bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fermentation as a Strategy to Valorize Olive Pomace, a By-Product of the Olive Oil Industry
Authors: Dantas Palmeira Josman , Araújo Débora , C. Mota Catarina , Alves Rita C. , P. P. Oliveira M. Beatriz , Ferreira Helena M. N.
Published: May 2023

In the Mediterranean region, where olive oil is mostly produced, high amounts of olive oil by-products are generated, which creates an ecological concern, due to their phytotoxic phenolic components (e.g., oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol). However, these compounds also represent a relevant source of antioxidants for health and well-being. The food and beverage, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries can all greatly benefit from the treatment and proper exploitation of olive oil by-products for their health-promoting benefits in various fields. Additionally, recovery and treatment procedures can support effective waste management, which in turn can increase the sustainability of the olive oil sector and result in worthwhile economic advantages. Due to their high phenolic content, olive pomace could be viewed as a good matrix or primary supply of molecules with high added value. The purpose of this review was to give a thorough overview on how the primary solid olive oil by-products, particularly olive pomace, are currently valued through fermentation, emphasizing their applications in several industries—ethanol production, enzyme production, animal feeding, and human nutrition. It was possible to conclude that the olive pomace has a microbiota profile that allows spontaneous fermentation, a process that can increase its value. In addition, its phenolic content and antioxidant activity are relevant to human health; thus, further studies should be carried out in order to implement this process using olive pomace as the main substrate.
Potential Capacity of Candida wangnamkhiaoensis to Produce Oleic Acid
Authors: Pérez-Rodríguez Alejandro , Flores-Ortiz César Mateo , Chávez-Camarillo Griselda Ma. , Cristiani-Urbina Eliseo , Morales-Barrera Liliana
Published: May 2023

Oleic acid is increasingly required in many industries, causing the indiscriminate extension of land for the cultivation of certain agricultural products to extract their oil. The current contribution aimed to cultivate Candida wangnamkhiaoensis (CW) for the production of lipids and determine the profile of fatty acids in these lipids. The lipid yield was compared in the yeast when using glucose or glycerol as the substrate, in both cases being over 24%. The main fatty acids in the oil derived from CW were oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acid. The fatty acid composition of the oil from CW was very similar to that of avocado oil and resembled that of olive oil and palm oil. The advantages of cultivating CW include its relatively high percentage of oleic acid and the balance of other fatty acids, its capacity to generate lipids in a short time (48–72 h), the controlled environment of production (versus the variability of the cultivation of agricultural products), and the relatively limited surface area required. CW shows potential as an alternative and economical source of oleic acid for the food, drug, cosmetics, lubricant, and biofuel industries, and does not require the alteration of large extensions of land.
Microbial Electrochemical CO2 Reduction and In-Situ Biogas Upgrading at Various pH Conditions
Authors: Lu Wenduo , Song Yuening , Liu Chuanqi , Dong He , Li Haoyong , Huang Yinhui , Liang Zhao , Xu Haiyu , Wu Hongbin , Li Pengsong , Sun Dezhi , Xu Kangning , Dang Yan
Published: May 2023

Microbial electrochemical CO2 reduction and in-situ biogas upgrading can effectively reduce the CO2 content in biogas produced during anaerobic digestion, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and achieving carbon reduction. pH is an important indicator in this process as it can significantly change the solubility and forms of CO2 in the aquatic phase. This study comprehensively evaluated the optimal pH value from the perspectives of methane upgrading performance and electron utilization efficiency and observed and analyzed the morphology of the biofilm on the electrode surface and the microbial community in the cathodic region under optimal conditions. The results showed that the optimal pH was 6.5; methane content reached ~88.3% in the biogas; methane production reached a maximum of 22.1 ± 0.1 mmol·d−1, with an increase in methane production compared to the control group reaching a maximum of 1.7 mmol·d−1; and CO2 conversion rate reached ~22.9%. A dense biofilm with a thickness of 51.3 μm formed on the electrode surface, with Methanobacterium being the dominant genus, with a high relative abundance of 69.3%, and Geobacter had a relative abundance of 20.1%. The above findings have important guiding significance for the practical application of methane upgrading.
Distributional Changes in Fishery Resource Diversity Caused by Typhoon Pathways in the East/Japan Sea
Authors: Jung Yong Woo , Kim Beom Sik , Jung Hae Kun , Lee Chung Il
Published: May 2023

Typhoons disturb the upper ocean, weaken the physical stratification, and induce temporal and spatial changes in primary production, which rapidly alter the distribution and diversity of fishery resources. This study analyzed the response of oceanic conditions and fishery resources on the sea area of the typhoon pathway in the East/Japan Sea (Type A: typhoon passed from southwest to northeast; Type B: typhoon dissipated in the southwest; Type C: typhoon passed from southeast to northeast; and Type D: typhoons passed from southwest to northwest). For Types A and B, the sea surface temperature (SST) decreased in all areas, and Chl-a showed the largest fluctuations in the southwest. For Type C, the SST variation was reduced in the eastern part, stratification was strengthened, and Chl-a did not differ significantly in each area. For Type D, SST and Chl-a showed significant variations in the western part. The biomass of fishery resources increased along the typhoon path for each type, and the diversity increased for Types A and D but decreased for Type B; however, the diversity and catch of fishery resources increased in the northeast for Type C. This study contributes to understanding the impact of typhoon pathway changes on the marine environment and ecosystem.
Spawning Locations of Pallid Sturgeon in the Missouri River Corroborate the Mechanism for Recruitment Failure
Authors: Cox Tanner L. , Guy Christopher S. , Holmquist Luke M. , Webb Molly A. H.
Published: May 2023

