bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Design of Experiment as a Tool to Model Plant Trace-Metal Bioindication Abilities
Authors: Salinitro Mirko , Zappi Alessandro , Casolari Sonia , Locatelli Marcello , Tassoni Annalisa , Melucci Dora
Published: March 2022

Bioindicator plants are species that have the capacity to linearly uptake some elements (metal and metalloids) from the growing substrate, thus reflecting their concentration in the soil. Many factors can influence the uptake of these elements by plants, among which is the simultaneous presence of several metals, a common situation in contaminated or natural soils. A novel approach that can be used to validate the bioindication ability of a species growing on a polymetallic substrate is the design of experiment (DoE) approach. The aim of the present study was to apply the DoE in full factorial mode to model the Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cr bioindication capacity of Polygonum aviculare, used as the model plant. The results showed that P. aviculare has the ability to bioindicate Cd and Cr with a linear uptake (from 0.35 to 6.66, and 0.1 to 3.4 mg kg−1, respectively) unaffected by the presence of other metals. Conversely, the uptake of Pb, Cu, and Zn is strongly influenced by the presence of all the studied metals, making their concentration in the plant shoot not proportional to that of the soil. In conclusion, these preliminary results confirmed that the DoE can be used to predict the bioindicator abilities of a plant for several elements at the same time and to evaluate the interactions that can be established between variables in the growing medium and in the plant itself. However, more studies including other plant species are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this method.
Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Potential of Tamus communis Rhizomes
Authors: Slavova Iva , Tomova Teodora , Kusovska Slavena , Chukova Yoana , Argirova Mariana
Published: March 2022

Tamus communis L. is a plant distributed in a number of geographical areas whose rhizome has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic remedy. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of the chemical composition and biological activity of the extracts or individual compounds of the rhizome. The data for the principal secondary metabolites are systematized: sterols, steroidal saponins, phenanthrenes, dihydrophenanthrenes, etc. Results of biological tests for anti-inflammatory action, cytotoxicity, anticholinesterase effect, and xanthine oxidase inhibition are presented. Some open questions about the therapeutic properties of the plant are also addressed.
Biological Activity of Pulcherrimin from the Meschnikowia pulcherrima Clade
Authors: Kregiel Dorota , Nowacka Maria , Rygala Anna , Vadkertiová Renáta
Published: March 2022

Pulcherrimin is a secondary metabolite of yeasts belonging to the Metschnikowia pulcherrima clade, and pulcherrimin formation is responsible for the antimicrobial action of its producers. Understanding the environmental function of this metabolite can provide insight into various microbial interactions and enables the efficient development of new effective bioproducts and methods. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial and antiadhesive action of yeast pulcherrimin, as well as its protective properties under selected stressful conditions. Classical microbiological plate methods, microscopy, and physico-chemical testing were used. The results show that pure pulcherrimin does not have antimicrobial properties, but its unique hydrophilic nature may hinder the adhesion of hydrophilic bacterial cells to abiotic surfaces. Pulcherrimin also proved to be a good cell protectant against UV–C radiation at both high and low temperatures.
Angelica gigas NAKAI and Its Active Compound, Decursin, Inhibit Cellular Injury as an Antioxidant by the Regulation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and YAP Signaling
Authors: Song Yu-Rim , Jang Boyun , Lee Sung-Min , Bae Su-Jin , Bak Seon-Been , Kim Young-Woo
Published: March 2022

Natural products and medicinal herbs have been used to treat various human diseases by regulating cellular functions and metabolic pathways. Angelica gigas NAKAI (AG) helps regulate pathological processes in some medical fields, including gastroenterology, gynecology, and neuropsychiatry. Although some papers have reported its diverse indications, the effects of AG against arachidonic acid (AA)+ iron and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) have not been reported. In HepG2 cells, AA+ iron induced cellular apoptosis and mitochondrial damage, as assessed by mitochondrial membrane permeability (MMP) and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. On the other hand, AG markedly inhibited these detrimental phenomena and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by AA+ iron. AG activated the liver kinase B1 (LKB1)-dependent AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which affected oxidative stress in the cells. Moreover, AG also regulated the expression of yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling as mediated by the AMPK pathways. In mice, an oral treatment of AG protected against liver toxicity induced by CCl4, as indicated by the plasma and histochemical parameters. Among the compounds in AG, decursin had antioxidant activity and affected the AMPK pathway. In conclusion, AG has antioxidant effects in vivo and in vitro, indicating that natural products such as AG could be potential candidate for the nutraceuticals to treat various disorders by regulating mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular metabolic pathways.
Grape Pomace Extract Attenuates Inflammatory Response in Intestinal Epithelial and Endothelial Cells: Potential Health-Promoting Properties in Bowel Inflammation
Authors: Calabriso Nadia , Massaro Marika , Scoditti Egeria , Verri Tiziano , Barca Amilcare , Gerardi Carmela , Giovinazzo Giovanna , Carluccio Maria Annunziata
Published: March 2022

