bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantum non-Markovianity: Overview and recent developments
Authors: Shrikant U. , Mandayam Prabha
Published: March 2023

In the current era of noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices, research on the theory of open system dynamics has a crucial role to play. In particular, understanding and quantifying memory effects in quantum systems is critical to gain a better handle on the effects of noise in quantum devices. The main focus of this review is to address the fundamental question of defining and characterizing such memory effects—broadly referred to as quantum non-Markovianity—utilizing various approaches. We first discuss the two-time-parameter maps approach to open system dynamics and review the various notions of quantum non-Markovianity that arise in this paradigm. We then discuss an alternate approach to quantum stochastic processes based on the quantum combs framework, which accounts for multi-time correlations. We discuss the interconnections and differences between these two paradigms and conclude with a discussion on the necessary and sufficient conditions for quantum non-Markovianity.
Simulating hydrological extremes for different warming levels–combining large scale climate ensembles with local observation based machine learning models
Authors: Hauswirth Sandra M. , van der Wiel Karin , Bierkens Marc F. P. , Beijk Vincent , Wanders Niko
Published: March 2023

Climate change has a large influence on the occurrence of extreme hydrological events. However, reliable estimates of future extreme event probabilities, especially when needed locally, require very long time series with hydrological models, which is often not possible due to computational constraints. In this study we take advantage of two recent developments that allow for more detailed and local estimates of future hydrological extremes. New large climate ensembles (LE) now provide more insight on the occurrence of hydrological extremes as they offer order of magnitude more realizations of future weather. At the same time recent developments in Machine Learning (ML) in hydrology create great opportunities to study current and upcoming problems in a new way, including and combining large amounts of data. In this study, we combined LE together with a local, observation based ML model framework with the goal to see if and how these aspects can be combined and to simulate, assess and produce estimates of hydrological extremes under different warming levels for local scales. For this, first a new post-processing approach was developed that allowed us to use LE simulation data for local applications. The simulation results of discharge extreme events under different warming levels were assessed in terms of frequency, duration and intensity and number of events at national, regional and local scales. Clear seasonal cycles with increased low flow frequency were observed for summer and autumn months as well as increased high flow periods for early spring. For both extreme events, the 3C warmer climate scenario showed the highest percentages. Regional differences were seen in terms of shifts and range. These trends were further refined into location specific results. The shifts and trends observed between the different scenarios were due to a change in climate variability. In this study we show that by combining the wealth of information from LE and the speed and local relevance of ML models we can advance the state-of-the-art when it comes to modeling hydrological extremes under different climate change scenarios for national, regional and local scale assessments providing relevant information for water management in terms of long term planning.
Comparison of structural occipital and iliac bone grafts for instrumented atlantoaxial fusions in pediatric patients: Radiologic research and clinical outcomes
Authors: Liang Zhi-Hui , Zhang Yue-Hui , Liu Hai-Tao , Zhang Qiu-Qi , Song Jia , Shao Jiang
Published: March 2023

Background

Structural autografts harvested from the iliac bone have been used in atlantoaxial fusion; they have been the gold standard for years. However, emerging occipital bone grafts have the advantage of avoiding donor-site morbidity and complications. Thus, we compared the clinical outcomes of structural autografts from the occipital bone or iliac crest and discussed the clinical significance of occipital bone grafts in pediatric patients.

Methods

Pediatric patients who underwent posterior fusion using occipital bone grafts (OBG) or iliac bone grafts (IBG) between 2017 and 2021 were included in this study. Data on clinical outcomes, including operation time, estimated blood loss, length of hospitalization, complications, fusion rate, and fusion time, were collected and analyzed. Additionally, 300 pediatric patients who underwent cranial computed tomography scans were included in the bone thickness evaluation procedure. The central and edge thicknesses of the harvested areas were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Thirty-nine patients were included in this study. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the OBG and IBG groups. Patients in both groups achieved a 100% fusion rate; however, the fusion time in the OBG group was significantly longer than that in the IBG group. Estimated blood loss, operation time, and length of hospitalization were significantly lower in the OBG group than those in the IBG group. The surgery-related complication rate was lower, but not significantly, in the OBG group than that in the IBG group. For occipital bone thickness evaluation, a significant difference in the central part of the harvesting area was found between the young and old groups, with no significant sex differences.

Conclusion

The use of OBG for atlantoaxial fusion is acceptable for pediatric patients with atlantoaxial dislocation, avoiding donor-site morbidity and complications.
Case report: Laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer in a patient with situs inversus totalis
Authors: Zhu Kaifeng , Hu Qiang , Sun Yuanshui
Published: March 2023

Background

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare congenital disease with a series of clinical features characterized by a mirror image distribution of the viscera to the normal anatomy.

