bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Functional Assignment of Genes Implicated in Sperm Maturation of Tibetan Sheep
Authors: Li Taotao , Wang Huihui , Luo Ruirui , Shi Huibin , Su Manchun , Wu Yi , Li Qiao , Ma Keyan , Zhang Yong , Ma Youji
Published: May 2023

While traveling through the epididymis, immature sheep spermatozoa undergo a sequence of processes that ultimately give them the capacity to swim and fertilize an egg. Different gene expression patterns may be found in the epididymal caput, corpus, and cauda, conferring variant or unique biological roles during epididymis development and sperm maturation. To search for candidate genes associated with ovine sperm maturation and assess their possible modulating mechanisms, we characterized gene expression in each epididymal segment derived from pre- and post-pubertal Tibetan sheep by RNA sequencing. Compared with pre-puberty, 7730 (3724 upregulated and 4006 downregulated), 7516 (3909 upregulated and 3607 downregulated), and 7586 (4115 elevated and 3471 downregulated) genes were found to be differentially expressed in the post-pubertal caput, corpus, and cauda epididymis, respectively, and real-time quantitative PCR verified the validity of the gathered expression patterns. Based on their functional annotations, most differential genes were assigned to the biological processes and pathways associated with cellular proliferation, differentiation, immune response, or metabolic activities. As for the post-pubertal epididymis, 2801, 197, and 186 genes were specifically expressed in the caput, corpus, and cauda, respectively. Functional annotation revealed that they were mainly enriched to various distinct biological processes associated with reproduction (including the caput binding of sperm to the zona pellucida; fertilization in the caput and corpus; and meiosis in the caput and cauda) and development (such as cell differentiation and developmental maturation in the caput; cell proliferation and metabolism in the corpus; and regulation of tube size and cell division/cell cycle in the cauda). Additionally, we focused on the identification of genes implicated in immunity and sperm maturation, and subsequent functional enrichment analysis revealed that immune-related genes mainly participated in the biological processes or pathways associated with the immune barrier (such as JAM3 and ITGA4/6/9) and immunosuppression (such as TGFB2, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, and SMAD3), thus protecting auto-immunogenic spermatozoa. Additionally, sperm maturation was mostly controlled by genes linked with cellular processes, including cell growth, proliferation, division, migration, morphogenesis, and junction. Altogether, these results suggest that most genes were differentially expressed in developmental epididymal regions to contribute to microenvironment development and sperm maturation. These findings help us better understand the epididymal biology, including sperm maturation pathways and functional differences between the epididymal regions in Tibetan sheep and other sheep breeds.
Supplementation of a Multi-Carbohydrase and Phytase Complex in Diets Regardless of Nutritional Levels, Improved Nutrients Digestibility, Growth Performance, and Bone Mineralization of Growing–Finishing Pigs
Authors: Chen Fangyuan , Yang Lunxiang , Zhe Li , Jlali Maamer , Zhuo Yong , Jiang Xuemei , Huang Lingjie , Wu Fali , Zhang Ruinan , Xu Shengyu , Lin Yan , Che Lianqiang , Feng Bin , Wu De , Preynat Aurélie , Fang Zhengfeng
Published: May 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary multi-enzyme (multi-carbohydrase and phytase complex, MCPC) supplementation on digestibility, growth performance, bone mineralization, and carcass yield and traits in growing–finishing pigs fed diets with adequate or deficient net energy (NE), amino acids (AA), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels. A total of 576 crossbred [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] barrows (~25 kg) were fed one of the six diets till live weight approached 130 kg. Basal diets included a positive control (PC), negative control 1 (NC1) and 2 (NC2), while another three diets were prepared by adding MCPC to the three basal diets. The final body weight was lower (p < 0.05) in NC2 than in NC1 and PC treatments, while overall feed intake and feed-gain ratio were higher (p < 0.05) in NC1 and NC2 than in PC treatment. The NC2 treatment showed lower (p < 0.05) carcass weight but higher (p < 0.05) lean meat percentage than the PC treatment. The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP) and AA was decreased (p < 0.05) or tended (p < 0.10) to decrease in NC1 and/or NC2 diets compared with a PC diet. MCPC supplementation improved (p < 0.05) AID of Ca, P and AA (Lys, Leu, Val, Phe, Gly, Tyr and Pro), apparent total-tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE, CP, bone strength, Ca, and P retention. In conclusion, MCPC supplementation improved nutrient digestibility, bone mineralization, and growth performance of fattening pigs, regardless of the nutritional level of the basal diet.
Investigation of the Formal Pathogenesis of Green Liver Discoloration in Organically Reared Female Bronze Turkeys (Melleagris gallovapo)
Authors: Stegmaier Ines , Cramer Kerstin , Cuta Larissa , Koeller Gábor , Visscher Christian , Reckels Bernd , Schoeniger Axel , Krautwald-Junghanns Maria-Elisabeth , Schmidt Volker
Published: May 2023