Conservation propagation of pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) upstream of Fort Peck Reservoir, MT, USA, has successfully recruited a new generation of spawning-capable pallid sturgeon where there would otherwise be fewer than 30 remaining wild reproductively mature pallid sturgeon. Successful recovery of pallid sturgeon will now rely on the behavior of pallid sturgeon (e.g., successful spawning in locations that provide adequate drift distance for larvae to recruit). We used location data of pallid sturgeon during four putative spawning seasons to answer the following questions: Where do pallid sturgeon spawn? Are spawning locations related to discharge? Are substrate characteristics at the spawning locations similar to other river reaches? Do spawning-capable females, spawning-capable males, and female pallid sturgeon undergoing mass ovarian follicular atresia use the river similarly? Additionally, we considered if spawning locations are far enough from the river–reservoir transition zone to provide adequate drift distance for larvae to recruit. Spawning-capable pallid sturgeon did explore upstream locations, and four spawning-capable pallid sturgeon were located in the Marias River during the spawning season in 2018 when discharge was at an unprecedented high. Pallid sturgeon exited the Marias River and moved downstream prior to spawning, and when spawning occurred, it was not far enough upstream to prevent larvae from entering the transition zone of Fort Peck Reservoir. Thus, management of discharge and water temperature to mimic 2018 conditions may increase use of the Marias River by pallid sturgeon during the spawning season, which would increase drift distance available to larvae and increase the probability of successful recruitment.
Complex-Geometry 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics with Automatic Load Balancing
Authors: Bakosi József , Constans Mátyás , Horváth Zoltán , Kovács Ákos , Környei László , Charest Marc , Pandare Aditya , Rutherford Paula , Waltz Jacob
Published: May 2023

We present an open-source code, Xyst, intended for the simulation of complex-geometry 3D compressible flows. The software implementation facilitates the effective use of the largest distributed-memory machines, combining data-, and task-parallelism on top of the Charm++ runtime system. Charm++’s execution model is asynchronous by default, allowing arbitrary overlap of computation and communication. Built-in automatic load balancing enables redistribution of arbitrarily heterogeneous computational load based on real-time CPU load measurement at negligible cost. The runtime system also features automatic checkpointing, fault tolerance, resilience against hardware failure, and supports power- and energy-aware computation. We verify and validate the numerical method and demonstrate the benefits of automatic load balancing for irregular workloads.
Correction: Bigi et al. Waste Orange Peels as a Source of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Their Use for the Development of Nanocomposite Films. Foods 2023, 12, 960
Authors: Bigi Francesco , Maurizzi Enrico , Haghighi Hossein , Siesler Heinz Wilhelm , Licciardello Fabio , Pulvirenti Andrea
Published: May 2023

In the original publication [...]
Estimating the Value of Information Technology in the Productivity of the Transport Sector
Authors: Giannopoulos Athanasios G. , Moschovou Tatiana P.
Published: May 2023

This paper expands a methodology, originally formulated for calculating the firm-level business value of Information Technology (IT), to that for a whole sector and applies it experimentally for the transport sector using statistical databases for several countries in Europe. The term “business value” means the quantified impact of a given technology, in this case, Information Technology, on the productivity of a sector or firm as measured by a given “yardstick” (e.g., sales, revenue, and many others). This is important to know in order to justify investments in a given technology or technological sector and for policy formulation or regulation. This paper proposes a novel methodology for calculating the business value of IT in a given sector. This is the first time that such a task is attempted because in the past most research was focused on calculating the business value at firm-level. The suggested methodology is then applied by use of panel data from the statistical records of national statistics for the transport sector. The results show that infrastructural investment in Information Technology has an impact on the transport sector’s output, in terms of its annual production value, of the order of 5–6%. Through sensitivity tests and a discussion of the results, it is estimated that the actual impact may probably be a bit higher but not much higher (in any case, something below the 10% figure). The application also shows that the suggested methodology can be applied for the estimation of the impact of any other technology or service on any given economic sector. Finally, a possible future conceptual model is presented for the expansion of the methodology to a more global and integrated level considering the interaction from other sectors as well as other technological and environmental factors.
Preparation of Encapsulated Breakers for Polymer Gels and Evaluation of Their Properties
Authors: Lv Kaihe , Zhang Guodong , Bai Yingrui , Yang Jingbin
Published: May 2023

