bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Molecular Mechanisms of Macrolide Resistance in Laboratory Mutant Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Ayaş Meltem , Oktem-Okullu Sinem , Özcan Orhan , Kocagöz Tanıl , Gürol Yeşim
Published: April 2024

Resistance to clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic used in the first-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, is the most important cause of treatment failure. Although most cases of clarithromycin resistance in H. pylori are associated with point mutations in 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), the relationships of other mutations with resistance remain unclear. We examined possible new macrolide resistance mechanisms in resistant strains using next-generation sequencing. Two resistant strains were obtained from clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori following exposure to low clarithromycin concentrations using the agar dilution method. Sanger sequencing and whole-genome sequencing were performed to detect resistance-related mutations. Both strains carried the A2142G mutation in 23S rRNA. Candidate mutations (T1495A, T1494A, T1490A, T1476A, and G1472T) for clarithromycin resistance were detected in the Mutant-1 strain. Furthermore, a novel mutation in the gene encoding for the sulfite exporter TauE/SafE family protein was considered to be linked to clarithromycin resistance or cross-resistance, being identified as a target for further investigations. In the Mutant-2 strain, a novel mutation in the gene that encodes DUF874 family protein that can be considered as relevant with antibiotic resistance was detected. These mutations were revealed in the H. pylori genome for the first time, emphasizing their potential as targets for advanced studies.
Biochemical and Molecular Insights into Variation in Sesame Seed Antioxidant Capability as Revealed by Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis
Authors: Dossou Senouwa Segla Koffi , Luo Zishu , Deng Qianchun , Zhou Rong , Zhang Yanxin , Li Donghua , Li Huan , Tozo Koffi , You Jun , Wang Linhai
Published: April 2024

Sesame seeds are important resources for relieving oxidation stress-related diseases. Although a significant variation in seeds’ antioxidant capability is observed, the underlying biochemical and molecular basis remains elusive. Thus, this study aimed to reveal major seed components and key molecular mechanisms that drive the variability of seeds’ antioxidant activity (AOA) using a panel of 400 sesame accessions. The seeds’ AOA, total flavonoid, and phenolic contents varied from 2.03 to 78.5%, 0.072 to 3.104 mg CAE/g, and 2.717 to 21.98 mg GAE/g, respectively. Analyses revealed that flavonoids and phenolic acids are the main contributors to seeds’ AOA variation, irrespective of seed coat color. LC-MS-based polyphenol profiling of high (HA) and low (LA) antioxidant seeds uncovered 320 differentially accumulated phenolic compounds (DAPs), including 311 up-regulated in HA seeds. Tricin, persicoside, 5,7,4′,5′-tetrahydro-3′,6-dimethoxyflavone, 8-methoxyapigenin, and 6,7,8-tetrahydroxy-5-methoxyflavone were the top five up-regulated in HA. Comparative transcriptome analysis at three seed developmental stages identified 627~2357 DEGs and unveiled that differential regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and stilbene biosynthesis were the key underlying mechanisms of seed antioxidant capacity variation. Major differentially regulated phenylpropanoid structural genes and transcription factors were identified. SINPZ0000571 (MYB), SINPZ0401118 (NAC), and SINPZ0500871 (C3H) were the most highly induced TFs in HA. Our findings may enhance quality breeding.
Elucidating the Molecular Pathways and Therapeutic Interventions of Gaseous Mediators in the Context of Fibrosis
Authors: Li Aohan , Wu Siyuan , Li Qian , Wang Qianqian , Chen Yingqing
Published: April 2024

Fibrosis, a pathological alteration of the repair response, involves continuous organ damage, scar formation, and eventual functional failure in various chronic inflammatory disorders. Unfortunately, clinical practice offers limited treatment strategies, leading to high mortality rates in chronic diseases. As part of investigations into gaseous mediators, or gasotransmitters, including nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), numerous studies have confirmed their beneficial roles in attenuating fibrosis. Their therapeutic mechanisms, which involve inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and proliferation, have been increasingly elucidated. Additionally, novel gasotransmitters like hydrogen (H2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) have emerged as promising options for fibrosis treatment. In this review, we primarily demonstrate and summarize the protective and therapeutic effects of gaseous mediators in the process of fibrosis, with a focus on elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in combating fibrosis.
Luteolin Alleviates Cadmium-Induced Kidney Injury by Inhibiting Oxidative DNA Damage and Repairing Autophagic Flux Blockade in Chickens
Authors: Zhang Kanglei , Li Jiahui , Dong Wenxuan , Huang Qing , Wang Xueru , Deng Kai , Ali Waseem , Song Ruilong , Zou Hui , Ran Di , Liu Gang , Liu Zongping
Published: April 2024

