bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emerging Role of Nuclear Receptors for the Treatment of NAFLD and NASH
Authors: Welch Ryan D. , Billon Cyrielle , Losby McKenna , Bedia-Diaz Gonzalo , Fang Yuanying , Avdagic Amer , Elgendy Bahaa , Burris Thomas P. , Griffett Kristine
Published: March 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) over the past years has become a metabolic pandemic linked to a collection of metabolic diseases. The nuclear receptors ERRs, REV-ERBs, RORs, FXR, PPARs, and LXR are master regulators of metabolism and liver physiology. The characterization of these nuclear receptors and their biology has promoted the development of synthetic ligands. The possibility of targeting these receptors to treat NAFLD is promising, as several compounds including Cilofexor, thiazolidinediones, and Saroglitazar are currently undergoing clinical trials. This review focuses on the latest development of the pharmacology of these metabolic nuclear receptors and how they may be utilized to treat NAFLD and subsequent comorbidities.
Targeting Arginine in COVID-19-Induced Immunopathology and Vasculopathy
Authors: Durante William
Published: March 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents a major public health crisis that has caused the death of nearly six million people worldwide. Emerging data have identified a deficiency of circulating arginine in patients with COVID-19. Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that serves as key regulator of immune and vascular cell function. Arginine is metabolized by nitric oxide (NO) synthase to NO which plays a pivotal role in host defense and vascular health, whereas the catabolism of arginine by arginase to ornithine contributes to immune suppression and vascular disease. Notably, arginase activity is upregulated in COVID-19 patients in a disease-dependent fashion, favoring the production of ornithine and its metabolites from arginine over the synthesis of NO. This rewiring of arginine metabolism in COVID-19 promotes immune and endothelial cell dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, inflammation, vasoconstriction, thrombosis, and arterial thickening, fibrosis, and stiffening, which can lead to vascular occlusion, muti-organ failure, and death. Strategies that restore the plasma concentration of arginine, inhibit arginase activity, and/or enhance the bioavailability and potency of NO represent promising therapeutic approaches that may preserve immune function and prevent the development of severe vascular disease in patients with COVID-19.
Combined Targeted and Untargeted Profiling of HeLa Cells Deficient in Purine De Novo Synthesis
Authors: Mádrová Lucie , Součková Olga , Brumarová Radana , Dobešová Dana , Václavík Jan , Kouřil Štěpán , de Sousa Julie , Friedecká Jaroslava , Friedecký David , Barešová Veronika , Zikánová Marie , Adam Tomáš
Published: March 2022

Three genetically determined enzyme defects of purine de novo synthesis (PDNS) have been identified so far in humans: adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) deficiency, 5-amino-4-imidazole carboxamide-ribosiduria (AICA-ribosiduria), and deficiency in bifunctional enzyme phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase and phosphoribosylaminoimidazolesuccinocarboxamide synthase (PAICS). Clinical signs of these defects are mainly neurological, such as seizures, psychomotor retardation, epilepsy, autistic features, etc. This work aims to describe the metabolic changes of CRISPR-Cas9 genome-edited HeLa cells deficient in the individual steps of PDNS to better understand known and potential defects of the pathway in humans. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used for both targeted and untargeted metabolomic analyses. The statistically significant features from the untargeted study were identified by fragmentation analysis. Data from the targeted analysis were processed in Cytoscape software to visualize the most affected metabolic pathways. Statistical significance of PDNS intermediates preceding deficient enzymes was the highest (p-values 10 × 10−7–10 × 10−15) in comparison with the metabolites from other pathways (p-values of up to 10 × 10−7). Disturbed PDNS resulted in an altered pool of adenine and guanine nucleotides. However, the adenylate energy charge was not different from controls. Different profiles of acylcarnitines observed among deficient cell lines might be associated with a specific enzyme deficiency rather than global changes related to the PDNS pathway. Changes detected in one-carbon metabolism might reduce the methylation activity of the deficient cells, thus affecting the modification state of DNA, RNA, and proteins.
N-Type Nanosheet FETs without Ground Plane Region for Process Simplification
Authors: Lee Khwang-Sun , Park Jun-Young
Published: March 2022

This paper proposes a simplified fabrication processing for nanosheet Field-Effect Transistors (FETs) part of beyond-3-nm node technology. Formation of the ground plane (GP) region can be replaced by an epitaxial grown doped ultra-thin (DUT) layer on the starting wafer prior to Six/SiGe1−x stack formation. The proposed process flow can be performed in-situ, and does not require changing chambers or a high temperature annealing process. In short, conventional processes such as ion implantation and subsequent thermal annealing, which have been utilized for the GP region, can be replaced without degrading device performance.
Hardware Demonstration of SRDP Neuromorphic Computing with Online Unsupervised Learning Based on Memristor Synapses
Authors: Li Ruiyi , Huang Peng , Feng Yulin , Zhou Zheng , Zhang Yizhou , Ding Xiangxiang , Liu Lifeng , Kang Jinfeng
Published: March 2022

