bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ganoderma Fusions with High Yield of Ergothioneine and Comparative Analysis of Its Genomics
Authors: Xie Jiaqi , Yu Yinghao , You Junjiang , Ye Zhiwei , Zhou Fenglong , Wang Na , Zhong Jingru , Guo Liqiong , Lin Junfang
Published: November 2023

Ergothioneine (EGT), an exceptional antioxidant found ubiquitously across diverse living organisms, plays a pivotal role in various vital physiological regulatory functions. Its principal natural sources are mushrooms and animal liver tissues. Ganoderma spp., a traditional Chinese food and medicinal mushroom, boasts high concentrations of EGT. To advance the development of novel Ganoderma spp. strains with enhanced EGT yields, we employed an efficient Ganoderma spp. protoplasmic fusion system. Through molecular and biological characterization, we successfully generated seven novel fusion strains. Notably, fusion strain RS7 demonstrated a remarkable increase in mycelial EGT production (12.70 ± 1.85 mg/L), surpassing the parental strains FQ16 and FQ23 by 34.23% and 39.10%, respectively. Furthermore, in the context of the fruiting body, fusion strain RS11 displayed a notable 53.58% enhancement in EGT production (11.24 ± 1.96 mg/L) compared to its parental strains. Genomic analysis of the RS7, the strain with the highest levels of mycelial EGT production, revealed mutations in the gene EVM0005141 associated with EGT metabolism. These mutations led to a reduction in non-productive shunts, subsequently redirecting more substrate towards the EGT synthesis pathway. This redirection significantly boosted EGT production in the RS7 strain. The insights gained from this study provide valuable guidance for the commercial-scale production of EGT and the selective breeding of Ganoderma spp. strains.
An Evolved Strain of the Oleaginous Yeast Rhodotorula toruloides, Multi-Tolerant to the Major Inhibitors Present in Lignocellulosic Hydrolysates, Exhibits an Altered Cell Envelope
Authors: Fernandes Mónica A. , Mota Marta N. , Faria Nuno T. , Sá-Correia Isabel
Published: November 2023

The presence of toxic compounds in lignocellulosic hydrolysates (LCH) is among the main barriers affecting the efficiency of lignocellulose-based fermentation processes, in particular, to produce biofuels, hindering the production of intracellular lipids by oleaginous yeasts. These microbial oils are promising sustainable alternatives to vegetable oils for biodiesel production. In this study, we explored adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE), under methanol- and high glycerol concentration-induced selective pressures, to improve the robustness of a Rhodotorula toruloides strain, previously selected to produce lipids from sugar beet hydrolysates by completely using the major C (carbon) sources present. An evolved strain, multi-tolerant not only to methanol but to four major inhibitors present in LCH (acetic acid, formic acid, hydroxymethylfurfural, and furfural) was isolated and the mechanisms underlying such multi-tolerance were examined, at the cellular envelope level. Results indicate that the evolved multi-tolerant strain has a cell wall that is less susceptible to zymolyase and a decreased permeability, based on the propidium iodide fluorescent probe, in the absence or presence of those inhibitors. The improved performance of this multi-tolerant strain for lipid production from a synthetic lignocellulosic hydrolysate medium, supplemented with those inhibitors, was confirmed.
Only One of Three Bcs1 Homologs in Aspergillus fumigatus Confers Respiratory Growth
Authors: Klugherz Isabel , Basch Marion , Ng Natanya , Zhu Zhaojun , Wagener Nikola , Wagener Johannes
Published: November 2023

The mitochondrial translocase Bcs1 is required for the correct assembly of complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Because of its importance, Bcs1 was recently proposed as a target for antifungal agents. The function of this AAA (ATPase Associated with diverse cellular Activities) protein has been extensively characterized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This yeast as well as previously studied mammals each encode only one homolog. In contrast, the pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus encodes three putative Bcs1 homologs, none of which have been characterized to date. To study the role of these three homologs in A. fumigatus, conditional and deletion mutants of the respective genes AFUA_3G13000 (bcs1A), AFUA_4G01260 (bcs1B), and AFUA_2G14760 (bcs1C) were generated. A deletion or downregulation of bcs1A resulted in drastically reduced growth and sporulation rates and in a significantly altered susceptibility to azole antifungals. In contrast, mutants lacking Bcs1B or Bcs1C did not show any phenotypes differing from the wild type. Salicylhydroxamic acid—an inhibitor of the alternative oxidase that allows the respiratory chain to bypass complex III in some species—caused a complete growth arrest of the bcs1A deletion mutant. In a Galleria mellonella infection model, the deletion of bcs1A resulted in significantly decreased virulence. Only Bcs1A was able to partially complement a deletion of BCS1 in S. cerevisiae. The subcellular localization of Bcs1B and Bcs1C outside of mitochondria suggests that these Bcs1 homologs exert cellular functions different from that of Bcs1. Our data demonstrate that Bcs1A is the sole Bcs1 ortholog in A. fumigatus.
New Paradigms for Thoracic Outlet Compression and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, with or without Complications or Sequelae: A Trans-Continental and Trans-Disciplinary Opinion Paper
Authors: Abraham Pierre , Wennberg Paul W. , Bauer Pascal , Gu Yongquan , Ouedraogo Nafi , Guo Lianrui , Tew Garry , Mazzolai Lucia , Martini Romeo , Henni Samir
Published: November 2023

