bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Price Prediction of Bitcoin Based on Adaptive Feature Selection and Model Optimization
Authors: Zhu Yingjie , Ma Jiageng , Gu Fangqing , Wang Jie , Li Zhijuan , Zhang Youyao , Xu Jiani , Li Yifan , Wang Yiwen , Yang Xiangqun
Published: March 2023

Bitcoin is one of the most successful cryptocurrencies, and research on price predictions is receiving more attention. To predict Bitcoin price fluctuations better and more effectively, it is necessary to establish a more abundant index system and prediction model with a better prediction effect. In this study, a combined prediction model with twin support vector regression was used as the main model. Twenty-seven factors related to Bitcoin prices were collected. Some of the factors that have the greatest impact on Bitcoin prices were selected by using the XGBoost algorithm and random forest algorithm. The combined prediction model with support vector regression (SVR), least-squares support vector regression (LSSVR), and twin support vector regression (TWSVR) was used to predict the Bitcoin price. Since the model’s hyperparameters have a great impact on prediction accuracy and algorithm performance, we used the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) to optimize the hyperparameters of the model. The experimental results show that the combined model, XGBoost-WOA-TWSVR, has the best prediction effect, and the EVS score of this model is significantly better than that of the traditional statistical model. In addition, our study verifies that twin support vector regression has advantages in both prediction effect and computation speed.
The Soliton Solutions of the Stochastic Shallow Water Wave Equations in the Sense of Beta-Derivative
Authors: Mohammed Wael W. , Al-Askar Farah M. , Cesarano Clemente , Aly Elkhateeb S.
Published: March 2023

The stochastic shallow water wave equation (SSWWE) in the sense of the beta-derivative is considered in this study. The solutions of the SSWWE are obtained using the F-expansion technique with the Riccati equation and He’s semi-inverse method. Since the shallow water equation has many uses in ocean engineering, including river irrigation flows, tidal waves, tsunami prediction, and weather simulations, the solutions discovered can be utilized to represent a wide variety of exciting physical events. We create many 2D and 3D graphs to demonstrate how the beta-derivative and Brownian motion affect the analytical solutions of the SSWWE.
Capital Structure Theory in the Transport Sector: Evidence from Visegrad Group
Authors: Mazanec Jaroslav
Published: March 2023

Capital structure plays an important role in corporate finance, especially in the period of restrictive monetary policy in many developed countries. This paper aims to estimate the debt ratio based on five selected financial indicators: tangibility, return on assets, size of total assets, current ratio, and size of total sales using multiple linear regression for four countries, such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, as well as the V4 region. The total sample consists of 3828 small- and medium-sized enterprises from the transport sector in the Central European area. These data are drawn from Amadeus by Bureau van Dijk from 2019. The results show that three of the five variables are statistically significant in all models. These findings indicate that transport companies prefer the pecking order theory. We find that the increase in tangibility, return on assets, as well as current ratio, reduce the debt ratio. The outputs provide new theoretical and empirical knowledge regarding transport companies in V4.
Impact of Marine Chemical Ecology Research on the Discovery and Development of New Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Tan Lik Tong
Published: March 2023

Diverse ecologically important metabolites, such as allelochemicals, infochemicals and volatile organic chemicals, are involved in marine organismal interactions. Chemically mediated interactions between intra- and interspecific organisms can have a significant impact on community organization, population structure and ecosystem functioning. Advances in analytical techniques, microscopy and genomics are providing insights on the chemistry and functional roles of the metabolites involved in such interactions. This review highlights the targeted translational value of several marine chemical ecology-driven research studies and their impact on the sustainable discovery of novel therapeutic agents. These chemical ecology-based approaches include activated defense, allelochemicals arising from organismal interactions, spatio-temporal variations of allelochemicals and phylogeny-based approaches. In addition, innovative analytical techniques used in the mapping of surface metabolites as well as in metabolite translocation within marine holobionts are summarized. Chemical information related to the maintenance of the marine symbioses and biosyntheses of specialized compounds can be harnessed for biomedical applications, particularly in microbial fermentation and compound production. Furthermore, the impact of climate change on the chemical ecology of marine organisms—especially on the production, functionality and perception of allelochemicals—and its implications on drug discovery efforts will be presented.
Self-Locking Polymeric Clips Are Safe for the Closure of Appendiceal Stump in Laparoscopic Appendectomy
Authors: Marcinkeviciute Kristina , Luksaite-Lukste Raminta , Jasiunas Eugenijus , Poskus Tomas
Published: March 2023

