bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fighting Fire with Fire: Impact of Sugary Diets on Metabolically Deranged Mice
Authors: Glendinning John I. , Williams Niki
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: There is controversy about the health risks of sugary diets. A recent study reported that chronic consumption of 11% sugar solutions improved glycemic control in lean mice. Based on this finding, we hypothesized that chronic consumption of the same 11% sugar solutions would also improve glycemic control in metabolically deranged mice. Methods: We exposed mice to a high-fat/high-sugar diet for 12 weeks. Then, we switched the mice to a control (i.e., standard chow) or one of four experimental diets for 8 weeks. The experimental diets contained standard chow plus an 11% solution of glucose or high-fructose syrup. The sugar syrups were derived from corn or cellulose. We included the cellulosic syrups because they contain polyphenols, which are thought to promote glycemic control. We measured body weight, adiposity, glucose tolerance, insulinemia, insulin sensitivity, body composition, and avidity for sweeteners. Results: Mice switched to the control diet lost weight, whereas mice switched to the experimental diets remained obese and hyperinsulinemic. Thus, the experimental diets did not cause the mice to regain normal metabolic health. Nevertheless, we observed (i) improvements in glucose tolerance in mice on both the control and experimental diets; (ii) reduced insulinemia and enhanced insulin sensitivity in mice offered the cellulosic syrups; (iii) elevations in cephalic-phase insulin responses in mice on the experimental diets; and (iv) increased avidity for sweeteners in mice on the control but not the experimental diets. Conclusions: Switching metabolically deranged mice to the experimental diets, particularly those with cellulosic sugars, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
Perception of Sour Taste in Subjects with Olfactory Deficits: Role of Myrtle Aromatization
Authors: Rosa Antonella , Solla Paolo , Pinna Ilenia , Loy Francesco , Masala Carla
Published: December 2024

