bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling the Toxicity of Fine and Nano-Sized Airborne Particles Generated from Industrial Thermal Spraying Processes in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Authors: Bessa Maria João , Brandão Fátima , Fokkens Paul H. B. , Leseman Daan L. A. C. , Boere A. John F. , Cassee Flemming R. , Salmatonidis Apostolos , Viana Mar , Monfort Eliseo , Fraga Sónia , Teixeira João Paulo
Published: April 2022

High-energy industrial processes have been associated with particle release into workplace air that can adversely affect workers’ health. The present study assessed the toxicity of incidental fine (PGFP) and nanoparticles (PGNP) emitted from atmospheric plasma (APS) and high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spraying. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, 2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-5-tetrazolio]-1,3-benzene disulfonate (WST-1) metabolisation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, cell cycle changes, histone H2AX phosphorylation (γ-H2AX) and DNA damage were evaluated in human alveolar epithelial cells at 24 h after exposure. Overall, HVOF particles were the most cytotoxic to human alveolar cells, with cell viability half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 20.18 µg/cm2 and 1.79 µg/cm2 for PGFP and PGNP, respectively. Only the highest tested concentration of APS-PGFP caused a slight decrease in cell viability. Particle uptake, cell cycle arrest at S + G2/M and γ-H2AX augmentation were observed after exposure to all tested particles. However, higher levels of γ-H2AX were found in cells exposed to APS-derived particles (~16%), while cells exposed to HVOF particles exhibited increased levels of oxidative damage (~17% tail intensity) and ROS (~184%). Accordingly, APS and HVOF particles seem to exert their genotoxic effects by different mechanisms, highlighting that the health risks of these process-generated particles at industrial settings should not be underestimated.
Photodynamic Therapy of Up-Conversion Nanomaterial Doped with Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zang Yang , Lu Yanli , Han Jinghui , Xiong Qingyun , Xiong Jinping
Published: April 2022

Two key concerns exist in contemporary cancer chemotherapy: limited therapeutic efficiency and substantial side effects in patients. In recent years, researchers have been investigating the revolutionary cancer treatment techniques of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) proposed by many scholars. A photothermal treatment of cancer was synthesized using the hydrothermal method which has high photothermal conversion efficiency and can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. Photothermal treatment of tumors has a good short-term effect and photodynamic therapy lasts longer. However, both PTT and PDT have their inevitable shortcomings and it is difficult to completely eradicate a tumor using a single mode of treatment. PTT and PDT synergistic treatment not only inherits the advantages of low toxicity and side effects of phototherapy but also enables the two treatment methods to complement each other. It is an effective strategy to improve curative effects and reduce toxic and side effects. Furthermore, gold doped UCNPs have an exceptionally high target recognition for tumor cells. The gold doped UCNPs, in particular, are non-toxic to normal tissues, endowing the as-prepared medications with outstanding therapeutic efficacy and exceptionally low side effects. These findings may encourage the creation of fresh, effective imaging-guided approaches to meet the goal of photothermal cancer therapy.
Tools and Biomarkers for the Study of Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration
Authors: Corral-Domenge Ciriaco , de la Villa Pedro , Mansilla Alicia , Germain Francisco
Published: April 2022

The retina is part of the central nervous system, its analysis may provide an idea of the health and functionality, not only of the retina, but also of the entire central nervous system, as has been shown in Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases. Within the retina, the ganglion cells (RGC) are the neurons in charge of processing and sending light information to higher brain centers. Diverse insults and pathological states cause degeneration of RGC, leading to irreversible blindness or impaired vision. RGCs are the measurable endpoints in current research into experimental therapies and diagnosis in multiple ocular pathologies, like glaucoma. RGC subtype classifications are based on morphological, functional, genetical, and immunohistochemical aspects. Although great efforts are being made, there is still no classification accepted by consensus. Moreover, it has been observed that each RGC subtype has a different susceptibility to injury. Characterizing these subtypes together with cell death pathway identification will help to understand the degenerative process in the different injury and pathological models, and therefore prevent it. Here we review the known RGC subtypes, as well as the diagnostic techniques, probes, and biomarkers for programmed and unprogrammed cell death in RGC.
Contribution of Whole-Genome Sequencing and Transcript Analysis to Decipher Retinal Diseases Associated with MFSD8 Variants
Authors: Poncet Anaïs F. , Grunewald Olivier , Vaclavik Veronika , Meunier Isabelle , Drumare Isabelle , Pelletier Valérie , Bocquet Béatrice , Todorova Margarita G. , Le Moing Anne-Gaëlle , Devos Aurore , Schorderet Daniel F. , Jobic Florence , Defoort-Dhellemmes Sabine , Dollfus Hélène , Smirnov Vasily M. , Dhaenens Claire-Marie
Published: April 2022

