bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant Activity of Polyphenols, from Mauritia flexuosa (Aguaje), Based on Controlled Dehydration
Authors: Bensaada Hichem , Soto-Garcia María Fernanda , Carmona-Hernandez Juan Carlos
Published: May 2022

Plant polyphenols offer several benefits for the prevention of diverse illnesses. Fruit’s edible and inedible parts (pulp, seeds, peels, stems, flowers) are important sources of polyphenols. Different industrial processes for fruit treatment and commercialization affect the total polyphenol content (TPC), and probably the biological activity. The purpose of the present work was to determine the TPC and antioxidant activity (by DPPH) of polyphenols extracted from the pulp and seeds of Mauritia flexuosa (aguaje), in fresh and dehydrated forms, in order to determine the possible connection with the quantity of polyphenols and their specific antioxidant activity. The highest phenolic content for M. flexuosa seeds in fresh form (non-dehydrated) was 270.75 mg GAE/100 g with a 96-h extraction. With respect to the dehydrated samples, the best yield was quantified in the 96-h dehydrated seed sample. For all pulp and seeds, dehydrated for 24, 48, and 96 h, TPC showed a slightly decreasing pattern. The DPPH results were the highest in the 96-h dehydrated samples and the differences among all dehydrated pulp and seed samples were minimal. More studies testing the presence of other antioxidant components could help in understanding the detailed antioxidant activity, and related more to the specific action, rather than only total polyphenol content.
Effect of Ziziphus and Cordia Gums on Dough Properties and Baking Performance of Cookies
Authors: Mohamed Abdellatif A. , Alamri Mohamed Saleh , Hussain Shahzad , Ibraheem Mohamed A. , Qasem Akram A. Abdo , Shamlan Ghalia , Ababtain Ibrahim A.
Published: May 2022

The influence of 2% and 5% Cordia (CG) and Ziziphus (ZG) gums on dough characteristics and cookie quality was investigated. Micro-DoughLab, a texture analyzer (TA), a rapid viscoanalyzer (RVA), and solvent retention capacity were used to examine the effect of CG and ZG gums on dough physicochemical parameters (SRC) and cookie quality. The diameter, thickness, spread, and sensory evaluation of cookies were evaluated. With the addition of CG and ZG, dough softness, mixing time, and mixing tolerance index (MTI) increased, whereas stability and water absorption decreased. TA data showed that adding gums resulted in softer and less sticky doughs than the control, whereas RVA data showed that adding CG resulted in a significant increase in peak viscosity, but no change in flour gel setback. In comparison to the control and CG samples, the ZG samples exhibited the most dough extensibility. The thickness and diameter of the cookies increased but the spread decreased, due to the added gums. The gum-containing cookies had a lower overall acceptability by panelists than the control, although only by a small margin. Gum-containing cookies, on the other hand, can deliver up to 5% soluble fiber.
Oxonitrogenated Derivatives of Eremophilans and Eudesmans: Antiproliferative and Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Activity
Authors: Beer María F. , Reta Guillermo F. , Puerta Adrián , Bivona Augusto E. , Alberti Andrés Sánchez , Cerny Natacha , Malchiodi Emilio L. , Tonn Carlos E. , Padrón José M. , Sülsen Valeria P. , Donadel Osvaldo J.
Published: May 2022

Cancer is one of the most important causes of death worldwide. Solid tumors represent the vast majority of cancers (>90%), and the chemotherapeutic agents used for their treatment are still characterized by variable efficacy and toxicity. Sesquiterpenes are a group of natural compounds that have shown a wide range of biological activities, including cytotoxic and antiparasitic activity, among others. The antiproliferative activity of natural sesquiterpenes, tessaric acid, ilicic acid, and ilicic alcohol and their semisynthetic derivatives against HeLa, T-47D, WiDr, A549, HBL-100, and SW1573 cell lines were evaluated. The effect of the compounds on Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes was also assessed. The selectivity index was calculated using murine splenocytes. Derivatives 13 and 15 were the most antiproliferative compounds, with GI50 values ranging between 5.3 (±0.32) and 14 (±0.90) μM, in all cell lines tested. The presence of 1,2,3-triazole groups in derivatives 15–19 led to improvements in activity compared to those corresponding to the starting natural product (3), with GI50 values ranging between 12 (±1.5) and 17 (±1.1) μM and 16 being the most active compound. In relation to the anti-T. cruzi activity, derivatives 7 and 16 obtained from tessaric acid and ilicic acid were among the most active and selective compounds with IC50 values of 9.3 and 8.8 µM (SI = 8.0 and 9.4), respectively.
High Power Irradiance Dependence of Charge Species Dynamics in Hybrid Perovskites and Kinetic Evidence for Transient Vibrational Stark Effect in Formamidinium
Authors: Rakowski Rafal , Fisher William , Calbo Joaquín , Mokhtar Muhamad Z. , Liang Xinxing , Ding Dong , Frost Jarvist M. , Haque Saif A. , Walsh Aron , Barnes Piers R. F. , Nelson Jenny , van Thor Jasper J.
Published: May 2022

