bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography with Computed Tomography with Radiation Therapy and Immunomodulation in Precision Therapy for Solid Tumors
Authors: Prendergast Conor M. , Lopci Egesta , Seban Romain-David , De Jong Dorine , Ammari Samy , Aneja Sanjay , Lévy Antonin , Sajan Abin , Salvatore Mary M. , Cappacione Kathleen M. , Schwartz Lawrence H. , Deutsch Eric , Dercle Laurent
Published: October 2023

[18F]-FDG positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging is widely used to enhance the quality of care in patients diagnosed with cancer. Furthermore, it holds the potential to offer insight into the synergic effect of combining radiation therapy (RT) with immuno-oncological (IO) agents. This is achieved by evaluating treatment responses both at the RT and distant tumor sites, thereby encompassing the phenomenon known as the abscopal effect. In this context, PET/CT can play an important role in establishing timelines for RT/IO administration and monitoring responses, including novel patterns such as hyperprogression, oligoprogression, and pseudoprogression, as well as immune-related adverse events. In this commentary, we explore the incremental value of PET/CT to enhance the combination of RT with IO in precision therapy for solid tumors, by offering supplementary insights to recently released joint guidelines.
Sn-Doped Hematite Films as Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Alcohol Oxidation
Authors: Grinberg Vitali A. , Emets Victor V. , Modestov Alexander D. , Averin Aleksey A. , Shiryaev Andrei A. , Botryakova Inna G. , Shapagin Aleksey V.
Published: October 2023

Here, the modification of semiconductor thin film hematite photoanode by doping with Sn ions is reported. Undoped and Sn-doped hematite films are fabricated by the electrochemical deposition of FeOOH from aqueous alkaline electrolyte, followed by calcination in air. The photoanodes were tested in photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of water, methanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol. It is shown that modification by tin dramatically increased the activity of hematite in the photoelectrochemical oxidation of alcohols upon visible light irradiation. The photoelectrocatalytic activity of Sn-modified hematite increased in the sequence of: H2O < MeOH < C2H2(OH)2 < C3H5(OH)3. The quantum yield of photocurrent in the oxidation of alcohols reached 10%. The relatively low photocurrent yield was ascribed to the recombination of photoexcited holes within the hematite layer and on surface states located at the hematite/electrolyte interface. Intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS) was used to quantify the recombination losses of holes via surface states. The IMPS results suggested that the hole acceptor in the electrolyte (alcohol) influences photocurrent both by changing the charge transfer rate in the photoelectrooxidation process and by the efficient suppression of the surface recombination of generated holes. Thin-film Sn-modified hematite photoanodes are promising instruments for the photoelectrochemical degradation of organic pollutants.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride by Mn/g-C3N4/BiPO4 and Ti/g-C3N4/BiPO4 Composites: Reactivity and Mechanism
Authors: Qian Wei , Fang Yi , Liu Hui , Deng Yili , Li Yingying , Zhang Yongzheng , Diao Zenghui , Li Mingyu
Published: October 2023

The environmental pollution caused by antibiotics is becoming more serious. In this study, the Mn/BiPO4/g-C3N4 composite (Mn-BPC) and the Ti/g-C3N4/BiPO4 composite (Ti-BPC) were prepared by hydrothermal reaction method and solvent method, respectively, and applied to the degradation of tetracycline (TC) in an aqueous environment. The XRD and HRTEM results showed that these materials had the crystalline rod-like structure of BiPO4 and abundant carbon, nitrogen and carbon–oxygen surface functional groups. The degradation of TC by Ti-BPC and Mn-BPC were nearly 92% and 79%, respectively. The degradation processes of TC were well consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetics model and R2 values were closer to 1. The trapping experiment showed that electron holes (h+) were the main reactive species for the degradation of tetracycline, OH· and O2− also have certain effects. Also, the possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism of Ti-BPC and Mn-BPC composites was thereby proposed. TC was firstly adsorbed on the surface of catalysts, and subsequently degraded by reactive species such as h+, OH· and O2− generated under visible light excitation. This study shows that the Ti-BPC and Mn-BPC photocatalysts have great potential in antibiotic degradation and can provide new ideas for antibiotic removal in aqueous environments.
β-Mannosidase from Cellulomonas fimi: Immobilization Study and Application in the β-Mannoside Synthesis
Authors: Robescu Marina S. , Tengattini Sara , Rabuffetti Marco , Speranza Giovanna , Terreni Marco , Bavaro Teodora
Published: October 2023

The β-d-mannopyranoside linkage is found in a number of biological structures, in particular, in the core trisaccharide of N-linked glycoproteins, as well as within the antigenic polysaccharides of Salmonella, yeasts, and glycolipids. The construction of this glycosydic bond by chemical approach is very challenging and requires cumbersome protection and activation steps prior to glycosylation. In this context, β-mannosidase from Cellulomonas fimi (Cf-β-Man) was immobilized for the first time, and it was employed in the synthesis of β-mannosides. Cf-β-Man immobilized on IDA-Co2+-agarose allows the synthesis of the disaccharide, cyanomethyl β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1-thio-β-d-glucopyranoside, with a higher conversion compared to the soluble enzyme (20% vs. 5%) after 6 h under best conditions. This explorative work opens new scenarios concerning the design of engineered Cf-β-Man mutants and their immobilization in order to obtain a robust and recyclable biocatalyst for applications in chemoenzymatic glycan synthesis.
Family Communication as a Mediator between Family Resilience and Family Functioning under the Quarantine and COVID-19 Pandemic in Arabic Countries
Authors: Sabah Aiche , Aljaberi Musheer A. , Hajji Jamel , Fang Chuan-Yin , Lai Yu-Chen , Lin Chung-Ying
Published: October 2023

