bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Safety of MED-01 Probiotics on Vaginal Health: A 12-Week, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Park Sung-Ho , Lee Eun Sil , Park Sung Taek , Jeong Soo Young , Yun Yeoul , Kim YongGyeong , Jeong Yulah , Kang Chang-Ho , Choi Hyun Jin
Published: January 2023

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common disease in women of childbearing age and is caused by the growth of abnormal microbiota in the vagina. Probiotic consumption can be an effective alternative treatment to preserve or improve vaginal health. In the present study, MED-01, a complex of five strains of probiotic candidates isolated from the vagina of Korean women, was used. This study was designed as a 12-week, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MED-01 on vaginal health. A total of 101 reproductive-aged women with a Nugent score of 4–6 took MED-01 (5.0 × 109 CFU) or a placebo once a day, and 76 participants completed the procedure. MED-01 significantly reduced the Nugent score compared with the placebo. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that Lactobacillus plantarum was significantly increased in the vagina, whereas harmful bacteria such as Mobiluncus spp., Gardnerella vaginalis, and Atopobium vaginae were suppressed after 12 weeks of MED-01 ingestion. No adverse events to the test food supplements were observed in the participants. These results confirmed that MED-01 can be used as a probiotic for treating BV, as it improves the vaginal microbiota.
Personalized Dietary Advice to Increase Protein Intake in Older Adults Does Not Affect the Gut Microbiota, Appetite or Central Processing of Food Stimuli in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Six-Month Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Fluitman Kristina S. , Wijdeveld Madelief , Davids Mark , van Ruiten Charlotte C. , Reinders Ilse , Wijnhoven Hanneke A. H. , Keijser Bart J. F. , Visser Marjolein , Nieuwdorp Max , IJzerman Richard G.
Published: January 2023

Expert groups argue to raise the recommended daily allowance for protein in older adults from 0.8 to 1.2 g/kg/day to prevent undernutrition. However, protein is thought to increase satiety, possibly through effects on gut microbiota and central appetite regulation. If true, raising daily protein intake may work counterproductively. In a randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the effects of dietary advice aimed at increasing protein intake to 1.2 g/kg adjusted body weight/day (g/kg aBW/day) on appetite and gut microbiota in 90 community-dwelling older adults with habitual protein intake <1.0 g/kg aBW/day (Nintervention = 47, Ncontrol = 43). Food intake was determined by 24-h dietary recalls and gut microbiota by 16S rRNA sequencing. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were performed in a subgroup of 48 participants to evaluate central nervous system responses to food-related stimuli. Both groups had mean baseline protein intake of 0.8 ± 0.2 g/kg aBW/day. At 6 months’ follow-up this increased to 1.2 ± 0.2 g/kg aBW/day for the intervention group and 0.9 ± 0.2 g/kg aBW/day for the control group. Microbiota composition was not affected, nor were appetite or brain activity in response to food-related stimuli. Increasing protein intake in older adults to 1.2 g/kg aBW/day does not negatively impact the gut microbiota or suppress appetite.
Role of Vitamin D Deficiency in the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Authors: Pál Éva , Ungvári Zoltán , Benyó Zoltán , Várbíró Szabolcs
Published: January 2023

Deficiency in vitamin D (VitD), a lipid-soluble vitamin and steroid hormone, affects approximately 24% to 40% of the population of the Western world. In addition to its well-documented effects on the musculoskeletal system, VitD also contributes importantly to the promotion and preservation of cardiovascular health via modulating the immune and inflammatory functions and regulating cell proliferation and migration, endothelial function, renin expression, and extracellular matrix homeostasis. This brief overview focuses on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects of VitD and the cellular, molecular, and functional changes that occur in the circulatory system in VitD deficiency (VDD). It explores the links among VDD and adverse vascular remodeling, endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and increased risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Improved understanding of the complex role of VDD in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and vascular cognitive impairment is crucial for all cardiologists, dietitians, and geriatricians, as VDD presents an easy target for intervention.
Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Supplementation of Preterm Infants on Growth, Body Composition, and Blood Pressure at 7-Years Corrected Age: Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Best Karen P. , Sullivan Thomas R. , Gunaratne Anoja W. , Gould Jacqueline F. , Gibson Robert A. , Collins Carmel T. , Makrides Maria , Green Tim J.
Published: January 2023

