bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
College Students’ Reduced Cognitive Empathy and Increased Anxiety and Depression before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Peifer Janelle S. , Taasoobshirazi Gita
Published: September 2022

This study explored college students’ individual mental health (i.e., anxious and depressive symptoms, intrapersonal identity, and ethnic identity), as well as interpersonal mental health, as assessed by their affective connection to and care for others (i.e., cognitive empathy), exploring the role of culture and identity during the twin COVID-19 and racial justice pandemics of 2020. Comparing a longitudinal cohort of 147 undergraduate students’ experiences prior to the pandemic (Spring 2019) and after the onset of the pandemic (Spring 2021), the study examines students’ mental health changes amidst the multi-layered challenges of this time. A repeated measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed heightened anxiety and depression scores from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic and a reduction in cognitive empathy as expressed through perspective taking and empathic concern. The study begins to examine the implications of these findings in the COVID-19 era with a focus on young adult mental health, higher education, empathy, and community-mindedness.
“That You Just Know You’re Not Alone and Other People Have Gone through It Too.” Eating Disorder Recovery Accounts on Instagram as a Chance for Self-Help? A Qualitative Interview Study among People Affected and Self-Help Experts
Authors: Wenig Vanessa , Janetzke Hanna
Published: September 2022

In addition to the professional treatment of eating disorders, the use of self-help groups has become increasingly important. Social media offers new possibilities for self-help, not only as online groups but also in increased access to recovery stories of people with similar diseases. People with eating disorders use the internet and social media depending on their motivation in different ways. Eating disorder recovery stories on social media have not yet been systematically used in treatment as appropriate guidelines are still lacking. This study provides an initial insight into the possibilities of using social media for self-help for eating disorders. Due to the exploratory nature, a qualitative design was used, combining interviews with people who have a recovery account on Instagram (n = 6) and self-help experts (n = 2). The results show that recovery stories on Instagram could serve as door openers for further treatment, motivation for therapy, a first step towards behaviour change, and support for existing therapies. If affected people can cope with the self-protection strategies, they can use Instagram positively for themselves and their disease. Nevertheless, there is a risk of negative influence as well as a risk of content and time overload. Therapeutic personnel can use these results to improve existing support services.
Radon Progeny Adsorption on Facial Masks
Authors: Hinrichs Annika , Fournier Claudia , Kraft Gerhard , Maier Andreas
Published: September 2022

The radioactive noble gas radon and its short-living progeny are inhaled during respiration, depositing their decay energies in the lungs. These progeny are considered responsible for more than 95% of the total effective dose and are, together with radon, classified as carcinogenic for lung cancer. Consequently, filtration of the progeny could reduce the dose to the lungs. In our study, we investigated the filtration properties of FFP2 versus surgical masks (II R) for radon and its decay products. The masks were attached to a measurement device, which enabled determination of the size distribution of radon progeny, ranging from unattached to clustered progeny. In parallel, it measured the radon activity concentration during experiments. By comparing background measurements without mask and experiments with masks, the percentage of retained unattached radon progeny was determined for FFP2 (98.8 ± 0.6%) and II R masks (98.4 ± 0.7%). For clustered progeny, the retained fraction was 85.2 ± 18.1% for FFP2 and 79.5 ± 22.1% for II R masks while radon was not filtered. We can show that masks are effective in filtering radon progeny and thus are capable of reducing the total effective dose to the lungs.
The Beneficial Effects of Professional Identity: The Mediating Role of Teaching Identification in the Relationship between Role Stress and Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pretorius Tyrone Brian , Padmanabhanunni Anita
Published: September 2022

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers and students rapidly transitioned to remote teaching and learning. In South Africa, this initial transition was followed by periods of reopening and closing of schools during the various waves of the pandemic. When schools were reopened, rotational schooling was implemented, with students attending in shifts. All this change created a climate of uncertainty for teachers. The current study investigates the relationship between role stress and indices of psychological distress, as well as the potential mediating role of teaching identification in this relationship, using a cross-sectional survey design. Participants (n = 355) were school teachers in South Africa who completed the Role Stress Questionnaire, the Professional Identification Scale, the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale during the second wave of the pandemic (May–July 2021). The results of a structural equation analysis indicate significant positive direct effects of role conflict and ambiguity on anxiety and hopelessness, as well as significant negative direct effects of teaching identification on anxiety and hopelessness. In addition, teaching identification was found to mediate the effect of role conflict and ambiguity on anxiety and hopelessness. The demonstrated role of teaching identification has implications that suggest the importance of leadership and supervisory support, as well as enhancing the societal value of teaching as a profession.
Innate Immune Response Analysis in Meniscus Xenotransplantation Using Normal and Triple Knockout Jeju Native Pigs
Authors: Yoon Seungwon , Min Yunhui , Park Chungyu , Kim Dahye , Heo Yunji , Kim Mangeun , Son Eugene , Ghosh Mrinmoy , Son Young-Ok , Hur Chang-Gi
Published: September 2022

