bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Potential Fitness Effects of Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Aquaculture Using Non-Invasive Population Genomic Analyses of MHC Nucleotide Substitution Spectra
Authors: Wilson Evan J. , Shedlock Andrew M.
Published: February 2023

Genetic diversity plays a vital role in the adaptability of salmon to changing environmental conditions that can introduce new selective pressures on populations. Variability among local subpopulations may increase the chance that certain advantageous genes are passed down to future generations to mitigate susceptibility to novel diseases, warming oceans, loss of genetic stocks, and ocean acidification. Class I and II genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are crucial for the fitness of Chinook salmon due to the role they play in disease and pathogen resistance. The objective of this study was to assess the DNA sequence variability among wild and hatchery populations of Alaskan Chinook salmon at the class I α1 and class II β1 exons of the MHC. We hypothesized that the 96 wild samples taken from the Deshka River would display greater levels of observed heterozygosity (Ho) relative to expected heterozygosity (He) in suggesting that individuals with similar phenotypes mate with one another more frequently than would be expected under random mating patterns. Conversely, since no mate selection occurs in the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish hatchery, we would not expect to see this discrepancy (He = Ho) in the 96 hatchery fish tested in this study. Alternatively, we hypothesized that post-mating selection is driving higher levels of observed heterozygosity as opposed to mate selection. If this is the case, we will observe higher than expected levels of heterozygosity among hatchery salmon. Both populations displayed higher levels of observed heterozygosity than expected heterozygosity at the Class I and II loci but genetic differentiation between the spatially distinct communities was minimal. Class I sequences showed evidence of balancing selection, despite high rates of non-synonymous substitutions observed, specifically at the peptide binding regions of both MHC genes.
Whole-Genome Sequencing Snapshot of Clinically Relevant Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria from Wastewater in Serbia
Authors: Cirkovic Ivana , Muller Bruno H. , Janjusevic Ana , Mollon Patrick , Istier Valérie , Mirande-Meunier Caroline , Brkic Snezana
Published: February 2023

Wastewater (WW) is considered a source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria with clinical relevance and may, thus, be important for their dissemination into the environment, especially in countries with poor WW treatment. To obtain an overview of the occurrence and characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) in WW of Belgrade, we investigated samples from the four main sewer outlets prior to effluent into international rivers, the Sava and the Danube. Thirty-four CR-GNB isolates were selected for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). AST revealed that all isolates were multidrug-resistant. WGS showed that they belonged to eight different species and 25 different sequence types (STs), seven of which were new. ST101 K. pneumoniae (blaCTX-M-15/blaOXA-48) with novel plasmid p101_srb was the most frequent isolate, detected at nearly all the sampling sites. The most frequent resistance genes to aminoglycosides, quinolones, trimethroprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and fosfomycin were aac(6′)-Ib-cr (55.9%), oqxA (32.3%), dfrA14 (47.1%), sul1 (52.9%), tet(A) (23.5%) and fosA (50%), respectively. Acquired resistance to colistin via chromosomal-mediated mechanisms was detected in K. pneumoniae (mutations in mgrB and basRS) and P. aeruginosa (mutation in basRS), while a plasmid-mediated mechanism was confirmed in the E. cloacae complex (mcr-9.1 gene). The highest number of virulence genes (>300) was recorded in P. aeruginosa isolates. Further research is needed to systematically track the occurrence and distribution of these bacteria so as to mitigate their threat.
In Vivo Anti-Alzheimer and Antioxidant Properties of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) Honey from Southern Spain
Authors: Romero-Márquez Jose M. , Navarro-Hortal María D. , Orantes Francisco J. , Esteban-Muñoz Adelaida , Pérez-Oleaga Cristina M. , Battino Maurizio , Sánchez-González Cristina , Rivas-García Lorenzo , Giampieri Francesca , Quiles José L. , Forbes-Hernández Tamara Y.
Published: February 2023

There is growing evidence that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be prevented by reducing risk factors involved in its pathophysiology. Food-derived bioactive molecules can help in the prevention and reduction of the progression of AD. Honey, a good source of antioxidants and bioactive molecules, has been tied to many health benefits, including those from neurological origin. Monofloral avocado honey (AH) has recently been characterized but its biomedical properties are still unknown. The aim of this study is to further its characterization, focusing on the phenolic profile. Moreover, its antioxidant capacity was assayed both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, a deep analysis on the pathophysiological features of AD such as oxidative stress, amyloid-β aggregation, and protein-tau-induced neurotoxicity were evaluated by using the experimental model C. elegans. AH exerted a high antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo. No toxicity was found in C. elegans at the dosages used. AH prevented ROS accumulation under AAPH-induced oxidative stress. Additionally, AH exerted a great anti-amyloidogenic capacity, which is relevant from the point of view of AD prevention. AH exacerbated the locomotive impairment in a C. elegans model of tauopathy, although the real contribution of AH remains unclear. The mechanisms under the observed effects might be attributed to an upregulation of daf-16 as well as to a strong ROS scavenging activity. These results increase the interest to study the biomedical applications of AH; however, more research is needed to deepen the mechanisms under the observed effects.
Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) and Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) for Valorization of Red (Aristeus antennatus) and Camarote (Melicertus kerathurus) Shrimp Side Streams: Antioxidant and HPLC Evaluation of the Carotenoid Astaxanthin Recovery
Authors: De Aguiar Saldanha Pinheiro Ana Cristina , Martí-Quijal Francisco J. , Barba Francisco J. , Benítez-González Ana M. , Meléndez-Martínez Antonio J. , Castagnini Juan Manuel , Tappi Silvia , Rocculi Pietro
Published: February 2023

