bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyrene: A Green Solvent for the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules and Functional Biomaterials
Authors: Citarella Andrea , Amenta Arianna , Passarella Daniele , Micale Nicola
Published: December 2022

In the panorama of sustainable chemistry, the use of green solvents is increasingly emerging for the optimization of more eco-friendly processes which look to a future of biocompatibility and recycling. The green solvent Cyrene, obtained from biomass via a two-step synthesis, is increasingly being introduced as the solvent of choice for the development of green synthetic transformations and for the production of biomaterials, thanks to its interesting biocompatibility, non-toxic and non-mutagenic properties. Our review offers an overview of the most important organic reactions that have been investigated to date in Cyrene as a medium, in particular focusing on those that could potentially lead to the formation of relevant chemical bonds in bioactive molecules. On the other hand, a description of the employment of Cyrene in the production of biomaterials has also been taken into consideration, providing a point-by-point overview of the use of Cyrene to date in the aforementioned fields.
Multi-Omics Uncover the Mechanism of Wheat under Heavy Metal Stress
Authors: Zhou Min , Zheng Shigang
Published: December 2022

Environmental pollution of heavy metals has received growing attention in recent years. Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury can cause physiological and morphological disturbances which adversely affect the growth and quality of crops. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can accumulate high contents of heavy metals in its edible parts. Understanding wheat response to heavy metal stress and its management in decreasing heavy metal uptake and accumulation may help to improve its growth and grain quality. Very recently, emerging advances in heavy metal toxicity and phytoremediation methods to reduce heavy metal pollution have been made in wheat. Especially, the molecular mechanisms of wheat under heavy metal stress are increasingly being recognized. In this review, we focus on the recently described epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, ionomics and multi-omics combination, as well as functional genes uncovering heavy metal stress in wheat. The findings in this review provide some insights into challenges and future recommendations for wheat under heavy metal stress.
Comparison of Two Different Morphological Methods to Study the Pronotum of Cimicidae: Bed Bugs, Bat Bugs, and Swallow Bugs
Authors: Rajonhson Dora M. , Raksakoon Chadchalerm , Payakkapol Anon , Dujardin Sébastien , Dujardin Jean-Pierre , Potiwat Rutcharin
Published: December 2022

An infestation of a Cimicidae (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) member, especially the bed bug, can cause economic loss and impact health. A cost-effective and user-friendly method for identifying the infesting species will help with the early detection and control of infestations. A linear morphometric method is often used, but it requires the examination of many characters and a highly preserved specimen. We conducted a comparative morphometric study of the effectiveness of Cimicidae classification using a single organ, the pronotum, through outline-based and linear morphometric methods. Bat (Stricticimex parvus), human (Cimex hemipterus), and bird (Paracimex sp.) ectoparasites were subject of the study. With both methods, the properties of size and shape were compared and used separately to classify the specimens. Classification analyses of the two methods provided similar results, but more informative variables of size and shape were obtained with the outline-based approach. Size, as analyzed with the outline-based method, could detect sexual dimorphism, and produced better reclassification. The shape variables obtained from the linear measurements were strongly influenced by size variation, much more than the ones obtained from coordinates describing the pronotum contours. Our data suggest that the outline-based approach provides better characterization variables, thus we recommend them for a wider use in other Cimicidae family members.
Demographic Evaluation of the Control Potential of Orius minutus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) Preying on Dendrothrips minowai Priesner (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) at Different Temperatures
Authors: Lan Rongmeng , Ren Xiaoli , Cao Kunqian , Zhou Xia , Jin Linhong
Published: December 2022

Tea thrips (Dendrothrips minowai Priesner) are the main pests that seriously affect the yield and quality of tea, resulting in huge economic losses. The Orius minutus is one of the most important natural enemies or BCA of thrips. However, we are not concerned with its predation ability on tea thrips, nor thermal influence on this pattern and their interaction. Therefore, this study recorded life table data of O. minutus and tea thrips combined with predation rate data to assess the ability of O. minutus to control tea thrips using age-stage, two-sex life tables at five constant temperatures. The results showed that at 25 °C, O. minutus had the highest predation rate on tea thrips, with an average generation time (T) of 22 d, intrinsic rate of increase (r) of 0.12 d-1, fecundity of 64.17, net reproduction rate (R0) of 12.76 offspring, and net predation rate (c0) of 310.92. In addition, around 410,000 adults and 1.98 million eggs were produced within 120 days. While the temperature change was straightforward, temperature effects on insects are not linear. The population size of the O. minutus and tea thrip trended similarly at 15–30 °C and would eliminate dramatically at 35 °C. Meanwhile, the results indicated that O. minutus could effectively inhibit the population growth of tea thrips at 15–30 °C, within 5–19 days at an intervention ratio of 10 adult O. minutus and 200 thrips individuals. The simulations under different mediated temperatures demonstrated that O. minutus is effective against tea thrips over a wide temperature range expected to be potential for biocontrol of tea thrips in tea gardens.
Endoscopic Internalization by Cutting the Endoscopic Transpapillary Nasogallbladder Drainage Tube in Management of Acute Cholecystitis: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Maruta Akinori , Iwashita Takuji , Yoshida Kensaku , Iwata Keisuke , Shimizu Shogo , Shimizu Masahito
Published: December 2022

