bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends from the Last Decade with Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Lung Disease (NTM-LD): Clinicians’ Perspectives in Regional Center of Pulmonology in Bydgoszcz, Poland
Authors: Przybylski Grzegorz , Bukowski Jakub , Kowalska Weronika , Pilaczyńska-Cemel Marta , Krawiecka Dorota
Published: July 2023

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are the cause of chronic lung disease called NTM lung disease (NTM-LD). There are about 180 known species of NTM. Nowadays the number of NTM-LD is increasing. Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of NTM isolated from specimens and assess the frequency and clinical relevance of isolation of NTM in the Regional Center of Pulmonology in Bydgoszcz, hospital of Northern Poland. Design: Clinical, radiological, and microbiological data were collected from all patients from whom NTM was isolated between 2013 and 2022. Data were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnostic criteria for NTM-LD published by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) were used to determine clinical relevance. Material and methods: The study comprised 81,985 clinical specimens submitted for mycobacterial culture in the Department of Microbiology at the Regional Center of Pulmonology in Bydgoszcz between 2013 and 2022. Clinical specimens were processed according to the standard procedure in mycobacteria laboratories in Poland. NTM strains were identified using analysis of mycolic acids by chromatography as well as GenoType NTM-DR, GenoType Mycobacterium AS, and GenoType Mycobacterium CM. Results: There were 395 patients with NTM strains between 2013 and 2022. Out of them, 149 cases met the diagnostic criteria of NTM-LD and were classified as definite cases. M. kansasii (n = 77) was the most common species in the group (51.68%), followed by M. avium complex (n = 46). Patients with NTM-LD were 22–88 years old (median age was 60 years). There were 81 men and 68 women. The most common symptoms were cough, hemoptysis, and fever. Radiological X-ray images were dominated by infiltrative lesions in the upper and middle lobe of the right lung with cavities; the changes were in the upper lobe of the left lung and on both sides of the chest. They were smokers in 61%. The most common concomitant diseases were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, pulmonary carcinoma, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and other immunodeficiencies. The most common treatment was isoniazid, ethambutol, rifampicin, and ofloxacin for 18 months with a minimum of 12 months of culture negativity. Conclusions: NTM-LD infections are present with other pulmonary illnesses and extrapulmonary diseases and may be connected to primary immunologic deficiencies. These diseases concern patients of all ages and have various clinical manifestations. M. kansasii and MAC are the most prevalent NTM isolates among respiratory samples in Northern Poland. In addition, an increase in MAC and a decrease in M. kansasii both in cultivation and the cause of NTM-LD were reported.
Latent Tuberculosis Infection and Associated Risk Factors among People Living with HIV and HIV-Uninfected Individuals in Lithuania
Authors: Matulyte Elzbieta , Kancauskiene Zavinta , Kausas Aidas , Urboniene Jurgita , Lipnickiene Vilnele , Kopeykiniene Jelena , Gudaitis Tomas , Raudonis Sarunas , Danila Edvardas , Costagliola Dominique , Matulionyte Raimonda
Published: July 2023

Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are at increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) reactivation compared to the HIV-negative population. Lithuania belongs to the 18 high-priority TB countries in the European region. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of LTBI and LTBI-related risk factors between PLHIV and HIV-uninfected populations. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three Lithuanian Infectious Diseases centres from August 2018 to May 2022 using the interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) and tuberculin skin test (TST) in Vilnius, and IGRA only in Siauliai and Klaipeda. Cohen’s kappa was used to assess IGRA and TST agreement. A structured questionnaire was completed by the study participants. LTBI-related risk factors were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: In total, 391 PLHIV and 443 HIV-uninfected individuals enrolled, with a median age of 41 (IQR 36–48) and 43 (IQR 36–50), consisting of 69.8% and 65.5% male, respectively. The prevalence of LTBI defined by positive IGRA and/or TST among PLHIV was higher compared to that in the HIV-uninfected population (20.5% vs. 15.3%; OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.02–2.03; p = 0.04). The concordance between IGRA and TST was fair: kappa = 0.23 (95% CI 0.09–0.34). In multivariable analyses, association with injecting drug use (IDU) (ORa 2.25, 95% CI 1.27–3.99, p = 0.01) and imprisonment (ORa 1.99, 95% CI 1.13–3.52, p = 0.02) in all participants, IDU (ORa 2.37, 95% CI 1.09–5.15; p = 0.029) in PLHIV and a history of contact with an active TB patient (ORa 3.33, 95% CI 1.53–7.24; p = 0.002) in HIV-uninfected individuals were significant associations evidenced by LTBI. Conclusions: The prevalence of LTBI among PLHIV in Lithuania is higher compared to that in the HIV-uninfected population and the European average. The association with IDU in PLHIV emphasizes the need for integrated HIV, TB and substance abuse treatment to provide patient-centred care.
Overview of Caffeine Effects on Human Health and Emerging Delivery Strategies
Authors: Saraiva Sofia M. , Jacinto Telma A. , Gonçalves Ana C. , Gaspar Dário , Silva Luís R.
Published: July 2023

