bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predominance of the Rare EGFR Mutation p.L861Q in Tunisian Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Abdelmaksoud-Dammak Rania , Ammous-Boukhris Nihel , Saadallah-Kallel Amèna , Charfi Slim , Khemiri Souhir , Khemakhem Rim , Kallel Nesrin , Ben Kridis-Rejeb Wala , Sallemi-Boudawara Tahya , Khanfir Afef , Yangui Ilhem , Daoud Jamel , Mokdad-Gargouri Raja
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Several new cancer therapies targeting signaling pathways involved in the growth and progression of cancer cells were developed as personalized medicine. Our study aimed to identify epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations for TKI treatment in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tunisian patients. Methods: Analysis of the TKI sensitivity mutations in exons 18 to 21 of the EGFR gene and exon 15 of the B-raf gene was performed in 79 formalin fixed-paraffin embedded (FFPE) NSCLC samples using pyrosequencing. Results: EGFR mutations were detected in 34 cases among 79 (43%), with the predominance of the L861Q in exon 21 found in 35.3% of the cases (12 out of 34). Deletions in exon 19 were found in 8 cases (23.5%), and only one young male patient had the T790M mutation. Three patients harbored composite EGFR mutations (p.E746_A750del/p.L861R, p.E746_S752>V/p.S768I, and p.G719A/p.L861Q). Furthermore, the EGFR mutated status was significantly more frequent in female patients (p = 0.019), in non-smoker patients (p = 0.008), and in patients with metastasis (p = 0.044). Moreover, the B-raf V600E was identified in 5 EGFR negative patients among 39 analyzed samples (13.15%). Conclusion: The p.L861Q localized in exon 21 of the EGFR gene was the most common mutation identified in our patients (35.3%), whereas the “classic” EGFR mutations such as Del19 and p.L858R were found in 23.5% and 11.7% of the cases, respectively. Interestingly, most of p.L861X mutation-carrying patients showed good response to TKI treatment. Altogether, our findings suggest a particular distribution of the EGFR-TKIs sensitivity mutations in Tunisian NSCLC patients.
From Mosquito Ovaries to Ecdysone; from Ecdysone to Wolbachia: One Woman’s Career in Insect Biology
Authors: Fallon Ann M.
Published: August 2022

In anautogenous mosquitoes, synchronous development of terminal ovarian follicles after a blood meal provides an important model for studies on insect reproduction. Removal and implantation of ovaries, in vitro culture of dissected tissues and immunological assays for vitellogenin synthesis by the fat body showed that the Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera, Culicidae) mosquito ovary produces a factor essential for egg production. The discovery that the ovarian factor was the insect steroid hormone, ecdysone, provided a model for co-option of the larval hormones as reproductive hormones in adult insects. In later work on cultured mosquito cells, ecdysone was shown to arrest the cell cycle, resulting in an accumulation of diploid cells in G1, prior to initiation of DNA synthesis. Some mosquito species, such as Culex pipiens L. (Diptera, Culicidae), harbor the obligate intracellular bacterium, Wolbachia pipientis Hertig (Rickettsiales, Anaplasmataceae), in their reproductive tissues. When maintained in mosquito cell lines, Wolbachia abundance increases in ecdysone-arrested cells. This observation facilitated the recovery of high levels of Wolbachia from cultured cells for microinjection and genetic manipulation. In female Culex pipiens, it will be of interest to explore how hormonal cues that support initiation and progression of the vitellogenic cycle influence Wolbachia replication and transmission to subsequent generations via infected eggs.
High PEEP Levels during CPR Improve Ventilation without Deleterious Haemodynamic Effects in Pigs
Authors: Renz Miriam , Müllejans Leah , Riedel Julian , Mohnke Katja , Rissel René , Ziebart Alexander , Duenges Bastian , Hartmann Erik Kristoffer , Ruemmler Robert
Published: August 2022

Background: Invasive ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is very complex due to unique thoracic pressure conditions. Current guidelines do not provide specific recommendations for ventilation during ongoing chest compressions regarding positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). This trial examines the cardiopulmonary effects of PEEP application during CPR. Methods: Forty-two German landrace pigs were anaesthetised, instrumented, and randomised into six intervention groups. Three PEEP levels (0, 8, and 16 mbar) were compared in high standard and ultralow tidal volume ventilation. After the induction of ventricular fibrillation, mechanical chest compressions and ventilation were initiated and maintained for thirty minutes. Blood gases, ventilation/perfusion ratio, and electrical impedance tomography loops were taken repeatedly. Ventilation pressures and haemodynamic parameters were measured continuously. Postmortem lung tissue damage was assessed using the diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) score. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, and p values <0.05 were considered significant. Results: The driving pressure (Pdrive) showed significantly lower values when using PEEP 16 mbar than when using PEEP 8 mbar (p = 0.045) or PEEP 0 mbar (p < 0.001) when adjusted for the ventilation mode. Substantially increased overall lung damage was detected in the PEEP 0 mbar group (vs. PEEP 8 mbar, p = 0.038; vs. PEEP 16 mbar, p = 0.009). No significant differences in mean arterial pressure could be detected. Conclusion: The use of PEEP during CPR seems beneficial because it optimises ventilation pressures and reduces lung damage without significantly compromising blood pressure. Further studies are needed to examine long-term effects in resuscitated animals.
Enhancing Genome-Scale Model by Integrative Exometabolome and Transcriptome: Unveiling Carbon Assimilation towards Sphingolipid Biosynthetic Capability of Cordyceps militaris
Authors: Cheawchanlertfa Pattsarun , Chitcharoen Suwalak , Raethong Nachon , Liu Qing , Chumnanpuen Pramote , Soommat Panyawarin , Song Yuanda , Koffas Mattheos , Laoteng Kobkul , Vongsangnak Wanwipa
Published: August 2022

