bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BCG Vaccine—The Road Not Taken
Authors: Dow Coad Thomas , Kidess Laith
Published: September 2022

The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine has been used for over one hundred years to protect against the most lethal infectious agent in human history, tuberculosis. Over four billion BCG doses have been given and, worldwide, most newborns receive BCG. A few countries, including the United States, did not adopt the WHO recommendation for routine use of BCG. Moreover, within the past several decades, most of Western Europe and Australia, having originally employed routine BCG, have discontinued its use. This review article articulates the impacts of those decisions. The suggested consequences include increased tuberculosis, increased infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), increased autoimmune disease (autoimmune diabetes and multiple sclerosis) and increased neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease). This review also offers an emerged zoonotic pathogen, Mycobacteriumavium ss. paratuberculosis (MAP), as a mostly unrecognized NTM that may have a causal role in some, if not all, of these diseases. Current clinical trials with BCG for varied infectious, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases have brought this century-old vaccine to the fore due to its presumed immuno-modulating capacity. With its historic success and strong safety profile, the new and novel applications for BCG may lead to its universal use–putting the Western World back onto the road not taken.
The Effect of Microbial Diversity and Biomass on Microbial Respiration in Two Soils along the Soil Chronosequence
Authors: Vicena Jakub , Ardestani Masoud M. , Baldrian Petr , Frouz Jan
Published: September 2022

Microbial diversity plays an important role in the decomposition of soil organic matter. However, the pattern and drivers of the relationship between microbial diversity and decomposition remain unclear. In this study, we followed the decomposition of organic matter in soils where microbial diversity was experimentally manipulated. To produce a gradient of microbial diversity, we used soil samples at two sites of the same chronosequence after brown coal mining in Sokolov, Czech Republic. Soils were X-ray sterilized and inoculated by two densities of inoculum from both soils and planted with seeds of six local plant species. This created two soils each with four levels of microbial diversity characterized by next-generation sequencing. These eight soils were supplied, or not, by litter of the bushgrass Calamagrostis epigejos, and microbial respiration was measured to assess the rate of decomposition. A strong positive correlation was found between microbial diversity and decomposition of organic matter per gram of carbon in soil, which suggests that microbial diversity supports decomposition if the microbial community is limited by available carbon. In contrast, microbial respiration per gram of soil negatively correlated with bacterial diversity and positively with fungal biomass, suggesting that in the absence of a carbon limitation, decomposition rate is controlled by the amount of fungal biomass. Soils with the addition of grass litter showed a priming effect in the initial stage of decomposition compared to the samples without the addition of litter. Thus, the relationship between microbial diversity and the rate of decomposition may be complex and context dependent.
Co-Fermentations of Kveik with Non-Conventional Yeasts for Targeted Aroma Modulation
Authors: Dippel Kevin , Matti Katrin , Muno-Bender Judith , Michling Florian , Brezina Silvia , Semmler Heike , Rauhut Doris , Wendland Jürgen
Published: September 2022

Kveik are consortia of yeast used for farmhouse ale production in Western Norway. Yeast strains derived from these mixtures are known, for example, for their high fermentation rate, thermotolerance, lack of phenolic off flavor production (POF-) and strong flocculation phenotype. In this study, we used five single cell yeast isolates from different Kveik yeasts, analyzed their fermentation and flavor production, and compared it with a typical yeast used in distilleries using 20 °C and 28 °C as the fermentation temperatures. One of the isolates, Kveik No 3, showed an impairment of maltotriose utilization and thus a reduced ethanol yield. Kveik fermentations for spirit production often harbor bacteria for flavor enrichment. We sought to improve Kveik fermentations with non-conventional yeasts (NCY). To this end we co-fermented Kveik isolates with Hanseniaspora uvarum, Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Pichia kudriavzevii using 5:1 ratios (Kveik vs. NCY) at 20 °C. The combinations of Kveik No 1 with P. kudriavzevii and Kveik No 1 with Hanseniaspora uvarum showed substantially increased amounts of specific volatile aroma compounds that were previously identified in the NCYs. Our results indicate that Kveik isolates appear to be suitable for co-fermentations with certain NCY to enhance beer or spirit fermentations, increasing the potential of these yeasts for beverage productions.
Crystal Transformation of Sericite during Fluidized Roasting: A Study Combining Experiment and Simulation
Authors: Bai Zhe , Han Yuexin , Jin Jianping , Sun Yongsheng , Zhang Qi
Published: September 2022

