bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell-Penetrating Milk-Derived Peptides with a Non-Inflammatory Profile
Authors: Agoni Clement , Stavropoulos Ilias , Kirwan Anna , Mysior Margharitha M. , Holton Therese , Kranjc Tilen , Simpson Jeremy C. , Roche Helen M. , Shields Denis C.
Published: October 2023

Milk-derived peptides are known to confer anti-inflammatory effects. We hypothesised that milk-derived cell-penetrating peptides might modulate inflammation in useful ways. Using computational techniques, we identified and synthesised peptides from the milk protein Alpha-S1-casein that were predicted to be cell-penetrating using a machine learning predictor. We modified the interpretation of the prediction results to consider the effects of histidine. Peptides were then selected for testing to determine their cell penetrability and anti-inflammatory effects using HeLa cells and J774.2 mouse macrophage cell lines. The selected peptides all showed cell penetrating behaviour, as judged using confocal microscopy of fluorescently labelled peptides. None of the peptides had an effect on either the NF-κB transcription factor or TNFα and IL-1β secretion. Thus, the identified milk-derived sequences have the ability to be internalised into the cell without affecting cell homeostatic mechanisms such as NF-κB activation. These peptides are worthy of further investigation for other potential bioactivities or as a naturally derived carrier to promote the cellular internalisation of other active peptides.
Textile Waste-Derived Cobalt Nanoparticles Embedded in Active Carbon Fiber for Efficient Activation of Peroxymonosulfate to Remove Organic Pollutants
Authors: Xiao Peiyuan , Wang Ying , Du Huanzheng , Yan Zhiyong , Xu Bincheng , Li Guangming
Published: October 2023

Burning and dumping textile wastes have caused serious damage to the environment and are a huge waste of resources. In this work, cobalt nanoparticles embedded in active carbon fiber (Co/ACF) were prepared from bio-based fabric wastes, including cotton, flax and viscose. The obtained Co/ACF was applied as a catalyst for the heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to remove bisphenol A (BPA) from an aqueous solution. The results showed that cotton-, flax- and viscose-derived Co/ACF all exhibited excellent performance for BPA degradation; over ~97.0% of BPA was removed within 8 min. The Co/ACF/PMS system exhibited a wide operating pH range, with a low consumption of the catalyst (0.1 g L−1) and PMS (0.14 g L−1). The high specific surface area (342 m2/g) and mesoporous structure of Co/ACF allowed the efficient adsorption of pollutants as well as provided more accessible active sites for PMS activation. This study provided an example of using textile wastes to produce a valuable and recyclable catalyst for environmental remediation.
Mitigating the Recrystallization of a Cold-Worked Cu-Al2O3 Nanocomposite via Enhanced Zener Drag by Nanocrstalline Cu-Oxide Particles
Authors: Goswami Ramasis , Moser Alex , Pande Chandra S.
Published: October 2023

The strength of metals and alloys at elevated temperatures typically decreases due to the recovery, recrystallization, grain growth, and growth of second-phase particles. We report here a cold-worked Cu-Al2O3 composite did not recrystallize up to a temperature of 0.83Tm of Cu. The composite was manufactured through the internal oxidation process of dilute Cu-0.15 wt.% Al alloy and was characterized by transmission electron microscopy to study the nature of oxide precipitates. As a result of internal oxidation, a small volume fraction (1%) of Al2O3 particles forms. In addition, a high density of extremely fine (2–5 nm) Cu2O particles has been observed to form epitaxially within the elongated Cu grains. These finely dispersed second-phase Cu2O particles enhance the Zener drag significantly by three orders of magnitude as compared to Al2O3 particles and retain their original size and spacing at elevated temperatures. This limits the grain boundary migration and the nucleation of defect-free regions of different orientations and inhibits the recrystallization process at elevated temperatures. In addition, due to the limited grain boundary migration, a bundle of stacking faults appears instead of annealing twins. This investigation has led to a better understanding of how to prevent the recrystallization process of heavily deformed metallic material containing oxide particles.
Crystalline Mesoporous F-Doped Tin Dioxide Nanomaterial Successfully Prepared via a One Pot Synthesis at Room Temperature and Ambient Pressure
Authors: Aqeel Tariq , Greer Heather F.
Published: October 2023

We report the successful one pot synthesis of crystalline mesoporous tin dioxide powder doped with fluoride at ambient pressure and temperature. This material possesses a high surface area, narrow pore size distribution, small average crystallite sizes, and good opto-electrical properties. The existence of fluorine increased the opto-electronic activity of tin dioxide by 20 times, and conductivity by 100 times compared with pristine tin dioxide prepared via the same method. The conductivity of SnO2 in air at 25 °C is 5 × 10−5 S/m, whereas that of F–SnO2 is 4.8 × 10−3 S/m. The structures of these materials were characterized with powder X-ray diffraction, N2 sorption analysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy. Fluorine occupies the framework of tin dioxide by replacing some of the oxygen atoms. The structure, conductance, and optical properties of these materials are discussed in this paper.
Specific Recognition and Adsorption of Volatile Organic Compounds by Using MIL-125-Based Porous Fluorescence Probe Material
Authors: Wu Qiuyu , Tian Feiyang , Chen Wenqian , Wang Jianying , Lei Bo
Published: October 2023