Cordyceps militaris is an industrially important fungus, which is often used in Asia as traditional medicine. There has been a published genome-scale metabolic model (GSMM) of C. militaris useful for predicting its growth behaviors; however, lipid metabolism, which plays a vital role in cellular functions, remains incomplete in the GSMM of C. militaris. A comprehensive study on C. militaris was thus performed by enhancing GSMM through integrative analysis of metabolic footprint and transcriptome data. Through the enhanced GSMM of C. militaris (called iPC1469), it contained 1469 genes, 1904 metabolic reactions and 1229 metabolites. After model evaluation, in silico growth simulation results agreed well with the experimental data of the fungal growths on different carbon sources. Beyond the model-driven integrative data analysis, interestingly, we found key metabolic responses in alteration of lipid metabolism in C. militaris upon different carbon sources. The sphingoid bases (e.g., sphinganine, sphingosine, and phytosphingosine) and ceramide were statistically significant accumulated in the xylose culture when compared with other cultures; this study suggests that the sphingolipid biosynthetic capability in C. militaris was dependent on the carbon source assimilated for cell growth; this finding provides a comprehensive basis for the sphingolipid biosynthesis in C. militaris that can help to further redesign its metabolic control for medicinal and functional food applications.
Femoral Pulse Pressure Variation Is Not Interchangeable with Radial Pulse Pressure Variation during Living Donor Liver Transplantation
Authors: Kim Doyeon , Ahn Jin Hee , Han Sangbin , Ko Justin Sangwook , Gwak Mi Sook , Kim Gaab Soo
Published: August 2022

The radial artery is commonly used as the site measuring pulse pressure variation (PPV) during surgery. Accurate measurement of circulating blood volume and timely interventions to maintain optimal circulating blood volume is important to deliver sufficient oxygen to tissues and organs. It has not rather than never studied in patients undergoing liver transplantation whether PPV measured at peripheral sites, such as the radial artery, do represent central PPV for evaluating blood volume. In this retrospective study, 51 liver transplant recipients were enrolled. The two PPVs had been automatically recorded every minute in electrical medical records. A total 1878 pairs of the two PPVs were collected. The interchangeability of PPV measured at the radial and the femoral artery was analyzed by using the Bland–Altman plot, four-quadrant plot, Cohen’s kappa (k), and receiver operating curve. The bias and limits of agreement of the two PPVs were −1.3% and −8.8% to 6.2%, respectively. The percentage error was 75%. The concordance rate was 65%. The Kappa of PPV-radial determining whether PPV-femoral was >13% or ≤13% was 0.64. We found that PPV-radial is not interchangeable with PPV-femoral during liver transplantation. Additionally, PPV-radial failed to reliably track changes of PPV-femoral. Lastly, the clinical decision regarding blood volume status (depletion or not) is significantly different between the two PPVs. Therefore, PPV-femoral may help maintain blood volume circulating to major organs including the newly transplanted liver graft for liver transplant recipients.
From Croatian Roma to 1000 Genomes: The Story of the CYP2D6 Gene Promoter and Enhancer SNPs
Authors: Stojanović Marković Anita , Celinšćak Željka , Šetinc Maja , Škarić-Jurić Tatjana , Peričić Salihović Marijana , Zajc Petranović Matea
Published: August 2022

The CYP2D6 gene encodes an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of ~20% of clinically prescribed drugs. In this study, 18 SNPs from the enhancer and promoter regions of CYP2D6 in 323 Roma from Croatia were genotyped, to find out whether the demographic history of Roma affected the distribution of the studied SNPs and their linkage disequilibrium (LD) values, with the major SNPs defining the CYP2D6 star alleles. No differences were found between the three Roma groups in allele and genotype frequencies. The distribution of LD values of Roma was compared with LD values of European and Asian populations. Regulatory CYP2D6 SNPs (rs5758550, rs28624811, rs1080985 and rs1080983) showed similar distribution and the highest LDs with rs16947 from the gene-coding region in all populations. In the promoter region, a complete LD between rs1080989 and rs28588594, and between rs1080983 and rs28624811, was found in Croatian Roma and investigated populations from 1000 genomes. A high LD was also found between rs1080985 from the promoter and rs5758550 from the enhancer region. SNP rs28735595 from the gene promoter region had the highest LD, with two gene region SNPs, rs1058164 and rs1135840. To conclude, the Croatian Roma population shows an LD pattern of the CYP2D6 gene region similar to the 1000 Genomes European and Asian populations.
New Wine in an Old Bottle: Utilizing Chemical Genetics to Dissect Apical Hook Development
Authors: Aizezi Yalikunjiang , Xie Yinpeng , Guo Hongwei , Jiang Kai
Published: August 2022

