bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liquid-Infused Porous Film Self-Assembly for Superior Light-Transmitting and Anti-Adhesion
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhan Xiaoyang , Wang Yan , Liu Guang , Zhang Deyuan , Zhang Liwen , Chen Huawei
Published: March 2022

Liquid-Infused Surfaces (LISs), particularly known for their liquid-repelling feature, have demonstrated plenty of applications in the medical, marine, and energy fields. To improve the durability and transparency highly demanded on glass-based vision devices such as an endoscope, this study proposed a novel self-assembly method to fabricate well-ordered porous Poly-Styrene (PS)/Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene (SBS) films by simply dripping the PS/SBS dichloromethane solutions onto the glass before spinning. The effects of the solutions’ concentrations and spin speeds on the porous structure were experimentally investigated. The results showed that a certain mass ratio of PS/SBS can make the structure of the ordered porous film more regular and denser under the optimal solution concentration and spin-coating speed. Superior transparency and durability were also realized by dripping silicone oil on the porous film to build a liquid-infused surface. Applications of the as-prepared surface on devices like endoscopes, viewfinders, and goggles have been explored respectively.
Parallel Microdispensing Method of High-Viscous Liquid Based on Electrostatic Force
Authors: Xu Zheng , Qin Shaochun , Yu Yu , Wang Xiaodong , Liu Junshan , He Wenxin
Published: March 2022

Parallel microdispensing of high-viscous liquid is a fundamental task in many industrial processes. Herein, a smart printing head is developed, including the probe array, the electric control module, the contact force measurement module, and the extra force balance module. The parallel dispensing of high-viscous liquid in nL level is achieved. The interacting effect between probes on the loading process is analyzed too. According to the result, the interacting effect between probes has a strong influence on the loading process. Therefore, the strategy of serial electrical loading and parallel transfer printing is utilized. Finally, the dependency of transfer printing volume on probe size, etc., is experimentally investigated. The volume of the loaded droplet can be controlled by the lifting velocity of the probe array, and the volume of the transferred droplet can be adjusted by the size of the probe instead of the contact force. The advantage of the proposed method is to realize the highly repeatable parallel dispensing of high-viscous liquid with a relatively simple device.
Measurement of the Aspherical Optical Surfaces with the Improved Phase Retrieval
Authors: Ma Xinxue , Wang Jianli , Wang Bin , Liu Xinyue
Published: March 2022

In order to verify the estimated wave-front ability of the phase retrieval, a method utilized in the measurement of the aspherical optical surfaces using the phase retrieval technology is described. This technique is based on the algorithm as a solution for the measurement of the aspherical optical surfaces, whose principle is sampling a number of the given defocus images and obtaining the phase information by solving the wave-front with Fourier optical diffractive theory and mathematics optimization. We set up an experimental arrangement used to measure the aspherical optical surfaces using the improved phase retrieval. In addition, we introduced the method of optical alignment in detail, which is very important for high-precision measurements. We obtained an agreement among the error distributions, the peak value, and the root-mean-square value of a ZYGO interferometer, which demonstrates that the improved phase retrieval method can effectively estimate the wave-front and the aberrations of aspherical optical surfaces.
Concise Syntheses of Marine (Bis)indole Alkaloids Meridianin C, D, F, and G and Scalaridine A via One-Pot Masuda Borylation-Suzuki Coupling Sequence
Authors: Kruppa Marco , Sommer Gereon A. , Müller Thomas J. J.
Published: March 2022

N-Protected 3-iodoindoles were reacted with (di)azine halides in a sequentially Pd-catalyzed one-pot fashion, i.e., by Masuda borylation–Suzuki coupling (MBSC) sequence. This methodology was successfully applied to the concise syntheses of marine indole alkaloids meridianin C, D, F, and G, as well as to the bisindole alkaloid scalaridine A, which were obtained in moderate to excellent yield.
Kinetic Modeling of Hydrogen Production by Dehydrogenation of Polycyclic Naphthenes with Varying Degrees of Condensation
Authors: Kalenchuk Alexander N. , Kustov Leonid M.
Published: March 2022

The kinetics of reactions of dehydrogenation of polycyclic naphthenes (cyclohexane, decalin, bicyclohexyl, ortho-, meta-, and para-isomers of perhydroterphenyl) is modeled on the basis of a formal comparison of kinetic equations of the 1st and 2nd orders based on real experimental data. It is shown that the reaction of the 1st order is predominating in the series of cyclohexane–bicyclohexyl–perhydroparatherphenyl. For all other substrates, the probability of describing the reaction in accordance with the equation of the 2nd order increases markedly, and for trans-decalin it becomes the predominant form of describing the kinetics of the reaction.
Cooperation of σ–π and σ*–π* Conjugation in the UV/Vis and Fluorescence Spectra of 9,10-Disilylanthracene
Authors: Kyushin Soichiro , Suzuki Yuya
Published: March 2022

