bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
White Matter Fractional Anisotropy Is a Superior Predictor for Cognitive Impairment Than Brain Volumes in Older Adults With Confluent White Matter Hyperintensities
Authors: Xing Yi , Yang Jianwei , Zhou Aihong , Wang Fen , Wei Cuibai , Tang Yi , Jia Jianping
Published: May 2021

Older patients with confluent white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging have an increased risk for the onset of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). This study investigates the predictive effects of the white matter (WM) fractional anisotropy (FA) and brain volumes on cognitive impairment for those with confluent WMHs. This study enrolled 77 participants with confluent WMHs (Fazekas grade 2 or 3), including 44 with VCI-no dementia (VCIND) and 33 with normal cognition (NC). The mean FA of 20 WM tracts was calculated to evaluate the global WM microstructural integrity, and major WM tracts were reconstructed using probabilistic tractography. Voxel-based morphometry was used to calculate brain volumes for the total gray matter (GM), the hippocampus, and the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NbM). All volumetric assays were corrected for total intracranial volume. All regression analyses were adjusted for age, gender, education, and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene ε4 status. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the mean FA value for global WM was the only independent risk factor for VCI (z score of FA: OR = 4.649, 95%CI 1.576–13.712, p = 0.005). The tract-specific FAs were not associated with the risk of cognitive impairment after controlling the mean FA for global WM. The mean FA value was significantly associated with scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Auditory Verbal Learning Test. A lower FA was also associated with smaller volumes of total GM, hippocampus, and NbM. However, brain volumes were not found to be directly related to cognitive performances, except for an association between the hippocampal volume and MMSE. In conclusion, the mean FA for global WM microstructural integrity is a superior predictor for cognitive impairment than tract-specific FA and brain volumes in people with confluent WMHs.
The Profiles of Long Non-coding RNA and mRNA Transcriptome Reveals the Genes and Pathway Potentially Involved in Pasteurella multocida Infection of New Zealand Rabbits
Authors: Hu Jiaqing , Li Wenqiang , Huang Bing , Zhao Qiaoya , Fan Xinzhong
Published: May 2021

Infection with Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) causes severe epidemic diseases in rabbits and is responsible for the pronounced economic losses in the livestock industry. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to exert vital functions in regulating the host immune responses to bacterial attacks. However, little is known about how lncRNAs participate in the rabbit's immune response against P. multocida infection in the lungs. LncRNA and mRNA expression profiles were analyzed by transcriptomics and bioinformatics during P. multocida infection. A total of 336 lncRNAs and 7,014 mRNAs were differentially regulated at 1 day and 3 days post infection (dpi). Nearly 80% of the differentially expressed lncRNAs exhibited an increased expression at 3 dpi suggesting that the P. multocida genes are responsible for regulation. Moreover, GO and KEGG enriched analysis indicated that the immune-related pathways including pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), cytokines, and chemokines were significantly enriched at 3 dpi. These results indicate that the dysregulated immune-related genes may play crucial roles in defending against P. multocida attacks. Overall, these results advance our cognition of the role of lncRNAs and mRNAs in modulating the rabbit's innate immune response against P. multocida attacks, which will offer a valuable clue for further studies into exploring P. multocida-related diseases in human.
Bezmyślny język. Zakłócenia zjawisk poznawczych u osób z autyzmem
Authors: Kominek Andrzej
Published: May 2021

In the presented paper, I am making an attempt to demonstrate the most
important, in my opinion, characteristics of the language used by people with
autism as ones arising directly from disrupted or completely different cognitive
processes taking place in their minds. Such individuals lack, in the fi rst place,
the fundamental cognitive skill being the awareness of their own and other
people’s mental acts. The absence or insuffi ciency of the theory of mind gives rise
to disorders in acquiring the linguistic worldview, inability to decode fi gurative
meanings, failure to use langue in order to maintain contact, and failure to
speak of language itself, and many more. Autistic people are characterised by the
metonymic cognitive style, which uses the potential of the so-called systemising
skills. Instead of thinking of other people, what to say to them and what should
be said to them, people with autism think of the things that do not require
familiarity with the theory of mind and are not as complex as humans.
Keywords: autism – theory of mind – idiolectal worldview – language functions
– metaphor – metonymic cognitive style
O zwokalizowanych i niezwokalizowanych formach wyrazów
ze/z i we/w .
Authors: Bronk Zbigniew
Published: May 2021

This paper discusses the conditions of using the vocalised variants (ze and
we) of the lexemes Z and W as regards their co-occurrence with numeral forms
on the basis of corpus data.
Keywords: vocalisation, morphology, lexicograph
Gry językowe w komunikacji publicznej (na przykładzie tygodników
społeczno-politycznych) .
Authors: Kabata Maria
Published: May 2021

