bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waimānalo Pono Research: Indigenizing Community-Engaged Research with a Native Hawaiian Community
Authors: Chung-Do Jane J. , Keaulana Scott Samantha , Ho-Lastimosa Ilima , Deitschman Kirk , Vegas J. Kahau , Keli‘iholokai LeShay , Rogerson Ikaika , Radovich Theodore , Ho Kenneth , Ho A. Hiʻipoi , Antonio Mapuana C. K.
Published: November 2022

Native Hawaiians, or Kānaka Maoli, the first people to arrive and settle on the Hawaiian Islands, developed an ecologically sustainable food system that sustained the health of up to a million people on the islands. Colonization disrupted this system as well as the healthy lifestyle and cultural practices of the Indigenous people of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Today, Native Hawaiians face pervasive health and social inequities. To build research processes that can meaningfully and sustainably address these inequities, the Waimānalo Pono Research Hui was borne from the vision and priorities of community leaders and members of Waimānalo. Using qualitative data from the annual survey conducted with Waimānalo Pono Research Hui members, the purpose of this study is to illustrate how community engagement and community-based participatory research has been operationalized within a Native Hawaiian community to yield meaningful research. Five themes emerged from the analysis related to the ʻāina (land), pilina (relationships), consent, equitable resources, and data sovereignty. These findings demonstrate the importance of imagining, creating, and implementing research processes that are shaped by community voices.
Trajectories of Kidney Function in Patients with ATTRv Treated with Gene Silencers
Authors: Luigetti Marco , Guglielmino Valeria , Romano Angela , Sciarrone Maria Ausilia , Vitali Francesca , D’Ambrosio Viola , Ferraro Pietro Manuel
Published: November 2022

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv; v for “variant”) is the most common form of hereditary amyloidosis, with an autosomal dominant inheritance and a variable penetrance. This disease has a significant variability in clinical presentation and multiorgan involvement. While kidney involvement in early-onset ATTRv has been reported in one-third of patients, in late-onset ATTRv it has generally been considered rare. In the present study, we describe trajectories of kidney function over time before and after treatment with gene silencing therapies in a cohort of 17 ATTRv patients with different mutations, coming from Italy (nine subjects treated with inotersen and eight patients treated with patisiran). The analysis of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slopes revealed that the average change in eGFR was 0.01 mL/min/1.73 m2 per month before initiation and −0.23 mL/min/1.73 m2 per month during follow-up for inotersen and −0.62 mL/min/1.73 m2 per month before initiation and −0.20 mL/min/1.73 m2 per month during follow-up for patisiran. In conclusion, we did not observe any significant difference either between the two groups of treatment or within-group before and after therapy, so gene-silencing therapies may be considered safe for renal function in ATTRv and are not associated with a worsening of eGFR slope.
Association of Fc Gamma Receptor 3B Gene Copy Number Variation with Rheumatoid Arthritis Susceptibility
Authors: Aslam M. Muaaz , John Peter , Fan Kang-Hsien , Malik Javaid Mehmood , Feingold Eleanor , Demirci F. Yesim , Kamboh M. Ilyas
Published: November 2022

Structural variations such as copy number variants (CNVs) have been associated with multiple autoimmune diseases. In this study, we explored the association of the Fc gamma receptor 3B gene (FCGR3B) copy number variation (CNV) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility and related serological traits in the Pakistani population. We also performed a meta-analysis of four published FCGR3B CNV studies along with the current study. A total of 927 subjects (597 RA cases, 330 healthy controls) were recruited from three rheumatology centers in Pakistan. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF) were measured in RA patients. FCGR3B copy number was assayed using the TaqMan® CN assay (Hs04211858_cn, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) and the copy number was estimated by using CopyCaller® software (version 2.1; Applied Biosystems, USA). Logistic regression was applied to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of RA risk associated with FCGR3B CNV using sex and age as covariates in R. Meta-analysis on four previously published studies and the current study was performed using the random-effect model. We observed a significant association between FCGR3B copy number < 2 and RA susceptibility (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.22; p = 0.0259) and anti-CCP seropositivity (OR 2.56; 95% CI: 1.34 to 4.89; p = 0.0045). A non-significant association of FCGR3B copy number < 2 was also observed between increased rheumatoid factor (RF) seropositivity (OR = 1.74; 95% CI:0.93 to 3.26; p = 0.0816). Meta-analysis on 13,915 subjects (7005 RA cases and 6907 controls) also showed significant association of copy number < 2 with the increased risk of RA (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.56; p = 0.00671). FCGR3B copy number < 2 is associated with increased RA risk and anti-CCP seropositivity.
HyPRP1, A Tomato Multipotent Regulator, Negatively Regulates Tomato Resistance to Sulfur Dioxide Toxicity and Can Also Reduce Abiotic Stress Tolerance of Escherichia coli and Tobacco
Authors: Chen Xueting , Wang Lulu , Liang Yan , Hu Xiaomeng , Pan Qianqian , Ding Yin , Li Jinhua
Published: November 2022

