bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature-Dependent Development of Nitidula rufipes (Linnaeus, 1767) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and Its Significance in Estimating Minimum Postmortem Interval
Authors: Hu Gengwang , Li Liangliang , Guo Yi , Kang Chengtao , Wang Yinghui , Zhang Yanan , Zhang Zhixiang , Wang Jiangfeng , Wang Yu
Published: March 2023

Coleoptera, including the family Nitidulidae, are valuable for estimating long-term postmortem intervals in the late stage of body decomposition. This study showed that, under seven constant temperatures of 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34 °C, the developmental durations of Nitidula rufipes (Linnaeus, 1767) from oviposition to eclosion were 71.0 ± 4.4, 52.9 ± 4.1, 40.1 ± 3.4, 30.1 ± 2.1, 24.2 ± 2.0, 21.0 ±2.3, and 20.8 ± 2.4 days, respectively. The morphological indexes of body length, the widths of the head capsules, and the distance between the urogomphi of the larvae were measured in vivo. The regression model between larval body length and developmental durations was simulated for larval aging, and the head capsule width and the distance between the urogomphi at different instars were cluster-analyzed for instar discrimination. Based on the developmental durations, larval body length and thermal summation data were obtained, and the isomorphen diagram, isomegalen diagram, linear thermal summation models, and curvilinear Optim SSI models were established. The lower developmental threshold and thermal summation constant of N. rufipes evaluated by the linear thermal summation models were 9.65 ± 0.62 °C and 471.40 ± 25.46 degree days, respectively. The lower developmental thresholds, intrinsic optimum temperature, and upper lethal developmental threshold obtained by Optim SSI models were 10.12, 24.15, and 36.00 °C, respectively. The study of the immature stages of N. rufipes can provide preliminary basic developmental data for the estimation of minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). However, more extensive studies are needed on the effects of constant and fluctuating temperatures on the development of N. rufipes.
Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Papilio elwesi Leech, 1889 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
Authors: Pan Zhixiang , Ding Yinhuan , Zhang Shusheng , Li Luxian , Ma Fangzhou
Published: March 2023

A rarely seen butterfly species, the large swallowtail butterfly Papilio elwesi Leech, 1889 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), endemic to the Chinese mainland, has been declared a state-protected animal in China since 2000, but its genome is not yet available. To obtain high-quality genome assembly and annotation, we sequenced the genome and transcriptome of P. elwesi using the PacBio and PromethION platforms, respectively. The final assembled genome was 358.51 Mb, of which 97.59% was anchored to chromosomes (30 autosomes and 1 Z sex chromosome), with a contig/scaffold N50 length of 6.79/12.32 Mb and 99.0% (n = 1367) BUSCO completeness. The genome annotation pointed to 36.82% (131.99 Mb) repetitive elements and 1296 non-coding RNAs in the genome, along with 13,681 protein-coding genes that cover 98.6% (1348) of the BUSCO genes. Among the 11,499 identified gene families, 104 underwent significantly rapid expansions or contractions, and these rapidly expanding families play roles in detoxification and metabolism. Additionally, strong synteny exists between the chromosomes of P. elwesi and P. machaon. The chromosome-level genome of P. elwesi could serve as an important genomic resource for furthering our understanding of butterfly evolution and for more in-depth genomic analyses.
A New Perspective for Potential Organ Damage Due to Iron-Mediated Oxidation in Thalassemia Major Patients
Authors: Eren Funda , Koca Yozgat Ayça , Firat Oğuz Esra , Neşelioğlu Salim , Firat Rıdvan , Gürlek Gökçebay Dilek , Yarali Hüsniye Neşe , Özbek Namık Yaşar , Erel Özcan
Published: March 2023

Background: The aim of this study is to develop new perspectives to prevent or reduce potential organ damage due to iron-mediated oxidation in thalassemia major patients. Methods: Seventy patients were included in this study. Blood samples were taken from the patients before and after transfusion. Total thiol, native thiol, disulfide, disulfide/native thiol percentage ratio, ischemia modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and ferroxidase levels were determined. Additionally, undepleted thiol level (UTL) was determined as a new parameter associated with organ damage. Results: After transfusion, the levels of native thiol, total thiol, disulfide, TAS, ferroxidase, and TOS were higher, while the IMA levels and disulfide/native thiol percent ratio were lower. Significant correlations were found between antioxidant and oxidant tests before and after transfusion. Additionally, a negative correlation was found between the TOS and UTL levels of the patients measured before the transfusion. Conclusion: In the present study, transfusion therapy increased both oxidation and the antioxidant levels. In addition, the term UTL has been introduced as a parameter that enables the determination of the oxidation level that may cause potential organ damage in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients.
A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Rubberized Concrete
Authors: Fadiel Ashraf A. M. , Mohammed Nuria S. , Abu-Lebdeh Taher , Munteanu Iulian Sorin , Niculae Elisabeta , Petrescu Florian Ion Tiberiu
Published: March 2023

