bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term effect of molsidomine and pentaerythrityl tetranitrate on cardiovascular system of spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Authors: Kristek F , Fáberová V , Varga I
Published: October 2023

We studied the effects of long-term administration of molsidomine and pentaerythrityl tetranitrate (PETN) on the cardiovascular system of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). One control and three experimental groups of 10-week-old animals were used: 1) control Wistar rats, 2) SHR, 3) SHR treated with molsidomine in tap water (100 mg/kg/day, by gavage), and 4) SHR treated with PETN in tap water (200 mg/kg/day, by gavage). After six weeks, the content of cGMP in platelets and NO synthase (NOS) activity in aortas were evaluated in the experimental groups. For morphological evaluation the rats were perfused at 120 mm Hg with a glutaraldehyde fixative and the arteries were processed for electron microscopy. Blood pressure and heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW) were increased in all experimental groups with respect to the controls. HW/BW was lower in the molsidomine group in comparison to both SHR and PETN-treated group. The platelet content of cGMP was increased and the activity of NOS in the aortas was decreased in the molsidomine and PETN-treated groups. Wall thickness and cross-sectional area of thoracic aorta, carotid artery and coronary artery were increased similarly in all experimental groups compared to the controls, but there were no differences among the experimental groups. We summarize that long-term administration of exogenous NO donors did not improve pathological changes of the cardiovascular system in SHR.
Ecto-ATPase and ecto-ATP-diphosphohydrolase are co-localized in rat hippocampal and caudate nucleus synaptic plasma membranes.
Authors: Nedeljkovic N , Banjac A , Horvat A , Stojiljkovic M , Nikezic G
Published: October 2023

Enzymes that hydrolyze extracellular ATP, i.e. ecto-ATPase and ecto-ATP diphosphohydrolase (ATPDase), can be differentiated by ability of the latter to hydrolyze ADP and by slightly different kinetic properties of the two enzymes. Synaptic plasma membrane fractions isolated from rat hippocampus and caudate nucleus exhibit ADP-hydrolyzing activity, as revealed by the enzyme assay, and the presence of ecto-ATPase protein, as revealed by immunological identification on Western blot. These findings indicate that both enzymes are co-expressed in the synaptic membrane compartment of hippocampal and caudate nucleus neurons. Kinetic analysis was performed to determine the relative contribution of each enzyme to the total ATP-hydrolyzing activity, while an inhibition study was carried out in order to exclude the interference of other nonspecific ATPase and phosphatase activities. Based on the kinetic properties, sensitivity to inhibitors and VATP/VADP ratio of about 2, we concluded that a substantial portion of ATP-hydrolyzing activity in both synaptic membrane preparations can be ascribed to the catalytic action of ATPDase. On the other hand, the highest catalytic efficacy when ATP is the substrate and the greater abundance of ecto-ATPase protein in caudate nucleus preparation suggest that the relative contribution of ecto-ATPase to the total ATP-hydrolyzing activity in the caudate nucleus is higher than in the hippocampus.
The influence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME on bones of male rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
Authors: Broulík PD , Haluzík M , Škrha J
Published: October 2023

The pathophysiological processes underlying the development of diabetic osteopenia has not hitherto been elucidated. Induction of streptozotocin diabetes leads in our experiments to decrease of bone density, ash, mineral content and to thinner cortical width compared to control male rats. In order to investigate the pathogenetic role of bone resorption by osteoclasts in streptozotocin-induced diabetes, we determined the circulating levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), a biochemical marker for bone resorption. Plasma TRAP values in diabetic rats did not differ from their corresponding controls. Streptozotocin diabetes by itself did not have any effect on the weight of seminal vesicles which are highly testosterone-dependent. Low doses of nitric oxide cause bone resorption, but higher doses of NO inhibit bone resorbing activity. We examined the effect of L-NAME (inhibitor of nitric oxide production) after six weeks of administration to diabetic rats. There was no further significant loss of bone mineral density, ash and mineral content or tibia weight in diabetic rats treated with L-NAME. L-NAME itself did not decrease bone metabolism. In our study no evidence of an increased bone resorption was found. Our results have indicated that a predominance of bone resorption over bone formation is not involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes-associated osteopenia. Inhibition of NO neither increased osteoclastic activity (TRAP) nor induced osteopenia in L-NAME-treated rats. This suggests a possibility that NO is not involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic osteopenia.
The Reduction of the Cell Nuclear Size in the Cell Body Space During the Differentiation Might Be Cell Lineage Specific (A Retrospective Morphological Note)
Authors: Smetana K , Klamová, H , Mikulenková D , Karban J , Trněný M
Published: October 2023

The cell body space occupied by the nucleus decreased during the cell differentiation of the granulocytic cell lineage in CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) patients. In contrary, in patients suffering from CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia), the cell body space occupied by the nucleus during the cell differentiation of the lymphocytic lineage did not decrease despite the reduction of the cell size. Thus, the cell body space occupied by the cell nucleus during the differentiation was characteristic for each of these cell lineages.
ANALISIS PERAMALAN PENJUALAN AYAM DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE MOVING AVERAGE DAN EXPONENTIAL SMOOTHING DI CV. TABASSAM AZ ZUFAR JOMBANG
Authors: David Ari fianto  , Fatma Ayu N.F.A  , Tri Rijanto
Published: October 2023