Background: Sour taste is associated with acid-base homeostasis, which is critical to cell metabolism and health conditions. Vinegar, which contains acetic acid as the main component, is a sour food considered the second most common condiment in Italy. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess differences in sourness perception in subjects with olfactory deficits compared to controls and evaluate myrtle aromatization’s potential effect in modulating sourness perception in subjects with hyposmia. Methods: To this end, olfactory function was assessed with the Sniffin’ Sticks test and gustatory function by the Taste Strips test. Sensory perception of a traditional white wine vinegar (WV) and a WV aromatized with myrtle (AWV) was evaluated. The sourness perception of the two vinegars was estimated through the rates of odor and taste pleasantness, intensity, and familiarity using a labeled hedonic Likert-type scale. Results: Our data indicated that in patients with hyposmia, a significant decrease was observed only in sour taste perception compared to controls. The increase in vinegar aroma due to the myrtle aromatization modulated sourness perception in patients with hyposmia. Conclusions: Myrtle aromatization increased the number of significant correlations between odor and the taste dimensions of the vinegar in controls and in patients with hyposmia in a different manner.
Weekday–Weekend Differences in Chrononutritional Variables Depend on Urban or Rural Living
Authors: Santos Jefferson Souza , Crispim Cibele Aparecida , Skene Debra Jean , Moreno Claudia Roberta de Castro
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Studies have highlighted the impact of work and school schedules on food preferences, suggesting that individuals’ dietary choices may change during the week to align with their daily routines. Despite the variation in food composition in the population, there is no evidence identifying differences in food intake times and composition across the days of the week in urban/rural locations. Thus, the study’s aim was to identify weekday vs. weekend differences in food intake times and composition (calories) between urban and rural areas. Methods: Data from 5770 participants (aged 18–59 years) were analyzed from the National Household Budget Survey (POF-IBGE) consisting of two distinct food diary records (weekday + weekend) per individual, including area (urban or rural) information in Brazil. Results: During weekdays, the time of the first food intake was significantly earlier, and the last food intake time was significantly later compared to weekends, resulting in a longer eating window on weekdays in both urban and rural areas. People living in urban areas exhibited delayed first and last food intake times, resulting in later caloric and eating midpoints compared to people living in rural areas. Periodogram analysis detected weekly rhythmicity (7 days) at the time of the first food intake and the length of the eating window in urban residents. Conclusions: The observed 7-day rhythmic pattern of food intake in urban areas, driven by work and school schedules, underscores the influence of urbanization on dietary timing and composition. In contrast, rural areas exhibited more stable and earlier eating patterns. These results emphasize the need for public health interventions to address meal timing and circadian alignment, particularly in urban settings, to mitigate the risk of metabolic disorders and improve overall health outcomes.
Comparative Analysis of Dietary Behavior in Children and Parents During COVID-19 Lockdowns in Greece: Insights from a Non-Representative Sample
Authors: Androutsos Odysseas , Saltaouras George , Kipouros Michail , Koutsaki Maria , Migdanis Athanasios , Georgiou Christos , Perperidi Maria , Papadopoulou Sousana K. , Kosti Rena I. , Giaginis Constantinos , Mouratidou Theodora
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Home isolation measures during the COVID-19 lockdown periods may have influenced individuals’ lifestyles. The COVEAT study aimed to identify differences in children’s and their parents’ dietary behavior, children’s body weight and parental body mass index (BMI) between two lockdown periods implemented in Greece. Methods: In total, 61 participants (children 2–18 years and their parents) completed questionnaires about their lifestyle, body weight and height, and family socio-demographic data, during both lockdown periods (LDs) implemented in Greece (LD1 in March–May 2020; LD2 in December 2020–January 2021). Results: No significant differences in parents’ BMI and fluctuations in children’s/adolescents’ body weight and BMI were observed in LD2 compared to LD1. Regarding dietary behavior, in LD2 fewer parents were found to have dinner and prepared home meals and more families reported to order fast food. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the consumption of fresh and prepacked juices and an increase in fast-food consumption were observed for children/adolescents in LD2 compared to LD1. Conclusions: The findings of the COVEAT study indicate that each lockdown period had a different impact on children’s/adolescents’ and their parents’ dietary behavior, with less favorable changes observed in LD2, suggesting that the implementation of additional lockdowns may have had a negative impact on individuals’ lifestyles.
Food Environments and Diet Quality Among Vendors and Consumers in Five Traditional Urban Markets in Kenya
Authors: Demmler Kathrin M. , van der Steen Sophie , Trevenen-Jones Ann , de Kanter Emilie
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Traditional food markets are essential in urban food environments in Kenya and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). They provide affordable fresh food, particularly for low-income urban communities, and are vital places of livelihoods and local economic activities. Despite their importance, associations between market-related factors and diet quality for vendors and consumers are underexplored. This study explores these relationships to inform policies aimed at improving diets and nutrition in LMICs. Methods: Survey data were collected from 1042 vendors and 876 consumers in five urban markets in Kenya. The survey assessed market-related factors, consumer purchasing behavior, socioeconomic factors, and dietary outcomes using the Kenya Diet Quality Questionnaire. Linear regression models were employed to evaluate associations between the availability of foods, consumers’ purchase of foods, proximity to the market, reported sickness from food, and diet quality indicators, including the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), Global Dietary Recommendations (GDRs), NCD-Protect, and NCD-Risk scores. Results: Vendors’ own dietary outcomes were characterized by lower DDS, NCD-Protect, and NCD-Risk scores but higher GDR scores compared to consumers. Significant associations were identified between the purchase of specific food groups (e.g., vegetables, legumes, and nuts) and improved diet quality for consumers. Longer travel times were linked to lower diet quality for both vendors and consumers. Socioeconomic factors, such as gender, age, and education, significantly influenced diet quality. Conclusions: Traditional markets play a pivotal role in urban food environments. Policies that enhance market access and support vendors and consumers, particularly women, young adults, and low-income groups, are essential to improving diets and nutrition outcomes in LMICs.
Fructose-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction Is Dependent on the Baseline Diet, the Length of the Dietary Exposure, and Sex of the Mice
Authors: Fadhul Taghreed , Park Se-Hyung , Ali Heba , Alsiraj Yasir , Wali Jibran A. , Simpson Stephen J. , Softic Samir
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: High sugar intake, particularly fructose, is implicated in obesity and metabolic complications. On the other hand, fructose from fruits and vegetables has undisputed benefits for metabolic health. This raises a paradoxical question—how the same fructose molecule can be associated with detrimental health effects in some studies and beneficial in others. This study investigates how diet and sex interact with fructose to modulate the metabolic outcomes. Methods: Male and female mice were fed different normal chow diets, Boston chow diet (BCD; 23% protein, 22% fat, 55% carbohydrates), Lexington chow diet (LXD; 24% protein, 18% fat, 58% carbohydrates), and low-fat diet (LFD; 20% protein, 10% fat, 70% carbohydrates), supplemented with 30% fructose in water. Results: Fructose-supplemented male mice on BCD gained weight and developed glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis. Conversely, male mice given fructose on LXD did not gain weight, remained glucose-tolerant, and had normal hepatic lipid content. Furthermore, fructose-fed male mice on LFD did not gain weight. However, upon switching to BCD, they gained weight, exhibited worsening liver steatosis, and advanced hepatic insulin resistance. The effects of fructose are sex-dependent. Thus, female mice did not gain weight and remained insulin-sensitive with fructose supplementation on BCD, despite developing hepatic steatosis. These differences in metabolic outcomes correlate with the propensity of the baseline diet to suppress hepatic ketohexokinase expression and the de novo lipogenesis pathway. This is likely driven by the dietary fat-to-carbohydrate ratio. Conclusions: Metabolic dysfunction attributed to fructose intake is not a universal outcome. Instead, it depends on baseline diet, dietary exposure length, and sex.
Clinical Presentations of Celiac Disease: Experience of a Single Italian Center
Authors: Trovato Chiara Maria , Ferretti Francesca , Delli Bovi Anna Pia , Elefante Giovanna , Ancinelli Monica , Bolasco Giulia , Capriati Teresa , Cardile Sabrina , Knafelz Daniela , Bracci Fiammetta , Alterio Arianna , Malamisura Monica , Grosso Salvatore , De Angelis Paola , Diamanti Antonella
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: In Italy, the prevalence of celiac disease (CeD) among children exceeds 1.5% and has steadily increased with a linear trend over the past 25 years. The clinical presentation is heterogenous and a change in onset symptoms has been described in recent years. The aim of the study is to describe the pattern of clinical presentation of CeD during the last 12 years in a single Italian center. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled all children diagnosed with CeD at Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome between 1 March 2011 and 22 June 2023. To investigate the changes in pattern of clinical presentation, we divided the patient population into three groups of approximately 4 years each (respectively: 49, 48 and 48 months). Patients who previously received a CeD diagnosis in other centers were excluded. Results: Overall, 4478 patients were diagnosed with CeD at our center. 1082 were excluded, leaving 3396 available for analysis. We divided the study cohort into three groups: group 1 (n = 909), group 2 (n = 1103), and group 3 (n = 1384). Diagnoses of CeD increased by 17.5%. The trend of the non-classic form shows a significative increase (p = 0.000064), showing a high prevalence of bloating and abdominal pain and a significant reduction in celiac crisis (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Annual diagnoses of CeD increased during the study period, and the clinical presentation has changed in recent years, showing an increase in the non-classic form and a reduction in more severe forms of celiac crisis.
Comparative Nutritional Profile of Publicly Procured Foods for School Meals in Federal Schools in Northeastern Brazil Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Silva Wilma Fabiana Ferreira da , Bezerra Ingrid Wilza Leal , Vale Diogo , Oliveira Antonio Gouveia , Seabra Larissa Mont’Alverne Jucá
Published: December 2024

