bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Association of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet with Depression in Older Adults Longitudinally Taking into Account Cognitive Status: Results from the HELIAD Study
Authors: Mamalaki Eirini , Ntanasi Eva , Hatzimanolis Alexandros , Basta Maria , Kosmidis Mary H. , Dardiotis Efthimios , Hadjigeorgiou Giorgos M. , Sakka Paraskevi , Scarmeas Nikolaos , Yannakoulia Mary
Published: January 2023

Although research has generally shown a negative association between depression and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeDi), the literature related to older adults is controversial, perhaps partially due to the fact that cognitive status has not been considered. The aim of the current work was to investigate the association between MeDi and incident depression in a representative cohort of people, taking into account their cognitive status in multiple ways. The sample was drawn from the HELIAD study, a longitudinal study including a follow-up of 3 years after the baseline assessment. In total, 879 participants without depression at baseline were included (55.4% women, mean age ± Standard Deviation: 73.3 ± 5.0 years). Depression was determined as a score in the Geriatric depression scale ≥6 and/or antidepressant medication and/or clinical diagnosis of depression. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, sex and education were employed. In the basic model, adherence to the MeDi was negatively associated with depression. In the most conservative model, excluding participants with dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment, and after controlling for the baseline Cognitive Status, each unit (range 0–55) increase in MeDi was associated with a 6.2% decrease in the risk for depression (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that MeDi is negatively associated with depression longitudinally in older adults, above and beyond cognitive status.
Causal Effects of Specific Gut Microbiota on Chronic Kidney Diseases and Renal Function—A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Li Ning , Wang Yi , Wei Ping , Min Yu , Yu Manshu , Zhou Guowei , Yuan Gui , Sun Jinyi , Dai Huibo , Zhou Enchao , He Weiming , Sheng Meixiao , Gao Kun , Zheng Min , Sun Wei , Zhou Dong , Zhang Lu
Published: January 2023

Background: Targeting the gut microbiota may become a new therapeutic to prevent and delay the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nonetheless, the causal relationship between specific intestinal flora and CKD is still unclear. Materials and Method: To identify genetically predicted microbiota, we used summary data from genome-wide association studies on gut microbiota in 18340 participants from 24 cohorts. Furthermore, we genetically predicted the causal relationship between 211 gut microbiotas and six phenotypes (outcomes) (CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR), dialysis, rapid progress to CKD, and rapid decline of eGFR). Four Mendelian randomization (MR) methods, including inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode were used to investigate the casual relationship between gut microbiotas and various outcomes. The result of IVW was deemed as the primary result. Then, Cochrane’s Q test, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO Global test were used to detect heterogeneity and pleiotropy. The leave-one method was used for testing the stability of MR results and Bonferroni-corrected was used to test the strength of the causal relationship between exposure and outcome. Results: Through the MR analysis of 211 microbiotas and six clinical phenotypes, a total of 36 intestinal microflora were found to be associated with various outcomes. Among them, Class Bacteroidia (=−0.005, 95% CI: −0.001 to −0.008, p = 0.002) has a strong causality with lower eGFR after the Bonferroni-corrected test, whereas phylum Actinobacteria (OR = 1.0009, 95%CI: 1.0003–1.0015, p = 0.0024) has a strong causal relationship with dialysis. The Cochrane’s Q test reveals that there is no significant heterogeneity between various single nucleotide polymorphisms. In addition, no significant level of pleiotropy was found according to MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO Global tests. Conclusions: Through the two-sample MR analysis, we identified the specific intestinal flora that has a causal relationship with the incidence and progression of CKD at the level of gene prediction, which may provide helpful biomarkers for early disease diagnosis and potential therapeutic targets for CKD.
Immunomodulation of the Vaginal Ecosystem by Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 30632 Improves Pregnancy Rates among Women with Infertility of Unknown Origin or Habitual Abortions
Authors: Fernández Leónides , Castro Irma , Arroyo Rebeca , Alba Claudio , Beltrán David , Rodríguez Juan M.
Published: January 2023

