bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alhagi sparsifolia Harbors a Different Root-Associated Mycobiome during Different Development Stages
Authors: Zhang Zhihao , Chai Xutian , Gao Yanju , Zhang Bo , Lu Yan , Du Yi , Zhang Yulin , Ding Ya , Tariq Akash , Ullah Abd , Li Xiangyi , Zeng Fanjiang
Published: December 2022

The mycobiome in the rhizosphere and within the roots benefits the nutrition and function of host plants. However, compared with the bacterial community, root-associated mycobiomes of desert plants and the forces that drive their assemblage are limited. Here, we investigated the mycobiomes in bulk soil, rhizosphere, and root compartments of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap., a phreatophyte species dominating in Central Asia. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene phylogenetic profiles displayed significantly diverse mycobiomes across three compartments and host growth times, together explaining 31.45% of the variation in the community composition. The community structure of the perennial stage was markedly different from that of other stages (30 days to 2 years old). Along the soil–plant continuum, the α-diversity (estimated by Chao1) decreased gradually, while concomitantly increasing the community dissimilarity and the influence of edaphic factors. Specific leaf area, soil water content, and soil organic matter levels were common factors driving the composition of the three mycobiome communities. A more complex and connected network was observed in the root community compared with the other compartments. Overall, our work suggests that an age-sensitive host effect restructured the desert-plant-root-associated mycobiome, and that edaphic factors and host growth strategy may play potential roles in this process.
The Anti-Amoebic Activity of a Peptidomimetic against Acanthamoeba castellanii
Authors: Peguda Hari Kumar , Carnt Nicole A. , Gu Zi , Kumar Naresh , Willcox Mark D. P. , Kuppusamy Rajesh
Published: December 2022

Acanthamoeba is a free-living protozoan known to cause keratitis most commonly, especially among contact lens wearers. Treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis is challenging as Acanthamoeba can encyst from the active form, a trophozoite, into a hibernating cyst that is refractory to antibiotics and difficult to kill; therefore, there is a need for more effective anti-amoebic strategies. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-amoebic activity of the antimicrobial peptide mimic RK-758 against Acanthamoeba castellanii. RK-758 peptidomimetic was subjected to biological assays to investigate its amoebicidal, amoebistatic, anti-encystation, and anti-excystation effects on A. castellanii. The anti-amoebic activity of the peptide mimic RK-758 was compared with chlorhexidine against the Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC30868 and Acanthamoeba castellanii 044 (a clinical strain) with the concentrations of both ranging from 125 µM down to 7.81 µM. All experiments were performed in duplicate with three independent replicates. The data were represented as mean ± SE and analysed using a two-sample t-test and two-tailed distributions. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The peptidomimetic RK-758 had anti-Acanthamoeba activity against both trophozoites and cysts in a dose-dependent manner. The RK-758 had amoebicidal and growth inhibitory activities of ≥50% at a concentration between 125 µM and 15.6 µM against the trophozoites of both Acanthamoeba strains. Inhibitory effects on the cyst formation and trophozoite re-emergence from cysts were noted at similar concentrations. Chlorhexidine had 50% activity at 7.81 µM and above against the trophozoites and cysts of both strains. In the haemolysis assay, the RK-758 lysed horse RBCs at concentrations greater than 50 µM whereas lysis occurred at concentrations greater than 125 µM for the chlorhexidine. The peptidomimetic RK-758, therefore, has activity against both the trophozoite and cyst forms of Acanthamoeba and has the potential to be further developed as an anti-microbial agent against Acanthamoeba. RK-758 may also have use as an anti-amoebic disinfectant in contact lens solutions.
Species-Specific Duplication of Surface Antigen Genes in Paramecium
Authors: Pirritano Marcello , Yakovleva Yulia , Potekhin Alexey , Simon Martin
Published: December 2022

Paramecium is a free-living ciliate that undergoes antigenic variation and still the functions of these variable surface antigen coats in this non-pathogenic ciliate remain elusive. Only a few surface antigen genes have been described, mainly in the two model species P. tetraurelia strain 51 and P. primaurelia strain 156. Given the lack of suitable sequence data to allow for phylogenetics and deeper sequence comparisons, we screened the genomes of six different Paramecium species for serotype genes and isolated 548 candidates. Our approach identified the subfamilies of the isogenes of individual serotypes that were mostly represented by intrachromosomal gene duplicates. These showed different duplication levels, and chromosome synteny suggested rather young duplication events after the emergence of the P. aurelia species complex, indicating a rapid evolution of surface antigen genes. We were able to identify the different subfamilies of the surface antigen genes with internal tandem repeats, which showed consensus motifs across species. The individual isogene families showed additional consensus motifs, indicating that the selection pressure holds individual amino acids constant in these repeats. This may be a hint of the receptor function of these antigens rather than a presentation of random epitopes, generating the variability of these surface molecules.
Generation and Utilization of a Monoclonal Antibody against Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein for a Comprehensive Interactome Analysis
Authors: Nakai Yusuke , Miyakawa Kei , Yamaoka Yutaro , Hatayama Yasuyoshi , Nishi Mayuko , Suzuki Hidefumi , Kimura Hirokazu , Takahashi Hidehisa , Kimura Yayoi , Ryo Akihide
Published: December 2022