Aim: To determine if supplementation of infants born <33 weeks’ gestation with higher dose docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affects growth, body composition, and blood pressure at 7 y corrected age (CA) and if treatment effects differed by infant sex at birth and birth weight strata (<1250 and ≥1250 g). Methods: Seven-year follow-up of an Australian multicenter randomized controlled trial in which 657 infants were fed high-DHA (≈1% total fatty acids) enteral feeds or standard-DHA (≈0.3% total fatty acids) from age 2–4 d until term CA. Seven-year CA outcomes were growth (weight, height), body composition (lean body mass, fat mass, waist, and hip circumference), and blood pressure. Results: There was no effect of high-DHA enteral feeds compared with standard-DHA on growth, body composition, and blood pressure at 7-year CA either overall or in subgroup analysis by sex. There was a significant interaction between high-DHA and birthweight strata on height at 7-y CA (p = 0.03). However, the post-hoc analyses by birthweight strata did not reach significance (p > 0.1). High-DHA group infants were more likely to be classified as obese (relative risk 1.6 (95% CI 1.0, 2.6); p = 0.05). Conclusions: DHA supplementation of premature infants did not affect growth, body composition, or blood pressure at 7-year CA overall by sex and birthweight strata. The finding of a higher risk of obesity in children who receive high-DHA needs to be interpreted with caution due to the small number of children classified as obese.
Consuming High-Fat and Low-Fat Ground Beef Depresses High-Density and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentrations, and Reduces Small, Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein Particle Abundance
Authors: Lytle Jason R. , Price Tara , Crouse Stephen F. , Smith Dana R. , Walzem Rosemary L. , Smith Stephen B.
Published: January 2023

We hypothesized that consumption of high-fat (HF) ground beef (24% fat) would not affect plasma concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), whereas low-fat (LF) ground beef (5% fat) would decrease HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations. In a randomized 2-period crossover, controlled feeding trial, 25 men (mean age and body mass index, 40 years and 31.2) consumed 115-g HF or LF patties, 5/week for 5 weeks with a 4-week washout. The HF treatment increased % energy from fat (p = 0.006) and saturated fat (p = 0.004) and tended (p = 0.060) to depress % energy from carbohydrates. The HF and LF treatments decreased the plasma concentrations of HDL-C (p = 0.001) and LDL-C (p = 0.011). Both ground beef treatments decreased the abundance of HDL3a and increased the abundance of HDL3 (p ≤ 0.003); the LF treatment also decreased the abundance of HDL2b and HDL2a (p ≤ 0.012). The HF and LF treatments decreased the abundance of LDL3 and LDL4 (p ≤ 0.024) and the HF treatment also decreased LDL5 (p = 0.041). Contrary to our hypothesis, the HF treatment decreased plasma HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations despite increased saturated fat intake, and both treatments decreased the abundance of smaller, denser LDL subfractions.
Discovery of a Novel Species Infecting Goats: Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Babesia aktasi n. sp.
Authors: Ozubek Sezayi , Ulucesme Mehmet Can , Aktas Munir
Published: January 2023

A novel Babesia sp. infecting goats was discovered based on the molecular findings obtained in the current study, which was conducted in the Mediterranean region of Türkiye. The goal of this study was to isolate this species of Babesia (Babesia sp.) infecting goats in vivo and to assess the genetic and morphological characterization of the parasite. To identify the animal naturally infected with Babesia sp. and isolate the parasite from this animal, field studies were conducted first, and genomic DNA were extracted from blood samples taken from goats (n = 50). The Theileria, Babesia, and Anaplasma species were identified using a nested PCR-based reverse line blotting (RLB) method. The study included one goat that was determined to be infected with Babesia sp. (single infection) in RLB for in vivo isolation. A blood smear was prepared to examine the parasite’s morphology, but it was found to be negative microscopically. Following that, a splenectomy operation (to suppress the immune system) was performed to make the parasites visible microscopically in this animal. Parasitemia began after splenectomy, and the maximum parasitemia was determined to be 1.9%. The goat displayed no significant symptoms other than fever, loss of appetite, and depression. During a period when parasitemia was high, blood from this goat was inoculated into another splenectomized goat (Theileria-Babesia-Anaplasma-Mycoplasma spp. free). On the third day of inoculation, 10% parasitemia with high fever was detected in the goat, and on the fourth day, the goat was humanely euthanized due to severe acute babesiosis symptoms. Except for mild subcutaneous jaundice, no lesions were discovered during the necropsy. According to the microscopic measurement results, ring, double pyriform, spectacle-frame-like, and line forms were observed, and it was observed to be between 1.0–2.5 µm (1.38 ± 0.17 to 0.7 ± 0.21-all forms). A phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparison using the 18S rRNA and cox1 genes revealed that this species is distinct from the small ruminant Babesia species (18S rRNA 92–94%, cox1 79–80%) and has the highest similarity to Babesia sp. deer, which has been reported in deer. Furthermore, it was determined to resemble B. venatorum, B. divergens, Babesia sp. FR1 and Babesia sp. MO1 species, all of which are zoonotic. Additional research is needed to clarify the clinical status of this parasite in goats and other hosts (mountain goat, sheep, calf).
Toxoplasma gondii and Alternaria sp.: An Original Association in an Immunosuppressed Dog with Persistent Skin Lesions
Authors: Blaga Radu , Fabres Virginie , Leynaud Vincent , Fontaine Jean-Jacques , Reyes-Gomez Edouard , Briand Amaury , Crosaz Odile , Lagrange Isabelle , Blaizot Amandine , Roux Delphine Le , Castillo Veronica Risco , Maksimov Pavlo , Guillot Jacques , Teifke Jens Peter , Schares Gereon
Published: January 2023

