bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between Precipitation and Recrystallisation during Stress Relaxation in Titanium Microalloyed Steel
Authors: Zhang Qifan , Huo Xiangdong , Li Liejun , Chen Songjun , Lu Chao
Published: November 2022

This study investigated the correlation between strain-induced precipitation (SIP) and static recrystallisation (SRX) in Ti microalloyed steel during stress relaxation after controlled compression. The final compression temperature strongly influenced the order of SIP and SRX and thus the evolution of the austenite structure. Precipitation-time-temperature (PTT) curve obtained for the experimental steel exhibited an inverted “S” shape. A recrystallisation kinetics model revealed that SRX, which occurs preferentially above 940 °C, resulted in delayed subsequent SIP, thus causing deviation in the PTT curve from the typical ‘C’ shape. Below 940 °C, the fastest nose temperature for precipitation was located at 900 °C, and the precipitate was constituted by TiC particles with a NaCl-type FCC structure. The dynamic competition between SIP and SRX processes were evaluated by comparing the relative magnitude of the recrystallisation driving force and precipitation pinning force during stress relaxation, combined with the evolution of precipitate and austenitic structure. The results indicated that the plateau period occurred because of the precipitation pinning effect inhibited recrystallisation-induced austenite softening. However, the non-uniform distribution of SIP restricted the mobility of the boundaries to a portion of the austenite grains, resulting in abnormal grain growth during the plateau period.
Advances in Superplasticity from a Laboratory Curiosity to the Development of a Superplastic Forming Industry
Authors: Wongsa-Ngam Jittraporn , Langdon Terence G.
Published: November 2022

Superplasticity refers to the ability of some materials to pull out to tensile elongations of 400% or more when the strain rate sensitivity is ~0.5. The first report of true superplastic flow was published in 1934 in experiments conducted in England. However, this remarkable result attracted little interest among western scientific researchers and the result remained a laboratory curiosity for many years. Later, following extensive research on superplasticity in the Soviet Union, interest developed in the west, and superplasticity became a topic of extensive scientific research. This research was further enhanced with the demonstration that the application of severe plastic deformation provided an opportunity for achieving grain refinement to the submicrometer or even the nanometer level, and these small grains were especially attractive for achieving good superplastic properties. It is now recognized that superplastic alloys provide an excellent forming capability, especially in making high quality curved parts that are not easily fabricated using more conventional processes. This has led to the development of a large superplastic forming industry that currently processes many thousands of tons of sheet metals. This report traces these developments with an emphasis on the scientific principles behind the occurrence of superplastic flow.
Extraction of Iron and Other Metals from Copper Tailings through Leaching
Authors: Santibáñez-Velásquez Lidia E. , Guzmán Alexis , Morel Mauricio J.
Published: November 2022

Currently, mining operations have increased the generation of tailings, which contain a variety of elements that can be valorized. In this research, tailing samples were leached with hydrochloric acid of concentrations greater than 3 M, considering the monitoring of iron, copper, aluminum, calcium and magnesium, as relevant elements of the leached solution. Time and temperature were also studied. The original tailing sample was taken by trial pits, and a size distribution analysis was performed. The process generated an insoluble solid, rich in aluminosilicates, and an acid liquid solution with different metal ions. Elemental analyses were performed on liquid samples by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), and solid samples by Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Results showed an increasing trend of the iron concentration as a function of the acid concentration. However, copper is not affected by the change in acid concentration, but by time and temperature. Aluminum decreases with acid concentration, keeps constant with time, and yields at 50 °C. In the range of the studied parameters, calcium and magnesium showed a variation without a clear trend. The elements in the acid solution prepared with a tailing from northern Chile can be recovered for subsequent applications.
Association of Serum Adiponectin Biomarker with Metabolic Syndrome Components in Koreans with Extremely High HDL Cholesterol Levels in General Health Checkup
Authors: Yang Hyun Suk , Lee Gun-Hyuk , Kim Donghwan , Lee Kyeong Ryong , Hur Mina
Published: November 2022

Adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are negative predictors for cardio-metabolic disorders. This study explored adiponectin’s role in predicting multiple metabolic syndrome components (multi-MetSC) in subjects with extremely high HDL-C levels overall and by sex. We enrolled adults with extremely high HDL-C levels (≥90 mg/dL) in general health checkups and compared adiponectin levels in subjects with and without multi-MetSC. Among 274 subjects (median 44 years, female 79.6%), 19 (6.9%) had a multi-MetSC. The adiponectin level was significantly lower in subjects with multi-MetSC than without (females: 9.2 [6.2–13.3] vs. 12.0 [9.7–15.9] µg/mL, p = 0.039; males: 6.9 ± 2.4 vs. 10.0 ± 5.2 µg/mL, p = 0.013). The optimal cutoff values to predict multi-MetSC were 9.7 µg/mL (sensitivity 64%, specificity 74%) in females and 9.6 µg/mL (sensitivity 100%, specificity 44%) in males. Compared with the high adiponectin group, the low group revealed higher fasting glucose in females and higher waist circumference, visceral fat area, and HDL-C levels in males. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed adiponectin as an independent predictor of multi-MetSC (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.71–0.97). Adiponectin could be a potential biomarker for multi-MetSC in general health checkup subjects with extremely high HDL-C levels. There were sex differences in the metabolic risk factors between low and high adiponectin groups.
Efficient Path Planning for a Microrobot Passing through Environments with Narrow Passages
Authors: Huang Cheng-Ming , Hsu Shu-Hsien
Published: November 2022