The anatomy of the human shoulder predisposes the neurovascular bundle to compression at different levels of the thoracic outlet during abduction of the arm. There are four possible levels of compression at the thoracic outlet pathway: at the costo-clavicular angle, the inter-scalenic angle, under the pectoralis minor muscle or at the level of the humeral head. The positional thoracic outlet compression (TOC) often remains completely asymptomatic. When symptomatic, compressions are collectively referred to as thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and may require surgery if physical therapy fails to improve symptoms. The “thoracic outlet compression with complications or sequelae” (the acronym of which is “TOC-CS”, which can be simplified as “TOX”) will almost invariably lead to surgery to release the compression, and other possible treatment targeting the complications as required. There is a continuum between TOC, TOS and TOX, which are simply different clinical stages of the same mechanical issue, just like the Rutherford grades represent different stages of lower extremity arterial disease. We believe that discriminating between TOC, TOS and TOX clarifies clinical definitions and their respective treatment options. TOC is to be considered as a physiological positional phenomenon, TOS requires medical or surgical treatment and surgery should be considered as a primary option in TOX.
Fracture Analysis of Short-Scale Corroded/Healthy Reinforced Concrete Beams under Bending Using Acoustic Emission
Authors: Seye Mouhamadou Mountakhah , Kawasaki Yuma , Rahimi Ejazulhaq
Published: November 2023

In this work, the acoustic emission (AE) technique is used to evaluate the fracture process of corroded and healthy reinforced concrete (RC) beams subjected to a monotonic bending test. In fact, many researchers have conducted laboratory experiments considering different conditions to perform rebar corrosion monitoring in RC structures using the AE method. However, previous studies have not investigated the evolution of the bending performance of RC beams at different corrosion degrees, considering the interaction of single rebar with concrete. In this study, healthy and electrically corroded RC beams are evaluated, considering different corrosion levels. The analysis of the moving average of the AE maximum amplitudes was consistent to distinguish four stages of mechanical behavior that the healthy, and corroded specimens with low and medium corrosion levels of 0.9% and 3.2% experienced up to failure. Three damage stages were identified in the case of a high corrosion level of 9.3%. Then, the AE maximum amplitudes were suitable to establish an efficient clustering, which enabled the classification of the fractures into minor, medium, and major classes. Furthermore, the digital analysis method proposed in this study was suitable to visually reveal the influence of the preexisting corrosion-induced damages on the bending failure process of the RC beams.
Knowledge Graph-Embedded Time-Serial-Data-Driven Bottleneck Analysis of Textile and Apparel Production Processes
Authors: Wang Guodong , Liu Guohua , Li Qianqian
Published: November 2023

There is a lack of high correlation and reuse potential among multiple manufacturing data for textiles and apparel. Moreover, the material flow traceability between production workstations is not clear, making it difficult to detect potential production bottlenecks. This paper proposes a knowledge graph embedded time serial data-driven bottleneck analysis of textile and apparel production processes. Firstly, a dynamic information association model is established to organize global manufacturing information, including the static data and time-series data features. Also, a textile-corpus-oriented knowledge extraction model is designed to construct a time-series knowledge graph for textile and apparel production (TKG4TA). Then, a temporal knowledge-driven production process bottleneck prediction model is presented based on manufacturing knowledge in the textile and apparel industry. Of these, textile knowledge is transformed into embeddings using a graph convolutional network (GCN). In turn, the context-associated information features are learned by the long short-term memory (LSTM) to predict the bottlenecks in the textile and apparel production process. Finally, a typical process flow in a shirt manufacturing workshop is used as a case study. It shows that the F1 value of the proposed method for named entity recognition and relationship extraction is up to 80.3%, and 50.6%, respectively. The performance of the proposed model for bottleneck prediction is improved by 8.2% and 14.92% compared to only the use of GCN or LSTM in the mean absolute error. This model may provide a solid foundation for the temporal knowledge-graph-driven bottleneck analysis of shirt manufacturing.
Recycling of Wood–Plastic Composites—A Reprocessing Study
Authors: Burgstaller Christoph , Renner Károly
Published: November 2023

Wood–plastic composites, consisting of wood particles and a thermoplastic matrix, are common composites often used in buildings as decking boards or for similar non-load-carrying applications. As these are usually semi-finished products, a certain amount of material is available after cutting these to size, in the factory and also at installation sites. Especially for in-house waste streams in factories, the question remains whether these materials can be reprocessed without any negative influence on the materials’ properties. Therefore, the aim of this work is to investigate the influence of reprocessing on the property profile of polypropylene based wood–plastic composites. Two base formulations with 40 wt% of wood particles and two different polypropylene grades were investigated for their mechanical properties, wood particle size, color, weathering stability and water uptake. We found that most of the wood–plastic composites’ properties were not negatively influenced by the multiple processing steps; the most pronounced effect beside particle size reduction is color degradation, as the composites darken with increasing number of processing steps. In our opinion this shows, that wood–plastic composites can be recycled, especially if these are only reprocessed in smaller shares together with virgin materials.
Optimal Hysteresis Control via a Queuing System with Two Heterogeneous Energy-Consuming Servers
Authors: D’Apice Ciro , D’Arienzo Maria Pia , Dudin Alexander , Manzo Rosanna
Published: November 2023

