bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: Intra-Tumoral Vaccinations of Quadrivalent HPV-L1 Peptide Vaccine With Topical TLR-7 Agonist Following Recurrence: Complete Resolution of HPV-HR-Associated Gynecologic Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Two Patients
Authors: Reedy Mark , Jonnalagadda Shirisha , Palle Komaraiah
Published: December 2021

The human papilloma virus (HPV) high-risk variants (HPV-HR) such as HPV16 and HPV18 are responsible for most HPV related cancers, including anogenital and head and neck cancers. Here, we present two patients with HPV-HR-associated gynecological malignancies who, after failing radiation therapy, were treated with experimental salvage immunotherapy regimen resulting in complete, durable responses in both patients. Each patient was diagnosed with recurrent, radiation-refractory, HPV-HR positive, squamous cell carcinoma of the lower genital tract. Patient A was a 90-year-old, African American, with metastatic vulvar cancer to the right inguinal-femoral triangle and pulmonary metastases. Patient B was a 41-year-old, Caucasian, with a central-recurrence of cervix cancer. Each patient received at least two intratumoral quadrivalent HPV-L1 vaccine (Gardasil™) injections and daily topical TLR-7 agonist (imiquimod) to the tumor surface 2 weeks apart. This combination of intratumoral vaccinations and topical TLR-7 agonist produced unexpected complete resolution of disease in both patients. The importance of radiation therapy, despite being considered a treatment failure by current definitions, cannot be understated. Radiation therapy appears to have offered a therapeutic immune advantage by modifying the tumor microenvironment. This immune protocol has potential to help patients with advanced HPV-HR-related malignancies previously considered incurable.
Seed Production of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) under Danish Field Conditions
Authors: Jing Shuxuan , Boelt Birte
Published: December 2021

High and stable seed yield is critical for red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seed production and the commercial exploitation of the crop. A three-year experiment was conducted from 2013 to 2015 under Danish field conditions to explore the influence of precipitation during peak flowering on the seed yield of three red clover cultivars. We investigated the flowering duration and intensity based on a visual scale assessment, seed yield, and thousand seed weight in all three experimental years. In 2014 and 2015 we measured the seed yield components of floret number per flower head, seed number per flower head, and seed set. During the experimental period, high seed yields of more than 1000 kg ha−1 were obtained for the diploid cultivars ‘Rajah’ and ‘Suez’. Although a relatively high seed yield of 500 kg ha−1 was obtained in the tetraploid cultivar ‘Amos’, this was only around half of the seed yield and seed set of the diploid cultivars. Precipitation during peak flowering positively influenced the seed yield and thousand seed weight for the three cultivars. We conclude that observations of flowering phenology are required to determine the impact of environmental conditions on seed yield in red clover cultivars. Further, adequate water supply during peak flowering is important to obtain the high seed yield of red clover.
Multiscale Assessments of Three Reanalysis Temperature Data Systems over China
Authors: Huang Xiaolong , Han Shuai , Shi Chunxiang
Published: December 2021

Temperature is one of the most important meteorological variables for global climate change and human sustainable development. It plays an important role in agroclimatic regionalization and crop production. To date, temperature data have come from a wide range of sources. A detailed understanding of the reliability and applicability of these data will help us to better carry out research in crop modelling, agricultural ecology and irrigation. In this study, temperature reanalysis products produced by the China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS), the U.S. Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Reanalysis version5 (ERA5)-Land are verified against hourly observations collected from 2265 national automatic weather stations (NAWS) in China for the period 2017–2019. The above three reanalysis systems are advanced and widely used multi-source data fusion and re-analysis systems at present. The station observations have gone through data Quality Control (QC) and are taken as “true values” in the present study. The three reanalysis temperature datasets were spatial interpolated using the bi-linear interpolation method to station locations at each time. By calculating the statistical metrics, the accuracy of the gridded datasets can be evaluated. The conclusions are as follows. (1) Based on the evaluation of temporal variability and spatial distribution as well as correlation and bias analysis, all the three reanalysis products are reasonable in China. (2) Statistically, the CLDAS product has the highest accuracy with the root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.83 °C. The RMSEs of the other two reanalysis datasets produced by ERA5-Land and GLDAS are 2.72 °C and 2.91 °C, respectively. This result indicates that the CLDAS performs better than ERA5-Land and GLDAS, while ERA5-Land performs better than GLDAS. (3) The accuracy of the data decreases with increasing elevation, which is common for all of the three products. This implies that more caution is needed when using the three reanalysis temperature data in mountainous regions with complex terrain. The major conclusion of this study is that the CLDAS product demonstrates a relatively high reliability, which is of great significance for the study of climate change and forcing crop models.
The Effects of Serendipita indica and Guanidine-Modified Nanomaterial on Growth and Development of Cabbage Seedlings and Black Spot Infestation
Authors: Saleem Sana , Bytešníková Zuzana , Richtera Lukáš , Pokluda Robert
Published: December 2021

