bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3Y-TZP/Ta Biocermet as a Dental Material: An Analysis of the In Vitro Adherence of Streptococcus Oralis Biofilm and an In Vivo Pilot Study in Dogs
Authors: Smirnov Anton , Yanushevich Oleg , Krikheli Natella , Solis Pinargote Nestor Washington , Peretyagin Pavel , Grigoriev Sergey , Alou Luis , Sevillano David , López-Piriz Roberto , Guitian Francisco , Bartolomé José Florindo
Published: February 2024

The surface adhesion of bacterial cells and the in vivo biocompatibility of a new ceramic–metal composite made of zirconium dioxide and tantalum were evaluated. Within the framework of an in vitro study using the crystal violet staining and colony counting methods, a relatively similar adhesion of Streptococcus oralis to the 3Y-TZP/Ta biocermet (roughness Ra = 0.12 ± 0.04 µm) and Ti-Al6-V4 titanium alloy (Ra = 0.04 ± 0.01 µm) was found. In addition, in an in vivo preliminary study focused on the histological analysis of a series of rods implanted in the jaws of beagle dogs for a six-month period, the absence of any fibrous tissue or inflammatory reaction at the interface between the implanted 3Y-TZP/Ta biocermets and the new bone was found. Thus, it can be concluded that the developed ceramic–metal biocomposite may be a promising new material for use in dentistry.
Types of Membrane Transporters and the Mechanisms of Interaction between Them and Reactive Oxygen Species in Plants
Authors: Yuan Ding , Wu Xiaolei , Jiang Xiangqun , Gong Binbin , Gao Hongbo
Published: February 2024

Membrane transporters are proteins that mediate the entry and exit of substances through the plasma membrane and organellar membranes and are capable of recognizing and binding to specific substances, thereby facilitating substance transport. Membrane transporters are divided into different types, e.g., ion transporters, sugar transporters, amino acid transporters, and aquaporins, based on the substances they transport. These membrane transporters inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through ion regulation, sugar and amino acid transport, hormone induction, and other mechanisms. They can also promote enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions in plants, activate antioxidant enzyme activity, and promote ROS scavenging. Moreover, membrane transporters can transport plant growth regulators, solute proteins, redox potential regulators, and other substances involved in ROS metabolism through corresponding metabolic pathways, ultimately achieving ROS homeostasis in plants. In turn, ROS, as signaling molecules, can affect the activity of membrane transporters under abiotic stress through collaboration with ions and involvement in hormone metabolic pathways. The research described in this review provides a theoretical basis for improving plant stress resistance, promoting plant growth and development, and breeding high-quality plant varieties.
Analysis of the Methodology for Experimental Measuring of the Performance Criteria of the Laser-Using Collaborative Robot’s Path Accuracy
Authors: Marcinko Peter , Semjon Ján , Jánoš Rudolf , Svetlík Jozef , Sukop Marek , Ondočko Štefan
Published: February 2024

This study describes the design of an experimental methodology developed to measure the working properties of the accuracy of the path traversed by a collaborative robot. The methodology proposed here uses a collaborative robot and a laser measuring system Gepard from Raytec. The main parts of the measuring chain and the ISO 9283 standard are described. The proposed experimental methodology should examine the working properties of industrial robots, such as position and path. The focus of this study lies in the path accuracy of robots. Currently, interest in this topic is on the rise, and the measuring systems capable of recording this parameter are too costly. This study focuses on the experimental measuring of the path properties, describing them in more detail. The measuring and results were processed in the software tool developed for Gepard.
DNA Barcoding as a Plant Identification Method
Authors: Letsiou Stavroula , Madesis Panagiotis , Vasdekis Efstathios , Montemurro Cinzia , Grigoriou Maria E. , Skavdis George , Moussis Vassilios , Koutelidakis Antonios E. , Tzakos Andreas G.
Published: February 2024

In the last two decades, plant taxonomy has bloomed, following the development of a novel technique, namely, DNA barcoding. DNA barcodes are standardized sequences, ideally unique, coding or non-coding, either from the genome of the organism or from its organelles, that are used to identify/classify an organismal group; in short, the method includes amplification of the DNA barcode, sequencing and comparison with a reference database containing the relevant sequences from different species. In plants, the use a universal DNA barcode, such as COI, which is used in animals, has not been achieved so far. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the progress made in DNA barcoding within the field of plant taxonomy. It highlights the success of various barcode loci, the emergence of super barcodes from the chloroplast genome, and the overall impact of next-generation sequencing technologies on the field. The discussion of different approaches reflects the ongoing efforts to refine and optimize DNA barcoding techniques for plants, contributing to the advancement in our understanding of plant biodiversity.
Applying Microbial-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Technology to Improve the Bond Strength of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete after High-Temperature Damage
Authors: Chen How-Ji , Lo Yung-Hsiang , Tang Chao-Wei , Chang Han-Wen
Published: February 2024

