bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Revealed a Comprehensive Understanding of the Biochemical and Genetic Mechanisms Underlying the Color Variations in Chrysanthemums
Authors: Wu Di , Zhuang Fengchao , Wang Jiarui , Gao Ruiqi , Zhang Qiunan , Wang Xiao , Zhang Guochao , Fang Minghui , Zhang Yang , Li Yuhua , Guan Le , Gao Yanqiang
Published: June 2023

Flower color is an important characteristic of ornamental plants and is determined by various chemical components, including anthocyanin. In the present study, combined metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis was used to explore color variations in the chrysanthemums of three cultivars, of which the color of JIN is yellow, FEN is pink, and ZSH is red. A total of 29 different metabolites, including nine anthocyanins, were identified in common in the three cultivars. Compared with the light-colored cultivars, all of the nine anthocyanin contents were found to be up-regulated in the dark-colored ones. The different contents of pelargonidin, cyanidin, and their derivates were found to be the main reason for color variations. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the color difference was closely related to anthocyanin biosynthesis. The expression level of anthocyanin structural genes, including DFR, ANS, 3GT, 3MaT1, and 3MaT2, was in accordance with the flower color depth. This finding suggests that anthocyanins may be a key factor in color variations among the studied cultivars. On this basis, two special metabolites were selected as biomarkers to assist in chrysanthemum breeding for color selection.
Metabolomic Analysis in Neurocritical Care Patients
Authors: Kharouba Maged , Patel Dimple D. , Jaber Rami H. , Mahmoud Sherif Hanafy
Published: June 2023

Metabolomics is the analytical study of metabolites in biological matrices using high-throughput profiling. Traditionally, the metabolome has been studied to identify various biomarkers for the diagnosis and pathophysiology of disease. Over the last decade, metabolomic research has grown to include the identification of prognostic markers, the development of novel treatment strategies, and the prediction of disease severity. In this review, we summarized the available evidence on the use of metabolome profiling in neurocritical care populations. Specifically, we focused on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, and intracranial hemorrhage to identify the gaps in the current literature and to provide direction for future studies. A primary literature search of the Medline and EMBASE databases was conducted. Upon removing duplicate studies, abstract screening and full-text screening were performed. We screened 648 studies and extracted data from 17 studies. Based on the current evidence, the utility of metabolomic profiling has been limited due to inconsistencies amongst studies and a lack of reproducible data. Studies identified various biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment modification. However, studies evaluated and identified different metabolites, resulting in an inability to compare the study results. Future research towards addressing the gaps in the current literature, including reproducing data on the use of specific metabolite panels, is needed.
New Standard for Metal Powder Bed Fusion Surface Texture Measurement and Characterisation
Authors: Thompson Adam , Newton Lewis , Leach Richard
Published: June 2023

As metal additive manufacturing has been increasingly accepted as a viable method of industrial manufacture, there has been a significant uptake in manufacturers wishing to verify and test their parts through analysis of part surface. However, various studies have shown that metal additive surfaces tend to exhibit highly complex features and, thus, represent a challenge to those wishing to undertake measurement and characterisation. Over the past decade, good practice in metal additive surface measurement and characterisation have been developed, ultimately resulting in the creation of a new standard guide, ASTM F3624-23, which summarises that good practice. Here, we explain the background and rationale for the creation of this standard and provide an overview of the contents of the standard. An example case study is then presented, showing the worked good practice guidance in a metal additive surface measurement and characterisation task, namely, a comparative measurement of an example surface using two different instruments. Finally, considerations for future versions of the standard are presented, explaining the need to develop further good practice for novel instruments and to focus on feature-based characterisation approaches.
Water Management Capacity of Metal Foam Flow Field for PEMFC under Flooding Situation
Authors: Chen Lingjiang , Wang Zichen , Sun Chuanfu , Zhu Hui , Xia Yuzhen , Hu Guilin , Fang Baizeng
Published: June 2023

Porous metal foam with complex opening geometry has been used as a flow field to enhance the distribution of reactant gas and the removal of water in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. In this study, the water management capacity of a metal foam flow field is experimentally investigated by polarization curve tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. Additionally, the dynamic behavior of water at the cathode and anode under various flooding situations is examined. It is found that obvious flooding phenomena are observed after water addition both into the anode and cathode, which are alleviated during a constant-potential test at 0.6 V. Greater abilities of anti-flooding and mass transfer and higher current densities are found as the same amount of water is added at the anode. No diffusion loop is depicted in the impedance plots although a 58.3% flow volume is occupied by water. The maximum current density of 1.0 A cm−2 and the lowest Rct around 17 mΩ cm2 are obtained at the optimum state after 40 and 50 min of operation as 2.0 and 2.5 g of water are added, respectively. The porous metal pores store a certain amount of water to humidify the membrane and achieve an internal “self-humidification” function.
A FIN-LDMOS with Bulk Electron Accumulation Effect
Authors: Chen Weizhong , Duan Zubing , Zhang Hongsheng , Han Zhengsheng , Wang Zeheng
Published: June 2023

