bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between the Blood Urea Nitrogen to Creatinine Ratio and In-Hospital Mortality in Non-Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients: Based on Propensity Score Matching Method
Authors: Chen Zirong , Wang Junhong , Yang Hongkuan , Li Hua , Chen Rudong , Yu Jiasheng
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: To explore the correlation between the blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio (UCR) and in-hospital mortality in non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. (2) Methods: Specific clinical information was collected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Ⅳ (MIMIC-Ⅳ) database. The optimal cut-off value of the UCR was calculated with ROC curve analysis conducted using the maximum Youden index for the prediction of survival status. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were also carried out to assess the prognostic significance of UCR, and the Kaplan–Meier (K–M) analysis was conducted to draw the survival curves. Then, the 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) method was applied to improve the reliability of the research results while balancing the unintended influence of underlying confounders. (3) Results: This retrospective cohort study included 961 patients. The optimal cut-off value of the UCR for in-hospital mortality was 27.208. The PSM was performed to identify 92 pairs of score-matched patients, with balanced differences exhibited for nearly all variables. According to the K–M analysis, those patients with a UCR of more than 27.208 showed a significantly higher level of in-hospital mortality compared to the patients with a UCR of less than 27.208 (p < 0.05). After the adjustment for possible confounders, those patients whose UCR was more than 27.208 still had a significantly higher level of in-hospital mortality than the patients whose UCR was less than 27.208, as revealed by the multivariable logistic regression analysis (OR = 3.783, 95% CI: 1.959~7.305, p < 0.001). Similarly, the in-hospital mortality remained substantially higher for those patients in the higher UCR group than for the patients in the lower UCR group after PSM. (4) Conclusion: A higher level of the UCR was evidently associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality, which made the ratio useful as a prognostic predictor of clinical outcomes for those patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Differential Evolution Algorithm-Aided Time-Varying Carrier Frequency Offset Estimation for OFDM Underwater Acoustic Communication
Authors: Wang Haijun , Jiang Weihua , Hu Qing , Zhang Jianjun , Jia Yanqing
Published: November 2022

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is the preferred scheme for high-speed communication in the field of underwater acoustic communication. However, it is very sensitive to the carrier frequency offset (CFO). This study used a time-varying CFO estimation method aided by the differential evolution (DE) algorithm to accurately estimate the CFO of an OFDM system. This method was based on the principle that the received OFDM signal with inter-carrier interference could be considered by a Multi Carrier-code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) system on the receiver side because MC-CDMA is a technology that combines OFDM and code division multiple access (CMDA). Because it is suitable for solving problems where there are dependencies between adjacent variables, the DE algorithm was used to capture the varying CFO values on the adjacent blocks. The spreading code of the MC-CDMA was obtained based on the estimated CFO values, which were elements in the DE solutions. Then the received signal was reconstructed. The Root-Mean-Square Error between the reconstructed and actual received signals was used as the cost function, and the CFO was estimated using the DE algorithm because of its powerful parallel search capability. The simulation results showed that the proposed method had a high estimation accuracy. Compared with other intelligent optimization algorithms such as the genetic algorithm and simulated annealing mutated-genetic algorithm, the time-varying CFO estimation performance of the DE algorithm was better because of its unique ability to solve problems with dependencies between adjacent variables. Specifically, under the condition of a high signal-to-noise ratio, the improvement of estimation accuracy reaches 36.13%, and the Bit Error Rate of demodulation is thus reduced by 75%, compared with the reference algorithms. In addition, the proposed method also has good applicability to modulation methods. For phase-shift keying and quadrature amplitude modulation, in particular, the proposed method not only achieved high-precision time-varying CFO estimation values, but also reduced the demodulation deterioration caused by noise.
Numerical and Experimental Analysis of the Velocity Field Inside an Artificial Reef. Application to the Ares-Betanzos Estuary
Authors: Santiago Caamaño Lucía , Lamas Galdo María Isabel , Carballo Rodrigo , López Iván , Cartelle Barros Juan José , Carral Luis
Published: November 2022

The placement of artificial reef (AR) units on the seabed modifies the velocity field of the water, making the nutrients circulate properly and creating the necessary habitat for the settlement of the desired species. This paper proposes a methodology for determining the circulation in the vicinity of one specific AR unit module previously defined in the existing literature. This has been based on both the application of three-dimensional hydrodynamic criteria and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) together with their validation using towing tank tests. In order to achieve the goals, the starting points are both the initial design of the AR units and the 3D hydrodynamic circulation model in the estuary. The latter predicts the nutrient supply to each module by taking into account the variation of speeds with height. From the vertical profile of circulation velocities, developed for each implantation site, a CFD tool is used to determine the circulation of nutrients in the vicinity of the AR unit, around 5 times the AR size. Then, the results are validated by carrying out towing tank experiments. The main contribution is to combine a circulation model of the estuary together with a CFD model validated with towing tank tests. Although this work was applied to the Ares-Betanzos estuary, it can be extrapolated to other zones worldwide.
A New Approach for the Treatment of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis with a Combination of Pea Protein, Grape Seed Extract, and Lactic Acid Assessed In Vivo
Authors: Paterniti Irene , Casili Giovanna , Filippone Alessia , Lanza Marika , Ardizzone Alessio , Capra Anna Paola , Campolo Michela , Esposito Emanuela
Published: November 2022