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) implies the chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, combined with systemic vascular manifestations. In IBD, the incidence of cardiovascular disease appears to be related to an increase of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Grape pomace contains high levels of anti-oxidant polyphenols that are able to counteract chronic inflammatory symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine whether grape pomace polyphenolic extract (GPE) was able to mitigate the overwhelming inflammatory response in enterocyte-like cells and to improve vascular function. Intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells, grown in monolayers or in co-culture with endothelial cells (Caco-2/HMEC-1), were treated with different concentrations of GPE (1, 5, 10 µg/mL gallic acid equivalents) for 2 h and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α for 16 h. Through multiple assays, the expression of intestinal and endothelial inflammatory mediators, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and NF-κB activation, as well as endothelial-leukocyte adhesion, were evaluated. The results showed that GPE supplementation prevented, in a concentration-dependent manner, the intestinal expression and release of interleukin (IL)-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9 and MMP-2. In Caco-2 cells, GPE also suppressed the gene expression of several pro-inflammatory markers, such as IL-1β, TNF-α, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL)-10, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. The GPE anti-inflammatory effect was mediated by the inhibition of NF-κB activity and reduced intracellular ROS levels. Furthermore, transepithelial GPE suppressed the endothelial expression of IL-6, MCP-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 and the subsequent adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelial cells under pro-inflammatory conditions. In conclusion, our findings suggest grape pomace as a natural source of polyphenols with multiple health-promoting properties that could contribute to the mitigation of gut chronic inflammatory diseases and improve vascular endothelial function.
Nutrition, Overweight, and Cognition in Euthymic Bipolar Individuals Compared to Healthy Controls
Authors: Reininghaus Bernd , Dalkner Nina , Schörkhuber Christiane , Fleischmann Eva , Fellendorf Frederike T. , Ratzenhofer Michaela , Maget Alexander , Platzer Martina , Bengesser Susanne A. , Tmava-Berisha Adelina , Lenger Melanie , Queissner Robert , Schönthaler Elena M. D. , Reininghaus Eva Z.
Published: March 2022

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with impairments in cognitive functions, in which metabolic factors, e.g., overweight, seem to play a significant role. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between nutritional factors and cognitive performance in euthymic individuals with BD. A study cohort of 56 euthymic individuals with BD was compared to a sample of 53 mentally healthy controls. To assess cognitive function, the following tests were applied: California Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test A/B, d2 Test of Attention-Revised, and Stroop’s Color-Word Interference Test. Furthermore, a 4-day food record was processed to evaluate dietary intake of macronutrients, specific micronutrients, and food diversity. Body mass index and waist to height ratio were calculated to assess overweight and central obesity. Results showed no nutritional differences between individuals with BD and controls. Individuals with BD performed worse in the d2 test than controls. Hierarchical regression analyses yielded no association between cognitive and nutritional parameters. However, waist to height ratio was negatively correlated with almost all cognitive tests. Central obesity seems to affect cognitive functioning in BD, while the lack of finding differences in nutritional data might be due to problems when collecting data and the small sample size. Consequently, further studies focusing on objectively measuring food intake with adequate sample size are needed.
Impact of Gut Microbiota on the Association between Diet and Depressive Symptoms in Breast Cancer
Authors: Maitiniyazi Gusonghan , Cao Xiaoyun , Chen Yue , Zhang Rong , Liu Yuan , Li Ziyuan , Gu Danfeng , Li Tong , Xia Shufang
Published: March 2022

Little is known about the relationship between diet and depression through the gut microbiota among breast cancer patients. This study aimed to examine the dietary intake differences between depressed breast cancer (DBC) and non-depressed breast cancer (NBC) patients, and whether the differences could lead to gut microbiota changes that affect depressive symptoms. Participants completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and 24 h dietary recall. Fecal samples of 18 DBC patients and 37 NBC patients were collected for next-generation sequencing. A total of 60 out of 205 breast cancer patients reported significant depressive symptoms suggested by a CES-D score ≥ 16, which might be related to lower intakes of energy, protein, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B2, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese and tryptophan, and a poor diet quality indicated by a lower total Chinese Healthy Eating Index (CHEI) score. Additionally, NBC patients demonstrated greater gut microbiota diversity and a healthier composition, in which the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella were both lower than in the DBC patients (p < 0.05). Alpha diversity was a significant mediator between diet quality and depression, while calcium, phosphorus and selenium significantly regulated depression independent of the gut microbiota. Breast cancer-related depressive symptoms might be associated with a poor diet quality via gut microbiota-dependent pathways and lower micronutrient intake via microbiota-independent pathways.
What Is the Current Direction of the Research on Carotenoids and Human Health? An Overview of Registered Clinical Trials
Authors: Martini Daniela , Negrini Letizia , Marino Mirko , Riso Patrizia , Del Bo Cristian , Porrini Marisa
Published: March 2022

