bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developmental Cascades Link Maternal–Newborn Skin-to-Skin Contact with Young Adults’ Psychological Symptoms, Oxytocin, and Immunity; Charting Mechanisms of Developmental Continuity from Birth to Adulthood
Authors: Ulmer-Yaniv Adi , Yirmiya Karen , Peleg Itai , Zagoory-Sharon Orna , Feldman Ruth
Published: June 2023

Premature birth disrupts the continuity of maternal–newborn bodily contact, which underpins the development of physiological and behavioral support systems. Utilizing a unique cohort of mother–preterm dyads who received skin-to-skin contact (Kangaroo Care, KC) versus controls, and following them to adulthood, we examined how a touch-based neonatal intervention impacts three adult outcomes; anxiety/depressive symptoms, oxytocin, and secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA), a biomarker of the immune system. Consistent with dynamic systems’ theory, we found that links from KC to adult outcomes were indirect, mediated by its effects on maternal mood, child attention and executive functions, and mother–child synchrony across development. These improvements shaped adult outcomes via three mechanisms; (a) “sensitive periods”, where the infancy improvement directly links with an outcome, for instance, infant attention linked with higher oxytocin and lower s-IgA; (b) “step-by-step continuity”, where the infancy improvement triggers iterative changes across development, gradually shaping an outcome; for instance, mother–infant synchrony was stable across development and predicted lower anxiety/depressive symptoms; and (c) “inclusive mutual-influences”, describing cross-time associations between maternal, child, and dyadic factors; for instance, from maternal mood to child executive functions and back. Findings highlight the long-term impact of a birth intervention across development and provide valuable insights on the mechanisms of “developmental continuity”, among the key topics in developmental research.
Compositional Structure of the Genome: A Review
Authors: Bernaola-Galván Pedro , Carpena Pedro , Gómez-Martín Cristina , Oliver Jose L.
Published: June 2023

As the genome carries the historical information of a species’ biotic and environmental interactions, analyzing changes in genome structure over time by using powerful statistical physics methods (such as entropic segmentation algorithms, fluctuation analysis in DNA walks, or measures of compositional complexity) provides valuable insights into genome evolution. Nucleotide frequencies tend to vary along the DNA chain, resulting in a hierarchically patchy chromosome structure with heterogeneities at different length scales that range from a few nucleotides to tens of millions of them. Fluctuation analysis reveals that these compositional structures can be classified into three main categories: (1) short-range heterogeneities (below a few kilobase pairs (Kbp)) primarily attributed to the alternation of coding and noncoding regions, interspersed or tandem repeats densities, etc.; (2) isochores, spanning tens to hundreds of tens of Kbp; and (3) superstructures, reaching sizes of tens of megabase pairs (Mbp) or even larger. The obtained isochore and superstructure coordinates in the first complete T2T human sequence are now shared in a public database. In this way, interested researchers can use T2T isochore data, as well as the annotations for different genome elements, to check a specific hypothesis about genome structure. Similarly to other levels of biological organization, a hierarchical compositional structure is prevalent in the genome. Once the compositional structure of a genome is identified, various measures can be derived to quantify the heterogeneity of such structure. The distribution of segment G+C content has recently been proposed as a new genome signature that proves to be useful for comparing complete genomes. Another meaningful measure is the sequence compositional complexity (SCC), which has been used for genome structure comparisons. Lastly, we review the recent genome comparisons in species of the ancient phylum Cyanobacteria, conducted by phylogenetic regression of SCC against time, which have revealed positive trends towards higher genome complexity. These findings provide the first evidence for a driven progressive evolution of genome compositional structure.
Influence of Nutritional Stress on Female Allocation and Somatic Growth in the Simultaneously Hermaphroditic Polychaete Worm Ophryotrocha diadema
Authors: Schleicherová Dáša , Prearo Marino , Santovito Alfredo
Published: June 2023

Hermaphrodites are characterized by plastic sex allocation, by which they adjust their allocation of reproductive resources according to mating opportunities. However, since the plasticity of sex allocation is influenced by environmental conditions, it may also be affected by species-specific life–history traits. In this study, we explored the trade-off between nutritional stress due to food deficiency and the investment of resources in female allocation and somatic growth in the simultaneously hermaphroditic polychaete worm, Ophryotrocha diadema. To achieve this, we exposed adult individuals to three food supply levels: (1) ad libitum—100% food supply, (2) intense food deficiency—25% food resources, and (3) extreme food deficiency—0% food resources. Our findings show a progressive decrease in female allocation in the numbers of cocoons and eggs and in body growth rate of O. diadema individuals as the level of nutritional stress increased.
The In Vitro Contractile Response of Canine Pregnant Myometrium to Oxytocin and Denaverine Hydrochloride
Authors: Jungmann Carolin , Pyzik Sophie-Charlotte , Packeiser Eva-Maria , Körber Hanna , Hoppe Susanne , Mazzuoli-Weber Gemma , Goericke-Pesch Sandra
Published: June 2023

