bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Stem Cell Factor, Epidermal Growth Factor and Angiopoietin-2 in HBV, HCV, HCC and NAFLD
Authors: Radmanić Leona , Zidovec-Lepej Snježana
Published: December 2022

Growth factors play a significant role in the immunopathogenesis of liver diseases, especially in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. They can also play a role in liver regeneration and tissue repair. The regenerative capacity of the liver has been well established. Molecular mechanisms leading to regeneration involve a complex network of diverse molecules. Chronic liver injury leads to the dysregulation of regenerative mechanisms in the liver that, in addition to molecular oncogenesis, lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Stem cell factor (SCF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and Angiopietin-2 (Ang-2) have been shown to be extremely important in the pathogenesis of liver diseases, and given their role in hepatitis B (HBV) or C virus (HCV), HCC and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), they seem to be potential targets for future research into antifibrotic drugs. The role of SCF receptor c-kit in the liver is debatable, as it has impact on both liver regeneration and liver disease. EGF is a potential indicator of the survival of patients with HCC and can be a biomarker and therapeutic target structure in HCC. Further research is needed to investigate the potential role of Ang-2 for NAFLD associated with liver damage as a non-invasive circulating biomarker.
Optimising the Therapeutic Interval for Biologics in Patients with Psoriasis
Authors: Dodero-Anillo Jose Manuel , Lozano-Cuadra Inmaculada Concepcion , Rios-Sanchez Esmeralda , Pedrosa-Martinez Maria Jose , Ruiz-Carrascosa Jose Carlos , Galan-Gutierrez Manuel , Armario-Hita Jose Carlos
Published: December 2022

In our clinical experience, more than half of patients do not present a complete response to biologic drugs, or drug loses its efficacy over time. Plasma determinations of drug and anti-drug antibodies levels are an objective tool for optimisation in these patients; however, established therapeutic ranges are not suitable, so the objective of this study was to study these patients and optimise their healthcare. We have made a retrospective, observational study, using data of plasma levels of drugs and anti-drugs antibodies of infliximab, adalimumab or Etanercept, we summarise all data and make a study of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value on current therapeutic ranges. We have found a statistically significant association between subtherapeutic levels and therapeutic failure in psoriasis treated with infliximab and adalimumab. New ranges were found with higher sensitivity than the established ones, we propose 2–10 µg/mL therapeutic range for infliximab, 3–11 µg/mL for adalimumab, and 1–7 µg/mL for etanercept. In conclusion, levels of drug and anti-drug antibodies are a decisive tool for predicting therapeutic response. The current therapeutic ranges may have minimum values that are excessively high, owing to which lowering them significantly increases the sensitivity of the test in all cases, and negative predictive value in the case of etanercept. Further prospective studies are needed to prove the usefulness of these new ranges.
7,7-Difluoropentaphen-6(7H)-one
Authors: Dyan Ok Ton , Zaikin Pavel A.
Published: December 2022

A new fluorinated pentaphene derivative has been obtained as a potential precursor for fluorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In this work, 7,7-difluoropentaphen-6(7H)-one was prepared from 1,1-difluoroanthracen-2(1H)-one via the Diels–Alder reaction with o-quinodimethane generated in situ from o-bis(dibromomethyl)benzene. The structure of the newly synthesized compound was confirmed by 1H, 13C, 19F NMR, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Methyl 12-Methyl-3,9-dinitro-5,6,7,12-tetrahydro-13-oxodibenzo[b.g]bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-6-carboxylate and Related Compounds
Authors: Nanney Dylan R. , Bunce Richard A.
Published: December 2022

A synthesis of the title compound and related structures is reported. The procedure involves double alkylation of a β-ketoester followed by double SNAr ring closure from the γ carbon to give a dibenzo[3.3.1]bicyclic unit. This paper appears to be the first to generate a mid-sized bicyclic target by a double SNAr process. The synthesis can be performed in one step, but yields are superior (52–62%) when a two-stage procedure is used.
Studies on Hot-Rolling Bonding of the Al-Cu Bimetallic Composite
Authors: Sas-Boca Ioana-Monica , Iluțiu-Varvara Dana-Adriana , Tintelecan Marius , Aciu Claudiu , Frunzӑ Dan Ioan , Popa Florin
Published: December 2022

Through the approaches in this article, an attempt was made to analyze the bonding of Al-Cu bimetallic composite layers and the highlight of the diffusion at the boundary between the layers, by hot rolling. An aluminum alloy 6060 plate (EN-AW AlMgSi) and a Cu-ETP ½ hard (CW004A) plate were used. All of these layers of materials were TIG-welded, at both ends, into a heat-treated layered composite and subsequently subjected to the hot-rolling process. The Al-Cu composite material obtained was analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) analysis, after being subjected to the tensile test, as well as energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The obtained results highlighted the diffusion at the boundary between the layers of the Al-Cu composite as well as its ductile breakage and the distribution of the amount of Al and Cu at the interface of the layers.
Influence of Tantalum Addition on the Corrosion Passivation of Titanium-Zirconium Alloy in Simulated Body Fluid
Authors: Sherif El-Sayed M. , Bahri Yassir A. , Alharbi Hamad F. , Ijaz Muhammad Farzik , Alnaser Ibrahim A.
Published: December 2022

