bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative Stress-Responsive Apoptosis Inducing Protein (ORAIP) Plays a Critical Role in Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Murine Model of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Nakajima Akihito , Shibuya Tomoyoshi , Yao Takako , Fujimura Tsutomu , Murayama Kimie , Okumura Ko , Nagahara Akihito , Seko Yoshinori
Published: March 2024

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of various acute disorders including ischemia/reperfusion injury, ultraviolet/radiation burn, as well as chronic disorders such as dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the precise mechanism involved remains to be clarified. We formerly identified a novel apoptosis-inducing humoral protein, in a hypoxia/reoxygenation-conditioned medium of cardiac myocytes, which proved to be 69th tyrosine-sulfated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). We named this novel tyrosine-sulfated secreted form of eIF5A Oxidative Stress-Responsive Apoptosis-Inducing Protein (ORAIP). To investigate the role of ORAIP in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine model of ulcerative colitis (UC), we analyzed the effects of in vivo treatment with anti-ORAIP neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) on the DSS-induced disease exacerbation. The body weight in anti-ORAIP mAb-treated group was significantly heavier than that in a mouse IgG-treated control group on day 8 of DSS-treatment ((85.21 ± 1.03%) vs. (77.38 ± 2.07%); (mean ± SE0, n = 5 each, p < 0.01, t-test). In vivo anti-ORAIP mAb-treatment also significantly suppressed the shortening of colon length as well as Disease Activity Index (DAI) score ((5.00 ± 0.44) vs. (8.20 ± 0.37); (mean ± SE), n = 5 each, p < 0.001, t-test) by suppressing inflammation of the rectal tissue and apoptosis of intestinal mucosal cells. These data reveal the pivotal role of ORAIP in DSS-induced oxidative stress involved in an animal model of UC.
Improved Outcomes in Eosinophilic Esophagitis with Higher Medication Possession Ratio
Authors: Kolasinski Nathan T. , Pasman Eric A. , Nylund Cade M. , Reeves Patrick T. , Brooks Daniel I. , Lescouflair Katerina G. , Min Steve B.
Published: March 2024

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) disease activity can be caused by treatment non-adherence. Medication possession ratio (MPR) is an established metric of medication adherence. A higher MPR correlates with better outcomes in several chronic diseases, but MPR has not been investigated with respect to EoE. A retrospective cohort study was performed using an established EoE registry for the years 2005 to 2020. Treatment periods were identified, MPRs were calculated, and medical records were assessed for histologic remission (<15 eos/hpf), dysphagia, food impaction, stricture occurrence, and esophageal dilation that corresponded to each treatment period. In total, 275 treatment periods were included for analysis. The MPR in the histologic remission treatment period group was 0.91 (IQR 0.63–1) vs. 0.63 (IQR 0.31–0.95) for the non-remission treatment period group (p < 0.001). The optimal MPR cut-point for histologic remission was 0.7 (Sen 0.66, Spec 0.62, AUC 0.63). With MPRs ≥ 0.7, there were significantly increased odds of histologic remission (odds ratio 3.05, 95% confidence interval 1.79–5.30) and significantly decreased odds of dysphagia (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.15–0.45), food impaction (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11–0.55), stricture occurrence (OR 0.52 95% CI 0.29–0.92), and esophageal dilation (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.15–0.54). Assessing MPR before repeating an esophagogastroduodenoscopy may decrease unnecessary procedures in the clinical management of eosinophilic esophagitis.
Introducing Auxetic Behavior to Syntactic Foams
Authors: Novak Nejc , Kolar Miha , Movahedi Nima , Vesenjak Matej , Ren Zoran , Fiedler Thomas
Published: March 2024

This paper proposes an innovative multi-material approach for introducing auxetic behaviour to syntactic foams (SFs). By carefully designing the size, shape, and orientation of the SFs, auxetic deformation behaviour was induced. Re-entrant hexagon-shaped SF elements were fabricated using expanded perlite (EP) particles and a plaster of Paris slurry first. Then, an auxetic pattern of these SF elements was arranged within a stainless-steel casting box. The empty spaces between the SF elements were filled with molten aluminium alloy (A356) using the counter-gravity infiltration casting technique. The cast auxetic composite had a bulk density of 1.52 g/cm3. The cast composite was then compressed under quasi-static loading to characterise its deformation behaviour and to determine the mechanical properties, especially the Poisson’s ratio. The cast composite deformation was auxetic with a Poisson’s ratio of −1.04. Finite Element (FE) simulations were conducted to understand the deformation mechanism better and provide means for further optimisation of the geometry.
Fabrication of Tungsten Oxide Nanowalls through HFCVD for Improved Electrochemical Detection of Methylamine
Authors: Imran Mohammad , Kim Eun-Bi , Kim Tae-Geum , Ameen Sadia , Akhtar Mohammad Shaheer , Kwak Dong-Heui
Published: March 2024

