bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Physicochemical and Bioactive Properties of Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) and Its Products
Authors: Najman Katarzyna , Adrian Sylwia , Sadowska Anna , Świąder Katarzyna , Hallmann Ewelina , Buczak Krzysztof , Waszkiewicz-Robak Bożena , Szterk Arkadiusz
Published: March 2023

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) is a plant that is commonly cultivated around the world, known for centuries for its valuable nutritional and healing properties. Although quince fruit are extremely aromatic, due to their high hardness and sour, astringent, and bitter taste, they are not suitable for direct consumption in an unprocessed form. However, they are an important raw material in fruit processing, e.g., in the production of jams, jellies, and juices. Quince fruits fall under the category of temperate fruits, so their shelf life can be predicted. Considering that technological processing affects not only the organoleptic properties and shelf life but also the functional properties of fruits, the aim of this research was to determine the impact of various types of technological treatments on the physicochemical and bioactive properties of quince fruit. In fresh, boiled, and fried fruits and in freshly squeezed quince fruit juice, basic parameters, such as the content of dry matter, moisture, soluble solids (°Brix), pH, total acidity, water activity, and color parameters (L*a*b*) were determined. The content of key bioactive ingredients, i.e., tannins, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and total polyphenols, was also determined, as well as the antioxidant activity of raw and technologically processed (cooked, fried, and squeezed) quince fruits. The conducted research showed that fresh quince fruit and processed quince products can be a very good source of bioactive ingredients in the diet, such as tannins (3.64 ± 0.06 mg/100 g in fresh fruit; from 2.22 ± 0.02 mg/100 g to 5.59 ± 0.15 g/100 g in products), carotenoids (44.98 ± 0.18 mg/100 g in fresh fruit; from 141.88 ± 0.62 mg/100 g to 166.12 ± 0.62 mg/100 g in products), and polyphenolic compounds (246.98 ± 6.76 mg GAE/100 g in fresh fruit; from 364.53 ± 3.76 mg/100 g to 674.21 ± 4.49 mg/100 g in products). Quince fruit and quince products are also characterized by high antioxidant properties (452.41 ± 6.50 µM TEAC/100 g in fresh fruit; 520.78 ± 8.56 µM TEAC/100 g to 916.16 ± 6.55 µM TEAC/100 g in products). The choice of appropriate technological processing for the quince fruit may allow producers to obtain high-quality fruit preserves and act a starting point for the development of functional products with the addition of quince fruit in its various forms, with high health-promoting values and a wide range of applications in both the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Effects of Oat β-Glucan on the Textural and Sensory Properties of Low-Fat Set Type Pea Protein Yogurt
Authors: Zhao Peiyao , Li Nana , Chen Lingyun , Guo Yahong , Huang Yatao , Tong Litao , Wang Lili , Fan Bei , Wang Fengzhong , Liu Liya
Published: March 2023

This study investigated the effect of oat β-glucan as a fat substitute on the structure formation, texture, and sensory properties of pea protein yogurt. The results showed that the incorporation of 0.5% β-glucan significantly accelerated the lactic acid bacteria-induced fermentation, with the time for reaching the target pH of 4.6 shortened from 3.5 h to 3 h (p < 0.05); increased the plastic module (G′) from 693 Pa to 764 Pa when fermenting 3 h (p < 0.05); and enhanced the water-holding capacity from 77.29% to 82.15% (p < 0.05). The identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in low-fat pea protein yogurt by GC-IMS revealed a significant decrease in aldehydes and a significant increase in alcohols, ketones and acids in the pea yogurt after fermentation (p < 0.05). Among them, the levels of acetic acid, acetone, 2,3-butanedione, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, and ethyl acetate all significantly increased with the addition of oat β-glucan (p < 0.05), thereby providing prominent fruity, sweet, and creamy flavors, respectively. Combined with the results of sensory analysis, the quality characteristics of pea protein yogurt with 1% oil by adding 1% oat β-glucan were comparable to the control sample with 3% oil. Therefore, oat β-glucan has a good potential for fat replacement in pea protein yogurt.
Effect of Metal Complexing on Mn–Fe/TS-1 Catalysts for Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3
Authors: Ma Yuanyuan , Liu Wanting , Li Zhifang , Sun Yuhang , Shi Mingyuan , Nan Zheng , Song Ruotong , Wang Liying , Guan Jingqi
Published: March 2023

TS-1 zeolite with desirable pore structure, an abundance of acidic sites, and good thermal stability promising as a support for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 (NH3-SCR). Herein, a series of Mn–Fe/TS-1 catalysts have been synthesized, adopting tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) as a metal complexing agent using the one-pot hydrothermal method. The introduced TEPA can not only increase the loading of active components but also prompts the formation of a hierarchical structure through decreasing the size of TS-1 nanocrystals to produce intercrystalline mesopores during the hydrothermal crystallization process. The optimized Mn–Fe/TS-1(R-2) catalyst shows remarkable NH3-SCR performance. Moreover, it exhibits excellent resistance to H2O and SO2 at low temperatures. The characterization results indicate that Mn–Fe/TS-1(R-2) possesses abundant surface Mn4+ and Fe2+ and chemisorbed oxygen, strong reducibility, and a high Brønsted acid amount. For comparison, Mn–Fe/TiO2 displays a narrower active temperature window due to its poor thermostability.
Controllable Fabrication of Zn2+ Self-Doped TiO2 Tubular Nanocomposite for Highly Efficient Water Treatment
Authors: Hassan Hassan M. A. , Alsohaimi Ibrahim H. , Essawy Amr A. , El-Aassar Mohamed R. , Betiha Mohamed A. , Alshammari Alhulw H. , Mohamed Shaimaa K.
Published: March 2023

