bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leuconostoc Citreum Inhibits Adipogenesis and Lipogenesis by Inhibiting p38 MAPK/Erk 44/42 and Stimulating AMPKα Signaling Pathways
Authors: Han Hyo-Shim , Soundharrajan Ilavenil , Valan Arasu Mariadhas , Kim Dahye , Choi Ki-Choon
Published: April 2023

Probiotics provide a range of health benefits. Several studies have shown that using probiotics in obesity treatment can reduce bodyweight. However, such treatments are still restricted. Leuconostoc citreum, an epiphytic bacterium, is widely used in a variety of biological applications. However, few studies have investigated the role of Leuconostoc spp. in adipocyte differentiation and its molecular mechanisms. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of cell-free metabolites of L. citreum (LSC) on adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The results showed that LSC treatment reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets and expression levels of CCAAT/ enhancer-binding protein-α & β (C/EBP-α & β), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), serum regulatory binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), resistin, pp38MAPK, and pErk 44/42. However, compared to control cells, adiponectin, an insulin sensitizer, was elevated in adipocytes treated with LSC. In addition, LSC treatment increased lipolysis by increasing pAMPK-α and suppressing FAS, ACC, and PPAR-γ expression, similarly to the effects of AICAR, an AMPK agonist. In conclusion, L. citreum is a novel probiotic strain that can be used to treat obesity and its associated metabolic disorders.
FTY720-P, a Biased S1PR Ligand, Increases Mitochondrial Function through STAT3 Activation in Cardiac Cells
Authors: Muñoz Juan Pablo , Sànchez-Fernàndez-de-Landa Paula , Diarte-Añazco Elena María Goretti , Zorzano Antonio , Blanco-Vaca Francisco , Julve Josep
Published: April 2023

FTY720 is an FDA-approved sphingosine derivative drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. This compound blocks lymphocyte egress from lymphoid organs and autoimmunity through sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor blockage. Drug repurposing of FTY720 has revealed improvements in glucose metabolism and metabolic diseases. Studies also demonstrate that preconditioning with this compound preserves the ATP levels during cardiac ischemia in rats. The molecular mechanisms by which FTY720 promotes metabolism are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that nanomolar concentrations of the phosphorylated form of FTY720 (FTY720-P), the active ligand of S1P receptor (S1PR), activates mitochondrial respiration and the mitochondrial ATP production rate in AC16 human cardiomyocyte cells. Additionally, FTY720-P increases the number of mitochondrial nucleoids, promotes mitochondrial morphology alterations, and induces activation of STAT3, a transcription factor that promotes mitochondrial function. Notably, the effect of FTY720-P on mitochondrial function was suppressed in the presence of a STAT3 inhibitor. In summary, our results suggest that FTY720 promotes the activation of mitochondrial function, in part, through a STAT3 action.
Characterization and In Vivo Assay of Allantoin-Enriched Pectin Hydrogel for the Treatment of Skin Wounds
Authors: Saucedo-Acuña Rosa Alicia , Meza-Valle Karen Zulema , Cuevas-González Juan Carlos , Ordoñez-Casanova Elsa Gabriela , Castellanos-García Manuel Iván , Zaragoza-Contreras Erasto Armando , Tamayo-Pérez Genaro Federico
Published: April 2023

This work describes a liquid allantoin-enriched pectin hydrogel with hydrophilic behavior that is supported by the presence of functional groups related to healing efficacy. A topical study shows the effect of the hydrogel application on surgically induced skin wound healing in a rat model. Contact angle measurements confirm hydrophilic behavior (11.37°), while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicates the presence of functional groups related to the healing effectiveness (carboxylic acid and amine groups). Allantoin is distributed on the surface and inside the amorphous pectin hydrogel surrounded by a heterogeneous distribution of pores. This promotes wound drying with better interaction between the hydrogel and cells involved in the wound healing process. An experimental study with female Wistar rats indicates that the hydrogel improves wound contraction, reducing around 71.43% of the total healing time and reaching total wound closure in 15 days.
The Effect of the Feeding System on Fat Deposition in Yak Subcutaneous Fat
Authors: Xiong Lin , Pei Jie , Bao Pengjia , Wang Xingdong , Guo Shaoke , Cao Mengli , Kang Yandong , Yan Ping , Guo Xian
Published: April 2023

Fat deposition is very important to the growth and reproduction of yaks. In this study, the effect of the feeding system on fat deposition in yaks was explored by transcriptomics and lipidomics. The thickness of the subcutaneous fat in yaks under stall (SF) and graze feeding (GF) was evaluated. The transcriptomes and lipidomes of the subcutaneous fat in yaks under different feeding systems were detected by RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) and non-targeted lipidomics based on ultrahigh-phase liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), respectively. The differences in lipid metabolism were explored, and the function of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was evaluated by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome (KEGG) analysis. Compared with GF yaks, SF yaks possessed stronger fat deposition capacity. The abundance of 12 triglycerides (TGs), 3 phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), 3 diglycerides (DGs), 2 sphingomyelins (SMs) and 1 phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the subcutaneous fat of SF and GF yaks was significantly different. Under the mediation of the cGMP–PKG signaling pathway, the blood volume of SF and GF yaks may be different, which resulted in the different concentrations of precursors for fat deposition, including non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucose (GLU), TG and cholesterol (CH). The metabolism of C16:0, C16:1, C17:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3 in yak subcutaneous fat was mainly realized under the regulation of the INSIG1, ACACA, FASN, ELOVL6 and SCD genes, and TG synthesis was regulated by the AGPAT2 and DGAT2 genes. This study will provide a theoretical basis for yak genetic breeding and healthy feeding.
Polystyrene Microplastics Induce Oxidative Stress in Mouse Hepatocytes in Relation to Their Size
Authors: Zou Hui , Qu Huayi , Bian Yusheng , Sun Jian , Wang Tao , Ma Yonggang , Yuan Yan , Gu Jianhong , Bian Jianchun , Liu Zongping
Published: April 2023