In 1996, we reported that silyl groups of 9,10-disilylanthracenes significantly affect the UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra. Although the results indicate that the silyl groups have strong electronic effects on anthracene, the details of the mechanisms responsible for this have not yet been clarified. This article describes the analysis of the UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra of 9,10-bis(diisopropylsilyl)anthracene by theoretical calculations. This study reveals that π conjugation of anthracene is extended by cooperation of σ–π and σ*–π* conjugation between the silyl groups and anthracene. This effect increases the transition moment of the π–π* transition of anthracene. As a result, the molecular extinction coefficient of the 1La band and the fluorescence quantum yield are increased.
Comparison of Dechlorane Plus Concentrations in Sequential Blood Samples of Pregnant Women in Taizhou, China
Authors: Li Ji-Fang-Tong , Li Xing-Hong , Wan Yao-Yuan , Li Yuan-Yuan , Qin Zhan-Fen
Published: March 2022

To develop an appropriate sampling strategy to assess the intrauterine exposure to dechlorane plus (DP), we investigated DP levels in sequential maternal blood samples collected in three trimesters of pregnancy, respectively, from women living in Taizhou. The median concentration of DPs (sum of syn-DP and anti-DP) in all samples was 30.5 pg g−1 wet-weight and 5.01 ng g−1 lipid-adjusted weight, respectively. The trimester-related DP concentrations were consistently strongly correlated (p < 0.01), indicating that a single measurement of DP levels could represent intrauterine exposure without sampling from the same female repeatedly; however, the wet-weight levels significantly increased across trimesters (p < 0.05), while the lipid-adjusted levels did not significantly vary. Notably, whether lipid-adjusted weight or wet-weight levels, the variation extent of DP across trimesters was found to be less than 41%, and those for other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) reported in the literature were also limited to 100%. The limitation in variation extents indicated that, regardless of the time of blood collection during pregnancy and how the levels were expressed, a single measurement could be extended to screen for exposure risk if necessary. Our study provides different strategies for sampling the maternal blood to serve the requirement for assessment of in utero exposure to DP.
Biological Activity of Extracts of Red and Yellow Fruits of Cornus mas L.—An In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity, Inhibitory Activity against α-Glucosidase, Acetylcholinesterase, and Binding Capacity to Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Dzydzan Olha , Brodyak Iryna , Strugała-Danak Paulina , Strach Angelika , Kucharska Alicja Z. , Gabrielska Janina , Sybirna Natalia
Published: March 2022

Although extracts are broadly used in order to support the treatment of numerous diseases, only in a limited number of cases is the process of applying and establishing their mechanisms of action scientifically analyzed. Fruits of Cornelian cherry are an abundant source of iridoids, anthocyanins, flavonols and phenolic acids. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro bioactivity of red and yellow Cornelian cherry fruits’ extracts. The biological potential of extracts, in a broad sense, involved antioxidant activity in relation to phosphatidylcholine liposomes, inhibitory ability against α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes, as well as interactions with human serum albumin. Studies showed that both extracts were more effective in protecting liposome membranes against free radicals produced by AAPH in an aqueous environment due to the fact that they can be better eliminated by the hydrophilic components of the extracts than those produced by UVB radiation. Extracts exhibited inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase, wherein loganic acid extract showed noncompetitive inhibition of the enzyme. Moreover, extracts binded to albumin mainly through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. Taken together, red and yellow cherry fruits’ extracts exhibit diverse biological properties and can be exploited as a source of natural therapeutic agents.
Continuous Production of Highly Tuned Silk/Calcium-Based Composites: Exploring New Pathways for Skin Regeneration
Authors: Veiga Anabela , Magalhães Rui , Duarte Marta M. , Dias Juliana R. , Alves Nuno M. , Costa-Pinto Ana Rita , Castro Filipa , Rocha Fernando , Oliveira Ana L.
Published: March 2022

Calcium plays an important role in barrier function repair and skin homeostasis. In particular, calcium phosphates (CaPs) are well established materials for biomedical engineering due to their biocompatibility. To generate biomaterials with a more complete set of biological properties, previously discarded silk sericin (SS) has been recovered and used as a template to grow CaPs. Crucial characteristics for skin applications, such as antibacterial activity, can be further enhanced by doping CaPs with cerium (Ce) ions. The effectiveness of cell attachment and growth on the materials highly depends on their morphology, particle size distribution, and chemical composition. These characteristics can be tailored through the application of oscillatory flow technology, which provides precise mixing control of the reaction medium. Thus, in the present work, CaP/SS and CaP/SS/Ce particles were fabricated for the first time using a modular oscillatory flow plate reactor (MOFPR) in a continuous mode. Furthermore, the biological behavior of both these composites and of previously produced pure CaPs was assessed using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). It was demonstrated that both CaP based with plate-shaped nanoparticles and CaP-SS-based composites significantly improved cell viability and proliferation over time. The results obtained represent a first step towards the reinvention of CaPs for skin engineering.
Lithium Ascorbate as a Promising Neuroprotector: Fundamental and Experimental Studies of an Organic Lithium Salt
Authors: Torshin Ivan Yu. , Gromova Olga A. , Ostrenko Konstantin S. , Filimonova Marina V. , Gogoleva Irina V. , Demidov Vladimir I. , Kalacheva Alla G.
Published: March 2022

