bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of an L-Leucine-Rich Diet on Liver and Kidneys in a Doxorubicin Toxicity Model
Authors: Duarte Poliana Rodrigues Alves , Franco Rodrigo Rodrigues , Vilela Danielle Diniz , Caixeta Douglas Carvalho , de Souza Adriele Vieira , Deconte Simone Ramos , Mendes-Rodrigues Clesnan , Fidale Thiago Montes , Espindola Foued Salmen , Teixeira Renata Roland , Resende Elmiro Santos
Published: August 2023

Supplements and diets containing L-leucine, a branched-chain amino acid, have been considered beneficial for controlling oxidative stress and maintaining cardiac tissue in toxicity models using doxorubicin, a drug widely used in cancer treatment. However, there is a lack of studies in the literature that assess the effects of this diet on other organs and tissues, such as the liver and kidneys. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of a leucine-rich diet on the liver and kidneys of healthy rats submitted to the doxorubicin toxicity model by analyzing biomarkers of oxidative stress and histological parameters. The animals were divided into four groups: naive, doxorubicin, L-leucine, and doxorubicin + L-leucine, and the diet was standardized with 5% L-leucine and a dose of 7.5 mg/kg of doxorubicin. We evaluated tissue injury parameters and biomarkers of oxidative stress, including enzymes, antioxidant profile, and oxidized molecules, in the liver and kidneys. Although some studies have indicated benefits of a diet rich in L-leucine for the muscle tissue of animals that received doxorubicin, our results showed that the liver was the most affected organ by the L-leucine-rich diet since the diet reduced its antioxidant defenses and increased the deposit of collagen and fat in the hepatic tissue. In the kidneys, the main alteration was the reduction in the number of glomeruli. These results contribute to the scientific literature and encourage further studies to evaluate the effects of an L-leucine-rich diet or its supplementation, alone or combined with doxorubicin using an animal model of cancer. Therefore, our study concludes that the leucine-rich diet itself was harmful and, when co-administered with doxorubicin, was not able to maintain the antioxidant defenses and tissue structure of the evaluated organs.
Lateral Spread Response: Unveiling the Smoking Gun for Cured Hemifacial Spasm
Authors: Cho Kyung Rae , Park Sang Ku , Park Kwan
Published: August 2023

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a rare disorder characterized by involuntary facial muscle contractions. The primary cause is mechanical compression of the facial nerve by nearby structures. Lateral spread response (LSR) is an abnormal muscle response observed during electromyogram (EMG) testing and is associated with HFS. Intraoperative monitoring of LSR is crucial during surgery to confirm successful decompression. Proper anesthesia and electrode positioning are important for accurate LSR monitoring. Stimulation parameters should be carefully adjusted to avoid artifacts. The disappearance of LSR during surgery is associated with short-term outcomes, but its persistence does not necessarily indicate poor long-term outcomes. LSR monitoring has both positive and negative prognostic value, and its predictive ability varies across studies. Early disappearance of LSR can occur before decompression and may indicate better clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of LSR monitoring in HFS surgery.
(2R,4aS,6aS,12bR,14aS,14bR)10-Hydroxy-N-(4-((6-methoxyquinolin-8-yl)amino)pentyl)-2,4a,6a,9,12b,14a-hexamethyl-11-oxo-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,11,12b,13,14,14a,14b-tetradecahydropicene-2-carboxamide
Authors: Xie Yuhan , Kuan Houin , Wei Qin , Gianoncelli Alessandra , Ribaudo Giovanni , Coghi Paolo
Published: August 2023

We herein report the synthesis of a derivative of the natural compound celastrol linked to the antimalarial drug primaquine through an amide obtained by the activation of the carboxylic acid with HOBt/EDC. The chemical structure of the new molecule was fully characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR), heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC), correlation spectroscopy (1H-1H-COSY), distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT), mass spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopies. Computational studies were enrolled to predict the interaction of the synthesized compound with sarco-endoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ transport ATPase (SERCA), a target of relevance for developing new therapeutics against arthritis. The drug-likeness of the compound was also investigated by predicting its pharmacokinetic properties.
A Smoothing Method for Sparse Programs by Symmetric Cone Constrained Generalized Equations
Authors: Cheng Cong , Tang Lianjie
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we consider a sparse program with symmetric cone constrained parameterized generalized equations (SPSCC). Such a problem is a symmetric cone analogue with vector optimization, and we aim to provide a smoothing framework for dealing with SPSCC that includes classical complementarity problems with the nonnegative cone, the semidefinite cone and the second-order cone. An effective approximation is given and we focus on solving the perturbation problem. The necessary optimality conditions, which are reformulated as a system of nonsmooth equations, and the second-order sufficient conditions are proposed. Under mild conditions, a smoothing Newton approach is used to solve these nonsmooth equations. Under second-order sufficient conditions, strong BD-regularity at a solution point can be satisfied. An inverse linear program is provided and discussed as an illustrative example, which verified the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Design of Dies of Minimum Length Using the Ideal Flow Theory for Pressure-Dependent Materials
Authors: Alexandrov Sergei , Mokryakov Vyacheslav
Published: August 2023

