bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Deficiency of Hypusinated eIF5A Decreases the Putrescine/Spermidine Ratio and Inhibits +1 Programmed Ribosomal Frameshifting during the Translation of Ty1 Retrotransposon in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Xiao Yu , Wang Ruanlin , Han Xiaxia , Wang Wei , Liang Aihua
Published: February 2024

Programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) exists in all branches of life that regulate gene expression at the translational level. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is a highly conserved protein essential in all eukaryotes. It is identified initially as an initiation factor and functions broadly in translation elongation and termination. The hypusination of eIF5A is specifically required for +1 PRF at the shifty site derived from the ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 1 (OAZ1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, whether the regulation of +1 PRF by yeast eIF5A is universal remains unknown. Here, we found that Sc-eIF5A depletion decreased the putrescine/spermidine ratio. The re-introduction of Sc-eIF5A in yeast eIF5A mutants recovered the putrescine/spermidine ratio. In addition, the Sc-eIF5A depletion decreases +1 PRF during the decoding of Ty1 retrotransposon mRNA, but has no effect on −1 PRF during the decoding of L-A virus mRNA. The re-introduction of Sc-eIF5A in yeast eIF5A mutants restored the +1 PRF rate of Ty1. The inhibition of the hypusine modification of yeast eIF5A by GC7 treatment or by mutating the hypusination site Lys to Arg caused decreases of +1 PRF rates in the Ty1 retrotransposon. Furthermore, mutational studies of the Ty1 frameshifting element support a model where the efficient removal of ribosomal subunits at the first Ty1 frame 0 stop codon is required for the frameshifting of trailing ribosomes. This dependency is likely due to the unique position of the frame 0 stop codon distance from the slippery sequence of Ty1. The results showed that eIF5A is a trans-regulator of +1 PRF for Ty1 retrotransposon and could function universally in yeast.
Wet-Spun Chitosan–Sodium Caseinate Fibers for Biomedicine: From Spinning Process to Physical Properties
Authors: Peniche Hazel , Razonado Ivy Ann , Alcouffe Pierre , Sudre Guillaume , Peniche Carlos , Osorio-Madrazo Anayancy , David Laurent
Published: February 2024

We designed and characterized chitosan–caseinate fibers processed through wet spinning for biomedical applications such as drug delivery from knitted medical devices. Sodium caseinate was either incorporated directly into the chitosan dope or allowed to diffuse into the chitosan hydrogel from a coagulation bath containing sodium caseinate and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The latter route, where caseinate was incorporated in the neutralization bath, produced fibers with better mechanical properties for textile applications than those formed by the chitosan–caseinate mixed collodion route. The latter processing method consists of enriching a pre-formed chitosan hydrogel with caseinate, preserving the structure of the semicrystalline hydrogel without drastically affecting interactions involved in the chitosan self-assembly. Thus, dried fibers, after coagulation in a NaOH/sodium caseinate aqueous bath, exhibited preserved ultimate mechanical properties. The crystallinity ratio of chitosan was not significantly impacted by the presence of caseinate. However, when caseinate was incorporated into the chitosan dope, chitosan–caseinate fibers exhibited lower ultimate mechanical properties, possibly due to a lower entanglement density in the amorphous phase of the chitosan matrix. A standpoint is to optimize the chitosan–caseinate composition ratio and processing route to find a good compromise between the preservation of fiber mechanical properties and appropriate fiber composition for potential application in drug release.
Protective Effect of Probiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Paterniti Irene , Scuderi Sarah Adriana , Cambria Lucia , Nostro Antonia , Esposito Emanuela , Marino Andreana
Published: February 2024

Probiotic therapy needs consideration as an alternative strategy to prevent and possibly treat corneal infection. This study aimed to assess the preventive effect of Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis on reducing the infection of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The probiotics’ preventive effect against infection was evaluated in cell monolayers pretreated with each probiotic 1 h and 24 h prior to P. aeruginosa challenge followed by 1 h and 24 h of growth in combination. Cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, and antinitrosative activities were evaluated. L. reuteri and B. longum adhered to HCE cells, preserved occludin tight junctions’ integrity, and increased mucin production on a SkinEthicTM HCE model. Pretreatment with L. reuteri or B. longum significantly protected HCE cells from infection at 24 h, increasing cell viability at 110% (110.51 ± 5.15; p ≤ 0.05) and 137% (137.55 ± 11.97; p ≤ 0.05), respectively. Each probiotic showed anti-inflammatory and antinitrosative activities, reducing TNF-α level (p ≤ 0.001) and NOx amount (p ≤ 0.001) and reestablishing IL-10 level (p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that L. reuteri and B. longum exert protective effects in the context of corneal infection caused by P. aeruginosa by restoring cell viability and modulating inflammatory cytokine release.
Label-Free Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Quantitation of Relative N- and O-Glycan Concentrations in Human Milk in Japan
Authors: Yamaguchi Toshiyuki , Fukudome Hirofumi , Higuchi Junichi , Takahashi Tomoki , Tsujimori Yuta , Ueno Hiroshi M. , Toba Yasuhiro , Sakai Fumihiko
Published: February 2024

