bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bio-Activation of HA/β-TCP Porous Scaffolds by High-Pressure CO2 Surface Remodeling: A Novel “Coating-from” Approach
Authors: Aubry Clémentine , Drouet Christophe , Azaïs Thierry , Kim Hyoung-Jun , Oh Jae-Min , Karacan Ipek , Chou Joshua , Ben-Nissan Besim , Camy Séverine , Cazalbou Sophie
Published: October 2022

Biphasic macroporous Hydroxyapatite/β-Tricalcium Phosphate (HA/β-TCP) scaffolds (BCPs) are widely used for bone repair. However, the high-temperature HA and β-TCP phases exhibit limited bioactivity (low solubility of HA, restricted surface area, low ion release). Strategies were developed to coat such BCPs with biomimetic apatite to enhance bioactivity. However, this can be associated with poor adhesion, and metastable solutions may prove difficult to handle at the industrial scale. Alternative strategies are thus desirable to generate a highly bioactive surface on commercial BCPs. In this work, we developed an innovative “coating from” approach for BCP surface remodeling via hydrothermal treatment under supercritical CO2, used as a reversible pH modifier and with industrial scalability. Based on a set of complementary tools including FEG-SEM, solid state NMR and ion exchange tests, we demonstrate the remodeling of macroporous BCP surface with the occurrence of dissolution–reprecipitation phenomena involving biomimetic CaP phases. The newly precipitated compounds are identified as bone-like nanocrystalline apatite and octacalcium phosphate (OCP), both known for their high bioactivity character, favoring bone healing. We also explored the effects of key process parameters, and showed the possibility to dope the remodeled BCPs with antibacterial Cu2+ ions to convey additional functionality to the scaffolds, which was confirmed by in vitro tests. This new process could enhance the bioactivity of commercial BCP scaffolds via a simple and biocompatible approach.
Fabrication of Metasurfaces on Building Construction Materials for Potential Electromagnetic Applications in the Microwave Band
Authors: Viskadourakis Zacharias , Grammatikakis Konstantinos , Katsara Klytaimnistra , Drymiskianaki Argyri , Kenanakis George
Published: October 2022

Energy self-sufficiency, as well as optimal management of power in buildings is gaining importance, while obtaining power from traditional fossil energy sources is becoming more and more expensive. In this context, millimeter-scale metasurfaces can be employed to harvest energy from microwave sources. They can also be used as sensors in the microwave regime for efficient power management solutions. In the current study, a simple spray printing method is proposed to develop metasurfaces in construction materials, i.e., plasterboard and wood. Such materials are used in the interior design of buildings; therefore, the implementation of metasurfaces in large areas, such as walls, doors and floors, is realized. The fabricated metasurfaces were characterized regarding their electromagnetic performance. It is hereby shown that the investigated metasurfaces exhibit an efficient electromagnetic response in the frequency range (4–7 GHz), depending on the MS. Thus, spray-printed metasurfaces integrated on construction materials can potentially be used for electromagnetic applications, for buildings’ power self-efficiency and management.
Shape Accuracy Improvement in Selective Laser-Melted Ti6Al4V Cylindrical Parts by Sliding Friction Diamond Burnishing
Authors: Varga Gyula , Dezső Gergely , Szigeti Ferenc
Published: October 2022

Additively manufactured metallic parts usually need postprocessing in order to achieve required shape accuracy. Cylindrical test specimens were produced by selective laser melting from Ti6Al4V powder material with different processing parameters. The aim of postprocessing was modification of shape accuracy. Sliding friction diamond burnishing was applied as the postprocessing method. A five-factor, two-level full factorial design of experiment was implemented with factors being infill laser power, infill laser scan speed, burnishing speed, feed and force. Improvement ratios of two roundness parameters were defined, calculated from experimental data, and studied by main effect and interaction analysis. It has been demonstrated that burnishing feed has the largest main effect to improvement in roundness total and cylindricity. Additionally, parameters of both selective laser melting and diamond burnishing appear in three largest interaction terms. Empirical functions were fit to measurement data. Results show that improvement in roundness parameters are strongly nonlinear functions of all factors.
Dynamic Friction-Slip Model Based on Contact Theory
Authors: Wang Hui , Cui Jiwen , Wu Jianwei , Tan Jiubin
Published: October 2022

In ultra-precision positioning equipment, the positioning accuracy is affected by the friction characteristics, especially the pre-slip stage. At present, the research on friction mainly includes contact theory and the dynamic friction process. There is no time variable in contact theory models, so they only apply to the stage of static contact, while the establishment of a friction dynamics model depends on parameter identification and cannot reflect the influence of a rough morphology and load. Therefore, neither theory can elucidate the ultra-precise slip mechanism. In this paper, maximum static friction force, tangential stiffness, and tangential damping models of contact surfaces were deduced through fractal contact theory. By substituting the contact parameters into the modified LuGre model, a dynamic slip model of the mask was established. Finally, the above model was verified by a reticle dynamic slip measurement system. The experimental results showed that in the pre-slip stage of the reticle, with an increase in the normal external load, the slippage of the reticle decreased. The theoretical value calculated by the model was basically consistent with the experimental value, and the slippage of the reticle mainly originated from the tangential deformation and relative sliding of the contact surface. With the increase in the normal external load, the proportion of the tangential deformation in the sliding of the entire contact surface was larger. For the change in slippage during different motion stages, the theoretical value was close to the experimental value after eliminating system errors such as vibration and fiber bending, which proved the correctness of the model in this paper.
Piecewise Decoupling Tool Orientation Re-Scheduling for Four-Axis Reciprocal Toolpaths of Blades Based on S-θ Plane with Monotonicity Constraint
Authors: Li Jingsong , Song Dening , Li Peiyao , Zhang Qiang , Li Jinghua , Ma Jianwei
Published: October 2022