Dogs and cats may suffer from a variety of diseases, mainly immune mediated, that require the administration of immunosuppressive drugs. Such therapies can cause adverse effects either by the toxicity of the drugs or as a consequence of immune suppression and associated opportunistic infections. Here we present an, yet unknown, association of Toxoplasma gondii and Alternaria fungus, within cutaneous lesions in a dog under long-term immunosuppressive therapy. The diagnosis of such infections is laborious and not obvious at first glance, since the clinical signs of cutaneous toxoplasmosis, neosporosis or alternariosis are not specific. A further laboratory confirmation is needed. Therefore, we currently recommend that dogs and cats should undergo serologic testing for toxoplasmosis or neosporosis prior to immunosuppressive therapy and a regular dermatological evaluation during the immunosuppressive therapy.
Research Progress of Bioinspired Nanostructured Systems for the Treatment of Ocular Disorders
Authors: Chen Xuan , Yang Rui , Shen Jinyan , Huang Qingyu , Wu Zhifeng
Published: January 2023

How to enhance the bioavailability and prolong the residence time of drugs in the eye present the major barriers to traditional eye delivery. Nanotechnology has been widely used in ocular drug delivery systems because of its advantages of minimizing adverse reactions, decreasing the frequency of administration, prolonging the release time, and improving the bioavailability of the drug in the eye. As natural product-based nanostructured systems, bioinspired nanostructured systems have presented as less toxic, easy to prepare, and cost-effective and have potential application value in the field of nanotechnology. A systematic classification of bioinspired nanostructured systems based on their inspiration source and formulation and their brief applications in disease are presented here. A review of recent research progress of the bioinspired nanostructured systems for the treatment of the anterior and posterior segment of ocular disorders is then presented in detail. Finally, current challenges and future directions with regard to manufacturing bioinspired nanomaterials are provided.
Preparation, Characterization, and In Vivo Evaluation of Gentiopicroside-Phospholipid Complex (GTP-PC) and Its Self-Nanoemulsion Drug Delivery System (GTP-PC-SNEDDS)
Authors: Tong Yingpeng , Shi Wen , Zhang Qin , Wang Jianxin
Published: January 2023

The objective of the present study was to develop a gentiopicroside-phospholipid complex (GTP-PC) and its self-nanoemulsion drug delivery system (GTP-PC-SNEDDS) to increase the oral bioavailability of gentiopicroside (GTP). The factors affecting the formation of GTP-PC were studied with the complexation efficiency and dissociation rate. The properties of the complex were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), dissolution, etc. Then, GTP-PC was loaded into SNEDDS by investigating the effects of weight ratios of GTP-PC to blank SNEDDS, preparation technology, dilution media, and dilution multi, based on the screening results of oils, surfactants, and cosurfactants. In rats, GTP, GTP-PC, and GTP-PC-SNEDDS were orally administered at different times, and GTP concentrations were determined using RP-HPLC. The optimal GTP-PC was prepared with tetrahydrofuran as the reaction solvent, GTP:phospholipid = 1:2, and stirring for 4 h. The optimal prescription for GTP-PC-SNEDDS was as follows: Maisin 35-1:Miglycol = 30%, Labrasol:Cremophor EL = 1:4 = 40%, Transcutol P = 30%; Maisin 35-1:Miglycol = 12, and the ratio of GTP-PC to blank was 1:10—then the mixture was stirred at 37 °C for 1 d and then placed for 2 d to form stable GTP-PC-SNEDDS. After oral administration of GTP, GTP-PC and GTP-PC-SNEDDS, and mean plasma GTP concentration–time curves were all in accordance with the single-compartment model. The Cmax, AUC0–∞, and Fr of the three formulations were significantly higher than that of GTP, demonstrating that GTP was metabolized rapidly, and its higher bioavailability could be achieved by the formation of GTP-PC and GTP-PC-SNEDDS. Among the three formations, the bioavailability of GTP-PC-SNEDDS was highest, with approximately 2.6-fold and 1.3-fold of Fr value, compared with GTP-PC (suspension) and GTP-PC (oil solution), respectively. Compared with GTP, GTP-PC and GTP-PC-SNEDDS enhanced the bioavailability of GTP significantly. In the future, this study could serve as a reference for clinical trials using GTP-PC and GTP-PC-SNEDDS.
Formulation Development of Fast Dissolving Microneedles Loaded with Cubosomes of Febuxostat: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Patel Brijesh , Thakkar Hetal
Published: January 2023

