bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant Capacity Changes and Untargeted Metabolite Profile of Broccoli during Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermentation
Authors: Hou Feixiang , Cai Yanxue , Wang Jihui
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study was to reveal the changes in total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of broccoli, and an untargeted metabolomics approach was developed to investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria fermentation on the metabolome of broccoli florets. The results showed that the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity significantly increased after fermentation. The untargeted metabolite profile showed that the main chemical components of fermented and unfermented broccoli are lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic acids and derivatives and organoheterocyclic compounds. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses of the identified metabolites showed some metabolites such as sorbitol are upregulated after fermentation, and that other metabolites such as l-malic acid are downregulated after fermentation. Moreover, metabolite pathway analyses were used to study the identification of subtle but significant changes among groups of related metabolites that cannot be observed with conventional approaches. KEGG pathway analysis showed that metabolites are mainly enriched in the glucagon signaling pathway, pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and fructose and mannose metabolism after fermentation, compared with raw broccoli. The results of this study can help to further our understanding of the impact of LAB fermentation on bioactivity changes in and the metabolites profile of fermented broccoli, and the application of fermented broccoli in health foods and special dietary foods.
New Insights on Low-Temperature Fermentation for Food
Authors: Liang Chen , Liu Ling-Xiao , Liu Jun , Aihaiti Aihemaitijiang , Tang Xiao-Juan , Liu Yun-Guo
Published: May 2023

Fermentation technology has a long history and low-temperature fermentation has now become the focus of research. This paper reviews the mechanism and application of low-temperature fermentation and the optimization of relevant strains. Low-temperature fermentation leads to a differential expression of growth in metabolism genes (PSD1, OPI3, ERG3, LCB3 and NTH1). Low-temperature fermentation can be applied to foods and has various advantages, such as increasing changes in volatile flavor compounds and other corresponding metabolic substances of the strain, and inhibited growth of spurious bacteria. The focus of low-temperature fermentation in the long run lies in strain optimization, which is to protect and optimize the strains through a variety of methods. Low-temperature fermentation can greatly improve product quality. At present, the most effective methods to promote low-temperature fermentation are gene knockout and probiotic microencapsulation.
Pyruvic Acid Production from Sucrose by Escherichia coli Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Variants
Authors: Moxley W. Chris , Eiteman Mark A.
Published: May 2023

Sucrose is an abundant, cheap, and renewable carbohydrate which makes it an attractive feedstock for the biotechnological production of chemicals. Escherichia coli W, one of the few safe E. coli strains able to metabolize sucrose, was examined for the production of pyruvate. The repressor for the csc regulon was deleted in E. coli W strains expressing a variant E1 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, and these strains were screened in a shake flask culture for pyruvate formation from sucrose. The pyruvate accumulated at yields of 0.23–0.57 g pyruvate/g sucrose, and the conversion also was accompanied by the accumulation of some fructose and/or glucose. Selected strains were examined in 1.25 L controlled batch processes with 40 g/L sucrose to obtain time–course formation of pyruvate and monosaccharides. Pyruvate re-assimilation was observed in several strains, which demonstrates a difference in the metabolic capabilities of glucose- and sucrose-grown E. coli cultures. An engineered strain expressing AceE[H106M;E401A] generated 50.6 g/L pyruvate at an overall volumetric productivity of 1.6 g pyruvate/L·h and yield of 0.68 g pyruvate/g sucrose. The results demonstrate that pyruvate production from sucrose is feasible with comparable volumetric productivity and yield to glucose-based processes.
Effects of Microwave Pasteurization on the Quality and Shelf-Life of Low-Sodium and Intermediate-Moisture Pacific Saury (Cololabis saira)
Authors: Wang Shibin , Zhang Ji , Wang Yifen , Zhu Qingcheng , Wang Xiaodong , Luan Donglei
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of microwave pasteurization on the quality and shelf-life of low-sodium and intermediate-moisture Pacific saury. Microwave pasteurization was used to process low-sodium (1.07% ± 0.06%) and intermediate-moisture saury (moisture content 30% ± 2%, water activity 0.810 ± 0.010) to produce high-quality ready-to-eat food stored at room temperature. Retort pasteurization with the same thermal processing level of F90 = 10 min was used for comparison. Results showed that microwave pasteurization had significantly (p < 0.001) shorter processing times (9.23 ± 0.19 min) compared with traditional retort pasteurization (17.43 ± 0.32 min). The cook value (C) and thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) content of microwave-pasteurized saury were significantly lower than that of retort-pasteurized saury (p < 0.05). With more microbial inactivation, microwave pasteurization brought better overall texture than retort processing. After 7 days of storage at 37 °C, the total plate count (TPC) and TBARS of microwave pasteurized saury still met the edible standard, while the TPC of retort pasteurized saury no longer did. These results showed that the combined processing of microwave pasteurization and mild drying (Aw < 0.85) could produce high-quality ready-to-eat saury products. These results indicate a new methodology for producing high-quality products stored at room temperature.
Dietary Fiber from Navel Orange Peel Prepared by Enzymatic and Ultrasound-Assisted Deep Eutectic Solvents: Physicochemical and Prebiotic Properties
Authors: Zhou Liling , Luo Jiaqian , Xie Qiutao , Huang Lvhong , Shen Dan , Li Gaoyang
Published: May 2023

