bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iron Oxide/Polymer Core–Shell Nanomaterials with Star-like Behavior
Authors: Vergnat Virginie , Heinrich Benoît , Rawiso Michel , Muller René , Pourroy Geneviève , Masson Patrick
Published: September 2021

Embedding nanoparticles (NPs) with organic shells is a way to control their aggregation behavior. Using polymers allows reaching relatively high shell thicknesses but suffers from the difficulty of obtaining regular hybrid objects at gram scale. Here, we describe a three-step synthesis in which multi-gram NP batches are first obtained by thermal decomposition, prior to their covalent grafting by an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator and to the controlled growing of the polymer shell. Specifically, non-aggregated iron oxide NPs with a core principally composed of γ-Fe2O3 (maghemite) and either polystyrene (PS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) shell were elaborated. The oxide cores of about 13 nm diameter were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). After the polymerization, the overall diameter reached 60 nm, as shown by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The behavior in solution as well as rheological properties in the molten state of the polymeric shell resemble those of star polymers. Strategies to further improve the screening of NP cores with the polymer shells are discussed.
Enhanced Tribological Properties of Vulcanized Natural Rubber Composites by Applications of Carbon Nanotube: A Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Teng Fei , Wu Jian , Su Benlong , Wang Youshan
Published: September 2021

Tribological properties of tread rubber is a key problem for the safety and durability of large aircraft tires. So, new molecular models of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced vulcanized natural rubber (VNR) composites have been developed to study the enhanced tribological properties and reveal the reinforced mechanism. Firstly, the dynamic process of the CNT agglomeration is discussed from the perspectives of fractional free volume (FFV) and binding energy. Then, a combined explanation of mechanical and interfacial properties is given to reveal the CNT-reinforced mechanism of the coefficient of friction (COF). Results indicate that the bulk, shear and Young’s modulus increase with the increasement of CNT, which are increasement of 19.13%, 21.11% and 26.89% in 15 wt.% CNT/VNR composite compared to VNR; the predicted results are consistent with the existing experimental conclusions, which can be used to reveal the CNT-reinforced mechanism of the rubber materials at atomic scale. It can also guide the design of rubber material prescription for aircraft tire. The molecular dynamics study provides a theoretical basis for the design and preparation of high wear resistance of tread rubber materials.
Modulation of MicroRNA Processing by Dicer via Its Associated dsRNA Binding Proteins
Authors: Yoshida Toyotaka , Asano Yoshimasa , Ui-Tei Kumiko
Published: September 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that are about 22 nucleotides in length. They regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by guiding the effector protein Argonaute to its target mRNA in a sequence-dependent manner, causing the translational repression and destabilization of the target mRNAs. Both Drosha and Dicer, members of the RNase III family proteins, are essential components in the canonical miRNA biogenesis pathway. miRNA is transcribed into primary-miRNA (pri-miRNA) from genomic DNA. Drosha then cleaves the flanking regions of pri-miRNA into precursor-miRNA (pre-miRNA), while Dicer cleaves the loop region of the pre-miRNA to form a miRNA duplex. Although the role of Drosha and Dicer in miRNA maturation is well known, the modulation processes that are important for regulating the downstream gene network are not fully understood. In this review, we summarized and discussed current reports on miRNA biogenesis caused by Drosha and Dicer. We also discussed the modulation mechanisms regulated by double-stranded RNA binding proteins (dsRBPs) and the function and substrate specificity of dsRBPs, including the TAR RNA binding protein (TRBP) and the adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR).
Does the Combined Effect of Resistance Training with EPO and Iron Sulfate Improve Iron Metabolism in Older Individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease?
Authors: Corrêa Hugo de Luca , Alfaro-Magallanes Víctor Manuel , Moura Sting Ray Gouveia , Neves Rodrigo Vanerson Passos , Deus Lysleine Alves , Honorato Fernando Sousa , Silva Victor Lopes , Raab Artur Temizio Oppelt , Maia Beatriz Carneiro Habbema , Padula Isabela Akaishi , Gusmão Alves Lucas Santos de , Machado Rafaela Araújo , Reis Andrea Lucena , Prestes Jonato , Ferreira Carlos Ernesto Santos , Neto Luiz Sinésio da Silva , Tavares Fernanda Silveira , Andrade Rosângela Vieira , Rosa Thiago dos Santos
Published: September 2021

We sought to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) combined with erythropoietin (EPO) and iron sulfate on the hemoglobin, hepcidin, ferritin, iron status, and inflammatory profile in older individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD patients (n: 157; age: 66.8 ± 3.6; body mass: 73 ± 15; body mass index: 27 ± 3), were assigned to control (CTL; n: 76) and exercise groups (RT; n: 81). The CTL group was divided according to the iron treatment received: without iron treatment (CTL—none; n = 19), treated only with iron sulfate or EPO (CTL—EPO or IRON; n = 19), and treated with both iron sulfate and EPO (CTL—EPO + IRON; n = 76). The RT group followed the same pattern: (RT—none; n = 20), (RT—EPO or IRON; n = 18), and (RT—EPO + IRON; n = 86). RT consisted of 24 weeks/3 days per week at moderate intensity of full-body resistance exercises prior to the hemodialysis section. The RT group, regardless of the iron treatment, improved iron metabolism in older individuals with ESRD. These results provide some clues on the effects of RT and its combination with EPO and iron sulfate in this population, highlighting RT as an important coadjutant in ESRD-iron deficiency.
Energy Balance and Control of Body Weight: Possible Effects of Meal Timing and Circadian Rhythm Dysregulation
Authors: Basolo Alessio , Bechi Genzano Susanna , Piaggi Paolo , Krakoff Jonathan , Santini Ferruccio
Published: September 2021