Neuromorphic computing has shown great advantages towards cognitive tasks with high speed and remarkable energy efficiency. Memristor is considered as one of the most promising candidates for the electronic synapse of the neuromorphic computing system due to its scalability, power efficiency and capability to simulate biological behaviors. Several memristor-based hardware demonstrations have been explored to achieve the capacity of unsupervised learning with the spike-rate-dependent plasticity (SRDP) learning rule. However, the learning capacity is limited and few of the memristor-based hardware demonstrations have explored the online unsupervised learning at the network level with an SRDP algorithm. Here, we construct a memristor-based hardware system and demonstrate the online unsupervised learning of SRDP networks. The neuromorphic system consists of multiple memristor arrays as the synapse and the discrete CMOS circuit unit as the neuron. Unsupervised learning and online weight update of 10 MNIST handwritten digits are realized by the constructed SRDP networks, and the recognition accuracy is above 90% with 20% device variation. This work paves the way towards the realization of large-scale and efficient networks for more complex tasks.
Thermally Driven Self-Rotation of a Hollow Torus Motor
Authors: Du Changshen , Zhang Biao , Cheng Quanbao , Xu Peibao , Li Kai
Published: March 2022

Self-oscillating systems based on thermally responsive polymer materials can realize heat-mechanical transduction in a steady ambient temperature field and have huge application potential in the field of micro-active machines, micro-robotics and energy harvesters. Recently, experiments have found that a torus on a hot surface can rotate autonomously and continuously, and its rotating velocity is determined by the competition between the thermally induced driving moment and the sliding friction moment. In this article, we theoretically study the self-sustained rotation of a hollow torus on a hot surface and explore the effect of the radius ratio on its rotational angular velocity and energy efficiency. By establishing a theoretical model of heat-driven self-sustained rotation, its analytical driving moment is derived, and the equilibrium equation for its steady rotation is obtained. Numerical calculation shows that with the increase in the radius ratio, the angular velocity of its rotation monotonously increases, while the energy efficiency of the self-rotating hollow torus motor first increases and then decreases. In addition, the effects of several system parameters on the angular velocity of it are also extensively investigated. The results in this paper have a guiding role in the application of hollow torus motor in the fields of micro-active machines, thermally driven motors and waste heat harvesters.
The Use and Limitations of the 16S rRNA Sequence for Species Classification of Anaplasma Samples
Authors: Caudill Mitchell T. , Brayton Kelly A.
Published: March 2022

With the advent of cheaper, high-throughput sequencing technologies, the ability to survey biodiversity in previously unexplored niches and geographies has expanded massively. Within Anaplasma, a genus containing several intra-hematopoietic pathogens of medical and economic importance, at least 25 new species have been proposed since the last formal taxonomic organization. Given the obligate intracellular nature of these bacteria, none of these proposed species have been able to attain formal standing in the nomenclature per the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes rules. Many novel species’ proposals use sequence data obtained from targeted or metagenomic PCR studies of only a few genes, most commonly the 16S rRNA gene. We examined the utility of the 16S rRNA gene sequence for discriminating Anaplasma samples to the species level. We find that while the genetic diversity of the genus Anaplasma appears greater than appreciated in the last organization of the genus, caution must be used when attempting to resolve to a species descriptor from the 16S rRNA gene alone. Specifically, genomically distinct species have similar 16S rRNA gene sequences, especially when only partial amplicons of the 16S rRNA are used. Furthermore, we provide key bases that allow classification of the formally named species of Anaplasma.
Experimental Study on the Influence of Confining Pressure and Bedding Angles on Mechanical Properties in Coal
Authors: Li Yongfei , Zhao Baoyun , Yang Jiaosheng , Sun Junchang , Huang Wei , Li Ziyun , Wang Bingyuan
Published: March 2022

Extensive bedding planes have a great influence on the mechanical properties of coal. In order to study the mechanism of the effects of bedding angles on the mechanical properties and failure characteristics of coal in the Shanxi Baode coal mine, uniaxial and triaxial compression tests and numerical simulations were conducted. The strength deterioration and microstructural changes in the samples were then analyzed with discrete element method (DEM) numerical simulation. The experimental results reveal that the power function strength criterion has good applicability to the strength characteristics of this coal. It was also found that the bedding angles have a great influence on the mechanical properties of coal. The properties of peak strength at different bedding angles roughly showed a U-shaped changing trend. The maximum strength occurred at a bedding angle of 0°, whereas the minimum strength occurred at a bedding angle of 60°. The numerical simulation and test results prove that the forms of failure of different bedding coal samples are complicated and are mainly represented by tensile and shear failures.
A Water Soluble 2-Phenyl-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole Based Probe: Antimicrobial Activity and Colorimetric/Fluorescence pH Response
Authors: Diana Rosita , Caruso Ugo , Di Costanzo Luigi , Concilio Simona , Piotto Stefano , Sessa Lucia , Panunzi Barbara
Published: March 2022