Shrimp side streams represent an important natural source of astaxanthin. Optimization of the astaxanthin extraction process from shrimp side streams is of great importance for the valorization of crustacean side streams and the development of astaxanthin-related products. The combined and independent effects of two innovative extraction technologies (pulsed electric fields (PEFs) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE)) alone and/or combined in a sequential step, using two different solvents on astaxanthin extraction from two shrimp species, were evaluated. Astaxanthin content in the extracts of shrimp side streams was determined by both spectrophotometric and HPLC assays, being the determination of the carotenoid profiles performed by HPLC analysis. Compared to a solvent extraction control procedure, the astaxanthin content was increased after ASE and PEF treatments, for both shrimp species, independently of the solvent used. The highest recovery (585.90 µg/g) was obtained for the species A. antennatus, with the solvent DMSO when PEF and ASE were combined, while the increase in antioxidant capacity varied depending on the solvent used. HPLC analysis of the samples revealed the presence of unesterified (all-E) astaxanthin, four unesterified Z isomers of astaxanthin and many unresolved astaxanthin esters. Both technologies are useful tools to recover antioxidant valuable carotenoids such as astaxanthin from shrimp side streams.
Revisiting the Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Shah Harsh , Dehghani Fereshteh , Ramezan Marjan , Gannaban Ritchel B. , Haque Zobayda Farzana , Rahimi Fatemeh , Abbasi Soheil , Shin Andrew C.
Published: February 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by memory loss, impaired learning and thinking, and difficulty in performing regular daily activities. Despite nearly two decades of collective efforts to develop novel medications that can prevent or halt the disease progression, we remain faced with only a few options with limited effectiveness. There has been a recent growth of interest in the role of nutrition in brain health as we begin to gain a better understanding of what and how nutrients affect hormonal and neural actions that not only can lead to typical cardiovascular or metabolic diseases but also an array of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Vitamins and minerals, also known as micronutrients, are elements that are indispensable for functions including nutrient metabolism, immune surveillance, cell development, neurotransmission, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this review, we provide an overview on some of the most common vitamins and minerals and discuss what current studies have revealed on the link between these essential micronutrients and cognitive performance or AD.
Image Analysis System for Early Detection of Cardiothoracic Surgery Wound Alterations Based on Artificial Intelligence Models
Authors: Pereira Catarina , Guede-Fernández Federico , Vigário Ricardo , Coelho Pedro , Fragata José , Londral Ana
Published: February 2023

Cardiothoracic surgery patients have the risk of developing surgical site infections which cause hospital readmissions, increase healthcare costs, and may lead to mortality. This work aims to tackle the problem of surgical site infections by predicting the existence of worrying alterations in wound images with a wound image analysis system based on artificial intelligence. The developed system comprises a deep learning segmentation model (MobileNet-Unet), which detects the wound region area and categorizes the wound type (chest, drain, and leg), and a machine learning classification model, which predicts the occurrence of wound alterations (random forest, support vector machine and k-nearest neighbors for chest, drain, and leg, respectively). The deep learning model segments the image and assigns the wound type. Then, the machine learning models classify the images from a group of color and textural features extracted from the output region of interest to feed one of the three wound-type classifiers that reach the final binary decision of wound alteration. The segmentation model achieved a mean Intersection over Union of 89.9% and a mean average precision of 90.1%. Separating the final classification into different classifiers was more effective than a single classifier for all the wound types. The leg wound classifier exhibited the best results with an 87.6% recall and 52.6% precision.
Microscopic Morphology and Indicative Significance of Nanoscale Au Particles in Soils and Fault Muds: A Case Study of Jiaojia, Shandong Province
Authors: Li Jie , Zhang Bimin , Gong Qingjie , Liu Hanliang , Liu Ningqiang
Published: February 2023

In recent decades, the human demand for mineral resources has increased dramatically, and the mining of shallow deposits has basically been completed. The prospecting direction has turned to concealed deposits. For this reason, various penetrating geochemical methods have been developed to find concealed minerals and a series of geochemical exploration techniques have been proposed. At the same time, the use of the geochemical gene as a new technique presented in recent years is feasible in discussing component classification and provenance tracing. In this study, we applied these methods for mineral exploration in the Jiaojia gold deposit in Shandong Province, China. The results show that a large number of ore-forming element particles can be observed in ores, fault muds, and soils; compared with Chinese soil, Au has higher enrichment coefficients; according to the LG03 lithogene, the ores belong to a neutral composition, and the fault muds and soils belong to an acidic composition. Based on the above results, it can be found that the ore-forming elements in the Jiaojia gold deposit have migrated. Although this migration cannot change the original lithology, it can provide theoretical support for the fine-grained soil-prospecting method.
A Modified Folin-Ciocalteu Assay for the Determination of Total Phenolics Content in Honey
Authors: Lawag Ivan Lozada , Nolden Elisa S. , Schaper Arthur A. M. , Lim Lee Yong , Locher Cornelia
Published: February 2023

