bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmatherapeutic Treatment of Osteoarthrosis—Does the Pill against Already Exist? A Narrative Review
Authors: Wilken Frauke , Buschner Peter , Benignus Christian , Behr Anna-Maria , Rieger Johannes , Beckmann Johannes
Published: June 2023

The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the current pharmacotherapeutic treatment options for osteoarthritis (OA). Is therapy still mainly symptomatic or does the pill against arthrosis already exist? Causal and non-causal, as well as future therapeutic approaches, are discussed. Various surgical and non-surgical treatment options are available that can help manage symptoms, slow down progression, and improve quality of life. To date, however, therapy is still mainly symptomatic, often using painkilling and anti-inflammatory drugs until the final stage, which is usually joint replacement. These “symptomatic pills against” have side effects and do not alter the progression of OA, which is caused by an imbalance between degenerative and regenerative processes. Next to resolving mechanical issues, the goal must be to gain a better understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of OA. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in cartilage-regenerative medicine and in the current style of treating rheumatoid arthritis, where drug therapy (“the pill against”) has been established to slow down or even stop the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and has banned the vast majority of former almost regular severe joint destructions. However, the “causal pill against” OA does not exist so far. First, the early detection of osteoarthritis by means of biomarkers and imaging should therefore gain more focus. Second, future therapeutic approaches have to identify innovative therapeutic approaches influencing inflammatory and metabolic processes. Several pharmacologic, genetic, and even epigenetic attempts are promising, but none have clinically improved causal therapy so far, unfortunately.
Examining Participation in and Supply of Private Land for Voluntary Conservation in Australia’s Tropical Savannas: A Discrete-Continuous Choice Experiment
Authors: Greiner Romy
Published: June 2023

Australia’s tropical savannas are a vast landscape of grasslands with high biodiversity value. Effective biodiversity conservation in this landscape requires private contributions to complement the under-sized formal conservation estate. The landscape is dominated by rangelands, in particular extensive cattle grazing on pastoral stations which typically measure hundreds or thousands of square kilometers. The paper reports the results of a discrete–continuous (or “two-stage”) choice experiment conducted with savanna pastoralists. A discrete choice experiment explored the stated willingness to participate in two long-term conservation strategies: (i) total exclusion of cattle from designated parcels of land with management of that land for biodiversity, and (ii) the implementation of rotational grazing systems governed by the requirements of biodiversity, among other contractual attributes. An extension question asked about the area that respondents were willing to supply and a contract they were willing to accept. Double-hurdle (type II tobit) modelling was used for combined data analysis. The results show that potential participation in voluntary conservation contracts by pastoralists is primarily influenced by contract attributes, namely, the conservation action required, the stewardship payment received, contract length and whether the contract contains flexibility provisions. Land productivity is also significant. The level of stewardship payment required to incentivize participation in the conservation of grasslands is in line with opportunity costs, in particular option value. The amount of land that pastoralists are willing to supply is determined by the conservation payment as well as farm size and intrinsic motivation. This research illustrates strategies for integrating biodiversity conservation into cattle grazing operations in Australia’s tropical savannas, which are applicable to grasslands globally. It provides data of an economic nature to inform the development of multi-tenure biodiversity conservation strategies.
How Can Urban Regeneration Reduce Carbon Emissions? A Bibliometric Review
Authors: Liu Yan , Sang Meiyue , Xu Xiangrui , Shen Liyin , Bao Haijun
Published: June 2023

As urbanization continues to accelerate worldwide, the consequential rise in CO2 emissions has caused substantial environmental challenges. Urban regeneration has emerged as a promising approach to reducing carbon emissions and developing low-carbon cities. Even though both urban regeneration and carbon emissions reduction have been researched from various perspectives, a thorough review is still required to completely reveal their multifaceted relationship. Based on 231 papers published between 2001 and 2023, a bibliometric analysis was conducted to understand the overall trajectory and main focus of the existing research. Then, we qualitatively analyzed the main findings from bibliometric results in terms of key regeneration elements, specific regeneration strategies, research methodologies, as well as research trends and agendas. The results indicated that research in this field is gradually becoming more specialized and comprehensive. Buildings and energy have always been two key urban regeneration elements and research hotspots. Additionally, as a systematic project, reducing carbon emissions requires further exploration of other regeneration elements’ contributions and their interactions in the urban system, which needs the corresponding support of more specific regeneration strategies and research methodologies. These findings can advance the development of innovative and impactful pathways for low-carbon oriented urban regeneration, leading ultimately to sustainable cities.
Conserved G-Quadruplex-Forming Sequences in Mammalian TERT Promoters and Their Effect on Mutation Frequency
Authors: Panova Vera V. , Dolinnaya Nina G. , Novoselov Kirill A. , Savitskaya Viktoriia Yu. , Chernykh Ivan S. , Kubareva Elena A. , Alexeevski Andrei V. , Zvereva Maria I.
Published: June 2023