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is considered the second most common vaginal infection. Up to 8% of women in various populations experience more than three or four episodes within one year, which is regarded as recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). Current therapies involve antifungal drugs that provide static effects but do not prevent recurrences due to increased antimicrobial resistance; thus, alternative therapies to antifungals are needed to prevent RVVC. Methods: A murine model of Candida albicans-induced RVVC was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a topical product containing pea protein (PP), grape seed extract (GS), and lactic acid (LA) to treat recurrent infections. Mice were inoculated with three separate vulvovaginal infections of 5 × 104 cells/mL C. albicans, and histological evaluation, a myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. and an ELISA kit for Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on vaginal tissues were performed. Results: The data obtained highlighted that the combination of PP, GS, and LA significantly preserved vaginal tissue architecture and prevented vaginal inflammation, proving its efficacy for the management of RVVC. Moreover, the combination of PP, GS, and LA notably increased azole efficacy by adding a new mechanism of action when administered concomitantly. Conclusion: Taken together, results demonstrated that the treatment with a combination of PP, GS, and LA is able to reduce the adhesion of C. albicans.
Are Mechanical and Biological Techniques Efficient in Restoring Soil and Associated Biodiversity in a Brownfield Site?
Authors: Jacek Guillaume , Rozan Anne , Combroux Isabelle
Published: November 2022

Brownfield technosol restoration represents a real opportunity to minimize land consumption, but it often requires intensive intervention and reconstruction, leading to soil donor site destruction and potential pollution. Using a former oil refinery brownfield site, this research compares the short-term (one year) impact of localized restoration methods, including soil surface scarification, organic matter addition, earthworm inoculation (locally and commercially sourced), on the soil fauna and vegetation properties. Vegetation rapidly covered the bare soil, but few significant impacts were observed in terms of the soil or vegetation structure. The initial positive impact of soil scarification on surface compaction quickly faded and earthworm inoculations did not seem to impact soil characteristics. Natural soil colonization by vegetation or fauna was the major driver in soil modification. The analysis of an intermediate reference showed a delay of multiple decades between vegetation, fauna density, and soil structure improvement, as well as the achievement of a soil of “good biological quality”. We conclude that the use of engineer species on brownfield soil in its actual form is not an early restoration step but should be tested in later steps (e.g., when organic matter content is sufficient). However, additional research is needed in engineer species selection and multi-compartment approaches. A better understanding of the impacts of natural colonization in the early stages of technosol restoration is also essential for restoration techniques’ improvement.
The Influence of Heritage Language Experience on Perception and Imitation of Prevoicing
Authors: Clare Emily J. , Schertz Jessamyn
Published: November 2022

This work tests the effect of heritage language background on imitation and discrimination of prevoicing in word-initial stops. English speakers with heritage languages of Spanish (where prevoicing is obligatorily present) or Cantonese (where prevoicing is obligatorily absent), as well as monolingual English speakers, imitated and discriminated pairs of stimuli differing minimally in prevoicing, both in English (participants’ dominant language) and Hindi (a foreign language), and they also completed a baseline word reading task. Heritage speakers of Spanish were expected to show the highest performance on both imitation and discrimination, given the contrastive status of prevoicing in Spanish. Spanish speakers did indeed show more faithful imitation, but only for Hindi, not English, sounds, suggesting that imitation performance can differ based on language mode. On the other hand, there were no group differences in imitation of prevoicing in English or in discrimination in either language. Imitation was well above chance in all groups, with substantial within-group variability. This variability was predicted by individual discrimination accuracy, and, for Cantonese speakers only, greater prevoicing in baseline productions corresponded with more faithful imitation. Overall, despite an expectation for differences, given previous evidence for the influence of heritage languages on production and perception of English voiced stops, our results point to a lack of cross-language influence on perception and imitation of English prevoicing.
Type Synthesis of 4-DOF Non-Overconstrained Parallel Mechanisms with Symmetrical Structures
Authors: Ye Wei , Li Qinchuan , Chai Xinxue
Published: November 2022

This paper presents the type synthesis of 4-DOF non-overconstrained parallel mechanisms (PMs) with symmetrical structures. A special topological structure that includes two intermediate platforms and one moving platform is employed. Constraint conditions for 3R1T, 2R2T, and 1R3T (R: rotation; T: translation) symmetrical PMs are analyzed. Several classes of hybrid limbs that exert a constraint force or a constraint couple are synthesized using screw theory. These limbs are then used to construct 4-DOF PMs, resulting in many novel non-overconstrained 3R1T, 2R2T, and 1R3T PMs with symmetrical structures. The non-overconstrained feature is verified based on the Grübler/Kutzbach criterion.
Design and Control of a Lower Limb Rehabilitation Robot Based on Human Motion Intention Recognition with Multi-Source Sensor Information
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Gao Xueshan , Miao Mingda , Zhao Peng
Published: November 2022

