bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Detection and Genetic Diversity of Cytomegaloviruses and Lymphocryptoviruses in Free-Roaming and Captive African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus)
Authors: Mancuso Diana M. , Gainor Kerry , Dore Kerry M. , Gallagher Christa A. , Beierschmitt Amy , Malik Yashpal S. , Ghosh Souvik
Published: March 2024

To date, limited information is available on cytomegalovirus (CMV) and lymphocryptovirus (LCV) from Chlorocebus monkeys. We report here high detection rates of herpesviruses in free-roaming African green monkeys (AGMs, Chlorocebus sabaeus) (26.4%, 23/87) and in captive AGMs (75%, 3/4) with respiratory disease on the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts. LCV (81.25%) was more prevalent than CMV (18.75%) in the AGMs. Applying a bigenic PCR approach (targeting DNA polymerase (DPOL) and glycoprotein B (gB) genes), long sequences were obtained from representative AGM CMV (KNA-SD6) and LCV (KNA-E4, -N6 and -R15) samples, and mixed LCV infections were identified in KNA-N6 and -R15. The nucleotide (nt) sequence (partial DPOL-intergenic region-partial gB) and partial DPOL- and gB-amino acid (aa) sequences of AGM CMV KNA-SD6 were closely related to Cytomegalovirus cercopithecinebeta5 isolates from grivet monkeys, whilst those of AGM LCV KNA-E4 and -N6 (and E4-like gB of KNA-R15) were more closely related to cognate sequences of erythrocebus patas LCV1 from patas monkey than other LCVs, corroborating the concept of cospeciation in the evolution of CMV/LCV. On the other hand, the partial DPOL aa sequence of KNA-R15, and additional gB sequences (N6-gB-2 and R15-gB-2) from samples KNA-N6 and -R15 (respectively) appeared to be distinct from those of Old World monkey LCVs, indicating LCV evolutionary patterns that were not synchronous with those of host species. The present study is the first to report the molecular prevalence and genetic diversity of CMV/LCV from free-roaming/wild and captive AGMs, and is the first report on analysis of CMV nt/deduced aa sequences from AGMs and LCV gB sequences from Chlorocebus monkeys.
Renin–Angiotensin Inhibitor, Captopril, Attenuates Growth of Patient-Derived Colorectal Liver Metastasis Organoids
Authors: Riddiough Georgina E. , Fifis Theodora , Muralidharan Vijayaragavan , Christophi Christopher , Tran Bang M. , Perini Marcos V. , Vincan Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

The recurrence of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) following liver resection is common; approximately 40% of patients will experience tumor recurrence post-surgery. Renin–angiotensin inhibitors (RASis) have been shown to attenuate the growth and progression of CRLM in pre-clinical models following liver resection. This study examined the efficacy of the RASi captopril on patient-derived colorectal liver metastasis organoids. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) were established using fresh samples of colorectal liver metastasis from appropriately consented patients undergoing liver resection. To mimic the regenerating liver post-CRLM liver resection, PDOs were cultured under hepatocyte regeneration conditions in vitro. CRLM PDOs were established from three patients’ parent tissue. CRLM PDOs and parent tissue expressed markers of colorectal cancer, CDX2 and CK20, consistently. Furthermore, CRLM PDOs treated with captopril showed a dose dependent reduction in their expansion in vitro. In conclusion, CRLM PDOs recapitulate in vivo disease and displayed a dose-dependent response to treatment with captopril. RASis may be an additional viable treatment for patients with CRLM.
The Role of Fibrogenesis and Extracellular Matrix Proteins in the Pathogenesis of Graves’ Ophthalmopathy
Authors: Chiu Hsun-I , Wu Shi-Bei , Tsai Chieh-Chih
Published: March 2024

Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO), or thyroid eye disease (TED), is the most frequent extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease (GD). Inflammation and subsequent aberrant tissue remodeling with fibrosis are important pathogenesis. There are many proposed mechanisms and molecular pathways contributing to tissue remodeling and fibrosis in GO, including adipogenesis, fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblasts differentiation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, hyaluronan (HA) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) accumulation in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and new concepts of epigenetics modification, such as histone modification, DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs, and gut microbiome. This review summarizes the current understanding of ECM proteins and associated tissue remodeling in the pathogenesis and potential mediators for the treatment of GO.
Optimizing the Release Pattern of Telenomus podisi for Effective Biological Control of Euschistus heros in Soybean
Authors: Hoback William Wyatt , Ramos Gabryele , Hayashida Rafael , Santos Daniel Mariano , Alvarez Daniel de Lima , Oliveira Regiane Cristina de
Published: March 2024

