bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calmodulin as a Key Regulator of Exosomal Signal Peptides
Authors: Ono Kenji , Niwa Mikio , Suzuki Hiromi , Kobayashi Nahoko Bailey , Yoshida Tetsuhiko , Sawada Makoto
Published: January 2023

Signal peptides (SPs) and their fragments play important roles as biomarkers and substances with physiological functions in extracellular fluid. We previously reported that SP fragments were released into extracellular fluid via exosomes and bound to calmodulin (CaM), an exosomal component, in a cell-free system. However, it currently remains unclear whether CaM intracellularly interacts with SP fragments or is involved in the trafficking of these fragments to exosomes. Therefore, the present study examined the binding of CaM to SP fragments in T-REx AspALP cells, transformed HEK293 cells expressing amyloid precursor protein (APP) SP flanking a reporter protein, and their exosomes. APP SP fragments were detected in exosomes from T-REx AspALP cells in the absence of W13, a CaM inhibitor, but were present in lower amounts in exosomes from W13-treated cells. Cargo proteins, such as Alix, CD63, and CD81, were increased in W13-treated T-REx AspALP cells but were decreased in their exosomes. Furthermore, CaM interacted with heat shock protein 70 and CD81 in T-REx AspALP cells and this increased in the presence of W13. APP SP fragments were detected in intracellular CaM complexes in the absence of W13, but not in its presence. These results indicate that CaM functions as a key regulator of the transport of SP fragments into exosomes and plays novel roles in the sorting of contents during exosomal biogenesis.
Sleep-Disturbance-Induced Microglial Activation Involves CRH-Mediated Galectin 3 and Autophagy Dysregulation
Authors: Guo Liyang , Reed Kirstin M. , Carter Ashley , Cheng Yan , Roodsari Soheil Kazemi , Martinez Pineda Damian , Wellman Laurie L. , Sanford Larry D. , Guo Ming-Lei
Published: January 2023

Chronic sleep disturbances (CSDs) including insomnia, insufficient sleep time, and poor sleep quality are major public health concerns around the world, especially in developed countries. CSDs are major health risk factors linked to multiple neurodegenerative and neuropsychological diseases. It has been suggested that CSDs could activate microglia (Mg) leading to increased neuroinflammation levels, which ultimately lead to neuronal dysfunction. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying CSD-mediated microglial activation remain mostly unexplored. In this study, we used mice with three-weeks of sleep fragmentation (SF) to explore the underlying pathways responsible for Mg activation. Our results revealed that SF activates Mg in the hippocampus (HP) but not in the striatum and prefrontal cortex (PFc). SF increased the levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the HP. In vitro mechanism studies revealed that CRH activation of Mg involves galectin 3 (Gal3) upregulation and autophagy dysregulation. CRH could disrupt lysosome membrane integrity resulting in lysosomal cathepsins leakage. CRHR2 blockage mitigated CRH-mediated effects on microglia in vitro. SF mice also show increased Gal3 levels and autophagy dysregulation in the HP compared to controls. Taken together, our results show that SF-mediated hippocampal Mg activation involves CRH mediated galectin 3 and autophagy dysregulation. These findings suggest that targeting the hippocampal CRH system might be a novel therapeutic approach to ameliorate CSD-mediated neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.
High-Phosphate-Stimulated Macrophage-Derived Exosomes Promote Vascular Calcification via let-7b-5p/TGFBR1 Axis in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Li Qing , Zhang Cailin , Shi Jia , Yang Yi , Xing Xue , Wang Yanan , Zhan Xiaona , Wang Le , Xu Gang , He Fan
Published: January 2023

Although macrophage infiltration has been proven to increase calcified artery media in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, the mechanism by which macrophages are involved in vascular calcification (VC) progression remains unclear. Taking advantage of miRNA-seq, RNA-seq, dual-luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, and arteries from CKD patients as well as CKD mouse models, we identified that high-phosphate-stimulated macrophage-derived exosomes (Mexo-P) suppressed let-7b-5p expression in VSMCs, which further upregulated TGFBR1. Moreover, gain-and-loss-of-function assays were used to determine the regulatory effects and downstream mechanism of let-7b-5p and TGFBR1 on VC. Mechanically, Mexo-P induced VSMC TGFBR1 upregulation by suppressing let-7b-5p, which further amplifies SMAD3/RUNX2 signaling and thereby contributes to VC. Our findings indicate that macrophage-derived exosomes promote CKD-associated VC through the let-7b-5p/TGFBR1 axis in high-phosphate conditions. Our study provides insight into macrophages associated with VC, which might be potential therapeutical targets for VC.
Expression of Markers of Endometrial Receptivity in Obese Infertile PCOS Women before and after the Weight Loss Program—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Bergant Gaber , Abdulkhalikova Dzhamilyat , Šuštaršič Ana , Peterlin Borut , Vrtačnik Bokal Eda , Maver Aleš , Videmšek Mateja , Burnik Papler Tanja
Published: January 2023

