bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between the Therapeutic Alliance and Suicidal Experiences in People with Psychosis Receiving Therapy
Authors: Huggett Charlotte , Gooding Patricia , Haddock Gillian , Pratt Daniel
Published: October 2021

Few studies have examined the relationship between the therapeutic alliance in therapy and suicidal experiences. No studies have examined this relationship with people with non-affective psychosis. The present study sought to redress this gap in the literature. Sixty-four participants with non-affective psychosis and suicidal experiences who were receiving a suicide-focused cognitive therapy were recruited. Self-reported suicidal ideation, suicide plans, suicide attempts, depression, and hopelessness were collected from participants prior to starting therapy. Suicidal experience measures were collected again post-therapy at 6 months. Therapeutic alliance ratings were completed by clients and therapists at session 4 of therapy. Dose of therapy was documented in number of minutes of therapy. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficients, independent samples t-tests, a multiple hierarchical regression, and a moderated linear regression. There was no significant relationship found between suicidal ideation prior to therapy and the therapeutic alliance at session 4, rated by both client and therapist. However, there was a significant negative relationship between the client-rated therapeutic alliance at session 4 and suicidal ideation at 6 months, after controlling for pre-therapy suicidal ideation, depression, and hopelessness. Furthermore, the negative relationship between the client-rated alliance and suicidal ideation was the strongest when number of minutes of therapy was 15 h or below. A stronger therapeutic alliance developed in the first few sessions of therapy is important in ameliorating suicidal thoughts in people with psychosis. Nevertheless, it is not necessarily the case that more hours in therapy equates to a cumulative decrease in suicidal ideation of which therapists could be mindful. A limitation of the current study was that the alliance was analyzed only at session 4 of therapy, which future studies could seek to redress.
Relationship between Diabetes Family Conflicts or Problem Recognition in Illness Self-Management and Quality of Life of Adolescents with T1DM and Their Parents
Authors: Cho Mi-Kyoung , Kim Mi Young
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between diabetes family conflicts or problem recognition in illness self-management (PRISM) and the parental perceived quality of life (QoL) of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and their parents. This was a cross-sectional study, and the participants comprised 111 parents of type 1 diabetes adolescents; data were collected via an online survey and analyzed by descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis using the IBM SPSS 25.0 program. The explanatory power of the QoL model in parents of adolescents with T1DM, constructed using three variables—diabetes family conflict (B = −0.56), regimen pain and bother (B = −11.25), and peer interactions (B = −7.48), which are PRISM barriers—was 35.7% (F = 5.70, p < 0.001). Diabetes family conflicts (B = −0.86) and peer interactions (B = −9.04) explained 57.3% of the variance in the parental perceived QoL of adolescents with T1DM (F = 12.33, p < 0.001). In order to improve the QoL in parents and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, interventions to effectively manage diabetes family conflicts and improve peer interactions are necessary.
Blood-Based Immune Profiling Combined with Machine Learning Discriminates Psoriatic Arthritis from Psoriasis Patients
Authors: Mulder Michelle L. M. , He Xuehui , van den Reek Juul M. P. A. , Urbano Paulo C. M. , Kaffa Charlotte , Wang Xinhui , van Cranenbroek Bram , van Rijssen Esther , van den Hoogen Frank H. J. , Joosten Irma , Alkema Wynand , de Jong Elke M. G. J. , Smeets Ruben L. , Wenink Mark H. , Koenen Hans J. P. M.
Published: October 2021

Psoriasis (Pso) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, and up to 30% of Pso patients develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which can lead to irreversible joint damage. Early detection of PsA in Pso patients is crucial for timely treatment but difficult for dermatologists to implement. We, therefore, aimed to find disease-specific immune profiles, discriminating Pso from PsA patients, possibly facilitating the correct identification of Pso patients in need of referral to a rheumatology clinic. The phenotypes of peripheral blood immune cells of consecutive Pso and PsA patients were analyzed, and disease-specific immune profiles were identified via a machine learning approach. This approach resulted in a random forest classification model capable of distinguishing PsA from Pso (mean AUC = 0.95). Key PsA-classifying cell subsets selected included increased proportions of differentiated CD4+CD196+CD183-CD194+ and CD4+CD196-CD183-CD194+ T-cells and reduced proportions of CD196+ and CD197+ monocytes, memory CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets and CD4+ regulatory T-cells. Within PsA, joint scores showed an association with memory CD8+CD45RA-CD197- effector T-cells and CD197+ monocytes. To conclude, through the integration of in-depth flow cytometry and machine learning, we identified an immune cell profile discriminating PsA from Pso. This immune profile may aid in timely diagnosing PsA in Pso.
Comparison of the Distinct, Host-Specific Response of Three Solanaceae Hosts Induced by Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Lu Jie , Liu Tingli , Zhang Xiong , Li Jie , Wang Xun , Liang Xiangxiu , Xu Guangyuan , Jing Maofeng , Li Zhugang , Hein Ingo , Dou Daolong , Zhang Yanju , Wang Xiaodan
Published: October 2021

