bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Sustainable Biorefinery Processes Applying Deep Eutectic Solvents to Agrofood Wastes
Authors: Morán-Aguilar María Guadalupe , Costa-Trigo Iván , Ramírez-Pérez Alexandra María , de Blas Esther , Calderón-Santoyo Montserrat , Aguilar-Uscanga María Guadalupe , Domínguez José Manuel
Published: June 2022

The growing demand for renewable energies and the application of sustainable and economically viable biorefinery processes have increased the study and application of lignocellulosic biomass. However, due to lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance hindering its efficient utilization, the pretreatment in the biorefinery is an essential stage for success in the process. Therefore, Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) has emerged as a promising green pretreatment. During this study, the effect of choline chloride [ChCl]:glycerol and [ChCl]:urea on sugarcane bagasse and brewery bagasse is evaluated. Results have demonstrated that using [ChCl]:glycerol in SCB reduced about 80% and 15% for acid-soluble lignin and Klason lignin, respectively, and improved efficiency on saccharification yields, achieving conversions of 60, 80, and 100% for glucan, xylan, and arabinan, correspondingly. In the case of BSG saccharification yields, about 65% and 98% are attained for glucan and xylan, respectively, when [ChCl]:glycerol was employed. These results confirm the effectiveness and facility of DES pretreatment as a suitable method that can improve the biorefinery processes.
Interaction with City Logistics Stakeholders as a Factor of the Development of Polish Cities on the Way to Becoming Smart Cities
Authors: Dohn Katarzyna , Kramarz Marzena , Przybylska Edyta
Published: June 2022

The growing population of cities means that they face many new challenges in improving their economic, social and environmental efficiency. These themes are relevant to the increasingly popular worldwide concept of smart cities. A smart city is a city that is friendly to people and the environment, in which people live better, safer, and healthier. From the point of view of management sciences, they are a result of creative development and the implementation of various solutions that should involve various stakeholders. The quality of life of city residents is largely influenced by logistics solutions, including the movement of both people and cargo in the city. This issue is directly relevant to the aim of this article, which is to try to determine the degree of cooperation between the city and city logistics stakeholders in the context of identifying gaps in the inclusion of logistics areas in the strategies of Polish cities. Both the role of stakeholders in actively shaping city strategies and the inclusion of logistics aspects in strategies are areas discussed in recent years in the literature in the context of smart cities. Our approach combines these two areas by pointing to their importance in the development of cities towards smart cities. In our stakeholder research, we focus on city logistics stakeholders, as the identified gaps in strategies relate only to logistics aspects. We conduct our research in Polish cities. In assessing the cooperation of Polish cities with their stakeholders and identifying gaps in the inclusion of logistic aspects in the strategies, we used an original questionnaire that allowed us to survey 280 Polish cities. To analyse the stakeholders we used statistics. To analyse the questionnaires, we used descriptive statistics, while gaps were identified by relating the results to the developed template. Both the problem of gaps and the problem of stakeholders were also considered on a voivodeship scale. The research results indicated a low level of cooperation between local authorities and key city logistics stakeholders. Moreover, logistic aspects were found to be insufficiently included in the city strategies of Polish cities (a high level of gaps was identified for most of the examined areas). This indicates the low awareness of local authorities regarding the shaping of cities’ logistics systems and a lack of activity in this area. The results provide city managers with information on how to develop cooperation with stakeholders and which logistic areas to include in the formulated strategies. Undertaking these actions is a condition for the development of Polish cities towards the “smart city” concept.
Synthesis of Driving Cycles Based on Low-Sampling-Rate Vehicle-Tracking Data and Markov Chain Methodology
Authors: Dabčević Zvonimir , Škugor Branimir , Topić Jakov , Deur Joško
Published: June 2022

The authors of this paper propose a Markov-chain-based method for the synthesis of naturalistic, high-sampling-rate driving cycles based on the route segment statistics extracted from low-sampling-rate vehicle-tracking data. In the considered case of a city bus transport system, the route segments correspond to sections between two consecutive bus stations. The route segment statistics include segment lengths and maps of average velocity, station stop time, and station-stopping probability, all given along the day on an hourly basis. In the process of driving cycle synthesis, the transition probability matrix is built up based on the high-sampling-rate driving cycles purposely recorded in a separate reference city. The particular emphasis of the synthesis process is on satisfying the route segment velocity and acceleration boundary conditions, which may be equal to or greater than zero depending on whether a bus stops or passes a station. This enables concatenating the synthesized consecutive micro-cycles into the full-trip driving cycle. The synthesis method was validated through an extensive statistical analysis of generated driving cycles, including computational efficiency aspects.
The Architecture Optimization and Energy Management Technology of Aircraft Power Systems: A Review and Future Trends
Authors: Lei Tao , Min Zhihao , Gao Qinxiang , Song Lina , Zhang Xingyu , Zhang Xiaobin
Published: June 2022