The severity of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) issue calls for effective detection and management of VOC materials. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are organic-inorganic hybrid crystals with promising prospects in luminescent sensing for VOC detection and identification. However, MOFs have limitations, including weak response signals and poor sensitivity towards VOCs, limiting their application to specific types of VOC gases. To address the issue of limited recognition and single luminosity for specific VOCs, we have introduced fluorescent guest molecules into MOFs as reference emission centers to enhance sensitivity. This composite material combines the gas adsorption ability of MOFs to effectively adsorb VOCs. We utilized (MIL-125/NH2-MIL-125) as the parent material for adsorbing fluorescent molecules and selected suitable solid fluorescent probes (FGFL-B1) through fluorescence enhancement using thioflavin T and MIL-125. FGFL-B1 exhibited a heightened fluorescence response to various VOCs through charge transfer between fluorescent guest molecules and ligands. The fluorescence enhancement effect of FGFL-B1 on tetrahydrofuran (THF) was particularly pronounced, accompanied by a color change from yellow to yellowish green in the presence of CCl4. FGFL-B1 demonstrated excellent adsorption properties for THF and CCl4, with saturated adsorption capacities of 655.4 mg g−1 and 811.2 mg g−1, respectively. Furthermore, FGFL-B1 displayed strong luminescence stability and reusability, making it an excellent sensing candidate. This study addresses the limitations of MOFs in VOC detection, opening avenues for industrial and environmental applications.
Construction of Quasi-Ordered Metal-Organic Frameworks Superstructures via Colloidal Assembly of Anisotropic Particles for Selective Organic Vapor Sensing
Authors: He Yuheng , Bai Ling , Liu Baocang , Duan Hongwei , Zhang Jun
Published: October 2023

Colloidal assembly of anisotropic particles holds great promise for achieving diverse packing geometries and unique photonic properties. One intriguing candidate for anisotropic self-assembly is colloidal metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which possess remarkable characteristics including substantial surface areas, tunable chemical properties, a wide range of structural variations, and diverse polyhedral shapes. In this study, the colloidal assembly of nearly spherical and polyhedral MOFs particles to form quasi-ordered photonic superstructures was investigated. Specifically, monodisperse near-spherical ZIF-8 (NSZIF-8) and rhombic dodecahedron ZIF-8 (RDZIF-8) colloidal nanoparticles were synthesized as the fundamental building blocks. These nanoparticles are employed to construct MOFs-based self-assembled superstructures that exhibit thin-film interference optical properties. Importantly, these superstructures demonstrate exceptional responsiveness to gaseous homologues and isomers with approximate refractive indices. The dynamic reflection spectral patterns exhibited by these superstructures provide valuable insights into the diffusion rates and surface tension characteristics of the target solvents. These findings underscore the potential of MOFs-based superstructure thin films to discriminate between physiochemically similar solvents, opening new avenues for applications in various fields.
Possibility of Exciton Bose–Einstein Condensation in CdSe Nanoplatelets
Authors: Baghdasaryan Davit A. , Harutyunyan Volodya A. , Kazaryan Eduard M. , Sarkisyan Hayk A. , Petrosyan Lyudvig S. , Shahbazyan Tigran V.
Published: October 2023

The quasi-two-dimensional exciton subsystem in CdSe nanoplatelets is considered. It is theoretically shown that Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC) of excitons is possible at a nonzero temperature in the approximation of an ideal Bose gas and in the presence of an “energy gap” between the ground and the first excited states of the two-dimensional exciton center of inertia of the translational motion. The condensation temperature (Tc) increases with the width of the “gap” between the ground and the first excited levels of size quantization. It is shown that when the screening effect of free electrons and holes on bound excitons is considered, the BEC temperature of the exciton subsystem increases as compared to the case where this effect is absent. The energy spectrum of the exciton condensate in a CdSe nanoplate is calculated within the framework of the weakly nonideal Bose gas approximation, considering the specifics of two-dimensional Born scattering.
The Southern European Atlantic Diet and Its Supplements: The Chemical Bases of Its Anticancer Properties
Authors: Vivanco Pablo García , Taboada Pablo , Coelho Alberto
Published: October 2023

