bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
InterCriteria Analysis: Application for ECG Data Analysis
Authors: Jekova Irena , Vassilev Peter , Stoyanov Todor , Pencheva Tania
Published: April 2021

The InterCriteria Analysis (ICrA) is based on the mathematical formalisms of index matrices and intuitionistic fuzzy sets. It has been elaborated to discern possible similarities in the behavior of criteria pairs when multiple objects are considered, allowing also the accounting of information uncertainty. The focus of this study is to validate the applicability of ICrA over a large set of ECG criteria extracted for arrhythmia analysis and to evaluate its ability to support the pre-selection of criteria that could be further involved in decision making procedures. ICrA is applied over 88 ECG criteria (resulting in 3828 criteria pairs) calculated for 8528 ECGs from PhysioNet/CinC Challenge 2017 database. Three criteria pairs show strong positive consonance, another 26—positive consonance, while another 15 are in negative consonance. ICrA also reveals lack of dependencies in 98 criteria pairs. The correspondence between our observations (high degrees of agreement/disagreement and lack of dependencies) and our expectations based on knowledge of the principles involved in the computation of the ECG criteria validates the application of ICrA for reliable evaluation of the relation between different criteria. This potential of ICrA to highlight useful relations between ECG criteria makes it suitable in the ECG pre-processing stage for criteria pre-selection. Thus, optimization of the feature space could be achieved together with minimization of the computations’ complexity.
Sensitivity of the Solution to Nonsymmetric Differential Matrix Riccati Equation
Authors: Angelova Vera , Hached Mustapha , Jbilou Khalide
Published: April 2021

Nonsymmetric differential matrix Riccati equations arise in many problems related to science and engineering. This work is focusing on the sensitivity of the solution to perturbations in the matrix coefficients and the initial condition. Two approaches of nonlocal perturbation analysis of the symmetric differential Riccati equation are extended to the nonsymmetric case. Applying the techniques of Fréchet derivatives, Lyapunov majorants and fixed-point principle, two perturbation bounds are derived: the first one is based on the integral form of the solution and the second one considers the equivalent solution to the initial value problem of the associated differential system. The first bound is derived for the nonsymmetric differential Riccati equation in its general form. The perturbation bound based on the sensitivity analysis of the associated linear differential system is formulated for the low-dimensional approximate solution to the large-scale nonsymmetric differential Riccati equation. The two bounds exploit the existing sensitivity estimates for the matrix exponential and are alternative.
Comparisons of Parallel Systems with Components Having Proportional Reversed Hazard Rates and Starting Devices
Authors: Balakrishnan Narayanaswamy , Barmalzan Ghobad , Kosari Sajad
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we consider stochastic comparisons of parallel systems with proportional reversed hazard rate (PRHR) distributed components equipped with starting devices. By considering parallel systems with two components that PRHR and starting devices, we prove the hazard rate and reversed hazard rate orders. These results are then generalized for such parallel systems with n components in terms of usual stochastic order. The establish results are illustrated with some examples.
Revisiting Multivariate Ring Learning with Errors and Its Applications on Lattice-Based Cryptography
Authors: Pedrouzo-Ulloa Alberto , Troncoso-Pastoriza Juan Ramón , Gama Nicolas , Georgieva Mariya , Pérez-González Fernando
Published: April 2021

The “Multivariate Ring Learning with Errors” problem was presented as a generalization of Ring Learning with Errors (RLWE), introducing efficiency improvements with respect to the RLWE counterpart thanks to its multivariate structure. Nevertheless, the recent attack presented by Bootland, Castryck and Vercauteren has some important consequences on the security of the multivariate RLWE problem with “non-coprime” cyclotomics; this attack transforms instances of m-RLWE with power-of-two cyclotomic polynomials of degree n=∏ini into a set of RLWE samples with dimension maxi{ni}. This is especially devastating for low-degree cyclotomics (e.g., Φ4(x)=1+x2). In this work, we revisit the security of multivariate RLWE and propose new alternative instantiations of the problem that avoid the attack while still preserving the advantages of the multivariate structure, especially when using low-degree polynomials. Additionally, we show how to parameterize these instances in a secure and practical way, therefore enabling constructions and strategies based on m-RLWE that bring notable space and time efficiency improvements over current RLWE-based constructions.
Automated Generation of EQ-Algebras through Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Habiballa Hashim , Volna Eva , Kotyrba Martin
Published: April 2021

This article introduces an approach to the automated generation of special algebras through genetic algorithms. These algorithms can be also used for a broader variety of applications in mathematics. We describe the results of research aiming at automated production of such algebras with the help of evolutionary techniques. Standard approach is not relevant due to the time complexity of the task, which is superexponential. Our research concerning the usage of genetic algorithms enabled the problem to be solvable in reasonable time and we were able to produce finite algebras with special properties called EQ-algebras. EQ-algebras form an alternate truth–value structure for new fuzzy logics. We present the algorithms and special versions of genetic operators suitable for this task. Then we performed experiments with application EQ-Creator are discussed with proper statistical analysis through ANOVA. The genetic approach enables to automatically generate algebras of sufficient extent without superexponential complexity. Our main results include: that elitism is necessary at least for several parent members, a high mutation ratio must be set, optional axioms fulfilment increases computing time significantly, optional properties negatively affect convergence, and colorfulness was defined to prevent trivial solutions (evolution tends to the simplest way of achieving results).
TAC Method for Fitting Exponential Autoregressive Models and Others: Applications in Economy and Finance
Authors: Cabello Sánchez Javier , Fernández Torvisco Juan Antonio , Arias Mariano R.
Published: April 2021