In this study, the probiotic potential of Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 30632 was assessed, including properties specifically related with gynecological targets. This strain displayed co-aggregative and antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of vaginal pathogens while being respectful with the growth of vaginal lactobacilli. The strain produced a high concentration of lactic acid and displayed α-amylase activity when assayed in vitro. It showed a noticeable survival rate after exposition to conditions similar to those present in the human digestive tract and was adhesive to both vaginal and intestinal cells. Subsequently, their capacity to increase pregnancy rates among women with habitual abortion or infertility of unknown origin was studied. Administration of L. salivarius CECT 30632 (~9 log10 CFU) daily for a maximum of six months to these women was safe and led to a successful pregnancy rate of 67.5% (80% and 55% for women with repetitive abortion and infertile women, respectively). Significant differences in Nugent score, vaginal pH, and vaginal concentrations of lactobacilli, TGF-β, and VEFG were observed when the samples collected before the intervention were compared with those collected after the treatment among those women who got pregnant. Therefore, this strain can modulate the vaginal ecosystem and lead to better fertility outcomes.
Brazilian Propolis Intake Decreases Body Fat Mass and Oxidative Stress in Community-Dwelling Elderly Females: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Kanazashi Miho , Iida Tadayuki , Nakanishi Ryosuke , Tanaka Masayuki , Ikeda Hiromi , Takamiya Naomi , Maeshige Noriaki , Kondo Hiroyo , Nishigami Tomohiko , Harada Toshihide , Fujino Hidemi
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Brazilian propolis on body fat mass and levels of adiponectin and reactive oxygen species among community-dwelling elderly females. This was a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Altogether, 78 females aged 66–84 years were randomly assigned to the propolis (PRO; n = 39) or placebo (PLA; n = 39) group. For 12 weeks, the PRO group were given three capsules containing 227 mg of propolis twice a day. Meanwhile, the PLA group were given daily placebo capsules. Of 78 participants, 53 (PLA group: n = 28, PRO group: n = 25) completed the study. Although no changes were observed in absolute or relative fat mass in the PLA group, they showed a significant decline in the PRO group. The level of serum adiponectin in the PLA group did not change, although that of the PRO group significantly increased. The level of d-ROMs in the PLA group significantly increased, whereas that of the PRO group significantly decreased. The serum SOD activity in the PLA group significantly decreased, whereas that of the PRO group tended to increase. These results suggest that propolis supplementation may decrease body fat mass and oxidative stress among community-dwelling elderly females.
Identification of Nutritional Factors to Evaluate Periodontal Clinical Parameters in Patients with Systemic Diseases
Authors: Nakayama Yohei , Tabe Shinichi , Yamaguchi Arisa , Tsuruya Yuto , Kobayashi Ryoki , Oyama Katsunori , Kitano Daisuke , Kojima Keisuke , Kogawa Rikitake , Okumura Yasuo , Ogihara Jun , Senpuku Hidenobu , Ogata Yorimasa
Published: January 2023

Nutritional factors reflect the periodontal parameters accompanying periodontal status. In this study, the associations between nutritional factors, blood biochemical items, and clinical parameters were examined in patients with systemic diseases. The study participants were 94 patients with heart disease, dyslipidemia, kidney disease, or diabetes mellitus. Weak negative correlation coefficients were found between nine clinical parameters and ten nutritional factors. Stage, grade, mean probing depth (PD), rate of PD 4–5 mm, rate of PD ≥ 6 mm, mean clinical attachment level (CAL), and the bleeding on probing (BOP) rate were weakly correlated with various nutritional factors. The clinical parameters with coefficients of determinations (R2) > 0.1 were grade, number of teeth, PD, rate of PD 4–5 mm, CAL, and BOP rate. PD was explained by yogurt and cabbage with statistically significant standardized partial regression coefficients (yogurt: −0.2143; cabbage and napa cabbage: −0.2724). The mean CAL was explained by pork, beef, mutton, and dark green vegetables with statistically significant standardized partial regression coefficients (−0.2237 for pork, beef, and mutton; −0.2667 for dark green vegetables). These results raise the possibility that the frequency of intake of various vegetables can be used to evaluate periodontal stabilization in patients with systemic diseases.
Tick and Tick-Borne Diseases: New Problems Providing New Possible Solutions
Authors: Sparagano Olivier Andre
Published: January 2023

Ticks and tick-borne diseases are responsible for enormous losses in animal and human life, which do not seem to become better as new data show surprising connections [...]
Pacific Gulls (Larus pacificus) as Potential Vectors of Coxiella burnetii in an Australian Fur Seal Breeding Colony
Authors: Gardner Brett R. , Hufschmid Jasmin , Stenos John , Tadepalli Mythili , Sutton Grace , Fromant Aymeric , Eizenberg Yonina , Geeson Johanna J. , Arnould John P. Y.
Published: January 2023

Recently, Coxiella burnetii has been described as a novel pathogen potentially contributing to decreased pup production in Australian fur seals (AusFS, Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus). Pacific gulls (PGs, Larus pacificus) are known to scavenge AusFS placental material during the fur seal breeding season. It is hypothesized that PGs may act as vectors for this pathogen. In the present study, cloacal swabs, oral swabs and serum were collected from PGs on Kanowna Island (KI, an AusFS breeding colony) and a nearby island, Seal Island (SI), not occupied by pinnipeds. All sample sets were evaluated with qPCR for the com1, htpAB and IS1111 markers. Most oral and cloacal swabs from KI tested positive on both the com1 (94.1%; 88.2%) and htpAB targets (76.5%; 76.5%). Amplification was very low from the SI oral swabs and cloacal swabs. Only the KI serum samples had amplification (17.7% for both com1 and htpAB). There was no IS1111 amplification in either colony. The results demonstrate that PGs can potentially act as vectors for the spread of C. burnetii. In some birds, C. burnetii was detectable in the serum, indicating that gulls can experience bacteraemia. It appears that different feeding strategies in the same species within the same ecosystem can have profound effects on the prevalence of pathogens. Further studies are required to better understand the epidemiology and potential risks of this organism.
Niosomes Functionalized with a Synthetic Carbohydrate Binding Agent for Mannose-Targeted Doxorubicin Delivery
Authors: Burrini Nastassja , D’Ambrosio Mario , Gentili Matteo , Giaquinto Roberta , Settimelli Veronica , Luceri Cristina , Cirri Marzia , Francesconi Oscar
Published: January 2023