Fluidized roasting is an efficient method to promote vanadium extraction from V-bearing mica in shale. In this study, the transformation behavior of V-bearing sericite during fluidized roasting was explored by combining experimental detections and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. TG-MS, XRD, FTIR, and SEM-EDS were used to investigate the characteristics of the roasted sericite samples. The crystal parameters of V-bearing sericite were calculated with Materials Studio. The results showed that dehydroxylation was the main reaction during roasting, which occurred between 650 °C and 960 °C. After being roasted at 900 °C for 2 h, hydroxyls were completely removed. The calculation results show that −OH was removed between the metal ions in the sericite O-layer, which turned the hexa-coordinate of V3+, Al3+, and Fe3+ into pentacoordinate. Through electronic rearrangement, the bond lengths between two ions connected by −OH were shortened from 0.18~0.20 nm to 0.17 nm. However, some chemical bonds were grown, which indicates that they are weaker and easier to transform. In addition, twisted six-membered rings were formed with obvious angle changes on the (0 0 1) surface. Furthermore, Mulliken’s overlap populations of some V-O, Al-O, and Fe-O were decreased. Therefore, dehydroxylation is a determining factor in the destruction of sericite crystals during fluidized roasting, which also promotes vanadium release from shale.
A Novel 5-Chloro-N-phenyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamide Derivative as Brain-Type Glycogen Phosphorylase Inhibitor: Potential Therapeutic Effect on Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Huang Yatao , Li Shuai , Wang Youde , Yan Zhiwei , Guo Yachun , Zhang Liying
Published: September 2022

Brain-type glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors are potential new drugs for treating ischemic brain injury. In our previous study, we reported compound 1 as a novel brain-type glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor with cardioprotective properties. We also found that compound 1 has high blood–brain barrier permeability through the ADMET prediction website. In this study, we deeply analyzed the protective effect of compound 1 on hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, finding that compound 1 could alleviate the hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury of astrocytes by improving cell viability and reducing LDH leakage rate, intracellular glucose content, and post-ischemic ROS level. At the same time, compound 1 could reduce the level of ATP in brain cells after ischemia, improve cellular energy metabolism, downregulate the degree of extracellular acidification, and improve metabolic acidosis. It could also increase the level of mitochondrial aerobic energy metabolism during brain cell reperfusion, reduce anaerobic glycolysis, and inhibit apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. The above results indicated that compound 1 is involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism, can control cell apoptosis, and has protective and potential therapeutic effects on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, which provides a new reference and possibility for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of ischemic brain injury.
Temperature-Resistant Intrinsic High Dielectric Constant Polyimides: More Flexibility of the Dipoles, Larger Permittivity of the Materials
Authors: Zheng Weiwen , Li Zuhao , Chen Kaijin , Liu Siwei , Chi Zhenguo , Xu Jiarui , Zhang Yi
Published: September 2022

High dielectric constant polymers have been widely studied and concerned in modern industry, and the induction of polar groups has been confirmed to be effective for high permittivity. However, the way of connection of polar groups with the polymer backbone and the mechanism of their effect on the dielectric properties are unclear and rarely reported. In this study, three polyimides (C0-SPI, C1-SPI, and C2-SPI) with the same rigid backbone and different linking groups to the dipoles were designed and synthesized. With their rigid structure, all of the polyimides show excellent thermal stability. With the increase in the flexibility of linking groups, the dielectric constant of C0-SPI, C1-SPI, and C2-SPI enhanced in turn, showing values of 5.6, 6.0, and 6.5 at 100 Hz, respectively. Further studies have shown that the flexibility of polar groups affected the dipole polarization, which was positively related to the dielectric constant. Based on their high permittivity and high temperature resistance, the polyimides exhibited outstanding energy storage capacity even at 200 °C. This discovery reveals the behavior of the dipoles in polymers, providing an effective strategy for the design of high dielectric constant materials.
Comparative Investigation of the Differences in Chemical Compounds between Raw and Processed Mume Fructus Using Plant Metabolomics Combined with Chemometrics Methods
Authors: Wang Songrui , Wei Shujie , Zhu Yameng , Zhang Mengmeng , Cao Xiunan , Chang Yanxu , Ouyang Huizi , He Jun
Published: September 2022

Mume Fructus is a well-known herbal medicine and food with a long history of processing and application. Different processing methods impact the intrinsic quality of Mume Fructus. Thus, it is of great significance to investigate the changes in chemical components during processing (i.e., raw compared to the pulp and charcoal forms). In this study, plant metabolomics methods based on mass spectrometry detection were established to analyze the chemical ingredients of Mume Fructus comprehensively. Chemometric strategies were combined to analyze the profile differences of Mume Fructus after different processing methods. The established strategy identified 98 volatile and 89 non-volatile compounds of Mume Fructus by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), respectively. Moreover, the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) indicated that raw Mume Fructus and the Mume Fructus pulp and charcoal were distributed in three regions. Subsequently, 19 volatile and 16 non-volatile components were selected as potential chemical component markers with variable importance in the projection using (VIP) >1 as the criterion, and the accuracy was verified by a Back Propagation Neural Network (BP-NN). To further understand the difference in the content of Mume Fructus before and after processing, 16 non-volatile chemical component markers were quantitatively determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The results revealed that, compared with raw Mume Fructus, the total content of 16 components in the pulp of Mume Fructus increased while it decreased in the charcoal. Therefore, this study used GC-MS, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and UHPLC-MS/MS modern technology to analyze the differences in chemical components before and after the processing of Mume Fructus and provided a material basis for further research on the quality evaluation and efficacy of Mume Fructus.
Detection and Verification of a Key Intermediate in an Enantioselective Peptide Catalyzed Acylation Reaction
Authors: Brauser Matthias , Heymann Tim , Thiele Christina Marie
Published: September 2022

