bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SAGA-Dependent Histone H2Bub1 Deubiquitination Is Essential for Cellular Ubiquitin Balance during Embryonic Development
Authors: El-Saafin Farrah , Devys Didier , Johnsen Steven A. , Vincent Stéphane D. , Tora László
Published: July 2022

Ubiquitin (ub) is a small, highly conserved protein widely expressed in eukaryotic cells. Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification catalyzed by enzymes that activate, conjugate, and ligate ub to proteins. Substrates can be modified either by addition of a single ubiquitin molecule (monoubiquitination), or by conjugation of several ubs (polyubiquitination). Monoubiquitination acts as a signaling mark to control diverse biological processes. The cellular and spatial distribution of ub is determined by the opposing activities of ub ligase enzymes, and deubiquitinases (DUBs), which remove ub from proteins to generate free ub. In mammalian cells, 1–2% of total histone H2B is monoubiquitinated. The SAGA (Spt Ada Gcn5 Acetyl-transferase) is a transcriptional coactivator and its DUB module removes ub from H2Bub1. The mammalian SAGA DUB module has four subunits, ATXN7, ATXN7L3, USP22, and ENY2. Atxn7l3−/− mouse embryos, lacking DUB activity, have a five-fold increase in H2Bub1 retention, and die at mid-gestation. Interestingly, embryos lacking the ub encoding gene, Ubc, have a similar phenotype. Here we provide a current overview of data suggesting that H2Bub1 retention on the chromatin in Atxn7l3−/− embryos may lead to an imbalance in free ub distribution. Thus, we speculate that ATXN7L3-containing DUBs impact the free cellular ub pool during development.
Size-Dependent Cytoprotective Effects of Selenium Nanoparticles during Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation in Brain Cortical Cells
Authors: Varlamova Elena G. , Gudkov Sergey V. , Plotnikov Egor Y. , Turovsky Egor A.
Published: July 2022

It is known that selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) obtained on their basis have a pleiotropic effect, inducing the process of apoptosis in tumor cells, on the one hand, and protecting healthy tissue cells from death under stress, on the other hand. It has been established that SeNPs protect brain cells from ischemia/reoxygenation through activation of the Ca2+ signaling system of astrocytes and reactive astrogliosis. At the same time, for a number of particles, the limitations of their use, associated with their size, are shown. The use of nanoparticles with a diameter of less than 10 nm leads to their short life-time in the bloodstream and rapid removal by the liver. Nanoparticles larger than 200 nm activate the complement system and are also quickly removed from the blood. The effects of different-sized SeNPs on brain cells have hardly been studied. Using the laser ablation method, we obtained SeNPs of various diameters: 50 nm, 100 nm, and 400 nm. Using fluorescence microscopy, vitality tests, PCR analysis, and immunocytochemistry, it was shown that all three types of the different-sized SeNPs have a cytoprotective effect on brain cortex cells under conditions of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and reoxygenation (R), suppressing the processes of necrotic death and inhibiting different efficiency processes of apoptosis. All of the studied SeNPs activate the Ca2+ signaling system of astrocytes, while simultaneously inducing different types of Ca2+ signals. SeNPs sized at 50 nm- induce Ca2+ responses of astrocytes in the form of a gradual irreversible increase in the concentration of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), 100 nm-sized SeNPs induce stable Ca2+ oscillations without increasing the base level of [Ca2+]i, and 400 nm-sized SeNPs cause mixed patterns of Ca2+ signals. Such differences in the level of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling can explain the different cytoprotective efficacy of SeNPs, which is expressed in the expression of protective proteins and the activation of reactive astrogliosis. In terms of the cytoprotective efficiency under OGD/R conditions, different-sized SeNPs can be arranged in descending order: 100 nm-sized > 400 nm-sized > 50 nm-sized.
Limited Accuracy of Pan-Trk Immunohistochemistry Screening for NTRK Rearrangements in Follicular-Derived Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Macerola Elisabetta , Proietti Agnese , Poma Anello Marcello , Vignali Paola , Sparavelli Rebecca , Ginori Alessandro , Basolo Alessio , Elisei Rossella , Santini Ferruccio , Basolo Fulvio
Published: July 2022