To ensure sustainable agricultural production and protection of crops from various biotic and abiotic stresses, while keeping in view environmental protection, by minimal usage of chemicals, the exploitation of beneficial microorganisms and modern nanotechnologies in the field of agriculture is of paramount importance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Serendipita indica and guanidine-modified nanomaterial on the growth, and other selected parameters, of cabbage, as well as incidence of black spot disease. S. indica was applied in substrate and by seed inoculation. S. indica had a positive impact on the development of plants, and resulted in reduced black spot severity. The maximum plant height (119 mm) and number of leaves (8.3) were observed in S. indica-treated plants. Pigments were enhanced, i.e., chlorophyll a (0.79 mg/g), chlorophyll b (0.22 mg/g), and carotenoid content (0.79 mg/g), by substrate treatment. The highest antioxidant capacity (9.5 mM/L), chlorophyll a and b (1.8 and 0.6 mg/g), and carotenoid content (1.8 mg/L) were reported in S. indica seed treatment. S. indica treatment resulted in 59% and 41% disease incidence decrease in substrate and seed treatment, respectively. Guanidine-modified nanomaterial was seen to be effective in improving plant growth and reducing disease incidence; however, it did not perform better than S. indica. Application of nanoparticles resulted in enhanced normalized difference vegetation index and fluorescence by increasing chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoid content. Nitrogen content was the highest in plants treated with nanoparticles. However, the effect of the combined application of fungus and nanoparticles was similar to that of S. indica alone in substrate treatment, although negative impacts were reported in the biochemical parameters of cabbage. S. indica has great potential to enhance plant growth and manage Alternaria incidence in cabbage crops.
Potassium-Induced Drought Tolerance of Potato by Improving Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Attributes
Authors: Bahar Ali Asad , Faried Hafiz Nazar , Razzaq Kashif , Ullah Sami , Akhtar Gulzar , Amin Muhammad , Bashir Mohsin , Ahmed Nadeem , Wattoo Fahad Masoud , Ahmar Sunny , Javed Talha , Siddiqui Manzer H. , Branca Ferdinando , Dessoky Eldessoky S.
Published: December 2021

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the third and fourth most important tuberous crop in terms of human consumption and production, respectively. However, its growth and development are affected by drought, which is an emerging threat to agriculture especially in arid and semiarid areas. Potassium (K) is a well-known macronutrient that improves the performance of crops under drought. Therefore, the present study was enacted with the aim of evaluating the impact of K fertilizer on potato crop growth, productivity, and drought tolerance under full root irrigation (FRI) and partial root irrigation (PRI) conditions. Two potato cultivars (Lady Rosetta and Hermes) were grown under normal field conditions followed by FRI and PRI applications. Potassium sulfate was applied in three doses (T0 = 50 kg·ha−1, T1 = 75 kg·ha−1, and T2 = 100 kg·ha−1). The experiment was laid out under randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement. The main plot was allocated to irrigation, along with a subplot to potassium and a sub-subplot to potato cultivars. The results indicated that K application significantly improved the plant growth and yield by exhibiting better performance in morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes under FRI and PRI conditions; however, a more remarkable change was noticed under PRI compared with FRI. K application alleviated drought stress regardless of cultivars. This study suggests that K application at the rate of 100 kg·ha−1 is an effective approach for inducing drought tolerance in potato crops.
Assessment of the Interactive Effect of the Use of 1-Methylcyclopropene and Cultivars on the Nutritional Value of Broccoli during Storage
Authors: Wichrowska Dorota , Kozera Wojciech , Knapowski Tomasz , Prus Piotr , Ligocka Anna
Published: December 2021

Broccoli is a short-term fresh storage vegetable; it most often goes to the processing plant where it is frozen or cold-stored. 1-methylcyclopropene gas (1-MCP) can be used to extend broccoli’s shelf life. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the genetic cultivar determinants, the use of 1-MCP and the storage time on the weight loss as well as the content of nutrients and harmful compounds in cultivars: ‘Bay Meadows’, ‘Monaco’, ‘Naxos’ and ‘Vicario’. The cultivars selected for the study differed significantly in terms of the traits after harvest and storage, and the differences were also conditioned by the interaction of the genetic factor and 1-MCP used, especially within 30 days after harvest. Of the broccoli cultivars, ‘Monaco’ demonstrated the lowest weight loss during storage, the highest content of dry weight, total sugars, vitamin C, both after harvest and after storage, in the samples treated with 1-methylcycloprepene after harvest. In turn, ‘Vicario’ lost most weight after storage and broccoli florets treated with 1-MCP have lost less weight. The highest amounts of nitrates and nitrites, both after harvest and after storage, were found in ‘Monaco’; however, the differences, as compared with the other cultivars, were significant, yet relatively low. The lowest compactness of the florets was recorded, and hence the lowest commercial value (basically unmarketable), for ‘Naxos’, ‘Monaco’ and ‘Vicario’ cultivars after 30 days of storage without the use of 1-MCP. However, due to the use of 1-MCP and low temperature (4 °C), the commercial value of those broccoli cultivars was satisfactory.
Chromosome Doubling in Genetically Diverse Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Accessions and Evaluation of Tetraploids in Terms of Phenotype and Ability to Cross with Highbush Blueberry (V. corymbosum L.)
Authors: Podwyszynska Malgorzata , Mynett Katarzyna , Markiewicz Monika , Pluta Stanisław , Marasek-Ciolakowska Agnieszka
Published: December 2021