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (HBc) is a structural protein that forms the viral nucleocapsid and is involved in various steps of the viral replication cycle, but its role in the pathogenesis of HBV infection is still elusive. In this study, we generated a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) against HBc and used it in antibody-based in situ biotinylation analysis in order to identify host proteins that interact with HBc. HBc antigen was produced with a wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system and used to immunize mice. Among the established hybridoma clones, a single clone (mAb #7) was selected and further characterized for its ability in the antibody-based in situ biotinylation analysis to collect host proteins that are in the vicinity of HBc. Using mass spectrometry, we identified 215 HBc-interacting host proteins, three of which bind HBc most significantly under hypoxic conditions. Our results indicate that mAb #7 can be used to systematically identify host proteins that interact with HBc under pathophysiological conditions, and thus may be useful to explore the molecular pathways involved in HBV-induced cytopathogenesis.
Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in Immune-Related Diseases
Authors: Effendi Raden Mohamad Rendy Ariezal , Anshory Muhammad , Kalim Handono , Dwiyana Reiva Farah , Suwarsa Oki , Pardo Luba M. , Nijsten Tamar E. C. , Thio Hok Bing
Published: December 2022

Probiotics and synbiotics are used to treat chronic illnesses due to their roles in immune system modulation and anti-inflammatory response. They have been shown to reduce inflammation in a number of immune-related disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD). Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii) are two different types of bacteria that play a significant part in this function. It has been established that Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium are abundant in normal populations and have protective benefits on digestive health while also enhancing the immune system, metabolism, and gut barrier of the host. They have the potential to be a therapeutic target in diseases connected to the microbiota, such as immunological disorders and cancer immunotherapy. There has not been a review of the anti-inflammatory effects of Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium, particularly in immunological diseases. In this review, we highlight the most recent scientific findings regarding A. muciniphila and F. prausnitzii as two significant gut microbiota for microbiome alterations and seek to provide cutting-edge insight in terms of microbiome-targeted therapies as promising preventive and therapeutic tools in immune-related diseases and cancer immunotherapy.
Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance with Novel Paradigms of Antibiotic Selection
Authors: Tetz George , Tetz Victor
Published: December 2022

Conventional antimicrobial susceptibility tests, including phenotypic and genotypic methods, are insufficiently accurate and frequently fail to identify effective antibiotics. These methods predominantly select therapies based on the antibiotic response of only the lead bacterial pathogen within pure bacterial culture. However, this neglects the fact that, in the majority of human infections, the lead bacterial pathogens are present as a part of multispecies communities that modulate the response of these lead pathogens to antibiotics and that multiple pathogens can contribute to the infection simultaneously. This discrepancy is a major cause of the failure of antimicrobial susceptibility tests to detect antibiotics that are effective in vivo. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the factors that are missed by conventional antimicrobial susceptibility tests and it explains how accounting for these methods can aid the development of novel diagnostic approaches.
Antifungal Potential of Capsaicinoids and Capsinoids from the Capsicum Genus for the Safeguarding of Agrifood Production: Advantages and Limitations for Environmental Health
Authors: Costa Jéssica , Sepúlveda Marcela , Gallardo Víctor , Cayún Yasna , Santander Christian , Ruíz Antonieta , Reyes Marjorie , Santos Carla , Cornejo Pablo , Lima Nelson , Santos Cledir
Published: December 2022

Opportunistic pathogenic fungi arise in agricultural crops as well as in surrounding human daily life. The recent increase in antifungal-resistant strains has created the need for new effective antifungals, particularly those based on plant secondary metabolites, such as capsaicinoids and capsinoids produced by Capsicum species. The use of such natural compounds is well-aligned with the One Health approach, which tries to find an equilibrium among people, animals, and the environment. Considering this, the main objective of the present work is to review the antifungal potential of capsaicinoids and capsinoids, and to evaluate the environmental and health impacts of biofungicides based on these compounds. Overall, capsaicinoids and their analogues can be used to control pathogenic fungi growth in plant crops, as eco-friendly alternatives to pest management, and assist in the conservation and long-term storage of agrifood products. Their application in different stages of the agricultural and food production chains improves food safety, nutritional value, and overcomes antimicrobial resistance, with a lower associated risk to humans, animals, and the environment than that of synthetic fungicides and pesticides. Nevertheless, research on the effect of these compounds on bee-like beneficial insects and the development of new preservatives and packaging materials is still necessary.
A Study of Respirable Silica in Underground Coal Mines: Particle Characteristics
Authors: Keles Cigdem , Sarver Emily
Published: December 2022