Abiotic stresses have led to an extensive decline in global crop production and quality. As one of the abiotic stress factors, sulfur dioxide (SO2) causes severe oxidative damage to plant tissues. Based on our previous study, a tomato hybrid-proline-rich protein 1 (HyPRP1) was found to be involved in abiotic stress and SO2 metabolism, though the gene functions remained largely unknown. In this study, the function analysis of the HyPRP1 gene was extended, and DNA methylation analysis, subcellular localization, and cis-element analysis were performed to investigate the features of this gene. The DNA methylation analysis implied that the HyPRP1 gene was hypermethylated and the methylation density in the leaf differed from that in the flower and fruit. Subcellular localization analysis identified HyPRP1 localized in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane in vivo. The E. coli cells harboring SlHyPRP1 showed reduced salt and drought resistance. In tomato, when SO2 toxicity occurred, the HyPRP1 RNAi knockdown lines accumulated more sulfates and less hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and showed minimal leaf necrosis and chlorophyll bleaching. In tobacco, the overexpression of HyPRP1 reduced tolerance against salt stresses exerted by NaCl. We conclude that the heterologous expression of tomato HyPRP1 in E. coli and tobacco reduces abiotic stress tolerance and negatively regulates the resistance to sulfur dioxide toxicity by scavenging H2O2 and sulfite in tomato.
Effects of Seasonal Variation on Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Ozone in Northeast China
Authors: Chen Jin , Sun Li , Jia Hongjie , Li Chunlei , Ai Xin , Zang Shuying
Published: November 2022

The levels of tropospheric ozone (O3) are closely related to regional meteorological conditions, precursor emissions, and geographical environments, which have a significant negative impact on human health. The concentrations of O3 were relatively low, while the spatial distribution was strongly heterogeneous in Northeast China; however, little is known about how the influencing factors affect the distribution of O3 in Northeast China. Here, the O3 concentration, meteorological observation data, precursors (NO2), and vegetation coverage data from 41 monitoring cities in Northeast China from 2017 to 2020 were collected and analyzed. The spatial–temporal distributions and evolution characteristics of O3 concentrations were investigated using statistical analysis, kriging interpolation, spatial autocorrelation analysis, cold–hot spot analysis, and geographic detectors, and the effects of meteorological factors, NO2, and green land area on O3 concentrations were evaluated seasonally and spatially. The results showed that O3 pollution in Northeast China was generally at a relatively low level and showed a decreasing trend during 2017–2020, with the highest concentrations in the spring and the lowest concentrations in the autumn and winter. May–July had relatively high O3 concentrations, and the over-standard rates were also the highest (>10%). The spatial distribution showed that the O3 concentration was relatively high in the south and low in the northeast across the study area. A globally significant positive correlation was derived from the spatial autocorrelation analysis. The cold–hot spot analysis showed that O3 concentrations exhibited spatial agglomerations of hot spots in the south and cold spots in the north. In Northeast China, the south had hot spots with high O3 pollution, the north had cold spots with excellent O3 levels, and the central region did not exhibit strong spatial agglomerations. A weak significant negative correlation between O3 and NO2 indicated that the emissions of NOx derived from human activities have weak effects on the O3 concentrations, and wind speed and sunshine duration had little effect on spatial differentiation of the O3 concentrations. Spatial variability in O3 concentrations in the spring and autumn was mainly driven by temperature, but in the summer, the influence of temperature was weakened by the relative humidity and precipitation; no factor had strong explanatory power in the winter. The temperature was the only controlling factor in hot spots with high O3 concentrations. In cold spots with low O3 concentrations, the relative humidity and green land area jointly affected the spatial distributions of O3.
Factors Related to Adolescents’ Participation in Organized Sports
Authors: Spruijtenburg Gwennyth E. , van Abswoude Femke , Platvoet Sebastiaan , de Niet Mark , Bekhuis Hidde , Steenbergen Bert
Published: November 2022

Participation in organized sports has important health benefits in adolescence, yet participation rates are concerning. A better understanding of factors influencing adolescents’ participation in organized sports offers opportunities to improve participation rates. The aim of this study was to examine to what extent motives, perceived competence, encouragement and motor skills were associated with participation in organized sports in a sample of first-year secondary school students. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 386 Dutch adolescents (11–14 years) in October and November 2020. A series of multilevel logistic regression models estimated the likelihood of adolescents’ participating in organized sports. First, we examined whether motives, perceived competence, encouragement and motor skills were independently associated with the likelihood of participation. Second, we examined whether these factors were concurrently associated with the likelihood of participation. When considered individually, motives, perceived competence, encouragement and motor skills were significantly associated with participation. When considered together, only motives were significantly associated with participation and the associations of all other factors with sport disappeared. These findings show the importance of motivation for participation in sports over other factors. These findings inform the development of interventions aimed at improving adolescents’ participation rates.
Extracellular Vesicles in Regenerative Processes Associated with Muscle Injury Recovery of Professional Athletes Undergoing Sub Maximal Strength Rehabilitation
Authors: Catitti Giulia , Cufaro Maria Concetta , De Bellis Domenico , Cicalini Ilaria , Vespa Simone , Tonelli Federico , Miscia Giulia , Secondi Lorenzo , Simeone Pasquale , De Laurenzi Vincenzo , Pieragostino Damiana , Del Boccio Piero , Lanuti Paola
Published: November 2022