Hybrid halide perovskites materials have the potential for both photovoltaic and light-emitting devices. Relatively little has been reported on the kinetics of charge relaxation upon intense excitation. In order to evaluate the illumination power density dependence on the charge recombination mechanism, we have applied a femtosecond transient mid-IR absorption spectroscopy with strong excitation to directly measure the charge kinetics via electron absorption. The irradiance-dependent relaxation processes of the excited, photo-generated charge pairs were quantified in polycrystalline MAPbI3, MAPbBr3, and (FAPbI3)0.97(MAPbBr3)0.03 thin films that contain either methylamonium (MA) or formamidinium (FA). This report identifies the laser-generated charge species and provides the kinetics of Auger, bimolecular and excitonic decay components. The inter-band electron-hole (bimolecular) recombination was found to dominate over Auger recombination at very high pump irradiances, up to the damage threshold. The kinetic analysis further provides direct evidence for the carrier field origin of the vibrational Stark effect in a formamidinium containing perovskite material. The results suggest that radiative excitonic and bimolecular recombination in MAPbI3 at high excitation densities could support light-emitting applications.
Variations in the Physical Properties of RF-Sputtered CdS Thin Films Observed at Substrate Temperatures Ranging from 25 °C to 500 °C
Authors: Lee Sangwoon , Kim Juna , Lee Seokhee , Cha Hyun-Jin , Son Chang-Sik , Son Young-Guk , Hwang Donghyun
Published: May 2022

CdS films with a wide range of substrate temperatures as deposition parameters were fabricated on Corning Eagle 2000 glass substrates using RF magnetron sputtering. The crystallographic structure, microscopic surface texture, and stoichiometric and optical properties of each CdS film deposited at various substrate temperatures were observed to be highly temperature-dependent. The grown CdS thin films revealed a polycrystalline structure in which a cubic phase was mixed based on a hexagonal wurtzite phase. The relative intensity of the H(002)/C(111) peak, which represents the direction of the preferential growth plane, enhanced as the temperatures climbed from 25 °C to 350 °C. On the contrary, the intensity of the main growth peak at the higher temperatures of 450 °C and 500 °C was significantly reduced and exhibited amorphous-like behavior. The sharp absorption edge revealed in the transmission spectrum shifted from the long wavelength to the short wavelength region with the rise in the substrate temperature. The bandgap showed a tendency to widen from 2.38 eV to 2.97 eV when the temperatures increased from 25 °C to 350 °C. The CdS films grown at the temperatures of 450 °C and 500 °C exhibited glass-like transmittance with almost no interference fringes of light, which resulted in wide bandgap values of 3.09 eV and 4.19 eV, respectively.
Polarization of Femtosecond Laser for Titanium Alloy Nanopatterning Influences Osteoblastic Differentiation
Authors: Maalouf Mathieu , Abou Khalil Alain , Di Maio Yoan , Papa Steve , Sedao Xxx , Dalix Elisa , Peyroche Sylvie , Guignandon Alain , Dumas Virginie
Published: May 2022

Ultrashort pulse lasers have significant advantages over conventional continuous wave and long pulse lasers for the texturing of metallic surfaces, especially for nanoscale surface structure patterning. Furthermore, ultrafast laser beam polarization allows for the precise control of the spatial alignment of nanotextures imprinted on titanium-based implant surfaces. In this article, we report the biological effect of beam polarization on human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. We created, on polished titanium-6aluminum-4vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) plates, a laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) using linear or azimuthal polarization of infrared beams to generate linear or radial LIPSS, respectively. The main difference between the two surfaces was the microstructural anisotropy of the linear LIPSS and the isotropy of the radial LIPSS. At 7 d post seeding, cells on the radial LIPSS surface showed the highest extracellular fibronectin production. At 14 days, qRT-PCR showed on the same surface an increase in osteogenesis-related genes, such as alkaline phosphatase and osterix. At 21 d, mineralization clusters indicative of final osteoinduction were more abundant on the radial LIPSS. Taken together, we identified that creating more isotropic than linear surfaces enhances cell differentiation, resulting in an improved osseointegration. Thus, the fine tuning of ultrashort pulse lasers may be a promising new route for the functionalization of medical implants.
Silver Nanoparticle-Intercalated Cotton Fiber for Catalytic Degradation of Aqueous Organic Dyes for Water Pollution Mitigation
Authors: Hillyer Matthew Blake , Jordan Jacobs H. , Nam Sunghyun , Easson Michael W. , Condon Brian D.
Published: May 2022

Azo dyes are commonly used in textile color processing for their wide array of vibrant colors. However, in recent years these dyes have become of concern in wastewater management given their toxicity to humans and the environment. In the present work, researchers remediated water contaminated with azo dyes using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) intercalated within cotton fabric as a catalyst, for their enhanced durability and reusability, in a reductive degradation method. Three azo dyes—methyl orange (MO), Congo red (CR), and Chicago Sky Blue 6B (CSBB)—were investigated. The azo degradation was monitored by UV/vis spectroscopy, degradation capacity, and turnover frequency (TOF). The Ag NP–cotton catalyst exhibited excellent degradation capacity for the dyes, i.e., MO (96.4% in 30 min), CR (96.5% in 18.5 min), and CSBB (99.8% in 21 min), with TOFs of 0.046 min−1, 0.082 min−1, and 0.056 min−1, respectively, using a 400 mg loading of catalyst for 100 mL of 25 mg L−1 dye. To keep their high reusability while maintaining high catalytic efficiency of >95% degradation after 10 cycles, Ag NPs immobilized within cotton fabric have promising potential as eco-friendly bio-embedded catalysts.
Interface Analysis of MOCVD Grown GeTe/Sb2Te3 and Ge-Rich Ge-Sb-Te/Sb2Te3 Core-Shell Nanowires
Authors: Kumar Arun , Mirshokraee Seyed Ariana , Lamperti Alessio , Cantoni Matteo , Longo Massimo , Wiemer Claudia
Published: May 2022