Biallelic gene defects in MFSD8 are not only a cause of the late-infantile form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, but also of rare isolated retinal degeneration. We report clinical and genetic data of seven patients compound heterozygous or homozygous for variants in MFSD8, issued from a French cohort with inherited retinal degeneration, and two additional patients retrieved from a Swiss cohort. Next-generation sequencing of large panels combined with whole-genome sequencing allowed for the identification of twelve variants from which seven were novel. Among them were one deep intronic variant c.998+1669A>G, one large deletion encompassing exon 9 and 10, and a silent change c.750A>G. Transcript analysis performed on patients’ lymphoblastoid cell lines revealed the creation of a donor splice site by c.998+1669A>G, resulting in a 140 bp pseudoexon insertion in intron 10. Variant c.750A>G produced exon 8 skipping. In silico and in cellulo studies of these variants allowed us to assign the pathogenic effect, and showed that the combination of at least one severe variant with a moderate one leads to isolated retinal dystrophy, whereas the combination in trans of two severe variants is responsible for early onset severe retinal dystrophy in the context of late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.
Emerging Evidence of Pathological Roles of Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)
Authors: Huang Jih-Kai , Lee Hsiang-Chun
Published: April 2022

Embraced with apolipoproteins (Apo) B and Apo E, triglyceride-enriched very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is secreted by the liver into circulation, mainly during post-meal hours. Here, we present a brief review of the physiological role of VLDL and a systemic review of the emerging evidence supporting its pathological roles. VLDL promotes atherosclerosis in metabolic syndrome (MetS). VLDL isolated from subjects with MetS exhibits cytotoxicity to atrial myocytes, induces atrial myopathy, and promotes vulnerability to atrial fibrillation. VLDL levels are affected by a number of endocrinological disorders and can be increased by therapeutic supplementation with cortisol, growth hormone, progesterone, and estrogen. VLDL promotes aldosterone secretion, which contributes to hypertension. VLDL induces neuroinflammation, leading to cognitive dysfunction. VLDL levels are also correlated with chronic kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, and some dermatological diseases. The extra-hepatic secretion of VLDL derived from intestinal dysbiosis is suggested to be harmful. Emerging evidence suggests disturbed VLDL metabolism in sleep disorders and in cancer development and progression. In addition to VLDL, the VLDL receptor (VLDLR) may affect both VLDL metabolism and carcinogenesis. Overall, emerging evidence supports the pathological roles of VLDL in multi-organ diseases. To better understand the fundamental mechanisms of how VLDL promotes disease development, elucidation of the quality control of VLDL and of the regulation and signaling of VLDLR should be indispensable. With this, successful VLDL-targeted therapies can be discovered in the future.
Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Treatment of Dermatomyositis and Immune Mediated Necrotizing Myopathies: A Focused Review
Authors: Kamperman Renske G. , van der Kooi Anneke J. , de Visser Marianne , Aronica Eleonora , Raaphorst Joost
Published: April 2022

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), collectively known as myositis, are a composite group of rare autoimmune diseases affecting mostly skeletal muscle, although other organs or tissues may also be involved. The main clinical feature of myositis is subacute, progressive, symmetrical muscle weakness in the proximal arms and legs, whereas subtypes of myositis may also present with extramuscular features, such as skin involvement, arthritis or interstitial lung disease (ILD). Established subgroups of IIM include dermatomyositis (DM), immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), anti-synthetase syndrome (ASyS), overlap myositis (OM) and inclusion body myositis (IBM). Although these subgroups have overlapping clinical features, the widespread variation in the clinical manifestations of IIM suggests different pathophysiological mechanisms. Various components of the immune system are known to be important immunopathogenic pathways in IIM, although the exact pathophysiological mechanisms causing the muscle damage remain unknown. Current treatment, which consists of glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressive or immunomodulating agents, often fails to achieve a sustained beneficial response and is associated with various adverse effects. New therapeutic targets have been identified that may improve outcomes in patients with IIM. A better understanding of the overlapping and diverging pathophysiological mechanisms of the major subgroups of myositis is needed to optimize treatment. The aim of this review is to report on recent advancements regarding DM and IMNM.
CD38–Cyclic ADP-Ribose Signal System in Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pathophysiology
Authors: Takasawa Shin
Published: April 2022

Calcium (Ca2+) is a ubiquitous and fundamental signaling component that is utilized by cells to regulate a diverse range of cellular functions, such as insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells of the islets of Langerhans. Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), synthesized from NAD+ by ADP-ribosyl cyclase family proteins, such as the mammalian cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38), is important for intracellular Ca2+ mobilization for cell functioning. cADPR induces Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum via the ryanodine receptor intracellular Ca2+ channel complex, in which the FK506-binding protein 12.6 works as a cADPR-binding regulatory protein. Recently, involvements of the CD38-cADPR signal system in several human diseases and animal models have been reported. This review describes the biochemical and molecular biological basis of the CD38-cADPR signal system and the diseases caused by its abnormalities.
Stem Cells from Dental Sources: Translational Applications in Medicine and Novel Approaches
Authors: Tatullo Marco , Gandolfi Maria Giovanna
Published: April 2022

Recently, regenerative medicine has been attracting interest from scientific groups working on translational applications of applied medical sciences [...]
Glucose Increases STAT3 Activation, Promoting Sustained XRCC1 Expression and Increasing DNA Repair
Authors: Wright Griffin M. , Gassman Natalie R.
Published: April 2022

