bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a High-Fat Diet on Insulin-Related miRNAs in Plasma and Brain Tissue in APPSwe/PS1dE9 and Wild-Type C57BL/6J Mice
Authors: Rojas-Criollo Melina , Novau-Ferré Nil , Gutierrez-Tordera Laia , Ettcheto Miren , Folch Jaume , Papandreou Christopher , Panisello Laura , Cano Amanda , Mostafa Hamza , Mateu-Fabregat Javier , Carrasco Marina , Camins Antoni , Bulló Mònica
Published: March 2024

Insulin resistance (IR)-related miRNAs have been associated with the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The dietary modulation of these miRNAs could become a potential strategy to manage AD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a high-fat diet (HFD), which aggravates AD-related pathogenic processes, on serum, cortex and hippocampus IR-related miRNA expression. C57BL/6J WT and APPSwe/PS1dE9 mice were fed either an HFD or a conventional diet till 6 months of age. The mice fed with the HFD showed a significant increase in body weight and worsening glucose and insulin metabolism. miR-19a-3p was found to be up-regulated in the cortex, hippocampus and serum of APP/PS1 mice and in the serum and hippocampus of WT mice fed with the HFD. miR-34a-5p and miR-146a-5p were up-regulated in the serum of both groups of mice after consuming the HFD. Serum miR-29c-3p was overexpressed after consuming the HFD, along with hippocampal miR-338-3p and miR-125b-5p, only in WT mice. The HFD modulated the expression of peripheral and brain miRNAs related to glucose and insulin metabolism, suggesting the potential role of these miRNAs not only as therapeutic targets of AD but also as peripheral biomarkers for monitoring AD.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum Hydrodistillate and Its Major Component Damulin B Promote Hair Growth-Inducing Properties In Vivo and In Vitro via the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Dermal Papilla Cells
Authors: Kovale Lochana , Lee Seoyeon , Song Minhyeok , Lee Jihyun , Son Hyeong Jig , Sung Young Kwan , Kwack Mi Hee , Choe Wonchae , Kang Insug , Kim Sung Soo , Ha Joohun
Published: March 2024

Alopecia, a prevalent yet challenging condition with limited FDA-approved treatments which is accompanied by notable side effects, necessitates the exploration of natural alternatives. This study elucidated the hair growth properties of Gynostemma pentaphyllum leaf hydrodistillate (GPHD) both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, damulin B, a major component of GPHD, demonstrated hair growth-promoting properties in vitro. Beyond its established anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory attributes, GPHD exhibited hair growth induction in mice parallel to minoxidil. Moreover, it upregulated the expression of autocrine factors associated with hair growth, including VEGF, IGF-1, KGF, and HGF. Biochemical assays revealed that minoxidil, GPHD, and damulin B induced hair growth via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway through AKT signaling, aligning with in vivo experiments demonstrating improved expression of growth factors. These findings suggest that GPHD and damulin B contribute to the hair growth-inducing properties of dermal papilla cells through the AKT/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Calorie Restriction Using High-Fat/Low-Carbohydrate Diet Suppresses Liver Fat Accumulation and Pancreatic Beta-Cell Dedifferentiation in Obese Diabetic Mice
Authors: Lei Xiao , Ishida Emi , Yoshino Satoshi , Matsumoto Shunichi , Horiguchi Kazuhiko , Yamada Eijiro
Published: March 2024

In diabetes, pancreatic β-cells gradually lose their ability to secrete insulin with disease progression. β-cell dysfunction is a contributing factor to diabetes severity. Recently, islet cell heterogeneity, exemplified by β-cell dedifferentiation and identified in diabetic animals, has attracted attention as an underlying molecular mechanism of β-cell dysfunction. Previously, we reported β-cell dedifferentiation suppression by calorie restriction, not by reducing hyperglycemia using hypoglycemic agents (including sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors), in an obese diabetic mice model (db/db). Here, to explore further mechanisms of the effects of food intake on β-cell function, db/db mice were fed either a high-carbohydrate/low-fat diet (db-HC) or a low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet (db-HF) using similar calorie restriction regimens. After one month of intervention, body weight reduced, and glucose intolerance improved to a similar extent in the db-HC and db-HF groups. However, β-cell dedifferentiation did not improve in the db-HC group, and β-cell mass compensatory increase occurred in this group. More prominent fat accumulation occurred in the db-HC group livers. The expression levels of genes related to lipid metabolism, mainly regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and γ, differed significantly between groups. In conclusion, the fat/carbohydrate ratio in food during calorie restriction in obese mice affected both liver lipid metabolism and β-cell dedifferentiation.
Emergency First Responders’ Misconceptions about Suicide: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Ayala Romera Elena Victoria , Sánchez Santos Rosa María , Fenzi Giulio , García Méndez Juan Antonio , Díaz Agea Jose Luis
Published: March 2024

