bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urine CA125 and HE4 for the Triage of Symptomatic Women with Suspected Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Njoku Kelechi , Barr Chloe E. , Sutton Caroline J. J. , Crosbie Emma J.
Published: July 2022

A simple, noninvasive and accurate detection tool that can triage women with suspected endometrial cancer for definitive testing will transform patient care. The aim of this study was to evaluate urine CA125 and HE4 levels for the detection of endometrial cancer in symptomatic women. This was a cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study of 153 symptomatic women who underwent urgent diagnostic investigations for suspected endometrial cancer at a large gynecological cancer center. Urine samples were collected prior to routine clinical procedures. Urine CA125 and HE4 levels were determined using automated chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassays. Univariate and multivariable receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed. Urine CA125 and HE4 were discovered to be significantly elevated in women with endometrial cancer, compared to controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). Urine CA125 and HE4 detected endometrial cancer with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.89 (0.81, 0.98) and 0.69 (0.55, 0.83), respectively. CA125 exhibited good discriminatory potential for Type I and early-stage tumors (AUC 0.93 and 0.90, respectively). A diagnostic model that combined urine CA125 and transvaginal ultrasound-measured endometrial thickness predicted endometrial cancer with an AUC of 0.96 (0.91, 1.00). Urine CA125 displays potential as a diagnostic tool for symptomatic women with suspected endometrial cancer. When combined with transvaginal ultrasound-measured endometrial thickness, this patient-friendly, urine-based test could help triage women for invasive diagnostics or safe reassurance, reducing costs and improving patient experience.
The Safety and Clinical Validity of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer in Patients Aged More Than 85 Years
Authors: Yoshikawa Takaaki , Yamauchi Atsushi , Hamasaki Ryuhei , Mori Yuki , Osawa Kazuki , Ito Ryo , Kawai Yuya , Nakagami Souta , Azuma Shunjiro , Morita Toshihiro , Hirohashi Kenshiro , Kuriyama Katsutoshi , Takahashi Ken , Kou Tadayuki , Kondoh Hiroshi , Yazumi Shujiro
Published: July 2022

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a safe and minimally invasive method for the treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC). However, whether ESD for EGC is also safe and feasible in patients aged ≥85 years is unclear. The patients enrolled in this study were divided into three groups: age ≥85 years (44 patients, 49 lesions), age 65–84 years (624 patients, 687 lesions), and age ≤64 years (162 patients, 174 lesions). We evaluated the incidence of adverse events (AEs) and overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). We analyzed the factors that had a significant impact on the prognosis of patients aged ≥85 years. No significant differences were found in the incidence of AEs among the three groups (p = 0.612). The OS was significantly lower in patients aged ≥85 years (p < 0.001). Conversely, DSS was not significantly worse in patients aged ≥85 years (p = 0.100). The poor Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index correlated with poor prognosis in patients aged ≥85 years (p < 0.001). ESD is a safe and valid treatment for EGC in patients aged ≥85 years. However, the indications should be carefully decided because it is difficult to estimate the survival contribution of ESD for EGC in patients aged ≥85 years, especially in those with poor nutritional status.
Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry Is Up-Regulated in Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes from Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Faris Pawan , Rumolo Agnese , Tapella Laura , Tanzi Matteo , Metallo Alessia , Conca Filippo , Negri Sharon , Lefkimmiatis Konstantinos , Pedrazzoli Paolo , Lim Dmitry , Montagna Daniela , Moccia Francesco
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) drives the cytotoxic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against cancer cells. However, SOCE can be enhanced in cancer cells due to an increase in the expression and/or function of its underlying molecular components, i.e., STIM1 and Orai1. Herein, we evaluated the SOCE expression and function in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. (2) Methods: Functional studies were conducted in TILs expanded ex vivo from CRC liver metastases. Peripheral blood T cells from healthy donors (hPBTs) and mCRC patients (cPBTs) were used as controls. (3) Results: SOCE amplitude is enhanced in TILs compared to hPBTs and cPBTs, but the STIM1 protein is only up-regulated in TILs. Pharmacological manipulation showed that the increase in SOCE mainly depends on tonic modulation by diacylglycerol kinase, which prevents the protein kinase C-dependent inhibition of SOCE activity. The larger SOCE caused a stronger Ca2+ response to T-cell receptor stimulation by autologous mCRC cells. Reducing Ca2+ influx with BTP-2 during target cell killing significantly increases cytotoxic activity at low target:effector ratios. (4) Conclusions: SOCE is enhanced in ex vivo-expanded TILs deriving from mCRC patients but decreasing Ca2+ influx with BTP-2 increases cytotoxic activity at a low TIL density.
Enhancement of Neuroglial Extracellular Matrix Formation and Physiological Activity of Dopaminergic Neural Cocultures by Macromolecular Crowding
Authors: Vo Andy N. , Kundu Srikanya , Strong Caroline , Jung Olive , Lee Emily , Song Min Jae , Boutin Molly E. , Raghunath Michael , Ferrer Marc
Published: July 2022