Ti-15%Zr alloy and Ti-15%Zr-2%Ta alloy were fabricated to be used in biomedical applications. The corrosion of these two alloys after being immersed in simulated body fluid for 1 h and 72 h was investigated. Different electrochemical methods, including polarization, impedance, and chronoamperometric current with time at 400 mV were employed. Also, the surface morphology and the compositions of its formed film were reported by the use of scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray. Based on the collected results, the presence of 2%Ta in the Ti-Zr alloy passivated its corrosion by minimizing its corrosion rate. The polarization curves revealed that adding Ta within the alloy increases the corrosion resistance as was confirmed by the impedance spectroscopy and current time data. The change of current versus time proved that the addition of Ta reduces the absolute current even at high anodic potential, 400 mV. The results of both electrochemical and spectroscopic methods indicated that pitting corrosion does not occur for both Ti-Zr and Ti-Zr-Ta alloys, even after their immersion in SBF solutions for 72 h.
Thermoelectric, Electrochemical, & Dielectric Properties of Four ZnO Nanostructures
Authors: Rathnasekara Rusiri , Mayberry Grant , Hari Parameswar
Published: December 2022

In this work, we investigated the thermoelectric, electrochemical, and dielectric properties of four different ZnO morphologies, namely nanoribbons, nanorods, nanoparticles, and nanoshuttles. Temperature-dependent Seebeck coefficients were observed using thermoelectric measurements, which confirmed that all synthesized ZnO nanostructures are n-type semiconductors. The Van der Pauw method was applied to measure electrical conductivity, which was also used to calculate the thermal activation energy. Electrochemical properties were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry techniques under five different optical filters. Electrical conductivity of ZnO morphologies showed an increasing trend with increasing temperature. The highest electrical conductivity (1097.60 Ω−1 m−1) and electronic thermal conductivity (1.16×10−4 W/mK) were obtained for ZnO nanorods at 425 K, whereas ZnO nanoshuttles carried the lowest electrical conductivity (1.10 × 10−4 Ω−1 m−1) and electronic thermal conductivity (8.72 × 10−7 W/mK) at 325 K. ZnO nanorods obtained the maximum Power factor value in all temperature ranges. All nanostructures showed electro-catalytic performance with different optical filters. From impedance spectroscopy analysis, ZnO nanorods showed the highest dielectric constant at high frequencies (>1 MHz) at 2.02 ± 0.06, while ZnO nanoshuttles gave the highest dielectric constant at low frequencies (<100 Hz) at 9.69 ± 0.05. These results indicate that ZnO nanorods have the most favorable thermoelectric, electrochemical, and dielectric properties compared to all other ZnO morphologies.
A Critical Review of the Removal of Radionuclides from Wastewater Employing Activated Carbon as an Adsorbent
Authors: Chakraborty Anik , Pal Animesh , Saha Bidyut Baran
Published: December 2022

Radionuclide-contaminated water is carcinogenic and poses numerous severe health risks and environmental dangers. The activated carbon (AC)-based adsorption technique has great potential for treating radionuclide-contaminated water due to its simple design, high efficiency, wide pH range, quickness, low cost and environmental friendliness. This critical review first provides a brief overview of the concerned radionuclides with their associated health hazards as well as different removal techniques and their efficacy of removing them. Following this overview, this study summarizes the surface characteristics and adsorption capabilities of AC derived from different biomass precursors. It compares the adsorption performance of AC to other adsorbents, such as zeolite, graphene, carbon nano-tubes and metal–organic frameworks. Furthermore, this study highlights the different factors that influence the physical characteristics of AC and adsorption capacity, including contact time, solution pH, initial concentration of radionuclides, the initial dosage of the adsorbent, and adsorption temperature. The theoretical models of adsorption isotherm and kinetics, along with their fitting parameter values for AC/radionuclide pairs, are also reviewed. Finally, the modification procedures of pristine AC, factors determining AC characteristics and the impact of modifying agents on the adsorption ability of AC are elucidated in this study; therefore, further research and development can be promoted for designing a highly efficient and practical adsorption-based radionuclide removal system.
Statistical Optimisation of Chemical Stability of Hybrid Microwave-Sintered Alumina Ceramics in Nitric Acid
Authors: Ćurković Lidija , Ropuš Ivana , Cajner Hrvoje , Rončević Sanda , Gabelica Ivana
Published: December 2022

The goal of this research is the statistical optimisation of the chemical stability of hybrid microwave-sintered alumina ceramics in nitric acid. The chemical stability of ceramic materials in corrosive media depends on many parameters, such as the chemical and phase composition of the ceramics, the properties of the aggressive medium (concentration, temperature, and pressure), and the exposure time. Therefore, the chemical stability of alumina ceramics in different aqueous nitric acid solution concentrations (0.50 mol dm−3, 1.25 mol dm−3, and 2.00 mol dm−3), different exposure times (up to 10 days), as well as different temperatures (25, 40, and 55 °C), was investigated, modelled, and optimised. The chemical stability of high purity alumina ceramics (99.8345 wt.% of Al2O3) was determined by measuring the amount of eluted ions (Al3+, Ca2+, Fe3+, Mg2+, Na+, and Si4+) obtained by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The changes in the density of alumina ceramics during the chemical stability monitoring were also determined. The Box–Behnken approach was employed to reach the optimum conditions for obtaining the highest possible chemical stability of alumina at a given temperature range, exposure time, and molar concentration of nitric acid. It was found that an increase in exposure time, temperature, and nitric acid concentration led to an increase in the elution of ions from hybrid microwave-sintered alumina. Higher amounts of eluted ions, Al3+ (14.805 µg cm−2), Ca2+ (7.079 µg cm−2), Fe3+ (0.361 µg cm−2), Mg2+ (3.654 µg cm−2), and Na+ ions (13.261 µg cm−2), were obtained at 55 °C in the 2 mol dm− 3 nitric acid. The amount of eluted Si4+ ions is below the detection limit of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The change in the alumina ceramic density during the corrosion test was negligible.
Compressive and Shear Behavior of Masonry Reinforced with Ultra-Rapid-Hardening Fiber-Reinforced Mortar (URH-FRM)
Authors: Lee Joo Ha
Published: December 2022