Carotenoids have been the object of numerous observational, pre-clinical and interventional studies focused on elucidating their potential impacts on human health. However, the large heterogeneity among the trials, in terms of study duration and characteristics of participants, makes any conclusion difficult to draw. The present study aimed to explore the current carotenoid research trends by analyzing the characteristics of the registered clinical trials. A total of 193 registered trials on ClinicalTrials.gov and ISRCTN were included in the revision. Eighty-three studies were performed with foods, one-hundred-five with food supplements, and five with both. Among the foods tested, tomatoes and tomato-based foods, and eggs were the most studied. Lutein, lycopene, and astaxanthin were the most carotenoids investigated. Regarding the goals, 52 trials were focused on studying carotenoids’ bioavailability, and 140 studies investigated the effects of carotenoids on human health. The main topics included eye and cardiovascular health. Recently, the research has focused also on two new topics: cognitive function and carotenoid–gut microbiota interactions. However, the current research on carotenoids is still mostly focused on the bioavailability and metabolism of carotenoids from foods and food supplements. Within this context, the impacts/contributions of food technologies and the development of new carotenoid formulations are discussed. In addition, the research is still corroborating the previous findings on vision and cardiovascular health. Much attention has also been devoted to new research areas, such as the carotenoid–microbiota interactions, which could contribute to explaining the metabolism and the health effects of carotenoids; and the relation between carotenoids and cognitive function. However, for these topics the research is still only beginning, and further studies are need.
Diet Quality and Health in Older Americans
Authors: Zhao Hang , Andreyeva Tatiana
Published: March 2022

Adequate nutrition is an essential component of healthy ageing. This study documents the quality of diets among older Americans and implications of healthy eating for their physical and mental health. Using a nationally representative longitudinal sample of adults aged ≥50 years, from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2010–2016 and food intake data from the 2013 Health Care and Nutrition Study (HCNS), the study evaluates the onset of health problems along the spectrum of diet quality measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015. Older adults adhering to healthier diets, in the high HEI group, have a significantly lower risk of developing limitations in activities of daily living (15.2% vs. 19.6%, p < 0.01) and depression (11.8% vs. 14.9%, p < 0.01), as compared to participants with low HEI scores. Consuming healthier diets also predicts more favorable health outcomes, as measured by blood-based biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (3.3 vs. 3.8, p < 0.05), cystatin C (1.1 vs. 1.2, p < 0.1), total cholesterol (192.1 vs. 196.4, p < 0.1), and high-density lipoprotein (57.2 vs. 53.8, p < 0.01). Most older Americans can benefit from improving diet to reduce their risk of disability, chronic disease, and depression.
Propolis Ameliorates Alcohol-Induced Depressive Symptoms in C57BL/6J Mice by Regulating Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function and Inflammatory Reaction
Authors: Wang Peng , Guo Peiyu , Wang Yanhui , Teng Xiangyun , Zhang Huaqi , Sun Lirui , Xue Meilan , Liang Hui
Published: March 2022

Accumulating evidence points to a critical role of the brain gut axis as an important paradigm for many central nervous system diseases. Recent studies suggest that propolis has obvious neuroprotective properties and functionality in regulating intestinal bacteria flora, hinting at a potential key effect at both terminals of this axis regulation. However, currently no clear evidence confirms the effects of propolis on alcohol-induced depression. Here, we establish an alcoholic depression model with C57BL/6J mice and demonstrate that treatment with propolis protects against alcohol-induced depressive symptoms by behavioral tests. In addition, propolis attenuates the injury of nerve cells in the hippocampal region and restores the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopamine (DA) in mice with alcohol-induced depression. Pathology and biotin tracer assays show that propolis repairs the intestinal leakage caused by alcohol. Additionally, propolis treatment increases the expression levels of intestinal intercellular tight junctions’ (TJs’) structural proteins Claudin-1, Occludin and zona occludens-1 (ZO-1), as well as the activation state of the liver kinase B1/AMP-activated protein kinase (LKB1/AMPK) signaling pathway, which is closely related to the intestinal permeability. Furthermore, propolis can reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and fatty-acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2), suggesting the significance of the inflammatory response in alcoholic depression. Collectively, our findings indicate that propolis exerted an improving effect on alcohol-induced depressive symptoms by ameliorating brain gut dysfunction.
Optimization of Precursor Preparation in PSMA-11 Radiolabeling to Obtain a Highly Reproducible Radiochemical Yield
Authors: Iudicello Antonella , Boschi Stefano , Ghedini Pietro , Lohr Frank , Panareo Stefano
Published: March 2022

