bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insights from Dikes for Multistage Granitic Magmatism in the Huayangchuan Uranium Polymetallic Deposit, Qinling Orogen
Authors: Wang Wenyi , Tan Shuang , Wan Jianjun , Hu Xuelian , Peng Haoyang , Liu Chengdong
Published: February 2024

The Huayangchuan U-polymetallic deposit in the Qinling Orogen is a newly verified carbonatite-hosted deposit on the southern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) in Central China. Granitic magmatism is extensively developed in the Huayangchuan deposit area and is lacking analysis on the reasons for these situations; however, its ages, petrogenesis, and relationship with uranium mineralization are not well constrained. Zircon U–Pb ages for the hornblende-bearing granite porphyry and medium-fine-grained biotite granites in close proximity to carbonatite rocks are 229.8 ± 1.1 and 135.3 ± 0.6 Ma, respectively. High-K calc-alkaline series and weakly peraluminous Triassic hornblende-bearing granite porphyry are slightly enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE) with flat heavy rare earth element (HREE) patterns, enriched in Ba and Sr, and depleted in Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, i.e., geochemical characteristics similar to those of adakite-like rocks. The Early Cretaceous medium-fine-grained biotite granites are characterized by LREE enrichment and flat HREE patterns, which belong to high-K calc-alkaline series, and metaluminous belong to weakly peraluminous I-type granite, with U and large ion lithophile element (LILE) enrichment and high field strength element depletion. The high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios and enriched Nd (εNd(t) = −10.7 to −9.5 and −19.9 to −18.9, respectively) and Hf (εHf(t) = −21.8 to −13.0 and −30.5 to −19.0, respectively) isotopes revealed that both granitic rocks from the Huayangchuan deposit mainly originated from lower crustal materials, generated by partial melting of the ancient basement materials of the Taihua Group. Triassic hornblende-bearing granite porphyry is significantly different from the mantle origin of the contemporaneous U-mineralization carbonatite. In combination with tectonic evolution, we argue that the Qinling Orogenic Belt was affected by the subduction of the North Mianlian Ocean during the Late Triassic. The ongoing northward subduction of the Yangtze Craton resulted in crustal thickening, forming large-scale Indosinian carbonatites, U-polymetallic mineralization, and contemporaneous intermediate-acid magmatism. Additionally, due to the tectonic system transformation caused by Paleo-Pacific Plate subduction, intracontinental lithosphere extension and lithospheric thinning occurred along the southern NCC margin in the Early Cretaceous. Intense magma underplating of the post-orogeny created a large number of magmatic rocks. The tremendous heat could have provided a thermal source and dynamic mechanism for the Yanshanian large-scale U-polymetallic mineralization events.
Incorporation of Aramids into Polybenzimidazoles to Achieve Ultra-High Thermoresistance and Toughening Effects
Authors: Zhong Xianzhu , Nag Aniruddha , Takada Kenji , Nakajima Akinori , Kaneko Tatsuo
Published: February 2024

Polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) are recognized for their remarkable thermal stability due to their unique molecular structure, which is characterized by aromaticity and rigidity. Despite their remarkable thermal attributes, their tensile properties limit their application. To improve the mechanical performance of PBIs, we made a vital modification to their molecular backbone to improve their structural flexibility. Non-π-conjugated components were introduced into PBIs by grafting meta-polyamide (MA) and para-polyamide (PA) onto PBI backbones to form the copolymers PBI-co-MA and PBI-co-PA. The results indicated that the cooperation between MA and PA significantly enhanced mechanical strain and overall toughness. Furthermore, the appropriate incorporation of aromatic polyamide components (20 mol% for MA and 15% for PA) improved thermal degradation temperatures by more than 30 °C. By investigating the copolymerization of PBIs with MA and PA, we unraveled the intricate relationships between composition, molecular structure, and material performance. These findings advance copolymer design strategies and deepen the understanding of polymer materials, offering tailored solutions that address thermal and mechanical demands across applications.
Comprehensive Analysis of 11 Species of Euodia (Rutaceae) by Untargeted LC-IT-TOF/MS Metabolomics and In Vitro Functional Methods
Authors: Yong Xuhong , Wang Bi , Wang Mengdi , Lyu Hui , Yin Min , Jin Tong , Feng Xu , Shan Yu , Liang Yan , Wang Qizhi
Published: February 2024

The Euodia genus comprises numerous untapped medicinal plants that warrant thorough evaluation for their potential as valuable natural sources of herbal medicine or food flavorings. In this study, untargeted metabolomics and in vitro functional methods were employed to analyze fruit extracts from 11 significant species of the Euodia genus. An investigation of the distribution of metabolites (quinolone and indole quinazoline alkaloids) in these species indicated that E. rutaecarpa (Euodia rutaecarpa) was the most widely distributed species, followed by E. compacta (Euodia compacta), E. glabrifolia (Euodia glabrifolia), E. austrosinensis (Euodia austrosinensis), and E. fargesii (Euodia fargesii). There have been reports on the close correlation between indole quinazoline alkaloids and their anti-tumor activity, especially in E. rutaecarpa fruits which exhibit effectiveness against various types of cancer, such as SGC-7901, Hela, A549, and other cancer cell lines. Additionally, the E. rutaecarpa plant contains indole quinazoline alkaloids, which possess remarkable antibacterial properties. Our results offer novel insights into the utilization of Euodia resources in the pharmaceutical industry.
Rapid Detection of the Anti-Tumor Drug Etoposide in Biological Samples by Using a Nanoporous-Gold-Based Electrochemical Sensor
Authors: Yu Huiyuan , Hu Mengjie , Wang Xiaolei , Wang Xia , Xun Luying , Liu Honglei
Published: February 2024