Dietary fiber (DF) was extracted from navel orange peel residue by enzyme (E-DF) and ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent (US-DES-DF), and its physicochemical and prebiotic properties were characterized. Based on Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, all DF samples exhibited typical polysaccharide absorption spectra, indicating that DES could separate lignin while leaving the chemical structure of DF unchanged, yielding significantly higher extraction yields (76.69 ± 1.68%) compared to enzymatic methods (67.27 ± 0.13%). Moreover, ultrasound-assisted DES extraction improved the properties of navel orange DFs by significantly increasing the contents of soluble dietary fiber and total dietary fiber (3.29 ± 1.33% and 10.13 ± 0.78%, respectively), as well as a notable improvement in the values of water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, and water swelling capacity. US-DES-DF outperformed commercial citrus fiber in stimulating the proliferation of probiotic Bifidobacteria strains in vitro. Overall, ultrasound-assisted DES extraction exhibited potential as an industrial extraction method, and US-DES-DF could serve as a valuable functional food ingredient. These results provide a new perspective on the prebiotic properties of dietary fibers and the preparation process of prebiotics.
Clotrimazole-Loaded Borneol-Based In Situ Forming Gel as Oral Sprays for Oropharyngeal Candidiasis Therapy
Authors: Lertsuphotvanit Nutdanai , Tuntarawongsa Sarun , Jitrangsri Kritamorn , Phaechamud Thawatchai
Published: May 2023

Oral candidiasis encompasses fungal infections of the tongue and other oral mucosal sites with fungal overgrowth and its invasion of superficial oral tissues. Borneol was assessed in this research as the matrix-forming agent of clotrimazole-loaded in situ forming gel (ISG) comprising clove oil as the co-active agent and N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent. Their physicochemical properties, including pH, density, viscosity, surface tension, contact angle, water tolerance, gel formation, and drug release/permeation, were determined. Their antimicrobial activities were tested using agar cup diffusion. The pH values of clotrimazole-loaded borneol-based ISGs were in the range of 5.59–6.61, which are close to the pH of 6.8 of saliva. Increasing the borneol content in the formulation slightly decreased the density, surface tension, water tolerance, and spray angle but increased the viscosity and gel formation. The borneol matrix formation from NMP removal promoted a significantly (p < 0.05) higher contact angle of the borneol-loaded ISGs on agarose gel and porcine buccal mucosa than those of all borneol-free solutions. Clotrimazole-loaded ISG containing 40% borneol demonstrated appropriate physicochemical properties and rapid gel formation at microscopic and macroscopic levels. In addition, it prolonged drug release with a maximum flux of 370 µg·cm−2 at 2 days. The borneol matrix generated from this ISG obsentively controlled the drug penetration through the porcine buccal membrane. Most clotrimazole amounts still remained in formulation at the donor part and then the buccal membrane and receiving medium, repectively. Therefore, the borneol matrix extended the drug release and penetration through the buccal membrane efficiently. Some accumulated clotrimazole in tissue should exhibit its potential antifugal activity against microbes invading the host tissue. The other predominant drug release into the saliva of the oral cavity should influence the pathogen of oropharyngeal candidiasis. Clotrimazole-loaded ISG demonstrated efficacious inhibition of growth against S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, C. krusei, C. Lusitaniae, and C. tropicalis. Consequently, the clotrimazole-loaded ISG exhibited great potential as a drug delivery system for oropharyngeal candidiasis treatment by localized spraying.
Optimal Concentration and Duration of Endotracheal Tube Coating to Achieve Optimal Antimicrobial Efficacy and Safety Balance: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Al-Sayed Manar Fathy , Tarek El-Wakad Mohamed , Hassan Mohammed A. , Soliman Ahmed M. , Eldesoky Amal S.
Published: May 2023