The apical hook is formed by dicot seedlings to protect the tender shoot apical meristem during soil emergence. Regulated by many phytohormones, the apical hook has been taken as a model to study the crosstalk between individual signaling pathways. Over recent decades, the roles of different phytohormones and environmental signals in apical hook development have been illustrated. However, key regulators downstream of canonical hormone signaling have rarely been identified via classical genetics screening, possibly due to genetic redundancy and/or lethal mutation. Chemical genetics that utilize small molecules to perturb and elucidate biological processes could provide a complementary strategy to overcome the limitations in classical genetics. In this review, we summarize current progress in hormonal regulation of the apical hook, and previously reported chemical tools that could assist the understanding of this complex developmental process. We also provide insight into novel strategies for chemical screening and target identification, which could possibly lead to discoveries of new regulatory components in apical hook development, or unidentified signaling crosstalk that is overlooked by classical genetics screening.
Stability of Detonation Nanodiamond Colloid with Respect to Inorganic Electrolytes and Anionic Surfactants and Solvation of the Particles Surface in DMSO–H2O Organo-Hydrosols
Authors: Mchedlov-Petrossyan Nikolay O. , Kriklya Nika N. , Laguta Anna N. , Ōsawa Eiji
Published: August 2022

In this article, the stability of sols of detonated nanodiamonds, DND, with positively charged colloidal particles, is studied in different salt solutions in water–dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) binary systems containing 95 vol.% organic solvent. Additionally, several CCC values are determined in 95 vol.% acetonitrile for comparison. The critical coagulation concentrations (CCC) are determined using the dynamic light scattering technique and the Fuchs function. As coagulators, NaCl, NaBr, NaNO3, NaClO4, Nan-C8H17SO3, and Nan-C12H25OSO3 are used. Comparison of the CCC values in DMSO–H2O and CH3CN–H2O with those obtained in water allows us to make some conclusions. The variations of these values in different solvents are explained in terms of good and poor interfacial solvation of colloidal particles, “structural” contribution to the interparticle interaction energy, lyotropic series for anions, and more or less pronounced adsorption of surfactants. The study of the stability of DND hydrosol in solutions of anionic surfactants with different hydrocarbon tail length demonstrated the crucial role of adsorption in the coagulation process.
Frost Heaving Damage Mechanism of a Buried Natural Gas Pipeline in a River and Creek Region
Authors: Su Wenxian , Huang Shijia
Published: August 2022

When the buried pipeline passes through the permafrost zone, the phenomenon of frost swelling occurs in the permafrost zone, which causes a certain degree of bending and deformation of the pipeline. As a result, the pipeline’s structural safety is compromised, and the pipeline finally fails during operation, posing a serious hazard to the natural gas pipeline’s operation. Whereas the theoretical research on soil frost heave is relatively comprehensive, the applied research on engineering problems is not yet complete. Therefore, it is necessary to predict frost heaving through experiments and numerical simulation, and put forward reasonable control measures for existing or potential problems. For the problem of pipeline damage caused by frost swelling of soil in the natural gas high-pressure regulator station in a river and creek region, the Drucker–Prager elastic-ideal plastic model of soil was selected for finite element analysis, and a reasonable finite element model of pipe-soil was established in this paper. Through the temperature field analysis, it was found that the soil around the buried pipe is affected by the pipeline and is lower than its freezing temperature, which makes the soil freeze and swell. Furthermore, through the thermal–structural coupling analysis, it was found that the buried pipe is affected by the freezing and swelling of the soil and the structure is greatly likely to be damaged. In addition, by analyzing the temperature distribution and frost heave deformation of the soil around the pipeline, as well as the deformation and force of the pipeline at different pipe temperatures, this paper also determined the ideal temperature for preventing frost heave damage to natural gas at high-pressure regulator stations as −1 °C. Finally, based on the results of the abovementioned analysis, the heating method was determined to improve the frost damage phenomenon at the high-pressure regulator. The results of the anti-frost and swell study were used to conduct field trials at natural gas high-pressure regulator stations where frost and swell had occurred. By adding heating furnace to increase inlet temperature, frost heaving of gas transmission pipeline can be effectively prevented. The results of the research provide a reference for both existing and new natural gas pipelines, and also accumulate experience for winter maintenance design and construction of pipeline engineering in seasonally frozen soil areas.
Treatment of Tuna Cooking Juice via Ceramic Ultrafiltration Membrane: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Aloulou Wala , Aloulou Hajer , Attia Afef , Chakraborty Sudip , Ben Amar Raja
Published: August 2022