High temperatures and external force can easily lead to a decline in the bond strength of reinforced concrete components. Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology has considerable potential for repairing concrete. Given this, this study utilized MICP technology to improve the bond strength of heat- and pull-damaged lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC). The specimens of a control group (Group A) and two experimental groups (Group B and Group C) were prepared. The experimental group was prepared using lightweight aggregates (LWAs) that had been immersed in a nutrient solution and a bacterial solution. The control group was prepared using LWAs that were not immersed in a nutrient solution or bacterial solution. These specimens healed themselves in different ways after exposure to high temperatures (300 °C and 500 °C) and pull-out damage. Groups A and B adopted the same self-healing method; that is, their specimens were placed in a computer-controlled incubator at 40 °C. Group C used different self-healing methods. The specimens in this group were soaked in a mixed solution of urea and calcium acetate at 40 °C for two days and then taken out and placed in an incubator at 40 °C for two days. A cycle took four days until the expected self-healing age was reached. After being exposed to 300 °C and self-healed for 90 days, the residual bond strengths of the secondary pull-out tests in Groups A, B, and C were 20.63, 22.13, and 25.69 MPa, respectively. Moreover, compared with Group A, the relative bond strength ratios of the secondary pull-out tests in Groups B and C increased by 5.8% and 20.3%, respectively. This demonstrates that MICP technology could effectively improve the bond strength of LWAC after high-temperature and pull-out damage.
Componentwise Perturbation Analysis of the Singular Value Decomposition of a Matrix
Authors: Angelova Vera , Petkov Petko
Published: February 2024

A rigorous perturbation analysis is presented for the singular value decomposition (SVD) of a real matrix with full column rank. It is proved that the SVD perturbation problem is well posed only when the singular values are distinct. The analysis involves the solution of symmetric coupled systems of linear equations. It produces asymptotic (local) componentwise perturbation bounds on the entries of the orthogonal matrices participating in the decomposition of the given matrix and on its singular values. Local bounds are derived for the sensitivity of the singular subspaces measured by the angles between the unperturbed and perturbed subspaces. Determining the asymptotic bounds of the orthogonal matrices and the sensitivity of singular subspaces requires knowing only the norm of the perturbation of the given matrix. An iterative scheme is described to find global bounds on the respective perturbations, and results from numerical experiments are presented.
On Weighted Sum Rate of Multi-User Photon-Counting Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Visible Light Communication Systems under Poisson Shot Noise
Authors: Chen Ying , Zhou Xiaolin , Wang Jian , Dong Zhichao , Chen Yongkang
Published: February 2024

Photon counting has been proven to possess excellent signal detection capabilities at low power levels and has extensive potential applications in sixth-generation (6G) communications. However, the inherent dependency between the signal and noise complicates system analysis, and optimizing achievable rates in photon-counting visible light communication (VLC) systems remains unresolved. This paper introduces a new method aimed at minimizing multi-user interference (MUI) through a zero-forcing (ZF) scheme and maximizing the weighted sum rate of the proposed downlink multi-user photon-counting multiple-input multiple-output (MU-PhC-MIMO) VLC system by solving an optimization problem. The key point lies in our utilization of the ZF approach to derive a reasonable asymptotic approximation expression for the weighted sum rate. Subsequently, we use variable substitution and methods like successive convex approximation (SCA) to iteratively convexify the non-convex optimization problem and maximize the weighted sum rate under the ZF form. Compared to other algorithms, this approach can save 2.5 dB of transmission power to achieve the same system-weighted sum rate and significantly outperforms the repetition coding scheme at sufficient transmission power.
Named Entity Recognition in Government Audit Texts Based on ChineseBERT and Character-Word Fusion
Authors: Huang Baohua , Lin Yunjie , Pang Si , Fu Long
Published: February 2024

Named entity recognition of government audit text is a key task of intelligent auditing. Aiming at the problems of scarcity of corpus in the field of governmental auditing, insufficient utilization of traditional character vector word-level information features, and insufficient capturing of auditing entity features, this study builds its own dataset in the field of auditing and proposes the model CW-CBGC for recognizing named entities in governmental auditing text based on ChineseBERT and character-word fusion. First, the ChineseBERT pre-training model is used to extract the character vector that integrates the features of glyph and pinyin, combining with word vectors dynamically constructed by the BERT pre-training model; then, the sequences of character-word fusion vectors are input into the bi-directional gated recurrent neural network (BiGRU) to learn the textual features. Finally, the global optimal sequence label is generated by Conditional Random Field (CRF), and the GHM classification loss function is used in the model training to solve the problem of error evaluation under the conditions of noisy entities and unbalanced number of entities. The F1 value of this study’s model on the audit dataset is 97.23%, which is 3.64% higher than the baseline model’s F1 value; the F1 value of the model on the public dataset Resume is 96.26%, which is 0.73–2.78% higher than the mainstream model. The experimental results show that the model proposed in this paper can effectively recognize the entities in government audit texts and has certain generalization ability.
Review of Power System Resilience Concept, Assessment, and Enhancement Measures
Authors: Lin Jhih-Hao , Wu Yuan-Kang
Published: February 2024

