bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scheelite U-Pb geochronology and trace element geochemistry fingerprint W mineralization in the giant Zhuxi W deposit, South China
Authors: Zhao Qingqing , Zhai Degao , Hong Jingxin , Mathur Ryan , Wang Huan , Zhang Han , Ouyang Yongpeng , Liu Jiajun
Published: October 2022

Skarn-type tungsten deposits are widely distributed all over the world and contribute more than 70% of the world’s W supply. The temporal relation between the W mineralization and causative intrusions and the evolution of ore-forming fluids are matters of ongoing debate. In this study, we combine in situ LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating and trace element compositions of scheelite from Zhuxi, the world’s largest W deposit, and compare them with literature data to address the above issues. Three primary ore stages exist at Zhuxi: prograde skarn, retrograde skarn, and quartz-sulfide stages. Most scheelite occurs in the retrograde skarn stage and is further subdivided into three generations: Sch A, B, and C.

The obtained LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages for three scheelite generations in the Zhuxi deposit are 154.0 ± 2.8, 150.3 ± 3.5, and 150.4 ± 6.3 Ma, respectively, indicating that the entire W mineralization is closely related to the emplacement of the nearby Late Jurassic granites (~154 to 150 Ma, zircon U-Pb ages). In situ LA-ICP-MS trace element results demonstrate that Sch A shows the highest Mo content (mean = 1002 ppm), where those for Sch B and Sch C are 109 and 45 ppm, respectively. These, combined with the gradually increasing trend of Ce contents and δCe values, indicate a shift from oxidizing to reducing conditions for the ore-forming fluid. All three scheelite generations yield significant positive δEu anomalies, which are considered to be unrelated to the redox state, but caused by the addition of Eu (e.g., feldspar dissolution). The high-Y/Ho ratio of scheelite and a good correlation between Y/Ho ratio and δEu (R2 = 0.96) suggest that intense fluid-rock interactions between ore fluids and the Shuangqiaoshan Group metasedimentary rocks as well as earlier-formed skarns drove fluid evolution. This study demonstrates that scheelite U-Pb geochronology is a useful technique when identifying the temporal link between hydrothermal W mineralization and the causative intrusion. Our results also highlight that the reactions of the ore fluids with wall rocks and earlier-formed skarns significantly modify the primary fluid compositions.
Grain-scale zircon Hf isotope heterogeneity inherited from sediment-metasomatized mantle: Geochemical and Nd-Hf-Pb-O isotopic constraints on Early Cretaceous intrusions in central Lhasa Terrane, Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Ming-Jian , Zeng Yun-Chuan , Tiepolo Massimo , Farina Federico , Xu Ji-Feng , Huang Feng , Liu Xi-Jun , Chen Qin , Ma Yuan
Published: October 2022

Clarifying the mechanism of recycling of pre-existing continental crustal materials into the source of mantle-derived magma is a challenging effort that can be of great value to improving our understanding of mantle processes and continental crust growth. This study presents an integrated investigation of whole-rock and mineral geochemical and Nd-Hf-O-Pb isotopic data for dolerites and diorites intruded in the central Lhasa Terrane of Tibetan Plateau at ca. 120 Ma (zircon U-Pb ages). These intrusions have similar distributions of trace elements that are characterized by depletion in Nb-Ta relative to Th, Ba, and U, and moderately negative whole-rock εNd(t) (–5.0 to –1.7) values. Magmatic zircon shows dramatically variable εHf(t) values (from –5.0 to +13.7 in the same rock, including up to 12 epsilon unit variability in single grains). On the other hand, the zircon δ18O values are relatively uniform (+6.0‰ to +7.7‰). The constant 208Pb/206Pb values of clinopyroxene crystallized at ca. 500–900 MPa suggest no contamination with lower continental crust. The lack of covariation between Hf and O isotopes from the same grains, and the lack of relationship between Hf isotopes and trace elements (e.g., Hf, Th/U, and Yb/Gd) in the magmatic zircons, together with the absence of ancient zircon xenocrysts, imply limited upper crustal contamination. In combination with high-whole-rock Th/La (>0.29) ratios, we interpret the zircon Hf isotope heterogeneity as inherited from a depleted asthenospheric mantle with the addition of 1–4% Hf from isotopically heterogeneous sediments. Our study therefore emphasizes the need for caution when using complex Hf isotopic zonation in zircon as an argument for intracrustal hybridization of two end-member magmas derived from distinct reservoirs. In addition, the high-Zr/Y ratios and no negative Zr-Hf anomalies of the Aruo intrusions imply a high surface temperature of the down going slab that was able to fully dissolve zircons in the subducted sediments. This requires a special geodynamic condition that was most likely related to the steepening of flatly subducted Neo-Tethyan lithosphere at ca. 120 Ma according to a synthesis of regional tectonic-magmatic-sedimentary records.
Study of D-glucose influence on L-ascorbic acid destruction in aqueous-ethanolic media
Authors: Cherepanov I. S. , Mukhdarova E. Sh.
Published: October 2022

