bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heat and Flow Characteristics of Aerofoil-Shaped Fins on a Curved Target Surface in a Confined Channel for an Impinging Jet Array
Authors: Yalçınkaya Orhan , Durmaz Ufuk , Tepe Ahmet Ümit , Benim Ali Cemal , Uysal Ünal
Published: March 2024

The main purpose of this investigation was to explore the heat transfer and flow characteristics of aero-foil-shaped fins combined with extended jet holes, specifically focusing on their feasibility in cooling turbine blades. In this study, a comprehensive investigation was carried out by applying impinging jet array cooling (IJAC) on a semi-circular curved surface, which was roughened using aerofoil-shaped fins. Numerical computations were conducted under three different Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 5000 to 25,000, while nozzle-to-target surface spacings (S/d) ranged from 0.5 to 8.0. Furthermore, an assessment was made of the impact of different fin arrangements, single-row (L1), double-row (L2), and triple-row (L3), on convective heat transfer. Detailed examinations were performed on area-averaged and local Nusselt (Nu) numbers, flow properties, and the thermal performance criterion (TPC) on finned and smooth target surfaces. The study’s results revealed that the use of aerofoil-shaped fins and the reduction in S/d, along with surface roughening, led to significant increases in the local and area-averaged Nu numbers compared to the conventional IJAC scheme. The most notable heat transfer enhancement was observed at S/d = 0.5 utilizing extended jets and the surface design incorporating aerofoil-shaped fins. Under these specific conditions, the maximum heat transfer enhancement reached 52.81%. Moreover, the investigation also demonstrated that the highest TPC on the finned surface was achieved when S/d = 2.0 for L2 at Re = 25,000, resulting in a TPC value of 1.12. Furthermore, reducing S/d and mounting aerofoil-shaped fins on the surface yielded a more uniform heat transfer distribution on the relevant surface than IJAC with a smooth surface, ensuring a relatively more uniform heat transfer distribution to minimize the risk of localized overheating.
Shape Optimization of Heat Exchanger Fin Structures Using the Adjoint Method and Their Experimental Validation
Authors: Fuchs Marco , Dagli Cagatay Necati , Kabelac Stephan
Published: March 2024

The freedom of additive manufacturing allows for the production of heat-transferring structures that are optimized in terms of heat transfer and pressure loss using various optimization methods. One question is whether the structural optimizations made can be reproduced by additive manufacturing and whether the adaptations can also be verified experimentally. In this article, adjoint optimization is used to optimize a reference structure and then examine the optimization results experimentally. For this purpose, optimizations are carried out on a 2D model as well as a 3D model. The material chosen for the 3D optimization is stainless steel. Depending on the weighting pairing of heat transfer and pressure loss, the optimizations in 2D result in an increase in heat transfer of 15% compared to the initial reference structure with an almost constant pressure loss or a reduction in pressure loss of 13% with an almost constant heat transfer. The optimizations in 3D result in improvements in the heat transfer of a maximum of 3.5% at constant pressure loss or 9% lower pressure losses at constant heat transfer compared to the initial reference structure. The subsequent experimental investigation shows that the theoretical improvements in heat transfer can only be demonstrated to a limited extent, as the fine contour changes cannot yet be reproduced by additive manufacturing. However, the improvements in pressure loss can be demonstrated experimentally following a cross-section correction. It can therefore be stated that with increasing accuracy of the manufacturing process, the improvements in heat transfer can also be utilized.
Effects of Leaf Size and Defensive Traits on the Contribution of Soil Fauna to Litter Decomposition
Authors: Wang Dangjun , Yuan Fang , Xie Wuyang , Zuo Juan , Zhou Huakun
Published: March 2024

Leaf litter quality has been acknowledged as a crucial determinant affecting litter decomposition on broad spatial scales. However, the extent of the contribution of soil fauna to litter decomposability remains largely uncertain. Nor are the effects of leaf size and defensive traits on soil fauna regulating litter decomposability clear when compared to economics traits. Here, we performed a meta-analysis of 81 published articles on litterbag experiments to quantitatively evaluate the response ratio of soil fauna to litter decomposition at the global level. Our results revealed that soil fauna significantly affected litter mass loss across diverse climates, ecosystems, soil types, litter species, and decomposition stages. We observed significantly positive correlations between the response ratio of soil fauna and leaf length, width, and area, whereas the concentrations of cellulose, hemicellulose, total phenols, and condensed tannins were negatively correlated. Regarding economic traits, the response ratio of soil fauna showed no relationship with carbon and nitrogen concentrations but exhibited positive associations with phosphorus concentration and specific leaf area. The mean annual temperature and precipitation, and their interactions were identified as significant moderators of the effects of soil fauna on litter decomposition. We evidenced that the contribution of soil fauna to litter decomposability is expected to be crucial under climate change, and that trait trade-off strategies should be considered in modulating litter decomposition by soil fauna.
Ecological Risk Assessment of Forest Landscapes in Lushan National Nature Reserve in Jiangxi Province, China
Authors: Rao Jinfeng , Ouyang Xunzhi , Pan Ping , Huang Cheng , Li Jianfeng , Ye Qinglong
Published: March 2024