Patients with advanced thyroid cancer harboring NTRK rearrangements can be treated with highly effective selective inhibitors. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis, to detect Trk protein expression, represents an appealing screening strategy for NTRK rearrangements, but its efficacy has been poorly explored in thyroid cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic utility of Trk IHC in the identification of NTRK rearrangements. A series of 26 follicular-derived thyroid tumors, positive for NTRK rearrangements, and 28 NTRK fusion-negative controls were retrospectively analyzed by IHC using the pan-Trk monoclonal antibody (clone EPR17341) on the Ventana system. Area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were calculated by ROC analysis. Trk expression was detected in 25 samples, including 22 out of the 26 NTRK-rearranged (84.6%) and three out of 28 NTRK-negative samples (10.7%). Four out of twenty-six NTRK-rearranged thyroid tumors were negative for Trk expression (15.4%), all carrying the ETV6/NTRK3 fusion. The AUC, sensitivity and specificity were 0.87, 0.85 and 0.89, respectively. A screening based on IHC analysis showed limited sensitivity and specificity in the identification of NTRK-rearranged tumors. Since falsely negative results could preclude the administration of effective targeted drugs, alternative detection strategies should be considered for thyroid cancer.
How Does Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 Affect Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19?
Authors: Moreno-Nunez Paloma , Bueno-Cavanillas Aurora , San Jose-Saras Diego , Vicente-Guijarro Jorge , Fernández Chávez Abelardo Claudio , Aranaz-Andrés Jesús María ,   on behalf of Health Outcomes Research Group of the Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: The development of effective COVID-19 vaccines has reduced the impact of COVID-19 on the general population. Our study aims to analyze how vaccination modifies the likelihood of death and length of stay in hospitalized patients with COVID-19; (2) Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 1927 hospitalized patients infected with COVID-19 was conducted. Information was gathered on vaccination status, hospitalization episode, and clinical profile of the patients. The effect of vaccination on mortality was analyzed using a multiple logistic regression model, and length of stay was analyzed using linear regression. The performance and fit of the models were evaluated; (3) Results: In hospitalized patients with COVID-19, the risk of dying during admission in vaccinated patients was half that of non-vaccinated (OR: 0.45; CI 95%: 0.25 to 0.84). In patients who were discharged due to improvement, the reduction in hospital stay in vaccinated patients was 3.17 days (CI 95%: 5.88 to 0.47); (4) Conclusions: Patients who, despite having been vaccinated, acquire the infection by SARS-CoV-2, have a significant reduction of the risk of death during admission and a reduction of hospital stay compared with unvaccinated patients.
Latent Classes for the Treatment Outcomes in Women with Gambling Disorder and Buying/Shopping Disorder
Authors: Granero Roser , Fernández-Aranda Fernando , Lara-Huallipe Milagros Lizbeth , Gómez-Peña Mónica , Moragas Laura , Baenas Isabel , Müller Astrid , Brand Matthias , Sisquellas Claudia , Jiménez-Murcia Susana
Published: July 2022

Background: The risk for behavioral addictions is rising among women within the general population and in clinical settings. However, few studies have assessed treatment effectiveness in females. The aim of this work was to explore latent empirical classes of women with gambling disorder (GD) and buying/shopping disorder (BSD) based on the treatment outcome, as well as to identify predictors of the different empirical groups considering the sociodemographic and clinical profiles at baseline. Method: A clinical sample of n = 318 women seeking treatment for GD (n = 221) or BSD (n = 97) participated. Age was between 21 to 77 years. Results: The four latent-classes solution was the optimal classification in the study. Latent class 1 (LT1, good progression to recovery) grouped patients with the best CBT outcomes (lowest risk of dropout and relapses), and it was characterized by the healthiest psychological state at baseline, the lowest scores in harm avoidance and self-transcendence, and the highest scores in reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness and cooperativeness. Latent classes 3 (LT3, bad progression to drop-out) and 4 (LT4, bad progression to relapse) grouped women with the youngest mean age, earliest onset of the addictive behaviors, and worst psychological functioning. Conclusions: GD and BSD are complex conditions with multiple interactive causes and impacts, which need wide and flexible treatment plans. Specific interventions should be designed according to the specific profiles of women for achieving early inclusion, retention and well-maintained long-term effects.
Deep Learning-Based Automated Diagnosis for Coronary Artery Disease Using SPECT-MPI Images
Authors: Papandrianos Nikolaos , Feleki Anna , Papageorgiou Elpiniki , Martini Chiara
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a long-established estimation methodology for medical diagnosis using image classification illustrating conditions in coronary artery disease. For these procedures, convolutional neural networks have proven to be very beneficial in achieving near-optimal accuracy for the automatic classification of SPECT images. (2) Methods: This research addresses the supervised learning-based ideal observer image classification utilizing an RGB-CNN model in heart images to diagnose CAD. For comparison purposes, we employ VGG-16 and DenseNet-121 pre-trained networks that are indulged in an image dataset representing stress and rest mode heart states acquired by SPECT. In experimentally evaluating the method, we explore a wide repertoire of deep learning network setups in conjunction with various robust evaluation and exploitation metrics. Additionally, to overcome the image dataset cardinality restrictions, we take advantage of the data augmentation technique expanding the set into an adequate number. Further evaluation of the model was performed via 10-fold cross-validation to ensure our model’s reliability. (3) Results: The proposed RGB-CNN model achieved an accuracy of 91.86%, while VGG-16 and DenseNet-121 reached 88.54% and 86.11%, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The abovementioned experiments verify that the newly developed deep learning models may be of great assistance in nuclear medicine and clinical decision-making.
Extra-Pseudocapsular Transsphenoidal Surgery for Microprolactinoma in Women
Authors: Chen Juan , Guo Xiang , Miao Zhuangzhuang , Zhang Zhuo , Liu Shengwen , Wan Xueyan , Shu Kai , Yang Yan , Lei Ting
Published: July 2022