Human milk is abundant in carbohydrates and includes human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and N/O-glycans conjugated to proteins. HMO compositions and concentrations vary in individuals according to the maternal secretor status based on the fucosyltransferase 2 genotype; however, the profile of N/O-glycans remains uninvestigated because of the analytical complexity. Herein, we applied a label-free chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) technique to elucidate the variation in the composition and concentration of N/O-glycans in human milk. We used label-free LC–MS to relatively quantify 16 N-glycans and 12 O-glycans in 200 samples of Japanese human milk (1–2 months postpartum) and applied high performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection to absolutely quantify the concentrations of 11 representative HMOs. Cluster analysis of the quantitative data revealed that O-glycans and several HMOs were classified according to the presence or absence of fucose linked to galactose while N-glycans were classified into a different group from O-glycans and HMOs. O-glycans and HMOs with fucose linked to galactose were more abundant in human milk from secretor mothers than from nonsecretor mothers. Thus, secretor status influenced the composition and concentration of HMOs and O-glycans but not those of N-glycans in human milk.
THBS1 and THBS2 Enhance the In Vitro Proliferation, Adhesion, Migration and Invasion of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Corbella Eleonora , Fara Claudia , Covarelli Francesca , Porreca Veronica , Palmisano Biagio , Mignogna Giuseppina , Corsi Alessandro , Riminucci Mara , Maras Bruno , Mancone Carmine
Published: February 2024

In intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) and 2 (THBS2) are soluble mediators released in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that contribute to the metastatic spreading of iCCA cells via a lymphatic network by the trans-differentiation of vascular endothelial cells to a lymphatic-like phenotype. To study the direct role of THBS1 and THBS2 on the iCCA cells, well-established epithelial (HuCCT-1) and mesenchymal (CCLP1) iCCA cell lines were subjected to recombinant human THBS1 and THBS2 (rhTHBS1, rhTHBS2) for cellular function assays. Cell growth, cell adhesion, migration, and invasion were all enhanced in both CCLP1 and HuCCT-1 cells by the treatment with either rhTHBS1 or rhTHBS2, although they showed some variability in their intensity of speeding up cellular processes. rhTHBS2 was more intense in inducing invasiveness and in committing the HuCCT-1 cells to a mesenchymal-like phenotype and was therefore a stronger enhancer of the malignant behavior of iCCA cells compared to rhTHBS1. Our data extend the role of THBS1 and THBS2, which are not only able to hinder the vascular network and promote tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis but also exacerbate the malignant behavior of the iCCA cells.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Anti-Cancer Effects of Isorhapontigenin (ISO) on Highly Invasive Human T24 Bladder Cancer Cells
Authors: Li Alex H. , Park Sun Young , Li Peiwei , Zhou Chaoting , Kluz Thomas , Li Jingxia , Costa Max , Sun Hong
Published: February 2024

Bladder cancer, the most common malignancy of the urinary tract, has a poor overall survival rate when the tumor becomes muscle invasive. The discovery and evaluation of new alternative medications targeting high-grade muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) are of tremendous importance in reducing bladder cancer mortality. Isorhapontigenin (ISO), a stilbene derivative from the Chinese herb Gnetum cleistostachyum, exhibits a strong anti-cancer effect on MIBCs. Here, we report the whole transcriptome profiling of ISO-treated human bladder cancer T24 cells. A total of 1047 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 596 downregulated and 451 upregulated genes. Functional annotation and pathway analysis revealed that ISO treatment induced massive changes in gene expression associated with cell movement, migration, invasion, metabolism, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Additionally, ISO treatment-activated genes involved in the inflammatory response but repressed genes involved in hypoxia signaling, glycolysis, the actin cytoskeleton, and the tumor microenvironment. In summary, our whole transcriptome analysis demonstrated a shift in metabolism and altered actin cytoskeleton in ISO-treated T24 cells, which subsequently contribute to tumor microenvironment remodeling that suppresses tumor growth and progression.
Secondary Modification of S100B Influences Anti Amyloid-β Aggregation Activity and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Authors: Coelho Romina , De Benedictis Chiara A. , Sauer Ann Katrin , Figueira António J. , Faustino Hélio , Grabrucker Andreas M. , Gomes Cláudio M.
Published: February 2024

Proteinaceous aggregates accumulate in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), inducing cellular defense mechanisms and altering the redox status. S100 pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly S100B, are activated during AD, but recent findings reveal an unconventional molecular chaperone role for S100B in hindering Aβ aggregation and toxicity. This suggests a potential protective role for S100B at the onset of Aβ proteotoxicity, occurring in a complex biochemical environment prone to oxidative damage. Herein, we report an investigation in which extracellular oxidative conditions are mimicked to test if the susceptibility of S100B to oxidation influences its protective activities. Resorting to mild oxidation of S100B, we observed methionine oxidation as inferred from mass spectrometry, but no cysteine-mediated crosslinking. Structural analysis showed that the folding, structure, and stability of oxidized S100B were not affected, and nor was its quaternary structure. However, studies on Aβ aggregation kinetics indicated that oxidized S100B was more effective in preventing aggregation, potentially linked to the oxidation of Met residues within the S100:Aβ binding cleft that favors interactions. Using a cell culture model to analyze the S100B functions in a highly oxidative milieu, as in AD, we observed that Aβ toxicity is rescued by the co-administration of oxidized S100B to a greater extent than by S100B. Additionally, results suggest a disrupted positive feedback loop involving S100B which is caused by its oxidation, leading to the downstream regulation of IL-17 and IFN-α2 expression as mediated by S100B.
Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Black Garlic
Authors: Stępień Agnieszka Ewa , Trojniak Julia , Tabarkiewicz Jacek
Published: February 2024