Conservation of the energy equilibrium can be considered a dynamic process and variations of one component (energy intake or energy expenditure) cause biological and/or behavioral compensatory changes in the other part of the system. The interplay between energy demand and caloric intake appears designed to guarantee an adequate food supply in variable life contexts. The circadian rhythm plays a major role in systemic homeostasis by acting as “timekeeper” of the human body, under the control of central and peripheral clocks that regulate many physiological functions such as sleep, hunger and body temperature. Clock-associated biological processes anticipate the daily demands imposed by the environment, being synchronized under ideal physiologic conditions. Factors that interfere with the expected demand, including daily distribution of macronutrients, physical activity and light exposure, may disrupt the physiologic harmony between predicted and actual behavior. Such a desynchronization may favor the development of a wide range of disease-related processes, including obesity and its comorbidities. Evidence has been provided that the main components of 24-h EE may be affected by disruption of the circadian rhythm. The sleep pattern, meal timing and meal composition could mediate these effects. An increased understanding of the crosstalk between disruption of the circadian rhythm and energy balance may shed light on the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying weight gain, which may eventually lead to design effective strategies to fight the obesity pandemic.
Associations between Maternal Diet, Body Composition and Gut Microbial Ecology in Pregnancy
Authors: Ruebel Meghan L. , Gilley Stephanie P. , Sims Clark R. , Zhong Ying , Turner Donald , Chintapalli Sree V. , Piccolo Brian D. , Andres Aline , Shankar Kartik
Published: September 2021

Maternal body composition, gestational weight gain (GWG) and diet quality influence offspring obesity risk. While the gut microbiome is thought to play a crucial role, it is understudied in pregnancy. Using a longitudinal pregnancy cohort, maternal anthropometrics, body composition, fecal microbiome and dietary intake were assessed at 12, 24 and 36 weeks of gestation. Fecal samples (n = 101, 98 and 107, at each trimester, respectively) were utilized for microbiome analysis via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Data analysis included alpha- and beta-diversity measures and assessment of compositional changes using MaAsLin2. Correlation analyses of serum metabolic and anthropometric markers were performed against bacterial abundance and predicted functional pathways. α-diversity was unaltered by pregnancy stage or maternal obesity status. Actinobacteria, Lachnospiraceae, Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus and Anaerotuncus abundances were associated with gestation stage. Maternal obesity status was associated with increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Bilophila, Dialister and Roseburia. Maternal BMI, fat mass, triglyceride and insulin levels were positively associated with Bilophila. Correlations of bacterial abundance with diet intake showed that Ruminococcus and Paraprevotella were associated with total fat and unsaturated fatty acid intake, while Collinsella and Anaerostipes were associated with protein intake. While causal relationships remain unclear, collectively, these findings indicate pregnancy- and maternal obesity-dependent interactions between dietary factors and the maternal gut microbiome.
Preparation of Soluble Complex of Curcumin for the Potential Antagonistic Effects on Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Mohamed Jamal Moideen Muthu , Alqahtani Ali , Khan Barkat A. , Al Fatease Adel , Alqahtani Taha , Venkatesan Krishnaraju , Ahmad Fazil , Alzghoul Bashar I. , Alamri Ali
Published: September 2021

This study was designed to investigate the effects of curcumin (CMN) soluble complex (SC) prepared by melt casting (HM) and hot-melt extrusion (HME) technology. Phase solubility (PS) study, in silico molecular modeling, aqueous solubility, drug release, and physicochemical investigation including a novel dyeing test was performed to obtain an optimized complex by a central composite design (CCD). The results show that the HME-SC produces better improvements towards solubility (0.852 ± 0.02), dissolution (91.87 ± 0.21% at 30 min), with an ideal stability constant (309 and 377 M−1 at 25 and 37 °C, respectively) and exhibits AL type of isotherm indicating 1:1 stoichiometry. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding involves the formation of SC, which does not undergo any chemical modification, followed by the complete conversion of the amorphous form which was identified by XRD. The in vitro cytotoxicity showed that IC50 was achieved in the SW480 (72 µM.mL−1) and Caco-2 (40 µM.mL−1) cells while that of pure CMN ranged from 146 to 116 µM/mL−1. Apoptosis studies showed that cell death is primarily due to apoptosis, with a low rate of necrosis. In vivo toxicity, confirmed by the zebrafish model, exhibited the safety of the HME-SC. In conclusion, the HME-SC potentially enhances the solubility and cytotoxicity to the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC).
Development and Validation of a New Storage Procedure to Extend the In-Use Stability of Azacitidine in Pharmaceutical Formulations
Authors: Iudicello Antonella , Genovese Filippo , Strusi Valentina , Dominici Massimo , Ruozi Barbara
Published: September 2021