Microplastics have become a new type of environmental pollutant that can accumulate in various tissues and organs of the body and cause chronic damage. In this study, two different size polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs, 5 μm and 0.5 μm) exposure models were established in mice to investigate the effects of PS-MPs with different particle sizes on oxidative stress in the liver. The results showed that PS-MPs exposure caused a decrease in body weight and liver-to-body weight. The hematoxylin and eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy results showed that exposure to PS-MPs led to the disorganized cellular structure of liver tissue, nuclear crinkling, and mitochondrial vacuolation. The extent of damage in the 5 μm PS-MP exposure group was more extensive when compared with the other group. The evaluation of oxidative-stress-related indicators showed that PS-MPs exposure exacerbated oxidative stress in hepatocytes, especially in the 5 μm PS-MPs group. The expression of oxidative-stress-related proteins sirtuin 3(SIRT3) and superoxide dismutase (SOD2) was significantly reduced, and the reduction was more pronounced in the 5 μm PS-MPs group. In conclusion, PS-MPs exposure led to oxidative stress in mouse hepatocytes and caused more severe damage in the 5 μm PS-MPs group when compared with the 0.5 μm PS-MPs group.
Chia Oil and Mucilage Nanoemulsion: Potential Strategy to Protect a Functional Ingredient
Authors: Fernandes Sibele Santos , Egea Mariana Buranelo , Salas-Mellado Myriam de las Mercedes , Segura-Campos Maira Rubi
Published: April 2023

Nanoencapsulation can increase the stability of bioactive compounds, ensuring protection against physical, chemical, or biological degradations, and allows to control of the release of these biocompounds. Chia oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids—8% corresponds to omega 3 and 19% to omega 6—resulting in high susceptibility to oxidation. Encapsulation techniques allow the addition of chia oil to food to maintain its functionality. In this sense, one strategy is to use the nanoemulsion technique to protect chia oil from degradation. Therefore, this review aims to present the state-of-the-art use of nanoemulsion as a new encapsulation approach to chia oil. Furthermore, the chia mucilage—another chia seed product—is an excellent material for encapsulation due to its good emulsification properties (capacity and stability), solubility, and water and oil retention capacities. Currently, most studies of chia oil focus on microencapsulation, with few studies involving nanoencapsulation. Chia oil nanoemulsion using chia mucilage presents itself as a strategy for adding chia oil to foods, guaranteeing the functionality and oxidative stability of this oil.
Notch and Wnt Signaling Modulation to Enhance DPSC Stemness and Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Uribe-Etxebarria Verónica , Pineda Jose Ramon , García-Gallastegi Patricia , Agliano Alice , Unda Fernando , Ibarretxe Gaskon
Published: April 2023

The Dental Pulp of permanent human teeth is home to stem cells with remarkable multilineage differentiation ability: human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs). These cells display a very notorious expression of pluripotency core factors, and the ability to give rise to mature cell lineages belonging to the three embryonic layers. For these reasons, several researchers in the field have long considered human DPSCs as pluripotent-like cells. Notably, some signaling pathways such as Notch and Wnt contribute to maintaining the stemness of these cells through a complex network involving metabolic and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. The use of recombinant proteins and selective pharmacological modulators of Notch and Wnt pathways, together with serum-free media and appropriate scaffolds that allow the maintenance of the non-differentiated state of hDPSC cultures could be an interesting approach to optimize the potency of these stem cells, without a need for genetic modification. In this review, we describe and integrate findings that shed light on the mechanisms responsible for stemness maintenance of hDPSCs, and how these are regulated by Notch/Wnt activation, drawing some interesting parallelisms with pluripotent stem cells. We summarize previous work on the stem cell field that includes interactions between epigenetics, metabolic regulations, and pluripotency core factor expression in hDPSCs and other stem cell types.
Minimizing Energy Depletion Using Extended Lifespan: QoS Satisfied Multiple Learned Rate (ELQSSM-ML) for Increased Lifespan of Mobile Adhoc Networks (MANET)
Authors: Rajagopal Manikandan , Sivasakthivel Ramkumar , Venugopal Jeyakrishnan , Sarris Ioannis E. , Loganathan Karuppusamy
Published: April 2023