Dysregulation of DNA repair is a hallmark of cancer, though few cancer-specific mechanisms that drive the overexpression of DNA repair proteins are known. We previously identified STAT3 as a novel transcriptional regulator of X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1), an essential scaffold protein in base excision repair in triple-negative breast cancers. We also identified an inducible response to IL-6 and epidermal growth factor stimulation in the non-tumorigenic embryonic kidney cell line HEK293T. As IL-6 and EGF signaling are growth and inflammatory-inducible responses, we examined if glucose challenge can increase STAT3 activation, promoting adaptive changes in XRCC1 expression in different cell types. Acute high glucose exposure promoted XRCC1 expression through STAT3 activation, increasing the repair of methyl methanesulfonate-induced DNA damage in HEK293T cells and the osteosarcoma cell line U2OS. Sustained exposure to high glucose promoted the overexpression of XRCC1, which can be reversed upon glucose restriction and down-regulation of STAT3 activation. Thus, we have identified a novel link between XRCC1 expression and STAT3 activation following exogenous exposures, which could play a critical role in dictating a cancer cell’s response to DNA-damaging agents.
Double Repositioning: Veterinary Antiparasitic to Human Anticancer
Authors: Sultana Tania , Jan Umair , Lee Jeong Ik
Published: April 2022

Drug repositioning, the approach of discovering different uses for existing drugs, has gained enormous popularity in recent years in the anticancer drug discovery field due to the increasing demand for anticancer drugs. Additionally, the repurposing of veterinary antiparasitic drugs for the treatment of cancer is gaining traction, as supported by existing literature. A prominent example is the proposal to implement the use of veterinary antiparasitics such as benzimidazole carbamates and halogenated salicylanilides as novel anticancer drugs. These agents have revealed pronounced anti-tumor activities and gained special attention for “double repositioning”, as they are repurposed for different species and diseases simultaneously, acting via different mechanisms depending on their target. As anticancer agents, these compounds employ several mechanisms, including the inhibition of oncogenic signal transduction pathways of mitochondrial respiration and the inhibition of cellular stress responses. In this review, we summarize and provide valuable information about the experimental, preclinical, and clinical trials of veterinary antiparasitic drugs available for the treatment of various cancers in humans. This review suggests the possibility of new treatment options that could improve the quality of life and outcomes for cancer patients in comparison to the currently used treatments.
miRNA Profiling and Its Role in Multi-Omics Regulatory Networks Connected with Somaclonal Variation in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Pawełkowicz Magdalena Ewa , Skarzyńska Agnieszka , Koter Marek Daniel , Turek Szymon , Pląder Wojciech
Published: April 2022

The role of miRNAs in connection with the phenomenon of somaclonal variation, which occurs during plant in vitro culture, remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the possible role of miRNAs in multi-omics regulatory pathways in cucumber somaclonal lines. For this purpose, we performed sRNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) from cucumber fruit samples identified 8, 10 and 44 miRNAs that are differentially expressed between somaclones (S1, S2, S3 lines) and the reference B10 line of Cucumis sativus. For miRNA identification, we use ShortStack software designed to filter miRNAs from sRNAs according to specific program criteria. The identification of predicted in-silico targets revealed 2,886 mRNAs encoded by 644 genes. The functional annotation of miRNA’s target genes and gene ontology classification revealed their association with metabolic processes, response to stress, multicellular organism development, biosynthetic process and catalytic activity. We checked with bioinformatic analyses for possible interactions at the level of target proteins, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and genes affected by genomic polymorphisms. We assume that miRNAs can indirectly influence molecular networks and play a role in many different regulatory pathways, leading to somaclonal variation. This regulation is supposed to occur through the process of the target gene cleavage or translation inhibition, which in turn affects the proteome, as we have shown in the example of molecular networks. This is a new approach combining levels from DNA-seq through mRNA-seq, sRNA-seq and in silico PPI in the area of plants’ somaclonal variation.
Dexmedetomidine-Induced Aortic Contraction Involves Transactivation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Rats
Authors: Lee Soo Hee , Kwon Seong-Chun , Ok Seong-Ho , Ahn Seung Hyun , Bae Sung Il , Kim Ji-Yoon , Hwang Yeran , Park Kyeong-Eon , Kim Mingu , Sohn Ju-Tae
Published: April 2022

In this study, we examined whether aortic contraction, induced by the alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist dexmedetomidine, is involved in the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in isolated endothelium-denuded rat aortas. Additionally, we aimed to elucidate the associated underlying cellular mechanisms. The effects of the alpha-2 adrenoceptor inhibitor rauwolscine, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478, Src kinase inhibitors PP1 and PP2, and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor GM6001 on EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation induced by dexmedetomidine in rat aortic smooth muscles were examined. In addition, the effects of these inhibitors on dexmedetomidine-induced contraction in isolated endothelium-denuded rat aorta were examined. Dexmedetomidine-induced contraction was inhibited by the alpha-1 adrenoceptor inhibitor prazosin, rauwolscine, AG1478, PP1, PP2, and GM6001 alone or by a combined treatment with prazosin and AG1478. AG1478 (3 × 10−6 M) inhibited dexmedetomidine-induced contraction in isolated endothelium-denuded rat aortas pretreated with rauwolscine. Dexmedetomidine-induced EGFR tyrosine and JNK phosphorylation were inhibited by rauwolscine, PP1, PP2, GM6001, and AG1478. Furthermore, dexmedetomidine-induced JNK phosphorylation reduced upon EGFR siRNA treatment. Therefore, these results suggested that the transactivation of EGFR associated with dexmedetomidine-induced contraction, mediated by the alpha-2 adrenoceptor, Src kinase, and matrix metalloproteinase, caused JNK phosphorylation and increased calcium levels.
Earthquake Detection at the Edge: IoT Crowdsensing Network
Authors: Bassetti Enrico , Panizzi Emanuele
Published: April 2022