Three Solanaceae hosts (TSHs), S. tuberosum, N. benthamiana and S. lycopersicum, represent the three major phylogenetic clades of Solanaceae plants infected by Phytophthora infestans, which causes late blight, one of the most devastating diseases seriously affecting crop production. However, details regarding how different Solanaceae hosts respond to P. infestans are lacking. Here, we conducted RNA-seq to analyze the transcriptomic data from the TSHs at 12 and 24 h post P. infestans inoculation to capture early expression effects. Macroscopic and microscopic observations showed faster infection processes in S. tuberosum than in N. benthamiana and S. lycopersicum under the same conditions. Analysis of the number of genes and their level of expression indicated that distinct response models were adopted by the TSHs in response to P. infestans. The host-specific infection process led to overlapping but distinct in GO terms and KEGG pathways enriched for differentially expressed genes; many were tightly linked to the immune response in the TSHs. S. tuberosum showed the fastest response and strongest accumulation of reactive oxygen species compared with N. benthamiana and S. lycopersicum, which also had similarities and differences in hormone regulation. Collectively, our study provides an important reference for a better understanding of late blight response mechanisms of different Solanaceae host interactions.
Development of a Multiplex Immunohistochemistry Workflow to Investigate the Immune Microenvironment in Mouse Models of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colon Cancer
Authors: Pang Lokman , Ernst Matthias , Huynh Jennifer
Published: October 2021

Multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) enables simultaneous staining of multiple immune markers on a single tissue section. Mounting studies have demonstrated the versatility of mIHC in evaluating immune infiltrates in different diseases and the tumour microenvironment (TME). However, the majority of published studies are limited to the analysis of human patient samples. Performing mIHC on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) mouse tissues, particularly with sensitive antigens, remain challenging. The aim of our study was to develop a robust and reproducible protocol to uncover the immune landscape in mouse FFPE tissues. Effective antibody stripping while maintaining sensitivity to antigens and tissue adhesion to the glass slide is critical in developing an mIHC panel to allow successive rounds of staining. Thus, we identified a highly efficient stripping method that preserves signal intensity and antigenicity to allow multiple rounds of staining. We subsequently optimised an mIHC workflow with antibodies specific against CD4, CD8α, FOXP3 and B220 to identify distinct T and B cell populations on mouse FFPE tissues. Lastly, the application of this mIHC panel was validated in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel cancer, two allograft mouse models of spontaneous colon adenocarcinoma and a sporadic mouse model of colon cancer. Together, these demonstrate the utility of the aforementioned protocol in establishing the quantity and spatial localisation of immune cells in different pathological tissues.
Investigation of NPB Analogs That Target Phosphorylation of BAD-Ser99 in Human Mammary Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Girimanchanaika Swamy Savvemala , Dukanya Dukanya , Swamynayaka Ananda , Govindachar Divya Maldepalli , Madegowda Mahendra , Periyasamy Ganga , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal Subbegowda , Pandey Vijay , Lobie Peter E. , Basappa Basappa
Published: October 2021

The design and development of a small molecule named NPB [3-{(4(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl}{2-hydroxyphenyl)methyl}-N-cyclopentylbenzamide], which specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of BAD at Ser99 in human carcinoma cells has been previously reported. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, and effect on cancer cell viability of NPB analogs, and the single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies of an example compound (4r), which was grown via slow-solvent evaporation technique is reported. Screening for loss of viability in mammary carcinoma cells revealed that compounds such as 2[(4(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl][naphthalen-1-yl]methyl)phenol (4e), 5[(4(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl][2-hydroxyphenyl)methyl)uran-2-carbaldehyde (4f), 3[(2-hydroxyphenyl][4(p-tolyl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)benzaldehyde (4i), and NPB inhibited the viability of MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 5.90, 3.11, 7.68, and 6.5 µM, respectively. The loss of cell viability was enhanced by the NPB analogs synthesized by adding newer rings such as naphthalene and furan-2-carbaldehyde in place of N-cyclopentyl-benzamide of NPB. Furthermore, these compounds decreased Ser99 phosphorylation of hBAD. Additional in silico density functional theory calculations suggested possibilities for other analogs of NPB that may be more suitable for further development.
Proteomic Landscape of Extracellular Vesicles for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Subtyping
Authors: Carvalho Ana Sofia , Baeta Henrique , Henriques Andreia F. A. , Ejtehadifar Mostafa , Tranfield Erin M. , Sousa Ana Laura , Farinho Ana , Silva Bruno Costa , Cabeçadas José , Gameiro Paula , Silva Maria Gomes da , Beck Hans Christian , Matthiesen Rune
Published: October 2021