The neuroglial extracellular matrix (ECM) provides critical support and physiological cues for the proper growth, differentiation, and function of neuronal cells in the brain. However, in most in vitro settings that study neural physiology, cells are grown as monolayers on stiff surfaces that maximize adhesion and proliferation, and, therefore, they lack the physiological cues that ECM in native neuronal tissues provides. Macromolecular crowding (MMC) is a biophysical phenomenon based on the principle of excluded volume that can be harnessed to induce native ECM deposition by cells in culture. Here, we show that MMC using two species of Ficoll with vitamin C supplementation significantly boosts deposition of relevant brain ECM by cultured human astrocytes. Dopaminergic neurons cocultured on this astrocyte–ECM bed prepared under MMC treatment showed longer and denser neuronal extensions, a higher number of pre ad post synaptic contacts, and increased physiological activity, as evidenced by higher frequency calcium oscillation, compared to standard coculture conditions. When the pharmacological activity of various compounds was tested on MMC-treated cocultures, their responses were enhanced, and for apomorphine, a D2-receptor agonist, it was inverted in comparison to control cell culture conditions, thus emulating responses observed in in vivo settings. These results indicate that macromolecular crowding can harness the ECM-building potential of human astrocytes in vitro forming an ultra-flat 3D microenvironment that makes neural cultures more physiological and pharmacological relevant.
Cortical Organoids to Model Microcephaly
Authors: Farcy Sarah , Albert Alexandra , Gressens Pierre , Baffet Alexandre D. , El Ghouzzi Vincent
Published: July 2022

How the brain develops and achieves its final size is a fascinating issue that questions cortical evolution across species and man’s place in the animal kingdom. Although animal models have so far been highly valuable in understanding the key steps of cortical development, many human specificities call for appropriate models. In particular, microcephaly, a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by a smaller head circumference has been challenging to model in mice, which often do not fully recapitulate the human phenotype. The relatively recent development of brain organoid technology from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) now makes it possible to model human microcephaly, both due to genetic and environmental origins, and to generate developing cortical tissue from the patients themselves. These 3D tissues rely on iPSCs differentiation into cortical progenitors that self-organize into neuroepithelial rosettes mimicking the earliest stages of human neurogenesis in vitro. Over the last ten years, numerous protocols have been developed to control the identity of the induced brain areas, the reproducibility of the experiments and the longevity of the cultures, allowing analysis of the later stages. In this review, we describe the different approaches that instruct human iPSCs to form cortical organoids, summarize the different microcephalic conditions that have so far been modeled by organoids, and discuss the relevance of this model to decipher the cellular and molecular mechanisms of primary and secondary microcephalies.
Hypertensive Stimuli Indirectly Stimulate Lymphangiogenesis through Immune Cell Secreted Factors
Authors: Wilcox Brooke K. , Henley Marissa R. , Navaneethabalakrishnan Shobana , Martinez Karina A. , Pournouri Anil , Goodlett Bethany L. , Lopez Alexandra H. , Allbee Miranda L. , Pickup Emma J. , Bayless Kayla J. , Chakraborty Sanjukta , Mitchell Brett M.
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: Renal immune cells and lymphatic vessel (LV) density have been reported previously to be increased in multiple mouse models of hypertension (HTN). However, whether interstitial levels of HTN stimuli such as angiotensin II, salt, or asymmetric dimethylarginine have a direct or indirect effect on lymphangiogenesis is unknown. We hypothesized that these 3 HTN stimuli directly increase lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) proliferation, LEC 3-D matrix invasion and vessel formation, and sprouting of mouse mesometrial LVs. (2) Methods: Human LECs (hLECs) and mouse LECs (mLECs) were treated with HTN stimuli while explanted mouse mesometrial LVs were treated with either the same HTN stimuli or with HTN stimuli-conditioned media. Conditioned media was prepared by treating murine splenocytes with HTN stimuli. (3) Results: HTN stimuli had no direct effect on hLEC or mLEC proliferation. Treatment of hLECs with HTN stimuli increased the number of lumen-forming structures and invasion distance (both p < 0.05) in the 3-D matrix but decreased the average lumen diameter and the number of cells per invading structure (both p < 0.05). Conditioned media from HTN-stimuli-treated splenocytes significantly attenuated the decrease in sprout number (aside from salt) and sprout length of mouse mesometrial LVs that is found in the HTN stimuli alone. (4) Conclusions: These data indicate that HTN stimuli indirectly prevent a decrease in lymphangiogenesis through secreted factors from HTN-stimuli-treated immune cells.
Quantitative In Silico Evaluation of Allergenic Proteins from Anacardium occidentale, Carya illinoinensis, Juglans regia and Pistacia vera and Their Epitopes as Precursors of Bioactive Peptides
Authors: Minkiewicz Piotr , Mattison Christopher P. , Darewicz Małgorzata
Published: July 2022