Reciprocal toolpaths with four-axis simultaneous motion of five-axis or four-axis machine tools are commonly used in the machining of blades which are widely applied in high-end equipment such as the aero-engine and the marine steam turbine. Due to the complex geometry of the blades, the tool orientation always suffers from frequent swing for this kind of toolpaths, which induces unnecessary acceleration/deceleration of the feed axes, thus degrading processing efficiency and quality. Although there are tool orientation optimization methods aiming at solving the above problem, they are mainly proposed for universal processing of the toolpaths for complex surfaces. Different from them, this paper proposes a piecewise decoupling tool orientation re-scheduling method for this kind of toolpath specifically, which takes full use of the characteristic of the reciprocal toolpaths of the blades, and takes the monotonous variation of rotation axes as an additional constraint. The re-scheduling process is realized based on the construction of a S-θ plane, where the scheduling problem is converted to the adjustment of a S-θ curve inside a feasible channel. Through two procedures, namely linearization scheduling and control-point assigning-based smoothing, the tool orientation path expressed by the S-θ curve can be effectively scheduled in a piecewise manner, and the smoothness between two adjacent pieces of the toolpaths can be ensured directly. The whole algorithm is lightweight and does not involve complex iterative operations or functional optimization solutions. Simulation and experimental tests verify the feasibility and superiority of this method. The results show that the machining efficiency of the blade is improved by 24.5%, due to the reduction of the requirement on highest feed-axis kinematics parameters after rescheduling. In addition, compared with the existing methods, the proposed method not only can improve the dynamics of feed axes in multi-axis machining, but also has advantages in computational complexity and monotonic variation property of the tool orientation.
An Improved Component-Wise WENO-NIP Scheme for Euler System
Authors: Li Ruo , Zhong Wei
Published: October 2022

As is well known, due to the spectral decomposition of the Jacobian matrix, the WENO reconstructions in the characteristic-wise fashion (abbreviated as CH-WENO) need much higher computational cost and more complicated implementation than their counterparts in the component-wise fashion (abbreviated as CP-WENO). Hence, the CP-WENO schemes are very popular methods for large-scale simulations or situations whose full characteristic structures cannot be obtained in closed form. Unfortunately, the CP-WENO schemes usually suffer from spurious oscillations badly. The main objective of the present work is to overcome this drawback for the CP-WENO-NIP scheme, whose counterpart in the characteristic-wise fashion was carefully studied and well-validated numerically. The approximated dispersion relation (ADR) analysis is performed to study the spectral property of the CP-WENO-NIP scheme and then a negative-dissipation interval which leads to a high risk of causing spurious oscillations is discovered. In order to remove this negative-dissipation interval, an additional term is introduced to the nonlinear weights formula of the CP-WENO-NIP scheme. The improved scheme is denoted as CP-WENO-INIP. Accuracy test examples indicate that the proposed CP-WENO-INIP scheme can achieve the optimal convergence orders in smooth regions even in the presence of the critical points. Extensive numerical experiments demonstrate that the CP-WENO-INIP scheme is much more robust compared to the corresponding CP-WENO-NIP or even CH-WENO-NIP schemes for both 1D and 2D problems modeled via the Euler equations.
A 2D Multi-Layer Model to Study the External Magnetic Field Generated by a Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Plait Antony , Dubas Frédéric
Published: October 2022

An original innovative two-dimensional (2D) multi-layer model based on the Maxwell–Fourier method for the diagnosis of a polymer exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) stack is presented. It is possible to determine the magnetic field distribution generated around the PEMFC stack from the (non-)homogenous current density distribution inside the PEMFC stack. Analysis of the magnetic field distribution can indicate whether the FC is healthy or faulty. In this way, an explicit, accurate and fast analytical model can allow the health state of an FC to be studied. To evaluate the capacity and the efficiency of the 2D analytical model, the distribution of local quantities (i.e., magnetic vector potential and magnetic field) in a PEMFC stack has been validated with those obtained by the 2D finite-element analysis (FEA). The comparisons demonstrate excellent results both in terms of amplitude and waveform. The validation of this 2D analytical model is essential for the subsequent generation of an inverse model useful for the diagnosis of a PEMFC.
Communication Times Reconstruction in a Telecontrolled Client–Server Scheme: An Approach by Kalman Filter Applied to a Proprietary Real-Time Operating System and TCP/IP Protocol
Authors: Valdez-Martínez Jorge Salvador , Guevara-López Pedro , Delgado-Reyes Gustavo , González-Baldovinos Diana Lizet , Cano-Rosas Jose Luis , Calixto-Rodriguez Manuela , Villanueva-Tavira Jonathan , Buenabad-Arias Hector Miguel
Published: October 2022

