bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Analytical Large-Signal Model for Quasi-Ballistic Transport in InGaAs HEMTs Accommodating Dislocation Scattering
Authors: Wang Jinye , Liu Jun , Wang Jie , Zhao Zhenxin
Published: May 2023

A surface-potential-based analytical large-signal model, which is applicable to both ballistic and quasi-ballistic transport in InGaAs high electron mobility transistors, is developed. Based on the one-flux method and a new transmission coefficient, a new two-dimensional electron gas charge density is derived, while the dislocation scattering is novelly taken into account. Then, a unified expression for Ef valid in all the regions of gate voltages is determined, which is utilized to directly calculate the surface potential. The flux is used to derive the drain current model incorporating important physical effects. Moreover, the gate-source capacitance Cgs and gate-drain capacitance Cgd are obtained analytically. The model is extensively validated with the numerical simulations and measured data of the InGaAs HEMT device with the gate length of 100 nm. The model is in excellent agreement with the measurements under I-V, C-V, small-signal conditions, and large-signal conditions.
Stopped Flow of Glycerol Induces the Enhancement of Adsorption and Aggregation of HRP on Mica
Authors: Ivanov Yuri D. , Shumov Ivan D. , Kozlov Andrey F. , Ershova Maria O. , Valueva Anastasia A. , Ivanova Irina A. , Tatur Vadim Y. , Lukyanitsa Andrei A. , Ivanova Nina D. , Ziborov Vadim S.
Published: May 2023

Glycerol is a usable component of heat-transfer fluids, and is thus suitable for the use in microchannel-based heat exchangers in biosensors and microelectronic devices. The flow of a fluid can lead to the generation of electromagnetic fields, which can affect enzymes. Herein, by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and spectrophotometry, a long-term effect of stopped flow of glycerol through a coiled heat exchanger on horseradish peroxidase (HRP) has been revealed. Samples of buffered HRP solution were incubated near either the inlet or the outlet sections of the heat exchanger after stopping the flow. It has been found that both the enzyme aggregation state and the number of mica-adsorbed HRP particles increase after such an incubation for 40 min. Moreover, the enzymatic activity of the enzyme incubated near the inlet section has been found to increase in comparison with that of the control sample, while the activity of the enzyme incubated near the outlet section remained unaffected. Our results can find application in the development of biosensors and bioreactors, in which flow-based heat exchangers are employed.
Gold Nanorods with Mesoporous Silica Shell: A Promising Platform for Cisplatin Delivery
Authors: Quiñones Jaime , Miranda-Castro Fabiola Carolina , Encinas-Basurto David , Ibarra Jaime , Moran-Palacio Edgar Felipe , Zamora-Alvarez Luis Alberto , Almada Mario
Published: May 2023

The versatile combination of metal nanoparticles with chemotherapy agents makes designing multifunctional drug delivery systems attractive. In this work, we reported cisplatin’s encapsulation and release profile using a mesoporous silica-coated gold nanorods system. Gold nanorods were synthesized by an acidic seed-mediated method in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant, and the silica-coated state was obtained by modified Stöber method. The silica shell was modified first with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and then with succinic anhydride to obtain carboxylates groups to improve cisplatin encapsulation. Gold nanorods with an aspect ratio of 3.2 and silica shell thickness of 14.74 nm were obtained, and infrared spectroscopy and ζ potential studies corroborated surface modification with carboxylates groups. On the other hand, cisplatin was encapsulated under optimal conditions with an efficiency of ~58%, and it was released in a controlled manner over 96 h. Furthermore, acidic pH promoted a faster release of 72% cisplatin encapsulated compared to 51% in neutral pH.
Special Issue “Microbial Interactions in Soil”: Editorial
Authors: Brozel Volker S.
Published: May 2023

Soils are home to a wide variety of microorganisms [...]
Dietary Inflammatory Index during Pregnancy and Congenital Heart Defects
Authors: Yang Jiaomei , Chang Qianqian , Du Qiancheng , Dang Shaonong , Zeng Lingxia , Yan Hong
Published: May 2023

