bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Studies of g-C3N4 and C3N3S3 Organic Semiconductors—Synthesis, Properties, and Application in the Catalytic Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Wierzyńska Ewelina , Pisarek Marcin , Łęcki Tomasz , Skompska Magdalena
Published: March 2023

Exfoliated g-C3N4 is a well-known semiconductor utilized in heterogenous photocatalysis and water splitting. An improvement in light harvesting and separation of photogenerated charge carriers may be obtained by polymer doping with sulfur. In this work, we incorporate sulfur into the polymer chain by chemical polymerization of trithiocyanuric acid (C3N3S3H3) to obtain C3N3S3. The XRD measurements and TEM images indicated that C3N3S3, in contrast to g-C3N4, does not exist in the form of a graphitic structure and is not exfoliated into thin lamellas. However, both polymers have similar optical properties and positions of the conduction and valence bands. The comparative studies of electrochemical oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution indicated that the overpotentials for the two processes were smaller for C3N3S3 than for g-C3N4. The RDE experiments in the oxygen-saturated solutions of 0.1 M NaOH have shown that O2 is electrochemically reduced via the serial pathway with two electrons involved in the first step. The spectroscopic experiments using NBT demonstrated that both polymers reveal high activity in the photocatalytic reduction of oxygen to superoxide anion radical by the photogenerated electrons.
Wild Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus subsp. sylvestris, Asteraceae) Leaf Extract: Phenolic Profile and Oxidative Stress Inhibitory Effects on HepG2 Cells
Authors: Acquaviva Rosaria , Malfa Giuseppe Antonio , Santangelo Rosa , Bianchi Simone , Pappalardo Francesco , Taviano Maria Fernanda , Miceli Natalizia , Di Giacomo Claudia , Tomasello Barbara
Published: March 2023

Cynara cardunculus subsp. sylvestris (wild artichoke) is widespread in Sicily, where it has been used for food and medicinal purposes since ancient times; decoctions of the aerial parts of this plant have been traditionally employed as a remedy for different hepatic diseases. In this study, the phenolic profile and cell-free antioxidant properties of the leaf aqueous extract of wild artichokes grown in Sicily (Italy) were investigated. The crude extract was also tested in cells for its antioxidant characteristics and potential oxidative stress inhibitory effects. To resemble the features of the early stage of mild steatosis in humans, human HepG2 cells treated with free fatty acids at the concentration of 1.5 mM were used. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of several phenolic acids (caffeoylquinic acids) and flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin derivatives). At the same time, DPPH assay showed a promising antioxidant power (IC50 = 20.04 ± 2.52 µg/mL). Biological investigations showed the safety of the crude extract and its capacity to counteract the injury induced by FFA exposure by restoring cell viability and counteracting oxidative stress through inhibiting reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation and increasing thiol-group levels. In addition, the extract increased mRNA expression of some proteins implicated in the antioxidant defense (Nrf2, Gpx, and SOD1) and decreased mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β), which were modified by FFA treatment. Results suggest that the total phytocomplex contained in wild artichoke leaves effectively modulates FFA-induced hepatic oxidative stress.
Gymnosperms of Idaho: Chemical Compositions and Enantiomeric Distributions of Essential Oils of Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Thuja plicata
Authors: Swor Kathy , Satyal Prabodh , Poudel Ambika , Setzer William N.
Published: March 2023

Conifers are of great economic value in terms of lumber production, important for construction and other uses such as pulp and paper. They are also important sources of essential oils. Conifer species have been vital to the ethnobotany and traditional herbal medicine of many different Native American groups. The objective of this work was to obtain and analyze the essential oils of several conifer species (Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Thuja plicata) growing in Idaho. The foliar essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and then analyzed by gas chromatographic methods, including GC-MS, GC-FID, and chiral GC-MS. The essential oils were obtained in varying yields from 0.66% up to 4.70%. The essential oil compositions were largely dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenoids. The chiral monoterpenoids were generally rich in the (−)-enantiomers for members of the Pinaceae, but the (+)-enantiomers predominated in the Cupressaceae. The essential oil compositions obtained in this work are qualitatively similar, but quantitatively different, to previously reported compositions and confirm and complement the previous reports. However, this is the first comprehensive analysis of the chiral terpenoid components in these conifer species. Additional research on essential oils of the Pinaceae and Cupressaceae is needed to describe the chemical profiles, chemical compositions, and enantiomeric distributions more reliably in the various species and infraspecific taxa of these two families.
Residue Levels and Dietary Intake Risk Assessments of 139 Pesticides in Agricultural Produce Using the m-PFC Method Based on SBA-15-C18 with GC-MS/MS
Authors: Wang Yue , Huang Tingjie , Zhang Tao , Ma Xiaoping , Zhou Guangshuo , Chi Meiyao , Geng Xinjie , Yuan Chunhao , Zou Nan
Published: March 2023

