bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wind Buckling Analysis of a Large-Scale Open-Topped Steel Tank with Harmonic Settlement-Induced Imperfection
Authors: Sun Bingcai , Ma Duanzhu , Gao Lei , He Mingchuan , Peng Zengli , Li Xin , Wang Wenhua
Published: November 2022

In this study, the wind buckling capacity of an open-topped steel tank with harmonic settlement-induced imperfection is numerically investigated. Although the single effect of the wind load or differential settlement on the open-topped steel tanks is widely studied, the interaction of the two loads to the tank shell is scarcely examined. The prototype of a 100,000 m3 open-topped steel tank with a floating roof is selected, and the harmonic settlements (wave numbers n = 2, 3, and 4) and the wind profile considering internal pressure (EN 1993-4-1) are applied. Firstly, the finite element model is established and validated by the replication of peer-reviewed research. Then, the wind buckling analysis of the tank shell with harmonic settlement-induced imperfection is studied. Next, the effects of the harmonic settlement-induced imperfection (HSII) and the wind attack angle (WAA) on the wind buckling capacity are discussed. The results show that the effect of the HSII on the wind buckling capacity is complex. When the wind attack angle is the case of β=0°, the wind load capacities (λcig) with HSIIs decrease to 73.4% (wave number n=2), 37.5% (wave number n=3) and 41.3% (wave number n=4) of the non-settlement wind load capacity (λcg). Given that the case of β=0° is the basis, when the harmonic settlement level is low, such as settlement load No.1 and No.2, the biggest increase of wind buckling capacity is less than 20% with an exception; when the harmonic settlement level is high, such as settlement load No.3, No.4 and No.5, the biggest increase of wind buckling capacity is more than 40%, with a few exceptions.
In Situ Assembly of Well-Defined MoS2 Slabs on Shape-Tailored Anatase TiO2 Nanostructures: Heterojunctions Role in Phenol Photodegradation
Authors: Santalucia Rosangela , Negro Paolo , Vacca Tiziano , Pellegrino Francesco , Damin Alessandro , Cesano Federico , Scarano Domenica
Published: November 2022

MoS2/TiO2-based nanostructures have attracted extensive attention due to their high performance in many fields, including photocatalysis. In this contribution, MoS2 nanostructures were prepared via an in situ bottom-up approach at the surface of shape-controlled TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 nanosheets and bipyramids). Furthermore, a multi-technique approach by combining electron microscopy and spectroscopic methods was employed. More in detail, the morphology/structure and vibrational/optical properties of MoS2 slabs on TiO2 anatase bipyramidal nanoparticles, mainly exposing {101} facets, and on TiO2 anatase nanosheets exposing both {001} and {101} facets, still covered by MoS2, were compared. It was shown that unlike other widely used methods, the bottom-up approach enabled the atomic-level growth of well-defined MoS2 slabs on TiO2 nanostructures, thus aiming to achieve the most effective chemical interactions. In this regard, two kinds of synergistic heterojunctions, namely, crystal face heterojunctions between anatase TiO2 coexposed {101} and {001} facets and semiconductor heterojunctions between MoS2 and anatase TiO2 nanostructures, were considered to play a role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity, together with a proper ratio of (101), (001) coexposed surfaces.
Recent Developments on Processes for Recovery of Rhodium Metal from Spent Catalysts
Authors: Jia Mingqi , Jiang Guangshen , Chen Hanchu , Pang Yue , Yuan Fei , Zhang Zhen , Miao Naiqian , Zheng Chengzhuo , Song Jianhui , Li Yanyan , Wang Hui
Published: November 2022

Rhodium (Rh) catalyst has played an indispensable role in many important industrial and technological applications due to its unique and valuable properties. Currently, Rh is considered as a strategic or critical metal as the scarce high-quality purity can only be supplemented by refining coarse ores with low content (2–10 ppm) and is far from meeting the fast-growing market demand. Nowadays, exploring new prospects has already become an urgent issue because of the gradual depletion of Rh resources, incidental pressure on environmental protection, and high market prices. Since waste catalyst materials, industrial equipment, and electronic instruments contain Rh with a higher concentration than that of natural minerals, recovering Rh from scrap not only offers an additional source to satisfy market demand but also reduces the risk of ore over-exploitation. Therefore, the recovery of Rh-based catalysts from scrap is of great significance. This review provides an overview of the Rh metal recovery from spent catalysts. The characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of several current recovery processes, including pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and biosorption technology, are presented and compared. Among them, the hydrometallurgical process is commonly used for Rh recovery from auto catalysts due to its technological simplicity, low cost, and short processing time, but the overall recovery rate is low due to its high remnant Rh within the insoluble residue and the unstable leaching. In contrast, higher Rh recovery and less effluent discharge can be ensured by a pyrometallurgical process which therefore is widely employed in industry to extract precious metals from spent catalysts. However, the related procedure is quite complex, leading to an expensive hardware investment, high energy consumption, long recovery cycles, and inevitable difficulties in controlling contamination in practice. Compared to conventional recovery methods, the biosorption process is considered to be a cost-effective biological route for Rh recovery owing to its intrinsic merits, e.g., low operation costs, small volume, and low amount of chemicals and biological sludge to be treated. Finally, we summarize the challenges and prospect of these three recovery processes in the hope that the community can gain more meaningful and comprehensive insights into Rh recovery.
Co(OH)2 Nanoflowers Decorated α-NiMoO4 Nanowires as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Efficient Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Xu Zhiying , Hao Minghui , Liu Xin , Ma Jingjing , Wang Liang , Li Chunhu , Wang Wentai
Published: November 2022

