bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Invasive Candidiasis in Adult Patients with COVID-19: Results of a Multicenter Study in St. Petersburg, Russia
Authors: Kozlova Olga , Burygina Ekaterina , Khostelidi Sofya , Shadrivova Olga , Saturnov Andrey , Gusev Denis , Rysev Aleksandr , Zavrazhnov Anatoliy , Vashukova Maria , Pichugina Galina , Mitichkin Mikhail , Kovyrshin Sergey , Bogomolova Tatiana , Borzova Yulia , Oganesyan Ellina , Vasilyeva Natalya , Klimko Nikolay ,   Working Group
Published: September 2023

We studied the risk factors, etiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes of COVID-19-associated invasive candidiasis (COVID-IC) in adult patients admitted to six medical facilities in St. Petersburg. (November 2020–December 2022). In this retrospective study, we included 72 patients with COVID-IC with a median age of 61 years (range 29–96), 51% of whom were women. The predisposing factors for COVID-IC were a central venous catheter (CVC) for more than 10 days (the odds ratio (OR) = 70 [15–309]), abdominal surgical treatment performed in the previous 2 weeks (OR = 8.8 [1.9–40.3]), bacteremia (OR = 10.6 [4.8–23.3]), pulmonary ventilation (OR = 12.9 [5.9–28.4]), and hemodialysis (OR = 11.5 [2.5–50.8]). The signs and symptoms of COVID-IC were non-specific: fever (59%), renal failure (33%), liver failure (23%), and cardiovascular failure (10%). Candida albicans (41%) predominated among the pathogens of the candidemia. The multidrug-resistant Candida species C. auris (23%) and C. glabrata (5%) were also identified. Empirical therapy was used in 21% of COVID-IC patients: azole-93%, echinocandin–7%. The majority of COVID-IC patients (79%) received, after laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis of IC, fluconazole (47%), voriconazole (25%), echinocandin (26%), and amphotericin B (2)%. The 30 days overall survival rate was 45%. The prognosis worsened concomitant bacteremia, hemodialysis, and long-term therapy by systemic glucocorticosteroids (SGCs), bronchial colonization with Candida spp. The survival prognosis was improved by the early change/replacement of CVC (within 24 h), the initiation of empirical therapy, and the use of echinocandin. Conclusions: We highlighted the risk factors that predispose COVID-19 patients to candidiasis and worsen the survival prognosis. Their individual effects in patients with COVID-19 must be well understood to prevent the development of opportunistic co-infections that drastically lower chances of survival.
Optimizing Sustainable Suburban Expansion with Autonomous Mobility through a Parametric Design Framework
Authors: Zhu Chenhao , Susskind Jonah , Giampieri Mario , O’Neil Hazel Backus , Berger Alan M.
Published: September 2023

Today, suburban areas are home to an ever-increasing majority of the global population. Models indicate that the next generation of US metropolitan growth will rapidly continue outside of urban cores, where car-based development patterns have served as the dominant paradigm for more than a century. With the emergence of autonomous mobility technologies and services, the suburbs of the future offer key opportunities to tackle pressing environmental challenges, such as significant GHG emissions from private vehicle trips, underutilized and fragmented landscape spaces, and a high proportion of impervious surfaces. To leverage this opportunity, our research team employed a novel scenario-based parametric modeling framework to generate and optimize suburban land use patterns and block configurations that leverage autonomous mobility to optimize environmental performance and accessibility metrics. The framework performed through our project, NOGAS (Next Optimized Generation of Autonomous Suburbs), consists of five key parametric modules and a heuristic design process covering various planning and design decision-making stages including scenario generation, analysis, optimization, and visualization. It is the first of its kind tailored for suburban settings with emerging mobility systems, which, more importantly, prioritizes landscape performance and accessibility over the traditional automobile-centric approach in suburban development. One of the most significant findings from this research is that substantial enhancements to a neighborhood’s environmental performance and overall accessibility can be achieved by modifying existing suburban land use patterns and individual block configurations, without the necessity of increasing density. The results of the framework further suggest that a strategic atomized land use scheme, combined with an innovative clustered block typology, is favored for the anticipated widespread adoption of autonomous mobility systems and improved environmental performance. The innovative methods and findings introduced in this research illuminate an alternative approach to sustainable suburban development, offering valuable insights for city planners and developers to shape future suburban master plans, zoning regulations, and design guidelines.
Epigenetic Aspects of a New Probiotic Concept—A Pilot Study
Authors: Okuka Nina , Schuh Verena , Krammer Ulrike , Polovina Snezana , Sumarac-Dumanovic Mirjana , Milinkovic Neda , Velickovic Ksenija , Djordjevic Brizita , Haslberger Alexander , Ivanovic Nevena Dj.
Published: September 2023