To expand the gene pool and introduce new traits to the tetraploid cultivars of Vaccinium corymbosum from wild diploid species V. myrtillus, it is necessary to double the chromosome number in diploid species in order to overcome a post zygotic crossing barrier and a strong triploid block, existing within the genus Vaccinium. Five genetically diverse bilberry genotypes were selected from 21 accessions taken from the breeding collection of the National Institute of Horticultural Research (Skierniewice, Poland) for this study. The bilberry genotypes were derived from the Polish locations of Bolimów Landscape Park, Budy Grabskie and forest complex Zwierzyniec (Łódź Province), and habitats in Norway. The selection of genotypes was made based on the analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP-PCR). Analysis of the Jaccard similarity indexes and the UPGMA method revealed that the examined accessions formed two main groups on the dendrogram. The first group consisted of accessions from Norway, while the second group agglomerated Polish accessions. A further two classes were distinguished in the Polish group: the first included accessions from Budy Grabskie and the second from Zwierzyniec, located ca. 9 km from Budy Grabskie. In order to obtain plant material for in vitro polyploidisation, in vitro shoot cultures of the selected accessions were initiated and multiplied. Both antimitotics used, colchicine and APM, induced tetraploids for all of the accessions. The obtained tetraploids were multiplied, rooted ex vitro and grown in a greenhouse and then in a field. The first flowering was observed in 1.5-year-old plants, either diploid or tetraploid. Diploids bloomed slightly earlier and more profusely than tetraploid plants. Compared to diploids, autotetraploids had significantly larger flowers by ca. 64% and larger pollen tetrads by ca. 35%. The germination capacity of pollen tetrads was high in tetraploids (87.8%), although slightly lower than in diploids (94.3%). After pollinating the flowers of three highbush blueberry cultivars with pollen from the bilberry tetraploid accession, J-4-4x, the plants formed fruits, some of which contained properly formed seeds. The effectiveness of interspecific crossing between V. corymbosum and tetraploid V. myrtillus, defined as the percentage of obtained seedlings in relation to the number of pollinated flowers, was highest (53.3%) in the blueberry ‘Liberty’, and lower in ‘Bluecrop’ and ‘Northland’, 14.8% and 10.0%, respectively. Before using the seedlings for further breeding, their hybridity will be confirmed by molecular markers and the phenotype will be evaluated.
Galleria mellonella: The Versatile Host for Drug Discovery, In Vivo Toxicity Testing and Characterising Host-Pathogen Interactions
Authors: Piatek Magdalena , Sheehan Gerard , Kavanagh Kevin
Published: December 2021

Larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, are a convenient in vivo model for assessing the activity and toxicity of antimicrobial agents and for studying the immune response to pathogens and provide results similar to those from mammals. G. mellonella larvae are now widely used in academia and industry and their use can assist in the identification and evaluation of novel antimicrobial agents. Galleria larvae are inexpensive to purchase and house, easy to inoculate, generate results within 24–48 h and their use is not restricted by legal or ethical considerations. This review will highlight how Galleria larvae can be used to assess the efficacy of novel antimicrobial therapies (photodynamic therapy, phage therapy, metal-based drugs, triazole-amino acid hybrids) and for determining the in vivo toxicity of compounds (e.g., food preservatives, ionic liquids) and/or solvents (polysorbate 80). In addition, the disease development processes are associated with a variety of pathogens (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Aspergillus fumigatus, Madurella mycotomatis) in mammals are also present in Galleria larvae thus providing a simple in vivo model for characterising disease progression. The use of Galleria larvae offers many advantages and can lead to an acceleration in the development of novel antimicrobials and may be a prerequisite to mammalian testing.
Inhibition of Bacterial Adhesion and Antibiofilm Activities of a Glycolipid Biosurfactant from Lactobacillus rhamnosus with Its Physicochemical and Functional Properties
Authors: Patel Mitesh , Siddiqui Arif Jamal , Hamadou Walid Sabri , Surti Malvi , Awadelkareem Amir Mahgoub , Ashraf Syed Amir , Alreshidi Mousa , Snoussi Mejdi , Rizvi Syed Mohd Danish , Bardakci Fevzi , Jamal Arshad , Sachidanandan Manojkumar , Adnan Mohd
Published: December 2021