Chickens are a major source of meat and eggs in human food and have significant economic value. Cadmium (Cd) is a common environmental pollutant that can contaminate feed and drinking water, leading to kidney injury in livestock and poultry, primarily by inducing the generation of free radicals. It is necessary to develop potential medicines to prevent and treat Cd-induced nephrotoxicity in poultry. Luteolin (Lut) is a natural flavonoid compound mainly extracted from peanut shells and has a variety of biological functions to defend against oxidative damage. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate whether Lut can alleviate kidney injury under Cd exposure and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Renal histopathology and cell morphology were observed. The indicators of renal function, oxidative stress, DNA damage and repair, NAD+ content, SIRT1 activity, and autophagy were analyzed. In vitro data showed that Cd exposure increased ROS levels and induced oxidative DNA damage and repair, as indicated by increased 8-OHdG content, increased γ-H2AX protein expression, and the over-activation of the DNA repair enzyme PARP-1. Cd exposure decreased NAD+ content and SIRT1 activity and increased LC3 II, ATG5, and particularly p62 protein expression. In addition, Cd-induced oxidative DNA damage resulted in PARP-1 over-activation, reduced SIRT1 activity, and autophagic flux blockade, as evidenced by reactive oxygen species scavenger NAC application. The inhibition of PARP-1 activation with the pharmacological inhibitor PJ34 restored NAD+ content and SIRT1 activity. The activation of SIRT1 with the pharmacological activator RSV reversed Cd-induced autophagic flux blockade and cell injury. In vivo data demonstrated that Cd treatment caused the microstructural disruption of renal tissues, reduced creatinine, and urea nitrogen clearance, raised MDA content, and decreased the activities or contents of antioxidants (GSH, T-SOD, CAT, and T-AOC). Cd treatment caused oxidative DNA damage and PARP-1 activation, decreased NAD+ content, decreased SIRT1 activity, and impaired autophagic flux. Notably, the dietary Lut supplement observably alleviated these alterations in chicken kidney tissues induced by Cd. In conclusion, the dietary Lut supplement alleviated Cd-induced chicken kidney injury through its potent antioxidant properties by relieving the oxidative DNA damage-activated PARP-1-mediated reduction in SIRT1 activity and repairing autophagic flux blockade.
Antioxidant Activities in Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) Shoots during Growth Stages and Destination of Chlorogenic Acid and Kaempferol Glycosides
Authors: Duan Shucheng , Kwon Soon-Jae , Jeong Da Yun , Kim Ji Hye , Park You Rang , Kim Chang Kyu , Kim Jae-Hee , Eom Seok Hyun
Published: April 2024

Apart from being utilized as a commercial fiber at maturity, kenaf shoots have potential as a food and feed source because of their diverse bioactivities. Previous studies have focused on mature stems because of their high biomass, whereas the antioxidant activities (AA) and the destination of AA contributors of kenaf stems and their high-yielding byproduct leaves during the growth stage have rarely been studied. Therefore, we investigated changes in AA and its relative components in kenaf leaves and stems during the four vital growth stages. Higher ABTS radical cation and DPPH radical scavenging abilities and ferric reducing antioxidant power, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and total polysaccharide content were observed at all leaf stages and in the late stem stages. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and kaempferol glycosides, especially kaempferitrin (Kfr), were identified as representative phenolic acids and flavonoids in both kenaf leaves and stems. The content of CGA in both leaves and stems increased corresponding to the plant’s growth stage, whereas kaempferol glycosides were enhanced in leaves but declined in stems. The highest correlation was observed between TPC and AA in all organs. Further evaluation of CGA and Kfr verified that CGA was the predominant contributor to AA, surpassing Kfr. These findings suggest that kenaf leaves increase antioxidant levels as they grow and can be a useful source of stem harvesting byproducts.
Method Development and Validation of a Rapid Silica Plate-Based Smartphone-Assisted Device in the Detection of Iron in Water
Authors: Senna Bame Sanah , Masamba Wellington , Obuseng Veronica
Published: April 2024

Iron (Fe) is a micronutrient that can be toxic at elevated concentrations, prompting its significance in frequent environmental monitoring. Typically analyzed using methods such as FAAS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS, the challenge of expensive instrumentation operated only in the laboratory presents a barrier for rapid and frequent testing. This study aimed to develop a silica-based smartphone-assisted on-site method for rapid detection of Fe in water using ImageJ software. Suitable conditions, including reagents and a color intensity measurement tool, were optimized for this method. Figures of merit such as detection limit, accuracy and precision were determined. The results showed that adding polyacrylic acid to detection points for silica worsened the results, in contrast to results for paper devices. It was also found that, on ImageJ, it is best to use an integrated density tool to measure color intensity, contrary to the previously reported mean gray tool. Results showed a limit of detection of 0.2 ng, a limit of quantification of 0.6 ng, a linear range of 0.6 ng to 4.5 ng and RSD of <20%. This method is therefore an alternative in field pre-testing and screening. Future studies include application of this method in the field with real samples and in the analysis of other metals.
Evaluation of Early-Age Compressive Strength in Winter Prefabrication: A Comparative Study
Authors: Haddad Bechara , Alassaad Farjallah , Sebaibi Nassim
Published: April 2024