Controlling material thickness and element interdiffusion at the interface is crucial for many applications of core-shell nanowires. Herein, we report the thickness-controlled and conformal growth of a Sb2Te3 shell over GeTe and Ge-rich Ge-Sb-Te core nanowires synthesized via metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), catalyzed by the Vapor–Liquid–Solid (VLS) mechanism. The thickness of the Sb2Te3 shell could be adjusted by controlling the growth time without altering the nanowire morphology. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were employed to examine the surface morphology and the structure of the nanowires. The study aims to investigate the interdiffusion, intactness, as well as the oxidation state of the core-shell nanowires. Angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was applied to investigate the surface chemistry of the nanowires. No elemental interdiffusion between the GeTe, Ge-rich Ge-Sb-Te cores, and Sb2Te3 shell of the nanowires was revealed. Chemical bonding between the core and the shell was observed.
Nanoarchitectonics for Ultrathin Gold Films Deposited on Collagen Fabric by High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Huang Sheng-Yang , Hsieh Ping-Yen , Chung Chi-Jen , Chou Chia-Man , He Ju-Liang
Published: May 2022

Gold nanoparticles conjugated with collagen molecules and fibers have been proven to improve structure strength, water and enzyme degradation resistance, cell attachment, cell proliferation, and skin wound healing. In this study, high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) was used to deposit ultrathin gold films (UTGF) and discontinuous island structures on type I collagen substrates. A long turn-off time of duty cycle and low chamber temperature of HiPIMS maintained substrate morphology. Increasing the deposition time from 6 s to 30 s elevated the substrate surface coverage by UTGF up to 91.79%, as observed by a field emission scanning electron microscope. X-ray diffractometry analysis revealed signature low and wide peaks for Au (111). The important surface functional groups and signature peaks of collagen substrate remained unchanged according to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results. Multi-peak curve fitting of the Amide I spectrum revealed the non-changed protein secondary structure of type I collagen, which mainly consists of α-helix. Atomic force microscopy observation showed that the roughness average value shifted from 1.74 to 4.17 nm by increasing the deposition time from 13 s to 77 s. The uneven surface of collagen substrate made quantification of thin film thickness by AFM difficult. Instead, UTGF thickness was measured using simultaneously deposited glass specimens placed in an HiPIMS chamber with collagen substrates. Film thickness was 3.99 and 10.37 nm at deposition times of 13 and 77 s, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed preserved substrate elements on the surface. Surface water contact angle measurement revealed the same temporary hydrophobic behavior before water absorption via exposed collagen substrates, regardless of deposition time. In conclusion, HiPIMS is an effective method to deposit UTGF on biomedical materials such as collagen without damaging valuable substrates. The composition of two materials could be further used for biomedical purposes with preserved functions of UTGF and collagen.
A Review of Metabolic Targets of Anticancer Nutrients and Nutraceuticals in Pre-Clinical Models of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Wiggs Alleigh , Molina Sabrina , Sumner Susan J. , Rushing Blake R.
Published: May 2022

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that is notoriously aggressive and has poorer outcomes as compared with other breast cancer subtypes. Due to a lack of targeted therapies, TNBC is often treated with chemotherapeutics as opposed to hormone therapy or other targeted therapies available to individuals with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancers. Because of the lack of treatment options for TNBC, other therapeutic avenues are being explored. Metabolic reprogramming, a hallmark of cancer, provides potential opportunities to target cancer cells more specifically, increasing efficacy and reducing side effects. Nutrients serve a significant role in metabolic processes involved in DNA transcription, protein folding, and function as co-factors in enzyme activity, and may provide novel strategies to target cancer cell metabolism in TNBC. This article reviews studies that have investigated how nutrients/nutraceuticals target metabolic processes in TNBC cells alone or in combination with existing drugs to exert anticancer effects. These agents have been shown to cause perturbations in many metabolic processes related to glucose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, as well as autophagy and oxidative stress-related metabolism. With this information, we present the potential of nutrients as metabolism-directed anticancer agents and the potential for using these agents alone or in cocktails as a new direction for TNBC therapy.
Hypercoagulability Impairs Plaque Stability in Diabetes-Induced Atherosclerosis
Authors: Ambreen Saira , Fatima Sameen , Elwakiel Ahmed , Rana Rajiv , Singh Kunal , Gupta Anubhuti , Gupta Dheerendra , Khawaja Hamzah , Manoharan Jayakumar , Besler Christian , Laufs Ulrich , Kohli Shrey , Isermann Berend , Shahzad Khurrum
Published: May 2022