A survey was designed to investigate the pesticide residues in agricultural produce and to estimate their potential intake risks to inhabitants. A total of 314 samples of nine types of fruits and vegetables were collected from the supermarkets and vegetable markets of Shandong Province (China) from October 2020 to February 2022. An accurate and reliable multi-residue method, based on GC-MS/MS detection, as well as the multiplug filtration cleanup method, based on SBA-15-C18, was prepared by a solution chemical reaction. Additionally, an in situ co-condensation method was established for the quantification of 139 pesticide residues. Residues that contained no pesticides were detected in 66.5% of the 314 samples. Moreover, of the samples, 30.6% were at or below the MRLs, and 2.9% were above the MRLs. Residues of procymidone were found to be the one that most often exceeded the MRLs (1.3% of the samples). Tebuconazole was found most frequently in 22.0% of the samples analyzed. Consumer exposure to the 139 pesticides did not exceed 100% ADI and ARfD. This led to a consideration that these pesticide residues in the nine commodities may not raise the health risk of the consumers in the long and short term. The highest value of chronic dietary intake was obtained from spirodiclofen, which resulted in a 24.1% of ADI. Furthermore, the highest exposure levels in the short term were obtained from the consumption of leeks with procymidone (58.3% ARfD).
Vanadium-Containing Anionic Chelate for Spectrophotometric Determination of Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride in Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Kirova Gergana Kirilova , Velkova Zdravka Yancheva , Delchev Vassil Borisov , Gavazov Kiril Blazhev
Published: March 2023

Four azo dyes known to form anionic complexes with V(V) were investigated as potential liquid–liquid extraction–spectrophotometric reagents for the antihistamine medication hydroxyzine hydrochloride (HZH). A stable ion-association complex suitable for analytical purposes was obtained with 6-hexyl-4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol (HTAR). The molar absorption coefficient, limit of detection, linear working range, and relative standard deviation in the analysis of real pharmaceutical samples (tablets and syrup) were 3.50 × 104 L mol−1 cm−1, 0.13 μg mL−1, 0.43–12.2 μg mL−1, and ≤2.7%, respectively. After elucidating the molar ratio in the extracted ion-association complex (HZH:V = 1:1), the ground-state equilibrium geometries of the two constituent ions—HZH+ and [VO2(HTAR)]−—were optimized at the B3LYP level of theory using 6-311++G** basis functions. The cation and anion were then paired in four different ways to find the most likely structure of the extracted species. In the lowest-energy structure, the VO2 group interacts predominantly with the heterochain of the cation. A hydrogen bond is present (V–O···H–O; 1.714 Å) involving the terminal oxygen of this chain.
The Effect of Copper Sulfide Stoichiometric Coefficient and Morphology on Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Ding Yanhong , Lin Rongpeng , Xiong Shuicheng , Zhu Yirong , Yu Meng , Duan Xiaobo
Published: March 2023

In this work, CuS, Cu7S4, Cu9S5, Cu7.2S4, and Cu2S with the same morphology were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method. According to the calculation, their galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) curves were 43.29 (CuS), 86.3 (Cu7S4), 154 (Cu9S5), 185.4 (Cu7.2S4), and 206.9 F/g (Cu2S) at the current density of 1 A/g. The results showed that the energy storage capacity of copper sulfide with the same morphology increased with the increase of the copper sulfide stoichiometric coefficient. At the second part of this work, the agglomerated cuprous sulfide and the microporous cuprous sulfide were successfully prepared, respectively. In addition, the porous spherical cuprous sulfide was annealed to get nano cuprous sulfide. It is found that the specific capacity of the agglomerated structure is the highest, which had reached 206.9 F/g at the current density of 1 A/g, and 547.9 F/g at the current density of 10 A/g after activation.
Recycling of Plastics from E-Waste via Photodegradation in a Low-Pressure Reactor: The Case of Decabromodiphenyl Ether Dispersed in Poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) and Poly(carbonate)
Authors: Aldoori Hussam , Bouberka Zohra , Feuchter Hervé , Khelifi Skander , Poutch Franck , Brison Loic , Laoutid Fouad , Steuperaert Stijn , Foissac Corinne , Supiot Philippe , Malas Christian , Maschke Ulrich
Published: March 2023

Recycling of plastic waste from electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), containing brominated flame retardants (BFR) remains difficult due to the increasingly stringent regulations on their handling and recovery. This report deals with photodegradation in a low-pressure reactor applying UV-visible light on Decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDE or BDE-209) randomly dispersed in commercially available Poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS) and Poly(carbonate) (PC). The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of decomposing a BFR in plastic waste from EEE while maintaining the specifications of the polymeric materials in order to allow for their recycling. The photodegradation of the extracted BFR was monitored using infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. DBDE underwent rapid photodegradation during the first minutes of exposure to UV-visible light and reached degradation yields superior to 90% after 15 min of irradiation. The evaluation of polymer properties (ABS and PC) after irradiation revealed superficial crosslinking effects, which were slightly accelerated in the presence of DBDE. However, the use of a low-pressure reactor avoids large photooxidation and allowed to maintain the thermal and structural properties of the virgin polymers.
Lead-Free Perovskite Homojunction-Based HTM-Free Perovskite Solar Cells: Theoretical and Experimental Viewpoints
Authors: Sajid Sajid , Alzahmi Salem , Salem Imen Ben , Park Jongee , Obaidat Ihab M.
Published: March 2023