Biosurfactants derived from different microbes are an alternative to chemical surfactants, which have broad applications in food, oil, biodegradation, cosmetic, agriculture, pesticide and medicine/pharmaceutical industries. This is due to their environmentally friendly, biocompatible, biodegradable, effectiveness to work under various environmental conditions and non-toxic nature. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-derived glycolipid biosurfactants can play a major role in preventing bacterial attachment, biofilm eradication and related infections in various clinical settings and industries. Hence, it is important to explore and identify the novel molecule/method for the treatment of biofilms of pathogenic bacteria. In the present study, a probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) strain was isolated from human breast milk. Firstly, its ability to produce biosurfactants, and its physicochemical and functional properties (critical micelle concentration (CMC), reduction in surface tension, emulsification index (% EI24), etc.) were evaluated. Secondly, inhibition of bacterial adhesion and biofilm eradication by cell-bound biosurfactants from L. rhamnosus was performed against various biofilm-forming pathogens (B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and E. coli). Finally, bacterial cell damage, viability of cells within the biofilm, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and identification of the structural analogues of the crude biosurfactant via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis were also evaluated. As a result, L. rhamnosus was found to produce 4.32 ± 0.19 g/L biosurfactant that displayed a CMC of 3.0 g/L and reduced the surface tension from 71.12 ± 0.73 mN/m to 41.76 ± 0.60 mN/m. L. rhamnosus cell-bound crude biosurfactant was found to be effective against all the tested bacterial pathogens. It displayed potent anti-adhesion and antibiofilm ability by inhibiting the bacterial attachment to surfaces, leading to the disruption of biofilm formation by altering the integrity and viability of bacterial cells within biofilms. Our results also confirm the ability of the L. rhamnosus cell-bound-derived biosurfactant to damage the architecture of the biofilm matrix, as a result of the reduced total EPS content. Our findings may be further explored as a green alternative/approach to chemically synthesized toxic antibiofilm agents for controlling bacterial adhesion and biofilm eradication.
Carbapenemase Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC): What Is the Best MALDI-TOF MS Detection Method
Authors: Hleba Lukáš , Hlebová Miroslava , Kováčik Anton , Čuboň Juraj , Medo Juraj
Published: December 2021

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing bacteria is a group of highly dangerous antibiotic resistant Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae. They cause infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the rapid detection of KPC-producing bacteria plays a key role in clinical microbiology. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of- flight (MALDI-TOF) is a rapidly evolving technology that finds application in various clinical, scientific, and industrial disciplines. In the present study, we demonstrated three different procedures of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC) detection. The most basic model of MALDI-TOF instrument MS Microflex LT was used, operating in the linear ion-positive mode, commonly used in modern clinical laboratories. The first procedure was based on indirect monitoring of carbapenemase production with direct detection of hydrolyzed carbapenem antibiotic degradation products in the mass spectrum. The second procedure was based on direct detection of blaKPC accompanying peak with an 11,109 Da in the mass spectrum of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC), which represents the cleaved protein (pKpQIL_p019) expressed by pKpQIL plasmid. In addition, several unique peaks were detected in the carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC) mass spectrum. The third procedure was the identification of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC) based on the protein fingerprint using local database created from the whole mass spectra. By comparing detection procedures, we determined that the third procedure was very fast and relatively easy. However, it requires previous verification of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC) using other methods as genetic blaKPC identification, detection of carbapenem degradation products, and accompanying peak with 11,109 Da, which represents cleaved pKpQIL_p019 protein expressed by pKpQIL plasmid. Detection of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae using MALDI-TOF provides fast and accurate results that may help to reduce morbidity and mortality in hospital setting when applied in diagnostic situations.
Impact of Adjunctive Laser Irradiation on the Bacterial Load of Dental Root Canals: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Wenzler Johannes-Simon , Falk Wolfgang , Frankenberger Roland , Braun Andreas
Published: December 2021

Successful root canal treatment depends on the adequate elimination of pathogenic bacteria. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a novel 445-nm semiconductor laser in reducing bacteria after chemomechanical root canal treatment. Microbiological specimens from 57 patients were collected after emergency endodontic treatment, in the following sequence: 1, removal of the temporary filling material; 2, chemomechanical treatment; 3, rinsing with sodium hypochlorite (3%) along with one of three adjuvant protocols (n = 19 in each group). The adjuvant procedures were: (a) sodium hypochlorite rinsing alone (3%); (b) laser irradiation; (c) combined sodium hypochlorite rinsing and laser irradiation. The diode laser was set to 0.59 W in continuous-wave mode (CW) for 4 × 10 s. After the flooding of the root canal with saline, specimens were collected using paper points and analyzed microbiologically. Statistically significant reductions in the bacterial load were observed in all three groups (p < 0.05): 80.5% with sodium hypochlorite rinsing alone and 58.2% with laser therapy. Both results were lower than with the combination of sodium hypochlorite rinsing and 445-nm laser irradiation, at 92.7% (p < 0.05). Additional disinfection of the root canal can thus be achieved with 445-nm laser irradiation after conventional chemical disinfection with sodium hypochlorite solution.
Is Dosing of Ethambutol as Part of a Fixed-Dose Combination Product Optimal for Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients with Tuberculosis? A Population Pharmacokinetic Study
Authors: Beraldi-Magalhaes Francisco , Parker Suzanne L. , Sanches Cristina , Sousa Garcia Leandro , Souza Carvalho Brenda Karoline , Fachi Mariana Millan , de Liz Marcus Vinicius , Pontarolo Roberto , Lipman Jeffrey , Cordeiro-Santos Marcelo , Roberts Jason A.
Published: December 2021