In this study, well-defined tungsten oxide (WO3) nanowall (NW) thin films were synthesized via a controlled hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) technique and applied for electrochemical detection of methylamine toxic substances. Herein, for the thin-film growth by HFCVD, the temperature of tungsten (W) wire was held constant at ~1450 °C and gasification was performed by heating of W wire using varied substrate temperatures ranging from 350 °C to 450 °C. At an optimized growth temperature of 400 °C, well-defined and extremely dense WO3 nanowall-like structures were developed on a Si substrate. Structural, crystallographic, and compositional characterizations confirmed that the deposited WO3 thin films possessed monoclinic crystal structures of high crystal quality. For electrochemical sensing applications, WO3 NW thin film was used as an electrode, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) were measured with a wide concentration range of 20 μM~1 mM of methylamine. The fabricated electrochemical sensor achieved a sensitivity of ~183.65 μA mM−1 cm−2, a limit of detection (LOD) of ~20 μM and a quick response time of 10 s. Thus, the fabricated electrochemical sensor exhibited promising detection of methylamine with considerable stability and reproducibility.
Challenges in Chlamydial Serology: Insights from a Belgian and a Dutch Population Cohort
Authors: De Meyst Anne , Alexiou Zoïe , Lernout Tinne , Morré Servaas A. , Vanrompay Daisy
Published: March 2024

Serology routinely serves as a diagnostic tool to confirm Chlamydia infections in humans. Particularly in delayed settings, such as post-outbreak scenarios where the acute phase of infection has subsided, serology is invaluable. Multiple studies, nonetheless, indicate deficiencies in specificity and sensitivity of current chlamydial antibody detection assays. Incorporation of multiple antigens per target is known to improve the accuracy of chlamydial serological assays. We, therefore, used the recomLine test (Mikrogen diagnostics) on serological samples of two cohorts, as it is the only commercially available test allowing detection of antibodies against three human pathogenic Chlamydia species (C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae and C. psittaci) using multiple antigens per target. The first cohort (n = 156; samples collected between 2008 and 2022 during a C. trachomatis screening initiative) comprised women from the Netherlands (NL) with past exposure to C. trachomatis, while the second cohort (n = 44; samples collected in 2018 in a health examination survey) consisted of Belgian citizens (BE) with occupational or recreational exposure to chickens, representing a risk population for C. psittaci. The test indicated a statistically equivalent C. pneumoniae seroprevalence in both cohorts (39.10% in NL and 34.09% in BE; p = 0.337). As expected C. trachomatis seroprevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the Dutch cohort (48.72%), as compared to the Belgian cohort (4.55%). Lastly, C. psittaci seroprevalence did not significantly differ between the two groups (2.27% in BE and 1.92% in NL; p = 0.633), even though a higher prevalence was expected for the Belgian cohort. This prompts us to question whether the Belgian cohort truly constituted a C. psittaci risk population or whether the recomLine test is susceptible to cross-reaction of species-specific antibodies, thereby increasing C. psittaci prevalence in the Dutch cohort. We advocate for the development of affordable, highly sensitive antibody detection assays that can effectively distinguish between chlamydial species, addressing the increasing demand for enhanced serological testing methodologies.
Residue K28 of Zika Virus NS5 Protein Is Implicated in Virus Replication and Antagonism of STAT2
Authors: Peng Nias Y. G. , Sng Julian D. J. , Setoh Yin Xiang , Khromykh Alexander A.
Published: March 2024

The identification of four potential nonstructural 5 (NS5) residues—K28, K45, V335, and S749—that share the same amino acid preference in STAT2-interacting flaviviruses [Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV)], but not in STAT2-non-interacting flaviviruses [West Nile virus (WNV) and/or Yellow fever virus (YFV)] from an alignment of multiple flavivirus NS5 sequences, implied a possible association with the efficiency of ZIKV to antagonize the human signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 2 (STAT2). Through site-directed mutagenesis and reverse genetics, mutational impacts of these residues on ZIKV growth in vitro and STAT2 antagonism were assessed using virus growth kinetics assays and STAT2 immunoblotting. The results showed that mutations at the residue K28 significantly reduced the efficiency of ZIKV to antagonize STAT2. Further investigation involving residue K28 demonstrated its additional effects on the phenotypes of ZIKV-NS5 nuclear bodies. These findings demonstrate that K28, identified from sequence alignment, is an important determinant of replication and STAT2 antagonism by ZIKV.
The Effect of Operating Variables on the Performance of Column Flotation of Silica Sand
Authors: Sobota Ivan , Bedeković Gordan
Published: March 2024

This paper presents the results of a study performed on silica sand samples to determine the effect of operating parameters (collector type and dosage, solids content in the pulp, pulp pH and air flow rate) on the concentrate grade and mass recovery in laboratory-scale column flotation. Through the analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was determined that the pulp pH had a significant impact on all four of the observed grade parameters (mass contents of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and TiO2 in the concentrate). Air flow rate had a significant impact on the mass contents of SiO2 and Al2O3. The solids content in the pulp only significantly affected the mass content of Fe2O3. The mass recovery was significantly influenced by the pulp pH, with a high level of significance (p-value (p) = 0.002917), as well as by the air flow rate (p = 0.010285). On the basis of a model of the relationship between the respective grade parameters and tested operating variables, it was determined that with the use of the Aeromine 3030C collector (at a dosage of 500 g/t) the highest-grade concentrate regarding the mass contents of SiO2, Al2O3 and TiO2 was achieved with a pulp pH within a range from 2.4 to 3 and an air flow rate above 26 L/h. The lowest mass content of Fe2O3 in the concentrate was achieved at a pulp pH in a range from 2.2 to 2.8 and a solids content in the pulp between 2.0% and 3.5%.
A Multi-Method Approach to Geophysical Imaging of a Composite Pluton in North Portugal
Authors: Cruz Cláudia , Noronha Fernando , Sant’Ovaia Helena
Published: March 2024

