bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Non-Composted Red Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba) Sawdust Mixtures for Raising Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) in Pots
Authors: Yasin Muhammad , Anwar Farhan , Noorani Hassan , Muhammad Sher , Mahmood Athar , Javed Talha , Ali Baber , Alharbi Khadiga , Saleh Ibrahim A. , Abu-Harirah Hashem A.
Published: December 2022

In modern agriculture, the substrate industry prefers porous materials for plants to provide water and nutrients in soilless cultivation. Composted sawdust is such a substrate. The sawdust industry is interested in avoiding composting sawdust because it is time and labor-consuming. The study objective was to evaluate whether non-composted (fresh) Bombax ceiba (red cotton tree) sawdust with added nutrients could be an alternative to composted sawdust for okra production. The sawdust was mixed with nutrients in the form of banana peels (a potassium source), eggshells (a calcium source), and urea (a nitrogen source). We conducted two independent pot experiments. Treatments were viz.: T1: non-fertilized 100% sandy clay loam soil (control) (vol/vol); T2: non-composted 100% B. ceiba sawdust (vol/vol); T3: non-composted 80% B. ceiba sawdust + 20% banana peels (vol/vol); T4: non-composted 60% B. ceiba sawdust + 20% banana peels + 20% eggshells (vol/vol); T5: non-composted 60% B. ceiba sawdust + 20% banana peels + 20% eggshells (vol/vol) + urea (@ 91 kg N ha−1). In both experiments, the germination of okra seeds was unaffected by the sawdust mixtures. The phenological development of okra was significantly greater in non-fertilized clay loam soil than in any non-composted sawdust mixtures. Plant height, leaf relative water content, stability index of the membrane, root length, chlorophyll content index, root and shoot dry and fresh weight, stem diameter, and single leaf area of okra were lower in all non-composted B. ceiba sawdust mixtures compared to the control. In contrast to T2, T5 resulted in fewer days before the first flower developed, an increase in the number of pods plant−1, length of pod plant−1, the diameter of the pod, fresh and dry weight of pod plant−1, and the seed numbers pod−1. It is concluded that amending non-composted B. ceiba sawdust with banana peels, eggshells, and urea (T5) enhanced its perspective as a growth medium for okra. Nonetheless, the amendments were unlikely to establish an adequate yield of okra, as was the case with non-fertilized sandy clay loam soil.
Comparative Assessment of Genetic Variability Realised in Doubled Haploids Induced from F1 and F2 Plants for Response to Fusarium Stalk Rot and Yield Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Showkath Babu Budensab Mamtazbi , Lohithaswa Hirenallur Chandappa , Triveni Gangadharaswamy , Mallikarjuna Mallana Gowdra , Mallikarjuna Nanjundappa , Balasundara Devanagondi C. , Anand Pandravada
Published: December 2022

Doubled-haploid lines (DHs) are normally produced from F1 plants in maize (Zea mays L.). Several studies have found a low frequency of recombinants in doubled haploids produced from F1 plants that could limit the selection response. Hence, an attempt was made to produce doubled haploids from the F2 generation to verify whether one more round of meiotic recombination could lead to increased genetic variability and assess the response to selection. The F1 and F2 plants of two cross-combinations, VL1043 × CM212 and VL121096 × CM202, were subjected to doubled-haploid production and evaluated in terms of their reaction to Fusarium stalk rot and yield traits along with F2 individuals of the same two crosses. There was significant variation in the number of DHs produced when F1 and F2 plants were subjected to DH production in the cross VL121096 × CM202. Furthermore, substantial genetic variability was observed among the DHs produced from the F1 generation (DHF1s), F2 generation (DHF2s), and F2s for Fusarium stalk rot (FSR) resistance. The genetic variance was more extensive in DHF2 compared to DHF1 plants in the cross VL1043 × CM212. Extreme candidate plants (highly resistant, resistant, and highly susceptible) were found in the F2 generation with a more standardized range than in the DHs. In the DH populations, the close correspondence between the phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV) and the genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV) indicated less influence from the environment compared to the F2 plants. The heritability estimates in the DHs were greater than in the F2 plants of the VL1043 × CM212 cross, while in the VL121096 × CM202 cross, the heritability was almost the same between the DHs and F2 plants due to the relatively small population size of the DHs. The positively skewed leptokurtic distribution of the DH populations indicated the role of fewer genes, with the majority of them exhibiting complementary epistasis with decreasing effects in response to FSR. The mean estimated yield and genotypic variance in the top crosses produced from randomly chosen DHF1 and DHF2 plants of the cross VL1043 × CM212 were similar in magnitude.
Long-Term In Vitro Maintenance of Piglet Testicular Tissue: Effects of Tissue Fragment Size, Preparation Method, and Serum Source
Authors: Ibtisham Fahar , Cham Tat-Chuan , Fayaz Mohammad Amin , Honaramooz Ali
Published: December 2022