There are a couple of purposes in this paper: to study a problem of approximation with exponential functions and to show its relevance for economic science. The solution of the first problem is as conclusive as it can be: working with the max-norm, we determine which datasets have best approximation by means of exponentials of the form f(t)=b+aexp(kt), we give a necessary and sufficient condition for some a,b,k∈R to be the coefficients that give the best approximation, and we give a best approximation by means of limits of exponentials when the dataset cannot be best approximated by an exponential. For the usual case, we have also been able to approximate the coefficients of the best approximation. As for the second purpose, we show how to approximate the coefficients of exponential models in economic science (this is only applying the R-package nlstac) and also the use of exponential autoregressive models, another well-established model in economic science, by utilizing the same tools: a numerical algorithm for fitting exponential patterns without initial guess designed by the authors and implemented in nlstac. We check one more time the robustness of this algorithm by successfully applying it to two very distant areas of economy: demand curves and nonlinear time series. This shows the utility of TAC (Spanish for CT scan) and highlights to what extent this algorithm can be useful.
Conformal Vector Fields and the De-Rham Laplacian on a Riemannian Manifold
Authors: Ishan Amira , Deshmukh Sharief , Vîlcu Gabriel-Eduard
Published: April 2021

We study the effect of a nontrivial conformal vector field on the geometry of compact Riemannian spaces. We find two new characterizations of the m-dimensional sphere Sm(c) of constant curvature c. The first characterization uses the well known de-Rham Laplace operator, while the second uses a nontrivial solution of the famous Fischer–Marsden differential equation.
Wearable Sensors and Systems for Wound Healing-Related pH and Temperature Detection
Authors: Tang Ning , Zheng Youbin , Jiang Xue , Zhou Cheng , Jin Han , Jin Ke , Wu Weiwei , Haick Hossam
Published: April 2021

Wound healing is a complex tissue regeneration process involving many changes in multiple physiological parameters. The pH and temperature of a wound site have long been recognized as important biomarkers for assessing wound healing status. For effective wound management, wound dressings integrated with wearable sensors and systems used for continuous monitoring of pH and temperature have received much attention in recent years. Herein, recent advances in the development of wearable pH and temperature sensors and systems based on different sensing mechanisms for wound status monitoring and treatment are comprehensively summarized. Challenges in the areas of sensing performance, infection identification threshold, large-area 3-dimensional detection, and long-term reliable monitoring in current wearable sensors/systems and emerging solutions are emphasized, providing critical insights into the development of wearable sensors and systems for wound healing monitoring and management.
Comparison of Four Streptococcus pneumoniae Urinary Antigen Tests Using Automated Readers
Authors: Wong Alicia Yoke Wei , Johnsson Alexander Tony Arvind , Ininbergs Karolina , Athlin Simon , Özenci Volkan
Published: April 2021

Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen tests (UATs) may be interpreted using automatic readers to potentially automate sample incubation and provide standardized results reading. Here, we evaluated four UATs the BinaxNOW S. pneumoniae Antigen Card (Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA), ImmuView S. pneumoniae and Legionella (SSI Diagnostica, Hillerød, Denmark), STANDARD F S. pneumoniae Ag FIA (SD Biosensor, Gyeonggi, South Korea), and Sofia S. pneumoniae FIA (Quidel Corporation, San Diego, CA, USA) with their respective benchtop readers for their ability to detect S. pneumoniae urinary antigen. We found that these assays had a sensitivity of 76.9–86.5%, and specificity of 84.2–89.7%, with no significant difference found among the four UATs. The assays had a high level of agreement with each other, with 84.5% of samples testing consistently across all four assays. The automatically and visually read test results from the two immunochromatographic assays, BinaxNOW and ImmuView, were compared and showed excellent agreement between the two types of reading. Immunofluorescent-based assays, Sofia and STANDARD F, had significantly less time to detect compared to the two immunochromatographic assays due to having less assay setup procedures and shorter sample incubation times. In conclusion, the four UATs performed similarly in the detection of S. pneumoniae urinary antigen, and readers can bring increased flexibility to running UATs in the clinical routine.
Effect of Antimicrobial Treatment on the Dynamics of Ceftiofur Resistance in Enterobacteriaceae from Adult California Dairy Cows
Authors: Sheedy David B. , Okello Emmanuel , Williams Deniece R. , Precht Katie , Cella Elisa , Lehenbauer Terry W. , Aly Sharif S.
Published: April 2021

