bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility Profile and Epidemiological Cut-Off Values Are Influenced by Serotype in Fish Pathogenic Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Leal Carlos Augusto Gomes , Silva Brendhal Almeida , Colombo Salene Angelini
Published: December 2023

Streptococcus agalactiae is a major health concern in tilapia farming worldwide. In contrast to the availability of susceptibility profile results, interpretative criteria for disk diffusion assays and the influence of serotypes on resistance profiles are not available. To address this, sixty isolates (thirty of each serotype, Ib and III) were evaluated using the disk diffusion assay against six antibiotics, and the epidemiological cut-off value (ECV) was calculated. All the isolates were classified as non-wild type (NWT) for sulfamethoxazole (SUT) and norfloxacin (NOR). The inhibition zones for oxytetracycline (OXY) and doxycycline (DOX) were largely distinct; all serotype Ib and III isolates were classified as wild-type (WT) and NWT, respectively. The results for serotype III of fish group B Streptococcus (GBS) were comparable to the NWT tetracycline profile of human GBS available in EUCAST, suggesting the presence of resistance mechanisms in these fish isolates. The calculation of the cut-off wild type (COWT) values for OXY and DOX was appropriate for both serotypes. Differences between the distribution of florfenicol (FLO) and amoxicillin (AMO) were found, and we attribute this to the faster growth rate of serotype III, which promotes smaller inhibition zones. Therefore, using separate COWT for each serotype is necessary. In conclusion, the serotype of fish GBS affects its susceptibility profile, and it is recommended to use serotype-specific COWT values as interpretative criteria for disk diffusion assays against FLO and AMO.
Topology Optimization of an Aerospace Bracket: Numerical and Experimental Investigation
Authors: Okorie Onyekachi , Perveen Asma , Talamona Didier , Kostas Konstantinos
Published: December 2023

The integration of topology optimization into additive manufacturing provides unmatched possibilities for the sustainable manufacturing of lightweight, intricate, custom parts with less material at a lower production time and cost. This study aims to apply and benchmark topology optimization methods, in conjunction with additive manufacturing, to enhance the design of functional components used in aerospace applications, while simultaneously providing an experimental verification and comparative analysis of such optimization techniques. This approach was applied to an industrial bracket used in aerospace applications, which was optimized with the aim of weight reduction without sacrificing its original mechanical stiffness. A density-based technique and a level-set method were used to perform the analysis and optimization, whereas fabrication was performed using fused deposition modeling. Finally, a compression and tensile testing machine was employed for the testing, verification, and comparison of the exhibited mechanical strength for the whole range of printed parts, under the same load conditions. The optimized designs achieved a 20% weight reduction while maintaining the compression displacement of the initial components at the given load. The achieved results demonstrate that topologically optimized components can significantly enhance the design of real-life components, such as those used in the weight-sensitive industrial applications considered in this work.
Advances in the Separation of Graphite from Lithium Iron Phosphate from End-of-Life Batteries Shredded Fine Fraction Using Simple Froth Flotation
Authors: Renier Olivier , Pellini Andrea , Spooren Jeroen
Published: December 2023

Olivine-type lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, LFP) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become a popular choice for electric vehicles (EVs) and stationary energy storage systems. In the context of recycling, this study addresses the complex challenge of separating black mass of spent LFP batteries from its main composing materials to allow for direct recycling. In this study, 71% copper and 81% aluminium foil impurities were removed by sieving black mass to <250 µm. Next, the application of froth flotation as a separation technique was explored, examining the influence of chemical agents, pre-treatment, and multi-step processes. Frother agent addition improved material recovery in the froth, while collector addition influenced the separation efficiency and enhanced graphite recovery. Pre-treatment, particularly sonication, was found to break down agglomerates and further improve separation. Multi-step flotation increased the purity of recovered fractions. The optimized process for a black mass < 250 µm, involving sonication pre-treatment and double flotation, resulted in enriched carbonaceous material (80.3 mol%) in froth fractions and high LFP concentration (81.9 mol%) in tailings fractions. The recovered spent LFP cathode material contained 37.20 wt% Fe2P2O7, a degradation product of LiFePO4. This research offers valuable insights for the development of efficient battery recycling methods for LFP batteries.
Human Induced Pluripotent Spheroids’ Growth Is Driven by Viscoelastic Properties and Macrostructure of 3D Hydrogel Environment
Authors: Lemarié Lucas , Dargar Tanushri , Grosjean Isabelle , Gache Vincent , Courtial Edwin J. , Sohier Jérôme
Published: December 2023