In the field of prefabrication, the timely demolding of concrete elements is crucial to prevent structural failures during panel lifting. This study investigates the early-age compressive strength of different concrete mixtures by simulating various prefabrication plant scenarios. Special attention is given to winter conditions, where concrete hydration tends to be slower, potentially compromising the minimum compressive strength requirement of 10 MPa. The first scenario (reference), set at an ambient temperature of 20 °C with raw materials at room temperature, establishes the baseline for comparison. Two alternative dispositions are explored: Scenario 2, with an external temperature of 8 °C and the water for mixing at 35 °C, and Scenario 3, with the same external temperature but utilizing a heating hood to maintain the concrete at 35 °C. The experimental results shed light on the effectiveness of different strategies in achieving the desired early-age compressive strength under winter conditions. The use of warm mixing water and heating hoods are evaluated as potential measures to counteract the hydration slowdown. The findings contribute valuable insights for optimizing prefabrication processes in cold weather, ensuring the structural integrity of precast concrete elements.
Text Mining and Multi-Attribute Decision-Making-Based Course Improvement in Massive Open Online Courses
Authors: Yang Pei , Liu Ying , Luo Yuyan , Wang Zhong , Cai Xiaoli
Published: April 2024

As the leading platform of online education, MOOCs provide learners with rich course resources, but course designers are still faced with the challenge of how to accurately improve the quality of courses. Current research mainly focuses on learners’ emotional feedback on different course attributes, neglecting non-emotional content as well as the costs required to improve these attributes. This limitation makes it difficult for course designers to fully grasp the real needs of learners and to accurately locate the key issues in the course. To overcome the above challenges, this study proposes an MOOC improvement method based on text mining and multi-attribute decision-making. Firstly, we utilize word vectors and clustering techniques to extract course attributes that learners focus on from their comments. Secondly, with the help of some deep learning methods based on BERT, we conduct a sentiment analysis on these comments to reveal learners’ emotional tendencies and non-emotional content towards course attributes. Finally, we adopt the multi-attribute decision-making method TOPSIS to comprehensively consider the emotional score, attention, non-emotional content, and improvement costs of the attributes, providing course designers with a priority ranking for attribute improvement. We applied this method to two typical MOOC programming courses—C language and Java language. The experimental findings demonstrate that our approach effectively identifies course attributes from reviews, assesses learners’ satisfaction, attention, and cost of improvement, and ultimately generates a prioritized list of course attributes for improvement. This study provides a new approach for improving the quality of online courses and contributes to the sustainable development of online course quality.
Experimental Study on Energy Release Mechanism and Crack Propagation Evolution of Sandstone under True Triaxial Loading
Authors: Zhang Shichuan , Song Shilong , Han Xuexian
Published: April 2024

The instability of hard and brittle rock often leads to disastrous consequences in underground engineering. Under various surrounding rock pressure conditions, in situ stress induces corresponding deformation and damage to the floor post-mining. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the effects of mining under different confining pressures on rock disturbance, damage characteristics, and their distribution. Consequently, triaxial loading experiments under varying intermediate principal stress conditions were conducted on red sandstone specimens, using an acoustic emission monitoring system to track energy changes during rock damage and failure. This approach aids in studying crack generation, propagation, and fracture damage evolution. The results indicate that rock deformation results in axial compression and dilatancy, aligned with the direction of minimum and intermediate principal stresses. Ductility in rock failure becomes more pronounced with increased stress, primarily manifesting as shear failure. Internal cracks in the specimen lead to stress concentration and marked plastic deformation under compression, yet do not result in macroscopic surface cracks. The fracture angle θ of specimens post-failure generally exceeds 45° and varies with stress changes; at consistent burial depths, the angle of the sandstone failure surface increases with intermediate principal stress. This paper preliminarily establishes the informational linkage between rock failure and energy release, analyzing the rock samples over time and space. This research offers insights for analyzing and mitigating sudden rock instability.
Event-Triggered Disturbance Estimation and Output Feedback Control Design for Inner-Formation Systems
Authors: Hao Liwei , Zhang Yingchun
Published: April 2024

This study investigates an event-triggered disturbance estimation approach for the inner-formation system. An extended state observer is designed using an event-based sampling scheme, which offers advantages over traditional estimation methods by reducing information transmission and unnecessary output information exchange while ensuring accurate system estimation performance. Additionally, a method for designing output-feedback control is proposed. The separation of feedback control and event-based observation in the design of output feedback allows us to apply existing optimal control algorithms to the targeted plant without compromising our established event-triggered sampling methods. A numerical simulation is presented, and we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach for the inner-formation system.
Closing Editorial for Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Yuan Hui
Published: April 2024

Deep learning has demonstrated unparalleled performance in various industries [...]
Pruning Deep Neural Network Models via Minimax Concave Penalty Regression
Authors: Liu Xinggu , Zhou Lin , Luo Youxi
Published: April 2024