Until now, the intermediate responsible for the acyl transfer of a highly enantioselective tetrapeptide organocatalyst for the kinetic resolution of trans-cycloalkane-1,2-diols has never been directly observed. It was proposed computationally that a π-methylhistidine moiety is acylated as an intermediate step in the catalytic cycle. In this study we set out to investigate whether we can detect and characterize this key intermediate using NMR-spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Different mass spectrometric experiments using a nano-ElectroSpray Ionization (ESI) source and tandem MS-techniques allowed the identification of tetrapeptide acylium ions using different acylation reagents. The complexes of trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diols with the tetrapeptide were also detected. Additionally, we were able to detect acylated tetrapeptides in solution using NMR-spectroscopy and monitor the acetylation reaction of a trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diol. These findings are important steps towards the understanding of this highly enantioselective organocatalyst.
Production of Siamenoside I and Mogroside IV from Siraitia grosvenorii Using Immobilized β-Glucosidase
Authors: Chen Hung-Yueh , Lin Ching-Hsiang , Hou Chih-Yao , Lin Hui-Wen , Hsieh Chang-Wei , Cheng Kuan-Chen
Published: September 2022

Siraitia grosvenorii is a type of fruit used in traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies have shown that the conversion of saponins was often carried out by chemical hydrolysis, which can be problematic because of the environmental hazards it may cause and the low yield it produces. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to establish a continuous bioreactor with immobilized enzymes to produce siamenoside I and mogroside IV. The results show that the immobilization process of β-glucosidase exhibited the best relative activity with a glutaraldehyde (GA) concentration of 1.5%, carrier activation time of 1 h and binding enzyme time of 12 h. After the immobilization through GA linkage, the highest relative activity of β-glucosidase was recorded through the reaction with the substrate at 60 °C and pH 5. Subsequently, the glass microspheres with immobilized β-glucosidase were filled into the reactor to maintain the optimal active environment, and the aqueous solution of Siraitia grosvenorii extract was introduced by controlling the flow rate. The highest concentration of siamenoside I and mogroside IV were obtained at a flow rate of 0.3 and 0.2 mL/min, respectively. By developing this immobilized enzyme system, siamenoside I and mogroside IV can be prepared in large quantities for industrial applications.
High-Pressure Metal-Free Catalyzed One-Pot Two-Component Synthetic Approach for New 5-Arylazopyrazolo[3,4-b]Pyridine Derivatives
Authors: Nayl AbdElAziz A. , Ibrahim Hamada Mohamed , Dawood Kamal M. , Arafa Wael A. A. , Abd-Elhamid Ahmed I. , Ahmed Ismail M. , Abdelgawad Mohamed A. , Ali Hazim M. , Alsohaimi Ibrahim Hotan , Aly Ashraf A. , Bräse Stefan , Mourad Asmaa Kamal
Published: September 2022

An appropriate and efficient Q-tube-assisted ammonium acetate-mediated protocol for the assembly of the hitherto unreported 5-arylazopyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines was demonstrated. This methodology comprises the cyclocondensation reaction of 5-amino-2-phenyl-4H-pyrazol-3-one with an assortment of arylhydrazonals in an NH4OAc/AcOH buffer solution operating a Q-tube reactor. This versatile protocol exhibited several outstanding merits: easy work-up, mild conditions, scalability, broad substrate scope, safety (the Q-tube kit is simply for pressing and sealing), and a high atom economy. Consequently, performing such reactions under elevated pressures and utilizing the Q-tube reactor seemed preferable for achieving the required products in comparison to the conventional conditions. Diverse spectroscopic methods and X-ray single-crystal techniques were applied to confirm the proposed structure of the targeted compounds.
Role of Testing Conditions in Formation of Tribological Layers at Line Contacts of Antifriction CF-Reinforced PI- and PEI-Based Composites
Authors: Panin Sergey V. , Luo Jiangkun , Buslovich Dmitry G. , Alexenko Vladislav O. , Kornienko Lyudmila A. , Byakov Anton V. , Paimushin Vitaly N. , Shugurov Artur R.
Published: September 2022

High-strength PI and PEI polymers differ by chemical structure and flexibility of the polymer chains that ensure lower cost and higher manufacturability of the latter. The choice of a particular polymer matrix is of actuality at design of antifriction composites on their basis. In this study, a comparative analysis of tribological behavior of PI and PEI- based composites was carried out with linear contact rubbing. The neat materials, as well as the two- and three-component composites reinforced with chopped carbon fibers, were investigated. The third components were typically used, but were different in nature (polymeric and crystalline) being solid lubricant fillers (PTFE, graphite and MoS2) with characteristic dimensions of several microns. The variable parameters were both load and sliding speed, as well as the counterface material. It was shown that an improvement of the tribological properties could be achieved by the tribological layer formation, which protected their wear track surfaces from the cutting and plowing effects of asperities on the surfaces of the metal and ceramic counterparts. The tribological layers were not formed in both neat polymers, while disperse hardening by fractured CF was responsible for the tribological layer formation in both two- and three component PI- and PEI-based composites. The effect of polymer matrix in tribological behavior was mostly evident in two-component composites (PI/CF, PEI/CF) over the entire P⋅V product range, while extra loading with Gr and MoS2 leveled the regularities of tribological layer formation, as well as the time variation in friction coefficients.
High Endogenously Synthesized N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Fat-1 Mice Attenuate High-Fat Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation via Akt/GSK-3β/TXNIP Pathway
Authors: Zhu Pan , Zhang Jin-Jie , Cen Yi , Yang Yong , Wang Feng , Gu Kun-Peng , Yang Hai-Tao , Wang Yun-Zhi , Zou Zu-Quan
Published: September 2022