Tailoring high-efficiency photocatalytic composites for various implementations is a major research topic. 1D TNTs-based nanomaterials show promise as a photocatalyst for the remediation of organic pigments in an aqueous solution. Despite this, TiO2 (TNTs) is only photoactive in the UV range due to its inherent restriction on absorption of light in the UV range. Herein, we provide a facile recipe to tailor the optical characteristics and photocatalytic activity of TNTs by incorporating Zn (II) ionic species via an ion-exchange approach in an aqueous solution. The inclusion of Zn (II) ions into the TNTs framework expands its absorption of light toward the visible light range, therefore TiO2 nanotubes shows the visible-light photo-performance. Activity performance on photocatalytic decontamination of RhB at ambient temperature demonstrates that Zn-TNTs offer considerable boosted catalytic performance compared with untreated tubular TiO2 during the illumination of visible light. RhB (10 mg L−1) degradation of around 95% was achieved at 120 min. Radical scavenger experiment demonstrated that when electron (e−) or holes (h+) scavengers are introduced to the photodegradation process, the assessment of decontamination efficacy decreased by 45% and 76%, respectively. This demonstrates a more efficient engagement of the photoexcited electrons over photogenerated holes in the photodegradation mechanism. Furthermore, there seems to be no significant decrease in the activity of the Zn-TNTs after five consecutive runs. As a result, the fabricated Zn-TNTs composite has a high economic potential in the energy and environmental domains.
Combined Toxic Effects of BPA and Its Two Analogues BPAP and BPC in a 3D HepG2 Cell Model
Authors: Štampar Martina , Ravnjak Tim , Domijan Ana-Marija , Žegura Bojana
Published: March 2023

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most commonly used substances in the manufacture of various everyday products. Growing concerns about its hazardous properties, including endocrine disruption and genotoxicity, have led to its gradual replacement by presumably safer analogues in manufacturing plastics. The widespread use of BPA and, more recently, its analogues has increased their residues in the environment. However, our knowledge of their toxicological profiles is limited and their combined effects are unknown. In the present study, we investigated the toxic effects caused by single bisphenols and by the combined exposure of BPA and its two analogues, BPAP and BPC, after short (24-h) and prolonged (96-h) exposure in HepG2 spheroids. The results showed that BPA did not reduce cell viability in HepG2 spheroids after 24-h exposure. In contrast, BPAP and BPC affected cell viability in HepG2 spheroids. Both binary mixtures (BPA/BPAP and BPA/BPC) decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, but the significant difference was only observed for the combination of BPA/BPC (both at 40 µM). After 96-h exposure, none of the BPs studied affected cell viability in HepG2 spheroids. Only the combination of BPA/BPAP decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner that was significant for the combination of 4 µM BPA and 4 µM BPAP. None of the BPs and their binary mixtures studied affected the surface area and growth of spheroids as measured by planimetry. In addition, all BPs and their binary mixtures studied triggered oxidative stress, as measured by the production of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, at both exposure times. Overall, the results suggest that it is important to study the effects of BPs as single compounds. It is even more important to study the effects of combined exposures, as the combined effects may differ from those induced by single compounds.
Correction: Lu et al. Performance Analysis of Metalenses Based on Three Kinds of Phase Compensation Techniques. Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 2091
Authors: Lu Peiyao , Zhou Changda , Mou Zhen , Liu Danhua , Teng Shuyun
Published: March 2023

There was an error in the original publication [...]
Surface-Enhanced Raman Analysis of Uric Acid and Hypoxanthine Analysis in Fractionated Bodily Fluids
Authors: Tian Furong , Carvalho Luis Felipe das Chagas e Silva de , Casey Alan , Nogueira Marcelo Saito , Byrne Hugh J.
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the disease burden of hyperuricemia has been increasing, especially in high-income countries and the economically developing world with a Western lifestyle. Abnormal levels of uric acid and hypoxanthine are associated with many diseases, and therefore, to demonstrate improved methods of uric acid and hypoxanthine detection, three different bodily fluids were analysed using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gold nanostar suspensions were mixed with series dilutions of uric acid and hypoxanthine, 3 kDa centrifugally filtered human blood serum, urine and saliva. The results show that gold nanostars enable the quantitative detection of the concentration of uric acid and hypoxanthine in the range 5–50 μg/mL and 50–250 ng/mL, respectively. The peak areas of HPLC and maximum peak intensity of SERS have strongly correlated, notably with the peaks of uric acid and hypoxanthine at 1000 and 640 cm−1, respectively. The r2 is 0.975 and 0.959 for uric acid and hypoxanthine, respectively. Each of the three body fluids has a number of spectral features in common with uric acid and hypoxanthine. The large overlap of the spectral bands of the SERS of uric acid against three body fluids at spectra peaks were at 442, 712, 802, 1000, 1086, 1206, 1343, 1436 and 1560 cm−1. The features at 560, 640, 803, 1206, 1290 and 1620 cm−1 from hypoxanthine were common to serum, saliva and urine. There is no statistical difference between HPLC and SERS for determination of the concentration of uric acid and hypoxanthine (p > 0.05). For clinical applications, 3 kDa centrifugal filtration followed by SERS can be used for uric acid and hypoxanthine screening is, which can be used to reveal the subtle abnormalities enhancing the great potential of vibrational spectroscopy as an analytical tool. Our work supports the hypnosis that it is possible to obtain the specific concentration of uric acid and hypoxanthine by comparing the SER signals of serum, saliva and urine. In the future, the analysis of other biofluids can be employed to detect biomarkers for the diagnosis of systemic pathologies.
Additive Manufacturing of Co3Fe Nano-Probes for Magnetic Force Microscopy
Authors: Winkler Robert , Brugger-Hatzl Michele , Seewald Lukas Matthias , Kuhness David , Barth Sven , Mairhofer Thomas , Kothleitner Gerald , Plank Harald
Published: March 2023

Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) is a powerful extension of atomic force microscopy (AFM), which mostly uses nano-probes with functional coatings for studying magnetic surface features. Although well established, additional layers inherently increase apex radii, which reduce lateral resolution and also contain the risk of delamination, rendering such nano-probes doubtful or even useless. To overcome these limitations, we now introduce the additive direct-write fabrication of magnetic nano-cones via focused electron beam-induced deposition (FEBID) using an HCo3Fe(CO)12 precursor. The study first identifies a proper 3D design, confines the most relevant process parameters by means of primary electron energy and beam currents, and evaluates post-growth procedures as well. That way, highly crystalline nano-tips with minimal surface contamination and apex radii in the sub-15 nm regime are fabricated and benchmarked against commercial products. The results not only reveal a very high performance during MFM operation but in particular demonstrate virtually loss-free behavior after almost 8 h of continuous operation, thanks to the all-metal character. Even after more than 12 months of storage in ambient conditions, no performance loss is observed, which underlines the high overall performance of the here-introduced FEBID-based Co3Fe MFM nano-probes.
Nutrient Patterns and Risk of Osteopenia in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Grili Patricia Paula da Fonseca , Vidigal Camila Vilarinho , Cruz Geise Ferreira da , Albergaria Ben-Hur , Marques-Rocha José Luiz , Pereira Taísa Sabrina Silva , Guandalini Valdete Regina
Published: March 2023

Nutrient patterns (NPs) and the synergistic effect between nutrients have been shown to be associated with changes in bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to identify NPs and to associate them with BMD categories in postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional, observational, analytical study was carried out with women in menopause for at least 12 months, aged ≥50 years. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical variables were investigated. BMD was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. A dietary assessment was conducted using a food frequency questionnaire, and three nutrient patterns (NP1, NP2, and NP3) were extracted from the principal component analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to investigate the association between BMD classifications and NP consumption. A total of 124 women, aged on average, 66.8 ± 6.1 years, were evaluated. Of these, 41.9% had osteopenia and 36.3% had osteoporosis. The NP1 (OR: 6.64, [CI95%: 1.56–28.16]; p = 0.010), characterized by vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, riboflavin, protein (total and animal), vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, cholesterol, β-carotene, omega 3, magnesium, zinc, niacin, and selenium; and the NP2 (OR: 5.03, [CI95%: 1.25–20.32]; p = 0.023), characterized by iron, vegetable protein, thiamine, folate, fibers (soluble and insoluble), PUFA, vitamin A, vitamin K, alpha-tocopherol, copper, sodium, and retinol, was inversely associated with osteopenia. The lower consumption of NP1 and NP2 by postmenopausal women was associated with a higher risk of osteopenia, but not osteoporosis.
Nutritional Status of Patients with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Amzali Sedda , Wilson Vinicius Dias , Bommart Sébastien , Picot Marie-Christine , Galas Simon , Mercier Jacques , Poucheret Patrick , Cristol Jean-Paul , Arbogast Sandrine , Laoudj-Chenivesse Dalila
Published: March 2023

In patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a rare genetic neuromuscular disease, reduced physical performance is associated with lower blood levels of vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and increased oxidative stress markers. Supplementation of vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium improves the quadriceps’ physical performance. Here, we compared the nutritional status of 74 women and 85 men with FSHD. Calorie intake was lower in women with FSHD than in men. Moreover, we assessed vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, and selenium intakes in diet and their concentrations in the plasma. Vitamin E, copper, and zinc intake were lower in women with FSHD than in men, whereas plasma vitamin C, copper levels, and copper/zinc ratio were higher in women with FSHD than in men. The dietary intake and plasma concentrations of the studied vitamins and minerals were not correlated in both sexes. A well-balanced and varied diet might not be enough in patients with FSHD to correct the observed vitamin/mineral deficiencies. A low energy intake is a risk factor for suboptimal intake of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that are important for protein synthesis and other metabolic pathways and that might contribute to progressive muscle mass loss. Antioxidant supplementation and higher protein intake seem necessary to confer protection against oxidative stress and skeletal muscle mass loss.
The Protective Effect of Walnut Oligopeptides against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats
Authors: Liu Rui , Zhu Na , Hao Yuntao , Liu Xinran , Kang Jiawei , Mao Ruixue , Yu Xiaochen , Li Yong
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential protective effects of walnut oligopeptides (WOPs) on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The rats were divided into the following groups: normal group, model group, omeprazole group (0.02 g/kg), and WOPs groups (0.22, 0.44, and 0.88 g/kg, respectively). After receiving gavage once per day for 30 consecutive days, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with indomethacin 48 mg/kg to induce gastric ulcers. Then, the serum inflammatory cytokines and gastric prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), oxidative stress-related indicators, and the RNA expression of COX-1 and COX-2 were measured. The results revealed that WOPs confer significant gastroprotection on gastric ulcers caused by indomethacin, regulating inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and prostaglandins synthesis, and enhancing the expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in gastric tissue, thus exerting its protective effect on gastric mucosa. The gastroprotective mechanism may be related to the involvement of the arachidonic acid metabolism and upregulation of tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism synthesis in vivo.
Interaction Effect of Phase Angle and Age on Femoral Neck Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5
Authors: Han Byoung-Geun , Pak Daewoo , Lee Jun Young , Kim Jae-Seok , Yang Jae-Won , Kim Seongyup
Published: March 2023

Background: Low bone mass is common in malnourished patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and can lead to a higher risk of fractures. Elderly and CKD patients have the same risk factors for protein-energy wasting, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis. Here, we investigated the association between phase angle (PhA) and bone mineral density (BMD) in dialysis-naïve patients with CKD stage 5 (CKD5) and identified a statistical relationship between PhA and age, which affects bone density. Methods: Bio-impedance spectroscopy for evaluating body composition and PhA and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for determining the BMD were simultaneously performed in 167 consecutive patients (mean age, 59.65 ± 13.98 years; women, 40.1%). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to assess the potential interaction effect of PhA and age on femoral neck BMD (FN-BMD). Results: Our results showed that PhA and age were independently associated with FN-BMD and T-score in multiple linear regressions analyses. A significant interaction effect of PhA and age on FN-BMD was found on two-way ANOVA (p = 0.028). The average BMD values for the first and second tertiles of the PhA were higher in the young versus elderly group, whereas patients in the elderly group had higher BMD in the third tertiles. Conclusions: A relationship was noted between PhA and BMD in patients with advanced-stage CKD. The effect of PhA level on FN-BMD differed between elderly and young patients. Our study suggested that higher PhA levels could be a marker explaining the maintenance of good bone health in elderly patients with CKD5. Further longitudinal analyses are needed to determine whether PhA predicts the risk of CKD-MBD-related fractures during CKD progression.
Prevalence, Resistance Patterns and Biofilm Production Ability of Bacterial Uropathogens from Cases of Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections in South Italy
Authors: Maione Angela , Galdiero Emilia , Cirillo Luigi , Gambino Edvige , Gallo Maria Assunta , Sasso Francesca Paola , Petrillo Arianna , Guida Marco , Galdiero Marilena
Published: March 2023

Community-acquired urinary tract infections represent the most common infectious diseases in the community setting. Knowing the antibiotic resistance patterns of uropathogens is crucial for establishing empirical treatment. The aim of the current study is to determine the incidence of the causative agents of UTIs and their resistance profiles. Patients of all ages and both sexes were enrolled in the study, and admitted to San Ciro Diagnostic Center in Naples between January 2019 and Jun 2020. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were carried out using Vitek 2 system. Among the 2741 urine samples, 1702 (62.1%) and 1309 (37.9%) were negative and positive for bacterial growth, respectively. Of 1309 patients with infection, 760 (73.1%) were females and 279 (26.9%) were males. The greatest number of positive cases were found in the in the elderly (>61 years). Regarding uropathogens, 1000 (96.2%) were Gram-negative while 39 (3.8%) were Gram-positive strains. The three most isolated pathogenic strains were Escherichia coli (72.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.4%), and Proteus mirabilis (9.0%). Strong biofilm formation ability was observed in about 30% of the tested isolates. The low resistance rates recorded against nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, piperacillin–tazobactam, and gentamicin could suggest them as the most appropriate therapies for CA-UTIs.
Editorial for the Special Issue: “Fungal Pathogenicity Factors”
Authors: Guan Xin , Pensec Flora
Published: March 2023

Pathogenicity factors are important aspects of the arsenal of fungal agents, allowing them to infect a broad range of hosts or to specifically target a crop by being capable of evading host defenses or having enzymatic activities that target plant tissues [...]
Effects of Statin Dose, Class, and Use Intensity on All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Yu Jung-Min , Chen Wan-Ming , Chen Mingchih , Shia Ben-Chang , Wu Szu-Yuan
Published: March 2023