The aim of the study presented here was to determine if there is a correlation between the presence of specific protein domains within tree nut allergens or tree nut allergen epitopes and the frequency of bioactive fragments and the predicted susceptibility to enzymatic digestion in allergenic proteins from tree nuts of cashew (Anacardium occidentale), pecan (Carya illinoinensis), English walnut (Juglans regia) and pistachio (Pistacia vera) plants. These bioactive peptides are distributed along the length of the protein and are not enriched in IgE epitope sequences. Classification of proteins as bioactive peptide precursors based on the presence of specific protein domains may be a promising approach. Proteins possessing a vicilin, N-terminal family domain, or napin domain contain a relatively low occurrence of bioactive fragments. In contrast, proteins possessing the cupin 1 domain without the vicilin N-terminal family domain contain a relatively high total frequency of bioactive fragments and predicted release of bioactive fragments by the joint action of pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin. This approach could be utilized in food science to simplify the selection of protein domains enriched for bioactive peptides.
Component Design of Environmentally Friendly High-Temperature Resistance Coating for Oriented Silicon Steel and Effects on Anti-Corrosion Property
Authors: Liu Ying , Wu Lin , Chen Ao , Xu Chang , Yang Xiaoyu , Zhou Yilai , Liao Zhiyuan , Zhang Baoguo , Hu Ya , Fang Hailiang
Published: July 2022

Oriented silicon steel is vital for power transformer cores, while the high-temperature annealing process limits the industrialization of environmentally friendly coatings on the surface. In this paper, the high-temperature binders Al(H2PO4)3 solution and silica sol were introduced innovatively. They condensed into macromolecular polymer chains, network structures and SiO2 particles at high temperatures, providing high-temperature stability and adhesion. The influence of types of silica sol, additives and functional fillers on the corrosion resistance of the coating was studied. The prepared environmentally friendly inorganic insulating coating for oriented silicon steel has excellent corrosion resistance after curing at 475 °C and annealing at 800 °C, which was matched with the currently rolling process of oriented silicon steel. The salt-spray resistance can last for more than 24 h and up to 72 h.
The Effect of Nano-ZrO2 Dispersed Phase into Cobalt Plating Electrolyte on Layer Thickness and Current Efficiency
Authors: Axente Elena Roxana , Benea Lidia , Bogatu Nicoleta
Published: July 2022

The aim of this work is to obtain nanocomposite layers having a cobalt matrix with zirconium oxide nanoparticles (mean diameter 30 nm) through the electrodeposition process. The plating electrolyte suspension is prepared by adding ZrO2 nanoparticles in a sulfate-chloride cobalt electrolyte at a concentration of 0 and 10 g·L−1. The electrodeposition is performed at room temperature, using three current densities of 23, 48 and 72 mA·cm−2 and three deposition times of 30, 60 and 90 min. The influence of current density, time and nanoparticles concentrations on the characteristics of the obtained nanostructured layers are also discussed. ZrO2 ceramic nanoparticles as a dispersed phase in the cobalt deposition electrolyte modify the mechanism of its electro-crystallization, so they participate in this process by increasing the rate of cobalt deposition, confirmed by the thickness of the nanocomposite layers obtained. The paper presents some of the comparative results obtained regarding the thickness of the layers, the current efficiency and the inclusion of the nanoparticles into nanocomposite layers depending on the current density and time of the electrodeposition process. The analysis of Co/nano-ZrO2 nanocomposite layers with the help of optical light microscopy and electronic microscopy in cross-section highlights the good degree of adhesion of the layers to the metallic substrate made of 304L stainless steel. The results of the study show that as the current density and time increase, the thickness of the composite layers increases. The efficiency of the process is improved compared to the electrodeposition of pure cobalt layers. The degree of inclusion of ZrO2 nanoparticles increases with time and decreases with increasing of imposed current density on the electrodeposition process. The distribution of the dispersed phase in the cobalt metallic matrix is uniform. The layers obtained in this study can be applied in aircraft technology, in the automotive industry, as well as in biomedical applications in order to improve the properties and to increase the corrosion or tribocorrosion resistance in a specific environment.
Estimating the Optimum Weight for Latticed Power-Transmission Towers Using Different (AI) Techniques
Authors: Ebid Ahmed M. , El-Aghoury Mohamed A. , Onyelowe Kennedy C.
Published: July 2022

The recent expansion of power-distribution networks has motivated many researchers to study how to minimize the costs of such projects. Although transmission towers present one of the main items in the network that greatly affect the project budget, there are no clear criteria or recommendations to select the optimum bracing system that minimizes the tower weight. This research presents recommendations to select the optimum configurations for latticed power-transmission towers, segment by segment, for certain loads, as well as the aspect ratio. The research started by generating a database with different segment configurations and their weights, and then three of the most famous AI techniques (GP, ANN and EPR) were used to generate models to calculate the weights of the segments. Studying these models led to the conclusion that K-shape bracing is better that X-shape bracing for segments with aspect ratios (H/B) less than 1.0. The generated models and conclusions were verified by using existing tower designs.
Correction: Kim et al. The Value of Posterior Cervical Angle as a Predictor of Vaginal Delivery: A Preliminary Study. Diagnostics 2021, 11, 1977
Authors: Kim Eun-Ju , Heo Ji-Man , Kim Ho-Yeon , Ahn Ki-Hoon , Cho Geum-Joon , Hong Soon-Cheol , Oh Min-Jeong , Lee Nak-Woo , Kim Hai-Joong
Published: July 2022

In the original publication [...]
Microbiological Profiles of Patients with Periprosthetic Joint Infection of the Hip or Knee
Authors: Fröschen Frank Sebastian , Randau Thomas Martin , Franz Alexander , Molitor Ernst , Hischebeth Gunnar Thorben Rembert
Published: July 2022