Background: Both endoscopic nasogallbladder drainage (ENGBD) and endoscopic gallbladder stenting (EGBS) are effective management for acute cholecystitis, although ENGBD can cause discomfort due to its nature of external drainage. Converting ENGBD to EGBS after improvement of cholecystitis might be one treatment strategy. The drainage tube of ENGBD could be endoscopically cut inside the stomach to convert to internal drainage without additional endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP). Aims: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of endoscopic internalization by cutting an ENGBD tube for acute cholecystitis. Methods: Twenty-one patients who underwent endoscopic internalization by cutting the ENGBD tube were enrolled in this study. We initially placed an ENGBD tube for gallbladder lavage and continuous drainage. After improvement of cholecystitis, the tube was cut in the stomach by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and placed as EGBS until surgery. Results: The technical success rate of this procedure was 90.5% (19/21), and the clinical success rate was 100% (19/19). The median procedural time was 5 min (range: 2–14 min). Procedural-related adverse events (AEs) were observed in two patients where the tip of the ENGBD tube migrated into the common bile duct from the gallbladder during the procedure in both. During the waiting period for elective surgery, no AEs were identified, except for stent migration without symptoms in one patient (4.7%). Conclusion: Endoscopic internalization by cutting the ENGBD tube after improvement of cholecystitis could be an effective and safe treatment option for preventing recurrent cholecystitis in the waiting period until cholecystectomy.
Evaluation of Subclinical Retinal Disease in Patients Affected by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with No Evidence of Ocular Involvement—An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Original Study
Authors: Mimier-Janczak Małgorzata , Kaczmarek Dorota , Proc Krzysztof , Misiuk-Hojło Marta , Kaczmarek Radosław
Published: December 2022

Lupus retinopathy is the second most common eye involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), associated with significant visual deterioration and well-known negative prognostic factor for survival. Ocular manifestation in SLE, relating the retina, ranges from asymptomatic vascular involvement to vision devastating vascular occlusions. Subclinical microvascular changes are undetectable in slit lamp examination, hence are underdiagnosed. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a novel, easy to interpret and non-invasive technique that allows retinal vessels visualization. OCTA simplifies clinical approach and measures the severity of decreased perfusion. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the retinal vascularization in a subclinical stage of ocular involvement in a cohort of SLE patients. Thirty-three patients (57 eyes) diagnosed with SLE were enrolled into the study group and 31 healthy individuals (56 eyes) into the control group. Vessel density reduction in parafovea, inferior and nasal quadrants of superficial retinal capillary plexus in a cohort of SLE patients was found. Among study group kidney involvement was associated with further microvasculature reduction. Knowing that retinal involvement may precede other organs impairment, early detection of retinal impairment and use of OCTA as a screening modality, may decrease overall disease morbidity.
Diagnostic Concordance between Research and Clinical-Based Assessments of Psychiatric Comorbidity in Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Longo Paola , Toppino Federica , Martini Matteo , Panero Matteo , De Bacco Carlotta , Marzola Enrica , Abbate-Daga Giovanni
Published: December 2022

The literature has reported poor concordance in the assessment of psychiatric conditions, and inhomogeneity in the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in Anorexia Nervosa (AN). We aimed to investigate concordance level between clinicians’ and researchers’ diagnoses of psychiatric comorbidity in AN and differences in eating and general psychopathology between patients with and without psychiatric comorbidity assessed by clinicians versus researchers. A clinical psychiatrist interviewed 122 patients with AN; then a researcher administered the Structured and Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5). Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The agreement between clinicians and researchers was poor for all diagnoses but obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance use disorder. Patients with comorbid disorders diagnosed by researchers reported more severe eating and general psychopathology than those without SCID-comorbidity. The differences between patients with and without comorbidities assessed by a clinician were smaller. Two approaches to psychiatry comorbidity assessment emerged: SCID-5 diagnoses yield a precise and rigorous assessment, while clinicians tend to consider some symptoms as secondary to the eating disorder rather than as part of another psychiatric condition, seeing the clinical picture as a whole. Overall, the study highlights the importance of carefully assessing comorbidity in AN.
Insights into Stress-Induced Death Processes during Aging in the Marine Bloom-Forming Dinoflagellate Karenia brevis
Authors: Gao Yida , Erdner Deana L.
Published: December 2022