In pregnant bitches, the response to oxytocin and denaverine hydrochloride in dystocia management is usually poor. To better understand the effect of both drugs on myometrial contractility, the circular and longitudinal muscle layers were examined in an organ bath. For each layer, three myometrial strips were stimulated twice, each with one of three oxytocin concentrations. The effect of denaverine hydrochloride was studied once in direct combination with oxytocin and alone with subsequent oxytocin administration. Contractions were recorded and evaluated for average amplitude, mean force, area under the curve (AUC), and frequency. Effects of different treatments were analyzed and compared within and between layers. In the circular layer, oxytocin significantly increased amplitude and mean force compared to untreated controls regardless of stimulation cycles or concentrations. In both layers, high oxytocin concentrations caused tonic contractions, while the lowest concentration created regular rhythmic contractions. Longitudinal layer tissue responded to oxytocin with a significantly decreased contractility when stimulated twice, presumably a sign of desensitization. Denaverine hydrochloride neither affected oxytocin induced contractions nor showed a priming effect to subsequent oxytocin. Thus, no benefit of denaverine hydrochloride on myometrial contractility was found in the organ bath. Our results suggest a better efficiency of low-dose oxytocin in canine dystocia management.
Emerging Role of Adiponectin/AdipoRs Signaling in Choroidal Neovascularization, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Choubey Mayank , Bora Puran
Published: June 2023

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of irreversible blindness in adults, may result in poor central vision, making it difficult to see, read, and drive. AMD is generally classified in either dry or wet types. Milder cases of dry AMD may progress to geographic atrophy (GA), leading to significant visual disability; wet, or neovascular AMD, which involves choroidal neovascularization (CNV), can lead to complete loss of central vision. Adiponectin (APN) discovery in the mid-1990’s and, subsequently, its two cognate receptors (AdipoRs) in the early 2000s have led to a remarkable progress in better understanding metabolic disorders, as well as metabolism-associated ocular pathology. APN/AdipoRs signaling plays a central role in a variety of molecular and cellular physiological events, including glucose and lipid metabolism, whole-body energy regulation, immune and inflammation responses, insulin sensitivity and retinal cell biological functions. This review is an amalgamation of recent information related to APN/AdipoRs in the pathophysiology of retinal diseases and furthers its association with AMD and diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, we present our original research, where we designed control peptide and CNV inhibitory peptide from the globular region of APN to see the effect of these peptides on the mouse model of laser-induced CNV. The inhibitory peptide (APN1) inhibited CNV by more than 75% while the control peptide did not inhibit CNV.
Carcinogenesis and Metastasis: Focus on TRPV1-Positive Neurons and Immune Cells
Authors: Erin Nuray , Szallasi Arpad
Published: June 2023

Both sensory neurons and immune cells, albeit at markedly different levels, express the vanilloid (capsaicin) receptor, Transient Receptor Potential, Vanilloid-1 (TRPV1). Activation of TRPV1 channels in sensory afferent nerve fibers induces local effector functions by releasing neuropeptides (most notably, substance P) which, in turn, trigger neurogenic inflammation. There is good evidence that chronic activation or inactivation of this inflammatory pathway can modify tumor growth and metastasis. TRPV1 expression was also demonstrated in a variety of mammalian immune cells, including lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages and neutrophils. Therefore, the effects of TRPV1 agonists and antagonists may vary depending on the prominent cell type(s) activated and/or inhibited. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of TRPV1 activity on immune cells and nerve endings in distinct locations is necessary to predict the outcome of therapies targeting TRPV1 channels. Here, we review the neuro-immune modulation of cancer growth and metastasis, with focus on the consequences of TRPV1 activation in nerve fibers and immune cells. Lastly, the potential use of TRPV1 modulators in cancer therapy is discussed.
yGPS-P: A Yeast-Based Peptidome Screen for Studying Quality Control-Associated Proteolysis
Authors: Mashahreh Bayan , Armony Shir , Ravid Tommer
Published: June 2023

Quality control-associated proteolysis (QCAP) is a fundamental mechanism that maintains cellular homeostasis by eliminating improperly folded proteins. In QCAP, the exposure of normally hidden cis-acting protein sequences, termed degrons, triggers misfolded protein ubiquitination, resulting in their elimination by the proteasome. To identify the landscape of QCAP degrons and learn about their unique features we have developed an unbiased screening method in yeast, termed yGPS-P, which facilitates the determination of thousands of proteome-derived sequences that enhance proteolysis. Here we describe the fundamental features of the yGPS-P method and provide a detailed protocol for its use as a tool for degron search. This includes the cloning of a synthetic peptidome library in a fluorescence-based reporter system, and data acquisition, which entails the combination of Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). We also provide guidelines for data extraction and analysis and for the application of a machine-learning algorithm that established the evolutionarily conserved amino acid preferences and secondary structure propensities of QCAP degrons.
Pharmaceuticals Promoting Premature Termination Codon Readthrough: Progress in Development
Authors: Li Shan , Li Juan , Shi Wenjing , Nie Ziyan , Zhang Shasha , Ma Fengdie , Hu Jun , Chen Jianjun , Li Peiqiang , Xie Xiaodong
Published: June 2023

