bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How a Family History of Allergic Diseases Influences Food Allergy in Children: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Saito-Abe Mayako , Yamamoto-Hanada Kiwako , Pak Kyongsun , Iwamoto Shintaro , Sato Miori , Miyaji Yumiko , Mezawa Hidetoshi , Nishizato Minaho , Yang Limin , Kumasaka Natsuhiko , Kobayashi Tohru , Ohya Yukihiro ,   on behalf of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) Group
Published: October 2022

The influence of family allergic history on food allergy in offspring in Japan is unknown. We analyzed data from a nationwide birth cohort study using logistic regression models to examine the associations of maternal, paternal, and both parental histories of allergic diseases (food allergy, atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis) with their child’s food allergy at 1.5 and 3 years of age. This analysis included 69,379 singleton full-term mothers and 37,179 fathers and their children. All parental histories of allergic diseases showed significant positive associations with their child’s food allergy. When both parents had a history of allergic diseases, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) tended to be higher than when either parent had allergic diseases (p for trend < 0.0001). The highest aOR was detected when both parents had food allergy (2.60; 95% confidential interval, 1.58–4.27), and the aOR was 1.71 when either parent had food allergy (95% confidential interval, 1.54–1.91). The aORs were attenuated but still had significant positive associations after adjusting for the child’s atopic dermatitis, a risk factor for allergy development. In conclusion, all parental allergic diseases were significantly positively associated with their child’s food allergy. The effect of family history showed a stepwise increase in risk from either parent to both parents, and the highest risk of allergic disease was a parental history of food allergy.
Vitamin E in Cancer Treatment: A Review of Clinical Applications in Randomized Control Trials
Authors: Donnelly Jennifer , Appathurai Amanda , Yeoh Hui-Ling , Driscoll Kate , Faisal Wasek
Published: October 2022

Vitamin E, along with other vitamins and micronutrients play a range of physiologic roles in the homeostasis of the body. Moreover, they also have postulated therapeutic roles that are often incompletely studied and understood. In this scoping review, we explored the recent randomized control trials (RCTs) of Vitamin E in the context of cancer, to investigate whether Vitamin E has a therapeutic role. We searched major bibliographic electronic databases to identify sixteen RCTs studying the role of Vitamin E in cancer management that have been published in the last ten years. These studies had different methodological qualities, including some that used Vitamin E in combination with other treatments. Furthermore, due to the heterogenous results, it is difficult to make a consensus statement on the effectiveness of Vitamin E in cancer therapeutics. In some cases, there were even suggestion of detriment with Vitamin E supplementation. Therefore, well designed, large, prospective RCTs are needed studying pure isoforms of Vitamin E to establish the safety and efficacy of this dietary supplement.
Whole Exome Sequencing Study Identifies Novel Rare Risk Variants for Habitual Coffee Consumption Involved in Olfactory Receptor and Hyperphagia
Authors: Cheng Bolun , Pan Chuyu , Cheng Shiqiang , Meng Peilin , Liu Li , Wei Wenming , Yang Xuena , Jia Yumeng , Wen Yan , Zhang Feng
Published: October 2022

Habitual coffee consumption is an addictive behavior with unknown genetic variations and has raised public health issues about its potential health-related outcomes. We performed exome-wide association studies to identify rare risk variants contributing to habitual coffee consumption utilizing the newly released UK Biobank exome dataset (n = 200,643). A total of 34,761 qualifying variants were imported into SKAT to conduct gene-based burden and robust tests with minor allele frequency <0.01, adjusting the polygenic risk scores (PRS) of coffee intake to exclude the effect of common coffee-related polygenic risk. The gene-based burden and robust test of the exonic variants found seven exome-wide significant associations, such as OR2G2 (PSKAT = 1.88 × 10−9, PSKAT-Robust = 2.91 × 10−17), VEZT1 (PSKAT = 3.72 × 10−7, PSKAT-Robust = 1.41 × 10−7), and IRGC (PSKAT = 2.92 × 10−5, PSKAT-Robust = 1.07 × 10−7). These candidate genes were verified in the GWAS summary data of coffee intake, such as rs12737801 (p = 0.002) in OR2G2, and rs34439296 (p = 0.008) in IRGC. This study could help to extend genetic insights into the pathogenesis of coffee addiction, and may point to molecular mechanisms underlying health effects of habitual coffee consumption.
Rural Nurses’ Views on Breastmilk Banking in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mahlatjie Mantji Annah , Bopape Makoma , Mothiba Tebogo Maria
Published: October 2022

The development of breastmilk banks is being established among the African population, including in Limpopo Province. However, the views of nurses directly handling the donated breastmilk in the province remain unknown. This study was aimed at exploring and describing the views of nurses towards breastmilk banking in the Mankweng area, Limpopo Province. A qualitative, descriptive, and explorative study was undertaken at a tertiary hospital and a rural feeder clinic in the Mankweng area. Purposive sampling was employed to obtain participants for the interviews. One-on-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the views of these nurses. Data were analysed using Tesch’s open coding method, with the information obtained being grouped into different themes and sub-themes. Almost all nurses were willing to donate their breastmilk to the bank. However, receiving donated breastmilk for their own children seemed to be a challenge due to the safety of the donated breastmilk, uncertainty about the screening process, and cultural issues. Although donation of breastmilk appeared to be well supported by almost all the nurses, the use of donated breastmilk seemed to be not fully acceptable. Increased awareness about breastmilk donation and banking should be prioritised in the province.
How Are You Feeling? Interpretation of Emotions through Facial Expressions of People Wearing Different Personal Protective Equipment: An Observational Study
Authors: Díaz-Agea José Luis , Pujalte-Jesús María José , Arizo-Luque Vanessa , García-Méndez Juan Antonio , López-Chicheri-García Isabel , Rojo-Rojo Andrés
Published: October 2022

