bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ligand-Based Regulation of Dynamics and Reactivity of Hemoproteins
Authors: Turilli-Ghisolfi Emily Samuela , Lualdi Marta , Fasano Mauro
Published: April 2023

Hemoproteins include several heme-binding proteins with distinct structure and function. The presence of the heme group confers specific reactivity and spectroscopic properties to hemoproteins. In this review, we provide an overview of five families of hemoproteins in terms of dynamics and reactivity. First, we describe how ligands modulate cooperativity and reactivity in globins, such as myoglobin and hemoglobin. Second, we move on to another family of hemoproteins devoted to electron transport, such as cytochromes. Later, we consider heme-based reactivity in hemopexin, the main heme-scavenging protein. Then, we focus on heme–albumin, a chronosteric hemoprotein with peculiar spectroscopic and enzymatic properties. Eventually, we analyze the reactivity and dynamics of the most recently discovered family of hemoproteins, i.e., nitrobindins.
Cellular Senescence in Intervertebral Disc Aging and Degeneration: Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Opportunities
Authors: Silwal Prashanta , Nguyen-Thai Allison M. , Mohammad Haneef Ahamed , Wang Yanshan , Robbins Paul D. , Lee Joon Y. , Vo Nam V.
Published: April 2023

Closely associated with aging and age-related disorders, cellular senescence (CS) is the inability of cells to proliferate due to accumulated unrepaired cellular damage and irreversible cell cycle arrest. Senescent cells are characterized by their senescence-associated secretory phenotype that overproduces inflammatory and catabolic factors that hamper normal tissue homeostasis. Chronic accumulation of senescent cells is thought to be associated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in an aging population. This IDD is one of the largest age-dependent chronic disorders, often associated with neurological dysfunctions such as, low back pain, radiculopathy, and myelopathy. Senescent cells (SnCs) increase in number in the aged, degenerated discs, and have a causative role in driving age-related IDD. This review summarizes current evidence supporting the role of CS on onset and progression of age-related IDD. The discussion includes molecular pathways involved in CS such as p53-p21CIP1, p16INK4a, NF-κB, and MAPK, and the potential therapeutic value of targeting these pathways. We propose several mechanisms of CS in IDD including mechanical stress, oxidative stress, genotoxic stress, nutritional deprivation, and inflammatory stress. There are still large knowledge gaps in disc CS research, an understanding of which will provide opportunities to develop therapeutic interventions to treat age-related IDD.
The Use of Wound Infiltration for Postoperative Pain Management after Breast Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Study
Authors: Faur Flaviu Ionut , Clim Ioana Adelina , Dobrescu Amadeus , Isaic Alexandru , Prodan Catalin , Florea Sabrina , Tarta Cristi , Totolici Bogdan , Duţă Ciprian , Pasca Paul , Lazar Gabriel
Published: April 2023

(1) Background: The present study aims to evaluate the reduction of postoperative pain in breast surgery using a series of local analgesics, which were infiltrated into the wound; (2) Methods: Envelopes containing allocation were prepared prior to the study. The patients involved were randomly assigned to the groups of local anesthesia infiltration (Group A) or normal pain management with intravenous analgesics (Group B). The random allocation sequence was generated using computer-generated random numbers. The normally distributed continuous data were expressed as the means (SD) and were assessed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), independent-sample t-test, or paired t-test; (3) Results: The development of the postoperative pain stages was recorded using the VAS score. Therefore, for Group A, the following results were obtained: the VAS at 6 h postoperatively showed an average value of 0.63 and a maximum value of 3. The results for Group B were the following: the VAS score at 6 h postoperatively showed an average value of 4.92, a maximum of 8, and a minimum of 2; (4) Conclusions: We can confirm that there are favorable statistical indicators regarding the postoperative pain management process during the first 24–38 h after a surgical intervention for breast cancer using local infiltration of anesthetics.
Small Dense LDL Level and LDL/HDL Distribution in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients
Authors: Otrante Alyann , Bounafaa Abdelghani , Berrougui Hicham , Essamadi Abdel-Khalid , Nguyen Michel , Fülöp Tamàs , Khalil Abdelouahed
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to determine the size and distribution of LDL and HDL particles in North African acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and to compare the level of small dense LDL (sdLDL) to other markers used in cardiovascular risk prediction. Methods: A total of 205 ACS patients and 100 healthy control subjects were enrolled. LDL particle size and LDL and HDL subclass distributions were measured using Quantimetric Lipoprint® linear polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Lipid ratios (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol) were determined to calculate the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), the atherogenic coefficient (AC), Castelli’s Risk-I (CR-I), and Castelli’s Risk-II (CR-II). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses and area under the curve (AUC) were used to assess the predictive value of sdLDL as a marker for cardiovascular disease. Results: The ACS patients, compared to the healthy control subjects, displayed an alteration of LDL particle distribution, with a significant increase in sdLDL serum concentrations (0.303 ± 0.478 mmol/L vs. 0.0225 ± 0.043 mmol/L, respectively, p < 0.001). The sdLDL levels had a high discrimination accuracy [AUC = 0.847 ± 0.0353 (95% CI 0.778 to 0.916, p < 0.0001)]. The best predictive cutoff value of ACS determined with the maximum Youden index (J) [(sensitivity + specificity) − 1 = 0.60] was 0.038 mmol/L. A Spearman correlation analysis showed that sdLDL levels were moderately but significantly and positively correlated with AC and CR-I (r = 0.37, p < 0.001) and weakly but significantly correlated with PAI and CR-II; r = 0.32 (p < 0.001) and r = 0.30 (p < 0.008), respectively. The subclass distribution of HDL particles from ACS patients was also altered, with a decrease in large HDL particles and an increase in small HDL particles compared to HDL from healthy control subjects. Conclusion: Due to their high atherogenicity, sdLDL levels could be used as a valuable marker for the prediction cardiovascular events.
Design of Chitosan-Coated, Quercetin-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles for Enhanced PSMA-Specific Activity on LnCap Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Essa Divesha , Kondiah Pierre P. D. , Kumar Pradeep , Choonara Yahya E.
Published: April 2023