Mobile Adhoc Networks (MANETs) typically employ with the aid of new technology to increase Quality-of-Service (QoS) when forwarding multiple data rates. This kind of network causes high forwarding delays and improper data transfer rates because of the changes in the node’s vicinity. Although an optimized routing technique to transfer energy has been used to lessen the delay and improve the throughput by assigning a proper data rate, it does not consider the objective of minimizing the energy use, which results in less network lifetime. The goal of the proposed work is to minimize the energy depletion in a MANET, which results in an extended Lifespan of the network. In this research paper, an Extended Life span and QSSM-ML routing algorithm is proposed, which minimizes energy use and enhances the network lifetime. First, an optimization problem is formulated with the purpose of increasing the network’s lifetime while limiting the energy utilization and stability of the path along with residual. Second, an adaptive policy is applied for the asymmetric distribution of energy at both origin and intermediate nodes. In order to achieve maximum network lifespan and minimal energy depletion, the optimization problem was framed when power usage is a constraint by allowing the network to make use of the leftover power. An asymmetric energy transmission strategy was also designed for the adaptive allocation of maximum transmission energy in the origin. This made the network lifespan extended with the help of reducing the node’s energy use for broadcasting the data from the origin to the target. Moreover, the node’s energy use during packet forwarding is reduced to recover the network lifetime. The overall benefit of the proposed work is that it can achieve both minimal energy depletion and maximizes the lifetime of the network. Finally, the simulation findings reveal that the ELQSSM-ML algorithm accomplishes a better network performance than the classical algorithms.
Descriptions of Three New Species of the Genus Acerataspis Uchida, 1934 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Metopiinae), with an Illustrated Identification Key to Extant Species
Authors: Liu Jing-Xian , Reshchikov Alexey , Chen Hua-Yan
Published: April 2023

The Asian genus Acerataspis Uchida, 1934 is reviewed based on both morphology and DNA barcodes. Ten species are recognized in total, of which three species from Yunnan Province of China are described as new: Acerataspis maliae sp. nov., A. seperata sp. nov. and A. similis sp. nov. The male of A. fukienensis Chao, 1957 is described and illustrated for the first time. The genus is recorded from Thailand and Southeast Asia for the first time. An illustrated key to all known extant species is provided. With the supplement of DNA barcodes, a few diagnostic morphological characters are found useful in species identification.
Stereotactic Arrhythmia Radioablation Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia: Current Technology and Evolving Indications
Authors: Guarracini Fabrizio , Tritto Massimo , Di Monaco Antonio , Mariani Marco Valerio , Gasperetti Alessio , Compagnucci Paolo , Muser Daniele , Preda Alberto , Mazzone Patrizio , Themistoclakis Sakis , Carbucicchio Corrado
Published: April 2023

Ventricular tachycardia in patients with structural heart disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. According to current guidelines, cardioverter defibrillator implantation, antiarrhythmic drugs, and catheter ablation are established therapies in the management of ventricular arrhythmias but their efficacy is limited in some cases. Sustained ventricular tachycardia can be terminated by cardioverter-defibrillator therapies although shocks in particular have been demonstrated to increase mortality and worsen patients’ quality of life. Antiarrhythmic drugs have important side effects and relatively low efficacy, while catheter ablation, even if it is actually an established treatment, is an invasive procedure with intrinsic procedural risks and is frequently affected by patients’ hemodynamic instability. Stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation for ventricular arrhythmias was developed as bail-out therapy in patients unresponsive to traditional treatments. Radiotherapy has been mainly applied in the oncological field, but new current perspectives have developed in the field of ventricular arrhythmias. Stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation provides an alternative non-invasive and painless therapeutic strategy for the treatment of previously detected cardiac arrhythmic substrate by three-dimensional intracardiac mapping or different tools. Since preliminary experiences have been reported, several retrospective studies, registries, and case reports have been published in the literature. Although, for now, stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation is considered an alternative palliative treatment for patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia and no other therapeutic options, this research field is currently extremely promising.
Comparing the Efficacy of Carvedilol and Flecainide on the Treatment of Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Complexes from Ventricular Outflow Tract: A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label Pilot Study
Authors: Hwang Jongmin , Oh Yong-Seog , Park Hyoung-Seob , Choi Jong-Il , Lee Young Soo , Choi Eue-Keun , Shin Dong-Gu , On Young Keun , Kim Tae-Hoon , Park Hyung Wook , Cho Min Soo , Bae Myung Hwan , Han Seongwook
Published: April 2023