Power systems are generally designed to be reliable when faced with low-impact, high-probability, and expected power outages. By contrast, the probability of extreme event (extreme weather or natural disasters) occurrence is low, but may seriously affect the power system, from long outage times to damage to major equipment such as substations, transmission lines, and power plants. As, in the short term, it is extremely difficult to completely avoid the damage caused by extreme events, it is important to enhance the resilience of power systems. This study has provided a comprehensive review of power system resilience by discussing its concepts, assessment, and enhancement measures. This article summarized possible impacts and quantitative indicators of various types of disasters on power grids, presented the concept of power system resilience, and analyzed the main characteristics that a resilient system should possess. Moreover, this article further distinguished the differences between the resilience, flexibility, and survivability of a power system. More importantly, this paper has proposed a novel framework and the corresponding metric for assessing resilience, which makes the evaluation of system resilience more accurate. Finally, this paper discussed various measures to enhance power system resilience and outlined potential challenges for future research.
Small-Signal Stability Analysis and Improvement in Multi-Converter Grid-Tied System Based on Gerschgorin Disc Theorem
Authors: Chen Bo , Si Qi , Jiang Pan , Zhu Xiaojuan
Published: February 2024

The integration of a large number of voltage source converters (VSCs) into the power grid decreases the small-signal stability of the power system. When several VSCs with different control parameters are simultaneously connected to the power grid to form a multi-converter grid-tied system, the potential destabilizing factors increase. Thus, parameter optimization for stability-weakest parameters that have the greatest impact on the system stability becomes more significant in addressing small-signal stability issues. This paper first proposes a stability evaluation function based on the Gerschgorin disc theorem, which can assess the stability of the multi-converter grid-tied system. Then a parameter sensitivity method is proposed to identify the stability-weakest parameters. Finally, an iterative calculation-based parameter optimization method is developed to regulate the identified stability-weakest parameters. Hence, the parameter optimization technique in this research can improve the system stability without requiring eigenvalue solutions and has the merit of low computational complexity. Simulation results based on both the MATLAB/Simulink (2023a) and the RT-LAB (OPAL-RT 5700) platform of a multi-converter grid-tied system validate the correctness of the theoretical analysis and the effectiveness of the parameter optimization method.
Preparation and Characterization of Soluble Dextrin Fibre from Potato Starch Obtained on a Semi-Industrial Scale
Authors: Wojcik Malwina , Kapusniak Kamila , Zarski Arkadiusz , Kapusniak Janusz
Published: February 2024

Currently, dietary fibre intake is low, which is one of the reasons for the global obesity epidemic and other metabolic disorders. Dietary fibre has many documented health-promoting properties, such as a prebiotic effect, inducing feelings of satiety and reducing postprandial glucose. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in the search for new products rich in dietary fibre. One of the sources of dietary fibre may be resistant dextrins obtained as a result of dextrinization of starch. In this study, soluble dextrin fibre (SDexF) was prepared by heating potato starch in the presence of hydrochloric and citric acids on a semi-industrial scale in the prototype dextriniser. The aim of the study was the optimisation of the preparation of SDexF on a semi-industrial scale and the physicochemical characterisation of the obtained product. Also, the molecular structure of the prepared product was analysed by using SEM and FTIR. The semi-industrial production of SDexF was successfully implemented, achieving approximately 100 times higher product quantities in one process cycle. SDexF was characterised by over 30% total dietary fibre (TDF) content, almost 100% water solubility, low viscosity and no retrogradation tendency. The physicochemical and functional properties of the obtained product indicate the possibility of implementing SDexF to enrich food products.
Portrait Semantic Segmentation Method Based on Dual Modal Information Complementarity
Authors: Feng Guang , Tang Chong
Published: February 2024

Semantic segmentation of human images is a research hotspot in the field of computer vision. At present, the semantic segmentation models based on U-net generally lack the ability to capture the spatial information of images. At the same time, semantic incompatibility exists because the feature maps of encoder and decoder are directly connected in the skip connection stage. In addition, in low light scenes such as at night, it is easy for false segmentation and segmentation accuracy to appear. To solve the above problems, a portrait semantic segmentation method based on dual-modal information complementarity is proposed. The encoder adopts a double branch structure, and uses a SK-ASSP module that can adaptively adjust the convolution weights of different receptor fields to extract features in RGB and gray image modes respectively, and carries out cross-modal information complementarity and feature fusion. A hybrid attention mechanism is used in the jump connection phase to capture both the channel and coordinate context information of the image. Experiments on human matting dataset show that the PA and MIoU coefficients of this algorithm model reach 96.58% and 94.48% respectively, which is better than U-net benchmark model and other mainstream semantic segmentation models.
Condition Rating Prediction for Highway Bridge Based on Elman Neural Networks and Markov Chains
Authors: Zhang Tian , Chen Haonan , Cui Xinjia , Li Pengfei , Zou Yunfeng
Published: February 2024