The Folin-Ciocalteu assay is a widely used method for measuring the total phenolic content (TPC) in honey, but it can be affected by the presence of reducing sugars in honey, which can lead to interference and an over-estimation of its TPC. To optimize the Folin-Ciocalteu assay for honey analysis, the effect of pH on the assay was investigated. A number of pH scenarios were tested using different concentrations of Na2CO3 (0.00%, 0.75%, 0.94%, and 7.50%) in order to minimize reducing sugar interference and maximize the reaction of phenolics in the assay. The modified TPC method was then validated in accordance with current International Council on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. The findings of this study demonstrate that the traditional Folin-Ciocalteu assay (using 7.50% aqueous Na2CO3 solution, pH 10.8) leads to a significant overestimation of the TPC of honey due to the interference of reducing sugars. However, a pH of 7.9, achieved by using a 0.75% aqueous Na2CO3 solution, provides suitable conditions to account for most of the phenolic compounds without interference from reducing sugars. This finding was further confirmed by testing various sugar solutions and artificial honey which yielded TPC values below the established limit of detection and quantification of the assay. However, a slight increase in pH, even by a moderate deviation (pH 8.9), leads to significant discrepancies in absorbance readings, indicating that pH control is crucial for the accurate analysis of TPC in honey.
Enhanced Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether Removal by Mixed Consortium: Performance and Adaptability
Authors: Hua Tingyu , Li Shanshan , Wang Ling , Yan Wei
Published: February 2023

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is widely used as a gasoline additive with toxicity and carcinogenicity, and has caused environmental pollution worldwide. Biodegradation is a promising method for the removal of MTBE from contaminated sites. In this paper, three strains with high adaptability and different degrading characteristics to MTBE were cultured. The kinetic models were established to systematically simulate the biodegradation of MTBE by various strains at different concentrations. Moreover, the removal of MTBE in a synergistic system containing a mixture of three pure strains was studied. The mixed consortium enhanced MTBE removal at high concentrations (30–50 mg/L), and the degradation efficiency was increased by about 20% compared to pure strains at a concentration of 30 mg/L. Further, the mixed consortium degraded MTBE nearly three times faster than any of the individual, indicating that the co-cultures of three pure cultures improved both efficiency and the rate of MTBE biodegradation. In addition, it was found that the mixed consortium effectively removed MTBE in the presence of other gasoline components, and exhibited stronger adaptability, especially at low or high temperatures. This study supports the cultivation of a mixed consortium to remediate MTBE-contaminated environments, either as a single substrate or in environments containing other gasoline components.
Dunaliella viridis TAV01: A Halotolerant, Protein-Rich Microalga from the Algarve Coast
Authors: Bombo Gabriel , Cristofoli Nathana L. , Santos Tamára F. , Schüler Lisa , Maia Inês B. , Pereira Hugo , Barreira Luísa , Varela João
Published: February 2023

Tolerance to harsh environmental conditions, high growth rates and an amino acid profile adequate for human consumption are beneficial features observed in Dunaliella viridis TAV01, a novel strain isolated from a salt pond in the Algarve, Portugal. TAV01 was identified down to the species level by maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers one and two regions (ITS1 and ITS-2) and was supported by ITS2 secondary structure analysis. The biochemical profile revealed high protein (35.7 g 100 g−1 DW; 65% higher than the minimum recommended by the World Health Organization) and lipid contents (21.3 g 100 g−1 DW), a relatively higher proportion of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), α-linolenic (26.3% of total fatty acids (TFA)) and linoleic acids (22.8% of TFA), compared to those of other Dunaliella strains, and a balanced essential amino acids profile containing significant levels of leucine, phenylalanine, valine, and threonine. The major carotenoid was lutein, making up over 85% of total carotenoids. The presence of high-quality natural products in D. viridis TAV01 offers the possibility of using this new strain as a valuable biological resource for novel feed or food products as ingredients or supplements.
Helicobacter pylori—The Bridge between Local and Systemic Inflammation in Children
Authors: Dincă Andreea Ligia , Meliț Lorena Elena , Gurzu Simona , Mocan Simona , Ghiga Dana Valentina , Mărginean Cristina Oana
Published: February 2023

