bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxifolin Prevents Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity by Modulating Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway and Mitigating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Mice
Authors: Alanezi Abdulkareem A. , Almuqati Afaf F. , Alfwuaires Manal A. , Alasmari Fawaz , Namazi Nader I. , Althunibat Osama Y. , Mahmoud Ayman M.
Published: October 2022

Cisplatin (CIS) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of several malignancies. The clinical use of CIS is associated with adverse effects, including acute kidney injury (AKI). Oxidative stress and inflammation are key events in the development of CIS-induced AKI. This study investigated the protective effect of taxifolin (TAX), a bioactive flavonoid with promising health-promoting properties, on CIS-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. TAX was orally given to mice for 10 days and a single dose of CIS was injected at day 7. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were elevated, and multiple histopathological alterations were observed in the kidney of CIS-administered mice. CIS increased renal malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β, and decreased cellular antioxidants in mice. TAX remarkably prevented kidney injury, ameliorated serum BUN and creatinine, and renal MDA, NO, NF-κB p65, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and boosted antioxidant defenses in CIS-administered mice. TAX downregulated Bax and caspase-3, and upregulated Bcl-2. These effects were associated with upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 activity in CIS-administered mice. In conclusion, TAX prevented CIS-induced AKI by mitigating tissue injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. The protective efficacy of TAX was associated with the upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling.
Safety, Tolerability, and Serum/Tear Pharmacokinetics of Human Recombinant Epidermal Growth Factor Eyedrops in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Yoo Hyounggyoon , Yoon Seonghae , Jang In-Jin , Yu Kyung-Sang , Hyon Joon Young , Hwang Jungi , Hwang Inyoung , Sunwoo Jung , Chung Jae-Yong
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PKs) of rhEGF eyedrops after the administration of single and multiple doses in healthy subjects. A phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and single-ascending dose (SAD) and multiple-ascending dose (MAD) study were conducted in three dose groups (10, 50, and 100 μg/mL). The subjects randomly received rhEGF eyedrops or the placebo in a 3:1 ratio. Serial blood and tear samples for PK analysis were collected up to 36 h and 180 h post-dose in SAD and MAD studies, respectively. In addition, the serum and tear EGF concentrations were measured. Immunogenicity evaluations were conducted using serum anti-EGF antibody levels. A total of 50 subjects were enrolled and 48 subjects completed the study. Adverse drug reactions were mild and transient. There were no serious adverse events in this study. The tear EGF concentrations rapidly increased and returned to baseline after 4 h without any serum EGF level change after the administration of rhEGF eyedrops. rhEGF eyedrops were safe and well-tolerated in healthy subjects in a dose range of 10–100 μg/mL, indicating suitability for further studies in patients with corneal injury.
Immunomodulating Hydrogels as Stealth Platform for Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Rezaei Zahra , Yilmaz-Aykut Dilara , Tourk Fatima Mumtaza , Bassous Nicole , Barroso-Zuppa Margot , Shawl Asif Iqbal , Ashraf Syed Salman , Avci Huseyin , Hassan Shabir
Published: October 2022

Non-targeted persistent immune activation or suppression by different drug delivery platforms can cause adverse and chronic physiological effects including cancer and arthritis. Therefore, non-toxic materials that do not trigger an immunogenic response during delivery are crucial for safe and effective in vivo treatment. Hydrogels are excellent candidates that can be engineered to control immune responses by modulating biomolecule release/adsorption, improving regeneration of lymphoid tissues, and enhancing function during antigen presentation. This review discusses the aspects of hydrogel-based systems used as drug delivery platforms for various diseases. A detailed investigation on different immunomodulation strategies for various delivery options and deliberate upon the outlook of such drug delivery platforms are conducted.
G-Quadruplex Linked DNA Guides Selective Transfection into Nucleolin-Overexpressing Cancer Cells
Authors: Xiang Mengxi , Li Yongkui , Liu Jia , Shi Jie , Ge Yizhi , Peng Chen , Bin Yawen , Wang Zheng , Wang Lin
Published: October 2022

Gene therapy is a promising approach for treating tumors. Conventional approaches of DNA delivery depending on non-viral or viral vectors are unsatisfactory due to the concerns of biosafety and cell-targeting efficiency. The question how to deliver DNA into tumor cells efficiently and selectively is a major technological problem in tumor gene therapy. Here, we develop a vector-free gene transfer strategy to deliver genes effectively and selectively by taking advantage of targeting nucleolin. Nucleolin, a shuttle protein moving between cell membrane, cytoplasm and nuclei, is overexpressed in tumor cells. It has a natural ligand G-quadruplex (Gq). Gq-linked DNA (Gq-DNA) is likely to be internalized by ligand dependent uptake mechanisms independently of vectors after neutralizing negative charges of cell membrane by targeting nucleolin. This strategy is referred to as Gq-DNA transfection. Benefiting from its high affinity to nucleolin, Gq-DNA can be effectively delivered into nucleolin-positive tumor cells even nuclei. Gq-DNA transfection is characterized by low cytotoxicity, high efficiency, ease of synthesis, high stability in serum, direct access into nuclei, and specific nucleolin-positive tumor cell targeting.
Activation of Somatostatin-Expressing Neurons in the Lateral Septum Improves Stress-Induced Depressive-like Behaviors in Mice
Authors: Li Huanhuan , Sung Hyun Hailey , Lau Chunyue Geoffrey
Published: October 2022