Stem cells, particularly human iPSCs, constitute a powerful tool for tissue engineering, notably through spheroid and organoid models. While the sensitivity of stem cells to the viscoelastic properties of their direct microenvironment is well-described, stem cell differentiation still relies on biochemical factors. Our aim is to investigate the role of the viscoelastic properties of hiPSC spheroids’ direct environment on their fate. To ensure that cell growth is driven only by mechanical interaction, bioprintable alginate–gelatin hydrogels with significantly different viscoelastic properties were utilized in differentiation factor-free culture medium. Alginate–gelatin hydrogels of varying concentrations were developed to provide 3D environments of significantly different mechanical properties, ranging from 1 to 100 kPa, while allowing printability. hiPSC spheroids from two different cell lines were prepared by aggregation (⌀ = 100 µm, n > 1 × 104), included and cultured in the different hydrogels for 14 days. While spheroids within dense hydrogels exhibited limited growth, irrespective of formulation, porous hydrogels prepared with a liquid–liquid emulsion method displayed significant variations of spheroid morphology and growth as a function of hydrogel mechanical properties. Transversal culture (adjacent spheroids-laden alginate–gelatin hydrogels) clearly confirmed the separate effect of each hydrogel environment on hiPSC spheroid behavior. This study is the first to demonstrate that a mechanically modulated microenvironment induces diverse hiPSC spheroid behavior without the influence of other factors. It allows one to envision the combination of multiple formulations to create a complex object, where the fate of hiPSCs will be independently controlled by their direct microenvironment.
Multi-Instance Classification of Breast Tumor Ultrasound Images Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Transfer Learning
Authors: Ciobotaru Alexandru , Bota Maria Aurora , Goța Dan Ioan , Miclea Liviu Cristian
Published: December 2023

Background: Breast cancer is arguably one of the leading causes of death among women around the world. The automation of the early detection process and classification of breast masses has been a prominent focus for researchers in the past decade. The utilization of ultrasound imaging is prevalent in the diagnostic evaluation of breast cancer, with its predictive accuracy being dependent on the expertise of the specialist. Therefore, there is an urgent need to create fast and reliable ultrasound image detection algorithms to address this issue. Methods: This paper aims to compare the efficiency of six state-of-the-art, fine-tuned deep learning models that can classify breast tissue from ultrasound images into three classes: benign, malignant, and normal, using transfer learning. Additionally, the architecture of a custom model is introduced and trained from the ground up on a public dataset containing 780 images, which was further augmented to 3900 and 7800 images, respectively. What is more, the custom model is further validated on another private dataset containing 163 ultrasound images divided into two classes: benign and malignant. The pre-trained architectures used in this work are ResNet-50, Inception-V3, Inception-ResNet-V2, MobileNet-V2, VGG-16, and DenseNet-121. The performance evaluation metrics that are used in this study are as follows: Precision, Recall, F1-Score and Specificity. Results: The experimental results show that the models trained on the augmented dataset with 7800 images obtained the best performance on the test set, having 94.95 ± 0.64%, 97.69 ± 0.52%, 97.69 ± 0.13%, 97.77 ± 0.29%, 95.07 ± 0.41%, 98.11 ± 0.10%, and 96.75 ± 0.26% accuracy for the ResNet-50, MobileNet-V2, InceptionResNet-V2, VGG-16, Inception-V3, DenseNet-121, and our model, respectively. Conclusion: Our proposed model obtains competitive results, outperforming some state-of-the-art models in terms of accuracy and training time.
The Safety and Efficacy of Combining Saxagliptin and Pioglitazone Therapy in Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Othman Ahmed Mohamed , Ashour Ibrahim Ibrahim , Saleh Samy M. , Abo-Elmatty Dina M. , Mesbah Noha M. , Abdel-Hamed Asmaa R.
Published: December 2023

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic progressive disease due to insulin resistance. Oxidative stress complicates the etiology of T2DM. Saxagliptin is a selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, while Pioglitazone is a thiazolidinedione insulin sensitizer. This study aimed to assess the effect of Saxagliptin and Pioglitazone monotherapy and combination therapy on the biochemical and biological parameters in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The study included thirty-five male albino rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal STZ injection (35 mg/kg). For a 1-month duration, rats were divided into five groups. Glucose homeostasis traits, lipid profiles, kidney functions, liver enzymes, and oxidative stress markers were measured. Gene expression of miRNA-29a, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) was assessed using qRT-PCR. Results: At a 1-month treatment duration, combination therapy improves oxidative stress markers more than either drug alone. The combination therapy had significantly higher levels of SOD, catalase, and GSH and lower levels of MDA compared to the monotherapy. Additionally, the diabetic group showed a significant increase in the expression levels of miRNA-29a, PEPCK, and IL-1β and a significant decrease in PI3K compared to the normal control group. However, combination therapy of Saxagliptin and Pioglitazone was more effective than either Saxagliptin or Pioglitazone alone in reversing these results, especially for PEPCK and IL-1β. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that combining Saxagliptin and Pioglitazone improves glycemic control and genetic and epigenetic expression profiles, which play an essential regulatory role in normal metabolism.
Advantages and Limitations of Diabetic Bone Healing in Mouse Models: A Narrative Review
Authors: Maisenbacher Tanja C. , Ehnert Sabrina , Histing Tina , Nüssler Andreas K. , Menger Maximilian M.
Published: December 2023