Nowadays, various systems were developed in the telecommunications field which make use of technologies for the transmission and reception of information. One of these technologies is the Internet, which was developed in tandem with scientific growth. Therefore, its application in the control of various industrial processes has a notable influence. In this context, there are industrial processes that, due to the potential danger they represent to human beings, must be controlled by means of a remote control system. Such systems can be implemented through client–server communication schemes, which form a network of computers to exchange information. In the exchange of information, delay times are generated. These inactivity times have a close relationship with the latency in the communication network and have a negative impact on the performance of closed-loop control systems. In this sense, for physical implementation, it is essential to measure and mathematically characterize their magnitudes in order to know their variability and thus be able to design control strategies that compensate for their effects. Hence, this research paper presents the reconstruction of the communication times measured from a telecontrol system, where it is assumed that only one subsystem acts as the controller and the other one acts as the controlled. In other words, this paper addresses a control scheme type of single-input-single-output system (SISO). This reconstruction is based on the Kalman filter, which estimates the communication times that are measured on an experimental test bench with a client–server communication scheme. Communication times are characterized as stochastic processes. So, in order to validate the reconstruction presented, the level of dependence between the random processes is evaluated by analyzing their moments of probability as well as their covariance moments. Finally, an analysis based on the mean square error is presented, through which it can be concluded that the reconstruction technique used allows one to know the dynamics of the communication times generated by the remote control process presented in this research.
Congenital Absence of the Portal Vein as a Rare Cause of Portopulmonary Hypertension—A Case Study Series
Authors: Hlavata Tereza , Kaldararova Monika , Klauco Filip , Drangova Erika , Reptova Adriana , Simkova Iveta
Published: October 2022

Background. Congenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV) is an extremely rare malformation that is caused by aberrant venous development during embryogenesis and is usually associated with congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS). This hemodynamic allows mesenteric blood to bypass the liver metabolism and causes an imbalance between vasodilators and vasoconstrictors in the pulmonary circulation, which, again, might lead to the development of secondary portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH). Establishing the exact morphology of the splanchnic venous system is important when evaluating possible therapeutic options (differentiating type I and II CAPV), because some variants enable the closure of the shunt, and this represents a potential cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Once PoPH is diagnosed, complex care in a specialized expert centre is necessary. If possible, CPSS closure is recommended. For long-term successful patient management, specific targeted PAH therapy administration is crucial. Significant morbidity and mortality in these patients may result not only from PAH itself but also due to specific PoPH complications, such as compression of the left main coronary artery by pulmonary artery aneurysm. Case Report. We report on two patients with PoPH due to CAPV and CPSS (without any liver disease) who presented as severe PAH and who, before admission to our expert centre, were misdiagnosed as idiopathic PAH. The case reports also represent our experience with respect to the long-term follow-up and PAH-specific medical treatment of these patients, as well as the possible (even fatal) complications of these rare and complex patients.
Safety and Feasibility of Single-Port Trans-Axillary Robotic Thyroidectomy: Experience through Consecutive 100 Cases
Authors: Kang Il Ku , Park Joonseon , Bae Ja Seong , Kim Jeong Soo , Kim Kwangsoon
Published: October 2022

Background and Objectives: Recently, the single-port (SP) robotic system was introduced for minimally invasive operative techniques. Thus, this study aimed to validate the safety and feasibility of SP trans-axillary robotic thyroidectomy (SP-TART) through experiences in a single tertiary institution. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 100 consecutive patients who underwent SP-TART from October 2021 to June 2022 in Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in Seoul, Korea. We analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and perioperative outcomes, including complications. Results: Less than total thyroidectomy (LTT) was performed in 81, total thyroidectomy (TT) in 16, and TT with modified radical neck dissection (mRND) in 3 patients. The mean operation time (min) was 53.3 ± 13.7, 86.3 ± 15.1, and 245.7 ± 36.7 in LTT, TT, and TT with mRND, respectively. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.0 ± 0.2, 2.1 ± 0.3, and 3.7 ± 1.5 days, respectively. A total of 84 cases of thyroid cancer were included, and 97.6% of them (82 cases) were papillary carcinoma and the rest were follicular and poorly differentiated carcinomas. Regarding complications, five cases had major complications, including three cases of vocal cord palsy and two cases of transient hypoparathyroidism. Conclusions: SP-TART is safe and feasible with a short operation time and a short length of hospital stay.
Clinical Outcome, Socioeconomic Status and Psychological Constrains of Patients Undergoing Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) in Northern Greece
Authors: Patrikiou Antonios , Papadopoulou Alexandra , Noutsos Christos , Tzekis Panagiotis , Koios Nikolaos , Kourempeles Ioannis , Anifandis George , Sioga Antonia , Grimbizis Grigoris , Tarlatzis Basil C. , Chatzimeletiou Katerina
Published: October 2022