Niosomes are a potential tool for the development of active targeted drug delivery systems (DDS) for cancer therapy because of their excellent behaviour in encapsulating antitumorals and the possibility to easily functionalise their surface with targeting agents. Recently, some of us developed a synthetic carbohydrate binding agent (CBA) able to target the mannosidic residues of high-mannose-type glycans overexpressed on the surface of several cancer cell lines, promoting their apoptosis. In this article, we modified the structure of this mannose receptor to obtain an amphiphilic analogue suitable for the functionalization of doxorubicin-based niosomes. Several niosomal formulations and preparation methods were investigated deeply to finally obtain functionalized niosomes suitable for parental administration, which were stable for over six months and able to encapsulate up to 85% of doxorubicin (DOXO). In vitro studies, carried out towards triple-negative cancer cells (MDA-MB231), overexpressing high-mannose-type glycans, showed a cytotoxic activity comparable to that of DOXO but with an appreciable increment in apoptosis given by the CBA. Moreover, niosomal formulation was observed to reduce doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity towards normal cell lines of rat cardiomyocytes (H9C2). This study is propaedeutic to further in vivo investigations that can aim to shed light on the antitumoral activity and pharmacokinetics of the developed active targeted DDS.
A Self-Emulsified Adjuvant System Containing the Immune Potentiator Alpha Tocopherol Induces Higher Neutralizing Antibody Responses than a Squalene-Only Emulsion When Evaluated with a Recombinant Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Pentamer Antigen in Mice
Authors: Lodaya Rushit N. , Kanitkar Amey P. , Ashraf Asma , Bamba Douty , Amiji Mansoor M. , O’Hagan Derek T.
Published: January 2023

The development of new vaccine adjuvants represents a key approach to improvingi the immune responses to recombinant vaccine antigens. Emulsion adjuvants, such as AS03 and MF59, in combination with influenza vaccines, have allowed antigen dose sparing, greater breadth of responses and fewer immunizations. It has been demonstrated previously that emulsion adjuvants can be prepared using a simple, low-shear process of self-emulsification (SE). The role of alpha tocopherol as an immune potentiator in emulsion adjuvants is clear from the success of AS03 in pandemic responses, both to influenza and COVID-19. Although it was a significant formulation challenge to include alpha tocopherol in an emulsion prepared by a low-shear process, the resultant self-emulsifying adjuvant system (SE-AS) showed a comparable effect to the established AS03 when used with a quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV). In this paper, we first optimized the SE-AS with alpha tocopherol to create SE-AS44, which allowed the emulsion to be sterile-filtered. Then, we compared the in vitro cell activation cytokine profile of SE-AS44 with the self-emulsifying adjuvant 160 (SEA160), a squalene-only adjuvant. In addition, we evaluated SE-AS44 and SEA160 competitively, in combination with a recombinant cytomegalovirus (CMV) pentamer antigen mouse.
A Novel Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton Cell-Derived Phytocomplex Regulates Keratinocytes Inflammatory Cascade and Barrier Function and Preserves Vaginal Mucosal Integrity In Vivo
Authors: Pressi Giovanna , Rigillo Giovanna , Governa Paolo , Borgonetti Vittoria , Baini Giulia , Rizzi Raffaella , Guarnerio Chiara , Bertaiola Oriana , Frigo Marco , Merlin Matilde , Paltrinieri Stefania , Zambonin Roberto , Pandolfo Stefano , Biagi Marco
Published: January 2023

