bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanomaterials for the treatment of bacterial infection by photothermal/photodynamic synergism
Authors: Yan Zhaochen , Wang Danqiu , Gao Yun
Published: May 2023

In the past few decades, great progress has been made in the field of nanomaterials against bacterial infection. However, with the widespread emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, people try their best to explore and develop new antibacterial strategies to fight bacteria without obtaining or increasing drug resistance. Recently, multi-mode synergistic therapy has been considered as an effective scheme for the treatment of bacterial infections, especially the combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) with controllable, non-invasive, small side effects and broad-spectrum antibacterial characteristics. It can not only improve the efficiency of antibiotics, but also do not promote antibiotic resistance. Therefore, multifunctional nanomaterials which combine the advantages of PTT and PDT are more and more used in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, there is still a lack of a comprehensive review of the synergistic effect of PTT and PDT in anti-infection. This review first focuses on the synthesis of synergistic photothermal/photodynamic nanomaterials and discusses the ways and challenges of photothermal/photodynamic synergism, as well as the future research direction of photothermal/photodynamic synergistic antibacterial nanomaterials.
Endocrine side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Cardona Zulma , Sosman Jeffrey A. , Chandra Sunandana , Huang Wenyu
Published: May 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have increasingly been the mainstay of treatment for numerous malignancies. However, due to their association with autoimmunity, ICIs have resulted in a variety of side effects that involve multiple organs including the endocrine system. In this review article, we describe our current understanding of the autoimmune endocrinopathies as a result of the use of ICIs. We will review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of the most commonly encountered endocrinopathies, including thyroiditis, hypophysitis, Type 1 diabetes, adrenalitis, and central diabetes insipidus.
Comparative study on secondary metabolites from different citrus varieties in the production area of Zhejiang
Authors: Lin Mei , Xu Chengnan , Gao Xueying , Zhang Weiqing , Yao Zhoulin , Wang Tianyu , Feng Xianju , Wang Yue
Published: May 2023

To investigate the distribution pattern of bioactive components and their correlations between citrus varieties, we thoroughly analyzed secondary metabolites (including flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, and limonoids) in the peel and pulp of 11 citrus varieties from the production area of Zhejiang. Citrus peels accumulated metabolites far more than the pulp, and the accumulation varied significantly between species. Flavonoids were the most abundant compounds, followed by phenolic acids, with carotenoids and limonoids being far less abundant than the first two, but limonoids were more abundant than carotenoids. Hesperidin was the main flavonoid in most varieties, but cocktail grapefruit and Changshanhuyou contained naringin, with Ponkan having the most abundant polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs). The major components of phenolic acids, carotenoids, and limonoids were ferulic acid, β-cryptoxanthin, and limonin, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) indicated that these components were mostly correlated with each other, and these citrus varieties could be categorized into four groups by pulp and three groups by peel. The obtained results filled the data gap for secondary metabolites from local citrus and could provide data references for citrus resource utilization, selection and breeding of superior varieties, and other research.
Amino acid modified OCMC-g-Suc-β-CD nanohydrogels carrying lapatinib and ginsenoside Rg1 exhibit high anticancer activity in a zebrafish model
Authors: Cui Li , Liu Xiaolan , Yan Rongjun , Chen Qixu , Wang Lizhen , Nawaz Shah , Qin Dawei , Wang Daijie
Published: May 2023

Nanohydrogels show great potential as efficient drug carriers due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, and high water absorbability. In this paper, we prepared two O-carboxymethylated chitosan (OCMC)-based polymers functionalized with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and amino acid. The structures of the polymers were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Morphological study was carried out on a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and the results indicated that the two polymers had irregular spheroidal structure with some pores distributed on their surface. The average particle diameter was below 500 nm, and the zeta potential was above +30 mV. The two polymers were further used for preparing nanohydrogels loaded with anticancer drugs lapatinib and ginsenoside Rg1, and the resulting nanohydrogels showed high drug loading efficiency and pH-sensitive (pH = 4.5) drug release behavior. In vitro cytotoxicity investigation revealed that the nanohydrogels exhibited high cytotoxicity against lung cancer (A549) cells. In vivo anticancer investigation was performed in a transgenic Tg(fabp10:rtTA2s-M2; TRE2:EGFP-krasV12) zebrafish model. The results showed that the synthesized nanohydrogels significantly inhibited the expression of EGFP-krasv12 oncogene in zebrafish liver, and the L-arginine modified OCMC-g-Suc-β-CD nanohydrogels loading lapatinib and ginsenoside Rg1 showed the best results.
Scientific debate on human migration: ethics, challenges, and solutions
Authors: Yen Peter Tsung-Wen , Cheong Siew Ann
Published: May 2023

Introduction:In recent years, we witnessed increasing numbers of migrants worldwide owing to famine, poverty, regional conflicts,etc.Efforts by the United Nations and various organizations to help these migrants are hampered by rising anti-migrant sentiments and xenophobic rhetoric in many parts of the world. To arrive at win-win solutions that benefit both natives and migrants, we must discuss the migration problem objectively and scientifically. To do this, we must first resolve the paradox in our understanding of human migration (widely touted as good) vis-a-vis biological invasion (generally regarded as bad).

