bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of ABCB1, ABCC1 and 3 and ABCG2 in glioblastoma and their relevance in relation to clinical survival surrogates.
Authors: Roy Laurent-Olivier , Lemelin Myriam , Blanchette Marie , Poirier Marie-Belle , Aldkihl Salman , Fortin David
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumors in adults. Patients invariably relapse during or after first-line therapy and the median overall survival is 14.6 months. Such poor clinical response is partly ascribed to the activity of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. The activity of these proteins, severely reduces the amount of therapeutics that penetrates the tumor cells. We hypothesized that ABC transporter expression could correlate with survival surrogates. In this study, we assessed the expression of four commonly expressed ABC transporters in GBM samples and investigated if mRNA levels could serve as a prognostic biomarker.
Methods
Human specimens were analyzed by qPCR to assess ABCB1, ABCC1/3 and ABCG2 expression. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analyses were then used to evaluate the correlation with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).
Results
Our cohort included 22 non-tumoral samples as well as 159 GBM tumor specimens. ABC transporters were significantly more expressed in GBM samples compared to non-tumoral tissue. Moreover ABCC1 and 3 mRNA expression were significantly increased at recurrence. Statistical analyses revealed that increased expression of either ABCC1 or ABCC3 did not confer a poorer prognosis. However, increased ABCC1 mRNA levels did correlate with a significantly shorter PFS.
Conclusion
In this manuscript, the analyses we conducted suggest that the expression of the four ABC transporters evaluated would not be suitable prognostic biomarkers. We believe that, when estimating prognosis, the plethora of mechanisms implicated in chemoresistance should be analyzed as a multi-facetted entity rather than isolated units.
Design of B/N co-doped heterostructural carbon electrodes from CNF/BNNS/ZIF-8 nanocomposites for advanced supercapacitor
Authors: Shang Zhen , An Xingye , Liu Liqin , Nie Shuangxi , Baker Fiona , Cao Haibing , Cheng Zhengbai , Liu Hongbin , Ni Yonghao
Published: September 2022

Boron (B) and nitrogen (N) co-doped 3D hierarchical porous carbon (BNPC) were successfully fabricated from CNF/BNNS/ZIF-8 nanocomposites prepared by 2D boron nitride nanosheets, ZIF-8 nanoparticles, and wheat straw based cellulose nanofibers. Herein, CNF/ZIF-8 acts as versatile skeleton and imparts partial N dopant into porous carbon structure, while the introduced BNNS can help strengthen the hierarchical porous superstructure and endow abundant B/N co-dopants within BNPC matrix. The obtained BNPC electrode possesses a high specific surface area of 505.4 m2/g and high B/N co-doping content with desirable hydrophilicity. Supercapacitors assembled with BNPC-2 electrode exhibited advanced electrochemical performance with high capacitance stability even after 5000 charge-discharge cycles, exhibited outstanding energy density and power density characters, and the highest specific capacitance of 433.4 F/g at 1.0 A/g, compared with other similar reports. This study proposes a facile and sustainable strategy for efficiently fabrication of rich B/N co-doped hierarchical porous carbon electrodes from agricultural waste biomass for advanced supercapacitor performance.
A novel approach for an approximate solution of a nonlinear equation of charged damped oscillator with one degree of freedom
Authors: Zekry Marwa , Moatimid Galal , Abou-Dina M. S. , Ghaleb A. F.
Published: September 2022

A novel technique is proposed for nding an approximate solution of the strongly nonlinear ordinary dierential equation for the charged damped pendulum with one degree of freedom. The method relies on a transformation of the governing nonlinear dierential equation that keeps unchanged the order of the highest derivative, in conjunction with a modied homotopy perturbation technique (MHPM). Only quadratic damping is considered for the numerical computations. To validate the used technique, the obtained results are compared to those arising from a numerical solution by Runge-Kutta of the fourth order (RK4) and by nite dierences (FD). Good agreement between the two solutions is reached when quadratic damping is suppressed. In the presence of damping, agreement takes place only for a rather limited range of times. Plots of the analytical solutions are provided for both cases. The proposed method may be used to analyze a wide class of nonlinear dierential equations.
Pharmacokinetic and Toxicological Evaluation of Hypophyllanthin Loaded Liposomes
Authors: Parvathaneni Madhukiran , Battu Ganga Rao , Boppana Naga P. D. , Kommineni Nagavendra
Published: September 2022

Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) is a broad-spectrum medicinal plant and studies have reported anticancer activity of P. amarus to the presence of bioactive lignans such as Phyllanthin and Hypophyllanthin. In vivo studies have shown that hypophyllanthin is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome p450 enzymes (Phase I enzymes) and exhibits cytotoxic effects on K-562 cells. The most common route of drug administration is via oral, and hypophyllanthin, being poorly soluble in water (lipophilic), is highly unsuitable for oral administration. To improve the aqueous solubility and pharmacokinetic profile, hypophyllanthin is formulated as stealth liposomes. The liposomes are developed using film hydration technique and are evaluated for various physicochemical parameters. The synthesized liposomes were found to be in the size range of 128 to 205 nm, PDI was found in the range of 0.2 to 0.3, encapsulation efficiency was found to be in the range 62 to 85, the zeta potential was found in the range of -32 to -40 mV respectively. The pegylated liposome (HPL7) showed superior pharmacokinetics and 86.05% of drug was released over 24 hours. The safety and efficacy of test formulations were established by toxicity and pharmacokinetic studies. The obtained results indicates that, pegylated liposomes are safest and ensures the maximum circulation half life (t1/2), MRT and low elemination constant(Kel) compared to conventional liposomes and pure phyllanthin drug.
Relaxation dynamics transition near the dry-wet transition in foams
Authors: Yanagisawa Naoya , Kurita Rei
Published: September 2022

Liquid foams respond plastically to external perturbations over some critical magnitude. This relaxation process is directly related to the mechanical properties of the foams, playing a significant role in determining foam lifetime, deformability, elasticity, and fluidity. In this paper, we experimentally investigate the relaxation dynamics of foams near a dry-wet transition. When a foam transforms from a dry state to a wet state, it is found that the relaxation mode changes from sequential T1 events to collective rearrangements. We show that this mode transition is closely related to the change in local bubble arrangements and mobility. Furthermore, it is also found that a probability of relaxation events occurring follows a Poisson distribution, suggesting that there is little correlation between discrete relaxation events. These results constitute progress in understanding the dynamical properties of soft jammed systems, relevant for biological and material sciences as well as food science.
Epi-Clock: A sensitive platform to help understand pathogenic disease outbreaks and facilitate the response to future outbreaks of concern.
Authors: Ji Cong , Shao Junbin (Jack)
Published: September 2022

Background
The lack of virus fossilization precludes any references or ancestors for inferring evolutionary processes, and viruses have no cell structure, metabolism, or space to reproduce outside host cells. Most mutations yielding high pathogenicity go extinct from the population, but adaptive mutations could be epidemically transmitted and fixed in the population. Therefore, determining how viruses originated, how they diverged and how an infectious disease was transmitted are serious challenges.
Results
Surprisingly, some inter-species genetic distances of Coronaviridae were shorter than the intra-species distances, which may represent the intermediate states of different species or subspecies in the evolutionary history of Coronaviridae. The insertions and deletions of whole genome sequences between different hosts were separately associated with new functions or turning points, clearly indicating their important roles in the host transmission and shifts of Coronaviridae. Furthermore, we believethat non-nucleosomal DNA may play dominant roles in the divergence of different lineages of SARS-CoV-2 in different regions of the world because of the lack of nucleosome protection. We suggest that strong selective variation among different lineages of SARS-CoV-2 is required to produce strong codon usage bias. Interestingly, we found that an increasing number ofother types of substitutions, such as those resulting from the hitchhiking effect, have accumulated, especially in the pre-breakout phase, even though some previous substitutions were replaced by other dominant genotypes. To predict potential epidemic outbreaks, we tested our strategy, Epi-Clock, which applies the ZHU algorithm on different SARS-CoV-2datasets before outbreaks to search for real significant mutational accumulation patterns correlated with the outbreak events. Here, we imagine that specific amino acid substitutions would be triggers for outbreaks. From most validations, we could accurately predict the potential pre-phase of outbreaks with amedian interval of5 days before the outbreaks. Using our pipeline, users may review updated information on the website https://bioinfo.liferiver.com.cnwith easy registration.
Conclusions
Tracking the spread of infectious diseases to assist in their control has traditionally relied on the analysis of case data gathered as the outbreak proceeds. Here,we propose Epi-Clock, a sensitive platform to help understand pathogenic disease outbreaks and facilitate the response to future outbreaks, similar to a clock that can signal the need to assist individuals at focal locations by using diagnostics, isolation control, vaccines or therapy at any time.
Therapeutic hypothermia combined with hydrogen sulfide treatment attenuated early blood–brain barrier disruption and brain edema induced by cardiac arrest and resuscitation in rat model
Authors: Cai Shenquan , Li Qian , Fan Jingjing , Zhong Hao , Cao Liangbin , Duan Manlin
Published: September 2022