An augmentative biological control program using the egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) is a promising tool for the management of the brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in soybeans. The T. podisi are released as adults or pupae within lab-reared E. heros eggs. Because of the small size of the parasitoid and potentially limited dispersal ability, determining the optimal release pattern is critical for biological control of the target pest. This study used sentinel E. heros eggs to investigate T. podisi dispersal within soybean crops during two distinct phenological stages: the beginning of flowering (Vn–R1) and the grain-filling phase (R5–R6). Data were analyzed using semi-variograms and kriging maps. The results indicate significant differences in parasitism rates between the two plant growth stages and among different matrices. The maximum dispersal range for T. podisi was calculated at 39.0 m in the Vn–R1 stage with a maximum parasitism rate of 42%, while in the R5–R6 stage, the maximum dispersal range was calculated to be 30.9 m with a maximum parasitism of 73%. Therefore, it is recommended that release points for T. podisi be spaced no further than 30 m apart. These results provide valuable insights for future research and applications in biological control strategies, including adjustment of the logistics and release technique depending upon the crop phenological stage.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Properties, Cell Viability, and Metalloproteinase Activity of Bioceramic Endodontic Materials Used in Vital Pulp Therapy
Authors: Immich Felipe , de Oliveira Durvalino , Ribeiro de Andrade Juliana Silva , da Silva Barboza Andressa , Cuevas-Suárez Carlos Enrique , da Silva Adriana Fernandes , de Oliveira da Rosa Wellington Luiz , Borges Álvaro Henrique , Carreno Neftali Lenin Villarreal , Piva Evandro , Guerra Lund Rafael
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties, cell viability, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition capacity of several endodontic materials aimed at vital pulp therapy: Pro Root MTA®, EndoSequence®, Biodentine®, MTA Angelus®, TheraCal LC®, and BioC Repair®. The materials were prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Antimicrobial tests were conducted using a microcosm biofilm model, cell viability was assessed using murine fibroblasts (L929), and MMP activity was analyzed through electrophoresis. The results showed that BioC Repair®, Biodentine®, and EndoSequence® exhibited similar antimicrobial properties, while MTA Angelus® and ProRoot MTA® had inferior results but were comparable to each other. In terms of cell viability, no significant differences were observed among the materials. EndoSequence® demonstrated the highest MMP inhibition capacity. In conclusion, BioC Repair®, Biodentine®, EndoSequence®, and TheraCal® showed better antimicrobial properties among the tested materials. The materials did not exhibit significant differences in terms of cytotoxicity. However, EndoSequence® displayed superior MMP inhibition capacity.
A Seasonal Variation of Clinical and Neurological Outcomes in Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Treated with Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Secondary Data Analysis of the SaveJ II Study
Authors: Ito Kei , Takayama Wataru , Otomo Yasuhiro , Inoue Akihiko , Hifumi Toru , Sakamoto Tetsuya , Kuroda Yasuhiro ,   on behalf of the SAVE-J II Study Group
Published: March 2024

The prognosis for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been reported to be worse in the cold season. On the other hand, it is unclear whether a similar trend exists in OHCA patients who are treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). This study was a retrospective multicenter registry study. We examined the association between ECPR and season. We compared the prognosis in four seasonal groups according to the day of occurrence. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed for the assessment of clinical and neurological outcomes. A total of 2024 patients with OHCA who received ECRP were included. There were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality (p = 0.649) and in the rate of favorable neurological outcome (p = 0.144). In the multivariable logistic regression, the seasonal factor was not significantly associated with worse in-hospital mortality (p = 0.855) and favorable neurological outcomes (p = 0.807). In this study, there was no seasonal variation in OHCA patients with ECPR.
The Differential Object Marker in Valencian: Another Failure of Prescriptivism
Authors: Iranzo Vicente
Published: March 2024

A rich tradition of studies on languages with differential object marking (DOM) is available in the literature. Languages like Spanish or Romanian are frequently cited in discussions about DOM, but Valencian is seldom mentioned in this context. This oversight may stem from a lack of familiarity with the Valencian language and an over-reliance on guidelines set by textbooks and official prescriptive grammars—in the case of Valencian, by the Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua—which drafts the linguistic regulations of the Valencian language. This study aimed to analyze the usage of the DOM in Valencian and explore the social variables that help explain this usage (sex, age, and education). To achieve this goal, Spanish–Valencian bilingual participants completed an oral production task to evaluate their use of DOM in Valencian. Statistical analysis revealed that Valencian is a DOM language that marks direct objects that refer to humans and definite entities. These results point to the linguistic ideologies in Valencia that attempt to artificially create linguistic differentiation between Valencian and Spanish, the co-official languages in the region. Furthermore, the results emphasize the limitations of top-down prescriptive policies in modifying vernacular linguistic varieties.
The Role of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Detecting Early Dysglycemia and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Kirigin Biloš Lora Stanka , Altabas Velimir , Vukić Dugac Andrea , Baretić Maja
Published: March 2024

Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is the most common comorbidity in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). CFRD has been correlated with important clinical outcomes, including poor nutrition, reduced pulmonary function, and earlier mortality. However, clinical decline due to abnormalities of blood glucose (dysglycemia) begins early in CF, before the diagnosis of CFRD by the gold-standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been validated in patients with CF and has been recognized as a valuable tool in detecting early glucose abnormalities in patients with CF. Several CGM parameters have been used to predict CFRD in some but not all studies, and there is no consensus regarding CGM use for diagnostic purposes. Thus, it remains a complementary test to OGTT in CFRD diagnosis. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the pathophysiological mechanisms of CFRD, recent advances in the use of CGM for CFRD screening, and the association between CGM measures and CF-related clinical outcomes.
Relationship between XPA, XPB/ERCC3, XPF/ERCC4, and XPG/ERCC5 Polymorphisms and the Susceptibility to Head and Neck Carcinoma: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis
Authors: Imani Mohammad Moslem , Basamtabar Masoumeh , Akbari Sattar , Sadeghi Edris , Sadeghi Masoud
Published: March 2024

Background and Objectives: Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER), the most extensively researched DNA repair mechanism, is responsible for repairing a variety of DNA damages, and Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) genes participate in NER. Herein, we aimed to update the previous results with a meta-analysis evaluating the association of XPA, XPB/ERCC3, XPF/ERCC4, and XPG/ERCC5 polymorphisms with the susceptibility to HNC. Materials and Methods: PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched without any restrictions until 18 November 2023 to find relevant studies. The Review Manager 5.3 (RevMan 5.3) software was utilized to compute the effect sizes, which were expressed as the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Nineteen articles were involved in the systematic review and meta-analysis that included thirty-nine studies involving ten polymorphisms. The results reported that the CC genotype of rs17655 polymorphism showed a significantly decreased risk of HNC in the recessive model (OR: 0.89; 95%CI: 0.81, 0.99; p-value is 0.03). In addition, the CT genotype (OR: 0.65; 95%CI: 0.48, 0.89; p-value is 0.008) of the rs751402 polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk, and the T allele (OR: 1.28; 95%CI: 1.05, 1.57; p-value is 0.02), the TT (OR: 1.74; 95%CI: 1.10, 2.74; p-value is 0.02), and the TT + CT (OR: 2.22; 95%CI: 1.04, 4.74; p-value is 0.04) genotypes were associated with an increased risk of HNC. Conclusions: The analysis identified two polymorphisms, rs17655 and rs751402, as being significantly associated with the risk of HNC. The study underscored the influence of various factors, such as the type of cancer, ethnicity, source of control, and sample size on these associations.
Assessing the Effect of Enzymatic Debridement on the Scar Quality in Partial-Thickness Burns to Deep Dermal Burns of the Hand: A Long-Term Evaluation
Authors: Heitzmann Wolfram , Schulz Alexandra , Fuchs Paul Christian , Schiefer Jennifer Lynn
Published: March 2024

Background and Objectives: Burn surgery on the hands is a difficult procedure due to the complex anatomy and fragility of the area. Enzymatic debridement has been shown to effectively remove burn eschar while minimizing damage to the surrounding tissue and has therefore become a standard procedure in many burn centers worldwide over the past decade. However, surprisingly, our recent literature review showed limited valid data on the long-term scarring after the enzymatic debridement of the hands. Therefore, we decided to present our study on this topic to fill this gap. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed partial-thickness to deep dermal burns on the hands that had undergone enzymatic debridement at least 12 months prior. Objective measures, like flexibility, trans-epidermal water loss, erythema, pigmentation, and microcirculation, were recorded and compared intraindividually to the uninjured skin in the same area of the other hand to assess the regenerative potential of the skin after EDNX. The subjective scar quality was evaluated using the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS), the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), and the “Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand” (DASH) questionnaire and compared interindividually to a control group of 15 patients who had received traditional surgical debridement for hand burns of the same depth. Results: Between January 2014 and December 2015, 31 hand burns in 28 male and 3 female patients were treated with enzymatic debridement. After 12 months, the treated wounds showed no significant differences compared to the untreated skin in terms of flexibility, trans-epidermal water loss, pigmentation, and skin surface. However, the treated wounds still exhibited significantly increased blood circulation and erythema compared to the untreated areas. In comparison to the control group who received traditional surgical debridement, scarring was rated as significantly superior. Conclusions: In summary, it can be concluded that the objective skin quality following enzymatic debridement is comparable to that of healthy skin after 12 months and subjectively fares better than that after tangential excision. This confirms the superiority of enzymatic debridement in the treatment of deep dermal burns of the hand and solidifies its position as the gold standard.
Elimination of Low-Angle Grain Boundary Networks in FeCrAl Alloys with the Electron Wind Force at a Low Temperature
Authors: Rahman Md Hafijur , Todaro Sarah , Warner Luke , Waryoba Daudi , Haque Aman
Published: March 2024