The growing demand of responsive tools for biological and biomedical applications pushes towards new low-cost probes easy to synthesize and versatile. Current optical probes are theranostic tools simultaneously responsive to biological parameters/analyte and therapeutically operating. Among the optical methods for pH monitoring, simple small organic molecules including multifunctional probes for simultaneous biological activity being highly desired by scientists and technicians. Here, we present a novel pH-responsive probe with a three-ring heteroaromatic pattern and a flexible cationic chain. The novel molecule shows real-time naked-eye colorimetric and fluorescence response in the slightly acidic pH range besides its excellent solubility both in the organic phase and in water. In addition, the small probe shows significant antibacterial activity, particularly against Escherichia coli. Single-crystal X-ray study and density functional theory (DFT) calculations rationalize the molecule spectroscopic response. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) elucidate the interactions between the probe and a model cell membrane.
The Influence of Bacteria Causing Subclinical Mastitis on the Structure of the Cow’s Milk Microbiome
Authors: Kaczorowski Łukasz , Powierska-Czarny Jolanta , Wolko Łukasz , Piotrowska-Cyplik Agnieszka , Cyplik Paweł , Czarny Jakub
Published: March 2022

Mastitis is the most expensive disease of dairy cattle across the world and is the main reason for the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. The aim of this study was to analyze the microbiome of raw milk obtained from a semi-subsistence farm located in the Kuyavian–Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. Milk from healthy cows and from cows with subclinical mastitis was analyzed. The following pathogenic bacteria were found in milk from individuals with subclinical mastitis: Escherichia coli or Streptococcus agalactiae. The composition of drinking milk was assessed on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing using the Ion Torrent platform. Based on the conducted research, significant changes in the composition of the milk microbiome were found depending on the physiological state of the cows. The microbiome of milk from healthy cows differed significantly from the milk from cows with subclinical mastitis. Two phyla dominated in the milk from healthy cows: Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, in equal amounts. On the contrary, in the milk from cows with diagnosed subclinical mastitis, one of the types dominated: either Firmicutes or Proteobacteria, and was largely predominant. Moreover, the milk microflora from the ill animals were characterized by lower values of the determined biodiversity indicators than the milk from healthy cows. The presence of pathogenic bacteria in the milk resulted in a significant reduction in the share of lactic acid bacteria in the structure of the population of microorganisms, which are of great importance in the production technology of regional products.
Layer-by-Layer Pirfenidone/Cerium Oxide Nanocapsule Dressing Promotes Wound Repair and Prevents Scar Formation
Authors: He Junwei , Meng Xinxian , Meng Chen , Zhao Jiayu , Chen Yunsheng , Zhang Zheng , Zhang Yixin
Published: March 2022

An increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and high expression levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in wound tissue are two major problems for wound repair and scar inhibition. Modulation of the wound microenvironment is considered to be able to overcome these issues. Two possible solutions include the use of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2) as an enzyme-like ROS scavenger and pirfenidone (PFD) as an anti-fibrotic drug to inhibit the expression of TGF-β. However, CeO2 is easily adsorbed by biological macromolecules and loses its enzyme-like activity. Furthermore, the intracellular delivery of PFD is difficult. Herein, the layer-by-layer method was used to prepare nanocapsules (NCs) with a sophisticated structure featuring PFD at their core and CeO2 in their shell; these NCs were referred to as PFD/CeO2 NCs. PFD/CeO2 NCs were supposed to efficiently achieve intracellular delivery of PFD and successfully scavenged ROS from the microenvironment. Cellular experiments verified that PFD/CeO2 NCs had good biocompatibility, satisfactory cellular uptake, and favorable ROS-scavenging capacity. To be applied directly to the wound, PFD/CeO2 NCs were then adhered to plasma-etched polylactic acid (PLA) fiber membranes to prepare a new wound dressing. Animal experiments further demonstrated that the dressing accelerated the epithelialization of the wound, reduced the levels of ROS and TGF-β, improved the arrangement and proportion of collagen fibers, and finally, achieved satisfactory wound-repairing and anti-scarring effects. These results provide a new concept for promoting wound repair and preventing scar formation.
Nanostructured, Metal-Free Electrodes for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction Containing Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots and a Hydroxide Ion-Conducting Ionomer
Authors: Nallayagari Ashwini Reddy , Sgreccia Emanuela , Di Vona Maria Luisa , Pasquini Luca , Vacandio Florence , Knauth Philippe
Published: March 2022

In this work, we studied the combination of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQD), a hydroxide-ion conducting ionomer based on polysulfone (PSU) and polyaniline (PANI), to explore the complementary properties of these materials in high-performance nanostructured electrodes for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution. N-CQD were made by hydrothermal synthesis from glucosamine hydrochloride (GAH) or glucosamine hydrochloride and N-Octylamine (GAH-Oct), and PSU were quaternized with trimethylamine (PSU-TMA). The nanocomposite electrodes were prepared on carbon paper by drop-casting. Furthermore, we succeeded in preparing PSU-TMA + PANI + GAH-Oct fibers by electrospinning. The capacitance of the electrodes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy, which gave similar trends. The ORR was investigated by linear sweep voltammetry at rotating disk electrode speeds between 250 and 2000 rpm in an oxygen-saturated 1 M KOH solution. Koutecky–Levich plots showed that four electrons were exchanged for nanocomposite electrodes containing CQD. The highest reduction currents were measured for the electrodes containing GAH-Oct. The Tafel plots gave the lowest slope and the most positive half-wave potential for PSU-TMA + PANI + GAH-Oct fibers. The best electrocatalytic activity of this electrode could be related to the high amount of graphitic nitrogen in GAH-Oct. Long-term cycling tests showed no significant modification of the onset potential, but a change of the current in the mass transport limited region, indicated the evolution of the microstructure of the nanocomposite ORR electrode modifying the mass transport conditions during the first 400 cycles before reaching stationary conditions. FTIR spectra were used to study possible electrode degradation after the ORR in 1 M KOH: the only change was due to the reaction of PANI emeraldine salt to emeraldine base, whereas the other constituents of the multiphase electrode did not show any degradation.
Synthesis of MAPA Reagents and 2-Alkyl(aryl)aminopyridines from 2-Bromopyridine Using the Goldberg Reaction
Authors: Comins Daniel L.
Published: March 2022