[68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer because of its higher sensitivity and detection rate compared with traditional choline PET/CT. A highly reproducible radiochemical yield of the radiopharmaceutical to be used in the clinical routine is an important parameter for planning and optimization of clinical activity. During radiometallation of PSMA-11, the presence of metal ion contaminants in the peptide precursor may cause a decrease in the [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 radiochemical yield because of metal ion contaminants competition with gallium-68. To optimize the radiochemical yield of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 radiosynthesis, data obtained by preparing the solution of the PSMA-11 precursor with three different methods (A, B, and C) were compared. Methods A and B consisted of the reconstitution of different quantities of precursor (1000 µg and 30 µg, respectively) to obtain a 1 µg/mL solution. In Method A, the precursor solution was aliquoted and stored frozen, while the precursor solution obtained with Method B was entirely used. Method C consisted of the reconstitution of 1000 µg of precursor taking into account net peptide content as described in European Pharmacopoeia. Radiosynthesis data demonstrated that reconstitution methods B and C gave a consistently higher and reproducible radiochemical yield, highlighting the role of metals and precursor storage conditions on the synthesis performance.
Two Lignan Glycosides from Albizia julibrissin Durazz. Noncompetitively Inhibit Serotonin Transporter
Authors: Huang Bishan , Liu Hanhe , Wu Yingyao , Li Chan , Tang Qingfa , Zhang Yuan-Wei
Published: March 2022

Albizia julibrissin Durazz. is one of the most common herbs used for depression and anxiety treatment, but its molecular basis and mechanism of action as an antidepressant or anxiolytic drug are not understood. In this study, we separated and identified two lignan glycosides that inhibit serotonin transporter (SERT) noncompetitively by decreasing Vmax with little change in Km for its fluorescence substrate. In addition, treatment with lignan glycosides did not alter total and cell surface expression levels of the transporter protein. The two compounds decreased the accessibility of a cysteine residue placed in the extracellular substrate permeation pathway by inducing a conformational shift toward an outward-closed state of SERT. These results are consistent with molecular docking for the association of the lignan glycosides to the allosteric site in SERT. The present work supports the proposal that these compounds act on SERT by a novel underlying mechanism of action different from that of conventional antidepressant drugs.
LncRNA: A Potential Target for Host-Directed Therapy of Candida Infection
Authors: Wang Ye , Xu Hongdan , Chen Na , Yang Jin , Zhou Hongmei
Published: March 2022

Despite various drugs work against Candida, candidiasis represents clinical management challenges worldwide due to the rising incidence and recurrence rate, as well as epidemics, of new drug-resistant pathogens. Recent insights into interactions between Candida and hosts contribute to exploring novel therapeutic strategies, termed host-directed therapies (HDTs). HDTs are viable adjuncts with good efficacy for the existing standard antifungal regimens. However, HDTs induce other response unintendedly, thus requiring molecular targets with highly specificity. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with highly specific expression patterns could affect biological processes, including the immune response. Herein, this review will summarize recent advances of HDTs based on the Candida–host interaction. Especially, the findings and application strategies of lncRNAs related to the host response are emphasized. We propose it is feasible to target lncRNAs to modulate the host defense during Candida infection, which provides a new perspective in identifying options of HDTs for candidiasis.
Thermal, Mechanical and Biocompatibility Analyses of Photochemically Polymerized PEGDA250 for Photopolymerization-Based Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Rekowska Natalia , Huling Jennifer , Brietzke Andreas , Arbeiter Daniela , Eickner Thomas , Konasch Jan , Riess Alexander , Mau Robert , Seitz Hermann , Grabow Niels , Teske Michael
Published: March 2022

Novel fabrication techniques based on photopolymerization enable the preparation of complex multi-material constructs for biomedical applications. This requires an understanding of the influence of the used reaction components on the properties of the generated copolymers. The identification of fundamental characteristics of these copolymers is necessary to evaluate their potential for biomaterial applications. Additionally, knowledge of the properties of the starting materials enables subsequent tailoring of the biomaterials to meet individual implantation needs. In our study, we have analyzed the biological, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties of photopolymerized poly(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and specific copolymers with different photoinitiator (PI) concentrations before and after applying a post treatment washing process. As comonomers, 1,3-butanediol diacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate were used. The in vitro studies confirm the biocompatibility of all investigated copolymers. Uniaxial tensile tests show significantly lower tensile strength (82% decrease) and elongation at break (76% decrease) values for washed samples. Altered tensile strength is also observed for different PI concentrations: on average, 6.2 MPa for 1.25% PI and 3.1 MPa for 0.5% PI. The addition of comonomers lowers elongation at break on average by 45%. Moreover, our observations show glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from 27 °C to 56 °C, which significantly increase with higher comonomer content. These results confirm the ability to generate biocompatible PEGDA copolymers with specific thermal and mechanical properties. These can be considered as resins for various additive manufacturing-based applications to obtain personalized medical devices, such as drug delivery systems (DDS). Therefore, our study has advanced the understanding of PEGDA multi-materials and will contribute to the future development of tools ensuring safe and effective individual therapy for patients.
Evaluation of Recent Intranasal Drug Delivery Systems to the Central Nervous System
Authors: Crowe Tyler P. , Hsu Walter H.
Published: March 2022