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) have high mortality rates. It is uncertain whether the pharmacokinetics of first-line TB drugs in ICU patients are different from outpatients. This study aims to compare the pharmacokinetics of oral ethambutol in TB patients in ICU versus TB outpatients and to determine whether contemporary dosing regimens achieve therapeutic exposures. Methods: A prospective population pharmacokinetic study of ethambutol was performed in Amazonas State, Brazil. Probability of target attainment was determined using AUC/MIC > 11.9 and Cmax/MIC > 0.48 values. Optimized dosing regimens were simulated at steady state. Results: Ten ICU patients and 20 outpatients were recruited. Ethambutol pharmacokinetics were best described using a two-compartment model with first-order oral absorption. Neither ICU patients nor outpatients consistently achieved optimal ethambutol exposures. The absorption rate for ethambutol was 2-times higher in ICU patients (p < 0.05). Mean bioavailability for ICU patients was >5-times higher than outpatients (p < 0.0001). Clearance and volume of distribution were 93% (p < 0.0001) and 53% (p = 0.002) lower in ICU patients, respectively. Conclusions: ICU patients displayed significantly different pharmacokinetics for an oral fixed-dose combination administration of ethambutol compared to outpatients, and neither patient group consistently achieved pre-defined therapeutic exposures.
Flavonoids Present in Propolis in the Battle against Photoaging and Psoriasis
Authors: Rivera-Yañez Claudia Rebeca , Ruiz-Hurtado Porfirio Alonso , Mendoza-Ramos María Isabel , Reyes-Reali Julia , García-Romo Gina Stella , Pozo-Molina Glustein , Reséndiz-Albor Aldo Arturo , Nieto-Yañez Oscar , Méndez-Cruz Adolfo René , Méndez-Catalá Claudia Fabiola , Rivera-Yañez Nelly
Published: December 2021

The skin is the main external organ. It protects against different types of potentially harmful agents, such as pathogens, or physical factors, such as radiation. Skin disorders are very diverse, and some of them lack adequate and accessible treatment. The photoaging of the skin is a problem of great relevance since it is related to the development of cancer, while psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes scaly skin lesions and deterioration of the lifestyle of people affected. These diseases affect the patient’s health and quality of life, so alternatives have been sought that improve the treatment for these diseases. This review focuses on describing the properties and benefits of flavonoids from propolis against these diseases. The information collected shows that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of flavonoids play a crucial role in the control and regulation of the cellular and biochemical alterations caused by these diseases; moreover, flavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, and isoflavones contained in different worldwide propolis samples are the types of flavonoids usually evaluated in both diseases. Therefore, the research carried out in the area of dermatology with bioactive compounds of different origins is of great relevance to developing preventive and therapeutic approaches.
Overexpression of CERKL Protects Retinal Pigment Epithelium Mitochondria from Oxidative Stress Effects
Authors: García-Arroyo Rocío , Gavaldà-Navarro Aleix , Villarroya Francesc , Marfany Gemma , Mirra Serena
Published: December 2021

The precise function of CERKL, a Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) causative gene, is not yet fully understood. There is evidence that CERKL is involved in the regulation of autophagy, stress granules, and mitochondrial metabolism, and it is considered a gene that is resilient against oxidative stress in the retina. Mutations in most RP genes affect photoreceptors, but retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells may be also altered. Here, we aimed to analyze the effect of CERKL overexpression and depletion in vivo and in vitro, focusing on the state of the mitochondrial network under oxidative stress conditions. Our work indicates that the depletion of CERKL increases the vulnerability of RPE mitochondria, which show a shorter size and altered shape, particularly upon sodium arsenite treatment. CERKL-depleted cells have dysfunctional mitochondrial respiration particularly upon oxidative stress conditions. The overexpression of two human CERKL isoforms (558 aa and 419 aa), which display different protein domains, shows that a pool of CERKL localizes at mitochondria in RPE cells and that CERKL protects the mitochondrial network—both in size and shape—against oxidative stress. Our results support CERKL being a resilient gene that regulates the mitochondrial network in RPE as in retinal neurons and suggest that RPE cell alteration contributes to particular phenotypic traits in patients carrying CERKL mutations.
Essential Oils from Zingiber striolatum Diels Attenuate Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress through Regulation of MAPK and NF-κB Signaling Pathways
Authors: Huang Zebin , Xie Lingna , Xu Yongyu , Zhao Kai , Li Xuetong , Zhong Jiaben , Lu Yujing , Xu Xuetao , Goodin Susan , Zhang Kun , Zhang Lanyue , Li Chunlian , Zheng Xi
Published: December 2021

Zingiber striolatum Diels (Z. striolatum), a widely popular vegetable in China, is famous for its medicinal and nutritional values. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of essential oil from Z. striolatum (EOZS) remain unclear. In this study, EOZS from seven regions in China were extracted and analyzed by GC–MS. LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated mice were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of EOZS. Results show that 116 compounds were identified in EOZS from seven locations. Samples 2, 4 and 5 showed the best capability on DPPH radical scavenging and NO inhibition. They also significantly reduced the production of ROS, pro-inflammatory cytokines, macrophage morphological changes, migration and phagocytic capability. Transcriptomics revealed MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways may be involved in the anti-inflammatory mechanism, and the predictions were proven by Western blotting. In TPA-induced mice, EOZS reduced the degree of ear swelling and local immune cell infiltration by blocking the activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, which was consistent with the in vitro experimental results. Our research unveils the antioxidant capability and potential molecular mechanism of EOZS in regulating inflammatory response, and suggests the application of EOZS as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in the pharmaceutical and functional food industries.
NAD(P)H Drives the Ascorbate–Glutathione Cycle and Abundance of Catalase in Developing Beech Seeds Differently in Embryonic Axes and Cotyledons
Authors: Kalemba Ewa Marzena , Alipour Shirin , Wojciechowska Natalia
Published: December 2021

