bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Study on Heat and Mass Transfer of Evaporated Binary Zeotropic Mixtures in Porous Structure
Authors: Zhang Bo , Cui Peilin , Wang Zhiguo , Sun Zhiwei , Kong Bo , Wang Wei , Du Wen , Huang Ping , Pan Zhenhai , Liu Zhenyu
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the heat and mass transfer characteristics of a binary mixture (R134a/R245fa) evaporated in a porous medium. The Eulerian model coupled with the multiphase VOF model and species transport equations is employed to establish a multi-component evaporation model. The effects of heat flux ranging from 200 kW/m2 to 500 kW/m2, porosity ranging from 0.4 to 0.6, and mass fraction ratios (R134a/R245fa) of 3:7, 5:5, and 7:3 are explored. The results indicate that an increase in heat flux contributes to an increase in the evaporation rate. For the overall evaporation rate, the evaporation rates of R134a and R245fa improve by 11.3%, 6.9%, and 16.3%, respectively, while the maximum improvement in heat transfer coefficient is only 1.4%. The maximum evaporation rate is achieved at intermediate porosity in the porous medium, and the highest heat transfer coefficient is obtained at a porosity of 0.4. With the increase in mass fraction, the evaporation rate of the corresponding species also increases, while the overall evaporation rate and heat transfer coefficient remain almost unchanged.
Geothermal Spatial Potential and Distribution Assessment Using a Hierarchical Structure Model Combining GIS, Remote Sensing, and Geophysical Techniques—A Case Study of Dali’s Eryuan Area
Authors: Zhang Xiaohan , Zhang Yuanfu , Li Yuxiu , Huang Yunying , Zhao Jianlong , Yi Yuchuan , Li Junyang , Zhang Jinchuan , Zhang Dawei
Published: September 2023

The assessment of geothermal potential has gained prominence among scholars, with a focus on establishing a reliable prediction model to reduce development risks. However, little attention has been given to predicting and evaluating the geothermal potential in Dali’s Eryuan area. This study introduces a novel hierarchical model integrating remote sensing, a Geographic Information System (GIS), and geophysics for the first-ever effective prediction of geothermal potential in Eryuan. The dataset includes lithology, seismic epicenter data, fault distribution, Bouguer gravity anomalies, SRTM-DEM images, and Landsat 8 remote sensing images. These datasets are converted into evidence maps and normalized to generate distinct evidence factor layers. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a hierarchical model establishes weights for each evidence factor, resulting in a comprehensive prediction map. The results reveal the overall favorable geothermal potential in Eryuan, except the central area. Key hotspots include the Niujie–Sanying–Gromwell Lake and Liantie–Qiaohou, followed by the Youshou, Dengchuan, and Xixiang towns. Validation against known hot springs confirms the model’s accuracy and reliability.
Excluding Roots or Mycorrhizal Hyphae Alters the Microbial Community and Function by Decreasing Available C and N in a Subtropical Chinese Fir Forest
Authors: Lian Pingping , Xu Linglin , Yue Kai , Yang Liuming
Published: September 2023

Carbon (C) inputs, primarily from roots and associated mycorrhizal hyphae, serve as crucial energy sources for microbial-driven C and nitrogen (N) cycling in the soil. However, our understanding of how soil microbial diversity, function, and associated soil properties respond to the exclusion of roots and their associated mycorrhizal hyphae remains limited. In our study, we conducted an experiment with no exclusion of roots or mycorrhizal hyphae (Control), exclusion of roots and retention of mycorrhizal hyphae (NR), and exclusion of roots and mycorrhizal hyphae (NRH) in a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) forest, the most important plantation in China. The soil properties, microbial community diversity and composition, and microbial function were investigated after 2 years of experiment exclusion. We found that exclusion of roots and hyphae significantly decreased DOC, DON, NH4+-N, and NO3−-N, but not SOC, TN, and TP, indicating that the exclusion of roots and mycorrhizal hyphae mainly reduced available C and N concentrations. Meanwhile, the species richness and Chao1 of bacteria and fungi were significantly reduced, primarily due to the decrease in available C and N levels. These findings suggest that the removal of roots and mycorrhizal hyphae results in a decrease in C and N availability, subsequently leading to a loss of microbial diversity. Compared to after the CT treatment, the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla were reduced after exclusion of roots and hyphae. However, the relative abundances of the phyla Acidobacteria, WPS2, Rozellomycota, and Glomeromycota showed an increase in exclusion treatments. Furthermore, the relative abundances of genes for C degradation (e.g., malQ, malZ, chi, rfbB, bglX, and ablA), C fixation (e.g., accA, icd, korA, and korB), and N fixation (nifS) were increased; conversely, the N degradation genes (e.g., nasA, nirB, ureC, and gdh2) were decreased in treatments involving excluding roots and hyphae. These results, in conjunction with the strong relationships between functional genes and DOC, DON, NH4+-N, and NO3−-N, suggest that microorganisms regulate functional genes to enhance C and N fixation or organic matter decomposition in response to C or N limitation resulting from root and mycorrhizal hypha exclusion. Collectively, our study revealed that the changes in roots-derived C directly altered available C and N in soil, which influenced the microbial community and function, and, in turn, regulated microbial-driven nutrient cycling in forest soils.
Leveraging Milk Permeate Fermentation to Produce Lactose-Free, Low-In-Glucose, Galactose-Rich Bioproducts: Optimizations and Applications
Authors: Rivera Flores Viviana K. , Fan Xingrui , DeMarsh Timothy A. , deRiancho Dana L. , Alcaine Samuel D.
Published: September 2023

