bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-Assisted Cold Alkaline Extraction: Increasing Hemicellulose Extraction and Energy Production from Populus Wood
Authors: Lozano-Calvo S. , Loaiza J. M. , García J. C. , García M. T. , López F.
Published: January 2024

Alkaline pretreatments are considered highly effective for the separation of the different components of lignocellulosic biomass. However, cold alkaline extraction (CAE) exhibits minimal modification/degradation of hemicellulosic fraction and successfully accomplishes efficient delignification. In this research, the fast-growing clone AF2 of Populus x euramericana wood was utilized as the raw material and subjected to ultrasound-assisted CAE. The objective of incorporating ultrasound into cold alkaline extraction is to increase the yield of a hemicellulosic-rich liquid phase that can be used to produce high-value products such as furfural or xylitol. Simultaneously, it aims to obtain a solid phase with a higher calorific value compared to the raw material. The results, obtained from a central composite factorial design, demonstrated that the CAE process for 90 min at a sodium hydroxide concentration of 100 g L−1, a temperature of 30 °C, and with ultrasound assistance maximized hemicellulose extraction in the liquid phase (60.8% was extracted) and improved the heating value of solid phase.
Advancements and Future Directions in Yellow Rice Wine Production Research
Authors: Zhang Jingxian , Li Tian , Zou Gen , Wei Yongjun , Qu Lingbo
Published: January 2024

Yellow rice wine is a traditional fermented beverage in China. The microorganisms in the brewing process play a crucial role in shaping the composition and quality of the wine through their regulation of microbial growth, fermentation metabolites, metabolic balance, and ethanol production. Yellow rice wine not only has culinary value but also possesses potential medicinal value. This is attributed to the presence of polyphenolic compounds, antioxidants, and other natural products that can provide antioxidant and other probiotic effects. The fermentation process of yellow rice wine offers potential nutritional supplementation and improved digestion. While traditional brewing techniques have long been employed, modern biotechnology helps enhance the quality and stability of the wine by selecting suitable microbial strains, optimizing fermentation conditions, and precisely controlling the fermentation process. The collection of diverse fermentation microbes and the construction of specifically designed microbiota for yellow rice wine production could expedite the production of high-quality yellow rice wine. The ultimate goal is to enhance the nutritional value, conditioning function, and overall consumption experience of yellow rice wine. Future research will delve into exploring the relationship between microorganisms and active ingredients in yellow rice wine, improving both the quality and functionality of the wine.
Effects of Different Protein Sources on Growth Performance, Muscle Flavor Substances and Quality Structure in Triploid Crucian Carp
Authors: Yang Liquan , Yi Chenglin , Mo Yujian , He Zhimin , Xu Zhehua , He Yimiao , Ouyang Yongkang , Mao Zhuangwen , Qu Fufa , Tang Jianzhou , Liu Zhen , Fang Zhijia , Cao Shenping
Published: January 2024

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of different dietary protein sources on the growth performance, muscle flavor substances, and quality structure of Triploid Crucian Carp. Three isonitrogenous (32.00%), isolipidic (8.00%), and isoenergetic (18.00 MJ kg−1) practical diets were formulated. These diets consisted of fishmeal as the animal-derived protein source (AP), a combination of soybean meal and rapeseed meal as the plant-derived protein source (PP), and a mixture of fishmeal, soybean meal, and rapeseed meal as the mixed protein source (MP). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate tanks of fish and each tank was stocked with 25 fish (11.5 ± 0.4 g). The fish were fed until apparent satiation twice a day. The results showed a significant enhancement in the growth performance of Triploid Crucian Carp in the AP group compared with both the MP and PP groups (p < 0.05). Dietary plant derived protein can remarkably reduce the crude lipid content and increase the moisture content of the whole body and the dorsal muscle (p < 0.05). The antioxidant ability of fish in the PP group and MP group was better than that in the AP group (p < 0.05). Regarding free amino acids composition of muscle, the contents of glycine, methionine, and lysine were significantly enhanced in the AP group, while the histidine content was significantly increased in the PP group (p < 0.05). In terms of texture, dietary plant protein significantly improved the muscular hardness, gumminess, and chewiness. The activities of intestinal trypsin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of fish in the PP group were significantly higher than that in the AP group (p < 0.05). The expression levels of hepatopancreas TOR and IGF1 genes in the PP group were significantly higher than that in the MP group (p < 0.05). The present results indicate dietary fishmeal significantly improved the growth performance and muscular flavor glycine content, while dietary plant-based protein increased crude protein content, antioxidant ability, and muscular texture performance of Triploid Crucian Carp.
Social Progress and the Dravidian “Race” in Tamil Social Thought
Authors: Sibley Collin
Published: January 2024