In this modern era of the technology, the rapid development of the business world and the demand of product that required by consumer is very high also. Therefore, the company must be able to make an optimal planning, there is in the planning of production or planning of demand to make the company can achieve the objectives targeted. To achieve it, the company have to forecast the amount of selling or consumer’s demand about product or services produced. The CV. Tabassam Az-Zufar Jombang is a company that engaged in the partnership of boiler chicken farms. One of analysis that can be used to forecast is the moving average and the exponential smoothing method. The aims of this research are the first is to know the chicken sales forecasting in the periods of June 2018 until July 2018 and the second is to know the accuratest of the sales forecasting method. The method that will be used to this research is the moving average and exponential smoothing method. The result of the research showed that the smallest error value of method is SES method with α = 0,7 where is the value of MAD is 23.384, MSE = 1.096.023.269, and MAPE = 16 %. As for result of the chicken sales forecasting using the single exponential smoothing method with α = 0,7 in June 2018 is 207.758 tails and July is 207.758 tails.
The Effect of Age and Gender on High School Students' Attitudes towards Using Computers in the Foreign Language Classroom
Authors: Mustafa (Awad) Zahra
Published: October 2023

This study explores the views of Jordanian high school students on using computers in the English classroom. It focuses on the effect of age and gender on their attitudes towards this technology. The data were collected from 10 public high schools through questionnaires and structured interviews. The results show that the participants tend to have positive perception of the computer use for general purposes and for learning English but with various degrees depending on their age and gender. The older learners seem to be more interested in the general applications of the computer while the younger ones tend to be more excited about its implementation in English lessons. On the other hand, gender appears to have slight influence on their responses to the computer use in the two domains. These results have implications for decision makers in foreign language education..
Apa Yang Menahan Manusia Durhaka” Dalam 2 Tesalonika 2:6?
Authors: Sekekere Diyestri Ariyani , Faot Agustinus , Octavianus Jonathan
Published: October 2023

This article addresses various theological debates regarding "what restrains the wicked." The article argues that Paul's expression regarding what restrains the wicked is a repetition of information from 1 Thessalonians 1:5, mentioning the term πνεύματι ἁγίῳ (Holy Spirit) as a source of enduring strength throughout the history of the church. To substantiate this claim, the article employs an exegetical method and employs two steps of the exegetical method, namely Contextual Analysis and Grammatical Analysis. Based on the contextual and grammatical analysis, the article concludes that "What Restrains" in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 refers to the Holy Spirit. This is supported by the fact that the Person of the Holy Spirit is repeatedly conveyed to the church in the first and second letters as a powerful entity to encourage the ministry spirit of the Apostle Paul and to provide strength to the congregation, including restraining the wicked.

Abstrak Indonesia 

Artikel ini menjawab berbagai perdebatan teologis tentang "apa yang menahan manusia yang durhaka." Artikel ini berpendapat bahwa pernyataan Paulus tentang apa yang menahan manusia yang durhaka adalah pengulangan informasi dari 1 Tesalonika 1:5 yang menyebutkan istilah πνεύματι ἁγίῳ (Roh Kudus) sebagai sumber kekuatan yang kokoh sepanjang sejarah gereja. Untuk membuktikan pandangan ini, artikel ini menggunakan metode eksegesis dan melibatkan dua tahap dari metode eksegesis, yaitu Analisis Konteks dan Analisis Gramatikal. Berdasarkan hasil analisis konteks dan gramatikal, artikel ini menyimpulkan bahwa "Apa yang Menahan" dalam 2 Tesalonika 2:6 adalah Roh Kudus. Hal ini didasarkan pada fakta bahwa Pribadi Roh Kudus secara berulang kali disebutkan dalam surat pertama dan surat kedua kepada jemaat sebagai pribadi yang kuat untuk memotivasi pelayanan Rasul Paulus dan memberikan kekuatan kepada jemaat, termasuk dalam menahan manusia yang durhaka.
The fragmentomic property of plasma cell-free DNA enables the non-invasive detection of diabetic nephropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yu Chaolun , Lin Yu , Luo Yuxue , Guo Yun , Ye Zhiming , Ou Rijing , Zhang Yan , Wang Xinxin , Qu Ruokai , Zhou Wenwen , Li Jie , Bai Yong , Yu Xueqing , Zhang Haiqiang , Yan Li , Jin Xin
Published: October 2023

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most prevalent complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, there is still a lack of effective methods for non-invasive diagnosis of DN in clinical practice. We aimed to explore biomarkers from plasma cell-free DNA as a surrogate of renal biopsy for the differentiation of DN patients from patients with DM.

Materials and methods

The plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was sequenced from 53 healthy individuals, 53 patients with DM but without DN, and 71 patients with both DM and DN. Multidimensional features of plasma DNA were analyzed to dissect the cfDNA profile in the DM and DN patients and identify DN-specific cfDNA features. Finally, a classification model was constructed by integrating all informative cfDNA features to demonstrate the clinical utility in DN detection.