Scientific evidence increasingly supports the strong link between diet and health, acknowledging that a well-balanced diet plays a crucial role in preventing chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and certain types of cancer. This perspective opens the door to developing precision diets, particularly tailored for individuals at risk of developing cancer. It encompasses a vast research area and involves the study of an expanding array of compounds with multilevel “omics” compositions, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, miRNomics, and metabolomics. We review here the components of the Southern European Atlantic Diet (SEAD) from both a chemical and pharmacological standpoint. The information sources consulted, complemented by crystallographic data from the Protein Data Bank, establish a direct link between the SEAD and its anticancer properties. The data collected strongly suggest that SEAD offers an exceptionally healthy profile, particularly due to the presence of beneficial biomolecules in its foods. The inclusion of olive oil and paprika in this diet provides numerous health benefits, and scientific evidence supports the anticancer properties of dietary supplements with biomolecules sourced from vegetables of the brassica genus. Nonetheless, further research is warranted in this field to gain deeper insights into the potential benefits of the SEAD’s bioactive compounds against cancer.
Dietary Strategies for Obesity
Authors: Walker Jacqueline L. , Littlewood Robyn
Published: October 2023

Overweight and obesity remains an important health focus internationally, due to the strong link to many noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes mellitus and mental health conditions [...]
Molecular Evidence of Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation Inhibition by a Combination of Selected Qatari Medicinal Plants Crude Extracts
Authors: Alateyah Nouralhuda , Alsafran Mohammed , Usman Kamal , Ouhtit Allal
Published: October 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy, and conventional medicine has failed to establish efficient treatment modalities. Conventional medicine failed due to lack of knowledge of the mechanisms that underpin the onset and metastasis of tumors, as well as resistance to treatment regimen. However, Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM) modalities are currently drawing the attention of both the public and health professionals. Our study examined the effect of a super-combination (SC) of crude extracts, which were isolated from three selected Qatari medicinal plants, on the proliferation, motility and death of BC cells. Our results revealed that SC attenuated cell growth and caused the cell death of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells when compared to human normal neonatal fibroblast cells. On the other hand, functional assays showed that SC reduced BC cell migration and invasion, respectively. SC-inhibited cell cycle and SC-regulated apoptosis was most likely mediated by p53/p21 pathway and p53-regulated Bax/BCL-2/Caspace-3 pathway. Our ongoing experiments aim to validate these in vitro findings in vivo using a BC-Xenograft mouse model. These findings support our hypothesis that SC inhibited BC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. These findings lay the foundation for further experiments, aiming to validate SC as an effective chemoprevention and/or chemotherapeutic strategy that can ultimately pave the way towards translational research/clinical trials for the eradication of BC.
Using Crowdsourced Food Image Data for Assessing Restaurant Nutrition Environment: A Validation Study
Authors: Lyu Weixuan , Seok Nina , Chen Xiang , Xu Ran
Published: October 2023

Crowdsourced online food images, when combined with food image recognition technologies, have the potential to offer a cost-effective and scalable solution for the assessment of the restaurant nutrition environment. While previous research has explored this approach and validated the accuracy of food image recognition technologies, much remains unknown about the validity of crowdsourced food images as the primary data source for large-scale assessments. In this paper, we collect data from multiple sources and comprehensively examine the validity of using crowdsourced food images for assessing the restaurant nutrition environment in the Greater Hartford region. Our results indicate that while crowdsourced food images are useful in terms of the initial assessment of restaurant nutrition quality and the identification of popular food items, they are subject to selection bias on multiple levels and do not fully represent the restaurant nutrition quality or customers’ dietary behaviors. If employed, the food image data must be supplemented with alternative data sources, such as field surveys, store audits, and commercial data, to offer a more representative assessment of the restaurant nutrition environment.
Comprehensive Insights into Biological Roles of Rosmarinic Acid: Implications in Diabetes, Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Azhar Md. Khabeer , Anwar Saleha , Hasan Gulam Mustafa , Shamsi Anas , Islam Asimul , Parvez Suhel , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz
Published: October 2023