This paper presents an efficient path-planning algorithm for microrobots attempting to pass through environments with narrow passages. Because of the extremely small size of a microrobot, it is suitable for work in this kind of environment. The rapidly exploring random tree (RRT) algorithm, which uses random sampling points, can quickly explore an entire environment and generate a sub-optimal path for a robot to pass through it; however, the RRT algorithm, when used to plan a path for a microrobot passing through an environment with narrow passages, has the problem of being easily limited to local solutions when it confronts with a narrow passage and is unable to find the final path through it. In light of this, the objectives of the considered path planning problem involve detecting the narrow passages, leading the path toward an approaching narrow passage, passing through a narrow passage, and extending the path search more efficiently. A methodology was proposed based on the bidirectional RRT in which image processing is used to mark narrow passages and their entrances and exits so that the bidirectional RRT can be quickly guided to them and combined with the deterministic algorithm to find paths through them. We designed the methodology such that RRT generates the sampling points for path growth. The multiple importance sampling technique is incorporated with bidirectional RRT, named MIS-BiRRT, to make the path grow faster toward the target point and narrow passages while avoiding obstacles. The proposed algorithm also considers multiple candidate paths simultaneously to expand the search range and then retain the best one as a part of the planning path. After validation from simulation, the proposed algorithm was found to generate efficient path planning results for microrobots to pass through narrow passages.
A Bench-Top Approach for Isolation of Single Antibody Producing Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) Cells Using a Microwell-Based Microfluidic Device
Authors: Fuadiyah Salma , Chotchindakun Kittipat , Phatthanakun Rungrueang , Kuntanawat Panwong , Yamabhai Montarop
Published: November 2022

Genetically-modified monoclonal cell lines are currently used for monoclonal antibody (mAbs) production and drug development. The isolation of single transformed cells is the main hindrance in the generation of monoclonal lines. Although the conventional limiting dilution method is time-consuming, laborious, and skill-intensive, high-end approaches such as fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) are less accessible to general laboratories. Here, we report a bench-top approach for isolating single Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells using an adapted version of a simple microwell-based microfluidic (MBM) device previously reported by our group. After loading the cell suspension to the device, the electrostatically trapped cells can be viewed under a microscope and transferred using a micropipette for further clone establishment. Compared to the conventional method, the invented approach provided a 4.7-fold increase in the number of single cells isolated per round of cell loading and demonstrated a 1.9-fold decrease in total performing time. Additionally, the percentage of correct single-cell identifications was significantly improved, especially in novice testers, suggesting a reduced skill barrier in performing the task. This novel approach could serve as a simple, affordable, efficient, and less skill-intensive alternative to the conventional single-cell isolation for monoclonal cell line establishment.
The Microstructures and Characteristics of NiO Films: Effects of Substrate Temperature
Authors: Chen Guo-Ju , Lin Chih-Ming , Shih Yung-Hui , Jian Sheng-Rui
Published: November 2022

The influence of the substrate temperature on the structural, surface morphological, optical and nanomechanical properties of NiO films deposited on glass substrates using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-Visible spectroscopy and nanoindentation, respectively. The results indicate that the substrate temperature exhibits significant influences on both the grain texturing orientation and surface morphology of the films. Namely, the dominant crystallographic orientation of the films switches from (111) to (200) accompanied by progressively roughening of the surface when the substrate temperature is increased from 300 °C to 500 °C. The average transmittance of the NiO films was also found to vary in the range of 60–85% in the visible wavelength region, depending on the substrate temperature and wavelength. In addition, the optical band gap calculated from the Tauc plot showed an increasing trend from 3.18 eV to 3.56 eV with increasing substrate temperature. Both the hardness and Young’s modulus of NiO films were obtained by means of the nanoindentation continuous contact stiffness measurements mode. Moreover, the contact angle between the water droplet and film surface also indicated an intimate correlation between the surface energy, hence the wettability, of the film and substrate temperature.
Effect of Indole-3-Acetic Acid on Tomato Plant Growth
Authors: Lobo Laiana Lana Bentes , de Andrade da Silva Maura Santos Reis , Castellane Tereza Cristina Luque , Carvalho Rogério Falleiros , Rigobelo Everlon Cid
Published: November 2022