High-fat (HF) diets and low-grade chronic inflammation contribute to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D), whereas n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), due to their anti-inflammatory effects, protect against insulin resistance. Interleukin (IL)-1β is implicated in insulin resistance, yet how n-3 PUFAs modulate IL-1β secretion and attenuate HF diet-induced insulin resistance remains elusive. In this study, a HF diet activated NLRP3 inflammasome via inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and promoted IL-1β production primarily from adipose tissue preadipocytes, but not from adipocytes and induced insulin resistance in wild type (WT) mice. Interestingly, endogenous synthesized n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) reversed this process in HF diet-fed fat-1 transgenic mice although the HF diet induced higher weight gain in fat-1 mice, compared with the control diet. Mechanistically, palmitic acid (PA), the main saturated fatty acid in an HF diet inactivated AMPK and led to decreased GSK-3β phosphorylation, at least partially through reducing Akt activity, which ultimately blocked the Nrf2/Trx1 antioxidant pathway and induced TXNIP cytoplasm translocation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, whereas docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the most abundant n-3 PUFA in fat-1 adipose tissue, reversed this process via inducing Akt activation. Our GSK-3β shRNA knockdown study further revealed that GSK-3β played a pivot role between the upstream AMPK/Akt pathway and downstream Nrf2/Trx1/TXNIP pathway. Given that NLRP3 inflammasome is implicated in the development of most inflammatory diseases, our results suggest the potential of n-3 PUFAs in the prevention or adjuvant treatment of NLRP3 inflammasome-driven diseases.
Perovskite-Surface-Confined Grain Growth for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Sajid Sajid , Alzahmi Salem , Salem Imen Ben , Obaidat Ihab M.
Published: September 2022

The conventional post-annealing (CPA) process is frequently employed and regarded a crucial step for high-quality perovskite thin-films. However, most researchers end up with unwanted characteristics because controlling the evaporation rate of perovskite precursor solvents during heat treatment is difficult. Most perovskite thin-films result in rough surfaces with pinholes and small grains with multiple boundaries, if the evaporation of precursor solvents is not controlled in a timely manner, which negatively affects the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we present a surface-confined post-annealing (SCPA) approach for controlling the evaporation of perovskite precursor solvents and promoting crystallinity, homogeneity, and surface morphology of the resulting perovskites. The SCPA method not only modulates the evaporation of residual solvents, resulting in pinhole-free thin-films with large grains and fewer grain boundaries, but it also reduces recombination sites and facilitates the transport of charges in the resulting perovskite thin-films. When the method is changed from CPA to SCPA, the power conversion efficiency of PSC improves from 18.94% to 21.59%. Furthermore, as compared to their CPA-based counterparts, SCPA-based PSCs have less hysteresis and increased long-term stability. The SCPA is a potentially universal method for improving the performance and stability of PSCs by modulating the quality of perovskite thin-films.
Contact Effects on Thermoelectric Properties of Textured Graphene Nanoribbons
Authors: Kuo David M. T. , Chang Yia-Chung
Published: September 2022

The transport and thermoelectric properties of finite textured graphene nanoribbons (t-GNRs) connected to electrodes with various coupling strengths are theoretically studied in the framework of the tight-binding model and Green’s function approach. Due to quantum constriction induced by the indented edges, such t-GNRs behave as serially coupled graphene quantum dots (SGQDs). These types of SGQDs can be formed by tailoring zigzag GNRs (ZGNRs) or armchair GNRs (AGNRs). Their bandwidths and gaps can be engineered by varying the size of the quantum dot and the neck width at indented edges. Effects of defects and junction contact on the electrical conductance, Seebeck coefficient, and electron thermal conductance of t-GNRs are calculated. When a defect occurs in the interior site of textured ZGNRs (t-ZGNRs), the maximum power factor within the central gap or near the band edges is found to be insensitive to the defect scattering. Furthermore, we found that SGQDs formed by t-ZGNRs have significantly better electrical power outputs than those of textured ANGRs due to the improved functional shape of the transmission coefficient in t-ZGNRs. With a proper design of contact, the maximum power factor (figure of merit) of t-ZGNRs could reach 90% (95%) of the theoretical limit.
Microwave Synthesis of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoparticles Using Response Surface Methodology for Tribological Application
Authors: Nagarajan Thachnatharen , Khalid Mohammad , Sridewi Nanthini , Jagadish Priyanka , Walvekar Rashmi
Published: September 2022