Stability studies performed by the pharmaceutical industry are principally designed to fulfill licensing requirements. Thus, post-dilution or post-reconstitution stability data are frequently limited to 24 h only for bacteriological reasons, regardless of the true physicochemical stability which could, in many cases, be longer. In practice, the pharmacy-based centralized preparation may require preparation in advance for administration, for example, on weekends, holidays, or in general when pharmacies may be closed. We report an innovative strategy for storing resuspended solutions of azacitidine, a well-known chemotherapic agent, for which the manufacturer lists maximum stability of 22 h. By placing the syringe with the azacitidine reconstituted suspension between two refrigerant gel packs and storing it at 4 °C, we found that the concentration of azacitidine remained above 98% of the initial concentration for 48 h, and no change in color nor the physicochemical properties of the suspension were observed throughout the study period. The physicochemical and microbiological properties were evaluated by HPLC–UV and UHPLC-HRMS analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, pH determination, visual and subvisual examination, and sterility assay. The HPLC-UV method used for evaluating the chemical stability of azacitidine was validated according to ICH. Precise control of storage temperature was obtained by a digital data logger. Our study indicates that by changing the storage procedure of azacitidine reconstituted suspension, the usage window of the drug can be significantly extended to a time frame that better copes with its use in the clinical environment.
Less Polar Compounds and Targeted Antioxidant Potential (In Vitro and In Vivo) of Codium adhaerens C. Agardh 1822
Authors: Radman Sanja , Cikoš Ana-Marija , Flanjak Ivana , Babić Sanja , Čižmek Lara , Šubarić Drago , Čož-Rakovac Rozelindra , Jokić Stela , Jerković Igor
Published: September 2021

Codium adhaerens from the Adriatic Sea (Croatia) was comprehensively investigated regarding less polar compounds for the first time. Although there are several phytochemical studies on C. adhaerens from other regions, this is the first report on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from fresh (FrCa) and air-dried (DrCa) samples. The novelty is also related to its targeted antioxidant potential in vitro and in vivo. The main aims were to: (a) identify and compare VOCs of FrCa and DrCa obtained by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and hydrodistillation (HD); (b) determine fatty acid (FA) composition of freeze-dried sample (FdCa); (c) determine the composition of less polar fractions of FdCa by high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry with electrospray ionisation (UHPLC-ESI-HRMS); and (d) comprehensively evaluate the antioxidant activity of the fractions by four in vitro assays and in vivo zebrafish model (including embryotoxicity). Significant changes of VOCs were found after air drying. ω6 FAs were present in higher content than ω3 FAs indicating C. adhaerens as a good source of dietary polyunsaturated FAs. The results obtained in vivo correlate well with in vitro methods and both fractions exerted similar antioxidative responses which is in agreement with the high abundance of present biomolecules with known antioxidant properties (e.g., fucoxanthin, pheophytin a, and pheophorbide a). These results suggest that C. adhaerens might be a potent source of natural antioxidants that could be further used in the research of oxidative stress-related diseases.
A Recombinant Fusion Construct between Human Serum Albumin and NTPDase CD39 Allows Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Thrombotic Coating of Medical Devices
Authors: Abraham Meike-Kristin , Jost Elena , Hohmann Jan David , Searle Amy Kate , Bongcaron Viktoria , Song Yuyang , Wendel Hans Peter , Peter Karlheinz , Krajewski Stefanie , Wang Xiaowei
Published: September 2021

Medical devices directly exposed to blood are commonly used to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, these devices are associated with inflammatory reactions leading to delayed healing, rejection of foreign material or device-associated thrombus formation. We developed a novel recombinant fusion protein as a new biocompatible coating strategy for medical devices with direct blood contact. We genetically fused human serum albumin (HSA) with ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (CD39), a promising anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory drug candidate. The HSA-CD39 fusion protein is highly functional in degrading ATP and ADP, major pro-inflammatory reagents and platelet agonists. Their enzymatic properties result in the generation of AMP, which is further degraded by CD73 to adenosine, an anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet reagent. HSA-CD39 is functional after lyophilisation, coating and storage of coated materials for up to 8 weeks. HSA-CD39 coating shows promising and stable functionality even after sterilisation and does not hinder endothelialisation of primary human endothelial cells. It shows a high level of haemocompatibility and diminished blood cell adhesion when coated on nitinol stents or polyvinylchloride tubes. In conclusion, we developed a new recombinant fusion protein combining HSA and CD39, and demonstrated that it has potential to reduce thrombotic and inflammatory complications often associated with medical devices directly exposed to blood.
Optimisation of a Microfluidic Method for the Delivery of a Small Peptide
Authors: Han Felicity Y. , Xu Weizhi , Kumar Vinod , Cui Cedric S. , Li Xaria , Jiang Xingyu , Woodruff Trent M. , Whittaker Andrew K. , Smith Maree T.
Published: September 2021