Plant growth-promoting bacteria have several abilities to promote plant growth and development. One of these skills is the synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), which mainly promotes root and shoot development. The bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Azospirillum brasilense have been widely used in agriculture with this function. However, little is known about whether the joint inoculation of these bacteria can reduce plant development by the excess of IAA produced as a result of the joint inoculation. The objective of the present study was to verify the effect of IAA on the inoculation of B. subtilis and A. brasilense in three tomato genotypes. The Micro-Tom genotype without mutation for IAA synthesis, Entire, has high sensitivity to IAA, and the diageotropic genotype (dgt) has low sensitivity to IAA. The results show that the plant parameter most sensitive to microbial inoculation is the number of roots. No treatment increased the shoot dry mass parameters for the Micro-Tom genotype and dgt, root dry mass for the Micro-Tom genotype, plant height for the Micro-Tom and Entire genotypes, root area and root volume for the genotype dgt. The Azm treatment reduced plant height compared to the control in the dgt, the BS + Azw and BS + Azm treatments in the Micro-Tom genotype and the Azw + Azm treatment in the dgt genotype reduced the plant diameter compared to the control. BS and BS + Azw reduced the number of roots in the Micro-Tom. The results strongly support that the mixture of B. subtilis and A. brasilense can reduce some parameters of plant development; however, this effect is possibly an interference in the mode of action of growth promotion of each isolate and is not related to an excess of IAA produced by the bacteria.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clusters Toxic Nickel Nanoparticles to Enhance Survival
Authors: Asghari Ehsan , Kaltschmidt Bernhard Peter , van Merwyk Luis , Huser Thomas , Kaltschmidt Christian , Hütten Andreas , Kaltschmidt Barbara
Published: November 2022

Microorganisms forming a biofilm might become multidrug-resistant by information exchange. Multi-resistant, biofilm-producing microorganisms are responsible for a major portion of hospital-acquired infections. Additionally, these microorganisms cause considerable damage in the industrial sector. Here, we screened several nanoparticles of transition metals for their antibacterial properties. The nanoparticles sizes of nickel (<300 nm) and nickel oxide (<50 nm) were analyzed with transmission electron microscopy. We could show that the antibacterial efficacy of nickel and nickel oxide nanoparticles on Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from household appliances and Staphylococcus aureus was the highest. Interestingly, only P. aeruginosa was able to survive at high concentrations (up to 50 mM) due to clustering toxic nanoparticles out of the medium by biofilm formation. This clustering served to make the medium nearly free of nanoparticles, allowing the bacteria to continue living without contact to the stressor. We observed these clusters by CLSM, SEM, and light microscopy. Moreover, we calculated the volume of NiO particles in the bacterial biofilms based on an estimated thickness of 5 nm from the TEM images as an average volume of 3.5 × 10−6 µm3. These results give us a new perspective on bacterial defense mechanisms and might be useful in industries such as water purification.
Antioxidant Effects of Roasted Licorice in a Zebrafish Model and Its Mechanisms
Authors: Zhou Qian , Zhang Shanshan , Geng Xue , Jiang Haiqiang , Dai Yanpeng , Wang Ping , Hua Min , Gao Qi , Lang Shiyue , Hou Lijing , Shi Dianhua , Zhou Meng
Published: November 2022

Licorice (Gan-Cao, licorice) is a natural antioxidant and roasted licorice is the most common processing specification used in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. Traditional Chinese medicine theory deems that the honey-roasting process can promote the efficacy of licorice, including tonifying the spleen and augmenting “Qi” (energy). The antioxidant activity and mechanisms underlying roasted licorice have not yet been reported. In this study, we found that roasted licorice could relieve the oxidative stress injury induced by metronidazole (MTZ) and could restrain the production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by 2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH) in a zebrafish model. It was further found that roasted licorice could exert its oxidative activity by upregulating the expression of key genes such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), glutamate–cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), and glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) in the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, consistent results were obtained showing that rat serum containing roasted licorice was estimated to reduce cell apoptosis induced by H2O2. Then, the UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS analysis results elucidated the chemical composition of rat plasma containing roasted licorice extracts, including ten prototype chemical components and five metabolic components. Among them, six compounds were found to have binding activity with Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), which plays a crucial role in the transcriptional activity of NRF2, using a molecular docking simulation. The results also showed that liquiritigenin had the strongest binding ability with KEAP1. Immunofluorescence further confirmed that liquiritigenin could induce the nuclear translocation of NRF2. In summary, this study provides a better understanding of the antioxidant effect and mechanisms of roasted licorice, and lays a theoretical foundation for the development of a potential antioxidant for use in clinical practice.
Effective Modulation of Ion Mobility through Solid-State Single-Digit Nanopores
Authors: Ji Anping , Wang Bo , Xia Guofeng , Luo Jinjie , Deng Zhenghua
Published: November 2022

Many experimental studies have proved that ion dynamics in a single-digit nanopore with dimensions comparable to the Debye length deviate from the bulk values, but we still have critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of ion transport in nanoconfinement. For many energy devices and sensor designs of nanoporous materials, ion mobility is a key parameter for the performance of nanofluidic equipment. However, investigating ion mobility remains an experimental challenge. This study experimentally investigated the monovalent ion dynamics of single-digit nanopores from the perspective of ionic conductance. In this article, we present a theory that is sufficient for a basic understanding of ion transport through a single-digit nanopore, and we subdivided and separately analyzed the contribution of each conductance component. These conclusions will be useful not only in understanding the behavior of ion migration but also in the design of high-performance nanofluidic devices.
Carbonaceous Nanoparticle Air Pollution: Toxicity and Detection in Biological Samples
Authors: Aslam Imran , Roeffaers Maarten B. J.
Published: November 2022