Potassium (K), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) are good markers of magmatic or alteration processes and the surface concentrations of these radioelements can be mapped at the regional or local scale through radiometric (gamma) surveys. In this study, a radiometric survey was performed in a post-orogenic pluton located in North Portugal, namely the Lamas de Olo Pluton, composed by three granitic facies. This pluton has already been intensively studied, including magnetic susceptibility, gravimetric, geochemical, and petrographic studies. The main objective of this work is to evaluate the radiometric data and combine them with other characteristics, such as magnetic susceptibility, and gravimetry, as well as to elucidate structures such as faults and fractures, outline geological boundaries, and identify alteration zones within various granites of the pluton. The radiometric approach reveals the spatial distribution of radioelements, offering a more distinct portrayal of the geology in the studied area. The radioactive heat production rate was calculated for the studied pluton, showing that the mean value is 4.09 µW m−3, surpassing the known mean values for granites. Our study highlights that radiometric measurements unveil compositional variations within granitic pluton and aid in identifying feeder zones. Furthermore, these measurements can be correlated with each type of granites, demonstrating associations with surface concentrations of K-Th-U. Our findings indicate a spatial alignment between the NE feeder root and a U-rich granite (Barragem granite), as evidenced by its elevated concentration of this radioelement. Conversely, the other root displays a notable relative concentration of Th, consistent with the Th-rich characteristics observed of the two other granites (Lamas de Olo and Alto dos Cabeços granites).
Accelerated Aging Induced by an Unhealthy High-Fat Diet: Initial Evidence for the Role of Nrf2 Deficiency and Impaired Stress Resilience in Cellular Senescence
Authors: Balasubramanian Priya , Kiss Tamas , Gulej Rafal , Nyul Toth Adam , Tarantini Stefano , Yabluchanskiy Andriy , Ungvari Zoltan , Csiszar Anna
Published: March 2024

High-fat diets (HFDs) have pervaded modern dietary habits, characterized by their excessive saturated fat content and low nutritional value. Epidemiological studies have compellingly linked HFD consumption to obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, the synergistic interplay of HFD, obesity, and diabetes expedites the aging process and prematurely fosters age-related diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms driving these associations remain enigmatic. One of the most conspicuous hallmarks of aging is the accumulation of highly inflammatory senescent cells, with mounting evidence implicating increased cellular senescence in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases. Our hypothesis posits that HFD consumption amplifies senescence burden across multiple organs. To scrutinize this hypothesis, we subjected mice to a 6-month HFD regimen, assessing senescence biomarker expression in the liver, white adipose tissue, and the brain. Aging is intrinsically linked to impaired cellular stress resilience, driven by dysfunction in Nrf2-mediated cytoprotective pathways that safeguard cells against oxidative stress-induced senescence. To ascertain whether Nrf2-mediated pathways shield against senescence induction in response to HFD consumption, we explored senescence burden in a novel model of aging: Nrf2-deficient (Nrf2+/−) mice, emulating the aging phenotype. Our initial findings unveiled significant Nrf2 dysfunction in Nrf2+/− mice, mirroring aging-related alterations. HFD led to substantial obesity, hyperglycemia, and impaired insulin sensitivity in both Nrf2+/− and Nrf2+/+ mice. In control mice, HFD primarily heightened senescence burden in white adipose tissue, evidenced by increased Cdkn2a senescence biomarker expression. In Nrf2+/− mice, HFD elicited a significant surge in senescence burden across the liver, white adipose tissue, and the brain. We postulate that HFD-induced augmentation of senescence burden may be a pivotal contributor to accelerated organismal aging and the premature onset of age-related diseases.
Preventative Effects of Milk Fat Globule Membrane Ingredients on DSS-Induced Mucosal Injury in Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Kosmerl Erica , Miller Celeste , Jiménez-Flores Rafael
Published: March 2024

The goblet cells of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) produce glycoproteins called mucins that form a protective barrier from digestive contents and external stimuli. Recent evidence suggests that the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and its milk phospholipid component (MPL) can benefit the GIT through improving barrier function. Our objective was to compare the effects of two digested MFGM ingredients with or without dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced barrier stress on mucin proteins. Co-cultured Caco-2/HT29-MTX intestinal cells were treated with in vitro digests of 2%, 5%, and 10% (w/v) MFGM or MPL alone for 6 h or followed by challenge with 2.5% DSS (6 h). Transepithelial electrical resistance and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (FD4) permeability measurements were used to measure changes in barrier integrity. Mucin characterization was performed using a combination of slot blotting techniques for secreted (MUC5AC, MUC2) and transmembrane (MUC3A, MUC1) mucins, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and periodic acid Schiff (PAS)/Alcian blue staining. Digested MFGM and MPL prevented a DSS-induced reduction in secreted mucins, which corresponded to the prevention of DSS-induced increases in FD4 permeability. SEM and PAS/Alcian blue staining showed similar visual trends for secreted mucin production. A predictive bioinformatic approach was also used to identify potential KEGG pathways involved in MFGM-mediated mucosal maintenance under colitis conditions. This preliminary in silico evidence, combined with our in vitro findings, suggests the role of MFGM in inducing repair and maintenance of the mucosal barrier.
Supramolecular Catalysis with Chiral Mono- and Bis-(Thio)Urea-Derivatives
Authors: Iuliano Veronica , Della Sala Paolo , Talotta Carmen , De Rosa Margherita , Gaeta Carmine , Neri Placido , Soriente Annunziata
Published: March 2024