In the present work, optimized ultrafiltration conditions, using a ceramic multi tubular titania membrane (150 KDa), were investigated for the treatment of tuna cooking juice, for water reuse in the industrial process. The interactive effects of the volume concentrating factor (VCF) (1.03–4.25), feed temperature (T) (20–60 °C), and applied transmembrane pressure (ΔP) (2–5 bar) on protein removal (R protein) and permeate flux (J) were determined. A Box–Behnken experimental design (BBD) with the response surface methodology (RSM) was used for statistical analysis, modeling, and optimization of the operating conditions. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results proved that the protein removal and permeate flux were significant and represented good correlation coefficients of 0.9859 and 0.9294, respectively. Mathematical modeling showed that the best conditions were VCF = 1.5 and a feed temperature of 60 °C, under a transmembrane pressure of 5 bar. The fouling mechanism was checked by applying a polarization concentration model. Determination of the gel concentration confirmed the results found in the mass balance calculation and proved that the VCF must not exceed 1.5. The membrane regeneration efficiency was proven by determining the water permeability after the chemical cleaning process.
Enabling Intelligent IoTs for Histopathology Image Analysis Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Alali Mohammed H. , Roohi Arman , Angizi Shaahin , Deogun Jitender S.
Published: August 2022

Medical imaging is an essential data source that has been leveraged worldwide in healthcare systems. In pathology, histopathology images are used for cancer diagnosis, whereas these images are very complex and their analyses by pathologists require large amounts of time and effort. On the other hand, although convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have produced near-human results in image processing tasks, their processing time is becoming longer and they need higher computational power. In this paper, we implement a quantized ResNet model on two histopathology image datasets to optimize the inference power consumption. We analyze classification accuracy, energy estimation, and hardware utilization metrics to evaluate our method. First, the original RGB-colored images are utilized for the training phase, and then compression methods such as channel reduction and sparsity are applied. Our results show an accuracy increase of 6% from RGB on 32-bit (baseline) to the optimized representation of sparsity on RGB with a lower bit-width, i.e., <8:8>. For energy estimation on the used CNN model, we found that the energy used in RGB color mode with 32-bit is considerably higher than the other lower bit-width and compressed color modes. Moreover, we show that lower bit-width implementations yield higher resource utilization and a lower memory bottleneck ratio. This work is suitable for inference on energy-limited devices, which are increasingly being used in the Internet of Things (IoT) systems that facilitate healthcare systems.
Bioassay-Guided Isolation of New Flavonoid Glycosides from Platanus × acerifolia Leaves and Their Staphylococcus aureus Inhibitory Effects
Authors: Wu Xiying , Tang Yu , Osman Ezzat E. A. , Wan Jiang , Jiang Wei , Yang Guoxun , Xiong Juan , Zhu Quangang , Hu Jin-Feng
Published: August 2022

Despite the rapid advances in drug R&D, there is still a huge need for antibacterial medications, specifically for the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Inspired by the research where a viable class of MRSA inhibitors was found in the species Platanus occidentalis, a S. aureus inhibition screening-guided phytochemical reinvestigation on Platanus × acerifolia (London plane tree) leaves were performed with four flavonoid glycosides garnered, including two new compounds, quercetin-3-O-α-l-(2″-E-p-coumaroyl-3″-Z-p-coumaroyl)-rhamnopyranoside (E,Z-3′-hydroxyplatanoside, 1) and quercetin-3-O-α-l-(2″-Z-p-coumaroyl-3″-E-p-coumaroyl)-rhamnopyranoside (Z,E-3′-hydroxyplatanoside, 2). All of the isolates showed significant S. aureus ATCC 25904 inhibitory activity with MICs ranging from 4 to 64 μg/mL, suggesting the potential of discovering drug leads for the control of S. aureus from such a rich, urban landscaping plant in the Platanus genus.
Water-Induced Nanometer-Thin Crystalline Indium-Praseodymium Oxide Channel Layers for Thin-Film Transistors
Authors: Xu Wangying , Xu Chuyu , Zhang Zhibo , Huang Weicheng , Lin Qiubao , Zhuo Shuangmu , Xu Fang , Liu Xinke , Zhu Deliang , Zhao Chun
Published: August 2022

We report water-induced nanometer-thin crystalline indium praseodymium oxide (In-Pr-O) thin-film transistors (TFTs) for the first time. This aqueous route enables the formation of dense ultrathin (~6 nm) In-Pr-O thin films with near-atomic smoothness (~0.2 nm). The role of Pr doping is investigated by a battery of experimental techniques. It is revealed that as the Pr doping ratio increases from 0 to 10%, the oxygen vacancy-related defects could be greatly suppressed, leading to the improvement of TFT device characteristics and durability. The optimized In-Pr-O TFT demonstrates state-of-the-art electrical performance with mobility of 17.03 ± 1.19 cm2/Vs and on/off current ratio of ~106 based on Si/SiO2 substrate. This achievement is due to the low electronegativity and standard electrode potential of Pr, the high bond strength of Pr-O, same bixbyite structure of Pr2O3 and In2O3, and In-Pr-O channel’s nanometer-thin and ultrasmooth nature. Therefore, the designed In-Pr-O channel holds great promise for next-generation transistors.
Realization of Multifunctional Metamaterial Structure Based on the Combination of Vanadium Dioxide and Graphene
Authors: Cao Mingxuan , Wang Junchao , Yuen Matthew M. F. , Yan Dexian
Published: August 2022