(1) Background: The perception of others’ emotions based on non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, is fundamental for interpersonal communication and mutual support. Using personal protection equipment (PPE) in a work environment during the SAR-CoV-2 pandemic challenged health professionals’ ability to recognise emotions and expressions while wearing PPE. The working hypothesis of this study was that the increased limitation of facial visibility, due to the use of a personal protective device, would interfere with the perception of basic emotions in the participants. (2) Methods: Through a cross-sectional descriptive study, the present research aimed to analyse the identification of four basic emotions (happiness; sadness; fear/surprise; and disgust/anger) through three types of PPE (FFP2 respirator, protective overall and powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)), by using 32 photographs. The study was conducted using volunteer participants who met the inclusion criteria (individuals older than 13 without cognitive limitations). Participants had to recognise the emotions of actors in photographs that were randomly displayed in an online form. (3) Results: In general, the 690 participants better recognised happiness and fear, independently of the PPE utilised. Women could better identify different emotions, along with university graduates and young and middle-aged adults. Emotional identification was at its worst when the participants wore protective overalls (5.42 ± 1.22), followed by the PAPR (5.83 ± 1.38); the best scores were obtained using the FFP2 masks (6.57 ± 1.20). Sadness was the least recognised emotion, regardless of age. (4) Conclusions: The personal protective devices interfere in the recognition of emotions, with the protective overalls having the greatest impact, and the FFP2 mask the least. The emotions that were best recognised were happiness and fear/surprise, while the least recognised emotion was sadness. Women were better at identifying emotions, as well as participants with higher education, and young and middle-aged adults.
HERV-K Envelope Protein Induces Long-Lasting Production of Autoantibodies in T1DM Patients at Onset in Comparison to ZNT8 Autoantibodies
Authors: Noli Marta , Meloni Gianfranco , Ruberto Stefano , Jasemi Seyedesomaye , Simula Elena Rita , Cossu Davide , Bo Marco , Palermo Mario , Sechi Leonardo A.
Published: October 2022

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been thought of as silent passengers within our genomes, but their reactivation has been linked with several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1DM). In order to evaluate the potential role of HERVs, in addition to the recognized role of HERV-W, we focused on the debated role of the HERV-K family in T1DM. Therefore, we performed a serological evaluation of IgG antibodies against HERV-K Env epitope (HERV-K Env19–37) in comparison to an important β-cellular autoimmunity biomarker, ZnT8, from plasma samples of Sardinian children at the onset of T1DM, different T1DM groups (1–5 and 6–12 years since diagnosis), and healthy controls (HCs), by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A significant antibody response was observed against HERV-K Env19–37 (p < 0.0001) in T1DM patients compared to HCs, and significantly higher IgG responses were detected in the group at the onset compared to the other T1DM groups and HCs. Unlike the trend of the β-cellular autoimmunity autoantibodies, for HERV-K Env antibodies we observed positive values that persist over time up to 5 years since the onset of T1DM. Our results add new evidence about the presence of antibodies against HERV-K in T1DM, but further investigations are necessary to relate these results with the established role of HERVs, considering the contrasting results for HERV-K.
In Vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Plastoquinone Analogues against Colorectal and Breast Cancers along with In Silico Insights
Authors: Ciftci Halilibrahim , Sever Belgin , Bayrak Nilüfer , Yıldız Mahmut , Yıldırım Hatice , Tateishi Hiroshi , Otsuka Masami , Fujita Mikako , TuYuN Amaç Fatih
Published: October 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer are leading causes of death globally, due to significant challenges in detection and management. The late-stage diagnosis and treatment failures require the discovery of potential anticancer agents to achieve a satisfactory therapeutic effect. We have previously reported a series of plastoquinone analogues to understand their cytotoxic profile. Among these derivatives, three of them (AQ-11, AQ-12, and AQ-15) were selected by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to evaluate their in vitro antiproliferative activity against a panel of 60 human tumor cell lines. AQ-12 exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against HCT-116 CRC and MCF-7 breast cancer cells at a single dose and further five doses. MTT assay was also performed for AQ-12 at different concentrations against these two cells, implying that AQ-12 exerted notable cytotoxicity toward HCT-116 (IC50 = 5.11 ± 2.14 μM) and MCF-7 (IC50 = 6.06 ± 3.09 μM) cells in comparison with cisplatin (IC50 = 23.68 ± 6.81 μM and 19.67 ± 5.94 μM, respectively). This compound also augmented apoptosis in HCT-116 (62.30%) and MCF-7 (64.60%) cells comparable to cisplatin (67.30% and 78.80%, respectively). Molecular docking studies showed that AQ-12 bound to DNA, forming hydrogen bonding through the quinone scaffold. In silico pharmacokinetic determinants indicated that AQ-12 demonstrated drug-likeness with a remarkable pharmacokinetic profile for future mechanistic anti-CRC and anti-breast cancer activity studies.
Editorial—Current Insights on Lipid-Based Nanosystems
Authors: Silva Ana Catarina , Moreira João Nuno , Lobo José Manuel Sousa
Published: October 2022