Background and objectives: Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) offers patients the possibility of having a healthy baby free of chromosomal or genetic disorders. The present study focuses on the application of PGT for patients located in Northern Greece, investigating their clinical outcomes, their motives, and their overall physical and emotional experience during the treatment, in association with their socioeconomic background. Materials and Methods: Couples who underwent PGT for a monogenic condition (PGT-M, n = 19 cycles) or aneuploidy (PGT-A, n = 22 cycles) participated in the study. Fertilization, implantation, and pregnancy rates were recorded for all cycles. The couples were asked to fill in a questionnaire about the consultation they had received prior to treatment, their sociodemographic information, and the psychological impact PGT had on both the female and male partner. Results: The fertilization, implantation, and ongoing pregnancy rates for the PGT-M and PGT-A cycles were 81.3%, 70.6%, and 52.9%, and 78.2%, 64.3%, and 57.1%, respectively. Females experienced more intense physical pain than their male partners while psychological pain was encountered by both partners and occasionally in higher instances in males. No typical socioeconomic background of the patients referred for PGT in Northern Greece was noticed. Conclusion: PGT is an attractive alternative to prenatal diagnosis (PND), aiming to establisha healthy pregnancy by identifying and avoiding the transfer of chromosomally or genetically abnormal embryos to the uterus. Although the benefits of PGT were well-received by all patients undergoing the procedure, psychological pain was evident and especially prominent in patients with a previous affected child or no normal embryos for transfer. Holistic counseling is of utmost importance in order to make patients’ experience during their journey to have a healthy baby less emotionally demanding and help them make the right choices for the future.
High Flux Nanofiltration Membranes with Double-Walled Carbon Nanotube (DWCNT) as the Interlayer
Authors: Wang Zhen , Wang Xiaojuan , Zheng Tao , Mo Bing , Xu Huacheng , Huang Yijun , Wang Jian , Gao Congjie , Gao Xueli
Published: October 2022

Nanofiltration (NF) membranes with a high permeability and rejection are of great interest in desalination, separation and purification. However, how to improve the permeation and separation performance still poses a great challenge in the preparation of NF membranes. Herein, the novel composite NF membrane was prepared through the interfacial polymerization of M-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) on a double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) interlayer supported by PES substrate. The DWCNT interlayer had a great impact on the polyamide layer formation. With the increase of the DWCNT dosage, the XPS results revealed an increase in the number of carboxyl groups, which decreased the crosslinking degree of the polyamide layer. Additionally, the AFM results showed that the surface roughness and specific surface area increased gradually. The water flux of the prepared membrane increased from 25.4 L/(m2·h) and 26.6 L/(m2·h) to 109 L/(m2·h) and 104.3 L/(m2·h) with 2000 ppm Na2SO4 and NaCl solution, respectively, under 0.5 MPa. Meanwhile, the rejection of Na2SO4 and NaCl decreased from 99.88% and 99.38% to 96.48% and 60.47%. The proposed method provides a novel insight into the rational design of the multifunctional interlayer, which shows great potential in the preparation of high-performance membranes.
A Multi-Part Orientation Planning Schema for Fabrication of Non-Related Components Using Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Abdulhameed Osama , Mian Syed Hammad , Moiduddin Khaja , Al-Ahmari Abdulrahman , Ahmed Naveed , Aboudaif Mohamed K.
Published: October 2022

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a technique that progressively deposits material in layer-by-layer manner (or in additive fashion) for producing a three-dimensional (3D) object, starting from the computer-aided design (CAD) model. This approach allows for the printing of complicated shaped objects and is quickly gaining traction in the aerospace, medical implant, jewelry, footwear, automotive, and fashion industries. AM, which was formerly used for single part customization, is currently being considered for mass customization of parts because of its positive impacts. However, part quality and build time are two main impediments to the deployment of AM for mass production. The optimal part orientation is fundamental for maximizing the part’s quality as well as being critical for reducing the fabrication time. This research provides a new method for multi-part AM production that improves quality while reducing overall build time. The automatic setup planning or orientation approach described in this paper employs two objective functions: the quality of the build component and the build time. To tackle the given problem, it introduces a three-step genetic algorithm (GA)-based solution. A feature-based technique is utilized to generate a collection of finite alternative orientations for each component within a specific part group to ensure each part’s individual build quality. Then, a GA was utilized to find the best combination of part build orientations at a global optimal level to reduce material consumption and build time. A case study of orienting nine components concurrently inside a given building chamber was provided for illustration. The findings suggest that the developed technique can increase quality, reduce support waste, and shorten overall production time. When components are positioned optimally rather than in random orientations, build time and support volume are reduced by approximately 7% and 16%, respectively.
Millimeter-Wave Permittivity Variations of an HR Silicon Substrate from the Photoconductive Effect
Authors: Tripon-Canseliet Charlotte , Chazelas Jean
Published: October 2022