The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) proteome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) pathology, subclassification, and patient screening is unexplored. We analyzed by state-of-the-art mass spectrometry the whole cell and secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) proteomes of different molecular subtypes of DLBCL, germinal center B cell (GCB subtype), and activated B cell (ABC subtype). After quality control assessment, we compared whole-cell and secreted EVs proteomes of the two cell-of-origin (COO) categories, GCB and ABC subtypes, resulting in 288/1115 significantly differential expressed proteins from the whole-cell proteome and 228/608 proteins from EVs (adjust p-value < 0.05/p-value < 0.05). In our preclinical model system, we demonstrated that the EV proteome and the whole-cell proteome possess the capacity to separate cell lines into ABC and GCB subtypes. KEGG functional analysis and GO enrichment analysis for cellular component, molecular function, and biological process of differential expressed proteins (DEP) between ABC and GCB EVs showed a significant enrichment of pathways involved in immune response function. Other enriched functional categories for DEPs constitute cellular signaling and intracellular trafficking such as B-cell receptor (BCR), Fc_gamma R-mediated phagocytosis, ErbB signaling, and endocytosis. Our results suggest EVs can be explored as a tool for patient diagnosis, follow-up, and disease monitoring. Finally, this study proposes novel drug targets based on highly expressed proteins, for which antitumor drugs are available suggesting potential combinatorial therapies for aggressive forms of DLBCL. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD028267.
Primary Human Hepatocyte Spheroids as Tools to Study the Hepatotoxic Potential of Non-Pharmaceutical Chemicals
Authors: Vilas-Boas Vânia , Gijbels Eva , Leroy Kaat , Pieters Alanah , Baze Audrey , Parmentier Céline , Vinken Mathieu
Published: October 2021

Drug-induced liver injury, including cholestasis, is an important clinical issue and economic burden for pharmaceutical industry and healthcare systems. However, human-relevant in vitro information on the ability of other types of chemicals to induce cholestatic hepatotoxicity is lacking. This work aimed at investigating the cholestatic potential of non-pharmaceutical chemicals using primary human hepatocytes cultured in 3D spheroids. Spheroid cultures were repeatedly (co-) exposed to drugs (cyclosporine-A, bosentan, macitentan) or non-pharmaceutical chemicals (paraquat, tartrazine, triclosan) and a concentrated mixture of bile acids for 4 weeks. Cell viability (adenosine triphosphate content) was checked every week and used to calculate the cholestatic index, an indicator of cholestatic liability. Microarray analysis was performed at specific time-points to verify the deregulation of genes related to cholestasis, steatosis and fibrosis. Despite the evident inter-donor variability, shorter exposures to cyclosporine-A consistently produced cholestatic index values below 0.80 with transcriptomic data partially supporting its cholestatic burden. Bosentan confirmed to be hepatotoxic, while macitentan was not toxic in the tested concentrations. Prolonged exposure to paraquat suggested fibrotic potential, while triclosan markedly deregulated genes involved in different types of hepatotoxicity. These results support the applicability of primary human hepatocyte spheroids to study hepatotoxicity of non-pharmaceutical chemicals in vitro.
Identification of a Novel Mutation of β-Spectrin in Hereditary Spherocytosis Using Whole Exome Sequencing
Authors: Bogusławska Dżamila M. , Skulski Michał , Machnicka Beata , Potoczek Stanisław , Kraszewski Sebastian , Kuliczkowski Kazimierz , Sikorski Aleksander F.
Published: October 2021

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS), the most commonly inherited hemolytic anemia in northern Europeans, comprises a group of diseases whose heterogeneous genetic basis results in a variable clinical presentation. High-throughput genome sequencing methods have made a leading contribution to the recent progress in research on and diagnostics of inherited diseases and inspired us to apply whole exome sequencing (WES) to identify potential mutations in HS. The data presented here reveal a novel mutation probably responsible for HS in a single Polish family. Patients with clinical evidence of HS (clinical symptoms, hematological data, and EMA test) were enrolled in the study. The examination of the resulting WES data showed a number of polymorphisms in 71 genes associated with known erythrocyte pathologies (including membranopathies, enzymopathies, and hemoglobinopathies). Only a single SPTB gene variant indicated the possible molecular mechanism of the disease in the studied family. The new missense mutation p.C183Y was identified using WES in the SPTB gene, which is most likely the cause of clinical symptoms typical of hereditary spherocytosis (membranopathy) due to structural and functional impairments of human β-spectrin. This mutation allows for a better understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) of one of the membranopathies, hereditary spherocytosis.
Two Novel Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase Splicing Mutations Predispose to Acute Intermittent Porphyria
Authors: Zhang Yanping , Xiao Han , Xiong Qiuhong , Wu Changxin , Li Ping
Published: October 2021

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease caused by a lack or decrease in hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) activity. It is characterized by acute nerve and visceral attacks caused by factors in the process of heme synthesis. The penetrance rate of this disease is low, and the heterogeneity is strong. Here, we reported two novel HMBS mutations from two unrelated Chinese AIP patients and confirmed the pathogenicity of these two mutations. We found the HMBS c.760–771+2delCTGAGGCACCTGGTinsGCTGCATCGCTGAA and HMBS c.88-1G>C mutations by second-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing. The in vitro expression analysis showed that these mutations caused abnormal HMBS mRNA splicing and premature termination or partial missing of HMBS protein. Homologous modeling analysis showed that the HMBS mutants lacked the amino acids which are crucial for the enzyme activity or the protein stability. Consistently, enzyme activity analysis confirmed that the HMBS mutants’ overexpression cells exhibited the reduced enzyme activity compared with the HMBS wildtype overexpression cells. Our study identified and confirmed two novel pathogenic HMBS mutations which will expand the molecular heterogeneity of AIP and provide further scientific basis for the clinical diagnosis of AIP.
Impact of Maturation on Myocardial Response to Ischemia and the Effectiveness of Remote Preconditioning in Male Rats
Authors: Kindernay Lucia , Farkasova Veronika , Neckar Jan , Hrdlicka Jaroslav , Ytrehus Kirsti , Ravingerova Tanya
Published: October 2021

