bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activation of anionic redox in d0 transition metal chalcogenides by anion doping
Authors: Leube Bernhard T. , Robert Clara , Foix Dominique , Porcheron Benjamin , Dedryvère Remi , Rousse Gwenaëlle , Salager Elodie , Cabelguen Pierre-Etienne , Abakumov Artem M. , Vezin Hervé , Doublet Marie-Liesse , Tarascon Jean-Marie
Published: September 2021

Expanding the chemical space for designing novel anionic redox materials from oxides to sulfides has enabled to better apprehend fundamental aspects dealing with cationic-anionic relative band positioning. Pursuing with chalcogenides, but deviating from cationic substitution, we here present another twist to our band positioning strategy that relies on mixed ligands with the synthesis of the Li2TiS3-xSex solid solution series. Through the series the electrochemical activity displays a bell shape variation that peaks at 260 mAh/g for the composition x = 0.6 with barely no capacity for the x = 0 and x = 3 end members. We show that this capacity results from cumulated anionic (Se2−/Sen−) and (S2−/Sn−) and cationic Ti3+/Ti4+ redox processes and provide evidence for a metal-ligand charge transfer by temperature-driven electron localization. Moreover, DFT calculations reveal that an anionic redox process cannot take place without the dynamic involvement of the transition metal electronic states. These insights can guide the rational synthesis of other Li-rich chalcogenides that are of interest for the development of solid-state batteries.
Strength can be controlled by edge dislocations in refractory high-entropy alloys
Authors: Lee Chanho , Maresca Francesco , Feng Rui , Chou Yi , Ungar T. , Widom Michael , An Ke , Poplawsky Jonathan D. , Chou Yi-Chia , Liaw Peter K. , Curtin W. A.
Published: September 2021

Energy efficiency is motivating the search for new high-temperature (high-T) metals. Some new body-centered-cubic (BCC) random multicomponent “high-entropy alloys (HEAs)” based on refractory elements (Cr-Mo-Nb-Ta-V-W-Hf-Ti-Zr) possess exceptional strengths at high temperatures but the physical origins of this outstanding behavior are not known. Here we show, using integrated in-situ neutron-diffraction (ND), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and recent theory, that the high strength and strength retention of a NbTaTiV alloy and a high-strength/low-density CrMoNbV alloy are attributable to edge dislocations. This finding is surprising because plastic flows in BCC elemental metals and dilute alloys are generally controlled by screw dislocations. We use the insight and theory to perform a computationally-guided search over 107 BCC HEAs and identify over 106 possible ultra-strong high-T alloy compositions for future exploration.
From laboratory experiments to geophysical tsunamis generated by subaerial landslides
Authors: Robbe-Saule Manon , Morize Cyprien , Bertho Yann , Sauret Alban , Hildenbrand Anthony , Gondret Philippe
Published: September 2021

Modeling of tsunami waves generated by subaerial landslides is important to provide accurate hazard and risk assessments in coastal areas. We perform small-scale laboratory experiments where a tsunami-like wave is generated by the gravity-driven collapse of a subaerial granular column into water. We show that the maximal amplitude reached near-shore by the generated wave in our experiments is linked to the instantaneous immersed volume of grains and to the ultimate immersed deposit. Despite the differences in scale and geometry between our small-scale experiments and the larger-scale geophysical events, a rather good agreement is found between the experimental law and the field data. This approach offers an easy way to estimate the amplitude of paleo-tsunamis.
The predicting factors for indication of surgery in patients with hemoperitoneum caused by corpus luteum cyst rupture
Authors: Kim Mi Ju , Kim Hyun Mi , Seong Won Joon
Published: September 2021

The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors for surgery in patients with hemoperitoneum caused by corpus luteum cyst rupture. A retrospective review of medical records of 155 patients diagnosed with hemoperitoneum caused by corpus luteum cyst rupture was conducted between January 2010 and March 2015. The patients were divided into two groups: surgical and conservative management. The differences in characteristics between the two groups were compared. The indicators that determine the need of a surgery at the initial visit were also compared between the two groups. Initial hemoglobin level was lower (11.3 ± 1.4 g/dL vs. 12.2 ± 1.2 g/dL; p = 0.007) in the surgery group. There were significant differences in posterior cul-de-sac (PCDS) fluid collection depth (6.2 ± 2.5 cm vs. 4.5 ± 1.6 cm, p = 0.000), total fluid collection depth (8.4 ± 1.8 cm vs. 6.5 ± 2.1 cm, p = 0.000), single deepest pocket depth (6.7 ± 2.2 cm vs. 5.1 ± 1.5 cm, p = 0.006), liver-dome fluid (78.9% vs. 35.6%; p = 0.002), and estimated intrapelvic bleeding amount (325 ± 250 cc vs. 206 ± 146.5 cc, p = 0.002). The extravasation over grade 2 was more often in surgery group (68.4% vs. 30.1%; p = 0.001). PCDS fluid collection depth, the presence of liver-dome fluid, and the severity of contrast extravasation through ultrasonography and computed tomography are good indicators for determining the management of hemoperitoneum resulting from corpus luteum cyst rupture in healthy women.
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone improves neuropathological changes in the brain of Tg26 mice, a model for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder
Authors: Bryant Joseph , Andhavarapu Sanketh , Bever Christopher , Guda Poornachander , Katuri Akhil , Gupta Udit , Arvas Muhammed , Asemu Girma , Heredia Alonso , Gerzanich Volodymyr , Simard J. Marc , Makar Tapas Kumar
Published: September 2021