Monitoring etoposide is important due to its wide usage in anti-tumor therapy; however, the commonly used HPLC method is expensive and often requires complicated extraction and detection procedures. Electrochemical analysis has great application prospects because of its rapid response and high specificity, sensitivity, and efficiency with low cost and high convenience. In this study, we constructed a nanoporous gold (NPG)-modified GCE for the detection of etoposide. The electrochemical oxidation of etoposide by NPG caused a sensitive current peak at +0.27 V with good reproductivity in 50 mM of phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The relationship between etoposide concentration and peak current was linear in the range between 0.1 and 20 μM and between 20 and 150 μM, with a detection sensitivity of 681.8 μA mM−1 cm−2 and 197.2 μA mM−1 cm−2, respectively, and a limit of detection (LOD) reaching 20 nM. The electrode had a good anti-interference ability to several common anions and cations. Spiked recovery tests in serum, urine, and fermentation broth verified the excellent performance of the sensor in terms of sensitivity, reproducibility, and specificity. This may provide a promising tool for the detection of etoposide in biological samples.
Siamese Networks for Clinically Relevant Bacteria Classification Based on Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Contreras Jhonatan , Mostafapour Sara , Popp Jürgen , Bocklitz Thomas
Published: February 2024

Identifying bacterial strains is essential in microbiology for various practical applications, such as disease diagnosis and quality monitoring of food and water. Classical machine learning algorithms have been utilized to identify bacteria based on their Raman spectra. However, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) offer higher classification accuracy, but they require extensive training sets and retraining of previous untrained class targets can be costly and time-consuming. Siamese networks have emerged as a promising solution. They are composed of two CNNs with the same structure and a final network that acts as a distance metric, converting the classification problem into a similarity problem. Classical machine learning approaches, shallow and deep CNNs, and two Siamese network variants were tailored and tested on Raman spectral datasets of bacteria. The methods were evaluated based on mean sensitivity, training time, prediction time, and the number of parameters. In this comparison, Siamese-model2 achieved the highest mean sensitivity of 83.61 ± 4.73 and demonstrated remarkable performance in handling unbalanced and limited data scenarios, achieving a prediction accuracy of 73%. Therefore, the choice of model depends on the specific trade-off between accuracy, (prediction/training) time, and resources for the particular application. Classical machine learning models and shallow CNN models may be more suitable if time and computational resources are a concern. Siamese networks are a good choice for small datasets and CNN for extensive data.
Edgeworthia gardneri (Wall.) Meisn. Ethanolic Extract Attenuates Endothelial Activation and Alleviates Cardiac Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Lang Xiaoya , Zhong Chao , Su Lingqing , Qin Manman , Xie Yanfei , Shan Dan , Cui Yaru , Shi Min , Li Min , Quan Hexiu , Qiu Liang , Zhong Guoyue , Yu Jun
Published: February 2024

Endothelial pro-inflammatory activation is pivotal in cardiac ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury pathophysiology. The dried flower bud of Edgeworthia gardneri (Wall.) Meisn. (EG) is a commonly utilized traditional Tibetan medicine. However, its role in regulating endothelium activation and cardiac I/R injury has not been investigated. Herein, we showed that the administration of EG ethanolic extract exhibited a potent therapeutic efficacy in ameliorating cardiac endothelial inflammation (p < 0.05) and thereby protecting against myocardial I/R injury in rats (p < 0.001). In line with the in vivo findings, the EG extract suppressed endothelial pro-inflammatory activation in vitro by downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (p < 0.05) and diminishing monocytes’ firm adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs) (p < 0.01). Mechanistically, we showed that EG extract inhibited the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways to attenuate EC-mediated inflammation (p < 0.05). Collectively, for the first time, this study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of EG ethanolic extract in alleviating I/R-induced inflammation and the resulting cardiac injury through its inhibitory role in regulating endothelium activation.
Zeolite Properties, Methods of Synthesis, and Selected Applications
Authors: Kordala Natalia , Wyszkowski Mirosław
Published: February 2024

Zeolites, a group of minerals with unique properties, have been known for more than 250 years. However, it was the development of methods for hydrothermal synthesis of zeolites and their large-scale industrial applications (oil processing, agriculture, production of detergents and building materials, water treatment processes, etc.) that made them one of the most important materials of the 20th century, with great practical and research significance. The orderly, homogeneous crystalline and porous structure of zeolites, their susceptibility to various modifications, and their useful physicochemical properties contribute to the continuous expansion of their practical applications in both large-volume processes (ion exchange, adsorption, separation of mixture components, catalysis) and specialized ones (sensors). The following review of the knowledge available in the literature on zeolites aims to present the most important information on the properties, synthesis methods, and selected applications of this group of aluminosilicates. Special attention is given to the use of zeolites in agriculture and environmental protection.
Quantum Dots Mediated Heterojunction Coupling MoSe2 Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Zhang Lin , Sun Jiana , Zhao Mengmeng , Wei Yuxuan , Luo Taigang , Zhao Zhengping , Yan Yibo
Published: February 2024