Dairy farm use of antimicrobial drugs (AMD) is a risk for the selection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR); however, these resistance dynamics are not fully understood. A cohort study on two dairy farms enrolled 96 cows with their fecal samples collected three times weekly, for the first 60 days in milk. Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated by spiral plating samples onto MacConkey agar impregnated with 0, 1, 8, 16 and 30 µg/mL ceftiofur. Negative binomial regression analyzed AMR over time. The continuum of ceftiofur concentrations permitted estimation of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and analysis using interval regression. The most common systemic AMD was ceftiofur, administered in 94% of treatments (15/16 cows). Enterobacteriaceae did not grow in 88% of samples collected from non-AMD treated cows at 8 µg/mL ceftiofur. Samples from AMD treated cows had peak counts of resistant Enterobacteriaceae during AMD treatment and returned to baseline counts by 3–4 days post-treatment at 8 µg/mL. Sensitive Enterobacteriaceae (0–1 µg/mL ceftiofur) were reduced below pre-treated levels for 29–35 days post-AMD treatment. Population MIC peaked during AMD treatment and returned to baseline levels by 7–8 days. We conclude that the effect of systemic ceftiofur on the resistance of Enterobacteriaceae in early lactation dairy cows was limited in duration.
Probiogenomics of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CIDCA 133: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Approaches
Authors: de Jesus Luís Cláudio Lima , Drumond Mariana Martins , Aburjaile Flávia Figueira , Sousa Thiago de Jesus , Coelho-Rocha Nina Dias , Profeta Rodrigo , Brenig Bertram , Mancha-Agresti Pamela , Azevedo Vasco
Published: April 2021

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CIDCA 133 (CIDCA 133) has been reported as a potential probiotic strain, presenting immunomodulatory properties. This study investigated the possible genes and molecular mechanism involved with a probiotic profile of CIDCA 133 through a genomic approach associated with in vitro and in vivo analysis. Genomic analysis corroborates the species identification carried out by the classical microbiological method. Phenotypic assays demonstrated that the CIDCA 133 strain could survive acidic, osmotic, and thermic stresses. In addition, this strain shows antibacterial activity against Salmonella Typhimurium and presents immunostimulatory properties capable of upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokines Il10 and Tgfb1 gene expression through inhibition of Nfkb1 gene expression. These reported effects can be associated with secreted, membrane/exposed to the surface and cytoplasmic proteins, and bacteriocins-encoding genes predicted in silico. Furthermore, our results showed the genes and the possible mechanisms used by CIDCA 133 to produce their beneficial host effects and highlight its use as a probiotic microorganism.
Update on Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci—What the Clinician Should Know
Authors: Michels Ricarda , Last Katharina , Becker Sören L. , Papan Cihan
Published: April 2021

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are among the most frequently recovered bacteria in routine clinical care. Their incidence has steadily increased over the past decades in parallel to the advancement in medicine, especially in regard to the utilization of foreign body devices. Many new species have been described within the past years, while clinical information to most of those species is still sparse. In addition, interspecies differences that render some species more virulent than others have to be taken into account. The distinct populations in which CoNS infections play a prominent role are preterm neonates, patients with implanted medical devices, immunodeficient patients, and those with other relevant comorbidities. Due to the property of CoNS to colonize the human skin, contamination of blood cultures or other samples occurs frequently. Hence, the main diagnostic hurdle is to correctly identify the cases in which CoNS are causative agents rather than contaminants. However, neither phenotypic nor genetic tools have been able to provide a satisfying solution to this problem. Another dilemma of CoNS in clinical practice pertains to their extensive antimicrobial resistance profile, especially in healthcare settings. Therefore, true infections caused by CoNS most often necessitate the use of second-line antimicrobial drugs.
Presence of Broad-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Zoo Mammals
Authors: De Witte Chloë , Vereecke Nick , Theuns Sebastiaan , De Ruyck Claudia , Vercammen Francis , Bouts Tim , Boyen Filip , Nauwynck Hans , Haesebrouck Freddy
Published: April 2021

Broad-spectrum beta-lactamase (BSBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae impose public health threats. With increased popularity of zoos, exotic animals are brought in close proximity of humans, making them important BSBL reservoirs. However, not much is known on the presence of BSBLs in zoos in Western Europe. Fecal carriage of BSBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae was investigated in 38 zoo mammals from two Belgian zoos. Presence of bla-genes was investigated using PCR, followed by whole-genome sequencing and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to cluster acquired resistance encoding genes and clonality of BSBL-producing isolates. Thirty-five putatively ceftiofur-resistant isolates were obtained from 52.6% of the zoo mammals. Most isolates were identified as E. coli (25/35), of which 64.0% showed multidrug resistance (MDR). Most frequently detected bla-genes were CTX-M-1 (17/25) and TEM-1 (4/25). Phylogenetic trees confirmed clustering of almost all E. coli isolates obtained from the same animal species. Clustering of five isolates from an Amur tiger, an Amur leopard, and a spectacled bear was observed in Zoo 1, as well as for five isolates from a spotted hyena and an African lion in Zoo 2. This might indicate clonal expansion of an E. coli strain in both zoos. In conclusion, MDR BSBL-producing bacteria were shown to be present in the fecal microbiota of zoo mammals in two zoos in Belgium. Further research is necessary to investigate if these bacteria pose zoonotic and health risks.
What Is in a Cat Scratch? Growth of Bartonella henselae in a Biofilm
Authors: Okaro Udoka , George Sierra , Anderson Burt
Published: April 2021

Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) is a gram-negative bacterium that causes cat scratch disease, bacteremia, and endocarditis, as well as other clinical presentations. B. henselae has been shown to form a biofilm in vitro that likely plays a role in the establishment and persistence of the bacterium in the host. Biofilms are also known to form in the cat flea vector; hence, the ability of this bacterium to form a biofilm has broad biological significance. The release of B. henselae from a biofilm niche appears to be important in disease persistence and relapse in the vertebrate host but also in transmission by the cat flea vector. It has been shown that the BadA adhesin of B. henselae is critical for adherence and biofilm formation. Thus, the upregulation of badA is important in initiating biofilm formation, and down-regulation is important in the release of the bacterium from the biofilm. We summarize the current knowledge of biofilm formation in Bartonella species and the role of BadA in biofilm formation. We discuss the evidence that defines possible mechanisms for the regulation of the genes required for biofilm formation. We further describe the regulation of those genes in the conditions that mimic both the arthropod vector and the mammalian host for B. henselae. The treatment for persistent B. henselae infection remains a challenge; hence, a better understanding of the mechanisms by which this bacterium persists in its host is critical to inform future efforts to develop drugs to treat such infections.
Structural Insights into the Methane-Generating Enzyme from a Methoxydotrophic Methanogen Reveal a Restrained Gallery of Post-Translational Modifications
Authors: Kurth Julia Maria , Müller Marie-Caroline , Welte Cornelia Ulrike , Wagner Tristan
Published: April 2021

Methanogenic archaea operate an ancient, if not primordial, metabolic pathway that releases methane as an end-product. This last step is orchestrated by the methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR), which uses a nickel-containing F430-cofactor as the catalyst. MCR astounds the scientific world by its unique reaction chemistry, its numerous post-translational modifications, and its importance in biotechnology not only for production but also for capturing the greenhouse gas methane. In this report, we investigated MCR natively isolated from Methermicoccus shengliensis. This methanogen was isolated from a high-temperature oil reservoir and has recently been shown to convert lignin and coal derivatives into methane through a process called methoxydotrophic methanogenesis. A methoxydotrophic culture was obtained by growing M. shengliensis with 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate as the main carbon and energy source. Under these conditions, MCR represents more than 12% of the total protein content. The native MCR structure refined at a resolution of 1.6-Å precisely depicts the organization of a dimer of heterotrimers. Despite subtle surface remodeling and complete conservation of its active site with other homologues, MCR from the thermophile M. shengliensis contains the most limited number of post-translational modifications reported so far, questioning their physiological relevance in other relatives.
Rapid Screening and Identification of Antitumor Ingredients from the Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Using an Enzyme-Immobilized Magnetic Nanoparticulate System
Authors: Wei Nan , Zhao Jun , Wu Guimei , Cao Wenjuan , Luo Pei , Zhang Zhifeng , Chen Gang , Wen Lu
Published: April 2021

As a consequence of recent progression in biomedicine and nanotechnology, nanoparticle-based systems have evolved as a new method with extensive applications in responsive therapy, multimodal imaging, drug delivery and natural product separation. Meanwhile, the magnetic nanoparticulate system has aroused great interest for separation and purification because of its excellent magnetic properties. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a highly expressed regulator to promote the growth of various cancers and is an ideal target to treat cancers. In this study, a novel strategy based on ligand–receptor interactions to discover novel PLA2 inhibitors was established, in which PLA2-functionalized Fe3O4@PLGA-PEG-NH2 magnetic nanoparticles were used as a supporting material combined with high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, aiming to accelerate the discovery of novel PLA2 inhibitors from natural sources such as mangrove endophytic fungi. Under the optimized ligand fishing conditions, six target compounds were ultimately fished and identified to be cyclic peptides (1–3) and sterols (4–6), which compounds 1, 2 and 4–6 have well-documented cytotoxicities. Compound 3 exerted better inhibitory effect on A549 cells by experiment. In conclusion, PLA2-functionalized Fe3O4@PLGA-PEG-NH2 magnetic nanoparticles-based ligand fishing provided a feasible, selective and effective platform for the efficient screening and identification of antitumor components from natural products.
The Use of Dual Cyclodextrin Chiral Selector Systems in the Enantioseparation of Pharmaceuticals by Capillary Electrophoresis: An Overview
Authors: Hancu Gabriel , Papp Lajos Attila , Tóth Gergő , Kelemen Hajnal
Published: April 2021

Cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives are the most efficient and frequently used chiral selectors (CSs) in capillary electrophoresis (CE). There are situations when the use of a single CD as CS is not enough to obtain efficient chiral discrimination of the enantiomers; in these cases, sometimes this problem can be resolved using a dual CD system. The use of dual CD systems can often dramatically enhance enantioseparation selectivity and can be applied for the separation of many analytes of pharmaceutical interest for which enantioseparation by CE with another CS systems can be problematic. Usually in a dual CD system an anionic CD is used together with a neutral one, but there are situations when the use of a cationic CD with a neutral one or the use of two neutral CDs or even two ionized CDs can be an efficient solution. In the current review we present general aspects of the use of dual CD systems in the analysis of pharmaceutical substances. Several examples of applications of the use of dual CD systems in the analysis of pharmaceuticals are selected and discussed. Theoretical aspects regarding the separation of enantiomers through simultaneous interaction with the two CSs are also explained. Finally, advantages, disadvantages, potential and new direction in this chiral analysis field are highlighted.
RNA-Targeting Splicing Modifiers: Drug Development and Screening Assays
Authors: Tang Zhichao , Zhao Junxing , Pearson Zach J. , Boskovic Zarko V. , Wang Jingxin
Published: April 2021