The combined antiretroviral therapy era has significantly increased the lifespan of people with HIV (PWH), turning a fatal disease to a chronic one. However, this lower but persistent level of HIV infection increases the susceptibility of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Therefore, research is currently seeking improved treatment for this complication of HIV. In PWH, low levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been associated with worse neurocognitive impairment. Hence, BDNF administration has been gaining relevance as a possible adjunct therapy for HAND. However, systemic administration of BDNF is impractical because of poor pharmacological profile. Therefore, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of BDNF-mimicking 7,8 dihydroxyflavone (DHF), a bioactive high-affinity TrkB agonist, in the memory-involved hippocampus and brain cortex of Tg26 mice, a murine model for HAND. In these brain regions, we observed astrogliosis, increased expression of chemokine HIV-1 coreceptors CXCR4 and CCR5, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial damage. Hippocampi and cortices of DHF treated mice exhibited a reversal of these pathological changes, suggesting the therapeutic potential of DHF in HAND. Moreover, our data indicates that DHF increases the phosphorylation of TrkB, providing new insights about the role of the TrkB–Akt–NFkB signaling pathway in mediating these pathological hallmarks. These findings guide future research as DHF shows promise as a TrkB agonist treatment for HAND patients in adjunction to the current antiviral therapies.
Simulation study towards quantitative X-ray and neutron tensor tomography regarding the validity of linear approximations of dark-field anisotropy
Authors: Graetz Jonas
Published: September 2021

Tensor tomography is fundamentally based on the assumption of a both anisotropic and linear contrast mechanism. While the X-ray or neutron dark-field contrast obtained with Talbot(-Lau) interferometers features the required anisotropy, a preceding detailed study of dark-field signal origination however found its specific orientation dependence to be a non-linear function of the underlying anisotropic mass distribution and its orientation, especially challenging the common assumption that dark-field signals are describable by a function over the unit sphere. Here, two approximative linear tensor models with reduced orientation dependence are investigated in a simulation study with regard to their applicability to grating based X-ray or neutron dark-field tensor tomography. By systematically simulating and reconstructing a large sample of isolated volume elements covering the full range of feasible anisotropies and orientations, direct correspondences are drawn between the respective tensors characterizing the physically based dark-field model used for signal synthesization and the mathematically motivated simplified models used for reconstruction. The anisotropy of freely rotating volume elements is thereby confirmed to be, for practical reconstruction purposes, approximable both as a function of the optical axis’ orientation or as a function of the interferometer’s grating orientation. The eigenvalues of the surrogate models’ tensors are found to exhibit fuzzy, yet almost linear relations to those of the synthesization model. Dominant orientations are found to be recoverable with a margin of error on the order of magnitude of 1$$^{\circ }$$

∘

. Although the input data must adequately address the full orientation dependence of dark-field anisotropy, the present results clearly support the general feasibility of quantitative X-ray dark-field tensor tomography within an inherent yet acceptable statistical margin of uncertainty.
Real-time quantitation of thyroidal radioiodine uptake in thyroid disease with monitoring by a collar detection device
Authors: Santhanam Prasanna , Solnes Lilja , Nath Tanmay , Roussin Jean-Paul , Gray David , Frey Eric , Sgouros George , Ladenson Paul W.
Published: September 2021

Radioactive iodine (RAI) is safe and effective in most patients with hyperthyroidism but not all individuals are cured by the first dose, and most develop post-RAI hypothyroidism. Postoperative RAI therapy for remnant ablation is successful in 80–90% of thyroid cancer patients and sometimes induces remission of nonresectable cervical and/or distant metastatic disease but the effective tumor dose is usually not precisely known and must be moderated to avoid short- and long-term adverse effects on other tissues. The Collar Therapy Indicator (COTI) is a radiation detection device embedded in a cloth collar secured around the patient’s neck and connected to a recording and data transmission box. In previously published experience, the data can be collected at multiple time points, reflecting local cervical RAI exposure and correlating well with conventional methods. We evaluated the real-time uptake of RAI in patients with hyperthyroid Graves’ disease and thyroid cancer. We performed a pilot feasibility prospective study. Data were analyzed using R© (version 4.0.3, The R Foundation for Statistical Computing, 2020), and Python (version 3.6, Matplotlib version 3.0.3). The COTI was able to provide a quantitative temporal pattern of uptake within the thyroid in persons with Graves’ disease and lateralized the remnant tissue in persons with thyroid cancer. The study has demonstrated that the portable collar radiation detection device outside of a healthcare facility is accurate and feasible for use after administration of RAI for diagnostic studies and therapy to provide a complete collection of fractional target radioactivity data compared to that traditionally acquired with clinic-based measurements at one or two time-points.