Green liver discoloration (GL) in fattening turkeys is suspected to be a multifactorial disease complex with a compromised immune system as the key factor. This study aimed to identify the formal pathogenesis of GL and to investigate possible nutritional influences. A total of 360 Bronze turkey hens out of 10 flocks from 5 fattening farms were necropsied for detection of GL during 2 consecutive trials on 2 examination dates each (70th to 75th and 120th to 127th day of fattening, respectively). At each examination date, hematological and clinical chemistry analyses, as well as determination of vitamin E and selenium concentrations in the liver, were carried out in 6 hens with (if applicable) and 6 hens without GL, representing a total of 130 individuals. Raw nutrient, energy, amino acid, bulk and trace element, and vitamin E and D3 concentrations were analyzed in feed samples for each of the five feeding phases during each trial. The results of the hematological analyses, clinical chemistry analyses, and determination of vitamin E and selenium liver concentrations were statistically evaluated between: (i) individuals with and without GL, and (ii) individuals from flocks with and without turkeys with GL. At both fattening stages, the occurrence of GL was characterized by an inflammatory reaction. A subacute inflammatory reaction was detected in the early fattening stage, indicating a viral cause of the disease. In the late fattening stage, acute inflammation indicated a bacterial cause of the disease. The results of the feed sample analyses of the different flocks were generally quite homogeneous. However, the nutrient and energy content of the feed likely contribute to GL pathogenesis.
Effect of Dietary Organic Selenium on Growth Performance, Gut Health, and Coccidiosis Response in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Wickramasuriya Samiru S. , Park Inkyung , Lee Youngsub , Lillehoj Hyun S.
Published: May 2023

A total of 252 one-day-old Ross broilers were randomly allocated to one of six treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with respective Eimeria challenges (non-infection and infection) and three different selenium (Se) diets. Dietary treatments were as follows: (1) Se un-supplemented control (CON), (2) inorganic Se treatment (SS; 0.3 mg/kg as sodium selenite), and (3) organic Se treatment (SY; 0.3 mg/kg as selenized yeast). Six replicate cages were allocated per treatment. Chickens in the respective Eimeria infection groups were infected with an E. acervulina, E. tenella, and E. maxima oocyst mixture (15,000 oocysts/chicken) on day 16. Growth performance was measured on days 16, 22, and 24. On day 22, intestinal samples were collected from randomly selected chickens to evaluate gut lesion scores, antioxidant enzymes, and tight junction gene expression. Blood, breast, and liver samples were collected to analyze the Se concentrations on day 24. Dietary SY supplementation improved (p < 0.05) the growth performance of the chickens regardless of the Eimeria challenge. Moreover, independent of Eimeria infection, Se supplementation elevated (p < 0.05) the heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX-1) expression in jejunal mucosa at 6 days post-infection (dpi). Duodenal junctional adhesion molecule 2 (JAM-2) expression and jejunal occludin (OCLN) were elevated (p < 0.05) with dietary SY supplementation at 6 dpi. Among Se sources, broiler chickens fed with the SY diet showed higher (p < 0.05) Se concentrations in breast muscle and serum on 8 dpi. These results confirmed the beneficial effects of dietary Se and the efficiency of organic Se compared with inorganic Se for growth improvement and muscle Se enrichment in broiler chickens regardless of coccidiosis infection.
Genomic Characterizations of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Viruses (PEDV) in Diarrheic Piglets and Clinically Healthy Adult Pigs from 2019 to 2022 in China
Authors: Feng Binghui , Li Chen , Qiu Yuejia , Qi Wenhao , Qiu Ming , Li Jixiang , Lin Hong , Zheng Wanglong , Zhu Jianzhong , Chen Nanhua
Published: May 2023

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a major causative pathogen of diarrheic disease. In this study, the prevalence and evolution of PEDV was evaluated using intestinal samples collected from six provinces of China in 2019–2022. PEDV could not only be detected in diarrheic piglets but also in adult pigs without enteric diseases. The complete genomes of five temporal and geographical representative PEDV strains were determined. Genome-based phylogenetic analysis indicated that XJ1904-700 belongs to the G2-a subgroup, while the other strains are clustered within the S-INDEL subgroup. Recombination analyses supported that JSNJ2004-919 is an inter-subgroup recombinant from SD2014-like (G2-b), CHZ-2013-like (G2-b) and CV777-like (G1-b) isolates, while FJFZ2004-1017 is an intra-subgroup recombinant from XM1-2-like (S-INDEL) and LYG-2014-like (S-INDEL) isolates. Both JSNJ2004-919 and FJFZ2004-1017 were from adult pigs, providing evidence that adult pigs may also serve as the host of PEDV reservoirs for virus evolution. Overall, this study provides new insights into PEDV’s prevalence and evolution in both diseased piglets and clinically healthy adult pigs.
The Elevational Gradient of Bird Beta Diversity in the Meili Snow Mountains, Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Yao Shunyu , Liu Luming , Shan Pengfei , Yang Xiaojun , Wu Fei
Published: May 2023