A recall for histological pseudocapsule (PS) and reappraisal of transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) as a viable alternative to dopamine agonists in the treatment algorithm of prolactinomas are getting vibrant. We hope to investigate the effectiveness and risks of extra-pseudocapsular transsphenoidal surgery (EPTSS) for young women with microprolactinoma, and to look into the factors that influenced remission and recurrence, and thus to figure out the possible indication shift for primary TSS. We proposed a new classification method of microprolactinoma based on the relationship between tumor and pituitary position, which can be divided into hypo-pituitary, para-pituitary and supra-pituitary groups. We retrospectively analyzed 133 patients of women (<50 yr) with microprolactinoma (≤10 mm) who underwent EPTSS in a tertiary center. PS were identified in 113 (84.96%) microadenomas intraoperatively. The long-term surgical cure rate was 88.2%, and the comprehensive remission rate was 95.8% in total. There was no severe or permanent complication, and the surgical morbidity rate was 4.5%. The recurrence rate with over 5 years of follow-up was 9.2%, and a lot lower for the tumors in the complete PS group (0) and hypo-pituitary group (2.1%). Use of the extra-pseudocapsule dissection in microprolactinoma resulted in a good chance of increasing the surgical remission without increasing the risk of CSF leakage or endocrine deficits. First-line EPTSS may offer a greater opportunity of long-term cure for young female patients with microprolactinoma of hypo-pituitary located and Knosp grade 0-II.
X-ray Tomography Investigation of the Quality of Architected Structures Obtained with Additive Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Azouzi Meher , Labbe Eric , Marquet Vincent , Moulart Raphael , Allaoui Samir
Published: July 2022

Additive Manufacturing (AM) appears to be the best candidate to manufacture random architected materials, as it offers significant freedom in the design of hollowed parts with complex geometry. However, when these structures are needed with thins walls and struts, AM processes may encounter difficulties in properly manufacturing these structures due to their capability limits. This study proposes to characterize the manufacturing of random architected structures to see firstly their fabricability and the capability of the additive manufacturing processes used, such as vat photopolymerization (Stereolithography process (SLA)), material extrusion (Fused Filament Fabrication process (FFF)) and powder bed fusion (Selective Laser Sintering process (SLS)) through tomographic, dimensional, and mass analysis. Several defects specific to each process were identified. A higher predominance of porosities, lack of printing and excess of material manifests as trapped or partially fused powder for SLS and angel hair for FFF. These defects strongly affect the dimensional and geometric accuracy of the struts and, thus, the final mass of the structure obtained with these two processes. The SLA process makes it possible to print thinner details of random architected structures with better material quality and good dimensional and geometric accuracy, under the conditions and protocol used in this study.
Application of an Adsorption Process on Selected Materials, Including Waste, as a Barrier to the Pesticide Penetration into the Environment
Authors: Piekarski Jacek , Ignatowicz Katarzyna , Dąbrowski Tomasz
Published: July 2022

The article presents research on using the adsorption process of aldrin (a chloro-organic pesticide that most often occurs in the environment near expired pesticide burials). The research used three sorbents: two activated carbons and compost from sewage sludge as a low-cost sorbent. Obtained adsorption isotherms belong to the L group according to the Giles classification. The test results and their analysis confirm that the IZO application facilitates the analysis of the adsorption process. The study results also confirm that compost can be a cost-effective alternative to commercial activated carbons to build barriers protecting the environment against existing leaking expired pesticide burials.
The Effect of Sibunit Carbon Surface Modification with Diazonium Tosylate Salts of Pd and Pd-Au Catalysts on Furfural Hydrogenation
Authors: German Dmitrii , Kolobova Ekaterina , Pakrieva Ekaterina , Carabineiro Sónia A. C. , Sviridova Elizaveta , Perevezentsev Sergey , Alijani Shahram , Villa Alberto , Prati Laura , Postnikov Pavel , Bogdanchikova Nina , Pestryakov Alexey
Published: July 2022

Herein, we investigated the effect of the support modification (Sibunit carbon) with diazonium salts of Pd and Pd-Au catalysts on furfural hydrogenation under 5 bars of H2 and 50 °C. To this end, the surface of Sibunit (Cp) was modified with butyl (Cp-Butyl), carboxyl (Cp-COOH) and amino groups (Cp-NH2) using corresponding diazonium salts. The catalysts were synthesized by the sol immobilization method. The catalysts as well as the corresponding supports were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Hammet indicator method and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The analysis of the results allowed us to determine the crucial influence of surface chemistry on the catalytic behavior of the studied catalysts, especially regarding selectivity. At the same time, the structural, textural, electronic and acid–base properties of the catalysts were practically unaffected. Thus, it can be assumed that the modification of Sibunit with various functional groups leads to changes in the hydrophobic/hydrophilic and/or electrostatic properties of the surface, which influenced the selectivity of the process.
Effects of High Temperatures on the Performance of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Composite Cables Protected with Fire-Retardant Materials
Authors: Zhuge Ping , Tao Guocheng , Wang Bing , Jie Zhiyu , Zhang Zihua
Published: July 2022