This paper aims to demonstrate mechanisms of intertextual strategies, which
require the recipient to be familiar with pragmatic codes, to discover references
and allusions, and to be able to discern various textual relations. The analyses
have been conducted on the example of four titles: W Sieci (On the Web), Polityka
(Politics), Najwyższy Czas (High Time), Przegląd (Overview). The motivation for
the research was the conviction that the title page in opinion-forming periodicals
functions as a product of mass culture and can serve as the basis for describing
the area of interests of the contemporary human being.
Keywords: pragmalinguistics – language games – intertextual strategies –
language of the press
The Use of Machine Learning for the Prediction of the Uniformity of the Degree of Cure of a Composite in an Autoclave
Authors: Lin Yuan , Guan Zhidong
Published: May 2021

The difference in the degree of cure of the composite in an autoclave is one of the main characterization parameters of the uniformity of the degree of cure of the composite material. Therefore, it is very important to develop an effective method for predicting the difference in the curing degree of a composite autoclave to improve the uniformity of the curing degree of the composite materials. We researched five machine learning models: a fully connected neural network (FCNN) model, a deep neural network (DNN) model, a radial basis function (RBF) neural network model, a support vector regression (SVR) model and a K-nearest neighbors (KNN) model. We regarded the heating rate, holding time and holding temperature of the composite material’s two holding-stage cure profile as input parameters and established a rapid estimation model of the maximum curing degree difference at any time during the molding process. We simulated the molding process of the composite material in an autoclave to obtain the maximum difference in the curing degree as the test sample data to train five machine learning models and compared and verified the different models after the training. The results showed that the RBF neural network model had the best prediction effect among the five models and the RBF was the most suitable algorithm for this model.
Strigolactone Alleviates Herbicide Toxicity via Maintaining Antioxidant Homeostasis in Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
Authors: Ali Abid , Malangisha Guy Kateta , Yang Haiyang , Li Chen , Wang Chi , Yang Yubin , Mahmoud Ahmed , Khan Jehanzeb , Yang Jinghua , Hu Zhongyuan , Zhang Mingfang
Published: May 2021

Strigolactone (SL) plays essential roles in regulating plant growth, development, and stress response. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of exogenous SL on watermelon resistance against herbicides penoxsulam (PXL) and bensulfuron-methyl (BSM). These herbicides were found to negatively impact watermelon root growth and photosynthetic pigments, probably due to the ultrastructural damage and cell death in leaf and root tissues under herbicide stresses. The activation of SL-related gene expression suggested that the SL pathway may mitigate herbicide toxicity in watermelon. The exogenous SL dose-dependently reversed the PXL- or BSM-induced antioxidant activity, suggesting that SL may participate in maintaining antioxidant enzyme homeostasis under herbicide stresses. The up-regulation of herbicide metabolization and detoxification-related genes (cytochrome P450 and acetolactate synthase) by exogenous SL also in part explained how this phytohormone alleviates herbicide toxicity in watermelon. Our findings will provide valuable information underlying the regulatory effects of SL on herbicide tolerance in Cucurbitaceae crops.
Cultivation Practices, Adaptability and Phytochemical Composition of Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.): A Weed with Economic Value
Authors: Liava Vasiliki , Karkanis Anestis , Danalatos Nicholaos , Tsiropoulos Nikolaos
Published: May 2021

The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is a perennial weed that is cultivated for bioethanol production or pharmaceutical purposes, as its aerial parts and tubers contain several chemical compounds. This review summarizes important data on the effects of the main cultivation practices (e.g., the planting density and pattern, weed management, fertilization, irrigation, genotypes and harvest) on tuber yield and quality. The most widespread method for the propagation of the Jerusalem artichoke is planting the tubers directly in the field, with a plant density of about 33,000–47,000 plants ha−1. Weed management is based on herbicide application, mechanical cultivation and hand hoeing, while the nutrient requirements are low, and irrigation relies on weather conditions. For instance, under Mediterranean semi-arid conditions, the crops are irrigated from June to September. In addition, the harvest time depends on the genotype and the purpose of cultivation, which is an important consideration for obtaining a high-quality product. In conclusion, Jerusalem artichoke yield and quality depend on several factors, and this plant, due to its high productivity, constitutes a promising crop with numerous uses.
Epidemiology of Meropenem/Vaborbactam Resistance in KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Causing Bloodstream Infections in Northern Italy, 2018
Authors: Gaibani Paolo , Lombardo Donatella , Bussini Linda , Bovo Federica , Munari Beatrice , Giannella Maddalena , Bartoletti Michele , Viale Pierluigi , Lazzarotto Tiziana , Ambretti Simone
Published: May 2021

Meropenem/Vaborbactam (MEM-VAB) is a novel carbapenem- β-lactamase inhibitor active against KPC-producing Enterobacteria. Herein, we evaluate the incidence of meropenem/vaborbactam-resistance among KPC-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) bloodstream infection in a large Italian hospital. Meropenem/vaborbactam-resistance was found in 8% (n = 5) KPC-Kp, while 5% (n = 3) strains exhibited cross-resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ-AVI). Genomic analysis revealed that meropenem/vaborbactam-resistance was associated with truncated OmpK35 and insertion of glycine and aspartic acid within OmpK36 at position 134–135 (GD134–135). Notably, no specific mutation was associated to cross-resistance. No specific antimicrobial treatment was related to favorable clinical outcomes, while cross-resistance was not associated to higher clinical and/or microbiological failures. Our study indicated that resistance to meropenem/vaborbactam was due to porins mutations and is associated with reduced susceptibility to both ceftazidime/avibactam and carbapenems.
Effects of Orifice Plate as a Flow Sensor in an Endotracheal Tube on the Ability of Elimination CO2 during HFJV—Animal Study
Authors: Kudrna Petr
Published: May 2021