Somatic mutations in the promoter region of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene have been identified in many types of cancer. The hTERT promoter is known to be enriched with sequences that enable the formation of G-quadruplex (G4) structures, whose presence is associated with elevated mutagenicity and genome instability. Here, we used a bioinformatics tool (QGRS mapper) to search for G4-forming sequences (G4 motifs) in the 1000 bp TERT promoter regions of 141 mammalian species belonging to 20 orders, 5 of which, including primates and predators, contain more than 10 species. Groups of conserved G4 motifs and single-nucleotide variants within these groups were discovered using a block alignment approach (based on the Nucleotide PanGenome explorer). It has been shown that: (i) G4 motifs are predominantly located in the region proximal to the transcription start site (up to 400 bp) and are over-represented on the non-coding strand of the TERT promoters, (ii) 11 to 22% of the G4 motifs found are evolutionarily conserved across the related organisms, and (iii) a statistically significant higher frequency of nucleotide substitutions in the conserved G4 motifs compared to the surrounding regions was confirmed only for the order Primates. These data support the assumption that G4s can interfere with the DNA repair process and affect the evolutionary adaptation of organisms and species.
An Overview of the Microbiota of the Human Urinary Tract in Health and Disease: Current Issues and Perspectives
Authors: Colella Marica , Topi Skender , Palmirotta Raffaele , D’Agostino Donato , Charitos Ioannis Alexandros , Lovero Roberto , Santacroce Luigi
Published: June 2023

This article is intended to deepen our knowledge to date regarding the functions of the resident microbiota/microbiome in the urinary system for human health and disease. First, we sought to report the general characteristics (composition and stability) of the normal urinary system microbiota in the different anatomical sites in relation to some factors such as the effect of age, gender and diet, analyzing in detail the functions and the composition of the microbiota in the light of current knowledge. Several pieces of evidence suggest the importance of preserving the micro-ecosystem of the urinary system, and in some cases their relationship with diseases is important for maintaining human health is well understood. The female and male reproductive microbiota have mainly been studied over the past decade. In the past, the arrest was thought to have taken place in a sterile environment. Microorganisms of the microbiota form biofilms, three-dimensional structures, that differ in the reproductive organs and interact with both gametes and the embryo as well as with maternal tissues. These biofilms from the reproductive system also interact with others, such as that of the gastrointestinal tract. Reduction in its diversity intestinal microbiota can disrupt estrogen metabolism and affect the reproductive microbiota. It is therefore understood that its quantitative and qualitative identification is important for microbiota, but also the study of the structures formed by the microorganisms. A dysbiosis with local or systemic causes can lead to serious diseases. The role of probiotics in maintaining microbial population harmony (eubiosis) and preventing certain pathologies of the urinary and reproductive system was also investigated. A negative variation in the qualitative and quantitative composition of certain strains of microorganisms (dysbiosis) due to local or systemic causes can even lead to serious diseases. The role of probiotics in maintaining the healthy balance of microorganism populations (eubiosis), and thus in the prevention of certain pathologies of the urinary and reproductive system, has also been studied.
Effects of Foot Structure Type on Core Stability in University Athletes
Authors: Moreno-Barriga Orlando Santiago , Romero-Morales Carlos , Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo Ricardo , Losa-Iglesias Marta Elena , Gómez-Salgado Juan , Caballero-López Julio , Vidal-Valverde Liz Carol , López-López Daniel
Published: June 2023

Purpose: This study assessed the impact of different types of medial foot arch on postural stability and core center of gravity muscle activity among collegiate athletes. Methods: The study sample included 103 university-level athletes across various sports (soccer, rugby, basketball, volleyball, field tennis, table tennis, karate, and cheerleading) from the College of Magdalena (Colombia) who exhibited distinct types of medial foot arch: 32 high, 35 low, and 36 neutral arches. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was employed to assess conduction velocity, magnitude values, latency, and fatigue in focal muscles including the spinal erector (SE), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis (AR), while measurements of static and dynamic postural control were also considered. Post hoc analysis was performed with Bonferroni correction for all electromyographically measured muscle groups, as well as for measurements of static and dynamic postural stability. Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation tests were used to compare the different types of feet. Results: There were no substantial differences observed between the distinct types of feet in terms of focal muscle activity, static stability, or dynamics. Even though the mean values indicated higher muscle activity and stability among those with high foot arches and lower values among those with low arches compared to the neutral foot type, this observed difference was deemed statistically insignificant. We also observed a positive correlation between internal oblique muscle activity and the average power of dynamic postural stability, which remained consistent across all foot types. Our findings indicate that static instability is directly correlated with dynamic instability in the anteroposterior direction, while a clear inverse relationship was established in the lateral direction upon examining the variable correlations. Conclusions: The presence of high or low foot arches did not significantly impact the activity of the muscles responsible for maintaining the body’s center of gravity or postural stability among university-level athletes. This suggests the existence of neuromuscular compensation mechanisms that attempt to restore balance and compensate for any changes in postural stability caused by varying foot types. Through targeted training that emphasizes activation of the internal oblique muscle, athletes may see improved postural stability. Our findings indicate that static stabilization exercises can also prove beneficial in improving dynamic stability in the anteroposterior plane, while a more dynamic approach may be required to improve dynamic stability in the lateral plane.
Thermal Differences in the Plantar Surface Skin of the Foot after Using Three Different Lining Materials for Plantar Orthotics
Authors: Querol-Martínez Esther , Crespo-Martínez Artur , Gómez-Martín Beatriz , Escamilla-Martínez Elena , Martínez-Nova Alfonso , Sánchez-Rodríguez Raquel
Published: June 2023