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) globally affect marine ecosystems and human health. Significant attention has been paid to understanding the initiation processes of HABs, while much less is known of the mechanisms causing cell demise and bloom decline. Recent evidence reveals that programmed cell death (PCD) can be a possible pathway for HAB termination. However, it is still not clear how PCD expression varies with the growth of marine phytoplankton. In order to characterize how susceptibility to stress-induced cell death changes with the growth of marine harmful algae, we examined the prevalence of PCD markers during 48 h after the addition of H2O2 in dinoflagellate Karenia brevis cultures at the early-log, mid-log and stationary phase. The results show that acute susceptibility to cell death (before time 0.5 h) increased as cultures aged, reflecting a chronological decrease in stress acclimation abilities. However, the youngest cultures showed strong PCD expression and the fastest overall rate of cell loss within the first 24 h, hypothesized to result from the cell-density-dependent H2O2 detoxifying process. This research highlights the existence of PCD in HAB species and that aging marine phytoplankton are more susceptible to exogenous stress, which agrees with previous observations of significant PCD during bloom decline.
Dual-Algorithm Hybrid Method for Riser Structural Health Monitoring Using the Fewest Sensors
Authors: Chung Woo Chul , Jin Chungkuk , Kim MooHyun
Published: December 2022

This study suggests a novel riser structural health monitoring methodology based on a dual algorithm (DA). In this method, the displacement tracing algorithm first traces the node displacement and tension up to the last sensor position called the target point. Then, the movement and tension at the target point are used for boundary conditions of the finite element (FE) simulator to obtain displacements and stresses below the target point. The developed method is validated through numerical simulations by comparing riser behaviors/stresses from the fully coupled model with those from the proposed method with numerical sensors. For that, a moored FPSO (floating production storage offloading) system with SCR (steel catenary riser) or SLWR (steel lazy-wave riser) is employed. Only three angle sensors are used at the top portion to monitor the entire length of riser. Much simpler forced top oscillation method is also investigated, which only uses riser top movement for running FE simulator, which cannot accurately reproduce the dynamics of the upper portion of riser since real-time wave action is ignored. The developed DA riser monitoring methodology can reproduce the movements and stresses along the entire length within around 5% error regardless of riser shapes and materials.
Effects of Understory Vegetation Heterogeneity on Soil Organic Carbon Components in Cunninghamia lanceolata Plantation
Authors: Song Ruipeng , Han Xiaomeng , Yang Qifan , Zheng Zhiheng , Xi Dan
Published: December 2022

As one of the important factors affecting forest soil organic carbon stocks, the effect of understory vegetation types on soil organic carbon and its components was explored to provide a theoretical basis for understory vegetation management and sustainable management in plantation forests. In order to determine the characteristics of soil organic carbon and its components under different understory vegetation types in Subtropical Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation, Indocalamus tessellatus, Diplazium donianum and Oreocnide frutescenssp were taken as research objects. The mass fractions of total organic carbon, recalcitrant organic carbon, readily oxidizable organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and dissolved organic carbon in each soil layer at 0–10, 10–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm were measured, and the change characteristics of soil organic carbon components were also studied and compared. The results showed that: (1) The mass fractions of total organic carbon, recalcitrant organic carbon, readily oxidizable organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon in the soils of the three understory vegetation types showed significant decreasing trends along the profile, while the mass fraction of dissolved organic carbon in 0–40 cm soil layer was significantly higher than those in 40–60 cm soil layer. (2) The mass fraction of total organic carbon (5.98–20.66 g·kg−1) had no significant difference among understory vegetation types. The mass fraction and proportion of microbial biomass carbon were higher in the 0–60 cm soil layer under cover of Indocalamus tessellatus, and the mass fractions of recalcitrant organic carbon in the 20–40 cm soil layer under Indocalamus tessellatus cover (8.57 g·kg−1) was significantly higher than that of Oreocnide frutescenssp (5.73 g·kg−1). The soil layer of 0–20 cm under the Diplazium donianum community has a higher mass fraction and proportion of readily oxidizable organic carbon. (3) Correlation analysis showed that soil organic carbon and its components were positively correlated with total nitrogen, dissolved total nitrogen, dissolved organic nitrogen and microbial biomass nitrogen. There is a significant positive correlation among the components of soil organic carbon. (4) Redundancy analysis showed that soil bulk density (41.6%), microbial biomass nitrogen (41.2%), dissolved total nitrogen (43.7%), total nitrogen (9.9%), dissolved organic nitrogen (43.6%) and pH (6.6%) were the most significant environmental factors affecting organic carbon components in four soil layers. Understory vegetation type can influence the distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon components in Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation, and soil active organic carbon components are more susceptible to the influence of understory vegetation type than total organic carbon and recalcitrant organic carbon.
Dasymetric Mapping of Population Using Land Cover Data in JBNERR, Puerto Rico during 1990–2010
Authors: Cartagena-Colón Marianne , Mattei Hernando , Wang Chao
Published: December 2022