Lipid-based nanosystems, including solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), cationic lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and liposomes, have been extensively studied to improve drug delivery through different administration routes [...]
Application of Thermal Analysis to Evaluate Pharmaceutical Preparations Containing Theophylline
Authors: Ramos Paweł
Published: October 2022

Confirmation of the composition of pharmaceutical products is an essential pharmaceutical issue. The purity and identity of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in the finished drug impact the effect of correct and safe pharmacotherapy. The currently frequently used advanced analytical methods are laborious and time-consuming. On the other hand, less advanced techniques such as UV-Vis spectrophotometry are less specific. In the presented study, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA)—supported by calculated differential thermal analysis (c-DTA)—was proposed to evaluate the composition of pharmaceutical preparations containing theophylline and aminophylline. Due to its advantages, the TGA method can be an alternative used for screening assessment of the composition of pharmaceutical preparations. The obtained results show that TGA supported by c-DTA is a suitable screening method for assessing the composition of pharmaceutical preparations containing theophylline and aminophylline. Both thermal techniques complement each other to obtain reliable results. In contrast to the pharmacopoeial UV-Vis method, TGA allows for unambiguous identification and distinction of one- and two-component pharmaceutical preparations. Moreover, thanks to TGA and c-DTA, it was possible to identify the excipient used in the formulation of a commercial drug and to detect considerable amounts of lactose in the experimentally prepared counterfeit formulation. The research herein indicates the multifaceted application and usefulness of TGA and c-DTA in pharmacology.
Agathis robusta Bark Extract Protects from Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Phytochemical, In Silico and In Vivo Studies
Authors: Mohamed Maged E. , Tawfeek Nora , Elbaramawi Samar S. , Elbatreek Mahmoud H. , Fikry Eman
Published: October 2022

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) is associated with a high incidence of mortality. Existing therapies are mainly supportive, with no available nephroprotective agent. The purpose of this study is to examine the potential protective effect of Agathis robusta Bark Extract (ARBE) in RIRI. Methods: The chemical composition of ARBE was examined by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Network pharmacology was utilized to identify the RIRI molecular targets that could be aimed at by the identified major components of ARBE. Experimentally validated protein–protein interactions (PPIs) and compound-target networks were constructed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. Molecular docking studies were employed to assess the interaction of the most relevant ARBE compounds with the hub RIRI-related targets. Furthermore, ARBE was tested in a rat model of RIRI. Results: The phytochemical analysis identified 95 components in ARBE, 37 of which were majors. Network analysis identified 312 molecular targets of RIRI that were associated with ARBE major compounds. Of these 312, the top targets in the experimentally validated PPI network were HSP90, EGFR, and P53. The most relevant compounds based on their peak area and network degree value included narcissoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, and syringetin-3-O-glucoside, among others. Docking studies of the most relevant compounds revealed significant interactions with the top RIRI-related targets. In the in vivo RIRI experiments, pretreatment of ARBE improved kidney function and structural changes. ARBE reduced the renal expression of p-NfkB and cleaved caspase-3 by downregulating HSP90 and P53 in rats exposed to RIRI. Conclusion: Taken together, this study revealed the chemical composition of ARBE, depicted the interrelationship of the bioactive ingredients of ARBE with the RIRI-related molecular targets, and validated a nephroprotective effect of ARBE in RIRI.
Contact Lens Wear Induces Alterations of Lactoferrin Functionality in Human Tears
Authors: Ponzini Erika , Tavazzi Silvia , Musile Giacomo , Tagliaro Franco , Grandori Rita , Santambrogio Carlo
Published: October 2022

The tear film is a complex matrix composed of several molecular classes, from small metal ions to macromolecules. Contact lens (CL) wear can affect the protein homeostasis of the tear film, by accumulating deposits on the CL surface and/or altering their structural and functional properties. This work investigates the effect of CL wear on lactoferrin (Lf), one of the most abundant tear proteins, known as an unspecific biomarker of inflammation. Tears from eight volunteers were collected and analyzed after alternated periods of CL wear and without CL. The experimental approach is to probe Lf into unprocessed human tears by the peculiar fluorescence emission originating from complex formation of Lf with terbium (Tb3+) at the iron-binding sites. The experimental data indicate that CL wear does not significantly affect the total amount of Lf. On the other hand, Lf affinity for Tb3+ is reduced upon CL wear, suggesting relevant changes in Lf structure and possible alterations of protein functionality. Future studies based on this approach will help define CL features (material, lens-care solution, wearing time, etc.) with minimal effects on tear protein activity, in order to obtain more biocompatible and comfortable devices.
The Experimental Study of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells Derived Exosomes with Hydrogel Accelerating Bone Regeneration on Alveolar Bone Defect
Authors: Zhao Yang , Gong Yujia , Liu Xianbo , He Jia , Zheng Bowen , Liu Yi
Published: October 2022