Neurological diseases continue to increase in prevalence worldwide. Combined with the lack of modifiable risk factors or strongly efficacious therapies, these disorders pose a significant and growing burden on healthcare systems and societies. The development of neuroprotective or curative therapies is limited by a variety of factors, but none more than the highly selective blood-brain barrier. Intranasal administration can bypass this barrier completely and allow direct access to brain tissues, enabling a large number of potential new therapies ranging from bioactive peptides to stem cells. Current research indicates that merely administering simple solutions is inefficient and may limit therapeutic success. While many therapies can be delivered to some degree without carrier molecules or significant modification, a growing body of research has indicated several methods of improving the safety and efficacy of this administration route, such as nasal permeability enhancers, gelling agents, or nanocarrier formulations. This review shall discuss promising delivery systems and their role in expanding the clinical efficacy of this novel administration route. Optimization of intranasal administration will be crucial as novel therapies continue to be studied in clinical trials and approved to meet the growing demand for the treatment of patients with neurological diseases.
Development of Lomustine and n-Propyl Gallate Co-Encapsulated Liposomes for Targeting Glioblastoma Multiforme via Intranasal Administration
Authors: Katona Gábor , Sabir Fakhara , Sipos Bence , Naveed Muhammad , Schelz Zsuzsanna , Zupkó István , Csóka Ildikó
Published: March 2022

This work aimed to develop lomustine (LOM) and n-propyl gallate (PG)-loaded liposomes suitable for targeting glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) via the auspicious nose-to-brain drug delivery pathway. The therapeutical effect of LOM, as a nitrosourea compound, can be potentiated by PG suitable for enhanced anti-cancer therapy. Nose-to-brain delivery of PG and LOM combined in liposomes can overcome the poor water solubility, absorption properties, and toxicity issues in the systemic circulation. Optimization and characterization of the liposomal carrier with binary drug contents were carried out in order to achieve adequate encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, drug release, and ex vivo permeation. The optimized liposome co-encapsulated with both drugs showed suitable Z-average (127 ± 6.9 nm), size distribution (polydispersity index of 0.142 ± 0.009), zeta potential (−34 ± 1.7 mV), and high encapsulation efficacy (63.57 ± 1.3% of PG and 73.45 ± 2.2% of LOM, respectively) meeting the acceptance criteria of nose-to-brain transport for both drugs. MTT assays of PG-LOM formulations were also conducted on NIH/3T3 (murine embryonic fibroblast), U87 (glioblastoma), and A2780 (ovarian cancer) cell lines indicating reduced an antiproliferative effect on all types of cells. Our results supported the use of this novel combination of LOM and PG in a liposomal formulation as a promising carrier for glioblastoma targeting via the intranasal route.
Is the High Proportion of Males in a Population of the Self-Incompatible Fraxinus platypoda (Oleaceae) Indicative of True Androdioecy or Cryptic-Dioecy?
Authors: Sakio Hitoshi , Nirei Takashi
Published: March 2022

Androdioecy is a rare reproductive system. Fraxinus platypoda, a woody canopy species in Japan’s mountainous riparian zones, is described as a morphologically androdioecious species. In this study, we tried to detect whether F. platypoda is also functionally androdioecious. We analyzed its sexual expression, seed development, pollen morphology and germination ability, pollination systems, and mast flowering behavior. We found that the hermaphrodite trees are andromonoecious, with inflorescences bearing male and hermaphroditic flowers, whereas male individuals had only male flowers. Pollen morphology was identical in male flowers, in hermaphrodite flowers of an andromonoecious individual, and in male flowers of male individuals. Pollen from both types of individuals was capable of germination both ex vivo (on nutrient medium) and in vivo in pollination experiments. However, compared with pollen from andromonoecious trees, pollen from male trees showed a higher germination rate. The self-pollination rate of bagged hermaphroditic flowers was almost zero. The fruit set rate following cross-pollination with male pollen from a male tree was higher than that following natural pollination, whereas the rate with hermaphroditic pollen was the same. The flowering and fruiting of F. platypoda have fluctuated over 17 years; the flowering of the two types of sexual individuals exhibited clear synchronization during this period. The frequency of male individuals within the populations is 50%. The maintenance of such a proportion of males in populations of the self-incompatible F. platypoda is either indicative of a true androdioecious species with a diallelic self-incompatibility system or a cryptic-dioecious species. This alternative is discussed here.
Two-Stage Detection Algorithm for Kiwifruit Leaf Diseases Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Yao Jia , Wang Yubo , Xiang Ying , Yang Jia , Zhu Yuhang , Li Xin , Li Shuangshuang , Zhang Jie , Gong Guoshu
Published: March 2022