Although allogenic meniscus grafting can be immunologically safe, it causes immune rejection due to an imbalanced tissue supply between donor and recipient. Pigs are anatomically and physiologically similar to adult humans and are, therefore, considered to be advantageous xenotransplantation models. However, immune rejection caused by genetic difference damages the donor tissue and can sometimes cause sudden death. Immune rejection is caused by genes; porcine GGTA1, CMAH, and B4GLANT2 are the most common. In this study, we evaluated immune cells infiltrating the pig meniscus transplanted subcutaneously into BALB/c mice bred for three weeks. We compared the biocompatibility of normal Jeju native black pig (JNP) meniscus with that of triple knockout (TKO) JNP meniscus (α-gal epitope, N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), and Sd (a) epitope knockout using CRISPR-Cas 9). Mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, and macrophages were found to have infiltrated the transplant boundary in the sham (without transplantation), normal (normal JNP), and test (TKO JNP) samples after immunohistochemical analysis. When compared to normal and sham groups, TKO was lower. Cytokine levels did not differ significantly between normal and test groups. Because chronic rejection can occur after meniscus transplantation associated with immune cell infiltration, we propose studies with multiple genetic editing to prevent immune rejection.
Common and Rare PCSK9 Variants Associated with Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels and the Risk of Diabetes Mellitus: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Hsu Lung-An , Teng Ming-Sheng , Wu Semon , Chou Hsin-Hua , Ko Yu-Lin
Published: September 2022

PCSK9 is a candidate locus for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The cause–effect relationship between LDL-C levels and diabetes mellitus (DM) has been suggested to be mechanism-specific. To identify the role of PCSK9 and genome-wide association study (GWAS)-significant variants in LDL-C levels and the risk of DM by using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, a total of 75,441 Taiwan Biobank (TWB) participants was enrolled for a GWAS to determine common and rare PCSK9 variants and their associations with LDL-C levels. MR studies were also conducted to determine the association of PCSK9 variants and LDL-C GWAS-associated variants with DM. A regional plot association study with conditional analysis of the PCSK9 locus revealed that PCSK9 rs10788994, rs557211, rs565436, and rs505151 exhibited genome-wide significant associations with serum LDL-C levels. Imputation data revealed that three rare nonsynonymous mutations—namely, rs151193009, rs768846693, and rs757143429—exhibited genome-wide significant association with LDL-C levels. A stepwise regression analysis indicated that seven variants exhibited independent associations with LDL-C levels. On the basis of two-stage least squares regression (2SLS), MR analyses conducted using weighted genetic risk scores (WGRSs) of seven PCSK9 variants or WGRSs of 41 LDL-C GWAS-significant variants revealed significant association with prevalent DM (p = 0.0098 and 5.02 × 10−7, respectively), which became nonsignificant after adjustment for LDL-C levels. A sensitivity analysis indicated no violation of the exclusion restriction assumption regarding the influence of LDL-C-level-determining genotypes on the risk of DM. Common and rare PCSK9 variants are independently associated with LDL-C levels in the Taiwanese population. The results of MR analyses executed using genetic instruments based on WGRSs derived from PCSK9 variants or LDL-C GWAS-associated variants demonstrate an inverse association between LDL-C levels and DM.
Quantitative Correlations between Radiosensitivity Biomarkers Show That the ATM Protein Kinase Is Strongly Involved in the Radiotoxicities Observed after Radiotherapy
Authors: Le Reun Eymeric , Bodgi Larry , Granzotto Adeline , Sonzogni Laurène , Ferlazzo Mélanie L. , Al-Choboq Joëlle , El-Nachef Laura , Restier-Verlet Juliette , Berthel Elise , Devic Clément , Bouchet Audrey , Bourguignon Michel , Foray Nicolas
Published: September 2022

Tissue overreactions (OR), whether called adverse effects, radiotoxicity, or radiosensitivity reactions, may occur during or after anti-cancer radiotherapy (RT). They represent a medical, economic, and societal issue and raise the question of individual response to radiation. To predict and prevent them are among the major tasks of radiobiologists. To this aim, radiobiologists have developed a number of predictive assays involving different cellular models and endpoints. To date, while no consensus has been reached to consider one assay as the best predictor of the OR occurrence and severity, radiation oncologists have proposed consensual scales to quantify OR in six different grades of severity, whatever the organ/tissue concerned and their early/late features. This is notably the case with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Few radiobiological studies have used the CTCAE scale as a clinical endpoint to evaluate the statistical robustness of the molecular and cellular predictive assays in the largest range of human radiosensitivity. Here, by using 200 untransformed skin fibroblast cell lines derived from RT-treated cancer patients eliciting OR in the six CTCAE grades range, correlations between CTCAE grades and the major molecular and cellular endpoints proposed to predict OR (namely, cell survival at 2 Gy (SF2), yields of micronuclei, recognized and unrepaired DSBs assessed by immunofluorescence with γH2AX and pATM markers) were examined. To our knowledge, this was the first time that the major radiosensitivity endpoints were compared together with the same cohort and irradiation conditions. Both SF2 and the maximal number of pATM foci reached after 2 Gy appear to be the best predictors of the OR, whatever the CTCAE grades range. All these major radiosensitivity endpoints are mathematically linked in a single mechanistic model of individual response to radiation in which the ATM kinase plays a major role.
Host Plant Variation and Lack of Genetic Differentiation in Populations of Dione (Agraulis) dodona Lamas & Farfán (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)
Authors: Farfán Jackie , Cerdeña José , Huanca-Mamani Wilson , Vargas Héctor A. , Gonçalves Gislene L. , Moreira Gilson R. P.
Published: September 2022