In the last years, the medicinal plant Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton has gained scientific interest because leaf extracts, due to the presence of rosmarinic acid and other polyphenols, have shown anti-allergic and skin protective potential in pre-clinical studies. Nevertheless, the lack of standardized extracts has limited clinical applications to date. In this work, for the first time, a standardized phytocomplex of P. frutescens, enriched in rosmarinic acid and total polyphenols, was produced through innovative in vitro cell culture biotechnology and tested. The activity of perilla was evaluated in an in vitro inflammatory model of human keratinocytes (HaCaT) by monitoring tight junctions, filaggrin, and loricrin protein levels, the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and JNK MAPK signaling. In a practical health care application, the perilla biotechnological phytocomplex was tested in a multilayer model of vaginal mucosa, and then, in a preliminary clinical observation to explore its capacity to preserve vaginal mucosal integrity in women in peri-menopause. In keratinocytes cells, perilla phytocomplex demonstrated to exert a marked activity in epidermis barrier maintenance and anti-inflammatory effects, preserving tight junction expression and downregulating cytokines release through targeting JNK activation. Furthermore, perilla showed positive effects in retaining vaginal mucosal integrity in the reconstructed vaginal mucosa model and in vivo tests. Overall, our data suggest that the biotechnological P. frutescens phytocomplex could represent an innovative ingredient for dermatological applications.
Nano-Hydroxyapatite/PLGA Mixed Scaffolds as a Tool for Drug Development and to Study Metastatic Prostate Cancer in the Bone
Authors: Dozzo Annachiara , Chullipalliyalil Krishnakumar , McAuliffe Michael , O’Driscoll Caitriona M. , Ryan Katie B.
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro, biorelevant culture models that recapitulate cancer progression can help elucidate physio-pathological disease cues and enhance the screening of more effective therapies. Insufficient research has been conducted to generate in vitro 3D models to replicate the spread of prostate cancer to the bone, a key metastatic site of the disease, and to understand the interplay between the key cell players. In this study, we aim to investigate PLGA and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA)/PLGA mixed scaffolds as a predictive preclinical tool to study metastatic prostate cancer (mPC) in the bone and reduce the gap that exists with traditional 2D cultures. (2) Methods: nHA/PLGA mixed scaffolds were produced by electrospraying, compacting, and foaming PLGA polymer microparticles, +/− nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), and a salt porogen to produce 3D, porous scaffolds. Physicochemical scaffold characterisation together with an evaluation of osteoblastic (hFOB 1.19) and mPC (PC-3) cell behaviour (RT-qPCR, viability, and differentiation) in mono- and co-culture, was undertaken. (3) Results: The results show that the addition of nHA, particularly at the higher-level impacted scaffolds in terms of mechanical and degradation behaviour. The nHA 4 mg resulted in weaker scaffolds, but cell viability increased. Qualitatively, fluorescent imaging of cultures showed an increase in PC-3 cells compared to osteoblasts despite lower initial PC-3 seeding densities. Osteoblast monocultures, in general, caused an upregulation (or at least equivalent to controls) in gene production, which was highest in plain scaffolds and decreased with increases in nHA. Additionally, the genes were downregulated in PC3 and co-cultures. Further, drug toxicity tests demonstrated a significant effect in 2D and 3D co-cultures. (4) Conclusions: The results demonstrate that culture conditions and environment (2D versus 3D, monoculture versus co-culture) and scaffold composition all impact cell behaviour and model development.
Fabrication and Characterisation of 3D-Printed Triamcinolone Acetonide-Loaded Polycaprolactone-Based Ocular Implants
Authors: Annuryanti Febri , Domínguez-Robles Juan , Anjani Qonita Kurnia , Adrianto Muhammad Faris , Larrañeta Eneko , Thakur Raghu Raj Singh
Published: January 2023

Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is a corticosteroid that has been used to treat posterior segment eye diseases. TA is injected intravitreally in the management of neovascular disorders; however, frequent intravitreal injections result in many potential side effects and poor patient compliance. In this work, a 3D bioprinter was used to prepare polycaprolactone (PCL) implants loaded with TA. Implants were manufactured with different shapes (filament-, rectangular-, and circle-shaped) and drug loadings (5, 10, and 20%). The characterisation results showed that TA was successfully mixed and incorporated within the PCL matrix without using solvents, and drug content reached almost 100% for all formulations. The drug release data demonstrate that the filament-shaped implants (SA/V ratio~7.3) showed the highest cumulative drug release amongst all implant shapes over 180 days, followed by rectangular- (SA/V ratio~3.7) and circle-shaped implants (SA/V ratio~2.80). Most implant drug release data best fit the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, indicating that diffusion was the prominent release mechanism. Additionally, a biocompatibility study was performed; the results showed >90% cell viability, thus proving that the TA-loaded PCL implants were safe for ocular application.
Recent Advances in Targeted Nanocarriers for the Management of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Pradhan Rajesh , Dey Anuradha , Taliyan Rajeev , Puri Anu , Kharavtekar Sanskruti , Dubey Sunil Kumar
Published: January 2023

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a life-threatening form of breast cancer which has been found to account for 15% of all the subtypes of breast cancer. Currently available treatments are significantly less effective in TNBC management because of several factors such as poor bioavailability, low specificity, multidrug resistance, poor cellular uptake, and unwanted side effects being the major ones. As a rapidly growing field, nano-therapeutics offers promising alternatives for breast cancer treatment. This platform provides a suitable pathway for crossing biological barriers and allowing sustained systemic circulation time and an improved pharmacokinetic profile of the drug. Apart from this, it also provides an optimized target-specific drug delivery system and improves drug accumulation in tumor cells. This review provides insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of TNBC, along with summarizing the conventional therapy and recent advances of different nano-carriers for the management of TNBC.
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Aztreonam/Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Combination against New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase and Serine-β-Lactamase Co-Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Zhang Jiayuan , Wu Mengyuan , Diao Shuo , Zhu Shixing , Song Chu , Yue Jiali , Martins Frederico S. , Zhu Peijuan , Lv Zhihua , Zhu Yuanqi , Yu Mingming , Sy Sherwin K. B.
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to examine specific niches and usage for the aztreonam/amoxicillin/clavulanate combination and to use population pharmacokinetic simulations of clinical dosing regimens to predict the impact of this combination on restricting mutant selection. The in vitro susceptibility of 19 New-Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing clinical isolates to amoxicillin/clavulanate and aztreonam alone and in co-administration was determined based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and mutant prevention concentration (MPC). The fractions of a 24-h duration that the free drug concentration was within the mutant selection window (fTMSW) and above the MPC (fT>MPC) in both plasma and epithelial lining fluid were determined from simulations of 10,000 subject profiles based on regimens by renal function categories. This combination reduced the MIC of aztreonam and amoxicillin/clavulanate to values below their clinical breakpoint in 7/9 K. pneumoniae and 8/9 E. coli, depending on the β-lactamase genes detected in the isolate. In the majority of the tested isolates, the combination resulted in fT>MPC > 90% and fTMSW < 10% for both aztreonam and amoxicillin/clavulanate. Clinical dosing regimens of aztreonam and amoxicillin/clavulanate were sufficient to provide mutant restriction coverage for MPC and MIC ≤ 4 mg/L. This combination has limited coverage against NDM- and extended-spectrum β-lactamase co-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae and is not effective against isolates carrying plasmid-mediated AmpC and KPC-2. This study offers a potential scope and limitations as to where the aztreonam/amoxicillin/clavulanate combination may succeed or fail.
Developing Core/Shell Capsules Based on Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose and Gelatin through Electrodynamic Atomization for Betalain Encapsulation
Authors: López de Dicastillo Carol , Velásquez Eliezer , Rojas Adrián , Garrido Luan , Moreno María Carolina , Guarda Abel , Galotto María José
Published: January 2023