Purpose: to examine the impact of statins on reducing all-cause mortality among individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This investigation explored the potential correlations between dosage, drug classification, and usage intensity with the observed outcomes. Methods: The research sample consisted of individuals aged 40 years or older diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Statin usage was determined as a frequent usage over a minimum of one month subsequent to type 2 diabetes diagnosis, where the average statin dose was ≥28 cumulative defined daily doses per year (cDDD-year). The analysis employed an inverse probability of treatment-weighted Cox hazard model, utilizing statin usage status as a time-varying variable, to evaluate the impact of statin use on all-cause mortality. Results: The incidence of mortality was comparatively lower among the cohort of statin users (n = 50,804 (12.03%)), in contrast to nonusers (n = 118,765 (27.79%)). After adjustments, the hazard ratio (aHR; 95% confidence interval (CI)) for all-cause mortality was estimated to be 0.32 (0.31–0.33). Compared with nonusers, pitavastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, and lovastatin users demonstrated significant reductions in all-cause mortality (aHRs (95% CIs) = 0.06 (0.04–0.09), 0.28 (0.27–0.29), 0.29 (0.28–0.31), 0.31 (0.30–0.32), 0.31 (0.30–0.32), 0.36 (0.35–0.38), and 0.48 (0.47–0.50), respectively). In Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 of cDDD-year, our multivariate analysis demonstrated significant reductions in all-cause mortality (aHRs (95% CIs) = 0.51 (0.5–0.52), 0.36 (0.35–0.37), 0.24 (0.23–0.25), and 0.13 (0.13–0.14), respectively; p for trend <0.0001). Because it had the lowest aHR (0.32), 0.86 DDD of statin was considered optimal. Conclusions: In patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, consistent utilization of statins (≥28 cumulative defined daily doses per year) was shown to have a beneficial effect on all-cause mortality. Moreover, the risk of all-cause mortality decreased as the cumulative defined daily dose per year of statin increased.
Natural Coumarin Derivatives Activating Nrf2 Signaling Pathway as Lead Compounds for the Design and Synthesis of Intestinal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Authors: Di Stasi Luiz C.
Published: March 2023

Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) is a transcription factor related to stress response and cellular homeostasis that plays a key role in maintaining the redox system. The imbalance of the redox system is a triggering factor for the initiation and progression of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Nrf2 and its inhibitor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) are the main regulators of oxidative stress and their activation has been recognized as a promising strategy for the treatment or prevention of several acute and chronic diseases. Moreover, activation of Nrf2/keap signaling pathway promotes inhibition of NF-κB, a transcriptional factor related to pro-inflammatory cytokines expression, synchronically promoting an anti-inflammatory response. Several natural coumarins have been reported as potent antioxidant and intestinal anti-inflammatory compounds, acting by different mechanisms, mainly as a modulator of Nrf2/keap signaling pathway. Based on in vivo and in vitro studies, this review focuses on the natural coumarins obtained from both plant products and fermentative processes of food plants by gut microbiota, which activate Nrf2/keap signaling pathway and produce intestinal anti-inflammatory activity. Although gut metabolites urolithin A and urolithin B as well as other plant-derived coumarins display intestinal anti-inflammatory activity modulating Nrf2 signaling pathway, in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary for better pharmacological characterization and evaluation of their potential as lead compounds. Esculetin, 4-methylesculetin, daphnetin, osthole, and imperatorin are the most promising coumarin derivatives as lead compounds for the design and synthesis of Nrf2 activators with intestinal anti-inflammatory activity. However, further structure–activity relationships studies with coumarin derivatives in experimental models of intestinal inflammation and subsequent clinical trials in health and disease volunteers are essential to determine the efficacy and safety in IBD patients.
Neuroprotective Nanoparticles Targeting the Retina: A Polymeric Platform for Ocular Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Colucci Patrizia , Giannaccini Martina , Baggiani Matteo , Kennedy Breandán N. , Dente Luciana , Raffa Vittoria , Gabellini Chiara
Published: March 2023

Neuroprotective drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye represents a major challenge to counteract vision loss. This work focuses on the development of a polymer-based nanocarrier, specifically designed for targeting the posterior eye. Polyacrylamide nanoparticles (ANPs) were synthesised and characterised, and their high binding efficiency was exploited to gain both ocular targeting and neuroprotective capabilities, through conjugation with peanut agglutinin (ANP:PNA) and neurotrophin nerve growth factor (ANP:PNA:NGF). The neuroprotective activity of ANP:PNA:NGF was assessed in an oxidative stress-induced retinal degeneration model using the teleost zebrafish. Upon nanoformulation, NGF improved the visual function of zebrafish larvae after the intravitreal injection of hydrogen peroxide, accompanied by a reduction in the number of apoptotic cells in the retina. Additionally, ANP:PNA:NGF counteracted the impairment of visual behaviour in zebrafish larvae exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Collectively, these data suggest that our polymeric drug delivery system represents a promising strategy for implementing targeted treatment against retinal degeneration.
Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)–Gold Nanorods–5 Fluorouracil Hydrogels: In the Quest of a Material for Topical Therapies against Melanoma Skin Cancer
Authors: González-Ayón Mirian A. , Rochin-Galaviz Alondra , Zizumbo-López Arturo , Licea-Claverie Angel
Published: March 2023