This paper develops the ideal plastic flow theory for the stationary planar flow of pressure-dependent materials. Two rigid plastic material models are considered. One of these models is the double-shearing model, and the other is the double slip and rotation model. Both are based on the Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion. It is shown that the general ideal plastic flow theory is only possible for the double slip and rotation model if the intrinsic spin vanishes. The theory applies to calculating the shape of optimal extrusion and drawing dies of minimum length. The latter condition requires a singular characteristic field. The solution is facilitated using the extended R–S method, commonly employed in the classical plasticity of pressure-independent materials. In particular, Riemann’s method is used in a region where all characteristics are curved. It is advantageous since determining the optimal shape does not require the characteristic field inside the region. The solution is semi-analytical. A numerical procedure is only required to evaluate ordinary integrals. It is shown that the optimal shape depends on the angle of internal friction involved in the yield criterion.
Recurrent Neural Network with Finite Time Sampling for Dynamics Identification in Rehabilitation Robots
Authors: Alotaibi Ahmed , Alsubaie Hajid
Published: August 2023

Rehabilitation robots can establish a direct connection between the user’s nerve signals and the robot’s actuators by integrating with the human nervous system. However, uncertainties in these systems limit their performance and accuracy. To address this challenge, the current study introduces an algorithm that effectively identifies and predicts unfamiliar dynamics in lower-limb rehabilitation robots. To accomplish this, the current study initially presents the dynamic model of a knee rehabilitation robot. Then, a finite time sampler is developed and the algorithm is proposed. In the proposed algorithm, the electromyographic signals are input into the rehabilitation robot. Via the use of a guaranteed stable sampler, samples from the unknown dynamics are extracted. By training the recurrent neural network with the acquired samples, the algorithm effectively learns and captures the underlying patterns of the unknown dynamics. The proposed recurrent neural network is enhanced with a self-attention mechanism, which plays a vital role in devising effective strategies for practical applications. Numerical simulation demonstrates the algorithm’s effectiveness, highlighting its excellent performance in identifying the system’s unknown dynamics.
Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and COVID-19 Infection—A Single Center Survey
Authors: Ćojbašić Irena , Golubović Ivana , Ćojbašić Žarko
Published: August 2023

Background: Previous research has shown different effects of hematological malignancies on the outcome of patients with COVID-19 infection depending on the type of disease and the treatment received. This research was aimed at examining the clinical outcome of COVID-19 infection in positive patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Methods: We collected retrospective information on chronic myeloid leukemia patients who were treated and monitored in our institution during the pandemic period. Within this cohort, we recorded COVID-19 positive symptomatic patients and analyzed their basic characteristics, symptoms, severity, and outcome. Results: In the study cohort when COVID-19 was diagnosed, 86.7% of patients were on first-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors therapy—imatinib. At the time of infection, 70% of patients were in molecular remission, 23.4% in complete cytogenetic remission, and 3.3% in complete hematological response. Most patients had symptomatic disease. Within the analyzed group, 56.7% of patients had asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 infection, 23.3% of patients had moderate symptoms which did not require hospitalization, and 20% of patients had severe/critical symptoms that required admission to the intensive care unit. More than half of the patients interrupted treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors temporarily during COVID-19. There were no deaths due to COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: In compliance with other larger clinical studies, analysis of the clinical outcome of COVID-19 infection in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia on tyrosine kinase inhibitors therapy in this study showed that they do not have an increased risk for COVID-19 infection and that they have a mild course of the disease with recovery.
Learning Curve Analysis of Robotic-Assisted Mitral Valve Repair with COVID-19 Exogenous Factor: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Giroletti Laura , Brembilla Valentina , Graniero Ascanio , Albano Giovanni , Villari Nicola , Roscitano Claudio , Parrinello Matteo , Grazioli Valentina , Lanzarone Ettore , Agnino Alfonso
Published: August 2023