Peptides hold promise as therapeutics, as they have high bioactivity and specificity, good aqueous solubility, and low toxicity. However, they typically suffer from short circulation half-lives in the body. To address this issue, here, we have developed a method for encapsulation of an innate-immune targeted hexapeptide into nanoparticles using safe non-toxic FDA-approved materials. Peptide-loaded nanoparticles were formulated using a two-stage microfluidic chip. Microfluidic-related factors (i.e., flow rate, organic solvent, theoretical drug loading, PLGA type, and concentration) that may potentially influence the nanoparticle properties were systematically investigated using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The pharmacokinetic (PK) profile and biodistribution of the optimised nanoparticles were assessed in mice. Peptide-loaded lipid shell-PLGA core nanoparticles with designated size (~400 nm) and a sustained in vitro release profile were further characterized in vivo. In the form of nanoparticles, the elimination half-life of the encapsulated peptide was extended significantly compared with the peptide alone and resulted in a much higher distribution into the lung. These novel nanoparticles with lipid shells have considerable potential for increasing the circulation half-life and improving the biodistribution of therapeutic peptides to improve their clinical utility, including peptides aimed at treating lung-related diseases.
mPEG-PLGA Nanoparticles Labelled with Loaded or Conjugated Rhodamine-B for Potential Nose-to-Brain Delivery
Authors: Craparo Emanuela Fabiola , Musumeci Teresa , Bonaccorso Angela , Pellitteri Rosalia , Romeo Alessia , Naletova Irina , Cucci Lorena Maria , Cavallaro Gennara , Satriano Cristina
Published: September 2021

Nowdays, neurodegenerative diseases represent a great challenge from both the therapeutic and diagnostic points of view. Indeed, several physiological barriers of the body, including the blood brain barrier (BBB), nasal, dermal, and intestinal barriers, interpose between the development of new drugs and their effective administration to reach the target organ or target cells at therapeutic concentrations. Currently, the nose-to-brain delivery with nanoformulations specifically designed for intranasal administration is a strategy widely investigated with the goal to reach the brain while bypassing the BBB. To produce nanosystems suitable to study both in vitro and/or in vivo cells trafficking for potential nose-to-brain delivery route, we prepared and characterized two types of fluorescent poly(ethylene glycol)-methyl-ether-block-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA–PEG) nanoparticles (PNPs), i.e., Rhodamine B (RhB) dye loaded- and grafted- PNPs, respectively. The latter were produced by blending into the PLGA–PEG matrix a RhB-labeled polyaspartamide/polylactide graft copolymer to ensure a stable fluorescence during the time of analysis. Photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the RhB-loaded and RhB-grafted PNPs. To assess their potential use for brain targeting, cytotoxicity tests were carried out on olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and neuron-like differentiated PC12 cells. Both PNP types showed mean sizes suitable for nose-to-brain delivery (<200 nm, PDI < 0.3) and were not cytotoxic toward OECs in the concentration range tested, while a reduction in the viability on PC12 cells was found when higher concentrations of nanomedicines were used. Both the RhB-labelled NPs are suitable drug carrier models for exploring cellular trafficking in nose-to-brain delivery for short-time or long-term studies.
Co-Injection of Sulfotyrosine Facilitates Retinal Uptake of Hyaluronic Acid Nanospheres Following Intravitreal Injection
Authors: Eblimit Aiden , Makia Mustafa S. , Strayve Daniel , Crane Ryan , Conley Shannon M. , Sinha Tirthankar , Acharya Ghanashyam , Al-Ubaidi Muayyad R. , Naash Muna I.
Published: September 2021

Gene and drug delivery to the retina is a critical therapeutic goal. While the majority of inherited forms of retinal degeneration affect the outer retina, specifically the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium, effective targeted delivery to this region requires invasive subretinal delivery. Our goal in this work was to evaluate two innovative approaches for increasing both the persistence of delivered nanospheres and their penetration into the outer retina while using the much less invasive intravitreal delivery method. We formulated novel hyaluronic acid nanospheres (HA-NS, 250 nm and 500 nm in diameter) conjugated to fluorescent reporters and delivered them intravitreally to the adult Balb/C mouse retina. They exhibited persistence in the vitreous and along the inner limiting membrane (ILM) for up to 30 days (longest timepoint examined) but little retinal penetration. We thus evaluated the ability of the small molecule, sulfotyrosine, to disrupt the ILM, and found that 3.2 µg/µL sulfotyrosine led to significant improvement in delivery to the outer retina following intravitreal injections without causing retinal inflammation, degeneration, or loss of function. Co-delivery of sulfotyrosine and HA-NS led to robust improvements in penetration of HA-NS into the retina and accumulation along the interface between the photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium. These exciting findings suggest that sulfotyrosine and HA-NS may be an effective strategy for outer retinal targeting after intravitreal injection.
Polylactide Nanocapsules Attenuate Adverse Cardiac Cellular Effects of Lyso-7, a Pan-PPAR Agonist/Anti-Inflammatory New Thiazolidinedione
Authors: Garcia Giani M. , Roy Jérôme , Pitta Ivan R. , Abdalla Dulcinéia S. P. , Grabe-Guimarães Andrea , Mosqueira Vanessa C. F. , Richard Sylvain
Published: September 2021