The photoinduced microwave complex permittivity of a highly resistive single-crystal silicon wafer was extracted from a bistatic free-space characterization test bench operating in the 26.5–40 GHz frequency band under CW optical illumination at wavelengths of 806 and 971 nm. Significant variations in the real and imaginary parts of the substrate’s permittivity induced by direct photoconductivity are reported, with an optical power density dependence, in agreement with the theoretical predictions. These experimental results open the route to ultrafast system reconfiguration of microwave devices in integrated technology by an external EMI-protected and contactless control with unprecedented performance.
Outliers Matter—Correlation between S1 IgG SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies and Neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies
Authors: Hocher Berthold , Schönbrunn Anne , Chen Xin , Krämer Bernhard K. , von Baehr Volker
Published: October 2022

Vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus or infection with SARS-CoV-2 will lead to the development of IgG antibodies against the S1 protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, even despite having high levels of IgG antibodies against the S1 protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, (re-)infection may occur. We thus examined 2994 consecutive blood samples of outpatients from the Berlin-Brandenburg area in Germany in which IgG antibodies against the S1 protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 virus antibodies were determined from the same sample. When analyzing the entire study population (2994 outpatients), we saw that S1 IgG antibodies (women: 223.98 ± 3.81; men: 207.80 ± 4.59; p = 0.014) and neutralizing antibodies (women: 66.65 ± 0.82; men: 62.88 ± 1.01; p = 0.021) are slightly higher in women than in men. Curve fitting revealed a good non-linear relationship between S1 IgG and neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. However, 51 out of the 2994 blood samples from individual subjects were positive with regard to the neutralizing antibodies and at the same time negative for S1 IgG antibodies, and 112 out of the 2994 blood samples from individual subjects were negative with regard to the neutralizing antibodies and at the same time positive for S1 IgG antibodies. In conclusion, our study shows that there is a relevant number of patients who, despite developing significant titers of S1 antibodies, do not have relevant amounts of neutralizing antibody titers and are probably at high risk of (re-)infection.
Fermentation of Microalgal Biomass for Innovative Food Production
Authors: Garofalo Cristiana , Norici Alessandra , Mollo Lorenzo , Osimani Andrea , Aquilanti Lucia
Published: October 2022

Fermentation is an ancient method used worldwide to process and preserve food while enhancing its nutraceutical profile. Alga-based fermented products have recently been developed and tested due to growing interest in healthy sustainable diets, which demands the development of innovative practices in food production, operating for both human health and Earth sustainability. Algae, particularly microalgae such as Arthrospira platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, and Dunaliella salina, are already cultivated as sources of food due to their valuable compounds, including proteins, pigments, lipids, carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, steroids, and vitamins. Due to their nutritional composition, functional diversity, and flexible metabolism, microalgae represent good fermentation substrates for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts. This review presents an overview of the scientific studies on microalga fermentation underlining microalgae’s properties and health benefits coupled with the advantages of LAB and yeast fermentation. The potential applications of and future perspectives on such functional foods are discussed.
Engineered rHDL Nanoparticles as a Suitable Platform for Theranostic Applications
Authors: Aranda-Lara Liliana , Isaac-Olivé Keila , Ocampo-García Blanca , Ferro-Flores Guillermina , González-Romero Carlos , Mercado-López Alfredo , García-Marín Rodrigo , Santos-Cuevas Clara , Estrada José A. , Morales-Avila Enrique
Published: October 2022

Reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDLs) can transport and specifically release drugs and imaging agents, mediated by the Scavenger Receptor Type B1 (SR-B1) present in a wide variety of tumor cells, providing convenient platforms for developing theranostic systems. Usually, phospholipids or Apo-A1 lipoproteins on the particle surfaces are the motifs used to conjugate molecules for the multifunctional purposes of the rHDL nanoparticles. Cholesterol has been less addressed as a region to bind molecules or functional groups to the rHDL surface. To maximize the efficacy and improve the radiolabeling of rHDL theranostic systems, we synthesized compounds with bifunctional agents covalently linked to cholesterol. This strategy means that the radionuclide was bound to the surface, while the therapeutic agent was encapsulated in the lipophilic core. In this research, HYNIC-S-(CH2)3-S-Cholesterol and DOTA-benzene-p-SC-NH-(CH2)2-NH-Cholesterol derivatives were synthesized to prepare nanoparticles (NPs) of HYNIC-rHDL and DOTA-rHDL, which can subsequently be linked to radionuclides for SPECT/PET imaging or targeted radiotherapy. HYNIC is used to complexing 99mTc and DOTA for labeling molecules with 111, 113mIn, 67, 68Ga, 177Lu, 161Tb, 225Ac, and 64Cu, among others. In vitro studies showed that the NPs of HYNIC-rHDL and DOTA-rHDL maintain specific recognition by SR-B1 and the ability to internalize and release, in the cytosol of cancer cells, the molecules carried in their core. The biodistribution in mice showed a similar behavior between rHDL (without surface modification) and HYNIC-rHDL, while DOTA-rHDL exhibited a different biodistribution pattern due to the significant reduction in the lipophilicity of the modified cholesterol molecule. Both systems demonstrated characteristics for the development of suitable theranostic platforms for personalized cancer treatment.
Important Hormones Regulating Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Zhang Dengke , Wei Yanghui , Huang Qingnan , Chen Yong , Zeng Kai , Yang Weiqin , Chen Juan , Chen Jiawei
Published: October 2022

