failure accelerating the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD; type 2), AKI provoking cardiac events (type 3), and CKD increasing the risk and severity of cardiovascular disease (type 4). A remarkable interest has also been placed on the acute and chronic systemic conditions, such as sepsis and diabetes, which simultaneously affect heart and kidney function (type 5). Furthermore, the physiology of acute and chronic heart- kidney cross talk is drawing attention to hemodynamics (fluids, pressures, flows, resistances, perfusion), physiochemical (electrolytes, pH, and toxins), and biological (inflammation, immune system activation, neurohormonal signals) processes. Common clinical scenarios call for recognition, knowledge, and skill in managing CRS. There is a clear need for medical and surgical specialists that are well versed in the pathophysiology and the clinical manifestations that arise in the setting of CRS. With this editorial, we are making a call to action to stimulate universities, medical schools, and teaching hospitals to create a core curriculum for cardiorenal medicine to better equip the physicians of the future for these common, serious, and frequently fatal syndromes.
Alessandro Bianchi, Giacomo Fabbri, and. "Development of Comprehensive Curricula in Cardiorenal Medicine: A Call to Action." Computer Engineering, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 37–44, 2026.
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Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Spontaneous Iron Pigment Overload in the Liver of Han Wistar and Sprague-Dawley Rats
Pages: 45–50
Abstract
Citation
The authors performed a retrospective study to determine and describe the incidence of spontaneous pigment overload in the liver of control Han Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats. Data was collected from 1170 control animals (550 Han-Wistar and 620 Sprague-Dawley) from control dose groups from long term regulatory studies (104-week carcinogenicity studies). Further 628 control animals (300 Han-Wistar and 328 Sprague-Dawley) from control dose groups from short term regulatory studies (13-week and 4 weeks studies) evaluated at the authors’ laboratory between 2009 and 2011. Livers from Han Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats were re-evaluated using special stains to identify the nature of the pigments. In the periportal hepatocytes and in scattered sinusoidal Kupffer cells, the predominant pigment was identified as haemosiderin and a diagnosis of spontaneous iron overload was made. A comparison between the two strains revealed higher incidences of iron overload in Han Wistar rats than Sprague-Dawley rats. A significant sex difference was observed in both strains but was greater in Han Wistar rats. An age-related increase in the incidence and severity of pigment deposition was also apparent. Since there is little compiled data on spontaneous pigment overload in the liver the aim of this report was to summarize and discuss the incidence, distribution and factors affecting the occurrence of this background finding in control rats on toxicity studies.
Emily J. Thompson, Alexander R. Patel, Olivia L. Russell, Julianne E. Brooks*. "Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Spontaneous Iron Pigment Overload in the Liver of Han Wistar and Sprague-Dawley Rats." Computer Engineering, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 45–50, 2026.
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Public Health Professionals' Preparedness for Public Health Genomics: A Cross-Sectional Survey in a European Context
Pages: 51–58
Abstract
Citation
Background: Public health genomics is an emerging multidisciplinary approach, which aims to integrate genome- based knowledge in a responsible and effective way into public health. Despite several surveys performed to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and professional behaviors of physicians towards predictive genetic testing, similar surveys have not been carried out for public health practitioners. This study is the first to assess knowledge, attitudes and training needs of public health professionals in the field of predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to carry out a cross-sectional survey of a random sample of Italian public health professionals. Results: A response rate of 67.4% (797 questionnaires) was achieved. Italian public health professionals have the necessary attitudinal background to contribute to the proper use of predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases, but they need additional training to increase their methodological knowledge. Knowledge significantly increases with exposure to predictive genetic testing during postgraduate training (odds ratio (OR) = 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–2.88), time dedicated to continuing medical education (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.14–2.04) and level of English language knowledge (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.07–1.72). Adequate knowledge is the strongest predictor of positive attitudes from a public health perspective (OR = 3.98, 95% CI = 2.44–6.50). Physicians show a lower level of knowledge and more public health attitudes than other public health professionals do. About 80% of public health professionals considered their knowledge inadequate and 86.0% believed that it should be improved through specific postgraduate training courses. Conclusions: Specific and targeted training initiatives are needed to develop a skilled public health workforce competent in identifying genomic technology that is ready for use in population health and in modeling public health genomic programs and primary care services that need to be developed, implemented and evaluated.
Alessandro Bianchi, Elena Romano, Giulia Ferrari, Francesca Conti, Lorenzo Rizzo,. "Public Health Professionals' Preparedness for Public Health Genomics: A Cross-Sectional Survey in a European Context." Computer Engineering, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 51–58, 2026.
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The Antimicrobial Effects of Antihypertensive Agents: A Review of Their Pharmacological Properties
Pages: 59–63
Abstract
Citation
The increased incidence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus worldwide puts the human health under peril. Susceptibility of these patients for various infections endangers their life. Alarmingly increasing antibacterial resistance is a cause of major concern. By the year 2015 chances of people dying due to drug resistant bacterial infections will be more than that from cancer. Hence there is a need for the development of potent newer antimicrobials or to test and confirm the antibacterial properties of non-antibacterial drugs used to treat various conditions. Hypertension is one area where the antihypertensive drugs used to treat the condition have proved their potential activity against various infections. The antihypertensive drugs which were observed to have antimicrobial action are calcium channel blockers like verapamil, amlodipine, nifedipine and lacidipine, central sympatholytic drug alpha methyl dopa and beta blocker like propranolol. Verapamil which is an ion channel blocker has shown potential against mycobacterium tuberculosis when used along with approved anti tubercular drugs and helped in prevention of drug resistance. Similarly, alpha methyl dopa showed significant in vitro activity against atypical mycobacteria. Propranolol exhibited anti fungal and antitoxoplasmal activity. Verapamil helped to reverse chloroquine resitance developed by plasmodium falcifarum malaria parasite. This suggests that properties of these antihypertensive in treating various bacterial and nonbacterial infections should be studied extensively by many clinical studies to authenticate their use.
1Rohan K. Patel, 2Shruti P. Shah, 3Aparna R. Mehta, 2Tushar S. Parmar. "The Antimicrobial Effects of Antihypertensive Agents: A Review of Their Pharmacological Properties." Computer Engineering, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 59–63, 2026.
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Exploring the Nexus of Women's Education and Peace: A Multifaceted Analysis
Pages: 64–71
Abstract
Citation
Though education ‘Vidya’ for peace a theme, a topic, which has drawn a sudden attention of anyone on this planet, this has in fact been very important in all the ages. Peace is virtually important in life. It is a crucial link in the chain of life. It is indispensible for creating atmosphere of mutual understanding and harmony for common development. To maintain peace, the utmost important thing is that the person should have peace of mind, heart and health, hand and socially and economically well adjusted. Education can prove a gateway to peace. A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform. This paper has thrown light on correlates between education, women and peace; factors effecting peace, role of women in Education and how education develops virtues which lead to the state of peace.
Dr. Sophia Patel, Department of Education and Development Studies, University of Manchester, UK; Dr. Liam. "Exploring the Nexus of Women's Education and Peace: A Multifaceted Analysis." Computer Engineering, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 64–71, 2026.
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