Brain injury remains a major problem in patients suffering cardiac arrest (CA). Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an important factor leading to brain injury. Therapeutic hypothermia is widely accepted to limit neurological impairment. However, the efficacy is incomplete. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a signaling gas molecule, has protective effects after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study showed that combination of therapeutic hypothermia and hydrogen sulfide after resuscitation was more beneficial for attenuated BBB disruption and brain edema than that of hypothermia or hydrogen sulfide treatment alone. CA was induced by ventricular fibrillation for 4 minutes. Therapeutic hypothermia was performed by applying alcohol and ice bags to the body surface under anesthesia. We used sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS) as the H2S donor. Here, we found that global brain ischemia induced by CA and CPR resulted in brain edema and BBB disruption; therapeutic hypothermia or H2S treatment diminished brain edema, decreased the permeability and preserved the structure of BBB during the early period of CA and resuscitation, and more importantly, improved the neurologic function, increased the 7-day survival rate after resuscitation; the combination of therapeutic hypothermia and H2S treatment was more beneficial for reducing BBB permeability and brain edema than that of hypothermia or H2S treatment alone. The beneficial effects were associated with the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, attenuated the degradation of the tight junction protein occludin, and subsequently protected the structure of BBB. These findings suggest that combined use of hypothermia and H2S treatment during resuscitation of cardiac arrest patients could be a potential strategy to improve clinical outcomes and survival rate.
Evaluation of Skindex-16 construct validity in routinely collected psoriasis data: A retrospective analysis of the relationship between Overall Physician Global Assessment scores and Skindex-16 and measure discordance
Authors: Hopkins Zachary , Kuceki Guilherme , Taliercio Vanina , Snyder Ashley , Stoddard Greg J , Duffin Kristina C. , Hess Rachel , Secrest Aaron M.
Published: September 2022

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) capture disease severity metrics from the patient’s perspective, including health-related quality of life (HRQL). Disease-specific validation of PROMs improves their clinical utility. We evaluated construct validity (HRQL) for Skindex-16 in routinely seen psoriasis patients and characterized instances of discordance between Skindex-16 scores and clinician reported outcome measure of disease severity. We retrospectively studied psoriasis patients seen by University of Utah Dermatology from 2016 to 2020. Cross-sectional construct validity was assessed using quantile regression and Spearman correlation between overall physician global assessment (OPGA) score and Skindex-16 scores. Longitudinal, within-subject correlation was performed using linear mixed models. Discordance (10th percentile or lower OPGA and 90th percentile or higher Skindex-16 score [clear skin, poor HRQL; cspHRQL] or the reverse [severe skin, good HRQL; ssgHRQL]) was characterized descriptively. 681 first-visit patients with psoriasis were included. Median overall Skindex-16 score varied by ≥ 10 points across all levels of OPGA scores. OPGA and Skindex-16 domain scores were moderately correlated (emotions ρ = 0.54, functioning ρ = 0.47, and symptoms ρ = 53). Longitudinal correlations were similar (emotion ρxy = 0.54, functioning ρxy = 0.65, symptoms ρxy = 0.47). Visits with cspHRQL discordance occurred for each Skindex-16 domain (emotions = 7, functioning = 13, symptoms = 12). The ssgHRQL group was observed within the emotions (n = 1) and functioning (n = 23) domains. Median Skindex-16 scores are different between different levels of OPGA and show moderate cross-sectional and longitudinal correlation. This supports construct validity in patients with psoriasis. Severe discordance was rare and most often for those with clear skin but poor HRQL. These discordances can prompt further patient-clinician conversation.
Moroccan consumers purchasing behaviors toward the sustainability of cosmetics today
Authors: Oukerrou Marwa
Published: September 2022

The purchase of green and sustainable products has become a necessary step toward the protection of the environment. There are many reasons that push consumers to purchase green, sustainable products: personal, psychological, social, cultural, or economic. There are also some impediments that keep them away from purchasing those products, like the value of the product, its usage, risks of usage, the consumer’s traditions or the product’s image. Based on a survey of 100 responses on purchasing green sustainable cosmetics by Moroccan consumers today, and analyzing the results using the descriptive analysis, to understand and determine the reasons and motivations or disincentives that influence their purchasing behavior of green cosmetics. The results reveal that personal, economic, and social factors are what lead them to purchase, while low quality of usage, the product’s value in performance and price, and the risks that can come from using unknown products labeled green or sustainable can lead Moroccan consumers to not purchase those products.
MNCR and JPX lncRNAs have a significant oncogenic and biomarker role in the Isfahan Breast cancer population by regulating the MYC expression level: An integrated bioinformatics and experimental approach
Authors: Nazempour Nasrin , Shakarami Maryam , Tavakolikia Fatemeh , Heidari Hadis , Omidghaemi Shadi , Azadeh Mansoureh
Published: September 2022