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has great potential in regenerative medicine. In addition to the well-known regenerative potential of secreted growth factors, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as potential key players in the regulation of tissue repair. However, little is known about their therapeutic potential as regenerative agents. In this study, we have identified and subtyped circulating EVs (platelet-, endothelial-, and leukocyte-derived EVs) in the peripheral blood of athletes recovering from recent muscular injuries and undergoing a submaximal strength rehabilitation program. We found a significant increase in circulating platelet-derived EVs at the end of the rehabilitation program. Moreover, EVs from PRP samples were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and analyzed by label-free proteomics. The proteomic analysis of PRP-EVs revealed that 32% of the identified proteins were associated to “defense and immunity”, and altogether these proteins were involved in vesicle-mediated transport (GO: 0016192; FDR = 3.132 × 10−19), as well as in wound healing (GO: 0042060; FDR = 4.252 × 10−13) and in the events regulating such a process (GO: 0061041; FDR = 2.812 × 10−12). Altogether, these data suggest that platelet-derived EVs may significantly contribute to the regeneration potential of PRP preparations.
Acute Exposure to Glycated Proteins Impaired in the Endothelium-Dependent Aortic Relaxation: A Matter of Oxidative Stress
Authors: D’Haese Sarah , Deluyker Dorien , Bito Virginie
Published: November 2022

Chronically increased levels of high molecular weight advanced glycation end products (HMW-AGEs) are known to induce cardiovascular dysfunction. Whether an acute increase in HMW-AGE levels affects vascular function remains unknown. In this study, we examined whether acute exposure to HMW-AGEs disturbs aortic vasomotor function. Aortae were obtained from healthy male rats and were acutely pre-treated with HMW-AGEs in organ baths. Aortic relaxation responses to cumulative doses of acetylcholine (ACh), in the presence or absence of superoxide dismutase (SOD), were measured after precontraction with phenylephrine (PE). Furthermore, levels of 3-nitrotyrosine were evaluated on aortic paraffine sections. In our study, we show that acute exposure to HMW-AGEs significantly decreases the aortic relaxation response to ACh. SOD pre-treatment prevents acute HMW-AGEs-induced impairment by limiting superoxide formation. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that acute exposure to HMW-AGEs causes adverse vascular remodelling, characterised by disturbed vasomotor function due to increased oxidative stress. These results create opportunities for future research regarding the acute role of HMW-AGEs in cardiovascular dysfunction.
Swelling of Highly Neutron Irradiated Beryllium and Titanium Beryllide
Authors: Chakin Vladimir , Fedorov Alexander , Gaisin Ramil , Zmitko Milan
Published: November 2022

The swelling of beryllium and titanium beryllide after irradiation at 70–750 °C to neutron fluences of (0.25–8) · 1022 cm−2 (E > 1 MeV) was measured using methods of immersion, dimension, and helium pycnometry. Dependences of the swelling on the irradiation temperature and neutron dose were plotted and analyzed. The dose dependences show linear dependences of the swelling for all irradiation temperatures except 70 °C, where the swelling rate varies, depending on increasing neutron dose. Be-7Ti shows much less swelling than pure Be. Irradiation at 430–750 °C to neutron fluence of 1.82 · 1022 cm−2 (E > 1 MeV) leads to swelling of Be at about 50%; for Be-7Ti, it is 2.7%. The microstructure study shows that the formation of bubbles and pores in beryllium occurs much more intense than in titanium beryllide.
Prolonged Use of Carnitine-Orotate Complex (Godex®) Is Associated with Improved Mortality: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Park Kye-Yeung , Hong Sangmo , Kim Kyung-Soo , Han Kyungdo , Park Cheol-Young
Published: November 2022

Despite its hepatoprotective effects and favorable metabolic effects, the association between carnitine-orotate complex (Godex®) intake and mortality has never been investigated. We enrolled 13,413 adults who underwent national health examination and were prescribed the carnitine-orotate complex. Subjects were classified into three groups based on duration of using carnitine-orotate complex: <30, 30–180, and ≥180 days and were followed-up until 2019. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. During the follow-up period, 708 deaths were documented. Adjusted HR of mortality was 0.69 (95% CI 0.51–0.92) in those who used carnitine-orotate complex for ≥180 days compared to those who used it for <30 days. Use of carnitine-orotate complex for ≥180 days was associated with significantly reduced mortality in individuals with metabolic risk factors such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver than the shorter period of use. A significant interaction was observed in individuals with type 2 diabetes (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.29–0.63, p-value 0.001). In this nationwide study, longer use of carnitine-orotate complex was associated with improved mortality compared to a shorter period of use, and the risk reductions were prominent in individuals with metabolic risk factors.
The Influence of Multiple Mechanical Recycling of Particleboards on Their Selected Mechanical and Physical Properties
Authors: Wronka Anita , Kowaluk Grzegorz
Published: November 2022