Respirable crystalline silica is now considered to be a major culprit of resurgent lung disease among US coal miners—especially in central Appalachia—though questions remain regarding the specific circumstances around exposure to it. As part of a larger investigation of dust in 15 US coal mines, a recent study examined the silica content in both the respirable mine dust samples and the samples of respirable dust generated in the laboratory from primary source materials (i.e., coal and rock strata and rock dusting products). It concluded the rock strata that is being drilled for roof bolting or is being cut along with the coal is the most significant source of respirable silica in many mines, which is consistent with the expectations based on other scattered datasets. However, little information is available on the characteristics of respirable silica particles which might be important for understanding the exposure risks better. In the current study, which represents another part of the aforementioned investigation in 15 mines, scanning electron microcopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) were used to analyze the size and surface condition (i.e., degree of surface-associated clay) of 1685 silica particles identified in 58 respirable mine dust samples. The results indicated that silica is typically finer in locations nearby to drilling and cutting activities than it is in other locations within a mine, but the silica in the Central Appalachian mines is not necessarily finer than it is in the mines in other regions. An analysis of the particle surfaces revealed that respirable silica in coal mines often does not occur as “free”, high-purity particles. Rather, there can be a range of occurrences including silica particles having a thin “occlusion” layer of clay, silica within agglomerates that can also contain other particle types including clays, or even silica ingrained within other particles such as coal.
Orbital Modulation with P Doping Improves Acid and Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction of MoS2
Authors: Dong Fuyu , Zhang Minghao , Xu Xiaoyong , Pan Jing , Zhu Liyan , Hu Jingguo
Published: December 2022

There has been great interest in developing and designing economical, stable and highly active electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) via water splitting in an aqueous solution at different pH values. Transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), e.g., MoS2, are identified to be promising catalysts for the HER due to the limited active sites at their edges, while the large basal plane of MoS2 is inert and shows poor performance in electrocatalytic hydrogen production. We theoretically propose orbital modulation to improve the HER performance of the basal plane of MoS2 through non-metal P doping. The substitutional doping of P provides empty 3pz orbitals, perpendicular to the basal plane, can enhance the hydrogen adsorption for acid HER and can promote water dissociation for alkaline HER, which creates significant active sites and enhances the electronic conductivity as well. In addition, 3P-doped MoS2 exhibits excellent HER catalytic activity with ideal free energy at acid media and low reaction-barrier energy in alkaline media. Thus, the doping of P could significantly boost the HER activity of MoS2 in such conditions. Our study suggests an effective strategy to tune HER catalytic activity of MoS2 through orbital engineering, which should also be feasible for other TMDC-based electrocatalysts.
Study of the Cu(111) Surface by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: The Morphology Evolution, Reconstructions, Superstructures and Line Defects
Authors: Qu Zhaochen , Wang Xiaodan , Shen Xiangqian , Zhou Hua
Published: December 2022

The Cu(111) surface is an important substrate for catalysis and the growth of 2D materials, but a comprehensive understanding of the preparation and formation of well-ordered and atomically clean Cu(111) surfaces is still lacking. In this work, the morphology and structure changes of the Cu(111) surface after treatment by ion bombardment and annealing with a temperature range of 300–720 °C are investigated systematically by using in situ low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. With the increase of annealing temperature, the surface morphology changes from corrugation to straight edge, the number of screw dislocations changes from none to numerous, and the surface atomic structure changes from disordered to ordered structures (with many reconstructions). In addition, the changing trend of step width and step height in different stages is different (first increased and then decreased). A perfect Cu(111) surface with a step height of one atom layer (0.21 nm) and a width of more than 150 nm was obtained. In addition, two interesting superstructures and a new surface phase with a large number of line defects were found. This work serves as a strong foundation for understanding the properties of Cu(111) surface, and it also provides important guidance for the effective pretreatment of Cu(111) substrates, which are widely used.
How Alpha Linolenic Acid May Sustain Blood–Brain Barrier Integrity and Boost Brain Resilience against Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Leikin-Frenkel Alicia , Schnaider Beeri Michal , Cooper Itzik
Published: December 2022

Cognitive decline, the primary clinical phenotype of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is currently attributed mainly to amyloid and tau protein deposits. However, a growing body of evidence is converging on brain lipids, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, as crucial players involved in AD development. The critical role of lipids metabolism in the brain and its vascular barrier, and its constant modifications particularly throughout AD development, warrants investigation of brain lipid metabolism as a high value therapeutic target. Yet, there is limited knowledge on the biochemical and structural roles of lipids in BBB functionality in AD. Within this framework, we hypothesize that the ApoE4 genotype, strongly linked to AD risk and progression, may be related to altered fatty acids composition in the BBB. Interestingly, alpha linolenic acid (ALA), the precursor of the majoritarian brain component docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), emerges as a potential novel brain savior, acting via BBB functional improvements, and this may be primarily relevant to ApoE4 carriers.
Alignment of Nutri-Score with Mediterranean Diet Pyramid: A Food Level Analysis
Authors: Vlassopoulos Antonis , Katidi Alexandra , Savvidou Tereza , Kapsokefalou Maria
Published: December 2022