Previous studies highlighted Brettanomyces claussenii as a versatile yeast that produces ethanol or acetic acid from lactose, or selectively metabolizes glucose while leaving behind galactose, depending on different operational conditions. This flexibility enables the production of galactose-rich bioproducts from liquid dairy residues. The purpose of this study is to: (i) optimize the anaerobic fermentation of milk permeate (MP) by B. claussenii to maximize the yields of galactose and ethanol and minimize leftover glucose, and (ii) combine the optimized process with distillation and drying and characterize its multiple products. Response surface methodology was used for the optimization. Three fermentation parameters were chosen as input factors: temperature (25–35 °C), inoculation level (7.0–8.5 log cfu/mL), and time (4–40 days), with three metabolites as responses: galactose, glucose, and ethanol. The optimal combination of parameters resulted in temperature, 28 °C; inoculation level, 7.6 log cfu/mL; and time, 33 days. Under these conditions, the fermented product was predicted to have 63.6 g/L galactose, 4.0% v/v ethanol, and 0 g/L residual glucose. The optimal parameters were used to run 18 L fermentations followed by distillation and freeze-drying. As a result, four product streams were obtained and characterized for relevant physicochemical and nutritional attributes. Our results show that the partial fermentation of MP by B. claussenii can be the first step to develop lactose-free, low-in-glucose, galactose-rich bioproducts, which improve the value of this residue and broaden its applications in the food supply chain.
Prototyping a Hyperledger Fabric-Based Security Architecture for IoMT-Based Health Monitoring Systems
Authors: Pelekoudas-Oikonomou Filippos , Ribeiro José C. , Mantas Georgios , Sakellari Georgia , Gonzalez Jonathan
Published: September 2023

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has risen significantly in recent years and has provided better quality of life by enabling IoMT-based health monitoring systems. Despite that fact, innovative security mechanisms are required to meet the security concerns of such systems effectively and efficiently. Additionally, the industry and the research community have anticipated that blockchain technology will be a disruptive technology that will be able to be integrated into innovative security solutions for IoMT networks since it has the potential to play a big role in: (a) enabling secure data transmission, (b) ensuring IoMT device security, and (c) enabling tamper-proof data storage. Therefore, the purpose of this research work is to design a novel lightweight blockchain-based security architecture for IoMT-based health monitoring systems leveraging the features of the Hyperledger Fabric (HF) Platform, its utilities. and its lightweight blockchain nature in order to: (i) ensure entity authentication, (ii) ensure data confidentiality, and (iii) enable a more energy-efficient blockchain-based security architecture for IoMT-based health monitoring systems while considering the limited resources of IoMT gateways. While security mechanisms for IoT utilizing HF do exist, to the best of our knowledge there is no specific HF-based architecture for IoMT-based health monitoring systems.
The Assembly of a New Human Osteological Collection: The XXI CEIC as a Forensic Pedagogical Tool
Authors: Caldas Inês Morais , Dinis-Oliveira Ricardo Jorge , Azevedo Rui M. S. , Madureira-Carvalho Áurea
Published: September 2023

This technical note aims to characterize and contextualize the creation of a new collection of identified skeletons stored in the University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU. This project presents unique and innovative pedagogical opportunities, with students actively involved in the cleaning and processing of the bones and antemortem/postmortem information gathering, as well as in anthropology research projects. This XXI Century Identified Skeletal Collection is composed of 98 complete adult skeletons of both sexes and is still expanding, being the 10th contemporary collection available in Portugal. The skeletons consist exclusively of Portuguese nationals who died between 1946 and 2007, and the 42% that have been processed so far are in good preservation. Comparative learning outcomes after implementing this active learning strategy are not yet available. Improvements are expected since more participation and enthusiasm in classes and research were perceived.
Impact of Experimental Bias on Compositional Analysis of Microbiome Data
Authors: Hu Yingtian , Satten Glen A. , Hu Yi-Juan
Published: September 2023

Microbiome data are subject to experimental bias that is caused by DNA extraction and PCR amplification, among other sources, but this important feature is often ignored when developing statistical methods for analyzing microbiome data. McLaren, Willis, and Callahan (2019) proposed a model for how such biases affect the observed taxonomic profiles; this model assumes the main effects of bias without taxon–taxon interactions. Our newly developed method for testing the differential abundance of taxa, LOCOM, is the first method to account for experimental bias and is robust to the main effect biases. However, there is also evidence for taxon–taxon interactions. In this report, we formulated a model for interaction biases and used simulations based on this model to evaluate the impact of interaction biases on the performance of LOCOM as well as other available compositional analysis methods. Our simulation results indicate that LOCOM remained robust to a reasonable range of interaction biases. The other methods tend to have an inflated FDR even when there were only main effect biases. LOCOM maintained the highest sensitivity even when the other methods could not control the FDR. We thus conclude that LOCOM outperforms the other methods for compositional analysis of microbiome data considered here.
Predicting the Strength Performance of Hydrated-Lime Activated Rice Husk Ash-Treated Soil Using Two Grey-Box Machine Learning Models
Authors: Baghbani Abolfazl , Soltani Amin , Kiany Katayoon , Daghistani Firas
Published: September 2023