Chemically crosslinked hydrogels based on poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL) were synthetized by a photoinitiated chemical method. A galactose-based monomer, 2-lactobionamidoethyl methacrylate (LAMA), and N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) were added with the aim to improve the physical and chemical properties of hydrogels. The effects of both comonomers on the swelling ratio (Q), volume phase transition temperature (VPTT), glass transition temperature (Tg), and Young’s moduli by mechanical compression below and above the VPTT were studied. Gold nanorods (GNRDs) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) were embedded into the hydrogels, to study the drug release profiles with and without the excitation of GNRDs by irradiation in the near-infrared region (NIR). Results showed that the addition of LAMA and NVP increased the hydrogels’ hydrophilicity, elasticity, and VPTT. The loading of GNRDs in the hydrogels changed the release rate of 5FU when irradiated intermittently with an NIR laser. The present study reports on the preparation of a hydrogel-based platform of PNVCL-GNRDs−5FU as a potential hybrid anticancer hydrogel for chemo/photothermal therapy that could be applied against skin cancer for topical 5FU delivery.
Novel Developments to Enable Treatment of CNS Diseases with Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Meyer Axel H. , Feldsien Thomas M. , Mezler Mario , Untucht Christopher , Venugopalan Ramakrishna , Lefebvre Didier R.
Published: March 2023

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major hurdle for the development of systemically delivered drugs against diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Because of this barrier there is still a huge unmet need for the treatment of these diseases, despite years of research efforts across the pharmaceutical industry. Novel therapeutic entities, such as gene therapy and degradomers, have become increasingly popular in recent years, but have not been the focus for CNS indications so far. To unfold their full potential for the treatment of CNS diseases, these therapeutic entities will most likely have to rely on innovative delivery technologies. Here we will describe and assess approaches, both invasive and non-invasive, that can enable, or at least increase, the probability of a successful drug development of such novel therapeutics for CNS indications.
Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Prenylated Acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum olympicum L.
Authors: Ilieva Yana , Momekov Georgi , Zaharieva Maya Margaritova , Marinov Teodor , Kokanova-Nedialkova Zlatina , Najdenski Hristo , Nedialkov Paraskev T.
Published: March 2023

Two new bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane type bicyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol derivatives (BPAPs), olympiforin A and B as well as three known prenylated phloroglucinols, were isolated from the aerial parts of Hypericum olympicum L. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by means of spectral techniques (HRESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR). All compounds were tested on a panel of human tumor (MDA-MB-231, EJ, K-562, HL-60 and HL-60/DOX) and non- tumorigenic (HEK-293 and EA.hy926) cell lines using the MTT assay. All tested compounds exerted significant in vitro cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 1.2 to 24.9 μM and from 0.9 to 34 μM on tumor and non-cancerous cell lines, respectively. Most of the compounds had good selectivity and were more cytotoxic to the tumor cell lines than to the normal ones. A degradation of the precursor caspase 9 for some of the compounds was observed; therefore, the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis is the most likely mechanism of cytotoxic activity. The BPAPs were examined for antibacterial and antibiofilm activity through the broth microdilution method and the protocol of Stepanović. They showed a moderate effect against Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes but a very profound activity against Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the range of 0.78–2 mg/L. Olympiforin B also had a great effect against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with an MIC value of 1 mg/L and a very significant antibiofilm activity on that strain with a minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC) value of 0.5 mg/L. The structures of the isolated compounds were in silico evaluated using ADME and drug likeness tests.
Triterpenoids in Jujube: A Review of Composition, Content Diversity, Pharmacological Effects, Synthetic Pathway, and Variation during Domestication
Authors: Pan Fuxu , Zhao Xuan , Liu Fawei , Luo Zhi , Chen Shuangjiang , Liu Zhiguo , Zhao Zhihui , Liu Mengjun , Wang Lili
Published: March 2023

Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) and its wild ancestor, sour jujube (Z. acidojujuba C.Y. Cheng & M.J. Liu), is a Ziziphus genus in the Rhamnaceae family. ZJ and ZA are rich in a variety of active ingredients, with triterpenoids being a unique active ingredient, which are present in the fruit, leaves, branches, and roots. More than 120 triterpenoids have been identified in ZJ and ZA, and have various biological activities. For example, betulinic and ursolic acids have anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral activities. ceanothic, alphitolic, and zizyberanalic acids possess anti-inflammatory activities. The MVA pathway is a synthetic pathway for triterpenoids in ZJ and ZA, and 23 genes of the MVA pathway are known to regulate triterpene synthesis in ZJ and ZA. In order to better understand the basic situation of triterpenoids in ZJ and ZA, this paper reviews the types, content dynamic changes, activities, pharmacokinetics, triterpenoid synthesis pathways, and the effects of domestication on triterpenoids in ZJ and ZA, and provides some ideas for the future research of triterpenoids in ZJ and ZA. In addition, there are many types of ZJ and ZA triterpenoids, and most of the studies on their activities are on lupane- and ursane-type triterpenes, while the activities of the ceanothane-type and saponin are less studied and need additional research.
Surface Modification and Mechanical Properties Improvement of Bamboo Fibers Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Treatment
Authors: Sawangrat Choncharoen , Thipchai Parichat , Kaewapai Kannikar , Jantanasakulwong Kittisak , Suhr Jonghwan , Wattanachai Pitiwat , Rachtanapun Pornchai
Published: March 2023