Among the different air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) is of great concern due to its abundant presence in the atmosphere, which results in adverse effects on the environment and human health. The different components of PM can be classified based on their physicochemical properties. Carbonaceous particles (CPs) constitute a major fraction of ultrafine PM and have the most harmful effects. Herein, we present a detailed overview of the main components of CPs, e.g., carbon black (CB), black carbon (BC), and brown carbon (BrC), from natural and anthropogenic sources. The emission sources and the adverse effects of CPs on the environment and human health are discussed. Particularly, we provide a detailed overview of the reported toxic effects of CPs in the human body, such as respiratory effects, cardiovascular effects, neurodegenerative effects, carcinogenic effects, etc. In addition, we also discuss the challenges faced by and limitations of the available analytical techniques for the qualitative and quantitative detection of CPs in atmospheric and biological samples. Considering the heterogeneous nature of CPs and biological samples, a detailed overview of different analytical techniques for the detection of CPs in (real-exposure) biological samples is also provided. This review provides useful insights into the classification, toxicity, and detection of CPs in biological samples.
Role of Alkylamines in Tuning the Morphology and Optical Properties of SnS2 Nanoparticles Synthesized by via Facile Thermal Decomposition Approach
Authors: Gaur Rama , Shahabuddin Syed , Ahmad Irfan , Sridewi Nanthini
Published: November 2022

The present study reported the synthesis of SnS2 nanoparticles by using a thermal decomposition approach using tin chloride and thioacetamide in diphenyl ether at 200 °C over 60 min. SnS2 nanoparticles with novel morphologies were prepared by the use of different alkylamines (namely, octylamine (OCA), dodecylamine (DDA), and oleylamine (OLA)), and their role during the synthesis was explored in detail. The synthesized SnS2 nanostructures were characterized using an array of analytical techniques. The XRD results confirmed the formation of hexagonal SnS2, and the crystallite size varied from 6.1 nm to 19.0 nm and from 2.5 to 8.8 nm for (100) and (011) reflections, respectively. The functional group and thermal analysis confirmed the presence of organics on the surface of nanoparticles. The FE-SEM results revealed nanoparticles, nanoplates, and flakes assembled into flower-like morphologies when dodecylamine, octylamine, and oleylamine were used as capping agents, respectively. The analysis of optical properties showed the variation in the bandgap and the concentration of surface defects on the SnS2 nanoparticles. The role of alkylamine as a capping agent was explored and discussed in detail in this paper and the mechanism for the evolution of different morphologies of SnS2 nanoparticles was also proposed.
Efficient Rigorous Coupled-Wave Analysis Simulation of Mueller Matrix Ellipsometry of Three-Dimensional Multilayer Nanostructures
Authors: Pham Hoang-Lam , Alcaire Thomas , Soulan Sebastien , Le Cunff Delphine , Tortai Jean-Hervé
Published: November 2022

Mueller matrix ellipsometry (MME) is a powerful metrology tool for nanomanufacturing. The application of MME necessitates electromagnetic computations for inverse problems of metrology determination in both the conventional optimization process and the recent neutral network approach. In this study, we present an efficient, rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) simulation of multilayer nanostructures to quantify reflected waves, enabling the fast simulation of the corresponding Mueller matrix. Wave propagations in the component layers are characterized by local scattering matrices (s-matrices), which are efficiently computed and integrated into the global s-matrix of the structures to describe the optical responses. The performance of our work is demonstrated through three-dimensional (3D) multilayer nanohole structures in the practical case of industrial Muller matrix measurements of optical diffusers. Another case of plasmonic biosensing is also used to validate our work in simulating full optical responses. The results show significant numerical improvements for the examples, demonstrating the gain in using the RCWA method to address the metrological studies of multilayer nanodevices.
Towards the Development of Sustainable Hybrid Materials to Achieve High Cr(VI) Removals in a One-Pot Process
Authors: Gómez-Carnota David , Barriada José L. , Herrero Roberto
Published: November 2022