Simplifying the design of lead-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has drawn a lot of interest due to their low manufacturing cost and relative non-toxic nature. Focus has been placed mostly on reducing the toxic lead element and eliminating the requirement for expensive hole transport materials (HTMs). However, in terms of power conversion efficiency (PCE), the PSCs using all charge transport materials surpass the environmentally beneficial HTM-free PSCs. The low PCEs of the lead-free HTM-free PSCs could be linked to poorer hole transport and extraction as well as lower light harvesting. In this context, a lead-free perovskite homojunction-based HTM-free PSC was investigated, and the performance was then assessed using a Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS). A two-step method was employed to fabricate lead-free perovskite homojunction-based HTM-free PSCs in order to validate the simulation results. The simulation results show that high hole mobility and a narrow band gap of cesium tin iodide (CsSnI3) boosted the hole collection and absorption spectrum, respectively. Additionally, the homojunction’s built-in electric field, which was identified using SCAPS simulations, promoted the directed transport of the photo-induced charges, lowering carrier recombination losses. Homojunction-based HTM-free PSCs having a CsSnI3 layer with a thickness of 100 nm, defect density of 1015 cm−3, and interface defect density of 1018 cm−3 were found to be capable of delivering high PCEs under a working temperature of 300 K. When compared to formamidinium tin iodide (FASnI3)-based devices, the open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and PCE of FASnI3/CsSnI3 homojunction-based HTM-free PSCs were all improved from 0.66 to 0.78 V, 26.07 to 27.65 mA cm−2, 76.37 to 79.74%, and 14.62 to 19.03%, respectively. In comparison to a FASnI3-based device (PCE = 8.94%), an experimentally fabricated device using homojunction of FASnI3/CsSnI3 performs better with Voc of 0.84 V, Jsc of 22.06 mA cm−2, FF of 63.50%, and PCE of 11.77%. Moreover, FASnI3/CsSnI3-based PSC is more stable over time than its FASnI3-based counterpart, preserving 89% of its initial PCE. These findings provide promising guidelines for developing highly efficient and environmentally friendly HTM-free PSCs based on perovskite homojunction.
Long Noncoding RNA H19: A Novel Oncogene in Liver Cancer
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Zeng Jing , Chen Weidong , Fan Jiangao , Hylemon Phillip B. , Zhou Huiping
Published: March 2023

Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death globally, with limited treatment options. Recent studies have demonstrated the critical role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathogenesis of liver cancers. Of note, mounting evidence has shown that lncRNA H19, an endogenous noncoding single-stranded RNA, functions as an oncogene in the development and progression of liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the two most prevalent primary liver tumors in adults. H19 can affect many critical biological processes, including the cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis of liver cancer by its function on epigenetic modification, H19/miR-675 axis, miRNAs sponge, drug resistance, and its regulation of downstream pathways. In this review, we will focus on the most relevant molecular mechanisms of action and regulation of H19 in the development and pathophysiology of HCC and CCA. This review aims to provide valuable perspectives and translational applications of H19 as a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for liver cancer disease.
Nitrogen-Fixing Symbiotic Paraburkholderia Species: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives
Authors: Bellés-Sancho Paula , Beukes Chrizelle , James Euan K. , Pessi Gabriella
Published: March 2023

A century after the discovery of rhizobia, the first Beta-proteobacteria species (beta-rhizobia) were isolated from legume nodules in South Africa and South America. Since then, numerous species belonging to the Burkholderiaceae family have been isolated. The presence of a highly branching lineage of nodulation genes in beta-rhizobia suggests a long symbiotic history. In this review, we focus on the beta-rhizobial genus Paraburkholderia, which includes two main groups: the South American mimosoid-nodulating Paraburkholderia and the South African predominantly papilionoid-nodulating Paraburkholderia. Here, we discuss the latest knowledge on Paraburkholderia nitrogen-fixing symbionts in each step of the symbiosis, from their survival in the soil, through the first contact with the legumes until the formation of an efficient nitrogen-fixing symbiosis in root nodules. Special attention is given to the strain P. phymatum STM815T that exhibits extraordinary features, such as the ability to: (i) enter into symbiosis with more than 50 legume species, including the agriculturally important common bean, (ii) outcompete other rhizobial species for nodulation of several legumes, and (iii) endure stressful soil conditions (e.g., high salt concentration and low pH) and high temperatures.
The Hypolipidemic Characteristics of a Methanol Extract of Fermented Green Tea and Spore of Eurotium cristatum SXHBTBU1934 in Golden Hamsters
Authors: Song Fuhang , Zhang Kai , Yang Jinpeng , Wilson Annette S. , Chen Caixia , Xu Xiuli
Published: March 2023

Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT), a distinctive Chinese dark tea with the predominant fungus of Eurotium cristatum, offered significant health benefits to Chinese people. In the current study, the in vivo bioactivities of E. cristatum (SXHBTBU1934) fermented green tea and spores of E. cristatum fermented on wheat were investigated, respectively. The methanol extract of fermented green tea and spore of E. cristatum both showed potent lipid-lowering activity in the blood of a high-fat diet induced hyperlipidemia model in golden hamsters and significantly reduced the accumulation of fat granules in the liver. These results indicated that the key active components were produced by E. cristatum. Chemical investigations suggested similar components in the two extracts and led to the identification of a new alkaloid, namely variecolorin P (1), along with four known structurally related compounds, (-)-neoechinulin A (2), neoechinulin D (3), variecolorin G (4), and echinulin (5). The structure of the new alkaloid was elucidated by HRESIMS, 1H, 13C, and 2D NMR analysis. The lipid-lowering activity of these compounds was evaluated using an oleic acid-induced HepG2 cell line model. Compound 1 significantly reduced the lipid accumulation in the HepG2 cell line with an IC50 value of 0.127 μM.
Do Spanish Triathletes Consume Sports Supplements According to Scientific Evidence? An Analysis of the Consumption Pattern According to Sex and Level of Competition
Authors: Jiménez-Alfageme Rubén , Martínez-Sanz José Miguel , Romero-García David , Giménez-Monzo Daniel , Hernández Aparicio Samuel , Sanchez-Oliver Antonio Jesús , Sospedra Isabel
Published: March 2023

Background: The use of sports supplements (SS) to improve sports performance is very common in athletes. In the case of triathletes, the physiological characteristics of the sport may require the use of certain SS. Although the consumption of SS is widespread in this sport, very few studies have investigated it thus far. The aim is to analyze the pattern of SS consumption by triathletes according to sex and the competitive level. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study on the consumption and habitual use of SS of 232 Spanish-federated triathletes. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire. Results: Overall, 92.2% of the athletes consumed SS, but no significant differences were found in terms of competition level or sex. Yet, significant differences were found regarding the level of competition for total SS (p = 0.021), the total number of Group A supplements from the AIS classification (p = 0.012), and for the ergogenic aids (p = 0.003). The most-consumed SS were bars, sports drinks, sports gels, and caffeine (83.6%, 74.1%, 61.2%, and 46.6%, respectively). Conclusions: The consumption of SS by triathletes is high, and the number of SS consumed rises from the regional to the national and international levels. The four SS most consumed were included in category A of the AIS (greatest scientific evidence).
Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge
Authors: Martínez-Puig Daniel , Costa-Larrión Ester , Rubio-Rodríguez Nuria , Gálvez-Martín Patricia
Published: March 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, generating pain, disability, and socioeconomic costs worldwide. Currently there are no approved disease-modifying drugs for OA, and safety concerns have been identified with the chronic use of symptomatic drugs. In this context, nutritional supplements and nutraceuticals have emerged as potential alternatives. Among them, collagen is being a focus of particular interest, but under the same term different types of collagens coexist with different structures, compositions, and origins, leading to different properties and potential effects. The aim of this narrative review is to generally describe the main types of collagens currently available in marketplace, focusing on those related to joint health, describing their mechanism of action, preclinical, and clinical evidence. Native and hydrolyzed collagen are the most studied collagen types for joint health. Native collagen has a specific immune-mediated mechanism that requires the recognition of its epitopes to inhibit inflammation and tissue catabolism at articular level. Hydrolyzed collagen may contain biologically active peptides that are able to reach joint tissues and exert chondroprotective effects. Although there are preclinical and clinical studies showing the safety and efficacy of food ingredients containing both types of collagens, available research suggests a clear link between collagen chemical structure and mechanism of action.
Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Investigation of Cardioprotective Effects of Myricetin after 1-Week High-Intensity Exercise
Authors: Li Tianyou , Wang Le , Wu Luting , Xie Yingquan , Chang Mengyun , Wang Dawei , Yi Long , Zhu Xiaohui , Mi Mantian
Published: March 2023

Cardiovascular adverse effects caused by high-intensity exercise (HIE) have become a public health problem of widespread concern. The therapeutic effect and metabolic regulation mechanism of myricetin, a phytochemical with potential therapeutic effects, have rarely been studied. In this study, we established mice models of different doses of myricetin intervention with 1 week of HIE after intervention. Cardiac function tests, serology, and pathological examinations were used to evaluate the protective effect of myricetin on the myocardium. The possible therapeutic targets of myricetin were obtained using an integrated analysis of metabolomics and network pharmacology and verified using molecular docking and RT-qPCR experiments. Different concentrations of myricetin improved cardiac function, significantly reduced the levels of myocardial injury markers, alleviated myocardial ultrastructural damage, reduced the area of ischemia/hypoxia, and increased the content of CX43. We obtained the potential targets and regulated metabolic network of myricetin by combined network pharmacology and metabolomics analysis and validated them by molecular docking and RT-qPCR. In conclusion, our findings suggest that myricetin exerts anti-cardiac injury effects of HIE through the downregulation of PTGS2 and MAOB and the upregulation of MAP2K1 and EGFR while regulating the complicated myocardial metabolic network.
A Diet Profiling Algorithm (DPA) to Rank Diet Quality Suitable to Implement in Digital Tools—A Test Study in a Cohort of Lactating Women
Authors: Alonso-Bernáldez Marta , Palou-March Andreu , Zamanillo-Campos Rocío , Palou Andreu , Palou Mariona , Serra Francisca
Published: March 2023