The mechanism of premature ventricular complexes (PVC) occurring in the ventricular outflow tract (OT) is related to an intracellular calcium overload and delayed afterdepolarizations that lead to triggered activity. The guidelines recommend using beta-blockers and flecainide for idiopathic PVCs, but they also acknowledge the limited evidence supporting this recommendation. We conducted a multicenter, randomized, open-label pilot study comparing the effect of carvedilol and flecainide on OT PVC, which are widely used to treat this arrhythmia. Patients with a 24 h Holter recording a PVC burden ≥ 5%, which showed positive R waves in leads II, III, and aVF, and without structural heart disease were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to the carvedilol or flecainide group, and the maximum tolerated dose was administered for 12 weeks. A total of 103 participants completed the protocol: 51 with carvedilol and 52 with flecainide. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean PVC burden significantly decreased in both groups: 20.3 ± 11.5 to 14.6 ± 10.8% with carvedilol (p < 0.0001) and 17.1 ± 9.9 to 6.6 ± 9.9% with flecainide (p < 0.0001). Both carvedilol and flecainide effectively suppressed OT PVCs in patients without structural heart disease, with flecainide showing a superior efficacy compared to carvedilol.
Genetic Ablation and Pharmacological Blockade of Bradykinin B1 Receptor Unveiled a Detrimental Role for the Kinin System in Chagas Disease Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Oliveira Ana Carolina , Vicentino Amanda Roberta Revoredo , Andrade Daniele , Pereira Isabela Resende , Saboia-Vahia Leonardo , Moreira Otacílio da Cruz , Carvalho-Pinto Carla Eponina , Mota Julia Barbalho da , Maciel Leonardo , Vilar-Pereira Glaucia , Pesquero João B. , Lannes-Vieira Joseli , Sirois Pierre , Campos de Carvalho Antônio Carlos , Scharfstein Julio
Published: April 2023

Chagas disease, the parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, afflicts about 6 million people in Latin America. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that T. cruzi may fuel heart parasitism by activating B1R, a G protein-coupled (brady) kinin receptor whose expression is upregulated in inflamed tissues. Studies in WT and B1R−/− mice showed that T. cruzi DNA levels (15 days post infection—dpi) were sharply reduced in the transgenic heart. FACS analysis revealed that frequencies of proinflammatory neutrophils and monocytes were diminished in B1R−/− hearts whereas CK-MB activity (60 dpi) was exclusively detected in B1R+/+ sera. Since chronic myocarditis and heart fibrosis (90 dpi) were markedly attenuated in the transgenic mice, we sought to determine whether a pharmacological blockade of the des-Arg9-bradykinin (DABK)/B1R pathway might alleviate chagasic cardiomyopathy. Using C57BL/6 mice acutely infected by a myotropic T. cruzi strain (Colombian), we found that daily treatment (15–60 dpi) with R-954 (B1R antagonist) reduced heart parasitism and blunted cardiac injury. Extending R-954 treatment to the chronic phase (120–160 dpi), we verified that B1R targeting (i) decreased mortality indexes, (ii) mitigated chronic myocarditis, and (iii) ameliorated heart conduction disturbances. Collectively, our study suggests that a pharmacological blockade of the proinflammatory KKS/DABK/B1R pathway is cardioprotective in acute and chronic Chagas disease.
Decreased Interoceptive Awareness as a Risk Factor for Moderate to Severe Pain in Japanese Full-Time Workers: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Takaoka Saki , Wakaizumi Kenta , Tanaka Chisato , Tanaka Shintaro , Kawate Morihiko , Hoshino Reiko , Matsudaira Ko , Fujisawa Daisuke , Morisaki Hiroshi , Kosugi Shizuko
Published: April 2023

Interoceptive awareness, the conscious perception of internal bodily states, is a key construct of mind-body interaction. Decreases in interoceptive awareness, as measured by the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), are found in chronic pain patients. In this study, we explored whether a specific aspect of interoceptive awareness is a risk for the onset and chronicity of pain. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted in 2018 and 2020 among a sample of full-time workers in an industrial manufacturing company in Japan. Participants completed a questionnaire on pain intensity, MAIA, exercise habits, kinesiophobia, psychological distress and work stress. Principal component analyses using the MAIA identified two principal components: self-control and emotional stability. Low emotional stability was associated with the prevalence of moderate to severe pain in 2020 among people with mild or no pain in 2018 (p < 0.01). Lack of exercise habits were associated with the prevalence of moderate to severe pain in 2020 among people with pain in 2018 (p < 0.01). Furthermore, exercise habits were associated with reduction in kinesiophobia among people with moderate to severe pain in 2018 (p = 0.047). Overall, these findings indicate that low emotional stability may be a risk for the onset of moderate to severe pain; lack of exercise habits may sustain kinesiophobia and be a risk for the chronicity of pain.
Visual Prognostic Factors in Eyes with Subretinal Fluid Associated with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Sasajima Hirofumi , Zako Masahiro , Murotani Kenta , Ishida Hidetoshi , Ueta Yoshiki , Tachi Naoko , Suzuki Takafumi , Watanabe Yuji , Hashimoto Yoshihiro
Published: April 2023

We investigated whether foveal ellipsoid zone (EZ) status affects visual prognosis in eyes with subretinal fluid (SRF) associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). We included 38 eyes retrospectively and classified those with or without a continuous EZ on the SRF of the central foveola on the vertical optical coherence tomography (OCT) image at the initial visit as intact (n = 26) and disruptive EZ (n = 12) groups, respectively. In addition, we classified the intact EZ eyes into clear (n = 15) and blurred (n = 11) EZ groups according to whether EZ on the SRF was observed distinctly or not. Multiple regression analyses showed that baseline EZ status significantly correlated (p = 0.0028) with the 12-months logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), indicating that baseline intact EZ significantly improves visual prognosis. The 12-months logMAR BCVA of the intact EZ group was significantly better (p < 0.001) than that of the disruptive EZ group, and did not differ significantly between the clear and blurred EZ groups. Thus, baseline foveal EZ status on vertical OCT images can be a novel biomarker for visual prognosis in eyes with SRF associated with BRVO.
Comment on Moshirfar et al. Accuracy of Six Intraocular Lens Power Calculations in Eyes with Axial Lengths Greater than 28.0 mm. J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11, 5947
Authors: Cione Ferdinando , Di Stasi Margherita , Sannino Ciro
Published: April 2023