Introduction: this study was conducted to investigate the osteogenic ability of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) derived exosomes (PDLSCs-Exos) and the effect of PDLSCs-Exos with hydrogel on alveolar bone defect repairment in the rat. Methods: the PDLSCs were obtained through primary cell culture, and PDLSCs-Exos were purified by the ultracentrifugation method. The CCK-8 kit and ALP staining were used to explore the effect of PDLSCs-Exos on promoting the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). In vivo, the alveolar bone defect models were made mesial to the bilateral maxillary first molars of rats. MicroCT, HE staining, and Masson staining were used to analyze the new bone at the bone defect of rats. Results: the periodontal ligament stem cells and the periodontal ligament stem cells derived exosomes were successfully extracted. The results of the CCK-8 kit and ALP staining showed PDLSCs-Exos significantly promoted the proliferation osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. In vivo experiment results revealed that compared with the control group and the hydrogel group, the rats in the hydrogel with exosomes group showed more new bone formation in alveolar bone defects. Conclusion: Periodontal ligament stem cells and exosomes derived from periodontal ligament stem cells were successfully extracted. The results demonstrated that the hydrogel successfully delivered periodontal ligament stem cells derived exosomes for repairing alveolar bone defects in rats in vivo at the initial stage.
Tunable Drug Release from Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D-Printed Tablets Fabricated Using a Novel Extrudable Polymer
Authors: Raje Vishvesh , Palekar Siddhant , Banella Sabrina , Patel Ketan
Published: October 2022

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is proving to be a pivotal technology for developing personalized dosage forms with bench to bedside feasibility. Fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing has emerged as the most used technique wherein molten drug-loaded polymer filaments are deposited layer-by-layer to fabricate a predefined shape and internal geometry. However, for precise FDM 3D printing, it is imperative for the filaments to have peculiar mechanical/physicochemical properties, which the majority of the FDA/GRAS approved polymers lack. In the current study, a novel water-soluble polymer, Poly(2-ethyl-tetra-oxazoline) [PETOx] has been investigated as an extrudable and printable polymer with two different types of drug molecule—dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXM) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Hot-stage microscopy experiments of drug:polymer (1:1 w/w) and filaments were carried out at 25–275 °C. HCTZ-loaded filament showed higher toughness of 17 ± 3.25 × 106 J/m3 compared with DXM and drug-free filament. Moisture sorption and flexural analysis was performed to understand the correlation of mechanical properties and storage humidity to printability. Varying the number of outer perimeters of each layer (shell number) was observed to affect the drug release pattern from the printlets. The DXM one-shell printlet showed >80%, whereas the DXM five-shell printlet showed >60% of the drug release within 60 min. PETOx could prove to be a high-performance and versatile 3D printable polymer.
Radiolabeling and Biological Evaluation of Novel 99mTc-Nitrido and 99mTc-Oxo Complexes with 4-Methoxy-L-Phenylalanine Dithiocarbamate for Tumor Imaging
Authors: Yin Guangxing , Ruan Qing , Jiang Yuhao , Zhang Junbo
Published: October 2022

To develop novel radiolabeled amino acid tumor imaging agents, 4-methoxy-L-phenylalanine dithiocarbamate (MOPADTC) was synthesized successfully, and two kinds of 99mTc-labeled complexes ([99mTc]TcN-MOPADTC and [99mTc]TcO-MOPADTC) with high radiochemical purities (RCP > 95%) were obtained. The in vitro stability and partition coefficient were determined, and the results show that both of these complexes have good in vitro stability; [99mTc]TcO-MOPADTC is hydrophilic, while [99mTc]TcN-MOPADTC is slightly lipophilic. The biodistribution of [99mTc]TcN-MOPADTC and [99mTc]TcO-MOPADTC in mice bearing S180 tumors shows that the tumor uptake and tumor/muscle ratio of [99mTc]TcO-MOPADTC were higher than the tumor uptake and tumor/muscle ratio of [99mTc]TcN-MOPADTC. In addition, the tumor retention of [99mTc]TcO-MOPADTC is better than the tumor retention of [99mTc]TcN-MOPADTC. A competitive inhibition assay was performed, and the results indicate that [99mTc]TcO-MOPADTC may enter cells primarily via the L-alanine/L-serine/L-cysteine (ASC) system. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of [99mTc]TcO-MOPADTC shows obvious accumulation in tumor sites, suggesting that [99mTc]TcO-MOPADTC is a novel potential tumor-imaging agent.
Cocrystal Prediction of Bexarotene by Graph Convolution Network and Bioavailability Improvement
Authors: Xiao Fu , Cheng Yinxiang , Wang Jian-Rong , Wang Dingyan , Zhang Yuanyuan , Chen Kaixian , Mei Xuefeng , Luo Xiaomin
Published: October 2022

