bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Phagosome–Lysosome Fusion Is the Target of a Purified Quillaja saponin Extract (PQSE) in Reducing Infection of Fish Macrophages by the Bacterial Pathogen Piscirickettsia salmonis
Authors: Cortés Hernán D. , Gómez Fernando A. , Marshall Sergio H.
Published: July 2021

Piscirickettsia salmonis, the etiological agent of Piscirickettsiosis, is a Gram-negative and facultative intracellular pathogen that has affected the Chilean salmon industry since 1989. The bacterium is highly aggressive and can survive and replicate within fish macrophages using the Dot/Icm secretion system to evade the host’s immune response and spread systemically. To date, no efficient control measures have been developed for this disease; therefore, the producers use large amounts of antibiotics to control this pathogen. In this frame, this work has focused on evaluating the use of saponins from Quillaja saponaria as a new alternative to control the Piscirickettsiosis. It has been previously reported that purified extract of Q. saponaria (PQSE) displays both antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and viruses and adjuvant properties. Our results show that PQSE does not present antimicrobial activity against P. salmonis, although it reduces P. salmonis infection in an in vitro model, promoting the phagosome–lysosome fusion. Additionally, we demonstrate that PQSE modulates the expression of IL-12 and IL-10 in infected cells, promoting the immune response against the pathogen and reducing the expression of pathogen virulence genes. These results together strongly argue for specific anti-invasion and anti-intracellular replication effects induced by the PQSE in macrophages.
Intake of Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals in Relation to Body Composition, Skin Hydration and Lubrication in Young Women
Authors: Puścion-Jakubik Anna , Markiewicz-Żukowska Renata , Naliwajko Sylwia K. , Gromkowska-Kępka Krystyna J. , Moskwa Justyna , Grabia Monika , Mielech Anita , Bielecka Joanna , Karpińska Elżbieta , Mielcarek Konrad , Nowakowski Patryk , Socha Katarzyna
Published: July 2021

The aim of this study was to estimate the consumption of selected dietary components with antioxidant properties, undertake body composition analysis, assess skin hydration and lubrication, and establish the relationships between the above parameters. The study was carried out on 172 young women. The consumption of ingredients (vitamins A, C, D and E, and Cu, Mn, Zn) was assessed using the Diet 6.0 program, body composition was assessed using electrical bioimpedance and skin hydration and lubrication were assessed using the corneometric and sebumetric methods, respectively. About one-third of students showed insufficient consumption of vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, while about 99% showed insufficient vitamin D levels. The highest degree of hydration was observed in the areas of the eyelids, neckline and chin. The greatest amount of sebum was found in the area of the nose and forehead. Low positive correlations between hydration or lubrication and Cu, vitamin A and vitamin E were observed. In conclusion, to properly moisturize and lubricate the skin, young women should eat products that are rich in ingredients with antioxidant properties, in particular fat-soluble vitamins A and E, but also copper.
Biological Mechanisms of S-Nitrosothiol Formation and Degradation: How Is Specificity of S-Nitrosylation Achieved?
Authors: Massa Christopher M. , Liu Ziping , Taylor Sheryse , Pettit Ashley P. , Stakheyeva Marena N. , Korotkova Elena , Popova Valentina , Atochina-Vasserman Elena N. , Gow Andrew J.
Published: July 2021

The modification of protein cysteine residues underlies some of the diverse biological functions of nitric oxide (NO) in physiology and disease. The formation of stable nitrosothiols occurs under biologically relevant conditions and time scales. However, the factors that determine the selective nature of this modification remain poorly understood, making it difficult to predict thiol targets and thus construct informatics networks. In this review, the biological chemistry of NO will be considered within the context of nitrosothiol formation and degradation whilst considering how specificity is achieved in this important post-translational modification. Since nitrosothiol formation requires a formal one-electron oxidation, a classification of reaction mechanisms is proposed regarding which species undergoes electron abstraction: NO, thiol or S-NO radical intermediate. Relevant kinetic, thermodynamic and mechanistic considerations will be examined and the impact of sources of NO and the chemical nature of potential reaction targets is also discussed.
Activation of Adenosine A1 Receptor in Ischemic Stroke: Neuroprotection by Tetrahydroxy Stilbene Glycoside as an Agonist
Authors: Ruan Lingyu , Li Guanghui , Zhao Wenlong , Meng Huihui , Zheng Qi , Wang Junsong
Published: July 2021

Ischemic stroke is the main cause of death/disability, posing a great menace to human health. Though efforts to search for therapeutic drugs are ongoing, few of them have succeeded. Adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) activation could ameliorate ischemic injury, representing a very tempting target for stroke treatment. Tetrahydroxy stilbene glycoside (TSG), a potent antioxidant from the well-known Chinese herb Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., has been reported to have notable neuroprotective activities but the underlying mechanisms are elusive. This study investigated the mechanism of TSG focusing on A1R. TSG markedly decreased mortality, neurological deficit score, cerebral infarct size and brain water content of MCAO rats, and ameliorated the disorders in purine metabolism, energy metabolism and antioxidative defense system. TSG helped the survival of SH-SY5Y cells in OGD/R by alleviating oxidative stress and glutamate release, and by maintaining calcium homeostasis. TSG effects were abolished by A1R antagonist DPCPX. Docking and binding assays confirmed the binding of TSG with A1R. In addition, TSG upregulated the A1R level lowered by MCAO and OGD/R. The downstream signals of A1R activation, ERK1/2, HIF-1α and NF-κB contributed to the neuroprotection of TSG. Moreover, void of “well-known” cardiovascular side effects of classical A1R agonists, TSG showcased its great potential for stroke treatment.
Optimisation of Bee Pollen Extraction to Maximise Extractable Antioxidant Constituents
Authors: Lawag Ivan Lozada , Yoo Okhee , Lim Lee Yong , Hammer Katherine , Locher Cornelia
Published: July 2021