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common and genuine complication in fundamentally sick patients accepting mechanical ventilation. Silver nitrate sol-gel (SN) has been proposed as a potential preventative measure against VAP. Be that as it may, the arrangement of SN with distinctive concentrations and pH values remains a basic factor influencing its effectiveness. Methods: Silver nitrate sol-gel was arranged with distinctive concentrations (0.1852%, 0.03496%, 0.1852%, and 0.01968%) and pH values (8.5, 7.0, 8.0, and 5.0) separately. The antimicrobial action of the silver nitrate and NaOH arrangements were assessed against Escherichia coli as a reference strain. The thickness and pH of the arrangements were measured, and biocompatibility tests were performed on the coating tube. The auxiliary changes in the endotracheal tube (ETT) tests after treatment were analyzed utilizing electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: The pH estimations of the diverse arrangements showed that the pH values shifted depending on the test conditions, with pH values extending from 5.0 to 8.5. The consistency estimations of the arrangements showed that the thickness values expanded as the pH values drew closer to 7.5 and diminished when the pH values went over 7.5. The antimicrobial action of the silver nitrate and NaOH arrangements were successful against Escherichia coli, with microbial checks decreasing in concentration (0.03496%, 0.1852% (pH: 8), and 0.01968%). The biocompatibility tests revealed tall cell reasonability rates, demonstrating that the coating tube was secure for therapeutic utilization and did not hurt typical cells. The SEM and TEM investigation gave visual proof of the antibacterial impacts of the silver nitrate and NaOH arrangements on the bacterial surface or interior of the bacterial cells. Moreover, the investigation revealed that a concentration of 0.03496% was the foremost successful in hindering the development of ETT bacterial colonization at the nanoscale level. Conclusions: We propose that cautious control and alteration of the pH and thickness of the arrangements are essential to guaranteeing the reproducibility and quality of the sol-gel materials. The silver nitrate and NaOH arrangements may serve as a potential preventative degree against VAP in sick patients, with a concentration of 0.03496% appearing to show the most elevated viability. The coating tube may serve as a secure and viable preventative measure against VAP in sick patients. Further investigation is required to optimize the concentration and introduction time of the arrangements to maximize their adequacy in avoiding VAP in real-world clinical settings.
Post-Wildfire Debris Flows in Montecito, California (USA): A Case Study and Empirically Based Debris Volume Estimation
Authors: KC Diwakar , Hu Liangbo
Published: May 2023

Wildfires have a strong influence on various geotechnical and hydraulic properties of soils and sediments, which may become more vulnerable to landslides or debris flows. In the present study, a case investigation of the 2018 post-wildfire debris flows in Montecito, California, USA, was conducted, with a focus on the wildfire-affected areas and debris volume estimation. Significant debris were deposited around four major creeks, i.e., Montecito Creek, San Ysidro Creek, Buena Vista Creek, and Romero Creek in January, 2018, one month after the Thomas fire. Satellite images utilizing remote sensing techniques and geographic information system (GIS) data were analyzed to identify areas affected by the wildfire. Relevant data, including the slope, catchment area, and rainfall were used in two empirical models to estimate the debris volumes around the four creeks. As compared with field observation, each debris volume estimated with these empirical models was within the same order of magnitude. The debris volumes were generally underestimated when using the rainfall recorded at the Montecito Weather Station; the estimates considerably improved with the rainfall record from the Doulton Tunnel Station. The results showed that, overall, such empirical approaches are still of benefit for engineering practice, as they are capable of offering first-order approximations. The accuracy and availability of rainfall data are critical factors; the rainfall data in mountainous areas are generally higher than in the low lands, and consequently were more suitable for debris volume estimation in the present study, where the debris flows typically occurred in areas with steep slopes and at higher elevations.
Effect of Mobile-Based Counselling on Breastfeeding in Spain: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol (COMLACT Study)
Authors: Mena-Tudela Desirée , Soriano-Vidal Francisco Javier , Vila-Candel Rafael , Quesada José Antonio , Aguilar Laia , Franco-Antonio Cristina
Published: May 2023

Purpose: The primary aim of this study is to determine the influence of an intervention in women based on a free mobile application (LactApp®, Barcelona, Spain) in maintaining breastfeeding (BF) up to 6 months postpartum. The secondary aim is to assess the effect of health literacy (HL) on breastfeeding duration. Methods: A multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial of parallel groups will be carried out. Women will be randomly assigned to each of the parallel groups. In the control group, usual clinical practice will be followed from the third trimester of pregnancy to promote BF. In the intervention group, and in addition to usual clinical practice, the women will use a free mobile application (LactApp®) from the third trimester to 6 months postpartum. The type of BF at birth, at 15 days and at 3 and 6 months postpartum and the causes of cessation of BF in both groups will be monitored. The hypothesis will be tested using inferential analysis, considering an alpha of 5%. The study protocol was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Hospital de la Ribera (Alzira, Valencia, Spain) in February 2021. A per protocol analysis and an intention-to-treat analysis will be performed. Discussion: This study will identify the influence of a mobile application on improving BF rates. If the application proves effective, we will have a tool with free information available to any user at any time of day, which may be complemented by normal clinical practice and be integrated into our health care system. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05432700.
Support Provided by Caregivers for Community-Dwelling Obesity Individuals: Focus on Elderly and Hispanics
Authors: Basu Tanisha , Sehar Ujala , Selman Ashley , Reddy Arubala P. , Reddy P. Hemachandra
Published: May 2023

Obesity is a chronic disease marked by the buildup of extra adipose tissue and a higher chance of developing concomitant illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some malignancies. Over the past few decades, there has been a global increase in the prevalence of obesity, which now affects around one-third of the world’s population. According to recent studies, a variety of factors, including genetics and biology as well as environmental, physiological, and psychosocial factors, may have a role in the development of obesity. The prevalence of obesity is often higher among Hispanic American groups than among White people in the U.S. Obesity is a widespread condition with a high risk of morbidity and death, and it is well-recognized that the prevalence of comorbidities rises with rising levels of obesity or body mass index. To combat the rising prevalence of obesity in the USA, especially among Hispanics, one of the fastest-growing racial/ethnic groups in the country, there is an urgent need for obesity therapies. The exact cause of this disparity is unclear, but some responsible factors are a lack of education, high unemployment rates, high levels of food insecurity, an unhealthy diet, inadequate access to physical activity resources, a lack of health insurance, and constricted access to culturally adequate healthcare. Additionally, managing obesity and giving needed/timely support to obese people is a difficult responsibility for medical professionals and their loved ones. The need for caregivers is increasing with the increased number of individuals with obesity, particularly Hispanics. Our article summarizes the status of obesity, focusing on Hispanic populations, and we also highlight specific factors that contribute to obesity, including genetics, epigenetics, biological, physiological, and psychosocial factors, medication and disease, environment, and socio-demographics. This article also reviews caregiver duties and challenges associated with caring for people with obesity.
Modern Developments in Flood Modelling
Authors: Tegos Aristoteles , Ziogas Alexandros , Bellos Vasilis
Published: May 2023