Long-term culture of testicular tissue has important applications, including the preservation of fertility potential of prepubertal boys undergoing gonadotoxic cancer treatment. This study was designed to define optimal conditions for the long-term culture of neonatal porcine testicular tissue as an animal model for preadolescent individuals. Testes from 1 wk old donor piglets were used to examine the effects of tissue fragment size (~2, 4, 6, or 8 mg), preparation method (intact, semi-digested, or physically dispersed fragments), and serum source in the media (fetal bovine serum—FBS—or knockout serum replacement—KSR). Testicular fragments were examined weekly for 4 weeks for tissue integrity, seminiferous cord density and morphology, and gonocyte counts. Testicular tissue integrity was dependent on fragment size and preparation method, where the smallest size (2 mg, p < 0.05) and intact preparation method were advantageous (p < 0.05). Seminiferous cord density decreased over the culture period (p < 0.05). Although the relative number of gonocytes decreased over time for all sizes and methods (p < 0.01), smaller intact fragments (2 and 4 mg) had greater numbers of gonocytes (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that intact or physically dispersed testicular fragments of the smallest size (2 mg) cultured in KSR-supplemented media could be effectively maintained in vitro for the duration of 4 weeks.
Nutritional Value of Duckweed as Protein Feed for Broiler Chickens—Digestibility of Crude Protein, Amino Acids and Phosphorus
Authors: Demann Johannes , Petersen Finn , Dusel Georg , Bog Manuela , Devlamynck Reindert , Ulbrich Andreas , Olfs Hans-Werner , Westendarp Heiner
Published: December 2022

Duckweed is gaining attention in animal nutrition and is considered as a potential alternative protein source for broiler chickens. In order to evaluate the nutritional value of duckweed, three individual batches were investigated. They consisted of a mixture of Lemna minuta and Lemna minor (A, 17.5% crude protein), Spirodela polyrhiza (B, 24.6% crude protein) and Lemna obscura (C, 37.0% crude protein). Treatment diets contained 50% batch A, 50% batch B, and 25, 50 and 75% of batch C. All diets were fed to broiler chickens (Ross 308) from an age of 21 to 27 days. Diets with a share of 50 and 75% of batch C led to decreased feed intake (109.3 and 74.9 g/day, respectively) compared to the control. Standardized ileal digestibility of crude protein and amino acids differed significantly between duckweed batches, at values for methionine between 49.9 and 90.4%. For all amino acids, batch A consistently had the lowest and batch C the highest digestibility. Batches had different tannin contents of 2943, 2890 and 303 mg/kg for batches A, B and C, respectively. The apparent ileal digestibility of phosphorus differed significantly between all batches (50.8–78.9%). Duckweed can be used as a protein feed for broiler chickens. However, a defined and stable biomass composition optimized for the requirements of broiler chickens is needed.
Performance and Metabolic, Inflammatory, and Oxidative Stress-Related Parameters in Early Lactating Dairy Cows with High and Low Hepatic FGF21 Expression
Authors: Gessner Denise K. , Sandrock Lena M. , Most Erika , Koch Christian , Ringseis Robert , Eder Klaus
Published: December 2022

Induction of FGF21 expression in the liver and a significant increase in plasma FGF21 concentration have been demonstrated in cows during early lactation, but knowledge about the function of FGF21 in dairy cows remains limited. In order to improve the understanding of the physiological role of FGF21 in dairy cows, the present study aimed to investigate differences in metabolic pathways between dairy cows with high and low hepatic expression of FGF21 at week 1 of lactation (n = 8/group) by liver transcriptomics, targeted plasma metabolomics, and analysis of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related parameters. Dry matter intake, energy balance, milk yield, and energy-corrected milk yield at days 8–14 postpartum did not differ between cows with high and low hepatic FGF21 expression. However, cows with high FGF21 expression showed an upregulation of genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent cytoprotection compared to cows with low FGF21 expression at week 1 postpartum (p < 0.05). Concentrations of important antioxidants (tocopherols, β-carotene, and glutathione) in the liver and plasma, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity in plasma, concentrations of oxidative stress-related compounds (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and protein carbonyls), and levels of most acute phase proteins at week 1 postpartum did not differ between cows with high or low FGF21 expression. Moreover, among a total of >200 metabolites assayed in the plasma, concentrations of only 7 metabolites were different between cows with high or low FGF21 expression (p < 0.05). Overall, the results showed that cows with high and low FGF21 hepatic expression had only moderate differences in metabolism, but FGF21 might be important in the adaptation of dairy cows to stress conditions during early lactation.
Ecological Restoration Practices within a Semi-arid Natural Gas Field Improve Insect Abundance and Diversity during Early and Late Growing Season
Authors: Curran Michael F. , Sorenson Joshua R. , Craft Zoe A. , Crow Taylor M. , Robinson Timothy J. , Stahl Peter D.
Published: December 2022