Combining tunable properties and various functionalities into a single metamaterial structure has become a novel research hotspot and can be used to tackle great challenges. The multifunctional metamaterial structure that combines absorption, linear-to-circular (LTC) polarization conversion, filtering and switching functions into a single metamaterial device was designed and investigated in this study. The switching of different functions can be achieved based on the phase transition of vanadium dioxide (VO2) and change of graphene chemical potential. When VO2 is in a metal state, the multi-frequency absorption and LTC polarization conversion can be achieved with different chemical potentials. When VO2 is in the insulator state and the polarization angle of incident wave is 45°, the device can be used to select or isolate the incident waves with different polarization states in the frequency region of 1.2–1.8 THz. Furthermore, when the chemical potentials are 0.05 eV and 1.2 eV, the corresponding transmissions of the TE-polarized wave demonstrate the opposite results, realizing the switching functions in the frequency region of 0.88–1.34 THz. In the frequency region above 2 THz, the multi-frequency rejection filter can be achieved. The designed switchable multifunctional metamaterial device can be widely implemented in radar monitoring and communication systems.
Construction of Prochloraz-Loaded Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Coated with Metal–Phenolic Networks for Precise Release and Improved Biosafety of Pesticides
Authors: Shi Liyin , Liang Qianwei , Zang Qikai , Lv Ze , Meng Xiaohan , Feng Jianguo
Published: August 2022

Currently, environmental-responsive pesticide delivery systems have become an essential way to improve the effective utilization of pesticides. In this paper, by using hollow mesoporous silica (HMS) as a nanocarrier and TA-Cu metal–phenolic networks as a capping agent, a pH-responsive controlled release nano-formulation loaded with prochloraz (Pro@HMS-TA-Cu) was constructed. The structure and properties of Pro@HMS-TA-Cu were adequately characterised and analysed. The results showed that the loading content of Pro@HMS-TA-Cu nanoparticles was about 17.7% and the Pro@HMS-TA-Cu nanoparticles exhibited significant pH-responsive properties. After a coating of the TA-Cu metal–phenolic network, the contact angle and adhesion work of Pro@HMS-TA-Cu nanoparticles on the surface of oilseed rape leaves after 360 s were 59.6° and 107.2 mJ·m−2, respectively, indicating that the prepared nanoparticles possessed excellent adhesion. In addition, the Pro@HMS-TA-Cu nanoparticles demonstrated better antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and lower toxicity to zebrafish compared to prochloraz technical. Hence, the pH-responsive nanoparticles prepared with a TA-Cu metal–phenolic network as a capping agent are highly efficient and environmentally friendly, providing a new approach for the development of new pesticide delivery systems.
Critical Functions of Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) in Modulating Inflammation Associated with Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Kulthinee Supaporn , Yano Naohiro , Zhuang Shougang , Wang Lijiang , Zhao Ting C.
Published: August 2022

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a superfamily of enzymes that catalyze the removal of acetyl functional groups from lysine residues of histone and non-histone proteins. There are 18 mammalian HDACs, which are classified into four classes based on the primary homology with yeast HDACs. Among these groups, Class I and II HDACs play a major role in lysine deacetylation of the N-terminal histone tails. In mammals, HDACs play a pivotal role in the regulation of gene transcription, cell growth, survival, and proliferation. HDACs regulate the expression of inflammatory genes, as evidenced by the potent anti-inflammatory activity of pan-HDAC inhibitors, which were implicated in several pathophysiologic states in the inflammation process. However, it is unclear how each of the 18 HDAC proteins specifically contributes to the inflammatory gene expression. It is firmly established that inflammation and its inability to converge are central mechanisms in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Emerging evidence supports the hypothesis that several different pro-inflammatory cytokines regulated by HDACs are associated with various CVDs. Based on this hypothesis, the potential for the treatment of CVDs with HDAC inhibitors has recently begun to attract attention. In this review, we will briefly discuss (1) pathophysiology of inflammation in cardiovascular disease, (2) the function of HDACs in the regulation of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, and (3) the possible therapeutic implications of HDAC inhibitors in cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies reveal that histone deacetylase contributes critically to mediating the pathophysiology of inflammation in cardiovascular disease. HDACs are also recognized as one of the major mechanisms in the regulation of inflammation and cardiovascular function. HDACs show promise in developing potential therapeutic implications of HDAC inhibitors in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.
An Updated Overview of Cyclodextrin-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Păduraru Dan Nicolae , Niculescu Adelina-Gabriela , Bolocan Alexandra , Andronic Octavian , Grumezescu Alexandru Mihai , Bîrlă Rodica
Published: August 2022

Encompassing a group of complex and heterogeneous diseases, cancer continues to be a challenge for patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Thus, it is of vital importance to develop advanced treatment strategies that could reduce the trends of cancer-associated morbidity and mortality rates. Scientists have focused on creating performant delivery vehicles for anti-cancer agents. Among the possible materials, cyclodextrins (CDs) attracted increasing interest over the past few years, leading to the emergence of promising anti-tumor nanomedicines. Tackling their advantageous chemical structure, ease of modification, natural origin, biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and commercial availability, researchers investigated CD-based therapeutical formulations against many types of cancer. In this respect, in this paper, we briefly present the properties of interest of CDs for designing performant nanocarriers, further reviewing some of the most recent potential applications of CD-based delivery systems in cancer management.
QTL Pyramiding and Its Use in Breeding for Increasing the Phytoextraction Efficiency of Soil Cd via High-Cd-Accumulating Rice
Authors: Abe Tadashi , Ito Masashi , Takahashi Ryuichi , Honma Toshimitsu , Kuramata Masato , Ishikawa Satoru
Published: August 2022