Dione (Agraulis) dodona (Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae) is a butterfly restricted to the western slopes of the Andes of Peru and Chile and is associated with Malesherbia tenuifolia in xerophytic environments. In this study, we found six additional species of host plants for D. (A.) dodona belonging to the genus Malesherbia (Passifloraceae). We used mitochondrial DNA sequences (COI) and microsatellites to screen genetic variation and investigate population structure in six geographic disjointed populations of D. (A.) dodona associated with distinct Malesherbia species. The PCoA analysis based on allele frequencies evidenced a lack of differentiation among populations and a low FST. The Bayesian cluster analyses revealed the existence of three genetically distinct groups, but almost all individuals present an admixture ancestry. An absence of isolation by distance pattern was observed. Possible scenarios are discussed: a bottleneck or recent colonization from interconnected populations from the south, and ongoing gene flow among local populations by high dispersal through a landscape formed of isolated populations of Malesherbia.
Baseline Susceptibility and Cross-Resistance of HearNPV in Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil
Authors: Muraro Dionei Schmidt , Gonçalves Thaini M. , Amado Douglas , Lima Marcelo F. , Popham Holly J. R. , Marçon Paula G. , Omoto Celso
Published: September 2022

The marked adoption of bioinsecticides in Brazilian agriculture in recent years is, at least partially, explained by the increasingly higher levels of insect pest resistance to synthetic insecticides. In particular, several baculovirus-based products have been registered in the last 5 years, including Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV: Baculoviridae: Alphabaculovirus (Armigen®)). Understanding the susceptibility of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to HearNPV is an important step toward development of robust Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Insect Resistance Management programs (IRM) aimed at managing this serious insect pest. In this study, droplet feeding bioassays were used to characterize the baseline susceptibility to HearNPV (Armigen®) in H. armigera populations collected from major soybean and cotton-growing regions in Brazil. We defined and validated a diagnostic concentration for susceptibility monitoring of H. armigera populations to HearNPV. Additionally, cross-resistance between HearNPV and the insecticides flubendiamide and indoxacarb was evaluated by testing HearNPV in a susceptible strain and in resistant strains of H. armigera to these insecticides. A low interpopulation variation of H. armigera to HearNPV was detected. The LC50 values ranged from 1.5 × 105 to 1.1 × 106 occlusion bodies (OBs) per mL (7.3-fold variation). The mortality rate at the identified diagnostic concentration of 6.3 × 108 OBs/mL, based on the calculated LC99, ranged from 98.6 to 100% in populations of H. armigera collected from 2018 to 2020. No cross-resistance was detected between HearNPV and flubendiamide or indoxacarb. These results suggest that HearNPV (Armigen®) can be an effective tool in IPM and IRM programs to control H. armigera in Brazil.
Impact of Prior Statin Therapy on In-Hospital Outcome of STEMI Patients Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Lanza Oreste , Cosentino Nicola , Lucci Claudia , Resta Marta , Rubino Mara , Milazzo Valentina , De Metrio Monica , Trombara Filippo , Campodonico Jeness , Werba José Pablo , Bonomi Alice , Marenzi Giancarlo
Published: September 2022

Background: Prior statin therapy has a cardioprotective effect in patients undergoing elective or urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, data on patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI are still controversial. We retrospectively evaluated the effect of prior statin therapy on in-hospital clinical outcomes in consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Methods: A total of 1790 patients (mean age 67 ± 11 years, 1354 men) were included. At admission, all patients were interrogated about prior (>6 months) statin therapy. The primary endpoint of the study was the composite of in-hospital mortality, acute pulmonary edema, and cardiogenic shock in patients with or without prior statin therapy. Results: A total of 427 patients (24%) were on prior statin therapy. The incidence of the primary endpoint was similar in patients with or without prior statin therapy (15% vs. 16%; p = 0.38). However, at multivariate analysis, prior statin therapy was associated with a lower risk of the primary endpoint, after adjustment for major prognostic predictors (odds ratio 0.61 [95% CI 0.39–0.96]; p = 0.03). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that prior statin therapy is associated with a better in-hospital clinical outcome in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI compared to those without prior statin therapy.
Comparison of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Devices in Aortic Stenosis: A Network Meta-Analysis of 42,105 Patients
Authors: Dogosh Ala , Adawi Ahlam , El Nasasra Aref , Cafri Carlos , Barrett Orit , Tsaban Gal , Barashi Rami , Koifman Edward
Published: September 2022