Background: In 2022, suicide was the second leading cause of external death in Spain (the first among young people aged 15–29 years). This study aims to analyze the presence of myths among emergency first responders and identify the most prevalent false beliefs among them. Methods: The research is a observational and descriptive study carried out using a questionnaire composed of a total of 25 myths, with the response options being true or false. A total of 543 professionals took part in the study. All of them could intervene before, during, and after a suicide attempt. Results: The main finding of the study is that more than 50% of the participants accept as true the statement "There are more serious and less serious problems", underlining the idea that caring for patients could be related to the importance the health professional gives to the patients’ problem. Myths such as “The suicidal person wants to die” and “The suicidal person is determined to die” are also evident. Conclusion: The subjective thought the first responder has about suicide could affect their acts, and there is a need to train first responders in suicidal behavior to be able to create an adequate approach.
Biological Activities of Deer Antler-Derived Peptides on Human Chondrocyte and Bone Metabolism
Authors: Ho Tsung-Jung , Tsai Wan-Ting , Wu Jia-Ru , Chen Hao-Ping
Published: March 2024

Orally administered “tortoiseshell and deer antler gelatin” is a common traditional medicine for patients with osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. From the pepsin-digested gelatin, we previously isolated and identified the osteoblast-stimulating pentapeptide, TSKYR. Its trypsin digestion products include the dipeptide YR, enhancing calcium ion uptake, and tripeptide TSK, resulting in remarkable 30- and 50-fold increases in mineralized nodule area and density in human osteoblast cells. These peptides were chemically synthesized in this study. The composition of deer antler preparations comprises not only proteins and peptides but also a significant quantity of metal ion salts. By analyzing osteoblast growth in the presence of peptide YR and various metal ions, we observed a synergistic effect of calcium and strontium on the effects of YR. Those peptides could also stimulate the growth of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells and human chondrocytes, increasing collagen and glycosaminoglycan content in a three-dimensional environment. The maintenance of bone homeostasis relies on a balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Deer antler peptides were observed to inhibit osteoclast differentiation, as evidenced by ROS generation, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) activity assays, and gene expression in RAW264.7 cells. In summary, our findings provide a deep understanding of the efficacy of this folk medicine.
New Light on Plants and Their Chemical Compounds Used in Polish Folk Medicine to Treat Urinary Diseases
Authors: Olas Beata , Różański Waldemar , Urbańska Karina , Sławińska Natalia , Bryś Magdalena
Published: March 2024

This review contains the results of Polish (Central Europe) ethnomedical studies that describe the treatment of urinary tract diseases with wild and cultivated plants. The study includes only the plants that are used to treat the urinary tract, excluding prostate diseases. A review of the literature was carried out to verify the pharmacological use of the plants mentioned in the interviews. Based on this, the study reviews the pharmacological activities of all the recorded species and indicates their most important chemical compounds. Fifty-three species (belonging to 30 families) were selected for the study. The Compositae (eight species), Rosaceae (six species), and Apiaceae (six species) are the most common families used in the treatment of urinary diseases in Polish folk medicine. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that many of these plant species have beneficial properties, such as diuretic, antihyperuricemic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity, or the prevention of urinary stone formation. These effects are exerted through different mechanisms, for example, through the activation of bradykinin B2 receptors, inhibition of xanthine oxidase, or inhibition of Na+-K+ pump. Many plants used in folk medicine are rich in phytochemicals with proven effectiveness against urinary tract diseases, such as rutin, arbutin, or triterpene saponins.
The Genetic Landscape of Systemic Rheumatic Diseases: A Comprehensive Multigene-Panel Study Identifying Key Gene Polymorphisms
Authors: Simula Elena Rita , Jasemi Seyedesomaye , Cossu Davide , Manca Pietro Carmelo , Sanna Daria , Scarpa Fabio , Meloni Gianfranco , Cusano Roberto , Sechi Leonardo Antonio
Published: March 2024

Systemic rheumatic diseases, including conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, represent a complex array of autoimmune disorders characterized by chronic inflammation and diverse clinical manifestations. This study focuses on unraveling the genetic underpinnings of these diseases by examining polymorphisms in key genes related to their pathology. Utilizing a comprehensive genetic analysis, we have documented the involvement of these genetic variations in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases. Our study has identified several key polymorphisms with notable implications in rheumatic diseases. Polymorphism at chr11_112020916 within the IL-18 gene was prevalent across various conditions with a potential protective effect. Concurrently, the same IL18R1 gene polymorphism located at chr2_103010912, coding for the IL-18 receptor, was observed in most rheumatic conditions, reinforcing its potential protective role. Additionally, a further polymorphism in IL18R1 at chr2_103013408 seems to have a protective influence against the rheumatic diseases under investigation. In the context of emerging genes involved in rheumatic diseases, like PARK2, a significant polymorphism at chr6_161990516 was consistently identified across different conditions, exhibiting protective characteristics in these pathological contexts. The findings underscore the complexity of the genetic landscape in rheumatic autoimmune disorders and pave the way for a deeper understanding of their etiology and the possible development of more targeted and effective therapeutic strategies.
Tailoring Treatment in Cardiovascular Diseases: The Role of Targeted Therapies
Authors: Dankar Razan , Wehbi Jad , Refaat Marwan M.
Published: March 2024