long non-coding RNAs play essential roles in the regulation of the gene’s expression level. The abnormal difference in the gene expression and transcriptome amount in the cells can make the various diseases in the human, including cancer. In this study, the expression of MYC and the two relevant and co-expressed lncRNAs were analyzed in the breast cancer (BC) samples as the potential BC biomarkers. An integrated bioinformatics analysis – including Microarray, RNA interaction, Pathway enrichment, and Gene ontology analyses – was performed to find novel differentially expressed genes in the BC patients. A real-time PCR experiment evaluated the expression of potential BC biomarkers found in the bioinformatics analyses. Bioinformatics and experimental analyses revealed that MINCR and JPX have a remarkable up-regulation in the BC samples and can be the two BC oncogene. Also, it is demonstrated that MYC could act as a tumor suppressor in BC patients by low-expression in the BC samples. All in all, the changes in the expression of MYC – affected by MINCR and JPX – can promote breast cancer pathogenicity. These three coding and non-coding RNAs can act as the acceptable prognostic biomarkers in BC.
Calcaneal osteotomy due to insertional calcaneal (Achilles) tendinopathy – preoperative planning
Authors: Mazura Matej , Goldman Tomas , Popelka Stanislav , Kachlik David , Hromadka Rastislav
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Dorsal closing wedge calcaneal osteotomy (DCWCO) is indicated in patients with insertional tendinopathy of the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon. The Chauveaus-Liet's (CL) angle is represented by the difference between the angle of verticalization (α) and morphological angle (β) of the calcaneus (CL angle = α − β). The purpose of the study was to assess whether the DCWCO affects the Chauveaus-Liet's angle.
Methods
The study included 12 patients indicated to DCWCO. Three directions of close wedge osteotomy were designed for each patient—horizontal, vertical and in the middle type of osteotomy and a virtual osteotomy was created in each of them in the ABAQUS system in cooperation with Czech Technical University. The most used directions of osteotomy according to the available literature were used. We evaluated α and β angles before and after osteotomy, changes of the length plantar aponeurosis and the elevation of distal insertional point of the calcaneal tendon. The changes of grades, median and standard deviation were observed.
Results
The change of the alfa angle was dependent on the direction of the osteotomy and the change of the beta angle was affected by the size of the osteotomy. The greatest elevation of the distal insertional point of the calcaneal tendon occurred in the horizontal type of the osteotomy.
Conclusion
Our study shows that the more we want to reduce the tension in the calcaneal tendon, the more we have to perform an osteotomy horizontally. This study could serve as a preoperative guide for osteotomy planning.
Sb loaded MnOx/TiO 2 /CNTs catalysts for Selective catalytic reduction of NOx: insight to the SO 2 and H 2 O tolerance
Authors: Natarajan S , Raja S , Pitchandi K , Sivachandiran L
Published: September 2022

A series of Sb containing CNTs based MnOx/TiO2 catalysts were prepared by the incipient wetness co-impregnation method and tested for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with NH3. The Sb loaded MnOx/TiO2-CNTs catalyst showed better performance than the other catalysts tested and presented the highest activity in the temperature regime of 100–400 oC. Interestingly, Sb loaded catalyst exhibited SO2 and H2O resistance with better thermal stability. Physico-chemical characterizations such as SEM, XRD, BET, XPS, NH3-TPD, and H2-TPR were employed to investigate the influence of Sb loading on NOx removal over MnOx/TiO2-CNTs catalysts. A step-wise addition of SO2 into the gas stream disclosed that MnOx-Sb/TiO2-CNTs catalyst has better SO2 resistance by avoiding the sulphur poisoning than the base catalyst MnOx/TiO2. Moreover, the results of SEM and XRD revealed that the dispersion of MnOx on TiO2/CNT surface was more uniform after Sb loading. We evidenced that the decrease in SCR activity of MnOx based catalyst is due to the formation of MnSO4. Indeed, in Sb loaded catalysts, the SOx species react more preferably with SbOx than that of MnOx. This strong interaction of SO2 with SbOx successfully prevents the poisoning of active sites on MnOx from being sulphated. This significantly improved the SO2 tolerance of Sb-loaded catalysts.
Treatment options and the management of complications in hydatid cysts of the liver in endemic regions
Authors: Daduk Yildiray , Seker Ahmet , Sozutek Alper , Olmez Tolga , Kaplan Kuntay , Dur Huseyin , Ozdemir Gorkem
Published: September 2022

Aim
Due to the limited applicability of PAIR, we think that surgery is the most effective treatment at every stage, especially in endemic regions, depending on patient-related factors.
Method
Patients with hydatid cyst of the liver treated with PAIR and surgery in our center between January 2016 and January 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. PAIR or cystectomy were applied in treatment. It was compared in terms of efficacy, feasibility, and complications.
Results
A single hydatid cyst of the liver was detected in 184 of the 225 cases, two cysts in 34, and three or more cysts in eight. While the largest cyst diameter was 233*124 mm in those who underwent surgery, it was 100*90 mm in PAIR. One hundred thirty-three of the 225 patients underwent open surgery, and no recurrence was encountered. However, recurrence was observed 19 patients treated with PAIR. Allergic reaction developed in one case during surgery, postoperative abscess in two cases, biliary fistula in five and pneumonia in one.
Conclusion
Surgical treatment should represent the standard procedure since it is safe and effective and ensures complete elimination of the parasite, involves no intraoperative shedding, preserves healthy tissues, and minimizes the risk of long-term recurrence and cavity-related complications.
Relativity and View Effects
Authors: Fischli Bernard
Published: September 2022