A thin Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) LDMOS with ultralow Specific On-Resistance (Ron,sp) is proposed, and the physical mechanism is investigated by Sentaurus. It features a FIN gate and an extended superjunction trench gate to obtain a Bulk Electron Accumulation (BEA) effect. The BEA consists of two p-regions and two integrated back-to-back diodes, then the gate potential VGS is extended through the whole p-region. Additionally, the gate oxide Woxide is inserted between the extended superjunction trench gate and N-drift. In the on-state, the 3D electron channel is produced at the P-well by the FIN gate, and the high-density electron accumulation layer formed in the drift region surface provides an extremely low-resistance current path, which dramatically decreases the Ron,sp and eases the dependence of Ron,sp on the drift doping concentration (Ndrift). In the off-state, the two p-regions and N-drift deplete from each other through the gate oxide Woxide like the conventional SJ. Meanwhile, the Extended Drain (ED) increases the interface charge and reduces the Ron,sp. The 3D simulation results show that the BV and Ron,sp are 314 V and 1.84 mΩ∙cm−2, respectively. Consequently, the FOM is high, reaching up to 53.49 MW/cm2, which breaks through the silicon limit of the RESURF.
Development and Analysis of Graphene-Sheet-Based GaAs Schottky Solar Cell for Enriched Efficiency
Authors: Phimu L. Kholee , Dhar Rudra Sankar , Singh Khomdram Jolson , Banerjee Amit
Published: June 2023

Comparative studies of the 2D numerical modelling and simulation of graphene-based gallium arsenide and silicon Schottky junction solar cell are studied using TCAD tools. The performance of photovoltaic cells was examined while taking parameters, such as substrate thickness, relationship between transmittance and work function of graphene, and n-type doing concentration of substrate semiconduction. The area with the highest efficiency for photogenerated carriers was found to be located near the interface region under light illumination. The significant enhancement of power conversion efficiency was shown in the cell with a thicker carrier absorption Si substrate layer, larger graphene work function, and average doping in a silicon substrate. Thus, for improved cell structure, the maximum JSC = 4.7 mA/cm2, VOC = 0.19 V, and fill factor = 59.73% are found under AM1.5G, exhibiting maximum efficiency of 6.5% (1 sun). The EQE of the cell is well above 60%. This work reports the influence of different substrate thickness, work function, and N-type doping on the efficiency and characteristics of graphene-based Schottky solar cells.
A Novel Design of Complementary Split Ring Resonator Metamaterial-Based Low-Profile MIMO Antenna with Defected Ground Structure for S/C/X/Ka Band Applications
Authors: Alsharari Meshari , Lavadiya Sunil , Aliqab Khaled , Armghan Ammar , Daher Malek G. , Patel Shobhit K.
Published: June 2023

The article represents the design of two port-based printed MIMO antenna structures that have the advantages of low profile, simple structure, good isolation, peak gain, directive gain, and reflection coefficient. The performance characteristics are observed for the four design structures by cropping the patch region, loading the slits near the hexagonal-shaped patch, and adding and removing the slots in the ground area. The antenna provides a least reflection coefficient of −39.44 dB, a maximum electric field of patch region of 33.3 V/cm, a total gain of 5.23 dB, and good values of total active reflection coefficient and diversity gain. The proposed design provides nine bands’ response, a peak bandwidth of 2.54 GHz, and a peak bandwidth of 26.127 dB. The four proposed structures are fabricated using a low-profile material to support mass production. The comparison among simulated and fabricated structures is included to check the authenticity of the work. The performance assessment of the proposed design with other published articles is carried out for the performance observation. The suggested technique is analyzed over the wideband of frequency region 1 GHz to 14 GHz. The multiple band responses make the proposed work suitable for wireless applications in S/C/X/Ka bands.
An Inductor-Loaded Single-Port Planar Dual-Broadband Antenna with Stable Gains
Authors: An Wenxing , Xu Xinyu , Wang Jian , Li Shenrong
Published: June 2023

A single-port dual-wideband base-station antenna is reported here for mobile communication systems. Loop and stair-shaped structures with lumped inductors are adopted for dual-wideband operation. The low and high bands share the same radiation structure to accomplish a compact design. The operation principle of the proposed antenna is analyzed, and the effects of the lumped inductors are studied. The measured operation bands are from 0.64 GHz to 1 GHz and from 1.59 GHz to 2.82 GHz, with relative bandwidths of 43.9% and 55.8%, respectively. Broadside radiation patterns and stable gain with a variation of less than 2.2 dB are achieved for both bands. The inductor-loading technology is proven to be an effective way for dual-band antenna design with wide bandwidth and stable gain performance.
Experimental Study on the Preparation of Ultra-Fine Brass Tube Electrodes by Ultrasonic Vibration
Authors: Yu Hanlin , Zhao Yugang , Li Zhihao , Zhao Chuang , Meng Shuo , Tang Yu , Zhang Xiajunyu , Liu Guangxin
Published: June 2023