The coronavirus pandemic has become an unprecedented world crisis in which we have struggled against the most potent threat of the twenty-first century. This pandemic has had a profound impact on individuals and families. Therefore, the study aimed to examine family communication as a mediator of the relationship between family resilience and family functioning under the quarantine and coronavirus pandemic in Algeria and Iraq. This study was conducted among individuals in Iraq and Algeria (N = 361). The respondents completed the Family Communication Scale (FCS), Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire (WFRQ), and Family Functioning Scale (FFS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) with the bootstrapping method was used to conduct the mediated effects of family communication. Using the bootstrapping method in SEM, family resilience and communication significantly affected family functioning (coefficient = 0.808). Moreover, the direct effect and indirect effect (via family functioning) of family resilience on family functioning were both significant, with coefficients of 0.682 and 0.126. In addition, numerous groups from Iraq and Algeria have been analyzed as a sample and have shown no differences in the relationships between family resilience, family communication, and family functioning. In conclusion, the results showed that family communication mediated the relationship between family resilience and family functioning. Moreover, the type of this mediation seemed to be partial because of the significant direct relationship between family resilience and family functioning. According to the findings, healthcare providers should consider improving family resilience and communication to achieve good family functioning.
“Alone Again, Naturally”: Mental Health Problems, Level of Personality Functioning, Social Withdrawal and Loneliness in Adolescents Admitted as Acute Inpatients in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Boettcher Johannes , Radzuweit Dennis , Mey Marie , Rauch Philipp , Kogler Andreas , Barkmann Claus , Goth Kirstin , Hohmann Sarah , Bindt Carola , Voelker Ursula
Published: October 2023

(1) Background: Adolescents admitted as acute inpatients belong to a particularly psychosocially vulnerable population. This study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics of an affected population in Germany using a theory-based approach. (2) Methods: We assessed the mental health problems, levels of personality functioning, and the severity of social withdrawal and loneliness in n = 62 adolescents admitted to an acute psychiatric inpatient unit. Cases were investigated cross-sectionally utilizing standardized psychometric questionnaires from the perspective of the patients and clinical experts. (3) Results: Mental health, level of impaired personality functioning, social withdrawal, and loneliness were all positively associated with the need for acute admission. Further analyses revealed that the level of personality functioning fully mediated the positive association between social withdrawal and mental health problems. In contrast, level of personality functioning only partially mediated the positive association between loneliness and mental health problems. (4) Conclusions: Our results suggest that more impairment in personality functioning might lead to poorer mental health when adolescents socially withdraw in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Loneliness, social withdrawal, and the level of personality functioning may help identifying essential characteristics of adolescents admitted to acute psychiatric inpatient units and guide the development of specific interventions.
The Role of Mannose-Binding Lectin and Inflammatory Markers in Establishing the Course and Prognosis of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children
Authors: Taraș Roxana , Mahler Beatrice , Bălgrădean Mihaela , Derewicz Diana , Lazăr Miruna , Vidlescu Ruxandra , Berghea Florian
Published: October 2023

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most significant childhood diseases worldwide and a leading infectious cause of death in children. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the inflammatory markers—C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT)—and the polymorphic glycoprotein mannose-binding lectin (MBL), deficiency of which is associated with severe infections, in the determination of the optimal type and timing of therapeutic intervention for CAP in childhood. Methods: Retrospective evaluation was conducted on a cohort of 204 children aged 4 months–17 years hospitalized with CAP. Their levels of CRP, PCT, and MBL were assessed for their association with a variety of outcomes, including the incidence of local and systemic complications, admission to the ICU, duration of antibiotic treatment and hospital stay, and death. Results: CRP and PCT proved to be better predictors of complications of CAP than MBL. The area under the curve (AUC) value was highest for PCT as a predictor of systemic complications (AUC = 0.931, 95%CI 0.895–0.967), while CRP (AUC = 0.674, 95%CI 0.586–0.761) performed best as a predictor of local complications (AUC = 0.674, 95%CI 0.586–0.761). Regarding admission to the ICU, CRP was the weakest predictor (AUC = 0.741), while PCT performed the best (AUC = 0.833), followed by MBL (AUC = 0.797). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the optimal threshold generated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, rendering sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 87% for PCT in assessing the risk of systemic complications, compared to sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 90% for CRP. MBL showed relatively high sensitivity (96%) but low specificity (25%) for predicting the need for ICU admission. Conclusions: Early measurement of CRP, PCT, and MBL provides clinicians with important information regarding the course and prognosis of children diagnosed with CAP, thus ensuring prompt, optimal therapeutic management.
Multimodality Imaging Assessment of Tetralogy of Fallot: From Diagnosis to Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Moscatelli Sara , Pergola Valeria , Motta Raffaella , Fortuni Federico , Borrelli Nunzia , Sabatino Jolanda , Leo Isabella , Avesani Martina , Montanaro Claudia , Surkova Elena , Mapelli Massimo , Perrone Marco Alfonso , di Salvo Giovanni
Published: October 2023