Case presentation

This study aims to report a 63-year-old male SIT patient with gastric cancer with a preoperative diagnosis of stage IIB gastric cancer (cT3N0M0), who underwent a preoperative multi-disciplinary treatment (MDT) discussion and an abdominal enhancement CT for visceral evaluation to ensure a successful operation. A laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy including D2 lymph node dissection and Billroth I reconstruction was successfully performed. Laparoscopic radical gastric gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection were performed through the opposite surgical station to the conventional one, followed by digestive tract reconstruction under small incision-assisted direct vision. There was less blood loss throughout the operation, no postoperative complications, and the patient was discharged successfully 10 days after surgery. Histopathological examination showed ulcerated high-medium differentiated adenocarcinoma stage IB (PT2N0M0). There were no complications or tumor recurrence in the patient with examination 6 months after the operation.

Conclusion

Surgery in a patient with gastric cancer and SIT can be safely performed by the application of 3D laparoscopy and small incisions to assist the digestive tract reconstruction under direct vision.
Molecular epidemiological investigation of group A porcine rotavirus in East China
Authors: Tao Ran , Chang Xinjian , Zhou Jinzhu , Zhu Xuejiao , Yang Shanshan , Li Kemang , Gu Laqiang , Zhang Xuehan , Li Bin
Published: March 2023

Group A porcine rotavirus (RVA) is a serious threat to the breeding industry worldwide, which was associated with severe diarrhea in piglets. However, the prevalence and molecular characterizations of RVA circulating in farms of East China remains largely unknown. Five hundred and ninety-four samples were collected from 35 farms in East China from September 2017 to December 2019. The results showed that 16.8% was positive for RVA of all samples. Among different types of samples, the highest positive rate of RVA was intestinal samples (19.5%), and among pigs at different growth stages, the highest detection rate of RVA in piglets was 18.5%. Furthermore, the VP7 and VP4 genes of nine positive samples were sequenced for alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the nine isolates belong to four kinds of genotype combinations correspondingly: G9P[7](5/9), G5P[13](2/9), G9P[13](1/9), and G5P[7](1/9).The data suggested that multiple genotypes combinations of RVA were circulating in pigs in East China. Thus, it's necessary to continuously survey the prevalence of RVA in pigs, aiding the rational application of vaccines or other measures for the prevention and control of RVA spread.
Automatic gross tumor segmentation of canine head and neck cancer using deep learning and cross-species transfer learning
Authors: Groendahl Aurora Rosvoll , Huynh Bao Ngoc , Tomic Oliver , Søvik Åste , Dale Einar , Malinen Eirik , Skogmo Hege Kippenes , Futsaether Cecilia Marie
Published: March 2023

Background

Radiotherapy (RT) is increasingly being used on dogs with spontaneous head and neck cancer (HNC), which account for a large percentage of veterinary patients treated with RT. Accurate definition of the gross tumor volume (GTV) is a vital part of RT planning, ensuring adequate dose coverage of the tumor while limiting the radiation dose to surrounding tissues. Currently the GTV is contoured manually in medical images, which is a time-consuming and challenging task.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of deep learning-based automatic segmentation of the GTV in canine patients with HNC.

Materials and methods

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) images and corresponding manual GTV contours of 36 canine HNC patients and 197 human HNC patients were included. A 3D U-Net convolutional neural network (CNN) was trained to automatically segment the GTV in canine patients using two main approaches: (i) training models from scratch based solely on canine CT images, and (ii) using cross-species transfer learning where models were pretrained on CT images of human patients and then fine-tuned on CT images of canine patients. For the canine patients, automatic segmentations were assessed using the Dice similarity coefficient (Dice), the positive predictive value, the true positive rate, and surface distance metrics, calculated from a four-fold cross-validation strategy where each fold was used as a validation set and test set once in independent model runs.

Results

CNN models trained from scratch on canine data or by using transfer learning obtained mean test set Dice scores of 0.55 and 0.52, respectively, indicating acceptable auto-segmentations, similar to the mean Dice performances reported for CT-based automatic segmentation in human HNC studies. Automatic segmentation of nasal cavity tumors appeared particularly promising, resulting in mean test set Dice scores of 0.69 for both approaches.

Conclusion

In conclusion, deep learning-based automatic segmentation of the GTV using CNN models based on canine data only or a cross-species transfer learning approach shows promise for future application in RT of canine HNC patients.
A Compact Electromagnetic Dual Actuation Positioning System with a 10 mm Range and Nanometer Resolution
Authors: Goteea Bimal Jeet , Zhang Qianjun , Dong Wei
Published: March 2023

In this manuscript, a compact electromagnetic dual actuation positioning system (CEDAPS) based on the Lorentz force principle that features a 10 mm range and nanometer-scale resolution with flexure guides is presented. Firstly, the stiffness of the flexure mechanism is modelled. Secondly, based on it, the primary coil is designed, and from its performance, a suitable secondary coil is made to compensate for the deficiency of the primary actuation subsystem. The characteristics of the forces generated by these coils are also evaluated by an electromagnetic FEA simulation. Thirdly, a control scheme is presented that combines the performances of these two actuators, and finally, a prototype is fabricated to evaluate the performance. The results show a 10 nm resolution for a 10 mm (±5 mm) stroke with low sub-micron sinusoidal tracking errors and nanometer accuracy for step tracking under the proposed control scheme. The thermal properties of the system are also presented.
The Impact of CKM and Customer Satisfaction on Customer Loyalty in Saudi Banking Sector: The Mediating Role of Customer Trust
Authors: Albarq Abbas N.
Published: March 2023