The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been incorporated as a healthy diet pattern in food-based dietary guidelines of countries all over Europe and the world. Testing the alignment of Nutri-Score with the MD Pyramid is a key step in ensuring that future food-level policies will not be conflicting with existing dietary guidelines. All foods available (n = 4002) in the HelTH database, were classified as eligible or not for inclusion in the MD and they were ranked in their respective tier in the food pyramid following two pyramid schemes, the 1995 traditional and 2020 sustainable MD pyramids. For all foods, Nutri-Score was calculated both as the continuous FSAm-NPS score and its categorical outcome—Nutri-Score grades—and their distribution across the MD pyramid tiers was used as a measure of alignment between the MD and the Nutri-Score algorithm. Only 25% of all foods were eligible under the traditional MD, while the sustainable MD covered ~58% of all foods. For both pyramids, Nutri-Score was successful in clearly separating the foods at the top and the bottom of the pyramids (Nutri-Score Mode “D” or “E” for the top tiers and “A” for the bottom tiers), thus suggesting a good alignment between the two. Good discriminatory capacity was also seen within each tier.
Nongenomic Activities of Vitamin D
Authors: Żmijewski Michał A.
Published: December 2022

Vitamin D shows a variety of pleiotropic activities which cannot be fully explained by the stimulation of classic pathway- and vitamin D receptor (VDR)-dependent transcriptional modulation. Thus, existence of rapid and nongenomic responses to vitamin D was suggested. An active form of vitamin D (calcitriol, 1,25(OH)2D3) is an essential regulator of calcium–phosphate homeostasis, and this process is tightly regulated by VDR genomic activity. However, it seems that early in evolution, the production of secosteroids (vitamin-D-like steroids) and their subsequent photodegradation served as a protective mechanism against ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress. Consequently, direct cell-protective activities of vitamin D were proven. Furthermore, calcitriol triggers rapid calcium influx through epithelia and its uptake by a variety of cells. Subsequently, protein disulfide-isomerase A3 (PDIA3) was described as a membrane vitamin D receptor responsible for rapid nongenomic responses. Vitamin D was also found to stimulate a release of secondary massagers and modulate several intracellular processes—including cell cycle, proliferation, or immune responses—through wingless (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SSH), STAT1-3, or NF-kappaB pathways. Megalin and its coreceptor, cubilin, facilitate the import of vitamin D complex with vitamin-D-binding protein (DBP), and its involvement in rapid membrane responses was suggested. Vitamin D also directly and indirectly influences mitochondrial function, including fusion–fission, energy production, mitochondrial membrane potential, activity of ion channels, and apoptosis. Although mechanisms of the nongenomic responses to vitamin D are still not fully understood, in this review, their impact on physiology, pathology, and potential clinical applications will be discussed.
Human Milk Oligosaccharides as Potential Antibiofilm Agents: A Review
Authors: Bhowmik Ankurita , Chunhavacharatorn Phatchada , Bhargav Sharanya , Malhotra Akshit , Sendrayakannan Akalya , Kharkar Prashant , Nirmal Nilesh , Chauhan Ashwini
Published: December 2022

Surface-associated bacterial communities called biofilms are ubiquitous in nature. Biofilms are detrimental in medical settings due to their high tolerance to antibiotics and may alter the final pathophysiological outcome of many healthcare-related infections. Several innovative prophylactic and therapeutic strategies targeting specific mechanisms and/or pathways have been discovered and exploited in the clinic. One such emerging and original approach to dealing with biofilms is the use of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are the third most abundant solid component in human milk after lactose and lipids. HMOs are safe to consume (GRAS status) and act as prebiotics by inducing the growth and colonization of gut microbiota, in addition to strengthening the intestinal epithelial barrier, thereby protecting from pathogens. Moreover, HMOs can disrupt biofilm formation and inhibit the growth of specific microbes. In the present review, we summarize the potential of HMOs as antibacterial and antibiofilm agents and, hence, propose further investigations on using HMOs for new-age therapeutic interventions.
CRISPR-Cas System: A Tool to Eliminate Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Kundar Rajeshwari , Gokarn Karuna
Published: December 2022

Rapidly emerging drug-resistant superbugs, especially Gram-negative bacteria, pose a serious threat to healthcare systems all over the globe. Newer strategies are being developed to detect and overcome the arsenal of weapons that these bacteria possess. The development of antibiotics is time-consuming and may not provide full proof of action on evolving drug-resistant pathogens. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) systems are promising in curbing drug-resistant bacteria. This review focuses on the pathogenesis of Gram-negative bacteria, emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance, and their treatment failures. It also draws attention to the present status of the CRISPR-Cas system in diagnosisand treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Lipid–Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles for mRNA Delivery to Dendritic Cells: Impact of Lipid Composition on Performance in Different Media
Authors: Kliesch Lena , Delandre Simon , Gabelmann Aljoscha , Koch Marcus , Schulze Kai , Guzmán Carlos A. , Loretz Brigitta , Lehr Claus-Michael
Published: December 2022