Lyso-7 is a novel synthetic thiazolidinedione, which is a receptor (pan) agonist of PPAR α,β/δ,γ with anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated the cardiotoxicity of free Lyso-7 in vitro (4.5–450 nM), and Lyso-7 loaded in polylactic acid nanocapsules (NC) in vivo (Lyso-7-NC, 1.6 mg/kg). In previous work, we characterized Lyso-7-NC. We administered intravenously Lyso-7, Lyso-7-NC, control, and blank-NC once a day for seven days in mice. We assessed cell contraction and intracellular Ca2+ transients on single mice cardiomyocytes enzymatically isolated. Lyso-7 reduced cell contraction and accelerated relaxation while lowering diastolic Ca2+ and reducing Ca2+ transient amplitude. Lyso-7 also promoted abnormal ectopic diastolic Ca2+ events, which isoproterenol dramatically enhanced. Incorporation of Lyso-7 in NC attenuated drug effects on cell contraction and prevented its impact on relaxation, diastolic Ca2+, Ca2+ transient amplitude, Ca2+ transient decay kinetics, and promotion of diastolic Ca2+ events. Acute effects of Lyso-7 on cardiomyocytes in vitro at high concentrations (450 nM) were globally similar to those observed after repeated administration in vivo. In conclusion, we show evidence for off-target effects of Lyso-7, seen during acute exposure of cardiomyocytes to high concentrations and after repeated treatment in mice. Nano-encapsulation of Lyso-7 in polymeric NC attenuated the unwanted effects, particularly ectopic Ca2+ events known to support life-threatening arrhythmias favored by stress or exercise.
Tablet Splitting in Elderly Patients with Dementia: The Case of Quetiapine
Authors: Ganzetti Roberta , Logrippo Serena , Sestili Matteo , Caraffa Alessandro , Cespi Marco , Pelliccioni Giuseppe , Blasi Paolo , Bonacucina Giulia
Published: September 2021

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic approved for treating schizophrenia, bipolar depression, and mania but is frequently used in an off-label manner to control the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in elderly patients with dementia. Due to the need to personalize doses for elderly patients with dementia, quetiapine tablet manipulation is widespread in hospital settings, long-term care facilities, and patient homes. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the different splitting techniques on quetiapine fumarate tablets by analysing the obtained sub-divided tablets and to discuss compliance with the European Pharmacopoeia limits on whole and split tablets. Quetiapine fumarate tablets of two dose strengths were taken at random (in a number able to assure a power of 0.8 during statistical comparison) and were split with a kitchen knife or tablet cutter. The weight and the drug content were determined for each half tablet. The obtained data were compared to the European Pharmacopoeia limits. The differences between the different splitting techniques were statistically tested. Data showed that split tablets, independently of the dose strength and the technique employed, were not compliant with the European Pharmacopoeia specifications for both entire and subdivided tablets in terms of weight and content uniformity. Thus, such a common practice could have potential effects on treatment efficacy and toxicity, especially when also considering the fragility of the elderly target population in which polypharmacotherapy is very common. These results indicate a compelling need for flexible quetiapine formulations that can assure more accurate dose personalization.
Optimizing Spray-Dried Porous Particles for High Dose Delivery with a Portable Dry Powder Inhaler
Authors: Son Yoen-Ju , Miller Danforth P. , Weers Jeffry G.
Published: September 2021

This manuscript critically reviews the design and delivery of spray-dried particles for the achievement of high total lung doses (TLD) with a portable dry powder inhaler. We introduce a new metric termed the product density, which is simply the TLD of a drug divided by the volume of the receptacle it is contained within. The product density is given by the product of three terms: the packing density (the mass of powder divided by the volume of the receptacle), the drug loading (the mass of drug divided by the mass of powder), and the aerosol performance (the TLD divided by the mass of drug). This manuscript discusses strategies for maximizing each of these terms. Spray drying at low drying rates with small amounts of a shell-forming excipient (low Peclet number) leads to the formation of higher density particles with high packing densities. This enables ultrahigh TLD (>100 mg of drug) to be achieved from a single receptacle. The emptying of powder from capsules is directly proportional to the mass of powder in the receptacle, requiring an inhaled volume of about 1 L for fill masses between 40 and 50 mg and up to 3.2 L for a fill mass of 150 mg.
Homo Philosophicus: Reflections on the Nature and Function of Philosophical Thought
Authors: Mikki Said
Published: September 2021

The philosopher is a fundamental mode of existence of the human being, yet it is experienced only by a minority, an elite. Those constitute, among themselves, a subspecies of Homo sapiens that is sometimes dubbed Homo philosophicus. Our goal here is to investigate, in depth, the philosophical foundations of this ontological-anthropological concept. We analyze the concept of the philosopher into three basic components: the thinker, the artist, and the mathematician, arguing that the three fundamentally participate in maintaining the operation of the philosopher machine. The following text can be considered a contribution to metaphilosophy, written as a structured opinion piece, encompassing a series of reflections drawn from the writer’s own experience as a philosopher. The mode of the presentation is a mixture of personal and experimental writing styles, intentionally avoiding the rigid form of overtly analytical and argumentative discussions. Although numerous philosophers will be discussed below, four key figures, Nietzsche, Russell, Heidegger, and Guattari, occupy a special position in our overall opinionated view on the nature of philosophy.
Study on Transmission Characteristics and Bandgap Types of Plasma Photonic Crystal
Authors: Liang Yichao , Liu Zhen , Peng Jun , Lin Liguang , Lin Rubing , Lin Qi
Published: September 2021