This study aims to explore the role of customer knowledge management (CKM) and satisfaction as antecedents of customer trust, and the mediating function of customer trust in the knowledge–loyalty and satisfaction–loyalty in the Saudi banking sector. This study intends to provide light on the significance of CKM and the ways in which it can support consumer trust, loyalty, and satisfaction. Data came from 600 consumers who responded to an online survey. By using regression analysis and descriptive statistics, seven hypotheses were created and tested. The findings exhibited that customer trust has a major impact on loyalty and that customer trust is positively impacted by CKM and satisfaction. Additionally, trust partially mediates the relationship between knowledge, loyalty, and satisfaction. The study contributes to the literature by examining the factors that influence customer loyalty, CKM engagement, satisfaction, and trust in the context of the Saudi banking industry. These research findings are helpful for managers and strategists in figuring out how to create customer loyalty programs that are a fit for their target market. The study is limited to the Saudi banking sector and may not be generalizable to other industries. Additionally, the study is based on self-reported data from customers, which may not accurately reflect their true opinions and behaviors.
Changes in the Growth and Yield of an Extremely Early-Maturing Rice Variety According to Transplanting Density
Authors: Yun Yeotae
Published: March 2023

This study investigated the impact of transplanting density on the growth and yield characteristics of an extremely early-maturing rice variety that has a short vegetative growth period, as the limited growth period results in reduced tiller development and leads to a lower yield. The experiment was conducted in 2019 and 2020 at Chungcheongnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Republic of Korea, where various transplanting density treatments were tested using the Bbareumi rice variety with a vegetative growth period of less than 50 days. The results showed that the tiller number seedling−1 and spikelet number m−2 were influenced by the transplanting density and had a significant impact on the milled rice yield. Decreasing the tiller number seedling−1 by increasing the transplanting density led to an increase in the spikelet number m−2, which significantly improve the milled rice yield. Furthermore, the study identified the optimal transplanting density for maximizing yield as a transplanting distance of 30 × 12 cm, with 12 seedlings hill−1, which resulted in the highest milled rice yield of 5.64 ton/ha. These findings provide valuable insights for rice farmers and researchers regarding efforts to improve the cultivation practices of extremely early-maturing rice varieties.
Spatial-Temporal Pattern of Agricultural Total Factor Productivity Change (Tfpch) in China and Its Implications for Agricultural Sustainable Development
Authors: Zhang Haonan , Chen Zheng , Wang Jieyong , Wang Haitao , Zhang Yingwen
Published: March 2023

With increasing tension between humans and land, and arising pressure on food security in China, the improvement of total factor productivity is important to realize agricultural modernization and promote rural revitalization strategy. In this study, we applied the DEA-Malmquist index method to measure the growth of China’s agricultural total factor productivity and its decomposition indexes at the prefecture-level city scale from 2011 to 2020. We found the average annual growth rate of agricultural total factor productivity was 4.5% during this period, with technical change being the driving factor and technical efficiency change being the suppressing factor. There is an initial decrease and then an increase in the Dagum Gini coefficient. The cold and hot spot areas of agricultural Tfpch were clearly formed. During the decade, the gravity center of agricultural Tfpch has migrated from the northeast to the southwest in general. Based on the characteristics of agricultural Tfpch, China is classified into four zones. In the future, the Chinese government should balance the government and the market mechanism, improve the agricultural science and technology innovation system and technology adoption promotion system, and implement classified policies to improve agriculture production efficiency.
Native Trichoderma Isolates from Soil and Rootstock to Fusarium spp. Control and Growth Promotion of Humulus lupulus L. Plantlets
Authors: Porteous-Álvarez Alejandra J. , Fernández-Marcos Alexia , Ramírez-Lozano Daniela , Mayo-Prieto Sara , Cardoza Rosa E. , Gutiérrez Santiago , Casquero Pedro A.
Published: March 2023

Fusarium genus is a wide host phytopathogen causing significant losses in multiple crops, including hops. There is limited information on the sustainable management of Fusarium spp. in hop fields. Trichoderma is an endophytic fungus used in agriculture as a biological control agent (BCA) and as a plant growth promoter. It has been used to antagonize Fusarium spp. in other crops. The objective of the current study was to identify indigenous hop field Trichoderma isolates with biocontrol and hop growth promotion capabilities. Three isolates of Fusarium and eleven autochthonous Trichoderma isolates collected from sustainable hop fields were evaluated in this work. Direct confrontation tests (the physical interaction between the pathogen and BCA and their competition for space and nutrient resources) and membrane tests (the capacity of the BCA to produce metabolites or enzymes through a cellophane film and inhibit the development of the pathogen) assessed the antagonism of these Trichoderma isolates against Fusarium culmorum, F. sambucinum, and F. oxysporum. A bioassay with hop plantlets inoculated with a spore suspension of Trichoderma was performed to assess its hop growth enhancement. T. hamatum (T311 and T324), T. virens T312, and T. gamsii T327 showed high growth inhibition of Fusarium spp. phytopathogens and high plant growth promotion. Native Trichoderma isolates from sustainable hop-producing soils have great potential as BCAs and hop growth promoters.
Leaf Trait Hyperspectral Characterization of Castanea sativa Miller Affected by Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu
Authors: Pereira-Obaya Dimas , Castedo-Dorado Fernando , Sanz-Ablanedo Enoc , Mejía-Correal Karen Brigitte , Rodríguez-Pérez José Ramón
Published: March 2023