Diabetes mellitus, which is largely driven by nutritional and behavioral factors, is characterized by accelerated atherosclerosis with impaired plaque stability. Atherosclerosis and associated complications are the major cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Efficient therapeutic concepts for diabetes-associated atherosclerosis are lacking. Atherosclerosis among diabetic patients is associated with reduced endothelial thrombomodulin (TM) expression and impaired activated protein C (aPC) generation. Here, we demonstrate that atherosclerotic plaque stability is reduced in hyperglycemic mice expressing dysfunctional TM (TMPro/Pro mice), which have a pro-coagulant phenotype due to impaired thrombin inhibition and markedly reduced aPC generation. The vessel lumen and plaque size of atherosclerotic lesions in the truncus brachiocephalic were decreased in diabetic TMPro/Pro ApoE-/- mice compared to diabetic ApoE-/- mice. While lipid accumulation in lesions of diabetic TMPro/Pro ApoE-/- mice was lower than that in diabetic ApoE-/- mice, morphometric analyses revealed more prominent signs of instable plaques, such as a larger necrotic core area and decreased fibrous cap thickness in diabetic TMPro/Pro ApoE-/- mice. Congruently, more macrophages and fewer smooth muscle cells were observed within lesions of diabetic TMPro/Pro ApoE-/- mice. Thus, impaired TM function reduces plaque stability, a characteristic of hyperglycemia-associated plaques, thus suggesting the crucial role of impaired TM function in mediating diabetes-associated atherosclerosis.
Protective Effects of Dietary Resveratrol against Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation Mediated through the Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet Mice
Authors: Wang Pan , Ma Yue , Wang Dan , Zhao Wenting , Hu Xiaosong , Chen Fang , Zhao Xiaoyan
Published: May 2022

Resveratrol (RSV), a natural polyphenol, has been shown to exert activity against obesity and related chronic inflammation. However, due to the poor bioavailability of RSV, the mechanisms of RSV against inflammation in obesity models remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the gut bacteria and the anti-inflammation effects of RSV in HFD-fed mice. We found that RSV supplementation reduced fat accumulation and improved systemic inflammation in HFD-fed mice. Meanwhile, RSV attenuated HFD-induced changes in the gut microbiota’s structure, which were associated with inflammatory parameters. A fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment proved that the anti-inflammation effects of RSV largely rely on the gut microbiota. Moreover, the microbiota-genera-changing trend in the FMT experiment was similar to that in the oral RSV-feeding experiment. Thus, these results demonstrate that modulation of the gut bacteria induced by RSV treatment has a therapeutic effect on chronic low-grade inflammation in HFD-fed mice.
Low Serum Vitamin D in COVID-19 Patients Is Not Related to Inflammatory Markers and Patients’ Outcomes—A Single-Center Experience and a Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Huțanu Adina , Georgescu Anca Meda , Voidăzan Septimiu , Andrejkovits Akos Vince , Negrea Valentina , Dobreanu Minodora
Published: May 2022

The aim of the study was to evaluate the vitamin D status in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and the correlation with C reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, fibrinogen, and peripheral blood leukocytes, as well as inflammatory derived indices. A prospective study was performed on 203 COVID-19 hospitalized patients, classified by disease severity. Blood was collected after admission, and inflammatory biomarkers and vitamin D status were assessed using routine laboratory procedures. No significant correlation was found between vitamin D serum levels and disease severity stratified by different age groups. However, the highest vitamin D levels were found in patients with mild disease: median 29.39 (IQR 12.12–44.02) ng/mL, while for moderate and severe forms the serum levels were significantly lower: median 15.10 (IQR 9.56–24.11) ng/mL for moderate, and 18.86 (IQR 12.50–27.88) ng/mL for severe; p = 0.009. Patients with no comorbidities showed a significantly higher level of vitamin D median 24.72 (IQR 16.05–31.52) ng/mL compared to subjects with at least one comorbidity: median 16.02 (IQR 9.81–25.22) ng/mL, p = 0.004. We did not find an association between vitamin D levels and inflammatory biomarkers except for significantly lower vitamin D levels in moderate and severe COVID-19 compared to mild disease forms.
Japanese-Style Diet and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Shirota Masayuki , Watanabe Norikazu , Suzuki Masataka , Kobori Masuko
Published: May 2022

This systematic review and meta-analysis elucidate the effects of the Japanese-style diet and characteristic Japanese foods on the mortality risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), and heart disease (HD). This review article followed the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search in PubMed, The Cochrane Library, JDreamIII, and ICHUSHI Web identified prospective cohort studies on Japanese people published till July 2020. The meta-analysis used a random-effects model, and heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated with I2 statistic and Egger’s test, respectively. Based on inclusion criteria, we extracted 58 articles, including 9 on the Japanese-style diet (n = 469,190) and 49 (n = 2,668,238) on characteristic Japanese foods. With higher adherence to the Japanese-style diet, the pooled risk ratios (RRs) for CVD, stroke, heart disease/ischemic heart disease combined (HD/IHD) mortality were 0.83 (95% CI, 0.77–0.89, I2 = 58%, Egger’s test: p = 0.625, n = 9 studies), 0.80 (95% CI, 0.69–0.93, I2 = 66%, Egger’s test: p = 0.602, n = 6 studies), and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.75–0.88, I2 = 0%, Egger’s test: p = 0.544, n = 6 studies), respectively. Increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, fish, green tea, and milk and dairy products decreased the RR for CVD, stroke, or HD mortality. Increased salt consumption elevated the RR for CVD and stroke mortality. Increased consumption of dietary fiber and plant-derived protein decreased the RR for CVD, stroke, and HD/IHD mortality. The Japanese-style diet and characteristic Japanese foods may reduce CVD mortality. Most studies conducted diet surveys between 1980 and the 1990s. This meta-analysis used articles that evaluated the same cohort study by a different method. A new large-scale cohort study matching the current Japanese dietary habits is needed to confirm these findings.
Isotopic Radiolabeling of the Antiretroviral Drug [18F]Dolutegravir for Pharmacokinetic PET Imaging
Authors: Tisseraud Marion , Goutal Sébastien , Bonasera Thomas , Goislard Maud , Desjardins Delphine , Le Grand Roger , Parry Chris M. , Tournier Nicolas , Kuhnast Bertrand , Caillé Fabien
Published: May 2022