In order to automatically process ultra-fine copper tube electrodes, this study proposes a new method of ultrasonic vibration processing of ultra-fine copper tube, analyzes its processing principle, designs a new set of experimental processing equipment and completes the processing of 1.206 mm inner diameter, 1.276 mm outer diameter with core brass tube. Not only can the copper tube be completed with core decoring, the surface of the processed brass tube electrode also has good integrity. The effect of each machining parameter on the surface roughness of the electrode after machining was investigated by a single-factor experiment and the optimal machining effect was achieved under the conditions of machining gap 0.1 mm, ultrasonic amplitude 0.186 mm, table feed speed 6 mm/min, tube rotation speed 1000 r/min and reciprocating machining two times. The surface roughness was reduced from 1.21 μm before machining to 0.11 μm, and the residual pits, scratches and oxide layer on the surface were completely removed, which greatly improved the surface quality of the brass tube electrode and prolonged its service life.
Coupling Mineralization and Product Characteristics of Steel Slag and Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Zhao Lin , Wu Dongxu , Hu Wentao , Li Jiajie , Zhang Zhengyang , Yang Feihua , Wang Zhaojia , Ni Wen
Published: June 2023

Crude steel production in China exceeds 1 billion tons per year, and steel slag production accounts for 10%–15% of the crude steel mass. Although slag presents certain hydration activity, it is still difficult to be used as a building material because the particles contain a large amount of active calcium oxide and magnesium oxide, which are easy to hydrate and expand besides presenting low stability. The heap stock is increasing at a rate of 80 Mt/a because of the limitation of application scenarios. Moreover, every 1 ton of crude steel is associated with an emission of 1.8 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), which becomes a greenhouse gas, because it cannot be reused at the moment. In this investigation, CO2 was used to cure steel slag particles, and the coupling mineralization reaction between them was used to convert active calcium oxide and magnesium oxide in steel slag into carbonate forms and, thus, allow the processing of steel slag particles into fine building aggregate. Two particle size ranges of 0.6–2.36 and 2.36–4.75 mm were selected as representative particle sizes. Mineralization was carried out under a temperature of 25 °C, relative humidity of 75%, a CO2 concentration of 20%, and a time of 24 h. The carbon fixation rate of steel slag was 9.68%. The quality of steel slag fine aggregate as a product met the GB/T 14684-2011 construction sand grade II standard. The application of this technology is expected to improve the stability of steel slag particles, the utilization rate as a building material, and the resource utilization level of CO2. It is expected to realize the full, high-value-added resource utilization of steel slag and CO2 absorption and solve the supply shortage problem of fine aggregate for construction in China, which has potential economic and environmental benefits.
The Potential of Magnolia spp. in the Production of Alternative Pest Control Substances
Authors: Hernandez-Rocha Juana Valeria , Vásquez-Morales Suria Gisela
Published: June 2023

The irrational use of synthetic pesticides in agriculture has had negative impacts on ecosystems and contributed to environmental pollution. Botanical pesticides offer a clean biotechnological alternative to meet the agricultural challenges posed by pests and arthropods. This article proposes the use of fruit structures (fruit, peel, seed, and sarcotesta) of several Magnolia species as biopesticides. The potential of extracts, essential oils, and secondary metabolites of these structures for pest control is described. From 11 Magnolia species, 277 natural compounds were obtained, 68.7% of which were terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids. Finally, the importance of a correct management of Magnolia species to ensure their sustainable use and conservation is stressed.
Modulation of Functional Phosphorylation Sites by Basic Residues in the Unique Domain of c-Src
Authors: Lang Andras , Fernández Alejandro , Diaz-Lobo Mireia , Vilanova Mar , Cárdenas Francisco , Gairí Margarida , Pons Miquel
Published: June 2023

In contrast to the well-studied canonical regulatory mechanisms, the way by which the recently discovered Src N-terminal regulatory element (SNRE) modulates Src activity is not yet well understood. Phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues modulates the charge distribution along the disordered region of the SNRE and may affect a fuzzy complex with the SH3 domain that is believed to act as an information transduction element. The pre-existing positively charged sites can interact with the newly introduced phosphate groups by modulating their acidity, introducing local conformational restrictions, or by coupling various phosphosites into a functional unit. In this paper, we use pH-dependent NMR measurements combined with single point mutations to identify the interactions of basic residues with physiologically important phosphorylated residues and to characterize the effect of these interactions in neighbor residues, thus providing insight into the electrostatic network in the isolated disordered regions and in the entire SNRE. From a methodological point of view, the linear relationships observed between the mutation-induced pKa changes of the phosphate groups of phosphoserine and phosphothreonine and the pH-induced chemical shifts of the NH groups of these residues provide a very convenient alternative to identify interacting phosphate groups without the need to introduce point mutations on specific basic residues.
Amphotericin B-Silver Hybrid Nanoparticles Help to Unveil the Mechanism of Biological Activity of the Antibiotic: Disintegration of Cell Membranes
Authors: Janik Sebastian , Grela Ewa , Stączek Sylwia , Zdybicka-Barabas Agnieszka , Luchowski Rafal , Gruszecki Wieslaw I. , Grudzinski Wojciech
Published: June 2023

Amphotericin B is a popular antifungal antibiotic, and despite decades of pharmacological application, the exact mode of its biological activity is still a matter of debate. Amphotericin B-silver hybrid nanoparticles (AmB-Ag) have been reported to be an extremely effective form of this antibiotic to combat fungi. Here, we analyze the interaction of AmB-Ag with C. albicans cells with the application of molecular spectroscopy and imaging techniques, including Raman scattering and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy. The results lead to the conclusion that among the main molecular mechanisms responsible for the antifungal activity of AmB is the disintegration of the cell membrane, which occurs on a timescale of minutes.
Evaluation and Assessment of Trivalent and Hexavalent Chromium on Avena sativa and Soil Enzymes
Authors: Boros-Lajszner Edyta , Wyszkowska Jadwiga , Kucharski Jan
Published: June 2023