Insects are critical components of terrestrial ecosystems and are often considered ecosystem engineers. Due to the vast amount of ecosystem services they provide, because statistically valid samples can be captured in short durations, and because they respond rapidly to environmental change, insects have been used as indicators of restoration success and ecosystem functionality. In Wyoming (USA), ecological restoration required on thousands of acres of land surface have been disturbed to extract natural gas. In this study, we compared early seral reclamation sites to reference areas at two points within a growing season. We compared insect abundance and family richness on 6 natural gas well pads with early season perennial forbs and 6 well pads with the late season to insect communities on adjacent reference areas. A total of 237 individual insects were found on early season reclaimed sites compared to 84 on reference sites, while 858 insects were found on late season reclaimed sites compared to 38 on reference sites. Insect abundance was significantly higher on reclaimed well pads compared to reference areas at both points in the growing season, while reclaimed sites had significantly higher Shannon Diversity Index in early season and significantly higher family richness in late season compared to their paired reference sites. We also found interesting differences in abundance at family levels.
The Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Diaminopimelic Acid Derivatives as Potential dapF Inhibitors Preventing Lysine Biosynthesis for Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Shaikh Mohd Sayeed , Kale Mayura A. , Muralidharan V. , Venkatachalam T. , Ali Syed Sarfaraz , Islam Fahadul , Khan Sharuk L. , Siddiqui Falak A. , Urmee Humaira , Tapadiya Ganesh G. , Dhawale Sachin A. , Ming Long Chiau , Ibrahim Ibrahim Abdel Aziz , Alzahrani Abdullah R. , Sarker Md. Moklesur Rahman , Azlina Mohd Fahami Nur
Published: December 2022

We created thiazole and oxazole analogues of diaminopimelic acid (DAP) by replacing its carboxyl groups and substituting sulphur for the central carbon atom. Toxicity, ADME, molecular docking, and in vitro antimicrobial studies of the synthesized compounds were carried out. These compounds displayed significant antibacterial efficacy, with MICs of 70–80 µg/mL against all tested bacteria. Comparative values of the MIC, MBC, and ZOI of the synthesized compound were noticed when compared with ciprofloxacin. At 200 µg/mL, thio-DAP (1) had a ZOI of 22.67 ± 0.58, while ciprofloxacin had a ZOI of 23.67 ± 0.58. To synthesize thio-DAP (1) and oxa-DAP (2), l-cysteine was used as a precursor for the L-stereocenter (l-cysteine), which is recognized by the dapF enzyme’s active site and selectively binds to the ligand’s L-stereocenter. Docking studies of these compounds were carried out using the programme version 11.5 Schrodinger to reveal the hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of these complexes. The docking scores of compounds one and two were −9.823 and −10.098 kcal/mol, respectively, as compared with LL-DAP (−9.426 kcal/mol.). This suggests that compounds one and two interact more precisely with dapF than LL-DAP. Chemicals one and two were synthesized via the SBDD (structure-based drug design) approach and these act as inhibitors of the dapF in the lysine pathway of bacterial cell wall synthesis.
Intravenous Fosfomycin: A Potential Good Partner for Cefiderocol. Clinical Experience and Considerations
Authors: Marino Andrea , Stracquadanio Stefano , Campanella Edoardo , Munafò Antonio , Gussio Maria , Ceccarelli Manuela , Bernardini Renato , Nunnari Giuseppe , Cacopardo Bruno
Published: December 2022

Multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteremia represents a therapeutic challenge clinicians have to deal with. This concern becomes more difficult when causing germs are represented by carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii or difficult-to-treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Few antibiotics are available against these cumbersome bacteria, although literature data are not conclusive, especially for Acinetobacter. Cefiderocol could represent a valid antibiotic choice, being a molecule with an innovative mechanism of action capable of overcoming common resistance pathways, whereas intravenous fosfomycin may be an appropriate partner either enhancing cefiderocol activity or avoiding resistance development. Here we report two patients with MDR Gram negative bacteremia who were successfully treated with a cefiderocol/fosfomycin combination.
National Disparities in Antibiotic Prescribing by Race, Ethnicity, Age Group, and Sex in United States Ambulatory Care Visits, 2009 to 2016
Authors: Young Eric H. , Strey Kelsey A. , Lee Grace C. , Carlson Travis J. , Koeller Jim M. , Mendoza Vidal M. , Reveles Kelly R.
Published: December 2022

While efforts have been made in the United States (US) to optimize antimicrobial use, few studies have explored antibiotic prescribing disparities that may drive future interventions. The objective of this study was to evaluate disparities in antibiotic prescribing among US ambulatory care visits by patient subgroups. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study utilizing the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2009 to 2016. Antibiotic use was described as antibiotic visits per 1000 total patient visits. The appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing was determined by ICD-9 or ICD-10 codes assigned during the visit. Subgroup analyses were conducted by patient race, ethnicity, age group, and sex. Over 7.0 billion patient visits were included; 11.3% included an antibiotic prescription. Overall and inappropriate antibiotic prescription rates were highest in Black (122.2 and 78.0 per 1000) and Hispanic patients (138.6 and 79.8 per 1000). Additionally, overall antibiotic prescription rates were highest in patients less than 18 years (169.6 per 1000) and female patients (114.1 per 1000), while inappropriate antibiotic prescription rates were highest in patients 18 to 64 years (66.0 per 1000) and in males (64.8 per 1000). In this nationally representative study, antibiotic prescribing disparities were found by patient race, ethnicity, age group, and sex.
Mechanical Behavior Analysis of Excavation and Retaining Piles in Gravel Formation along Adjacent Railways: A Comparative 3D FEM Study with Monitoring Data
Authors: Lee Yu-Lin , Hsu Wen-Kuei , Hsieh Pei-Wen , Ma Chi-Huang , Lin Ming-Yi , Lee Chi-Min
Published: December 2022