A short and economical synthesis of various 2-methylaminopyidine amides (MAPA) from 2-bromopyridine has been developed using the catalytic Goldberg reaction. The effective catalyst was formed in situ by the reaction of CuI and 1,10-phenanthroline in a 1/1 ratio with a final loading of 0.5–3 mol%. The process affords high yields and can accommodate multigram-scale reactions. A modification of this method provides a new preparation of 2-N-substituted aminopyridines from various secondary N-alkyl(aryl)formamides and 2-bromopyridine. The intermediate aminopyridine formamide is cleaved in situ through methanolysis or hydrolysis to give 2-alkyl(aryl)aminopyridines in high yields.
Modeling the Dynamics of Protein–Protein Interfaces, How and Why?
Authors: Karaca Ezgi , Prévost Chantal , Sacquin-Mora Sophie
Published: March 2022

Protein–protein assemblies act as a key component in numerous cellular processes. Their accurate modeling at the atomic level remains a challenge for structural biology. To address this challenge, several docking and a handful of deep learning methodologies focus on modeling protein–protein interfaces. Although the outcome of these methods has been assessed using static reference structures, more and more data point to the fact that the interaction stability and specificity is encoded in the dynamics of these interfaces. Therefore, this dynamics information must be taken into account when modeling and assessing protein interactions at the atomistic scale. Expanding on this, our review initially focuses on the recent computational strategies aiming at investigating protein–protein interfaces in a dynamic fashion using enhanced sampling, multi-scale modeling, and experimental data integration. Then, we discuss how interface dynamics report on the function of protein assemblies in globular complexes, in fuzzy complexes containing intrinsically disordered proteins, as well as in active complexes, where chemical reactions take place across the protein–protein interface.
Chemical Composition of Leaves, Stem, and Roots of Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth
Authors: Gomes Paulo Wender P. , Barretto Hugo , Reis José Diogo E. , Muribeca Abraão , Veloso Alice , Albuquerque Carlos , Teixeira Andrew , Braamcamp Wandson , Pamplona Sônia , Silva Consuelo , Silva Milton
Published: March 2022

Peperomia pellucida is a species known in the Amazon as “erva-de-jabuti” that has been used in several therapeutic applications based on folk medicine. Herein, we describe the classes, subclasses, and the main compounds of the leaves, stems, and roots from P. pellucida by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry associated with molecular networks, mirror plot on the GNPS library, and machine learning. These data show compounds that were annotated for the first time in the Peperomia genus, such as 2′,4′,5′-trihydroxybutyrophenonevelutin, dehydroretrofractamide C, and retrofractamide B.
Shotgun Lipidomic Analysis for Differentiation of Niche Cold Pressed Oils
Authors: Nikolaichuk Hanna , Przykaza Kacper , Kozub Anna , Montowska Magdalena , Wójcicka Grażyna , Tomaszewska-Gras Jolanta , Fornal Emilia
Published: March 2022

The fast-growing food industry is bringing significant number of new products to the market. To protect consumers’ health and rights, it is crucial that food control laboratories are able to ensure reliable quality testing, including product authentication and detection of adulterations. In our study, we applied a fast and eco-friendly method based on shotgun-lipidomic mass spectrometry for the authentication of niche edible oils. Comprehensive lipid profiles of camelina (CA), flax (FL) and hemp (HP) seed oils were obtained. With the aid of principal component analysis (PCA), it was possible to detect and distinguish each of them based on their lipid profiles. Lipidomic markers characteristic ofthe oils were also identified, which can be used as targets and expedite development of new multiplexed testing methods.
Fluorogenic Detection of Sulfite in Water by Using Copper(II) Azacyclam Complexes
Authors: Ciarrocchi Carlo , Sacchi Donatella , Boiocchi Massimo , Weththimuni Maduka Lankani , Orbelli Biroli Alessio , Licchelli Maurizio
Published: March 2022

Copper(II) azacyclam complexes (azacyclam = 1,3,5,8,12-pentaazacyclotetradecane) containing naphthyl or dansyl subunits can be prepared by template synthesis involving proper sulfonamide derivatives as locking fragments. The macrocyclic complexes are very poorly emissive due to the fluorescence-quenching behavior displayed by Cu2+ ions. However, the fluorescence can be recovered as a result of the decomposition of the complexes, which induces the release of free light-emitting subunits to the solution. This reaction takes place very slowly in neutral water but its rate is increased by the presence of sulfite. Therefore, [Cu(azacyclam)]2+ derivatives have been investigated as simple chemical probes for the fluorogenic detection of sulfite both on laboratory and real samples. Preliminary tests performed on samples of white wine provided sulfite concentration values that are in agreement with those obtained by a standard analytical method.
Submicronic Filtering Media Based on Electrospun Recycled PET Nanofibers: Development, Characterization, and Method to Manufacture Surgical Masks
Authors: Baselga-Lahoz Marta , Yus Cristina , Arruebo Manuel , Sebastián Víctor , Irusta Silvia , Jiménez Santiago
Published: March 2022