Depression is a debilitating mood disorder with highly heterogeneous pathogenesis. The limbic system is well-linked to depression. As an important node in the limbic system, the lateral septum (LS) can modulate multiple affective and motivational behaviors. However, the role of LS in depression remains unclear. By using c-Fos expression mapping, we first screened and showed activation of the LS in various depression-related behavioral tests, including the forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and sucrose preference test. In the LS, more than 10% of the activated neurons were somatostatin-expressing (SST) neurons. We next developed a microendoscopic calcium imaging method in freely moving mice and revealed that LSSST neural activity increased during mobility in the TST but not open field test. We hypothesize that LSSST neuronal activity is linked to stress and depression. In two mouse models of depression, repeated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection and chronic restraint stress (CRS), we showed that LS neuronal activation was suppressed. To examine whether the re-activation of LSSST neurons can be therapeutically beneficial, we optogenetically activated LSSST neurons and produced antidepressant-like effects in LPS-injected mice by increasing TST motility. Moreover, chemogenetic activation of LSSST neurons increased FST struggling in the CRS-exposed mice. Together, these results provide the first evidence of a role for LSSST neurons in regulating depressive-like behaviors in mice and identify them as a potential therapeutic target for neuromodulation-based intervention in depression.
Novel Scintillating Nanoparticles for Potential Application in Photodynamic Cancer Therapy
Authors: da Silva Bianca A. , Nazarkovsky Michael , Padilla-Chavarría Helmut Isaac , Mendivelso Edith Alejandra C. , Mello Heber L. de , Nogueira Cauê de S. C. , Carvalho Rafael dos S. , Cremona Marco , Zaitsev Volodymyr , Xing Yutao , Bisaggio Rodrigo da C. , Alves Luiz A. , Kai Jiang
Published: October 2022

The development of X-ray-absorbing scintillating nanoparticles is of high interest for solving the short penetration depth problem of visible and infrared light in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Thus, these nanoparticles are considered a promising treatment for several types of cancer. Herein, gadolinium oxide nanoparticles doped with europium ions (Gd2O3:Eu3+) were obtained by using polyvinyl alcohol as a capping agent. Hybrid silica nanoparticles decorated with europium-doped gadolinium oxide (SiO2-Gd2O3:Eu3+) were also prepared through the impregnation method. The synthesized nanoparticles were structurally characterized and tested to analyze their biocompatibility. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the high crystallinity and purity of the Gd2O3:Eu3+ particles and the homogeneous distribution of nanostructured rare earth oxides throughout the fumed silica matrix for SiO2-Gd2O3:Eu3+. Both nanoparticles displayed stable negative ζ-potentials. The photoluminescence properties of the materials were obtained using a Xe lamp as an excitation source, and they exhibited characteristic Eu3+ bands, including at 610 nm, which is the most intense transition band of this ion. Cytotoxicity studies on mouse glioblastoma GL261 cells indicated that these materials appear to be nontoxic from 10 to 500 μg·mL−1 and show a small reduction in viability in non-tumor cell lines. All these findings demonstrate their possible use as alternative materials in PDT.
Optimization of In Vivo Electroporation Conditions and Delivery of DNA Vaccine Encoding SARS-CoV-2 RBD Using the Determined Protocol
Authors: Kisakov Denis Nikolaevich , Kisakova Lyubov Alexandrovna , Borgoyakova Maria Borisovna , Starostina Ekaterina Vladimirovna , Taranov Oleg Svyatoslavovich , Ivleva Elena Konstantinovna , Pyankov Oleg Viktorovich , Zaykovskaya Anna Vladimirovna , Shcherbakov Dmitry Nikolaevich , Rudometov Andrey Pavlovich , Rudometova Nadezda Borisovna , Volkova Natalia Vyacheslavovna , Gureev Vadim Nikolaevich , Ilyichev Alexander Alexeyevich , Karpenko Larisa Ivanovna
Published: October 2022

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections requires safe, effective, and inexpensive vaccines that can be rapidly developed. DNA vaccines are candidates that meet these criteria, but one of their drawbacks is their relatively weak immunogenicity. Electroporation (EP) is an effective way to enhance the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines, but because of the different configurations of the devices that are used for EP, it is necessary to carefully select the conditions of the procedure, including characteristics such as voltage, current strength, number of pulses, etc. In this study, we determined the optimal parameters for delivery DNA vaccine by electroporation using the BEX CO device. BALB/c mice were used as a model. Plasmid DNA phMGFP was intramuscular (I/M) injected into the quadriceps muscle of the left hind leg of animals using insulin syringes, followed by EP. As a result of the experiments, the following EP parameters were determined: direct and reverse polarity rectangular DC current in three pulses, 12 V voltage for 30 ms and 950 ms intervals, with a current limit of 45 mA. The selected protocol induced a low level of injury and provided a high level of GFP expression. The chosen protocol was used to evaluate the immunogenicity of the DNA vaccine encoding the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 protein (pVAXrbd) injected by EP. It was shown that the delivery of pVAXrbd via EP significantly enhanced both specific humoral and cellular immune responses compared to the intramuscular injection of the DNA vaccine.
Efficacy and Safety of Ablative Fractional Laser-Assisted Delivery of Methotrexate in Adults with Localized Scleroderma: A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Guo Qing , He Mingjie , Cen Junjie , Huang Danqi , Hao Shaoyun , Tang Zengqi , Xiong Hui
Published: October 2022