Betalains are bioactive compounds with remarkable functional and nutritional activities for health and food preservation and attractiveness. Nevertheless, they are highly sensitive to external factors, such as oxygen presence, light, and high temperatures. Therefore, the search for new structures, polymeric matrices, and efficient methods of encapsulation of these compounds is of great interest to increase their addition to food products. In this work, betalains were extracted from red beetroot. Betacyanin and betaxanthin contents were quantified. Subsequently, these compounds were successfully encapsulated into the core of coaxial electrosprayed capsules composed of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and gelatin (G). The effect of incorporating the carbohydrate and the protein both in the core or shell structures was studied to elucidate the best composition for betalain protection. Morphological, optical, and structural properties were analyzed to understand the effect of the incorporation of the bioactive compounds in the morphology, color, and chemical interactions between components of resulting electrosprayed capsules. The results of the thermogravimetric and encapsulation efficiency analysis coincided that the incorporation of beetroot extract in G in the core and HPMC in the shell resulted in the structure with greater betalain protection. The effectiveness of the core/shell structure was confirmed for future food applications.
Polyaniline/ZnO Hybrid Nanocomposite: Morphology, Spectroscopy and Optimization of ZnO Concentration for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Alamgeer  , Tahir Muhammad , Sarker Mahidur R. , Ali Shabina , Ibraheem  , Hussian Shahid , Ali Sajad , Imran Khan Muhammad , Khan Dil Nawaz , Ali Rashid , Mohd Said Suhana
Published: January 2023

The appropriate combination of semiconducting polymer–inorganic nanocomposites can enhance the existing performance of polymers-only-based photovoltaic devices. Hence, polyaniline (PANI)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites were prepared by combining ZnO nanoparticles with PANI in four distinct ratios to optimize their photovoltaic performance. Using a simple coating method, PANI, ZnO, and its nanocomposite, with varying weight percent (wt%) concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles, i.e., (1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, and 4 wt%), were fabricated and utilized as an active layer to evaluate the potential for the high-power conversion efficiency of various concentrations, respectively. PANI/ZnO nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and I-V measurement techniques. The XRD analysis showed a distinct, narrow peak, which corresponds to the wurtzite ZnO (101) plane. The SEM analysis verified the production of the PANI/ZnO composite by demonstrating that the crystalline ZnO was integrated into the PANI matrix. The elemental composition was determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), which confirmed the existence of PANI and ZnO without any impurities, respectively. Using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, various chemical bonds and stretching vibrations were analyzed and assigned to different peaks. The bandgap narrowing with an increasing PANI/ZnO composition led to exceptional optical improvement. The I-V characterization was utilized to investigate the impact of the nanocomposite on the electrical properties of the PANI/ZnO, and various concentrations of ZnO (1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, and 4 wt%) in the PANI matrix were analyzed under both light and dark conditions at an STC of 1.5 AM globally. A high PCE of 4.48% was achieved for the PANI/ZnO (3 wt%), which revealed that the conductivity of the PANI/ZnO nanocomposite thin films improved with the increasing nanocomposite concentration.
Correction: Andrade et al. The Adaptive Power of Ammophila arenaria: Biomimetic Study, Systematic Observation, Parametric Design and Experimental Tests with Bimetal. Polymers 2021, 13, 2554
Authors: Andrade Tarciana Araújo Brito de , Beirão José Nuno Dinis Cabral , Arruda Amilton José Vieira de , Cruz Cristina
Published: January 2023

In the previously published paper [...]
Predicting the Bending of 3D Printed Hyperelastic Polymer Components
Authors: Gallup Lucas , Trabia Mohamed , O’Toole Brendan , Fahmy Youssef
Published: January 2023