Accurate and precise spatial population data are critical to the allocation of resources for socioeconomic development and to the decision-making process for environmental management in any country. However, this type of data is not always directly available but can be estimated through spatial statistical analysis. The geo-spatialized population estimates data can provide indispensable evidence for analyzing the potential ecological threats of anthropogenic activities in ecologically protected watersheds. In this study, we applied a multiclass dasymetric mapping to estimate the geospatial distribution of the residential population of JBNERR (a natural research reserve that is located across two municipalities in southeastern Puerto Rico). We then analyzed the spatial variation of the population residing within the reserve watershed over a thirty-year period from 1990 to 2010. The result showed that the population increased by 19.5% with a growth rate of 0.97%, adding 5583 new inhabitants from 1990 to 2010 for the entire area. Where the highest population density corresponds to an urban developed area, with 254.8 ± 12.3 inhab/900 m2 in 1990, 71.2 ± 7.1 inhab/900 m2 in 2000, and 94.0 ± 4.8 inhab/900 m2 in 2010. It was followed by pastures or open areas that increased their maximum population density from 1990 to 2000 but decreased from 2000 to 2010, unlike urban areas. Our methods and results help assess the impact of urban growth on ecologically fragile areas, such as urban development in JBNERR, that may indirectly threaten the recreational activities and ecological envrionments within protected areas.
Mechanical Properties, Dry Shrinkage, and Water Penetration of Reusing Fine and Ultrafine Recycled Concrete Aggregate
Authors: Liu Tao , Fan Jianfeng , Peng Ziqiang
Published: December 2022

The effect of fine and ultrafine recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) on road construction still lacks investigation. This study investigates the properties of fine and ultrafine RCA, further, the influence of the different proportions of ultrafine RCA on the long-term performance of the designed matrix. The fine and ultrafine RCA are thoroughly characterized. Simultaneously, the mechanical properties, shrinkage properties, and water penetration of the designed matrix are evaluated. The results indicate that RCA shows low density, high porosity, and high water absorption. Furthermore, elevated ultrafine RCA contents result in higher compressive strength of up to 43.14% at 90 days and higher resistance of water penetration of up to 50% at 28 days due to the refined microstructure. However, higher drying shrinkage is observed with higher ultrafine RCA, which is associated with the high water absorption of the ultrafine RCA. The understanding of the utilization of ultrafine RCA in the construction of road base courses has been explored.
Comparison of the Compression and Tensile Modulus of Two Chosen Resins Used in Dentistry for 3D Printing
Authors: Paradowska-Stolarz Anna , Malysa Andrzej , Mikulewicz Marcin
Published: December 2022

(1) The CAD/CAM technique exploiting 3D printing is becoming more and more popular in dentistry. The resins are used in all the dental specialties, including conservative dentistry, prosthodontics, surgery, and orthodontics. The interest in investigating the different properties of dental materials has been an aim of researchers. The purpose of the presented study was to compare the properties of two 3D-printable dental resins (both rigid, used for medical purposes). (2) Methods: Ten blocks of two-type shapes were printed on a printer designed for medical use. The tensile modulus and compression were investigated and compared. The axial compression test was performed according to the PN-EN ISO 604:2003 norm, while the tensile test was performed according to the PN-En ISO 527-1-2019 (E) norm. In the first test, the sample size of the perpendicular shape was 10 ± 0.2 mm × 10 ± 0.2 mm × 4 ± 0.2 mm and in the second it was 75 mm, the end width 10 mm, and the thickness 2 mm. (3) Results: The statistical analysis based on ANOVA tests showed that all the obtained results were statistically significant. Both of the examined materials had similar properties and were resistant and stable in shape. The tensile modulus and compression tests performed on them gave similar results. They also showed high durability to compression and tensility. (4) Conclusions: Both of the examined materials were durable and rigid materials. BioMed Amber was more resistant to compression, while Dental LT clear was more resistant in the tensility test. Although both resins had similar physical properties, it is still disputable whether the chosen materials could be used interchangeably.
The Influence of Multiple Extrusions on the Properties of High Filled Polylactide/Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Composites
Authors: Kaczor Daniel , Bajer Krzysztof , Raszkowska-Kaczor Aneta , Domek Grzegorz , Madajski Piotr , Szroeder Pawel
Published: December 2022

High filled polylactide/multiwall carbon nanotube composites were subjected to multiple extrusions using single-screw and twin-screw extruders. Samples of the processed composites were characterized by SEM, XRD, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy. Thermal and rheological properties were investigated by DSC and MFR analyses. Subsequent extrusions resulted in decreased torque and process efficiency, which is a consequence of the viscosity reduction of PLA. Thermal and rheological properties of composites changed after each extrusion as well. As revealed by DSC analyses, cold crystallization temperature showed a tendency to decrease after each process, whereas cold crystallization enthalpy ΔHcc increased significantly. Melt flow rate, which is indicative of the polymer degradation, increased after each extrusion.
A Novel Simplified FE Rail Vehicle Model in Longitudinal and Lateral Collisions
Authors: Deng Gongxun , Peng Yong , Hou Lin , Li Zhixiang , Li Benhuai , Yu Chao , Simms Ciaran
Published: December 2022