Deciphering the drug/virus/host interactions at infected cell reservoirs is a key leading to HIV-1 remission for which positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using radiolabeled antiretroviral (ARV) drugs is a powerful asset. Dolutegravir (DTG) is one of the preferred therapeutic options to treat HIV and can be isotopically labeled with fluorine-18. [18F]DTG was synthesized via a three-step approach of radiofluorination/nitrile reduction/peptide coupling with optimization for each step. Radiofluorination was performed on 2-fluoro-4-nitrobenzonitrile in 90% conversion followed by nitrile reduction using sodium borohydride and aqueous nickel(II) chloride with 72% conversion. Final peptide coupling reaction followed by HPLC purification and formulation afforded ready-to-inject [18F]DTG in 5.1 ± 0.8% (n = 10) decay-corrected radiochemical yield within 95 min. The whole process was automatized using a TRACERlab® FX NPro module, and quality control performed by analytical HPLC showed that [18F]DTG was suitable for in vivo injection with >99% chemical and radiochemical purity and a molar activity of 83 ± 18 GBq/µmol (n = 10). Whole-body distribution of [18F]DTG was performed by PET imaging on a healthy macaque and highlighted the elimination routes of the tracer. This study demonstrated the feasibility of in vivo [18F]DTG PET imaging and paved the way to explore drug/virus/tissues interactions in animals and humans.
Synthesis and Antioxidant/Anti-Inflammatory Activity of 3-Arylphthalides
Authors: Ortega María J. , Parra-Torrejón Belén , Cano-Cano Fátima , Gómez-Jaramillo Laura , González-Montelongo M. Carmen , Zubía Eva
Published: May 2022

Phthalides are a group of compounds with relevant biological activities in different areas such as cytotoxicity, anti-stroke activity, neuroprotection, and inflammation, among others. In this study we designed and synthesized a series of 3-arylphthalide derivatives in order to identify their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The synthetic methodology was established in terms of atom and step economy through a dehydrative coupling reaction between 3-hydroxyphthalide and different properly functionalized arene rings. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity was performed by the ABTS assay and for the anti-inflammatory activity the inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in microglial cells Bv.2 and macrophage cells RAW 264.7 was measured. The synthesized compound 3-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)phthalide (5a) showed better antioxidant activity than the Trolox standard and caused strong inhibition of NO production in LPS-stimulated Bv.2 and RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, compound 5a reduced the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines Il1b and Il6 in RAW 264.7 cells. These results, which are the first account of the anti-inflammatory activity of 3-arylphthalides, suggest that compound 5a could be a promising candidate for more advanced anti-inflammatory studies.
Indirect SPECT Imaging Evaluation for Possible Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery Using a Compound with Poor Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability in Mice
Authors: Mizutani Asuka , Kobayashi Masato , Ohuchi Makoto , Sasaki Keita , Muranaka Yuka , Torikai Yusuke , Fukakusa Shota , Suzuki Chie , Nishii Ryuichi , Haruta Shunji , Magata Yasuhiro , Kawai Keiichi
Published: May 2022

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging using intravenous radioactive ligand administration to indirectly evaluate the time-dependent effect of intranasal drugs with poor blood-brain barrier permeability on brain drug distributions in mice was evaluated. The biodistribution was examined using domperidone, a dopamine D2 receptor ligand, as the model drug, with intranasal administration at 0, 15, or 30 min before intravenous [123I]IBZM administration. In the striatum, [123I]IBZM accumulation was significantly lower after intranasal (IN) domperidone administration than in controls 15 min after intravenous [125I]IBZM administration. [123I]IBZM SPECT was acquired with intravenous (IV) or IN domperidone administration 15 min before [123I]IBZM, and time–activity curves were obtained. In the striatum, [123I]IBZM accumulation was clearly lower in the IN group than in the control and IV groups. Time–activity curves showed no significant difference between the control and IV groups in the striatum, and values were significantly lowest during the first 10 min in the IN group. In the IN group, binding potential and % of receptor occupancy were significantly lower and higher, respectively, compared to the control and IV groups. Thus, brain-migrated domperidone inhibited D2R binding of [123I]IBZM. SPECT imaging is suitable for research to indirectly explore nose-to-brain drug delivery and locus-specific biological distribution.
Formulation and Evaluation of SNEDDS Loaded with Original Lipophenol for the Oral Route to Prevent Dry AMD and Stragardt’s Disease
Authors: Vincent Maxime , Simon Laurianne , Brabet Philippe , Legrand Philippe , Dorandeu Christophe , Him Josephine Lai Kee , Durand Thierry , Crauste Céline , Begu Sylvie
Published: May 2022