Geotechnical engineering relies heavily on predicting soil strength to ensure safe and efficient construction projects. This paper presents a study on the accurate prediction of soil strength properties, focusing on hydrated-lime activated rice husk ash (HARHA) treated soil. To achieve precise predictions, the researchers employed two grey-box machine learning models—classification and regression trees (CART) and genetic programming (GP). These models introduce innovative equations and trees that readers can readily apply to new databases. The models were trained and tested using a comprehensive laboratory database consisting of seven input parameters and three output variables. The results indicate that both the proposed CART trees and GP equations exhibited excellent predictive capabilities across all three output variables—California bearing ratio (CBR), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and resistance value (Rvalue) (according to the in-situ cone penetrometer test). The GP proposed equations, in particular, demonstrated a superior performance in predicting the UCS and Rvalue parameters, while remaining comparable to CART in predicting the CBR. This research highlights the potential of integrating grey-box machine learning models with geotechnical engineering, providing valuable insights to enhance decision-making processes and safety measures in future infrastructural development projects.
Phenotypic Variations in Banana Cultivars in the Utilization and Tolerance to Different Magnesium Levels
Authors: He Hongsu , Wu Xinran , Khan Shahbaz , Tan Jiahao , Wu Jinxu , Sun Zhihua
Published: September 2023

Magnesium (Mg) is the most commonly deficient nutrient in tropical banana-growing areas. The effects of different concentrations of Mg on morpho-physiological and biochemical responses on three commercial cultivars (Baxi, Haigong, and Guangfen No.1) of bananas were accessed for 12 weeks. Results showed genotypic variation in the utilization and tolerance to different Mg levels. The optimum Mg level was 1 mM for Baxi and Guangfen No.1 and 3 mM for Haigong. Both the deficiency and excess of Mg caused a severe reduction in plant height, dry weight, total root length, and root surface area of Haigong and Baxi. Mg stress reduced root growth by impairing photosynthate translocation and increased carbohydrate contents in the source leaf. Under Mg stress, more reduction in photosynthetic pigment and photosynthesis rate, higher accumulation of carbohydrates and malondialdehyde contents, and higher activities of antioxidative enzymes were observed in Haigong as compared to other genotypes. Based on the above results, it is concluded that Haigong is most sensitive to Mg stress while Guangfen No. 1 was least affected and tolerant to changes in the Mg levels.
Isolating, Identifying, and Analyzing the Biological Characteristics of Pathogens Causing Postharvest Disease in Fresh Radix Astragali
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Nan Mina , Xue Huali
Published: September 2023

Radix Astragali (RA) is the root of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Bunge) P.K. Hsiao. In order to determine targeted and effective methods for treating mold infections in fresh RA, pathogenic fungi were isolated and identified using morphology and molecular biology techniques, and factors affecting the growth of the pathogenic fungi, such as temperature, pH, light, and carbon and nitrogen sources, were analyzed. Changes in the main active ingredients of RA, such as carbohydrates, flavonoids, and saponins, were detected before and after infection with pathogenic fungi. The results showed that Penicillium polonicum, Trichothecium roseum, and Fusarium equiseti were the main pathogens causing postharvest disease in fresh RA. The optimum growth temperature for the three pathogens was 25 °C; P. polonicum was able to grow at an alkaline pH of 8–9, while T. roseum and F. equiseti grew better and had higher levels of sporulation under acidic conditions with pH values of 5–6. Different carbon and nitrogen sources had different effects on mycelium growth and sporulation. Darkness was favorable for the growth and sporulation of the three pathogens. Compared with healthy RA, the total carbohydrate, flavonoid, and saponin contents of the RA samples infected with the three fungi decreased. This study provides a theoretical basis for the scientific and precise control of RA postharvest disease during storage by targeting different pathogens and their growth conditions.
Role of Postharvest Oxalic Acid Treatment on Quality Properties, Phenolic Compounds, and Organic Acid Contents of Nectarine Fruits during Cold Storage
Authors: Eroğul Deniz , Kibar Hakan , Şen Fatih , Gundogdu Muttalip
Published: September 2023