Background: Closure of the appendix stump is critical to avoid serious postoperative complications. There are a number of options, but the best one has not been identified yet. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of appendiceal stump closure using self-locking polymeric clips and endoloops. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the prospectively maintained database of patients with acute appendicitis was performed. Patient demographic details and surgical characteristics, including the duration of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and also the cost of the appendix stump closure, were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups according to the appendix stump closure method: the clips group if it was closed with self-locking polymeric clips and the loops group if Vicryl or PDS loops were used. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s chi-squared test, Wilcoxon rank sum (Mann–Whitney U) test, and Fisher’s exact test in R statistical software package version 4.2.1. Results: 515 patients were included in the study from June 2016 to April 2021. There were no significant differences in terms of demographics (p-value in comparison of groups’ sex > 0.99, age p-value 0.16), postoperative complications (p-value > 0.99), histological findings (p-value 0.27), or length of hospital stays (p-value 0.18) between the two patient groups (clips group, N = 454 and loops group, N = 61). The price of operation while using different appendiceal stump closures is significantly different. In a laparoscopic appendectomy, one stump closure with self-locking clips costs 7.69 €, with Vicryl loops—91.35 €, with PDS loops—96.51 €, and with a stapler—514.50 €. Conclusions: Self-locking polymeric clips can be used for the safe and effective closure of an appendiceal stump. There were no significant differences in the postoperative time (30 days) or complication rates among patients in both (clips and loops) groups. Thus, this might be a technique to reduce expenses while maintaining good postoperative results after laparoscopic appendectomy.
Deep Learning Prediction of TERT Promoter Mutation Status in Thyroid Cancer Using Histologic Images
Authors: Kim Jinhee , Ko Seokhwan , Kim Moonsik , Park Nora Jee-Young , Han Hyungsoo , Cho Junghwan , Park Ji Young
Published: March 2023

Background and objectives: Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation, found in a subset of patients with thyroid cancer, is strongly associated with aggressive biologic behavior. Predicting TERT promoter mutation is thus necessary for the prognostic stratification of thyroid cancer patients. Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluate TERT promoter mutation status in thyroid cancer through the deep learning approach using histologic images. Our analysis included 13 consecutive surgically resected thyroid cancers with TERT promoter mutations (either C228T or C250T) and 12 randomly selected surgically resected thyroid cancers with a wild-type TERT promoter. Our deep learning model was created using a two-step cascade approach. First, tumor areas were identified using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and then TERT promoter mutations within tumor areas were predicted using the CNN–recurrent neural network (CRNN) model. Results: Using the hue–saturation–value (HSV)-strong color transformation scheme, the overall experiment results show 99.9% sensitivity and 60% specificity (improvements of approximately 25% and 37%, respectively, compared to image normalization as a baseline model) in predicting TERT mutations. Conclusions: Highly sensitive screening for TERT promoter mutations is possible using histologic image analysis based on deep learning. This approach will help improve the classification of thyroid cancer patients according to the biologic behavior of tumors.
Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy in Young Adults: A Retrospective Case Series of Patients under Age 30
Authors: Terashima Yoshiki , Yurube Takashi , Sumi Masatoshi , Kanemura Aritetsu , Uno Koki , Kakutani Kenichiro
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a degenerative disease and occurs more frequently with age. In fact, the development of non-herniated CSM under age 30 is uncommon. Therefore, a retrospective case series was designed to clarify clinical and radiological characteristics of young adult patients with CSM under age 30. Materials and Methods: A total of seven patients, all men, with non-herniated, degenerative CSM under age 30 were retrieved from the medical records of 2598 hospitalized CSM patients (0.27%). Patient demographics and backgrounds were assessed. The sagittal alignment, congenital canal stenosis, dynamic canal stenosis, and vertebral slips in the cervical spine were radiographically evaluated. The presence of degenerative discs, intramedullary high-signal intensity lesions, and sagittal spinal cord compression on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRIs) and axial spinal cord deformity on T1-weighted MRIs was identified. Results: All patients (100.0%) had relatively high daily sports activities and/or jobs requiring frequent neck extension. Cervical spine radiographs revealed the sagittal alignment as the “reverse-sigmoid” type in 57.1% of patients and “straight” type in 28.6%. All patients (100.0%) presented congenital cervical stenosis with the canal diameter ≤12 mm and/or Torg–Pavlov ratio <0.80. Furthermore, all patients (100.0%) developed dynamic stenosis with the canal diameter ≤12 mm and/or posterior vertebral slip ≥2 mm at the neurologically responsible segment in full-extension position. In MRI examination, all discs at the neurologically responsible level (100.0%) were degenerative. Intramedullary abnormal intensity lesions were detected in 85.7% of patients, which were all at the neurologically responsible disc level. Conclusions: Patients with non-herniated, degenerative CSM under age 30 are rare but more common in men with mild sagittal “reverse-sigmoid” or “straight” deformity and congenital canal stenosis. Relatively high daily activities, accumulating neck stress, can cause an early development of intervertebral disc degeneration and dynamic canal stenosis, leading to CSM in young adults.
Research Progress with Membrane Shielding Materials for Electromagnetic/Radiation Contamination
Authors: Zhang Hengtong , Lin Shudong
Published: March 2023