Rising manufacturing costs resulting from the current global situation make it necessary to economize at all stages of production, including waste management. Cost-effective materials that reduce the release of pollutants into the environment are becoming mandatory. In this work, a sodium silicate polymeric material, functionalized with iron, was synthesized. The material contains iron-rich nanostructures on the surface, which are responsible for the decontamination process. The inorganic material was further treated with a reducing eucalyptus extract to improve its decontamination performance. Both the inorganic and hybrid materials were used for decontamination of Cr(VI), a widely emitted chemical waste product. The hybrid material provided the best results (1.7 g Cr(VI)·g−1 Fe) in a one-pot process combining reduction and adsorption. The Langmuir–Freundlich model and a statistical thermodynamics adsorption model, together with removal rates, were used to study the processes. High adsorption energies were found, especially in the adsorption of Fe(II) on the polymeric base (33.2 kJ∙mol−1). All materials were characterized using SEM, EDS and N2 sorption, TGA, and IR analyses. In conclusion, the hybrid material synthesized in this study is cheap and easy to produce through environmentally friendly synthesis, and it is a promising adsorbent for the prevention of pollution issues in effluent discharges.
Advances of Carbon Materials for Dual-Carbon Lithium-Ion Capacitors: A Review
Authors: Duan Ying , Li Changle , Ye Zhantong , Li Hongpeng , Yang Yanliang , Sui Dong , Lu Yanhong
Published: November 2022

Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) have drawn increasing attention, due to their appealing potential for bridging the performance gap between lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. Especially, dual-carbon lithium-ion capacitors (DC-LICs) are even more attractive because of the low cost, high conductivity, and tunable nanostructure/surface chemistry/composition, as well as excellent chemical/electrochemical stability of carbon materials. Based on the well-matched capacity and rate between the cathode and anode, DC-LICs show superior electrochemical performances over traditional LICs and are considered to be one of the most promising alternatives to the current energy storage devices. In particular, the mismatch between the cathode and anode could be further suppressed by applying carbon nanomaterials. Although great progresses of DC-LICs have been achieved, a comprehensive review about the advances of electrode materials is still absent. Herein, in this review, the progresses of traditional and nanosized carbons as cathode/anode materials for DC-LICs are systematically summarized, with an emphasis on their synthesis, structure, morphology, and electrochemical performances. Furthermore, an outlook is tentatively presented, aiming to develop advanced DC-LICs for commercial applications.
Surface Versus Bulk State Transitions in Inkjet-Printed All-Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dot Films
Authors: Ekanayaka Thilini K. , Richmond Dylan , McCormick Mason , Nandyala Shashank R. , Helfrich Halle C. , Sinitskii Alexander , Pikal Jon M. , Ilie Carolina C. , Dowben Peter A. , Yost Andrew J.
Published: November 2022

The anion exchange of the halides, Br and I, is demonstrated through the direct mixing of two pure perovskite quantum dot solutions, CsPbBr3 and CsPbI3, and is shown to be both facile and result in a completely alloyed single phase mixed halide perovskite. Anion exchange is also observed in an interlayer printing method utilizing the pure, unalloyed perovskite solutions and a commercial inkjet printer. The halide exchange was confirmed by optical absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescent spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy characterization and indicates that alloying is thermodynamically favorable, while the formation of a clustered alloy is not favored. Additionally, a surface-to-bulk photoemission core level transition is observed for the Cs 4d photoemission feature, which indicates that the electronic structure of the surface is different from the bulk. Time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy indicates the presence of multiple excitonic decay features, which is argued to originate from states residing at surface and bulk environments.
Deficits in Cerebellum-Dependent Learning and Cerebellar Morphology in Male and Female BTBR Autism Model Mice
Authors: Kiffmeyer Elizabeth A. , Cosgrove Jameson A. , Siganos Jenna K. , Bien Heidi E. , Vipond Jade E. , Vogt Karisa R. , Kloth Alexander D.
Published: November 2022

Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of the cerebellum in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To better understand the pathophysiological role of the cerebellum in ASD, it is necessary to have a variety of mouse models that have face validity for cerebellar disruption in humans. Here, we add to the literature on the cerebellum in mouse models of autism with the characterization of the cerebellum in the idiopathic BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) inbred mouse strain, which has behavioral phenotypes that are reminiscent of ASD in patients. When we examined both male and female BTBR mice in comparison to C57BL/6J (C57) controls, we noted that both sexes of BTBR mice showed motor coordination deficits characteristic of cerebellar dysfunction, but only the male mice showed differences in delay eyeblink conditioning, a cerebellum-dependent learning task that is known to be disrupted in ASD patients. Both male and female BTBR mice showed considerable expansion of, and abnormal foliation in, the cerebellum vermis—including a significant expansion of specific lobules in the anterior cerebellum. In addition, we found a slight but significant decrease in Purkinje cell density in both male and female BTBR mice, irrespective of the lobule. Finally, there was a marked reduction of Purkinje cell dendritic spine density in both male and female BTBR mice. These findings suggest that, for the most part, the BTBR mouse model phenocopies many of the characteristics of the subpopulation of ASD patients that have a hypertrophic cerebellum. We discuss the significance of strain differences in the cerebellum as well as the importance of this first effort to identify both similarities and differences between male and female BTBR mice with regard to the cerebellum.
Neural Assemblies as Precursors for Brain Function
Authors: Greer Kieran
Published: November 2022