It is a challenge to efficiently and accurately predict train dynamic responses during complex collisions. In this paper, a novel numerical simplification method for high-speed rail vehicles during complex impact configurations is proposed. The central section of high-speed rail vehicles is a sandwich corrugated hollow double-shell structure. Starting with a baseline detailed finite element (FE) model of a high-speed train, the central section was first simplified as a solid single-shell structure. A parametric study with various simplification thickness ratios of the simplified FE rail vehicle model in different longitudinal rigid-wall collisions and lateral rigid-cylinder impacts was then performed using LS-DYNA. Furthermore, a correlation and analysis (CORA) objective rating method was used to evaluate the related responses between the simplified and detailed baseline FE rail vehicle models. The results demonstrate that the simplified FE model could effectively predict the rail vehicle impact responses. The displacement and impact force time histories of the simplified vehicle model with a thickness ratio of 0.38 matched closely with the results of the baseline detailed FE model under both longitudinal and lateral impacts (total combined CORA rating score: 93%). The rail vehicle impact deformations of the simplified vehicle model were similar to those of the baseline detailed model. The application of the simplified vehicle FE model substantially reduced the computational time (approximately 55% reduction). This work provides a solid basis for efficiently exploring train impact responses in complex collisions, and will be especially useful for train occupant injury assessment.
Design and Performance Investigation of a Vehicle Drive System with a 12/10 Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Motor
Authors: Chi Yada , Shi Guangyuan , Guo Haorong , Yang Nan , Zhu Chengcheng , Cui Minchao
Published: December 2022

The performance of a drive system with a flux-switching permanent magnet (FSPM) motor was studied through tests on a commercial electric vehicle (CEV). A practical design and an optimization method for the FSPM motor were proposed for a light-duty CEV. The initial dimensions of the motor were calculated by theoretical equations referring to a permanent magnet synchronous motor. Then, optimization was conducted through a response surface methodology (RSM) and a genetic algorithm (GA) based on three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D-FEA). With the optimized parameters, a prototype of the FSPM drive system was manufactured and assembled into an actual CEV. The performance of the CEV was investigated on an automobile test platform. The experimental results show that the FSPM drive system could drive the CEV properly. The high-efficiency running time of the FSPM motor accounted for 84% of the total time tested, which shows great potential for practical application in CEVs. However, the experimental results also show that the FSPM motor faced problems of large speed deviation and high-temperature rise during the driving cycle test, which should be fully addressed for practical applications.
On New Generalized Viscosity Implicit Double Midpoint Rule for Hierarchical Problem
Authors: Jitpeera Thanyarat , Padcharoen Anantachai , Kumam Wiyada
Published: December 2022

The implicit midpoint rules are employed as a powerful numerical technique, and in this article we attend a class of viscosity iteration approximations on hierarchical problems for the implicit double midpoint rules. We prove the strong convergence theorem to the unique solution on hierarchical problem of this technique is established under some favorable conditions imposed on the control parameters in Hilbert spaces. Furthermore, we propose some applications to the constrained convex minimization problem, nonlinear Fredholm integral equation and variational inequality on fixed point problem. Moreover, some numerical examples are also presented to illustrate the different proposed methods and convergence results. Our results modified the implicit double midpoint rules with the hierarchical problem.
New Dibenzo-α-pyrone Derivatives with α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities from the Marine-Derived Fungus Alternaria alternata
Authors: Zhang Jinxin , Zhang Baodan , Cai Lei , Liu Ling
Published: December 2022

Three new dibenzo-α-pyrone derivatives, alternolides A–C (1–3), and seven known congeners (4–10) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus of Alternaria alternata LW37 assisted by the one strain-many compounds (OSMAC) strategy. The structures of 1–3 were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and their absolute configurations were determined by modified Snatzke′s method and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 6 and 7 showed good 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant scavenging activities with IC50 values of 83.94 ± 4.14 and 23.60 ± 1.23 µM, respectively. Additionally, 2, 3 and 7 exhibited inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 725.85 ± 4.75, 451.25 ± 6.95 and 6.27 ± 0.68 µM, respectively. The enzyme kinetics study indicated 2 and 3 were mixed-type inhibitors of α-glucosidase with Ki values of 347.0 and 108.5 µM, respectively. Furthermore, the interactions of 2, 3 and 7 with α-glucosidase were investigated by molecular docking.
Characterization and Optimization of Culture Conditions for Aurantiochytrium sp. SC145 Isolated from Sand Cay (Son Ca) Island, Vietnam, and Antioxidative and Neuroprotective Activities of Its Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Mixture
Authors: Hien Hoang Thi Minh , Thom Le Thi , Ha Nguyen Cam , Tam Luu Thi , Thu Ngo Thi Hoai , Nguyen Tru Van , Loan Vu Thi , Dan Nguyen Trong , Hong Dang Diem
Published: December 2022

