bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ocular Manifestations of Chikungunya Infection: A Systematic Review
Authors: da Silva Liziane Cristine Malaquias , da Silva Platner Fernanda , da Silva Fonseca Lauany , Rossato Virgílio Frota , de Andrade Dian Carlos Pereira , de Sousa Valente João , Brain Susan Diana , Fernandes Elizabeth Soares
Published: March 2022

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) can cause long lasting symptoms and manifestations. However, there is little information on which ocular ones are most frequent following infection. We performed a systematic review (registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no CRD42020171928) to establish the most frequent ocular manifestations of CHIKV infection and their associations with gender and age. Articles published until September 2020 were selected from PubMed, Scielo, Cochrane and Scopus databases. Only studies with CHIKV-infected patients and eye alterations were included. Reviews, descriptive studies, or those not investigating the human ocular manifestations of CHIKV, those with patients with other diseases and infections, abstracts and studies without relevant data were excluded. Twenty-five studies were selected for inclusion. Their risk of bias was evaluated by a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The most frequent ocular symptoms of CHIKV infection included ocular pain, inflammation and reduced visual acuity, whilst conjunctivitis and optic neuritis were the most common manifestations of the disease. These occurred mostly in individuals of 42 ± 9.5 years of age and woman. The few available reports on CHIKV-induced eye manifestations highlight the need for further research in the field to gather more substantial evidence linking CHIKV infection, the eye and age/gender. Nonetheless, the data emphasizes that ocular alterations are meaningful occurrences of CHIKV infection which can substantially affect quality of life.
H. pylori Infection and Virulence Factors cagA and vacA (s and m Regions) in Gastric Adenocarcinoma from Pará State, Brazil
Authors: Brasil-Costa Igor , Souza Cintya de Oliveira , Monteiro Leni Célia Reis , Santos Maria Elisabete Silva , Oliveira Edivaldo Herculano Correa De , Burbano Rommel Mario Rodriguez
Published: March 2022

H. pylori shows a great variability in genes associated with virulence, which may influence properties related to gastric adenocarcinoma initiation and progression. Among them, cagA and vacA show a strong positive association with the disease. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was carried out with 281 samples of gastric adenocarcinoma, collected at a cancer reference center in the Brazilian Amazon. Detection of H. pylori was proceeded by PCR of the ureA and 16S genes. Positive samples were subjected to the cagA detection and vacA typing. The bacteria were observed in 32.03% of the samples. Positivity for H. pylori was associated with advanced age (p = 0.0093) and metastases (p = 0.0073). Among the positive cases, 80% (72/90) had the cagA gene. For the “s” position of the vacA gene, 98.8% (83/84) of the bacteria had genotype s1 and 1.2% (1/84) were genotyped as s2. For the “m” position, the results were: 63.6% (56/88) with m1 genotype, 2.3% (2/88) genotyped as m2 and 34.1% (30/88) m1/m2. Virulence factors did not impact an increase in the association with age or metastases. In conclusion, H. pylori infection is associated with malignant phenotype cases of gastric adenocarcinoma, involving metastases. The virulence factors related to the cagA and vacA genes showed a high prevalence in the Brazilian Amazon.
Rectovaginal Colonization with Serotypes of Group B Streptococci with Reduced Penicillin Susceptibility among Pregnant Women in León, Nicaragua
Authors: Alemán Teresa , Vielot Nadja A. , Herrera Roberto , Velasquez Reymundo , Berrios Tatiana , Toval-Ruíz Christian , Téllez Evert , Herrera Andres , Aguilar Samir , Becker-Dreps Sylvia , French Neil , Vilchez Samuel
Published: March 2022

Group B Streptococci (GBS) are important causes of neonatal sepsis and meningitis globally. To elucidate the potential benefits of maternal GBS vaccines, data is needed on the epidemiology of maternal GBS rectovaginal colonization, distribution of serotypes, and resistance to intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). We collected rectal and vaginal samples from 305 pregnant women in León, Nicaragua between 35 and 40 weeks gestation. Samples were cultured for GBS and confirmed using latex agglutination. GBS isolates underwent serotyping by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion and microdilution following Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines. Sixty-three women (20.7%) were colonized with GBS in either the rectum or the vagina. Of 91 GBS isolates collected from positive cultures, most were serotypes II (28.6%), Ia (27.5%), and III (20.9%). Most GBS isolates (52.9%) were resistant to penicillin, the first-line prophylactic antibiotic. Penicillin resistance was highly correlated with resistance to vancomycin, ceftriaxone, and meropenem. The results of our study suggest that one-fifth of pregnant women in the urban area of León, Nicaragua are colonized with GBS and risk transmitting GBS to their offspring during labor. High resistance to commonly available antibiotics in the region suggests that prophylactic maternal GBS vaccination would be an effective alternative to IAP.
Hsa-Mir-320c, Hsa-Mir-200c-3p, and Hsa-Mir-449c-5p as Potential Specific miRNA Biomarkers of COPD: A Pilot Study
Authors: Cerón-Pisa Noemi , Iglesias Amanda , Shafiek Hanaa , Martín-Medina Aina , Esteva-Socias Margalida , Muncunill Josep , Fleischer Aarne , Verdú Javier , Cosío Borja G. , Sauleda Jaume
Published: March 2022