The research on rehabilitation robots is gradually moving toward combining human intention recognition with control strategies to stimulate user involvement. In order to enhance the interactive performance between the robot and the human body, we propose a machine-learning-based human motion intention recognition algorithm using sensor information such as force, displacement and wheel speed. The proposed system uses the bi-directional long short-term memory (BILSTM) algorithm to recognize actions such as falling, walking, and turning, of which the accuracy rate has reached 99.61%. In addition, a radial basis function neural network adaptive sliding mode controller (RBFNNASMC) is proposed to track and control the patient’s behavioral intention and the gait of the lower limb exoskeleton and to adjust the weights of the RBF network using the adaptive law. This can achieve a dynamic estimation of the human–robot interaction forces and external disturbances, and it gives the exoskeleton joint motor a suitable driving torque. The stability of the controller is demonstrated using the Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate that the BILSTM classifier has more accurate recognition than the conventional classifier, and the real-time performance can meet the demand of the control cycle. Meanwhile, the RBFNNASMC controller has a better gait tracking effect compared with the PID controller.
Numerical Simulation and Test of the Disturbance Air Suction Garlic Seed Metering Device
Authors: Zhang Chunling , Zhang Xinyi , Zheng Zihao , Xie Xiaodong , Liu Lichao , Chen Liqing
Published: November 2022

In order to solve the problems of high missed rate and easily damaged seeds in traditional garlic metering devices, an air suction garlic seed metering device was designed. The critical components include a seed tray and a seed disturbing tooth. Seed contour curve fitting and a discrete element method were used to determine the initial parameters. The optimal parameter combinations were obtained through fluid dynamics simulation. With a higher pass seeding rate and a lower missed seeding rate as the goal, the device has been optimized for parameters. The best combination of parameters was obtained: the number of type holes was 9; the diameter of holes was 7.2 mm; the forward speed was 1 km/h; the working negative pressure was −5.5 kPa; the pass seeding rate was 88.54%; and the missed seeding rate was 6.34%. Field trials had shown that the air suction garlic seed metering device designed in this study satisfied the requirements of garlic cultivation. Three tests were conducted and a pass rate of 87.83% and a missed rate of 6.85% were obtained.
Mechanical Detection of Magnetic Phase Transition in Suspended CrOCl Heterostructures
Authors: Li Xiaoxi , Sha Xuanzhe , Yan Ning , Zhang Tongyao
Published: November 2022

With their outstanding mechanical and magnetic characteristics, two-dimensional magnetic materials have attracted wide attentions in the field of nanoelectromechanics and spintronics. By tuning the mechanical resonance with external knobs, such as strain, electric and magnetic control, nanoelectromechanical sensors with novel functionalities have been successfully demonstrated. Here, we investigate the mechanical properties of the suspended membranes with few-layered antiferromagnetic material CrOCl. The results show that the Young’s modulus of CrOCl resonators is ~137.29 GPa by using a static detection method. Below the transition temperature TN, the mechanical resonance is found to strongly depend on the magnetic fields with an enormous blueshift of ~3.1% in the magnetic-field-induced phase transition. In addition, we also found that the variation of strain of system ∆ϵ was about 1.5 × 10−3 during the transition. Our study shows the great potential of two-dimensional magnetic materials in future nanoelectronic applications.
Stock Portfolio Optimization with Competitive Advantages (MOAT): A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Jiménez-Preciado Ana Lorena , Venegas-Martínez Francisco , Ramírez-García Abraham
Published: November 2022

This paper aimed to develop a useful Machine Learning (ML) model for detecting companies with lasting competitive advantages (companies’ moats) according to their financial ratios in order to improve the performance of investment portfolios. First, we computed the financial ratios of companies belonging to the S&P 500. Subsequently, we assessed the stocks’ moats according to an evaluation defined between 0 and 5 for each financial ratio. The sum of all the ratios provided a score between 0 and 100 to classify the companies as wide, narrow or null moats. Finally, several ML models were applied for classification to obtain an efficient, faster and less expensive method to select companies with lasting competitive advantages. The main findings are: (1) the model with the highest precision is the Random Forest; and (2) the most important financial ratios for detecting competitive advantages are a long-term debt-to-net income, Depreciation and Amortization (D&A)-to-gross profit, interest expense-to-Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT), and Earnings Per Share (EPS) trend. This research provides a new combination of ML tools and information that can improve the performance of investment portfolios; to the authors’ knowledge, this has not been done before. The algorithm developed in this paper has a limitation in the calculation of the stocks’ moats since it does not consider its cost, price-to-earnings ratio (PE), or valuation. Due to this limitation, this algorithm does not represent a strategy for short-term or intraday trading.
A Multi-Category Inverse Design Neural Network and Its Application to Diblock Copolymers
Authors: Wei Dan , Zhou Tiejun , Huang Yunqing , Jiang Kai
Published: November 2022