We used response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite design (CCD) model to optimize the synthesis time and temperature of the molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles using the flexiWAVE microwave. Furthermore, the synthesized MoS2 nanoparticles were used in SAE 20W50 diesel engine oil to study the tribological properties according to ASTM standards using a four-ball tribotester. The optimization result shows that the synthesis temperature and time for the MoS2 nanoparticles in the microwave were ~200 °C and ~15 min, respectively, with a coefficient of friction (COF) and average wear scar diameter (WSD) of 0.0849 and 320 μm. Furthermore, the difference between the experimental and predicted values was minimal (1.88% (COF) and 0.625% (WSD)), which was similar to the optimization model.
Effect of Hydrophobic Nano-SiO2 Particle Concentration on Wetting Properties of Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Authors: Xing Lei , Xia Tian , Zhang Qiaoxin
Published: September 2022

As a unique surface wettability, superhydrophobicity has great application value. A variety of preparation methods for superhydrophobic surfaces have been reported, which have the disadvantages of high cost and complicated process. In order to design a method that is easy to operate, low-cost, and suitable for large-scale preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces, in this paper, hydrophobic nano-SiO2 particles are used as spray fillers, and superhydrophobic surfaces are successfully obtained by the spraying process. According to the classical Cassie and Wenzel theory, the influence of the concentration change of hydrophobic nano-SiO2 particles on their wettability is explained, and the appropriate spray concentration parameters are obtained. The results show that the proportion of hydrophobic nano-SiO2 particles is lower than 0.05 g/mL, which will lead to insufficient microstructure on the surface of the coating, and cannot support the droplets to form the air bottom layer. However, an excessively high proportion of hydrophobic nano-SiO2 particles will reduce the connection effect of the silicone resin and affect the durability of the surface. Through theoretical analysis, there are Wenzel state, tiled Cassie state, and stacked Cassie state in the spraying process. When the substrate surface enters the Cassie state, the lower limit of the contact angle is 149°. This study has far-reaching implications for advancing the practical application of superhydrophobic surfaces.
Influence of Degree of Severe Plastic Deformation on Thermal Stability of an HfNbTiZr Multi-Principal Element Alloy Processed by High-Pressure Torsion
Authors: Hung Pham Tran , Kawasaki Megumi , Szabó Ábel , Lábár János L. , Hegedűs Zoltán , Gubicza Jenő
Published: September 2022

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) is an effective route for the nanocrystallization of multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs). The stability of the refined microstructure is important, considering the high temperature applications of these materials. In the present study, the effect of SPD on the stability of a body-centered cubic (bcc) HfNbTiZr MPEA was investigated. SPD was performed using a high-pressure torsion (HPT) technique by varying the number of turns between ½ and 10. The evolution of phase composition and microstructure was studied near the disk centers and edges where the imposed strain values were the lowest and highest, respectively. Thus, the shear strain caused by HPT varies between 3 (½ turn, near the center) and 340 (10 turns, near the edge). It was found that during annealing up to 1000 K, the bcc HfNbTiZr alloy decomposed into two bcc phases with different lattice constants at 740 K. In addition, at high strains a hexagonal close packed (hcp) phase was formed above 890 K. An inhomogeneous elemental distribution was developed at temperatures higher than 890 K due to the phase decomposition. The scale of the chemical heterogeneities decreased from about 10 µm to 30 nm where the shear strain increased from 3 to 340, which is similar to the magnitude of grain refinement. Anneal-induced hardening was observed in the MPEA after HPT for both low and high strains at 740 K, i.e., the hardness of the HPT-processed samples increased due to heat treatment. At low strain, the hardness remained practically unchanged between 740 and 1000 K, while for the alloy receiving high strains there was a softening in this temperature range.
Development of Lipidic Nanoplatform for Intra-Oral Delivery of Chlorhexidine: Characterization, Biocompatibility, and Assessment of Depth of Penetration in Extracted Human Teeth
Authors: Shirur Krishnaraj Somyaji , Padya Bharath Singh , Pandey Abhijeet , Hegde Manasa Manjunath , Narayan Aparna I. , Rao Bola Sadashiva Satish , Bhat Varadaraj G. , Mutalik Srinivas
Published: September 2022

Microorganisms are the major cause for the failure of root canal treatment, due to the penetration ability within the root anatomy. However, irrigation regimens have at times failed due to the biofilm mode of bacterial growth. Liposomes are vesicular structures of the phospholipids which might help in better penetration efficiency into dentinal tubules and in increasing the antibacterial efficacy. Methods: In the present work, chlorhexidine liposomes were formulated. Liposomal chlorhexidine was characterized by size, zeta potential, and cryo-electron microscope (Cryo-EM). Twenty-one single-rooted premolars were extracted and irrigated with liposomal chlorhexidine and 2% chlorhexidine solution to evaluate the depth of penetration. In vitro cytotoxicity study was performed for liposomal chlorhexidine on the L929 mouse fibroblast cell line. Results: The average particle size of liposomes ranged from 48 ± 4.52 nm to 223 ± 3.63 nm with a polydispersity index value of <0.4. Cryo-EM microscopic images showed spherical vesicular structures. Depth of penetration of liposomal chlorhexidine was higher in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of roots compared with plain chlorhexidine in human extracted teeth when observed under the confocal laser scanning microscope. The pure drug exhibited a cytotoxic concentration at which 50% of the cells are dead after a drug exposure (IC50) value of 12.32 ± 3.65 µg/mL and 29.04 ± 2.14 µg/mL (on L929 and 3T3 cells, respectively) and liposomal chlorhexidine exhibited an IC50 value of 37.9 ± 1.05 µg/mL and 85.24 ± 3.22 µg/mL (on L929 and 3T3 cells, respectively). Discussion: Antimicrobial analysis showed a decrease in colony counts of bacteria when treated with liposomal chlorhexidine compared with 2% chlorhexidine solution. Nano-liposomal novel chlorhexidine was less cytotoxic when treated on mouse fibroblast L929 cells and more effective as an antimicrobial agent along with higher penetration ability.
Thermal and Medium Stability Study of Polyvidone-Modified Graphene Oxide-Coated Gold Nanorods with High Photothermal Efficiency
Authors: Lebepe Thabang Calvin , Oluwafemi Oluwatobi Samuel
Published: September 2022