Masonry structures are very vulnerable to lateral forces such as earthquakes. In particular, for existing masonry buildings that have not been designed for earthquake resistance, appropriate seismic resistance retrofit is required. In this study, ultra-rapid-hardening fiber-reinforced mortar (URH-FRM), which has a high ductility, with an ultimate tensile strain of about 0.07, and is an economical and easy-to-construct seismic reinforcing material, was developed. Compressive strength and initial shear strength tests were performed on masonry prisms reinforced with the URH-FRM. As an experimental variable, the reinforcement thickness of the URH-FRM was varied from 10 to 30 mm and the structural performance was compared with specimens reinforced with general mortar and specimens without reinforcement. As a result, the beneficial effect of URH-FRM on the in-plane initial shear strength of horizontal bed joints in masonry prisms was confirmed. In addition, the thicker the URH-FRM reinforcement, the clearer the improvement in ductility through strain hardening.
The Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites Processed by High-Pressure Torsion and Powder Metallurgy
Authors: Abd El Aal Mohamed Ibrahim , El-Fahhar Hossam Hemdan , Mohamed Abdelkarim Yousif , Gadallah Elshafey Ahmed
Published: December 2022

Al-Al2O3 and SiC metal matrix composites (MMCs) samples with different volume fractions up to 20% were produced by high-pressure torsion (HPT) using 10 GPa for 30 revolutions of Al-Al2O3, and SiC and powder metallurgy (PM). The effect of the processing method of micro-size Al MMCs on the density, microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, and tensile fracture mode was thoroughly investigated. HPT processing produces fully dense samples relative to those produced using powder metallurgy (PM). The HPT of the Al MMCs reduces the Al matrix grain size and fragmentation of the reinforcement particles. The Al matrix average grain size decreased to 0.39, 0.23, and 0.2 µm after the HPT processing of Al, Al-20% Al2O3, and SiC samples. Moreover, Al2O3 and SiC particle sizes decreased from 31.7 and 25.5 µm to 0.15 and 0.13 µm with a 99.5% decrease. The production of ultrafine grain (UFG) composite samples effectively improves the microhardness and tensile strength of the Al and Al MMCs by 31–88% and 10–110% over those of the PM-processed samples. The good bonding between the Al matrix and reinforcement particles noted in the HPTed Al MMCs increases the strength relative to the PM samples. The tensile fracture surface morphology results confirm the tensile properties results.
The Role of Al4C3 Morphology in Tensile Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced 2024 Aluminum Alloy during Thermal Exposure
Authors: Yuan Mu , Wu Jinhao , Meng Qingnan , Zhang Chi , Mao Xinyue , Huang Shiyin , Wang Sifan
Published: December 2022

The aluminum alloy drill pipe suffers long-term high-temperature conditions during ultra-deep well drilling. In this paper, the samples were prepared by vacuum hot pressing, followed by hot extrusion and T6 heat treatment. The mechanical properties of short carbon fiber reinforced 2024 aluminum alloy composites (SCFs/2024 Al) and the microstructure evolution at the interface region thermal exposure at 160 °C for 500 h are discussed. The experimental results showed that the effect of short carbon fiber on 2024 aluminum alloy remained steady throughout the whole process of the heat exposure experiment. The distribution and volume of interface products (Al4C3) changed with the prolonging of heat exposure time, and connected after coarsening. The evolution of the morphology of Al4C3 relieved the stress of the interface between carbon fiber and aluminum alloy matrix and enhanced the mechanical properties of the composite.
Influence of the Stainless-Steel Microstructure on Tribological Behavior and Surface Integrity after Ball Burnishing
Authors: Torres Alejandra , Cuadrado Nuria , Llumà Jordi , Vilaseca Montserrat , Travieso-Rodriguez J. Antonio
Published: December 2022

Burnishing is a plastic deformation process that reduces roughness while increasing hardness by introducing compressive residual stresses near the surface zone. These improvements will depend mainly on two fundamental variables: the applied load and the friction derived from the tool–surface interaction. Nevertheless, microstructural differences in the materials have not yet been considered within this interaction. This leads to a generalization of the process that can result in the failure of industrial components. Therefore, the aim of this work is to study the microstructural influence of the ball-burnishing process from a tribological perspective. Thus, martensitic and austenitic stainless steels were evaluated in terms of friction and surface integrity. The results show that parameterizing the process according to the tool–surface interaction is critical since improvements depend on friction as a function of the availability of plastic deformation of the crystallographic structures.
Comparison of Physical/Chemical Properties of Prussian Blue Thin Films Prepared by Different Pulse and DC Electrodeposition Methods
Authors: Bayzi Isfahani Vahideh , Arab Ali , Horta Belo João , Pedro Araújo João , Manuela Silva Maria , Gonçalves Almeida Bernardo
Published: December 2022