RNA splicing is an essential step in producing mature messenger RNA (mRNA) and other RNA species. Harnessing RNA splicing modifiers as a new pharmacological modality is promising for the treatment of diseases caused by aberrant splicing. This drug modality can be used for infectious diseases by disrupting the splicing of essential pathogenic genes. Several antisense oligonucleotide splicing modifiers were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Recently, a small-molecule splicing modifier, risdiplam, was also approved for the treatment of SMA, highlighting small molecules as important warheads in the arsenal for regulating RNA splicing. The cellular targets of these approved drugs are all mRNA precursors (pre-mRNAs) in human cells. The development of novel RNA-targeting splicing modifiers can not only expand the scope of drug targets to include many previously considered “undruggable” genes but also enrich the chemical-genetic toolbox for basic biomedical research. In this review, we summarized known splicing modifiers, screening methods for novel splicing modifiers, and the chemical space occupied by the small-molecule splicing modifiers.
Vegetable Extracts and Nutrients Useful in the Recovery from Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Systematic Review on Clinical Trials
Authors: Ullah Hammad , Di Minno Alessandro , Santarcangelo Cristina , Khan Haroon , Xiao Jianbo , Arciola Carla Renata , Daglia Maria
Published: April 2021

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections affect almost half of the world’s population, with gradually increasing incidence in developed countries. Eradication of H. pylori may provide significant benefits to the affected individual by healing a number of gastrointestinal and extra-digestive disorders. But due to increased microbial resistance and lack of patient adherence to the therapy, the eradication rate of H. pylori is below 80% with current pharmacological therapies. The usage of botanicals for their therapeutic purposes and medicinal properties have been increased in last decades. They can be use as alternative H. pylori treatments, especially against drug-resistant strains. Epidemiological studies have revealed that people with lower vegetable and micronutrient intake may be at increased risk of H. pylori infection. We have undertaken a review of clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of vegetable extracts and micronutrients in patients with H. pylori. Various databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, were searched for the articles published in English. A total of 24 clinical studies (15 for vegetable extracts and 9 for micronutrients) were selected to be reviewed and summarized in this article. Vegetable extracts (Broccoli sprouts, curcumin, Burdock complex, and Nigella sativa) and micronutrients (vitamin C and E) were not found to be as effective as single agents in H. pylori eradication, rather their efficacy synergized with conventional pharmacological therapies. Conversely, GutGard was found to be significantly effective as a single agent when compared to placebo control.
Systematic Studies on the Effect of Fluorine Atoms in Fluorinated Tolanes on Their Photophysical Properties
Authors: Morita Masato , Yamada Shigeyuki , Konno Tsutomu
Published: April 2021

In this study, we synthesized a series of fluorinated and non-fluorinated tolanes, in which one or more fluorine atoms were systematically introduced into one aromatic ring of a tolane scaffold, and systematically evaluated their photophysical properties. All the tolanes with or without fluorine substituents were found to have poor photoluminescence (PL) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solutions. On the other hand, in the crystalline state, non-fluorinated and fluorinated tolanes with one or four fluorine atoms were less emissive, whereas fluorinated tolanes with three or five fluorine atoms exhibited high PL efficiencies (ФPL) up to 0.51. X-ray crystallographic analyses of the emissive fluorinated tolanes revealed that the position of the fluorine substituent played a key role in achieving a high ФPL. Fluorine substituents at the ortho (2/6) and para (4) positions led to tight and rigid packing due to plural π–π stacking and/or hydrogen bonding interactions, resulting in enhanced ФPL caused by the suppression of non-radiative deactivation. Additionally, fluorinated tolanes with three fluorine atoms exhibited notable aggregation-induced PL emission enhancement in THF/water mixed solvents. This demonstrates that the PL characteristics of small PL materials can be tuned depending on the usage requirements.
Single-Step Green Synthesis of Highly Concentrated and Stable Colloidal Dispersion of Core-Shell Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antimicrobial and Ultra-High Catalytic Properties
Authors: Ali Azam , Sattar Mariyam , Hussain Fiaz , Tareen Muhammad Humble Khalid , Militky Jiri , Noman Muhammad Tayyab
Published: April 2021

The versatile one-pot green synthesis of a highly concentrated and stable colloidal dispersion of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was carried out using the self-assembled tannic acid without using any other hazardous chemicals. Tannic acid (Plant-based polyphenol) was used as a reducing and stabilizing agent for silver nitrate in a mild alkaline condition. The synthesized Ag NPs were characterized for their concentration, capping, size distribution, and shape. The experimental results confirmed the successful synthesis of nearly spherical and highly concentrated (2281 ppm) Ag NPs, capped with poly-tannic acid (Ag NPs-PTA). The average particle size of Ag NPs-PTA was found to be 9.90 ± 1.60 nm. The colloidal dispersion of synthesized nanoparticles was observed to be stable for more than 15 months in the ambient environment (25 °C, 65% relative humidity). The synthesized AgNPs-PTA showed an effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus Aureus (ZOI 3.0 mM) and Escherichia coli (ZOI 3.5 mM). Ag NPs-PTA also exhibited enhanced catalytic properties. It reduces 4-nitrophenol into 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4 with a normalized rate constant (Knor = K/m) of 615.04 mL·s−1·mg−1. For comparison, bare Ag NPs show catalytic activity with a normalized rate constant of 139.78 mL·s−1·mg−1. Furthermore, AgNPs-PTA were stable for more than 15 months under ambient conditions. The ultra-high catalytic and good antimicrobial properties can be attributed to the fine size and good aqueous stability of Ag NPs-PTA. The unique core-shell structure and ease of synthesis render the synthesized nanoparticles superior to others, with potential for large-scale applications, especially in the field of catalysis and medical.
Nutritional Psychiatry: How Diet Affects Brain through Gut Microbiota
Authors: Grosso Giuseppe
Published: April 2021