In this study, the safe critical temperature that can be tolerated by CFRP tendons under normal working conditions was derived through tensile tests at room and high temperatures. Next, the times required to reach a safe critical temperature for CFRP cables protected with different types of fire-retardant materials of various thicknesses were determined through fire resistance tests, Finally, fitting the surface of the finite element simulation results allowed the establishment of the temperature rise calculation model of CFRP tendons under the protection of fire-retardant materials. The results showed that 300 °C can be regarded as the safe critical temperature. Both high-silica needled felt and ceramic fiber felt exhibited high fireproof performance. With an increase in the thickness of the fire-retardant material, the time for the CFRP tendon to reach the inflection point of the heating rate increased, and the safe fire resistance time increased exponentially. According to the HC temperature rise curve, the fire resistance time of CFRP tendons protected by 24 mm thick high-silica needled felt was 45 min, and that for CFRP tendons protected by 24 mm thick ceramic fiber felt was 39.5 min. Under the action of fire corresponding to the hydrocarbon temperature rise model, the safe fire resistance time of CFRP tendons protected by 45 mm high-silica needled felt or 50 mm ceramic fiber felt was more than 2 h, sufficient to meet the specification. The proposed model of fire resistance performance enables the determination of the thickness of the fire resistance material required to obtain different degrees of fire resistance for CFRP cables for structural use.
Special Issue “Recent Advances and Applications in Multi Criteria Decision Analysis”
Authors: Jiménez-Martín Antonio
Published: July 2022

Over the last few decades, Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) techniques have been successfully applied to complex decision-making problems in a wide range of fields, such as economics, finance, logistics, environmental restoration, health or industrial organization, to name but a few, and imprecision and uncertainty have been incorporated into the decision-making process and applied to group decision-making contexts. [...]
Dynamical Behavior of a Fractional Order Model for Within-Host SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Dehingia Kaushik , Mohsen Ahmed A. , Alharbi Sana Abdulkream , Alsemiry Reima Daher , Rezapour Shahram
Published: July 2022

The prime objective of the current study is to propose a novel mathematical framework under the fractional-order derivative, which describes the complex within-host behavior of SARS-CoV-2 by taking into account the effects of memory and carrier. To do this, we formulate a mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 under the Caputo fractional-order derivative. We derived the conditions for the existence of equilibria of the model and computed the basic reproduction number R0. We used mathematical analysis to establish the proposed model’s local and global stability results. Some numerical resolutions of our theoretical results are presented. The main result of this study is that as the fractional derivative order increases, the approach of the solution to the equilibrium points becomes faster. It is also observed that the value of R0 increases as the value of β and πv increases.
Modulatory Effect of Diosmin and Diosmetin on Metalloproteinase Activity and Inflammatory Mediators in Human Skin Fibroblasts Treated with Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Feldo Marcin , Wójciak Magdalena , Ziemlewska Aleksandra , Dresler Sławomir , Sowa Ireneusz
Published: July 2022

Diosmin is widely used as a venoactive drug in the pharmacological treatment of chronic venous disorders. It exerts a strong protective effect on blood vessels via an increase in the elasticity of vessel walls and reduces the permeability of capillary walls, thereby producing an anti-edematous effect. In this paper, we investigated the effectiveness of diosmin and diosmetin in modulating the level of proinflammatory factors in human skin fibroblasts treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Two variants of the experiments were performed: the flavonoid was added 2 h prior to or 24 h after LPS stimulation. Our study revealed that both flavonoids reduced the levels of IL-6 and Il-1β as well as COX-2 and PGE2 but had no impact on IL-10. However, the addition of the compounds prior to the LPS addition was more effective. Moreover, diosmetin modulated the proinflammatory factors more strongly than diosmin. Our investigations also showed that both flavonoids were potent inhibitors of elastase and collagenase activity, and no differences between the glycoside and aglycone forms were observed.
Cholesterol Alters the Phase Separation in Model Membranes Containing hBest1
Authors: Videv Pavel , Mladenova Kirilka , Andreeva Tonya D. , Park Jong Hun , Moskova-Doumanova Veselina , Petrova Svetla D. , Doumanov Jordan A.
Published: July 2022

Human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells express the transmembrane Ca2+-dependent Cl− channel bestrophin-1 (hBest1) of the plasma membrane. Mutations in the hBest1 protein are associated with the development of distinct pathological conditions known as bestrophinopathies. The interactions between hBest1 and plasma membrane lipids (cholesterol (Chol), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and sphingomyelin (SM)) determine its lateral organization and surface dynamics, i.e., their miscibility or phase separation. Using the surface pressure/mean molecular area (π/A) isotherms, hysteresis and compressibility moduli (Cs−1) of hBest1/POPC/Chol and hBest1/SM/Chol composite Langmuir monolayers, we established that the films are in an LE (liquid-expanded) or LE-LC (liquid-condensed) state, the components are well-mixed and the Ca2+ ions have a condensing effect on the surface molecular organization. Cholesterol causes a decrease in the elasticity of both films and a decrease in the ΔGmixπ values (reduction of phase separation) of hBest1/POPC/Chol films. For the hBest1/SM/Chol monolayers, the negative values of ΔGmixπ are retained and equalized with the values of ΔGmixπ in the hBest1/POPC/Chol films. Shifts in phase separation/miscibility by cholesterol can lead to changes in the structure and localization of hBest1 in the lipid rafts and its channel functions.
Progress and Prospects of Non-Canonical NF-κB Signaling Pathway in the Regulation of Liver Diseases
Authors: Tao Li , Ren Xiaomeng , Zhai Wenhui , Chen Zheng
Published: July 2022