Prussian Blue (PB) thin films were prepared by DC chronoamperometry (CHA), symmetric pulse, and non-symmetric pulse electrodeposition techniques. The formation of PB was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and UV-Vis transmission measurements. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows the stabilization of the insoluble form of PB. From scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies, an increase in porosity is obtained for the shorter pulse widths, which tends to improve the total charge exchange and electrochemical stability of the films. While the film prepared by CHA suffered a degradation of 82% after 260 cycles, the degradation reduced to 24% and 34% for the samples prepared by the symmetric and non-symmetric pulse methods, respectively. Additionally, in the non-symmetric pulse film, the improvement in the charge exchange reached ~522% after 260 cycles. According to this study, the deposition time distribution affects the physical/chemical properties of PB films. These results then render pulse electrodeposition methods especially suitable to produce high-quality thin films for electrochemical devices, based on PB.
High-Temperature Oxidation Behavior of TiB2-HfB2-Ni Cermet Material
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Gao Jiaojiao , Song Jinpeng
Published: December 2022

To analyze the high-temperature oxidation behavior of TiB2-HfB2-Ni cermet material, TiB2-HfB2-Ni cermets were fabricated by hot-pressing sintering technology. The oxidation resistance and the thermal fracture of TiB2-HfB2-Ni cermet were investigated at 1100 °C for 1, 4, 7, and 10 h, respectively. Before oxidation, TiB2-HfB2-Ni cermet, consisting of TiB2, HfB2, and Ni, had the core-rim structure. The core was TiB2 grain and the rim was composed of Ni and solid solution (Ti, Hf)B2. After oxidation at 1100 °C, the oxides of the TiB2-HfB2-Ni cermet were mainly TiO2, HfO2, B2O3, and NiO, which the oxidation process abided by the parabolic law. With the oxidation time increasing from 1 h to 10 h, the oxidation degree of the TiB2-HfB2-Ni cermet increased, and the oxide layer became thicker. The oxide layer was thin and dense after oxidation at 1100 °C for 1 h. An obvious boundary was discovered between the transition layer and the substrate layer after oxidation at 1100 °C for 7 h. The thermal fracture occurred in the contact regions of different layers at 1100 °C for 10 h. TiB2-HfB2-Ni took place in oxidation at different levels from the outer to the inner, and the components of different oxide layers were certainly distinct.
Bifunctional Magnetite–Gold Nanoparticles for Magneto-Mechanical Actuation and Cancer Cell Destruction
Authors: Garanina Anastasiia S. , Efremova Maria V. , Machulkin Alexey E. , Lyubin Evgeny V. , Vorobyeva Natalia S. , Zhironkina Oxana A. , Strelkova Olga S. , Kireev Igor I. , Alieva Irina B. , Uzbekov Rustem E. , Agafonov Viatcheslav N. , Shchetinin Igor V. , Fedyanin Andrey A. , Erofeev Alexander S. , Gorelkin Peter V. , Korchev Yuri E. , Savchenko Alexander G. , Abakumov Maxim A.
Published: December 2022

Magnetite–gold dumbbell nanoparticles are essential for biomedical applications due to the presence of two surfaces with different chemical natures and the potential combination of magnetic and plasmonic properties. Here, the remote actuation of Fe3O4-Au hybrid particles in a rotating (1 Hz, 7 mT), static (7 mT) or pulsed low-frequency (31 Hz, 175 mT, 30 s pulse/30 s pause) magnetic field was studied. The particles were synthesized by a high-temperature wet chemistry protocol and exhibited superparamagnetic properties with the saturation magnetization of 67.9 ± 3.0 Am2 kg−1. We showcased the nanoparticles’ controlled aggregation in chains (rotating/static magnetic field) in an aqueous solution and their disaggregation when the field was removed. The investigation of nanoparticle uptake by LNCaP and PC-3 cancer cells demonstrated that Fe3O4-Au hybrids mainly escaped endosomes and accumulated in the cytoplasm. A significant fraction of them still responded to a rotating magnetic field, forming short chains. The particles were not toxic to cells at concentrations up to 210 μg (Fe3O4) mL−1. However, cell viability decrease after incubation with the nanoparticles (≥70 μg mL−1) and exposure to a pulsed low-frequency magnetic field was found. We ascribe this effect to mechanically induced cell destruction. Overall, this makes Fe3O4-Au nanostructures promising candidates for intracellular actuation for future magneto-mechanical cancer therapies.
Effect of Tempering Process on Microstructure and Properties of Resistance Spot-Welded Joints of δ-TRIP Steel
Authors: Lv Dong , Xu Xin , Wang Xiaonan , Ran Maoyu , Lu Yanpeng , Cao Zheng
Published: December 2022