Results

In comparison with the DM patients, the DN individuals exhibited significantly increased cfDNA concentration in plasma. The cfDNA from the DN patients showed a distinct fragmentation pattern with an altered size profile and preferred motifs that start with “CC” in the cfDNA ending sites, which were associated with deoxyribonuclease 1 like 3 (DNASE1L3) expression in the kidney. Moreover, patients with DM or DN were found to carry more alterations in whole-genome cfDNA coverage when compared with healthy individuals. We integrated DN-specific cfDNA features (cfDNA concentration, size, and motif) into a classification model, which achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.928 for the differentiation of DN patients from DM patients.

Conclusion

Our findings showed plasma cfDNA as a reliable non-invasive biomarker for differentiating DN patients from DM patients. The utility of cfDNA in clinical practice in large prospective cohorts is warranted.
The Impact of Digital Village Construction on County-Level Economic Growth and Its Driving Mechanisms: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Pingping , Li Chaozhu , Huang Chenghao
Published: October 2023

Digital village construction is the key to future rural development in China. This study has empirically examined the impact of digital village construction on county-level economic growth in China, utilizing non-balanced panel data from 16 provinces and 622 counties for the years from 2018 to 2021. The study also investigated the underlying mechanisms and conducted heterogeneity and robustness tests using various analytical methods, including instrumental variables and the difference-in-differences (DID) approach. The findings reveal that digital village construction significantly enhances county-level economic growth, with a more pronounced effect observed in southern regions, eastern regions, and non-agricultural counties. The primary mechanism through which digital village construction drives economic growth at the county level is by promoting entrepreneurship. This study not only points out the key to digital village construction in China, but also enriches the theoretical research on digital village construction for economic growth. However, due to data limitations and the short time span of digital village construction, the results of the study are correct only for the period 2018–2021 in China. As digital village construction continues to progress, its impact on economic growth is likely to be even greater.
Design and Experimental Investigation of a Transplanting Mechanism for Super Rice Pot Seedlings
Authors: Zhou Maile , Wei Zhaoxiang , Wang Zeliang , Sun Hao , Wang Guibin , Yin Jianjun
Published: October 2023

Super rice contains a variety of advantageous characteristics. However, current rice seedling transplanting machines fail to achieve the necessary trajectory and distance required for super rice mechanized transplanting. To address this issue, this study introduces a differential-speed rotary mechanism for transplanting super rice pot seedlings. The developed mechanism operates using a non-uniform speed differential gear train, which enables the transplanting arm components to mimic the specific trajectory and posture necessary for transplanting super rice pot seedlings. The kinematic model of the differential-speed rotary super rice pot seedling transplanting mechanism (PSTM) was established, and optimization design software was developed. This software facilitated the determination of a set of mechanism parameters optimized for super rice pot seedling transplantation. The results obtained from virtual simulations were found to be in alignment with those from the optimization software, thereby verifying the accuracy of the theoretical analysis and simulation. A testing bench for the rice PSTM was also developed and used for pot seedling pickup experiments. The bench tests demonstrated that the designed super rice PSTM yielded a seedling pickup success rate of 97% and a seedling injury rate of 1.8% when operating at an efficiency of 200 times/min.
Soil Attributes and Their Interrelationships with Resistance to Root Penetration and Water Infiltration in Areas with Different Land Uses in the Apodi Plateau, Semiarid Region of Brazil
Authors: Dias Pollyana Mona Soares , Portela Jeane Cruz , Gondim Joaquim Emanuel Fernandes , Batista Rafael Oliveira , Rossi Leticia Sequinatto , Medeiros Jonatan Levi Ferreira , Farias Phâmella Kalliny Pereira , Mota Paulo Jardel , Bandeira Diego José da Costa , Filho Luís Cesar de Aquino Lemos , de Matos Geisiane Xavier , Mesquita Francisco de Oliveira , de Oliveira Felipe Ozias , Araújo Antonio Genilson Rodrigues , do Nascimento Claudeone Manoel
Published: October 2023

Studies on soils and their interrelationships with land use in the context of the semi-arid region of Brazil are still scarce, even though they have the potential to assist in understanding the use and management of soil and agricultural crops. From this perspective, this study investigated four land uses in different locations of the Apodi Plateau, an elevated area in semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. The different soils were analyzed for their resistance to root penetration, water infiltration, inorganic fractions, soil density, total porosity, potential of hydrogen, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon, potential acidity, and sum of bases. The soil resistance to root penetration and water infiltration were determined in the field. The results obtained were interpreted using multivariate and geostatistical analysis. The resistance data were subjected to the Shapiro–Wilk test at 5% of probability and expressed in maps, whereas infiltration data curves were constructed to estimate the amount of infiltrated water at the different time intervals. The textural classification was an important factor for the analysis of soil resistance to root penetration (Q) and the infiltration rate, being evidenced in the cluster analysis and allowing the formation of two groups, one for the surface layers of the areas and another for the subsurface layers, with the inorganic sand and clay fractions standing out with the greatest dissimilarity. The establishment of conservation practices for soil management is suggested to correct the pore space problems and the degradation of agroecosystems in areas with soils whose conditions are similar to the ones of this study.
Spatial Spillover Effect and Nonlinear Relationship between Factor Misallocation and High-Quality Agricultural Economy: Evidence from 154 Cities in Major Grain-Producing Areas of China
Authors: Chen Hong , Qin Shuai , Wang Haokun
Published: October 2023