The disposal of single-use personal protective equipment has brought a notable environmental impact in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. During these last two years, part of the global research efforts has been focused on preventing contagion using nanotechnology. This work explores the production of filter materials with electrohydrodynamic techniques using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET was chosen because it is one of the materials most commonly present in everyday waste (such as in food packaging, bags, or bottles), being the most frequently used thermoplastic polymer in the world. The influence of the electrospinning parameters on the filtering capacity of the resulting fabric was analyzed against both aerosolized submicron particles and microparticulated matter. Finally, we present a new scalable and straightforward method for manufacturing surgical masks by electrospinning and we validate their performance by simulating the standard conditions to which they are subjected to during use. The masks were successfully reprocessed to ensure that the proposed method is able to reduce the environmental impact of disposable face masks.
Gold Nanorod Substrate for Rat Fetal Neural Stem Cell Differentiation into Oligodendrocytes
Authors: Sharma Krishna Deo , Alghazali Karrer M. , Hamzah Rabab N. , Pandanaboina Sahitya Chetan , Nima Alsudani Zeid A. , Muhi Malek , Watanabe Fumiya , Zhou Guo-Lei , Biris Alexandru S. , Xie Jennifer Yanhua
Published: March 2022

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have been proposed to promote stem cell differentiation in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined a particular type of AuNR in supporting the differentiation of rat fetal neural stem cells (NSCs) into oligodendrocytes (ODCs). AuNRs were synthesized according to the seed-mediated method resulting in nanorods with an aspect ratio of around 3 (~12 nm diameter, 36 nm length) and plasmon resonance at 520 and 780 nm, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis spectroscopy, respectively. A layer-by-layer approach was used to fabricate the AuNR substrate on the functionalized glass coverslips. NSCs were propagated for 10 days using fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth-factor-supplemented culture media, and differentiated on an AuNR or poly-D-lysine (PDL)-coated surface using differentiation media containing triiodothyronine for three weeks. Results showed that NSCs survived better and differentiated faster on the AuNRs compared to the PDL surface. By week 1, almost all cells had differentiated on the AuNR substrate, whereas only ~60% differentiated on the PDL surface, with similar percentages of ODCs and astrocytes. This study indicates that functionalized AuNR substrate does promote NSC differentiation and could be a viable tool for tissue engineering to support the differentiation of stem cells.
Optical Characterization and Prediction with Neural Network Modeling of Various Stoichiometries of Perovskite Materials Using a Hyperregression Method
Authors: Kim Soo Min , Naqvi Syed Dildar Haider , Kang Min Gu , Song Hee-eun , Ahn SeJin
Published: March 2022

Quaternary perovskite solar cells are being extensively studied, with the goal of increasing solar cell efficiency and securing stability by changing the ratios of methylammonium, formamidinium, I3, and Br3. However, when the stoichiometric ratio is changed, the photoelectric properties reflect those of different materials, making it difficult to study the physical properties of the quaternary perovskite. In this study, the optical properties of perovskite materials with various stoichiometric ratios were measured using ellipsometry, and the results were analyzed using an optical simulation model. Because it is difficult to analyze the spectral pattern according to composition using the existing method of statistical regression analysis, an artificial neural network (ANN) structure was constructed to enable the hyperregression analysis of n-dimensional variables. Finally, by inputting the stoichiometric ratios used in the fabrication and the wavelength range to the trained artificial intelligence model, it was confirmed that the optical properties were similar to those measured with an ellipsometer. The refractive index and extinction coefficient extracted through the ellipsometry analysis show a tendency consistent with the color change of the specimen, and have a similar shape to that reported in the literature. When the optical properties of the unmodified perovskite are predicted using the verified artificial intelligence model, a very complex change in pattern is observed, which is impossible to analyze with a general regression method. It can be seen that this change in optical properties is well maintained, even during rapid variations in the pattern according to the change in composition. In conclusion, hyperregression analysis with n-dimensional variables can be performed for the spectral patterns of thin-film materials using a simple big data construction method.
Role of Working Temperature and Humidity in Acetone Detection by SnO2 Covered ZnO Nanowire Network Based Sensors
Authors: Morisot Fanny , Zuliani Claudio , Mouis Mireille , Luque Joaquim , Montemont Cindy , Maindron Tony , Ternon Céline
Published: March 2022