With great interest, we read the article by Moshirfar et al. [...]
The Use of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators in Biomaterial-Based Immunomodulation
Authors: Sousa Ana Beatriz , Barbosa Judite N.
Published: April 2023

The implantation of a biomaterial will lead to the immediate onset of an acute inflammatory response, which is of key importance in shaping the quality of the repair process. However, the return to homeostasis is critical to prevent a chronic inflammatory response that may impair the healing process. The resolution of the inflammatory response is now recognized as an active and highly regulated process, being described as specialized immunoresolvents that have a fundamental role in the termination of the acute inflammatory response. These mediators collectively coined as specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are a family of endogenous molecules that include lipoxins (Lx), resolvins (Rv), protectins (PD), maresins (Mar), Cysteinyl-SPMs (Cys-SPMs) and n-3 docosapentaenoic acid-derived SPMs (n-3 DPA-derived SPMs). SPMs have important anti-inflammatory and pro-resolutive actions such as decreasing the recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), inducing the recruitment of anti-inflammatory macrophages, and increasing macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells through a process known as efferocytosis. Over the last years, the trend in biomaterials research has shifted towards the engineering of materials that are able to modulate the inflammatory response and thus stimulate appropriate immune responses, the so-called immunomodulatory biomaterials. These materials should be able to modulate the host immune response with the aim of creating a pro-regenerative microenvironment. In this review, we explore the potential of using of SPMs in the development of new immunomodulatory biomaterials and we propose insights for future research in this field.
Microporous Implants Modified by Bifunctional Hydrogel with Antibacterial and Osteogenic Properties Promote Bone Integration in Infected Bone Defects
Authors: Pu Yiping , Lin Xuecai , Zhi Qiang , Qiao Shichong , Yu Chuangqi
Published: April 2023

Prosthesis implantation and bone integration under bacterial infection are arduous challenges in clinical practice. It is well known that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by bacterial infection around the bone defects will further hinder bone healing. To solve this problem, we prepared a ROS-scavenging hydrogel by cross-linking polyvinyl alcohol and a ROS-responsive linker, N1-(4-boronobenzyl)-N3-(4-boronophenyl)-N1, N1, N3, N3-tetramethylpropane-1, 3-diaminium, to modify the microporous titanium alloy implant. The prepared hydrogel was used as an advanced ROS-scavenging tool to promote bone healing by inhibiting the ROS levels around the implant. Bifunctional hydrogel serving as a drug delivery system can release therapeutic molecules, including vancomycin, to kill bacteria and bone morphogenetic protein-2 to induce bone regeneration and integration. This multifunctional implant system that combines mechanical support and disease microenvironment targeting provides a novel strategy for bone regeneration and integration of implants in infected bone defects.
ABAQUS Numerical Simulation Study on the Shear Instability of a Wellbore Induced by a Slip of the Natural Gas Hydrate Layer
Authors: Jiang Yujing , Li Baocheng , Wang Changsheng , Luan Hengjie , Zhang Sunhao , Shan Qinglin , Cheng Xianzhen
Published: April 2023

To study the shear deformation and failure characteristics of a wellbore and the interaction mechanism with its surrounding rocks induced by a layer slip during natural gas hydrates (NGHs) extraction, this paper conducted a numerical simulation study of wellbore shear induced by a layer slip using ABAQUS software and carried out a laboratory experiment of wellbore shear to verify the accuracy of the numerical model. The results show that the shear force–displacement curves obtained from the laboratory experiments and numerical simulations are consistent with five stages, including the compaction stage, linear stage, plastic stage, strain-softening stage and residual stage. The wellbore shows a “Z”-shaped deformation characteristic after its shear breakage. The shear force of the wellbore is maximum at the shear surface, and it is distributed in an approximate “M” shape along the shear surface. The axial force of the wellbore is small and uniformly distributed in the initial stage of the shear. The wellbore bending moment is minimum at the shear surface, with a value of 0, and it is distributed in a skew–symmetric wave shape along the shear surface. During the shearing, the evolution of the wellbore axial force and shear force can be classified into the distribution pattern along the radial direction on the shear surface and the pattern along the axial direction. The combination of the wellbore axial force and shear force causes the tensile–shear compound failure of the wellbore. During shearing, the wellbore and rock body gradually enter the plastic state with the increase in the shear displacement. When the entire cross-section of the wellbore is in the plastic state, a “necking” phenomenon of the wellbore begins to appear. During the shearing, the frictional dissipation energy and plastic dissipation energy increase constantly. In addition, the elastic strain energy increases to a peak and then decreases to a certain value, which remains unchanged along with the work conducted by the shear force.
β-Glucan Enhances the Biocontrol Efficacy of Marine Yeast Scheffersomyeces spartinae W9 against Botrytis cinerea in Strawberries
Authors: Chen Xueyan , Wei Yingying , Zou Xiurong , Zhao Zichang , Jiang Shu , Chen Yi , Xu Feng , Shao Xingfeng
Published: April 2023