Several studies report the important role of an altered gut microbiota in the development of obesity, highlighting the potential use of probiotics in the treatment of obesity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a novel probiotic approach on the expression of specific miRNAs and mRNAs associated with obesity in combination with the hypocholesterolemic octacosanol. Twenty overweight/obese women participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study and were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group (daily one capsule containing Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM9843), Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, and 40 mg octacosanol; N = 12) and the placebo group (N = 8). Changes in lipid parameters and expression of miRNAs and mRNAs were assessed before (T0) and after the 12-week intervention (T1). After the intervention, the expression of miR-155-5p (9.38 ± 0.85 vs. 8.38 ± 1.06, p = 0.05) and miR-24-3p (3.42 ± 0.38 vs. 2.71 ± 0.97, p = 0.031) showed significant decreases in the intervention group when compared to the control group. At T1, the expression of miR-155-5p (8.69 ± 1.31 vs. 9.3 ± 0.85, p = 0.04), miR-125b-5p (5.41 ± 1.18 vs. 5.99 ± 1.36, p = 0.049), and TNF-α (10.24 ± 1.66 vs. 11.36 ± 1.12, p = 0.009) were significantly decreased in the intervention group. No changes in lipids and anthropometric parameters were observed. The novel probiotic approach had a positive effect on regulating the expression of certain miRNAs and mRNAs important for regulating inflammation and adipogenesis, which are essential for obesity onset and control.
Hepatitis E Virus: Epidemiology, Clinical Aspects, and Its Significance as a Major Pregnancy Risk
Authors: Urooj Sidra , Anjum Sadia , Iqbal Fareeha , Abduh Maisa Siddiq , Akhtar Hashaam , Javed Sumbal , Kakar Salik Javed , Ikram Aamer , Maqbool Nabeel Ahmed , Ahmad Tahir
Published: September 2023

HEV is a single-stranded, positive RNA virus. The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causing agent of hepatitis, with a high prevalence rate in low-income countries due to poor sanitary conditions. It can exhibit acute, continuous, or extrahepatic consequences in immunocompromised individuals such as those undergoing organ transplantation and having HIV infection. HEV infection is either self limiting (silent), meaning the patient will possibly recover on his own, or symptomatic, causing acute liver injury or fulminant hepatitis and may eventually cause death. It can also cause chronic hepatitis that can progress to cirrhosis or recovery. Pregnancy-related HEV infection has an incidence rate of 30%. HEV escape from innate immunity, hormonal imbalances, defective monocyte–macrophage function, downregulation of the T-cell-mediated immune system, high cytokine production, nutritional factors, and socioeconomic conditions may play fundamental roles in the prevalence of HEV infection. It is necessary to take particular measures to reduce the incidence burden of HEV infection in high endemic locations as the incidence data, not the prevalence data, is more accurate at estimating disease dynamics. The purpose of this study is to throw light on several aspects of the hepatitis E virus and to discuss the incidence of HEV infection concerning other diseases. HEV molecular features, clinical features, epidemiology, extrahepatic manifestations, and multiple available diagnostics and treatment strategies for HEV are debated in the current review.
Graphite Fluoride as a Novel Solider Lubricant Additive for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Composites with Excellent Tribological Properties
Authors: Huang Guodong , Zhang Tao , Chen Yi , Yang Fei , Huang Huadong , Zhao Yongwu
Published: September 2023

The tribological properties of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) play a significant role in artificial joint materials. Graphite fluoride (GrF), a novel solid lubricant, was incorporated into ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) at different concentrations via ball milling and heat pressing to prepare the GrF-UHMW-PE composites. The structure, hardness, and tribological behavior of the composites were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry, ball indentation hardness, and a reciprocating ball-on-plane friction tester, respectively. The results of FT-IR showed that hydrogen bonds (C-F···H-C) could be formed between GrF and UHMW-PE. The hardness of the composites was significantly enhanced by increasing the GrF concentrations. GrF in the composites displayed superior lubricant properties and the coefficient of friction (COF) of the composites was significantly decreased at lower concentrations of GrF viz. 0.1 and 0.5 wt%. The addition of GrF also significantly enhanced the anti-wear properties of the composites, which was a combined effect of lubrication as well as hardness provided by GrF. At 0.5 wt% GrF concentration, the COF and the wear rate were reduced by 34.76% and 47.72%, respectively, when compared to UHMW-PE. As the concentration of GrF increased, the wear modes of the composites transitioned from fatigue wear to abrasive wear. Our current work suggested that GrF-UHMW-PE composites could be a suitable candidate for artificial joint materials.
Oil Degradation Patterns in Diesel and Petrol Engines Observed in the Field—An Approach Applying Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Agocs Adam , Nagy András Lajos , Ristic Andjelka , Tabakov Zsolt Miklós , Raffai Péter , Besser Charlotte , Frauscher Marcella
Published: September 2023