A randomly oriented nanowire network, also called nanonet (NN), is a nano-microstructure that is easily integrated into devices while retaining the advantages of using nanowires. This combination presents a highly developed surface, which is promising for sensing applications while drastically reducing integration costs compared to single nanowire integration. It now remains to demonstrate its effective sensing in real conditions, its selectivity and its real advantages. With this work, we studied the feasibility of gaseous acetone detection in breath by considering the effect of external parameters, such as humidity and temperature, on the device’s sensitivity. Here the devices were made of ZnO NNs covered by SnO2 and integrated on top of microhotplates for the fine and quick control of sensing temperature with low energy consumption. The prime result is that, after a maturation period of about 15 h, the devices are sensitive to acetone concentration as low as 2 ppm of acetone at 370 °C in an alternating dry and wet (50% of relative humidity) atmosphere, even after 90 h of experiments. While still away from breath humidity conditions, which is around 90% RH, the sensor response observed at 50% RH to 2 ppm of acetone shows promising results, especially since a temperature scan allows for ethanol’s distinguishment.
Screening of the Toxicity of Polystyrene Nano- and Microplastics Alone and in Combination with Benzo(a)pyrene in Brine Shrimp Larvae and Zebrafish Embryos
Authors: Martínez-Álvarez Ignacio , Le Menach Karyn , Devier Marie-Hélène , Cajaraville Miren P. , Budzinski Hélène , Orbea Amaia
Published: March 2022

The occurrence of nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems and their capacity to sorb hydrophobic pollutants is nowadays an issue of great concern. This study aimed to assess the potential bioavailability and acute toxicity of polystyrene (PS) NPs (50 and 500 nm) and of MPs (4.5 µm), alone and with sorbed benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), in the embryo/larval stages of brine shrimps and zebrafish. Exposure to pristine plastics up to 50.1 mg PS/L did not cause significant impact on brine shrimp survival, while some treatments of plastics-B(a)P and all concentrations of B(a)P (0.1–10 mg/L) resulted acutely toxic. In zebrafish, only the highest concentrations of MPs-B(a)P and B(a)P caused a significant increase of malformation prevalence. Ingestion of NPs was observed by 24–48 h of exposure in the two organisms (from 0.069 to 6.87 mg PS/L). In brine shrimps, NPs were observed over the body surface and within the digestive tract, associated with feces. In zebrafish, NPs were localized in the eyes, yolk sac, and tail at 72 h, showing their capacity to translocate and spread into the embryo. MP ingestion was only demonstrated for brine shrimps. In zebrafish embryos exposed to plastics-B(a)P, B(a)P appeared in the yolk sac of the embryos. The presence of B(a)P was also noticeable in brine shrimps exposed to 500 nm NPs-B(a)P. In conclusion, NPs entered and spread into the zebrafish embryo and PS NPs, and MPs were successful vectors of B(a)P to brine shrimp and zebrafish embryos. Particle size played a significant role in explaining the toxicity of plastics–B(a)P. Our study provides support for the idea that plastics may pose a risk to aquatic organisms when combined with persistent organic pollutants such as B(a)P.
New Insights into the Magnetic Properties of CoFe2O4@SiO2@Au Magnetoplasmonic Nanoparticles
Authors: Bortnic Rareș , Szatmari Adam , Souca Gabriela , Hirian Răzvan , Dudric Roxana , Barbu-Tudoran Lucian , Toma Valentin , Știufiuc Rareș , Tetean Romulus , Burzo Emil
Published: March 2022

We report the successful synthesis and a complete magnetic characterization of CoFe2O4@SiO2@Au magnetoplasmonic nanoparticles. The CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles were prepared using the hydrothermal method. A subsequent SiO2 shell followed by a plasmonic Au shell were deposited on the magnetic core creating magnetoplasmonic nanoparticles with a core–shell architecture. A spin-glass-type magnetism was shown at the surface of the CoFe2O4 nanograins. Depending on the external magnetic field, two types of spin-glass were identified and analyzed in correlation with the exchange field acting on octahedral and tetrahedral iron sites. The magnetization per formula unit of the CoFe2O4 core is not changed in the case of CoFe2O4@SiO2@Au nanocomposites. The gold nanoparticles creating the plasmonic shell show a giant diamagnetic susceptibility, dependent on their crystallite sizes.
Metallic Effects on p-Hydroxyphenyl Porphyrin Thin-Film-Based Planar Optical Waveguide Gas Sensor: Experimental and Computational Studies
Authors: Kari Nuerguli , Zannotti Marco , Giovannetti Rita , Řeha David , Minofar Babak , Abliz Shawket , Yimit Abliz
Published: March 2022

Metal effects on the gas sensing behavior of metal complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) thin film was investigated in terms of detecting NO2 gas by the planar optical waveguide. For this purpose, several THPP and metal complexes were synthesized with different central metal ions: Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II). Planar optical gas sensors were fabricated with the metalloporphyrins deposited on K+ ion-exchanged soda-lime glass substrate with the spin coating method serving as host matrices for gas interaction. All of the THPP complex’s films were fully characterized by UV-Vis, IR and XPS spectroscopy, and the laser light source wavelength was selected at 520 and 670 nm. The results of the planar optical waveguide sensor show that the Zn–THPP complex exhibits the strongest response with the lowest detectable gas concentration of NO2 gas for both 520 nm and 670 nm. The Ni–THPP and Co–THPP complexes display good efficiency in the detection of NO2, while, on the other hand, Cu–THPP shows a very low interaction with NO2 gas, with only 50 ppm and 200 ppm detectable gas concentration for 520 nm and 670 nm, respectively. In addition, molecular dynamic simulations and quantum mechanical calculations were performed, proving to be coherent with the experimental results.
Engineering of Ni(OH)2 Modified Two-Dimensional ZnIn2S4 Heterostructure for Boosting Hydrogen Evolution under Visible Light Illumination
Authors: Wang Huan , Shao Baorui , Chi Yaodan , Lv Sa , Wang Chao , Li Bo , Li Haibin , Li Yingui , Yang Xiaotian
Published: March 2022