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) are one of the most devastating consequences after total joint arthroplasty. We sought to analyze the causative pathogens of patients with PJI to get better insights and improve treatment. We performed a retrospective study of all patients with PJI of the hip and knee with microbiological detection of a causative pathogen at a tertiary endoprothetic referral center between January 2016 and March 2021. A total of 432 cases with PJI (hip: n = 250; knee: n = 182) were included. The most common causative pathogen were coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 240; 44.2%), of which Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 144; 26.7%) was the most frequently detected, followed by S. aureus (n = 77; 14.3%) and enterococci (n = 49; 9%). Gram-negative pathogens and fungi could be detected in 21% (n = 136) and 2.4% (n = 13) of all cases. Overall, 60% of all coagulase-negative staphylococci were oxacillin-resistant, while none of these displayed to be vancomycin-resistant. In summary, the majority of pathogens in cases of PJI could be identified as coagulase-negative staphylococci. For empirical therapy vancomycin might provide the highest antimicrobial coverage in case of an unknown pathogen.
Clinical Application of the Food Compass Score: Positive Association to Mediterranean Diet Score, Health Star Rating System and an Early Eating Pattern in University Students
Authors: Detopoulou Paraskevi , Syka Dimitra , Koumi Konstantina , Dedes Vasileios , Tzirogiannis Konstantinos , Panoutsopoulos Georgios I.
Published: July 2022

Nutrient profiling systems (NPS) assist consumers in food choices. Several scores based on NPS have been proposed, but data on their clinical application are lacking. The food compass score (FCS) is a newly developed NPS per 100 kcal (from 1 “least healthy” to 100 “most healthy”). We examined the correlations of FCS with other indices, food groups, and meal patterns. A total of 346 students of the University of the Peloponnese (269 women and 77 men) participated. Dietary habits were evaluated with a food frequency questionnaire, and FCS, health star rating score (HSR), and MedDietScore were computed. Meal and snack frequency consumption was reported. Principal component analysis revealed three meal patterns: “early eater” (breakfast, morning snack and afternoon snack), “medium eater” (lunch and dinner), and “late eater” (bedtime snack). Pearson partial correlations between ranked variables were used to test the correlation coefficients between FCS, other scores, and meal patterns, after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and underreporting. FCS was positively correlated to HSR (rho = 0.761, p ≤ 0.001) in a multi-adjusted analysis. In the highest tertile of MedDietScore FCS was also positively correlated to MedDietScore (rho = 0.379, p < 0.001). The FCS was positively correlated with juices, high-fat dairy, vegetables, legumes, fruits, and olive oil and negatively correlated with sodas, alcoholic drinks, red meat, refined grains, sweets, fats other than olive oil, fast foods, and coffee. In addition, it related positively to the “early eater” pattern (rho = 0.207, p < 0.001). The FCS was associated with other quality indices and better nutritional habits, such as being an early eater.
Structural Smoothing Low-Rank Matrix Restoration Based on Sparse Coding and Dual-Weighted Model
Authors: Wu Jiawei , Wang Hengyou
Published: July 2022

Group sparse coding (GSC) uses the non-local similarity of images as constraints, which can fully exploit the structure and group sparse features of images. However, it only imposes the sparsity on the group coefficients, which limits the effectiveness of reconstructing real images. Low-rank regularized group sparse coding (LR-GSC) reduces this gap by imposing low-rankness on the group sparse coefficients. However, due to the use of non-local similarity, the edges and details of the images are over-smoothed, resulting in the blocking artifact of the images. In this paper, we propose a low-rank matrix restoration model based on sparse coding and dual weighting. In addition, total variation (TV) regularization is integrated into the proposed model to maintain local structure smoothness and edge features. Finally, to solve the problem of the proposed optimization, an optimization method is developed based on the alternating direction method. Extensive experimental results show that the proposed SDWLR-GSC algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms for image restoration when the images have large and sparse noise, such as salt and pepper noise.
MLD: An Intelligent Memory Leak Detection Scheme Based on Defect Modes in Software
Authors: Yuan Ling , Zhou Siyuan , Pan Peng , Wang Zhenjiang
Published: July 2022

With the expansion of the scale and complexity of multimedia software, the detection of software defects has become a research hotspot. Because of the large scale of the existing software code, the efficiency and accuracy of the existing software defect detection algorithms are relatively low. We propose an intelligent memory leak detection scheme MLD based on defect modes in software. Based on the analysis of existing memory leak defect modes, we summarize memory operation behaviors (allocation, release and transfer) and present a state machine model. We employ a fuzzy matching algorithm based on regular expression to determine the memory operation behaviors and then analyze the change in the state machine to assess the vulnerability in the source code. To improve the efficiency of detection and solve the problem of repeated detection at the function call point, we propose a function summary method for memory operation behaviors. The experimental results demonstrate that the method we proposed has high detection speed and accuracy. The algorithm we proposed can identify the defects of the software, reduce the risk of being attacked to ensure safe operation.
A Biodegradable Polymer-Based Plastic Chip Electrode as a Current Collector in Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Kirti  , Gupta Rajeev , Srivastava Divesh N.
Published: July 2022