Obesity is an increasing worldwide problem, and it is common in women with polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS). It is well known that women with PCOS have lower chances of spontaneous conception as well as lower success with IVF procedures. The mechanisms by which obesity causes lower fertility are not yet fully understood. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a lifestyle intervention weight loss program on the expression of the endometrial genes during the window of implantation (WOI). For this purpose, 15 infertile women with obesity and PCOS were included in the study. Endometrial samples were taken during the WOI before and at the end of the program, and RNASeq analysis was performed. There were no significantly differentially expressed genes before and after the weight loss program. We then compared the results of our study with previously published studies on markers of endometrial receptivity. The biomarker genes that were found to be down-regulated during the WOI in previous studies were more down-regulated after the weight loss program in the present study. Furthermore, 25% of the women who achieved the desired 5% or more weight reduction conceived spontaneously. Our study shows that weight loss might positively impact endometrial receptivity. which may lead towards the improved fertility of obese women with PCOS.
Correction: Jiao et al. Bta-miR-223 Targeting the RHOB Gene in Dairy Cows Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Mammary Epithelial Cells. Cells 2022, 11, 3144
Authors: Jiao Peng , Wang Jinpeng , Yang Jian , Wang Xingping , Luoreng Zhuoma
Published: January 2023

In the original publication [...]
miR-34a Regulates Lipid Droplet Deposition in 3T3-L1 and C2C12 Cells by Targeting LEF1
Authors: Wang Lixue , Xie Yuhuai , Chen Wei , Zhang Yu , Zeng Yongqing
Published: January 2023

Intramuscular fat (IMF) content plays a key role in improving the flavor and palatability of pork. The IMF content varies between species, breeds, and individuals of the same breed. Hence, it is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of IMF deposition to improve pork quality. Herein, the IMF content in the longissimus dorsi muscles of 29 Laiwu pigs was detected and divided into two groups, the H group (IMF > 12%) and the L group (IMF < 5%). RNA sequencing analysis showed 24 differentially expressed (DE) miRNA, and GO and KEGG analysis demonstrated that the DE miRNAs were significantly enriched in lipid metabolic process, lipid storage, Wnt, mTOR, and PPAR signaling pathways. miR-34a was found to be increased in the H group and 3T3-L1-derived adipocytes, while Lef1 was decreased. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that Lef1 was a potential target of miR-34a. Mechanism analysis revealed that miR-34a could increase lipid droplet deposition in 3T3-L1 and C2C12 cells by dampening the suppressive function of Lef1 on the transcription of adipogenic markers (i.e., Pparg, Cebpa, Fabp4, and Plin1). Moreover, overexpression of miR-34a could enhance the lipid deposition in the co-culture system of 3T3-L1 and C2C12 cells as well as in C2C12 cells cultured with conditioned medium from the progress of adipocyte differentiation. Taken together, our study indicated that miR-34a was an important positive modulator in the regulation of fatty metabolism and fat deposition by inhibiting the suppressive function of Lef1. These results might provide insight for the exploration of potential strategies to promote intramuscular fat deposition in livestock.
Blockage of Autophagy Increases Timosaponin AIII-Induced Apoptosis of Glioma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Lee Chu-Che , Tsai Jen-Pi , Lee Hsiang-Lin , Chen Yung-Jen , Chen Yong-Syuan , Hsieh Yi-Hsien , Chen Jin-Cherng
Published: January 2023

Timosaponin AIII (TSAIII), a saponin isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides and used in traditional Chinese medicine, exerts antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenesis, and pro-apoptotic activity on a variety of tumor cells. This study investigated the antitumor effects of TSAIII and the underlying mechanisms in human glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. TSAIII significantly inhibited glioma cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner but did not affect the growth of normal astrocytes. We also observed that in both glioma cell lines, TSAIII induces cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction, consistent with observed increases in the protein expression of cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-PARP, cytochrome c, and Mcl-1. TSAIII also activated autophagy, as indicated by increased accumulation of the autophagosome markers p62 and LC3-II and the autolysosome marker LAMP1. LC3 silencing, as well as TSAIII combined with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3MA), increased apoptosis in GBM8401 cells. TSAIII inhibited tumor growth in xenografts and in an orthotopic GBM8401 mice model in vivo. These results demonstrate that TSAIII exhibits antitumor effects and may hold potential as a therapy for glioma.
Exosomes from Short-Term High-Fat or High-Sucrose Fed Mice Induce Hepatic Steatosis through Different Pathways
Authors: Castaño Carlos , Novials Anna , Párrizas Marcelina
Published: January 2023

Obesity and other closely associated diseases, such as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and type 2 diabetes, give rise to a common biometric and metabolic phenotype resulting from a different etiopathogenesis. To characterize the first stages of metabolic dysfunction induced by either obesity or hepatic steatosis, we compared two animal models of short-term feeding with either high-fat (HFD) or high-sucrose (SAC) diets. Using transcriptomic, metabolic, and calorimetric analyses, we determined that a short-term HFD leads to obesity and then hepatic steatosis through lipid storage, whereas SAC increases gluconeogenesis and de novo lipogenesis, resulting in hepatic steatosis followed later by obesity. Plasma exosomal miRNA profiles differed between HFD and SAC mice, and the injection of exosomes from HFD or SAC mice reproduced some transcriptomic and metabolic features of the donor mice. Finally, we exploited our data to identify circulating miR-22-3p as a candidate biomarker for MAFLD patient stratification. In conclusion, dietary challenges affecting adipose or hepatic metabolism regulate the abundance of exosomal miRNAs in plasma, which in turn modulate gene expression, helping the organism to adapt.
Fullerenols Prevent Neuron Death and Reduce Oxidative Stress in Drosophila Huntington’s Disease Model
Authors: Bolshakova Olga I. , Borisenkova Alina A. , Golomidov Ilya M. , Komissarov Artem E. , Slobodina Alexandra D. , Ryabova Elena V. , Ryabokon Irina S. , Latypova Evgenia M. , Slepneva Elizaveta E. , Sarantseva Svetlana V.
Published: January 2023