Understanding the elevational patterns of beta diversity in mountain regions is a long-standing problem in biogeography and ecology. Previous research has generally focused on the taxonomy facet on a large scale, but was limited with regard to multi-facet beta diversity. Accordingly, we constructed a multi-dimensional (taxonomic/phylogenetic/functional) framework to analyze the underlying mechanisms of beta diversity. Within an approximately 2000 m altitudinal range (from 2027 m to 3944 m) along the eastern slope of the Meili Snow Mountains in Deqin County, Yunnan Province, China, we performed field surveys of breeding and non-breeding birds in September/2011 and May/2012, respectively. In total, 132 bird species were recorded during the fieldwork. The results indicated that taxonomic beta diversity contributed 56% of the bird species diversity, and its turnover process dominated the altitudinal pattern of taxon beta diversity; beta phylogenetic diversity contributed 42% of the bird phylogenetic diversity, and its turnover process also appeared to be stronger than the nestedness. For both taxonomy and phylogeny, the null models standardized measures (SES.βsim/SES.βsne/SES.βsor) of paired dissimilarities between elevation zones all showed statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) and were higher than expected (SES.β > 0). However, standardized functional beta diversity showed convergence along the elevational gradient with no significant change. Moreover, the functional beta diversity contributed 50% of the bird functional diversity; there was no significant difference between the turnover and the nestedness-resultant component. Based on these results, we discerned that taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity patterns among the elevational zone were overdispersed, which indicated that limiting similarity dominated the turnover process among the bird species and phylogenetic communities in the Meili Snow Mountains.
The Use of a Brief Synchronization Treatment after Weaning, Combined with Superovulation, Has Moderate Effects on the Gene Expression of Surviving Pig Blastocysts
Authors: Gonzalez-Ramiro Henar , Gil Maria A. , Cuello Cristina , Cambra Josep M. , Gonzalez-Plaza Alejandro , Vazquez Juan M. , Vazquez Jose L. , Rodriguez-Martinez Heriberto , Lucas-Sanchez Alejandro , Parrilla Inmaculada , Martinez Cristina A. , Martinez Emilio A.
Published: May 2023

The combination of estrus synchronization and superovulation (SS) treatments causes alterations in ovarian and endometrial gene expression patterns, resulting in abnormal follicle and oocyte growth, fertilization, and embryo development. However, the impact of combined SS treatments on the transcriptome of the surviving embryos remains unidentified. In this study, we examined gene expression changes in day 6 blastocysts that survived a brief regimen of synchronization treatment combined with superovulation. The sows were included in one of three groups: SS7 group (n = 6), sows were administered Altrenogest (ALT) 7 days from the day of weaning and superovulated with eCG 24 h after the end of ALT treatment and hCG at the onset of estrus; SO group (n = 6), ALT nontreated sows were superovulated with eCG 24 h postweaning and hCG at the onset of estrus; control group (n = 6), weaned sows displaying natural estrus. Six days after insemination, the sows underwent a surgical intervention for embryo collection. Transcriptome analysis was performed on blastocyst-stage embryos with good morphology. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between groups were detected using one-way ANOVA with an un-adjusted p-value < 0.05 and a fold change </> 1.5. The effect of SO treatment on the number of altered pathways and DEGs within each pathway was minimal. Only four pathways were disrupted comprising only a total of four altered transcripts, which were not related to reproductive functions or embryonic development. On the other hand, the surviving blastocysts subjected to SS7 treatments exhibited moderate gene expression changes in terms of DEGs and fold changes, with seven pathways disrupted containing a total of 10 transcripts affected. In this case, the up-regulation of certain pathways, such as the metabolic pathway, with two up-regulated genes associated with reproductive functions, namely RDH10 and SPTLC2, may suggest suboptimal embryo quality, while the down-regulation of others, such as the glutathione metabolism pathway, with down-regulated genes related to cellular detoxification of reactive oxygen species, namely GSTK1 and GSTO1, could depress the embryos’ response to oxidative stress, thereby impairing subsequent embryo development. The gene expression changes observed in the present study in SS7 embryos, along with previous reports indicating SS7 can negatively affect fertilization, embryo production, and reproductive tract gene expression, make its use in embryo transfer programs unrecommendable.
Synergistic Antifungal Interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa LV Strain Metabolites and Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles against Candida auris
Authors: Spoladori Laís Fernanda de Almeida , Andriani Gabriella Maria , Castro Isabela Madeira de , Suzukawa Helena Tiemi , Gimenes Ana Carolina Ramos , Bartolomeu-Gonçalves Guilherme , Ishida Kelly , Nakazato Gerson , Pinge-Filho Phileno , Machado Rayanne Regina Beltrame , Nakamura Celso Vataru , Andrade Galdino , Tavares Eliandro Reis , Yamauchi Lucy Megumi , Yamada-Ogatta Sueli Fumie
Published: May 2023