It is highly valuable to analyze and assess the landscape ecological risk of nature reserves to prevent and resolve ecological risks, as well as to effectively protect and maintain the sustainable development of nature reserves. Taking the forest landscape of the Lushan National Nature Reserve as its study object, this study performed grid processing for the nature reserve and classified forest landscape types using the Forest Resource Inventory Database in 2019. A landscape ecological index model was constructed to evaluate the ecological risk. Global and local Moran index values were used to reveal the autocorrelations for ecological risk. The geodetector method was used to comprehensively analyze the effects of natural and human factors on ecological risk. The results showed that, in general, the ecological risk level of the nature reserve was relatively low, as the proportion of the lowest-, lower-, and medium-risk areas to the total forestry land area accounted for 91.03%. The ecological risk ranking of each functional zone, from high to low, was in the order of the experimental zone, the buffer zone, and the core zone. The ecological risk levels of different forest landscape types were closely related to their area, spatial distribution, and succession stage, as well as human factors, such as the proximity to roads and settlements, etc. The forest landscape with the highest ecological risk was the Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. forest, and the forest landscape with the lowest ecological risk was other forestry land. Ecological risk had a positive spatial correlation and tended to be aggregated in space, demonstrating coupling with the proximity to roads and settlements. The ecological risk was affected by both human and natural factors, among which human factors played a dominant role. The proximity to roads and settlements, the relative humidity, and the temperature were the main driving factors. The interaction of pairwise factors had a stronger influence than that of single factors. Therefore, controlling the intensity of human activities and enhancing the coordination between humans and nature are beneficial for alleviating the ecological risks in the forest landscapes of nature reserves.
Chronic Stress Indicator: A Novel Tool for Comprehensive Stress Analysis
Authors: Hill Matthew , Mostafa Sayed , Obeng-Gyasi Emmanuel
Published: March 2024

Extensive research has highlighted the strong association between chronic stress and negative health outcomes. This relationship is influenced by various factors, including sociobehavioral, environmental, and genetic and epigenomic forces. To comprehensively assess an individual’s stress levels, we propose the development of the Chronic Stress Indicator (CSI), a novel comprehensive multifaceted tool that incorporates key biological, anthropometric, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the CSI compared to Allostatic Load (AL), a type of chronic stress, in identifying health issues related to stress. The objective of this research is to evaluate the performance of the Chronic Stress Indicator (CSI) versus Allostatic Load (AL) in detecting adverse health outcomes within the U.S. demographic aged 20–49. The information used for this study was sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), carried out from 2001 to 2004. Logistic regression modeling was employed to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was employed to assess differences in means, whereas the chi-square test, accompanied by Cramer’s V statistic, was used to examine the association among categorical variables. Additionally, the relationship between continuous variables was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Our association tests show that the length of occupation activity and health status were among the strongest associations to CSI risk. Based on our logistic regression models, age and sex were found to be significant factors in determining AL. We also found that age, smoking, and longest occupation activity were significant factors of CSI risk. These findings suggest a need for individuals to limit smoking as it may lead to higher overall stress despite its common use as a coping mechanism for stress. We should also review the level of occupational activity a job has before continuously working on it as this may also lead to higher cumulative stress.
Pap Smear Cancer Coverage in Brazilian Capitals including the Pandemic Period Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Virus: Ecological Study
Authors: Costa Annielson de Souza , Baracat Edmund Chada , Júnior José Maria Soares , Sorpreso Isabel Cristina Esposito
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Cervical cancer develops slowly and may not manifest signs and symptoms at an early stage. It is worth mentioning the factors that can influence the onset of cervical cancer: smoking, early sexual life, multiple sexual partners, use of oral contraceptives, multiparity, low socioeconomic status, among others. An important risk factor for the onset of this disease is HPV infection, a virus associated with most cases of precursor lesions of this type of cancer. It is essential to understand the comprehensiveness of the scope and adherence to the recommended guidelines throughout the national territory. Therefore, health indicators are important management tools that make it possible to evaluate the services offered, measuring the reach of the target population, the supply and access to preventive exams. Objective: To analyze the trend of progress in cervical cancer coverage actions in Brazilian capitals from 2016 to 2021. Method: This is an ecological study with temporal analysis that used secondary data referring to process indicators for cervical cancer control actions in women aged between 25 and 64 years living in Brazilian capitals between 2016 and 2021. Aspects related to the quality of care in the cervical cancer prevention program were evaluated using databases of the Cancer Information System (SISCAN), available in DATASUS. The indicators used to monitor and evaluate cervical cancer control actions were (i) cervical coverage, (ii) reason for cervical surgery, and (iii) proportion of cervical cancer every 3 years. Results: In 2016, 410,000 tests were performed and notified in the SISCAN system in all Brazilian capitals, with emphasis on Curitiba, with 65,715 tests performed, and Porto Velho, with 174. In 2020, there was a reduction in exams compared to the previous year in all capitals, with the exception of Palmas, which went from 7655 exams to 9604. It was observed that all the capitals studied showed an increase in the annual percentage variation of Pap smear coverage, with the exception of Brasília, Manaus, Porto Alegre and Porto Velho, which did not show a statistically significant increase (APC = 3.01, 2.746, 3.987, 3.69, respectively). When analyzing the performance of oncotic cytology exams in the capitals according to the years 2019 and 2020, it was observed that only Manaus registered an increase in the number of procedures performed, reaching a difference of 56.5% from one year to the next. Conclusion: The ecological analysis revealed a worrying drop in the number of tests performed in 2020, reflecting a sharp drop in coverage actions in Brazilian capitals during the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities and highlighted the need for adaptive strategies to maintain essential screening services in times of crisis.
Human Pesticide Exposure in Bolivia: A Scoping Review of Current Knowledge, Future Challenges and Research Needs
Authors: Barrón Cuenca Jessika , Dreij Kristian , Tirado Noemi
Published: March 2024