Although nutrient profiling systems can empower consumers towards healthier food choices, there is still a need to assess diet quality to obtain an overall perspective. The purpose of this study was to develop a diet profiling algorithm (DPA) to evaluate nutritional diet quality, which gives a final score from 1 to 3 with an associated color (green-yellow-orange). It ranks the total carbohydrate/total fiber ratio, and energy from saturated fats and sodium as potentially negative inputs, while fiber and protein are assumed as positive items. Then, the total fat/total carbohydrate ratio is calculated to evaluate the macronutrient distribution, as well as a food group analysis. To test the DPA performance, diets of a lactating women cohort were analyzed, and a correlation analysis between DPA and breast milk leptin levels was performed. Diets classified as low quality showed a higher intake of negative inputs, along with higher energy and fat intakes. This was reflected in body mass index (BMI) and food groups, indicating that women with the worst scores tended to choose tastier and less satiating foods. In conclusion, the DPA was developed and tested in a sample population. This tool can be easily implemented in digital nutrition platforms, contributing to real-time dietary follow-up of patients and progress monitoring, leading to further dietary adjustment.
The Impact of 12 h Night Shifts on Nurses’ Driving Safety
Authors: James Stephen Michael , James Lois
Published: March 2023

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of 12 h day vs. 12 h night shift-accumulated fatigue on nurses’ driving safety. Background: Evidence across industries links work-related fatigue with errors, accidents, and adverse long-term health outcomes. Shifts of 12 h or longer are particularly problematic, and the potential risks to shift-worker driving safety during their post-shift commute home have yet to be fully explored. Methods: This study used a between-groups, repeated-measures non-randomized control trial. Forty-four nurses working 12 h day shifts and 49 nurses working 12 h night shifts were tested in a driving simulator on two separate occasions—once immediately following their third consecutive 12 h hospital shift and once on their third consecutive day (72 h) off work. Results: We found that night shift nurses had significantly greater lane deviation during the post-shift drive home compared to day shift nurses, which is a key indicator of collision risk, demonstrating impaired driving safety. Conclusions: Consecutive 12 h night shifts are an extremely popular shift for nurses working in the hospital setting, however they pose a significant driving safety risk to nurses assigned to night shifts. This study provides objective evidence of the impact of shift work-related fatigue on 12 h night shift nurse safety, allowing us to make recommendations that may help prevent injury or death from motor vehicle collisions.
Major Emerging Fungal Diseases of Reptiles and Amphibians
Authors: Schilliger Lionel , Paillusseau Clément , François Camille , Bonwitt Jesse
Published: March 2023

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are caused by pathogens that have undergone recent changes in terms of geographic spread, increasing incidence, or expanding host range. In this narrative review, we describe three important fungal EIDs with keratin trophism that are relevant to reptile and amphibian conservation and veterinary practice. Nannizziopsis spp. have been mainly described in saurians; infection results in thickened, discolored skin crusting, with eventual progression to deep tissues. Previously only reported in captive populations, it was first described in wild animals in Australia in 2020. Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (formely O. ophiodiicola) is only known to infect snakes; clinical signs include ulcerating lesions in the cranial, ventral, and pericloacal regions. It has been associated with mortality events in wild populations in North America. Batrachochytrium spp. cause ulceration, hyperkeratosis, and erythema in amphibians. They are a major cause of catastrophic amphibian declines worldwide. In general, infection and clinical course are determined by host-related characteristics (e.g., nutritional, metabolic, and immune status), pathogens (e.g., virulence and environmental survival), and environment (e.g., temperature, hygrometry, and water quality). The animal trade is thought to be an important cause of worldwide spread, with global modifications in temperature, hygrometry, and water quality further affecting fungal pathogenicity and host immune response.
High Prevalence of Clostridioides difficile Ribotype 176 in the University Hospital in Kosice
Authors: Curova Katarina , Novotny Martin , Ambro Lubos , Kamlarova Anna , Lovayova Viera , Hrabovsky Vladimir , Siegfried Leonard , Jarcuska Pavol , Jarcuska Peter , Toporova Annamaria
Published: March 2023

Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, caused by antibiotics, plays a key role in the establishment of Clostridioides difficile CD). Toxin-producing strains are involved in the pathogenesis of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), one of the most common hospital-acquired infections. We cultured a total of 84 C. difficile isolates from stool samples of patients hospitalized at Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Kosice, Slovakia, that were suspected of CDI and further characterized by molecular methods. The presence of genes encoding toxin A, toxin B, and binary toxin was assessed by toxin-specific PCR. CD ribotypes were detected using capillary-based electrophoresis ribotyping. A total of 96.4% of CD isolates carried genes encoding toxins A and B, and 54.8% of them were positive for the binary toxin. PCR ribotyping showed the presence of three major ribotypes: RT 176 (n = 40, 47.6%); RT 001 (n = 23, 27.4%); and RT 014 (n = 7, 8.3%). Ribotype 176 predominated among clinical CD isolates in our hospital. The proportion of RT 176 and RT 001 in four hospital departments with the highest incidence of CDI cases was very specific, pointing to local CDI outbreaks. Based on our data, previous use of antibiotics represents a significant risk factor for the development of CDI in patients over 65 years of age.
Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on Pregnant Women
Authors: Chaubey Ishaan , Vijay Harini , Govindaraj Sakthivel , Babu Hemalatha , Cheedarla Narayanaiah , Shankar Esaki M. , Vignesh Ramachandran , Velu Vijayakumar
Published: March 2023