Febuxostat is a widely prescribed drug for the treatment of gout, which is a highly prevalent disease worldwide and is a major cause of disability in mankind. Febuxostat suffers from several limitations such as gastrointestinal disturbances and low oral bioavailability. Thus, to improve patient compliance and bioavailability, transdermal drug delivery systems of Febuxostat were developed for obtaining enhanced permeation. Cubosomes of Febuxostat were prepared using a bottom-up approach and loaded into a microneedle using a micromolding technique to achieve better permeation through the skin. Optimization of the process and formulation parameters were achieved using our design of experiments. The optimized cubosomes of Febuxostat were characterized for various parameters such as % entrapment efficiency, vesicle size, Polydispersity index, Transmission electron microscopy, in vitro drug release, Small angle X-ray scattering, etc. After loading it in the microneedle it was characterized for dissolution time, axial fracture force, scanning electron microscopy, in vitro drug release, pore closure kinetics, etc. It was also evaluated for various ex vivo characterizations such as in vitro cell viability, ex vivo permeation, ex vivo fluorescence microscopy and histopathology which indicates its safety and better permeation. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies proved enhanced bioavailability compared with the marketed formulation. Pharmacodynamic study indicated its effectiveness in a disease-induced rat model. The developed formulations were then subjected to the stability study, which proved its stability.
Dimeric Lectin Chimeras as Novel Candidates for Gb3-Mediated Transcytotic Drug Delivery through Cellular Barriers
Authors: Xu Maokai , Antonova Maria , Salavei Pavel , Illek Katharina , Meléndez Ana Valeria , Omidvar Ramin , Thuenauer Roland , Makshakova Olga , Römer Winfried
Published: January 2023

Receptor-mediated transcytosis is an elegant and promising strategy for drug delivery across biological barriers. Here, we describe a novel ligand–receptor pair based on a dimeric, engineered derivative of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecA, here termed Di-LecA, and the host cell glycosphingolipid Gb3. We characterized the trafficking kinetics and transcytosis efficiencies in polarized Gb3-positive and -negative MDCK cells using mainly immunofluorescence in combination with confocal microscopy. To evaluate the delivery capacity of dimeric LecA chimeras, EGFP was chosen as a fluorescent model protein representing macromolecules, such as antibody fragments, and fused to either the N- or C-terminus of monomeric LecA using recombinant DNA technology. Both LecA/EGFP fusion proteins crossed cellular monolayers in vitro. Of note, the conjugate with EGFP at the N-terminus of LecA (EGFP-LecA) showed a higher release rate than the conjugate with EGFP at the C-terminus (LecA-EGFP). Based on molecular dynamics simulations and cross-linking studies of giant unilamellar vesicles, we speculate that EGFP-LecA tends to be a dimer while LecA-EGFP forms a tetramer. Overall, we confidently propose the dimeric LecA chimeras as transcytotic drug delivery tools through Gb3-positive cellular barriers for future in vivo tests.
Recent Advances in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery for Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Rani Ruma , Malik Parth , Dhania Sunena , Mukherjee Tapan Kumar
Published: January 2023

Breast cancer (BC) currently occupies the second rank in cancer-related global female deaths. Although consistent awareness and improved diagnosis have reduced mortality in recent years, late diagnosis and resistant response still limit the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs (CDs), leading to relapse with consequent invasion and metastasis. Treatment with CDs is indeed well-versed but it is badly curtailed with accompanying side effects and inadequacies of site-specific drug delivery. As a result, drug carriers ensuring stealth delivery and sustained drug release with improved pharmacokinetics and biodistribution are urgently needed. Core–shell mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) have recently been a cornerstone in this context, attributed to their high surface area, low density, robust functionalization, high drug loading capacity, size–shape-controlled functioning, and homogeneous shell architecture, enabling stealth drug delivery. Recent interest in using MSNPs as drug delivery vehicles has been due to their functionalization and size–shape-driven versatilities. With such insights, this article focuses on the preparation methods and drug delivery mechanisms of MSNPs, before discussing their emerging utility in BC treatment. The information compiled herein could consolidate the database for using inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) as BC drug delivery vehicles in terms of design, application and resolving post-therapy complications.
The Solubility Studies and the Complexation Mechanism Investigations of Biologically Active Spiro[cyclopropane-1,3′-oxindoles] with β-Cyclodextrins
Authors: Kravtsova Anna A. , Skuredina Anna A. , Malyshev Alexander S. , Le-Deygen Irina M. , Kudryashova Elena V. , Budynina Ekaterina M.
Published: January 2023

In this work, we first improved the aqueous solubility of biologically active spiro[cyclopropane-1,3′-oxindoles] (SCOs) via their complexation with different β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs) and proposed a possible mechanism of the complex formation. β-CDs significantly increased the water solubility of SCOs (up to fourfold). Moreover, the nature of the substituents in the β-CDs influenced the solubility of the guest molecule (MβCD > SBEβCD > HPβCD). Complexation preferably occurred via the inclusion of aromatic moieties of SCOs into the hydrophobic cavity of β-CDs by the numerous van der Waals contacts and formed stable supramolecular systems. The phase solubility technique and optical microscopy were used to determine the dissociation constants of the complexes (Kc~102 M−1) and reveal a significant decrease in the size of the formed crystals. FTIR-ATR microscopy, PXRD, and 1H-1H ROESY NMR measurements, as well as molecular modeling studies, were carried out to elucidate the host–guest interaction mechanism of the complexation. Additionally, in vitro experiments were carried out and revealed enhancements in the antibacterial activity of SCOs due to their complexation with β-CDs.
Diamond Photoconductive Antenna for Terahertz Generation Equipped with Buried Graphite Electrodes
Authors: Kononenko Taras Viktorovich , Ashikkalieva Kuralai Khamitzhanovna , Kononenko Vitali Viktorovich , Zavedeev Evgeny Viktorovich , Dezhkina Margarita Alexandrovna , Komlenok Maxim Sergeevich , Ashkinazi Evgeny Evseevich , Bukin Vladimir Valentinovich , Konov Vitaly Ivanovich
Published: January 2023