Diabetes represents a major risk factor for impaired fracture healing. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a growing epidemic worldwide, hence an increase in diabetes-related complications in fracture healing can be expected. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet completely understood. Different mouse models are used in preclinical trauma research for fracture healing under diabetic conditions. The present review elucidates and evaluates the characteristics of state-of-the-art murine diabetic fracture healing models. Three major categories of murine models were identified: Streptozotocin-induced diabetes models, diet-induced diabetes models, and transgenic diabetes models. They all have specific advantages and limitations and affect bone physiology and fracture healing differently. The studies differed widely in their diabetic and fracture healing models and the chosen models were evaluated and discussed, raising concerns in the comparability of the current literature. Researchers should be aware of the presented advantages and limitations when choosing a murine diabetes model. Given the rapid increase in type II diabetics worldwide, our review found that there are a lack of models that sufficiently mimic the development of type II diabetes in adult patients over the years. We suggest that a model with a high-fat diet that accounts for 60% of the daily calorie intake over a period of at least 12 weeks provides the most accurate representation.
Lateral Load-Carrying Capacity of Low-Rise Reinforced Concrete Walls in Nuclear Safety-Related Structures
Authors: Guo Shuheng , Li Xinbo , Gong Jinxin
Published: December 2023

Nuclear safety-related structures are crucial for ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities and preventing the leakage of radioactive materials, with the primary structural component being low-rise reinforced concrete (LRC) walls. These walls are required to carry combined in-plane axial and horizontal loads, making the accurate prediction of their lateral load-carrying capacity particularly important. In this study, six LRC walls with aspect ratios between 0.33 and 1 were tested and a model for the prediction of the lateral load-carrying capacity of LRC walls was established based on the observed failure mode and plastic limit theory. The parameter in the model was calibrated using the obtained results in this test along with a database containing 131 walls in the literature. Compared to the equations in the American standard ACI 349 and the French standard RCC-CW, the proposed equation is most suitable for assessing the lateral load-carrying capacity of LRC walls in nuclear safety-related structures. The calculated values of the proposed equation exhibit a ratio closest to 1 when compared to experimental values and possess the minimum degree of variation. The computational results reveal that the proposed equations in this study exhibit superior precision and stability.
Endoscopic Treatment of Malignant Hilar Biliary Obstruction
Authors: Pietrzak Jakub , Przybyłkowski Adam
Published: December 2023

Stent implantation is an effective approach for palliative treatment of Bismuth-Corlette type III–IV malignant hilar biliary obstructions (MHBOs). In this article, we reviewed the currently used access methods for biliary stent placement (percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, endoscopic biliary drainage, endosonography guided biliary drainage), the available stent types (plastic stent, self-expanding metallic stent, full cover self-expanding metallic stent, radioactive self-expanding metallic stent), major approaches (unilateral, bilateral) and deployment methods (stent-in-stent, stent-by-stent). Finally, this review gives an outlook on perspectives of development in stenting and other palliative methods in MHBO.
Prognostic Value of Circulating Cytokines in Chemorefractory Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Assaf Irene , Fimereli Danai , Anthoine Geraldine , Fazio Roberta , Daprà Valentina , Audisio Alessandro , Bardiaux Alina , Telli Tugba Akin , Vanhooren Michele , Saude-Conde Rita , Bregni Giacomo , Hendlisz Alain , Sclafani Francesco
Published: December 2023

Circulating cytokines could be optimal biomarkers for prognostication and management decisions in colorectal cancer (CRC). Chemorefractory CRC patients with available plasma samples were included in this study. In the discovery cohort (n = 85), 182 circulating cytokines were tested with a semi-quantitative multiplex assay, and prognostic cytokines were analyzed in the validation cohort (n = 111) by ELISA. Overall survival (OS) was the primary outcome measure, with the false discovery rate (FDR) method (significance level of <0.01) being used to correct for multiple comparisons. Four cytokines were associated with OS in the discovery cohort: insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) (HR 2.1 [95%CI: 1.58–2.79], FDR < 0.001), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) (HR 1.65 [95%CI: 1.28–2.13], FDR = 0.006), serum amyloid A (SAA) (HR 1.84 [95%CI: 1.39–2.43], FDR < 0.001), and angiotensin II (HR 1.65 [95%CI: 1.29–2.1], FDR = 0.006). Of these, IGFBP-1 (HR 2.70 [95%CI: 1.56–4.76], FDR = 0.007) and IGFBP-2 (HR 3.33 [95%CI: 1.64–6.67], FDR = 0.008) were confirmed to be independently associated with OS in the validation cohort. Patients with high concentrations of IGFBP-1 and/or IGFBP-2 had a median OS of 3.0 months as compared with 6.9 months for those with low concentrations of both cytokines (HR 2.44 [95%CI: 1.52–4.0], FDR = 0.002) Validation of circulating IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 as independent prognostic biomarkers for chemorefractory CRC in larger, independent series is warranted.
Diagnostic Performance of 99mTc-iPSMA SPECT/CT in the Initial Staging of Patients with Unfavorable Intermediate-, High-, and Very High-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Comparative Analysis with 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT
Authors: Vargas-Ahumada Joel E. , González-Rueda Sofía Denisse , Sinisterra-Solís Fabio Andrés , Casanova-Triviño Pamela , Pitalúa-Cortés Quetzali , Soldevilla-Gallardo Irma , Scavuzzo Anna , Jimenez-Ríos Miguel Angel , García-Pérez Francisco Osvaldo
Published: December 2023