Nanoparticles are designed to entrap drugs at a high concentration, escape clearance by the immune system, be selectively taken up by cancer cells, and release bioactives in a rate-modulated manner. In this study, quercetin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared and optimized to determine whether coating with chitosan would increase the cellular uptake of the nanoparticles and if the targeting ability of folic acid as a ligand can provide selective toxicity and enhanced uptake in model LnCap prostate cancer cells, which express high levels of the receptor prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), compared to PC-3 cells, that have relatively low PSMA expression. A design of experiments approach was used to optimize the PLGA nanoparticles to have the maximum quercetin loading, optimal cationic charge, and folic acid coating. We examined the in vitro release of quercetin and comparative cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of the optimized PLGA nanoparticles and revealed that the targeted nano-system provided sustained, pH-dependent quercetin release, and higher cytotoxicity and cellular uptake, compared to the non-targeted nano-system on LnCap cells. There was no significant difference in the cytotoxicity or cellular uptake between the targeted and non-targeted nano-systems on PC-3 cells (featured by low levels of PSMA), pointing to a PSMA-specific mechanism of action of the targeted nano-system. The findings suggest that the nano-system can be used as an efficient nanocarrier for the targeted delivery and release of quercetin (and other similar chemotherapeutics) against prostate cancer cells.
Breast Cancer Classification Depends on the Dynamic Dipper Throated Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Alhussan Amel Ali , Eid Marwa M. , Towfek S. K. , Khafaga Doaa Sami
Published: April 2023

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second largest cause of mortality among women after lung cancer. Women’s death rates can be decreased if breast cancer is diagnosed and treated early. Due to the lengthy duration of manual breast cancer diagnosis, an automated approach is necessary for early cancer identification. This research proposes a novel framework integrating metaheuristic optimization with deep learning and feature selection for robustly classifying breast cancer from ultrasound images. The structure of the proposed methodology consists of five stages, namely, data augmentation to improve the learning of convolutional neural network (CNN) models, transfer learning using GoogleNet deep network for feature extraction, selection of the best set of features using a novel optimization algorithm based on a hybrid of dipper throated and particle swarm optimization algorithms, and classification of the selected features using CNN optimized using the proposed optimization algorithm. To prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach, a set of experiments were conducted on a breast cancer dataset, freely available on Kaggle, to evaluate the performance of the proposed feature selection method and the performance of the optimized CNN. In addition, statistical tests were established to study the stability and difference of the proposed approach compared to state-of-the-art approaches. The achieved results confirmed the superiority of the proposed approach with a classification accuracy of 98.1%, which is better than the other approaches considered in the conducted experiments.
Variation in the Elastic Modulus and Increased Energy Dissipation Induced by Cyclic Straining of Argiope bruennichi Major Ampullate Gland Silk
Authors: Jiang Ping , Wu Lihua , Hu Menglei , Tang Sisi , Qiu Zhimin , Lv Taiyong , Elices Manuel , Guinea Gustavo V. , Pérez-Rigueiro José
Published: April 2023

The trends exhibited by the parameters that describe the mechanical behaviour of major ampullate gland silk fibers spun by Argiope bruennichi spiders is explored by performing a series of loading-unloading tests at increasing values of strain, and by the subsequent analysis of the true stress-true strain curves obtained from these cycles. The elastic modulus, yields stress, energy absorbed, and energy dissipated in each cycle are computed in order to evaluate the evolution of these mechanical parameters with this cyclic straining. The elastic modulus is observed to increase steadily under these loading conditions, while only a moderate variation is found in the yield stress. It is also observed that a significant proportion of the energy initially absorbed in each cycle is not only dissipated, but that the material may recover partially from the associated irreversible deformation. This variation in the mechanical performance of spider silk is accounted for through a combination of irreversible and reversible deformation micromechanisms in which the viscoelasticity of the material plays a leading role.
Exploring the Relationship between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Executive Functioning in Adults with ADHD
Authors: Ogrodnik Michelle , Karsan Sameena , Cirone Victoria , Heisz Jennifer
Published: April 2023