Localized scleroderma (LS) is an autoimmune disease with sclerosis of the skin as the main manifestation. Currently, there is no specific treatment for LS. The effectiveness of ablative fractional laser (AFL) therapy for LS has been demonstrated in several studies. Combining ablative fractional Er:YAG laser therapy with topical methotrexate may yield therapeutic benefits for patients with LS. To compare the efficacy and safety of AFL-assisted delivery of methotrexate in adults with LS, we randomly divided patients into an AFL therapy group and an ablative fractional laser-assisted delivery of methotrexate (AFL+MTX) therapy group. Laser and assisted drug delivery treatment were given every four weeks for four months, and 22 patients completed the trial. Ultrasound measurements of dermal thickness and histological fibrosis degree and the Localized Scleroderma Cutaneous Assessment Tool (LoSCAT) score were used to assess therapeutic effects. Treatment results showed that both AFL and AFL-assisted methotrexate delivery were effective in treating LS, and the laser combined with methotrexate therapy was more effective in improving clinical appearance (p value = 0.042) and dermal thickness (p value = 0.016). No serious adverse reaction occurred in either group. In conclusion, AFL and assisted delivery of methotrexate are effective and safe treatments for LS.
Real-World Comparative Effectiveness of Nivolumab versus Pembrolizumab in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Kuo Hsin-Yu , Han Meng-Zhi , Liao Chih-Hsiang , Lin Yih-Jyh , Wang Chung-Teng , Chen Shang-Hung , Chang Ting-Tsung , Chen Po-Jun , Lin Sheng-Hsiang , Chen Chiung-Yu , Chuang Chiao-Hsiung , Wu I-Chin , Wu Juei-Seng , Hong Tzu-Chun , Hsieh Ming-Tsung , Lee Yang-Cheng , Wu Hung-Tsung , Tsai Hong-Ming
Published: October 2022

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective therapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, comparisons of the clinical efficacy and safety profile for these drugs are still scarce. Thus, the aims of this study were to investigate the differences in efficacy and safety between nivolumab and pembrolizumab in unresectable HCC patients in a real-world setting. Patients and methods: A total of 115 patients who received treatment with nivolumab (n = 73) or pembrolizumab (n = 42) in combination with or without tyrosine kinase inhibitors was enrolled. Therapeutic response, survival outcomes, and safety profiles were compared among these groups. Multivariate analysis of survival response was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Patients treated with pembrolizumab demonstrated a significantly higher objective response rate than those with nivolumab (38.1% vs. 15.1%; odds ratio 4.18, p = 0.005) regardless of the combination strategies. In addition, pembrolizumab performed a better overall survival (OS) than nivolumab, (34.9 vs. 9.5 months; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.39, p = 0.004). In subgroup analysis, pembrolizumab exhibited favorable OS than nivolumab for monotherapy (HR = 0.16, p = 0.001) or combination therapy (HR = 0.33, p = 0.006) as second-line or later-line (HR = 0.19, p = 0.001) therapy and those with (HR = 0.31, p = 0.006) or without (HR = 0.15, p = 0.004) well-compensated liver disease. The incidence of adverse events was comparable for both treatments. Conclusion: Both pembrolizumab and nivolumab had significant effects for HCC therapy, and pembrolizumab had a significant survival benefit as compared with nivolumab.
Secondary Metabolite Profile and Pharmacological Opportunities of Lettuce Plants following Selenium and Sulfur Enhancement
Authors: Abdalla Muna Ali , Famuyide Ibukun , Wooding Madelien , McGaw Lyndy J. , Mühling Karl H.
Published: October 2022

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace nutrient for humans and animals owing to its role in redox regulation, thyroid hormone control factors, immunity, inflammatory reactions, brain activities, and carbohydrate regulation. It is also important to support muscle development, as well as for reproductive and cardiovascular well-being. Furthermore, sulfur is known to be a healing element, due to the remarkable function of specialized and secondary S-containing compounds. The scope of the current study was to determine the impact of Se and S enrichment on the secondary metabolite accumulation and antibacterial and NO inhibition activities in green and red leaf lettuce (V1 and V2, respectively). The plants were grown in a hydroponic system supplied with different S concentrations (S0: 0, S1: 1 mM and S2: 1.5 mM K2SO4) via the nutrient solution and foliar-applied varying levels of Se (0, 0.2 and 2.6 µM). Electrospray ionization–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF/MS) combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was used to identify the secondary metabolites in green and red lettuce. The results indicated that extracts of the biofortified lettuce were not cytotoxic to Vero kidney cells at the highest concentration tested of 1 mg/mL. The ESI/MS of the tentatively identified metabolites showed that the response values of 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, quercetin 3-O-(6′′-acetyl-glucoside) and quercetin 3-O-malonylglucoside were induced synergistically under higher Se and S levels in red lettuce plants. The acetone extract of red lettuce had antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.156 and 0.625 μg/mL under S2/Se1 and S2/Se2 treatments, respectively. As with antibacterial activity, the acetone extract of green (V1) lettuce treated with adequate (S1) and higher S (S2) under Se-limiting conditions showed the ability to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) release from macrophages. NO production by macrophages was inhibited by 50% at respective concentrations of 106.1 ± 2.4 and 101.0 ± 0.6 μg/mL with no toxic effect on the cells, in response to S1 and S2, respectively, under Se-deficient conditions (Se0). Furthermore, the red cultivar (V2) exhibited the same effect as the green cultivar (V1) regarding NO inhibition, with IC50 = 113.0 ± 4.2 μg/mL, in response to S1/Se2 treatments. Collectively, the promising NO inhibitory effect and antibacterial activity of red lettuce under the above-mentioned conditions might be attributed to the production of flavonoid glycosides and phenylpropanoic acid esters under the same condition. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to show the novel approach of the NO inhibitory effect of Se and S enrichment in food crops, as an indicator for the potential of Se and S as natural anti-inflammatory agents.
Mouse Pharmacokinetics and In Vitro Metabolism of SH-11037 and SH-11008, Synthetic Homoisoflavonoids for Retinal Neovascularization
Authors: Kim Eun-yeong , Lee Bit , Kwon Sangil , Corson Timothy W. , Seo Seung-Yong , Lee Kiho
Published: October 2022