Caffeine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in various plants. It acts as a stimulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even an aid in pain management, and is found in several over-the-counter medications. This naturally derived bioactive compound is the best-known ingredient in coffee and other beverages, such as tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks, and is widely consumed worldwide. Therefore, it is extremely important to research the effects of this substance on the human body. With this in mind, caffeine and its derivatives have been extensively studied to evaluate its ability to prevent diseases and exert anti-aging and neuroprotective effects. This review is intended to provide an overview of caffeine’s effects on cancer and cardiovascular, immunological, inflammatory, and neurological diseases, among others. The heavily researched area of caffeine in sports will also be discussed. Finally, recent advances in the development of novel nanocarrier-based formulations, to enhance the bioavailability of caffeine and its beneficial effects will be discussed.
Bioprospecting a Film-Forming System Loaded with Eugenia uniflora L. and Tropaeolum majus L. Leaf Extracts for Topical Application in Treating Skin Lesions
Authors: Dalmagro Mariana , Pinc Mariana Moraes , Donadel Guilherme , Tominc Getulio Capello , Jacomassi Ezilda , Lourenço Emerson Luiz Botelho , Gasparotto Junior Arquimedes , Boscarato André Giarola , Belettini Salviano Tramontin , Alberton Odair , Prochnau Inara Staub , Bariccatti Reinaldo Aparecido , Almeida Rafael Menck de , Rossi de Aguiar Kelen Menezes Flores , Hoscheid Jaqueline
Published: July 2023

Natural products can be used as complements or as alternatives to synthetic drugs. Eugenia uniflora and Tropaeolum majus are natives of Brazil and have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. This study aimed to develop a film-forming system (FFS) loaded with plant extracts with the potential for treating microbial infections. E. uniflora and T. majus leaf extracts were prepared and characterized, and the individual and combined antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were evaluated. The FFS was developed with different concentrations of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics. The combination of extracts showed a superior antioxidant effect compared to the individual extracts, justifying the use of the blend. FFS prepared with 4.5% PVA, 4.5% PVP, 7.81% E. uniflora extract, and 3.90% T. majus extract was adhesive, lacked scale formation, presented good malleability, and had a suitable pH for topical application. In addition, the viscosity at rest was satisfactory for maintaining stability; water solubility was adequate; skin permeation was low; and the antimicrobial effect was superior to that of the individual extracts. Therefore, the developed FFS is promising for the differentiated treatment of skin lesions through topical application.
Rapid Resolution of Life-Threatening Hypertriglyceridemia after Evinacumab Administration in a Pediatric HSCT Recipient: A Case Report
Authors: Fachin Alice , De Carlo Chiara , Maestro Alessandra , Zanon Davide , Barbi Egidio , Maximova Natalia
Published: July 2023

Evinacumab, a human monoclonal antibody against angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an add-on therapy for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in patients of 12 years and older. Its role as a triglyceride-lowering drug is also emerging in the literature. However, it has not been approved for this indication yet, neither in the adult nor in the pediatric population. We describe the case of a 10-year-old boy who underwent an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant for acute lymphoblastic leukemia complicated by chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and presented life-threatening refractory hypertriglyceridemia due to the concomitant use of ruxolitinib and sirolimus. After the failure of the insulin treatment and due to the technical impossibility of performing lipid apheresis, the child underwent evinacumab treatment, obtaining a dramatic rapid reduction in triglyceride and cholesterol levels. This is the first report of a pediatric patient younger than 12 years in Europe receiving evinacumab to treat severe hypertriglyceridemia. The therapy with angiopoietin-like proteins inhibitors has been effective, safe, and well-tolerated in our patient, suggesting that evinacumab may be used in the pediatric population when other therapeutic strategies are ineffective or contraindicated.
Hepatobiliary Adverse Reactions during Treatment with Cladribine: Analysis of Data from the European Spontaneous Reporting System
Authors: Velișcu Elena Mirabela , Liguori Valerio , Anatriello Antonietta , Maniscalco Giorgia Teresa , Cantone Andrea , Di Costanzo Luigi , Stefanelli Pasquale , Scavone Cristina , Capuano Annalisa
Published: July 2023

Background. Cladribine belongs to the group of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). According to the highlights of a meeting held by the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) on 14 January 2022, cladribine may be associated with the occurrence of liver injury, and thus liver function monitoring is recommended. Objectives and methods. Using data from the European spontaneous reporting database (EudraVigilance-EV), we aimed to describe the main characteristics of Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) reporting cases of hepatobiliary disorders related to cladribine. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) was calculated to provide the probability of reporting hepatobiliary ICSRs among DMTs used to treat MS. Results. Overall, 118 ICSRs described the occurrence of cladribine-induced hepatobiliary ADRs. The majority of the ICSRs reported ADRs that were classified as serious (93%), and the outcome was mostly reported as “unknown” (50.8%). The most reported hepatobiliary disorders were drug-induced liver injury, abnormal hepatic function, ALT increases, liver disorders, hepatic failure, jaundice, lymphocyte count decreases, hepatotoxicity and hypertransaminasemia. The majority of cladribine-induced hepatic ADRs occurred in female patients belonging to the age group of 18–65 years. Conclusion. Considering the seriousness of cladribine-induced hepatic ADRs, a close monitoring of patients receiving this drug is highly recommended. In this context, further pharmacovigilance studies evaluating the hepatic safety profile of cladribine are strongly needed.
Synthesis and Evaluation of ePSMA-DM1: A New Theranostic Small-Molecule Drug Conjugate (T-SMDC) for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Murce Erika , Spaan Evelien , Beekman Savanne , van den Brink Lilian , Handula Maryana , Stuurman Debra , de Ridder Corrina , Dalm Simone U. , Seimbille Yann
Published: July 2023