The development of bifunctional electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity and cyclic stability is an effective method for electrocatalytic water splitting. Herein, a promising hydroxide/oxide Co(OH)2/α-NiMoO4 NWs/CC heterostructure with nanoflowers decorating the nanowires was fabricated on a carbon cloth (CC) substrate via hydrothermal and calcination methods. In contrast to one-dimensional nanomaterials, the interfaces of Co(OH)2 nanoflowers and α-NiMoO4 nanowires on CC provide more active sites for electrocatalytic reactions; therefore, they exhibit obviously enhanced electrocatalytic activities in overall water splitting. Specifically, the Co(OH)2/α-NiMoO4 NWs/CC electrodes exhibit an overpotential of 183.01 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and of 170.26 mV for oxygen evolution reactions (OER) at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH. Moreover, the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of the Co(OH)2/α-NiMoO4 NWs/CC electrocatalyst was enhanced after long-term stability tests.
Tetrachlorocobaltate-Catalyzed Methane Oxidation to Methyl Trifluoroacetate
Authors: Dang Huyen Tran , Cheong Seokhyeon , Kim Jiyun , Tran Ngoc Tuan , Kim Honggon , Lee Hyunjoo
Published: November 2022

In ongoing attempts to efficiently utilize abundant natural gas, there has been steady scientific and industrial interest in using an environmentally benign and inexpensive oxidant (dioxygen O2) for the direct catalytic oxidation of methane to oxygenate products under mild conditions. Here, we report the homogeneous bis(tetramethylammonium) tetrachlorocobaltate ([Me4N]2CoCl4)-catalyzed methane oxidation to methyl trifluoroacetate (MeTFA) with dioxygen O2 in trifluoroacetic acid (HTFA) media. [Me4N]2CoCl4 had the highest catalytic activity among previously reported homogeneous cobalt-based catalyst systems; the turnover of methane to MeTFA reached 8.26 molester molmetal−1h−1 at 180 °C. Results suggest that the ionic form of the catalyst makes the Co species more soluble in the HTFA media; consequently, an active catalyst form, [CoTFAxCly]2−, can form very rapidly. Furthermore, chloride anions dissociated from CoCl42− appear to suppress oxidation of the solvent HTFA, thereby driving the reaction toward methane oxidation. The effects of reaction time, catalyst concentration, O2 and methane pressure, and reaction temperature on MeTFA production were also investigated.
Magnetic TiO2/Fe3O4-Chitosan Beads: A Highly Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for Photo-Electro-Fenton Process
Authors: Rezgui Soumaya , Díez Aida M. , Monser Lotfi , Adhoum Nafaa , Pazos Marta , Sanromán M. Ángeles
Published: November 2022

Heterogeneous photo-electro-Fenton process is an attractive technology for the removal of recalcitrant pollutants. To better exploit the presence of an irradiation source, a bifunctional catalyst with TiO2 nanoparticles embedded into an iron–chitosan matrix was developed. The catalytic activity of the catalyst was improved by the optimization of the loaded TiO2 content. The prepared composite catalysts based on TiO2, Fe3O4 and chitosan were called TiO2/Fe3O4-CS beads. The best catalyst with an optimal ratio TiO2/Fe = 2 exhibited a high efficiency in the degradation and mineralization of chlordimeform (CDM) insecticide. Under the optimum conditions (concentration of catalyst equal to 1 g L−1 and applied current intensity equal to 70 mA), a real effluent doped with 30 mg L−1 of CDM was efficiently treated, leading to 80.8 ± 1.9% TOC reduction after 6 h of treatment, with total removal of CDM after only 1 h.The generated carboxylic acids and minerals were identified and quantified. Furthermore, the stability and reusability of the developed catalyst was examined, and an insignificant reduction in catalytic activity was noticed for four consecutive cycles of the photo-electro-Fenton process. Analyses using SEM, XRD and VSM showed a good stability of the physicochemical properties of the catalyst after use.
Honokiol Microemulsion Causes Stage-Dependent Toxicity Via Dual Roles in Oxidation-Reduction and Apoptosis through FoxO Signaling Pathway
Authors: Li Hui , Li Wanfang , Li Jie , Li Sizheng , Kuang Lian , Pang Fei , Jiang Haiyan , Jin Hongtao , Bian Xiaolan
Published: November 2022