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease commonly induced by cigarette smoke. The expression of miRNAs can be altered in patients with COPD and could be used as a biomarker. We aimed to identify a panel of miRNAs in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to differentiate COPD patients from smokers and non-smokers with normal lung function. Accordingly, forty-five subjects classified as COPD, smokers, and non-smokers (n = 15 per group) underwent clinical, functional characterization and bronchoscopy with BAL. The mean age of the studied population was 61.61 ± 12.95 years, BMI 25.72 ± 3.82 Kg/m2, FEV1/FVC 68.37 ± 12.00%, and FEV1 80.07 ± 23.63% predicted. According to microarray analysis, three miRNAs of the most upregulated were chosen: miR-320c, miR-200c-3p, and miR-449c-5p. These miRNAs were validated by qPCR and were shown to be differently expressed in COPD patients. ROC analysis showed that these three miRNAs together had an area under the curve of 0.89 in differentiating COPD from controls. Moreover, in silico analysis of candidate miRNAs by DIANA-miRPath showed potential involvement in the EGFR and Hippo pathways. These results suggest a specific 3-miRNA signature that could be potentially used as a biomarker to distinguish COPD patients from smokers and non-smoker subjects.
Phosphorescence of C5N− in Rare Gas Solids
Authors: Szczepaniak Urszula , Kołos Robert , Guillemin Jean-Claude , Crépin Claudine
Published: March 2022

Phosphorescence of C5N− was discovered following the ArF-laser (193 nm) photolysis of cyanodiacetylene (HC5N) isolated in cryogenic argon, krypton, and xenon matrices. This visible emission, with an origin around 460 nm, is vibrationally resolved, permitting the measurement of frequencies for eight ground-state fundamental vibrational modes, including the three known from previous IR absorption studies. Phosphorescence lifetime amounts to tens or even hundreds of ms depending on the matrix host; it is five times longer than in the case of HC5N.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil of Fruits from Vitex agnus-castus L., Growing in Two Regions in Bulgaria
Authors: Zhelev Iliya , Petkova Zhana , Kostova Iliana , Damyanova Stanka , Stoyanova Albena , Dimitrova-Dyulgerova Ivanka , Antova Ginka , Ercisli Sezai , Assouguem Amine , Kara Mohammed , Almeer Rafa , Sayed Amany A.
Published: March 2022

The chemical composition of Vitex agnus-castus L. (Verbenaceae family) fruits, collected from two regions in Bulgaria (south-central and north-east Bulgaria), was investigated. The content of proteins (5.3–7.4%), carbohydrates (73.9–78.8%), fiber (47.2–49.9%), ash (2.5–3.0%), essential oils (0.5%), and vegetable oil (3.8–5.0%) were identified in the fruits. The composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Vitex fruits from both regions was determined; the main compounds were 1,8-cineole (16.9–18.8%), α-pinene (7.2–16.6%), sabinene (6.7–14.5%), and bicyclogermacrene (7.3–9.0%), but significant differences in the quantitative and qualitative composition of EOs between the regions were found. The EOs of plants from north-east Bulgaria demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic species Salmonella abony, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, but the Gram-negative bacteria Esсherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited resistance to the oil. Linoleic acid predominated in vegetable oil from both regions, followed by oleic acid. β-sitosterol and γ-tocopherol were the main components in the sterol and tocopherol fraction of the lipids. Phosphatidic acids were the main components in the vegetable oil from north-east Bulgaria, while in the vegetable oil from south-central Bulgaria, all phospholipids were found in almost the same quantity. Overall, significant differences were observed in the chemical composition (proteins, carbohydrates, ash and moisture) of the fruits from the two regions of Bulgaria, as well as in the content of the main components of their essential and vegetable oils.
Field Margin Plants Support Natural Enemies in Sub-Saharan Africa Smallholder Common Bean Farming Systems
Authors: Ndakidemi Baltazar J. , Mbega Ernest R. , Ndakidemi Patrick A. , Belmain Steven R. , Arnold Sarah E. J. , Woolley Victoria C. , Stevenson Philip C.
Published: March 2022

Flower-rich field margins provide habitats and food resources for natural enemies of pests (NEs), but their potential, particularly in the tropics and on smallholder farms, is poorly understood. We surveyed field margins for plant-NE interactions in bean fields. NEs most often interacted with Bidens pilosa (15.4% of all interactions) and Euphorbia heterophylla (11.3% of all interactions). In cage trials with an aphid-infested bean plant and a single flowering margin plant, the survival of Aphidius colemani, the most abundant parasitoid NE in bean fields, was greater in the presence of Euphorbia heterophylla than Bidens pilosa, Tagetes minuta, and Hyptis suaveolens. UV-fluorescent dye was applied to flowers of specific field margin plant species and NE sampled from within the bean crop and field margins using sweep-netting and pan-traps respectively. Captured insects were examined for the presence of the dye, indicative of a prior visit to the margin. Lady beetles and assassin bugs were most abundant in plots with B. pilosa margins; hoverflies with T. minuta and Parthenium hysterophorus margins; and lacewings with T. minuta and B. pilosa margins. Overall, NE benefitted from field margin plants, and those possessing extra floral nectaries had an added advantage. Field margin plants need careful selection to ensure benefits to different NE groups.
Effect of Water Stress on Physiological and Morphological Leaf Traits: A Comparison among the Three Widely-Spread Invasive Alien Species Ailanthus altissima, Phytolacca americana, and Robinia pseudoacacia
Authors: Pepe Maria , Crescente Maria Fiore , Varone Laura
Published: March 2022