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. Imaging plays a key role in disease detection and initial staging. Emerging data has shown the superiority of PSMA imaging with PET/CT over conventional imaging for primary diagnoses. Single photon emission computed tomography is more available worldwide, and the imaging agent is low in cost. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic accuracy of 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-iPSMA SPECT/CT to 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT in the primary diagnosis of prostate cancer and the impact on clinical staging. Methods: In this prospective controlled study, 18 patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer with unfavorable intermediate-, high-, and very high-risk characteristics were recruited to undergo 18F-PSMA-PET/CT and 99mTc-iPSMA SPECT/CT. The median age of the patients was 71 years old, and the median PSA level was 23.3 ng/mL. Lesions were divided into the prostate, seminal vesicles, lymph nodes, bone, and visceral metastases. Volumetric analysis was also performed between the two imaging modalities and correlated with PSA levels. Results: A total of 257 lesions were detected on 18F-PSMA-PET/CT: prostate (n = 18), seminal vesicles (n = 12), locoregional lymph nodes (n = 62), non-locoregional (n = 67), bone (n = 90), and visceral (n = 8). Of these, 99mTc-iPSMA-SPECT/CT detected 229 lesions, while both reviewers detected 100% of the lesions in the prostate (18/18), seminal vesicles (12/12), and visceral (8/8); LN LR (56/62; 90%), NLR (57/67; 85%), and bone (78/90; 86%). There were no statistically significant differences between volumetric parameters (t = −0.02122; p = 0.491596). Conclusions: 99mTc-iPSMA SPECT/CT is useful in the primary diagnosis of prostate cancer. Despite it showing a slightly lower lesion detection rate compared to 18F-PSMA PET/CT, it exhibited no impact on clinical staging and, consequently, the initial treatment intention.
Prostate Cancers Invisible on Multiparametric MRI: Pathologic Features in Correlation with Whole-Mount Prostatectomy
Authors: Chatterjee Aritrick , Gallan Alexander , Fan Xiaobing , Medved Milica , Akurati Pranadeep , Bourne Roger M. , Antic Tatjana , Karczmar Gregory S. , Oto Aytekin
Published: December 2023

We investigated why some prostate cancers (PCas) are not identified on multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) by using ground truth reference from whole-mount prostatectomy specimens. A total of 61 patients with biopsy-confirmed PCa underwent 3T mpMRI followed by prostatectomy. Lesions visible on MRI prospectively or retrospectively identified after correlating with histology were considered “identified cancers” (ICs). Lesions that could not be identified on mpMRI were considered “unidentified cancers” (UCs). Pathologists marked the Gleason score, stage, size, and density of the cancer glands and performed quantitative histology to calculate the tissue composition. Out of 115 cancers, 19 were unidentified on MRI. The UCs were significantly smaller and had lower Gleason scores and clinical stage lesions compared with the ICs. The UCs had significantly (p < 0.05) higher ADC (1.34 ± 0.38 vs. 1.02 ± 0.30 μm2/ms) and T2 (117.0 ± 31.1 vs. 97.1 ± 25.1 ms) compared with the ICs. The density of the cancer glands was significantly (p = 0.04) lower in the UCs. The percentage of the Gleason 4 component in Gleason 3 + 4 lesions was nominally (p = 0.15) higher in the ICs (20 ± 12%) compared with the UCs (15 ± 8%). The UCs had a significantly lower epithelium (32.9 ± 21.5 vs. 47.6 ± 13.1%, p = 0.034) and higher lumen volume (20.4 ± 10.0 vs. 13.3 ± 4.1%, p = 0.021) compared with the ICs. Independent from size and Gleason score, the tissue composition differences, specifically, the higher lumen and lower epithelium in UCs, can explain why some of the prostate cancers cannot be identified on mpMRI.
Green Synthesis of Mixed ZnO-SnO2 Nanoparticles for Solar-Assisted Degradation of Synthetic Dyes
Authors: Algarni Tahani Saad , Al-Mohaimeed Amal M. , Abduh Naaser A. Y. , Habab Reem Abdulrahman , Alqahtani Saad Mohammed
Published: December 2023