High-frequency jet ventilators lacking flow monitoring systems, and information about supplied tidal volumes are still missing. This complicates the jet ventilator’s initial setting; at the same time, it complicates the line of the high-frequency ventilation itself. Therefore, an experimental flow sensor (orifice plate) was designed and placed in the ETC (endotracheal tube). Laboratory tests have confirmed the solution’s functionality, but it was necessary to verify the practical applicability for the clinical environment. The experiment shows that the flow sensor is used only for research purposes or when using functional monitoring of chest excursions.
Data-Driven Sparse Sampling for Reconstruction of Acoustic-Wave Characteristics Used in Aeroacoustic Beamforming
Authors: Kaneko Sayumi , Ozawa Yuta , Nakai Kumi , Saito Yuji , Nonomura Taku , Asai Keisuke , Ura Hiroki
Published: May 2021

In this study, the propagation time and attenuation rate distributions of each sound source grid point (200 × 200) to a microphone of an arbitrary position across the shear layer, which are required for beamforming, were reconstructed by the reduced-order model with sparse sampling for acceleration of the computation. First, the propagation time and attenuation rate distributions, including the refraction of sound by the shear layer were calculated over 100 patterns of combinations of the wind speed and the microphone position, as training data. The dominant modes and optimum sampling points were discovered from the training data. Subsequently, data-driven sparse sampling for reconstruction was applied and the propagation time and the attenuation rate from each grid point (200 × 200) to a microphone were quickly calculated for the given microphone position and wind speed. The error of the obtained calculation result is 1% or less, and the approximation by data-driven sparse sampling is concluded to be effective.
Preparation of Freeze-Dried Porous Chitosan Microspheres for the Removal of Hexavalent Chromium
Authors: Song Wei , Xu Jian , Gao Lepeng , Zhang Qingzhu , Tong Jin , Ren Lili
Published: May 2021

Novel porous chitosan microspheres were successfully produced by a freezing–lyophilization drying method in this study and were then used as adsorbents to remove a toxic iron metal, hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The effects of the concentration of the chitosan solution, syringe diameter, and freezing time on the morphologies of porous chitosan microspheres were characterized. The metal ion adsorption for Cr(VI) was also studied. Results showed that freezing chitosan hydrogel beads at a temperature of −20 °C and subsequently lyophilizing the frozen structure allowed to easily obtain the porous chitosan microspheres with rough surfaces and large pores, which were more suitable for adsorption materials to remove metal ions. A chitosan solution concentration of 3% (w/v) and a syringe diameter of 500 μm allowed the porous microspheres to have a good sphericity, thinner pore walls, and small pore sizes. The adsorption capacity of porous chitosan microspheres for Cr(VI) increased with the increase in freezing time. The pH of the initial adsorption solution ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 and was beneficial to the maximum adsorption efficiency for Cr(VI). The porous chitosan microspheres prepared with 3% (w/v) chitosan solution at −20 °C for a freezing time of 72 h had a higher adsorption capacity of 945.2 mg/g for Cr(VI) than the those at 24-h and 48-h freezing times. Kinetic study showed that the adsorption process could be described by a pseudo-second order (PSO) kinetic model. The equilibrium adsorption rate constant and the adsorption amount at equilibrium for the porous chitosan microspheres increased with an increase in the freezing time, and those for the porous microspheres prepared with 3% chitosan solution at −20 °C for a 72-h freezing time were 1.83 × 10−5 g mg−1 min−1 and 1070.5 mg g−1, respectively. The porous chitosan microspheres have good potential to facilitate the separation and recycling of expensive and toxic Cr(VI) from wastewater.
Influence of Cavity Geometry on the Fracture Strength of Dental Restorations: Finite Element Study
Authors: Neto Maria A. , Roseiro Luis , Messias Ana , Falacho Rui I. , Palma Paulo J. , Amaro Ana M.
Published: May 2021

The main purpose of this work was to analyze the stress distribution in premolars restored with indirect IPS Empress® CAD onlays or inlays. The three-dimensional geometry of a human first premolar was created using modeling software. The tooth fixation system was simulated through box geometry, comprising a cortical bone layer with 2 mm of thickness over a layer of trabecular bone with 15 mm of thickness. The tooth had the following approximated crown dimensions: 10.35 mm buccolingual length; 7.1 mm mesiodistal width; and 7.0 mm cervico-occlusal height. The mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavity preparations followed the suggestions available in the literature. The cement geometry was modified to include cohesive zone models (CZM) to perform the adhesive joint’s strength prediction. The loading body was created assuming contact between the food bolus and the tooth surface. Numerical solutions were obtained by performing static analysis and damage analysis using the finite element method. Von Mises stress values generated in the ceramic inlay restoration ranged from 1.39–181.47 MPa, which were on average 4.4% higher than those of the onlay ceramic restoration. The fracture strength of the onlay restoration was about 18% higher than that of the inlay restoration. The onlay design seems to contribute to higher homogenization of the adhesive resin cement strain and higher tooth structure protection.
Mushroom Nutrition as Preventative Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Fernandes Tito , Garrine Carmen , Ferrão Jorge , Bell Victoria , Varzakas Theodoros
Published: May 2021