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common complex congenital heart disease with long-term survivors, demanding serial monitoring of the possible complications that can be encountered from the diagnosis to long-term follow-up. Cardiovascular imaging is key in the diagnosis and serial assessment of TOF patients, guiding patients’ management and providing prognostic information. Thorough knowledge of the pathophysiology and expected sequalae in TOF, as well as the advantages and limitations of different non-invasive imaging modalities that can be used for diagnosis and follow-up, is the key to ensuring optimal management of patients with TOF. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of each modality and common protocols used in clinical practice in the assessment of TOF patients.
Enhancing Time Reading and Recording Skills in First-Grade Children with Learning Difficulties Using the “Clock Motor Game”
Authors: Hawani Aymen , Masmoudi Liwa , Trabelsi Omar , Souissi Mohamed Abdelkader , Chikha Anis ben , Mrayah Maher , Souissi Nizar , Marsigliante Santo , Rozmiarek Mateusz , Muscella Antonella
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to explore the effect of the motor game, “Clock Motor Games”, on the improvement of “Reading and Recording of Time” (RRT) in children with Grade 1 mathematical learning difficulties (MLDs). A within-school cluster-randomized intervention study was conducted with 232 children (aged 6–7 years) with limited physical education experience (0.7 ± 0.3 years). The participants were divided into two groups: a control group, which received conventional teaching on time without any additional motor activities, and an experimental group, which incorporated the concept of time with the “Clock Motor Game”, for 3 weeks. The Clock-Reading Test was administered before the intervention (T0), immediately after each session (T1), and five weeks after the intervention (T2) in both groups. The results demonstrated that the experimental group exhibited significantly greater improvements in RRT performance compared to the control group (U = 4416.5; p < 0.001; r = 0.3; medium effect). Additionally, the experimental group was more likely to show progress and less likely to experience regression or stagnation compared to the control group (25% vs. 38.4%). The findings suggest that practicing “Clock Motor Games” can positively contribute to the RRT ability in children with Grade 1 MLD.
Use and Abuse of Digital Devices: Influencing Factors of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychology
Authors: Costanza Carola , Vetri Luigi , Carotenuto Marco , Roccella Michele
Published: October 2023

The impact of technology on human life is significant, touching various aspects such as communication, economy, education, medicine, industry, and even ecosystems [...]
Impact of Temperature on the Tensile Properties of Hypereutectic High-Entropy Alloys
Authors: Jiang Wei , Wu Shuaishuai , Yan Xuehui , Qiu Haochen , Guo Shengli , Zhu Baohong , Zhang Hanjun
Published: October 2023

Eutectic high-entropy alloys (EHEAs) can achieve a balance of high strength and ductility. It has been found that the mechanical properties of hypoeutectic high-entropy alloys are superior to those of EHEAs. In this work, hypereutectic Al1.1CoCrFeNi2.1 alloy was prepared, and the mechanical properties in a wide temperature range were studied. The presence of both soft ordered L12 and hard BCC (B2) phases results in a combination of ductile and brittle fracture modes. The Al1.1CoCrFeNi2.1 hypereutectic high-entropy alloy contains more primary soft L12 phases, which ensure excellent ductility. Moreover, the Orowan by-passing mechanism caused by the B2 precipitates increases in the strength of the alloy for low-temperature tensile tests (−100 °C and 23 ± 2 °C). The −100 °C test exhibits a dimple morphology and demonstrates the highest ultimate tensile strength of 1231 MPa, along with an excellent elongation of 44%. At high tensile temperatures (650 °C, 750 °C, and 850 °C), the dislocation cutting mechanism and dynamic recrystallization increase the plasticity. However, the presence of a large number of cracks near the spherical primary L12 phase significantly reduces the ductility and strength. The results show that the hypereutectic Al1.1CoCrFeNi2.1 exhibits superior plasticity and strength properties at low temperatures. The findings of the article provide a new approach to enhancing the comprehensive mechanical properties of hypereutectic alloys.
PVD Black Coating for Decorative Applications
Authors: Arrousse Nadia , Ferreira Jorge , Carvalho Sandra , Andritschky Martin
Published: October 2023

PVD coatings have gained considerable attention as decorative coatings because they combine decorative with protective properties. Within the frame of this work, a black PVD coating based on chromium, carbon and oxygen was developed in a semi-industrial coating machine with four magnetrons and continuous substrate rotation. Based on the optical properties of CrxCyOz, the optical properties of the coating can be used in the design of the coating. EDX measurements point to an average composition of Cr0.35O0.53C0.12 for coatings with the most interesting optical properties. XPS measurements show that the chemical state of the constituting elements changes throughout the coating thickness. CrxCyOz shows a strong columnar growth which may give origin to a rough surface structure. This effect, depending on the coating thickness, allows the deposition of black coatings with a variation of strong specular reflection (“piano black”) and diffuse reflection (“matt”) for a coating thickness variation between 1 and 5 μm. The diffusive reflection increased from almost 2% to 6% for the thicker samples whereby the specular reflection decreased from about 20% to almost 0 of the samples with a thin coating and samples with a coating thickness close to 5 μm. Within the frame of this work, we also determined the functional properties of adherence and surface energy, which show that the coating can be used in demanding applications without an additional protective topcoat.
ZnO Deposition on Silicon and Porous Silicon Substrate via Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Morales-Morales Francisco , Martínez-Ayala Lizeth , Jiménez-Vivanco María R. , Gómez-Pozos Heberto
Published: October 2023