Due to the soft texture of the nectarine fruit, there are difficulties in long-term storage of this fruit. Therefore, it is of great importance to extend the postharvest storage period of this fruit species. In this study, the effect of postharvest OA (Oxalic acid) applications (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM) on the quality and biochemical contents of nectarine fruits was investigated. On the 40th day of storage, 1.5 mM OA doses reduced weight loss (1.96%) and fruit flesh firmness (36 N) by approximately 44% and 20%, respectively, compared to the control group. The most effective dose in reducing the respiratory rate was again 1.5 mM OA. The 1 mM OA dose was determined to prevent the decay rate approximately by 16% compared to the control group. Organic acid contents showed a continuous decreasing trend during storage and malic acid was determined to be the dominant acid in nectarine fruits. At the end of storage, it was determined that a 1.5 mM OA dose prevented the decrease in malic acid content approximately 35% more than the control group. Chlorogenic acid and rutin were detected at a higher rate than other phenolics. It was observed that 1.5 mM OA dose prevented the breakdown of chlorogenic acid and rutin compounds more so than other doses during storage. In this study, it was determined that a 1.5 mM OA dose especially protected the quality properties and biochemical contents of nectarine fruits in the cold storage more than the control group.
Evaluation of the Inhibitory Efficacy of Eugenol against the Pathogen of Fusarium Wilt in Ginger Seedlings
Authors: Zhou Xian , Ma Hui-Hui , Xiong Shi-Jie , Zhang Ling-Ling , Zhu Xue-Dong , Zhu Yong-Xing , Zhou Li-Rong
Published: September 2023

Fusarium wilt, mainly caused by Fusarium oxysporum, affects ginger yield and quality worldwide. To explore a safe and sustainable method of preventing and controlling Fusarium wilt, the inhibitory effects of eugenol on F. oxysporum FOX-1 were analysed in this study. The results showed that eugenol inhibited the reproductive and vegetative growth of F. oxysporum FOX-1 in vitro. Microscopic observations revealed that eugenol disrupted the hyphal morphology of F. oxysporum. In addition, eugenol destroyed the cell membrane integrity of the pathogenic fungi, resulting in the leakage of F. oxysporum FOX-1 intercellular contents, including electrolytes, soluble proteins, nucleic acids, and malonydialdehyde. Results of an in vivo inoculation test showed that eugenol exerted a strong inhibitory effect on Fusarium wilt in ginger seedlings. In summary, eugenol had an inhibitory effect on the growth of F. oxysporum FOX-1 and controlled Fusarium wilt in ginger seedlings. These findings provide a foundation for future development of botanical antifungal agents to manage Fusarium wilt.
The Impact of Health Geography on Public Health Research, Policy, and Practice in Canada
Authors: Vine Michelle M. , Mulligan Kate , Harris Rachel , Dean Jennifer L.
Published: September 2023

The link between geography and health means that the places we occupy—where we are born, where we live, where we work, and where we play—have a direct impact on our health, including our experiences of health. A subdiscipline of human geography, health geography studies the relationships between our environments and the impact of factors that operate within those environments on human health. Researchers have focused on the social and physical environments, including spatial location, patterns, causes of disease and related outcomes, and health service delivery. The work of health geographers has adopted various theories and philosophies (i.e., positivism, social interactionism, structuralism) and methods to collect and analyze data (i.e., quantitative, qualitative, spatial analysis) to examine our environments and their relationship to health. The field of public health is an organized effort to promote the health of its population and prevent disease, injury, and premature death. Public health agencies and practitioners develop programs, services, and policies to promote healthy environments to support and enable health. This commentary provides an overview of the recent landscape of health geography and makes a case for how health geography is critically important to the field of public health, including examples from the field to highlight these links in practice.
Wearable Technologies and Stress: Toward an Ethically Grounded Approach
Authors: Canali Stefano , De Marchi Beatrice , Aliverti Andrea
Published: September 2023

The widespread use of digital technologies that can be worn on our bodies—wearables—is presented as a turning point for various areas of biomedical research and healthcare, such as stress. The ability to constantly measure these parameters, the perceived quality of measurement, and their individual and personal level frame wearable technology as a possibly crucial step in the direction of a more accurate and objective definition and measurement of stress for clinical, research, and personal purposes. In this paper, we discuss the hypothesis that the use of wearables for stress is also beneficial from an ethical viewpoint. We start by situating wearables in the context of existing methods and limitations of stress research. On this basis, we discuss the ethics of wearables for stress by applying ethical principles from bioethics (beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, justice), which allows us to identify ethical benefits as well as challenges in this context. As a result, we develop a more balanced view of the ethics of wearables for stress, which we use to present recommendations and indications with a focus on certification, accessibility, and inclusion. This article is, thus, a contribution towards ethically grounded wearable and digital health technology for stress.
Mathematical Modeling for the Assessment of Public Policies in the Cancer Health-Care System Implemented for the Colombian Case
Authors: Rojas-Díaz Daniel , Puerta-Yepes María Eugenia , Medina-Gaspar Daniel , Botero Jesús Alonso , Rodríguez Anwar , Rojas Norberto
Published: September 2023