Numerous studies have shown that pesticide exposure is linked to adverse health outcomes. Nevertheless, in Bolivia, where there is an increasing use of pesticides, the literature is sparse. To address knowledge gaps and guide future research in Bolivia, we conducted a scoping review spanning 22 years (January 2000 to December 2022). Our search identified 39 peer-reviewed articles, 27 reports/documents on Bolivian regulations, and 12 other documents. Most studies focused on farmers and revealed high pesticide exposure levels, assessed through biomarkers of exposure, susceptibility, and effect. The literature explored a range of health effects due to pesticide exposure, spanning from acute to chronic conditions. Many studies highlighted the correlation between pesticide exposure and genotoxic damage, measured as DNA strand breaks and/or micronuclei formation. This was particularly observed in farmers without personal protection equipment (PPE), which increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, including cancer. Recent findings also showed the alarming use of banned or restricted pesticides in Bolivian crops. Despite existing Bolivian regulations, the uncontrolled use of pesticides persists, leading to harmful health effects on the population and increasing land and water pollution. This review underscores the need for the stringent enforcement of regulations and continued research efforts, and it provides a scientific foundation for decision-making by relevant authorities.
EBS in Children with De Novo Pathogenic Variants Disturbing Krt14
Authors: Kosykh Anastasiya V. , Ryumina Irina I. , Botkina Alexandra S. , Evtushenko Nadezhda A. , Zhigmitova Elena B. , Martynova Aleksandra A. , Gurskaya Nadya G. , Rebrikov Denis V.
Published: March 2024

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is a dermatological condition marked by skin fragility and blister formation resulting from separation within the basal layer of the epidermis, which can be attributed to various genetic etiologies. This study presents three pathogenic de novo variants in young children, with clinical manifestations appearing as early as the neonatal period. The variants contribute to the EBS phenotype through two distinct mechanisms: direct keratin abnormalities due to pathogenic variants in the Krt14 gene, and indirect effects via pathogenic mutation in the KLHL24 gene, which interfere with the natural proteasome-mediated degradation pathway of KRT14. We report one severe case of EBS with mottled pigmentation arising from the Met119Thr pathogenic variant in KRT14, another case involving a pathogenic KLHL24 Met1Val variant, and a third case featuring the hot spot mutation Arg125His in KRT14, all manifesting within the first few weeks of life. This research underscores the complexity of genetic influences in EBS and highlights the importance of early genetic screening for accurate diagnosis and management.
Thermodynamic and Structural Study of Budesonide—Exogenous Lung Surfactant System
Authors: Keshavarzi Atoosa , Asi Shirazi Ali , Korfanta Rastislav , Královič Nina , Klacsová Mária , Martínez Juan Carlos , Teixeira José , Combet Sophie , Uhríková Daniela
Published: March 2024

The clinical benefits of using exogenous pulmonary surfactant (EPS) as a carrier of budesonide (BUD), a non-halogenated corticosteroid with a broad anti-inflammatory effect, have been established. Using various experimental techniques (differential scanning calorimetry DSC, small- and wide- angle X-ray scattering SAXS/WAXS, small- angle neutron scattering SANS, fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering DLS, and zeta potential), we investigated the effect of BUD on the thermodynamics and structure of the clinically used EPS, Curosurf®. We show that BUD facilitates the Curosurf® phase transition from the gel to the fluid state, resulting in a decrease in the temperature of the main phase transition (Tm) and enthalpy (ΔH). The morphology of the Curosurf® dispersion is maintained for BUD < 10 wt% of the Curosurf® mass; BUD slightly increases the repeat distance d of the fluid lamellar phase in multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) resulting from the thickening of the lipid bilayer. The bilayer thickening (~0.23 nm) was derived from SANS data. The presence of ~2 mmol/L of Ca2+ maintains the effect and structure of the MLVs. The changes in the lateral pressure of the Curosurf® bilayer revealed that the intercalated BUD between the acyl chains of the surfactant’s lipid molecules resides deeper in the hydrophobic region when its content exceeds ~6 wt%. Our studies support the concept of a combined therapy utilising budesonide—enriched Curosurf®.
Early Pulmonary Fibrosis-like Changes in the Setting of Heat Exposure: DNA Damage and Cell Senescence
Authors: Hou Tong , Zhang Jiyang , Wang Yindan , Zhang Guoqing , Li Sanduo , Fan Wenjun , Li Ran , Sun Qinghua , Liu Cuiqing
Published: March 2024