Candida auris has been found to be a persistent colonizer of human skin and a successful pathogen capable of causing potentially fatal infection, especially in immunocompromised individuals. This fungal species is usually resistant to most antifungal agents and has the ability to form biofilms on different surfaces, representing a significant therapeutic challenge. Herein, the effect of metabolites of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LV strain, alone and combined with biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (bioAgNP), was evaluated in planktonic and sessile (biofilm) cells of C. auris. First, the minimal inhibitory and fungicidal concentration values of 3.12 and 6.25 μg/mL, respectively, were determined for F4a, a semi-purified bacterial fraction. Fluopsin C and indolin-3-one seem to be the active components of F4a. Like the semi-purified fraction, they showed a time- and dose-dependent fungicidal activity. F4a and bioAgNP caused severe changes in the morphology and ultrastructure of fungal cells. F4a and indolin-3-one combined with bioAgNP exhibited synergistic fungicidal activity against planktonic cells. F4a, alone or combined with bioAgNP, also caused a significant decrease in the number of viable cells within the biofilms. No cytotoxicity to mammalian cells was detected for bacterial metabolites combined with bioAgNP at synergistic concentrations that presented antifungal activity. These results indicate the potential of F4a combined with bioAgNP as a new strategy for controlling C. auris infections.
Staphylococcus aureus and CA-MRSA Carriage among Brazilian Indians Living in Peri-Urban Areas and Remote Communities
Authors: Abraão Lígia Maria , Fortaleza Carlos Magno Castelo Branco , Camargo Carlos Henrique , Barbosa Thaís Alves , Pereira-Franchi Eliane Patrícia Lino , Riboli Danilo Flávio Moraes , Hubinger Luiza , Bonesso Mariana Fávero , Medeiros de Souza Rodrigo , Ribeiro de Souza da Cunha Maria de Lourdes
Published: May 2023

The emergence of Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections among indigenous populations has been reported. Usually, indigenous communities live in extreme poverty and are at risk of acquiring infections. In Brazil, healthcare inequality is observed in this population. To date, there are no reports of CA-MRSA infections, and no active search for asymptomatic S. aureus carriage has been conducted among Brazilian Indians. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of colonization with S. aureus and CA-MRSA among Brazilian Indians. We screened 400 Indians (from near urban areas and remote hamlets) for S. aureus and CA-MRSA colonization. The isolates were submitted to clonal profiling by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and selected isolates were submitted to multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Among 931 specimens (nasal and oral) from different indigenous individuals in remote hamlets, S. aureus was cultured in 190 (47.6%). Furthermore, CA-MRSA was found in three isolates (0.7%), all SCCmec type IV. PFGE analysis identified 21 clusters among the S. aureus isolates, and MLST analysis showed a predominance of sequence type 5 among these isolates. Our study revealed a higher prevalence of S. aureus carriage among Shanenawa ethnicity individuals (41.1%). Therefore, ethnicity appears to be associated with the prevalence of S. aureus in these populations.
In Vitro Activity of Cefiderocol against Clinical Gram-Negative Isolates Originating from Germany in 2016/17
Authors: Wohlfarth Esther , Kresken Michael , Deuchert Fabian , Gatermann Sören G. , Pfeifer Yvonne , Pfennigwerth Niels , Seifert Harald , Higgins Paul G. , Werner Guido ,   Study Group ‘Antimicrobial Resistance‘ of the Paul Ehrlich Society for Infection Therapy
Published: May 2023

Antimicrobial resistance poses a global threat to public health. Of great concern are Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacterales with resistance to carbapenems or third-generation cephalosporins. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro activity of the novel siderophore cephaloporin cefiderocol (CID) and four comparator β-lactam-β-lactamase-inhibitor combinations and to give insights into the genetic background of CID-resistant isolates. In total, 301 clinical Enterobacterales and non-fermenting bacterial isolates were selected for this study, including randomly chosen isolates (set I, n = 195) and challenge isolates (set II, n = 106; enriched with ESBL and carbapenemase producers, as well as colistin-resistant isolates). Isolates displayed CID MIC50/90 values of 0.12/0.5 mg/L (set I) and 0.5/1 mg/L (set II). Overall, the CID activity was superior to the comparators against A. baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and set II isolates of P. aeruginosa. There were eight CID-resistant isolates detected (MIC > 2 mg/L): A. baumannii (n = 1), E. cloacae complex (n = 5) and P. aeruginosa (n = 2). Sequencing analyses of these isolates detected the acquired β-lactamase (bla) genes blaNDM-1, blaSHV-12 and naturally occurring blaOXA-396, blaACT-type and blaCMH-3. In conclusion, CID revealed potent activity against clinically relevant organisms of multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales and non-fermenters.
Interventions to Improve Antibiotic Use in Hospitals with Different Levels of Complexity in Colombia: Findings from a Before-and-After Study and Suggestions for the Future
Authors: Valderrama-Rios Martha Carolina , Álvarez-Moreno Carlos Arturo , Cortes Jorge Alberto
Published: May 2023