State-of-the-art Earthquake Early Warning systems rely on a network of sensors connected to a fusion center in a client–server paradigm. The fusion center runs different algorithms on the whole data set to detect earthquakes. Instead, we propose moving computation to the edge, with detector nodes that probe the environment and process information from nearby probes to detect earthquakes locally. Our approach tolerates multiple node faults and partial network disruption and keeps all data locally, enhancing privacy. This paper describes our proposal’s rationale and explains its architecture. We then present an implementation that uses Raspberry, NodeMCU, and the Crowdquake machine learning model.
HHT-Related Epistaxis and Pregnancy—A Retrospective Survey and Recommendations for Management from an Otorhinolaryngology Perspective
Authors: Andorfer Kornelia E. C. , Seebauer Caroline T. , Dienemann Carolin , Marcrum Steven C. , Fischer René , Bohr Christopher , Kühnel Thomas S.
Published: April 2022

Appropriate management of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is of particular importance in females, as HHT-mediated modifications of the vascular bed and circulation are known to increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. This study was undertaken to evaluate female HHT patients’ awareness of and experience with HHT during pregnancy and delivery, with a focus on epistaxis. In this retrospective study, 46 females (median age: 60 years) with confirmed HHT completed a 17-item questionnaire assessing knowledge of HHT and its pregnancy-associated complications, the severity of epistaxis during past pregnancies and deliveries, and the desire for better education and counselling regarding HHT and pregnancy. Results revealed that 85% of participants were unaware of their disease status prior to the completion of all pregnancies. Further, 91% reported no knowledge of increased pregnancy-related risk due to HHT. In regard to epistaxis, 61% of respondents reported experiencing nosebleeds during pregnancy. Finally, approximately a third of respondents suggested that receiving counseling on the risks of HHT in pregnancy could have been helpful. Findings suggest that awareness of HHT and its potential for increasing pregnancy-related risk is poor. Best practices in HHT management should be followed to minimize negative effects of the disorder.
Association between Childhood Maltreatment and Suicidal Ideation: A Path Analysis Study
Authors: Berardelli Isabella , Sarubbi Salvatore , Rogante Elena , Erbuto Denise , Giuliani Carlotta , Lamis Dorian A. , Innamorati Marco , Pompili Maurizio
Published: April 2022

Epidemiological studies have suggested that childhood maltreatment increases suicidal ideation, and dissociative symptoms and hopelessness are involved in this relation. To better address this issue, we used a path analysis model to examine the role of different types of childhood maltreatment on suicidal ideation, investigating whether hopelessness and dissociative symptoms mediated this relation. A sample of 215 adult psychiatric inpatients was enrolled between January 2019 and January 2020, at the psychiatric unit of Sant’Andrea Medical Center in Rome, Italy. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II), and Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) were used to test the hypotheses. Results revealed that the presence of sexual abuse directly affected suicidal ideation (β = 0.18, SE = 0.8, p < 0.05), while emotional abuse and neglect indirectly increased suicidal ideation via dissociation (β = 0.05, SE = 0.02, 95% C.I. 0.01/0.09) and hopelessness (β = 0.10, SE = 0.03, 95% C.I. = 0.04/0.16). Professionals working with children should be aware of the long-term consequences of childhood maltreatment, particularly suicide risk. Furthermore, professionals working with adults should inquire about past childhood maltreatment.
Salient Object Detection by LTP Texture Characterization on Opposing Color Pairs under SLICO Superpixel Constraint
Authors: Ndayikengurukiye Didier , Mignotte Max
Published: April 2022

The effortless detection of salient objects by humans has been the subject of research in several fields, including computer vision, as it has many applications. However, salient object detection remains a challenge for many computer models dealing with color and textured images. Most of them process color and texture separately and therefore implicitly consider them as independent features which is not the case in reality. Herein, we propose a novel and efficient strategy, through a simple model, almost without internal parameters, which generates a robust saliency map for a natural image. This strategy consists of integrating color information into local textural patterns to characterize a color micro-texture. It is the simple, yet powerful LTP (Local Ternary Patterns) texture descriptor applied to opposing color pairs of a color space that allows us to achieve this end. Each color micro-texture is represented by a vector whose components are from a superpixel obtained by the SLICO (Simple Linear Iterative Clustering with zero parameter) algorithm, which is simple, fast and exhibits state-of-the-art boundary adherence. The degree of dissimilarity between each pair of color micro-textures is computed by the FastMap method, a fast version of MDS (Multi-dimensional Scaling) that considers the color micro-textures’ non-linearity while preserving their distances. These degrees of dissimilarity give us an intermediate saliency map for each RGB (Red–Green–Blue), HSL (Hue–Saturation–Luminance), LUV (L for luminance, U and V represent chromaticity values) and CMY (Cyan–Magenta–Yellow) color space. The final saliency map is their combination to take advantage of the strength of each of them. The MAE (Mean Absolute Error), MSE (Mean Squared Error) and Fβ measures of our saliency maps, on the five most used datasets show that our model outperformed several state-of-the-art models. Being simple and efficient, our model could be combined with classic models using color contrast for a better performance.
False Friends? On the Effect of Bureaucracy, Informality, Corruption and Conflict in Ukraine on Foreign and Domestic Acquisitions
Authors: Gonchar Viktoriya , Kalinin Oleksandr , Khadzhynova Olena , McCarthy Killian
Published: April 2022