The advancement of 3D printing has led to its widespread use. NinjaFlex®, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filament, is a highly durable and flexible material that has been used to create flexible parts. While this material has been available for nearly two decades, the mechanical properties of 3D printed NinjaFlex® parts are not well-understood, especially in bending. The focus of this research was predicting the behavior of small 3D printed NinjaFlex® components. Three-dimensionally printed rectangular specimens of varying lengths and aspect ratios were loaded as cantilevers. The deflection of these specimens was measured using a computer. The experimental results were compared to a modified form of the Euler–Bernoulli Beam Theorem (MEB), which was developed to account for nonlinearities associated with large deflection. Additionally, experimental results were compared to the finite element analysis (FEA). The results showed that both modeling approaches were overall accurate, with the average difference between experimental deflection data and MEB predictions ranging from 0.6% to 3.0%, while the FEA predictions ranged from 0.4% to 2.4%. In the case of the most flexible specimens, MEB underestimated the experimental results, while FEA led to higher retraction.
Sterilization of PLA after Fused Filament Fabrication 3D Printing: Evaluation on Inherent Sterility and the Impossibility of Autoclavation
Authors: Neijhoft Jonas , Henrich Dirk , Kammerer Andreas , Janko Maren , Frank Johannes , Marzi Ingo
Published: January 2023

Three-dimensional printing, especially fused filament fabrication (FFF), offers great possibilities in (bio-)medical applications, but a major downside is the difficulty in sterilizing the produced parts. This study evaluates the questions of whether autoclaving is a possible solution for FFF-printed parts and if the printer itself could be seen as an inherent sterilization method. In a first step, an investigation was performed on the deformation of cylindrically shaped test parts after running them through the autoclaving process. Furthermore, the inherent sterility possibilities of the printing process itself were evaluated using culture medium sterility tests. It could be shown that, depending on the needed accuracy, parts down to a diameter of 5–10 mm can still be sterilized using autoclaving, while finer parts suffer from major deformations. For these, inherent sterilization of the printer itself is an option. During the printing process, over a certain contact time, heat at a higher level than that used in autoclaving is applied to the printed parts. The contact time, depending on the printing parameters, is calculated using the established formula. The results show that for stronger parts, autoclaving offers a cheap and good option for sterilization after FFF-printing. However, the inherent sterility possibilities of the printer itself can be considered, especially when printing with small layer heights for finer parts.
Enhanced Coating Protection of C-Steel Using Polystyrene Clay Nanocomposite Impregnated with Inhibitors
Authors: Alangari Aljawharah M. , Al Juhaiman Layla A. , Mekhamer Waffa K.
Published: January 2023

Polymer–Clay Nanocomposite (PCN) coatings were prepared using the solution intercalation method. The raw Khulays clay was treated with NaCl to produce sodium clay (NaC). Thereafter, Cetyl Pyridinium Chloride (CPC) was used to convert NaC into the organic clay form (OC). PCN was prepared by adding polystyrene as the matrix to different weights of OC to prepare 1 wt.% and 3 wt.% PCN. To enhance the coating protection of C-steel in NaCl solution, PCN coatings were added to microcapsules loaded with some corrosion inhibitors PCN (MC). The microcapsules are prepared by the encapsulation of rare-earth metal Ce+3 ions and Isobutyl silanol into polystyrene via the Double Emulsion Solvent Evaporation (DESE) technique. Characterization techniques such as FTIR, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were employed. FTIR confirmed the success of the preparation, while XRD and TEM revealed an intercalated structure of 1 wt.% PCN while 3 wt.% PCN has a fully exfoliated structure. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Electrochemical Frequency Modulation (EFM), and Potentiodynamic Polarization showed an enhanced protection efficiency of PCN (MC) coatings. The results demonstrated that the corrosion resistance (RCorr) of 3% PCN (MC) coating was higher than all the formulations. These PCN (MC) coatings may provide corrosion protection for C-steel pipes in many industrial applications.
Poly (Ether-Ether-Ketone) for Biomedical Applications: From Enhancing Bioactivity to Reinforced-Bioactive Composites—An Overview
Authors: Senra Mônica Rufino , Marques Maria de Fátima Vieira , Monteiro Sergio Neves
Published: January 2023

The global orthopedic market is forecasted to reach US$79.5 billion by the end of this decade. Factors driving the increase in this market are population aging, sports injury, road traffic accidents, and overweight, which justify a growing demand for orthopedic implants. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to develop bone implants with superior mechanical and biological properties to face the demand and improve patients’ quality of life. Today, metallic implants still hold a dominant position in the global orthopedic implant market, mainly due to their superior mechanical resistance. However, their performance might be jeopardized due to the possible release of metallic debris, leading to cytotoxic effects and inflammatory responses in the body. Poly (ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) is a biocompatible, high-performance polymer and one of the most prominent candidates to be used in manufacturing bone implants due to its similarity to the mechanical properties of bone. Unfortunately, the bioinert nature of PEEK culminates in its diminished osseointegration. Notwithstanding, PEEK’s bioactivity can be improved through surface modification techniques and by the development of bioactive composites. This paper overviews the advantages of using PEEK for manufacturing implants and addresses the most common strategies to improve the bioactivity of PEEK in order to promote enhanced biomechanical performance.
Photothermal Sensitive 3D Printed Biodegradable Polyester Scaffolds with Polydopamine Coating for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Huang Zuoxun , Li Junfeng , Chen Xiaohu , Yang Qing , Zeng Xiyang , Bai Ruqing , Wang Li
Published: January 2023