A common problem associated with conventional gel breakers is that they can cause a premature reduction in gel viscosity at high temperatures. To address this, a urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin and sulfamic acid (SA) encapsulated polymer gel breaker was prepared via in situ polymerization with UF as the capsule coat and SA as the capsule core; this breaker was able to withstand temperatures of up to 120–140 °C. The encapsulated breaker was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Meanwhile, the dispersing effects of various emulsifiers on the capsule core, and the encapsulation rate and electrical conductivity of the encapsulated breaker were tested. The gel-breaking performance of the encapsulated breaker was evaluated at different temperatures and dose conditions via simulated core experiments. The results confirm the successful encapsulation of SA in UF and also highlight the slow-release properties of the encapsulated breaker. From experimentation, the optimal preparation conditions were determined to be a molar ratio between urea and formaldehyde (nurea:nformaldehyde) of 1:1.8 for the capsule coat, a pH of 8, a temperature of 75 °C, and the utilization of Span 80/SDBS as the compound emulsifier; the resulting encapsulated breaker exhibited significantly improved gel-breaking performance (gel breaking delayed for 9 days at 130 °C). The optimum preparation conditions determined in the study can be used in industrial production, and there are no potential safety and environmental concerns.
Bone Regeneration Using Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Biocompatible Scaffolds: A Concise Review of the Current Clinical Trials
Authors: Re Federica , Borsani Elisa , Rezzani Rita , Sartore Luciana , Russo Domenico
Published: May 2023

Bone regenerative medicine is a clinical approach combining live osteoblast progenitors, such as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), with a biocompatible scaffold that can integrate into host bone tissue and restore its structural integrity. Over the last few years, many tissue engineering strategies have been developed and thoroughly investigated; however, limited approaches have been translated to clinical application. Consequently, the development and clinical validation of regenerative approaches remain a centerpiece of investigational efforts towards the clinical translation of advanced bioengineered scaffolds. The aim of this review was to identify the latest clinical trials related to the use of scaffolds with or without MSCs to regenerate bone defects. A revision of the literature was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Clinicaltrials.gov from 2018 up to 2023. Nine clinical trials were analyzed according to the inclusion criteria: six presented in the literature and three reported in Clinicaltrials.gov. Data were extracted covering background trial information. Six of the clinical trials added cells to scaffolds, while three used scaffolds alone. The majority of scaffolds were composed of calcium phosphate ceramic alone, such as β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) (two clinical trials), biphasic calcium phosphate bioceramic granules (three clinical trials), and anorganic bovine bone (two clinical trials), while bone marrow was the primary source of the MSCs (five clinical trials). The MSC expansion was performed in GMP facilities, using human platelet lysate (PL) as a supplement without osteogenic factors. Only one trial reported minor adverse events. Overall, these findings highlight the importance and efficacy of cell–scaffold constructs in regenerative medicine under different conditions. Despite the encouraging clinical results obtained, further studies are needed to assess their clinical efficacy in treating bone diseases to optimize their application.
Identification of a Novel lncRNA LNC_001186 and Its Effects on CPB2 Toxin-Induced Apoptosis of IPEC-J2 Cells
Authors: Xie Kaihui , Yang Qiaoli , Yan Zunqiang , Huang Xiaoyu , Wang Pengfei , Gao Xiaoli , Gun Shuangbao
Published: May 2023

The Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringen) beta2 (CPB2) toxin produced by C. perfringens type C (CpC) can cause necrotizing enteritis in piglets. Immune system activation in response to inflammation and pathogen infection is aided by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). In our previous work, we revealed the differential expression of the novel lncRNA LNC_001186 in CpC-infected ileum versus healthy piglets. This implied that LNC_001186 may be a regulatory factor essential for CpC infection in piglets. Herein, we analyzed the coding ability, chromosomal location and subcellular localization of LNC_001186 and explored its regulatory role in CPB2 toxin-induced apoptosis of porcine small intestinal epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells. RT-qPCR results indicated that LNC_001186 expression was highly enriched in the intestines of healthy piglets and significantly increased in CpC-infected piglets’ ileum tissue and CPB2 toxin-treated IPEC-J2 cells. The total sequence length of LNC_001186 was 1323 bp through RACE assay. CPC and CPAT, two online databases, both confirmed that LNC_001186 had a low coding ability. It was present on pig chromosome 3. Cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA isolation and RNA-FISH assays showed that LNC_001186 was present in the nucleus and cytoplasm of IPEC-J2 cells. Furthermore, six target genes of LNC_001186 were predicted using cis and trans approaches. Meanwhile, we constructed ceRNA regulatory networks with LNC_001186 as the center. Finally, LNC_001186 overexpression inhibited IPEC-J2 cells’ apoptosis caused by CPB2 toxin and promoted cell viability. In summary, we determined the role of LNC_001186 in IPEC-J2 cells’ apoptosis caused by CPB2 toxin, which assisted us in exploring the molecular mechanism of LNC_001186 in CpC-induced diarrhea in piglets.
Parental Stress Scale: Psychometric Properties in Parents of Preschool Children with Developmental Language Disorder
Authors: Kotsis Konstantinos , Boukouvala Maria , Serdari Aspasia , Koullourou Iouliani , Siafaka Vassiliki , Hyphantis Thomas
Published: May 2023