School meals play a critical role in supporting students’ biopsychosocial growth, development, learning, academic performance, and the establishment of healthy eating habits. In public institutions, food procurement is conducted through formal public procurement processes. However, emphasizing cost-effectiveness in bidding criteria, such as prioritizing the lowest product price, may inadvertently encourage the acquisition of foods high in critical nutrients. In Brazil, specific guidelines for public school food procurement have been introduced to improve the nutritional quality of foods included in school menus. Objective: To evaluate the impact of legislative measures and regulations implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic on the nutritional composition of school meals provided by federal high schools in Rio Grande do Norte, located in northeastern Brazil. It also compared the composition and origin of foods procured before and after the pandemic. Methods: This is a longitudinal observational panel study conducted across 20 federal schools. Procurement documents from 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2021 (post-pandemic) were analyzed to assess changes in the nutritional profile of procured foods. Results: Post-pandemic, the procurement of natural and minimally processed and processed foods increased, representing 73.39% and 10.34%, respectively, of the total approved foods. There was also a 39% reduction in ultra-processed foods compared to 2019, in addition to a reduction in culinary ingredients. Additionally, the proportion of foods containing excessive levels of critical nutrients declined. A significant shift was observed in the origin of procured foods, with a notable increase in the purchase of locally sourced items. Conclusions: The findings indicate a positive shift in the nutritional quality of foods procured after the COVID-19 pandemic, with a decrease in ultra-processed food purchases and an increase in the procurement of natural and minimally processed options. Nonetheless, the continued presence of ultra-processed foods and items with excessive critical nutrients highlights the need for further improvements in public procurement practices to fully align with nutritional guidelines.
Assessing the Nutrient Composition of a Carnivore Diet: A Case Study Model
Authors: Goedeke Sylvia , Murphy Tamzyn , Rush Amy , Zinn Caryn
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: The rise in chronic metabolic diseases has led to the exploration of alternative diets. The carnivore diet, consisting exclusively of animal products, has gained attention, anecdotally, for imparting benefit for inflammatory conditions beyond that possible by other restrictive dietary approaches. The aim was to assess the micronutrient adequacy of four versions of the carnivore diet against national nutrient reference values (NRVs). Methods: This study assessed the nutrient adequacy of the carnivore diet against national NRVs from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and New Zealand Ministry of Health. Four meal plans for hypothetical average Australian adults were developed and analysed using Foodworks.online (Version 1, Xyris Pty Ltd., Brisbane, Australia, 2024), dietary software. Two female and two male plans were included; one set including dairy products and the other set including offal. Results: The carnivore diet met several NRV thresholds for nutrients such as riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, zinc, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, selenium, and Vitamin A, and exceeded the sodium threshold. However, it fell short in thiamin, magnesium, calcium, and Vitamin C, and in iron, folate, iodine and potassium in some cases. Fibre intake was significantly below recommended levels. Conclusion: The carnivore diet may offer benefits for managing certain chronic conditions. Whether the metabolic contexts from consuming such a diet facilitates a lower requirement of certain nutrients, or whether it poses risks of micronutrient inadequacies remains to be determined. Tailored nutritional guidance and supplementation strategies are recommended to ensure careful consideration of micronutrient intake to prevent deficiencies.
COVID-19 Implications on School Dietary Behavior in Chinese College Students: Based on the Longitudinal Assessment of Dietary Records from Intelligent Ordering System
Authors: Liu Shaojie , Peng Hong , Gu Dantong , Luo Mengyun , Qian Haihong , Jia Yingnan
Published: December 2024