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) possess the photosensitive absorption for photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution owing to special band structures, whereas they usually confront with photo-corrosion or undesired charge recombination during photoelectrochemical reactions. Hence, we establish the heterojunction between GQDs and MoSe2 sheets via a hydrothermal process for improved stability and performance. Photoanodic water splitting with hydrogen evolution boosted by the heteroatom doped N,S-GQDs/MoSe2 heterojunction has been attained due to the abundant active sites, promoted charge separation and transfer kinetics with reduced energy barriers. Diphasic 1T and 2H MoSe2 sheet-hybridized quantum dots contribute to the Schottky heterojunction, which can play a key role in expedited carrier transport to inhibit accumulative photo-corrosion and increase photocurrent. Heteroatom dopants lead to favored energy band matching, bandgap narrowing, stronger light absorption and high photocurrent density. The external quantum efficiency of the doped heterojunction has been elevated twofold over that of the non-doped pristine heterojunction. Modification of the graphene quantum dots and MoSe2 heterojunction demonstrate a viable and adaptable platform toward photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution processes.
Regulation of the Nur77-P2X7r Signaling Pathway by Nodakenin: A Potential Protective Function against Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Song Jian , Qin Bo-Feng , Zhang Jin-Jin , Feng Qi-Yuan , Liu Guan-Cheng , Zhao Gui-Yun , Sun Hai-Ming
Published: February 2024

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the main factor that induces liver-related death worldwide and represents a common chronic hepatopathy resulting from binge or chronic alcohol consumption. This work focused on revealing the role and molecular mechanism of nodakenin (NK) in ALD associated with hepatic inflammation and lipid metabolism through the regulation of Nur77-P2X7r signaling. In this study, an ALD model was constructed through chronic feeding of Lieber–DeCarli control solution with or without NK treatment. Ethanol (EtOH) or NK was administered to AML-12 cells, after which Nur77 was silenced. HepG2 cells were exposed to ethanol (EtOH) and subsequently treated with recombinant Nur77 (rNur77). Mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) were treated with lipopolysaccharide/adenosine triphosphate (LPS/ATP) and NK, resulting in the generation of conditioned media. In vivo, histopathological alterations were markedly alleviated by NK, accompanied by reductions in serum triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and the modulation of Lipin-1, SREBP1, and Nur77 levels in comparison to the EtOH-exposed group (p < 0.001). Additionally, NK reduced the production of P2X7r and NLRP3. NK markedly upregulated Nur77, inhibited P2X7r and Lipin-1, and promoted the function of Cytosporone B, a Nur77 agonist (p < 0.001). Moreover, Nur77 deficiency weakened the regulatory effect of NK on P2X7r and Lipin-1 inhibition (p < 0.001). In NK-exposed MPMs, cleaved caspase-1 and mature IL-1β expression decreased following LPS/ATP treatment (p < 0.001). NK also decreased inflammatory-factor production in primary hepatocytes stimulated with MPM supernatant. NK ameliorated ETOH-induced ALD through a reduction in inflammation and lipogenesis factors, which was likely related to Nur77 activation. Hence, NK is a potential therapeutic approach to ALD.
A New Glucosyl Flavone with Inhibitory Activity of Cancer Cell Viability and Other Bioactive Constituents from the Traditional Kurdish Plant Plantago loeflingii L.
Authors: Amin Hawraz Ibrahim M. , Amin Kamaran Younis M. , Armijos Chabaco , Hussain Faiq H. S. , Jawhar Zanko Hassan , Caprioglio Diego , Mella Mariella , Vidari Giovanni
Published: February 2024

A new glucosyl flavone, 5,7,2′,5′-tetrahydroxyflavone 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, named loeflingiin, together with apigenin 6-C-glucoside (isovitexin), coumarins citropten and isompinellin, triterpenoids betulin and betulinic acid, and a mixture of phytosterols β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol were isolated for the first time from the leaves of wild Plantago loeflingii L. (Plantaginaceae) collected in the Iraqi Kurdistan region. The plant is used by local people to treat wounds and as a vulnerary remedy. The structures of isolated compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis. The activities of isovitexin and loeflingiinon the viability of breast (MCF7), ovarian (BG-1), endometrial (Ishikawa), and mesothelioma (IST-MES1) human cancer cells and two normal cell lines were determined with an MTT assay. Notably, the new 7-O-glucosyl flavone showed effects higher than cisplatin against the Ishikawa and IST-MESI cell lines. The significant biological activities exhibited by all the compounds isolated from P. loeflingii provided scientific evidence to support the use of the plant in the Kurdish traditional medicine.
Near-Infrared Light-Excited Quinolinium-Carbazole Small Molecule as Two-Photon Fluorescence Nucleic Acid Probe
Authors: Sun Yanqing , Wu Bi , Liu Xinyu , Liu Lixin , Zhou Shujing , Feng Yanru
Published: February 2024