The incidence of cancer has been constantly growing worldwide, placing pressure on health systems and increasing the costs associated with the treatment of cancer. In particular, low- and middle-income countries are expected to face serious challenges related to caring for the majority of the world’s new cancer cases in the next 10 years. In this study, we propose a mathematical model that allows for the simulation of different strategies focused on public policies by combining spending and epidemiological indicators. In this way, strategies aimed at efficient spending management with better epidemiological indicators can be determined. For validation and calibration of the model, we use data from Colombia—which, according to the World Bank, is an upper-middle-income country. The results of the simulations using the proposed model, calibrated and validated for Colombia, indicate that the most effective strategy for reducing mortality and financial burden consists of a combination of early detection and greater efficiency of treatment in the early stages of cancer. This approach is found to present a 38% reduction in mortality rate and a 20% reduction in costs (% GDP) when compared to the baseline scenario. Hence, Colombia should prioritize comprehensive care models that focus on patient-centered care, prevention, and early detection.
HIV-1 Infection Results in Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 1 Dysregulation in the Human Thymus
Authors: Resop Rachel S. , Salvatore Bradley , Kim Shawn J. , Gordon Brent R. , Blom Bianca , Vatakis Dimitrios N. , Uittenbogaart Christel H.
Published: September 2023

Regeneration of functional naïve T lymphocytes following the onset of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a crucial issue for people living with HIV (PLWH), even when adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Thus far, reports on the impact of HIV-1 infection on the entry of thymic precursors and the egress of functional naïve T lymphocytes to and from the thymus are limited. We examined the impact of HIV-1 on Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling, which governs the egress of functional naïve thymocytes from the thymus to the periphery. Using in vitro experiments with primary human thymocytes and in vivo and ex vivo studies with humanized mice, we show that HIV-1 infection results in upregulation of the expression of S1P receptor 1 (S1PR1) in the human thymus. Intriguingly, this upregulation occurs during intrathymic infection (direct infection of the human thymic implant) as well as systemic infection in humanized mice. Moreover, considering the dysregulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in infected thymi, the increased expression of S1PR1 in response to in vitro exposure to Interferon-Beta (IFN-β) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) indicates that cytokine dysregulation following HIV infection may contribute to upregulation of S1PR1. Finally, an increased presence of CD3hiCD69− (fully mature) as well as CD3hiCD69+ (less mature) T cells in the spleen during HIV infection in humanized mice, combined with earlier expression of S1PR1 during thymocyte development, suggests that upregulation of S1PR1 may translate to increased or accelerated egress from the thymus. The egress of thymocytes that are not functionally mature from the thymus to peripheral blood and lymphoid organs may have implications for the immune function of PLWH.
First-Generation Synthetic Cathinones Produce Arrhythmia in Zebrafish Eleutheroembryos: A New Approach Methodology for New Psychoactive Substances Cardiotoxicity Evaluation
Authors: Teixidó Elisabet , Riera-Colomer Clara , Raldúa Demetrio , Pubill David , Escubedo Elena , Barenys Marta , López-Arnau Raul
Published: September 2023

The increasing number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) entering the illicit drug market, especially synthetic cathinones, as well as the risk of cardiovascular complications, is intensifying the need to quickly assess their cardiotoxic potential. The present study aims to evaluate the cardiovascular toxicity and lethality induced by first-generation synthetic cathinones (mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV) and more classical psychostimulants (cocaine and MDMA) in zebrafish embryos using a new approach methodology (NAM). Zebrafish embryos at 4 dpf were exposed to the test drugs for 24 h to identify drug lethality. Drug-induced effects on ventricular and atrial heart rate after 2 h exposure were evaluated, and video recordings were properly analyzed. All illicit drugs displayed similar 24 h LC50 values. Our results indicate that all drugs are able to induce bradycardia, arrhythmia, and atrial-ventricular block (AV block), signs of QT interval prolongation. However, only MDPV induced a different rhythmicity change depending on the chamber and was the most potent bradycardia and AV block-inducing drug compared to the other tested compounds. In summary, our results strongly suggest that the NAM presented in this study can be used for screening NPS for their cardiotoxic effect and especially for their ability to prolong the QT intervals.
Investigating the Role of Serum and Plasma IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, CRP, and S100B Concentrations in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
Authors: Fiedorczuk Piotr , Olszewska Ewa , Polecka Agnieszka , Walasek Marzena , Mroczko Barbara , Kulczyńska-Przybik Agnieszka
Published: September 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent and underdiagnosed condition associated with cardiovascular diseases, depression, accidents, and stroke. There is an increasing need for alternative diagnostic tools beyond overnight sleep studies that measure the Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI). In this single-center, case-control study, we evaluated serum and plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, CRP, and S100B in 80 subjects, including 52 OSA patients (27 moderate [15 ≤ AHI ˂ 30], 25 severe [AHI ≥ 30]) and 28 non-OSA controls (AHI 0-5). Participants with OSA showed approximately 2 times higher median concentrations of CRP in plasma, and IL-6 in serum, as well as 1.3 to 1.7 times higher concentrations of TNF-α and IL-8 in plasma compared with the control group. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive capabilities of these serum and plasma biomarkers in distinguishing between the OSA and control groups, revealing varying sensitivity and specificity. In summary, in this study, serum and plasma biomarkers CRP, S100B, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 have been shown to be elevated in patients with OSA, correlated positively with disease severity, age, and BMI. These results support the potential role of these biomarkers in diagnosing OSA, supplementing traditional methods such as overnight sleep studies.
Drought Stress Tolerance in Vegetables: The Functional Role of Structural Features, Key Gene Pathways, and Exogenous Hormones
Authors: Abbas Kumail , Li Jingrui , Gong Binbin , Lu Yusong , Wu Xiaolei , Lü Guiyun , Gao Hongbo
Published: September 2023