Black garlic (BG) is a fermented form of garlic (Allium sativum L.), produced at precisely defined temperatures, humidities, and time periods. Although garlic has been used for thousands of years, black garlic is a relatively new discovery. There are many bioactive compounds in black garlic that give it medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. In our review article, we present scientific studies examining the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of black garlic. According to research, this effect is mainly due to the reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as the ability to scavenge free oxygen radicals and induce apoptosis. In addition, the phytochemicals contained in it have antiproliferative and antiangiogenic properties and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Black garlic is a valuable source of biologically active substances that can support anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer therapy. Compared to Allium sativum, black garlic has fewer side effects and is easier to consume.
Sustainable Transportation Infrastructures in Iowa—Goals and Practices
Authors: Lee Hosin , Moon Byungkyu , Lee Jeongbeom
Published: February 2024

The need to incorporate sustainability principles and practices is increasing for environmental and economic reasons. It is imperative to identify and operationalize sustainability strategies into core administrative, planning, design, construction, operational, and maintenance activities for the transportation infrastructure systems by integrating sustainability into decision-making processes. The primary goal of this study is to develop an implementation plan for achieving more sustainable transportation infrastructure systems in Iowa. This research aims to guide the adoption of sustainable strategies, balancing cost, performance, and environmental impact in transportation infrastructure development. This paper presents efforts to develop a methodology for identifying the best sustainable practices for implementation in transportation infrastructure practices in Iowa by surveying state DOTs to learn about their sustainability goals and practices, identifying existing sustainability attributes and sustainable practices, and developing a GIS database where construction, materials and performance data of sustainable practices can be stored and analyzed.
Residual Neuromuscular Block Remains a Safety Concern for Perioperative Healthcare Professionals: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Blum Franziska Elisabeth , Locke Andrew R. , Nathan Naveen , Katz Jeffrey , Bissing David , Minhaj Mohammed , Greenberg Steven B.
Published: February 2024

Residual neuromuscular block (RNMB) remains a significant safety concern for patients throughout the perioperative period and is still widely under-recognized by perioperative healthcare professionals. Current literature suggests an association between RNMB and an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, a prolonged length of stay in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU), and decreased patient satisfaction. The 2023 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Monitoring and Antagonism of Neuromuscular Blockade provide guidance for the use of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring coupled with neuromuscular reversal to recognize and reduce the incidence of RNMB. Using sugammadex for the reversal of neuromuscular block as well as quantitative neuromuscular monitoring to quantify the degree of neuromuscular block may significantly reduce the risk of RNMB among patients undergoing general anesthesia. Studies are forthcoming to investigate how using neuromuscular blocking agent reversal with quantitative monitoring of the neuromuscular block may further improve perioperative patient safety.
Numerical and Experimental Characterisation of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Processed by Additive Manufacturing (AM): Bending and Tensile Tests
Authors: Salgueiro Mariana P. , Pereira Fábio A. M. , Faria Carlos L. , Pereira Eduardo B. , Almeida João A. P. P. , Campos Teresa D. , Fakher Chaari , Zille Andrea , Nguyễn Quyền , Dourado Nuno
Published: February 2024

In additive manufacturing (AM), one of the most popular procedures is material extrusion (MEX). The materials and manufacturing parameters used in this process have a significant impact on a printed product’s quality. The purpose of this work is to investigate the effects of infill percentage and filament orientation on the mechanical properties of printed structures. For this reason, the characterisation of polylactic acid (PLA) was done numerically using the finite element method and experimentally through mechanical tests. The experiments involved three-point bending and tensile tests. The results showed that mechanical performance is highly dependent on these processing parameters mainly when the infill percentage is less than 100%. The highest elastic modulus was exhibited for structures with filament align at 0° and 100% infill, while the lowest one was verified for specimen filament aligned at 0° and 30% infill. The results demonstrated that the process parameters have a significant impact on mechanical performance, particularly when the infill percentage is less than 100%. Structures with filament aligned at 0° and 100% infill showed the maximum elastic modulus, whereas specimens with filament oriented at 0° and 30% infill showed the lowest. The obtained numerical agreement indicated that an inverse method based only on the load–displacement curve can yield an accurate value for this material’s elastic modulus.
A Borehole Acoustic Calculation Approach with Gas Hydrate Saturation Inversion in Gas Hydrate-Bearing Sediments
Authors: Liu Lin , Zhang Xiumei , Wang Xiuming
Published: February 2024

