bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tricin Biosynthesis and Bioengineering
Authors: Lam Pui Ying , Lui Andy C. W. , Wang Lanxiang , Liu Hongjia , Umezawa Toshiaki , Tobimatsu Yuki , Lo Clive
Published: August 2021

Tricin (3',5'-dimethoxyflavone) is a specialized metabolite which not only confers stress tolerance and involves in defense responses in plants but also represents a promising nutraceutical. Tricin-type metabolites are widely present as soluble tricin O-glycosides and tricin-oligolignols in all grass species examined, but only show patchy occurrences in unrelated lineages in dicots. More strikingly, tricin is a lignin monomer in grasses and several other angiosperm species, representing one of the “non-monolignol” lignin monomers identified in nature. The unique biological functions of tricin especially as a lignin monomer have driven the identification and characterization of tricin biosynthetic enzymes in the past decade. This review summarizes the current understanding of tricin biosynthetic pathway in grasses and tricin-accumulating dicots. The characterized and potential enzymes involved in tricin biosynthesis are highlighted along with discussion on the debatable and uncharacterized steps. Finally, current developments of bioengineering on manipulating tricin biosynthesis toward the generation of functional food as well as modifications of lignin for improving biorefinery applications are summarized.
Work Stress Hampering Employee Performance During COVID-19: Is Safety Culture Needed?
Authors: Saleem Farida , Malik Muhammad Imran , Qureshi Saiqa Saddiqa
Published: August 2021

During uncertain situations, such as the COVID-19 partial lockdown, maintaining satisfactory levels of employee performance (EP) is an important area of concern for many organizations. The current study examines the relationship of work stress due to COVID-19 (COVID-19 STR) and EP. Using social exchange theory (SET), safety culture (SC) is presented as a moderator for stress and performance relationships. A sample of 213 bank employees was collected using a convenient sampling method. Data were analyzed using stepwise linear regression and PROCESS Macro by Hayes (2013). Results revealed that COVID-19 STR has a negative impact on task and contextual performance (CP) and a positive impact on adaptive performance (AP). Similarly, the prevalence of SC significantly moderates the stress and performance relationships.
Leader Forgiveness and Employee’s Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior: The Roles of Gratitude and Moral Identity
Authors: Lu Lu , Huang Yuchu , Luo Jia
Published: August 2021

Leader forgiveness refers to the abandonment of anger, resentment, and the desire to revenge against the offender, and it not only means forgiving errors or mistakes made by employees, but also means empathizing and understanding employees, and to see things from another point of view. This research examines the possible “dark side” of leader forgiveness by examining its influence on employee’s unethical pro-organizational behavior, as well as the mediating effect of gratitude and the moderating effect of moral identity. We used questionnaire survey methodology to collect data from 263 Chinese employees to test our hypotheses. Results show that leader forgiveness had a positive influence on employee’s unethical pro-organizational behavior, and gratitude mediated the influence of leader forgiveness on unethical pro-organizational behavior. The relationship between gratitude and unethical pro-organizational behavior, and the indirect influence of leader forgiveness on unethical pro-organizational behavior through gratitude, were moderated by moral identity. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Advanced Research in Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Co-infection With Other Pathogens in Swine
Authors: Zhao Dengshuai , Yang Bo , Yuan Xingguo , Shen Chaochao , Zhang Dajun , Shi Xijuan , Zhang Ting , Cui Huimei , Yang Jinke , Chen Xuehui , Hao Yu , Zheng Haixue , Zhang Keshan , Liu Xiangtao
Published: August 2021

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is the pathogen causing epidemics of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and is present in every major swine-farming country in the world. Previous studies have demonstrated that PRRSV infection leads to a range of consequences, such as persistent infection, secondary infection, and co-infection, and is common among pigs in the field. In recent years, coinfection of PRRSV and other porcine pathogens has occurred often, making it more difficult to define and diagnose PRRSV-related diseases. The study of coinfections may be extremely suitable for the current prevention and control in the field. However, there is a limited understanding of coinfection. Therefore, in this review, we have focused on the epidemiology of PRRSV coinfection with other pathogens in swine, both in vivo and in vitro.
Overexpression of the adeB Efflux Pump Gene in Tigecycline-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates and Its Inhibition by (+)Usnic Acid as an Adjuvant
Authors: Bankan Nagaraju , Koka Fathimunnisa , Vijayaraghavan Rajagopalan , Basireddy Sreekanth Reddy , Jayaraman Selvaraj
Published: August 2021