Method:Suspecting that the two similar phenomena are more complex than we think, we reviewed and synthesized the disjoint literatures on human migration and biological invasion in recent times, and that on the human diaspora and human-aided dispersal of plants and animals in our pre-historic past. We then developed models of niche-niche interactions to simulate isolated ecosystems and communities, as well as those experiencing invasions from non-native populations.

Results:In this paper, we simulated four invasion mechanisms on a star network: the direct introduction of a non-native population into existing periphery or core niches, or the non-native population first creating its own niche, which is thereafter attached to the periphery or core of the community. We found that periphery invasions can fail, i.e., the non-native population eventually disappears. When periphery invasion is successful, we found that there is little or no harm to the ecosystem or community. On the other hand, core invasion is always catastrophic, where the non-native population establishes itself at the expense of most or all of the native populations. For niche attachments, whether to the periphery or to the core, we found native and non-native populations coexisting in the end, sometimes with increased diversities.

Discussion:Our results provide promising new insights and theoretical grounds for policymakers to discuss the ethics of immigration issues scientifically, and to ultimately discover win-win solutions for natives and migrants. The theoretical framework outlined in this paper can also be applied to the problem of introducing non-native biological species for economic gains, at acceptable ecological costs.
Genome-wide characterization, phylogenetic and expression analysis of ABCG gene subfamily in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Yuan Qi , Zhang Jing , Zhang Wanlu , Nie Jingtao
Published: May 2023

The ABCG is the largest subfamily of the ABC family with extensive functions, and only a few members have been identified in detail. However, more and more studies have shown that the members of this family are very important and are involved in many life processes such as plant development and response to various stresses. Cucumber is an important vegetable crops around the world. The cucumber development is essential for its production and quality. Meanwhile, various stresses have caused serious losses of cucumber. However, the ABCG genes were not well characterized and functioned in cucumber. In this study, the cucumber CsABCG gene family were identified and characterized, and their evolutionary relationship and functions were analyzed. The cis-acting elements and expression analysis showed that they played important role in development and responding to various biotic and abiotic stresses in cucumber. Phylogenetic analysis, sequence alignment and MEME (Multiple Em for Motif Elicitation) analysis indicated that the functions of ABCG proteins in different plants are evolutionarily conserved. Collinear analysis revealed that the ABCG gene family was highly conserved during the evolution. In addition, the potential binding sites of the CsABCG genes targeted by miRNA were predicted. These results will lay a foundation for further research on the function of the CsABCG genes in cucumber.
ARC: a framework for access, reciprocity and conduct in psychedelic therapies
Authors: Spriggs Meg J. , Murphy-Beiner Ashleigh , Murphy Roberta , Bornemann Julia , Thurgur Hannah , Schlag Anne K.
Published: May 2023

The field of psychedelic assisted therapy (PAT) is growing at an unprecedented pace. The immense pressures this places on those working in this burgeoning field have already begun to raise important questions about risk and responsibility. It is imperative that the development of an ethical and equitable infrastructure for psychedelic care is prioritized to support this rapid expansion of PAT in research and clinical settings. Here we present Access, Reciprocity and Conduct (ARC); a framework for a culturally informed ethical infrastructure for ARC in psychedelic therapies. These three parallel yet interdependent pillars of ARC provide the bedrock for a sustainable psychedelic infrastructure which prioritized equal access to PAT for those in need of mental health treatment (Access), promotes the safety of those delivering and receiving PAT in clinical contexts (Conduct), and respects the traditional and spiritual uses of psychedelic medicines which often precede their clinical use (Reciprocity). In the development of ARC, we are taking a novel dual-phase co-design approach. The first phase involves co-development of an ethics statement for each arm with stakeholders from research, industry, therapy, community, and indigenous settings. A second phase will further disseminate the statements for collaborative review to a wider audience from these different stakeholder communities within the psychedelic therapy field to invite feedback and further refinement. By presenting ARC at this early stage, we hope to draw upon the collective wisdom of the wider psychedelic community and inspire the open dialogue and collaboration upon which the process of co-design depends. We aim to offer a framework through which psychedelic researchers, therapists and other stakeholders, may begin tackling the complex ethical questions arising within their own organizations and individual practice of PAT.
Family functioning and resilience in children in mainland China: life satisfaction as a mediator
Authors: Dou Diya , Shek Daniel T. L. , Tan Lindan , Zhao Li
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Grounded in the perspective of “Positive Youth Development” (PYD), resilience is an important developmental asset shaping human development. Although many studies have examined the impact of resilience on child developmental outcomes, relatively few studies have focused on the predictors of resilience, in particular familial antecedents of resilience in Chinese children and adolescents. In addition, the degree to which life satisfaction contributes to the mechanism by which family functioning impacts the development of children’s resilience over time needs to be clarified. Besides, there is a scarcity of studies that incorporate family functioning, resilience as well as life satisfaction in a single comprehensive investigation to analyze the mediating impact of life satisfaction on the linkage between family functioning and resilience under COVID-19.