In this study, we propose a filter pruning method based on MCP (Minimax Concave Penalty) regression. The convolutional process is conceptualized as a linear regression procedure, and the regression coefficients serve as indicators to assess the redundancy of channels. In the realm of feature selection, the efficacy of sparse penalized regression gradually outperforms that of Lasso regression. Building upon this insight, MCP regression is introduced to screen convolutional channels, coupled with the coordinate descent method, to effectuate model compression. In single-layer pruning and global pruning analyses, the Top1 loss value associated with the MCP regression compression method is consistently smaller than that of the Lasso regression compression method across diverse models. Specifically, when the global pruning ratio is set to 0.3, the Top1 accuracy of the MCP regression compression method, in comparison with that of the Lasso regression compression method, exhibits improvements of 0.21% and 1.67% under the VGG19_Simple and VGG19 models, respectively. Similarly, for ResNet34, at two distinct pruning ratios, the Top1 accuracy demonstrates enhancements of 0.33% and 0.26%. Lastly, we compare and discuss the novel methods introduced in this study, considering both time and space resource consumption.
The Investigation of Various Flange Gaps on Wind Turbine Tower Bolt Fatigue Using Finite-Element Method
Authors: Liu Mingxing , Geng Rongrong , Wang Jiaqing , Li Yong , Long Kai , Ding Wenjie , Zhou Yiming
Published: April 2024

Upon careful examination, numerous wind turbine collapses can be attributed to the failure of the tower bolts. Nowadays, the Schmidt–Neuper algorithm is extensively accepted in wind turbine tower bolt design. It is not advisable to utilize the finite-element method, notwithstanding the effect of the flange gap. To quantitatively investigate the influence of flange gaps on bolt fatigue, a nonlinear finite-element model of a flange segment incorporating bolt pretension and contact elements is herein proposed. Three distinct types of flange gaps are defined intentionally. It is possible to determine the nonlinear relationship between the wall load and bolt internal force. The fatigue damage of bolts was thus computed using the obtained nonlinear curve. Comparing with the results with those of Schmidt–Neuper method revealed the bolt fatigue damage is susceptible to a specified flange gap.
The Impact of AI-Based Course-Recommender System on Students’ Course-Selection Decision-Making Process
Authors: Cha Seungeon , Loeser Martin , Seo Kyoungwon
Published: April 2024

The course-recommender system (CRS), designed to aid students’ course-selection decision-making process by suggesting courses aligned with their interests and grades, plays a crucial role in fulfilling curricular requirements, enhancing career opportunities, and fostering intellectual growth. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have empowered CRSs to deliver personalized recommendations by considering individual contexts. However, the impact of AI-based CRS on students’ course-selection decision-making process (inter alia, search and evaluation phases) is an open question. Understanding student perceptions and expectations of AI-based CRSs is key to optimizing their decision-making process in course selection. For this purpose, we employed speed dating with storyboards to gather insights from 24 students on five different types of AI-based CRS. The results revealed that students expected AI-based CRSs to play an assistive role in the search phase, helping them efficiently complete time-consuming search tasks in less time. Conversely, during the evaluation phase, students expected AI-based CRSs to play a leading role as a benchmark to address their uncertainty about course suitability, learning value, and serendipity. These findings underscore the adaptive nature of AI-based CRSs, which adjust according to the intricacies of students’ course-selection decision-making process, fostering fruitful collaboration between students and AI.
Repetition of the Exhaustive Wrestling-Specific Test Leads to More Effective Differentiation between Quality Categories of Youth Wrestlers
Authors: Skugor Kreso , Karnincic Hrvoje , Zugaj Nenad , Stajer Valdemar , Gilic Barbara
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to investigate whether wrestlers of different competitive qualities (i.e., medalists vs. non-medallists) would differ in terms of specific test performance and cardiac and metabolic responses after a demanding testing protocol. The research included 29 wrestlers aged 17.62 ± 1.86 years divided into two performance categories: successful (medallists at the National Championships; n = 13) and less successful (non-medallists; n = 16). The variables included anthropometric indices and specific wrestling fitness test (SWFT) parameters, including the number of throws, heart rate, lactate concentration and calculated cardiac and metabolic indexes. To show differences between quality categories, Student’s t-test and receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were calculated. Two-way ANOVA for repeated measurements was used to evaluate the differences in performance, cardiac, and metabolic characteristics between the test trials and quality categories. Wrestlers differed in the total number of throws (p < 0.01, AUC = 0.82), cardiac indices (p < 0.03, AUC = 0.73), and metabolic indices (p < 0.04, AUC = 0.75) after the second SWFT trial, with successful wrestlers reaching better results. There were no differences in the first testing trial. The findings of this study indicate that wrestlers exhibit differences in specific performance variables after undergoing an exhaustive testing protocol. Therefore, this study suggests that future research on sport-specific performance in wrestlers should include exhaustive exercise or testing protocols.
A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach for Microgrid Energy Transmission Dispatching
Authors: Chen Shuai , Liu Jian , Cui Zhenwei , Chen Zhiyu , Wang Hua , Xiao Wendong
Published: April 2024