Acinetobacter species are among the most life-threatening Gram-negative bacilli, causing hospital-acquired infections, and they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. They show multidrug resistance that acts via various mechanisms. In Acinetobacter baumannii, efflux pump-mediated resistance to many antimicrobial compounds, including tigecycline, has been widely reported. Natural compounds have been used for their various pharmacological properties, including anti-efflux pump activity. The present study aimed to evaluate the efflux pump-mediated resistance mechanism of Acinetobacter baumannii and the effect of (+)Usnic acid as an efflux pump inhibitor with tigecycline. For detecting the efflux pump activity of tigecycline-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, microbroth dilution method and real-time quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was used. (+)Usnic acid was added to tigecycline and tested by the checkerboard method to evaluate its efficacy as an efflux pump inhibitor. qRT-PCR analysis was carried out to show the downregulation of the efflux pump in the isolates. Out of 42 tigecycline-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, 19 showed efflux pump activity. All 19 strains expressed the adeB gene. (+)Usnic acid as an adjuvant showed better efficacy in lowering the minimum inhibitory concentration compared with the conventional efflux pump inhibitor, carbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone.
Characterisation of Early Positive mcr-1 Resistance Gene and Plasmidome in Escherichia coli Pathogenic Strains Associated with Variable Phylogroups under Colistin Selection
Authors: Macori Guerrino , Nguyen Scott V. , Naithani Ankita , Hurley Daniel , Bai Li , El Garch Farid , Woehrlé Frédérique , Miossec Christine , Roques Benjamin , O’Gaora Peadar , Bono James L. , Fanning Séamus
Published: August 2021

An antibiotic susceptibility monitoring programme was conducted from 2004 to 2010, resulting in a collection of 143 Escherichia coli cultured from bovine faecal samples (diarrhoea) and milk-aliquots (mastitis). The isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and were distributed in phylogroups A, B1, B2, C, D, E, and G with no correlation for particular genotypes with pathotypes. In fact, the population structure showed that the strains belonging to the different phylogroups matched broadly to ST complexes; however, the isolates are randomly associated with the diseases, highlighting the necessity to investigate the virulence factors more accurately in order to identify the mechanisms by which they cause disease. The antimicrobial resistance was assessed phenotypically, confirming the genomic prediction on three isolates that were resistant to colistin, although one isolate was positive for the presence of the gene mcr-1 but susceptible to colistin. To further characterise the genomic context, the four strains were sequenced by using a single-molecule long read approach. Genetic analyses indicated that these four isolates harboured complex and diverse plasmids encoding not only antibiotic resistant genes (including mcr-1 and bla) but also virulence genes (siderophore, ColV, T4SS). A detailed description of the plasmids of these four E. coli strains, which are linked to bovine mastitis and diarrhoea, is presented for the first time along with the characterisation of the predicted antibiotic resistance genes. The study highlighted the diversity of incompatibility types encoding complex antibiotic resistance elements such as Tn6330, ISEcp1, Tn6029, and IS5075. The mcr-1 resistance determinant was identified in IncHI2 plasmids pCFS3273-1 and pCFS3292-1, thus providing some of the earliest examples of mcr-1 reported in Europe, and these sequences may be a representative of the early mcr-1 plasmidome characterisation in the EU/EEA.
Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Associated Phenotypes in Escherichia coli and Enterococcus from Cattle at Different Production Stages on a Dairy Farm in Central California
Authors: Jeamsripong Saharuetai , Li Xunde , Aly Sharif S. , Su Zhengchang , Pereira Richard V. , Atwill Edward R.
Published: August 2021

The objectives of this study were to characterize overall genomic antibiotic resistance profiles of fecal Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. from dairy cattle at different production stages using whole-genome sequencing and to determine the association between antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes and their corresponding genotypes. The Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) and ResFinder, two publicly available databases of antimicrobial resistance genes, were used to annotate isolates. Based on the ResFinder database, 27.5% and 20.0% of tested E. coli isolates (n = 40) harbored single and ≥3 antimicrobial resistance genes, respectively; for Enterococcus spp., we observed 87.8% and 8.2%, respectively. The highest prevalence of AMR genes in E. coli was for resistance to tetracycline (27.5%), followed by sulphonamide (22.5%) and aminoglycoside (20.0%); the predominant antimicrobial resistance genes in Enterococcus spp. targeted macrolide drugs (77.6%). Based on the CARD database, resistance to ≥3 antimicrobial classes was observed in all E. coli and 77.6% in Enterococcus spp. isolates. A high degree of agreement existed between the resistance phenotype and the presence of resistance genes for various antimicrobial classes for E. coli but much less so for isolates of Enterococcus. Consistent with prior work, fecal E. coli and Enterococcus spp. isolates from calves harbored a wide spectrum of resistance genes, compared to those from cattle at other production stages, based on the cross-sectional samples from the studied farm.
Effects of Carissa carandas Linn. Fruit, Pulp, Leaf, and Seed on Oxidation, Inflammation, Tyrosinase, Matrix Metalloproteinase, Elastase, and Hyaluronidase Inhibition
Authors: Neimkhum Waranya , Anuchapreeda Songyot , Lin Wei-Chao , Lue Shang-Chian , Lee Kuan-Han , Chaiyana Wantida
Published: August 2021