A plasma photonic crystal (PPC) was formed using an array of discharge plasma tubes. The transmission spectra and bandstructure of PPCs with different lattice types under different polarization modes were studied through simulation and measurement. To study the types of bandgap in PPCs, the bandstructure of the PPC is calculated using symplectic finite difference time domain (SFDTD), a modified plane wave expansion (PWE) method, and a finite element method (FEM) based on weak form equations. The bandstructure of the PPC is compared with the transmission curve results. The results show that the bandgap is stable in the PPC, and the experimental and numerical results of the transmission spectra agree well. There are different types of bandgap in the PPC; the bandgap under TE-like polarization is caused by localized surface plasmon (LSP) and Bragg scattering. The bandgap under TM-like polarization is caused by the cutoff effect of plasma on the electromagnetic wave and Bragg scattering. The lattice type also affects the position and number of the bandgap. The three methods have their advantages and disadvantages when calculating bandstructure. Therefore, it is necessary to combine the results of three methods and experimental results to accurately determine the bandgap type of the PPC.
Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Epoxy Blends for Superior Mechanical and Self-Sensing Performance in Multiscale Glass Fiber Composites
Authors: Sánchez-Romate Xoan F. , Alvarado Andrés , Jiménez-Suárez Alberto , Prolongo Silvia G.
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a novel carbon nanotube (CNT) polycaprolactone (PCL), epoxy, and glass fiber (GF) composite is reported. Here, the nanoreinforced composites show a flexural strength increase of around 30%, whereas the interlaminar shear strength increases by 10–15% in comparison to unenhanced samples. This occurs because the addition of the CNTs induces a better PCL/epoxy/GF interaction. Furthermore, the nanoparticles also give novel functionalities to the multiscale composite, such as strain and damage monitoring. Here, the electrical response of the tensile- and compressive-subjected faces was simultaneously measured during flexural tests as well as the transverse conductivity in interlaminar tests, showing an exceptional capability for damage detection. Moreover, it was observed that the electrical sensitivity increases with PCL content due to a higher efficiency of the dispersion process that promotes the creation of a more uniform electrical network.
Influence of Structure and Composition of Woven Fabrics on the Conductivity of Flexography Printed Electronics
Authors: Rodes-Carbonell Ana María , Ferri Josué , Garcia-Breijo Eduardo , Montava Ignacio , Bou-Belda Eva
Published: September 2021

The work is framed within Printed Electronics, an emerging technology for the manufacture of electronic products. Among the different printing methods, the roll-to-roll flexography technique is used because it allows continuous manufacturing and high productivity at low cost. Nevertheless, the incorporation of the flexography printing technique in the textile field is still very recent due to technical barriers such as the porosity of the surface, the durability and the ability to withstand washing. By using the flexography printing technique and conductive inks, different printings were performed onto woven fabrics. Specifically, the study is focused on investigating the influence of the structure of the woven fabric with different weave construction, interlacing coefficient, yarn number and fabric density on the conductivity of the printing. In the same way, the influence of the weft composition was studied by a comparison of different materials (cotton, polyester, and wool). Optical, SEM, color fastness to wash, color measurement using reflection spectrophotometer and multi-meter analyses concluded that woven fabrics have a lower conductivity due to the ink expansion through the inner part of the textile. Regarding weft composition, cotton performs worse due to the moisture absorption capacity of cellulosic fiber. A solution for improving conductivity on printed electronic textiles would be pre-treatment of the surface substrates by applying different chemical compounds that increase the adhesion of the ink, avoiding its absorption.
Antitumor Activity of Rosmarinic Acid-Loaded Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles on HeLa and MCF-7 Cells
Authors: Fuster Marta G. , Carissimi Guzmán , Montalbán Mercedes G. , Víllora Gloria
Published: September 2021

Rosmarinic acid (RA), one of the most important polyphenol-based antioxidants, has drawn increasing attention because of its remarkable bioactive properties, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antibacterial activities. The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize RA-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles (RA-SFNs) in terms of their physical–chemical features and composition, and to investigate their antitumor activity against human cervical carcinoma and breast cancer cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7). Compared with the free form, RA bioavailability was enhanced when the drug was adsorbed onto the surface of the silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNs). The resulting particle diameter was 255 nm, with a polydispersity index of 0.187, and the Z-potential was −17 mV. The drug loading content of the RA-SFNs was 9.4 wt.%. Evaluation of the in vitro drug release of RA from RA-SFNs pointed to a rapid release in physiological conditions (50% of the total drug content was released in 0.5 h). Unloaded SFNs exhibited good biocompatibility, with no significant cytotoxicity observed during the first 48 h against HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cells. In contrast, cell death increased in a concentration-dependent manner after treatment with RA-SFNs, reaching an IC50 value of 1.568 and 1.377 mg/mL on HeLa and MCF-7, respectively. For both cell lines, the IC50 of free RA was higher. The cellular uptake of the nanoparticles studied was increased when RA was loaded on them. The cell cycle and apoptosis studies revealed that RA-SFNs inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis on HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines. It is concluded, therefore, that the RA delivery platform based on SFNs improves the antitumor potential of RA in the case of the above cancers.
Dye Adsorption Mechanism of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Plastic/Clay Ceramics and Influencing Factors
Authors: Kinoshita Hiroyuki , Sasaki Koya , Yasui Kentaro , Miyakawa Yuko , Yuji Toshifumi , Misawa Naoaki , Mungkung Narong
Published: September 2021