To combine the excellent transfection properties of lipids with the high stability of polymeric nanoparticles, we designed a hybrid system with a polymeric core surrounded by a shell of different lipids. The aim is to use this technology for skin vaccination purposes where the transfection of dendritic cells is crucial. Based on a carrier made of PLGA and the positively charged lipid DOTMA, we prepared a panel of nanocarriers with increasing amounts of the zwitterionic phospholipid DOPE in the lipid layer to improve their cell tolerability. We selected a nomenclature accordingly with numbers in brackets to represent the used mol% of DOPE and DOTMA in the lipid layer, respectively. We loaded mRNA onto the surface and assessed the mRNA binding efficacy and the degree of protection against RNases. We investigated the influence of the lipid composition on the toxicity, uptake and transfection in the dendritic cell line DC 2.4 challenging the formulations with different medium supplements like fetal calf serum (FCS) and salts. After selecting the most promising candidate, we performed an immune stimulation assay with primary mouse derived dendritic cells. The experiments showed that all tested lipid–polymer nanoparticles (LPNs) have comparable hydrodynamic parameters with sizes between 200 and 250 nm and are able to bind mRNA electrostatically due to their positive zetapotential (20–40 mV for most formulations). The more of DOPE we add, the more free mRNA we find and the better the cellular uptake reaching approx. 100% for LPN(60/40)–LPN(90/10). This applies for all tested formulations leading to LPN(70/30) with the best performance, in terms of 67% of live cells with protein expression. In that case, the supplements of the medium did not influence the transfection efficacy (56% vs. 67% (suppl. medium) for live cells and 63% vs. 71% in total population). We finally confirmed this finding using mouse derived primary immune cells. We can conclude that a certain amount of DOTMA in the lipid coating of the polymer core is essential for complexation of the mRNA, but the zwitterionic phospholipid DOPE is also important for the particles’ performance in supplemented media.
3D Printing of Paracetamol Suppositories: An Automated Manufacturing Technique for Individualized Therapy
Authors: Domsta Vanessa , Krause Julius , Weitschies Werner , Seidlitz Anne
Published: December 2022

Pharmaceutical compounding using the molding technique is the currently applied method for the on-demand manufacturing of suppositories and pessaries. Potential errors of this method are difficult to detect, and the possibilities of individualization of size and shape of the suppositories are limited. In this study, a syringe-based semi-solid 3D printing technique was developed for the manufacturing of suppositories in three different printing designs with the suppository bases polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hard fat (HF). The 3D printed suppositories were analyzed for their visual appearance, uniformity of mass and content, diametrical dimension, breaking force and release behavior and compared to suppositories of the same composition prepared by a commonly used molding technique. The results showed no adverse properties for the 3D printed suppositories compared to the molded ones. Moreover, the easy adaptation of shape using the 3D printing technique was demonstrated by the printing of different sizes and infill structures. Thus, 3D printing has great potential to complement the available manufacturing methods for compounded suppositories, as it represents an automated system for the individualized manufacturing of suppositories that meet patients’ needs.
Thrombin and Factor Xa Hydrolysis of Chromogenic Substrates in the Presence of Sulfated Derivatives of Galactomannan and Galactoglucomannan Natural Gels
Authors: Drozd Natalia N. , Kuznetsova Svetlana A. , Malyar Yuriy N. , Kazachenko Aleksandr S. , Borovkova Valentina S. , Berezhnaya Yarosvala D.
Published: December 2022

Polysaccharides are important structural components of all plant species. Gel-like polysaccharides have found wide application in various fields, including medicine, construction, and the food industry. In the present work, galactomannan and galactoglucomannan gel-like polysaccharides were modified with sulfate groups and their anticoagulant activity was studied. Sulfation with chlorosulfonic acid in pyridine and with sulfamic acid in pyridine and a sulfamic acid–urea deep eutectic solvent were used as synthesis routes. The resulting gel-like polysaccharide sulfates were studied by elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. It was established that the anticoagulant effect of sulfated galactoglucomannan (SGGM) and galactomannan (SGM-1 and SGM-2) is related to an independent antithrombin-independent decrease in the amidolytic activity of thrombin and factor Xa. It is shown that the inhibitory activity of SGGM and SGM-2 against the collagen-induced platelet aggregation can be an additional factor in selecting compounds that are most promising for modifying polymer surfaces to ensure resistance to blood clotting.
Attitudes of Community Pharmacy Service Users towards Vaccination Programs in Pharmacy: A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study in Croatia
Authors: Rusic Doris , Nanasi Doris , Bozic Josko , Jurcev Savicevic Anamarija , Leskur Dario , Seselja Perisin Ana , Modun Darko , Vilovic Marino , Bukic Josipa
Published: December 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to explore community pharmacy service users’ attitudes and opinions towards vaccination programs in pharmacy conducted by a doctor of medicine or a pharmacist. Methods: The questionnaire used in this study comprised 40 items about demographics, sources of information, attitudes about vaccination, attitudes about vaccination in community pharmacies, and willingness to pay for such a service. Results: A total of 385 people participated in this study. Injection was the preferred route of administration of vaccine for more than half of study participants (50.6%). Univariate analysis showed that those who had a healthcare worker as a family member and those familiar with the HPV vaccine had better attitudes; however, those results were no longer significant after factoring in other variables in multivariate analysis. More than half (59.2%) of the study population would consider vaccination service in community pharmacies only if it were free or covered by the national health insurance. Conclusions: More than half of the participants believed that providing vaccination services in community pharmacies would result in greater vaccination rates for seasonal illnesses. However, around half would prefer that it were conducted exclusively by a physician. Less than 10% of the study participants would pay out of their pocket for such a service.
Exploring the Plant Growth-Promotion of Four Streptomyces Strains from Rhizosphere Soil to Enhance Cucumber Growth and Yield
Authors: Omar Ayman F. , Abdelmageed Adil H. A. , Al-Turki Ahmad , Abdelhameid Noha M. , Sayyed R. Z. , Rehan Medhat
Published: December 2022