This is a bridge between circular economy issues and wood-based panels technology, especially particleboards. Because these composites contain a significant amount of non-wood raw material (10–12% thermoset resin, high hardness laminates, among others), their mechanical recycling leads to an uncontrollable reduction in produced particle size. This problem can be especially significant since the particleboards can be intended for multiple recycling due to the shortening of their service life. This research aimed to produce particles in the cycle of multiple re-milling particleboards and evaluate the selected properties of the produced particles and particleboards. Thus, the response to the following scientific problem can be given: what factors qualitatively and quantitatively influence the properties of the particleboards produced by multi-re-milled particles? The novelty of this research is the approach to recycling the raw materials from particleboards in fully controlled conditions, providing the characterization of produced particles and producing particleboards with close-to-industrial parameters, and, finally, evaluating the features of produced particleboards in the light of raw materials used. The results confirmed that subsequent mechanical recycling of particleboards, where the other panels are made entirely of second-milling particles, leads to an unprofitable and unacceptable reduction in the mechanical properties of the panels. The physical parameters, such as thickness swelling and water absorption, are improved, but this can be the result of increased content of chemical ingredients, which negatively influence the hygienic features of panels (emission of formaldehyde and total volatile organic compounds—TVOC). Further research should be directed towards estimating the optimal addition of mechanically recycled particles to particleboard production.
Interfacial Bond-Slip Model for CFRP Plate Externally Bonded to Corroded Steel Plate
Authors: Li Anbang , Xu Shanhua
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study is to establish the interfacial bond-slip model for CFRP plate externally bonded to corroded steel plate. The present bond-slip models for CFRP materials bonded to uncorroded steel plate were first reviewed. Thirty-four double-lap joints were tested to investigate the effect of corrosion duration and adhesive thickness on the bond behavior between CFRP plates and corroded steel plates, and the bond-slip curves for the bonding interface with different adhesive thickness and corrosion duration were obtained combined with the CFRP plate strain distribution data. A new bond-slip model for CFRP plate externally bonded to corroded steel plate was proposed, and the expression of the characteristic parameters, which included the maximum bond resistance τf, the relative slip at the peak bond stress s1, the fitting parameter α, and the interfacial fracture energy Gf, were also developed based on the careful regression analysis of the present data. The influence of the corrosion duration and construction adhesive thickness on the bond-slip relationship were accounted together and expressed as a new parameter; that is, the effective adhesive thickness teff. The comparison between the predicted values and experimental results indicated that the proposed bond-slip model can be applied to reproduce the structural response of the CFRP plate-corroded steel plate double-lap joint with reasonable accuracy. The outcome of this study can provide meaningful references and essential data for the reliable application of CFRP strengthening systems in the performance improvement of corroded steel structures.
Evaluation of Applicability of Minimum Required Compressive Strength for Cold Weather Concreting Based on Winter Meteorological Factors
Authors: Cui Jiahui , Duc Van Nguyen , Zhang Feng , Hama Yukio
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we evaluated the applicability of the minimum required compressive strength for cold weather concreting based on winter meteorological factors. In this study, a compressive strength test, dynamic elastic modulus test, hydration degree test, underwater weighing test, and freeze–thaw test were performed to investigate the effect of compressive strength development at early ages on frost resistance of concrete. In particular, the ASTM equivalent number of cycles (CyASTM−sp) of various locations was estimated based on winter meteorological factors. The results of experiments showed that the frost resistance of concrete at early ages increases with increased compressive strength. The relative dynamic modulus of elasticity of concrete of 5.0 MPa showed that it can be maintained above 90% within 18 freeze–thaw cycles. In addition, the CyASTM−sp results showed that a compressive strength of 5.0 MPa can protect concrete from early age frost damage in all investigated locations, indicating that a compressive strength of 5.0 MPa is the minimum required for safe and reliable cold weather concreting. However, for concrete structures subjected to repeated freeze–thaw cycles, it is necessary to select a higher compressive strength value according to the construction condition.
The Discrepancy between Coal Ash from Muffle, Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB), and Pulverized Coal (PC) Furnaces, with a Focus on the Recovery of Iron and Rare Earth Elements
Authors: Pan Jinhe , Long Xin , Zhang Lei , Shoppert Andrei , Valeev Dmitry , Zhou Changchun , Liu Xiao
Published: November 2022

Coal ash (CA) is not only one of the most solid wastes from combustion, easily resulting in a series of concerns, but it is also an artificial deposit with considerable metals, such as iron and rare earth. The variation in the coal ash characteristics due to the origins, combustion process, and even storage environment has been hindering the metal utilization from coal ash. In this study, three ash sample from lab muffle, circulating fluidized bed (CFB), and pulverized coal (PC) furnace was derived for the discrepancy study from the combustion furnace, including properties, iron, and rare earth recovery. The origins of the coal feed samples have more of an effect on their properties than combustion furnaces. Magnetic separation is suitable for coal ash from PC because of the magnetite product, and the iron content is 58% in the Mag-1 fraction, with a yield of 3%. The particles in CA from CFB appear irregular and fragmental, while those from PC appear spherical with a smooth surface. The results of sequential chemical extraction and observation both indicated that the aluminosilicate phase plays an essential role in rare earth occurrences. Rare earth in CA from muffling and CFB is facilely leached, with a recovery of approximately 50%, which is higher than that from PC ash. This paper aims to offer a reference to easily understand the difference in metal recovery from coal ash.
Conversion of Waste Oil from Oil Refinery into Emulsion Liquid Membrane for Removal of Phenol: Stability Evaluation, Modeling and Optimization
Authors: Wang Dan , Wang Qingji , Zhang Xiaofei , Liu Taoran , Zhang Hua
Published: November 2022