Engine oil degradation and tribological properties are strongly interrelated. Hence, understanding the chemical processes resulting in additive depletion and degradation products is necessary. In this study, in-service engine oils from petrol and diesel vehicles were analyzed with conventional and advanced methods (mass spectrometry). Additionally, the effect of the utilization profile (short- vs. long-range) was studied. Petrol engine oils generally showed accelerated antioxidant and antiwear degradation and higher oxidation, especially in the case of a short-range utilization profile, which can be attributed to the higher air-to-fuel ratio (more rich combustion) compared to diesel engines. A detailed overview of oxidation and nitration products, as well as degradation products resulting from zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate and boron ester antiwear additives, diphenylamine antioxidants and salicylate detergents is given. A side reaction between oxidation products (aromatic carboxylic acids) and the boron ester antiwear is highlighted. This reaction was only detected in the petrol engine oils, where the oxidation products were measured in a high abundance. However, no side reaction was found in the samples from the diesel vehicles, since there the aromatic carboxylic acids were largely absent due to lower oxidation.
Gradient-Based Neural Architecture Search: A Comprehensive Evaluation
Authors: Ali Sarwat , Wani M. Arif
Published: September 2023

One of the challenges in deep learning involves discovering the optimal architecture for a specific task. This is effectively tackled through Neural Architecture Search (NAS). Neural Architecture Search encompasses three prominent approaches—reinforcement learning, evolutionary algorithms, and gradient descent—that have demonstrated noteworthy potential in identifying good candidate architectures. However, approaches based on reinforcement learning and evolutionary algorithms often necessitate extensive computational resources, requiring hundreds of GPU days or more. Therefore, we confine this work to a gradient-based approach due to its lower computational resource demands. Our objective encompasses identifying the optimal gradient-based NAS method and pinpointing opportunities for future enhancements. To achieve this, a comprehensive evaluation of the use of four major Gradient descent-based architecture search methods for discovering the best neural architecture for image classification tasks is provided. An overview of these gradient-based methods, i.e., DARTS, PDARTS, Fair DARTS and Att-DARTS, is presented. A theoretical comparison, based on search spaces, continuous relaxation strategy and bi-level optimization, for deriving the best neural architecture is then provided. The strong and weak features of these methods are also listed. Experimental results for comparing the error rate and computational cost of these gradient-based methods are analyzed. These experiments involved using bench marking datasets CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100 and ImageNet. The results show that PDARTS is better and faster among the examined methods, making it a potent candidate for automating Neural Architecture Search. By effectively conducting a comparative analysis, our research provides valuable insights and future research directions to address the criticism and gaps in the literature.
A Multi-Stage Methodology for Long-Term Open-Pit Mine Production Planning under Ore Grade Uncertainty
Authors: Jelvez Enrique , Ortiz Julian , Varela Nelson Morales , Askari-Nasab Hooman , Nelis Gonzalo
Published: September 2023

The strategic planning of open pit operations defines the best strategy for extraction of the mineral deposit to maximize the net present value. The process of strategic planning must deal with several sources of uncertainty; therefore, many authors have proposed models to incorporate it at each of its stages: Computation of the ultimate pit, optimization of pushbacks, and production scheduling. However, most works address it at each level independently, with few aiming at the whole process. In this work, we propose a methodology based on new mathematical optimization models and the application of conditional simulation of the deposit for addressing the geological uncertainty at all stages. We test the method in a real case study and evaluate whether incorporating uncertainty increases the quality of the solutions. Moreover, we benefit from our integrated framework to evaluate the relative impact of uncertainty at each stage. This could be used by decision-makers as a guide for detecting risks and focusing efforts.
Asymptotic Behavior of Certain Non-Autonomous Planar Competitive Systems of Difference Equations
Authors: Kulenović Mustafa R. S. , Nurkanović Mehmed , Nurkanović Zehra , Trolle Susan
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates the dynamics of non-autonomous competitive systems of difference equations with asymptotically constant coefficients. We are mainly interested in global attractivity results for such systems and the application of such results to the evolutionary population of competition models of two species.
Oscillatory and Periodical Behavior of Heat Transfer and Magnetic Flux along Magnetic-Driven Cylinder with Viscous Dissipation and Joule Heating Effects
Authors: Ullah Zia , Aldhabani Musaad S. , Qaiser Muhammad Adnan
Published: September 2023

Several primary mechanisms are less utilized in engineering and recent technologies due to unsustainable heating. The impact of viscous dissipation and Joule heating is very important to examine current density and heat rate across a magnetized cylinder. The key objective of this examination was to insulate excessive heat around the cylinder. The present effort investigated the impact of viscous dissipations, Joule heating, and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) on the transitory motion of convective-heat transport and magnetic flux features of dissipative flows throughout a magnetized and warmed cylinder at suitable places. The suggested turbulent dynamical structure of mathematics is offered for an associated method of partial differentiation equations impacted by boundary values. The complex equations are translated via non-dimensional shapes by using relevant non-dimensional numbers. The non-dimensional representation has been improved to make it easier to conduct uniform computational calculations. The computational answers for these linked dimensionalized formulations have been achieved using the Prandtl coefficient Pr, Joule heating parameter ζ, Eckert number Ec, the magneto-force number ξ, the buoyancy parameter λ, and multiple additional predefined factors. The important contribution of this work is based on non-fluctuating solutions that are utilized to examine the oscillating behavior of shearing stress, rate of fluctuating heat transport, and rate of fluctuating magnetic flux in the presence of viscous dissipation and Joule heating at prominent angles. It is shown that the velocity of a fluid increases as the buoyancy parameter increases. The maximum frequency of heat transmission is illustrated for each Eckert variable.
Fock Quantization of a Klein–Gordon Field in the Interior Geometry of a Nonrotating Black Hole
Authors: Cortez Jerónimo , Elizaga Navascués Beatriz , Mena Marugán Guillermo A. , Torres-Caballeros Álvaro , Velhinho José
Published: September 2023