Clinical Trials Registration NCT03517579, DOR 5/7/2018.
Oxidative stress and cardiometabolic biomarkers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Klisic Aleksandra , Kavaric Nebojsa , Ninic Ana , Kotur-Stevuljevic Jelena
Published: September 2021

Oxidative stress is assumed to be the underlying feature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To our knowledge, the mutual involvement of redox status homeostasis parameters [i.e., advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative-stress index (OSI)] and cardiometabolic biomarkers in subjects with NAFLD has not been examined yet. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate this potential relationship. A total of 122 subjects with NAFLD were compared with 56 participants without NAFLD. The diagnosis of NAFLD was confirmed by abdominal ultrasound. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured. OSI, Castelli’s Risk Index I (CRI-I) and Castelli’s Risk Index II (CRI-II) were calculated. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used to test the predictions of oxidative stress and cardiometabolic markers, respectively for NAFLD. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to explore its mutual effect on NAFLD status. Significant positive associations of CRI-I, CRI-II, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and AOPP with NAFLD were found. PCA analysis extracted 3 significant factors: Oxidative stress-cardiometabolic related factor (i.e., triglycerides, AOPP, HDL-c and HbA1c)-explained 36% of variance; Pro-oxidants related factor (i.e., TOS and PAB)-explained 17% of variance; and Antioxidants related factor (i.e., TAS)-explained 15% of variance of the tested parameters. Moreover, binary logistic regression analysis revealed significant predictive ability of Oxidative stress-cardiometabolic related factor (p < 0.001) and Pro-oxidants related factor (p < 0.05) for NAFLD status. In addition to oxidative stress (i.e., determined by higher AOPP levels), dyslipidemia (i.e., determined by higher lipid indexes: CRI-I and CRI-II) and inflammation (determined by higher hsCRP) are independently related to NAFLD status. The mutual involvement of pro-oxidants (i.e., TOS and PAB), or the joint involvement of pro-oxidants (i.e., AOPP) and cardiometabolic parameters (i.e., HbA1c, triglycerides and HDL-c) can differentiate subjects with NAFLD from those individuals without this metabolic disorder. New studies are needed to validate our results in order to find the best therapeutic approach for NAFLD.
Why Australia was not wet during spring 2020 despite La Niña
Authors: Lim Eun-Pa , Hudson Debra , Wheeler Matthew C. , Marshall Andrew G. , King Andrew , Zhu Hongyan , Hendon Harry H. , de Burgh-Day Catherine , Trewin Blair , Griffiths Morwenna , Ramchurn Avijeet , Young Griffith
Published: September 2021

The austral spring climate of 2020 was characterised by the occurrence of La Niña, which is the most predictable climate driver of Australian springtime rainfall. Consistent with this La Niña, the Bureau of Meteorology’s dynamical sub-seasonal to seasonal forecast system, ACCESS-S1, made highly confident predictions of wetter-than-normal conditions over central and eastern Australia for spring when initialised in July 2020 and thereafter. However, many areas of Australia received near average to severely below average rainfall, particularly during November. Possible causes of the deviation of rainfall from its historical response to La Niña and causes of the forecast error are explored with observational and reanalysis data for the period 1979–2020 and real-time forecasts of ACCESS-S1 initialised in July to November 2020. Several compounding factors were identified as key contributors to the drier-than-anticipated spring conditions. Although the ocean surface to the north of Australia was warmer than normal, which would have acted to promote rainfall over northern Australia, it was not as warm as expected from its historical relationship with La Niña and its long-term warming trend. Moreover, a negative phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole mode, which typically acts to increase spring rainfall in southern Australia, decayed earlier than normal in October. Finally, the Madden–Julian Oscillation activity over the equatorial Indian Ocean acted to suppress rainfall across northern and eastern Australia during November. While ACCESS-S1 accurately predicted the strength of La Niña over the Niño3.4 region, it over-predicted the ocean warming to the north of Australia and under-predicted the strength of the November MJO event, leading to an over-prediction of the Australian spring rainfall and especially the November-mean rainfall.
SSC-ILD mouse model induced by osmotic minipump delivered bleomycin: effect of Nintedanib
Authors: Ravanetti Francesca , Ferrini Erica , Ragionieri Luisa , Khalajzeyqami Zahra , Nicastro Maria , Ridwan Yanto , Kleinjan Alex , Villetti Gino , Grandi Andrea , Stellari Franco Fabio
Published: September 2021

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by an excessive production and accumulation of collagen in the skin and internal organs often associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Its pathogenetic mechanisms are unknown and the lack of animal models mimicking the features of the human disease is creating a gap between the selection of anti-fibrotic drug candidates and effective therapies. In this work, we intended to pharmacologically validate a SSc-ILD model based on 1 week infusion of bleomycin (BLM) by osmotic minipumps in C57/BL6 mice, since it will serve as a tool for secondary drug screening. Nintedanib (NINT) has been used as a reference compound to investigate antifibrotic activity either for lung or skin fibrosis. Longitudinal Micro-CT analysis highlighted a significant slowdown in lung fibrosis progression after NINT treatment, which was confirmed by histology. However, no significant effect was observed on lung hydroxyproline content, inflammatory infiltrate and skin lipoatrophy. The modest pharmacological effect reported here could reflect the clinical outcome, highlighting the reliability of this model to better profile potential clinical drug candidates. The integrative approach presented herein, which combines longitudinal assessments with endpoint analyses, could be harnessed in drug discovery to generate more reliable, reproducible and robust readouts.
Persistent hyperammonia and altered concentrations of urea cycle metabolites in a 5-day swine experiment of sepsis
Authors: Ferrario Manuela , Pastorelli Roberta , Brunelli Laura , Liu Shengchen , Zanella do Amaral Campos Pedro Paulo , Casoni Daniela , Z’Graggen Werner J. , Jakob Stephan M.
Published: September 2021