There is a wide variety of kinds of lipids, and complex structures which determine the diversity and complexity of their functions. With the basic characteristic of water insolubility, lipid molecules are independent of the genetic information composed by genes to proteins, which determine the particularity of lipids in the human body, with water as the basic environment and genes to proteins as the genetic system. In this review, we have summarized the current landscape on hormone regulation of lipid metabolism. After the well-studied PI3K-AKT pathway, insulin affects fat synthesis by controlling the activity and production of various transcription factors. New mechanisms of thyroid hormone regulation are discussed, receptor α and β may mediate different procedures, the effect of thyroid hormone on mitochondria provides a new insight for hormones regulating lipid metabolism. Physiological concentration of adrenaline induces the expression of extrapituitary prolactin in adipose tissue macrophages, which promotes fat weight loss. Manipulation of hormonal action has the potential to offer a new therapeutic horizon for the global burden of obesity and its associated complications such as morbidity and mortality.
Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Iridoid Glucosides from Stenaria nigricans, Their Biting Deterrence against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), and Repellency Assessment against Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Zulfiqar Fazila , Ali Abbas , Ali Zulfiqar , Khan Ikhlas A.
Published: October 2022

In our natural product screening program, we screened natural products for their repellency and toxicity against insect vectors. Methanolic extract of aerial parts of Stenaria nigricans (Lam.), with no published chemistry, was tested for repellency against mosquitoes and imported hybrid fire ants. Methanolic extracts showed biting deterrence similar to DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) against Aedes aegypti L. Based on this activity, the crude extract was fractionated into chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol subfractions. The active methanolic subfraction was further fractionated into 13 subfractions. These fractions were tested for their biting deterrence against Ae. Aegypti. Active subfractions were further characterized to identify the compounds responsible for this activity. Four undescribed iridoid glucosides (1–4) and three previously reported compounds (5–7) were isolated from active subfractions and tested for their biting deterrent activity. Based on BDI values, compounds 2, 3, 6, and 7, with biting deterrence similar to DEET, showed the potential to be used as repellents against mosquitoes. In an in vitro digging bioassay, none of these compounds showed any repellency against hybrid imported fire ants at a dose of 125 µg/g. This is the first report of biting deterrence and repellency of S. nigricans extract and its pure compounds, iridoid glucosides against mosquitoes and imported fire ants. Further studies will be conducted to explore the repellent potential of these compounds in different formulations under field conditions.
Green Extraction of Forsythoside A, Phillyrin and Phillygenol from Forsythia suspensa Leaves Using a β-Cyclodextrin-Assisted Method
Authors: Li Jing , Qin Qiao , Zha Sheng-Hua , Zhao Qing-Sheng , Li Hang , Liu Lu-Peng , Hou Shou-Bu , Zhao Bing
Published: October 2022

In this study, a green process of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-assisted extraction of active ingredients from Forsythia suspensa leaves was developed. Firstly, the optimal process of extraction was as follows: the ratio between Forsythia suspensa leaves and β-CD was 3.61:5, the solid–liquid ratio was 1:36.3, the temperature was 75.25 °C and the pH was 3.94. The yields of forsythoside A, phillyrin and phillygenol were 11.80 ± 0.141%, 5.49 ± 0.078% and 0.319 ± 0.004%, respectively. Then, the structure characteristics of the β-CD-assisted extract of Forsythia suspensa leaves (FSE-β-CD) were analyzed using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular docking to demonstrate that the natural active products from Forsythia suspensa leaves had significant interactions with the β-CD. Additionally, the loss of forsythoside A from aqueous FSE-CD at 80 °C was only 12%, compared with Forsythia suspensa leaf extract (FSE) which decreased by 13%. In addition, the aqueous solubility of FSE-CD was significantly increased to 70.2 g/L. The EC50 for scavenging DPPH and ABTS radicals decreased to 28.98 ug/mL and 25.54 ug/mL, respectively. The results showed that the β-CD-assisted extraction process would be a promising technology for bioactive compounds extracted from plants.
Pharmacotherapeutics Applications and Chemistry of Chalcone Derivatives
Authors: Dhaliwal Jagjit Singh , Moshawih Said , Goh Khang Wen , Loy Mei Jun , Hossain Md. Sanower , Hermansyah Andi , Kotra Vijay , Kifli Nurolaini , Goh Hui Poh , Dhaliwal Sachinjeet Kaur Sodhi , Yassin Hayati , Ming Long Chiau
Published: October 2022