Chiral mono- and bis-(thio)urea supramolecular organocatalysts were studied in the enantioselective vinylogous addition reaction of 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran (TMSOF) to carbonylic compounds; the corresponding chiral γ-hydroxymethyl-butenolides are obtained in good yields and with high enantiomeric excesses. The catalyst structure, as well as the reaction conditions, strongly influence the efficiency of the reaction. The conformational features of mono(thio)urea catalysts 2 and 3 and bis(thio)urea catalysts 7 and 8 were investigated by DFT calculations along with the structure of their complexes with benzaldehyde. Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) and Non-Covalent Interaction (NCI) calculations provided useful information concerning the activating H-bonding interactions in the complexes.
Revealing the Prevalence of Toxoplasma in Sierra Morena’s Wild Boar: An ELISA-Based Study Using Meat Juice
Authors: Castillo-Castillo José María , Rufino-Moya Pablo José , Martínez-Moreno Álvaro , Salvador Castaño Ángela , Martínez-Moreno Francisco Javier , Leva Rafael Zafra
Published: March 2024

This research work focused on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar from the Sierra Morena region. We conducted an ELISA analysis using meat juice samples. A total of 892 samples from six hunting seasons (2013–2019) were collected from the provinces that constitute the Sierra Morena Mountain range. These samples were analyzed using the Pigtype® ELISA kit, specifically developed for detecting T. gondii in meat juice. The overall prevalence of T. gondii in Sierra Morena was 23.2%. The highest prevalences were observed in Córdoba (31.6%) and Jaén (25.9%). These provinces exhibit the highest density of wild boar as well as the greatest presence of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Further in-depth studies are necessary, but it appears that the presence of wild felids and scavenger behavior may be associated with this observation.
Editorial of the Special Issue Titled “Drug Candidates for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases”
Authors: Kadoglou Nikolaos P. E.
Published: March 2024

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with high social–economic costs [...]
AutoPepVax, a Novel Machine-Learning-Based Program for Vaccine Design: Application to a Pan-Cancer Vaccine Targeting EGFR Missense Mutations
Authors: Bautista Enrico , Jung Young Hyun , Jaramillo Manuela , Ganesh Harrish , Varma Aryaan , Savsani Kush , Dakshanamurthy Sivanesan
Published: March 2024

The current epitope selection methods for peptide vaccines often rely on epitope binding affinity predictions, prompting the need for the development of more sophisticated in silico methods to determine immunologically relevant epitopes. Here, we developed AutoPepVax to expedite and improve the in silico epitope selection for peptide vaccine design. AutoPepVax is a novel program that automatically identifies non-toxic and non-allergenic epitopes capable of inducing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes by considering various epitope characteristics. AutoPepVax employs random forest classification and linear regression machine-learning-based models, which are trained with datasets derived from tumor samples. AutoPepVax, along with documentation on how to run the program, is freely available on GitHub. We used AutoPepVax to design a pan-cancer peptide vaccine targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) missense mutations commonly found in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRAD), glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). These mutations have been previously targeted in clinical trials for EGFR-specific peptide vaccines in GBM and LUAD, and they show promise but lack demonstrated clinical efficacy. Using AutoPepVax, our analysis of 96 EGFR mutations identified 368 potential MHC-I-restricted epitope–HLA pairs from 49,113 candidates and 430 potential MHC-II-restricted pairs from 168,669 candidates. Notably, 19 mutations presented viable epitopes for MHC I and II restrictions. To evaluate the potential impact of a pan-cancer vaccine composed of these epitopes, we used our program, PCOptim, to curate a minimal list of epitopes with optimal population coverage. The world population coverage of our list ranged from 81.8% to 98.5% for MHC Class II and Class I epitopes, respectively. From our list of epitopes, we constructed 3D epitope–MHC models for six MHC-I-restricted and four MHC-II-restricted epitopes, demonstrating their epitope binding potential and interaction with T-cell receptors. AutoPepVax’s comprehensive approach to in silico epitope selection addresses vaccine safety, efficacy, and broad applicability. Future studies aim to validate the AutoPepVax-designed vaccines with murine tumor models that harbor the studied mutations.
Analyzing Alkyl Bromide Genotoxic Impurities in Febuxostat Based on Static Headspace Sampling and GC-ECD
Authors: Kavrentzos Alexandros , Vastardi Elli , Karavas Evangelos , Tzanavaras Paraskevas D. , Zacharis Constantinos K.
Published: March 2024