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe. To address this public health burden, innovative therapeutic agents are being developed to specifically target molecular and genetic markers. Various therapeutic modalities have been implemented, including vaccines, monoclonal or bispecific antibodies, and gene-based therapies. Such drugs precisely target the underlying disease pathophysiology, aiming at notable molecules such as lipid metabolism regulators, proinflammatory cytokines, and growth factors. This review focuses on the latest advancements in different targeted therapies. It provides an insightful overview of the current landscape of targeted cardiovascular therapies, highlighting promising strategies with potential to transform the treatment of CVDs into an era of precision medicine.
Fabrication of Quercetin-Functionalized Morpholine and Pyridine Motifs-Laden Silk Fibroin Nanofibers for Effective Wound Healing in Preclinical Study
Authors: Sabarees Govindaraj , Velmurugan Vadivel , Gouthaman Siddan , Solomon Viswas Raja , Kandhasamy Subramani
Published: March 2024

Choosing suitable wound dressings is crucial for effective wound healing. Spun scaffolds with bioactive molecule functionalization are gaining attention as a promising approach to expedite tissue repair and regeneration. Here, we present the synthesis of novel multifunctional quercetin with morpholine and pyridine functional motifs (QFM) embedded in silk fibroin (SF)-spun fibers (SF-QFM) for preclinical skin repair therapies. The verification of the novel QFM structural arrangement was characterized using ATR-FTIR, NMR, and ESI-MS spectroscopy analysis. Extensive characterization of the spun SF-QFM fibrous mats revealed their excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and remarkable mechanical and controlled drug release capabilities. SF-QFM mats were studied for drug release in pH 7.4 PBS over 72 h. The QFM-controlled release is mainly driven by diffusion and follows Fickian’s law. Significant QFM release (40%) occurred within the first 6 h, with a total release of 79% at the end of 72 h, which is considered beneficial in effectively reducing bacterial load and helping expedite the healing process. Interestingly, the SF-QFM-spun mat demonstrated significantly improved NIH 3T3 cell proliferation and migration compared to the pure SF mat, as evidenced by the complete migration of NIH 3T3 cells within 24 h in the scratch assay. Furthermore, the in vivo outcome of SF-QFM was demonstrated by the regeneration of fresh fibroblasts and the realignment of collagen fibers deposition at 9 days post-operation in a preclinical rat full-thickness skin defect model. Our findings collectively indicate that the SF-QFM electrospun nanofiber scaffolds hold significant capability as a cost-effective and efficient bioactive spun architecture for use in wound healing applications.
Evaluation of Advanced Nanomaterials for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Ndlovu Nkanyiso L. , Mdlalose Wendy B. , Ntsendwana Bulelwa , Moyo Thomas
Published: March 2024

Cancer is a persistent global disease and a threat to the human species, with numerous cases reported every year. Over recent decades, a steady but slowly increasing mortality rate has been observed. While many attempts have been made using conventional methods alone as a theragnostic strategy, they have yielded very little success. Most of the shortcomings of such conventional methods can be attributed to the high demands of industrial growth and ever-increasing environmental pollution. This requires some high-tech biomedical interventions and other solutions. Thus, researchers have been compelled to explore alternative methods. This has brought much attention to nanotechnology applications, specifically magnetic nanomaterials, as the sole or conjugated theragnostic methods. The exponential growth of nanomaterials with overlapping applications in various fields is due to their potential properties, which depend on the type of synthesis route used. Either top-down or bottom-up strategies synthesize various types of NPs. The top-down only branches out to one method, i.e., physical, and the bottom-up has two methods, chemical and biological syntheses. This review highlights some synthesis techniques, the types of nanoparticle properties each technique produces, and their potential use in the biomedical field, more specifically for cancer. Despite the evident drawbacks, the success achieved in furthering nanoparticle applications to more complex cancer stages and locations is unmatched.
Cascaded Third-Harmonic Generation in Optically Induced 3D Nonlinear Photonic Crystals
Authors: Xu Tianxiang , Wang Sen , Zeng Jing , Liu Dawei , Zhao Ruwei , Yao Yuming , Zhao Yuhao , Zhao Hui , Xu Tiefeng , Sheng Yan
Published: March 2024

Nonlinear photonic crystals with 3D orthorhombic lattice structures were fabricated using the femtosecond laser-poling technique in ferroelectric Sr0.28Ba0.72Nb2O6 (SBN) crystals. The crystals were used to demonstrate the possibility of generating cascaded third-harmonic waves in optically poled ferroelectric structures. The spectral response and conversion efficiency of the third-harmonic process were experimentally investigated. While the nonlinear cascading processes can be commonly realized in electric-field-poled ferroelectric crystals, their generation in optically poled ferroelectric domain structures have not been reported elsewhere. In addition to the fully phase-matched nonlinear interaction, Cherenkov-type third-harmonic generation that fulfills the longitudinal phase-matching condition was also experimentally studied. Our study contributes to exploring the full potential of optically induced nonlinear photonic crystals and provides a new choice of materials for third-harmonic generation.
Special Issue on Advances in Photoelectric Tracking Systems: An Overview
Authors: Deng Jiuqiang , Bao Qiliang , Wang Yutang , Mao Yao
Published: March 2024

The photoelectric tracking system, which consists of optical, mechanical, electrical, and computer components, is in charge of tracking targets at extremely long distances [...]
Effect of Photodynamic Therapy with the Photosensitizer Methylene Blue on Cerebral Endotheliocytes In Vitro
Authors: Makarov Vladimir I. , Skobeltsin Alexey S. , Averchuk Anton S. , Berdnikov Arseniy K. , Chinenkova Milana V. , Salmina Alla B. , Loschenov Victor B.
Published: March 2024