This paper presents the findings of a comprehensive review on common bee pollen processing methods which can impact extraction efficiency and lead to differences in measured total phenolic content (TPC) and radical scavenging activity based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) data. This hampers the comparative analysis of bee pollen from different floral sources and geographical locations. Based on the review, an in-depth investigation was carried out to identify the most efficient process to maximise the extraction of components for measurement of TPC, DPPH and FRAP antioxidant activity for two bee pollen samples from western Australia (Jarrah and Marri pollen). Optimisation by Design of Experiment with Multilevel Factorial Analysis (Categorical) modelling was performed. The independent variables included pollen pulverisation, the extraction solvent (70% aqueous ethanol, ethanol, methanol and water) and the extraction process (agitation, maceration, reflux and sonication). The data demonstrate that non-pulverised bee pollen extracted with 70% aqueous ethanol using the agitation extraction method constitute the optimal conditions to maximise the extraction of phenolics and antioxidant principles in these bee pollen samples.
Physiology and Pathophysiology of Oxygen Sensitivity
Authors: Fitzgerald Robert S. , Rocher Asuncion
Published: July 2021

Oxygen is an essential requirement for metabolism in mammals and many other animals. Therefore, pathways that sense a reduction in available oxygen are critical for organism survival. Higher mammals developed specialized organs to detect and respond to changes in O2 content to maintain gas homeostasis by balancing oxygen demand and supply. Here, we summarize the various oxygen sensors that have been identified in mammals (carotid body, aortic bodies, and astrocytes), by what mechanisms they detect oxygen and the cellular and molecular aspects of their function on control of respiratory and circulatory O2 transport that contribute to maintaining normal physiology. Finally, we discuss how dysregulation of oxygen availability leads to elevated signalling sensitivity in these systems and may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and many other disorders. Hence, too little oxygen, too much oxygen, and a malfunctioning sensitivity of receptors/sensors can create major pathophysiological problems for the organism.
The Potential of Dietary Antioxidants from a Series of Plant Extracts as Anticancer Agents against Melanoma, Glioblastoma, and Breast Cancer
Authors: Liaudanskas Mindaugas , Žvikas Vaidotas , Petrikaitė Vilma
Published: July 2021

In modern society, cancer is one of the most relevant medical problems. It is important to search for promising plant raw materials whose extracts have strong antioxidant and anticancer effects. The aim of this study was to determine the composition of phenolic compounds in plant extracts, to evaluate their antioxidant and anticancer activity, and to find the correlations between those activities. Extracts of calendula, sage, bearberry, eucalyptus, yarrow, and apple were selected for the study. The phenolic compounds of these extracts were determined by the UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method and the antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro by four different UV-VIS spectrophotometric methods (ABTS, DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP). The anticancer activity of extracts was tested against melanoma IGR39, glioblastoma U-87, and triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell lines in vitro by MTT assay. The highest content of identified and quantified phenolic compounds was found in sage leaf extract and the lowest in ethanol eucalyptus leaf extract. The highest antioxidant activity was determined by all applied methods for the acetone eucalyptus leaf extract. The majority of extracts were mostly active against the melanoma IGR39 cell line, and possessed the lowest activity against the glioblastoma U-87 cell line. Acetone extract of eucalyptus leaf samples exhibited the highest anticancer activity against all tested cell lines. Strong and reliable correlation has been found between antioxidant and anticancer activity in breast cancer and glioblastoma cell lines, especially when evaluating antioxidant activity by the FRAP method.
Oxidative Stress and Cognitive Alterations Induced by Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs: A Scoping Review
Authors: Cauli Omar
Published: July 2021

Cognitive impairment is one of the most deleterious effects of chemotherapy treatment in cancer patients, and this problem sometimes remains even after chemotherapy ends. Common classes of chemotherapy-based regimens such as anthracyclines, taxanes, and platinum derivatives can induce both oxidative stress in the blood and in the brain, and these effects can be reproduced in neuronal and glia cell cultures. In rodent models, both the acute and repeated administration of doxorubicin or adriamycin (anthracyclines) or cisplatin impairs cognitive functions, as shown by their diminished performance in different learning and memory behavioural tasks. Administration of compounds with strong antioxidant effects such as N-acetylcysteine, gamma-glutamyl cysteine ethyl ester, polydatin, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, and 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate sodium (MESNA) counteract both oxidative stress and cognitive alterations induced by chemotherapeutic drugs. These antioxidant molecules provide the scientific basis to design clinical trials in patients with the aim of reducing the oxidative stress and cognitive alterations, among other probable central nervous system changes, elicited by chemotherapy in cancer patients. In particular, N-acetylcysteine and MESNA are currently used in clinical settings and are therefore attracting scientific attention.
Identification of Dynamic Parameters of Pedestrian Walking Model Based on a Coupled Pedestrian–Structure System
Authors: Liang Huiqi , Xie Wenbo , Wei Peizi , Ai Dehao , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: July 2021