A queuing system having two different servers is under study. Demands enter the system according to a Markov arrival process. Service times have phase-type distribution. Service of demands is possible only if the fixed number of energy units, probably different for two servers, is available in the system at the potential service beginning moment. Energy units arrive in the system also according to a Markov arrival process and are stored in a stock (battery) of a finite capacity. Leakage of energy units from the stock can occur. Demands waiting in the infinite buffer are impatient and can leave the buffer after an exponentially distributed waiting time. One server is the main one and permanently provides service when the buffer is not empty and the required number of energy units is available. The second server is the assistant server and is switched on or off depending on the availability of energy units and queue length according to the hysteresis strategy defined by two thresholds. The assistant server is switched on when the queue length is not less than the greater threshold and is switched off when the queue length becomes smaller than the smaller threshold. The use of the assistant server has to be paid. Thus, the problem of the optimal selection of the thresholds defining the control strategy naturally arises. To solve this problem, the study of the behavior of the system under any fixed values of the parameters of the control strategy is necessary. Such a study is given in this paper. Numerical results are presented. They illustrate the feasibility of computer realization of the developed algorithms for computation of the stationary distribution of the system states and the main key performance indicators as well as the result of solving one of the possible optimization tasks.
A Necessity-Based Optimization Approach for Closed-Loop Logistics Considering Carbon Emission Penalties and Rewards under Uncertainty
Authors: Li Botang , Liu Kaiyuan , Chen Qiong , Lau Yui-yip , Dulebenets Maxim A.
Published: November 2023

The recycling of waste products can bring enormous economic and environmental benefits to supply chain participants. Under the government’s reward and punishment system, the manufacturing industry is facing unfolded pressure to minimize carbon emissions. However, various factors related to the design of closed-loop logistics networks are uncertain in nature, including demand, facility capacity, transportation cost per unit of product per kilometer, landfill cost, unit carbon penalty cost, and carbon reward amount. As such, this study proposes a new fuzzy programming model for closed-loop supply chain network design which directly relies on fuzzy methods based on the necessity measure. The objective of the proposed optimization model is to minimize the total cost of the network and the sum of carbon rewards and penalties when selecting facility locations and transportation routes between network nodes. Based on the characteristics of the problem, a genetic algorithm based on variant priority encoding is proposed as a solution. This new solution encoding method can make up for the shortcomings of the four traditional encoding methods (i.e., Prüfer number-based encoding, spanning tree-based encoding, forest data structure-based encoding, and priority-based encoding) to speed up the computational time of the solution algorithm. Several alternative solution approaches were considered to evaluate the proposed algorithm including the precision optimization method (CPLEX) and priority-based encoding genetic algorithm. The results of numerous experiments indicated that even for large-scale numerical examples, the proposed algorithm can create optimal and high-quality solutions within acceptable computational time. The applicability of the model was demonstrated through a sensitivity analysis which was conducted by changing the parameters of the model and providing some important management insights. When external parameters change, the solution of the model maintains a certain level of satisfaction conservatism. At the same time, the changes in the penalty cost and reward amount per unit of carbon emissions have a significant impact on the carbon penalty revenue and total cost. The results of this study are expected to provide scientific support to relevant supply chain enterprises and stakeholders.
Strategic Analysis of Participants in BCFL-Enabled Decentralized IoT Data Sharing
Authors: Cheng Ziwen , Wang Bowen , Pan Yongqi , Liu Yi
Published: November 2023

Blockchain-based federated learning (BCFL) has been regarded as an emerging data sharing paradigm in edge networks of internet-of-things (IoT) because of its advantages, such as decentralization, collaborative model training, and privacy protection. However, there have been few studies focusing on strategic analysis in the BCFL system, which is important for establishing a robust and sustainable BCFL system in an untrustworthy and profit-driven environment. In this paper, we first propose a self-organizing data sharing system supported by BCFL to deeply analyze the data sharing logic. Then, a mathematical model based on evolutionary game theory is established to analyze the interaction between model owners and data providers, aiming at exploring the stability of user strategies under different considerations. According to the strategic analysis, we designed and further discussed a dynamic system control mechanism based on smart contracts to adaptively maintain a robust and sustainable BCFL system. We conducted numerical analysis and experiments to verify our work.
Time-Inhomogeneous Finite Birth Processes with Applications in Epidemic Models
Authors: Giorno Virginia , Nobile Amelia G.
Published: November 2023