The relationship between diet-related inflammation during pregnancy and congenital heart defects (CHD) is unclear. This study attempted to investigate the association between the dietary inflammation index (DII) during pregnancy, reflecting the overall inflammatory potential of the maternal diet, and CHD in Northwest China. A case-control study with 474 cases and 948 controls was performed in Xi’an City, China. Eligible women awaiting delivery were recruited, and their dietary and other information during pregnancy was collected. Logistic regression models were applied to estimate the risk of CHD in association with DII. The maternal DII ranged from −1.36 to 5.73 in cases, and 0.43 to 5.63 in controls. Pregnant women with per 1 higher DII score were at 31% higher risk of fetal CHD (OR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.14–1.51), and the adjusted OR (95%CI) comparing the pro-inflammatory diet group with the anti-inflammatory diet group was 2.04 (1.42–2.92). The inverse association of maternal DII score with CHD risk was consistent across various subgroups of maternal characteristics. Maternal DII in pregnancy had good predictive value for CHD in offspring, with the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve higher than 0.7. These findings suggested that avoiding a pro-inflammatory diet in pregnancy should be emphasized in the prevention of CHD.
Body Fat-Reducing Effects of Whey Protein Diet in Male Mice
Authors: Nakazaki Kimitaka , Nagano Nobuhiko , Katayama Daichi , Shimizu Shoichi , Matsuda Kengo , Tokunaga Wataru , Aoki Ryoji , Fuwa Kazumasa , Morioka Ichiro
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the mechanism of reducing body fat via whey protein diet. Pregnant mice were fed whey or casein, and their offspring were fed by birth mothers. After weaning at 4 weeks, male pups received the diets administered to their birth mothers (n = 6 per group). At 12 weeks of age, body weight, fat mass, fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin (IRI), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), cholesterol (Cho), triglyceride (TG), the expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes in liver tissues and metabolomic data of fat tissues were measured and compared between the groups. The birth weights of pups born were similar in the two groups. Compared to the pups in the casein group, at 12 weeks of age, pups in the whey group weighed less, had significantly lower fat mass, HOMA-IR and TG levels (p < 0.01, p = 0.02, p = 0.01, respectively), and significantly higher levels of the antioxidant glutathione and the anti-inflammatory 1-methylnicotinamide in fat tissues (p < 0.01, p = 0.04, respectively). No differences were observed in FBG, IRI, Cho levels (p = 0.75, p = 0.07, p = 0.63, respectively) and expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes. Whey protein has more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties than casein protein, which may be its mechanism for reducing body fat.
GPR-160 Receptor Signaling in the Dorsal Vagal Complex of Male Rats Modulates Meal Microstructure and CART-Mediated Hypophagia
Authors: Sanchez-Navarro Marcos J. , Borner Tito , Reiner Benjamin C. , Crist Richard C. , Samson Willis K. , Yosten Gina L. C. , Stein Lauren , Hayes Matthew R.
Published: May 2023

The g-protein coupled receptor GPR-160, recently identified as a putative receptor for the cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide, shows abundant expression in the energy-balance control nuclei, including the dorsal vagal complex (DVC). However, its physiological role in the control of food intake has yet to be fully explored. Here, we performed a virally mediated, targeted knockdown (KD) of Gpr160 in the DVC of male rats to evaluate its physiological role in control of feeding. Our results indicate that DVC Gpr160 KD affects meal microstructure. Specifically, DVC Gpr160 KD animals consumed more frequent, but shorter meals during the dark phase and showed decreased caloric intake and duration of meals during the light phase. Cumulatively, however, these bidirectional effects on feeding resulted in no difference in body weight gain. We next tested the role of DVC GPR-160 in mediating the anorexigenic effects of exogenous CART. Our results show that DVC Gpr160 KD partially attenuates CART’s anorexigenic effects. To further characterize Gpr160+ cells in the DVC, we utilized single-nucleus RNA sequencing data to uncover abundant GPR-160 expression in DVC microglia and only minimal expression in neurons. Altogether, our results suggest that DVC CART signaling may be mediated by Gpr160+ microglia, which in turn may be modulating DVC neuronal activity to control food intake.
Centrality Determination in Heavy-Ion Collisions Based on Monte-Carlo Sampling of Spectator Fragments
Authors: Segal Ilya
Published: May 2023

The size and evolution of the matter created in a relativistic heavy-ion collision strongly depend on collision geometry, defined by centrality. Experimentally the centrality of collisions can be characterized by the measured multiplicities of the produced particles at midrapidity or by the energy measured in the forward rapidity region, which is sensitive to the spectator fragments. This serves as a proxy for the true collision centrality, as defined by the impact parameter in the models of collisions. In this work, the procedure for centrality determination based on Monte-Carlo sampling of spectator fragments has been proposed. The validity of the procedure has been checked using the fully reconstructed DCM-QGSM-SMM model events and published data from the NA61/SHINE experiment.
α-Viniferin-Induced Apoptosis through Downregulation of SIRT1 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Huang Cheng , Lin Zi-Jun , Chen Jui-Chieh , Zheng Hao-Jun , Lai Yu-Heng , Huang Hsiu-Chen
Published: May 2023

α-Viniferin, a natural stilbene compound found in plants and a polymer of resveratrol, had demonstrated potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the specific mechanisms underlying its anti-cancer activity were not yet fully understood and required further investigation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of α-viniferin and ε-viniferin using MTT assay. Results showed that α-viniferin was more effective than ε-viniferin in reducing the viability of NCI-H460 cells, a type of non-small cell lung cancer. Annexin V/7AAD assay results provided further evidence that the decrease in cell viability observed in response to α-viniferin treatment was due to the induction of apoptosis in NCI-H460 cells. The present findings indicated that treatment with α-viniferin could stimulate apoptosis in cells by cleaving caspase 3 and PARP. Moreover, the treatment reduced the expression of SIRT1, vimentin, and phosphorylated AKT, and also induced AIF nuclear translocation. Furthermore, this research provided additional evidence for the effectiveness of α-viniferin as an anti-tumor agent in nude mice with NCI-H460 cell xenografts. As demonstrated by the TUNEL assay results, α-viniferin promoted apoptosis in NCI-H460 cells in nude mice.
Pharmacokinetic Study and Metabolite Identification of CAM106 in Rats by Validated UHPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Xi Ruqi , Abdulla Rahima , Zhao Jiangyu , Aisa Haji Akber , Liu Yongqiang
Published: May 2023