As human occupancy has an enormous effect on the dynamics of light, flexible, large-span, low-damping structures, which are sensitive to human-induced vibrations, it is essential to investigate the effects of pedestrian–structure interaction. The single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) mass–spring–damping (MSD) model, the simplest dynamical model that considers how pedestrian mass, stiffness and damping impact the dynamic properties of structures, is widely used in civil engineering. With field testing methods and the SDOF MSD model, this study obtained pedestrian dynamics parameters from measured data of the properties of both empty structures and structures with pedestrian occupancy. The parameters identification procedure involved individuals at four walking frequencies. Body frequency is positively correlated to the walking frequency, while a negative correlation is observed between the body damping ratio and the walking frequency. The test results further show a negative correlation between the pedestrian’s frequency and his/her weight, but no significant correlation exists between one’s damping ratio and weight. The findings provide a reference for structural vibration serviceability assessments that would consider pedestrian–structure interaction effects.
The Presence of Periodontitis in Patients with Von Willebrand Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mester Alexandru , Mancini Leonardo , Marchetti Enrico , Baciut Mihaela , Bran Simion , Lucaciu Ondine , Baciut Grigore , Tomuleasa Ciprian , Pasca Sergiu , Piciu Andra , Voina-Tonea Andrada , Opris Horia , Prodan Daiana Antoaneta , Onisor Florin
Published: July 2021

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the available evidence on the assessment of periodontal disease in patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD). An electronic search in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) was conducted by three independent reviewers to identify cross-sectional, cohort, and clinical trial studies. Studies considered eligible for this review were evaluated according to the quality and risk assessment tool proposed by the CLARITY Group at McMaster University. In order to analyze the possible correlation of VWD patients and periodontitis and their susceptibility to bleeding during the periodontal screening phase, periodontal parameters evaluated were probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival bleeding index (GBI), and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA). After a screening of 562 articles, three articles were selected for the qualitative analysis. Within the limitation of our review, VWD patients are not more susceptible to periodontitis as compared with non-VWD patients. Nevertheless, bleeding on probing and gingival index needs to be carefully taken into consideration during periodontal screening of VWD due to the possible presence of false positives.
Insights into the Restoration of Tributyltin Contaminated Environments Using Marine Bacteria from Portuguese Fishing Ports
Authors: Monteiro Hugo R. , Moutinho Ariana B. , Campos Maria J. , Esteves Ana C. , Lemos Marco F. L.
Published: July 2021

Tributyltin (TBT) is an organotin chemical mainly used as biocide in marine antifouling paints. Despite the restrictions and prohibitions on its use, TBT is still an environmental problem due to its extensive application and subsequent release into the environment, being regarded as one of the most toxic chemicals released into the marine ecosystems. Microorganisms inhabiting impacted sites are crucial for their restoration since they have developed mechanisms to tolerate and break down pollutants. Nonetheless, transformation products resulting from the degradation process may still be toxic or, sometimes, even more toxic than the parent compound. The determination of the parent and degradation products by analytical methods, although necessary, may not be ecologically relevant since no information is provided regarding their ecotoxicity. In this study, marine bacteria collected from seven Portuguese fishing ports were isolated and grown in the presence of TBT. Bacteria that exhibited higher growth were used to bioremediate TBT-contaminated waters. The potential of these bacteria as bioremediation agents was evaluated through ecotoxicological assays using the sea snail Gibbula umbilicalis as model organism. Data suggested that some TBT-tolerant bacteria, such as Pseudomonas putida, can reduce the toxicity of TBT contaminated environments. This work contributes to the knowledge of TBT-degrading bacteria.
Possibilities of Using Phyto-Preparations to Increase the Adaptive Capabilities of the Organism of Test Animals in Swimming
Authors: Ozimek Mariusz , Zaborova Victoria , Zolnikova Oxana , Dzhakhaya Natiya , Bueverova Elena , Sedova Alla , Rybakov Vitaly , Ostrovskaya Irina , Gaverova Yulia , Gurevich Konstantin , Malakhovskiy Vladimir , Rydzik Łukasz , Ambroży Tadeusz
Published: July 2021