Low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) accommodate residual stress through the rearrangement and accumulation of dislocations during cold rolling. This study presents an electron wind force-based annealing approach to recover cold-rolling induced residual stress in FeCrAl alloy below 100 °C in 1 min. This is significantly lower than conventional thermal annealing, which typically requires temperatures around 750 °C for about 1.5 h. A key feature of our approach is the athermal electron wind force effect, which promotes dislocation movement and stress relief at significantly lower temperatures. The electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis reveals that the concentration of low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) is reduced from 82.4% in the cold-rolled state to a mere 47.5% following electropulsing. This level of defect recovery even surpasses the pristine material’s initial state, which exhibited 54.8% LAGBs. This reduction in LAGB concentration was complemented by kernel average misorientation (KAM) maps and X-ray diffraction (XRD) Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) measurements, which further validated the microstructural enhancements. Nanoindentation tests revealed a slight increase in hardness despite the reduction in dislocation density, suggesting a balance between grain boundary refinement and dislocation dynamics. This proposed low-temperature technique, driven by athermal electron wind forces, presents a promising avenue for residual stress mitigation while minimizing undesirable thermal effects, paving the way for advancements in various material processing applications.
Parallel Grooved Microstructure Manufacturing on the Surface of Si3N4 Ceramics by Femtosecond Laser
Authors: Wen Xufeng , Gao Yanfeng , Zhang Hua , Yang Yaxin
Published: March 2024

Machining special microstructures on the surface of silicon nitride ceramics helps improve their service performance. However, the high brittleness and low fracture toughness of silicon nitride ceramics make it extremely difficult to machine microstructures on their surface. In this study, a femtosecond laser is used to machine parallel grooved microstructures on the surface of silicon nitride ceramics. The effects of the laser polarization angle, laser single pulse energy, scanning line spacing, and laser scan numbers on the surface morphology and geometric characteristics of grooved microstructures are researched. It is found that a greater angle between the direction of the scanning path and laser polarization is helpful to obtain a smoother surface. As the single pulse energy increases, debris and irregular surface structures will emerge. Increasing the laser scan line spacing leads to clearer and more defined parallel grooved microstructures. The groove depth increases with the increase in the scan numbers. However, when a certain number of scans is reached, the depth will not increase further. This study serves as a valuable research foundation for the femtosecond laser processing of silicon nitride ceramic materials.
Influence of Aging on the Flexural Strength of PLA and PLA-X 3D-Printed Materials
Authors: Mitrović Nenad , Golubović Zorana , Mitrović Aleksandra , Travica Milan , Trajković Isaak , Milošević Miloš , Petrović Aleksandar
Published: March 2024

The three-point bending test is a valuable method for evaluating the mechanical properties of 3D-printed biomaterials, which can be used in various applications. The use of 3D printing in specimen preparation enables precise control over material composition and microstructure, facilitating the investigation of different printing parameters and advanced materials. The traditional approach to analyzing the mechanical properties of a material using a three-point bending test has the disadvantage that it provides only global information about the material’s behavior. This means that it does not provide detailed insight into the local strain distribution within the material. However, the 2D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method offers additional insight, especially in terms of strain localization. DIC is an optical technique that measures full-field displacements and strains on the surface of a sample. PLA and enhanced PLA-X material were utilized to create three-point bending samples. The aim of this paper was to analyze and compare the influence of aging on the mechanical properties of PLA and enhanced PLA-X materials using three-point bending coupled with the DIC method. The results showed statistically significant differences between the PLA and PLA-X, for both the new and aged materials. The aged PLA samples had the highest average value of maximal force around 68 N, which was an increase of 8.8% compared to the new PLA samples. On the other hand, the aged PLA-X material had an increase of 7.7% in the average maximal force compared to the new PLA-X samples. When comparing the two materials, the PLA samples had higher maximal force values, 6.2% for the new samples, and 7.3% for the aged samples. The DIC results showed that both the new PLA and PLA-X samples endured higher strain values at Points 1 and 2 than the aged ones, except for the aged PLA-X sample at Point 2, where the new sample had higher strain values. However, for the first 5 min of the experiment, both materials exhibited identical behavior, after which point significant differences started to occur for both materials, as well as at Points 1 and 2. A more profound comprehension of the biomechanical characteristics of both PLA and PLA-X material is essential to enhance the knowledge for potential biomedical applications. The DIC method was found to be a powerful tool for analyzing the deformation and failure behavior of samples and for complementing the traditional approach to material testing.
Genesis of the Beizhan Iron Deposit in Western Tianshan, China: Insights from Trace Element and Fe-O Isotope Compositions of Magnetite
Authors: Li Yan , Jiang Zongsheng , Wang Dachuan , Zhang Zuoheng , Duan Shigang
Published: March 2024