Honokiol, the main bioactive extract of Magnolia officinalis, exhibits extensive therapeutic actions. Its treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer is undergoing clinical trials in China. However, the published safety evaluation studies have focused on extract mixtures of Magnolia officinalis in which the honokiol content was well below the reported clinical dose of the honokiol monomer. Therefore, safety assessment of the honokiol monomer is urgently needed. Our previous studies have already demonstrated that a high dose of the honokiol microemulsion (0.6 μg/mL) induces developmental toxicity in rats and zebrafish by inducing oxidative stress. By exploring the relationship between time and toxicity, we found that developmental toxic responses were stage-dependent. They mainly occurred within the first 24 h post fertilization (hpf) especially the first 12 hpf. In zebrafish, low doses of honokiol microemulsion (0.15, 0.21 μg/mL) significantly decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the mRNA expression of bcl-2. In contrast, high dose (0.6 μg/mL) increased the levels of ROS and MDA, decreased activities and mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and increased mRNA expression of bax, c-jnk, p53 and bim. By acridine orange staining, we found that a high dose of honokiol microemulsion induced apoptosis mainly in zebrafish brain. In rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells), low doses of the honokiol microemulsion (1, 5, 10 µM) exerted a protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative damage while high doses (≥20 µM) induced oxidative stress, which further confirms the dual effects of honokiol microemulsion on nerve cells. These dual roles of the honokiol microemulsion in oxidation–reduction reactions and apoptosis may be regulated by the forkhead box class O (FoxO) signaling pathway. Due to the potential of developmental toxicity, we recommend that the administration of high dose honokiol microemulsion in pregnant women should be considered with caution.
Prevalence and Prognostic Relevance of Homologous Recombination Repair Gene Mutations in Uterine Serous Carcinoma
Authors: Dong Lin , Wang Tingting , Li Ning , Yao Hongwen , Ying Jianming , Wu Lingying , Yuan Guangwen
Published: November 2022

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is a rare but aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer lacking efficacious treatments. USC bears molecular and pathological resemblance to high-grade serous ovarian cancer, for which mutations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes have been associated with better treatment outcomes with platinum-based chemotherapy and poly-ADP ribose polymerase 1/2 inhibitors (PARPi). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of tumor HRR (tHRR) gene mutations and its potential prognostic value in USC patients. Sixty consecutive USC patients with available tumor tissue samples and complete follow-up records were included. Tumor mutations in relevant HRR genes were identified using next-generation sequencing and correlated with the progress-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) of the patients. Among the 60 patients’ USC, 22 (36.7%) carried tumor HRR gene mutations (tHRRmt), with ATM, BRCA1, and BRCA2 being the most frequently mutated genes. Survival analysis showed similar PFS (HR, 0.500; 95% CI, 0.203–1.232; p = 0.132), but significantly longer DSS in the tHRRmt patients than in the HRR gene wild-type (tHRRwt) patients (HR, 0.176; 95% CI, 0.050–0.626; p = 0.007). In FIGO stage III and IV patients, the tHRRmt group also displayed longer DSS than the tHRRwt group (p = 0.008). Notably, USC patients with abnormal p53 in our cohort, both PFS and DSS were significantly longer in the tHRRmt group over the tHRRwt group (p = 0.040 and p = 0.008, respectively). The HRR gene mutations are highly prevalent in USC and may be related to better clinical outcomes as a prognostic marker. Further study is needed to confirm whether tHRRmt patients may benefit from treatments targeting homologous recombination such as platinum and PARPi.
Actin-Binding Proteins in Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: Pan Congbin , Wang Siqi , Liu Chao , Ren Zhanhong
Published: November 2022

The heart reacts to a large number of pathological stimuli through cardiac hypertrophy, which finally can lead to heart failure. However, the molecular mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy remain elusive. Actin participates in the formation of highly differentiated myofibrils under the regulation of actin-binding proteins (ABPs), which provides a structural basis for the contractile function and morphological change in cardiomyocytes. Previous studies have shown that the functional abnormality of ABPs can contribute to cardiac hypertrophy. Here, we review the function of various actin-binding proteins associated with the development of cardiac hypertrophy, which provides more references for the prevention and treatment of cardiomyopathy.
Evaluation of the Hematological and Serum Biochemistry Parameters in the Pre-Symptomatic and Symptomatic Stages of ALS Disease to Support Early Diagnosis and Prognosis
Authors: Aydemir Duygu , Surucu Selcuk , Basak Ayse Nazli , Ulusu Nuriye Nuray
Published: November 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease. Since there are no pathognomonic tests for ALS prognoses; clinical diagnoses of the disease take time and are usually difficult. Prognostic biomarkers are urgently needed for rapid and effective ALS prognoses. Male albino rats were divided into ten groups based on age: 0 (40–45 days old), A (70–75 days old), B (90–95 days old), C (110–115 days old), and D (130–135 days old). Each group was divided into two subgroups according to its mutation status: wild type (SOD1WT) or mutated (SOD1G93A). Serum biochemistry and hematological parameters were measured in 90 rats to evaluate possible biomarkers for faster ALS diagnoses and prognoses. Weight loss, cholesterol, creatinine, glucose, total bilirubin (TBIL), blood urine nitrogen (BUN), c-peptide, glucagon, PYY, white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte (LYM), monocyte (MID), granulocyte (GRAN), red cell distribution width with standard deviation (RDW-SD), red cell distribution width with the coefficient of variation (RDW-CV), platelet (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and procalcitonin (PCT) levels were changed in the SOD1G93A rats compared to the SOD1WT rats independently from aging. For the first time in the literature, we showed promising hematological and serum biochemistry parameters in the pre-symptomatic and symptomatic stages of ALS by eliminating the effects of aging. Our results can be used for early diagnoses and prognoses of ALS, improving the quality of life and survival time of ALS patients.
Human Vδ2 T Cells and Their Versatility for Immunotherapeutic Approaches
Authors: Sanz Marta , Mann Brendan T. , Chitrakar Alisha , Soriano-Sarabia Natalia
Published: November 2022