Non-canonical nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway regulates many physiological and pathological processes, including liver homeostasis and diseases. Recent studies demonstrate that non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway plays an essential role in hyperglycemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver regeneration, liver injury, autoimmune liver disease, viral hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting to non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway have been developed and shown promising results in the treatment of liver injuries. Here, the recent advances and future prospects in understanding the roles of the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathways in the regulation of liver diseases are discussed.
Pharmacologically Active Phytomolecules Isolated from Traditional Antidiabetic Plants and Their Therapeutic Role for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ansari Prawej , Akther Samia , Hannan J. M. A. , Seidel Veronique , Nujat Nusrat Jahan , Abdel-Wahab Yasser H. A.
Published: July 2022

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic complication that affects people of all ages. The increased prevalence of diabetes worldwide has led to the development of several synthetic drugs to tackle this health problem. Such drugs, although effective as antihyperglycemic agents, are accompanied by various side effects, costly, and inaccessible to the majority of people living in underdeveloped countries. Medicinal plants have been used traditionally throughout the ages to treat various ailments due to their availability and safe nature. Medicinal plants are a rich source of phytochemicals that possess several health benefits. As diabetes continues to become prevalent, health care practitioners are considering plant-based medicines as a potential source of antidiabetic drugs due to their high potency and fewer side effects. To better understand the mechanism of action of medicinal plants, their active phytoconstituents are being isolated and investigated thoroughly. In this review article, we have focused on pharmacologically active phytomolecules isolated from medicinal plants presenting antidiabetic activity and the role they play in the treatment and management of diabetes. These natural compounds may represent as good candidates for a novel therapeutic approach and/or effective and alternative therapies for diabetes.
An Evidence-Based Review of Application Devices for Nitric Oxide Concentration Determination from Exhaled Air in the Diagnosis of Inflammation and Treatment Monitoring
Authors: Wyszyńska Magdalena , Nitsze-Wierzba Monika , Czelakowska Aleksandra , Kasperski Jacek , Żywiec Joanna , Skucha-Nowak Małgorzata
Published: July 2022

The measurement of nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled air is used in diagnostics and monitoring the pathologies not only in the respiratory system but also in the oral cavity. It has shown a huge increase in its level in asthma and diseases of the oral cavity. It seems reasonable to undertake research on the impact of inflammation on the level of NO in exhaled air. The aim of the study is to make an evidence-based review of the application of NO levels in exhaled air in the diagnosis of inflammation and treatment monitoring on the basis of selected measuring devices. Methods and Results: This paper presents an example of the application of NO measurement in exhaled air in individual human systems. Selected measuring devices, their non-invasiveness, and their advantages are described. Discussion: The usefulness of this diagnostic method in pathologies of the oral cavity was noted. Conclusions: Measuring the level of NO in exhaled air seems to be a useful diagnostic method.
High-Quality Conjugated Polymers Achieving Ultra-Trace Detection of Cr2O72− in Agricultural Products
Authors: Li Hui , Li Fei , Liu Fang , Chen Xiao , Xu Wenyuan , Shen Liang , Xu Jingkun , Yang Rui , Zhang Ge
Published: July 2022

In view of that conjugated polymers (CPs) are an attractive option for constructing high-sensitive Cr2O72− sensors but suffer from lacking a general design strategy, we first proposed a rational structure design of CPs to tailor their sensing properties while validating the structure-to-performance correlation. Short side chains decorated with N and O atoms as recognition groups were instructed into fluorene to obtain monomers Fmoc-Ala-OH and Fmoc-Thr-OH. Additionally, their polymers P(Fmoc-Ala-OH) and P(Fmoc-Thr-OH) were obtained through electrochemical polymerization. P(Fmoc-Ala-OH) and P(Fmoc-Thr-OH) with high polymerization degrees have an excellent selectivity towards Cr2O72− in comparison to other cations and anions. Additionally, their limit of detection could achieve 1.98 fM and 3.72 fM, respectively. Especially, they could realize the trace detection of Cr2O72− in agricultural products (red bean, black bean, and millet). All these results indicate that short side chains decorated with N and O atoms functionalizing polyfluorene enables the ultra-trace detection of Cr2O72−. Additionally, the design strategy will spark new ideas for the construction of highly selective and sensitive Cr2O72− sensors.
The Dynamic Change in Fatty Acids during the Postharvest Process of Oolong Tea Production
Authors: Zhou Zi-Wei , Wu Qing-Yang , Yang Yun , Hu Qing-Cai , Wu Zong-Jie , Huang Hui-Qing , Lin Hong-Zheng , Lai Zhong-Xiong , Sun Yun
Published: July 2022