Most metropolitan areas in the world are facing major solid-waste-disposal problems. The solid-waste problem is considered one of the major environmental problems that countries and environmental organizations are paying increasing attention to at present, not only due to its negative effects on public health and the environment, but also due to the dangers it may cause to the nearby residential communities. One of the visible solutions is to reuse solid waste as a partial replacement of concrete constituents. In this investigation, fine aggregate was replaced with crumb rubber at four different volumetric percentages, ranging from 5 to 20% with a 5% step size. A novel treatment technique based on a combination of chemical and thermal treatments of a crumb rubber surface was adopted. A superplasticizer was added to improve both the workability and the strength of the concrete mixtures. The mixtures were assessed in fresh and hardened phases and compared with a control mix. In the fresh phase, the mixtures were evaluated regarding workability and wet density; and in the hardened phase, compressive strength after 180 days, tensile and flexural strength after 90 days, dry density, and absorption were investigated. Additionally, the mixes were assessed using non-destructive tests, namely, the ultrasonic pulse velocity test, rebound hammer test, and core test. The results showed that the addition of rubber particles to concrete decreased the compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength in comparison with control concrete. An empirical equation based on combined analysis with R2 = 0.95 was derived. At the age of 180 days, the compressive strength of rubberized concrete varied from 34 to 42 MPa. From a structural point of view, its strength is regarded as acceptable.
Doped Carbon Quantum Dots Reinforced Hydrogels for Sustained Delivery of Molecular Cargo
Authors: Kanungo Shweta , Gupta Neeta , Rawat Reena , Jain Bhawana , Solanki Aruna , Panday Ashutosh , Das P. , Ganguly S.
Published: March 2023

Hydrogels have emerged as important soft materials with numerous applications in fields including biomedicine, biomimetic smart materials, and electrochemistry. Because of their outstanding photo-physical properties and prolonged colloidal stability, the serendipitous findings of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have introduced a new topic of investigation for materials scientists. CQDs confined polymeric hydrogel nanocomposites have emerged as novel materials with integrated properties of the individual constituents, resulting in vital uses in the realm of soft nanomaterials. Immobilizing CQDs within hydrogels has been shown to be a smart tactic for preventing the aggregation-caused quenching effect and also for manipulating the characteristics of hydrogels and introducing new properties. The combination of these two very different types of materials results in not only structural diversity but also significant improvements in many property aspects, leading to novel multifunctional materials. This review covers the synthesis of doped CQDs, different fabrication techniques for nanostructured materials made of CQDs and polymers, as well as their applications in sustained drug delivery. Finally, a brief overview of the present market and future perspectives are discussed.
Influencing Factors of Sulfuric Acid Resistance of Ca-Rich Alkali-Activated Materials
Authors: Li Zhuguo , Ikeda Ko
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we distinguished the degradation of alkali-activated material (AAM) exposed to sulfuric acid as physical (scaling, spalling, cracking, breaking, etc.) and chemical degradation (neutralization), because the mechanisms of these two types of degradation are different. Then, the effects of curing method, raw materials, and their mixing proportions on the two kinds of degradation of AAMs containing GGBFS were investigated in detail, including liquid-filler ratio, component of alkali activator, chemical admixture, inactive filler alternative to fly ash (FA), addition of municipal waste incineration bottom ash (BA), etc. The experimental results show that (a) small liquid-filler ratio, heat-curing, and the use of blended alkali activator solution of sodium silicate and NaOH can reduce both physical and chemical degradation of AAMs; (b) large GGBFS content or AE agent addition decreases the physical degradation, but increases the chemical degradation; (c) using crushed stone powder to replace FA and adding BA or a retarder would increase the physical and chemical degradation; but (d) the use of drying shrinkage reducer composed of polyether derivatives does not affect acid resistance. We also discussed the applicability and limitation of XRD and SEM-EDS in analyzing the chemical compositions of Ca-rich AAMs exposed to sulfuric acid, and found that (e) XRD analysis can identify the gypsum formation, and the gypsum peak intensity is related to the physical degradation of the Ca-rich AAMs; (f) by SEM-EDS analysis, the decalcification and dealkalization of C-A-S-H gels can be judged from the decrease in the average Ca/Si atomic ratio and the average Na atomic percentage in the acid corrosion area, but dealumination can be only determined from the dissimilarity of Al and Si elemental maps; and (g) if the CaO/SO3 molar ratio ranges from 0.8 to 1.0, gypsum formation can be estimated.
Material Extrusion 3D Printing (ME3DP) Process Simulations of Polymeric Porous Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Imran Ramsha , Al Rashid Ans , Koç Muammer
Published: March 2023

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is an active area of research for bone defect treatment. Some polymeric materials have recently gained adequate attention as potential materials for BTE applications, as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, inexpensive, lightweight, easy to process, and recyclable. Polyetherimide (PEI), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyamide-12 (PA12) are potential biocompatible materials for biomedical applications due to their excellent physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. The current study presents preliminary findings on the process simulations for 3D-printed polymeric porous scaffolds for a material extrusion 3D printing (ME3DP) process to observe the manufacturing constraints and scaffold quality with respect to designed structures (porous scaffolds). Different unit cell designs (ventils, grid, and octet) for porous scaffolds, virtually fabricated using three polymeric materials (PEI, ABS, and PA12), were investigated for process-induced defections and residual stresses. The numerical simulation results concluded that higher dimensional accuracy and control were achieved for grid unit cell scaffolds manufactured using PEI material; however, minimum residual stresses were achieved for grid unit cell scaffolds fabricated using PA12 material. Future studies will include the experimental validation of numerical simulation results and the biomechanical performance of 3D-printed polymeric scaffolds.
PCL and DMSO2 Composites for Bio-Scaffold Materials
Authors: Jang Jae-Won , Min Kyung-Eun , Kim Cheolhee , Wern Chien , Yi Sung
Published: March 2023