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a problem, especially in drought-prone environments such as the Mediterranean Basin where the exacerbation of the already severe conditions could constrain the native species acclimatation degree, creating new opportunities for IAS. Climate change may drive IAS expansions, even if different IAS can vary in their acclimatation response. Thus, it is important to obtain a broader insight of how the different IAS face abiotic stress. This research aimed to compare the effect of the imposed water stress on physiological and morphological leaf traits of Ailanthus altissima (AA), Robinia pseudoacacia (RP), and Phytolacca americana (PA), which are widely spread IAS in the Mediterranean Basin. Our results showed a species-dependent effect of the water stress at a physiological and morphological level, as well as an interaction between species and stress duration. Despite a common strategy characterized by low stomatal control of the photosynthesis, AA, PA, and RP differ in their sensitivity to water stress. In particular, even if AA was characterized by a more water-spending strategy, it was more resistant to water stress than PA and RP. In this view, the key factor was its plasticity to increase leaf mass per area (LMA) in response to water stress.
Cell Wall Components and Extensibility Regulate Root Growth in Suaeda salsa and Spinacia oleracea under Salinity
Authors: Liu Jia , Shao Yang , Feng Xiaohui , Otie Victoria , Matsuura Asana , Irshad Muhammad , Zheng Yuanrun , An Ping
Published: March 2022

Understanding the role of root cell walls in the mechanism of plant tolerance to salinity requires elucidation of the changes caused by salinity in the interactions between the mechanical properties of the cell walls and root growth, and between the chemical composition of the cell walls and root growth. Here, we investigated cell wall composition and extensibility of roots by growing a halophyte (Suaeda salsa) and a glycophyte (Spinacia oleracea) species under an NaCl concentration gradient. Root growth was inhibited by increased salinity in both species. However, root growth was more strongly reduced in S. oleracea than in S. salsa. Salinity reduced cell wall extensibility in S. oleracea significantly, whereas treatment with up to 200 mM NaCl increased it in S. salsa. Meanwhile, S. salsa root cell walls exhibited relatively high cell wall stiffness under 300 mM NaCl treatment, which resist wall deformation under such stress conditions. There was no decrease in pectin content with salinity treatment in the cell walls of the elongation zone of S. salsa roots. Conversely, a decrease in pectin content was noted with increasing salinity in S. oleracea, which might be due to Na+ accumulation. Cellulose content and uronic acid proportions in pectin increased with salinity in both species. Our results suggest that (1) cell wall pectin plays important roles in cell wall extension in both species under salinity, and that the salt tolerance of glycophyte S. oleracea is affected by the pectin; (2) cellulose limits root elongation under saline conditions in both species, but in halophytes, a high cell wall content and the proportion of cellulose in cell walls may be a salt tolerance mechanism that protects the stability of cell structure under salt stress; and (3) the role of the cell wall in root growth under salinity is more prominent in the glycophyte than in the halophyte.
GC/MS Profiling, Anti-Collagenase, Anti-Elastase, Anti-Tyrosinase and Anti-Hyaluronidase Activities of a Stenocarpus sinuatus Leaves Extract
Authors: Younis Mai M. , Ayoub Iriny M. , Mostafa Nada M. , El Hassab Mahmoud A. , Eldehna Wagdy M. , Al-Rashood Sara T. , Eldahshan Omayma A.
Published: March 2022

Today, skin care products and cosmetic preparations containing natural ingredients are widely preferred by consumers. Therefore, many cosmetic brands are encouraged to offer more natural products to the market, such as plant extracts that can be used for their antiaging, antiwrinkle, and depigmentation properties and other cosmetic purposes. In the current study, the volatile constituents of the hexane-soluble fraction of a Stenocarpus sinuatus (family Proteaceae) leaf methanol extract (SSHF) were analyzed using GC/MS analysis. Moreover, the antiaging activity of SSHF was evaluated through in vitro studies of anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-hyaluronidase activities. In addition, an in silico docking study was carried out to identify the interaction mechanisms of the major compounds in SSHF with the active sites of the target enzymes. Furthermore, an in silico toxicity study of the identified compounds in SSHF was performed. It was revealed that vitamin E (α-tocopherol) was the major constituent of SSHF, representing 52.59% of the extract, followed by γ-sitosterol (8.65%), neophytadiene (8.19%), β-tocopherol (6.07%), and others. The in vitro studies showed a significant inhibition by SSHF of collagenase, elastase, tyrosinase, and hyaluronidase, with IC50 values of 60.03, 177.5, 67.5, and 38.8 µg/mL, respectively, comparable to those of the positive controls epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC, for collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase) and kojic acid (for tyrosinase). Additionally, the molecular docking study revealed good acceptable binding scores of the four major compounds, comparable to those of ECGC and kojic acid. Besides, the SSHF identified phytoconstituents showed no predicted potential toxicity nor skin toxicity, as determined in silico. In conclusion, the antiaging potential of SSHF may be attributed to its high content of vitamin E in addition to the synergetic effect of other volatile constituents. Thus, SSHF could be incorporated in pharmaceutical skin care products and cosmetics after further studies.
Drought Stress Responses: Coping Strategy and Resistance
Authors: Bandurska Hanna
Published: March 2022