Aurantiochytrium is a heterotrophic marine microalga that has potential industrial applications. The main objectives of this study were to isolate an Aurantiochytrium strain from Sand Cay (Son Ca) Island, Vietnam, optimize its culture conditions, determine its nutritional composition, extract polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the free (FFA) and the alkyl ester (FAAE) forms, and evaluate the antioxidation and neuroprotection properties of the PUFAs. Aurantiochytrium sp. SC145 can be grown stably under laboratory conditions. Its culture conditions were optimized for a dry cell weight (DCW) of 31.18 g/L, with total lipids comprising 25.29%, proteins 7.93%, carbohydrates 15.21%, and carotenoid at 143.67 µg/L of DCW. The FAAEs and FFAs extracted from Aurantiochytrium sp. SC145 were rich in omega 3–6–9 fatty acids (40.73% and 44.00% of total fatty acids, respectively). No acute or subchronic oral toxicity was determined in mice fed with the PUFAs in FFA or FAAE forms at different doses over 90 days. Furthermore, the PUFAs in the FFA or FAAE forms and their main constituents of EPA, DHA, and ALA showed antioxidant and AChE inhibitory properties and neuroprotective activities against damage caused by H2O2- and amyloid-ß protein fragment 25–35 (Aβ25-35)-induced C6 cells. These data suggest that PUFAs extracted from Aurantiochytrium sp. SC145 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Solid-State NMR-Based Metabolomics Imprinting Elucidation in Tissue Metabolites, Metabolites Inhibition, and Metabolic Hub in Zebrafish by Chitosan
Authors: Ganesan Raja , Mukherjee Anirban Goutam , Gopalakrishnan Abilash Valsala , Prabhakaran Vasantha-Srinivasan
Published: December 2022

In this study, we demonstrated that chitosan-applied zebrafish (Danio rerio) tissue metabolite alteration, metabolic discrimination, and metabolic phenotypic expression occurred. The spectroscopy of solid-state 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (ss 1H-NMR) has been used. Chitosan has no, or low, toxicity and is a biocompatible biomaterial; however, the metabolite mechanisms underlying the biological effect of chitosan are poorly understood. The zebrafish is now one of the most popular ecotoxicology models. Zebrafish were exposed to chitosan concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 200, and 500 mg/L, and the body tissue was subjected to metabolites-targeted profiling. The zebrafish samples were measured via solvent-suppressed and T2-filtered methods with in vivo zebrafish metabolites. The metabolism of glutamate, glutamine, glutathione (GSH), taurine, trimethylamine (TMA), and its N-oxide (TMAO) is also significantly altered. Here, we report the quantification of metabolites and the biological application of chitosan. The metabolomics profile of chitosan in zebrafish has been detected, and the results indicated disturbed amino acid metabolism, the TCA cycle, and glycolysis. Our results demonstrate the potential of comparative metabolite profiling for discovering bioactive metabolites and they highlight the power of chitosan-applied chemical metabolomics to uncover new biological insights.
Differentiation of Glioblastoma and Brain Metastases by MRI-Based Oxygen Metabolomic Radiomics and Deep Learning
Authors: Stadlbauer Andreas , Heinz Gertraud , Marhold Franz , Meyer-Bäse Anke , Ganslandt Oliver , Buchfelder Michael , Oberndorfer Stefan
Published: December 2022

Glioblastoma (GB) and brain metastasis (BM) are the most frequent types of brain tumors in adults. Their therapeutic management is quite different and a quick and reliable initial characterization has a significant impact on clinical outcomes. However, the differentiation of GB and BM remains a major challenge in today’s clinical neurooncology due to their very similar appearance in conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Novel metabolic neuroimaging has proven useful for improving diagnostic performance but requires artificial intelligence for implementation in clinical routines. Here; we investigated whether the combination of radiomic features from MR-based oxygen metabolism (“oxygen metabolic radiomics”) and deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can support reliably pre-therapeutic differentiation of GB and BM in a clinical setting. A self-developed one-dimensional CNN combined with radiomic features from the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) was clearly superior to human reading in all parameters for classification performance. The radiomic features for tissue oxygen saturation (mitoPO2; i.e., tissue hypoxia) also showed better diagnostic performance compared to the radiologists. Interestingly, both the mean and median values for quantitative CMRO2 and mitoPO2 values did not differ significantly between GB and BM. This demonstrates that the combination of radiomic features and DL algorithms is more efficient for class differentiation than the comparison of mean or median values. Oxygen metabolic radiomics and deep neural networks provide insights into brain tumor phenotype that may have important diagnostic implications and helpful in clinical routine diagnosis.
A Metabolomic Profile of Seminal Fluid in Extremely Severe Oligozoopermia Suggesting an Epididymal Involvement
Authors: Serri Orianne , Boguenet Magalie , Chao de la Barca Juan Manuel , Bouet Pierre-Emmanuel , El Hachem Hady , Blanchet Odile , Reynier Pascal , May-Panloup Pascale
Published: December 2022

Male infertility has increased in the last decade. Pathophysiologic mechanisms behind extreme oligospermia (EO) are not yet fully understood. In new “omics” approaches, metabolomic can offer new information and help elucidate these mechanisms. We performed a metabolomics study of the seminal fluid (SF) in order to understand the mechanisms implicated in EO. We realized a targeted quantitative analysis using high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to compare the SF metabolomic profile of 19 men with EO with that of 22 men with a history of vasectomy (V) and 20 men with normal semen parameters (C). A total of 114 metabolites were identified. We obtained a multivariate OPLS-DA model discriminating the three groups. Signatures show significantly higher levels of amino acids and polyamines in C group. The sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids and free carnitine progressively decrease between the three groups (C > EO > V) and sphingomyelins are significantly lower in V group. Our signature characterizing EO includes metabolites already linked to infertility in previous studies. The similarities between the signatures of the EO and V groups are clear evidence of epididymal dysfunction in the case of testicular damage. This study shows the complexity of the metabolomic dysfunction occurring in the SF of EO men and underlines the importance of metabolomics in understanding male infertility.
High-Density 1R/1W Dual-Port Spin-Transfer Torque MRAM
Authors: Seo Yeongkyo , Kwon Kon-Woo
Published: December 2022