Background: To study the possibilities of using phytopreparations to increase the adaptive capabilities of the animals on which the experiments were conducted in swimming. Methods: 100 mongrel male rats were divided into 5 groups of 20 animals in each one. For 30 days running, the animals were immersed for 10 min in a bath with water at a temperature of +4 °C. In addition to cold exposure, the animals of the first three groups were injected per os with stress protectors 30 min before the immersion in water. The rats of the first group received an inhibitor of the enzyme gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase, the second group was given an extract of Eleutherococcus, and the third group took an extract of Ligusticum wallichii. As a placebo, to control the effect of the stress protectors, the rats of the fourth group were injected per os with 0.9% NaCl solution, and the animals in the fifth group were not given any drugs. On days 1, 4 and 30 of the experiment, five randomly selected animals from each group were decapitated, the heart and liver were removed, and the activity of tissue enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPO), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)—was analyzed. Results: The animals in the control group displayed a decrease in the activity of most of the studied enzymes, increasing from the 1st to the 30th day of the experiment. The NaCl solution had practically no effect on the analyzed parameters. Against the use of the enzyme gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase inhibitor, the activity of the enzymes did not change as compared with the pre-intervention level. On the first day of ingestion, the effects of the Ligusticum wallichii extract were similar to those of the enzyme gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase inhibitor. On the 30th day of ingestion, the effects of the Eleutherococcus extract were practically indistinguishable from those of the enzyme gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase inhibitor. Conclusions: The data obtained suggest the presence of cytoprotective effects in the two phytopreparations that are similar to the enzyme gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase inhibitor. In this case, the effect of the extract of Ligusticum wallichii is more pronounced under the acute stress conditions, and the extract of Eleutherococcus, under the chronic stress conditions.
An Analytical Method for Gas Flow Measurement Using Conservative Chemical Elements
Authors: Kim Seok-Hwi , Lee Gibbum
Published: July 2021

Mass flow meters (MFMs) are widely used to secure reliable flow rates based on the mass value of the gas being measured. However, chemical reactions produce various kinds of gases, and their composition also changes in real time. Thus, there may be a large deviation in the gas flow if the gases’ composition and its mixing ratio are not known. In this study, we derived a gas flow rate measurement method using a chemically stable chemical specie and verified the precision of the proposed method through comparative analysis with an MFM. The flow rate by this method showed reliable results in both single and mixed gases. Notably, the results were within ±2.74% of the injected flowrate values in the gas mixtures. This method is expected to be able to fundamentally overcome the limitations of the mechanical flowmeter because it is not affected by changes in gas composition or mixing ratio during the reaction.
Short-Term Power Forecasting Framework for Microgrids Using Combined Baseline and Regression Models
Authors: Parejo Antonio , Bracco Stefano , Personal Enrique , Larios Diego Francisco , Delfino Federico , León Carlos
Published: July 2021

Short-term electric power forecasting is a tool of great interest for power systems, where the presence of renewable and distributed generation sources is constantly growing. Specifically, this type of forecasting is essential for energy management systems in buildings, industries and microgrids for optimizing the operation of their distributed energy resources under different criteria based on their expected daily energy balance (the consumption–generation relationship). Under this situation, this paper proposes a complete framework for the short-term multistep forecasting of electric power consumption and generation in smart grids and microgrids. One advantage of the proposed framework is its capability of evaluating numerous combinations of inputs, making it possible to identify the best technique and the best set of inputs in each case. Therefore, even in cases with insufficient input information, the framework can always provide good forecasting results. Particularly, in this paper, the developed framework is used to compare a whole set of rule-based and machine learning techniques (artificial neural networks and random forests) to perform day-ahead forecasting. Moreover, the paper presents and a new approach consisting of the use of baseline models as inputs for machine learning models, and compares it with others. Our results show that this approach can significantly improve upon the compared techniques, achieving an accuracy improvement of up to 62% over that of a persistence model, which is the best of the compared algorithms across all application cases. These results are obtained from the application of the proposed methodology to forecasting five different load and generation power variables for the Savona Campus at the University of Genova in Italy.
DSCope: Development of Automatic Program for Detecting Fractures and Measuring Dip Angles
Authors: Lee Dongseob , Sung Sangyoon , Choi Junghae , Kihm You-Hong
Published: July 2021

Changes in underground environments have been predicted by investigating underground bedrock conditions and analyzing the shapes of discontinuities in the rocks. The most commonly used method is to drill a borehole, insert a camera inside and capture the wall of the borehole in a photograph to investigate the discontinuities. However, if the images of the borehole cannot be captured, the characteristics of the discontinuities in the bedrock are analyzed by capturing the drilling cores in photographs. In this case, considerable time is required to analyze the drilling cores with the naked eye and measure the attitudes of the discontinuities developed in the cores in detail. Moreover, the results may vary depending on the researcher’s perspective. To overcome these limitations, this study develops a program for analyzing photographs of drilling cores. The program can automatically identify discontinuities in drilling cores and measure the attitudes through linear fitting using only drilling core photographs. In addition, we apply the program to practical field data to verify its applicability. We found that the program could provide more accurate and objective information on drilling cores than the currently used method and could more effectively organize the characteristics of fractures in the study area.
Transcriptome Analysis of Egg Yolk Sialoglycoprotein on Osteogenic Activity in MC3T3-E1 Cells
Authors: He Sizhe , Meng Keke , Chen Muxue , Zhu Lehui , Xiang Qingying , Quan Zhangyan , Xia Guanghua , Shen Xuanri
Published: July 2021