Huntington’s disease (HD) is one of the human neurodegenerative diseases for which there is no effective treatment. Therefore, there is a strong demand for a novel neuroprotective agent that can alleviate its course. Fullerene derivatives are considered to be such agents; however, they need to be comprehensively investigated in model organisms. In this work, neuroprotective activity of C60(OH)30 and C120O(OH)44 fullerenols was analyzed for the first time in a Drosophila transgenic model of HD. Lifespan, behavior, oxidative stress level and age-related neurodegeneration were assessed in flies with the pathogenic Huntingtin protein expression in nerve cells. Feed supplementation with hydroxylated C60 fullerene and C120O dimer oxide molecules was shown to diminish the oxidative stress level and neurodegenerative processes in the flies’ brains. Thus, fullerenes displayed neuroprotective activity in this model.
Cuproptosis-Related MiR-21-5p/FDX1 Axis in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma and Its Potential Impact on Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Xie Mingyue , Cheng Bo , Yu Shuang , He Yajie , Cao Yu , Zhou Tiejun , Han Kun , Dai Rongyang , Wang Ronghao
Published: January 2023

As a newly identified type of programmed cell death, cuproptosis may have an impact on cancer development, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Herein, we first noticed that the expression levels of cuproptosis regulators exhibited a tight correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics of ccRCC. The cuproptosis-sensitive sub-type (CSS), classified via consensus clustering analysis, harbored a higher overall survival rate compared to the cuproptosis-resistant sub-type (CRS), which may have resulted from the differential infiltration of immune cells. FDX1, the cuproptosis master regulator, was experimentally determined as a tumor suppressor in ccRCC cells by suppressing the cell growth and cell invasion of ACHN and OSRC-2 cells in a cuproptosis-dependent and -independent manner. The results from IHC staining also demonstrated that FDX1 expression was negatively correlated with ccRCC tumor initiation and progression. Furthermore, we identified the miR-21-5p/FDX1 axis in ccRCC and experimentally verified that miR-21-5p directly binds the 3′-UTR of FDX1 to mediate its degradation. Consequently, a miR-21-5p inhibitor suppressed the cell growth and cell invasion of ACHN and OSRC-2 cells, which could be compensated by FDX1 knockdown, reinforcing the functional linkage between miR-21-5p and FDX1 in ccRCC. Finally, we evaluated the ccRCC tumor microenvironment under the miR-21-5p/FDX1 axis and noted that this axis was strongly associated with the infiltration of immune cells such as CD4+ T cells, Treg cells, and macrophages, suggesting that this signaling axis may alter microenvironmental components to drive ccRCC progression. Overall, this study constructed the miR-21-5p/FDX1 axis in ccRCC and analyzed its potential impact on the tumor microenvironment, providing valuable insights to improve current ccRCC management.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Relevant Role of the Theca and Granulosa Cells in the Pathogenesis of the Ovarian Dysfunction
Authors: Jozkowiak Malgorzata , Piotrowska-Kempisty Hanna , Kobylarek Dominik , Gorska Natalia , Mozdziak Paul , Kempisty Bartosz , Rachon Dominik , Spaczynski Robert Z.
Published: January 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common heterogeneous endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. The pathogenesis of PCOS remains elusive; however, there is evidence suggesting the potential contribution of genetic interactions or predispositions combined with environmental factors. Among these, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been proposed to potentially contribute to the etiology of PCOS. Granulosa and theca cells are known to cooperate to maintain ovarian function, and any disturbance can lead to endocrine disorders, such as PCOS. This article provides a review of the recent knowledge on PCOS pathophysiology, the role of granulosa and theca cells in PCOS pathogenesis, and the evidence linking exposure to EDCs with reproductive disorders such as PCOS.
The Metabolic Changes between Monolayer (2D) and Three-Dimensional (3D) Culture Conditions in Human Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from Adipose Tissue
Authors: Rybkowska Paulina , Radoszkiewicz Klaudia , Kawalec Maria , Dymkowska Dorota , Zabłocka Barbara , Zabłocki Krzysztof , Sarnowska Anna
Published: January 2023