Gamma/delta (γδ) T cells are innate-like immune effectors that are a critical component linking innate and adaptive immune responses. They are recognized for their contribution to tumor surveillance and fight against infectious diseases. γδ T cells are excellent candidates for cellular immunotherapy due to their unique properties to recognize and destroy tumors or infected cells. They do not depend on the recognition of a single antigen but rather a broad-spectrum of diverse ligands through expression of various cytotoxic receptors. In this manuscript, we review major characteristics of the most abundant circulating γδ subpopulation, Vδ2 T cells, their immunotherapeutic potential, recent advances in expansion protocols, their preclinical and clinical applications for several infectious diseases and malignancies, and how additional modulation could enhance their therapeutic potential.
Pan-Cancer Analysis Identifies MNX1 and Associated Antisense Transcripts as Biomarkers for Cancer
Authors: Ragusa Denise , Tosi Sabrina , Sisu Cristina
Published: November 2022

The identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers is a major objective in improving clinical outcomes in cancer, which has been facilitated by the availability of high-throughput gene expression data. A growing interest in non-coding genomic regions has identified dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in several malignancies, suggesting a potential use as biomarkers. In this study, we leveraged data from large-scale sequencing projects to uncover the expression patterns of the MNX1 gene and its associated lncRNAs MNX1-AS1 and MNX1-AS2 in solid tumours. Despite many reports describing MNX1 overexpression in several cancers, limited studies exist on MNX1-AS1 and MNX1-AS2 and their potential as biomarkers. By employing clustering methods to visualise multi-gene relationships, we identified a discriminative power of the three genes in distinguishing tumour vs. normal samples in several cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and reproductive systems, as well as in discerning oesophageal and testicular cancer histological subtypes. Notably, the expressions of MNX1 and its antisenses also correlated with clinical features and endpoints, uncovering previously unreported associations. This work highlights the advantages of using combinatory expression patterns of non-coding transcripts of differentially expressed genes as clinical evaluators and identifies MNX1, MNX1-AS1, and MNX1-AS2 expressions as robust candidate biomarkers for clinical applications.
RNA Editing Alterations Define Disease Manifestations in the Progression of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE)
Authors: Dafou Dimitra , Kanata Eirini , Pettas Spyros , Bekas Nikolaos , Dimitriadis Athanasios , Kempapidou Garyfalia , Lagoudaki Roza , Theotokis Paschalis , Touloumi Olga , Delivanoglou Nikoleta , Kesidou Evangelia , Xanthopoulos Konstantinos , Grigoriadis Nikolaos , Papavasiliou Fotini Nina , Sklaviadis Theodoros
Published: November 2022

RNA editing is an epitranscriptomic modification, leading to targeted changes in RNA transcripts. It is mediated by the action of ADAR (adenosine deaminases acting on double-stranded (ds) RNA and APOBEC (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like) deaminases and appears to play a major role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Here, we assessed its role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a widely used non-clinical model of autoimmune inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), which resembles many aspects of human multiple sclerosis (MS). We have analyzed in silico data from microglia isolated at different timepoints through disease progression to identify the global editing events and validated the selected targets in murine tissue samples. To further evaluate the functional role of RNA editing, we induced EAE in transgenic animals lacking expression of APOBEC-1. We found that RNA-editing events, mediated by the APOBEC and ADAR deaminases, are significantly reduced throughout the course of disease, possibly affecting the protein expression necessary for normal neurological function. Moreover, the severity of the EAE model was significantly higher in APOBEC-1 knock-out mice, compared to wild-type controls. Our results implicate regulatory epitranscriptomic mechanisms in EAE pathogenesis that could be extrapolated to MS and other neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) with common clinical and molecular features.
Midpalatal Suture: Single-Cell RNA-Seq Reveals Intramembrane Ossification and Piezo2 Chondrogenic Mesenchymal Cell Involvement
Authors: Gao Lu , Xu Tiansong , Zhang Liqi , Li Yuchen , Yan Tianxing , Yu Guoxia , Chen Feng
Published: November 2022

The midpalatal suture is mainly responsible for the growth and development of the maxillary and resistance to rapid maxillary expansion (RME). It is essential for clinical researchers to explore the intramembrane ossification and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of the maturation and ossification process of the midpalatal suture to help identify the optimum time and force of RME. However, mechanistic studies associated with the midpalatal suture are rare. The aim of this present study is to create an intramembrane osteogenesis model for the midpalatal suture region of mice. Interestingly, we discovered a type of chondrogenic mesenchymal cell expressing Piezo2, which might be related to the detection of mechanical and external stimuli. This result provides a potential molecular and cellular mechanism that explains why the midpalatal suture is not closed until adulthood. We depict a landscape of mesenchymal cells that might play an important role in the intramembrane osteogenesis of the midpalatal suture and provide new perspectives on midpalate suture maturation and ossification, which might lead to further possibilities for clinical operations.
o-Vanillin Modulates Cell Phenotype and Extracellular Vesicles of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Intervertebral Disc Cells
Authors: Li Li , Sheng Kai , Mannarino Matthew , Jarzem Peter , Cherif Hosni , Haglund Lisbet
Published: November 2022