This paper describes a new interpretation of relativity. The concept of rest frames of the observer and the object clarifies the initial assumptions used in General Relativity and underlines the necessity to review whatever impacts relativity. Relativistic view effects, calculated using reciprocal Lorentz factors and deflecting the paths of photons, are examined in addition to interactions. The Ehrenfest paradox is solved, and it is not compatible with a curved space. View effects specific to each point of view are the solution. The concept of a seen speed is introduced. The calculation of the deflection of light by the sun explains in detail why the deflection angle must be double the value obtained with Newton’s laws. This is due to gravitation as well as to relativistic view effects. As already noted by Einstein the deflection of light can only take place if the speed of light varies in vacuum. This is done by gravitation. The compatibility of General Relativity with the new interpretation is discussed. The main argument for this compatibility is due to the use in General Relativity of a Pseudo-Riemannian geometry describing intrinsic views which introduce the rest frame concept. They are compatible with view effects. Differences subsist mainly regarding energy. Relativistic energy is examined. The relationship of Special Relativity between speed and energy is confirmed for electromagnetism where path speeds are limited to the speed of light. Such speed limits do not apply to gravitation where total energy is composed of rest mass energy plus a kinetic energy as defined in classical mechanics. When gravitation acts on objects that transfer their path information by light, the paths of the photons will be deflected by relativistic view effects modifying that information. View effects are optical illusions interpreted in General Relativity as interactions introducing dark energy.
INNOVATIVE GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF FORMALDEHYDE BY MINIATURIZED EXTRACTION AND ON-FIBER DERIVATIZATION, VIA SPME AND SPME ARROW
Authors: Dugheri Stefano , Cappelli Giovanni , Ceccarelli Jacopo , Fanfani Niccolò , Trevisani Lucia , Squillaci Donato , Bucaletti Elisabetta , Gori Riccardo , Mucci Nicola , Arcangeli Giulio
Published: September 2022

Formaldehyde (FA) is a carbonyl compound, ubiquitous in the environment and among the most widespread pollutants: it has exhibited toxic properties and is classified as a human carcinogen. FA is released from several sources, both temporary (e.g., combustion processes) and permanent (e.g., building products). This work proposes an innovative fully-automated application of headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with on-fiber derivatization for the analysis of airborne FA emitted from liquid solutions or solid manufacts, in static mode, via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The method was tested in a wide range of airborne FA concentrations, using SPME and SPME Arrow fibers: the inter-day LOD and LOQ for SPME and SPME Arrow were evaluated, resulting in 0.072 and 0.215 ppm and 0.014 and 0.042 ppm, respectively. Moreover, other conventional detectors, such as Electron Capture Detector (ECD), Thermoionic Specific Detector (TSD), Photoionization Detector (PID), and Flame Ionization Detector (FID), were tested to set an analytical method to meet different requirements. The sensitivity and linearity of PID, FID and MS were comparable, while TSD and ECD were not suitable for the developed method, due to issues of response or linearity. MS results to be the most suitable and perfoming detector, however PID and FID result to be cheaper valid alternatives.
ARGUMENTACIÓN DESDE LA ENSEÑANZA DE LAS SOLUCIONES QUÍMICAS
Authors: Vargas Edgar , León Gina , Martínez Leonardo
Published: September 2022

ARGUMENTATION FROM THE TEACHING OF THE CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS. This research, whit the design and implementation of contextualized laboratory activities in chemistry was carried out, in order to demonstrate the level of argumentation presented by teachers in initial training, first semester of the Bachelor of Natural Sciences program and Environmental Education of the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia “UPTC”. This research was developed with a qualitative, interpretive and phenomenological research approach, allowing us to observe the progress presented by the students under study, in terms of argumentative processes, taking as reference Toulmin who describes different levels of argumentation. The research was carried out in three phases: a diagnostic phase that allowed identifying the initial state of the teachers in training, a second phase of design and implementation of the sequence of activities based on situations of context, and finally a third evaluation phase in which the levels of argumentation reached by the students, having as a fundamental basis the triangulation of data between the experiences of the students confronted with theoretical references that would allow us to account for the results found. It was possible to identify the difficulty that students present when preparing structured arguments as proposed by Toulmin, demonstrating the lack of appropriation of scientific language that students have and the low development of this competence at the different levels of academic. Is important to promote the use of different didactic strategies such as experimentation in the classroom, which allow strengthening the different argumentation processes in students.
EXPERIMENTO DIDÁTICO DE QUIMIOMETRIA EMPREGANDO IMAGENS DIGITAIS OBTIDAS POR CELULAR PARA DETERMINAR ADULTERAÇÃO DE AZEITE DE OLIVA COM ÓLEO DE SOJA: UM TUTORIAL, PARTE VI
Authors: Rios Carlos , Souza André , Poppi Ronei , Breitkreitz Márcia
Published: September 2022

TEACHING EXPERIMENT IN CHEMOMETRICS USING DIGITAL IMAGES OBTAINED BY MOBILE PHONE TO DETERMINE ADULTERATION OF OLIVE OIL WITH SOYBEAN OIL: A TUTORIAL, PART VI. The aim of this manuscript was to show the concepts involving data treatment of RGB based image analysis by univariate and multivariate approaches – the latter using Partial Least Squares (PLS) - using as a practical example application the determination of extravirgin olive oil adulteration. Digital images were collected using a device made of LEDs, batteries and a smartphone and results are shown in a tutorial format using Matlab computing environment. The experiment can serve as an example for teaching the subject for undergraduate and graduate students.
A case study on integrated management of water losses in Antalya, Turkey
Authors: Akdeniz Tugba
Published: September 2022