It has been shown recently that a photoconductive antenna (PCA) based on a nitrogen-doped diamond can be effectively excited by the second harmonic of a Ti:sapphire laser (λ = 400 nm). The THz emission performance of the PCA can be significantly increased if a much stronger electric field is created between the close-located electrodes. To produce a homogeneous electric field over the entire excited diamond volume, the laser fabrication of deep-buried graphite electrodes inside the diamond crystal was proposed. Several electrodes consisting of the arrays of buried pillars connected by the surface graphite stripes were produced inside an HPHT diamond crystal using femtosecond and nanosecond laser pulses. Combining different pairs of the electrodes, a series of PCAs with various electrode interspaces was formed. The THz emission of the PCAs equipped with the buried electrodes was measured at different values of excitation fluence and bias voltage (DC and pulsed) and compared with the emission of the same diamond crystal when the bias voltage was applied to the surface electrodes on the opposite faces. All examined PCAs have demonstrated the square-law dependencies of the THz fluence on the field strength, while the saturation fluence fluctuated in the range of 1200–1600 µJ/cm2. The THz emission performance was found to be approximately the same for the PCAs with the surface electrodes and with the buried electrodes spaced at a distance of 1.4–3.5 mm. However, it noticeably decreased when the distance between the buried electrodes was reduced to 0.5 mm.
Efficient Third-Harmonic Generation by Inhomogeneous Quasi-Phase-Matching in Quadratic Crystals
Authors: Sabirov Obid I. , Assanto Gaetano , Sapaev Usman K.
Published: January 2023

We investigate the generation of optical third-harmonic frequency in quadratic crystals with a nonlinear domain lattice optimized with the aid of a random number generator. In the developed Monte Carlo algorithm and numerical experiments, we consider domain thicknesses to be taking either the values d1 or d2, with d1 and d2 being the coherence lengths for the cascaded parametric interactions 2ω=ω+ω and 3ω=2ω+ω, respectively. We focus on the cases with single segments formed by equal and/or different domains, showing that frequency tripling can be achieved with high conversion efficiency from an arbitrary input wavelength. The presented approach allows one to accurately determine the optimized random alternation of domain thicknesses d1 and d2 along the propagation length.
Remodeling in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Targets—A Systematic Review
Authors: Roka Attila , Burright Isaac
Published: January 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by disorganized rapid atrial electrical activity, which leads to impaired atrial function, adverse hemodynamic effects, and increased thromboembolic risk. The paroxysmal forms of AF can be effectively treated with current pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities by targeting the arrhythmia triggers. Persistent AF, however, is more difficult to treat due to remodeling processes which may become major factors in the maintenance of the arrhythmia, rendering trigger-targeting treatment options less effective. We will systematically review the recent findings of the development and maintenance of persistent AF, including genetic, cellular, organ level, and systemic processes. As AF remains the most common sustained arrhythmia with the ongoing need to find effective treatment, we will also discuss potential treatment options targeting the remodeling processes.
An Open-Source Package for Thermal and Multispectral Image Analysis for Plants in Glasshouse
Authors: Sharma Neelesh , Banerjee Bikram Pratap , Hayden Matthew , Kant Surya
Published: January 2023

Advanced plant phenotyping techniques to measure biophysical traits of crops are helping to deliver improved crop varieties faster. Phenotyping of plants using different sensors for image acquisition and its analysis with novel computational algorithms are increasingly being adapted to measure plant traits. Thermal and multispectral imagery provides novel opportunities to reliably phenotype crop genotypes tested for biotic and abiotic stresses under glasshouse conditions. However, optimization for image acquisition, pre-processing, and analysis is required to correct for optical distortion, image co-registration, radiometric rescaling, and illumination correction. This study provides a computational pipeline that optimizes these issues and synchronizes image acquisition from thermal and multispectral sensors. The image processing pipeline provides a processed stacked image comprising RGB, green, red, NIR, red edge, and thermal, containing only the pixels present in the object of interest, e.g., plant canopy. These multimodal outputs in thermal and multispectral imageries of the plants can be compared and analysed mutually to provide complementary insights and develop vegetative indices effectively. This study offers digital platform and analytics to monitor early symptoms of biotic and abiotic stresses and to screen a large number of genotypes for improved growth and productivity. The pipeline is packaged as open source and is hosted online so that it can be utilized by researchers working with similar sensors for crop phenotyping.
Free Amino Acids and Biogenic Amines Profiling and Variation in Wild and Sub-Endemic Cardueae Species from Sardinia and Corse
Authors: Marengo Arianna , Maciel Larissa Silva , Cagliero Cecilia , Rubiolo Patrizia , Herodes Koit
Published: January 2023