It is well known that extreme heat events happen frequently due to climate change. However, studies examining the direct health impacts of increased temperature and heat waves are lacking. Previous reports revealed that heatstroke induced acute lung injury and pulmonary dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate whether heat exposure induced lung fibrosis and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to an ambient temperature of 39.5 ± 0.5 °C until their core temperature reached the maximum or heat exhaustion state. Lung fibrosis was observed in the lungs of heat-exposed mice, with extensive collagen deposition and the elevated expression of fibrosis molecules, including transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Fibronectin (Fn1) (p < 0.05). Moreover, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurred in response to heat exposure, evidenced by E-cadherin, an epithelial marker, which was downregulated, whereas markers of EMT, such as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and the zinc finger transcriptional repressor protein Slug, were upregulated in the heat-exposed lung tissues of mice (p < 0.05). Subsequently, cell senescence examination revealed that the levels of both senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining and the cell cycle protein kinase inhibitor p21 were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). Mechanistically, the cGAS–STING signaling pathway evoked by DNA damage was activated in response to heat exposure (p < 0.05). In summary, we reported a new finding that heat exposure contributed to the development of early pulmonary fibrosis-like changes through the DNA damage-activated cGAS–STING pathway followed by cellular senescence.
Development of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent KSR1-Based Probes to Track Ceramides during Phagocytosis
Authors: Girik Vladimir , van Ek Larissa , Dentand Quadri Isabelle , Azam Maral , Cruz Cobo María , Mandavit Marion , Riezman Isabelle , Riezman Howard , Gavin Anne-Claude , Nunes-Hasler Paula
Published: March 2024

Ceramides regulate phagocytosis; however, their exact function remains poorly understood. Here, we sought (1) to develop genetically encoded fluorescent tools for imaging ceramides, and (2) to use them to examine ceramide dynamics during phagocytosis. Fourteen enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion constructs based on four known ceramide-binding domains were generated and screened. While most constructs localized to the nucleus or cytosol, three based on the CA3 ceramide-binding domain of kinase suppressor of ras 1 (KSR1) localized to the plasma membrane or autolysosomes. C-terminally tagged CA3 with a vector-based (C-KSR) or glycine-serine linker (C-KSR-GS) responded sensitively and similarly to ceramide depletion and accumulation using a panel of ceramide modifying drugs, whereas N-terminally tagged CA3 (N-KSR) responded differently to a subset of treatments. Lipidomic and liposome microarray analysis suggested that, instead, N-KSR may preferentially bind glucosyl-ceramide. Additionally, the three probes showed distinct dynamics during phagocytosis. Despite partial autolysosomal degradation, C-KSR and C-KSR-GS accumulated at the plasma membrane during phagocytosis, whereas N-KSR did not. Moreover, the weak recruitment of C-KSR-GS to the endoplasmic reticulum and phagosomes was enhanced through overexpression of the endoplasmic reticulum proteins stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and Sec22b, and was more salient in dendritic cells. The data suggest these novel probes can be used to analyze sphingolipid dynamics and function in living cells.
Investigating the Role of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal-proBNP in Thrombosis and Acute Ischemic Stroke Etiology
Authors: Rossi Rosanna , Jabrah Duaa , Douglas Andrew , Prendergast James , Pandit Abhay , Gilvarry Michael , McCarthy Ray , Redfors Petra , Nordanstig Annika , Tatlisumak Turgut , Ceder Erik , Dunker Dennis , Carlqvist Jeanette , Szikora István , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Psychogios Klearchos , Thornton John , Rentzos Alexandros , Jood Katarina , Juega Jesus , Doyle Karen M.
Published: March 2024

The need for biomarkers for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) to understand the mechanisms implicated in pathological clot formation is critical. The levels of the brain natriuretic peptides known as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP have been shown to be increased in patients suffering from heart failure and other heart conditions. We measured their expression in AIS clots of cardioembolic (CE) and large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) etiology, evaluating their location inside the clots, aiming to uncover their possible role in thrombosis. We analyzed 80 thrombi from 80 AIS patients in the RESTORE registry of AIS clots, 40 of which were of CE and 40 of LAA etiology. The localization of BNP and NT-BNP, quantified using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, in AIS-associated white blood cell subtypes was also investigated. We found a statistically significant positive correlation between BNP and NT-proBNP expression levels (Spearman’s rho = 0.668 p < 0.0001 *). We did not observe any statistically significant difference between LAA and CE clots in BNP expression (0.66 [0.13–3.54]% vs. 0.53 [0.14–3.07]%, p = 0.923) or in NT-proBNP expression (0.29 [0.11–0.58]% vs. 0.18 [0.05–0.51]%, p = 0.119), although there was a trend of higher NT-proBNP expression in the LAA clots. It was noticeable that BNP was distributed throughout the thrombus and especially within platelet-rich regions. However, NT-proBNP colocalized with neutrophils, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes, suggesting its association with the thrombo-inflammatory process.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the DA1 Gene Family in Sweet Potato and Its Two Diploid Relatives
Authors: Zhou Zelong , Huang Jianzhi , Wang Yuehui , He Shixiang , Yang Jing , Wang Ying , Li Wenxing , Liu Yi , Xu Ran , Li Yunhai , Wu Lian
Published: March 2024