In the closing decades of the 19th century, a wide range of Tamil authors and public speakers in colonial India became acutely interested in the notion of a Dravidian “race”. This conception of a Dravidian race, rooted in European racial and philological scholarship on the peoples of South India, became an important symbol of Tamil cultural, religious, and social autonomy in colonial and post-colonial Tamil thought, art, politics, and literature. European racial thought depicted Dravidians as a savage race that had been subjugated or displaced by the superior Aryan race in ancient Indic history. Using several key works of colonial scholarship, non-Brahmin Tamil authors reversed and reconfigured this idea to ground their own broad-reaching critiques of Brahmin political and social dominance, Brahmanical Hinduism, and Indian nationalism. Whereas European scholarship largely presented Dravidians as the inferiors of Aryans, non-Brahmin Tamil thinkers argued that the ancient, Dravidian identity of the Tamil people could stand alone without Aryan interference. This symbolic contrast between Dravidian (Tamil, non-Brahmin, South Indian) and Aryan (Sanskritic, Brahmin, North Indian) is a central component of 20th- and 21st-century Tamil public discourse on caste, gender, and cultural autonomy. Tamil authors, speakers, activists, and politicians used and continue to use the symbolic frame of Dravidian racial history to advocate for many different political, cultural, and social causes. While not all of these “Dravidian” discourses are meaningfully politically or socially progressive, the long history of Dravidian-centered, anti-Brahmanical discourse in Tamil South India has helped Tamil Nadu largely rebuff the advances of Hindu nationalist politics, which have become dominant in other cultural regions of present-day India. This piece presents a background on the emergence of the term “Dravidian” in socially critical Tamil thought, as well as its reversal and reconfiguration by Tamil social thinkers, orators, and activists in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. The piece begins with a brief history of the terms “Dravidian” and “Aryan” in Western racial thought. The piece then charts the evolution of this discourse in Tamil public thought by discussing several important examples of Tamil social and political movements that incorporate the conceptual poles of “Dravidian” and “Aryan” into their own platforms.
Porcine Kidney Organoids Derived from Naïve-like Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Li Meishuang , Guo Xiyun , Cheng Linxin , Zhang Hong , Zhou Meng , Zhang Manling , Yin Zhibao , Guo Tianxu , Zhao Lihua , Liu Han , Liang Xiubin , Li Rongfeng
Published: January 2024

The scarcity of donor kidneys greatly impacts the survival of patients with end-stage renal failure. Pigs are increasingly becoming potential organ donors but are limited by immunological rejection. Based on the human kidney organoid already established with the CHIR99021 and FGF9 induction strategy, we generated porcine kidney organoids from porcine naïve-like ESCs (nESCs). The derived porcine organoids had a tubule-like constructure and matrix components. The porcine organoids expressed renal markers including AQP1 (proximal tubule), WT1 and PODO (podocyte), and CD31 (vascular endothelial cells). These results imply that the organoids had developed the majority of the renal cell types and structures, including glomeruli and proximal tubules. The porcine organoids were also identified to have a dextran absorptive function. Importantly, porcine organoids have a certain abundance of vascular endothelial cells, which are the basis for investigating immune rejection. The derived porcine organoids might serve as materials for immunosuppressor screening for xenotransplantation.
5-HT2A Receptor Knockout Mice Show Sex-Dependent Differences following Acute Noribogaine Administration
Authors: Villalba Sofía , González Bruno , Junge Stephanie , Bernardi Alejandra , González Joaquín , Fagúndez Catherine , Torterolo Pablo , Carrera Ignacio , Urbano Francisco J. , Bisagno Verónica
Published: January 2024

Noribogaine (noribo) is the primary metabolite from ibogaine, an atypical psychedelic alkaloid isolated from the root bark of the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga. The main objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that molecular, electrophysiological, and behavioral responses of noribo are mediated by the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) in mice. In that regard, we used male and female, 5-HT2AR knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice injected with a single noribo dose (10 or 40 mg/kg; i.p.). After 30 min., locomotor activity was recorded followed by mRNA measurements by qPCR (immediate early genes; IEG, glutamate receptors, and 5-HT2AR levels) and electrophysiology recordings of layer V pyramidal neurons from the medial prefrontal cortex. Noribo 40 decreased locomotion in male, but not female WT. Sex and genotype differences were observed for IEG and glutamate receptor expression. Expression of 5-HT2AR mRNA increased in the mPFC of WT mice following Noribo 10 (males) or Noribo 40 (females). Patch-clamp recordings showed that Noribo 40 reduced the NMDA-mediated postsynaptic current density in mPFC pyramidal neurons only in male WT mice, but no effects were found for either KO males or females. Our results highlight that noribo produces sexually dimorphic effects while the genetic removal of 5HT2AR blunted noribo-mediated responses to NMDA synaptic transmission.
Role of TRP Channels in Metabolism-Related Diseases
Authors: Wu Fengming , Bu Siyuan , Wang Hongmei
Published: January 2024

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), with its high prevalence and significant impact on cardiovascular disease, poses a substantial threat to human health. The early identification of pathological abnormalities related to MetS and prevention of the risk of associated diseases is of paramount importance. Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, a type of nonselective cation channel, are expressed in a variety of tissues and have been implicated in the onset and progression of numerous metabolism-related diseases. This study aims to review and discuss the expression and function of TRP channels in metabolism-related tissues and blood vessels, and to elucidate the interactions and mechanisms between TRP channels and metabolism-related diseases. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using keywords such as TRP channels, metabolic syndrome, pancreas, liver, oxidative stress, diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis across various academic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Web of Science, and CNKI. Our review of the current research suggests that TRP channels may be involved in the development of metabolism-related diseases by regulating insulin secretion and release, lipid metabolism, vascular functional activity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. TRP channels, as nonselective cation channels, play pivotal roles in sensing various intra- and extracellular stimuli and regulating ion homeostasis by osmosis. They present potential new targets for the diagnosis or treatment of metabolism-related diseases.
Graph Neural Network Model for Prediction of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Lymph Node Metastasis Using Protein–Protein Interaction Network and 18F-FDG PET/CT Radiomics
Authors: Ju Hyemin , Kim Kangsan , Kim Byung Il , Woo Sang-Keun
Published: January 2024