While populations of the Asian chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu), an invasive pest affecting the European chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller), have started to be controlled biologically, this pest still conditions chestnut tree development. With the aim of assessing plant health status as a means of monitoring gall wasp infestation, we used a field spectroradiometer to collect data from leaves taken from 83 trees in two chestnut orchards. We calculated characteristic spectral signatures for pest infestation, and after training and validation, developed classifiers to distinguish between different infestation levels. Several partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and random forest (RF) models were fitted with reflectance and transformed values to obtain characteristic curves reflecting infestation. Four wavelengths (560 nm, 680 nm, 1400 nm, and 1935 nm) were identified as showing the greatest differences between curves. The best overall accuracy (69.23%) was achieved by an RF model fitted with reflectance transformed values. Lower overall accuracy (26.92%) was achieved in distinguishing between infestation levels. In conclusion, while more specific differences in infestation levels were not detectable, our method successfully discriminated between gall absence and presence.
Selection of a Navigation Strategy According to Agricultural Scenarios and Sensor Data Integrity
Authors: Bonacini Leonardo , Tronco Mário Luiz , Higuti Vitor Akihiro Hisano , Velasquez Andres Eduardo Baquero , Gasparino Mateus Valverde , Peres Handel Emanuel Natividade , Oliveira Rodrigo Praxedes de , Medeiros Vivian Suzano , Silva Rouverson Pereira da , Becker Marcelo
Published: March 2023

In digital farming, the use of technology to increase agricultural production through automated tasks has recently integrated the development of AgBots for more reliable data collection using autonomous navigation. These AgBots are equipped with various sensors such as GNSS, cameras, and LiDAR, but these sensors can be prone to limitations such as low accuracy for under-canopy navigation with GNSS, sensitivity to outdoor lighting and platform vibration with cameras, and LiDAR occlusion issues. In order to address these limitations and ensure robust autonomous navigation, this paper presents a sensor selection methodology based on the identification of environmental conditions using sensor data. Through the extraction of features from GNSS, images, and point clouds, we are able to determine the feasibility of using each sensor and create a selection vector indicating its viability. Our results demonstrate that the proposed methodology effectively selects between the use of cameras or LiDAR within crops and GNSS outside of crops, at least 87% of the time. The main problem found is that, in the transition from inside to outside and from outside to inside the crop, GNSS features take 20 s to adapt. We compare a variety of classification algorithms in terms of performance and computational cost and the results show that our method has higher performance and lower computational cost. Overall, this methodology allows for the low-cost selection of the most suitable sensor for a given agricultural environment.
New Insights into Pathogenesis and Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: Autoantibodies and Beyond
Authors: Paroli Marino , Gioia Chiara , Accapezzato Daniele
Published: March 2023

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a group of rare systemic diseases affecting small-caliber vessels. The damage caused by AAV mainly involves the lung and kidneys. AAV includes three different types: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Although the different phenotypic forms of AAV share common features, recent studies have shown that there are significant differences in terms of pathogenetic mechanisms involving both the adaptive and innate immune systems. Advances in our understanding of pathogenesis have enabled the development of immuno-targeted therapies. This review illustrates the characteristics of the various forms of AAV and the new therapies available for this disease that can have lethal consequences if left untreated.
Computer-Aided Drug Design and Synthesis of Rhenium Clotrimazole Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Cortat Youri , Nedyalkova Miroslava , Schindler Kevin , Kadakia Parth , Demirci Gozde , Nasiri Sovari Sara , Crochet Aurelien , Salentinig Stefan , Lattuada Marco , Steiner Olimpia Mamula , Zobi Fabio
Published: March 2023