Human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) and extracellular vesicle (EV) therapy is a promising treatment for discogenic low back pain (LBP). Although promising, major obstacles remain to be overcome. Cellular senescence reduces self-renewal and multipotent potentials, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype creates an inflammatory environment negatively affecting tissue homeostasis. Reducing senescence could therefore improve regenerative approaches. Ortho-Vanillin (o-Vanillin) has senolytic activity and anti-inflammatory properties and could be a valuable supplement to MSC and EV therapy. Here, we used direct co-culture experiments to evaluate proteoglycan synthesis, inflammatory mediators, and senescent cells in the presence or absence of o-Vanillin. EV release and transfer between hMSCs and intervertebral disc cells (DCs) was examined, and the effect on hMSC differentiation and DC phenotype was evaluated in the presence and absence of o-Vanillin. This study demonstrates that o-Vanillin affects cell communication, enhances hMSC differentiation and improves DC phenotype. Co-cultures of DCs and hMSCs resulted in increased proteoglycan synthesis, a decreased number of senescent cells and decreased release of the cytokines IL6 and 8. Effects that were further enhanced by o-Vanillin. o-Vanillin profoundly increased EV release and/or uptake by hMSCs and DCs. DC markers were significantly upregulated in both cell types in response to conditioned media of o-Vanillin treated donor cells. Collectively, this study demonstrates that o-Vanillin affects hMSC and DC crosstalk and suggests that combining hMSCs and senolytic compounds may improve the outcome of cell supplementation and EV therapy for LBP.
Targeting the CD47-SIRPα Axis: Present Therapies and the Future for Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma
Authors: Xiao Amy , Akilov Oleg E.
Published: November 2022

The loss of CD47 on aging cells serves as a signal to macrophages to eliminate the target. Therefore, CD47 is a “do-not-eat-me” sign preventing macrophagal phagocytosis via interaction with its ligand SIRPα. Malignant lymphocytes of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome express CD47 highly, thus, being ideal candidates for targeted anti-CD47 therapies. The classes of current anti-CD47-SIRPα therapeutic molecules present in a large variety and include monoclonal antibodies against CD47 and SIRPα, bioengineered SIRPα proteins, miRNAs, and bispecific antibodies. We provided a detailed analysis of all available investigational drugs in a contest of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. A combination of blockade of the CD47-SIRPα axis and secondary targets in the tumor microenvironment (TME) may improve the clinical efficacy of current immunotherapeutic approaches. We evaluated the possible combination and outlined the most promising one.
A Novel Synthesis of a Magnetic Porous Imprinted Polymer by Polyol Method Coupled with Electrochemical Biomimetic Sensor for the Detection of Folate in Food Samples
Authors: Khan Sabir , Wong Ademar , Rychlik Michael , Sotomayor María del Pilar Taboada
Published: November 2022

The present study reports the development and application of a novel, sensitive, and selective voltammetric sensor for the quantitation of folate or vitamin B9 in foodstuffs. The sensor was made from magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs), which were synthesized by the core–shell method using magnetite nanoparticles obtained by the polyol method. The MMIP-based sensor was used for the selective and specific detection of folate in different food samples. The MMIP material was constructed using magnetic water-dispersible nanomaterial, which was prepared by immersing iron (III) acetylacetonate in tri-ethylene-glycol (TEG) solvent. The magnetic water-dispersible nanomaterial was then subjected to polymerization using allyl alcohol as a functional monomer, ethylene-glycol-dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linking agent, and 2,2-Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as a radical initiator. The proposed magnetic materials were characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis. The quantification of folate was performed by square wave voltammetry under optimized conditions using 15 mg of MMIPs and 85 mg of carbon paste. The modified electrode presented a linear dynamic range (LDR) of 2.0–12 µmol L−1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.0 × 10−7 mol L−1 in 0.1 mol L−1 acetate buffer solution (pH 4.0). The proposed sensor was successfully applied for folate detection in different food samples, where recovery percentages ranging from 93 to 103% were obtained. Finally, the results obtained from the analysis of selectivity showed that the modified biomimetic sensor is highly efficient for folate determination in real food samples. Adsorption tests were used to evaluate and compare the efficiency of the MMIPs and magnetic non-molecularly imprinted polymer (MNIPs)—used as control material, through the application of HPLC as a standard method.
A Multicenter Study Evaluating the Discontinuation of Eculizumab Therapy in Children with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Authors: AlZabali Saeed , AlBatati Sawsan , Rahim Khawla , Faqeehi Hassan , Osman Abubaker , Bamhraz Abdulaziz , Saleh Mohammed A. , Kari Jameela A. , Aloufi Majed , Eid Loai , Nasser Haydar , Imam Abubakr , AlHammadi Entesar , Alkandari Omar , Al Riyami Mohammed , Sethi Sidharth , Licht Christoph , Alhasan Khalid A. , AlAnazi Abdulkarim
Published: November 2022