The prevention and management of crop diseases play an important role in agricultural production, but there are many types of crop diseases and complex causes, and their prevention and identification add difficulties to the process. The traditional methods of identifying diseases mostly rely on human visual and manual inspection, which requires a certain amount of expert knowledge and experience. There are shortcomings such as strong subjectivity and low accuracy. This paper takes the common diseases of kiwifruit as the research object. Based on deep learning and computer vision models, and given the influence of a complex background in actual scenes on the detection of diseases, as well as the shape and size characteristics of diseases, an innovative method of target detection and semantic segmentation was proposed to identify diseases accurately. The main contributions of this research are as follows: We produced the world’s first high-quality dataset on kiwifruit. We used the target detection algorithm YOLOX, we stripped the kiwi leaves from the natural background and removed the influencing factors existing in the complex background. Based on the mainstream semantic segmentation networks UNet and DeepLabv3+, the experimental results showed that the ResNet101 network achieved the most effective results in the identification of kiwi diseases, with an accuracy rate of 96.6%. We used the training method of learning rate decay to further improve the training effect without increasing the training cost. After experimental verification, our two-stage disease detection algorithm had the advantages of high accuracy, strong robustness, and wide detection range, which provided a more efficient solution for solving the problem of precise monitoring of crop growth environment parameters.
Bioabsorption of Subcutaneous Nanofibrous Scaffolds Influences the Engraftment and Function of Neonatal Porcine Islets
Authors: Kuppan Purushothaman , Kelly Sandra , Seeberger Karen , Castro Chelsea , Rosko Mandy , Pepper Andrew R. , Korbutt Gregory S.
Published: March 2022

The subcutaneous space is currently being pursued as an alternative transplant site for ß-cell replacement therapies due to its retrievability, minimally invasive procedure and potential for graft imaging. However, implantation of ß-cells into an unmodified subcutaneous niche fails to reverse diabetes due to a lack of adequate blood supply. Herein, poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers were used to make scaffolds and were functionalized with peptides (RGD (Arginine-glycine-aspartate), VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor), laminin) or gelatin to augment engraftment. PCL, PCL + RGD + VEGF (PCL + R + V), PCL + RGD + Laminin (PCL + R + L), PLGA and PLGA + Gelatin (PLGA + G) scaffolds were implanted into the subcutaneous space of immunodeficient Rag mice. After four weeks, neonatal porcine islets (NPIs) were transplanted within the lumen of the scaffolds or under the kidney capsule (KC). Graft function was evaluated by blood glucose, serum porcine insulin, glucose tolerance tests, graft cellular insulin content and histologically. PLGA and PLGA + G scaffold recipients achieved significantly superior euglycemia rates (86% and 100%, respectively) compared to PCL scaffold recipients (0% euglycemic) (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, respectively). PLGA scaffolds exhibited superior glucose tolerance (* p < 0.05) and serum porcine insulin secretion (* p < 0.05) compared to PCL scaffolds. Functionalized PLGA + G scaffold recipients exhibited higher total cellular insulin contents compared to PLGA-only recipients (* p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that the bioabsorption of PLGA-based fibrous scaffolds is a key factor that facilitates the function of NPIs transplanted subcutaneously in diabetic mice.
Soft Colloidal Particles at Fluid Interfaces
Authors: Guzmán Eduardo , Maestro Armando
Published: March 2022

The assembly of soft colloidal particles at fluid interfaces is reviewed in the present paper, with emphasis on the particular case of microgels formed by cross-linked polymer networks. The dual polymer/colloid character as well as the stimulus responsiveness of microgel particles pose a challenge in their experimental characterization and theoretical description when adsorbed to fluid interfaces. This has led to a controversial and, in some cases, contradictory picture that cannot be rationalized by considering microgels as simple colloids. Therefore, it is necessary to take into consideration the microgel polymer/colloid duality for a physically reliable description of the behavior of the microgel-laden interface. In fact, different aspects related to the above-mentioned duality control the organization of microgels at the fluid interface, and the properties and responsiveness of the obtained microgel-laden interfaces. This works present a critical revision of different physicochemical aspects involving the behavior of individual microgels confined at fluid interfaces, as well as the collective behaviors emerging in dense microgel assemblies.
Synthesis of Naphthalene-Based Polyaminal-Linked Porous Polymers for Highly Effective Uptake of CO2 and Heavy Metals
Authors: Ibrahim Manal , Tashkandi Nada , Hadjichristidis Nikos , Alkayal Nazeeha S.
Published: March 2022

Studying the effect of functional groups on the porosity structure and adsorption efficiency of polymer materials is becoming increasingly interesting. In this work, a novel porous polyaminal-linked polymer, based on naphthalene and melamine (PAN-NA) building blocks, was successfully synthesized by a one-pot polycondensation method, and used as an adsorbent for both CO2 and heavy metals. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state 13 C NMR, powder X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetry were used to characterize the prepared polymer. The porous material structure was established by field-emission scanning electron microscope and N2 adsorption–desorption methods at 77 K. The polymer exhibited excellent uptake of CO2, 133 mg/g at 273 K and 1 bar. In addition, the adsorption behavior of PAN-NA for different metal cations, including Pb(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), and Ba(II), was investigated; a significant adsorption selectivity toward the Pb(II) cation was detected. The influence of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentrations, and contact time was also assessed. Our results prove that the introduction of naphthalene in the polymer network improves the porosity and, thus, CO2 adsorption, as well as the adsorption of heavy metals.
Grape Canes (Vitis vinifera L.) Applications on Packaging and Particleboard Industry: New Bioadhesive Based on Grape Extracts and Citric Acid
Authors: Santos Jorge , Pereira João , Escobar-Avello Danilo , Ferreira Irene , Vieira Carlos , Magalhães Fernão D. , Martins Jorge Manuel , Carvalho Luísa H.
Published: March 2022