As technology develops at a rapid pace, electromagnetic and radiation pollution have become significant issues. These forms of pollution can cause many important environmental issues. If they are not properly managed and addressed, they will be everywhere in the global biosphere, and they will have devastating impacts on human health. In addition to minimizing sources of electromagnetic radiation, the development of lightweight composite shielding materials to address interference from radiation has become an important area of research. A suitable shielding material can effectively reduce the harm caused by electromagnetic interference/radiation. However, membrane shielding materials with general functions cannot effectively exert their shielding performance in all fields, and membrane shielding materials used in different fields must have specific functions under their use conditions. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive review of these issues. Firstly, the causes of electromagnetic/radiation pollution were briefly introduced and comprehensively identified and analyzed. Secondly, the strategic solutions offered by membrane shielding materials to address electromagnetic/radiation problems were discussed. Then, the design concept, technical innovation, and related mechanisms of the existing membrane shielding materials were expounded, the treatment methods adopted by scholars to study the environment and performance change laws were introduced, and the main difficulties encountered in this area of research were summarized. Finally, on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of the protection provided by membrane shielding materials against electromagnetic/radiation pollution, the action mechanism of membrane shielding materials was expounded in detail, and the research progress, structural design and performance characterization techniques for these materials were summarized. In addition, the future challenges were prospected. This review will help universities, research institutes, as well as scientific and technological enterprises engaged in related fields to fully understand the design concept and research progress of electromagnetic/radiation-contaminated membrane shielding materials. In addition, it is hoped that this review will facilitate efforts to accelerate the research and development of membrane shielding materials and offer potential applications in areas such as electronics, nuclear medicine, agriculture, and other areas of industry.
Synchronous Design of Membrane Material and Process for Pre-Combustion CO2 Capture: A Superstructure Method Integrating Membrane Type Selection
Authors: Ni Zhiqiang , Cao Yue , Zhang Xiaopeng , Zhang Ning , Xiao Wu , Bao Junjiang , He Gaohong
Published: March 2023

Membrane separation technology for CO2 capture in pre-combustion has the advantages of easy operation, minimal land use and no pollution and is considered a reliable alternative to traditional technology. However, previous studies only focused on the H2-selective membrane (HM) or CO2-selective membrane (CM), paying little attention to the combination of different membranes. Therefore, it is hopeful to find the optimal process by considering the potential combination of H2-selective and CO2-selective membranes. For the CO2 capture process in pre-combustion, this paper presents an optimization model based on the superstructure method to determine the best membrane process. In the superstructure model, both CO2-selective and H2-selective commercial membranes are considered. In addition, the changes in optimal membrane performance and capture cost are studied when the selectivity and permeability of membrane change synchronously based on the Robeson upper bound. The results show that when the CO2 purity is 96% and the CO2 recovery rate is 90%, the combination of different membrane types achieves better results. The optimal process is the two-stage membrane process with recycling, using the combination of CM and HM in all situations, which has obvious economic advantages compared with the Selexol process. Under the condition of 96% CO2 purity and 90% CO2 recovery, the CO2 capture cost can be reduced to 11.75$/t CO2 by optimizing the process structure, operating parameters, and performance of membranes.
Membrane Models and Experiments Suitable for Studies of the Cholesterol Bilayer Domains
Authors: Mardešić Ivan , Boban Zvonimir , Subczynski Witold Karol , Raguz Marija
Published: March 2023

Cholesterol (Chol) is an essential component of animal cell membranes and is most abundant in plasma membranes (PMs) where its concentration typically ranges from 10 to 30 mol%. However, in red blood cells and Schwann cells, PMs Chol content is as high as 50 mol%, and in the PMs of the eye lens fiber cells, it can reach up to 66 mol%. Being amphiphilic, Chol molecules are easily incorporated into the lipid bilayer where they affect the membrane lateral organization and transmembrane physical properties. In the aqueous phase, Chol cannot form free bilayers by itself. However, pure Chol bilayer domains (CBDs) can form in lipid bilayer membranes with the Chol content exceeding 50 mol%. The range of Chol concentrations surpassing 50 mol% is less frequent in biological membranes and is consequently less investigated. Nevertheless, it is significant for the normal functioning of the eye lens and understanding how Chol plaques form in atherosclerosis. The most commonly used membrane models are unilamellar and multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) and supported lipid bilayers (SLBs). CBDs have been observed directly using confocal microscopy, X-ray reflectometry and saturation recovery electron paramagnetic resonance (SR EPR). Indirect evidence of CBDs has also been reported by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments. The overall goal of this review is to demonstrate the advantages and limitations of the various membrane models and experimental techniques suitable for the detection and investigation of the lateral organization, function and physical properties of CBDs.
Biological Health Markers Associated with Oxidative Stress in Dairy Cows during Lactation Period
Authors: Tufarelli Vincenzo , Colonna Maria Antonietta , Losacco Caterina , Puvača Nikola
Published: March 2023