The image texture features obtained from 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) images of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have revealed tumor heterogeneity. A combination of genomic data and radiomics may improve the prediction of tumor prognosis. This study aimed to predict NSCLC metastasis using a graph neural network (GNN) obtained by combining a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network based on gene expression data and image texture features. 18F-FDG PET/CT images and RNA sequencing data of 93 patients with NSCLC were acquired from The Cancer Imaging Archive. Image texture features were extracted from 18F-FDG PET/CT images and area under the curve receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of each image feature was calculated. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct gene modules, followed by functional enrichment analysis and identification of differentially expressed genes. The PPI of each gene module and genes belonging to metastasis-related processes were converted via a graph attention network. Images and genomic features were concatenated. The GNN model using PPI modules from WGCNA and metastasis-related functions combined with image texture features was evaluated quantitatively. Fifty-five image texture features were extracted from 18F-FDG PET/CT, and radiomic features were selected based on AUC (n = 10). Eighty-six gene modules were clustered by WGCNA. Genes (n = 19) enriched in the metastasis-related pathways were filtered using DEG analysis. The accuracy of the PPI network, derived from WGCNA modules and metastasis-related genes, improved from 0.4795 to 0.5830 (p < 2.75 × 10−12). Integrating PPI of four metastasis-related genes with 18F-FDG PET/CT image features in a GNN model elevated its accuracy over a without image feature model to 0.8545 (95% CI = 0.8401–0.8689, p-value < 0.02). This model demonstrated significant enhancement compared to the model using PPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT derived from WGCNA (p-value < 0.02), underscoring the critical role of metastasis-related genes in prediction model. The enhanced predictive capability of the lymph node metastasis prediction GNN model for NSCLC, achieved through the integration of comprehensive image features with genomic data, demonstrates promise for clinical implementation.
The Pupa Stage Is the Most Sensitive to Hypoxia in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Stobdan Tsering , Wen Nicholas J. , Lu-Bo Ying , Zhou Dan , Haddad Gabriel G.
Published: January 2024

Hypoxia not only plays a critical role in multiple disease conditions; it also influences the growth and development of cells, tissues and organs. To identify novel hypoxia-related mechanisms involved in cell and tissue growth, studying a precise hypoxia-sensitive time window can be an effective approach. Drosophila melanogaster has been a useful model organism for studying a variety of conditions, and we focused in this study on the life cycle stages of Drosophila to investigate their hypoxia sensitivity. When normoxia-grown flies were treated with 4% O2 at the pupa stage for 3, 2 and 1 day/s, the eclosion rates were 6.1%, 66.7% and 96.4%, respectively, and, when 4% O2 was kept for the whole pupa stage, this regimen was lethal. Surprisingly, when our hypoxia-adapted flies who normally live in 4% O2 were treated with 4% O2 at the pupa stage, no fly eclosed. Within the pupa stage, the pupae at 2 and 3 days after pupae formation (APF), when treated for 2 days, demonstrated 12.5 ± 8.5% and 23.6 ± 1.6% eclosion, respectively, but this was completely lethal when treated for 3 days. We conclude that pupae, at 2 days APF and for a duration of a minimum of 2 days, were the most sensitive to hypoxia. Our data from our hypoxia-adapted flies clearly indicate that epigenetic factors play a critical role in pupa-stage hypoxia sensitivity.
Computer Vision Algorithm for Characterization of a Turbulent Gas–Liquid Jet
Authors: Starodumov Ilya , Sokolov Sergey , Mikushin Pavel , Nikishina Margarita , Mityashin Timofey , Makhaeva Ksenia , Blyakhman Felix , Chernushkin Dmitrii , Nizovtseva Irina
Published: January 2024