Phytochemicals are abundantly occurring natural compounds extracted from plant sources. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is an abundant phytochemical of Lamiaceae species with various therapeutic implications for human health. In recent years, natural compounds have gained significant attention as adjuvant and complementary therapies to existing medications for various diseases. RA has gained popularity due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and its roles in various life-threatening conditions, such as cancer, neurodegeneration, diabetes, etc. The present review aims to offer a comprehensive insight into the multifaceted therapeutic properties of RA, including its potential as an anticancer agent, neuroprotective effects, and antidiabetic potential. Based on the available evidences, RA could be considered a potential dietary component for treating various diseases, including cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
Diet Is Associated with Frailty in Lung Cancer: A Possible Role of Gut Microbiota
Authors: Li Ziyuan , Qian Lei , Chu Jianghui , Liu Yuan , Maitiniyazi Gusonghan , Chen Yue , Cheng Xinxin , He Jianyun , Cheng Lan , Ou Minmin , Wang Jun , Xia Shufang
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the associations between diet and frailty in lung cancer patients and the potential role of the gut microbiota involved. We assessed dietary intake and frailty status in 231 lung cancer patients by 3-day, 24-h dietary recalls and Fried frailty criteria, respectively, and collected 50 fecal samples for next-generation sequencing. A total of 75 (32.5%) patients were frail, which might be related to significantly lower intake of energy, protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, niacin, leucine, some minerals, and a poorer dietary quality as indicated by the Chinese Healthy Eating Index (p < 0.05). Among these, carbohydrate (OR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.96–0.99; p = 0.010), calcium (OR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.99–1.00; p = 0.025), and selenium (OR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.00–1.06; p = 0.022) were all significantly associated with frailty. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the mean risk of frailty was 0.94 times lower (95% CI 0.90–0.99; p = 0.009) among participants with higher CHEI scores. Additionally, the frail patients demonstrated significantly lower gut microbiota β diversity (p = 0.001) and higher relative abundance of Actinobacteriota (p = 0.033). Frailty in lung cancer patients might be associated with insufficient nutrients intake and a poor dietary quality through gut microbiota regulation.
Serum Magnesium Is Associated with Long-Term Survival of Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Segev Amitai , Shechter Michael , Tsur Avishai , Belkin David , Cohen Hofit , Sharon Amir , Morag Nira , Grossman Ehud , Maor Elad
Published: October 2023

Background: Low serum magnesium (sMg) is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerotic disease. Objective: To evaluate the association between sMg levels on admission and clinical outcomes in hospitalized non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to a single tertiary center with a primary diagnosis of NSTEMI. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease were excluded. Clinical data were collected and compared between lower sMg quartile patients (Q1; sMg < 1.9 mg/dL) and all other patients (Q2–Q4; sMg ≥ 1.9 mg/dL). Results: The study cohort included 4552 patients (70% male, median age 69 [IQR 59–79]) who were followed for a median of 4.4 (IQR 2.4–6.6) years. The median sMg level in the low sMg group was 1.7 (1.6–1.8) and 2.0 (2.0–2.2) mg/dL in the normal/high sMg group. The low sMg group was older (mean of 72 vs. 67 years), less likely to be male (64% vs. 72%), and had higher rates of comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation (59% vs. 29%, 92% vs. 85%, and 6% vs. 5%; p < 0.05 for all). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated significantly higher cumulative death probability at 4 years in the low sMg group (34% vs. 22%; p log rank <0.001). In a multivariable analysis model adjusted for sex, significant comorbidities, coronary interventions during the hospitalization, and renal function, the low sMg group exhibited an independent 24% increased risk of death during follow up (95% CI 1.11–1.39; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Low sMg is independently associated with higher risk of long-term mortality among patients recovering from an NSTEMI event.
Morphofunctional Nutritional Assessment in Clinical Practice: A New Approach to Assessing Nutritional Status
Authors: de Luis Roman Daniel-Antonio , Lopez Gomez Juan José
Published: October 2023

This Special Issue of Nutrients titled “Morphofunctional Nutritional Assessment in Clinical Practice” is oriented to the diagnosis of disease-related malnutrition (DRM) [...]
Development and Validation of a Perceived Community Food Accessibility Measurement Questionnaire for Korean Older Adults
Authors: Hong Jisoo , Yang Narae , Kim Kirang
Published: October 2023

As the community food environment is known to be an important factor in healthy food choices, it needs to be measured, to increase awareness and improve healthy eating. The objective of this study was to develop a perceived community food accessibility measurement (P-CFAM) questionnaire applicable to older adults in Korea and evaluate its reliability and validity. The questionnaire was developed based on community food environment factors that were found to affect food choices in previous studies. We evaluated the internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and criterion-related validity. The subjects were 188 older adults for validity. The Cronbach’s alpha value for the reliability measure was 0.9. The confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the construct validity of the questionnaire showed values close to those of the optimal model (GFI = 0.983, AGFI = 0.948, RMR = 0.004, NFI = 0.987, CFI = 0.996). Regarding the criterion-related validity, the P-CFAM questionnaire results were significantly related to objective measurement indicators such as the number of grocery stores, the travel time to a grocery store, and the intake of vegetables and fruit. In conclusion, the developed P-CFAM questionnaire was shown to be reliable and valid, and useful for assessing older adults’ perceptions of community food accessibility in Korea.
Anti-Osteoporotic Potential of Water Extract of Anethum graveolens L. Seeds
Authors: Jang Seon-A , Lee Sung-Ju , Hwang Youn-Hwan , Ha Hyunil
Published: October 2023