The effect of argon (Ar) and oxygen (O2) gases as well as the treatment times on the properties of modified bamboo fibers using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma at generated power of 180 W were investigated. The plasma treatment of bamboo fibers with inert gases leads to the generation of ions and radicals on the fiber surface. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that the functional groups of lignin and hemicellulose were reduced owing to the removal of the amorphous portion of the fibers by plasma etching. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) results in an increased crystallinity percentage. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results showed the oxygen/carbon (O/C) atomic concentration ratio increased with increasing treatment time. The fiber weight loss percentage increased with increased treatment time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that partial etching of the fiber surface led to a higher surface roughness and area and that the Ar + O2 gas plasma treatment provided more surface etching than the Ar gas treatment because of the oxidation reaction of the O2 plasma. The mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced epoxy (FRE) matrix composites revealed that the F(tr)RE-Ar (30) samples showed a high tensile strength, whereas the mechanical properties of the F(tr)RE-Ar + O2 sample decreased with increased treatment time.
Micro-CT Marginal and Internal Fit Evaluation of CAD/CAM High-Performance Polymer Onlay Restorations
Authors: Toma Flavia Roxana , Moleriu Lavinia Cristina , Porojan Liliana
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: The use of high-performance polymers for fixed restorations requires additional studies regarding their adaptability and processing with CAD/CAM technology. This in vitro study aims to assess the marginal and internal fit of PEEK and PEKK materials using microcomputed tomography. (2) Methods: Twenty-four (n = 8) MOD onlays made of PEKK (Pekkton ivory), unmodified PEEK (Juvora medical), and modified PEEK (BioHPP) were investigated. A typodont mandibular left first molar was scanned to achieve 24 resin, 3D printed abutment teeth. The onlays were fabricated with a five-axis milling machine, and after cementation of the specimens, the marginal (MG) and internal gaps (IG) were evaluated at twelve points in the mesio-distal section and thirteen points in the bucco-lingual section using microcomputed tomography. For statistical data analysis, Wilcoxon signed-rank/paired Student t-Test, Mann–Whitney/unpaired Student t-Test, and one-way ANOVA test were applied. (3) Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05; α = 0.05) were reported between the MG and IG for each material for all three polymers and also among two materials in terms of the MG and IG (except Juvora-BioHPP). The highest IG values were recorded in angular areas (axio-gingival line angle) in the mesio-distal section for all the polymers. (4) Conclusions: For all the materials, MG < IG. The type of polymer influenced the adaptability; the lowest marginal and internal gap mean values were recorded for BioHPP. The analyzed polymer used for onlays are clinically acceptable in terms of adaptability.
Simultaneous Modification of Properties Relevant to the Processing and Application of Virgin and Post-Consumer Polypropylene
Authors: Traxler Ines , Kaineder Hannes , Fischer Joerg
Published: March 2023

Post-consumer recyclates often have a property profile that results from mixing a variety of products, which are made from different materials, produced by different processing methods, and coming from applications with different lifetimes. This usually leads to a mixture of all these material properties in the recycling process. In contrast, virgin materials are specifically designed for applications and thus offer all the necessary properties for the intended products. In order to be able to use recycled materials for specific and demanding applications, not only the viscosity, which is important for processing and often varies greatly with recyclates, but also the mechanical properties, particularly the tensile modulus and impact strength, must be adjusted. For this purpose, various virgin materials of polypropylene homopolymers, random copolymers, and block copolymers with different flowabilities were mixed in different proportions and their properties were determined. The flowability of homopolymers and random copolymers in the blend behaved very similarly, while block copolymers exhibited a different behavior in some cases. By incorporating homopolymers into blends, the stiffness of the resulting material blend can be very well adjusted. The addition of random copolymers can increase strain at break, and the addition of block copolymers results in a significant increase in impact strength. In numbers, the maximum adjustment range for tensile modulus, yield stress, strain at break, and impact strength are 880 MPa, 14 MPa, 185%, and 6.9 kJ/m2, respectively. While a good and reliable prediction of property profile is possible for polymer blends with different virgin materials, the resulting material properties for polymer blends of virgin and recycled materials are also influenced by impurities. In this work, however, a good prediction was also achieved for recyclate blends.
Evaluation of Four Satellite Precipitation Products over Mainland China Using Spatial Correlation Analysis
Authors: Li Yu , Pang Bo , Zheng Ziqi , Chen Haoming , Peng Dingzhi , Zhu Zhongfan , Zuo Depeng
Published: March 2023