Bridges are a critical component of transportation infrastructure, playing a vital role in connectivity. The safe operation of bridges demands significant resource and capital investment, particularly as the operation phase is the most extended period in a bridge’s life cycle. Therefore, the efficient allocation of resources and funds is crucial for the maintenance and repair of bridges. This study addresses the need to predict changes in bridge condition over time. The commonly used state-based Markov chain method for bridge condition rating prediction is straightforward but limited by its assumptions of homogeneity and memorylessness. To improve upon this, we propose a novel method that integrates an Elman neural network with a Markov chain to predict the bridge condition rating. Initially, the ReliefF algorithm conducts a sensitivity analysis on bridge features to obtain the importance ranking of these features that affect the bridge condition. Next, six significant features are selected for data classification: bridge age, average daily truck traffic volume, material type, skew angle between bridges and roads, bridge deck structure type, and bridge type. The Elman neural network is then trained to train a prediction model for bridge condition ratings using the classified data, which can predict the condition levels of bridges. The Markov chain’s transition probability matrix is derived using a genetic algorithm to match the deterioration curve predicted by the Elman neural network. This proposed method, when applied to actual bridge data, demonstrates its effectiveness as evidenced by the condition rating of an actual bridge.
Design-Dependent Electrophysiological Effects of Electrolysis Electrodes Used for Endodontic Disinfection
Authors: Bauer Reinhard , Ringel Johannes , Koch Maximilian , Laschke Matthias W. , Burkovski Andreas , Karl Matthias
Published: February 2024

Electrochemical disinfection in dentistry using boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes bears the potential risk of disturbing vital functions. Applying different arrays of BDD electrodes and an electrotome as reference, it was the goal of this animal study to compare their effects on an electrocorticogram (ECoG) and electrocardiogram (ECG). Following the trepanation of teeth in rats, the electrodes and electrotome were applied in a randomized manner while recording ECoG and ECG. The recordings were classified according to an electrophysiological significance score based on involvement, extent of disruption and duration. The scores obtained were compared by means of ANOVA followed by Dunn’s multiple comparisons test (α = 0.05). Voltage type and electrode design had a significant influence on the detectable electrophysiological effects. The results seen with BDD electrodes ranged from no detectable electrophysiological effects to a pronounced effect. The application of the electrotome induced the most pronounced effects. Given that electrotomes are safe medical devices, despite evoking greater disturbance compared to BDD electrodes, regardless of their design, electrochemical disinfection may be considered a safe procedure.
Evaluation of the Effect of Polybutester and Polypropylene Sutures on Complications after Impacted Lower Third Molar Surgery
Authors: Orhan Zeynep Dilan , Ciğerim Levent
Published: February 2024

Complications that can occur in the postoperative period of impacted lower third molar extraction are factors that have an impact on the daily routine of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of polybutester and polypropylene sutures on postoperative complications after impacted lower third molar surgery. Two different suture materials were used in the 35 patients with bilateral impacted lower third molars included in the study: polybutester sutures in group 1 and polypropylene sutures in group 2. Measurements were taken to evaluate swelling and trismus before surgery and on the 2nd and 7th days after surgery, and pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS), which patients were asked to complete after surgery. Wound healing, suture-related injury and suture-related discomfort in patients were also evaluated. The pain and suture-related discomfort felt on the side where the polybutester suture was used was less on the second postoperative day than on the side where the polypropylene suture was used. These results support the use of polybutester sutures in impacted third molar surgery.
Base Study of Bridge Inspection by Modeling Touch Information Using Light Detection and Ranging
Authors: Fukuoka Tomotaka , Minami Takahiro , Fujiu Makoto
Published: February 2024

In Japan, bridges are inspected via close visual examinations every five years. However, these inspections are labor intensive, and a shortage of engineers and budget constraints will restrict such inspections in the future. In recent years, efforts have been made to reduce the labor required for inspections by automating various aspects of the inspection process. In this study, we proposed and evaluated a method of applying super-resolution technology to obtain precise point cloud information to create distance information images to enable the use of tactile information (e.g., human touch) on the surface to be inspected. We measured the distance to the specimen using LiDAR, generated distance information images, performed super-resolution on the pseudo-created low-resolution images, and evaluated them in comparison with the existing magnification method. The evaluation results suggest that the adaptation of the super-resolution technique is effective in increasing the resolution of the boundary of the distance change.
Composition and Reactivity of Volatile Organic Compounds and the Implications for Ozone Formation in the North China Plain
Authors: Hao Saimei , Du Qiyue , Wei Xiaofeng , Yan Huaizhong , Zhang Miao , Sun Youmin , Liu Shijie , Fan Lianhuan , Zhang Guiqin
Published: February 2024