Plants’ resistance to stress factors is a complex trait that is a result of changes at the molecular, metabolic, and physiological levels. The plant resistance strategy means the ability to survive, recover, and reproduce under adverse conditions. Harmful environmental factors affect the state of stress in plant tissues, which creates a signal triggering metabolic events responsible for resistance, including avoidance and/or tolerance mechanisms. Unfortunately, the term ‘stress resistance’ is often used in the literature interchangeably with ‘stress tolerance’. This paper highlights the differences between the terms ‘stress tolerance’ and ‘stress resistance’, based on the results of experiments focused on plants’ responses to drought. The ability to avoid or tolerate dehydration is crucial in the resistance to drought at cellular and tissue levels (biological resistance). However, it is not necessarily crucial in crop resistance to drought if we take into account agronomic criteria (agricultural resistance). For the plant user (farmer, grower), resistance to stress means not only the ability to cope with a stress factor, but also the achievement of a stable yield and good quality. Therefore, it is important to recognize both particular plant coping strategies (stress avoidance, stress tolerance) and their influence on the resistance, assessed using well-defined criteria.
Mycorrhized Wheat Plants and Nitrogen Assimilation in Coexistence and Antagonism with Spontaneous Colonization of Pathogenic and Saprophytic Fungi in a Soil of Low Fertility
Authors: Di Martino Catello , Torino Valentina , Minotti Pasqualino , Pietrantonio Laura , Del Grosso Carmine , Palmieri Davide , Palumbo Giuseppe , Crawford Thomas W. , Carfagna Simona
Published: March 2022

The aim of the work was to study the biological interference of the spontaneous colonization of pathogenic and saprophytic endophytes on the nitrogen assimilation of mycorrhized wheat plants cultivated in soils deficient in N and P. The nitrogen assimilation efficiency of mycorrhized plants was determined by measuring the activities of nitrate reductase assimilatory and glutamine synthetase enzymes and free amino acid patterns. Mycorrhizal plants at two different sites showed an assimilative activity of nitrate and ammonium approximately 30% greater than control plants. This activity was associated with significant increases in the amino acids Arg, Glu Gln and Orn in the roots where those amino acids are part of the inorganic nitrogen assimilation of mycorrhizal fungi. The nutrient supply of mycorrhizal fungi at the root guaranteed the increased growth of the plant that was about 40% greater in fresh weight and 25% greater in productive yield than the controls. To better understand the biological interaction between plant and fungus, microbiological screening was carried out to identify colonies of radicular endophytic fungi. Fourteen fungal strains belonging to nine different species were classified. Among pathogenic fungi, the genus Fusarium was present in all the examined roots with different frequencies, depending on the site and the fungal population present in the roots, providing useful clues regarding the principle of spatial conflict and fungal spread within the root system.
Silica Hydrogels as Entrapment Material for Microalgae
Authors: Homburg Sarah Vanessa , Patel Anant V.
Published: March 2022

Despite being a promising feedstock for food, feed, chemicals, and biofuels, microalgal production processes are still uneconomical due to slow growth rates, costly media, problematic downstreaming processes, and rather low cell densities. Immobilization via entrapment constitutes a promising tool to overcome these drawbacks of microalgal production and enables continuous processes with protection against shear forces and contaminations. In contrast to biopolymer gels, inorganic silica hydrogels are highly transparent and chemically, mechanically, thermally, and biologically stable. Since the first report on entrapment of living cells in silica hydrogels in 1989, efforts were made to increase the biocompatibility by omitting organic solvents during hydrolysis, removing toxic by-products, and replacing detrimental mineral acids or bases for pH adjustment. Furthermore, methods were developed to decrease the stiffness in order to enable proliferation of entrapped cells. This review aims to provide an overview of studied entrapment methods in silica hydrogels, specifically for rather sensitive microalgae.
The Influence of Size Effect to Deformation Mechanism of C5131 Bronze Structures of Negative Poisson’s Ratio
Authors: Ran Jiaqi , Chen Gangping , Zhong Fuxing , Xu Li , Xu Teng , Gong Feng
Published: March 2022