Polycaprolactone (PCL) has been one of the most popular biomaterials in tissue engineering due to its relatively low melting temperature, excellent thermal stability, and cost-effectiveness. However, its low cell attraction, low elastic modulus, and long-term degradation time have limited its application in a wide range of scaffold studies. Dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2) is a stable and non-hazardous organosulfur compound with low viscosity and high surface tension. PCL and DMSO2 composites may overcome the limitations of PCL as a biomaterial and tailor the properties of biocomposites. In this study, PCL and DMSO2 composites were investigated as a new bio-scaffold material to increase hydrophilicity and mechanical properties and tailor degradation properties in vitro. PCL and DMSO2 were physically mixed with 10, 20, and 30 wt% of DMSO2 to evaluate thermal, hydrophilicity, mechanical, and degradation properties of the composites. The water contact angle of the composites for hydrophilicity decreased by 15.5% compared to pure PCL. The experimental results showed that the mechanical and degradation properties of PCL and DMSO2 were better than those of pure PCL, and the properties can be tuned by regulating DMSO2 concentration in the PCL matrix. The elastic modulus of the composite with 30 wt% of DMSO2 showed 532 MPa, and its degradation time was 18 times faster than that of PCL.
Radio Wave-Activated Chemotherapy—A Novel Nanoparticle Thermoresponsive Copolymer Drug Delivery Platform
Authors: White Benjamin D. , Townley Helen E.
Published: March 2023

Radio waves are highly penetrating, non-ionizing, and cause minimal damage to surrounding tissues. Radio wave control of drug release has been achieved using a novel thermoresponsive copolymer bound to a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) core. A NIPAM-acrylamide-methacrolein copolymer underwent a coil-to-globular structure phase change upon reaching a critical temperature above the human body temperature but below hyperthermic temperatures. The copolymer was covalently bound to SPIONs which increase in temperature upon exposure to radio waves. This effect could be controlled by varying input energies and frequencies. For controlled drug release, proteins were bound via aldehyde groups on the copolymer and amine groups on the protein. The radio wave-induced heating of the complex thereby released the drug-bearing proteins. The fine-tuning of the radio wave exposure allowed multiple cycles of protein-drug release. The fluorescent tagging of the complex by FITC was also achieved in situ, allowing the tagging of the complex. The localization of the complex could also be achieved in vitro under a permanent magnetic field.
Effect of Supergravity Field on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Highly Conductive Cu Alloys
Authors: Wang Lu , Lan Xi , Wang Zhe , Guo Zhancheng
Published: March 2023

In consideration of the characteristics of supergravity to strengthen solidification structures, the effect of the supergravity field (SGF) on the grain refinement and mechanical properties of Cu-0.5Sn alloys was investigated in this paper. Firstly, it was experimentally verified that the addition of Sn could effectively refine the grain. Subsequently, the variations in grain size, tensile strength, and plasticity of the Cu-0.5Sn alloy were compared in normal and SGF conditions. The results revealed that the tensile strength and plasticity of the alloy increased with the increase in gravity coefficient. The ultimate tensile strength of the Cu-0.5Sn alloy in a normal gravity field was 145.2 MPa, while it was 160.2, 165.3, 167.9, and 182.0 MPa in an SGF with G = 100, 300, 500, and 1000, respectively, and there was almost no effect on conductivity. Finally, it was clarified that the mechanism of grain refinement by SGF was that the intense convection caused the fracture of the dendrites to become new nucleating particles. The increased viscosity under SGF hindered the diffusion of atoms in the melt and slowed down the movement of atoms toward the nucleus, leading to a decrease in grain size.
Performance Assessment of Self-Healing Polymer-Modified Bitumens by Evaluating the Suitability of Current Failure Definition, Failure Criterion, and Fatigue-Restoration Criteria
Authors: Lv Songtao , Ge Dongdong , Wang Ziyang , Wang Jinping , Liu Jing , Ju Zihao , Peng Xinghai , Fan Xiyan , Cao Shihao , Liu Dingyuan , Zhang Wenhui , Borges Cabrera Milkos
Published: March 2023

Fatigue cracking is a common form of flexible pavement distress, which generally starts and spreads through bitumen. To address this issue, self-healing elastomer (SHE) modified bitumens were elaborated to assess whether these novel materials can overcome the neat asphalt (NA) fatigue performance and whether the current failure definition, failure criterion, and fatigue-restoration criteria can fit their performance. All bitumens were subjected to short-term and long-term aging. Linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test, LAS with rest period (LASH), and simplified viscoelastic-continuum-damage (S-VECD) model were utilized to appraise the behavior of the mentioned bitumens. The results showed that maximum stored pseudo-strain energy (PSE) and tau (τ) × N (number of loading cycles) failure definitions exhibited high efficiency to accommodate the fatigue life of NA and SHE-modified bitumens. Both failure criteria identified that SHE-modified bitumen (containing 1% of SHE) showed the highest increment of fatigue performance (67.1%) concerning NA. The failure criterion based on total released PSE, in terms of the area under the released PSE curve, was the only failure concept with high efficiency (R2 up to 0.999) to predict asphalt binder fatigue life. As well, the current framework to evaluate bitumen self-restoration failed to fully accommodate asphalt binder behavior, because bitumen with higher restoration could not exhibit greater fatigue performance. Consequently, a new procedure to assess this property including fatigue behavior was proposed, showing consistent results, and confirming that SHE-modified bitumen (containing 1% of SHE) exhibited the highest increment of fatigue performance (154.02%) after application of the rest period. Hence, the optimum SHE content in NA was 1%. Furthermore, it was found that a greater number of loading cycles to failure (Nf) did not ensure better fatigue performance and stored PSE influenced the bitumen fatigue behavior.
Effects of Melt Hydrogenation on the Microstructure Evolution and Hot Deformation Behavior of TiBw/Ti-6Al-4V Composites
Authors: Yan Hui , Wang Liang , Wang Xiaoming , Jiang Botao , Liu Hongcan , Wang Binbin , Luo Liangshun , Su Yanqing , Guo Jingjie , Fu Hengzhi
Published: March 2023