Bexarotene (BEX) was approved by the FDA in 1999 for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). The poor aqueous solubility causes the low bioavailability of the drug and thereby limits the clinical application. In this study, we developed a GCN-based deep learning model (CocrystalGCN) for in-silico screening of the cocrystals of BEX. The results show that our model obtained high performance relative to baseline models. The top 30 of 109 coformer candidates were scored by CocrystalGCN and then validated experimentally. Finally, cocrystals of BEX-pyrazine, BEX-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, BEX-methyl isonicotinate, and BEX-ethyl isonicotinate were successfully obtained. The crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis were utilized to characterize these multi-component forms. All cocrystals present superior solubility and dissolution over the parent drug. The pharmacokinetic studies show that the plasma exposures (AUC0−8h) of BEX-pyrazine and BEX-2,5-dimethylpyrazine are 1.7 and 1.8 times that of the commercially available BEX powder, respectively. This work sets a good example for integrating virtual prediction and experimental screening to discover the new cocrystals of water-insoluble drugs.
Cecropin A Improves the Antibacterial Activity of Hen Egg White Lysozyme against Challenging Salmonella enterica Serovars
Authors: Alhadrami Hani , Sayed Ahmed , Hassan Hossam , Rateb Mostafa , Abdelkader Karim
Published: October 2022

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica among animal- and plant-derived food products threatens global healthcare and economic sectors. Hen egg white lysozyme is widely exploited as a food preservative against Gram-positive pathogens. Nevertheless, its limited penetration of the outer membrane renders it ineffective against Gram-negative bacteria. Herein, we present a safe and effective approach to facilitate HEWL access to peptidoglycan layers using cecropin A. In silico analysis of cecropin A peptide revealed an amphipathic α-helical peptide with potential outer membrane permeabilizing activity through its interaction with both hydrophobic and ionic stabilizing forces. Evaluation of HEWL/cecropin A combination showed a cecropin A dose-dependent bacterial count reduction up to 4.16 and 3.18 ± 0.26 log units against Salmonella enterica ATCC 35664 at the logarithmic and stationary growth phases, respectively. Moreover, the combination displayed antibacterial activity of 2.1 ± 0.31 and ~1 log-unit reductions against Salmonella enterica serovars Kentucky, Typhimurium, and Enteritidis, respectively, whereas Hato and Shangani were found irresponsive. The cytotoxicity assay revealed compatibility of cecropin A with oral epithelial cells. These observations suggest HEWL/cecropin A combination as an effective and safe alternative to lysozyme against Salmonella enterica.
Antifungal Nail Lacquer for Enhanced Transungual Delivery of Econazole Nitrate
Authors: Puri Vinam , Savla Riya , Chen Kevin , Robinson Keyaara , Virani Amitkumar , Michniak-Kohn Bozena
Published: October 2022

The fungal disease of the nail, onychomycosis, which is also the most prevalent nail disturbance, demands effective topical treatment options considering the possible adverse effects of systemic antifungal therapy. The current work is focused on development of an adhesive and resistant, drug-delivering and permeation-enhancing polymeric film containing econazole nitrate (ECN) for topical antifungal treatment. The development of the lacquer formulation was guided by the Quality by Design approach to achieve the critical quality attributes needed to obtain the product of desired quality. Eudragit RSPO at 10% w/w was found to be the ideal adhesive polymer for the application and an optimal permeation-enhancing lacquer formulation was achieved by the optimization of other formulation excipients, such as plasticizer and the solvent system. Additionally, novel experimental enhancements introduced to the research included refined D50 drying time and drying rate tests for lacquer characterization as well as a multi-mechanism permeation-enhancing pre-treatment. Moreover, a practical implication was provided by a handwashing simulation designed to test the performance of the lacquer during actual use. In vitro drug release testing and ex vivo nail permeation testing demonstrated that the optimized nail lacquer performed better than control lacquer lacking the permeation enhancer by achieving a faster and sustained delivery of ECN. It can be concluded that this is a promising drug delivery system for topical antifungal treatment of onychomycotic nails, and the novel characterization techniques may be adapted for similar formulations in the future.
Electrothermally Self-Healing Delamination Cracks in Carbon/Epoxy Composites Using Sandwich and Tough Carbon Nanotube/Copolymer Interleaves
Authors: Ouyang Qin , Liu Ling , Wu Zhanjun
Published: October 2022

Herein, two sandwich and porous interleaves composed of carbon nanotube (CNT) and poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA) are proposed, which can simultaneously toughen and self-heal the interlaminar interface of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) by in situ electrical heating of the CNTs. The critical strain energy release rate modes I (GIC) and II (GIIC) are measured to evaluate the toughening and self-healing efficiencies of the interleaves. The results show that compared to the baseline CFRP, the CNT-EMAA-CNT interleaf could increase the GIC by 24.0% and the GIIC by 15.2%, respectively, and their respective self-healing efficiencies could reach 109.7–123.5% and 90.6–91.2%; meanwhile, the EMAA-CNT-EMAA interleaf can improve the GIC and GIIC by 66.9% and 16.7%, respectively, and the corresponding self-healing efficiencies of the GIC and GIIC are 122.7–125.9% and 93.1–94.7%. Thus, both the interleaves show good toughening and self-healing efficiencies on the interlaminar fracture toughness. Specifically, the EMAA-CNT-EMAA interleaf possesses better multi-functionality, i.e., moderate toughening ability but notable self-healing efficiency via electrical heating, which is better than the traditional neat EMAA interleaf and oven-based heating healing method.
Synthesis of a Dual-Color Fluorescent Dendrimer for Diagnosis of Cancer Metastasis in Lymph Nodes
Authors: Kojima Chie , Nagai Kento
Published: October 2022