This review aims to summarize and present different biological health markers in dairy cows during the lactation period. Biochemical health markers provide an indicator of how foreign chemical substances, whether external or internal, affect the animal’s health. To understand the relationship between dairy cow health issues and oxidative stress, various biomarkers of oxidative stress must be investigated. Biochemical and hematological factors play a significant role in determining the biological health markers of animals. A variety of biochemical parameters are dependent on various factors, including the animal’s breed, its age, its development, its pregnancy status, and its production status. When assessing the health of cattle, a blood test is conducted to determine the blood chemistry. To diagnose diseases in dairy animals, the blood biochemistry is necessary to determine the cause of many physiological, metabolic, and pathological problems. Observing blood alterations during pregnancy and at peak lactation may determine what factors lift oxidative stress in cows due to disturbances in feed intake and metabolic processes.
Short Peripheral Venous Catheters Contamination and the Dangers of Bloodstream Infection in Portugal: An Analytic Study
Authors: Osório Nádia , Oliveira Vânia , Costa Maria Inês , Santos-Costa Paulo , Serambeque Beatriz , Gama Fernando , Adriano David , Graveto João , Parreira Pedro , Salgueiro-Oliveira Anabela
Published: March 2023

Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are the most used vascular access devices in the world. However, failure rates remain considerably high, with complications such as PVC-related infections posing significant threats to patients’ well-being. In Portugal, studies evaluating the contamination of these vascular medical devices and characterizing the associated microorganisms are scarce and lack insight into potential virulence factors. To address this gap, we analyzed 110 PVC tips collected in a large tertiary hospital in Portugal. Experiments followed Maki et al.’s semi-quantitative method for microbiological diagnosis. Staphylococcus spp. were subsequently studied for the antimicrobial susceptibility profile by disc diffusion method and based on the cefoxitin phenotype, were further classified into strains resistant to methicillin. Screening for the mecA gene was also done by a polymerase chain reaction and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)-vancomycin as determined by E-test, proteolytic and hemolytic activity on skimmed milk 1% plate and blood agar, respectively. The biofilm formation was evaluated on microplate reading through iodonitrotetrazolium chloride 95% (INT). Overall, 30% of PVCs were contaminated, and the most prevalent genus was Staphylococcus spp., 48.8%. This genus presented resistance to penicillin (91%), erythromycin (82%), ciprofloxacin (64%), and cefoxitin (59%). Thus, 59% of strains were considered resistant to methicillin; however, we detected the mecA gene in 82% of the isolates tested. Regarding the virulence factors, 36.4% presented α-hemolysis and 22.7% β-hemolysis, 63.6% presented a positive result for the production of proteases, and 63.6% presented a biofilm formation capacity. Nearly 36.4% were simultaneously resistant to methicillin and showed expression of proteases and/or hemolysins, biofilm formation, and the MIC to vancomycin were greater than 2 µg/mL. Conclusion: PVCs were mainly contaminated with Staphylococcus spp., with high pathogenicity and resistance to antibiotics. The production of virulence factors strengthens the attachment and the permanence to the catheter’s lumen. Quality improvement initiatives are needed to mitigate such results and enhance the quality and safety of the care provided in this field.
Should We Expect an Increase in the Number of Cancer Cases in People with Long COVID?
Authors: Amiama-Roig Ana , Pérez-Martínez Laura , Rodríguez Ledo Pilar , Verdugo-Sivianes Eva M. , Blanco José-Ramón
Published: March 2023

The relationship between viral infections and the risk of developing cancer is well known. Multiple mechanisms participate in and determine this process. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has resulted in the deaths of millions of people worldwide. Although the effects of COVID-19 are limited for most people, a large number of people continue to show symptoms for a long period of time (long COVID). Several studies have suggested that cancer could also be a potential long-term complication of the virus; however, the causes of this risk are not yet well understood. In this review, we investigated arguments that could support or reject this possibility.
Adsorption Performance of Methylene Blue by KOH/FeCl3 Modified Biochar/Alginate Composite Beads Derived from Agricultural Waste
Authors: Liu Heng , Zhu Jiaqi , Li Qimei , Li Likun , Huang Yanjun , Wang Yi , Fan Guozhi , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2023

In this study, high-performance modified biochar/alginate composite bead (MCB/ALG) adsorbents were prepared from recycled agricultural waste corncobs by a high-temperature pyrolysis and KOH/FeCl3 activation process. The prepared MCB/ALG beads were tested for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye from wastewater. A variety of analytical methods, such as SEM, BET, FTIR and XRD, were used to investigate the structure and properties of the as-prepared adsorbents. The effects of solution pH, time, initial MB concentration and adsorption temperature on the adsorption performance of MCB/ALG beads were discussed in detail. The results showed that the adsorption equilibrium of MB dye was consistent with the Langmuir isothermal model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity of MCB/ALG−1 could reach 1373.49 mg/g at 303 K. The thermodynamic studies implied endothermic and spontaneous properties of the adsorption system. This high adsorption performance of MCB/ALG was mainly attributed to pore filling, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The regeneration experiments showed that the removal rate of MB could still reach 85% even after five cycles of experiments, indicating that MCB/ALG had good reusability and stability. These results suggested that a win-win strategy of applying agricultural waste to water remediation was feasible.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Piperazine Hybridized Coumarin Indolylcyanoenones with Antibacterial Potential
Authors: Zeng Chunmei , Avula Srinivasa Rao , Meng Jiangping , Zhou Chenghe
Published: March 2023