The defining characteristics of the traditional Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) cuisine have been the richness in indigenous foods and ingredients, herbs and spices, fermented foods and beverages, and healthy and whole ingredients used. It is crucial to safeguard the recognized benefits of mainstream traditional foods and ingredients, which gradually eroded in the last decades. Notwithstanding poverty, chronic hunger, malnutrition, and undernourishment in the region, traditional eating habits have been related to positive health outcomes and sustainability. The research prevailed dealing with food availability and access rather than the health, nutrition, and diet quality dimensions of food security based on what people consume per country and on the missing data related to nutrient composition of indigenous foods. As countries become more economically developed, they shift to “modern” occidental foods rich in saturated fats, salt, sugar, fizzy beverages, and sweeteners. As a result, there are increased incidences of previously unreported ailments due to an unbalanced diet. Protein-rich foods in dietary guidelines enhance only those of animal or plant sources, while rich protein sources such as mushrooms have been absent in these charts, even in developed countries. This article considers the valorization of traditional African foodstuffs and ingredients, enhancing the importance of establishing food-based dietary guidelines per country. The crux of this review highlights the potential of mushrooms, namely some underutilized in the SSA, which is the continent’s little exploited gold mine as one of the greatest untapped resources for feeding and providing income for Africa’s growing population, which could play a role in shielding Sub-Saharan Africans against the side effects of an unhealthy stylish diet.
Wrench-Closure Condition of Cable-Driven Parallel Manipulators
Authors: Luan Phan Gia , Thinh Nguyen Truong
Published: May 2021

Cable-driven parallel manipulators (CDPM) have parallel structures that consist of moving platforms connected to the fixed platform through many flexible cables. The moving platform is driven by many winches, and because of the unidirectional property of cables (cables can only pull and not push in the moving platform), some specific workspaces of CDPM are limited and often do not exist (Gouttefarde and Gosselin 2006). Therefore, determining workspaces for CDPM become an important task, in order to easily plan the trajectory or control the robot. In this paper, we are interested in a set of poses of moving platforms, in which CDPM is always able to generate wrenches that balance any given external wrench exerted on the moving platform. This set of poses is also called wrench-closure workspace (WCW). In this work, we propose a novel procedure used to determine whether a pose of moving platform belongs to WCW. The condition used to check the feasibility of a certain pose in WCW is also called wrench closure condition (WCC). The proposed WCC is able to apply to completely or redundantly restrained CDPM. By analyzing the geometric properties of CDPM and applying the method used to check the feasibility of a system of inequalities, the algorithm used to check the presence of a given pose in WCW is established. To verify the performance of the proposed WCC, the test has been done in two different CDPMs that are clearly described in the introduction section.
Investigating Theatricality in Trisha Brown’s Work: Five Unstudied Dances, 1966–1969
Authors: Rosenberg Susan
Published: May 2021

Trisha Brown (1936–2017) forged her artistic identity as part of Judson Dance Theater, which embraced everyday pedestrian movement as dance. Between 1966 and 1969, Brown’s work took a surprisingly theatrical turn. Five unstudied dances from this period reflect concerns with autobiography, psychology, and catharsis, influences of her exposure to trends in Gestalt therapy and dance therapy during a sojourn in California (1963–1965). Brown let these works fall from her repertory because she did not consider them to qualify as ‘art’. Close readings of these works shed light on a period in Brown’s career before she rejected subjectivity as the basis for her creative process prior to her consolidation of her identity as an abstract choreographer in the 1970s and 1980s, while raising intriguing questions as to Brown’s late-career devotion to exploring emotion, drama and empathy in the operas and song cycle that she directed between 1998 and 2003.
Observation of the Ionosphere in Middle Latitudes during 2009, 2018 and 2018/2019 Sudden Stratospheric Warming Events
Authors: Mošna Zbyšek , Edemskiy Ilya , Laštovička Jan , Kozubek Michal , Koucká Knížová Petra , Kouba Daniel , Siddiqui Tarique Adnan
Published: May 2021