Nanostructured Zinc Oxide (ZnO) was deposited on silicon (c-Si) and macroporous silicon (m-PS) using a radio frequency (RF) reactive magnetron sputtering technique. Two RF powers of 60 and 80 W were selected for ZnO deposition on the substrates. Furthermore, the c-Si and m-PS substrate temperatures were kept at 500 and 800 °C, respectively. The morphological, structural, and optical characteristics of the samples were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The SEM images revealed the formation of ZnO nanorods on the c-Si and ZnO nanostructures constituted by the assembly of nanorods. It has been found that the increasing RF sputtering power caused the rise in the residual stress. In addition, the increase in the deposition temperature caused an improvement in the arrangement of the crystals, which was attributed to the decrease in crystal defects.
Influence of AC-DC-AC Cycling with Hydrostatic Pressure on Accelerated Protective Performance Test of Glass Flake Epoxy Coating
Authors: Shen Yong , Xu Likun , Liu Yilong , Lu Yonghong , Xu Haibo , Zhao Rongrong , Bai Shuangfeng , Xin Yonglei , Hou Jian , Liu Xuehui , Liu Feng
Published: October 2023

To achieve fast testing of the barrier properties of organic coatings, immersion tests, AC-DC-AC tests, and coupled tests of AC-DC-AC with hydrostatic pressure were conducted in seawater for a glass flake epoxy coating. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to characterize the degradation processes of the coating during the tests, and the surface of the coating was analyzed using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The results showed that periodic cathodic polarization coupled with high hydrostatic pressure can accelerate the degradation of a coating by facilitating the diffusion and uptake of electrolyte and the delamination of the coating. The coupled test method has the largest acceleration due to the synergetic effect of AC-DC-AC and hydrostatic pressure.
Single and Double Alkyl Chain Quaternary Ammonium Salts as Environment-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitors for a Q235 Steel in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 Solution
Authors: Feng Yangyang , Feng Yunxiao , Zhou Xiaojie , Wang Qihui , Cao Yunli
Published: October 2023

In this work, the corrosion inhibition effects of octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (OTAC) and dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) on Q235 steel in a 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 solution are studied. The results of the electrochemical experiment, contact angle measurement, and scanning electron microscopy indicate that the two ionic liquids belong to mixed-type corrosion inhibitors with good anti-corrosion performance. Additionally, OTAC has a better anti-corrosion ability than DDAC, implying that the steric hindrance effect of the double alkyl chain is not conducive to the adsorption of DDAC on the electrode surface.
The Development of a Novel Thin Film Test Method to Evaluate the Rain Erosion Resistance of Polyaspartate-Based Leading Edge Protection Coatings
Authors: Jones Stephen M. , Rehfeld Nadine , Schreiner Claus , Dyer Kirsten
Published: October 2023

The relationship between the bulk thermomechanical properties and rain erosion resistance of development polyaspartate-based coatings as candidate leading edge protection (LEP) materials for wind turbine blades is investigated by the combined application of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and rain erosion testing (RET) within a novel test method (DMA+RET). This method introduces the use of DMA+RET to both monitor the change in thermomechanical properties with respect to raindrop impact and subsequently rationalise differences in rain erosion resistance between coating formulations of comparable composition. The application of this combined process has demonstrated the importance of relatively high viscoelastic moduli at increased strain rates and creep recovery after RET as key material properties to be considered for LEP material development, whereas previous research presented in the scientific literature has primarily focussed on the use of routine characterisation procedures by tensile testing or stand-alone DMA to evaluate coating formulations prior to rain erosion testing. This journal article therefore presents a novel method to evaluate key material properties relevant to rain erosion resistance before and after subjection to raindrop impact using standard ASTM G73 RET equipment. The test method is demonstrated on a novel polyaspartate-based coating, PA-U, that exhibits notable rain erosion resistance in comparison to commercial LEP products. PA-U exhibited negligible mass loss after 30 h of rain erosion testing and favourable thermomechanical properties (E″ = 35 MPa at critical strain; equilibrium recoverable compliance of 0.05 MPa−1) in comparison to alternative formulations.
The Roughness Effect on the Preparation of Durable Superhydrophobic Silver-Coated Copper Foam for Efficient Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Baxevani Aikaterini , Stergioudi Fani , Skolianos Stefanos
Published: October 2023