Background and objective Renewed interest in robot-assisted cardiac procedures has been demonstrated by several studies. However, concerns have been raised about the need for a long and complex learning curve. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 might have affected the learning curve of these procedures. In this study, we investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the learning curve of robotic-assisted mitral valve surgery (RAMVS). The aim was to understand whether or not the benefits of RAMVS are compromised by its learning curve. Materials and Methods Between May 2019 and March 2023, 149 patients underwent RAMVS using the Da Vinci® X Surgical System at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital, Bergamo, Italy. The selection of patients enrolled in the study was not influenced by case complexity. Regression models were used to formalize the learning curves, where preoperative data along with date of surgery and presence of COVID-19 were treated as the input covariates, while intraoperative and postoperative data were analyzed as output variables. Results The age of patients was 59.1 ± 13.3 years, and 70.5% were male. In total, 38.2% of the patients were operated on during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistical analysis showed the positive impact of the learning curve on the trend of postoperative parameters, progressively reducing times and other key indicators. Focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, statistical analysis did not recognize an impact on postoperative outcomes, although it became clear that variables not directly related to the intervention, especially ICU hours, were strongly influenced by hospital logistics during COVID-19. Conclusions Understanding the learning curve of robotic surgical procedures is essential to ensure their effectiveness and benefits. The learning curve involves not only surgeons but also other health care providers, and establishing a stable team in the early stage, as in our case, is important to shorten the duration. In fact, an exogenous factor such as the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect the robotic program despite the fact that the pandemic occurred early in the program.
Maternal Dietary Protein Patterns and Neonatal Anthropometrics: A Prospective Study with Insights from NMR Metabolomics in Amniotic Fluid
Authors: Kyrkou Charikleia , Fotakis Charalambos , Dimitropoulou Aristea , Tsakoumaki Foteini , Zoumpoulakis Panagiotis , Menexes Georgios , Biliaderis Costas G. , Athanasiadis Apostolos P. , Michaelidou Alexandra-Maria
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to characterize dietary protein patterns (DPPs) in a sample pool of 298 well-nourished pregnant women and explore potential associations between DPPs and neonatal anthropometrics. Maternal dietary data were collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Neonatal anthropometrics were abstracted from health booklets. A hierarchical cluster analysis identified three DPPs: “Dairy-focused”, “Med-fusion”, and “Traditional-inspired”. The “Dairy-focused” DPP exhibited the highest protein intake (p < 0.001), predominantly animal protein (p < 0.001), while the “Traditional-inspired” DPP presented higher plant protein (p < 0.001) and fiber intakes (p < 0.001), and, therefore, a reduced carbohydrate-to-fiber quotient (p < 0.001). The “Med-fusion” DPP had the lowest protein-to-fat ratio (p < 0.001). Infants of women following the “Dairy-focused” DPP had the highest birth height centiles (p = 0.007) and the lowest ponderal index (p = 0.003). The NMR-metabolomics approach was implemented on a subset of women that provided amniotic fluid (AF) specimens (n = 62) to elucidate distinct metabolic signatures associated with DPPs. PCA and OPLS-DA models verified the adherence to three DPPs, revealing that the levels of several amino acids (AAs) were the highest in “Dairy-focused”, reflecting its protein-rich nature. The “Traditional-inspired” DPP showed decreased AAs and glucose levels. This knowledge may contribute to optimizing maternal dietary recommendations. Further research is needed to validate these findings and better understand the relationships between maternal diet, AF metabolic signature, and neonatal anthropometrics.
Effective Removal of Dyes from Wastewater by Osmanthus Fragrans Biomass Charcoal
Authors: Xie Zhemin , Diao Sijie , Xu Ruizheng , Wei Guiyu , Wen Jianfeng , Hu Guanghui , Tang Tao , Jiang Li , Li Xinyu , Li Ming , Huang Haifu
Published: August 2023

The exploration of low-cost, high-performance adsorbents is a popular research issue. In this work, a straightforward method that combined hydrothermal with tube firing was used to produce Osmanthus fragrans biomass charcoal (OBC) from low-cost osmanthus for dye adsorption in water. The study examined the parameters of starting concentration, pH, and duration, which impacted the process of adsorption of different dyes by OBC. The analysis showed that the adsorption capacities of OBC for six dyes: malachite green (MG, C0 = 800 mg/L, pH = 7), Congo red (CR, C0 = 1000 mg/L, pH = 8), rhodamine B (RhB, C0 = 500 mg/L, pH = 6), methyl orange (MO, C0 = 1000 mg/L, pH = 7), methylene blue (MB, C0 = 700 mg/L, pH = 8), and crystalline violet (CV, C0 = 500 mg/L, pH = 7) were 6501.09, 2870.30, 554.93, 6277.72, 626.50, and 3539.34 mg/g, respectively. The pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm model were compatible with the experimental findings, which suggested the dominance of ion exchange and chemisorption. The materials were characterized by using XRD, SEM, FTIR, BET, and XPS, and the results showed that OBC had an outstanding specific surface area (2063 m2·g–1), with potential adsorption mechanisms that included electrostatic mechanisms, hydrogen bonding, and π-π adsorption. The fact that the adsorption capacity did not drastically decrease after five cycles of adsorption and desorption suggests that OBC has the potential to be a dye adsorbent.
Enhanced Two-Step Extraction from Biomass of Two Cymbopogon Species Cultivated in Santander, Colombia
Authors: Romero Angie K. , Portillo Daysy J. , Beltrán Sheila B. , Sierra Lady J. , Álvarez Camilo A. , Ramírez Karen J. , Martínez Jairo R. , Stashenko Elena E.
Published: August 2023

The insertion of circular economy principles into the essential oil (EO) production chain aims to reduce waste generation and make integral use of harvested plant material. Higher profits from integral use with reduced waste generation contribute to the eventual use of the EO value chain as an alternative to illicit crops in Colombia (mostly coca). In this study, Java-type citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) and palmarosa (C. martinii) plant materials were used in two consecutive processes to obtain EOs and extracts. The residual biomass after EO distillation was subjected to ultrasound-assisted hydroethanolic extraction to afford extracts that contained bioactive compounds. Citronella and palmarosa were distilled with typical EO yields (1.0 ± 0.1% for citronella; 0.41 ± 0.06% for palmarosa; n = 5) either through hydrodistillation assisted by microwave radiation or through steam distillation, and their composition (determined via GC/FID/MS analysis) and physicochemical parameters fell within their ISO standard specifications. The concentration of citronellal, the major compound of citronella oil, was 500 ± 152 mg/g. Geraniol, the main component of palmarosa oil, was found at 900 ± 55 mg/g. The citronella and palmarosa hydroalcoholic extracts (4–11% yield) were analyzed with UHPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS, which permitted the identification of 30 compounds, mainly C-glycosylated flavones and hydroxycinnamic acids. Both extracts had similar antioxidant activity values, evaluated using the ABTS+● and ORAC assays (110 ± 44 µmol Trolox®/g extract and 1300 ± 141 µmol Trolox®/g extract, respectively).
Crystallization Selectivity of Ribavirin Solution and Amorphous Phase
Authors: Li Fuying , Chen Shiying , Hu Haoxin , Liang Chengfeng , Sun Shiyu , Jin Can , Chen Fenghua
Published: August 2023