Promoting the high-quality development of agriculture is an inevitable requirement toward realizing the transformation from a large agricultural country to a powerful one, and optimizing factor allocation is a prerequisite. In this paper, we use spatial econometric models to analyze the impact of factor misallocation on the high-quality development of the agricultural economy based on panel data from 154 prefecture-level cities in major grain-producing regions from 2004 to 2020. We found that factor misallocation was relatively low at the prefecture level, with an average annual decrease of 0.82 percent, compared to an average annual increase of 1.29 percent for the high-quality development of the agricultural economy. Factor misallocation inhibited improvements in high-quality agricultural economic development in adjacent cities. This conclusion remained stable after a series of tests, and the inhibitory effect exhibited significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity due to differences in geographical location, developmental level, and factor allocation methods. At the same time, a mechanism test demonstrated a continuous weakening of the inhibitory effect, accompanied by the optimization and upgrading of the agricultural industry, as well as an improvement in agricultural scientific and technological progress. In addition, nonlinear tests demonstrated that the impact of factor misallocation on the high-quality development of the agricultural economy exhibits significant nonlinear features as agricultural science and technology advances.
Study on the Fragrant Pear-Picking Sequences Based on the Multiple Weighting Method
Authors: Ma Wenhong , Yang Zhouyang , Qi Xiaochen , Xu Yu , Liu Dan , Tan Housen , Li Yongbin , Yang Xuhai
Published: October 2023

The production of the Korla fragrant pear is significant, but the optimal harvesting time is short; therefore, the reasonable use of mechanical arms for harvesting is conducive to promoting the sustainable development of the fragrant pear industry. The efficiency of a robot arm when picking fragrant pears is not only determined by the successful extraction of fragrant pears in a complex environment, but the picking sequence of fragrant pears also directly affects the efficiency of the robot arm. In order to simulate an orchard-picking scenario, this paper built three fragrant pear tree models indoors. The number of fragrant pears on the fragrant pear trees was 5, 10, and 20. Three sets of experiments were designed for comparison with real-world conditions. The main steps were as follows: calibrate the three-dimensional coordinates of each fragrant pear on the fragrant pear trees; determine the end position of the robotic arm at each picking point; find the inverse solution for each group; transform the solutions into matrix form using the rated power of each joint as the weight, and identify the minimum value, which is the angle of each joint in the robotic arm when picking the fragrant pear; use the intelligent socket to find the average energy consumption and average time consumed for picking each group of fragrant pears; and determine the loss ratio of the robotic arm based on the amount of rotation in each joint during picking. The experimental results show that the multiple weighting method reduced the energy consumption by 10.627%, 16.072%, and 24.417%, and the time consumption by 11.988%, 14.428%, and 22.561%, respectively, relative to the hybrid ant colony–particle swarm optimization algorithm, which proves the rationality of the fragrant pear picking order delineated using the multiple weighting method.
Risk Management Effects of Insurance Purchase and Organization Participation: Which Is More Effective?
Authors: Zhang Yanyuan , Wu Xintong
Published: October 2023

Insurance purchase and organization participation in risk management is of great practical significance for stabilizing agricultural production and household income. The aims of this study were to analyze farm households’ choices of insurance purchase and organization participation, and their effects on crop revenue and its higher-order moments using the multinomial switching endogenous regression (MESR) model. The results showed that the adoption of insurance and organization was significantly affected by household head characteristics, farm household characteristics, and cropland attributes. Insurance purchase, organization participation, and their joint adoption contributed to the increase in crop revenue and decrease in crop revenue variance, and the benefits were larger when adopting two risk management tools in combination. When skewness was taken into account in risk management analysis, insurance purchase, organization participation, and their joint adoption resulted in a reduction in the probability of crop failure, of which, participating in organizations was the most effective. Efforts should be put forth to improve the functioning and effectiveness of agricultural insurance and organization to promote the adoption of risk management tools.
The Rapid Detection of Trash Content in Seed Cotton Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Characteristic Wavelength Selection
Authors: Han Jing , Guo Junxian , Zhang Zhenzhen , Yang Xiao , Shi Yong , Zhou Jun
Published: October 2023