We measured plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolite concentrations in a 5-day porcine sepsis model of fecal peritonitis. The objectives were: (i) to verify whether the expected pathways that had emerged in previous studies pertain only to the early inflammatory response or persist for the subsequent days; (ii) to identify metabolic derangements that arise later; (iii) to verify whether CSF metabolite concentrations were altered and if these alterations were similar to those in the blood or delayed. We observed an early response to inflammation and cytokine storms with alterations in lipid and glucose metabolism. The arginine/asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and phenylalanine/tyrosine balances changed 24 h after resuscitation in plasma, and later in CSF. There was a rise in ammonia concentration, with altered concentrations of metabolites in the urea cycle. Whether persistent derangement of these pathways have a role not only on short-term outcomes but also on longer-term comorbidities, such as septic encephalopathy, should be addressed in further studies.
A multifunctional ultrathin flexible bianisotropic metasurface with miniaturized cell size
Authors: Tamoor Tania , Shoaib Nosherwan , Ahmed Fahad , Hassan Tayyab , Quddious Abdul , Nikolaou Symeon , Alomainy Akram , Imran Muhammad Ali , Abbasi Qammer H.
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a flexible bianisotropic metasurface possessing omega-type coupling is presented. The designed metasurface behaves differently when excited from either forward (port 1) or back (port 2) sides. It provides an absorption of 99.46% at 15.1 Gigahertz (GHz), when illuminated from port 1, whereas, on simultaneous illumination from port 2, it behaves like a partially reflective surface (PRS). Furthermore, the presented metasurface not only acts as an in-band absorptive surface (port 1) and partially reflective surface (port 2), but it also provides 97% out-of-band transmission at 7.8 GHz. The response of the presented metasurface remains the same for both transverse Electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarized wave or any arbitrary linearly polarized wave. Additionally, the response of the metasurface is angularly stable for any oblique incidence up to 45º. The proposed ultrathin flexible metasurface with absorption, partial reflection and out-of-band transmission properties can be used in the Fabry Perrot cavity antenna for gain enhancement with radar cross-section (RCS) reduction both for passband and stop-band filtering, and conformal antenna applications.
Shouting strengthens maximal voluntary force and is associated with augmented pupillary dilation
Authors: Takarada Yudai , Nozaki Daichi
Published: September 2021

Previous research has demonstrated that human maximal voluntary force is generally limited by neural inhibition. Producing a shout during maximal exertion effort enhances the force levels of maximal voluntary contraction. However, the mechanisms underlying this enhancement effect on force production remain unclear. We investigated the influence of producing a shout on the pupil-linked neuromodulatory system state by examining pupil size. We also examined its effects on the motor system state by examining motor evoked potentials in response to transcranial magnetic stimulation applied over the contralateral primary motor cortex, and by evaluating handgrip maximal voluntary force. Analysis revealed that producing a shout significantly increased handgrip maximal voluntary force, followed by an increase in pupil size and a reduction of the cortical silent period. Our results indicate that producing a shout increased handgrip maximal voluntary force through the enhancement of motor cortical excitability, possibly via the enhancement of noradrenergic system activity. This study provides evidence that the muscular force-enhancing effect of shouting during maximal force exertion is related to both the motor system state and the pupil-linked neuromodulatory system state.
A potential probiotic Leuconostoc mesenteroides TBE-8 for honey bee
Authors: Huang Yu-Han , Chen Yu-Hsin , Chen Jui-Hung , Hsu Pei-Shou , Wu Tzu-Hsien , Lin Chuen-Fu , Peng Chi-Chung , Wu Ming-Cheng
Published: September 2021

An isolated bacterium TBE-8, was identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides according to the sequences of 16S rDNA and the 16S–23S rDNA intergenic spacer region. The probiotic properties of the L. mesenteroides TBE-8 strain were characterized and revealed that TBE-8 could utilize various carbohydrates, exhibited high tolerance to sucrose’s osmotic pressure and acidic conditions, and could mitigate the impact of the bee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. In addition, we found that the TBE-8 broth increased the expression of the nutrition-related genes major royal jelly protein 1 and vitellogenin in bees by approximately 1400- and 20-fold, respectively. The expression of genes encoding two antibacterial peptides, hymenoptaecin and apidaecin, in the bee abdomen was significantly increased by 17- and 7-fold in bees fed with the TBE-8 fermented broth. Furthermore, we fed four-frame bee colonies with 50% sucrose syrup containing TBE-8 and can detect the presence of approximately 2 × 106 16S rDNA copies of TBE-8 in the guts of all bees in 24 h, and the retention of TBE-8 in the bee gut for at least 5 days. These findings indicate that the L. mesenteroides TBE-8 has high potential as a bee probiotic and could enhance the health of bee colonies.
Development of CIDEA reporter mouse model and its application for screening thermogenic drugs
Authors: Son Yeonho , Choi Cheoljun , Song Cheol , Im Hyeonyeong , Cho Yoon Keun , Son Ju Seung , Joo Sungug , Joh Yoonjoe , Lee Young Jae , Seong Je Kyung , Lee Yun-Hee
Published: September 2021

Cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-like effector A (CIDEA) is a lipid droplet-associated protein and is a known marker of the thermogenic capacity of brown/beige adipocytes. To monitor the expression of CIDEA in live mice in a non-invasive manner, we generated CIDEA reporter mice expressing multicistronic mRNAs encoding CIDEA, luciferase 2, and tdTomato proteins under the control of the Cidea promoter. The expression level of endogenous CIDEA protein in adipose tissue was not affected by the expression of polycistronic reporters. The two CIDEA reporters, luciferase 2 and tdTomato, correctly reflected CIDEA protein levels. Importantly, luciferase activity was induced by cold exposure and the treatment with β3-adrenergic receptor agonist CL316,243 in interscapular and inguinal adipose tissue, which was detectable by in vivo bioluminescence imaging. We further evaluated the effects of candidate brown adipogenic agents using this CIDEA reporter system and demonstrated a positive correlation between drug-induced luciferase activity and thermogenic gene expression levels both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, we established a dual CIDEA reporter mouse model in which fluorescence and luminescence signals correctly reflect CIDEA expression, and therefore, suggested that this reporter system can be used to evaluate the thermogenic efficacy of candidate molecules.
Structure-based design and classifications of small molecules regulating the circadian rhythm period
Authors: Gul Seref , Rahim Fatih , Isin Safak , Yilmaz Fatma , Ozturk Nuri , Turkay Metin , Kavakli Ibrahim Halil
Published: September 2021

Circadian rhythm is an important mechanism that controls behavior and biochemical events based on 24 h rhythmicity. Ample evidence indicates disturbance of this mechanism is associated with different diseases such as cancer, mood disorders, and familial delayed phase sleep disorder. Therefore, drug discovery studies have been initiated using high throughput screening. Recently the crystal structures of core clock proteins (CLOCK/BMAL1, Cryptochromes (CRY), Periods), responsible for generating circadian rhythm, have been solved. Availability of structures makes amenable core clock proteins to design molecules regulating their activity by using in silico approaches. In addition to that, the implementation of classification features of molecules based on their toxicity and activity will improve the accuracy of the drug discovery process. Here, we identified 171 molecules that target functional domains of a core clock protein, CRY1, using structure-based drug design methods. We experimentally determined that 115 molecules were nontoxic, and 21 molecules significantly lengthened the period of circadian rhythm in U2OS cells. We then performed a machine learning study to classify these molecules for identifying features that make them toxic and lengthen the circadian period. Decision tree classifiers (DTC) identified 13 molecular descriptors, which predict the toxicity of molecules with a mean accuracy of 79.53% using tenfold cross-validation. Gradient boosting classifiers (XGBC) identified 10 molecular descriptors that predict and increase in the circadian period length with a mean accuracy of 86.56% with tenfold cross-validation. Our results suggested that these features can be used in QSAR studies to design novel nontoxic molecules that exhibit period lengthening activity.
The feasibility of a novel injectable hydrogel for protecting artificial gastrointestinal ulcers after endoscopic resection: an animal pilot study
Authors: Miura Yuko , Tsuji Yosuke , Cho Rina , Fujisawa Ayano , Fujisawa Masahiko , Kamata Hiroyuki , Yoshikawa Yuki , Yamamichi Nobutake , Sakai Takamasa , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: September 2021

Recently, covering materials for protecting post-endoscopic ulcers are being developed using hydrogels. Existing hydrogels are not ideal coating materials because it is difficult to control their physical properties. Therefore, we conducted an animal pilot study to investigate the protective effect of a novel ulcer coating material, whose physical properties can be easily controlled and designed. We applied the novel injectable hydrogel to artificial ulcers induced on the gastric mucosa of rats. Rats were assigned to the hydrogel or the control group. To measure the protective effect of hydrogel on ulcers, the perforation rate, ulcer diameter, and ulcer area were evaluated 48 h after gel application. As secondary endpoints, we assessed the residual rate of the hydrogel at the bottom of the ulcer, performed histological analysis, and analyzed adverse events associated with hydrogel. The perforation rate was significantly lower (16% vs. 75%) and the mean diameter of ulcers was significantly smaller (5.4 ± 1.8 mm vs. 7.8 ± 2.8 mm) in the hydrogel group. Histopathological findings revealed the inflammatory cell count was significantly higher in the control group. Our novel hydrogel showed a protective effect on artificial gastric ulcers in a rat model.
Ionic liquid pretreatment of stinging nettle stems and giant miscanthus for bioethanol production
Authors: Smuga-Kogut Małgorzata , Szymanowska-Powałowska Daria , Markiewicz Roksana , Piskier Tomasz , Kogut Tomasz
Published: September 2021