With the development of More/All-Electric Aircraft, especially the progress of hybrid electrical propulsion or electrical propulsion aircraft, the problem of optimizing the energy system design and operation of the aircraft must be solved regarding the increasing electrical power demand-limited thermal sink capability. The paper overviews the state of the art in architecture optimization and an energy management system for the aircraft power system. The basic design method for power system architecture optimization in aircraft is reviewed from the multi-energy form in this paper. Renewable energy, such as the photo-voltaic battery and the fuel cell, is integrated into the electrical power system onboard which can also make the problem of optimal energy distribution in the aircraft complex because of the uncertainty and power response speed. The basic idea and research progress for the optimization, evaluation technology, and dynamic management control methods of the aircraft power system are analyzed and presented in this paper. The trend in optimization methods of engineering design for the energy system architecture in aircraft was summarized and derived from the multiple objective optimizations within the constraint conditions, such as weight, reliability, safety, efficiency, and characteristics of renewable energy. The cost function, based on the energy efficiency and power quality, was commented on and discussed according to different power flow relationships in the aircraft. The dynamic control strategies of different microgrid architectures in aircraft are compared with other methods in the review paper. Some integrated energy management optimization strategies or methods for electrical propulsion aircraft and more electric aircraft were reviewed. The mathematical consideration and expression of the energy optimization technologies of aircraft were analyzed and compared with some features and solution methods. The thermal and electric energy coupling relationship research field is discussed with the power quality and stability of the aircraft power system with some reference papers. Finally, the future energy interaction optimization problem between the airport microgrid and electric propulsion aircraft power system was also discussed and predicted in this review paper. Based on the state of the art technology development for EMS and architecture optimization, this paper intends to present the industry’s common sense and future trends on aircraft power system electrification and proposes an EMS+TMS+PHM to follow in the electrified aircraft propulsion system architecture selection
Investment and Production Strategies of Renewable Energy Power under the Quota and Green Power Certificate System
Authors: Song Min , Wang Yu , Long Yong
Published: June 2022

In order to study the impact of a renewable energy quota and green power certificate system on the strategies of energy suppliers, this paper constructs a multi-stage game model of renewable energy power investment and production from the renewable energy interest chain and its stakeholders. Through the calculation and solution of the model, the optimal renewable energy utilization level, pricing and production strategies of renewable energy power of energy suppliers are calculated under the scenarios of direct sale of power and purchase and sale by power grids. The results show that the quota ratio, green certificate price and investment cost are the key influencing factors of energy suppliers’ strategies, and changes in the values of the three factors will completely change the renewable energy investment, pricing and production levels of energy suppliers in equilibrium. In addition, the study found that the impact of the renewable energy quota on renewable energy utilization levels of energy suppliers depends on the relative size of investment cost and green power certificate price. At the same time, it was also found that with a change in investment cost, green power certificate price and user preference, the market share and renewable energy utilization level of traditional energy suppliers and new energy suppliers also change.
Review on the Transgender Literature: Where Are We Now and a Step beyond the Current Practice?
Authors: Abeyratne Dilini , Ratnayake Gowri Malka , Wijetunga Udai Akalanka , Wijenayake Umesha , Bulugahapitiya Uditha Sirimevan
Published: June 2022

The transgender concept is described as a clinically significant distress due to the incongruity between the experienced gender and assigned gender. A transgender person carries a gender identity that is different from their assigned sex at birth. Transgender people may be binary: male to female (transgender women) or female to male (transgender men) or genderqueer (non-binary, fluid or variable gender expression). The binary concept has been described in transgender population, where the term transwomen is used to describe people assigned male at birth (AMAB) who are recognized as females during gender transition; with the term transmen where they are assigned female at birth (AFAB) and are then recognized as males in gender transition. According to the DSM-5 classification, gender dysphoria is described when a transgender person develops clinically relevant bio-psychosocial suffering. Currently, the transgender population has gained massive public awareness through social media and gained a considerable level of attention globally. Several studies on transgender populations from different parts of the world have shown real discrimination and stigma towards transgender people, which sometimes acts as a barrier to the provision of the required care for them. Lack of access to the required information, legal issues, lack of solutions to fertility problems, financial constraints, and psychological and emotional obstacles, together with risk of sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), all make the life of a transgender person more complicated. Testosterone therapy is a hormone-based therapy for transgender men that provides a body image tallying with the favored gender identification, whereas estrogen and androgen-suppressing agents are used in transgender females to produce changes compatible with their required gender identity. Gender affirmation surgery is a broad term, under which the genital reconstruction is described as a major component. Psychological conditions such as depression, substance abuse, suicidal deaths, and sexually transmitted infections, particularly among males having sex with males, are reported at a significantly higher rate among transgender populations. Cardiovascular morbidity is higher among this population, and continuous medical surveillance is warranted. Medical care provision to transgender populations should be handled with great care, while attending to the unmet needs of this population, as this care should extend beyond routine hormonal therapy and gender reassignment surgery.
The Emulsion Properties of Chicken Liver Protein Recovered through Isoelectric Solubilization/Precipitation Processes
Authors: Pu Shunchang , Yin Cong , Zhang Xingguo , Zhang Yu , Lu Ning , Xiong Guoyuan
Published: June 2022