Crystallization selectivity is an important principle in polymorph control. Ribavirin Form I, Form II, DMSO solvate, and amorphous ribavirin are prepared, and the short-range order similarities between these solid forms and ribavirin aqueous solution and DMSO solution are compared via mid-frequency Raman difference spectra (MFRDS). The crystallization process from amorphous ribavirin to Form I and from solution to amorphous phase is explained. Reasons for the difficulty in preparing the DMSO solvate are proposed. The rationale provided for the crystallization selectivity provides a foundation for the synthesis of metastable phases with a robust and convenient method.
A Mid-Infrared Multifunctional Optical Device Based on Fiber Integrated Metasurfaces
Authors: Yao Weikang , Zhou Qilin , Jing Chonglu , Zhou Ai
Published: August 2023

A metasurface is a two-dimensional structure with a subwavelength thickness that can be used to control electromagnetic waves. The integration of optical fibers and metasurfaces has received much attention in recent years. This integrated device has high flexibility and versatility. We propose an optical device based on fiber-integrated metasurfaces in the mid-infrared, which uses a hollow core anti-resonant fiber (HC-ARF) to confine light transmission in an air core. The integrated bilayer metasurfaces at the fiber end face can achieve transmissive modulation of the optical field emitted from the HC-ARF, and the Fano resonance excited by the metasurface can also be used to achieve refractive index (RI) sensing with high sensitivity and high figure of merit (FOM) in the mid-infrared band. In addition, we introduce a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer between the two metasurfaces; thus, we can achieve tunable function through temperature. This provides an integrated fiber multifunctional optical device in the mid-infrared band, which is expected to play an important role in the fields of high-power mid-infrared lasers, mid-infrared laser biomedicine, and gas trace detection.
Reversible Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata-Based Arithmetic Logic Unit
Authors: Alharbi Mohammed , Edwards Gerard , Stocker Richard
Published: August 2023

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) are a promising nanoscale computing technology that exploits the quantum mechanical tunneling of electrons between quantum dots in a cell and electrostatic interaction between dots in neighboring cells. QCA can achieve higher speed, lower power, and smaller areas than conventional, complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Developing QCA circuits in a logically and physically reversible manner can provide exceptional reductions in energy dissipation. The main challenge is to maintain reversibility down to the physical level. A crucial component of a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) is the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which executes multiple logical and arithmetic functions on the data processed by the CPU. Current QCA ALU designs are either irreversible or logically reversible; however, they lack physical reversibility, a crucial requirement to increase energy efficiency. This paper shows a new multilayer design for a QCA ALU that can carry out 16 different operations and is both logically and physically reversible. The design is based on reversible majority gates, which are the key building blocks. We use QCADesigner-E software to simulate and evaluate energy dissipation. The proposed logically and physically reversible QCA ALU offers an improvement of 88.8% in energy efficiency. Compared to the next most efficient 16-operation QCA ALU, this ALU uses 51% fewer QCA cells and 47% less area.
Sub-Bandgap Sensitization of Perovskite Semiconductors via Colloidal Quantum Dots Incorporation
Authors: Ribeiro G. , Ferreira G. , Menda U. D. , Alexandre M. , Brites M. J. , Barreiros M. A. , Jana S. , Águas H. , Martins R. , Fernandes P. A. , Salomé P. , Mendes M. J.
Published: August 2023

By taking advantage of the outstanding intrinsic optoelectronic properties of perovskite-based photovoltaic materials, together with the strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption and electronic confinement in PbS quantum dots (QDs), sub-bandgap photocurrent generation is possible, opening the way for solar cell efficiencies surpassing the classical limits. The present study shows an effective methodology for the inclusion of high densities of colloidal PbS QDs in a MAPbI3 (methylammonium lead iodide) perovskite matrix as a means to enhance the spectral window of photon absorption of the perovskite host film and allow photocurrent production below its bandgap. The QDs were introduced in the perovskite matrix in different sizes and concentrations to study the formation of quantum-confined levels within the host bandgap and the potential formation of a delocalized intermediate mini-band (IB). Pronounced sub-bandgap (in NIR) absorption was optically confirmed with the introduction of QDs in the perovskite. The consequent photocurrent generation was demonstrated via photoconductivity measurements, which indicated IB establishment in the films. Despite verifying the reduced crystallinity of the MAPbI3 matrix with a higher concentration and size of the embedded QDs, the nanostructured films showed pronounced enhancement (above 10-fold) in NIR absorption and consequent photocurrent generation at photon energies below the perovskite bandgap.
Recent Advances in DNA Nanomaterials
Authors: Bekkouche Incherah , Kuznetsova Maria N. , Rejepov Dovlet T. , Vetcher Alexandre A. , Shishonin Alexander Y.
Published: August 2023