Given the observable toxicity of lithium carbonate, neuropharmacology requires effective and non-toxic lithium salts. In particular, these salts can be employed as neuroprotective agents since lithium ions demonstrate neuroprotective properties through inhibition of glycogen synthetase kinase-3β and other target proteins, increasing concentrations of endogenous neurotrofic factors. The results of theoretical and experimental studies of organic lithium salts presented here indicate their potential as neuroprotectors. Chemoreactomic modeling of lithium salts made it possible to select lithium ascorbate as a suitable candidate for further research. A neurocytological study on cerebellar granular neurons in culture under conditions of moderate glutamate stress showed that lithium ascorbate was more effective in supporting neuronal survival than chloride or carbonate, i.e., inorganic lithium salts. Biodistribution studies indicated accumulation of lithium ions in a sort of “depot”, potentially consisting of the brain, aorta, and femur. Lithium ascorbate is characterized by extremely low acute and chronic toxicity (LD50 > 5000 mg/kg) and also shows a moderate antitumor effect when used in doses studied (5 or 10 mg/kg). Studies on the model of alcohol intoxication in rats have shown that intake of lithium ascorbate in doses either 5, 10 or 30 mg/kg did not only reduced brain damage due to ischemia, but also improved the preservation of myelin sheaths of neurons.
Convective Heat Transfer Analysis for Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3)- and Ferro (Fe3O4)-Based Nano-Fluid over a Curved Stretching Sheet
Authors: Ashraf Asifa , Zhang Zhiyue , Saeed Tareq , Zeb Hussan , Munir Taj
Published: March 2022

In this work, the combined effects of velocity slip and convective heat boundary conditions on a hybrid nano-fluid over a nonlinear curved stretching surface were considered. Two kinds of fluids, namely, hybrid nano-fluid and aluminum oxide (Al2O3)- and iron oxide (Fe3O4)-based nano-fluid, were also taken into account. We transformed the governing model into a nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). For this we used the similarity transformation method. The solution of the transformed ODE system was computed via a higher-order numerical approximation scheme known as the shooting method with the Runge–Kutta method of order four (RK-4). It is noticed that the fluid velocity was reduced for the magnetic parameter, curvature parameter, and slip parameters, while the temperature declined with higher values of the magnetic parameter, Prandtl number, and convective heat transfer. Furthermore, the physical quantities of engineering interest, i.e., the behavior of the skin fraction and the Nusselt number, are presented. These behaviors are also illustrated graphically along with the numerical values in a comparison with previous work in numerical tabular form.
Scientific Evidences of Calorie Restriction and Intermittent Fasting for Neuroprotection in Traumatic Brain Injury Animal Models: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Xu Yang , Liu Zejie , Xu Shuting , Li Chengxian , Li Manrui , Cao Shuqiang , Sun Yuwen , Dai Hao , Guo Yadong , Chen Xiameng , Liang Weibo
Published: March 2022

It has widely been accepted that food restriction (FR) without malnutrition has multiple health benefits. Various calorie restriction (CR) and intermittent fasting (IF) regimens have recently been reported to exert neuroprotective effects in traumatic brain injury (TBI) through variable mechanisms. However, the evidence connecting CR or IF to neuroprotection in TBI as well as current issues remaining in this research field have yet to be reviewed in literature. The objective of our review was therefore to weigh the evidence that suggests the connection between CR/IF with recovery promotion following TBI. Medline, Google Scholar and Web of Science were searched from inception to 25 February 2022. An overwhelming number of results generated suggest that several types of CR/IF play a promising role in promoting post-TBI recovery. This recovery is believed to be achieved by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction, promoting hippocampal neurogenesis, inhibiting glial cell responses, shaping neural cell plasticity, as well as targeting apoptosis and autophagy. Further, we represent our views on the current issues and provide thoughts on the future direction of this research field.
Aging-Related Behavioral, Adiposity, and Glucose Impairments and Their Association following Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in the C57BL/6J Mouse
Authors: Smith Susan M. , Pjetri Eneda , Friday Walter B. , Presswood Brandon H. , Ricketts Dane K. , Walter Kathleen R. , Mooney Sandra M.
Published: March 2022

People that experience prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) may have behavioral and metabolic impairments, and it is unclear whether these remain stable or change with age. We assessed behavioral and metabolic endpoints across the lifespan in a mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Pregnant C57BL/6J mice received alcohol (ALC; 3 g/kg) or maltose-dextrin (control, CON) daily from embryonic day 8.5 to 17.5. Offspring were tested on accelerating rotarod, Y-maze, novel object recognition, and fear conditioning at 6 weeks and 10 and 17 months; females were also tested at 24 months. Body composition, fasting glucose, and glucose clearance were assessed at 18 months. Female but not male ALC mice had greater adiposity than age-matched CON from 7 months onward. At 18 months, male but not female ALC mice had reduced glucose clearance and ALC mice were more likely to have elevated fasting glucose. In the rotarod training session, ALC females performed worse than CON. In the Y-maze, significant exposure-age interactions affected ALC performance in both sexes versus age-match CON. For fear conditioning, all animals acquired the task and froze more at older ages. In both the context and cued tasks, there were exposure-age interactions and ALC animals frozen less than CON at 10 months. Correlation analysis revealed that fasting glucose and glucose clearance correlated with % of body fat in ALC but not in CON mice. Additionally, glucose intolerance and % body fat negatively correlated with performance in the rotarod, context learning, and novel object recognition tasks in ALC but not CON mice. All mice exhibit worsening of behavioral performance as they age, and PAE did not further exacerbate this. ALC but not CON mice displayed adiposity and glucose intolerance that correlate with their cognitive impairments, suggesting that these may be mechanistically related in PAE. Findings emphasize that FASD should be considered a whole-body disorder.
A Review of Web-Based Nutrition Information in Spanish for Cancer Patients and Survivors
Authors: Llaha Fjorida , Ribalta Alba , Arribas Lorena , Bellver Marta , Roura Elena , Guillén-Rey Núria , Megias-Rangil Isabel , Alegret-Basora Clara , Tresserra-Rimbau Anna , Zamora-Ros Raul
Published: March 2022