Methods

The study investigated the predictive role of family functioning on resilience as well as the mediating effect of life satisfaction within the context of COVID-19, using data gathered in two waves before the onset of the pandemic and after the resumption of school during the pandemic, with 6 months apart. We employed the 33-item “Chinese Family Assessment Instrument” to evaluate family functioning, the 7-item “Chinese Resilience Scale” to assess resilience, and the “Satisfaction with Life Scale” with 5 items to measure life satisfaction.

Results

As per the responses of 4,783 students in Grades 4 through 7 recruited in Sichuan, China, family functioning significantly predicted resilience concurrently and longitudinally. After controlling for resilience scores in Wave 1, results demonstrated that family functioning examined in Wave 1 predicted an increase in resilience reported in Wave 2. In addition, family functioning significantly predicted life satisfaction, which also significantly predicted resilience. Multiple regression using PROCESS analyses indicated that life satisfaction mediated the predictive relationship between family functioning and child resilience.

Discussion

The findings spotlight the significant involvement of family functioning as well as life satisfaction in shaping children’s resilience in the Chinese context. The study also supports the hypothesis that perceived satisfaction with life serves as a mediator between family functioning and child resilience, suggesting interventions and support should concentrate on the family level for enhancing resilience in children.
The well-being of young leaders: demands and resources from a lifespan perspective
Authors: Irehill Hanna , Lundmark Robert , Tafvelin Susanne
Published: May 2023

Building on the job demand resources (JD-R) model, we examined the experience of work environment and well-being among young leaders in a two-wave survey study of 1,033 leaders within the private sector in Sweden. Our results reveal that young leaders report higher levels of burnout and lower rates of vigor compared to older colleagues. Further, they appraise demand and resources differently, perceiving higher emotional demands and less organizational support, and they seem to struggle with the leader role, seeing it as unclear and conflicting. Our findings underline the necessity of viewing the leader role from a lifespan perspective as well as considering age-specific aspects in the JD-R model. In practice, we urge organizations to improve prerequisites for young leaders by providing support and role clarifications to prevent impaired well-being and improve retention. By bringing leadership and lifespan studies together, we aim for a better understanding of what specific prerequisites young leaders need to thrive in the leader role thus showing how age matters and bring the field of research forward.
Microbiological sampling and analyses in the food business operators’ HACCP-based self-control programmes
Authors: Aybar Espinoza Mariel Stefhanie , Flink Catarina , Boisen Nadia , Scheutz Flemming , Käsbohrer Annemarie
Published: May 2023

A questionnaire was developed within the OH-HARMONY-CAP project providing an overview of current procedures for microbiological sampling and analyses in food business operators’ HACCP-based self-control programmes in EU/EEA countries. It focused on six bacterial species: Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Shigella spp. and Yersinia spp.; and five parasites: Trichinella spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Echinococcus granulosus (Sensu lato), Echinococcus multilocularis and Toxoplasma gondii. Participating EU/EEA countries distributed the questionnaire to food business operators’ laboratories within their countries and responses were received from nine countries. Feedback from 35 laboratories among 554 were considered for data analysis. Results showed that dairy products were analysed most frequently and the majority of laboratories analysed both ready-to-eat and non-ready-to-eat products. Laboratories analysing Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes processed the majority of samples. Accreditation for ISO-standards or an alternative method was in place in a considerable proportion of laboratories, but did not cover all pathogens investigated. Sending isolates for further confirmation to external laboratories was not common. In contrast, storing isolates was more frequently established. Around 60% of laboratories used more than one typing or characterisation method, predominantly MALDI-TOF, antimicrobial resistance typing and PCR, while 40% did not use any of these methods. Variability was observed as regards use of Whole Genome Sequencing; and participation in External Quality Assessment programmes. The study gathered insight into current practices of microbiological sampling and analyses performed in food business operators’ HACCP-based self-control programmes, and showed that further efforts are needed for harmonisation of analytical protocols and characterisation of foodborne pathogens.
Comparison of vaccination schedules for foot-and-mouth disease among cattle and sheep in Mongolia
Authors: Ulziibat Gerelmaa , Raizman Eran , Lkhagvasuren Amarsanaa , Bartels Chris J. M. , Oyun-Erdene Orgikhbayar , Khishgee Bodisaikhan , Browning Clare , King Donald P. , Ludi Anna B. , Lyons Nicholas A.
Published: May 2023