Given the limitations of existing antiviral drugs and vaccines, there is still an urgent need for new anti-influenza drugs. CAM106, a rupestonic acid derivative, was studied for its potent antiviral activity and showed a favorable inhibitory effect on influenza virus replication. However, many gaps exist in preclinical studies of CAM106. This study focused on the pharmacokinetic profile and metabolites of CAM106 in vivo. An efficient and fast bioanalytical method was successfully developed and validated for the quantitation of CAM106 in rat plasma. A mobile phase aqueous solution (A, containing 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile (B) worked within 0–3.5 min, with 60% B. The mass spectrum scanning mode was the parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) with a resolution of 17,500. The linear range of the method was 2.13–1063.83 ng/mL. The validated method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats. The matrix effects ranged from 93.99% to 100.08% and the recovery ranged from 86.72% to 92.87%. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 10.24% and the relative error (RE) ranged from −8.92% to 7.1%. The oral bioavailability of CAM106 was 1.6%. Thereafter, its metabolites in rats were characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The isomers M7-A, M7-B, M7-C, and M7-D were well separated. As a result, a total of 11 metabolites were identified in the feces, urine, and plasma of rats. The main metabolic pathways of CAM106 were oxidation, reduction, desaturation, and methylation. The assay was reliable and provided useful information for further clinical studies of CAM106.
Consensus Ensemble Multitarget Neural Network Model of Anxiolytic Activity of Chemical Compounds and Its Use for Multitarget Pharmacophore Design
Authors: Vassiliev Pavel M. , Maltsev Dmitriy V. , Spasov Alexander A. , Perfilev Maxim A. , Skripka Maria O. , Kochetkov Andrey N.
Published: May 2023

A classification consensus ensemble multitarget neural network model of the dependence of the anxiolytic activity of chemical compounds on the energy of their docking in 17 biotargets was developed. The training set included compounds thathadalready been tested for anxiolytic activity and were structurally similar to the 15 studied nitrogen-containing heterocyclic chemotypes. Seventeen biotargets relevant to anxiolytic activity were selected, taking into account the possible effect on them of the derivatives of these chemotypes. The generated model consistedof three ensembles of artificial neural networks for predicting three levels of anxiolytic activity, with sevenneural networks in each ensemble. A sensitive analysis of neurons in an ensemble of neural networks for a high level of activity made it possible to identify four biotargets ADRA1B, ADRA2A, AGTR1, and NMDA-Glut, which were the most significant for the manifestation of the anxiolytic effect. For these four key biotargets for 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-11H-[1,3]diazepino[1,2-a]benzimidazole and [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-a][2,3]benzodiazepine derivatives, eight monotarget pharmacophores of high anxiolytic activity were built. Superposition of monotarget pharmacophores built two multitarget pharmacophores of high anxiolytic activity, reflecting the universal features of interaction 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-11H-[1,3]diazepino[1,2-a]benzimidazole and [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-a][2,3]benzodiazepine derivatives with the most significant biotargets ADRA1B, ADRA2A, AGTR1, and NMDA-Glut.
Advances and Challenges of Stimuli-Responsive Nucleic Acids Delivery System in Gene Therapy
Authors: Lin Meng , Qi Xianrong
Published: May 2023

Gene therapy has emerged as a powerful tool to treat various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, ocular diseases and cancer diseases. In 2018, the FDA approved Patisiran (the siRNA therapeutic) for treating amyloidosis. Compared with traditional drugs, gene therapy can directly correct the disease-related genes at the genetic level, which guarantees a sustained effect. However, nucleic acids are unstable in circulation and have short half-lives. They cannot pass through biological membranes due to their high molecular weight and massive negative charges. To facilitate the delivery of nucleic acids, it is crucial to develop a suitable delivery strategy. The rapid development of delivery systems has brought light to the gene delivery field, which can overcome multiple extracellular and intracellular barriers that prevent the efficient delivery of nucleic acids. Moreover, the emergence of stimuli-responsive delivery systems has made it possible to control the release of nucleic acids in an intelligent manner and to precisely guide the therapeutic nucleic acids to the target site. Considering the unique properties of stimuli-responsive delivery systems, various stimuli-responsive nanocarriers have been developed. For example, taking advantage of the physiological variations of a tumor (pH, redox and enzymes), various biostimuli- or endogenous stimuli-responsive delivery systems have been fabricated to control the gene delivery processes in an intelligent manner. In addition, other external stimuli, such as light, magnetic fields and ultrasound, have also been employed to construct stimuli-responsive nanocarriers. Nevertheless, most stimuli-responsive delivery systems are in the preclinical stage, and some critical issues remain to be solved for advancing the clinical translation of these nanocarriers, such as the unsatisfactory transfection efficiency, safety issues, complexity of manufacturing and off-target effects. The purpose of this review is to elaborate the principles of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers and to emphasize the most influential advances of stimuli-responsive gene delivery systems. Current challenges of their clinical translation and corresponding solutions will also be highlighted, which will accelerate the translation of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers and advance the development of gene therapy.
PPAR-γ Agonist GW1929 Targeted to Macrophages with Dendrimer–Graphene Nanostars Reduces Liver Fibrosis and Inflammation
Authors: Moreno-Lanceta Alazne , Medrano-Bosch Mireia , Simón-Codina Blanca , Barber-González Montserrat , Jiménez Wladimiro , Melgar-Lesmes Pedro
Published: May 2023