Enhanced ozone (O3) pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental concern in China, particularly for densely populated megacities and major city clusters. However, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the key precursors to O3 formation, have not been routinely measured. In this study, we characterize the spatial and temporal patterns of VOCs and examine the role of VOCs in O3 production in five cities (Dongying (DY), Rizhao (RZ), Yantai (YT), Weihai (WH), and Jinan (JN)) in the North China Plain (NCP) for two sampling periods (June and December) in 2021 through continuous field observations. Among various VOC categories, alkanes accounted for the largest proportion of VOCs in the cities. For VOCs, chemical reactivities, aromatic hydrocarbons, and alkenes were dominant contributors to O3 formation potential (OFP). Unlike inland regions, the contribution to OFP from OVOCs increased greatly at high O3 concentrations in coastal regions (especially YT). Model simulations during the O3 episode show that the net O3 production rates were 27.87, 10.24, and 10.37 ppbv/h in DY, RZ, and JN. The pathway of HO2 + NO contributed the most to O3 production in JN and RZ, while RO2 + NO was the largest contributor to O3 production in DY. The relative incremental reactivity (RIR) revealed that O3 formation in DY was the transitional regime, while it was markedly the VOC-limited regime in JN and RZ. The O3 production response is influenced by NOx concentration and has a clear daily variation pattern (the sensitivity is greater from 15:00 to 17:00). The most efficiencies in O3 reduction could be achieved by reducing NOx when the NOx concentration is low (less than 20 ppbv in this study). This study reveals the importance of ambient VOCs in O3 production over the NCP and demonstrates that a better grasp of VOC sources and profiles is critical for in-depth O3 regulation in the NCP.
Long-Term Exposure to PM10 Air Pollution Exaggerates Progression of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Urbanowicz Tomasz , Skotak Krzysztof , Olasińska-Wiśniewska Anna , Filipiak Krzysztof J. , Bratkowski Jakub , Wyrwa Michał , Sikora Jędrzej , Tyburski Piotr , Krasińska Beata , Krasiński Zbigniew , Tykarski Andrzej , Jemielity Marek
Published: February 2024

(1) Background: The increase in cardiovascular risk related to air pollution has been a matter of interest in recent years. The role of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) has been postulated as a possible factor for premature death, including cardiovascular death. The role of long-term exposure to PM10 is less known. The aim of the study was to assess the individual relationship between air pollution in habitation and the development of coronary artery disease. (2) Methods: Out of 227 patients who underwent coronary angiography, 63 (38 men and 25 women) with a mean age of 69 (63–74) years, with nonsignificant atherosclerotic changes at the initial examination, were included in the study. The baseline and repeated coronary angiography were compared to reveal patients with atherosclerotic progression and its relation to demographic and clinical factors and exposure to air pollution in the habitation place. (3) Results: In the performed analysis, we found a significant correlation between Syntax score in de novo lesions and BMI (Spearman’s rho −0.334, p = 0.008). The significant and strong correlation between median annual PM10 values of 20 µg/m3 and at least 25 µg/m3 in air pollution and the risk of de novo coronary disease was noticed (Spearman’s rho = 0.319, p = 0.011 and Spearman’s rho = 0.809, p < 0.001, respectively). (4) Conclusions: There is a positive correlation between long-term exposure to PM10 air pollution and coronary artery disease progression, demonstrated by the increase in Syntax score. The presented analysis revealed increased morbidity at lower PM10 concentrations than generally recommended thresholds. Therefore, further investigations concerning air pollution’s influence on cardiovascular risk should be accompanied by promoting lifestyle changes in the population and revisiting the needs for environmental guidelines.
An Automatic Method for Generation of CFD-Based 3D Compartment Models: Towards Real-Time Mixing Simulations
Authors: Le Nepvou De Carfort Johan , Pinto Tiago , Krühne Ulrich
Published: February 2024

This article aims to develop a method to automatically generate CFD-based compartment models. This effort to simplify mixing models aims at capturing the interactions between material transport and chemical/biochemical conversions in large-scale reactors. The proposed method converts the CFD results into a system of mass balance equations for each defined component. The compartmentalization method is applied to two bioreactor geometries and was able to replicate tracer mixing profiles observed in CFD simulations. The generated compartment models were successfully coupled with, a simple Monod-type biokinetic model describing microbial growth, substrate consumption and product formation. The coupled model was used to simulate a four-hour fermentation in a 190 L reactor and a 10 m3 reactor. Resolving the substrate gradients had a clear impact on the biokinetics, increasing with the scale of the reactor. Moreover, the coupled model could simulate the fermentation faster than real-time. Having a real-time-solvable model is essential for implementations in digital twins and other real-time applications using the models as predictive tools.
Targeted Overexpression of Claudin 11 in Osteoblasts Increases Trabecular Bone Mass by Stimulating Osteogenesis at the Expense of Adipogenesis in Mice
Authors: Xing Weirong , Pourteymoor Sheila , Udayakumar Anakha , Chen Yian , Mohan Subburaman
Published: February 2024

Mice lacking Claudin11 (Cldn11) manifest reduced trabecular bone mass. However, the impact of Cldn11 expression in osteoblasts in vivo remains understudied. Herein, we generated osteoblast-specific transgenic (Tg) mice expressing Cldn11 and characterized their skeletal phenotype. Micro-CT analyses of the distal metaphysis of the femur showed a 50% and a 38% increase in trabecular bone mass in Tg male and female mice, respectively, due to a significant increase in trabecular number and a reduction in trabecular separation. Histomorphometry and serum biomarker studies uncovered that increased trabecular bone mass in Cldn11 Tg mice was the consequence of enhanced bone formation. Accordingly, an abundance of bone formation (Alp, Bsp), but not bone resorption (Ctsk), markers were augmented in the femurs of Cldn11 Tg mice. Since the trabecular bone density is known to inversely correlate with the amount of marrow adipose tissue (MAT), we measured the MAT in osmium-tetroxide-labeled bones by micro-CT scanning. We found 86% less MAT in the proximal tibia of the Tg males. Consistently, the expression levels of the adipogenic markers, adiponectin and leptin, were 50% lower in the femurs of the Tg males. Our data are consistent with the possibility that claudin11 exerts anabolic effects in osteoblastic lineage cells that act via promoting the differentiation of marrow stem cells towards osteoblasts at the expense of adipocytes.
CEBPA Overexpression Enhances β-Cell Proliferation and Survival
Authors: Ellsworth Peter N. , Herring Jacob A. , Leifer Aaron H. , Ray Jason D. , Elison Weston S. , Poulson Peter Daniel , Crabtree Jacqueline E. , Van Ry Pam M. , Tessem Jeffery S.
Published: February 2024