Ukraine had had its ups and downs in recent years. It has, for example, dramatically improved its ease of doing business (EOBB), and it has made some progress reducing the relative size and influence of its shadow economy (Shadow). But, the Russian invasion of 2014 (Conflict) forced it to take a few developmental steps backwards. In this paper, we consider the effect of these factors, positive and negative, on the number of mergers and acquisitions, involving Ukrainian firms. We construct a sample of 4030 acquisitions in the period 1 January 2000–31 December 2020. Our results suggest that while the number of acquisitions by domestic firms increases in efficiency (+EOBB), transparency (−Shadow) and peace (−Conflict), the number of foreign acquisitions increases in bureaucracy (−EOBB), in informality (+Shadow), and unrest (+Conflict). From an academic perspective, our findings fit with some recent work, while providing new insights too. From a policy perspective, our findings that the number of foreign acquisitions is negatively affected by Ukraine’s attempts to modernize and improve its economy and is positively affected by the ongoing conflict with Russia, makes us wonders what type of ‘false friends’ make such investments.
The Radical Unacceptability Hypothesis: Accounting for Unacceptability without Universal Constraints
Authors: Culicover Peter W. , Varaschin Giuseppe , Winkler Susanne
Published: April 2022

The Radical Unacceptability Hypothesis (RUH) has been proposed as a way of explaining the unacceptability of extraction from islands and frozen structures. This hypothesis explicitly assumes a distinction between unacceptability due to violations of local well-formedness conditions—conditions on constituency, constituent order, and morphological form—and unacceptability due to extra-grammatical factors. We explore the RUH with respect to classical islands, and extend it to a broader range of phenomena, including freezing, A′ chain interactions, zero-relative clauses, topic islands, weak crossover, extraction from subjects and parasitic gaps, and sensitivity to information structure. The picture that emerges is consistent with the RUH, and suggests more generally that the unacceptability of extraction from otherwise well-formed configurations reflects non-syntactic factors, not principles of grammar.
On the Flow Dynamics of Polymer Greases
Authors: Farré-Lladós Josep , Westerberg Lars G. , Casals-Terré Jasmina , Leckner Johan , Westbroek René
Published: April 2022

In this paper, the flow dynamics of polymer greases was investigated using micro-particle image velocimetry. Polymer greases have a different thickener structure, compared to widely used lithium-based greases, and they have the well-known ability to release oil. How these properties affect grease deformation and its ability to flow is investigated and compared to the corresponding behavior of a lithium complex grease with the same consistency. Two main tests were carried out, where velocity profiles in a straight channel were measured and analyzed, and velocity evolution during the transition period from a no-flow to a fully-established flow was measured, respectively. It was found that the polymer grease flow dynamics is different from that of the lithium grease. This indicates that the internal structure of the grease and the grease ability to bleed oil have a strong influence on the deformation on a global scale, which in turn entails other lubricating abilities for the two grease types.
Antenna Characteristics of Helical Coil with 2.45 GHz Semiconductor Microwave for Microwave-Enhanced Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (MW-LIBS)
Authors: Ikeda Yuji , Hirata Yoshihiko , Soriano Joey Kim , Wakaida Ikuo
Published: April 2022

A copper helical coil antenna was developed, characterized, and optimized for 2.45 GHz operations supplied by a microwave semiconductor oscillator. The application field of interest is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy enhanced by microwave. Simulations using the Ansys HFSS demonstrate the superior localized E-field strength of the helical coil antenna, compared with other antenna-type structures. Simulation results show that E-field strength at the tip of the antenna has a logarithmic trend for increasing the coil pitch. The optimum pitch is 5 mm for a coil diameter of 6.5 mm upon consideration of the system compactness. Despite the antenna’s open-circuit end, the presence of target samples does not interfere with the E-field and H-field distribution of the antenna and the surrounding environment. Applications in microwave-enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (MWLIBS) confirm the importance of the antenna reflector. The electric field strength was over 100 times higher than the previous capacitor-like antenna. The antenna configuration angle was then experimentally optimized for maximum enhancement effects in the spectrochemical analysis of Al2O3. The antenna angle of 60° from the laser beam propagation achieved maximum enhancement in the emission signal of Al I.
A New Approach for Normal Parameter Reduction Using σ-Algebraic Soft Sets and Its Application in Multi-Attribute Decision Making
Authors: Khan Abid , Yang Miin-Shen , Haq Mirajul , Shah Ashfaq Ahmad , Arif Muhammad
Published: April 2022