As important factors to oolong tea quality, the accumulation and dynamic change in aroma substances attracts great attention. The volatile composition of oolong tea is closely related to the precursor contents. Fatty acids (FAs) and their derivatives are basic components of oolong tea fragrance during the postharvest process. However, information about the precursors of FAs during the postharvest process of oolong tea production is rare. To investigate the transformation of fatty acids during the process of oolong tea production, gas chromatograph–flame ionization detection (GC-FID) was conducted to analyze the composition of FAs. The results show that the content of total polyunsaturated FAs initially increased and then decreased. Specifically, the contents of α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid and other representative substances decreased after the turn-over process of oolong tea production. The results of partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) showed that five types of FAs were obviously impacted by the processing methods of oolong tea (VIP > 1.0). LOX (Lipoxygenase, EC 1.13.11.12) is considered one of the key rate-limiting enzymes of long-chain unsaturated FAs in the LOX-HPL (hydroperoxide lyase) pathway, and the mechanical wounding occurring during the postharvest process of oolong tea production greatly elevated the activity of LOX.
Determination of the Masking Effect of the ‘Zapateria’ Defect in Flavoured Stuffed Olives Using E-Nose
Authors: Sánchez Ramiro , Boselli Emanuele , Fernández Antonio , Arroyo Patricia , Lozano Jesús , Martín-Vertedor Daniel
Published: July 2022

Spanish-style table olives are one of the most common processed foods in the Mediterranean countries. Lack of control during fermentation can lead to one of the main defects of the olive, called ‘Zapateria’, caused by the combination of volatile fatty acids reminiscent of rotten leather. In this study, table olives altered with ‘Zapateria’ defect were stuffed with a hydrocolloid flavoured with the aroma ‘Mojo picón’ to improve consumer acceptance. Sensory analysis, determination of volatile compounds and electronic nose (E-nose) were used to evaluate the quality of the olives. The control samples had a high concentration of the defect ‘Zapateria’ and were classified in the second commercial category, while higher ‘Mojo picón’ flavour concentrations resulted in these olives being classified as ‘extra category’ (a masking effect). The main volatile compounds in olives with ‘Zapateria’ defect were cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and pentanoic acid. E-nose allowed discrimination between stuffed olives without added flavouring and olives with ‘Mojo picón’ flavouring at different concentrations. Finally, PLS regression allowed a predictive linear model to be established between E-nose and sensory analysis values. The RP2 values were 0.74 for perceived defect and 0.86 for perceived aroma. The E-nose was successfully applied for the first time to classify Spanish-style table olives with ‘Zapateria’ defect intensity and with the addition of the ‘Mojo picón’ aroma masking the defect.
Pharmacological Properties of 4′, 5, 7-Trihydroxyflavone (Apigenin) and Its Impact on Cell Signaling Pathways
Authors: Abid Rameesha , Ghazanfar Shakira , Farid Arshad , Sulaman Samra Muhammad , Idrees Maryam , Amen Radwa Abdallnasser , Muzammal Muhammad , Shahzad Muhammad Khurram , Mohamed Mohamed Omar , Khaled Alaa Ashraf , Safir Waqas , Ghori Ifra , Elasbali Abdelbaset Mohamed , Alharbi Bandar
Published: July 2022

Plant bioactive compounds, particularly apigenin, have therapeutic potential and functional activities that aid in the prevention of infectious diseases in many mammalian bodies and promote tumor growth inhibition. Apigenin is a flavonoid with low toxicities and numerous bioactive properties due to which it has been considered as a traditional medicine for decades. Apigenin shows synergistic effects in combined treatment with sorafenib in the HepG2 human cell line (HCC) in less time and statistically reduces the viability of tumor cells, migration, gene expression and apoptosis. The combination of anti-cancerous drugs with apigenin has shown health promoting potential against various cancers. It can prevent cell mobility, maintain the cell cycle and stimulate the immune system. Apigenin also suppresses mTOR activity and raises the UVB-induced phagocytosis and reduces the cancerous cell proliferation and growth. It also has a high safety threshold, and active (anti-cancer) doses can be gained by consuming a vegetable and apigenin rich diet. Apigenin also boosted autophagosome formation, decreased cell proliferation and activated autophagy by preventing the activity of the PI3K pathway, specifically in HepG2 cells. This paper provides an updated overview of apigenin’s beneficial anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer effects, making it a step in the right direction for therapeutics. This study also critically analyzed the effect of apigenin on cancer cell signaling pathways including the PI3K/AKT/MTOR, JAK/STAT, NF-κB and ERK/MAPK pathways.
Effect of Li+ Doping on Photoelectric Properties of Double Perovskite Cs2SnI6: First Principles Calculation and Experimental Investigation
Authors: Zhang Jin , Yang Chen , Liao Yulong , Li Shijie , Yang Pengfei , Xi Yingxue , Liu Weiguo , Golosov Dmitriy A. , Zavadski Sergey M. , Melnikov Sergei N.
Published: July 2022

Double perovskite Cs2SnI6 and its doping products (with SnI2, SnF2 or organic lithium salts added) have been utilized as p-type hole transport materials for perovskite and dye-sensitized solar cells in many pieces of research, where the mechanism for producing p-type Cs2SnI6 is rarely reported. In this paper, the mechanism of forming p-type Li+ doped Cs2SnI6 was revealed by first-principles simulation. The simulation results show that Li+ entered the Cs2SnI6 lattice by interstitial doping to form strong interaction between Li+ and I−, resulting in the splitting of the α spin-orbital of I–p at the top of the valence band, with the intermediate energy levels created and the absorption edge redshifted. The experimental results confirmed that Li+ doping neither changed the crystal phase of Cs2SnI6, nor introduced impurities. The Hall effect test results of Li+ doped Cs2SnI6 thin film samples showed that Li+ doping transformed Cs2SnI6 into a p-type semiconductor, and substantially promoted its carrier mobility (356.6 cm2/Vs), making it an ideal hole transport material.
High-Luminescence Electrospun Polymeric Microfibers In Situ Embedded with CdSe Quantum Dots with Excellent Environmental Stability for Heat and Humidity Wearable Sensors
Authors: Zhu Chenyu , Wang Qiao , Sun Guorong , Zhao Suo , Wang Yao , Li Tonghui , Hao Xianglong , Artemyev Mikhail , Tang Jianguo
Published: July 2022