Objective: Associations between measures of executive functioning (EF) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were examined for adults with and without ADHD. Method: Measures of executive functioning including the Stroop task, Wisconsin Card Sorting task, and Operation Span Task were completed virtually (n = 36 ADHD; n = 36 Control). Participants completed the Six-Minute Walk Test to estimate CRF. Results: Mean performance measures of executive function did not differ by group. However, higher estimated CRF was associated with better Stroop task performance, and the association was strongest for individuals with ADHD. Conclusion: In adults with ADHD, higher estimated CRF was associated with better inhibitory control, but not with other measures of executive functioning.
The Critical Role of Sirt1 in Subarachnoid Hemorrhages: Mechanism and Therapeutic Considerations
Authors: Zhang Zhonghua , Liu Cong , Zhou Xiaoming , Zhang Xin
Published: April 2023

The subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is an important cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. As a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase, silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) is a multipotent molecule involved in many pathophysiological processes. A growing number of studies have demonstrated that Sirt1 activation may exert positive effects on SAHs by regulating inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. Thus, Sirt1 agonists may serve as potential therapeutic drugs for SAHs. In this review, we summarized the current state of our knowledge on the relationship between Sirt1 and SAHs and provided an updated overview of the downstream molecules of Sirt1 in SAHs.
A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers and Facilitators Involved in the Implementation of Endowment Insurance in China’s Construction Industry
Authors: Cheng Baoquan , Li Jianchang , Han Yang , Zhang Tianyi , Huang Jianling , Chen Huihua
Published: April 2023

Given their occupation’s inherent income instability, the promotion of endowment insurance among construction workers is essential. This research reports the barriers and facilitators involved in promoting endowment insurance to construction workers, by contextualizing it in China. It adopts a qualitative research approach combining semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. It is discovered that the barriers include (1) construction workers’ low willingness to participate in insurance, caused by the low level of awareness and understanding of the benefits of endowment insurance, low income, unstable employment situation, and lack of trust in the insurance system, (2) companies’ irresponsibility, caused by cost pressure, lack of policy support, uncertain legal responsibilities, and (3) governments’ incomplete management, caused by insufficient funding, complex administrative procedures, weak regulation, and regional differences. A series of facilitating measures are also proposed, including (1) increasing awareness and understanding of the benefits of endowment insurance, (2) adjusting the design of the endowment insurance scheme, and (3) strengthening legislation and enforcement. This study presents an analysis of the promotion practices of endowment insurance in China’s construction industry, which can provide policymakers with valuable references for optimizing the endowment insurance system. The findings can have significant implications for China and other developing countries that may face similar challenges in promoting social security programs in aging societies.
Psychological State and Subjective Environmental Perception of College Students Residing in Dormitories during Quarantine: A Case Study
Authors: Mao Huice , Yu Hang , Tang Yin , Zhang Kege , Luo Maohui , Zhuang Linyi
Published: April 2023

Quarantine is one of the effective approaches to control the spread of COVID-19. However, prolonged isolation may harm the health of residents, especially students, who are quarantined in dormitories. This study surveyed students’ behaviors, living environment, and psychological state through an online questionnaire. The results showed that during the isolation period, the participants’ discomfort mainly came from high temperatures, high humidity, loud sounds, and dark lighting. Moreover, about half of the students experienced severe anxiety or depression, with poor sleep and an unclear mind being the most common problems. Additionally, this study focused on exploring the correlations between environmental perceptions and the psychological state of isolated students, that were identified to be significant. Furthermore, as isolation time was prolonged, the psychological state of isolated students worsened, and the most significant factor changed from thermal sensations to acoustic sensations. Interestingly, the psychological state of males was worse than females, and they were more easily affected by their thermal and acoustic environments. Therefore, keeping the environment comfortable has a positive influence on maintaining the good psychological condition of people in isolation. This study can provide suggestions for the improvement of indoor environments and for the mental health of people in isolation and in other similar situations.
Chondrosarcoma of the Proximal Humerus: Does the Margin Affect Survival?
Authors: Kask Gilber , Laitinen Minna K. , Parry Michael C. , Albergo Jose I. , Stevenson Jonathan D. , Farfalli German , Aponte-Tinao Luis , Grimer Robert , Sumathi Vaiyapuri , Jeys Lee M.
Published: April 2023