In recent decades, there has been a significant interest in superhydrophobic coatings owing to their exceptional properties. In this research work, a superhydrophobic coating was developed on copper foams with a different roughness via immersion in AgNO3 and stearic acid solutions. The resulting foams exhibited water contact angles of 180°. Notably, surface roughness of the substrate influenced the development of silver dendrites and stearic acid morphologies, leading to different structures on rough and smooth copper foams. Separation efficiency was maintained above 94% for various pollutants, suggesting good stability and durability, irrespective of the substrate’s roughness. Conversely, absorption capacity was influenced by surface roughness of the substrate, with smooth copper foams demonstrating higher absorption values, primarily due to its uniform porosity and microstructure, which allowed for efficient retention of pollutants. Both copper foams exhibited excellent thermal and chemical stability and maintained their hydrophobic properties even after a 40 h exposure to harsh conditions. Mechanical durability of modified copper foams was tested by dragging and in ultrasounds, exhibiting promising results. The samples with the smooth substrate demonstrated improved coating stability.
AgNWs–Silane Coatings for the Functionalization of Aramid Woven Fabrics
Authors: Nejman Alicja , Baranowska-Korczyc Anna , Celichowski Grzegorz , Cieślak Małgorzata
Published: October 2023

Aramid woven fabrics are widely used to provide protection in extreme conditions, especially in high temperatures. Multifunctional aramid fabrics with no deteriorated thermal resistance and antibacterial properties are needed for high-risk professions. In this study, silver nanowires (AgNWs) and silanes (S) were used for the functionalization of meta- (mAr) and para-aramid (pAr) woven fabrics by mixture (Ag + S) or by the layer-by-layer (Ag/S) method. Antibacterial properties, thermal management, and stability were studied to select the functionalization method which provided the highest thermal performance, comfort, and bioactivity. Both methods decreased the fabric’s surface temperature during heating in the range of 35–40 °C by 3 °C and 2 °C, respectively, for mAr and pAr, in comparison to unmodified fabrics. After Ag + S and Ag/S modifications, the thermal degradation initial temperature increased from 554 °C to 560 °C (TG/DTG) and from 525 °C to 533 °C (DSC) for pAr fabrics, and decreased from 417 °C to 403 °C (TG/DTG) and from 411 °C to 406 °C (DSC) for mAr fabrics. The reduction in Gram− (Klebsiella pneumonia) and Gram+ (Staphylococcus aureus) bacterial growth for all modified samples was above 90%. The bactericidal and bacteriostatic coefficients were slightly higher for Ag/S functionalization. The highest thermal performance and antimicrobial activity were noted for pAr fabric modified using the Ag/S method.
Plasmonic Modification of Epitaxial Nanostructures for the Development of a Highly Efficient SERS Platform
Authors: Dumiszewska Ewa , Michałowska Aleksandra , Nozka Libor , Czolak Dariusz , Krajczewski Jan
Published: October 2023

Epitaxy is the process of crystallization of monocrystalline layers and nanostructures on a crystalline substrate. It allows for the crystallization of various semiconductor layers on a finite quantity of semiconductor substrates, like GaAs, InP, GaP, InGaP, GaP, and many others. The growth of epitaxial heterostructures is very complicated and requires special conditions and the precise control of the growth temperature, the pressure in the reactor, and the flow of the precursors. It is used to grow epitaxial structures in lasers, diodes, detectors, photovoltaic structures, and so on. Semiconductors themselves are not suitable materials for application in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) due to poor plasmonic properties in the UV/VIS range caused by missing free electrons in the conduction band due to the existing band gap. A plasmonic material is added on top of the nanostructured pattern, allowing for the formation of mixed photon–plasmon modes called localized surface plasmon-polaritons which stand behind the SERS effect. Typically, gold and silver are used as functional plasmonic layers. Such materials could be deposited via chemical or physical process. Attention has also been devoted to other plasmonic materials, like ones based on the nitrides of metals. The SERS performance of a functional surface depends both on the response of the plasmonic material and the morphology of the underlying semiconductor epitaxial layer. In the context of SERS, epitaxial growth allows for the fabrication of substrates with well-defined 3D nanostructures and enhanced electromagnetic properties. In this work, we described the possible potential plasmonic modification, composed of various coatings such as noble metals, TiN, and others, of well-developed epitaxial nanostructures for the construction of a new type of highly active SERS platforms. This abstract also highlights the role of epitaxial growth in advancing SERS, focusing on its principles, methods, and impact. Furthermore, this work outlines the potential of epitaxial growth to push the boundaries of SERS. The ability to design substrates with tailored plasmonic properties opens avenues for ultralow concentration detection.
Solid Phase and Stability Investigation of a Co-Crystal in the l-Valine/l-Leucine System
Authors: Tenberg Vico , Stein Matthias , Lorenz Heike
Published: October 2023