Phytoextraction by high-Cd-accumulating rice lacking a functional OsHMA3 allele is promising for Cd removal from paddy soils. To increase rice Cd extraction efficiency, we developed a new high-Cd variety, TJN25-11. For this, we pyramided a nonfunctional OsHMA3 allele from a high-Cd variety, Jarjan, and two QTLs for increased shoot Cd concentrations, which were discovered in a mapping population derived from a high-Cd variety, Nepal 555, and a low-Cd variety, Tachisugata. In two Cd-contaminated paddy fields under drained aerobic soil conditions, TJN25-11 presented significantly higher Cd concentrations in the straw and panicles than the OsHMA3-deficient varieties TJTT8 and Cho-ko-koku. Among the varieties, TJN25-11 had a relatively high shoot biomass, resulting in the highest Cd accumulation in the shoots. The soil Cd decreased by approximately 20% after TJN25-11 growth. The amount of Cd that accumulated in the TJN25-11 aerial parts was much greater than the amount of Cd that decreased in the topsoil, suggesting that Cd was absorbed from deeper soil layers. Thus, we revealed the effects of QTL pyramiding on shoot Cd accumulation and Cd phytoextraction efficiency. Since TJN25-11 has favorable agronomic traits for compatibility with Japanese cultivation systems, this variety could be useful for Cd phytoextraction in Cd-contaminated paddy fields.
The Modulatory Effects of Non-Thermal Plasma on Seed’s Morphology, Germination and Genetics—A Review
Authors: Leti Livia-Ioana , Gerber Ioana Cristina , Mihaila Ilarion , Galan Paula-Maria , Strajeru Silvia , Petrescu Denisa-Elena , Cimpeanu Mirela-Mihaela , Topala Ionut , Gorgan Dragos-Lucian
Published: August 2022

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a novel and promising technique in the agricultural field that has the potential to improve vegetal material by modulating the expression of various genes involved in seed germination, plant immune response to abiotic stress, resistance to pathogens, and growth. Seeds are most frequently treated, in order to improve their ability to growth and evolve, but the whole plant can also be treated for a fast adaptive response to stress factors (heat, cold, pathogens). This review focuses mainly on the application of NTP on seeds. Non-thermal plasma treated seeds present both external and internal changes. The external ones include the alterations of seed coat to improve hydrophilicity and the internal ones refer to interfere with cellular processes that are later visible in metabolic and plant biology modifications. The usage of plasma aims to decrease the usage of fertilizers and pesticides in order to reduce the negative impact on natural ecosystem and to reduce the costs of production.
Impact of Hybrid Fillers on the Properties of High Density Polyethylene Based Composites
Authors: Alshammari Basheer A. , Alenad Asma M. , Al-Mubaddel Fahad S. , Alharbi Abdullah G. , Al-shehri Abdulaziz Salem , Albalwi Hanan A. , Alsuabie Fehaid M. , Fouad Hassan , Mourad Abdel-Hamid I.
Published: August 2022

The main objective of this work is to develop a variety of hybrid high-density polyethylene (HDPE) micro- and nanocomposites and to investigate their thermal, mechanical, and morphological characteristics as a function of number of fillers and their contents percentage. In this study, 21 formulations of the composites were prepared using fillers with different sizes including micro fillers such as talc, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), as well as nano-filler (fumed silica (FS)) though the melt blending technique. The morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of the composite samples were evaluated. The morphological study revealed negligible filler agglomerates, good matrix–filler interfacial bonding in case of combined both CaCO3 and FS into the composites. Sequentially, improvements in tensile, flexural and Izod impact strengths as a function of fillers loading in the HDPE matrix have been reported. The maximum enhancement (%) of tensile, flexural and impact strengths were 127%, 86% and 16.6%, respectively, for composites containing 25% CaCO3 and 1% FS without any inclusion of talc filler; this indicates that the types/nature, size, quantity and dispersion status of fillers are playing a major role in the mechanical properties of the prepared composites more than the number of the used fillers.
Advancements in MXene-Polymer Nanocomposites in Energy Storage and Biomedical Applications
Authors: Parajuli D. , Murali N. , K. C. Devendra , Karki Bhishma , Samatha K. , Kim Allison A , Park Mira , Pant Bishweshwar
Published: August 2022

MXenes are 2D ceramic materials, especially carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides derived from their parent ‘MAX’ phases by the etching out of ‘A’ and are famous due to their conducting, hydrophilic, biocompatible, and tunable properties. However, they are hardly stable in the outer environment, have low biodegradability, and have difficulty in drug release, etc., which are overcome by MXene/Polymer nanocomposites. The MXenes terminations on MXene transferred to the polymer after composite formation makes it more functional. With this, there is an increment in photothermal conversion efficiency for cancer therapy, higher antibacterial activity, biosensors, selectivity, bone regeneration, etc. The hydrophilic surfaces become conducting in the metallic range after the composite formation. MXenes can effectively be mixed with other materials like ceramics, metals, and polymers in the form of nanocomposites to get improved properties suitable for advanced applications. In this paper, we review different properties like electrical and mechanical, including capacitances, dielectric losses, etc., of nanocomposites more than those like Ti3C2Tx/polymer, Ti3C2/UHMWPE, MXene/PVA-KOH, Ti3C2Tx/PVA, etc. along with their applications mainly in energy storing and biomedical fields. Further, we have tried to enlist the MXene-based nanocomposites and compare them with conducting polymers and other nanocomposites. The performance under the NIR absorption seems more effective. The MXene-based nanocomposites are more significant in most cases than other nanocomposites for the antimicrobial agent, anticancer activity, drug delivery, bio-imaging, biosensors, micro-supercapacitors, etc. The limitations of the nanocomposites, along with possible solutions, are mentioned.
Catholic Church–State Relations in Transition: The Future
Authors: Formicola Jo Renee
Published: August 2022