In this study, the effects of egg yolk sialoglycoprotein (EYG) on osteogenesis in MC3T3-E1 cells were investigated and the DEGs (differentially expressed genes) were explored by transcriptome analysis. The results found that EYG effectively increased cell proliferation, enhanced ALP activity, promoted the secretion of extracellular matrix protein COL-I and OCN, enhanced bone mineralization activity, exhibiting good osteogenic activity. Further study of the mechanism was explored through transcriptome analysis. Transcriptome analysis showed that 123 DEGs were triggered by EYG, of which 78 genes were downregulated and 45 genes were upregulated. GO (gene ontology) analysis showed that EYG mainly caused differences in gene expression of biological processes and cell composition categories in the top 30 most enriched items. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis showed that EYG inhibited inflammatory factors and downregulated inflammation-related pathways. The results also showed EYG regulated such genes as COL2A1, COL4A1 and COL4A2 to up-regulate pathways including ECM–receptor interaction, focal adhesion and protein digestion and absorption, enhancing the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Gene expression of COL-I, Runx2, BMP2 and β-catenin was determined by qRT-PCR for verification, which found that EYG significantly increased COL-I, Runx2, BMP2 and β-catenin gene expression, suggesting that BMP-2 mediated osteogenesis pathway was activated.
Luminex Multiplex Bead Assay Monitoring HLA IgG Antibodies in Sensitized Pre- and Post-transplant Patients: Clonality of the Detection Antibody Impacts Specificity and Sensitivity
Authors: Ravindranath Mepur H. , Ravindranath Narendranath M. , Amato-Menker Carly J.
Published: July 2021

The number and the binding affinity, measured as the mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of HLA-specific IgG antibodies, formed in the sera of end-stage organ disease patients and allograft recipients, referred to as sensitization, may restrict the availability of a donor organ and/or lead to graft failure after transplantation. The MFI of HLA Abs in sera is monitored with the Luminex-based single-antigen bead (SAB) immunoassay. The following two factors may impact the reliable measurement of MFI: one, the HLA structural variants on the SAB, namely, trimeric HLA (closed conformers, CC) and monomeric heavy chains (open conformers, OC); and two, the nature of the detection Abs, namely, IgG heavy-chain binding polyclonal-Fab (IgHPolyFab) or Fc-binding monoclonal-IgG (FcMonoIgG). Anti-CC Abs correlate with positive flow cross-matches, and are considered to be pathogenic and damaging to the graft, whereas anti-OC Abs appear to have little relevance to graft attrition. The presence of both CC and OC on beads may impair the reliability of monitoring the nature and MFI of pathogenic Abs. Our objective is to compare the MFI of the HLA Abs in the sera of 20 sensitized patients in two different SAB assays, with the two detection Abs. Our data reveal that the admixture of OC with CC on beads will affect the reliability of the measurement of the pathogenic Abs, and that FcMonoIgG is the more sensitive and specific detection Ab for the accurate assessment of HLA sensitization.
A Three-Dimensional Electrochemical Process for the Removal of Carbamazepine
Authors: Correia-Sá Luísa , Soares Cristina , Freitas Olga Matos , Moreira Manuela Maria , Nouws Henri Petrus Antonius , Correia Manuela , Paíga Paula , Rodrigues António José , Oliveira Carlos Miguel , Figueiredo Sónia Adriana , Delerue-Matos Cristina
Published: July 2021

The scientific community is increasingly concerned about the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment, which is a consequence of their high consumption and inefficient removal by wastewater-treatment plants. The search for an effective and sustainable tertiary treatment is therefore needed to enhance their removal. For this purpose, the combination of electrochemical and adsorption processes into three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical systems has been proposed. In this study, a 3D system was studied to remove carbamazepine, an antiepileptic, consumed in high doses and very persistent in the environment. The influences of the following parameters on its removal were evaluated: anode and cathode materials and distance between them, electrolyte (NaCl) concentration and pH, and the (carbon-based) adsorbent material used as the particulate electrode. The obtained results demonstrated that the introduction of the particulate electrode improved the removal efficiency. This can be attributed to the simultaneous occurrence of different phenomena, such as adsorption/electrosorption, electrocoagulation, oxidation, and catalytic degradation.
A Laser-Based Method for the Detection of Honey Adulteration
Authors: Stefas Dimitrios , Gyftokostas Nikolaos , Kourelias Panagiotis , Nanou Eleni , Kokkinos Vasileios , Bouras Christos , Couris Stelios
Published: July 2021

In the present work, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, aided by some machine learning algorithms (i.e., linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and extremely randomized trees (ERT)), is used for the detection of honey adulteration with glucose syrup. In addition, it is shown that instead of the entire LIBS spectrum, the spectral lines of inorganic ingredients of honey (i.e., calcium, sodium, and potassium) can be also used for the detection of adulteration providing efficient discrimination. The constructed predictive models attained high classification accuracies exceeding 90% correct classification.
Class Retrieval of Detected Adversarial Attacks
Authors: Al-afandi Jalal , András Horváth
Published: July 2021