The main by-product generated in the wine industry are the grape canes, derived from the pruning process. In order to increase the valorisation possibilities of this highly polyphenolic lignocellulosic material, this work focuses on its applicability in the materials industry. As a first step, we demonstrate the viability of using grape cane particles as raw material for particleboard production, combined with a melamine formaldehyde urea (MFU) binder. In addition, looking for the application of these particleboards in the food packaging industry, particleboards based on grape canes were also produced using a new bioadhesive, obtained from the grape cane extract and citric acid. The self-condensation reaction of the grape cane extracts, and the curing reaction with citric acid, were studied by FTIR-ATR and ABES showing the feasibility of this new bioadhesive formulation. Looking for a zero-waste process, the effect of the type of raw material (fresh grape cane, solid by-product of the extraction) and of the extract used on the properties of particleboard were also studied. Citric acid was demonstrated to be a good crosslinking agent for grape cane extract. This work shows that it is possible to produce a new lignocellulosic product based only on grape cane particles using a binder based on grape cane extracts and citric acid. The implemented methodology allowed producing particleboards with applicability in the food-packaging industry, minimizing the waste generated in the process.
Stabilization of Silver Nanoparticles on Polyester Fabric Using Organo-Matrices for Controlled Antimicrobial Performance
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Isabel , Shvalya Vasyl , Cvelbar Uroš , Silva Renata , Marques-Oliveira Rita , Remião Fernando , Felgueiras Helena P. , Padrão Jorge , Zille Andrea
Published: March 2022

Antimicrobial textiles are helpful tools to fight against multidrug-resistant pathogens and nosocomial infections. The deposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto textiles has been studied to achieve antimicrobial properties. Yet, due to health and environmental safety concerns associated with such formulations, processing optimizations have been introduced: biocompatible materials, environmentally friendly agents, and delivery platforms that ensure a controlled release. In particular, the functionalization of polyester (PES) fabric with antimicrobial agents is a formulation in high demand in medical textiles. However, the lack of functional groups on PES fabric hinders the development of cost-effective, durable systems that allow a controlled release of antimicrobial agents. In this work, PES fabric was functionalized with AgNPs using one or two biocompatible layers of chitosan or hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). The addition of organo-matrices stabilized the AgNPs onto the fabrics, protected AgNPs from further oxidation, and controlled their release. In addition, the layered samples were efficient against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The sample with two layers of chitosan showed the highest efficacy against S. aureus (log reduction of 2.15 ± 1.08 after 3 h of contact). Against E. coli, the sample with two layers of chitosan showed the best properties. Chitosan allowed to control the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs, avoid the complete loss of AgNPs after washings and act in synergy with AgNPs. After 3 h of incubation, this sample presented a log reduction of 4.81, and 7.27 of log reduction after 5 h of incubation. The antimicrobial results after washing showed a log reduction of 3.47 and 4.88 after 3 h and 5 h of contact, respectively. Furthermore, the sample with a final layer of HMDSO also presented a controlled antimicrobial effect. The antimicrobial effect was slower than the sample with just an initial layer of HMDSO, with a log reduction of 4.40 after 3 h of incubation (instead of 7.22) and 7.27 after 5 h. The biocompatibility of the composites was confirmed through the evaluation of their cytotoxicity towards HaCaT cells (cells viability > 96% in all samples). Therefore, the produced nanocomposites could have interesting applications in medical textiles once they present controlled antimicrobial properties, high biocompatibility and avoid the complete release of AgNPs to the environment.
Study on Fire Behavior, Thermal Stability and Degradation Kinetics of Thiol-Ene with Poly(aminopropyl/phenyl)silsesquioxane
Authors: Wang Jiangbo
Published: March 2022

In this article, the flame retardant poly(aminopropyl/phenyl)silsesquioxane (PA) was incorporated into thiol-ene (TE), to obtain a flame-retardant thiol-ene (FRTE) composite. The cone calorimeter (CONE) measurement results showed that, compared with neat TE, the peak of heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) of FRTE have decreased by almost 23.7% and 14.5%, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results further confirmed that the flame retardant PA could induce the initial thermal degradation of TE, and increased the amounts of residual char. Moreover, the activation energies of FRTE were calculated through the Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods. Compared with the neat TE, the activation energies of FRTE were raised by the addition of PA. It indicated that the flame retardant PA promoted cross-linking reactions of TE, to form a compact char layer and retarded further the thermal degradation of the polymer matrix.
Current Trends in the Utilization of Essential Oils for Polysaccharide- and Protein-Derived Food Packaging Materials
Authors: Zubair Muhammad , Shahzad Sohail , Hussain Ajaz , Pradhan Rehan Ali , Arshad Muhammad , Ullah Aman
Published: March 2022