Herein, we propose a new method based on Fourier-transform near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) for detecting impurities in seed cotton. Based on the spectral data of 152 seed cotton samples, we screened the characteristic wavelengths in full-band spectral data with regard to potential correlation with the trash content of seed cotton. Then, we applied joint synergy interval partial least squares (siPLS) and combinatory algorithms with the competitive adaptive reweighted sampling method (CARS) and the successive projection algorithm (SPA). In addition, we used the sparrow search algorithm (SSA), gray wolf algorithm (GWO), and eagle algorithm (BES) to optimize parameters for support vector machine (SVM) analysis. Finally, the feature wavelengths optimized via the six feature wavelength extraction algorithms were modeled and analyzed via partial least squares (PLS), SSA-SVM, GWO-SVM, and BES-SVM, respectively. The correlation coefficients, Rc and Rp, of the calibration and prediction sets were subsequently used as model evaluation indices; comparative analysis highlighted that the preferred option was the inverse estimation model as this could accurately predict the trash content of seed cotton. Subsequently, we found that the accuracy of predicting the content of impurities in seed cotton when applying the optimized SVM model of SSA combined with the feature wavelengths screened via siPLS-SPA was optimal. Thus, the optimal modeling method for inverse impurity content was siPLS-SPA-SSA-SVM, with an Rc value of 0.9841 and an Rp value of 0.9765. The rapid application development (RPD) value was 6.7224; this is >3, indicating excellent predictive ability. The spectral inversion model for determining the impurity rate of mechanized harvested seed cotton samples established herein can, therefore, determine the impurity rate in a highly accurate manner, thus providing a reference for the subsequent construction of a portable spectral detector of impurity rate. This will help objectively and quantitatively characterize the impurity rate of mechanized harvested seed cotton and provide a new tool for rapidly detecting impurities in mechanized harvested wheat. Our findings are limited by the small sample size and the fact that the model developed for estimating the impurity content of seed cotton was specific to a local experimental field and certain varieties of cotton.
Design and Experiment of a Fully Automatic Plate Lifting Machine for Rice Hard Disk Seedling Cultivation
Authors: Yi Shujuan , Zhang Ge , Li Yifei , Li Bohai , Luo Laisheng , Wang Peng
Published: October 2023

To mitigate the challenges associated with labor intensity and labor expenses in the rice seedling-raising process within greenhouses located in northern China, a comprehensive solution was developed in the form of a completely automated rice seedling-raising machine. The investigation of the first procedure was carried out through the utilization of EDEM software to ascertain the most favorable range of parameters. Performance tests were conducted on the automatic lifting machine designed for rice hard disk seedling cultivation. Based on the findings of the regression model, it can be inferred that when the rake angle is set at 21.278°, the locomotive speed is 0.333 m/s, and the longitudinal conveyor speed is 0.17 m/s, the completeness rate of seed trays reaches 99.48%. Additionally, the lifting efficiency is measured at 510 trays per hour, while the disk jam rate stands at 0.4%. These results indicate that the lifting machine satisfies the specified requirements.
Spectroscopic Identification of Bacteria Resistance to Antibiotics by Means of Absorption of Specific Biochemical Groups and Special Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Barrera-Patiño Claudia P. , Soares Jennifer M. , Branco Kate C. , Inada Natalia M. , Bagnato Vanderlei Salvador
Published: October 2023

FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) is one analytical technique of the absorption of infrared radiation. FTIR can also be used as a tool to characterize profiles of biomolecules in bacterial cells, which can be useful in differentiating different bacteria. Considering that different bacterial species have different molecular compositions, it will then result in unique FTIR spectra for each species and even bacterial strains. Having this important tool, here, we have developed a methodology aimed at refining the analysis and classification of the FTIR absorption spectra obtained from samples of Staphylococcus aureus, with the implementation of machine learning algorithms. In the first stage, the system conforming to four specified species groups, Control, Amoxicillin induced (AMO), Gentamicin induced (GEN), and Erythromycin induced (ERY), was analyzed. Then, in the second stage, five hidden samples were identified and correctly classified as with/without resistance to induced antibiotics. The total analyses were performed in three windows, Carbohydrates, Fatty Acids, and Proteins, of five hundred spectra. The protocol for acquiring the spectral data from the antibiotic-resistant bacteria via FTIR spectroscopy developed by Soares et al. was implemented here due to demonstrating high accuracy and sensitivity. The present study focuses on the prediction of antibiotic-induced samples through the implementation of the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm, and calculation of confusion matrices (CMs) applied to the FTIR absorption spectra data. The data analysis process developed here has the main objective of obtaining knowledge about the intrinsic behavior of S. aureus samples within the analysis regions of the FTIR absorption spectra. The results yielded values with 0.7 to 1 accuracy and high values of sensitivity and specificity for the species identification in the CM calculations. Such results provide important information on antibiotic resistance in samples of S. aureus bacteria for potential application in the detection of antibiotic resistance in clinical use.
Anti-Browning Effect of 2-Mercaptobenzo[d]imidazole Analogs with Antioxidant Activity on Freshly-Cut Apple Slices and Their Highly Potent Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Lee Jieun , Park Hye Soo , Jung Hee Jin , Park Yu Jung , Kang Min Kyung , Kim Hye Jin , Yoon Dahye , Ullah Sultan , Kang Dongwan , Park Yujin , Chun Pusoon , Chung Hae Young , Moon Hyung Ryong
Published: October 2023