The soft set is one of the key mathematical tools for uncertainty description and has many applications in real-world decision-making problems. However, most of the time, these decision-making problems involve less important and redundant parameters, which make the decision making process more complex and challenging. Parameter reduction is a useful approach to eliminate such irrelevant and redundant parameters during soft set-based decision-making problems without changing their decision abilities. Among the various reduction methods of soft sets, normal parameter reduction (NPR) can reduce decision-making problems without changing the decision order of alternatives. This paper mainly develops a new algorithm for NPR using the concept of σ-algebraic soft sets. Before this, the same concept was used to introduce the idea of intersectional reduced soft sets (IRSSs). However, this study clarifies that the method of IRSSs does not maintain the decision order of alternatives. Thus, we need to develop a new approach that not only keeps the decision order invariant but also makes the reduction process more simple and convenient. For this reason, we propose a new algorithm for NPR using σ-algebraic soft sets that not only overcome the existing problems of IRSSs method but also reduce the computational complexity of the NPR process. We also compare our proposed algorithm with one of the existing algorithms of the NPR in terms of computational complexity. It is evident from the experimental results that the proposed algorithm has greatly reduced the computational complexity and workload in comparison with the existing algorithm. At the end of the paper, an application of the proposed algorithm is explored by a real-world decision-making problem.
Prenatal Supplementation in Beef Cattle and Its Effects on Plasma Metabolome of Dams and Calves
Authors: Schalch Junior Fernando José , Polizel Guilherme Henrique Gebim , Cançado Fernando Augusto Correia Queiroz , Fernandes Arícia Christofaro , Mortari Isabela , Pires Pedro Ratto Lisboa , Fukumasu Heidge , Santana Miguel Henrique de Almeida , Saran Netto Arlindo
Published: April 2022

This study investigated the effect of different prenatal nutrition on the plasma metabolome of Nellore dams and their offspring. For that purpose, three nutritional treatments were used in 126 cows during pregnancy: NP—(control) only mineral supplementation; PP—protein-energy supplementation in the final third; and FP—protein-energy supplementation during the entire pregnancy. Targeted metabolomics were analyzed in plasma at the beginning of pregnancy and in pre-delivery of cows (n = 27) as well as in calves (n = 27, 30 ± 9.6 days of age). Data were analyzed by the analysis of variance, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and the principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA showed a clear clustering in the periods investigated only in cows (early gestation and pre-delivery). We found significant metabolites in both supervised analyses (p < 0.05 and VIP score > 1) for cows (Taurine, Glutamic acid, Histidine, and PC aa C42:2) and for calves (Carnosine, Alanine, and PC aa C26:0). The enrichment analysis revealed biological processes (p < 0.1) common among cows and calves (histidine metabolism and beta-alanine metabolism), which may be indicative of transgenerational epigenetic changes. In general, fetal programming affected mainly the metabolism of amino acids.
Evaluating Methods of Preserving Aquatic Invertebrates for Microbiome Analysis
Authors: Vaughn Stephanie N. , Jackson Colin R.
Published: April 2022

Research on the microbiomes of animals has increased substantially within the past decades. More recently, microbial analyses of aquatic invertebrates have become of increased interest. The storage method used while collecting aquatic invertebrates has not been standardized throughout the scientific community, and the effects of common storage methods on the microbial composition of the organism is unknown. Using crayfish and dragonfly nymphs collected from a natural pond and crayfish maintained in an aquarium, the effects of two common storage methods, preserving in 95% ethanol and freezing at −20 °C, on the invertebrate bacterial microbiome was evaluated. We found that the bacterial community was conserved for two sample types (gut and exoskeleton) of field-collected crayfish stored either in ethanol or frozen, as was the gut microbiome of aquarium crayfish. However, there were significant differences between the bacterial communities found on the exoskeleton of aquarium crayfish stored in ethanol compared to those that were frozen. Dragonfly nymphs showed significant differences in gut microbial composition between species, but the microbiome was conserved between storage methods. These results demonstrate that preserving field-collected specimens of aquatic invertebrates in 95% ethanol is likely to be a simple and effective sample preservation method for subsequent gut microbiome analysis but is less reliable for the external microbiome.
(20R)-Panaxadiol as a Natural Active Component with Anti-Obesity Effects on ob/ob Mice via Modulating the Gut Microbiota
Authors: Lv Yuqian , Zhang Yining , Feng Jianshu , Zhao Tianyu , Zhao Jingtong , Ge Yue , Yang Xuehan , Han Hao , Zhang Ming , Chen Li , Xu Mingzhu , Guan Fengying
Published: April 2022

Obesity is an important cause of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver and atherosclerosis. The use of ingredients extracted from traditional Chinese medicine for weight loss is now receiving more and more attention. Ginseng has been recorded since ancient times for the treatment of diabetes. The (20R)-Panaxadiol (PD) belongs to the ginseng diol type compounds, which are moderately bioavailable and may remain in the intestinal tract for a longer period of time. This study investigated the potential positive effect of PD in ob/ob mice and evaluated its effect against obesity. The ob/ob mice were administered PD for ten weeks. Our study showed that PD could improve obesity, glucose tolerance disorder, as well as gut dysbiosis. Panaxadiol decreased ob/ob mice’s Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B). Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the fecal microbiota suggested that PD changed the composition of the gut microbiota in ob/ob mice and modulated specific bacteria such as lactobacillus, prevotellace and so on. Moreover, PD improved the intestinal wall integrity. In conclusion, our results suggest that (20R)-Panaxadiol, as an active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb ginseng, may improve obesity to some extent via improving gut microbiota
Chitosan-Based Nanogels: Synthesis and Toxicity Profile for Drug Delivery to Articular Joints
Authors: Manivong Seng , Garcia Ac Araceli , Patten Shunmoogum , Fernandes Julio , Benderdour Mohamed , Banquy Xavier , Moldovan Florina , Roullin Valérie
Published: April 2022