The effective reuse of waste glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) is desired. We previously produced porous ceramics by firing mixtures of crushed GFRP and clay in a reducing atmosphere and demonstrated their applicability as adsorbents for the removal of basic dyes from dyeing wastewater. However, the primary influencing factors and the dye adsorption mechanism have not been fully elucidated, and the adsorption of acidic and direct dyes has not been clarified. In this study, adsorption tests were conducted, and the effects of the firing atmosphere, specific surface area, type of dye, and individual components were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that reductively fired ceramics containing plastic carbide residue adsorbed basic dye very well but did not adsorb acidic dye well. The clay structure was the primary factor for the dye adsorption rather than the GFRP carbide. The mechanism for the basic dye adsorption appears to have been an increase in specific surface area due to the plastic carbide residue in the ceramic structure, which increased the ion exchange between the clay minerals and the dye. By adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution, the GFRP/clay ceramic also adsorbed considerable amounts of direct dye, so the mechanism was determined to be ion exchange with the calcium component of the glass fibers.
Design and Ductile Behavior of Torsion Configurations in Material Extrusion to Enhance Plasticizing and Melting
Authors: Jian Ranran , Yang Weimin , Sain Mohini , Zhang Chuanwei , Wu Lupeng
Published: September 2021

In the present work, the ductile formation mechanism of a newly proposed torsion configuration has been investigated. One of the unique attributes of this paper is the first-time disclosure of the design and fabrication of a novel prototype screw with torsional flow character validating the orthogonal test model experimentally. The torsional spiral flow patterns that occurred in the torsion channel cause a ductile deformation of polymer in the form of a spiral, which in turn enhances the radial convection, achieving an effective mass transfer of material from the top region to the bottom region and vice versa. Furthermore, the characteristic parameters of torsion configuration have a significant influence on the plasticizing and melting capability of polymer. By range analysis and weight matrix analysis, the best factor and level combination was obtained. Results indicated that the aspect ratio of the torsion channel is almost equal to 1, and the plasticizing and melting capability of polymer is optimal. This novel design innovation offers a paradigm shift in the energy-efficient plasticization of polymer compounds.
Advances in the Methods for the Synthesis of Carbon Dots and Their Emerging Applications
Authors: Khayal Areeba , Dawane Vinars , Amin Mohammed A. , Tirth Vineet , Yadav Virendra Kumar , Algahtani Ali , Khan Samreen Heena , Islam Saiful , Yadav Krishna Kumar , Jeon Byong-Hun
Published: September 2021

Cutting-edge technologies are making inroads into new areas and this remarkable progress has been successfully influenced by the tiny level engineering of carbon dots technology, their synthesis advancement and impressive applications in the field of allied sciences. The advances of science and its conjugation with interdisciplinary fields emerged in carbon dots making, their controlled characterization and applications into faster, cheaper as well as more reliable products in various scientific domains. Thus, a new era in nanotechnology has developed into carbon dots technology. The understanding of the generation process, control on making processes and selected applications of carbon dots such as energy storage, environmental monitoring, catalysis, contaminates detections and complex environmental forensics, drug delivery, drug targeting and other biomedical applications, etc., are among the most promising applications of carbon dots and thus it is a prominent area of research today. In this regard, various types of carbon dot nanomaterials such as oxides, their composites and conjugations, etc., have been garnering significant attention due to their remarkable potential in this prominent area of energy, the environment and technology. Thus, the present paper highlights the role and importance of carbon dots, recent advancements in their synthesis methods, properties and emerging applications.
Polyurethane-Nanolignin Composite Foam Coated with Propolis as a Platform for Wound Dressing: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Pahlevanneshan Zari , Deypour Mohammadreza , Kefayat Amirhosein , Rafienia Mohammad , Sajkiewicz Paweł , Esmaeely Neisiany Rasoul , Enayati Mohammad Saeid
Published: September 2021

This piece of research explores porous nanocomposite polyurethane (PU) foam synthesis, containing nanolignin (NL), coated with natural antimicrobial propolis for wound dressing. PU foam was synthesized using polyethylene glycol, glycerol, NL, and 1, 6-diisocyanato-hexane (NCO/OH ratio: 1.2) and water as blowing agent. The resultant foam was immersed in ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP). PU, NL-PU, and PU-NL/EEP foams were characterized from mechanical, morphological, and chemical perspectives. NL Incorporation into PU increased mechanical strength, while EEP coating showed lower strength than PU-NL/EEP. Morphological investigations confirmed an open-celled structure with a pore diameter of 150–200 μm, a density of nearly 0.2 g/cm3,, and porosity greater than 85%, which led to significantly high water absorption (267% for PU-NL/EEP). The hydrophilic nature of foams, measured by the contact angle, proved to be increased by NL addition and EEP coating. PU and PU-NL did not show important antibacterial features, while EEP coating resulted in a significant antibacterial efficiency. All foams revealed high biocompatibility toward L929 fibroblasts, with the highest cell viability and cell attachment for PU-NL/EEP. In vivo wound healing using Wistar rats’ full-thickness skin wound model confirmed that PU-NL/EEP exhibited an essentially higher wound healing efficacy compared with other foams. Hence, PU-NL/EEP foam could be a promising wound dressing candidate.
Low-Velocity Impact Analysis of Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) Hybrid Composites
Authors: Najeeb Muhammad Imran , Hameed Sultan Mohamed Thariq , Md Shah Ain Umaira , Muhammad Amir Siti Madiha , Safri Syafiqah Nur Azrie , Jawaid Mohammad , Shari Mohamad Rabaie
Published: September 2021