Nutritional sciences have been recognized as being of paramount importance for the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Among others, mental health disorders have been hypothesized to be influenced by dietary risk through a variety of molecular mechanisms. The improvements in the technology and implementation of-omics sciences in terms of nutrition have created the possibility of studying the relation between diet, gut microbiota and mental health. The gut–brain–axis represents the core rationale setting the stage for a relatively new discipline of study defined as “nutritional psychiatry”. Research on this matter will help to better understand the relation between food and mood, sleep quality, cognition, and mental health in general.
A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression on the Effects of Carbohydrates on Sleep
Authors: Vlahoyiannis Angelos , Giannaki Christoforos D. , Sakkas Giorgos K. , Aphamis George , Andreou Eleni
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to assess the effects of quantity, quality and periodization of carbohydrates consumption on sleep. PubMed, SCOPUS and Cochrane Library were searched through October 2020. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Eleven articles were included in the meta-analysis which consisted of 27 separate nutrition trials, resulting in 16 comparison data sets (sleep quantity n = 11; sleep quality n = 5). Compared to high carbohydrate (HCI), low carbohydrate intake (LCI) moderately increased duration and proportion of N3 sleep stage (ES = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.18, 0.56; p < 0.001 and ES = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.33, 0.69; p < 0.001, respectively). HCI prolonged rapid eye movement (REM) stage duration (ES = −0.38; 95% CI = 0.05, −8.05; p < 0.001) and proportion (ES = −0.46; 95% CI = −0.83, −0.01; p < 0.001), compared to LCI. The quality of carbohydrate intake did not affect sleep stages. Meta-regression showed that the effectiveness of carbohydrate quantity and quality in sleep onset latency was significantly explained by alterations of carbohydrate intake as a percentage of daily energy intake (R2 = 25.87, p = 0.018) and alterations in the glycemic load (R2 = 50.8, p = 0.048), respectively. Alterations in glycemic load partially explained the variance of the effectiveness of carbohydrate quality in sleep efficiency (R2 = 89.2, p < 0.001) and wake after sleep onset (R2 = 64.9, p = 0.018). Carbohydrate quantity was shown to affect sleep architecture, and especially N3 and REM sleep stages. Alterations in both quantity and quality of carbohydrate intake showed a significant effect on sleep initiation. Variations in carbohydrate quality significantly affected measures of sleep continuation. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of long-term carbohydrate interventions on sleep.
How Do Consumers Perceive Cultured Meat in Croatia, Greece, and Spain?
Authors: Franceković Paula , García-Torralba Lucía , Sakoulogeorga Eleni , Vučković Tea , Perez-Cueto Federico J. A.
Published: April 2021

The meat production industry is one of the leading contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. Cultured meat presents itself as a potential eco- and animal-friendly meat substitute which has the potential to eradicate animal cruelty and reduce both the environmental footprint and the risk of zoonotic illnesses, while delivering a nutrient-dense product. The purpose of this study was to investigate how consumers perceive cultured meat and if the frequency of meat consumption is related to their intention of trying or purchasing cultured meat. Data were collected online in 2020 from Croatia, Greece, and Spain. Among the 2007 respondents, three segments were identified according to meat consumption and variety, plus an a priori identified group of “non-meat eaters”. Sixty percent perceived cultured meat as kind to animals, 57% as unnatural, 45% as healthy and environmentally-friendly, 21% as disgusting, and only 16% as tasty. Although 47% of the respondents had not heard of cultured meat before, 47% would taste it and 41% would purchase it for the same price as conventional meat. This indicates that consumers from Croatia, Greece and Spain might be likely to purchase cultured meat if sold at an affordable price.
Lactose Intolerance Assessed by Analysis of Genetic Polymorphism, Breath Test and Symptoms in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Nardone Olga Maria , Manfellotto Francesco , D’Onofrio Caterina , Rocco Alba , Annona Giovanni , Sasso Francesca , De Luca Pasquale , Imperatore Nicola , Testa Anna , de Sire Roberto , Biffali Elio , Castiglione Fabiana
Published: April 2021

Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) restrict dairy products to control their symptoms. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of lactose intolerance assessed with hydrogen breath test (H-BT) in IBD patients in clinical remission compared to a sex, age and BMI matched control population. We further detected the prevalence of three single nucleotide polymorphisms of the lactase (LCT) gene: the lactase non persistence LCT-13910 CC (wildtype) and the intermediate phenotype LCT-22018 CT and LCT-13910 AG; finally, we assess the correlation between genotype and H-BT. A total of 54 IBD patients and 69 control who underwent clinical evaluation, H-BT and genetic test were enrolled. H-BT was positive in 64.8% IBD patients and 62.3% control (p = 0.3). The wild-type genotype was found in 85.2% IBD patients while CT-22018, AG-13910 and CT-22018/AG-13910 polymorphisms were found in 9.3%, 1.8% and 3.7%. In the control group, the wild-type genotype, CT-22018, AG-13910 and CT-22018/AG-13910 polymorphisms were found in 87%, 5.8%, 5.8% and 1.4% of cases, respectively. Therefore, the wild-type and polymorphisms’ prevalence did not differ between IBD population and control group (85.2% vs. 87%, p = 0.1) (14.8% vs. 13%, p = 0.7). The correlation between positive H-BT and genetic analysis showed that the wild-type genotype was associated with higher rate of lactose intolerance in the total population (OR 5.31, 95%CI 1.73–16.29, p = 0.003) and in the IBD (OR 7.61, 95%CI 1.36–42.7, p = 0.02). The prevalence of lactose intolerance in IBD patients did not differ from that of control. Despite suggestive symptoms, about 1/3 of IBD patients are not lactose intolerant, thus not needing “a priori” elimination diet. This may encourage a rationale and balanced dietary management in IBD.
Coronavirus Disease 19 from the Perspective of Ageing with Focus on Nutritional Status and Nutrition Management—A Narrative Review
Authors: Rothenberg Elisabet
Published: April 2021

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (COVID-19) has hit older adults harder due to a combination of age-related immunological and metabolic alterations. The aim of this review was to analyze the COVID-19 literature with respect to nutritional status and nutrition management in older adults. No studies only on people aged 65+ years were found, and documentation on those 80+ was rare. Age was found to be strongly associated with worse outcomes, and with poor nutritional status. Prevalence of malnutrition was high among severely and critically ill patients. The studies found a need for nutrition screening and management, and for nutrition support as part of follow-up after a hospital stay. Most tested screening tools showed high sensitivity in identifying nutritional risk, but none were recognized as best for screening older adults with COVID-19. For diagnosing malnutrition, the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria are recommended but were not used in the studies found. Documentation of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in relation to nutritional status is missing in older adults. Other COVID-19-associated factors with a possible impact on nutritional status are poor appetite and gastrointestinal symptoms. Vitamin D is the nutrient that has attracted the most interest. However, evidence for supplementation of COVID-19 patients is still limited and inconclusive.
Measuring Dietary Botanical Diversity as a Proxy for Phytochemical Exposure
Authors: Thompson Henry J. , Levitt Jack O. , McGinley John N. , Chandler Paulette , Guenther Patricia M. , Huybrechts Inge , Playdon Mary C.
Published: April 2021

The study of natural plant molecules and their medicinal properties, pharmacognosy, provides a taxonomy for botanical families that represent diverse chemical groupings with potentially distinct functions in relation to human health. Yet, this reservoir of knowledge has not been systematically applied to elucidating the role of patterns of plant food consumption on gut microbial ecology and function. All chemical classes of dietary phytochemicals can affect the composition of the microbes that colonize the gut and their function. In turn, the gut microbiome affects the host via multiple mechanisms including gut barrier function, immune function, satiety and taste regulation and the activity of biological signaling pathways that influence health and disease. Herein, we report the development of a botanical diversity index (BDI) to evaluate plant food consumption as a novel metric for identifying and quantifying phytochemicals to which an individual is exposed. A rationale is advanced for using the BDI to investigate how plant food diversity impacts gut microbial ecology and functionality.
Feasibility of Developing Radiotracers for MDM2: Synthesis and Preliminary Evaluation of an 18F-Labeled Analogue of the MDM2 Inhibitor SP-141
Authors: Chitneni Satish K. , Zhou Zhengyuan , Watts Brian E. , Zalutsky Michael R.
Published: April 2021

Murine double minute 2 (MDM2), a negative regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor protein, is overexpressed in several human cancers. Herein we investigate the feasibility of developing 18F-labeled compounds based on the small molecule inhibitor SP-141 for imaging tumor MDM2 expression levels with positron emission tomography (PET). Three nonradioactive fluorinated SP-141 analogues, 1–3, were synthesized, and their binding to the MDM2 protein was analyzed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). One of these, a fluoroethoxy analogue, was labeled with fluorine-18 (18F) using 18F-fluorethyl bromide to provide [18F]1 and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. SPR analysis confirmed the binding of the fluorinated analogues to MDM2 at 1.25–20 µM concentrations. Cell uptake studies revealed high uptake (67.5–71.4%/mg protein) and specificity of [18F]1 in MCF7 and HepG2 cells. The uptake of [18F]1 in these cells could be modulated using 100 µM SP-141, potentially reflecting changes in MDM2 expression because of p53 activation by SP-141. [18F]1 exhibited stable uptake and retention in HepG2 tumor xenografts (~3 %ID/g) in vivo, but poor clearance from blood and other normal tissues, yielding low tumor-to-background ratios (<2) at 2 h post injection. Our results suggest that [18F]1 has suboptimal characteristics for in vivo evaluation as a PET tracer for MDM2, but warrant radiolabeling and assessment of the other fluorinated analogues synthesized in this work, 2 and 3, and potentially other molecular scaffolds for developing MDM2 targeted radiotracers.
Improving the Solubility, Dissolution, and Bioavailability of Metronidazole via Cocrystallization with Ethyl Gallate
Authors: Li Jinhui , Hao Xinghui , Wang Chenguang , Liu Haiyan , Liu Lianchao , He Xin , Sun Changquan Calvin
Published: April 2021