In this study, effects of the combination of meter replacement and active leakage control on real and apparent losses are investigated. Generally, water meter replacement campaigns, SCADA system operation, data analysis studies and physical leak detection activities are carried out by different units in water utilities. Within the scope of this study, the studies carried out by different units of the water utility were carried out in an integrated manner in the same period and the obtained data sets were analysed together. Thus, water losses, which were at the level of 52% in the pilot study area (PSA), were reduced to 35%. When the volumes of water supplied to the system before and after the study are compared, the volumes after the study were decreased. Also, water losses in the PSA have been reduced by 17%.
Membrane-free electrodeionization using graphene composite electrode to purify copper-containing wastewater
Authors: Shen Xiaolan , Liu Qi , Li Hao , Kuang Xinmou
Published: September 2022

Membrane-free electrodeionization (MFEDI) technology involves in situ electric regeneration of ion exchange resin, and is used to efficiently purify copper-containing wastewater, so that both the wastewater and copper may be reused. The electrode is the core functional component of a MFEDI system. Electrode-selection greatly influences the electric regeneration efficiency, water recovery and energy consumption of MFEDI processes. In this study, a graphene composite electrode was developed to improve MFEDI-system performance. A graphene composite electrode and conventional platinum-plated titanium electrode were both characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical testing. Furthermore, the treatment and electrical regeneration properties of MFEDI systems with these two electrodes were investigated. The specific surface area of the electrode increased after graphene loading, while the oxygen evolution potential decreased. Wastewater treatment experiments demonstrated that MFEDI systems with graphene composite electrodes effectively removed copper from wastewater. The study also highlighted that the electroregeneration efficiency of the MFEDI system was improved by loading with graphene; the average copper concentration in the regeneration solution increased by 1.4 times to 50.4 mg/L, while the energy consumption decreased from 1.55 to 1.48 kWh/m3, and the water recovery rate increased from 85 to 90%.
Interactions of Copper(II) and Zinc(II) Ions with the Peptide Fragments
of Proteins Related to Neurodegenerative Disorders: Similarities
and Differences
Authors: Sóvágó Imre , Várnagy Katalin , Kállay Csilla , Grenács Ágnes
Published: September 2022

Metal binding ability and coordination modes of the copper(II) and zinc(II)
complexes of various peptide fragments of prion, amyloid-β, and tau proteins, are summarized
in this review. Imidazole-N donors are the primary metal binding sites of all
three proteins, but the difference in the location of these residues and the presence or
absence of other coordinating side chains result in significant differences in the complex
formation processes. The presence of macrochelates and the possibility of forming multicopper
complexes are the most important characteristic of prion fragments. Amyloid-β
can form highly stable complexes with both copper(II) and zinc(II) ions, but the preferred
binding sites are different for the two metal ions. Similar observations are obtained
for the tau fragments, but the metal ion selectivity of the various fragments is even more
pronounced. In addition to the complex formation, copper(II) ions can play an important
role in the various oxidative reactions of peptides. Results of the metal ion-catalyzed oxidation
of peptide fragments of prion, amyloid-β, and tau proteins are also summarized.
Amino acid side chain oxidation (mostly methionine, histidine and aspartic acid) and protein
fragmentations are the most common consequences of this process.
An Overview of Ruthenium-Catalyzed Multicomponent Reactions
Authors: Saranya Padinjare Veetil , Neetha Mohan , Afsina C.M.A. , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: September 2022

In multicomponent reactions (MCRs), highly functionalized compounds can be formed through the reaction between three or more reactants in a one-pot manner. These reactions provide products through the utilization of lesser amounts of energy, time, and effort. MCRs also possess advantages like the generation of lesser waste materials. Fewer resources are needed, high convergence etc. In terms of energy economy and atom economy, MCRs are superior to multistep synthesis. A wide range of products can be acquired by combining the reagents in a variety of ways and thus, MCRs became popular in various fields such as catalysis, pharmaceutical chemistry, material science, agrochemistry, fine chemistry and so on. MCRs obey the principles of green chemistry because these approaches are simple and ecofriendly. MCR is an unrivalled synthetic technique and has been used by chemists at an accelerating rate in recent years. Ruthenium catalysts are cheap in comparison to palladium and rhodium, and generally show high activity. Ru possesses wide-ranging oxidation states due to its 4d7 5s1 electronic configuration. Numerous organic reactions are catalyzed by ruthenium, which are utilized in forming a wide range of pharmaceuticals and natural products, with biological importance. Minimum amounts of waste materials are formed in most of the ruthenium-catalyzed reactions; hence, ruthenium catalysis paves the way to environmentally benign protocols. Ruthenium chemistry has had a really big impact on organic synthesis in recent years and it is now on par with palladium in terms of relevance. The developments in the field of ruthenium-catalyzed multicomponent reactions are highlighted in this review, covering the literature up to 2021.
An Insight into Diverse Activities and Targets of Flavonoids
Authors: Mishra Rakhi , Tiwari Prashant , Mazumder Avijit , Mazumder Rupa , Singh Ayushi
Published: September 2022

Background:

Flavonoids belong to the chemical class of polyphenols and are in the cate- gory of secondary metabolites imparting a wide protective effect against acute and chronic diseases.