The genus Streptomyces is the most abundant and essential microbes in the soil microbial community. Streptomyces are familiar and have great potential to produce a large variety of bioactive compounds. This genus considers an efficient biofertilizer based on its plant growth-promoting activities. Based on their ability to produce a wide varieties of bioactive molecules, the present study aimed to explore the potential plant growth promotion of four Streptomyces strains and their role in enhancing cucumber growth and yield under greenhouse conditions. Streptomyces sp. strain HM2, Streptomyces thinghirensis strain HM3, Streptomyces sp. strain HM8, and Streptomyces tricolor strain HM10 were chosen for the current study. Plant growth-promoting (PGP) features, i.e., indole acetic acid (IAA) production, siderophore excretion, and solubilizing phosphate, were evaluated in vitro. All four strains produced IAA, siderophore, and immobilized inorganic phosphate. Following 4 days of incubation at 30 °C, strains HM2, HM3, HM8, and HM10 produced copious amounts of IAA (18, 22, 62, and 146 µg/mL, respectively) and siderophores (42.59, 40.01, 16.84, 64.14% SU, respectively). At the same time, P solubilization efficacy scored 64.3%, 84.4%, 57.2%, and 81.6% with the same frequency. During in planta evaluation, selected Streptomyces strains combined with rock phosphate were assessed as biofertilizers on the growth and yield of cucumber plants. Under all treatments, positive and significant differences in studied traits were manifested except dry stem matter (SDM), net assimilation rate (NAR), relative growth rate (RGR), and fruit firmness (FF). Treatment T4 (rock phosphate + strain HM3) followed by T5 (rock phosphate + strain HM8) revealed the best results for plant height (PH), number of leaves per plant (NLPP), root length (RL), number of fruits per plant (NFPP), fruit length (FL), fruit diameter (FD), fruit fresh weight per plant (FFWPP), soil P (SP) after 21 DAT, and soil P at the end of the experiment. Notably, T6 (rock phosphate + strain HM10) caused a considerable increase in leaf area (LA). Plant growth-promoting bacteria enhance plant growth and yield through phosphorus solubilizing, improve nutrient availability, produce phytohormones, and support plant growth under abiotic stress. These features are important for sustainable agriculture and reducing environmental pollution with chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Elicitation of Hyoscyamine Production in Datura stramonium L. Plants Using Tobamoviruses
Authors: Mihálik Daniel , Hančinský Richard , Kaňuková Šarlota , Mrkvová Michaela , Kraic Ján
Published: December 2022

Datura stramonium L. produces tropane alkaloids, and the hyoscyamine is dominant among them. Hyoscyamine is produced by hairy root cultures in vitro derived from native plants or plants with the genetically modified biosynthetic pathway for hyoscyamine. A common procedure is extraction from cultivated plants. Elicitors for increased production can be used in both cases. Live viruses are not well known for use as elicitors, therefore, D. stramonium plants grown in soil were artificially infected with the tobamoviruses Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), and Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Differences in the content of hyoscyamine were between capsules and roots of infected and non-infected plants. Elicitation increased content of hyoscyamine in capsules 1.23–2.34 times, compared to the control. The most effective viruses were PMMoV and ToMV (isolate PV143), which increased content to above 19 mg/g of fresh weight of a capsule. The effect of each virus elicitor was expressed also in hyoscyamine content in roots. Elicited plants contained 5.41–16.54 times more hyoscyamine in roots compared to non-elicited plants. The most effective elicitor was ToMV SL-1, which raised production above 20 mg/g fresh weight of roots. It has been shown that tobamoviruses can be used as biotic elicitors.
Evaluation of Two Active System Encapsulant Matrices with Quercetin and Bacillus clausii for Functional Foods
Authors: Enciso-Huerta Hector Alfonso , Ruiz-Cabrera Miguel Angel , Lopez-Martinez Laura Araceli , Gonzalez-Garcia Raul , Martinez-Gutierrez Fidel , Saavedra-Leos Maria Zenaida
Published: December 2022