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the dietary behavior of college students; however, the persistence of the changes in dietary behavior remains uncertain. This study aims to explore the changes in school food consumption and dietary quality of college students during three distinct COVID-19 periods: pre-epidemic (stage T1), epidemic (stage T2), and post-COVID-19 epidemic (stage T3). Methods: The persistent 6-year data, involving 3,484,081 dietary records from January 2018 to December 2023, for college students were acquired from the “Intelligent Ordering System (IOS)”. School food consumption and total energy intake of each college student per day were evaluated by information on three meals in the IOS combined with the corresponding food database of each dish. The school dietary quality of college students was evaluated by the Chinese Healthy Eating Index (CHEI). Results: In total, 459 college students were included in the T1 period, 530 in the T2 period, and 1316 in the T3 period. At stages T2 and T3, the energy, protein, and fat intakes of college students were higher than those at stage T1 (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the breakfast energy ratio exhibited a significant decrease (0.27 vs. 0.25), while the lunch (0.37 vs. 0.38) and dinner (0.37 vs. 0.38) energy ratios exhibited varying degrees of increase (p < 0.001). After the COVID-19 pandemic, the components’ score of the CHEI for dark vegetables, red meats, and sodium showed an increase, while tubers exhibited a decrease (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study provides compelling evidence of the significantly negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on school food consumption and dietary quality among Chinese college students. However, the duration of this effect may be limited. There was a certain degree of improvement in the food consumption and school diet quality of college students in China following the conclusion of the epidemic.
Therapeutic Potential of Ketogenic Interventions for Autosomal-Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Li Donglai , Dawson Jessica , Gunton Jenny E.
Published: December 2024

Background: Recent findings have highlighted that abnormal energy metabolism is a key feature of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Emerging evidence suggests that nutritional ketosis could offer therapeutic benefits, including potentially slowing or even reversing disease progression. This systematic review aims to synthesise the literature on ketogenic interventions to evaluate the impact in ADPKD. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, and Scopus using relevant Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords. Studies assessing ketogenic interventions in the management of ADPKD in both human and animal models were selected for data extraction and analysis. Results: Three animal reports and six human studies were identified. Ketogenic diets (KD) significantly slowed polycystic kidney disease (PKD) progression in rats with improved renal function and reduced cystic areas. There was reduced renal fibrosis and cell proliferation. The supplementation of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in rats also reduced PKD progression in a dose-dependent manner. Human studies (n = 129) on KD in ADPKD reported consistent body mass index (BMI) reduction across trials, with an average weight loss of ∼4 kg. Improvements in blood pressure were also noted. Ketosis was achieved in varying degrees. Effects on kidney function (eGFR) were beneficial. Results for kidney volume were mixed but most studies were underpowered for this outcome. Lipid profiles showed increases in total cholesterol (∼1 mmol/L) and LDL cholesterol (∼0.4 mmol/L) in most studies. Safety concerns such as “keto flu” symptoms, elevated uric acid levels, and occasional kidney stones were noted. Overall feasibility and adherence to the KD were rated positively by most participants. Conclusions: Human studies are promising; however, they have been limited by small sample sizes and short durations. Larger, long-term trials are needed to assess the efficacy, adherence, and safety of ketogenic diets in people with ADPKD.
Delirium Management Quality Improvement Project to Improve Awareness and Screening in a Medical ICU
Authors: Makhija Hirsh , Digrande Kyle , Awan Omar , Buhr Russell G. , Saggar Rajan , Ramirez Victoria , Tarumoto Rainbow , Fine Janelle M. , Malhotra Atul , Needham Dale M. , Martin Jennifer L. , Kamdar Biren B.
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Although delirium is common during critical illness, standard-of-care detection and prevention practices in real-world intensive care unit (ICU) settings remain inconsistent, often due to a lack of provider education. Despite availability for over 20 years of validated delirium screening tools such as the Confusion Assessment Method in the ICU (CAM-ICU), feasible and rigorous educational efforts continue to be needed to address persistent delirium standard-of-care practice gaps. Methods: Spanning an 8-month quality improvement project period, our single-ICU interdisciplinary effort involved delivery of CAM-ICU pocket cards to bedside nurses, and lectures by experienced champions that included a live delirium detection demonstration using the CAM-ICU, and a comprehensive discussion of evidence-based delirium prevention strategies (e.g., benzodiazepine avoidance). Subsequent engagement by health system leadership motivated the development of an electronic health record dataset to evaluate unit-level outcomes, including CAM-ICU documentation and benzodiazepine administration. Results: Using a dataset that spanned 9 pre- and 37 post-project months and included 3612 patients, 4470 admissions, and 33,913 patient days, we observed that delirium education was followed by a dramatic rise in CAM-ICU documentation, from <1% for daytime and nighttime shifts to peaks of 73% and 71%, respectively (p < 0.0001 for trend), and a fall in the proportion of mechanically ventilated patients ever receiving benzodiazepine infusions (69% to 41%; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: An interdisciplinary delirium project comprising rigorous lectures on standard-of-care practices can yield significant improvements in documentation and sedative administration. This approach can help ICUs jumpstart efforts to build awareness and address longstanding gaps in standard-of-care delirium practices.
Mitogenome Phylogenetics of Spiruromorpha Porpoise Parasite: Insights Into Phylogeny of Crassicauda magna
Authors: Han Lei , Yang Yuling , Lu Maolin , Yu Hongyan , Lu Yaxian , Zhou Mengchao , Liu Tianlu , Zhang Ruisi , Chen Bingyao , Hou Zhijun
Published: December 2024