Objective:

The study aims to investigate and summarize the information of various flavonoids ex-tracted, isolated from various sources, and possess different pharmacological properties by acting on multiple targets.

Methods::

This comprehensive review summarizes the research information related to flavonoids and their pharmacological action targets from various sources like PubMed, Google Scholar and Google websites.

Result:

Extracted information in the paper discusses various therapeutic effects of flavonoids iso-lated from medicinal plant sources, which have the property to inhibit several enzymes, which final-ly results in health benefits like anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-allergic, and anti-viral effects. This study also showed the different solvents and methods involved in the extraction and characterization of the isolated phytochemical constituents.

Conclusion:

The findings showed the contribution of several flavonoids in the management and in-hibition of various acute and chronic sicknesses by acting on different sites in the body. This study may lead to gaining interest for more research on the bioactives of different medicinal plants for the discovery of new lead compounds or further improvement of the efficacy of the existing compound.
The Influence of Partial Curfew on the Quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: AlNujaidi Heba , Alfayez Asma , Alsaif Atheer , Alsalman Demah , Almubarak Sama’a , Almulla Salma
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

The study aims to explore individual's QoL during COVID-19’s imposed partial curfew in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 1353 adult participants completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF online questionnaire during COVID-19’s imposed curfew. Pearson correlation and one-way ANOVA was conducted to examine the association between the QoL domains, and to examine the association between the QoL domains and sociodemographic characteristics, respectively.

Results:

The findings showed that social and environmental QoL were the most affected by the pandemic. Sociodemographic characteristics played a role in shaping differences in QoL among the four dimensions of QoL. Men, non-Saudis, private sector employees, and people with income below SAR5,000 reported the lowest QoL.

Conclusion:

The COVID-19 pandemic changed people’s lives, their activities and relationships. It affected their QoL in different dimensions and based on specific sociodemographic characteristics. The study findings have implications for policymakers to tailor programs that focus on the different aspects of QoL including social, environmental, physical and psychological domains.
A Review on Valeriana wallichii: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Research
Authors: Husain Syed Akhtar , Jamal Ghosia , Parveen Rabea , Khan Mohammad Aasif , Srivastava Varsha , Mustafa Saad , Ahmad Sayeed
Published: September 2022

Background:

In the past decade, a rising trend has seen in the use of plant-based medicines because of fewer/no side effects. Plants are always the major source of traditional medicines in every culture. The main objective of this review is to shed a light on phytochemical composition and pharmacological research of Valeriana wallichii.

Methods:

Electronic databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, etc., were searched for traditional uses, extraction of phytoconstituents, therapeutical uses and pharmacology of V. wallichii.

Results:

V. wallichii has been used as a sleep remedy since ancient times in the Indian traditional system of medicines. It is also used as diuretic, spasmolytic and pain relieving agent. It is used for the treatment of epilepsy, dyspeptic symptoms, failing reflexes, habitual constipation, insanity, nervous debility, obesity, spastic disorders, and in snake poisoning, and also reported to have cytotoxic potential. The pharmacological activity of the plant is due to presence of different types of secondary metabolites, including valerianic acid, valerosidatum glycoside, valepotriates, dihydrovaltrate, 6-methylapigenin, hesperidin, sesquiterpenoids, bornylisovalerianate, isovalerenic acid, 1-camphene, 1-pinene, terpineol, valerianine, bornylisovalerianate, valerianine and so on. This review focuses on detailed phytochemistry of the plant and its therapeutic indication. The main emphasis is given on anticancer potential of V. wallichii, with in vitro cytotoxic as well as in vivo antitumor description.

Conclusion:

The review reveals that further research, as well as clinical trials, are needed to know this plant as an effective drug for the treatment of cancer in future with exact molecular mechanisms.
Determination of Antioxidant Synergism Between Tocopherols and Myricetin in Bulk Oil
Authors:   University of Massachusetts Amherst, Bayram Ipek , Decker Eric ,   University of Massachusetts Amherst
Published: September 2022