Chalcones have been well examined in the extant literature and demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. A detailed evaluation of the purported health benefits of chalcone and its derivatives, including molecular mechanisms of pharmacological activities, can be further explored. Therefore, this review aimed to describe the main characteristics of chalcone and its derivatives, including their method synthesis and pharmacotherapeutics applications with molecular mechanisms. The presence of the reactive α,β-unsaturated system in the chalcone’s rings showed different potential pharmacological properties, including inhibitory activity on enzymes, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antiprotozoal, and anti-filarial activity. Changing the structure by adding substituent groups to the aromatic ring can increase potency, reduce toxicity, and broaden pharmacological action. This report also summarized the potential health benefits of chalcone derivatives, particularly antimicrobial activity. We found that several chalcone compounds can inhibit diverse targets of antibiotic-resistance development pathways; therefore, they overcome resistance, and bacteria become susceptible to antibacterial compounds. A few chalcone compounds were more active than conventional antibiotics, like vancomycin and tetracycline. On another note, a series of pyran-fused chalcones and trichalcones can block the NF-B signaling complement system implicated in inflammation, and several compounds demonstrated more potent lipoxygenase inhibition than NSAIDs, such as indomethacin. This report integrated discussion from the domains of medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, and diverse pharmacological applications, particularly for the development of new anti-infective agents that could be a useful reference for pharmaceutical scientists.
Evaluation of the Intracellular Signaling Activities of κ-Opioid Receptor Agonists, Nalfurafine Analogs; Focusing on the Selectivity of G-Protein- and β-Arrestin-Mediated Pathways
Authors: Yamaguchi Masahiro , Miyano Kanako , Hirayama Shigeto , Karasawa Yusuke , Ohshima Kaori , Uezono Eiko , Komatsu Akane , Nonaka Miki , Fujii Hideaki , Yamaguchi Keisuke , Iseki Masako , Hayashida Masakazu , Uezono Yasuhito
Published: October 2022

Opioid receptors (ORs) are classified into three types (μ, δ, and κ), and opioid analgesics are mainly mediated by μOR activation; however, their use is sometimes restricted by unfavorable effects. The selective κOR agonist nalfurafine was initially developed as an analgesic, but its indication was changed because of the narrow safety margin. The activation of ORs mainly induces two intracellular signaling pathways: a G-protein-mediated pathway and a β-arrestin-mediated pathway. Recently, the expectations for κOR analgesics that selectively activate these pathways have increased; however, the structural properties required for the selectivity of nalfurafine are still unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the partial structures of nalfurafine that are necessary for the selectivity of these two pathways. We assayed the properties of nalfurafine and six nalfurafine analogs (SYKs) using cells stably expressing κORs. The SYKs activated κORs in a concentration-dependent manner with higher EC50 values than nalfurafine. Upon bias factor assessment, only SYK-309 (possessing the 3S-hydroxy group) showed higher selectivity of G-protein-mediated signaling activities than nalfurafine, suggesting the direction of the 3S-hydroxy group may affect the β-arrestin-mediated pathway. In conclusion, nalfurafine analogs having a 3S-hydroxy group, such as SYK-309, could be considered G-protein-biased κOR agonists.
Combined Supplementation of Coenzyme Q10 and Other Nutrients in Specific Medical Conditions
Authors: Tippairote Torsak , Bjørklund Geir , Gasmi Amin , Semenova Yuliya , Peana Massimiliano , Chirumbolo Salvatore , Hangan Tony
Published: October 2022

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a compound with a crucial role in mitochondrial bioenergetics and membrane antioxidant protection. Despite the ubiquitous endogenous biosynthesis, specific medical conditions are associated with low circulating CoQ10 levels. However, previous studies of oral CoQ10 supplementation yielded inconsistent outcomes. In this article, we reviewed previous CoQ10 trials, either single or in combination with other nutrients, and stratified the study participants according to their metabolic statuses and medical conditions. The CoQ10 supplementation trials in elders reported many favorable outcomes. However, the single intervention was less promising when the host metabolic statuses were worsening with the likelihood of multiple nutrient insufficiencies, as in patients with an established diagnosis of metabolic or immune-related disorders. On the contrary, the mixed CoQ10 supplementation with other interacting nutrients created more promising impacts in hosts with compromised nutrient reserves. Furthermore, the results of either single or combined intervention will be less promising in far-advanced conditions with established damage, such as neurodegenerative disorders or cancers. With the limited high-level evidence studies on each host metabolic category, we could only conclude that the considerations of whether to take supplementation varied by the individuals’ metabolic status and their nutrient reserves. Further studies are warranted.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Low Carbohydrate Versus Low Fat Diets, in Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Apekey Tanefa A. , Maynard Maria J. , Kittana Monia , Kunutsor Setor K.
Published: October 2022

The clinical benefit of low carbohydrate (LC) diets compared with low fat (LF) diets for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare their efficacy and safety in people with T2D. RCTs comparing both diets in participants with T2D were identified from MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and manual search of bibliographies. Mean differences and relative risks with 95% CIs were pooled for measures of glycaemia, cardiometabolic parameters, and adverse events using the following time points: short-term (3 months), intermediate term (6 and 12 months) and long-term (24 months). Twenty-two RCTs comprising 1391 mostly obese participants with T2D were included. At 3 months, a LC vs. LF diet significantly reduced HbA1c levels, mean difference (95% CI) of −0.41% (−0.62, −0.20). LC diet significantly reduced body weight, BMI, fasting insulin and triglycerides and increased total cholesterol and HDL-C levels at the short-to-intermediate term, with a decrease in the requirement for antiglycaemic medications at intermediate-to-long term. There were no significant differences in other parameters and adverse events. Except for reducing HbA1c levels and adiposity parameters at short-to-intermediate terms, a LC diet appears to be equally effective as a LF diet in terms of control of cardiometabolic markers and the risk of adverse events in obese patients with T2D.
The Impact of Meal Dietary Inflammatory Index on Exercise-Induced Changes in Airway Inflammation in Adults with Asthma
Authors: McDiarmid Katrina P. , Wood Lisa G. , Upham John W. , MacDonald-Wicks Lesley K. , Shivappa Nitin , Hebert James R. , Scott Hayley A.
Published: October 2022