Flood modelling is among the most challenging scientific task because it covers a wide area of complex physical phenomena associated with highly uncertain and non-linear processes where the development of physically interpretive solutions usually suffers from the lack of recorded data [...]
The Representation of Children’s Participation in Guidelines for Planning and Designing Public Playspaces: A Scoping Review with “Best Fit” Framework Synthesis
Authors: Jansens Rianne , Prellwitz Maria , Olofsson Alexandra , Lynch Helen
Published: May 2023

For children, meaningful participation in community life includes being able to access places for play. Such community playspaces are potentially important for all children, including those with disabilities. Yet, children are rarely asked for their views on the design of playspaces, which can further contribute to exclusionary practices and undermine children’s rights to share their views on matters that affect them. In this scoping review, we aim to analyze guidelines and identify strategies for supporting children’s participation rights when planning public playspaces. Guidelines are practical tools used by local policymakers when creating community playspaces, which are important sites for children’s outdoor play. In total, forty-two guidelines were identified that addressed children’s participation rights, along with community involvement. Qualitative evidence synthesis with a “best fit” framework approach was used, informed by Lundy’s model of children’s participation. The findings revealed the importance of initial community involvement as a critical prerequisite. Strategies for children’s participation mostly concerned “space and voice” (for children of diverse abilities), with little attention paid to giving their views due weight. This evidence shows that there is a significant gap in knowledge surrounding policy development and implementation to support adults and children to cooperate equally in designing playspaces. Future directions for research in children’s participation require a focus on combined community–children participation approaches in public playspace design. Such work could strengthen and facilitate the role of adults as bearers of the duty to implement the rights of children. This review generated inclusive strategies in planning public playspaces, which could support local policymakers in this complex multi-layered process.
Retrospective Real-Life Data, Efficacy and Safety of Vismodegib Treatment in Patients with Advanced and Multiple Basal Cell Carcinoma: 3-Year Experience from a Spanish Center
Authors: Ayén-Rodríguez Angela , Linares-González Laura , Llamas-Segura Carlos , Almazán-Fernández Francisco , Ruiz-Villaverde Ricardo
Published: May 2023

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer and can represent a therapeutic challenge in patients with locally advanced disease. Vismodegib is a hedgehog pathway inhibitor approved by the FDA for use in this type of tumor. We present a case series to describe our experience with the use of vismodegib. Methods: A retrospective study that included patients treated with vismodegib at our dermatology unit was conducted. Monthly follow-up was performed, and we registered the clinical evolution and adverse reactions. Results: A total of six patients with locally advanced BCCs were included (50% males and 50% females), with a mean age of 78.5 years old. The treatment was administered over a mean of 5 months. A complete response was observed in four cases and partial response in two cases. No recurrence was detected, with a median follow-up duration after discontinuation of 18 months. Most patients (83%) had at least one adverse event, and two needed dose adjustment temporarily or permanently to continue. The main adverse effect was muscle spasms (66.7%). The main limitation of our study was the small sample, which was not representative of the general population. Conclusions: Vismodegib is a safe and effective treatment for locally advanced BCC, and its role in unresectable BCC seems to be an important option in these challenging cases.
Novel Polymyxin-Inspired Peptidomimetics Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Spike:hACE2 Interface
Authors: Bugatti Kelly , Sartori Andrea , Battistini Lucia , Coppa Crescenzo , Vanhulle Emiel , Noppen Sam , Provinciael Becky , Naesens Lieve , Stevaert Annelies , Contini Alessandro , Vermeire Kurt , Zanardi Franca
Published: May 2023

Though the bulk of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind, the search for effective and safe anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs continues to be relevant. A highly pursued approach for antiviral drug development involves targeting the viral spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 to prevent its attachment to the cellular receptor ACE2. Here, we exploited the core structure of polymyxin B, a naturally occurring antibiotic, to design and synthesize unprecedented peptidomimetics (PMs), intended to target contemporarily two defined, non-overlapping regions of the S receptor-binding domain (RBD). Monomers 1, 2, and 8, and heterodimers 7 and 10 bound to the S-RBD with micromolar affinity in cell-free surface plasmon resonance assays (KD ranging from 2.31 μM to 2.78 μM for dimers and 8.56 μM to 10.12 μM for monomers). Although the PMs were not able to fully protect cell cultures from infection with authentic live SARS-CoV-2, dimer 10 exerted a minimal but detectable inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry in U87.ACE2+ and A549.ACE2.TMPRSS2+ cells. These results validated a previous modeling study and provided the first proof-of-feasibility of using medium-sized heterodimeric PMs for targeting the S-RBD. Thus, heterodimers 7 and 10 may serve as a lead for the development of optimized compounds, which are structurally related to polymyxin, with improved S-RBD affinity and anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential.
The Role of Natural Products in the Improvement of Cancer-Associated Cachexia
Authors: Han Yohan , Kim Hyo In , Park Jinbong
Published: May 2023