Vaccines are a critical tool for the control strategy for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Mongolia where sporadic outbreaks regularly occur. A two-dose primary vaccination course is recommended for most commercial vaccines though this can be logistically challenging to deliver among nomadic pastoralist systems which predominate in the country. Although there is evidence that very high potency vaccines can provide prolonged duration of immunity, this has not been demonstrated under field conditions using commercially available vaccines. This study compared neutralizing titres to a O/ME-SA/Panasia strain over a 6-month period following either a two-dose primary course or a single double-dose vaccination among Mongolian sheep and cattle using a 6.0 PD50 vaccine. Titers were not significantly different between groups except in sheep at six-months post vaccination when the single double-dose group had significantly lower titers. These results indicate the single double-dose regimen may be a cost-effective approach for vaccination campaigns supporting FMD control in Mongolia.
Stability Dynamics of Main Qualitative Traits in Maize Cultivations across Diverse Environments regarding Soil Characteristics and Climate
Authors: Greveniotis Vasileios , Bouloumpasi Elisavet , Zotis Stylianos , Korkovelos Athanasios , Kantas Dimitrios , Ipsilandis Constantinos G.
Published: May 2023

One of the main obstacles to finding cultivars with consistent performance across locations and years is the genotype × environment (GE) interaction effect. A new approach to stability analysis for qualitative characteristics in maize was conducted utilizing G × E interactions and further analysis via AMMI and GGE biplots. The study aimed to identify the type of trait inheritance through estimations of the stability index, to evaluate multiple locations and multiple genotypes to determine how different ecosystems and maize genotypes relate to one another, and, finally, to suggest the ideal climatic conditions and genotypes, carefully chosen for their stability. Fifteen F1 commercial maize hybrids comprised the genetic materials tested, along with 15 open-pollination lines created by 4-cycle Honeycomb assessment, at four different environments, Giannitsa, Florina, Trikala, and Kalambaka in Greece. The experiments were conducted in Randomized Complete Block Designs (RCB) with four replications. The tested characteristics were protein content (%), fat (%), ash (%), starch (%), crude fiber (%), moisture (%), seed length, seed thickness, and seed width. All genotypes showed statistically significant differences for all characteristics measured, especially for protein content and size of the kernel. G × E interaction was present only for moisture content and size of the kernel. Environments significantly affected fat, starch content, moisture content, and the kernel’s size (under a multiple G × E interaction). Protein, ash, and fiber content showed no G × E interaction. Further analysis via AMMI and GGE biplots was applied to explore the genotypic stability across all experimental environments for the traits that showed noteworthy G × E interaction. According to our results and approach, protein content is less qualitative than other characteristics like moisture and starch content. Correlations showed that negative selection for the last two characteristics, as well as for ash content, in combination with longer seeds, may lead indirectly to improved stability performance for protein content. Three environments, Giannitsa, Trikala and Kalambaka, exhibited higher stability index values for almost all characteristics measured. Therefore, those environments are perfect for ensuring the stability of the quality characteristics and could be recommended. The best maize hybrids were Mitic, 6818 and 6040, exhibiting high stability indices of quality characteristics and Kermes displaying stability for protein content. Therefore, those should be further tested in multiple environments to confirm the consistency of their high-stability performance.
Poverty Alleviation Resettlement and Household Natural Resources Dependence: A Case Study from Ankang Prefecture, China
Authors: Liu Wei , Wu Xinyu
Published: May 2023

In order to assess the degree to which China’s poverty alleviation resettlement (PAR) has been able to address the development conundrum of natural resources reliance and human welfare, it was necessary to investigate the effects of PAR on rural households with regard to their dependence on natural resources. This article evaluated households’ natural resources dependence in rural China by constructing a natural resources dependence index and empirically analyzing the effect of PAR on households by using household survey data from Ankang Prefecture, located in southern Shaanxi Province. The findings demonstrated that PAR could effectively decrease the dependence of households on local natural resources, thus safeguarding the natural environment. Moreover, there were noteworthy distinctions regarding households’ natural resources dependence. This research endeavored to complete the fusion of natural resource dependence and PAR at the household level, and then contemplated the policy implications of PAR on rural households’ dependence on resources, furnishing fresh information for future evaluations of nature conservation and development policies.
Evaluation of the Differences in the Serum Protein Electrophoretic Pattern in Precolostral Serum of Farm Animal Neonates
Authors: Tóthová Csilla , Link Róbert , Glembová Veronika , Nagy Oskar
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to compare the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in newborn calves, lambs, goat kids and piglets in precolostral blood samples. Blood samples were collected within 30 min of birth, prior to ingestion of first colostrum, and the concentrations of total proteins and protein fractions were analyzed using electrophoresis on agarose gel. The size and shape of the protein fractions on the electrophoretograms differed among the investigated animal species. Significant differences were found in the total protein values and all the separated protein fractions, as well as albumin to globulin ratio (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). The mean total protein concentration in piglets was lower compared to ruminants. Albumin concentrations were markedly higher, and the concentrations of α1-globulins were lower, in neonatal ruminants compared to piglets. The values of α2-globulins were higher in lambs and goat kids, and lower in calves and piglets. An opposite tendency was found in the values of β-globulins: a detectable amount of γ-globulins was recorded in all evaluated animal species. Presented results suggest marked species related differences in the shape and size of protein fraction among neonates of farm animal species, and the importance of the evaluation of electrophoretograms with regard to these findings.
Does Livelihood Determine Attitude? The Impact of Farmers’ Livelihood Capital on the Performance of Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Management: An Empirical Investigation in Yilong Lake Basin, China
Authors: Zhou Ning , Zhong Fanglei , Yin Yanjie
Published: May 2023