A class of piperazine hybridized coumarin indolylcyanoenones was exploited as new structural antibacterial frameworks to combat intractable bacterial resistance. Bioactive assessment discovered that 4-chlorobenzyl derivative 11f showed a prominent inhibition on Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 with a low MIC of 1 μg/mL, which was four-fold more effective than norfloxacin. Importantly, the highly active 11f with inconspicuous hemolysis towards human red blood cells displayed quite low proneness to trigger bacterial resistance. Preliminary explorations on its antibacterial behavior disclosed that 11f possessed the ability to destroy bacterial cell membrane, leading to increased permeability of inner and outer membranes, the depolarization and fracture of membrane, and the effusion of intracellular components. Furthermore, bacterial oxidative stress and metabolic turbulence aroused by 11f also accelerated bacterial apoptosis. In particular, 11f could not only effectively inset into DNA, but also bind with DNA gyrase through forming supramolecular complex, thereby affecting the biological function of DNA. The above findings of new piperazine hybridized coumarin indolylcyanoenones provided an inspired possibility for the treatment of resistant bacterial infections.
A Comparison of the Antibacterial Efficacy of Carbohydrate Lipid-like (Thio)Ether, Sulfone, and Ester Derivatives against Paenibacillus larvae
Authors: Šamšulová Veronika , Šedivá Mária , Kóňa Juraj , Klaudiny Jaroslav , Poláková Monika
Published: March 2023

Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), the most serious bacterial disease affecting developing honeybee larvae and pupas. In this study, a library of 24 (thio)glycosides, glycosyl sulfones, 6-O-esters, and ethers derived from d-mannose, d-glucose, and d-galactose having C10 or C12 alkyl chain were evaluated for their antibacterial efficacy against two P. larvae strains. The efficacy of the tested compounds determined as minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) varied greatly. Generally, dodecyl derivatives were found to be more potent than their decylated analogs. Thioglycosides were more efficient than glycosides and sulfones. The activity of the 6-O-ether derivatives was higher than that of their ester counterparts. Seven derivatives with dodecyl chain linked (thio)glycosidically or etherically at C-6 showed high efficacy against both P. larvae strains (MICs ranged from 12.5 μM to 50 μM). Their efficacies were similar or much higher than those of selected reference compounds known to be active against P. larvae—lauric acid, monolaurin, and honeybee larval food components, 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, and sebacic acid (MICs ranged from 25 μM to 6400 μM). The high efficacies of these seven derivatives suggest that they could increase the anti-P. larvae activity of larval food and improve the resistance of larvae to AFB disease through their application to honeybee colonies.
Highly Reactive Thermite Energetic Materials: Preparation, Characterization, and Applications: A Review
Authors: Guo Xiaogang , Liang Taotao , Islam Md. Labu , Chen Xinxin , Wang Zheng
Published: March 2023

As a promising kind of functional material, highly reactive thermite energetic materials (tEMs) with outstanding reactive activation can release heat quickly at a high reaction rate after low-energy stimulation, which is widely used in sensors, triggers, mining, propellants, demolition, ordnance or weapons, and space technology. Thus, this review aims to provide a holistic view of the recent progress in the development of multifunctional highly reactive tEMs with controllable micro/nano-structures for various engineering applications via different fabricated techniques, including the mechanical mixing method, vapor deposition method, assembly method, sol-gel method, electrospinning method, and so on. The systematic classification of novel structured tEMs in terms of nano-structural superiority and exothermic performance are clarified, based on which, suggestions regarding possible future research directions are proposed. Their potential applications within these rapidly expanding areas are further highlighted. Notably, the prospects or challenges of current works, as well as possible innovative research ideas, are discussed in detail, providing further valuable guidelines for future study.
Protein and Leucine Intake at Main Meals in Elderly People with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Massimino Elena , Izzo Anna , Castaldo Carmen , Amoroso Anna Paola , Rivellese Angela Albarosa , Capaldo Brunella , Della Pepa Giuseppe
Published: March 2023