In this work, ZnO, SnO2, and their mixed ZnO-SnO2(25%) nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully green synthesized in a straightforward manner with a low-cost and environmentally friendly approach using a banana peel extract. The synthesized nanophotocatalysts were characterized using various techniques including FTIR, XRD, UV-Vis, TEM, SEM, BET, PL, EDS, and TGA. The characterization results showed that the ZnO and SnO2 powders were crystallized in a hexagonal wurtzite and rutile-type tetragonal structures, respectively, and their mixed ZnO-SnO2(25%) NPs contain both structures. Also, it was found that the addition of SnO2 into the ZnO structure reduces the PL intensity of the latter, confirming better separation of electron/hole pairs. The average particle size of a ZnO-SnO2(25%) NP photocatalyst was found to be 7.23 nm. The cationic dyes methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) as well as the anionic dyes naphthol blue black (NBB) and Coomassie brilliant blue R 250 (CBB) were employed as model dyes to assess the dye removal efficiencies of the biosynthesized nanophotocatalysts under sunlight. In all cases, the mixed ZnO-SnO2(25%) NP photocatalyst showed much better photocatalytic activity than individual photocatalysts. The degradation percent of dyes using ZnO-SnO2(25%) NPs ranged between 92.2% and 98%. The efficient photocatalytic activity of ZnO-SnO2(25%) NPs is attributed to the effective charge separation and reduced electron/hole recombination rate. The kinetic study results conformed to a pseudo first-order reaction rationalized in terms of the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. Furthermore, the results showed that the ZnO-SnO2(25%) NP photocatalyst is highly stable and could be recycled several times without a noticeable reduction in its catalytic activity towards dye removal.
Unraveling Transcriptome Profile, Epigenetic Dynamics, and Morphological Changes in Psoriasis-like Keratinocytes: “Insights into Similarity with Psoriatic Lesional Epidermis”
Authors: Ghaffarinia Ameneh , Póliska Szilárd , Ayaydin Ferhan , Goblos Aniko , Parvaneh Shahram , Manczinger Máté , Balogh Fanni , Erdei Lilla , Veréb Zoltán , Szabó Kornélia , Bata-Csörgő Zsuzsanna , Kemény Lajos
Published: December 2023

Keratinocytes are one of the primary cells affected by psoriasis inflammation. Our study aimed to delve deeper into their morphology, transcriptome, and epigenome changes in response to psoriasis-like inflammation. We created a novel cytokine mixture to mimic mild and severe psoriasis-like inflammatory conditions in cultured keratinocytes. Upon induction of inflammation, we observed that the keratinocytes exhibited a mesenchymal-like phenotype, further confirmed by increased VIM mRNA expression and results obtained from confocal microscopy. We performed RNA sequencing to achieve a more global view, revealing 858 and 6987 DEGs in mildly and severely inflamed keratinocytes, respectively. Surprisingly, we found that the transcriptome of mildly inflamed keratinocytes more closely mimicked that of the psoriatic epidermis transcriptome than the severely inflamed keratinocytes. Genes involved in the IL-17 pathway were a major contributor to the similarities of the transcriptomes between mildly inflamed KCs and psoriatic epidermis. Mild and severe inflammation led to the gene regulation of epigenetic modifiers such as HATs, HDACs, DNMTs, and TETs. Immunofluorescence staining revealed distinct 5-hmC patterns in inflamed versus control keratinocytes, and consistently low 5-mC intensity in both groups. However, the global DNA methylation assay detected a tendency of decreased 5-mC levels in inflamed keratinocytes versus controls. This study emphasizes how inflammation severity affects the transcriptomic similarity of keratinocytes to psoriatic epidermis and proves dynamic epigenetic regulation and adaptive morphological changes in inflamed keratinocytes.
Microglia at the Tripartite Synapse during Postnatal Development: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorders and Schizophrenia
Authors: Ferrucci Laura , Cantando Iva , Cordella Federica , Di Angelantonio Silvia , Ragozzino Davide , Bezzi Paola
Published: December 2023

Synapses are the fundamental structures of neural circuits that control brain functions and behavioral and cognitive processes. Synapses undergo formation, maturation, and elimination mainly during postnatal development via a complex interplay with neighboring astrocytes and microglia that, by shaping neural connectivity, may have a crucial role in the strengthening and weakening of synaptic functions, that is, the functional plasticity of synapses. Indeed, an increasing number of studies have unveiled the roles of microglia and astrocytes in synapse formation, maturation, and elimination as well as in regulating synaptic function. Over the past 15 years, the mechanisms underlying the microglia- and astrocytes-dependent regulation of synaptic plasticity have been thoroughly studied, and researchers have reported that the disruption of these glial cells in early postnatal development may underlie the cause of synaptic dysfunction that leads to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia.
Peptidyl Arginine Deiminases in Chronic Diseases: A Focus on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Nava-Quiroz Karol J. , López-Flores Luis A. , Pérez-Rubio Gloria , Rojas-Serrano Jorge , Falfán-Valencia Ramcés
Published: December 2023