One important challenge in treating avascular-degraded cartilage is the development of new drugs for both pain management and joint preservation. Considerable efforts have been invested in developing nanosystems using biomaterials, such as chitosan, a widely used natural polymer exhibiting numerous advantages, i.e., non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. However, even if chitosan is generally recognized as safe, the safety and biocompatibility of such nanomaterials must be addressed because of potential for greater interactions between nanomaterials and biological systems. Here, we developed chitosan-based nanogels as drug-delivery platforms and established an initial biological risk assessment for osteocartilaginous applications. We investigated the influence of synthesis parameters on the physicochemical characteristics of the resulting nanogels and their potential impact on the biocompatibility on all types of human osteocartilaginous cells. Monodisperse nanogels were synthesized with sizes ranging from 268 to 382 nm according to the acidic solution used (i.e., either citric or acetic acid) with overall positive charge surface. Our results demonstrated that purified chitosan-based nanogels neither affected cell proliferation nor induced nitric oxide production in vitro. However, nanogels were moderately genotoxic in a dose-dependent manner but did not significantly induce acute embryotoxicity in zebrafish embryos, up to 100 µg∙mL−1. These encouraging results hold great promise for the intra-articular delivery of drugs or diagnostic agents for joint pathologies.
Plant-Based Dietary Patterns for Human and Planetary Health
Authors: Gibbs Joshua , Cappuccio Francesco P.
Published: April 2022

The coronavirus pandemic has acted as a reset on global economies, providing us with the opportunity to build back greener and ensure global warming does not surpass 1.5 °C. It is time for developed nations to commit to red meat reduction targets and shift to plant-based dietary patterns. Transitioning to plant-based diets (PBDs) has the potential to reduce diet-related land use by 76%, diet-related greenhouse gas emissions by 49%, eutrophication by 49%, and green and blue water use by 21% and 14%, respectively, whilst garnering substantial health co-benefits. An extensive body of data from prospective cohort studies and controlled trials supports the implementation of PBDs for obesity and chronic disease prevention. The consumption of diets high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish, and unsaturated vegetable oils, and low in animal products, refined grains, and added sugars are associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. Meat appreciation, health concerns, convenience, and expense are prominent barriers to PBDs. Strategic policy action is required to overcome these barriers and promote the implementation of healthy and sustainable PBDs.
Bifidobacterium longum CCFM1077 Ameliorated Neurotransmitter Disorder and Neuroinflammation Closely Linked to Regulation in the Kynurenine Pathway of Autistic-like Rats
Authors: Kong Qingmin , Chen Qian , Mao Xuhua , Wang Gang , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Chen Wei
Published: April 2022

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is abnormal in autistic patients and model animals. According to studies on the brain–gut axis, probiotics can help ameliorate the metabolic abnormalities of the KP in patients and model animals with neurological diseases. This study was aimed at evaluating the ability of Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) CCFM077 to enhance the gut microbiome and KP metabolism and regulate the neurotransmitter levels and neuroinflammation of autistic rats. The KP metabolism of autistic rats was significantly disordered and significantly related to the regulation of neurotransmitter (excitation and inhibition) and neuroglia states. B. longum CCFM1077 could effectively alleviate autistic-like behaviours (repetitive stereotyped behaviour, learning and memory ability, and despair mood) and regulate the KP metabolism in the periphery system (gut and blood) and brain. In particular, B. longum CCFM1077 could significant regulate the quinolinic acid (QUIN) level in the brain and markedly regulate glutamic acid (Glu) and Glu/γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain while alleviating microglia activity in the cerebellum. Through a correlation analysis, the QUIN level in the brain was strongly related with autistic-like behaviours and neurotransmitter levels (GABA and Glu). The QUIN level may thus be a potential therapeutic marker for treating autism through the intestinal and neural pathways.
Association of Gestational Hypertension with Anemia under 5 Years Old: Two Large Longitudinal Chinese Birth Cohorts
Authors: An Hang , Chen Huiting , Li Zhiwen , Zhang Le , Zhang Yali , Liu Jianmeng , Ye Rongwei , Li Nan
Published: April 2022