Chondrosarcoma (CS) is the second most common primary malignant bone tumour and, in the absence of reliable chemotherapy and radiotherapy, is effectively a surgical disease. Overall disease specific survival (DSS) is affected by tumour grade, whilst resection margin contributes to local recurrence free survival (LRFS). The aim of this study was to investigate factors that affect the local and systemic prognoses for conventional central CSs arising from the proximal humerus. A multi-centre, retrospective study from three international collaborative sarcoma centres identified 110 patients between 1995 and 2020 undergoing treatment for a conventional central CS of the proximal humerus; 58 patients (53%) had a grade 1 tumour, 36 (33%) had a grade 2 tumour, and 16 patients (13%) had a grade 3 CS. The mean age of patients was 50 years (range 10–85). The incidence of local recurrence (LR) was 9/110 (8.2%), and the disease specific mortality was 6/110 (5.5%). The grade was a statistically significant factor for LRFS (p < 0.001). None of the grade 1 tumours developed LR. The DSS was affected by the grade (p < 0.001) but not by the LR (p = 0.4). Only one patient with a grade 2 tumour died from the disease. The proximal humeral grade 1 CS behaved as a benign tumour, having no cases of LR nor death due to disease. Grade 2 CSs of the proximal humerus behaved in a more indolent way when compared with comparable grade tumours elsewhere in the appendicular skeleton, being locally aggressive with a higher LR rate than grade 1 CSs but still having very low mortality and a high rate of DSS. The LR in grade 2 CSs did not affect the DSS; therefore, surgical management in proximal humeral grade 2 CSs should have a greater emphasis on preserving function whilst maintaining an adequate margin for resection. The proximal humeral grade 3 CS was, as elsewhere in the skeleton, an aggressive, high-grade tumour. Therefore, surgical management should include en bloc resection with clear margins to avoid LR.
Multi-View Radiomics Feature Fusion Reveals Distinct Immuno-Oncological Characteristics and Clinical Prognoses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Gu Yu , Huang Hao , Tong Qi , Cao Meng , Ming Wenlong , Zhang Rongxin , Zhu Wenyong , Wang Yuqi , Sun Xiao
Published: April 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, and the pronounced intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity restricts clinical benefits. Dissecting molecular heterogeneity in HCC is commonly explored by endoscopic biopsy or surgical forceps, but invasive tissue sampling and possible complications limit the broadeer adoption. The radiomics framework is a promising non-invasive strategy for tumor heterogeneity decoding, and the linkage between radiomics and immuno-oncological characteristics is worth further in-depth study. In this study, we extracted multi-view imaging features from contrast-enhanced CT (CE-CT) scans of HCC patients, followed by developing a fused imaging feature subtyping (FIFS) model to identify two distinct radiomics subtypes. We observed two subtypes of patients with distinct texture-dominated radiomics profiles and prognostic outcomes, and the radiomics subtype identified by FIFS model was an independent prognostic factor. The heterogeneity was mainly attributed to inflammatory pathway activity and the tumor immune microenvironment. The predominant radiogenomics association was identified between texture-related features and immune-related pathways by integrating network analysis, and was validated in two independent cohorts. Collectively, this work described the close connections between multi-view radiomics features and immuno-oncological characteristics in HCC, and our integrative radiogenomics analysis strategy may provide clues to non-invasive inflammation-based risk stratification.
Antibiotics Significantly Decrease the Survival of Head and Neck Carcinoma Patients with Immunotherapy: A Real-World Analysis of More Than 3000 Cases
Authors: Preissner Saskia , Heiland Max , Preissner Robert , Wirth Markus , Wollenberg Barbara
Published: April 2023

Objective: The human gut microbiome is strongly influenced by the administration of drugs, namely antibiotics. We hypothesized that the effectiveness of immunotherapy with pembrolizumab in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients is decreased by the administration of antibiotics three months before and after immunotherapy. Methods: We retrieved data from patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (International Classification of Diseases [ICD]-10 codes C00-C14) and receiving immunotherapy with pembrolizumab from the TriNetX network. Two cohorts were built: patients in cohort I did not receive any antibiotics within three months before or up to three months after immunotherapy, while patients in cohort II were administered antibiotics at least once within three months before or after immunotherapy. To exclude confounders, we matched cohorts 1:1 for age, sex, secondary lymph node metastases, nicotine dependence, the insertion of feeding devices, body mass index (BMI) and severe sepsis. After defining the primary outcome as “death”, a Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed, and the risk ratio (RR), odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) were calculated. Results: A total of 3651 patients were enrolled, and after matching, each cohort consisted of 1362 patients. Among cohorts I and II, 346 and 511 patients were deceased within one year (risk of death = 25.5 and 38.3%, respectively), whereby the risk difference was significant (p = 0.000; log-rank test). The RR was 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.60–0.76), OR was 0.57 (0.48–0.67) and HR was 0.58 (0.51–0.67). Conclusions: Our hypothesis was confirmed: administering antibiotics significantly decreases the drug effectiveness of immunotherapy. We hypothesize that this finding is associated with antibiotic-related changes in the gut microbiome. Prospective clinical studies on the gut microbiome in cancer patients are necessary to understand the complex ecosystem of microbiota during immunotherapy. Trial Registration: Due to the retrospective nature of the study, no registration was necessary.
Special Issue: “Management of Early Stage Cervical Cancer”
Authors: Certelli Camilla , Anchora Luigi Pedone , Gallotta Valerio
Published: April 2023

Cervical carcinoma is a common gynecological malignancy that remains a challenge for oncologic gynecologists around the world [...]
Recent Progress in the Use of SnO2 Quantum Dots: From Synthesis to Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Bathula Babu , Gurugubelli Thirumala Rao , Yoo Jihyung , Yoo Kisoo
Published: April 2023