This article reports three new two-photon absorption (TPA) materials that are quinolinium-carbazole derivates. They are 3-(N-methyl-4-ethylquinolinium iodide)-9-ethylcarbazole (M4), 3-(N-methyl-4-ethylquinolinium iodide)-9-ethylcarbazole (H2), and 3-(N-methyl-4-ethylquinolinium iodide)-9-ethylcarbazole (H4). Their TPA cross-sections are 491, 515, and 512 GM, respectively. Under the excitation of near-infrared light, their fluorescence emission is about 650 nm. The compounds can stain nucleic acid DNA with the same level of nuclear localization as Hoechst 33342. Under continuous irradiation with a near-infrared laser, the three new compounds showed less fluorescence decay than DAPI, and the average fluorescence decay rates were 0.016%/s, 0.020%/s, and 0.023%/s. They are expected to become new two-photon fluorescent probes of nucleic acid DNA because of their excellent performance.
Preparation and Evaluation of Folate Modified PEG-PLLA Nanoparticles Loaded with Lycorine for Glioma Treatment
Authors: Ding Jieqiong , Su Jie , Luo Binhua , Ding Liqiong
Published: February 2024

Lycorine is a kind of natural active ingredient with a strong antitumor effect. In this study, folate ligand-conjugated polyethylene glycol-block-poly(l-lactide) (PEG-PLLA) nanoparticles (FA-PEG-PLLA NPs) were designed to deliver lycorine to enhance its anti-glioma activity. The successful preparation of the FA-PEG-PLLA polymer was confirmed by 1H-NMR, FT-IR, XRD, TGA, and DSC. The optimal formulation for LYC@FA-PEG-PLLA NPs was determined by response surface analysis as follows: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) of 1%, carrier material of 0.03 g, organic phase volume of 3 mL, and ultrasonic power of 20%. The LYC@FA-PEG-PLLA NPs exhibited an encapsulation efficiency of 83.58% and a particle size of 49.71 nm, demonstrating good stability. Hemolysis experiments, MTT assays, and cell scratch assays revealed excellent biocompatibility of FA-PEG-PLLA and superior anti-glioma activity of LYC@FA-PEG-PLLA NPs compared to the raw drug. Additionally, cell apoptosis assays, ROS experiments, and western blot analysis demonstrated that LYC@FA-PEG-PLLA NPs contributed to cell apoptosis by inducing ROS generation and increasing the expression of NF-κB inhibitory protein IκBα. These results suggested that LYC@FA-PEG-PLLA NPs hold promise for glioma treatment.
Anti-Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Compounds Isolated from Plants of Euphorbia Genus
Authors: Rojas-Jiménez Sarai , Valladares-Cisneros María Guadalupe , Salinas-Sánchez David Osvaldo , Pérez-Ramos Julia , Sánchez-Pérez Leonor , Pérez-Gutiérrez Salud , Campos-Xolalpa Nimsi
Published: February 2024

Euphorbia is a large genus of the Euphorbiaceae family. Around 250 species of the Euphorbia genus have been studied chemically and pharmacologically; different compounds have been isolated from these species, especially diterpenes and triterpenes. Several reports show that several species have anti-inflammatory activity, which can be attributed to the presence of diterpenes, such as abietanes, ingenanes, and lathyranes. In addition, it was found that some diterpenes isolated from different Euphorbia species have anti-cancer activity. In this review, we included compounds isolated from species of the Euphorbia genus with anti-inflammatory or cytotoxic effects published from 2018 to September 2023. The databases used for this review were Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Springer, and Google Scholar, using the keywords Euphorbia with anti-inflammatory or cytotoxic activity. In this review, 68 studies were collected and analyzed regarding the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of 264 compounds obtained from 36 species of the Euphorbia genus. The compounds included in this review are terpenes (95%), of which 68% are diterpenes, especially of the types ingenanes, abietanes, and triterpenes (approximately 15%).
Synthesis and Photolysis Properties of a New Chloroquine Photoaffinity Probe
Authors: Kapuku Benita , Bohle D. Scott
Published: February 2024

A new chloroquine-derived photoaffinity probe has been prepared by a convergent synthesis from derivative of 4,7-dichloroquinoline and N1,N1-diethyl-N4-methylpentane. The features of this probe are a unique 3-azido photolabel, the pyridine ring of the quinoline, and the presence of a secondary amine at the 4-position of the quinoline. These features, particularly the 4-amino methylation, prevent triazole formation through combination of the 3-azide and the 4-amine. This undergoes facile cleavage with exposure to a medium-pressure mercury lamp with a 254 nm excitation wavelength. Trapping of the nitrene byproduct is accomplished with its reaction with N-phenylmaleimide as its cycloazidation product. The structure of a ring-opened DBU amine has been structurally characterized.
Improved Method for Electron Powder Diffraction-Based Rietveld Analysis of Nanomaterials
Authors: Kis Viktória K. , Kovács Zsolt , Czigány Zsolt
Published: February 2024