In this study, Ti-6Al-4V matrix composites reinforced with TiB ceramic whiskers were in situ synthesized and hydrogenated using the melt hydrogenation technique (MHT). The effects of MHT on the microstructure evolution and hot compression behavior of the composites were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Hot compression tests were performed at strain rates of 0.1/s, 0.01/s, and 0.001/s and temperatures of 800 °C, 850 °C, and 900 °C; the hot workability of composites significantly improved after hydrogenation, for example, the 900 °C peak flow stress of hydrogenated composites (43 MPa) decreased by 53.76% compared with that of unhydrogenated ones (93 MPa) at a strain rate of 0.01/s. Microstructural observations show that MHT can effectively facilitate the dispersion of TiB whiskers and induce the α/β lath refinement of the matrix in our as-cast hydrogenated composite. During hot compression, MHT effectively promoted the as-cast composite microstructure refinement, accelerated the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) generation, and reduced the stress concentration at the interface between the reinforcement and matrix; in turn, the hydrogenated composites presented low peak stress during hot compression.
Effect of Electrode Induction Melting Gas Atomization on Powder Quality: Satellite Formation Mechanism and Pressure
Authors: Wu Jialun , Xia Min , Wang Junfeng , Zhao Bo , Ge Changchun
Published: March 2023

Electrode induction melting gas atomization (EIGA) is a wildly applied method for preparing ultra-clean and spherical metal powders, which is a completely crucible-free melting and atomization process. Based on several experiments, we found that although the sphericity of metal powders prepared by EIGA was higher than that of other atomization methods, there were still some satellite powders. To understand the formation mechanism of the satellite, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach FLUENT and a discrete particle model (DPM) were developed to simulate the gas atomization process, and several EIGA experiments with different argon pressures (2.5–4.0 MPa) were designed. A numerical simulation of the gas-flow field verified the formation trajectory of satellites, and the Hall flow rate of the powder produced under different pressures was 13.3, 13.8, 15.6, and 16.8, which were consistent with the prediction of the numerical simulation. This study provides theoretical support for understanding the satellite formation mechanism and improving powder sphericity in the EIGA process.
Brillouin Scattering Study of Ferroelectric Instability of Calcium–Strontium–Barium Niobate Single Crystals
Authors: Kojima Seiji , Aftabuzzaman Md , Dec Jan , Kleemann Wolfgang
Published: March 2023