The lining materials of plantar orthoses are chosen for their hardness, breathability, and moisture absorption, but without there being any clear scientific criterion. Thermographic analysis would provide information about the thermal response of the sole of the foot, and would thereby allow the choice to be adapted in accordance with this criterion. The objective of this study was to evaluate plantar temperatures after the use of three materials with different characteristics. Plantar temperatures were analyzed by using a FLIR E60BX thermographic camera on 36 participants (15 men and 21 women, 24.6 ± 8.2 years old, 67.1 ± 13.6 kg, and 1.7 ± 0.09 m). Measurements were made before and after (3 h) the use of three lining materials for plantar orthoses (Material 1: PE copolymer; Material 2: EVA; Material 3: PE–EVA copolymer) on different days. For Material 1 (PE), the temperature under the heel was significantly higher after exercise, increasing from 30.8 ± 2.9 °C to 31.9 ± 2.8 °C (p = 0.008), and negative correlations were found between room temperature and the pre/post temperature difference for the big toe (r = −0.342, p = 0.041) and the 1st metatarsal head (r = −0.334, p = 0.046). No significant pre/post temperature differences were found with the other materials. The three materials thermoregulated the plantar surface efficiently by maintaining the skin temperature at levels similar to those evaluated before exercise. If PE is used as a lining material, it should be avoided for the heel area in patients with hyperhidrosis or those with a tendency to suffer from skin pathologies due to excess moisture.
Tribocorrosion Behavior of γ′-Fe4N Nitride Layer Formed on Mild Steel by Plasma Nitriding in Chloride-Containing Solution
Authors: Sun Yong , Bailey Richard
Published: June 2023

Nitriding has long been used to engineer the surfaces of engineering steels to improve their surface and subsurface properties. The role of the surface compound layer (γ′-Fe4N and/or ε-Fe2-3N) in improving the tribological and corrosion-resistant properties of nitrided steels has been established. However, there have been very few studies on the response of the compound layer to tribocorrosion in corrosive environments. In this work, the tribocorrosion behavior of a 5 μm thick γ′-Fe4N nitride layer produced on mild steel (MS) by plasma nitriding has been studied in a NaCl-containing solution under various electrochemical conditions. The results show that at a cathodic potential of −700 mV (saturated calomel electrode, SCE), where mechanical wear is predominant, the total material removal (TMR) from the γ′-Fe4N layer is 37% smaller than that from the untreated MS, and at open circuit potential, TMR from the layer is 34% smaller than that from the untreated MS, while at an anodic potential of −200 (SCE), the γ′-Fe4N layer can reduce TMR from mild steel by 87%. The beneficial effect of the γ′-Fe4N nitride layer in improving the tribocorrosion behavior of mild steel is derived from its high hardness and good corrosion resistance in the test solution and its ability to resist both mechanical wear and corrosion and to reduce wear–corrosion synergism.
N,N′-Dibutyloxamide
Authors: Podda Enrico , Dodd Eleanor , Arca Massimiliano , Aragoni M. Carla , Lippolis Vito , Coles Simon J. , Pintus Anna
Published: June 2023

N,N′-dibutyloxamide (1) was prepared by reacting diethyloxalate with n-butylamine in ethyl alcohol and characterized by microanalytical techniques, FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopy. Crystals suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) were obtained from an acetonitrile solution of 1, and the structural characterization showed the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions.
Magnetic Field as an Important Tool in Exploring the Strongly Correlated Fermi Systems and Their Particle–Hole and Time-Reversal Asymmetries
Authors: Shaginyan Vasily R. , Msezane Alfred Z. , Artamonov Stanislav A.
Published: June 2023

In this review, we consider the impact of magnetic field on the properties of strongly correlated heavy-fermion compounds such as heavy-fermion metals and frustrated insulators with quantum spin liquid. Magnetic field B can be considered a universal tool, allowing the exploration of the physics controlling the remarkable properties of heavy-fermion compounds. These vivid properties are T/B scaling, exhibited under the application of magnetic field B and at fixed temperature T, and the emergence of Landau Fermi liquid behavior under the application of magnetic field. We analyze the influence of quasiparticle–hole asymmetry on the properties of heavy-fermion (HF) compounds such as the universal scaling behavior of the thermopower S/T exhibited under the application of magnetic field B. We show that universal scaling is demonstrated by different HF compounds such as β-YbAlB4, YbRh2Si2, and strongly correlated layered cobalt oxide [BiBa0.66K0.36O2]CoO2. Analyzing YbRh2Si2, we show that the T/B scaling behavior of S/T is violated at the antiferromagnetic phase (AF) transition. The residual resistivity ρ0 and the density of states N0 experience jumps at the AF transition, causing two jumps in the thermopower and its sign reversal. Our consideration is based on the flattening of the single-particle spectrum that strongly affects ρ0 and N0 and leads to the violation of particle–hole symmetry. The particle–hole asymmetry generates the asymmetrical part Δσd(V) of tunneling differential conductivity σd(V), Δσd(V)=σd(V)−σd(−V), where V is the voltage bias. We demonstrate that in the presence of magnetic field, the quasiparticle–hole asymmetry vanishes, the LFL behavior is restored, and the asymmetry disappears. Our calculations of the mentioned properties of HF compounds, based on the fermion condensation theory, are in good agreement with the experiment and support our conclusion that the fermion condensation theory is capable of describing the properties of HF compounds, including those exhibited under the application of magnetic field.
Novel Algorithm for Linearly Constrained Derivative Free Global Optimization of Lipschitz Functions
Authors: Stripinis Linas , Paulavičius Remigijus
Published: June 2023