The ionospheric weather is affected not only from above by the Sun but also from below by processes in the lower-lying atmospheric layers. One of the most pronounced atmospheric phenomena is the sudden stratospheric warming (SSW). Three major SSW events from the periods of very low solar activity during January 2009, February 2018, and December 2018/January 2019 were studied to evaluate this effect of the neutral atmosphere on the thermosphere and the ionosphere. The main question is to what extent the ionosphere responds to the SSW events with focus on middle latitudes over Europe. The source of the ionospheric data was ground-based measurements by Digisondes, and the total electron content (TEC). In all three events, the ionospheric response was demonstrated as an increase in electron density around the peak height of the F2 region, in TEC, and presence of wave activity. We presume that neutral atmosphere forcing and geomagnetic activity contributed differently in individual events. The ionospheric response during SSW 2009 was predominantly influenced by the neutral lower atmosphere. The ionospheric changes observed during 2018 and 2018/2019 SSWs are a combination of both geomagnetic and SSW forcing. The ionospheric response to geomagnetic forcing was noticeably lower during time intervals outside of SSWs.
Tourism Climatology: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Gómez-Martín María Belén
Published: May 2021

This special issue, entitled Tourism Climatology: Past, Present, and Future, contains seven original articles and two review reports which tackle some of the main lines of research in the field of Tourism Climatology [...]
Parrondo’s Paradox for Tent Maps
Authors: Cánovas Jose S.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we study the dynamic Parrondo’s paradox for the well-known family of tent maps. We prove that this paradox is impossible when we consider piecewise linear maps with constant slope. In addition, we analyze the paradox “simple + simple = complex” when a tent map with constant slope and a piecewise linear homeomorphism with two different slopes are considered.
NRAS Mutations May Be Involved in the Pathogenesis of Cutaneous Rosai Dorfman Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wu Kuan-Jou , Li Shu-Hao , Liao Jia-Bin , Chiou Chien-Chun , Wu Chieh-Shan , Chen Chien-Chin
Published: May 2021

Background: Purely cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare histiocytic proliferative disorder limited to the skin. To date, its pathogenesis remains unclear. Owing to recent findings of specific mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway in histiocytic proliferative disorders, it provides a novel perspective on the pathomechanism of cutaneous RDD. We aim to investigate the genomic mutations in MAPK/ERK pathway in cutaneous RDD. Methods: We retrospectively recruited all cases of cutaneous RDD from two hospitals in Taiwan from January 2010 to March 2020 with the clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemistry, and treatment. Mutations of neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS), Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog (KRAS), and v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) in MAPK/ERK pathway were investigated by the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction with Sanger sequencing. Results: Seven patients with cutaneous RDD were recruited with nine biopsy specimens. The median age was 46 years (range: 17–62 years). Four of seven patients (57.1%) received tumor excision, while the other three chose oral and/or topical or intralesional steroids. NRAS mutation was detected in 4 of 7 cases (4/7; 51.7%), and NRAS A146T was the most common mutant point (n = 4/7), followed by NRAS G13S (n = 2/7). There is no KRAS or BRAF mutation detected. Conclusions: We report the NRAS mutation is common in cutaneous RDD, and NRAS A146T was the most frequent mutation in this cohort. Mutations in the NRAS gene can activate the RAS/MAPK signaling and have been reported to be associated with various cancers. It indicates that NRAS mutation in MAPK/ERK pathway may involve the pathogenesis of cutaneous RDD.
Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Regeneration Based on PCL and Mg-Containing Bioactive Glasses
Authors: Petretta Mauro , Gambardella Alessandro , Boi Marco , Berni Matteo , Cavallo Carola , Marchiori Gregorio , Maltarello Maria Cristina , Bellucci Devis , Fini Milena , Baldini Nicola , Grigolo Brunella , Cannillo Valeria
Published: May 2021

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is widely used in additive manufacturing for the construction of scaffolds for tissue engineering because of its good bioresorbability, biocompatibility, and processability. Nevertheless, its use is limited by its inadequate mechanical support, slow degradation rate and the lack of bioactivity and ability to induce cell adhesion and, thus, bone tissue regeneration. In this study, we fabricated 3D PCL scaffolds reinforced with a novel Mg-doped bioactive glass (Mg-BG) characterized by good mechanical properties and biological reactivity. An optimization of the printing parameters and scaffold fabrication was performed; furthermore, an extensive microtopography characterization by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy was carried out. Nano-indentation tests accounted for the mechanical properties of the scaffolds, whereas SBF tests and cytotoxicity tests using human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were performed to evaluate the bioactivity and in vitro viability. Our results showed that a 50/50 wt% of the polymer-to-glass ratio provides scaffolds with a dense and homogeneous distribution of Mg-BG particles at the surface and roughness twice that of pure PCL scaffolds. Compared to pure PCL (hardness H = 35 ± 2 MPa and Young’s elastic modulus E = 0.80 ± 0.05 GPa), the 50/50 wt% formulation showed H = 52 ± 11 MPa and E = 2.0 ± 0.2 GPa, hence, it was close to those of trabecular bone. The high level of biocompatibility, bioactivity, and cell adhesion encourages the use of the composite PCL/Mg-BG scaffolds in promoting cell viability and supporting mechanical loading in the host trabecular bone.
Cell Death via Lipid Peroxidation and Protein Aggregation Diseases
Authors: Iuchi Katsuya , Takai Tomoka , Hisatomi Hisashi
Published: May 2021

Lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes is a complicated cellular event, and it is both the cause and result of various diseases, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and atherosclerosis. Lipid peroxidation causes non-apoptotic cell death, which is associated with cell fate determination: survival or cell death. During the radical chain reaction of lipid peroxidation, various oxidized lipid products accumulate in cells, followed by organelle dysfunction and the induction of non-apoptotic cell death. Highly reactive oxidized products from unsaturated fatty acids are detected under pathological conditions. Pathological protein aggregation is the general cause of these diseases. The cellular response to misfolded proteins is well-known as the unfolded protein response (UPR) and it is partially concomitant with the response to lipid peroxidation. Moreover, the association between protein aggregation and non-apoptotic cell death by lipid peroxidation is attracting attention. The link between lipid peroxidation and protein aggregation is a matter of concern in biomedical fields. Here, we focus on lethal protein aggregation in non-apoptotic cell death via lipid peroxidation. We reviewed the roles of protein aggregation in the initiation and execution of non-apoptotic cell death. We also considered the relationship between protein aggregation and oxidized lipid production. We provide an overview of non-apoptotic cell death with a focus on lipid peroxidation for therapeutic targeting during protein aggregation diseases.
Immuno-Electron and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy of the Glycocalyx
Authors: Twamley Shailey Gale , Stach Anke , Heilmann Heike , Söhl-Kielczynski Berit , Stangl Verena , Ludwig Antje , Münster-Wandowski Agnieszka
Published: May 2021

The glycocalyx (GCX), a pericellular carbohydrate rich hydrogel, forms a selective barrier that shields the cellular membrane, provides mechanical support, and regulates the transport and diffusion of molecules. The GCX is a fragile structure, making it difficult to study by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Sample preparation by conventional chemical fixation destroys the GCX, giving a false impression of its organization. An additional challenge is to process the GCX in a way that preserves its morphology and enhanced antigenicity to study its cell-specific composition. The aim of this study was to provide a protocol to preserve both antigen accessibility and the unique morphology of the GCX. We established a combined high pressure freezing (HPF), osmium-free freeze substitution (FS), rehydration, and pre-embedding immunogold labeling method for TEM. Our results showed specific immunogold labeling of GCX components expressed in human monocytic THP-1 cells, hyaluronic acid receptor (CD44) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), and maintained a well-preserved GCX morphology. We adapted the protocol for antigen localization by CLSM and confirmed the specific distribution pattern of GCX components. The presented combination of HPF, FS, rehydration, and immunolabeling for both TEM and CLSM offers the possibility for analyzing the morphology and composition of the unique GCX structure.
Acaricidal Efficacy of Jasmine and Lavender Essential Oil or Mustard Fixed Oil against Two-Spotted Spider Mite and Their Impact on Growth and Yield of Eggplants
Authors: Farouk Saad , Almutairi Ahmad B. , Alharbi Yousef O. , Al-Bassam Waleed I.
Published: May 2021

Eggplant is repeatedly attacked by numerous pests, particularly two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), which considerably decline plant productivity. Synthetic acaricides are frequently applied for controlling TSSM, resulting in environmental pollution. The utilization of rational novel substances which repel or prevent TSSM establishment represents a sustainable eco-friendly to reduce the utilization of agrochemicals. A greenhouse investigation was done for assessing the bio-acaricidal activity of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) fixed oil (MFO), jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum L.) essential oil (JEO), or lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.) essential oil (LEO), and their influences on eggplant growth and productivity. The results demonstrated that JEO represents the most acaricidal properties against TSSM followed by MFO and/or LEO compared to control. Spraying with natural oils significantly improved eggplant growth, i.e., plant height, number of leaves, and branches/plant, in addition to the leaf area and relative leaf dry mass of the 3rd–5th upper leaves. The JEO had the strongest positive effect compared with other oils or control. Additionally, Natural oils application significantly increased photosynthetic pigment, chlorophyll a:b ratio, and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, ascorbic acid, and phenols. The application of oils increased yield and its quality. In this study, JEO (2.5 mL/l) is shown to be extremely promising for the progress of new eco-friendly acaricides, improving plant growth and increasing eggplant yield.
Anti-Angiogenic Properties of Ginsenoside Rg3 Epimers: In Vitro Assessment of Single and Combination Treatments
Authors: Nakhjavani Maryam , Smith Eric , Yeo Kenny , Palethorpe Helen M. , Tomita Yoko , Price Tim J. , Townsend Amanda R. , Hardingham Jennifer E.
Published: May 2021