The study of ascorbic acid transformation processes in aqueous - ethanolic systems is an important area of research in food chemistry, and therefore recently there has been an increased interest in studying the possibility of stabilizing ascorbic acid in the form of O -derivatives by the biologically active substances. The paper examines the behavior of ascorbic acid - D -glucose double systems in aqueous-ethanolic media of various compositions (96 % EtOH, 40 % EtOH) under thermal degradation conditions compared to systems without carbohydrate additives. It has been shown that in 40 % ethanol, degradation processes develop faster compared to reactions in 96 % ethanol; in dual systems, regardless of solvent composition, ascorbic acid reacts faster than carbohydrate-free systems. Based on electronic and vibrational spectroscopy data, the joint participation of ascorbic acid and monosaccharide in thermodestruction reactions has been established, which is accompanied by the sequential formation of dehydroascorbic acid derivatives. These derivatives are L -gulono-γ-lactones with different degrees of substitution, containing no endiol fragments of ascorbic acid, and as a result do not have antioxidant properties. As a result of the studies, the absence of ascorbic acid stabilization by D -glucose in the form of O -derivatives in the studied double systems is shown, which is probably due to the formation of thermodynamically stable of dehydroascorbic acid derivatives during the reactions, even in low-water systems. Further studies are planned in the direction of choosing the optimal conditions that allow isolating ascorbic acid derivatives (or molecular complexes) with reducing properties, which will make it possible to obtain products with antioxidant functionality.
Institutional self-deception
Authors:   , Jacot-Guillarmod Genevieve Nicole
Published: October 2022

There are many examples of institutions which have made false claims, or performed certain acts, that have had, to varying degrees, a negative impact on their societies. For example, many corporations go to great lengths to present themselves as being environmentally friendly when in fact they are not. Many corporations have also been forced to recall dangerous products which they at one time or another insisted were safe. Research teams have misled participants with regard to what they can expect from their participation in studies, with grave consequences. Governments throughout the world are mired in corruption, and yet deny that this is so. One possible explanation is that in such situations these institutions are simply lying. However, another possible explanation is that these institutions are self-deceived, or lying to themselves. Recently it has been suggested that self-deception is something that affects certain groups as well as individuals. Given that institutions can wield a great deal of political, social and economic power, if institutions are capable of self-deception there is room for things to go awry on a very large scale with potentially dire consequences. Yet the explanations currently on offer for group-level self-deception appear to amount to instances of individual self-deception (either to certain key individual members of those groups being self-deceived, or to all or most members of a group sharing the same self-deceptive belief), and as such I do not regard the explanations currently on offer as satisfactory. I propose that there are certain situations in which we ought to see institutions themselves as self-deceived or lying to themselves. While the terms ‘self-deception’ and ‘lying to oneself’ are often used interchangeably, I differentiate between the two and argue that both institutional self-deception and an institution lying to itself are institution-level phenomena, and do not rely on any individual within the institution being self-deceived or lying to themselves. That this is so is of relevance to our attributions of accountability, and makes changes to institutional structure and procedures the focus of concern when it comes to preventing an institution succumbing to self-deception or lying to itself.
Exposição de gestantes a agrotóxicos: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Da Silva Thayná Champe , Finkler Maria Goreti , Slodkowski Letícia , Frank Jaíne Gabriela , Tolfo Poliana Ribas , Dalcin Dioneia , Battisti Iara Denise Endruweit , Anastácio Zelia Caçador
Published: October 2022

Introdução: Ao considerar o modelo de desenvolvimento adotado na agricultura brasileira, que se baseia na crescente demanda por substâncias químicas, estudos que analisem o impacto do uso dos agrotóxicos são relevantes para mensurar os desdobramentos nas populações atingidas. Assim, o presente estudo teve por objetivo realizar uma revisão bibliográfica em plataforma digital, buscando publicações científicas de 2009-2019 referentes à exposição de gestantes aos agrotóxicos. Método: Nesta pesquisa utilizou-se a base PubMed para o levantamento dos artigos científicos publicados entre 1º/1/2009 e 31/12/2019, relacionados à exposição de gestantes a agrotóxicos em áreas rurais. Resultados: Inicialmente realizou-se a seleção de 207 publicações considerando o título seguido dos resumos, a fim de remover os registros que não se enquadravam nos critérios de inclusão. Após a triagem, 15 estudos permaneceram no conjunto. Discussão: As publicações produzidas no período de 2009 a 2019, referentes à exposição de gestantes a agrotóxicos na área rural, encontradas no presente estudo, evidenciam o prejuízo causado sobre a saúde das mulheres gestantes e seus bebês, tais como problemas de ganho de peso gestacional, parto prematuro, crianças com baixo peso, concentrações de pesticidas no sangue da mãe e recém-nascido, presença de pesticidas agrícolas selecionados no córtex cerebral do feto, ocorrência do aborto, entre outros agravos à saúde. Conclusões: Futuros estudos prospectivos, em âmbito de indivíduo, são necessários para avaliar melhor o potencial impacto da exposição a agrotóxicos na saúde da gestante e do recém-nascido.
Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants from the province of Cuanza Norte (Angola)
Authors: Canga Isabel Lombo Vemba , Vita Pedro , De Oliveira Ana Isabel de Freitas Tavares , De Pinho Cláudia Marta Libreiro , González María Ángeles Castro
Published: October 2022