Protein citrullination is accomplished by a broad enzyme family named Peptidyl Arginine Deiminases (PADs), which makes this post-translational modification in many proteins that perform physiological and pathologic mechanisms in the body. Due to these modifications, citrullination has become a significant topic in the study of pathological processes. It has been related to some chronic and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), interstitial lung diseases (ILD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and certain types of cancer, among others. Antibody production against different targets, including filaggrin, vimentin, and collagen, results in an immune response if they are citrullinated, which triggers a continuous inflammatory process characteristic of autoimmune and certain chronic diseases. PAD coding genes (PADI1 to PADI4 and PADI6) harbor variations that can be important in these enzymes’ folding, activity, function, and half-life. However, few studies have considered these genetic factors in the context of chronic diseases. Exploring PAD pathways and their role in autoimmune and chronic diseases is a major topic in developing new pharmacological targets and valuable biomarkers to improve diagnosis and prevention. The present review addresses and highlights genetic, molecular, biochemical, and physiopathological factors where PAD enzymes perform a major role in autoimmune and chronic diseases.
Random Allelic Expression in Inherited Retinal Disease Genes
Authors: Richards Collin J. , Pulido Jose S.
Published: December 2023

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a significant contributor to visual loss in children and young adults, falling second only to diabetic retinopathy. Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of IRDs remains paramount. Some autosomal genes exhibit random allelic expression (RAE), similar to X-chromosome inactivation. This study identifies RAE genes in IRDs. Genes in the Retinal Information Network were cross-referenced with the recent literature to identify expression profiles, RAE, or biallelic expression (BAE). Loss-of-function intolerance (LOFI) was determined by cross-referencing the existing literature. Molecular and biological pathways that are significantly enriched were evaluated using gene ontology. A total of 184 IRD-causing genes were evaluated. Of these, 31 (16.8%) genes exhibited RAE. LOFI was exhibited in 6/31 (19.4%) of the RAE genes and 18/153 (11.8%) of the BAE genes. Brain tissue exhibited BAE in 107/128 (83.6%) genes for both sexes. The molecular pathways significantly enriched among BAE genes were photoreceptor activity, tubulin binding, and nucleotide/ribonucleotide binding. The biologic pathways significantly enriched for RAE genes were equilibrioception, parallel actin filament bundle assembly, photoreceptor cell outer segment organization, and protein depalmitoylation. Allele-specific expression may be a mechanism underlying IRD phenotypic variability, with clonal populations of embryologic precursor cells exhibiting RAE. Brain tissue preferentially exhibited BAE, possibly due to selective pressures against RAE. Pathways critical for cellular and visual function were enriched in BAE, which may offer a survival benefit.
Exploring Various Transfection Approaches and Their Applications in Studying the Regenerative Potential of Dental Pulp Stem Cells
Authors: Alkharobi Hanaa
Published: December 2023

Transfection is a contemporary approach for introducing foreign genetic material into target cells. The effective transport of genetic materials into cells is mostly influenced by (a) the characteristics of the genetic material (quantity and quality), (b) the transfection procedure (incubation time, ratio of the reagents to the introduced genetic material, and components of cell culture), and (c) targeted cells for transfection (cell origin and cell type). This review summarizes the findings of different studies focusing on various transfection approaches and their applications to explore the regenerative potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Several databases, including Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed, were searched to obtain the literature for the current review. Different keywords were used as key terms in the search. Approximately 200 articles were retained after removing duplicates from different databases. Articles published in English that discussed different transfection approaches were included. Several sources were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Approximately 70 relevant published sources were included in the final stage to achieve the study objectives. This review demonstrated that no single transfection system is applicable to all cases and the various cell types with no side effects. Further studies are needed to focus on optimizing process parameters, decreasing the toxicity and side effects of available transfection techniques, and increasing their efficiencies. Moreover, this review sheds light on the impact of using different valuable transfection approaches to investigate the regenerative potential of DPSCs.
Impact of the Toxic Dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella on the Valve Movement of Mytilus edulis: A Comparison between Two Populations with Contrasting Histories Exposure
Authors: Durier Guillaume , Comeau Luc A. , Babarro José M. F. , Starr Michel , Clements Jeff C. , Tremblay Réjean
Published: December 2023

Shellfish aquaculture farms, due to their coastal position, face the threat of exposure to harmful algal blooms. Such blooms can release, among others, paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) produced by the dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella and are known to cause the restriction of bivalve harvesting sites. Shellfish can accumulate PSTs in levels that are poisonous for humans, therefore making them unfit for consumption. Thus, the ability to detect PSTs before they reach the critical threshold is crucial for minimizing losses in the industry. Previous studies have demonstrated that toxic algae detection is possible with the use of an early warning system based on the valve-gaping behaviour of blue mussel Mytilus edulis. However, some studies observed the presence of toxin resistance in other species of bivalves when they are regularly exposed to PSTs. If no resistance is observed whatever the past history of the populations would be with regard to PST exposure, this species could be appropriate as a sentinel candidate. In this study, we compare the valve-gaping behaviour of two blue mussel populations with contrasting long-term histories of PSTs events (i.e., regularly vs. not previously exposed to the PSTs producer) were compared using experimental exposure of A. catenella to M. edulis. It was found that mussels from both populations exhibited similar gaping behaviour patterns when exposed to A. catenella. For both populations, the number of valve closures and closure duration tended to increase in the presence of A. catenella, which suggested an avoidance response to the toxic dinoflagellate. In conclusion, our results support the use of M. edulis without origin discrimination
Using Aquatic Plant-Derived Biochars as Carbon Materials for the Negative Electrodes of Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Belmesov Andrey A. , Glukhov Alexander A. , Kayumov Ruslan R. , Podlesniy Dmitry N. , Latkovskaya Elena M. , Repina Maria A. , Ivanov Nikita P. , Tsvetkov Maxim V. , Shichalin Oleg O.
Published: December 2023