Around 11% of all known gene lesions causing human genetic diseases are nonsense mutations that introduce a premature stop codon (PTC) into the protein-coding gene sequence. Drug-induced PTC readthrough is a promising therapeutic strategy for treating hereditary diseases caused by nonsense mutations. To date, it has been found that more than 50 small-molecular compounds can promote PTC readthrough, known as translational readthrough-inducing drugs (TRIDs), and can be divided into two major categories: aminoglycosides and non-aminoglycosides. This review summarizes the pharmacodynamics and clinical application potential of the main TRIDs discovered so far, especially some newly discovered TRIDs in the past decade. The discovery of these TRIDs brings hope for treating nonsense mutations in various genetic diseases. Further research is still needed to deeply understand the mechanism of eukaryotic cell termination and drug-induced PTC readthrough so that patients can achieve the greatest benefit from the various TRID treatments.
(Patho)Physiology of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Proteins II: Intercellular Transfer of Matter (Inheritance?) That Matters
Authors: Müller Günter A. , Müller Timo D.
Published: June 2023

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins (APs) are anchored at the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM) bilayer by covalent linkage to a typical glycolipid and expressed in all eukaryotic organisms so far studied. Lipolytic release from PMs into extracellular compartments and intercellular transfer are regarded as the main (patho)physiological roles exerted by GPI-APs. The intercellular transfer of GPI-APs relies on the complete GPI anchor and is mediated by extracellular vesicles such as microvesicles and exosomes and lipid-free homo- or heteromeric aggregates, and lipoprotein-like particles such as prostasomes and surfactant-like particles, or lipid-containing micelle-like complexes. In mammalian organisms, non-vesicular transfer is controlled by the distance between donor and acceptor cells/tissues; intrinsic conditions such as age, metabolic state, and stress; extrinsic factors such as GPI-binding proteins; hormones such as insulin; and drugs such as anti-diabetic sulfonylureas. It proceeds either “directly” upon close neighborhood or contact of donor and acceptor cells or “indirectly” as a consequence of the induced lipolytic release of GPI-APs from PMs. Those displace from the serum GPI-binding proteins GPI-APs, which have retained the complete anchor, and become assembled in aggregates or micelle-like complexes. Importantly, intercellular transfer of GPI-APs has been shown to induce specific phenotypes such as stimulation of lipid and glycogen synthesis, in cultured human adipocytes, blood cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. As a consequence, intercellular transfer of GPI-APs should be regarded as non-genetic inheritance of (acquired) features between somatic cells which is based on the biogenesis and transmission of matter such as GPI-APs and “membrane landscapes”, rather than the replication and transmission of information such as DNA. Its operation in mammalian organisms remains to be clarified.
Detection of Myocardial Infarction Using Hybrid Models of Convolutional Neural Network and Recurrent Neural Network
Authors: Hasbullah Sumayyah , Mohd Zahid Mohd Soperi , Mandala Satria
Published: June 2023

Myocardial Infarction (MI) is the death of the heart muscle caused by lack of oxygenated blood flow to the heart muscle. It has been the main cause of death worldwide. The fastest way to detect MI is by using an electrocardiogram (ECG) device, which generates graphs of heartbeats morphology over a certain period of time. Patients with MI need fast intervention as delay will lead to worsening heart conditions or failure. To improve MI diagnosis, much research has been carried out to come up with a fast and reliable system to aid automatic MI detection and prediction from ECG readings. Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) with memory has produced more accurate results in predicting time series problems. Convolutional neural networks have also shown good results in terms of solving prediction problems. However, CNN models do not have the capability of remembering temporal information. This research proposes hybrid models of CNN and RNN techniques to predict MI. Specifically, CNN-LSTM and CNN-BILSTM models have been developed. The PTB XL dataset is used to train the models. The models predict ECG input as representing MI symptoms, healthy heart conditions or other cardiovascular diseases. Deep learning models offer automatic feature extraction, and our models take advantage of automatic feature extraction. The other superior models used their own feature extraction algorithm. This research proposed a straightforward architecture that depends mostly on the capability of the deep learning model to learn the data. Performance evaluation of the models shows overall accuracy of 89% for CNN LSTM and 91% for the CNN BILSTM model.
The Network Systems Underlying Emotions: The Rational Foundation of Deep Brain Stimulation Psychosurgery
Authors: Vega-Zelaya Lorena , Pastor Jesús
Published: June 2023

Science and philosophy have tried to understand the origin of emotions for centuries. However, only in the last 150 years have we started to try to understand them in a neuroscientific scope. Emotions include physiological changes involving different systems, such as the endocrine or the musculoskeletal, but they also cause a conscious experience of those changes that are embedded in memory. In addition to the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit, which is the most important of the basal ganglia, the limbic system and prefrontal circuit are primarily involved in the process of emotion perceptions, thoughts, and memories. The purpose of this review is to describe the anatomy and physiology of the different brain structures involved in circuits that underlie emotions and behaviour, underlying the symptoms of certain psychiatric pathologies. These circuits are targeted during deep brain stimulation (DBS) and knowledge of them is mandatory to understand the clinical-physiological implications for the treatment. We summarize the main outcomes of DBS treatment in several psychiatric illness such as obsessive compulsive disorder, refractory depression, erethism and other conditions, aiming to understand the rationale for selecting these neural systems as targets for DBS.
Study on Crystallization Mechanism of Asphalt Mixture in Bridge Deck Pavement
Authors: Luo Chuanxi , Wang Duanyi , Li Jian , He Jun
Published: June 2023