The cardueae are a common species in the Mediterranean area where they grow spontaneously and are traditionally employed as food and for health purposes. In this work, five Cardueae, including two sub-endemic species (four Carduus and three Ptilostemon casabonae (L.) Greuter samples from different locations) were collected from Sardinia and the Corse islands. All the considered plants are characteristic of the area, in particular the sub-endemic species C. cephalanthus and P. casabonae. This work aims to obtain, for the first time, the amino compounds profile (primary metabolites) of these little-studied species to detect for any similarities and differences among the different samples using statistical analyses. A recently developed method was employed, where diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate (DEEMM) derivatives are detected in a neutral loss scan mode using high performance liquid chromatography in tandem with a mass spectrometry technique. In total, 42 amino compounds were detected, of which 33 were fully identified and semi-quantified. Overall, the results show that DEEMM-derivatized amino compounds are qualitatively similar among the considered samples. Nonetheless, a discrimination at the genus level is possible. This work adds more information regarding the phytochemical composition regarding the primary metabolites of the considered samples, their discriminations and the search for compounds with potential health benefits.
Preliminary Stiffness-Driven Redesign of a Laminated Prosthetic Component Using Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Martulli Luca Michele , Sala Riccardo , Rollo Gennaro , Kostovic Milutin , Lavorgna Marino , Sorrentino Andrea , Gruppioni Emanuele , Bernasconi Andrea
Published: January 2023

Three-dimensional printed polymers offer unprecedented advantages for prosthetic applications, namely in terms of affordability and customisation. This work thus investigates the possibility of designing an additively manufactured prosthetic foot using continuous fibre-reinforced polymers as an alternative to composite laminate ones. A numerical approach was thus proposed and validated as a possible design tool for additively manufactured composite feet. This approach was based on explicit separate simulations of the infill, aiming to capture its homogenised engineering constants. The approach was validated on simple sandwich specimens with a different infill geometry: stiffness predictions were within the experimental standard deviation for 3D simulations. Such an approach was thus applied to redesign a laminated component of a foot prosthesis inspired by a commercial one with new additive technology. The new component was about 83% thicker than the reference one, with 1.6 mm of glass fibre skins out of about 22 mm of the total thickness. Its stiffness was within 5% of the reference laminated one. Overall, this work showed how additive manufacturing could be used as a low-cost alternative to manufacturing affordable prosthetic feet.
Enhancement of Thermal Behaviour of Flax with a Ramie Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composite
Authors: Rajesh Durvasulu , Lenin Nagarajan , Cep Robert , Anand Palanivel , Elangovan Muniyandy
Published: January 2023

Plant-derived fibres, called lignocellulosic fibres, are a natural alternative to synthetic fibres in polymer composite reinforcement. Utilizing renewable resources, such as fibre-reinforced polymeric composites made from plant and animal sources, has become a crucial design requirement for developing and producing parts for all industrial goods. Natural-fibre-based composites are used for door panels, trays, glove boxes, etc. This study involves developing and thermal analysing a flax fibre reinforced with phenol–formaldehyde resin hybridization with ramie fibre by way of a vacuum infusion process. As per ASTM Standard, eight different sequences were fabricated and thermally characterized. In the present study, three stages of weight loss (%) are shown by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The sample loses less weight during the first stage, more during the second, and more during the third. The sample’s overall maximum temperature was recorded at 630 °C. It was discovered that sample D (80.1 °C) had the highest heat deflection temperature, and sample B had the lowest (86.0 °C). Sample C had a low thermal expansion coefficient, while sample G had a high thermal expansion coefficient. Sample E had the highest thermal conductivity, measured at 0.213 W/mK, whereas sample A had the lowest conductivity, at 0.182 W/mK. From the present study, it was found that sample H had better thermal characteristics. The result of the present investigation would generate thermal data regarding hybrid ramie and flax composites, which would be helpful for researchers and practitioners involved in the field of biocomposites.
Functionalization Routes for Keratin from Poultry Industry Side-Streams—Towards Bio-Based Absorbent Polymers
Authors: Perez-Puyana Victor M. , Capezza Antonio J. , Newson William R. , Bengoechea Carlos , Johansson Eva , Guerrero Antonio , Hendeqvist Mikael S.
Published: January 2023

Keratin is a largely available protein that can be obtained from the ca. 3 million tons of feathers that the European poultry industry produces as a side-stream. Here, the functionalization of keratin from poultry feathers was evaluated using a one- versus two-stage process using two functionalization agents (succinic anhydride-SA and ethylene dianhydride-EDTAD). The functionalization resulted in the keratin having improved liquid swelling capacities, reaching up to 400%, 300%, and 85% increase in water, saline, and blood, respectively, compared to non-functionalized keratin. The highest swelling was obtained for samples functionalized with EDTAD (one-stage process), while the highest saline uptake was noted for samples processed with 25 wt% SA (two-stage process). Swelling kinetics modeling indicated that the water uptake by the functionalized samples takes place in two steps, and the EDTAD samples showed the highest diffusivity. It is demonstrated that the one-stage functionalization of keratin utilizing EDTAD results in better performance than two-stages, which allows for resource-saving and, thereby, protecting the environment. The results show some potential for the keratin to be utilized as liquid absorbent materials in water, saline, and blood uptake applications. Using keratin from side-streams is an advantage from a sustainability perspective over biomacromolecules that need to be extracted from virgin biomass.
Temperature Induced Gelation and Antimicrobial Properties of Pluronic F127 Based Systems
Authors: Lupu Alexandra , Rosca Irina , Gradinaru Vasile Robert , Bercea Maria
Published: January 2023