In this study, the potential of Carissa carandas Linn. as a natural anti-aging, antioxidant, and skin whitening agent was studied. Various parts of C. carandas, including fruit, leaf, seed, and pulp were sequentially extracted by maceration using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography, Folin–Ciocalteu, and Dowd method were used to investigate their chemical compositions. The inhibitory activities of oxidation process, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase were analyzed. Cytotoxicity was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay in a human epidermal keratinocyte line (HaCaT). The results exhibited that ethyl acetate could extract the most ursolic acid from C. carandas, while ethanol could extract the most phenolics and flavonoids. The leaf extract had the highest content of ursolic acid, phenolics, and flavonoids. The leaf extracted with ethyl acetate (AL) had the highest ursolic acid content (411.8 mg/g extract) and inhibited MMP-1, NF-kappa B, and tyrosinase activity the most. Ursolic acid has been proposed as a key component in these biological activities. Although several C. carandas extracts are beneficial to human skin, AL has been proposed for use in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals due to its superior anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammation, and whitening properties.
Alveolar Nitric Oxide as a Biomarker of COVID-19 Lung Sequelae: A Pivotal Study
Authors: Cameli Paolo , Bargagli Elena , Bergantini Laura , d’Alessandro Miriana , Giugno Bruna , Gentili Francesco , Sestini Piersante
Published: August 2021

Since SARS-CoV-2 emerged in 2019, strict monitoring of post-COVID-19 patients in order to ensure the early detection of sequelae and/or chronic organ damage that could been associated with the infection has been essential. Potential involvement of the NO pathway in the development of post-COVID-19 lung fibrotic alterations is feasible, since the majority of respiratory cells can produce NO, and fractional exhaled NO (FeNO) represents a biomarker of airway inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential utility of multiple-flow FeNO parameters in a post-COVID-19 population and to compare it with other indicators of lung damage proposed in the literature. We enrolled 20 patients hospitalized for COVID-19, who underwent clinical, respiratory functional (including PFTs and FeNO) and radiological follow-up after discharge. Compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls, post-COVID-19 patients showed significantly higher FeNO 350 mL/s and CaNO levels. Moreover, among the parameters included in the follow-up, CaNO showed the best accuracy in indicating predominant fibrotic changes and GGO at CT scan. To our knowledge, this preliminary study has investigated for the first time multiple-flow FeNO parameters in a post-COVID-19 population. The evidence of increased CaNO values may imply the persistence of alveolar and bronchiolar inflammation and/or a mild impairment of the alveolar-capillary membrane in these patients.
Dual-Specificity Phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) Has a Central Role in Redox Homeostasis and Inflammation in the Mouse Cochlea
Authors: Bermúdez-Muñoz Jose M. , Celaya Adelaida M. , García-Mato Ángela , Muñoz-Espín Daniel , Rodríguez-de la Rosa Lourdes , Serrano Manuel , Varela-Nieto Isabel
Published: August 2021

Stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK) are associated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) of multiple etiologies. Their activity is tightly regulated by dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), whose loss of function leads to sustained SAPK activation. Dusp1 gene knockout in mice accelerates SNHL progression and triggers inflammation, redox imbalance and hair cell (HC) death. To better understand the link between inflammation and redox imbalance, we analyzed the cochlear transcriptome in Dusp1−/− mice. RNA sequencing analysis (GSE176114) indicated that Dusp1−/− cochleae can be defined by a distinct profile of key cellular expression programs, including genes of the inflammatory response and glutathione (GSH) metabolism. To dissociate the two components, we treated Dusp1−/− mice with N-acetylcysteine, and hearing was followed-up longitudinally by auditory brainstem response recordings. A combination of immunofluorescence, Western blotting, enzymatic activity, GSH levels measurements and RT-qPCR techniques were used. N-acetylcysteine treatment delayed the onset of SNHL and mitigated cochlear damage, with fewer TUNEL+ HC and lower numbers of spiral ganglion neurons with p-H2AX foci. N-acetylcysteine not only improved the redox balance in Dusp1−/− mice but also inhibited cytokine production and reduced macrophage recruitment. Our data point to a critical role for DUSP1 in controlling the cross-talk between oxidative stress and inflammation.
Serum Bilirubin Levels in Overweight and Obese Individuals: The Importance of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Responses
Authors: Žiberna Lovro , Jenko-Pražnikar Zala , Petelin Ana
Published: August 2021

Obesity is a chronic condition involving low-grade inflammation and increased oxidative stress; thus, obese and overweight people have lower values of serum bilirubin. Essentially, bilirubin is a potent endogenous antioxidant molecule with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antithrombotic, and endocrine properties. This review paper presents the interplay between obesity-related pathological processes and bilirubin, with a focus on adipose tissue and adipokines. We discuss potential strategies to mildly increase serum bilirubin levels in obese patients as an adjunctive therapeutic approach.
Regression Modeling of the Antioxidant-to-Nephroprotective Relation Shows the Pivotal Role of Oxidative Stress in Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity
Authors: Casanova Alfredo G. , Harvat Mykola , Vicente-Vicente Laura , Pellicer-Valero Óscar J. , Morales Ana I. , López-Hernández Francisco J. , Martín-Guerrero José D.
Published: August 2021