Nutrition education resources are of interest for cancer patients and survivors throughout the cancer continuum. We examined the web-based nutrition information in Spanish for cancer patients and survivors provided by national cancer organizations (NCOs). The Guide to Internet Resources for Cancer and the membership list of the Union for International Cancer Control were searched to identify the NCOs. The International Patients Decisions Aid Standards (IPDAS) was used to describe the quality of the available information. We identified 20 NCOs that provided nutrition information aimed at a general audience on their websites. Web-based resources of nine NCOs were selected for presentation in this review. Website scores ranged between 20 and 24 in the IPDAS scale (maximum score = 31). The selected NCOs offered reliable and safe information. Healthy eating information for cancer patients and management of side-effects was provided by all websites. Information was more limited for cancer survivors. We recommend that NCOs increase the possibilities for personalized recommendations and interaction with the content by including instrumental tools on their websites.
A High-Protein and Low-Glycemic Formula Diet Improves Blood Pressure and Other Hemodynamic Parameters in High-Risk Individuals
Authors: Röhling Martin , Kempf Kerstin , Banzer Winfried , Braumann Klaus Michael , Führer-Sakel Dagmar , Halle Martin , McCarthy David , Martin Stephan , Scholze Jürgen , Toplak Hermann , Berg Aloys , Predel Hans-Georg ,   ACOORH Study Group
Published: March 2022

Low-caloric formula diets can improve hemodynamic parameters of patients with type 2 diabetes. We, therefore, hypothesized that persons with overweight or obesity can benefit from a high-protein, low-glycemic but moderate-caloric formula diet. This post-hoc analysis of the Almased Concept against Overweight and Obesity and Related Health Risk- (ACOORH) trial investigated the impact of a lifestyle intervention combined with a formula diet (INT, n = 308) compared to a control group with lifestyle intervention alone (CON, n = 155) on hemodynamic parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), resting heart rate (HR), and pulse wave velocity (PWV)) in high-risk individuals with prehypertension or hypertension. INT replaced meals during the first 6 months (1 week: 3 meals/day; 2–4 weeks: 2 meals/day; 5–26 weeks: 1 meal/day). Study duration was 12 months. From the starting cohort, 304 (68.3%, INT: n = 216; CON: n = 101) participants had a complete dataset. Compared to CON, INT significantly reduced more SBP (−7.3 mmHg 95% CI [−9.2; −5.3] vs. −3.3 mmHg [−5.9; −0.8], p < 0.049) and DBP (−3.7 mmHg [−4.9; −2.5] vs. −1.4 mmHg [−3.1; 0.2], p < 0.028) after 12 months. Compared to CON, INT showed a pronounced reduction in resting HR and PWV after 6 months but both lost significance after 12 months. Changes in SBP, DBP, and PWV were significantly associated positively with changes in body weight and fat mass (all p < 0.05) and resting HR correlated positively with fasting insulin (p < 0.001) after 12 months. Combining a lifestyle intervention with a high-protein and low-glycemic formula diet improves hemodynamic parameters to a greater extent than lifestyle intervention alone in high-risk individuals with overweight and obesity.
Association between Serum Vitamin A, Blood Lipid Level and Dyslipidemia among Chinese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Yu Lianlong , Wang Yongjun , Yu Dongmei , Zhang Shixiu , Zheng Fengjia , Ding Ning , Zhu Lichao , Zhu Qianrang , Sun Wenkui , Li Suyun , Zhang Gaohui , Chen Liangxia , Liu Yiya , Yang Li , Feng Jian
Published: March 2022