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers across the world hastened to develop vaccines that would aid in bolstering herd immunity. Utilizing mRNA coding and viral vector technology, the currently approved vaccines were required to undergo extensive testing to confirm their safety for mass usage in the general population. However, clinical trials failed to test the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines in groups with weakened immune systems, especially pregnant women. Lack of information on the effects of vaccinations in pregnancy and the safety of fetuses are among the topmost reasons preventing pregnant women from receiving immunization. Thus, the lack of data examining the effects of COVID-19 vaccinations on pregnant women must be addressed. This review focused on the safety and efficacy of the approved COVID-19 vaccinations in pregnancy and their impact on both maternal and fetal immune responses. For that, we took the approach of combined systematic review/meta-analysis and compiled the available data from the original literature from PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Medline databases. All articles analyzed presented no adverse effects of vaccination in pregnancy, with varying conclusions on the degree of effectiveness. The majority of the findings described robust immune responses in vaccinated pregnant women, successful transplacental antibody transfer, and implications for neonatal immunity. Hence, findings from the cumulative data available can be helpful in achieving COVID-19 herd immunization, including pregnant women.
Supramolecular Organization in Salts of Riluzole with Dihydroxybenzoic Acids—The Key Role of the Mutual Arrangement of OH Groups
Authors: Voronin Alexander P. , Surov Artem O. , Churakov Andrei V. , Vener Mikhail V.
Published: March 2023

Intermolecular interactions, in particular hydrogen bonds, play a key role in crystal engineering. The ability to form hydrogen bonds of various types and strengths causes competition between supramolecular synthons in pharmaceutical multicomponent crystals. In this work, we investigate the influence of positional isomerism on the packing arrangements and the network of hydrogen bonds in multicomponent crystals of the drug riluzole with hydroxyl derivatives of salicylic acid. The supramolecular organization of the riluzole salt containing 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid differs from that of the solid forms with 2,4- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acids. Because the second OH group is not at position 6 in the latter crystals, intermolecular charge-assisted hydrogen bonds are formed. According to periodic DFT calculations, the enthalpy of these H-bonds exceeds 30 kJ·mol−1. The positional isomerism appears to have little effect on the enthalpy of the primary supramolecular synthon (65–70 kJ·mol−1), but it does result in the formation of a two-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds and an increase in the overall lattice energy. According to the results of the present study, 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid can be treated as a promising counterion for the design of pharmaceutical multicomponent crystals.
Chitosan-Based Nano-Smart Drug Delivery System in Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Herdiana Yedi , Wathoni Nasrul , Gozali Dolih , Shamsuddin Shaharum , Muchtaridi Muchtaridi
Published: March 2023

Despite recent advances, cancer remains the primary killer on a global scale. Numerous forms of research have been conducted to discover novel and efficient anticancer medications. The complexity of breast cancer is a major challenge which is coupled with patient-to-patient variations and heterogeneity between cells within the tumor. Revolutionary drug delivery is expected to provide a solution to that challenge. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have prospects as a revolutionary delivery system capable of enhancing anticancer drug activity and reducing negative impacts on normal cells. The use of smart drug delivery systems (SDDs) as delivering materials to improve the bioactivity of NPs and to understand the intricacies of breast cancer has garnered significant interest. There are many reviews about CSNPs that present various points of view, but they have not yet described a series in cancer therapy from cell uptake to cell death. With this description, we will provide a more complete picture for designing preparations for SDDs. This review describes CSNPs as SDDSs, enhancing cancer therapy targeting and stimulus response using their anticancer mechanism. Multimodal chitosan SDDs as targeting and stimulus response medication delivery will improve therapeutic results.
Collagen Functionalization of Polymeric Electrospun Scaffolds to Improve Integration into Full-Thickness Wounds
Authors: Ravindran Girija Aswathy , Strudwick Xanthe , Balasubramanian Sivakumar , Palaninathan Vivekanandan , Nair Sakthikumar Dasappan , Cowin Allison J.
Published: March 2023

Background: Electrospun fibers are widely studied in regenerative medicine for their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and provide mechanical support. In vitro studies indicated that cell adhesion and migration is superior on smooth poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) electrospun scaffolds and porous scaffolds once biofunctionalized with collagen. Methods: The in vivo performance of PLLA scaffolds with modified topology and collagen biofunctionalization in full-thickness mouse wounds was assessed by cellular infiltration, wound closure and re-epithelialization and ECM deposition. Results: Early indications suggested unmodified, smooth PLLA scaffolds perform poorly, with limited cellular infiltration and matrix deposition around the scaffold, the largest wound area, a significantly larger panniculus gape, and lowest re-epithelialization; however, by day 14, no significant differences were observed. Collagen biofunctionalization may improve healing, as collagen-functionalized smooth scaffolds were smallest overall, and collagen-functionalized porous scaffolds were smaller than non-functionalized porous scaffolds; the highest re-epithelialization was observed in wounds treated with collagen-functionalized scaffolds. Conclusion: Our results suggest that limited incorporation of smooth PLLA scaffolds into the healing wound occurs, and that altering surface topology, particularly by utilizing collagen biofunctionalization, may improve healing. The differing performance of the unmodified scaffolds in the in vitro versus in vivo studies demonstrates the importance of preclinical testing.
Effects of High Voltage Electrical Discharge (HVED) on Endogenous Hormone and Polyphenol Profile in Wheat
Authors: Marček Tihana , Hamow Kamirán Áron , Janda Tibor , Darko Eva
Published: March 2023