3D auxetic structures, which present negative Poisson’s ratio in the uniaxial compression deformation, is an ideal artificial material for meta-implants because of its lightweight, good material property and suitable porosity for bone recovery compared with conventional meta-biomaterials. Selective laser melting (SLM) is commonly used to produce metallic 3D auxetic structures but limited by the melting temperature and reflect rate of the material, and micro assembled (MA) structures is an alternative manufacturing process. However, the influence of size effect in 3D auxetic structures and the difference of the constitutive model of 3D auxetic structure produced by SLM and MA have not been discussed. In tandem of this, the mechanical property comparison of 3D auxetic structures produced by SLM and MA is conducted and a structural surface layer model for 3D auxetic structures is proposed. The result indicated that both SLM and MA structure can achieve auxetic effect. It is found that the Poisson’s ratio of the SLM and MA structures decrease when increasing the size factor of the structure, and the negative Poisson’s ratio effect is more obvious when the Young’s modulus is relatively small. FE simulation result of Poisson’s ratio is closer to experimental result of MA structures due to complexity of 3D auxetic structures. This paper thus provides a relatively helpful constitutive model for the prediction of the mechanical behavior of 3D auxetic structure.
Collinear Nonlinear Mixed-Frequency Ultrasound with FEM and Experimental Method for Structural Health Prognosis
Authors: Chen Hanxin , Li Shaoyi
Published: March 2022

The principle about the nonlinear ultrasonic mixed frequency is introduced. A novel identification method for incipient structural health prognosis is proposed based on heterolateral co-linear mixed-frequency ultrasound to identify the micro-crack in mechanical structures. The modelling analysis methodology by the application of finite element analysis (FEM) is developed to simulate the nonlinear mixed-frequency ultrasonic wave transmission mechanism from the cracks with different depths and the excited frequency. The correlation models between the crack widths and the mixed-frequency nonlinear coefficients are established. An experimental method based on the nonlinear mixed-frequency ultrasonic theory is proposed to actuate the differential and sum-frequency characteristic mixed waves that interact with the defects of materials, which obtains the nonlinear coefficients to identify the depths of cracks in materials. The FEM model is verified to be effective at predicting the width of the cracks by comparing it with the testing data. The sizes of cracks have a positive correlation with the nonlinear coefficients of the mixed frequencies. A prognosis model for the mixed-frequency nonlinear coefficients is established to predict the crack depths of the specimen.
Strengthening the Mitigation of Climate Change Impacts in Slovakia through the Disaggregation of Cultural Landscapes
Authors: Rybárová Jana , Gabániová Ľubomíra , Bednárová Lucia , Rybár Radim , Beer Martin
Published: March 2022

This article presents the results of research on the possibilities of fragmentation of cultural, and especially agricultural, landscapes in a selected locality in eastern Slovakia, which is currently characterized by a high proportion of large-scale soil units used for growing cereals and crops subsequently used as energy sources (maize and oilseed rape, among others). Slovakia, as the country with the largest average field area in the European Union (EU), is facing a process of fragmentation of these units to counter climate change and increase the resilience of the landscape to erosion, soil fertility, and biodiversity loss. This paper presents a fragmentation method based on the restoration of former dividing lines, mainly formed by dirt roads, based on the historical mapping. The results show that in this way it is possible to achieve denser landscape fragmentation, to create dividing green belts, to increase the resilience of the environment to water and wind erosion, and to create an environment for pollinator resources and a background for plants and animals in the landscape, while respecting the ergometric routing of the dividing lines and the ownership relations of the land. Last but not least, benefits have been quantified in the form of carbon capture, as well as in the construction of a network of recreational or hiking trails.
Heat-Integration of Solar-Heated Membrane Distillation and Fuel Cell for Desalination System Based on the Dynamic Optimization Approach
Authors: Liu Yu-Hsin , Adi Vincentius Surya Kurnia , Suen Shing-Yi
Published: March 2022

The heat integration feasibility of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) coupled with the solar-heated direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) module is evaluated in this study. The additional waste heat from the PEMFC increases the DCMD system’s ability to produce fresh water and electricity. Two systems units to be assessed mainly include a flat plate solar collector, a heat storage tank with an internal heat exchanger, and the DCMD module with and without the PEMFC module. The importance of daily operation continuity is emphasized through a preliminary dynamic simulation and proper sizing of the solar-heated DCMD distillation. Sensitivity analysis is implemented to analyze the relationship between the essential variables and the daily freshwater production. The design variables of both configurations are rigorously optimized in terms of minimum unit production cost (UPC). The proposed heat integration feasibility is evaluated to obtain critical insights on the design strategy of the hybrid systems.
High-Property Anode Catalyst Compositing Co-Based Perovskite and NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide for Alkaline Seawater Splitting
Authors: Hu Ruigan , Liu Fuyue , Qiu Haoqi , Miao He , Wang Qin , Zhang Houcheng , Wang Fu , Yuan Jinliang
Published: March 2022

The progress of high-efficiency non-precious metal anode catalysts for direct seawater splitting is of great importance. However, due to the slow oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics, competition of chlorine evolution reaction (ClER), and corrosion of chloride ions on the anode, the direct seawater splitting faces many challenges. Herein, we develop a perovskite@NiFe layered double hydroxide composite for anode catalyst based on Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3 (BSCF) and NiFe layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) heterostructure. The optimized BSCF@CeO2@NiFe exhibits excellent OER activity, with the potential at 100 mA cm−2 (Ej = 100) being 1.62 V in the alkaline natural seawater. Moreover, the electrolytic cell composed of BSCF@CeO2@NiFe anode shows an excellent stability, with negligible attenuation during the long-term overall seawater splitting with the remarkable self-recovery ability in the initial operation stage, and the direct seawater splitting potential increasing by about 30 mV at 10 mA cm−2. Our work can give a guidance for the design and preparation of anode catalysts for the direct seawater splitting.
Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse and Spray Improve Prolonged Exercise Performance in Recreationally Trained Male College Students
Authors: Shirai Asako , Wadazumi Tsuyoshi , Hirata Yoko , Hamada Naomi , Hongu Nobuko
Published: March 2022