The enormous library of natural products and herbal medicine prescriptions presents endless research avenues. However, the lack of research evidence and trials on cancer-induced cachexia limit the therapeutic potential of natural products. Cancer-induced cachexia is a systemic wasting syndrome characterized by continuous body weight loss with skeletal muscle and adipose tissue atrophy. Cancer cachexia is a problem in itself and reduces the quality of life by lessening the treatment efficacy of anticancer drugs. This review summarizes single natural product extracts for cancer-induced cachexia, not compounds derived from natural products and herbal medicine prescriptions. This article also discusses the effect of natural products on cachexia induced by anticancer drugs and the role of AMPK in cancer-induced cachexia. The article included the mice model used in each experiment to encourage researchers to utilize animal models for research on cancer-induced cachexia in the future.
Research Topics of the Bioinformatics of Gene Regulation
Authors: Orlov Yuriy L. , Anashkina Anastasia A. , Kumeiko Vadim V. , Chen Ming , Kolchanov Nikolay A.
Published: May 2023

The study of gene expression regulation raises the challenge of developing bioinformatics tools and algorithms, demanding data integration [...]
The Triterpenoid Nrf2 Activator, CDDO-Me, Decreases Neutrophil Senescence in a Murine Model of Joint Damage
Authors: Amirova Kristiana M. , Dimitrova Petya A. , Leseva Milena N. , Koycheva Ivanka K. , Dinkova-Kostova Albena T. , Georgiev Milen I.
Published: May 2023

The synthetic 2-cyano-3,12-dioxo-oleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid methyl ester (CDDO-Me) is a potent activator of the erythroid 2-p45-derived factor 2, Nrf2, a leucine-zipper regulator of the antioxidant response. Herein, we investigated the effect of CDDO-Me on neutrophil function in a murine model of joint damage. Collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) was initiated by the intra-articular injection of collagenase in the knee-joint cavity of Balb/c mice. CDDO-Me was administrated intra-articularly twice a week starting at day 7 post-CIOA, and its effect was evaluated at day 14. Neutrophils in blood and bone marrow (BM), cell apoptosis, necrosis, expression of C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), beta-galactosidase (β-Gal), and Nrf2 levels were measured by flow cytometry. In vitro, CDDO-Me promoted cell survival, reduced cell necrosis, and increased Nrf2 levels by 1.6 times. It decreased surface CXCR4 expression and reduced the frequency of senescent β-Gal+CXCR4+ neutrophils by three times. In vivo, the degree of knee-joint damage in CIOA was correlated with upregulated CXCR4 on CD11b+ neutrophils. CDDO-Me improved the disease histological score, increased the levels of Nrf2, and downregulated surface CXCR4 on mature BM cells. Our data suggest that CDDO-Me may act as a potent regulator of neutrophil senescence during the progression of knee-joint damage.
Knockout of sws2a and sws2b in Medaka (Oryzias latipes) Reveals Their Roles in Regulating Vision-Guided Behavior and Eye Development
Authors: Lu Ke , Wu Jiaqi , Tang Shulin , Jia Xiaodan , Liang Xu-Fang
Published: May 2023

The medaka (Oryzias latipes) is an excellent vertebrate model for studying the development of the retina. Its genome database is complete, and the number of opsin genes is relatively small compared to zebrafish. Short wavelength sensitive 2 (sws2), a G-protein-coupled receptor expressed in the retina, has been lost in mammals, but its role in eye development in fish is still poorly understood. In this study, we established a sws2a and sws2b knockout medaka model by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We discovered that medaka sws2a and sws2b are mainly expressed in the eyes and may be regulated by growth differentiation factor 6a (gdf6a). Compared with the WT, sws2a−/− and sws2b−/− mutant larvae displayed an increase in swimming speed during the changes from light to dark. We also observed that sws2a−/− and sws2b−/− larvae both swam faster than WT in the first 10 s of the 2 min light period. The enhanced vision-guided behavior in sws2a−/− and sws2b−/− medaka larvae may be related to the upregulation of phototransduction-related genes. Additionally, we also found that sws2b affects the expression of eye development genes, while sws2a is unaffected. Together, these findings indicate that sws2a and sws2b knockouts increase vision-guided behavior and phototransduction, but on the other hand, sws2b plays an important role in regulating eye development genes. This study provides data for further understanding of the role of sws2a and sws2b in medaka retina development.
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Three Common Liver Cell Lines
Authors: Arzumanian Viktoriia , Pyatnitskiy Mikhail , Poverennaya Ekaterina
Published: May 2023