Introduction: One of the key factors that may influence the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) is their metabolism. The switch between mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis can be affected by many factors, including the oxygen concentration and the spatial form of culture. This study compared the metabolic features of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (ASCs) and dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs) cultivated as monolayer or spheroid culture under 5% O2 concentration (physiological normoxia) and their impact on MSCs therapeutic abilities. Results: We observed that the cells cultured as spheroids had a slightly lower viability and a reduced proliferation rate but a higher expression of the stemness-related transcriptional factors compared to the cells cultured in monolayer. The three-dimensional culture form increased mtDNA content, oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), especially in DFATs-3D population. The DFATs spheroids also demonstrated increased levels of Complex V proteins and higher rates of ATP production. Moreover, increased reactive oxygen species and lower intracellular lactic acid levels were also found in 3D culture. Conclusion: Our results may suggest that metabolic reconfiguration accompanies the transition from 2D to 3D culture and the processes of both mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis become more active. Intensified metabolism might be associated with the increased demand for energy, which is needed to maintain the expression of pluripotency genes and stemness state.
Identification and Validation of the Prognostic Panel in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Based on Resting Mast Cells for Prediction of Distant Metastasis and Immunotherapy Response
Authors: Su Yang , Zhang Tianxiang , Lu Jinsen , Qian Lei , Fei Yang , Zhang Li , Fan Song , Zhou Jun , Tang Jieqiong , Chen Haige , Liang Chaozhao
Published: January 2023

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has a high metastatic rate, and its incidence and mortality are still rising. The aim of this study was to identify the key tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) affecting the distant metastasis and prognosis of patients with ccRCC and to construct a relevant prognostic panel to predict immunotherapy response. Based on ccRCC bulk RNA sequencing data, resting mast cells (RMCs) were screened and verified using the CIBERSORT algorithm, survival analysis, and expression analysis. Distant metastasis-associated genes were identified using single-cell RNA sequencing data. Subsequently, a three-gene (CFB, PPP1R18, and TOM1L1) panel with superior distant metastatic and prognostic performance was established and validated, which stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups. The high-risk group exhibited lower infiltration of RMCs, higher tumor mutation burden (TMB), and worse prognosis. Therapeutically, the high-risk group was more sensitive to anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy, whereas the low-risk group displayed a better response to anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. Furthermore, two immune clusters revealing distinct immune, clinical, and prognosis heterogeneity were distinguished. Immunohistochemistry of ccRCC samples verified the expression patterns of the three key genes. Collectively, the prognostic panel based on RMCs is able to predict distant metastasis and immunotherapy response in patients with ccRCC, providing new insight for the treatment of advanced ccRCC.
New Materials and Phenomena in Membrane Distillation
Authors: Alessandro Francesca , Macedonio Francesca , Drioli Enrico
Published: January 2023

In recent decades, membrane-based processes have been extensively applied to a wide range of industrial processes, including gas separation, food industry, drug purification, and wastewater treatment. Membrane distillation is a thermally driven separation process, in which only vapour molecules transfer through a microporous hydrophobic membrane. At the operational level, the performance of membrane distillation is negatively affected by wetting and temperature polarization phenomena. In order to overcome these issues, advanced membranes have been developed in recent years. This review, which focuses specifically on membrane distillation presents the basic concepts associated with the mass and heat transfer through hydrophobic membranes, membrane properties, and advances in membrane materials. Photothermal materials for solar-driven membrane distillation applications are also presented and discussed.
Recent Advances in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Glucose Monitoring: From Fundamental Research to Commercial Application
Authors: Caldara Manlio , Kulpa Julia , Lowdon Joseph W. , Cleij Thomas J. , Diliën Hanne , Eersels Kasper , Grinsven Bart van
Published: January 2023

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have gained growing interest among researchers worldwide, due to their key features that make these materials interesting candidates for implementation as receptors into sensor applications. In fact, MIP-based glucose sensors could overcome the stability issues associated with the enzymes present in commercial glucose devices. Various reports describe the successful development of glucose MIPs and their coupling to a wide variety of transducers for creating sensors that are able to detect glucose in various matrices. In this review, we have summarized and critically evaluated the different production methods of glucose MIPs and the different transducer technologies used in MIP-based glucose sensors, and analyzed these from a commercial point of view. In this way, this review sets out to highlight the most promising approaches in MIP-based sensing in terms of both manufacturing methods and readout technologies employed. In doing so, we aim at delineating potential future approaches and identifying potential obstacles that the MIP-sensing field may encounter in an attempt to penetrate the commercial, analytical market.
Internet and Video Games: Causes of Behavioral Disorders in Children and Teenagers
Authors: Lérida-Ayala Virginia , Aguilar-Parra José Manuel , Collado-Soler Rocío , Alférez-Pastor Marina , Fernández-Campoy Juan Miguel , Luque-de la Rosa Antonio
Published: January 2023

Even though video games have been present among children for many years, children are using them more continuously and in an abusive and indiscriminate way nowadays because of the “technological boom”. It is affecting the behavior of children and adolescents. This is the reason why we are carrying out this systematic review. The main objective of this article is to investigate literature that directly connects the continuous and undifferentiated use of video games with the emergence of behavioral disorders in children and young people. The PRISMA statement was followed in the process of this article. We used SCOPUS, Web of Science and PubMed as databases, moreover, we searched studies with a scoping review. The results indisputably supported six out of seven of our hypotheses. We find that the excessive use of video games causes addiction to technology, aggressive behaviors, sleep disorders, and poor school performance. In addition, it hinders social relationships and the development of emotional intelligence. To conclude, it is necessary to correctly use video games in particular, and technologies in general, adapting their content to children’s age, as well as the amount of time that they dedicate to use them.
In Vitro Evidence of Differential Immunoregulatory Response between MDA-MB-231 and BT-474 Breast Cancer Cells Induced by Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Conditioned Medium
Authors: Arenas-Luna Víctor M. , Montesinos Juan J. , Cortés-Morales Víctor A. , Navarro-Betancourt José R. , Peralta-Ildefonso Janneth , Cisneros Bulmaro , Hernández-Gutiérrez Salomón
Published: January 2023