Production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is considered the most promising proposition for developing a sustainable and carbon–neutral energy system. The use of renewable raw materials and variability of lignocellulosic feedstock generating hexose and pentose sugars also brings advantages of the most abundant, sustainable and non-food competitive biomass. Great attention is now paid to agricultural wastes and overgrowing plants as an alternative to fast-growing energetic crops. The presented study explores the use of stinging nettle stems, which have not been treated as a source of bioethanol. Apart from being considered a weed, stinging nettle is used in pharmacy or cosmetics, yet its stems are always a non-edible waste. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of pretreatment using imidazolium- and ammonium-based ionic liquids, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation of stinging nettle stems, and comparison of such a process with giant miscanthus. Raw and ionic liquid-pretreated feedstocks of stinging nettle and miscanthus were subjected to compositional analysis and scanning electron microscopy to determine the pretreatment effect. Next, the same conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation were applied to both crops to explore the stinging nettle stems potential in the area of bioethanol production. The study showed that the pretreatment of both stinging nettle and miscanthus with imidazolium acetates allowed for increased availability of the critical lignocellulosic fraction. The use of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate in the pretreatment of stinging nettle allowed to obtain very high ethanol concentrations of 7.3 g L−1, with 7.0 g L−1 achieved for miscanthus. Results similar for both plants were obtained for 1-ethyl-3-buthylimidazolium acetate. Moreover, in the case of ammonium ionic liquids, even though they have comparable potential to dissolve cellulose, it was impossible to depolymerize lignocellulose and extract lignin. Furthermore, they did not improve the efficiency of the hydrolysis process, which in turn led to low alcohol concentration. Overall, from the presented results, it can be assumed that the stinging nettle stems are a very promising bioenergy crop.
Reservoir quality and its controlling diagenetic factors in the Bentiu Formation, Northeastern Muglad Basin, Sudan
Authors: Makeen Yousif M. , Shan Xuanlong , Lawal Mutari , Ayinla Habeeb A. , Su Siyuan , Yelwa Nura Abdulmumini , Liang Ye , Ayuk Ndip Edwin , Du Xianli
Published: September 2021

The Abu Gabra and Bentiu formations are widely distributed within the interior Muglad Basin. Recently, much attention has been paid to study, evaluate and characterize the Abu Gabra Formation as a proven reservoir in Muglad Basin. However, few studies have been documented on the Bentiu Formation which is the main oil/gas reservoir within the basin. Therefore, 33 core samples of the Great Moga and Keyi oilfields (NE Muglad Basin) were selected to characterize the Bentiu Formation reservoir using sedimentological and petrophysical analyses. The aim of the study is to de-risk exploration activities and improve success rate. Compositional and textural analyses revealed two main facies groups: coarse to-medium grained sandstone (braided channel deposits) and fine grained sandstone (floodplain and crevasse splay channel deposits). The coarse to-medium grained sandstone has porosity and permeability values within the range of 19.6% to 32.0% and 1825.6 mD to 8358.0 mD respectively. On the other hand, the fine grained clay-rich facies displays poor reservoir quality as indicated by porosity and permeability ranging from 1.0 to 6.0% and 2.5 to 10.0 mD respectively. A number of varied processes were identified controlling the reservoir quality of the studies samples. Porosity and permeability were enhanced by the dissolution of feldspars and micas, while presence of detrital clays, kaolinite precipitation, iron oxides precipitation, siderite, quartz overgrowths and pyrite cement played negative role on the reservoir quality. Intensity of the observed quartz overgrowth increases with burial depth. At great depths, a variability in grain contact types are recorded suggesting conditions of moderate to-high compactions. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy revealed presence of micropores which have the tendency of affecting the fluid flow properties in the Bentiu Formation sandstone. These evidences indicate that the Bentiu Formation petroleum reservoir quality is primarily inhibited by grain size, total clay content, compaction and cementation. Thus, special attention should be paid to these inhibiting factors to reduce risk in petroleum exploration within the area.
Significantly enhanced coupling effect and gap plasmon resonance in a MIM-cavity based sensing structure
Authors: Chou Chau Yuan-Fong , Ming Tan Yu , Chou Chao Chung-Ting , Thotagamuge Roshan , Kooh Muhammad Raziq Rahimi , Huang Hung Ji , Lim Chee Ming , Chiang Hai-Pang
Published: September 2021