Background: The recommended protein intake for the elderly is 25–30 g at main meals, with at least 2500–2800 mg of leucine at each meal. There is still little evidence regarding the amount and distribution of protein and leucine intake with meals in the elderly with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated protein and leucine intake at each meal in elderly patients with T2D. Methods: A total of 138 patients (91 men and 47 women) with T2D, aged 65 years or older, were included. Participants performed three 24-h dietary recalls for the evaluation of their dietary habits and protein and leucine intake at meals. Results: The average protein intake was 0.9 ± 0.2 g/kg body weight/day, and only 23% of patients complied with the recommendations. The average protein intake was 6.9 g at breakfast, 29 g at lunch, and 21 g at dinner. None of the patients reached the recommended protein intake at breakfast; 59% of patients complied with the recommendations at lunch; and 32% at dinner. The average leucine intake was 579 mg at breakfast, 2195 g at lunch, and 1583 mg at dinner. The recommended leucine intake was not reached by any patient at breakfast, by 29% of patients at lunch, and by 13% at dinner. Conclusions: Our data show that, in elderly patients with T2D, the average protein intake is low, particularly at breakfast and dinner, and that leucine intake is remarkably lower than the recommended levels. These data raise the need to implement nutritional strategies capable of increasing protein and leucine intake in the elderly with T2D.
Women’s Experiences Regarding Physical Activity during the Postpartum Period: A Feminist Poststructuralist Study
Authors: Akbari-Nassaji Neda , Aston Megan , Hughes Jean , Cassidy Christine , Benoit Britney
Published: March 2023

Although recovery after birth can be promoted through bodily movement, many women do not engage in regular postpartum physical activity. While research studies have identified some of the reasons behind their decisions, including a lack of time, only a limited number of studies have been carried out to explore how postpartum physical activity is socially and institutionally constructed. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the experiences of women regarding postpartum physical activity in Nova Scotia. Six postpartum mothers participated in semi-structured, virtual, in-depth interviews. Women’s experiences of postpartum physical activity were examined through a discourse analysis guided by feminist poststructuralism. The following themes were identified: (a) socialization in different ways; (b) social support; (c) mental and emotional health; and (d) being a good role model for their children. The findings indicated that all women perceived postpartum exercise as a positive behavior that can promote mental health, although some postpartum mothers experienced social isolation and a lack of support. Furthermore, social discourses about motherhood caused the personal needs of mothers to be disregarded. The results showed that collaboration among health care providers, mothers, investigators, and community groups is necessary to promote and support mothers’ engagement in postpartum physical activity.
Automated Synthesis of [18F]Flumazenil Application in GABAA Receptor Neuroimaging Availability for Rat Model of Anxiety
Authors: Farn Shiou-Shiow , Cheng Kai-Hung , Huang Yuan-Ruei , Lee Shih-Ying , Chen Jenn-Tzong , Chang Kang-Wei
Published: March 2023

Clinical studies have demonstrated that the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor complex plays a central role in the modulation of anxiety. Conditioned fear and anxiety-like behaviors have many similarities at the neuroanatomical and pharmacological levels. The radioactive GABA/BZR receptor antagonist, fluorine-18-labeled flumazenil, [18F]flumazenil, behaves as a potential PET imaging agent for the evaluation of cortical damage of the brain in stroke, alcoholism, and for Alzheimer disease investigation. The main goal of our study was to investigate a fully automated nucleophilic fluorination system, with solid extraction purification, developed to replace traditional preparation methods, and to detect underlying expressions of contextual fear and characterize the distribution of GABAA receptors in fear-conditioned rats by [18F]flumazenil. A carrier-free nucleophilic fluorination method using an automatic synthesizer with direct labeling of a nitro-flumazenil precursor was implemented. The semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification method (RCY = 15–20%) was applied to obtain high purity [18F]flumazenil. Nano-positron emission tomography (NanoPET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging and ex vivo autoradiography were used to analyze the fear conditioning of rats trained with 1–10 tone-foot-shock pairings. The anxiety rats had a significantly lower cerebral accumulation (in the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, cortex, and hippocampus) of fear conditioning. Our rat autoradiography results also supported the findings of PET imaging. Key findings were obtained by developing straightforward labeling and purification procedures that can be easily adapted to commercially available modules for the high radiochemical purity of [18F]flumazenil. The use of an automatic synthesizer with semi-preparative HPLC purification would be a suitable reference method for new drug studies of GABAA/BZR receptors in the future.
Ethanolic Extract from Limonia acidissima L. Fruit Attenuates Serum Uric Acid Level via URAT1 in Potassium Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemic Rats
Authors: Yusnaini Rika , Nasution Rosnani , Saidi Nurdin , Arabia Teti , Idroes Rinaldi , Ikhsan Ikhsan , Bahtiar Rahmad , Iqhrammullah Muhammad
Published: March 2023

A high prevalence of hyperuricemia among adult and older adult populations has intrigued the development of its therapy based on natural products. Our objective was to investigate the antihyperuricemic activity of the natural product from Limonia acidissima L. in vivo. The extract was obtained through the maceration of L. acidissima fruits using an ethanolic solvent and was tested for its antihyperuricemic activity against potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic rats. Serum uric acid, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were observed before and after the treatment. Expression of urate transporter 1 (URAT1) was also measured using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Antioxidant activity based on a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, along with total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), were measured. Herein, we present the evidence of the serum uric acid lowering effect of the L. acidissima fruit extract along with improved AST and ALT (p < 0.01). The reduction of serum uric acid was in accordance with the decreasing trend of URAT1 (1.02 ± 0.05-fold change in the 200 mg group), except in a group treated with 400 mg/kg body weight extract. At the same time, BUN increased significantly in the 400 mg group (from 17.60 ± 3.286 to 22.80 ± 3.564 mg/dL, p = 0.007), suggesting the renal toxicity of the concentration. The IC50 for DPPH inhibition was 0.14 ± 0.02 mg/L with TPC and TFC of 143.9 ± 5.24 mg GAE/g extract and 390.2 ± 3.66 mg QE/g extract, respectively. Further studies should be carried out to prove this correlation along with the safe concentration range of the extract.
Codelivery of Phytochemicals with Conventional Anticancer Drugs in Form of Nanocarriers
Authors: Kumar Girish , Virmani Tarun , Sharma Ashwani , Pathak Kamla
Published: March 2023