Chromium (Cr) can exist in several oxidation states, but the two most stable forms—Cr(III) and Cr(VI)—have completely different biochemical characteristics. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how soil contamination with Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in the presence of Na2EDTA affects Avena sativa L. biomass; assess the remediation capacity of Avena sativa L. based on its tolerance index, translocation factor, and chromium accumulation; and investigate how these chromium species affect the soil enzyme activity and physicochemical properties of soil. This study consisted of a pot experiment divided into two groups: non-amended and amended with Na2EDTA. The Cr(III)- and Cr(VI)-contaminated soil samples were prepared in doses of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg Cr kg−1 d.m. soil. The negative effect of chromium manifested as a decreased biomass of Avena sativa L. (aboveground parts and roots). Cr(VI) proved to be more toxic than Cr(III). The tolerance indices (TI) showed that Avena sativa L. tolerates Cr(III) contamination better than Cr(VI) contamination. The translocation values for Cr(III) were much lower than for Cr(VI). Avena sativa L. proved to be of little use for the phytoextraction of chromium from soil. Dehydrogenases were the enzymes which were the most sensitive to soil contamination with Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Conversely, the catalase level was observed to be the least sensitive. Na2EDTA exacerbated the negative effects of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on the growth and development of Avena sativa L. and soil enzyme activity.
An Automated Solid-Phase Extraction–UPLC–MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Determination of Sulfonamide Antimicrobials in Environmental Water
Authors: Qi Mengyu , He Pengfei , Hu Hongmei , Zhang Tongtong , Li Tiejun , Zhang Xiaoning , Qin Yilin , Zhu Yingjie , Guo Yuanming
Published: June 2023

The large-scale use of sulfonamide antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine has seriously endangered the ecological environment and human health. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a simple and robust method for the simultaneous determination of seventeen sulfonamides in water using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry coupled with fully automated solid-phase extraction. Seventeen isotope-labeled internal standards for sulfonamides were used to correct matrix effects. Several parameters affecting extraction efficiency were systematically optimized, and the enrichment factors were up to 982−1033 and only requiring about 60 min per six samples. Under the optimized conditions, this method manifested good linearity (0.05–100 μg/L), high sensitivity (detection limits: 0.01–0.05 ng/L), and satisfactory recoveries (79–118%) with acceptable relative standard deviations (0.3–14.5%, n = 5). The developed method can be successfully utilized for the determination of 17 sulfonamides in pure water, tap water, river water, and seawater. In total, six and seven sulfonamides were detected in river water and seawater, respectively, with a total concentration of 8.157–29.676 ng/L and 1.683–36.955 ng/L, respectively, and sulfamethoxazole was the predominant congener.
Two New Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene-Amino Acid Conjugates and a Coumarin-Glucoside from Crossostephium chinense
Authors: Wang Zhichao , Chitama Ben-Yeddy Abel , Suganuma Keisuke , Yamano Yoshi , Sugimoto Sachiko , Kawakami Susumu , Kaneko Osamu , Otsuka Hideaki , Matsunami Katsuyoshi
Published: June 2023

The Asteraceae family is a promising source of bioactive compounds, such as the famous Asteraceae plants Tanacetum cinerariifolium (pyrethrin) and Artemisia annua (artemisinin). As a result of our series of phytochemical studies of the subtropical plants, two novel sesquiterpenes, named crossoseamines A and B in this study (1 and 2, respectively), one undescribed coumarin-glucoside (3), and eighteen known compounds (4–21) were isolated from the aerial part of Crossostephium chinense (Asteraceae). The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments (1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), IR spectrum, circular dichroism spectrum (CD), and high-resolution electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (HR-ESI–MS). All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against Leishmania major, Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma brucei (gambiense and rhodesiense), and human lung cancer cell line A549 because of the high demand for the discovery of new drug leads to overcome the present side effects and emerging drug-resistant strains. As a result, the new compounds (1 and 2) showed significant activities against A549 (IC50, 1: 3.3 ± 0.3; 2: 12.3 ± 1.0 μg/mL), L. major (IC50, 1: 6.9 ± 0.6; 2: 24.9 ± 2.2 μg/mL), and P. falciparum (IC50, 1: 12.1 ± 1.1; 2: 15.6 ± 1.2 μg/mL).
Thermodynamic and Thermal Analyze of N,N-Dimethylformamide + 1-Butanol Mixture Properties Based on Density, Sound Velocity and Heat Capacity Data
Authors: Tyczyńska Magdalena , Dentkiewicz Aleksandra , Jóźwiak Małgorzata
Published: June 2023