This study investigated the feasibility to improve the emulsifying capacity of chicken liver (CL) protein using different isoelectric solubilization/precipitation (ISP) processes. The CL proteins were first solubilized at alkaline pH 10.5, 11.0, 11.5, and 12.0, followed by precipitation at pH 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0, respectively. Fresh CL paste was set as the control (raw). With the increase in solubilization pH, the protein recovery yield increased under the same precipitation pH, and the pH 12.0, 5.5 treatment obtained the highest recovery yield of 82% (p < 0.05), followed by the pH 5.0 precipitation treatments and the pH 12.0, 6.0 treatment. The particle size distribution of D3,2 and D4,3 was smaller for the pH 10.5 (except for the D4,3 of pH 10.5, 5.0) and pH 11.0 solubilization treatments than those of the other treatments (p < 0.05), regardless of precipitation pH. Compared with that of the raw control, the emulsions of the pH 10.5 and pH 11.0 solubilization treatments, and pH 12.0, 6.0 treatment showed good stability. The pH 10.5, 6.0 treatment showed the best emulsification activity, followed by the pH 10.5, 5.5, pH 11.0, 6.0, pH 12.0, 6.0, pH 10.5, 5.0, pH 11.0, 5.5, and pH 11.0, 5.0 treatments, which were uniformly distributed and were stable without the stratification of emulsions. It was concluded that CL protein recovered through suitable ISP showed potential as an emulsifier, and thus expanded the application of CL protein for human consumption.
Monte Carlo Methods for the Shapley–Shubik Power Index
Authors: Ushioda Yuto , Tanaka Masato , Matsui Tomomi
Published: June 2022

This paper deals with the problem of calculating the Shapley–Shubik power index in weighted majority games. We propose an efficient Monte Carlo algorithm based on an implicit hierarchical structure of permutations of players. Our algorithm outputs a vector of power indices preserving the monotonicity, with respect to the voting weights. We show that our algorithm reduces the required number of samples, compared with the naive algorithm.
Genetic Correlation, Pleiotropy, and Molar Morphology in a Longitudinal Sample of Australian Twins and Families
Authors: Paul Kathleen , Stojanowski Christopher , Hughes Toby , Brook Alan , Townsend Grant
Published: June 2022

This study aims to expand our understanding of the genetic architecture of crown morphology in the human diphyodont dentition. Here, we present bivariate genetic correlation estimates for deciduous and permanent molar traits and evaluate the patterns of pleiotropy within (e.g., m1–m2) and between (e.g., m2–M1) dentitions. Morphology was observed and scored from dental models representing participants of an Australian twin and family study (deciduous n = 290, permanent n = 339). Data collection followed Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System standards. Genetic correlation estimates were generated using maximum likelihood variance components analysis in SOLAR v.8.1.1. Approximately 23% of deciduous variance components models and 30% of permanent variance components models yielded significant genetic correlation estimates. By comparison, over half (56%) of deciduous–permanent homologues (e.g., m2 hypocone–M1 hypocone) were significantly genetically correlated. It is generally assumed that the deciduous and permanent molars represent members of a meristic molar field emerging from the primary dental lamina. However, stronger genetic integration among m2–M1/M2 homologues than among paired deciduous traits suggests the m2 represents the anterior-most member of a “true” molar field. The results indicate genetic factors act at distinct points throughout development to generate homologous molar form, starting with the m2, which is later replaced by a permanent premolariform crown.
Role of Chromatin Replication in Transcriptional Plasticity, Cell Differentiation and Disease
Authors: López-Jiménez Elena , González-Aguilera Cristina
Published: June 2022

Chromatin organization is essential to maintain a correct regulation of gene expression and establish cell identity. However, during cell division, the replication of the genetic material produces a global disorganization of chromatin structure. In this paper, we describe the new scientific breakthroughs that have revealed the nature of the post-replicative chromatin and the mechanisms that facilitate its restoration. Moreover, we highlight the implications of these chromatin alterations in gene expression control and their impact on key biological processes, such as cell differentiation, cell reprogramming or human diseases linked to cell proliferation, such as cancer.
Genetic Determination of the Amount of White Spotting: A Case Study in Siberian Cats
Authors: Górska Agnieszka , Drobik-Czwarno Wioleta , Górska Agata , Bryś Joanna
Published: June 2022

The current hypothesis, along with the opinion of the breeders, is that a cat with two copies of the white spotting allele (SS) has white on more than half of its body, while a cat with only one copy (Ss) has white on less than half of its body. The present study was based on the analysis of two large pedigree databases of Siberian cats (23,905 individuals in PawPeds and 21,650 individuals in Felis Polonia database). The distribution of the amount of white spotting in the offspring of cats with different amounts of white was investigated. Significant differences compared to expected distributions were observed. In many cases the amount of white in cats that were supposed to be homozygous was less than 50% of the body, while in many supposedly heterozygous cats a very large amount of white (over 50%) was observed. This phenomenon was also presented on the verified examples of the specific families excluding possible errors in determining the amount of white by the breeder. The collected evidence suggests that there are other factors involved in the inheritance of the amount of white in cats and the current hypothesis should be revised.
Rapid Determination of RNA Modifications in Consensus Motifs by Nuclease Protection with Ion-Tagged Oligonucleotide Probes and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Melzer Madeline E. , Sweedler Jonathan V. , Clark Kevin D.
Published: June 2022