Dry age-related macular degeneration (Dry AMD) and Stargardt’s disease (STGD1) are common eye diseases, characterized by oxidative and carbonyl stress (COS)-inducing photoreceptor degeneration and vision loss. Previous studies have demonstrated the protective effect of photoreceptors after the intravenous administration of a new lipophenol drug, phloroglucinol-isopropyl-DHA (IP-DHA). In this study, we developed an oral formulation of IP-DHA (BCS Class IV) relying on a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS). SNEDDS, composed of Phosal® 53 MCT, Labrasol®, and Transcutol HP® at a ratio of 25/60/15 (w/w/w), led to a homogeneous nanoemulsion (NE) with a mean size of 53.5 ± 4.5 nm. The loading of IP-DHA in SNEDDS (SNEDDS-IP-DHA) was successful, with a percentage of IP-DHA of 99.7% in nanoemulsions. The in vivo study of the therapeutic potency of SNEDDS-IP-DHA after oral administration on mice demonstrated photoreceptor protection after the induction of retinal degeneration with acute light stress (73–80%) or chronic light stress (52–69%). Thus, SNEDDS formulation proved to increase the solubility of IP-DHA, improving its stability in intestinal media and allowing its passage through the intestinal barrier after oral force-fed administration, while maintaining its biological activity. Therefore, SNEDDS-IP-DHA is a promising future preventive treatment for dry AMD and STGD1.
Sex Differences in Intestinal P-Glycoprotein Expression in Wistar versus Sprague Dawley Rats
Authors: Madla Christine M. , Qin Yujia , Gavins Francesca K. H. , Liu Jing , Dou Liu , Orlu Mine , Murdan Sudaxshina , Mai Yang , Basit Abdul W.
Published: May 2022

Wistar and Sprague Dawley are the most common strains of rat used in pharmaceutical research and are used interchangeably in pre-clinical drug development. No studies have assessed whether Wistar and Sprague Dawley rats are equivalent in the gastrointestinal factors that influence oral drug absorption, specifically in relation to intestinal transporters. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) are two reliable methods for quantifying intestinal protein levels with their own distinct advantages and limitations. In this study, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a key efflux transporter, was quantified using ELISA and LC-MS/MS along the complete intestinal tract of male and female Wistar and Sprague Dawley rats. This work presents that Sprague Dawley rats have innately higher baseline P-gp expression than Wistar rats. Significant sex differences in P-gp expression were identified in the jejunum, ileum and colon between male and female Wistar rats using both techniques, with males exhibiting higher P-gp levels. Sprague Dawley rats showed no sex differences in P-gp expression through ELISA and LC-MS/MS. Both methods demonstrated similar trends for P-gp quantification, but ELISA could offer faster data acquisition. Our findings report significant sex differences between the strains and highlight that Wistar and Sprague Dawley rats are not equivalent in their P-gp expression. As humans exhibit distinct sex differences in intestinal P-gp levels, Wistar rats may therefore be a more suitable pre-clinical animal strain to model oral drug absorption of P-gp substrates in male and female subjects.
Endoscopic OCT Angiography Using Clinical Proximal-End Scanning Catheters
Authors: Yao Lin , Zhou Yuan , Liu Kaiyuan , Yin Xiaoting , Deng Xiaofeng , Ding Zhihua , Li Peng
Published: May 2022

Endoscopic optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a promising modality to inspect the microvasculature of inner organs in the early-stage tumor diagnosis. However, an endoscopic clinical proximal-end scanning catheter has limited flow imaging capability due to the nonuniform rotational distortion (NURD) and physiological motion. In this study, a combined local and global (CLG) optical flow algorithm was used to estimate the motion vectors caused by NURD and physiological motion. The motion vectors were used to bicubic-interpolation-resample the OCT structure to ensure that the circumferential pixels were equally spaced in the space domain. Then, angiograms were computed based on the statistical relation between inverse SNR (iSNR) and amplitude decorrelation (IDa), termed as IDa-OCTA. Finally, the ability of this technique for endoscopic OCTA imaging was demonstrated by flow phantom experiments and human nailfold capillary imaging.
Crataegus oxyacantha Extract as a Biostimulant to Enhance Tolerance to Salinity in Tomato Plants
Authors: Naboulsi Imane , Ben Mrid Reda , Ennoury Abdelhamid , Zouaoui Zakia , Nhiri Mohamed , Ben Bakrim Widad , Yasri Abdelaziz , Aboulmouhajir Aziz
Published: May 2022