Herein, we design a high sensitivity with a multi-mode plasmonic sensor based on the square ring-shaped resonators containing silver nanorods together with a metal–insulator-metal bus waveguide. The finite element method can analyze the structure's transmittance properties and electromagnetic field distributions in detail. Results show that the coupling effect between the bus waveguide and the side-coupled resonator can enhance by generating gap plasmon resonance among the silver nanorods, increasing the cavity plasmon mode in the resonator. The suggested structure obtained a relatively high sensitivity and acceptable figure of merit and quality factor of about 2473 nm/RIU (refractive index unit), 34.18 1/RIU, and 56.35, respectively. Thus, the plasmonic sensor is ideal for lab-on-chip in gas and biochemical analysis and can significantly enhance the sensitivity by 177% compared to the regular one. Furthermore, the designed structure can apply in nanophotonic devices, and the range of the detected refractive index is suitable for gases and fluids (e.g., gas, isopropanol, optical oil, and glucose solution).
The role of autophagy in the process of osseointegration around titanium implants with micro-nano topography promoted by osteoimmunity
Authors: Zhang Ting , Jiang Mengyang , Yin Xiaojie , Yao Peng , Sun Huiqiang
Published: September 2021

Osteoimmunity plays an important role in the process of implant osseointegration. Autophagy is a conservative metabolic pathway of eukaryotic cells, but whether the interaction between autophagy and osteoimmunity plays a key role in osseointegration remains unclear. In this study, we prepared smooth titanium disks and micro-nano topography titanium disks, to study the immune microenvironment of RAW264.7 cells, and prepared the conditioned medium to study the effect of immune microenvironment on the osteogenesis and autophagy of MC3T3-E1 cells. Autophagy inhibitor 3-MA was used to inhibit autophagy to observe the change of expression of osteogenic markers. The results showed that the micro-nano topography titanium disks could stimulate RAW264.7 cells to differentiate into M2 type, forming an anti-inflammatory immune microenvironment; compared with the control group, the anti-inflammatory immune microenvironment promoted the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts better. The anti-inflammatory immune environment activated the autophagy level of osteoblasts, while the expression of osteogenic markers was down-regulated after inhibition of autophagy. These results indicate that anti-inflammatory immune microenvironment can promote cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, autophagy plays an important role in this process. This study further explains the mechanism of implant osseointegration in osteoimmune microenvironment, and provides reference for improving implant osseointegration.
The influence of heteroatom doping on local properties of phosphorene monolayer
Authors: Durajski Artur P. , Gruszka Konrad M. , Niegodajew Paweł
Published: September 2021

New energy storage technologies that can serve as a reliable alternative to lithium-ion batteries are in the spotlight. Particular attention has been recently devoted to magnesium-ion systems due to the considerable abundance of this element and also due to its promising electro-chemical performance. Our results show that monolayer black phosphorene doped by B, Sc, Co, and Cu atoms possesses good structural stability with the minimal cohesive energy of $$-5.563$$

-
5.563

eV/atom, the adsorption energy per Mg atom ranging from $$-1.229$$

-
1.229

to $$-1.357$$

-
1.357

eV, and the charge transfer from double-side adsorbed single Mg-ions to the B-substituted phosphorene increased by $$\sim$$
∼
0.21 $$e^-$$

e
-

in comparison with pristine phosphorene. The present work demonstrates a potential path for future improvements of phosphorus-based anode materials for Mg-ion rechargeable batteries which were evaluated using first-principles density-functional theory calculations.
Antibiotic resistance alters through iron-regulating Sigma factors during the interaction of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Tahmasebi Hamed , Dehbashi Sanaz , Arabestani Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2021

Iron is a limiting factor in such a condition that usually is sequestered by the host during polymicrobial infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. This study aimed to investigate the interaction of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, which alters iron-related sigma factors regulation and antibiotic resistance. The antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus was investigated in a L929 cell culture model. The expression level of pvdS, hasI (P. aeruginosa sigma factors), and sigS (S. aureus sigma factor) genes was determined using Quantitative Real-Time PCR. pvdS and hasI were downregulated during co-culture with S. aureus, while the susceptibility to carbapenems increased (p-value < 0.0001). Also, there was a direct significant relationship between resistance to vancomycin with sigS. Regarding the findings of the current study, iron-related sigma factors of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus play a role in induction susceptibility to various antibiotics, including carbapenems and vancomycin.
Low temperature plasma irradiation products of sodium lactate solution that induce cell death on U251SP glioblastoma cells were identified
Authors: Tanaka Hiromasa , Hosoi Yugo , Ishikawa Kenji , Yoshitake Jun , Shibata Takahiro , Uchida Koji , Hashizume Hiroshi , Mizuno Masaaki , Okazaki Yasumasa , Toyokuni Shinya , Nakamura Kae , Kajiyama Hiroaki , Kikkawa Fumitaka , Hori Masaru
Published: September 2021

Low-temperature plasma is being widely used in the various fields of life science, such as medicine and agriculture. Plasma-activated solutions have been proposed as potential cancer therapeutic reagents. We previously reported that plasma-activated Ringer’s lactate solution exhibited selective cancer-killing effects, and that the plasma-treated L-sodium lactate in the solution was an anti-tumor factor; however, the components that are generated through the interactions between plasma and L-sodium lactate and the components responsible for the selective killing of cancer cells remain unidentified. In this study, we quantified several major chemical products, such as pyruvate, formate, and acetate, in plasma-activated L-sodium lactate solution by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. We further identified novel chemical products, such as glyoxylate and 2,3-dimethyltartrate, in the solution by direct infusion-electrospray ionization with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. We found that 2,3-dimethyltartrate exhibited cytotoxic effects in glioblastoma cells, but not in normal astrocytes. These findings shed light on the identities of the components that are responsible for the selective cytotoxic effect of plasma-activated solutions on cancer cells, and provide useful data for the potential development of cancer treatments using plasma-activated L-sodium lactate solution.
Genetic association of FKBP5 with trait resilience in Korean male patients with alcohol use disorder
Authors: Park Chun Il , Kim Hae Won , Hwang Syung Shick , Kang Jee In , Kim Se Joo
Published: September 2021