Cremastranone is a member of the homoisoflavanone family with anti-angiogenic activity in the eyes. SH-11037, a potent and selective synthetic homoisoflavonoid derived from cremastranone, was studied here for pharmacokinetics and metabolism characterization with a special focus on esterase-mediated hydrolysis. SH-11037 was shown to be converted rapidly and nearly completely to SH-11008 following an intravenous dose in mice. SH-11008 showed a high systemic clearance well exceeding the hepatic blood flow in mice. Neither SH-11037 nor SH-11008 were detected in plasma following oral administration of SH-11037 and SH-11008 in mice. Carboxylesterase was shown to be responsible for the rapid and quantitative hydrolysis of SH-11037 to SH-11008 in mouse plasma; the hydrolytic bioconversion was much slower in dog and human plasma, with butyrylcholinesterase and paraoxonase 1 likely being responsible. In vitro metabolism studies with liver S9 fractions suggested that SH-11008 was likely to have a high hepatic metabolic clearance with a predicted hepatic extraction ratio close to 1 in both mouse and human. In conclusion, SH-11037 and SH-11008 both appear to possess pharmacokinetic profiles suboptimal as a systemic agent. SH-11008 is suggested to possess a low potential for systemic toxicity suitable as a topical ocular therapeutic agent.
A Nanocomposite with Extracellular Vesicles from Lactobacillus paracasei as a Bioinspired Nanoantibiotic Targeting Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Naskar Atanu , Cho Hyejin , Kim Kwang-sun
Published: October 2022

The utilization of biomimetic materials that merge functional nanoparticles (NPs) with a cell-derived nanosized membrane is a state-of-the-art approach to harnessing cellular properties for biomedical applications. However, the development of biocompatible and species-selective biomimetic agents against hazardous pathogens threatening human health is still in its early stages. Herein, we report the synthesis and functional analysis of a novel nanoplatform in which a PEGylated MoS2-ZnO (MZ) nanocomposite was cloaked with a generally regarded as safe (GRAS)-grade Lactobacillus paracasei-derived extracellular vesicle (LPEV) for MZ-LPEV nanocomposite and evaluated its activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The MZ nanocomposite was characterized via X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The coating of MZ with LPEV was confirmed through nanoparticle tracking analysis and zeta potential measurements. MZ-LPEV exhibited 5- to 20-fold higher antibacterial activity than that of ZO NPs and MZ nanocomposite against S. aureus. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and bacterial membrane disruption were confirmed as antibacterial mechanisms of MZ-LPEV. Finally, MZ-LPEV exhibited enhanced biocompatibility and selectivity for S. aureus. All our results showed that LPEV could be utilized for developing synergistic nanoantibiotics against S. aureus.
The Role of Hidden Conformers in Determination of Conformational Preferences of Mefenamic Acid by NOESY Spectroscopy
Authors: Belov Konstantin V. , Batista de Carvalho Luís A. E. , Dyshin Alexey A. , Efimov Sergey V. , Khodov Ilya A.
Published: October 2022