This paper introduces an innovative extension of the DIRECT algorithm specifically designed to solve global optimization problems that involve Lipschitz continuous functions subject to linear constraints. Our approach builds upon recent advancements in DIRECT-type algorithms, incorporating novel techniques for partitioning and selecting potential optimal hyper-rectangles. A key contribution lies in applying a new mapping technique to eliminate the infeasible region efficiently. This allows calculations to be performed only within the feasible region defined by linear constraints. We perform extensive tests using a diverse set of benchmark problems to evaluate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed algorithm compared to existing DIRECT solvers. Statistical analyses using Friedman and Wilcoxon tests demonstrate the superiority of a new algorithm in solving such problems.
Simulation of the Process of Injection of Liquid Sulfur Dioxide into a Porous Reservoir Initially Saturated with Methane and Ice
Authors: Gimaltdinov Ilias K. , Stolpovskii Maksim V.
Published: June 2023

The paper presents the results of modeling the problem of injecting liquid sulfur dioxide into a porous reservoir initially saturated with methane and ice. The model presented in the paper assumes the formation of three different regions, namely the near one, saturated with liquid SO2 and its hydrate; the far one, containing methane and ice; and the intermediate one, saturated with methane and water. The effects of various parameters of the porous medium and injected SO2 on the nature of the course of the hydrate formation process have been studied. It is shown that with a decrease in reservoir permeability or injection pressure, the length of the intermediate region decreases, which, in the limiting case, means the formation of SO2 hydrate in the mode without the formation of an extended region saturated with methane and water. It is shown that such a regime is also typical for the case of high initial injection pressures, as well as low values of the initial reservoir temperature and injection temperature.
The Conditioning of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage II and III Rectal Cancer Determined by Postoperative Pathological Characteristics in Romania
Authors: Liscu Horia-Dan , Liscu Bogdan-Radu , Mitre Ruxandra , Anghel Ioana-Valentina , Antone-Iordache Ionut-Lucian , Balan Andrei , Coniac Simona , Miron Andreea-Iuliana , Halcu Georgian
Published: June 2023

The management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) suffered changes thanks to the development of improved surgical procedures, radiation delivery, and chemotherapy. Although treatment options improved individually, the optimal order is still debated. Neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) has been the “golden standard” for locally advanced rectal cancer. There is no common ground in international guidelines on the indications of adjuvant chemotherapy (ADJCHT), with differences between the American, European, and Japanese guidelines. This paper studies the preferences of Romanian oncologists in prescribing ADJCHT. We conducted a single-institution, retrospective study of all nonmetastatic, ECOG 0-1 LARC patients staged II-III who underwent TME and were admitted to the Oncology or Radiotherapy Department of Colțea Clinical Hospital, Bucharest between January 2017 and March 2021. A total of 186 patients were included in the study. A positive correlation was found between ADJCHT and each of the following: (y)pT > 2, (y)pN > 0, and the presence of perineural invasion (PNI+). A strong positive correlation was found between ADJCHT and the presence of at least one risk factor: (y)pT > 2, (y)pN > 0, PNI+, lymphovascular invasion, positive margins, or tumor grade > 1. Tumor downstaging decreased the risk of metastases in the first 2 years and was associated with the use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy, while adding neoadjuvant chemotherapy increased the chance of nodal downstaging. ADJCHT practice for LARC in Romania follows either NCCN or ESMO guidelines, at the discretion of the oncologist, due to the lack of national guideline.
A Brief Look at Hashimoto’s Disease, Adrenal Incidentalomas, Obesity and Insulin Resistance—Could Endocrine Disruptors Be the Other Side of the Same Coin?
Authors: Gontarz-Nowak Katarzyna , Szklarz Michał , Szychlińska Magdalena , Matuszewski Wojciech , Bandurska-Stankiewicz Elżbieta
Published: June 2023