In this work, we design a multi-category inverse design neural network to map ordered periodic structures to physical parameters. The neural network model consists of two parts, a classifier and Structure-Parameter-Mapping (SPM) subnets. The classifier is used to identify structures, and the SPM subnets are used to predict physical parameters for desired structures. We also present an extensible reciprocal-space data augmentation method to guarantee the rotation and translation invariant of periodic structures. We apply the proposed network model and data augmentation method to two-dimensional diblock copolymers based on the Landau–Brazovskii model. Results show that the multi-category inverse design neural network has high accuracy in predicting physical parameters for desired structures. Moreover, the idea of multi-categorization can also be extended to other inverse design problems.
Chaos of the Six-Dimensional Non-Autonomous System for the Circular Mesh Antenna
Authors: Sun Ying , Liu Jingyi , Zhang Junhua , Wang Aiwen , Mao Fei
Published: November 2022

In the process of aerospace service, circular mesh antennas generate large nonlinear vibrations under an alternating thermal load. In this paper, the Smale horseshoe and Shilnikov-type multi-pulse chaotic motions of the six-dimensional non-autonomous system for circular mesh antennas are first investigated. The Poincare map is generalized and applied to the six-dimensional non-autonomous system to analyze the existence of Smale horseshoe chaos. Based on the topological horseshoe theory, the three-dimensional solid torus structure is mapped into a logarithmic spiral structure, and the original structure appears to expand in two directions and contract in one direction. There exists chaos in the sense of a Smale horseshoe. The nonlinear equations of the circular mesh antenna under the conditions of the unperturbed and perturbed situations are analyzed, respectively. For the perturbation analysis of the six-dimensional non-autonomous system, the energy difference function is calculated. The transverse zero point of the energy difference function satisfies the non-degenerate conditions, which indicates that the system exists Shilnikov-type multi-pulse chaotic motions. In summary, the researches have verified the existence of chaotic motion in the six-dimensional non-autonomous system for the circular mesh antenna.
The Classicality and Quantumness of the Driven Qubit–Photon–Magnon System
Authors: Alotaibi Maged Faihan , Khalil Eied Mahmoud , Abd-Rabbou Mahmoud Youssef , Marin Marin
Published: November 2022

The hybrid architecture of the driven qubit–photon–magnon system has recently emerged as a promising candidate for novel quantum technologies. In this paper, we introduce the effective wave-function of a superconducting single qubit and a magnon mode contained within a cavity resonator and an external field. The non-classicality of the magnon and resonator modes are investigated by using the negative values of the Wigner function. Additionally, we discuss the non-classicality of the qubit state via the Wigner–Yanase skew information. We find that the mixture angle of the qubit–resonator plays a controllable role in non-classicality. However, the strength of the magnon–photon increases the non-classical behaviour of the system.
Controllability and Observability Results of an Implicit Type Fractional Order Delay Dynamical System
Authors: Ahmad Irshad , Ahmad Saeed , ur Rahman Ghaus , Ahmad Shabir , De la Sen Manuel
Published: November 2022

Recently, several research articles have investigated the existence of solutions for dynamical systems with fractional order and their controllability. Nevertheless, very little attention has been given to the observability of such dynamical systems. In the present work, we explore the outcomes of controllability and observability regarding a differential system of fractional order with input delay. Laplace and inverse Laplace transforms, along with the Mittage–Leffler matrix function, are applied to the proposed dynamical system in Caputo’s sense, and a general solution is obtained in the form of an integral equation. Then, we set out conditions for the controllability of the underlying model, regarding the linear case. We then expound controllability conditions for the nonlinear case by utilizing the fixed point result of Schaefer and the Arzola–Ascoli theorem. Using the fixed point concept, we prove the observability of the linear case using the observability Grammian matrix. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the nonlinear case are investigated with the help of the Banach contraction mapping theorem. Finally, we add some examples to elaborate on our work.
RETRACTED: On the Nature of Some Euler’s Double Equations Equivalent to Fermat’s Last Theorem
Authors: Ossicini Andrea
Published: November 2022

In this work, I provide a new rephrasing of Fermat’s Last Theorem, based on an earlier work by Euler on the ternary quadratic forms. Effectively, Fermat’s Last Theorem can be derived from an appropriate use of the concordant forms of Euler and from an equivalent ternary quadratic homogeneous Diophantine equation able to accommodate a solution of Fermat’s extraordinary equation. Following a similar and almost identical approach to that of A. Wiles, I tried to translate the link between Euler’s double equations (concordant/discordant forms) and Fermat’s Last Theorem into a possible reformulation of the Fermat Theorem. More precisely, through the aid of a Diophantine equation of second degree, homogeneous and ternary, solved not directly, but as a consequence of the resolution of the double Euler equations that originated it, I was able to obtain the following result: the intersection of the infinite solutions of Euler’s double equations gives rise to an empty set and this only by exploiting a well-known Legendre Theorem, which concerns the properties of all the Diophantine equations of the second degree, homogeneous and ternary. The impossibility of solving the second degree Diophantine equation thus obtained is possible using well-known techniques at the end of 18th century (see Euler, Lagrange and Legendre) and perhaps present in Fermat’s brilliant mind.
Deep Learning Research Directions in Medical Imaging
Authors: Simionescu Cristian , Iftene Adrian
Published: November 2022