Agricultural non-point source pollution is intricately connected to the rural population’s production and lifestyle. The heterogeneous composition of livelihood capital results in varied livelihood types, influencing the farmers’ attitudes and perceptions of the treatment projects. This ultimately causes discrepancies in the farmers’ evaluation of agricultural non-point source pollution control. In this study, a participatory evaluation method was employed to evaluate the performance of agricultural non-point source pollution control projects in the Yilong Lake Watershed of Yunnan Province and analyze the underlying reasons for the differing performance evaluations. The findings revealed that pure farmers’ performance evaluation value for agricultural non-point source pollution control projects in Yilong Lake Basin was 0.4811 (with the full mark being 1), with a general evaluation grade. Part-time business households had a performance evaluation value of 0.5969, also with a general evaluation grade, while non-farmers had a performance evaluation value of 0.7057, with a good evaluation grade. The performance evaluation value ranked from highest to lowest is non-farmer > part-time farmer > pure farmer. The main factor affecting the variation in farmers’ performance evaluation is the key index of different livelihood capital. If pollution control projects can promote the adjustment of farmers’ livelihood capital types, it can enhance not only the performance evaluation degree of farmers, but also the sustainability of farmers’ livelihoods and increase their adaptability to livelihood risks. Therefore, pollution control projects should consider farmers’ livelihood capital types and be implemented accurately to improve farmers’ satisfaction and sustainability.
Physicochemical Properties and Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential of Sugar Beet Pulp—Preliminary Analysis for Further Use (Future Prospects)
Authors: Baryga Andrzej , Ziobro Rafał , Gumul Dorota , Rosicka-Kaczmarek Justyna , Miśkiewicz Karolina
Published: May 2023

High content of pro-health constituents in fruit and vegetable pomaces has led to their utilization as raw materials in food production. They are used mostly in dried form, which is microbiologically stable and allows their storage throughout a longer period. Nevertheless, some materials of these kind are still undervalued, among them sugar beet pulp, which is produced during sugar production in large quantities, often posing an environmental threat, and has been traditionally used for feeding animals. Earlier studies on chemical composition suggested that sugar beet pulp could be highly valuable in terms of health-promoting aspects. Therefore, in this work, research was directed to prove the nutritional potential of this raw material. Thus, an attempt was made to characterize sugar beet pulp in terms of its nutritional and carbohydrate profile, as well as its health-promoting qualities, with particular emphasis on the effect of the extraction on the content of polyphenols and phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavonols, and also their antioxidant activity, measured by ABTS and FRAP methods. The soluble and insoluble fraction of dietary fiber and total dietary fiber were also determined in the pulp. It was found that sugar beet pulp is a valuable source of nutrients (around 10% protein, 7% fat, 8% sugar, 4% ash), dietary fiber (nearly 70%), and has significant amounts of sugars present as free saccharides (fructose and glucose) and polysaccharide residues (arabinose, galacturonic acid, rhamnose, and glucose). In addition, it is a source of polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids and has a high health-promoting potential regardless of the applied extraction method. Therefore, we may suggest that sugar beet pulp could become an ingredient for pro-health functional food.
Study on Screening and Degradation Effect of Autotoxin-Degrading Bacteria in Muskmelon
Authors: Tang Shuangshuang , Zhang Zhaoran , Liu Xiaodi , Gao Zenggui
Published: May 2023

The autotoxins of muskmelon are one of the most important reasons for the continuous cropping obstacle of muskmelon, of which the main components are phenolic acids. Phenolic acids can inhibit the growth and development of muskmelon plants. The purpose of this study was to screen the strains that can degrade phenolic acids in soil. Using phenolic acids as the sole carbon source, the strains were isolated and screened by the dilution plate method, which could efficiently degrade various phenolic acids. The abilities of the strains to degrade phenolic acids were measured by HPLC, and the effects of degrading phenolic acids in soil were verified by a pot experiment. After identification, strain T58 was identified as Burkholderia sp., strain T79 was identified as Burkholderia sp., strain H16 was identified as Pseudomonas sp., and strain T15 was identified as Burkholderia sp. The results showed that, after 21 days of culture, the degradation rates of ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillin and sinapic acid by strain H16, strain T79, strain T15 and strain T58 were 100%, respectively. Additionally, the degradation rates of gallic acid by the four strains were also 100%. In this study, it was found that the four strains of autotoxin-degrading bacteria had good degradation effects on various phenolic acids, which could not only alleviate the toxic effects of phenolic acids on muskmelon, but also promote the growth of muskmelon seedlings.
Synthesis, Antimicrobial and Mutagenic Activity of a New Class of d-Xylopyranosides
Authors: Sikora Karol , Szweda Piotr , Słoczyńska Karolina , Samaszko-Fiertek Justyna , Madaj Janusz , Liberek Beata , Pękala Elżbieta , Dmochowska Barbara
Published: May 2023