The marine yeast Scheffersomyeces spartinae W9 is a promising biocontrol agent for gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea in strawberries. Improving the biocontrol efficacy of S. spartinae W9 is necessary for its commercial application. In this study, different concentrations of β-glucan were added to the culture medium to evaluate its effect on the biocontrol efficacy of S. spartinae W9. The results showed that 0.1% β-glucan could increase the biocontrol effect of S. spartinae W9 against B. cinerea in strawberries and in vitro. We found that adding 0.1% β-glucan to the culture medium promoted the growth of S. spartinae W9 in wounds of strawberries, enhanced biofilm formation ability, and secreted more β-1,3-glucanase. In addition, 0.1% β-glucan increased the survival rate of S. spartinae W9 under oxidative, thermal, osmotic, and plasma membrane stressors. Transcriptome analysis revealed 188 differential expressed genes in S. spartinae W9 cultured with or without 0.1% β-glucan, including 120 upregulated and 68 downregulated genes. The upregulated genes were associated with stress response, cell wall formation, energy production, growth, and reproduction. Thus, culturing with 0.1% β-glucan is an effective way to improve the biocontrol ability of S. spartinae W9 against gray mold in strawberries.
AMF Inoculation Alleviates Molybdenum Toxicity to Maize by Protecting Leaf Performance
Authors: Zhang Mengge , Shi Zhaoyong , Lu Shichuan , Wang Fayuan
Published: April 2023

The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a vital strategy for enhancing the phytoremediation of heavy metals. However, the role of AMF under molybdenum (Mo) stress is elusive. A pot culture experiment was conducted to explore the effects of AMF (Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Rhizophagus intraradices) inoculation on the uptake and transport of Mo and the physiological growth of maize plants under different levels of Mo addition (0, 100, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg). AMF inoculation significantly increased the biomass of maize plants, and the mycorrhizal dependency reached 222% at the Mo addition level of 1000 mg/kg. Additionally, AMF inoculation could induce different growth allocation strategies in response to Mo stress. Inoculation significantly reduced Mo transport, and the active accumulation of Mo in the roots reached 80% after inoculation at the high Mo concentration of 2000 mg/kg. In addition to enhancing the net photosynthetic and pigment content, inoculation also increased the biomass by enhancing the uptake of nutrients, including P, K, Zn, and Cu, to resist Mo stress. In conclusion, C. etunicatum and R. intraradices were tolerant to the Mo stress and could alleviate the Mo-induced phytotoxicity by regulating the allocation of Mo in plants and improving photosynthetic leaf pigment contents and the uptake of nutrition. Compared with C. etunicatum, R. intraradices showed a stronger tolerance to Mo, which was manifested by a stronger inhibition of Mo transport and a higher uptake of nutrient elements. Accordingly, AMF show potential for the bioremediation of Mo-polluted soil.
Hidden Blood Loss and Its Possible Risk Factors in Full Endoscopic Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Ge Zhilin , Zhao Wenhua , Wu Zhihua , He Jiahui , Zhu Guangye , Song Zefeng , Cui Jianchao , Jiang Xiaobing , Yu Weibo
Published: April 2023

Background: Full endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-LIF) is a representative recent emerging minimally invasive operation. The hidden blood loss (HBL) in an Endo-LIF procedure and its possible risk factors are still unclear. Methods: The blood loss (TBL) was calculated by Gross formula. Sex, age, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, ASA classification, fusion levels, surgical approach type, surgery time, preoperative RBC, HGB, Hct, PT, INR, APTT, Fg, postoperative mean arterial pressure, postoperative heart rate, Intraoperative blood loss (IBL), patient blood volume were included to investigate the possible risk factors by correlation analysis and multiple linear regression between variables and HBL. Results:Ninety-six patients (23 males, 73 females) who underwent Endo-LIF were retrospective analyzed in this study. The HBL was 240.11 (65.51, 460.31) mL (median [interquartile range]). Fusion levels (p = 0.002), age (p = 0.003), hypertension (p = 0.000), IBL (p = 0.012), PT (p = 0.016), preoperative HBG (p = 0.037) were the possible risk factors. Conclusion: Fusion levels, younger age, hypertension, prolonged PT, preoperative HBG are possible risk factors of HBL in an Endo-LIF procedure. More attention should be paid especially in multi-level minimally invasive surgery. The increase of fusion levels will lead to a considerable HBL.
Board Characteristics, Social Trust and ESG Performance in the European Banking Sector
Authors: Miranda Bruna , Delgado Catarina , Branco Manuel Castelo
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study is to examine the impacts of board size, gender diversity and independence on ESG performance whilst also examining the impact of country-level social trust on such performance. We perform a panel data analysis and the least squares method for a sample of 75 European banks and a time span of 4 years from 2016 to 2019. We find that ESG performance is positively associated with board gender diversity and independence, and negatively associated with board size. Surprisingly, we find a negative relationship between country-level social trust and ESG performance. This is an important finding that we interpret as being related to the loss of confidence in the banking sector in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. To regain such trust, the banking sector is likely to have suffered higher social pressure to engage in ESG activities in countries where social trust is lower.
Spatial Prediction and Mapping of Gully Erosion Susceptibility Using Machine Learning Techniques in a Degraded Semi-Arid Region of Kenya
Authors: Were Kennedy , Kebeney Syphyline , Churu Harrison , Mutio James Mumo , Njoroge Ruth , Mugaa Denis , Alkamoi Boniface , Ng’etich Wilson , Singh Bal Ram
Published: April 2023