The inversion of gas hydrate saturation is a critical procedure in the evaluation of hydrate reservoirs. In this paper, a theoretical model for a borehole acoustic wavefield excited by multipole sources is established for the first time. On this basis, the attenuation of the dipole flexural waves is obtained, and in combination with the results of sensitivity analysis, an approach for inverting natural gas hydrates using the attenuation characteristics of the dipole flexural wave is proposed. The results of the sensitivity analysis demonstrate that the attenuation of the dipole flexural wave is sensitive to gas hydrate saturation. Numerical results derived from synthetic logging data are provided to illustrate the viability of the inversion of gas hydrate saturation. Even when significant noise is introduced into the receiver signal arrays, the inversion method remains stable and accurately assesses gas hydrate saturation. The correctness and effectiveness of the proposed approach are substantiated through the processing of numerical simulation data. This work provides a potent processing approach for evaluating reservoir hydrate saturation utilizing acoustic well-logging information.
Measurement and Influencing Factors of Economic Resilience over a Long Duration of COVID-19: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Yang Muxi , Zhai Guofang
Published: February 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic put forward a new test for an economic resilience study. Its long-term and diffusive spatiotemporal characteristics suggest that we need to pay attention to the resilience and spatial heterogeneity of cities over a longer period. This paper applied SARIMA and the performance curve to measure the economic resilience of each city under the pandemic, and explored its influencing factors and spatial heterogeneity using a geodetector and geographically weighted regression model. The results show that: (1) From 2020 to 2022, the economic resilience in the Yangtze River Delta presented a downward to upward to slightly downward trend. High-resilience cities were concentrated in southern Jiangsu, while vulnerable cities were primarily located in western Anhui. The performance of regional core cities was not as strong as in previous research focusing on long-term economic resilience. (2) Fixed-asset investment, related variety, labor supply level, foreign trade dependence, and innovation level were the main influencing factors, on average. The effects of these factors had spatial heterogeneity related to the regional endowment and development quality. The findings suggest that the specificity of public health risks and the lack of coping experience may lead to a general failure of economic resilience. Identifying key factors and current weaknesses in each region can make resilience improvement strategies more targeted and effective.
Investigation of Ionic Polymers’ Stabilizing and Flocculating Properties in Dispersed Activated Carbons Systems
Authors: Gęca Marlena , Wiśniewska Małgorzata , Nowicki Piotr
Published: February 2024

Activated carbons obtained via the thermochemical treatment of lemon balm and mint herbs were applied for ionic polymers adsorption, which directly affects the stability of these types of aqueous suspensions. The examined carbonaceous materials were characterized by well-developed specific surface area (approximately 1000 m2/g) and mesoporous structure. The adsorbed amounts of anionic poly(acrylic acid) and cationic polyethyleneimine from one-component solutions reached significant levels, but the efficiency of adsorption of these compounds from binary solutions slightly decreased. Moreover, the ionic polymers showed stabilizing properties towards the activated carbons suspensions. For both adsorbents, the most stable suspensions were systems containing both types of polymeric macromolecules with different ionic characters. This was due to the occurrence of electrosteric and depletion stabilization mechanisms. Furthermore, the zeta potential and size of particle aggregates were also influenced by the presence of polymers in the aqueous suspensions of activated carbons.
Elastic Wave Propagation Control in Porous and Finitely Deformed Locally Resonant Nacre-like Metamaterials
Authors: De Maio Umberto , Greco Fabrizio , Nevone Blasi Paolo , Pranno Andrea , Sgambitterra Girolamo
Published: February 2024

Recent studies have shown that the mechanical properties of bioinspired periodic composite materials can be strongly influenced by finite deformation effects, leading to highly nonlinear static and dynamic behaviors at multiple length scales. For instance, in porous periodic nacre-like microstructures, microscopic and macroscopic instabilities may occur for a given uniaxial loading process and, as a consequence, wave attenuation properties may evolve as a function of the microstructural evolution, designating it as metamaterials. The numerical outcomes provide new opportunities to design bioinspired, soft composite metamaterials characterized by high deformability and enhanced elastic wave attenuation capabilities given by the insertion of voids and lead cores.
The Effects of a Crosslinking Agent on the Microrheological Properties and Cellular Structure of Silicone Rubber Foam Prepared via a Green Process
Authors: He Hongyu , Li Lulu , Liu Hong , Luo Bin , Li Zhipeng , Tian Wenhuai
Published: February 2024

Chemical foaming technology is widely used in the preparation of silicone rubber foam and is attributable to its one-step molding capability and eco-friendly production processes. The microrheological properties of silicone rubber play a pivotal role during the foaming process. In this study, Rheolaser Lab (Formulaction, Toulouse, France) was used to conduct in situ examinations for the influence of a crosslinking agent on the microrheological properties of silicone rubber foam for the first time. This study monitors the entire reaction process of silicone rubber foam from liquid to solid, as well as the matching of crosslinking and foaming reactions. Various parameters, including solid–liquid balance, elasticity index, and macroscopic viscosity index, are measured to analyze the microrheological properties of silicone rubber foam. The results show that the silicone rubber foam exhibits good microrheological properties, thereby demonstrating excellent performance at a crosslinking agent content of 2%. Through adjusting the experimental conditions, a sustainable and efficient approach was proposed for better cellular structure control in the industrial preparation of silicone rubber foam.
The Effect of Foaming Agents on the Thermal Behavior of Aluminum Precursors
Authors: Rodinger Tomislav , Ćorić Danko , Kováčik Jaroslav
Published: February 2024