High voltage electrical discharge (HVED) is an eco-friendly low-cost method based on the creation of plasma-activated water (PAW) through the release of electrical discharge in water which results in the formation of reactive particles. Recent studies have reported that such novel plasma technologies promote germination and growth but their hormonal and metabolic background is still not known. In the present work, the HVED-induced hormonal and metabolic changes were studied during the germination of wheat seedlings. Hormonal changes including abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acids (GAs), indol acetic acid (IAA) and jasmonic acid (JA) and the polyphenol responses were detected in the early (2nd day) and late (5th day) germination phases of wheat as well as their redistribution in shoot and root. HVED treatment significantly stimulated germination and growth both in the shoot and root. The root early response to HVED involved the upregulation of ABA and increased phaseic and ferulic acid content, while the active form of gibberellic acid (GA1) was downregulated. In the later phase (5th day of germination), HVED had a stimulatory effect on the production of benzoic and salicylic acid. The shoot showed a different response: HVED induced the synthesis of JA_Le_Ile, an active form of JA, and provoked the biosynthesis of cinnamic, p-coumaric and caffeic acid in both phases of germination. Surprisingly, in 2-day-old shoots, HVED decreased the GA20 levels, being intermediate in the synthesis of bioactive gibberellins. These HVED-provoked metabolic changes indicated a stress-related response that could contribute to germination in wheat.
Click Synthesis of Triazole Polymers Based on Lignin-Derived Metabolic Intermediate and Their Strong Adhesive Properties to Cu Plate
Authors: Jin Yijie , Joshi Manjusha , Araki Takuma , Kamimura Naofumi , Masai Eiji , Nakamura Masaya , Michinobu Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2023

2-Pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) is a chemically stable metabolic intermediate of lignin that can be produced on a large scale by transforming bacteria. Novel biomass-based polymers based on PDC were synthesized by Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) and fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopies, thermal analysis, and tensile lap shear strength measurements. The onset decomposition temperatures of these PDC-based polymers were all above 200 °C. In addition, the PDC-based polymers exhibited strong adhesive properties to various metal plates, with the highest adhesion to a copper plate of 5.73 MPa. Interestingly, this result was in contrast to our previous findings that PDC-based polymers weakly adhere to copper. Furthermore, when bifunctional alkyne and azide monomers were polymerized in situ under hot-press conditions for 1 h, the resulting PDC-based polymer displayed a similar adhesion to a copper plate of 4.18 MPa. The high affinity of the triazole ring to copper ions improved the adhesive ability and selectivity of the PDC-based polymers to copper while still maintaining the strong adhesive ability to other metals, which is conducive to enhancing the versatility of PDC-based polymers as adhesives.
Structural, Optical, and Electrical Investigations of Nd2O3-Doped PVA/PVP Polymeric Composites for Electronic and Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Zyoud Samer H. , Almoadi Ali , AlAbdulaal Thekrayat H. , Alqahtani Mohammed S. , Harraz Farid A. , Al-Assiri Mohammad S. , Yahia Ibrahim S. , Zahran Heba Y. , Mohammed Mervat I. , Abdel-wahab Mohamed Sh.
Published: March 2023

In this present work, a PVA/PVP-blend polymer was doped with various concentrations of neodymium oxide (PB-Nd+3) composite films using the solution casting technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to investigate the composite structure and proved the semi-crystallinity of the pure PVA/PVP polymeric sample. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, a chemical-structure tool, illustrated a significant interaction of PB-Nd+3 elements in the polymeric blends. The transmittance data reached 88% for the host PVA/PVP blend matrix, while the absorption increased with the high dopant quantities of PB-Nd+3. The absorption spectrum fitting (ASF) and Tauc’s models optically estimated the direct and indirect energy bandgaps, where the addition of PB-Nd+3 concentrations resulted in a drop in the energy bandgap values. A remarkably higher quantity of Urbach energy for the investigated composite films was observed with the increase in the PB-Nd+3 contents. Moreover, seven theoretical equations were utilized, in this current research, to indicate the correlation between the refractive index and the energy bandgap. The indirect bandgaps for the proposed composites were evaluated to be in the range of 5.6 eV to 4.82 eV; in addition, the direct energy gaps decreased from 6.09 eV to 5.83 eV as the dopant ratios increased. The nonlinear optical parameters were influenced by adding PB-Nd+3, which tended to increase the values. The PB-Nd+3 composite films enhanced the optical limiting effects and offered a cut-off laser in the visible region. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity of the blend polymer embedded in PB-Nd+3 increased in the low-frequency region. The AC conductivity and nonlinear I-V characteristics were augmented with the doping level of PB-Nd+3 contents in the blended PVA/PVP polymer. The outstanding findings regarding the structural, electrical, optical, and dielectric performance of the proposed materials show that the new PB-Nd+3-doped PVA/PVP composite polymeric films are applicable in optoelectronics, cut-off lasers, and electrical devices.
Development and Characterization of Drug Loaded PVA/PCL Fibres for Wound Dressing Applications
Authors: Afzal Ali , Jalalah Mohammed , Noor Abid , Khaliq Zubair , Qadir Muhammad Bilal , Masood Rashid , Nazir Ahsan , Ahmad Sheraz , Ahmad Faheem , Irfan Muhammad , Afzal Munazza , Faisal Mohd , Alsareii Saeed A. , Harraz Farid A.
Published: March 2023