Ten 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (2-MBI) analogs were synthesized as potential tyrosinase inhibitors because mercapto-containing compounds can bind to copper ions at the active site of tyrosinase to inhibit enzyme activity. Nine 2-MBI analogs showed sub-micromolar IC50 values for mushroom tyrosinase monophenolase activity; analog 4 was 280-fold more potent than kojic acid, and in diphenolase activity, 6 was 970-fold more potent than kojic acid. The inhibition mode of the 2-MBI analogs was investigated using kinetic studies supported by docking simulations. Benzimidazoles without the 2-mercapto substituent of the 2-MBI analogs lost their tyrosinase inhibitory activity, implying that the 2-mercapto substituent plays an important role in tyrosinase inhibition. The 2-MBI analogs exerted potent antioxidant effects against 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results obtained from apple slices and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) suggest that most 2-MBI analogs are sufficiently safe candidates to delay the browning of apple slices effectively. Thus, these results support the potential use of 2-MBI analogs as anti-browning agents in foods such as mushrooms, vegetables, and fruits.
Effects of Redox Homeostasis and Mitochondrial Damage on Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wu Yi-Hsuan , Hsieh Hsi-Lung
Published: October 2023

Bioenergetic mitochondrial dysfunction is a common feature of several diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), where redox imbalance also plays an important role in terms of disease development. AD is an age-related disease and begins many years before the appearance of neurodegenerative symptoms. Intracellular tau aggregation, extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in the brain, and even the APOE4 genotype contribute to the process of AD by impairing redox homeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction. This review summarizes the evidence for the redox imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction in AD and demonstrates the current therapeutic strategies related to mitochondrial maintenance.
Monocarboxylate Transporter-1 (MCT1)-Mediated Lactate Uptake Protects Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells from Oxidative Stress during Glutamine Scarcity Thereby Promoting Resistance against Inhibitors of Glutamine Metabolism
Authors: Ammar Nourhane , Hildebrandt Maya , Geismann Claudia , Röder Christian , Gemoll Timo , Sebens Susanne , Trauzold Ania , Schäfer Heiner
Published: October 2023

Metabolic compartmentalization of stroma-rich tumors, like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), greatly contributes to malignancy. This involves cancer cells importing lactate from the microenvironment (reverse Warburg cells) through monocarboxylate transporter-1 (MCT1) along with substantial phenotype alterations. Here, we report that the reverse Warburg phenotype of PDAC cells compensated for the shortage of glutamine as an essential metabolite for redox homeostasis. Thus, oxidative stress caused by glutamine depletion led to an Nrf2-dependent induction of MCT1 expression in pancreatic T3M4 and A818-6 cells. Moreover, greater MCT1 expression was detected in glutamine-scarce regions within tumor tissues from PDAC patients. MCT1-driven lactate uptake supported the neutralization of reactive oxygen species excessively produced under glutamine shortage and the resulting drop in glutathione levels that were restored by the imported lactate. Consequently, PDAC cells showed greater survival and growth under glutamine depletion when utilizing lactate through MCT1. Likewise, the glutamine uptake inhibitor V9302 and glutaminase-1 inhibitor CB839 induced oxidative stress in PDAC cells, along with cell death and cell cycle arrest that were again compensated by MCT1 upregulation and forced lactate uptake. Our findings show a novel mechanism by which PDAC cells adapt their metabolism to glutamine scarcity and by which they develop resistance against anticancer treatments based on glutamine uptake/metabolism inhibition.
Beneficial Effects of Halogenated Anesthetics in Cardiomyocytes: The Role of Mitochondria
Authors: Guerrero-Orriach José Luis , Carmona-Luque María Dolores , Raigón-Ponferrada Aida
Published: October 2023

In the last few years, the use of anesthetic drugs has been related to effects other than those initially related to their fundamental effect, hypnosis. Halogenated anesthetics, mainly sevoflurane, have been used as a therapeutic tool in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, thanks to the beneficial effect of the cardiac protection they generate. This effect has been described in several research studies. The mechanism by which they produce this effect has been associated with the effects generated by anesthetic preconditioning and postconditioning. The mechanisms by which these effects are induced are directly related to the modulation of oxidative stress and the cellular damage generated by the ischemia/reperfusion procedure through the overexpression of different enzymes, most of them included in the Reperfusion Injury Salvage Kinase (RISK) and the Survivor Activating Factor Enhancement (SAFE) pathways. Mitochondria is the final target of the different routes of pre- and post-anesthetic conditioning, and it is preserved from the damage generated in moments of lack of oxygen and after the recovery of the normal oxygen concentration. The final consequence of this effect has been related to better cardiac function in this type of patient, with less myocardial damage, less need for inotropic drugs to achieve normal myocardial function, and a shorter hospital stay in intensive care units. The mechanisms through which mitochondrial homeostasis is maintained and its relationship with the clinical effect are the basis of our review. From a translational perspective, we provide information regarding mitochondrial physiology and physiopathology in cardiac failure and the role of halogenated anesthetics in modulating oxidative stress and inducing myocardial conditioning.
Paraoxonase 2 Deficiency Causes Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells and Retinal Degeneration in Mice
Authors: Sreekumar Parameswaran Gangadharan , Su Feng , Spee Christine , Hong Elise , Komirisetty Ravikiran , Araujo Eduardo , Nusinowitz Steven , Reddy Srinivasa T. , Kannan Ram
Published: October 2023