Gestational hypertension may interfere with the placental iron metabolism, thus probably increasing the risk of childhood anemia. We aim to examine the association between gestational hypertension and childhood anemia at different ages in two large Chinese birth cohorts. Cohort 1 was conducted in 5 counties in northern China and was comprised of 17,264 mother–children pairs (97.3%) during 2006–2009, whereas cohort 2 was conducted in 21 counties in southern China and was comprised of 185,093 mother–children pairs (93.8%) during 1993–1996. All pregnant women were registered in a monitoring system and followed up until the termination of pregnancies. The childhood anemia was diagnosed at 6 month and 12 month in cohort 1 and at 55 month in cohort 2. The overall incidence of childhood anemia was 6.78% and 5.28% at 6 month and 12 month, respectively, in cohort 1 and 13.18% at 55 month in cohort 2. Gestational hypertension was associated with increased risk of anemia at 6 month (adjusted Odds Ratio (OR): 1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.63) and at 12 month (adjusted OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.90) in cohort 1 and at 55 month (adjusted OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.12) in cohort 2. The hemoglobin values of children at different ages were lower among gestational hypertension group in the linear models, which was consistent with the results of binary regression analysis. Our study found gestational hypertension may associate with an increased risk of childhood anemia. It suggests a possible need for exploring changes in prenatal care that might prevent childhood anemia.
Oral Intake of Chicken Bone Collagen Peptides Anti-Skin Aging in Mice by Regulating Collagen Degradation and Synthesis, Inhibiting Inflammation and Activating Lysosomes
Authors: Cao Changwei , Xiao Zhichao , Tong Huiquan , Liu Yuntao , Wu Yinglong , Ge Changrong
Published: April 2022

The effect of diet on skin aging has become an interesting research topic. Previous studies have mostly focused on the beneficial effects of collagen peptides derived from marine organisms on the aging skin when administered orally, while the beneficial effects of collagen peptides derived from poultry on aging skin have been rarely reported. In this study, collagen peptides were prepared from chicken bone by enzymatic hydrolysis, and the effect and mechanism of action of orally administered collagen peptides on alleviating skin aging induced by UV combined with D-galactose were investigated. The results showed that the chicken bone collagen had typical characteristics of collagen, and the chicken bone collagen peptides (CPs) were mainly small molecular peptides with a molecular weight of <3000 Da. In vivo experiments showed that CPs had a significant relieving effect on aging skin, indicated by the changes in the compostion and structure of the aging skin, improvement of skin antioxidant level, and inhibition of inflammation; the relieving effect was positively correlated with the dose of CPs. Further investigation showed that CPs first reduce the level of skin oxidation, inhibit the expression of the key transcription factor AP-1 (c-Jun and c-Fos), then activate the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway to promote collagen synthesis, inhibit the expression of MMP-1/3 to inhibit collagen degradation, and inhibit skin inflammation to alleviate skin aging in mice. Moreover, the skin transcriptome found that lysosomes activated after oral administration of CPs may be an important pathway for CPs in anti-skin aging, and is worthy of further research. These results suggested that CPs might be used as a functional anti-aging nutritional component.
Rutaecarpine Promotes Adipose Thermogenesis and Protects against HFD-Induced Obesity via AMPK/PGC-1α Pathway
Authors: Chen Dandan , Duan Yanan , Yu Shuxiang , Zhang Xinwen , Li Ni , Li Jingya
Published: April 2022

Pharmacological activation of adaptive thermogenesis to increase energy expenditure is considered to be a novel strategy for obesity. Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-1α (PGC-1α), which serves as an inducible co-activator in energy expenditure, is highly expressed in brown adipose tissues (BAT). In this study, we found a PGC-1α transcriptional activator, natural compound rutaecarpine (Rut), which promoted brown adipocytes mitochondrial biogenesis and thermogenesis in vitro. Chronic Rut treatment reduced the body weight gain and mitigated insulin sensitivity through brown and beige adipocyte thermogenesis. Mechanistic study showed that Rut activated the energy metabolic pathway AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/PGC-1α axis, and deficiency of AMPK abolished the beneficial metabolic phenotype of the Rut treatment in vitro and in vivo. In summary, a PGC-1α transcriptional activator Rut was found to activate brown and beige adipose thermogenesis to resist diet-induced obesity through AMPK pathway. Our findings serve as a further understanding of the natural compound in adipose tissue and provides a possible strategy to combat obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Levetiracetam Mechanisms of Action: From Molecules to Systems
Authors: Contreras-García Itzel Jatziri , Cárdenas-Rodríguez Noemí , Romo-Mancillas Antonio , Bandala Cindy , Zamudio Sergio R. , Gómez-Manzo Saúl , Hernández-Ochoa Beatriz , Mendoza-Torreblanca Julieta Griselda , Pichardo-Macías Luz Adriana
Published: April 2022

Epilepsy is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are used to control seizures. Even though parts of their mechanisms of action are known, there are still components that need to be studied. Therefore, the search for novel drugs, new molecular targets, and a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of existing drugs is still crucial. Levetiracetam (LEV) is an AED that has been shown to be effective in seizure control and is well-tolerable, with a novel mechanism of action through an interaction with the synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A). Moreover, LEV has other molecular targets that involve calcium homeostasis, the GABAergic system, and AMPA receptors among others, that might be integrated into a single mechanism of action that could explain the antiepileptogenic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antioxidant properties of LEV. This puts it as a possible multitarget drug with clinical applications other than for epilepsy. According to the above, the objective of this work was to carry out a comprehensive and integrative review of LEV in relation to its clinical uses, structural properties, therapeutical targets, and different molecular, genetic, and systemic action mechanisms in order to consider LEV as a candidate for drug repurposing.