In the context of the global health issue caused by the growing occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the need for novel antimicrobial agents is becoming alarming. Inorganic and organometallic complexes represent a relatively untapped source of antibiotics. Here, we report a computer-aided drug design (CADD) based on a ‘scaffold-hopping’ approach for the synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of fac-Re(I) tricarbonyl complexes bearing clotrimazole (ctz) as a monodentate ligand. The prepared molecules were selected following a pre-screening in silico analysis according to modification of the 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) ligand in the coordination sphere of the complexes. CADD pointed to chiral 4,5-pinene and 5,6-pinene bipyridine derivatives as the most promising candidates. The corresponding complexes were synthesized, tested toward methicillin-sensitive and -resistant S. aureus strains, and the obtained results evaluated with regard to their binding affinity with a homology model of the S. aureus MurG enzyme. Overall, the title species revealed very similar minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values as those of the reference compound used as the scaffold in our approach. The obtained docking scores advocate the viability of ‘scaffold-hopping’ for de novo design, a potential strategy for more cost- and time-efficient discovery of new antibiotics.
Risk Factors, Genetic Diversity, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus spp. Isolates in Dogs Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit of a Veterinary Hospital
Authors: Santana Jordana Almeida , Paraguassu Amanda Oliveira , Santana Ranielle Stephanie Toledo , Xavier Rafael Gariglio Clark , Freitas Patricia Maria Colleto , Aburjaile Flavia Figueira , Azevedo Vasco Ariston de Carvalho , Brenig Bertram , Bojesen Anders Miki , Silva Rodrigo Otávio Silveira
Published: March 2023

Intensive Care Units (ICU) usually provide an excellent environment for the selection of pathogens associated with hospital-acquired infections (HAI), leading to increased mortality and hospitalization costs. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) is a major cause of HAI in dogs worldwide, but the risk factors and dynamics of colonization by MRSP are largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with the acquisition of MRSP in dogs admitted to an ICU, and to report the antimicrobial resistance profiles and genetic relatedness of MRSP isolates. Sterile swabs from the nostril, axilla, and rectum were collected daily during the hospitalization of 54 dogs. Samples were subjected to Mannitol Salt Agar, and colonies were identified by MALDI-ToF, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequencing of the rpoB gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and PCR detection of mecA were performed. Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from 94% of the dogs, and the most frequently isolated species was S. pseudintermedius (88.2%). Carriage of multidrug resistant (MDR) staphylococci was observed in 64.4% of the dogs, and approximately 39% had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus sp. (MRS), of which 21.6% had MRSP and 1.9% had methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The acquisition of MRSP during ICU hospitalization was associated with sex (female), age (>7 years), and dogs that had previously been treated with antimicrobials. Animals colonized by MRSP resistant to ≥9 antimicrobial classes had longer hospital stays than those colonized by other MRS strains. Among the 13 MRSP isolates that were subjected to whole-genome sequencing, ten were classified as ST71. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis revealed three clones, including one that was detected in infected dogs outside the ICU. This study indicates novel risk factors associated with colonization by MRSP. The detection of the same MRSP clone causing HAI outside the ICU reinforces the need for improved infection prevention and control practices at veterinary hospitals in general and at the ICU in particular.
17β-Estradiol Suppresses Gastric Inflammatory and Apoptotic Stress Responses and Restores nNOS-Mediated Gastric Emptying in Streptozotocin (STZ)-Induced Diabetic Female Mice
Authors: Sprouse Jeremy , Sampath Chethan , Gangula Pandu
Published: March 2023

Gastroparesis (Gp) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) observed predominantly in women. It is characterized by abnormal gastric emptying (GE) without mechanical obstruction in the stomach. Nitric oxide (NO) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). It plays a critical role in gastrointestinal (GI) motility and stomach emptying. Here, we wanted to demonstrate the protective effects of supplemental 17β-estradiol (E2) on NO-mediated gastric function. We showed E2 supplementation to alleviate oxidative and inflammatory stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic female mice. Our findings suggest that daily administration of E2 at therapeutic doses is beneficial for metabolic homeostasis. This restoration occurs via regulating and modulating the expression/function of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Phase II enzymes, MAPK- and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFkB)-mediated inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, IGF-1), and gastric apoptotic regulators. We also showed E2 supplementation to elevate GCH-1 protein levels in female diabetic mice. Since GCH-1 facilitates the production of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4, cofactor for nNOS), an increase in GCH-1 protein levels in diabetic mice may improve their GE and nitrergic function. Our findings provide new insights into the impact of estrogen on gastric oxidative stress and intracellular inflammatory cascades in the context of Gp.
Antioxidant Characterization of Six Tomato Cultivars and Derived Products Destined for Human Consumption
Authors: Bianchi Anna Rita , Vitale Ermenegilda , Guerretti Valeria , Palumbo Giancarlo , De Clemente Isabella Maria , Vitale Luca , Arena Carmen , De Maio Anna
Published: March 2023

The consumption of fresh tomatoes and processed tomato products is widespread in the Mediterranean diet. This fruit is a valuable source of antioxidants and plays an important role in preventing oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the content of antioxidants and measure the total antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH assays) in the peel, pulp, and seed fractions of six tomato cultivars. Finally, some bioactive compounds and total antioxidant activity were also determined in homemade tomato purees, since such homemade production is commonplace in Southern Italy. The level of antioxidants and total antioxidant capacity in each fraction were also calculated based on their actual fresh weight in the whole tomato. The overall results indicated that the peel and seeds of all analysed tomato cultivars contribute significantly to the antioxidant charge of the fruits. Consequently, consuming tomatoes without peel and seeds results in a substantial loss of compounds beneficial for human health. Our results also showed that phenolic and lycopene content, as well as antioxidant activities in all purees are higher than in fresh tomatoes. Based on this evidence, producing homemade tomato puree is a good practice, and its consumption helps prevent oxidative stress damage.
Evaluation of the Physical and Oxidative Stabilities of Fish Oil-in-Water-in-Olive Oil Double Emulsions (O1/W/O2) Stabilized with Whey Protein Hydrolysate
Authors: Padial-Domínguez Marta , García-Moreno Pedro J. , González-Beneded Rubén , Guadix Antonio , Guadix Emilia M.
Published: March 2023