Metronidazole (MTZ) is an antibacterial drug widely used for the treatment of protozoan and anaerobic infections in humans and animals. However, its low bioavailability necessitates the frequent administration of a high dose to attain an effective plasma concentration profile for therapy. To reduce the dose of MTZ, we have prepared a new cocrystal between MTZ and ethyl gallate (EG). The solid-state properties of MTZ-EG were characterized using complimentary techniques, including thermal, spectroscopic, microscopic, and X-ray crystallographic methods. The MTZ-EG cocrystal exhibits a higher solubility and faster dissolution than MTZ. The bioavailability of MTZ in rats was increased by 36% when MTZ-EG was used.
Topical Unsaturated Fatty Acid Vesicles Improve Antioxidant Activity of Ammonium Glycyrrhizinate
Authors: Cristiano Maria Chiara , Mancuso Antonia , Fresta Massimo , Torella Daniele , De Gaetano Federica , Ventura Cinzia Anna , Paolino Donatella
Published: April 2021

Linoleic and oleic acids are natural unsaturated fatty acids involved in several biological processes and recently studied as structural components of innovative nanovesicles. The use of natural components in the pharmaceutical field is receiving growing attention from the scientific world. The aim of this research work is to design, to perform physico-chemical characterization and in vitro/in vivo studies of unsaturated fatty acids vesicles containing ammonium glycyrrhizinate, obtaining a new topical drug delivery system. The chosen active substance is well known as an anti-inflammatory compound, but its antioxidant activity is also noteworthy. In this way, the obtained nanocarriers are totally natural vesicles and they have shown to have suitable physico-chemical features for topical administration. Moreover, the proposed nanocarriers have proven their ability to improve the in vitro percutaneous permeation and antioxidant activity of ammonium glycyrrhizinate on human keratinocytes (NCTC 2544 cells). In vivo studies, carried out on human volunteers, have demonstrated the biocompatibility of unsaturated fatty acid vesicles toward skin tissue, indicating a possible clinical application of unsaturated fatty acid vesicles for the treatment of topical diseases.
Creating Standardized Tools for the Pharmacist-Led Assessment and Pharmacologic Management of Adult Canadians Wishing to Quit Smoking: A Consensus-Based Approach
Authors: Butt Kristi , Nakhla Nardine
Published: April 2021

Tobacco use continues to be recognized as the single most preventable cause of death worldwide. As the gatekeepers of and experts on pharmacotherapy, pharmacists play a vital role in facilitating smoking cessation. While existing frameworks have enabled pharmacists to provide smoking cessation services in Canada for many years, the way in which they are delivered vary considerably across the nation. The purpose of this initiative was to create standardized tools for the pharmacists providing cessation services to ensure all Canadians wishing to stop smoking have equal access to consistent, evidence-based care. An iterative process using repeated rounds of voting was employed to establish consensus among key opinion leaders on the most important items to include in tools for the pharmacist-led assessment and pharmacologic management of Canadian adults wishing to stop smoking. The results were used to create eight standardized documents for national use by pharmacists: a readiness to quit assessment tool, a patient consent form, a patient assessment form for past users of tobacco and/or tobacco-like products, a patient assessment form for current users of tobacco and/or tobacco-like products, a treatment algorithm, a treatment plan summary form, a prescribing documentation form, and a follow-up & monitoring documentation form. Although not described in detail in these documents, other strategies for smoking cessation (e.g., non-pharmacologic strategies (including quitting “cold turkey” and behavioural interventions), harm reduction strategies, etc.) should be considered when pharmacotherapy is inappropriate or undesired; care should be individualized based on a patient’s previous experiences and current motivation. No single approach to treatment is endorsed by the authors. The consensus-based approach described here provides a suggested framework for harmonizing the pharmacist-led management of other ailments to optimize patient care.
Ring-Core Photonic Crystal Fiber of Terahertz Orbital Angular Momentum Modes with Excellence Guiding Properties in Optical Fiber Communication
Authors: Al-Zahrani Fahad Ahmed , Kabir Md. Anowar
Published: April 2021

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light is used for increasing the optical communication capacity in the mode division multiplexing (MDM) technique. A novel and simple structure of ring-core photonic crystal fiber (RC-PCF) is proposed in this paper. The ring core is doped by the Schott sulfur difluoride material and the cladding region is composed of fused silica with one layer of well-patterned air-holes. The guiding of Terahertz (THz) OAM beams with 58 OAM modes over 0.70 THz (0.20 THz–0.90 THz) frequency is supported by this proposed RC-PCF. The OAM modes are well-separated for their large refractive index difference above 10−4. The dispersion profile of each mode is varied in the range of 0.23–7.77 ps/THz/cm. The ultra-low confinement loss around 10−9 dB/cm and better mode purity up to 0.932 is achieved by this RC-PCF. For these good properties, the proposed fiber is a promising candidate to be applied in the THz OAM transmission systems with high feasibility and high capacity.