A commonality between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is the decline in functional β-cell mass. The transcription factor Nkx6.1 regulates β-cell development and is integral for proper β-cell function. We have previously demonstrated that Nkx6.1 depends on c-Fos mediated upregulation and the nuclear hormone receptors Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 to increase β-cell insulin secretion, survival, and replication. Here, we demonstrate that Nkx6.1 overexpression results in upregulation of the bZip transcription factor CEBPA and that CEBPA expression is independent of c-Fos regulation. In turn, CEBPA overexpression is sufficient to enhance INS-1 832/13 β-cell and primary rat islet proliferation. CEBPA overexpression also increases the survival of β-cells treated with thapsigargin. We demonstrate that increased survival in response to ER stress corresponds with changes in expression of various genes involved in the unfolded protein response, including decreased Ire1a expression. These data show that CEBPA is sufficient to enhance functional β-cell mass by increasing β-cell proliferation and modulating the unfolded protein response.
Contribution of the Paraoxonase-2 Enzyme to Cancer Cell Metabolism and Phenotypes
Authors: Campagna Roberto , Serritelli Emma Nicol , Salvolini Eleonora , Schiavoni Valentina , Cecati Monia , Sartini Davide , Pozzi Valentina , Emanuelli Monica
Published: February 2024

Paraoxonase-2 (PON2) is a ubiquitously expressed intracellular protein that is localized in the perinuclear region, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and mitochondria, and is also associated with the plasma membrane. PON2 functions as an antioxidant enzyme by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria and ER through different mechanisms, thus having an anti-apoptotic effect and preventing the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. While the antiatherogenic role played by this enzyme has been extensively explored within endothelial cells in association with vascular disorders, in the last decade, great efforts have been made to clarify its potential involvement in both blood and solid tumors, where PON2 was reported to be overexpressed. This review aims to deeply and carefully examine the contribution of this enzyme to different aspects of tumor cells by promoting the initiation, progression, and spread of neoplasms.
Arterial Pulse Wave Velocity Signal Reconstruction Using Low Sampling Rates
Authors: Hong Sungcheol , Coté Gerard
Published: February 2024

Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) analysis is valuable for assessing arterial stiffness and cardiovascular health and potentially for estimating blood pressure cufflessly. However, conventional PWV analysis from two transducers spaced closely poses challenges in data management, battery life, and developing the device for continuous real-time applications together along an artery, which typically need data to be recorded at high sampling rates. Specifically, although a pulse signal consists of low-frequency components when used for applications such as determining heart rate, the pulse transit time for transducers near each other along an artery takes place in the millisecond range, typically needing a high sampling rate. To overcome this issue, in this study, we present a novel approach that leverages the Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem and reconstruction techniques for signals produced by bioimpedance transducers closely spaced along a radial artery. Specifically, we recorded bioimpedance artery pulse signals at a low sampling rate, reducing the data size and subsequently algorithmically reconstructing these signals at a higher sampling rate. We were able to retain vital transit time information and achieved enhanced precision that is comparable to the traditional high-rate sampling method. Our research demonstrates the viability of the algorithmic method for enabling PWV analysis from low-sampling-rate data, overcoming the constraints of conventional approaches. This technique has the potential to contribute to the development of cardiovascular health monitoring and diagnosis using closely spaced wearable devices for real-time and low-resource PWV assessment, enhancing patient care and cardiovascular disease management.
Electrochemical Acetylcholinesterase Sensors for Anti-Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Determination
Authors: Ivanov Alexey , Shamagsumova Rezeda , Larina Marina , Evtugyn Gennady
Published: February 2024

Neurodegenerative diseases and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as one of the most common causes of dementia, result in progressive losses of cholinergic neurons and a reduction in the presynaptic markers of the cholinergic system. These consequences can be compensated by the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) followed by a decrease in the rate of acetylcholine hydrolysis. For this reason, anticholinesterase drugs with reversible inhibition effects are applied for the administration of neurodegenerative diseases. Their overdosage, variation in efficiency and recommendation of an individual daily dose require simple and reliable measurement devices capable of the assessment of the drug concentration in biological fluids and medications. In this review, the performance of electrochemical biosensors utilizing immobilized cholinesterases is considered to show their advantages and drawbacks in the determination of anticholinesterase drugs. In addition, common drugs applied in treating neurodegenerative diseases are briefly characterized. The immobilization of enzymes, nature of the signal recorded and its dependence on the transducer modification are considered and the analytical characteristics of appropriate biosensors are summarized for donepezil, huperzine A, rivastigmine, eserine and galantamine as common anti-dementia drugs. Finally, the prospects for the application of AChE-based biosensors in clinical practice are discussed.
Quality of Life in Metabolic Syndrome Patients Based on the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Kim Taehui
Published: February 2024