We consider the evolution of a finite population constituted by susceptible and infectious individuals and compare several time-inhomogeneous deterministic models with their stochastic counterpart based on finite birth processes. For these processes, we determine the explicit expressions of the transition probabilities and of the first-passage time densities. For time-homogeneous finite birth processes, the behavior of the mean and the variance of the first-passage time density is also analyzed. Moreover, the approximate duration until the entire population is infected is obtained for a large population size.
Properties of Multivariable Hermite Polynomials in Correlation with Frobenius–Genocchi Polynomials
Authors: Wani Shahid Ahmad , Oros Georgia Irina , Mahnashi Ali M. , Hamali Waleed
Published: November 2023

The evolution of a physical system occurs through a set of variables, and the problems can be treated based on an approach employing multivariable Hermite polynomials. These polynomials possess beneficial properties exhibited in functional and differential equations, recurring and explicit relations as well as symmetric identities, and summation formulae, among other examples. In view of these points, comprehensive schemes have been developed to apply the principle of monomiality from mathematical physics to various mathematical concepts of special functions, the development of which has encompassed generalizations, extensions, and combinations of other functions. Accordingly, this paper presents research on a novel family of multivariable Hermite polynomials associated with Frobenius–Genocchi polynomials, deriving the generating expression, operational rule, differential equation, and other defining characteristics for these polynomials. Additionally, the monomiality principle for these polynomials is verified, as well as establishing the series representations, summation formulae, operational and symmetric identities, and recurrence relations satisfied by these polynomials. This proposed scheme aims to provide deeper insights into the behavior of these polynomials and to uncover new connections between these polynomials, to enhance understanding of their properties.
Multivessel Coronary Disease and Severe Atherosclerotic Aorta: Real-World Experience
Authors: Gasparovic Ivo , Artemiou Panagiotis , Domonkos Andrej , Bezak Branislav , Gazova Andrea , Kyselovic Jan , Hulman Michal
Published: November 2023

Background and Objectives: Surgical revascularisation of patients with atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta remains a challenge. Different surgical strategies have been described in coronary surgical patients to offer alternative revascularisation strategies other than the conventional surgical revascularisation in patients unsuitable for it. The aim of this study is to compare the real-world outcomes between two groups of patients who underwent off-pump surgery (left internal mammary artery graft to the left anterior descending artery) or a hybrid with a percutaneous revascularisation procedure at a later stage. Materials and Methods: This is a single-centre retrospective observational study. Between the years 2010 and 2021, 91/6863 patients (1.33%) were diagnosed with severe atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta. All the patients were treated with off-pump revascularisation (91 patients), and the cardiologist would decide at a later stage whether the rest of the vessels would be treated with percutaneous revascularisation (25 patients). Results: There was no statistical difference in the various preoperative characteristics, except for coronary artery left main disease (30.30% vs. 64%; p = 0.0043). The two groups had no statistical differences in the perioperative characteristics and postoperative complications. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year mortality rates in the two groups were 6.1% vs. 0%, 59% vs. 80%, and 93.9% vs. 100%, respectively (off-pump vs. hybrid with percutaneous revascularisation procedure, p = 0.1958). Conclusions: Both strategies have high long-term comparable mortality. The off-pump surgery and the HCR procedure at a later stage may be solutions for these high-risk patients, but the target treatment should be complete HCR revascularisation during the index hospitalization.
Chemically Stable Styrenic Electrospun Membranes with Tailorable Surface Chemistry
Authors: Sepesy Maura , Banik Tuli , Scott Joelle , Venturina Luke A. F. , Johnson Alec , Schneider Bernadette L. , Sibley Megan M. , Duval Christine E.
Published: November 2023

Membranes with tailorable surface chemistry have applications in a wide range of industries. Synthesizing membranes from poly(chloromethyl styrene) directly incorporates an alkyl halide surface-bound initiator which can be used to install functional groups via SN2 chemistry or graft polymerization techniques. In this work, poly(chloromethyl styrene) membranes were synthesized through electrospinning. After fabrication, membranes were crosslinked with a diamine, and the chemical resistance of the membranes was evaluated by exposure to 10 M nitric acid, ethanol, or tetrahydrofuran for 24 h. The resulting membranes had diameters on the order of 2–5 microns, porosities of >80%, and permeance on the order of 10,000 L/m2/h/bar. Crosslinking the membranes generally increased the chemical stability. The degree of crosslinking was approximated using elemental analysis for nitrogen and ranged from 0.5 to 0.9 N%. The poly(chloromethyl styrene) membrane with the highest degree of crosslinking did not dissolve in THF after 24 h and retained its high permeance after solvent exposure. The presented chemically resistant membranes can serve as a platform technology due to their versatile surface chemistry and can be used in membrane manufacturing techniques that require the membrane to be contacted with organic solvents or monomers. They can also serve as a platform for separations that are performed in strong acids.
Membrane-Mediated Cooperative Interactions of CD47 and SIRPα
Authors: Li Long , Gui Chen , Hu Jinglei , Różycki Bartosz
Published: November 2023