Biodegradable scaffolds with photothermal effects and customizable pore structures are a hot topic of research in the field of bone repair. In this study, we prepared porous scaffolds using poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as the raw material and customized the pore structure with 3D printing technology. First, we investigated the effect of pore structure on the mechanical properties of this 3D PLA scaffold. Subsequently, the optimally designed PLA scaffolds were coated with PDA to enhance their hydrophilicity and bioactivity. XRD (X-ray diffraction), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and EDS (Energy dispersive spectroscopy) results indicated that PDA was successfully coated on the surface of PLA scaffolds. SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) micrographs showed that the surface of the PDA/PLA scaffolds became rough. WCA (water contact angle) confirmed that the material has enhanced hydrophilic properties. PDA/PLA scaffolds exhibit a tunable photothermal effect under NIR (near infrared) irradiation. The 3D-printed PLA/PDA scaffolds have remarkable potential as an alternative material for repairing bone defects.
Synthesis of Cellulose Nanoparticles from Ionic Liquid Solutions for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Fuster Marta G. , Moulefera Imane , Muñoz M. Noelia , Montalbán Mercedes G. , Víllora Gloria
Published: January 2023

A method for the synthesis of cellulose nanoparticles using the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate has been optimised. The use of a highly biocompatible biopolymer such as cellulose, together with the use of an ionic liquid, makes this method a promising way to obtain nanoparticles with good capability for drug carrying. The operating conditions of the synthesis have been optimised based on the average hydrodynamic diameter, the polydispersity index, determined by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and the Z-potential, obtained by phase analysis light scattering (PALS), to obtain cellulose nanoparticles suitable for use in biomedicine. The obtained cellulose nanoparticles have been characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with attenuated total reflectance (ATR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA). Finally, cell viability studies have been performed with a cancer cell line (HeLa) and with a healthy cell line (EA.hy926). These have shown that the cellulose nanoparticles obtained are not cytotoxic in the concentration range of the studied nanoparticles. The results obtained in this work constitute a starting point for future studies on the use of cellulose nanoparticles, synthesised from ionic liquids, for biomedical applications such as targeted drug release or controlled drug release.
Hungarian Religious Creatives—Comparative Analysis
Authors: Andok Mónika , Szilczl Dóra , Radetzky András
Published: January 2023

The research on the relationship between religion and the media has expanded in the past decades with many new directions, one of which is the examination of the creators of religious media content—more precisely, the exploration of their different role perceptions, commitment, motivations, and goals. Religious content creators are those media producers whose content appears on various media surfaces (printed press, radio, television, film, digital media), regardless of whether they perform their activities as employees of a media company or voluntarily. This study presents the research we conducted among Hungarian religious content creators between 2019 and 2020. The purpose of the study is to develop a well-founded role typology based on the defining features and modes of operation of different role types.
Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Glacial Lakes in the Tibetan Plateau over the Past 30 Years
Authors: Dou Xiangyang , Fan Xuanmei , Wang Xin , Yunus Ali P. , Xiong Junlin , Tang Ran , Lovati Marco , van Westen Cees , Xu Qiang
Published: January 2023

As the Third Pole of the Earth and the Water Tower of Asia, the Tibetan Plateau (TP) nurtures large numbers of glacial lakes, which are sensitive to global climate change. These lakes modulate the freshwater ecosystem in the region but concurrently pose severe threats to the valley population by means of sudden glacial lake outbursts and consequent floods (GLOFs). The lack of high-resolution multi-temporal inventory of glacial lakes in TP hampers a better understanding and prediction of the future trend and risk of glacial lakes. Here, we created a multi-temporal inventory of glacial lakes in TP using a 30-year record of 42,833 satellite images (1990–2019), and we discussed their characteristics and spatio-temporal evolution over the years. Results showed that their number and area had increased by 3285 and 258.82 km2 in the last 3 decades, respectively. We noticed that different regions of the TP exhibited varying change rates in glacial lake size; most regions show a trend of expansion and increase in glacial lakes, while some regions show a trend of decreasing such as the western Pamir and the eastern Hindu Kush. The mapping uncertainty is about 17.5%, which is lower than other available datasets, thus making our inventory reliable for the spatio-temporal evolution analysis of glacial lakes in the TP. Our lake inventory data are publicly published, it can help to study climate change–glacier–glacial lake–GLOF interactions in the Third Pole and serve as input to various hydro-climatic studies.
Satellite Remote Sensing and Non-Destructive Testing Methods for Transport Infrastructure Monitoring: Advances, Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Gagliardi Valerio , Tosti Fabio , Bianchini Ciampoli Luca , Battagliere Maria Libera , D’Amato Luigi , Alani Amir M. , Benedetto Andrea
Published: January 2023

High-temporal-frequency monitoring of transport infrastructure is crucial to facilitate maintenance and prevent major service disruption or structural failures. Ground-based non-destructive testing (NDT) methods have been successfully applied for decades, reaching very high standards for data quality and accuracy. However, routine campaigns and long inspection times are required for data collection and their implementation into reliable infrastructure management systems (IMSs). On the other hand, satellite remote sensing techniques, such as the Multi-Temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (MT-InSAR) method, have proven effective in monitoring ground displacements of transport infrastructure (roads, railways and airfields) with a much higher temporal frequency of investigation and the capability to cover wider areas. Nevertheless, the integration of information from (i) satellite remote sensing and (ii) ground-based NDT methods is a subject that is still to be fully explored in civil engineering. This paper aims to review significant stand-alone and combined applications in these two areas of endeavour for transport infrastructure monitoring. The recent advances, main challenges and future perspectives arising from their mutual integration are also discussed.
Vegetation Change and Eco-Environmental Quality Evaluation in the Loess Plateau of China from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Chen Shifeng , Zhang Qifei , Chen Yaning , Zhou Honghua , Xiang Yanyun , Liu Zhihui , Hou Yifeng
Published: January 2023