European beech is an important component of European lowland forests in terms of ecology, and produces irregular seeds categorized as intermediate due to their limited longevity. Removal of the excess of reactive oxygen species is crucial for redox homeostasis in growing plant tissues. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is detoxified via the plant-specific ascorbate-glutathione cycle, and enzymatically, mainly by catalase (CAT). The reduced and oxidized (redox) forms of ascorbate (AsA, DHA) and glutathione (GSH, GSSG) decreased during maturation as the content of redox forms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH, NAD+) phosphate (NADPH, NADP+), cofactors of ascorbate–glutathione enzymes, declined and limited this cycle. The degree of oxidation of glutathione peaked at approximately 80%, at the exact time when the NADP content was the lowest and the NADPH/NADP+ ratio reached the highest values. The glutathione pool was reflected in changes in the NADP pool, both in embryonic axes (R2 = 0.61) and in cotyledons (R2 = 0.98). A large excess of NADPH was reported in embryonic axes, whereas cotyledons displayed more unified levels of NADP redox forms. As a result, anabolic redox charge and reducing power were higher in embryonic axes. CAT was recognized as two proteins, and the abundance of the 55 kDa protein was correlated with all redox forms of ascorbate, glutathione, NAD, and NADP, whereas the 37 kDa protein was oppositely regulated in embryonic axes and cotyledons. Here, we discuss the role of NAD(P) in the regulation of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle, catalase, and seed longevity concerning a putative role of NAD(P)H as a redox biomarker involved in predefining seed quality, because NAD(P)H-derived redox homeostasis was found to be better controlled in embryonic axes than cotyledons.
Mild Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Is Marked by Systemic Oxidative Stress: A Pilot Study
Authors: van Eijk Larissa E. , Tami Adriana , Hillebrands Jan-Luuk , den Dunnen Wilfred F. A. , de Borst Martin H. , van der Voort Peter H. J. , Bulthuis Marian L. C. , Veloo Alida C. M. , Wold Karin I. , Vincenti González María F. , van der Gun Bernardina T. F. , van Goor Harry , Bourgonje Arno R.
Published: December 2021

Oxidative stress has been implicated to play a critical role in the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and may therefore be considered as a relevant therapeutic target. Serum free thiols (R-SH, sulfhydryl groups) comprise a robust marker of systemic oxidative stress, since they are readily oxidized by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, serum free thiol concentrations were measured in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and healthy controls and their associations with relevant clinical parameters were examined. Serum free thiol concentrations were measured colorimetrically (Ellman’s method) in 29 non-hospitalized COVID-19 subjects and 30 age-, sex-, and body-mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls and analyzed for associations with clinical and biochemical disease parameters. Additional free thiol measurements were performed on seven serum samples from COVID-19 subjects who required hospitalization to examine their correlation with disease severity. Non-hospitalized subjects with COVID-19 had significantly lower concentrations of serum free thiols compared to healthy controls (p = 0.014), indicating oxidative stress. Serum free thiols were positively associated with albumin (St. β = 0.710, p < 0.001) and inversely associated with CRP (St. β = −0.434, p = 0.027), and showed significant discriminative ability to differentiate subjects with COVID-19 from healthy controls (AUC = 0.69, p = 0.011), which was slightly higher than the discriminative performance of CRP concentrations regarding COVID-19 diagnosis (AUC = 0.66, p = 0.042). This study concludes that systemic oxidative stress is increased in patients with COVID-19 compared with healthy controls. This opens an avenue of treatment options since free thiols are amenable to therapeutic modulation.
Spatial–Temporal Response of Reactive Oxygen Species and Salicylic Acid Suggest Their Interaction in Pumpkin Rootstock-Induced Chilling Tolerance in Watermelon Plants
Authors: Cheng Fei , Gao Min , Lu Junyang , Huang Yuan , Bie Zhilong
Published: December 2021