Eight N-[2-(2′,3′,4′-tri-O-acetyl-α/β-d-xylopyranosyloxy)ethyl]ammonium bromides, a new class of d-xylopyranosides containing a quaternary ammonium aglycone, were obtained. Their complete structure was confirmed using NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, COSY and HSQC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). An antimicrobial activity against fungi (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata) and bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli) and a mutagenic Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 strain were performed for the obtained compounds. The greatest activity against the tested microorganisms was shown by glycosides with the longest (octyl) hydrocarbon chain in ammonium salt. None of the tested compounds exhibited mutagenic activity in the Ames test.
Persistence of Campylobacter spp. in Poultry Flocks after Disinfection, Virulence, and Antimicrobial Resistance Traits of Recovered Isolates
Authors: Gharbi Manel , Béjaoui Awatef , Hamrouni Safa , Arfaoui Amel , Maaroufi Abderrazak
Published: May 2023

To investigate the persistence risk of Campylobacter spp. in poultry farms, and to study the virulence and antimicrobial resistance characteristics in the recovered strains, we collected 362 samples from breeding hen flocks, before and after disinfection. The virulence factors were investigated by targeting the genes; flaA, cadF, racR, virB11, pldA, dnaJ, cdtA, cdtB, cdtC, ciaB, wlaN, cgtB, and ceuE by PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested and genes encoding antibiotic resistance were investigated by PCR and MAMA-PCR. Among the analyzed samples, 167 (46.13%) were positive for Campylobacter. They were detected in 38.7% (38/98) and 3% (3/98) of environment samples before and after disinfection, respectively, and in 126 (75.9%) out of 166 feces samples. In total, 78 C. jejuni and 89 C. coli isolates were identified and further studied. All isolates were resistant to macrolids, tetracycline, quinolones, and chloramphenicol. However, lower rates were observed for beta-lactams [ampicillin (62.87%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (47.3%)] and gentamicin (0.6%). The tet(O) and the cmeB genes were detected in 90% of resistant isolates. The blaOXA-61 gene and the specific mutations in the 23S rRNA were detected in 87% and 73.5% of isolates, respectively. The A2075G and the Thr-86-Ile mutations were detected in 85% and 73.5% of macrolide and quinolone-resistant isolates, respectively. All isolates carried the flaA, cadF, CiaB, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC genes. The virB11, pldA, and racR genes were frequent in both C. jejuni (89%, 89%, and 90%, respectively) and C. coli (89%, 84%, and 90%). Our findings highlight the high occurrence of Campylobacter strains exhibiting antimicrobial resistance with potential virulence traits in the avian environment. Thus, the improvement of biosecurity measures in poultry farms is essential to control bacterial infection persistence and to prevent the spread of virulent and resistant strains.
Metabolic Priming as a Tool in Redox and Mitochondrial Theragnostics
Authors: Pinho Sónia A. , Anjo Sandra I. , Cunha-Oliveira Teresa
Published: May 2023

Theragnostics is a promising approach that integrates diagnostics and therapeutics into a single personalized strategy. To conduct effective theragnostic studies, it is essential to create an in vitro environment that accurately reflects the in vivo conditions. In this review, we discuss the importance of redox homeostasis and mitochondrial function in the context of personalized theragnostic approaches. Cells have several ways to respond to metabolic stress, including changes in protein localization, density, and degradation, which can promote cell survival. However, disruption of redox homeostasis can lead to oxidative stress and cellular damage, which are implicated in various diseases. Models of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction should be developed in metabolically conditioned cells to explore the underlying mechanisms of diseases and develop new therapies. By choosing an appropriate cellular model, adjusting cell culture conditions and validating the cellular model, it is possible to identify the most promising therapeutic options and tailor treatments to individual patients. Overall, we highlight the importance of precise and individualized approaches in theragnostics and the need to develop accurate in vitro models that reflect the in vivo conditions.
The Importance of Thioredoxin-1 in Health and Disease
Authors: Oberacker Tina , Kraft Leonie , Schanz Moritz , Latus Jörg , Schricker Severin
Published: May 2023

Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is a multifunctional protein ubiquitously found in the human body. Trx-1 plays an important role in various cellular functions such as maintenance of redox homeostasis, proliferation, and DNA synthesis, but also modulation of transcription factors and control of cell death. Thus, Trx-1 is one of the most important proteins for proper cell and organ function. Therefore, modulation of Trx gene expression or modulation of Trx activity by various mechanisms, including post-translational modifications or protein–protein interactions, could cause a transition from the physiological state of cells and organs to various pathologies such as cancer, and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we not only discuss the current knowledge of Trx in health and disease, but also highlight its potential function as a biomarker.
Virtual Laboratory for the Full-Field Goniophotometer of Luminaires
Authors: Liu Shasha , Cao Fan , He Xiaoyang , Zou Nianyu
Published: May 2023