The Beizhan iron deposit (468 Mt at an average grade of 41% Fe) is the largest iron deposit in the Awulale iron metallogenic belt of Western Tianshan, northwest China. The high-grade magnetite ores are hosted in the Carboniferous volcanic rocks with extensive development of skarn alteration assemblages. While considerable progress has been made in understanding the characteristics of Beizhan and its genetic association with volcanic rocks, the genetic models for ore formation are poorly constrained and remain controversial. This study combines detailed petrographic investigations with in situ LA-ICP-MS analyses of trace elements and Fe-O isotope compositions of magnetite to elucidate the origin of magnetite and the conditions of ore formation. The trace element concentrations in magnetite unveil intricate origins for various ore types, implying the precipitation of magnetite from both magmatic and hydrothermal fluids. The application of the Mg-in magnetite thermometer (TMg-mag) reveals a notable temperature divergence across different magnetite varieties, spanning from relatively higher temperatures in magmatic brecciated magnetite (averaging ~641 and 612 °C) to comparatively lower temperatures in hydrothermal platy magnetite (averaging ~552 °C). The iron isotopic composition in massive and brecciated magnetite grains, characterized by lighter δ56Fe values (ranging from −0.078 to +0.005‰ and −0.178 to −0.015‰, respectively), suggest a magmatic or high-temperature hydrothermal origin. Conversely, the heavier δ56Fe values observed in platy magnetite (+0.177 to +0.200‰) are attributed to the influence of pyrrhotite, signifying late precipitation from low-temperature hydrothermal fluids. Additionally, the δ18O values of magnetite, ranging from +0.6 to +4.6‰, provide additional evidence supporting a magmatic–hydrothermal origin for the Beizhan iron deposit. Overall, the identified genetic associations among the three magnetite types at Beizhan provide valuable insights into the evolution of ore-forming conditions and the genesis of the deposit. These findings strongly support the conclusion that the Beizhan iron deposit underwent a process of magmatic–hydrothermal mineralization.
Comment on Krikorian et al. Early Intervention in Cognitive Aging with Strawberry Supplementation. Nutrients 2023, 15, 4431
Authors: Lee Sang Yeoup
Published: March 2024

I read with interest the paper by Krikorian et al [...]
The Effects of Astaxanthin on Cognitive Function and Neurodegeneration in Humans: A Critical Review
Authors: Queen Callum James Joshua , Sparks S. Andy , Marchant David C. , McNaughton Lars R.
Published: March 2024

Oxidative stress is a key contributing factor in neurodegeneration, cognitive ageing, cognitive decline, and diminished cognitive longevity. Issues stemming from oxidative stress both in relation to cognition and other areas, such as inflammation, skin health, eye health, and general recovery, have been shown to benefit greatly from antioxidant use. Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant, which has been outlined to be beneficial for cognitive function both in vitro and in vivo. Given the aforementioned promising effects, research into astaxanthin with a focus on cognitive function has recently been extended to human tissue and human populations. The present critical review explores the effects of astaxanthin on cognitive function and neurodegeneration within human populations and samples with the aim of deciphering the merit and credibility of the research findings and subsequently their potential as a basis for therapeutic use. Implications, limitations, and areas for future research development are also discussed. Key findings include the positive impacts of astaxanthin in relation to improving cognitive function, facilitating neuroprotection, and slowing neurodegeneration within given contexts.
Designing a Placebo Microneedle Stamp: Modeling and Validation in a Clinical Control Trial
Authors: Jeong Seung-Yeon , Lee Ye-Seul , Park Ji-Yeun , Park Jung-Hwan , Park Hi-Joon , Kim Song-Yi
Published: March 2024

Recently, several clinical studies have been conducted using microneedles (MNs), and various devices have been developed. This study aimed to propose and confirm the feasibility of a placebo control for activating MN clinical research. A 0.5 mm MN stamp with 42 needles was used as a treatment intervention, and a placebo stamp with four acupressure-type needles that did not penetrate was proposed and designed as a control for comparison. First, to check whether the placebo stamp did not invade the skin and to set an appropriate level of pressure to be provided during skin stimulation, two participants were stimulated with five different forces on the forearm, and then the skin was dyed. Secondly, to evaluate the validity of the placebo control group, a blinded study between the MN and placebo stamps was performed on 15 participants. We confirmed that the placebo stamp did not penetrate the skin at any intensity or location. Both types of stamps reported relatively low pain levels, but the MN stamp induced higher pain compared to the placebo stamp. Based on the speculation regarding the type of intervention received, the MN stamp was successfully blinded (random guess), whereas the placebo stamp was unblinded. However, according to a subgroup analysis, it was confirmed that the group with low skin sensitivity was completely blind. Blinding the placebo MN stamp had limited success in participants with low skin sensitivity. Future research on suitable placebo controls, considering the variations in MN stamp length and needle count, is warranted.
Lipid Nanocarriers-Enabled Delivery of Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Adjuvants to Overcome Bacterial Biofilms
Authors: Ahsan Anam , Thomas Nicky , Barnes Timothy J. , Subramaniam Santhni , Loh Thou Chen , Joyce Paul , Prestidge Clive A.
Published: March 2024