Carrying out underground excavation work with retaining pile supports adjacent to a running railway is a risky and cautious job. To evaluate the safety and practicability of underground excavation, a three-dimensional finite element program was developed and used in this study to simulate and analyze the mechanical behavior of the gravel layer in response to excavation to serve as the design for retaining piles as supports. Monitoring instruments (such as inclinometers and subsidence observation points on railway track surfaces) were installed during construction to provide immediate monitoring of the excavation area and information for safety assessments. The calculation process in the numerical analysis included the execution of programs such as pre-processing, central calculation, and post-processing, as well as the simulation of construction steps, such as the initial stress of gravel layer, railway vehicle load, layered excavation, and support installation. By comparing the results of 3D finite element analysis with monitoring data, it was found that the construction method of excavating the gravel layer near the adjacent railway and supporting it with retaining piles provides a reliable engineering technology. The results of the comparative analysis were all within a safe range and showed a consistent trend.
Effects of Trimethylamine and Trimethylamine Oxide on Human Serum Albumin Observed by Tryptophan Fluorescence and Absorbance Spectroscopies
Authors: Bordoni Laura , Galeazzi Roberta , Giorgini Giorgia , Gabbianelli Rosita
Published: December 2022

Trimethylamine (TMA) is an aliphatic tertiary amine produced by gut microbiota, starting from dietary precursors such as L-choline, L-carnitine and betaine. TMA and its metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) are elevated in the plasma of cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients. Despite extensive literature on this topic, the scientific community is still divided on which of the two molecules is responsible for the harmful effects on human health. To assess whether the plasma levels of these molecules are also modulated by interactions with macromolecules present in the plasma, the weak bonds between TMA or/and TMAO with human serum albumin (HSA) were studied via molecular docking and spectrofluorimetric assay. The impact of TMA and TMAO on HSA and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) oxidation was also evaluated. Docking analysis shows three main binding sites for TMA and two for TMAO. Spectrofluorimetric results show interactions of HSA with TMA and TMAO; a significant (p = 0.010) decrease in Trp-214 intrinsic fluorescence of HSA was measured starting from the lowest concentrations of both TMA and TMAO (3.26 nM and 29.2 nM, respectively). Furthermore, at all concentrations tested, no significant effect on the formation of carbonyls in HSA was measured (p > 0.05) in the presence of TMA or TMAO. However, 28.6 mM TMAO significantly increased (p < 0.05) the degree of oxidation of LDL, suggesting that TMAO has a pro-oxidant role on LDL.
Software-Defined Heterogeneous Edge Computing Network Resource Scheduling Based on Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Li Yaofang , Wu Bin
Published: December 2022

With the rapid development of wireless networks, wireless edge computing networks have been widely considered. The heterogeneous characteristics of the 6G edge computing network bring new challenges to network resource scheduling. In this work, we consider a heterogeneous edge computing network with heterogeneous edge computing nodes and task requirements. We design a software-defined heterogeneous edge computing network architecture to separate the control layer and the data layer. According to different requirements, the tasks in heterogeneous edge computing networks are decomposed into multiple subtasks at the control layer, and the edge computing node alliance responding to the tasks is established to perform the decomposed subtasks. In order to optimize both network energy consumption and network load balancing, we model the resource scheduling problem as a Markov Decision Process (MDP), and design a Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) resource scheduling algorithm based on deep reinforcement learning. Simulation analysis shows that the proposed PPO resource scheduling can achieve low energy consumption and ideal load balancing.
Structural Analysis of a Composite Passenger Seat for the Case of an Aircraft Emergency Landing
Authors: Tzanakis Georgios , Kotzakolios Athanasios , Giannaros Efthimis , Kostopoulos Vassilis
Published: December 2022

Aviation authorities require, from aircraft seat manufacturers, specific performance metrics that maximize the occupants’ chances of survival in the case of an emergency landing and allow for the safe evacuation of the aircraft cabin. Therefore, aircraft seats must comply with specific requirements with respect to their structural integrity and potential occupant injuries, which are certified through the conduction of costly, full-scale tests. To reduce certification costs, computer-aided methods such as finite element analysis can simulate and predict the responses of different seat configuration concepts and potentially save time and development costs. This work presents one of the major steps of an aircraft seat development, which is the design and study of preliminary design concepts, whose structural and biomechanical response will determine whether the concept seat model is approved for the next steps of development. More specifically, a three-occupant aircraft seat configuration is studied for crash landing load cases and is subjected to modification iterations from a baseline design to a composite one for its structural performance, its weight reduction and the reduction of forces transmitted to the passengers.
Development and Validation of a Predictive Tool for Postpartum Hemorrhage after Vaginal Delivery: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Bihan Line , Nowak Emmanuel , Anouilh François , Tremouilhac Christophe , Merviel Philippe , Tromeur Cécile , Robin Sara , Drugmanne Guillaume , Le Roux Liana , Couturaud Francis , Le Moigne Emmanuelle , Abgrall Jean-François , Pan-Petesch Brigitte , de Moreuil Claire
Published: December 2022