Different formulations containing Pluronic F127 and polysaccharides (chitosan, sodium alginate, gellan gum, and κ-carrageenan) were investigated as potential injectable gels that behave as free-flowing liquid with reduced viscosity at low temperatures and displayed solid-like properties at 37 °C. In addition, ZnO nanoparticles, lysozyme, or curcumin were added for testing the antimicrobial properties of the thermal-sensitive gels. Rheological investigations evidenced small changes in transition temperature and kinetics of gelation at 37 °C in presence of polysaccharides. However, the gel formation is very delayed in the presence of curcumin. The antimicrobial properties of Pluronic F127 gels are very modest even by adding chitosan, lysozyme, or ZnO nanoparticles. A remarkable enhancement of antimicrobial activity was observed in the presence of curcumin. Chitosan addition to Pluronic/curcumin systems improves their viscoelasticity, antimicrobial activity, and stability in time. The balance between viscoelastic and antimicrobial characteristics needs to be considered in the formulation of Pluronic F127 gels suitable for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.
Structure and Mechanical Properties of a Porous Polymer Material via Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Volpe Sharon Carol , Leporini Dino , Puosi Francesco
Published: January 2023

We characterize, using molecular dynamics simulations, the structure and mechanical response of a porous glassy system, obtained via arrested phase separation of a model polymer melt. In the absence of external driving, coarsening dynamics, with power-law time dependence, controls the slow structural evolution, in agreement with what was reported for other phase-separating systems. The mechanical response was investigated in athermal quasi-static conditions. In the elastic regime, low values for the Young’s and shear modulus were found, as compared to dense glassy systems, which originate from the porous structure. For large deformations, stress–strain curves show a highly intermittent behavior, with avalanches of plastic events. The stress-drop distribution is characterized exploring a large set of parameters. This work goes beyond the previous numerical studies on atomic porous materials, as it first examines the role of chain connectivity in the elastic and plastic responses of materials of this type.
Selective Photocatalytic Reduction of Nitrobenzene to Aniline Using TiO2 Embedded in sPS Aerogel
Authors: Navarra Wanda , Sacco Olga , Venditto Vincenzo , Vaiano Vincenzo
Published: January 2023

In recent years, aromatic substances have become the focus of environmental pollution-related concern due to their high stability and mutagenicity. In this regard, researchers have focused their attention on the development of photocatalytic processes to convert nitroaromatic compounds into aniline. In this work, the photocatalytic conversion of nitrobenzene (NB) to aniline (AN) was studied. The photocatalytic reaction was performed using commercial TiO2 (P25) and a photocatalytic aerogel, based on P25 embedded in syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) aerogel (sPS/P25 aerogel) as photocatalysts. Different alcohols were used as hydrogen sources during the photocatalytic experiments. At the optimized operating conditions (photocatalysts dosage: 0.5 mg/L and 50% (v/v) EtOH%), an AN yield of over 99% was achieved. According to the results, this work could open avenues toward effective production of AN from NB using mild reaction conditions with sPS/P25 aerogel—in view of a possible scale-up of the photocatalytic process.
Indonesian Catholic Bishops’ Attitudes toward Three Controverting Issues during Indonesia’s New Order (1966–1998)
Authors: Binawan Andang L.
Published: January 2023

This article portrays how the Catholic Church in Indonesia in the 1980s faced some legal civil decrees that were contrary to Catholic beliefs, but they nonetheless responded in a wise manner. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has had a new outlook on the relationship between Church and State. As stated in canon 22 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, the Church is willing to accept and observe civil law, as long as it is “not contrary to divine law and unless canon law provides otherwise”. There were three instances in which the Catholic Church in Indonesia had to deal with such controverting matters. The first was the divorce issue and the second was the enforcement of family planning. In both cases, the Catholic Church strongly opposes them. The third issue was the law on inter-religious marriage, which the State strongly prohibits, although the Catholic Church provides dispensation. The observation of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference’s opinions shows that the Catholic Church were able to maintain good relations with the State because the bishops could apply the Catholic teachings in the Indonesian context and better distinguish the rights of being Catholic from the rights of being an Indonesian citizen.
Challenges and Opportunities in Teaching Interdisciplinary Courses on Islam and Evolution: A Theology-Centric Perspective
Authors: Malik Shoaib Ahmed
Published: January 2023