The specific binding of the ubiquitous ‘marker of self’ protein CD47 to the SIRPα protein anchored in the macrophage plasma membrane results in the inhibition of the engulfment of ‘self’ cells by macrophages and thus constitutes a key checkpoint of our innate immune system. Consequently, the CD47–SIRPα protein complex has been recognized as a potential therapeutic target in cancer and inflammation. Here, we introduce a lattice-based mesoscale model for the biomimetic system studied recently in fluorescence microscopy experiments where GFP-tagged CD47 proteins on giant plasma membrane vesicles bind to SIRPα proteins immobilized on a surface. Computer simulations of the lattice-based mesoscale model allow us to study the biomimetic system on multiple length scales, ranging from single nanometers to several micrometers and simultaneously keep track of single CD47–SIRPα binding and unbinding events. Our simulations not only reproduce data from the fluorescence microscopy experiments but also are consistent with results of several other experiments, which validates our numerical approach. In addition, our simulations yield quantitative predictions on the magnitude and range of effective, membrane-mediated attraction between CD47–SIRPα complexes. Such detailed information on CD47–SIRPα interactions cannot be obtained currently from experiments alone. Our simulation results thus extend the present understanding of cooperative effects in CD47–SIRPα interactions and may have an influence on the advancement of new cancer treatments.
Distinct Effects of Moxifloxacin and Bedaquiline on Growing and ‘Non-Culturable’ Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Mulyukin Andrey L. , Recchia Deborah , Kostrikina Nadezhda A. , Artyukhina Maria V. , Martini Billy A. , Stamilla Alessandro , Degiacomi Giulia , Salina Elena G.
Published: November 2023

Mycobacterium abscessus has recently emerged as the cause of an increasing number of human infections worldwide. Unfortunately, it is highly resistant to existing drugs, and new specific agents to combat M. abscessus have not yet been found. The discovery of antibiotics that are effective not only against replicating but also against dormant and often recalcitrant cells is a daunting challenge. In this study, we developed a model of non-replicating M. abscessus, which represents a valuable screening tool for antibacterial agents. Thus, we demonstrated that, under a deficiency of potassium ions in the growth media and prolonged incubation, M. abscessus entered a ‘non-culturable’ state with a significant loss of colony-forming ability, but it retained viability, as confirmed using the most-probable-number (MPN) assay. The ‘non-culturable’ mycobacteria possessed decelerated cellular metabolism and noticeable differences in cell morphology from actively growing mycobacteria. ‘Non-culturable’ cells were used in a comprehensive screening of the efficacy of antibiotics, along with actively growing cells. Both CFU and MPN tests confirmed the prominent bactericidal effect of moxifloxacin on actively growing and ‘non-culturable’ M. abscessus, as proven by less than 0.01% of cells surviving after antibiotic treatment and prolonged storage. Bedaquiline exhibited a comparable bactericidal effect only on metabolically inactive non-culturable cells aged for 44 days. There were reductions ranging from 1000 to 10,000-fold in CFU and MPN, but it was not so efficient with respect to active cells, resulting in a bacteriostatic effect. The demonstrated specificity of bedaquiline in relation to inert non-replicating M. abscessus offers a new and unexpected result. Based on the findings of this research, moxifloxacin and bedaquiline can be regarded as potential treatments for infections caused by M. abscessus. In addition, a key outcome is the proposal to include the combination of viability assays for comprehensive testing of drug candidates. Relying on CFU-based assays alone resulted in overestimates of antibacterial efficacy, as demonstrated in our experiments.
Development of a Melting-Curve-Based Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Simultaneous Detection of Viruses Causing Respiratory Infection
Authors: Tavares Eliandro Reis , de Lima Thiago Ferreira , Bartolomeu-Gonçalves Guilherme , de Castro Isabela Madeira , de Lima Daniel Gaiotto , Borges Paulo Henrique Guilherme , Nakazato Gerson , Kobayashi Renata Katsuko Takayama , Venancio Emerson José , Tarley César Ricardo Teixeira , de Almeida Elaine Regina Delicato , Pelisson Marsileni , Vespero Eliana Carolina , Simão Andrea Name Colado , Perugini Márcia Regina Eches , Kerbauy Gilselena , Fornazieri Marco Aurélio , Tognim Maria Cristina Bronharo , Góes Viviane Monteiro , Souza Tatiana de Arruda Campos Brasil de , Oliveira Danielle Bruna Leal , Durigon Edison Luiz , Faccin-Galhardi Lígia Carla , Yamauchi Lucy Megumi , Yamada-Ogatta Sueli Fumie
Published: November 2023

The prompt and accurate identification of the etiological agents of viral respiratory infections is a critical measure in mitigating outbreaks. In this study, we developed and clinically evaluated a novel melting-curve-based multiplex real-time PCR (M-m-qPCR) assay targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and nucleocapsid phosphoprotein N of SARS-CoV-2, the Matrix protein 2 of the Influenza A virus, the RdRp domain of the L protein from the Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and the polyprotein from Rhinovirus B genes. The analytical performance of the M-m-qPCR underwent assessment using in silico analysis and a panel of reference and clinical strains, encompassing viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens, exhibiting 100% specificity. Moreover, the assay showed a detection limit of 10 copies per reaction for all targeted pathogens using the positive controls. To validate its applicability, the assay was further tested in simulated nasal fluid spiked with the viruses mentioned above, followed by validation on nasopharyngeal swabs collected from 811 individuals. Among them, 13.4% (109/811) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and 1.1% (9/811) tested positive for Influenza A. Notably, these results showed 100% concordance with those obtained using a commercial kit. Therefore, the M-m-qPCR exhibits great potential for the routine screening of these respiratory viral pathogens.
The Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Main Carotenoids from Tomatoes via Nrf2 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways
Authors: Ba Wenxiu , Xu Wenzhen , Deng Zeyuan , Zhang Bing , Zheng Liufeng , Li Hongyan
Published: November 2023