Small-molecule drug conjugates (SMDCs) are compounds in which a therapeutic payload is conjugated to a targeting vector, for specific delivery to the tumor site. This promising approach can be translated to the treatment of prostate cancer by selecting a targeting vector which binds to the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Moreover, the addition of a bifunctional chelator to the molecule allows for the use of both diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides. In this way, the distribution of the SMDC in the body can be monitored, and combination therapy regimes can be implemented. We combined a glutamate-urea-lysine vector to the cytotoxic agent DM1 and a DOTA chelator via an optimized linker to obtain the theranostic SMDC (T-SMDC) ePSMA-DM1. ePSMA-DM1 retained a high binding affinity to PSMA and demonstrated PSMA-specific uptake in cells. Glutathione stability assays showed that the half-life of the T-SMDC in a reducing environment was 2 h, and full drug release was obtained after 6 h. Moreover, 100 nM of ePSMA-DM1 reduced the cell viability of the human PSMA-positive LS174T cells by >85% after 72 h of incubation, which was comparable to a 10-fold higher dose of free DM1. [111In]In-ePSMA-DM1 and [177Lu]Lu-ePSMA-DM1 were both obtained in high radiochemical yields and purities (>95%), with >90% stability in PBS and >80% stability in mouse serum for up to 24 h post incubation at 37 °C. SPECT/CT imaging studies allowed for a faint tumor visualization of [111In]In-ePSMA-DM1 at 1 h p.i., and the ex vivo biodistribution showed tumor uptake (2.39 ± 0.29% ID/g) at 1 h p.i., with the compound retained in the tumor for up to 24 h. Therefore, ePSMA-DM1 is a promising T-SMDC candidate for prostate cancer, and the data obtained so far warrant further investigations, such as therapeutic experiments, after further optimization.
Association between First-Generation Antihistamine Use in Children and Cardiac Arrhythmia and Ischemic Heart Disease: A Case-Crossover Study
Authors: Kim Ju Hee , Cha Hye Ryeong , Ha Eun Kyo , Kwak Ji Hee , Kim Hakjun , Shin Jeewon , Jee Hye Mi , Han Man Yong
Published: July 2023

Cardiotoxicity from first-generation H1-antihistamines has been debated since the 1990s. However, large-scale studies on this topic in a general pediatric population are lacking. This study aimed to assess the association between first-generation H1-antihistamine use and cardiovascular events in a nationwide pediatric population. In this case-crossover study, the main cohort included children with cardiovascular events from the National Health Insurance Service database (2008–2012 births in Korea) until 2018. The second cohort excluded children with specific birth histories or underlying cardiovascular diseases from the main cohort. Cardiovascular events of interest included cardiac arrhythmia and ischemic heart disease. Odds ratios (ORs) of cardiovascular events were estimated using conditional logistic regression models, comparing first-generation H1-antihistamine use during 0–15 days before cardiovascular events (hazard period) with use during 45–60 and 75–90 days before events (control periods). Among the participants, 1194 (59.9%) were aged 24 months to 6 years, and 1010 (50.7%) were male. Cardiovascular event risk was increased among users of first-generation H1-antihistamines (adjusted OR [aOR], 1.201; 95% confidence interval, 1.13–1.27). Significant odds of cardiovascular events persisted within 10 and 5 days (aOR, 1.25 and 1.25). In the second cohort, the association was comparable with that in the main cohort. Our findings indicate that cardiovascular event risk is increased in children who are administered first-generation H1-antihistamines.
Cyclodextrins and Their Derivatives as Drug Stability Modifiers
Authors: Aiassa Virginia , Garnero Claudia , Zoppi Ariana , Longhi Marcela R.
Published: July 2023

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides that contain a relatively hydrophobic central cavity and a hydrophilic outer surface. They are widely used to form non-covalent inclusion complexes with many substances. Although such inclusion complexes typically exhibit higher aqueous solubility and chemical stability than pure drugs, it has been shown that CDs can promote the degradation of some drugs. This property of stabilizing certain drugs while destabilizing others can be explained by the type of CD used and the structure of the inclusion complex formed. In addition, the ability to form complexes of CDs can be improved through the addition of suitable auxiliary substances, forming multicomponent complexes. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the effect that binary and multicomponent complexes have on the chemical and physical stability of complexed drugs. The objective of this review is to summarize the studies on the stabilizing and destabilizing effects of complexes with CDs on drugs that exhibit stability problems.
Bicontinuous Cubic Liquid Crystals as Potential Matrices for Non-Invasive Topical Sampling of Low-Molecular-Weight Biomarkers
Authors: Morin Maxim , Björklund Sebastian , Nilsson Emelie J. , Engblom Johan
Published: July 2023