Applications of DNA-containing nanomaterials (DNA-NMs) in science and technology are currently attracting increasing attention in the fields of medicine, environment, engineering, etc. Such objects have become important for various branches of science and industries due to their outstanding characteristics such as small size, high controllability, clustering actions, and strong permeability. For these reasons, DNA-NMs deserve a review with respect to their recent advancements. On the other hand, precise cluster control, targeted drug distribution in vivo, and cellular micro-nano operation remain as problems. This review summarizes the recent progress in DNA-NMs and their crossover and integration into multiple disciplines (including in vivo/in vitro, microcircles excisions, and plasmid oligomers). We hope that this review will motivate relevant practitioners to generate new research perspectives and boost the advancement of nanomanipulation.
First Description of Mergibacter septicus Isolated from a Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) in Germany
Authors: Abdel-Glil Mostafa Y. , Braune Silke , Bouwhuis Sandra , Sprague Lisa D.
Published: August 2023

Mergibacter septicus (M. septicus), previously known as Bisgaard Taxon 40, is a recently described species within the Pasteurellaceae family. In this study, we present a M. septicus strain isolated from a common tern (Sterna hirundo) chick that died just after fledging from the Banter See in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The recovered M. septicus strain underwent microbiological phenotypic characterization, followed by whole genome sequencing on Illumina and Nanopore platforms. Phenotypically, M. septicus 19Y0039 demonstrated resistance to colistin, cephalexin, clindamycin, oxacillin, and penicillin G. The genome analysis revealed a circular 1.8 Mbp chromosome without any extrachromosomal elements, containing 1690 coding DNA sequences. The majority of these coding genes were associated with translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, followed by RNA processing and modification, and transcription. Genetic analyses revealed that the German M. septicus strain 19Y0039 is related to the American strain M. septicus A25201T. Through BLAST alignment, twelve putative virulence genes previously identified in the M. septicus type strain A25201T were also found in the German strain. Additionally, 84 putative virulence genes distributed across nine categories, including immune modulation, effector delivery system, nutrition/metabolic factors, regulation, stress survival, adherence, biofilm, exotoxin, and motility, were also identified.
Resistance Profiles and Virulence Determinants in Biofilm-Forming Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Raw Seafood in Bangladesh
Authors: Ullah Md. Ashek , Islam Md. Saiful , Rana Md. Liton , Ferdous Farhana Binte , Neloy Fahim Haque , Firdous Zannatul , Hassan Jayedul , Rahman Md. Tanvir
Published: August 2023

Pathogenic, antibiotic-resistant, and biofilm-forming bacteria can be transferred to humans through the consumption of contaminated seafood. The present study was carried out to determine antibiotic resistance profiles and virulence determinants in biofilm-forming Enterococcus faecium isolated from seafood in Bangladesh. A total of 150 seafood samples, including shrimp (n = 50), crabs (n = 25), and marine fish (n = 75), were screened using cultural, staining, biochemical, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Congo red (CR), and disk diffusion (DD) assays. In PCR, E. faecium was detected in 27.3% (41/150; CI95% 20.8; 34.9) of samples, where marine fish (34.7%, CI95% 24.9; 45.9) had the highest prevalence (p < 0.05) compared to crabs (32%, CI95% 17.2; 51.6) and shrimp (14%, CI95% 7.0; 26.1). Thirty-two (78.1%, CI95% 63.3; 88.0) of the E. faecium isolates were determined to be biofilm formers in the CR test, where 43.9% (18/41, CI95% 29.9; 59.0) and 34.2% (14/41, CI95% 21.6; 49.5) of the isolates were strong and intermediate biofilm formers, respectively. In PCR, virulence genes, i.e., pil (100%), ace (92.7%), agg (68.3%), fsrA (65.9%), gelE (63.4%), sprE (53.7%), fsrB (51.2%), and fsrC (43.9%), were detected in E. faecium isolates. All the E. faecium isolates were phenotypically resistant to ≥3 antimicrobial categories and ≥3 antibiotics, including WHO-classified reserve antibiotics linezolid (70.7%) and fosfomycin (19.5%). Moreover, the multiple antibiotic resistance index ranged up to 0.8, showing resistance to ten antibiotics and eight antibiotic classes. In this study, the prevalence of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in strong biofilm-forming E. faecium strains as compared to strains with intermediate and non-biofilm-forming abilities. As far as we know, this study, for the first time in Bangladesh, determined antibiotic resistance and detected virulence genes in biofilm-forming E. faecium isolated from seafood samples. The data from this study could play a significant role in evaluating potential health hazards linked to the ingestion of uncooked or minimally processed seafood.
Evaluation of Wild Peanut Species and Their Allotetraploids for Resistance against Thrips and Thrips-Transmitted Tomato Spotted Wilt Orthotospovirus (TSWV)
Authors: Chen Yi-Ju , Pandey Sudeep , Catto Michael , Leal-Bertioli Soraya , Abney Mark R. , Bag Sudeep , Hopkins Mark , Culbreath Albert , Srinivasan Rajagopalbabu
Published: August 2023