Macrophages play essential roles during the progression of chronic liver disease. They actively participate in the response to liver damage and in the balance between fibrogenesis and regression. The activation of the PPARγ nuclear receptor in macrophages has traditionally been associated with an anti-inflammatory phenotype. However, there are no PPARγ agonists with high selectivity for macrophages, and the use of full agonists is generally discouraged due to severe side effects. We designed dendrimer–graphene nanostars linked to a low dose of the GW1929 PPARγ agonist (DGNS-GW) for the selective activation of PPARγ in macrophages in fibrotic livers. DGNS-GW preferentially accumulated in inflammatory macrophages in vitro and attenuated macrophage pro-inflammatory phenotype. The treatment with DGNS-GW in fibrotic mice efficiently activated liver PPARγ signaling and promoted a macrophage switch from pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. The reduction of hepatic inflammation was associated with a significant reduction in hepatic fibrosis but did not alter liver function or hepatic stellate cell activation. The therapeutic antifibrotic utility of DGNS-GW was attributed to an increased expression of hepatic metalloproteinases that allowed extracellular matrix remodeling. In conclusion, the selective activation of PPARγ in hepatic macrophages with DGNS-GW significantly reduced hepatic inflammation and stimulated extracellular matrix remodeling in experimental liver fibrosis.
Emerging Roles of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal-Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Nicodemou Andreas , Bernátová Soňa , Čeháková Michaela , Danišovič Ľuboš
Published: May 2023

Despite the tremendous efforts of many researchers and clinicians, cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells residing in numerous human tissues and presenting unique biological properties, such as low immunogenicity, powerful immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive capabilities, and, in particular, homing abilities. Therapeutic functions of MSCs are mediated mostly by the paracrine effect of released functional molecules and other variable components, and among them the MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) seem to be one of the central mediators of the therapeutic functions of MSCs. MSC-EVs are membrane structures secreted by the MSCs, rich in specific proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Amongst these, microRNAs have achieved the most attention currently. Unmodified MSC-EVs can promote or inhibit tumor growth, while modified MSC-EVs are involved in the suppression of cancer progression via the delivery of therapeutic molecules, including miRNAs, specific siRNAs, or suicide RNAs, as well as chemotherapeutic drugs. Here, we present an overview of the characteristics of the MSCs-EVs and describe the current methods for their isolation and analysis, the content of their cargo, and modalities for the modification of MSC-EVs in order for them to be used as drug delivery vehicles. Finally, we describe different roles of MSC-EVs in the tumor microenvironment and summarize current advances of MCS-EVs in cancer research and therapy. MSC-EVs are expected to be a novel and promising cell-free therapeutic drug delivery vehicle for the treatment of cancer.
Long Non-Coding RNAs and Proliferative Retinal Diseases
Authors: Sharma Anamika , Singh Nikhlesh K.
Published: May 2023

Retinopathy refers to disorders that affect the retina of the eye, which are frequently caused by damage to the retina’s vascular system. This causes leakage, proliferation, or overgrowth of blood vessels through the retina, which can lead to retinal detachment or breakdown, resulting in vision loss and, in rare cases, blindness. In recent years, high-throughput sequencing has significantly hastened the discovery of new long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their biological functions. LncRNAs are rapidly becoming recognized as critical regulators of several key biological processes. Current breakthroughs in bioinformatics have resulted in the identification of several lncRNAs that may have a role in retinal disorders. Nevertheless, mechanistic investigations have yet to reveal the relevance of these lncRNAs in retinal disorders. Using lncRNA transcripts for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes may aid in the development of appropriate treatment regimens and long-term benefits for patients, as traditional medicines and antibody therapy only provide temporary benefits that must be repeated. In contrast, gene-based therapies can provide tailored, long-term treatment solutions. Here, we will discuss how different lncRNAs affect different retinopathies, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which can cause visual impairment and blindness, and how these retinopathies can be identified and treated using lncRNAs.
New Nanostructured Materials Based on Mesoporous Silica Loaded with Ru(II)/Ru(III) Complexes with Anticancer and Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Marinescu Gabriela , Culita Daniela C. , Mocanu Teodora , Mitran Raul-Augustin , Petrescu Simona , Stan Miruna S. , Chifiriuc Mariana C. , Popa Marcela
Published: May 2023