The clinical utility of the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin is significantly limited by its nephrotoxicity, which is characterized by electrolytic disorders, glomerular filtration rate decline, and azotemia. These alterations are consequences of a primary tubulopathy causing injury to proximal and distal epithelial cells, and thus tubular dysfunction. Oxidative stress plays a role in cisplatin nephrotoxicity and cytotoxicity, but its relative contribution to overall toxicity remains unknown. We studied the relation between the degree of oxidative reduction (provided by antioxidant treatment) and the extent of nephrotoxicity amelioration (i.e., nephroprotection) by means of a regression analysis of studies in animal models. Our results indicate that a linear relation exists between these two parameters, and that this relation very nearly crosses the value of maximal nephroprotection at maximal antioxidant effect, suggesting that oxidative stress seems to be a pivotal and mandatory mechanism of cisplatin nephrotoxicity, and, hence, an interesting, rationale-based target for clinical use. Our model also serves to identify antioxidants with enhanced effectiveness by comparing their actual nephroprotective power with that predicted by their antioxidant effect. Among those, this study identified nanoceria, erythropoietin, and maltol as highly effective candidates affording more nephroprotection than expected from their antioxidant effect for prospective clinical development.
Exploiting Food-Grade Mesoporous Silica to Preserve the Antioxidant Properties of Fresh Olive Mill Wastewaters Phenolic Extracts
Authors: Ianni Federica , Gagliardi Andrea , Taticchi Agnese , Servili Maurizio , Pinna Nicola , Schoubben Aurélie , Sardella Roccaldo , Bruscoli Stefano
Published: August 2021

Fresh olive mill wastewaters phenolic extracts are of great interest as preservatives or fortifying ingredients but are characterized by limited stability. The purpose of this study was to use mesoporous silica to enhance their stability and preserve their antioxidant properties. The phenolic extracts were characterized for their composition by HPLC-DAD and included in a mesoporous matrix with or without a lipid coating. The inclusion complexes were characterized in terms of total phenolic content, radical scavenging capacity and in vitro antioxidative activity and cell compatibility. Besides, inclusion complex stability under different storage conditions (22 and 37 °C, 75% relative humidity, 1 month) was evaluated. The inclusion process was nearly quantitative and modified neither the total phenolic content nor the total antioxidant capacity. None of the inclusion complex concentrations assayed on the HT29 cell line showed toxicity. Moreover, HT29 cells treated with the inclusion complex exhibited a significant antioxidant effect, while the lipid coating impaired the antioxidant activity. The complexes without lipid were stable under all the investigated conditions, while the lipid-coated products were less stable under the more drastic conditions. Overall, inclusion complexes in mesoporous silica have suitable characteristics to be used for different applications, including food supplementation.
Evaluation of Tribological Properties of Bearing Materials for Marine Diesel Engines Utilising the Contact Voltage Method
Authors: Wan Biao , Yang Jianguo , Wang Qinghe
Published: August 2021

The contact voltage (CV) method, which can detect miniature failures, has been tested under laboratory conditions to monitor the condition of bearings. In this study, the bearing materials for marine diesel engines, aluminium and copper alloy, were tested on a bearing fatigue wear test bench in the boundary lubrication state, which was found through tests of the different parameters. The frictional torque, the oil film thickness and the bearing temperature were measured, as well as the CV signals. The possibility of using the CV technique to monitor the condition of the bearings was also assessed by evaluating the tribological properties. After 10 h of the test, the aluminium alloy bearing was worn to the alloy layer. Then, the wear-reducing layer on the surface of the bearing slowly peeled off, and the wear was intensified. Due to its higher wear-resisting property, the amount of wear on the copper alloy bearing increased slowly. After 20 h of the fatigue wear test, the aluminium alloy bearing became severely worn, the CV characteristic was up to 81% of the initial value, the bearing temperature increased by 6.3%, and the torque value increased by 32%. This indicates that the CV method is more sensitive to wear failure. Due to better wear resistance, the copper alloy bearing showed only slightly wear and a small increase in its CV value. The main contribution is that the CV method is useful for monitoring the lubricated condition and for evaluating the tribological properties of bearings. This research has laid technical foundations for the engineering of the sliding bearing wear monitoring system based on the CV method.
Ozonized Water Administration in Peri-Implant Mucositis Sites: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Butera Andrea , Gallo Simone , Pascadopoli Maurizio , Luraghi Gabriele , Scribante Andrea
Published: August 2021

Peri-implant mucositis represents an inflammatory lesion of the mucosa surrounding an endosseous implant, without the loss of the supporting peri-implant bone. Considering its reversible nature, every effort should be made to contrast it, thus avoiding the eventual progression towards peri-implantitis. The aim of the present randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of the ozonized water against peri-implant mucositis. A total of 26 patients diagnosed for this latter clinical condition were randomly divided according to the professional oral hygiene protocol performed on the pathological sites at baseline, at T1 (1 month), and T2 (2 months). Group 1 underwent an ozonized water administration (experimental treatment), whereas Group 2 underwent a pure water one (control treatment). Both administrations were performed with the same professional irrigator (Aquolab® professional water jet, Aquolab s.r.l. EB2C S.r.l., Milano, Italy) with no differences in color or taste between the two substances delivered. At each appointment, the following indexes were assessed: the Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Plaque Index (PI), Bleeding on Probing (BoP), and Bleeding Score (BS). As regards intragroup differences, in Group 1 ozonized water significantly and progressively reduced all the clinical indexes tested, except for PI in the period T1–T2, whereas no significant differences occurred within the control group. Despite this, no significant intergroup differences were generally detected between the two treatments. Accordingly, the role of ozone for the management of peri-implant mucositis deserves to be further investigated.
From General Language Understanding to Noisy Text Comprehension
Authors: Kasthuriarachchy Buddhika , Chetty Madhu , Shatte Adrian , Walls Darren
Published: August 2021