Anticancer drugs in monotherapy are ineffective to treat various kinds of cancer due to the heterogeneous nature of cancer. Moreover, available anticancer drugs possessed various hurdles, such as drug resistance, insensitivity of cancer cells to drugs, adverse effects and patient inconveniences. Hence, plant-based phytochemicals could be a better substitute for conventional chemotherapy for treatment of cancer due to various properties: lesser adverse effects, action via multiple pathways, economical, etc. Various preclinical studies have demonstrated that a combination of phytochemicals with conventional anticancer drugs is more efficacious than phytochemicals individually to treat cancer because plant-derived compounds have lower anticancer efficacy than conventional anticancer drugs. Moreover, phytochemicals suffer from poor aqueous solubility and reduced bioavailability, which must be resolved for efficacious treatment of cancer. Therefore, nanotechnology-based novel carriers are employed for codelivery of phytochemicals and conventional anticancer drugs for better treatment of cancer. These novel carriers include nanoemulsion, nanosuspension, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes that provide various benefits of improved solubility, reduced adverse effects, higher efficacy, reduced dose, improved dosing frequency, reduced drug resistance, improved bioavailability and higher patient compliance. This review summarizes various phytochemicals employed in treatment of cancer, combination therapy of phytochemicals with anticancer drugs and various nanotechnology-based carriers to deliver the combination therapy in treatment of cancer.
Generation of Wheat Near-Isogenic Lines Overexpressing 1Bx7 Glutenin with Increased Protein Contents and SDS-Sedimentation Values
Authors: Lee Myoung-Hui , Choi Changhyun , Kim Kyeong-Hoon , Son Jae-Han , Lee Go-Eun , Choi Jun-Yong , Kang Chon-Sik , Shon Jiyoung , Ko Jong-Min , Kim Kyeong-Min
Published: March 2023

Overexpression of Glu-1Bx7 via allele 1Bx7OE significantly contributes to high dough strength in some wheat varieties and is useful for improving wheat quality. However, the proportion of wheat varieties containing Bx7OE is quite low. In this study, four cultivars containing 1Bx7OE were selected, and among the selected varieties, Chisholm (1Ax2*, 1Bx7OE + 1By8*, and 1Dx5 + 1Dx10) was crossed with Keumkang, a wheat variety that contains 1Bx7 (1Ax2*, 1Bx7 + 1By8, and 1Dx5 + 1Dx10). SDS-PAGE and UPLC analyses showed that the expression of the high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) 1Bx7 was significantly higher in NILs (1Ax2*, 1Bx7OE + 1By8*, and 1Dx5 + 1Dx10) compared with that in Keumkang. Wheat quality was analyzed with near infrared reflectance spectroscopy by measuring the protein content and SDS-sedimentation of NILs. The protein content of NILs (12.94%) was 21.65% higher than that of Chisholm (10.63%) and 4.54% higher than that of Keumkang (12.37%). In addition, the SDS-sedimentation value of NILs (44.29 mL) was 14.97% and 16.44% higher than that of Keumkang (38.52 mL) and Chisholm (38.03 mL), respectively. This study predicts that the quality of domestic wheat can be improved by crossbreeding with 1Bx7OE-containing cultivars.
A Comprehensive Review on Cannabis sativa Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Molecular Docking and Biological Activities
Authors: Hourfane Sohaib , Mechqoq Hicham , Bekkali Abdellah Yassine , Rocha João Miguel , El Aouad Noureddine
Published: March 2023