Inside tumors, cancer cells display several mechanisms to create an immunosuppressive environment. On the other hand, by migration processes, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be recruited by different cancer tumor types from tissues as distant as bone marrow and contribute to tumor pathogenesis. However, the impact of the immunoregulatory role of MSCs associated with the aggressiveness of breast cancer cells by soluble molecules has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this in vitro work aimed to study the effect of the conditioned medium of human bone marrow-derived-MSCs (hBM-MSC-cm) on the immunoregulatory capability of MDA-MB-231 and BT-474 breast cancer cells. The hBM-MSC-cm on MDA-MB-231 cells induced the overexpression of TGF-β, IDO, and IL-10 genes. Additionally, immunoregulation assays of mononuclear cells (MNCs) in co-culture with MDA-MB-231 and hBM-MSC-cm decreased lymphocyte proliferation, and increased proteins IL-10, TGF-β, and IDO while also reducing TNF levels, shooting the proportion of regulatory T cells. Conversely, the hBM-MSC-cm did not affect the immunomodulatory capacity of BT-474 cells. Thus, a differential immunoregulatory effect was observed between both representative breast cancer cell lines from different origins. Thus, understanding the immune response in a broader tumor context could help to design therapeutic strategies based on the aggressive behavior of tumor cells.
Iris Pallida Extract Alleviates Cortisol-Induced Decrease in Type 1 Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid Syntheses in Human Skin Cells
Authors: Choo Jung Ha , Lee Hong Gu , Lee So Young , Kang Nae Gyu
Published: January 2023

Excessive endogenous or exogenous levels of the stress hormone cortisol have negative effects on various tissues, including the skin. Iris pallida (IP), used in traditional medicine and perfumes, exhibits biological activities, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of IP extract (IPE) on cortisol activity in human skin cells. We found that IPE alleviated the cortisol-induced decrease in the levels of procollagen type 1 and hyaluronic acid (HA), which were significantly recovered by 106% and 31%, respectively, compared with cortisol-induced reductions. IPE also rescued the suppression of the gene expression of COL1A1 and the HA synthases HAS2 and HAS3 in cortisol-exposed cells. Moreover, IPE blocked the cortisol-induced translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus as effectively as the GR inhibitor mifepristone. Analysis using a high-performance liquid chromatography–diode-array detector system revealed that irigenin, an isoflavone, is the main component of IPE, which restored the cortisol-induced reduction in collagen type 1 levels by 82% relative to the cortisol-induced decrease. Our results suggest that IPE can act as an inhibitor of cortisol in human skin cells, preventing cortisol-induced collagen and HA degradation by blocking the nuclear translocation of the GR. Therefore, IPE may be used as a cosmetic material or herbal medicine to treat stress-related skin changes.
Atmospheric and Oceanic Patterns Associated with Extreme Drought Events over the Paraná Hydrographic Region, Brazil
Authors: de Freitas Aline Araújo , Reboita Michelle Simões , Carvalho Vanessa Silveira Barreto , Drumond Anita , Ferraz Simone Erotildes Teleginski , da Silva Benedito Cláudio , da Rocha Rosmeri Porfírio
Published: January 2023

The Paraná Hydrographic Region (PHR) is one of the main hydrographic basins in Brazil, standing out for its energy generation and consumption, among other ecosystem services. Thus, it is important to identify hydrological drought events and the driest periods inside of these droughts to understand the anomalous atmospheric circulation patterns associated with them (a multiscale study). This study used the standardized precipitation index (SPI) for the 12-month scale to identify hydrological drought episodes in the PHR from 1979 to 2021. For these episodes, the severity, duration, intensity, and peak were obtained, and the SPI-6 was applied to the longest and most severe drought to identify periods with dry conditions during the wet season. Anomalous atmospheric and oceanic patterns associated with such episodes were also analyzed. The results reveal that the longest and most severe hydrological drought on the PHR started in 2016. The end of this episode was not identified by the end of the analyzed period. The SPI-6 revealed three rainy seasons during this drought event marked by anomalous dry conditions: 2016/2017, 2019/2020, and 2020/2021. In general, the circulation patterns identified differ in each period, for example, in 2016/2017, an El Niño event was dominant, in 2019/2020, the tropical Pacific Ocean showed neutral conditions, and in 2020/2021, a La Niña episode was registered. Despite that, in the three periods, the anomalous atmospheric patterns contributed to the weakening of the low-level jet east of the Andes and, consequently, to the decreasing of the moisture transport to the PHR, then leading to dry conditions over the basin.
The Role of Hypertonic Saline in Ablative Radiofrequency of the Sacroiliac Joint: Observational Study of 40 Patients
Authors: Amorizzo Ezio , Colini-Baldeschi Gianni
Published: January 2023