Obtaining meaning-rich representations of social media inputs, such as Tweets (unstructured and noisy text), from general-purpose pre-trained language models has become challenging, as these inputs typically deviate from mainstream English usage. The proposed research establishes effective methods for improving the comprehension of noisy texts. For this, we propose a new generic methodology to derive a diverse set of sentence vectors combining and extracting various linguistic characteristics from latent representations of multi-layer, pre-trained language models. Further, we clearly establish how BERT, a state-of-the-art pre-trained language model, comprehends the linguistic attributes of Tweets to identify appropriate sentence representations. Five new probing tasks are developed for Tweets, which can serve as benchmark probing tasks to study noisy text comprehension. Experiments are carried out for classification accuracy by deriving the sentence vectors from GloVe-based pre-trained models and Sentence-BERT, and by using different hidden layers from the BERT model. We show that the initial and middle layers of BERT have better capability for capturing the key linguistic characteristics of noisy texts than its latter layers. With complex predictive models, we further show that the sentence vector length has lesser importance to capture linguistic information, and the proposed sentence vectors for noisy texts perform better than the existing state-of-the-art sentence vectors.
Thermoluminescence Analysis of the Clay Core of Bronze Statues: A Re-Appraisal of the Case Studies of Lupa Capitolina and Other Masterpieces in Rome
Authors: Martini Marco , Galli Anna
Published: August 2021

In this work, we present some new results in applying thermoluminescence (TL) dating to the clay core of bronze statues. This is very important, due to the impossibility of directly dating a metal. Very few cases of indirect dating of clay cores by TL are reported in the literature. We re-considered three cases of dating of clay core from important bronzes in Rome. The parameters to be considered were not easy to calculate in the case of the Lupa Capitolina. However, its traditionally reported Etruscan origin is definitely ruled out, even if the accuracy in the dating is too low to precisely propose a date of the casting. The comparison with radiocarbon results shows good agreement for a Medieval dating. Two other bronze statues were analysed in order to date their casting by TL; a horse from Musei Capitolini resulted to have been cast in the Greek classical period, excluding its casting in the Rome imperial period. A third study shows that, in particularly favourable situations, TL dating of clay core can give rather precise results. This is the case where in the clay core are present materials that behave like good dosimeters, as generally happens in dating ceramics. Furthermore, the possibility of measuring all the parameters influencing the calculation of the dose rate is essential; both the external radiation sources and the radiation reduction by the water content must be taken into account. This was the case of Saint Peter in the Vatican that turned out to be a cast from the beginning of the XIV century.
Development and Validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for Quality Assessment of Oriental Medicine, Dokhwalgisaeng-Tang
Authors: Seo Chang-Seob , Shin Hyeun-Kyoo
Published: August 2021

Dokhwalgisaeng-tang (DHGST) is an herbal medicine formula that is frequently used in the treatment of arthritis in Korea and consists of 16 medicinal herbs. In this study, a simultaneous analysis method for quality assessment of DHGST by universal and widely used high-performance liquid chromatography was developed and validated. Twenty-four marker components were separated on a reverse-phase SunFire C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm, particle size; 5 μm) maintained at 40 °C using a gradient elution of two mobile phase systems (0.1% aqueous formic acid and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile). The developed method was validated via linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, recovery, and precision. Using the developed method, 24 marker components in DHGST were founded at 0.23–14.68 mg/g, and this method will be used as basic data for the quality assessment of DHGST or other herbal medicine prescriptions.
Application of SPRi Biosensors for Determination of 20S Proteasome and UCH-L1 Levels in the Serum and Urine of Transitional Bladder Cancer Patients
Authors: Sankiewicz Anna , Guszcz Tomasz , Gorodkiewicz Ewa
Published: August 2021