Aging attenuates cardiac tolerance to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) associated with defects in protective cell signaling, however, the onset of this phenotype has not been completely investigated. This study aimed to compare changes in response to I/R and the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in the hearts of younger adult (3 months) and mature adult (6 months) male Wistar rats, with changes in selected proteins of protective signaling. Langendorff-perfused hearts were exposed to 30 min I/120 min R without or with prior three cycles of RIPC (pressure cuff inflation/deflation on the hind limb). Infarct size (IS), incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and recovery of contractile function (LVDP) served as the end points. In both age groups, left ventricular tissue samples were collected prior to ischemia (baseline) and after I/R, in non-RIPC controls and in RIPC groups to detect selected pro-survival proteins (Western blot). Maturation did not affect post-ischemic recovery of heart function (Left Ventricular Developed Pressure, LVDP), however, it increased IS and arrhythmogenesis accompanied by decreased levels and activity of several pro-survival proteins and by higher levels of pro-apoptotic proteins in the hearts of elder animals. RIPC reduced the occurrence of reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias, IS and contractile dysfunction in younger animals, and this was preserved in the mature adults. RIPC did not increase phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt)/total Akt ratio, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protein kinase Cε (PKCε) prior to ischemia but only after I/R, while phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) was increased (inactivated) before and after ischemia in both age groups coupled with decreased levels of pro-apoptotic markers. We assume that resistance of rat heart to I/R injury starts to already decline during maturation, and that RIPC may represent a clinically relevant cardioprotective intervention in the elder population.
Bazedoxifene, a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator, Promotes Functional Recovery in a Spinal Cord Injury Rat Model
Authors: Kim Yiyoung , Roh Eun Ji , Joshi Hari Prasad , Shin Hae Eun , Choi Hyemin , Kwon Su Yeon , Sohn Seil , Han Inbo
Published: October 2021

In research on various central nervous system injuries, bazedoxifene acetate (BZA) has shown two main effects: neuroprotection by suppressing the inflammatory response and remyelination by enhancing oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation and oligodendrocyte proliferation. We examined the effects of BZA in a rat spinal cord injury (SCI) model. Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects were investigated in RAW 264.7 cells, and blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) permeability and angiogenesis were evaluated in a human brain endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3). In vivo experiments were carried out on female Sprague Dawley rats subjected to moderate static compression SCI. The rats were intraperitoneally injected with either vehicle or BZA (1mg/kg pre-SCI and 3 mg/kg for 7 days post-SCI) daily. BZA decreased the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in RAW 264.7 cells and preserved BSCB disruption in hCMEC/D3 cells. In the rats, BZA reduced caspase-3 activity at 1 day post-injury (dpi) and suppressed phosphorylation of MAPK (p38 and ERK) at dpi 2, hence reducing the expression of IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine. BZA also led to remyelination at dpi 20. BZA contributed to improvements in locomotor recovery after compressive SCI. This evidence suggests that BZA may have therapeutic potential to promote neuroprotection, remyelination, and functional outcomes following SCI.
Design of Materials for Bone Tissue Scaffolds
Authors: Boccaccio Antonio
Published: October 2021

The strong impulse recently experienced by the manufacturing technologies as well as the development of innovative biocompatible materials has allowed the fabrication of high-performing scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The design process of materials for bone tissue scaffolds represents, nowadays, an issue of crucial importance and the object of study of many researchers throughout the world. A number of studies have been conducted, aimed at identifying the optimal material, geometry, and surface that the scaffold must possess to stimulate the formation of the largest amounts of bone in the shortest time possible. This book presents a collection of 10 research articles and 2 review papers describing numerical and experimental design techniques definitively aimed at improving the scaffold performance, shortening the healing time, and increasing the success rate of the scaffold implantation process.
Prediction of Flow Stress of Annealed 7075 Al Alloy in Hot Deformation Using Strain-Compensated Arrhenius and Neural Network Models
Authors: Yang Hongbin , Bu Hengyong , Li Mengnie , Lu Xin
Published: October 2021

Hot compression experiments of annealed 7075 Al alloy were performed on TA DIL805D at different temperatures (733, 693, 653, 613 and 573 K) with different strain rates (1.0, 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 s−1.) Based on experimental data, the strain-compensated Arrhenius model (SCAM) and the back-propagation artificial neural network model (BP-ANN) were constructed for the prediction of the flow stress. The predictive power of the two models was estimated by residual analysis, correlation coefficient (R) and average absolute relative error (AARE). The results reveal that the deformation parameters including strain, strain rate, and temperature have a significant effect on the flow stress of the alloy. Compared with the SCAM model, the flow stress predicted by the BP-ANN model is in better agreement with experimental values. For the BP-ANN model, the maximum residual is only 1 MPa, while it is as high as 8 MPa for the SCAM model. The R and AARE for the SCAM model are 0.9967 and 3.26%, while their values for the BP-ANN model are 0.99998 and 0.18%, respectively. All these reflect that the BP-ANN model has more accurate prediction ability than the SCAM model, which can be applied to predict the flow stress of the alloy under high temperature deformation.
Effect of Ceramic Formation on the Emission of Eu3+ and Nd3+ Ions in Double Perovskites
Authors: Miniajluk-Gaweł Natalia , Bondzior Bartosz , Lemański Karol , Vu Thi Hong Quan , Stefańska Dagmara , Boulesteix Remy , Dereń Przemysław Jacek
Published: October 2021