Background: Comparative transcriptomic analysis is a powerful approach for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying various physiological and pathological processes, including liver disease. The liver is a vital organ with diverse functions, including metabolism and detoxification. In vitro models of liver cells, such as HepG2, Huh7, and Hep3B, have been widely used to study liver biology and pathology. However, there is limited information on the heterogeneity of these cell lines at the transcriptomic level. Objective: This study aimed to conduct a comparative transcriptomic analysis of three common liver cell lines (HepG2, Huh7, and Hep3B) using publicly available RNA-sequencing data. In addition, we compared these cell lines to primary hepatocytes, cells isolated directly from liver tissue and considered the gold standard for studying liver function and disease. Methods: Our study included sequencing data with the following criteria: total number of reads over 20,000,000, average read length of over 60 base pairs, Illumina sequencing, and non-treated cells. The data for the three cell lines were compiled: HepG2 (97 samples), Huh7 (39 samples), and Hep3B (16 samples). We performed differential gene expression analysis using the DESeq2 package, principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering on principal components, and correlation analysis to explore the heterogeneity within each cell line. Results: We identified numerous genes and pathways differentially expressed between HepG2, Huh7, and Hep3B, such as oxidative phosphorylation, cholesterol metabolism, and DNA damage. We report that the expression levels of important genes differ significantly between primary hepatocytes and liver cell lines. Conclusion: Our study provides new insights into the transcriptional heterogeneity of commonly used liver cell lines and highlights the importance of considering specific cell line. Consequently, transferring results without considering the heterogeneity of cell lines is impractical and may lead to inaccurate or distorted conclusions.
Online Task Scheduling of Big Data Applications in the Cloud Environment
Authors: Bouhouch Laila , Zbakh Mostapha , Tadonki Claude
Published: May 2023

The development of big data has generated data-intensive tasks that are usually time-consuming, with a high demand on cloud data centers for hosting big data applications. It becomes necessary to consider both data and task management to find the optimal resource allocation scheme, which is a challenging research issue. In this paper, we address the problem of online task scheduling combined with data migration and replication in order to reduce the overall response time as well as ensure that the available resources are efficiently used. We introduce a new scheduling technique, named Online Task Scheduling algorithm based on Data Migration and Data Replication (OTS-DMDR). The main objective is to efficiently assign online incoming tasks to the available servers while considering the access time of the required datasets and their replicas, the execution time of the task in different machines, and the computational power of each machine. The core idea is to achieve better data locality by performing an effective data migration while handling replicas. As a result, the overall response time of the online tasks is reduced, and the throughput is improved with enhanced machine resource utilization. To validate the performance of the proposed scheduling method, we run in-depth simulations with various scenarios and the results show that our proposed strategy performs better than the other existing approaches. In fact, it reduces the response time by 78% when compared to the First Come First Served scheduler (FCFS), by 58% compared to the Delay Scheduling, and by 46% compared to the technique of Li et al. Consequently, the present OTS-DMDR method is very effective and convenient for the problem of online task scheduling.
Fabrication of ZnWO4-SnO2 Core–Shell Nanorods for Enhanced Solar Light-Driven Photoelectrochemical Performance
Authors: Babu Bathula , Peera Shaik Gouse , Yoo Kisoo
Published: May 2023

This article describes the effective synthesis of colloidal SnO2 quantum dots and ZnWO4 nanorods using wet chemical synthesis and hydrothermal synthesis, respectively. The resulting ZnWO4-SnO2 core–shell nanorod heterostructure is then made, and its structural, optical, and morphological properties are assessed using XRD, SEM, TEM, and DRS. The heterojunction’s structural confinement increases the exposure of its reactive sites, and its electronic confinement promotes its redox activity. The heterostructure subsequently exhibits a smaller bandgap and better light-harvesting capabilities, resulting in increased photoelectrochemical performance. The heterostructure of core–shell nanorods shows promise for usage in a range of optoelectronic devices and effective solar energy conversion.
Research on Photoinduction-Based Technology for Trapping Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky, 1853) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
Authors: Jiang Xianglan , Hai Xiaoxia , Bi Yongguo , Zhao Feng , Wang Zhigang , Lyu Fei
Published: May 2023

Light traps play a crucial role in monitoring pest populations. However, the phototactic behavior of adult Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) remains enigmatic. To provide a theoretical foundation to select the suitable light emitting diode (LED)-based light sources used for monitoring ALB, we compared the effect of exposure time on the phototactic response rates of adults at wavelengths of 365 nm, 420 nm, 435 nm, and 515 nm, and found that the phototactic rate increased gradually when the exposure time was prolonged, but there was no significant difference between different exposure times. We evaluated the effect of diel rhythm and found the highest phototactic rate at night (0:00–2:00) under 420 nm and 435 nm illumination (74–82%). Finally, we determined the phototactic behavioral response of adults to 14 different wavelengths and found both females and males showed a preference for violet wavelengths (420 nm and 435 nm). Furthermore, the effect of the light intensity experiments showed that there were no significant differences in the trapping rate between different light intensities at 120 min exposure time. Our findings demonstrate that ALB is a positively phototactic insect, showing that 420 nm and 435 nm are the most suitable wavelengths for attracting adults.
Novel Tools to Assess Muscle Sarcopenic Process in ICU Patients: Are They Worthwhile?
Authors: Ruiz-Santana Sergio , Hernández-Socorro Carmen Rosa
Published: May 2023