This work studied the physical and oxidative stabilities of fish oil-in-water-in-olive oil double emulsions (O1/W/O2), where whey protein hydrolysate was used as a hydrophilic emulsifier. A 20 wt.% fish oil-in-water emulsion, stabilized with whey protein hydrolysate (oil: protein ratio of 5:2 w/w) and with a zeta potential of ~−40 mV, only slightly increased its D4,3 value during storage at 8 °C for seven days (from 0.725 to 0.897 µm), although it showed severe physical destabilization when stored at 25 °C for seven days (D4,3 value increased from 0.706 to 9.035 µm). The oxidative stability of the 20 wt.% fish oil-in-water emulsion decreased when the storage temperature increased (25 vs. 8 °C) as indicated by peroxide and p-anisidine values, both in the presence or not of prooxidants (Fe2+). Confocal microscopy images confirmed the formation of 20 wt.% fish oil-in-water-in-olive oil (ratio 25:75 w/w) using Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR, 4 wt.%). Double emulsions were fairly physically stable for 7 days (both at 25 and 8 °C) (Turbiscan stability index, TSI < 4). Moreover, double emulsions had low peroxide (<7 meq O2/kg oil) and p-anisidine (<7) values that did not increase during storage independently of the storage temperature (8 or 25 °C) and the presence or not of prooxidants (Fe2+), which denotes oxidative stability.
Antrodin C Isolated from Antrodia Cinnamomea Induced Apoptosis through ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 Signaling Pathway and Epigenetic Histone Acetylation of TNFα in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Hsieh Yung-Yu , Lee Ko-Chao , Cheng Kung-Chuan , Lee Kam-Fai , Yang Ya-Ling , Chu Hsin-Tung , Lin Ting-Wei , Chen Chin-Chu , Hsieh Meng-Chiao , Huang Cheng-Yi , Kuo Hsing-Chun , Teng Chih-Chuan
Published: March 2023

Background: Antrodin C, a maleimide derivative compound isolated from the ethanol extract of the mycelium of Antrodia cinnamomea, is an endemic fungus of Taiwan and a potential chemoprotective agent. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the mode of action of antrodin C on cancer cells, especially in human colorectal cancer (CRC), remain unclear. Methods: The cell death and ROS of the antrodin-C-treated HCT-116 cells were measured by annexin V–FITC/propidium iodide staining, DCFDA, and Fluo-3 fluorescence staining assays. Moreover, signaling molecules regulating TNFα cell death pathways and ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 pathways were also detected in cells treated with antrodin C by Western blotting and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The effects of antrodin C were determined in HCT-116 cell xenograft animal models in terms of tumor volumes and histopathological evaluation. Results: Treatment with antrodin C triggered the activation of extrinsic apoptosis pathways (TNFα, Bax, caspase-3, and -9), and also suppressed the expression of anti-apoptotic molecules Bcl-2 in HCT-116 cells in a time-dependent manner. Antrodin C also decreased cell proliferation and growth through the inactivation of cyclin D1/cyclin for the arrest of the cell cycle at the G1 phase. The activation of the ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 pathways was involved in antrodin-C-induced transcriptional activation, which implicates the role of the histone H3K9K14ac (Acetyl Lys9/Lys14) of the TNFα promoters. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that antrodin C treatment significantly induced TNFα levels, whereas it decreased the levels of PCNA, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and MMP-9 in an in vivo xenograft mouse model. Thus, antrodin C induces cell apoptosis via the activation of the ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 signaling modules, indicating a new mechanism for antrodin C to treat CRC in vitro and in vivo.
Exploring the Long-Term Tissue Accumulation and Excretion of 3 nm Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles after Single Dose Administration
Authors: Ernst Lena M. , Mondragón Laura , Ramis Joana , Gustà Muriel F. , Yudina Tetyana , Casals Eudald , Bastús Neus G. , Fernández-Varo Guillermo , Casals Gregori , Jiménez Wladimiro , Puntes Victor
Published: March 2023