Background: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare, life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), which has been treated successfully with eculizumab. The optimal duration of eculizumab in treating patients with aHUS remains poorly defined. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study in the Arabian Gulf region for children of less than 18 years of age who were diagnosed with aHUS and who discontinued eculizumab between June 2013 and June 2021 to assess the rate and risk factors of aHUS recurrence. Results: We analyzed 28 patients with a clinical diagnosis of aHUS who had discontinued eculizumab. The most common reason for the discontinuation of eculizumab was renal and hematological remission (71.4%), followed by negative genetic testing (28.6%). During a median follow-up period of 24 months after discontinuation, 8 patients (28.5%) experienced HUS relapse. The risk factors of recurrence were positive genetic mutations (p = 0.020). On the other hand, there was no significant relationship between the relapse and age of presentation, the need for acute dialysis, the duration of eculizumab therapy before discontinuation, or the timing of eculizumab after the presentation. Regarding the renal outcomes after discontinuation, 23 patients were in remission with normal renal function, while 4 patients had chronic kidney disease (CKD) (three of them had pre-existing chronic kidney disease (CKD) before discontinuation, and one case developed a new CKD after discontinuation) and one patient underwent transplantation. Conclusions: The discontinuation of eculizumab in patients with aHUS is not without risk; it can result in HUS recurrence. Eculizumab discontinuation can be performed with close monitoring of the patients. It is essential to assess risk the factors for relapse before eculizumab discontinuation, in particular in children with a positive complement variant and any degree of residual CKD, as HUS relapse may lead to additional loss of kidney function. Resuming eculizumab promptly after relapse is effective in most patients.
Improving Communication with Parents in the NICU during the COVID-19 Pandemic, a Study and Review of the Literature
Authors: Riskin Arieh , Shlezinger Shlomit , Yonai Lital , Mor Frida , Partom Limor , Monacis-Winkler Elinor , Odler Keren , Goroshko Maria , Gover Ayala
Published: November 2022

Background: Communication with parents of sick premature and term infants in the NICU is complicated and challenging. Multiple efforts have been made to improve it, including the introduction of new electronic-based measures. Aim: We aimed to study the influence of implementation of a new communication technology on parents’ satisfaction with care in the NICU during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Infants were video-recorded in their incubators or cots without being disturbed. These short films, with voice updates on the infant’s condition, were sent on a daily basis to their parents via a WhatsApp application. Results: Parents who chose to join the new communication project (study group) were older, and their infants were more premature. Parents were satisfied with this new communication modality. Satisfaction scores in both study and control groups were high, but not significantly different. Conclusions: Although the implementation of the new communication project was successful, we could not demonstrate significant improvement in satisfaction scores that were high in study and control groups, reflecting baseline high satisfaction. Further studies are needed employing other assessment tools in order to evaluate other aspects of parents’ satisfaction with new modalities of communication introduced to the NICU, and their effects on parents’ bonding with their infants.
Risk of Epilepsy in Children Presenting to Emergency Departments with Their First Afebrile Seizure: A Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Woo Seungho , Nah Sangun , Kim Minsol , Kim Sangil , Lee Dongwook , Moon Jieun , Han Sangsoo
Published: November 2022

Seizure is one of the most common neurologic disorders in pediatric emergency department visits. Early detection of epilepsy development in children with afebrile seizures is important. We identified predictors of epilepsy development in children with their first afebrile seizure. In this retrospective multicenter study, we enrolled pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years who presented with afebrile seizures at the emergency department from January 2017 to December 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with epilepsy development. A total of 417 pediatric patients were enrolled, 161 (38.6%) of whom developed epilepsy. From the multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age at onset (2–5 years, odds ratio [OR] 2.611, p = 0.010; 11–15 years, OR 3.138, p = 0.003; 16–18 years, OR 4.292, p = 0.002), longer seizure duration of more than 10 min (OR 4.869, p = 0.006), two or more seizures (OR 2.378, p = 0.004), lethargy (OR 2.341, p = 0.021), and a lactate level > 2.27 mg/dL (OR 4.205, p < 0.001) were significant predictors for the development of epilepsy in children experiencing their first afebrile seizure.
Characteristics of Pediatric Primary Healthcare Visits in a University-Based Primary Healthcare Center in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Yousef Haneen A. , Abdel Wahab Moataza M. , Alsheikh Shahad , Alghamdi Rizam , Alghamdi Raghad , Alkanaan Najla , Al-Qahtani Mohammad , Albuali Waleed H. , Almakhaita Huda , Aldossari Mae , Yousef Abdullah A.
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to identify the characteristics of pediatric primary health care (PHC) visits and evaluate the outcomes of patients presenting with complaints along with their referral and consultation capabilities. This was a retrospective medical record-based study. The study population included any pediatric patient (≤14 years old), including females and males, Saudis, and non-Saudis. Research data were gathered for visits from 2016–2021. Sampling was performed using a stratified random sample based on age groups, followed by simple random sampling with proportional allocation to different age groups. The number of pediatric visits included was 1439 (males, 52.2%). The most common age group was toddlers, and 60% of the total sample was from Saudi Arabia. The most common cause of visits was vaccination (32%), followed by general checkups and/or a well-baby visit (25.4%), and fever (11.2%). Approximately 10% of visits needed referral to other subspecialties. Approximately 50% of visits with complaints concerning ophthalmology, cardiology, and surgical intervention were referred to a specialized department. More awareness needs to be raised about the important role of PHC services in the pediatric age group, as it was capable of handling approximately 90% of their cases.
RNA Editing in Chloroplast: Advancements and Opportunities
Authors: Mohammed Taimyiah , Firoz Ahmad , Ramadan Ahmed M.
Published: November 2022