Hashimoto’s disease (HD) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries. The exact pathomechanism behind it has not been clearly established; however, an interplay of genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers (including diet) and epigenetic factors seems to be involved. Among the latter, increasingly more attention has been paid to some hormonally active substances, known as endocrine disruptors, which are commonly used worldwide. HD has become a condition widely reported in the media, acting as a culprit for inexplicable weight gain, chronic fatigue or weakness. Nevertheless, the recognition of HD is undeniably increasing and represents a major public health burden. At the same time, improving access to imaging tests has increased the number of incidentally diagnosed adrenal tumors. Above all, the widespread use of chest computed tomography (CT) due to the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to frequent incidental detection of adrenal lesions. Fortunately, a vast majority of these findings are asymptomatic benign tumors with no excessive hormonal activity, and therefore, they are defined as adrenal incidentalomas (AIs). Interestingly, recent studies have indicated that patients with AIs are more prone to obesity and insulin resistance. Although mutual relationships between the thyroid and the adrenal glands have been studied widely, still, little is known about the possible pathophysiological associations between thyroid autoimmunity and the occurrence of adrenal incidentalomas. This article presents a brief review of the common endocrine disorders with a special focus on the frequently coexisting insulin resistance and/or obesity. Furthermore, in response to the recent growing interest in endocrine disruptors, with their transgenerational epigenetic effects that influence hormonal system function, a concise overview of the topic has also been included.
Low-Cycle Fatigue Behavior and Fracture Characteristics of Low-Cost Ti-2Fe-0.1B Alloy
Authors: Wang Chu , Sun Yangyang , Mi Yaoyao , Dong Yuecheng , Chang Hui , Alexandrov I. V.
Published: June 2023

In recent decades, the effect of Fe element addition on titanium alloy has been investigated extensively due to the development of low-cost titanium alloys, as well as B microalloying, which could decrease the grain size of titanium alloys during the casting process. As a key structural material, the study of the fatigue behavior of titanium alloys is crucial and always attractive for scientists. Hence, in this paper, the low cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior and fracture characteristics of a low-cost Ti-2Fe-0.1B alloy with a lamellar structure were investigated systematically, five different strain amplitudes (Δεt/2) in the range from 0.6% to 1.4% were selected to control the LCF process. It was found that the Ti-2Fe-0.1B alloy exhibits continuous cyclic softening behavior in the cycle as a whole at Δεt/2 ≤ 1.2%, while at Δεt/2 = 1.4%, it exhibits slight cyclic hardening at the initial stage of the cycle, then shows cyclic softening. Compared with pure titanium and other typical titanium alloys, the Ti-2Fe-0.1B alloy indicated maximum fatigue life under the same strain amplitude, it can be attributed to the fine grain size result from the effect of Fe element and trace B, which could hinder the dislocation movement and crack propagation.
Influence of Tool–Base Metal Interference on the Performance of an Aluminium–Magnesium Alloy Joined via Bobbin Tool Friction Stir Welding
Authors: Balos Sebastian , Labus Zlatanovic Danka , Kulundzic Nenad , Janjatovic Petar , Dramicanin Miroslav , Lanc Zorana , Hadzistevic Miodrag , Radisic Slobodan , Rajnovic Dragan , Pecanac Milan
Published: June 2023

Bobbin tool friction stir welding (BTFSW) is a variant of the FSW process which uses the special two-shoulder tool that forms the top and bottom of a weld surface. As such, a significant simplification of the welding setup is achieved. One of the dominant parameters of the BTFSW process is the interference between the tool shoulder pinch gap and the weld metal thickness. In this research, the influence of interference of the square pin tool with convex shoulders on process temperature, microstructure, tensile, impact, and bend performance were studied, and appropriate correlations were devised. The base metal was an aluminum–magnesium alloy in which the interference varied in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. Wormhole defects and irregularities were found in all specimens except in the specimen welded with 0.4 mm interference. An optimal interference of 0.4 mm resulted in the best mechanical properties, which, in terms of tensile strength and reduction of area, were similar to the base metal. Furthermore, the impact strength was significantly higher, which was attributed to the grain refinement effect in the nugget zone.
Neuroendocrine Effects on the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Children
Authors: Scorrano Giovanna , La Bella Saverio , Matricardi Sara , Chiarelli Francesco , Giannini Cosimo
Published: June 2023

The endocrine and nervous systems reciprocally interact to manage physiological individual functions and homeostasis. The nervous system modulates hormone release through the hypothalamus, the main cerebrally specialized structure of the neuroendocrine system. The hypothalamus is involved in various metabolic processes, administering hormone and neuropeptide release at different levels. This complex activity is affected by the neurons of various cerebral areas, environmental factors, peripheral organs, and mediators through feedback mechanisms. Therefore, neuroendocrine pathways play a key role in metabolic homeostasis control, and their abnormalities are associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children. The impaired functioning of the genes, hormones, and neuropeptides of various neuroendocrine pathways involved in several metabolic processes is related to an increased risk of dyslipidaemia, visceral obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. This review examines the neuroendocrine effects on the risk of MetS in children, identifying and underlying several conditions associated with neuroendocrine pathway disruption. Neuroendocrine systems should be considered in the complex pathophysiology of MetS, and, when genetic or epigenetic mutations in “hot” pathways occur, they could be studied for new potential target therapies in severe and drug-resistant paediatric forms of MetS.
Ultra-Wideband and High-Gain Vivaldi Antenna with Artificial Electromagnetic Materials
Authors: Hu Ruiyue , Zhang Feng , Ye Shengbo , Fang Guangyou
Published: June 2023