Mefenamic acid has been used as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for a long time. However, its practical use is quite limited due to a number of side effects on the intestinal organs. Conformational polymorphism provides mefenamic acid with unique properties regarding possible modifications obtained during the micronization process, which can improve pharmacokinetics and minimize side effects. Micronization can be performed by decompression of supercritical fluids; methods such as rapid expansion of the supercritical solution have proven their efficiency. However, this group of methods is poorly applicable for compounds with low solubility, and the modification of the method using a pharmaceutically suitable co-solvent may be useful. In our case, addition of only 2 mol% dimethyl sulfoxide increased the solubility remarkably. Information on the conformational state may be critically important for carrying out micronization. In this work, structural analysis and estimate of conformational preferences of mefenamic acid in dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 (at 25 °C and 0.1 MPa) and in a mixed solvent supercritical carbon dioxide + dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 (45 °C, 9 MPa) were performed based on nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy. Results show changes in the conformation fractions depending on the medium used. The importance of allowing for hidden conformers in estimating the conformational state was demonstrated in the analysis. Obtained results may be useful for improving micronization parameters.
Double-Clad Bismuth-Doped Fiber with a Rectangular Inner Cladding for Laser Application
Authors: Vakhrushev Alexander , Umnikov Andrey , Alyshev Sergey , Khegai Aleksandr , Firstova Elena , Iskhakova Lyudmila , Guryanov Aleksei , Melkumov Mikhail , Firstov Sergei
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we report the latest research results on the fabrication of double-clad Bi-doped germanosilicate core fibers with a rectangular inner cladding design for improved laser performance in the near-IR spectral region. Detailed comparative analysis of the absorption characteristics of the Bi-doped fibers with a circular- and rectangular-shaped inner cladding was performed. A series of cladding-pumped, Bi-doped fiber lasers emitting near 1.46 µm was developed using the semiconductor’s multi-mode fiber-coupled laser diodes at λ = 808 nm. The peculiarities of the laser parameters of the fabricated active fibers with the double-clad design were thoroughly studied by analyzing the dependencies of the slope efficiency of the lasers, namely the pump power, active fiber length and core-to-inner-cladding area ratio. The obtained results show that the rectangular design provided enhanced cladding absorption and improvements in laser performance. In particular, we achieved maximal slope efficiencies of 5.5% and 4.3% for the absorbed pump power introduced into the inner cladding with cross-section areas of 80 × 80 µm2 and 125 × 125 µm2, respectively. Multi-wavelength lasing operation in a free-running cavity due to a few modes’ propagation regimes was found using the Bi-doped fiber with an 80 × 80 µm2 inner cladding.
Electro-Optical Sensors for Atmospheric Turbulence Strength Characterization with Embedded Edge AI Processing of Scintillation Patterns
Authors: Polnau Ernst , Hettiarachchi Don L. N. , Vorontsov Mikhail A.
Published: October 2022

This study introduces electro-optical (EO) sensors (TurbNet sensors) that utilize a remote laser beacon (either coherent or incoherent) and an optical receiver with CCD camera and embedded edge AI computer (Jetson Xavier Nx) for in situ evaluation of the path-averaged atmospheric turbulence refractive index structure parameter Cn2 at a high temporal rate. Evaluation of Cn2 values was performed using deep neural network (DNN)-based real-time processing of short-exposure laser-beacon light intensity scintillation patterns (images) captured by a TurbNet sensor optical receiver. Several pre-trained DNN models were loaded onto the AI computer and used for TurbNet sensor performance evaluation in a set of atmospheric propagation inference trials under diverse turbulence and meteorological conditions. DNN model training, validation, and testing were performed using datasets comprised of a large number of instances of scintillation frames and corresponding reference (“true”) Cn2 values that were measured side-by-side with a commercial scintillometer (BLS 2000). Generation of datasets and inference trials was performed at the University of Dayton’s (UD) 7-km atmospheric propagation test range. The results demonstrated a 70–90% correlation between Cn2 values obtained with the TurbNet sensors and those measured side-by-side with the scintillometer.
Ethylammonium Bromide- and Potassium-Added CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Terada Shuhei , Oku Takeo , Suzuki Atsushi , Okita Masanobu , Fukunishi Sakiko , Tachikawa Tomoharu , Hasegawa Tomoya
Published: October 2022

Perovskite solutions with added potassium iodide (KI) and ethylammonium bromide (EABr) were used to fabricate perovskite solar cells in ordinary air at 190 °C. The addition of EABr and KI induced (100)-oriented perovskite crystals, which resulted in the improvement in short-circuit current densities and conversion efficiencies. The short-circuit current density, open circuit voltage, and conversion efficiency of the best device were 21.0 mA cm−2, 0.942 V, and 12.88%, respectively. First-principles calculations also indicated a decrease in total energy per cell and an increase in energy gaps, which agreed with the improved results of device stabilities and photovoltaic properties.
Impacts of the Invasive Alien Carpobrotus spp. on Coastal Habitats on a Mediterranean Island (Giglio Island, Central Italy)
Authors: Mugnai Michele , Benesperi Renato , Viciani Daniele , Ferretti Giulio , Giunti Michele , Giannini Francesca , Lazzaro Lorenzo
Published: October 2022

Carpobrotus acinaciformis and C. edulis are well-known invasive alien plants native to South Africa, whose detrimental effects on native communities are widely documented in the Mediterranean basin and thus largely managed in coastal ecosystems. Most of the literature on these species focuses on their impacts on habitats of sandy coastal dunes, while the effects of Carpobrotus spp. invasion on other habitats such as rocky cliffs and coastal scrubs and garrigues are almost neglected. We present a study case conducted on a small Mediterranean island where Carpobrotus spp. invaded three different natural habitats listed within the Habitat Directive 92/43/CEE (Natura 2000 codes 1240, 1430, and 5320). We surveyed the presence and abundance of native species and Carpobrotus spp. on 44 permanent square plots of 4 m2 in invaded and uninvaded areas in each of the three habitats. We found impacts on plant alpha diversity (intended as the species diversity within each sampled plot) in all the habitats investigated in terms of a decrease in species richness, Shannon index, and abundance. Invaded communities also showed a severe change in species composition with a strong homogenization of the floras of the three habitats. Finally, the negative effect of invasion emerged even through the analyses of beta diversity (expressing the species diversity among sampled plots of the same habitat type), with Carpobrotus spp. replacing a large set of native species.
Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Coumarins from Tagetes lucida in an LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation Model
Authors: Santibáñez Anislada , Herrera-Ruiz Maribel , González-Cortazar Manasés , Nicasio-Torres Pilar , Sharma Ashutosh , Jiménez-Ferrer Enrique
Published: October 2022