The present paper contains data on the density (ρ), sound velocity (u), and specific heat capacity cp of the mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide + 1-butanol (DMF + BuOH) determined in the entire concentration range of solution and in the temperature range (293.15–318.15) K. The analysis of thermodynamic functions such as isobaric molar expansion, isentropic and isothermal molar compression, isobaric and isochoric molar heat capacity, as well as their excess functions (Ep,mE,KS,mE,KT,mE,Cp, mE,CV, mE) and also VmE was undertaken. The analysis of changes in the physicochemical quantities was based on consideration of the system in terms of intermolecular interactions and resulting changes in the mixture structure. The results available in the literature were confusing during the analysis and became the reason for our decision to thoroughly examine the system. What is more, for a system whose components are widely used, there is very scarce information in the literature regarding the heat capacity of the tested mixture, which was also achieved and presented in this publication. The conclusions drawn from so many data points allow us to approximate and understand the changes that occur in the structure of the system due to the repeatability and consistency of the obtained results.
Physical Mechanism of One-Photon Absorption, Two-Photon Absorption, and Electron Circular Dichroism of 1,3,5 Triazine Derivatives Based on Molecular Planarity
Authors: Chen Xiangtao , Shi Xiaoyan , Yang Fuming , Zhang Xiqing , Dai Rui , Jia Yan , Yan Ningte , Li Sixuan , Wang Zihan , Liang Zhongzhu
Published: June 2023

We provide a method to regulate intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) through distorting fragment dipole moments based on molecular planarity and intuitively investigate the physical mechanisms of one-photon absorption (OPA), two-photon absorption (TPA), and electron circular dichroism (ECD) properties of the multichain 1,3,5 triazine derivatives o-Br-TRZ, m-Br-TRZ, and p-Br-TRZ containing three bromobiphenyl units. As the position of the C–Br bond on the branch chain becomes farther away, the molecular planarity is weakened, with the position of charge transfer (CT) on the branch chain of bromobiphenyl changing. The excitation energy of the excited states decreases, which leads to the redshift of the OPA spectrum of 1,3,5-triazine derivatives. The decrease in molecular plane results in a change in the magnitude and direction of the molecular dipole moment on the bromobiphenyl branch chain, which weakens the intramolecular electrostatic interaction of bromobiphenyl branch chain 1,3,5-triazine derivatives and weakens the charge transfer excitation of the second step transition in TPA, leading to an increase in the enhanced absorption cross-section. Furthermore, molecular planarity can also induce and regulate chiral optical activity through changing the direction of the transition magnetic dipole moment. Our visualization method helps to reveal the physical mechanism of TPA cross-sections generated via third-order nonlinear optical materials in photoinduced CT, which is of great significance for the design of large TPA molecules.
In Situ Encapsulation of Graphene Quantum Dots in Highly Stable Porphyrin Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Yu Qin , Wang Xusheng , Wu Wenbin , Feng Xinya , Kong Deyu , Khan Usman , Ren Xiaohui , Li Lan
Published: June 2023

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction to valuable hydrocarbon solar fuel is of great significance but still challenging. Strong CO2 enrichment ability and easily adjustable structures make metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) potential photocatalysts for CO2 conversion. Even though pure MOFs have the potential for photoreduction of CO2, the efficiency is still quite low due to rapid photogenerated electron–hole recombination and other drawbacks. In this work, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were in situ encapsulated into highly stable MOFs via a solvothermal method for this challenging task. The GQDs@PCN-222 with encapsulated GQDs showed similar Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) patterns to PCN-222, indicating the retained structure. The porous structure was also retained with a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 2066 m2/g. After incorporation of GQDs, the shape of GQDs@PCN-222 particles remained, as revealed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). As most of the GQDs were covered by thick PCN-222, it was hard to observe those GQDs using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) directly, the treatment of digested GQDs@PCN-222 particles by immersion in a 1 mM aqueous KOH solution can make the incorporated GQDs visible in TEM and HRTEM. The linker, deep purple porphyrins, make MOFs a highly visible light harvester up to 800 nm. The introduction of GQDs inside PCN-222 can effectively promote the spatial separation of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs during the photocatalytic process, which was proved by the transient photocurrent plot and photoluminescence emission spectra. Compared with pure PCN-222, the obtained GQDs@PCN-222 displayed dramatically enhanced CO production derived from CO2 photoreduction with 147.8 μmol/g/h in a 10 h period under visible light irradiation with triethanolamine (TEOA) as a sacrificial agent. This study demonstrated that the combination of GQDs and high light absorption MOFs provides a new platform for photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
A Combined Solution and Solid-State Study on the Tautomerism of an Azocalix[4]arene Chromoionophore
Authors: Baldini Laura , Balestri Davide , Marchiò Luciano , Casnati Alessandro
Published: June 2023

Azocalixarenes functionalized with cation binding sites are popular chromoionophores due to the ease of synthesis and the large complexation-induced shifts of their absorption band that originate from an azo-phenol–quinone-hydrazone tautomerism. Despite their extensive use, however, a thorough investigation of the structure of their metal complexes has not been reported. We describe herein the synthesis of a new azocalixarene ligand (2) and the study of its complexation properties with the Ca2+ cation. Through a combination of solution (1H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies) and solid-state (X-ray diffractometry) techniques, we demonstrate that metal complexation induces a shift of the tautomeric equilibration towards the quinone-hydrazone form, while deprotonation of the complex results in the reversion to the azo-phenol tautomer.
Lead Monoxide Nanostructures for Nanophotonics: A Review
Authors: Chen Hongyan , Wang Mengke , Huang Weichun
Published: June 2023