Critical illness induces hypercatabolic response with severe loss of lean body mass, this being a key symptom in patients with prolonged ICU stay and is associated with acquired muscle weakness, long-term mechanical ventilation, fatigue, delayed recovery, and poor quality of life after ICU stay [...]
Retinal Microvascular Changes after Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide in Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Kato Fusae , Nozaki Miho , Kato Aki , Yasukawa Tsutomu
Published: May 2023

Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is essential for clinical treatment in patients who insufficiently respond to vascular endothelial factor inhibitors for diabetic macular edema (DME). The aim of this study was to investigate microvascular changes treated with TA using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). After TA in twelve eyes of eleven patients with central retinal thickness (CRT), there was a 20% or more reduction observed. Visual acuity, the number of microaneurysms, vessel density, and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area were compared before and at 2 months after TA. At baseline, the number of microaneurysms was 2.1 ± 1.1 in the superficial capillary plexuses (SCP) and 2.0 ± 1.1 in the deep capillary plexuses (DCP), with a significant decrease post-treatment to 1.0 ± 1.0 for SCP and 0.8 ± 0.8 for DCP (SCP; p = 0.018, DCP; p = 0.008). There was significant enlargement of the FAZ area from 0.28 ± 0.11 mm2 to 0.32 ± 0.14 mm2 (p = 0.041). There was no significant difference in the visual acuity and vessel density of SCP and DCP. Results indicated that OCTA was useful for the evaluation of qualitative and morphological retinal microcirculation and that intravitreal TA may decrease microaneurysms.
Next-Generation Lung Cancer Surgery: A Brief Trip into the Future of the Research
Authors: Uslenghi Clarissa , Casiraghi Monica , Spaggiari Lorenzo , Bertolaccini Luca
Published: May 2023

Lung cancer is the third most frequent cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide [...]
Use of Period Analysis to Timely Assess Five-Year Relative Survival for Patients with Ovarian Cancer from Taizhou, Eastern China
Authors: Bing Xin , Lei Huijun , Zhao Xiaojiao , Cheng Yongran , Wang Liangyou , Yang Jun , Xu Mingzhi , Yu Chenhuan , Chen Tianhui
Published: May 2023

Objective: Ovarian cancer is a deadly gynecologic malignancy with a poor prognosis. It is essential to evaluate the early detection and screening programs of ovarian cancer via timely assessment of long-time survival, particularly in China where those data are incredibly limited. Here, we aimed to provide timely and accurately assessment of long-term survival estimate of ovarian cancer patients from eastern China. Methods: Data of 770 ovarian cancer patients diagnosed between 2004–2018 were obtained from four cancer registries in Taizhou, eastern China, were included. We used period analysis to calculate five-year relative survival (RS) of aforementioned ovarian cancer patients for overall and the stratification by age at diagnosis and region. Results: Our findings demonstrated that the overall five-year RS for ovarian cancer patients in Taizhou between 2014 and 2018 was 69.2%, while urban areas were higher compared to rural areas (77.6% vs. 64.9%). We also observed a significant age gradient with the five-year RS decreasing from 79.6% for age group < 55 years to 66.9% for age group > 74 years. Furthermore, we identified a clear upward trend of five-year RS over the study period, both overall and stratified by region and age at diagnosis. Conclusion: This is the first study in China using period analysis to provide the most up-to-date five-year RS for ovarian cancer patients from Taizhou, eastern China, which reaches 69.2% during 2014–2018. Our results provide valuable information for timely assessment of early detection and screening programs for ovarian cancer in eastern China.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in HCM Phenocopies: From Diagnosis to Risk Stratification and Therapeutic Management
Authors: Licordari Roberto , Trimarchi Giancarlo , Teresi Lucio , Restelli Davide , Lofrumento Francesca , Perna Alessia , Campisi Mariapaola , de Gregorio Cesare , Grimaldi Patrizia , Calabrò Danila , Costa Francesco , Versace Antonio Giovanni , Micari Antonio , Aquaro Giovanni Donato , Di Bella Gianluca
Published: May 2023

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart disease characterized by the thickening of the heart muscle, which can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. However, not all patients with HCM have the same underlying genetic mutations, and some have conditions that resemble HCM but have different genetic or pathophysiological mechanisms, referred to as phenocopies. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has emerged as a powerful tool for the non-invasive assessment of HCM and its phenocopies. CMR can accurately quantify the extent and distribution of hypertrophy, assess the presence and severity of myocardial fibrosis, and detect associated abnormalities. In the context of phenocopies, CMR can aid in the differentiation between HCM and other diseases that present with HCM-like features, such as cardiac amyloidosis (CA), Anderson–Fabry disease (AFD), and mitochondrial cardiomyopathies. CMR can provide important diagnostic and prognostic information that can guide clinical decision-making and management strategies. This review aims to describe the available evidence of the role of CMR in the assessment of hypertrophic phenotype and its diagnostic and prognostic implications.
Intelligence, Personality, and the Prediction of Life Outcomes: Borghans et al. (2016) vs. Zisman and Ganzach (2022) Debate
Authors: Stankov Lazar
Published: May 2023