This concept paper gives a narrative about intelligence from insects to the human brain, showing where evolution may have been influenced by the structures in these simpler organisms. The ideas also come from the author’s own cognitive model, where a number of algorithms have been developed over time and the precursor structures should be codable to some level. Through developing and trying to implement the design, ideas like separating the data from the function have become architecturally appropriate and there have been several opportunities to make the system more orthogonal. Similarly for the human brain, neural structures may work in-sync with the neural functions, or may be slightly separate from them. Each section discusses one of the neural assemblies with a potential functional result, that cover ideas such as timing or scheduling, structural intelligence and neural binding. Another aspect of self-representation or expression is interesting and may help the brain to realise higher-level functionality based on these lower-level processes.
Carnitine Intake and Serum Levels Associate Positively with Postnatal Growth and Brain Size at Term in Very Preterm Infants
Authors: Manninen Suvi , Silvennoinen Sanna , Bendel Paula , Lankinen Maria , Schwab Ursula S. , Sankilampi Ulla
Published: November 2022

Carnitine has an essential role in energy metabolism with possible neuroprotective effects. Very preterm (VPT, <32 gestation weeks) infants may be predisposed to carnitine deficiency during hospitalization. We studied the associations of carnitine intake and serum carnitine levels with growth and brain size at term equivalent age (TEA) in VPT infants. This prospective cohort study included 35 VTP infants admitted to Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. Daily nutrient intakes were registered at postnatal weeks (W) 1 and 5, and serum carnitine levels were determined at W1, W5, and TEA. The primary outcomes were weight, length, and head circumference Z-score change from birth to TEA, as well as brain size at TEA in magnetic resonance imaging. Carnitine intake at W1 and W5, obtained from enteral milk, correlated positively with serum carnitine levels. Both carnitine intake and serum levels at W1, W5, and TEA showed a positive correlation with weight, length, and head circumference Z-score change and with brain size at TEA. In linear models, independent positive associations of carnitine intake and serum carnitine levels with length and head circumference Z-score change and brain size at TEA were seen. In VPT infants, sufficient carnitine intake during hospitalization is necessary since it is associated with better postnatal growth and larger brain size at term age.
Association between the rs3812316 Single Nucleotide Variant of the MLXIPL Gene and Alpha-Linolenic Acid Intake with Triglycerides in Mexican Mestizo Women
Authors: Maldonado-González Montserrat , Hernández-Nazara Zamira H. , Torres-Castillo Nathaly , Martínez-López Erika , de la Cruz-Color Lucia , Ruíz-Madrigal Bertha
Published: November 2022

The carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) is a key transcription factor to understand the gene–diet–nutrient relationship that leads to metabolic diseases. We aimed to analyze the association between the rs17145750 and rs3812316 SNVs (single nucleotide variants) of the MLXIPL gene with dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical variables in Mexican Mestizo subjects. This is a cross-sectional study of 587 individuals. Genotyping was performed by allelic discrimination. In addition, liver and adipose tissue biopsies were obtained from a subgroup of 24 subjects to analyze the expression of the MLXIPL gene. An in silico test of the protein stability and allelic imbalance showed that rs17145750 and rs3812316 showed a high rate of joint heritability in a highly conserved area. The G allele of rs3812316 was associated with lower triglyceride levels (OR = −0.070 ± 0.027, p < 0.011, 95% CI = −0.124 to −0.016), the production of an unstable protein (ΔΔG −0.83 kcal/mol), and probably lower tissue mRNA levels. In addition, we found independent factors that also influence triglyceride levels, such as insulin resistance, HDL-c, and dietary protein intake in women. Our data showed that the association of rs3812316 on triglycerides was only observed in patients with an inadequate alpha-linolenic acid intake (1.97 ± 0.03 vs. 2.11 ± 0.01 log mg/dL, p < 0.001).
What Do People Know about Food, Nutrition and Health?—General Nutrition Knowledge in the Austrian Population
Authors: Gruber Marlies , Iwuchukwu Chinyere Gina , Sperr Elisabeth , König Jürgen
Published: November 2022

Background: Only limited information is available on the nutrition knowledge of the general Austrian population and how this relates to the nutrition knowledge of health professionals (medical doctors, pharmacists, nutritionist, dieticians) and school teachers. Methods: Adolescents and adults at the age of 14–75 years (n = 1000), medical doctors (n = 307), pharmacists (n = 295), nutritionists (n = 124), dieticians (n = 160) and school teachers (n = 873) completed an online survey using a German version of the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire-Revised (GNKQ-R) including self-reported data on sex, age, BMI, and health status. Adolescent and adult participants were recruited by a research agency to be representative for the Austrian population for age, sex, and education. A convenience sample was used for health professionals (medical doctors, pharmacists, nutritionist, dieticians) and school teachers. All participants completed a computer-assisted web-based interviewing (CAWI) survey. Results: Total scores for nutrition knowledge of the general population (61.4%) were significantly lower than scores from all other groups (medical doctors 81.3%, pharmacists 83.0%, dieticians 87.5%, nutritionists 85.6%, school teachers 74.5%). The main drivers for better nutritional knowledge were female sex, higher age, and higher level of education, while BMI classification and self-reported health status had no impact. In regard to single questions, the most striking result was the misclassification of sugar as the nutrient with the most calories by 41.4% of the general population while only 29.0% correctly identified fat to be the nutrient with the most calories. Conclusions: The nutritional knowledge of the general population should be significantly improved in order to lay a basis for better dietary behavior. In view of the relatively low scores of teachers, their nutrition education should be improved in order to enable transfer of sound education in schools.
Diet and Disease Activity in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis: SpondyloArthritis and NUTrition Study (SANUT)
Authors: Vergne-Salle Pascale , Salle Laurence , Fressinaud-Marie Anne Catherine , Descamps-Deplas Adeline , Montestruc François , Bonnet Christine , Bertin Philippe
Published: November 2022

Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients with inflamed intestines have higher SpA activity. Diets that modulate microbiota may influence inflammation and SpA activity. Today, data concerning the impact of diet on SpA activity are scarce. SANUT was a single-center, noninterventional, cohort study that assessed dietetic profiles associated with SpA activity in axSpA. Demographic, clinical, SpA-related, quality of life (QoL), fatigue, physical activity, and dietary data were collected. SpA activity was assessed by Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). We assessed whether high SpA activity was associated with nutriment consumption. Between 12 February 2018 and 12 February 2020, 278 patients participated. High SpA activity, as measured by ASDAS and BASDAI, was significantly associated with higher body mass index and waist circumference, negative HLA-B27, lower QoL, higher fatigue, and higher digestive-symptom scores. Furthermore, high SpA activity, as measured by BASDAI, was associated with female sex, smoking status, patients who were not actively employed, reduced physical activity, and high intake of ultra-transformed foods, while high SpA activity, as measured by ASDAS, was associated with low intake of omega-3 PUFAs and fiber. Therefore, low intakes of omega-3 PUFAs and fiber, and high intake of ultra-transformed foods, are associated with high SpA activity.
Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in Obesity: Role of Mineralocorticoid Receptor
Authors: Parasiliti-Caprino Mirko , Bollati Martina , Merlo Fabio Dario , Ghigo Ezio , Maccario Mauro , Bo Simona
Published: November 2022

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) acts as an essential regulator of blood pressure, volume status, and electrolyte balance. However, in recent decades, a growing body of evidence has suggested that MR may also have a role in mediating pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidative, and pro-fibrotic changes in several target organs, including the adipose tissue. The finding that MR is overexpressed in the adipose tissue of patients with obesity has led to the hypothesis that this receptor can contribute to adipokine dysregulation and low-grade chronic inflammation, alterations that are linked to the development of obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Moreover, several studies in animal models have investigated the role of MR antagonists (MRAs) in preventing the metabolic alterations observed in obesity. In the present review we will focus on the potential mechanisms by which MR activation can contribute to adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity and on the possible beneficial effects of MRAs in this setting.
Subjective-Physiological Coherence during Food Consumption in Older Adults
Authors: Saito Akie , Sato Wataru , Ikegami Akira , Ishihara Sayaka , Nakauma Makoto , Funami Takahiro , Fushiki Tohru , Yoshikawa Sakiko
Published: November 2022

Background: Subjective-physiological emotional coherence is thought to be associated with enhanced well-being, and a relationship between subjective-physiological emotional coherence and superior nutritional status has been suggested in older populations. However, no study has examined subjective-physiological emotional coherence among older adults while tasting food. Accordingly, the present study compared subjective-physiological emotional coherence during food consumption among older and younger adults. Methods: Participants consumed bite-sized gel-type foods with different flavors and provided their subjective ratings of the foods while their physiological responses (facial electromyography (EMG) of the corrugator supercilia, masseter, and suprahyoid, and other autonomic nervous system signals) were simultaneously measured. Results: Our primary findings were that (1) the ratings of liking, wanting, and valence were negatively correlated with corrugator EMG activity in older and young adult participants; (2) the positive association between masseter EMG activity and ratings of wanting/valence was weaker in the older than in the young adult group; and (3) arousal ratings were negatively correlated with corrugator EMG activity in the older group only. Conclusions: These results demonstrate commonalities and differences in subjective-physiological emotional coherence during food intake between older and young adults.
Combination of High Energy Intake and Intensive Rehabilitation Is Associated with the Most Favorable Functional Recovery in Acute Stroke Patients with Sarcopenia
Authors: Sato Yoichi , Yoshimura Yoshihiro , Abe Takafumi , Nagano Fumihiko , Matsumoto Ayaka , Kokura Yoji , Momosaki Ryo
Published: November 2022