The current study focuses on the production of biochars derived from aquatic plants, specifically red seaweed Ahnfeltia and seagrass Zostera and Ruppia, found in brackish lagoons in the Sea of Okhotsk, Sakhalin Island. These biochars were obtained through a stepwise pyrolysis process conducted at temperatures of 500 and 700 °C. The characteristics of the biochars, including their elemental composition, specific surface area, and particle size distribution, were found to be influenced by both the type of biomass used and the pyrolysis temperature. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the potential of these biochars to be used as negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries. Among the various samples we tested, the biochar derived from the macroalgae Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis, produced at 700 °C, exhibited the highest carbon content (70 at%) and nitrogen content (>5 at%). The reversible capacity of this particular biochar was measured to be 391 mAh g−1 during the initial cycles and remained relatively stable at around 300 mAh g−1 after 25 cycles. These findings suggest that biochars derived from aquatic plants have the potential to be utilized as effective electrode materials in lithium ion batteries. The specific properties of the biochar, such as its elemental composition and surface area, play a significant role in determining its electrochemical performance. Further research and optimization of the pyrolysis conditions may lead to the development of biochar-based electrodes with improved capacity and cycling stability, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy storage systems.
Cissus antractica-ZnO NPs Induce Apoptosis in A549 Cells through ROS-Generated p53/Bcl-2/Bax Signaling Pathways and Inhibition of Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Rupa Esrat Jahan , Nahar Jinnatun , Al-Amin Md. , Park Jin-Kyu , Murugesan Mohanapriya , Awais Muhammad , Lee Seung-Jin , Kim Il Mun , Ling Li , Yang Deok-Chun , Yang Dong-Uk , Jung Dae-Hyo , Jung Seok-Kyu
Published: December 2023

Biogenic synthesis using medicinal plants has less harmful effects as compared to the chemical synthesis of nanoparticles. Here, for the first time, we successfully demonstrated the eco-friendly synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using an aqueous extract of Cissus antractica. The green synthesis method offers great potential for developing new medications that enhance drug bioavailability. The current work highlighted the cytotoxicity, cell death, and routes of apoptosis in lung cancer cells (A549) and inflammatory effects through synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from the Cissus antractica plant using an eco-friendly methodology. UV–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were also used to characterize the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. The average size of the NPs was 100 nm, and the NPs were crystalline in nature, as confirmed by FE-TEM and XRD analysis, respectively. In addition, the morphology of the nanoparticles analyzed by FE-TEM showed a spherical shape. The cell viability assay indicated that CA-ZnO NPs are non-toxic to normal cell lines at concentrations up to 20 µg/mL but showed significant toxicity in the A549 cell line. The nanoformulation also increased the ROS generation level in A549 lung cancer cells, and cellular apoptosis was confirmed via Hoechst and PI staining. The CA-ZnO NPs showed significant colony inhibition as well as cell migration ability that highlighted the CA-ZnO NPs as an anticancer agent. Additionally, this study demonstrated that NPs reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhanced the expression of genes for BAX accumulation by releasing Cyto-c, but decreased Bcl-2 gene expression via the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effect was also investigated; the CA-ZnO NPs showed significant NO inhibition ability with suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, IL-8). In conclusion, Cissus antractica can be a source of significant Nano drugs with more advanced research in order to develop future anti-inflammatory and anticancer medications.
Fabrication of Vitrified Bond Diamond Grinding Wheel via LCD Photopolymerization
Authors: Chen Zhaoqi , Xiao Na , Han Ping , Wang Zhao , Bai Guoju
Published: December 2023

In this paper, a liquid crystal display (LCD) photopolymerization method is proposed, and a vitrified bond diamond grinding wheel is successfully prepared. A high-performance vitrified bond was obtained by melting SiO2-B2O3-Al2O3-Na2O ceramic raw materials and used for grinding wheel preparation. LCD photopolymerization technology is characterized by high precision in shaping, fast processing speed, and superior quality, making it a promising technology for fabricating vitrified bond diamond grinding wheels. The preparation of vitrified bond slurry with high solid content and low viscosity was extensively investigated to meet the fabrication requirements. The effects of dispersant, the particle size of the vitrified bond, and solid content on the viscosity of the slurry were systematically analyzed. The vitrified bond slurry with solid content up to 65 wt.% (approximately 45.5 vol.%) was successfully prepared and met the requirements for printing. Furthermore, we explored the optimal formulation of the grinding wheel, debinding and sintering conditions, sintering temperature, grit-to-bond ratio, and the evaluation of the grinding performance of the wheel on hard and brittle materials, such as silicon carbide ceramic. Vitrified bond and abrasive slurry systems with a solid content of 65 wt.% (approximately 42.8 vol.%) were prepared. The results show that the vitrified bond diamond grinding wheel exhibits optimal comprehensive performance, with a sintering temperature of 680 °C and a grit-to-bond ratio of 4:6. The minimum surface roughness of the workpiece after grinding was 1.767 μm, the material removal rate was 5.08 mg/s, the grinding ratio was 9.78, and the friction coefficient was stabilized at about 0.5 during grinding. This paper guides the manufacturing of vitrified bond diamond grinding wheels via LCD photopolymerization.
Identification of High-Yielding Soybean Lines with Exceptional Seed Composition Qualities
Authors: Gillenwater Jay , Mian Rouf , Cunicelli Mia , McNeece Brant , Taliercio Earl
Published: December 2023