The accuracy and reliability of satellite precipitation products (SPPs) are important for their applications. In this study, four recently presented SPPs, namely, GSMaP_Gauge, GSMaP_NRT, IMERG, and MSWEP, were evaluated against daily observations from 2344 gauges of mainland China from 2001 to 2018. Bivariate Moran’s I (BMI), a method that has demonstrated high applicability in characterizing spatial correlation and dependence, was first used in research to assess their spatial correlations with gauge observations. Results from four conventional indices indicate that MSWEP exhibited the best performance, with a correlation coefficient of 0.78, an absolute deviation of 1.6, a relative bias of −5%, and a root mean square error of 5. Six precipitation indices were selected to further evaluate the spatial correlation between the SPPs and gauge observations. MSWEP demonstrated the best spatial correlation in annual total precipitation, annual precipitation days, continuous wet days, continuous dry days, and very wet day precipitation with global BMI of 0.95, 0.78, 0.78, 0.78, and 0.87, respectively. Meanwhile, IMERG showed superiority in terms of maximum daily precipitation with a global BMI value of 0.91. IMERG also exhibited superior performance in quantifying the annual count days that experience precipitation events exceeding 25 mm and 50 mm, with a global BMI of 0.96, 0.92. In four sub-regions, these products exhibited significant regional characteristics. MSWEP demonstrated the highest spatial correlation with gauge observations in terms of total and persistent indices in the four sub-regions, while IMERG had the highest global BMI for extreme indices. In general, global BMI can quantitatively compare the spatial correlation between SPPs and gauge observations. The Local Indicator of Spatial Association (LISA) cluster map provides clear visual representation of areas that are significantly overestimated or underestimated. These advantages make BMI a suitable method for SPPs assessment.
An Improved Approach of Winter Wheat Yield Estimation by Jointly Assimilating Remotely Sensed Leaf Area Index and Soil Moisture into the WOFOST Model
Authors: Zhuo Wen , Huang Hai , Gao Xinran , Li Xuecao , Huang Jianxi
Published: March 2023

The crop model data assimilation approach has been acknowledged as an effective tool for monitoring crop growth and estimating yield. However, the choice of assimilated variables and the mismatch in scale between remotely sensed observations and crop model-simulated state variables have various effects on the performance of yield estimation. This study aims to examine the accuracy of crop yield estimation through the joint assimilation of leaf area index (LAI) and soil moisture (SM) and to examine the scale effect between remotely sensed data and crop model simulations. To address these issues, we proposed an improved crop data-model assimilation (CDMA) framework, which integrates LAI and SM, as retrieved from remotely sensed data, into the World Food Studies (WOFOST) model using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) approach for winter wheat yield estimation. The results showed that the yield estimation at a 10 m grid size outperformed that at a 500 m grid size, using the same assimilation strategy. Additionally, the winter wheat yield estimation accuracy was higher when using the bivariate data assimilation method (R2 = 0.46, RMSE = 756 kg/ha) compared to the univariate method. In conclusion, our study highlights the advantages of joint assimilating LAI and SM for crop yield estimation and emphasizes the importance of finer spatial resolution in remotely sensed observations for crop yield estimation using the CDMA framework. The proposed approach would help to develop a high-accuracy crop yield monitoring system using optical and SAR retrieved parameters.
Combining Discrete and Continuous Representation: Scale-Arbitrary Super-Resolution for Satellite Images
Authors: An Tai , Huo Chunlei , Xiang Shiming , Pan Chunhong
Published: March 2023

The advancements in image super-resolution technology have led to its widespread use in remote sensing applications. However, there is currently a lack of a general solution for the reconstruction of satellite images at arbitrary resolutions. The existing scale-arbitrary super-resolution methods are primarily predicated on learning either a discrete representation (DR) or a continuous representation (CR) of the image, with DR retaining the sensitivity to resolution and CR guaranteeing the generalization of the model. In this paper, we propose a novel image representation that combines the discrete and continuous representation, known as CDCR, which enables the extension of images to any desired resolution in a plug-and-play manner. CDCR consists of two components: a CR-based dense prediction that gathers more available information and a DR-based resolution-specific refinement that adjusts the predicted values of local pixels. Furthermore, we introduce a scale cumulative ascent (SCA) method, which enhances the performance of the dense prediction and improves the accuracy of the generated images at ultra-high magnifications. The efficacy and dependability of CDCR are substantiated by extensive experiments conducted on multiple remote sensing datasets, providing strong support for scenarios that require accurate images.
A Real-Time Linear Prediction Algorithm for Detecting Abnormal BDS-2/BDS-3 Satellite Clock Offsets
Authors: Gao Yaping , Chen Guo , Fu Wenju , Chen Xi , Ma Liangliang , Luo Tong , Xue Dongdong
Published: March 2023

Due to space environment interference, imperfect data processing model, and the performance of atomic clocks, real-time satellite clock products often contain outliers or irregular biases. We propose a real-time linear moving short-term prediction algorithm to predict clock offsets and detect abnormalities. The proposed algorithm mainly includes phase/frequency anomaly detection and real-time prediction part. Both the phase and frequency domains are used to detect abnormal clock offsets with previous epochs for building the clock prediction model accurately. The real-time moving prediction module utilizes the high short-term prediction performance to check the clock abnormality. The performance of the algorithm is then evaluated for all satellites with real-time estimated satellite clock offsets. To verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed linear moving model and algorithm, the results of the grey model GM(1,1) and the ARIMA model are also compared. The experimental results indicated that the algorithm can detect clock outliers, frequency modulation, and phase jumps, and the linear model has a better clock performance improvement. After the abnormalities are removed with the proposed algorithm, the average STD accuracy of the real-time clock offsets for all satellites is improved by 15.5%, compared to an improvement of 11.4% by the GM(1,1) model and 11.5% by the ARIMA model. The PPP results demonstrate that the proposed clock prediction algorithm improves the positioning accuracy by 8.1%, 13.3%, and 16.9% in the east, north, and up components, respectively.