Oxidative stress and inflammation are crucial factors in the development of cardiovascular diseases. In previous research, the oxidative stress and inflammation models have frequently been explored independently. In the current study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of tomato extract and its two main carotenoids (lutein and lycopene) with various concentrations using a rat cardiomyocyte model of co-existing oxidative stress and persistent chronic inflammation. It was discovered that the antioxidant effects of 0.5–5 μM lutein, 0.5–5 μM lycopene, and 50–200 μg/mL tomato extract increased in a dose-dependent manner. However, the pro-oxidation effects emerged by measuring the antioxidant-related indices, including the levels of ROS, SOD, and GPX in H9c2 cells as concentrations exceeded those mentioned above. The anti-inflammatory effects of lutein, lycopene, and tomato extract were simultaneously strengthened with higher concentrations, potentially due to the suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, high concentrations of lutein, lycopene, and tomato extract potentially regulated Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways dependent on TGF-1β and IL-10 to demonstrate high concentrations of pro-oxidation and anti-inflammation effects. Our findings indicate that the dose–effect regulatory mechanisms of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties among lutein, lycopene, and tomato extract will be advantageous in developing more effective therapeutic strategies to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Preparation, Radiolabeling with 68Ga/177Lu and Preclinical Evaluation of Novel Angiotensin Peptide Analog: A New Class of Peptides for Breast Cancer Targeting
Authors: Okarvi Subhani M.
Published: November 2023

Aim: Angiotensin II (AngII) is known to play a significant part in the development of breast cancer by triggering cell propagation of breast cancer, tumor angiogenesis, and regulating tumor invasion and cell migration. AngII arbitrates its action via two G-protein-coupled receptors, AngII type 1 receptor (AT1) and AngII type 2 receptor (AT2). Overexpression of the AT1 receptor in breast cancer cells seems to promote tumor growth and angiogenesis, thus targeting the AT1 receptor using AngII peptide would facilitate the detection of breast carcinoma. We developed an AngII peptide intending to assess whether the peptide of the renin–angiotensin system holds the ability to target AT1 receptor-overexpressing breast cancer in vivo. Methods: DOTA-coupled AngII peptide was synthesized by conventional solid-phase peptide synthesis according to Fmoc/HATU chemistry. 68Ga/177Lu labeled AngII peptide was evaluated for its binding with TNBC MDA-MB-231 and ER+ MCF7 cell lines. Pharmacokinetics was studied in healthy balb/c mice and in vivo tumor targeting in nude mice with MDA-MB-231 tumors xenografts. Results: DOTA-AngII peptide was labeled efficiently with 68Ga/177Lu with high labeling efficiency (≥90%). The stability of the radiopeptide in human plasma was found to be high. The AngII peptide analog showed nanomolar (<40 nM) AT1 receptor-specific binding affinity. The radioactivity internalized into MDA-MBA-231 and MCF7 cells were 14.97% and 11.75%, respectively. In vivo, biodistribution in balb/c mice exhibited efficient clearance of 68Ga/177Lu-DOTA-AngII peptide from the blood and elimination predominantly by the renal system due to its hydrophilic nature. A low amount of radioactivity was seen in the major organs including lungs, liver, stomach, spleen, and intestines (<3% ID/g) except the kidneys. A high renal-urinary excretion was observed for the radiotracer. In the TNBC MDA-MB-231 xenografts model, radiolabeled AngII peptide exhibited specific and effective AT1-based targeting in vivo. A rapid and efficient tumor targeting (2.18% ID/g at 45 min p.i.) together with fast renal excretion (~67% ID) highlights the tumor-targeting potential of the radiotracer. The AT1 receptor specificity of the radiotracer was validated by blocking assays. Furthermore, PET imaging provided sufficient visualization of MDA-MB-231 tumors in nude mice. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that 68Ga/177Lu-DOTA-AngII peptide can be useful for the theranostic application of breast carcinomas. This study suggests the potential of this innovative class of peptides for rapid and efficient targeting of tumors and warrants further evaluation.
Photodynamic Suppression of Enterococcus Faecalis in Infected Root Canals with Indocyanine Green, TroloxTM and Near-Infrared Light
Authors: Heyder Markus , Reise Markus , Burchardt Julius , Guellmar André , Beck Julius , Schulze-Späte Ulrike , Sigusch Bernd , Kranz Stefan
Published: November 2023