This review article provides current developments in SnO2 quantum dots (QDs) as effective catalysts over the last five years. SnO2 QDs are exceptional prospects for catalytic applications because of their high surface area, compact size, and tunable optical features. SnO2 QDs have recently made strides in their production and functionalization, which has enabled successful use of them as photocatalytic catalysts. The basic concepts of SnO2 QDs, including their electrical and optical characteristics, are described in this review paper, along with the most current findings on their production and functionalization. Additionally, it covers the fundamental mechanisms that support SnO2 QDs’ catalytic activity and emphasizes the difficulties involved in using them as catalysts. Lastly, it offers a forecast for the direction of research in this quickly evolving topic. Overall, our analysis demonstrates SnO2 QDs’ potential as a successful and cutting-edge catalytic system in recent years.
Production of Hydrogen from Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Review of Technologies
Authors: Jara-Cobos Lourdes , Abril-González Mónica , Pinos-Vélez Verónica
Published: April 2023

Hydrogen is considered one of the most important forms of energy for the future, as it can be generated from renewable sources and reduce CO2 emissions. In this review, the different thermochemical techniques that are currently used for the production of hydrogen from biomass from plantations or crops, as well as those from industrial or agro-industrial processes, were analyzed, such as gasification, liquefaction, and pyrolysis. In addition, the yields obtained and the reactors, reaction conditions, and catalysts used in each process are presented. Furthermore, a brief comparison between the methods is made to identify the pros and cons of current technologies.
Structural Analysis Implicates CASK-Liprin-α2 Interaction in Cerebellar Granular Cell Death in MICPCH Syndrome
Authors: Guo Qi , Kouyama-Suzuki Emi , Shirai Yoshinori , Cao Xueshan , Yanagawa Toru , Mori Takuma , Tabuchi Katsuhiko
Published: April 2023

Microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH) syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the deficiency of the X-chromosomal gene CASK. However, the molecular mechanisms by which CASK deficiency causes cerebellar hypoplasia in this syndrome remain elusive. In this study, we used CASK knockout (KO) mice as models for MICPCH syndrome and investigated the effect of CASK mutants. Female CASK heterozygote KO mice replicate the progressive cerebellar hypoplasia observed in MICPCH syndrome. CASK KO cultured cerebellar granule (CG) cells show progressive cell death that can be rescued by co-infection with lentivirus expressing wild-type CASK. Rescue experiments with CASK deletion mutants identify that the CaMK, PDZ, and SH3, but not L27 and guanylate kinase domains of CASK are required for the survival of CG cells. We identify missense mutations in the CaMK domain of CASK derived from human patients that fail to rescue the cell death of cultured CASK KO CG cells. Machine learning-based structural analysis using AlphaFold 2.2 predicts that these mutations disrupt the structure of the binding interface with Liprin-α2. These results suggest that the interaction with Liprin-α2 via the CaMK domain of CASK may be involved in the pathophysiology of cerebellar hypoplasia in MICPCH syndrome.
Glucocorticoid Hormones as Modulators of the Kynurenine Pathway in Chronic Pain Conditions
Authors: Jovanovic Filip , Jovanovic Visnja , Knezevic Nebojsa Nick
Published: April 2023

The pathogenesis of chronic pain entails a series of complex interactions among the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. Defined as pain lasting or recurring for more than 3 months, chronic pain is becoming increasingly more prevalent among the US adult population. Pro-inflammatory cytokines from persistent low-grade inflammation not only contribute to the development of chronic pain conditions, but also regulate various aspects of the tryptophan metabolism, especially that of the kynurenine pathway (KP). An elevated level of pro-inflammatory cytokines exerts similar regulatory effects on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, an intricate system of neuro–endocrine–immune pathways and a major mechanism of the stress response. As the HPA axis counters inflammation through the secretion of endogenous cortisol, we review the role of cortisol along with that of exogenous glucocorticoids in patients with chronic pain conditions. Considering that different metabolites produced along the KP exhibit neuroprotective, neurotoxic, and pronociceptive properties, we also summarize evidence rendering them as reliable biomarkers in this patient population. While more in vivo studies are needed, we conclude that the interaction between glucocorticoid hormones and the KP poses an attractive venue of diagnostic and therapeutic potential in patients with chronic pain.
The NuRD Complex in Neurodevelopment and Disease: A Case of Sliding Doors
Authors: Boulasiki Paraskevi , Tan Xiao Wei , Spinelli Matteo , Riccio Antonella
Published: April 2023