Background: In recent years, trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an excellent alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Currently, there are several approved devices on the market, yet comparisons among them are scarce. We aimed to compare the various devices via a network meta-analysis. Methods: We performed a network meta-analysis including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity-matched studies that provide comparisons of either a single TAVI with SAVR or two different TAVI devices and report clinical outcomes. Results: We included 12 RCT and 13 propensity-matched studies comprising 42,105 patients, among whom 27,134 underwent TAVI using various valve systems (Sapien & Sapien XT, Sapien 3, Corvalve, Evolut & Evolut Pro, Acurate Neo, Portico). The mean follow-up time was 23.4 months. Sapien 3 was superior over SAVR in the reduction of all-cause mortality (OR = 0.53; 95%CrI 0.31–0.91), while no significant difference existed between other devices and SAVR. Aortic regurgitation was more frequent among TAVI devices compared to SAVR. There was no significant difference between the various THVs and SAVR in cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, NYHA class III-IV, and endocarditis. Conclusions: Newer generation TAVI devices, especially Sapien 3 and Evolut R/Pro are associated with improved outcomes compared to SAVR and other devices of the older generation.
Leisure-Time Physical Activity Has a More Favourable Impact on Carotid Artery Stiffness Than Vigorous Physical Activity in Hypertensive Human Beings
Authors: Vriz Olga , Mos Lucio , Palatini Paolo
Published: September 2022

Aim. To assess the effect of leisure time versus vigorous long-term dynamic physical activity (PA) on carotid stiffness in normotensive versus hypertensive subjects. Methods. The study was conducted on 120 leisure-time exercisers and 120 competitive athletes. One hundred and twenty sedentary subjects served as controls. In addition, participants were classified according to whether their systolic blood pressure was ≥130 mmHg (hypertensives, n = 120) or normal (normotensives, n = 240) according to the ACC/AHA 2017 definition. Carotid artery stiffness was assessed with an echo-tracking ultrasound system, using the pressure-strain elastic modulus (EP) and one-point pulse wave velocity (PWVβ) as parameters of stiffness. Results. The effect of the two levels of PA differed in the normotensives and the hypertensives. Among the normotensives, there was an ongoing, graded reduction in EP and PWVβ from the sedentary subjects to the athletes. By contrast, among the hypertensives, the lowest levels of EP and PWVβ were found among the leisure-time PA participants. EP and PWVβ did not differ between the hypertensive sedentary subjects and the athletes. A significant interaction was found between PA and BP status on EP (p = 0.03) and a borderline interaction on PWVβ (p = 0.06). In multiple regression analyses, PA was a negative predictor of EP (p = 0.001) and PWVβ (p = 0.0001). The strength of the association was weakened after the inclusion of heart rate in the models (p = 0.04 and 0.007, respectively). Conclusions. These data indicate that in people with hypertension, leisure-time PA has beneficial effects on carotid artery stiffness, whereas high-intensity chronic PA provides no benefit to vascular functions.
A Network Pharmacology to Explore the Potential Targets of Canagliflozin and Dapagliflozin in Treating Atherosclerosis
Authors: Wang Jin , Li Dongning , Ju Weiwei , Wang Hongli
Published: September 2022

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is an important pathological basis of many cardiovascular diseases. Canagliflozin and dapagliflozin have yielded impressive results in the treatment of cardiovascular disease in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. In this study, we investigated their targets and mechanism involved in the treatment of atherosclerosis using network pharmacology. Methods: The potential targets of canagliflozin and dapagliflozin were gathered from the database PharmMapper. Targets associated with AS were derived from the GeneCards, Drugbank, DisGeNet, and therapeutic target databases (TTD) by searching for keywords on atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Overlap targets were collected by uploading drug and disease targets into jvenn. The cross-targets of the Venny plots were uploaded to the STRING database, and a protein–protein interaction (PPI) was constructed with their calculated features, aiming to reveal several key targets. Key targets were selected by using a plug-in of the Cytoscape software. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed using the database Metascape. Cytoscape was used to set up the pathways-genes network. Molecular docking with core targets and drugs was performed with AutoDock. Results: A total of 288 canagliflozin targets, 287 dapagliflozin targets and 4939 AS-related targets were obtained. A total of 191 overlapping targets were found after intersecting. Five core targets, including protein kinase B (Akt1), Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase SRC (SRC) and Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were collected. Pathways, biological processes, molecular functions and cellular components of canagliflozin and dapagliflozin were found. Conclusion: Canagliflozin and dapagliflozin play a role in atherosclerosis by regulating Akt1, MAPK1, MAPK14, SRC and EGFR. Our research provides further insights into the use of canagliflozin and dapagliflozin in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Influence of Test Parameters on the Evaluation of Chocolate Silkiness Using the Tribological Method
Authors: Ni Zifeng , Qian Shanhua , Cheng Shuai , Wang Liang , Xu Feifei
Published: September 2022