Some amino acid systems are known to exhibit solid solution and/or co-crystal behavior upon crystallization, which significantly affects their phase diagrams and complicates the design of their purification processes. Such behaviors are observed in the l-valine/l-leucine system. In this work, the formation and stability of a 3:1 co-crystal of the two amino acids (designated as V3L) is further investigated. To accomplish the formation, liquid-assisted grinding, slurry equilibration, and sublimation experiments were performed and analyzed via HPLC and PXRD. Additionally, periodic DFT calculations were used to calculate lattice energies and determine the thermodynamics of possible solid phases. Experimental results show a clear metastability of the investigated V3L co-crystals when compared to its stable solid solution. The calculations underline the metastability and the possible formation of continuous solid solutions between l-valine and l-leucine since lattice energy differences between pure amino acids and mixed compositions are negligible. This previously unknown phase behavior can be used to assess the influence of V3L on the amino acid purification process and provides a basis for investigating similar systems with small energy differences between pure and mixed compositions in future studies. In addition, it demonstrates the particular variability of solid phases and their relationships in such simple but biologically important amino acid systems.
Crystal Growth and the Structure of a New Quaternary Adamantine Cu☐GaGeS4
Authors: Tomm Yvonne , Többens Daniel M. , Gurieva Galina , Schorr Susan
Published: October 2023

Single crystals of quaternary adamantine-type Cu☐GaGeS4 were grown using the chemical vapor transport technique, with iodine as the transport agent. Dark red transparent crystals were grown in a temperature gradient of ΔT = 900–750 °C. Chemical characterization by X-ray fluorescence showed the off-stoichiometric composition of Cu☐GaGeS4 crystals—in particular, a slight Ge deficiency was observed. By X-ray diffraction, Cu☐GaGeS4 was found to adopt the chalcopyrite-type structure with the space group I4¯2d. Cation distribution in this structure was analyzed by multiple energy anomalous synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and it was found that Cu and vacancies occupied the 4a site, whereas Ga and Ge occupied the 4b site. The band gap energies of several off-stoichiometric Cu☐GaGeS4 crystals were determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy and ranged from 2.1 to 2.4 eV. A non-linear correlation of the band gap energy with the Ge content of the compound was shown to follow the usual bowing behavior of semiconductor alloys, with a bowing parameter of b = −1.45 (0.08).
Anticancer Studies of Newly Synthesized Thiazole Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization, Biological Activity, and Molecular Docking
Authors: Al-Salmi Fawziah A. , Alrohaimi Abdulmohsen H. , Behery Mohammed El , Megahed Walaa , Abu Ali Ola A. , Elsaid Fahmy G. , Fayad Eman , Mohammed Faten Z. , Keshta Akaber T.
Published: October 2023

Thiazole and its derivatives have received a lot of attention from researchers due to its wide biological, pharmacological, and anticancer properties. A novel series of 2-[2-[4-Hydroxy-3-substituted benzylidene hydrazinyl]-thiazole-4[5H]-ones (4a–c) and acetoxy derivative (5) were synthesized via using thiosemicarbazones (2a–c). The structure of the thiazole derivatives (4a–c) and 5 in these compounds was confirmed by spectroscopic techniques (IR and NMR), as well as elemental investigations. The synthesized derivatives biological activity was assessed based on their capacity to suppress the growth of the cancer cell lines MCF-7 and HepG2, as well as to halt the cell cycle and trigger apoptosis. Among the synthesized thiazole derivatives, compound 4c was found the most active derivative, with inhibitory concentrations IC50 = 2.57 ± 0.16 and 7.26 ± 0.44 µM in MCF-7 and HepG2, respectively, compared to Staurosporine as the standard drug with IC50 6.77 ± 0.41 and 8.4 ± 0.51 µM, respectively. Additionally, compound 4c blocked vesicular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), according to our results (IC50 = 0.15 µM), compared to Sorafenib (IC50 = 0.059 µM) as the standard drug. Moreover, compound 4c induced cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase, increasing the percentage and accumulation of cancer cells (DNA content) in the pre-G1 phase by 37.36% in MCF-7 cancer cells compared to untreated MCF-7 cells at 2.02%. Also, compound 4c increased the percentage of early and late apoptosis from 0.51% and 0.29%, respectively, in the case of the MCF-7 untreated control sample to 22.39% and 9.51%, respectively, in the MCF-7 treated sample. Furthermore, molecular docking studies of compounds 4a–c and 5 were conducted with four key proteins (aromatase, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)) that stimulate the growth, proliferation, and development of cancer cells. Compound 4c exhibited good docking scores with a promising and potential binding affinity toward the active site of selected docked proteins. According to these results, compound 4c showed efficient cytotoxic activity against the tested cancer cells.
Expression Profiling of Salt-Responsive Genes and Transcription Factors in Leaf Transcriptome of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Alotaibi Nahaa M. , Abulfaraj Aala A.
Published: October 2023