Adversarial attack is a genuine threat compromising the safety of many intelligent systems curbing the standardization of using neural networks in security-critical applications. Since the emergence of adversarial attacks, the research community has worked relentlessly to avert the malicious damage of these attacks. Here, we present a new, additional and required element to ameliorate adversarial attacks: the recovery of the original class after a detected attack. Recovering the original class of an adversarial sample without taking any precautions is an uncharted concept which we would like to introduce with our novel class retrieval algorithm. As case studies, we demonstrate the validity of our approach on MNIST, CIFAR10 and ImageNet datasets where recovery rates were 72%, 65% and 65%, respectively.
Current Trends in Orthognathic Surgery in Poland—A Retrospective Analysis of 124 Cases
Authors: Zawiślak Ewa , Przywitowski Szymon , Olejnik Anna , Gerber Hanna , Golusiński Paweł , Nowak Rafał
Published: July 2021

The analysis aims at assessing the current trends in orthognathic surgery. The retrospective study covered a group of 124 patients with skeletal malocclusion treated by one team of maxillofacial surgeons at the University Hospital in Zielona Góra, Poland. Various variables were analysed, including demographic characteristics of the group, type of deformity, type of osteotomy used, order in which osteotomy was performed and duration of types of surgery. The mean age of the patients was 28 (ranging from 17 to 48, SD = 7). The group included a slightly bigger number of females (59.7%), with the dominant skeletal Class III (64.5%), and asymmetries were found in 21.8% of cases. Types of osteotomy performed during surgeries were divided as follows: LeFort I, segmental LeFort I, BSSO, BSSO with genioplasty, LeFort I with BSSO, LeFort I with BSSO and genioplasty, segmental LeFort I with BSSO, isolated genioplasty. Bimaxillary surgeries with and without genioplasty constituted the largest group of orthognathic surgeries (49.1%), and a slightly smaller percentage were one jaw surgeries (46.7%). A statistically significant correlation was found between the type of surgery and the skeletal class. In patients with skeletal Class III, bimaxillary surgeries were performed significantly more often than in patients with skeletal Class II (57.5% vs. 20.0%; p = 0.0002). The most common type of osteotomy in all surgeries was bilateral osteotomy of the mandible modo Obwegeser–Epker in combination with Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy (42.7%). The order of osteotomies in bimaxillary surgeries was mandible first in 61.3% of cases. The longest surgery was bimaxillary osteotomy with genioplasty (mean = 265 min), and the shortest surgery was isolated genioplasty (mean = 96 min). The results of the analysis show a significant differentiation between the needs of orthognathic surgery and the types of corrective osteotomy applied to the facial skeleton.
Few-Cycle, μJ-Class, Deep-UV Source from Gas Media
Authors: Khurelbaatar Tsendsuren , Mun Je-Hoi , Heo Jaeuk , Lee Yunman , Kim Dong-Eon
Published: July 2021

Energetic, few-fs pulses in the deep-UV region are highly desirable for exploring ultrafast processes on their natural time scales, especially in molecules. The deep-UV source can be generated from gas media irradiated with few-cycle near-infrared laser pulses via a third-order frequency conversion process, which is a perturbative mechanism in a relatively weak field regime. In this work, we demonstrate that the deep-UV generation process is significantly affected by also even higher nonlinear processes, such as the ionization depletion of gas and plasma-induced spatiotemporal distortion of propagating light. In the experiment, by optimizing the deep-UV (3.6–5.7 eV) generation efficiency, the highest deep-UV energy of 1 μJ was observed from a moderately ionized 0.8-bar Ar gas target. The observed UV spectra exhibited frequency shifts depending on the experimental conditions—gas type, gas pressure, and the gas cell location—supporting the importance of the highly nonlinear mechanisms. The experimental observations were well corroborated by numerical simulations.
Effect of Vibration on Emergency Braking Tribological Behaviors of Brake Shoe of Deep Coal Mine Hoist
Authors: Wang Dagang , Wang Ruixin , Wang Bo , Wahab Magd Abdel
Published: July 2021

The effects of vibration on the emergency braking tribological behaviors of the brake shoe of a deep coal mine hoist were investigated in this study. The thermal, frictional and mechanical parameters of the brake shoe were obtained. The vibration characteristics of the brake shoe during emergency braking were investigated, employing multibody dynamics analysis. The effect of vibration on the emergency braking tribological behaviors (temperature and stress distributions) of brake interfaces was explored using the finite element method. The self-made tribo-brake test rig of a brake shoe was employed to reveal the friction deterioration behaviors of the brake shoe during emergency braking. The results show obvious vibrations of all brake shoes along the direction of positive braking pressure during emergency braking. The vibration causes increases in the equivalent Von Mises stress and temperature at the contact interfaces between the brake disc and the brake shoe as compared to the case of ignoring the vibration. Along the rotation direction of the brake disc, the equivalent stress and temperature of the brake disc surface present three overall rapid increases, as well as two slight decreases during emergency braking. As compared to cyclic emergency braking, continuous emergency braking exhibits more obvious tribological degradation of the brake shoe, attributed to enhanced vibration. The wear loss of the brake shoe increases with increasing emergency braking cycles and continuous emergency braking time.
Numerical Analysis of the Take-Off Performance of a Seaplane in Calm Water
Authors: Guo Yang , Ma Dongli , Yang Muqing , Liu Xing’an
Published: July 2021