A computer vision algorithm to determine the parameters of a two-phase turbulent jet of a water-gas mixture traveling at a velocity in the range of 5–10 m/s was developed in order to evaluate the hydrodynamic efficiency of mass exchange apparatuses in real time, as well as to predict the gas exchange rate. The algorithm is based on threshold segmentation, the active contours method, the regression of principal components method, and the comparison of feature overlays, which allows the stable determination of jet boundaries and is a more efficient method when working with low-quality data than traditional implementations of the Canny method. Based on high-speed video recordings of jets, the proposed algorithm allows the calculation of key characteristics of jets: the velocity, angle of incidence, structural density, etc. Both the algorithm’s description and a test application based on video recordings of a real jet created on an experimental prototype of a jet bioreactor are discussed. The results are compared with computational fluid dynamics modeling and theoretical predictions, and good agreement is demonstrated. The presented algorithm itself represents the basis for a real-time control system for aerator operation in jet bioreactors, as well as being used in laboratory jet stream installations for the accumulation of big data on the structure and dynamic properties of jets.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of the 755 nm Picosecond Laser in Eliminating Pigmented Skin Lesions after a Single Treatment Based on Photographic Analysis with Polarised Light
Authors: Zawodny Piotr , Wahidi Nicole , Zawodny Paweł , Duchnik Ewa , Stój Elżbieta , Malec Wiola Rozalia , Kulaszyńska Monika , Skonieczna-Żydecka Karolina , Sieńko Jerzy
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Pigmentary changes can be bothersome and affect one’s well-being. Laser therapy has been shown to effectively treat such skin discolouration. We aimed to assess the utility of a 755 nm alexandrite laser in pigmented lesions removal. Materials and methods: A total of 109 patients aged 44.17 ± 8.2 years were enrolled and underwent laser treatment of facial skin hyperpigmentation. The efficacy was analysed on the basis of photographic diagnosis using the VISIA Complexion Analysis System. The following measures were assessed: (1) score; (2) feature count; (3) comparison figure. Results: A single laser treatment significantly improved the size and area of the lesion and decreased the number of lesion features. Parallelly, the overall skin condition significantly improved (p < 0.05). We found a statistical tendency of a higher feature count baseline, thus its change in men (p = 0.05 and 0.07, respectively), but failed to find any statistically significant associations (p > 0.05) between tested measures and skin phototypes and hyperpigmentation types. Age was also not correlated with the laser efficacy (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The use of the 755 nm laser is effective in reducing pigmented lesions.
Anterior Intercondylar Notch Geometry in Relation to the Native Anterior Cruciate Ligament Size
Authors: Cernat Eduard M. , Dima Alina , Popescu Claudiu , Neagu Andrei , Betianu Cezar , Moga Marius , Manolescu Loredana Sabina Cornelia , Barbilian Adrian
Published: January 2024

Background: The intercondylar notch (ICN) and the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are important structures in knee morphometry, with key roles in stabilizing the knee. Aim: To determine the associations between the specific shape of the ICN (A-, W-, or U-shape) and the ACL size in patients with intact ACLs. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were independently analyzed by two experts: one orthopedic surgeon and one imaging physician. In all cases, the following measurements were taken based on the existing definitions: ACL area, anterior ICN (aICN) area, ICN width, lateral trochlear inclination (LTI), and Insall–Salvati index. Results: A total of 65 cases (50.8% male; 33.8 ± 10.2 years mean age at inclusion) were included in the study. The ACL and aICN areas were significantly larger in patients with U-shaped compared with A-shaped and W-shaped ICNs: 0.50 (0.20–0.80) vs. 0.40 (0.20–0.80) vs. 0.40 (0.30–0.80), p = 0.011 and 1.16 (0.57–3.60) vs. 0.47 (0.15–0.95) vs. 0.37 (0.15–0.81), p < 0.001, respectively. Internal meniscal lesions were more common in cases with U-shaped ICNs (64.0%), while external ones were more common in W-shaped ICN cases (35.3%). None of the A-shaped cases had external chondral or meniscal lesions. The ACL area was significantly larger in males and internal meniscal injuries, with no differences between chondral lesions, external meniscal injuries, patellar chondral lesions, patella alta, or trochlear dysplasia. Conclusion: The specific shape of the intercondylar notch was associated with the anterior cruciate ligament–anterior intercondylar notch (ACL–aICN) area size correlation, with a strong correlation between ACL and aICN area when the intercondylar notch was A-shaped or W-shaped, and a low correlation when the notch was U- shaped. The specific shape of the intercondylar notch (A-, W-, or U-shape) was associated with the occurrence of both internal and external meniscal injuries, with the U-shaped intercondylar notch morphometry being more frequent in cases with internal meniscal injuries and the W-shape being more common in cases with external meniscal injuries.
Decongestion in Acute Heart Failure—Time to Rethink and Standardize Current Clinical Practice?
Authors: Bilgeri Valentin , Spitaler Philipp , Puelacher Christian , Messner Moritz , Adukauskaite Agne , Barbieri Fabian , Bauer Axel , Senoner Thomas , Dichtl Wolfgang
Published: January 2024