This study aimed at (i) developing, evaluating and comparing the performance of support vector machines (SVM), boosted regression trees (BRT), random forest (RF) and logistic regression (LR) models in mapping gully erosion susceptibility, and (ii) determining the important gully erosion conditioning factors (GECFs) in a Kenyan semi-arid landscape. A total of 431 geo-referenced gully erosion points were gathered through a field survey and visual interpretation of high-resolution satellite imagery on Google Earth, while 24 raster-based GECFs were retrieved from the existing geodatabases for spatial modeling and prediction. The resultant models exhibited excellent performance, although the machine learners outperformed the benchmark LR technique. Specifically, the RF and BRT models returned the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC = 0.89 each) and overall accuracy (OA = 80.2%; 79.7%, respectively), followed by the SVM and LR models (AUC = 0.86; 0.85 & OA = 79.1%; 79.6%, respectively). In addition, the importance of the GECFs varied among the models. The best-performing RF model ranked the distance to a stream, drainage density and valley depth as the three most important GECFs in the region. The output gully erosion susceptibility maps can support the efficient allocation of resources for sustainable land management in the area.
Land Use Efficiency Assessment under Sustainable Development Goals: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ma Yin , Zheng Minrui , Zheng Xinqi , Huang Yi , Xu Feng , Wang Xiaoli , Liu Jiantao , Lv Yongqiang , Liu Wenchao
Published: April 2023

Improvements in and the assessment of land use efficiency are crucial pillars for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study reviews 208 representative papers, oral reports, and project reports to provide a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the current status and future trends of research on land use efficiency assessment. The findings reveal that (1) the number of papers on land use efficiency assessment is rapidly increasing, with research primarily focused on environmental science and ecology (n = 157, 75.48%). (2) Quantitative models are gaining popularity for land use efficiency assessment, with more than 46.63% of the studies adopting the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model. (3) The definition and analysis perspectives of land use efficiency are diverse, but research on relative land use efficiency and comprehensive analysis perspectives accounts for a significant proportion. (4) Constructing a large and complex model that incorporates geospatial effects, big data, and computer technology is a hot topic for future research methods. On the other hand, conducting land use efficiency research on a global scale is more conducive to achieving the SDGs. (5) The core to improving land use efficiency lies in the joint implementation of multi-pronged measures.
An Experimental Investigation of the Tribological Performance and Dispersibility of 2D Nanoparticles as Oil Additives
Authors: Sidh Kishan Nath , Jangra Dharmender , Hirani Harish
Published: April 2023

The present study aims to investigate the tribological performance of 2D nanoparticles such as graphene (G), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as gear lubricant additives. A new method of additive doping in gear lubricants was proposed and examined in terms of the degradation of lubricants. The additives were energized by ultrasonication, thermal agitation, and mechanical shearing to enhance the dispersibility and stability, which were confirmed using visual and rheological analysis. Further, the tribological performance of the nano-additives was studied by doping them in fresh lubricants, chemically degraded lubricants, and chemically degraded lubricants with surfactants. The results indicate that surface roughness and the method of mixing play a crucial role in reducing wear. The nano-additives exhibit an inverse relationship with the roughness, and their agglomeration results in a decline in performance. To mitigate agglomeration, oleic acid surfactant was employed, which diminished the effects of nano-additives and degraded the lubricant. The attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis revealed that the oleic acid and deteriorating reagent work synergistically, leading to enhanced wear volume and reduced friction. The nano-additives were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Overall, the study presents a comprehensive plan for new method of additive mixing, stability, dispersibility and tribological performance of the selected 2D nanoparticles.
Review of Luminescence-Based Light Spectrum Modifications Methods and Materials for Photovoltaics Applications
Authors: Sibiński Maciej
Published: April 2023

The dynamic development of photovoltaic and photo-sensitive electronic devices is constantly stimulated by material and technological advances. One of the key concepts that is highly recommended for the enhancement of these device parameters is the modification of the insulation spectrum. Practical implementation of this idea, although difficult, may be highly beneficial for photoconversion efficiency, photosensitivity range extension, and their cost reduction. The article presents a wide range of practical experiments leading to the manufacturing of functional photoconverting layers, dedicated to low-cost and wide-scale deposition methods. Various active agents, based on different luminescence effects as well as the possible organic carrier matrixes, substrate preparation and treatment procedures, are presented. New innovative materials, based on their quantum effects, are examined. The obtained results are discussed in terms of the application in new generation photovoltaics and other optoelectronic elements.
Study on the Effect of Calcium Alloy on Arsenic Removal from Scrap-Based Steel Production
Authors: Yao Hanjie , Zhuang Changling , Li Changrong , Xiang Song , Li Xiang , Yang Guangkai , Zhang Zezhong
Published: April 2023