Various foaming agents can be used to achieve foaming of the precursors obtained by using the powder metallurgy method. However, the thermal behavior of pure aluminum precursors with different foaming agents has been studied very little in recent times. For the production of aluminum foams with closed cells, 1 wt.% of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), titanium hydride (TiH2), heat-treated TiH2 and zirconium hydride (ZrH2) were used. The foaming capability of the compacted precursors was investigated at temperatures 700, 720 and 750 °C. CaCO3 and TiH2 showed the best foamability at all considered temperatures, while ZrH2 achieved relatively good foaming only at the highest temperature, 750 °C. Due to their low onset temperature of the decomposition compared to the melting point of the unalloyed aluminum, in hydride-based foaming agents the drainage occurred at the bottom part of the foam samples. Among the investigated foaming agents, precursors with heat-treated TiH2 had the worst foaming properties, while CaCO3 showed the best foamability without the occurrence of drainage.
Low-Frequency Dynamic Magnetic Fields Decrease Cellular Uptake of Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Ivanova Anna V. , Chmelyuk Nelly S. , Nikitin Aleksey A. , Majouga Alexander G. , Chekhonin Vladimir P. , Abakumov Maxim A.
Published: February 2024

Magnetic nanoparticles have gained attention as a potential structure for therapy and diagnosing oncological diseases. The key property of the magnetic nanoparticles is the ability to respond to an external magnetic field. It is known that magnetofection causes an increase in the cellular uptake of RNA and DNA in complexes with magnetic nanoparticles in the presence of a permanent magnetic field. However, the influence of a dynamic magnetic field on the internalization of MNPs is not clear. In this work, we propose the idea that applying external low-frequency dynamic magnetic fields may decrease the cellular uptake, such as macrophages and malignant neuroblastoma. Using fluorescence microscopy and atomic emission spectroscopy, we found that oscillating magnetic fields decreased the cellular uptake of magnetic nanoparticles compared to untreated cells by up to 46%. In SH-SY5Y tumor cells and macrophage RAW264.7 cells, the absolute values of Fe per cell differed by 0.10 pg/cell and 0.33 pg/cell between treated and untreated cells, respectively. These results can be applied in the control of the cellular uptake in different areas of biomedicine.
On the Magnetization and Entanglement Plateaus in One-Dimensional Confined Molecular Magnets
Authors: Norambuena Leiva Javier I. , Cortés Estay Emilio A. , Suarez Morell Eric , Florez Juan M.
Published: February 2024

One-dimensional (1D) magnetic systems offer rich phenomena in the quantum limit, proving more chemically accessible than zero-dimensional or higher-dimensional frameworks. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) have recently been used to encapsulate trimetric nickel(II) acetylacetonate [Nanoscale, 2019, 11, 10615–10621]. Here, we investigate the magnetization on spin chains based on nickel trimers by Matrix Product State (MPS) simulations. Our findings reveal plateaus in the exchange/magnetic-field phase diagram for three coupling configurations, showcasing effective dimeric and trimeric spin-ordering with similar or staggered entanglement across chains. These ordered states allow the qubit-like tuning of specific local magnetic moments, exhibiting disengagement or uniform coupling in entanglement plateaus. This behavior is consistent with the experimental transition from frustrated (3D) to non-frustrated (1D) molecules, corresponding to large and smaller SWCNT diameters. Our study offers insights into the potential of 1D-confined trimers for quantum computation, extending beyond the confinement of trimetric nickel-based molecules in one dimension.
Asymptotic Form of the Covariance Matrix of Likelihood-Based Estimator in Multidimensional Linear System Model for the Case of Infinity Number of Nuisance Parameters
Authors: Varypaev Alexander
Published: February 2024

This article is devoted to the synthesis and analysis of the quality of the statistical estimate of parameters of a multidimensional linear system (MLS) with one input and m outputs. A nontrivial case is investigated when the one-dimensional input signal of MLS is a deterministic process, the values of which are unknown nuisance parameters. The estimate is based only on observations of MLS output signals distorted by random Gaussian stationary m-dimensional noise with a known spectrum. It is assumed that the likelihood function of observations of the output signals of MLS satisfies the conditions of local asymptotic normality. The n-consistency of the estimate is established. Under the assumption of asymptotic normality of an objective function, the limiting covariance matrix of the estimate is calculated for case where the number of observations tends to infinity.
Fungal-Mediated Biotransformation of the Plant Growth Regulator Forchlorfenuron by Cunninghamella elegans
Authors: Moreno Charles M. , Moreno Jaclyn N. , Valdez Matthew C. , Baldwin Melinda P. , Vallor Ana C. , Carvalho Paulo B.
Published: February 2024