A new series of nanostructured materials was obtained by functionalization of SBA-15 mesoporous silica with Ru(II) and Ru(III) complexes bearing Schiff base ligands derived from salicylaldehyde and various amines (1,2-diaminocyclohexane, 1,2-phenylenediamine, ethylenediamine, 1,3-diamino-2-propanol, N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, 2-aminomethyl-pyridine, and 2-(2-aminoethyl)-pyridine). The incorporation of ruthenium complexes into the porous structure of SBA-15 and the structural, morphological, and textural features of the resulting nanostructured materials were investigated by FTIR, XPS, TG/DTA, zeta potential, SEM, and N2 physisorption. The ruthenium complex-loaded SBA-15 silica samples were tested against A549 lung tumor cells and MRC-5 normal lung fibroblasts. A dose-dependent effect was observed, with the highest antitumoral efficiency being recorded for the material containing [Ru(Salen)(PPh3)Cl] (50%/90% decrease in the A549 cells’ viability at a concentration of 70 μg/mL/200 μg/mL after 24 h incubation). The other hybrid materials have also shown good cytotoxicity against cancer cells, depending on the ligand included in the ruthenium complex. The antibacterial assay revealed an inhibitory effect for all samples, the most active being those containing [Ru(Salen)(PPh3)Cl], [Ru(Saldiam)(PPh3)Cl], and [Ru(Salaepy)(PPh3)Cl], especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis Gram-positive strains. In conclusion, these nanostructured hybrid materials could represent valuable tools for the development of multi-pharmacologically active compounds with antiproliferative, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activity.
Design and Development of Sublingual Printlets Containing Domperidone Nanocrystals Using 3D Melting Solidification Printing Process (MESO-PP)
Authors: Lopez-Vidal Lucía , Paredes Alejandro J. , Palma Santiago Daniel , Real Juan Pablo
Published: May 2023

Domperidone (DOM) is a drug commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting, as well as gastrointestinal disorders. However, its low solubility and extensive metabolism pose significant administration challenges. In this study, we aimed to improve DOM solubility and avoid its metabolism by developing nanocrystals (NC) of DOM through a 3D printing technology—melting solidification printing process (MESO-PP)—to be delivered via a solid dosage form (SDF) that can be administered sublingually. We obtained DOM-NCs using the wet milling process and designed an ultra-rapid release ink (composed of PEG 1500, propylene glycol, sodium starch glycolate, croscarmellose sodium, and sodium citrate) for the 3D printing process. The results demonstrated an increase in the saturation solubility of DOM in both water and simulated saliva without any physicochemical changes in the ink as observed by DSC, TGA, DRX, and FT-IR. The combination of nanotechnology and 3D printing technology enabled us to produce a rapidly disintegrating SDF with an improved drug-release profile. This study demonstrates the potential of developing sublingual dosage forms for drugs with low aqueous solubility using nanotechnology and 3D printing technology, providing a feasible solution to the challenges associated with the administration of drugs with low solubility and extensive metabolism in pharmacology.
Eluxadoline-Loaded Eudragit Nanoparticles for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea: Formulation, Optimization Using Box–Behnken Design, and Anti-Diarrheal Activity
Authors: Anwer Md. Khalid , Ahmed Mohammed Muqtader , Aldawsari Mohammed F. , Iqbal Muzaffar , Soliman Gamal A. , Aljuffali Ibrahim A.
Published: May 2023

Eluxadoline (ELD), a recently approved drug, exhibits potential therapeutic effects in the management and treatment of IBS-D. However, its applications have been limited due to poor aqueous solubility, leading to a low dissolution rate and oral bioavailability. The current study’s goals are to prepare ELD-loaded eudragit (EG) nanoparticles (ENPs) and to investigate the anti-diarrheal activity on rats. The prepared ELD-loaded EG-NPs (ENP1-ENP14) were optimized with the help of Box–Behnken Design Expert software. The developed formulation (ENP2) was optimized based on the particle size (286 ± 3.67 nm), PDI (0.263 ± 0.01), and zeta potential (31.8 ± 3.18 mV). The optimized formulation (ENP2) exhibited a sustained release behavior with maximum drug release and followed the Higuchi model. The chronic restraint stress (CRS) was successfully used to develop the IBS-D rat model, which led to increased defecation frequency. The in vivo studies revealed a significant reduction in defecation frequency and disease activity index by ENP2 compared with pure ELD. Thus, the results demonstrated that the developed eudragit-based polymeric nanoparticles can act as a potential approach for the effective delivery of eluxadoline through oral administration for irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea treatment.
Deep Eutectic Solvents for Efficient Drug Solvation: Optimizing Composition and Ratio for Solubility of β-Cyclodextrin
Authors: Shumilin Ilan , Tanbuz Ahmad , Harries Daniel
Published: May 2023

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) show promise in pharmaceutical applications, most prominently as excellent solubilizers. Yet, because DES are complex multi-component mixtures, it is challenging to dissect the contribution of each component to solvation. Moreover, deviations from the eutectic concentration lead to phase separation of the DES, making it impractical to vary the ratios of components to potentially improve solvation. Water addition alleviates this limitation as it significantly decreases the melting temperature and stabilizes the DES single-phase region. Here, we follow the solubility of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) in DES formed by the eutectic 2:1 mole ratio of urea and choline chloride (CC). Upon water addition to DES, we find that at almost all hydration levels, the highest β-CD solubility is achieved at DES compositions that are shifted from the 2:1 ratio. At higher urea to CC ratios, due to the limited solubility of urea, the optimum composition allowing the highest β-CD solubility is reached at the DES solubility limit. For mixtures with higher CC concentration, the composition allowing optimal solvation varies with hydration. For example, β-CD solubility at 40 wt% water is enhanced by a factor of 1.5 for a 1:2 urea to CC mole ratio compared with the 2:1 eutectic ratio. We further develop a methodology allowing us to link the preferential accumulation of urea and CC in the vicinity of β-CD to its increased solubility. The methodology we present here allows a dissection of solute interactions with DES components that is crucial for rationally developing improved drug and excipient formulations.
The Assessment of Calcium and Bleomycin Cytotoxic Efficiency in Relation to Cavitation Dosimetry
Authors: Maciulevičius Martynas , Raišutis Renaldas , Jakštys Baltramiejus , Svilainis Linas , Chaziachmetovas Andrius , Šatkauskas Saulius
Published: May 2023