Parents of children with developmental disabilities experience more stress compared to those of typically developing children; therefore, measuring parental stress may help clinicians to address it. The Parental Stress Scale (PSS) is a self-rceport measure in the public domain that assesses stress related to child rearing. The present study tested the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the PSS in 204 parents (mean age: 39.4 ± 5.7, 124 mothers and 80 fathers) of kindergarten children diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) after a clinical assessment. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to confirm the original four-factor structure. The results showed that the original four-factor structure (parental rewards, parental stressors, lack of control and parental satisfaction) is valid in this specific Greek population. The reliability was high (ω = 0.78) and there were weak correlations (r = −0.372, r = −0.337, r = −0.236), yet of statistical significance (p < 0.001), with similar psychological constructs (quality of life, emotional functioning and worries). Our data confirmed that the PSS is a reliable and valid tool to measure parental stress in parents of children with DLD. Greek clinicians (mental health professionals, speech-language pathologists) can evaluate parental stress and design early interventions targeting specific stress aspects, along with core language interventions for the children.
Combined Programmed Intermittent Bolus and Patient-Controlled Bolus Is a More Favorable Setting for Epidural Pain Relief Than Continuous Infusion
Authors: Liu Shih-Kai , Wu Shao-Chun , Hung Shao-Chi , Chen Kuen-Bao , Illias Amina M. , Tsai Yung-Fong
Published: May 2023

Epidural analgesia is a suitable and effective treatment for labor pain. However, the preferable modality setting for delivery remains debatable. This study adopted a programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) setting in conjunction with a patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) setting to improve the quality of labor analgesia and reduce the number of medical staff. We conducted a prospective observational analysis of primigravida parturients scheduled for spontaneous labor, which required epidural analgesia for painless labor. A total of 483 healthy primigravida parturients with singleton pregnancies were included in this cohort; 135 nulliparous patients were assigned to the continuous infusion setting (CEI) group and 348 to the PIEB + PCEA group. Compared to the CEI setting, the PIEB + PCEA setting significantly reduced the manual rescue by the clinician, extended the time required for the first manual rescue dose, and acclaimed good maternal satisfaction. The use of the CEI mode increased for poor performance requiring more than two rescues with an odds ratio of 2.635 by a binary logistic regression analysis. Using the PIEB + PCEA setting as the maintenance infusion had a longer duration for the first requested manual rescue, fewer manual rescue boluses, excellent satisfaction, and no significant increase in adverse events compared to the CEI setting.
Behind the Velvet Rope: Exclusivity and Accessibility in Biological Anthropology
Authors: Tegtmeyer Hawke Rylan , Hulse Cortney N.
Published: May 2023

Despite a growing focus on diversity initiatives in the field of anthropology, accessibility to advancement is growing further out of reach for many students and early career professionals. There has been a noticeable uptick in the cost of organization membership fees, the culmination of conference costs, and the cost of certifications. This stands in contrast to an increase in the number of lower-paid adjunct positions taking the place of associate and assistant professorships and the lack of permanent applied positions. For graduating and early career anthropologists, the prospect of thriving in a field that is becoming increasingly costly seems daunting. This paper will examine growing economic exclusivity within biological anthropology and suggest possible solutions to make the field more widely accessible.
Comparison between Standard Expository Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E) and Immersive Virtual Reality CBT (CBT-VR) for Rehabilitation of Patients Affected by Occupational Stress Disorders: Study Protocol
Authors: Buselli Rodolfo , Corsi Martina , Veltri Antonello , Marino Riccardo , Caldi Fabrizio , Del Guerra Paolo , Guglielmi Giovanni , Tanca Camilla , Paoli Massimo , Calabretta Vincenzo Maria , Perretta Salvio , Foddis Rudy , Carrozzino Marcello Antonio
Published: May 2023

Work-related stress presents a significant impact on work performance and physical health. It has been associated with the onset of a multitude of symptoms that can lead to occupational stress diseases, namely Adjustment Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The literature has evidenced that “exposure therapy” of cognitive-behavioral training (CBT-E) seems to be the most effective technique to manage stress symptoms, including work stress diseases, and several studies have considered Virtual Reality (VR) as an adjuvant tool to exposure-based psychotherapy (CBT-VR) for the treatment of multiple psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT with exposure to stressful work scenarios in imaginative (CBT-E) and in immersive virtual reality (CBT-VR) scenarios in a group of workers affected by work-related stress disorders and compare the clinical and physiological outcomes between the two exposure techniques. A long-term goal would be to develop an evidence-based rehabilitation program as a treatment for the reintegration into work of patients affected by these psychiatric disorders.
Factors Affecting Remote Workers’ Job Satisfaction in Utah: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Ali Amanda D. , Narine Lendel K. , Hill Paul A. , Bria Dominic C.
Published: May 2023