The reversible and substoichiometric modification of RNA has recently emerged as an additional layer of translational regulation in normal biological function and disease. Modifications are often enzymatically deposited in and removed from short (~5 nt) consensus motif sequences to carefully control the translational output of the cell. Although characterization of modification occupancy at consensus motifs can be accomplished using RNA sequencing methods, these approaches are generally time-consuming and do not directly detect post-transcriptional modifications. Here, we present a nuclease protection assay coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) to rapidly characterize modifications in consensus motifs, such as GGACU, which frequently harbor N6-methyladenosine (m6A). While conventional nuclease protection methods rely on long (~30 nt) oligonucleotide probes that preclude the global assessment of consensus motif modification stoichiometry, we investigated a series of ion-tagged oligonucleotide (ITO) probes and found that a benzylimidazolium-functionalized ITO (ABzIM-ITO) conferred significantly improved nuclease resistance for GGACU targets. After optimizing the conditions of the nuclease protection assay, we applied the ITO and MALDI-MS-based method for determining the stoichiometry of GG(m6A)CU and GGACU in RNA mixtures. Overall, the ITO-based nuclease protection and MALDI-MS method constitutes a rapid and promising approach for determining modification stoichiometries of consensus motifs.
SlSPS, a Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Gene, Mediates Plant Growth and Thermotolerance in Tomato
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Zeng Dewen , Liu Yahui , Zhu Weimin
Published: June 2022

Heat stress (HS) has been considered as a severe threat to crop yields in recent years. Sucrose, as a major product of photosynthesis, plays an important role in plant growth and stress response. Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in the sucrose synthesis pathway in plants. However, its molecular mechanism and signaling pathway remain unclear. In this study, we identified a novel SPS gene (SlSPS) in tomato and generated over-expression and knock-out of SlSPS gene transgenic tomato plants to investigate its biological functions related to the growth and thermotolerance of tomato. Over-expression of SlSPS gene increased the growth and biomass of transgenic tomato plants, such as fresh weight, dry weight, plant height, fruit weight and root length. In contrast, knock-out of SlSPS gene decreased the growth and biomass of transgenic tomato plants. Under heat stress, the survival rates were positively correlated with the expression level of SlSPS gene in different tomato varieties. Furthermore, SlSPS-overexpressing tomato plants showed higher SPS activity and sucrose content and heat stress resistant phenotypes. By comparison, knock-out tomato plants showed lower SPS activity and sucrose content and susceptible to heat stress. The determination of several reference values of oxidative stress parameters were also consistent with their heat resistance of these transgenic plants. In summary, SlSPS gene could positively mediate the growth and thermotolerance in tomato plants.
Impact of Cold Stress on Leaf Structure, Photosynthesis, and Metabolites in Camellia weiningensis and C. oleifera Seedlings
Authors: Xu Hongyun , Huang Chengling , Jiang Xian , Zhu Jing , Gao Xiaoye , Yu Cun
Published: June 2022

Camellia weiningensis Y. K. Li. sp. nov. (CW) is an endemic oil-tea species in Guizhou province, distributed in the alpine karst area, which exhibits cold resistance and better economic characters than C. oleifera (CO). The mechanism of cold response in CW seedlings has not been studied in depth. Herein, we performed anatomical, physiological, and metabolic analyses to assess the impact of cold stress on leaf structure, photosynthesis, and metabolites in CW and CO seedlings. Anatomical analysis of leaves showed CW seedlings had greater leaf and palisade thicknesses, tissue structure tightness, and palisade-spongy tissue ratio to enhance chilling stress (4 °C) tolerance, but freezing stress (−4 °C) caused loosening of the leaf tissue structure in both CW and CO seedlings. Photosynthetic analysis showed a reduction in the chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and photosynthetic parameters under freezing stress in both CW and CO seedlings. Cold stress increased the abscisic acid (ABA) contents in both the Camellia species, and CW exhibited the highest ABA content under −4 °C treatment. Additionally, the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content was also increased in CW in response to cold stress. An obviously distinct metabolite composition was observed for CW and CO under different temperatures, and significantly changed metabolites (SCMs) were enriched under freezing stress. Prenol lipids, organooxygen compounds, and fatty acyls were the main metabolites in the two Camellia species in response to cold stress. The top key SCMs, such as medicoside G, cynarasaponin F, yuccoside C, and methionyl-proline were downregulated under freezing stress in both CW and CO. The contents of some key metabolites associated with sugar metabolism, such as UDP-glucose, UDP-D-apiose, and fructose 6-phosphate, were higher in CW than in CO, which may contribute to enhancing the cold resistance in CW. Our findings are helpful in explaining how CW adapt to alpine karst cold environments, and will provide a reference for cold tolerance improvement and application of stress-resistant breeding of Camellia in alpine and cold areas.
The Development of Explicit Equations for Estimating Settling Velocity Based on Artificial Neural Networks Procedure
Authors: Cahyono Muhammad
Published: June 2022