Microbubble (MB)- and ultrasound (US)-facilitated intracellular Ca2+ delivery, known as sonoporation (SP), is a promising anticancer treatment modality, since it allows a spatio-temporally controllable and side-effect-free alternative to conventional chemotherapy. The current study provides extensive evidence that a 5 mM concentration of Ca2+ in combination with US alone or US and Sonovue MBs can be an alternative to the conventional 20 nM concentration of the anticancer drug bleomycin (BLM). Ca2+ application together with SP induces a similar level of death in Chinese hamster ovary cells to the combination of BLM and SP but does not cause systemic toxicity, as is inherent to conventional anticancer drugs. In addition, Ca2+ delivery via SP alters three vital characteristics essential for viable cells: membrane permeability, metabolic activity and proliferation ability. Most importantly, Ca2+ delivery via SP elicits sudden cell death—occurring within 15 min—which remains similar during 24–72 h and 6 d periods. The extensive study of US waves side-scattered by MBs led to the quantification of the cavitation dose (CD) separately for subharmonics, ultraharmonics, harmonics and broadband noise (up to 4 MHz). The CD was suitable for the prognostication of the cytotoxic efficiency of both anticancer agents, Ca2+ and BLM, as was indicated by an overall high (R2 ≥ 0.8) correlation (22 pairs in total). These extensive analytical data imply that a broad range of frequencies are applicable for the feedback-loop control of the process of US-mediated Ca2+ or BLM delivery, successively leading to the eventual standardization of the protocols for the sonotransfer of anticancer agents as well as the establishment of a universal cavitation dosimetry model.
Quantum Secure Multi-Party Summation with Identity Authentication Based on Commutative Encryption
Authors: Wang Ning , Tian Xinying , Zhang Xiaodong , Lin Song
Published: May 2023

In quantum secure multi-party summation protocols, some attackers can impersonate legitimate participants in the summation process, and easily steal the summation results from the participants. This is often overlooked for existing secure multi-party summation protocols, thus rendering them insecure. Based on commutative encryption, a quantum secure multi-party summation protocol with identity authentication is proposed in this paper. In the protocol, each participant encodes a secret integer on photons via unitary operations. At the same time, a one-way hash function technique with a key is utilized to perform identity authentication operations for each participant. Finally, the summation is calculated with the help of a semi-trusted third party. The analysis of the protocol shows that the proposed protocol is correct and resistant to common and impersonation attacks. Compared to related protocols, the use and measurement of single photons makes the protocol easier to implement into existing technology. Furthermore, the simulation experiments on the IBM Q Experience cloud platform demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented protocol.
Boron Adsorption Using NMDG-Modified Polypropylene Melt-Blown Fibers Induced by Ultraviolet Grafting
Authors: Yu Ning , Jiang Hui , Luo Zhengwei , Geng Wenhua , Zhu Jianliang
Published: May 2023

Boron is in high demand in many sectors, yet there are significant flaws in current boron resource utilization. This study describes the synthesis of a boron adsorbent based on polypropylene (PP) melt-blown fiber using ultraviolet (UV)-induced grafting of Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto PP melt-blown fiber, followed by an epoxy ring-opening reaction with N-methyl-D-glucosamine (NMDG). Using single-factor studies, grafting conditions such as the GMA concentration, benzophenone dose, and grafting duration were optimized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and water contact angle were used to characterize the produced adsorbent (PP-g-GMA-NMDG). The PP-g-GMA-NMDG adsorption process was examined by fitting the data with different adsorption settings and models. The results demonstrated that the adsorption process was compatible with the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir model; however, the internal diffusion model suggested that the process was impacted by both extra- and intra-membrane diffusion. According to thermodynamic simulations, the adsorption process was exothermic. At pH 6, the greatest saturation adsorption capacity to boron was 41.65 mg·g−1 for PP-g-GMA-NMDG. The PP-g-GMA-NMDG preparation process is a feasible and environmentally friendly route, and the prepared PP-g-GMA-NMDG has the advantages of high adsorption capacity, outstanding selectivity, good reproducibility, and easy recovery when compared to similar adsorbents, indicating that the reported adsorbent is promising for boron separation from water.
A Novel Microwave Hot Pressing Machine for Production of Fixed Oils from Different Biopolymeric Structured Tissues
Authors: Hindi Sherif S. , Dawoud Uthman M. , Ismail Iqbal M. , Asiry Khalid A. , Ibrahim Omer H. , Al-Harthi Mohammed A. , Mirdad Zohair M. , Al-Qubaie Ahmad I. , Shiboob Mohamed H. , Almasoudi Najeeb M. , Alanazi Rakan A.
Published: May 2023