Uniaxial ferroelectrics with tetragonal tungsten bronze structure are important functional materials with photorefractive, electrooptic, piezoelectric, and pyroelectric properties. SrxBa1−xNb2O6 (SBN100x) with x > 50 is known as a typical uniaxial relaxor ferroelectric, while CaxBa1−xNb2O6 (CBN100x) undergoes nearly normal ferroelectric phase transitions. Single crystals of CSBN100x = [x(CBN28) + (1 − x) (SBN61)] = xCa0.28Ba0.72Nb2O6 + (1 − x) Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6 with nominal x = 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 were studied to clarify the dynamical properties at the crossover from relaxor (x = 0) to normal (x = 1) ferroelectric behavior. The longitudinal acoustic (LA) and transverse acoustic (TA) modes and a central peak (CP) related to the relaxation process of polarization fluctuations along the polar c-axis were studied in uniaxial ferroelectric CSBN single crystals as a function of temperature via Brillouin scattering spectroscopy. A CBN28 (x = 1.00) crystal shows the sharp elastic anomaly of the LA mode in the gigahertz range toward Curie temperature, Tc. However, those of CSBN25 (x = 0.25) and SBN61 (x = 0.00) crystals show diffusive anomalies due to stronger random fields. The relaxation time determined from the width of a CP shows a critical slowing down in the vicinity of Tc. The elastic anomaly and slowing down of relaxation time of CSBN100x crystals become diffusive in the vicinity of Tc as the CBN28 content decreases. The origin of the crossover from relaxor to normal ferroelectric phase transitions is discussed in terms of the difference in the A1 and A2 sites’ occupancies.
Tinnitus Prevalence in the Adult Population—Results from the Gutenberg Health Study
Authors: Hackenberg Berit , O’Brien Karoline , Döge Julia , Lackner Karl J. , Beutel Manfred E. , Münzel Thomas , Pfeiffer Norbert , Schulz Andreas , Schmidtmann Irene , Wild Philipp S. , Matthias Christoph , Bahr-Hamm Katharina
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives: Tinnitus is a common symptom in medical practice, although data on its prevalence vary. As the underlying pathophysiological mechanism is still not fully understood, hearing loss is thought to be an important risk factor for the occurrence of tinnitus. The aim of this study was to assess tinnitus prevalence in a large German cohort and to determine its dependence on hearing impairment. Materials and Methods: The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study and representative for the population of Mainz and its district. Participants were asked whether they suffer from tinnitus and how much they are burdened by it. Extensive audiological examinations using bone- and air-conduction were also performed. Results: 4942 participants (mean age: 61.0, 2550 men and 2392 women) were included in the study. The overall prevalence of tinnitus was 26.1%. Men were affected significantly more often than women. The prevalence of tinnitus increased with age, peaking at ages 75 to 79 years. Considering only annoying tinnitus, the prevalence was 9.8%. Logistic regression showed that participants with severe to complete hearing loss (>65 dB) were more likely to have tinnitus. Conclusions: Tinnitus is a common symptom, and given demographic changes, its prevalence is expected to increase.
Anatomical Variations of the External Jugular Vein: A Pictorial and Critical Review
Authors: Rusu Mugurel Constantin , Tudose Răzvan Costin , Vrapciu Alexandra Diana , Toader Corneliu , Popescu Şerban Arghir
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: The external jugular vein (EJV) descends on the sternocleidomastoid muscle to drain deep into the subclavian vein. Anatomical variations of the EJV are relevant for identification of the greater auricular nerve, flap design and preparation, or EJV cannulation. (2) Methods: Different publications were comprehensively reviewed. Dissections and three-dimensional volume renderings of peculiar cases were used to sample the review. (3) Results: Different anatomical possibilities of the EJV were critically reviewed and documented: fenestrations and double fenestrations, true or false duplications, triplication, absence, aberrant origin or course, or bifurcation. Tributaries of the EJV, such as the facial and posterior external jugular veins, are discussed. The internal jugular vein termination of the EJV is also presented. (4) Conclusions: Care should be taken when different morphological features of the EJV are encountered or reported.
Comparison of Characteristics and Outcomes of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, Kawasaki Disease and Toxic Shock Syndrome in Children
Authors: Klavina Lizete , Smane Liene , Kivite-Urtane Anda , Vasilevska Lauma , Davidsone Zane , Smitins Emils , Gardovska Dace , Lubaua Inguna , Roge Ieva , Pucuka Zanda , Meiere Anija , Pavare Jana
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives: Since the first cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in April 2020, the diagnostic challenge has been to recognize this syndrome and to differentiate it from other clinically similar pathologies such as Kawasaki disease (KD) and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Our objective is to compare clinical signs, laboratory data and instrumental investigations between patients with MIS-C, KD and TSS. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Latvia (CCUH). We collected data from all pediatric patients <18 years of age, who met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case definition for MIS-C, and who presented to CCUH between December 2020 and December 2021. We also retrospectively reviewed data from inpatient medical records of patients <18 years of age diagnosed as having KD and TSS at CCUH between December 2015 and December 2021. Results: In total, 81 patients were included in this study: 39 (48.1%) with KD, 29 (35.8%) with MIS-C and 13 (16.1%) with TSS. In comparison with TSS and KD, patients with MIS-C more often presented with gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain (p < 0.001), diarrhea (p = 0.003)), shortness of breath (p < 0.02) and headache (p < 0.003). All MIS-C patients had cardiovascular involvement and 93.1% of MIS-C patients fulfilled KD criteria, showing higher prevalence than in other research. Patients with KD had higher prevalence of cervical lymphadenopathy (p < 0.006) and arthralgias (p < 0.001). In comparison with KD and TSS, MIS-C patients had higher levels of ferritin (p < 0.001), fibrinogen (p = 0.04) and cardiac biomarkers, but lower levels of platelets and lymphocytes (p < 0.001). KD patients tended to have lower peak C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001), but higher levels of platelets. Acute kidney injury was more often observed in TSS patients (p = 0.01). Pathological changes in electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography were significantly more often observed in MIS-C patients (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This research shows that MIS-C, KD and TSS have several clinical similarities and additional investigations are required for reaching final diagnosis. All the patients with suspected MIS-C diagnosis should be examined for possible cardiovascular involvement including cardiac biomarkers, ECG and echocardiography.
Editorial for the Special Issue on Droplet-Based Microfluidics: Design, Fabrication, and Applications
Authors: Zhu Pingan
Published: March 2023

Microfluidics is a rapidly growing field of research that involves the manipulation and analysis of fluids in small-scale channels, usually with dimensions ranging from sub-micrometer to sub-millimeter [...]
HIV Tat Expression and Cocaine Exposure Lead to Sex- and Age-Specific Changes of the Microbiota Composition in the Gut
Authors: Li Lu , Zhao Xiaojie , He Johnny J.
Published: March 2023

The balance of microbial communities in the gut is extremely important for normal physiological function. Disruption of the balance is often associated with various disorders and diseases. Both HIV infection and cocaine use are known to change the gut microbiota and the epithelial barrier integrity, which contribute to inflammation and immune activation. Our recent study shows that Tat expression and cocaine exposure result in changes of genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression and lead to worsen the learning and memory impairments. In the current study, we extended the study to determine effects of Tat and cocaine on the gut microbiota composition. We found that both Tat expression and cocaine exposure increased Alteromonadaceae in 6-month-old female/male mice. In addition, we found that Tat, cocaine, or both increased Alteromonadaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Cyanobiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Muribaculaceae but decreased Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group, Desulfovibrionaceae, Helicobacteraceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae in 12-month-old female mice. Lastly, we analyzed changes of metabolic pathways and found that Tat decreased energy metabolism and nucleotide metabolism, and increased lipid metabolism and metabolism of other amino acids while cocaine increased lipid metabolism in 12-month-old female mice. These results demonstrated that Tat expression and cocaine exposure resulted in significant changes of the gut microbiota in an age- and sex-dependent manner and provide additional evidence to support the bidirectional gut–brain axis hypothesis.
Graphene@Curcumin-Copper Paintable Coatings for the Prevention of Nosocomial Microbial Infection
Authors: Oves Mohammad , Ansari Mohammad Omaish , Ansari Mohammad Shahnawaze , Memić Adnan
Published: March 2023