Recently, our group showed that additional supplementation of Trolox™ (vitamin E analogue) can significantly enhance the antimicrobial photodynamic effect of the photosensitizer Indocyanine green (ICG). Up to now, the combined effect has not yet been investigated on Enterococcus faecalis in dental root canals. In the present in vitro study, eighty human root canals were inoculated with E. faecalis and subsequently subjected to antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) using ICG (250, 500, 1000 µg/mL) and near-infrared laser light (NIR, 808 nm, 100 Jcm−2). Trolox™ at concentrations of 6 mM was additionally applied. As a positive control, irrigation with 3% NaOCl was used. After aPDT, root canals were manually enlarged and the collected dentin debris was subjected to microbial culture analysis. Bacterial invasion into the dentinal tubules was verified for a distance of 300 µm. aPDT caused significant suppression of E. faecalis up to a maximum of 2.9 log counts (ICG 250 µg/mL). Additional application of TroloxTM resulted in increased antibacterial activity for aPDT with ICG 500 µg/mL. The efficiency of aPDT was comparable to NaOCl-irrigation inside the dentinal tubules. In conclusion, ICG significantly suppressed E. faecalis. Additional application of TroloxTM showed only minor enhancement. Future studies should also address the effects of TroloxTM on other photodynamic systems.
Determining the Optical Geometry of a Gold Semi-Shell under the Kretschmann Configuration
Authors: Watanabe Tomoki , Okamoto Toshihiro , Yamaguchi Kenzo , Haraguchi Masanobu
Published: November 2023

Dielectric nanoparticles coated with metals (half-shell or semi-shell structures) have attracted attention as potential composite plasmonic nanomaterials with large optical anisotropy and absorption cross-sections. Structures approximately 100 nm in size can excite plasmons in the visible and near-infrared ranges, highlighting their distinct optical properties. This study employed metal semi-shell structures (metal: gold, dielectric: silica) in the Kretschmann configuration to experimentally and numerically demonstrate the optical determination of single-structure orientations through a finite-difference time-domain method. Gold semi-shell structures were fabricated through deposition and etching. These structures were removed from their substrate in ultrapure water and randomly dropped onto a thin gold substrate. In the single structure, we experimentally observed changes in the scattering light spectrum based on the optical geometry of the gold semi-shell at wavelengths ranging from 530 to 700 nm. The obtained results closely resembled those of a simulation and confirmed the presence of eigenmodes in the orientation through electric field analysis. These observations allow for the cost-effective and rapid determination of the orientations of numerous structures that are approximately 100 nm in size, solely through optical methods. This technique is a valuable development for measurement applications in nanostructure orientation control and functionality enhancement.
Revealing the Structure Formation on Polyglycerol Citrate Polymers—An Environmentally Friendly Polyester as a Seed-Coating Material
Authors: Giroto Amanda S. , Valle Stella F. , Borges Roger , Colnago Luiz A. , Ribeiro Tatiana S. , Jablonowski Nicolai D. , Ribeiro Caue , Mattoso Luiz H. C.
Published: November 2023

A detailed structural investigation of a promising bio-based polymer, polyglycerol citrate polyester, obtained by the bulk polycondensation of glycerol (Gly) against citric acid (Cit) under mild reaction was performed. The reaction in conditions with and without catalyst use (sulfuric acid, H2SO4) was investigated, showing evidence that it is possible to modify the polymer solubility according to the ratio and catalyst utilization. 13C and 1H NMR indicated that synthesis catalyzed with Cit excess leads to higher esterification degrees of citrate groups. In contrast, the Gly moieties are more prominent in catalyzed polymers regardless of the excess monomers. Overall, a successful conversion of Gly and Cit into polyesters was attained even without catalysis, enabling a simple route for the large-scale production of this green material to be used as a coating material. This polymer has been shown to be well-suited for coating seeds and might be a promising material for similar agricultural applications. Tests on soybean seed coating with a PGCit solution of 75% indicated that the seed quality and germination rate were not affected by the PGCit coating, concluding that this polymer is suitable for this application.
Remote Outcomes with Poly-ε-Caprolactone Aortic Grafts in Rats
Authors: Dokuchaeva Anna A. , Mochalova Aleksandra B. , Timchenko Tatyana P. , Kuznetsova Elena V. , Podolskaya Kseniya S. , Pashkovskaya Oxana A. , Filatova Natalya A. , Vaver Andrey A. , Zhuravleva Irina Yu.
Published: November 2023

Poly-ε-caprolactone ((1,7)-polyoxepan-2-one; PCL) is a biodegradable polymer widely used in various fields of bioengineering, but its behavior in long-term studies appears to depend on many conditions, such as application specificity, chemical structure, in vivo test systems, and even environmental conditions in which the construction is exploited in. In this study, we offer an observation of the remote outcomes of PCL tubular grafts for abdominal aorta replacement in an in vivo experiment on a rat model. Adult Wistar rats were implanted with PCL vascular matrices and observed for 180 days. The results of ultrasound diagnostics and X-ray tomography (CBCT) show that the grafts maintained patency for the entire follow-up period without thrombosis, leakage, or interruptions, but different types of tissue reactions were found at this time point. By the day of examination, all the implants revealed a confluent endothelial monolayer covering layers of hyperplastic neointima formed on the luminal surface of the grafts. Foreign body reactions were found in several explants including those without signs of stenosis. Most of the scaffolds showed a pronounced infiltration with fibroblastic cells. All the samples revealed subintimal calcium phosphate deposits. A correlation between chondroid metaplasia in profound cells of neointima and the process of mineralization was supported by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for S100 proteins and EDS mapping. Microscopy showed that the scaffolds with an intensive inflammatory response or formed fibrotic capsules retain their fibrillar structure even on day 180 after implantation, but matrices infiltrated with viable cells partially save the original fibrillary network. This research highlights the advantages of PCL vascular scaffolds, such as graft permeability, revitalization, and good surgical outcomes. The disadvantages are low biodegradation rates and exceptionally high risks of mineralization and intimal hyperplasia.
FDM 3D Printing and Properties of PBS/PLA Blends
Authors: Yu Wangwang , Sun Liwei , Li Mengya , Li Meihui , Lei Wen , Wei Chaohui
Published: November 2023