Anethum graveolens L., known as European dill, is a versatile herb widely used in both traditional medicine and culinary practices. Despite its long-standing history, the potential impact of the water extract of A. graveolens seeds (WEAG) on bone health remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the influence of WEAG on osteoclast differentiation and assessed its potential as an anti-osteoporotic agent. WEAG hindered osteoclast differentiation through the suppression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) expression in osteoclast-supporting cells and by directly targeting osteoclast precursor cells. WEAG significantly reduced the expression of key osteoclastogenic transcription factors, namely c-Fos and NFATc1, typically induced by RANKL in osteoclast precursors. This reduction was attributed to the suppression of both MAPKs and NF-κB pathways in response to RANKL. In vivo experiments further revealed that WEAG administration effectively reduces trabecular bone loss and weight gain triggered by ovariectomy, mimicking postmenopausal osteoporosis. Furthermore, our comprehensive phytochemical analysis of WEAG identified a range of phytochemical constituents, associated with bone health and weight regulation. Notably, we discovered a specific compound, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucuronide, within WEAG that exhibits anti-osteoclastogenic potential. Overall, this research elucidated the beneficial effects and mechanistic basis of WEAG on osteoclast differentiation and bone loss, indicating its potential as a viable alternative to address bone loss in conditions like postmenopause.
Preliminary Study: The Effectiveness of Nutrition Education Intervention Targeting Short-Statured Pregnant Women to Prevent Gestational Stunting
Authors: Muhamad Zuriati , Mahmudiono Trias , Abihail Chrysoprase Thasya , Sahila Nur , Wangi Martina Puspa , Suyanto Bagong , Binti Abdullah Nurul Ashikin
Published: October 2023

A short mother with a height < 150 cm is likely to give birth to a short baby with a body length < 48 cm so that later this short baby will become stunted. The success rate of stunting malnutrition prevention and control with specific methods is 30% and the success rate with sensitive methods is 70%. The size at risk for short pregnant women is equal to 30.5%. A major effort to improve the health status of short pregnant women and prevent stunting is to empower short pregnant women with the help of health professionals. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of providing nutrition education to pregnant women who have short stature to prevent gestational stunting. This study used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design in the intervention group and the control group. Research results showed that there are differences in the knowledge, attitudes, and actions of pregnant women about prenatal care services before and after the intervention, as well as knowledge of pregnant women about nutrition before and after intervention. The support of the cadres had a great influence on the intervention group compared with the control group, which received only one module. Pregnant women’s knowledge of nutritional diets and pregnant women’s knowledge of antenatal care (ANC) services directly influence the delivery timing. Interventions to improve the health status of short pregnant women and prevent stunting neonates can be improved by improving the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of short pregnant women about antenatal care, and knowledge of pregnant women about nutritional intake. The Short Pregnancy Medical Framework Support Model was developed for use in providing support to short pregnant women to prevent infant stunting.
Alterations in Appetite-Regulating Hormones in Girls with Central Early or Precocious Puberty
Authors: Stathori Galateia , Tzounakou Anastasia-Maria , Mastorakos George , Vlahos Nikolaos F. , Charmandari Evangelia , Valsamakis Georgios
Published: October 2023

The prevalence of central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls has increased worldwide and is often associated with obesity in childhood as well as high fat/high glycemic index diets. Evidence suggests that subjects with obesity present with alterations in appetite-regulating hormones. The arcuate and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus are the centers of action of appetite hormones, as well as the location of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, the activation of which results in the onset of puberty. This anatomical proximity raises the question of possible alterations in appetite-regulating hormones in patients with CPP. Furthermore, diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation constitutes a probable mechanism of the pathophysiology of CPP, as well as alterations in appetite-regulating hormones in young children. In this article, we summarize the evidence investigating whether girls with CPP present with alterations in appetite-regulating hormones. We present evidence that leptin concentrations are elevated in girls with CPP, ghrelin concentrations are lower in girls with CPP, nesfatin-1 and orexin-A concentrations are elevated among girls with premature thelarche, and insulin concentrations are increased in girls with early menarche.
RETRACTED: Myogenesis Effects of RGX365 to Improve Skeletal Muscle Atrophy
Authors: Lee Hye-Jin , Choi Hui-Ji , Lee Sang-Ah , Baek Dong , Heo Jong , Song Gyu , Lee Wonhwa
Published: October 2023

Age-related skeletal muscle atrophy and weakness not only reduce the quality of life of those afflicted, but also worsen the prognosis of underlying diseases. We evaluated the effect of RGX365, a protopanaxatriol-type rare ginsenoside mixture, on improving skeletal muscle atrophy. We investigated the myogenic effect of RGX365 on mouse myoblast cells (C2C12) and dexamethasone (10 µM)-induced atrophy of differentiated C2C12. RGX365-treated myotube diameters and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression levels were analyzed using immunofluorescence. We evaluated the myogenic effects of RGX365 in aging sarcopenic mice. RGX365 increased myoblast differentiation and MyHC expression, and attenuated the muscle atrophy-inducing F-box (Atrogin-1) and muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1) expression. Notably, one month of oral administration of RGX365 to 23-month-old sarcopenic mice improved muscle fiber size and the expression of skeletal muscle regeneration-associated molecules. In conclusion, rare ginsenosides, agonists of steroid receptors, can ameliorate skeletal muscle atrophy during long-term administration.
Assessment of Polydopamine to Reduce Streptococcus mutans Adhesion to a Dental Polymer
Authors: Arango-Santander Santiago , Martinez Carlos , Bedoya-Correa Claudia , Sanchez-Garzon Juliana , Franco John
Published: October 2023