Developing efficient catalysts to produce clean fuel by using solar energy has long been the goal to mitigate the issue of traditional fossil fuel scarcity. In this work, we design a heterostructure photocatalyst by employing two green components, Ni(OH)2 and ZnIn2S4, for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution under the illumination of visible light. After optimization, the obtained photocatalyst exhibits an H2 evolution rate at 0.52 mL h−1 (5 mg) (i.e., 4640 μmol h−1 g−1) under visible light illumination. Further investigations reveal that such superior activity is originated from the efficient charge separation due to the two-dimensional (2D) structure of ZnIn2S4 and existing high-quality heterojunction.
One-Pot Synthesis of Amine-Functionalized Nano-Silica via Sol-Gel Assisted by Reverse Micelle Microemulsion for Environmental Application
Authors: Da’na Enshirah , Al-Arjan Wafa Shamsan , Al-Saeed Sukainah , El-Aassar Mohamed Ramadan
Published: March 2022

Amine modified nano-silica was prepared via a one-pot route and under very mild conditions in water in oil microemulsion with a non-ionic surfactant to study the effect of changing the amount of N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine (DA) added to the synthesis mixture on the characteristics of the obtained nanocomposite such as morphology, crystallinity, surface charge, particle size, surface area, and accordingly the effect of all of these factors on the efficiency of the nanocomposite for the removal of heavy metal ions, namely zinc, from aqueous solutions. XRD, SEM, TGA, BET, DLS, FTIR, and pH0 analysis were performed for samples and the results showed a strong effect for the amount of DA added to the synthesis mixture on the characteristics of the obtained nanocomposites. It was found that increasing the amount of DA added to the synthesis mixture increased the pH0, hydrodynamic particle size obtained by dynamic light scattering analysis, and the particle size obtained by SEM. Sample prepared without the addition of DA (SNP) and the samples prepared with 1.5 mL of DA (SNP-1.5DA) showed a better adsorption performance compared to the samples prepared with 0.5 and 1.0 mL of DA (SNP-0.5DA and SNP-1.0DA, respectively). The main factor affecting the adsorption efficiency was found to be the available surface area for each nanocomposite, which was directly related to the degree of crystallinity as obtained by XRD analysis.
The Effects of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting and Refeeding on Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk
Authors: Scharf Eugene , Zeiler Evelyn , Ncube Mackson , Kolbe Patricia , Hwang Su-Yeon , Goldhamer Alan , Myers Toshia R.
Published: March 2022

(1) Background: Cardiometabolic disease, including insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, are major contributors to adverse health outcomes. Fasting has gained interest as a nonpharmacological therapeutic adjunct for these disorders. (2) Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-center study on the effects of prolonged water-only fasting followed by an exclusively whole-plant-food refeeding diet on accepted measures of cardiovascular risk and metabolic health. Participants were recruited from patients who had voluntarily elected to complete a water-only fast in order to improve their overall health according to an established protocol at an independent, residential medical center. Median fasting and refeed lengths were 17 and 8 days, respectively. The primary endpoint was to describe the mean glucose tolerance as indicated by Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) scores at baseline, end-of-fast (EOF), and end-of-refeed (EOR) visits. Secondary endpoints were to describe the mean weight, body mass index (BMI), abdominal circumference (AC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), lipid panel, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) at the same time points. (3) Results: The study enrolled 48 overweight/obese non-diabetic participants, of which 26 completed the full study protocol. At the EOF visit, the median SBP, AC, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and hsCRP were decreased and triglycerides (TG) and HOMA-IR scores were increased. Conclusion: Prolonged water-only fasting and whole-plant-food refeeding holds potential as a clinical therapy for cardiometabolic disease but increased TG and HOMA-IR values after refeeding necessitate further inquiry.
Insights into the Composition of a Co-Culture of 10 Probiotic Strains (OMNi BiOTiC® AAD10) and Effects of Its Postbiotic Culture Supernatant
Authors: Kienesberger Bernhard , Obermüller Beate , Singer Georg , Arneitz Christoph , Gasparella Paolo , Klymiuk Ingeborg , Horvath Angela , Stadlbauer Vanessa , Magnes Christoph , Zügner Elmar , López-García Pablo , Trajanoski Slave , Miekisch Wolfram , Fuchs Patricia , Till Holger , Castellani Christoph
Published: March 2022