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity worldwide. This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for PPH after vaginal deliveries, based on routinely available clinical and biological data. The derivation monocentric cohort included pregnant women with vaginal delivery at Brest University Hospital (France) between April 2013 and May 2015. Immediate PPH was defined as a blood loss of ≥500 mL in the first 24 h after delivery and measured with a graduated collector bag. A logistic model, using a combination of multiple imputation and variable selection with bootstrap, was used to construct a predictive model and a score for PPH. An external validation was performed on a prospective cohort of women who delivered between 2015 and 2019 at Brest University Hospital. Among 2742 deliveries, PPH occurred in 141 (5.1%) women. Eight factors were independently associated with PPH: pre-eclampsia (aOR 6.25, 95% CI 2.35–16.65), antepartum bleeding (aOR 2.36, 95% CI 1.43–3.91), multiple pregnancy (aOR 3.24, 95% CI 1.52–6.92), labor duration ≥ 8 h (aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.20–2.73), macrosomia (aOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.36–4.00), episiotomy (aOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.40–2.93), platelet count < 150 Giga/L (aOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.47–4.55) and aPTT ratio ≥ 1.1 (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.25–3.23). The derived predictive score, ranging from 0 to 10 (woman at risk if score ≥ 1), demonstrated a good discriminant power (AUROC 0.69; 95% CI 0.65–0.74) and calibration. The external validation cohort was composed of 3061 vaginal deliveries. The predictive score on this independent cohort showed an acceptable ability to discriminate (AUROC 0.66; 95% CI 0.62–0.70). We derived and validated a robust predictive model identifying women at risk for PPH using in-depth statistical methodology. This score has the potential to improve the care of pregnant women and to take preventive actions on them.
The Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts-Related Gene COMP Is a Novel Predictor for Prognosis and Immunotherapy Efficacy and Is Correlated with M2 Macrophage Infiltration in Colon Cancer
Authors: Ma He , Qiu Qingqing , Tan Dan , Chen Qiaofeng , Liu Yaping , Chen Bing , Wang Mingliang
Published: December 2022

Background: Colon cancer is characterized by a sophisticated tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which make up the majority of the stromal cells in TME, participate in tumor development and immune regulation. Further investigations of CAFs would facilitate an in-depth understanding of its role in colon cancer TME. Methods: In this study, we estimated CAF abundance based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases using the Microenvironment Cell Populations-counter (MCP-counter) algorithm. CAF-related genes were identified by differential gene expression analysis combined with weighted gene coexpression network analysis. For further selection, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression was used, and the prognostic value of the selected gene was confirmed in numerous external cohorts. The function enrichment, immunological characteristics, tumor mutation signature, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity of the selected gene were subsequently explored. The bioinformatics analysis results were validated using immunohistochemistry on clinical samples from our institution. Results: According to our findings, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) was uncovered as a candidate CAFs-driven biomarker in colon cancer and plays an important role in predicting prognosis in colon cancer. COMP upregulation was associated with enhanced stromal and immune activation, and immune cell infiltration, especially M2 macrophages. Genes that mutated differently between the high- and low-COMP expression subgroups may be correlated with TME change. Following verification, COMP reliably predicted the immunotherapy response and drug response. In addition, our experimental validation demonstrated that COMP overexpression is associated with colon cancer carcinogenesis and is strongly associated with CAFs and M2 macrophage infiltration. Conclusion: Our study uncovered that COMP was a key CAFs-driven gene associated with M2 macrophage infiltration and acted as a convincing predictor for prognosis and immunotherapy response in colon cancer patients.
Gingival Overgrowths Revealing PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome: Report of Novel PTEN Pathogenic Variants
Authors: Sutera Samuele , Giachino Daniela Francesca , Pelle Alessandra , Zuntini Roberta , Pentenero Monica
Published: December 2022

PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS), is a spectrum of disorders caused by mutations of PTEN, in which non-cancerous growths, called hamartomas, develop in different areas of the body, often including the oral mucosa. PHTS also implies a recognized increased risk of malignancies, as PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene capable of inhibiting progression of several cancers. One of the main and most common clinical manifestation of PHTS are gingival overgrowths presenting as warty lumps. The current study describes patients with gingival or mucosal enlargements leading to the diagnosis of PHTS associated to novel PTEN pathogenic variants. Patients referred to us for gingival lumps suggestive of PHTS associated overgrowths were submitted to genetic analysis in the PTEN gene. Two related and two unrelated patients were investigated. PTEN novel pathogenic variant was found in all of them. Two patients also fulfilled diagnostic criteria of Cowden syndrome (CS). Mucocutaneous lesions, and particularly diffuse gingival overgrowths, are both early and major clinical signs revealing a potential diagnosis of PHTS. Further genetic and clinical assessments are needed in order to confirm and clarify the diagnosis within the PHTS spectrum, including, among others, the CS. A correct interpretation of oral clinical features potentially associated to PHTS is mandatory for diagnosis and a surgical approach can be useful just in case of impairment of periodontal health or for aesthetic needs. The increased risk of malignancies associated to PHTS makes a correct diagnosis pivotal to set up an appropriate lifelong surveillance, aiming at secondary cancer prevention.
Improved Split TEV GPCR β-arrestin-2 Recruitment Assays via Systematic Analysis of Signal Peptide and β-arrestin Binding Motif Variants
Authors: Wu Yuxin , von Hauff Isabelle , Jensen Niels , Rossner Moritz , Wehr Michael
Published: December 2022