We study the canonical quantization of a scalar field in Kantowski–Sachs spacetime. For simplicity, we consider compactified spatial sections, since this does not affect the ultraviolet behavior. A time-dependent canonical transformation is performed prior to quantization. As in previously studied cases, the purpose of this canonical transformation is to identify and extract the background contribution to the field evolution which is obstructing a unitary implementation of the field dynamics at the quantum level. This splitting of the time dependence into a background piece and the part to be seen as true quantum evolution is, to a large extent, determined by the unitarity requirement itself. The quantization is performed in the usual setup of Fock representations, demanding the preservation of the spatial symmetries. Under the joint requirements of quantum unitary dynamics and compatibility with those classical symmetries, the quantization is shown to be unique, in the sense that any two representations with these properties are unitarily equivalent. This confirms the validity of our conditions as criteria to discriminate among possibly inequivalent quantum descriptions. The interest of this analysis goes beyond cosmological applications since the interior of a nonrotating black hole has a geometry of the Kantowski–Sachs type.
Distributionally Robust Reinsurance with Glue Value-at-Risk and Expected Value Premium
Authors: Lv Wenhua , Wei Linxiao
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we explore a distributionally robust reinsurance problem that incorporates the concepts of Glue Value-at-Risk and the expected value premium principle. The problem focuses on stop-loss reinsurance contracts with known mean and variance of the loss. The optimization problem can be formulated as a minimax problem, where the inner problem involves maximizing over all distributions with the same mean and variance. It is demonstrated that the inner problem can be represented as maximizing either over three-point distributions under some mild condition or over four-point distributions otherwise. Additionally, analytical solutions are provided for determining the optimal deductible and optimal values.
Evaluation of a Multi-Gene Methylation Blood-Test for the Detection of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Petit Joel , Carroll Georgia , Williams Henry , Pockney Peter , Scott Rodney J.
Published: September 2023

Circulating tumour DNA biomarkers are an expanding field in oncology research that offer great potential but are currently often limited in value by overall cost. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel multi-gene methylation blood test for the identification of colorectal cancer and throughout the spectrum of colorectal disease. Participants were recruited either prior to resection for known CRC or prior to screening colonoscopy after a positive faecal immunochemical test. Blood was collected from participants prior to their procedure being performed. The plasma was separated, and multiplex MethylLight droplet digital PCR was used to analyse for the presence of four methylated genes: SDC2, NPY, IKZF1 and SEPT9. A total of 537 participants underwent analysis. The SDC2/NPY genes showed a sensitivity of 33–54% and a specificity of 72–96%, whilst the IKZF1/SEPT9 genes showed a sensitivity of 19–42% and a specificity of 88–96%. Combining the two tests did not significantly increase the test accuracy. The sensitivity for advanced adenoma was 2–15%. There was a significant difference in the frequency of detectable methylation between the participants with CRC and those without CRC. However, neither the sensitivity nor the specificity was superior to current diagnostic screening tests.
Host-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Blood and Tissue Human Protozoan Infections
Authors: Tiberti Natalia , Longoni Silvia Stefania , Combes Valéry , Piubelli Chiara
Published: September 2023

Blood and tissue protozoan infections are responsible for an enormous burden in tropical and subtropical regions, even though they can also affect people living in high-income countries, mainly as a consequence of migration and travel. These pathologies are responsible for heavy socio-economic issues in endemic countries, where the lack of proper therapeutic interventions and effective vaccine strategies is still hampering their control. Moreover, the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with the establishment, progression and outcome of these infectious diseases are yet to be fully described. Among all the players, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have raised significant interest during the last decades due to their capacity to modulate inter–parasite and host–parasite interactions. In the present manuscript, we will review the state of the art of circulating host-derived EVs in clinical samples or in experimental models of human blood and tissue protozoan diseases (i.e., malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis and toxoplasmosis) to gain novel insights into the mechanisms of pathology underlying these conditions and to identify novel potential diagnostic markers.
The Gut-Wrenching Effects of Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis in Children
Authors: Prabakaran Mayuri , Weible Lyssa , Champlain Joshua , Jiang Ryan , Biondi Katalina , Weil Ana , Van Voorhis Wesley , Ojo Kayode
Published: September 2023