Herein, the structure, morphology, as well as optical properties of the powder and ceramic samples of Ba2MgWO6 are presented. Powder samples were obtained by high temperature solid-state reaction, while, for the ceramics, the SPS technique under 50-MPa pressure was applied. The morphology of the investigated samples showed some agglomeration and grains with a submicron size of 490–492 µm. The theoretical density and relative density of ceramics were calculated using the Archimedes method. The influence of sample preparation on the position, shape, and character of the host, as well as dopants emission was investigated. Sample sintering enhances regular emission of WO6 groups causing a blue shift of Ba2MgWO6 emission. Nonetheless, under X-ray excitation, only the green emission of inversion WO6 group was detected. For the ceramic doped with Eu3+ ions, the emission of both host and dopant was detected. However, for the powder efficient host to activator energy, the transfer process occurred, and only the magnetic dipole emission of Eu3+ was detected. The intensity of Nd3+ ions of Ba2MgWO6 powder sample is five times higher than for the ceramic. The sintering process reduces inversion defects and creates a highly symmetrical site of neodymium ions. The emission of Ba2MgWO6:Nd3+ consists of transitions from the 4F3/2 excited level to the 4IJ multiplet states with the dominance of the 4F3/2→4I11/2 one. The spectroscopic quality parameter and branching ratio of Nd3+ emission are presented.
One-Step Fabrication of a Functionally Integrated Device Based on Polydimethylsiloxane-Coated SiO2 NPs for Efficient and Continuous Oil Absorption
Authors: Ju Guannan , Zhou Lei , Jiao Chang , Shen Jiafeng , Luan Yihao , Zhao Xinyu
Published: October 2021

The construction of superhydrophobic surfaces necessitates the rational design of topographic surface structure and the reduction of surface energy. To date, the reported strategies are usually complex with multi-steps and costly. Thus, the simultaneous achievement of the two indispensable factors is highly desired, yet rather challenging. Herein, we develop a novel structure engineering strategy of realizing the fabrication of a functionally integrated device (FID) with a superhydrophobic surface via a one-step spraying method. Specifically, silica nanoparticles are used to control the surface roughness of the device, while polydimethylsiloxane is employed as the hydrophobic coating. Benefitting from the adopted superhydrophobicity, the as-fabricated FID exhibits a continuous, excellent oil-water separating performance (e.g., 92.5% separating efficiency) when coupled with a peristaltic pump. Notably, a smart design of incorporating a gas switch is adopted in this device, thereby effectively preventing water from entering the FID, realizing thorough oil collection, and avoiding secondary pollution. This work opens up an avenue for the design and development of the FID, accessible for rapid preparation and large-scale practical application.
Effect of Yttrium Addition on Structure and Magnetic Properties of Co60Fe20Y20 Thin Films
Authors: Liu Wen-Jen , Chang Yung-Huang , Chen Yuan-Tsung , Tsai Ding-Yang , Lu Pei-Xin , Lin Shih-Hung , Wu Te-Ho , Chi Po-Wei
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a Co60Fe20Y20 film was sputtered onto Si (100) substrates with thicknesses ranging from 10 to 50 nm under four conditions to investigate the structure, magnetic properties, and surface energy. Under four conditions, the crystal structure of the CoFeY films was found to be amorphous by an X-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD), suggesting that yttrium (Y) added into CoFe films and can be refined in grain size and insufficient annealing temperatures do not induce enough thermal driving force to support grain growth. The saturation magnetization (MS) and low-frequency alternate-current magnetic susceptibility (χac) increased with the increase of the thicknesses and annealing temperatures, indicating the thickness effect and Y can be refined grain size and improved ferromagnetic spin exchange coupling. The highest Ms and χac values of the Co60Fe20Y20 films were 883 emu/cm3 and 0.26 when the annealed temperature was 300 °C and the thickness was 50 nm. The optimal resonance frequency (fres) was 50 Hz with the maximum χac value, indicating it could be used at a low frequency range. Moreover, the surface energy increased with the increase of the thickness and annealing temperature. The maximum surface energy of the annealed 300 °C film was 30.02 mJ/mm2 at 50 nm. Based on the magnetic and surface energy results, the optimal thickness was 50 nm annealed at 300 °C, which has the highest Ms, χac, and a strong adhesion, which can be as a free or pinned layer that could be combined with the magnetic tunneling layer and applied in magnetic fields.
Characterization of Ternary CuNiCo Metallic Nanoparticles Produced by Hydrogen Reduction
Authors: Marín Castaño Eliana Paola , Campos José Brant de , Solórzano-Naranjo Ivan Guillermo , Brocchi Eduardo de Albuquerque
Published: October 2021