Most episodes of acute heart failure (AHF) are characterized by increasing signs and symptoms of congestion, manifested by edema, pleura effusion and/or ascites. Immediately and repeatedly administered intravenous (IV) loop diuretics currently represent the mainstay of initial therapy aiming to achieve adequate diuresis/natriuresis and euvolemia. Despite these efforts, a significant proportion of patients have residual congestion at discharge, which is associated with a poor prognosis. Therefore, a standardized approach is needed. The door to diuretic time should not exceed 60 min. As a general rule, the starting IV dose is 20–40 mg furosemide equivalents in loop diuretic naïve patients or double the preexisting oral home dose to be administered via IV. Monitoring responses within the following first hours are key issues. (1) After 2 h, spot urinary sodium should be ≥50–70 mmol/L. (2) After 6 h, the urine output should be ≥100–150 mL/hour. If these target measures are not reached, the guidelines currently recommend a doubling of the original dose to a maximum of 400–600 mg furosemide per day and in patients with severely impaired kidney function up to 1000 mg per day. Continuous infusion of loop diuretics offers no benefit over intermittent boluses (DOSE trial). Emerging evidence by recent randomized trials (ADVOR, CLOROTIC) supports the concept of an early combination diuretic therapy, by adding either acetazolamide (500 mg IV once daily) or hydrochlorothiazide. Acetazolamide is particularly useful in the presence of a baseline bicarbonate level of ≥27 mmol/L and remains effective in the presence of preexisting/worsening renal dysfunction but should be used only in the first three days to prevent severe metabolic disturbances. Patients should not leave the hospital when they are still congested and/or before optimized long-term guideline-directed medical therapy has been initiated. Special attention should be paid to AHF patients during the vulnerable post-discharge period, with an early follow-up visit focusing on up-titrate treatments of recommended doses within 2 weeks (STRONG-HF).
Prone Positioning and Molecular Biomarkers in COVID and Non-COVID ARDS: A Narrative Review
Authors: Spadaro Savino , Jimenez-Santana Jose Daniel , La Rosa Riccardo , Spinazzola Giorgia , Argente Navarro Pilar , Volta Carlo Alberto , Scaramuzzo Gaetano
Published: January 2024

Prone positioning (PP) represents a therapeutic intervention with the proven capacity of ameliorating gas exchanges and ventilatory mechanics indicated in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). When PP is selectively applied to moderate-severe cases of ARDS, it sensitively affects clinical outcomes, including mortality. After the COVID-19 outbreak, clinical application of PP peaked worldwide and was applied in 60% of treated cases, according to large reports. Research on this topic has revealed many physiological underpinnings of PP, focusing on regional ventilation redistribution and the reduction of parenchymal stress and strain. However, there is a lack of evidence on biomarkers behavior in different phases and phenotypes of ARDS. Patients response to PP are, to date, decided on PaO2/FiO2 ratio improvement, whereas scarce data exist on biomarker tracking during PP. The purpose of this review is to explore current evidence on the clinical relevance of biomarkers in the setting of moderate-severe ARDS of different etiologies (i.e., COVID and non-COVID-related ARDS). Moreover, this review focuses on how PP may modulate biomarkers and which biomarkers may have a role in outcome prediction in ARDS patients.
Study on the Influence of Tip Clearance on Cavitation Performance and Entropy Production of an Axial Flow Pump
Authors: Yu Lei , Cheng Li , Xu Wentao , Lei Shuaihao
Published: January 2024

The clearance existing between the impeller rim and the adjacent shroud within the pump configuration establishes conducive circumstances for the initiation of cavitation. The bubbles generated by cavitation will flow forward with the water, blocking the channel, and result in the degradation of the pump performance. When the cavitation is severe, vibration and noise will be generated. The impact formed by the collapse of the bubbles will seriously erode the blades and form pits on the blade surfaces. Drawing upon the outcomes derived from numerical simulations, this paper investigates the relationship between tip clearance and cavitation in an axial flow pump, with a specific focus on energy dissipation characteristics. The principal findings indicate that the dimensions of the tip clearance predominantly influence the spatial distribution of the tip leakage vortex (TLV) cavitation. The entropy production rate distribution at the tip correlates with both the cavitation level of the pump and the extent of the tip clearance. The shedding phenomenon of the TLV becomes more evident when analyzing the distribution of entropy production rates. During cavitation, an increased tip clearance is associated with a reduction in the dissipation of viscous entropy production within the impeller domain, and the entropy production resulting from turbulent dissipation significantly surpasses that arising from viscous dissipation.
Relevance of Carcinogen-Induced Preclinical Cancer Models
Authors: Sewduth Raj N. , Georgelou Konstantina
Published: January 2024

Chemical agents can cause cancer in animals by damaging their DNA, mutating their genes, and modifying their epigenetic signatures. Carcinogen-induced preclinical cancer models are useful for understanding carcinogen-induced human cancers, as they can reproduce the diversity and complexity of tumor types, as well as the interactions with the host environment. However, these models also have some drawbacks that limit their applicability and validity. For instance, some chemicals may be more effective or toxic in animals than in humans, and the tumors may differ in their genetics and phenotypes. Some chemicals may also affect normal cells and tissues, such as by causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death, which may alter the tumor behavior and response to therapy. Furthermore, some chemicals may have variable effects depending on the exposure conditions, such as dose, route, and duration, as well as the animal characteristics, such as genetics and hormones. Therefore, these models should be carefully chosen, validated, and standardized, and the results should be cautiously interpreted and compared with other models. This review covers the main features of chemically induced cancer models, such as genetic and epigenetic changes, tumor environment, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, and immune response. We also address the pros and cons of these models and the current and future challenges for their improvement. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of carcinogen-induced cancer models and provides new perspectives for cancer research.
Designing Composite Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels for Wound Healing Applications: The State-of-the-Art and Recent Discoveries
Authors: Michalicha Anna , Belcarz Anna , Giannakoudakis Dimitrios A. , Staniszewska Magdalena , Barczak Mariusz
Published: January 2024