Bacterial adhesion to the surface of materials is the first step in biofilm formation, which will lead to conditions that may compromise the health status of patients. Recently, polydopamine (PDA) has been proposed as an antibacterial material. Therefore, the objective of the current work was to assess and compare the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to the surface of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) discs that were modified using PDA following a biomimetic approach versus smooth PDA-coated PMMA surfaces. In addition, an assessment of the growth inhibition by PDA was performed. PMMA discs were manufactured and polished; soft lithography, using the topography from the Crocosmia aurea leaf, was used to modify their surface. PDA was used to smooth-coat PMMA discs by dip-coating. The growth inhibition was measured using an inhibition halo. The surfaces were characterized by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM), the contact angle (CA), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Polydopamine exhibited a significant antibacterial effect when used directly on the S. mutans planktonic cells, but such an effect was not as strong when modifying the PMMA surfaces. These results open the possibility of using polydopamine to reduce the adhesion and growth of S. mutans, which might have important consequences in the dental field.
Functionalizing Dendrimers for Targeted Delivery of Bioactive Molecules to Macrophages: A Potential Treatment for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection—A Review
Authors: Sanhueza Claudia , Vergara Daniela , Chávez-Aravena Catalina , Gálvez-Jiron Felipe , Chavez-Angel Emigdio , Castro-Alvarez Alejandro
Published: October 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that replicates inside human alveolar macrophages. This disease causes significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization 1.4 million people died of this disease in 2021. This indicates that despite the progress of modern medicine, improvements in diagnostics, and the development of drug susceptibility tests, TB remains a global threat to public health. In this sense, host-directed therapy may provide a new approach to the cure of TB, and the expression of miRNAs has been correlated with a change in the concentration of various inflammatory mediators whose concentrations are responsible for the pathophysiology of M. tuberculosis infection. Thus, the administration of miRNAs may help to modulate the immune response of organisms. However, direct administration of miRNAs, without adequate encapsulation, exposes nucleic acids to the activity of cytosolic nucleases, limiting their application. Dendrimers are a family of highly branched molecules with a well-defined architecture and a branched conformation which gives rise to cavities that facilitate physical immobilization, and functional groups that allow chemical interaction with molecules of interest. Additionally, dendrimers can be easily functionalized to target different cells, macrophages among them. In this sense, various studies have proposed the use of different cell receptors as target molecules to aim dendrimers at macrophages and thus release drugs or nucleic acids in the cell of interest. Based on the considerations, the primary objective of this review is to comprehensively explore the potential of functionalized dendrimers as delivery vectors for miRNAs and other therapeutic agents into macrophages. This work aims to provide insights into the use of functionalized dendrimers as an innovative approach for TB treatment, focusing on their ability to target and deliver therapeutic cargo to macrophages.
Hyaluronic Acid-Based Injective Medical Devices: In Vitro Characterization of Novel Formulations Containing Biofermentative Unsulfated Chondroitin or Extractive Sulfated One with Cyclodextrins
Authors: Vassallo Valentina , Di Meo Celeste , Toro Giuseppe , Alfano Alberto , Iolascon Giovanni , Schiraldi Chiara
Published: October 2023

Currently, chondroitin sulfate (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) pharma-grade forms are used for osteoarthritis (OA) management, CS as an oral formulations component, and HA as intra-articular injective medical devices. Recently, unsulfated chondroitin, obtained through biofermentative (BC) manufacturing, has been proposed for thermally stabilized injective preparation with HA. This study aimed to highlight the specific properties of two commercial injective medical devices, one based on HA/BC complexes and the other containing HA, extractive CS, and cyclodextrins, in order to provide valuable information for joint disease treatments. Their biophysical and biomechanical features were assayed; in addition, biological tests were performed on human pathological chondrocytes. Rheological measurements displayed similar behavior, with a slightly higher G′ for HA/BC, which also proved superior stability to the hyaluronidase attack. Both samples reduced the expression of specific OA-related biomarkers such as NF-kB, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and metalloprotease-13 (MMP-13). Moreover, HA/BC better ensured chondrocyte phenotype maintenance by up-regulating collagen type 2A1 (COLII) and aggrecan (AGN). Notwithstanding, the similarity of biomolecule components, the manufacturing process, raw materials characteristics, and specific concentration resulted in affecting the biomechanical and, more interestingly, the biochemical properties, suggesting potential better performances of HA/BC in joint disease treatment.
Hierarchical Virtual Screening of Potential New Antibiotics from Polyoxygenated Dibenzofurans against Staphylococcus aureus Strains
Authors: Oliveira Lana P. S. , Lima Lúcio R. , Silva Luciane B. , Cruz Jorddy N. , Ramos Ryan S. , Lima Luciana S. , Cardoso Francy M. N. , Silva Aderaldo V. , Rodrigues Dália P. , Rodrigues Gabriela S. , Proietti-Junior Aldo A. , dos Santos Gabriela B. , Campos Joaquín M. , Santos Cleydson B. R.
Published: October 2023