(1) Background: Crassicauda magna is a major parasite of large porpoises and whales and has been classified in the Habronematoidea family. However, there has been a great controversy regarding its classification. Mitochondria have an important function in revealing taxonomic and evolutionary history. (2) Methods: In this study, we sequenced the mitochondrial genome of C. magna and conducted a phylogenetic analysis with the mitochondrial sequences of species belonging to the Habronematoidea family. (3) Results: The complete mitochondrial genome was 13,604 bp and it has an AT-rich sequence and one non-coding region (NCR). The reconstruction of the ancestral state showed that the gene orders of all species in Spirurina were conserved. The phylogenetic tree indicates that C. magna is closer to Heliconema longissimum (Physalopteroidea) than Tetrameres grusi (Habronematoidea). (4) Conclusions: This study provides new evidence that C. magna is phylogenetically closer to Physalopteroidea at the molecular taxonomic level.
Garcinia brasiliensis Leaves Extracts Inhibit the Development of Ascitic and Solid Ehrlich Tumors
Authors: Silva Lucas Sylvestre , Cavallini Eduardo , da Silva Rafael André , Sant’Ana Monielle , Yoshikawa Ariane Harumi , Salomão Thiago , Huang Bianca , Craice Paula , de Souza Ferreira Luiz Philipe , Della Matta Heitor Pedro , Gil Cristiane Damas , Pereira Maria de Lourdes Gomes , Girol Ana Paula
Published: December 2024

Background: Garcinia brasiliensis is traditionally known for its medicinal properties. Objectives: Here, we investigated the effects of crude extract (CE) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) obtained from G. brasiliensis leaves on the ascitic (EA) and solid (ES) forms of Ehrlich tumors. Methods: Induced and uninduced BALB/c mice were treated intramuscularly, for 7 or 14 days, with saline solution or CE and EAF, both at a 10% concentration, based on in vitro cytotoxicity assessment. Biochemical analyses were also performed to evaluate in vivo cytotoxicity. In relation to tumor-induced animals, morphological changes, plasma enzymes, inflammatory mediators and the induction of apoptosis were analyzed, in addition to histopathological studies, to evaluate the inhibition of tumor growth. Results: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were regulated by CE and EAF administration. Furthermore, both treatments were effective in inhibiting tumor growth in EA and ES by modulating the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, decreasing mast cells numbers and inducing apoptosis. Conclusions: This research indicates that both CE and EAF from G. brasiliensis leaves have potential antitumor effects with low cytotoxicity.
Comparison of ZnS(Ag) Scintillator and Proportional Counter Tube for Alpha Detection in Thin-Layer Chromatography
Authors: Pretze Marc , Wendrich Jan , Hartmann Holger , Freudenberg Robert , Bundschuh Ralph A. , Kotzerke Jörg , Michler Enrico
Published: December 2024

(1) Background: Targeted alpha therapy is an emerging field in nuclear medicine driven by two advantages: overcoming resistance in cancer-suffering patients to beta therapies and the practical application of lower activities of 212Pb- and 225Ac-labelled peptides to achieve the same doses compared to beta therapy due to the highly cytotoxic nature of alpha particles. However, quality control of the 212Pb/225Ac-radiopharmaceuticals remains a challenge due to the low activity levels used for therapy (100 kBq/kg) and the formation of several free daughter nuclides immediately after the formulation of patient doses; (2) Methods: The routine alpha detection on thin-layer chromatograms (TLC) of 212Pb- and 225Ac-labelled peptides using a MiniScanPRO+ scanner combined with an alpha detector head was compared with detection using an AR-2000 scanner equipped with an open proportional counter tube. Measurement time, resolution and validity were compared for both scanners; (3) Results: For 225Ac, the quality control values of the radiochemical purity (RCP) were within the acceptance criteria 2 h after TLC development, regardless of when the TLC probe was taken. That is, if the TLC probe was taken 24 h after radiosynthesis, the true value of the RCP was not measured until 5 h after TLC development. For 212Pb-labelled peptides, the probe sampling did not have a high impact on the value of the RCP for the MiniScanPRO+ and AR-2000. A difference was observed when measuring TLC with the AR-2000 in different modes; (4) Conclusions: The MiniScanPRO+ is fast, does not require additional equipment and can also measure the gamma spectrum, which may be important for some radiopharmaceutical production sites and regulatory authorities. The AR-2000 has a better signal-to-noise ratio, and this eliminates the need for additional waiting time after TLC development.
Exploring Zinc C295 as a Dual HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitor: From Strand Transfer to 3′-Processing Suppression
Authors: Sayyed Sharif Karim , Quraishi Marzuqa , Prabakaran D. S. , Chandrasekaran Balaji , Ramesh Thiyagarajan , Rajasekharan Satish Kumar , Raorane Chaitany Jayprakash , Sonawane Tareeka , Ravichandran Vinothkannan
Published: December 2024