Studies on African medicinal plants have been limited to some geographically areas, and even though more than  5400 medicinal plants are recognized and documented, other valuable medicinal plant species have not been  studied. Ethnopharmacological studies are important for documenting traditional knowledge associated with the  medical use of biodiversity. This study aims to document the use of medicinal plants from the Province of  Cuanza Norte (Angola). The field work was conducted from December 2018 to January 2019 and the  ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Informants were selected in accordance  with their residence and community recognition as healers. Recorded plants are listed along with their popular  name, traditional use, part used, and method of preparation. A total of 131 species of medicinal plants were cited.  Mukumbi (Lannea welwitschii), Santa Maria (Chenopodium ambrosioides) and Ditumbata (Boerhavia difusa)  were the most cited species. Out of the total plant parts, leaves were the most frequently material used. Regarding the mode of preparation for the medicinal materials, the major form of preparation is maceration,  followed by infusion and decoction. The main categories of use were infectious and parasitic diseases (e.g., Malaria); undefined pains and illness; diseases of the digestive system; and endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic  diseases (e.g., Diabetes). This study revealed the importance of preserving the ethnobotanical knowledge in order  to protect the biodiversity and to discover new therapeutic molecules. A comparison of the results with other  studies showed that some of the traditional indications are supported by data from scientific literature.
Tecnologia assistencial às mulheres vítimas de violência: Revisão integrativa
Authors: Da Silva Camilly Cardoso , Messias Cláudia Maria , Corrêa Nathália Manoela Condeixa , Marinho Paula Mendes , Carvalho Ana Luiza de Oliveira , de Matos Patrícia Salles Damasceno
Published: October 2022

RESUMO: Objetivou-se identificar, baseado na literatura, as tecnologias utilizadas pelo enfermeiro na atenção à mulher vítima de violência e descrever as tecnologias relacionadas com a necessidade dessa mulher. A busca foi realizada na base de dados da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes), Pubmed, Lilacs, Scielo, BDENF, Medline, Coleciona SUS, PAHO e Ibecs, resultando no total de 12 artigos, que foram dispostos em duas unidades temáticas que abordam: a utilização das tecnologias leves na assistência de mulheres vítimas de violência; e os limites e as potencialidades no atendimento das mulheres vítimas de violência. O conteúdo da pesquisa revela a importância da inserção da temática na atuação dos enfermeiros, utilizando e reconhecendo a tecnologia como ferramenta para a prática assistencial.
Hogyan kommunikál felelősen egy márka a Covid-19 járvány idején? Az IKEA esete
Authors: Papp-Váry Árpád , Lukács Rita
Published: October 2022

A pandémia idején nehéz helyzetbe kerültek a márkamenedzse­rek, hiszen a lezárások kezdetekor nem tudták biztosan, hogy a fogyasztók elégedettsége szempontjából a marketingkampányok leállítása, változtatás nélküli folytatása vagy az adott helyzethez való igazítása jelenti-e a legoptimálisabb megoldást. A fogyasztói kutatásokból azóta már jól látszik, hogy leginkább arra volt szükségük az embereknek, hogy a mindennapi életüket körülvevő márkák továbbra is kiszámíthatóságot, biztonságot sugározzanak – sokszor akár a lassan reagáló kormányzatok helyét is átvéve a tájékoztatásban. Tanulmányunkban a témával kapcsolatos fogyasztói kutatások főbb megállapítása­it foglaljuk össze, illetve bemutatjuk azokat a jó gyakorlatokat az IKEA példáján, amelyek bizonyították kreativitásukat, hitelességüket, válság-állóságukat és társadalmi felelősségüket fogyasztóik szemében.
Supply of organic soy from EU production for more sustainability
Authors: von der Crone Caspar
Published: October 2022

The volume of organic production of processed animal products is steadily increasing in Germany and other EU countries. The EU Commission expects a quota of up to 30 percent by 2030. This has positive effects on the environ-ment, climate, biodiversity and animal welfare. An increase in organic farm-ing also has a direct impact on reducing and eliminating the use of non-organic fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, genetically modified organisms and the use of antibiotics. Egg production in particular is experiencing high growth rates in the organic sector, while other processing sectors have so far only been able to come up with small shares. In the case of fattening poultry and pigs, this is still well below 2%, while eggs have already reached over 15%, and the trend is up-wards. Protein requirements are met primarily by soybeans, but other protein sources such as legumes and, above all, sunflowers and rapeseed have now also be-come increasingly important. Sustainability and CO2 reduction are at the center of public interest. The origin of soy from European cultivation is therefore of great importance. This significantly reduces the impact on the climate. The previous main suppliers in South America are waiting with smaller market shares. This mainly affects the organic sector, while conventional processing continues to rely on non-European origins for cost reasons.
Optimizing future mortality rate prediction of extreme temperature-related cardiovascular disease based on skewed distribution in peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Esa Aina Izzati Mohd , Halim Syafrina Abdul , Ali Norhaslinda , Chung Jing Xiang , Mohd Mohd Syazwan Faisal
Published: October 2022