Energy intake and rehabilitation time individually contribute to the improvement of activities of daily living (ADL). This study aimed to investigate the additive effect of energy intake and rehabilitation time on ADL improvement in acute stroke patients with sarcopenia. The study included 140 patients (mean age 82.6 years, 67 men) with stroke. Energy intake during the first week of hospitalization was classified as “Sufficiency” or “Shortage” based on the reported cutoff value and rehabilitation time was classified as “Long” or “Short” based on the median. The study participants were categorized into four groups based on the combination of energy intake and rehabilitation time. The primary outcome was the gain of functional independence measure (FIM) motor during hospitalization. The secondary outcomes were length of stay and home discharge rates. Multivariate analysis was performed with primary/secondary outcomes as the dependent variable, and the effect of each group on the outcome was examined. Multivariate analysis showed that “long rehabilitation time and sufficient energy intake” (β = 0.391, p < 0.001) was independently associated with the gain of FIM motor items. The combination of high energy intake and sufficient rehabilitation time was associated with ADL improvement in acute stroke patients with sarcopenia.
Protective Effects of Piperine on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosa Injury by Oxidative Stress Inhibition
Authors: Duan Zhouwei , Yu Shasha , Wang Shiping , Deng Hao , Guo Lijun , Yang Hong , Xie Hui
Published: November 2022

Piper nigrum Linnaeus is often used as a treatment for chills, stomach diseases, and other ailments. Piperine has many biological functions; however, its mechanism for preventing gastric mucosal damage is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of piperine on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury by using GES-1 cells and rats. SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and MDA were effectively regulated in GES-1 cells pre-treated with piperine. Piperine significantly increased SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities, but decreased the ulcer area, MDA, ROS and MPO levels in the gastric tissues of rats. RT-PCR analysis showed that piperine downregulated the mRNA expression levels of keap1, JNK, ERK and p38, and upregulated the mRNA transcription levels of Nrf2 and HO-1. Western blotting results indicated that piperine could activate the protein expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and inhibit the protein expression levels of keap1, p-JNK, p-ERK and p-p38. In conclusion, piperine suppressed ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in vitro and in vivo via oxidation inhibition and improving gastric-protecting activity by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 and MAPK signalling pathways.
Associations between Overweight and Obesity and Common Mental Disorders and Eating Behaviors of Adult Women
Authors: Valencio Ana Clara Justino , Antunes Andressa Bueno , Fonseca Lilian , Araujo Julia , Silva Maria Clara Goyer , Costa Marcia , Czermainski Juliana Gomes e Silva , Rosa Carolina Böettge , Coghetto Chaline Caren , Carteri Randhall Bruce
Published: November 2022

Background: Obesity is a serious public health concern, challenging health professionals worldwide. Women with obesity have an increased risk of triggering psychological disorders, due to the weight stigma. Stigmatization of weight-related health correlates with behavior and contributes to a vicious cycle of obesogenic processes. Objective: Our objective is to analyze the association between the presence of mental suffering, risk of mental disorders, and eating behaviors in lean, overweight, and obese women. Methods: A total of 169 adult women aged between 20 and 39 years were included, and participants signed the informed consent, answered a questionnaire on eating habits, the Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20), the Scale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21), and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire—R21 (TFEQ-R21). Results: The presence of mental suffering was higher in the lean group (26.9%) compared to the overweight and obese group (57.8%). The overweight and obese group had significantly higher scores for the SRQ, DASS, and TFEQ-R21 (p = 0.001 for all analyses), except when evaluating cognitive restraint. Several correlations among scores were found and summarized. There was no significant effect of body mass index on emotional eating, albeit body mass index exerts effects on the DASS score and on binge eating behavior, both of which present mediation effects on emotional eating. Conclusions: These results support the connection between mental health status and the presence of overweight and obesity and emphasize that mental health risks also need specific targeting in public policy.
Antioxidant, Immunomodulatory and Potential Anticancer Capacity of Polysaccharides (Glucans) from Euglena gracilis G.A. Klebs
Authors: Casas-Arrojo Virginia , Arrojo Agudo María de los Ángeles , Cárdenas García Casimiro , Carrillo Paloma , Pérez Manríquez Claudia , Martínez-Manzanares Eduardo , Abdala Díaz Roberto T.
Published: November 2022

The present study was carried out to determine the bioactivity of polysaccharides extracted from Euglena gracilis (EgPs). These were characterized by FT-IR and GC-MS. Cytotoxicity analyses (MTT) were performed on healthy human gingival fibroblast cell lines (HGF-1), obtaining an IC50 of 228.66 µg mL−1, and cell lines with anticancer activity for colon cancer (HCT-116), breast cancer (MCF-7), human leukemia (U-937, HL-60) and lung cancer (NCl-H460), showing that EgPs have anticancer activity, mainly in HTC-116 cells (IC50 = 26.1 µg mL−1). The immunological assay determined the immunomodulatory capacity of polysaccharides for the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and TNF-α in human monocytes (THP-1). It was observed that the EgPs had a stimulating capacity in the synthesis of these interleukins. The antioxidant capacity of polysaccharides and their biomass were analyzed using the ABTS method (18.30 ± 0.14% and (5.40 ± 0.56%, respectively, and the DPPH method for biomass (17.79 ± 0.57%). We quantitatively profiled HGF-1 proteins by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis, coupled with 2-plex tandem mass tag labelling, in normal cells. In total, 1346 proteins were identified and quantified with high confidence, of which five were considered to be overexpressed. The data is available through ProteomeXchange, under identifier PXD029076.