Tagetes lucida has been widely used as a folk remedy in illnesses associated with the central nervous system and inflammatory ailments. Among the chemical compounds that stand out in the plant against these conditions are coumarins, such as 7-O-prenylscopoletin (PE), scoparone (SC), dimethylfraxetin (DF), herniarin (HR), and 7-O-prenylumbelliferone (PU), considered potential anti-neuroinflammatory compounds. Therefore, the relationship between the therapeutic effect and the dose can be evaluated through pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) studies under a model of neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Nonetheless, accomplishing those studies requires an accurate and robust analytical method for the detection of these compounds in different biological matrices of interest. Due to the above, in the present study, a bioanalytical method was established by HPLC–DAD-UV for the simultaneous quantification of the coumarins present in the hexane extract of T. lucida, which was able to determine the temporal concentration profiles of each of the coumarins in the plasma, brain, kidney, and spleen samples of healthy and damaged mice. Coumarins showed an increase in plasma concentrations of up to three times in the neuroinflammation model, compared to healthy mice, so it was possible to quantify the therapeutic agents in the main target organ, the brain. The ability of compounds to cross the blood–brain barrier is an advantage in the treatment of diseases associated with neuroinflammation processes that can be studied in future PK–PD evaluations.
Photosynthetic Responses of Freshwater Macrophytes to the Daily Light Cycle in Songkhla Lagoon
Authors: Chotikarn Ponlachart , Pramneechote Pathompong , Sinutok Sutinee
Published: October 2022

Macrophytes play an important role in the freshwater ecosystem. However, human activities and climate change are currently affecting aquatic lakes and species in various ways. The heterogeneity of macrophyte ecophysiology might lead to different responses to changing environments. To understand the photosynthetic responses of freshwater macrophytes to changes in light, six freshwater macrophyte species from Songkhla Lagoon were investigated. The results showed that there was a diurnal response of photosynthetic activities in all species. The Fv/Fm and ∆F/Fm′ of all species decreased at midday (9 a.m.–3 p.m.) then recovered at 6 p.m. close to the 6 a.m. level. As well as alpha, the positive relation between alpha and light showed the adaptation of plants. The saturating irradiance (Ik) revealed that plants from different light regimes showed different responses to light and temperature changes. To maintain a positive carbon balance and cope with light and temperature conditions, macrophytes had strategies such as modifying light harvesting capacity and light use. This study provides a better understanding of the vulnerability of each species to environmental changes and photosynthetic responses that enable species from different light regime to adapt to changing light environments.
Non-Invasive Probing of Winter Dormancy via Time-Frequency Analysis of Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Deciduous Plants as Exemplified by Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.)
Authors: Shurygin Boris , Konyukhov Ivan , Khruschev Sergei , Solovchenko Alexei
Published: October 2022

Dormancy is a physiological state that confers winter hardiness to and orchestrates phenological phase progression in temperate perennial plants. Weather fluctuations caused by climate change increasingly disturb dormancy onset and release in plants including tree crops, causing aberrant growth, flowering and fruiting. Research in this field suffers from the lack of affordable non-invasive methods for online dormancy monitoring. We propose an automatic framework for low-cost, long-term, scalable dormancy studies in deciduous plants. It is based on continuous sensing of the photosynthetic activity of shoots via pulse-amplitude-modulated chlorophyll fluorescence sensors connected remotely to a data processing system. The resulting high-resolution time series of JIP-test parameters indicative of the responsiveness of the photosynthetic apparatus to environmental stimuli were subjected to frequency-domain analysis. The proposed approach overcomes the variance coming from diurnal changes of insolation and provides hints on the depth of dormancy. Our approach was validated over three seasons in an apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) orchard by collating the non-invasive estimations with the results of traditional methods (growing of the cuttings obtained from the trees at different phases of dormancy) and the output of chilling requirement models. We discuss the advantages of the proposed monitoring framework such as prompt detection of frost damage along with its potential limitations.
Botanical Antcin K Alleviates High-Fat Damage in Palm Acid Oil-Treated Vascular Endothelial Cells and Macrophages
Authors: Lu Chen-Wen , Nguyen Ngan Thi Kim , Shen Szu-Chuan , Wu Yeh-Bin , Liang Hui-Ju , Wu Chung-Hsin
Published: October 2022