Silkiness is an extremely important attribute in high-end chocolate, and tribology is one of the commonly used methods of evaluating certain properties of the relevant food. In this study, based on three commercial chocolates of the same brand, the silky sensation was assessed by means of the professional sensation evaluation method. Artificial saliva was employed to obtain the mixed solutions with different chocolates, and their viscosity and coefficient of friction (CoF) were measured under different test parameters. The correlation of chocolate silkiness with the viscosities and average CoFs (aCoFs) are later discussed. The results showed that the silkiness of the three chocolates were negatively correlated with cocoa concentration and weakly correlated with viscosity. As the chocolate percentage decreased, the aCoF of the mixed solutions decreased, but the aCoF of the mixed solutions increased in relation to the cocoa concentration. In combination with the correlation coefficient of chocolate silkiness with the aCoFs, it was considered that 75% chocolate solutions using the Two-PDMS pair could be representative of the silkiness characteristic in oral processing at suitable operated parameters. The study results provide an insight into the rapid evaluation and development of similar attributes of high-end food.
Enhanced Formability of Magnesium Alloy Rolled Plates by 101¯2 Tensile Twinning and Recrystallization
Authors: Deng Jiafei , Tian Jing , Zhou Yancai , Chang Yuanying , Liang Wei , Ma Jinyao
Published: September 2022

To solve the problem of poor formability of magnesium alloys, the bending and straightening process was used to successfully introduce large-volume 101¯2 tensile twins and dynamic recrystallization into the plates, and the comprehensive mechanical properties of the plates were improved, in which the anisotropy index (Lankford value: r¯) decreased by 77%, and the corresponding Erishen value (IE) increased by 88%. The research shows that most of the continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) inherit the grain orientation of the parent grains, and a few have deviations from the parent grains. The twinning-assisted dynamic recrystallization (TDRX) can effectively inherit the grain orientation of the parent grain and retain the orientation relationship of the 101¯2 tensile twin. The cooperation of the pre-set tensile twinning and various dynamic recrystallization processes leads to the deflection of the basal plane, which effectively weakens the basal texture and promotes the activation of various non-basal slip systems. Combined with grain refinement strengthening and dislocation strengthening, the magnesium alloy plate, after bending and straightening, obtains good comprehensive mechanical properties.
Low-Temperature Sintering of a New Bioactive Glass Enriched with Magnesium Oxide and Strontium Oxide
Authors: Bellucci Devis , Cannillo Valeria
Published: September 2022

The recent research on bioactive glasses (BGs) has mainly moved on two fronts: (1) introducing ions of therapeutic interest in their composition and (2) the development of scaffolds, fibers, coatings and sintered products starting from BGs in powder form. In this case, the main obstacle to overcome is that BGs rapidly crystallize during heat treatments, thus transforming into glass-ceramics with low reactivity, slow ion release and, eventually, poor mechanical properties. Here an innovative bioactive glass (BGMS_LS), capable of responding to the main limitations of commercial BGs, is presented. The new material contains strontium and magnesium, whose therapeutic relevance is well known, and can be sintered at extraordinarily low temperatures without crystallizing, thus keeping all of its biological potential intact.
The Effects of Different Anode Positions on the Electrical Properties of Square-Silicon Drift Detector
Authors: Luo Wei , Wang Longjie , Jia Rui , Tao Ke , Wang Bolong , Ouyang Xiaoping , Li Xing
Published: September 2022

The Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) with square structure is often used in pixel-type SDD arrays to reduce the dead region considerably and to improve the detector performance significantly. Usually, the anode is located in the center of the active region of the SDD with square structure (square-SDD), but the different anode positions in the square-SDD active area are also allowed. In order to explore the effect on device performance when the anode is located at different positions in the square-SDD active region, we designed two different types of square-SDD in this work, where the anode is located either in the center (SDD-1) or at the edge (SDD-2) of its active region. The simulation results of current density and potential distribution show that SDD-1 and SDD-2 have both formed a good electron drift path to make the anode collect electrons. The experimental results of device performance at the temperature range from −60 °C to 60 °C show that the anode current of the two fabricated SDDs both decreased with the decrease of temperature, but their voltage divider characteristics exhibited high stability resistance value and low temperature coefficient, thereby indicating that they could both provide corresponding continuous and uniform electric field at different temperatures. Finally, SDD-1 and SDD-2 have energy resolutions of 248 and 257 eV corresponding to the 5.9 keV photon peak of the Fe-55 radioactive source, respectively. Our experimental results demonstrate that there is no significant impact on the device performance irrespective of the anode positions in the square-SDD devices.
Cattaneo–Christov Double Diffusion (CCDD) on Sutterby Nanofluid with Irreversibility Analysis and Motile Microbes Due to a RIGA Plate
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad Faizan , Zaib A. , Ali Farhan , Bafakeeh Omar T , Khan Niaz B. , Mohamed Tag-ElDin El Sayed , Oreijah Mowffaq , Guedri Kamel , Galal Ahmed M.
Published: September 2022