Tumour angiogenesis plays a key role in tumour growth and progression. The application of current anti-angiogenic drugs is accompanied by adverse effects and drug resistance. Therefore, finding safer effective treatments is needed. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) has two epimers, 20(S)-Rg3 (SRg3) and 20(R)-Rg3 (RRg3), with stereoselective activities. Using response surface methodology, we optimised a combination of these two epimers for the loop formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). The optimised combination (C3) was tested on HUVEC and two murine endothelial cell lines. C3 significantly inhibited the loop formation, migration, and proliferation of these cells, inducing apoptosis in HUVEC and cell cycle arrest in all of the cell lines tested. Using molecular docking and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) bioassay, we showed that Rg3 has an allosteric modulatory effect on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). C3 also decreased the VEGF expression in hypoxic conditions, decreased the expression of aquaporin 1 and affected AKT signaling. The proteins that were mostly affected after C3 treatment were those related to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) was one of the important targets of C3, which was affected in both hypoxic and normoxic conditions. In conclusion, these results show the potential of C3 as a novel anti-angiogenic drug.
PBK/TOPK: An Effective Drug Target with Diverse Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Huang Hai , Lee Mee-Hyun , Liu Kangdong , Dong Zigang , Ryoo Zeayoung , Kim Myoung Ok
Published: May 2021

T-lymphokine-activated killer cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK, also known as PDZ-binding kinase or PBK) plays a crucial role in cell cycle regulation and mitotic progression. Abnormal overexpression or activation of TOPK has been observed in many cancers, including colorectal cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and melanoma, and it is associated with increased development, dissemination, and poor clinical outcomes and prognosis in cancer. Moreover, TOPK phosphorylates p38, JNK, ERK, and AKT, which are involved in many cellular functions, and participates in the activation of multiple signaling pathways related to MAPK, PI3K/PTEN/AKT, and NOTCH1; thus, the direct or indirect interactions of TOPK make it a highly attractive yet elusive target for cancer therapy. Small molecule inhibitors targeting TOPK have shown great therapeutic potential in the treatment of cancer both in vitro and in vivo, even in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Therefore, targeting TOPK could be an important approach for cancer prevention and therapy. Thus, the purpose of the present review was to consider and analyze the role of TOPK as a drug target in cancer therapy and describe the recent findings related to its role in tumor development. Moreover, this review provides an overview of the current progress in the discovery and development of TOPK inhibitors, considering future clinical applications.
Investigation of Solid Deposit Inside L-Type Urea Injector and NOx Conversion in a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine
Authors: Wardana Muhammad Khristamto Aditya , Lim Ocktaeck
Published: May 2021

The heavy-duty diesel engine is used in the main transportation vehicles in Korea to deliver products from various companies; however, diesel engines produce enormous quantities of nitrogen oxide (NOx), which harms human health. The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system is a common solution to reduce NOx emissions from diesel engines; however, heavy-duty diesel engines produce more NOx than can be dealt with using an SCR and thus require investigations into effective NOx reduction solutions. This study investigated 12,000 cc heavy-duty diesel engines from Hyundai using the 1000 rpm engine operation to produce 1330 ppm of NOx emission. The ammonia generation process was assessed by the amount of ammonia produced; the amount of ammonia gas was identified by 19 gas sensors on the catalyst surface; the effectiveness of the mixing process between the ammonia and the NOx in the system was determined by the NOx conversion values from a gas analyzer. Comparison between the experiment and simulation results shows the ammonia and NOx values and elucidates the temperature results for vaporization and saturation quantity, ammonia distribution, and NOx conversion in the system. The NOx conversion investigations also provide the chemical reaction and numerical equation relevant to the ammonia and NOx distribution.
Combination of Levamisole with Prednisone in Treating Recurrent Major Aphthous Ulcer in a Young Boy: A Case Report
Authors: Prajapat Jyoti , Prajapat Rajesh , Khanagar Sanjeev B. , Vishwanathaiah Satish , Naik Sachin , Jhugroo Chitra , Devang Divakar Darshan
Published: May 2021

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is an oral condition characterized by painful oral ulcerations. While the clinical features of this disease are easily defined, the etiology remains unclear. Thus, existing treatments are still unsatisfactory in reducing the severity, healing, and recurrence rate; however, there is no permanent and definitive treatment. Effective treatment for aphthous stomatitis is not available, and those treatments available mainly focus on suppressing its symptoms. We are reporting a case of a 17-year-old boy who presented with a 3-year history of multiple recurrent major ulcers in the oral cavity. Levamisole with steroids has been used in many clinical trials to treat aphthous ulcers, showing an improvement in pain, discomfort, healing time, and reduction in the number of ulcers. The same method was used to treat our patient, who showed promising results, with no recurrence for one year. Levamisole is a safe, easily tolerable and promising drug for the treatment of RAS.
Impacts of MAPbBr3 Additive on Crystallization Kinetics of FAPbI3 Perovskite for High Performance Solar Cells
Authors: Su Zhenhuang , Wang Chenyue , Zheng Guanhaojie , Gao Xingyu
Published: May 2021