The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) participates in the degradation of proteins which play an important role in regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, as well as in the immune system. These processes are important in carcinogenesis. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is one of the predominant types of bladder cancer. The relationship between the ubiquitin–proteasome system and cancer progression has become a topic of increasing interest among researchers. In this work, we propose an application of surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi)-based biosensors for the detection of 20S proteasome and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) in the blood serum and urine of patients with TCC. The aim of the study was to determine 20S proteasome and UCH-L1 concentrations and to correlate the results with clinicopathological parameters. The group of subjects consisted of 82 patients with confirmed TCC, in addition to a control group of 27 healthy volunteers. It was found that 20S proteasome and UCH-L1 concentrations were significantly elevated in both the serum and urine of TCC patients, compared with the healthy subjects. There was a correlation between 20S proteasome concentrations in serum and urine, as well as between serum proteasome and UCH-L1 concentration. The SPRi biosensor sensitive to 20S proteasome using PSI inhibitor as the receptor, and the SPRi biosensor sensitive to the UCH-L1 protein using the protein-specific antibody as the receptor is suitable for the determination of 20S proteasome and UCH-L1 in body fluids and can serve as useful tools in the investigation of cancer biomarkers.
Spatial Controls of Ligamentous Tissue Orientations Using the Additively Manufactured Platforms in an In Vivo Model: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kim Min Guk , Park Chan Ho
Published: August 2021

The periodontal ligaments (PDLs) with specific orientations to tooth-root surfaces play a key role in generating biomechanical responses between the alveolar bone and cementum as a tooth-supporting tissue. However, control of angulations and regeneration of the ligamentous tissues within micron-scaled interfaces remains challenging. To overcome this limitation, this study investigated surface fabrications with microgroove patterns to control orientations of rat PDL cells in vitro and fibrous tissues in vivo. After being harvested, rat PDL cells were cultured and three different microgroove patterns (∠PDL groove = 0°, ∠PDL groove = 45°, and ∠PDL groove = 90°) were created by the digital slicing step in 3D printing. Cell-seeded scaffolds were subcutaneously transplanted at 3 and 6 weeks. In histology images, rat PDL cells were spatially controlled to angularly organize following the microgroove patterns and fibrous tissues were formed in scaffolds with specific angulations, which were reflected by additively manufactured microgroove topographies. Based on the results, specifically characterized surface topographies were significant to directly/indirectly organizing rat PDL cell alignments and fibrous tissue orientations. Therefore, interactions between surface topographies and tissue organizations could be one of the key moderators for the multiple tissue complex (bone-ligament-cementum) neogenesis in periodontal tissue engineering.
Designing of the Tracks and Modeling of the Carrier Arrangement in Square Rotary Braiding Machine
Authors: Shao Guowei , Sun Zhihong , Chen Ge , Zhou Qihong , Wang Zhenxi , Wang Bing
Published: August 2021

This paper describes the splicing of an 8 × 8 484 cross-break track, based on the carrier arrangement characteristics (CAC) method for track splicing technology. The arrangement period of the carrier (T) in the track is obtained in order to discern which slot has a carrier in a period and which one does not. Six basic types of track unit are deconstructed, and a mathematical model is established to determine the possible state of the carrier in each slot of the track unit. Finally, the specific pattern of the carrier arrangement in the 484 cross-break track unit is obtained and verified using a three-dimensional (3D) rotary braiding machine with a square track disc. This provides a reference for solving the carrier arrangement of a 3D square rotary braiding machine.
Online Foot Location Planning for Gait Transitioning Using Model Predictive Control
Authors: Liu Xiangming , Ma Hongxu , Lang Lin , An Honglei
Published: August 2021

This paper proposes an online uniform foot location planning method (UPMPC) based on model predictive control (MPC) for solving the problem of large posture changes during gait transitioning. This method converts the foot location planning into a discrete-time MPC problem. The core part of the method is to complete the planning of the foot location based on the linear inverted pendulum (LIP) model and the simplified robot dynamics model. By unifying the input foot location at each time step, the solution time is shortened. The final simulation experiment compares the results of using the UPMPC and foot location planning method with heuristic function (HF) for gait transitioning, respectively. This result demonstrates that the UPMPC can complete the gait transitioning task and adapt to large changes in posture during gait transitioning. In addition, the results also show the good performance of UPMPC in fixed gait.
Multi-Parametric Imaging of Etruscan Chamber Tombs: Grotte Di Castro Case Study (Italy)
Authors: Sapia Vincenzo , Materni Valerio , Florindo Federico , Marchetti Marco , Gasparini Andrea , Voltattorni Nunzia , Civico Riccardo , Giannattasio Fabio , Miconi Luca , Marabottini Maria Flavia , Urbini Stefano
Published: August 2021

A multi-parametric approach that involves the use of different geophysical methods coupled with geochemical data allowed us to identify undiscovered archeological burials in a funerary area of the Grotte di Castro Etruscan settlement. In particular, we tested the suitability of the capacitive resistivity method and the presence of Radon in soil for the identification of burials calibrating their outcomes over coincident survey profiles with standard geophysical techniques routinely applied for archaeological prospections. Soil Radon data were acquired both in a grid and along a profile to highlight anomalous gas concentrations, whereas electrical resistivity and ground-penetrating radar measurements were conducted on overlapping profiles to depict the electrical and electromagnetic subsurface distribution. Data integration showed a series of anomalies, suggesting the presence of multiple burials starting from a depth of approximately 1.5 m below the terrain surface. Slight anomalies of Radon in the soil were found to correspond to most of the recovered geophysical ones. Our results pointed out the effectiveness of geophysical method integration in archeological prospecting with the novelty of the joint use of Radon in soil measurements and capacitive resistivity tomography. The latter provided reliable results and can be considered as a standalone technique in archaeological surveys.
Fluctuating Asymmetry and Stress in Macaca fuscata: Does Captivity Affect Morphology?
Authors: Landi Federica , Alfieri Fabio , Towle Ian , Profico Antonio , Veneziano Alessio
Published: August 2021