Black-phosphorus-analog lead monoxide (PbO), as a new emerging 2D material, has rapidly gained popularity in recent years due to its unique optical and electronic properties. Recently, both theoretical prediction and experimental confirmation have revealed that PbO exhibits excellent semiconductor properties, including a tunable bandgap, high carrier mobility, and excellent photoresponse performance, which is undoubtedly of great interest to explore its practical application in a variety of fields, especially in nanophotonics. In this minireview, we firstly summarize the synthesis of PbO nanostructures with different dimensionalities, then highlight the recent progress in the optoelectronics/photonics applications based on PbO nanostructures, and present some personal insights on the current challenges and future opportunities in this research area. It is anticipated that this minireview can pave the way to fundamental research on functional black-phosphorus-analog PbO-nanostructure-based devices to meet the growing demands for next-generation systems.
Relationship between Whole-Blood Magnesium and Cognitive Performance among Chinese Adults
Authors: Lu Zijian , He Ruikun , Zhang Ying , Li Benchao , Li Fengping , Fu Yu , Rong Shuang
Published: June 2023

Objective: To explore the association between magnesium levels and the odds of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Method: In this cross-sectional study of 1006 participants (≥55 years) from China, whole-blood magnesium concentration was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. MCI was diagnosed according to Petersen criteria using self-reported cognitive decline and a neuropsychological test battery, including the trail-making test-part B (TMT-B), auditory verbal learning test (AVLT), digit symbol substitution test (DSST), and verbal fluency test (VFT), which measured the assessment of executive, memory, attention, and language functioning, respectively. A logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between magnesium levels and MCI, and linear regression analyses were performed for the association between magnesium and cognitive function score. Results: The MCI group had a significantly lower concentration of magnesium compared to the Non-MCI group (34.7 ± 9.8 vs. 36.7 ± 9.7, p = 0.017). After adjusting for covariates, a negative association was observed between magnesium levels and MCI. Compared with the lowest quartile (median: 25.4 mg/L), the odds ratio for MCI was 0.53 (95%CI 0.32–0.90) for the highest quartile (median: 48.4 mg/L), and there was an inverse dose–response relationship (p for trend = 0.009). In addition, higher levels of magnesium were positively correlated with VFT scores (β = 0.37, 95%CI = 0.11–0.62) and DSST scores (β = 0.50, 95%CI = 0.01~0.98) and negatively correlated with TMT scores (β = −1.73, 95%CI = −3.40–−0.07) in the middle-aged and older adults. Conclusions: Whole-blood magnesium was inversely associated with the occurrence of MCI and positively associated with performance in neuropsychological tests assessing attention, executive, and language ability in middle-aged and older adults.
Effect of Non- and Low-Caloric Sweeteners on Substrate Oxidation, Energy Expenditure, and Catecholamines in Humans—A Systematic Review
Authors: Andersen Sabina S. H. , Zhu Ruixin , Kjølbæk Louise , Raben Anne
Published: June 2023

The use of non- and low-caloric sweetener(s) (NCS and LCS) as a means to prevent overweight and obesity is highly debated, as both NCS and LCS have been proposed to have a negative impact on energy homeostasis. This systematic review aimed to assess the impact of NCS and LCS on fasting and postprandial substrate oxidation, energy expenditure, and catecholamines, compared to caloric sweeteners or water, across different doses and types of NCS and LCS, acutely and in the longer-term. A total of 20 studies were eligible: 16 studies for substrate oxidation and energy expenditure and four studies for catecholamines. Most studies compared the acute effects of NCS or LCS with caloric sweeteners under non-isoenergetic conditions. These studies generally found higher fat oxidation and lower carbohydrate oxidation with NCS or LCS than with caloric sweeteners. Findings for energy expenditure were inconsistent. With the limited number of studies, no convincing pattern for the remaining outcomes and comparisons could be seen. In conclusion, drinks or meals with NCS or LCS resulted in higher fat and lower carbohydrate oxidation compared to caloric sweeteners. No other conclusions could be drawn due to insufficient or inconsistent results. Further studies in this research field are warranted.
Nutritional Treatment as a Synergic Intervention to Pharmacological Therapy in CKD Patients
Authors: Giannese Domenico , D’Alessandro Claudia , Panichi Vincenzo , Pellegrino Nicola , Cupisti Adamasco
Published: June 2023

Nutritional and pharmacological therapies represent the basis for non-dialysis management of CKD patients. Both kinds of treatments have specific and unchangeable features and, in certain cases, they also have a synergic action. For instance, dietary sodium restriction enhances the anti-proteinuric and anti-hypertensive effects of RAAS inhibitors, low protein intake reduces insulin resistance and enhances responsiveness to epoetin therapy, and phosphate restriction cooperates with phosphate binders to reduce the net phosphate intake and its consequences on mineral metabolism. It can also be speculated that a reduction in either protein or salt intake can potentially amplify the anti-proteinuric and reno-protective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors. Therefore, the synergic use of nutritional therapy and medications optimizes CKD treatment. Quality of care management is improved and becomes more effective when compared to either treatment alone, with lower costs and fewer risks of unwanted side effects. This narrative review summarizes the established evidence of the synergistic action carried out by the combination of nutritional and pharmacological treatments, underlying how they are not alternative but complementary in CKD patient care.
Diet Quality among Pre-Adolescent African American Girls in a Randomized Controlled Obesity Prevention Intervention Trial
Authors: Thompson Debbe , Mirabile Yiming , Islam Noemi , Callender Chishinga , Musaad Salma M. A. , Miranda Julie , Moreno Jennette P. , Dave Jayna M. , Baranowski Tom
Published: June 2023