The Nucleosome Remodelling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex represents one of the major chromatin remodelling complexes in mammalian cells, uniquely coupling the ability to “open” the chromatin by inducing nucleosome sliding with histone deacetylase activity. At the core of the NuRD complex are a family of ATPases named CHDs that utilise the energy produced by the hydrolysis of the ATP to induce chromatin structural changes. Recent studies have highlighted the prominent role played by the NuRD in regulating gene expression during brain development and in maintaining neuronal circuitry in the adult cerebellum. Importantly, components of the NuRD complex have been found to carry mutations that profoundly affect neurological and cognitive development in humans. Here, we discuss recent literature concerning the molecular structure of NuRD complexes and how the subunit composition and numerous permutations greatly determine their functions in the nervous system. We will also discuss the role of the CHD family members in an array of neurodevelopmental disorders. Special emphasis will be given to the mechanisms that regulate the NuRD complex composition and assembly in the cortex and how subtle mutations may result in profound defects of brain development and the adult nervous system.
Biofluid Biomarkers in the Prognosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Recent Developments and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Sanchez-Tejerina Daniel , Llaurado Arnau , Sotoca Javier , Lopez-Diego Veronica , Vidal Taboada Jose M. , Salvado Maria , Juntas-Morales Raul
Published: April 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons for which effective therapies are lacking. One of the most explored areas of research in ALS is the discovery and validation of biomarkers that can be applied to clinical practice and incorporated into the development of innovative therapies. The study of biomarkers requires an adequate theoretical and operational framework, highlighting the “fit-for-purpose” concept and distinguishing different types of biomarkers based on common terminology. In this review, we aim to discuss the current status of fluid-based prognostic and predictive biomarkers in ALS, with particular emphasis on those that are the most promising ones for clinical trial design and routine clinical practice. Neurofilaments in cerebrospinal fluid and blood are the main prognostic and pharmacodynamic biomarkers. Furthermore, several candidates exist covering various pathological aspects of the disease, such as immune, metabolic and muscle damage markers. Urine has been studied less often and should be explored for its possible advantages. New advances in the knowledge of cryptic exons introduce the possibility of discovering new biomarkers. Collaborative efforts, prospective studies and standardized procedures are needed to validate candidate biomarkers. A combined biomarkers panel can provide a more detailed disease status.
Advanced 3D Models of Human Brain Tissue Using Neural Cell Lines: State-of-the-Art and Future Prospects
Authors: Fabbri Rachele , Cacopardo Ludovica , Ahluwalia Arti , Magliaro Chiara
Published: April 2023

Human-relevant three-dimensional (3D) models of cerebral tissue can be invaluable tools to boost our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying brain pathophysiology. Nowadays, the accessibility, isolation and harvesting of human neural cells represents a bottleneck for obtaining reproducible and accurate models and gaining insights in the fields of oncology, neurodegenerative diseases and toxicology. In this scenario, given their low cost, ease of culture and reproducibility, neural cell lines constitute a key tool for developing usable and reliable models of the human brain. Here, we review the most recent advances in 3D constructs laden with neural cell lines, highlighting their advantages and limitations and their possible future applications.
One-Step Crystallization of Gahnite Glass-Ceramics in a Wide Thermal Gradient
Authors: Shakhgildyan Georgiy Yu. , Alekseev Roman O. , Golubev Nikita V. , Savinkov Vitaliy I. , Naumov Andrey S. , Presnyakova Natalia N. , Sigaev Vladimir N.
Published: April 2023

The glass crystallization regime plays a crucial role in the fabrication of glass ceramics: it affects both phase composition and microstructure, and thus the properties of the final product. In the search for new glass-ceramic materials, the development of a proper heat-treatment schedule involves the utilization of numerous glass samples that need to be thermally treated and then investigated to determine the values of the target characteristics. In this study, we evaluated the effect of crystallization temperature on the glass structure, phase composition, and hardness of glass ceramics in the ZnO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system containing TiO2 and ZrO2 as nucleators. To maximize the number of heat treatments, we performed polythermal crystallization of the glass in a wide temperature range with the help of a gradient furnace. Using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, we showed the precipitation of gahnite nanocrystals as the main phase in the bulk of a single glass sample and observed a gradual change in its microstructure, transparency, and hardness. The dependence of Vickers hardness values on heat treatment temperature was found to follow a non-linear trend, revealing the optimal thermal range for glass crystallization.
Synthesis and Characteristics of Composite Material with a Plant-Based Filler
Authors: Cherkashina Natalia Igorevna , Pavlenko Zoya Vladimirovna , Matveenko Dar’ya Sergeyevna , Domarev Semen Nikolayevich , Pushkarskaya Dar’ya Vasil’yevna , Ryzhikh Dar’ya Aleksandrovna
Published: April 2023

The article presents the results of synthesis of polymeric composite material based on epoxy binder and plant-based filler. Pre-dried and powdered wheat straw was used as a plant-based filler. The wheat straw content in the composite varied from 10 to 50 wt.%. Thermal, mechanical, and surface properties of composites depending on the wheat straw content were researched. In addition, the samples were studied for resistance to corrosive environments. The hydrophobic–hydrophilic surface balance of composites was evaluated, and their free surface energy was studied. Introduction of wheat straw in small amounts (up to 30 wt.%) increases bending strength of polymer from 18.65 ± 1.12 MPa to 22.61 ± 0.91 MPa; when the content is more than 40 wt.%, reduction of strength is observed. Even with a wheat straw powder content of 50 wt.%, the bending strength is 11.52 ± 1.03 MPa, which corresponds to the strength of the construction material. The upper limit of working temperature for the epoxy binder is 306 °C, and for the composite with the wheat straw content of 30 wt.%—264 °C. The surface of the pure polymer shows a hydrophilic character. The average value of the water wetting contact angle of the pure epoxy sample is 84.96 ± 9.03°. The introduction of 30 wt.% of wheat straw powder filler transforms the surface into hydrophobic one (average value of water wetting contact angle is 96.69 ± 5.71°). The developed composites can be applied in furniture production including tabletops or panels for floors. Future research will focus on expanding the types of plant-based fillers for polymer composites.
How Does the Sample Preparation of Phytophthora infestans Mycelium Affect the Quality of Isolated RNA?
Authors: Ivanov Artemii A. , Tyapkin Alexandr V. , Golubeva Tatiana S.
Published: April 2023