This article examines the psychological measures employed in studies that compared the predictive validity of personality and intelligence for important life outcomes and came to divergent conclusions. At least some discrepant findings can be accounted for by the fine-grained analysis of measures employed in the assessment of intelligence and personality. The use of Big Five measures of personality traits for predicting life outcomes appear to be poorly supported—other ways of assessing personality need to be explored. Methods used to study cause–effect relationships in non-experimental studies will need to be employed in future.
Towards Digital Twinning of Fabrication Lines in Shipyards
Authors: Hadžić Neven , Ložar Viktor , Opetuk Tihomir , Keser Robert
Published: May 2023

The digital twinning concept stands as a remarkable opportunity to integrate sophisticated mathematical models within the context of existing manufacturing systems. Such models may provide shipyard management with predictive analytics, improving the final results at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels. Therefore, the possibility of integrating the Markovian-framework-based finite-state method into the context of ship production is presented in this study, including its outline, digital thread, and factory-floor data reliance. First, the predictive analytics problem is addressed by the finite-state method in the case of the shipyard’s fabrication line, and the obtained results are validated afterward using a numerical model through discrete-event theory. The predictive analytics indicate an almost ideal balancing of the fabrication line, except for the buffers storing stiffeners before the coat-dying and marking operations. In addition, the improvability analysis of the shipyard’s fabrication lines extended the scope of the predictive analytics using bottleneck identification and affecting the key performance indicators through a digital thread, as well as by improved maintenance strategies.
Preparation of Artificial Aggregates from Marine Dredged Material: CO2 Uptake and Performance Regulation
Authors: Yu Chunyang , Cui Chunyi , Zhao Jiuye , Liu Fang , Su Jian , Yuan Jia
Published: May 2023

A continuous treatment process using steel slag powder including foam drying and carbonation processes (termed the SSFD-C method) is a novel technology previously developed in our laboratory. It has achieved the first application of carbonation solidification technology to recycle marine dredged material with high moisture content. The aim of this study is to investigate CO2 uptake and performance regulation in the preparation of carbonated eco-aggregates (CEAs) from dredged soils processed using the SSFD-C method. Steel slag and lime hydrate independently contribute to the strength of CEAs. However, the influence they exert on CO2 uptake, along with other properties, such as pH values and water absorption of CEAs, remains unclear. Furthermore, it is important to clarify whether the soluble silica in a CEA originates from dredged soil or steel slag, as a CEA has the potential to provide silica nutrients to plants. The findings indicated that within the initial three hours of carbonation, the strength of CEAs could approximate 65% of the ultimate stable strength. The moisture absorption for CEAs was noted to be in the 26–30% range. Carbonation over a 24 h period can lower the pH of the CEA to less than 10, and the carbonation reaction can penetrate the core of the 10–15 mm CEA pellets. Carbonation of the lime hydrate fraction was more favorable to increase the CO2 uptake of the CEA, and carbonation of the steel slag fraction was more favorable to decrease the pH value and water absorption of the CEA. The water-soluble silicon of the CEA was found to have been mainly derived from steel slag, while it was established that carbonation could increase the water-soluble silicon content of the CEA by 5–8 times. The result of this study could provide theoretical guidance for regulating the performance of CEAs.
Oral Corticosteroid Abuse and Self-Prescription in Italy: A Perspective from Community Pharmacists and Sales Reports before and during the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Nappi Emanuele , Keber Enrico , Paoletti Giovanni , Casini Marta , Carosio Carolina , Romano Flora , Floris Nicolina , Parmigiani Claudio , Salvioni Carlo , Malvezzi Luca , Puggioni Francesca , Canonica Giorgio Walter , Heffler Enrico , Giua Corrado
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: Corticosteroids are commonly used for a variety of conditions, but their use might come with significant side effects. Self-medication practices increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially favoring corticosteroid misuse. Studies on this topic are lacking, thus we aim to characterize the misuse of corticosteroids in Italy through pharmacists’ perspectives and sales reports. (2) Methods: We sent to territorial pharmacists a survey that aimed to investigate corticosteroid misuse before and during the pandemic. In parallel, sales reports of the major oral corticosteroids were obtained from IQVIA. (3) Results: We found that 34.8% of clients demanded systemic corticosteroids without a valid prescription, with a rise to 43.9% during the pandemic (p < 0.001). Adults and patients suffering from upper airway diseases or obstructive airway diseases most frequently asked for corticosteroids without an appropriate prescription. The greatest increase after the beginning of the pandemic was seen for lung diseases. Although sales of the major oral corticosteroids decreased during the pandemic, sales of those used for COVID-19 increased. (4) Conclusions: Self-medication with corticosteroids is common and might lead to avoidable toxicities. This tendency increased during the pandemic probably because of incorrect beliefs about the inappropriate use of corticosteroids for treating COVID-19 itself. The development of shared strategies between doctors and pharmacists is essential in defining protocols guiding appropriate patient referral in order to minimize corticosteroid misuse.