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were chosen as raw materials and melt blended by a twin screw extruder and pelletized; then, the pellets were extruded into filaments; after that, various PBS/PLA blending samples were prepared by Fused Deposition Molding (FDM) 3D printing technology using the filaments obtained and the effect of the dosage of PBS on technological properties of 3D-printed specimens was investigated. For comparison, the PLA specimen was also prepared by FDM printing. The tensile strength, tensile modulus, thermal stability, and hydrophilicity became poorer with increasing the dosage of PBS, while the flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and crystallinity increased first and then decreased. The blend containing 10% PBS (10% PBS/PLA) had the greatest flexural strength of 60.12 MPa, tensile modulus of 2360.04 MPa, impact strength of 89.39 kJ/m2, and crystallinity of 7.4%, which were increased by 54.65%, 61.04%, 14.78%, and 51.02% compared to those of printed PLA, respectively; this blend also absorbed the least water than any other specimen when immersed in water. Different from the transparent PLA filament, 10% PBS/PLA filament presented a milky white appearance. The printed 10% PBS/PLA specimen had a smooth surface, while the surface of the printed PLA was rough. All the results indicated that the printed 10% PBS/PLA specimen had good comprehensive properties, including improved mechanical properties, crystallization performance, and surface quality than PLA, as well as proper wettability and water absorption. The prominent conclusion achieved in this work was that 10% PBS/PLA should be an ideal candidate for biodegradable feedstock among all the PBS/PLA blends for FDM 3D printing.
Optimizing Manufacturing Cycles to Improve Production: Application in the Traditional Shipyard Industry
Authors: Jebbor Ikhlef , Benmamoun Zoubida , Hachimi Hanaa
Published: November 2023

This article explores the important role of traditional shipyards in the global maritime industry, covering aspects of construction, repair, and maintenance. With the advent of faster manufacturing techniques, traditional shipyards face important challenges, such as planning errors, coordination problems, delivery delays, and underutilization of technology, which results in high costs, reduced productivity, and prolonged projects. The application of Manufacturing Cycle Efficiency (MCE) emerged as an important solution to significantly increase production efficiency. MCE empowers shipyards to deal effectively with waste, bottlenecks, and disruptions, thereby increasing performance, competitiveness, and profitability. Using a comprehensive approach that uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, including field surveys, and in-depth interviews in the traditional shipyard industry, this research identifies Nonvalue-Added (NVA) processes, conducts process mapping, and calculates MCE. The findings reported in this article underscore the significant wastage in the production process, indicating an urgent need for improvement, given the current average MCE value of 67.08%, indicating considerable room for improvement. This article provides innovative perspectives on optimizing the traditional shipyard industry through production cycle efficiencies while offering actionable recommendations. Key focus areas include integrating management systems, adopting advanced technologies, and implementing sustainable strategies to improve MCE, especially by reducing nonvalue-added time wastage, such as inspection and storage. By implementing strategies that optimize production, minimize waste, and overcome the challenges of global competition, this research contributes to improving MCE. In conclusion, this study is an invaluable guide for industry stakeholders, enabling them to enhance their competitiveness and adapt effectively to a dynamic business environment.
Intelligent Combustion Control of the Hot Blast Stove: A Reinforcement Learning Approach
Authors: Yang Taoran , Guo Hongwei , Liang Helan , Yan Bingji
Published: November 2023

Combustion optimization of hot blast stoves is a promising approach for cost savings and energy conservation of ironmaking. Existing artificial intelligence methods for this optimization rely on air and gas flow meters, which can malfunction under harsh working conditions. To meet this challenge, we propose an intelligent combustion control system based on reinforcement learning (RL). Considering the difficulty of learning state feature representation, five RL models using different deep embedding networks were implemented and evaluated. The Attention-MLP-based RL model is distinguished through experimental testing, achieving an accuracy of 85.91% and an average inference time of 4.85 ms. Finally, the intelligent combustion control system with the Attention-MLP-based RL model runs in the hot blast stove of the blast furnace (1750 m3 in volume) at Tranvic Steel Co., Ltd. in China (Chengdu, China). The results show that our system can achieve good control performance by autonomously learning the implicit relationship between the state of the hot blast stove and the valve control action in the absence of flow meters.