RNA isolation from fungi and fungus-like organisms is not an easy task. Active endogenous RNases quickly hydrolyze RNA after the sample collection, and the thick cell wall prevents inhibitors from penetrating the cells. Therefore, the initial collection and grinding steps may be crucial for the total RNA isolation from the mycelium. When isolating RNA from Phytophthora infestans, we varied the grinding time of the Tissue Lyser and used TRIzol and beta-mercaptoethanol to inhibit the RNase. In addition, we tested the mortar and pestle grinding of mycelium in liquid nitrogen, with this method showing the most consistent results. During the sample grinding with the Tissue Lyser device, adding an RNase inhibitor proved to be a prerequisite, and the best results were achieved using TRIzol. We considered ten different combinations of grinding conditions and isolation methods. The classical combination of a mortar and pestle, followed by TRIzol, has proved to be the most efficient.
Equivalent Improvements in Sleep Duration and Sleep Quality Regardless of Program Delivery Modality: The SLeep Education for Everyone Program (SLEEP)
Authors: Contreras Dawn A. , Williams Elizabeth , Tucker Robin M.
Published: April 2023

Sleep issues are pervasive, and treatment can be difficult to access, if available at all. The purpose of this study was to test whether the delivery modality (online vs. in person) of the SLeep Education for Everyone Program (SLEEP) influenced programmatic outcomes. A total of 60 participants completed the study, 28 in the online group and 32 in the in-person group. Across all participants, SLEEP improved sleep duration, sleep quality, and sleep hygiene behaviors (p < 0.001 for all). When comparing delivery modality, sleep duration and quality improved similarly between groups; however, sleep hygiene behaviors improved more in the in-person group (p = 0.033). Sleep hygiene scores did not correlate with sleep duration or quality after the program. Based on these findings, SLEEP appears to be equally effective in improving sleep duration and quality when delivered online or in person. These findings suggest that SLEEP can be delivered based on the organization’s and participant’s resources, needs, and preferred style of interaction.
Bacterial Detection and Differentiation of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Utilizing Long-Period Fiber Gratings Functionalized with Nanoporous Coated Structures
Authors: He Shuyue , Wang Jue , Yang Fan , Chang Tzu-Lan , Tang Ziyu , Liu Kai , Liu Shuli , Tian Fei , Liang Jun-Feng , Du Henry , Liu Yi
Published: April 2023

A biosensor utilizing long-period fiber gratings (LPFG) functionalized with nanoporous coated structures was developed for the rapid detection of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. The nanoporous structure coatings on the LPFG surface facilitated specific adhesion and interaction with S. aureus, resulting in an instantaneous shift in the resonance wavelength (RW) in the transmission spectrum of the LPFG. The LPFG with nanoporous polyelectrolyte coatings exhibited an approximately seven-fold RW shift compared to the bare LPFG under the optimal experiment conditions. By tracking the RW shifts, we were able to monitor the real-time S. aureus adhesion to study the interaction process in detail. The bacterial differentiation and S. aureus specificity of the method was confirmed through a series of studies using Escherichia coli (E. coli). This nanoporous structure-enabled LPFG-based biosensor scheme holds significant promise for rapid, reliable, and low-cost detection of S. aureus for biomedical applications.
Microstructure and Properties of Al-Based Ceramic Coating Deposited on Magnesium Alloy Surface by Cold Spraying
Authors: Ci Shiwei , Wang Ting , Hu Jiaqi , Cheng Zonghui , Xie Suijie , Cai Xiaoye , Dong Dingping , Fan Chao , Liu Qingwei , Yuan Chenfeng , Du Wenbo , Han Guofeng , Zhu Sheng , Chen Dexin , Wang Qiwei
Published: April 2023

In this study, pure Al and Al-Al2O3 composite coatings with a low porosity and high density were prepared on magnesium alloys by cold spraying. The surface morphology, component, hardness, interfacial bonding, wear and corrosion properties were investigated. Additionally, the relationship between the interface structure and the protective coatings’ quality was preliminarily established. Pure Al powder was used to create a coating with a homogeneous and dense microstructure. The hard-phase Al2O3 in the composite coatings was non-oxidized and would reduce the porosity of the coatings to improve their density and interfacial bonding by up to 55.82 MPa. The bonding mode of the pure Al coatings is primarily mechanical, whereas the bonding mode of the Al-Al2O3 mixed coatings is mechanical and metallurgical. The tough Al2O3 particles combined to form a layer of work-hardening reinforcement that resisted wear and effectively prevented it from spreading. The three Al-based coatings had excellent corrosion properties, as evidenced by their corrosion current being several orders of magnitude lower than that of the magnesium alloy substrates. The thick coating was significantly more corrosion-resistant than the thin coating and provided greater protection to the substrate. This study offers theoretical and technological assistance for the surface protection of magnesium alloy equipment in demanding conditions.
The Effect of Structure and Mechanical Properties Change of Current Collector during Cycling on Sb-Based Lithium-Ion Batteries’ Performance
Authors: Zhao Songnan , Meng Weijia , Wang Genwei , Guo Chunli , Ma Shengguo , Lei Zhipeng , Li Yuanyuan , Guo Meiqing , Song Hui
Published: April 2023