Many skin disorders, including cancer, have inflammatory components. The non-invasive detection of related biomarkers could therefore be highly valuable for both diagnosis and follow up on the effect of treatment. This study targets the extraction of tryptophan (Trp) and its metabolite kynurenine (Kyn), two compounds associated with several inflammatory skin disorders. We furthermore hypothesize that lipid-based bicontinuous cubic liquid crystals could be efficient extraction matrices. They comprise a large interfacial area separating interconnected polar and apolar domains, allowing them to accommodate solutes with various properties. We concluded, using the extensively studied GMO-water system as test-platform, that the hydrophilic Kyn and Trp favored the cubic phase over water and revealed a preference for locating at the lipid–water interface. The interfacial area per unit volume of the matrix, as well as the incorporation of ionic molecules at the lipid–water interface, can be used to optimize the extraction of solutes with specific physicochemical characteristics. We also observed that the cubic phases formed at rather extreme water activities (>0.9) and that wearing them resulted in efficient hydration and increased permeability of the skin. Evidently, bicontinuous cubic liquid crystals constitute a promising and versatile platform for non-invasive extraction of biomarkers through skin, as well as for transdermal drug delivery.
Propranolol-Loaded Trehalosome as Antiproliferative Agent for Treating Skin Cancer: Optimization, Cytotoxicity, and In Silico Studies
Authors: Younis Mona K. , Elakkad Yara E. , Fakhr Eldeen Rasha R. , Ali Isra H. , Khalil Islam A.
Published: July 2023

This study aims at preparing propranolol-loaded trehalosomes (a trehalose-coated liposome) to be used as an antiproliferative agent for treating skin cancer. A factorial design was used to select the optimum formula, where trehalose, lecithin, and Tween 80 levels were studied. A total of 24 runs were prepared and characterized according to size, charge, entrapment efficiency, and release after 3 h to select the optimum formula. The optimized formula was investigated using TEM, DSC, and FTIR. Cell studies were carried out against the human melanoma cell line to measure cytotoxicity, apoptosis/necrosis, and cell cycle arrest. In silico studies were conducted to understand the interaction between propranolol and the influential receptors in melanoma. The results showed the selected formula consisted of trehalose (175 mg), lecithin (164 mg), and Tween 80 (200 mg) with a size of 245 nm, a charge of −9 mV, an EE% of 68%, and a Q3 of 62%. Moreover, the selected formula has good cytotoxicity compared to the free drug due to the synergistic effect of the drug and the designed carrier. IC50 of free propranolol and the encapsulation of propranolol were 17.48 μg/mL and 7.26 μg/mL, respectively. Also, propranolol and the encapsulation of propranolol were found to significantly increase early and late apoptosis, in addition to inducing G1 phase cell cycle arrest. An in silico virtual study demonstrated that the highest influential receptors in melanoma were the vitamin D receptor, CRH-R1, VEGFR 1, and c-Kit, which matches the results of experimental apoptotic and cell cycle analysis. In conclusion, the selected formula has good cytotoxicity compared to the free drug due to the synergistic effect of the drug and the designed carrier, which make it a good candidate as an antiproliferative agent for treating skin cancer.
Mitigation of Acetamiprid Residue Disruption on Pea Seed Germination by Selenium Nanoparticles and Lentinans
Authors: Lin Yongxi , Zhou Chunran , Li Dong , Jia Yujiao , Dong Qinyong , Yu Huan , Wu Tong , Pan Canping
Published: July 2023

The use of pesticides for pest control during the storage period of legume seeds is a common practice. This study evaluated the disruptive effects on pea seed germination and the repair effects of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and lentinans (LNTs) This study examined the biomass, nutrient content, antioxidant indicators, plant hormones, phenolic compounds, and metabolites associated with the lignin biosynthesis pathway in pea sprouts. The application of acetamiprid resulted in a significant decrease in yield, amino-acid content, and phenolic compound content of pea sprouts, along with observed lignin deposition. Moreover, acetamiprid residue exerted a notable level of stress on pea sprouts, as evidenced by changes in antioxidant indicators and plant hormones. During pea seed germination, separate applications of 5 mg/L SeNPs or 20 mg/L LNTs partially alleviated the negative effects induced by acetamiprid. When used in combination, these treatments restored most of the aforementioned indicators to levels comparable to the control group. Correlation analysis suggested that the regulation of lignin content in pea sprouts may involve lignin monomer levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, and plant hormone signaling mediation. This study provides insight into the adverse impact of acetamiprid residues on pea sprout quality and highlights the reparative mechanism of SeNPs and LNTs, offering a quality assurance method for microgreens, particularly pea sprouts. Future studies can validate the findings of this study from the perspective of gene expression.
Transcriptome Analysis Revealed the Potential Molecular Mechanism of Anthocyanidins’ Improved Salt Tolerance in Maize Seedlings
Authors: Wang Jie , Yuan Zhipeng , Li Delin , Cai Minghao , Liang Zhi , Chen Quanquan , Du Xuemei , Wang Jianhua , Gu Riliang , Li Li
Published: July 2023