Spin-transfer torque magnetic random-access memory (STT-MRAM) has several desirable features, such as non-volatility, high integration density, and near-zero leakage power. However, it is challenging to adopt STT-MRAM in a wide range of memory applications owing to the long write latency and a tradeoff between read stability and write ability. To mitigate these issues, an STT-MRAM bit cell can be designed with two transistors to support multiple ports, as well as the independent optimization of read stability and write ability. The multi-port STT-MRAM, however, is achieved at the expense of a higher area requirement due to an additional transistor per cell. In this work, we propose an area-efficient design of 1R/1W dual-port STT-MRAM that shares a bitline between two adjacent bit cells. We identify that the bitline sharing may cause simultaneous access conflicts, which can be effectively alleviated by using the bit-interleaving architecture with a long interleaving distance and the sufficient number of word lines per memory bank. We report various metrics of the proposed design based on the bit cell design using a 45 nm process. Compared to a standard single-port STT-MRAM, the proposed design shows a 15% lower read power and a 19% higher read-disturb margin. Compared with prior work on the 1R/1W dual-port STT-MRAM, the proposed design improves the area by 25%.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE_PGRS19 Induces Pyroptosis through a Non-Classical Caspase-11/GSDMD Pathway in Macrophages
Authors: Qian Jianing , Hu Youwei , Zhang Xiao , Chi Mingzhe , Xu Siyue , Wang Honghai , Zhang Xuelian
Published: December 2022

The PE/PPE protein family commonly exists in pathogenic species, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, suggesting a role in virulence and its maintenance. However, the exact role of most PE/PPE proteins in host–pathogen interactions remains unknown. Here, we constructed a recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis expressing M. tuberculosis PE_PGRS19 (Ms_PE_PGRS19) and found that PE_PGRS19 overexpression resulted in accelerated bacterial growth in vitro, increased bacterial survival in macrophages, and enhanced cell damage capacity. Ms_PE_PGRS19 also induced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Ms_PE_PGRS19 induced cell pyroptosis by cleaving caspase-11 via a non-classical pathway rather than caspase-1 activation and further inducing the cleavage of gasdermin D, which led to the release of IL-1β and IL-18. To the best of our current knowledge, this is the first report of a PE/PPE family protein activating cell pyroptosis via a non-classical pathway, which expands the knowledge on PE/PPE protein functions, and these pathogenic factors involved in bacterial survival and spread could be potential drug targets for anti-tuberculosis therapy.
Flavonoids Are Intra- and Inter-Kingdom Modulator Signals
Authors: Ghitti Elisa , Rolli Eleonora , Crotti Elena , Borin Sara
Published: December 2022

Flavonoids are a broad class of secondary metabolites with multifaceted functionalities for plant homeostasis and are involved in facing both biotic and abiotic stresses to sustain plant growth and health. Furthermore, they were discovered as mediators of plant networking with the surrounding environment, showing a surprising ability to perform as signaling compounds for a multitrophic inter-kingdom level of communication that influences the plant host at the phytobiome scale. Flavonoids orchestrate plant-neighboring plant allelopathic interactions, recruit beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, counteract pathogen outbreak, influence soil microbiome and affect plant physiology to improve its resilience to fluctuating environmental conditions. This review focuses on the diversified spectrum of flavonoid functions in plants under a variety of stresses in the modulation of plant morphogenesis in response to environmental clues, as well as their role as inter-kingdom signaling molecules with micro- and macroorganisms. Regarding the latter, the review addresses flavonoids as key phytochemicals in the human diet, considering their abundance in fruits and edible plants. Recent evidence highlights their role as nutraceuticals, probiotics and as promising new drugs for the treatment of several pathologies.
Vaterite Synthesized by Waste Liquid of Extracting Chitin from Crab Shells and the Mineral Loading for Doxorubicin Hydrochloride
Authors: Zhang Luting , Sun Peiyuan , An Xiaochi , Wang Xingxing , Li Siying , Lian Bin
Published: December 2022

To effectively treat the environmental pollution caused by discarded crab shell, chitin was extracted from discarded crab shells by a combined chemical and biological process. The chitin extraction waste liquid was used to culture bacteria to synthesize biogenic vaterite (BV). The mineral morphology and physico-chemical properties of BV were characterized, and the loading characteristics and adsorption mechanism of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) were investigated. The results showed that chitin could be extracted from crab shells using a combination of chemical and biological methods, and the purity of the extracted chitin reached 89.79%; cultivation of Bacillus velezensis using extraction waste liquid can induce the synthesis of stable BV; the maximum drug loading of BV towards DOX was 447.58 mg/g and its adsorption behavior fitted the Freundlich model. The findings provide new information for the processing utilization of waste crab shells and the development of novel drug carriers.
Archaeometric Classification of Scattered Marble Fragments to Help the Reconstruction of Statues
Authors: Casas Lluís , Di Febo Roberta , Ruiz Julio César , Brilli Mauro , Antonelli Fabrizio , Martín-Martín Juan Diego
Published: December 2022