The synthetic cytokinin forchlorfenuron (FCF), while seemingly presenting relatively low toxicity for mammalian organisms, has been the subject of renewed scrutiny in the past few years due to its increasing use in fruit crops and potential for bioaccumulation. Despite many toxicological properties of FCF being known, little research has been conducted on the toxicological effects of its secondary metabolites. Given this critical gap in the existing literature, understanding the formation of relevant FCF secondary metabolites and their association with mammalian metabolism is essential. To investigate the formation of FCF metabolites in sufficient quantities for toxicological studies, a panel of four fungi were screened for their ability to catalyze the biotransformation of FCF. Of the organisms screened, Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC 9245), a filamentous fungus, was found to convert FCF to 4-hydroxyphenyl-forchlorfenuron, the major FCF secondary metabolite identified in mammals, after 26 days. Following the optimization of biotransformation conditions using a solid support system, media screening, and inoculation with a solid pre-formed fungal mass of C. elegans, this conversion time was significantly reduced to 7 days—representing a 73% reduction in total reaction time as deduced from the biotransformation products and confirmed by LC-MS, NMR spectroscopic data, as well as a comparison with synthetically prepared metabolites. Our study provides the first report of the metabolism of FCF by C. elegans. These findings suggest that C. elegans can produce FCF secondary metabolites consistent with those produced via mammalian metabolism and could be used as a more efficient, cost-effective, and ethical alternative for producing those metabolites in useful quantities for toxicological studies.
Metabolomics Reveals the Effects of Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium (NPK) Fertilizer Levels on Cucumber Fruit Raised in Different Nutrient Soils
Authors: Lee Na-Rae , Kim Yangmin X. , Lee Yerim , Lee Chanwook , Song Yosung , Park Hyejin , Lee Choong Hwan , Lee Yejin
Published: February 2024

Fertilizers are widely used to improve the quality of fruits and vegetables. However, the overuse of fertilizers has become an issue because it causes environmental problems and negatively affects productivity and fruit quality. In this study, we examined the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer levels on the metabolism of cucumber fruit in low- and high-nutrient soils using mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics approaches. Cucumber metabolite content was notably different depending on the initial soil nutrient status. Most amino acids and phenylpropanoids were abundant in the cucumbers raised in low-nutrient soil, whereas organic acids, some amino acids (aspartate, glutamate, and ornithine), and carbohydrates were comparatively higher in fruits from high-nutrient soil. The fertilizer supply resulted in an alteration in the metabolite profile, while no change in fruit yield was observed in either low- or high-nutrient soils. Fertilizer treatment perturbed the metabolite contents in cucumbers from low-nutrient soil. In contrast, treatment with higher concentrations of fertilizer in high-nutrient soil increased phenylpropanoid content in the cucumbers, while most metabolites decreased. In conclusion, fertilization levels should be carefully determined, considering culture conditions such as the original soil status, to increase product yield and fruit quality and avoid environmental problems.
Heterojunction Devices Fabricated from Sprayed n-Type Ga2O3, Combined with Sputtered p-Type NiO and Cu2O
Authors: Dimopoulos Theodoros , Wibowo Rachmat Adhi , Edinger Stefan , Wolf Maximilian , Fix Thomas
Published: February 2024

This work reports on the properties of heterojunctions consisting of n-type Ga2O3 layers, deposited using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis at high temperature from water-based solution, combined with p-type NiO and Cu2O counterparts, deposited by radio frequency and reactive, direct-current magnetron sputtering, respectively. After a comprehensive investigation of the properties of the single layers, the fabricated junctions on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass showed high rectification, with an open circuit voltage of 940 mV for Ga2O3/Cu2O and 220 mV for Ga2O3/NiO under simulated solar illumination. This demonstrates in praxis the favorable band alignment between the sprayed Ga2O3 and Cu2O, with small conduction band offset, and the large offsets anticipated for both energy bands in the case of Ga2O3/NiO. Large differences in the ideality factors between the two types of heterojunctions were observed, suggestive of distinctive properties of the heterointerface. Further, it is shown that the interface between the high-temperature-deposited Ga2O3 and the ITO contact does not impede electron transport, opening new possibilities for the design of solar cell and optoelectronic device architectures.
Effect of Prenatal Iron Supplementation Adapted to Hemoglobin Levels in Early Pregnancy on Fetal and Neonatal Growth—ECLIPSES Study
Authors: Díaz-Torres Sandra , Díaz-López Andrés , Arija Victoria
Published: February 2024