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated inflammatory status is no longer a debatable topic in children. The aim of our study was to to compare the inflammatory status in pediatric patients with H. pylori gastritis and non-H. pylori gastritis versus control group. We performed a prospective study on 68 children with dyspeptic symptoms which were divided into 3 groups: 14 children with H. pylori gastritis (group 1), 26 children with non-H. pylori gastritis (group 2) and 28 children with no pathological findings—control group (group 3). Several laboratory parameters, histopathological and immunohistochemistry tests were performed in all children for detecting inflammatory status. We noticed a significant difference in terms of rural area between the three groups (p = 0.0404). Comparing the laboratory parameters between the three groups, we noticed significant differences in terms of serological tests (p = 0094), and NLR (p = 0.0253), the latter being significantly higher in children with H. pylori-induced gastritis as compared to those with non-H. pylori gastritis (0.0107). According to the Dunn’s Multiple Comparison Test, we noticed a significantly elevated neutrophil level in children with H. pylori-induced gastritis when compared to non-H. pylori gastritis group (p = 0.0146), as well as a significantly increased eosinophil count in patients with non-H. pylori gastritis as compared to control group (p = 0.0417). The immunohistochemistry method pointed out no significant variation concerning interleukin (IL 6) between children with gastritis and control group [RR = 1.283, IC (95%): 0.9404–1.751, p = 0.0988]. Additionally, children with gastritis regardless of the etiology have a significant risk of associating increased gastric expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α) [RR = 3.967; CI (95%): 1.283–12.263; p = 0.0063]. Moreover, TNF α was significantly associated with presence of H. pylori gastritis (p = 0.0002). The early detection of local inflammation triggered by this infection might preempt gastric carcinogenesis, while identifying H. pylori-induced systemic inflammation lowers the risk of severe extraintestinal manifestations.
Screening of the Volatile Composition and Olfactory Properties of Aglianico and Primitivo, Two Southern Italian Red Wines
Authors: Pittari Elisabetta , Moio Luigi , Piombino Paola
Published: February 2023

Gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry and sensory descriptive analyses were applied to provide new data on volatile and olfactory properties of Aglianico and Primitivo (Zinfandel), Italian red wines of growing interest. The relationships between data sets were investigated by multivariate statistical analyses: Principal Component and Hierarchical Clustering Analyses (PCA, HCA). A total of 35% of the volatiles varied significantly (ANOVA) between the two wines, mostly showing higher amounts in the Aglianico samples. Multivariate analyses showed intra-varietal similarity and inter-varietal diversity in terms of aromatic characteristics. PCA indicated that Aglianico wines were mainly related to the main fermentative alcohols, with a sensory impact, and to terpenols, suggesting a potential discriminating power at a compositional level. Primitivo wines formed two groups, one of which correlated to the floral aroma vector linked to beta-phenethyl acetate and beta-ionone. These findings may be valuable for updating the information on these wines and for future research to improve and obtain more targeted production and communication approaches.
Optimized Wavelength Sampling for Thermal Radiative Transfer in Numerical Weather Prediction Models
Authors: de Mourgues Michael , Emde Claudia , Mayer Bernhard
Published: February 2023

In the thermal spectral range, there are millions of individual absorption lines of water vapor, CO2, and other trace gases. Radiative transfer calculations of wavelength-integrated quantities, such as irradiance and heating rate, are computationally expensive, requiring a high spectral resolution for accurate numerical weather prediction and climate modeling. This paper introduces a method that could highly reduce the cost of integration in the thermal spectrum by employing an optimized wavelength sampling method. Absorption optical thicknesses for various trace gases were calculated from the HITRAN 2012 spectroscopic dataset using the ARTS line-by-line model as input to a fast Schwarzschild radiative transfer model. Using a simulated annealing algorithm, different optimized sets of wavelengths and corresponding weights were identified, which allowed for accurate integrated quantities to be computed as a weighted sum, reducing the computational time by several orders of magnitude. For each set of wavelengths, a lookup table, including the corresponding weights and absorption cross-sections, is created and can be applied to any atmospheric setups for which it was trained. We applied the lookup table to calculate irradiances and heating rates for a large set of atmospheric profiles from the ECMWF 91-level short-range forecast. Ten wavelength nodes are sufficient to obtain irradiances within an average root mean square error (RMSE) of upward and downward radiation at any height below 1 Wm−2 while 100 wavelengths allowed for an RSME of below 0.05 Wm−2. The applicability of this method was confirmed for irradiances and heating rates in clear conditions and for an exemplary cloud at 3.2 km height. Representative spectral gridpoints for integrated quantities in the thermal spectrum (REPINT) is available as absorption parameterization in the libRadtran radiative transfer package, where it can be used as an efficient molecular absorption parameterization for a variety of radiative transfer solvers.
Thermal and Dynamical Characteristics of Landfalling Severe Typhoons in South China against Different Monsoon Backgrounds
Authors: Xiao Zhixiang , Yao Cai
Published: February 2023