The bias correction method (BCM) is useful in reducing the statistically downscaled biases of global climate models’ (GCM) outputs and preserving statistical moments of the hydrological series. However, BCM is less efficient under changed future conditions due to the stationary assumption and performs poorly in removing bias at extremes, thereby producing unreliable bias-corrected data. Thus, the existing BCM with normal distribution is improved by incorporating skewed distributions into the model with linear covariate (BCM-QMskewed). In this study, BCM-QMskewed is developed to reduce biases in the extreme temperature data of peninsular Malaysia. The input is the MIROC5 model output gridded data and observations sourced by the Malaysian Department of Irrigation and Drainage (1976–2005). BCM-QMskewed with lognormal (LGNORM) and Gumbel (GUM) has shown considerable skill in correcting biases, capturing extreme and nonstationarity of current and future extreme temperatures data series corresponding to the representative concentration pathways (RCPs) for 2006–2100 based on model diagnostics and precision analysis. Higher projection of extreme temperatures is more pronounced under RCP8.5 than RCP4.5 with precise estimates ranging from 33 to 42 °C and 30 to 32 °C, respectively. Finally, the projection of extreme temperatures is used to calculate cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rate which coincides with high extreme temperatures ranging between 0.002 and 0.014.
Numerical analysis of propagation characteristics of sediment peak and its implications for the Xiluodu Reservoir
Authors: Zhang Bangwen , Deng Anjun , Dong Xianyong , Wang Dangwei , Lu Qin , Qin LeiLei
Published: October 2022

Reservoir construction alters the hydrodynamic characteristics of the flow and sediment regimes, resulting in the enhancement of the hysteresis effect between the flood and sediment peaks. In this study, a 3D numerical model was adopted to investigate the propagation characteristics of sediment peak and the management method of reservoir sediment release. The results indicate that the incoming flow rate and the storage water level have a great influence on the propagation time of the sediment peak, and the incoming flow rate has a large influence on the attenuation rate of the sediment peak while the storage water level and the incoming suspended sediment concentration have a small effect on the attenuation rate of the sediment peak. An empirical formula based on inflow rate, water level elevation, water depth and length and storage capacity of reservoirs was established to predict the lag time between the flood and sediment peaks. The asynchronous movement between the incoming flood and sediment peaks has a clear influence on the propagation characteristics of the sediment peak. The hysteresis effect of the flood and sediment peaks can be fully utilized by reservoir managers to reduce reservoir sedimentation and improve sedimentation distribution.
Lessons Learnt and the Way Forward for Drug Development Against
Isocitrate Lyase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Antil Monika , Gupta Vibha
Published: October 2022

Isocitrate lyase (ICL), an enzyme of the glyoxylate shunt pathway, is essential for the
virulence and persistence of dreaded Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in its host. This pathway,
along with the methylcitrate cycle, facilitates the utilization of fatty acids as a carbon source inside
hostile host environments such as in granulomas, and hence enzymes of this pathway are novel
antitubercular targets. The genome sequence of pathogenic Mtb H37Rv presents three ICLs annotated
as Rv0467 (prokaryotic homologue), Rv1915 and Rv1916. The latter two, Rv1915 and Rv1916,
together constitute the longer version of ICL2, a eukaryotic counterpart. Despite being a well-known
drug target, no Mtb ICL inhibitor has reached clinical trials due to challenges associated with targeting
all the 3 orthologs. This gap is the result of uncharacterized Rv1915 and Rv1916. This review aims to
appreciate chronologically the key studies that have built our comprehension of Mtb ICLs. Recently
characterized Mtb Rv1915 and Rv1916, which further open venues for developing effective inhibitors
against the persistent and drug-resistant Mtb, are discussed separately.
Cinnamaldehyde for the Treatment of Microbial Infections: Evidence Obtained from Experimental Models
Authors: Silva e Silva Figueiredo Cristiane Santos , de Oliveira Patrícia Vieira , dos Reis Ferreira Larissa , de Sousa Thallysson José Dourado , de Santana do Nascimento Mayara , dos Santos Julliana Ribeiro Alves , Zagmignan Adrielle , de Holanda Rodrigo Assunção , de Carvalho Galvão Lívia Câmara , da Silva Luís Cláudio Nascimento
Published: October 2022

Cinnamaldehyde (CNM) is a cyclic terpene alcohol found as the major compound of essential oils from some plants of the genus Cinnamomum (Lauraceae). CNM has several reported pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, antivirulence, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. These properties make CNM an attractive lead molecule for the development of anti-infective agents. In this descriptive review, we discuss the application of CNM in experimental models of microbial infection using invertebrate and vertebrate organisms. CNM (pure or in formulations) has been successfully applied in the treatment of infections caused by a range of bacterial (such as Cronobacter sakazakii, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Vibrio cholerae) and fungal (such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans) pathogens. All these experimental evidence-based findings have promoted the use of cinnamaldehyde as the leading molecule for developing new anti- infective drugs.
Research Progress in Competitive Purine Antagonists
Authors: Ying Dan-Xia , Zhao Peng-Cheng , Zhang Wen , Rao Guo-Wu
Published: October 2022