Consuming an unhealthy diet increases health risks. This study assessed the impact of a culturally adapted behaviorally innovative obesity prevention intervention (The Butterfly Girls and the Quest for Founder’s Rock) on diet quality in pre-adolescent non-Hispanic Black/African American girls. The RCT consisted of three groups (experimental, comparison, and waitlist control); block randomization allocated participants to each group. The two treatment groups varied in terms of whether or not they set goals. Data were collected at baseline (prior to receiving the intervention), post 1 (3 months post-baseline), and post 2 (6 months post-baseline). Two dietitian-assisted 24 h dietary recalls were collected at each timepoint. Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) was used to determine diet quality. A total of 361 families were recruited; 342 completed baseline data collection. No significant differences in overall HEI score or component scores were observed. To attain more equitable health outcomes, future efforts to promote dietary intake change among at-risk children should explore other behavior change procedures and employ more child-friendly dietary assessment methods.
Survey, Detection, Characterization of Papaya Ringspot Virus from Southern India and Management of Papaya Ringspot Disease
Authors: Premchand Udavatha , Mesta Raghavendra K. , Devappa Venkatappa , Basavarajappa Mantapla Puttappa , Venkataravanappa Venkataravanappa , Narasimha Reddy Lakshminarayana Reddy C. , Shankarappa Kodegandlu Subbanna
Published: June 2023

Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is a significant threat to global papaya cultivation, causing ringspot disease, and it belongs to the species Papaya ringspot virus, genus Potyvirus, and family Potyviridae. This study aimed to assess the occurrence and severity of papaya ringspot disease (PRSD) in major papaya-growing districts of Karnataka, India, from 2019 to 2021. The incidence of disease in the surveyed districts ranged from 50.5 to 100.0 percent, exhibiting typical PRSV symptoms. 74 PRSV infected samples were tested using specific primers in RT-PCR, confirming the presence of the virus. The complete genome sequence of a representative isolate (PRSV-BGK: OL677454) was determined, showing the highest nucleotide identity (nt) (95.8%) with the PRSV-HYD (KP743981) isolate from Telangana, India. It also shared an amino acid (aa) identity (96.5%) with the PRSV-Pune VC (MF405299) isolate from Maharashtra, India. Based on phylogenetic and species demarcation criteria, the PRSV-BGK isolate was considered a variant of the reported species and designated as PRSV-[IN:Kar:Bgk:Pap:21]. Furthermore, recombination analysis revealed four unique recombination breakpoint events in the genomic region, except for the region from HC-Pro to VPg, which is highly conserved. Interestingly, more recombination events were detected within the first 1710 nt, suggesting that the 5’ UTR and P1 regions play an essential role in shaping the PRSV genome. To manage PRSD, a field experiment was conducted over two seasons, testing various treatments, including insecticides, biorationals, and a seaweed extract with micronutrients, alone or in combination. The best treatment involved eight sprays of insecticides and micronutrients at 30-day intervals, resulting in no PRSD incidence up to 180 days after transplanting (DAT). This treatment also exhibited superior growth, yield, and yield parameters, with the highest cost–benefit ratio (1:3.54) and net return. Furthermore, a module comprising 12 sprays of insecticides and micronutrients at 20-day intervals proved to be the most effective in reducing disease incidence and enhancing plant growth, flowering, and fruiting attributes, resulting in a maximized yield of 192.56 t/ha.
Factor XIa Inhibitors as a Novel Anticoagulation Target: Recent Clinical Research Advances
Authors: Xia Yunqing , Hu Yu , Tang Liang
Published: June 2023

Background: While current clinically administered anticoagulant medications have demonstrated effectiveness, they have also precipitated significant risks: severe bleeding complications including, but not limited to, gastrointestinal hemorrhaging and intracranial and other life-threatening major bleedings. An ongoing effort is being made to identify the best targets for anticoagulant-targeted drugs. Coagulation factor XIa (FXIa) is emerging as an important target of current anticoagulant treatment. Objective: This review will summarize the development of anticoagulants and recent advances in clinical trials of experimental factor XI inhibitors from a clinical application perspective. Results: As of 1 January 2023, our search screening included 33 clinical trials. We summarized the research progress of FXIa inhibitors from seven clinical trials that evaluated their efficacy and safety. The results showed no statistically meaningful distinction in the primary efficacy between patients receiving FXIa inhibitors compared to controls (RR = 0.796; 95% CI: 0.606–1.046; I2 = 68%). The outcomes did not indicate a statistical difference in the occurrence of any bleeding between patients receiving FXIa inhibitors compared to controls (RR = 0.717; 95% CI: 0.502–1.023; I2 = 60%). A subgroup analysis found significant differences in severe bleeding and clinically relevant hemorrhaging in subjects receiving FXIa inhibitors compared to Enoxaparin (RR = 0.457; 95% CI: 0.256–0.816; I2 = 0%). Conclusions: Clinical trials to date have indicated that factor XIa is a potential anticoagulation target, and factor XIa inhibitors may play an important role in the development of anticoagulants.
Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Perampanel in Portuguese Patients Diagnosed with Refractory Epilepsy
Authors: Silva Rui , Colom Helena , Bicker Joana , Almeida Anabela , Silva Ana , Sales Francisco , Santana Isabel , Falcão Amílcar , Fortuna Ana
Published: June 2023