Multiphase nanomaterials are of increasing importance in material science. Providing reliable and statistically meaningful information on their average nanostructure is essential for synthesis control and applications. In this paper, we propose a novel procedure that simplifies and makes more effective the electron powder diffraction-based Rietveld analysis of nanomaterials. Our single step in-TEM method allows to obtain the instrumental broadening function of the TEM directly from a single measurement without the need for an additional X-ray diffraction measurement. Using a multilayer graphene calibration standard and applying properly controlled acquisition conditions on a spherical aberration-corrected microscope, we achieved the instrumental broadening of ±0.01 Å in terms of interplanar spacing. The shape of the diffraction peaks is modeled as a function of the scattering angle using the Caglioti relation, and the obtained parameters for instrumental broadening can be directly applied in the Rietveld analysis of electron diffraction data of the analyzed specimen. During peak shape analysis, the instrumental broadening parameters of the TEM are controlled separately from nanostructure-related peak broadening effects, which contribute to the higher reliability of nanostructure information extracted from electron diffraction patterns. The potential of the proposed procedure is demonstrated through the Rietveld analysis of hematite nanopowder and two-component Cu-Ni nanocrystalline thin film specimens.
Novel ML-Based Algorithm for Detecting Seizures from Single-Channel EEG
Authors: Dweiri Yazan M. , Al-Omary Taqwa K.
Published: February 2024

There is a need for seizure classification based on EEG signals that can be implemented with a portable device for in-home continuous minoring of epilepsy. In this study, we developed a novel machine learning algorithm for seizure detection suitable for wearable systems. Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) was implemented to classify seizures from single-channel EEG obtained from an open-source CHB-MIT database. The results of classifying 1-s EEG segments are shown to be sufficient to obtain the information needed for seizure detection and achieve a high seizure sensitivity of up to 89% with low computational cost. This algorithm can be impeded in single-channel EEG systems that use in- or around-the-ear electrodes for continuous seizure monitoring at home.
microRNA Expression Profile in Obesity-Induced Kidney Disease Driven by High-Fat Diet in Mice
Authors: Eritja Àuria , Caus Maite , Belmonte Thalia , de Gonzalo-Calvo David , García-Carrasco Alicia , Martinez Ana , Martínez Montserrat , Bozic Milica
Published: February 2024

Obesity is one of the main causes of chronic kidney disease; however, the precise molecular mechanisms leading to the onset of kidney injury and dysfunction in obesity-associated nephropathy remain unclear. The present study aimed to unveil the kidney microRNA (miRNA) expression profile in a model of obesity-induced kidney disease in C57BL/6J mice using next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity led to notable structural alterations in tubular and glomerular regions of the kidney, increased renal expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic genes, as well as an elevated renal expression of genes involved in cellular lipid metabolism. The miRNA sequencing analysis identified a set of nine miRNAs differentially expressed in the kidney upon HFD feeding, with miR-5099, miR-551b-3p, miR-223-3p, miR-146a-3p and miR-21a-3p showing the most significant differential expression between standard diet (STD) and HFD mice. A validation analysis showed that the expression levels of miR-5099, miR-551b-3p and miR-146a-3p were consistent with NGS results, while Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses revealed that these three validated miRNAs modulated target genes involved in metabolic and adipocytokine pathways, fatty acid and lipid metabolism, and inflammatory, senescence and profibrotic pathways. Our results suggest that differentially expressed miRNAs play pivotal roles in the intricate pathophysiology of obesity-associated kidney disease and could potentially create novel treatment strategies to counteract the deleterious effects of obesity on kidney function.
The Effect of Micronutrients on Obese Phenotype of Adult Mice Is Dependent on the Experimental Environment
Authors: Yang Zeyu , Kubant Ruslan , Kranenburg Eva , Cho Clara E. , Anderson G. Harvey
Published: February 2024

The environment of the test laboratory affects the reproducibility of treatment effects on physiological phenotypes of rodents and may be attributed to the plasticity of the epigenome due to nutrient-gene-environment interactions. Here, we explored the reproducibility of adding a multi-vitamin-mineral (MVM) mix to a nutrient-balanced high-fat (HF) diet on obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and gene expression in the tissues of adult male mice. Experiments of the same design were conducted in three independent animal facilities. Adult C57BL/6J male mice were fed an HF diet for 6 weeks (diet induced-obesity model) and then continued for 9–12 weeks on the HF diet with or without 5-fold additions of vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, Zn, and 2-fold Se. The addition of the MVM affected body weight, fat mass, gene expression, and markers of IR in all three locations (p < 0.05). However, the direction of the main effects was influenced by the interaction with the experimental location and its associated environmental conditions known to affect the epigenome. In conclusion, MVM supplementation influenced phenotypes and expression of genes related to adipose function in obese adult male mice, but the experimental location and its associated conditions were significant interacting factors. Preclinical studies investigating the relationship between diet and metabolic outcomes should acknowledge the plasticity of the epigenome and implement measures to reproduce studies in different locations.
Trajectories of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference in Relation to the Risk of Cardiac Arrhythmia: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Liming , Chen Shuohua , Cao Xingqi , Yu Jiening , Yang Zhenqing , Abdelrahman Zeinab , Yang Gan , Wang Liang , Zhang Xuehong , Zhu Yimin , Wu Shouling , Liu Zuyun
Published: February 2024