Mouth rinsing with a carbohydrate (CHO) solution has emerged as a sports nutrition strategy to increase endurance performance. This study aimed to clarify the effects of two forms of CHO sensing in the mouth (i.e., CHO mouth rinse (CMR) and CHO mouth spray (CMS)) on exercise performance during prolonged exercise, including ultra-high intensity intermittent exercise over time. We conducted the following experimental trials: (1) 6% glucose solution (G), (2) 6% CMR, (3) 6% CMS, and (4) water (WAT). These trials were conducted at least 1 week apart in a randomized crossover design. Eight male college students performed constant-load exercise for 60 min (intensity 40% VO2peak), four sets of the Wingate test (three 30 s Wingate tests with a 4 min recovery between each test), and a constant-load exercise for 30 min (intensity 40% VO2peak). The mean exercise power output (Watt), ratings of perceived exertion, and blood glucose levels were measured. We found that the mean power values of the CMR and CMS in the third and fourth sets was significantly higher than that of WAT (p < 0.05), and that the G trial did not show a significant difference from any other trial. Thus, when compared to G or WAT, CMR and CMS can help improve endurance exercise performance.
Environmentally Toxic Solid Nanoparticles in Noradrenergic and Dopaminergic Nuclei and Cerebellum of Metropolitan Mexico City Children and Young Adults with Neural Quadruple Misfolded Protein Pathologies and High Exposures to Nano Particulate Matter
Authors: Calderón-Garcidueñas Lilian , González-Maciel Angélica , Reynoso-Robles Rafael , Silva-Pereyra Héctor G. , Torres-Jardón Ricardo , Brito-Aguilar Rafael , Ayala Alberto , Stommel Elijah W. , Delgado-Chávez Ricardo
Published: March 2022

Quadruple aberrant hyperphosphorylated tau, beta-amyloid, α-synuclein and TDP-43 neuropathology and metal solid nanoparticles (NPs) are documented in the brains of children and young adults exposed to Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC) pollution. We investigated environmental NPs reaching noradrenergic and dopaminergic nuclei and the cerebellum and their associated ultrastructural alterations. Here, we identify NPs in the locus coeruleus (LC), substantia nigrae (SN) and cerebellum by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) in 197 samples from 179 MMC residents, aged 25.9 ± 9.2 years and seven older adults aged 63 ± 14.5 years. Fe, Ti, Hg, W, Al and Zn spherical and acicular NPs were identified in the SN, LC and cerebellar neural and vascular mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, neuromelanin, heterochromatin and nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) along with early and progressive neurovascular damage and cerebellar endothelial erythrophagocytosis. Strikingly, FeNPs 4 ± 1 nm and Hg NPs 8 ± 2 nm were seen predominantly in the LC and SN. Nanoparticles could serve as a common denominator for misfolded proteins and could play a role in altering and obstructing NPCs. The NPs/carbon monoxide correlation is potentially useful for evaluating early neurodegeneration risk in urbanites. Early life NP exposures pose high risk to brains for development of lethal neurologic outcomes. NP emissions sources ought to be clearly recognized, regulated, and monitored; future generations are at stake.
Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Pediatric Intestinal Graft-Versus-Host Disease: A Case Series
Authors: Spadea Manuela , Saglio Francesco , Opramolla Anna , Rigazio Caterina , Cisarò Fabio , Berger Massimo , Quarello Paola , Calvo Pier Luigi , Fagioli Franca
Published: March 2022

Intestinal graft-versus-host disease (I-GvHD) represents a life-threatening complication in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Unfortunately, non-invasive validated diagnostic tools to diagnose I-GvHD, evaluate treatment response, and guide the duration of immunosuppression are still lacking. We employed standard ultrasound and power Doppler to diagnose and follow up on pediatric intestinal GvHD. We herein report on three patients, prospectively evaluated among 24 pediatric patients referred to our center for allogeneic SCT. These three patients presented abdominal pain and diarrhea within the first 200 days after transplantation. In the reported cases, we performed small- and large-intestine ultrasound (US) at clinical onset of lower-intestinal symptoms and, when intestinal GvHD was confirmed, at GvHD flares, if any, and at follow-up. US constantly (3/3 patients) revealed increased bowel wall thickening (BWT) with different bowel segments’ involvement from patient to patient. Further, a moderate or strong increased Doppler signaling was seen in 2 out of 3 patients, according to clinical GVHD staging (e.g., the more the increase, the more the staging). Standard sonography corroborated GvHD diagnosis in all patients considered and was able to detect GvHD progression or complete normalization of findings, thus simplifying ensuing clinical decisions. Our report highlights the need to design clinical trials for the validation of non-invasive radiologic tools for diagnosis and follow-up of GvHD, especially in pediatric patients.
Development of a Subunit Vaccine against Duck Hepatitis A Virus Serotype 3
Authors: Truong Trang-Nhu , Cheng Li-Ting
Published: March 2022