Essential oils (EOs) have received attention in the food industry for developing biopolymer-derived food packaging materials. EOs are an excellent choice to replace petroleum-derived additives in food packaging materials due to their abundance in nature, eco-friendliness, and superior antimicrobial and antioxidant attributes. Thus far, EOs have been used in cellulose-, starch-, chitosan-, and protein-based food packaging materials. Biopolymer-based materials have lower antioxidant and antibacterial properties in comparison with their counterparts, and are not suitable for food packaging applications. Various synthetic-based compounds are being used to improve the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of biopolymers. However, natural essential oils are sustainable and non-harmful alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial and antioxidant agents for use in biopolymer-derived food packaging materials. The incorporation of EOs into the polymeric matrix affects their physicochemical properties, particularly improving their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. EOs in the food packaging materials increase the shelf life of the packaged food, inhibit the growth of microorganisms, and provide protection against oxidation. Essential oils also influence other properties, such as tensile, barrier, and optical properties of the biopolymers. This review article gives a detailed overview of the use of EOs in biopolymer-derived food packaging materials. The innovative ways of incorporating of EOs into food packaging materials are also highlighted, and future perspectives are discussed.
Pultruded Hybrid Reinforced Compounds with Glass/Cellulose Fibers in a Polybutylene Terephthalate Matrix: Property Investigation
Authors: Kahl Christian , Schlink André , Heim Hans-Peter
Published: March 2022

The fiber type, orientation of the fiber, fiber-matrix adhesion, and the fiber length are very important for the performance of a short fiber reinforced plastic. Hybrid reinforced polybutylene terephthalate and reference compounds were tested using tensile, Charpy impact, and three-point bending mechanical tests. The interaction of regenerated cellulose fiber and glass fiber was investigated using a polybutylene terephthalate matrix at a fiber volume content of 10%. The ratios of each fiber type was varied. The compounds were pultruded with an extrusion die to have an even fiber length of 3 mm after granulating. In a second step, the specimens were injection molded for mechanical testing. The results were compared to the rule of hybrid mixtures (RoHM) prediction. It was shown that the results of the hybrid reinforced compound were close to the RoHM prediction. The Charpy impact tests show a high positive hybrid effect. The fiber length shows an interaction that is dependent on the ratio of each fiber type.
A Study of Concept to Prepare Totally Biosourced Wood Adhesives from Only Soy Protein and Tannin
Authors: Ghahri Saman , Pizzi Antonio , Hajihassani Reza
Published: March 2022

This is a study of concept on the initial application for wood adhesives totally biosourced from the covalent reaction between soy protein isolate (SPI) and a commercial flavonoid tannin, namely quebracho tannin. The adhesive is composed exclusively of the two vegetable biomaterials mentioned and thus is totally biosourced and non-toxic, as tannin has been classified as being not at all toxic by the European Commission REACH program. The pre-reaction between the two yielded the best plywood bonding results when limited to a temperature of 40 °C, final cross-linking being achieved during the plywood higher temperature hot pressing procedure, as for any other thermosetting adhesive. Pre-reaction at higher temperatures, namely 60 °C and 80 °C, achieved extensive premature cross-linking that lost any activity to cross-link further when hot pressed for preparing plywood. The reaction was followed by thermomechanical analysis, by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI ToF) mass spectrometry, and by plywood shear strength tested dry, after a 24 h cold water soak and 1 h in boiling water. The adhesive of this approach lends itself to be further reinforced by the multitude of approaches on soy resins already developed by several other research groups.
Chemical Modification of Cellulose Using a Green Route by Reactive Extrusion with Citric and Succinic Acids
Authors: Pereira Jéssica Fernanda , Marim Beatriz Marjorie , Mali Suzana
Published: March 2022

Cellulose is a natural, unbranched, and fibrous homopolymer that is a major component in several agroindustrial residues. The aim of this study was to extract cellulose from oat hulls and then to modify it using a green route to obtain esterified cellulose through reaction with organic acids employing the reactive extrusion process, which is a process that presents some advantages, including low effluent generation, short reaction times, and it is scalable for large scale use. Citric (CA) and succinic (SA) acids were employed as esterifying agents in different concentrations (0, 5, 12.5, and 20%). Modified cellulose samples were characterized by their degree of substitution (DS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (DRX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wettability, oil and water absorption capacities, and thermal stability. DS of modified samples ranged from 2.28 to 3.00, and FTIR results showed that the esterification occurred in all samples for both acids by observation of important bands at 1720 and 1737 cm−1 for samples modified with CA and SA, respectively. All modified samples presented increased hydrophobicity. The modification did not have an influence on the morphological structure or crystallinity pattern of all samples. This study proved to be possible to modify cellulose using a simple and ecofriendly process based on reactive extrusion with organic acids.