This Special Issue of Religions examines the transitions that are occurring in Catholic Church–State relations, a phenomenon that is beginning to accelerate in a negative way [...]
Assessment and Prediction of Impact of Flight Configuration Factors on UAS-Based Photogrammetric Survey Accuracy
Authors: Liu Yajie , Han Kevin , Rasdorf William
Published: August 2022

Recent advances in computer vision and camera-equipped unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for 3D modeling enable UAS-based photogrammetry surveys with high spatial-temporal resolutions. To generate consistent and high-quality 3D models using UASs, understanding how influence factors (i.e., flight height, image overlap, etc.) affect the 3D modeling accuracy and their levels of significance are important. However, there is little to no quantitative analysis that studies how these influence factors interact with and affect the accuracy when changing the values of the influence factors. Moreover, there is little to no research that assesses more than three influence factors. Therefore, to fill this gap, this paper aims to evaluate and predict the accuracy generated by different flight combinations. This paper presents a study that (1) assessed the significance levels of five influence factors (flight height, average image quality, image overlap, ground control point (GCP) quantity, and camera focal lengths), (2) investigated how they interact and impact 3D modeling accuracy using the multiple regression (MR) method, and (3) used the developed MR models for predicting horizontal and vertical accuracies. To build the MR model, 160 datasets were created from 40 flight missions collected at a site with a facility and open terrain. For validating the prediction model, five testing datasets were collected and used at a larger site with a complex building and open terrain. The results show that the findings of this study can be applied to surveyors’ better design flight configurations that result in the highest accuracies, given different site conditions and constraints. The results also provide a reasonable prediction of accuracy given different flight configurations.
Mapping Morphodynamic Variabilities of a Meso-Tidal Flat in Shanghai Based on Satellite-Derived Data
Authors: Yuan Rui , Zhang Hezhenjia , Qiu Cheng , Wang Yuefeng , Guo Xingjie , Wang Yaping , Chen Shenliang
Published: August 2022

Morphodynamic variabilities of tidal flats (e.g., the variations of pattern, area, and topography) are a key issue in the management of coastal intertidal zones. In this study, the morphodynamic variabilities of the Lin-gang (Shanghai) tidal flat were investigated using waterlines extracted from multi-source satellite images acquired from 2013 to 2020. The waterlines were evaluated against in situ measurements. The results of our investigation indicated that the tidal flat was in a state of rapid accretion from 2015 to 2018, and in a state of erosion from 2018 to 2020. We found that the accretion of the tidal flat was most likely due to the protection of local vegetation, which prevents the sea bottom from eroding. However, storms have primarily been causing erosion since 2018. The potential mechanisms of the geomorphological variations were further analyzed using the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) method. The analysis revealed that the variation in the tidal flat was dominated by two modes. The first mode accounted for 55% of the variation, while the second mode accounted for 18%. The spatial distribution of the first mode was highly related to the artificial vegetation, indicating that the local variations in the vegetation prevented the sea bottom from eroding, which was dominant in the accretional phase from 2015 to 2018. The second model reflected the extreme meteorological events that resulted in potential changes in the tidal flat’s pattern (i.e., transitioning to an erosion phase from 2018 to 2020). The satellite-derived topographies were demonstrated to be an effective means of mapping the evolution of a meso-tidal flat.
Benzene, an Unexpected Binding Unit in Anion–π Recognition: The Critical Role of CH/π Interactions
Authors: Quiñonero David , Frontera Antonio
Published: August 2022

We report high-level ab initio calculations (CCSD(T)(full)/CBS//SCS-RI-MP2(full)/aug-cc-pwCVTZ) that demonstrate the importance of cooperativity effects when Anion–π and CH/π interactions are simultaneously established with benzene as the π-system. In fact, most of the complexes exhibit high cooperativity energies that range from 17% to 25.3% of the total interaction energy, which is indicative of the strong influence of the CH/π on the Anion–π interaction and vice versa. Moreover, the symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) partition scheme was used to study the different energy contributions to the interaction energies and to investigate the physical nature of the interplay between both interactions. Furthermore, the Atoms in Molecules (AIM) theory and the Non-Covalent Interaction (NCI) approach were used to analyze the two interactions further. Finally, a few examples from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) are shown. All results stress that the concurrent formation of both interactions may play an important role in biological systems due to the ubiquity of CH bonds, phenyl rings, and anions in biomolecules.
Sources of Lead Exposure in West Africa
Authors: Obeng-Gyasi Emmanuel
Published: August 2022