The opportunistic bacteria growing in biofilms play a decisive role in the pathogenesis of chronic infectious diseases. Biofilm-dwelling bacteria behave differently than planktonic bacteria and are likely to increase resistance and tolerance to antimicrobial therapeutics. Antimicrobial adjuvants have emerged as a promising strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and restore the efficacy of existing antibiotics. A combination of antibiotics and potential antimicrobial adjuvants, (e.g., extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)-degrading enzymes and quorum sensing inhibitors (QSI) can improve the effects of antibiotics and potentially reduce bacterial resistance). In addition, encapsulation of antimicrobials within nanoparticulate systems can improve their stability and their delivery into biofilms. Lipid nanocarriers (LNCs) have been established as having the potential to improve the efficacy of existing antibiotics in combination with antimicrobial adjuvants. Among them, liquid crystal nanoparticles (LCNPs), liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are promising due to their superior properties compared to traditional formulations, including their greater biocompatibility, higher drug loading capacity, drug protection from chemical or enzymatic degradation, controlled drug release, targeted delivery, ease of preparation, and scale-up feasibility. This article reviews the recent advances in developing various LNCs to co-deliver some well-studied antimicrobial adjuvants combined with antibiotics from different classes. The efficacy of various combination treatments is compared against bacterial biofilms, and synergistic therapeutics that deserve further investigation are also highlighted. This review identifies promising LNCs for the delivery of combination therapies that are in recent development. It discusses how LNC-enabled co-delivery of antibiotics and adjuvants can advance current clinical antimicrobial treatments, leading to innovative products, enabling the reuse of antibiotics, and providing opportunities for saving millions of lives from bacterial infections.
The Processing Space of the Spray-Dried Mannitol-Leucine System for Pulmonary Drug Delivery
Authors: Schweizer Riley T. , Ordoubadi Mani , Prather Cody A. , Vehring Reinhard , Shepard Kimberly B.
Published: March 2024

Designing spray-dried particles for inhalation aims at specific physicochemical properties including a respirable aerodynamic diameter and adequate powder dispersibility. Leucine, an amphiphilic amino acid, has been shown to aid in optimizing bulk powder properties. Mannitol, a model crystalline active and common bulking agent, was co-sprayed with leucine at several excipient ratios, ethanol/water ratios, and spray dryer outlet temperatures in order to experimentally probe the underlying particle formation mechanisms in this binary crystalline system. During the droplet drying of two crystallizing components, the material that nucleates first will preferentially enrich the surface. It is desired to have a completely crystalline leucine shell to improve powder properties, however, mannitol competes with leucine for the surface depending on excipient concentration and manufacturing parameters. The resulting particles were studied initially and at a two-month timepoint via solid state characterization, visual analysis, and particle size analysis in order to detect changes in bulk powder properties. It was determined that, similar to systems where only leucine can crystallize, initial leucine saturation in the formulation dictates powder characteristics.
Impact of Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer and Sodium Starch Glycolate Excipients on Phenolic Extraction from Red Clover: Enhancing Biological Activity and Antioxidant Potential
Authors: Kazlauskaite Jurga Andreja , Marksa Mindaugas , Bernatoniene Jurga
Published: March 2024

Adding certain excipients during the extraction process can enhance the concentration of target compounds, leading to potentially increased biological properties of the plant extract. This study explores the impact of PVP/VAC and SSG excipients on red clover bud extracts, aiming to enhance their concentration of target compounds and, consequently, their biological properties. The antioxidative potential was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods, and the chemical profile was determined using mass spectrometry. Antibacterial activity against various strains was determined through the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. The results revealed that the excipient-enriched samples exhibited significantly elevated antioxidant activities as well as phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to control samples. Notably, sample V1E3 demonstrated the highest antioxidant potential, with 52.48 ± 0.24 mg GAE/g dw (phenolic content), 463 ± 6.46 μg TE/g dw (ABTS), 12.81 ± 0.05 μg TE/g dw (DPPH), and 29.04 ± 1.16 mg TE/g dw (post-column ABTS). The highest flavonoid content was found in the S1E3 sample—24.25 ± 0.17 mg RU/g dw. Despite the increased antioxidant potential, no significant variance in antimicrobial activity was noted between the test samples and controls. This implies that excipients may hold the potential to enhance the biological properties of red clover extracts for pharmaceutical applications. These findings contribute valuable insights into optimizing extraction processes for improved functionality and application of plant-derived compounds in therapeutic formulations.
Tribological Properties of Polyimide Composites Modified with Diamondoid Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Yu Zihui , Pei Xianqiang , Pei Qianyao , Wang Yan , Zhang Zhancheng , Zhang Yaoming , Wang Qihua , Wang Tingmei
Published: March 2024

In this work, diamondoid metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were efficiently prepared by sonochemical synthesis and grown on polyimide (PI), aiming to improve the anti-wear performance of the PI matrix. By introducing MOFs into the PI matrix, the free movement of PI molecular chains were restricted, and its hardness and elastic modulus were improved. It was found that the wear rate of the 3 wt.% MOFs/PI composites was reduced by 72.6% compared to pure PI at a load of 4 N after tribological testing by using a ball-on-disk tribometer. This can be attributed to the excellent load-bearing and shear resistance of the fourfold-interpenetrated diamondoid networks, in which the transition metal elements can favor the formation of transfer films. It is worth noting that the 3 wt.% MOFs/PI composites still exhibited great tribological properties under high loads or high speeds. The findings of the present study indicate that diamondoid metal-organic frameworks can be used as efficient modifiers to enhance the tribological properties of PI.
Reversibility in the Physical Properties of Agarose Gels following an Exchange in Solvent and Non-Solvent
Authors: Roux Denis C. D. , Caton François , Jeacomine Isabelle , Maîtrejean Guillaume , Rinaudo Marguerite
Published: March 2024