The deleterious effects of drought stress have led to a significant decline in vegetable production, ultimately affecting food security. After sensing drought stress signals, vegetables prompt multifaceted response measures, eventually leading to changes in internal cell structure and external morphology. Among them, it is important to highlight that the changes, including changes in physiological metabolism, signal transduction, key genes, and hormone regulation, significantly influence drought stress tolerance in vegetables. This article elaborates on vegetable stress tolerance, focusing on structural adaptations, key genes, drought stress signaling transduction pathways, osmotic adjustments, and antioxidants. At the same time, the mechanisms of exogenous hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and ethylene (ET) toward improving the adaptive drought tolerance of vegetables were also reviewed. These insights can enhance the understanding of vegetable drought tolerance, supporting vegetable tolerance enhancement by cultivation technology improvements under changing climatic conditions, which provides theoretical support and technical reference for innovative vegetable stress tolerance breeding and food security.
Chemical Diversity of Mo5S5 Clusters with Pyrazole: Synthesis, Redox and UV-vis-NIR Absorption Properties
Authors: Savina Iulia V. , Ivanov Anton A. , Eltsov Ilia V. , Yanshole Vadim V. , Kuratieva Natalia V. , Komarovskikh Andrey Y. , Syrokvashin Mikhail M. , Shestopalov Michael A.
Published: September 2023

The chemistry of transition metal clusters has been intensively developed in the last decades, leading to the preparation of a number of compounds with promising and practically useful properties. In this context, the present work demonstrates the preparation and study of the reactivity, i.e., the possibility of varying the ligand environment, of new square pyramidal molybdenum chalcogenide clusters [{Mo5(μ3-S)i4(μ4-S)i(μ-pz)i4}(pzH)t5]1+/2+ (pzH = pyrazole, i = inner, t = terminal). The one-step synthesis starting from the octahedral Mo6Br12 cluster as well as the substitution of the apical pyrazole ligand or the selective bromination of the inner pyrazolate ligands were demonstrated. All the obtained compounds were characterized in detail using a series of physicochemical methods both in solid state (X-ray diffraction analysis, etc.) and in solution (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, etc.). In this work, redox properties and absorption in the ultraviolet-visible and near-infrared region of the obtained compounds were studied.
Astrocytes as Neuroimmunocytes in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Biochemical Tool in the Neuron–Glia Crosstalk along the Pathogenetic Pathways
Authors: Stanca Stefano , Rossetti Martina , Bongioanni Paolo
Published: September 2023

This work aimed at assessing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis through the investigation of the astrocytic role to transduce the load of amyloid-beta (Aβ) into neuronal death. The backbone of this review is focused on the deepening of the molecular pathways eliciting the activation of astrocytes crucial phenomena in the understanding of AD as an autoimmune pathology. The complex relations among astrocytes, Aβ and tau, together with the role played by the tripartite synapsis are discussed. A review of studies published from 1979 to 2023 on Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted. The selected papers focused not only on the morphological and metabolic characteristics of astrocytes, but also on the latest notions about their multifunctional involvement in AD pathogenesis. Astrocytes participate in crucial pathways, including pruning and sprouting, by which the AD neurodegeneration evolves from an aggregopathy to neuroinflammation, loss of synapses and neuronal death. A1 astrocytes stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory molecules which have been correlated with the progression of AD cognitive impairment. Further research is needed to “hold back” the A1 polarization and, thus, to slow the worsening of the disease. AD clinical expression is the result of dysfunctional neuronal interactions, but this is only the end of a process involving a plurality of protagonists. One of these is the astrocyte, whose importance this work intends to put under the spotlight in the AD scenario, reflecting the multifaceted nature of this disease in the functional versatility of this glial population.
Assessment of Apolipoprotein(a) Isoform Size Using Phenotypic and Genotypic Methods
Authors: Fogacci Federica , Di Micoli Valentina , Avagimyan Ashot , Giovannini Marina , Imbalzano Egidio , Cicero Arrigo F. G.
Published: September 2023

Apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) is the protein component that defines lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) particles and is encoded by the LPA gene. The apo(a) is extremely heterogeneous in size due to the copy number variations in the kringle-IV type 2 (KIV2) domains. In this review, we aim to discuss the role of genetics in establishing Lp(a) as a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) by examining a series of molecular biology techniques aimed at identifying the best strategy for a possible application in clinical research and practice, according to the current gold standard.
OncoUroMiR: Circulating miRNAs for Detection and Discrimination of the Main Urological Cancers Using a ddPCR-Based Approach
Authors: Sequeira José Pedro , Barros-Silva Daniela , Ferreira-Torre Patrícia , Salta Sofia , Braga Isaac , Carvalho João , Freitas Rui , Henrique Rui , Jerónimo Carmen
Published: September 2023