This commentary is an investigation of sources of lead (Pb) exposure in West Africa. Pb is generally acknowledged as one of the most widespread environmental health hazards in West Africa, and there is heightened concern over adverse health effects at various levels of exposure (at doses once considered safe) in the West African region. A literature review for the possible health implications of Pb exposure on human health showed nervous system dysfunction, anemia, and potential cognitive diseases as the major health issues among children, while adults were found to suffer more from cardiovascular dysfunction, neurological decline, and reproductive diseases. Despite a decline in blood lead levels (BLLs), lead exposure continues to be a major public health concern as no level of Pb exposure can be considered safe. Moreover, lowering BLLs entails identifying various lead sources such as gasoline emissions, leaded paint, canned foods, and beverages, as well as plausible biological pathways of lead exposure and response. However, only countries such as Nigeria and Ghana have extensive research available regarding the different sources of Pb exposure. Further, it is not apparent which country is affected the most by Pb exposure. Therefore, this commentary was aimed to explore different literature sources to describe and list the different sources of Pb exposure in 15 West African countries. The findings indicated water, food, and occupational exposure as the major sources of Pb exposure in the region. People with occupations such as e-waste and Pb acid battery recycling, auto mechanics, fuel attending, welding, electronic repairing, farming/spraying, and mining were found to be at immediate risk. Tobacco, spices and paints constituted additional potential sources of exposure. For residents living near landfills or urban area, the major sources of Pb exposure were soil, air, and dust particles. The review revealed a vast research gap on the sources and implications of Pb exposure. Exposure to Pb could further increase due to uncontrolled traffic, urban growth, inadequate urban planning, and the inadequate enforcement of regulations. Therefore, more extensive research on the changing trends of Pb exposure among West African populations is needed.
Forecasting the Competition of International Standardization Preoccupation
Authors: Kang Bongju , Lee Yangkee
Published: August 2022

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the establishment of a TBT system that utilizes the knowledge-based view as a means of overcoming the problems of scarcity of human resources and lack of technological capabilities faced by export companies that produce and supply products and services is being emphasized. The WTO TBT Agreement, which is based on the multilateral agreement of the GATT 7th Tokyo Round, consists of 15 articles and 3 annexes to ensure that technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment systems do not act as technical barriers to trade. The transition to the digital economy (EDT) has been accelerating, and currently the EDT presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The US, which is at the center of the international standards competition, has accelerated standards competition by invoking supply chain executive order decoupling, and as China looks to implement the policy set out in the China Standards 2035 Plan, the relationship between the US and China is worsening in relation to the preoccupation with standards. Dreaming of a Chinese version of this US strategy, China, which is connected from 12.5 to 14.5 units, is accelerating its standardization strategy through the Made in China 2035 program. The “double cycle development strategy” and “technological innovation” are key mid- to long-term policy directions. Korea should develop a Korean-style conformity assessment development model based on the TBT system, which is a major element of non-tariff barriers, under the WTO/FTA system that promotes the flow of the KBV along with the establishment of a digital transformation system.
Gender Dimensions of Climate Change Adaptation Needs for Smallholder Farmers in the Upper East Region of Ghana
Authors: Nuhu Mohammed Gali , Matsui Kenichi
Published: August 2022

Gender-specific perceptions and needs are critical to better understanding climate change adaptation capacities of local smallholder communities in Africa and elsewhere. As many rural agricultural practices are heavily impacted by male-centered traditional customs and mores, gender dimensions can determine the level of success for policy interventions. To better understand how and what gender dimensions can be important factors for farmer’s climate change adaptations, this study attempts to examine smallholder farmers’ adaptation needs and perspectives in Ghana’s Upper East Region. A focus group discussion and a questionnaire survey were conducted among 200 smallholder farmers. We found that the female respondents, who mostly belonged to low/middle-income groups, emphasized their urgent need for financial support to improve their income. They needed more farmland as 94% of them had only less than 5 acres to farm. In addition, 91% of the female respondents expressed the importance of being connected to farmers’ mutual-help groups to share information about common farming needs. We also found gender-specific needs for extension services, farm inputs, climate information, mechanization, and infrastructure. Regarding access to resources, the women respondents had little interest in investing more in farming as the land they borrowed could be taken away by male owners. The study recommends the need for gender-specific support initiatives that prioritize social protection and gender equality.
Health Tourism Evolution: A Review Based on Bibliometric Analysis and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database
Authors: Sun Sunny , Zhong Lina , Law Rob , Li Xiaonan , Deng Baolin , Yang Liyu
Published: August 2022

To systematically understand the evolution of health tourism in China, the present study visually analyzes the theme evolution and frontiers of Chinese health tourism research on the basis of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database through bibliometric analysis. The findings reflect the existence of diverse clustering themes in health tourism research, and the formation time of each theme is different. The findings also indicate that the change in the theme is led by government policy. Theoretically, the findings of the present study can, on the one hand, contribute to the health tourism literature by comprehensively exploring and summarizing the themes and topics of health tourism development in China since its appearance (i.e., 1981), and, on the other hand, provide references for future health tourism exploration directions. Findings of the present study can provide references for effective future development directions of the health tourism industry.