This study proposes seven equations to predict the settling velocity of sediment particles with variations in grain size (d), particle shape factor (SF), and water temperature (T) based on the artificial neural network procedure. The data used to develop the equations were obtained from digitizing charts provided by the U.S. Interagency Committee on Water Resources (U.S-ICWR) and compiled from the measurement data of settling velocity from several sources. The equations are compared to three existing equations available in the literature and then analyzed using graphical and statistical analysis. The simulation results show the proposed equations produce satisfactory results. The proposed equations can predict the settling velocity of natural particle sediments, with diameters ranging between 0.05 mm and 10 mm in water with temperatures between 0 °C and 40 °C, and shape factor SF ranging between 0.5 and 0.95.
Research on the Influence of Information Diffusion on the Transmission of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Authors: Lin Shanlang , Ma Chao , Lin Ruofei
Published: June 2022

With the rapid development of the Mobile Internet in China, epidemic information is real-time and holographic, and the role of information diffusion in epidemic control is increasingly prominent. At the same time, the publicity of all kinds of big data also provides the possibility to explore the impact of media information diffusion on disease transmission. We explored the mechanism of the influence of information diffusion on the transmission of COVID-19, developed a model of the interaction between information diffusion and disease transmission based on the Susceptible–Infected–Recovered (SIR) model, and conducted an empirical test by using econometric methods. The benchmark result showed that there was a significant negative correlation between the information diffusion and the transmission of COVID-19. The result of robust test showed that the diffusion of both epidemic information and protection information hindered the further transmission of the epidemic. Heterogeneity test results showed that the effect of epidemic information on the suppression of COVID-19 is more significant in cities with weak epidemic control capabilities and higher Internet development levels.
Bone Metastases of Endometrial Carcinoma Treated by Surgery: A Report on 13 Patients and a Review of the Medical Literature
Authors: Wang Jingyuan , Dai Yibo , Ji Tao , Guo Wei , Wang Zhiqi , Wang Jianliu
Published: June 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the clinicopathological features of endometrial cancer (EC) patients with bone metastases treated with surgery and to systematically review the literature. Methods: We performed a retrospective study to include patients with bone metastases of EC at Peking University People’s Hospital from 2000 to 2019. Clinicopathological features and survival outcomes were collected. Results: Among the 1662 patients with EC, 14 (0.84%) were identified with bone metastases, and all were treated surgically. Thirteen cases were analyzed. Four had bone metastases when diagnosed, and the remaining nine cases had bone metastases when first relapsed, with a median time to recurrence of 13 months (range, 5–144). The median age of the 13 patients was 58 years old (range, 45–76). Twelve were endometrioid carcinoma. The majority of sites of bone metastases were the pelvis, followed by the spine. The median overall survival (OS) was 57 months. We further combined the 13 patients with another 24 cases identified from literature research. There was no significant difference in clinicopathological characteristics between the patients with bone metastases when diagnosed and when they first relapsed. The median OS was numerically longer for patients with bone metastases when diagnosed than when they first relapsed (57 vs. 36 months, p = 0.084). Conclusions: Patients with bone metastases of EC might benefit from comprehensive treatment based on surgery, as symptoms can be palliated and survival can probably be extended.
Lockdown Due to COVID-19 and Its Consequences on Diet, Physical Activity, Lifestyle, and Other Aspects of Daily Life Worldwide: A Narrative Review
Authors: Rubio-Tomás Teresa , Skouroliakou Maria , Ntountaniotis Dimitrios
Published: June 2022

The novel coronavirus, termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is responsible for the disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Besides the important rates of mortality and morbidity directly attributed to the infection itself, many studies detected an important shift towards mostly unhealthy lifestyle patterns in previously healthy non-infected populations all around the world. Although most of the changes in lifestyle had or will have a negative impact on general population health status, some findings are encouraging. Notwithstanding that there was an obvious necessity for governments to apply national lockdowns, it is also necessary to identify and comprehend the consequences they have caused. A narrative literature review was performed, based on scientific articles and previous reviews. An accurate description of changes in eating habits and alcohol consumption, physical activity, mental health, daily routines, economic impacts, and broader effects on society is provided for each continent and different age groups through this review. The volume of selected scientific surveys encompasses approximately 400,000 persons.
Mental Health Status of University Students and Working Professionals during the Early Stage of COVID-19 in Bangladesh
Authors: Patwary Muhammad Mainuddin , Bardhan Mondira , Disha Asma Safia , Kabir Md Pervez , Hossain Md. Riad , Alam Md Ashraful , Haque Md. Zahidul , Billah Sharif Mutasim , Browning Matthew H. E. M. , Kabir Russell , Swed Sarya , Shoib Sheikh
Published: June 2022