The waste oil emulsion liquid membrane produced by waste oil from oil refineries (WELM) is used to separate the phenol in purified water from the sour water stripper in oil refinery facilities, and the stability of WELM was studied. It is verified that waste refinery oil can be produced into emulsion liquid membrane with good stability and high removal rate for the first time. The WELM stability models were established by response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN), respectively. The principle and mechanism of various parameters, as well as the interaction effects on the stability of WELM, are proposed. The effects of parameters, including the ratio of Span-80, liquid paraffin, the ratio of internal and oil, and the rotational speed of the homogenizer, were investigated. Under the optimal operating parameters, the WELM had a demulsification percentage of just 0.481%, and the prediction results of RSM and ANN were 0.536% and 0.545%, respectively. Both models demonstrate good predictability. The WELM stability model has a high application value in the treatment of phenol-containing wastewater in the oil refining industry, and provides a green method of resource recovery.
Study of Tensile Strength of Aluminum Alloy Caused by Pulsed Laser Drilling
Authors: Gao Heyan , Wang Ying , Ye Jifei , Li Lan , Du Bangdeng , Li Sai , Li Mingyu
Published: November 2022

In the process of pulsed laser drilling, the material properties in the heat-affected zone will change due to the thermal effect of the laser. To study the effect of this change on the material tensile strength, two lasers were used to punch the standard 6061 aluminum alloy specimens with millisecond and nanosecond pulse widths, and then the tensile test was carried out on the standard specimens with a tensile tester to measure the ultimate tensile strength of the aluminum alloy. Finally, the micro-morphology of the fracture was photographed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the fracture mechanism of the aluminum alloy was analyzed. The experimental results show that the relationship between the rate of intensity change induced by the millisecond laser and the ablation area ratio is more linear than that of the nanosecond laser; with the increase of ablation area ratio, the rate of intensity changes induced by the nanosecond and millisecond lasers becomes increasingly closer; three types of fractures are produced with two types of laser ablation; the plasticity of the material rapidly decreases with laser drilling, and the main reason for decrease in plasticity was stress concentration. This study provides an important point of reference for how to ensure the strength and plasticity of the components after laser drilling.
Void Suppression in Glass Frit Bonding Via Three-Step Annealing Process
Authors: Liu Yifang , Chen Junyu , Jiang Jiaxin , Zheng Gaofeng
Published: November 2022

In this work, void formation was systematically observed for the glass frit bonding technique as a function of the annealing temperature, annealing time, and annealing ambient. High annealing temperature and long annealing time were adopted to reach the maximum heat flux to avoid voids/bubbles. As demonstrated in the experiments, the voids appearing during glass frit bonding are related to the quantity of byproducts from the combustion of organic matter. The experimental results indicate that solely in air, under vacuum, or annealed for short time, the combustion products cannot be fully degassed, and voids occur. It was shown that the alternating three-step conditioning process including glass liquid forming in air, bubble removal under vacuum, and void filling-up in air can lead to void-free and uniform wafer bonding. The glass frit bonding samples with lots of voids/bubbles were compared to the ones without any defects.
User-Driven Strategy for In Silico Screening of Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography Conditions for Known Pharmaceutical-Related Small Molecules
Authors: Van Laethem Thomas , Kumari Priyanka , Boulanger Bruno , Hubert Philippe , Fillet Marianne , Sacré Pierre-Yves , Hubert Cédric
Published: November 2022

In the pharmaceutical field, and more precisely in quality control laboratories, robust liquid chromatographic methods are needed to separate and analyze mixtures of compounds. The development of such chromatographic methods for new mixtures can result in a long and tedious process even while using the design of experiments methodology. However, developments could be accelerated with the help of in silico screening. In this work, the usefulness of a strategy combining response surface methodology (RSM) followed by multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) applied to predictions from a quantitative structure–retention relationship (QSRR) model is demonstrated. The developed strategy shows that selecting equations for the retention time prediction models based on the pKa of the compound allows flexibility in the models. The MCDA developed is shown to help to make decisions on different criteria while being robust to the user’s decision on the weights for each criterion. This strategy is proposed for the screening phase of the method lifecycle. The strategy offers the possibility to the user to select chromatographic conditions based on multiple criteria without being too sensitive to the importance given to them. The conditions with the highest desirability are defined as the starting point for further optimization steps.
Enhancement of the Protective Activity of Vanillic Acid against Tetrachloro-Carbon (CCl4) Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats by the Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs)
Authors: Alamri Eman S. , El Rabey Haddad A. , Alzahrani Othman R. , Almutairi Fahad M. , Attia Eman S. , Bayomy Hala M. , Albalwi Renad A. , Rezk Samar M.
Published: November 2022