Optimal energy transmission dispatching of microgrid systems involves complicated transmission energy allocation and battery charging/discharging management and remains a difficult and challenging research problem subject to complex operation conditions and action constraints due to the randomness and volatility of new energy. Traditional microgrid transmission dispatching mainly considers the matching of the demand side and the supply side from a macro perspective, without considering the impact of line loss. Therefore, a Hierarchical Deep Q-network (HDQN) approach for microgrid energy dispatching is proposed to address this issue. The approach takes the power flow of each line and the battery charging/discharging behavior as decision variables to minimize the system operation cost. The proposed approach employs a two-layer agent optimization architecture for simultaneously processing the discrete and continuous variables, with one agent making upper layer decisions on the charging and discharging behavior of the batteries, and the other agent making lower layer decisions on the transmission energy allocation for the line. The experimental results indicate that the proposed approach achieves better performance than existing approaches.
Numerical Analysis for Shear Behavior of Binary Interfaces under Different Bonded Conditions
Authors: Lv Haijun , Han Lu , Zhang Xing , Lin Hang
Published: April 2024

The shear performance of the binary interface formed by mortar and rock cementation is a key factor influencing the stability and safety of basic engineering projects related to livelihood and economy since concrete has become one of the most widely used materials in engineering. Therefore, it is an urgent practical problem to further explore and clarify the shear failure mechanism of the mortar–rock binary interface. In response to the current research objective focused on fully bonded interfaces, this paper constructed binary interface models with different bonded conditions to perform direct shear experiments using numerical simulation methods, and the effect of bonded conditions on the shear behavior of the mortar–rock binary interface was analyzed. The results indicate that the bonded conditions have a significant influence on the shear mechanical behavior of the mortar–rock binary interface, which is mainly reflected in the stress-displacement curve characteristics, the shear strength, the fracture development and the stress distribution state. The research findings are of great theoretical significance for the further study of shear mechanics at the mortar–rock binary interface and of great practical significance for safe construction, resource conservation and disaster warning.
Assessing the Influence of RMS and VDV on Analysis of Human Perception of Vibrations in Buildings Caused by Selected Sources of Traffic
Authors: Kowalska-Koczwara Alicja , Rizzo Fabio , Sabbà Maria Francesca , Bedon Chiara
Published: April 2024

This research paper delves into the nuanced effects of traffic-induced vibrations on human comfort and perception within residential and commercial buildings. By prioritizing the influence of vehicle types—including metro trains, trams, and cars—over their speed or mass, the study presents a novel perspective on addressing vibrational comfort. Conducted in the urban context of Warsaw’s metro line construction, this investigation employs a rigorous methodology, utilizing both the Root Mean Square (RMS) and Vibration Dose Value (VDV) analytical methods to quantify vibrational impacts. The findings illuminate the distinct contributions of various transportation modes to the perceived vibrations, offering significant insights into the complex relationship between the Human Perception of Vibration Index (HPVI) and VDV values. It underscores the necessity of integrating a multifaceted consideration of vehicle type, operational dynamics, and urban infrastructure in the strategic planning and design of buildings. Such a holistic approach is essential for mitigating the adverse effects of transportation-induced vibrations, thereby enhancing the quality of life and well-being of urban inhabitants.
Numerical Study for the Design of a Thermal Energy Storage System with Multiple Tunnels Based on Phase Change Material: Case Study Mining in Chile (Thermal Storage in Off-Grid Industrial Applications)
Authors: Nuñez Suleivys M. , Trujillo Preuss Felipe E. , Masip Macía Yunesky
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a numerical model for thermal energy storage systems’ design, development, and feasibility. The energy storage was composed of a tank that stores phase change material (AlSi12) and internal pipes with heat transfer fluid (Cerrolow 117), coupled to a power block to dispatch electrical energy on a small scale for off-grid industrial applications. Subsequently, the evolution of the temperature in charge/discharge cycles, temperature degradation, and storage efficiency was determined with the appropriate magnitudes and behavior through the resolution of a numerical model. In addition, for the proposed electric power generation plant for an off-grid pumping system in the mining industry of Chile, a numerical model was developed using the finite volumes method to simulate the thermocline performance. As a result, the temperature history reflects stable thermal behavior, low degradation, and high efficiency of approximately 92%, with a storage time increasing up to 13 [h] and 384.8 [kWh] capacity. Also, implementation was feasible on a small scale due to its compact, modular, and economically competitive characteristics in a concentrated solar power plant. Finally, the proposed design was proven to be an accurate and reliable alternative for small-scale off-grid mining applications.
Novel Adamantane Derivatives: Synthesis, Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Popiołek Łukasz , Janas Wiktoria , Hordyjewska Anna , Biernasiuk Anna
Published: April 2024

Seventeen adamantane derivatives were synthesized according to facile condensation reaction protocols. Spectral analysis (1H NMR and 13C NMR) was applied to confirm the chemical structure of the obtained substances. The synthesized compounds were tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and towards fungi from Candida spp. Among them, four derivatives numbered 9, 14, 15 and 19 showed the highest antibacterial potential with MIC = 62.5–1000 µg/mL with respect to all Gram-positive bacteria. S. epidermidis ATCC 12228 was the most susceptible among the tested bacterial strains and C. albicans ATCC 10231 among fungi. Additionally, the cytotoxicity for three derivatives was measured with the use of the MTT test on A549, T47D, L929 and HeLa cell lines. Our cytotoxicity studies confirmed that the tested substances did not cause statistically significant changes in cell proliferation within the range of the tested doses.
Nutritional Profiling of Underutilised Citrullus lanatus mucosospermus Seed Flour
Authors: Olubi Olakunbi , Felix-Minnaar Joseline , Jideani Victoria A.
Published: April 2024