In the nascent discourse of Islam and science, the discussion of how to reconcile evolution with Islam is one of the most, if not the most, pressing concerns. This article reviews the various studies that have looked at the reception of evolution in multiple contexts to highlight the pedagogical challenges that materialise for Muslim students and teachers. It argues that, while recognising the obstacles and challenges mentioned in other studies, the crucial subject matter of Islamic theology (ʿaqīda) is not fully appreciated in those analyses. How and why theology is a vital discussion matter is examined, along with the benefits that it can offer. These insights could provide fodder for teachers and students when discussing the thorny topic of Islam and evolution in classroom settings. This paper’s deliberations could also be of interest to researchers examining the pedagogy and reception of evolution in Muslim contexts.
Accuracy Evaluation and Branch Detection Method of 3D Modeling Using Backpack 3D Lidar SLAM and UAV-SfM for Peach Trees during the Pruning Period in Winter
Authors: Teng Poching , Zhang Yu , Yamane Takayoshi , Kogoshi Masayuki , Yoshida Takeshi , Ota Tomohiko , Nakagawa Junichi
Published: January 2023

In the winter pruning operation of deciduous fruit trees, the number of pruning branches and the structure of the main branches greatly influence the future growth of the fruit trees and the final harvest volume. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is considered a feasible method for the 3D modeling of trees, but it is not suitable for large-scale inspection. The simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technique makes it possible to move the lidar on the ground and model quickly, but it is not useful enough for the accuracy of plant detection. Therefore, in this study, we used UAV-SfM and 3D lidar SLAM techniques to build 3D models for the winter pruning of peach trees. Then, we compared and analyzed these models and further proposed a method to distinguish branches from 3D point clouds by spatial point cloud density. The results showed that the 3D lidar SLAM technique had a shorter modeling time and higher accuracy than UAV-SfM for the winter pruning period of peach trees. The method had the smallest RMSE of 3084 g with an R2 = 0.93 compared to the fresh weight of the pruned branches. In the branch detection part, branches with diameters greater than 3 cm were differentiated successfully, regardless of whether before or after pruning.
Using Deep Learning to Map Ionospheric Total Electron Content over Brazil
Authors: Silva Andre , Moraes Alison , Sousasantos Jonas , Maximo Marcos , Vani Bruno , Faria Clodoaldo
Published: January 2023

The low-latitude ionosphere has an active behavior causing the total electron content (TEC) to vary spatially and temporally very dynamically. The solar activity and the geomagnetic field have a strong influence over the spatiotemporal distribution of TEC. These facts make it a challenge to attempt modeling the ionization response. Single frequency GNSS users are particularly vulnerable due to these ionospheric variations that cause degradation of positioning performance. Motivated by recent applications of machine learning, temporal series of TEC available in map formats were employed to build an independent TEC estimator model for low-latitude environments. A TEC dataset was applied along with geophysical indices of solar flux and magnetic activity to train a feedforward artificial neural network based on a multilayer perceptron (MLP) approach. The forecast for the next 24 h was made relying on TEC maps over the Brazilian region using data collected on the previous 5 days. The performance of this approach was evaluated and compared with real data. The accuracy of the model was evaluated taking into account seasonality, spatial coverage and dependence on solar flux and geomagnetic activity indices. The results of the analysis show that the developed model has a superior capacity describing the TEC behavior across Brazil, when compared to global ionosphere maps and the NeQuick G model. TEC predictions were applied in single point positioning. The achieved errors were 27% and 33% lower when compared to the results obtained using the NeQuick G and global ionosphere maps, respectively, showing success in estimating TEC with small recent datasets using MLP.
Predicting Childhood Obesity Based on Single and Multiple Well-Child Visit Data Using Machine Learning Classifiers
Authors: Mondal Pritom Kumar , Foysal Kamrul H. , Norman Bryan A. , Gittner Lisaann S.
Published: January 2023

Childhood obesity is a public health concern in the United States. Consequences of childhood obesity include metabolic disease and heart, lung, kidney, and other health-related comorbidities. Therefore, the early determination of obesity risk is needed and predicting the trend of a child’s body mass index (BMI) at an early age is crucial. Early identification of obesity can lead to early prevention. Multiple methods have been tested and evaluated to assess obesity trends in children. Available growth charts help determine a child’s current obesity level but do not predict future obesity risk. The present methods of predicting obesity include regression analysis and machine learning-based classifications and risk factor (threshold)-based categorizations based on specific criteria. All the present techniques, especially current machine learning-based methods, require longitudinal data and information on a large number of variables related to a child’s growth (e.g., socioeconomic, family-related factors) in order to predict future obesity-risk. In this paper, we propose three different techniques for three different scenarios to predict childhood obesity based on machine learning approaches and apply them to real data. Our proposed methods predict obesity for children at five years of age using the following three data sets: (1) a single well-child visit, (2) multiple well-child visits under the age of two, and (3) multiple random well-child visits under the age of five. Our models are especially important for situations where only the current patient information is available rather than having multiple data points from regular spaced well-child visits. Our models predict obesity using basic information such as birth BMI, gestational age, BMI measures from well-child visits, and gender. Our models can predict a child’s obesity category (normal, overweight, or obese) at five years of age with an accuracy of 89%, 77%, and 89%, for the three application scenarios, respectively. Therefore, our proposed models can assist healthcare professionals by acting as a decision support tool to aid in predicting childhood obesity early in order to reduce obesity-related complications, and in turn, improve healthcare.