Although AMD is a complex disease, oxidative stress is a crucial contributor to its development, especially in view of the higher oxygen demand of the retina. Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is a ubiquitously and constitutively expressed antioxidant protein that is found intracellularly associated with mitochondrial membranes and modulates mitochondrial ROS production and function. The contribution of PON2 to AMD has not been studied to date. In this study, we examined the role of PON2 in AMD utilizing both in vitro and in vivo models of AMD with emphasis on mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial localization and regulation of PON2 following oxidative stress were determined in human primary cultured retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) cells. PON2 was knocked down in RPE cells using siRNA and mitochondrial bioenergetics were measured. To investigate the function of PON2 in the retina, WT and PON2-deficient mice were administered NaIO3 (20 mg/kg) intravenously; fundus imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT), electroretinography (ERG) were conducted; and retinal thickness and cell death were measured and quantified. In hRPE, mitochondrial localization of PON2 increased markedly with stress. Moreover, a time-dependent regulation of PON2 was observed following oxidative stress, with an initial significant increase in expression followed by a significant decrease. Mitochondrial bioenergetic parameters (basal respiration, ATP production, spare respiratory capacity, and maximal respiration) showed a significant decrease with oxidative stress, which was further exacerbated in the absence of PON2. NaIO3 treatment caused significant retinal degeneration, retinal thinning, and reduced rod and cone function in PON2-deficient mice when compared to WT mice. The apoptotic cells and active caspase 3 significantly increased in PON2-deficient mice treated with NaIO3, when compared to WT mice. Our investigation demonstrates that deficiency of PON2 results in RPE mitochondrial dysfunction and a decline in retinal function. These findings imply that PON2 may have a beneficial role in retinal pathophysiology and is worthy of further investigation.
Multi-Organ Nutrigenomic Effects of Dietary Grapes in a Mouse Model
Authors: Dave Asim , Park Eun-Jung , Pezzuto John M.
Published: October 2023

As a whole food, the potential health benefits of table grapes have been widely studied. Some individual constituents have garnered great attention, particularly resveratrol, but normal quantities in the diet are meniscal. On the other hand, the grape contains hundreds of compounds, many of which have antioxidant potential. Nonetheless, the achievement of serum or tissue concentrations of grape antioxidants sufficient to mediate a direct quenching effect is not likely, which supports the idea of biological responses being mediated by an indirect catalytic-type response. We demonstrate herein with Hsd:ICR (CD-1® Outbred, 18–24 g, 3–4 weeks old, female) mice that supplementation of a semi-synthetic diet with a grape surrogate, equivalent to the human consumption of 2.5 servings per day for 12 months, modulates gene expression in the liver, kidney, colon, and ovary. As might be expected when sampling changes in a pool of over 35,000 genes, there are numerous functional implications. Analysis of some specific differentially expressed genes suggests the potential of grape consumption to bolster metabolic detoxification and regulation of reactive oxygen species in the liver, cellular metabolism, and anti-inflammatory activity in the ovary and kidney. In the colon, the data suggest anti-inflammatory activity, suppression of mitochondrial dysfunction, and maintaining homeostasis. Pathway analysis reveals a combination of up- and down-regulation in the target tissues, primarily up-regulated in the kidney and down-regulated in the ovary. More broadly, based on these data, it seems logical to conclude that grape consumption leads to modulation of gene expression throughout the body, the consequence of which may help to explain the broad array of activities demonstrated in diverse tissues such as the brain, heart, eye, bladder, and colon. In addition, this work further supports the profound impact of nutrigenomics on mammalian phenotypic expression.
An Observational Study on Changes in the Oral and Gut Microbiota through Professional Mechanical Tooth Cleaning, including Tooth-Brushing Instructions in Patients with Multi-Bracket Appliances
Authors: Okuwaki Satoko , Hosomichi Kazuyoshi , Tajima Atsushi , Yamaguchi Tetsutaro
Published: October 2023

Multi-bracket appliances have long been established as tools for treating malocclusions. However, the complex construction and difficulty in cleaning due to their long-term intraoral retention have hindered the prevention of caries and periodontitis. In this study, professional mechanical tooth cleaning (PMTC), including tooth-brushing instructions, was continuously performed for 3 months in 24 patients who had worn multi-bracket appliances for more than 6 months, and changes in the oral and gut microbiota were examined using one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Additionally, changes in bacterial flora associated with different treatment durations were verified using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The results showed that continuous PMTC significantly reduced the amount of plaque in the oral cavity. No significant changes were observed in the oral or gut microbiota and no significant increase in pathogenic bacteria was observed. Therefore, our results suggest that continuous PMTC during orthodontic treatment with multi-brackets may inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria by maintaining a clean oral environment and avoiding dysbiosis in both the oral and gut microbiota. Significant changes in the gut microbiota with different treatment durations suggested that differences in food intake and food choices at each treatment stage of orthodontic treatment may affect the gut microbiota.
From Micro-Perforates to Micro-Capillary Absorbers: Analysis of Their Broadband Absorption Performance through Modeling and Experiments
Authors: Maury Cédric , Bravo Teresa
Published: October 2023