Different methods of producing nanostructured materials at the laboratory scale have been studied using a variety of physical and chemical techniques, though the challenge here is the homogeneous distribution of the elements which also depends on the precursor elements. This work thus focused on the micro-analytical characterization of Cu–Ni–Co metallic nanoparticles produced by an alternative chemical route aiming to produce solid solution nanoparticles. This method was based on two steps: the co-formation of oxides by nitrates’ decomposition followed by their hydrogen reduction. Based on the initial composition of precursor nitrates, three homogeneous ternaries of the Ni, Cu and Co final alloy products were pre-established. Thus, the compositions in %wt of the synthesized alloy particles studied in this work are 24Cu–64Ni–12Co, 12Cu–64Ni–24Co and 10Cu–80Ni–10Co. Both precursor oxides and metallic powders were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the synthesis procedure was successful since it produced a homogeneous material distributed in different particle sizes depending on the temperature applied in the reducing process. The final composition of the metallic product was consistent with what was theoretically expected. Resulting from reduction at the lower temperature of 300 °C, the main powder product consisted of particles with a spheroidal and eventually facetted morphology of 50 nm on average, which shared the same FCC crystal structure. Particles smaller than 100 nm in the Cu–Ni–Co alloy agglomerates were also observed. At a higher reduction temperature, the ternary powder developed robust particles of 1 micron in size, which are, in fact, the result of the coarsening of several nanoparticles.
Investigation of MXenes Oxidation Process during SPS Method Annealing
Authors: Wozniak Jaroslaw , Petrus Mateusz , Cygan Tomasz , Lachowski Artur , Kostecki Marek , Jastrzębska Agnieszka , Wojciechowska Anita , Wojciechowski Tomasz , Olszyna Andrzej
Published: October 2021

This paper discusses the effects of the environment and temperature of the Ti3C2 (MXene) oxidation process. The MXene powders were annealed at temperatures of 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, and 1800 °C in argon and vacuum using a Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) furnace. The purpose of the applied annealing method was to determine the influence of a high heating rate on the MXene degradation scheme. Additionally, to determine the thermal stability of MXene during the sintering of SiC matrix composites, SiC–C–B–Ti3C2 powder mixtures were also annealed. The process parameters were as follows: Temperatures of 1400 and 1600 °C, and pressure of 30 MPa in a vacuum. Observations of the microstructure showed that, due to annealing of the SiC–C–B–Ti3C2 powder mixtures, porous particles are formed consisting of TiC, Ti3C2sym, and amorphous carbon. The formation of porous particles is a transitional stage in the formation of disordered carbon structures.
Effect of Cyclical Bending and Rubbing on the Characteristic Impedance of Textile Signal Lines
Authors: Leśnikowski Jacek
Published: October 2021

This article presents the results of tests on the resistance of new textile signal lines to bending and abrasion. The textile signal lines are one of the most important parts of the electronic system incorporated into modern smart garments. The main application of the lines presented in this article is the transmission of digital signals or high-frequency analogue signals. The tested lines were made of fabrics with sewn paths made of electro-conductive fabric. The construction of a measuring stand for testing the electric properties of textile transmission lines is shown. This article presents the effects of bending and abrasion on the resistance of electro-conductive strips, which are one of the elements of textile signal lines. The article also presents the effects of bending and abrasion on the characteristic impedance of constructed textile signal lines. Statistical analysis of the obtained results is also presented.
Assessment of Sieverts Law Assumptions and ‘n’ Values in Palladium Membranes: Experimental and Theoretical Analyses
Authors: Alraeesi Abdulrahman , Gardner Tracy
Published: October 2021

Palladium and palladium alloy membranes are superior materials for hydrogen purification, removal, or reaction processes. Sieverts’ Law suggests that the flux of hydrogen through such membranes is proportional to the difference between the feed and permeate side partial pressures, each raised to the 0.5 power (n = 0.5). Sieverts’ Law is widely applied in analyzing the steady state hydrogen permeation through Pd-based membranes, even in some cases where the assumptions made in deriving Sieverts’ Law do not apply. Often permeation data are fit to the model allowing the pressure exponent (n) to vary. This study experimentally assessed the validity of Sieverts’ Law as hydrogen was separated from other gases and theoretically modelled the effects of pressure and temperature on the assumptions and hence the accuracy of the 0.5-power law even with pure hydrogen feed. Hydrogen fluxes through Pd and Pd-Ag alloy foils from feed mixtures (5–83% helium in hydrogen; 473–573 K; with and without a sweep gas) were measured to study the effect of concentration polarization (CP) on hydrogen permeance and the applicability of Sieverts’ Law under such conditions. Concentration polarization was found to dominate hydrogen transport under some experimental conditions, particularly when feed concentrations of hydrogen were low. All mixture feed experiments showed deviation from Sieverts’ Law. For example, the hydrogen flux through Pd foil was found to be proportional to the partial pressure difference (n ≈ 1) rather than being proportional to the difference in the square root of the partial pressures (n = 0.5), as suggested by Sieverts’ Law, indicating the high degree of concentration polarization. A theoretical model accounting for Langmuir adsorption with temperature dependent adsorption equilibrium coefficient was made and used to assess the effect of varying feed pressure from 1–136 atm at fixed temperature, and of varying temperature from 298 to 1273 K at fixed pressure. Adsorption effects, which dominate at high pressure and at low temperature, result in pressure exponents (n) values less than 0.5. With better understanding of the transport steps, a qualitative analysis of literature (n) values of 0.5, 0.5 < n < 1, and n > 1, was conducted suggesting the role of each condition or step on the hydrogen transport based on the empirically fit exponent value.
Study on the Electrorheological Ultra-Precision Polishing Process with an Annular Integrated Electrode
Authors: Fan Cheng , Chen Yigang , Xue Yucheng , Zhang Lei
Published: October 2021