In this paper, hydrophobic luminescent CdSe quantum dots are successfully dispersed in a mixture of styrene and methyl methacrylate through the oleic to methacrylic acid ligand exchange. Further in situ solution polymerization of the quantum dots in a mixture of styrene and methyl methacrylate followed by electrospinning allowed us to prepare luminescence hybrid styrene-co-methyl methacrylate fibers embedded with quantum dots. CdSe@P(S+MMA) hybrid fibers with 27% quantum yield showed excellent moisture, heat and salt resistance with a photoluminescence output below 120 °C. When dry heated, the hybrid fibers of the fluorescence signals decreased with temperature to 79%, 40%, 28%, 20% and 13% at 120 °C, 140 °C, 160 °C, 180 °C and 200 °C, respectively, due the to the chemical degradation of CdSe QDs. Such hybrid fibers show the potential to manufacture wearable moisture- and heat-sensing protective clothing in a 120–200 °C range due to the thermal-induced quenching of quantum dot photoluminescence.
All-Printed Flexible Memristor with Metal–Non-Metal-Doped TiO2 Nanoparticle Thin Films
Authors: Khan Maryam , Mutee Ur Rehman Hafiz Mohammad , Tehreem Rida , Saqib Muhammad , Rehman Muhammad Muqeet , Kim Woo-Young
Published: July 2022

A memristor is a fundamental electronic device that operates like a biological synapse and is considered as the solution of classical von Neumann computers. Here, a fully printed and flexible memristor is fabricated by depositing a thin film of metal–non-metal (chromium-nitrogen)-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2). The resulting device exhibited enhanced performance with self-rectifying and forming free bipolar switching behavior. Doping was performed to bring stability in the performance of the memristor by controlling the defects and impurity levels. The forming free memristor exhibited characteristic behavior of bipolar resistive switching with a high on/off ratio (2.5 × 103), high endurance (500 cycles), long retention time (5 × 103 s) and low operating voltage (±1 V). Doping the thin film of TiO2 with metal–non-metal had a significant effect on the switching properties and conduction mechanism as it directly affected the energy bandgap by lowering it from 3.2 eV to 2.76 eV. Doping enhanced the mobility of charge carriers and eased the process of filament formation by suppressing its randomness between electrodes under the applied electric field. Furthermore, metal–non-metal-doped TiO2 thin film exhibited less switching current and improved non-linearity by controlling the surface defects.
Significant Modulation of Vortex Resonance Spectra in a Square-Shape Ferromagnetic Dot
Authors: Hu Shaojie , Cui Xiaomin , Wang Kang , Yakata Satoshi , Kimura Takashi
Published: July 2022

The resonance property of a magnetic vortex contained within a micron-sized square Py dot was detected using an amplitude-modulated magnetic field excitation technique. We found a significant modulation of the resonant spectra as the external magnetic field changes. The Lorentzian-like spectrum changes from a peak to a dip via a transition of anti-Lorentzian-like spectra. By conducting the micromagnetic simulations, we confirmed that the transition behavior results from the unusual resistance change depending on the vortex core center position. Additionally, the power dependence of the anti-Lorentzian-like spectra revealed a fairly persistent coexistence of peak and dip. Thus, the tunable spectra suggest one way to develop an integratable radiofrequency microcircuits.
The Effect of Co Content and Annealing Temperatures on the Resistivity in Ag-Co Films
Authors: Lv Yuanjiang , Sun Haoliang , Shi Pengyan , Lian Xinxin , Zhang Haoge , Li Saibo , Liang Shihao , Wang Guangxin , Ma Fei
Published: July 2022

Ag-Co films with ultra-high resistivity were prepared on polyimide by magnetron sputtering. The effect of Co content and annealing temperatures on the resistivity and microstructure of Ag-Co films has been thoroughly investigated and the relation between resistivity and microstructure has been discussed. Results show that thicker Ag-Co films without annealing present lower resistivity due to better crystallinity. However, thin Ag-Co films (≤21 nm) annealed at 360 °C present ultra-high film resistivity because of the formation of diffusion pits on the film surface which blocks the transmission of electrons in films to increase film resistivity. Inversely, the resistivity of thick Ag-Co films (≥45 nm) annealed at 360 °C is much less than that annealed at lower than 260 °C owing to no diffusion pits. Furthermore, the addition of Co inhibits the growth of Ag grains and limits the migration of electrons in Ag-Co films further, also resulting in the increase of Ag-Co films’ resistivity.
High-Throughput Prediction of the Band Gaps of van der Waals Heterostructures via Machine Learning
Authors: Hu Rui , Lei Wen , Yuan Hongmei , Han Shihao , Liu Huijun
Published: July 2022