Background: To study the relationship between serum vitamin A (VA) level and blood lipid profiles in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years, as well as the effect of VA on dyslipidemia. Methods: The project adopted a multistage stratified cluster sampling method. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to obtain dietary factors data. Blood samples of subjects were taken via venipuncture. Generalized linear models were used to explore the correlation be-tween VA and biochemical indicators, as well as stratified and inter-actions analysis to explore the influence of confounders on these relationships. Generalized linear models were constructed to explore the association between VA and blood lipids. Restricted cubic splines were used to characterize dose–response associations between serum VA and dyslipidemia based on logistic regression. Results: Serum VA was positively correlated with TC, TG and HDL-C (p < 0.05), but these associations were influenced by age (p < 0.05). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) values of VA for hypercho lesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipidemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia were 3.283, 3.239, 5.219 and 0.346, respectively (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, significant age interactions affected the relationship between VA and TC, as well as TG and LDL-C (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Serum VA was positively correlated with blood lipids, but these associations were influenced by age. VA was a risk factor for dyslipidemias, such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and mixed hyperlipidemia, but was a protective factor for low high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia.
Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Intestinal Failure Due to Short Bowel Syndrome and Intestinal Fistula
Authors: Kopczynska Maja , Carlson Gordon , Teubner Antje , Abraham Arun , Taylor Michael , Burden Sorrel T. , Hvas Christian L. , Jepsen Peter , Lal Simon
Published: March 2022

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) and enterocutaneous or enteroatmospheric fistulas are common indications for home parenteral nutrition (HPN). However, there are few data describing factors influencing surgical decision-making or outcomes particularly following fistula development. We aimed to compare outcomes between patients with SBS and fistulas and explore surgical decision-making. HPN-dependent adults from 2001–2018 at a national reference centre were included in this study. HPN cessation was analysed using death as competing risk. In total, 465 patients (SBS (62%), fistula (38%)) were included, with median HPN dependency of 2.6 years. In total, 203 patients underwent reconstructive surgery; while frailty was the commonest reason for not undergoing surgery (49.2%), 22.7% declined surgery. Overall, 170 ceased HPN, with a probability of 13.8%, 34.1% and 38.3% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Patients undergoing surgery had higher nutritional autonomy rates (109.8 incidences/1000 patient years) compared to those not undergoing surgery (18.1 incidences/1000 patient years; p < 0.001). A total of 295 patients (63.4%) were predicted to cease HPN based on gastrointestinal anatomy but only 162/295 (54.9%) achieved this; those unable to do so were older with a higher comorbidity index. There were no differences in long-term nutritional and survival outcomes or surgical decisions between patients with SBS and fistulas, or between enterocutaneous and enteroatmospheric fistulas. This study represents one of the largest datasets describing the ability of HPN-dependent patients with SBS or fistulas to achieve nutritional autonomy. While reconstructive surgery facilitates HPN cessation, approximately one-fifth of patients declined surgery despite HPN dependency. These data will better inform patient expectation and help plan alternative therapies.
Amino Acid-Related Metabolic Signature in Obese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Polidori Nella , Grasso Eleonora Agata , Chiarelli Francesco , Giannini Cosimo
Published: March 2022

The growing interest in metabolomics has spread to the search for suitable predictive biomarkers for complications related to the emerging issue of pediatric obesity and its related cardiovascular risk and metabolic alteration. Indeed, several studies have investigated the association between metabolic disorders and amino acids, in particular branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). We have performed a revision of the literature to assess the role of BCAAs in children and adolescents’ metabolism, focusing on the molecular pathways involved. We searched on Pubmed/Medline, including articles published until February 2022. The results have shown that plasmatic levels of BCAAs are impaired already in obese children and adolescents. The relationship between BCAAs, obesity and the related metabolic disorders is explained on one side by the activation of the mTORC1 complex—that may promote insulin resistance—and on the other, by the accumulation of toxic metabolites, which may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, stress kinase activation and damage of pancreatic cells. These compounds may help in the precocious identification of many complications of pediatric obesity. However, further studies are still needed to better assess if BCAAs may be used to screen these conditions and if any other metabolomic compound may be useful to achieve this goal.
Zoledronic Acid Ameliorates the Bone Turnover Activity and Periprosthetic Bone Preservation in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Hsu Allen Herng Shouh , Yen Chun-Hsien , Kuo Feng-Chih , Wu Cheng-Ta , Huang Tsan-Wen , Cheng Juei-Tang , Lee Mel S.
Published: March 2022

The administration of zoledronic acid (ZA) to patients who received cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been reported to reduce bone turnover markers (BTMs) and increase bone mineral density (BMD). The effects of two-dose ZA versus placebo on cementless THA patients were analyzed in this five-year extension study. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), procollagen 1 intact N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), serum calcium, renal function, radiological findings, and functional outcomes were compared in 49 patients, and the periprosthetic BMD of seven Gruen zones were compared in 19 patients. All the patients had normal renal function and calcium levels at their final follow-up. The mean ALP level in the ZA group was significantly lower at the fifth year, mean OC levels were significantly lower at the second and fifth year, and mean P1NP levels were significantly lower from 6 weeks to 5 years as compared with the control group. Fifth-year BMD levels were not found to be different between the ZA and control groups. The BMD Change Ratios in the ZA group were significantly increased in Gruen zone 6 at 1, 2, and 5 years. Our study results suggest that short-term ZA treatment with a subsequent 4-year drug holiday may inhibit serum BTMs and provide periprosthetic bone preservation at five years without adverse events.
Protein-Based Delivery Systems for Anticancer Metallodrugs: Structure and Biological Activity of the Oxaliplatin/β-Lactoglobulin Adduct
Authors: Monti Daria Maria , Loreto Domenico , Iacobucci Ilaria , Ferraro Giarita , Pratesi Alessandro , D’Elia Luigi , Monti Maria , Merlino Antonello
Published: March 2022