Purine, one of the nucleotides, is an important substance for the metabolism
and regulation of the body. Purine plays a key role not only in the composition of coenzymes
but also in the supply of energy. Since purine was artificially synthesized, it has always
been an important scaffold for respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and anti-
tumor and anti-viral drugs. In addition to being widely used as competitive antagonists
in the treatment of diseases, purines can be used in combination with other drugs and as
precursors to benefit human life. Unfortunately, few new discoveries have been made in
recent years. In this article, purine drugs in the market have been classified according to
their different targets. In addition, their mechanism of action and structure-activity relationship
have also been introduced. This paper provides details of the signaling pathways
through which purine drugs can bind to the respective receptors on the surface of cells
and cause consequent reactions within the cell, which finally affect the targeted diseases.
The various receptors and biological reactions involved in the signaling for respective disease
targets within the cells are discussed in detail.
Established and Emerging Strategies for Inhibition of	Cholesterol Absorption
Authors: Homan Reynold , Krause Brian R.
Published: October 2022

The growing evidence linking elevated plasma cholesterol levels to increased risk of heart disease and the demonstration of a positive correlation between plasma levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol and cholesterol absorption efficiency in humans have been a major impetus for efforts to develop cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Not only do such agents act on a major component of the total cholesterol turnover within the .body, but, since they are directed at a cholesterol pool that is external to the circulation (i.e. intestinal lumen), there is potential for the development of efficacious compounds that function non-systemically and thereby avoid the toxicity issues associated with agents that must enter the circulation to act. The potential for such
agents is already evident from the clinical experience with neomycin and B-sitosterol which have yielded moderate success in the treatment of hypercholesterolemic patients. The creation of more efficacious compounds is focused on the development of inhibitors of specific enzymes considered to facilitate the cholesterol absorption process and on non-specific agents that enhance cholesterol retention within the intestinal contents by perturbing cholesterol distribution and exchange among the various lipid phases of the contents. In addition, a new method for blocking cholesterol uptake is proprosed that is based on the inhibition of pancreatic phospholipase A2.
Emerging Therapeutic Advances for the Development of Second Generation Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
Authors: White Andrew D. , Bocan Thomas M.A. , Boxer Peter A. , Peterson J. Thomas , Schrier Denis
Published: October 2022

Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) has been implicated in a variety of human diseases. Upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of at least 14 zinc-dependent enzymes which catabolize the ECM, appear to play a critical role in this process. Initial work, focussed on the synthesis of peptide hydroxamates, which were broad spectrum MMP inhibitors for the treatment of arthritis and cancer. The current generation of MMP inhibitors address bioavailability and selectivity, and the therapeutic potential has expanded. This review covers the evidence for the pathological role of MMP's and TIMP's across several therapeutic areas including atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disease, heart failure and wound healing, and the development of selective MMP inhibitors.
Leptin and the Physiology of Obesity
Authors: Pelleymounter M.A.
Published: October 2022

The regulation of body weight is a complex phenomena that is still poorly understood. It is generally accepted that body weight and adiposity are maintained through a feedback mechanism involving central nervous system integration of peripheral signalling pathways. The recently cloned Ob gene, which is synthesized in adipose tissue, may provide information to the central nervous system about adiposity. It can be measured in serum, and correlates with adiposity. In addition, Ob receptors are localized in the hypothalamus, a brain area associated with control of appetite and metabolism. Finally, exogenous administration of the Ob gene product, leptin, has been shown to reduce body weight, food consumption and adiposity in obese mice lacking
functional leptin (ob/ob). Recent work, however, has suggested that the role of leptin may be more complex than that of a peripheral feedback signal of adiposity level. For example, leptin may play a role in starvation/refeeding, and may have direct effects on peripheral tissues. The impact of these findings on theories about the physiology and mechanism of action for exogenous leptin are discussed in this review.
Inhibition of Virulence Factors in Bacteria
Authors: Goldschmidt R.M. , Macielag M.J. , Hlasta D.J. , Barrett J.F.
Published: October 2022

The ongoing spread of antibiotic resistance is seriously undermining the present alternatives for therapeutic intervention against human infectious disease. The incidence of antimicrobial resistance among pathogenic bacteria causing the most prevalent nosocomial and community acquired infections is extending to often affect the drugs of choice for their treatment. Since most of the newly introduced drugs are modifications of antimicrobials in use, their usefulness is sometimes limited by the emergence of resistance. Therefore, it becomes important to search and develop new targets for antimicrobial therapy. Bacterial virulence factors offer an attractive opportu­ nity for therapeutic intervention against infectious diseases. The success of modern vac­
cines against serious bacterial diseases demonstrates that neutralization of virulence factors is successful in controlling and terminating infections. Furthermore, an increasing number of genetic studies with a variety of pathogenic bacteria in animal models of infection show that alterations that result in failure to express virulence factors prevent bacteria to survive within the host. Thus, the outlook for the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches that may target expression of virulence factors in bacteria appears quite favorable. Many antimicrobials as well as other drugs show diverse inhibitory effects on the expression of virulence factors in vitro, and sometimes even in vivo. Although these studies fail to characterize in any detailed manner the nature of the effects, they indicate that small molecules may be used to inhibit virulence factors. The recent discovery of inhibitors of global regulatory systems whose components' structure are highly conserved among bacteria of different species and which control the expression of virulence factors, has kindled interest in these mechanisms as potential pharmaceutical targets. Furthermore, the existence of common structural motifs among components of bacterial protein export and secretion systems used for virulence factors should also make these systems attractive targets for therapeutic intervention.
Therapeutic Approaches to Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease:
A Current Update on Preclinical Evidence
Authors: Weerasinghe-Mudiyanselage Poornima D.E. , Kang Sohi , Kim Joong-Sun , Moon Changjong
Published: October 2022