Despite the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on a sizeable proportion of the global population, the difference in the quality of life (QoL) between a group without risk factors for OSA and a group with risk factors for OSA among individuals with MetS is currently unclear. This study aimed to identify the determinants of QoL in patients with MetS with and without OSA risk factors and to analyze differences between these two groups. Data were extracted from the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The Rao–Scott χ2 test was performed to evaluate differences in baseline characteristics based on OSA risk factors. A t-test was performed to evaluate differences in the baseline QoL, and linear regression analysis was performed to identify the effect on the QoL of the two groups. The factors affecting QoL in the low-risk group included age, education level, and depression. The factors affecting QoL in the high-risk group were physical activity and depression. These results suggest that nursing interventions should be devised according to patients’ characteristics to help improve their QoL.
Is the Validity of Logistic Regression Models Developed with a National Hospital Database Inferior to Models Developed from Clinical Databases to Analyze Surgical Lung Cancers?
Authors: Bernard Alain , Cottenet Jonathan , Quantin Catherine
Published: February 2024

In national hospital databases, certain prognostic factors cannot be taken into account. The main objective was to estimate the performance of two models based on two databases: the Epithor clinical database and the French hospital database. For each of the two databases, we randomly sampled a training dataset with 70% of the data and a validation dataset with 30%. The performance of the models was assessed with the Brier score, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC ROC) curve and the calibration of the model. For Epithor and the hospital database, the training dataset included 10,516 patients (with resp. 227 (2.16%) and 283 (2.7%) deaths) and the validation dataset included 4507 patients (with resp. 93 (2%) and 119 (2.64%) deaths). A total of 15 predictors were selected in the models (including FEV1, body mass index, ASA score and TNM stage for Epithor). The Brier score values were similar in the models of the two databases. For validation data, the AUC ROC curve was 0.73 [0.68–0.78] for Epithor and 0.8 [0.76–0.84] for the hospital database. The slope of the calibration plot was less than 1 for the two databases. This work showed that the performance of a model developed from a national hospital database is nearly as good as a performance obtained with Epithor, but it lacks crucial clinical variables such as FEV1, ASA score, or TNM stage.
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor-like Cells as a Prognostic Marker in Critically Ill Patients: Insights from Experimental Endotoxemia and Intensive Care Patients
Authors: Schrijver Irene T. , Herderschee Jacobus , Théroude Charlotte , Kritikos Antonios , Leijte Guus , Le Roy Didier , Brochut Maelick , Chiche Jean-Daniel , Perreau Matthieu , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Guery Benoit , Kox Matthijs , Pickkers Peter , Calandra Thierry , Roger Thierry
Published: February 2024

Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) often experience endotoxemia, nosocomial infections and sepsis. Polymorphonuclear and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs) can have an important impact on the development of infectious diseases, but little is known about their potential predictive value in critically ill patients. Here, we used unsupervised flow cytometry analyses to quantify MDSC-like cells in healthy subjects challenged with endotoxin and in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units and at risk of developing infections. Cells phenotypically similar to PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs increased after endotoxin challenge. Similar cells were elevated in patients at ICU admission and normalized at ICU discharge. A subpopulation of M-MDSC-like cells expressing intermediate levels of CD15 (CD15int M-MDSCs) was associated with overall mortality (p = 0.02). Interestingly, the high abundance of PMN-MDSCs and CD15int M-MDSCs was a good predictor of mortality (p = 0.0046 and 0.014), with area under the ROC curve for mortality of 0.70 (95% CI = 0.4–1.0) and 0.86 (0.62–1.0), respectively. Overall, our observations support the idea that MDSCs represent biomarkers for sepsis and that flow cytometry monitoring of MDSCs may be used to risk-stratify ICU patients for targeted therapy.
GOLPH3 Participates in Mitochondrial Fission and Is Necessary to Sustain Bioenergetic Function in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Polanco Catalina M. , Cavieres Viviana A. , Galarza Abigail J. , Jara Claudia , Torres Angie K. , Cancino Jorge , Varas-Godoy Manuel , Burgos Patricia V. , Tapia-Rojas Cheril , Mardones Gonzalo A.
Published: February 2024