The DA1-like gene family plays a crucial role in regulating seed and organ size in plants. The DA1 gene family has been identified in several species but has not yet been reported in sweet potatoes. In this study, nine, eleven, and seven DA1s were identified in cultivated sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas, 2n = 6x = 90) and its two diploid wild relatives, I. trifida (2n = 2x = 30) and I. triloba (2n = 2x = 30), respectively. The DA1 genes were classified into three subgroups based on their phylogenetic relationships with Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa (rice). Their protein physiological properties, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, promoter cis-elements, and expression patterns were systematically analyzed. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of four genes, IbDA1-1, IbDA1-3, IbDA1-6, and IbDA1-7, were higher in the sweet potato leaves than in the roots, fiber roots, and stems. In our study, we provide a comprehensive comparison and further the knowledge of DA1-like genes in sweet potatoes, and provide a theoretical basis for functional studies.
Oxidative Stress and Cerebral Vascular Tone: The Role of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species
Authors: Salvagno Michele , Sterchele Elda Diletta , Zaccarelli Mario , Mrakic-Sposta Simona , Welsby Ian James , Balestra Costantino , Taccone Fabio Silvio
Published: March 2024

The brain’s unique characteristics make it exceptionally susceptible to oxidative stress, which arises from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. This review explores the factors contributing to the brain’s vascular tone’s vulnerability in the presence of oxidative damage, which can be of clinical interest in critically ill patients or those presenting acute brain injuries. The brain’s high metabolic rate and inefficient electron transport chain in mitochondria lead to significant ROS generation. Moreover, non-replicating neuronal cells and low repair capacity increase susceptibility to oxidative insult. ROS can influence cerebral vascular tone and permeability, potentially impacting cerebral autoregulation. Different ROS species, including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, exhibit vasodilatory or vasoconstrictive effects on cerebral blood vessels. RNS, particularly NO and peroxynitrite, also exert vasoactive effects. This review further investigates the neuroprotective effects of antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), vitamin C, vitamin E, and the glutathione redox system. Various studies suggest that these antioxidants could be used as adjunct therapies to protect the cerebral vascular tone under conditions of high oxidative stress. Nevertheless, more extensive research is required to comprehensively grasp the relationship between oxidative stress and cerebrovascular tone, and explore the potential benefits of antioxidants as adjunctive therapies in critical illnesses and acute brain injuries.
Lactiplantibacillus (Lactobacillus) plantarum as a Complementary Treatment to Improve Symptomatology in Neurodegenerative Disease: A Systematic Review of Open Access Literature
Authors: Beltrán-Velasco Ana Isabel , Reiriz Manuel , Uceda Sara , Echeverry-Alzate Víctor
Published: March 2024

This systematic review addresses the use of Lactiplantibacillus (Lactobacillus) plantarum in the symptomatological intervention of neurodegenerative disease. The existence of gut microbiota dysbiosis has been associated with systemic inflammatory processes present in neurodegenerative disease, creating the opportunity for new treatment strategies. This involves modifying the strains that constitute the gut microbiota to enhance synaptic function through the gut–brain axis. Recent studies have evaluated the beneficial effects of the use of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on motor and cognitive symptomatology, alone or in combination. This systematic review includes 20 research articles (n = 3 in human and n = 17 in animal models). The main result of this research was that the use of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum alone or in combination produced improvements in symptomatology related to neurodegenerative disease. However, one of the studies included reported negative effects after the administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. This systematic review provides current and relevant information about the use of this probiotic in pathologies that present neurodegenerative processes such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.
Extracorporeal Photopheresis in Dermatological Diseases
Authors: Terhaar Hanna , Saleem Mohammad , Yusuf Nabiha
Published: March 2024

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an apheresis procedure that is conventionally used as a first-line treatment for cutaneous and leukemic subtypes of T-cell lymphoma, such as Sezary’s syndrome and mycosis fungoides. Over the past three decades, its immunotherapeutic properties have been tested on a variety of autoimmune conditions, including many dermatologic diseases. There is ample evidence of ECP’s ability to modify leukocytes and alter cytokine production for certain dermatologic diseases that have been refractory to first-line treatments, such as atopic dermatitis. However, the evidence on the efficacy of ECP for the treatment of these dermatologic diseases is unclear and/or lacks sufficient evidence. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the utilization and clinical efficacy of ECP in the treatment of several [autoimmune] dermatologic diseases and discuss its applications, guidelines, recommendations, and future implementation for dermatologic diseases.
Streptomycetes as Microbial Cell Factories for the Biotechnological Production of Melanin
Authors: Kordjazi Talayeh , Mariniello Loredana , Giosafatto Concetta Valeria Lucia , Porta Raffaele , Restaino Odile Francesca
Published: March 2024