In this randomized clinical trial, we evaluated the effects of prenatal iron supplementation adapted to pregnant women’s initial hemoglobin (Hb) levels on fetal growth parameters until birth in women from the Mediterranean coast of northern Spain. All (n = 791) women were iron-supplemented during pregnancy according to Hb levels at the 12th gestational week: stratum 1 (Hb: 110–130 g/L) received 40 or 80 mg iron daily; stratum 2 (Hb > 130 g/L) received 40 or 20 mg iron daily. Fetal biometric and anthropometric measurements were evaluated in the three trimesters and at birth, respectively. In stratum 1, using 80 mg/d instead of 40 mg/d increased the risk of fetal head circumference > 90th percentile (OR = 2.49, p = 0.015) at the second trimester and fetal weight (OR = 2.36, p = 0.011) and femur length (OR = 2.50, p = 0.018) < 10th percentile at the third trimester. For stratum 2, using 40 mg/d instead of 20 mg/d increased the risk of fetal head circumference > 90th percentile (OR = 3.19, p = 0.039) at the third trimester. A higher risk of delivering an LGA baby (OR = 2.35, p = 0.015) for birthweight was also observed in stratum 1 women receiving 80 mg/d. It is crucial to adjust the prenatal iron supplementation to each pregnant woman’s needs, i.e., adapted to their initial Hb levels, to achieve optimal fetal development, since excessive iron doses appear to adversely influence fetal growth.
Reply to Cetkovic et al. Comment on “Meneghini et al. The Impact of Nutritional Therapy in the Management of Overweight/Obese PCOS Patient Candidates for IVF. Nutrients 2023, 15, 4444”
Authors: Meneghini Caterina , Bianco Claudia , Galanti Francesco , Tamburelli Valentina , Dal Lago Alessandro , Licata Emanuele , Gallo Mariagrazia , Fabiani Cristina , Corno Roberta , Miriello Donatella , Rago Rocco
Published: February 2024

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An Overview of Parenteral Nutrition from Birth to Adolescence Based on a Composite Fish Oil Containing Lipid Emulsion and a Pediatric Amino Acid Solution
Authors: Goulet Olivier
Published: February 2024

Intestinal failure (IF) is characterized by a critical reduction in functional gut mass below the minimum needed for optimal growth in children. It requires parenteral nutrition (PN) and home-PN (HPN), which is challenging in terms of meeting nutritional needs according to age, growth velocity, clinical situation, and rapid changes in fluid and electrolyte requirements. Due to these complex requirements, age-adapted multi-chamber bags (MCBs) are important additions to the nutrition armamentarium. The launch of composite fish oil (FO)-containing intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) heralded the development of MCBs containing these ILEs in combination with a crystalline amino acid solution adapted for pediatric use. The safety and efficacy of lipid and amino acid components in this context have been widely documented in numerous published studies. This narrative manuscript includes a review of the articles published in PudMed, Embase, and Google Scholar up to June 2023 for the age groups of term infants to children and adolescents. Preterm infants with their highly specific demands are not included. It aims to offer an overview of the clinical experience regarding the use of a composite FO-based ILE and a developed specific amino acid solution.
Care Plan Templates in Adult Community Mental Health Teams in England and Wales: An Evaluation
Authors: Kemp Donna , Doyle Michael , Turner Mary , Hemingway Steve
Published: February 2024

Adults accessing community mental health services are required to have a care plan, developed in collaboration with the person accessing the service. The variation in care plan templates in use in England and Wales, and their impact on care planning, is unknown. This study evaluates the community mental health care plan templates in use across England and Wales. Data were obtained from a Freedom of Information request to 50 NHS Mental Health Trusts. An evaluation tool was designed and used to extract data. Data were rated red, amber, or green against clinical and design standards. Forty-seven care plan templates were obtained. The clinical aspect of the care plan template had 60% adherence to the national standards, and the design aspects had 87% adherence. A ‘high/low’ typology is proposed against the design/clinical standards. The study identifies priority areas for improvement in the care plan templates as space to record the actions that service users and carers will take to contribute to their care plan, space to record the name and contact details for their care coordinator or lead professional, plus others involved in the person’s care. This study was not registered.
Treatment Strategies for Incisors of Children Affected by Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: A Narrative Review
Authors: Sezer Berkant , Çarıkçıoğlu Burak
Published: February 2024

Today, molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), which affects approximately one in seven children, is defined as a hypomineralized developmental enamel defect that often impacts at least one permanent first molar and frequently affects permanent incisors as well. Symptoms and signs include demarcated opacities of various colors, post-eruptive enamel deterioration, atypical caries and restorations, hypersensitivity, tooth loss due to MIH, and difficulty in achieving anesthesia. A detailed review of the scientific literature shows that there are many studies evaluating different treatment approaches for permanent first molars affected by MIH. On the other hand, there are very few scientific studies evaluating treatment approaches for affected incisors in patients with MIH. Most of these studies consist of case reports or series. White/creamy and/or yellow/brown demarcated opacities are commonly observed in affected incisors in patients with MIH. While these opacities increase the susceptibility of enamel to deterioration and dental caries, they also cause aesthetic problems and related psychosocial consequences. Treatment methods, such as resin infiltration, microabrasion, and/or dental bleaching, have been proposed for aesthetic and restorative purposes in affected incisors in patients with MIH. Additionally, various approaches to increase mineral content and relieve hypersensitivity have been recommended. The number of randomized controlled and prospective studies is quite low, but many case reports and case series have been encountered. The purpose of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the different treatment management modalities for permanent incisors affected by MIH. As a result, while resin infiltration, dental bleaching, microabrasion, and/or etch–bleach–seal techniques are preferred for aesthetic and restorative purposes in these teeth, it has been observed that agents containing casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate, casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate, fluoride, and calcium glycerophosphate increase the mineral content. Additionally, studies have reported that ozone and low-level laser therapy, in addition to these remineralizing agents, reduce hypersensitivity in these teeth. Although the findings of this review indicate that the level of evidence for current approaches is not high, clinicians may prefer one or more of the treatment approaches mentioned in this article based on experience and patient expectations.
IgD+IgM− B Cells in Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Kasahara Taissa de M. , Gupta Sudhir
Published: February 2024