In recent years, deep learning has been successfully applied to medical image analysis and provided assistance to medical professionals. Machine learning is being used to offer diagnosis suggestions, identify regions of interest in images, or augment data to remove noise. Training models for such tasks require a large amount of labeled data. It is often difficult to procure such data due to the fact that these requires experts to manually label them, in addition to the privacy and legal concerns that limiting their collection. Due to this, creating self-supervision learning methods and domain-adaptation techniques dedicated to this domain is essential. This paper reviews concepts from the field of deep learning and how they have been applied to medical image analysis. We also review the current state of self-supervised learning methods and their applications to medical images. In doing so, we will also present the resource ecosystem of researchers in this field, such as datasets, evaluation methodologies, and benchmarks.
Dendrite Net with Acceleration Module for Faster Nonlinear Mapping and System Identification
Authors: Liu Gang , Pang Yajing , Yin Shuai , Niu Xiaoke , Wang Jing , Wan Hong
Published: November 2022

Nonlinear mapping is an essential and common demand in online systems, such as sensor systems and mobile phones. Accelerating nonlinear mapping will directly speed up online systems. Previously the authors of this paper proposed a Dendrite Net (DD) with enormously lower time complexity than the existing nonlinear mapping algorithms; however, there still are redundant calculations in DD. This paper presents a DD with an acceleration module (AC) to accelerate nonlinear mapping further. We conduct three experiments to verify whether DD with AC has lower time complexity while retaining DD’s nonlinear mapping properties and system identification properties: The first experiment is the precision and identification of unary nonlinear mapping, reflecting the calculation performance using DD with AC for basic functions in online systems. The second experiment is the mapping precision and identification of the multi-input nonlinear system, reflecting the performance for designing online systems via DD with AC. Finally, this paper compares the time complexity of DD and DD with AC and analyzes the theoretical reasons through repeated experiments. Results: DD with AC retains DD’s excellent mapping and identification properties and has lower time complexity. Significance: DD with AC can be used for most engineering systems, such as sensor systems, and will speed up computation in these online systems.
Monitoring Sparse and Attributed Network Streams with MultiLevel and Dynamic Structures
Authors: Mostafapour Mostafa , Movahedi Sobhani Farzad , Saghaei Abbas
Published: November 2022

In this study, we create a new monitoring system for change detection in sparse attributed network streams with multilevel or nested dynamic structures. To achieve this, we hypothesize that the contingency of establishing an edge between two network nodes at time t depends on the properties of the network edges, network nodes, groups, or categories. Then, we estimate the model parameters using the expressed logit model. The model parameters are developed using the state-space model to achieve a dynamic state in the system. The extended Kalman filter (EKF) updates state-space parameters and predicts upcoming networks. Predicted residuals are tracked using statistical process control charts to identify changes in the underlying mechanism of edge generation. This research makes a methodological contribution by combining zero-inflated generalized linear mixed models (ZI-GLMMs) with the state-space model to monitor changes in the sequences of sparse, attributed, and weighted multilevel networks by applying control charts. The proposed model is compared to previous models to evaluate performance by implementing three scenarios. The results show that the model is faster at detecting the first change. Finally, using real e-MID data, we measured the model’s performance in detecting real data changes. The findings suggest that the proposed model could predict a crisis in advance of significant European Central Bank statements and events.
Dynamics of Fractional Stochastic Ginzburg–Landau Equation Driven by Nonlinear Noise
Authors: Lu Hong , Wang Linlin , Zhang Mingji
Published: November 2022

In this work, we focus on the long-time behavior of the solutions of the stochastic fractional complex Ginzburg–Landau equation defined on Rn with polynomial drift terms of arbitrary order. The well-posedness of the equation based on pathwise uniform estimates and uniform estimates on average are proved. Following this, the existence and uniqueness of weak pullback random attractors are establsihed.
Characterization of Mixed-Species Biofilms Formed by Four Gut Microbiota
Authors: Xu Tao , Xiao Yue , Wang Hongchao , Zhu Jinlin , Lee Yuankun , Zhao Jianxin , Lu Wenwei , Zhang Hao
Published: November 2022

In natural settings, approximately 40–80% of bacteria exist as biofilms, most of which are mixed-species biofilms. Previous studies have typically focused on single- or dual-species biofilms. To expand the field of study on gut biofilms, we found a group of gut microbiota that can form biofilms well in vitro: Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacteroides ovatus, and Lactobacillus gasseri. The increase in biomass and bio-volume of the mixed-species biofilm was confirmed via crystal violet staining, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy, revealing a strong synergistic relationship in these communities, with B. longum being the key biofilm-contributing species. This interaction may be related to changes in the cell number, biofilm-related genes, and metabolic activities. After quantifying the cell number using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, B. longum and L. gasseri were found to be the dominant flora in the mixed-species biofilm. In addition, this study analyzed biological properties of mixed-species biofilms, such as antibiotic resistance, cell metabolic activity, and concentration of water-insoluble polysaccharides. Compared with single-species biofilms, mixed-species biofilms had higher metabolic activity, more extracellular matrix, and greater antibiotic resistance. From these results, we can see that the formation of biofilms is a self-protection mechanism of gut microbiota, and the formation of mixed-species biofilms can greatly improve the survival rate of different strains. Finally, this study is a preliminary exploration of the biological characteristics of gut biofilms, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of biofilms warrant further research.
Metagenome-Based Exploration of Bacterial Communities Associated with Cyanobacteria Strains Isolated from Thermal Muds
Authors: Halary Sébastien , Duperron Sébastien , Demay Justine , Duval Charlotte , Hamlaoui Sahima , Piquet Bérénice , Reinhardt Anita , Bernard Cécile , Marie Benjamin
Published: November 2022