Melanins are complex, polymeric pigments with interesting properties like UV-light absorbance ability, metal ion chelation capacity, antimicrobial action, redox behaviors, and scavenging properties. Based on these characteristics, melanins might be applied in different industrial fields like food packaging, environmental bioremediation, and bioelectronic fields. The actual melanin manufacturing process is not environmentally friendly as it is based on extraction and purification from cuttlefish. Synthetic melanin is available on the market, but it is more expensive than animal-sourced pigment and it requires long chemical procedures. The biotechnological production of microbial melanin, instead, might be a valid alternative. Streptomycetes synthesize melanins as pigments and as extracellular products. In this review, the melanin biotechnological production processes by different Streptomyces strains have been revised according to papers in the literature. The different fermentation strategies to increase melanin production such as the optimization of growth conditions and medium composition or the use of raw sources as growth substrates are here described. Diverse downstream purification processes are also reported as well as all the different analytical methods used to characterize the melanin produced by Streptomyces strains before its application in different fields.
Targeted RNAseq Revealed the Gene Expression Signature of Ferroptosis-Related Processes Associated with Disease Severity in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Stojkovic Ljiljana , Jovanovic Ivan , Dincic Evica , Djordjevic Ana , Kuveljic Jovana , Djuric Tamara , Stankovic Aleksandra , Vojinovic Slobodan , Zivkovic Maja
Published: March 2024

Detrimental molecular processes in multiple sclerosis (MS) lead to the cellular accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and iron in the CNS, which represents the main driving force for ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, with proposed roles in neurodegeneration, oligodendrocyte loss and neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of MS. Ferroptosis-related gene expression signature and molecular markers, which could reflect MS severity and progression, are currently understudied in humans. To tackle these challenges, we have applied a curated approach to create and experimentally analyze a comprehensive panel of ferroptosis-related genes covering a wide range of biological processes associated with ferroptosis. We performed the first ferroptosis-related targeted RNAseq on PBMCs from highly distinctive MS phenotype groups: mild relapsing–remitting (RR) (n = 24) and severe secondary progressive (SP) (n = 24), along with protein detection of GPX4 and products of lipid peroxidation (MDA and 4-HNE). Out of 138 genes, 26 were differentially expressed genes (DEGs), indicating changes in both pro- and anti-ferroptotic genes, representing a molecular signature associated with MS severity. The top three DEGs, as non-core ferroptosis genes, CDKN1A, MAP1B and EGLN2, were replicated by qPCR to validate findings in independent patient groups (16 RR and 16 SP MS). Co-expression and interactions of DEGs were presented as additional valuable assets for deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms and key targets related to MS severity. Our study integrates a wide genetic signature and biochemical markers related to ferroptosis in easily obtainable PBMCs of MS patients with clinical data and disease severity, thus providing novel molecular markers which can complement disease-related changes in the brain and undergo further research as potential therapeutic targets.
The Expression and Functionality of CB1R-NMDAR Complexes Are Decreased in A Parkinson’s Disease Model
Authors: Reyes-Resina Irene , Lillo Jaume , Raïch Iu , Rebassa Joan Biel , Navarro Gemma
Published: March 2024

One of the hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the alteration in the expression and function of NMDA receptor (NMDAR) and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R). The presence of CB1R-NMDAR complexes has been described in neuronal primary cultures. The activation of CB1R in CB1R-NMDAR complexes was suggested to counteract the detrimental NMDAR overactivation in an AD mice model. Thus, we aimed to explore the role of this receptor complex in PD. By using Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) assay, it was demonstrated that α-synuclein induces a reorganization of the CB1R-NMDAR complex in transfected HEK-293T cells. Moreover, α-synuclein treatment induced a decrease in the cAMP and MAP kinase (MAPK) signaling of both CB1R and NMDAR not only in transfected cells but also in neuronal primary cultures. Finally, the interaction between CB1R and NMDAR was studied by Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) in neuronal primary cultures, where it was observed that the expression of CB1R-NMDAR complexes was decreased upon α-synuclein treatment. These results point to a role of CB1R-NMDAR complexes as a new therapeutic target in Parkinson’s disease.
Mycosporine-like Amino Acids in Palmaria palmata (Rhodophyta): Specific Implication of Usujirene in Photoprotection
Authors: Lalegerie Fanny , Stiger-Pouvreau Valérie , Connan Solène
Published: March 2024

The effect of UV radiation on the accumulation of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and pigments was investigated on red macroalga Palmaria palmata cultivated for 21 days. The data were combined with the effect of NaNO3 to further investigate the synthesis of these nitrogenous compounds. A progressive decrease in both total MAA and pigment contents was observed, with a positive effect of nitrate supply. Usujirene was the only MAA exhibiting a significantly increasing content when exposed to UV radiation, changing from 9% to 24% of the total MAA’s contribution, with no variation observed with NaNO3. This suggests a specific induction or synthesis pathway of usujirene for photoprotection, while the synthesis of other MAAs could have been limited by an insufficient amount of UV radiation and/or irradiance. The photoprotective ability of some MAAs could have been impacted by nitrogen starvation over time, resulting in a limited synthesis and/or potential use of MAAs as a nitrogen source for red macroalgae. The data confirmed the multiple effects of environmental factors on the synthesis of MAAs while providing new insights into the specific synthesis of usujirene, which could find an application in the cosmetics sector as natural sunscreen or an anti-ageing agent.
Major Virion Tegument Protein VP22 Targets Nuclear Matrix and Chromatin upon Entry into Cells during Productive Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection
Authors: Chi Isabella , Blaho John A.
Published: March 2024