Despite being classified as a movement disorder, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized
by a wide range of non-motor symptoms that significantly affect the patients' quality of life. However,
clear evidence-based therapy recommendations for non-motor symptoms of PD are uncommon. Animal
models of PD have previously been shown to be useful for advancing the knowledge and treatment
of motor symptoms. However, these models may provide insight into and assess therapies for
non-motor symptoms in PD. This paper highlights non-motor symptoms in preclinical models of PD
and the current position regarding preclinical therapeutic approaches for these non-motor symptoms.
This information may be relevant for designing future preclinical investigations of therapies for nonmotor
symptoms in PD.
Simple and Efficient Synthesis of Diamino Derivatives of bis-1,2,4-oxadiazole
via Tandem Staudinger/aza-Wittig Reaction
Authors: Xie Hai , Hu Qing-Qing , Zhang Ya-Li , Qin Xiu-Ting , Li Lu
Published: October 2022

:

Two efficient, scalable routes to bis-1,2,4-oxadiazole have been developed by tandem
Staudinger/aza-Wittig reaction from the same starting material diaziglyoxime, isocyanates and triphenylphosphonium
in good yields.

Background:

Two convenient and efficient routes for the synthesis of diamino derivatives of bis-1,2,4-oxadiazoles were described.

Objective:

This study provides a simple protocol for the synthesis of bis-1,2,4-oxadiazoles.

Methods:

The two procedures were based on tandem Staudinger/aza-Wittig reaction from the same starting material diaziglyoxime, isocyanates and triphenylphosphorus.

Results:

In synthesis method I, diaziglyoxime 1 was treated with various aromatic or aliphatic isocyanates
to give diazioxalimides 2 a high yield. Diazioxalimides 2 reacted with Ph3P to produce the
iminophosphoranes 4; the reaction was directly heated from room temperature to 115 ℃ to get the
desired diamino derivatives of bis-1,2,4-oxadiazole 4 in 72-92% yields. In synthesis method II, the
same target compounds 4 were synthesized in a one-pot reaction by Ph3P and aromatic or aliphatic
isocyanates in toluene for 10 h under 115 ℃ in 53-71% yields.

Conclusion:

The two procedures provide proficient methods of making nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings. The structures of target compounds 4 were identified by IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and HRMS.
Narrative Review: Edible Plants as a Source of Valuable Flavonoids and
Their Role as Neuroprotector Agents
Authors: Gutiérrez Rosa Martha Pérez , Gómez Julio Téllez
Published: October 2022

Background:

Neurodegenerative disorder is a consequence of the gradual and progressive deterioration of the function and structure of the peripheral nervous system or central nervous system or both. Currently does not exist an effective treatment for this neurodegenerative disease, thus flavonoids abundant in fruits and vegetables have attracted attention as potential neuroprotective agents.

Objective:

The aim of this review was to discuss the existing scientiﬁc literature data regarding flavonoids, from edible plants and their potential as neuroprotective agents, to provide constituent compound and pharmacological relevance in the prevention or treatment of age-related deficits in learning, memory, and Alzheimer’s disorder.

Methods:

Exhaustive bibliographic investigation on phytochemistry and pharmacology associated with flavonoids from edible plants was performed using scientific databases like Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, EMBASE, Google Scholar, ChemSpider. “Cognitive deficits”, “age-related cognitive”, “Alzheimer disease” “flavonoids” and “phenolic compounds” utilized as keywords in the search in the databases. Published articles from 1992 to 2022 were collected and studied.

Results:

The finding indicated that flavonoids contained in edible plants can exert powerful effects on cognition and consequently can reverse the age-related deficit in learning and memory and retard the development of Alzheimer’s disorder due to their capacity to interact with the molecular architecture of the brain responsible of the memory. Mechanisms of actions were analyzed including the effect on neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity, signaling pathways, Aβ peptides, and hippocampus among others.

Conclusion:

This manuscript can be used as scientific support for the development of alternative drugs, food supplements, and nutraceuticals, to prevent, maintain and enhance the neurophysiological status.
A Complex Methodological Approach for the Screening of Efficient and
Safe Cobalt Chelators
Authors: Moravcová Monika , Hrubša Marcel , Lomozová Zuzana , Catapano Maria Carmen , Argento Roberta , Jirkovský Eduard , Kučera Radim , Mercolini Laura , Mladěnka Přemysl
Published: October 2022

Background::

Cobalt is an essential trace element, but it can also rarely cause cobalt toxicity
due to its release from cobalt-containing medical devices. Currently, there are no approved selective
cobalt chelators, which would represent an optimal treatment modality.