In this paper, a medium-frequency inverter spot welder was used for resistance spot-welding experiments on 980 MPa grade cold-rolled δ-TRIP(Transformation-induced Plasticity) steel. The effects of the tempering process on the morphology, microstructure, element distribution, and properties of spot-welded joints were studied by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Electron-Probe MicroAnalysis (EPMA). The microstructure of the nugget zone obtained by single-pulse process was δ ferrite, lath martensite, and twin martensite. After adding tempering under the single-pulse process, the microstructure was δ ferrite and lath martensite. However, the morphology of the microstructure was still dendritic, which remained unchanged. The tensile shear failure of spot-welded joints under the two processes was an interface failure, and the fractures were cleavage fractures. After adding tempering, the interface fracture surface presents two kinds of fracture characteristics: the outer cracks’ growth direction was consistent with the columnar crystal growth direction, and the inner crystal cracks occurred in the nugget core and finally grew along the columnar grain boundary. Due to the significant hardness difference between δ ferrite (283 HV) and martensite (533 HV), the low-strength δ ferrite phase was the main channel of crack propagation. After adding tempering, the hardness distribution of the spot-welded joints was more uniform and the tensile shear force increased (7.4 kN→8.5 kN).
The Role of Taraxacum mongolicum in a Puccinellia tenuiflora Community under Saline–Alkali Stress
Authors: Lu Xueyan , Jin Yan , Guo Xiaorui , Xu Mingyuan , Tang Zhonghua , Chen Qi
Published: December 2022

Coexisting salt and alkaline stresses seriously threaten plant survival. Most studies have focused on halophytes; however, knowledge on how plants defend against saline–alkali stress is limited. This study investigated the role of Taraxacum mongolicum in a Puccinellia tenuiflora community under environmental saline–alkali stress to analyse the response of elements and metabolites in T. mongolicum, using P. tenuiflora as a control. The results show that the macroelements Ca and Mg are significantly accumulated in the aboveground parts (particularly in the stem) of T. mongolicum. Microelements B and Mo are also accumulated in T. mongolicum. Microelement B can adjust the transformation of sugars, and Mo contributes to the improvement in nitrogen metabolism. Furthermore, the metabolomic results demonstrate that T. mongolicum leads to decreased sugar accumulation and increased amounts of amino acids and organic acids to help plants resist saline–alkali stress. The resource allocation of carbon (sugar) and nitrogen (amino acids) results in the accumulation of only a few phenolic metabolites (i.e., petunidin, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside) in T. mongolicum. These phenolic metabolites help to scavenge excess reactive oxygen species. Our study primarily helps in understanding the contribution of T. mongolicum in P. tenuiflora communities on coping with saline–alkali stress.
Unfavorable Behaviors in Children Run in Packs! Dietary and Non-Dietary Modulators of Attentional Capacity
Authors: Drozdowska Alina , Falkenstein Michael , Lücke Thomas , Kersting Mathilde , Jendrusch Gernot , Platen Petra , Sinningen Kathrin
Published: December 2022

Children’s cognitive performance can be influenced by behaviors such as eating breakfast in the morning. The aim of this analysis was to investigate the mediating effects of breakfast behavior and other lifestyle habits on eye-hand coordination and attention. In a secondary analysis of the CogniDROP study, children from the 5th and 6th grade of a comprehensive school in Germany (n  =  223) performed a simple computerized Visual Attention Task and answered a questionnaire about behavioral patterns, i.e., skipping breakfast on a school day, frequency of physical activity (PA) outside school, and nighttime sleep. An association matrix was constructed to show the relationship between the variables. Almost 11% of children left home in the morning without breakfast, more than 9.5% of children reported poor sleep quality, 24.9% slept less than the recommended 9 h, and girls were insufficiently physically active. Sleep duration, bedtime, and PA correlated with skipping breakfast. Better sleep quality was positively related to reaction time in the Visual Attention Task. Overall, the data suggest that unfavorable behaviors in children tend to run in packs, just as skipping breakfast in the morning seems to be associated with other unfavorable habits, which impairs children’s eye-hand coordination and attention.
Alcoholic Liver Disease Is Associated with Elevated Plasma Levels of Novel Advanced Glycation End-Products: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Litwinowicz Kamil , Waszczuk Ewa , Kuzan Aleksandra , Bronowicka-Szydełko Agnieszka , Gostomska-Pampuch Kinga , Naporowski Piotr , Gamian Andrzej
Published: December 2022

Elucidating the biochemical mechanisms associated with the progression of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) to more advanced stages such as alcoholic hepatitis (AH) remains an important clinical and scientific challenge. Several hypotheses point to the involvement of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in alcohol-associated liver injuries. Recently, we determined the structure of a synthetic, melibiose-derived AGE (MAGE), which was an analog of the novel AGE subgroup AGE10. The primary objective of our study was to determine whether AGE10 was associated with alcoholic hepatitis. The secondary objective was to provide a diagnostic accuracy of AGE10 in AH. To achieve this objective, we examined the plasma levels of AGE10 in 65 healthy individuals and 65 patients with AH. The AGE10 level was measured using a competitive ELISA. Our study confirmed that patients with AH had significantly higher plasma concentrations of AGE10 compared with healthy controls (184.5 ± 71.1 μg/mL and 123.5 ± 44.9 μg/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). In addition, AGE10 showed an acceptable performance as a diagnostic marker of AH, with an AUC of 0.78. In conclusion, AH was associated with elevated levels of novel advanced glycation end-product AGE10.
Dietary Supplementation with Black Raspberries Altered the Gut Microbiome Composition in a Mouse Model of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer, although with Differing Effects for a Healthy versus a Western Basal Diet
Authors: Rodriguez Daphne M. , Hintze Korry J. , Rompato Giovanni , Wettere Arnaud J. Van , Ward Robert E. , Phatak Sumira , Neal Canyon , Armbrust Tess , Stewart Eliza C. , Thomas Aaron J. , Benninghoff Abby D.
Published: December 2022