A challenging issue is currently the design of non-fibrous ultra-thin acoustic absorbers that are able to provide broadband performance in demanding environments. The objective of this study is to compare using simulations and measurements the broadband absorption performance of highly porous micro-capillary plates (MCPs) to that of micro-perforated panels (MPPs) under normal incidence while considering unbacked or backed configurations. MCPs are unusual materials used for sound absorption with micron-sized channels and a high perforation ratio. Impedance-based modeling and Kundt tube experiments show that MCPs with suitable channel diameters have a pure constant resistance that outperforms the acoustic efficiency of MPP absorbers. Unbacked MCPs exhibit a controllable amount of high absorption that can exceed 0.8 over more than five octaves starting from 80 Hz, thereby achieving a highly sub-wavelength absorber. MCPs still provide broadband high absorption when backed by a rigid cavity. Their bandwidth-to-thickness ratio increases toward its causal limit when the cavity depth decreases. A parallel MCP resonant absorber partly backed by closed and open cavities is proposed. Such MCP-based absorbers could serve as short anechoic terminations for the characterization of acoustic materials at low frequencies.
Development of a Conveyor Cart with Magnetic Levitation Mechanism Based on Multi Control Strategies
Authors: Tang Xiaowei , Hashimoto Seiji , Kurita Nobuyuki , Kawaguchi Takahiro , Ogiwara Eiji , Hishinuma Nobuya , Egura Keisuke
Published: October 2023

This paper presents the experimental magnetic levitation control development of Sanki Engineering airport luggage conveyor carts which have four magnetic levitation units working synchronously. With the PID controller, the state feedback controller and the zero-power controller refined by PID controller were implemented in the one magnetic levitation unit system and four-unit magnetic levitation system, and the displacement and the current were verified in a real-time system. The magnetic levitation unit had a fast response, and the control algorithms were easily implemented. The change of current and displacement were compared. In the one-unit system, the PID and state feedback controller react to the disturbance at the same speed and have similar power consumptions. For a disturbance on the zero-power controller, the system generates a transient current to deal with the load disturbance and finally settles to 0 A. The PID control for four magnetic levitation units of the conveyor cart has a better stable performance during synchronous operation. Under the control of state feedback controller, they can keep the cart statically stable with some oscillation. These characteristics are experimentally confirmed.
SCEHO-IPSO: A Nature-Inspired Meta Heuristic Optimization for Task-Scheduling Policy in Cloud Computing
Authors: Rajashekar Kaidala Jayaram , Channakrishnaraju  , Gowda Puttamadappa Chaluve , Jayachandra Ananda Babu
Published: October 2023

Task scheduling is an emerging challenge in cloud platforms and is considered a critical application utilized by the cloud service providers and end users. The main challenge faced by the task scheduler is to identify the optimal resources for the input task. In this research, a Sine Cosine-based Elephant Herding Optimization (SCEHO) algorithm is incorporated with the Improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO) algorithm for enhancing the task scheduling behavior by utilizing parameters like load balancing and resource allocation. The conventional EHO and PSO algorithms are improved utilizing a sine cosine-based clan-updating operator and human group optimizer that improve the algorithm’s exploration and exploitation abilities and avoid being trapped in the local optima problem. The efficacy of the SCEHO-IPSO algorithm is analyzed by using performance measures like cost, execution time, makespan, latency, and memory storage. The numerical investigation indicates that the SCEHO-IPSO algorithm has a minimum memory storage of 309 kb, a latency of 1510 ms, and an execution time of 612 ms on the Kafka platform, and the obtained results reveal that the SCEHO-IPSO algorithm outperformed other conventional optimization algorithms. The SCEHO-IPSO algorithm converges faster than the other algorithms in the large search spaces, and it is appropriate for large scheduling issues.
An FTIR and EA-IRMS Application to the Degradation Study of Compostable Plastic Bags in the Natural Marine Environment
Authors: Rampazzo Federico , Calace Nicoletta , Formalewicz Malgorzata , Noventa Seta , Gion Claudia , Bongiorni Lucia , De Lazzari Amelia , Causin Valerio , Berto Daniela
Published: October 2023

The present study aims to explore the degradation process of compostable, starch-based (i.e., Mater-Bi®) shopping bags in the marine environment using isotope ratio mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The mixing model applied to the isotopic data suggested that the compostable shopping bags had a mixed composition with a higher percentage of polyesters (61% to 72%). Changes in the isotopic composition over a 73-day period of marine water immersion showed a decrease in the corn starch constituent (of 14% to 13%), with a similar rate in both types of bags in accordance with the evidence derived from the infrared spectra. The time required for complete degradation of the starch fraction was estimated by an isotopic approach from 124 to 180 days, following zero-order kinetics. The coupled application of these two analytical methodologies promises to (i) show complementary evidence regarding the time-course degradability of different polymers via FTIR changes, and (ii) infer potential degradation mechanisms via carbon isotope analyzes. We encourage the use of this information to support advancements in the development of more sustainable-by-design plastic materials.