The characteristics of landfalling severe typhoons (LSTYs)—i.e., typhoons with landfall intensities of 2 min with a mean maximum sustained wind ≥41.5 m s−1—in South China (SC) were here examined. Thirteen LSTYs have been recorded in SC since 1949, and most of them underwent a rapid intensification before landfall. The LSTYs were classified into three categories based on the intensity of the western North Pacific summer monsoon, i.e., as weak, moderate, and strong monsoons. The characteristics of the three types of LSTYs are markedly different. Two LSTYs (7317 and 1523) were developed against a weak monsoon (WM) background and did not have abundant monsoon water vapor drawn into the typhoon cores. Therefore, these two LSTYs exhibited smaller horizontal outer sizes and weaker “warm–wet” cores than those in moderate and strong monsoons. However, a warm offshore ocean supplied a sufficient amount of energy, favoring these two LSTYs’ rapid intensification before landfall. There have been five LSTYs (9113, 0518, 0816, 1320, and 1826) that formed under strong monsoon (SM) conditions but obtained a poor energy supply from the coastal ocean. Embedded in the SM, the vigorous warm–wet monsoon flow was drawn into the typhoons and persisted for several days until landfall. Then, the five LSTYs developed strongly at the greatest horizontal scale and were maintained as severe typhoons for almost 48 h before landfall. The beneficial warm–wet atmospheric circulation stimulated the strongest warm (wet) core at the upper (lower) level of the LSTYs, and a secondary, low-level warm core occurred as well. In moderate monsoon (MM) cases (8106, 9617, 1311, 1410, 1418, and 1714), the strength of the monsoon flow, the “warm–wet” core of the typhoon, and the ocean energy supply were ranked just between those of the LSTYs in WMs and SMs. The development of the LSTYs in the MM cases resulted from a combination of the effects of monsoon and ocean energy supply. In addition, the powerful upper-level divergence ascribed to the strong South Asia High may have played an auxiliary role in MM cases. From the perspective of the sea surface temperature (SST) response to the LSTYs, because of a relatively fast translation speed and the warmer subsurface ocean, the SST cooling was weakest for WM cases. However, the strongest SST cooling was found in SM cases and it was partially due to their slowest translation speed.
Recent Progress on Circular RNAs in the Development of Skeletal Muscle and Adipose Tissues of Farm Animals
Authors: Yan Shanying , Pei Yangli , Li Jiju , Tang Zhonglin , Yang Yalan
Published: February 2023

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a highly conserved and specifically expressed novel class of covalently closed non-coding RNAs. CircRNAs can function as miRNA sponges, protein scaffolds, and regulatory factors, and play various roles in development and other biological processes in mammals. With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technology, thousands of circRNAs have been discovered in farm animals; some reportedly play vital roles in skeletal muscle and adipose development. These are critical factors affecting meat yield and quality. In this review, we have highlighted the recent advances in circRNA-related studies of skeletal muscle and adipose in farm animals. We have also described the biogenesis, properties, and biological functions of circRNAs. Furthermore, we have comprehensively summarized the functions and regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in skeletal muscle and adipose development in farm animals and their effects on economic traits such as meat yield and quality. Finally, we propose that circRNAs are putative novel targets to improve meat yield and quality traits during animal breeding.
Role of Insect and Mammal Glutathione Transferases in Chemoperception
Authors: Schwartz Mathieu , Boichot Valentin , Fraichard Stéphane , Muradova Mariam , Senet Patrick , Nicolai Adrien , Lirussi Frederic , Bas Mathilde , Canon Francis , Heydel Jean-Marie , Neiers Fabrice
Published: February 2023

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are ubiquitous key enzymes with different activities as transferases or isomerases. As key detoxifying enzymes, GSTs are expressed in the chemosensory organs. They fulfill an essential protective role because the chemosensory organs are located in the main entry paths of exogenous compounds within the body. In addition to this protective function, they modulate the perception process by metabolizing exogenous molecules, including tastants and odorants. Chemosensory detection involves the interaction of chemosensory molecules with receptors. GST contributes to signal termination by metabolizing these molecules. By reducing the concentration of chemosensory molecules before receptor binding, GST modulates receptor activation and, therefore, the perception of these molecules. The balance of chemoperception by GSTs has been shown in insects as well as in mammals, although their chemosensory systems are not evolutionarily connected. This review will provide knowledge supporting the involvement of GSTs in chemoperception, describing their localization in these systems as well as their enzymatic capacity toward odorants, sapid molecules, and pheromones in insects and mammals. Their different roles in chemosensory organs will be discussed in light of the evolutionary advantage of the coupling of the detoxification system and chemosensory system through GSTs.
Oncostatin M Receptor Type II Knockout Mitigates Inflammation and Improves Survival from Sepsis in Mice
Authors: Salim Saad Y. , AlMalki Nour , Macala Kimberly F. , Wiedemeyer Alyssa , Mueller Thomas F. , Churchill Thomas A. , Bourque Stephane L. , Khadaroo Rachel G.
Published: February 2023

Sepsis remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Oncostatin M (OSM), an interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokine, can be found at high levels in septic patients. However, little is known about its role in sepsis. This study aimed to determine if the genetic knockout of OSM receptor (OSMR) type II signaling would improve survival in a murine model of sepsis. Aged (>50 weeks) OSMR type II knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates received an intraperitoneal injection of fecal slurry (FS) or vehicle. The KO mice had better survival 48 h after the injection of FS than the WT mice (p = 0.005). Eighteen hours post-FS injection, the KO mice had reduced peritoneal, serum, and tissue cytokine levels (including IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, KG/GRO, and IL-10) compared to the WT mice (p < 0.001 for all). Flow cytometry revealed decreased recruitment of CD11b+ F4/80+ Ly6chigh+ macrophages in the peritoneum of KO mice compared to WT mice (34 ± 6 vs. 4 ± 3%, PInt = 0.005). Isolated peritoneal macrophages from aged KO mice had better live E. coli killing capacity than those from WT mice (p < 0.001). Peritoneal lavage revealed greater bacterial counts in KO mice than in WT mice (KO: 305 ± 22 vs. 116 ± 6 CFU (×109)/mL; p < 0.001). In summary, deficiency in OSMR type II receptor signaling provided a survival benefit in the progression of sepsis. This coincided with reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, TNFα, and KC/GRO) and anti-inflammatory markers (IL-10), increased bacterial killing ability of macrophages, and reduced macrophage infiltration into to site of infection.
Primary Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumors: A Thorough Literature Review
Authors: Ozgun Guliz , Nappi Lucia
Published: February 2023