Herein, a sensitive and selective gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) method was developed and validated for the quantification of trace levels of five bromo-containing genotoxic impurities in Febuxostat active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) after headspace sampling (HS). Multivariate experimental designs for the optimization of static headspace parameters were conducted in two stages using fractional factorial design (FFD) and central composite design (CCD). The optimum headspace conditions were 5 min of extraction time and a 120 °C extraction temperature. Baseline separation on the analytes against halogenated solvents was carried out using an Agilent DB-624 (30 m × 0.32 mm I.D., 1.8 μm film thickness) stationary phase under isothermal conditions. The method was validated according to ICH guidelines in terms of specificity, linearity, the limits of detection and quantification, precision and accuracy. The linearity was assessed in the range of 5–150% with respect to the specification limit. The achieved LOD and LOQ values ranged between 0.003 and 0.009 and 0.01 and 0.03 μg mL−1, respectively. The accuracy of the method (expressed as relative recovery) was in the range of 81.5–118.2%, while the precision (repeatability, inter-day) was less than 9.9% in all cases. The validated analytical protocol has been successfully applied to the determination of the impurities in various Febuxostat API batch samples.
Punica granatum L. (Pomegranate) Extracts and Their Effects on Healthy and Diseased Skin
Authors: Dimitrijevic Jovana , Tomovic Marina , Bradic Jovana , Petrovic Anica , Jakovljevic Vladimir , Andjic Marijana , Živković Jelena , Milošević Suzana Đorđević , Simanic Igor , Dragicevic Nina
Published: March 2024

The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the botany, phytochemistry and dermatological effects of Punica granatum (PG), with special emphasis on therapeutic mechanisms in various skin conditions. PG peel contains the highest levels of chemical compounds. Due to the high abundance of polyphenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, anthocyanins and flavonoids, exhibiting strong antioxidant properties, PG peel possesses significant health-promoting effects. Up until now, different parts of PG in the form of various extracts, fixed seed oil or individual active compounds have been investigated for various effects on skin conditions in in vitro and in vivo studies, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, chemoprotective and antiaging effects, as well as positive effects on striae distensae, skin repair mechanisms, erythema, pigmentation and psoriasis. Therefore, formulations containing PG active compounds have been used for skincare of diseased and healthy skin. Only a few effects have been confirmed on human subjects. Based on encouraging results obtained in in vitro and animal studies about the numerous substantial dermatological effects of PG active compounds, future perspectives should incorporate more in vivo investigations in human volunteers. This approach can aid in identifying the optimal concentrations and formulations that would be most efficacious in addressing specific skin conditions.
Daptomycin Liposomes Exhibit Enhanced Activity against Staphylococci Biofilms Compared to Free Drug
Authors: Gkartziou Foteini , Plota Maria , Kypraiou Charikleia , Gauttam Iti , Kolonitsiou Fevronia , Klepetsanis Pavlos , Spiliopoulou Iris , Antimisiaris Sophia G.
Published: March 2024

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anti-staphylococcal activity of liposomal daptomycin against four biofilm-producing S. aureus and S. epidermidis clinical strains, three of which are methicillin-resistant. Neutral and negatively charged daptomycin-loaded liposomes were prepared using three methods, namely, thin-film hydration (TFH), a dehydration–rehydration vesicle (DRV) method, and microfluidic mixing (MM); moreover, they were characterized for drug encapsulation (EE%), size distribution, zeta-potential, vesicle stability, drug release, and drug integrity. Interestingly, whilst drug loading in THF and DRV nanosized (by extrusion) vesicles was around 30–35, very low loading (~4%) was possible in MM vesicles, requiring further explanatory investigations. Liposomal encapsulation protected daptomycin from degradation and preserved its bioactivity. Biofilm mass (crystal violet, CV), biofilm viability (MTT), and growth curve (GC) assays evaluated the antimicrobial activity of neutral and negatively charged daptomycin-liposomes towards planktonic bacteria and biofilms. Neutral liposomes exhibited dramatically enhanced inhibition of bacterial growth (compared to the free drug) for all species studied, while negatively charged liposomes were totally inactive. Biofilm prevention and treatment studies revealed high antibiofilm activity of liposomal daptomycin. Neutral liposomes were more active for prevention and negative charge ones for treating established biofilms. Planktonic bacteria as well as the matured biofilms of low daptomycin-susceptible, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) strains were almost completely eradicated by liposomal-daptomycin, indicating the need for their further exploration as antimicrobial therapeutics.
Pullulan-Based Spray-Dried Mucoadhesive Microparticles for Sustained Oromucosal Drug Delivery
Authors: Liu Ting , Gong Xiang , Cai Yang , Li Hao-Ying , Forbes Ben
Published: March 2024

Mucoadhesive microparticles for oromucosal drug delivery offer several advantages, including intimate contact with the mucosa, delivery to less accessible regions, extended residence time, sustained drug release, reduced irritation, and improved patient compliance. In this study, pullulan was used to prepare mucoadhesive spray-dried microparticles for delivering benzydamine hydrochloride (BZH) to oral mucosa. The BZH-pullulan spray-dried microparticles had a mean size of <25 μm with an angle of repose values between 25.8–36.6°. Pullulan markedly extended drug-release time to >180 min, ~9 times greater than the duration (i.e., 20 min) reportedly achieved by chitosan. Kinetic analysis showed the drug-release rate was concentration dependent and jointly controlled by drug diffusion and polymer chain relaxation. Further, pullulan was mucoadhesive and was able to retain up to 78.8% w/w of microencapsulated gold nanoparticle probes at the mucosal membrane. These data strongly suggest that BZH-pullulan microparticles have great potential for oromucosal drug delivery, by providing elongated residence time in situ and sustained drug release for the treatment of local diseases.
In Situ All-Fiber Remote Gas Sensing Strategy Based on Anti-Resonant Hollow-Core Fiber and Middle-Hole Eccentric-Core Fiber
Authors: Geng Yuhan , Zhang Tie , Wu Shengnan , He Sailing
Published: March 2024