The seed of Citrullus lanatus mucosospermus, known as egusi, is versatile and explored for its oil and flour functionality. Raw flour can be used as a raw material in a nutritional program due to its oil-rich, remarkably high protein content, and richness in omega-6 fatty acids. There is a need to explore eco-friendly defatting methods using the supercritical CO2 extraction method (SFECO2) to preserve this seed’s generic richness and to control the flour–oil ratio in processing formulations. The supercritical fluid extraction method uses temperature, pressure, and CO2 flow rate to determine the best yield and extraction parameters. Defatted egusi flour (DEF) was extracted using three runs. Firstly, at 60 °C, 30 g/h, and 450 bar (DEF1); secondly, at 55 °C, 30 g/h, and 600 bar (DEF2); and thirdly, extraction was performed at 75 °C, 30 g/h and 600 bar (DEF3). Trace and major elements were analysed using Agilent 7700 quadruple ICP-MS (Agilent Technologies Network, Palo Alto, CA, USA) and Thermo Cap 6200 ICP-AES (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), respectively. The sugar was separated on a gas chromatograph coupled to a Mass Selective Detector (MSD). The fundamental pasting property measurements were performed using a Rapid Visco Analyser RVA 4500 Perten instrument Sin 214 31208-45 Australia. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 29 software (v. 2022). The protein content of defatted egusi flour ranged from 48.4 for DEF2 to 60.4% w/w for DEF1 and differed significantly, with a rich amino acid high in glutamine ranging from 9.8 to 12.9 g/100 g). DEF2 (512.0 cP) showed the highest peak viscosity and was the most viscous among the samples. Defatted flour with lower temperature and lower pressure (60 °C and 450 bar) offered the best nutritional properties, proffering defatted egusi flour from SFECO2, a novel flour for dietary programs.
Hourly Particulate Matter (PM10) Concentration Forecast in Germany Using Extreme Gradient Boosting
Authors: Wallek Stefan , Langner Marcel , Schubert Sebastian , Franke Raphael , Sauter Tobias
Published: April 2024

Air pollution remains a significant issue, particularly in urban areas. This study explored the prediction of hourly point-based PM10 concentrations using the XGBoost algorithm to assimilate them into a geostatistical land use regression model for spatially and temporally high-resolution prediction maps. The model configuration and training incorporated meteorological data, station metadata, and time variables based on statistical values and expert knowledge. Hourly measurements from approximately 400 stations from 2009 to 2017 were used for training. The selected model performed with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 6.88 μg m−3, root mean squared error (RMSE) of 9.95 μg m−3, and an R² of 0.65, with variations depending on the siting type and surrounding area. The model achieved a high accuracy of 98.54% and a precision of 73.96% in predicting exceedances of the current EU-limit value for the daily mean of 50 μg m−3. Despite identified limitations, the model can effectively predict hourly values for assimilation into a geostatistical land use regression model.
Different Mechanisms for the Northern and Southern Winter Fog Events over Eastern China
Authors: Shen Xiaojing , Zhou Yuanlong , Chen Jian , Liu Shuang , Ma Ming , Lin Pengfei
Published: April 2024

Northern and southern fog events are identified over eastern China across 40 winters from 1981 to 2021. By performing composite analysis on these events, this study reveals that the formation of fog events is controlled by both dynamic and thermodynamic processes. The fog events were induced by Rossby wave trains over the Eurasian continent, leading to the development of surface wind and pressure anomalies, which favor the formation of fog events. The Rossby wave trains in northern and southern fog events are characterized by their occurrence in northern and southern locations, respectively, with different strengths. The water vapor fluxes that contribute to the enhancement of the northern fog events originate from the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea, whereas the southern fog events are characterized by water vapor from the East China Sea and the South China Sea. In both northern and southern fog events, dew point depression and positive A and K index anomalies are found in northern and southern regions of eastern China, which are indicative of supersaturated air and the unstable atmospheric saturation from the low to the middle troposphere, thus providing favorable conditions for the establishment of fog events in northern and southern regions of eastern China.
Assessing the Robustness of Ozone Chemical Regimes to Chemistry-Transport Model Configurations
Authors: Real Elsa , Couvidat Florian , Chantreux Adrien , Megaritis Athanasios , Valastro Giuseppe , Colette Augustin
Published: April 2024