Background: We aimed to gain insights in a co-culture of 10 bacteria and their postbiotic supernatant. Methods: Abundances and gene expression were monitored by shotgun analysis. The supernatant was characterized by liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Supernatant was harvested after 48 h (S48) and 196 h (S196). Susceptibility testing included nine bacteria and C. albicans. Bagg albino (BALBc) mice were fed with supernatant or culture medium. Fecal samples were obtained for 16S analysis. Results: A time-dependent decrease of the relative abundances and gene expression of L. salivarius, L. paracasei, E. faecium and B. longum/lactis and an increase of L. plantarum were observed. Substances in LC-MS were predominantly allocated to groups amino acids/peptides/metabolites and nucleotides/metabolites, relating to gene expression. Fumaric, panthotenic, 9,3-methyl-2-oxovaleric, malic and aspartic acid, cytidine monophosphate, orotidine, phosphoserine, creatine, tryptophan correlated to culture time. Supernatant had no effect against anaerobic bacteria. S48 was reactive against S. epidermidis, L. monocytogenes, P. aeruginosae, E. faecium and C. albicans. S196 against S. epidermidis and Str. agalactiae. In vivo S48/S196 had no effect on alpha/beta diversity. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and analysis of composition of microbiomes (ANCOM) revealed an increase of Anaeroplasma and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Conclusions: The postbiotic supernatant had positive antibacterial and antifungal effects in vitro and promoted the growth of distinct bacteria in vivo.
Diet and Respiratory Infections: Specific or Generalized Associations?
Authors: Vu Thanh-Huyen T. , Van Horn Linda , Achenbach Chad J. , Rydland Kelsey J. , Cornelis Marilyn C.
Published: March 2022

Background: Based on our recently reported associations between specific dietary behaviors and the risk of COVID-19 infection in the UK Biobank (UKB) cohort, we further investigate whether these associations are specific to COVID-19 or extend to other respiratory infections. Methods: Pneumonia and influenza diagnoses were retrieved from hospital and death record data linked to the UKB. Baseline, self-reported (2006–2010) dietary behaviors included being breastfed as a baby and intakes of coffee, tea, oily fish, processed meat, red meat (unprocessed), fruit, and vegetables. Logistic regression estimated the odds of pneumonia/influenza from baseline to 31 December 2019 with each dietary component, adjusting for baseline socio-demographic factors, medical history, and other lifestyle behaviors. We considered effect modification by sex and genetic factors related to pneumonia, COVID-19, and caffeine metabolism. Results: Of 470,853 UKB participants, 4.0% had pneumonia and 0.2% had influenza during follow up. Increased consumption of coffee, tea, oily fish, and fruit at baseline were significantly and independently associated with a lower risk of future pneumonia events. Increased consumption of red meat was associated with a significantly higher risk. After multivariable adjustment, the odds of pneumonia (p ≤ 0.001 for all) were lower by 6–9% when consuming 1–3 cups of coffee/day (vs. <1 cup/day), 8–11% when consuming 1+ cups of tea/day (vs. <1 cup/day), 10–12% when consuming oily fish in higher quartiles (vs. the lowest quartile—Q1), and 9–14% when consuming fruit in higher quartiles (vs. Q1); it was 9% higher when consuming red meat in the fourth quartile (vs. Q1). Similar patterns of associations were observed for influenza but only associations with tea and oily fish met statistical significance. The association between fruit and pneumonia risk was stronger in women than in men (p = 0.001 for interaction). Conclusions: In the UKB, consumption of coffee, tea, oily fish, and fruit were favorably associated with incident pneumonia/influenza and red meat was adversely associated. Findings for coffee parallel those we reported previously for COVID-19 infection, while other findings are specific to these more common respiratory infections.
The Effects of Matcha and Decaffeinated Matcha on Learning, Memory and Proteomics of Hippocampus in Senescence-Accelerated (SAMP8) Mice
Authors: Igarashi Kiharu , Takagi Makiko , Fukushima Yoichi
Published: March 2022

Although the benefits of the consumption of green tea and its components, including catechins and theanine, regarding aging, memory impairment and age-related cognitive decline have been investigated in senescence-accelerated prone mice (SAMP8), studies that simultaneously measured the kinds of proteins that vary in their expression due to the administration of green tea and its extracts were not found. In this study, the effect of dietary and decaffeinated matcha on protein expression in the hippocampus of SAMP 8 was examined comprehensively, mainly using proteomics. Although improvements in memory and the hair appearance of the back coat were limited upon administering the samples, the following regulations were observed in some of the proteins involved in neuron degeneration, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, synapse transmission and nerve cell plasticity, antioxidation, glutamate transport and metabolism, GABA (γ-amino butyric acid) formation and transport and excitatory amino acid transporters: proteins downregulated upon sample intake (p < 0.05): brain acid-soluble protein 1, microtubule-associated protein tau, synapsin-2, sodium- and chloride-dependent GABA transporter; proteins that tended to decrease upon sample intake (0.05 < p < 0.10): Parkinson’s disease (autosomal recessive and early-onset) 7 and synapsin-1; proteins upregulated upon sample intake (p > 0.95): glutathione S-transferase Mu 1, tubulin alpha-1A chain, dynamin-2, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II subunit gamma and tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tyrosine 5-monooxygenase activation protein epsilon polypeptide; proteins that tended to increase upon sample intake (0.95 > p > 0.90): glutathione S-transferase Mu7 and soluble carrier family 1 (glial high-affinity glutamate transporter); proteins that tended to decrease: sodium- and chloride-dependent GABA transporter 3. These results indicate that matcha and decaffeinated matcha could reduce aging and cognitive impairment by regulating the expression of these proteins. Furthermore, these proteins could be used as markers for the evaluation of food and its available components for reducing aging and cognitive impairment.