Currently, demand for functional foods is increasing in the public interest in order to improve life expectations and general health. Food matrices containing probiotic microorganisms and active compounds encapsulated into carrier agents are essential in this context. Encapsulation via the lyophilisation method is widely used because oxidation reactions that affect physicochemical and nutritional food properties are usually avoided. Encapsulated functional ingredients, such as quercetin and Bacillus clausii, using two carrier agents’ matrices—I [inulin (IN), lactose (L) and maltodextrin (MX)] and II [arabic (A), guar (G), and xanthan (X) gums)]—are presented in this work. A D-optimal procedure involving 59 experiments was designed to evaluate each matrix’s yield, viability, and antioxidant activity (AA). Matrix I (33.3 IN:33.3 L:33.3 MX) and matrix II (33.3 A:33.3 G:33.3 X) exhibited the best yield; viability of 9.7 log10 CFU/g and 9.73 log10 CFU/g was found in matrix I (using a ratio of 33.3 IN:33.3 L:33.3 MX) and matrix II (50 G:50 X), respectively. Results for the antioxidant capacity of matrix I (100 IN:0 L:0M X) and matrix II (0 A:50 G:50 X) were 58.75 and 55.54 (DPPH* scavenging activity (10 µg/mL)), respectively. Synergy between matrices I and II with use of 100IN:0L:OMX and 0A:50G:50X resulted in 55.4 log10 CFU/g viability values; the antioxidant capacity was 9. 52 (DPPH* scavenging activity (10 µg/mL). The present work proposes use of a carrier agent mixture to produce a functional ingredient with antioxidant and probiotic properties that exceed the minimum viability, 6.0 log10 CFU/g, recommended by the FAO/WHO (2002) to be probiotic, and that contributes to the recommended daily quercetin intake of 10–16 mg/day or inulin intake of 10–20 g/day and dietary fibre intake of 25–38 g per day.
Sustainable Sheep Wool/Soy Protein Biocomposites for Sound Absorption
Authors: Urdanpilleta Marta , Leceta Itsaso , Guerrero Pedro , de la Caba Koro
Published: December 2022

The wool fibers of the Latxa sheep breed were combined with a soy protein isolate (SPI) matrix to develop sustainable biocomposites with acoustic properties, adding value to Latxa sheep wool, which is currently considered a residue. Samples with 7, 10, 15, and 20 wt % wool were prepared by freeze drying in order to develop porous structures, as shown by SEM analysis. Additionally, XRD analysis provided the evidence of a change toward a more amorphous structure with the incorporation of wool fibers due to the interactions between the soy protein and keratin present in wool fibers, as shown by the relative intensity changes in the FTIR bands. The biocomposites were analyzed in a Kundt’s tube to obtain their sound absorption coefficient at normal incidence. The results showed an acoustic absorption coefficient that well-surpassed 0.9 for frequencies above 1000 Hz. This performance is comparable to that of the conventional synthetic materials present in the market and, thus, sheep wool/SPI biocomposites are suitable to be used as acoustic absorbers in the building industry, highlighting the potential of replacing not only synthetic fibers but also synthetic polymers, with natural materials to enhance the sustainability of the building sector.
High-Pressure Depolymerization of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) Using Bio-Based Solvents: A Way to Produce Alkyl Esters Which Can Be Modified to Polymerizable Monomers
Authors: Jašek Vojtěch , Fučík Jan , Ivanová Lucia , Veselý Dominik , Figalla Silvestr , Mravcova Ludmila , Sedlacek Petr , Krajčovič Jozef , Přikryl Radek
Published: December 2022

The polyesters poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) used in various applications such as food packaging or 3D printing were depolymerized by biobased aliphatic alcohols—methanol and ethanol with the presence of para-toluenesulphonic acid (p-TSA) as a catalyst at a temperature of 151 °C. It was found that the fastest depolymerization is reached using methanol as anucleophile for the reaction with PLA, resulting in the value of reaction rate constant (k) of 0.0425 min−1 and the yield of methyl lactate of 93.8% after 120 min. On the other hand, the value of constant k for the depolymerization of PHB in the presence of ethanol reached 0.0064 min−1 and the yield of ethyl 3-hydroxybutyrate was of 76.0% after 240 min. A kinetics study of depolymerization was performed via LC–MS analysis of alkyl esters of lactic acid and 3-hydroxybutanoic acid. The structure confirmation of the products was performed via FT-IR, MS, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. Synthesized alkyl lactates and 3-hydroxybutyrates were modified into polymerizable molecules using methacrylic anhydride as a reactant and potassium 2-ethylhexanoate as a catalyst at a temperature of 80 °C. All alkyl esters were methacrylated for 24 h, guaranteeing the quantitative yield (which in all cases reached values equal to or of more than 98%). The methacrylation rate constants (k′) were calculated to compare the reaction kinetics of each alkyl ester. It was found that lactates reach afaster rate of reaction than 3-hydroxybutyrates. The value of k′ for themethacrylated methyl lactate reached 0.0885 dm3/(mol·min). Opposite to this result, methacrylated ethyl 3-hydroxybutyrate’s constant k′ was 0.0075 dm3/(mol·min). The reaction rate study was conducted by the GC-FID method and the structures were confirmed via FT-IR, MS, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR.
Stereolithography of Semiconductor Silver and Acrylic-Based Nanocomposites
Authors: Valencia Luisa M. , Herrera Miriam , de la Mata María , Hernández-Saz Jesús , Romero-Ocaña Ismael , Delgado Francisco J. , Benito Javier , Molina Sergio I.
Published: December 2022