Here, we report the performance of a biodegradable polymer-based Plastic chip Electrode (PCE) as a current collector in supercapacitor applications. Its production was evaluated using two redox materials (conducting polymers polyaniline and poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)) and a layered material, rGO. The conducting polymers were directly deposited over the Eco-friendly PCE (EPCE) using the galvanostatic method. The rGO was prepared in the conventional way and loaded over the EPCE using a binder. Both conducting polymers and rGO showed proper specific capacitance compared to previous studies with regular current collectors. Electrodes were found highly stable during experiments in high acidic medium. The supercapacitive performance was evaluated with cyclic voltammetry, charge–discharge measurements, and impedance spectroscopy. The supercapacitive materials were also characterized for their electrical and microscopic properties. Polyaniline and PEDOT were deposited over EPCEs showing >150 Fg−1 and >120 Fg−1 specific capacitance, respectively, at 0.5 Ag−1. rGO continued to show higher particular capacitance of >250 Fg−1 with excellent charge–discharge cyclic stability. The study concludes that EPCs can be used as promising electrodes for electrical energy storage applications.
Physicochemical, Functional, and Technological Properties of Protein Hydrolysates Obtained by Microbial Fermentation of Broiler Chicken Gizzards
Authors: Zinina Oksana , Merenkova Svetlana , Rebezov Maksim , Galimov Damir , Khayrullin Mars , Burkov Pavel
Published: July 2022

Fermentation is an economical method for obtaining protein hydrolysates. The purpose of the scientific research was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the physicochemical, technological, and functional properties of protein hydrolysates obtained by microbial fermentation. The research results showed that hydrolysates fermented with propionic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria have better physicochemical and technological indicators compared to the control sample. Significant increases in water-holding and fat-holding capacities (by 1.8–2.1 times and 1.5–2.5 times, respectively), as well as fat-emulsifying ability (by 12.8–29.8%) in experimental samples were found. Hydrolysates obtained by fermentation effectively inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The thermal analysis showed a sufficiently high-thermal stability of the obtained protein hydrolysates. In hydrolysates fermented by bacterial culture, the removal of physico-mechanical and osmotically bound moisture occurred at temperatures of 110 °C and 115 °C, respectively, and in whey protein hydrolysate at a temperature of 100 °C. The release of chemically bound moisture was observed at a temperature of 170 °C for fermented hydrolysates and at 155 °C for the control sample. The results proved that fermented protein products are characterized by high functional properties, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and can be used as natural food additives and preservatives.
Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Water Extraction to Obtain High Value-Added Compounds from Exhausted Olive Pomace in a Biorefinery Context
Authors: Gómez-Cruz Irene , Contreras María del Mar , Romero Inmaculada , Castro Eulogio
Published: July 2022

Microwave-assisted water extraction (MAWE) was evaluated to obtain the valuable bioactive compounds hydroxytyrosol and mannitol from exhausted olive pomace (EOP). The influence of the operational parameters solid loading (3–15%, w/v), temperature (40–100 °C), and extraction time (4–40 min) was studied using an experimental design. The optimized conditions maximizing their joint extraction were 12% w/v solid loading, 100 °C temperature, and 16 min. It was possible to solubilize 5.87 mg of hydroxytyrosol/g EOP and 46.70 mg mannitol/g EOP. The extracts were also further characterized by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, which detected other hydroxytyrosol derivatives such as oleacein, verbascoside, and oleuropein. Moreover, the applied MAWE conditions promoted the co-extraction of proteinaceus material, which was also evaluated. In order to carry out an integral valorization of this waste, the extracted EOP solid was further evaluated chemically and microscopically before recovering the bioactive triterpenes. In particular, maslinic acid and oleanolic acid were obtained, 9.54 mg/g extracted solid and 3.60 mg/g extracted solid, respectively. Overall, MAWE can be applied as a first stage in the fractionation of EOP to support its valorization in a biorefinery framework.
Changes in the Quality Attributes of Selected Long-Life Food at Four Different Temperatures over Prolonged Storage
Authors: Šopík Tomáš , Lazárková Zuzana , Salek Richardos Nikolaos , Talár Jaroslav , Purevdorj Khatantuul , Buňková Leona , Foltin Pavel , Jančová Petra , Novotný Martin , Gál Robert , Buňka František
Published: July 2022

This study reports the development of selected indicators affecting changes in food quality and safety of selected long-life canned (Szeged goulash, canned chicken meat, pork pâté, canned tuna fish) and dehydrated (instant goulash soup) food during a two-year storage experiment at four different temperatures. The storage temperatures were selected to represent Arctic (−18 °C), temperate (5 °C), subtropical (25 °C) and tropical (40 °C) climatic zones where such food is likely to be stored during, for example, humanitarian and military missions. Microorganism amounts below the detection limit (p < 0.05), regardless of the storage temperature (p ≥ 0.05), were monitored in canned samples. The contents of dry matter, fat and proteins did not change during storage, regardless of the storage temperature (p ≥ 0.05). During the 24-month storage, all food showed an increase in the level of ammonia (p < 0.05) and the TBARS-value (p < 0.05), whereas the rate of increase in both parameters was significantly higher at higher storage temperatures (p < 0.05). The losses of individual amino acids during storage ranged from 5% rel. calculated on the amino acid contents in Month “0” up to 15% rel. (p < 0.05). With storage temperatures above the freezing point, the hardness values decreased with the increase in the storage temperature (p < 0.05) and prolongation of the storage period (p < 0.05). Moreover, with temperatures of −18 °C, the development of hardness, measured as the “decrease rate”, was significantly higher compared to the absolute values.
Efficacy of 405 nm Light-Emitting Diode Illumination and Citral Used Alone and in Combination for Inactivation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus on Shrimp
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Wang Shuo , Guo Du , Liu Zhiyuan , Gao Jianxue , Zhan Xiangjun , Wang Yutang , Shi Chao , Xia Xiaodong
Published: July 2022