Lipid oxidation is a series of reactions affecting food quality and shelf life since it impacts flavor, color, and nutrition. The food industry utilizes different antioxidants to retard oxidation. Interaction between antioxidants can improve the ability of the industry to protect foods if the antioxidant combination is synergistic. This research aims to determine the conditions where tocopherols and myricetin exhibit synergistic activity in bulk oils. Soybean oil was stripped to remove present endogenous antioxidants to better understand tocopherol-myricetin interaction. The oxidative stability of the oil was determined by spectroscopically measuring lipid hydroperoxides and monitoring aldehyde formation by gas chromatography. Antioxidant degradation was determined by HPLC. α or mixed tocopherols (50 µM), myricetin (10, 25, 50, 100, 250 µM), and their combinations were added to stripped oil to determine how antioxidant ratios impacted synergism. The interaction index is the ratio of the observed lag phase to the expected lag phase of the antioxidant combination. Interaction indexes were 1.14, 1.50, 1.55, 1.30, and 1.16 when tocopherol: myricetin ratio was 5:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:5, respectively, implicating synergistic activity (interaction index >1). Synergism was greatest when antioxidant concentrations were similar. Tocopherol and myricetin degraded at different rates, suggesting that synergism could be due to either regeneration of one antioxidant by another or preferential oxidation of one antioxidant followed by another. Synergism could also occur by chelating properties of myricetin, which could decrease the tocopherol loss. Tocopherols were found to be completely degraded just before the oxidation of fatty acids. This suggests that modeling the rate of tocopherol degradation could predict shelf-life. This project is significant for the Lipid Oxidation and Quality Division since it supplies ideas and learning opportunities to members who share similar interests in synergistic activity, antioxidant degradation kinetics, and unique strategies to decrease food waste caused by lipid oxidation.
Rice Bran Lyso-gums: The Unexplored Source of Potential Industrial Phospholipid
Authors:   CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Dhara Olivia , Chakrabarti Pradosh ,   CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology
Published: September 2022

Crude rice bran oil contains about 3-4% of phospholipids. In the conventional degumming process, these were removed from the oil by using water/acid degumming techniques. However, with the advent of enzymatic degumming technology, the conventional methods are no longer followed. Enzymatic degumming generates lyso-gums in contrast to the ordinary gums recovered by conventional degumming methods. Rice bran lyso gum contains primarily lyso-phosphatidyl choline (LPC). It also contains lyso phosphatidyl ethanolamine (LPE) phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatidyl inositol (PI), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), etc, amongst other classes of phospholipids. Till date lyso-phospholipids are produced synthetically to meet their demand and abundant use. Natural alternatives can be of great importance and proper processing of the crude rice bran lyso-gum (CRBLG) will definitely produce various modified lyso-gums having specific industrial applications in cosmetics, paint, and leather industries. The present work focuses on the processing of crude RBLG to produce various lyso-phospholipids products. Initially, bleaching of CRBLG was carried out using various oxidative bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, and sodium chlorite. Bleached lyso-lecithin with a reduction in color from 18+ to 16 Gardner Units was obtained under optimized conditions. Processes were also developed to produce LPC enriched rice bran lyso-phospholipids as well as acetylated lysophospholipids. Acetylated RBL was obtained by enzymatic modification. The phospholipid compositions of these modified rice bran lyso-lecithins were estimated by using 31P NMR and surfactant properties were also checked for some of these modified products. Lyso-PC enrichment of about 40-50% could be achieved. Emulsion stability was significantly improved for LPC enriched products. The basic raw materials are available in bulk quantities and have less price. It is, therefore, expected that the modified lyso-lecithin products can be produced in an economically feasible method to meet the demand of various industries.
Assessing the Effects of Sunlight on the Photooxidation of Tropical Oils with Experimental and Computational Approaches
Authors:   The University of Melbourne, Dodoo Daniel , Tulashie Samuel ,   University of Cape Coast, Dodoo Thomas ,   University of Mines and Technology, Kwaw Francis ,   Ghana Nuts Company Limited
Published: September 2022

When vegetable oils are released from the manufacturers or oil producers, they customarily meet the standard and regulations to ensure that they do not pose any future threat to consumers or users. However, their inappropriate handling and storage at the marketplace during commercialisation could introduce new compounds that could threaten consumers or reduce the oil’s nutritional value. Hence, this study aims to investigate the influence of sunlight radiation on the photooxidation of tropical oils (TO) stored in the marketplace. Coconut oil (CNO), palm oil (PO), and palm kernel oil (PKO) were chosen for determining the indicators of photooxidation when exposed to and in the absence of sunlight for seven weeks. The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in free fatty acid (FFA) levels and peroxide value (PV) when the TO were exposed to sunlight. The iodine value and colour content decreased significantly (P < 0.05) due to the decomposition of unsaturated FFA owing to the breaking down of the π-bonds and the degradation of colour pigments during photooxidation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed strong vibrational absorptions at 1721 and 3505 cm−1, 1720 and 3560 cm−1, and 1721 and 3554 cm−1 for the CNO, PO, and PKO samples exposed to sunlight, respectively. These bands can be attributed to secondary oxidation products, which were absent in the TO that were not exposed to sunlight. A simulation was performed to support the FTIR results, indicating peaks from the secondary oxidation products at 1744 and 3660 cm−1. The study also revealed that the photooxidation rate was different for each TO. The rate of oxidation followed the order PO > PKO > CNO. In contrast, no notable changes in the TO kept away from sunlight were observed. These results suggest that exposing TO to sunlight influences their oxidation stability and quality.