A microwave hot pressing machine (MHPM) was used to heat the colander to produce fixed oils from each of castor, sunflower, rapeseed, and moringa seed and compared them to those obtained using an ordinary electric hot pressing machine (EHPM). The physical properties, namely the moisture content of seed (MCs), the seed content of fixed oil (Scfo), the yield of the main fixed oil (Ymfo), the yield of recovered fixed oil (Yrfo), extraction loss (EL), six Efficiency of fixed oil extraction (Efoe), specific gravity (SGfo), refractive index (RI) as well as chemical properties, namely iodine number (IN), saponification value (SV), acid value (AV), and the yield of fatty acid (Yfa) of the four oils extracted by the MHPM and EHPM were determined. Chemical constituents of the resultant oil were identified using GC/MS after saponification and methylation processes. The Ymfo and SV obtained using the MHPM were higher than those for the EHPM for all four fixed oils studied. On the other hand, each of the SGfo, RI, IN, AV, and pH of the fixed oils did not alter statistically due to changing the heating tool from electric band heaters into a microwave beam. The qualities of the four fixed oils extracted by the MHPM were very encouraging as a pivot of the industrial fixed oil projects compared to the EHPM. The prominent fatty acid of the castor fixed oil was found to be ricinoleic acid, making up 76.41% and 71.99% contents of oils extracted using the MHPM and EHPM, respectively. In addition, the oleic acid was the prominent fatty acid in each of the fixed oils of sunflower, rapeseed, and moringa species, and its yield by using the MHPM was higher than that for the EHPM. The role of microwave irradiation in facilitating fixed oil extrusion from the biopolymeric structured organelles (lipid bodies) was protruded. Since it was confirmed by the present study that using microwave irradiation is simple, facile, more eco-friendly, cost-effective, retains parent quality of oils, and allows for the warming of bigger machines and spaces, we think it will make an industrial revolution in oil extraction field.
RAFT Polymerisation and Hypercrosslinking Improve Crosslink Homogeneity and Surface Area of Styrene Based PolyHIPEs
Authors: Koler Amadeja , Brus Jiři , Krajnc Peter
Published: May 2023

The influence of a polymerisation mechanism (reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer; RAFT vs. free radical polymerisation; FRP) on the porous structure of highly porous poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) polymers was investigated. The highly porous polymers were synthesised via high internal phase emulsion templating (polymerizing the continuous phase of a high internal phase emulsion), utilising either FRP or RAFT processes. Furthermore, residual vinyl groups in the polymer chains were used for the subsequent crosslinking (hypercrosslinking) applying di-tert-butyl peroxide as the source of radicals. A significant difference in the specific surface area of polymers prepared by FRP (between 20 and 35 m2/g) and samples prepared by RAFT polymerisation (between 60 and 150 m2/g) was found. Based on the results from gas adsorption and solid state NMR, it could be concluded that the RAFT polymerisation affects the homogeneous distribution of the crosslinks in the highly crosslinked styrene-co-divinylbenzene polymer network. During the initial crosslinking, RAFT polymerisation leads to the increase in mesopores with diameters between 2 and 20 nm, resulting in good accessibility of polymer chains during the hypercrosslinking reaction, which is reflected in increased microporosity. The fraction of micropores created during the hypercrosslinking of polymers prepared via RAFT is around 10% of the total pore volume, which is up to 10 times more than for polymers prepared by FRP. Specific surface area, mesopore surface area, and total pore volume after hypercrosslinking reach almost the same values, regardless of the initial crosslinking. The degree of hypercrosslinking was confirmed by determination of the remaining double bonds by solid-state NMR analysis.
Review of Decompression Damage of the Polymer Liner of the Type IV Hydrogen Storage Tank
Authors: Jin Zeping , Su Ying , Lv Hong , Liu Min , Li Wenbo , Zhang Cunman
Published: May 2023

The type IV hydrogen storage tank with a polymer liner is a promising storage solution for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The polymer liner reduces the weight and improves the storage density of tanks. However, hydrogen commonly permeates through the liner, especially at high pressure. If there is rapid decompression, damage may occur due to the internal hydrogen concentration, as the concentration inside creates the pressure difference. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the decompression damage is significant for the development of a suitable liner material and the commercialization of the type IV hydrogen storage tank. This study discusses the decompression damage mechanism of the polymer liner, which includes damage characterizations and evaluations, influential factors, and damage prediction. Finally, some future research directions are proposed to further investigate and optimize tanks.
Impact- and Thermal-Resistant Epoxy Resin Toughened with Acacia Honey
Authors: Stajcic Ivana , Veljkovic Filip , Petrovic Milos , Veličkovic Suzana , Radojevic Vesna , Vlahović Branislav , Stajcic Aleksandar
Published: May 2023

High performance polymers with bio-based modifiers are promising materials in terms of applications and environmental impact. In this work, raw acacia honey was used as a bio-modifier for epoxy resin, as a rich source of functional groups. The addition of honey resulted in the formation of highly stable structures that were observed in scanning electron microscopy images as separate phases at the fracture surface, which were involved in the toughening of the resin. Structural changes were investigated, revealing the formation of a new aldehyde carbonyl group. Thermal analysis confirmed the formation of products that were stable up to 600 °C, with a glass transition temperature of 228 °C. An energy-controlled impact test was performed to compare the absorbed impact energy of bio-modified epoxy containing different amounts of honey with unmodified epoxy resin. The results showed that bio-modified epoxy resin with 3 wt% of acacia honey could withstand several impacts with full recovery, while unmodified epoxy resin broke at first impact. The absorbed energy at first impact was 2.5 times higher for bio-modified epoxy resin than it was for unmodified epoxy resin. In this manner, by using simple preparation and a raw material that is abundant in nature, a novel epoxy with high thermal and impact resistance was obtained, opening a path for further research in this field.
Furan as Impurity in Green Ethylene and Its Effects on the Productivity of Random Ethylene–Propylene Copolymer Synthesis and Its Thermal and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Hernández-Fernández Joaquín , Puello-Polo Esneyder , Márquez Edgar
Published: May 2023