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a widely distributed pathogen, which is frequently the lead cause of infections related to seafood consumption. The objective of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of the combination of 405 nm light-emitting diode (LED) and citral on V. parahaemolyticus. The antimicrobial effect of LED illumination and citral was evaluated on V. parahaemolyticus not only in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) but also on shrimp. Quality changes of shrimp were determined by sensory evaluation. Changes in bacteria cell membrane morphology, cell membrane permeability, cell lipid oxidation level, and DNA degradation were examined to provide insights into the antimicrobial mechanism. The combination of LED treatments and citral had better antimicrobial effects than either treatment alone. LED combined with 0.1 mg/mL of citral effectively reduced V. parahaemolyticus from 6.5 log CFU/mL to below the detection limit in PBS. Combined treatment caused a 3.5 log reduction of the pathogen on shrimp within 20 min and a 6 log reduction within 2 h without significant changes in the sensory score. Furthermore, combined LED and citral treatment affected V. parahaemolyticus cellular morphology and outer membrane integrity. The profile of the comet assay and DNA fragmentation analysis revealed that combination treatment did not cause a breakdown of bacterial genomic DNA. In conclusion, LED may act synergistically with citral. They have the potential to be developed as novel microbial intervention strategies.
Preparation of ZIF-8 and Its Application in Determination of Pyridoxine and Pyridoxal in Ginkgo Seeds by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Gao Yuan , Xu Mengjia , Zheng Zhe , Wan Yiqun , Wu Shihang , Li Chang
Published: July 2022

A new rapid and accurate method was developed for simultaneous determination of pyridoxine and pyridoxal in ginkgo seeds, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) equipped with a fluorescence detector. Diluted hydrochloric acid solution was used as the extracting solvent. For the pretreatment of extracts, a zeolitic imidazolate framework material (ZIF-8) was prepared and characterized. An ODS-BP column (4.6 mm × 250 mm × 5 μm) was used for separation. The conditions of sample extraction, cleaning and separation were optimized. The linear correlation coefficient (R2) of the analyte was better than 0.9999, indicating good linearity. The limits of detection (LODs) of pyridoxal and pyridoxine were 0.0065 mg/kg and 0.0057 mg/kg, respectively, and limits of quantitation (LOQs) were 0.022 mg/kg and 0.019 mg/kg, respectively. The recovery of the two substances ranged from 86.2% to 110.4%, and the relative standard deviation (n = 6) was less than 7.5%. The method was applied to determine the contents of pyridoxine and pyridoxal in actual ginkgo seed samples with satisfactory results.
Ohmic Heating Extraction at Different Times, Temperatures, Voltages, and Frequencies: A New Energy-Saving Technique for Pineapple Core Valorization
Authors: Gavahian Mohsen , Chu Rachael
Published: July 2022

Pineapple core is considered a processing by-product. This study proposed and evaluated an ohmic heating extraction-based valorization platform to obtain value-added bioactive compounds from pineapple core and studied the effects of four important processing parameters. In this sense, a Taguchi design (L16(4)4) was used to assess the effects of temperature (70, 80, 90, and 100 °C), time (15, 30, 45, and 60 min), voltage (110, 160, 210, and 260 V), and frequency (60, 340, 620, and 900 Hz) on heating rate, come-up time, energy consumption, system performance efficiency, total phenolic compounds (TPC), DPPH, and ABTS. Finally, a side-by-side comparison of optimized ohmic heating (OOH) and conventional extraction was performed, and chemical composition was compared by ultra-performance liquid chromatography equipped with photodiode array detection-mass (UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS-MS). According to the results, increasing temperatures enhanced system performance efficiency but negatively affected TPC and antioxidant values above 90 ℃. Similarly, prolonging the extraction (>30 min) decreased TPC. Further, increasing voltage (from 110 to 260 V) shortened the come-up time (from 35.75 to 5.16 min) and increased the heating rate (from 2.71 to 18.80 °C/min−1). The optimal conditions were 30 min of extraction at 80 °C, 160 V, and 900 Hz. Verification of the optimal conditions revealed that OOH yielded an extract with valuable bioactive compounds and saved 50% of the time and 80% of energy compared to the conventional treatment. The UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS-MS showed that there were similarities between the chemical profiles of the extracts obtained by conventional and OOH methods, while the concentration of major compounds varied depending on the extraction method. This information can help achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) by maximizing the yield and minimizing energy and time consumption.
A Highly Mechanical, Conductive, and Cryophylactic Double Network Hydrogel for Flexible and Low-Temperature Tolerant Strain Sensors
Authors: Diao Quan , Liu Hongyan , Yang Yanyu
Published: July 2022