This study focuses on unknown crystal precipitates from an asphalt mixture used in bridge deck pavement layers. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to analyze the composition and source of crystals in the asphalt mixture used in bridge deck pavement, and infiltration tests, porosity tests, splitting tests and multi-wheel rutting tests were carried out to determine the precipitation area and non-precipitation area to explain the influence of crystals on the road performance of an asphalt pavement. A nuclear-free densitometer and 3D ground-penetrating radar (3D GPR) were used to detect the porosity and thickness uniformity of the whole section to study the formation mechanism of crystals. The results showed that the main components of crystals were water molecules, while the rest mainly came from machine-made sand, and there was no significant difference in pavement performance in the areas where crystals precipitated. The crystals were mainly caused by rainwater penetrating into the pavement through coarse segregation areas and collecting in the depression of the lower bearing layer. Under high temperature, the solution precipitated out of the pavement and formed crystals.
A Local and Abscopal Effect Observed with Liposomal Encapsulation of Intratumorally Injected Oncolytic Adenoviral Therapy
Authors: Dong Tao , Shah Jaimin R. , Phung Abraham T. , Larson Christopher , Sanchez Ana B. , Aisagbonhi Omonigho , Blair Sarah L. , Oronsky Bryan , Trogler William C. , Reid Tony , Kummel Andrew C.
Published: June 2023

This study evaluated the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic serotype 5 adenovirus TAV255 in CAR-deficient tumors. In vitro experiments were performed with cell lines that expressed different levels of CAR (HEK293, A549, CT26, 4T1, and MCF-7). Low CAR cells, such as CT26, were poorly transduced by Ad in vitro unless the adenovirus was encapsulated in liposomes. However, the CT26 tumor in an immune-competent mouse model responded to the unencapsulated TAV255; 33% of the tumors were induced into complete remission, and mice with complete remission rejected the rechallenge with cancer cell injection. Encapsulation of TAV255 improves its therapeutic efficacy by transducing more CT26 cells, as expected from in vitro results. In a bilateral tumor model, nonencapsulated TAV255 reduced the growth rate of the locally treated tumors but had no effect on the growth rate of the distant tumor site. Conversely, encapsulated TAV255-infected CT26 induced a delayed growth rate of both the primary injected tumor and the distant tumor, consistent with a robust immune response. In vivo, intratumorally injected unencapsulated adenoviruses infect CAR-negative cells with only limited efficiency. However, unencapsulated adenoviruses robustly inhibit the growth of CAR-deficient tumors, an effect that constitutes an ‘in situ vaccination’ by stimulating cytotoxic T cells.
Efficacy of Liver-Directed Combined Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis
Authors: Kim Jina , Cheng Jason Chia-Hsien , Nam Taek-Keun , Kim Jin Hee , Jang Byoung Kuk , Huang Wen-Yen , Aikata Hiroshi , Kim Myungsoo , Kwon Jung Hyun , Yue Jinbo , Lee Victor Ho Fun , Zeng Zhaochong , Seong Jinsil
Published: June 2023

Purpose: Although systemic treatment is the mainstay for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), numerous studies have highlighted the added value of local treatment. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of liver-directed combined radiotherapy (LD combined RT) compared with that of sorafenib, a recommended treatment until recently for locally advanced HCC presenting portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), using a multinational patient cohort. Materials and Methods: We identified patients with HCC presenting PVTT treated with either sorafenib or LD combined RT in 10 tertiary hospitals in Asia from 2005 to 2014. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to minimize the imbalance between the two groups. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and treatment-related toxicity. Results: A total of 1035 patients (675 in the LD combined RT group and 360 in the sorafenib group) were included in this study. After PSM, 305 patients from each group were included in the analysis. At a median follow-up of 22.5 months, the median OS was 10.6 and 4.2 months for the LD combined RT and sorafenib groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The conversion rate to curative surgery was significantly higher (8.5% vs. 1.0%, p < 0.001), while grade ≥ 3 toxicity was fewer (9.2% vs. 16.1%, p < 0.001) in the LD combined RT group. Conclusions: LD combined RT improved survival outcomes with a higher conversion rate to curative surgery in patients with locally advanced HCC presenting PVTT. Although further prospective studies are warranted, active multimodal local treatment involving radiotherapy is suggested for locally advanced HCC presenting PVTT.
Large, Nested Variant of Urothelial Carcinoma Is Enriched with Activating Mutations in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-3 among Other Targetable Mutations
Authors: Gamallat Yaser , Afsharpad Mitra , El Hallani Soufiane , Maher Christopher A. , Alimohamed Nimira , Hyndman Eric , Bismar Tarek A.
Published: June 2023