Blending perovskite with different cations has been successful in improving performance of perovskite solar cells, but the complex pathway of perovskite crystal formation remains a mystery, hindering its further development. In this paper, the detailed crystallization process of formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite films doped by methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3) additive was investigated by in situ grazing incident wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements during both spin coating and annealing. During spin-coating, it was found that the FAPbI3 perovskite precursor easily formed a mixture of black perovskite phase (α phase) and non-perovskite yellow phase (δ phase) after the addition of MAPbBr3, whereas only δ phase formed without MAPbBr3. The δ phase gradually converted to α phase during annealing and there was only α phase left in both films with and without MAPbBr3. However, the doped films presented high film quality without PbI2 residue in contrast to the undoped films. These findings imply that the MAPbBr3 additive can effectively suppress the formation of the unfavorable δ phase and trigger the formation of the optically active α phase even during spin-coating, which enhances the film quality possibly by removing the energy barriers from δ phase to α phase at room temperature. Finally, PSCs based on MAPbBr3-doped FAPbI3 were fabricated with a champion efficiency as high as 19.4% from 14.2% for the PSCs based on undoped FAPbI3.
Formulation and Optimization of Nano Lipid Based Oral Delivery Systems for Arthritis
Authors: Gilani Sadaf Jamal , Bin-Jumah May Nasser , Imam Syed Sarim , Alshehri Sultan , Jahangir Mohammed Asadullah , Zafar Ameeduzzafar
Published: May 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic synovitis that leads to tissue dysfunction as well as loss of complete function. There are several synthetic NSAIDs, glucocorticoids and biological drugs that are commonly used to treat arthritis. These drugs have severe life-threatening side effects. The use of a bioactive compound (Apigenin) could be an alternative to synthetic conventional delivery systems. It is a poorly water-soluble drug having a wide range of pharmacological activities. It has been reported for potential anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. In the present study, Apigenin (APG) solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared using the solid lipid (glyceryl mono stearate, GMS), surfactant (d -α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, TPGS) and sonication time (ST). The optimized APG SLNs showed a particle size of 161.7 nm and encapsulation efficiency of 80.44 ± 4.11%. It was further coated with 0.1% w/v chitosan (APG-CH-SLNs) and showed the particle size, PDI and zeta potential of 185.4 nm, 0.45 + 26.7 mV, respectively. The significant (p < 0.001) enhancement in drug release, permeation and mucoadhesive study was observed after chitosan coating. The antioxidant study results depicted an increase in antioxidant property. Finally, the anti-arthritic biochemical parameters revealed marked changes in the results in comparison to arthritic control animals. From the study, it was concluded that APG-loaded mucoadhesive lipid nanoparticles are an alternative to the synthetic oral delivery systems.
Preparation and Characterization of a Silane Sealed PEO Coating on Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Zeng Diping , Liu Zhiyi , Bai Song , Zhao Juangang
Published: May 2021

A dense alumina ceramic coating was formed on UNS A97075 Al alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). An efficient and environmentally friendly silane layer was prepared to seal the PEO coating. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the PEO coating was completely sealed by the silane layer. The electrochemical corrosion evolution of the silane sealed PEO composite coating was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Based on the EIS data, the corrosion evolution of the silane sealed composite coating could be divided to three stages during 576 h of immersion test, and the silane coating acted as a good physical barrier in the immersion test, effectively delayed the corrosion process and improved the corrosion resistance.
Fractions of Concern: Challenges and Strategies for the Safety Assessment of Biological Matter in Cosmetics
Authors: Steinmetz Fabian P. , Wakefield James C. , Boughton Ray M.
Published: May 2021

Cosmetic ingredients based on more or less refined biological matter (plants, fungi, bacteria, etc.) are gaining popularity. Advances in green chemistry and biotechnology are supporting this general trend further. Following numerous bans on the use of newly generated animal testing data in cosmetic safety assessments, and the worldwide demand for “cruelty-free” products, many alternative methods have been developed to assess the toxicity of ingredients. Whilst great strides have been, and continue to be, made, the area of systemic toxicity is one where international harmonisation and regulatory acceptance is still evolving. A strategy for the fractional assessment of biological matter is suggested to make approaches, such as threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) methodology, fit for purpose. Within this strategy, analytical data are used to generate compound classes which are quantified and assessed separately. Whilst this strategy opens new windows for assessing the safety of complex mixtures with a lack of toxicological data, it also raises awareness of the increasing complexity of cosmetic formulations and the general problem of additivity/synergy being rarely addressed. Extremely complex mixtures are and will be a growing challenge for safety assessors.
COVID-19 Lockdown Education: The Importance of Structure in a Suddenly Changed Learning Environment
Authors: Lauret Dirk , Bayram-Jacobs Durdane
Published: May 2021

In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, which resulted in global lockdowns. As a result, education could no longer be provided in its current form and was therefore provided online. This study discusses the consequences of online instruction in secondary education and how students perceived this new way of learning. Specifically, this research focuses on how online education was facilitated, how this differs from regular education and how students and teachers experienced these practices. In this study, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from teachers and students. Our findings revealed that the students were missing a proper structure in the lessons. There was a decline in the understanding and enjoyment by students in all courses. This study also shows that the variety of instructional strategies that the teachers used increased during the lockdown period. However, teachers were lacking in other aspects that define good instruction. Moreover, teacher data demonstrate that the teachers needed guidance from the schoolboard. It is remarkable that the schoolboard plays a key role in improving this situation. This research suggests that if the schoolboard provides guidelines on planning education, teachers could focus more on other aspects of a good instruction.