Cryptosporidium species and Giardia duodenalis are infectious intestinal protozoan pathogens that cause alarming rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Children are more likely to have clinical symptoms due to their less developed immune systems and factors such as undernutrition, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The severity of the symptoms and clinical manifestations in children may vary from asymptomatic to life-threatening depending on the Cryptosporidium species/G. duodenalis strains and the resulting complex stepwise interactions between the parasite, the host nutritional and immunologic status, and the gut microbiome profile. Structural damages inflicted by both parasites to epithelial cells in the large and small intestines could severely impair children’s gut health, including the ability to absorb nutrients, resulting in stunted growth, diminished neurocognitive development, and other long-term effects. Clinically approved cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis drugs have broad antimicrobial effects that have incomprehensible impacts on growing children’s gut health.
Investigating Ice Loads on Subsea Pipelines with Cohesive Zone Model in Abaqus
Authors: Gribanov Igor , Taylor Rocky , Thijssen Jan , Fuglem Mark
Published: September 2023

Subsea pipelines and cables placed in ice-prone regions may be at risk of iceberg damage. In particular, pipes that are not buried may come in direct contact with iceberg keels. Knowing the range of interaction forces helps to assess the types and magnitudes of potential damage. Experimental studies provide the most valuable data about the interaction forces, while numerical modeling may give insight into configurations that are difficult to study experimentally. This work applies the cohesive zone model to investigate the fracture behavior of ice samples. Simulations are performed in 2D with Abaqus explicit solver. Modeled interaction forces from multiple simulations are recorded and compared to understand how the geometry of the samples affects the fracture. Repeat interactions with different grain configurations are conducted to investigate associated variance in fracture patterns and loads. t-tests show that the force application angle and the indenter’s position significantly affect the fracture force.
Derivatives Incorporating Acridine, Pyrrole, and Thiazolidine Rings as Promising Antitumor Agents
Authors: Garberová Monika , Potočňák Ivan , Tvrdoňová Monika , Majirská Monika , Bago-Pilátová Martina , Bekešová Slávka , Kováč Andrej , Takáč Peter , Khiratkar Krutika , Kudličková Zuzana , Elečko Ján , Vilková Mária
Published: September 2023

Derivatives combining acridine, pyrrole, and thiazolidine rings have emerged as promising candidates in the field of antitumor drug discovery. This paper aims to highlight the importance of these three structural motifs in developing potent and selective anticancer agents. The integration of these rings within a single molecule offers the potential for synergistic effects, targeting multiple pathways involved in tumor growth and progression. Spiro derivatives were efficiently synthesized in a two-step process starting from isothiocyanates and 2-cyanoacetohydrazide. The thiourea side chain in spiro derivatives was utilized as a key component for the construction of the thiazolidine-4-one ring through regioselective reactions with bifunctional reagents, namely methyl-bromoacetate, dietyl-acetylenedicarboxylate, ethyl-2-bromopropionate, and ethyl-2-bromovalerate. These reactions resulted in the formation of a single regioisomeric product for each derivative. Advanced spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR, FT-IR, HRMS, and single-crystal analysis, were employed to meticulously characterize the chemical structures of the synthesized derivatives. Furthermore, the influence of these derivatives on the metabolic activity of various cancer cell lines was assessed, with IC50 values determined via MTT assays. Notably, derivatives containing ester functional groups exhibited exceptional activity against all tested cancer cell lines, boasting IC50 values below 10 μM. Particularly striking were the spiro derivatives with methoxy groups at position 3 and nitro groups at position 4 of the phenyl ring. These compounds displayed remarkable selectivity and exhibited heightened activity against HCT-116 and Jurkat cell lines. Additionally, 4-oxo-1,3-thiazolidin-2-ylidene derivatives demonstrated a significant activity against MCF-7 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines.
The Identity and Mineral Composition of Natural, Plant-Derived and Artificial Sweeteners
Authors: Leśniewicz Anna , Wełna Maja , Szymczycha-Madeja Anna , Pohl Paweł
Published: September 2023