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are major disease-relevant drug targets; robust monitoring of their activities upon drug treatment is key to drug discovery. The split TEV cell-based assay technique monitors the interaction of an activated GPCR with β-arrestin-2 through TEV protein fragment complementation using a luminescent signal as the readout. In this work, split TEV GPCR β-arrestin-2 recruitment assays were optimized to monitor the endogenous ligand-induced activities of six GPCRs (DRD1, DRD2, HTR2A, GCGR, AVPR2, and GLP1R). Each GPCR was tested in four forms; i.e., its wildtype form, a variant with a signal peptide (SP) to facilitate receptor expression, a variant containing the C-terminal tail from the V2 vasopressin receptor (V2R tail) to promote β-arrestin-2 recruitment, and a variant containing both the SP and V2R tail. These 24 GPCR variants were systematically tested for assay performance in four cell lines (HEK-293, PC12 Tet-Off, U-2 OS, and HeLa). We found that the assay performance differed significantly for each GPCR variant and was dependent on the cell line. We found that V2R improved the DRD2 split TEV assays and that HEK-293 cells were the preferred cell line across the GPCRs tested. When taking these considerations into account, the defined selection of assay modifications and conditions may improve the performance of drug development campaigns that apply the split TEV technique as a screening tool.
A Hybrid Residential Short-Term Load Forecasting Method Using Attention Mechanism and Deep Learning
Authors: Ji Xinhui , Huang Huijie , Chen Dongsheng , Yin Kangning , Zuo Yi , Chen Zhenping , Bai Rui
Published: December 2022

Development in economics and social society has led to rapid growth in electricity demand. Accurate residential electricity load forecasting is helpful for the transformation of residential energy consumption structure and can also curb global climate warming. This paper proposes a hybrid residential short-term load forecasting framework (DCNN-LSTM-AE-AM) based on deep learning, which combines dilated convolutional neural network (DCNN), long short-term memory network (LSTM), autoencoder (AE), and attention mechanism (AM) to improve the prediction results. First, we design a T-nearest neighbors (TNN) algorithm to preprocess the original data. Further, a DCNN is introduced to extract the long-term feature. Secondly, we combine the LSTM with the AE (LSTM-AE) to learn the sequence features hidden in the extracted features and decode them into output features. Finally, the AM is further introduced to extract and fuse the high-level stage features to achieve the prediction results. Experiments on two real-world datasets show that the proposed method is good at capturing the oscillation characteristics of low-load data and outperforms other methods.
On the Thermal Environmental Quality of Typical Urban Settlement Configurations
Authors: Heshmat Mohajer Hamed Reza , Ding Lan , Kolokotsa Dionysia , Santamouris Mattheos
Published: December 2022

Urban overheating and energy imbalances are severe environmental concerns. The role of urban sprawl patterns in the formation of Heat Island has recently absorbed the researchers’ interest. The research focuses on metropolitan areas with a range of urban typologies. However, there still is a knowledge gap in how UHI responds to different urban typologies. The interaction between urban configurations and heat island characteristics is explored in Sydney. A combination of terrestrial surveys and modelling techniques was implemented, and results were extracted based on simulation results. The Urban Taskforce Australia suggested the applied categorization methods that follow Stewart and Oke’s Local Climate Zones (LCZs) scheme. We assessed eleven urban designs on ambient air temperature, wind characteristics, heat intensity, and outdoor thermal comfort over three summer days. We correlated results to density and the built-up ratio in all configurations and found that the maximum configurational impact on the heat island reached 2.33 °C. Configurations with a built-up ratio between 0.37 to 0.5 present a sharp downward trend in the average wind speed value and indicate a minimum with a built-up ratio of 0.63. Wind maps present an increase in layouts with built-up ratios of 0.23 to 0.37, whereas they decreased with built-up ratios of higher than 0.43. The average temperature decrease in high-rise compact configurations was 1.12 °C per hour. This record is substantially higher than its open counterparts. The study showed the importance of urban configuration on thermal environmental quality. In addition, implementing appropriate urban design parameters is vital to mitigate heat islands and improve environmental thermal comfort in urban areas.
Active Carbon-Based Electrode Materials from Petroleum Waste for Supercapacitors
Authors: Albaiz Abdualilah , Alsaidan Muhammad , Alzahrani Abdullah , Almoalim Hassan , Rinaldi Ali , Jalilov Almaz S.
Published: December 2022

A supercapacitor is an energy-storage device able to store and release energy at fast rates with an extended cycle life; thus, it is used in various electrical appliances. Carbon materials prepared above 800 °C of activation temperatures are generally employed as an electrode material for supercapacitors. Herein, we report carbon materials prepared from a low-cost petroleum waste carbon precursor that was activated using KOH, MgO, and Ca(OH)2 only at 400 °C. Electrode materials using low-temperature activated carbons were prepared with commercial ink as a binder. The cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge were employed for the electrochemical performance of the electrodes, and studied in a 3-electrode system in 1 M solutions of potassium nitrate (KNO3) as electrolyte; in addition, the supercapacitive performance was identified in a potential window range of 0.0–1.0 V. The best-performance activated carbon derived from vacuum residue with a specific surface area of 1250.6 m2/g exhibited a specific capacitance of 91.91 F/g.
Oral Microbiota as Novel Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Screening
Authors: Rezasoltani Sama , Aghdaei Hamid Asadzadeh , Jasemi Seyedesomaye , Gazouli Maria , Dovrolis Nikolas , Sadeghi Amir , Schlüter Hartmut , Zali Mohammad Reza , Sechi Leonardo Antonio , Feizabadi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: December 2022