The large, nested variant of urothelial carcinoma (LNVUC) is characterized by bland histomorphology mimicking that of benign von Brunn nests. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-3 (FGFR-3) activation and missense mutation in 38 cases, including 6 cases diagnosed with LNVUC and 32 with metastatic invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC). Initially, six formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples of the LNVUC were subjected to whole-exome sequencing (WES), and then we performed targeted sequencing on 32 cases of metastatic invasive UC of various morphological subtypes, which were interrogated for the FGFR3. Our results revealed 3/6 (50%) LNVUC cases evaluated by WES in our study showed an activating mutation in FGFR-3, 33% showed an activating mutation in PIK3CA, and 17% showed activating mutation in GNAS or MRE11. Additionally, 33% of cases showed a truncating mutation in CDKN1B. All LNVUC in our study that harbored the FGFR-3 mutation showed additional activating or truncating mutations in other genes. Overall, 6/32 (18.75%) cases of random metastatic invasive UC showed missense mutations of the FGFR-3 gene. The LNVUC variant showed the higher incidence of FGFR-3 mutations compared to other types of mutations. Additionally, all LNVUC cases show additional activating or truncating mutations in other genes, thus being amenable to novel targeted therapy.
Techno-Economic Analysis of Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction into Methanol: A Comparative Study between Alkaline Flow Cell and Neutral Membrane Electrode Assembly
Authors: Wang Ke , Qu Tongxin , Li Qiang , Tan Shuting , Chen Xiaoxiang
Published: June 2023

Electrocatalytic CO2-reduction technology can convert CO2 into methanol and other chemicals using renewable electricity, but the techno-economic prospects of the large-scale electrocatalytic reduction in CO2 into methanol are not clear. This paper conducted sensitivity analysis to confirm the key parameters affecting the cost of methanol production from an alkaline flow cell and a neutral MEA electrolyzer, compared the cost of the two electrolyzers under laboratory data and optimized data scenarios, and analyzed the key parameter requirements of the two electrocatalytic systems to achieve profitable methanol production. The results show that electricity price, Faradaic efficiency, cell voltage, and crossover/carbonate formation ratio are the most sensitive parameters affecting the cost of methanol production. The alkaline flow cell had higher energy efficiency than the MEA cell, but the saving cost of electricity and the eletrolyzer cannot cover the cost of the regeneration of the electrolyte and CO2 lost to carbonate/bicarbonate, resulting in higher methanol production costs than the MEA cell. When the crossover/carbonate formation ratio is zero, the cost of methanol production in an alkaline flow cell and a neutral MEA cell can reach under 400 USD/tonne in the cases of energy efficiency more than 70% and 50%, respectively. Therefore, enhancing energy efficiency and ensuring a low crossover/carbonate formation ratio is important for improving the economy of electrocatalytic methanol production from CO2 reduction. Finally, suggestions on the development of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction into methanol in the future were proposed.
Black Phosphorus/WS2-TM (TM: Ni, Co) Heterojunctions for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution under Visible Light Illumination
Authors: Acar Eminegül Genc , Yılmaz Seda , Eroglu Zafer , Çekceoğlu İlknur Aksoy , Aslan Emre , Patır İmren Hatay , Metin Onder
Published: June 2023

Black phosphorus (BP) has recently emerged as a versatile photocatalyst owing to its unique photophysical properties and tunable bandgap. Nonetheless, the rapid recombination of the photogenerated charges of pristine BP samples has significantly hindered its practical applications in photocatalysis. Herein, we report, for the first time, the effect of transition metal nanoparticles (Ni and Co) as co-catalysts on the photocatalytic activity of BP/tungsten disulfide (WS2) binary heterojunctions (BP/WS2-TM (TM: Ni, Co)) in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). Ternary heterojunctions named BP/WS2-TM (TM: Ni, Co) were synthesized via a chemical reduction method, leading to the formation of an S-scheme heterojunction, in which BP acts as a reduction catalyst and WS2 serves as an oxidation catalyst. BP/WS2-Ni and BP/WS2-Co performed substantial amounts of hydrogen generation of 9.53 mmol h−1g−1 and 12.13 mmol h−1g−1, respectively. Moreover, BP/WS2-Co exhibited about 5 and 15 times higher photocatalytic activity compared to the binary BP/WS2 heterojunctions and pristine BP, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the heterojunction catalysts is attributed to the extended light absorption ability, enhanced charge separation, and larger active sites. This study is the first example of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water by using Ni- and Co-doped binary BP/WS2 heterojunctions.
Clinical Significance of MicroRNAs, Long Non-Coding RNAs, and CircRNAs in Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Singh Desh Deepak , Kim Youngsun , Choi Seung Ah , Han Ihn , Yadav Dharmendra Kumar
Published: June 2023