An ultra-wideband and high-gain Vivaldi antenna with artificial electromagnetic material, suitable for ground-penetrating radar (GPR) systems, is proposed. Directors loaded inside the antenna gradient slot direct electromagnetic waves by inducing current to improve gain. The artificial electromagnetic material, also called metamaterial, is composed of multiple “H”-shaped units arranged in a certain regular pattern, loaded at the antenna aperture. The artificial electromagnetic units affect the antenna radiation waves by changing the refractive index to improve radiation directivity. The four Vivaldi units are arranged into a horn-shaped array, and each two units are orthogonally fed to realize dual polarization. Experimental results demonstrate that the antenna has good impedance matching of S11≤−10 dB in 0.9–4 GHz, and the maximum realized gain can reach 15.2 dBi.
Review on Surface-Modified Electrodes for the Enhanced Electrochemical Detection of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Authors: Barry Simone C. L. , Franke Candice , Mulaudzi Takalani , Pokpas Keagan , Ajayi Rachel Fanelwa
Published: June 2023

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants used for the treatment of moderate to severe depressive disorder, personality disorders and various phobias. This class of antidepressants was created with improved margins of safety. However, genetic polymorphism may be responsible for the high variability in patients’ responses to treatment, ranging from failure to delayed therapeutic responses to severe adverse effects of treatment. It is crucial that the appropriate amount of SSRI drugs is administered to ensure the optimum therapeutic efficacy and intervention to minimise severe and toxic effects in patients, which may be the result of accidental and deliberate cases of poisoning. Determining SSRI concentration in human fluids and the environment with high sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility, and at a low cost and real-time monitoring, is imperative. Electrochemical sensors with advanced functional materials have drawn the attention of researchers as a result of these advantages over conventional techniques. This review article aims to present functional materials such as polymers, carbon nanomaterials, metal nanomaterials as well as composites for surface modification of electrodes for sensitive detection and quantification of SSRIs, including fluoxetine, citalopram, paroxetine, fluvoxamine and sertraline. Sensor fabrication, sensor/analyte interactions, design rationale and properties of functional material and the electrocatalytic effect of the modified electrode on SSRI detection are discussed.
Piezotronic and Piezo-Phototronic Effects-Enhanced Core–Shell Structure-Based Nanowire Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Liu Xiang , Li Fangpei , Peng Wenbo , Zhu Quanzhe , Li Yangshan , Zheng Guodong , Tian Hongyang , He Yongning
Published: June 2023

Piezotronic and piezo-phototronic effects have been extensively applied to modulate the performance of advanced electronics and optoelectronics. In this study, to systematically investigate the piezotronic and piezo-phototronic effects in field-effect transistors (FETs), a core–shell structure-based Si/ZnO nanowire heterojunction FET (HJFET) model was established using the finite element method. We performed a sweep analysis of several parameters of the model. The results show that the channel current increases with the channel radial thickness and channel doping concentration, while it decreases with the channel length, gate doping concentration, and gate voltage. Under a tensile strain of 0.39‰, the saturation current change rate can reach 38%. Finally, another core–shell structure-based ZnO/Si nanowire HJFET model with the same parameters was established. The simulation results show that at a compressive strain of −0.39‰, the saturation current change rate is about 18%, which is smaller than that of the Si/ZnO case. Piezoelectric potential and photogenerated electromotive force jointly regulate the carrier distribution in the channel, change the width of the channel depletion layer and the channel conductivity, and thus regulate the channel current. The research results provide a certain degree of reference for the subsequent experimental design of Zn-based HJFETs and are applicable to other kinds of FETs.
Fabrication of Spiral Low-Cost Microchannel with Trapezoidal Cross Section for Cell Separation Using a Grayscale Approach
Authors: Adel Mohamed , Allam Ahmed , Sayour Ashraf E. , Ragai Hani F. , Umezu Shinjiro , Fath El-Bab Ahmed M. R.
Published: June 2023

Trapezoidal cross-sectional spiral microfluidic channels showed high resolution and throughput in cell separation in bio-applications. The main challenges are the complexity and high cost of the fabrication process of trapezoidal cross-sectional channels on the micro-scale. In this work, we present the application of grayscale in microfluidic channel design to overcome the complexity of the fabrication process. We also use direct engraving with a CO2 laser beam on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) material to drastically reduce the microfluidic chip’s cost (to <30 cents) and fabrication time (to 20 min). The capability of the present fabrication methodology for cell sorting applications is demonstrated through experimental tests for the separation of white blood cells (WBCs) from whole blood at different dilution factors. The experimental results indicated that an 800 µL/min flow rate provided the optimal separation efficiency using the fabricated chip. A 90.14% separation efficiency at 1% hematocrit diluted blood sample was reported.
Implementation of Gate-All-Around Gate-Engineered Charge Plasma Nanowire FET-Based Common Source Amplifier
Authors: Singh Sarabdeep , Solay Leo Raj , Anand Sunny , Kumar Naveen , Ranjan Ravi , Singh Amandeep
Published: June 2023