Effective wound treatment has become one of the most important challenges for healthcare as it continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Therefore, wound care technologies significantly evolved in order to provide a holistic approach based on various designs of functional wound dressings. Among them, hydrogels have been widely used for wound treatment due to their biocompatibility and similarity to the extracellular matrix. The hydrogel formula offers the control of an optimal wound moisture level due to its ability to absorb excess fluid from the wound or release moisture as needed. Additionally, hydrogels can be successfully integrated with a plethora of biologically active components (e.g., nanoparticles, pharmaceuticals, natural extracts, peptides), thus enhancing the performance of resulting composite hydrogels in wound healing applications. In this review, the-state-of-the-art discoveries related to stimuli-responsive hydrogel-based dressings have been summarized, taking into account their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hemostatic properties, as well as other effects (e.g., re-epithelialization, vascularization, and restoration of the tissue) resulting from their use.
A Review on Chemical and Autogenous Shrinkage of Cementitious Systems
Authors: Ghanem Hassan , Ramadan Rawan , Khatib Jamal , Elkordi Adel
Published: January 2024

Chemical shrinkage (CS) is an intrinsic parameter that may affect the early age cracking of paste, mortar and concrete. It is well known as the driving force of self-desiccation, autogenous shrinkage (AGS) and drying shrinkage. During the first stage of cement hydration (at the initial setting time), the CS and AGS are equal. In the hardened stages, there is a difference in values between the two shrinkage parameters. This paper is a comprehensive review on CS and AGS, measurement techniques, modeling and prediction of different cementitious systems. Based on the various experimental studies, chemical shrinkage depends on the water to binder ratio (w/b) and is proportional to the degree of hydration. A low w/b ratio leads to high CS and AGS. The composition of cement has an effect on both CS and AGS. Also, incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) affects both shrinkage parameters. It is concluded that adding fly ash (FA) to concrete contributes to CS and AGS reductions. However, this is not the case when concrete contains slag. More than 170 references were consulted including 35 which were published after 2020. According to the authors knowledge, there is no published work on the effect of fibers, especially bio-fibers, on the chemical shrinkage of cement-based composites. Therefore, in addition to traditional chemical shrinkage of cementitious systems, this review includes a section on recent papers conducted by the authors on the effect of bio-fibers on the chemical shrinkage of cement composites.
Effect of Freeze–Thaw Cycles on the Shear Strength of Root-Soil Composite
Authors: Liu Qi , Huang Jiankun , Zhang Zhiwei , Liu Gongming , Jiang Qunou , Liu Lanhua , Khan Inam
Published: January 2024

A large alpine meadow in a seasonal permafrost zone exists in the west of Sichuan, which belongs to a part of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China. Due to the extreme climates and repeated freeze–thaw cycling, resulting in a diminishment in soil shear strength, disasters occur frequently. Plant roots increase the complexity of the soil freeze–thaw strength problem. This study applied the freeze–thaw cycle and direct shear tests to investigate the change in the shear strength of root-soil composite under freeze–thaw cycles. This study examined how freeze–thaw cycles and initial moisture content affect the shear strength of two sorts of soil: uncovered soil and root-soil composite. By analyzing the test information, the analysts created numerical conditions to foresee the shear quality of both sorts of soil under shifting freeze–thaw times and starting moisture levels. The results showed that: (1) Compared to the bare soil, the root-soil composite was less affected by freeze–thaw cycles in the early stage, and the shear strength of both sorts of soil was stabilized after 3–5 freeze–thaw cycles. (2) The cohesion of bare soil decreased more than that of root-soil composite with increasing moisture content. However, freeze–thaw cycles primarily influence soil cohesion more than the internal friction angle. The cohesion modification leads to changes in shear quality for both uncovered soil and root-soil composite. (3) The fitting equations obtained via experiments were used to simulate direct shear tests. The numerical results are compared with the experimental data. The difference in the soil cohesion and root-soil composite cohesion between the experiment data and the simulated result is 8.2% and 17.2%, respectively, which indicates the feasibility of the fitting equations applied to the numerical simulation of the soil and root-soil composite under the freeze–thaw process. The findings give potential applications on engineering and disaster prevention in alpine regions.
Machine Learning for an Enhanced Credit Risk Analysis: A Comparative Study of Loan Approval Prediction Models Integrating Mental Health Data
Authors: Alagic Adnan , Zivic Natasa , Kadusic Esad , Hamzic Dzenan , Hadzajlic Narcisa , Dizdarevic Mejra , Selmanovic Elmedin
Published: January 2024