The rise of antimicrobial resistance has brought into focus the urgent need for the next generation of antimicrobial coating. Specifically, the coating of suitable antimicrobial nanomaterials on contact surfaces seems to be an effective method for the disinfection/contact killing of microorganisms. In this study, the antimicrobial coatings of graphene@curcumin-copper (GN@CR-Cu) were prepared using a chemical synthesis methodology. Thus, the prepared GN@CR-Cu slurry was successfully coated on different contact surfaces, and subsequently, the GO in the composite was reduced to graphene (GN) by low-temperature heating/sunlight exposure. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the coated GN@CR-Cu for the coating properties, X-ray photon scattering were used for structural characterization and material confirmation. From the morphological analysis, it was seen that CR and Cu were uniformly distributed throughout the GN network. The nanocomposite coating showed antimicrobial properties by contact-killing mechanisms, which was confirmed by zone inhibition and scanning electron microscopy. The materials showed maximum antibacterial activity against E. coli (24 ± 0.50 mm) followed by P. aeruginosa (18 ± 0.25 mm) at 25 µg/mL spot inoculation on the solid media plate, and a similar trend was observed in the minimum inhibition concentration (80 µg/mL) and bactericidal concentration (160 µg/mL) in liquid media. The synthesized materials showed excellent activity against E. coli and P. aeruginosa. These materials, when coated on different contact surfaces such medical devices, might significantly reduce the risk of nosocomial infection.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Di- and Trisubstituted Hydroxylamines
Authors: Hill Jarvis , Beckler Thomas D. , Crich David
Published: March 2023

As an underrepresented functional group in bioorganic and medicinal chemistry, the hydroxylamine unit has historically received little attention from the synthetic community. Recent developments, however, suggest that hydroxylamines may have broader applications such that a review covering recent developments in the synthesis of this functional group is timely. With this in mind, this review primarily covers developments in the past 15 years in the preparation of di- and trisubstituted hydroxylamines. The mechanism of the reactions and key features and shortcomings are discussed throughout the review.
Chiral Phosphine Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation of Benzylidene Succinimides with Morita–Baylis–Hillman Carbonates
Authors: Liu Chang , Sun Jianwei , Li Pengfei
Published: March 2023

Owing to their unique chemical properties, α-alkylidene succinimides generally act as versatile synthons in organic synthesis. Compared with well-established annulations, nucleophilic alkylations of α-alkylidene succinimides are very limited. Accordingly, an organocatalytic allylic alkylation of α-benzylidene succinimides with Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) carbonates was established. In the presence of a chiral phosphine catalyst, α-benzylidene succinimides reacted smoothly with MBH carbonates under mild conditions to furnish a series of optical active succinimides in high yields and enantioselectivities. Different from the reported results, the organocatalytic enantioselective construction of pyrrolidine-2,5-dione frameworks bearing contiguous chiral tertiary carbon centers was achieved via this synthetic strategy. Scaling up the reaction indicated that it is a practical strategy for the organocatalytic enantioselective alkylation of α-alkylidene succinimides. A possible reaction mechanism was also proposed.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anaemia among Orang Asli Children in Malaysia: A Scoping Review
Authors: Khalil Muhamad Khairul Nazrin , Abd Razak Mohamad Aznuddin , Tahir Fatin Athirah , Sahril Norhafizah , Shahein Nik Adilah , Rezali Muhammad Solihin , Adnan Muhammad Azri Adam , Liew Siaw Hun , Ab Wahab Nor’ain , Shamsuddin Norliza , Kassim Mohd Shaiful Azlan
Published: March 2023

Background: Anaemia continues to be a global public health burden affecting all age groups, particularly children. Indigenous people, including the Orang Asli (OA) population in Malaysia, are at risk of anaemia due to the vast disparities in social determinants of health in their population compared to the non-indigenous population. Objectives: This review aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia among OA children in Malaysia and analyse the knowledge gaps. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. This review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Results: This review identified six studies involving the participation of OA children from eight subtribes residing in Peninsular Malaysia. The overall prevalence of anaemia among OA children ranged from 21.6 to 80.0%, with iron deficiency anaemia prevalence at 34.0%. The risk factors of anaemia among OA children reported from one study in this review were being younger than ten years old children (AOR 2.11 (95% CI 1.23, 3.63)) and moderate to heavy Ascaris infections (AOR 2.05 (95% CI 1.12, 3.76)). There was no data from OA children from certain age groups and subtribes. Additionally, there is a paucity of data on risk factors for anaemia among OA children from the currently available evidence. Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia among OA children poses a moderate to severe public health concern. Therefore, more comprehensive studies in the future are needed to address the gaps identified in this review, primarily regarding anaemia risk factors. This data would encourage policymakers in devising effective national prevention strategies to improve morbidity and mortality among OA children in the future.
Supplementation with Flaxseed Oil Rich in Alpha-Linolenic Acid Improves Verbal Fluency in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Ogawa Toshimi , Sawane Kento , Ookoshi Kouta , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: March 2023