Alterations of the gut microbiome in cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) hint at the involvement of host–microbe interactions in the onset and progression of CRC and also, possibly, provide novel ways to detect and prevent CRC early. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the oral and fecal microbiomes of an individual can be suitable for CRC screening. Oral and fecal samples (n = 80) were gathered in Taleghani hospital, affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran–Iran, from CRC stage 0 and I patients and healthy controls (HCs), who were screened for the first time. Microbial metagenomics assays were performed for studying microbiota profiles in all oral and fecal samples gathered. An abundance of top bacterial genera from both types of specimens (fecal and saliva samples) revealed a distinction between CRC patients and HCs. In saliva samples, the α diversity index was different between the microbiome of HCs and CRC patients, while β diversity showed a densely clustered microbiome in the HCs but a more dispersed pattern in CRC cases. The α and β diversity of fecal microbiota between HCs and CRC patients showed no statistically significant differences. Bifidobacterium was identified as a potential bacterial biomarker in CRC saliva samples, while Fusobacterium, Dialister, Catonella, Tennerella, Eubacterium-brachy-group, and Fretibacterium were ideal to distinguish HCs from CRC patients. One of the reasons for the heterogeneity of CRC may be the gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiota, which can also cause systematic resistance to CRC. Moreover, an evaluation of saliva microbiota might offer a suitable screening test for the early detection of this malignancy, providing more accurate results than its fecal counterpart.
Facile Hydrothermal Synthesis of Cu2MoS4 and FeMoS4 for Efficient Adsorption of Chlortetracycline
Authors: Zhou Junhui , Zhu Keyu , Wang Yong , Cui Peng , Zhu Linhua , Wu Haofeng , Hua Mingqing , Huang Yan , Luo Guiling , Chao Yanhong , Zhu Wenshuai
Published: December 2022

Contamination of antibiotics in an aqueous environment has attracted wide attention. Developing high-efficiency adsorbents for antibiotics removal is urgent. In this work, two kinds of ternary transition metal chalcogenides—Cu2MoS4 and FeMoS4 with superior adsorption performance were prepared by a facile hydrothermal synthesis method. The microstructure and physicochemical properties of the adsorbents were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The as-prepared Cu2MoS4 and FeMoS4 were found to have dramatic potential for the adsorption of chlortetracycline (CTC) in an aqueous solution with an extremely high adsorption capacity. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity of Cu2MoS4 and FeMoS4 to CTC can reach 1203.81 and 2169.19 mg/g, respectively, which goes far beyond the common adsorbents as reported. Moreover, the adsorption kinetics, thermodynamics as well as adsorption mechanism were examined in detail by a batch of adsorption experiments.
Optimized Conditions for Preparing a Heterogeneous Biocatalyst via Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (CLEAs) of β-Glucosidase from Aspergillus niger
Authors: da Cunha Thiago M. , Mendes Adriano A. , Hirata Daniela B. , Angelotti Joelise A. F.
Published: December 2022

This study mainly aims to find the optimal conditions for immobilizing a non-commercial β-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger via cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) by investigating the effect of cross-linking agent (glutaraldehyde) concentration and soy protein isolate/enzyme ratio (or spacer/enzyme ratio) on the catalytic performance of β-glucosidase through the central composite rotatable design (CCRD). The influence of certain parameters such as pH and temperature on the hydrolytic activity of the resulting heterogeneous biocatalyst was assessed and compared with those of a soluble enzyme. The catalytic performance of both the soluble and immobilized enzyme was assessed by hydrolyzing ρ-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (ρ-NPG) at pH 4.5 and 50 °C. It was found that there was a maximum recovered activity of around 33% (corresponding to hydrolytic activity of 0.48 U/mL) in a spacer/enzyme ratio of 4.69 (mg/mg) using 25.5 mM glutaraldehyde. The optimal temperature and pH conditions for the soluble enzyme were 60 °C and 4.5, respectively, while those for CLEAs of β-glucosidase were between 50 and 65 °C and pH 3.5 and 4.0. These results reveal that the immobilized enzyme is more stable in a wider pH and temperature range than its soluble form. Furthermore, an improvement was observed in thermal stability after immobilization. After 150 days at 4 °C, the heterogeneous biocatalyst retained 80% of its original activity, while the soluble enzyme retained only 10%. The heterogeneous biocatalyst preparation was also characterized by TG/DTG and FT-IR analyses that confirmed the introduction of carbon chains via cross-linking. Therefore, the immobilized biocatalyst prepared in this study has improved enzyme stabilization, and it is an interesting approach to preparing heterogeneous biocatalysts for industrial applications.
Green Synthesis of AuNPs by Crocus caspius—Investigation of Catalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants, Their Cytotoxicity, and Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Alizadeh Seyedeh Roya , Biparva Pourya , Goli Hamid Reza , Khan Barkat Ali , Ebrahimzadeh Mohammad Ali
Published: December 2022