With structural changes in work arrangements, employee retention becomes more important for organizational success. Guided by the Ability, Motivation, Opportunity (AMO) framework, this study investigated the factors affecting remote workers’ job satisfaction and personal wellbeing in Utah. From a sample of n = 143 remote workers, the study used a correlational design to identify the significant predictors of job satisfaction and personal wellbeing. It mapped the relationships between significant predictors of job satisfaction and personal wellbeing and explored the role of human resources (HR) policies and organizational culture in a remote work environment. Results showed intrinsic motivation, affective commitment, opportunity, and amotivation affected employee job satisfaction, while self-efficacy, amotivation, and job satisfaction affected personal wellbeing. A structural equation model (SEM) showed that remote workers with higher levels of self-efficacy, lower amotivation, and higher job satisfaction were likely to have greater personal wellbeing compared to others. When exploring the role of HR, findings showed that HR bundles and organizational culture indirectly affected job satisfaction but had a direct effect on the most important predictors of job satisfaction and personal wellbeing. Overall, results demonstrated the interconnectivity of HR practices, AMO factors, job satisfaction, and personal wellbeing.
The Role of Mock Reviewing Sessions in the National Research Mentoring Network Strategic Empowerment Tailored for Health Equity Investigators: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Mubasher Mohamed , Pearson Thomas , Idris Muhammed Y. , Lawson Kimberly , Holmes Jada , Pemu Priscilla , Baez Adriana , Stiles Jonathan K. , Salazar Maritza S. , Thompson Winston E. , Quarshie Alexander , Caplan Lee S. , Strekalova Yulia , Ofili Elizabeth
Published: May 2023

The National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) Strategic Empowerment Tailored for Health Equity Investigators (SETH) study evaluates the value of adding Developmental Network to Coaching in the career advancement of diverse Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs). Focused NIH-formatted Mock Reviewing Sessions (MRS) prior to the submission of grants can significantly enhance the scientific merits of an ESI’s grant application. We evaluated the most prevalent design, analysis-related factors, and the likelihood of grant submissions and awards associated with going through MRS, using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and logistic regression methods. A total of 62 out of 234 applications went through the MRS. There were 69.4% that pursued R grants, 22.6% career development (K) awards, and 8.0% other grant mechanisms. Comparing applications that underwent MRS versus those that did not (N = 172), 67.7% vs. 38.4% were submitted for funding (i.e., unadjusted difference of 29.3%; OR = 4.8, 95% CI = (2.4, 9.8), p-value < 0.0001). This indicates that, relative to those who did not undergo MRS, ESIs who did, were 4.8 times as likely to submit an application for funding. Also, ESIs in earlier cohorts (1–2) (a period that coincided with the pre COVID-19 era) as compared to those who were recruited at later cohorts (3–4) (i.e., during the peak of COVID-19 period) were 3.8 times as likely to submit grants (p-value < 0.0001). The most prevalent issues that were identified included insufficient statistical design considerations and plans (75%), conceptual framework (28.3%), specific aims (11.7%), evidence of significance (3.3%), and innovation (3.3%). MRS potentially enhances grant submissions for extramural funding and offers constructive feedback allowing for modifications that enhance the scientific merits of research grants.
Community-Centered Assessment to Inform Pandemic Response in Georgia (US)
Authors: Henry Akintobi Tabia , Quarells Rakale C. , Bednarczyk Robert A. , Khizer Saadia , Taylor Brittany D. , Nwagwu Michelle N. A. , Hill Mekhi , Ordóñez Claudia E. , Sabben Gaëlle , Spivey Sedessie , Davis Kayla , Best Michael L. , Chen Amy Z. , Lovell Katherine , Craig Leslie S. , Mubasher Mohamed
Published: May 2023

The Georgia Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities Project conducts community-engaged research and outreach to address misinformation and mistrust, to promote inclusion of diverse racial and ethnic populations in clinical trials and increase testing and vaccination uptake. Guided by its Community Coalition Board, The GEORGIA CEAL Survey was administered among Black and Latinx Georgia 18 years and older to learn about community knowledge, perceptions, understandings, and behaviors regarding COVID-19 testing and vaccines. Survey dissemination occurred using survey links generated through Qualtrics and disseminated among board members and other statewide networks. Characteristics of focus counties were (a) highest proportion of 18 years and older Black and Latinx residents; (b) lowest COVID-19 testing rates; and (c) highest SVI values. The final sample included 2082 surveyed respondents. The majority of participants were men (57.1%) and Latinx (62.8%). Approximately half of the sample was aged 18–30 (49.2%); the mean age of the sample was 33.2 years (SD = 9.0), ranging from 18 to 82 years of age. Trusted sources of COVID-19 information that significantly predicted the likelihood of vaccination included their doctor/health care provider (p-value: 0.0054), a clinic (p-value: 0.006), and university hospitals (p-value: 0.0024). Latinx/non-Latinx, Blacks vs. Latinx, Whites were significantly less likely to get tested and/or vaccinated. Non-Latinx, Blacks had higher mean knowledge scores than Latinx, Whites (12.1 vs. 10.9, p < 0.001) and Latinx, Blacks (12.1 vs. 9.6, respectively, p < 0.001). The mean knowledge score was significantly lower in men compared to women (10.3 vs. 11.0, p = 0.001), in those who had been previously tested for COVID-19 compared to those who had never been tested (10.5 vs. 11.5, respectively, p = 0.005), and in those who did not receive any dose of vaccination compared to those who were fully vaccinated (10.0 vs. 11.0, respectively, p < 0.001). These data provide a benchmark for future comparisons of the trajectory of public attitudes and practices related to the COVID-19 pandemic. They also point to the importance of tailoring communication strategies to specific cultural, racial, and ethnic groups to ensure that community-specific barriers to and determinants of health-seeking behaviors are appropriately addressed.
Light-Dependent Regulatory Interactions between the Redox System and miRNAs and Their Biochemical and Physiological Effects in Plants
Authors: Gulyás Zsolt , Székely András , Kulman Kitti , Kocsy Gábor
Published: May 2023