The effects of docosahexaenoic acid supplements on cognitive function have long been demonstrated, but the effects of alpha-linolenic acid, a precursor of docosahexaenoic acid, have not been fully tested. The search for functional foods that delay cognitive decline in the older adults is considered a very important area from a preventive perspective. The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory evaluation of alpha-linolenic acid on various cognitive functions in healthy older subjects. Sixty healthy older adults aged 65 to 80 years, living in Miyagi prefecture, without cognitive impairment or depression, were included in the randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Study subjects were randomly divided into two groups and received either 3.7 g/day of flaxseed oil containing 2.2 g of alpha-linolenic acid, or an isocaloric placebo (corn oil) containing 0.04 g of alpha-linolenic acid for 12 weeks. The primary endpoints were six cognitive functions closely related to everyday life: attention and concentration, executive function, perceptual reasoning, working memory, processing speed and memory function. After 12 weeks of intake, changes in verbal fluency scores on the frontal assessment battery at bedside, a neuropsychological test assessing executive function, in which participants are asked to answer as many words as possible in Japanese, were significantly greater in the intervention group (0.30 ± 0.53) than in the control group (0.03 ± 0.49, p < 0.05). All other cognitive test scores were not significantly different between the groups. In conclusion, daily consumption of flaxseed oil containing 2.2 g alpha-linolenic acid improved cognitive function, specifically verbal fluency, despite the age-related decline, in healthy individuals with no cognitive abnormalities. Further validation studies focusing on the effects of alpha-linolenic acid on verbal fluency and executive function in older adults are needed, as verbal fluency is a predictor of Alzheimer’s disease development, important for cognitive health.
Comparison of Feeding Practices and Growth of Urbanized African Infants Aged 6–12 Months Old by Maternal HIV Status in Gauteng Province, South Africa
Authors: Tshiambara Phumudzo , Hoffman Marinel , Legodi Heather , Botha Tanita , Mulol Helen , Pisa Pedro , Feucht Ute
Published: March 2023

Appropriate feeding practices are protective against malnutrition and poor growth. We compared feeding practices and growth in HIV-exposed-uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed-uninfected (HUU) between 6-12 months of age in urbanized African infants in South Africa. A repeated cross-sectional analysis was used to determine differences in infant feeding practices and anthropometric measures by HIV exposure status at 6, 9, and 12 months in the Siyakhula study. The study included 181 infants (86 HEU; 95 HUU). Breastfeeding rates were lower in HEU vs. HUU infants at 9 (35.6% vs. 57.3%; p = 0.013) and 12 months (24.7% vs. 48.0%; p = 0.005). Introduction to early complementary foods was common (HEU = 16.2 ± 11.0 vs. HUU = 12.8 ± 9.3 weeks; p = 0.118). Lower weight-for-age Z-scores (WAZ) and head circumference-for-age Z-scores (HCZ) were found in HEU infants at birth. At 6 months, WAZ, length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ), HCZ, and mid-upper-arm circumference-for-age Z-scores (MUACAZ) were lower in HEU vs. HUU infants. At 9 months, lower WAZ, LAZ, and MUACAZ were found in HEU vs. HUU infants. At 12 months, lower WAZ, MUACAZ, and weight-for-length Z-scores (−0.2 ± 1.2 vs. 0.2 ± 1.2; p = 0.020) were observed. HEU infants had lower rates of breastfeeding and poorer growth compared to HUU infants. Maternal HIV exposure affects the feeding practices and growth of infants.
Body Composition, Energy Availability, Risk of Eating Disorder, and Sport Nutrition Knowledge in Young Athletes
Authors: Magee Meghan K. , Jones Margaret T. , Fields Jennifer B. , Kresta Julie , Khurelbaatar Chinguun , Dodge Christopher , Merfeld Brandon , Ambrosius Abby , Carpenter Makenna , Jagim Andrew R.
Published: March 2023

Young athletes may be at risk for low energy availability (LEA) or dietary habits that are indicative of eating disorders. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of LEA among high school athletes and examine those at risk for eating disorders. A secondary aim was to examine relationships between sport nutrition knowledge, body composition, and LEA. Methods: 94 male (n = 42) and female (n = 52) mean ± SD age: 18.09 ± 2.44 y; height: 172.6 ± 9.8 cm; body mass: 68.7 ± 14.5 kg; BMI: 22.91 ± 3.3 kg·m−2) athletes completed a body composition assessment and electronic versions of the abridged sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire (ASNK-Q), brief eating disorder in athletes questionnaire (BEDA-Q), and the low energy availability for females questionnaire (LEAF-Q; females only). Results: 52.1% of female athletes were classified as being at risk for LEA. Moderate inverse relationships existed for computed LEAF-Q scores and BMI (r = −0.394; p < 0.01). A total of 42.9% of males (n = 18) and 68.6% of females (n = 35) were at risk for eating disorders, with females being at greater risk (p < 0.01). Body fat percentage was a predictor (β = −0.095; p = −0.01) for eating disorder risk status. For every 1 unit increase in body fat percentage, athletes were 0.909 (95% CI: 0.845–0.977) times less likely to be classified as at risk for an eating disorder. Male (46.5 ± 13.9) and female (46.9 ± 11.4) athletes scored poorly on the ASNK-Q, with no differences between sex (p = 0.895). Conclusions: Female athletes were at a greater risk for eating disorders. No relationships existed between sport nutrition knowledge and %BF. Female athletes with a higher %BF had a lower risk for an eating disorder and risk for LEA.
Prevalence of Four Sarcopenia Criteria in Older Patients with Cancer, and Their Predictive Value for 6-Month Mortality: The NutriAgeCancer National Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Martinez-Tapia Claudia , Rougette Kevin , Fossey-Diaz Virginie , Cudennec Tristan , Taleb Cherifa , Balardy Laurent , Mertens Cécile , Mitha Nathalie , Bringuier Michael , Maley Karin , Estivin Sandrine , Quipourt Valérie , Canoui-Poitrine Florence , Baldini Capucine , Poisson Johanne , Paillaud Elena
Published: March 2023