This investigation discerns the expression profiles of genes within the leaf transcriptome of Arabidopsis thaliana subjected to salt stress (200 mM NaCl). Notably, the pivotal role of indole acetic acid emerged as a keystone orchestrating a multifaceted cascade of regulatory events aimed at enhancing the plant’s adaptability under salt-induced stress. Cluster analysis elucidated upregulation of gene families with pivotal roles in supporting the availability of carbon dioxide, ameliorating photosynthetic processes and mitigating the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species under salt stress. Analysis also unveiled the participation of several transcription factor families in the orchestration of a multitude of genes under salt stress. The investigation singled out a solitary TF, denominated as BH100, which was validated through RNA-Seq and qPCR, utilizing a VIGS line featuring the knockdown of the BH100 gene. This transcription factor was implicated in the upregulation of the FRO gene, thereby establishing a link between the synchronized expression of these two genes and their role in promoting iron acquisition under salt stress. In summation, our study unveiled the regulatory frameworks and salt-responsive genes underpinning the response of Arabidopsis to salt stress. We present compelling arguments for the potential applicability of this information in the realm of molecular breeding programs.
A Large-Scale Dataset of Search Interests Related to Disease X Originating from Different Geographic Regions
Authors: Thakur Nirmalya , Cui Shuqi , Patel Kesha A. , Hall Isabella , Duggal Yuvraj Nihal
Published: October 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) added Disease X to their shortlist of blueprint priority diseases to represent a hypothetical, unknown pathogen that could cause a future epidemic. During different virus outbreaks of the past, such as COVID-19, Influenza, Lyme Disease, and Zika virus, researchers from various disciplines utilized Google Trends to mine multimodal components of web behavior to study, investigate, and analyze the global awareness, preparedness, and response associated with these respective virus outbreaks. As the world prepares for Disease X, a dataset on web behavior related to Disease X would be crucial to contribute towards the timely advancement of research in this field. Furthermore, none of the prior works in this field have focused on the development of a dataset to compile relevant web behavior data, which would help to prepare for Disease X. To address these research challenges, this work presents a dataset of web behavior related to Disease X, which emerged from different geographic regions of the world, between February 2018 and August 2023. Specifically, this dataset presents the search interests related to Disease X from 94 geographic regions. These regions were chosen for data mining as these regions recorded significant search interests related to Disease X during this timeframe. The dataset was developed by collecting data using Google Trends. The relevant search interests for all these regions for each month in this time range are available in this dataset. This paper also discusses the compliance of this dataset with the FAIR principles of scientific data management. Finally, an analysis of this dataset is presented to uphold the applicability, relevance, and usefulness of this dataset for the investigation of different research questions in the interrelated fields of Big Data, Data Mining, Healthcare, Epidemiology, and Data Analysis with a specific focus on Disease X.
A Pyramid Deep Feature Extraction Model for the Automatic Classification of Upper Extremity Fractures
Authors: Kaya Oğuz , Taşcı Burak
Published: October 2023

The musculoskeletal system plays a crucial role in our daily lives, and the accurate diagnosis of musculoskeletal issues is essential for providing effective healthcare. However, the classification of musculoskeletal system radiographs is a complex task, requiring both accuracy and efficiency. This study addresses this challenge by introducing and evaluating a pyramid deep feature extraction model for the automatic classification of musculoskeletal system radiographs. The primary goal of this research is to develop a reliable and efficient solution to classify different upper extremity regions in musculoskeletal radiographs. To achieve this goal, we conducted an end-to-end training process using a pre-trained EfficientNet B0 convolutional neural network (CNN) model. This model was trained on a dataset of radiographic images that were divided into patches of various sizes, including 224 × 224, 112 × 112, 56 × 56, and 28 × 28. From the trained CNN model, we extracted a total of 85,000 features. These features were subsequently subjected to selection using the neighborhood component analysis (NCA) feature selection algorithm and then classified using a support vector machine (SVM). The results of our experiments are highly promising. The proposed model successfully classified various upper extremity regions with high accuracy rates: 92.04% for the elbow region, 91.19% for the finger region, 92.11% for the forearm region, 91.34% for the hand region, 91.35% for the humerus region, 89.49% for the shoulder region, and 92.63% for the wrist region. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our deep feature extraction model as a potential auxiliary tool in the automatic analysis of musculoskeletal system radiographs. By automating the classification of musculoskeletal radiographs, our model has the potential to significantly accelerate clinical diagnostic processes and provide more precise results. This advancement in medical imaging technology can ultimately lead to better healthcare services for patients. However, future studies are crucial to further refine and test the model for practical clinical applications, ensuring that it integrates seamlessly into medical diagnosis and treatment processes, thus improving the overall quality of healthcare services.
Association between Corneal Higher-Order Aberrations Evaluated with a Videokeratographer and Corneal Surface Abnormalities in Dry Eye
Authors: Kusada Natsuki , Yokoi Norihiko , Sotozono Chie
Published: October 2023

Analysis of higher-order aberrations (HOAs) is one reported method for evaluating dry eye disease (DED)-related loss of visual function. Tear film (TF) instability and corneal epithelial damage (CED) are both reportedly responsible for HOAs in DED, although, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reported methods that allow concurrent evaluation of their effects. In this study, we used a videokeratographer (VK) to continuously measure HOAs in DED after eye opening and investigated factors of ocular surface abnormalities that determine HOAs. This study involved 96 DED cases that underwent DED symptom assessment with a questionnaire and examination of tear volume, TF abnormalities (i.e., TF lipid-layer interference grades and spreading grades, and non-invasive breakup time and fluorescein breakup time), and CED, and their correlation with HOAs evaluated via VK. The results show that HOAs at 1 or 2 s after eye opening can reflect TF instability and CED within the central 4-millimeter-diameter area of the optical zone in DED eyes concurrently. This finding may be useful for the rapid and non-invasive detection and evaluation of degraded visual function in DED cases with a variety of clinical features.
Comparison of Ultrasound Contrast between H2O2-Responsive Nanoparticles and Microbubble Contrast According to Muscle Injury in Rat Models
Authors: Kim Da-Sol , Song Nanhee , Lee Dongwon , Kim Gi-Wook
Published: October 2023