Lipid metabolism disorder is the most critical risk factor for atherosclerosis, and the process involves lipid deposition in the arterial intima. In Taiwan, antcin K, an active triterpenoid from the fruiting bodies of Antrodia camphorata, has been considered a potential lipid-lowering agent. Despite this, the possible therapeutic mechanisms of antcin K remain unclear. To explore the crucial role of botanical antcin K in reducing atherosclerotic plaque, we used SVEC4-10 vascular endothelial cells and RAW264.7 macrophages with palm acid oil-induced high-fat damage as our cell models. Our results showed through using the DPPH assay that antcin K had excellent free radical scavenging ability. Antcin K treatment can significantly alleviate the high-fat damage and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors of TNF-α and IL-1β in vascular endothelial cells and macrophages, as shown through MTT assay and ELISA. Furthermore, antcin K treatment can effectively enhance migration ability and clear lipid deposition in macrophages, as shown by using cell migration assay and oil red O staining. When stained with immunofluorescence, antcin K was shown to significantly decrease the expression of adhesion molecules of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in vascular endothelial cells involved in monocyte migration and inflammation. Antcin K not only reduced the expression of the CD36 scavenger receptor but also augmented the expression of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) transcription factor in macrophages, which inhibits the transformation of macrophages into foam cells underlying the pathological process of atherosclerosis. Taking our findings into account, we suggested that botanical antcin K could have therapeutic potential for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Partitioning the Effects of Soil Legacy and Pathogen Exposure Determining Soil Suppressiveness via Induced Systemic Resistance
Authors: Zhang Na , Zhu Chengzhi , Shen Zongzhuan , Tao Chengyuan , Ou Yannan , Li Rong , Deng Xuhui , Shen Qirong , Dini-Andreote Francisco
Published: October 2022

Beneficial host-associated bacteria can assist plant protection against pathogens. In particular, specific microbes are able to induce plant systemic resistance. However, it remains largely elusive which specific microbial taxa and functions trigger plant immune responses associated with disease suppression. Here, we experimentally studied this by setting up two independent microcosm experiments that differed in the time at which plants were exposed to the pathogen and the soil legacy (i.e., soils with historically suppressive or conducive). Overall, we found soil legacy effects to have a major influence on disease suppression irrespective of the time prior to pathogen exposure. Rhizosphere bacterial communities of tomato plants were significantly different between the two soils, with potential beneficial strains occurring at higher relative abundances in the suppressive soil. Root transcriptome analysis revealed the soil legacy to induce differences in gene expression, most importantly, genes involved in the pathway of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Last, we found genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway to correlate with specific microbial taxa, including Gp6, Actinomarinicola, Niastella, Phaeodactylibacter, Longimicrobium, Bythopirellula, Brevundimonas, Ferruginivarius, Kushneria, Methylomarinovum, Pseudolabrys, Sphingobium, Sphingomonas, and Alterococcus. Taken together, our study points to the potential regulation of plant systemic resistance by specific microbial taxa, and the importance of soil legacy on disease incidence and eliciting plant-defense mechanisms.
Comparative Analysis of Antioxidant Accumulation under Cold Acclimation, Deacclimation and Reacclimation in Winter Wheat
Authors: Vaitkevičiūtė Gabija , Aleliūnas Andrius , Gibon Yves , Armonienė Rita
Published: October 2022

Low temperature during cold acclimation (CA) leads to the accumulation of detrimental reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant tissues, which are scavenged by antioxidants, such as ascorbate and glutathione. However, there is a lack of studies examining the dynamics of antioxidants throughout CA, deacclimation (DEA), and reacclimation (REA) in winter wheat. Six winter wheat genotypes were selected to assess the effect of CA, DEA, and REA on the concentrations of ascorbate and glutathione in leaf and crown tissues under two CA temperature treatments. Higher levels of total, reduced, and oxidised ascorbate were determined in leaves, whereas crowns accumulated higher concentrations of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) after CA, DEA, and REA. Constant low temperature (CLT) during CA led to higher contents of ascorbate and glutathione in both tissues at all stages of acclimation, in comparison with prolonged higher low temperature (PHLT). The concentrations of antioxidants increased after CA, tended to decrease after DEA, and returned to CA levels after REA. Significant positive correlations between freezing tolerance (FT) and antioxidants were only determined under the CA at CLT treatment, thus, affirming the negative effect of PHLT during CA on the FT of winter wheat.
The Effects of Temperature and Water on the Seed Germination and Seedling Development of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Haj Sghaier Asma , Tarnawa Ákos , Khaeim Hussein , Kovács Gergő Péter , Gyuricza Csaba , Kende Zoltán
Published: October 2022

The seed germination and seedling growth of rapeseed are crucial stages in plant life, especially when facing abiotic stresses. In the present work, the effects of water and temperature on seed germination and seedling growth were investigated in a rapeseed crop (Brassica napus L.). The plants were examined under different temperature levels (5 °C, 10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C) and water levels (twenty-nine levels based on either one-milliliter intervals or as a percentage of the thousand-kernel weight (TKW)). Moreover, planting densities and antifungal application techniques were investigated in the study. The findings demonstrated substantial variations between all the growth parameters investigated at all the tested temperatures, and 20 °C was considered the optimum within a broad range of 15–25 °C. Water availability plays a significant role in germination, which can be initiated at 0.65 mL, corresponding to 500% of the TKW. The method of TKW is a more accurate aspect of water application because of the consideration of the seed weight and size. The optimal water range for the accumulation of dry weight, 3.85–5.9 mL (2900–4400% of TKW), was greater than that required for seedling growth, 1.45–3.05 mL (1100–2300% of TKW). Twenty to twenty-five seeds per 9 cm Petri dish exhibited the most outstanding values compared to the others, which provides an advantage in breeding programs, especially when there are seed limitations. Seed priming is a more effective antifungal application strategy. These data can be incorporated into future rapeseed germination in vitro studies, breeding programs, and sowing date predictions.
The Therapeutic Efficacy of Punica granatum and Its Bioactive Constituents with Special Reference to Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Fakudze Nosipho Thembekile , Aniogo Eric Chekwube , George Blassan P. , Abrahamse Heidi
Published: October 2022