In order to solve the problem that students have insufficient understanding of the full-field goniophotometer instrumentation due to the expensive equipment and the high requirements of the experimental environment, virtual reality technology is used to complete the virtual laboratory of a light intensity distribution measurement of the full-field goniophotometer through Unity 3D. The virtual laboratory is designed for near-field measurement, mid-field measurement, and far-field measurement of light intensity. It combines 3D MAX and C# to realize the model building of laboratory, luminaire and full-field goniophotometer, the dynamic drawing of light distribution curves, and the simulation system can also be run on mobile phones. The experimental process is mainly through the manipulation of the virtual experimenter and each module to generate collision detection, pop-up buttons, and click on the button triggers an event and the operation prompt page appears. The light distribution curve is generated dynamically by reading and processing the IES file data to generate 3D coordinates. This virtual simulation laboratory is demonstrated on multiple platforms. The results proved that the virtual simulation restored the experimental process vividly and can complete the experimental teaching remotely.
Predicting Maximum Effective Temperatures and Thermal Gradients for Steel I-Girder in Canadian Climate Regions
Authors: Nassar Musab , Amleh Lamya
Published: May 2023

The constant fluctuation of thermal loads on steel members, especially during construction, causes non-uniform distributions of temperatures, resulting in possible constructional and structural defects leading to unfavorable thermally induced responses and potential safety risks. The Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC) provides one thermal gradient variation profile without accounting for the differences in the geometrical parameters of the steel members and the variations in the climate regions of Canada. Therefore, in this study, three-dimensional finite element (FE) thermal simulations were conducted to investigate the maximum effective temperatures and positive vertical thermal gradients for different Canadian climate regions. Parametric studies were performed to conduct the FE thermal analysis using the thermal model validated in ANSYS. The comprehensive study results showed that Canada could be divided into two main zones for vertical thermal gradient calculations, meaning that one stationary thermal gradient profile cannot be applicable to all climate regions of Canada, as recommended by the CHBDC. Based on the FE thermal analysis results, empirical formulas as a function of the significant parameters were proposed to predict the maximum effective temperature and thermal gradient variations of the steel I-girder. The predicted maximum effective temperature and thermal gradient variation values were found to be highly correlated with the FE values with coefficients of determination R2 of approximately 0.97 and 0.98, respectively.
Particle Number of Aerosol in Specific Conditions of Biotechnology Laboratory Cleanroom
Authors: Junga Petr , Trávníček Petr , Vítěz Tomáš , Machů Gabrielle , Ružbarský Juraj
Published: May 2023

This paper presents the results of experimental measurements of the number of aerosol particles in cleanroom air of a biotechnology laboratory for DNA analysis. The aerosol content in the air can harm the accuracy of any analysis performed. The experimental measurements demonstrate compliance with the ISO cleanroom requirements for class 7. The indoor environment of the investigated biotechnology laboratory cleanroom can be classified as ISO cleanroom class 8. The particle count values depend on the month in which the measurement is made. The location of the measurement site, on the other hand, does not have too much influence. Our results showed that the values of particle number in the laboratory ranged from 325,965 to 2,740,877 pc/m3 for particles of 0.5 μm and more. From these measurements, it can be concluded that the biotechnology laboratory premises were not very suitable locations to perform for the intended DNA tests since microbiological contamination had the capacity to distort the results of these tests. As such, the authors propose several strategies to improve the current situation. These strategies are based on changing the laboratory work organization and cleaning methodology. In addition, the monitoring of particles with a size of 5 µm or more is recommended.
Liquid Metal-Based Electrode Array for Neural Signal Recording
Authors: Zhang Xilong , Liu Bingxin , Gao Jingru , Lang Yiran , Lv Xiaodong , Deng Zhongshan , Gui Lin , Liu Jing , Tang Rongyu , Li Lei
Published: May 2023

Neural electrodes are core devices for research in neuroscience, neurological diseases, and neural–machine interfacing. They build a bridge between the cerebral nervous system and electronic devices. Most of the neural electrodes in use are based on rigid materials that differ significantly from biological neural tissue in flexibility and tensile properties. In this study, a liquid-metal (LM) -based 20-channel neural electrode array with a platinum metal (Pt) encapsulation material was developed by microfabrication technology. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that the electrode has stable electrical properties and excellent mechanical properties such as flexibility and bending, which allows the electrode to form conformal contact with the skull. The in vivo experiments also recorded electroencephalographic signals using the LM-based electrode from a rat under low-flow or deep anesthesia, including the auditory-evoked potentials triggered by sound stimulation. The auditory-activated cortical area was analyzed using source localization technique. These results indicate that this 20-channel LM-based neural electrode array satisfies the demands of brain signal acquisition and provides high-quality-electroencephalogram (EEG) signals that support source localization analysis.
The Influence of the Oral Microbiome on Oral Cancer: A Literature Review and a New Approach
Authors: Smędra Anna , Berent Jarosław
Published: May 2023