Ultrasound contrast agents are clinically used for diagnosis of internal organs, but ultrasound contrast agents are rarely applied clinically in musculoskeletal disorders. Our study aims to comparatively analyze the differences between ultrasonographic images through peri-injury injection of the clinically used microbubble and researched nanoparticle contrast agents in various muscular injury models. To compare contrast-enhanced images in different muscle injury models, we prepared groups of rats with sham, laceration, punch, contusion, and toxin injection injuries. We measured H2O2 levels using the Amplex Red assay by extracting tissue from the damaged area. As comparative contrast agents, SonoVue®, a commercially available microbubble contrast agent, and poly(vanillinoxalte) (PVO) nanoparticles, which are H2O2-responsive nanoparticles, were used. The difference in contrast between the two contrast agents was recorded as an ultrasound movie, and J-image software 1.53p was used to quantify and analyze the maximum and minimum echogenicity values of the images after contrast enhancement. In the Amplex red assay for the highest H2O2 level in each muscle injury model, the maximum level showed 24 h after the modeling. In the sham rats, PVO injection showed no increased echogenicity except at the needle insertion site, but SonoVue® injection showed increased echo signal throughout the injected muscle immediately after injection. One day after the preparation of the lesion, PVO and SonoVue® were injected into the lesion site and ultrasound was performed on the lesion site. After the injection of PVO nanoparticles, contrast enhancement was observed at the lesion site immediately. SonoVue® injections, on the other hand, showed a widespread pattern of echo signals and an increase in echo retention only at the lesion site over time, but this was not clear. There were statistically significant differences between the highest and lowest echogenicity in PVO and SonoVue® contrast-enhanced images in all models. Contrast enhancement lasted more than 3 h in the PVO injection, but disappeared within 3 h in the SonoVue® injection. PVO nanoparticles showed the possibility of physiologic contrast by CO2 generated by conjugation with H2O2 generated by muscle injuries, and SonoVue® injection observed the possibility of microbubble contrast as a contrast agent with a pooling effect that lasts longer on the lesion. Further research is needed to investigate the use of various ultrasound contrast agents, including nanoparticles, in musculoskeletal disorders, as well as the potential for further utilities of microbubble contrast agents.
Oral Pathogenic Bacteria and the Oral–Gut–Liver Axis: A New Understanding of Chronic Liver Diseases
Authors: Lei Yumeng , Li Simin , He Mingxin , Ao Zichun , Wang Jiadun , Wu Qingming , Wang Qiang
Published: October 2023

Liver diseases have long been a prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality, and their development and progression involve multiple vital organs throughout the body. Recent studies on the oral–gut–liver axis have revealed that the oral microbiota is associated with the pathophysiology of chronic liver diseases. Since interventions aimed at regulating oral biological disorders may delay the progress of liver disease, it is crucial to better comprehend this process. Oral bacteria with potential pathogenicity have been extensively studied and are closely related to several types of chronic liver diseases. Therefore, this review will systemically describe the emerging role of oral pathogenic bacteria in common liver diseases, including alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis, autoimmune liver diseases (AILD), and liver cancer, and bring in new perspectives for future research.
Can the Abdominal Aortic Atherosclerotic Plaque Index Predict Functional Outcomes after Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy?
Authors: Veccia Alessandro , Serafin Emanuele , Tafuri Alessandro , Malandra Sarah , Maris Bogdan , Tomelleri Giulia , Spezia Alessandro , Checcucci Enrico , Piazza Pietro , Rodler Severin , Baekelandt Loic , Kowalewski Karl-Friedrich , Rivero Belenchon Ines , Taratkin Mark , Puliatti Stefano , De Backer Pieter , Gomez Rivas Juan , Cacciamani Giovanni Enrico , Zamboni Giulia , Fiorini Paolo , Antonelli Alessandro
Published: October 2023

This study aims to evaluate the abdominal aortic atherosclerotic plaque index (API)’s predictive role in patients with pre-operatively or post-operatively developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) treated with robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). One hundred and eighty-three patients (134 with no pre- and post-operative CKD (no CKD) and 49 with persistent or post-operative CKD development (post-op CKD)) who underwent RAPN between January 2019 and January 2022 were deemed eligible for the analysis. The API was calculated using dedicated software by assessing the ratio between the CT scan atherosclerotic plaque volume and the abdominal aortic volume. The ROC regression model demonstrated the influence of API on CKD development, with an increasing effect according to its value (coefficient 0.13; 95% CI 0.04–0.23; p = 0.006). The Model 1 multivariable analysis of the predictors of post-op CKD found that the following are independently associated with post-op CKD: Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.31; p = 0.01), last follow-up (FU) Δ%eGFR (OR 0.95; p < 0.01), and API ≥ 10 (OR 25.4; p = 0.01). Model 2 showed API ≥ 10 as the only factor associated with CKD development (OR 25.2; p = 0.04). The median follow-up was 22 months. Our results demonstrate API to be a strong predictor of post-operative CKD, allowing the surgeon to tailor the best treatment for each patient, especially in those who might be at higher risk of CKD.