Background: In the collaborative efforts to control bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the challenge for many low- and middle-income countries currently lies in the adequate design and successful implementation and operation of different strategies aimed at improving antibiotic use during hospital care. This study aims to provide data on these different strategies in three hospitals with different levels of complexity and geographic locations in Colombia. Methods: This before-and-after study describes and analyzes the development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), continuing education courses, quick consultation tools, and antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) with the use of telemedicine. This includes measuring indicators in the ASP framework such as adherence to CPGs and antibiotic consumption. Results: We used five CPGs developed in the Colombian context. We designed and developed a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and a mobile application (app) as strategies for dissemination and implementation. The ASP was designed and implemented according to each institution’s level of complexity. In the three hospitals, a progressive increase in adherence to the antibiotic recommendations proposed in the CPGs was observed, and there was a lower use of antibiotics with the ASPs, both in the general wards and ICUs. Conclusions: We concluded that in medium-complexity hospitals located in small rural cities, successful development of ASPs is possible when they are well-planned, implemented, and supported by the organization. It is necessary that Colombia and other Latin American countries continue activities that reduce AMR by designing, implementing, and improving these interventions throughout the national territory.
The Role of Hydrogen-Peroxide (H2O2) Produced by Vaginal Microbiota in Female Reproductive Health
Authors: Miko Eva , Barakonyi Aliz
Published: May 2023

Female reproductive health is strongly associated with healthy vaginal microbiota, which is thought to be ensured by the dominance of certain Lactobacillus species. Lactobacilli control the vaginal microenvironment through several factors and mechanisms. One of them is their ability to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The role of Lactobacillus-derived H2O2 in the vaginal microbial community has been intensively investigated in several studies with many designs. However, results and data are controversial and challenging to interpret in vivo. Defining the underlying mechanisms responsible for a physiological vaginal ecosystem is crucial since it could directly affect probiotic treatment attempts. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the topic, focusing on probiotic treatment possibilities.
Comparing the Role of ROS and RNS in the Thermal Stress Response of Two Cnidarian Models, Exaiptasia diaphana and Galaxea fascicularis
Authors: Doering Talisa , Maire Justin , Chan Wing Yan , Perez-Gonzalez Alexis , Meyers Luka , Sakamoto Rumi , Buthgamuwa Isini , Blackall Linda L. , van Oppen Madeleine J. H.
Published: May 2023

Coral reefs are threatened by climate change, because it causes increasingly frequent and severe summer heatwaves, resulting in mass coral bleaching and mortality. Coral bleaching is believed to be driven by an excess production of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS), yet their relative roles during thermal stress remain understudied. Here, we measured ROS and RNS net production, as well as activities of key enzymes involved in ROS scavenging (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and RNS synthesis (nitric oxide synthase) and linked these metrics to physiological measurements of cnidarian holobiont health during thermal stress. We did this for both an established cnidarian model, the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana, and an emerging scleractinian model, the coral Galaxea fascicularis, both from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Increased ROS production was observed during thermal stress in both species, but it was more apparent in G. fascicularis, which also showed higher levels of physiological stress. RNS did not change in thermally stressed G. fascicularis and decreased in E. diaphana. Our findings in combination with variable ROS levels in previous studies on GBR-sourced E. diaphana suggest G. fascicularis is a more suitable model to study the cellular mechanisms of coral bleaching.
Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Attenuates Myocardial Dysfunction via Inhibition of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Kim Sejin , Lee Hyunjae , Moon Hanbyeol , Kim Ran , Kim Minsuk , Jeong Seongtae , Kim Hojin , Kim Sang Hyeon , Hwang Soo Seok , Lee Min Young , Kim Jongmin , Song Byeong-Wook , Chang Woochul
Published: May 2023

Cardiac tissue damage following ischemia leads to cardiomyocyte apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an active polyphenol flavonoid or catechin, exerts bioactivity in tissues with various diseases and protects ischemic myocardium; however, its association with the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is unknown. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) pretreated with transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were treated with EGCG to verify cellular function. In addition, EGCG is involved in RhoA GTPase transmission, resulting in reduced cell mobility, oxidative stress, and inflammation-related factors. A mouse myocardial infarction (MI) model was used to confirm the association between EGCG and EndMT in vivo. In the EGCG-treated group, ischemic tissue was regenerated by regulating proteins involved in the EndMT process, and cardioprotection was induced by positively regulating apoptosis and fibrosis of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, EGCG can reactivate myocardial function due to EndMT inhibition. In summary, our findings confirm that EGCG is an impact activator controlling the cardiac EndMT process derived from ischemic conditions and suggest that supplementation with EGCG may be beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Diverse Possibilities of Si-Based Agent, a Unique New Antioxidant
Authors: Koyama Yoshihisa , Kobayashi Yuki , Kobayashi Hikaru , Shimada Shoichi
Published: May 2023

Antioxidant therapy is an effective approach for treating diseases in which oxidative stress is involved in the onset of symptoms. This approach aims to rapidly replenish the antioxidant substances in the body when they are depleted due to excess oxidative stress. Importantly, a supplemented antioxidant must specifically eliminate harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) without reacting with physiologically beneficial ROS, which are important to the body. In this regard, typically used antioxidant therapies can be effective, but may cause adverse effects due to their lack of specificity. We believe that Si-based agents are epoch-making drugs that can overcome these problems associated with current antioxidative therapy. These agents alleviate the symptoms of oxidative-stress-associated diseases by generating large amounts of the antioxidant hydrogen in the body. Moreover, Si-based agents are expected to be highly effective therapeutic drug candidates because they have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant effects. In this review, we discuss Si-based agents and their potential future applications in antioxidant therapy. There have been several reports of hydrogen generation from silicon nanoparticles, but unfortunately, none have been approved as pharmaceutical agents. Therefore, we believe that our research into medical applications using Si-based agents is a breakthrough in this research field. The knowledge obtained thus far from animal models of pathology may greatly contribute to the improvement of existing treatment methods and the development of new treatment methods. We hope that this review will further revitalize the research field of antioxidants and lead to the commercialization of Si-based agents.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEM) of a Customized Stent-Graft for Endovascular (EVAR) Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA)
Authors: Bologna Emanuela , Dinoto Ettore , Di Simone Francesco , Pecoraro Felice , Ragusa Sara , Siciliano Katia , Zingales Massimiliano
Published: May 2023