Light intensity and spectrum play a major role in the regulation of the growth, development, and stress response of plants. Changes in the light conditions affect the formation of reactive oxygen species, the activity of the antioxidants, and, consequently, the redox environment in the plant tissues. Many metabolic processes, thus the biogenesis and function of miRNAs, are redox-responsive. The miRNAs, in turn, can modulate various components of the redox system, and this process is also associated with the alteration in the intensity and spectrum of the light. In this review, we would like to summarise the possible regulatory mechanisms by which the alterations in the light conditions can influence miRNAs in a redox-dependent manner. Daily and seasonal fluctuations in the intensity and spectral composition of the light can affect the expression of miRNAs, which can fine-tune the various physiological and biochemical processes due to their effect on their target genes. The interactions between the redox system and miRNAs may be modulated by light conditions, and the proposed function of this regulatory network and its effect on the various biochemical and physiological processes will be introduced in plants.
Prospects and Advances in Adoptive Natural Killer Cell Therapy for Unmet Therapeutic Needs in Pediatric Bone Sarcomas
Authors: Bareke Halin , Ibáñez-Navarro Adrián , Guerra-García Pilar , González Pérez Carlos , Rubio-Aparicio Pedro , Plaza López de Sabando Diego , Sastre-Urgelles Ana , Ortiz-Cruz Eduardo José , Pérez-Martínez Antonio
Published: May 2023

Malignant bone tumors are aggressive tumors, with a high tendency to metastasize, that are observed most frequently in adolescents during rapid growth spurts. Pediatric patients with malignant bone sarcomas, Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma, who present with progressive disease have dire survival rates despite aggressive therapy. These therapies can have long-term effects on bone growth, such as decreased bone mineral density and reduced longitudinal growth. New therapeutic approaches are therefore urgently needed for targeting pediatric malignant bone tumors. Harnessing the power of the immune system against cancer has improved the survival rates dramatically in certain cancer types. Natural killer (NK) cells are a heterogeneous group of innate effector cells that possess numerous antitumor effects, such as cytolysis and cytokine production. Pediatric sarcoma cells have been shown to be especially susceptible to NK-cell-mediated killing. NK-cell adoptive therapy confers numerous advantages over T-cell adoptive therapy, including a good safety profile and a lack of major histocompatibility complex restriction. NK-cell immunotherapy has the potential to be a new therapy for pediatric malignant bone tumors. In this manuscript, we review the general characteristics of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, discuss the long-term effects of sarcoma treatment on bones, and the barriers to effective immunotherapy in bone sarcomas. We then present the laboratory and clinical studies on NK-cell immunotherapy for pediatric malignant bone tumors. We discuss the various donor sources and NK-cell types, the engineering of NK cells and combinatorial treatment approaches that are being studied to overcome the current challenges in adoptive NK-cell therapy, while suggesting approaches for future studies on NK-cell immunotherapy in pediatric bone tumors.
Tissue Sodium Accumulation Induces Organ Inflammation and Injury in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Ito Yasuhiko , Sun Ting , Tanaka Hiroya , Yamaguchi Makoto , Kinashi Hiroshi , Sakata Fumiko , Kunoki Shunnosuke , Sakai Yukinao , Ishimoto Takuji
Published: May 2023

High salt intake is a primary cause of over-hydration in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Inflammatory markers are predictors of CKD mortality; however, the pathogenesis of inflammation remains unclear. Sodium storage in tissues has recently emerged as an issue of concern. The binding of sodium to tissue glycosaminoglycans and its subsequent release regulates local tonicity. Many cell types express tonicity-responsive enhancer-binding protein (TonEBP), which is activated in a tonicity-dependent or tonicity-independent manner. Macrophage infiltration was observed in the heart, peritoneal wall, and para-aortic tissues in salt-loading subtotal nephrectomized mice, whereas macrophages were not prominent in tap water-loaded subtotal nephrectomized mice. TonEBP was increased in the heart and peritoneal wall, leading to the upregulation of inflammatory mediators associated with cardiac fibrosis and peritoneal membrane dysfunction, respectively. Reducing salt loading by a diuretic treatment or changing to tap water attenuated macrophage infiltration, TonEBP expression, and inflammatory marker expression. The role of TonEBP may be crucial during the cardiac fibrosis and peritoneal deterioration processes induced by sodium overload. Anti-interleukin-6 therapy improved cardiac inflammation and fibrosis and peritoneal membrane dysfunction. Further studies are necessary to establish a strategy to regulate organ dysfunction induced by TonEBP activation in CKD patients.
UV-A Radiation: Safe Human Exposure and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Sandri Angela , Tessari Aldo , Giannetti Danilo , Cetti Alberto , Lleo Maria M. , Boschi Federico
Published: May 2023