Background: The global AIDS pandemic highlights the urgent need for novel antiretroviral therapies (ART). In our previous work, Zinc C295 was identified as a potent HIV-1 integrase strand transfer (ST) inhibitor. This study explores its potential to also inhibit 3′-processing (3′P), thereby establishing its dual-targeting capability. Methods: The inhibitory activity of Zinc C295 against 3′P was evaluated using a modified in vitro assay adapted from our earlier ST inhibition studies. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to analyse Zinc C295’s interactions with the 3′P allosteric site of HIV-1 integrase. Results: Zinc C295 demonstrated significant inhibition of HIV-1 integrase 3′P activity in in vitro assays (IC50 = 4.709 ± 0.97 µM). Computational analyses revealed key interactions of Zinc C295 within the enzyme’s allosteric site, providing insights into its dual inhibitory mechanism. Conclusions: Zinc C295’s dual inhibition of HIV-1 integrase ST and 3′P establishes it as a promising candidate for next-generation ART. Its dual-action mechanism may offer potential advantages in enhancing treatment efficacy and addressing drug resistance. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its therapeutic potential in clinical settings.
Tenascin C-Guided Nanosystem for Precision Delivery of Obeticholic Acid in Liver Fibrosis Therapy
Authors: Wang Yawen , Yang Lei , Xu Qing , Liu Taiyu , He Hongliang , Liu Lisha , Yin Lifang
Published: December 2024

Objective: Liver fibrosis, a hallmark of chronic liver diseases, is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and scar tissue formation. Current antifibrotic nanomedicines face significant limitations, including poor penetration into fibrotic tissue, rapid clearance, and suboptimal therapeutic efficacy. The dense fibrotic ECM acts as a major physiological barrier, necessitating the development of a targeted delivery strategy to achieve effective therapeutic outcomes. Methods: We designed a liposomal delivery system functionalized with the GBI-10 aptamer and encapsulating obeticholic acid (OCA lips@Apt) to enhance selective delivery to fibrotic liver tissue while minimizing systemic toxicity. Results: Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the aptamer-modified OCA liposomes effectively treated hepatic fibrosis through dual mechanisms: modulation of abnormal bile acid metabolism and attenuation of inflammation. The targeted delivery system leveraged the overexpression of Tenascin-C (TnC), a key ECM component in fibrotic tissues, for precise localization and enhanced endocytosis via the exposed cationic liposome surface. Conclusions: The OCA lips@Apt nanodrug demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy with minimal off-target effects, offering a promising strategy to overcome critical barriers in liver fibrosis treatment. By precisely targeting the fibrotic ECM and modulating key pathological pathways, this TnC-guided liposomal delivery system provides a significant advancement in antifibrotic nanomedicine.
Liposomal Formulations: A Recent Update
Authors: Agrawal Surendra S. , Baliga Vrinda , Londhe Vaishali Y.
Published: December 2024

Liposome-based drug delivery technologies have showed potential in enhancing medication safety and efficacy. Innovative drug loading and release mechanisms highlighted in this review of next-generation liposomal formulations. Due to poor drug release kinetics and loading capacity, conventional liposomes have limited clinical use. Scientists have developed new liposomal carrier medication release control and encapsulation methods to address these limits. Drug encapsulation can be optimized by creating lipid compositions that match a drug’s charge and hydrophobicity. By selecting lipids and adding co-solvents or surfactants, scientists have increased drug loading in liposomal formulations while maintaining stability. Nanotechnology has also created multifunctional liposomes with triggered release and personalized drug delivery. Surface modification methods like PEGylation and ligand conjugation can direct liposomes to disease regions, improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing off-target effects. In addition to drug loading, researchers have focused on spatiotemporal modulation of liposomal carrier medication release. Stimuli-responsive liposomes release drugs in response to bodily signals. Liposomes can be pH- or temperature-sensitive. To improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity, researchers added stimuli-responsive components to liposomal membranes to precisely control drug release kinetics. Advanced drug delivery technologies like magnetic targeting and ultrasound. Pro Drug, RNA Liposomes approach may improve liposomal medication administration. Magnetic targeting helps liposomes aggregate at illness sites and improves drug delivery, whereas ultrasound-mediated drug release facilitates on-demand release of encapsulated medicines. This review also covers recent preclinical and clinical research showing the therapeutic promise of next-generation liposomal formulations for cancer, infectious diseases, neurological disorders and inflammatory disorders. The transfer of these innovative liposomal formulations from lab to clinical practice involves key difficulties such scalability, manufacturing difficulty, and regulatory limits.
Liposomal Formulation of Hydroxychloroquine Can Inhibit Autophagy In Vivo
Authors: Dragowska Wieslawa H. , Singh Jagbir , Wehbe Mohamed , Anantha Malathi , Edwards Katarina , Gorski Sharon M. , Bally Marcel B. , Leung Ada W. Y.
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Preclinical studies have shown that the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) improves the anti-cancer effects of various therapeutic agents by impairing autophagy. These findings are difficult to translate in vivo as reaching an effective HCQ concentration at the tumor site for extended times is challenging. Previously, we found that free HCQ in combination with gefitinib (Iressa®, ZD1839) significantly reduced tumor volume in immunocompromised mice bearing gefitinib-resistant JIMT-1 breast cancer xenografts. Here, we sought to evaluate whether a liposomal formulation of HCQ could effectively modulate autophagy in vivo and augment treatment outcomes in the same tumor model. Methods: We developed two liposomal formulations of HCQ: a pH-loaded formulation and a formulation based on copper complexation. The pharmacokinetics of each formulation was evaluated in CD1 mice following intravenous administration. An efficacy study was performed in immunocompromised mice bearing established JIMT-1tumors. Autophagy markers in tumor tissue harvested after four weeks of treatment were assessed by Western blot. Results: The liposomal formulations engendered ~850-fold increases in total drug exposure over time relative to the free drug. Both liposomal and free HCQ in combination with gefitinib provided comparable therapeutic benefits (p > 0.05). An analysis of JIMT-1 tumor tissue indicated that the liposomal HCQ and gefitinib combination augmented the inhibition of autophagy in vivo compared to the free HCQ and gefitinib combination as demonstrated by increased LC3-II and p62/SQSTM1 (p62) protein levels. Conclusions: The results suggest that liposomal HCQ has a greater potential to modulate autophagy in vivo compared to free HCQ; however, this did not translate to better therapeutic effects when used in combination with gefitinib to treat a gefitinib-resistant tumor model.
Pharmacy Customers’ Attitudes Towards Expanded Pharmacy Services in Croatia
Authors: Bukic Josipa , Rusic Doris , Durdov Toni , Tarabaric Kristian , Modun Darko , Leskur Dario , Seselja Perisin Ana , Kondza Martin , Bozic Josko
Published: December 2024