In the current study, the hepatoprotective activity of vanillic acid, silymarin, and vanillic acid-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was tested in male rats for four weeks. Thirty male rats were divided into five groups (n = 6). The 1st group was a negative control, the 2nd group was a positive control, the 3rd group was treated with 100 mg/kg b.w. of vanillic acid, the 4th group was treated with 100 mg/kg b.w. of vanillic acid–AgNPs, and the 5th group was treated with 50 mg/kg b.w. of silymarin. The CCl4-induced hepatic toxicity in the 2nd group was revealed by the liver function and all other biochemical tests. Liver enzymes, bilirubin, lipid peroxidation, lactate dehydrogenase, and interleukin-6 were elevated, whereas, total protein, antioxidant enzymes, and irisin were decreased compared to the negative control. The hepatic tissues were also injured as a result of the CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Treating the hepatotoxic rats with vanillic acid moderately protected the rats of the 3rd group, whereas treatment with vanillic AgNPs and silymarin in G4 and G5, respectively, greatly protected the rats against the CCl4 hepatotoxicity, approaching the normal biochemical levels and liver tissue appearance. The biochemical tests were confirmed by the histological investigations of liver tissue.
Elaboration and Characterization of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs): Application in the Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from pitaya
Authors: Pires Ianê Valente , Sakurai Yasmin Caroline Nóvoa , Ferreira Nelson Rosa , Moreira Sanclayton Geraldo Carneiro , da Cruz Rodrigues Antonio Manoel , da Silva Luiza Helena Meller
Published: November 2022

In this paper, natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) with lactic acid, glycine, ammonium acetate, sodium acetate, and choline chloride were prepared with and without the addition of water. NADES formation was evaluated using FTIR and Raman, where hydrogen bonds were identified between the hydroxyl group of lactic acid and the amino and carboxyl groups of glycine. Acetate and ammonium ions were also identified as forming bonds with lactic acid. The addition of water did not cause changes in the vibrational modes of the FTIR and Raman spectra but contributed to a reduction in NADES viscosity and density. Viscosity ranged from 0.335 to 0.017 Pa s−1, and density ranged from 1.159 to 0.785 g mL−1. The best results for the extraction of phenolic compounds from pitaya (dragon fruit) were achieved with an organic solvent (450. 41 mg 100 g−1 dry bases-db) in comparison to NADESs lactic acid:glycine (193.18 mg 100 g−1 db) and lactic acid:ammonium acetate (186.08 mg 100 g−1 db). The antioxidant activity of the extracts obtained with the NADESs was not statistically different from that of the extract obtained with organic solvents.
Investigating the Anticancer Activity of G-Rh1 Using In Silico and In Vitro Studies (A549 Lung Cancer Cells)
Authors: Nahar Jinnatun , Boopathi Vinothini , Murugesan Mohanapriya , Rupa Esrat Jahan , Yang Deok Chun , Kang Se Chan , Mathiyalagan Ramya
Published: November 2022

Ginsenoside Rh1 (G-Rh1), a possible bioactive substance isolated from the Korean Panax ginseng Meyer, has a wide range of pharmacological effects. In this study, we have investigated the anticancer efficacy of G-Rh1 via in silico and in vitro methodologies. This study mainly focuses on the two metastatic regulators, Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and RhoA, along with other standard apoptosis regulators. The ROCK1 protein is a member of the active serine/threonine kinase family that is crucial for many biological processes, including cell division, differentiation, and death, as well as many cellular processes and muscle contraction. The abnormal activation of ROCK1 kinase causes several disorders, whereas numerous studies have also shown that RhoA is expressed highly in various cancers, including colon, lung, ovarian, gastric, and liver malignancies. Hence, inhibiting both ROCK1 and RhoA will be promising in preventing metastasis. Therefore, the molecular level interaction of G-Rh1 with the ROCK1 and RhoA active site residues from the preliminary screening clearly shows its inhibitory potential. Molecular dynamics simulation and principal component analysis give essential insights for comprehending the conformational changes that result from G-Rh1 binding to ROCK1 and RhoA. Further, MTT assay was employed to examine the potential cytotoxicity in vitro against human lung cancer cells (A549) and Raw 264.7 Murine macrophage cells. Thus, G-Rh1 showed significant cytotoxicity against human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) at 100 µg/mL. In addition, we observed an elevated level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, perhaps promoting cancer cell toxicity. Additionally, G-Rh1 suppressed the mRNA expression of RhoA, ROCK1, MMP1, and MMP9 in cancer cell. Accordingly, G-Rh1 upregulated the p53, Bax, Caspase 3, caspase 9 while Bcl2 is downregulated intrinsic pathway. The findings from our study propose that the anticancer activity of G-Rh1 may be related to the induction of apoptosis by the RhoA/ROCK1 signaling pathway. As a result, this study evaluated the functional drug-like compound G-Rh1 from Panax ginseng in preventing and treating lung cancer adenocarcinoma via regulating metastasis and apoptosis.
History of Cobaltabis(dicarbollide) in Potentiometry, No Need for Ionophores to Get an Excellent Selectivity
Authors: Stoica Anca-Iulia , Viñas Clara , Teixidor Francesc
Published: November 2022