Thrips-transmitted tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) causes spotted wilt disease in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and limits yield. Breeding programs have been developing TSWV-resistant cultivars, but availability of sources of resistance against TSWV in cultivated germplasm is extremely limited. Diploid wild Arachis species can serve as important sources of resistance, and despite ploidy barriers (cultivated peanut is tetraploid), their usage in breeding programs is now possible because of the knowledge and development of induced interspecific allotetraploid hybrids. This study screened 10 wild diploid Arachis and six induced allotetraploid genotypes via thrips-mediated TSWV transmission assays and thrips’ feeding assays in the greenhouse. Three parameters were evaluated: percent TSWV infection, virus accumulation, and temporal severity of thrips feeding injury. Results indicated that the diploid A. stenosperma accession V10309 and its derivative-induced allotetraploid ValSten1 had the lowest TSWV infection incidences among the evaluated genotypes. Allotetraploid BatDur1 had the lowest thrips-inflicted damage at each week post thrips release, while diploid A. batizocoi accession K9484 and A. duranensis accession V14167 had reduced feeding damage one week post thrips release, and diploids A. valida accession GK30011 and A. batizocoi had reduced feeding damage three weeks post thrips releasethan the others. Overall, plausible TSWV resistance in diploid species and their allotetraploid hybrids was characterized by reduced percent TSWV infection, virus accumulation, and feeding severity. Furthermore, a few diploids and tetraploid hybrids displayed antibiosis against thrips. These results document evidence for resistance against TSWV and thrips in wild diploid Arachis species and peanut-compatible-induced allotetraploids.
Monocytes from Uninfected Neonates Born to Trypanosoma cruzi-Infected Mothers Display Upregulated Capacity to Produce TNF-α and to Control Infection in Association with Maternally Transferred Antibodies
Authors: Flores Amilcar , Alonso-Vega Cristina , Hermann Emmanuel , Torrico Mary-Cruz , Montaño Villarroel Nair Alaide , Torrico Faustino , Carlier Yves , Truyens Carine
Published: August 2023

Activated monocytes/macrophages that produce inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide are crucial for controlling Trypanosoma cruzi infection. We previously showed that uninfected newborns from T. cruzi infected mothers (M+B- newborns) were sensitized to produce higher levels of inflammatory cytokines than newborns from uninfected mothers (M-B- newborns), suggesting that their monocytes were more activated. Thus, we wondered whether these cells might help limit congenital infection. We investigated this possibility by studying the activation status of M+B- cord blood monocytes and their ability to control T. cruzi in vitro infection. We showed that M+B- monocytes have an upregulated capacity to produce the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and a better ability to control T. cruzi infection than M-B- monocytes. Our study also showed that T. cruzi-specific Abs transferred from the mother play a dual role by favoring trypomastigote entry into M+B- monocytes and inhibiting intracellular amastigote multiplication. These results support the possibility that some M+B- fetuses may eliminate the parasite transmitted in utero from their mothers, thus being uninfected at birth.
Viability of Veterinary-Relevant Viruses in Decomposing Tissues over a 90-Day Period Using an In-Vitro System
Authors: Merchioratto Ingryd , Mendes Peter Cristina , Ramachandran Akhilesh , Maggioli Mayara Fernanda , Vicosa Bauermann Fernando
Published: August 2023

Depopulation is frequently employed during outbreaks of high-impact animal diseases. Security breaches in sites managing mortality may jeopardize pathogen control efforts as infected carcasses can serve as an infection source. This study evaluated the viability and nucleic acid detection of veterinary-relevant viruses or their surrogates in decomposing tissues. The used viruses were: Senecavirus A1 (SVA), feline calicivirus (FCV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), and swinepox virus (SwPV). Viruses were spiked in three decomposing tissues (swine bone marrow and spleen, and bovine bone marrow) and maintained for 90 days. Samples were kept under two temperature conditions resembling the average soil temperature in central Oklahoma, US, during the winter and summer (5.5 °C and 29.4 °C). At 5.5 °C, SVA and FCV remained viable over the 90 days of the study, followed by BVDV (75 days), BoHV-1 and SwPV (60 days), and PEDV (10 days). At 29.4 °C, SVA remained viable for 45 days, followed by BVDV and BoHV-1 (14 days). SwPV was viable for 10 days, whereas FCV and PEDV were viable for 5 days. Overall, viral nucleic acid detection was not significantly altered during the study. These findings support decision-making and risk management in sites overseeing animal mortality.
A Machine Learning Approach for Automated Detection of Critical PCB Flaws in Optical Sensing Systems
Authors: Chen Pinliang , Xie Feng
Published: August 2023