Nanoparticle (NP) pharmacokinetics significantly differ from traditional small molecule principles. From this emerges the need to create new tools and concepts to harness their full potential and avoid unnecessary risks. Nanoparticle pharmacokinetics strongly depend on size, shape, surface functionalisation, and aggregation state, influencing their biodistribution, accumulation, transformations, and excretion profile, and hence their efficacy and safety. Today, while NP biodistribution and nanoceria biodistribution have been studied often at short times, their long-term accumulation and excretion have rarely been studied. In this work, 3 nm nanoceria at 5.7 mg/kg of body weight was intravenously administrated in a single dose to healthy mice. Biodistribution was measured in the liver, spleen, kidney, lung, brain, lymph nodes, ovary, bone marrow, urine, and faeces at different time points (1, 9, 30, and 100 days). Biodistribution and urinary and faecal excretion were also studied in rats placed in metabolic cages at shorter times. The similarity of results of different NPs in different models is shown as the heterogeneous nanoceria distribution in organs. After the expectable accumulation in the liver and spleen, the concentration of cerium decays exponentially, accounting for about a 50% excretion of cerium from the body in 100 days. Cerium ions, coming from NP dissolution, are most likely excreted via the urinary tract, and ceria nanoparticles accumulated in the liver are most likely excreted via the hepatobiliary route. In addition, nanoceria looks safe and does not damage the target organs. No weight loss or apathy was observed during the course of the experiments.
Recent Advances in Biotechnologies for the Treatment of Environmental Pollutants Based on Reactive Sulfur Species
Authors: Fan Kaili , Wang Wei , Xu Xijun , Yuan Yuan , Ren Nanqi , Lee Duu-Jong , Chen Chuan
Published: March 2023

The definition of reactive sulfur species (RSS) is inspired by the reactivity and variable chemical valence of sulfur. Sulfur is an essential element for life and is a part of global geochemical cycles. Wastewater treatment bioreactors can be divided into two major categories: sulfur reduction and sulfur oxidation. We review the origins of the definition of RSS and related biotechnological processes in environmental management. Sulfate reduction, sulfide oxidation, and sulfur-based redox reactions are key to driving the coupled global carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur co-cycles. This shows the coupling of the sulfur cycle with the carbon and nitrogen cycles and provides insights into the global material−chemical cycle. We also review the biological classification and RSS metabolic mechanisms of functional microorganisms involved in the biological processes, such as sulfate-reducing and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Developments in molecular biology and genomic technologies have allowed us to obtain detailed information on these bacteria. The importance of RSS in environmental technologies requires further consideration.
Taurine as Antioxidant in a Novel Cell- and Oxygen Carrier-Free Perfusate for Normothermic Machine Perfusion of Porcine Kidneys
Authors: Zarnitz Laura , Doorschodt Benedict M. , Ernst Lisa , Hosseinnejad Aisa , Edgworth Eileen , Fechter Tamara , Theißen Alexander , Djudjaj Sonja , Boor Peter , Rossaint Rolf , Tolba René H. , Bleilevens Christian
Published: March 2023

Donor organ-shortage has resulted in the increased use of marginal grafts; however, normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) holds the potential for organ viability assessment and restoration of marginal grafts prior to transplantation. Additionally, cell-, oxygen carrier-free and antioxidants-supplemented solutions could potentially prevent adverse effects (transfusion reactions, inflammation, hemolysis), associated with the use of autologous packed red blood cell (pRBC)-based perfusates. This study compared 6 h NMP of porcine kidneys, using an established pRBC-based perfusate (pRBC, n = 7), with the novel cell- and oxygen carrier-free organ preservation solution Ecosol, containing taurine (Ecosol, n = 7). Despite the enhanced tissue edema and tubular injury in the Ecosol group, related to a suboptimal molecular mass of polyethylene glycol as colloid present in the solution, functional parameters (renal blood flow, intrarenal resistance, urinary flow, pH) and oxygenation (arterial pO2, absence of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha) were similar to the pRBC group. Furthermore, taurine significantly improved the antioxidant capacity in the Ecosol group, reflected in decreased lactate dehydrogenase, urine protein and tubular vacuolization compared to pRBC. This study demonstrates the feasibility of 6 h NMP using a taurine containing, cell- and oxygen carrier-free perfusate, achieving a comparable organ quality to pRBC perfused porcine kidneys.
Recent Perspective of Lactobacillus in Reducing Oxidative Stress to Prevent Disease
Authors: Zhao Tingting , Wang Haoran , Liu Zhenjiang , Liu Yang , DeJi  , Li Bin , Huang Xiaodan
Published: March 2023

During oxidative stress, an important factor in the development of many diseases, cellular oxidative and antioxidant activities are imbalanced due to various internal and external factors such as inflammation or diet. The administration of probiotic Lactobacillus strains has been shown to confer a range of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects in the host. This review focuses on the potential role of oxidative stress in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), cancer, and liver-related diseases in the context of preventive and therapeutic effects associated with Lactobacillus. This article reviews studies in cell lines and animal models as well as some clinical population reports that suggest that Lactobacillus could alleviate basic symptoms and related abnormal indicators of IBD, cancers, and liver damage, and covers evidence supporting a role for the Nrf2, NF-κB, and MAPK signaling pathways in the effects of Lactobacillus in alleviating inflammation, oxidative stress, aberrant cell proliferation, and apoptosis. This review also discusses the unmet needs and future directions in probiotic Lactobacillus research including more extensive mechanistic analyses and more clinical trials for Lactobacillus-based treatments.
Validation of the Implant Stability Test for Implant Provisional Crowns: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Okuhama Yurie , Nagata Koudai , Nakashizu Toshifumi , Wakamori Kana , Okubo Manabu , Tsuruoka Hayato , Kawana Hiromasa
Published: March 2023