Salinity is a severe abiotic problem that has harmful impacts on agriculture. Recently, biostimulants were defined as bioprotectant materials that promote plant growth and improve productivity under various stress conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of Crataegus oxyacantha extract as a biostimulant on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) grown under salt stress. Concentrations of 20 mg/L, 30 mg/L, and 70 mg/L of C. oxyacantha extract were applied to tomato plants that were grown under salt stress. The results indicated that plants that were treated with C. oxyacantha extract had a higher ability to tolerate salt stress, as demonstrated by a significant (p < 0.05) increase in plant growth and photosynthetic pigment contents, in addition to a significant increase in tomato soluble sugars and amino acids compared to the control plants. In the stressed tomato plants, malondialdehyde increased and then decreased significantly with the different concentrations of C. oxyacantha extract. Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GR) in the stressed plants, especially after treatment with 70 mg/L of the extract. Overall, our results suggest that C. oxyacantha extract could be a promising biostimulant for treating tomato plants under salinity stress.
Effects of Mixing Ratio of Hybrid Carbonaceous Fillers on Thermal Conductivity and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Matrix Composites
Authors: Kim Kwan-Woo , Han Woong , Kim Byung-Joo
Published: May 2022

This study investigated the effects of carbon fibers and graphite flakes on the composite materials’ heat dissipation properties and mechanical strength with various hybrid ratios in the matrix. Carbon fibers and graphite flakes with high thermal conductivity showed efficiency in heat dissipation performance, and mechanical strength was reinforced by carbon fiber. However, the heat dissipation performance and mechanical strength were greatly changed according to the mixing ratio. The optimal filler mixing ratio was derived for inducing the enhanced physical properties of the composites reinforced by hybrid fillers with different shapes.
Studies on Intermolecular Interaction of N-Glycidyltrimethyl Ammonium Chloride Modified Chitosan/N,N-Dimethyl-N-dodecyl-N-(2,3-epoxy propyl) Ammonium Chloride and Curcumin Delivery
Authors: Zhang Cangheng , Li Yan , Xing Shu , Yang Xiaodeng , Zhao Jinrong , Dong Qiaoyan
Published: May 2022

Chitosan has potential applications in many fields, due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability and reproducibility. However, the insolubility in water restricts its wide application. In order to expand the application of chitosan in the delivery of oil-soluble drugs and improve the efficacy of oil-soluble drugs, N-Glycidyltrimethyl ammonium chloride-modified chitosan (GTA-m-CS) and N,N-Dimethyl-N-dodecyl-N-(1,2-epoxy propyl) ammonium chloride (DDEAC), a kind of reactive surfactant, were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, NMR and XRD methods. The interactions between GTA-m-CS and DDEAC was studied by surface tension, viscosity, conductivity and fluorescence methods. The parameters, including equilibrium surface tension, critical micelle concentrations of DDEAC with different GTA-m-CS concentration, critical aggregation concentration of DDEAC, the amount of DDEAC adsorbed on GTA-m-CS, pc20 and πcmc were obtained from the surface tension curves. The influence of temperature on the above parameters were evaluated. The degree of counterion binding to micelle and the thermodynamic parameters of the system were calculated from the conductivity curves. According to the change of conductivity with temperature, the thermodynamic parameters of micellar formation were calculated. The aggregation number of DDEAC molecules in GTA-m-CS/DDEAC aggregates were calculated from steady-state fluorescence data. Based on the experimental results, the interaction models between GTA-m-CS and DDEAC were proposed. The GTA-m-CS/DDEAC aggregates could be used as curcumin carries, and achieved sustained release.
Ceramifiable Silicone Rubber Composites with Enhanced Self-Supporting and Ceramifiable Properties
Authors: Zhao Dong , Kong Lingcheng , Wang Jiaxin , Jiang Guodong , Zhang Jun , Shen Yucai , Wang Tingwei
Published: May 2022

Ceramifiable silicone rubber (SR) composites with excellent self-supporting properties and ceramifiable properties were prepared by incorporating silicate glass frits (SGFs) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) into the SR. Ceramic residues were obtained by firing ceramifiable SR composites at 700, 850, and 1000 °C for 30 min. The bending angles of the composites were tested for evaluating the self-supporting property. To evaluate the ceramifiable properties of the ceramifiable SR composite, flexural strength, water absorption, and bulk density of its residues were tested. It was found that the addition of STPP improved the shape stability and the self-supporting property of the composites at high temperatures. The flexural strength of the ceramic residue of the composite with STPP firing above 850 °C is more than 5 MPa. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that the relative content of the crystalline phase was enhanced by about 25% due to the addition of STPP. Furthermore, a possible mechanism for the formation of the crystalline phase was proposed. Scanning elector microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) analysis demonstrated that with the temperature increase, the inter-infiltration between these melts became easier, which implies that the bulk density of the ceramic residue was improved.
Validity of Dual-Minima Algorithm for Heel-Strike and Toe-Off Prediction for the Amputee Population
Authors: Aftab Zohaib , Ahmed Gulraiz
Published: May 2022