Objective::

This study aimed to develop a simple and complex methodological approach for screening
potential cobalt chelators and evaluating their potential toxicity.

Methods::

Firstly, a simple spectrophotometric assay employing 1-nitroso-2-naphthol-3,6- disulfonic
acid disodium salt (NNDSA) for screening cobalt chelation was standardized at a pathophysiologically
relevant range of pH 4.5-7.5. Then, the suitability of the method was verified using four known
metal chelators (EDTA, 8-hydroxyquinoline, chloroxine and nitroxoline). As cobalt can catalyse the
Fenton reaction, the potential toxicity of cobalt-chelator complexes was also determined by employing
a novel HPLC method with coulometric detection. The effect on erythrocyte haemolysis was
tested as well.

Results::

The NNDSA method had high sensitivity enabling the detection of 25-200 nM of cobalt
ions depending on pH conditions. Measurements could be carried out in a wide range of wavelengths
from 470 to 540 nm. All tested complexes of the selected chelators decreased the rate of the Fenton
reaction. Interestingly, chloroxine mixed with cobalt ions caused marked lysis of erythrocytes in
contrast to the other compounds.

Conclusion::

The described complex methodological approach could serve as a simple yet precise
tool for evaluating novel, effective and safe cobalt chelators.
Dynamic Viscosity-Temperature Characteristics and Models of Various
Lubricating Oils
Authors: Wang Yanshuang , Gao Xudong , Shen Yuhai , Lin Jianghai
Published: October 2022

Background:

The dynamic viscosity - temperature characteristics of lubricants are the main factors used to determine the oil film thickness and carrying capacity. There are few studies on the factors affecting the dynamic viscosity-temperature characteristics of lubricating oils and the dynamic viscosity-temperature model.

Objective:

This research aims to analyse the influences of lubricating oil type and initial kinematic viscosity on dynamic viscosity - temperature characteristics and present a new dynamic viscosity - temperature model.

Methods:

The characteristic curves of dynamic viscosity versus temperature of polyol ester oil, paraffinic mineral oil, and five types of PAO (poly a-olefin) oils with different initial viscosities were obtained by using a kinematic viscosity test device and a density test device. The influences of lubricating oil type and lubricating oil viscosity on dynamic viscosity - temperature characteristics were analysed. Based on our patent technology and repeated verification, a new dynamic viscosity - temperature model was presented.

Results:

Viscosity - temperature curves of three different types of lubricating oils and viscosity - temperature curves of PAO oils with different initial kinematic viscosities were obtained. A new dynamic viscosity - temperature model η=A×e^(((-T)/n) )⁡+ η_0 was proposed.

Conclusion:

The dynamic viscosity - temperature characteristics of lubricating oils are not only determined by the type of oils but also determined by the initial kinematic viscosity.The variation of dynamic viscosity of lubricating oils with temperature in the scope of -40~110℃ can be described by the following viscosity temperature model : , which can be used in wider temperature range than the existing models.
Immunomodulatory Activity of Diterpenes over Innate Immunity and
Cytokine Production in a Human Alveolar Epithelial Cell Line Infected with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Castillo-Maldonado Irais , Pedroza-Escobar David , Hernández-Herrera Alejandro David , Luna-Herrera Julieta , del Rocío González-Martínez Marisela , Prieto-Hinojosa Adria I. , Turcios-Esquivel Ana Monica , Delgadillo-Guzmán Dealmy , Ramírez-Moreno Agustina , Bustos-Brito Celia , Esquivel Baldomero , Vega-Menchaca María-del-Carmen
Published: October 2022

Background:

Mexico has the largest number of the genus salvia plant species, whose main chemical compounds of this genus are diterpenes, these chemical compounds have shown important biological activities such as: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of three diterpenes: 1) icetexone, 2) anastomosine and 3) 7,20-dihydroanastomosine, isolated from Salvia ballotiflora, over innate immunity and cytokine production in a human alveolar epithelial cell line infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Method:

The immunomodulatory activity of diterpenes over innate immunity included reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) induction in response to infection; cytokine production included TNF-α and TGF-β induction in response to infection.

Results:

The diterpenes anastomosine and 7,20-dihydroanastomosine showed a statically significant (p<0.01) increase of RNS after 36 h of infection and treatment of 2.0 µg/mL. Then, the ROS induction in response to infection showed a consistent statically significant (p<0.01) increase after 12 h of diterpenes treatments. The cell cultures showed an anti-inflammatory effect, in the case of TGF-β induction, in response to infection when treated with the diterpenes. On the other hand, there was not any significant effect on TNF-α release.