Many eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms employ RNA editing (insertion, deletion, or conversion) as a post-transcriptional modification mechanism. RNA editing events are common in these organelles of plants and have gained particular attention due to their role in the development and growth of plants, as well as their ability to cope with abiotic stress. Owing to rapid developments in sequencing technologies and data analysis methods, such editing sites are being accurately predicted, and many factors that influence RNA editing are being discovered. The mechanism and role of the pentatricopeptide repeat protein family of proteins in RNA editing are being uncovered with the growing realization of accessory proteins that might help these proteins. This review will discuss the role and type of RNA editing events in plants with an emphasis on chloroplast RNA editing, involved factors, gaps in knowledge, and future outlooks.
Current Understanding of “Mixed Corticomedullary Adrenal Tumor” and an Insight into Genomic Profiling
Authors: Ullah Asad , Mohamed Farah Ayman Elsaid , Khan Jaffar , Tracy Katharine , Khan Muhabat , Mohsen Samiha , Yasinzai Abdul Qahar Khan , Badini Kaleemullah , Sobash Philip T. , Heneidi Saleh , Karim Nagla Abdel
Published: November 2022

Background: Malignant mixed corticomedullary adrenal tumors (MCMTs) are extremely rare, with limited cases reported in the literature. The pathophysiology of malignant MCMTs is not well understood; the most prevailing theories are that it is a composite tumor of embryologically derived mesodermal (adrenal cortex) and neural crest (medulla) origin, perpetuating as two distinct cell lines forming a singular mass. Clinical features and laboratory diagnosis are associated with hypersecretions of the adrenal cortex and medulla. Surgical resection is curative in an isolated tumor. We reviewed and compared cases in the literature highlighting the pathogenesis and genetics of benign and malignant MCMT. Methods: Comprehensive literature analysis was conducted on PubMed and all the cases of mixed corticomedullary adrenal tumor published in English were included. Results: Most patients were female (73.1%) with a median age of 49 in women and 50 in men. Surgery was performed in all patients, and in four patients with malignant disease, chemotherapy was used as well. Clinically, most patients presented with hypertension (69%) followed by Cushing syndrome (42%) and diabetes (19%). Tumors often produced cortisol (74%), catecholamines (50%), and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) (38%), with lower incidence of aldosterone- (7%) or dopamine (4%)-producing tumors. Immunohistochemical staining of 96% of cases showed Chromogranin-A (73%) and Synaptophysin (62%), followed by Inhibin-α (50%), Melan-A (31%), and S-100 (23%). Of the reported four cases with malignant disease, three showed a Ki-67 index of 40–50% with one showing less than 5%. Conclusion: Mixed corticomedullary adrenal tumors rarely present as a malignant disease requiring chemotherapy. Most MCMTs confer a good prognosis and respond well to surgical resection, though their pathogenesis is largely up to speculation because of limited data. Current theories regarding MCMT pathogenesis should be investigated further with genetic testing. Future research on MCMT may provide ways to guide physician diagnosis and subsequent treatment for refractory cases.
Performance of CoMnO Spinel Coating onto 441 SS for SOEC Interconnect Application
Authors: Cheng Fupeng , Yu Yutian , Lu Yue , Wang Zhijie , Ling Yihan , Jing Chao , Guan Chengzhi , Wang Jianqiang
Published: November 2022

In this study, CoMnO spinel was applied via atmospheric plasma spray onto 441 SS as SOEC interconnect coating. The performance of oxidation corrosion, electrical resistance, and Cr migration are evaluated. The influence rule was elucidated as the higher the plasma torch power and the thicker coating, the higher the deposition efficiency for the coated specimens. The long-term isothermal oxidation measurement was conducted under a simulated environment for 504 h. The CoMnO35 specimen had a small kp at 6.54 × 10−5 mg2 cm−4 h−1 below the CoMnO30 (7.1 × 10−5) one, and the bare steel sample (1.3 × 10−3). The area-specific resistance (ASR) depends on the temperature and time measured. The CoMnO35 specimen had a smaller Ea (0.61 eV) than the bare steel sample (0.91 eV) and CoMnO38 (0.85 eV). In addition, the CoMnO35 had a lower ASR (27.33 mΩ cm2) than the uncoated one (1.58 Ω cm2 for 670 h).
Microstructure and Surface Topography Study of Nanolayered TiAlN/CrN Hard Coating
Authors: Panjan Peter , Gselman Peter , Panjan Matjaž , Bončina Tonica , Drnovšek Aljaž , Albu Mihaela , Čekada Miha , Zupanič Franc
Published: November 2022