β-lactoglobulin is the major component of whey. Here, the adduct formed upon the reaction of the protein with oxaliplatin (OXA) has been prepared, structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography and electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry, and evaluated as a cytotoxic agent. The data demonstrate that OXA rapidly binds β-lactoglobulin via coordination with a Met7 side chain upon release of the oxalate ligand. The adduct is significantly more cytotoxic than the free drug and induces apoptosis in cancer cells. Overall, our results suggest that metallodrug/β-lactoglobulin adducts can be used as anticancer agents and that the protein can be used as a metallodrug delivery system.
A Comparison of Evans Blue and 4-(p-Iodophenyl)butyryl Albumin Binding Moieties on an Integrin αvβ6 Binding Peptide
Authors: Davis Ryan A. , Hausner Sven H. , Harris Rebecca , Sutcliffe Julie L.
Published: March 2022

Serum albumin binding moieties (ABMs) such as the Evans blue (EB) dye fragment and the 4-(p-iodophenyl)butyryl (IP) have been used to improve the pharmacokinetic profile of many radiopharmaceuticals. The goal of this work was to directly compare these two ABMs when conjugated to an integrin αvβ6 binding peptide (αvβ6-BP); a peptide that is currently being used for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in patients with metastatic cancer. The ABM-modified αvβ6-BP peptides were synthesized with a 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetracetic acid (DOTA) chelator for radiolabeling with copper-64 to yield [64Cu]Cu DOTA-EB-αvβ6-BP ([64Cu]1) and [64Cu]Cu DOTA-IP-αvβ6-BP ([64Cu]2). Both peptides were evaluated in vitro for serum albumin binding, serum stability, and cell binding and internalization in the paired engineered melanoma cells DX3puroβ6 (αvβ6 +) and DX3puro (αvβ6 −), and pancreatic BxPC-3 (αvβ6 +) cells and in vivo in a BxPC-3 xenograft mouse model. Serum albumin binding for [64Cu]1 and [64Cu]2 was 53–63% and 42–44%, respectively, with good human serum stability (24 h: [64Cu]1 76%, [64Cu]2 90%). Selective αvβ6 cell binding was observed for both [64Cu]1 and [64Cu]2 (αvβ6 (+) cells: 30.3–55.8% and 48.5–60.2%, respectively, vs. αvβ6 (−) cells <3.1% for both). In vivo BxPC-3 tumor uptake for both peptides at 4 h was 5.29 ± 0.59 and 7.60 ± 0.43% ID/g ([64Cu]1 and [64Cu]2, respectively), and remained at 3.32 ± 0.46 and 4.91 ± 1.19% ID/g, respectively, at 72 h, representing a >3-fold improvement over the non-ABM parent peptide and thereby providing improved PET images. Comparing [64Cu]1 and [64Cu]2, the IP-ABM-αvβ6-BP [64Cu]2 displayed higher serum stability, higher tumor accumulation, and lower kidney and liver accumulation, resulting in better tumor-to-organ ratios for high contrast visualization of the αvβ6 (+) tumor by PET imaging.
Interrogating and Quantifying In Vitro Cancer Drug Pharmacodynamics via Agent-Based and Bayesian Monte Carlo Modelling
Authors: Demetriades Marios , Zivanovic Marko , Hadjicharalambous Myrianthi , Ioannou Eleftherios , Ljujic Biljana , Vucicevic Ksenija , Ivosevic Zeljko , Dagovic Aleksandar , Milivojevic Nevena , Kokkinos Odysseas , Bauer Roman , Vavourakis Vasileios
Published: March 2022

The effectiveness of chemotherapy in cancer cell regression is often limited by drug resistance, toxicity, and neoplasia heterogeneity. However, due to the significant complexities entailed by the many cancer growth processes, predicting the impact of interference and symmetry-breaking mechanisms is a difficult problem. To quantify and understand more about cancer drug pharmacodynamics, we combine in vitro with in silico cancer models. The anti-proliferative action of selected cytostatics is interrogated on human colorectal and breast adenocarcinoma cells, while an agent-based computational model is employed to reproduce experiments and shed light on the main therapeutic mechanisms of each chemotherapeutic agent. Multiple drug administration scenarios on each cancer cell line are simulated by varying the drug concentration, while a Bayesian-based method for model parameter optimisation is employed. Our proposed procedure of combining in vitro cancer drug screening with an in silico agent-based model successfully reproduces the impact of chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer growth behaviour, while the mechanisms of action of each drug are characterised through model-derived probabilities of cell apoptosis and division. We suggest that our approach could form the basis for the prospective generation of experimentally-derived and model-optimised pharmacological variables towards personalised cancer therapy.
A New Ilarvirus Found in French Hydrangea
Authors: Parrella Giuseppe , Troiano Elisa
Published: March 2022