Due to their stretchability, conductivity, and good biocompatibility, hydrogels have been recognized as potential materials for flexible sensors. However, it is still challenging for hydrogels to meet the conductivity, mechanical strength, and freeze-resistant requirements in practice. In this study, a chitosan-poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) double network (DN) hydrogel was prepared by immersing the chitosan-poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) composite hydrogel into Fe2(SO4)3 solution. Due to the formation of an energy-dissipative chitosan physical network, the DN hydrogel possessed excellent tensile and compression properties. Moreover, the incorporation of the inorganic salt endowed the DN hydrogel with excellent conductivity and freeze-resistance. The strain sensor prepared using this DN hydrogel displayed remarkable sensitivity and reliability in detecting stretching and bending deformations. In addition, this DN hydrogel sensor also worked well at a lower temperature (−20 °C). The highly mechanical, conductive, and freeze-resistant DN hydrogel revealed a promising application in the field of wearable devices.
Effect of Morphology/Structure on the Phase Behavior and Nonlinear Rheological Properties of NR/SBR Blends
Authors: Yang Li , Shi Xuanyu , Sun Shihao , Zhong Jun , Yu Xiaofeng , Wang Danling , Song Yihu , Zuo Min , Zheng Qiang
Published: July 2022

The evolution of the morphology/structure and the nonlinear viscoelasticity of rubber blends under large amounts of strain are key scientific issues for the design and manufacture of rubber blends. The rheological responses of natural rubber/styrene-butadiene rubber (NR/SBR) blends are traced over a wide range of blend compositions to gain an insight into the effect of blend morphology on their nonlinear viscoelasticity. We also prepare NR + SBR physical blends without melt mixing to distinguish the contributions of composition and blend morphology to the viscoelastic response. The microscopic heterogeneous gel-like structure of NR/SBR blends may remarkably weaken their strain softening and improve their modulus hysteretic recovery under large strain, which may be attributed to the heterogeneous microscopic deformation for the NR and SBR phases. Furthermore, additional elastic contribution resulted from the increasing interfacial energy of domain deformation. This may provide some new insights into the effect of blend morphology on the Payne effect of rubber blends.
DNA Methylation-Specific Analysis of G Protein-Coupled Receptor-Related Genes in Pan-Cancer
Authors: Zhang Mengyan , Zhao Jiyun , Dong Huili , Xue Wenhui , Xing Jie , Liu Ting , Yu Xiuwen , Gu Yue , Sun Baoqing , Lu Haibo , Zhang Yan
Published: July 2022

Tumor heterogeneity presents challenges for personalized diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The identification method of cancer-specific biomarkers has important applications for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer types. In this study, we analyzed the pan-cancer DNA methylation data from TCGA and GEO, and proposed a computational method to quantify the degree of specificity based on the level of DNA methylation of G protein-coupled receptor-related genes (GPCRs-related genes) and to identify specific GPCRs DNA methylation biomarkers (GRSDMs) in pan-cancer. Then, a ridge regression-based method was used to discover potential drugs through predicting the drug sensitivities of cancer samples. Finally, we predicted and verified 8 GRSDMs in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), rectum adenocarcinoma (READ), uveal Melanoma (UVM), thyroid carcinoma (THCA), and predicted 4 GRSDMs (F2RL3, DGKB, GRK5, PIK3R6) which were sensitive to 12 potential drugs. Our research provided a novel approach for the personalized diagnosis of cancer and informed individualized treatment decisions.
Postharvest Technologies of Fresh Citrus Fruit: Advances and Recent Developments for the Loss Reduction during Handling and Storage
Authors: Strano Maria Concetta , Altieri Giuseppe , Allegra Maria , Di Renzo Giovanni Carlo , Paterna Giuliana , Matera Attilio , Genovese Francesco
Published: July 2022

Citrus spp. are spread mainly in the Mediterranean basin and represent the largest fruit source for human consumption. Postharvest losses, mainly due to diseases and metabolic disorders of fruits, can cause severe wastage, reaching 30 to 50% of the total production. Preserving quality and extending shelf life are essential objectives for postharvest technological innovation, determined by the proper handling, treatment, storage and transport of harvested produce. Moreover, the application of novel sustainable strategies is critical for the reduction of synthetic fungicide residues on fruit surfaces and the impact on the environment caused by waste disposal of fungicides. In this article, the current knowledge about the safest and more sustainable strategies, as well as advanced postharvest handling and storage technologies, will be critically reviewed.
Apiaceae Family as a Valuable Source of Biocidal Components and their Potential Uses in Agriculture
Authors: Thiviya Punniamoorthy , Gunawardena Niroshan , Gamage Ashoka , Madhujith Terrence , Merah Othmane
Published: July 2022