Conclusion:

the diterpenes anastomosine and 7,20-dihydroanastomosine increased the production of RNS after 36 h of infection and treatment. Besides, the three diterpenes increased the production of ROS after 12 h. This RNS and ROS modulation can be considered as an in vitro correlation of innate immunity in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection; and an indicator of the damage of epithelial lung tissue. This study also showed an anti-inflammatory immune response by means of TGF-β modulation when compared with control group.
E-Health System and Telemedicine: An Overview and its Applications in Health Care and Medicine
Authors: Vijay Anand Ranjitha , Parthiban Harshavardhini , Subbiahanadar Chelladurai Karthikeyan , Durairaj Selvan Christyraj Jackson , Samuel Selvan Christyraj Johnson Retnaraj
Published: October 2022

E-Health and telemedicine deliver health care and health-related services using medical informatics, telecommunication, and exchange of health care data across distant places. This is one small leap of information technology that allows all to access good health care. The key fact of telemedicine is electronic signals to transfer knowledge from one computer to another through videoconferencing among health care experts to provide better treatment and care. Since many indoor and outdoor patients require referral for specialized care in remote areas, telemedicine can deliver a better solution. In addition to that, it also provides quality, low-cost health care to the poorest individuals and the rural population, thereby it bridges the rural-urban health divide. It will help avoid unnecessary transportation and the potential to chop back health care prices by reducing the burden of ill health, the danger of complications, hospitalizations, continual events, and premature death and boosting the quality of life. Through this, the public can easily get medical consultation, diagnosis, and monitoring of their health records to get proper treatment, and also it is possible to get robotic surgery. Telemedicine and E-health alternatives are widely popularized in COVID-19 pandemics and will aid future public health crisis management. However, there is a need to educate and make awareness among the people, develop policies and infrastructure in the E-health system, and telemedicine to provide equal health care access to all and improve public health and medical care. Overall, this chapter discusses detailed information about the E-health system and telemedicine and its applications in the healthcare system.
Cardiovascular Disease Preventive Prediction and Medication (CVDPPM) - A Model Based on AI Techniques for Prediction and Timely Medical Assistance
Authors: Nagesh Meesala Y.V. , Ahmad Manoj Sheik Khadar , Bhavana Ganapati
Published: October 2022

: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the primary cause of death worldwide.
If these are not detected early and are not treated on time, one may lose a life. Despite
using various measures and standards by doctors, the disease is unpredictable and has a
significant death toll. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been introduced to
predict the outcome and utilization of machine learning (ML) techniques in diversified
areas, showing promising results to make it more sophisticated for both medical
professionals and patients. In this chapter, a cardiovascular disease preventive
prediction and medication (CVDPPM) model has been developed, which utilizes
various communication models for assisting the patients through constant monitoring
of heart rate and blood pressure. The main focus of CVDPPM is to predict the early
occurrences of artery disease, stroke, and heart failure. It helps notify the nearest
cardiologist and medical team with all needed reports for immediate and appropriate
medical treatment to save the patient's life. The proposed model fastens the medical
procedure by alerting the regular consulted doctor and the family about the patient's
condition and medical reports immediately.
A Framework of Smart Mobile Application for Vehicle Health Monitoring
Authors: Aswarth K. , Vasavi S.
Published: October 2022

The smart system integrates cloud computing and mobile computing, also
known as mobile cloud computing. This smart system helps monitor the vehicle's
health condition on any device, i.e., platform-independent. Using machine learning
algorithms, the smart system helps predict vehicle health and maintain the vehicle's and
the driving person's safety. The cloud computing used to deploy this smart system for
monitoring the vehicle condition is the Google Cloud Platform. Google Cloud Platform
provides various services like Computing and Hosting, Networking, Storage, etc.,
which help deploy and host web applications on Google Cloud using multiple services.
One of the best securities is achieved using the Google Cloud Platform. Several layers
are encrypted with specially designed algorithms for the safety of the customer data
and applications. Google Cloud Platform helps provide data integrity, making it better
for storing all the data. It also provides Denial of Service protection which helps real time protection of servers for hosting the data. The smart system is deployed to only
authenticated users eligible to monitor the vehicle's health condition. The health of the
car may be tracked in the cloud and on every device with an internet connection and
communication services. The mobile application is deployed from the webserver,
facilitating secure and safe data browsing. The smart system is developed for
displaying vehicle conditions dynamically, Google Maps for tracking the present
vehicle location, and manual testing of the vehicle health by entering the values in the
portal, which helps notification of risk, medium risk, and no risk of the vehicle
condition using machine learning algorithm, which runs at the backend of the
application.
Cloud Industry Application 4.0: Challenges and Benefits
Authors: Narwal Abhikriti , Dhingra Sunita
Published: October 2022

The latest advancements in the manufacturing industry due to ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) has promoted the wave of Industry 4.0 in today's world. This has transformed the traditional mass-production model into the mass customization model. The vision of Industry 4.0 is to make machines that have the capability of self-learning and self-awareness for improving the planning, performance, operations, and maintenance of manufacturing units. This paper analyses the fundamental technologies behind the success of I4.0, namely Cloud computing and big data analysis, in great detail. The Cloud is the heart of Industry 4.0. It is the primary enabler of innovative, more efficient, and practical strategies in business processes by using artificial intelligence, intelligent sensors, and robotics. It has additionally examined numerous applications where this concept is being used along with various issues and challenges.