Here, we investigate structure and mechanical change of Cu and Al current collector during cycling and analyze the contribution to capacity attenuation of Sb-based lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). There exists migration of C, Sb, and Li atoms to the inside of Cu current collector, and diffusion of Li, Co, and O atoms to the inside of Al current collector during cycling, which results in the formation of a porous film of Li2SbCu (with the thickness of 21 µm after 100 cycles) and a relatively dense film of Al2O3 (with the thickness of 23 µm after 100 cycles) on the surface of Cu and Al current collector, respectively. The formation of films results in a weak bond between active layer and current collector, and the increase of hardness of 0.84 GPa and modulus of 22.5 GPa for Cu current collector after 100 cycles, which is adverse to the charge capacity and cycling stability. Nevertheless, Al2O3 films caused hardness decrease of 0.53 GPa and modulus decrease of 18.93 GPa of Al current collector after 100 cycles, which contributes to the improvement of cycling stability and charge capacity. This study provides an understanding of the capacity loss of Sb-based LIBs from the perspective of structural degradation of current collectors.
Effects of Organic Additives on Alkaline Non-Cyanide Zinc Electroplating
Authors: Jeon Su-Byung , Son Byung-Ki , Choi Ji-Won , Son Injoon
Published: April 2023

We investigated the effects and interactions of the organic additives Polyquaternium-2 (PUB) and 1-benzyl pyridinium-3-carboxylate (BPC) in alkaline non-cyanide zinc electroplating. As PUB and BPC were added, the cathode potential of the polarization curve shifted in the negative direction at the same current density that occurred in the electrochemical experiment, and as confirmed by a scanning electron microscopy, the particles on the plating surface in the zinc deposits became finer, and the grain size decreased. Moreover, strong (101) and (002) peaks appeared in the X-ray diffraction pattern when no additive was added. However, as PUB and BPC were added, the intensity of the two peaks decreased, and an increase in the intensity of the (100) peak changed to a crystallographic orientation. With the addition of PUB and BPC, the gloss and whiteness gradually increased, and the surface roughness decreased. Finally, the throwing power tended to increase as PUB and BPC were added.
High-Fat Diet Exposure in Early Life Alters Mammary Metabolic and Inflammatory Microenvironment in Favor of Breast Tumorigenesis Later in Life in Mice
Authors: Tang Ying , Lin Ting-Chun , Kim Young-Cheul , Chung Soonkyu , Liu Zhenhua
Published: April 2023

Emerging evidence highlights the important impact of early-life exposures on cancer development later in life. The present study aimed to investigate the impacts of a high-fat diet in early life on the mammary microenvironment in relation to breast tumorigenesis. Forty-four female C57BL/6 mice were fed a low-fat diet (LF, 10 kcal% fat) or a high-fat diet (HF, 60 kcal% fat) for 8 weeks starting at ~4 weeks of age. Twenty-two mice were sacrificed immediately after an 8 week feeding, and the rest of mice were switched to a normal diet for maintenance (Lab Diet, #5P76) for additional 12 weeks. A panel of metabolic parameters, inflammatory cytokines, as well as tumorigenic Wnt-signaling target genes were analyzed. The HF diet increased body weight and exacerbated mammary metabolic and inflammatory status. The disrupted microenvironment remains significant to the later life equivalent to young adulthood (p < 0.05). Mammary Wnt-signaling was elevated right after the HF diet as indicated by the upregulated expression of its downstream genes, whereas it was surprisingly suppressed after switching diets (p < 0.05). In summary, HF-induced overweight/obesity in early life altered the mammary metabolic and inflammatory microenvironments in favor of breast tumorigenesis, although its overall impact to breast cancer later in life warrants further investigation.
Intelligent Wireless Capsule Endoscopy for the Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Diseases
Authors: Mehedi Ibrahim M. , Rao K. Prahlad , Alotaibi Fahad Mushhabbab , Alkanfery Hadi Mohsen
Published: April 2023

Through a wireless capsule endoscope (WCE) fitted with a miniature camera (about an inch), this study aims to examine the role of wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) in the diagnosis, monitoring, and evaluation of GI (gastrointestinal) disorders. In a wearable belt recorder, a capsule travels through the digestive tract and takes pictures. It attempts to find tiny components that can be used to enhance the WCE. To accomplish this, we followed the steps below: Researching current capsule endoscopy through databases, designing and simulating the device using computers, implanting the system and finding tiny components compatible with capsule size, testing the system and eliminating noise and other problems, and analyzing the results. In the present study, it was shown that a spherical WCE shaper and a smaller WCE with a size of 13.5 diameter, a high resolution, and a high frame rate (8–32 fps) could help patients with pains due to the traditional capsules and provide more accurate pictures as well as prolong the battery life. In addition, the capsule can also be used to reconstruct 3D images. Simulation experiments showed that spherical endoscopic devices are more advantageous than commercial capsule-shaped endoscopic devices for wireless applications. We found that the sphere’s velocity through the fluid was greater than the capsule’s.