Laser absorption spectroscopy for gas sensing basically employs an air pump located at the gas cell probe to draw in ambient gases, and the on-site gas sample is subsequently delivered for laboratory non-real-time analysis. In this study, an in situ all-fiber remote gas sensing strategy is proposed. The anti-resonant hollow-core fiber (AR-HCF) is used as the sensing fiber, and a 20 m middle-hole eccentric-core fiber (MH-ECF) is used as the conducting fiber. The remote ambient gases can be inhaled into the AR-HCF as a result of the negative pressure transmitted through the MH-ECF when pumping gas at the interface of the MH-ECF. Since the real-time monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions in industrial processes holds immense significance in addressing global climate change, the detection of CO2 is achieved with the TDLAS-WMS method, and the gas sensing performance of an all-fiber remote gas sensing structure (RGS) is experimentally validated. The response time t90 under the pumping condition is about 456 s, which is about 30 times faster than that of free diffusion. Allan deviation results for more than one hour of continuous monitoring indicate that the lowest detection limit for the all-fiber RGS is 0.0373% when the integration time is 184 s. The all-fiber remote gas sensing strategy also possesses the benefits of being applicable to multiplex, hazardous gas environment passive monitoring.
Genome-Wide Identification of Peanut B-Boxs and Functional Characterization of AhBBX6 in Salt and Drought Stresses
Authors: Tang Haohong , Yuan Cuiling , Shi Haonan , Liu Feng , Shan Shihua , Wang Zhijun , Sun Quanxi , Sun Jie
Published: March 2024

The B-box (BBX) gene family includes zinc finger protein transcription factors that regulate a multitude of physiological and developmental processes in plants. While BBX gene families have been previously determined in various plants, the members and roles of peanut BBXs are largely unknown. In this research, on the basis of the genome-wide identification of BBXs in three peanut species (Arachis hypogaea, A. duranensis, and A. ipaensis), we investigated the expression profile of the BBXs in various tissues and in response to salt and drought stresses and selected AhBBX6 for functional characterization. We identified a total of 77 BBXs in peanuts, which could be grouped into five subfamilies, with the genes from the same branch of the same subgroup having comparable exon–intron structures. In addition, a significant number of cis-regulatory elements involved in the regulation of responses to light and hormones and abiotic stresses were found in the promoter region of peanut BBXs. Based on the analysis of transcriptome data and qRT-PCR, we identified AhBBX6, AhBBX11, AhBBX13, and AhBBX38 as potential genes associated with tolerance to salt and drought. Silencing AhBBX6 using virus-induced gene silencing compromised the tolerance of peanut plants to salt and drought stresses. The results of this study provide knowledge on peanut BBXs and establish a foundation for future research into their functional roles in peanut development and stress response.
Proline Spray Relieves the Adverse Effects of Drought on Wheat Flag Leaf Function
Authors: Li Huizhen , Liu Yuan , Zhen Bo , Lv Mouchao , Zhou Xinguo , Yong Beibei , Niu Qinglin , Yang Shenjiao
Published: March 2024

Drought stress is one of the key factors restricting crop yield. The beneficial effects of exogenous proline on crop growth under drought stress have been demonstrated in maize, rice, and other crops. However, little is known about its effects on wheat under drought stress. Especially, the water-holding capacity of leaves were overlooked in most studies. Therefore, a barrel experiment was conducted with wheat at two drought levels (severe drought: 45% field capacity, mild drought: 60% field capacity), and three proline-spraying levels (0 mM, 25 mM, and 50 mM). Meanwhile, a control with no stress and no proline application was set. The anatomical features, water-holding capacity, antioxidant capacity, and proline content of flag leaves as well as grain yields were measured. The results showed that drought stress increased the activity of catalase and peroxidase and the content of proline in flag leaves, lessened the content of chlorophyll, deformed leaf veins, and decreased the grain yield. Exogenous proline could regulate the osmotic-regulation substance content, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, water-holding capacity, and tissue structure of wheat flag leaves under drought stress, ultimately alleviating the impact of drought stress on wheat yield. The application of proline (25 mM and 50 mM) increased the yield by 2.88% and 10.81% under mild drought and 33.90% and 52.88% under severe drought compared to wheat without proline spray, respectively.
Study on the High-Efficiency Preparation of Superhydrophobic Polymer Thin Films by Continuous Micro/Nano Imprinting
Authors: Chen Zhi , Wei Yumeng , Wu Cheng , Zhang Guojun , Han Fenglin
Published: March 2024

In order to improve the preparation efficiency, quality stability, and large-area preparation of superhydrophobic thin films, a roll-to-roll continuous micro–nano imprinting method for the efficient preparation of superhydrophobic polymer films is proposed. A wear-resistant mold roller with hierarchical microstructure is prepared by wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM). The rheological filling model is constructed for revealing the forming mechanism of superhydrophobic polymer films during continuous micro/nano imprinting. The effects of imprinting temperature, rolling speed and the surface texture size of the template on the surface texture formation rate of polymer films are analyzed. The experimental results show that, compared with other process methods, the template processed by WEDM shows excellent wear resistance. Moreover, the optimal micro/nano imprinting parameters are the mold temperature of 190 °C (corresponding film temperature of 85 ± 5 °C), rolling speed of 3 rpm and roller gap of 0.1 mm. The maximum contact angle of the polymer film is 154°. In addition, the superhydrophobic polymer thin film has been proven to have good self-cleaning and anti-icing performance.
Mechanical and Ballistic Properties of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Babassu Fibers (Attalea speciosa)
Authors: Chaves Yago Soares , Monteiro Sergio Neves , Nascimento Lucio Fabio Cassiano , Rio Teresa Gómez-del
Published: March 2024