In a previous study, we assessed the efficiency of reducing either traffic or industrial emissions on various ozone metrics for several cities in Europe, based on the Air Control Toolbox surrogate model. Here, we perform various model parametrisation sensitivity analyses in order to assess the robustness of our results. We find that increasing the model resolution has a limited impact on the ozone response to emission changes when focusing on concentration peaks but strongly changes the response of the ozone daily mean with a switch to a titration regime for all zones with significant nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The impact of pollution imported from outside the simulation domain was also studied and we show that if the first lever for action on ozone peaks remains as the reduction of local and regional emissions, in order to achieve higher levels of reduction, it is necessary to act at a European level. We also explore more up-to-date temporal profiles and sectoral emission speciation and find a shift towards a more NOx-limited regime in a number of cities. Overall, these sensitivity tests show that most of the differences are simulated in cities with high NOx emissions and little solar radiation but do not change the overall conclusions that were previously obtained.
A Novel Recombinant Human Filaggrin Segment (rhFLA-10) Alleviated a Skin Lesion of Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Zhu Jiawen , Zhong Xinhua , Liao Hui , Cong Jianhang , Wu Qiqi , Liang Shuang , Xiang Qi
Published: April 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder, is marked by impaired skin barrier function and persistent pruritus. It significantly deteriorates patients’ quality of life, making it one of the most burdensome non-lethal skin disorders. Filaggrin plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of barrier disruption in AD, interacting with inflammatory mediators. It is an integral part of the extracellular matrix architecture, serving to protect the skin barrier and attenuate the inflammatory cascade. In this study, we engineered a novel recombinant human filaggrin (rhFLA-10) expression vector, which was subsequently synthesized and purified. In vitro and ex vivo efficacy experiments were conducted for AD. rhFLA-10, at low concentrations (5 to 20 μg/mL), was non-toxic to HACaT cells, significantly inhibited the degranulation of P815 mast cells, and was readily absorbed by cells, thereby exerting a soothing therapeutic effect. Furthermore, rhFLA-10 demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties (p < 0.05). In vivo, efficacy experiments further substantiated that rhFLA-10 could effectively ameliorate AD in mice and facilitate the repair of damaged skin (p < 0.001). These findings underscore the considerable potential of rhFLA-10 in the treatment of AD.
Repellent and Attractant Activities of Organic Compounds on Female and Male Philonthus decorus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)
Authors: Faly Liudmyla , Brygadyrenko Viktor , Paulauskas Algimantas
Published: April 2024

The use of organic compounds in different spheres of human activity is accompanied by their influx to and accumulation in the environment. The negative impact of those compounds can be one of the reasons for a decline in populations and biodiversity of aboveground invertebrates. Chemical compounds can potentially cause a variety of effects (attractant or repellent) on insects, including species of the Staphylinidae family. In a laboratory experiment, we identified repellent and attractant influence of 40 organic compounds and mixtures of compounds (acids, alcohols, ketones, phenols, aldehydes, aromatic carbohydrates solvents, and vehicle fuels) on Philonthus decorus Gravenhorst, 1802. The ambulatory responses of the males and females to the same chemical compounds most often varied. A strong repellent activity against both sexes of Ph. decorus was caused by oleic acid, while hexane repelled the males. Acetic acid, 1-butanol, and ammonia solution were found to be strongly repellent against females. A moderate (average) repellent activity towards male Ph. decorus was displayed by organic solvents and fuels, some alcohols (isopropanol, isoamyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol), acids (acetic, formic acid), aromatic carbohydrates (toluene, xylene), and formaldehyde. Female Ph. decorus in general were less sensitive to the odors. The list of repellents with moderate activity against the females was much shorter: solvent 646, white spirit, toluene, isopropanol, isoamyl alcohol, citric and oxalic acids, and glycerol. Moderate attractant activity for Ph. decorus was exhibited by some amino acids, alcohols, and fuel mixes: glycine and L-cysteine (for the males), and phenylalanine, methanol, and diesel fuel (for the females). The rest of the 40 chemical compounds we studied caused no ambulatory responses in Ph. decorus. The difficulties we encountered in the interpretation of the results suggest a need for further experimental studies that would expand the knowledge of the chemoecology of insects.
Nanovesicular Mediation of the Gut–Brain Axis by Probiotics: Insights into Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Santonocito Radha , Paladino Letizia , Vitale Alessandra Maria , D'Amico Giuseppa , Zummo Francesco Paolo , Pirrotta Paolo , Raccosta Samuele , Manno Mauro , Accomando Salvatore , D’Arpa Francesco , Carini Francesco , Barone Rosario , Rappa Francesca , Marino Gammazza Antonella , Bucchieri Fabio , Cappello Francesco , Caruso Bavisotto Celeste
Published: April 2024