In this article, a Riga plate is exhibited with an electric magnetization actuator consisting of permanent magnets and electrodes assembled alternatively. This Riga plate creates an electric and magnetic field, where a transverse Lorentz force is generated that contributes to the flow along the plate. A new study field has been created by Sutterby nanofluid flows down the Riga plate, which is crucial to the creation of several industrial advancements, including thermal nuclear reactors, flow metres, and nuclear reactor design. This article addresses the second law analysis of MHD Sutter by nanofluid over a stretching sheet with the Riga plate. The Cattaneo–Christov Double Diffusion heat and mass flux have been created to examine the behaviour of relaxation time. The bioconvection of motile microorganisms and chemical reactions are taken into consideration. Similarity transformations are used to make the governing equations non-dimensional ordinary differential equations (ODE’s) that are subsequently solved through an efficient and powerful analytic technique, the homotopy analysis method (HAM). The effect of pertained variables on velocity, temperature, concentration, and motile microorganism distributions are elaborated through the plot in detail. Further, the velocity distribution enhances and reduces for greater value Deborah number and Reynold number for the two cases of pseudoplastic and dilatant flow. Microorganism distribution decreases with the augmented magnitude of Peclet number (Pe), Bioconvection Lewis number (Lb), and microorganism concentration difference number (ϖ). The entropy production distribution is increased for the greater estimations of the Reynolds number (ReL) and Brinkman parameter (Br). Two sets of graphical outputs are presented for the Sutterby fluid parameter. Finally, for the justification of these outcomes, tables of comparison are made with various variables.
Effect of Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 on Metabolic Profiles and Gut Microbiota in Type 2 Diabetic Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial
Authors: Rustanti Ninik , Murdiati Agnes , Juffrie Mohammad , Rahayu Endang Sutriswati
Published: September 2022

Several pathways link type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus to the gut microbiome. By modifying the gut microbiota (GM), probiotics may be useful in the treatment of T2D. Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 is an indigenous Indonesian probiotic strain that has colonized the digestive tracts of healthy Indonesian adults. Furthermore, the GM of Indonesians is dominated by L. plantarum. The probiotic L. plantarum Dad-13 is likely suitable for Indonesians. This study aimed to assess the effect of the probiotic L. plantarum Dad-13 on metabolic profiles and GM of women with T2D in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Twenty women from each group of forty T2D patients received either a probiotic or a placebo. The probiotic group consumed 1 g skim milk powder containing 1010 CFU/g L. plantarum daily for 11 weeks. The placebo group received 1 g skim milk powder only daily for 11 weeks. At the start and end of the experiment, anthropometric measures, dietary intake surveys, blood samples, and fecal samples were obtained. The GM analysis of all samples was performed using polymerase chain reaction, and Illumina Novaseq was applied to the selected samples from each group at the beginning and end of the trial. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed with gas chromatography. The level of HbA1c in the probiotic group (n:10) significantly decreased from 9.34 ± 2.79% to 8.32 ± 2.04%. However, in comparison with the placebo (n:8), L. plantarum Dad-13 supplementation did not significantly decrease the HbA1c level. No significant change was observed in the fasting blood sugar and total cholesterol levels in either group. The GM analysis showed that L. plantarum Dad-13 supplementation resulted in a considerable increase in the L. plantarum number. No significant changes were observed in the Bifidobacterium and Prevotella populations. In addition, no significant change was observed in the fecal pH and SCFA (e.g., acetic acid, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFA) after supplementation with L. plantarum Dad-13.
Optimization of Water Leaching of Chlorides from Aluminum Salt Slag
Authors: Teixeira Artur B. , Ambrós Weslei M. , Sampaio Carlos H. , Raposo Fortunato L. Q. , De Brum Irineu A. S. , Moncunill Josep O.
Published: September 2022

Aluminum recycling generates large amounts of hazardous wastes, known as salt slags, consisting mainly of oxides, metallic aluminum, and salt fluxes. Water leaching is a common technique used for salt removal, being a decisive operation due to water usage and the need to achieve sufficient salt recovery. In this study, water leaching tests under varied operational conditions (water type, slag particle size, solid content, and leaching time) were carried out in salt slag samples obtained from a Brazilian aluminum scrap melting company. Leaching efficiency was assessed by the % chlorine leached. The optimal leaching condition, defined as the one that resulted in the highest chloride removal from the slag together with appropriate operational conditions (larger viable slag size, lower leaching time, etc.), was identified for a slag size below 2.8 mm, 30 wt% of solids in pulp, and a leaching time of 90 min. The results showed that it was possible to recover more than 92% of the salts initially contained in the raw slag, resulting in a leached material with less than 2.5% salts. The recovered salt characteristics showed potential for recycling and could be re-mixed to the salt flux used for aluminum melting. The possibility of achieving higher efficiencies and lower water consumption during leaching was also discussed, as was a preliminary flowsheet for salt slag treatment.
Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors against Mycobacteria in Activated Macrophages
Authors: Vande Voorde Rebecca , Dzalamidze Elizaveta , Nelson Dylan , Danelishvili Lia
Published: September 2022