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) attract the attention of researchers and industry because of their potential properties in widespread fields. Specifically, electrically conductive and semiconductor PNCs are gaining interest as promising materials for biomedical, optoelectronic and sensing applications, among others. Here, metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are extensively used as nanoadditives to increase the electrical conductivity of mere acrylic resin. As the in situ formation of metallic NPs within the acrylic matrix is hindered by the solubility of the NP precursors, we propose a method to increase the density of Ag NPs by using different intermediate solvents, allowing preparation of Ag/acrylic resin nanocomposites with improved electrical behaviour. We fabricated 3D structures using stereolithography (SLA) by dissolving different quantities of metal precursor (AgClO4) in methanol and in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and adding these solutions to the acrylic resin. The high density of Ag NPs obtained notably increases the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites, reaching the semiconductor regime. We analysed the effect of the auxiliary solvents during the printing process and the implications on the mechanical properties and the degree of cure of the fabricated nanocomposites. The good quality of the materials prepared by this method turn these nanocomposites into promising candidates for electronic applications.
Evaluating the Hydrus-1D Model Optimized by Remote Sensing Data for Soil Moisture Simulations in the Maize Root Zone
Authors: Yu Jingxin , Wu Yong , Xu Linlin , Peng Junhuan , Chen Guangfeng , Shen Xin , Lan Renping , Zhao Chunjiang , Zhangzhong Lili
Published: December 2022

The Hydrus-1D model is widely used for soil water content (SWC) simulations, wherein the exact configuration of soil hydraulic parameters is key to accuracy. To assess the feasibility of using “low-cost” multi-source remote sensing data to optimize the parameters of the Hydrus-1D model, five types of soil hydrodynamic parameter acquisition methods were designed for comparative evaluation, including the use of default parameters for soil texture types (DSHP), predictions from three and five soil mechanical composition parameters (NNP3/NNP5), inverse solutions from measured historical data (ISHD), and innovative introduction of historical remote sensing data (ERA-5 land reanalysis information and MODIS LAI products) instead of ground measured data for the inverse solution (ISRS). Two spring maize crops were planted in Beijing, China, in 2021 and 2022. Meteorological, soil, and crop data were collected as real measurements of the true values during the growth period. The boundary flux characteristics of the model simulation results were analyzed. The accuracy differences in the five approaches were compared from three perspectives: overall root zone, growth stage, and soil depth. The results showed that (1) evapotranspiration was the main pathway for soil water depletion in the root zone of maize; the actual total evapotranspiration accounted for 68.26 and 69.43% of the total precipitation in 2012 and 2022, respectively. (2) The accuracy of the SWC simulations in the root zone was acceptable for different approaches in the following order: NNP5 (root mean squared error (RMSE) = 5.47%) > ISRS (RMSE = 5.48%) > NNP3 (RMSE = 5.66%) > ISHD (RMSE = 5.68%) > DSHP (RMSE = 6.57%). The ISRS approach based on remote sensing data almost achieved the best performance while effectively reducing the workload and cost. (3) The accuracy of the SWC simulation at different growth stages was ranked as follows: seedling stage (mean absolute error (MAE) = 3.29%) > tassel stage (MAE = 4.68%) > anthesis maturity stage (MAE = 5.52%). (4) All approaches’ simulation errors exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing soil depth. The ISHD approach, based on the measured data, achieved the best performance at a depth of 60 cm (MAE = 2.8%). The Hydrus-1D model optimized using multi-source remote sensing data can effectively simulate SWC in the maize root zone with low working cost, which is significant for applications in areas where it is difficult to obtain field soil hydrodynamic property parameters to simulate SWC at a global scale.
IOAM: A Novel Sensor Fusion-Based Wearable for Localization and Mapping
Authors: Wu Renjie , Lee Boon Giin , Pike Matthew , Zhu Linzhen , Chai Xiaoqing , Huang Liang , Wu Xian
Published: December 2022

With the development of indoor location-based services (ILBS), the dual foot-mounted inertial navigation system (DF-INS) has been extensively used in many fields involving monitoring and direction-finding. It is a widespread ILBS implementation with considerable application potential in various areas such as firefighting and home care. However, the existing DF-INS is limited by a high inaccuracy rate due to the highly dynamic and non-stable stride length thresholds. The system also provides less clear and significant information visualization of a person’s position and the surrounding map. This study proposes a novel wearable-foot IOAM-inertial odometry and mapping to address the aforementioned issues. First, the person’s gait analysis is computed using the zero-velocity update (ZUPT) method with data fusion from ultrasound sensors placed on the inner side of the shoes. This study introduces a dynamic minimum centroid distance (MCD) algorithm to improve the existing extended Kalman filter (EKF) by limiting the stride length to a minimum range, significantly reducing the bias in data fusion. Then, a dual trajectory fusion (DTF) method is proposed to combine the left- and right-foot trajectories into a single center body of mass (CBoM) trajectory using ZUPT clustering and fusion weight computation. Next, ultrasound-type mapping is introduced to reconstruct the surrounding occupancy grid map (S-OGM) using the sphere projection method. The CBoM trajectory and S-OGM results were simultaneously visualized to provide comprehensive localization and mapping information. The results indicate a significant improvement with a lower root mean square error (RMSE = 1.2 m) than the existing methods.