Cyanobacteria constitute a pioneer colonizer of specific environments for whom settlement in new biotopes precedes the establishment of composite microbial consortia. Some heterotrophic bacteria constitute cyanobacterial partners that are considered as their cyanosphere, being potentially involved in mutualistic relationships through the exchange and recycling of key nutrients and the sharing of common goods. Several non-axenic cyanobacterial strains have been recently isolated, along with their associated cyanospheres, from the thermal mud of Balaruc-les-Bains (France) and the biofilms of the retention basin where they develop. The community structure and relationships among the members of the isolated cyanobacterial strains were characterized using a metagenomic approach combined with taxonomic and microscopic descriptions of the microbial consortia. The results provided insights into the potential role and metabolic capabilities of the microorganisms of thermal mud-associated cyanobacterial biofilms. Thus, the physical proximity, host-specificity, and genetic potential functions advocate for their complementarity between cyanobacteria and their associated microbiota. Besides these findings, our results also highlighted the great influence of the reference protein database chosen for performing functional annotation of the metagenomes from organisms of the cyanosphere and the difficulty of selecting one unique database that appropriately covers both autotroph and heterotroph metabolic specificities.
Fifteen-Year Surveillance of LTR Receiving Pre-Emptive Therapy for CMV Infection: Prevention of CMV Disease and Incidence of CLAD
Authors: Piloni Davide , Gabanti Elisa , Morosini Monica , Cassinelli Gabriela , Frangipane Vanessa , Zavaglio Federica , Oggionni Tiberio , Saracino Laura , Lettieri Sara , Arbustini Eloisa , Meloni Federica , Lilleri Daniele
Published: November 2022

The efficacy of pre-emptive therapy in the prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and the potential association of CMV infection with the occurrence of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) was evaluated in 129 lung transplant recipients receiving pre-emptive therapy based on pp65-antigenemia or CMV-DNA in the blood and in the bronchoalveolar lavage. Seventy-one (55%) patients received pre-emptive ganciclovir/valganciclovir (GCV/VGCV) for CMV infection for a median of 28 (9–191) days. Possible CMV disease occurred in six (5%) patients and was healed after the GCV/VGCV therapy. The cumulative incidence of CLAD was 38% and 54% at 5 and 10 years. Acute rejection and CMV load in the blood (but not in the lung) were independent predictors of the occurrence of CLAD. Pre-emptive therapy is highly effective in preventing CMV disease in lung recipients and does not induce a superior incidence of CLAD compared to what reported for other cohorts of patients who received an extended antiviral prophylaxis.
Heteroligand α-Diimine-Zn(II) Complexes with O,N,O′- and O,N,S-Donor Redox-Active Schiff Bases: Synthesis, Structure and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Smolyaninov Ivan V. , Poddel’sky Andrey I. , Burmistrova Daria A. , Voronina Julia K. , Pomortseva Nadezhda P. , Fokin Vasiliy A. , Tselukovskaya Ekaterina D. , Ananyev Ivan V. , Berberova Nadezhda T. , Eremenko Igor L.
Published: November 2022

A number of novel heteroligand Zn(II) complexes (1–8) of the general type (Ln)Zn(NN) containing O,N,O′-, O,N,S-donor redox-active Schiff bases and neutral N,N′-chelating ligands (NN) were synthesized. The target Schiff bases LnH2 were obtained as a result of the condensation of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with substituted o-aminophenols or o-aminothiophenol. These ligands with combination with 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, and neocuproine are able to form stable complexes upon coordination with zinc(II) ion. The molecular structures of complexes 4∙H2O, 6, and 8 in crystal state were determined by means of single-crystal X-ray analysis. In the prepared complexes, the redox-active Schiff bases are in the form of doubly deprotonated dianions and act as chelating tridentate ligands. Complexes 6 and 8 possess a strongly distorted pentacoordinate geometry while 4∙H2O is hexacoordinate and contains water molecule coordinated to the central zinc atom. The electrochemical properties of zinc(II) complexes were studied by the cyclic voltammetry. For the studied complexes, O,N,O′- or O,N,S-donor Schiff base ligands are predominantly involved in electrochemical transformations in the anodic region, while the N,N′-coordinated neutral nitrogen donor ligands demonstrate the electrochemical activity in the cathode potential range. A feature of complexes 5 and 8 with sterically hindered tert-butyl groups is the possibility of the formation of relatively stable monocation and monoanion forms under electrochemical conditions. The values of the energy gap between the boundary redox orbitals were determined by electrochemical and spectral methods. The parameters obtained in the first case vary from 1.97 to 2.42 eV, while the optical bang gap reaches 2.87 eV.
In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Methanolic Extract of Justicia adhatoda Leaves with Special Emphasis on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Kumar Sonu , Singh Rajveer , Dutta Debrupa , Chandel Shivani , Bhattacharya Arka , Ravichandiran Velayutham , Sukla Soumi
Published: November 2022