Background: The treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is today commonly treated by inserting a stent-graft by the endovascular route, without resorting to open surgery. However, some clinical cases do not allow this less invasive approach, meaning that the stent-graft cannot be inserted and open surgery is used. Methods: In the study, we propose a fluid–structure interaction (FSI) analysis of an aneurysmatic aorta that could not be treated with Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR). The vessel is reconstructed through segmentation from CT scans and subsequently modeled on CAD software to create the surface and thickness of the vessel itself. Subsequently, we proceeded to carry out Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and FSI simulation. We propose a computational study on a vessel geometry that is faithful to reality and customized. Results: Hemodynamic variable results of the carried out simulations indicate that low velocity and consequently very low WSS areas located in aneurysmal site are no longer found when conventional or patient-specific grafts are inserted. The wall stress distribution of aorta FEM analysis enabled the identification of the area at risk of failure, that is, in the posterior part of the aneurysm (∼107 Pa), while FSI analysis of the patient-specific graft led to a uniform von Mises stresses distribution (∼105 Pa), except for the junctions where peak stress occurred. Conclusion: The importance of this study is to highlight the benefits of the personalized stent/graft. As the authors expected, the study shows the numerous benefits of the customized stent/graft in terms of blood flow trend and wall stress compared to a traditional stent/graft by supporting the tendency to want to shift the target towards customized stents/grafts, also in the vascular surgery sector.
Success of Implementing Cloud Computing for Smart Development in Small Construction Projects
Authors: Waqar Ahsan , Skrzypkowski Krzysztof , Almujibah Hamad , Zagórski Krzysztof , Khan Muhammad Basit , Zagórska Anna , Benjeddou Omrane
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study is to ascertain the essential elements that contribute to the successful implementation of cloud computing in small-scale construction projects, with the ultimate goal of promoting intelligent development in Malaysia. The construction sector is undergoing rapid transformation, and the integration of cloud computing technology can make a substantial contribution to the achievement of project objectives and the promotion of sustainable development. Nonetheless, there exists a dearth of comprehension regarding the function of cloud computing in minor construction undertakings within the Malaysian context. In order to bridge this gap, a mixed-methods approach was implemented, which encompassed a comprehensive review of the literature, interviews with experts, and a preliminary survey that involved 160 participants. Utilizing the findings of the pilot survey, the process of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was employed to discern and eliminate nonessential determinants of success. A survey utilizing primary questionnaires was conducted with a sample size of 230 participants. The subsequent analysis of 16 critical success factors was carried out through the application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings indicate that there are four fundamental constructs that play a crucial role in the effective execution of a project. These include cost, quality, and time management (β = 0.352); planning success (β = 0.360); organizational success (β = 0.351); and communication and coordination (β = 0.299). The research results have favorable ramifications for the construction sector in Malaysia. The integration of cloud computing technology in minor construction endeavors has the potential to augment project efficacy and foster sustainable development. This study offers a roadmap for stakeholders in the construction industry to effectively utilize cloud computing technology for smart development by identifying critical success factors.
Experimental Studies of the Impact of the Geometric Dimensions of the Outlet Opening on the Effectiveness of Positive Pressure Ventilation in a Multi-Storey Building—Flow Characteristics
Authors: Kaczmarzyk Piotr , Janik Paweł , Małozięć Daniel , Klapsa Wojciech , Warguła Łukasz
Published: May 2023

During rescue operations, one of the important parameters determining the effectiveness of the implementation of tactical mechanical ventilation is the selection of the appropriate size of the outlet opening. The objective of this article is to determine the effect of the size of the discharge opening area (0.24–1.2 m2) and other factors on the obtained flow parameters (flow velocity, volumetric flow rate and static pressure value) generated by the two tested positive pressure ventilators. The volumetric flow rate was determined by measuring the flow velocity at appropriately selected measurement points. Two ventilator units were tested (one was the conventional type, while two were turbo). During the tests, the fans generated a flow of 4624.17 m3/h to 14,020.92 m3/h (the first—conventional type) and 4884.66 m3/h to 15,656.33 m3/h (the second—turbo type). The analysis carried out in the article can be used as a guideline for designers of buildings, with particular emphasis on cases in which the staircase is not directly adjacent to the façade wall (an escape route built into the axis of the building).
Near-Surface Defects Identification of Polyethylene Pipes Based on Synchro-Squeezing Transform and Deep Learning
Authors: Chen Chaolei , Hou Huaishu , Su Mingxu , Zhang Shiwei , Jiao Chaofei , Zhao Zhifan
Published: May 2023