In this study, we sought to develop a subunit vaccine against the increasingly prevalent Duck hepatitis A virus serotype 3 (DHAV-3). The VP1 protein of DHAV-3 and a truncated version containing the C-terminal region of VP1, termed VP1-C, were expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli as vaccine antigens. For enhanced immune response, a truncated version of flagellin, nFliC, was included as vaccine adjuvant. Ducklings were vaccinated once for immune response analysis and challenge test. Results showed that VP1-C elicited a higher level of virus-specific antibody response and neutralization titer than VP1. The addition of nFliC further enhanced the antibody response. In terms of cellular immune response, the VP1-C + nFliC vaccine elicited the highest level of T cell proliferation among the vaccine formulations tested. Examination of the cytokine expression profile showed that peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the VP1-C + nFliC vaccine group expressed the highest levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-6) and TH-1 type (IL-12 and IFN-γ) cytokines. Finally, in a DHAV-3 challenge test, the VP1-C + nFliC vaccine provided a 75% protection rate (n = 8), in contrast to 25% for the VP1 vaccine. In conclusion, E. coli-expressed VP1-C has been shown to be a promising antigen when combined with nFliC and may be further developed as a single-dose subunit vaccine against DHAV-3.
Therapeutic Effect of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine on Melanoma Skin Metastases
Authors: Bafaloukos Dimitrios , Petraki Kalliopi , Bousmpoukea Aikaterini , Chatzichristou Eleni , Pieris Ioannis , Koutserimpas Christos , Samonis George
Published: March 2022

A unique case of multiple metastatic melanoma skin nodules regression in a heavily pretreated, 72-year-old Caucasian female, after administering the second dose of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, is presented. Two days after vaccination, all her melanoma skin nodules became painful and were significantly reduced in size. Physical examination and ultrasound imaging confirmed the patient’s observation. The effect was sustained, and further reduction of the nodules occurred after the third vaccine dose. One of the reduced nodules was removed, histologically examined, and its histopathology was compared to that of another such nodule removed and examined earlier. Distinct differences were observed between the two histopathologies, with the most notable the unexpected finding of the absence of infiltrating lymphocytes in the reducer nodule’s melanoma tissue. Based on this observation, the possible immunological mechanism(s) leading to the vaccine’s effect are speculated. More possible is the vaccine’s antitumor and apoptotic activity via stimulation of the Tol Like Receptors 3, 7, and 8, and (downstream) the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of the activated B cells pathway of the non-lymphocytic immune effector cells.
Media Exposure and Media Credibility Influencing Public Intentions for Influenza Vaccination
Authors: Ning Chuanlin , Guo Difan , Wu Jing , Gao Hao
Published: March 2022

Due to the low rate of influenza vaccination in China, this study explores the factors influencing the Chinese public’s influenza vaccination intentions. Based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), this study builds a theoretical model to examine the factors influencing Chinese public intentions toward influenza vaccination. We define media exposure and media credibility as external variables and the perceived characteristics of influenza vaccines as intermediate variables in the proposed model. A total of 597 valid questionnaires were collected online in this study. Combined with structural equation modeling (SEM), SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 17.0 were used to conduct empirical research, supporting the proposed research hypotheses. The results show that media exposure and media credibility have no direct effects on the audience’s intention to take the influenza vaccine. However, media exposure positively influences media credibility, influencing vaccination intentions through perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU). Furthermore, PU and PEOU significantly positively influence behavioral intentions, and PEOU significantly affects PU. This paper has proven that media with better credibility gained more trust from the audience, indicating a new perspective for the promotion of influenza vaccination. This study suggests releasing influenza-related information via media with great credibility, further improving public acceptance of becoming vaccinated.
Better Late Than Never: Predictors of Delayed COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Poland
Authors: Walkowiak Marcin Piotr , Domaradzki Jan , Walkowiak Dariusz
Published: March 2022

In this study, regression models were created to explain the increase of COVID-19 vaccination rates in 378 Polish sub-regions. In order to trace the factors that could explain the willingness to delay vaccination, vaccination rates were compared for age groups of 20 years and more for 30 June 2020 and 31 January 2021. Initially high vaccination rates, rather than leading to the gradual exhaustion of the pool of those wishing to get vaccinated, were a very good predictor of the share of the remainder willing to do so, which increased the divergence between sub-regions in nominal vaccination rates. Support for Eurosceptic and anti-establishment parties was a strong predictor of persistent vaccine hesitancy. Ideological divergence from the mainstream appeared to reinforce vaccine hesitancy, and this relationship remained highly relevant even when controlling for possible time or spatial lag. Markers of social inclusion and social capital—voter turnout and employment rate—remained statistically significant even when controlling for time lag, thus implying clear relevance of trust in the public message. The share of the population with higher education remained a highly relevant factor as well, though in the 20–39 age bracket it predicted a higher vaccination rate, while in all older brackets it was a negative predictor—this implies that those people had already made up their minds. Delaying vaccination seems predominantly explainable by political views, as well as social exclusion and the historical specificity of sub-regions. On a regional level, there was actually a paradoxical Spearmans Rho correlation (0.641) between the share of population refusing mandatory vaccination for kids and the percentage of people receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, which further undermines the idea that overall observed vaccine hesitancy was in any meaningful way affected by anti-vaccine movements.
Protective CD8+ T Cell Response Induced by Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Delivering Ebola Virus Nucleoprotein
Authors: Kupke Alexandra , Volz Asisa , Dietzel Erik , Freudenstein Astrid , Schmidt Jörg , Shams-Eldin Hosam , Jany Sylvia , Sauerhering Lucie , Krähling Verena , Gellhorn Serra Michelle , Herden Christiane , Eickmann Markus , Becker Stephan , Sutter Gerd
Published: March 2022