Background: Dysbiosis, influenced by poor diet or stress, is associated with various systemic diseases. Probiotic supplements are recognized for stabilizing gut microbiota and alleviating gastrointestinal issues, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study focused on the tryptophan pathways, which are important for the regulation of serotonin levels, and on host physiology and behavior regulation. Methods: Nanovesicles were isolated from the plasma of subjects with chronic diarrhea, both before and after 60 days of consuming a probiotic mix (Acronelle®, Bromatech S.r.l., Milan, Italy). These nanovesicles were assessed for the presence of Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (TDO 2). Furthermore, the probiotics mix, in combination with H2O2, was used to treat HT29 cells to explore its cytoprotective and anti-stress effect. Results: In vivo, levels of TDO 2 in nanovesicles were enhanced in the blood after probiotic treatment, suggesting a role in the gut–brain axis. In the in vitro model, a typical H2O2-induced stress effect occurred, which the probiotics mix was able to recover, showing a cytoprotective effect. The probiotics mix treatment significantly reduced the heat shock protein 60 kDa levels and was able to preserve intestinal integrity and barrier function by restoring the expression and redistribution of tight junction proteins. Moreover, the probiotics mix increased the expression of TDO 2 and serotonin receptors. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the gut–brain axis mediation by nanovesicles, influencing central nervous system function.
The Role of Cytokinins and Abscisic Acid in the Growth, Development and Virulence of the Pathogenic Fungus Stagonospora nodorum (Berk.)
Authors: Nuzhnaya Tatyana V. , Sorokan Antonina V. , Burkhanova Guzel F. , Maksimov Igor V. , Veselova Svetlana V.
Published: April 2024

Cytokinins (CKs) and abscisic acid (ABA) play an important role in the life of both plants and pathogenic fungi. However, the role of CKs and ABA in the regulation of fungal growth, development and virulence has not been sufficiently studied. We compared the ability of two virulent isolates (SnB and Sn9MN-3A) and one avirulent isolate (Sn4VD) of the pathogenic fungus Stagonospora nodorum Berk. to synthesize three groups of hormones (CKs, ABA and auxins) and studied the effect of exogenous ABA and zeatin on the growth, sporulation and gene expression of necrotrophic effectors (NEs) and transcription factors (TFs) in them. Various isolates of S. nodorum synthesized different amounts of CKs, ABA and indoleacetic acid. Using exogenous ABA and zeatin, we proved that the effect of these hormones on the growth and sporulation of S. nodorum isolates can be opposite, depends on both the genotype of the isolate and on the concentration of the hormone and is carried out through the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. ABA and zeatin regulated the expression of fungal TF and NE genes, but correlation analysis of these parameters showed that this effect depended on the genotype of the isolate. This study will contribute to our understanding of the role of the hormones ABA and CKs in the biology of the fungal pathogen S. nodorum.
Feature Matching of Microsecond-Pulsed Magnetic Fields Combined with Fe3O4 Particles for Killing A375 Melanoma Cells
Authors: Mi Yan , Zhang Meng-Nan , Ma Chi , Zheng Wei , Teng Fei
Published: April 2024

The combination of magnetic fields and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to kill cancer cells by magneto-mechanical force represents a novel therapy, offering advantages such as non-invasiveness, among others. Pulsed magnetic fields (PMFs) hold promise for application in this therapy due to advantages such as easily adjustable parameters; however, they suffer from the drawback of narrow pulse width. In order to fully exploit the potential of PMFs and MNPs in this therapy, while maximizing therapeutic efficacy within the constraints of the narrow pulse width, a feature-matching theory is proposed, encompassing the matching of three aspects: (1) MNP volume and critical volume of Brownian relaxation, (2) relaxation time and pulse width, and (3) MNP shape and the intermittence of PMF. In the theory, a microsecond-PMF generator was developed, and four kinds of MNPs were selected for in vitro cell experiments. The results demonstrate that the killing rate of the experimental group meeting the requirements of the theory is at least 18% higher than the control group. This validates the accuracy of our theory and provides valuable guidance for the further application of PMFs in this therapy.
Real-Time Detection of Yeast Growth on Solid Medium through Passive Microresonator Biosensor
Authors: Shi Bo-Wen , Zhao Jun-Ming , Wang Yi-Ke , Wang Yan-Xiong , Jiang Yan-Feng , Yang Gang-Long , Wang Jicheng , Qiang Tian
Published: April 2024

This study presents a biosensor fabricated based on integrated passive device (IPD) technology to measure microbial growth on solid media in real-time. Yeast (Pichia pastoris, strain GS115) is used as a model organism to demonstrate biosensor performance. The biosensor comprises an interdigital capacitor in the center with a helical inductive structure surrounding it. Additionally, 12 air bridges are added to the capacitor to increase the strength of the electric field radiated by the biosensor at the same height. Feasibility is verified by using a capacitive biosensor, and the change in capacitance values during the capacitance detection process with the growth of yeast indicates that the growth of yeast can induce changes in electrical parameters. The proposed IPD-based biosensor is used to measure yeast drop-added on a 3 mm medium for 100 h at an operating frequency of 1.84 GHz. The resonant amplitude of the biosensor varies continuously from 24 to 72 h due to the change in colony height during vertical growth of the yeast, with a maximum change of 0.21 dB. The overall measurement results also fit well with the Gompertz curve. The change in resonant amplitude between 24 and 72 h is then analyzed and reveals a linear relationship with time with a coefficient of determination of 0.9844, indicating that the biosensor is suitable for monitoring yeast growth. Thus, the proposed biosensor is proved to have potential in the field of microbial proliferation detection.