Background: The aim of this retrospective uncontrolled article is to illustrate a technique of neurotomy of the sensitive branches of S1 S2 S3 in RFA that appears to result in a better success rate and longer-lasting pain relief. Methods: 40 patients were treated, 26 females and 14 males, with an average age of 74 (92–55). After the examination, the patients underwent an ultrasound-guided diagnostic block of the affected sacroiliac joint. Only patients who presented pain relief greater than 60% after the diagnostic block were candidates for the RFA procedure. The procedure was always performed in the operating room on an outpatient basis. After obtaining the best fluoroscopic visualization of the joint to be treated, two RFA cannulae were placed starting from the lower medial margin parallel to the SIJ to perform a bipolar RFA along the entire medial margin of the SIJ. Lidocaine 2% and hypertonic saline 2 mEq/mL were used for each RFA level. Patients were followed-up at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months by evaluating the NRS and SF-12. Results: Patients reported extreme satisfaction with the procedure performed and reported a significant improvement in NRS and SF-12 at FU visits. No adverse events occurred. Conclusions: Bipolar RFA treatment of the sacroiliac joint with the use of a hypertonic saline solution appears to improve the success of the method and its durability. We are inclined to believe that the use of hypertonic saline may significantly increase the lesion area and result in a greater effect on the sensory branches.
Portability of Polygenic Risk Scores for Sleep Duration, Insomnia and Chronotype in 33,493 Individuals
Authors: Perkiö Anna , Merikanto Ilona , Kantojärvi Katri , Paunio Tiina , Sinnott-Armstrong Nasa , Jones Samuel E. , Ollila Hanna M.
Published: January 2023

Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) estimate genetic liability for diseases and traits. However, the portability of PRSs in sleep traits has remained elusive. We generated PRSs for self-reported insomnia, chronotype and sleep duration using summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) performed in 350,000 to 697,000 European-ancestry individuals. We then projected the scores in two independent Finnish population cohorts (N = 33,493) and tested whether the PRSs were associated with their respective sleep traits. We observed that all the generated PRSs were associated with their corresponding traits (p < 0.05 in all cases). Furthermore, we found that there was a 22.2 min difference in reported sleep between the 5% tails of the PRS for sleep duration (p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that sleep-related PRSs show portability across cohorts. The findings also demonstrate that sleep measures using PRSs for sleep behaviors may provide useful instruments for testing disease and trait associations in cohorts where direct sleep parameters have not yet been measured.
Effect of Al2O3, ZnO and TiO2 Atomic Layer Deposition Grown Thin Films on the Electrochemical and Mechanical Properties of Sputtered Al-Zr Coating
Authors: Kaady Elias , Habchi Roland , Bechelany Mikhael , Zgheib Elia , Alhussein Akram
Published: January 2023

The 316L stainless steels, often used in turbine blades for naval and marine applications, usually suffer from localized pitting corrosion after long exposure to chlorinated environments. The aluminum-zirconium coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering technique can be used to ensure cathodic protection for steels. In this work, we study the influence of atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3, ZnO, and TiO2 thin films on the structural, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of Al-Zr (4 at.% Zr) magnetron sputtered coatings. The morphology, preferred orientation growth, mechanical properties, wettability, and corrosion resistance were investigated. The change in the sputtered Al-Zr morphology is mainly due to the insertion of the ALD layer. The Al-Zr layer deposited on ZnO and TiO2 layers presented a distinctive morphology. The agglomerate particles of AlZr/Al2O3/AlZr, AlZr/ZnO/AlZr and AlZr/TiO2/AlZr coatings exhibited a cauliflower shape. For ALD/PVD coatings, the insertion of an ALD oxide layer promoted the intensity of the peaks corresponding to the (111) crystallographic orientation. The nanoindentation measurements confirmed the enhancement in the mechanical properties, where the hardness increased by about 75%. The ALD oxide layers promoted the hydrophobicity of the coatings. The electrochemical characterization in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution also confirmed the role of the ALD oxides layers in delaying the pitting corrosion of the Al-Zr coating by widening the passive region and enhancing the protective efficiency of the passive film.
Compressive Strength Estimation of Waste Marble Powder Incorporated Concrete Using Regression Modelling
Authors: Singh Manpreet , Choudhary Priyankar , Bedi Anterpreet Kaur , Yadav Saurav , Chhabra Rishi Singh
Published: January 2023