Staphylococcus aureus is a microorganism with high morbidity and mortality due to antibiotic-resistant strains, making the search for new therapeutic options urgent. In this context, computational drug design can facilitate the drug discovery process, optimizing time and resources. In this work, computational methods involving ligand- and structure-based virtual screening were employed to identify potential antibacterial agents against the S. aureus MRSA and VRSA strains. To achieve this goal, tetrahydroxybenzofuran, a promising antibacterial agent according to in vitro tests described in the literature, was adopted as the pivotal molecule and derivative molecules were considered to generate a pharmacophore model, which was used to perform virtual screening on the Pharmit platform. Through this result, twenty-four molecules were selected from the MolPort® database. Using the Tanimoto Index on the BindingDB web server, it was possible to select eighteen molecules with greater structural similarity in relation to commercial antibiotics (methicillin and oxacillin). Predictions of toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties (ADME/Tox) using the eighteen most similar molecules, showed that only three exhibited desired properties (LB255, LB320 and LB415). In the molecular docking study, the promising molecules LB255, LB320 and LB415 showed significant values in both molecular targets. LB320 presented better binding affinity to MRSA (−8.18 kcal/mol) and VRSA (−8.01 kcal/mol) targets. Through PASS web server, the three molecules, specially LB320, showed potential for antibacterial activity. Synthetic accessibility (SA) analysis performed on AMBIT and SwissADME web servers showed that LB255 and LB415 can be considered difficult to synthesize and LB320 is considered easy. In conclusion, the results suggest that these ligands, particularly LB320, may bind strongly to the studied targets and may have appropriate ADME/Tox properties in experimental studies.
Medicinal Plants Used for Eye Conditions in Mexico—A Review
Authors: Salazar-Gómez Anuar , Velo-Silvestre Amabile A. , Alonso-Castro Angel Josabad , Hernández-Zimbrón Luis Fernando
Published: October 2023

Medicinal plants have been historically significant for treating common human diseases in Mexico. Although some ethnobotanical research exists, limited ethnomedicinal data has documented medicinal plants employed for eye health. This review focuses on ethnomedicinal information and preclinical and clinical studies regarding medicinal plants used in Mexico for treating symptoms associated with eye conditions. An electronic database search was conducted by consulting scientific articles, books about Mexican herbal medicine, and academic theses. This work recorded 69 plant species belonging to 26 plant families, especially plants from the Crassulaceae family, which are used as remedies for irritation and infections in the eye. Eight of these medicinal plants have been the subject of preclinical studies using ocular models, and one medicinal plant has been tested in clinical trials. The evidence of pharmacological effects indicates the promising therapeutic potential of these medicinal plants for developing new treatments for eye conditions. However, toxicological studies are necessary to ensure safe application to the eye, particularly as traditional medicine continues to be relied upon worldwide. In addition, this review highlights the need to perform ethnobotanical and phytochemical studies in Mexico regarding the medicinal flora used as remedies for eye conditions.
Unleashing the Power of Synthetic Lethality: Augmenting Treatment Efficacy through Synergistic Integration with Chemotherapy Drugs
Authors: Du Yajing , Luo Lulu , Xu Xinru , Yang Xinbing , Yang Xueni , Xiong Shizheng , Yu Jiafeng , Liang Tingming , Guo Li
Published: October 2023

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, and chemotherapy is one of the main methods of cancer treatment. However, the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs has always been the main reason affecting the therapeutic effect. Synthetic lethality has emerged as a promising approach to augment the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy agents. Synthetic lethality (SL) refers to the specific cell death resulting from the simultaneous mutation of two non-lethal genes, which individually allow cell survival. This comprehensive review explores the classification of SL, screening methods, and research advancements in SL inhibitors, including Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) inhibitors, WEE1 G2 checkpoint kinase (WEE1) inhibitors, and protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) inhibitors. Emphasizing their combined use with chemotherapy drugs, we aim to unveil more effective treatment strategies for cancer patients.
Enhancing the Treatment of Uncontrolled Inflammation through the Targeted Delivery of TPCA-1-Loaded Nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Zhaozhao , Tang Lu , Luo Lili , Luo Wenjing , Li Yingying , Wang Xindi , Huang Linlin , Hu Yu , Mei Heng
Published: October 2023