UV radiation is used for sterilization but has adverse health effects in humans. UV-A radiation has lower antimicrobial effect than UV-B and UV-C but constitutes a lower health risk, opening up the possibility to sanitize environments with human presence in controlled exposure conditions. We investigated this possibility by identifying safe exposure conditions to a UV-A lamp along with efficient sanitization of the environment. The human exposure limits were calculated following the guidelines provided by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and the International Commission on Illumination. Antibacterial activity was evaluated on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The maximum human exposure duration has been identified at different irradiation distance and angle, increasing with the increase of both parameters. Bactericidal activity was observed in all microorganisms and was higher with higher exposure time and at lower distance from the source. Noteworthily, in equal conditions of radiant exposure, the exposure time impacts on the bactericidal activity more than the distance from the source. The modulation of factors such as distance from the source, exposure time and irradiation angle can enable effective antibacterial activity and human safety. Prolonged direct irradiation of the surfaces associated with indirect human exposure represents the condition of greater efficacy and safety.
Electrochemotherapy of Melanoma Cutaneous Metastases in Organ Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies
Authors: Milicevic Sara , Cemazar Maja , Ivancic Andreja Klevisar , Gasljevic Gorana , Bosnjak Masa , Sersa Gregor , Peric Barbara
Published: May 2023

Cutaneous melanoma is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer. The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the management of advanced melanoma, led to durable responses, and improved overall survival. However, the success of ICIs in melanoma treatment is influenced by the tumor microenvironment (TME) which plays a critical role in regulating the immune response to the tumor. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this interaction is crucial to optimizing the efficiency of ICIs. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) has been shown to enhance the efficacy of ICIs in melanoma treatment by inducing tumor cell death and facilitating the release of tumor antigens which can subsequently be recognized and targeted by the immune system. Moreover, ECT has been reported to modulate the TME, leading to increased infiltration of immune cells and a more favorable immunological profile. In this review, we summarize the available knowledge of changes in TME after ECT of melanoma cutaneous metastasis and highlight the differences in tumor-infiltrating immune cells between immunocompetent and immunosuppressed organisms. In addition, we showed that ECT can be an effective and safe procedure for organ transplant recipients. Furthermore, repeated ECT may enhance immune activation and probably induce a bystander effect by trained immunity.
Clostridia and Enteroviruses as Synergistic Triggers of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Root-Bernstein Robert , Chiles Kaylie , Huber Jack , Ziehl Alison , Turke Miah , Pietrowicz Maja
Published: May 2023

What triggers type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)? One common assumption is that triggers are individual microbes that mimic autoantibody targets such as insulin (INS). However, most microbes highly associated with T1DM pathogenesis, such as coxsackieviruses (COX), lack INS mimicry and have failed to induce T1DM in animal models. Using proteomic similarity search techniques, we found that COX actually mimicked the INS receptor (INSR). Clostridia were the best mimics of INS. Clostridia antibodies cross-reacted with INS in ELISA experiments, confirming mimicry. COX antibodies cross-reacted with INSR. Clostridia antibodies further bound to COX antibodies as idiotype–anti-idiotype pairs conserving INS–INSR complementarity. Ultraviolet spectrometry studies demonstrated that INS-like Clostridia peptides bound to INSR-like COX peptides. These complementary peptides were also recognized as antigens by T cell receptor sequences derived from T1DM patients. Finally, most sera from T1DM patients bound strongly to inactivated Clostridium sporogenes, while most sera from healthy individuals did not; T1DM sera also exhibited evidence of anti-idiotype antibodies against idiotypic INS, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor (islet antigen-2) antibodies. These results suggest that T1DM is triggered by combined enterovirus-Clostridium (and possibly combined Epstein–Barr-virus-Streptococcal) infections, and the probable rate of such co-infections approximates the rate of new T1DM diagnoses.
Rational Design of Daunorubicin C-14 Hydroxylase Based on the Understanding of Its Substrate-Binding Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Jing , Gao Ling-Xiao , Chen Wei , Zhong Jian-Jiang , Qian Chao , Zhou Wen-Wen
Published: May 2023