Black raspberries (BRB) are rich in anthocyanins with purported anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is not known whether dietary supplementation would ameliorate Western-diet enhanced gut inflammation and colon tumorigenesis. We employed a mouse model of colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with 5 to 10% (w/w) whole, freeze-dried BRB in male C57BL/6J mice fed either a standard healthy diet (AIN93G) or the total Western diet (TWD). In a pilot study, BRB suppressed colitis and colon tumorigenesis while also shifting the composition of the fecal microbiome in favor of taxa with purported health benefits, including Bifidobacterium pseudolongum. In a follow-up experiment using a 2 × 2 factorial design with AIN and TWD basal diets with and without 10% (w/w) BRB, supplementation with BRB reduced tumor multiplicity and increased colon length, irrespective of the basal diet, but it did not apparently affect colitis symptoms, colon inflammation or mucosal injury based on histopathological findings. However, BRB intake increased alpha diversity, altered beta diversity and changed the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Streptococcaceae, Rikenellaceae, Ruminococcaceae and Akkermansiaceae, among others, of the fecal microbiome. Notably, changes in microbiome profiles were inconsistent with respect to the basal diet consumed. Overall, these studies provide equivocal evidence for in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of BRB on colitis and colon tumorigenesis; yet, BRB supplementation led to dynamic changes in the fecal microbiome composition over the course of disease development.
Effectors of Pregorexia and Emesis among Pregnant Women: A Pilot Study
Authors: Gerontidis Alexandros , Grammatikopoulou Maria G. , Tzimos Christos , Gkiouras Konstantinos , Taousani Eleftheria , Athanasiadis Loukas , Goulis Dimitrios G.
Published: December 2022

During pregnancy, women tend to improve their lifestyle habits and refine their dietary intake. Quite often, however, these dietary improvements take an unhealthy turn, with orthorexia nervosa (ON) practices being apparent. The aim of the present pilot cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of ON tendencies and the incidence of pica and record diet practices in a sample of pregnant women. A total of 157 pregnant women were recruited through private practice gynecologists during the first months of 2021. Nutrition-related practices were recorded, orthorexic tendencies were assessed using the translated and culturally adapted Greek version of the ORTO-15 questionnaire, pica practices were evaluated with a binary question and nausea and emesis during pregnancy (NVP) was evaluated using the translated modified Pregnancy—Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea (mPUQE). Only two women reported pica tendencies, with ice and snow being the consumed items. The majority (61.1%) of women reported improving their diet since conception was achieved. Folic acid and iron oral nutrient supplements (ONS) were reportedly consumed by the majority of participants (87.9% and 72.6%, respectively) and 9.6% reported using herbal medicine products. The ORTO-15 score was reduced with tertiary education attainment, ART conception, being in the third trimester of pregnancy, consumption of folic acid and MV supplements and was only increased among women who were at their first pregnancy. The majority of participants experienced severe NVP and the remaining experienced moderate NVP. NVP was associated with lower hemoglobin levels, lack of supplementary iron intake, avoidance of gluten-containing foods, as well as with increased gestational weight gain. The results highlight the need to screen pregnant women for disturbed eating behaviors and nutrition-related problems, in order to ensure a healthy pregnancy outcome.
Analysis of White Mulberry Leaves and Dietary Supplements, ATR-FTIR Combined with Chemometrics for the Rapid Determination of 1-Deoxynojirimycin
Authors: Walkowiak-Bródka Agata , Piekuś-Słomka Natalia , Wnuk Kacper , Kupcewicz Bogumiła
Published: December 2022

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease affecting more people every year. The treatment of diabetes and its complications involve substantial healthcare expenditures. Thus, there is a need to identify natural products that can be used as nutraceuticals to prevent and treat early-stage diabetes. White mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years due to its many beneficial biological properties. White mulberry leaves are a source of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which, due to its ability to inhibit α-glucosidase, can be used to regulate postprandial glucose concentration. In addition to consuming dried white mulberry leaves as herbal tea, many functional foods also contain this raw material. The development of the dietary supplements market brings many scientific and regulatory challenges to the safety, quality and effectiveness of such products containing concentrated amounts of nutraceuticals. In the present study, the quality of 19 products was assessed by determining the content of DNJ, selected (poly)phenols and antioxidant activity (DPPH• assay). Nine of these products were herbal teas, and the other samples were dietary supplements. These results indicate the low quality of tested dietary supplements, the use of which (due to the low content of nutraceuticals) cannot bring the expected beneficial effects on health. Moreover, a method for determining the content of DNJ (the essential component for antidiabetic activity) based on ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with PLS regression has been proposed. This might be an alternative method to the commonly used chromatographic process requiring extraction and derivatization of the sample. It allows for a quick screening assessment of the quality of products containing white mulberry leaves.
The Bioavailability of Glycyrrhizinic Acid Was Enhanced by Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 Supplementation in Liver Fibrosis Rats
Authors: Li Huifang , Wang Jing , Fu Yifan , Zhu Ke , Dong Zhiling , Shan Jinjun , Di Liuqing , Jiang Shu , Yuan Tianjie
Published: December 2022