Mycobacterial pathogens are intrinsically resistant to many available antibiotics, making treatment extremely challenging, especially in immunocompromised individuals and patients with underlying and chronic lung conditions. Even with lengthy therapy and the use of a combination of antibiotics, clinical success for non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is achieved in fewer than half of the cases. The need for novel antibiotics that are effective against NTM is urgent. To identify such new compounds, a whole cell high-throughput screen (HTS) was performed in this study. Compounds from the Chembridge DIVERSet library were tested for their ability to inhibit intracellular survival of M. avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) expressing dtTomato protein, using fluorescence as a readout. Fifty-eight compounds were identified to significantly inhibit fluorescent readings of MAH. In subsequent assays, it was found that treatment of MAH-infected THP-1 macrophages with 27 of 58 hit compounds led to a significant reduction in intracellular viable bacteria, while 19 compounds decreased M. abscessus subsp. abscessus (Mab) survival rates within phagocytic cells. In addition, the hit compounds were tested in M. tuberculosis H37Ra (Mtb) and 14 compounds were found to exhibit activity in activated THP-1 cells. While the majority of compounds displayed inhibitory activity against both replicating (extracellular) and non-replicating (intracellular) forms of bacteria, a set of compounds appeared to be effective exclusively against intracellular bacteria. The efficacy of these compounds was examined in combination with current antibiotics and survival of both NTM and Mtb were evaluated within phagocytic cells. In time-kill dynamic studies, it was found that co-treatment promoted increased bacterial clearance when compared with the antibiotic or compound group alone. This study describes promising anti-NTM and anti-Mtb compounds with potential novel mechanisms of action that target intracellular bacteria in activated macrophages.
Identification of Coumarins and Antimicrobial Potential of Ethanolic Extracts of Dipteryx odorata and Dipteryx punctata
Authors: Sousa Bruna Cristine Martins de , Castro Santana Pinto de , Lourido Katiane Araújo , Kasper Aline Aparecida München , Paulino Geomarcos da Silva , Delarmelina Camila , Duarte Marta Cristina Teixeira , Sartoratto Adilson , Vieira Thiago Almeida , Lustosa Denise Castro , Barata Lauro Euclides Soares
Published: September 2022

Dipteryx odorata and Dipteryx punctata are species native to the Amazonian, traded by extractivists to obtain coumarin. We aimed to analyze the presence of coumarin in the ethanolic extracts of leaves, branches and fruits of D. odorata and D. punctata and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of these extracts against phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria of clinical interest. Chemical analyses were performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For the antifungal assays, the fungi used were Cercospora longissima, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, two isolates of Fusarium spp. and Sclerotium rolfsii, and the antibacterial assay was performed using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test with Burkholderia cepacia, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. In D. odorata seed extracts and in D. punctata husks, endocarps, and seeds, we identified 1,2-benzopyrone. D. odorata endocarp extracts and D. punctata seeds provided the greatest decrease in mycelial growth of the evaluated phytopathogens, showing promise as an alternative control. The husk and endocarp extracts of both species had a weak effect on E. coli. This research is the first to compare the different parts of species of the genus Dipteryx and to evaluate the use of husks and endocarps of D. punctata fruits to obtain coumarin. Chemical analyses used to quantify the compounds existing in the extracts, and tests with phytopathogens in vitro and in vivo are currently being carried out.
A Carabrane-Type Sesquiterpenolide Carabrone from Carpesium cernuum Inhibits SW1990 Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Inducing Ferroptosis
Authors: Zheng Yi-Dan , Zhang Ying , Ma Jun-Yi , Sang Chun-Yan , Yang Jun-Li
Published: September 2022

Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor prognosis, and the clinical drugs for the treatment of pancreatic cancer are usually multi-drug combinations. Therefore, it is necessary to search for and find specific new bioactive agents against pancreatic cancer. Carabrone is a carabrane-type sesquiterpenolide extracted from Carpesium cernuum L., and this natural compound has been reported to be a potential anti-tumor agent. However, there are few reports on the function of carabrone related to anti-tumor activity in pancreatic cancer. Herein, cell experiments indicated that carabrone had anti-proliferation inhibition and anti-migration and anti-invasion activity against SW1990 cells. Furthermore, the tandem mass spectrometry and network pharmacology analysis showed that this activity may be related to the ferroptosis and Hippo signaling pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrated that carabrone exhibited prominent anti-pancreatic cancer activity and could be a promising agent against pancreatic cancer.
Significance of Ionic Character Induced by Ga-Doped γ-Al2O3 on Polyethylene Degradation to the Precursors of Gasoline and Diesel Oil with a Trace Amount of Wax
Authors: Haider Syed Kamran , Pawar Amol Uttam , Lee Don Keun , Kang Young Soo
Published: September 2022