The qualitative X-ray phase analysis of natural and artificial food sweeteners was applied to trace the authenticity of such food additives. The mineral composition of different sweeteners commonly added to foods was studied to estimate their mineral profiles and assess the risk related to the toxic elements intake caused by sweetener consumption. The concentration of twenty elements (Ag, Al, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn) was measured using the inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) method after the representative samples were wet-digested with a concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide mixture in a closed-vessel microwave-assisted system. Differences between the mineral compositions of the examined sweeteners were statistically evaluated and discussed. The relationships between the concentrations of the elements determined in the analyzed sweeteners were also investigated. The successful application of the X-ray powder diffraction method proved the identity of all investigated sweeteners; all the analyzed products contained the expected sweetening agent. The results of the quantification of all the elements in the examined sweeteners indicated that these products cannot be considered nutritionally dense. Hence, the presence of toxic elements like Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb distinctly indicates the need to test such products to guarantee their quality and ensure consumer safety.
Administration of Ethanolic Extract of Spinacia oleracea Rich in Omega-3 Improves Oxidative Stress and Goblet Cells in Broiler Chickens Infected with Eimeria tenella
Authors: Ewais Osama , Abdel-Tawab Heba , El-Fayoumi Huda , Aboelhadid Shawky M , Al-Quraishy Saleh , Falkowski Piotr , Abdel-Baki Abdel-Azeem S.
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the anticoccidial activity of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) whole-plant extract against Eimeria tenella, both in vitro and in vivo. For this purpose, one hundred 8-day-old broiler chicks of both sexes were divided into four groups (n = 25 in each group). Chicks in the first group served as the negative control (non-treated–non-infected). Chicks in the second group were challenged at 18 days old with 5 × 104 E. tenella sporulated oocysts. The third group was challenged with 5 × 104 sporulated E. tenella oocysts at 18 days old after receiving spinach extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg at 8 days old. The fourth group received 0.2 mg/kg diclazuril (Coxiril® 0.2%) in their diet two days before being orally infected with 5 × 104 sporulated E. tenella oocysts and this continued till day 10 post-infection (PI). The growth performance, clinical symptoms, oocyst shedding, histological findings, and biochemical parameters were used to evaluate the efficacy on day 8 PI when the infection was at its peak. A gas chromatography examination revealed that omega-3 fatty acids were the main constituents of the spinach extract, followed by oleic acid, palmitic acid, and phytol, with amounts of 23.37%, 17.53%, 11.26%, and 7.97%, respectively. The in vitro investigation revealed that the spinach extract at concentrations of 10% and 5% inhibited the oocyst sporulation by 52.1% and 45.1%, respectively. The 5% concentration was selected for the in vivo trial based on the results of the in vitro study. The infected–untreated group showed high levels of OPG; lower body weight; a greater number of parasite stages; few goblet cells; decreased SOD, CAT, and GPX levels; and increased MDA and NO levels. The spinach-treated group, on the other hand, showed a significant decrease in oocyst output per gram of feces (OPG), increased body weight, decreased parasitic stages, and a nearly normal number of goblet cells. Additionally, it reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), while increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). In conclusion, spinach produced significant antioxidant effects, increased body weight, reduced the number of oocysts and parasite stages in the caecum, and restored the number of goblet cells relative to those of an uninfected control. Furthermore, spinach extract inhibits the sporulation percentage of E. tenella oocysts. The ethanolic extract of S. oleracea (whole plant) contained high concentrations of fatty acids, palmitic acid, Phytol, betulin, and ursolic aldehyde, all of which are known to regulate the antioxidant pathway and modulate inflammatory processes and may be the main reason for its anticoccidial activity.
ClO2-Mediated Oxidation of the TEMPO Radical: Fundamental Considerations of the Catalytic System for the Oxidation of Cellulose Fibers
Authors: Giraldo Isaza Laura , Mortha Gérard , Marlin Nathalie , Molton Florian , Duboc Carole
Published: September 2023

The reaction mechanism of ClO2-mediated TEMPO oxidation was investigated by EPR spectroscopy and UV–Vis spectroscopy in the context of an alternative TEMPO sequence for cellulose fiber oxidation. Without the presence of a cellulosic substrate, a reversibility between TEMPO and its oxidation product, TEMPO+, was displayed, with an effect of the pH and reagent molar ratios. The involvement of HOCl and Cl−, formed as byproducts in the oxidation mechanism, was also evidenced. Trapping HOCl partly inhibits the reaction, whereas adding methylglucoside, a cellulose model compound, inhibits the reversibility of the reaction to TEMPO.
Magnetic Property, Heat Capacity and Crystal Structure of Mononuclear Compounds Based on Substitute Tetrazole Ligand
Authors: Zheng Hui , Luo Jipeng , Wang Xiaoqin , Yin Nan , Zhang Beibei , Gao Xuezhen , Zhang Zongzheng , Shi Quan , Liu Junshen
Published: September 2023

Three mononuclear compounds formulated as {M[(2-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyridine]2(H2O)2} (M = FeII (1), CoII (2), CuII (3)) were reported and synthesized. Their space group is monoclinic, P21/c, revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Antiferromagnetic interactions exist in Compounds 1, 2 and 3, as evidenced by magnetic and low-temperature heat capacity measurements. In addition, their thermodynamic functions were determined by a relaxation calorimeter, indicating that Compound 1 exhibits a Schottky anomaly in low-temperature heat capacity. This work can provide an important fundamental basis for the research of the thermophysical properties of molecular-based magnetic materials.
The Potential microRNA Prognostic Signature in HNSCCs: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dioguardi Mario , Spirito Francesca , Iacovelli Giovanna , Sovereto Diego , Laneve Enrica , Laino Luigi , Caloro Giorgia Apollonia , Nabi Ari Qadir , Ballini Andrea , Lo Muzio Lorenzo , Troiano Giuseppe
Published: September 2023