For more than a century, Cannabis was considered a narcotic and has been banned by lawmakers all over the world. In recent years, interest in this plant has increased due to its therapeutic potential, in addition to a very interesting chemical composition, characterized by the presence of an atypical family of molecules known as phytocannabinoids. With this emerging interest, it is very important to take stock of what research has been conducted so far on the chemistry and biology of Cannabis sativa. The aim of this review is to describe the traditional uses, chemical composition and biological activities of different parts of this plant, as well as the molecular docking studies. Information was collected from electronic databases, namely SciFinder, ScienceDirect, PubMed and Web of Science. Cannabis is mainly popular for its recreational use, but it is also traditionally used as remedy for the treatment of several diseases, including diabetes, digestive, circulatory, genital, nervous, urinary, skin and respiratory diseases. These biological proprieties are mainly due to the presence of bioactive metabolites represented by more than 550 different molecules. Molecular docking simulations proved the presence of affinities between Cannabis compounds and several enzymes responsible for anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiepileptic and anticancer activities. Several biological activities have been evaluated on the metabolites of Cannabis sativa, and these works have shown the presence of antioxidant, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antifungal, anti-aflatoxigenic, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective and dermocosmetic activities. This paper presents the up-to-date reported investigations and opens many reflections and further research perspectives.
De Novo Transcriptome Assembly and Comparative Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes Involved in Cold Acclimation and Freezing Tolerance of the Arctic Moss Aulacomnium turgidum (Wahlenb.) Schwaegr
Authors: Kang Pilsung , Yoo Yo-Han , Kim Dong-Il , Yim Joung Han , Lee Hyoungseok
Published: March 2023

Cold acclimation refers to a phenomenon in which plants become more tolerant to freezing after exposure to non-lethal low temperatures. Aulacomnium turgidum (Wahlenb.) Schwaegr is a moss found in the Arctic that can be used to study the freezing tolerance of bryophytes. To improve our understanding of the cold acclimation effect on the freezing tolerance of A. turgidum, we compared the electrolyte leakage of protonema grown at 25 °C (non-acclimation; NA) and at 4 °C (cold acclimation; CA). Freezing damage was significantly lower in CA plants frozen at −12 °C (CA-12) than in NA plants frozen at −12 °C (NA-12). During recovery at 25 °C, CA-12 demonstrated a more rapid and greater level of the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II than NA-12, indicating a greater recovery capacity for CA-12 compared to NA-12. For the comparative analysis of the transcriptome between NA-12 and CA-12, six cDNA libraries were constructed in triplicate, and RNA-seq reads were assembled into 45,796 unigenes. The differential gene expression analysis showed that a significant number of AP2 transcription factor genes and pentatricopeptide repeat protein-coding genes related to abiotic stress and the sugar metabolism pathway were upregulated in CA-12. Furthermore, starch and maltose concentrations increased in CA-12, suggesting that cold acclimation increases freezing tolerance and protects photosynthetic efficiency through the accumulation of starch and maltose in A. turgidum. A de novo assembled transcriptome can be used to explore genetic sources in non-model organisms.
Bioactive Extracts from Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods Biorefinery as a Source of Ingredients for High-Value Industries
Authors: Hulkko Laura Sini Sofia , Rocha Rui Miranda , Trentin Riccardo , Fredsgaard Malthe , Chaturvedi Tanmay , Custódio Luísa , Thomsen Mette Hedegaard
Published: March 2023

Salt-tolerant plants, also known as halophytes, could provide a novel source of feedstock for biorefineries. After harvesting fresh shoots for food, the lignified fraction of Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods could be used to produce bioactive botanical extracts for high-value industries such as nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and biopharmaceuticals. The residual fraction after extraction can be further used for bioenergy or lignocellulose-derived platform chemicals. This work analysed S. ramosissima from different sources and growth stages. After pre-processing and extractions, the obtained fractions were analysed for their contents of fatty acids, pigments, and total phenolics. Extracts were also evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant properties and inhibitory effect towards enzymes related to diabetes, hyperpigmentation, obesity, and neurogenerative diseases. The ethanol extract from the fibre residue and the water extract from completely lignified plants showed the highest concentration of phenolic compounds along with the highest antioxidant potential and enzyme-inhibitory properties. Hence, they should be further explored in the context of biorefinery.
New Approach to the Systematics of the Section Psammiris (Iris, Iridaceae): What Does Chloroplast DNA Sequence Tell Us?
Authors: Boltenkov Eugeny V. , Artyukova Elena V.
Published: March 2023

Iris sect. Psammiris comprises rhizomatous perennials distributed in the north temperate zone of Eurasia. The systematics of the section are currently based on morphology, and the phylogenetic relationships within it still remain unclear. In the framework of Iris systematics, we conducted molecular and morphological analyses of the currently recognized I. sect. Psammiris species to elucidate the taxonomic composition and relationships within the section. The phylogenetic reconstructions based on sequence variation of four noncoding chloroplast DNA regions support the monophyly of I. sect. Psammiris, which includes I. tigridia, while I. potaninii var. ionantha belongs to I. sect. Pseudoregelia. The proposed novel classification of I. sect. Psammiris recognizes three series: an autonymic series with I. humilis, I. bloudowii, and I. vorobievii and two unispecific series (I. ser. Potaninia with I. potaninii and I. ser. Tigridiae with I. tigridia). In addition, the taxonomic statuses of I. arenaria, I. ivanovae, I. kamelinii, I. mandshurica, I. pineticola, I. psammocola, and I. schmakovii are clarified herein. We provide a revised taxonomic treatment for I. sect. Psammiris, including notes on the types; updated information on species synonymy, distributions, habitats, and chromosome numbers; and a new identification key to the species. Three lectotypes are designated here.