Coating gold nanorods (AuNRs) with different materials, such as polymers and graphene-based materials, has improved their biocompatibility. However, these materials have been shown to cause the instability of AuNRs in thermal and culture mediums. In addressing this issue, we herein report the synthesis, thermal and culture medium stability, and photothermal profiling of Polyvidone (PVP)-modified graphene oxide (GO)-coated AuNRs (mGO@AuNRs). The AuNRs, with a size of 40.70 nm × 9.16 nm and absorbing at 820 nm, were coated with PVP, GO, and mGO. The colloidal stability of the nanocomposites was tested in three commonly used cell culture mediums: the Roswell Park Memorial Institute 1640 (RPMI-1640), Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium, (DMEM) and Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) using UV-Vis-NIR and dynamic light scattering. The GO-based nanocomposites were stable compared to PVP@AuNRs and AuNRs in all mediums. The photothermal profiling of mGO@AuNRs showed higher heat production, with the photothermal conversion efficiency of 54.8%, which is higher than the bare AuNRs, GO@AuNRs, and PVP@AuNRs. In addition, the mGO@AuNRs also showed good thermal stability at 70 °C for more than 24 h. These results present the dual coating of PVP and GO as excellent stabilising agents for AuNRs with good photothermal profiling.
The Differences in Spatial Luminescence Characteristics between Blue and Green Quantum Wells in Monolithic Semipolar (20-21) LEDs Using SNOM
Authors: Li Aixing , Li Yufeng , Song Jie , Yang Haifeng , Zhang Ye , Hu Peng , Tian Zhenhuan , Zhang Minyan , Li Qiang , Yun Feng
Published: September 2022

The differences in spatially optical properties between blue and green quantum wells (QWs) in a monolithic dual-wavelength semipolar (20-21) structure were investigated by scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). The shortest wavelength for green QWs and the longest wavelength for blue QWs were both discovered in the region with the largest stress. It demonstrated that In composition, compared to stress, plays a negligible role in defining the peak wavelength for blue QWs, while for green QWs, In composition strongly affects the peak wavelength. For green QWs, significant photoluminescence enhancement was observed in the defect-free region, which was not found for blue QWs. Furthermore, the efficiency droop was aggravated in the defect-free region for green QWs but reduced for blue QWs. It indicates that carrier delocalization plays a more important role in the efficiency droop for QWs of good crystalline quality, which is experimentally pointed out for the first time.
Role of Neddylation in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Govindarajulu Manoj , Ramesh Sindhu , Shankar Tharanth , Kora Murali Krishna , Moore Timothy , Dhanasekaran Muralikrishnan
Published: September 2022

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive loss of neurons in specific regions of the brain. Neuronal death is often associated with the accumulation of misfolded proteins due to genetic mutations or abnormal protein homeostasis. An essential mechanism for regulating the clearance of misfolded proteins is neddylation, a post-translational modification closely related to ubiquitination. Neddylation is brought about by conjugating neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein 8 (NEDD8) to target substrates through a cascade of cellular events. Neddylation is crucial for many biological processes, and dysfunctional neddylation is implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases. This review discusses the current understanding of the role of neddylation pathways in neurodegenerative disorders and the emergence of neddylation signaling as a potential target for drug discovery and development in neurodegenerative diseases.
SNPs in lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 Modulate Its Expression and Confer Susceptibility to Salt Sensitivity of Blood Pressure in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Xie Yunyi , Qi Han , Peng Wenjuan , Li Bingxiao , Wen Fuyuan , Zhang Fengxu , Zhang Ling
Published: September 2022

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases, but the involvement of lncRNA in salt sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP) is not well-known. We aimed to explore the association of sixteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five lncRNA genes (KCNQOT1, lnc-AGAP1-8:1, lnc-IGSF3-1:1, etc.) with their expression and susceptibility to SSBP. A two-stage association study was conducted among 2057 individuals. Quantified expression of the lncRNA was detected using real-time PCR. Genotyping was accomplished using the MassARRAY System. The expression quantitative tra2it loci test and the generalized linear model were utilized to explore the function of SNPs. One-sample Mendelian randomization was used to study the causal relationship between KCNQOT1 and SSBP. Significant effects were observed in KCNQ1OT1 expressions on the SSBP phenotype (p < 0.05). Rs10832417 and rs3782064 in KCNQ1OT1 may influence the secondary structure, miRNA binding, and expression of KCNQ1OT1. Rs10832417 and rs3782064 in KCNQ1OT1 were identified to be associated with one SSBP phenotype after multiple testing corrections and may be mediated by KCNQ1OT1. One-sample Mendelian randomization analyses showed a causal association between KCNQ1OT1 and SSBP. Our findings suggest that rs10832417 and rs3782064 might be associated with a lower risk of SSBP through influencing the KCNQ1OT1 secondary structure and miRNA binding, resulting in changes in KCNQ1OT1 expression.
Butyrate Glycerides Protect against Intestinal Inflammation and Barrier Dysfunction in Mice
Authors: Wang Haidong , Chen Haohan , Lin Yueying , Wang Geng , Luo Yanqiu , Li Xinyu , Wang Minqi , Huai Mingyan , Li Lily , Barri Adriana
Published: September 2022