Nowadays, with the escalating tensions in maritime dispute and the development of marine economy, there has been renewed interest in seaplanes for their special capacity of taking off and landing on water. Prediction of take-off performance, involving aerodynamic analysis and hydrodynamic analysis, is a main challenge in seaplane design, while the prediction methods have been little improved since the 1960s. This paper aims to investigate the attitude and resistance characteristics of a seaplane at different speeds during the take-off by numerically modeling the air-water flow field using RANS equations with VOF method. The trim and heave motion of seaplane in response to aerodynamic forces, hydrodynamic forces, hydrostatic forces, and propeller thrust was realized by solving rigid body dynamics equations and adopting dynamic overset mesh technique. The variations in heave, trim angle, and resistance characteristics during the takeoff were investigated, and their inherent relationships with the aerodynamic, hydrodynamic, and hydrostatic performance were revealed. Particular investigation on the hydrodynamic resistance indicates that the stagnation line located at the convex bow would contribute a considerable increase of pressure resistance at the first hump, and the trim angel of a seaplane should be operated in an optimum trim range, typical between 4–6 deg, to minimize the hydrodynamic resistance at the second hump. Additionally, the dynamic motion convergence study proves that the utilization of damping terms was an effective way to accelerate the convergence of the dynamic motion ending with a quasi-static state.
Implementation of Fused Filament Fabrication in Dentistry
Authors: Lüchtenborg Jörg , Burkhardt Felix , Nold Julian , Rothlauf Severin , Wesemann Christian , Pieralli Stefano , Wemken Gregor , Witkowski Siegbert , Spies Benedikt C.
Published: July 2021

Additive manufacturing is becoming an increasingly important technique for the production of dental restorations and assistive devices. The most commonly used systems are based on vat polymerization, e.g., stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP). In contrast, fused filament fabrication (FFF), also known under the brand name fused deposition modeling (FDM), is rarely applied in the dental field. This might be due to the reduced accuracy and resolution of FFF compared to vat polymerization. However, the use of FFF in the dental sector seems very promising for in-house production since it presents a cost-effective and straight forward method. The manufacturing of nearly ready-to-use parts with only minimal post-processing can be considered highly advantageous. Therefore, the objective was to implement FFF in a digital dental workflow. The present report demonstrates the production of surgical guides for implant insertion by FFF. Furthermore, a novel approach using a temperature-sensitive filament for bite registration plates holds great promise for a simplified workflow. In combination with a medical-grade filament, a multi-material impression tray was printed for optimized impression taking of edentulous patients. Compared to the conventional way, the printed thermoplastic material is pleasant to model and can allow clean and fast work on the patient.
One-Electron Energy Spectra of Heavy Highly Charged Quasimolecules: Finite-Basis-Set Approach
Authors: Kotov Artem A. , Glazov Dmitry A. , Shabaev Vladimir M. , Plunien Günter
Published: July 2021

The generalized dual-kinetic-balance approach for axially symmetric systems is employed to solve the two-center Dirac problem. The spectra of one-electron homonuclear quasimolecules are calculated and compared with the previous calculations. The analysis of the monopole approximation with two different choices of the origin is performed. Special attention is paid to the lead and xenon dimers, Pb82+–Pb82+–e− and Xe54+–Xe54+–e−, where the energies of the ground and several excited σ-states are presented in the wide range of internuclear distances. The developed method provides the quasicomplete finite basis set and allows for the construction of perturbation theory, including within the bound-state QED.
Optimization of the Speech Test Material in a Group of Hearing Impaired Subjects: A Feasibility Study for Multilingual Digit Triplet Test Development
Authors: Masalski Marcin , Adamczyk Martyna , Morawski Krzysztof
Published: July 2021

Background: The development of the global digit-in-noise test requires optimization of each language version on a group of normal-hearing native-speakers. An alternative solution may be an adaptive optimization during ongoing tests in a group of subjects with unknown hearing impairments. The objective of the research was to compare the optimization results between these groups. Methods: Digit triplets consisting of three pseudo-randomly selected digits were presented in speech-shaped noise at various signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), according to the protocol of the final speech test. Digit-specific and position-specific speech reception thresholds (SRTs) were determined and compared between groups. Results: The study sample consisted of 82 subjects, 26 normal-hearing subjects and 56 patients with diverse hearing disorders. Statistically significant differences in digit-specific SRTs between the control and the investigated group were obtained for three digits in continuous noise (digits 0, 4, 6; p-value of 0.04, 0.03, 0.05) and two in modulated noise (digits 1 and 6; p-value of 0.05 and 0.01). An analysis including only ears with SRTs within the range of the normal hearing control group showed no statistically significant differences between digits. Conclusion: Optimization of speech material can be carried out in a group of subjects with unknown hearing impairments, provided the ears with scores outside normal range are rejected.
The Epistemic Revolution Induced by Microbiome Studies: An Interdisciplinary View
Authors: Bapteste Eric , Gérard Philippe , Larose Catherine , Blouin Manuel , Not Fabrice , Campos Liliane , Aïdan Géraldine , Selosse M. André , Adénis M. Sarah , Bouchard Frédéric , Dutreuil Sébastien , Corel Eduardo , Vigliotti Chloé , Huneman Philippe , Lapointe F. Joseph , Lopez Philippe
Published: July 2021