Older cancer patients have an elevated risk of sarcopenia. The aim was to estimate the prevalence of four criteria for sarcopenia case finding, assessment, diagnosis, and severity determination: abnormal strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls (SARC-F), low hand-grip strength (HGS), low arm circumference (AC, a muscle mass proxy), and low physical performance (PP). Sarcopenia (low HGS and AC) and severe sarcopenia (low HGS, AC, and PP) and their predictive values for 6-month mortality were estimated in the whole population and by metastatic status. We analyzed data from the NutriAgeCancer French nationwide study of cancer patients aged ≥70 referred for geriatric assessment before anti-cancer treatment. We performed Cox proportional hazards analysis for each criterion separately and all criteria combined. Overall, 781 patients from 41 geriatric oncology clinics were included (mean age: 83.1; females: 53%; main cancer types: digestive (29%) and breast (17%); metastases: 42%). The prevalence of abnormal SARC-F, low HGS, a low AC, low PP, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia were, respectively, 35.5%, 44.6%, 44.7%, 35.2%, 24.5%, and 11.7%. An abnormal SARC-F and/or low HGS, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia were associated with 6-month mortality in patients with metastases (adjusted hazard ratios [95% confidence interval]: 2.72 [1.34–5.49], 3.16 [1.48–6.75] and 6.41 [2.5–16.5], respectively). Sarcopenia was strongly predictive of 6-month mortality in patients with metastatic cancer.
Nutritional and Lifestyle Behaviors Reported Following One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Based on a Multicenter Study
Authors: Sherf-Dagan Shiri , Biton Reut , Ribeiro Rui , Kessler Yafit , Raziel Asnat , Rossoni Carina , Kais Hasan , Bragança Rossela , Santos Zélia , Goitein David , Viveiros Octávio , Graham Yitka , Mahawar Kamal , Sakran Nasser , Ben-Porat Tair
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to describe nutritional and lifestyle parameters following one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). A multicenter study among OAGB patients across Israel (n = 277) and Portugal (n = 111) was performed. Patients were approached according to the time elapsed since surgery. An online survey with information regarding demographics, anthropometrics, and nutritional and lifestyle aspects was administered in both countries simultaneously. Respondents from Israel (pre-surgery age of 41.6 ± 11.0 years, 75.8% females) and Portugal (pre-surgery age of 45.6 ± 12.3 years, 79.3% females) reported changes in their appetite (≤94.0% and ≤94.6%), changes in their taste (≤51.0 and ≤51.4%), and intolerance to specific foods (i.e., red meat, pasta, bread, and rice). Bariatric surgery-related eating recommendations were generally followed well, but a trend toward lower adherence was evident in groups with longer time elapsed since surgery in both countries. Most respondents from Israel and Portugal reported participation in follow-up meetings with a surgeon (≤94.0% and 100%) and a dietitian (≤92.6% and ≤100%), while far fewer reported participation in any follow-up meeting with a psychologist/social worker (≤37.9% and ≤56.1%). Patients following OAGB might experience changes in appetite, taste, and intolerance to specific foods. Adherence to bariatric surgery-related eating recommendations is not always satisfying, especially in the longer term post-surgery.
Conjugation of Short Oligopeptides to a Second-Generation Polyamidoamine Dendrimer Shows Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Kang Namyoung , Thuy Le Thi , Dongquoc Viet , Choi Joon Sig
Published: March 2023

The growing evolution of bacterial resistance to antibiotics represents a global issue that not only impacts healthcare systems but also political and economic processes. This necessitates the development of novel antibacterial agents. Antimicrobial peptides have shown promise in this regard. Thus, in this study, a new functional polymer was synthesized by joining a short oligopeptide sequence (Phe-Lys-Phe-Leu, FKFL) to the surface of a second-generation polyamidoamine (G2 PAMAM) dendrimer as an antibacterial component. This method of synthesis proved simple and resulted in a high conjugation yield of the product FKFL-G2. To determine its antibacterial potential, FKFL-G2 was subsequently analyzed via mass spectrometry, a cytotoxicity assay, bacterial growth assay, colony-forming unit assay, membrane permeabilization assay, transmission electron microscopy, and biofilm formation assay. FKFL-G2 was found to exhibit low toxicity to noncancerous NIH3T3 cells. Additionally, FKFL-G2 had an antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains by interacting with and disrupting the bacterial cell membrane. Based on these findings, FKFL-G2 shows promise as a potential antibacterial agent.