Polyethylene degradation has a significant ecological impact but is also economically beneficial because it generates fuels and useful chemical products. Our study mainly describes the cleavage of C-C and C-H bonds when polyethylene (dispersed in 1-octadecene) was low-temperature heat-treated in two steps, at 180 and 250 °C, for 24 h for each step. Finally, it was converted to a mixture of the precursors of gasoline and diesel oil with a trace amount of wax. A series of reactions resulted in cracking, dehydrogenation and oxidation, hence producing polycarboxylic acids and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. ESI-MS analysis revealed that mixed oil consisted of low carbon number hydrocarbons and their derivatives of carboxylic acids, with the carbon number ranging from C-6 to C-18. In the trace amount of wax, complicated carboxylic acids and hydrocarbons with carbon number C-22 to C-58 were also identified. FT-IR analysis further confirmed the presence of carboxylic acid derivatives and double bonds in the degradation products. γ-Al2O3 nanorods effectively catalyzed the degradation process by enhancing the C-C chain length in the products. Lewis acid (Al) and Lewis base (oxygen) in the γ-Al2O3 induced ionic character of the C-C bond chain, which led to the efficient cracking of the C-C bond. Poor shielding effect, smaller atomic size and greater ionization energy made Ga a stronger Lewis acid compared to Al; hence, Ga-doped γ-Al2O3 catalyzed the degradation process even more effectively.
Oxalis tetraphylla (Class: Magnoliopsidae) Possess Flavonoid Phytoconstituents with Nematocidal Activity against Haemonchus contortus
Authors: Ocampo-Gutiérrez Ana Yuridia , Hernández-Velázquez Víctor Manuel , Zamilpa Alejandro , López-Arellano María Eugenia , Olmedo-Juárez Agustín , Higuera-Piedrahita Rosa Isabel , Delgado-Núñez Edgar Jesús , González-Cortázar Manasés , Mendoza-de Gives Pedro
Published: September 2022

The nematocidal activity of an Oxalis tetraphylla hydroalcoholic extract against the nematode Haemonchus contortus (Hc) was assessed in vitro and the major compounds associated with nematocidal activity were identified. One hydroalcoholic extract was obtained from O. tetraphylla stems and leaves (Ot HE-SLE). The in vitro lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) against both eggs and exsheathed Hc infective larvae (L3) were assessed. Ot HE-SLE showed a potent ovicidal activity (LC50 = 0.213 mg/mL; LC90 = 0.71 mg/mL) and larvicidal effect (LC50 = 28.01 mg/mL; LC90 = 69.3 mg/mL). Later on, the extract was bipartitioned to obtain an ethyl acetate phase (EtOAc-Ph) and an aqueous phase (Aq-Ph). Both phases were assessed against Hc eggs at 0.25 and 1.0 mg/mL concentrations. The results with EtOAc-Ph showed 93.6% ovicidal activity, while 96.6% was recorded with Aq-Ph at 48 h post-confrontation (PC). In the case of larvicidal activity, both phases were assessed at 28 mg/mL; Aq-Ph showed >80% larvicidal activity 24 and 72 h PC, while EtOAc-Ph did not show important activity. HPLC analysis showed the presence of coumaric acid and flavonols. Flavonol compounds were the major compounds and were associated with the nematocidal activity. Additionally, the Aq-Ph that showed the highest activity was purified, and the fraction F3 showed the highest nematocidal activity.
Advances in Pharmacokinetic Mechanisms of Transporter-Mediated Herb-Drug Interactions
Authors: Li Jie , Wang Shuting , Tian Fengjie , Zhang Shuang-Qing , Jin Hongtao
Published: September 2022

As the use of herbs has become more popular worldwide, there are increasing reports of herb-drug interactions (HDIs) following the combination of herbs and drugs. The active components of herbs are complex and have a variety of pharmacological activities, which inevitably affect changes in the pharmacokinetics of chemical drugs in vivo. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs in vivo are closely related to the expression of drug transporters. When the active components of herbs inhibit or induce the expression of transporters, this can cause changes in substrate pharmacokinetics, resulting in changes in the efficacy and toxicity of drugs. In this article, the tissue distribution and physiological functions of drug transporters are summarized through literature retrieval, and the effects of herbs on drug transporters and the possible mechanism of HDIs are analyzed and discussed in order to provide ideas and a reference for further guiding of safe clinical drug use.
Medication Use among Immigrants from Syria Living in Western Norway: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Deeb George , Diaz Esperanza , Haavik Svein , Lupattelli Angela
Published: September 2022

This cross-sectional study sought to quantify medication use and change in use of prescription-only medications purchased in the past in Syria without medical prescription versus today in Norway in an adult population originating from Syria and living in western Norway. Data on adults born in Syria and living in Norway during December 2019–January 2020 were collected via a self-administrated questionnaire in Arabic. Participants were recruited at a community pharmacy and at a refugee center. We included 148 participants (mean age 36.4 years; 38.5% females and 60.8% males) of whom 62.6% had lived in Norway for 4–6 years. Most participants had low (45.9%) or medium (39.2%) health literacy. Painkillers and analgesics were the most widely used medications, in both Norway (69.6%) and Syria (78.4%). Use of antibiotics declined significantly in Norway (31.1%) relative to Syria (65.5%); 70.9% participants used prescription-only medications in both countries, while 6.1% and 13.5%, respectively, did so only in Norway or only in Syria. This study reports a relatively high rate of medication use, particularly painkillers and analgesics both in Syria and in Norway. Participants with low health literacy reported greater use of antibiotics than those with high level in Syria but not in Norway. Use of antibiotics decreased substantially in Norway relative to the past in Syria, reaching a comparable prevalence with that in the host community. Although uncommon, prescription-only medication use only in Norway was reported by some participants.