Primary mediastinal germ cell tumors (PMGCTs) are a rare type of cancer affecting young adults. They have different molecular and clinical features compared to testicular germ cell tumors. Non-seminoma PMGCTs have the shortest 5-year overall survival and the poorest prognosis among all of the germ cell tumor presentations, while seminomas share the same survival and prognosis as their testicular counterparts. There is an unmet need for better treatment options for patients with non-seminoma PMGCTs in both first-line and salvage therapy, as the available options are associated with underwhelming outcomes. Identifying biological and genetic factors to predict treatment responses would be helpful in improving the survival of these patients.
Pimozide Increases a Delayed Rectifier K+ Conductance in Chicken Embryo Vestibular Hair Cells
Authors: Giunta Roberta , Cheli Giulia , Spaiardi Paolo , Russo Giancarlo , Masetto Sergio
Published: February 2023

Pimozide is a conventional antipsychotic drug largely used in the therapy for schizophrenia and Tourette’s syndrome. Pimozide is assumed to inhibit synaptic transmission at the CNS by acting as a dopaminergic D2 receptor antagonist. Moreover, pimozide has been shown to block voltage-gated Ca2+ and K+ channels in different cells. Despite its widespread clinical use, pimozide can cause several adverse effects, including extrapyramidal symptoms and cardiac arrhythmias. Dizziness and loss of balance are among the most common side effects of pimozide. By using the patch-clamp whole-cell technique, we investigated the effect of pimozide [3 μM] on K+ channels expressed by chicken embryo vestibular type-II hair cells. We found that pimozide slightly blocks a transient outward rectifying A-type K+ current but substantially increases a delayed outward rectifying K+ current. The net result was a significant hyperpolarization of type-II hair cells at rest and a strong reduction of their response to depolarizing stimuli. Our findings are consistent with an inhibitory effect of pimozide on the afferent synaptic transmission by type-II hair cells. Moreover, they provide an additional key to understanding the beneficial/collateral pharmacological effects of pimozide. The finding that pimozide can act as a K+ channel opener provides a new perspective for the use of this drug.
Current Progress of Ratiometric Fluorescence Sensors Based on Carbon Dots in Foodborne Contaminant Detection
Authors: Zhang Jialu , Chen Huinan , Xu Kaidi , Deng Dongmei , Zhang Qixian , Luo Liqiang
Published: February 2023

Carbon dots (CDs) are widely used in the detection of foodborne contaminants because of their biocompatibility, photoluminescence stability, and ease of chemical modification. In order to solve the interference problem of complexity in food matrices, the development of ratiometric fluorescence sensors shows great prospects. In this review, the progress of ratiometric fluorescence sensors based on CDs in foodborne contaminant detection in recent years will be summarized, focusing on the functionalized modification of CDs, the fluorescence sensing mechanism, the types of ratiometric fluorescence sensors, and the application of portable devices. In addition, the outlook on the development of the field will be presented, with the development of smartphone applications and related software helping to better enable the on-site detection of foodborne contaminants to ensure food safety and human health.
Ultrafast Nucleic Acid Detection Equipment with Silicon-Based Microfluidic Chip
Authors: Zhang Jiali , Yang Zhuo , Liu Liying , Zhang Tinglu , Hu Lilei , Hu Chunrui , Chen Hu , Ding Ruihua , Liu Bo , Chen Chang
Published: February 2023

Recently, infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, monkeypox, and Ebola, are plaguing human beings. Rapid and accurate diagnosis methods are required to preclude the spread of diseases. In this paper, an ultrafast polymerase chain reaction (PCR) equipment is designed to detect virus. The equipment consists of a silicon-based PCR chip, a thermocycling module, an optical detection module, and a control module. Silicon-based chip, with its thermal and fluid design, is used to improve detection efficiency. A thermoelectric cooler (TEC), together with a computer-controlled proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller, is applied to accelerate the thermal cycle. A maximum of four samples can be tested simultaneously on the chip. Two kinds of fluorescent molecules can be detected by optical detection module. The equipment can detect viruses with 40 PCR amplification cycles in 5 min. The equipment is portable, easily operated, and low equipment cost, which shows great potential in epidemic prevention.
Engineered Biosensors for Diagnosing Multidrug Resistance in Microbial and Malignant Cells
Authors: Jha Niharika G. , Dkhar Daphika S. , Singh Sumit K. , Malode Shweta J. , Shetti Nagaraj P. , Chandra Pranjal
Published: February 2023