A novel coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 has spread globally and brought a public health emergency to all nations. To respond to the pandemic, the Bangladesh Government imposed a nationwide lockdown that may have degraded mental health among residents, in particular, university students and working professionals. We examined clinically significant anxiety levels with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and perceived stress levels with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) in an online cross-sectional study with 744 adults. Approximately 70% of respondents were afflicted with clinically significant anxiety levels, and more than 43.82% were afflicted with moderate or high perceived stress levels. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that postgraduates (OR = 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–8.75, p < 0.05) were more likely to experience anxiety than their student counterparts. No such differences emerged for working professionals, however. Living with family members compared to living alone was a risk factor for perceived stress among working professionals (OR = 4.05, 95% CI = 1.45–11.32, p < 0.05). COVID-19 stressors such as financial hardship (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.11–3.05, p < 0.05) and worries of family members’ health (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.12–2.99) were risk factors for anxiety among students. Questionable social media news exposure (OR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.13–7.92, p < 0.05) contributed to the development of mental stress among working professionals. These findings confirm that effective initiatives and proactive efforts from concerned authorities are necessary to cope with the mental health correlates of the COVID-19 pandemic, including in developing contexts such as Bangladesh.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Elevated Expression of a Potentially Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Associated SCD1 Variant
Authors: Tibori Kinga , Orosz Gabriella , Zámbó Veronika , Szelényi Péter , Sarnyai Farkas , Tamási Viola , Rónai Zsolt , Mátyási Judit , Tóth Blanka , Csala Miklós , Kereszturi Éva
Published: June 2022

Disturbances in lipid metabolism related to excessive food intake and sedentary lifestyle are among major risk of various metabolic disorders. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) has an essential role in these diseases, as it catalyzes the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, both supplying for fat storage and contributing to cellular defense against saturated fatty acid toxicity. Recent studies show that increased activity or over-expression of SCD1 is one of the contributing factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to investigate the impact of the common missense rs2234970 (M224L) polymorphism on SCD1 function in transfected cells. We found a higher expression of the minor Leu224 variant, which can be attributed to a combination of mRNA and protein stabilization. The latter was further enhanced by various fatty acids. The increased level of Leu224 variant resulted in an elevated unsaturated: saturated fatty acid ratio, due to higher oleate and palmitoleate contents. Accumulation of Leu224 variant was found in a T2DM patient group, however, the difference was statistically not significant. In conclusion, the minor variant of rs2234970 polymorphism might contribute to the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders, including T2DM, through an increased intracellular level of SCD1.
A Universal Fluorescent Immunochromatography Assay Based on Quantum Dot Nanoparticles for the Rapid Detection of Specific Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein
Authors: Li Zehui , Wang Aiping , Zhou Jingming , Chen Yumei , Liu Hongliang , Liu Yankai , Zhang Ying , Ding Peiyang , Zhu Xifang , Liang Chao , Qi Yanhua , Liu Enping , Zhang Gaiping
Published: June 2022

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogenic agent leading to COVID-19. Due to high speed of transmission and mutation rates, universal diagnosis and appropriate prevention are still urgently needed. The nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 is considered more conserved than spike proteins and is abundant during the virus’ life cycle, making it suitable for diagnostic applications. Here, we designed and developed a fluorescent immunochromatography assay (FICA) for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies using ZnCdSe/ZnS QDs-conjugated nucleocapsid (N) proteins as probes. The nucleocapsid protein was expressed in E.coli and purified via Ni-NTA affinity chromatography with considerable concentration (0.762 mg/mL) and a purity of more than 90%, which could bind to specific antibodies and the complex could be captured by Staphylococcal protein A (SPA) with fluorescence displayed. After the optimization of coupling and detecting conditions, the limit of detection was determined to be 1:1.024 × 105 with an IgG concentration of 48.84 ng/mL with good specificity shown to antibodies against other zoonotic coronaviruses and respiratory infection-related viruses (n = 5). The universal fluorescent immunochromatography assay simplified operation processes in one step, which could be used for the point of care detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. Moreover, it was also considered as an efficient tool for the serological screening of potential susceptible animals and for monitoring the expansion of virus host ranges.
Detection of Porphyrins in Hair Using Capillary Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Louleb Marwa , Galván Ismael , Latrous Latifa , Justyn Nicholas M. , Hill Geoffrey E. , Ríos Ángel , Zougagh Mohammed
Published: June 2022