Van der Waals heterostructures offer an additional degree of freedom to tailor the electronic structure of two-dimensional materials, especially for the band-gap tuning that leads to various applications such as thermoelectric and optoelectronic conversions. In general, the electronic gap of a given system can be accurately predicted by using first-principles calculations, which is, however, restricted to a small unit cell. Here, we adopt a machine-learning algorithm to propose a physically intuitive descriptor by which the band gap of any heterostructures can be readily obtained, using group III, IV, and V elements as examples of the constituent atoms. The strong predictive power of our approach is demonstrated by high Pearson correlation coefficient for both the training (292 entries) and testing data (33 entries). By utilizing such a descriptor, which contains only four fundamental properties of the constituent atoms, we have rapidly predicted the gaps of 7140 possible heterostructures that agree well with first-principles results for randomly selected candidates.
The Efficacy of S-Adenosyl Methionine and Probiotic Supplementation on Depression: A Synergistic Approach
Authors: Ullah Hammad , Khan Ayesha , Rengasamy Kannan R. R. , Di Minno Alessandro , Sacchi Roberto , Daglia Maria
Published: July 2022

Depression is a common and serious health issue affecting around 280 million people around the world. Suicidal ideation more frequently occurs in people with moderate to severe depression. Psychotherapy and pharmacological drugs are the mainstay of available treatment options for depressive disorders. However, pharmacological options do not offer complete cure, especially in moderate to severe depression, and are often seen with a range of adverse events. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) supplementation has been widely studied, and an impressive collection of literature published over the last few decades suggests its antidepressant efficacy. Probiotics have gained significant attention due to their wide array of clinical uses, and multiple studies have explored the link between probiotic species and mood disorders. Gut dysbiosis is one of the risk factors in depression by inducing systemic inflammation accompanied by an imbalance in neurotransmitter production. Thus, concomitant administration of probiotics may be an effective treatment strategy in patients with depressed mood, particularly in resistant cases, as these can aid in dysbiosis, possibly resulting in the attenuation of systemic inflammatory processes and the improvement of the therapeutic efficacy of SAMe. The current review highlights the therapeutic roles of SAMe and probiotics in depression, their mechanistic targets, and their possible synergistic effects and may help in the development of food supplements consisting of a combination of SAMe and probiotics with new dosage forms that may improve their bioavailability.
Adherence to MIND Diet, Genetic Susceptibility, and Incident Dementia in Three US Cohorts
Authors: Vu Thanh , Beck Todd , Bennett David , Schneider Julie , Hayden Kathleen , Shadyab Aladdin , Rajan Kumar , Morris Martha , Cornelis Marilyn
Published: July 2022

Adherence to Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) may lower the risk of dementia by impacting immunity and cholesterol, which are pathways also implicated by genome-wide association studies of Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD). We examined whether adherence to the MIND diet could modify the association of genetic risk for AD with incident dementia. We used three ongoing US cohorts: Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP, n = 2449), Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP, n = 725), and Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS, n = 5308). Diagnosis of dementia was based on clinical neurological examination and standardized criteria. Repeated measures of global cognitive function were available in MAP and CHAP. Self-reported adherence to MIND was estimated using food-frequency questionnaires. Global and pathway-specific genetic scores (GS) for AD were derived. Cox proportional hazard, logistic regression, and mixed models were used to examine associations of MIND, GS, and GS-MIND interactions with incident dementia and cognitive decline. Higher adherence to MIND and lower GS were associated with a lower risk of dementia in MAP and WHIMS and a slower rate of cognitive decline in MAP (p < 0.05). MIND or GS were not associated with incident dementia or cognitive decline in CHAP. No gene–diet interaction was replicated across cohorts. Genetic risk and MIND adherence are independently associated with dementia among older US men and women.
Effects of Oats, Tartary Buckwheat, and Foxtail Millet Supplementation on Lipid Metabolism, Oxido-Inflammatory Responses, Gut Microbiota, and Colonic SCFA Composition in High-Fat Diet Fed Rats
Authors: Wang Yong , Qi Wentao , Guo Xiaoxuan , Song Ge , Pang Shaojie , Fang Wei , Peng Zhenzhen
Published: July 2022

Coarse cereals rich in polyphenols, dietary fiber, and other functional components exert multiple health benefits. We investigated the effects of cooked oats, tartary buckwheat, and foxtail millet on lipid profile, oxido-inflammatory responses, gut microbiota, and colonic short-chain fatty acids composition in high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats. Rats were fed with a basal diet, HFD, oats diet (22% oat in HFD), tartary buckwheat diet (22% tartary buckwheat in HFD), and foxtail millet diet (22% foxtail millet in HFD) for 12 weeks. Results demonstrated that oats and tartary buckwheat attenuated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in serum, and significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Romboutsia in colonic digesta. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that the changed bacteria were strongly correlated with oxidative stress and inflammation-related parameters. The concentration of the butyrate level was elevated by 2.16-fold after oats supplementation. In addition, oats and tartary buckwheat significantly downregulated the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ in liver tissue. In summary, our results suggested that oats and tartary buckwheat could modulate gut microbiota composition, improve lipid metabolism, and decrease oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in HFD fed rats. The present work could provide scientific evidence for developing coarse cereals-based functional food for preventing hyperlipidemia.