Fluctuating Asymmetry (FA) in morphology is used as a proxy for developmental instability in response to stress factors. FA has important implications for understanding the impact of differential environments and stressors on the skeletal phenotype. Here, we explore FA in the mandibular morphology of wild and captive Macaca fuscata to detect differences induced by the captive environment. We use two different approaches in Geometric Morphometrics to characterise the degree and patterns of FA and Directional Asymmetry (DA) based on 3D mandibular landmarks. Our results show that the wild and captive groups exhibit morphological dissimilarities in the symmetric component of shape while no significant degree of asymmetry (fluctuating or directional) was detected. Based on our results and on previous literature on the subject, we suggest that (I) captivity is likely to affect the mandibular morphology of M. fuscata; (II) FA may not be a suitable indicator to detect stress in the conditions analysed; and that (III) the mandible may not be the ideal region to study asymmetry because of its functional nature.
Numerical Solution for Singular Boundary Value Problems Using a Pair of Hybrid Nyström Techniques
Authors: Rufai Mufutau Ajani , Ramos Higinio
Published: August 2021

This manuscript presents an efficient pair of hybrid Nyström techniques to solve second-order Lane–Emden singular boundary value problems directly. One of the proposed strategies uses three off-step points. The obtained formulas are paired with an appropriate set of formulas implemented for the first step to avoid singularity at the left end of the integration interval. The fundamental properties of the proposed scheme are analyzed. Some test problems, including chemical kinetics and physical model problems, are solved numerically to determine the efficiency and validity of the proposed approach.
Aqueous Extract of Cocoa Phenolic Compounds Protects Differentiated Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells from Oxidative Stress
Authors: Carballeda Sangiao Noelia , Chamorro Susana , de Pascual-Teresa Sonia , Goya Luis
Published: August 2021

Cocoa is a rich source of polyphenols, especially flavanols and procyanidin oligomers, with antioxidant properties, providing protection against oxidation and nitration. Cocoa phenolic compounds are usually extracted with methanol/ethanol solvents in order to obtain most of their bioactive compounds; however, aqueous extraction seems more representative of the physiological conditions. In this study, an aqueous extract of cocoa powder has been prepared and chemically characterized, and its potential protective effect against chemically-induced oxidative stress has been tested in differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Neuronal-like cultured cells were pretreated with realistic concentrations of cocoa extract and its major monomeric flavanol component, epicatechin, and then submitted to oxidative stress induced by a potent pro-oxidant. After one hour, production of reactive oxygen species was evaluated by two different methods, flow cytometry and in situ fluorescence by a microplate reader. Simultaneously, reduced glutathione and antioxidant defense enzymes glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were determined and the results used for a comparative analysis of both ROS (reactive oxygen species) methods and to test the chemo-protective effect of the bioactive products on neuronal-like cells. The results of this approach, never tested before, validate both analysis of ROS and indicate that concentrations of an aqueous extract of cocoa phenolics and epicatechin within a physiological range confer a significant protection against oxidative insult to neuronal-like cells in culture.
Optimization of Plastic Scintillator for Detection of Gamma-Rays: Simulation and Experimental Study
Authors: Min Sujung , Kim Youngsu , Ko Kwang-Hoon , Seo Bumkyung , Cheong JaeHak , Roh Changhyun , Hong Sangbum
Published: August 2021

Plastic scintillators are widely used in various radiation measurement applications, and the use of plastic scintillators for nuclear applications including decommissioning, such as gamma-ray detection and measurement, is an important concern. With regard to efficient and effective gamma-ray detection, the optimization for thickness of plastic scintillator is strongly needed. Here, we elucidate optimization of the thickness of high-performance plastic scintillator using high atomic number material. Moreover, the EJ-200 of commercial plastic scintillators with the same thickness was compared. Two computational simulation codes (MCNP, GEANT4) were used for thickness optimization and were compared with experimental results to verify data obtained by computational simulation. From the obtained results, it was confirmed that the difference in total counts was less than 10% in the thickness of the scintillator of 50 mm or more, which means optimized thickness for high efficiency gamma-ray detection such as radioactive 137Cs and 60CO. Finally, simulated results, along with experimental data, were discussed in this study. The results of this study can be used as basic data for optimizing the thickness of plastic scintillators using high atomic number elements for radiation detection and monitoring.
Impedimetric Detection of Albumin-Bound Fatty Acids Using Graphene Oxide Electrode
Authors: Uygun Zihni Onur , Duman Soner , Oran Ismail
Published: August 2021