To curtail pathogens or tumors, antimicrobial or antineoplastic drugs have been developed. These drugs target microbial/cancer growth and survival, thereby improving the host’s health. In attempts to evade the detrimental effects of such drugs, these cells have evolved several mechanisms over time. Some variants of the cells have developed resistances against multiple drugs or antimicrobial agents. Such microorganisms or cancer cells are said to exhibit multidrug resistance (MDR). The drug resistance status of a cell can be determined by analyzing several genotypic and phenotypic changes, which are brought about by significant physiological and biochemical alterations. Owing to their resilient nature, treatment and management of MDR cases in clinics is arduous and requires a meticulous approach. Currently, techniques such as plating and culturing, biopsy, gene sequencing, and magnetic resonance imaging are prevalent in clinical practices for determining drug resistance status. However, the major drawbacks of using these methods lie in their time-consuming nature and the problem of translating them into point-of-care or mass-detection tools. To overcome the shortcomings of conventional techniques, biosensors with a low detection limit have been engineered to provide quick and reliable results conveniently. These devices are highly versatile in terms of analyte range and quantities that can be detected to report drug resistance in a given sample. A brief introduction to MDR, along with a detailed insight into recent biosensor design trends and use for identifying multidrug-resistant microorganisms and tumors, is presented in this review.
Self-Powered Biosensors for Monitoring Human Physiological Changes
Authors: Xue Ziao , Wu Li , Yuan Junlin , Xu Guodong , Wu Yuxiang
Published: February 2023

Human physiological signals have an important role in the guidance of human health or exercise training and can usually be divided into physical signals (electrical signals, blood pressure, temperature, etc.) and chemical signals (saliva, blood, tears, sweat). With the development and upgrading of biosensors, many sensors for monitoring human signals have appeared. These sensors are characterized by softness and stretching and are self-powered. This article summarizes the progress in self-powered biosensors in the past five years. Most of these biosensors are used as nanogenerators and biofuel batteries to obtain energy. A nanogenerator is a kind of generator that collects energy at the nanoscale. Due to its characteristics, it is very suitable for bioenergy harvesting and sensing of the human body. With the development of biological sensing devices, the combination of nanogenerators and classical sensors so that they can more accurately monitor the physiological state of the human body and provide energy for biosensor devices has played a great role in long-range medical care and sports health. A biofuel cell has a small volume and good biocompatibility. It is a device in which electrochemical reactions convert chemical energy into electrical energy and is mostly used for monitoring chemical signals. This review analyzes different classifications of human signals and different forms of biosensors (implanted and wearable) and summarizes the sources of self-powered biosensor devices. Self-powered biosensor devices based on nanogenerators and biofuel cells are also summarized and presented. Finally, some representative applications of self-powered biosensors based on nanogenerators are introduced.
A Lightweight Deep Learning Based Microwave Brain Image Network Model for Brain Tumor Classification Using Reconstructed Microwave Brain (RMB) Images
Authors: Hossain Amran , Islam Mohammad Tariqul , Abdul Rahim Sharul Kamal , Rahman Md Atiqur , Rahman Tawsifur , Arshad Haslina , Khandakar Amit , Ayari Mohamed Arslane , Chowdhury Muhammad E. H.
Published: February 2023

Computerized brain tumor classification from the reconstructed microwave brain (RMB) images is important for the examination and observation of the development of brain disease. In this paper, an eight-layered lightweight classifier model called microwave brain image network (MBINet) using a self-organized operational neural network (Self-ONN) is proposed to classify the reconstructed microwave brain (RMB) images into six classes. Initially, an experimental antenna sensor-based microwave brain imaging (SMBI) system was implemented, and RMB images were collected to create an image dataset. It consists of a total of 1320 images: 300 images for the non-tumor, 215 images for each single malignant and benign tumor, 200 images for each double benign tumor and double malignant tumor, and 190 images for the single benign and single malignant tumor classes. Then, image resizing and normalization techniques were used for image preprocessing. Thereafter, augmentation techniques were applied to the dataset to make 13,200 training images per fold for 5-fold cross-validation. The MBINet model was trained and achieved accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and specificity of 96.97%, 96.93%, 96.85%, 96.83%, and 97.95%, respectively, for six-class classification using original RMB images. The MBINet model was compared with four Self-ONNs, two vanilla CNNs, ResNet50, ResNet101, and DenseNet201 pre-trained models, and showed better classification outcomes (almost 98%). Therefore, the MBINet model can be used for reliably classifying the tumor(s) using RMB images in the SMBI system.
Probing the Promises of Noninvasive Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Boosting Mental Performance in Sports
Authors: Perrey Stephane
Published: February 2023