Vegetation change and ecological quality of the Loess Plateau (LP) are directly related to ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. Based on LP ecological zoning and multisource remote sensing data, we analyzed vegetation change and its relationship with climate, terrestrial water storage (TWS), and land use/cover change from 2000 to 2020, using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), fraction of vegetation cover (FVC), and net primary productivity (NPP). And ecological environmental quality was evaluated based on the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI). The results showed that the spatial distribution pattern of NDVI, FVC and NPP decreased from southeast to northwest in the LP as a whole. Vegetation in the LP recovered significantly, and NDVI, FVC, and NPP showed significant increases of 35.66%, 34%, and 54.69%, respectively. The average NDVI and FVC in the earth–rocky mountainous region and river valley plain region (Area D) were the highest, but the growth rate was the slowest. The average NDVI, FVC, and growth rates in the loess hilly and gully regions (Area B) were slightly higher than those in the loess sorghum gully region (Area A). The average NDVI, FVC, and NPP in the sandy land and agricultural irrigation regions (Area C) were the lowest but showed significant increase. RSEI in most LP areas changed from poor to medium, increasing by 43.45%. Precipitation is the basic factor affecting vegetation cover pattern, with the increase (40.79 mm/10a) promoting vegetation restoration in the LP. Vegetation restoration lost much TWS (−0.6 mm/month), and Area D had the highest average NDVI, FVC, and NPP but the largest TWS loss. Anthropogenic land use/cover change (LUCC) (decrease in cultivated land and unused land; increase in forest, grassland, and construction land) is the primary factor affecting LP vegetation change. This study provides a scientific reference for further vegetation restoration in the LP.
A Multi-Band Atmospheric Correction Algorithm for Deriving Water Leaving Reflectances over Turbid Waters from VIIRS Data
Authors: Gao Bo-Cai , Li Rong-Rong
Published: January 2023

The current operational multi-band atmospheric correction algorithms implemented by NASA and NOAA for global remote sensing of ocean color from VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) data are mostly based on the 2-band version of the SeaWiFS (Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor) algorithm. These algorithms generally use two NIR bands, one centered near 0.75 μm and the other near 0.865 μm, and a band ratio method for deriving aerosol information. The algorithms work quite well over open ocean waters. However, water leaving reflectances over turbid coastal waters are frequently not derived. We describe here a spectrum-matching algorithm using shortwave IR (SWIR) bands above 1 μm for retrieving water leaving reflectances in the visible from VIIRS data. The SWIR bands centered near 1.24, 1.61, and 2.25 μm are used in a spectrum-matching process to obtain spectral aerosol information, which is subsequently extrapolated to the visible region for the derivation of water leaving reflectances of visible bands. We present retrieval results for four VIIRS scenes acquired over turbid waters. We demonstrate that the spatial coverages of our retrieving results can be improved significantly in comparison with those retrieved with the current NOAA operational algorithm. If our SWIR algorithm is implemented for operational data processing, the algorithm can potentially be complimentary to current NASA and NOAA VIIRS algorithms over turbid waters to increase spatial coverages.
Energy-Efficient Multi-UAVs Cooperative Trajectory Optimization for Communication Coverage: An MADRL Approach
Authors: Ao Tianyong , Zhang Kaixin , Shi Huaguang , Jin Zhanqi , Zhou Yi , Liu Fuqiang
Published: January 2023

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be deployed as aerial wireless base stations which dynamically cover the wireless communication networks for Ground Users (GUs). The most challenging problem is how to control multi-UAVs to achieve on-demand coverage of wireless communication networks while maintaining connectivity among them. In this paper, the cooperative trajectory optimization of UAVs is studied to maximize the communication efficiency in the dynamic deployment of UAVs for emergency communication scenarios. We transform the problem into a Markov game problem and propose a distributed trajectory optimization algorithm, Double-Stream Attention multi-agent Actor-Critic (DSAAC), based on Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning (MADRL). The throughput, safety distance, and power consumption of UAVs are comprehensively taken into account for designing a practical reward function. For complex emergency communication scenarios, we design a double data stream network structure that provides a capacity for the Actor network to process state changes. Thus, UAVs can sense the movement trends of the GUs as well as other UAVs. To establish effective cooperation strategies for UAVs, we develop a hierarchical multi-head attention encoder in the Critic network. This encoder can reduce the redundant information through the attention mechanism, which resolves the problem of the curse of dimensionality as the number of both UAVs and GUs increases. We construct a simulation environment for emergency networks with multi-UAVs and compare the effects of the different numbers of GUs and UAVs on algorithms. The DSAAC algorithm improves communication efficiency by 56.7%, throughput by 71.2%, energy saving by 19.8%, and reduces the number of crashes by 57.7%.