Background: Microvessels in tumor tissue play a crucial role in meeting the metabolic needs of transformed cells, controlling the entry of xenobiotics into tumor tissue, and regulating local inflammation that promotes metastasis. Methylene blue has photosensitizing properties and can also affect dysfunctional mitochondria. Methods: The study was performed on the primary culture of CECs. The cells underwent photodynamic treatment through 660 nm laser irradiation at a power density of 300 mW/cm2. The MTT, TMRE, and TUNEL assays were used to assess the survival, redox metabolism, mitochondrial activity, and apoptosis of CECs. Additionally, the metabolic activity of cells was evaluated using FLIM by measuring the fluorescence lifetime of NADH and FAD. Results: When CECs were incubated with MB, there was an increase in mitochondrial activity that was dependent on the concentration of MB. Additionally, mitochondrial activity increased when the CECs were exposed to 660 nm laser irradiation at an energy dose of up to 5 J/cm2. Following PDT, a slight shift towards oxidative phosphorylation was observed. Conclusions: In vitro application of MB accumulation or laser irradiation causes a shift in the redox status of CECs towards increased reducing activity, without causing any cell damage. However, the combined action of PS and laser radiation has the opposite effect on the redox status of cells, resulting in an increase in the oxidized form of FAD.
Diversity of the Maize Root Endosphere and Rhizosphere Microbiomes Modulated by the Inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens UM270 in a Milpa System
Authors: Rojas-Sánchez Blanca , Castelán-Sánchez Hugo , Garfias-Zamora Esmeralda Y. , Santoyo Gustavo
Published: March 2024

Milpa is an agroecological production system based on the polyculture of plant species, with corn featuring as a central component. Traditionally, the milpa system does not require the application of chemicals, and so pest attacks and poor growth in poor soils can have adverse effects on its production. Therefore, the application of bioinoculants could be a strategy for improving crop growth and health; however, the effect of external inoculant agents on the endemic microbiota associated with corn has not been extensively studied. Here, the objective of this work was to fertilize a maize crop under a milpa agrosystem with the PGPR Pseudomonas fluorescens UM270, evaluating its impact on the diversity of the rhizosphere (rhizobiome) and root endophytic (root endobiome) microbiomes of maize plants. The endobiome of maize roots was evaluated by 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) sequencing, and the rhizobiome was assessed by metagenomic sequencing upon inoculation with the strain UM270. The results showed that UM270 inoculation of the rhizosphere of P. fluorescens UM270 did not increase alpha diversity in either the monoculture or milpa, but it did alter the endophytic microbiome of maize plant roots by stimulating the presence of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of the genera Burkholderia and Pseudomonas (in a monoculture), whereas, in the milpa system, the PGPR stimulated greater endophytic diversity and the presence of genera such as Burkholderia, Variovorax, and N-fixing rhizobia genera, including Rhizobium, Mesorhizobium, and Bradyrhizobium. No clear association was found between fungal diversity and the presence of strain UM270, but beneficial fungi, such as Rizophagus irregularis and Exophiala pisciphila, were detected in the Milpa system. In addition, network analysis revealed unique interactions with species such as Stenotrophomonas sp., Burkholderia xenovorans, and Sphingobium yanoikuyae, which could potentially play beneficial roles in the plant. Finally, the UM270 strain does not seem to have a strong impact on the microbial diversity of the rhizosphere, but it does have a strong impact on some functions, such as trehalose synthesis, ammonium assimilation, and polyamine metabolism. The inoculation of UM270 biofertilizer in maize plants modifies the rhizo- and endophytic microbiomes with a high potential for stimulating plant growth and health in agroecological crop models.
Application of Multimodal Transformer Model in Intelligent Agricultural Disease Detection and Question-Answering Systems
Authors: Lu Yuchun , Lu Xiaoyi , Zheng Liping , Sun Min , Chen Siyu , Chen Baiyan , Wang Tong , Yang Jiming , Lv Chunli
Published: March 2024

In this study, an innovative approach based on multimodal data and the transformer model was proposed to address challenges in agricultural disease detection and question-answering systems. This method effectively integrates image, text, and sensor data, utilizing deep learning technologies to profoundly analyze and process complex agriculture-related issues. The study achieved technical breakthroughs and provides new perspectives and tools for the development of intelligent agriculture. In the task of agricultural disease detection, the proposed method demonstrated outstanding performance, achieving a precision, recall, and accuracy of 0.95, 0.92, and 0.94, respectively, significantly outperforming the other conventional deep learning models. These results indicate the method’s effectiveness in identifying and accurately classifying various agricultural diseases, particularly excelling in handling subtle features and complex data. In the task of generating descriptive text from agricultural images, the method also exhibited impressive performance, with a precision, recall, and accuracy of 0.92, 0.88, and 0.91, respectively. This demonstrates that the method can not only deeply understand the content of agricultural images but also generate accurate and rich descriptive texts. The object detection experiment further validated the effectiveness of our approach, where the method achieved a precision, recall, and accuracy of 0.96, 0.91, and 0.94. This achievement highlights the method’s capability for accurately locating and identifying agricultural targets, especially in complex environments. Overall, the approach in this study not only demonstrated exceptional performance in multiple tasks such as agricultural disease detection, image captioning, and object detection but also showcased the immense potential of multimodal data and deep learning technologies in the application of intelligent agriculture.
Population Variation and Phylogeography of Cherry Blossom (Prunus conradinae) in China
Authors: Dong Jingjing , Yi Xiangui , Wang Xianrong , Li Meng , Chen Xiangzhen , Gao Shucheng , Fu Wenyi , Qian Siyu , Zeng Xinglin , Yun Yingke
Published: March 2024