This paper examines the performance of a Gate-Engineered Gate-All-Around Charge Plasma Nanowire Field Effect Transistor (GAA-DMG-GS-CP NW-FET) and the implementation of a common source (CS) amplifier circuit. The proposed GAA-DMG-GS-CP NW-FET incorporates dual-material gate (DMG) and gate stack (GS) as gate engineering techniques and its analog/RF performance parameters are compared to those of the Gate-All-Around Single-Material Gate Charge Plasma Nanowire Field Effect Transistor (GAA-SMG-CP NW-FET) device. Both Gate-All-Around (GAA) devices are designed using the Silvaco TCAD tool. GAA structures have demonstrated good gate control because the gate holds the channel, which is an inherent advantage for both devices discussed herein. The charge plasma dopingless technique is used, in which the source and drain regions are formed using metal contacts and necessary work functions rather than doping. This dopingless technique eliminates the need for doping, reducing fluctuations caused by random dopants and lowering the device’s thermal budget. Gate engineering techniques such as DMG and GS significantly improved the current characteristics which played a crucial role in obtaining maximum gain for circuit designs. The lookup table (LUT) approach is used in the implementation of the CS amplifier circuit with the proposed device. The transient response of the circuit is analyzed with both the device structures where the gain achieved for the CS amplifier circuit using the proposed GAA-DMG-GS-CP NW-FET is 15.06 dB. The superior performance showcased by the proposed GAA-DMG-GS-CP NW-FET device with analog, RF and circuit analysis proves its strong candidature for future nanoscale and low-power applications.
An Overview of the Emergence of Plant Pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Europe
Authors: Trkulja Vojislav , Tomić Andrija , Matić Slavica , Trkulja Nenad , Iličić Renata , Popović Milovanović Tatjana
Published: June 2023

In this paper, a comprehensive overview of the ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ presence in Europe was provided. The analyzed findings revealed that, since the first appearance of this pathogen in Finland and Spain in 2008, it has spread to 13 new European countries. Therefore, ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ has spread very quickly across the European continent, as evident from the emergence of new host plants within the Apiaceae, Urticaceae, and Polygonaceae families, as well as new haplotypes of this pathogen. Thus far, 5 of the 15 ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ haplotypes determined across the globe have been confirmed in Europe (haplotypes C, D, E, U, and H). Fully competent ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ vectors include Bactericera cockerelli, Trioza apicalis, and B. trigonica; however, only T. apicalis and B. trigonica are presently established in Europe and are very important for plants from the Apiaceae family in particular. Moreover, psyllid species such as B. tremblayi, T. urticae, and T. anthrisci have also been confirmed positive for ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’. Constant monitoring of its spread in the field (in both symptomatic and asymptomatic plants), use of sensitive molecular diagnostic techniques, and application of timely management strategies are, therefore, of utmost importance for the control of this destructive pathogen.
Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) Associated with Calf Mortality in Uruguay
Authors: Fernández Magalí , Casaux María Laura , Fraga Martín , Vignoli Rafael , Bado Inés , Zunino Pablo , Umpiérrez Ana
Published: June 2023

In Uruguay, the mortality of dairy calves due to infectious diseases is high. Escherichia coli is a natural inhabitant of the intestinal microbiota, but can cause several infections. The aim of the work was to characterize E. coli isolates from intestinal and extraintestinal origin of dead newborn calves. Using PCR, virulence gene characteristics of pathogenic E. coli were searched. The pathogenic E. coli were molecularly characterized and the phylogroup, serogroup and the Stx subtype were determined. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes with PCR. Finally, clonal relationships were inferred using PFGE. Gene characteristics of the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and Necrotoxigenic E. coli (NTEC) were identified. The prevalence of the iucD, afa8E, f17, papC, stx1, eae and ehxA genes was high and no f5, f41, saa, sfaDE, cdtIV, lt, sta or stx2 were detected. The prevalence of STEC gene stx1 in the dead calves stood out and was higher compared with previous studies conducted in live calves, and STEC LEE+ (Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)) isolates with stx1/eae/ehxA genotypes were more frequently identified in the intestinal than in the extraintestinal environment. E. coli isolates were assigned to phylogroups A, B1, D and E, and some belonged to the O111 serogroup. stx1a and stx1c subtypes were determined in STEC. A high prevalence of multi-resistance among STEC and qnrB genes was determined. The PFGE showed a high diversity of pathogenic strains with similar genetic profiles. It can be speculated that EHEC (stx1/eae/ehxA) could play an important role in mortality. The afa8E, f17G1 and papC genes could also have a role in calf mortality. Multidrug resistance defies disease treatment and increases the risk of death, while the potential transmissibility of genes to other species constitutes a threat to public health.
Suppression of Nasopharyngeal and Gastric Tumor Growth in a Mouse Model by Antibodies to Epstein–Barr Virus LMP1 Protein
Authors: Khenchouche Abdelhalim , Salem-Bekhit Mounir M. , Mansour Ahd A. , Alomary Mohammad N. , Wang Xiaohui , Alzahrani Hayat Ali , Hosiny Ibrahim M. Al , Taha Ehab I. , Shazly Gamal A. , Benguerba Yacine , Houali Karim
Published: June 2023