Grafting with pumpkin rootstock could improve chilling tolerance in watermelon, and salicylic acid (SA) as a signal molecule is involved in regulating plant tolerance to chilling and other abiotic stresses. To clarify the mechanism in pumpkin rootstock-induced systemic acquired acclimation in grafted watermelon under chilling stress, we used self-grafted (Cl/Cl) and pumpkin rootstock-grafted (Cl/Cm) watermelon seedlings to study the changes in lipid peroxidation, photosystem II (PSII) activity and antioxidant metabolism, the spatio–temporal response of SA biosynthesis and H2O2 accumulation to chilling, and the role of H2O2 signal in SA-induced chilling tolerance in grafted watermelon. The results showed that pumpkin rootstock grafting promoted SA biosynthesis in the watermelon scions. Chilling induced hydrolysis of conjugated SA into free SA in the roots and accumulation of free SA in the leaves in Cl/Cm plants. Further, pumpkin rootstock grafting induced early response of antioxidant enzyme system in the roots and increased activities of ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase in the leaves, thus maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. Exogenous SA improved while the inhibition of SA biosynthesis reduced chilling tolerance in Cl/Cl seedlings. The application of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI, inhibitor of NADPH oxidase) and dimethylthiourea (DMTU, H2O2 scavenger) decreased, while exogenous H2O2 improved the PSII activity in Cl/Cl plants under chilling stress. Additionally, the decrease of the net photosynthetic rate in DMTU- and DPI-pretreated Cl/Cl plants under chilling conditions could be alleviated by subsequent application of H2O2 but not SA. In conclusion, pumpkin rootstock grafting induces SA biosynthesis and redistribution in the leaves and roots and participates in the regulation of antioxidant metabolism probably through interaction with the H2O2 signal, thus improving chilling tolerance in watermelon.
Prestack Seismic Inversion via Nonconvex L1-2 Regularization
Authors: Nie Wenliang , Xiang Fei , Li Bo , Wen Xiaotao , Nie Xiangfei
Published: December 2021

Using seismic data, logging information, geological interpretation data, and petrophysical data, it is possible to estimate the stratigraphic texture and elastic parameters of a study area via a seismic inversion. As such, a seismic inversion is an indispensable tool in the field of oil and gas exploration and development. However, due to unknown natural factors, seismic inversions are often ill-conditioned problems. One way to work around this unknowable information is to determine the solution to the seismic inversion using regularization methods after adding further a priori constraints. In this study, the nonconvex L1−2 regularization method is innovatively applied to the three-parameter prestack amplitude variation angle (AVA) inversion. A forward model is first derived based on the Fatti approximate formula and then low-frequency models for P impedance, S impedance, and density are established using logging and horizon data. In the Bayesian inversion framework, we derive the objective function of the prestack AVA inversion. To further improve the accuracy and stability of the inversion results, we remove the correlations between the elastic parameters that act as initial constraints in the inversion. Then, the objective function is solved by the nonconvex L1−2 regularization method. Finally, we validate our inversion method by applying it to synthetic and observational data sets. The results show that our nonconvex L1−2 regularization seismic inversion method yields results that are highly accurate, laterally continuous, and can be used to identify and locate reservoir formation boundaries. Overall, our method will be a useful tool in future work focused on predicting the location of reservoirs.
Inverse Approach of Parameter Optimization for Nonlinear Meta-Model Using Finite Element Simulation
Authors: Hong Seungpyo , Shin Dongseok , Jeon Euysik
Published: December 2021

Accurate and efficient estimation and prediction of the nonlinear behavior of materials during plastic working is a major issue in academic and industrial settings. Studies on property meta-models are being conducted to estimate and predict plastic working results. However, accurately representing strong nonlinear properties using power-law and exponential models, which are typical meta-models, is difficult. The combination meta-model can be used to solve this problem, but the possible number of parameters increases. This causes a cost problem when using FE simulation. In this study, the accuracy of the nonlinear properties of materials and the number of iterations were compared for three typical meta-models and the proposed advanced meta-models considering stress–strain properties. A material property test was conducted using ASTM E8/E8M, and the meta-model was initialized using ASTM E646 and MATLAB Curve Fitting Toolbox. A finite element (FE) simulation was conducted for the meta-models, and the test and simulation results were compared in terms of the engineering stress–strain curve and the root-mean-square error (RMSE). In addition, an inverse method was applied for the FE simulation to estimate the true stress–strain properties, and the results were analyzed in terms of the RMSE and the number of iterations and simulations. Finally, the need for an advanced meta-model that exhibits strong nonlinearity was suggested.
Analysis of Tizen Security Model and Ways of Bypassing It on Smart TV Platform
Authors: Majchrowicz Michał , Duch Piotr
Published: December 2021

The smart TV market is growing at an ever faster pace every year. Smart TVs are equipped with many advanced functions, allow users to search, chat, browse, share, update, and download different content. That is one of the reason why smart TVs became a target for the hacker community. In this article, we decided to test security of Tizen operating system, which is one of the most popular smart TV operating systems. Tizen is used on many different devices including smartphones, notebooks, wearables, infotainment systems, and smart TVs. By now, there are articles which present security mechanisms of Tizen OS, and sometimes with a way to bypass them; however, none of them are applicable to the smart TVs. In the article, we focused on developing an algorithm that will allow us to gain root access to the smart TV. The proposed attack scenario uses CVE-2014-1303 and CVE-2015-1805 bugs to bypass or disable security mechanisms in Tizen OS and finally gain root access.
Metal Additive Manufacturing for Satellites and Rockets
Authors: Blachowicz Tomasz , Ehrmann Guido , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: December 2021