Prunus conradinae (subgenus Cerasus, Rosaceae) is a significant germplasm resource of wild cherry blossom in China. To ensure the comprehensiveness of this study, we used a large sample size (12 populations comprising 244 individuals) which involved the fresh leaves of P. conradinae in Eastern, Central, and Southwestern China. We combined morphological and molecular evidence (three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences and one nuclear DNA (nr DNA) sequence) to examine the population of P. conradinae variation and differentiation. Our results revealed that Central, East, and Southwest China are important regions for the conservation of P. conradinae to ensure adequate germplasm resources in the future. We also found support for a new variant, P. conradinae var. rubrum. We observed high genetic diversity within P. conradinae (haplotype diversity [Hd] = 0.830; ribotype diversity [Rd] = 0.798), with novel genetic variation and a distinct genealogical structure among populations. There was genetic variation among populations and phylogeographic structure among populations and three geographical groups (Central, East, and Southwest China). The genetic differentiation coefficient was the lowest in the Southwest region and the gene exchange was obvious, while the differentiation was obvious in Central China. In the three geographic groups, we identified two distinct lineages: an East China lineage (Central China and East China) and a Southwest China lineage ((Central China and Southwest China) and East China). These two lineages originated approximately 4.38 million years ago (Mya) in the early Pliocene due to geographic isolation. P. conradinae expanded from Central China to East China at 3.32 Mya (95% HPD: 1.12–5.17 Mya) in the Pliocene. The population of P. conradinae spread from East China to Southwest China, and the differentiation time was 2.17 Mya (95% (HPD: 0.47–4.54 Mya), suggesting that the population of P. conradinae differentiated first in Central and East China. The population of P. conradinae experienced differentiation from Central China to Southwest China around 1.10 Mya (95% HPD: 0.11–2.85 Mya) during the early Pleistocene of the Quaternary period. The southeastern region of East China, near Mount Wuyi, likely serves as a refuge for P. conradinae. This study establishes a theoretical foundation for the classification, identification, conservation, and exploitation of germplasm resources of P. conradinae.
Selective Genotyping and Phenotyping for Optimization of Genomic Prediction Models for Populations with Different Diversity
Authors: Ćeran Marina , Đorđević Vuk , Miladinović Jegor , Vasiljević Marjana , Đukić Vojin , Ranđelović Predrag , Jaćimović Simona
Published: March 2024

To overcome the different challenges to food security caused by a growing population and climate change, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) breeders are creating novel cultivars that have the potential to improve productivity while maintaining environmental sustainability. Genomic selection (GS) is an advanced approach that may accelerate the rate of genetic gain in breeding using genome-wide molecular markers. The accuracy of genomic selection can be affected by trait architecture and heritability, marker density, linkage disequilibrium, statistical models, and training set. The selection of a minimal and optimal marker set with high prediction accuracy can lower genotyping costs, computational time, and multicollinearity. Selective phenotyping could reduce the number of genotypes tested in the field while preserving the genetic diversity of the initial population. This study aimed to evaluate different methods of selective genotyping and phenotyping on the accuracy of genomic prediction for soybean yield. The evaluation was performed on three populations: recombinant inbred lines, multifamily diverse lines, and germplasm collection. Strategies adopted for marker selection were as follows: SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) pruning, estimation of marker effects, randomly selected markers, and genome-wide association study. Reduction of the number of genotypes was performed by selecting a core set from the initial population based on marker data, yet maintaining the original population’s genetic diversity. Prediction ability using all markers and genotypes was different among examined populations. The subsets obtained by the model-based strategy can be considered the most suitable for marker selection for all populations. The selective phenotyping based on makers in all cases had higher values of prediction ability compared to minimal values of prediction ability of multiple cycles of random selection, with the highest values of prediction obtained using AN approach and 75% population size. The obtained results indicate that selective genotyping and phenotyping hold great potential and can be integrated as tools for improving or retaining selection accuracy by reducing genotyping or phenotyping costs for genomic selection.
Metabolite Profiling of Colvillea racemosa via UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS Analysis in Correlation to the In Vitro Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Potential against A549 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Fernández-Ochoa Álvaro , Younis Inas Y. , Arafa Reem K. , Cádiz-Gurrea María de la Luz , Leyva-Jiménez Francisco Javier , Segura Carretero Antonio , Mohsen Engy , Saber Fatema R.
Published: March 2024