Research suggests exercise may reduce eosinophilic airway inflammation in adults with asthma. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) quantifies the inflammatory potential of the diet and has been associated with asthma outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether the DII of a meal consumed either before or after exercise influences exercise-induced changes in airway inflammation. A total of 56 adults with asthma were randomised to (1) 30–45 min moderate–vigorous exercise, or (2) a control group. Participants consumed self-selected meals, two hours pre- and two hours post-intervention. Energy-adjusted DII (E-DIITM) was determined for each meal, with meals then characterised as “anti-inflammatory” or “pro-inflammatory” according to median DII. Induced sputum cell counts were measured pre- and four hours post-intervention. Participants consuming an anti-inflammatory meal two hours post-exercise had a decrease in sputum %eosinophils (−0.5 (−2.0, 0.3)%) compared with participants who consumed a pro-inflammatory meal two hours post-exercise (0.5 (0, 3.0)%, p = 0.009). There was a positive correlation between the E-DII score of the post-exercise meal and change in sputum %eosinophils (rs = 0.478, p = 0.008). The E-DII score of the meal consumed two hours pre-exercise had no effect on sputum %eosinophils (p = 0.523). This study suggests an anti-inflammatory meal two hours post-exercise augments exercise-induced improvements in eosinophilic airway inflammation in adults with asthma.
Nanotechnology-Based Dressings for Wound Management
Authors: Ataide Janaína A. , Zanchetta Beatriz , Santos Érica M. , Fava Ana Laura M. , Alves Thais F. R. , Cefali Letícia C. , Chaud Marco V. , Oliveira-Nascimento Laura , Souto Eliana B. , Mazzola Priscila G.
Published: October 2022

Wound healing is known to be a complicated and intricate process and commonly classified as chronic or acute. Patients with chronic wounds are of public health concern, and require more attention onto skin lesions, including atopic dermatitis. Despite being a natural process, healing can be impaired by existing chronic de diseases such as diabetes, for example. Recently, wound dressings based in nanotechnology systems have emerged as a viable option to improve the healing process. Current advances in nanotechnology-based systems to release growth factors and bioactive agents represent a great opportunity to develop new therapies for wound treatments. It is essential that healthcare professionals understand the key processes involved in the healing cascade, to maximize care with these patients and minimize the undesirable outcomes of non-healing wounds. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the healing process phases and provide a general overview of dressings based in nanotechnology using biomaterials for the release of active agents in wound site.
Chromatographic Techniques and Pharmacological Analysis as a Quality Control Strategy for Serjania triquetra a Traditional Medicinal Plant
Authors: Aguilar-Guadarrama A. Berenice , Yáñez-Ibarra Guadalupe , Cancino-Marentes Martha Edith , González-Ibarra Paola , Ortiz-Andrade Rolffy , Sánchez-Recillas Amanda , Rodríguez-Carpena Javier-German , Aguirre-Vidal Yoshajandith , Medina-Diaz Irma-Martha , Ávila-Villarreal Gabriela
Published: October 2022

Serjania triquetra is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of urinary tract diseases, renal affections, and its complications. The population can buy this plant in folk markets as a raw material mixed with several herbal remedies or as a health supplement. On the market, two commercial presentations were found for the vegetal material; one had a bulk appearance and the other was marketed wrapped in cellophane bags (HESt-2, HESt-3). Nevertheless, the plant has not been exhaustively investigated and quality control techniques have not been developed. This research aimed to realize a phytochemical study using an authentic, freshly collected sample as a reference for S. triquetra (HESt-1), using the compounds identified. A method for the determination of preliminary chromatographic fingerprinting was developed. Additionally, the vasorelaxant effect from three samples was evaluated with ex vivo rat models. Thus, three hydroalcoholic extracts (HESt-1, HESt-2, and HESt-3) were prepared by maceration. A total of nine compounds were fully identified from HESt-1 after the extract was subjected to open-column chromatography. Seven metabolites were detected by gas chromatography, while ursolic acid (UA) and allantoin were isolated and identified using UPLC-MS and NMR, respectively. Three extracts were analyzed for their chromatographic fingerprint by UPLC-MS. Biological activity was explored by ex vivo rat aorta ring model to evaluate vasorelaxant activity. All extracts showed a vasorelaxant effect in a concentration-dependent and endothelium-dependent manner. S. triquetra vascular activity may be attributed to UA and allantoin compounds previously described in the literature for this activity.