The mechanical and ballistic performance of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with 10, 20, and 30 vol.% of babassu fibers was investigated for the first time. The tests included tension, impact, and ballistic testing with 0.22 caliber ammunition. The results showed an improvement in tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation with the addition of babassu fiber, and the 30 vol.% composite stood out. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the fracture modes of the composites, highlighting brittle fractures in the epoxy matrix, as well as other mechanisms such as fiber breakage and delamination in the fiber composites. Izod impact tests also showed improvement with increasing babassu fiber content. In ballistic tests, there was an increase in absorbed energy. All composites surpassed plain epoxy by over 3.5 times in ballistic energy absorption, underscoring the potential of babassu fiber in engineering and defense applications.
Characteristic Analysis and Coating Application of the Innovative HVOF System Based on the Digital Model
Authors: Yan Mingxia , Yuan Xiaojing , Su Qingdong , Sun Zhensheng , Zhao Guan , Zha Bailin
Published: March 2024

In view of the poor working conditions, high cost and time-consuming parameter design of the traditional spray process, an innovative HVOF thermal spray system based on the digital model has been established by this study to improve coating performance and optimize scheme design rapidly. In particular, the digital model of the oxygen/kerosene HVOF spray system is designed on the AMESim multidisciplinary simulation platform for the first time, and the engineering prototype has been successfully developed. Thus, an efficient design method based on the digital model was proposed, according to which the spray control parameters such as oxygen and kerosene flow are obtained conveniently under a combustion chamber pressure of 1.0 MPa and 2.0 MPa, respectively. The error between the simulation and experiment results was generally less than 5%, and the dynamic characteristics of the key components in the actual spray system were well predicted, suggesting that the dynamic response time of the system would generally less than 0.7 s. Additionally, the WC-12Co coatings were deposited under the working conditions of W1.0 and W2.0, respectively, the microhardness of the coating increased about 23% and the corresponding volume wear rate decreased about 18%. The results show that the increase of the pressure of the combustion chamber can further improve the coating performance, which also verifies the feasibility and reliability of the design method. It was concluded that the innovative HVOF system based on the digital model is of great theoretical value and application significance for predicting spray process parameters conveniently and providing excellent coating performance.
Sodium Alginate–Soy Protein Isolate–Chitosan–Capsaicin–Nanosilver Multifunctional Antibacterial Composite Gel
Authors: Zhang Zhichao , Huang Meizi , Shen Kejian , He Yucai , Liu Youyan
Published: March 2024

We constructed a sodium alginate/soy protein isolate/chitosan gel system and incorporated silver nanoparticles reduced by capsaicin into the system, forming a sodium alginate–soy protein isolate–chitosan–capsaicin–silver nanoparticle composite gel (SA/SPI/CTS/CAP/Ag). In tests, the SA/SPI/CTS/CAP/Ag gel exhibited excellent antimicrobial properties. Using the agar diffusion method, the inhibition zone diameter for Staphylococcus aureus was determined to be 29.5 mm. Soy protein isolate (SPI), containing a large number of hydrophobic amino acid residues, effectively enhanced the moisture retention capability of the gel and improved its stability to a certain extent at an appropriate addition concentration. In a milk preservation experiment, the SA/SPI/CTS/CAP/Ag gel significantly extended the shelf-life of the milk. In dye adsorption experiments, the adsorption curve of the SA/SPI/CTS/CAP/Ag gel well fitted a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. It showed a degree of adsorption capacity for methylene blue, malachite green, methyl orange, and Congo red, with the most significant adsorption effect for malachite green being 42.48 mg/g. Considering its outstanding antimicrobial performance, preservation ability, and adsorption capacity, the SA/SPI/CTS/CAP/Ag gel holds significant potential in wastewater treatment and as an antimicrobial gel in the exploration of food preservation.
The TPRF: A Novel Soft Sensing Method of Alumina–Silica Ratio in Red Mud Based on TPE and Random Forest Algorithm
Authors: Meng Fanguang , Shi Zhiguo , Song Yongxing
Published: March 2024

The online measurement of the aluminum–silicon ratio of red mud in the dissolution stage of the Bayer alumina production process is difficult to achieve. The offline assay method has a high cost and strong time delay. Soft sensors are an effective and economical method to solve such problems. In this paper, a hybrid model (TPRF model) based on a tree-structured Parzen estimator (TPE) optimized random forest (RF) algorithm is proposed to measure the Al–Si ratio of red mud. The probability distribution of the hyperparameters of the random forest model is estimated by combining the TPE optimization algorithm with the random forest algorithm. According to this probability distribution, the hyperparameters of the random forest algorithm are adjusted in the parameter search space to obtain the best combination of hyperparameters. We established a TPRF soft sensing model based on the optimal combination of hyperparameters. The results show that the best performance of the TPRF model is a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 0.0015, a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.00378, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.00162, and a goodness of fit (R2) of 0.9893. The goodness of fit improved by 93.2% compared to the linear model, 39.1% compared to the SVR model, about 21.2% compared to the GRU model, and 5.5% compared to the RF model. This level of performance is demonstrated to be better than traditional soft sensors.
Synthesis, Characterization and Power Factor Estimation of SnSe Thin Film for Energy Harvesting Applications
Authors: Ahmad Kaleem , Almutairi Zeyad , Ali Syed Mansoor , Almuzaiqer Redhwan , Wan Chunlei , Sayeed Abdul
Published: March 2024