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most frequent form of primary hypogammaglobulinemia in adults. In addition to recurrent infections and respiratory manifestations, CVID patients may present several non-infection complications such as autoimmune diseases. The mechanisms that lead to immune dysregulation in CVID are not completely understood. Given the role of IgD on naïve B cells in the maintenance of tolerance and secreted IgD in the respiratory mucosa, we evaluated the frequency of IgD+ naïve and IgD+ memory B cells in CVID patients. Here, no differences were observed in the percentages and proliferative responses of anergic IgD+IgM−CD27− B cells between CVID patients, with or without autoimmune disease, and the control group. Interestingly, in the compartment of memory B cells, the percentage of IgD+IgM− cells was higher only in CVID patients with allergic rhinitis/allergic asthma. Our results may indicate that anergic IgD+IgM−CD27− B cells may not be compromised in our CVID cohort. However, IgD+IgM− memory B cells may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of allergic rhinitis/allergic asthma in CVID patients. Further studies are needed to better understand the participation of IgD+IgM− memory B cells in the immunopathogenesis of allergic rhinitis/allergic asthma in CVID patients.
Impact of Bivalirudin on Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Patients with Reperfused STEMI Assessed by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Zhang Yizhi , Zou Zhiguo , Xu Bihe , Chen Binghua , Ge Heng , Ding Song , Pu Jun
Published: February 2024

Thrombin is an important ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) mediator in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study examines the use of bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, in reducing IRI in STEMI patients. STEMI patients (n = 21) were treated with bivalirudin and compared to 21 patients treated with unfractionated heparin (UFH) from the EARLY Assessment of Myocardial Tissue Characteristics by CMR in STEMI (EARLY-MYO-CMR) registry (NCT03768453). Infarct size (IS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were comparable between the two groups at follow up. During the first cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scan within the first week after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), all patients in both the bivalirudin and UFH groups exhibited myocardial edema. However, the myocardium edema volume was significantly less in the bivalirudin group (p < 0.05). At the one-month follow-up, a smaller proportion of patients in the bivalirudin group than in the UFH group exhibited myocardial edema (4.7% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.05). At the three-month follow-up, myocardial edema had completely resolved in the bivalirudin group, while it persisted in two patients in the UFH group. The incidence and volume of microvascular obstruction (MVO) were significantly lower in the bivalirudin group during the acute phase. Additionally, the incidence of intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) was significantly lower in the bivalirudin group during both the acute and follow up (p < 0.05). These findings were corroborated by T2 and T1 mapping results. The study concluded that the use of bivalirudin for anticoagulation is associated with attenuated IRI in STEMI patients who receive primary PCI.
A Review of the Potential of Poly-(lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles as a Delivery System for an Active Antimycobacterial Compound, 7-Methyljuglone
Authors: Diedericks Bianca , Kok Anna-Mari , Mandiwana Vusani , Lall Namrita
Published: February 2024

7-Methyljuglone (7-MJ) is a pure compound isolated from the roots of Euclea natalensis A. DC., a shrub indigenous to South Africa. It exhibits significant promise as a potential treatment for the highly communicable disease tuberculosis (TB), owing to its effective antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Despite its potential therapeutic benefits, 7-MJ has demonstrated in vitro cytotoxicity against various cancerous and non-cancerous cell lines, raising concerns about its safety for consumption by TB patients. Therefore, this review focuses on exploring the potential of poly-(lactide-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles as a delivery system, which has been shown to decrease in vitro cytotoxicity, and 7-MJ as an effective antimycobacterial compound.
Pharmacist-Driven Alcohol Use Disorder Screening May Increase Inpatient Utilization of Extended-Release Naltrexone: A Single Center Pilot Study
Authors: Snyder Sabrina , Butala Niyati , Williams Andrew M. , Kneebusch Jamie
Published: February 2024

Individuals with mental illness have a high incidence of comorbid substance use, with one of the most prevalent being alcohol use disorder (AUD). Naltrexone, FDA-approved for AUD, decreases reward associated with alcohol-related social cues. This study aimed to determine if a pharmacist-driven screening tool would increase the use of extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) in patients with AUD and a comorbid psychiatric condition. Pharmacists screened and recommended XR-NTX for adults admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit, who had a DSM-5 diagnosis of AUD, a negative urine drug screen for opioids, and were hospitalized for at least 1 day. Endpoints evaluated included the number of XR-NTX doses administered during the screening period to the prescreening period, 30-day readmission rates, recommendation acceptance rates, and reasons for not administering XR-NTX. Pharmacists identified 66 of 641 screened patients who met the inclusion criteria and were candidates for XR-NTX. Compared to the preintervention period, more patients received XR-NTX for AUD (2 vs. 8). Readmission rates were similar between those with AUD who received XR-NTX and those who did not. Pharmacist-driven screening for AUD led to greater administration of XR-NTX when compared to the same 4-month period the year prior to initiating the study.