Detection of cancer metastasis spread in lymph nodes is important in cancer diagnosis. In this study, a fluorescence imaging probe was designed for the detection of both lymph node and tumor cells using always-ON and activatable fluorescence probes with different colors. Rhodamine B (Rho), a matrix metalloproteinase−2 (MMP−2)-responsive green fluorescence probe, and a tumor-homing peptide were conjugated to a carboxy-terminal dendrimer that readily accumulates in lymph nodes. The activatable green fluorescence signal increased in the presence of MMP−2, which is secreted by tumor cells. Both the always-ON Rho signal and the activatable green fluorescence signal were observed from tumor cells, but only the weak always-ON Rho signal was from immune cells. Thus, this type of dendrimer may be useful for non-invasive imaging to diagnose cancer metastasis in lymph nodes.
Failure Prediction and Surface Characterization of GFRP Laminates: A Study of Stepwise Loading
Authors: Muflikhun Muhammad Akhsin , Fiedler Bodo
Published: October 2022

The present study explores the failure and surface characteristics of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (GFRP). Stepwise loading was applied in this study to understand the multi-static loading effect on the laminates before final failure. The loading was set three times to reach 10 kN with loading–unloading movement before final load until failure. The results showed that the angle of the GFRP UD laminates’ position significantly impacts the system’s failure. The results were analyzed using theoretical calculation experiment analysis, and then the failure sample was identified using ASTM D3039 standard failure. The laminates with 0° layer on edge ([0/90]S laminates) underwent preliminary failure before final failure. The mechanism of stepwise loading can be used to detect the effect of preliminary failure on the laminates. The [0/90]S laminates are subjected to stress concentration on the edge due to fiber alignment and discontinued fibers in the 0-degree direction. This fiber then fails due to debonding between the fiber and the matrix. The laminates’ strength showed that [90/0]S specimens have an average higher strength with 334.45 MPa than the [0/90]S laminates with 227.8 MPa. For surface roughness, the value of Ra increases more than six times in the 0° direction and three times in the 90° direction. Moreover, shore D hardness showed that the hardness was decreased from 85.6 SD then decreased to 70.4 SD for [0/90]S and 65.9 SD for [90/0]S. The matrix debonding, layer delamination and fiber breakage were reported as the failure mode behavior of the laminates.
Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizers with Biodegradable Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Coating: Their Effect on the Growth of Maize and the Dynamics of N Release in Soil
Authors: Kontárová Soňa , Přikryl Radek , Škarpa Petr , Kriška Tomáš , Antošovský Jiří , Gregušková Zuzana , Figalla Silvestr , Jašek Vojtěch , Sedlmajer Marek , Menčík Přemysl , Mikolajová Mária
Published: October 2022

Fertilizers play an essential role in agriculture due to the rising food demand. However, high input fertilizer concentration and the non-controlled leaching of nutrients cause an unwanted increase in reactive, unassimilated nitrogen and induce environmental pollution. This paper investigates the preparation and properties of slow-release fertilizer with fully biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) coating that releases nitrogen gradually and is not a pollutant for soil. Nitrogen fertilizer (calcium ammonium nitrate) was pelletized with selected filler materials (poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), struvite, dried biomass). Pellets were coated with a solution of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) in dioxolane that formed a high-quality and thin polymer coating. Coated pellets were tested in aqueous and soil environments. Some coated pellets showed excellent resistance even after 76 days in water, where only 20% of the ammonium nitrate was released. Pot experiments in Mitscherlich vegetation vessels monitored the effect of the application of coated fertilizers on the development and growth of maize and the dynamics of N release in the soil. We found that the use of our coated fertilizers in maize nutrition is a suitable way to supply nutrients to plants concerning their needs and that the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) that was used for the coating does not adversely affect the growth of maize plants.
A Multifunctional Conjugated Polymer Developed as an Efficient System for Differentiation of SH-SY5Y Tumour Cells
Authors: Nicosia Angelo , La Perna Giuseppe , Cucci Lorena Maria , Satriano Cristina , Mineo Placido
Published: October 2022

Polymer-based systems have been demonstrated in novel therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) treatments for cancer and other diseases. Polymers provide a useful scaffold to develop multifunctional nanosystems that combine various beneficial properties such as drug delivery, bioavailability, and photosensitivity. For example, to provide passive tumour targeting of small drug molecules, polymers have been used to modify and functionalise the surface of water-insoluble drugs. This approach also allows the reduction of adverse side effects, such as retinoids. However, multifunctional polymer conjugates containing several moieties with distinct features have not been investigated in depth. This report describes the development of a one-pot approach to produce a novel multifunctional polymer conjugate. As a proof of concept, we synthesised polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) covalently conjugated with rhodamine B (a tracking agent), folic acid (a targeting agent), and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA, a drug). The obtained polymer (PVA@RhodFR) was characterised by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography, thermal analysis, dynamic light-scattering, NMR, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Finally, to evaluate the efficiency of the multifunctional polymer conjugate, cellular differentiation treatments were performed on the neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. In comparison with standard ATRA-based conditions used to promote cell differentiation, the results revealed the high capability of the new PVA@RhodFR to induce neuroblastoma cells differentiation, even with a short incubation time and low ATRA concentration.
Characterization and Modification of Red Mud and Ferrosilicomanganese Fines and Their Application in the Synthesis of Hybrid Hydrogels
Authors: Ramírez Arnaldo , Gómez Leonir , Müller Alejandro J. , Rojas de Gáscue Blanca
Published: October 2022