The number of loan requests is rapidly growing worldwide representing a multi-billion-dollar business in the credit approval industry. Large data volumes extracted from the banking transactions that represent customers’ behavior are available, but processing loan applications is a complex and time-consuming task for banking institutions. In 2022, over 20 million Americans had open loans, totaling USD 178 billion in debt, although over 20% of loan applications were rejected. Numerous statistical methods have been deployed to estimate loan risks opening the field to estimate whether machine learning techniques can better predict the potential risks. To study the machine learning paradigm in this sector, the mental health dataset and loan approval dataset presenting survey results from 1991 individuals are used as inputs to experiment with the credit risk prediction ability of the chosen machine learning algorithms. Giving a comprehensive comparative analysis, this paper shows how the chosen machine learning algorithms can distinguish between normal and risky loan customers who might never pay their debts back. The results from the tested algorithms show that XGBoost achieves the highest accuracy of 84% in the first dataset, surpassing gradient boost (83%) and KNN (83%). In the second dataset, random forest achieved the highest accuracy of 85%, followed by decision tree and KNN with 83%. Alongside accuracy, the precision, recall, and overall performance of the algorithms were tested and a confusion matrix analysis was performed producing numerical results that emphasized the superior performance of XGBoost and random forest in the classification tasks in the first dataset, and XGBoost and decision tree in the second dataset. Researchers and practitioners can rely on these findings to form their model selection process and enhance the accuracy and precision of their classification models.
Comprehensive Analysis Reveals Prognostic and Therapeutic Immunity-Related Biomarkers for Pediatric Metastatic Osteosarcoma
Authors: Yuan Jin , Yu Shengji
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: Osteosarcoma, the most prevalent malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, presents a complex pathogenesis characterized by various genetic and epigenetic alterations. This study aims to identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in pediatric osteosarcoma, with a focus on those influencing metastasis and patient survival. Materials and Methods: We utilized the GSE33382 dataset from the GEO database for a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. This included a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, Cox regression, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis to identify central DEGs associated with osteosarcoma metastasis and patient survival. Results: Our analysis identified 88 DEGs related to osteosarcoma metastasis. Among them, three survival-related central DEGs—C1QA, CD74, and HLA-DMA—were significantly linked to patient outcomes. Further correlation analysis established a strong relationship between these genes, tumor mutation burden (TMB), immune checkpoint gene expression, and overall survival. Notably, C1QA and CD74 exhibited higher expression in non-metastatic osteosarcoma cases, suggesting a potential role in disease progression. Conclusions: The identified DEGs, particularly C1QA, CD74, and HLA-DMA, may serve as critical biomarkers for pediatric osteosarcoma prognosis and potential targets for immunotherapy. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the molecular landscape of osteosarcoma and open new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Gender Control of Mouse Embryos by Activation of TLR7/8 on X Sperm via Ligands dsRNA-40 and dsRNA-DR
Authors: Hou Yunfei , Peng Jingfeng , Hong Linjun , Wu Zhenfang , Zheng Enqin , Li Zicong
Published: January 2024

Gender control technologies are promising for enhancing the production efficiency of the farm animal industry, and preventing sex-linked hereditary diseases in humans. It has been shown that the X sperm of mammalian animals specifically expresses X-chromosome-derived toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8), and the activation of TLR7/8 on the X sperm by their agonist, R848, can separate X and Y sperm via the specific inhibition of X sperm motility. The use of R848-preselected sperm for fertilization resulted in sex-ratio-skewed embryos or offspring. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether two other TLR7/8 ligands, double-stranded RNA-40 (dsRNA-40) and double-stranded RNA-DR (dsRNA-DR), are also effective in the separation of mouse X and Y sperm and the subsequent generation of gender-ratio-skewed in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. Our results indicated that cholesterol modification significantly enhances the transfection of dsRNA-40 and dsRNA-DR into sperm cells. dsRNA-40 and dsRNA-DR incubation with mouse sperm could separate X and Y sperm by the specific suppression of X sperm motility by decreasing its ATP level and mitochondrial activity. The use of a dsRNA-40- or dsRNA-DR-preselected upper layer of sperm, which predominantly contains high-motility Y sperm, for IVF caused a male-biased sex ratio shift in resulting embryos (with 65.90–74.93% of embryos being male). This study develops a simple new method for the efficient separation of mammalian X and Y sperm, enabling the selective production of male or female progenies.
Radioactive Molecules 2021–2022
Authors: Jensen Svend Borup
Published: January 2024

In 2020 I was invited to write an editorial review on radioactive molecules published in Molecules in 2019 and 2020 [...]
Chemical Composition, Functional and Antioxidant Properties of Dietary Fibre Extracted from Lemon Peel after Enzymatic Treatment
Authors: Núñez-Gómez Vanesa , San Mateo Marta , González-Barrio Rocío , Periago Mª Jesús
Published: January 2024

Lemon peel represents an interesting by-product owing to its content of dietary fibre (DF) and (poly)phenols, which is of great importance for its valorisation. Hence, the objective of this study was to characterise the DF, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity of two lemon-peel-derived ingredients using two different methods (drying with warm air and enzymatic hydrolysis with pectinesterase). The analysis included a DF assessment, followed by neutral sugars characterisation through GC-FID and uronic acids determination via colorimetry. Subsequently, TPC and antioxidant capacity using the FRAP method were quantified through spectrophotometry. The swelling capacity (SWC), water retention capacity (WRC), and fat absorption capacity (FAC) were also determined as functional properties. It was observed that pectinesterase treatment led to a reduction in soluble DF and an increase in insoluble DF. This treatment also affected the pectin structure, thereby diminishing its ability to absorb water and fat within its matrix. The TPC was also reduced, resulting in a decrease in antioxidant capacity. Conversely, employing warm air exhibited a noteworthy increase in antioxidant capacity. This underscores its crucial contribution to the valorisation of lemon peel, not only by diminishing the environmental impact but also by enabling the acquisition of fibre ingredients with a noteworthy antioxidant capacity.
Development of Anthocyanin-Rich Gel Beads from Colored Rice for Encapsulation and In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion
Authors: Soiklom Siriwan , Siri-anusornsak Wipada , Petchpoung Krittaya , Kansandee Wiratchanee
Published: January 2024