The low-velocity impact behaviour of pineapple leaf fiber, PALF reinforce epoxy composite (P), PALF hybrid (GPG), and four-layer woven glass fiber (GGGG) composite was investigated. As for post-impact analysis, the damage evaluation was assessed through photographic images and X-ray computed tomography, using CT scan techniques. The key findings from this study are that a positive hybrid effect of PALF as a reinforcement was seen where the GPG shows the delayed time taken for damage initiation and propagation through the whole sample compared to GGGG. This clearly shows that the addition of fibers does have comparable composite properties with a fully synthetic composite. Through the visual inspection captured by photographic image, the presence of woven fiber glass mat in GPG presents a different damage mode compared to P. Moreover, CT scan results show extended internal damage at the cross-section of all impacted composite.
Effects of Fe(OH)3 and MnO2 Flocs on Iron/Manganese Removal and Fouling in Aerated Submerged Membrane Systems
Authors: Türkoğlu Demirkol Güler , Çelik Suna Özden , Güneş Durak Sevgi , Acarer Seren , Çetin Ender , Akarçay Demir Sultan , Tüfekci Neşe
Published: September 2021

Many treatment methods are used to remove iron and manganese from water. Aeration and membrane filtration are two of these methods. In this study, Fe2+ and Mn2+ removal by aeration with different catalysts and instead of simple membrane filtration applied in other studies, the aerated-submerged membrane systems were evaluated separately. When Fe(OH)3 was applied in the aeration step and complete oxidation of Fe2+ was obtained after 27 min, while complete Mn2+ oxidation was obtained in 76 min. However, when MnO2 was applied in the aeration step, complete oxidation of Fe2+ and Mn2+ was relatively slow (36 and 110 min, respectively). According to the results obtained from the aerated membrane system, Fe2+ and Mn2+ removal were extended by Fe(OH)3 via adsorption/surface oxidation. It is clearly shown from the flux, resistance results, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FT/IR) spectroscopy observation that manganese oxides were deposited mainly in membrane pores forming membrane fouling by small flocs, while iron oxide particles were deposited on the membrane surface. Although the flux performance of PT PES membrane was higher than HF PP membrane, fouling resistance of HF PP membrane was higher than PT PES.
Imbalance Modelling for Defect Detection in Ceramic Substrate by Using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Huang Yo-Ping , Su Chun-Ming , Basanta Haobijam , Tsai Yau-Liang
Published: September 2021

The complexity of defect detection in a ceramic substrate causes interclass and intraclass imbalance problems. Identifying flaws in ceramic substrates has traditionally relied on aberrant material occurrences and characteristic quantities. However, defect substrates in ceramic are typically small and have a wide variety of defect distributions, thereby making defect detection more challenging and difficult. Thus, we propose a method for defect detection based on unsupervised learning and deep learning. First, the proposed method conducts K-means clustering for grouping instances according to their inherent complex characteristics. Second, the distribution of rarely occurring instances is balanced by using augmentation filters. Finally, a convolutional neural network is trained by using the balanced dataset. The effectiveness of the proposed method was validated by comparing the results with those of other methods. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms other methods.
Investigation on the Interactive Effects between Temperature and Chemical Composition of Organic Wastes on Anaerobic Co-Digestion Performance
Authors: Zhang Siqi , Wang Ying , Song Jinghui , Sheng Chenjing , Shang Zezhou , Wang Rui , Wang Xiaojiao , Yang Gaihe , Feng Yongzhong , Ren Guangxin
Published: September 2021

Synergistic effects among different chemical components under the anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) process played an important role in improving its performance, which might be affected by the digesting temperature. The results showed that the actual methane production (AMP) and gasification rate (GR) of 50% lipid content were the highest, and the carbohydrate and protein content should be adjusted according to the temperature. Under mesophilic conditions, the M1 reactor with high protein content (carbohydrate–lipid–protein ratio, CLP = 20:50:30) had the highest AMP of 552.02 mL/g VS and GR of 74.72%. However, as the temperature increased, the high protein content produced high levels of ammonia nitrogen (AN) and free ammonia (FA), which formed a certain degree of ammonia inhibition, resulting in lower AMP and GR. Under thermophilic conditions, the low protein T2 reactor (CLP = 40:50:10) had the highest AMP and GR at 485.45 mL/g VS and 67.18%. In addition, the M1 and T2 reactors had the highest microbial diversity, which promoted substrate degradation and methane production. In the M1 reactor, acetoclastic metabolism is the main methanogenic pathway, while in the T2 reactor changes to hydrogenotrophic metabolism. Therefore, understanding the synergistic effect between temperature and chemical compositions was an effective way to improve the AcoD effect.