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are often diagnosed at advanced stages, incurring significant high mortality and morbidity. Several microRNAs (miRs) have been identified as pivotal players in the onset and advancement of HNSCCs, operating as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Distinctive miR patterns identified in tumor samples, as well as in serum, plasma, or saliva, from patients have significant clinical potential for use in the diagnosis and prognosis of HNSCCs and as potential therapeutic targets. The aim of this study was to identify previous systematic reviews with meta-analysis data and clinical trials that showed the most promising miRs in HNSCCs, enclosing them into a biomolecular signature to test the prognostic value on a cohort of HNSCC patients according to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct) and one registry (the Cochrane Library) were investigated, and a combination of keywords such as “signature microRNA OR miR” AND “HNSCC OR LSCC OR OSCC OR oral cancer” were searched. In total, 15 systematic literature reviews and 76 prognostic clinical reports were identified for the study design and inclusion process. All survival index data were extracted, and the three miRs (miR-21, miR-155, and miR-375) most investigated and presenting the largest number of patients included in the studies were selected in a molecular biosignature. The difference between high and low tissue expression levels of miR-21, miR-155, and miR-375 for OS had an HR = 1.28, with 95% CI: [0.95, 1.72]. In conclusion, the current evidence suggests that miRNAs have potential prognostic value to serve as screening tools for clinical practice in HNSCC follow-up and treatment. Further large-scale cohort studies focusing on these miRNAs are recommended to verify the clinical utility of these markers individually and/or in combination.
Successful Management, in a Low-Resource Setting, of Disseminated Tuberculosis in a 3-Year Old Boy: A Case Report
Authors: Chilundo Josina , Muhelo Arlindo , Ahivaldino Zita , Zucula Helton , Macuácua Sheila , Mussagi Ana Cristina , Pizzol Damiano , Smith Lee , Maggioni Giuseppe
Published: September 2023

Disseminated or military tuberculosis (TB) is defined as the presence of at least two non-contiguous sites of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, occurring as a result of progressive primary infection, reactivation and spread of a latent focus or due to iatrogenic origin. Disseminated TB represents a life-threatening condition, especially in at-risk children and when diagnosis and treatment are delayed. We report on a case of a 3-year old boy who presented with long-lasting unrecognised disseminated TB that was successfully managed in a low-resource setting.
Link Resource-Aware RMSA Algorithm for Advance Reservation Requests in Semi-Filterless Optical Networks
Authors: Yuan Junling , Wang Suhua , Xie Yanyan , Li Xuhong , Zhang Qikun , Zhang Jing
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates the routing, modulation, and spectrum assignment (RMSA) problem for advance reservation (AR) requests in semi-filterless optical networks (semi-FONs). A link resource-aware (LRA) algorithm consisting of three parts is proposed. First, in the request scheduling phase, a request sorting strategy based on the flexible window size of the starting time is proposed. This strategy schedules AR requests based on the size of a flexible window with respect to the starting time. Next, in the routing phase, a link resource-aware strategy is proposed. This strategy evenly distributes the requests across the network resources, thereby avoiding request blocking due to excessive resource occupation on a single or few links. In the spectrum assignment phase, a frequency–time block-based metric is employed to measure the availability of each frequency–time block for AR requests. This metric is a sum of two factors: the distance to the block and spectrum boundaries, and the time interval between the request start time and the earliest start time. Our simulation results demonstrate that the proposed LRA algorithm has a lower blocking probability compared to the benchmark algorithms.
Stable Emissions from a Four-Rod Nd:YAG Solar Laser with ±0.5° Tracking Error Compensation Capacity
Authors: Catela Miguel , Liang Dawei , Almeida Joana , Costa Hugo , Garcia Dário , Tibúrcio Bruno D. , Guillot Emmanuel , Vistas Cláudia R.
Published: September 2023

Conventional solar-pumped lasers rely on expensive and highly accurate solar tracking systems, which present a significant economic barrier to both solar laser research and practical applications. To address this challenge, an end-side-pumped four-rod solar laser head was designed and built for testing at PROMES-CNRS. Solar radiation was collected and concentrated using a heliostat–parabolic mirror system. A fused silica aspheric lens further concentrated the solar rays into a flux homogenizer within which four Nd:YAG rods were symmetrically positioned around a reflective cone and cooled by water. Four partially reflective mirrors were precisely aligned to extract continuous-wave 1064 nm solar laser power from each laser rod. The prototype demonstrated stable multibeam solar laser operation with the solar tracking system turned on. Even when the tracking system was turned off, the total output power extracted from the solar-pumped laser remained stable for 1 min, representing, to the best of our knowledge, the first successful demonstration of a stable multibeam solar laser operation without solar tracking. For typical solar tracking errors up to ±0.5°, the loss in the total solar laser power produced was only about 1%, representing an 8.0-fold improvement over the previous solar laser experiments under tracking error conditions.
Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops: The Key to Global Food Security
Authors: Ahmed Temoor , Noman Muhammad , Shahid Muhammad , Hameed Amir , Li Bin
Published: September 2023

Plant diseases are a major threat to global food security [...]
Photosynthetic Response of Blueberries Grown in Containers
Authors: Salazar-Gutiérrez Melba R. , Lawrence Kathy , Coneva Elina D. , Chaves-Córdoba Bernardo
Published: September 2023