Background: The aim of the current study was to explore the trajectories, variabilities, and cumulative exposures of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with cardiac arrhythmia (CA) risks. Methods: In total, 35,739 adults from the Kailuan study were included. BMI and WC were measured repeatedly during the 2006–2010 waves. CA was identified via electrocardiogram diagnosis. BMI and WC trajectories were fitted using a group-based trajectory model. The associations were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: We identified four stable trajectories for BMI and WC, respectively. Neither the BMI trajectories nor the baseline BMI values were associated with the risk of CA. Compared to the low-stable WC group, participants in the high-stable WC group had a higher risk of CA (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06, 1.86). Interestingly, the cumulative exposures of BMI and WC instead of their variabilities were associated with the risk of CA. In the stratified analyses, the positive associations of the high-stable WC group with the risk of CA were found in females only (HR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.83). Conclusions: A high-stable WC trajectory is associated with a higher risk of CA among Chinese female adults, underscoring the potential of WC rather than BMI to identify adults who are at risk.
A Fully Automated Synthesis of 14-(R,S)-[18F]fluoro-6-thia-heptadecanoic Acid ([18F]FTHA) on the Elixys Radiosynthesizer
Authors: Ustsinau Usevalad , Nics Lukas , Hacker Marcus , Philippe Cecile
Published: February 2024

14-(R,S)-[18F]fluoro-6-thia-heptadecanoic acid ([18F]FTHA) is a radiocompound for imaging the fatty acid circulation by positron emission tomography. A revived interest in imaging of lipid metabolism led us to a constant tracer production over three years, initially using a conventional vessel-based synthesizer and later transitioning to the cassette-based Elixys synthesizer. On the Elixys module, the radiochemical yield of [18F]FTHA could be increased by more than two times, reaching 13.01 ± 5.63% at the end of the synthesis, while maintaining necessary quality control results.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid–Carboxymethyl Chitosan Polymeric Micelles to Improve the Solubility and Oral Bioavailability of Paclitaxel
Authors: Mubeen Iqra , Abbas Ghulam , Shah Shahid , Assiri Abdullah A
Published: February 2024

Oral delivery, the most common method of therapeutic administration, has two significant obstacles: drug solubility and permeability. The challenges of current oral medicine delivery are being tackled through an emerging method that uses structures called polymeric micelles. In the present study, polymeric micelles were developed using conjugates of linoleic acid–carboxymethyl chitosan (LA-CMCS) for the oral delivery of paclitaxel (PCL). The developed micelles were evaluated by particle size, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). When PCL was contained within micelles, its solubility increased by almost 13.65 times (around 60 µg/mL). The micelles’ zeta potentials were −29 mV, their polydispersity indices were 0.023, and their particle diameters were 93 nm. Micelles showed PCL loading and entrapment efficiencies of 67% and 61%, respectively. The sustained release qualities of the PCL release data from micelles were good. In comparison to the pure PCL suspension, the permeability of the PCL from micelles was 2.2 times higher. The pharmacokinetic data revealed that PCL with LA-CMCS micelles had a relative bioavailability of 239.17%, which was much greater than the PCL in the suspension. The oral bioavailability of PCL was effectively increased by LA-CMCS micelles according to an in vivo study on animals. The polymer choice, maybe through improved permeability, plays an essential role when assessing oral bioavailability enhancement and solubility improvement (13.65 times). The outcomes demonstrated that PCL’s solubility and pharmacokinetics were improved in the micelles of the LA-CMCS conjugate.
Mechanically Induced Long-Period Fiber Gratings and Applications
Authors: Ran Jiaqi , Chen Yarou , Wang Guanhua , Zhong Zelan , Zhang Jiali , Xu Ou , Huang Quandong , Lei Xueqin
Published: February 2024

Long-period fiber gratings (LPFGs) functioning as band-reject filters have played a pivotal role in the realm of optical communication. Since their initial documentation in 1996, LPFGs have witnessed rapid advancements in areas such as optical sensing, the equalization of optical amplification, and optical band-pass filtering, etc. The unique attributes of optical fiber-based grating, including their miniaturized size, cost-effectiveness, and immunity to electromagnetic interference, have contributed significantly to various sectors over the last two decades. This paper presents a review of the evolution of LPFGs, with a specific focus on the progression and current trends of mechanically induced long-period fiber gratings. It offers a concise overview of coupled-mode theory, the fabrication processes, the merits, and the limitations associated with mechanically induced LPFGs. Moreover, this review elucidates the application methodologies of mechanically induced LPFGs and anticipates future directions in this field.
Combination of Machine Learning and Raman Spectroscopy for Determination of the Complex of Whey Protein Isolate with Hyaluronic Acid
Authors: Mayorova Oksana A. , Saveleva Mariia S. , Bratashov Daniil N. , Prikhozhdenko Ekaterina S.
Published: February 2024