Biogenic methods are an effective alternative to chemical methods in the preparation of nanoparticles. Our study used Crocus caspius extract to synthesize gold nanoparticles (CC-AuNPs) in a green manner. The eco-friendly synthesis of AuNPs was conducted by optimizing the temperature and concentration of HAuCl4 and extract. Synthesized CC-AuNPs were characterized using TEM, SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The prepared CC-AuNPs were detected with a size of around 22.66 ± 1.67 nm. The FT-IR analysis of the biomolecules involved in synthesizing CC-AuNPs was performed. Additionally, these biomolecules capped on the AuNPs were revealed by TG/DTA analysis. The EDX study demonstrated the existence of elemental gold. The biosynthesized CC-AuNPs were effectively applied as green catalysts to reduce three organic pollutant dyes—methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), and 4-nitrophenol. In the biological evaluations, the free radical scavenging activity of the eco-friendly CC-AuNPs (DPPH assay) indicated an IC50 value of 29.22 ± 0.47 µg/mL. They displayed effective antibacterial activity against several bacterial strains. Their anticancer activity against AGS and MCF-7 cells showed IC50 concentrations at 48.2 µg/mL and 51.76 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, CC-AuNPs presented excellent antileishmanial activity (IC50 = 13.92 µg/mL). Therefore, the green AuNPs are efficient in biomedicine and nanobiotechnology.
Editorial to the Special Issue “Catalytic Valorisation of Glycerol: Strategies and Perspectives”
Authors: Ruffo Francesco , Esposito Roberto
Published: December 2022

Chemical manufacturing has undergone profound changes over the past twenty years [...]
Tracing G-Protein-Mediated Contraction and Relaxation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Spheroids
Authors: Garg Jaspal , Sporkova Alexandra , Hecker Markus , Korff Thomas
Published: December 2022

Analyses of G-protein-mediated contraction and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are usually hampered by a rigid growth surface and culture conditions promoting cell proliferation and a less contractile phenotype. Our studies indicated that mouse aortic VSMCs cultured in three-dimensional spheroids acquire a quiescent contractile status while decreasing the baseline G-protein-dependent inositolphosphate formation and increasing the expression of endothelin receptor type A (Ednra). Endothelin-1 (ET-1) promoted inositolphosphate formation in VSMC spheroids, but not in VSMCs cultured under standard conditions. To trace ET-1-mediated contraction of VSMC spheroids, we developed an assay by adhering them to collagen hydrogels and recording structural changes by time-lapse microscopy. Under these conditions, mouse and human VSMC spheroids contracted upon treatment with ET-1 and potassium chloride or relaxed in response to caffeine and the prostacyclin analogue Iloprost. ET-1 activated AKT-, MKK1-, and MKK3/6-dependent signaling cascades, which were inhibited by an overexpressing regulator of G-protein signaling 5 (Rgs5) to terminate the activity of Gα subunits. In summary, culture of VSMCs in three-dimensional spheroids lowers baseline G-protein activity and enables analyses of both contraction and relaxation of mouse and human VSMCs. This model serves as a simple and versatile tool for drug testing and investigating G-protein-depending signaling.
The Role of PPARs in Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhao Binggong , Xin Zhiqiang , Ren Ping , Wu Huijian
Published: December 2022

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and lethality. Its pathogenesis is related to the abnormal expression of many genes. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a class of ligand-dependent transcription factors in the nuclear receptor superfamily. They can regulate the transcription of a large number of target genes, which are involved in life activities such as cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and apoptosis, and regulate physiological processes such as glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and wound healing. Further, the changes in its expression are associated with various diseases, including breast cancer. The experimental reports related to “PPAR” and “breast cancer” were retrieved from PubMed since the discovery of PPARs and summarized in this paper. This review (1) analyzed the roles and potential molecular mechanisms of non-coordinated and ligand-activated subtypes of PPARs in breast cancer progression; (2) discussed the correlations between PPARs and estrogen receptors (ERs) as the nuclear receptor superfamily; and (3) investigated the interaction between PPARs and key regulators in several signaling pathways. As a result, this paper identifies PPARs as targets for breast cancer prevention and treatment in order to provide more evidence for the synthesis of new drugs targeting PPARs or the search for new drug combination treatments.
Pharmacotherapy Evolution in Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Framework and Relevant Directions
Authors: Miculas Denisa Claudia , Negru Paul Andrei , Bungau Simona Gabriela , Behl Tapan , Hassan Syed Shams ul , Tit Delia Mirela
Published: December 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), once considered a rare disease, is now the most common form of dementia in the elderly population. Current drugs (cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate antagonists) are safe but of limited benefit to most patients, offering symptomatic relief without successful cure of the disease. Since the last several decades, there has been a great need for the development of a treatment that might cure the underlying causes of AD and thereby slow its progression in vulnerable individuals. That is why phase I, II, and III studies that act on several fronts, such as cognitive improvement, symptom reduction, and enhancing the basic biology of AD, are imperative to stop the disease. This review discusses current treatment strategies, summarizing the clinical features and pharmacological properties, along with molecular docking analyses of the existing medications.