This study investigates the attenuating effects of butyrate glycerides (BG) on intestinal inflammatory responses and barrier dysfunction induced by LPS stimulation. An initial dose-response test was carried out to identify the optimal dose of BG for further testing. The mice were given intragastric administration of BG at different doses followed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneal injection. The small intestinal morphology and cytokine mRNA expression were measured. With 1.5 g/kg BW BG administration, it was possible to alleviate the injury of duodenal morphology, attenuate ileum villus height reduction and promote IL-10 mRNA expression. Therefore, the optimal dosage of 1.5 g/kg BW BG was selected for the main experiment. The ultrastructure image of jejunum and ileum epithelial cells, mRNA expression, the level of cytokine and immunofluorescence in the ileum were analyzed. The results showed that BG maintain the ileac brush border, tight junction structures and protein expression. BG attenuated the increased inflammatory cytokines, TLR4 and JNK mRNA expression. Taken together, 1.5 g/kg BW BG administration maintained intestinal barrier function and reduced intestinal and body inflammation responses induced by LPS in mice. The mechanism by which BG alleviated intestinal inflammatory response and maintained intestinal barrier function may be related to the JNK signaling pathway.
Linking the Low-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL) Level to Arsenic Acid, Dimethylarsinic, and Monomethylarsonic: Results from a National Population-Based Study from the NHANES, 2003–2020
Authors: Qu Can , Huang Ruixue
Published: September 2022

Arsenic (As) contamination is a global public health problem. Elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, but data on the association of urinary arsenic species’ level and LDL-C are limited. We performed an association analysis based on urinary arsenic species and blood TC and LDL-C in US adults. Methods: Urinary arsenic, arsenic acid (AA), dimethylarsinic (DMA), monomethylarsonic (MMA), TC, LDL-C, and other key covariates were obtained from the available National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2003 to 2020. Multiple linear regression analysis and generalized linear model are used to analyze linear and nonlinear relationships, respectively. Results: In total, 6633 adults aged 20 years were enrolled into the analysis. The median total urinary arsenic level was 7.86 µg/L. A positive association of urinary arsenic concentration quartiles was observed with TC (β: 2.42 95% CI 1.48, 3.36). The OR for TC of participants in the 80th versus 20th percentiles of urinary total arsenic was 1.34 (95% CI 1.13, 1.59). The OR for LDL-C of participants in the 80th versus 20th percentiles of urinary total arsenic was 1.36 (95% CI 1.15, 1.62). For speciated arsenics analysis, the OR for arsenic acid and TC was 1.35 (95% CI 1.02, 1.79), whereas the OR for DMA and LDL-L was 1.20 (95% CI 1.03, 1.41), and the OR for MMA and LDL-L was 1.30 (95% CI 1.11, 1.52). Conclusions: Urinary arsenic and arsenic species were positively associated with increased LDL-C concentration. Prevention of exposure to arsenic and arsenic species maybe helpful for the control of TC and LDL-C level in adults.
Dietary Patterns and Gut Microbiota Changes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Current Insights and Future Challenges
Authors: Yan Jing , Wang Lei , Gu Yu , Hou Huiqin , Liu Tianyu , Ding Yiyun , Cao Hailong
Published: September 2022

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a result of a complex interplay between genes, host immune response, gut microbiota, and environmental factors. As one of the crucial environmental factors, diet plays a pivotal role in the modulation of gut microbiota community and the development of IBD. In this review, we present an overview of dietary patterns involved in the pathogenesis and management of IBD, and analyze the associated gut microbial alterations. A Westernized diet rich in protein, fats and refined carbohydrates tends to cause dysbiosis and promote IBD progression. Some dietary patterns have been found effective in obtaining IBD clinical remission, including Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED), Mediterranean diet (MD), Anti-Inflammatory Diet (AID), the low-“Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides and Polyols” (FODMAP) diet, Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), and plant-based diet, etc. Overall, many researchers have reported the role of diet in regulating gut microbiota and the IBD disease course. However, more prospective studies are required to achieve consistent and solid conclusions in the future. This review provides some recommendations for studies exploring novel and potential dietary strategies that prevent IBD.
Effects of Maternal Gut Microbiota-Targeted Therapy on the Programming of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Dams and Fetuses, Related to a Prenatal High-Fat Diet
Authors: Yu Hong-Ren , Sheen Jiunn-Ming , Hou Chih-Yao , Lin I-Chun , Huang Li-Tung , Tain You-Lin , Cheng Hsin-Hsin , Lai Yun-Ju , Lin Yu-Ju , Tiao Mao-Meng , Tsai Ching-Chou
Published: September 2022