Punica granatum (P. granatum) is a fruit-bearing tree from the Punicaceae family, indigenous to Iran. This plant has healing qualities that have drawn the interest of the medical community as an alternative treatment for malignancies and non-malignancies. Its healing quality is due to the phytochemicals present in the plant. These include ellagic acid, punicic acid, phenols, and flavonoids. In traditional medicine, P. granatum has been used in treating diseases such as dysentery, bleeding disorders, leprosy, and burns. This review explores the effects of the phytochemical constituents of P. granatum on photodynamic therapy for cancer, chronic inflammation, osteoarthritis, and viral infections. Its antioxidant and antitumor effects play a role in reduced free radical damage and cancer cell proliferation. It was concluded that P. granatum has been used for many disease conditions for a better therapeutic outcome. This paper will give visibility to more studies and expand the knowledge on the potential use of P. granatum in photodynamic cancer treatment.
Design and Construction of a New Plasma Applicator for the Improved Disinfection and Activation of Large Surfaces
Authors: Tudoran Cristian D. , Coroș Maria
Published: October 2022

This paper describes the design and operation of a low-cost plasma applicator based on a patented, swirled-type dielectric barrier discharge configuration with a treatment width up to 300 mm. Differences from earlier plasma applicators include: blown cylindrical dielectric barrier discharge, combining the functional properties of the plasma jet systems, arc and corona discharge blown in a single type of universal applicator, and the possibility of treating large areas of samples with cold plasma generated in a certain type of specific process gas mixture chosen according to the type of desired effect. We tested the effect of the plasma on a few materials such as cotton and linen fabrics, glass wafers and printing cardboard, proving that the generated plasma can easily make hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces. We also tried the plasma’s sterilizing effect on Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The results suggest that our plasma system can be successfully applied to medical and biological fields as well, where the removal of bacteria and their fragments is required.
The Physicochemical Characterization of New “Green” Epoxy-Resin Hardener Made from PET Waste
Authors: Sterligov Grigorii K. , Rzhevskiy Sergey A. , Isaeva Dilshodakhon K. , Belov Nikita M. , Rasskazova Maria A. , Drokin Egor A. , Topchiy Maxim A. , Minaeva Lidiya I. , Babkin Alexander V. , Erdni-Goryaev Erdni M. , Kepman Alexey V. , Asachenko Andrey F.
Published: October 2022

“Green” thermally stable hardener was synthesized from a PET waste. The rigid molecular linear structure of the new hardener suggests that it will provide the polymer matrix with the necessary physical and mechanical characteristics. It also allows the expectation that cured matrix based on this hardener can provide increased toughness. New hardener was used as a curing agent for three epoxy resins—tetraglycidyl methylenedianiline (TGDMA, 111–117 EEW), diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA, 170-192 EEW) and solid epoxy resin (SER)—with a medium molecular weight (860–930 EEW) based on DGEBA. The mixtures were found to have the highest Tg for the DGEBA resin, and high of that for TGDMA and SER. According to the DMA analysis for two cured matrices, the hardener proved to be no worse than the standard ones, and made it possible to obtain cured matrices with excellent mechanical properties, which allows us to hope for further application of new hardener cured epoxy matrices in appropriate composite materials at high temperatures.
The Frontiers of Functionalized Nanocellulose-Based Composites and Their Application as Chemical Sensors
Authors: Norrrahim Mohd Nor Faiz , Knight Victor Feizal , Nurazzi Norizan Mohd , Jenol Mohd Azwan , Misenan Muhammad Syukri Mohamad , Janudin Nurjahirah , Kasim Noor Azilah Mohd , Shukor Muhammad Faizan A. , Ilyas Rushdan Ahmad , Asyraf Muhammad Rizal Muhammad , Naveen Jesuarockiam
Published: October 2022

Chemical sensors are a rapidly developing technology that has received much attention in diverse industries such as military, medicine, environmental surveillance, automotive power and mobility, food manufacturing, infrastructure construction, product packaging and many more. The mass production of low-cost devices and components for use as chemical sensors is a major driving force for improvements in each of these industries. Recently, studies have found that using renewable and eco-friendly materials would be advantageous for both manufacturers and consumers. Thus, nanotechnology has led to the investigation of nanocellulose, an emerging and desirable bio-material for use as a chemical sensor. The inherent properties of nanocellulose, its high tensile strength, large specific surface area and good porous structure have many advantages in its use as a composite material for chemical sensors, intended to decrease response time by minimizing barriers to mass transport between an analyte and the immobilized indicator in the sensor. Besides which, the piezoelectric effect from aligned fibers in nanocellulose composites is beneficial for application in chemical sensors. Therefore, this review presents a discussion on recent progress and achievements made in the area of nanocellulose composites for chemical sensing applications. Important aspects regarding the preparation of nanocellulose composites using different functionalization with other compounds are also critically discussed in this review.