To conduct the ultrasonic weld inspection of polyethylene pipes, it is necessary to use low-frequency transducers due to the high sound energy attenuation of polyethylene. However, one of the challenges in this process is that the blind zone of the ultrasonic transducer may cover a part of the workpiece being tested. This leads to a situation where if a defect appears near the surface of the workpiece, its signal will be buried by the blind zone signal. This hinders the early identification of defects, which is not favorable in such a scenario. To address this issue, we propose a new approach to detect and locate the near-surface defects. We begin by performing a synchro-squeezing transform on the original A-scan signal to obtain an accurate time-frequency distribution. While successful in detecting and localizing near-surface defects, the method alone fails to identify the specific type of defect directly: a limitation shared with other signal processing methods. Thus, an effective and lightweight defect identification model was established that combines depth-wise separable convolution and an attention mechanism. Finally, the performance of the proposed model was compared and visually analyzed with other models. This paper successfully achieves the detection, localization, and identification of near-surface defects through the synchro-squeezing transform and the defect identification model. The results show that our model can identify both general and near-surface defects with an accuracy of 99.50% while having a model size of only 1.14 MB.
Source Code Analysis in Programming Education: Evaluating Learning Content with Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Jevtić Marko , Mladenović Saša , Granić Andrina
Published: May 2023

Due to the everchanging and evergrowing nature of programming technologies, the gap between the programming industry’s needs and the educational capabilities of both formal and informal educational environments has never been wider. However, the need to learn computer programming has never been greater, regardless of the motivation behind it. The number of programming concepts to be taught is increasing over time, while the amount of time available for education and training usually remains the same. The objective of this research was to analyze the source codes used in many educational systems to teach fundamental programming concepts to learners, regardless of their prior experience in programming. A total of 25 repositories containing 3882 Python modules were collected for the analysis. Through self-organization of the collected content, we obtained very compelling results about code structure, distribution, and differences. Based on those results, we concluded that Self-Organizing Maps are a powerful tool for both content and knowledge management, because they can highlight problems in the curriculum’s density as well as transparently indicate which programming concepts it has successfully observed and learned to recognize. Based on the level of transparency exhibited by Self-Organizing Maps, it is safe to say that they could be used in future research to enhance both human and machine learning of computer programming. By achieving this level of transparency, such an Artificial Intelligence system would be able to assist in overall computer programming education by communicating what should be taught, what needs to be learned, and what is known.
Assessment of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds in Musts and the Corresponding Wines of White and Red Grape Varieties
Authors: Onache Petronela Anca , Florea Alina , Geana Elisabeta-Irina , Ciucure Corina Teodora , Ionete Roxana Elena , Sumedrea Dorin Ioan , Tița Ovidiu
Published: May 2023

Wine contains important amounts of antioxidants, which contribute to the protection of the body from oxidative stress and associated diseases. This study aims to characterize the bioactive characteristics and individual polyphenolic composition of different white and red musts and the corresponding wines obtained at Stefanesti vineyard, Romania, and to observe the evolution of the main phenolic compounds from the musts to the corresponding wines. General bioactive characteristics (total polyphenols, total tannins, total catechins, total anthocyanins contents, total tannin, and antioxidant activity) were determined using UV-Vis spectrometric methods, while phenolic composition (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and stilbenes) was detected using UHPLC–HRMS analysis. The fermentation and stabilization processes that occur during the transformation of musts into the corresponding wines lead to a decrease in the general bioactive characteristics from musts to wines, while the fermentation of the musts leads to an enrichment of the individual phenolic compounds in the corresponding wines, with a significant increase in the content of gallic, syringic, and p-coumaric acids in the wines compared with the musts. A clear distinction of the musts and wines was obtained for both white and red varieties, indicating different phenolic compositions of the musts and wines. The obtained results contribute to the characterization of the polyphenolic fingerprint of the investigated white and red musts and wines.
Insights on Niobium Micro-Alloyed Laser In Situ Synthesised Gamma Titanium Aluminide Alloys
Authors: Tlotleng Monnamme , Pityana Sisa , Motha Sibusisiwe
Published: May 2023

The effects of micro-alloying gamma titanium aluminide (γ-TiAl) with niobium (Nb) using a laser melt pool as a melting pot are reported. The Optomec LENS machine was used to carry out the laser in situ alloying experiments where Nb, ranging from 6 to 10 (at. %), was added to the stable binary γ-TiAl alloy. The results of this study concluded that when a stable binary γ-TiAl alloy is micro-alloyed with Nb, there is a definite microstructural transformation, anneal twinning, promotion, and retardation of aluminium solubility in the dual and pure γ phases, respectively. Twinning in the as-built in situ alloyed ternary Ti–48Al–xNb was for the first time reported in this study. It was observed that 6 at. % Nb promoted twinning in the as-built sample, which inferred that the sample might have room temperature ductility. In fact, it was shown that the twins formed in the as-built sample dissipated with the addition of Nb. A heat treatment temperature of 1200 °C promoted anneal twinning only in the binary alloy, as confirmed by XRD data. Meanwhile, this twinning was absent in all the ternary alloys when they were heat treated to a temperature of 1200 °C. Anneal twinning was confirmed only for the alloy containing 8 Nb (at. %) at 1400 °C. Stalk faults, dislocations, and dislocation pile-ups were observed in the α2 phase of the alloys. Aluminium solubility was seen to increase in the α2 + γ (±49 at. %) phase alloy and sharply decrease in the pure γ (>49 at. %) phase alloys. Most importantly, this study determined that the laser in situ alloying process was highly exothermic. The heat gained by the reaction was found to increase with the increase in niobium content.
Preparation, Characterization, and Properties of Alkali-Resistant and Hydrolysis-Resistant Silicone Surfactant
Authors: Chen Yujia , Tan Wei , Li Li , Ji Hongbing
Published: May 2023