Doxorubicin is one of the most widely used antitumor drugs and is currently produced via the chemical conversion method, which suffers from high production costs, complex product separation processes, and serious environmental pollution. Biocatalysis is considered a more efficient and environment-friendly method for drug production. The cytochrome daunorubicin C-14 hydroxylase (DoxA) is the essential enzyme catalyzing the conversion of daunorubicin to doxorubicin. Herein, the DoxA from Streptomyces peucetius subsp. caesius ATCC 27952 was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the rational design strategy was further applied to improve the enzyme activity. Eight amino acid residues were identified as the key sites via molecular docking. Using a constructed screening library, we obtained the mutant DoxA(P88Y) with a more rational protein conformation, and a 56% increase in bioconversion efficiency was achieved by the mutant compared to the wild-type DoxA. Molecular dynamics simulation was applied to understand the relationship between the enzyme’s structural property and its substrate-binding efficiency. It was demonstrated that the mutant DoxA(P88Y) formed a new hydrophobic interaction with the substrate daunorubicin, which might have enhanced the binding stability and thus improved the catalytic activity. Our work lays a foundation for further exploration of DoxA and facilitates the industrial process of bio-production of doxorubicin.
Effect of Physiological Fluid on the Photothermal Properties of Gold Nanostructured
Authors: Amézaga González María Fernanda , Acosta Bezada Jazzely , Gómez Flores Víctor , Chapa González Christian , Farias Mancilla Jose Rurik , Castillo S. J. , Avila Orta Carlos , García-Casillas Perla E.
Published: May 2023

Colloidal gold particles have been extensively studied for their potential in hyperthermia treatment due to their ability to become excited in the presence of an external laser. However, their light-to-heat efficiency is affected by the physiologic environment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the ability of gold sphere, rod, and star-shaped colloids to elevate the temperature of blood plasma and breast cancer-simulated fluid under laser stimulation. Additionally, the dependence of optical properties and colloid stability of gold nanostructures with physiological medium, particle shape, and coating was determined. The light-to-heat efficiency of the gold particle is shape-dependent. The light-to-heat conversion efficiency of a star-shaped colloid is 36% higher than that of sphere-shaped colloids. However, the raised temperature of the surrounding medium is the lowest in the star-shaped colloid. When gold nanostructures are exited with a laser stimulation in a physiological fluid, the ions/cations attach to the surface of the gold particles, resulting in colloidal instability, which limits electron oscillation and diminishes the energy generated by the plasmonic excitation. Fluorescein (Fl) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) attached to gold spheres enhances their colloidal stability and light-to-heat efficiency; post-treatment, they remand their optical properties.
Association of Membranous WNT-1 and Nuclear mTOR with Endometrial Cancer Grade
Authors: Pietrus Milosz , Pitynski Kazimierz , Waligora Marcin , Milian-Ciesielska Katarzyna , Ludwin Artur , Socha Maciej W. , Skrzypek Klaudia
Published: May 2023

Endometrial cancer remains a common cancer affecting the female reproductive system. There is still a need for more efficient ways of determining the degree of malignancy and optimizing treatment. WNT and mTOR are components of signaling pathways within tumor cells, and dysfunction of either protein is associated with the pathogenesis of neoplasms. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the impact of subcellular WNT-1 and mTOR levels on the clinical course of endometrial cancer. WNT-1 and mTOR levels in the plasma membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining in a group of 64 patients with endometrial cancer of grades 1–3 and FIGO stages I–IV. We discovered that the levels of WNT-1 and mTOR expression in the cellular compartments were associated with tumor grade and staging. Membranous WNT-1 was negatively associated, whereas cytoplasmic WNT-1 and nuclear mTOR were positively associated with higher grading of endometrial cancer. Furthermore, nuclear mTOR was positively associated with FIGO stages IB–IV. To conclude, we found that the assessment of WNT-1 in the cell membrane may be useful for exclusion of grade 3 neoplasms, whereas cytoplasmic WNT-1 and nuclear mTOR may be used as indicators for confirmation of grade 3 neoplasms.
Experimental and Clinical Investigation of Cytokines in Migraine: A Narrative Review
Authors: Yamanaka Gaku , Hayashi Kanako , Morishita Natsumi , Takeshita Mika , Ishii Chiako , Suzuki Shinji , Ishimine Rie , Kasuga Akiko , Nakazawa Haruka , Takamatsu Tomoko , Watanabe Yusuke , Morichi Shinichiro , Ishida Yu , Yamazaki Takashi , Go Soken
Published: May 2023

The role of neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of migraines is increasingly being recognized, and cytokines, which are important endogenous substances involved in immune and inflammatory responses, have also received attention. This review examines the current literature on neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of migraine. Elevated TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels have been identified in non-invasive mouse models with cortical spreading depolarization (CSD). Various mouse models to induce migraine attack-like symptoms also demonstrated elevated inflammatory cytokines and findings suggesting differences between episodic and chronic migraines and between males and females. While studies on human blood during migraine attacks have reported no change in TNF-α levels and often inconsistent results for IL-1β and IL-6 levels, serial analysis of cytokines in jugular venous blood during migraine attacks revealed consistently increased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. In a study on the interictal period, researchers reported higher levels of TNF-α and IL-6 compared to controls and no change regarding IL-1β levels. Saliva-based tests suggest that IL-1β might be useful in discriminating against migraine. Patients with migraine may benefit from a cytokine perspective on the pathogenesis of migraine, as there have been several encouraging reports suggesting new therapeutic avenues.