Glycyrrhizinic acid (GL) is clinically applied to treat liver injury, and the bioavailability of orally administered GL is closely related to the gut microbiota. Therefore, the dysbiosis of gut flora in liver injury could significantly influence GL bioavailability. Still, less is known about the impact of probiotic supplementation on the bio-absorption process of oral medication, especially under a pathological state. Herein, probiotic L. rhamnosus R0011 (R0011) with a high viability in the harsh gastrointestinal environment was selected, and the effect of R0011 on the GL bioavailability in rats was investigated. Four groups of rats (n = 6 per group) were included: the normal group (N group), the normal group supplemented with R0011 (NLGG group), CCl4-induced chronic liver injury model (M group), and the model group supplemented with R0011 (MLGG group). Our results showed that liver injury was successfully induced in the M and MLGG groups via an intraperitoneal injection of 50% (v/v) CCl4 solution. Healthy rats supplemented with R0011 could increase the bioavailability of GL by 1.4-fold compared with the normal group by plasma pharmacokinetic analysis. Moreover, the GL bioavailability of MLGG group was significantly increased by 4.5-fold compared with the model group. R0011 directly improved gut microbial glucuronidase and downregulated the host intestinal drug transporter gene expression of multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2). More critically, R0011 restored the gut microbiota composition and regulated the metabolic function, significantly enhancing the microbial tryptophan metabolic pathway compared with the pathological state, which may indirectly promote the bioavailability of GL. Overall, these data may provide possible strategies by which to address the low bioavailability of traditional medicine through probiotic intervention.
Effects of 8-Week Online, Supervised High-Intensity Interval Training on the Parameters Related to the Anaerobic Threshold, Body Weight, and Body Composition during Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yu Hongli , Santos-Rocha Rita , Radzimiński Łukasz , Jastrzębski Zbigniew , Bonisławska Iwona , Szwarc Andrzej , Szumilewicz Anna
Published: December 2022

We aimed to assess the effects of an 8-week, online high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on the parameters related to the anaerobic threshold (AT), body weight, and body composition in pregnant women. A total of 69 Caucasian women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy (age: 31 ± 4 years; gestational age: 22 ± 5 weeks; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly allocated to either an 8-week HIIT program (HIIT group) or to a comparative 8-week educational program (EDU group). Our most important finding was that even with the 8-week progression of pregnancy and physiological weight gain, the HIIT group maintained the same level of parameters related to AT: volume of oxygen at the AT (VO2/AT), percentage of maximal oxygen uptake at the AT (%VO2max/AT), and heart rate at the AT (HR/AT). In contrast, in the EDU group we observed a substantial deterioration of parameters related to the AT. The HIIT intervention substantially reduced the fat mass percentage (median: 30 to 28%; p < 0.01) and improved the total fat-free mass percentage (median: 70% to 72%; p < 0.01). In the EDU group, the body composition did not change significantly. An online, supervised HIIT program may be used to prevent the pregnancy-related risk of excessive weight gain and reduction in exercise capacity without yielding adverse obstetric or neonatal outcomes.
Neuroprotective Effects of Betulinic Acid Hydroxamate in Intraventricular Hemorrhage-Induced Brain Damage in Immature Rats
Authors: Del Pozo Aarón , Silva Laura , Romero Angela , De Hoz-Rivera María , Villa María , Martínez-Vega María , Prados María Eugenia , Muñoz Eduardo , Martínez-Orgado José
Published: December 2022

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is an important cause of long-term disability in extremely preterm infants, with no current treatment. We aimed to study in an IVH model in immature rats the neuroprotective effect of betulinic acid hydroxamate (BAH), a B55α/PP2A activator that inhibits the activity of the hypoxia-inducing factor prolyl-hydroxylase type 2. IVH was induced in 1-day-old (P1) Wistar rats by the left periventricular injection of Clostridial collagenase. Then, pups received i.p. vehicle or BAH 3 mg/kg single dose. At P6, P14 and P45, brain damage (area of damage, neurobehavioral deficits, Lactate/N-acetylaspartate ratio), white matter injury (WMI: corpus callosum atrophy and myelin basic protein signal reduction) and inflammation (TLR4, NF-κB and TNFα expression), excitotoxicity (Glutamate/N-acetylspartate) and oxidative stress (protein nitrosylation) were evaluated. BAH treatment did not reduce the volume of brain damage, but it did reduce perilesional tissue damage, preventing an IVH-induced increase in Lac/NAA. BAH restored neurobehavioral performance at P45 preventing WMI. BAH prevented an IVH-induced increase in inflammation, excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. In conclusion, in immature rats, BAH reduced IVH-induced brain damage and prevented its long-term functional consequences, preserving normal myelination in a manner related to the modulation of inflammation, excitotoxicity and oxidative stress.
Household Food Insecurity, Anemia, Malnutrition and Unfavorable Dietary Diversity among Adolescents: Quadruple Whammies in the Era of Escalating Crises in Lebanon
Authors: Hoteit Maha , Mohsen Hala , Yazbeck Nour , Diab Sarah , Sarkis Jessica , Sacre Yonna , Hanna-Wakim Lara , Bookari Khlood
Published: December 2022

Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood. Nowadays, adolescents in Lebanon are growing during a time of unprecedented health crises and political instability. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of malnutrition, dietary diversity in adolescents’ households, and adolescents’ self-reported food insecurity in Lebanon. A national representative sample of 450 parent–adolescent dyads (parents: mean age ± standard deviation (SD) = 46.0 ± 7.0, mothers: 59.0%; adolescents: mean age ± SD = 15.0 ± 3.0, girls: 54.6%) were interviewed. Anthropometric and blood hemoglobin measurements were performed for adolescents. The Food Consumption Score, the Arab Family Food Security Scale and the Adolescent-Level Food-Security Scale were used. The overall prevalence of adolescent stunting, thinness, overweight, obesity and anemia was 6.7%, 4.7%, 19.3%, 12.9% and 16.7%, respectively. Almost 40.4% and 68% of adolescent’s households consumed undiversified diets and were food insecure, respectively. Food insecurity (FI) affected 54.0% of adolescents. Adolescents attending schools (vs. university) were eight times more likely to be stunted (p = 0.04). Boys had a 4.3 times higher thinness risk (p = 0.005) compared to girls. Households reporting an income decline since the start of the Lebanese economic crisis were three times more likely to have a thin adolescent (p = 0.01). Parental overweight/obesity (p = 0.002) and lower education level (p = 0.04) nearly doubled the risk of adolescent overweight or obesity. At a time when escalating crises in Lebanon are shifting diets for the youngest generations, the development of adolescent-responsive nutritional policies becomes a must.
Pancreatic Cancer 3D Cell Line Organoids (CLOs) Maintain the Phenotypic Characteristics of Organoids and Accurately Reflect the Cellular Architecture and Heterogeneity In Vivo
Authors: Noorani Sara , Nelson Shannon R. , Conlon Neil T. , Meiller Justine , Shcheglova Ekaterina , Usai Alice , Stoof Jojanneke , Palanga Letizia , O’Neill Fiona , Roche Sandra , Cotter Maura B. , Swan Niall , Walsh Naomi
Published: December 2022

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease. Therapeutic resistance to chemotherapy is a major cause of treatment failure and recurrence in pancreatic cancer. Organoids derived from cancer stem cells (CSC) are promising models for the advancement of personalised therapeutic responses to inform clinical decisions. However, scaling-up of 3D organoids for high-throughput screening is time-consuming and costly. Here, we successfully developed organoid-derived cell lines (2.5D) from 3D organoids; the cells were then expanded and recapitulated back into organoids known as cell line organoids (CLOs). The 2.5D lines were cultured long term into 2D established cell lines for downstream comparison analysis. Experimental characterisation of the models revealed that the proliferation of CLOs was slightly faster than that of parental organoids. The therapeutic response to chemotherapeutic agents in 3D CLOs and organoids showed a similar responsive profile. Compared to 3D CLOs and organoids, 2D cell lines tended to be less responsive to all the drugs tested. Stem cell marker expression was higher in either 3D CLOs or organoids compared to 2D cell lines. An in vivo tumorigenicity study found CLOs form tumours at a similar rate to organoids and retain enhanced CSC marker expression, indicating the plasticity of CSCs within the in vivo microenvironment.
Photonic Crystal Fiber Sensor for Detecting Sulfuric Acid in Different Concentrations
Authors: Maidi Abdul Mu’iz , Kalam Md. Abul , Begum Feroza
Published: December 2022

A high-performance photonic crystal fiber sensor for sulfuric acid detection is designed and investigated, undertaken through a full vector Finite Element Method on COMSOL Multiphysics software to establish the optical properties of effective refractive index, power fraction, relative sensitivity, confinement loss, chromatic dispersion, and propagation constant. Different aqueous sulfuric acid concentrations of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% were selected as the test analytes. The dimensions of two cladding rings of the hexagon- and circular-shaped air holes and a circular core hole denoted outstanding outcomes of relative sensitivity and confinement loss. At 1.1 µm optimum wavelength, 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% sulfuric acid concentrations depict relative sensitivities of 97.08%, 97.67%, 98.06%, 98.39%, and 98.67%, respectively, and confinement losses of 1.32 × 10−12 dB/m, 4.11 × 10−12 dB/m, 1.46 × 10−12 dB/m, 6.34 × 10−12 dB/m, and 2.12 × 10−12 dB/m, respectively.
Revealing the Evolution from Q-Switching to Mode-Locking in an Erbium-Doped Fiber Laser Using Tungsten Trioxide Saturable Absorber
Authors: Tan Xin , Liu Ya , Zheng Yongkang , Xie Zewu , Hu Guoqing
Published: December 2022

Passively Q-switching and mode-locking technologies can generate short pulses with durations that differ by several orders of magnitude widely used in different applications. Recently, Q-switching and mode-locking realized in an identical laser cavity with saturable absorbers was reported. The analysis of pulse conversion is helpful for us to further understand the pulse dynamics of a laser. In this paper, the pulse evolution from Q-switching, Q-switched mode-locking to mode-locking, is demonstrated by using a tungsten trioxide saturable absorber in a ring-cavity erbium-doped fiber laser. Firstly, self-started Q-switching at 1563 nm is observed, the repetition rate continuously increases, and the duration decreases when the pump power increased. Then, with an adjusting intra-cavity state of polarization under a high pump power level, stable Q-switched mode-locking pulses evolved from Q-switching, are observed. The amplitude of the emerged pulse sequence with a period of 36.8 ns, determined by cavity length, is modulated by the Q-switched envelope with the period of 10.3 μs. By optimizing the intracavity polarization carefully, stable continuous wave mode-locking operation is achieved eventually. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental demonstration of Q-switching and mode-locking, respectively, in an identical transition-metal-oxides-based pulsed fiber laser without modification of cavity structure.