The emerging technology of 3D printing can not only be used for rapid prototyping, but will also play an important role in space exploration. Additive manufactured parts can be used in diverse space applications, such as magnetic shields, heat pipes, thrusters, etc. Three-dimensional printed parts offer reduced mass, high possible complexity, and fast printability of custom-made objects. On the other hand, materials which are not excessively damaged by the harsh conditions in space and are also printable by available technologies are not abundantly available. This review gives an overview of recent metal additive manufacturing technologies and their possible applications in space, with a focus on satellites and rockets, highlighting already applied technologies and materials and gives an outlook on possible future applications and challenges.
Effects of a Single Session of Floss Band Intervention on Flexibility of Thigh, Knee Joint Proprioception, Muscle Force Output, and Dynamic Balance in Young Adults
Authors: Chang Nai-Jen , Hung Wei-Chun , Lee Chia-Lun , Chang Wen-Dien , Wu Bo-Han
Published: December 2021

The floss band (FB) has been correlated with increases in the joint range of motion (ROM). However, the literature on FB effectiveness in knee joint ROM and athletic performance remains sparse. This study investigated the effects of FB on the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings, knee joint proprioception, muscle force output, and dynamic balance in men. Thirty recreationally active men without musculoskeletal disorders were randomized to receive FB (Lime Green; Sanctband flossband) and elastic bandage (EB) intervention on the dominant knee joint. Participants received two interventions on two occasions with 2 days of rest between interventions. The primary outcome was the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings; the secondary outcomes were knee proprioception (joint reposition angle error), knee muscle force output, and dynamic balance. Preintervention and postintervention (immediately following band removal and 20 min later) measurements were obtained. After FB intervention, hamstring flexibility (immediately: p < 0.001; 20 min later: p < 0.001) and quadriceps flexibility (immediately: p < 0.001; 20 min later: p < 0.001), quadriceps muscle force output (immediately: p = 0.007; 20 min later: p < 0.001), and dynamic balance (both immediately and 20 min later, p < 0.001) were significantly improved. Compared with EB intervention, FB intervention significantly improved knee extension ROM (immediately and 20 min later, both p < 0.001), knee flexion ROM (immediately, p = 0.01; 20 min later, p = 0.03), hamstrings muscle force output (20 min later, p = 0.022) and dynamic balance (immediately, p = 0.016; 20 min later, p = 0.004). Regarding proprioception, no significant difference among time points and conditions was observed. In conclusion, FB intervention can significantly improve the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings, quadriceps muscle force output, and dynamic balance without impeding knee proprioception. Physiotherapists or athletic professionals may consider FB intervention as a potential tool as a warmup to enhance the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings, quadriceps muscle force output, and dynamic balance in young adults.
Analytical Prediction of Balling, Lack-of-Fusion and Keyholing Thresholds in Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Wang Wenjia , Ning Jinqiang , Liang Steven Y.
Published: December 2021

This paper proposes analytical modeling methods for the prediction of balling, lack-of-fusion and keyholing thresholds in the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing. The molten pool dimensions were first predicted by a closed-form analytical thermal model. The effects of laser power input, boundary heat loss, powder size distribution and powder packing pattern were considered in the calculation process. The predicted molten pool dimensions were then employed in the calculation of analytical thresholds for these defects. Reported experimental data with different materials were compared to predictions to validate the presented analytical models. The predicted thresholds of these defects under various process conditions have good agreement with the experimental results. The computation time for the presented models is less than 5 min on a personal computer. The optimized process window for Ti6Al4V was obtained based on the analytical predictions of these defects. The sensitivity analyses of the value of threshold to the laser power and scanning speed were also conducted. The proposed analytical methods show higher computational efficiency than finite element methods, without including any iteration-based computations. The acceptable predictive accuracy and low computational time will make the proposed analytical strategy be a good tool for the optimization of process conditions for the fabrication of defects-free complex products in laser powder bed fusion.
Assessment of the Bearing Capacity of Bridge Foundation on Rock Masses
Authors: Alencar Ana , Galindo Rubén , Olalla Marañón Claudio , Melentijevic Svetlana
Published: December 2021

This paper aims to study the bearing capacity of a shallow foundation on rock mass, considering the most usual bridge footing width and adopting a Hoek–Brown material. The dimension of the foundation has been shown to be very significant in soils with linear failure criteria (Mohr–Coulomb envelope), and its study is necessary in the case of non-linear failure criteria, typical of rock masses. Analytical solutions do not allow incorporating this effect. A parametric study by a finite difference method was carried out, studying a wide variety of rock mass through sensitivity analysis of three geotechnical parameters: geological origin of the rock mass (mi), uniaxial compressive strength, and geological strength index. The results obtained by the numerical solution for the Hoek–Brown failure criterion were compared with the analytical results by adopting the classical hypotheses of plane strain conditions, associated flow rule, and weightless rock mass. The variation of the numerical bearing capacity due to the consideration of the self-weight of the rock mass was also analyzed since its influence is conditioned by the volume of ground mobilized and therefore by the width of the foundation. Considering the similarities observed between the numerical and analytical results, a correlation factor function of the self-weight is proposed. It can be used in conjunction with the analytical method, to estimate in a semi-analytical way the bearing capacity of a bridge foundation.