Macromolecules and their complexes remain interesting topics in various fields, such as targeted drug delivery and tissue regeneration. The complex chemical structure of such substances can be studied with a combination of Raman spectroscopy and machine learning. The complex of whey protein isolate (WPI) and hyaluronic acid (HA) is beneficial in terms of drug delivery. It provides HA properties with the stability obtained from WPI. However, differences between WPI-HA and WPI solutions can be difficult to detect by Raman spectroscopy. Especially when the low HA (0.1, 0.25, 0.5% w/v) and the constant WPI (5% w/v) concentrations are used. Before applying the machine learning techniques, all the collected data were divided into training and test sets in a ratio of 3:1. The performances of two ensemble methods, random forest (RF) and gradient boosting (GB), were evaluated on the Raman data, depending on the type of problem (regression or classification). The impact of noise reduction using principal component analysis (PCA) on the performance of the two machine learning methods was assessed. This procedure allowed us to reduce the number of features while retaining 95% of the explained variance in the data. Another application of these machine learning methods was to identify the WPI Raman bands that changed the most with the addition of HA. Both the RF and GB could provide feature importance data that could be plotted in conjunction with the actual Raman spectra of the samples. The results show that the addition of HA to WPI led to changes mainly around 1003 cm−1 (correspond to ring breath of phenylalanine) and 1400 cm−1, as demonstrated by the regression and classification models. For selected Raman bands, where the feature importance was greater than 1%, a direct evaluation of the effect of the amount of HA on the Raman intensities was performed but was found not to be informative. Thus, applying the RF or GB estimators to the Raman data with feature importance evaluation could detect and highlight small differences in the spectra of substances that arose from changes in the chemical structure; using PCA to filter out noise in the Raman data could improve the performance of both the RF and GB. The demonstrated results will make it possible to analyze changes in chemical bonds during various processes, for example, conjugation, to study complex mixtures of substances, even with small additions of the components of interest.
Maritime Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Tarac and Gender Roles Reflected in It
Authors: Turčinov Karmen
Published: February 2024

The maritime pilgrimage of Our Lady of Tarac in the Kornati islands, Dalmatia, Croatia, is held on the first Sunday in July. The culture of these island communities is based on a patriarchal system that implies gender inequality. This cultural order has an impact on the construction of gender and religious identities in children and adults when they participate in pilgrimages. The basic methodological approach of the paper is autoethnography. The author concludes that the model of cryptomatriarchy along with the dominant patriarchy well explains well the role of women/mothers and grandmothers in the context of the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage also serves as a framework for transferring gender roles to children.
Elderhood and the Sacrament of Communion: An Orthodox Theological Exploration of Gracefully Aging
Authors: Tia Teofil Cristian , Cosma Smaranda Adina , Borza Horatiu Vasile
Published: February 2024

Investigating the later stages of life, this study aims to outline a specific personal context shaped during this phase, approached from various perspectives: theological, medical, psychological, and social, each highlighting distinct challenges. Theologically, the focus is on the afterlife and preparation for meeting the Righteous Judge. Medically, the emphasis is on health deterioration, culminating in the cessation of bodily existence. Psychologically, the study mentions the decline in cognitive functions, anxiety, and depression. Social aspects include isolation, marginalization, adaptation to change, and the loss of loved ones. Considering the impact of these factors on human life, this research examines to what extent the Sacrament of Communion, from an Orthodox perspective, offers answers to all these challenges. Based on a qualitative research method (content/thematic analysis) of liturgical texts using MAXQDA software, the study focuses on the prayers preceding and following this Sacrament. It highlights the complex nature of the Sacrament of Communion, its multiple faces, and its extended benefits, as well as the risks of partaking without proper preparation. The results provide arguments for the significance the Orthodox Church grants to the mystical union between man and God in the Sacrament of Communion, also emphasizing the importance of an authentic spiritual life.
“God Himself Is Dead”: Returning to Hegel’s Doctrine of Incarnation
Authors: Thiessen Mitch
Published: February 2024

This essay presents a certain defense of Hegel’s doctrine of Incarnation. For Hegel, the logic of the Incarnation constitutes not only the highest insight of religion and theology but, arguably, the key to philosophy itself, as the perfected self-knowledge of the absolute. Such knowledge is what Hegel calls “absolute knowing”, and marks the absolute reconciliation of the knowing subject and its object, substance, or in other words: of the domains of, as it were, historical knowledge and eternal truth. Hegel discovers in the Christian doctrine of Incarnation the logic of this very reconciliation of history and eternity: truth, or the absolute, coincides with the subject’s knowledge of it, which not only includes but privileges the historical “dismemberment” involved in such knowing. Only in Christianity does God dismember himself, or become historical—sacrifice himself, die—in order to know and become himself. But this “death of God” is for Hegel the very meaning of modern subjectivity. For this reason, or if Hegel is right, the Hegelian subject constitutes the sole way in which the desire of philosophy—namely, for the other that truth is—can keep itself from becoming incoherent after the death of God. It is not merely that Hegel’s doctrine of the subject remains valid despite the death of God; rather, the Hegelian subject, whose logic is incarnational and for this reason founds itself on the “death of God”, stands as the sole coherent articulation of this event, even and especially in its Nietzschean guise.
Study of Time–Frequency Domain of Acoustic Emission Precursors in Rock Failure during Uniaxial Compression
Authors: Jing Gang , Marin Montanari Pedro , Lacidogna Giuseppe
Published: February 2024

Predicting rock bursts is essential for maintaining worker safety and the long-term growth of subsurface infrastructure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the precursor reactions and processes of rock instability. To determine the degree of rock damage, the research examines the time-varying acoustic emission (AE) features that occur when rocks are compressed uniaxially and introduces AE parameters such as the b-value, γ-value, and βt-value. The findings suggest that the evolution of rock damage during loading is adequately reflected by the b-value, γ-value, and βt-value. The relationships between b-value, γ-value, and βt-value are studied, as well as the possibility of using these three metrics as early-warning systems for rock failure.
Labor Force Participation of Central American Migrant Women in Mexico
Authors: Pederzini Carla , Meza Liliana
Published: February 2024