In this work, a simple, cost-effective successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) deposition technique has been used to deposit a high-quality tin selenide (SnSe) thin film onto a glass substrate. Structural, morphologic, and thermoelectric properties have been characterized for the prepared thin film. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results of the SnSe thin film reveal an orthorhombic structure phase. The morphological properties of the prepared thin films have been studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The stoichiometric composition of the deposited thin film and the elemental binding energies of the Sn and Se elements have been investigated with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectrum of the SnSe thin film displays vibrational modes of chalcogenides bonds. These results suggest that the developed thin film is crystalline, uniform, and without impurities and is appropriate for energy harvesting applications. The prepared thin film’s Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity were estimated through ZEM-3 from room temperature to 600 K. The power factor was evaluated. A substantially high electrical conductivity is observed, which decreases somewhat with temperature, suggesting a semimetal conducting transport—the absolute values of the Seebeck coefficient increase with temperature. The resulting power factor showed the highest values near room temperature and a somewhat decreasing trend as the temperature increased. Despite lower values of the Seebeck coefficient, the substantially enhanced power factor is due to the higher electrical conductivity of the thin film, superior to that reported previously. This precursor study demonstrates promising results for developing high-performance flexible thermoelectric devices via a simple and facile SILAR strategy.
Cadmium Highlights Common and Specific Responses of Two Freshwater Sentinel Species, Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena rostriformis bugensis
Authors: Bultelle Florence , Le Saux Aimie , David Elise , Tanguy Arnaud , Devin Simon , Olivier Stéphanie , Poret Agnès , Chan Philippe , Louis Fanny , Delahaut Laurence , Pain-Devin Sandrine , Péden Romain , Vaudry David , Le Foll Frank , Rocher Béatrice
Published: March 2024

Zebra mussel (ZM), Dreissena polymorpha, commonly used as a sentinel species in freshwater biomonitoring, is now in competition for habitat with quagga mussel (QM), Dreissena rostriformis bugensis. This raises the question of the quagga mussel’s use in environmental survey. To better characterise QM response to stress compared with ZM, both species were exposed to cadmium (100 µg·L−1), a classic pollutant, for 7 days under controlled conditions. The gill proteomes were analysed using two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry. For ZM, 81 out of 88 proteoforms of variable abundance were identified using mass spectrometry, and for QM, 105 out of 134. Interestingly, the proteomic response amplitude varied drastically, with 5.6% of proteoforms of variable abundance (DAPs) in ZM versus 9.4% in QM. QM also exhibited greater cadmium accumulation. Only 12 common DAPs were observed. Several short proteoforms were detected, suggesting proteolysis. Functional analysis is consistent with the pleiotropic effects of the toxic metal ion cadmium, with alterations in sulphur and glutathione metabolisms, cellular calcium signalling, cytoskeletal dynamics, energy production, chaperone activation, and membrane events with numerous proteins involved in trafficking and endocytosis/exocytosis processes. Beyond common responses, the sister species display distinct reactions, with cellular response to stress being the main category involved in ZM as opposed to calcium and cytoskeleton alterations in QM. Moreover, QM exhibited greater evidence of proteolysis and cell death. Overall, these results suggest that QM has a weaker stress response capacity than ZM.
Change of Title: Psych Becomes Psychology International
Authors: Mendo Antonio Hernández ,   Psychology International Editorial Office
Published: March 2024

We are excited to announce a significant transformation to the identity and scope of our esteemed journal [...]
Early Chan Buddhism: A Meditation Movement or New Ways of Writing about Final Authority in Tang China?
Authors: Cole Alan Robert
Published: March 2024

This essay argues that the long-standing assumption that Chan Buddhism began as a meditation movement is outdated and needs to be replaced by a paradigm that sees the origins of Chan in a set of literary inventions that took form in the mid-Tang era and were designed to prove that the totality of tradition was owned by certain masters of the day. These bold claims to own perfect tradition were bolstered by newly invented genealogies that worked to show that this or that master was, in effect, a descendant of the Indian Buddha, and, thus, a quasi-Buddha himself. Further finessing these efforts to take over final authority in the world of Tang Buddhism was the studied use of Daoist tropes to naturalize and soften these aggressive claims, all in order to make them more appealing to elite readers who could now be impressed by decidedly Chinese-looking portrayals of perfect Buddhism, set on the timeless ground of the Great Dao, where there could be no competition, envy, literary pretensions, or even Buddhist practices—just pure and total truth in the body of a Chinese man. In trying to make sense of this cycle of carefully rewriting the past in order to control the present (and future), it should be clear that we need to switch to a paradigm that accepts that the seductive reinvention of tradition was done consciously and with no small amount of craft and cunning.