Anthocyanin, a kind of flavonoid, plays a crucial role in plant resistance to abiotic stress. Salt stress is a kind of abiotic stress that can damage the growth and development of plant seedlings. However, limited research has been conducted on the involvement of maize seedlings in salt stress resistance via anthocyanin accumulation, and its potential molecular mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, it is of great significance for the normal growth and development of maize seedlings to explore the potential molecular mechanism of anthocyanin improving salt tolerance of seedlings via transcriptome analysis. In this study, we identified two W22 inbred lines (tolerant line pur–W22 and sensitive line bro–W22) exhibiting differential tolerance to salt stress during seedling growth and development but showing no significant differences in seedling characteristics under non–treatment conditions. In order to identify the specific genes involved in seedlings’ salt stress response, we generated two recombinant inbred lines (RILpur–W22 and RILbro–W22) by crossing pur–W22 and bro–W22, and then performed transcriptome analysis on seedlings grown under both non–treatment and salt treatment conditions. A total of 6100 and 5710 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in RILpur–W22 and RILbro–W22 seedlings, respectively, under salt–stressed conditions when compared to the non–treated groups. Among these DEGs, 3160 were identified as being present in both RILpur–W22 and RILbro–W22, and these served as commonly stressed EDGs that were mainly enriched in the redox process, the monomer metabolic process, catalytic activity, the plasma membrane, and metabolic process regulation. Furthermore, we detected 1728 specific DEGs in the salt–tolerant RILpur–W22 line that were not detected in the salt–sensitive RILbro–W22 line, of which 887 were upregulated and 841 were downregulated. These DEGs are primarily associated with redox processes, biological regulation, and the plasma membrane. Notably, the anthocyanin synthesis related genes in RILpur–W22 were strongly induced under salt treatment conditions, which was consistented with the salt tolerance phenotype of its seedlings. In summary, the results of the transcriptome analysis not only expanded our understanding of the complex molecular mechanism of anthocyanin in improving the salt tolerance of maize seedlings, but also, the DEGs specifically expressed in the salt–tolerant line (RILpur–W22) provided candidate genes for further genetic analysis.
Contribution of Duplicated Nucleotide-Binding Leucine-Rich Repeat (NLR) Genes to Wheat Disease Resistance
Authors: Hao Yongchao , Pan Yinghua , Chen Wuying , Rashid Muhammad Abdul Rehman , Li Mengyao , Che Naixiu , Duan Xu , Zhao Yan
Published: July 2023

Wheat has a large and diverse repertoire of NLRs involved in disease resistance, with over 1500 NLRs detected in some studies. These NLR genes occur as singletons or clusters containing copies of NLRs from different phylogenetic clades. The number of NLRs and cluster size can differ drastically among ecotypes and cultivars. Primarily, duplication has led to the evolution and diversification of NLR genes. Among the various mechanisms, whole genome duplication (WGD) is the most intense and leading cause, contributing to the complex evolutionary history and abundant gene set of hexaploid wheat. Tandem duplication or recombination is another major mechanism of NLR gene expansion in wheat. The diversity and divergence of duplicate NLR genes are responsible for the broad-spectrum resistance of most plant species with limited R genes. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the rapid evolution and diversification of wheat NLR genes will help improve disease resistance in crops. The present review focuses on the diversity and divergence of duplicate NLR genes and their contribution to wheat disease resistance. Moreover, we provide an overview of disease resistance-associated gene duplication and the underlying strategies in wheat.
Preparation and Thermal Properties of Propyl Palmitate-Based Phase Change Composites with Enhanced Thermal Conductivity for Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Yin Linzhi , Zhao Min , Yang Rui
Published: July 2023

Phase change materials (PCMs), which can absorb and release large amounts of latent heat during phase change, have been extensively studied for heat storage and thermal management. However, technical bottlenecks regarding low thermal conductivity and leakage have hindered practical applications of PCMs. In this paper, a simple, economical, and scalable absorption polymerization technique is proposed to prepare the polymethyl methacrylate/propyl palmitate/expanded graphite (MPCM/EG) phase change composites by constructing the microencapsulated phase change materials (polymethyl methacrylate/propyl palmitate, MPCM) with core-shell structures in the three-dimensional (3D) EG networks, taking propyl palmitate as the PCM core, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as the shell, and long-chain “worm-like” EG as the thermally conductive networks. This technique proved to be a more appropriate combinatorial pathway than direct absorption of MPCM via EG. The MPCM/EG composites with high thermal conductivity, high enthalpy, excellent thermal stability, low leakage, and good thermal cycle reliability were prepared. The results showed that the MPCM-80/EG-10 composite demonstrated a high thermal conductivity of 3.38 W/(m·K), a phase change enthalpy up to 152.0 J/g, an encapsulation ratio of 90.3%, outstanding thermal stability performance, and long-term thermal cycle reliability when the EG loading is 10% and propyl palmitate is 80%. This research offers an easy and efficient approach for designing and fabricating phase change composites with promising applications in diverse energy-saving fields, such as renewable energy collection, building energy conservation, and microelectronic devices thermal protection.
Phosphonate poly(vinylbenzyl chloride)-Modified Sulfonated poly(aryl ether nitrile) for Blend Proton Exchange Membranes: Enhanced Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Zhang Zetian , Liu Hao , Dong Tiandu , Deng Yingjiao , Li Yunxi , Lu Chuanrui , Jia Wendi , Meng Zihan , Zhou Mingzheng , Tang Haolin
Published: July 2023