Assessment of gait deficits relies on accurate gait segmentation based on the key gait events of heel strike (HS) and toe-off (TO). Kinematics-based estimation of gait events has shown promise in this regard, especially using the leg velocity signal and gyroscopic sensors. However, its validation for the amputee population is not established in the literature. The goal of this study is to assess the accuracy of lower-leg angular velocity signal in determining the TO and HS instants for the amputee population. An open data set containing marker data of 10 subjects with unilateral transfemoral amputation during treadmill walking was used. A rule-based dual-minima algorithm was developed to detect the landmarks in the shank velocity signal indicating TO and HS events. The predictions were compared against the force platform data for 2595 walking cycles from 239 walking trials. The results showed considerable accuracy for the HS with a median error of −1 ms. The TO prediction error was larger with the median ranging from 35–84 ms. The algorithm consistently predicted the TO earlier than the actual event. Significant differences were found between the prediction accuracy for the sound and prosthetic legs. The prediction accuracy was also affected by the subjects’ mobility level (K-level) but was largely unaffected by gait speed. In conclusion, the leg velocity profile during walking can predict the heel-strike and toe-off events for the transfemoral amputee population with varying degrees of accuracy depending upon the leg side and the amputee’s functional ability level.
Cloud-Based Monitoring and Evaluation of the Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Southeast Asia’s Mangroves Using Deep Learning
Authors: Lomeo Davide , Singh Minerva
Published: May 2022

This paper proposes a cloud-based mangrove monitoring framework that uses Google Collaboratory and Google Earth Engine to classify mangroves in Southeast Asia (SEA) using satellite remote sensing imagery (SRSI). Three multi-class classification convolutional neural network (CNN) models were generated, showing F1-score values as high as 0.9 in only six epochs of training. Mangrove forests are tropical and subtropical environments that provide essential ecosystem services to local biota and coastal communities and are considered the most efficient vegetative carbon stock globally. Despite their importance, mangrove forest cover continues to decline worldwide, especially in SEA. Scientists have produced monitoring tools based on SRSI and CNNs to identify deforestation hotspots and drive targeted interventions. Nevertheless, although CNNs excel in distinguishing between different landcover types, their greatest limitation remains the need for significant computing power to operate. This may not always be feasible, especially in developing countries. The proposed framework is believed to provide a robust, low-cost, cloud-based, near-real-time monitoring tool that could serve governments, environmental agencies, and researchers, to help map mangroves in SEA.
Laboratory Observations of Preferential Flow Paths in Snow Using Upward-Looking Polarimetric Radar and Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Donahue Christopher , Hammonds Kevin
Published: May 2022

The infiltration of liquid water in a seasonal snowpack is a complex process that consists of two primary mechanisms: a semi-uniform melting front, or matrix flow, and heterogeneous preferential flow paths. Distinguishing between these two mechanisms is important for monitoring snow melt progression, which is relevant for hydrology and avalanche forecasting. It has been demonstrated that a single co-polarized upward-looking radar can be used to track matrix flow, whereas preferential flow paths have yet to be detected. Here, from within a controlled laboratory environment, a continuous polarimetric upward-looking C-band radar was used to monitor melting snow samples to determine if cross-polarized radar returns are sensitive to the presence and development of preferential flow paths. The experimental dataset consisted of six samples, for which the melting process was interrupted at increasing stages of preferential flow path development. Using a new serial-section hyperspectral imaging method, polarimetric radar returns were compared against the three-dimensional liquid water content distribution and preferential flow path morphology. It was observed that the cross-polarized signal increased by 13.1 dB across these experiments. This comparison showed that the metrics used to characterize the flow path morphology are related to the increase in cross-polarized radar returns spanning the six samples, indicating that the upward-looking polarimetric radar has potential to identify preferential flow paths.
Multi-Temporal Satellite Image Composites in Google Earth Engine for Improved Landslide Visibility: A Case Study of a Glacial Landscape
Authors: Lindsay Erin , Frauenfelder Regula , Rüther Denise , Nava Lorenzo , Rubensdotter Lena , Strout James , Nordal Steinar
Published: May 2022

Regional early warning systems for landslides rely on historic data to forecast future events and to verify and improve alarms. However, databases of landslide events are often spatially biased towards roads or other infrastructure, with few reported in remote areas. In this study, we demonstrate how Google Earth Engine can be used to create multi-temporal change detection image composites with freely available Sentinel-1 and -2 satellite images, in order to improve landslide visibility and facilitate landslide detection. First, multispectral Sentinel-2 images were used to map landslides triggered by a summer rainstorm in Jølster (Norway), based on changes in the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) between pre- and post-event images. Pre- and post-event multi-temporal images were then created by reducing across all available images within one month before and after the landslide events, from which final change detection image composites were produced. We used the mean of backscatter intensity in co- (VV) and cross-polarisations (VH) for Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and maximum NDVI for Sentinel-2. The NDVI-based mapping increased the number of registered events from 14 to 120, while spatial bias was decreased, from 100% of events located within 500 m of a road to 30% close to roads in the new inventory. Of the 120 landslides, 43% were also detectable in the multi-temporal SAR image composite in VV polarisation, while only the east-facing landslides were clearly visible in VH. Noise, from clouds and agriculture in Sentinel-2, and speckle in Sentinel-1, was reduced using the multi-temporal composite approaches, improving landslide visibility without compromising spatial resolution. Our results indicate that manual or automated landslide detection could be significantly improved with multi-temporal image composites using freely available earth observation images and Google Earth Engine, with valuable potential for improving spatial bias in landslide inventories. Using the multi-temporal satellite image composites, we observed significant improvements in landslide visibility in Jølster, compared with conventional bi-temporal change detection methods, and applied this for the first time using VV-polarised SAR data. The GEE scripts allow this procedure to be quickly repeated in new areas, which can be helpful for reducing spatial bias in landslide databases.