Electrorheological (ER) polishing, as a new ultra-precision super-effect polishing method, provides little damage to the workpiece surface and is suitable for polishing all kinds of small and complex curved surface workpieces. In this paper, an ER polishing tool with an annular integrated electrode is developed. The orthogonal experiments are carried out on the six influencing factors of ER polishing which include the applied voltage, the abrasive particle size, the abrasive concentration, the polishing gap, the polishing time and the tool spindle speed. The influence order of these six factors on the ER polishing is obtained. On this basis, the effect of a single process parameter of ER polishing on surface roughness is studied experimentally.
Caryophyllene Oxide, the Active Compound Isolated from Leaves of Hymenaea courbaril L. (Fabaceae) with Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Effects on PC-3 Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Delgado Claudia , Mendez-Callejas Gina , Celis Crispin
Published: October 2021

Cancer treatment frequently carries side effects, therefore, the search for new selective and effective molecules is indispensable. Hymenaea courbaril L. has been used in traditional medicine in South America to treat several diseases, including prostate cancer. Leaves’ extracts from different polarities were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-methyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay to determine the cytotoxicity in prostate p53-null cells, followed by bio-guided fractionations to obtain the most cytotoxic fraction considering the selectivity index. The most cytotoxic fraction was analyzed by GC/MS to identify the active compounds. The majority compound, caryophyllene oxide, induced early and late apoptosis, depolarized the mitochondrial membrane, leading to several morphological changes and shifts in apoptotic proteins, and caspases were evidenced. Depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane releases the pro-apoptotic protein Bax from Bcl-xL. The apoptosis process is caspase-7 activation-dependent. Caryophyllene oxide is a safe anti-proliferative agent against PC-3 cells, inducing apoptosis with low toxicity towards normal cells.
In Silico Exploration of Potential Natural Inhibitors against SARS-Cov-2 nsp10
Authors: Eissa Ibrahim H. , Khalifa Mohamed M. , Elkaeed Eslam B. , Hafez Elsayed E. , Alsfouk Aisha A. , Metwaly Ahmed M.
Published: October 2021

In continuation of our previous effort, different in silico selection methods were applied to 310 naturally isolated metabolites that exhibited antiviral potentialities before. The applied selection methods aimed to pick the most relevant inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 nsp10. At first, a structural similarity study against the co-crystallized ligand, S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAM), of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein (nsp10) (PDB ID: 6W4H) was carried out. The similarity analysis culled 30 candidates. Secondly, a fingerprint study against SAM preferred compounds 44, 48, 85, 102, 105, 182, 220, 221, 282, 284, 285, 301, and 302. The docking studies picked 48, 182, 220, 221, and 284. While the ADMET analysis expected the likeness of the five candidates to be drugs, the toxicity study preferred compounds 48 and 182. Finally, a density-functional theory (DFT) study suggested vidarabine (182) to be the most relevant SARS-Cov-2 nsp10 inhibitor.
Analysis of Biogenic Amines Using Immunoassays, HPLC, and a Newly Developed IC-MS/MS Technique in Fish Products—A Comparative Study
Authors: Kočar Drago , Köse Sevim , Koral Serkan , Tufan Bekir , Ščavničar Andrej , Pompe Matevž
Published: October 2021

In this study, comparative analyses were carried out with ion chromatography mass-spectrometry (IC-MS/MS) which has no derivatization step, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique, as well as two quantitative and two semi-quantitative immunoassays. The results demonstrated that HPLC and quantitative immunoassay methods were well-correlated with IC-MS/MS in determining histamine in various types of fish products. The best correlation was observed with the HistaSure ELISA Fast Track kit (R2 = 0.9903). More than half of the values (68%) obtained by two methods were also statistically similar. The results of semi-quantitative test kits also supported histamine values estimated by quantitative methods, with some exceptions. The best results were found for HistaSure Lateral Flow in supporting the quantitative techniques. Therefore, these methods are found suitable for monitoring histamine in fish products in terms of food safety. Good correlations were also observed HPLC and IC-MS/MS in determining cadaverine, putrescine, and tyramine with the highest value observed for tyramine as R2 = 0.9785. However, no correlation was observed for other biogenic amines, and the majority of the results were significantly different from each other for these amines (p < 0.05). The differences may be caused by the drawbacks reported previously for HPLC. However, further studies are required to confirm the possible effects. This study provides a comparative evaluation of several methods in terms of their suitability in determining biogenic amines in fish products for both monitoring and regulatory purposes.
Corn Husk Phenolics Modulate Hepatic Antioxidant Response in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Exposed to Hypoxia
Authors: Galeana-López José Andrés , Lizárraga-Velázquez Cynthia E. , Hernández Crisantema , Leyva-López Nayely , Heredia J. Basilio
Published: October 2021