In this study, flower and leaf extracts of Colvillea racemosa were considered a source of bioactive compounds. In this context, the objective of the study focused on investigating the anticancer potential as well as the phytochemical composition of both extracts. The extracts were analyzed by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS, and the bioactivity was tested using in vitro antioxidant assays (FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS) in addition to cytotoxic assays on non-small cell lung cancer cell line (A549). Our results clearly indicated the potent radical scavenging capacity of both extracts. Importantly, the flower extract exhibited a greater antioxidant capacity than the leaf extract. In terms of cytotoxic activity, leaf and flower extracts significantly inhibited cell viability with IC50 values of 17.0 and 17.2 µg/mL, respectively. The phytochemical characterization enabled the putative annotation of 42 metabolites, such as saccharides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, amino acids, and fatty acids. Among them, the flavonoid C-glycosides stand out due to their high relative abundance and previous reports on their anticancer bioactivity. For a better understanding of the bioactive mechanisms, four flavonoids (vitexin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, luteolin, and isoorientin) were selected for molecular docking on hallmark protein targets in lung cancer as represented by γ-PI3K, EGFR, and CDK2 through in-silico studies. In these models, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and vitexin had the highest binding scores on γ-PI3K and CDK2, followed by isoorientin, so they could be highly responsible for the bioactive properties of C. racemosa extracts.
Effect of Starch and Paperboard Reinforcing Structures on Insulative Fiber Foam Composites
Authors: Glenn Gregory M. , Tonoli Gustavo H. D. , Silva Luiz E. , Klamczynski Artur P. , Wood Delilah , Chiou Bor-Sen , Lee Charles , Hart-Cooper William , McCaffrey Zach , Orts William
Published: March 2024

Single-use plastic foams are used extensively as interior packaging to insulate and protect items during shipment but have come under increasing scrutiny due to the volume sent to landfills and their negative impact on the environment. Insulative compression molded cellulose fiber foams could be a viable alternative, but they do not have the mechanical strength of plastic foams. To address this issue, a novel approach was used that combined the insulative properties of cellulose fiber foams, a binder (starch), and three different reinforcing paperboard elements (angular, cylindrical, and grid) to make low-density foam composites with excellent mechanical strength. Compression molded foams and composites had a consistent thickness and a smooth, flat finish. Respirometry tests showed the fiber foams mineralized in the range of 37 to 49% over a 46 d testing period. All of the samples had relatively low density (Dd) and thermal conductivity (TC). The Dd of samples ranged from 33.1 to 64.9 kg/m3, and TC ranged from 0.039 to 0.049 W/mk. The addition of starch to the fiber foam (FF+S) and composites not only increased Dd, drying time (Td), and TC by an average of 18%, 55%, and 5.5%, respectively, but also dramatically increased the mechanical strength. The FF+S foam and paperboard composites had 240% and 350% higher average flexural strength (σfM) and modulus (Ef), respectively, than the FF-S composites. The FF-S grid composite and all the FF+S foam and composite samples had equal or higher σfM than EPS foam. Additionally, FF+S foam and paperboard composites had 187% and 354% higher average compression strength (CS) and modulus (Ec), respectively, than the FF-S foam and composites. All the paperboard composites for both FF+S and FF-S samples had comparable or higher CS, but only the FF+S cylinder and grid samples had greater toughness (Ωc) than EPS foam. Fiber foams and foam composites are compatible with existing paper recycling streams and show promise as a biodegradable, insulative alternative to EPS foam internal packaging.
A Facile Approach to Produce Activated Carbon from Waste Textiles via Self-Purging Microwave Pyrolysis and FeCl3 Activation for Electromagnetic Shielding Applications
Authors: Sert Sema , Gultekin Şirin Siyahjani , Gültekin Burak , Duran Kaya Deniz , Körlü Ayşegül
Published: March 2024

This study aims to convert composite textile structures composed of nonwoven and woven fabrics produced from cotton–jute wastes into activated carbon textile structures and investigate the possibilities of using them for electromagnetic shielding applications. To this end, the novel contribution of this study is that it shows that directly carbonized nonwoven textile via self-purging microwave pyrolysis can provide Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) shielding without any processing, including cleaning. Textile carbonization is generally achieved with conventional heating methods, using inert gas and long processing times. In the present study, nonwoven fabric from cotton–jute waste was converted into an activated carbon textile structure in a shorter time via microwaves without inert gas. Due to its polar structure, FeCl3 has been used as a microwave absorbent, providing homogeneous heating in the microwave and acting as an activating agent to serve dual purposes in the carbonization process. The maximum surface area (789.9 m2/g) was obtained for 5% FeCl3. The carbonized composite textile structure has a maximum of 39.4 dB at 1 GHz of EMI shielding effectiveness for 10% FeCl3, which corresponds to an excellent grade for general use and a moderate grade for professional use, exceeding the acceptable range for industrial and commercial applications of 20 dB, according to FTTS-FA-003.
Effect of Water Absorption and Stacking Sequences on the Tensile Properties and Damage Mechanisms of Hybrid Polyester/Glass/Jute Composites
Authors: Aranha Rudá , Filho Mario A. Albuquerque , Santos Cícero de L. , de Andrade Tony Herbert F. , Fonseca Viviane M. , Rivera Jose Luis Valin , dos Santos Marco A. , de Lima Antonio G. B. , de Amorim Wanderley F. , de Carvalho Laura H.
Published: March 2024