Blend proton exchange membranes (BPEMs) were prepared by blending sulfonated poly(aryl ether nitrile) (SPAEN) with phosphorylated poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PPVBC) and named as SPM-x%, where x refers to the proportion of PPVBC to the weight of SPAEN. The chemical complexation interaction between the phosphoric acid and sulfonic acid groups in the PPVBC–SPAEN system resulted in BPEMs with reduced water uptake and enhanced mechanical properties compared to SPAEN proton exchange membranes. Furthermore, the flame retardancy of the PPVBC improved the thermal stability of the BPEMs. Despite a decrease in ion exchange capacity, the proton conductivity of the BPEMs in the through-plane direction was significantly enhanced due to the introduction of phosphoric acid groups, especially in low relative humidity (RH) environments. The measured proton conductivity of SPM-8% was 147, 98, and 28 mS cm−1 under 95%, 70%, and 50% RH, respectively, which is higher than that of the unmodified SPAEN membrane and other SPM-x% membranes. Additionally, the morphology and anisotropy of the membrane proton conductivities were analyzed and discussed. Overall, the results indicated that PPVBC doping can effectively enhance the mechanical and electrochemical properties of SPAEN membranes.
Chitosan (CS)/Hydroxyapatite (HA)/Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP)-Based Composites as a Potential Material for Pulp Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Zamora Ingrid , Alfonso Morales Gilbert , Castro Jorge Iván , Ruiz Rojas Lina Marcela , Valencia-Llano Carlos Humberto , Mina Hernandez Jose Herminsul , Valencia Zapata Mayra Eliana , Grande-Tovar Carlos David
Published: July 2023

This research focused on developing new materials for endodontic treatments to restore tissues affected by infectious or inflammatory processes. Three materials were studied, namely tricalcium phosphate β-hydroxyapatite (β-TCP), commercial and natural hydroxyapatite (HA), and chitosan (CS), in different proportions. The chemical characterization using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the composition of the composite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the design and origin of the HA, whether natural or commercial, did not affect the morphology of the composites. In vitro studies using Artemia salina (A. salina) indicated that all three experimental materials were biocompatible after 24 h, with no significant differences in mortality rate observed among the groups. The subdermal implantation of the materials in block form exhibited biocompatibility and biodegradability after 30 and 60 days, with the larger particles undergoing fragmentation and connective tissue formation consisting of collagen type III fibers, blood vessels, and inflammatory cells. The implanted material continued to undergo resorption during this process. The results obtained in this research contribute to developing endodontic technologies for tissue recovery and regeneration.
Peptide Diversification through Addition Reaction of Free Carboxylic Acids to Ynamides
Authors: Zhang Zhefan , Cai Lingchao , Song Liangliang
Published: July 2023

Peptide modification has emerged as an important topic in the academic community and pharmaceutical industry. However, they are primarily focused on the diversification of amines, thiols, and alcohols. Direct and chemoselective modification of acid residues in peptides is relatively underdeveloped. In this context, we report a novel and efficient method for the direct functionalization of acid residues in peptides. By using ynamides as reaction partners, the adducts are rapidly obtained in moderate to excellent yields at room temperature in water. This approach shows excellent chemoselectivity and a broad scope including dipeptides bearing unprotected Trp or Tyr residue and free Ser or Gln residue.
Development of a Novel Multi-Modal Contextual Fusion Model for Early Detection of Varicella Zoster Virus Skin Lesions in Human Subjects
Authors: Eze McDominic Chimaobi , Vafaei Lida Ebrahimi , Eze Charles Tochukwu , Tursoy Turgut , Ozsahin Dilber Uzun , Mustapha Mubarak Taiwo
Published: July 2023

Skin lesion detection is crucial in diagnosing and managing dermatological conditions. In this study, we developed and demonstrated the potential applicability of a novel mixed-scale dense convolution, self-attention mechanism, hierarchical feature fusion, and attention-based contextual information technique (MSHA) model for skin lesion detection using digital skin images of chickenpox and shingles lesions. The model adopts a combination of unique architectural designs, such as a mixed-scale dense convolution layer, self-attention mechanism, hierarchical feature fusion, and attention-based contextual information, enabling the MSHA model to capture and extract relevant features more effectively for chickenpox and shingles lesion classification. We also implemented an effective training strategy to enhance a better capacity to learn and represent the relevant features in the skin lesion images. We evaluated the performance of the novel model in comparison to state-of-the-art models, including ResNet50, VGG16, VGG19, InceptionV3, and ViT. The results indicated that the MSHA model outperformed the other models with accuracy and loss of 95.0% and 0.104, respectively. Furthermore, it exhibited superior performance in terms of true-positive and true-negative rates while maintaining low-false positive and false-negative rates. The MSHA model’s success can be attributed to its unique architectural design, effective training strategy, and better capacity to learn and represent the relevant features in skin lesion images. The study underscores the potential of the MSHA model as a valuable tool for the accurate and reliable detection of chickenpox and shingles lesions, which can aid in timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning for dermatological conditions.
Evaluation of the Capsaicinoid Extraction Conditions from Mexican Capsicum chinense Var. Mayapan with Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE)
Authors: Avilés-Betanzos Kevin Alejandro , Scampicchio Matteo , Ferrentino Giovanna , Ramírez-Sucre Manuel Octavio , Rodríguez-Buenfil Ingrid Mayanin
Published: July 2023