In this work, hybrid hydrogels were synthesized with the inclusion of two types of clay materials that are considered industrial waste: red mud (RM) and ferrosilicomanganese fines (FeSiMn). These solid waste materials were characterized by studying their particle size and chemical composition, which are two key variables for their application in the synthesis of hybrid hydrogels. The morphology imaged by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showed, in the case of RM, heterogeneous size and shape particles, with 73% of the particles having lengths of less than 5 μm. On the other hand, FeSiMn had particles with a circular morphology of nanometric sizes. Regarding the synthesis of the hybrid hydrogels, it was determined that the incorporation of small percentages (0.1%) of the inorganic phases improved the capacity of the materials to absorb water (swelling indices of 1678% and 1597% for the RM and FeSiMn hydrogels, respectively) compared to the conventional polyacrylamide hydrogel (1119%). An improvement in Vickers microhardness and storage modulus (G′) was also observed: the hybrid with 10% RM presented a G′, 50 times higher than conventional hydrogel. The results show the merit of RM and FeSiMn in improving the properties of hydrogels.
Characterisation of Nanoclay and Spelt Husk Microfiller-Modified Polypropylene Composites
Authors: Žiganova Madara , Merijs-Meri Remo , Zicāns Jānis , Ivanova Tatjana , Bochkov Ivan , Kalniņš Mārtiņš , Błędzki Andrzej K. , Danilovas Paulius P.
Published: October 2022

Current research is devoted to the investigation of spelt husk (SH) and nanoclay-modified compatibilised polypropylene (PP) binary and ternary composites for injection-moulding applications. PP composites were obtained using twin-screw extrusion. The content of mechanically milled SH microfiller with aspect ratio within 2 and 6 was fixed at 40 wt.%, whereas the amount of nanoclay functional filler in the polypropylene matrix was changed in the range from 0.5 to 5 wt.%. Nanoclay filler was introduced in the polypropylene matrix either in the form of nanoclay powder (C) or as a masterbatch (M). Regular distribution of the clay nanofiller within the polymer matrix has been observed, disregarding its form and concentration. The effects of the individual or combined addition of SH microreinforcement and nanoclay fillers on the rheological, mechanical, calorimetric, and thermal properties of the developed PP composites were investigated. It is revealed that the addition of the nanoclay fillers insignificantly influences the viscosity of both PP nanocomposites and hybrid composites with SH. Additionally, for PP nanocomposites, remarkable increases in tensile and flexural modules and strength are observed by maintaining considerable ultimate deformations, mainly in the case of M-containing systems. Concomitantly, because of the addition of the nanoclay filler, the improvement in thermal stability of PP nanocomposites and PP hybrid composites with SH is observed. As a result of SH addition, considerable increases in tensile and flexural modules are also observed. Results of the research demonstrate the potential of the use of natural materials (agricultural residues and clay minerals) for the development of PP composites with increased stiffness and thermal properties.
Molecular Organization in Exponentially Growing Multilayer Thin Films Assembled with Polyelectrolytes and Clay
Authors: Das Biswa P. , Tsianou Marina
Published: October 2022

Multilayer thin film assembly by the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique offers an inexpensive and versatile route for the synthesis of functional nanomaterials. In the case of polymer-clay systems, however, the technique faces the challenges of low clay loading and lack of tunability of the film characteristics. This is addressed in the present work that achieves exponential growth in clay-containing polyelectrolyte films having high clay loading and tailored properties. Our approach involves the incorporation of a weak polyelectrolyte and a clay with relatively high charge density and small particle size. The system of investigation comprises poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) as the polycation and laponite clay and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or poly(sodium-4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) as polyanions that are used alternately to create multilayers. Successful high clay loading and exponential growth were achieved by two different approaches of polyanion incorporation in the multilayers. A progressive increase in the degree of ionization of PAA was shown to contribute to the exponential growth. Our findings also include novel pathways to manipulate thickness, surface topography, and clay content. The strategy presented here can lead to novel approaches to fabricate tailor-made nanomaterials for distinct applications.
Thermal Degradation Behavior of Thiol-ene Composites Loaded with a Novel Silicone Flame Retardant
Authors: Chen Haonan , Zhu Sheng , Zhou Rongfan , Wu Xintong , Zhang Wangyang , Han Xiaoshuai , Wang Jiangbo
Published: October 2022