The circuit boards in the fields of optical sensors and optical devices require extremely high levels of precision and performance. For instance, applications such as fiber optic communication, optical computing, biomedical devices, and high-performance computing devices all necessitate meticulous optical components. Any minute defect on the circuit boards of these components has the potential to adversely impact the performance of the entire device. Traditional circuit defect detection methods require manual inspection, which is very labor-intensive and time-consuming. The defect detection method based on deep learning can automatically learn features and more accurately find defects in printed circuit boards, improve detection efficiency, and reduce the workload, bringing better economic and social benefits. Based on the popular YOLOv8 model, this paper uses the open-source circuit defect dataset, introduces Wise IoU, proposes the W–YOLOv8 model, and uses the gradient gain allocation strategy of a dynamic non-monotonic focusing mechanism to make the model focus on ordinary-quality anchor boxes, which improves the performance of the original model. Experimental data show that the mAP50 of W–YOLOv8 is 97.3%, which is 1.35% higher than that of YOLOv8, and the mAP50-95 is 55.4%, which is 3.94% higher than that of YOLOv8.
The Aqueous Extract of Brassica oleracea L. Exerts Phytotoxicity by Modulating H2O2 and O2− Levels, Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and Phytohormone Levels
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhao Yuanzheng , Dong Baozhu , Wang Dong , Hao Jianxiu , Jia Xinyu , Zhao Yuxi , Nian Yin , Zhou Hongyou
Published: August 2023

Allelopathic interactions between plants serve as powerful tools for weed control. Despite the increasing understanding of the allelopathic mechanisms between different plant species, the inhibitory effects of B. oleracea on weed growth remain poorly understood. In this study, we conducted experiments to demonstrate that B. oleracea extract can suppress the germination of Panicum miliaceum L.varruderale Kit. seeds as well as of the roots, shoots and hypocotyl elongation of P. miliaceum seedlings. Furthermore, we observed that B. oleracea extract reduced the levels of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion in the roots while increasing the activities of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase. In the shoots, B. oleracea extract enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase. Moreover, the use of the extract led to an increase in the content of phytohormones (indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-acetaldehyde, methyl indole-3-acetate, N6-isoPentenyladenosine, dihydrozeatin-7-glucoside, abscisic acid and abscisic acid glucose ester) in P. miliaceum seedlings. Interestingly, the aqueous extract contained auxins and their analogs, which inhibited the germination and growth of P. miliaceum. This may contribute to the mechanism of the B. oleracea-extract-induced suppression of P. miliaceum growth.
Effect of Betulin Colloidal Particles on Proliferation and Cytokine Secretion of Human Skin Fibroblasts
Authors: Riekstina Una , Vitolina Sanita , Goluba Karina , Jekabsons Kaspars , Muceniece Ruta , Berzins Rudolfs , Rizhikovs Janis , Godina Daniela , Teresko Arturs , Paze Aigars
Published: August 2023

The aim of the study was to obtain untreated and treated betulin colloidal particles and assess their effect on the viability, morphology, proliferation and cytokine secretion of human dermal fibroblasts. To improve bioavailability, betulin treatment was performed by an antisolvent precipitation technique. The average particle size after treatment in the aqueous dispersion decreased from 552.9 ± 11.3 to 278.2 ± 1.6 nm. Treated betulin colloidal particles showed no cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 400 µg·mL−1 in the colorimetric tetrazolium salt viability test (CCK-8). Moreover, the cell morphology was not changed in the presence of betulin colloidal particles at a concentration range from 0.78 to 400 µg·mL−1. The obtained results also show that betulin particles induce the secretion of the proinflammatory and angiogenesis-stimulating cytokine IL-8. However, further studies would be required to clarify the mechanism of IL-8 secretion induction.
Monitoring Drought Tolerance in Oil Palm: Choline Monooxygenase as a Novel Molecular Marker
Authors: Suraninpong Potjamarn , Thongkhao Kannika , Azzeme Azzreena Mohamad , Suksa-Ard Padungsak
Published: August 2023

Water scarcity negatively impacts oil palm production, necessitating the development of drought-tolerant varieties. This study aimed to develop molecular markers for oil palm breeding programs focused on drought tolerance. Genes associated with drought tolerance were selected, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based markers were developed. Genomic DNA was successfully extracted from 17 oil palm varieties, and 20 primers out of 44 were effectively amplified. Screening with single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) revealed an informative SNP marker from the choline monooxygenase (CMO) gene, exhibiting CC, CT, and TT genotypes. Notably, the oil palm variety La Mé showed the CT genotype, while Surat Thani 2 (Deli × La Mé) exhibited the CT and CC genotypes in a 1:1 ratio. Gene expression analysis confirmed the association of the CMO gene with drought tolerance in commercial oil palm varieties. The full-length CMO gene was 1308 bp long and shared sequence similarities with other plant species. However, amino acid sequence variations were observed compared with existing databases. These findings highlight the potential utility of the CMO marker for drought tolerance selection, specifically within the La Mé parent of oil palm Surat Thani 2 varieties, and strongly confirm the La Mé S5 population and Surat Thani 2 as drought-tolerant varieties.
A New Function of MbIAA19 Identified to Modulate Malus Plants Dwarfing Growth
Authors: Wang Jian , Xue Li , Zhang Xiao , Hou Yali , Zheng Ke , Fu Dongxu , Dong Wenxuan
Published: August 2023