Natural products are being targeted as alternative anticancer agents due to their non-toxic and safe nature. The present study was conducted to explore the in vitro anticancer potential of Justicia adhatoda (J. adhatoda) leaf extract. The methanolic leaf extract was prepared, and the phytochemicals and antioxidant potential were determined by LCMS analysis and DPPH radical scavenging assay, respectively. A docking study performed with five major alkaloidal phytoconstituents showed that they had a good binding affinity towards the active site of NF-κB. Cell viability assay was carried out in five different cell lines, and the extract exhibited the highest cytotoxicity in MCF-7, a breast cancer cell line. Extract-treated cells showed a significant increase in nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production. Cell cycle analysis showed an arrest in cell growth at the Sub-G0 phase. The extract successfully inhibited cell migration and colony formation and altered mitochondrial membrane potential. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were also found to decrease in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage of apoptotic cells was found to increase in a dose-dependent manner in MCF-7 cells. The expressions of caspase-3, Bax, and cleaved-PARP were increased in extract-treated cells. An increase in the expression of NF-κB was found in the cytoplasm in extract-treated cells. J. adhatoda leaf extract showed a potential anticancer effect in MCF-7 cells.
Effect of Foliar Sodium Selenate and Nano Selenium Supply on Biochemical Characteristics, Essential Oil Accumulation and Mineral Composition of Artemisia annua L.
Authors: Logvinenko Lidia , Golubkina Nadezhda , Fedotova Irina , Bogachuk Maria , Fedotov Mikhail , Kataev Vladislav , Alpatov Andrey , Shevchuk Oksana , Caruso Gianluca
Published: November 2022

Selenium (Se) biofortification of aromatic plants is a promising strategy to produce valuable functional food with high biological activity and enhanced essential oil yield. The experiment carried out in 2021 and 2022 on A. annua treated with sodium selenate or nano-Se sprayed on foliar apparatus demonstrated a significant increase in photosynthetic pigments, pectin, waxes, macro- and microelements and a decrease in malonic dialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Contrary to literature reports, neither selenate nor nano-Se showed a beneficial effect on essential oil accumulation; the oil yield did not differ between the selenate treated and control plants but was halved by the nano-Se application. Extremely high variations in the number of essential oil components, as well as in the eucalyptol, artemisia ketone, camphor and germacrene D ratio in the 2021 and 2022 experiments were recorded. The analysis of the 2016–2022 data for oil yield and composition in the control plants revealed a direct correlation between the number of components and of solar flares, and a negative correlation between oil yield and the percentage of spotless days. Both control plants and plants fortified with selenium showed higher levels of germacrene D and lower levels of artemisia ketone in 2022, characterized by more remarkable solar activity compared to 2021. Nano-Se supply resulted in the highest percentage of germacrene D accumulation. The results of the present research highlight the importance of the solar activity effect on the essential oil yield and quality of aromatic plants.
Chemical Profiling and Quantification of Potential Bioactive Components in Gandouling Pill by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Diode Array Detector/Quadruple-Qrbitrap Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Yang Yue , Hao Wenjie , Yang Yulong , Zhang Shijie , Wang Han , Wang Meixia , Dong Ting , Shang Zhanpeng , Yang Wenming
Published: November 2022

Gandouling (GDL) Pill is a novel Traditional Chinese medicinal drug to treat Wilson’s disease in clinics. It is composed of six separate herbal medicines, including Rhei Radix ET Rhizoma, Coptidis Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix ET Rhizoma, Spatholobi Caulis, Curcumae Rhizoma, and Curcumae Longae Rhizoma. In this study, a strategy was proposed to investigate the chemical constituents and to quantify the potential bioactive components in GDL Pill. Firstly, the mass fragmentation behaviors of representative compounds were investigated, and, in total, 69 compounds were characterized in GDL Pill using full scan/dd-MS2 scan mode by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)/Q-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS). These compounds included 18 alkaloids, 18 ketones, 16 phenolic compounds, 11 organic acids, and 6 tanshinones. Seventeen of the compounds were unambiguously identified by comparison with reference standards. Secondly, the absorption components of GDL Pill in rat plasma were investigated by using target-Selected Ion Monitoring (t-SIM) scan mode built in Q-Orbitrap MS. A total of 18 components were detected, which were considered as potential bioactive components of GDL Pill. Thirdly, 10 major absorption components were simultaneously determined in six batches of samples by UPLC/diode array detector (DAD). The method was fully validated with respect to linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery. Alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma, such as coptisine (8), berberine (18), palmatine (19), were the most abundant bioactive compounds for GDL Pill that possess the potential be used as quality markers. The proposed strategy is practical and efficient for revealing the material basis of GDL Pill, and also provides a simple and accurate method for quality control.
Infrared Spectra and Phototransformations of meta-Fluorophenol Isolated in Argon and Nitrogen Matrices
Authors: Lopes Jesus A. J. , de Lucena Júnior Juracy Regis , Fausto Rui , Reva Igor
Published: November 2022