Implant treatment has evolved and is now performed using various techniques. However, the osseointegration duration required for poor primary stability or immediate loading is unclear and depends largely on the surgeon’s experience. We sought to verify whether implant stability can be quantified after immediate loading, using AnyCheck®. Six implants were placed in simulated bone blocks classified by bone quality as D1–D4 and further divided into healing abutment and provisional crown groups. The implant stability test (IST) values of both groups were measured using AnyCheck®. All bone qualities from D1 to D4 differed significantly between the provisional crown and healing abutment groups (p < 0.001). In both groups, the IST values were the highest for D1 bone and lowest for D4 bone. There were significant differences in bone quality between the provisional crown and healing abutment groups. The correlations between the groups differed based on bone quality. However, the IST values of both groups differed by a minimum of 4 and maximum of 7. These results suggest that AnyCheck® is useful for quantifying the implant stability after immediate loading. Using an index to quantify the implant and bone stability for immediate loading may shorten treatment duration and increase success rates.
The t-Distribution Approach to the Second-Order Multiresponse Surface Model of Paracetamol Tablets Quality Characteristics
Authors: Sylvi Pismia , Purhadi Purhadi , Fithriasari Kartika , Sutikno Sutikno
Published: March 2023

The normal distribution approach is often used in regression analysis at the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) modeling stage. Several studies have shown that the normal distribution approach has drawbacks compared to the more robust t-distribution approach. The t-distribution approach is found to control size much more successfully in small samples compared to existing methods in the presence of moderately heavy tails. In many RSM applications, there is more than one response (multiresponse), which is usually correlated with each other (multivariate). On the other hand, the actual response surface habitually indicates the curve by the optimal value, so the second-order model is used. This paper aims to develop the second-order multiresponse surface model using a multivariate t-distribution approach. This work also provides the parameter estimation procedure and hypothesis testing for the significance of the parameter. First, the parameter estimation is performed using the Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), followed by the Expectation–Maximization algorithm as an iterative method to find (local) maximum likelihood. Next, the Likelihood Ratio Test (LRT) method is used to test the parameters simultaneously. The model obtained uses this approach to determine the conditions of input variables that optimize the Paracetamol tablets’ physical quality characteristics.
Towards Automatic License Plate Recognition in Challenging Conditions
Authors: Sultan Fahd , Khan Khurram , Shah Yasir Ali , Shahzad Mohsin , Khan Uzair , Mahmood Zahid
Published: March 2023

License plate recognition (LPR) is an integral part of the current intelligent systems that are developed to locate and identify various objects. Unfortunately, the LPR is a challenging task due to various factors, such as the numerous shapes and designs of the LPs, the non-following of standard LP templates, irregular outlines, angle variations, and occlusion. These factors drastically influence the LP appearance and significantly challenge the detection and recognition abilities of state-of-the-art detection and recognition algorithms. However, recent rising trends in the development of machine learning algorithms have yielded encouraging solutions. This paper presents a novel LPR method to address the aforesaid issues. The proposed method is composed of three distinct but interconnected steps. First, a vehicle that appears in an input image is detected using the Faster RCNN. Next, the LP area is located within the detected vehicle by using morphological operations. Finally, license plate recognition is accomplished using the deep learning network. Detailed simulations performed on the PKU, AOLP, and CCPD databases indicate that our developed approach produces mean license plate recognition accuracy of 99%, 96.0231%, and 98.7000% on the aforesaid databases.
Shelf-Life Assessment of Bread Partially Substituted with Soy Protein Isolate
Authors: Chang Yu-Han , Chang Cheng-Ming , Chuang Pei-Ting
Published: March 2023

Partial substitution of flour with soy protein isolate in bread making increases the protein content and nutritional value of baked goods as it contains more lysine than wheat flour. However, changes in the bread recipe alter the pH and amino acid content of the baked good, and product assessment is required to determine whether the product is a non-time/temperature control for safety food. This study examines the effects of substituting high-gluten flour with 2–8% soy protein isolate on bread quality and on the shelf life of the bread using the microbiological challenge test. The results indicate that increased soy protein isolate substitution reduces the volume and specific volume of bread. Six percent soy protein isolate-fortified bread also had a poorer taste, and, therefore, the optimal substitution amount is 4%. Based on the yeast and mold growth during the storage period, the 4% soy protein isolate-fortified bread has a shelf life of four days, while the 2% soy protein isolate-fortified bread has a shelf life of five days. The microbiological challenge test results revealed that the substitution of flour with soy protein isolate is conducive to Staphylococcus aureus growth within the bread. To summarize, the optimal soy protein isolate substitution in bread is 4%, which offers a four-day shelf life at room temperature.