Based on recent research, the non-coding genome is essential for controlling genes and genetic programming during development, as well as for health and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The microRNAs (miRNAs), lncRNAs (long ncRNAs), and circRNAs (circular RNAs) with significant regulatory and structural roles make up approximately 99% of the human genome, which does not contain proteins. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) have been discovered to be essential novel regulators of cardiovascular risk factors and cellular processes, making them significant prospects for advanced diagnostics and prognosis evaluation. Cases of CVDs are rising due to limitations in the current therapeutic approach; most of the treatment options are based on the coding transcripts that encode proteins. Recently, various investigations have shown the role of nc-RNA in the early diagnosis and treatment of CVDs. Furthermore, the development of novel diagnoses and treatments based on miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs could be more helpful in the clinical management of patients with CVDs. CVDs are classified into various types of heart diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy (CH), heart failure (HF), rheumatic heart disease (RHD), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction (MI), atherosclerosis (AS), myocardial fibrosis (MF), arrhythmia (ARR), and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Here, we discuss the biological and clinical importance of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs and their expression profiles and manipulation of non-coding transcripts in CVDs, which will deliver an in-depth knowledge of the role of ncRNAs in CVDs for progressing new clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Urine-Derived Renal Epithelial Cells (URECs) from Transplanted Kidneys as a Promising Immunomodulatory Cell Population
Authors: Pizzuti Valeria , Donadei Chiara , Balducelli Emma , Conte Diletta , Gessaroli Elisa , Paris Francesca , Bini Claudia , Demetri Marcello , Di Nunzio Miriam , Corradetti Valeria , Alviano Francesco , La Manna Gaetano , Comai Giorgia
Published: June 2023

Kidney transplantation is a lifesaving procedure for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Organs derived from donation after cardiac death (DCD) are constantly increasing; however, DCD often leads to ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) events. These phenomena increase kidney cell turnover to replace damaged cells, which are voided in urine. Urine-derived renal epithelial cells (URECs) are rarely present in the urine of healthy subjects, and their loss has been associated with several kidney disorders. The present study aimed to characterize the phenotype and potential applications of URECs voided after transplant. The results indicate that URECs are highly proliferating cells, expressing several kidney markers, including markers of kidney epithelial progenitor cells. Since the regulation of the immune response is crucial in organ transplantation and new immunoregulatory strategies are needed, UREC immunomodulatory properties were investigated. Co-culture with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) revealed that URECs reduced PBMC apoptosis, inhibited lymphocyte proliferation, increased T regulatory (Treg) cells and reduced T helper 1 (Th1) cells. URECs from transplanted patients represent a promising cell source for the investigation of regenerative processes occurring in kidneys, and for cell-therapy applications based on the regulation of the immune response.
Specific Proteomic Identification of Collagen-Binding Proteins in Escherichia coli O157:H7: Characterisation of OmpA as a Potent Vaccine Antigen
Authors: Monteiro Ricardo , Chafsey Ingrid , Caccia Nelly , Ageorges Valentin , Leroy Sabine , Viala Didier , Hébraud Michel , Livrelli Valérie , Pizza Mariagrazia , Pezzicoli Alfredo , Desvaux Mickaël
Published: June 2023

Escherichia coli is a versatile commensal species of the animal gut that can also be a pathogen able to cause intestinal and extraintestinal infections. The plasticity of its genome has led to the evolution of pathogenic strains, which represent a threat to global health. Additionally, E. coli strains are major drivers of antibiotic resistance, highlighting the urgent need for new treatment and prevention measures. The antigenic and structural heterogeneity of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli colonisation factors has limited their use for the development of effective and cross-protective vaccines. However, the emergence of new strains that express virulence factors deriving from different E. coli diarrhoeagenic pathotypes suggests that a vaccine targeting conserved proteins could be a more effective approach. In this study, we conducted proteomics analysis and functional protein characterisation to identify a group of proteins potentially involved in the adhesion of E. coli O157:H7 to the extracellular matrix and intestinal epithelial cells. Among them, OmpA has been identified as a highly conserved and immunogenic antigen, playing a significant role in the adhesion phenotype of E. coli O157:H7 and in bacterial aggregation. Furthermore, antibodies raised against recombinant OmpA effectively reduced the adhesion of E. coli O157:H7 to intestinal epithelial cells. The present work highlights the role of OmpA as a potent antigen for the development of a vaccine against intestinal pathogenic E. coli.
Correlation between Malocclusions, Tonsillar Grading and Mallampati Modified Scale: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Kuskonmaz Can Serif , Bruno Giovanni , Bartolucci Maria Lavinia , Basilicata Michele , Gracco Antonio , De Stefani Alberto
Published: June 2023

Aim: to investigate the correlation between growth tendency and different patient malocclusion, tonsillar grading, and tongue size (Mallampati index). Materials and Methods: The sample is composed of 64 males and 40 females; patients aged between 6 and 16 years (median age 11 years, IQR 9–13) were included. The final sample is therefore 104 patients. After the first orthodontic visit, all the children underwent a collection of documentation (photographs, digital arch models, and X-rays). Patients were classified according to their malocclusion, palatal conformation, tonsillar grading, and Mallampati index. Group comparisons were performed using Fisher’s test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The narrow palate was more frequent in those with Angle class III (p = 0.04), while the other variables considered (tonsillar grading, Mallampati, and lingual frenulum) were not significantly associated with dental class (p > 0.05). Furthermore, a different distribution of tonsillar grading was observed between subjects with normal palate and subjects with narrow palate, while no statistically significant association was found between the palatal shape and Mallampati index (p = 0.88). Conclusions: This study found that children with higher tonsillar grading had a higher prevalence of crossbite or narrow palate compared to other children at the same developmental stage. However, we did not observe any association between tonsil hyperplasia and the prevalence of class II malocclusion, anterior open bite, or patient divergence in this sample. Furthermore, no correlation was found between the Mallampati index and patients’ dental class, narrow palate, or divergence in this study.
Study of The Molecular Nature of Congenital Cataracts in Patients from The Volga–Ural Region
Authors: Khidiyatova Irina , Khidiyatova Indira , Zinchenko Rena , Marakhonov Andrey , Karunas Alexandra , Avkhadeeva Svetlana , Aznzbaev Marat , Khusnutdinova Elza
Published: June 2023