Monomers of meta-fluorophenol (mFP) were trapped from the gas phase into cryogenic argon and nitrogen matrices. The estimated relative energies of the two conformers are very close, and in the gas phase they have nearly equal populations. Due to the similarity of their structures (they only differ in the orientation of the OH group), the two conformers have also similar predicted vibrational signatures, which makes the vibrational characterization of the individual rotamers challenging. In the present work, it has been established that in an argon matrix only the most stable trans conformer of mFP exists (the OH group pointing away from the fluorine atom). On the other hand, the IR spectrum of mFP in a nitrogen matrix testifies to the simultaneous presence in this matrix of both the trans conformer and of the higher-energy cis conformer (the OH group pointing toward the fluorine atom), which is stabilized by interaction with the matrix gas host. We found that the exposition of the cryogenic N2 matrix to the Globar source of the infrared spectrometer affects the conformational populations. By collecting experimental spectra, either in the full mid-infrared range or only in the range below 2200 cm−1, we were able to reliably distinguish two sets of experimental bands originating from individual conformers. A comparison of the two sets of experimental bands with computed infrared spectra of the conformers allowed, for the first time, the unequivocal vibrational identification of each of them. The joint implementation of computational vibrational spectroscopy and matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy proved to be a very accurate method of structural analysis. Some mechanistic insights into conformational isomerism (the quantum tunneling of hydrogen atom and vibrationally-induced conformational transformations) have been addressed. Finally, we also subjected matrix-isolated mFP to irradiations with UV light, and the phototransformations observed in these experiments are also described.
Immune-Enhancing Effect of Sargassum horneri on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression in BALB/c Mice and Primary Cultured Splenocytes
Authors: Kim Hyo In , Kim Dong-Sub , Jung Yunu , Sung Nak-Yun , Kim Minjee , Han In-Jun , Nho Eun Yeong , Hong Joon Ho , Lee Jin-Kyu , Boo Mina , Kim Hye-Lin , Baik Sangyul , Jung Kyung Oh , Lee Sanghyun , Kim Chun Sung , Park Jinbong
Published: November 2022

Sargassum horneri (SH) is a seaweed that has several features that benefit health. In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing effect of SH, focusing on the role of spleen-mediated immune functions. Chromatographic analysis of SH identified six types of monosaccharide contents, including mannose, rhamnose glucose, galactose xylose and fucose. SH increased cell proliferation of primary cultured naïve splenocytes treated with or without cyclophosphamide (CPA), an immunosuppression agent. SH also reversed the CPA-induced decrease in Th1 cytokines. In vivo investigation revealed that SH administration can increase the tissue weight of major immune organs, such as the spleen and thymus. A similar effect was observed in CPA-injected immunosuppressed BALB/c mice. SH treatment increased the weight of the spleen and thymus, blood immune cell count and Th1 cytokine expression. Additionally, the YAC-1-targeting activities of natural killer cells, which are important in innate immunity, were upregulated upon SH treatment. Overall, our study demonstrates the immune-enhancing effect of SH, suggesting its potential as a medicinal or therapeutic agent for pathologic conditions involving immunosuppression.
Bioavailability Assessment of Yarrow Phenolic Compounds Using an In Vitro Digestion/Caco-2 Cell Model: Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Basolateral Fraction
Authors: Villalva Marisol , Jaime Laura , Siles-Sánchez María de las Nieves , Santoyo Susana
Published: November 2022

In this study, a combined in vitro digestion/Caco-2 model was performed with the aim to determine the phenolic compounds bioavailability of two yarrow extracts. HPLC-PAD characterisation indicated that the main components in both extracts were 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (DCQA) and luteolin-7-O-glucoside. Analyses after the simulated digestion process revealed that phenolic composition was not affected during the oral phase, whereas gastric and intestinal phases represented critical steps for some individual phenolics, especially intestinal step. The transition from gastric medium to intestinal environment caused an important degradation of 3,5-DCQA (63–67% loss), whereas 3,4-DCQA and 4,5-DCQA increased significantly, suggesting an isomeric transformation within these caffeic acid derivatives. However, an approx. 90% of luteolin-7-O-glucoside was recovered after intestinal step. At the end of Caco-2 absorption experiments, casticin, diosmetin and centaureidin represented the most abundant compounds in the basolateral fraction. Moreover, this fraction presented anti-inflammatory activity since was able to inhibit the secretion of IL-1β and IL-6 pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, the presence in the basolateral fraction of flavonoid-aglycones from yarrow, could be related with the observed anti-inflammatory activity from yarrow extract.