Scrap steel is a kind of resource that can be recycled indefinitely. However, the enrichment of arsenic in the recycling process will seriously affect the performance of the product, making the recycling process unsustainable. In this study, the removal of arsenic from molten steel using calcium alloys was investigated experimentally, and the underlying mechanism was explored based on thermodynamic principles. The results show that the addition of calcium alloy is an effective means of reducing the arsenic content in molten steel, with the highest removal percentage of 56.36% observed with calcium aluminum alloy. A thermodynamic analysis revealed that the critical calcium content required for arsenic removal reaction is 0.0037%. Moreover, ultra-low levels of oxygen and sulfur were found to be crucial in achieving a good arsenic removal effect. When the arsenic removal reaction occurs in molten steel, the oxygen and sulfur concentrations in equilibrium with calcium were wO=0.0012% and wS=0.00548%, respectively. After successful arsenic removal, the arsenic removal product of the calcium alloy is Ca3As2, which usually does not appear alone. Instead, it is prone to combining with alumina, calcium oxide, and other inclusions to form composite inclusions, which is beneficial for the floating removal of inclusions and the purification of scrap steel in molten steel.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Thin Silicon Carbide Films Formation by the Electrolytic Method
Authors: Galashev Alexander , Abramova Ksenia
Published: April 2023

Silicon carbide is successfully implemented in semiconductor technology; it is also used in systems operating under aggressive environmental conditions, including high temperatures and radiation exposure. In the present work, molecular dynamics modeling of the electrolytic deposition of silicon carbide films on copper, nickel, and graphite substrates in a fluoride melt is carried out. Various mechanisms of SiC film growth on graphite and metal substrates were observed. Two types of potentials (Tersoff and Morse) are used to describe the interaction between the film and the graphite substrate. In the case of the Morse potential, a 1.5 times higher adhesion energy of the SiC film to graphite and a higher crystallinity of the film was observed than is the case of the Tersoff potential. The growth rate of clusters on metal substrates has been determined. The detailed structure of the films was studied by the method of statistical geometry based on the construction of Voronoi polyhedra. The film growth based on the use of the Morse potential is compared with a heteroepitaxial electrodeposition model. The results of this work are important for the development of a technology for obtaining thin films of silicon carbide with stable chemical properties, high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion coefficient, and good wear resistance.
Optimized Morphology and Tuning the Mn3+ Content of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Lin Yan , Välikangas Juho , Sliz Rafal , Molaiyan Palanivel , Hu Tao , Lassi Ulla
Published: April 2023

The advantages of cobalt-free, high specific capacity, high operating voltage, low cost, and environmental friendliness of spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) material make it one of the most promising cathode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. The disproportionation reaction of Mn3+ leads to Jahn–Teller distortion, which is the key issue in reducing the crystal structure stability and limiting the electrochemical stability of the material. In this work, single-crystal LNMO was synthesized successfully by the sol-gel method. The morphology and the Mn3+ content of the as-prepared LNMO were tuned by altering the synthesis temperature. The results demonstrated that the LNMO_110 material exhibited the most uniform particle distribution as well as the presence of the lowest concentration of Mn3+, which was beneficial to ion diffusion and electronic conductivity. As a result, this LNMO cathode material had an optimized electrochemical rate performance of 105.6 mAh g−1 at 1 C and cycling stability of 116.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C after 100 cycles.
Study on Hydro-Mechanical Coupling Failure and Permeability Enhancement Mechanisms for Sandstone with T-Shaped Fractures
Authors: Zhang Ying , Bi Kun , Pan Jiliang , Xi Xun , Zhang Dongsheng , Miao Shengjun , Cai Meifeng
Published: April 2023

The rise in the connectivity of the fractures is a key task in oil/gas and geothermal exploitation systems. Natural fractures widely exist in underground reservoir sandstone, while the mechanical behavior of rock with fractures subjected to hydro-mechanical coupling loads is far from clear. This paper employed comprehensive experiments and numerical simulations to investigate the failure mechanism and permeability law for sandstone specimens with T-shaped faces subjected to hydro-mechanical coupling loads. The effects of crack closure stress, crack initiation stress, strength, and axial strain stiffness of the specimens under different fracture inclination angles are discussed, and the evolution processes of permeability are obtained. The results show that secondary fractures are created around the pre-existing T-shaped fractures through tensile, shear, or mixed modes. The fracture network causes an increase in the permeability of the specimen. T-shaped fractures have a more significant effect on the strength of the specimens than water. The peak strengths of T-shaped specimens decreased by 34.89%, 33.79%, 46.09%, 39.32%, 47.23%, 42.76%, and 36.02%, respectively, compared with intact specimen without water pressure. With the increase in deviatoric stress, the permeability of T-shaped sandstone specimens decreases first, then increases, reaching its maximum value when macroscopic fractures are formed, after which the stress suddenly decreases. When the prefabricated T-shaped fracture angle is 75°, the corresponding permeability of the sample at failure is maximum, with a value of 15.84 × 10−16 m2. The failure process of the rock is reproduced through numerical simulations, in which the influence of damage and macroscopic fractures on permeability is discussed.