The microstructure and surface topography of PVD hard coatings are among the most important properties, as they significantly determine their mechanical, tribological and other properties. In this study, we systematically analyzed the microstructure and topography of a TiAlN/CrN nanolayer coating (NL-TiAlN/CrN), not only because such coatings possess better mechanical and tribological properties than TiAlN and CrN monolayer coatings, mainly because the contours of the individual layers, in the cross-sectional STEM or SEM images of such coatings, make it easier to follow topographic and microstructural changes that occurred during its growth. We investigated the effects of the substrate rotation modes on the microstructure and surface topography of the NL-TiAlN/CrN coating, as well as on the periodicity of the nanolayer structure. The influence of the substrate material and the ion etching methods were also studied, while special attention was given to the interlayer roughness and influence of non-metallic inclusions in the steel substrates on the growth of the coating. The topographical features of the NL-TiAlN/CrN coating surface are correlated with the observations from the cross-sectional TEM and FIB analysis. Selected non-metallic inclusions, covered by the NL-TiAlN/CrN coating, were prepared for SEM and STEM analyses by the focused ion beam. The same inclusions were analyzed prior to and after deposition. We found that substrate rotation modes substantially influence the microstructure, surface topography and periodicity of the NL-TiAlN/CrN layer. Non-metallic inclusions in the substrates cause the formation of shallow craters or protrusions, depending on their net removal rates during the substrate pretreatment (polishing and ion etching), as compared to the matrix.
Correlation between Thickness and Optical Properties in Nanocrystalline γ-Monoclinic WO3 Thin Films
Authors: Sáenz-Hernández Renee J. , Herrera-Pérez Guillermo M. , Uribe-Chavira Jesús S. , Grijalva-Castillo María C. , Elizalde-Galindo José Trinidad , Matutes-Aquino José A.
Published: November 2022

Results from the analysis of the variation of structural defects, such as oxygen vacancies indicate that by adjusting the thickness of the WO3 films, fabricated by DC reactive sputtering, it is possible to modulate the oxygen vacancies concentration. This has a tremendous influence on the applications of these semiconductor materials. The thicknesses analyzed here are 42, 66, and 131 nm. After the annealing process at 500 °C, films were directly transformed to a stable γ-monoclinic crystal structure with P21/n space group, with a preferential orientation in the (200) plane. Atomic force microscopy exhibits nanometer range particle size with the highest roughness and higher surface area for the thinner film. FTIR analysis shows the presence of characteristic bands of the double bond stretching vibrational modes (W=O) and stretching vibrations of the γ(W-O-W) bonds corresponding to the monoclinic WO3. Raman bands located at 345, and 435 cm−1 are ascribed to the presence of W5+ species that induces the formation of oxygen vacancies VO. The thinner film shows a decrease in the optical indirect band gap attributed to the formation of oxygen vacancies in combination with W5+ species that induce the formation of energy states within the forbidden band gap range.
TSSTNet: A Two-Stream Swin Transformer Network for Salient Object Detection of No-Service Rail Surface Defects
Authors: Wan Chi , Ma Shuai , Song Kechen
Published: November 2022

The detection of no-service rail surface defects is important in the rail manufacturing process. Detection of defects can prevent significant financial losses. However, the texture and form of the defects are often very similar to the background, which makes them difficult for the human eye to distinguish. How to accurately identify rail surface defects thus poses a challenge. We introduce salient object detection through machine vision to deal with this challenge. Salient object detection locates the most “significant” areas of an image using algorithms, which constitute an integral part of machine vision inspection. However, existing saliency detection networks suffer from inaccurate positioning, poor contouring, and incomplete detection. Therefore, we propose an innovative deep learning network named Two-Stream Swin Transformer Network (TSSTNet) for salient detection of no-service rail surface defects. Specifically, we propose a two-stream encoder—one stream for feature extraction and the other for edge extraction. TSSTNet also includes a three-stream decoder, consisting of a saliency stream, edge stream, and fusion stream. For the problem of incomplete detection, we innovatively introduce the Swin Transformer to model global information. For the problem of unclear contours, we expect to deepen the understanding of the difference in depth between the foreground and background through the learning of contour maps, so the contour alignment module (CAM) is created to deal with this problem. Moreover, to make the most of multimodal information, we suggest a multi-feature fusion module (MFFM). Finally, we conducted comparative experiments with 10 state-of-the-art (SOTA) approaches on the NRSD-MN datasets, and our model performed more competitively than others on five metrics.
Dynamic Modeling and Simulation Analysis of Inter-Shaft Bearings with Local Defects Considering Elasto-Hydrodynamic Lubrication
Authors: Tian Jing , Ai Xinping , Zhang Fengling , Wang Zhi , Wang Cai , Chen Yingtao
Published: November 2022

As an important component of large engines, inter-shaft bearing is easily damaged due to its poor working conditions. By analyzing the time–frequency distribution rules of fault signals and the evolution law of micro-faults, the bearing failure mechanism can be revealed, and the bearing failure can be monitored in real time and prevented in advance. For the purpose of studying the mechanism of inter-shaft bearing faults, a 4-DOF (degree of freedom) dynamic model of inter-shaft bearing with local defects considering elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) is proposed. Based on the established dynamic model, the impact characteristics and distribution rules of the fault signals of the bearing are accurately simulated, and the evolution law of the micro-faults is also analyzed. The effects of different speeds, loads and defect widths on maximum value (MV), absolute mean value (AMV), effective value (EV), amplitude of square root (AST), kurtosis factor (KF), impulse factor (IF), peak factor (PF) and shape factor (SF) are obtained. The findings show that the vibration amplitude of the bearing increases with the increase in defect size, and the faults are easier to diagnose accordingly. At the same time, PF, KF and IF are very sensitive to the initial failure of bearings. With the development of faults, the overall trend of AMV, AST and EV are relatively stable. The PF is sensitive to the change of rotating speeds and defect widths. The SF is insensitive to the change of rotating speeds, loads and defect widths. This lays a foundation for the research of monitoring and diagnosis methods of aeroengine inter-shaft bearing fault.