A tremendous volumetric increase in waste marble powder as industrial waste has recently resulted in high environmental concerns of water, soil and air pollution. In this paper, we exploit the capabilities of machine learning to compressive strength prediction of concrete incorporating waste marble powder for future use. Experimentation has been carried out using different compositions of waste marble powder in concrete and varying water binder ratios of 0.35, 0.40 and 0.45 for the analysis. Effect of different dosages of superplasticizer has also been considered. In this paper, different regression algorithms to analyse the effect of waste marble powder on concrete, viz., multiple linear regression, K-nearest neighbour, support vector regression, decision tree, random forest, extra trees and gradient boosting, have been exploited and their efficacies have been compared using various statistical metrics. Experiments reveal random forest as the best model for compressive strength prediction with an R2 value of 0.926 and mean absolute error of 1.608. Further, shapley additive explanations and variance inflation factor analysis showcase the capabilities of the best achieved regression model in optimizing the use of marble powder as partial replacement of cement in concrete.
Influence of CO2 Curing on the Alkali-Activated Compound Mineral Admixtures’ Corrosion Resistance to NaCl Dry–Wet Alternations
Authors: Sun Houchao , Cheng Wenjie , Xu Haoxin , Cai Zhangjie , Yin Minggan , Shi Feiting
Published: January 2023

In this study, the influence of CO2 curing on the corrosion resistance of reinforced alkali-activated compounds is investigated. Fly ash (FA) and blast furnace slag powder (BFS) are used as mineral admixtures. The specimens were subjected to dry–wet alternations with 3% NaCl, used to simulate a concrete structure under a corrosion environment. The ultrasonic velocity, mass loss rate, and electrical characteristics (such as electrical resistance, AC impedance spectra, and corrosion area rates determined by Tafel curves) are utilized to determine the degree of corrosion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are used to analyze the corrosion mechanism. Results show that the corrosion resistance is decreased by the addition of FA but improved by CO2 curing. When CO2 curing is provided, the addition of BFS shows a higher enhancing effect on the corrosion resistance than that of FA. The equivalent circuit diagram of reinforced alkali-activated compound mineral admixtures obtained by AC impedance spectra is composed of three electrical elements (electrical resistance and capacitance in parallel) in series. The X-ray diffraction results show that adding BFS and CO2 curing can decrease the rust’s iron oxides on the steel bars’ surface. Finally, as found in the SEM photos, BFS and CO2 curing can effectively improve the compactness of specimens. Meanwhile, the roughness of hydration is increased by CO2 curing.
Comparison of RF and High Impulse Magnetron Sputtered Gallium-Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films
Authors: Phelps Justin Ryan , Saikumar Ashwin Kumar , Abdolvand Reza , Sundaram Kalpathy B.
Published: January 2023

For the first time in the literature, the material properties of gallium-doped zinc oxide, grown from a high impulse magnetron sputtering system (HiPIMS), are reported. These material properties are compared to those of a typical radio frequency (RF) sputtering deposition. The films were grown without thermal assistance and were compared across multiple average deposition powers. The films’ resistivity, crystallinity, absorption coefficient, band gap, and refractive index were measured for each of the samples. It was observed that very similar results could be obtained between the HiPIMS and RF sputtering processes under the same average power conditions. It was found that the RF depositions demonstrated a slightly higher band gap and deposition rate as well as lower resistivity and optical absorption coefficient. Band gaps and grain size were found to increase with the power of the deposition for both HiPIMS and RF. These values ranged between 3.45 eV and 3.79 eV and 9 nm and 23 nm in this study, respectively. The absorption coefficient and resistivity were both found to decline with increasing power in both methods but reached minimums of 2800 cm−1 and 0.94 mOhm-cm, respectively, when sputtered using an RF power supply.
Novel Perimidine Derivatives as Corrosion Inhibitors of HRB400 Steel in Simulated Concrete Pore Solution
Authors: Ma Qi , Cai Jingshun , Mu Song , Zhang Hao , Liu Kai , Liu Jianzhong , Hong Jinxiang
Published: January 2023

1H-Perimidine (PMD) and 1H-perimidine-2-thiol (SPMD) were developed as inhibitors for reinforcing steel in a simulated concrete pore (SCP) solution. Electrochemical measurements, contact angle experiments, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantum chemical calculations were used to investigate the corrosion performance and adsorption mechanisms. The experimental results showed that owing to the structure of SPMD containing a 2-position sulfhydryl group, SPMD is superior to PMD as a corrosion inhibitor for HRB400 reinforced steel in the SCP solution, and its corrosion efficiency can reach more than 80%. Moreover, the introduction of nitrogen and sulfur atoms into the inhibitor not only can coordinate with Fe atoms to form strong bonds but also is useful for preventing charge transfer in the metal corrosion process. More importantly, the perimidine derivatives can spontaneously adsorb on iron, and the adsorption process obeys the Langmuir isotherm. The research results show that the perimidine derivatives can improve the durability of concrete structures.
S-Scheme System of MoS2/Co3O4 Nanocomposites for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Methyl Violet Dye Removal under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Tien Tsung-Mo , Chen Edward L.
Published: January 2023