Central Americans living in Mexico remain a small group (100 thousand) relative to the size of the Mexican population. However, they experienced accelerated growth between 2000 and 2020, with Guatemalans as the largest group and Hondurans as the most dynamic one. The previous literature has found a positive and significant, albeit decreasing, income advantage of Central American workers in Mexico. Meanwhile, the percentage of migrant women reported as spouses has gone down and the female labor force has increased. The paper uses information from the 2000, 2010, and 2020 Mexican censuses as well as the 2015 Intercensal Survey to compare access to the labor market for men and women from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras residing in Mexico. We compare marital status, female labor force participation, main economic sectors, human capital, and income levels of the men and women of each of the three nationalities considered, seeking to identify from a gender perspective the differentiated labor performance of each nationality.
Precision-Driven Product Recommendation Software: Unsupervised Models, Evaluated by GPT-4 LLM for Enhanced Recommender Systems
Authors: Roumeliotis Konstantinos I. , Tselikas Nikolaos D. , Nasiopoulos Dimitrios K.
Published: February 2024

This paper presents a pioneering methodology for refining product recommender systems, introducing a synergistic integration of unsupervised models—K-means clustering, content-based filtering (CBF), and hierarchical clustering—with the cutting-edge GPT-4 large language model (LLM). Its innovation lies in utilizing GPT-4 for model evaluation, harnessing its advanced natural language understanding capabilities to enhance the precision and relevance of product recommendations. A flask-based API simplifies its implementation for e-commerce owners, allowing for the seamless training and evaluation of the models using CSV-formatted product data. The unique aspect of this approach lies in its ability to empower e-commerce with sophisticated unsupervised recommender system algorithms, while the GPT model significantly contributes to refining the semantic context of product features, resulting in a more personalized and effective product recommendation system. The experimental results underscore the superiority of this integrated framework, marking a significant advancement in the field of recommender systems and providing businesses with an efficient and scalable solution to optimize their product recommendations.
Different Quality Classes of Decomposing Plant Residues Influence Dissolved Organic Matter Stoichiometry Which Results in Different Soil Microbial Processing
Authors: Poosathit Ratanaporn , Kunlanit Benjapon , Rasche Frank , Vityakon Patma
Published: February 2024

The influence of the quantities and ratios of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved nitrogen (DN) generated by different chemical quality classes of organic residues on soil microbial processes in the decomposition process is not well understood. If the DOC-to-DN ratio (hereafter, ratio) of the substrate is close to that of the microbial C-to-N ratio, then the DOC-and-DN stoichiometry of the substrate is balanced, resulting in enhanced microbial processing, i.e., carbon use efficiency (CUE). Uncertainty exists about the influence of DN and the DOC-to-DN ratio on CUE, particularly in high-quality class (high nitrogen) residue-treated soils. A long-term field experiment was used to explore the effect of the annual application of residues of different quality classes on decomposition processes, focusing on the effects of DOC, DN, and the ratio on the microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2), which is the inverse of CUE. DOC and DN were extracted from soils during the 13th year of the experiment. Soils treated with high-quality class groundnut residue (high-nitrogen) had higher DN (5.4 ± 2.6 mg N kg−1) and a lower ratio (6.8 ± 2.6) than those treated with medium-quality (medium-nitrogen) tamarind (3.0 ± 0.6 and 10.7 ± 2.2, respectively). The positive influence of DN on qCO2 (R2 = 0.49 *) in groundnut-treated soil suggested that the high bioavailability of DN reduced CUE due to imbalanced DOC-and-DN stoichiometry. This contradicted earlier published findings on high-nitrogen residues which had balanced DOC-and-DN stoichiometry. The positive influence of the ratio on qCO2 under the tamarind-treated soil (R2 = 0.60 *) indicated that its balanced DOC-and-DN stoichiometry enhanced CUE. High-quality class organic residues can result in either higher or lower CUE than their lower-quality class counterparts depending on whether the resulting DOC-and-DN stoichiometry is balanced or imbalanced.
Differential Quantitative Analysis of Carbon Emission Efficiency of Gansu Manufacturing Industry in 2030
Authors: Tan Jingyi , Zhang Shuyang , Zhang Yun , Wang Bo
Published: February 2024

Decomposition analysis and forecasting of carbon emissions in manufacturing are crucial for setting sustainable carbon-reduction targets. Given the varied carbon-emission efficiencies across sectors, this study applied the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition method to analyze the drivers of carbon emissions in Gansu’s manufacturing sector, encompassing high, medium, and low-efficiency industries, and it identified vital factors affecting carbon emissions. A localized Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) model for Gansu was also developed. This model includes six developmental scenarios to project future carbon emissions. The study results are as follows: (1) LMDI decomposition indicates that increased carbon emissions in the manufacturing industry primarily result from economic growth in less efficient sectors and the dominance of moderately efficient ones. (2) Under Optimization Scenario 6, a 50.82 × 104 ton reduction in carbon emissions is projected for Gansu’s manufacturing sector by 2030 compared to 2020, marking the carbon peak. These outcomes provide valuable insights for policy reforms in Gansu’s manufacturing industry, aiming for carbon peaking by 2030.