The FKBP5 gene is known to have an important role in alcohol use disorder (AUD) in response to stress and has been reported to affect stress responses by interacting with childhood trauma. This study investigated the effects of the FKBP5 polymorphism rs1360780 and childhood trauma on trait resilience in male patients with AUD. In addition, allele-specific associations between FKBP5 DNA methylation and resilience were examined. In total, 297 men with AUD were assessed for alcohol use severity, childhood trauma, resilience, and impulsivity. Genotyping for FKBP5 rs1360780 and DNA methylation were analyzed. The effects of the rs1360780 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and clinical variables on resilience were tested using linear regression analysis. Possible associations between FKBP5 DNA methylation and resilience were tested with partial correlation analysis. The rs1360780 risk allele, a low education level, and high impulsivity were associated with diminished resilience, whereas no significant main or interaction effect of childhood trauma with the SNP rs1360780 genotype on resilience was shown. No significant association between FKBP5 DNA methylation and resilience was found. The present study demonstrated the involvement of the rs1360780 risk allele in trait resilience in men with AUD, suggesting that the genetic vulnerability of FKBP5 may influence resilience related to AUD.
Intraoral image generation by progressive growing of generative adversarial network and evaluation of generated image quality by dentists
Authors: Kokomoto Kazuma , Okawa Rena , Nakano Kazuhiko , Nozaki Kazunori
Published: September 2021

Dentists need experience with clinical cases to practice specialized skills. However, the need to protect patient's private information limits their ability to utilize intraoral images obtained from clinical cases. In this study, since generating realistic images could make it possible to utilize intraoral images, progressive growing of generative adversarial networks are used to generate intraoral images. A total of 35,254 intraoral images were used as training data with resolutions of 128 × 128, 256 × 256, 512 × 512, and 1024 × 1024. The results of the training datasets with and without data augmentation were compared. The Sliced Wasserstein Distance was calculated to evaluate the generated images. Next, 50 real images and 50 generated images for each resolution were randomly selected and shuffled. 12 pediatric dentists were asked to observe these images and assess whether they were real or generated. The d prime of the 1024 × 1024 images was significantly higher than that of the other resolutions. In conclusion, generated intraoral images with resolutions of 512 × 512 or lower were so realistic that the dentists could not distinguish whether they were real or generated. This implies that the generated images can be used in dental education or data augmentation for deep learning, without privacy restrictions.
Unidirectional propagation of the Bloch surface wave excited by the spinning magnetic dipole in two-dimensional photonic crystal slab
Authors: Zhao Li-Ming , Zhou Yun-Song
Published: September 2021

The photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) can be realized in a photonic crystal (PC) slab, that is, the unidirectional Bloch surface wave can propagate along the surface of the PC slab under the excitation of elliptical polarized magnetic dipole. It is further proved that PSHE is caused by the interference of the component surface waves excited by the different components of the incident light, which is the so called component wave interference (CWI) theory. In addition, we also find that the spin of the surface wave oscillates periodically in space, and the oscillation period is a unit cell. In a unit cell, the average spin keeps the spin orbit locked. The results show that the spin separation can also be modulated by the position and the polarization state of the magnetic dipole.
Pressure ulcers microbiota dynamics and wound evolution
Authors: Dunyach-Remy Catherine , Salipante Florian , Lavigne Jean-Philippe , Brunaud Maxime , Demattei Christophe , Yahiaoui-Martinez Alex , Bastide Sophie , Palayer Claire , Sotto Albert , Gélis Anthony
Published: September 2021

Bacterial species and their role in delaying the healing of pressure ulcers (PU) in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients have not been well described. This pilot study aimed to characterise the evolution of the cutaneous microbiota of PU in SCI cohort. Twenty-four patients with SCI from a French neurological rehabilitation centre were prospectively included. PU tissue biopsies were performed at baseline (D0) and 28 days (D28) and analysed using 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing analysis of the V3–V4 region. At D0, if the overall relative abundance of genus highlighted a large proportion ofStaphylococcus, AnaerococcusandFinegoldiahad a significantly higher relative abundance in wounds that stagnated or worsened in comparison with those improved at D28 (3.74% vs 0.05%; p = 0.015 and 11.02% versus 0.16%; p = 0.023, respectively). At D28,ProteusandMorganellagenera were only present in stagnated or worsened wounds with respectively 0.02% (p = 0.003) and 0.01% (p = 0.02). Moreover,Proteus, Morganella, AnaerococcusandPeptoniphiluswere associated within the same cluster, co-isolated from biopsies that had a poor evolution. This pathogroup could be a marker of wound degradation andProteuscould represent a promising target in PU management.