Recently, there has been increased interest in container blueberry production as a viable alternative to open-field blueberry planting. Container production of blueberries offers numerous advantages, among these, a lack of limitation by suboptimal soil conditions in the open field and the ability to control substrate pH, drainage, and organic matter. The photosynthetic response for three container-grown Southern highbush blueberry (interspecific Vaccinium hybrids) cultivars including ‘Jewel’, ‘Meadowlark’, and ‘Victoria’ and a rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum) ‘Baldwin’, were measured during the spring and summer of 2022. It was hypothesized that the three cultivars evaluated would have different photosynthetic responses. The objective of this study was to determine the photosynthetic activity of different blueberry cultivars during the first year of crop establishment. A series of measurements were conducted every 2 h throughout the day and for different dates using a gas exchange data analyzer on newly matured fully expanded leaves located in the top middle section of the canopy for each cultivar. The response curves showed that net photosynthesis (A) became saturated at moderate light, with saturation occurring at a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 1932 µmol m−2 s−1. At this point, the rate of CO2 assimilation was approximately 16.84 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1. No differences in (A) were found among cultivars. Overall, the attained values of photosynthesis provide a strong conceptual basis for understanding the cultivar variation response when grown in containers; therefore, the containerized system may serve as a production system for early fruiting blueberries in Alabama, USA.
The Cell Wall Characterization of Brown Alga Cladosiphon okamuranus during Growth
Authors: Miwa Yuka , Awanthi Mahanama Geegana Gamage , Soga Kouichi , Tanaka Atsuko , Ito Michihiro , Numata Yuichiro , Sato Yoichi , Konishi Teruko
Published: September 2023

The present study provides new insights into the growth of the brown algal cell wall by showing that cell wall polysaccharides play an important role in the process of growth, considering the physicochemical characteristic of young and old Cladosiphon okamuranus. To determine its structural variation in detail, the cell wall was sequentially fractionated into five fractions: hot water (HW), ammonium oxalate, hemicellulose-I (HC–I), HC-II, and cellulose, and analyzed physicochemically. Results showed that almost 80% of the total recovery cell wall from both young and old thalli was HW, and HC-I contained mainly fucoidan composed of Fucose, Glucuronic acid, and sulfate in molar ratios of 1.0:0.3:0.6~0.7 and 1.0:0.3:0.2~0.3, respectively. Fucoidan in HW was a highly sulfated matrix polysaccharide abundance in young thalli, while fucoidan in HC-I was rich in old thalli and functions as hemicellulose in land plants, crosslinking with cellulose and strengthening the cell wall. We found that HW and HC-I were particularly involved in the growth and strength of old thalli appeared to be due to the deposition of HC-I and the reduction in water content during the growth process.
Inclusion of Biological Targets in the Analysis of Electrical Characteristics of Non-Thermal Plasma Discharge
Authors: Sutter Julia , Brettschneider Jascha , Mamchur Sara , Krebs Fred , Gershman Sophia , Miller Vandana
Published: September 2023

In Plasma Medicine studies, the effect of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on biological targets is typically correlated with the amount of stable reactive oxygen and nitrogen species produced in a liquid medium. The effect of NTP and the response of the biological target on cellular redox mechanisms is overlooked in these investigations. Additionally, the influence of electrical properties of cells on the physical properties of NTP is neglected. Therefore, we used a floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge plasma to explore the impact of cell structure, size, and viability of the biological target on the physical properties of NTP. Lissajous figures were used to determine circuit capacitance and energy per cycle during NTP exposure of different cell suspensions. We show that both, structural integrity and active enzymic processes of cells change the electrical properties of NTP. Correlations were also drawn between NTP-produced hydrogen peroxide and nitrite with measured capacitance. Our studies indicate that the observed changes between different cell suspensions may be due to a feedback loop between the biological target and the NTP source. In future studies, a more detailed analysis is needed to improve the control of clinical NTP devices.
Wet Oxidation of Pharmaceutical Sludge for the Treatment and Production of Value-Added Materials
Authors: Fang Kaiyu , Zeng Xu , Yao Guodong , Xia Siqing , Zhao Jianfu , Zhou Yangyuan , Zhu Yuting , Li Xuejun , Qu Chanjuan
Published: September 2023

The wet oxidation of pharmaceutical sludge for the treatment and production of value-added materials was investigated. The experiments were carried out in a stainless-steel autoclave reactor with chemical synthetic pharmaceutical sludge. The highest removal rate of total suspended solids (90.1%) and volatile suspended solids (98.4%) was achieved at 260 °C for 60 min with an initial oxygen pressure of 0.8 MPa. Simultaneously, the total chemical oxygen demand removal rate (78.7%) and the soluble chemical oxygen demand removal rate (81.6%) were obtained. The volatile fatty acid concentration—including acetic acid, propanoic acid, isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid—increased to 4819 mg/L with pH 12.56, which indicated the possibility of improving the quality of wet oxidized sludge solution as a potential carbon source by adding reagents. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the sludge became a loose porous structure after wet oxidation, which is beneficial for dewatering performance. Energy dispersive spectroscopy images illustrate that carbon elements in sludge migrate from solid to liquid phases during the wet oxidation process. These results provide meaningful data for the design of further works and demonstrate that wet oxidation is a promising method for the treatment of pharmaceutical sludge, and the produced volatile fatty acids, including acetic acid and propanoic acid, are potential carbon sources for the biological treatment of wastewater.