Nowadays, synthetic polymers are used in medical applications due to their special biodegradable, biocompatible, hydrophilic, and non-toxic properties. The materials, which can be used for wound dressing fabrication with controlled drug release profile, are the need of the time. The main aim of this study was to develop and characterize polyvinyl alcohol/polycaprolactone (PVA/PCL) fibres containing a model drug. A dope solution comprising PVA/PCL with the drug was extruded into a coagulation bath and became solidified. The developed PVA/PCL fibres were then rinsed and dried. These fibres were tested for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, linear density, topographic analysis, tensile properties, liquid absorption, swelling behaviour, degradation, antimicrobial activity, and drug release profile for improved and better healing of the wound. From the results, it was concluded that PVA/PCL fibres containing a model drug can be produced by using the wet spinning technique and have respectable tensile properties; adequate liquid absorption, swelling %, and degradation %; and good antimicrobial activity with the controlled drug release profile of the model drug for wound dressing applications.
Preparation and Characterization of Microalgae Styrene-Butadiene Composites Using Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis Biomass
Authors: Bumbac Marius , Nicolescu Cristina Mihaela , Olteanu Radu Lucian , Gherghinoiu Stefan Cosmin , Bumbac Costel , Tiron Olga , Manea Elena Elisabeta , Radulescu Cristiana , Gorghiu Laura Monica , Stanescu Sorina Geanina , Serban Bogdan Catalin , Buiu Octavian
Published: March 2023

The food industry is a high consumer of polymer packing materials, sealing materials, and engineering components used in production equipment. Biobased polymer composites used in the food industry are obtained by incorporating different biogenic materials into the structure of a base polymer matrix. Renewable resources such as microalgae, bacteria, and plants may be used as biogenic materials for this purpose. Photoautotrophic microalgae are valuable microorganisms that are able to harvest sunlight energy and capture CO2 into biomass. They are characterized by their metabolic adaptability to environmental conditions, higher photosynthetic efficiency than terrestrial plants, and natural macromolecules and pigments. The flexibility of microalgae to grow in either low-nutrient or nutrient-rich environments (including wastewater) has led to the attention for their use in various biotechnological applications. Carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids are the main three classes of macromolecular compounds contained in microalgal biomass. The content in each of these components depends on their growth conditions. In general, proteins represent 40–70% of microalgae dry biomass, followed by carbohydrates (10–30%) and lipids (5–20%). A distinctive feature of microalgae cells is the presence of light-harvesting compounds such as photosynthetic pigments carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phycobilins, which are also receiving growing interest for applications in various industrial fields. The study comparatively reports on polymer composites obtained with biomass made of two species of green microalgae: Chlorella vulgaris and filamentous, gram-negative cyanobacterium Arthrospira. Experiments were conducted to reach an incorporation ratio of the biogenic material into the matrix in the 5–30% range, and the resulting materials were characterized by their mechanical and physicochemical properties.
A Combined Gated Recurrent Unit and Multi-Layer Perception Neural Network Model for Predicting Shale Gas Production
Authors: Qin Xiaozhou , Hu Xiaohu , Liu Hua , Shi Weiyi , Cui Jiashuo
Published: March 2023

Shale gas plays an important role in supplementing energy demand and reducing carbon footprint. A precise and effective prediction of shale gas production is important for optimizing completion parameters. This paper established a gated recurrent unit and multilayer perceptron combined neural network (GRU-MLP model) to forecast multistage fractured horizontal shale gas well production. A nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA II) was introduced into the model to enable its automatic architectural optimization. In addition, embedded discrete fracture models (EDFM) and a reservoir simulator were used to generate training datasets. Meanwhile, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to find the variable’s importance and support the history matching. The results illustrated that the GRU-MLP model can precisely and efficiently predict the productivity of multistage fractured horizontal shale gas in a rapid and effective manner. Additionally, the model fits better at peak values of shale gas production. The GRU-MLP hybrid model has a higher accuracy within an acceptable computational time range compared to recurrent neural networks (RNN), long short-term memory (LSTM), and GRU models. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and root mean square percentage error (RMSPE) for shale gas production generated by GRU-MLP model were 3.90% and 3.93%, respectively, values 84.87% and 84.88% smaller than those of the GRU model. Consequently, compared with a purely data-driven method, the physics-constrained data-driven method behaved better. The main results of the study will hopefully contribute to the intelligent development of shale gas production prediction.