Hereditary cataracts are characterized by significant clinical and genetic heterogeneity, which can pose challenges for early DNA diagnosis. To comprehensively address this problem, it is essential to investigate the epidemiology of the disease, perform population studies to determine the spectrum and frequencies of mutations in the responsible genes, and examine clinical and genetic correlations. Based on modern concepts, non-syndromic hereditary cataracts are predominantly caused by genetic disease forms associated with mutations in crystallin and connexin genes. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to studying hereditary cataracts is necessary for early diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes. The crystallin (CRYAA, CRYAB, CRYGC, CRYGD, and CRYBA1) and connexin (GJA8, GJA3) genes were analyzed in 45 unrelated families from the Volga–Ural Region (VUR) with hereditary congenital cataracts. Pathogenic and probably pathogenic nucleotide variants were identified in ten unrelated families, nine of which had cataracts in an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Two previously undescribed likely pathogenic missense variants were identified in the CRYAA gene: c.253C > T (p.L85F) in one family and c.291C > G (p.H97Q) in two families. The known mutation c.272_274delGAG (p.G91del) was found in the CRYBA1 gene in one family, while no pathogenic variants were found in the CRYAB, CRYGC, or CRYGD genes in the examined patients. In the GJA8 gene, the known mutation c.68G > C (p.R23T) was found in two families, and previously undescribed variants were identified in two other families: a c.133_142del deletion (p.W45Sfs*72) and a missense variant, c.179G > A (p.G60D). In one patient with a recessive form of cataract, two compound-heterozygous variants were identified—a previously undescribed likely pathogenic missense variant, c.143A > G (p.E48G), and a known variant with uncertain pathogenetic significance, c.741T > G (p.I24M). Additionally, a previously undescribed deletion, c.del1126_1139 (p.D376Qfs*69), was identified in the GJA3 gene in one family. In all families where mutations were identified, cataracts were diagnosed either immediately after birth or during the first year of life. The clinical presentation of the cataracts varied depending on the type of lens opacity, resulting in various clinical forms. This information emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and genetic testing for hereditary congenital cataracts to guide appropriate management and improve outcomes.
Investigation on the Effect of a Chromium-Free Sealing Treatment for the Corrosion Resistance of AA2198-T851 after Tartaric Sulphuric Anodizing (TSA)
Authors: Queiroz Fernanda , de Fátima Santos Bugarin Aline , Ayusso Victor , Terada Maysa , Costa Isolda
Published: June 2023

The AA 2198-T851 is a third-generation Al-Li alloy developed for use in the aircraft industry. Al-Li alloys are susceptible to localized corrosion due to their complex microstructure resulting from the used thermomechanical treatment. In order to prevent localized corrosion, these alloys are usually protected by anodizing in order to avoid a corrosive environment. Subsequently, for anodizing, a sealing treatment is usually performed for parts. Some sealing treatments use hexavalent-chromium-ion-containing solutions. In this investigation, a chromium-free sealing treatment in a solution with cerium ions has been carried out, and the effect on the corrosion resistance of the AA2198-T851 alloy was investigated. Hydrothermally sealed or unsealed samples were also tested for corrosion resistance for comparison reasons. The corrosion resistance of the anodized aluminum alloy, either hydrothermally sealed or in a cerium-ion-containing solution, was evaluated in a sodium chloride solution by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as a function of immersion time. The samples sealed in a cerium-containing solution increased their corrosion resistance when compared to the hydrothermally sealed. The effectiveness of the sealing process with cerium that was observed in the electrochemical tests indicated that after the corrosive attack of the barrier layer, there was a “sealing” process of the sample surface.
Influence of Remaining Oxide on the Adhesion Strength of Supersonic Particle Deposition TiO2 Coatings on Annealed Stainless Steel
Authors: Omar Noor , Yusuf Yusliza , Sundi Syahrul , Abu Bakar Ilyani , Andre Fabiani Verry , Abdul Rahim Toibah , Yamada Motohiro
Published: June 2023