While the importance of physical abilities is noncontested to perform in elite sport, more focus has recently been turned toward cognitive processes involved in sport performance. Practicing any sport requires a high demand of cognitive functioning including, but not limited to, decision-making, processing speed, working memory, perceptual processing, motor functioning, and attention. Noninvasive transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) has recently attracted considerable scientific interest due to its ability to modulate brain functioning. Neuromodulation apparently improves cognitive functions engaged in sports performance. This opinion manuscript aimed to reveal that tES is likely an adjunct ergogenic resource for improving cognitive processes, counteracting mental fatigue, and managing anxiety in elite athletes. Nevertheless, the first evidence is insufficient to guarantee its real effectiveness and benefits. All tES techniques could be add-ons to make performance-related cognitive functions more efficient and obtain better results. Modulating inhibitory control through tES over the frontal cortex might largely contribute to the improvement of mental performance. Nevertheless, studies in elite athletes are required to assess the long-term effects of tES application as an ergogenic aid in conjunction with other training methods (e.g., neurofeedback, mental imagery) where cognitive abilities are trainable.
Circular Evaluation for Ranking Adaptive Reuse Strategies for Abandoned Industrial Heritage in Vulnerable Contexts
Authors: Della Spina Lucia , Carbonara Sebastiano , Stefano Davide , Viglianisi Angela
Published: February 2023

In recent years, the adaptive reuse of abandoned and underutilized cultural heritage has proven to be a sustainable winning strategy for the implementation of a new model of urban development centered on the principles of the circular economy. Cultural heritage, therefore, represents the entry point for the implementation of this new urban development model, and adaptive reuse practices, if integrated into strategic visions, can represent a driver to trigger a transition towards completely circular sustainability processes. However, resource allocation decisions for the adaptive reuse of assets require significant investments in the face of scarce available resources and investment projects characterized by high uncertainties. In this context, multiple-criteria approaches provide an adequate theoretical and methodological framework to address the complexity characterizing the adaptive reuse strategies of cultural heritage, with specific attention to adaptive reuse strategies of unused public assets of abandoned industrial heritage. This paper fits into this line of research by proposing a multi-criteria decision-making approach capable of supporting the decision-maker in optimizing investment choices for a more efficient allocation of public resources. In detail, applying A’WOT analysis to support decisions allows for classifying adaptive reuse strategies and establishing intervention priorities, especially in fragile and vulnerable contexts. The results provide useful information for the complex decision-making phase relating to the preliminary feasibility of interventions and the subsequent verification of their financial sustainability. In detail, the application of A’WOT analysis to supporting decisions allows for classifying adaptive reuse strategies and establishing intervention priorities, especially in fragile and vulnerable contexts. The results provide useful information for the complex decision-making phase relating to the preliminary feasibility of project intervention and subsequent verification of its financial sustainability.
Toxicity of Asciminib in Real Clinical Practice: Analysis of Side Effects and Cross-Toxicity with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Pérez-Lamas Lucía , Luna Alejandro , Boque Concepción , Xicoy Blanca , Giraldo Pilar , Pérez López Raúl , Ruiz Nuño Concepción , De las Heras Natalia , Mora Casterá Elvira , López Marín Javier , Segura Díaz Adrián , Gómez Valle , Vélez Tenza Patricia , Sierra Pacho Magdalena , Vera Goñi Juan Antonio , Moreno Vega Melania , Alvarez-Larrán Alberto , Cortés Montse , Pérez Encinas Manuel , Carrascosa Mastell Patricia , Angona Anna , Rosell Ana , Lakhwani Sunil , Colorado Mercedes , Ramila Elena , Cervero Carlos , Cuevas Beatriz , Villalón Blanco Lucía , de Paz Raquel , Paz Coll Antonio , Fernández María José , Felipe Casado Luis , Alonso-Domínguez Juan Manuel , Anguita Arance María Magdalena , Salamanca Cuenca Araceli , Jiménez-Velasco Antonio , Prendes Santiago Osorio , Santaliestra Marta , Lis Chulvi María José , Hernández-Boluda Juan Carlos , García-Gutiérrez Valentín
Published: February 2023

(1) Background: Despite the prognostic improvements achieved with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a minority of patients still fail TKIs. The recent introduction of asciminib may be a promising option in intolerant patients, as it is a first-in-class inhibitor with a more selective mechanism of action different from the ATP-competitive inhibition that occurs with TKIs. Therefore, our goal was to analyze toxicities shown with asciminib as well as to study cross-toxicity with previous TKIs. (2) Methods: An observational, multicenter, retrospective study was performed with data from 77 patients with CML with therapeutic failure to second-generation TKIs who received asciminib through a managed-access program (MAP) (3) Results: With a median follow-up of 13.7 months, 22 patients (28.5%) discontinued treatment: 32% (7/22) due to intolerance and 45% (10/22) due to resistance. Fifty-five percent of the patients reported adverse effects (AEs) with asciminib and eighteen percent grade 3–4. Most frequent AEs were: fatigue (18%), thrombocytopenia (17%), anemia (12%), and arthralgias (12%). None of the patients experienced cardiovascular events or occlusive arterial disease. Further, 26%, 25%, and 9% of patients required dose adjustment, temporary suspension, or definitive discontinuation of treatment, respectively. Toxicities under asciminib seemed lower than with prior TKIs for anemia, cardiovascular events, pleural/pericardial effusion, diarrhea, and edema. Cross-toxicity risk was statistically significant for thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, fatigue, vomiting, and pancreatitis. (4) Conclusion: Asciminib is a molecule with a good safety profile and with a low rate of AEs. However, despite its new mechanism of action, asciminib presents a risk of cross-toxicity with classical TKIs for some AEs.