Synthetic chemicals are used to protect crops and agricultural products, thereby producing high yields. However, intensive use of these synthetic chemicals significantly affects the environment and sustainable agriculture production. Moreover, direct or indirect exposure to these synthetic chemicals may cause acute or chronic toxicity in humans and animals. Due to their biodegradability, low toxicity, and being environmentally friendly, secondary metabolites derived from plant sources are being studied as a sustainable approach. Apiaceae family crops are a good source of bioactive phytochemicals. Many studies have found that Apiaceae extracts and essential oils possess various biocidal activities: antibacterial, antifungal, herbicidal, insecticidal or repellent, and larvicidal activities, among others. These various potent bioactivities make the Apiaceae an excellent alternative source for synthetic chemicals. In this context, the present review highlights the biocidal activities of some Apiaceae species and their potential applications in agriculture to protect the plant and agricultural products against pests, weeds, phytopathogens, and foodborne and food spoilage microorganisms.
Serum Cholesterol Levels and Risk of Cardiovascular Death: A Systematic Review and a Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Jung Eujene , Kong So Yeon , Ro Young Sun , Ryu Hyun Ho , Shin Sang Do
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Numerous studies have demonstrated that abnormal levels of cholesterol are associated with a high attributable risk for the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there has been no comprehensive study to investigate the relationship between serum cholesterol levels and cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic literature search of key databases, including EMBASE and MEDLINE, was conducted and included all the published epidemiological studies that contained estimates of the hazard ratios (HR) of serum cholesterol of CVD mortality. Data extraction, eligibility, and assessment of the risk of bias were assessed by two reviewers independently. All published risk estimates were hazard ratios and analyzed by quantitative meta-analysis using a random-effects model and dose-response relationships of serum cholesterol with CVD mortality. Results: A total of 14 independent reports, including 1,055,309 subjects and 9457 events, were analyzed. The pooled HR (95% CI) was 1.27 (95% CI, 1.19–1.36) for total cholesterol, 1.21 (95% CI, 1.09–1.35) for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and 0.60 (95% CI, 0.50–0.72) for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). We observed a linear association between serum cholesterol (TC, HDL-C) levels and CVD mortality in this meta-analysis. Conclusions: Serum total cholesterol and LDL-C level is associated with increased CVD mortality, but HDL-C level is inversely associated with CVD mortality.
Determinants of Pain-Induced Disability in German Women with Endometriosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Schwab Roxana , Stewen Kathrin , Kottmann Tanja , Theis Susanne , Elger Tania , Hamoud Bashar Haj , Schmidt Mona W. , Anic Katharina , Brenner Walburgis , Hasenburg Annette
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: The main aim of this research was to examine the factors leading to pain-induced disability by assessing the impact of demographic, endometriosis-specific, pandemic-specific, and mental health factors. (2) Methods: Women with endometriosis who attended online support groups were invited to respond to an online survey during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. The Pain Disability Index (PDI) was employed to assess disability-related daily functioning. Independent predictors of pain-induced disability were determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. (3) Results: The mean PDI score of the study population was 31.61 (SD = 15.82), which was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that reported in a previously published normative study of the German population. In the present study, a high level of pain-induced disability, as defined by scores equal to or higher than the median of the study population, older age (OR 1.063, 95% CI 1.010–1.120, p = 0.020), dysmenorrhea (OR 1.015, 95% CI 1.005–1.026, p = 0.005), dysuria (OR 1.014; 95% CI 1.001–1.027, p = 0.029), lower back pain (OR 1.018, 95% CI 1.007–1.029, p = 0.001), and impaired mental health (OR 1.271, 95% CI 1.134–1.425, p < 0.001) were found to be independent risk factors. Pandemic-specific factors did not significantly influence the pain-induced disability of the participants in this study. (4) Conclusions: The level of pain-induced disability was significantly higher among the women with endometriosis than among women in the normative German validation study. Our findings identified risk factors for experiencing a high level of pain-induced disability, such as demographic and specific pain characteristics. Pandemic-specific factors did not significantly and independently influence the pain-induced disability during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Impaired mental health negatively influenced functioning during daily activities. Thus, women with endometriosis should be managed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to prevent negative effects of pain-induced disability on their quality of life.
Microprocessor-Controlled Prostheses for a Bilateral Transtibial Amputee with Gait Analysis and Satisfaction: A 1-Year Followup Case Report
Authors: Jeon Jong Hu , Yang Hee Seung , Choi Pyoung-hwa , Ahn Eui Jin , Sim Woo Sob , Ahn Dong Young , Kim Jin Yang , Lee Seul Bin Na , Jo Min , Cho Min Hee
Published: July 2022

Bilateral amputees are disadvantaged as they lack healthy leg support. We present the rare case of a bilateral transtibial amputee (BTA), in which we compared the first South Korean-made microprocessor-controlled prosthesis (MPA) to a conventional prosthetic ankle (CPA) with gait analysis and a patient questionnaire for long-term outcomes. A 70-year-old man presented with bilateral transtibial amputations from injury. Assessments were performed after wearing an MPA for 1 month and 1 year with three-dimensional gait analysis. Satisfaction, mobility, and pain were evaluated using the Korean version of the Prostheses Evaluation Questionnaire (K-PEQ). The spatiotemporal parameters of both sides showed increased stability from the CPA to 1 month (mMPA) and 1 year (yMPA). We observed an increased single support time, decreased step width, and almost normal stance-swing time ratio. In kinematic parameters, the ankle range of motion (ROM) was bilaterally increased at mMPA and yMPA. Unfortunately, the MPA gait showed insufficient ankle plantarflexion during the terminal stance that failed to generate push-up power. As the MPA adaptation time increased, the symmetry ratio improved to a balanced value. The questionnaire-based investigations of satisfaction, mobility, and pain revealed excellent results. The MPA proved helpful for ankle mobility in the BTA, and the questionnaire showed good satisfaction and mobility in varied terrain.