Metabolic disorders can start in utero. Maternal transmission of metabolic phenotypes may increase the risks of adverse metabolic outcomes, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); effective intervention is essential to prevent this. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in fat storage, energy metabolism, and NAFLD. We investigated the therapeutic use of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri and postbiotic butyrate gestation in the prevention of perinatal high-fat diet-induced programmed hepatic steatosis in the offspring of pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats who received regular chow or a high-fat (HF) diet 8 weeks before mating. L. reuteri or sodium butyrate was administered via oral gavage to the gestated rats until their sacrifice on day 21 of gestation. Both treatments improved liver steatosis in pregnant dams; L. reuteri had a superior effect. L. reuteri ameliorated obesity and altered the metabolic profiles of obese gravid dams. Maternal L. reuteri therapy prevented maternal HF diet-induced fetal liver steatosis, and reformed placental remodeling and oxidative injury. Probiotic therapy can restore lipid dysmetabolism in the fetal liver, modulate nutrient-sensing molecules in the placenta, and mediate the short-chain fatty acid signaling cascade. The therapeutic effects of maternal L. reuteri on maternal NAFLD and NAFLD reprogramming in offspring should be validated for further clinical translation.
Paternal Diet before Conception and Its Social Determinants in the Elfe Cohort
Authors: de Lauzon-Guillain Blandine , Krinitzki Sacha , Lioret Sandrine , Charles Marie-Aline
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to characterize paternal diet during the peri-conception period and its associated characteristics. These cross-sectional analyses were based on 998 fathers from the French nationwide ELFE birth cohort recruited in 2011. Fathers’ diet before mothers’ pregnancies was assessed by a 46-item food frequency questionnaire. Six exploratory dietary patterns were identified by principal component analysis: “Diverse diet”, “Balanced”, “Alcohol”, “Snacking”, “Bread and cheese”, and “Processed products”. Older age was related to higher scores for the “Balanced”, “Alcohol”, and “Snacking” patterns, and high education level with high scores on the “Balanced” pattern and low scores on the “Processed products” pattern. Unemployment and having a first child were related to high scores on the “Alcohol” pattern. Smoking was positively related to “Alcohol” and “Processed products” patterns. A restrictive diet was associated with high scores on the “Balanced” and “Processed products” patterns and low scores on “Alcohol”, “Snacking”, and “Bread and cheese” patterns. Maternal dietary patterns, identified in a previous analysis, were moderately and positively related to the similar patterns among fathers. These findings are important for screening fathers at risk of a suboptimal diet and for accounting for this factor in future studies to examine the specific influence of paternal diet on a child’s health and development.
Is There a Relationship between Idiopathic Scoliosis and Body Mass? A Scoping Review
Authors: Scaturro Dalila , Balbo Agnese , Vitagliani Fabio , Stramazzo Leonardo , Camarda Lawrence , Letizia Mauro Giulia
Published: September 2022

The etiopathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis remains unknown, although genetic or hereditary factors, neurological disorders, hormonal and metabolic dysfunctions, biomechanical factors, and environmental factors seem to be involved. Several studies have found that patients with scoliosis have common characteristics of taller stature, lower body mass index (BMI), and low systemic bone mass. We conducted a scoping review to analyze the association between idiopathic scoliosis and BMI. The search for articles was performed on PubMed and Cochrane, including the English language, full-text and free-full-text articles published from 31 December 2011 to 31 December 2021. Most of the results analyzed are in favor of a relationship between low BMI and scoliosis. Having a low BMI could be associated with the presence of scoliosis, although the reason for which is still doubtful. However, further large-scale epidemiological studies on different ethnicities and a comparison of BMI with the healthy population will be needed to better define the correlation between BMI and scoliosis.
Feasibility of a Theory-Based, Online Tailored Message Program to Motivate Healthier Behaviors in College Women
Authors: Hubert Patrice A. , Fiorenti Holly , Duffy Valerie B.
Published: September 2022

We aimed to test the feasibility of an online survey and tailored message program in young women. Recruited from college campuses, women (n = 189) completed an online survey assessing preference for and behaviors toward diet and physical activity as well as theory-based influencers of these behaviors (knowledge/information, motivation, and confidence). Health messages were tailored to the participant’s survey responses and learning style to address misconceptions and motivate or reinforce healthy physical activity and dietary behaviors. Most women reported the survey as relevant (92%) and useful for reflecting on their health (83%), with survey responses variable in level of nutrition and physical activity knowledge, motivation, and confidence. Each woman received four tailored messages—most reported the messages as relevant (80%) and learning new information (60%). Across all messages, nearly half of the participants (~48%) reported willingness to try or maintain healthier behaviors and confidence in their ability. Body size discrepancy and dietary restraint had small effects message responses of information learned, and the motivation and confidence in trying healthier behaviors. In summary, these data support the feasibility of this online tailored message program. The college women found the tailored message program acceptable and useful to motivate healthier behaviors. The findings provide direction for behaviorally focused interventions to improve dietary and physical activity behaviors.