The fatty acid/albumin (FA/Alb) molar ratio is ≤1 in healthy subjects; this ratio can reach 3–4 in patients with acute myocardial ischemia. We describe the spontaneous desorption–adsorption kinetics of FAs from albumin to a graphene electrode at neutral pH. Albumin-depleted human serum was prepared via ultrafiltration and then mixed with defatted human albumin and sodium oleate at different FA/Alb molar ratios, at a final albumin concentration of 0.6 mM. A commercially available screen-printed graphene oxide (GO)-modified carbon electrode was used for the electrochemical experiments. Frequency-ranged Faradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and a single-frequency non-Faradaic impedance measure (chronoimpedance) were used to derive the desorption–adsorption kinetics. The surface of the GO electrode was finally evaluated with the aid of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). With the chronoimpedance experiment, the measured impedance increased accordingly to the FA/Alb ratios. The frequency-ranged EIS showed good linearity between the impedance and the FA/Alb ratio, with a limit of quantification value of 1.06. XPS surface analysis revealed that the FA was adsorbed onto the electrode, with the amount of the adsorbed FA proportional to the FA/Alb ratio. The electrochemical method applied on this peculiar desorption–adsorption kinetics of FAs has the ability to differentiate serum having excess FAs.
The Evolution of the Role of Imaging in the Diagnosis of Craniosynostosis: A Narrative Review
Authors: Cacciaguerra Giovanni , Palermo Monica , Marino Lidia , Rapisarda Filippo Andrea Salvatore , Pavone Piero , Falsaperla Raffaele , Ruggieri Martino , Marino Silvia
Published: August 2021

Craniosynostosis, the premature closure of cranial sutures, is one of the principal causes of pediatric skull deformities. It can cause aesthetic, neurological, acoustic, ophthalmological complications up to real emergencies. Craniosynostosis are primarily diagnosed with accurate physical examination, skull measurement and observation of the deformity, but the radiological support currently plays an increasingly important role in confirming a more precise diagnosis and better planning for therapeutic interventions. The clinician must know how to diagnose in the earliest and least invasive way for the child. In the past, technological limitations reduced the choices; today, however, there are plenty of choices and it is necessary to use the various types of available imaging correctly. In the future, imaging techniques will probably rewrite the common classifications we use today. We provide an updated review of the role of imaging in this condition, through the ages, to outline the correct choice for the clinician for an early and non-invasive diagnosis.
The Role of Elevated Wall Shear Stress in Progression of Pulmonary Vein Stenosis: Evidence from Two Case Studies
Authors: Hammer Peter E. , McEnaney Kerry , Callahan Ryan , Baird Christopher W. , Hoganson David M. , Jenkins Kathy J.
Published: August 2021

Pulmonary vein stenosis is a serious condition characterized by restriction or blockage due to fibrotic tissue ingrowth that develops in the pulmonary veins of infants or children. It is often progressive and can lead to severe pulmonary hypertension and death. Efforts to halt or reverse disease progression include surgery and catheter-based balloon dilation and stent implantation. Its cause and mechanism of progression are unknown. In this pilot study, we propose and explore the hypothesis that elevated wall shear stress at discrete pulmonary venous sites triggers stenosis. To assess this theory, we retrospectively analyzed cardiac catheterization, lung scan, and X-ray computed tomography data to estimate wall shear stress in the pulmonary veins at multiple time points during disease progression in two patients. Results are consistent with the existence of a level of elevated wall shear stress above which the disease is progressive and below which progression is halted. The analysis also suggests the possibility of predicting the target lumen size necessary in a given vein to reduce wall shear stress to normal levels and remove the trigger for stenosis progression.
Early Life Factors Associated with Preschool Wheezing in Preterm Infants
Authors: Hsu Ying-Lun , Huang Hsin-Chun , Su Ting-Yu , Chen I-Lun
Published: August 2021

Advanced neonatal care has increased the survival of neonates born prematurely, and prematurity is a well-known risk factor for asthma/wheezing disorders. Thus, this prospective study aimed to determine the early life factors associated with preschool wheezing in premature neonates. Preterm neonates born between 2012 and 2017 were recruited, excluding those with bacterial infection within 7 days of life, maternal sepsis, and maternal chorioamnionitis. Birth and admission history, comorbidities, and maternal history were documented. Respiratory problems were followed-up at the neonatal outpatient department. Patients were divided into wheezing and non-wheezing groups. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney test and Fisher’s exact test, and multivariable logistic regression was used to define the risk factors of preschool wheezing/asthma. A total of 125 preterm infants were enrolled, including 19 in the wheezing group and 106 in the non-wheezing group. Patients in the wheezing group had longer duration of intubation (p = 0.025), higher rates for exclusive breast milk feeding (p = 0.012), and higher re-hospitalization rates for respiratory tract infections (p < 0.001), especially for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis (p = 0.045). The incidence of allergic rhinitis was also higher in the wheezing group (p = 0.005). After multivariable logistic regression, allergic rhinitis and re-hospitalization for respiratory tract infections were two significant risk factors for preschool wheezing/asthma in premature neonates. Close follow-up of premature infants at high risk for asthma susceptibility is recommended.