A novel silicone flame retardant PMDA was synthesized and blended with a commercial thiol–ene (TE) to obtain a flame-retardant TE (FRTE) composite. The cone calorimeter measurement showed the incorporation of PMDA improved the flame retardancy of the TE composite at concentrations of 5 wt%. The thermal stability and degradation mechanism of FRTE in nitrogen was studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The degradation behaviour of TE containing a PMDA flame retardant was found to be changed. The kinetics of thermal degradation was evaluated by Kissinger method and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method. The results showed that the activation energies of the FRTE degradation were higher than those of neat TE. However, the degradation mechanism of the TE matrix was not changed by the incorporation of flame-retardant PMDA. In this study, the flame-retardant mechanism of PMDA flame-retardant TE polymer was explained by using two kinetic analysis methods.
Study on the Expansion and Compression Resistance of 3D-Textile-Reinforced Self-Stressing Concrete
Authors: Lu Xinyu , Wang Boxin , Guo Jiahuan , Zhang Tianqi
Published: October 2022

Textile-reinforced concrete (TRC), as a kind of high-crack-resistance and high-corrosion-resistance material, has been widely studied. The current research has begun the exploration of the change of textile form, such as 3D-textile-reinforced concrete (3D TRC), and its superior bending performance has been verified. In order to pursue better mechanical properties, combined with the characteristics of self-stressing concrete and 3D textiles, three-dimensional-textile-reinforced self-stressing concrete (3D-TRSSC) specimens were designed in this research. The expansive and compressive properties of specimens with two types of textiles were tested by self-stress and compressibility tests, and the results showed the compressive property and failure mode of 3D-TRSSC were improved compared with 2D-TRSSC and SSC: the increase in compressive strength was 16.3% and 35.1%, respectively. In order to explain the improvement of the compressive strength of the 3D-TRSSC specimens, the triaxial self-stress state analysis of the compressive specimen was carried out, and then a set of calculation methods based on deformation analysis was designed to explain the upward displacement of the necking position of the TRSSC compressive specimen. The theoretical results and experimental data were 27.2 mm and 28–30 mm, respectively. In addition, the improvement of the compressive strength of the 3D-TRSSC specimens relative to that of the 2D-TRSSC specimen was predicted. The calculation results were highly consistent with the predicted values.
Electrospinning of Microstructures Incorporated with Vitamin B9 for Food Application: Characteristics and Bioactivities
Authors: Coelho Sílvia Castro , Rocha Fernando , Estevinho Berta Nogueiro
Published: October 2022

The food industry has been expanding, and new vectors to entrap vitamins have been constantly investigated, aiming at versatile systems with good physico-chemical characteristics, low-cost production, high stability and the efficient release of active ingredients. The vitamin B9 (folic acid or folate) is essential for the healthy functioning of a variety of physiological processes in humans and is beneficial in preventing a range of disorders. In this study, two approaches were developed to encapsulate vitamin B9. Zein and the combination of modified starch with two plasticizers were the selected encapsulating agents to produce microstructures via the electrospinning technique. The objective was to improve the stability and the B9 antioxidant capacity in the final formulations. The work strategy was to avoid limitations such as low bioavailability, stability and thermosensitivity. The microstructures were fabricated and the morphology and shape were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The B9 release profiles of modified starch and zein microstructures were analyzed in simulated gastric fluid at 37 °C, and in deionized water and ethanol at room temperature. The B9 encapsulation efficiency and the stability of the systems were also studied. The ABTS assay was assessed and the antioxidant activity of the produced microstructures was evaluated. The physico-chemical characterization of loaded B9 in the microstructures was achieved. High encapsulation efficiency values were achieved for the 1% B9 loaded in 12% w/w modified starch film; 5% B9 vitamin encapsulated by the 15% w/w modified starch with 4% w/w tween 80; and 4% w/w glycerol film with heterogeneous microstructures, 5% w/w zein compact film and 10% w/w zein film. In conclusion, the combinations of 7 wt.% of modified starch with 4 wt.% tween 80 and 4 wt.% glycerol; 15 wt.% of modified starch with 4 wt.% tween 80 and 4 wt.% glycerol; and 12 wt.% modified starch and 5 wt.% zein can be used as delivery structures in order to enhance the vitamin B9 antioxidant activity in the food and nutraceutical fields.
Multiscale Progressive Failure Analysis of 3D Woven Composites
Authors: Ricks Trenton M. , Pineda Evan J. , Bednarcyk Brett A. , McCorkle Linda S. , Miller Sandi G. , Murthy Pappu L. N. , Segal Kenneth N.
Published: October 2022

Application of three-dimensional (3D) woven composites is growing as an alternative to the use of ply-based composite materials. However, the design, analysis, modeling, and optimization of these materials is more challenging due to their complex and inherently multiscale geometries. Herein, a multiscale modeling procedure, based on efficient, semi-analytical micromechanical theories rather than the traditional finite element approach, is presented and applied to a 3D woven carbon–epoxy composite. A crack-band progressive damage model was employed for the matrix constituent to capture the globally observed nonlinear response. Realistic microstructural dimensions and tow-fiber volume fractions were determined from detailed X-ray computed tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscopy data. Pre-existing binder-tow disbonds and weft-tow waviness, observed in X-ray CT scans of the composite, were also included in the model. The results were compared with experimental data for the in-plane tensile and shear behavior of the composite. The tensile predictions exhibited good correlations with the test data. While the model was able to capture the less brittle nature of the in-plane shear response, quantitative measures were underpredicted to some degree.