Unlike humans, some animals have evolved a physiological ability to deposit porphyrins, which are pigments produced during heme synthesis in cells, in the skin and associated integument such as hair. Given the inert nature and easiness of collection of hair, animals that present porphyrin-based pigmentation constitute unique models for porphyrin analysis in biological samples. Here we present the development of a simple, rapid, and efficient analytical method for four natural porphyrins (uroporphyrin I, coproporphyrin I, coproporphyrin III and protoporphyrin IX) in the Southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans, a mammal with hair that fluoresces and that we suspected has porphyrin-based pigmentation. The method is based on capillary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (CLC-MS), after an extraction procedure with formic acid and acetonitrile. The resulting limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.006–0.199 and 0.021–0.665 µg mL−1, respectively. This approach enabled us to quantify porphyrins in flying squirrel hairs at concentrations of 3.6–353.2 µg g−1 with 86.4–98.6% extraction yields. This method provides higher simplicity, precision, selectivity, and sensitivity than other methods used to date, presenting the potential to become the standard technique for porphyrin analysis.
Laccase Mediator Cocktail System as a Sustainable Skin Whitening Agent for Deep Eumelanin Decolorization
Authors: Gigli Valeria , Piccinino Davide , Avitabile Daniele , Antiochia Riccarda , Capecchi Eliana , Saladino Raffaele
Published: June 2022

The overproduction of eumelanin leads to a panel of unaesthetic hyper-pigmented skin diseases, including melasma and age spots. The treatment of these diseases often requires the use of tyrosinase inhibitors, which act as skin whitening agents by inhibiting the synthesis of eumelanin, with harmful side effects. We report here that laccase from Trametes versicolor in association with a cocktail of natural phenol redox mediators efficiently degraded eumelanin from Sepia officinalis, offering an alternative procedure to traditional whitening agents. Redox mediators showed a synergistic effect with respect to their single-mediator counterpart, highlighting the beneficial role of the cocktail system. The pro-oxidant DHICA sub-units of eumelanin were degraded better than the DHI counterpart, as monitored by the formation of pyrrole-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (PTCA) and pyrrole-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (PDCA) degradation products. The most effective laccase-mediated cocktail system was successively applied in a two-component prototype of a topical whitening cream, showing high degradative efficacy against eumelanin.
Rationally Designed Antimicrobial Peptides Are Potential Tools to Combat Devastating Bacteria and Fungi
Authors: Váradi Györgyi , Galgóczy László , Tóth Gábor K.
Published: June 2022

The introduction of the first antibiotic (penicillin) by Sir Alexander Fleming in 1928 was a huge milestone in the treatment of infectious diseases [...]
Generation of Matrix Degradation Products Using an In Vitro MMP Cleavage Assay
Authors: Wagner Niklas , Rapp Anna E. , Braun Sebastian , Ehnert Markus , Imhof Thomas , Koch Manuel , Jenei-Lanzl Zsuzsa , Zaucke Frank , Meurer Andrea
Published: June 2022

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play crucial roles in tissue homeostasis and pathologies by remodeling the extracellular matrix. Previous studies have demonstrated the biological activities of MMP-derived cleavage products. Furthermore, specific fragments can serve as biomarkers. Therefore, an in vitro cleavage assay to identify substrates and characterize cleavage patterns could provide important insight in disease-relevant mechanisms and the identification of novel biomarkers. In the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA), MMP-2, -8, -9 and -13 are of vital importance. However, it is unclear which protease can cleave which matrix component. To address this question, we established an in vitro cleavage assay using recombinantly expressed MMPs and the two cartilage matrix components, COMP and thrombospondin-4. We found a time- and concentration-dependent degradation and an MMP-specific cleavage pattern for both proteins. Cleavage products can now be enriched and purified to investigate their biological activity. To verify the in vivo relevance, we compared the in vitro cleavage patterns with serum and synovial fluid from OA patients and could indeed detect fragments of similar size in the human samples. The cleavage assay can be adapted to other MMPs and substrates, making it a valuable tool for many research fields.
Selenium Antagonizes Cadmium-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress via Suppressing the Interplay between NLRP3 Inflammasome and HMGB1/NF-κB Pathway in Duck Hepatocytes
Authors: Cao Zhanyou , Yang Fan , Lin Yiqun , Shan Jiyi , Cao Huabin , Zhang Caiying , Zhuang Yu , Xing Chenghong , Hu Guoliang
Published: June 2022

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the liver of animals, damaging liver function. Inflammation and oxidative stress are considered primary causes of Cd-induced liver damage. Selenium (Se) is an antioxidant and can resist the detrimental impacts of Cd on the liver. To elucidate the antagonism of Se on Cd against hepatocyte injury and its mechanism, duck embryo hepatocytes were treated with Cd (4 μM) and/or Se (0.4 μM) for 24 h. Then, the hepatocyte viability, oxidative stress and inflammatory status were assessed. The findings manifested that the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the levels of pro-inflammatory factors were elevated in the Cd group. Simultaneously, immunofluorescence staining revealed that the interaction between NOD-like receptor pyran domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) was enhanced, the movement of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) from nucleus to cytoplasm was increased and the inflammatory response was further amplified. Nevertheless, the addition of Se relieved the above-mentioned effects, thereby alleviating cellular oxidative stress and inflammation. Collectively, the results suggested that Se could mitigate Cd-stimulated oxidative stress and inflammation in hepatocytes, which might be correlated with the NLRP3 inflammasome and HMGB1/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.
SARS-CoV-2 Continuous Genetic Divergence and Changes in Multiplex RT-PCR Detection Pattern on Positive Retesting Median 150 Days after Initial Infection
Authors: Liu Dakai , Rodriguez George D. , Zhou Hang-Yu , Cheng Ye-Xiao , Li Xiaofeng , Tang Wenwen , Prasad Nishant , Chen Chun-Cheng , Singh Vishnu , Konadu Eric , James Keither K. , Bahamon Maria F. , Chen Yvonne , Segal-Maurer Sorana , Wu Aiping , Rodgers William Harry
Published: June 2022