The three most common genitourinary malignancies (prostate/kidney/bladder cancers) constitute a substantial proportion of all cancer cases, mainly in the elderly population. Early detection is key to maximizing the patients’ survival, but the lack of highly accurate biomarkers that might be used through non-/minimally invasive methods has impaired progress in this domain. Herein, we sought to develop a minimally invasive test to detect and discriminate among those urological cancers based on miRNAs assessment through ddPCR. Plasma samples from 268 patients with renal cell (RCC; n = 119), bladder (BlCa; n = 73), and prostate (PCa; n = 76) carcinomas (UroCancer group), and 74 healthy donors were selected. Hsa-miR-126-3p, hsa-miR-141-3p, hsa-miR-153-5p, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-182-5p, hsa-miR-205-5p, and hsa-miR-375-3p levels were assessed. UroCancer cases displayed significantly different circulating hsa-miR-182-5p/hsa-miR-375-3p levels compared to healthy donors. Importantly, the hsa-miR-155-5p/hsa-miR-375-3p panel detected RCC with a high specificity (80.54%) and accuracy (66.04%). Furthermore, the hsa-miR-126-3p/hsa-miR-375-3p panel identified BlCa with a 94.87% specificity and 76.45% NPV whereas higher hsa-miR-126-3p levels were found in PCa patients. We concluded that plasma-derived miRNAs can identify and discriminate among the main genitourinary cancers, with high analytical performance. Although validation in a larger cohort is mandatory, these findings demonstrate that circulating miRNA assessment by ddPCR might provide a new approach for early detection and risk stratification of the most common urological cancers.
Gut Microbiota and Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids Are Linked to Evolution of Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Modrego Javier , Ortega-Hernández Adriana , Goirigolzarri Josebe , Restrepo-Córdoba María Alejandra , Bäuerl Christine , Cortés-Macías Erika , Sánchez-González Silvia , Esteban-Fernández Alberto , Pérez-Villacastín Julián , Collado María Carmen , Gómez-Garre Dulcenombre
Published: September 2023

There is a lack of direct evidence regarding gut microbiota dysbiosis and changes in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in heart failure (HF) patients. We sought to assess any association between gut microbiota composition, SCFA production, clinical parameters, and the inflammatory profile in a cohort of newly diagnosed HF patients. In this longitudinal prospective study, we enrolled eighteen newly diagnosed HF patients. At admission and after 12 months, blood samples were collected for the assessment of proinflammatory cytokines, monocyte populations, and endothelial dysfunction, and stool samples were collected for analysis of gut microbiota composition and quantification of SCFAs. Twelve months after the initial HF episode, patients demonstrated improved clinical parameters and reduced inflammatory state and endothelial dysfunction. This favorable evolution was associated with a reversal of microbiota dysbiosis, consisting of the increment of health-related bacteria, such as genus Bifidobacterium, and levels of SCFAs, mainly butyrate. Furthermore, there was a decrease in the abundance of pathogenic bacteria. In vitro, fecal samples collected after 12 months of follow-up exhibited lower inflammation than samples collected at admission. In conclusion, the favorable progression of HF patients after the initial episode was linked to the reversal of gut microbiota dysbiosis and increased SCFA production, particularly butyrate. Whether restoring butyrate levels or promoting the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria could serve as a complementary treatment for these patients deserves further studies.
An Animal Model for Chronic Meningeal Inflammation and Inflammatory Demyelination of the Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Enz Lukas Simon , Winkler Anne , Wrzos Claudia , Dasen Boris , Nessler Stefan , Stadelmann Christine , Schaeren-Wiemers Nicole
Published: September 2023

Modeling chronic cortical demyelination allows the study of long-lasting pathological changes observed in multiple sclerosis such as failure of remyelination, chronically disturbed functions of oligodendrocytes, neurons and astrocytes, brain atrophy and cognitive impairments. We aimed at generating an animal model for studying the consequences of chronic cortical demyelination and meningeal inflammation. To induce long-lasting cortical demyelination and chronic meningeal inflammation, we immunized female Lewis rats against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and injected lentiviruses for continuing overexpression of the cytokines TNFα and IFNγ in the cortical brain parenchyma. Immunization with MOG and overexpression of TNFα and IFNγ led to widespread subpial demyelination and meningeal inflammation that were stable for at least 10 weeks. We demonstrate here that immunization with MOG is necessary for acute as well as chronic cortical demyelination. In addition, long-lasting overexpression of TNFα and IFNγ in the brain parenchyma is sufficient to induce chronic meningeal inflammation. Our model simulates key features of chronic cortical demyelination and inflammation, reminiscent of human multiple sclerosis pathology. This will allow molecular, cellular and functional investigations for a better understanding of the adaptation mechanisms of the cerebral cortex in multiple sclerosis.
Regulation of V-ATPase by Jasmonic Acid: Possible Role of Persulfidation
Authors: Zboińska Magdalena , Romero Luis C. , Gotor Cecilia , Kabała Katarzyna
Published: September 2023