The aim of this work is to analyze the effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties and damage mechanisms of polyester/glass fiber/jute fiber hybrid composites obtained using the compression molding and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) techniques with different stacking sequences. For this purpose, the mechanical behavior under tensile stress of the samples was evaluated before and after hygrothermal aging at different temperatures: TA, 50 °C, and 70 °C for a period of 696 h. The damage mechanism after the mechanical tests was evaluated using SEM analysis. The results showed a tendency for the mechanical properties of the composites to decrease with exposure to an aqueous ambient, regardless of the molding technique used to conform the composites. It was also observed that the stacking sequence had no significant influence on the dry composites. However, exposure to the aqueous ambient led to a reduction in mechanical properties, both for the molding technique and the stacking sequence. Damage such as delamination, fiber pull-out, fiber/matrix detachment, voids, and matrix removal were observed in the composites in the SEM analyses.
Photothermal Performance of Lignin-Based Nanospheres and Their Applications in Water Surface Actuators
Authors: Wen Mingshan , Wang Hang , Ma Bole , Xiong Fuquan
Published: March 2024

In this study, the photothermal performance of lignin-based nanospheres was investigated. Subsequently, a photothermal actuator was prepared using lignin-based carbon nanospheres (LCNSs). The results demonstrated that LCNSs exhibited an impressive photothermal conversion efficiency of up to 83.8%. This extreme efficiency significantly surpasses that of lignin nanospheres (LNSs) and covalently stabilized LNSs (HT-LNSs). As a structural material, a hydrophobic coating was effectively engineered by LCNSs on the filter paper, achieving a water contact angle of 151.9° ± 4.6°, while maintaining excellent photothermal effects (with a temperature increment from room temperature to 138 °C in 2 s). When employing hydrophobic filter paper as the substrate for the photothermaldriven actuator, under the influence of a 1.0 W/cm2 power–density NIR laser, the material exhibited outstanding photothermal actuation, achieving speeds up to 16.4 mm/s. In addition, the direction of motion of the actuator can be adjusted in accordance with the location of the NIR light irradiation. This study offers valuable perspectives on the application of LNSs for highvalue applications and the development of innovative photothermal-driven actuators.
Ferroelectric Properties of Polymer–Semiconductor Hybrid Material or Composite under Optical Excitation
Authors: Kober Michael , Smykalla David , Ploss Bernd , Wächtler Maria , Kumar Krishan , Stelter Michael , Engel Sebastian
Published: March 2024

Polymer–semiconductor hybrid materials or composites have been investigated with respect to their microstructure, optical, photoconductive, and ferroelectric properties. For this purpose, either CdSe quantum dots or (Cd:Zn)S microparticles were dispersed in poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) solution and hot pressed to films. In both material systems, the electrical conductivity and the polarization behavior could be controlled by the intensity of the optical excitation. The simultaneous high optical transparency of the CdSe quantum-dot-based hybrid materials makes them particularly interesting for applications in the field of flexible, high-resolution sensors.
Unfolding Protein-Based Hapten Coupling via Thiol–Maleimide Click Chemistry: Enhanced Immunogenicity in Anti-Nicotine Vaccines Based on a Novel Conjugation Method and MPL/QS-21 Adjuvants
Authors: Xu Ying , Li Huiting , Meng Xiongyan , Yang Jing , Xue Yannan , Teng Changcai , Lv Wenxin , Wang Zhen , Li Xiaodan , Sun Tiantian , Meng Shuai , Zong Chengli
Published: March 2024

Vaccines typically work by eliciting an immune response against larger antigens like polysaccharides or proteins. Small molecules like nicotine, on their own, usually cannot elicit a strong immune response. To overcome this, anti-nicotine vaccines often conjugate nicotine molecules to a carrier protein by carbodiimide crosslinking chemistry to make them polymeric and more immunogenic. The reaction is sensitive to conditions such as pH, temperature, and the concentration of reactants. Scaling up the reaction from laboratory to industrial scales while maintaining consistency and yield can be challenging. Despite various approaches, no licensed anti-nicotine vaccine has been approved so far due to the susboptimal antibody titers. Here, we report a novel approach to conjugate maleimide-modified nicotine hapten with a disulfide bond-reduced carrier protein in an organic solvent. It has two advantages compared with other approaches: (1) The protein was unfolded to make the peptide conformation more flexible and expose more conjugation sites; (2) thiol–maleimide “click” chemistry was utilized to conjugate the disulfide bond-reduced protein and maleimide-modified nicotine due to its availability, fast kinetics, and bio-orthogonality. Various nicotine conjugate vaccines were prepared via this strategy, and their immunology effects were investigated by using MPL and QS-21 as adjuvants. The in vivo study in mice showed that the nicotine–BSA conjugate vaccines induced high anti-nicotine IgG antibody titers, compared with vaccines prepared by using traditional condensation methods, indicating the success of the current strategy for further anti-nicotine or other small-molecule vaccine studies. The enhancement was more significant by using MPL and QS-21 than that of traditional aluminum adjuvants.
Strategic Use of Karma in Lan Cao’s Monkey Bridge
Authors: Huang Zhi , Li Wei
Published: March 2024