The presence of impurities such as H2S, thiols, ketones, and permanent gases in propylene of fossil origin and their use in the polypropylene production process affect the efficiency of the synthesis and the mechanical properties of the polymer and generate millions of losses worldwide. This creates an urgent need to know the families of inhibitors and their concentration levels. This article uses ethylene green to synthesize an ethylene–propylene copolymer. It describes the impact of trace impurities of furan in ethylene green and how this furan influences the loss of properties such as thermal and mechanical properties of the random copolymer. For the development of the investigation, 12 runs were carried out, each in triplicate. The results show an evident influence of furan on the productivity of the Ziegler–Natta catalyst (ZN); productivity losses of 10, 20, and 41% were obtained for the copolymers synthesized with ethylene rich in 6, 12, and 25 ppm of furan, respectively. PP0 (without furan) did not present losses. Likewise, as the concentration of furan increased, it was observed that the melt flow index (MFI), thermal (TGA), and mechanical properties (tensile, bending, and impact) decreased significantly. Therefore, it can be affirmed that furan should be a substance to be controlled in the purification processes of green ethylene.
Identification of Unknown Abnormal Conditions of Absorption Stabilization System in Catalytic Cracking Process Based on Cyclic Two-Step Clustering Analysis and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Hong Juan , Tian Wende
Published: May 2023

Machine learning for online monitoring of abnormalities in fluid catalytic cracking process (FCC) operations is crucial to the efficient processing of petroleum resources. A novel identification method is proposed in this paper to solve this problem, which combines cyclic two-step clustering analysis with a convolutional neural network (CTSC-CNN). Firstly, through correlation analysis and transfer entropy analysis, key variables are effectively selected. Then, the clustering results of abnormal conditions are subdivided by a cyclic two-step clustering (CTSC) method with excellent clustering performance. A convolutional neural network (CNN) is used to effectively identify the types of abnormal operating conditions, and the identification results are stored in the sample database. With this method, the unknown abnormal operating conditions before can be identified in time. The application of the CTSC-CNN method to the absorption stabilization system in the catalytic cracking process shows that this method has a high ability to identify abnormal operating conditions. Its use plays an important role in ensuring the safety of the actual industrial production process and reducing safety risks.
Analysis of Cell–Cell Communication by Single-Nuclei RNA Sequencing Identifies AHR-Mediated Induction of NRG-ERBB Signaling
Authors: Nault Rance , Cholico Giovan N. , Zacharewski Tim
Published: May 2023

Communication between cells is essential in maintaining homeostasis. The persistent disruption of cell–cell communication by environmental contaminants contributes to progressive disease and toxicity. In this study, single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) data was used to examine dose-dependent cell-specific changes in cell–cell communication associated with the development of liver pathologies following the persistent activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Published hepatic snRNAseq data from male mice gavaged with sesame-oil vehicle or TCDD every 4 days for 28 days was used to assess the AHR-mediated disruption of ligand–receptor interactions. Analysis identified that portal fibroblasts and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells contributed the most ligand–receptor pairs at doses < 0.3μg/kg TCDD. Doses ≥ 0.3 μg/kg TCDD increased the putative intercellular communication between hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells. In control livers, interactions primarily consisted of protease-activated receptor (PAR) signaling. TCDD treatment increased the number of active signaling pathways. Within hepatocytes, neuregulin signaling was induced, activating the NRG1–ERBB4 ligand axis, consistent with AHR genomic enrichment at dioxin response elements in a published chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) dataset, which suggested a direct regulation. Collectively, the results suggest that the disruption of cell signaling may play a central role in TCDD-elicited liver pathologies.
The Poor as Symptom: A Lacanian Reading of the Option for the Poor
Authors: Checketts Levi
Published: May 2023

Latin American liberation theology contributed perhaps the most significant theological contribution of the twentieth century in the “preferential option for the poor”. This insight has been an uneasy call to conscience for the magisterial Catholic Church, which has often buttressed the positions of the powerful. However, despite the central significance of this discovery, liberation theologians themselves often betray their own positions by romanticizing the poor, speaking on their behalf, diluting the meaning of poor and other such seeming shortcomings. This article argues that the incongruence regnant in discussions of the preferential option can best be understood through the Lacanian notion of a “symptom”. As “woman is the symptom of man”, the poor are the symptom of the upper classes. In order for nonpoor to understand their own socioeconomic position—including academically trained clergy—they must posit the poor as an Other against whom they understand themselves. As such, reaching “the poor” is an impossibility for anyone who is in a position to truly advocate for them. However, the insight of the preferential option tells us that the impossibility should be pursued nonetheless, with full understanding that it is an impossibility.