Uncontrolled inflammation is a pathological state that underlies many diseases. Despite the development of numerous anti-inflammatory agents, the treatment of uncontrolled inflammation remains a challenging task. We developed a targeted delivery system for [5-(p-fluorophenyl)-2-ureido]thiophene-3-carboxamide (TPCA-1), a potent inhibitor of the NF-κB signaling pathway. The system comprises TPCA-1-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that specifically binds to the break point of the IgD6 region of the platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) extracellular segment that is overexposed on the injured endothelium and activated macrophages during the pathogenesis of inflammation. In vitro binding and cellular uptake experiments revealed that the mAb modification on NPs could significantly enhance uptake by both Raw264.7 and HUVEC compared with unmodified NPs. In studies conducted at the cellular level focusing on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, this formulation was found to effectively inhibit M1 polarization of macrophages, downregulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). In an animal model of vascular endothelial injury with acute inflammation, these NPs were capable of delivering TPCA-1 to inflammatory lesions in a targeted manner. Compared with the free agent-treated group, the NP-treated group exhibited reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that this targeted delivery of TPCA-1-loaded NPs represents a promising strategy for improved mitigation of uncontrolled inflammation.
On Possible Minimal Length Deformation of Metric Tensor, Levi-Civita Connection, and the Riemann Curvature Tensor
Authors: Farouk Fady Tarek , Tawfik Abdel Nasser , Tarabia Fawzy Salah , Maher Muhammad
Published: October 2023

The minimal length conjecture is merged with a generalized quantum uncertainty formula, where we identify the minimal uncertainty in a particle’s position as the minimal measurable length scale. Thus, we obtain a quantum-induced deformation parameter that directly depends on the chosen minimal length scale. This quantum-induced deformation is conjectured to require the generalization of Riemannian spacetime geometry underlying the classical theory of general relativity to an eight-dimensional spacetime fiber bundle, which dictates the deformation of the line element, metric tensor, Levi-Civita connection, Riemann curvature tensor, etc. We calculate the deformation thus produced in the Levi-Civita connection and find it to explicitly and exclusively depend on the product of the minimum measurable length and the particle’s spacelike four-acceleration vector, L2x¨2. We find that the deformed Levi-Civita connection preserves all properties of its undeformed counterpart, such as torsion freedom and metric compatibility. Accordingly, we have constructed a deformed version of the Riemann curvature tensor whose expression can be factorized in all its terms with different functions of L2x¨2. We also show that the classical four-manifold status of being Riemannian is preserved when the quantum-induced deformation is negligible. We study the dependence of a parallel-transported tangent vector on the spacelike four-acceleration. We illustrate the impact of the minimal-length-induced quantum deformation on the classical geometrical objects of the general theory of relativity using the unit radius two-sphere example. We conclude that the minimal length deformation implies a correction to the spacetime curvature and its contractions, which is manifest in the additional curvature terms of the corrected Riemann tensor. Accordingly, quantum-induced effects endow an additional spacetime curvature and geometrical structure.
Phenotypic Diversity in Domesticated and Wild Timothy Grass, and Closely Related Species for Forage Breeding
Authors: Rahimi Yousef , Bedada Girma , Moreno Silvana , Gustavsson Anne-Maj , Ingvarsson Pär K. , Westerbergh Anna
Published: October 2023

Timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.) is one of the most important forage crops in temperate regions. Forage production, however, faces many challenges, and new cultivars adapted to a changing climate are needed. Wild populations and relatives of timothy may serve as valuable genetic resources in the breeding of improved cultivars. The aim of our study is to provide knowledge about the phenotypic diversity in domesticated (cultivars, breeding lines and landraces) and wild timothy and two closely related species, P. nodosum (lowland species) and P. alpinum, (high altitude species) to identify potential genetic resources. A total of 244 accessions of timothy and the two related species were studied for growth (plant height, fresh and dry weight) and plant development (days to stem elongation, days to booting and days to heading) in the field and in a greenhouse. We found a large diversity in development and growth between the three Phleum species, as well as between the accessions within each species. Timothy showed the highest growth, but no significant difference was found between wild accessions and cultivars of timothy in fresh and dry weight. However, these two groups of accessions showed significant differences in plant development, where timothy cultivars as a group reached flowering earlier than the wild accessions. This suggests that there has not been a strong directional selection towards increased yield during the domestication and breeding of timothy; rather, timothy has been changed for other traits such as earlier heading. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis based on all traits revealed distinct clusters. Accessions falling within the same cluster showed similarities in the development and growth rather than the type of accession. The large diversity found in this study shows the potential of using timothy accessions as genetic resources in crosses with existing cultivars. Also, accessions of P. nodosum with favorable traits can be candidates for the domestication of a novel forage crop, and the high-altitude relative P. alpinum may be a source of genes for the development of more cold and stresstolerant cultivars.