In this study, a new virus was identified in French hydrangea plants, exhibiting chlorotic vein banding and necrotic ring spots on older leaves. The virus was mechanically transmitted to herbaceous hosts, in which it induced local and systemic or only local symptoms. The genome of the new virus was characterized and consisted of three RNA sequences that were 3422 (RNA 1), 2905 (RNA 2) and 2299 (RNA 3) nucleotides long, with five predicted open reading frames; RNA2 was bicistronic and contained conserved domains and motifs typical of ilarviruses. The phylogenetic analysis of the predicted proteins—p1, p2a, p3a and p3b—revealed its close relationship to recognized members of subgroup 2 within the genus Ilarvirus. Homologous antiserum was effective in the detection of the virus in plant extracts and no cross reactions with two other distinct members of subgroup 2 were observed. Overall, the biological features, phylogenetic relationships and serological data suggest that this virus is a new member of the genus, for which we propose the name hydrangea vein banding virus (HdVBV).
Development of Amine-Functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks Hollow Fiber Mixed Matrix Membranes for CO2 and CH4 Separation: A Review
Authors: Sunder Naveen , Fong Yeong Yin , Bustam Mohamad Azmi , Suhaimi Nadia Hartini
Published: March 2022

CO2 separation from raw natural gas can be achieved through the use of the promising membrane-based technology. Polymeric membranes are a known method for separating CO2 but suffer from trade-offs between its permeability and selectivity. Therefore, through the use of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) which utilizes inorganic or hybrid fillers such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in polymeric matrix, the permeability and selectivity trade-off can be overcome and possibly surpass the Robeson Upper Bounds. In this study, various types of MOFs are explored in terms of its structure and properties such as thermal and chemical stability. Next, the use of amine and non-amine functionalized MOFs in MMMs development are compared in order to investigate the effects of amine functionalization on the membrane gas separation performance for flat sheet and hollow fiber configurations as reported in the literature. Moreover, the gas transport properties and various challenges faced by hollow fiber mixed matrix membranes (HFMMMs) are discussed. In addition, the utilization of amine functionalization MOF for mitigating the challenges faced is included. Finally, the future directions of amine-functionalized MOF HFMMMs are discussed for the fields of CO2 separation.
Generating High-Resolution and Long-Term SPEI Dataset over Southwest China through Downscaling EEAD Product by Machine Learning
Authors: Fu Rui , Chen Rui , Wang Changjing , Chen Xiao , Gu Hongfan , Wang Cong , Xu Baodong , Liu Guoxiang , Yin Gaofei
Published: March 2022

Drought is an event of shortages in the water supply, whether atmospheric, surface water or ground water. Prolonged droughts have negative impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, society, and the economy. Although existing drought index products are widely utilized in drought monitoring, the coarse spatial resolution greatly limits their applications on regional or local scales. Machine learning driven by remote sensing observations offers an opportunity to monitor regional scale droughts. However, the limited time range of remote sensing observations such as vegetation index (VI) resulted in a substantial gap in generating high resolution drought index products before 2000. This study generated spatiotemporally continuous Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) data spanning from 1901–2018 in southwestern China by machine learning. It indicated that four Classification and Regression Tree (CART) approaches, decision trees (DT), random forest (RF), gradient boosted regression trees (GBRT) and extra trees (ET), can provide valid local drought information by downscaling the Estación Experimental de Aula Dei (EEAD) data. The in-situ SPEI dataset produced by the Penman–Monteith method was used as a benchmark to evaluate the temporal and spatial performance of the downscaled SPEI. In addition, the necessity of VI in SPEI downscaling was also assessed. The results showed that: (1) the ET-based product has the best performance (R2 = 0.889, MAE = 0.232, RMSE = 0.432); (2) the VI provides no significant improvement for SPEI re-construction; (3) topography exerts an obvious influence on the downscaling process, and (4) the downscaled SPEI shows more consistency with the in-situ SPEI compared with EEAD SPEI. The proposed method can be easily extended to other areas without in-situ data and enhance the ability of long-term drought monitoring.
Characterizing Pulse Attenuation of Intra-Cloud and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning with E-Field Signal Measured at Multiple Stations
Authors: Wang Wenwei , Zhu Baoyou
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we analyze the waveform data of nearly 200,000 intra-cloud (IC) and cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning discharges detected by the Jianghuai Area Sferic Array on 26–29 August 2019 to investigate the propagation features of lightning electromagnetic fields. Through the analysis of variation in the electric field (E-field) signal of lightning during the actual propagation, it was found that (1) the attenuation of lightning E-field signal with distance can be fairly well described by the power-law relationship E = ar−b, and the attenuation index is b = 1.02 (for IC) and b = 1.13 (for CG); (2) under the situation of the same propagation path, the IC pulses experience less attenuation than CG pulses; and (3) through the comparison with simulations, it can be seen that the attenuation of lightning E-field pulse is affected by the conductivity of the ground surface, and according to the attenuation factor of lightning E-field strength, it can be inferred that the conductivity in the Jianghuai area ranges between 0.005 S/m and 0.01 S/m, which is in good agreement with the measured conductivity in this area. Our results suggest that lightning radiation could provide a feasible means for remotely sensing the ground conductivity.
The Contribution of Parental Factors to Adolescents’ Deviant Behaviour in South Africa: Evidence from Three Rural Communities in South Africa
Authors: Rachel Chinyakata , Roman Nicolette Vanessa , Donga Gift T.
Published: March 2022