The hypoxia conditions in intensive farming systems generate oxidative stress related to oxidative damage and mortality of fish. Corn husk meal (CHM), as a source of antioxidants, might modulate the antioxidant response and prevent the damage elicited by hypoxia. This study evaluated CHM’s ability to modulate a hepatic response in Nile tilapia exposed to hypoxia. A control and a test diet supplemented with 25 g CHM/kg feed were formulated. Ninety Nile tilapias (5.09 ± 0.55 g initial weight) were fed for 36 days to evaluate growth, feed efficiency, and hepatic antioxidant response (CAT, catalase; SOD, superoxide dismutase, and GPx, glutathione peroxidase) in normal oxygen conditions (normoxia). After the feeding trial (36 days), fish were exposed to hypoxia (1.5 ± 0.2 mg/L dissolved oxygen), and the hepatic antioxidant response was determined. There was no significant effect of CHM on growth and feed efficiency. The CAT activity was significantly increased in tilapias exposed to hypoxia and fed the test diet compared to the control group exposed to hypoxia. The SOD and GPx activities were unchanged in tilapias in normoxia and hypoxia conditions. Results suggest that CHM dietary supplementation promotes the antioxidant response in Nile tilapia exposed to hypoxia through CAT modulation.
In Silico Identification of Possible Inhibitors for Protein Kinase B (PknB) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Vieira Tatiana F. , Martins Fábio G. , Moreira Joel P. , Barbosa Tiago , Sousa Sérgio F.
Published: October 2021

With tuberculosis still being one of leading causes of death in the world and the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), researchers have been seeking to find further therapeutic strategies or more specific molecular targets. PknB is one of the 11 Ser/Thr protein kinases of Mtb and is responsible for phosphorylation-mediated signaling, mainly involved in cell wall synthesis, cell division and metabolism. With the amount of structural information available and the great interest in protein kinases, PknB has become an attractive target for drug development. This work describes the optimization and application of an in silico computational protocol to find new PknB inhibitors. This multi-level computational approach combines protein–ligand docking, structure-based virtual screening, molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations. The optimized protocol was applied to screen a large dataset containing 129,650 molecules, obtained from the ZINC/FDA-Approved database, Mu.Ta.Lig Virtual Chemotheca and Chimiothèque Nationale. It was observed that the most promising compounds selected occupy the adenine-binding pocket in PknB, and the main interacting residues are Leu17, Val26, Tyr94 and Met155. Only one of the compounds was able to move the active site residues into an open conformation. It was also observed that the P-loop and magnesium position loops change according to the characteristics of the ligand. This protocol led to the identification of six compounds for further experimental testing while also providing additional structural information for the design of more specific and more effective derivatives.
Are Food Additives a Really Problematic Hidden Source of Potassium for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients?
Authors: Martínez-Pineda Montserrat , Vercet Antonio , Yagüe-Ruiz Cristina
Published: October 2021

Dietary treatment in chronic kidney disease (CKD) recommends limiting the consumption of foods rich in potassium to reduce risk of hyperkalemia. Currently, the increased supply of processed foods on the market could be a new “hidden” source of potassium for these patients, which is causing concern among health professionals who treat them. The aim of this study was to check which EU authorized food additives contain potassium, its conditions of use and classified them according to their risk for CKD patients. In addition, the frequency of appearance of potassium additives in processed foods in a European sample through the analysis of 715 products labeling from France, Germany, and Spain were evaluated. Results showed 41 potassium-containing additives allowed in the European Union, but only 16 were identified, being the most frequent: E202; E252, E340, E450, E452, E508, and E950. The 37.6% of the processed products analyzed contained at least one potassium additive. The food categories that showed the greatest presence of additives were breaded products, meat derivatives, non-alcoholic beverage, ready-to-eat products, and cereal derivatives. Potassium additives are widely distributed in processed foods and therefore pose a risk of hidden sources of potassium in CKD dietary management. These results could be really useful for developing educational tools for CKD patients.
Thermodynamic Study of Oxidovanadium(IV) with Kojic Acid Derivatives: A Multi-Technique Approach
Authors: Cappai Rosita , Crisponi Guido , Sanna Daniele , Ugone Valeria , Melchior Andrea , Garribba Eugenio , Peana Massimiliano , Zoroddu Maria Antonietta , Nurchi Valeria Marina
Published: October 2021

The good chelating properties of hydroxypyrone (HPO) derivatives towards oxidovanadium(IV) cation, VIVO2+, constitute the precondition for the development of new insulin-mimetic and anticancer compounds. In the present work, we examined the VIVO2+ complex formation equilibria of two kojic acid (KA) derivatives, L4 and L9, structurally constituted by two kojic acid units linked in position 6 through methylene diamine and diethyl-ethylenediamine, respectively. These chemical systems have been characterized in solution by the combined use of various complementary techniques, as UV-vis spectrophotometry, potentiometry, NMR and EPR spectroscopy, ESI-MS spectrometry, and DFT calculations. The thermodynamic approach allowed proposing a chemical coordination model and the calculation of the complex formation constants. Both ligands L4 and L9 form 1:1 binuclear complexes at acidic and physiological pHs, with various protonation degrees in which two KA units coordinate each VIVO2+ ion. The joined use of different techniques allowed reaching a coherent vision of the complexation models of the two ligands toward oxidovanadium(IV) ion in aqueous solution. The high stability of the formed species and the binuclear structure may favor their biological action, and represent a good starting point toward the design of new pharmacologically active vanadium species.