Many separate fields and practices nowadays consider microbes as part of their legitimate focus. Therefore, microbiome studies may act as unexpected unifying forces across very different disciplines. Here, we summarize how microbiomes appear as novel major biological players, offer new artistic frontiers, new uses from medicine to laws, and inspire novel ontologies. We identify several convergent emerging themes across ecosystem studies, microbial and evolutionary ecology, arts, medicine, forensic analyses, law and philosophy of science, as well as some outstanding issues raised by microbiome studies across these disciplines and practices. An ‘epistemic revolution induced by microbiome studies’ seems to be ongoing, characterized by four features: (i) an ecologization of pre-existing concepts within disciplines, (ii) a growing interest in systemic analyses of the investigated or represented phenomena and a greater focus on interactions as their root causes, (iii) the intent to use openly multi-scalar interaction networks as an explanatory framework to investigate phenomena to acknowledge the causal effects of microbiomes, (iv) a reconceptualization of the usual definitions of which individuals are worth considering as an explanans or as an explanandum by a given field, which result in a fifth strong trend, namely (v) a de-anthropocentrification of our perception of the world.
Chronic Variable Stress Induces Hepatic Fe(II) Deposition by Up-Regulating ZIP14 Expression via miR-181 Family Pathway in Rats
Authors: Jiang Shuxia , Guo Taining , Guo Shihui , Gao Jiang , Ni Yingdong , Ma Wenqiang , Zhao Ruqian
Published: July 2021

It is well-known that hepatic iron dysregulation, which is harmful to health, can be caused by stress. The aim of the study was to evaluate chronic variable stress (CVS) on liver damage, hepatic ferrous iron deposition and its molecular regulatory mechanism in rats. Sprague Dawley rats at seven weeks of age were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (Con) and a CVS group. CVS reduces body weight, but increases the liver-to-body weight ratio. The exposure of rats to CVS increased plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, but decreased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, resulting in liver damage. CVS lowered the total amount of hepatic iron content, but induced hepatic Fe(II) accumulation. CVS up-regulated the expression of transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) and ZRT/IRT-like protein 14 (ZIP14), but down-regulated ferritin and miR-181 family members. In addition, miR-181 family expression was found to regulate ZIP14 expression in HEK-293T cells by the dual-luciferase reporter system. These results indicate that CVS results in liver damage and induces hepatic Fe(II) accumulation, which is closely associated with the up-regulation of ZIP14 expression via the miR-181 family pathway.
Male Differentiation in the Marine Copepod Oithona nana Reveals the Development of a New Nervous Ganglion and Lin12-Notch-Repeat Protein-Associated Proteolysis
Authors: Sugier Kevin , Laso-Jadart Romuald , Vacherie Benoît , Käfer Jos , Bertrand Laurie , Labadie Karine , Martins Nathalie , Orvain Céline , Petit Emmanuelle , Wincker Patrick , Jamet Jean-Louis , Alberti Adriana , Madoui Mohammed-Amin
Published: July 2021

Copepods are among the most numerous animals, and they play an essential role in the marine trophic web and biogeochemical cycles. The genus Oithona is described as having the highest density of copepods. The Oithona male paradox describes the activity states of males, which are obliged to alternate between immobile and mobile phases for ambush feeding and mate searching, respectively, while the female is less mobile and feeds less. To characterize the molecular basis of this sexual dimorphism, we combined immunofluorescence, genomics, transcriptomics, and protein–protein interaction approaches and revealed the presence of a male-specific nervous ganglion. Transcriptomic analysis showed male-specific enrichment for nervous system development-related transcripts. Twenty-seven Lin12-Notch Repeat domain-containing protein coding genes (LDPGs) of the 75 LDPGs identified in the genome were specifically expressed in males. Furthermore, some LDPGs coded for proteins with predicted proteolytic activity, and proteases-associated transcripts showed a male-specific enrichment. Using yeast double–hybrid assays, we constructed a protein–protein interaction network involving two LDPs with proteases, extracellular matrix proteins, and neurogenesis-related proteins. We also hypothesized possible roles of the LDPGs in the development of the lateral ganglia through helping in extracellular matrix lysis, neurites growth guidance, and synapses genesis.
Lipoprotein Lipase and Its Delivery of Fatty Acids to the Heart
Authors: Shang Rui , Rodrigues Brian
Published: July 2021

Ninety percent of plasma fatty acids (FAs) are contained within lipoprotein-triglyceride, and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is robustly expressed in the heart. Hence, LPL-mediated lipolysis of lipoproteins is suggested to be a key source of FAs for cardiac use. Lipoprotein clearance by LPL occurs at the apical surface of the endothelial cell lining of the coronary lumen. In the heart, the majority of LPL is produced in cardiomyocytes and subsequently is translocated to the apical luminal surface. Here, vascular LPL hydrolyzes lipoprotein-triglyceride to provide the heart with FAs for ATP generation. This article presents an overview of cardiac LPL, explains how the enzyme works, describes key molecules that regulate its activity and outlines how changes in LPL are brought about by physiological and pathological states such as fasting and diabetes, respectively.