In current markets, the primary uses for soybean seeds are in products derived from their oil or protein content. However, growers are compensated based on seed yield, so a more valuable crop is one that does not compromise on yield when compared with existing options, with an optimum combination of protein and oil. A negative correlation of seed protein with seed yield and oil makes the simultaneous improvement of these traits difficult but not impossible through conventional breeding. Selections of lines with exceptional yield and seed composition were made from two recombinant inbred line (RIL) soybean mapping populations to identify high protein and/or high oil lines with yields comparable to elite cultivars. The performance of these RILs was evaluated in multiple environments, and several genotypes were identified with yields comparable to those of high-yielding check cultivars with seed protein and/or oil content superior to the checks. These genotypes will provide breeders with additional sources of germplasm for continuing efforts to improve seed composition traits without compromising seed yield and provide growers with more profitable cultivars.
Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Skin: A Case Report
Authors: Jridi Rim , Hartmann Franziska , Boms Stefanie , Tannapfel Andrea , Gambichler Thilo
Published: December 2023

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the skin (ASCS) or primary cutaneous adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm. It is characterized by the presence of both glandular and squamous cell components and a propensity for aggressive clinical behavior. Due to its rarity, it continues to pose diagnostic challenges. To date, only a few cases of this tumor have been reported, and even fewer have been thoroughly investigated via immunohistochemistry.
Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on the At-Risk Species Anaxyrus microscaphus (The Arizona Toad): A Local and Range-Wide Habitat Suitability Analysis
Authors: Driver Sam M. , Eversole Cord B. , Unger Daniel R. , Kulhavy David L. , Schalk Christopher M. , Hung I-Kuai
Published: December 2023

Anaxyrus microscaphus (The Arizona Toad) is an at-risk species that is endemic to the southwestern United States. Despite conservation concerns, little is known about the ecological drivers of its distribution and habitat use. We investigated the potential distribution of A. microscaphus at the range-wide scale and local scales (i.e., Zion National Park), using MaxEnt to model habitat suitability under current and future climate scenarios. Our models incorporated 12 environmental variables, including climatic, geomorphological, and remotely sensed data. The results showed good model accuracy, with temperature and elevation being the top contributing variables. Currently, 42.6% of the park’s area provides a suitable habitat for A. microscaphus, but projections for 2050 and 2070 indicate a significant reduction in suitable habitat across its range. Temperature was the most influential variable, with habitat suitability decreasing as the annual mean temperatures exceeded 10 °C. Precipitation, vegetation, and topography variables also significantly contributed to the models. The most suitable habitat within Zion National Park occurred along sloped rivers and streams and in valleys with sandy soils, emphasizing the importance of riparian habitat conservation for A. microscaphus survival and persistence. As climate change progresses, the species’ habitat is expected to become increasingly constrained across local and range-wide scales. Our models demonstrated a shift in the suitable habitat towards major river systems, indicating a potential reliance on larger permanent river systems as smaller, more ephemeral habitats decrease in size and abundance. Future management strategies should prioritize conserving and enhancing the resilience of these habitats. MaxEnt models can guide population survey efforts and facilitate the identification of priority conservation areas, saving time and resources for species of concern such as A. microscaphus. Further research, including field surveys and large-scale analyses, is necessary to further refine our understanding of this species’ distribution and how it may be impacted by climate and habitat change.
Voltage-Induced Heating Defect Detection for Electrical Equipment in Thermal Images
Authors: Lin Ying , Li Zhuangzhuang , Sun Yiwei , Yang Yi , Zheng Wenjie
Published: December 2023

Voltage-induced heating defect is a type of defect that may occur in transformation substation equipment. Although this type of defect is less common compared to current-induced heating defects, it is crucial to identify it due to its association with severe insulation degradation problems that require prompt intervention. However, the temperature variations caused by these defects may be relatively subtle, making it challenging to distinguish them in thermal images. In this work, considering the characteristics of voltage-induced heating defects and the scarcity of defect data, we propose a two-stage method for defect detection. In the first stage, we employ oriented R-CNN to detect oriented parts of the equipment, accurately localizing the centerline of each part. In the second stage, we extract the temperature distribution along the centerline of specific parts and discretize them as features. Subsequently, we train one-class support vector machines based on the features extracted from normal images for defect diagnosis. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is capable of accurately detecting defects while maintaining a low false positive rate.