HSV-1 major tegument protein VP22 is present in multiple subcellular locations in the late stages of productive viral infection. We initially performed a detailed time course experiment and observed that VP22 was detected in nuclear and nuclear matrix fractions as early as 4 hpi. The goal was to determine the fate of virion-derived incoming VP22, and we report the following: (i) VP22 was detected in nuclear matrix fractions 1 hpi. (ii) In the presence of cycloheximide (CHX), VP22 was present in the nuclear matrix 1–6 hpi, demonstrating the stability of the protein. (iii) The nuclear matrix targeting of VP22 occurred in infected Vero, HEp-2, and human mammary epithelial (HME) cells and following synchronized infection. Based on these results, we conclude that (iv) VP22 targets the nuclear matrix and chromatin upon entry into cells during productive HSV-1 infection.
CoNiO2/Co3O4 Nanosheets on Boron Doped Diamond for Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Cui Zheng , Wang Tianyi , Geng Ziyi , Wan Linfeng , Liu Yaofeng , Xu Siyu , Gao Nan , Li Hongdong , Yang Min
Published: March 2024

Developing novel supercapacitor electrodes with high energy density and good cycle stability has aroused great interest. Herein, the vertically aligned CoNiO2/Co3O4 nanosheet arrays anchored on boron doped diamond (BDD) films are designed and fabricated by a simple one-step electrodeposition method. The CoNiO2/Co3O4/BDD electrode possesses a large specific capacitance (214 mF cm−2) and a long-term capacitance retention (85.9% after 10,000 cycles), which is attributed to the unique two-dimensional nanosheet architecture, high conductivity of CoNiO2/Co3O4 and the wide potential window of diamond. Nanosheet materials with an ultrathin thickness can decrease the diffusion length of ions, increase the contact area with electrolyte, as well as improve active material utilization, which leads to an enhanced electrochemical performance. Additionally, CoNiO2/Co3O4/BDD is fabricated as the positive electrode with activated carbon as the negative electrode, this assembled asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits an energy density of 7.5 W h kg−1 at a power density of 330.5 W kg−1 and capacity retention rate of 97.4% after 10,000 cycles in 6 M KOH. This work would provide insights into the design of advanced electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors.
Non-Invasive Device-Mediated Drug Delivery to the Brain across the Blood–Brain Barrier
Authors: Tashima Toshihiko , Tournier Nicolas
Published: March 2024

We will be serving as the Guest Editor for this very interesting Special Issue on “Non-Invasive Device-Mediated Drug Delivery to the Brain Across the Blood–Brain Barrier” [...]
Determination of the Absolute Configuration of Secondary Alcohols in a Compound Mixture via the Application of Competing Enantioselective Acylation Coupled with LC/MS Analysis
Authors: Lee Bum Soo , Kim Hoon , Baek Jiwon , Ryoo Rhim , Lee Seoung Rak , Kim Ki Hyun
Published: March 2024

The determination of natural product stereochemistry plays a significant role in drug discovery and development. Understanding the stereochemistry of natural products is essential for predicting and optimizing their interactions with biological targets, which, in turn, influences their therapeutic efficacy, safety, and overall impact on living organisms. Here, we present the first application of competitive enantioselective acylation (CEA) reactions in conjunction with LC/MS analysis for determining the absolute configuration of secondary alcohols in natural products which were purified as a mixture. This approach utilizes the enantiomeric pair of HBTM (homobenzotetramisole) catalysts, demonstrating sufficient kinetic resolution for the acylation of secondary alcohols. The rapid reaction kinetics were quantitatively estimated with LC/MS analysis as the characterization technique for the enantioselective transformations. Our study has expanded the application of the CEA reaction coupled with LC/MS analysis to mixtures. Utilizing LC/MS analysis, the CEA reaction offers a sensitive and simple method for stereochemistry determination. Additionally, the application of the CEA reaction is cost/time-effective since only small quantities of substrates and a short reaction time are required for characterizing the absolute configuration of secondary alcohols in natural products compared to other conventional methods.
Feasibility of Invasive Brown Seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae as Source of Alginate: Characterization of Products and Evaluation of Derived Gels
Authors: Santana Ismael , Felix Manuel , Bengoechea Carlos
Published: March 2024