Capsaicin (Cp) is a secondary metabolite produced by the Capsicum plant family. This molecule exhibits various biological properties such as antioxidant capacities, anti-obesogenic effects, and antidiabetic properties, among others. However, conventional extraction methods for Cp present several disadvantages including toxicity, extraction time, and low purity. Therefore, the utilization of supercritical fluid extraction techniques represents a viable option for obtaining highly pure and low-toxicity oleoresins (capsaicin-rich extracts). This approach involves the use of CO2 in the supercritical state and finds applicability in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. The Capsicum chinense variety from the Yucatán Peninsula is a crop with significant economic impact in the region, due to having the highest concentrations of Cp in Mexico. This significant characteristic is attributed to its adaptation to the unique conditions (climate, soil, solar radiation, humidity) of the southeastern region of Mexico. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature (45 °C, 60 °C), pressure (1450 psi, 2900 psi), and extraction time (60 min, 120 min) on the supercritical fluid extraction of Cp and dihydrocapsaicin (DhCp) from Capsicum chinense Jacq. The results obtained demonstrated that the extraction conditions of 45 °C, 1450 psi, and 60 min yielded the highest concentration of Cp (37.09 ± 0.84 mg/g extract) and DhCp (10.17 ± 0.18 mg/g extract), while the highest antioxidant capacity (91.48 ± 0.24% inhibition) was obtained with 60 °C, 2900 psi, and 60 min. The findings of this study indicate that the lower the pressure and extraction time, the higher the concentrations of Cp and DhCp compared to previous reports. This represents an opportunity for cost reduction in production lines and improved utilization of Capsicum chinense in the agrifood industry through additional optimization processes.
Teaching against the “False Religion” of the Market: Toward Explicitly Anticapitalist Teaching and Research in Religion and the Environment
Authors: Hartman Laura M. , O’Brien Kevin J.
Published: July 2023

David Loy’s 1997 essay, “The Religion of the Market,” should be a foundational text for all who study and teach the intersection of religion and the environment. In contrast to the more field-defining essay by Lynn White, Loy focuses on the structural and economic roots of environmental degradation and calls for scholars and practitioners to actively oppose the global capitalist systems causing the problem. When brought into conversation with other anticapitalist scholarship, Loy’s essay offers ways to characterize existing debates about economics within our field, and can be used to argue against hegemonic capitalocentrism to set the stage for other kinds of resistance in our teaching and scholarship.
Christian Education, Quo Vadis?
Authors: Gobbo Wilbert
Published: July 2023

Christian education is very important. It can help to bring a holistic liberation and development of people. A good education can be a key to a good life. Our reflection is on Christian education; quo vadis, meaning where are you going? Chapter one will be a general introduction. Chapter two will focus on a brief historical survey of Christian education. It will reflect, among others, on the way Christian education was brought to Africa from Europe. In some places, it was regarded as a colonial tool. The analysis of the state of Christian education will be in chapter three. It will, among other things, evaluate the merits and demerits of Christian education in Africa in its current form. Chapter four will focus on the future of Christian education in Africa. It will contain our suggestions to improve Christian education in Africa. It will provide some propositions not only on how to bring about the decolonisation of Christian education but also its Africanisation. There should be a deconstruction of colonial Christian education and the reconstruction of an Africanised Christian education. The suggestions will be associated with the contextualization, decontextualization, and recontextualization of Christian education in Africa. Through, inter alia, its proper Christian education, Africa should be able to “think globally but act locally”. The last chapter will be the general conclusion.
Travel during Pregnancy: A Web-Based Survey of People Who Have Been Pregnant within the Past 10 Years
Authors: Nechval Lada H. , Antony Kathleen M.
Published: July 2023