Colored rice anthocyanins are water-soluble natural pigments that can be used as an active ingredient in healthy food and pharmaceutical products. However, anthocyanin utilization is limited because of its instability. This work produced anthocyanin-rich gel beads from colored rice using a modified ionotropic gelation technique for encapsulation, and their efficacy was studied in vitro in the gastrointestinal tract. In total, 15 colored rice samples of three types (whole grain rice, ground rice, and ground germinated rice) were screened to identify the highest anthocyanin content. The anthocyanin content of the whole grain rice was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than it was in the ground and ground germinated rice. The sample with the highest anthocyanin content (1062.7 µg/g) was the black glutinous rice grain from Phrae, chosen based on its anthocyanin-rich crude extract. A new formula using a modified ionotropic gelation technique was prepared for the inclusion of the extract in gel beads. The results indicated that the incorporation of oil and wax significantly increased the encapsulation efficiency of the gel beads (% EE value of 85.43%) and improved the bioavailability of the active ingredient. Moreover, after simulated digestion, the release of anthocyanin and total phenolic content occurred more than five times. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the surface of the gel beads was smooth. Furthermore, the presence of polyphenols and polysaccharides in the gel beads was confirmed using FTIR. The oil-wax-incorporated, anthocyanin-rich gel beads could be implemented for antioxidant delivery into the gastrointestinal tract to further improve healthy food and nutraceutical products.
Dy-Modified Mn/TiO2 Catalyst Used for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO in Ammonia at Low Temperatures
Authors: Xu Bing , Wang Zhen , Hu Jie , Zhang Lei , Zhang Zhipeng , Liang Hongtan , Zhang Yong , Fan Guozhi
Published: January 2024

A novel Mn/TiO2 catalyst, prepared through modification with the rare-earth metal Dy, has been employed for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) denitrification. Anatase TiO2, with its large specific surface area, serves as the carrier. The active component MnOx on the TiO2 carrier is modified using Dy. DyxMn/TiO2, prepared via the impregnation method, exhibited remarkable catalytic performance in the SCR of NO with NH3 as the reducing agent at low temperatures. Experiments and characterization revealed that the introduction of a suitable amount of the rare-earth metal Dy can effectively enhance the catalyst’s specific surface area and the gas–solid contact area in catalytic reactions. It also significantly increases the concentration of Mn4+, chemisorbed oxygen, and weak acid sites on the catalyst surface. This leads to a notable improvement in the reduction performance of the DyMn/TiO2 catalyst, ultimately contributing to the improvement of the NH3-SCR denitrification performance at low temperatures. At 100 °C and a space velocity of 24,000 h−1, the Dy0.1Mn/TiO2 catalyst can achieve a 98% conversion rate of NOx. Furthermore, its active temperature point decreases by 60 °C after the modification, highlighting exceptional catalytic efficacy at low temperatures. By doubling the space velocity, the NOx conversion rate of the catalyst can still reach 96% at 130 °C, indicating significant operational flexibility. The selectivity of N2 remained stable at over 95% before reaching 240 °C.
Novel Nanostructured Pd/Co-Alumina Materials for the Catalytic Oxidation of Atmospheric Pollutants
Authors: Iliopoulou Eleni F. , Pachatouridou Eleni , Lappas Angelos A.
Published: January 2024

Cobalt-doped alumina catalysts were prepared using different methods, either conventional wet impregnation (WI) and/or advanced spray impregnation (SI), and they were evaluated as novel oxidation catalysts for CO and MeOH oxidation. The spray impregnation technique was used with the aim of achieving the synthesis of core–shell catalytic nanostructures to secure the chemical/thermal stability of active sites on the catalyst carrier. The catalysts were further promoted with a low Pd content (0.5 wt.%) incorporated via either incipient wetness impregnation (DI) or spray impregnation. The results revealed the superior performance of the spray-impregnated catalysts (Co/γ-Al2O3-SI) for both reactions. The deposition of Co oxide on the outer surface of the alumina particle (SEM images) and the availability of the active Co phase resulted in the enhancement of the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalysts’ oxidation activity. Pd incorporation increased the catalysts’ reducibility (TPR-H2) and improved the catalysts’ performance for both reactions. However, the Pd incorporation method affected the catalytic performance; with the SI method, the active phase of Co3O4 was probably covered with PdO and was not available for the oxidation reactions. On the contrary, the incorporation of Pd with the DI method resulted in a better dispersion of PdO all over the Co/Al catalyst surface, maintaining available Co active sites and a better Pd-Co interaction. MeOH desorption studies revealed the methanol oxidation mechanism: the Co/Al catalysts promoted the partial oxidation of MeOH to formaldehyde (HCHO) and dehydration to dimethyl ether (DME), while the Pd-based Co/Al catalysts enhanced the complete oxidation of methanol to CO2 and H2O.