Rugulopteryx okamurae (RO) is an invasive brown seaweed that causes severe environmental problems in the Mediterranean Sea. This work proposed an extraction method that enables their use as a raw material for producing sodium alginate. Alginate was successfully extracted from this invasive seaweed, with its gelling performance in the presence of Ca2+ ions comparable to existing commercial alginates. The mannuronic acid (M)-to-guluronic (G) acid ratio in the 1H-NMR profile indicated a higher percentage of G in the RO-extracted alginate, which implies a greater formation of so-called egg box structures. These differences resulted in their different rheological behaviour, as sodium alginate aqueous solutions exhibited a greater viscosity (η at 1 s−1 = 3.8 ± 0.052 Pa·s) than commercial alginate (2.8 ± 0.024 Pa·s), which is related to the egg box structure developed. When gelled in the presence of calcium, an increase in the value of the elastic modulus was observed. However, the value of the tan δ for the extracted alginate was lower than that of commercial alginate gels, confirming a structure more densely packed, which implies a different restructuring of the alginate chain when gelling. These results confirm the suitability of using invasive Rugulopteryx okamurae as a source of calcium alginate gels. In this way, sustainable bio-based materials may be produced from undesired biomass that currently poses a threat to the ecosystem.
Highly Permeable Ultrafiltration Membranes Based on Polyphenylene Sulfone with Cardo Fragments
Authors: Raeva Alisa , Matveev Dmitry , Bezrukov Nikolay , Grushevenko Evgenia , Zhansitov Azamat , Kurdanova Zhanna , Shakhmurzova Kamila , Anokhina Tatyana , Khashirova Svetlana , Borisov Ilya
Published: March 2024

For the first time, copolymers of polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) with cardo fragments of phenolphthalein (PP) were synthesized to develop highly permeable flat-sheet ultrafiltration membranes. By introducing cardo fragments into the polymer chain, we achieved a mechanical strength 1.3 times higher than the strength of commercial PPSU. It is shown that the introduction of the cardo monomer significantly increases the solubility of the polymer in aprotic solvents. The highest solubility is observed at the concentration of PP 50 mol.%. It is found that reduced viscosity of cardo polymer solutions leads to an increase in the coagulation rate. The permeance of asymmetric ultrafiltration membranes increases with PP concentration from 17.5 L/(m2·h·bar) (10 mol.% PP) to 85.2 L/(m2·h·bar) (90 mol.% PP). These data are in agreement with the results of a study of the coagulation rate of polymer solutions. Thus, for ultrafiltration membranes with 1.5–8 times higher permeance in comparison with PPSU due to the introduction of cardo fragments in the polymer chain, possessing high rejection of the model dye Blue Dextran (MW = 70,000 g/mol), more than 99.2%, as well as high strength characteristics, were achieved.
Evaluating Post-Treatment Effects on Electrospun Nanofiber as a Support for Polyamide Thin-Film Formation
Authors: Augusty Anniza Cornelia , Rangkupan Ratthapol , Klaysom Chalida
Published: March 2024

Poly(acrylonitrile-co-methyl acrylate) (PAN-co-MA) electrospun nanofiber (ENF) was used as the support for the formation of polyamide (PA) thin films. The ENF support layer was post-treated with heat-pressed treatment followed by NaOH hydrolysis to modify its support characteristics. The influence of heat-pressed conditions and NaOH hydrolysis on the support morphology and porosity, thin-film formation, surface chemistry, and membrane performances were investigated. This study revealed that applying heat-pressing followed by hydrolysis significantly enhances the physicochemical properties of the support material and aids in forming a uniform polyamide (PA) thin selective layer. Heat-pressing effectively densifies the support surface and reduces pore size, which is crucial for the even formation of the PA-selective layer. Additionally, the hydrolysis of the support increases its hydrophilicity and decreases pore size, leading to higher sodium chloride (NaCl) rejection rates and improved water permeance. When compared with membranes that underwent only heat-pressing, those treated with both heat-pressing and hydrolysis exhibited superior separation performance, with NaCl rejection rates rising from 83% to 98% while maintaining water permeance. Moreover, water permeance was further increased by 29% through n-hexane-rinsing post-interfacial polymerization. Thus, this simple yet effective combination of heat-pressing and hydrolysis presents a promising approach for developing high-performance thin-film nanocomposite (TFNC) membranes.
A Method to Develop the Driver-Adaptive Lane-Keeping Assistance System Based on Real Driver Preferences
Authors: Chen Jiachen , Chen Hui , Lan Xiaoming , Zhong Bin , Ran Wei
Published: March 2024

To satisfy the preference of each driver, the development of a Lane-Keeping Assistance (LKA) system that can adapt to individual drivers has become a research hotspot in recent years. However, existing studies have mostly relied on the assumption that the LKA characteristic aligned with the driver’s preference is consistent with this driver’s naturalistic driving characteristic. Nevertheless, this assumption may not always hold true, causing limitations to the effectiveness of this method. This paper proposes a novel method for a Driver-Adaptive Lane-Keeping Assistance (DALKA) system based on drivers’ real preferences. First, metrics are extracted from collected naturalistic driving data using action point theory to describe drivers’ naturalistic driving characteristics. Then, the subjective and objective evaluation method is introduced to obtain the real preference of each test driver for the LKA system. Finally, machine learning methods are employed to train a model that relates naturalistic driving characteristics to the drivers’ real preferences, and the model-predicted preferences are integrated into the DALKA system. The developed DALKA system is then subjectively evaluated by the drivers. The results show that our DALKA system, developed using this method, can enhance or maintain the subjective evaluations of the LKA system for most drivers.