Pharmacists have been recognized as the most accessible healthcare professionals, and research has been carried out on expanded pharmacy services they could provide. Additional pharmacy services are a cost-effective way to prevent medication errors, reduce the number of drug-related problems, and prevent chronic disease progression. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate pharmacy service users’ views of expanded pharmacy services in Croatia. This study included 745 participants. Patients who have a healthcare professional in their family more frequently knew of the existence of e-health records and the option to share it with their pharmacists (134, 56.3% vs. 229, 45.2%, p = 0.005), while persons that have chronic illness more frequently visit the same pharmacy (176, 77.9% vs. 178, 34.3%, p < 0.001). Participants are confident that pharmacists can provide screening services and education on inhaler usage; however, only around 60% agreed that pharmacists can independently lead therapy adjustment, medication substitution, or monitor therapy based on test results. Our findings should be supported with projects evaluating the cost-effectiveness of such services as they would be accepted by a greater number of pharmacy service users if covered by the national health insurer.
Digitalized Optical Sensor Network for Intelligent Facility Monitoring
Authors: Renner Esther , Haerteis Lisa-Sophie , Kaiser Joachim , Villnow Michael , Richter Markus , Thiel Torsten , Pohlkötter Andreas , Schmauss Bernhard
Published: December 2024

Due to their inherent advantages, optical fiber sensors (OFSs) can substantially contribute to the monitoring and performance enhancement of energy infrastructure. However, optical fiber sensor systems often are standalone solutions and do not connect to the main energy infrastructure control systems. In this paper, we propose a solution for the digitalization of an optical fiber sensor system realized by the Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) protocol and the Internet of Things (IoT) platform Insights Hub. The optical fiber sensor system is based on bidirectional incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (biOFDR) and is used for the interrogation of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) arrays. To allow for an automated sensor identification and thus measurement procedure, an optical sensor identification marker based on a unique combination of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) is established. To demonstrate the abilities of the digitalized sensor network, a field test was performed in a power plant test facility of Siemens Energy. Temperature measurements of a packaged FBG sensor fiber were performed with a portable demonstrator, illustrating the system’s robustness and the comprehensive data processing stream from sensor value formation to the cloud. The realized network services promote sensor data quality, fusion, and modeling, expanding opportunities using digital twin technology.
High-Ratio Nonlinear Compression of Picosecond Lasers Based on Thin Plates
Authors: Zhou Kainan , Li Zhaoli , Zuo Yanlei , Wu Zhaohui , Zeng Xiaoming , Wang Xiao , Wang Xiaodong , Mu Jie , Feng Guoying
Published: December 2024

Nonlinear compression, as a newly developed post-processing technique, holds the potential to overcome the limitations of gain media and significantly reduce the pulse width of emitted laser pulses. While most existing research has focused on the compression of femtosecond pulses, the methods employed differ substantially from those used for picosecond laser nonlinear compression. In this study, we experimentally investigated the high-ratio nonlinear compression of a picosecond laser using a thin-plate-based approach. A 1 ps, 0.55 mJ laser pulse was successfully compressed to 69.6 fs with an energy of 0.26 mJ through a two-stage nonlinear compression process. Beam spatial quality was well preserved by employing apertures to eliminate conical emissions. These results pave the way for advancements in high-peak-power, high-repetition-rate laser systems, offering a promising route for future applications.
Research on Reflective High-Speed Multi-Point Confocal Microscopy System
Authors: Hu Huiqin , He Ning , Du Kuangwei , Zhu Yukun , Zhou Dakai , Mi Yuan , Chen Yunbo , Ma Junteng , Chen Youhua , Kuang Cuifang
Published: December 2024