The cold spray or Supersonic Particle Deposition technique has great potential for producing ceramic nanostructured coatings. This technique operates at a processing temperature that is low enough to preserve the initial feedstock materials’ microstructure. Nevertheless, depositing ceramic powders using a cold spray can be challenging because of the materials’ brittle nature. The interaction between substrate and particles is significantly influenced by substrate attributes, including hardness, material nature, degree of oxidation and temperature. In this study, the effect of the substrate’s remaining oxide composition on the adhesion strength of an agglomerated nano-TiO2 coating was investigated. The results showed that the coating adhesion strength increased for hard materials such as stainless steel and pure chromium as the annealed substrate temperature also increased from room temperature to 700 °C, indicating thicker oxide on the substrate surface. TiO2 particles mainly bond with SUS304 substrates through oxide bonding, which results from a chemical reaction involving TiO2-OH−. Chromium oxide (Cr2O3) is thermodynamically preferred in SUS304 and provides the OH− component required for the reaction. SUS304 shows a thermodynamic preference for chromium oxide (Cr2O3), and this enables Cr2O3 to provide the necessary OH− component for the reaction.
How Expert Is the Crowd? Insights into Crowd Opinions on the Severity of Earthquake Damage
Authors: Zohar Motti , Salamon Amos , Rapaport Carmit
Published: June 2023

The evaluation of earthquake damage is central to assessing its severity and damage characteristics. However, the methods of assessment encounter difficulties concerning the subjective judgments and interpretation of the evaluators. Thus, it is mainly geologists, seismologists, and engineers who perform this exhausting task. Here, we explore whether an evaluation made by semiskilled people and by the crowd is equivalent to the experts’ opinions and, thus, can be harnessed as part of the process. Therefore, we conducted surveys in which a cohort of graduate students studying natural hazards (n = 44) and an online crowd (n = 610) were asked to evaluate the level of severity of earthquake damage. The two outcome datasets were then compared with the evaluation made by two of the present authors, who are considered experts in the field. Interestingly, the evaluations of both the semiskilled cohort and the crowd were found to be fairly similar to those of the experts, thus suggesting that they can provide an interpretation close enough to an expert’s opinion on the severity level of earthquake damage. Such an understanding may indicate that although our analysis is preliminary and requires more case studies for this to be verified, there is vast potential encapsulated in crowd-sourced opinion on simple earthquake-related damage, especially if a large amount of data is to be handled.
Antimicrobial Nanoformulations Based on Schinus areira Essential Oil
Authors: Cutro Andrea C. , Ferreyra Maillard Anike , Dalmasso Pablo R. , Rodriguez Sergio A. , Hollmann Axel
Published: June 2023

The goal of this research was to create an antibacterial formulation from Scinus areira essential oil (EO) that could spread in water. To achieve this, we developed liposomal formulations of DMPC (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) or DPPC (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) that encapsulated the EO. In addition, we utilized the EO as a reducing and stabilizing agent to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The nanoformulations were characterized by determining their size and zeta potential. In the case of liposomal formulations, chemical composition, and encapsulation efficiency were also determined. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity studies against Gram-positive and Gram-negative model bacteria were carried out for both kinds of formulations. The results obtained showed the successful encapsulation of the S. areira EO in multilamellar liposomes of phosphatidylcholine with high efficiency. DPPC liposomes have proven to be a better encapsulation system, retaining more monoterpenes from the EO and therefore presenting antimicrobial activity against S. aureus with an minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 3 mg/mL of EO. On the other hand, it was also possible to obtain AgNPs by using S. areira EO, which showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli at low concentrations of EO, with MIC values of 6.68 µg/mL and 3.4 µg/mL of silver, respectively. The data obtained will contribute to enhancing the biotechnological value of natural products derived from native plant species in Argentina. This will be achieved through the generation of novel formulations with antibacterial activity and potential bioavailability.
Enhancing Radiation Dose Efficiency in Prospective ECG-Triggered Coronary CT Angiography Using Calcium-Scoring CT
Authors: Hagar Muhammad Taha , Soschynski Martin , Benndorf Matthias , Stein Thomas , Taron Jana , Schlett Christopher L. , Bamberg Fabian , Krauss Tobias
Published: June 2023

Background: This study investigates whether the scan length adjustment of prospectively ECG-triggered coronary CT angiography (CCTA) using calcium-scoring CT (CAS-CT) images can reduce overall radiation doses. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 182 patients who underwent CAS-CT and prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA using a second-generation Dual-Source CT scanner. CCTA planning was based on CAS-CT images, for which simulated scout view planning was performed for comparison. Effective doses were compared between two scenarios: Scenario 1—CAS-CT-derived CCTA + CAS-CT and Scenario 2—scout-view-derived CCTA without CAS-CT. Dose differences were further analyzed with respect to scan mode and body mass index. Results: Planning CCTA using CAS-CT led to a shorter scan length than planning via scout view (114.3 ± 9.7 mm vs. 133.7 ± 13.2 mm, p < 0.001). The whole-examination effective dose was slightly lower for Scenario 1 (3.2 [1.8–5.3] mSv vs. 3.4 [1.5–5.9] mSv; p < 0.001, n = 182). Notably, Scenario 1 resulted in a significantly lower radiation dose for sequential scans and obese patients. Only high-pitch spiral CCTA showed dose reduction in Scenario 2. Conclusions: Using CAS-CT for planning prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA reduced the overall radiation dose administered compared to scout view planning without CAS-CT, except for high-pitch spiral CCTA, where a slightly opposite effect was observed.