Agarose forms a homogeneous thermoreversible gel in an aqueous solvent above a critical polymer concentration. Contrary to the prevailing consensus, recent confirmations indicate that agarose gels are also stable in non-solvents like acetone and ethanol. A previous study compared gel characterisations and behaviours in water and ethanol, discussing the gelation mechanism. In the current work, the ethanol gel is exchanged with water to explore the potential reversibility of the displacement of water in agarose. Initially, the structure is characterised using 1H NMR in DMSO-d6 and D2O solvents. Subsequently, a very low yield (0.04) of methyl substitution per agarobiose unit is determined. The different gels after stabilisation are characterised using rheology, and their physical properties are compared based on the solvent used. The bound water molecules, acting as plasticizers in aqueous medium, are likely removed during the exchange process with ethanol, resulting in a stronger and more fragile gel. Next, the gel obtained after the second exchange from ethanol back to water is compared with the initial gel prepared in water. This is the first time where such gel has been characterised without undergoing a phase transition when switching from a good solvent to a non-solvent, and vice versa, thereby testing the reversibility of the solvent exchange. Reversibility of this behaviour is demonstrated through swelling and rheology experiments. This study extends the application of agarose in chromatography and electrophoresis.
Effect of Modified Natural Rubber on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid) and Its Composites with Nanoparticles from Biowaste
Authors: Injorhor Preeyaporn , Inphonlek Supharat , Ruksakulpiwat Yupaporn , Ruksakulpiwat Chaiwat
Published: March 2024

The brittle behavior of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and PLA composites with inorganic filler limits their applications; the addition of a toughening agent, such as a rubbery phase, was selected to transform the brittle to ductile behavior for versatility in various applications. This work aims to study the properties of PLA and PLA composite with filled nanosized hydroxyapatite (nHA) after adding modified natural rubber (MoNR), which acts as a toughening agent. MoNR refers to poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)-grafted deproteinized natural rubber. nHA was prepared from fish scales. Its characteristics were investigated and was confirmed to be comparable to those of commercial grade. PLA-MoNR at various MoNR contents and PLA/nHA composites with/without MoNR were prepared by melt mixing. Their morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties were observed and investigated. Samples with MoNR added showed the dispersion of spherical particles, indicating incompatibility. However, the mechanical properties of PLA-MoNR, which had MoNR added at 10 phr, showed toughening behavior (increased impact strength by more than two times compared to that of neat PLA). The PLA/nHA composite with MoNR showed the same result. The addition of MoNR in the composite increased its impact strength by 1.27 times compared to the composite without MoNR. MoNR can be a stress concentrator, resulting in toughened PLA and PLA/nHA composite.
Few-Shot Learning for Crop Mapping from Satellite Image Time Series
Authors: Mohammadi Sina , Belgiu Mariana , Stein Alfred
Published: March 2024

Recently, deep learning methods have achieved promising crop mapping results. Yet, their classification performance is constrained by the scarcity of labeled samples. Therefore, the development of methods capable of exploiting label-rich environments to classify crops in label-scarce environments using only a few labeled samples per class is required. Few-shot learning (FSL) methods have achieved this goal in computer vision for natural images, but they remain largely unexplored in crop mapping from time series data. In order to address this gap, we adapted eight FSL methods to map infrequent crops cultivated in the selected study areas from France and a large diversity of crops from a complex agricultural area situated in Ghana. The FSL methods are commonly evaluated using class-balanced unlabeled sets from the target domain data (query sets), leading to overestimated classification results. This is unrealistic since these sets can have an arbitrary number of samples per class. In our work, we used the Dirichlet distribution to model the class proportions in few-shot query sets as random variables. We demonstrated that transductive information maximization based on α-divergence (α-TIM) performs better than the competing methods, including dynamic time warping (DTW), which is commonly used to tackle the lack of labeled samples. α-TIM achieved, for example, a macro F1-score of 59.6% in Ghana in a 24-way 20-shot setting (i.e., 20 labeled samples from each of the 24 crop types) and a macro F1-score of 75.9% in a seven-way 20-shot setting in France, outperforming the second best-performing methods by 2.7% and 5.7%, respectively. Moreover, α-TIM outperformed a baseline deep learning model, highlighting the benefits of effectively integrating the query sets into the learning process.
Nb2O5 Microcolumns for Ethanol Sensing
Authors: Kumarage Gayan W. C. , Panamaldeniya Shasika A. , Maraloiu Valentin A. , Dassanayake Buddhika S. , Gunawardhana Nanda , Comini Elisabetta
Published: March 2024