In this study, we investigated the inter-organelle communication between the Golgi apparatus (GA) and mitochondria. Previous observations suggest that GA-derived vesicles containing phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P) play a role in mitochondrial fission, colocalizing with DRP1, a key protein in this process. However, the functions of these vesicles and potentially associated proteins remain unknown. GOLPH3, a PI(4)P-interacting GA protein, is elevated in various types of solid tumors, including breast cancer, yet its precise role is unclear. Interestingly, GOLPH3 levels influence mitochondrial mass by affecting cardiolipin synthesis, an exclusive mitochondrial lipid. However, the mechanism by which GOLPH3 influences mitochondria is not fully understood. Our live-cell imaging analysis showed GFP-GOLPH3 associating with PI(4)P vesicles colocalizing with YFP-DRP1 at mitochondrial fission sites. We tested the functional significance of these observations with GOLPH3 knockout in MDA-MB-231 cells of breast cancer, resulting in a fragmented mitochondrial network and reduced bioenergetic function, including decreased mitochondrial ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxygen consumption. Our findings suggest a potential negative regulatory role for GOLPH3 in mitochondrial fission, impacting mitochondrial function and providing insights into GA–mitochondria communication.
Targeted Delivery of HSP70 to Tumor Cells via Supramolecular Complex Based on HER2-Specific DARPin9_29 and the Barnase:Barstar Pair
Authors: Alekseeva Ludmila G. , Ovsyanikova Olga V. , Schulga Alexey A. , Grechikhina Maria V. , Shustova Olga A. , Kovalenko Elena I. , Svirshchevskaya Elena V. , Deyev Sergey M. , Sapozhnikov Alexander M.
Published: February 2024

(1) Background: We have previously shown that the use of an artificial supramolecular two-component system based on chimeric recombinant proteins 4D5scFv-barnase and barstar-heat shock protein 70 KDa (HSP70) allows targeted delivery of HSP70 to the surface of tumor cells bearing HER2/neu antigen. In this work, we studied the possibility to using DARPin9_29-barnase as the first targeting module recognizing HER2/neu-antigen in the HSP70 delivery system. (2) Methods: The effect of the developed systems for HSP70 delivery to human carcinomas SK-BR-3 and BT474 cells hyperexpressing HER2/neu on the activation of cytotoxic effectors of the immune cells was studied in vitro. (3) Results: The results obtained by confocal microscopy and cytofluorimetric analysis confirmed the binding of HSP70 or its fragment HSP70-16 on the surface of the treated cells. In response to the delivery of HSP70 to tumor cells, we observed an increase in the cytolytic activity of different cytotoxic effector immune cells from human peripheral blood. (4) Conclusions: Targeted modification of the tumor cell surface with molecular structures recognized by cytotoxic effectors of the immune system is among new promising approaches to antitumor immunotherapy.
Astrocytic GABAergic Regulation in Alcohol Use and Major Depressive Disorders
Authors: Ali Dina N. , Ali Hossam M. , Lopez Matthew R. , Kang Shinwoo , Choi Doo-Sup
Published: February 2024

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Most GABAergic neurons synthesize GABA from glutamate and release it in the synaptic cleft in the CNS. However, astrocytes can also synthesize and release GABA, activating GABA receptors in the neighboring neurons in physiological and pathological conditions. As the primary homeostatic glial cells in the brain, astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating GABA homeostasis and synaptic neurotransmission. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that astrocytic GABA dysregulation is implicated in psychiatric disorders, including alcohol use disorder (AUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), the most prevalent co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Several current medications and emerging pharmacological agents targeting GABA levels are in clinical trials for treating AUD and MDD. This review offers a concise summary of the role of astrocytic GABA regulation in AUD and MDD. We also provide an overview of the current understanding and areas of debate regarding the mechanisms by which astrocytes regulate GABA in the CNS and their potential significance in the molecular basis of AUD and MDD, paving the way toward future research directions and potential therapeutic target areas within this field.
Effects of the Phosphodiesterase 10A Inhibitor MR1916 on Alcohol Self-Administration and Striatal Gene Expression in Post-Chronic Intermittent Ethanol-Exposed Rats
Authors: Bertotto Luísa B. , Lampson-Stixrud Dolly , Sinha Anushka , Rohani Nicki K. , Myer Isabella , Zorrilla Eric P.
Published: February 2024

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) requires new neurobiological targets. Problematic drinking involves underactive indirect pathway medium spiny neurons (iMSNs) that subserve adaptive behavioral selection vs. overactive direct pathway MSNs (dMSNs) that promote drinking, with a shift from ventromedial to dorsolateral striatal (VMS, DLS) control of EtOH-related behavior. We hypothesized that inhibiting phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A), enriched in striatal MSNs, would reduce EtOH self-administration in rats with a history of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure. To test this, Wistar rats (n = 10/sex) with a history of chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) vapor exposure received MR1916 (i.p., 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 µmol/kg), a PDE10A inhibitor, before operant EtOH self-administration sessions. We determined whether MR1916 altered the expression of MSN markers (Pde10a, Drd1, Drd2, Penk, and Tac1) and immediate-early genes (IEG) (Fos, Fosb, ΔFosb, and Egr1) in EtOH-naïve (n = 5–6/grp) and post-CIE (n = 6–8/grp) rats. MR1916 reduced the EtOH self-administration of high-drinking, post-CIE males, but increased it at a low, but not higher, doses, in females and low-drinking males. MR1916 increased Egr1, Fos, and FosB in the DLS, modulated by sex and alcohol history. MR1916 elicited dMSN vs. iMSN markers differently in ethanol-naïve vs. post-CIE rats. High-drinking, post-CIE males showed higher DLS Drd1 and VMS IEG expression. Our results implicate a role and potential striatal bases of PDE10A inhibitors to influence post-dependent drinking.