This work is a mini-review highlighting the relevance of the θ metallabis(dicarbollide) [3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]− with its peculiar and differentiating characteristics, among them the capacity to generate hydrogen and dihydrogen bonds, to generate micelles and vesicles, to be able to be dissolved in water or benzene, to have a wide range of redox reversible couples and many more, and to use these properties, in this case, for producing potentiometric membrane sensors to monitor amine-containing drugs or other nitrogen-containing molecules. Sensors have been produced with this monoanionic cluster [3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]−. Other monoanionic boron clusters are also discussed, but they are much fewer. It is noteworthy that most of the electrochemical sensor species incorporate an ammonium cation and that this cation is the species to be detected. Alternatively, the detection of the borate anion itself has also been studied, but with significantly fewer examples. The functions of the borate anion in the membrane are different, even as a doping agent for polypyrrole which was the conductive ground on which the PVC membrane was deposited. Apart from these cases related to closo borates, the bulk of the work has been devoted to sensors in which the θ metallabis (dicarbollide) [3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]− is the key element. The metallabis (dicarbollide) anion, [3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]−, has many applications; one of these is as new material used to prepare an ion-pair complex with bioactive protonable nitrogen containing compounds, [YH]x[3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]y as an active part of PVC membrane potentiometric sensors. The developed electrodes have Nernstian responses for target analytes, i.e., antibiotics, amino acids, neurotransmitters, analgesics, for some decades of concentrations, with a short response time, around 5 s, a good stability of membrane over 45 days, and an optimal selectivity, even for optical isomers, to be used also for real sample analysis and environmental, clinical, pharmaceutical and food analysis.
Pharmacological and Clinical Efficacy of Picrorhiza kurroa and Its Secondary Metabolites: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Almeleebia Tahani M. , Alsayari Abdulrhman , Wahab Shadma
Published: November 2022

Traditional remedies for the treatment of various ailments are gaining popularity. Traditionally, one of the most valuable therapeutic herbs has been Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. Traditional and folk uses of P. kurroa include chronic constipation, skin-related problems, burning sensation, chronic reoccurring fever, jaundice, heart problems, breathing, digestion, allergy, tuberculosis, blood-related problems, prediabetes and obesity, laxative, cholagogue, and liver stimulatory. Phytoconstituents such as glycosides, alkaloids, cucurbitacins, iridoids, phenolics, and terpenes in P. kurroa have shown promising pharmacological potential. In order to uncover novel compounds that may cure chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, respiratory, and hepatoprotective diseases, the screening of P. kurroa is essential. This study comprehensively evaluated the ethnopharmacological efficacy, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, dose, and toxicity of P. kurroa. This review provides comprehensive insights into this traditional medication for future research and therapeutic application. The purpose of this review article was to determine the pharmacological effects of P. kurroa on a variety of disorders. P. kurroa may be a natural alternative to the standard treatment for eradicating newly evolving diseases. This study is intended as a resource for future fundamental and clinical investigations.
Molecular Doping of CVD-Graphene Surfaces by Perfluoroalkyl-Substituted Perylene Diimides Derivatives
Authors: Chianese Federico , Aversa Lucrezia , Verucchi Roberto , Cassinese Antonio
Published: November 2022

Non-covalent π-π and dipolar interactions with small aromatic molecules have been widely demonstrated to be a valid option to tune graphene work functions without adding extrinsic scattering centers for charge carriers. In this work, we investigated the interaction between a CVD-graphene monolayer and a thermally evaporated sub-monolayer and the following few-layer thin films of similar perylene diimide derivatives: PDI8-CN2 and PDIF-CN2. The molecular influence on the graphene work function was estimated by XPS and UPS analysis and by investigating the surface potentials via scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy. The perfluorinated decoration and the steric interaction in the early stages of the film growth determined a positive work function shift as high as 0.7 eV in the case of PDIF-CN2, with respect to the value of 4.41 eV for the intrinsic graphene. Our results unambiguously highlight the absence of valence band shifts in the UPS analysis, indicating the prevalence of dipolar interactions between the graphene surface and the organic species enhanced by the presence of the fluorine-enriched moieties.
Cu-Ag Nanocomposite Pastes for Low Temperature Bonding and Flexible Interlayer-Interconnections
Authors: Lu Yin-Chi , Liao Wei-Hsun , Wu Ting-Jui , Yasuda Kiyokazu , Song Jenn-Ming
Published: November 2022

Cu-Ag composite pastes consisting of carboxylate-capped Ag nanoparticles, spray-pyrolyzed Ag submicron particles, and copper formate were developed in this study for low-temperature low-pressure bonding. The joints between the Cu, Ni/Au, and Ag finished substrates can be well formed at temperatures as low as 160 °C under a load pressure of 1.6 MPa. The joints with Cu substrates possess 18.0 MPa bonding strength, while those with Ag surface finish could be enhanced to 23.3 MPa. When subject to sintering under 10 MPa at 160 °C, the electrical resistivity of the sintered structure on metal-coated polymeric substrates was around 11~17 μΩ-cm and did not differ too much when subjected to harsh reliability tests such as mechanical bending and thermal cycling tests, as well as electrical current stressing. This low-temperature, low-pressure nanocomposite paste shows great potential as interconnect materials for microelectronics or flexible device assembly.
Eating Habits and Body Weight Changes Induced by Variation in Smell and Taste in Patients with Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Ferrulli Anna , Senesi Pamela , Terruzzi Ileana , Luzi Livio
Published: November 2022

Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction are recognized as common symptoms in patients with COVID-19, with a prevalence ranging, respectively, between 41–61% and 38.2–49%. This review focused on relating the variations in dietary habits with the reduction/loss of smell and/or taste in patients who contracted the COVID-19 infection. Primarily, we reviewed the main pathological mechanisms involved in COVID 19-induced anosmia/dysosmia and ageusia/dysgeusia. Then, we explored and summarized the behavioural changes in food intake and body weight during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to sensory impairment and the underlying mechanisms. Most studies on this topic argue that the altered chemosensory perception (taste and smell) mainly induces reduced appetite, leading to a faster fullness sensation during the consumption of a meal and, therefore, to a decrease in body weight. On the other hand, a reduced perception of the food’s sensory properties may trigger compensatory responses that lead some individuals to increase food intake with a different effect on body weight. Regarding body weight, most studies evaluated malnutrition in patients hospitalized for COVID-19; more studies are warranted to investigate nutritional status specifically in non-hospitalized patients with olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions caused by COVID-19 infection.
Progress on Thin Film Freezing Technology for Dry Powder Inhalation Formulations
Authors: Pardeshi Sagar R. , Kole Eknath B. , Kapare Harshad S. , Chandankar Sachin M. , Shinde Prashant J. , Boisa Ganesh S. , Salgaonkar Sanjana S. , Giram Prabhanjan S. , More Mahesh P. , Kolimi Praveen , Nyavanandi Dinesh , Dyawanapelly Sathish , Junnuthula Vijayabhaskarreddy
Published: November 2022

The surface drying process is an important technology in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and food industries. The final stage of formulation development (i.e., the drying process) faces several challenges, and overall mastering depends on the end step. The advent of new emerging technologies paved the way for commercialization. Thin film freezing (TFF) is a new emerging freeze-drying technique available for various treatment modalities in drug delivery. TFF has now been used for the commercialization of pharmaceuticals, food, and biopharmaceutical products. The present review highlights the fundamentals of TFF along with modulated techniques used for drying pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals. Furthermore, we have covered various therapeutic applications of TFF technology in the development of nanoformulations, dry powder for inhalations and vaccines. TFF holds promise in delivering therapeutics for lung diseases such as fungal infection, bacterial infection, lung dysfunction, and pneumonia.
Application of Ultrashort Lasers in Developmental Biology: A Review
Authors: Ilina Inna V. , Sitnikov Dmitry S.
Published: November 2022

The evolution of laser technologies and the invention of ultrashort laser pulses have resulted in a sharp jump in laser applications in life sciences. Developmental biology is no exception. The unique ability of ultrashort laser pulses to deposit energy into a microscopic volume in the bulk of transparent material without disrupting the surrounding tissues makes ultrashort lasers a versatile tool for precise microsurgery of cells and subcellular components within structurally complex and fragile specimens like embryos as well as for high-resolution imaging of embryonic processes and developmental mechanisms. Here, we present an overview of recent applications of ultrashort lasers in developmental biology, including techniques of noncontact laser-assisted microsurgery of preimplantation mammalian embryos for oocyte/blastomere enucleation and embryonic cell fusion, as well as techniques of optical transfection and injection for targeted delivery of biomolecules into living embryos and laser-mediated microsurgery of externally developing embryos. Possible applications of ultrashort laser pulses for use in Assisted Reproductive Technologies are also highlighted. Moreover, we discuss various nonlinear optical microscopy techniques (two-photon excited fluorescence, second and third harmonic generation, and coherent Raman scattering) and their application for label-free non-invasive imaging of embryos in their unperturbed state or post-laser-induced modifications.
Highly Self-Healable Polymeric Coating Materials with Enhanced Mechanical Properties Based on the Charge Transfer Complex
Authors: Ahn Chanjae , Hong Pyong Hwa , Lee Juhen , Kim Jinsil , Moon Gyeongmin , Lee Sungkoo , Park In , Han Haksoo , Hong Sung Woo
Published: November 2022

Polymeric coating materials (PCMs) are promising candidates for developing next-generation flexible displays. However, PCMs are frequently subjected to external stimuli, making them highly susceptible to repeated damage. Therefore, in this study, a highly self-healing PCM based on a charge transfer complex (CTC) was developed, and its thermal, self-healing, and mechanical properties were examined. The self-healing material demonstrated improved thermal stability, fast self-healing kinetics (1 min), and a high self-healing efficiency (98.1%) via CTC-induced multiple interactions between the polymeric chains. In addition, it eliminated the trade-off between the mechanical strength and self-healing capability that is experienced by typical self-healing materials. The developed PCM achieved excellent self-healing and superior bulk (in-plane) and surface (out-of-plane) mechanical strengths compared to those of conventional engineering plastics such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polysulfone (PSU), and polyethersulfone (PES). These remarkable properties are attributed to the unique intermolecular structure resulting from strong CTC interactions. A mechanism for the improved self-healing and mechanical properties was also proposed by comparing the CTC-based self-healing PCMs with a non-CTC-based PCM.