The urgent need for vaccines against Ebola virus (EBOV) was underscored by the large outbreak in West Africa (2014–2016). Since then, several promising vaccine candidates have been tested in pre-clinical and clinical studies. As a result, two vaccines were approved for human use in 2019/2020, of which one includes a heterologous adenovirus/Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) prime-boost regimen. Here, we tested new vaccine candidates based on the recombinant MVA vector, encoding the EBOV nucleoprotein (MVA-EBOV-NP) or glycoprotein (MVA-EBOV-GP) for their efficacy after homologous prime-boost immunization in mice. Our aim was to investigate the role of each antigen in terms of efficacy and correlates of protection. Sera of mice vaccinated with MVA-EBOV-GP were virus-neutralizing and MVA-EBOV-NP immunization readily elicited interferon-γ-producing NP-specific CD8+ T cells. While mock-vaccinated mice succumbed to EBOV infection, all vaccinated mice survived and showed drastically decreased viral loads in sera and organs. In addition, MVA-EBOV-NP vaccinated mice became susceptible to lethal EBOV infection after depletion of CD8+ T cells prior to challenge. This study highlights the potential of MVA-based vaccines to elicit humoral immune responses as well as a strong and protective CD8+ T cell response and contributes to understanding the possible underlying mechanisms.
Flux-Adjustable Permanent Magnet Machines in Traction Applications
Authors: Zhou Zicheng , Hua Hao , Zhu Ziqiang
Published: March 2022

This paper overviews the recent advances in flux-adjustable permanent magnet (PM) machines for traction applications. The flux-adjustable PM machines benefit from the synergies of the high torque density and high efficiency in conventional PM machines as well as the controllable air-gap field in wound-field machines, which are attractive for the traction applications requiring enhanced capabilities of speed regulation and uncontrolled voltage mitigation. In general, three solutions have been presented, namely the hybrid excited (HE), the mechanically regulated (MR), and the variable flux memory (VFM) machines. Numerous innovations were proposed on these topics during the last two decades, while each machine topology has its own merits and demerits. The purpose of this paper is to review the development history and trend of the flux-adjustable PM machines, with particular reference to their topologies, working mechanism, and electromagnetic performance.
Onshore Wind Power Generation and Sustainability Challenges in Northeast Brazil: A Quick Scoping Review
Authors: da Silva Valdenildo Pedro , Galvão Maria Luiza de Medeiros
Published: March 2022

Onshore wind energy has been one of the most promising new renewable energy sources in the Northeast region of Brazil. This technology has generated long-term energy without serious socio-environmental impacts for some and, therefore, has been considered clean, renewable, and sustainable. However, given its spatial complexity, water scarcity, and social poverty of indigenous populations, the development of wind energy in vulnerable areas of this region raises socio-ecological concerns. Hence, studies of sustainability challenges are essential. The aim of this article is to systematically review the main multidimensional sustainability challenges of studies on onshore wind power generation, resulting in a quick scoping review of the literature. The study highlighted the promise of onshore wind generation in the current period of climatic and socio-ecological crises, but also highlighted some resulting socio-ecological problems, such as: deforestation for the construction of wind farms, expropriation of subsistence arable land, generation of turbine noise, insignificant employment, maintenance of inequalities, rural–city migration, extinction of cultural traditions, and food insecurity. This review offers an overview of wind energy generation, aiming to inform society and decision makers about the nature of challenges that lead to unsustainability arising from wind energy technology.
INTERACTION OF THE GLOBAL MARKET OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM OF UKRAINE
Authors: BOLSHAIA O. , KUZMENKO H. , DIACHENKO-BOHUN M.
Published: March 2022

Interaction between the global market of educational services and the higher education system of Ukraine

Statement of the problem and its connection with important scientific and practical tasks.

The article examines the functioning of the global market of educational services and the main trends of its development. We also consider the peculiarities of Ukrainian educational reform and mechanisms that ensure the growth of competitiveness of domestic institutions of higher education in the world market of educational services.

The author emphasizes that the creation of socio-economic preconditions for the development and formation of the national system of higher education in the global dimension relies on both the state and the institution itself. Progress relies on the development of cooperation between educational institutions and European universities in order to achieve a higher level of development of educational innovative technologies. An important factor for the accelerated processes of growth and integration into the global educational community is the process of academic mobility, which includes both teachers and students. This process takes a person to another level of communication and beyond his cultural and scientific traditions. Thus, the process of entrusting the achievements of world culture and education. Integration into the global educational space is a guarantee of improving the quality and competitiveness of higher education in Ukraine.