Travel is frequent among many populations, including pregnant people. The focus of this online survey was to better understand the travel practices of people who have been pregnant within the last ten years. An online survey was conducted for three months through social media posts on Facebook and Twitter. Previously pregnant people were asked questions about where they traveled, if they cancelled any travel plans, and travel-related discussions with their obstetric provider. During the three months the survey was open, 469 participants completed the survey. A total of 390 (83.2%) participants traveled domestically, while 114 (24.3%) traveled internationally or between non-contiguous states within the United States of America (USA). Of these respondents, 170 (44.2%) of the domestic travelers and 69 (61.1%) of the international travelers reported discussing travel plans with their OB provider. Additionally, 49 (10.5%) participants cancelled at least one domestic trip and 30 (6.41%) cancelled at least one international trip. Regarding travel discussions, 6 (3.6%) participants who traveled domestically and 2 (2.9%) who traveled internationally reported that their OB provider initiated the conversation. Many pregnant people choose to travel domestically and internationally. However, it is also clear that not all travelers discuss plans with their OB provider, and in few cases does the provider initiate the conversation. Given the frequency with which people travel, pregnant people and their OB providers should have conversations regarding travel to minimize potential risks.
Fine-Scale Analysis of the Long-Term Urban Thermal Environment in Shanghai Using Google Earth Engine
Authors: Wang Mengen , Lu Huimin , Chen Binjie , Sun Weiwei , Yang Gang
Published: July 2023

Exploring the spatiotemporal patterns of urban thermal environments is crucial for mitigating the detrimental effects of urban heat islands (UHI). However, the long-term and fine-grained monitoring of UHI is limited by the temporal and spatial resolutions of various sensors. To address this limitation, this study employed the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and a multi-source remote sensing data fusion approach to generate a densely time-resolved Landsat-like Land Surface Temperature (LST) dataset for daytime observations spanning from 2001 to 2020 in Shanghai. A comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal patterns of UHI was conducted. The results indicate that over the past 20 years, the highest increase in average LST was observed during spring with a growth coefficient of 0.23, while the lowest increase occurred during autumn (growth coefficient of 0.12). The summer season exhibited the most pronounced UHI effect in the region (average proportion of Strong UHI and General UHI was 28.73%), while the winter season showed the weakest UHI effect (proportion of 22.77%). The Strong UHI areas gradually expanded outward over time, with a noticeable intensification of heat island intensity in the northwest and coastal regions, while other areas did not exhibit significant changes. Impervious surfaces contributed the most to LST, with a contribution of 0.96 °C, while water had the lowest contribution (−0.42 °C). The average correlation coefficients between LST and NDVI, NDWI, and NDBI over 20 years were −0.4236, −0.5128, and 0.5631, respectively.
UCDnet: Double U-Shaped Segmentation Network Cascade Centroid Map Prediction for Infrared Weak Small Target Detection
Authors: Xu Xiangdong , Wang Jiarong , Zhu Ming , Sun Haijiang , Wu Zhenyuan , Wang Yao , Cao Shenyi , Liu Sanzai
Published: July 2023

In recent years, the development of deep learning has brought great convenience to the work of target detection, semantic segmentation, and object recognition. In the field of infrared weak small target detection (e.g., surveillance and reconnaissance), it is not only necessary to accurately detect targets but also to perform precise segmentation and sub-pixel-level centroid localization for infrared small targets with low signal-to-noise ratio and weak texture information. To address these issues, we propose UCDnet (Double U-shaped Segmentation Network Cascade Centroid Map Prediction for Infrared Weak Small Target Detection) in this paper, which completes “end-to-end” training and prediction by cascading the centroid localization subnet with the semantic segmentation subnet. We propose the novel double U-shaped feature extraction network for point target fine segmentation. We propose the concept and method of centroid map prediction for point target localization and design the corresponding Com loss function, together with a new centroid localization evaluation metrics. The experiments show that ours achieves target detection, semantic segmentation, and sub-pixel-level centroid localization. When the target signal-to-noise ratio is greater than 0.4, the IoU of our semantic segmentation results can reach 0.9186, and the average centroid localization precision can reach 0.3371 pixels. On our simulated dataset of infrared weak small targets, the algorithm we proposed performs better than existing state-of-the-art networks in terms of semantic segmentation and centroid localization.
Contrastive Self-Supervised Two-Domain Residual Attention Network with Random Augmentation Pool for Hyperspectral Change Detection
Authors: Huang Yixiang , Zhang Lifu , Qi Wenchao , Huang Changping , Song Ruoxi
Published: July 2023

Hyperspectral images can assist change-detection methods in precisely identifying differences in land cover in the same region at different observation times. However, the difficulty of labeling hyperspectral images restricts the number of training samples for supervised change-detection methods, and there are also complex real influences on hyperspectral images, such as noise and observation directions. Furthermore, current deep-learning-based change-detection methods ignore the feature reusage from receptive fields with different scales and cannot effectively suppress unrelated spatial–spectral dependencies globally. To better handle these issues, a contrastive self-supervised two-domain residual attention network (TRAMNet) with a random augmentation pool is proposed for hyperspectral change detection. The contributions of this article are summarized as follows. (1) To improve the feature extraction from hyperspectral images with random Gaussian noise and directional information, a contrastive learning framework with a random data augmentation pool and a soft contrastive loss function (SCLF) is proposed. (2) The multi-scale feature fusion module (MFF) is provided to achieve feature reusage from different receptive fields. (3) A two-domain residual attention (TRA) block is designed to suppress irrelated change information and extract long-range dependencies from both spectral and spatial domains globally. Extensive experiments were carried out on three real datasets. The results show that the proposed TRAMNet can better initialize the model weights for hyperspectral change-detection task and effectively decrease the need for training samples. The proposed method outperforms most existing hyperspectral change-detection methods.