Reflective confocal imaging systems often face challenges in achieving high resolution, imaging speed, and uniformity, particularly for reflective sample imaging. This study introduces a reflective multi-point confocal imaging system designed to improve imaging speed, expand the field of view, and optimize performance for reflective sample imaging using incoherent, telecentric light-emitting diode (LED) illumination. By integrating uniform illumination with microlens arrays and optimizing instantaneous structured illumination microscopy optical components, the system achieves a resolution of 1116 lp/mm (20×, 0.42), 100 fps imaging, and a 500 µm × 500 µm field of view while improving contrast. A comparative analysis of laser- and LED-based scanning demonstrates that incoherent illumination provides superior uniformity and reduces intensity variance in reflective imaging. Validation through photon-reassignment experiments, resolution target imaging, and 100 nm metal particle visualization confirmed the system’s enhanced resolution. Furthermore, ex vivo corneal imaging revealed cellular-level details, suggesting its potential for noncontact corneal diagnostics.
A Simple Polarization-Based Fringe Projection Profilometry Method for Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of High-Dynamic-Range Surfaces
Authors: Sun Xiang , Luo Zhenjun , Wang Shizhao , Wang Jianhua , Zhang Yunpeng , Zou Dandan
Published: December 2024

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of high-dynamic-range (HDR) surfaces plays an important role in the fields of computer vision and image processing. Traditional 3D measurement methods often face the risk of information loss when dealing with surfaces that have HDR characteristics. To address this issue, this paper proposes a simple 3D reconstruction method, which combines the features of non-overexposed regions in polarized and unpolarized images to improve the reconstruction quality of HDR surface objects. The optimum fringe regions are extracted from images with different polarization angles, and the non-overexposed regions in normally captured unpolarized images typically contain complete fringe information and are less affected by specular highlights. The optimal fringe information from different polarized image groups is gradually used to replace the incorrect fringe information in the unpolarized image, resulting in a complete set of fringe data. Experimental results show that the proposed method requires only 24~36 images and simple phase fusion to achieve successful 3D reconstruction. It can effectively mitigate the negative impact of overexposed regions on absolute phase calculation and 3D reconstruction when reconstructing objects with strongly reflective surfaces.
Fatigue Behaviour of PA66 GF30 at Different Temperatures
Authors: Zadravec Marko , Kramberger Janez , Nečemer Branko , Glodež Srečko
Published: December 2024

A comprehensive experimental investigation to understand the mechanical properties and fatigue behaviour of glass-reinforced polyamide (PA66 GF30) at different temperatures is presented in this paper. The specimens for quasi-static and fatigue testing were machined from previously extruded plates, where two orientations were considered: (i) the extrusion direction (ED) and (ii) the direction perpendicular to extrusion (PED). Both the quasi-static and fatigue tests were performed under different temperatures (22 °C and 100 °C). The fatigue tests were performed in a load control regime under pulsating loading (R = 0.1) to create S–N curves for all the temperatures and loading directions. The experimental results of the quasi-static tests showed that the test specimens manufactured in the extrusion direction have better mechanical properties when compared to those of the specimens manufactured perpendicular to the extrusion direction. Furthermore, the analysis of the quasi-static tensile test results showed that tensile strength, yield strength, and the modulus of elasticity are significantly dependent on the temperature and deteriorate when the temperature is increased from 22 °C to 100 °C. The results of the fatigue tests showed that at both the temperatures (22 °C and 100 °C), the samples produced in the direction of extrusion exhibited higher fatigue strength than those produced perpendicular to the direction of extrusion. For all the sample orientations, the fatigue strength decreased significantly with increasing temperature. The obtained experimental results could be very useful when designing and dimensioning different dynamically loaded engineering components made of PA66 GF30 subjected to high temperatures.
α-Olefin Oligomerization Mediated by Group 4 Metallocene Catalysts: An Extreme Manifestation of the Multisite Nature of Methylaluminoxane
Authors: Zaccaria Francesco , Vittoria Antonio , Antinucci Giuseppe , Cipullo Roberta , Busico Vincenzo
Published: December 2024

Group 4 metallocenes are competent catalysts for the oligomerization of higher α-olefins. Among the many chemical and physical variables of importance in the process, one is the choice of cocatalyst (activator). The impact of various activators on the performance of a representative catalyst, (nBuCp)2ZrCl2, in the oligomerization of 1-octene was thoroughly investigated; in particular, the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the oligomers was determined by means of high-resolution high performance liquid chromatography (HR-HPLC). Unexpectedly, a bimodal MWD was highlighted when the precatalyst was activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), whereas a single Schulz–Flory (SF) MWD was observed with borate salts. The presence of Al centers with different Lewis acidity in the complex and ill-defined structure of MAO is well known, and the broadening effects on the MWD of olefin polymerization products made with metallocene/MAO catalyst systems have been reported before. However, to the best of our knowledge, clear HR-HPLC evidence of two active species resulting from activation with MAO of one single zirconocene precursor, yielding two discrete SF product distributions, is unprecedented. By varying the polarity of the reaction medium, we managed to modulate the MWD of the oligomers from bimodal to monomodal, even with MAO, thus demonstrating that ion pairing effects are behind these unusual findings.