In our recent article (Smędra et al.: Oral form of auto-brewery syndrome. J Forensic Leg Med. 2022; 87: 102333), we showed that alcohol production can occur in the oral cavity (oral auto-brewery syndrome) due to a disruption in the microbiota (dysbiosis). An intermediate step on the path leading to the formation of alcohol is acetaldehyde. Typically, acetic aldehyde is transformed into acetate particles inside the human body via acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. Unfortunately, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase activity is low in the oral cavity, and acetaldehyde remains there for a long time. Since acetaldehyde is a recognised risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma arising from the oral cavity, we decided to analyse the relationship linking the oral microbiome, alcohol, and oral cancer using the narrative review method, based on browsing articles in the PubMed database. In conclusion, enough evidence supports the speculation that oral alcohol metabolism must be assessed as an independent carcinogenic risk. We also hypothesise that dysbiosis and the production of acetaldehyde from non-alcoholic food and drinks should be treated as a new factor for the development of cancer.
Gastrointestinal Disease: New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches
Authors: Jabłońska Beata , Mrowiec Sławomir
Published: May 2023

Gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs) involve various benign and malignant pathologies of the digestive tract, as well as the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas [...]
Effect of Curcumin and Coenzyme Q10 Alone and in Combination on Learning and Memory in an Animal Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Kumar Pramod , Singh Aarti , Kumar Anurag , Kumar Rahul , Pal Rishi , Sachan Amod Kumar , Dixit Rakesh Kumar , Nath Rajendra
Published: May 2023

The most frequent neurodegenerative illness among senior people and the main cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. The present dementia medications available only help with the symptoms of cognitive deficits and have several negative effects. The current study’s goal is to assess the effects of curcumin and coenzyme Q10, two herbal medicines, both separately and in combination, on learning and memory before comparing them to the industry standard drug. A total of 42 adult healthy Wistar rats were used in our study. In this experiment, rats were given daily doses of 2.5 mg/kg of body weight of scopolamine hydrobromide for 7 days to induce Alzheimer’s disease. On the eighth day, behavioural testing was conducted. Following testing, scopolamine and the test medications were given daily for the following 21 days. On days 29 and 30, behavioural testing was conducted once more, and then animals were slaughtered. Brain homogenate was produced for the estimation of molecular and biochemical markers. Curcumin has demonstrated a dose–response relationship, with a higher dose (200 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) being more effective than a lower dose (100 mg/kg b.w. p.o.). Similar to the greater dose of curcumin, coenzyme Q10 (200 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) has also been found to improve memory and learning. Higher doses of curcumin and coenzyme Q10 had more pronounced and meaningful effects. Acetylcholinesterase and TNF levels increased in scopolamine-induced memory impairment, but these effects were restored by the test medications, and improved by the combined therapy. These outcomes are comparable to those of the common medication memantine. As a result, we may infer from our results that curcumin at higher doses and its combination with coenzyme Q10 (200 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) have a significant impact on cognitive impairment in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease and can be utilised alone or as an add-on therapy for the condition.
Attention-Based Deep Learning System for Classification of Breast Lesions—Multimodal, Weakly Supervised Approach
Authors: Bobowicz Maciej , Rygusik Marlena , Buler Jakub , Buler Rafał , Ferlin Maria , Kwasigroch Arkadiusz , Szurowska Edyta , Grochowski Michał
Published: May 2023

Breast cancer is the most frequent female cancer, with a considerable disease burden and high mortality. Early diagnosis with screening mammography might be facilitated by automated systems supported by deep learning artificial intelligence. We propose a model based on a weakly supervised Clustering-constrained Attention Multiple Instance Learning (CLAM) classifier able to train under data scarcity effectively. We used a private dataset with 1174 non-cancer and 794 cancer images labelled at the image level with pathological ground truth confirmation. We used feature extractors (ResNet-18, ResNet-34, ResNet-50 and EfficientNet-B0) pre-trained on ImageNet. The best results were achieved with multimodal-view classification using both CC and MLO images simultaneously, resized by half, with a patch size of 224 px and an overlap of 0.25. It resulted in AUC-ROC = 0.896 ± 0.017, F1-score 81.8 ± 3.2, accuracy 81.6 ± 3.2, precision 82.4 ± 3.3, and recall 81.6 ± 3.2. Evaluation with the Chinese Mammography Database, with 5-fold cross-validation, patient-wise breakdowns, and transfer learning, resulted in AUC-ROC 0.848 ± 0.015, F1-score 78.6 ± 2.0, accuracy 78.4 ± 1.9, precision 78.8 ± 2.0, and recall 78.4 ± 1.9. The CLAM algorithm’s attentional maps indicate the features most relevant to the algorithm in the images. Our approach was more effective than in many other studies, allowing for some explainability and identifying erroneous predictions based on the wrong premises.