A multi-technique approach combining petrographic, cathodoluminescence, and stable isotope analyses is commonly used in provenance studies of archaeological marbles. In the present paper, this characterization approach transcends provenance, and it is applied to the reconstruction of fragmented sculptures. The potential of this novel application of archaeometric measurements is illustrated with a case study consisting in 16 scattered marble fragments retrieved from a Roman villa (Els Munts) near Tarraco (presently Northeastern Spain). The samples were grouped taking into account their similarity in quantified parameters such as the cathodoluminescence color clusters and the stable carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios. The results permitted classification of the fragments into three groups corresponding to three different statues depicting Antinous (7 fragments), Minerva goddess (4 fragments), and an undetermined character (3 fragments). Two other fragments could not be ascribed to any particular statue. The archaeometric grouping provides arguments that can be used to confirm or refute archaeological hypotheses of statue reconstructions.
Dislocation Filter Based on LT-GaAs Layers for Monolithic GaAs/Si Integration
Authors: Petrushkov Mikhail O. , Abramkin Demid S. , Emelyanov Eugeny A. , Putyato Mikhail A. , Komkov Oleg S. , Firsov Dmitrii D. , Vasev Andrey V. , Yesin Mikhail Yu. , Bakarov Askhat K. , Loshkarev Ivan D. , Gutakovskii Anton K. , Atuchin Victor V. , Preobrazhenskii Valery V.
Published: December 2022

The use of low-temperature (LT) GaAs layers as dislocation filters in GaAs/Si heterostructures (HSs) was investigated in this study. The effects of intermediate LT-GaAs layers and of the post-growth and cyclic in situ annealing on the structural properties of GaAs/LT-GaAs/GaAs/Si(001) HSs were studied. It was found that the introduction of LT-GaAs layers, in combination with post-growth cyclic annealing, reduced the threading dislocation density down to 5 × 106 cm−2, the root-mean-square roughness of the GaAs surface down to 1.1 nm, and the concentration of non-radiative recombination centers in the near-surface GaAs/Si regions down to the homoepitaxial GaAs level. Possible reasons for the improvement in the quality of near-surface GaAs layers are discussed. On the one hand, the presence of elastic deformations in the GaAs/LT-GaAs system led to dislocation line bending. On the other hand, gallium vacancies, formed in the LT-GaAs layers, diffused into the overlying GaAs layers and led to an increase in the dislocation glide rate. It was demonstrated that the GaAs/Si HSs obtained with these techniques are suitable for growing high-quality light-emitting HSs with self-assembled quantum dots.
TiO2 Nanoparticle/Polyimide Nanocomposite for Ultrahigh-Temperature Energy Storage
Authors: Chen Xinrui , Zhu Wenbo , Chen Jianwen , Cao Qing , Chen Yingxi , Hu Dengyan
Published: December 2022

With the development of electronic technology, there is an increasing demand for high-temperature dielectric energy storage devices based on polyimides for a wide range of applications. However, the current nanofillers/PI nanocomposites are used for energy harvesting at no more than 200 °C, which does not satisfy the applications in the oil and gas, aerospace, and power transmission industries that require an operating temperature of 250–300 °C. Therefore, we introduced a nanocomposite based on nonsolid TiO2 nanoparticles and polyimide (PI) with high energy storage performance at an ultrahigh temperature of 300 °C. The synergy of excellent dielectric properties and a high breakdown strength endowed the nanocomposite with a low loading content of 1 wt% and a high energy storage density of 5.09 J cm−3. Furthermore, we found that the nanocomposite could stably operate at 300 °C with an outstanding energy storage capability (2.20 J cm−3). Additionally, finite element simulations demonstrated that the partially hollow nanostructures of the nanofillers avoided the evolution of breakdown paths, which optimized the breakdown strength and energy storage performance of the related nanocomposites. This paper provides an avenue to broaden the application areas of PI-based nanocomposites as ultrahigh-temperature energy-storage devices.
Gut Microbiota in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Complex Interplay
Authors: Abenavoli Ludovico , Giubilei Lidia , Procopio Anna Caterina , Spagnuolo Rocco , Luzza Francesco , Boccuto Luigi , Scarpellini Emidio
Published: December 2022

The intestinal microbiota represents the microbial community that colonizes the gastrointestinal tract and constitutes the most complex ecosystem present in nature. The main intestinal microbial phyla are Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Verrucromicrobia, with a clear predominance of the two phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes which account for about 90% of the intestinal phyla. Intestinal microbiota alteration, or dysbiosis, has been proven to be involved in the development of various syndromes, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. The present review underlines the most recurrent changes in the intestinal microbiota of patients with NAFLD, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.