Photocatalytic hydrogen production joined with simultaneous organic compound removal is a potential but challenging approach for both environmental modification and reusable energy generation. In this study, we designed a nanocomposite method for the fabrication of MoS2/Co3O4 heterojunction with an extremely productive photocatalytic capability. The as-fabricated MoS2/Co3O4 nanocomposites displayed greatly enhanced the hydrogen production (3825 μmol/g/h) and methyl violet dye (MV) contaminant removal (apparent kinetic constant of 0.038 min−1) activity. The nanocomposites’ structures had a better specific surface area, numerous active sites, and enhanced the transport ability of charge carriers to promote the photocatalytic activity. The increase in Co3O4 improved the visible-light absorption efficiency and narrowed energy bandgap and served as a highway for charge carriers to facilitate the transfer and separation and inhibit the combination of photoinduced charge carriers. The migration route of the photoexcited charges, the formation pathway, and the function of various reactive oxygen species (such as O2− and •OH) are discussed. The optimized energy band structure and high electron transfer rate of the S-scheme heterojunction nanocomposite promotes the evolution of H2 and the removal of pollutants, which shows an excellent potential in a stable and efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and environment remediation.
Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient of Insulation Paper–Oil Contact Surface of Transformer Vertical Oil Channel
Authors: Luo Chuan , Li Chuan , Wan Xiaorong , Zhao Zhengang
Published: January 2023

Insulation paper is the primary inter-turn insulation material for transformer windings. However, insulation paper is a poor conductor of heat and seriously impacts the natural convective heat dissipation in the winding oil channels. In order to study the convective heat transfer performance of the transformer vertical oil channel, the heat transfer characteristics of the two-dimensional boundary layer of the insulation paper–oil contact surface were analysed, and a characteristic number equation with a roughness correction factor was established. Based on the similarity principle and modelling theory, an experimental apparatus was designed to determine the convective heat transfer coefficient of the insulation paper–oil contact surface. Coefficients were obtained for different qualitative temperatures and characteristic lengths. Parametric fitting of the experimental data was carried out to obtain the correction factors. The results show that the natural convective heat transfer coefficient h of the insulation paper–oil contact surface is positively and linearly related to qualitative temperature and inversely related to characteristic length. For temperatures of 312.9 K to 328.1 K and characteristic lengths of 3 cm, h ranges from 116.15 to 144.38 W/(m2 · K). For temperatures of 319.0 K to 337.9 K and lengths of 6 cm, h ranges from 103.79 to 131.14 W/(m2 · K). The correction factor of the characteristic equation coefficient is 1.067. The maximum deviation of h calculated with a coefficient of 0.63 and an exponent of 0.25 is 5.93%. The results are essential for modelling the transformer space thermal circuit and solving the hot-spot temperature problem.
Complications—A New Open-Access Journal for Improving Our Understanding of Prevention and Management of Surgical, Interventional and Anesthesiologic Complications and Adverse Events
Authors: Cacciamani Giovanni E.
Published: January 2023

The reporting of surgical, interventional, and anesthesiologic complications is essential for improving the quality of healthcare delivery and for standardizing and reproducing outcomes data. To address underlying issues in the reporting of complications and adverse events, it may be necessary to provide education and training, establish standardized definitions and reporting requirements, and create incentives for healthcare providers to report complications. Complications, a new international peer-reviewed open access journal, aims to provide best practice and expert opinion recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management of complications in basic, translational, and clinical research, as well as epidemiology. The journal invites authors to address four components of perioperative adverse events: assessment, reporting, analysis of anticipatable factors, and management. The usability and practical implications of this information can have significant implications for academic and clinical practice. The prioritization of the assessment and reporting of adverse events to standardize their management and improve the understanding of the impact of these events on patients’ peri-operative course.
Topological Valley Transport of Elastic Waves Based on Periodic Triangular-Lattices
Authors: Tang Zehuan , Xu Jiachao , Wu Bowei , Li Shuanghuizhi , Sun Fei , Ma Tingfeng , Kuznetsova Iren , Nedospasov Ilya , Su Boyue , Kang Pengfei
Published: January 2023

Topological transports of elastic waves have attracted much attention because of their unique immunity to defects and backscattering-suppression ability. Periodic lattice structures are ideal carriers of elastic-wave transports due to their ability to manipulate elastic waves. Compared with honeycomb-lattice structures, the wave-guide-path designs of triangular-lattice structures have higher flexibility. In this paper, topological transports of elastic waves in the periodic triangular-lattice structure are explored. It is shown that differences between intra-coupling and inter-coupling radii can cause the destruction of the effective spatial inversion symmetry, which gives rise to the valley Hall phase transition and the forming of topological edge states. Utilizing valley Hall effect, topological transports of elastic waves traveling along linear and Z-shaped waveguides are realized with low scattering and immunity to defects. On this basis, the path-selection function of transports of elastic waves in periodic triangular-lattice structures is obtained. Topological valley Hall edge states of elastic waves in periodic triangular-lattice structures have a good application prospects in elastic-wave manipulations and communications.
Protein Crystallography: Achievements and Challenges
Authors: Timofeev Vladimir , Samygina Valeriya
Published: January 2023

Proteins are the most important biological macromolecules, and are involved in almost all aspects of life. Therefore, the study of the structure of proteins is of great practical and fundamental importance. On the one hand, knowledge of the spatial structure is necessary to study the basic principles of protein functioning; for example, the mechanisms of enzymatic reactions. On the other hand, knowledge of the spatial structure of proteins is used, for example, in biotechnology, for the design of enzymes with desired properties, as well as in drug design. Today, the main method for determining the spatial structure of a protein is X-ray structural analysis of protein crystals. The main difficulty in applying this method is in obtaining a perfect protein-crystal. This review is devoted to the successes and challenges of modern protein crystallography.