Most critics focus on the pain and suffering of the first-generation Vietnamese immigrants depicted in Lan Cao’s Monkey Bridge. This paper explores how Cao strategically uses the philosophy of karma in Vietnamese Buddhism to provide a method for alleviating their suffering in this novel. It argues that she employs karma to investigate the origins of the adversity and trauma experienced by the first-generation Vietnamese immigrants, including the pro-American attitude of the early Vietnamese authorities during the Vietnam War, the imperialistic actions of the United States, and the resulting karmic consequences. In addition, they demonstrate, through actions like forming “hui”, a way to change their fate and heal their trauma for later generations of Vietnamese immigrants, emphasizing positive transformation of karma. This paper suggests that the Buddhist philosophy of karma provides an effective strategy for Vietnamese American immigrants to reflect on the Vietnam War, overcome adversity, and heal their own trauma.
Morisco Catechisms: Religious Incorporation and Differentiation in Early Modern Spain
Authors: Gilbert Claire
Published: March 2024

In the debate over the theory and practice of the Spanish empire at the beginning of the sixteenth century, political, religious, and legal discourses differentiated conquered peoples and recent converts to Christianity from so-called “old Christians”, thereby creating distinct categories of Spanish subjects. In Spain itself, cultural markers like language, dress, and diet became the foundations of fiscal and legal differences, while normative codes were promulgated and negotiated across a range of documents, e.g., legal instruments, civic and ecclesiastical records, university debates, and juridical theory. Concomitant with this process, a set of Christian catechisms was produced in Spain, both before and after the promulgation of Tridentine reforms, that were directed especially at the converted morisco populations in Granada and Valencia. These catechisms were produced in Iberian Arabic and Romance languages and included instructions about how new converts from Islam should behave, as well as what they should believe in order to participate in liturgical activities and to be recognized as full members of the Christian community. This article examines the morisco catechisms produced in Spain between 1496 and 1566, as these documents are representative of a unique period in both the history of Latin Christianity and the burgeoning Spanish empire. Through the emergence of this corpus and against the backdrop of targeted legislation and new policies aimed at Arabic-speaking moriscos, first in Granada and later in Valencia, the ideological foundations constraining the morisco experience were forged.
Remote Sensing-Based Structural Health Monitoring and Damage Assessment
Authors: Valença Jónatas , Qin Xiaoqiong , Chang Ling , Dong Jie , Shi Xuguo , Casas Joan R.
Published: March 2024

With the rapid development of society and the economy, significant infrastructure, such as roads, buildings, high-speed railways, and bridges, have been built all over the world [...]
A Coherent Integration Method for Moving Target Detection in Frequency Agile Signal-Based Passive Bistatic Radar
Authors: Zuo Luo , Li Nan , Tan Jie , Peng Xiangyu , Cao Yunhe , Zhou Zuobang , Han Jiusheng
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the possibility of improving target detection performance in passive bistatic radar by exploiting a frequency agile (FA) signal is investigated, namely frequency agile signal-based passive bistatic radar (FAPBR) coherent integration. Since the carrier frequency of each pulse signal is agile, FAPBR coherent integration suffers from the problems of random range and Doppler phase fluctuations. To tackle these challenges, a novel FA signal coherent integration target detection scheme for PBR is proposed. In particular, the phase quadratic difference principle is presented for eliminating Doppler phase hopping. Then, frequency rearrangement is adopted to compensate for random range phase fluctuation while obtaining the high-range-resolution profiles (HRRPs) of the detecting target. Further, we innovatively present a sliding-range ambiguity decoupling (S-RAD) method to remove the range ambiguity effect in the case of the high pulse repetition frequency (HPRF). Compared with the existing methods, the proposed method can effectively mitigate Doppler phase hopping without requiring prior target velocity information, offering improved coherent integration performance in frequency agile signals with reduced computational complexity. Moreover, it successfully corrects the range ambiguity issue caused by HPRF. Finally, a series of simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Satellite-Derived Estimate of City-Level Methane Emissions from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Xing Zhenyu , Barchyn Thomas E. , Vollrath Coleman , Gao Mozhou , Hugenholtz Chris
Published: March 2024

Cities are important sources of anthropogenic methane emissions. Municipal governments can play a role in reducing those emissions to support climate change mitigation, but they need information on the emission rate to contextualize mitigation actions and track progress. Herein, we examine the application of satellite data from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) to estimate city-level methane emission rates in a case study of the City of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Due to low and variable annual observational coverage, we integrated valid TROPOMI observations over three years (2020–2022) and used mass balance modeling to derive a long-term mean estimate of the emission rate. The resulting column-mean dry-air mole fraction (XCH4) enhancement over Calgary was small (4.7 ppb), but within the city boundaries, we identified local hot spots in the vicinity of known emission sources (wastewater treatment facilities and landfills). The city-level emission estimate from mass balance was 215.4 ± 132.8 t CH4/d. This estimate is approximately four times larger than estimates from Canada’s gridded National Inventory Report of anthropogenic CH4 emissions and six times larger than the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR v8.0). We note that valid TROPOMI observations are more common in warmer months and occur during a narrow daily overpass time slot over Calgary. The limited valid observations in combination with the constrained temporal observational coverage may bias the emission estimate. Overall, the findings from this case study highlight an approach to derive a screening-level estimate of city-level methane emission rates using TROPOMI data in settings with low observational coverage.