Perampanel is a promising antiepileptic drug (AED) for refractory epilepsy treatment due to its innovative mechanism of action. This study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model to be further used in initial dose optimization of perampanel in patients diagnosed with refractory epilepsy. A total of seventy-two plasma concentrations of perampanel obtained from forty-four patients were analyzed through a population pharmacokinetic approach by means of nonlinear mixed effects modeling (NONMEM). A one-compartment model with first-order elimination best described the pharmacokinetic profiles of perampanel. Interpatient variability (IPV) was entered on clearance (CL), while the residual error (RE) was modeled as proportional. The presence of enzyme-inducing AEDs (EIAEDs) and body mass index (BMI) were found as significant covariates for CL and volume of distribution (V), respectively. The mean (relative standard error) estimates for CL and V of the final model were 0.419 L/h (5.56%) and 29.50 (6.41%), respectively. IPV was 30.84% and the proportional RE was 6.44%. Internal validation demonstrated an acceptable predictive performance of the final model. A reliable population pharmacokinetic model was successfully developed, and it is the first enrolling real-life adults diagnosed with refractory epilepsy.
The Evolution and Recent Trends in Acoustic Targeting of Encapsulated Drugs to Solid Tumors: Strategies beyond Sonoporation
Authors: Honari Arvin , Sirsi Shashank R.
Published: June 2023

Despite recent advancements in ultrasound-mediated drug delivery and the remarkable success observed in pre-clinical studies, no delivery platform utilizing ultrasound contrast agents has yet received FDA approval. The sonoporation effect was a game-changing discovery with a promising future in clinical settings. Various clinical trials are underway to assess sonoporation’s efficacy in treating solid tumors; however, there are disagreements on its applicability to the broader population due to long-term safety issues. In this review, we first discuss how acoustic targeting of drugs gained importance in cancer pharmaceutics. Then, we discuss ultrasound-targeting strategies that have been less explored yet hold a promising future. We aim to shed light on recent innovations in ultrasound-based drug delivery including newer designs of ultrasound-sensitive particles specifically tailored for pharmaceutical usage.
Heterocyclic Molecular Targeted Drugs and Nanomedicines for Cancer: Recent Advances and Challenges
Authors: Liu Junxia , Chao Tengfei , Liu Yingying , Gong Chen , Zhang Yinan , Xiong Huihua
Published: June 2023

Cancer is a top global public health concern. At present, molecular targeted therapy has emerged as one of the main therapies for cancer, with high efficacy and safety. The medical world continues to struggle with the development of efficient, extremely selective, and low-toxicity anticancer medications. Heterocyclic scaffolds based on the molecular structure of tumor therapeutic targets are widely used in anticancer drug design. In addition, a revolution in medicine has been brought on by the quick advancement of nanotechnology. Many nanomedicines have taken targeted cancer therapy to a new level. In this review, we highlight heterocyclic molecular-targeted drugs as well as heterocyclic-associated nanomedicines in cancer.
Metamorphosis of Topical Semisolid Products—Understanding the Role of Rheological Properties in Drug Permeation under the “in Use” Condition
Authors: Jin Xuping , Alavi Seyed Ebrahim , Shafiee Abbas , Leite-Silva Vania Rodrigues , Khosrotehrani Kiarash , Mohammed Yousuf
Published: June 2023

When developing topical semisolid products, it is crucial to consider the metamorphosis of the formulation under the “in use” condition. Numerous critical quality characteristics, including rheological properties, thermodynamic activity, particle size, globule size, and the rate/extent of drug release/permeation, can be altered during this process. This study aimed to use lidocaine as a model drug to establish a connection between the evaporation and change of rheological properties and the permeation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in topical semisolid products under the “in use” condition. The evaporation rate of the lidocaine cream formulation was calculated by measuring the weight loss and heat flow of the sample using DSC/TGA. Changes in rheological properties due to metamorphosis were assessed and predicted using the Carreau–Yasuda model. The impact of solvent evaporation on a drug’s permeability was studied by in vitro permeation testing (IVPT) using occluded and unconcluded cells. Overall, it was found that the viscosity and elastic modulus of prepared lidocaine cream gradually increased with the time of evaporation as a result of the aggregation of carbopol micelles and the crystallization of API after application. Compared to occluded cells, the permeability of lidocaine for formulation F1 (2.5% lidocaine) in unoccluded cells decreased by 32.4%. This was believed to be the result of increasing viscosity and crystallization of lidocaine instead of depletion of API from the applied dose, which was confirmed by formulation F2 with a higher content of API (5% lidocaine) showing a similar pattern, i.e., a 49.7% reduction of permeability after 4 h of study. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to simultaneously demonstrate the rheological change of a topical semisolid formulation during volatile solvent evaporation, resulting in a concurrent decrease in the permeability of API, which provides mathematical modelers with the necessary background to build complex models that incorporate evaporation, viscosity, and drug permeation in the simulation once at a time.