Vacuolar H+-translocating ATPase (V-ATPase) is a proton pump crucial for plant growth and survival. For this reason, its activity is tightly regulated, and various factors, such as signaling molecules and phytohormones, may be involved in this process. The aim of this study was to explain the role of jasmonic acid (JA) in the signaling pathways responsible for the regulation of V-ATPase in cucumber roots and its relationship with other regulators of this pump, i.e., H2S and H2O2. We analyzed several aspects of the JA action on the enzyme, including transcriptional regulation, modulation of protein levels, and persulfidation of selected V-ATPase subunits as an oxidative posttranslational modification induced by H2S. Our results indicated that JA functions as a repressor of V-ATPase, and its action is related to a decrease in the protein amount of the A and B subunits, the induction of oxidative stress, and the downregulation of the E subunit persulfidation. We suggest that both H2S and H2O2 may be downstream components of JA-dependent negative proton pump regulation. The comparison of signaling pathways induced by two negative regulators of the pump, JA and cadmium, revealed that multiple pathways are involved in the V-ATPase downregulation in cucumber roots.
Emerging Roles for DNA 6mA and RNA m6A Methylation in Mammalian Genome
Authors: Xie Leijie , Zhang Xiaosong , Xie Jiaxiang , Xu Yanru , Li Xiao-Jiang , Lin Li
Published: September 2023

Epigenetic methylation has been shown to play an important role in transcriptional regulation and disease pathogenesis. Recent advancements in detection techniques have identified DNA N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA) and RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) as methylation modifications at the sixth position of adenine in DNA and RNA, respectively. While the distributions and functions of 6mA and m6A have been extensively studied in prokaryotes, their roles in the mammalian brain, where they are enriched, are still not fully understood. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current research progress on 6mA and m6A, as well as their associated writers, erasers, and readers at both DNA and RNA levels. Specifically, we focus on the potential roles of 6mA and m6A in the fundamental biological pathways of the mammalian genome and highlight the significant regulatory functions of 6mA in neurodegenerative diseases.
Effect of Soil Drought Stress on Selected Biochemical Parameters and Yield of Oat × Maize Addition (OMA) Lines
Authors: Warzecha Tomasz , Bocianowski Jan , Warchoł Marzena , Bathelt Roman , Sutkowska Agnieszka , Skrzypek Edyta
Published: September 2023

Plant growth and the process of yield formation in crops are moderated by surrounding conditions, as well as the interaction of the genetic background of plants and the environment. In the last two decades, significant climatic changes have been observed, generating unfavorable and harmful impacts on plant development. Drought stress can be considered one of the most dangerous environmental factors affecting the life cycle of plants, reducing biomass production and, finally, the yield. Plants can respond to water deficit in a wide range, which depends on the species, genetic variability within the species, the plant’s ontogenesis stage, the intensity of the stress, and other potential stress factors. In plants, it is possible to observe hybrids between different taxa that certain traits adopted to tolerate stress conditions better than the parent plants. Oat × maize addition (OMA) plants are good examples of hybrids generated via wide crossing. They can exhibit morphological, physiological, and biochemical variations implemented by the occurrence of extra chromosomes of maize, as well as the interaction of maize and oat chromatin. The initial goal of the study was to identify OMA lines among plants produced by wide crossing with maize. The main goal was to investigate differences in OMA lines according to the Excised Leaf Water Loss (ELWL) test and to identify specific biochemical changes and agronomic traits under optimal water conditions and soil drought. Additionally, detection of any potential alterations that are stable in F2 and F3 generations. The aforementioned outcomes were the basis for the selection of OMA lines that tolerate growth in an environment with limited water availability. The molecular analysis indicated 12.5% OMA lines among all tested descendants of wide oat-maize crossing. The OMA lines significantly differ according to ELWL test results, which implies some anatomical and physiological adaptation to water loss from tissues. On the first day of drought, plants possessed 34% more soluble sugars compared to control plants. On the fourteen day of drought, the amount of soluble sugars was reduced by 41.2%. A significant increase of phenolic compounds was observed in the fourteen day of drought, an average of 6%, even up to 57% in line 9. Soil drought substantially reduced stem biomass, grains number, and mass per plant. Lower water loss revealed by results of the ELWL test correlated with the high yield of OMA lines. Phenolic compound content might be used as a biochemical indicator of plant drought tolerance since there was a significant correlation with the high yield of plants subjected to soil drought.
Potential Inflammatory Biomarkers for Major Depressive Disorder Related to Suicidal Behaviors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kim Ka Young , Shin Ki Young , Chang Keun-A
Published: September 2023

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric condition affecting an estimated 280 million individuals globally. Despite the occurrence of suicidal behaviors across various psychiatric conditions, MDD is distinctly associated with the highest risk of suicide attempts and death within this population. In this study, we focused on MDD to identify potential inflammatory biomarkers associated with suicidal risk, given the relationship between depressive states and suicidal ideation. Articles published before June 2023 were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify all relevant studies reporting blood inflammatory biomarkers in patients with MDD with suicide-related behaviors. Of 571 articles, 24 were included in this study. Overall, 43 significant biomarkers associated with MDD and suicide-related behaviors were identified. Our study provided compelling evidence of significant alterations in peripheral inflammatory factors in MDD patients with suicide-related behaviors, demonstrating the potential roles of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, C-reactive protein, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, and tumor necrosis factor-α as biomarkers. These findings underscore the intricate relationship between the inflammatory processes of these biomarkers and their interactions in MDD with suicidal risk.