The study aimed to investigate the antitumor efficacy of anti-LMP1 antibodies in EBV-positive nasopharyngeal and stomach cell lines and xenograft models. The study also examined the NF-κB expression and cell cycle activation of NPC-serum-exosome-associated LMP1. Anti-LMP1 antibody treatment before or during cell implantation prevented tumor growth in nude mice. A small dose of antibodies resulted in complete tumor regression for at least three months after the tumors had grown in size. The consumption of antigen–antibody complexes by tumor cells limited tumor growth. In vitro experiments showed that anti-LMP1 antibodies killed EBV-positive NPC- or GC-derived epithelial cell lines and EBV-positive human B-cell lines but not EBV-negative cell lines. Treatment with anti-LMP1 reduced NF-κB expression in cells. The animal model experiments showed that anti-LMP1 inhibited and prevented NPC- or GC-derived tumor growth. The results suggest that LMP1 antibody immunotherapy could cure nasopharyngeal cancer, EBV-positive gastric carcinoma, and EBV-associated lymphomas. However, further validation of these findings is required through human clinical trials.
Molecular Evidence of Rickettsia conorii subsp. raoultii and Rickettsia felis in Haemaphysalis intermedia Ticks in Sirumalai, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, South India
Authors: Nallan Krishnamoorthy , Ayyavu Veerapathiran , Ayyanar Elango , Thirupathi Balaji , Gupta Bhavna , Devaraju Panneer , Kumar Ashwani , Rajaiah Paramasivan
Published: June 2023

Rickettsia is an important pathogenic entity among tick-borne diseases (TBD), which are considered serious emerging public health problems globally. In India, though the widespread distribution of ticks and TBD has been documented, its real burden remains underreported. In a preliminary attempt, rickettsial surveillance was carried out in ticks collected from Sirumalai, Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu, India by using pathogen genome-based phylogenetic inferences generated through multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), targeting the genes 16s rRNA, OmpA, OmpB, and gltA by nested PCR. The laboratory evidence confirms the circulation of Rickettsia in Haemaphysalis intermedia species collected from this area. Analysis of the four gene sequences detected demonstrates their closest identity to the spotted fever group (SFG) available in the GenBank database. Further, multiple sequence alignment with other sequences derived from the GenBank database showed close relatedness to Rickettsia conorii subsp. raoultii (16s rDNA-99.32%, OmpA-93.38%, OmpB-97.39%, and gltA-98.57%) and Rickettsia felis (16s rDNA 99.54%, OmpA-100%, OmpB-100% and gltA-99.41%). With this genomic evidence, the circulation of rickettsial pathogens in the pools of H. intermedia ticks infesting livestock in the Sirumalai foothill area has been demonstrated and to complement the microscopic identification of the tick species, DNA barcodes were generated for H. intermedia using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI). Nevertheless, R. raoultii and R. felis were found to be the aetiological agents of tick-borne lymphadenopathy and flea-borne spotted fever in human cases, respectively, further study on the determination of their diversity, distribution, clinical relevance, and potential risk to the local community in these areas is highly warranted.
The Use of Mefenoxam to Treat Cutaneous and Gastrointestinal Pythiosis in Dogs: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Billings Phillip , Walton Stuart , Shmalberg Justin , Santoro Domenico
Published: June 2023

Pythium insidiosum, an aquatic oomycete with pathogenic potential in mammals, causes gastrointestinal and cutaneous disease in dogs. Mefenoxam, an agricultural anti-oomycotic compound, has a demonstrated the ability to inhibit P. insidiosum growth in vitro and has been associated with efficacy in treating gastrointestinal pythiosis in several case reports. Electronic medical records of dogs seen at University of Florida Small Animal Hospital and treated with mefenoxam between 2013 and 2020 were searched. Dogs were included in this study upon previous definitive diagnosis with either organism identification using culture, PCR, or antibody ELISA, or a combination of these tests with or without supportive histopathological analysis. Since 2013, mefenoxam had been administered to 25 dogs with cutaneous pythiosis and 16 dogs with gastrointestinal pythiosis. In both gastrointestinal and cutaneous pythiosis groups, the administration of mefenoxam was associated with a survivability rate of approximately 51%. There was a statistically significant difference in the time to death between cutaneous (245 days (52–530)) and gastrointestinal (90 days (21–203)) groups; dogs infected with cutaneous pythiosis survived significantly longer after being diagnosed with the disease (p = 0.035). The dogs in this study experienced increased survival rates and time to death, in the absence of side effects due to mefenoxam, compared with previously published literature. The results of this retrospective study, with some limitations, are promising and should prompt further investigation into the use of mefenoxam in the treatment of both gastrointestinal and cutaneous pythiosis.