Pseudohexagonal Nb2O5 microcolumns spanning a size range of 50 to 610 nm were synthesized utilizing a cost-effective hydrothermal process (maintained at 180 °C for 30 min), followed by a subsequent calcination step at 500 °C for 3 h. Raman spectroscopy analysis unveiled three distinct reflection peaks at 220.04 cm−1, 602.01 cm−1, and 735.3 cm−1, indicative of the pseudohexagonal crystal lattice of Nb2O5. The HRTEM characterization confirmed the inter-lattice distance of 1.8 Å for the 110 plain and 3.17 Å for the 100 plain. The conductometry sensors were fabricated by drop-casting a dispersion of Nb2O5 microcolumns, in ethanol, on Pt electrodes. The fabricated sensors exhibited excellent selectivity in detecting C2H5OH (ΔG/G = 2.51 for 10 ppm C2H5OH) when compared to a variety of tested gases, including CO, CO2, NO2, H2, H2S, and C3H6O. The optimal operating temperature for this selective detection was determined to be 500 °C in a dry air environment. Moreover, the sensors demonstrated exceptional repeatability over the course of three testing cycles and displayed strong humidity resistance, even when exposed to 90% relative humidity. This excellent humidity resistance gas sensing property can be attributed to their nanoporous nature and elevated operating temperature.
Optimal Design of Sparse Matrix Phased Array Using Simulated Annealing for Volumetric Ultrasonic Imaging with Total Focusing Method
Authors: Dolmatov Dmitry Olegovich , Zhvyrblya Vadim Yurevich
Published: March 2024

The total focusing method (TFM) is often considered to be the ‘gold standard’ for ultrasonic imaging in the field of nondestructive testing. The use of matrix phased arrays as probes allows for high-resolution volumetric TFM imaging. Conventional TFM imaging involves the use of full matrix capture (FMC) for ultrasonic signals acquisition, but in the case of a matrix phased array, this approach is associated with a huge volume of data to be acquired and processed. This severely limits the frame rate of volumetric imaging with 2D probes and necessitates the use of high-end equipment. Thus, the aim of this research was to develop a novel design method for determining the optimal sparse 2D probe configuration for specific conditions of ultrasonic imaging. The developed approach is based on simulated annealing and involves implementing the solution of the sparse matrix phased array layout optimization problem. In order to implement simulated annealing for the aforementioned task, its parameters were set, the acceptance function was introduced, and the approaches were proposed to compute beam directivity diagrams of sparse matrix phased arrays in TFM imaging. Experimental studies have shown that the proposed approach provides high-quality volumetric imaging with a decrease in data volume of up to 84% compared to that obtained using the FMC data acquisition method.
Reshaping Smart Cities through NGSI-LD Enrichment
Authors: González Víctor , Martín Laura , Santana Juan Ramón , Sotres Pablo , Lanza Jorge , Sánchez Luis
Published: March 2024

The vast amount of information stemming from the deployment of the Internet of Things and open data portals is poised to provide significant benefits for both the private and public sectors, such as the development of value-added services or an increase in the efficiency of public services. This is further enhanced due to the potential of semantic information models such as NGSI-LD, which enable the enrichment and linkage of semantic data, strengthened by the contextual information present by definition. In this scenario, advanced data processing techniques need to be defined and developed for the processing of harmonised datasets and data streams. Our work is based on a structured approach that leverages the principles of linked-data modelling and semantics, as well as a data enrichment toolchain framework developed around NGSI-LD. Within this framework, we reveal the potential for enrichment and linkage techniques to reshape how data are exploited in smart cities, with a particular focus on citizen-centred initiatives. Moreover, we showcase the effectiveness of these data processing techniques through specific examples of entity transformations. The findings, which focus on improving data comprehension and bolstering smart city advancements, set the stage for the future exploration and refinement of the symbiosis between semantic data and smart city ecosystems.
Flexible 3D Force Sensor Based on Polymer Nanocomposite for Soft Robotics and Medical Applications
Authors: Alotaibi Ahmed
Published: March 2024

The three-dimensional (3D) force sensor has become essential in industrial and medical applications. The existing conventional 3D force sensors quantify the three-direction force components at a point of interest or extended contact area. However, they are typically made of rigid, complex structures and expensive materials, making them hard to implement in different soft or fixable industrial and medical applications. In this work, a new flexible 3D force sensor based on polymer nanocomposite (PNC) sensing elements was proposed and tested for its sensitivity to forces in the 3D space. Multi-walled carbon nanotube/polyvinylidene fluoride (MWCNT/PVDF) sensing element films were fabricated using the spray coating technique. The MWCNTs play an essential role in strain sensitivity in the sensing elements. They have been utilized for internal strain measurements of the fixable 3D force sensor’s structure in response to 3D forces. The MWCNT/PVDF was selected for its high sensitivity and capability to measure high and low-frequency forces. Four sensing elements were distributed into a cross-beam structure configuration, the most typically used solid 3D force sensor. Then, the sensing elements were inserted between two silicone rubber layers to enhance the sensor’s flexibility. The developed sensor was tested under different static and dynamic loading scenarios and exhibited excellent sensitivity and ability to distinguish between tension and compression force directions. The proposed sensor can be implemented in vast applications, including soft robotics and prostheses’ internal forces of patients with limb amputations.