The primary determinants of apple (Malus) tree architecture include plant height and internode length, which are the significant criteria for evaluating apple dwarf rootstocks. Plant height and internode length are predominantly governed by phytohormones. In this study, we aimed to assess the mechanisms underlying dwarfism in a mutant of Malus baccata. M. baccata dwarf mutant (Dwf) was previously obtained through natural mutation. It has considerably reduced plant height and internode length. A comparative transcriptome analysis of wild-type (WT) and Dwf mutant was performed to identify and annotate the differentially expressed genes responsible for the Dwf phenotype using RNA-seq and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Multiple DEGs involved in hormone signaling pathways, particularly auxin signaling pathways, were identified. Moreover, the levels of endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were lower in Dwf mutant than in WT. The Aux/IAA transcription factor gene MbIAA19 was downregulated in Dwf mutant due to a single nucleotide sequence change in its promoter. Genetic transformation assay demonstrated strong association between MbIAA19 and the dwarf phenotype. RNAi-IAA19 lines clearly exhibited reduced plant height, internode length, and endogenous IAA levels. Our study revealed that MbIAA19 plays a role in the regulation of dwarfism and endogenous IAA levels in M. baccata.
The Impact of Increased CO2 and Drought Stress on the Secondary Metabolites of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
Authors: Lupitu Andreea , Moisa Cristian , Bortes Flavia , Peteleu Denisa , Dochia Mihaela , Chambre Dorina , Ciutină Virgiliu , Copolovici Dana Maria , Copolovici Lucian
Published: August 2023

Elevated carbon dioxide and drought are significant stressors in light of climate change. This study explores the interplay between elevated atmospheric CO2, drought stress, and plant physiological responses. Two Brassica oleracea varieties (cauliflowers and cabbage) were utilized as model plants. Our findings indicate that elevated CO2 accelerates assimilation rate decline during drought. The integrity of photosynthetic components influenced electron transport, potentially due to drought-induced nitrate reductase activation changes. While CO2 positively influenced photosynthesis and water-use efficiency during drought, recovery saw decreased stomatal conductance in high-CO2-grown plants. Drought-induced monoterpene emissions varied, influenced by CO2 concentration and species-specific responses. Drought generally increased polyphenols, with an opposing effect under elevated CO2. Flavonoid concentrations fluctuated with drought and CO2 levels, while chlorophyll responses were complex, with high CO2 amplifying drought’s effects on chlorophyll content. These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of CO2–drought interactions and their intricate effects on plant physiology.
Special Issue on “Machine-Learning-Assisted Intelligent Processing and Optimization of Complex Systems”
Authors: Luo Xiong , Yuan Manman
Published: August 2023

Complex systems and their various characteristics have been widely considered in economic and industrial systems [...]
Numerical Evaluation of the Effect of Buoyancy-Driven Flow on the Migration of Respiratory Droplets
Authors: Li Nan , Yan Xiaohong
Published: August 2023

The understanding of the impact of buoyancy-driven flow on the migration of respiratory droplets remains limited. To investigate this phenomenon, the Lagrangian–Eulerian approach (k-ε turbulent model and discrete phase model) was employed to analyze the interaction between buoyancy-driven flow and coughing activity. The simulation approach was validated by simulating a jet problem in water. Although this problem describes the jet penetration in water, the governing equations for this problem are the same as those for coughing activity in the air. The results demonstrated that an umbrella-shaped airflow was generated above a person and a temperature stratification existed in the room. The buoyancy-driven flow significantly altered the dispersion pattern of the droplets. Notably, for large droplets with an initial diameter of 100 μm, the flow in the boundary layer led to an increased deposition time by about five times. Conversely, for small droplets with an initial diameter of 20 μm, the umbrella-shaped airflow resulted in a more rapid dispersion of droplets and subsequently facilitated their quicker removal by the room walls. After a duration of 300 s, the suspended droplet number of the case with buoyancy-driven flow was 33.4% smaller than that of the case without buoyancy-driven flow. Two or three persons being in the room resulted in a faster droplet removal.
A Study on the Oil-Bearing Stability of Salt-Resistant Foam and an Explanation of the Viscoelastic Phenomenon
Authors: Yang Changhua , Yu Zhenye
Published: August 2023

Foam is a medium-stable system composed of gas and liquid phases, which has the advantages of low density at the gas phase and high viscosity at the liquid phase, and has a wide application in oil and gas field development and mineral flotation, but its special medium-stable system also brings many problems in industry applications. Scientists have carried out extensive analyses and research on the foam stability and bubble-bursting mechanism, which initially clarified the rules of bubble breakage caused by environmental factors such as temperature and pressure, but the mechanism of bubble bursting under the action of internal factors such as liquid mineralization and oil concentration of the films is still not clearly defined. In this paper, we propose a compound salt-resistant foaming agent, investigated the influence of the aggregation and adsorption behavior of oil droplets on the liquid films and boundaries, and established a relevant aggregation and adsorption model with the population balance equation. We put forward a liquid film drainage mechanism based on the distribution, aggregation, and transport of oil droplets in the liquid films, so as to explain the changes in foam stability under the action of oil droplets. On the other hand, the viscoelastic analysis of foam fluid is performed with a rheometer, and the results show that in comparison with conventional power-law fluid, foam fluid has a complex rheological behavior for low shear thickening, but high shear thinning.