Being in the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, our lab tested 193,054 specimens for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by diagnostic multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) starting in March 2020, of which 17,196 specimens resulted positive. To investigate the dynamics of virus molecular evolution and epidemiology, whole genome amplification (WGA) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) were performed on 9516 isolates. 7586 isolates with a high quality were further analyzed for the mutation frequency and spectrum. Lastly, we evaluated the utility of the mRT-PCR detection pattern among 26 reinfected patients with repeat positive testing three months after testing negative from the initial infection. Our results show a continuation of the genetic divergence in viral genomes. Furthermore, our results indicate that independent mutations in the primer and probe regions of the nucleocapsid gene amplicon and envelope gene amplicon accumulate over time. Some of these mutations correlate with the changes of detection pattern of viral targets of mRT-PCR. Our data highlight the significance of a continuous genetic divergence on a gene amplification-based assay, the value of the mRT-PCR detection pattern for complementing the clinical diagnosis of reinfection, and the potential for WGA and NGS to identify mutation hotspots throughout the entire viral genome to optimize the design of the PCR-based gene amplification assay.
A Novel Synthetic Antibody Library with Complementarity-Determining Region Diversities Designed for an Improved Amplification Profile
Authors: Bai Xuelian , Jang Moonseon , Lee Nam Ju , Nguyen Thi Thu Ha , Jung Mooyoung , Hwang Jeong Yeon , Shim Hyunbo
Published: June 2022

Antibody discovery by phage display consists of two phases, i.e., the binding phase and the amplification phase. Ideally, the selection process is dominated by the former, and all the retrieved clones are amplified equally during the latter. In reality, the amplification efficiency of antibody fragments varies widely among different sequences and, after a few rounds of phage display panning, the output repertoire often includes rapidly amplified sequences with low or no binding activity, significantly diminishing the efficiency of antibody isolation. In this work, a novel synthetic single-chain variable fragment (scFv) library with complementarity-determining region (CDR) diversities aimed at improved amplification efficiency was designed and constructed. A previously reported synthetic scFv library with low, non-combinatorial CDR diversities was panned against protein A superantigen, and the library repertoires before and after the panning were analyzed by next generation sequencing. The enrichment or depletion patterns of CDR sequences after panning served as the basis for the design of the new library. Especially for CDR-H3 with a higher and more random diversity, a machine learning method was applied to predict potential fast-amplified sequences among a simulated sequence repertoire. In a direct comparison with the previous generation library, the new library performed better against a panel of antigens in terms of the number of binders isolated, the number of unique sequences, and/or the speed of binder enrichment. Our results suggest that the amplification-centric design of sequence diversity is a valid strategy for the construction of highly functional phage display antibody libraries.
Sprint Interval Exercise Improves Cognitive Performance Unrelated to Postprandial Glucose Fluctuations at Different Levels of Normobaric Hypoxia
Authors: Lei On-Kei , Sun Shengyan , Nie Jinlei , Shi Qingde , Kong Zhaowei
Published: June 2022

Objective: The aim of our study was to examine cognition response to sprint interval exercise (SIE) against different levels of hypoxia. Research design and methods: 26 recreational active males performed SIE (20 × 6 s of all-out cycling bouts, 15 s of passive recovery) under normoxia (FIO2: 0.209), moderate hypoxia (FIO2: 0.154), and severe hypoxia (FIO2: 0.112) in a single-blinded crossover design. Cognitive function and blood glucose were assessed before and after 0, 10, 30, and 60 min of the SIE. Heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE, the Borg 6–20-point scale) during each SIE trial were recorded before and immediately after every five cycling bouts, and after 0, 10, 30, and 60 min of the SIE. Results: All the three SIE trials had a significantly faster overall reaction time in the Stroop test at 10 min after exercise as compared to that of the baseline value (p = 0.003, ƞ2 = 0.606), and returned to normal after 60 min. The congruent RT at 10 min after SIE was significantly shorter than that of the baseline (p < 0.05, ƞ2 = 0.633), while the incongruent RT at both 10 min and 30 min were significantly shorter than that measured at baseline (p < 0.05, ƞ2 = 0.633). No significant differences in terms of accuracy were found across the three trials at any time points (p = 0.446, ƞ2 = 0.415). Blood glucose was significantly reduced at 10 min and was sustained for at least 60 min after SIE when compared to pre-exercise in all trials (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Acute SIE improved cognitive function regardless of oxygen conditions, and the sustained improvement following SIE could last for at least 10–30 min and was unaffected by the altered blood glucose level.