Challenges associated with adolescents are prevalent in South African societies. During the adolescence stage, children may become involved in deviant behaviour. Although a significant number of studies have focused on the factors that contribute to adolescents’ deviant behaviour, including parental factors, there is paucity of research specifically in rural communities. This study explores the contribution of parental factors to adolescents’ deviant behaviour in rural communities in South Africa. Guided by the qualitative approach, the present study makes use of semi-structured interviews to collect data and thematic analysis to analyse data. The parental factors identified include less parental supervision, a lack of support, an absence of parental discipline, parent’s lack of concern and the inability of parents to be role models. These factors play a role in adolescent deviant behaviour, such as crime, dropping out of school and substance abuse. Therefore, by focusing on the family, especially parental behaviour, the potential to reduce adolescent deviant behaviour becomes possible. This is important in promoting the well-being of adolescents, their families and society.
Emerging Layered Materials and Their Applications in the Corrosion Protection of Metals and Alloys
Authors: Sukanya Ramaraj , Barwa Tara N. , Luo Yiran , Dempsey Eithne , Breslin Carmel B.
Published: March 2022

Metals and alloys are essential in modern society, and are used in our daily activities. However, they are prone to corrosion, with the conversion of the metal/alloy to its more thermodynamically-favored oxide/hydroxide phase. These undesirable corrosion reactions can lead to the failure of metallic components. Consequently, corrosion-protective technologies are now more important than ever, as it is essential to reduce the waste of valuable resources. In this review, we consider the role of emerging 2D materials and layered materials in the development of a corrosion protection strategy. In particular, we focus on the materials beyond graphene, and consider the role of transition metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2, MXenes, layered double hydroxides, hexagonal boron nitride and graphitic carbon nitride in the formulation of effective and protective films and coatings. Following a short introduction to the synthesis and exfoliation of the layered materials, their role in corrosion protection is described and discussed. Finally, we discuss the future applications of these 2D materials in corrosion protection.
Operation Scale, Transfer Experience, and Farmers’ Willingness toward Farmland Transfer-In: A Case Study of Rice–Crayfish Cultivating Regions in China
Authors: Guo Wenjun , Zhao Wei , Min Min
Published: March 2022

Most arable land in rural areas of China is highly fragmented, and promoting large-scale operation by means of farmland transfer is of great significance to both increase farm income and improve the ecological stability of farmland. At present, crayfish are widely popular with the consumer market, and the rice–crayfish cultivation pattern has considerable industrial advantages for water-rich plain areas. However, farmers do not have a sufficient understanding of the new model, and its application is not common enough, failing to realize the advantages of the region’s special industries. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current situation of farmland transfer in rice–crayfish cultivating regions of Hunan and Hubei, China, and employ the logistic regression model to explore the impacts of operation scale and transfer experience on farmers’ willingness toward farmland transfer-in, in order to promote the sustainable development of rice–crayfish cultivating. The results showed that: Firstly, both operation scale and transfer experience have a significant positive relevance with farmers’ willingness toward farmland transfer-in. Secondly, there are obvious differences in the impact path among large-scale, medium-scale, and small-scale rice or rice–crayfish farmers. Thirdly, the transfer-out experience is inhibitory or not significantly associated with the willingness toward farmland transfer-in. Fourthly, the transfer experience intensifies the positive influence of the expansion of operation scale on the farmers’ willingness toward farmland transfer-in. This study can provide some reference and basis for the local government to make differentiated measures according to the farmland transfer preferences of farmers with different scales and operation types, so as to promote farmers’ willingness to operate at a large scale and realize the sustainable development of the regional rice–crayfish cultivating model.
Preparation and Characterization of Apricot Kernel Shell Biochar and Its Adsorption Mechanism for Atrazine
Authors: Zhang Zhongqing , Zhou Chenhui , Yang Jingmin , Yan Bingjian , Liu Jinhua , Wang Sinan , Li Qi , Zhou Mengmeng
Published: March 2022

In this study, the preparation of apricot kernel shell biochar by a hydrothermal method and its adsorption mechanism for atrazine was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectrum (FTIR) analytical techniques. The results show that the biochar prepared from the apricot kernel shell has an evenly distributed, nonaggregated carbon microsphere structure and contains a large number of oxygen-containing groups. The higher the preparation temperature is, the more functional groups exist and the better the potential adsorption performance is. The adsorption kinetics of atrazine on apricot kernel shell biochar were fitted with a quasi-second-order kinetic equation (R2 ≥ 0.995, p < 0.05). The isothermal adsorption data were in accordance with the Freundlich model (R2 ≥ 0.911, p < 0.05). The adsorption of atrazine on apricot kernel shell biochar includes two processes: surface adsorption and diffusion. The adsorption capacity of apricot kernel shell biochar for atrazine increases with increasing preparation temperature and decreases with increasing pH and Ca2+ concentration. The adsorption mechanism includes hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Therefore, biochar prepared from apricot shells, an agricultural waste, exhibits good adsorption performance for atrazine and has a good application prospect in addressing agricultural non-point source pollution, especially in pesticide residue pollution control.