It is a challenge to research and develop silicon surfactants with good acid and alkali stability. In the present paper, methylpropenyl polyether modified nonionic silicone surfactant (MPNTS), an alkali-resistant and hydrolysis-resistant silicone surfactant, was synthesized by hydrosilylation of 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyl trisiloxane (MDHM) and methylpropenyl polyether (EO(7)). The polyether segments are grafted onto the main chain of organosilicon heptamethyl trisiloxane at a molar ratio of 1:1.05 (n(Si-H):n(C=C)). To evidence product formation, the MPNTS were analyzed by FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The surface tension of NPNTS is 18.68 mN/m, and the CMC value is 78 mg/L by a contact angle tester. MPTNS shows hydrolytic stability and maintains that it could keep surface activity after standing for 60 days at pH = 7–10. The compatibility performance analysis shows that MPNTS has good compatibility and synergy with cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants, and it reveals the application prospects in daily chemicals, agricultural adjuvants, and other products.
Equilibrium Optimizer-Based Joint Time-Frequency Entropy Feature Selection Method for Electric Loads in Industrial Scenario
Authors: Zhou Mengran , Yao Xiaokang , Zhu Ziwei , Hu Feng
Published: May 2023

A prerequisite for refined load management, crucial for intelligent energy management, is the precise classification of electric loads. However, the high dimensionality of electric load samples and poor identification accuracy of industrial scenarios make it difficult to be used in actual production. As such, this research presents a selection approach equilibrium optimizer-based joint time-frequency entropy feature selection method for electric loads in industrial scenarios to address these issues. The method first introduces entropy value features based on extracting time-frequency domain features and then uses an equilibrium optimizer (EO) to screen the joint feature set. A Chinese cement plant was chosen as the acquisition site for the experiments, and the low-frequency data from power equipment were gathered to form an original dataset for power analysis. The features screened by the EO were used as model inputs to verify the effectiveness of the EO on the joint feature set under K-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), and discriminant analysis (DA) models. Experimental results show that introducing entropy value features for the joint feature set can significantly improve the classification performance. The average accuracy of the features screened by the EO was as high as 95.58% on SVM, while the computation time was 0.75 s. Therefore, for industrial electricity scenarios, the approach suggested in this research can enhance the identification accuracy of electric loads and significantly reduce the computation time of the model to a great extent. This has essential research significance for intelligent energy management in real industrial scenarios.
Special Issue on Immunomodulation and Smart Materials for the Application of Maxillofacial Surgery
Authors: Kim Seong-Gon
Published: May 2023

Immunomodulation in tissue engineering involves the deliberate manipulation or regulation of the immune system's response to aid in tissue regeneration, repair, or the incorporation of engineered constructs within the body [...]
Interconnected Systems Modelling in Food Industry: General Solution Scheme and Stability Conditions for Linear Time-Invariant Systems
Authors: Catalano Filippo , Diaz Moises , Romaniello Roberto , Semeraro Gianfranco , Pirlo Giuseppe
Published: May 2023

The problem of simulating complex systems, such as production lines, industrial plants, food processing, etc., today represents an opportunity that brings with it the great advantage of limiting design costs. However, nowadays the designer, after defining and implementing the mathematical models of the studied process, may need to rebuild the whole simulation framework because he needs to modify the model of even just one subsystem. It is for this reason that in this paper, a new framework for the use of Individual Subsystem Models (ISM) for the modelling and simulation of interconnected systems has been studied and implemented. Furthermore, the study of the state of the art has revealed the lack of efficient and sufficiently general numerical algorithms, but, at the same time, it is simple to use to solve the algebraic-differential equations deriving from the ISM simulation. The proposed new approach follows the paradigm of co-simulation methods, including graph theory methods, to solve the general ISM simply and efficiently. In this approach, each subsystem is required to have its own representation independently of the other subsystems. In this way, it is always possible to replace any subsystem whenever an updated representation becomes available, making maintenance and evolution of the entire ISM flexible. Our framework calls each subsystem separately in an optimal (suboptimal) order based on the structure of the graph. Each calculated output is transferred to the input of the next subsystem in the chosen. The general procedure has been validated in the context of Linear and Time-Invariant ISMs: in these hypotheses, the stability conditions have been calculated and numerical tests have been performed which show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.